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[Senate Report 110-107]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session                                                    110-107
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     

                                                       Calendar No. 238

  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 2008

                               ----------                              

                              R E P O R T

                                 of the

                      COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                              U.S. SENATE

                                   on

                                S. 1710

                                     

                 June 27, 2007.--Ordered to be printed
  Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and 
          Related Agencies Appropriation Bill, 2008 (S. 1710)
                                                       Calendar No. 238
110th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 1st Session                                                    110-107

======================================================================

 
  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 2008
                                _______
                                

                 June 27, 2007.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

           Mr. Harkin, from the Committee on Appropriations, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 1710]

    The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 1710) 
making appropriations for Departments of Labor, Health and 
Human Services, and Education and related agencies for the 
fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and for other purposes, 
reports favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.

                       Amount of budget authority
Total of bill as reported to the Senate.............    $605,536,474,000
Amount of 2007 appropriations.......................     545,857,321,000
Amount of 2008 budget estimate......................     596,378,249,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
    2007 appropriations.............................     +59,679,153,000
    2008 budget estimate............................      +9,158,225,000

                            C O N T E N T S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page

Summary of Budget Estimates and Committee Recommendations........     4
Overview and Bill Highlights.....................................     4
Highlights of the Bill...........................................     4
Transpancy in Congressional Directives...........................     6
Title I: Department of Labor:
    Employment and Training Administration.......................    11
    Employee Benefits Security Administration....................    24
    Employment Standards Administration..........................    26
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration................    30
    Mine Safety and Health Administration........................    32
    Bureau of Labor Statistics...................................    34
    Office of Disability Employment Policy.......................    35
    Departmental Management......................................    36
    General Provisions...........................................    41
Title II: Department of Health and Human Services:
    Health Resources and Services Administration.................    43
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention...................    75
    National Institutes of Health................................   106
    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration....   164
    Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality...................   174
    Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services...................   177
    Administration for Children and Families.....................   184
    Administration on Aging......................................   199
    Office of the Secretary......................................   204
    General Provisions...........................................   214
Title III: Department of Education:
    Education for the Disadvantaged..............................   217
    Impact Aid...................................................   223
    School Improvement Programs..................................   224
    Indian Education.............................................   229
    Innovation and Improvement...................................   230
    Safe Schools and Citizenship Education.......................   242
    English Language Acquisition.................................   244
    Special Education............................................   245
    Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research..............   247
    Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities:
        American Printing House for the Blind....................   253
        National Technical Institute for the Deaf................   253
        Gallaudet University.....................................   254
    Career, Technical, and Adult Education.......................   254
    Student Financial Assistance.................................   257
    Student Aid Administration...................................   259
    Higher Education.............................................   259
    Howard University............................................   271
    College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans................   271
    Historically Black College and University Capital Financing 
      Program....................................................   272
    Institute of Education Science...............................   272
    Departmental Management:
        Program Administration...................................   276
        Office for Civil Rights..................................   277
        Office of the Inspector General..........................   278
    General Provisions...........................................   278
Title IV: Related Agencies:
    Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or Severely 
      Dis- 
      abled......................................................   280
    Corporation for National and Community Service...............   280
    Corporation for Public Broadcasting..........................   285
    Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service...................   285
    Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.............   286
    Institute of Museum and Library Services.....................   286
    Medicare Payment Advisory Commission.........................   289
    National Commission on Libraries and Information Science.....   289
    National Council on Disability...............................   289
    National Labor Relations Board...............................   290
    National Mediation Board.....................................   290
    Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.............   290
    Railroad Retirement Board....................................   291
    Social Security Administration...............................   292
Title V: General Provisions......................................   296
Budgetary Impact of Bill.........................................   297
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the Sen- 
  ate............................................................   297
Compliance With Paragraph 7(C), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules 
  of the Senate..................................................   298
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of 
  the Senate.....................................................   299
Comparative Statement of New Budget Authority....................   300

       SUMMARY OF BUDGET ESTIMATES AND COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

    For fiscal year 2008, the Committee recommends total budget 
authority of $605,536,474,000 for the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies. 
Of this amount, $149,872,000,000 is current year discretionary 
funding, including offsets.

                      OVERVIEW AND BILL HIGHLIGHTS

    The Labor, HHS, and Education and Related Agencies bill 
constitutes the largest of the non-defense Federal 
appropriations bills being considered by Congress this year. It 
is the product of extensive deliberations, driven by the 
realization that no task before Congress is more important than 
safeguarding and improving the health and well-being of all 
Americans. This bill is made up of over 300 programs, spanning 
three Federal Departments and numerous related agencies. But 
the bill is more than its component parts. Virtually every 
element of this bill reflects the traditional ideal of 
democracy: that every citizen deserves the right to a basic 
education and job skills training; protection from illness and 
want; and an equal opportunity to reach one's highest 
potential.
    This bill at the same time provides a safety net of social 
protections for the needy while stimulating advances in human 
achievement and the life sciences. At its core, this bill 
embodies those defining principles by which any free society 
must be guided: compassion for the less fortunate; respect for 
family and loved ones; acceptance of personal responsibility 
for one's actions; character development; and the avoidance of 
destructive behavior.

                         HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL

    Job Training.--The Committee recommendation includes 
$5,247,010,000 for job training programs. This includes 
$1,659,872,000 for the Office of Job Corps, an increase of 
$53,595,000 over the 2007 level and $109,500,000 more than the 
request. The Committee rejected the administration's proposal 
to cancel $335,000,000 in job training funds currently 
available for training purposes.
    Worker Protection.--The Committee bill provides 
$828,473,000 to ensure the health and safety of workers, 
including $498,445,000 for the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration and $330,028,000 for the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration. This total is $40,335,000 more than the 2007 
level and $24,718,000 more than the budget request.
    Child Labor.--The Committee bill includes $82,516,000 for 
activities designed to end abusive child labor. This is 
$10,000,000 above the 2007 level.
    National Institutes of Health.--A total of $29,899,887,000 
is recommended to fund biomedical research at the 27 Institutes 
and Centers that comprise the NIH. This represents an increase 
of $1,000,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level and 
$1,278,646,000 over the budget request.
    Health Centers.--The recommendation includes $2,238,039,000 
for health centers, $250,000,000 over the fiscal 2007 level.
    Nursing Education.--The Committee recommends $169,679,000 
for nursing education, $20,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 
level.
    Autism.--The Committee bill includes $53,500,000 for 
prevention of and support for families affected by autism and 
other related developmental disorders. This is an increase of 
$18,500,000 over last year's appropriation.
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.--A total of 
$6,426,833,000 is provided in this bill for the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention. This is an increase of 
$224,161,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level. This level does 
not include funding for the influenza pandemic, which is 
appropriated in the HHS Office of the Secretary.
    Substance Abuse.--The Committee bill provides 
$3,404,798,000 for substance abuse prevention and treatment 
programs. Included in this amount is $2,185,159,000 for 
substance abuse treatment, $197,108,000 for substance abuse 
prevention and $923,812,000 for mental health programs.
    Pandemic Influenza.--The Committee recommendation includes 
$888,000,000 to prepare for and respond to an influenza 
pandemic. Funds are available for the development and purchase 
of vaccine, antivirals, necessary medical supplies, 
diagnostics, and other surveillance tools.
    Head Start.--The Committee bill includes $7,088,571,000 for 
the Head Start Program. This represents an increase of 
$200,000,000 over the 2007 comparable level.
    Persons With Disabilities.--The Committee recommendation 
includes $228,548,000 to promote independent living in home and 
community-based settings. This includes $27,712,000 for the 
Office of Disability Employment Policy at the Department of 
Labor and $190,836,000 for programs funded under the Help 
America Vote Act and the Developmental Disabilities Assistance 
and Bill of Rights Act. It also includes $10,000,000 for Real 
Choice Systems Change Grants through the Center for Medicaid 
and Medicare Services.
    Title I (Education).--The Committee has provided 
$13,909,900,000 for title I grants to LEAs, an increase of 
$1,071,775,000 over the fiscal year 2007 appropriation, and 
$500,000,000 for school improvement grants, an increase of 
$375,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level.
    Student Financial Aid.--The Committee recommends 
$16,368,883,000 for student financial assistance. The Pell 
Grant Program continues its current maximum grant award of 
$4,310.
    Higher Education Initiatives.--The Committee bill provides 
$2,028,302,000 for initiatives to provide greater opportunities 
for higher education, including $858,178,000 for Federal TRIO 
programs, an increase of $30,000,000, and $313,423,000 for GEAR 
UP, an increase of $10,000,000.
    Education for Individuals With Disabilities.--The Committee 
bill provides $12,330,374,000 to help ensure that all children 
have access to a free and appropriate education. This amount 
includes $11,240,000,000 for Part B grants to States, an 
increase of $457,039,000 over last year and $748,059,000 more 
than the budget request. The recommended level will reverse the 
declining share of Federal resources for educating students 
with disabilities and raise it to 17.65 percent, the same 
amount as it was in 2006.
    Rehabilitation Services.--The bill recommends 
$3,286,942,000 for rehabilitation services. These funds are 
essential for families with disabilities seeking employment. 
The Committee restored funding for several important programs 
proposed for elimination, such as Supported Employment State 
Grants, Projects with Industry, Recreational programs and 
programs for migrant and seasonal farmworkers and rejected the 
Department's proposal to freeze State grant funding at the 2007 
level.
    Services for Older Americans.--For programs serving older 
Americans, the Committee recommendation includes 
$3,298,628,000. This recommendation includes $217,586,000 for 
senior volunteer programs, $483,611,000 for community service 
employment for older Americans, $350,595,000 for supportive 
services and centers, $162,595,000 for family caregiver support 
programs and $773,570,000 for senior nutrition programs. For 
the medical research activities of the National Institute on 
Aging, the Committee recommends $1,073,048,000. The Committee 
recommendation also includes not less than $35,000,000 for the 
Medicare insurance counseling program.
    Corporation for Public Broadcasting.--The Committee bill 
recommends an advance appropriation for fiscal year 2010 of 
$420,000,000 for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. In 
addition, the Committee bill includes $29,700,000 for 
conversion to digital broadcasting and $26,750,000 for the 
replacement project of the interconnection system in fiscal 
year 2008 funding.

                Transparency in Congressional Directives

    On January 18, 2007, the Senate passed S. 1, The 
Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2007, by a 
vote of 96-2. While the Committee awaits final action on this 
legislation, the chairman and ranking member of the Committee 
issued interim requirements to ensure that the goals of S. 1 
are in place for the appropriations bills for fiscal year 2008.
    The Constitution vests in the Congress the power of the 
purse. The Committee believes strongly that Congress should 
make the decisions on how to allocate the people's money. In 
order to improve transparency and accountability in the process 
of approving earmarks (as defined in S. 1) in appropriations 
measures, each Committee report includes, for each earmark:
  --(1) the name of the Member(s) making the request, and where 
        appropriate, the President;
  --(2) the name and location of the intended recipient or, if 
        there is no specifically intended recipient, the 
        intended location of the activity; and
  --(3) the purpose of such earmark.
    The term ``congressional earmark'' means a provision or 
report language included primarily at the request of a Senator, 
providing, authorizing, or recommending a specific amount of 
discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or other 
spending authority for a contract, loan, loan guarantee, grant, 
loan authority, or other expenditure with or to an entity, or 
targeted to a specific state, locality or congressional 
district, other than through a statutory or administrative, 
formula-driven, or competitive award process.
    For each earmark, a Member is required to provide a 
certification that neither the Member (nor his or her spouse) 
has a pecuniary interest in such earmark, consistent with 
Senate Rule XXXVII(4). Such certifications are available to the 
public at http://appropriations.senate.gov/senators.cfm or go 
to appropriations.senate.gov and click on ``Members''.
    In addition the Committee has significantly reduced the 
number and amount of earmarks included in the fiscal year 2008 
bill as compared to fiscal year 2005.
    The Committee has instituted these reforms to ensure that 
there is accountability in how it executes its constitutional 
authority to spend Federal dollars. The executive branch must 
do the same. The Committee notes, for example, that the 
Department of Health and Human Services awarded almost 
$2,000,000,000 in contracts not subject to full and open 
competition in 2006. In addition, a recent Congressional 
Research Service report found that 90 percent of the funds 
under the Department of Labor's High Growth Job Training 
Initiative were awarded non-competitively, resulting in more 
than $250,000,000 being awarded over the past 5 years without 
any competition or public oversight Therefore, the Committee 
has included a general provision in title V requiring the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
to provide a quarterly report to the Committee listing all 
contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements awarded by the 
Department over the past 90 days for amounts over $100,000 that 
were not awarded competitively.

                              Initiatives

Improving the Implementation of NCLB
    The No Child Left Behind Act includes dozens of authorized 
funding programs. But when people talk about the need to 
adequately fund the law, they're usually thinking of title I 
grants to local educational agencies. And rightly so. The 
largest and most important of the Federal education programs, 
title I grants to LEAs help the students who need help the 
most--the millions who are being left behind. It is also the 
program that, under the NCLB, holds schools accountable for 
improving student performance. That is why, when Congress wrote 
the NCLB, it authorized specific funding levels for title I for 
each year through fiscal year 2007.
    Regrettably, the Federal Government fell short of its 
commitment on title I each year, and each year the gap between 
the authorized and appropriated levels grew wider, reaching a 
cumulative total of $54,700,000,000, while the accountability 
requirements on schools grew more and more demanding.
    For fiscal year 2008, the Committee attempts to reverse 
this trend by recommending the largest increase for title I in 
5 years--$1,071,775,000. The administration called for the same 
increase, but offset the additional funds by proposing to 
terminate dozens of other programs, including career and 
technical education State grants, education technology State 
grants, arts in education, and school counseling; the Committee 
recommendation achieves its title I increase while preserving 
most of the targeted programs.
    Increasing funding for title I grants to LEAs is not the 
only way that Federal appropriations can be used to improve the 
implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act, however. 
Particularly in the areas of research and technical assistance, 
it's far more efficient and effective for the Federal 
Government to provide key education services than expecting 
States and localities to reinvent the wheel many times over. 
Therefore, the Committee has made it a top priority to identify 
those pots of money that will help schools meet their NCLB 
accountability requirements, and increase their funding to the 
extent possible.
    School Improvement Grants.--More than 10,000 schools are 
currently designated in need of improvement, meaning they 
failed to meet NCLB accountability standards for 2 years in a 
row. The school improvement grants program targets title I 
funding directly to such schools, with the goal of turning them 
around. Congress funded this program for the first time in the 
fiscal year 2007 joint funding resolution, at a level of 
$125,000,000. For fiscal year 2008, the Committee recommends an 
increase to $500,000,000.
    Enhanced Assessment Instruments.--Accurate assessments are 
key to measuring student achievement. But concerns have been 
raised about the quality of those currently in use. The 
Committee recommends $16,000,000--more than double the fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation of $7,563,000--for competitive grants 
to develop enhanced assessment instruments. The Committee 
intends the Department to put a priority on assessments for 
students with disabilities and students with limited English 
proficiency--two groups for which high-quality assessments have 
been particularly problematic to develop.
    Comprehensive Centers.--These 21 centers, spread out 
geographically across the country, are charged with advising 
States how to implement NCLB and meet the law's accountability 
goals. Some, for example, help States develop ways to provide 
professional development, track student achievement data, and 
offer assistance to schools that have been designated in need 
of improvement. The Committee recommends increasing funding for 
this program from $56,257,000 to $60,000,000.
    Research, Development and Dissemination.--This program 
supports investments in research intended to generate solutions 
to critical problems in education. The Committee notes that one 
of the bipartisan recommendations of the Commission on No Child 
Left Behind is to double the research budget at IES and target 
the increase to research that assists schools in meeting the 
goals of NCLB. The Committee recommends increasing funding for 
this purpose from $162,552,000 to $182,552,000.
    Regional Educational Laboratories.--Program funds support a 
network of 10 laboratories that are responsible for promoting 
the use of broad-based systemic strategies to improve student 
achievement. The Committee recommends increasing funding for 
this program from $65,470,000 to $68,000,000 to increase their 
capacity to provide timely responses to requests for assistance 
on issues of urgent regional need.
    Statewide Data Systems.--This program supports competitive 
grants to State educational agencies to enable them to design, 
develop, and implement statewide, longitudinal data systems for 
managing, analyzing, disaggregating, and using individual 
student data. The Committee notes that one of the bipartisan 
recommendations of the Commission on No Child Left Behind is to 
assist States with the development, implementation and ongoing 
support of sufficient data systems, by increasing the budget 
for this program by an additional $100,000,000 for each of the 
next 4 years. Funding provided to date has assisted 14 States, 
with another 17 expected to be funded this year. The Committee 
recommends increasing funding for this program from $24,552,000 
to $58,000,000, to enable more States to develop and strengthen 
their data systems.
Elimination of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse
    For fiscal year 2008, the Committee has increased funding 
for a variety of activities aimed at reducing fraud, waste, and 
abuse of taxpayer dollars. These program integrity initiatives 
have been shown to be a wise investment of Federal dollars 
resulting in billions of dollars of savings from Federal 
entitlement programs--unemployment insurance, Medicare and 
Medicaid, and Social Security.
    Unemployment Insurance Program Integrity.--The Committee 
recommendation includes $50,000,000, an increase of 
$40,000,000, to conduct eligibility reviews of claimants of 
Unemployment Insurance. This increase will save an estimated 
$200,000,000 annually in inappropriate Unemployment Insurance 
payments.
    Social Security Program Integrity.--The Committee 
recommendation includes $476,970,000 for conducting continuing 
disability reviews [CDRs] and redeterminations of eligibility 
for Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income 
benefits. CDRs save $10 in benefit payments for every $1 spent 
to conduct these activities, while redeterminations save $7 in 
payments for every $1 for doing this work.
    TANF Improper Payments.--The Committee recommendation 
includes an increase of $6,200,000 for the Administration for 
Children and Families [ACF] to establish error rates for the 
temporary assistance to needy families [TANF] and child care 
programs. Efforts to minimize improper payments in these 
programs are particularly important given that they total over 
$34,000,000,000 in Federal and State funds annually. Previous 
ACF program integrity efforts have achieved over $600,000,000 
in savings in the Head Start and foster care programs.
    Health Care Program Integrity.--In fiscal year 2006, 
Medicare and Medicaid outlays accounted for nearly $1 out of 
every $5 of the total Federal outlays. Fraud committed against 
Federal health care programs puts Americans at increased risk 
and diverts critical resources from providing necessary health 
services to some of the Nation's most vulnerable populations.
    The Committee has included $383,000,000 for Health Care 
Fraud and Abuse Control activities at the Center for Medicare 
and Medicaid Services. This is $200,000,000 more than requested 
by the administration.
    Investment in health care program integrity more than pays 
for itself based on 10 years of documented recoveries to the 
Medicare Part A Trust Fund. In fiscal year 2006 the Medicare 
Integrity Program [MIP] reported savings of more than 
$10,000,000,000. This computes to a 14:1 overall return on 
investment from MIP oversight activities. The overall return on 
investment has been consistent since the inception of MIP with 
special projects and initiatives achieving even higher returns.

                  Reprogramming and Transfer Authority

    The Committee has included bill language delineating 
permissible transfer authority in general provisions for each 
of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education, as well as specifying reprogramming authority in a 
general provision applying to all funds provided under this 
act.

                                TITLE I

                          DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

                 Employment and Training Administration

                    TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $3,556,272,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   2,972,039,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,587,138,000

    The Committee recommends $3,587,138,000 for this account in 
2008 which provides funding primarily for activities under the 
Workforce Investment Act [WIA]. The comparable 2007 level is 
$3,556,272,000 and the administration request is 
$2,972,039,000. The Committee recommendation rejects the 
proposed $335,000,000 cancellation of unexpended balances 
proposed in the budget request.
    Training and employment services is comprised of programs 
designed to enhance the employment and earnings of economically 
disadvantaged and dislocated workers, operated through a 
decentralized system of skill training and related services. 
This appropriation is generally forward-funded on a July-to-
June cycle. Funds provided for fiscal year 2008 will support 
the program from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2009. A portion 
of this account's funding, $1,772,000,000, is advance 
appropriated, yet still available for the forward-funded 
program year.
    The Committee expects that, while the Workforce Investment 
Act, Wagner-Peyser Act, and Trade Adjustment Act are in the 
process of being altered and renewed, the administration will 
refrain from unilateral changes to the administration, 
operation and financing of employment and training programs. 
Therefore, legislative language is included in section 107 of 
the general provisions that prohibits the Department from 
taking such action while Congress considers legislation 
reauthorizing these acts.
    Pending reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act the 
Committee is acting on a current law request, deferring without 
prejudice proposed legislative language under the jurisdiction 
of the authorizing committees. The Committee recommendation 
includes language in section 108 of the general provisions 
requiring that the Department take no action to amend, through 
regulatory or other administrative action, the definition 
established in 20 CFR 677.220 for functions and activities 
under title I of the Workforce Investment Act until such time 
as legislation reauthorizing the act is enacted. This language 
is continued from last year's bill.
    The Committee notes that the number of unemployed workers 
has increased by 842,000, while the number of manufacturing 
jobs has decreased by 3 million since 2001. Despite these 
trends, the Department of Labor has consistently proposed 
cutting funding available for job training. The Committee once 
again rejects these proposed cuts.
    While the Committee is interested in ensuring that more 
training is accomplished with the funds available--a stated 
concern of the Department as well--the Committee disagrees with 
the proposed solutions of the Department. These can be stated 
simply as funding cuts and consolidation of programs. The 
Committee believes these policy solutions are not the right 
ones to move American workers forward in this competitive 
global marketplace.

Grants to States

    The Committee recommendation includes $2,994,510,000 for 
Training and Employment Services Grants to States, the same as 
the fiscal year 2007 comparable amount. The budget request 
includes $2,455,439,000 for this purpose. In addition, the 
budget proposes to cancel $335,000,000 of job training funds 
currently available to the workforce development system. The 
Committee rejects this proposal and notes that the Government 
Accountability Office has analyzed spending of the workforce 
development system and found that these funds generally are 
being spent within authorized timeframes. For example, the GAO 
found that 44 States spent 90 percent or more of their program 
year 2000 allotment within 2 years, even though 3 years is the 
amount of time they have to spend these funds.
    The budget request also proposes legislative language to 
increase the amount of funds that a local workforce board may 
transfer between the adult and dislocated worker assistance 
program from the 30 percent under current law to 40 percent, 
with the approval of the Governor. The Committee bill does not 
provide the recommended increase to 40 percent and the 
Committee notes that many States report that no funds have been 
transferred under this authority while other States have 
received waivers from the Department to transfer 100 percent of 
such funds.
    The budget request also includes language allowing the 
Secretary to reallocate funds available under the Adult, Youth 
and Dislocated Worker programs if the total amount of 
unexpended balances in a State exceeds 30 percent during 
program year 2006. These funds would be reallocated using 
program year 2007 funds to States that have unexpended balances 
lower than 30 percent. The Committee recommendation does not 
include the requested language and notes that this issue is 
most appropriately addressed during the reauthorization of the 
Workforce Investment Act.
    Adult Employment and Training.--For Adult Employment and 
Training Activities, the Committee recommends $864,199,000. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level is $864,199,000 and the 
budget request includes $712,000,000 for this purpose. This 
program is formula-funded 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.
    Funds made available in this bill support program year 2008 
activities, which occur from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 
2009. The bill provides that $152,199,000 is available for 
obligation on July 1, 2008, and that $712,000,000 is available 
on October 1, 2008. Both categories of funding are available 
for obligation through June 30, 2009.
    Youth Training.--For Youth Training, the Committee 
recommends $940,500,000. The comparable fiscal year 2007 level 
is $940,500,000 and the budget request includes $840,500,000 
for this purpose. The purpose of Youth Training 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 supported include mentoring, training, supportive 
services, and summer employment directly linked to academic and 
occupational learning, incentives for recognition and 
achievement, and activities related to leadership development, 
citizenship, and community service.
    Funds made available in this bill support program year 2008 
activities, which occur from April 1, 2008 through June 30, 
2009. The bill provides that $940,500,000 is available for 
obligation on April 1, 2008 and available for obligation 
through June 30, 2009.
    Dislocated Worker Assistance.--For Dislocated Worker 
Assistance, the Committee recommends $1,189,811,000. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level is $1,189,811,000 and the 
budget request includes $902,939,000 for this purpose. This 
program is a State-operated effort which provides core and 
intensive services, training, and support 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. Also, States may use these funds to carry 
out additional statewide employment and training activities, 
which may include implementation of innovative incumbent and 
dislocated worker training, and programs such as Advanced 
Manufacturing Integrated Systems Technology.
    Funds made available in this bill support program year 2008 
activities, which occur from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 
2009. The bill provides that $341,811,000 is available for 
obligation on July 1, 2008, and that $848,000,000 is available 
on October 1, 2008. Both categories of funding are available 
for obligation through June 30, 2009.

Federally Administered Programs

    Dislocated Worker Assistance National Reserve.--The 
Committee recommends $282,092,000 for the Dislocated Worker 
National Reserve, which is available to the Secretary for 
activities such as responding 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, 
including a community college initiative.
    Funds made available in this bill support program year 2008 
activities, which occur from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 
2009. The bill provides that $66,392,000 is available for 
obligation on July 1, 2008, and that $212,000,000 is available 
on October 1, 2008. Both categories of funding are available 
for obligation through June 30, 2009.
    The bill also provides that $3,700,000 of the funds 
available from the National Reserve are available on October 1, 
2007 for non-competitive grants made within 30 days of the date 
of enactment of this act. The Department shall make non-
competitive grants of $1,500,000 to the AFL-CIO Working for 
America Institute (Funding for this grant was requested by 
Senator Harkin) and $2,200,000 to the AFL Appalachian Council, 
Incorporated (Funding for this grant was requested by Senator 
Specter).
    The Committee bill continues language authorizing the use 
of funds under the dislocated workers program for projects that 
provide assistance to new entrants in the workforce and 
incumbent workers, as well as to provide assistance where there 
have been dislocations across multiple sectors or local areas 
of a State.
    The Committee is aware of the economic diversification 
opportunity brought on by the recent closures of U.S. pineapple 
plantations and encourages the Department to consider possible 
collaborations between State and statewide agricultural 
organizations that sponsor multi-culturally sensitive on-farm 
food safety training to mitigate worker dislocation.
    Community-Based Job Training Initiative.--Within the 
Committee recommendation for the Dislocated Worker Assistance 
National Reserve, $125,000,000 is available to continue the 
Community College/Community-Based Job Training Grant 
initiative. The comparable fiscal year 2007 level is 
$125,000,000 and the budget request includes $150,000,000 for 
this purpose. Funds used for this initiative should strengthen 
partnerships between workforce investment boards, community 
colleges, and employers, to train workers for high growth, high 
demand industries in the new economy. The Committee 
recommendation includes a general provision requiring these 
grants to be awarded competitively.
    The Committee notes the lack of baselines and performance 
information on training outcomes achieved under this program. 
The Committee requests that the Department include in its 
fiscal year 2009 budget justification a thorough analysis of 
available grantee reporting on training outcomes and a 
description of how the Department intends to evaluate the 
effectiveness of this new program.
    Native American Programs.--For Native American programs, 
the Committee recommends $53,696,000. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 level is $53,696,000 and the budget request includes 
$45,000,000 for this purpose. This program 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.
    Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker Programs.--For Migrant and 
Seasonal Farmworkers, the Committee recommends $79,752,000. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level is $79,752,000, while the 
budget proposes to eliminate funding for this purpose. 
Authorized by the Workforce Investment Act, this program is 
designed to serve members of economically disadvantaged 
families whose principal livelihood is derived from migratory 
and other forms of seasonal farmwork, or fishing, or logging 
activities. Enrollees and their families are provided with 
employment training and related services intended to prepare 
them for stable, year-round employment within and outside of 
the agriculture industry.
    The Committee recommendation provides that $74,302,000 be 
used for State service area grants. The Committee 
recommendation also includes bill language directing that 
$4,950,000 be used for migrant and seasonal farmworker housing 
grants, of which not less than 70 percent shall be for 
permanent housing. The principal purpose of these funds is to 
continue the network of local farmworker housing organizations 
working on permanent housing solutions for migrant and seasonal 
farmworkers. The Committee recommendation also includes 
$500,000 to be used for section 167 training, technical 
assistance and related activities, including funds for migrant 
rest center activities. Finally, the Committee wishes to again 
advise the Department regarding the requirements of the 
Workforce Investment Act in selecting an eligible entity to 
receive a State service area grant under section 167. Such an 
entity must have already demonstrated a capacity to administer 
effectively a diversified program of workforce training and 
related assistance for eligible migrant and seasonal 
farmworkers.
    Women in Apprenticeship.--The Committee recommends 
$1,000,000 for program year 2008 activities as authorized under 
the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-Traditional Occupations Act 
of 1992. The comparable fiscal year 2007 level is $1,000,000, 
while the budget proposes to eliminate funding for this 
purpose. These funds provide for technical assistance to 
employers and unions to assist them in training, placing, and 
retraining women in nontraditional jobs and occupations.
    YouthBuild.--The Committee recommends $65,000,000 for the 
YouthBuild program. The comparable fiscal year 2007 level is 
$49,500,000 and the budget request includes $50,000,000 for 
this purpose.
    The YouthBuild program provides the opportunity for 
eligible youth to learn construction trade skills by building 
or rehabilitating housing for low-income individuals, earn a 
high school diploma or equivalency degree, and prepare for 
postsecondary training. Personal counseling and training in 
life skills and financial management also are provided. The 
students are a part of a mini-community of adults and youth 
committed to each other's success and to improving the 
conditions in their neighborhoods.
    The Committee notes that 68,000 YouthBuild students have 
built or rehabilitated 16,000 units of affordable housing since 
1994. Construction projects range from constructing new homes 
to restoring multi-unit buildings to rebuilding entire 
neighborhoods.
    Job Corps.--The Committee recommendation continues funding 
the Job Corps program as an independent entity reporting to the 
Office of the Secretary of Labor. The budget request proposed 
returning the program to the Employment and Training 
Administration. This program is described in a separate account 
in this report.

National Activities

    Pilots, Demonstrations, and Research.--The Committee 
recommends $30,650,000 for pilots, demonstration and research 
authorized by section 171 of the Workforce Investment Act. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level is $14,700,000 and the budget 
request includes $13,000,000 for this purpose. These funds 
support grants or contracts to conduct research, pilots or 
demonstrations that improve techniques or demonstrate the 
effectiveness of programs.
    The Committee encourages the Department to re-assess the 
performance measures currently in use for pilots, 
demonstrations, evaluation and research. The ones currently 
utilized are process goals that don't address how such funds 
are used to improve the effectiveness of Department programs. 
The Committee bill also includes language under section 105 of 
the general provisions that requires the Department to submit 
an operating plan by July 1, 2008 which details the planned 
expenditure of these funds.
    The Committee recommendation also includes language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alu Like, Inc., Honolulu, HI,           $100,000  Inouye
 for training and education.
Arc of Blackstone Valley,                325,000  Reed
 Pawtucket, RI, to recruit
 individuals to work as direct
 support professionals in the
 human services.
Baltimore Department of                  500,000  Cardin
 Planning, Baltimore, MD, to
 support the expansion of
 workforce development
 resources.
Barnabus Uplift, Des Moines,             500,000  Harkin
 Iowa, for job training and
 supportive services.
Bismarck State College,                1,000,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 Bismarck, ND, for the energy
 training program.
Brockton Area Private Industry           200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Council, Inc., Brockton, MA,
 for workforce development
 programs.
Capps Workforce Training                 500,000  Cochran
 Center, Moorhead, MS, for
 Workforce Training.
Catholic Charities, Chicago,             550,000  Durbin
 IL, for vocational training
 and support programs at the
 Saint Leo Residence for
 Veterans.
Community Agricultural                   250,000  Murray
 Vocational Institute, Yakima,
 WA, for training of
 agricultural workers.
Community College of Allegheny            75,000  Specter
 College, Pittsburgh, PA, for
 job training programs.
Community Solution for                   150,000  Smith
 Clackamas County, Oregon City,
 Oregon, to expand the Working
 for Independence (WFI) program.
Community Transportation                 500,000  Harkin
 Associatin of America,
 Washinton, DC, for the
 Joblinks program for
 continuation costs.
Cook Inlet Tribal Council,               500,000  Stevens
 Inc., Anchorage, AK, for the
 Alaska's People program to
 provide job training and
 employment counseling.
Crowder College, Neosho, MO, to          775,000  Bond
 expand technical education
 programs for workforce
 development.
Des Moines Area Community                250,000  Harkin, Grassley
 College, Des Moines, Iowa, for
 Project Employ-  ment.
Eastern Michigan University,             400,000  Stabenow, Levin
 Ypsilanti, MI, for retraining
 of displaced workers.
Eastern Technology Council,               75,000  Specter, Casey
 Wayne, PA, for job training
 programs.
Fort Lewis College, Durango,             150,000  Allard, Salazar
 CO, for the development of
 entrepreneurship programs to
 enhance regional development.
Foundation for an Independent            150,000  Reid
 Tomorrow, Las Vegas, NV, for
 job training, vocational
 education, and related support.
Foundation of the Delaware                75,000  Specter
 County Chamber, Media, PA, for
 job training programs.
Goodwill Industries of                   250,000  Kohl
 Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc.,
 Milwaukee, WI, to provide
 training, employment and
 supportive services, including
 for individuals with
 disabilities.
Hamilton County Government,              150,000  Alexander
 Chattanooga, TN, for a
 workforce initiative.
Harrisburg Area Community                 75,000  Specter
 College, Harrisburg, PA, for
 job training pro-  grams.
Idaho Women Work! at Eastern             150,000  Craig
 Idaho Technical College, Idaho
 Falls, ID, to continue and
 expand the Recruiting for the
 Information Technology Age
 (RITA) initiative in Idaho.
Iowa Policy Project, Mount               400,000  Harkin
 Vernon, IA, for a study on
 temporary and contingent
 workers.
Iowa Valley Community College,           175,000  Harkin
 Marshalltown, IA, for
 community outreach and
 training center.
Linking Employment, Abilities            200,000  Brown
 and Potential, Cleveland,
 Ohio, for training and skill
 development services for
 individuals with disabilities
 in coordination with the local
 workforce investment system.
MAGLEV Inc., McKeesport, PA,             100,000  Specter
 for a training program in
 advanced precision fabrication.
Massachussets League of                  200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Community Health Centers, East
 Boston, MA, for a health-care
 workforce development program.
Maui Community College, HI, for        2,400,000  Inouye
 the Remote Rural Hawaii Job
 Training project.
Maui Community College Training        1,800,000  Inouye
 and Educational Opportunities,
 HI, for training and education.
Maui Economic Development                475,000  Inouye
 Board, HI, for high tech
 training.
Maui Economic Development                300,000  Inouye
 Board, HI, for the rural
 computer utilization training
 program.
Memphis, Tennessee, for a                250,000  Alexander
 prisoner re-entry program.
Minnesota State Colleges and           1,000,000  Coleman, Klobuchar
 Universities, St. Paul, MN,
 for rapid reemployment
 services for veterans.
Minot State University, Minot,           750,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 ND, to provide training and
 master's degrees to Job Corps
 Center senior management
 personnel.
Mississippi State University,            400,000  Cochran
 Mississippi State, MS, for the
 Mississippi Integrated
 Workforce Performance System.
Mississippi State University,            200,000  Cochran
 Mississippi State, MS, for
 training development and
 delivery system at the
 Distributed Learning System
 for Workforce Training Program.
Mississippi Technology                   150,000  Cochran
 Alliance, Ridgeland, MS, for
 the Center for Innovation and
 Entrepreneurial Services.
Mississippi Valley State                 200,000  Cochran
 University, Itta Bena, MS, for
 training and development
 programs at the Automated
 Identification Technology
 (AIT)/Automatic Data
 Collection (ADC).
Moreno Valley, CA, to provide            150,000  Boxer
 vocational training for young
 adults, as well as the
 development of an internship
 with local businesses to put
 the trainees' job skills to
 use upon graduation.
National Council of La Raza in           500,000  Harkin
 Washington, DC, to provide
 technical assistance on
 Hispanic workforce issues
 including capacity building,
 language barriers, and health
 care job training in Iowa and
 other Midwestern States.
Neumann College, Aston, PA, for           75,000  Specter
 the Partnership Advancing
 Training for Careers in Health
 program.
North Side Industrial                     75,000  Specter
 Development Corporation,
 Pittsburgh, PA, for job
 training programs.
Northwest Washington Electrical          150,000  Murray
 Industry Joint Apprenticeship
 and Training Committee, Mount
 Vernon, WA, for expanded
 training capability, including
 the acquisition of training
 equipment, to meet the need
 for skilled electrical workers.
Northwest Wisconsin                      300,000  Kohl
 Concentrated Employment
 Program, Inc., Ashland, WI,
 for workforce development
 training in Northwest
 Wisconsin.
Pacific Mountain Workforce               200,000  Murray
 Consortium, Tumwater, WA, for
 training of qualified
 foresters and restoration
 professionals in Lewis County.
Pennsylvania Women Work!,                100,000  Specter
 Pittsburgh, PA, for job
 training programs.
Philadelphia Shipyard                    100,000  Specter
 Development Corporation,
 Philadelphia, PA, for job
 training programs.
Philadelphia Veterans Multi-              75,000  Specter
 Service & Education Center,
 Philadelphia, PA, for veterans
 job training.
Pittsburgh Airport Area Chamber           75,000  Specter
 of Commerce Enterprise
 Foundation, Pittsburgh, PA,
 for workforce development.
Port Jobs, in partnership with           100,000  Murray
 South Seattle Community
 College, Seattle, WA, for
 training of entry-level
 airport workers.
Portland Community College,              100,000  Wyden, Smith
 Portland, OR, to support the
 Center for Business and
 Industry.
Project ARRIBA, El Paso, TX,             100,000  Hutchison
 for workforce development in
 the West Texas region.
Rhodes State College, Lima,              150,000  Brown
 Ohio, for equipment,
 curriculum development,
 training and internships for
 high-tech engineering
 technology programs.
Rural Enterprises of Oklahoma,           100,000  Inhofe
 Inc., Durant, OK, for
 entrepreneurship training
 programs.
Saint Leonard's Ministries,              350,000  Durbin
 Chicago, IL, for job training
 and placement for ex-offenders.
San Jose, CA, for job training           400,000  Feinstein
 for the homeless.
Santa Ana, CA, for the Work              900,000  Feinstein, Boxer
 Experience and Literacy
 Program.
Santa Maria El Mirador, Santa            700,000  Domenici
 Fe, NM, to provide an
 employment training program.
Southwest Washington Workforce           200,000  Murray
 Development Council,
 Vancouver, WA, to create and
 sustain a partnership between
 business, education and
 workforce leaders in Southwest
 Washington.
STRIVE/East Harlem Employment            500,000  Schumer, Clinton
 Service, Inc., New York, NY,
 for the Core job training
 program.
Twin Cities Rise!, Minneapolis,          300,000  Klobuchar
 MN, for job training
 initiatives.
United Auto Workers Region 9             250,000  Schumer, Clinton
 Training Initiative, in New
 York, for Competitive
 Employment Training Assistance.
University of Mississippi,               100,000  Cochran
 University, MS, for the
 Southeastern Center for Human
 Resources Management to
 develop a partnership between
 corporations and university
 scholars.
University of Southern                   500,000  Cochran
 Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS,
 for Workforce Training in
 Marine Composite.
University of West Florida,              100,000  Martinez
 Pensacola, FL, for the
 Hometown Heroes Teach program,
 for teaching certificates for
 veterans.
Urban League of Lancaster                 75,000  Specter
 County, Inc., Lancaster, PA,
 for job training programs.
Vermont Department of Labor,             600,000  Leahy
 Montpelier, VT, for job
 training of female inmates in
 Vermont as they prepare to
 reenter the workforce.
Vermont Healthcare and                   250,000  Leahy
 Information Technology
 Education Center, Williston,
 VT, for advanced manufacturing
 training of displaced workers.
Vermont Healthcare and                   650,000  Leahy
 Information Technology
 Education Center, Williston,
 VT, for health care training
 of displaced workers.
Vermont Technical College and            700,000  Leahy
 Vermont Workforce Development
 Council, Randolph Center, VT,
 to provide job training to
 displaced workers in Vermont.
Washington Workforce                     500,000  Murray
 Association, Vancouver, WA,
 for job shadowing,
 internships, and scholarships
 to prepare students for high-
 demand occupations.
Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha            450,000  Kohl
 Workforce Development Inc.,
 Pewaukee, WI, for advanced
 manufacturing and technology
 training.
Wisconsin Community Action               325,000  Kohl
 Program, Madison, WI, for job
 training assistance of low-
 income individuals.
Wisconsin Regional Training              300,000  Kohl
 Partnership, Milwaukee, WI, to
 assess, prepare, and place job-
 ready candidates in
 construction, manufacturing,
 and other skilled trades and
 industries.
Workforce Connections, Inc., La          150,000  Kohl
 Crosse, WI, to develop and
 implement strategic workforce
 development activities in
 Western Wisconsin.
Workforce Resource, Inc.,                250,000  Kohl
 Menomonie, WI, for employment
 assistance.
Wrightco Technologies, Inc,              100,000  Specter
 Claysburg, PA, to provide job
 training, retraining and
 vocational educational
 programs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offenders.--The 
Committee recommendation includes $55,000,000 to continue 
funding for the current Responsible Reintegration of Youthful 
Offenders program. The comparable fiscal year 2007 level is 
$49,104,000, while the budget proposed to eliminate funding for 
this program. The Responsible Reintegration of Youthful 
Offenders program targets critical funding to help prepare and 
assist young offenders to return to their communities. The 
program also provides support, opportunities, education and 
training to youth who are court-involved and on probation, in 
aftercare, on parole, or who would benefit from alternatives to 
incarceration or diversion from formal judicial proceedings. 
The Committee intends that funds available for this purpose 
under the fiscal year 2007 appropriation and this act be used 
to continue the youth violence prevention initiative initiated 
with program year 2006 funds.
    Prisoner Re-entry.--The Committee recommendation does not 
include funding for the Prisoner Re-entry initiative. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level is $19,642,000, while the 
budget request proposed eliminating funding for this purpose. 
The budget proposes to redirect these funds to a new 
Responsible Reintegration of Ex-Offenders program described 
below.
    Responsible Reintegration of Ex-Offenders.--The Committee 
recommends $13,642,000 for the Responsible Reintegration of Ex-
Offenders program. The budget request includes $39,600,000 for 
this new initiative. Funds would be used to connect adult ex-
offenders with pre-release, mentoring, housing, case management 
and employment services, utilizing the best practices learned 
from the Prisoner Re-entry initiative.
    The Committee urges the Department to award grants to 
organizations that will: (1) implement programs, practices, or 
strategies shown in well-designed randomized controlled trials 
to have sizable, sustained effects on important workforce and 
reintegration outcomes; (2) adhere closely to the specific 
elements of the proven program, practice, or strategy; and (3) 
obtain sizeable matching funds for their project from other 
Federal or non-Federal sources, such as the Adult Training 
formula grant program authorized under the Workforce Investment 
Act of 1998, or State or local programs.
    Evaluation.--The Committee recommends $4,921,000 to provide 
for the continuing evaluation of programs conducted under the 
Workforce Investment Act, as well as of Federally-funded 
employment-related activities under other provisions of law. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 level is $4,921,000 and the 
budget request includes $7,000,000 for this purpose.
    Community-based Job Training Grants.--The Committee 
recommends $125,000,000 for this initiative from the Dislocated 
Worker National Reserve, as described earlier in this section. 
This is the same financing arrangement provided for in last 
year's bill. The budget request includes $150,000,000 for this 
initiative. The Committee recommendation includes a general 
provision requiring these grants to be awarded competitively.
    Denali Commission.--The Committee recommends $6,875,000 for 
the Denali Commission, as authorized in Public Law 108-7, for 
job training in connection with infrastructure building 
projects it funds in rural Alaska. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 level is $6,875,000, while the budget proposes to 
eliminate funding for this purpose. Funding will allow un-and 
underemployed rural Alaskans to train for better jobs in their 
villages.
    Other.--The Committee does not recommend additional 
resources for the provision of technical assistance activities 
funded previously from this category. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 level is $480,000 and the budget request did not 
recommend funding for this activity. Funds are available for 
this purpose under the pilots, demonstrations and research 
program.
    Job Training for Employment in High Growth Industries.--The 
Committee continues to have a strong interest in the 
initiatives funded from H-1B fees for job training services and 
related capacity-building activities. The Committee is 
concerned that 90 percent of the funds made available under the 
High Growth Job Training Initiative have not been awarded on a 
competitive basis. The Committee recommendation continues 
language similar to that included in last year's bill which 
requires awards under the High Growth Job Training Initiative, 
Community Based Job Training Grants and Workforce Innovation in 
Regional Economic Development initiative to be made on a 
competitive basis.
    The Committee notes that there is limited evidence of the 
training outcomes achieved under the Department's Demand Driven 
Workforce Initiative, which includes the High Growth Job 
Training Initiative, Community Based Job Training Grants 
program, and Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic 
Development initiative. The Committee is also concerned that 
this initiative is not sufficiently linked with the workforce 
development system. The Committee requests the Department 
provide information in the fiscal year 2009 budget 
justification on the initiative's integration with the public 
workforce development system, evaluation plan, and performance 
outcomes and measures.
    The Committee notes that the United States is in the midst 
of a nursing shortage that is expected to intensify as baby 
boomers age and the need for health care grows. In April 2006, 
the Health Resources and Services Administration released 
projections that the Nation's nursing shortage would grow to 
more than one million nurses by the year 2020. According to 
American Association of Colleges of Nursing, U.S. nursing 
schools turned away almost 42,000 qualified nursing school 
applicants due in part to an insufficient number of faculty. 
The Committee encourages the Department to consider ways to 
support nursing schools efforts to address this workforce 
shortage, including methods of alleviating the nurse faculty 
shortage.

            COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $483,611,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     350,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     483,611,000

    The Committee recommends $483,611,000 for community service 
employment for older Americans. The comparable fiscal year 2007 
level is $483,611,000 and the budget request includes 
$350,000,000. This program, authorized by title V of the Older 
Americans Act, provides part-time employment in community 
service activities for unemployed, low-income persons aged 55 
and over. It is a forward-funded program, so the fiscal year 
2008 appropriation will support the program from July 1, 2008, 
through June 30, 2009.
    The program provides a direct, efficient, and quick means 
to assist economically disadvantaged older workers because it 
has a proven effective network in every State and in 
practically every county. Administrative costs for the program 
are low, and the vast majority of the money goes directly to 
low-income seniors as wages and fringe benefits.
    The program provides a wide range of vital community 
services that would not otherwise be available, particularly in 
low-income areas and in minority neighborhoods. Senior 
enrollees provide necessary and valuable services at Head Start 
centers, schools, hospitals, libraries, elderly nutrition 
sites, senior center, and elsewhere in the community. These 
services would not be available without the program.
    A large proportion of senior enrollees use their work 
experience and training to obtain employment in the private 
sector. This not only increases our Nation's tax base, but it 
also enables more low-income seniors to participate in the 
program.
    The Committee believes that the program should pay special 
attention to providing community service jobs for older 
Americans with poor employment prospects, including individuals 
with a long-term detachment from the labor force, older 
displaced homemakers, aged minorities, limited English-speaking 
persons, and legal immigrants.

              FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $837,600,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     888,700,000
Committee recommendation................................     888,700,000

    The Committee recommends $888,700,000 for Federal 
Unemployment Benefits and Allowances. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 amount is $837,600,000 and the budget request 
includes $888,700,000 for this purpose. Trade adjustment 
benefit payments are expected to increase from $558,000,000 in 
fiscal year 2007 to $606,000,000 in fiscal year 2008, while 
trade training in fiscal year 2008 will remain roughly constant 
at $259,700,000 with an estimated 80,000 participants.
    The Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act of 2002 that 
amended the Trade Act of 1974 was signed into law on August 6, 
2002. This act consolidated the previous Trade Adjustment 
Assistance [TAA] and NAFTA Transitional Adjustment Assistance 
programs, into a single, enhanced TAA program with expanded 
eligibility, services, and benefits. Additionally, the act 
provides a program of Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance 
for Older Workers.

     STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $3,340,350,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   3,338,753,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,386,632,000

    The Committee recommends $3,386,632,000 for this account. 
The recommendation includes $3,288,223,000 authorized to be 
drawn from the Employment Security Administration account of 
the unemployment trust fund, and $98,409,000 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 bill includes language proposed in the budget 
request that would allow States to pay the cost of penalty mail 
from funds allotted to them under the Wagner-Peyser Act. 
Previously, the Department held such funds back from State 
allotments and paid these costs directly. New language proposed 
in the budget also is included that allows States to use funds 
appropriated under this account to assist other States if they 
are impacted by a major disaster declared by the President.
    The Committee recommends a total of $2,561,223,000 for 
unemployment insurance activities.
    For unemployment insurance [UI] State operations, the 
Committee recommends $2,510,723,000. These funds are available 
for obligation by States through December 31, 2008. However, 
funds used for automation acquisitions are available for 
obligation by States through September 30, 2010.
    The recommendation includes $10,000,000 to conduct in-
person reemployment and eligibility assessments in one-stop 
career centers of claimants of unemployment insurance. In 
addition, $40,000,000 is available for this purpose through a 
discretionary cap adjustment, as provided for in the fiscal 
year 2008 budget resolution. These program integrity activities 
will save more than $200,000,000 annually in overpayments from 
the unemployment insurance trust fund. The Committee bill 
includes language proposed in the budget request that requires 
the Secretary of Labor to submit interim and final reports on 
the outcomes achieved through these activities, their 
associated estimated savings, and identification of best 
practices that may be replicated.
    In addition, the Committee recommendation provides for a 
contingency reserve amount should the unemployment workload 
exceed an average weekly insured claims volume of 2,786,000. 
This contingency amount would fund the administrative costs of 
the unemployment insurance workload over the level of 2,786,000 
insured unemployed per week at a rate of $28,600,000 per 
100,000 insured unemployed, with a pro rata amount granted for 
amounts of less than 100,000 insured unemployed. The 
President's budget provides for a contingency threshold level 
of 2,629,000.
    For unemployment insurance national activities, the 
Committee recommends $10,500,000. These funds are directed to 
activities that benefit the State/Federal unemployment 
insurance program, including helping States adopt common 
technology-based solutions to improve efficiency and 
performance, supporting training and contracting for actuarial 
support for State trust fund management.
    For the Employment Service allotments to States, the 
Committee recommends $715,883,000 which includes $22,883,000 in 
general funds together with an authorization to spend 
$693,000,000 from the Employment Security Administration 
account of the unemployment trust fund. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 amount is $715,883,000 and the budget request 
includes $688,779,000 for allotments to States. These funds are 
available for the program year of July 1, 2008 through June 30, 
2009.
    The Committee also recommends $34,000,000 for Employment 
Service national activities. The comparable fiscal year 2007 
amount is $33,428,000 and the budget request includes 
$32,766,000 for these activities. Within the recommendation, 
$12,740,000 is for foreign labor certification programs and 
$2,349,000 is for technical assistance and training, and State 
workforce agency independent retirement plans, the full amounts 
requested in the budget. The recommendation also includes 
$19,000,000 for the administrative activities related to the 
work opportunity tax credit program.
    For One-Stop Career Centers and Labor Market Information, 
the Committee recommends $55,985,000. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 level is $63,855,000 and the budget request includes 
$55,985,000 for these activities. The Committee recommendation 
includes funding for America's Labor Market Information System, 
including core employment statistics, universal access for 
customers, improving efficiency in labor market transactions, 
and measuring and displaying WIA performance information.
    The Committee recommends $19,541,000 for the Work 
Incentives Grants program, to help persons with disabilities 
find and retain jobs through the One-Stop Career Center system 
mandated by the Workforce Investment Act. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 level is $19,514,000, while the budget request 
proposes to eliminate funding for these activities. Funding 
will support grants, including the Disability Program Navigator 
initiative, intended to ensure that One-Stop systems integrate 
and coordinate mainstream employment and training programs with 
essential employment-related services for persons with 
disabilities. The Committee recommendation includes sufficient 
funding for evaluation, capacity building, training, and 
technical assistance activities, which continues to be needed 
given the recent expansion to 47 States.

        ADVANCES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND OTHER FUNDS

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $465,000,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     437,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     437,000,000

    The Committee recommends $437,000,000 for this account. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $465,000,000 and 
the budget request includes $437,000,000 for this purpose. 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 Committee recommendation assumes that fiscal 
year 2008 advances will be made to the Black Lung Disability 
Trust Fund, as proposed in the budget request.
    The separate appropriations provided by the Committee for 
all other accounts eligible to borrow from this account in 
fiscal year 2008 are expected to be sufficient. Should the need 
arise, due to unanticipated changes in the economic situation, 
laws, or for other legitimate reasons, advances will be made to 
the appropriate accounts to the extent funds are available. 
Funds advanced to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund are now 
repayable with interest to the general fund of the Treasury.

                         PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $199,708,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     216,162,000
Committee recommendation................................     185,505,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $91,133,000 in 
general funds for this account, as well as authority to expend 
$94,372,000 from the Employment Security Administration account 
of the unemployment trust fund, for a total of $185,505,000. 
The recommendation includes the full amount requested to 
accelerate the processing of backlogged foreign labor 
certificate cases. The Committee expects a progress report by 
August 31, 2007, detailing the status of efforts to eliminate 
the backlog of pending foreign labor certification 
applications.
    The Committee recommendation reflects shifting $28,872,000 
in Job Corps staffing costs to a separate appropriation 
account.
    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 Trade Act of 1974, 
the Denali Commission Act, the Women in Apprenticeship and Non-
Traditional Occupations Act of 1992, 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, as amended.
    In addition, $13,000,000 is estimated to be available from 
H-1B fees for processing H-1B alien labor certification 
applications. It is estimated that an additional $475,000 will 
be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency for 
support of disaster unemployment activities.
    The Committee believes that the public workforce system is 
strengthened by the effective participation of all of the 
stakeholders in the system and urges that the Department use a 
portion of its discretionary funds to support that 
participation through grants and contracts to 
intergovernmental, business, labor, and community-based 
organizations dedicated to training and technical assistance in 
support of Workforce Investment Boards and their members.

               Employee Benefits Security Administration

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $141,573,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     147,425,000
Committee recommendation................................     143,262,000

    The Committee recommends $143,262,000 for this account. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $141,573,000 and the 
budget request includes $147,425,000.
    The Employee Benefits Security Administration [EBSA] is 
responsible for the enforcement of title I of the Employee 
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 [ERISA] in both civil 
and criminal areas. ESBA is also responsible for enforcement of 
sections 8477 and 8478 of the Federal Employees' Retirement 
Security Act of 1986 [FERSA]. In accordance with the 
requirements of FERSA, the Secretary of Labor has promulgated 
regulations and prohibited transactions class exemptions under 
the fiduciary responsibility and fiduciary bonding provisions 
of the law governing the Thrift Savings Plan for Federal 
employees. In addition, the Secretary of Labor has, pursuant to 
the requirement of section 8477(g)(1) of FERSA, established a 
program to carry out audits to determine the level of 
compliance with the fiduciary responsibility provisions of 
FERSA applicable to Thrift Savings Plan fiduciaries. ESBA 
provides funding for the enforcement and compliance; policy, 
regulation, and public services; and program oversight 
activities.
    The Committee recommendation is below the budget request 
because the Department assumed that Congress had not provided 
any funds for the EFAST2 system during the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation process. However, funding was made available in 
fiscal year 2007, so $5,000,000 of the request for this system 
is not needed.
    The Committee recommendation also assumes that EBSA will 
contribute an additional amount of $2,500,000 from its fiscal 
years 2007 and 2008 appropriations for the EFAST2 system, 
generated by one-time cost savings proposed in the last 2 
years' budget requests. The Committee expects EBSA to avoid any 
negative impact of the project's financing on enforcement 
activities, and compliance outreach and education programs. The 
Committee requests a briefing on EBSA's plans for the EFAST2 
system prior to the announcement of the availability of funds 
for its development.

                  PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

    The Corporation's estimated obligations for fiscal year 
2008 include single employer benefit payments of 
$4,831,000,000, multiemployer financial assistance of 
$106,000,000 and administrative expenses of $411,151,000. 
Administrative expenses are comprised of three activities: (1) 
Pension insurance activities, $74,784,000; (2) pension plan 
termination expenses, $205,158,000; and (3) operational 
support, $131,209,000. Such expenditures will be financed by 
permanent authority.
    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 chair 
of its board of directors. The corporation receives its income 
primarily from insurance premiums collected from covered 
pension plans, assets of terminated pension plans, collection 
of employer liabilities imposed by the act, and investment 
earnings. It is also authorized to borrow up to $100,000,000 
from the Treasury. The primary purpose of the corporation is to 
guarantee the payment of pension plan benefits to participants 
if covered defined benefit plans fail or go out of existence.
    The President's budget proposes a contingency fund for the 
PBGC when the number of participants in terminated plans 
exceeds 100,000. When the trigger is reached, an additional 
$9,200,000 becomes available for every 20,000 participants in 
terminated plans. The Committee recommendation includes this 
language to ensure that the PBGC can take immediate, 
uninterrupted action to protect participants' pension benefits. 
The Committee expects to be notified immediately of the 
availability of any funds made available by this provision.
    The President's budget also includes language that provides 
$50,000 in additional funds for investment management fees for 
every $25,000,000 in assets received by the PBGC. The language 
also stipulates that the Committees on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives and Senate be notified of the 
availability of funds made available by this provision. The 
Committee bill includes the requested language.
    The single-employer program protects about 34.2 million 
participants in about 28,800 defined benefit pension plans. The 
multi-employer insurance program protects about 9.7 million 
participants in more than 1,600 plans.

                  Employment Standards Administration

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $420,871,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     447,659,000
Committee recommendation................................     438,508,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $438,508,000 for this 
account. The bill contains authority to expend $2,111,000 from 
the special fund established by the Longshore and Harbor 
Workers' Compensation Act; the remainder of $436,397,000 are 
general funds. In addition, an amount of $32,761,000 is 
available by transfer from the black lung disability trust 
fund. Language also is included that authorizes the Employment 
Standards Administration to assess and collect fees to defray 
the cost for processing applications for homeworker and special 
minimum wage certifications, and applications for registration 
under the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection 
Act.
    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).
    This recommendation provides sufficient funding to offset 
the impact of inflation, and includes $5,000,000 for both 
existing and newly funded investigators to conduct inspections 
and investigations of industries with high concentrations of 
low-wage and other vulnerable workers, and industries with high 
levels of wage and hour violations, including overtime 
violations.
    The Committee requests the Department to include, as part 
of its fiscal year 2009 budget justification, a detailed report 
on its enforcement efforts aimed at low-wage industries, 
including: the measures being used to gauge compliance; the 
enforcement strategy being pursued in each of these industries; 
the number of investigators who are bilingual (and in what 
languages); the number of investigations prompted by complaints 
from workers and those initiatied by the Department; the number 
of workers covered by those investigations; the employer 
practices that form the basis of complaints; and the findings 
and actions taken, including recovery of back wages.
    The Committee is concerned about the misclassification of 
employees as independent contractors, which undermines 
enforcement of the Nation's worker-protection laws. The 
Committee encourages the Wage and Hour Division to focus 
increased attention of investigative personnel and resources to 
detecting and taking enforcement actions against the illegal 
misclassification of workers and unreported cash pay. The 
Committee requests that the fiscal year 2009 budget 
justification include detailed information on the Department's 
enforcement strategy and record on misclassification and 
unreported cash pay, including: the measures established to 
gauge compliance; the number of investigations prompted by 
complaints from workers and those initiated by the Department; 
the number of workers covered by those investigations; 
descriptive data on the employer practices that form the basis 
of the complaint; and the findings and actions taken, including 
recovery of back pay, other compensatory measures, and cross-
referral of complaints to the Internal Revenue Service.
    The recommendation includes $2,000,000 to continue 
activities for the expeditious startup of a system to resolve 
claims of victims for bodily injury caused by asbestos 
exposure. This may include contracts with individuals or 
entities having relevant experience to assist in jump starting 
the program, as described in S. 852, the Fair Act of 2005. 
Activities to shorten the lead-time for implementation of 
asbestos activities encompass procedures for the processing of 
claims, including procedures for the expediting of exigent 
health claims, and planning for promulgation of regulations.
    The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of 
$70,000,000 in unexpended balances from H-1B fee receipts the 
Department has been unable to spend over the past several 
fiscal years. The budget proposes to rescind $50,000,000 of 
these balances.

                            SPECIAL BENEFITS

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $227,000,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     203,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     203,000,000

    The Committee recommends $203,000,000 for this account. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $227,000,000 and the 
budget request includes $203,000,000 for this purpose. The 
appropriation primarily provides benefits under the Federal 
Employees' Compensation Act [FECA]. The payments are prescribed 
by law. In fiscal year 2008, an estimated 140,000 injured 
Federal workers or their survivors will file claims; 55,000 
will receive long-term wage replacement benefits for job-
related injuries, diseases, or deaths.
    The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation 
language to provide authority to require disclosure of Social 
Security account numbers by individuals filing claims under the 
Federal Employees' Compensation Act or the Longshore and Harbor 
Workers' Compensation Act and its extensions.
    The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation 
language that provides authority to use the FECA fund to 
reimburse a new employer for a portion of the salary of a newly 
reemployed injured Federal worker. The FECA funds will be used 
to reimburse new employers during the first 3 years of 
employment not to exceed 75 percent of salary in the worker's 
first year, declining thereafter.
    The Committee recommendation also continues language 
allowing carryover of unobligated balances from fiscal year 
2007 to be used in the following year.
    The Committee again includes appropriation language that 
retains the drawdown date of August 15. The drawdown authority 
enables the agency to meet any immediate shortage of funds 
without requesting supplemental appropriations. The August 15 
drawdown date allows flexibility for continuation of benefit 
payments without interruption.
    The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation 
language to provide authority to deposit into the special 
benefits account of the employees' compensation fund 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 concurs with requested bill 
language to allow use of fair share collections to fund capital 
investment projects and specific initiatives to strengthen 
compensation fund control and oversight.

               SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $229,373,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     208,221,000
Committee recommendation................................     208,221,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $208,221,000 
in fiscal year 2008 for special benefits for disabled coal 
miners. This is in addition to the $68,000,000 appropriated 
last year as an advance for the first quarter of fiscal year 
2008. These funds are used to provide monthly benefits to coal 
miners disabled by black lung disease and to their widows and 
certain other dependents, as well as to pay related 
administrative costs.
    The Black Lung Consolidation of Administrative 
Responsibility Act was enacted on November 2, 2002. The act 
amends the Black Lung Benefits Act to transfer part B black 
lung benefits responsibility from the Commissioner of Social 
Security to the Secretary of Labor, thus consolidating all 
black lung benefit responsibility under the Secretary. Part B 
benefits are based on claims filed on or before December 31, 
1973. The Secretary of Labor is already responsible for the 
part C claims filed after December 31, 1973. In fiscal year 
2008, an estimated 31,800 beneficiaries will receive benefits.
    By law, increases in black lung benefit payments are tied 
directly to Federal pay increases. The year-to-year decrease in 
this account reflects a declining beneficiary population.
    The Committee recommends an advance appropriation of 
$62,000,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009, the same 
as the administration request. These funds will ensure 
uninterrupted benefit payments to coal miners, their widows, 
and dependents.

       ENERGY EMPLOYEES OCCUPATIONAL ILLNESS COMPENSATION PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $102,307,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     104,745,000
Committee recommendation................................     104,745,000

    The Committee recommends $104,745,000 for the Energy 
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program [EEOICP]. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $102,307,000 and the 
budget request includes $104,745,000 for this program.
    The objective of the EEOICP is to deliver benefits to 
eligible employees and former employees of the Department of 
Energy, its contractors and subcontractors or to certain 
survivors of such individuals, as provided in the Energy 
Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The 
mission also includes delivering benefits to certain 
beneficiaries of the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act.
    The Department of Labor's Office of Workers' Compensation 
Programs within the Employment Standards Administration is 
responsible for adjudicating and administering claims filed by 
employees or former employees (or their survivors) under the 
act. The program went into effect on July 31, 2001.
    In 2008, the volume of incoming claims under part B of the 
EEOICP is estimated to remain stable at about 7,000 claims from 
Department of Energy [DOE] employees or survivors, and private 
companies under contract with DOE, who suffer from a radiation-
related cancer, beryllium-related disease, or chronic silicosis 
as a result of their work in producing or testing nuclear 
weapons.
    Under part E, the Department is expected to receive 
approximately 12,000 new claims during fiscal year 2008. Under 
this authority, the Department provides benefits to eligible 
DOE contractor employees or their survivors who were found to 
have work-related occupational illnesses due to exposure to a 
toxic substance at a DOE facility.
    The Committee expects that the administration refrain from 
unilateral changes to reduce the cost of benefits for current 
or pending cohorts of atomic weapons workers with cancer under 
the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program 
until such time as Congress approves proposed changes. The 
Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health was created by 
Congress to review applications based on scientific and medical 
evidence, with as much independence and objectivity as 
possible. To ensure that the Advisory Board can retain its 
autonomy, the Committee has retained language which transfers 
$4,500,000 in administrative funds within 30 days of enactment 
to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 
for the exclusive use of the Board and its audit contractor.

                    BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,069,546,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,068,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,068,000,000

    The Committee recommends $1,068,000,000 for this account in 
2008. The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $1,069,546,000 
and the budget request includes $1,068,000,000 for this 
purpose.
    The appropriation language continues to provide indefinite 
authority for the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund to provide 
for benefit payments. The recommendation assumes that 
$1,009,763,000 for benefit payments and interest, comprised of 
$270,763,000 for benefits payments and $739,000,000 for 
interest payments will be paid in fiscal year 2008. In 
addition, the appropriation bill provides for transfers from 
the trust fund for administrative expense for the following 
Department of Labor agencies: up to $32,761,000 for the 
Employment Standards Administration, up to $24,785,000 for 
Departmental Management, Salaries and Expenses, and up to 
$335,000 for Departmental Management, Inspector General. The 
bill also allows a transfer of up to $356,000 for the 
Department of Treasury.
    The trust fund pays all black lung compensation/medical and 
survivor benefit expenses when no responsible mine operation 
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 32,820 individuals will be receiving 
black lung benefits financed through the end of the fiscal year 
2008.
    The basic financing for the trust fund comes from a coal 
excise tax for underground and surface-mined coal. Additional 
funds come from reimbursement from the Advances to the 
Unemployment Trust Fund and Other Funds as well as payments 
from mine operators for benefit payments made by the trust fund 
before the mine operator is found liable. 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.

             Occupational Safety and Health Administration

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $486,925,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     490,277,000
Committee recommendation................................     498,445,000

    The Committee recommends $498,445,000 for this account. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $486,925,000 and the 
budget request includes $490,277,000 for authorized activities. 
This agency is responsible for enforcing the Occupational 
Safety and Health Act of 1970 in the Nation's workplaces.
    In addition, the Committee has included language to allow 
OSHA to retain up to $750,000 per fiscal year of training 
institute course tuition fees to be utilized for occupational 
safety and health training and education grants in the private 
sector.
    The Committee retains language carried in last year's bill 
effectively exempting farms employing 10 or fewer people from 
the provisions of the act except those farms having a temporary 
labor camp. The Committee also retains language exempting small 
firms in industry classifications having a lost workday injury 
rate less than the national average from general schedule 
safety inspections. These provisions have been in the bill for 
many years.
    The Committee is concerned that OSHA's standard setting and 
enforcement capabilities have been diminished over the past 
several years, due in part to declining budgets. The number of 
employees covered by inspections has fallen from almost 2.1 
million in fiscal year 2000 to just more than 1.2 million in 
fiscal year 2006, a decline of more than 70 percent. The 
Committee recommendation takes a first step toward reversing 
that decline by providing an increase of more than $11,000,000 
for Federal enforcement. The Committee directs a portion of 
these additional funds to address the recommendations of the 
Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board's related to the 
March 2005 Texas City refinery explosion, including: conducting 
comprehensive inspection of facilities at the greatest risk of 
catastrophic accident and hiring or developing new, specialized 
inspectors capable to enforce the process safety management 
standard. Funds not used for this purpose shall be directed 
toward rebuilding the overall enforcement capacity at OSHA 
through the hiring of new inspectors. Not later than 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this act, the Committee directs 
OSHA to provide a report on its plan for meeting the Board's 
recommendations and the Committee's intent in providing these 
additional funds, and quarterly reports thereafter on progress 
toward implementing this plan.
    The Committee also is concerned about the pace of 
occupational safety and health standards setting at OSHA, which 
has essentially drawn to a halt despite planned timetables 
announced in its regulatory agendas. In a number of areas, 
including the personal protective equipment standard which has 
been in development for 8 years, and the diacetyl standard, 
OSHA has not met its own deadlines for developing and issuing 
occupational health and safety standards. The Committee directs 
OSHA to provide a detailed timetable for planned actions on 
occupational health and safety standards not later than 30 days 
after enactment of this act and quarterly reports thereafter on 
progress on implementing the plan, including an explanation of 
any deviations from the initial timetable provided to the 
Committee.
    Over the past 2 years, the Committee has provided 
$5,620,000,000 to prepare for the outbreak of an influenza 
pandemic and includes an additional $888,000,000 in this bill 
for that purpose. However, despite this sense of urgency for 
the Committee and other executive branch agencies, the 
Committee notes the Department believes that in order to issue 
an emergency standard to protect the health and safety of 
healthcare workers and emergency responders the United States 
needs to be in the midst of an influenza pandemic. The 
Committee is troubled by this interpretation and urges OSHA to 
reconsider the standard-setting actions it can take on an 
emergency or expedited basis related to an influenza pandemic. 
The Committee requests a letter report not later than July 31, 
2007 detailing the Department's reconsideration of this issue 
and a plan for developing and issuing a standard on this issue.
    The Committee is dissatisfied with the lack of progress on 
OSHA's regulation concerning Employer Payment for Personal 
Protective Equipment, the public comment period for which ended 
over 7 years ago. This is particularly important for Hispanic 
workers and immigrant workers who experience a disproportionate 
and growing number of injuries and fatalities. The Committee 
expects the Secretary to issue a final standard before November 
30, 2007 that is at least as protective as the one promulgated 
in 1999.
    The Committee notes that, in 2005, there were 375,540 
serious ergonomic injuries resulting in time off the job 
reported by employers. The Committee is concerned that the 
Department has failed to make sufficient progress on its 
comprehensive plan to address ergonomic injuries, which 
included industry-targeted guidelines and tough enforcement 
measures. Despite this commitment, the Department only issued 
one ergonomic citation over the past 2 years and 3 of 16 
guidelines. Since 2004, the Department has almost abandoned any 
action on its announced plan. The Committee directs OSHA to 
provide not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this act a report to the Committee detailing the specific steps 
it will take to complete the issuance of the remaining 
guidelines and actions to practice the tough enforcement 
measures. This report should include a timeframe by which all 
16 guidelines will be issued and for the implementation of 
increased enforcement on this issue.
    The Committee believes that OSHA's worker safety and health 
training and education programs, including the grant program 
that supports such training, are a critical part of a 
comprehensive approach to worker protection. The Committee is 
concerned that OSHA has again cut funding to help establish 
ongoing worker safety and health training programs and has 
therefore restored the Susan Harwood training grant program to 
$10,116,000. Bill language specifies that no less than 
$3,200,000 shall be used to maintain the existing institutional 
competency building training grants, provided that grantees 
demonstrate satisfactory performance.

                 Mine Safety and Health Administration

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $301,570,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     313,478,000
Committee recommendation................................     330,028,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $330,028,000 for this 
account. The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $301,570,000 
and the budget request includes $313,478,000 for the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration.
    The Committee recommendation also includes bill language 
providing up to $2,000,000 for mine rescue and recovery 
activities, the same as the fiscal year 2007 comparable level. 
It also retains the provision 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 a 
major disaster.
    This agency insures the safety and health of the Nation's 
miners by conducting inspections and special investigations of 
mine operations, promulgating mandatory safety and health 
standards, cooperating with the States in developing effective 
State programs, and improving training in conjunction with 
States and the mining industry.
    In addition, bill language is included to allow the 
National Mine Health and Safety Academy to collect not to 
exceed $750,000 for room, board, tuition, and the sale of 
training materials to be available for mine safety and health 
education and training activities. Bill language also allows 
MSHA to retain up to $1,000,000 from fees collected for the 
approval and certification of equipment, materials, and 
explosives for use in mines, and may utilize such sums for such 
activities.
    The Committee recommendation includes $13,000,000 above the 
budget request to accelerate the implementation of the MINER 
Act and improve the health and safety of miners. The Committee 
believes MSHA needs to move more aggressively in a number of 
areas where evidence reveals that insufficient progress is 
being made, as described below. The additional funds provided 
over the request are specifically directed toward ensuring MSHA 
is able to conduct and follow-up on effectively 100 percent of 
its mandatory inspections; adequately train and hire coal mine 
safety enforcement personnel; expedite the development and 
issuance of standards and regulations related to belt-air and 
refuge chambers; improve the infrastructure at the National 
Mine Health and Safety Academy; accelerate the certification 
and approval of safety and health equipment, including the 
communication and tracking technologies required in the MINER 
Act; and ensure the compliance with and effectiveness of 
statutory training requirements. In each of these areas and 
others specifically required by the MINER Act, the Committee 
requests quarterly progress reports on the progress being made 
with funding provided by this Committee.
    The Committee notes that MSHA conducted 98 percent of 
mandatory inspections in the coal industry during fiscal year 
2006, a fact that this Committee finds unacceptable. These 
inspections form the core of the agency's enforcement efforts, 
and without them, the health and safety of miners is 
jeopardized. The Committee expects MSHA to ensure that no less 
than 100 percent of mandatory health and safety inspections are 
completed in fiscal years 2007 and 2008 and any follow-up 
actions required are taken in a timely manner.
    The Committee also is aware that the Government 
Accountability Office [GAO] implementation report issued in May 
of this year identified continued concerns about MSHA's 
preparedness for dealing with its future workforce needs, which 
is expected to be significant given that more than 40 percent 
of underground coal mine inspectors are eligible to retire 
within the next 5 years. Many of these retirees are highly 
experienced inspectors, which adds to the impact of these 
losses. Despite this Committee's efforts, which resulted in an 
additional $25,600,000 for MSHA to hire 170 additional 
enforcement staff and replace losses due to retirement during 
fiscal years 2006 and 2007, GAO has concluded that MSHA lacks a 
clear and well-thought-out plan to address the expected 
turnover in its experienced workforce which could undermine 
this progress. The Committee urges MSHA to undertake a 
strategic planning process to identify goals and measures for 
monitoring and evaluating its progress on staying ahead of the 
retirement wave and meeting the needs of its enforcement 
workforce.
    The Committee recommendation includes language, under 
section 110 of the general provisions of this act, requiring 
the Secretary to revise regulations not later than June 20, 
2008, related to the ventilation of active working places in 
underground coal mines utilizing belt haulage entries. In 
addition, this section requires, by June 15, 2008, the 
Secretary of Labor to issue regulations, pursuant to the design 
criteria recommended by the National Institute of Occupational 
Safety and Health and the MINER Act, requiring installation of 
rescue chambers in the working areas of underground coal mines. 
The Committee has provided additional resources to ensure that 
these deadlines can be met.
    The Committee also notes more than 130 proposals for new 
communication and tracking technology have been submitted since 
January 2006, yet MSHA has field tested 19 systems. In 
addition, MSHA has received 51 applications since January 2006 
for approval of communication and tracking systems, but 34 are 
still being reviewed. Additional resources have been provided 
under technical support to accelerate the testing of this 
technology and other equipment to improve the safety and health 
of miners.
    The Committee recommendation includes an increase over the 
budget request of $3,000,000 to strengthen the monitoring of 
training and improve the infrastructure at the National Mine 
Safety and Health Academy, which provides professional 
education and training services to the mining community. The 
GAO recently found that MSHA oversight of miner training is 
complicated by a number of factors, including inconsistent 
instructor approval standards and limited agency monitoring of 
training sessions. The additional funds should be used to 
address these deficiencies and ensure that the Academy is 
capable of keeping up with the training and professional 
education needs of the mining community.
    The Committee recommendation also includes $2,200,000 for 
an award to the United Mine Workers Association to provide 
classroom and simulated rescue training for mine rescue teams 
at its Beckley, West Virginia and Washington, Pennsylvania 
career centers (Funding for this program was requested by 
Senators Byrd and Specter). The Committee notes that a GAO 
report issued in May 2007 found that 81 percent of mine 
operators considered the availability of special training 
facilities for mine rescue team training in simulated 
environments to be a challenge. The recommendation also 
includes $1,350,000 for an award to Wheeling Jesuit University 
in Wheeling, West Virginia for the National Technology Transfer 
Center to continue the coal slurry impoundment project (Funding 
for this program was requested by Senator Byrd).

                       Bureau of Labor Statistics

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $548,123,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     574,443,000
Committee recommendation................................     560,000,000

    The Committee recommends $560,000,000 for this account. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $548,123,000 and the 
budget request includes $574,443,000 for this purpose. The 
recommendation includes $78,000,000 from the Employment 
Security Administration account of the unemployment trust fund, 
and $482,000,000 in Federal funds. Language contained in the 
fiscal year 2006 bill is retained, pertaining to the Current 
Employment Survey.
    The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the principal factfinding 
agency in the Federal Government in the broad field of labor 
economics.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 to be used 
to conduct research studies on work-related injuries and 
illnesses. These studies, previously conducted by BLS, are 
important to employers, researchers and policymakers interested 
in preventing workplace injuries.
    The Committee is interested in the progress being made on 
the minimum wage impact study required by section 8014 of the 
U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and 
Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. The Committee 
requests the Bureau of Labor Statistics submit an interim 
report not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of 
this act on the methodology being applied to this study and the 
progress being made in meeting the required transmittal date.
    The Committee recommendation includes $5,000,000, which may 
be used to continue the Mass Layoff Statistics Program. The 
Committee bill also includes bill language continued from the 
fiscal year 2006 act which requires BLS to maintain the survey 
content issued prior to June 2005 with respect to the women 
worker series.

                 Office of Disability Employment Policy

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $27,712,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      18,602,000
Committee recommendation................................      27,712,000

    The Committee recommends $27,712,000 for this account in 
2008. The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $27,712,000 and 
the budget request includes $18,602,000 for this account. The 
Committee intends that at least 80 percent of these funds shall 
be used for demonstration and technical assistance grants to 
develop innovative and effective practices to increase the 
employment of youth and adults with disabilities.
    Congress created the Office of Disability Employment Policy 
[ODEP] in the Department of Labor's fiscal year 2001 
appropriation. Programs and staff of the former President's 
Committee on Employment of People with Disabilities [PCEPD] 
have been integrated into this office.
    The Committee recommends that the Office of Disability 
Employment Policy continue and expand the existing, structured, 
internship program for undergraduate college students with 
disabilities. The Committee continues to believe that this 
structured internship program will provide important 
opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with 
disabilities to pursue academic and career development 
opportunities within the Department of Labor and other Federal 
agencies.
    The Committee is concerned by the lack of attention to the 
problem of underemployment of people with disabilities. The 
Committee is aware that over 50 million Americans have some 
kind of disability, representing 17 percent of our population. 
Many of these individuals, particularly those with intellectual 
disabilities, would benefit from the social interaction and the 
physical demands of full-time employment, but their disability 
is such that they could not be employed in an occupation that 
is compensated highly enough to cover the medical expenses and 
supportive services they need to survive. While some 
disabilities resulting from injuries can change with time, many 
developmental disabilities are permanent in nature. The 
Committee believes that the U.S. Government would benefit from 
the additional tax dollars generated by the additional 
employment, as well as the prevention of chronic illnesses in 
this population that can come from the physical and emotional 
benefits of work. Therefore, the Committee directs the Office 
of Disability Employment Policy to undertake a study on 
underemployment for individuals with disabilities. The study 
should include: the number of individuals on Federal disability 
benefit programs who are currently underemployed; an analysis 
of the types of disabilities these individuals represent; an 
examination of the categories of disability which would leave 
the individual with the capacity to work full time but without 
the earning potential to sustain him or herself; the estimated 
economic impact of full-time work for these Americans assuming 
they were allowed to keep all or a portion of their benefits, 
including an estimation of the economic impact to the 
Government and the benefit funds themselves; and finally an 
analysis of the health impact of full-time work on those 
populations including the cost savings to health benefit 
programs.

                        Departmental Management

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $298,920,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     254,236,000
Committee recommendation................................     313,718,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $313,718,000 for this 
account. The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $298,920,000 
and the budget request includes $254,236,000 for this purpose. 
In addition, an amount of $24,785,000 is available by transfer 
from the black lung disability trust fund.
    The primary goal of the Department of Labor is to protect 
and promote the interests of American workers. The departmental 
management appropriation finances staff responsible for 
formulating and overseeing the implementation of departmental 
policy and management activities in support of that goal. 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 recommendation includes $28,680,000 for 
Executive Direction. The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is 
$28,189,000 and the budget request includes $28,680,000.
    The Committee recommendation includes $10,300,000 for the 
Women's Bureau. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level 
is $9,666,000 and the budget request includes $9,832,000 for 
the bureau. The recommendation includes sufficient funds to 
increase support for resources, technical assistance and 
trainings to help women enter, re-enter and advance in the 
workforce.
    The Committee is disappointed that the Department of Labor 
has once again proposed a budget that drastically reduces 
funding for International Labor Affairs Bureau [ILAB], in 
particular, those initiatives working with the International 
Labor Organization [ILO] to combat abusive and exploitative 
child labor.
    The Committee is pleased by findings contained in the ILO 
report entitled ``The End of Child Labor: Within Reach,'' which 
was released in May 2006. The report stated that child labor is 
in decline worldwide, in large part because of the programs 
advanced by this Committee. Between 2000 and 2004, the number 
of child laborers worldwide fell by 11 percent, from 246 
million to 218 million. Moreover, the number of children and 
youth aged 5-17 trapped in hazardous work decreased by 26 
percent, and for the age group of 5-14 years, the decline in 
hazardous work was even steeper, at 33 percent. It is a 
testament to the importance of the programs administered by the 
International Labor Affairs Bureau [ILAB], which this Committee 
has consistently supported. For over the past decade, the 
International Labor Affairs Bureau has built up a staff of 
professional experts with a knowledge base on the issue of 
exploitative child labor that is unrivaled in any other U.S. 
government agency.
    Clearly, these programs administered by ILAB are having a 
positive impact and the Committee feels strongly that reducing 
United States efforts to eradicate child labor or substantially 
changing the structure and leadership of those efforts would, 
at best, endanger the progress being made. At worse, 
withdrawing from these efforts could damage the credibility and 
reputation of the United States in the countries whose 
governments are real partners to the United States in this 
effort.
    The Committee is aware that the administration is 
aggressively pursuing multiple trade agreements that promise 
technical assistance on labor standards, including but not 
limited to the eradication of child labor. ILAB is the division 
of the U.S. Government with the mission and authority to 
provide that assistance. Given the aggressive trade agenda and 
the recent commitment to capacity building in developing 
nations as a form of aid, the Committee is mystified by the 
Department's now annual effort to eliminate these programs, 
this year proposing an astounding 80 percent reduction.
    Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes 
$82,516,000 for the Bureau of International Labor Affairs. Of 
this amount, the Committee directs $42,610,000 be used for the 
United States contribution to expand on the successful efforts 
of the ILO's International Program for the Elimination of Child 
Labor [IPEC] (Funding for this program was requested by Senator 
Harkin).
    Also included is $26,770,000 to help ensure access to basic 
education for the growing number of children removed from the 
worst forms of child labor in impoverished nations where 
abusive and exploitative child labor is most acute. The 
Committee expects the Department of Labor to work with the 
governments of host countries to eliminate school fees that 
create a barrier to education.
    The Committee notes that ILAB is statutorily required to 
compile and report to the Congress annually on the extent to 
which each foreign country that has trade and investment 
agreements with the United States enforces internationally-
recognized worker rights. This report is required under 
multiple U.S. laws and promotes core labor standards as 
embodied in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and 
Rights at Work as adopted and reaffirmed in 1998. The Committee 
once again directs the Secretary to include in the 2008 report, 
all former GSP recipients that have achieved a Free Trade 
Agreement with the United States over the preceding year.
    The Committee directs the Secretary to establish an annual 
non-monetary award recognizing the extraordinary efforts by an 
individual, company, organization or national government toward 
the reduction of the worst forms of child labor. The award 
shall be named, ``the United States Department of Labor's Iqbal 
Masih Award for the Elimination of Child Labor.'' Iqbal Masih 
was a Pakistani carpet weaver sold into slavery at age four. He 
escaped from his servitude at age 12 and became an outspoken 
advocate against child slavery. He told the world of his plight 
when he received the Reebok Human Rights Award in 1994. He was 
tragically killed a year later at the age of 13 in his native 
Pakistan.
    The Committee requests an operating plan to be prepared by 
ILAB and provided to the Committee not later than 30 days after 
the date of enactment of this act which details the staffing 
requirements to meet statutory monitoring, oversight and 
reporting responsibilities of ILAB. In carrying out these 
responsibilities, the Committee expects ILAB to limit its 
practice of deducting salaries from funds intended for grant 
programs and establish cost effective practices for meeting its 
mission.
    The Committee recommends $95,162,000 for the Office of the 
Solicitor. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$85,488,000 and the budget request includes $95,162,000 for 
this purpose. The Committee intends for the increase provided 
to support no less than an increase of 19 FTEs over the fiscal 
year 2007 staffing level for enforcement support for the Mine 
Safety and Health Administration.

                          OFFICE OF JOB CORPS

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,578,277,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,522,372,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,659,872,000

    For Job Corps, the Committee recommends $1,659,872,000. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $1,578,277,000 and the 
budget request includes $1,522,372,000 for this purpose. The 
recommendation includes $28,872,000 for Federal administrative 
expenses, for 188 full-time equivalent positions. The budget 
request and comparable fiscal year 2007 level include these 
administrative costs in the ETA Program Administration account.
    The Senate recommendation for operations of job corps 
centers is $1,516,000,000, comprised of $925,000,000 in fiscal 
year 2008 funds, and $591,000,000 in advance appropriations 
from last year's bill. For operations, the Committee also 
recommends advance funding of $591,000,000, which will become 
available on October 1, 2008.
    In response to this Committee's direction to competitively 
select sites for an expansion of Job Corps Centers, the 
Department of Labor selected three new Job Corps Center sites 
in February 2007. The Committee includes an additional 
$15,000,000 to continue development of these facilities on the 
timelines provided to the Committee and selected sites. The 
Committee requests the Department of Labor to include in its 
fiscal year 2009 budget justification an analysis of the future 
funding needs for the new centers and a status report on the 
progress being achieved toward meeting each of the centers 
opening dates. In addition, $100,000,000 in construction, 
rehabilitation and acquisition funds are provided in advance 
funding, which will make these funds available on October 1, 
2008 through June 30, 2011.
    The Committee recommendation continues the Office of Job 
Corps as an independent entity reporting to the Office of the 
Secretary of Labor, retaining program functions previously 
administered by the Job Corps prior to its transfer from the 
Employment and Training Administration, and ensuring the 
support necessary for oversight and management 
responsibilities. Although the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration and Management will oversee the 
procurement process, this arrangement shall not alter the 
existing authorities, duties or activities of Job Corps as it 
existed prior to the transfer. The Office of Job Corps and the 
Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management are 
directed to maintain controls to assure the procurement 
activities are completely separate from program operations. The 
budget request recommends returning the Job Corps program to 
the Employment and Training Administration.
    The Committee has recognized over the years the quality 
academic and vocational services Job Corps has provided to over 
2 million economically disadvantaged youth. Currently, Job 
Corps has the capacity to serve 1 percent of the over 6 million 
youth in our country that have been left behind by traditional 
education programs. The Committee has also recognized and 
responded to this growing service gap by mandating an expansion 
of the program in new communities in fiscal year 2006 and 
fiscal year 2007. The Committee rejects the Department of 
Labor's proposal to reduce Job Corps student training slots by 
over 4,300. Rather, the Committee includes sufficient funding 
to maintain student services at the existing 122 Job Corps 
centers, as well as to operate any new centers. This funding 
will ensure that determined young people wanting to participate 
in Job Corps will not be turned away from an opportunity to 
become successful and self-sufficient members of their 
communities.
    The Committee urges the Department to work with the Job 
Corps contractor community, employers and unions to ensure that 
the training slot level mandated by this act is used 
efficiently and effectively toward meeting the goal of 
expanding services to eligible youth. In particular, the 
Committee notes the fragmentation of contracts for outreach and 
admissions, from operations, and placement which could make it 
difficult for centers to utilize fully available training slots 
and meet their performance goals. Therefore, the Committee 
requests the Department to report in the fiscal year 2009 
budget justification actions proposed and taken that will 
enhance the ability of centers to meet their performance goals.
    Given that so few of the eligible Job Corps population is 
served currently, the Committee recognizes the need for 
additional Job Corps centers, particularly in rapidly growing 
metropolitan areas without a Job Corps center. Many of these 
communities have high numbers of eligible youth and are forced 
to export students to other Job Corps centers. The Committee 
anticipates providing additional funding in the future to begin 
the process of establishing new Job Corps centers in large 
urban areas currently without one. Therefore, the Committee 
requests that the Department be prepared during the fiscal year 
2009 budget process to consider ways to structure and announce 
a competition for new Job Corps center sites meeting the 
priority areas discussed in this paragraph.
    The Committee is aware of the Department of Labor's new 
initiative to increase the number of Job Corps graduates 
entering post-secondary education. While the Committee agrees 
that it is a worthwhile goal to increase the number of Job 
Corps graduates going on to higher education, it is also aware 
of the challenge facing Job Corps students who need access to 
student financial aid programs. Therefore, the Committee 
directs the Office of Job Corps and the Department of 
Education's Federal Student Aid Office to explore possible 
approaches to increasing awareness of and preparedness for Job 
Corps students and graduates to enter postsecondary education 
programs and benefit from assistance available through Federal 
grant, loan and work-study programs. The Committee directs the 
Departments of Labor and Education to provide a letter report 
not later than 30 days after the date of enactment of this act 
on the steps that can be taken by each Department.

                    VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $223,189,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     228,096,000
Committee recommendation................................     228,198,000

    The Committee recommends $228,198,000 for this account, 
including $31,055,000 in general revenue funding and 
$197,143,000 to be expended from the Employment Security 
Administration account of the unemployment trust fund.
    For State grants the bill provides $161,894,000 which 
includes funding for the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program and 
the Local Veterans Employment Representative Program.
    For Federal administration, the Committee recommends 
$33,282,000. The Committee supports the concept of the 
Transition Assistance Program administered jointly with the 
Department of Defense which assists soon-to-be-discharged 
service members in transitioning into the civilian work force 
and includes funding to maintain this effective program.
    Individuals leaving the military may be at high risk of 
homelessness due to a lack of job skills transferable to the 
civilian sector, disrupted or dissolved family and social 
support networks, and other risk factors that preceded their 
military service. The Committee expects the Secretary of Labor 
to ensure that a module on homelessness prevention is added to 
the Transition Assistance Program curriculum. The module should 
include a presentation on risk factors for homelessness, a 
self-assessment of risk factors, and contact information for 
preventative assistance associated with homelessness.
    The Committee recommends $1,967,000 for the National 
Veterans Training Institute [NVTI]. This Institute provides 
training to the Federal and State staff involved in the direct 
delivery of employment and training related services to 
veterans.
    The Committee recommends $23,620,000 for the Homeless 
Veterans Program. The Committee also recommends $7,435,000 for 
the Veterans Workforce Investment Program, the same as the 
budget request.

                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $72,766,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      78,658,000
Committee recommendation................................      79,658,000

    The Committee recommends $79,658,000 for this account. The 
bill includes $73,929,000 in general funds and authority to 
transfer $5,729,000 from the Employment Security Administration 
account of the unemployment trust fund. In addition, an amount 
of $335,000 is available by transfer from the black lung 
disability trust fund. This level provides sufficient resources 
to cover built-in cost increases, as well as augmenting program 
accountability activities and expanding the labor racketeering 
program.
    The Office of the Inspector General [OIG] was created by 
law to protect the integrity of departmental programs as well 
as the 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.

                           General Provisions

    General provision bill language is included to:
    Provide for limiting use of Job Corps funding for 
compensation of an individual that is not a Federal employee at 
a rate in excess of Executive Level I (sec. 101).
    Provide for general transfer authority (sec. 102).
    Prohibit funding for the procurement of goods and services 
utilizing forced or indentured child labor in industries and 
host countries already identified by the Labor Department in 
accordance with Executive Order 13126 (sec. 103).
    Authorize funds to be appropriated for job training for 
workers involved in construction projects funded through the 
Denali Commission (sec. 104).
    Require the Labor Department to report to the Committees on 
Appropriations on the projects awarded under research and 
demonstration projects (sec. 105).
    Require the Secretary to award competitively funds 
available in this act for Community College Initiative Grants, 
Community-Based Job Training Grants, and grants for job 
training for employment in high growth industries (sec. 106).
    Prohibit the Secretary from finalizing or implementing any 
proposed regulation under the Workforce Investment Act, Wagner-
Peyser Act or the Trade Adjustment Assistance Reform Act until 
such time as such legislation is enacted (sec. 107).
    Prohibit the Secretary from taking any action to alter the 
procedure for redesignating local areas under subtitle B of 
title I of the Workforce Investment Act (sec. 108).
    Prohibit the Department of Labor from using funds under 
this or any other appropriations act to carry out a public-
private competition or direct conversion under Office of 
Management and Budget circular A-76 until 60 days after the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
and Senate receive a report from the Government Accountability 
Office on the use of competitive sourcing at the Department of 
Labor (sec. 109).
    Requires the Secretary of Labor to revise regulations 
related to the use of belt haulage entries to ventilate active 
working places of underground coal mines without prior approval 
from the Assistant Secretary of Labor and to issue regulations 
requiring installation of rescue chambers in the working areas 
of underground coal mines (sec. 110).
    Limit compensation from Federal funds to a rate not greater 
than Executive Level II for any recipient or subrecipient of 
funds under the heading, ``Employment and Training 
Administration'' (sec. 111).

                                TITLE II

                DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

              Health Resources and Services Administration

                     HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $6,415,702,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   5,820,805,000
Committee recommendation................................   6,868,673,000

    The Committee provides a program level of $6,868,673,000 
for the Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA]. 
The Committee recommendation includes $6,843,673,000 in budget 
authority and an additional $25,000,000 via transfers available 
under section 241 of the Public Health Services Act. The fiscal 
year 2007 comparable program level was $6,415,702,000 and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $5,820,805,000.
    Health Resources and Services Administration activities 
support programs to provide health care services for mothers 
and infants; the underserved, elderly, homeless; migrant farm 
workers; and disadvantaged minorities. This appropriation 
supports cooperative programs in community health, AIDS care, 
health care provider training, and health care delivery systems 
and facilities.

                     BUREAU OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

                        COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERS

    The Committee provides $2,238,039,000 for the community 
health centers program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable program 
level was $1,988,039,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $1,988,467,000. This group of programs includes 
community health centers, migrant health centers, health care 
for the homeless, and public housing health service grants. The 
Committee continues to strongly support the ongoing effort to 
increase the number of people who have access to medical 
services at health centers, and notes that this program 
receives one of the largest increases in funding in the 
Committee recommendation.
    Within the amount provided, $40,000,000 has been allocated 
to offset the rising cost of health care at existing centers 
and to resolve specific financial situations beyond the control 
of the local health center, such as unusual increases in the 
number of uninsured patients seeking care.
    Within the amount provided, the Committee has provided 
$44,055,000 under the Federal Tort Claims Act for the Health 
Centers program. The Committee has included bill language 
making this funding available until expended and allowing costs 
associated with the health centers tort liability relief 
program to be paid from the fund. The Committee intends that 
the fund be used to pay judgments and settlements, occasional 
witness fees and expenses, and the administrative costs of the 
program, which includes the cost of evaluating claims, 
defending claims, and conducting settlement activities. The 
Committee is aware of legislation that would extend FTCA 
coverage to volunteer physicians and non-grantee health 
centers, as well as to health centers and their employees 
traveling to provide care in emergency-affected areas. While 
these proposals would extend FTCA coverage to additional 
providers, the Committee expects the amount provided to be 
adequate to cover any increased costs in fiscal year 2008.
    The Committee supports continued efforts to expand the 
Health Centers program into those areas of the country with 
high poverty and no current access to a health center. The 
Committee urges HRSA to implement such an expansion to address 
the lack of access in the neediest communities of the country, 
and that eligibility for new funding not be limited to certain 
geographic areas, such as counties. The Committee directs HRSA 
to expedite awards to new access points by funding sufficiently 
high-scoring applications from the fiscal year 2007 cycle that 
were left unfunded.
    Further, the Committee urges HRSA to make funding available 
to increase capacity at existing centers, and for service 
expansion awards adding mental health services, dental 
services, and pharmacy services at community health centers. 
The Committee expects HRSA to implement any new expansion 
initiative using the existing, and statutorily-required, 
proportionality for urban and rural communities, as well as 
migrant, homeless and public housing health centers.
    The Committee believes that adequate funding for the 
technical assistance and networking functions available for 
health centers is critical to the successful operation and 
expansion of the Health Centers program. Funds are available 
within the amount provided to continue assistance to existing 
centers and support expansion to new communities.
    The Committee strongly urges HRSA to assist rural 
communities in high-need areas of the country that have not 
fully participated in the Health Center expansion effort in 
recent years. Despite documented need, many eligible counties 
have not received health center grants. The focus on financial 
viability and regionally specific criteria, such as homeless 
populations and migrant workers, has sometimes held back 
communities outside of the targeted demographic. The Committee 
notes that very high poverty and extremely underserved rural 
areas experience significant challenges in getting resources 
together to form a successful application. The Committee urges 
HRSA to provide technical assistance and consider funding 
planning grants to potential new access point grantees to 
enable them to better compete for health center awards.
    The Committee recognizes the important role of the 
consolidated health centers in caring for people living with or 
at risk for hepatitis C. The Committee encourages HRSA to 
increase health centers' capacity for delivery of medical 
management and treatment of HCV by implementing training and 
technical assistance initiatives, so that health centers are 
able to increase hepatitis C counseling and testing, and 
medical management and treatment services to meet the 
healthcare priorities of their respective communities.
    The Committee continues to be concerned that community 
health center funds are often not available to small, remote 
communities because the population base is too small. Many of 
these communities have no health service providers and are 
forced to travel long distances by boat or plane even in 
emergency situations. The Committee recommends that HRSA 
examine its regulations and applications procedures to ensure 
they do not unduly burden small communities and are 
appropriately flexible to meet the needs of these communities. 
The Committee applauds the agency for its Frontier Health Plan 
initiative, and encourages the agency to continue and expand 
its efforts with this program.
    The Committee recognizes the importance of increasing the 
use of health information technology [IT] at health centers. 
Health centers have demonstrated improved access to services 
and improved patient outcomes by using electronic health 
records and other IT tools through their participation in 
various networks, projects, systems, and collaboratives. The 
Committee urges HRSA to ensure that health centers have 
adequate resources to establish and expand health IT systems to 
further enhance the delivery of cost-effective, quality health 
care services.
    The Committee recognizes the service to the uninsured by 
Integrated Health Centers [IHCs] and Nurse-Managed Health 
Centers [NMHCs]. These nonprofit hospital-affiliated or 
university-based health centers provide much needed primary 
care to a diverse and disadvantaged population. These health 
centers are frequently the only source of primary care to their 
patients. The Committee encourages HRSA to explore options to 
include IHCs and NMHCs in new public-private safety net 
partnerships thereby increasing access for the medically 
underserved and increase the clinical education sites to 
increase nurse education. Specifically, the Committee 
encourages HRSA to explore granting these health centers the 
ability to apply for FQHC Look-Alike status.
    The Committee does not provide additional funds for loan 
guarantee authority under section 330(d) of the Public Health 
Service Act. The Committee notes that $70,000,000 of the 
$160,000,000 appropriated in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 
continues to remain available for guarantees of both loan 
principal and interest. The Committee notes that some health 
centers have successfully used funds available through the HRSA 
Loan Guarantee Program to meet their capital needs. To maximize 
the use of the loan guarantee funds, the Committee urges HRSA 
to increase the percentages at which loan guarantees are 
provided for managed care plans, networks, and facilities to 
the highest authorized levels.

Native Hawaiian Health Care

    The Committee again includes the legal citation in the bill 
for the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program. The Committee has 
included sufficient funding so that health care activities 
funded under the Native Hawaiian Health Care Program can be 
supported under the broader community health centers line. The 
Committee expects that not less than $14,200,000 be provided 
for these activities in fiscal year 2008 (This funding was 
requested by Senators Inouye and Akaka).
    The Committee is pleased with the administration's response 
and recognition of the island designation and seeks continued 
support in meeting the unique health care access challenges 
innate to clinics, Federally qualified health centers or 
hospitals located on these islands. The Committee recognizes 
there are still few Native Hawaiian health care administrators 
working in Federally qualified health centers. The Committee 
directs that a portion of the funds appropriated for Native 
Hawaiian Health Care Act programs be used to develop 
administrative competency curriculum to prepare Native 
Hawaiians with the expertise necessary to succeed in these 
positions.
    The Committee recognizes that there has been a rapid growth 
in the emerging Hispanic population of Hawaii and such may 
necessitate new training requirements for healthcare providers 
and educators in areas of cultural awareness and language.

Free Clinics Medical Malpractice Coverage

    The Committee provides $40,000 in funding for payments of 
claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act to be made available 
for free clinic health professionals as authorized by U.S.C. 
title 42, section 233(o) of the Public Health Service Act. The 
fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $41,000 and the fiscal 
year 2008 budget request included $100,000 for this program. 
This appropriation continues to extend Federal Tort Claims Act 
coverage to medical volunteers in free clinics in order to 
expand access to health care services to low-income individuals 
in medically underserved areas.

National Hansen's Disease Program

    The Committee has included $16,500,000 for the National 
Hansen's Disease Program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level 
was $15,972,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$16,109,000. The program consists of inpatient, outpatient, 
long-term care, training, and research in Baton Rouge, 
Louisiana; a residential facility at Carville, Louisiana, and 
11 outpatient clinic sites in the continental United States and 
Puerto Rico.

National Hansen's Disease Program Buildings and Facilities

    The Committee provides $220,000 for buildings and 
facilities. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $220,000 
and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $100,000 for 
this program. This funding provides for the repair and 
maintenance of buildings at the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease 
Center.

Payment to Hawaii for Hansen's Disease Treatment

    The Committee provides $1,996,000 for Hansen's Disease 
services. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $1,996,000 
and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $1,976,000. 
Payments are made to the State of Hawaii for the medical care 
and treatment of persons with Hansen's Disease in hospital and 
clinic facilities at Kalaupapa, Molokai and Honolulu. Expenses 
above the level of appropriated funds are borne by the State of 
Hawaii.

                      BUREAU OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

National Health Service Corps: Field Placements

    The Committee provides $40,443,000 for field placement 
activities. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$40,443,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$30,729,000. The funds provided for this program are used to 
support the activities of National Health Service Corps 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 pleased by the increasing proportion of 
National Health Service Corps assignees being placed at 
Community, Migrant, Homeless, and Public Housing Health 
Centers. The Committee encourages HRSA to further expand this 
effort to ensure that health centers have access to sufficient 
numbers of health professionals through the Corps.
    The Committee is concerned that the current Health 
Professional Shortage Area [HPSA] scoring process used by HRSA 
disadvantages many health centers located in medically 
underserved areas of the country. The Committee urges HRSA to 
apply the same placement criteria to physicians seeking J-1 
Visa Waivers and NHSC Scholars as are currently applied to NHSC 
Loan Repayment recipients. The Committee is concerned that the 
recent decline in J-1 Visa Waiver applicants is due to systemic 
obstacles, including HPSA scoring minimums, rather than 
diminishing needs in underserved communities. To ensure that 
the number and location of the placements meets the needs of 
the underserved, the Committee urges HRSA to expand eligibility 
for the J-1 visa waiver program.

National Health Service Corps: Recruitment

    The Committee provides $85,230,000 for recruitment 
activities. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$85,230,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$85,230,000. This program provides major benefits to students 
(full-cost scholarships or sizable loan repayment) in exchange 
for an agreement to serve as a primary care provider in a high 
priority Federally designated health professional shortage 
area. These funds should support multi-year, rather than 
single-year, commitments.

                           HEALTH PROFESSIONS

    The Committee provides $357,425,000 for all HRSA health 
professions programs. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$334,425,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$115,040,000.

Training for Diversity

            Centers of Excellence
    The Committee provides $11,880,000 for the Centers of 
Excellence program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$11,880,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not 
include any funds for this program. This program was 
established to fund institutions that train a significant 
portion of the Nation's minority health professionals. Funds 
are used for the recruitment and retention of students, faculty 
training, and the development of plans to achieve institutional 
improvements. The institutions that are designated as centers 
of excellence are private institutions whose mission is to 
train disadvantaged minority students for service in 
underserved areas. Located in poor communities and usually with 
little State funding, they serve the health care needs of their 
patients, often without payment.
    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 recognizes the important role of this program in 
supporting faculty and other academic programs at minority 
institutions. The Committee notes that at the level of funding 
provided, Public Law 105-392, the Health Professions Education 
Partnerships Act of 1998, limits funding to the original four 
Centers of Excellence.
            Health Careers Opportunity Program
    The Committee provides $3,960,000 for the Health Careers 
Opportunity Program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$3,960,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not 
include any funds for this program. This program provides funds 
to medical and other health professions schools for recruitment 
of disadvantaged students and pre-professional school 
preparations.
    For fiscal year 2008, the Committee strongly urges HRSA to 
give priority consideration to awarding grants to those 
institutions with a historic mission of training minorities in 
the health professions.
            Faculty Loan Repayment
    The Committee provides $1,289,000 for the Faculty Loan 
Repayment program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$1,289,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not 
include any funds for this program. This program provides for 
the repayment of education loans for individuals from 
disadvantaged backgrounds who are health professions students 
or graduates, and who have agreed to serve for not less than 2 
years as a faculty member of a health professions school.
            Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students
    The Committee provides $46,657,000 for the Scholarships for 
Disadvantaged Students program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $46,657,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $9,733,000. This program provides grants to health 
professions schools for student scholarships to individuals who 
are from disadvantaged backgrounds and are enrolled as full-
time students in such schools.

Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry

    The Committee provides $48,851,000 for Training in Primary 
Care Medicine and Dentistry programs. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $48,851,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 did not include any funding for this program. 
The Committee has included bill language funding family 
medicine activities at $24,614,000; the general dentistry 
program at $5,000,000; and the pediatric dentistry program at 
$5,000,000.
    Even though it is most easily preventable, dental decay is 
the most common chronic childhood disease in the United 
States--five times more common than asthma. When dental 
problems go untreated, the proximity to the brain can lead to 
fatal conditions.

Interdisciplinary, Community-based Linkages

            Area Health Education Centers
    The Committee provides $28,681,000 for the Area Health 
Education Centers program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $28,681,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 did not include any funds for this program. This program 
links university health science centers with community health 
service delivery systems to provide training sites for 
students, faculty, and practitioners. The program supports 
three types of projects: Core grants to plan and implement 
programs; special initiative funding for schools that have 
previously received Area Health Education Centers [AHEC] 
grants; and model programs to extend AHEC programs with 50 
percent Federal funding.
            Allied Health and Other Disciplines
    The Committee provides $5,960,000 for the Allied Health and 
Other Disciplines program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $3,960,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 did not include any funds for this program. These programs 
seek to improve access, diversity, and distribution of allied 
health practitioners to areas of need. The program improves 
access to comprehensive and culturally competent health care 
services for underserved populations. The Committee 
recommendation is sufficient to continue the Chiropractic-
Medical School Demonstration Grant and Graduate Psychology 
training programs at the same levels as in fiscal year 2007.
    Within the funds provided, the Committee has included 
$2,000,000 for the dental workforce programs authorized under 
section 340G of the Public Health Service Act. The fiscal year 
2007 level of $2,000,000 was appropriated in Program Management 
and the fiscal year 2008 budget did not request any funds for 
this purpose.
    The Graduate Psychology Education Program provides 
interdisciplinary training for health service psychologists to 
offer mental and behavioral health care services to underserved 
populations, such as older adults, children, chronically ill 
persons and victims of abuse or trauma. While being trained in 
both rural and urban communities, trainees also provide direct 
services to those who would otherwise not receive them.

Public Health Workforce Development

    With the continued need for public health training 
throughout the country, the Committee believes these programs 
serve an important role in maintaining the country's public 
health infrastructure.
            Public Health, Preventive Medicine, and Dental Public 
                    Health Programs
    The Committee provides $8,920,000 for these programs. The 
fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $7,920,000 and the budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 did not include any funds for this 
program. This program supports awards to schools of medicine, 
osteopathic medicine, public health, and dentistry for support 
of residency training programs in preventive medicine and 
dental public health; and for financial assistance to trainees 
enrolled in such programs.

Nursing Workforce Development Programs

    The Committee provides $169,679,000 for the Nursing 
Workforce Development programs. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $149,679,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $105,307,000. The Committee recognizes that the 
current nursing shortage has reached a crisis state across 
America. The situation only promises to worsen due to a lack of 
young nurses in the profession, an aging existing workforce, 
and inadequate availability of nursing faculty to prepare 
future nurses. The Committee urges HRSA to support programs 
aimed at increasing nursing faculty and encouraging a diverse 
population's entry into nursing.
            Advanced Education Nursing
    The Committee provides $68,889,000 for the Advanced 
Education Nursing programs. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $57,061,000 and the administration did not request 
funding for this program in fiscal year 2008. This program 
funds nursing schools to prepare nurses at the master's degree 
or higher level for teaching, administration, or service in 
other professional nursing specialties. Within the allocation, 
the Committee encourages HRSA to allocate funding at least at 
the fiscal year 2007 level for nurse anesthetist education.
            Nurse Education, Practice, and Retention
    The Committee provides $37,291,000 for the Nurse Education, 
Practice, and Retention programs. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 
were $37,291,000. The nurse education, practice and retention 
program is a broad authority with targeted purposes under three 
priority areas--education, practice and retention--in response 
to the growing nursing shortage. The Committee encourages HRSA 
to incorporate innovative methods, such as competitive grants 
for competency-based distance learning technologies, to 
increase the number of trained nurses in the field. The goal of 
this program is to improve the quality of nursing practice. 
Activities under this program will initiate new projects that 
will change the educational mix of the nursing workforce and 
empower the workforce to meet the demands of the current health 
care system.
            Nursing Workforce Diversity
    The Committee provides $16,107,000 for the Nursing 
Workforce Diversity program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $16,107,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $16,107,000. The goal of this program is to improve 
the diversity of the nursing workforce through increased 
educational opportunities for individuals from disadvantaged 
backgrounds.
            Nurse Loan Repayment and Scholarship Program
    The Committee provides $36,000,000 for the Nurse Loan 
Repayment and Scholarship programs. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $31,055,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 was $43,744,000. This program offers student 
loan repayment to nurses in exchange for an agreement to serve 
not less than 2 years in an Indian Health Service health 
center, Native Hawaiian health center, public hospital, 
community or migrant health center, or rural health clinic.
            Comprehensive Geriatric Education
    The Committee provides $3,392,000 for Comprehensive 
Geriatric Education grants. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 were 
$3,392,000. These grants prepare nursing personnel to care for 
the aging population.
            Nurse Faculty Loan Program
    The Committee provides $8,000,000 for the Nursing Faculty 
Loan program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 were $4,773,000. This 
program supports the development of a student loan fund in 
schools of nursing to increase the number of qualified nursing 
faculty.

Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education Program

    The Committee has provided $200,000,000 for the Children's 
Hospitals Graduate Medical Education [GME] program. The fiscal 
year 2007 comparable level was $297,009,000 and the budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 was $110,018,000.
    The program provides 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 funds 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 that 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.

National Practitioner Data Bank

    The Committee provides $18,900,000 for the national 
practitioner data bank. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level 
was $16,200,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$18,900,000. The Committee and the budget request assume that 
full funding will be provided entirely through the collection 
of user fees and will cover the full cost of operating the data 
bank. Bill language is included to ensure that user fees are 
collected to cover all costs of processing requests and 
providing such information to data bank users.

Health Care Integrity and Protection Data Bank

    The Committee provides $3,825,000 for the health care 
integrity and protection data bank. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $3,825,000 and the administration did not 
request funding for this program in fiscal year 2008. The 
Committee assumes that full funding will be provided entirely 
through the collection of user fees and will cover the full 
cost of operating the data bank. The data bank is intended to 
collect, maintain, and report on certain actions taken against 
health care providers, suppliers, and practitioners.

                    MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BUREAU

Maternal and Child Health Block Grant

    The Committee provides $673,000,000 for the maternal and 
child health [MCH] block grant. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $673,000,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $673,000,000. The Committee is moving the 
appropriations for Leadership Education for Neurodevelopmental 
Disabilities and the Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics 
Training Program from the SPRANS set-aside into a new line for 
Autism and related Development Disabilities. The Committee 
provided $20,000,000 for these autism-related activities in 
fiscal year 2007.
    The Maternal and Child Health Block Grant program provides 
a flexible source of funding that allows States to target their 
most urgent maternal and child health needs through development 
of community-based networks of preventive and primary care that 
coordinate and integrate public and private sector resources 
and programs for pregnant women, mothers, infants, children, 
and adolescents. The program supports a broad range of 
activities including prenatal care, well child services and 
immunizations, reducing infant mortality, preventing injury and 
violence, expanding access to oral health care, addressing 
racial and ethnic disparities and providing comprehensive care 
for children, adolescents, and families through clinics, home 
visits and school-based health programs.
    The MCH block grant funds are provided to States to support 
health care for mothers and children. According to statute, 85 
percent of appropriated funds up to $600,000,000 are 
distributed to States and 15 percent are set aside for special 
projects of regional and national significance [SPRANS]. Also 
according to statute, 12.75 percent of funds over $600,000,000 
are to be used for community-integrated service systems [CISS] 
programs. The remaining funds over $600,000,000 are distributed 
on the same 85/15 percent split as the basic block grant.
    The Committee does not intend to cut grants to States or 
the grants for community integrated service systems. Therefore, 
the Committee has included a statutory provision to hold 
harmless both of these grant programs.
    The Committee has included bill language identifying 
$95,936,920 for the SPRANS set-aside. Within that total, the 
Committee intends that $1,536,480 be used for a first-time 
motherhood education program; $2,880,900 be used for epilepsy 
demonstration projects; $990,000 be used for a fetal alcohol 
syndrome demonstration program; $3,841,200 be used to continue 
the sickle cell newborn screening program and its locally based 
outreach and counseling efforts; $1,920,600 be used for newborn 
and child screening for heritable disorders as authorized in 
title XXVI of the Children's Health Act of 2000; and $4,801,500 
be used to continue the oral health demonstration programs and 
activities in the States.
    As stated above, the Committee also provides $1,536,480 for 
a first-time motherhood demonstration program, equally divided 
between urban and rural settings. Funding for urban settings 
should be focused on community-based doula activities. These 
funds may be used to improve infant health, strengthen families 
and provide supports to ensure family success through a 
community-based doula program. This approach identifies and 
trains indigenous community leaders to mentor pregnant women 
during the months of pregnancy, birth and the immediate post-
partum period. Doulas provide pregnancy and childbirth 
education, early linkage to health care and social services, 
labor coaching, breastfeeding education and counseling and 
parenting skills while fostering parental attachment. Rural 
areas represent a unique challenge in supporting first-time 
mothers, particularly around the area of lactation support and 
services. Funding for the rural portion of the demonstration 
should be focused on the best ways of delivering supportive 
services, including delivery outside the hospital setting both 
before and after the birth of the child. Priority should be 
given to applications which emphasize breastfeeding initiation 
and retention.
    As stated above, the Committee has provided $2,880,900 for 
the continuation of epilepsy demonstration programs to improve 
access to health and other services regarding seizures and to 
encourage early detection and treatment in children and others 
residing in medically underserved and rural areas. The 
Committee is aware of the critical need for a public awareness 
campaign to increase seizure recognition.
    As stated above, the Committee provides $1,920,600 to 
continue the heritable disorders screening program authorized 
in title XXVI of the Children's Health Act of 2000. Newborn 
screening is used for early identification of infants affected 
by certain genetic, metabolic, hormonal and or functional 
conditions for which there are effective treatments or 
interventions. Screening detects disorders in newborns that, 
left untreated, can cause death, disability, mental retardation 
and other serious illnesses.
    The Committee encourages HRSA to prioritize Fragile X as a 
key prototype in the development of cost-effective public 
health screening and genetic counseling programs. The Committee 
requests a report by July 1, 2008, on progress made in the 
development of a screening tool for Fragile X and encourages 
HRSA to work with the NICHD to work toward the inclusion of 
Fragile X in newborn screening programs.
    As stated above, the Committee has provided $4,801,500 for 
the continuation of oral health programs in the States. These 
programs will help States develop well integrated, quality oral 
health programs through grants, cooperative agreements, and 
contracts. As linkages continue to be made among disease 
transmissibility, maternal behaviors, poor birth outcomes and 
poor periodontal health, further program attention is warranted 
to avoid the need for more costly care.
    The Committee recognizes the key role that Maternal and 
Child Health Centers for Leadership in Pediatric Dentistry 
Education provide in preparing dentists with dual training in 
pediatric dentistry and dental public health. The Committee 
encourages HRSA to provide incentives to the Centers to 
leverage resources and seek matching funds to strengthen center 
activities.
    The Committee reiterates its long-standing support for the 
continuation of funding that the Maternal and Child Health 
Block Grant has provided to comprehensive thalassemia treatment 
centers under the SPRANS program. The Committee urges HRSA to 
continue this program.
    The most crucial need for individuals suffering from 
chronic fatigue syndrome [CFS] is effective, compassionate 
medical care. HRSA has piloted effective ways of delivering 
health care services to underserved populations. CDC has 
identified that fewer than 20 percent of patients with CFS have 
been diagnosed by a health care professional, suggesting that 
this population is underserved. The Committee encourages HRSA 
to develop models for CFS clinical care with the goal of 
improving the diagnosis and management of individuals with CFS 
throughout our country.
    The Committee recognizes the critical role of hemophilia 
treatment centers in providing needed comprehensive care for 
persons with bleeding disorders and the expanded role of these 
centers in addressing the needs of persons with bleeding 
disorders and clotting disorders. The Committee urges HRSA to 
continue its support of this model disease management network.

Autism and Other Developmental Disorders

    The Committee provides $37,000,000 for the autism and other 
developmental disorders initiative. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $20,000,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 was $20,000,000. The program supports 
surveillance, early detection, education and intervention 
activities on autism and other developmental disorders, as 
authorized in the Combating Autism Act of 2006.
    The Committee has included sufficient funding to continue 
and expand the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and 
Related Disabilities [LEND] program, previously funded in the 
MCHB SPRANS account. These University-based programs provide 
long-term, graduate level interdisciplinary training as well as 
services and care for infants, children, and adolescents with 
disabilities.

Sickle Cell Anemia Program

    The Committee provides $3,180,000 for the sickle cell 
anemia demonstration program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $2,180,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $2,184,000.

Traumatic Brain Injury Program

    The Committee provides $10,000,000 for the traumatic brain 
injury program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$8,910,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not 
include any funding for this program. The program supports 
implementation and planning grants to States for coordination 
and improvement of services to individuals and families with 
traumatic brain injuries as well as protection and advocacy. 
Such services can include: pre-hospital care, emergency 
department care, hospital care, rehabilitation, transitional 
services, education, employment, and long-term support. The 
Committee notes that brain injury is a signature injury of 
service in Iraq and that the returning National Guard soldiers 
rely on community-based systems of care. The Committee includes 
$3,400,000 for protection and advocacy services, as authorized 
under section 1305 of Public Law 106-310.

Healthy Start

    The Committee provides $101,518,000 for the healthy start 
infant mortality initiative. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $101,518,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $100,503,000.
    The healthy start initiative was developed to respond to 
persistently high rates of infant mortality in this Nation. The 
initiative was expanded in fiscal year 1994 by a special 
projects program, which supported an additional seven urban and 
rural communities to implement infant mortality reduction 
strategies and interventions. The Children's Health Act of 2000 
fully authorized this initiative as an independent program. The 
Committee urges HRSA to give preference to current and former 
grantees with expiring or recently expired project periods.

Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention

    The Committee provides $12,000,000 for universal newborn 
hearing screening and early intervention activities. The fiscal 
year 2007 comparable level was $9,804,000 and the budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 did not include any funds for this 
program.
    The Committee expects HRSA to coordinate projects funded 
with this appropriation with projects related to early hearing 
detection and intervention by the National Center on Birth 
Defects and Developmental Disabilities, the National Institute 
on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, the National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, and the 
Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services.

Emergency Medical Services for Children

    The Committee provides $20,000,000 for emergency medical 
services for children. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level 
was $19,800,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2007 did 
not include funds for this program. The program supports 
demonstration grants for the delivery of emergency medical 
services to acutely ill and seriously injured children.

Family-To-Family Health Information Centers

    The Committee has not provided funding for the Family-To-
Family Health Information Centers program. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $3,000,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 included $4,000,000 for this initiative. The 
Committee notes that the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 
appropriated $4,000,000 for this activity in fiscal year 2008.

                            HIV/AIDS BUREAU

                  ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

Ryan White AIDS Programs

    The Committee provides $2,170,919,000 for Ryan White AIDS 
programs. The recommendation includes $25,000,000 in transfers 
available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. 
The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $2,137,795,000 and 
the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $2,157,912,000.
    Next to the Medicaid program, the Ryan White AIDS programs 
are the largest Federal investment in the care and treatment of 
people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. These 
programs provides a wide range of community-based services, 
including primary and home health care, case management, 
substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and 
nutritional services.
    Within the total provided, the Committee intends that Ryan 
White AIDS activities that are targeted to address the growing 
HIV/AIDS epidemic and its disproportionate impact upon 
communities of color, including African-Americans, Latinos, 
Native Americans, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and 
Pacific Islanders continue with at least the level of funding 
provided in fiscal year 2007.
    The Committee is concerned that at least 25 percent of 
persons living with HIV are coinfected with HCV, and that HCV-
related complications are the leading cause of death among 
persons with HIV/AIDS. The Committee requests that HRSA provide 
additional guidance to grantees on providing services to 
coinfected individuals, and more education and training to 
medical providers treating HIV/HCV coinfected persons.
    The recent Ryan White CARE Act reauthorization provides not 
less than 25 percent of available funds under titles I and II 
for ``support services,'' necessary for individuals with HIV/
AIDS to achieve their medical outcomes. The Committee is aware 
that food and nutrition services--which have been provided 
under the Act since 1990--are essential to the comprehensive 
treatment of HIV/AIDS.

Emergency Assistance

    The Committee provides $603,993,000 for emergency 
assistance grants to eligible metropolitan areas 
disproportionately affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The 
fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $603,993,000 and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 included $603,993,000. 
These funds are provided to metropolitan areas meeting certain 
criteria. Two thirds of the funds are awarded by formula and 
the remainder is awarded through supplemental competitive 
grants.

Comprehensive Care Programs

    The Committee provides $1,225,518,000 for HIV health care 
and support services. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$1,195,500,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$1,215,518,000. These funds are awarded to States to support 
HIV service delivery consortia, the provision of home and 
community-based care services for individuals with HIV disease, 
continuation of health insurance coverage for low-income 
persons with HIV disease and support for State AIDS drug 
assistance programs [ADAP].
    The Committee continues to be encouraged by the progress of 
anti-retroviral therapy in reducing the mortality rates 
associated with HIV infection and in enhancing the quality of 
life of patients on medication. The Committee includes bill 
language providing $814,546,000 for AIDS medications in the 
AIDS Drug Assistance Program [ADAP]. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $789,546,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 was $814,546,000. The Committee has provided 
this increase to address the long-standing problem of State 
waiting lists for HIV/AIDS medications without unfairly 
punishing States that have provided their own resources to make 
up funding shortfalls.
    The Committee is aware of the success HIV therapies have 
had on prolonging and enhancing the quality of life for those 
infected with HIV/AIDS. As the infected population lives longer 
and becomes increasingly resistant to current treatment 
regimens, there is a growing need to focus on access to newer 
therapies for treatment experienced or ``later stage'' 
patients. The Committee encourages HRSA and State ADAPs to 
prioritize coverage of treatments for later stage patients so 
that there is parity of access to effective treatments for 
patients across the HIV disease spectrum. The Committee further 
encourages State ADAPs to provide coverage of therapies 
approved by the FDA for the treatment of HCV in HIV/HCV co-
infected patients.

Early Intervention Services

    The Committee provides $193,622,000 for early intervention 
grants. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $193,722,000 
and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 included 
$199,821,000. These funds are awarded competitively to primary 
health care providers to enhance health care services available 
to people at risk of HIV and AIDS. Funds are used for 
comprehensive primary care, including counseling, testing, 
diagnostic, and therapeutic services.

Children, Youth, Women, and Families

    The Committee provides $75,000,000 for grants for 
coordinated services and access to research for women, infants, 
children and youth. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level and 
the budget request for 2008 were $71,794,000. Funds are awarded 
to community health centers, family planning agencies, 
comprehensive hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers, 
Federally qualified health centers under section 1905(1)(2)(B) 
of the Social Security Act, county and municipal health 
departments and other nonprofit community-based programs that 
provide comprehensive primary health care services to 
populations with or at risk for HIV disease.
    The Committee has included increased funding to address the 
potential influx of new cases identified through the 
President's testing initiative funded through the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention. The Committee intends that 50 
percent of the increase be used to increase the average title 
IV grant amount to increase capacity in the existing grantee 
network. The Committee notes that title IV funds may be used 
for a broad range of activities to reduce mother-to-child 
transmission, including voluntary testing of pregnant women and 
treatment to reduce mother-to-child transmission.
    Technical assistance may be provided to title IV grantees 
using up to 2 percent of the funds appropriated under this 
section. Within this amount sufficient funds exist to maintain 
technical assistance to title IV grantees and to conduct policy 
analysis and research.

AIDS Dental Services

    The Committee provides $13,086,000 for AIDS Dental 
Services. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level and the budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 were both $13,086,000. This 
program provides grants to dental schools, dental hygiene 
schools, and postdoctoral dental education programs to assist 
with the cost of providing unreimbursed oral health care to 
patients with HIV disease.

AIDS Education and Training Centers

    The Committee provides $34,700,000 for the AIDS education 
and training centers [AETC's]. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $34,700,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 included $28,700,000. AIDS education and training centers 
train health care practitioners, faculty, and students who care 
for AIDS patients outside of the traditional health professions 
education venues, and support curriculum development on 
diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection for health professions 
schools and training organizations. The targeted education 
efforts by AETC's are needed to ensure the cost-effective use 
of the significant expenditures in Ryan White programs and the 
AIDS drugs assistance program. The agency is urged to fully 
utilize the AETC's to ensure the quality of medical care and to 
ensure, as much as possible, that no individual with HIV 
receives suboptimal therapy due to the lack of health care 
provider information.

                       HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS BUREAU

Organ Donation and Transplantation

    The Committee provides $25,049,000 for organ donation and 
transplantation activities. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 were both 
$23,049,000. These funds support a scientific registry of organ 
transplant recipients and the National Organ Procurement and 
Transplantation Network to match donors and potential 
recipients of organs. A portion of the appropriated funds may 
be used for education of the public and health professionals 
about organ donations and transplants, and to support agency 
staff providing clearinghouse and technical assistance 
functions.
    The Committee applauds the efforts of the Division of 
Transplantation to implement the new provision of Public Law 
108-116, the Organ Donation and Recovery Improvement Act which 
provides for reimbursement of travel and subsistence expenses 
of living organ donors. The Committee strongly supports this 
means of increasing the rate of successful transplantations and 
has provided $2,000,000 over the budget request to continue 
this program.
    The Committee commends HRSA for its leadership in promoting 
increased organ and tissue donations, however the Committee is 
concerned with recent funding reductions for research and 
demonstration projects that have historically led to increased 
organ donation and encourages HRSA to restore these programs.

National Cord Blood Inventory

    The Committee has provided $12,000,000 for the National 
Cord Blood Inventory, which is the successor of the National 
Cord Blood Stem Cell Bank program. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $3,960,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 was $1,966,000. The purpose of this program is 
to provide funds to cord blood banks to build an inventory of 
the highest quality cord blood units for transplantation.
    The Committee is pleased that the first cohort of banks has 
been established and has included sufficient funds to continue 
this cohort and initiate two more.

C.W. Bill Young Cell Transplantation Program

    The Committee provides $22,701,000 for the C.W. Bill Young 
Cell Transplantation Program, which is the successor of the 
National Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level for the Registry was $25,168,000 and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $22,701,000.

Office of Pharmacy Affairs

    The Committee provides $2,940,000 for the Office of 
Pharmacy Affairs. The budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$2,940,000 for this new program. The Office of Pharmacy Affairs 
promotes access to clinically and cost effective pharmacy 
services among safety-net clinics and hospitals that 
participate in the 340B Drug Pricing program. Section 340B of 
the Public Health Service Act requires drug manufacturers to 
provide discounts or rebates to a specified set of HHS assisted 
programs and hospitals that meet the criteria in the Social 
Security Act for serving a disproportionate share of low income 
patients. These funds will be used to help resolve deficiencies 
that could not be addressed within resources available for the 
normal operations of the office. Specifically, these 
deficiencies include non-compliance with the 340B pricing 
requirements and errors and omissions in the office's covered 
entity database.
    The Committee is concerned by price fluctuations in drugs 
currently accessed through 340b, which play a major role in the 
delivery of care in community health centers, title X clinics, 
and rural health centers. The Committee hopes that the funding 
for Office of Pharmacy Affairs will help to address the 
variability in pricing to help clinics plan for their patient 
load.
    The Committee is aware that, on January 12, 2007, HRSA 
issued proposed guidelines that would make significant changes 
to the long-standing definition of the term ``patient'' under 
the 340B program. The Committee agrees with HRSA that certain 
aspects of the current patient definition guidelines require 
clarification. However, the proposed guidelines may place undue 
burden on pharmacists to undertake independent investigations 
and may inadvertantly reduce participation in this important 
program. The Committee directs HRSA to modify the proposed 
guidelines in response to public comments received. The 
Committee directs that HRSA report to the Committee on its plan 
for future guidance no later than September 15, 2007.

Poison Control Centers

    The Committee provides $23,000,000 for Poison Control 
Center activities. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$23,000,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$10,000,000. The Poison Control program currently supports a 
mix of grantees: most grantees serve entire States; a few 
grantees serve multi-State regions; and, in a handful of cases, 
more than one grantee serves a single State. In allocating 
funds, the Committee has provided sufficient resources to 
continue the current approach of allocating funding to all 
certified centers based on service population.

                         RURAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

Rural Health Care Services Outreach Grants

    The Committee provides $40,000,000 for rural health 
outreach grants. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$38,885,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not 
include funds for this program. This program supports projects 
that demonstrate new and innovative models of outreach in rural 
areas such as integration and coordination of health services.
    The Committee understands that many primary care clinics in 
isolated, remote locations are providing extended stay services 
and are not staffed or receiving appropriate compensation to 
provide this service. The Committee encourages the HRSA to 
continue its support for a demonstration project authorized in 
the Medicare Modernization Act to evaluate the effectiveness of 
a new type of provider, the ``Frontier Extended Stay Clinic,'' 
to provide expanded services in remote and isolated primary 
care clinics to meet the needs of seriously ill or injured 
patients who cannot be transferred quickly to acute care 
referral centers, and patients who require monitoring and 
observation for a limited time.
    Mississippi's Delta is a community in which residents 
disproportionately experience disease risk factors and children 
are significantly mentally and physically developmentally 
behind. The Committee recognizes that communities such as this 
show positive behavioral change when community-based programs 
and infrastructure are in place. The Committee believes that 
collaborative programs offering health education, coordination 
of health services and health-related research offer the best 
hope for breaking the cycle of poor health in underprivileged 
areas such as the Mississippi Delta. Therefore, the Committee 
recommends the continued funding of these activities (This 
language was requested by Senator Cochran).

Rural Health Research

    The Committee provides $9,500,000 for the Rural Health 
Research. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $8,737,000 
and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $8,737,000. The 
funds provide support for the Office of Rural Health Policy to 
be the focal point for the Department's efforts to improve the 
delivery of health services to rural communities and 
populations. Funds are used for rural health research centers, 
the National Advisory Committee on Rural Health, and a 
reference and information service.

Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants

    The Committee provides $38,538,000 for rural hospital 
flexibility grants. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$63,538,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not 
include funds for this program.
    Under this program, eligible rural hospitals may convert 
themselves into limited service facilities termed Critical 
Access Hospitals. Such entities are then eligible to receive 
cost-based payments from Medicare. The grant component of the 
program assists States with the development and implementation 
of State rural health plans, conversion assistance, and 
associated activities.
    Of the amount provided, the Committee includes $15,000,000 
to continue the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Grant Program, 
as authorized by section 1820(g)(3) of the Social Security Act 
and Public Law 107-116 and outlined in House Report 107-342.

Delta Health Initiative

    The Committee has included $25,000,000 for the Delta Health 
Initiative as authorized in section 223 of this act (This 
funding was requested by Senator Cochran). HRSA awarded a 
multi-year grant in fiscal year 2006 to implement the Delta 
Health Initiative. The Committee notes that continuation of 
this award in fiscal year 2008 in the same manner and with the 
same requirements will satisfy the requirements of section 222.

Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices

    The Committee provides $3,000,000 for rural and community 
access to emergency devices. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $1,487,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 did not include funding for this program. This 
appropriation provides funding for both the rural program under 
section 413 of the Public Health Service Act and the community 
access demonstration under section 313.
    The Committee is concerned that reductions in this program 
were implemented in a manner that disproportionately impacted 
rural areas. The Committee expects that fiscal year 2008 
funding be equally divided between urban and rural communities.
    Funding will be used to train additional rural and 
community lay rescuers and first responders to use automated 
external defibrillators [AEDs] and to purchase and place AEDs 
in public areas where cardiac arrests are likely to occur.

State Offices of Rural Health

    The Committee provides $9,000,000 for the State Offices of 
Rural Health. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 were both $8,141,000. The 
State Office of Rural Health program helps the States 
strengthen rural heath care delivery systems by allowing them 
to better coordinate care and improve support and outreach in 
rural areas. The Committee believes that continued funds for 
this purpose are critical to improving access and quality 
health care services throughout rural communities.

Black Lung Clinics

    The Committee provides $6,000,000 for black lung clinics. 
The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $5,891,000 and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $5,886,000. This 
program funds clinics that treat respiratory and pulmonary 
diseases of active and retired coal miners, steel mill workers, 
agricultural workers, and others with occupationally-related 
respiratory and pulmonary impairments. These clinics reduce the 
incidence of high-cost inpatient treatment for these 
conditions.

Radiation and Exposure Screening and Education Program

    The Committee provides $1,917,000 for activities authorized 
by the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act. The fiscal year 
2007 comparable level was $1,919,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 was $1,904,000. This program provides grants 
for the education, prevention, and early detection of 
radiogenic cancers and diseases resulting from exposure to 
uranium during its mining and milling at nuclear test sites.

Native and Rural Alaskan Health Care

    The Committee provides $39,283,000 for the Denali 
Commission. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$39,283,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not 
include funding for this program. These funds support the 
construction and renovation of health clinics, hospitals and 
social service facilities in rural Alaska, as authorized by 
Public Law 106-113, to help remote communities in Alaska 
develop critically needed health and social service 
infrastructure for which no other funding sources are 
available, thereby providing health and social services to 
Alaskans in remote rural communities as they are in other 
communities throughout the country. The Committee expects the 
Denali Commission to allocate funds to a mix of rural hospital, 
clinic, long-term care and social service facilities, rather 
than focusing exclusively on clinic funding.

Family Planning

    The Committee provides $300,000,000 for the title X family 
planning program. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was 
$283,146,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$283,103,000.
    Title X grants support primary health care services at more 
than 4,400 clinics nationwide. About 85 percent of family 
planning clients are women at or below 150 percent of poverty 
level. Title X of the Public Health Service Act, which 
established the family planning program, authorizes the 
provision of a broad range of acceptable and effective family 
planning methods and preventive health services to individuals, 
regardless of age or marital status. This includes FDA-approved 
methods of contraception.
    The Committee remains concerned that programs receiving 
title X funds ought to have access to these resources as 
quickly as possible. The Committee again instructs the 
Department to distribute to the regional offices all of the 
funds available for family planning services no later than 60 
days following enactment of this bill. The Committee intends 
that the regional offices should retain the authority for the 
review, award and administration of family planning funds, in 
the same manner and timeframe as in fiscal year 2006. The 
Committee intends that at least 90 percent of funds 
appropriated for title X activities be for clinical services 
authorized under section 1001 of the act. The Committee further 
expects the Office of Family Planning to spend any remaining 
year-end funds in section 1001 activities.

Health Care-related Facilities and Activities

    The Committee provides $191,235,000 for the construction 
and renovation (including equipment) of health care-related 
facilities and other health care-related activities. No funds 
were provided for these purposes in fiscal year 2007 and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 did not include funding for 
these activities. The Committee expects HRSA to use no more 
than 1 percent of the funds allocated for projects for agency 
administrative expenses. These funds are to be used for the 
following projects and in the following amounts:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Addison County Dental Care,             $200,000  Sanders
 Middlebury, VT, for equipment
 and facility upgrades.
AIDS Resource Center Wisconsin,          150,000  Kohl
 Milwaukee, WI, to provide
 health care and case
 management services.
Alaska Family Practice                 1,000,000  Stevens
 Residency Program, Anchorage,
 AK, to support its family
 practice residency programs.
Alaska Federal Health Care               250,000  Stevens
 Access Network, Anchorage, AK,
 to support activities of the
 Alaska Telemedicine Advisory
 Committee.
Alaska Native Medical Center,            750,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, for equipment.
Alaska Psychiatric Institute,            400,000  Stevens
 Juneau, AK, for the
 Telebehavioral Health Project
 in Alaska.
Albany Medical Center, Albany,           500,000  Clinton, Schumer
 NY, for the establishment of
 the Patient Safety Center.
Albuquerque Indian Health                100,000  Bingaman
 Center, New Mexico, for
 renovations and equip-  ment.
Alegent Health Care System,              100,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 Omaha, NE, for a community-
 based Electronic Medical
 Records System.
Allegheny General Hospital,              200,000  Specter
 Pittsburgh, PA, for equipment.
Allegheny Singer Research                100,000  Specter
 Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, for
 equipment.
Allen Memorial Hospital, Moab,            50,000  Hatch
 Utah, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment.
AltaMed Health Services                  100,000  Boxer
 Corporation, Los Angeles, CA,
 for construction and equipment.
Anchorage Neighborhood Health            400,000  Murkowski
 Center, Anchorage, AK, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
AnMed Health, Anderson, SC, for          100,000  Graham
 renovation and equipment.
Arc of Northern Virginia, Falls          150,000  Warner, Webb
 Church, VA, for equipment and
 software to create a Resource
 Navigator System for
 individuals with developmental
 disabilities in the
 Commonwealth of Virginia.
Armstrong County Memorial                100,000  Specter
 Hospital, Kittanning, PA, for
 equipment.
Association for Utah Community           350,000  Bennett, Hatch
 Health, Salt Lake City, Utah,
 for electronic health records
 for Utah Community Health
 Centers.
Atchison Hospital Association,           400,000  Brownback
 Atchison, KS, for renovation
 and equipment.
Barnes-Kasson County Hospital,           100,000  Specter
 Susquehanna, PA, for
 renovation and equipment.
Baylor College of Medicine,              200,000  Hutchison
 Houston, TX, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment at
 the Vannie E. Cook, Jr.
 Children's Cancer and
 Hematology Clinic.
Baylor Research Institute,               250,000  Cornyn
 Dallas, Texas, for renovation
 and equipment.
Bear River Health Department,             50,000  Hatch
 Logan, Utah, for the Medical
 Reserve Corps Program.
Beaver Valley Hospital, Beaver,           50,000  Hatch
 Utah, for renovation and
 equipment.
Beebe Medical Center, Lewes,             200,000  Biden, Carper
 DE, for construction,
 renovation and equip-  ment.
Beloit Area Community Health             500,000  Kohl
 Center, Beloit, WI, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Benefis Healthcare Foundation,           400,000  Baucus
 Great Falls, MT, for health
 information technology.
Billings Clinic, Billings, MT,           400,000  Baucus, Tester
 for construction, renovation
 and equipment of a cancer
 center.
Billings Clinic, Billings, MT,           350,000  Baucus
 for a Rural Clinical
 Information System.
Billings Clinic, Billings, MT,           375,000  Tester, Baucus
 for the Diabetes Center to
 prevent and treat diabetes.
Bloomsburg Hospital,                     100,000  Specter
 Bloomsburg, PA, for cardiology
 center construction.
Boone County Senior Citizen            1,000,000  Bond
 Service Corporation, Columbia,
 MO, for equipment and
 technology for the Alzheimer's
 Disease Demonstration Center
 on the Bluff's campus.
Boston Health Care for the               175,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Homeless Program, Boston, MA,
 for the construction of a
 health care facility.
Boston Medical Center, Boston,           350,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 MA, for facilities and
 equipment for the J. Joseph
 Moakley Medical Services
 Building.
Boys Town National Research              900,000  Nelson
 Hospital, Omaha, NE, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Brackenridge Hospital, Austin,           200,000  Hutchison
 TX, for construction,
 renovation, and equip-  ment.
Briar Cliff University, Sioux            100,000  Harkin, Grassley
 City, IA for facilities and
 equipment.
Bridgeport Hospital,                     200,000  Dodd, Lieberman
 Bridgeport, CT, for
 construction, renovation and
 equip-  ment.
Brockton Hospital, Brockton,             200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 MA, for equipment.
Brockton Neighborhood Health             200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Center, Brockton, MA, for
 construction.
Camillus House, Miami, FL, to            150,000  Bill Nelson, Martinez
 construct a new medical
 facility.
Carilion Health System,                  150,000  Warner, Webb
 Roanoke, VA, for renovation
 and equipment.
Caring Health Center, Inc.,              250,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Springfield, MA, for equipment
 needed to expand urgent care
 and oral health programs.
Carnegie Mellon University,              150,000  Specter
 Pittsburgh, PA, for equipment
 and renovation.
Carolinas Healthcare Center,             350,000  Dole, Burr
 Charlotte, North Carolina, for
 equipment for the Pediatric
 Imaging Center at the Levine
 Children's Hospital.
Case Western Reserve                     100,000  Voinovich
 University, Cleveland, OH, for
 equipment.
Central Carolina Allied Health           250,000  Graham
 Center, Sumter, SC, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Charles Drew Health Center,            1,000,000  Ben Nelson
 Inc., Omaha, NE, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Chester County Hospital, West            100,000  Specter
 Chester, PA, for construction.
Children's Hospital of                   100,000  Specter
 KidsPeace, Orefield, PA, for
 construction and equip-  ment.
Children's Hospitals and                 300,000  Klobuchar, Coleman
 Clinics of Minnesota,
 Minneapolis, MN, to provide
 pediatric palliative care
 education and consultation
 services to clinicians and
 providers.
Children's Health Fund, New              150,000  Cochran
 York, NY, for the Mississippi
 Gulf Coast Children's Health
 Project in Gulfport, MS.
Children's Health Fund, New              300,000  Landrieu
 York, NY, to provide mental
 health services to children
 and families.
Children's Hospital Boston,              220,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Boston, MA, for the
 development of comprehensive
 pediatric electronic medical
 records system.
Children's Hospital of                   150,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, Philadelphia,
 PA, for equipment.
Children's Hospital of                   150,000  Specter, Casey
 Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA,
 for construction.
Children's Hospital of The               200,000  Warner, Webb
 King's Daughters (CHKD) Health
 Systems, Norfolk, VA, to
 purchase and equip a Mobile
 Intensive Care Transport
 Vehicle for the critically ill
 neonatal and pediatric
 populations.
Childrens Hospital of                    200,000  Kohl
 Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Children's Hospital, Aurora,             200,000  Allard, Salazar
 CO, for equipment.
Children's Institute,                    100,000  Specter, Casey
 Pittsburgh, PA, for
 construction and program
 expansion.
Children's Medical Center,               200,000  Hutchison, Cornyn
 Dallas, TX, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment.
Children's Specialized                   300,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 Hospital, Mountainside, NJ,
 for construction, renovation
 and equipment.
Chippewa Valley Hospital,                200,000  Kohl
 Durand, WI, for equipment.
CHOICE Regional Health Network,          500,000  Murray
 Olympia, WA, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Christiana Care Health System,           500,000  Biden, Carper
 Wilmington, DE, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Children's           200,000  Hutchison
 Hospital, San Antonio, TX, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Clarion Hospital Healthcare              100,000  Specter
 System, Clarion, PA, for
 electronic medical rec-  ords.
Clearfield Hospital,                     100,000  Specter
 Clearfield, PA, for equipment.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory,           900,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Cold Spring Harbor, NY, for
 The Women's Cancer Genomics
 Center.
College Misericordia, Dallas,            100,000  Specter
 PA, for construction.
College of Saint Scholastica,            300,000  Coleman, Klobuchar
 Duluth, MN, to implement a
 rural health and technology
 demonstration project.
Community Action Agency of               500,000  Domenici, Bingaman
 Southern New Mexico, Las
 Cruces, NM, for the Access to
 Healthcare Initiative.
Community College of Rhode               250,000  Reed
 Island, Lincoln, RI, for
 equipment and laboratory
 facilities for health care
 education.
Community Health Center of               500,000  Brownback
 Southeast Kansas, Pittsburg,
 KS, for renovation and
 equipment.
Community Health Center of the           400,000  Johnson, Thune
 Black Hills, Rapid City, SD,
 for facilities and equipment.
Community Health Centers in            2,300,000  Harkin
 Iowa.
Community Health Centers of              600,000  Lincoln, Pryor
 Arkansas, North Little Rock,
 AR, for an infrastructure
 development program.
Community Health Centers of the          100,000  Sanders
 Rutland Region, Bomoseen, VT,
 for equipment.
Community Home, Health &                 250,000  Murray, Cantwell
 Hospice, Longview, WA, to
 implement a home health
 telemonitoring system.
Community Hospital Telehealth            300,000  Landrieu, Vitter
 Consortium, Lake Charles, LA,
 to support the information
 technology networks of
 regional not-for-profit
 community health systems.
Community Medical Center,                350,000  Baucus, Tester
 Missoula, MT, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Cook Children's Medical Center,          200,000  Hutchison
 Fort Worth, TX, for equipment.
Cooperative Telehealth Network,          350,000  Craig, Crapo
 Portneuf Medical Center,
 Pocatello, ID, to provide and
 improve distance healthcare
 access in southeast Idaho.
Counseling Services of Addison           400,000  Leahy
 County, Middlebury, VT, to
 implement an electronic
 medical record.
Crumley House Brain Injury               100,000  Alexander
 Rehabilitation Center,
 Limestone, TN, for brain
 injury programs.
Culpeper Regional Hospital,              300,000  Warner, Webb
 Culpeper, VA, for facility
 design, engineering and
 construction to expand the
 Emergency Department.
CVPH Medical Center,                   1,500,000  Schumer, Clinton
 Plattsburgh, NY, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Defiance College, Defiance,              200,000  Brown
 Ohio, for training autism
 caregivers.
Delta Dental of Iowa, Ankeny,            150,000  Harkin, Grassley
 IA, for a dental loan
 repayment program.
Delta Dental of South Dakota,            200,000  Johnson
 Pierre, SD, to provide mobile
 dental health services.
Denver Health and Hospital               200,000  Salazar
 Authority, Denver, CO, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Desert Hot Springs, Downey, CA,          100,000  Boxer
 to construct a primary and
 urgent care medical clinic.
DuBois Regional Medical Center,          100,000  Specter, Casey
 Dubois, PA, for equipment.
East Carolina University,                100,000  Burr, Dole
 Greenville, NC, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment for the Metabolic
 Institute.
East Orange General Hospital,            750,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 East Orange, NJ, for
 facilities and equipment.
Easter Seals Iowa, Des Moines,           400,000  Harkin
 IA, for construction and
 enhancement of a health care
 center.
Easter Seals Metropolitan                650,000  Obama, Durbin
 Chicago, Chicago, IL, for
 their therapeutic School and
 Center for Autism Research.
Eastern Oklahoma State College,          100,000  Inhofe
 Wilburton, OK, for health
 information systems and
 pharmacy technology programs.
Eastern Shore Rural Health               125,000  Webb, Warner
 System Onley Community Health
 Center, Nassawadox, VA, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Ed Roberts Campus in Berkeley,           250,000  Boxer
 CA, for construction,
 renovations and equipment.
Elliot Health System,                    250,000  Gregg
 Manchester, NH, for a backup
 and support system for
 continuity of services.
Ephrata Community Hospital,              100,000  Specter
 Ephrata, PA, for equipment.
Family Health Centers of San             100,000  Boxer
 Diego, Inc., San Diego, CA,
 for construction, renovation
 and equipment.
Fenway Community Health Center,          250,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Boston, MA, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Fish River Rural Health, Eagle           100,000  Collins, Snowe
 Lake, ME, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment.
Fletcher Allen Health Care,              500,000  Leahy
 Burlington, VT, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Fort Wayne, IN, for training of          200,000  Bayh
 emergency medical personnel,
 including equipment purchase.
Fox Chase Cancer Center,                 150,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 equipment.
Franklin County Medical Center,          250,000  Craig
 Preston, ID, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment.
Free Clinic of the Greater               100,000  Kohl
 Menomonie Area, Inc,
 Menomonie, WI, for equip-
 ment.
Free Clinics of Iowa in Des              400,000  Harkin
 Moines, IA, to support a
 network of free clinics.
Fulton County Medical Center,            100,000  Specter
 McConnellsburg, PA, for
 equipment.
Garfield Memorial Hospital,              100,000  Hatch
 Panguitch, Utah, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment of the emergency
 room and adjacent clinic.
Geisinger Health System,                 200,000  Specter
 Danville, PA, for construction
 and equipment.
Generations, Inc, Camden, NJ,            450,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 for construction of a medical
 center.
Georgia Southern University,             100,000  Chambliss
 Statesboro, GA, for rural
 health outreach and training.
Glory House, Sioux Falls, SD,            100,000  Johnson
 to construct a methamphetamine
 treatment center.
Good Samaritan Regional Medical          100,000  Specter
 Center, Pottsville, PA, for
 medical out-  reach.
Good Shepherd Rehabilitation             100,000  Specter
 Hospital, Allentown, PA, for
 equipment.
Grady Health System, Atlanta,            200,000  Chambliss, Isakson
 GA, to implement a new
 Electronic Health Record
 System.
Greene County, Waynesburg, PA,           100,000  Specter
 for a telemedicine initiative.
Gritman Medical Center, Moscow,          450,000  Craig, Crapo
 ID, for equipment and
 technology.
Gundersen Lutheran Hospital, La          200,000  Kohl
 Crosse, WI, for a health
 information technology system.
Halifax Regional Health System,          150,000  Warner, Webb
 South Boston, VA, for
 equipment purchase and
 technology system upgrades for
 electronic medical records.
Hamot Medical Center, Erie, PA,          100,000  Specter
 for construction and equipment.
Hazleton General Hospital,               100,000  Specter
 Hazleton, PA, for equipment.
Health Care Foundation of North          250,000  Cochran
 Mississippi, Tupelo, MS, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Health Occupation Students of            200,000  Cochran
 America, Flower Mound, TX, for
 the HOSA Mississippi Emergency
 Preparedness Pipeline.
HealthHUB, South Royalton, VT,           100,000  Sanders
 for equipment and facilities.
Heartland Partnership, Peoria,           500,000  Durbin
 IL, for construction of a
 cancer research laboratory.
Helene Fuld College of Nursing,          100,000  Schumer, Clinton
 New York, NY, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Henry Ford Health System,                350,000  Levin, Stabenow
 Flint, MI, for training in
 advanced techniques.
Heritage Valley Health System,           100,000  Specter
 Beaver, PA, for construction.
Hidalgo Medical Services Inc.,         1,000,000  Domenici, Bingaman
 Lordsburg, NM, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment for a Community
 Health Center in Silver City,
 New Mexico.
Hilo Medical Center, HI, for a           100,000  Inouye
 medical robotics training lab.
Holy Cross Hospital, Chicago,          1,200,000  Durbin
 IL, for equipment.
Holy Cross Hospital, Silver              375,000  Mikulski, Cardin
 Spring, MD, for equipment.
Holy Redeemer Health System,             100,000  Specter
 Huntingdon Valley, PA, for
 construction.
Holy Rosary Healthcare, Miles            200,000  Tester
 City, MT, for a tele-radiology
 program.
Holy Spirit Hospital, Camp               100,000  Specter
 Hill, PA, for equipment.
Holyoke Hospital, Holyoke, MA,           220,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 for equipment.
Hood River County, Hood River,           350,000  Wyden, Smith
 OR, for construction of an
 integrated health care
 facility.
Hospice Care Plus, Berea, KY,            150,000  Bunning
 for construction, renovation,
 and equipment.
Hospital for Special Surgery,            500,000  Clinton, Schumer
 New York, NY, for expansion
 and modernization of its
 clinical facilities.
House of Mercy in Des Moines,            300,000  Harkin
 Iowa, for renovation of the
 medical clinic.
Hunter's Hope Foundation,                500,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Orchard Park, NY, for
 equipment in the Krabbe's
 disease programs.
Huntridge Teen Center and                175,000  Reid
 Nevada Dental Association, Las
 Vegas, NV, to purchase
 equipment and coordinate care
 for the Huntridge Dental
 Clinic.
Illinois Primary Health Care             550,000  Durbin, Obama
 Association, to develop an
 electronic medical record
 system.
Indiana Regional Medical                 100,000  Specter
 Center, Indiana, PA, for
 services expansion.
Inova Health System, Falls               100,000  Warner, Webb
 Church, VA, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment.
INTEGRIS Health, Oklahoma City,          100,000  Inhofe
 OK, for statewide digital
 radiology equip-  ment.
Iowa Caregivers Association,             350,000  Harkin
 for training and support of
 certified nurse assistants.
Jackson Medical Mall                     200,000  Cochran
 Foundation, Jackson, MS, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Jackson State University,                400,000  Cochran
 Jackson, MS, for Southern
 Institute for Mental Health
 Research and Training.
Jameson Hospital, New Castle,            100,000  Specter
 PA, for construction.
Jefferson Regional Medical             2,000,000  Lincoln, Pryor
 Center, Pine Bluff, AR, for
 equipment.
Jefferson Regional Medical               100,000  Specter
 Center, Pittsburgh, PA, for
 equipment.
Jewish Renaissance Medical               200,000  Menendez, Lautenberg
 Center, Perth Amboy, NJ, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Johns Hopkins University,                350,000  Mikulski
 Baltimore, MD, to expand the
 Critical Event Preparedness
 and Response program.
Kane Community Hospital, Kane,           100,000  Specter
 PA, for equipment.
Kansas State University,                 500,000  Brownback
 Manhattan, KS, for equipment
 for the Midwest Institute for
 Comparative Stem Cell Biology.
Keesler AFB, Biloxi, MS, for             250,000  Cochran
 equipment for Regional
 Telepathology in South
 Mississippi.
Kennedy Krieger Institute,               350,000  Mikulski, Cardin
 Baltimore, MD, for medical
 equipment.
Kenosha Community Health                 200,000  Kohl
 Center, Kenosha, WI, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Kootenai Medical Center,                 250,000  Craig
 Sandpoint, ID, to continue
 providing and improving
 distance healthcare access in
 north Idaho.
Lakeshore Foundation,                    600,000  Sessions
 Birmingham, AL, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Lamoille Community Health                100,000  Sanders
 Services, Morrisville, VT, for
 rural outreach activities.
Lane County, Eugene, Oregon,             150,000  Smith, Wyden
 for construction, renovation,
 and equipment of the
 Springfield Community Health
 Center.
Le Bonheur Children's Medical            500,000  Alexander
 Center, Memphis, TN, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Le Mars Dialysis Center,                 250,000  Harkin
 LeMars, IA, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Legacy Health System, Portland,          100,000  Smith
 Oregon, for telemedicine
 equipment.
Lehigh Valley Hospital and               100,000  Specter
 Health Network, Allentown, PA,
 for construction.
Lewis and Clark Community                350,000  Obama
 College, Godfrey, IL, to
 purchase and equip a mobile
 health clinic to serve rural
 areas.
LifeBridge Health of Baltimore,          500,000  Mikulski, Cardin
 MD, to implement the
 Computerized Physician Order
 Entry Initiative.
Lou Ruvo Alzheimer's Institute,          400,000  Ensign
 Las Vegas, NV, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Madison Community Health                 325,000  Kohl
 Center, Madison, WI, for
 equipment.
Magee Rehabilitation Hospital,           100,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 equipment.
Magee-Womens Research Institute          100,000  Specter
 and Foundation, Pittsburgh,
 PA, for equipment.
Maine Coast Memorial Hospital,           190,000  Collins, Snowe
 Ellsworth, ME, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Maliheh Free Clinic, Salt Lake            50,000  Hatch
 City, Utah, for renovation and
 equipment.
Marcus Daly Memorial Hospital,           300,000  Baucus
 Hamilton, MT, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Marcus Institute, Atlanta, GA,           200,000  Chambliss, Isakson
 for equipment.
Marian Community Hospital,               100,000  Specter
 Carbondale, PA, for equipment.
Marias Medical Center, Shelby,           200,000  Baucus
 MT, to purchase equipment.
Marquette University,                    250,000  Kohl
 Milwaukee, WI, for a dental
 health outreach program.
Marshall University, WV, for           1,575,000  Byrd
 the Bioengineering and
 Biomanufacturing Insti-  tute.
Marshall University, WV, for           3,250,000  Byrd
 the construction of a patient
 care and clinical training
 site in Southwestern West
 Virginia.
Marshall University, WV, for           1,575,000  Byrd
 the Virtual Colonoscopy
 Outreach Program.
Maryland Hospital Association,           450,000  Mikulski
 Elkridge, MD, for the Nursing
 Career Lattice Program.
Maui Community Health Center,            800,000  Inouye
 HI, for construction,
 renovation and equip-  ment.
Maui Economic Development                150,000  Inouye
 Board, HI, for the Lanai
 Women's Initiative.
McKinley County, New Mexico,           1,000,000  Domenici, Bingaman
 Gallup, NM, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment of
 the dialysis center.
Meadville Medical Center,                100,000  Specter, Casey
 Meadville, PA, for
 construction and equipment.
Medical Education Development          1,000,000  Specter, Casey
 Consortium, Scranton, PA, for
 construction.
Memorial Hospital of Laramie             400,000  Enzi
 County, Cheyenne, WY, for
 design of the Comprehensive
 Community Cancer Center.
Memorial Hospital, York, PA,             100,000  Specter
 for information technology
 equipment.
Memphis Bioworks Foundation,             500,000  Alexander
 Memphis, TN, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment at
 the research park.
Mercy Fitzgerald Hospital,               100,000  Specter
 Darby, PA, for equipment.
Mercy Health Foundation,                 200,000  Salazar
 Durango, CO, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Mercy Health Partners,                   100,000  Specter
 Scranton, PA, for equipment.
Mercy Hospital of Philadelphia,          100,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 equipment.
Mercy Hospital, Baltimore, MD,           850,000  Mikulski
 for equipment.
Mercy Medical Center,                    225,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Springfield, MA, for equipment.
Methodist Hospital System,               200,000  Hutchison, Cornyn
 Houston, TX, for equipment.
Methodist Hospital, Houston,             500,000  Cornyn, Hutchison
 Texas, for renovation and
 equipment.
Metro Health, Cleveland, OH,             100,000  Voinovich
 for The Northeast Ohio Senior
 Health and Wellness Center.
Mid Valley Hospital, Peckville,          100,000  Specter
 PA, for equipment,
 construction and renova-  tion.
Minot State University, Minot,           500,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 ND, to monitor and treat
 individuals with autism
 spectrum disorder in rural
 areas with limited access to
 health professionals.
Mississippi Hospital                     400,000  Cochran
 Association, Madison, MS, for
 the Managed Growth Initiative.
Mississippi Primary Health Care          400,000  Cochran
 Association, Jackson, MS,.
Mississippi State University,            350,000  Cochran
 Mississippi State, MS, for the
 Tissue Engineering Research
 Center.
Monongahela Valley Hospital,             100,000  Specter
 Monongahela, PA, for equipment.
Monticello, Utah, to provide             100,000  Hatch
 preventive screening for
 Monticello Mill Legacy.
Moses Taylor Hospital,                   100,000  Specter, Casey
 Scranton, PA, for equipment.
Mount Nittany Medical Center,            100,000  Specter, Casey
 State College, PA, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Mount Sinai Medical Center,              400,000  Bill Nelson, Martinez
 Miami Beach, FL, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Mountain State University,             3,600,000  Byrd
 Beckley, WV, for the
 construction of the Allied
 Health Technology Tower.
Myrna Brind Center of                    100,000  Specter
 Integrative Medicine,
 Philadelphia, PA, to develop
 three models of integrative
 programs of clinical
 excellence.
Nebraska Hospital Association,           400,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 Lincoln, NE, to expand the
 Nebraska Statewide Telehealth
 Network.
Nevada Rural Hospital Partners,          350,000  Reid
 Reno, NV, to expand and
 enhance a rural telemedicine
 project.
New Hampshire Community Health           400,000  Gregg
 Centers, Concord, NH, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
New Orleans Office of Homeland         1,000,000  Landrieu
 Security and Emergency
 Preparedness, New Orleans, LA,
 for equipment and supplies for
 a mobile medical hospital.
New York-Presbyterian Hospital,          600,000  Clinton, Schumer
 NY, for cardiac care telemetry.
Noble Hospital, Westfield, MA,           200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 for construction, renovation
 and equipment.
Norman Regional Health System,           100,000  Inhofe
 Norman, OK, for a health
 information technology system.
North Country Children's                 500,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Clinic, Inc., Watertown, NY,
 for construction and
 renovation.
North Dakota State University,         1,000,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 Fargo, ND, to expand a
 statewide telepharmacy project.
North General Hospital, New              700,000  Clinton, Schumer
 York, NY, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Northcentral Montana Healthcare          200,000  Tester
 Alliance, Great Falls, MT, for
 health information technology.
Northeastern Pennsylvania                100,000  Specter
 Technology Institute,
 Scranton, PA, to connect the
 eighteen regional hospitals
 with state and federal medical
 experts during incident
 response and recovery.
Northern Larimer County Health           100,000  Salazar
 District, Fort Collins, CO,
 for the Acute Mental Health
 and Detoxification Facility.
Northern Maine Community                 150,000  Collins, Snowe
 College, Presque Isle, ME, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Northern Virginia Urban League,          150,000  Warner, Webb
 Alexandria, VA, for services
 and equipment to promote
 healthy pregnancy outcomes in
 the Northern Virginia region.
Northwest Colorado Visiting              150,000  Salazar
 Nurse Association, Inc.,
 Steamboat Springs, CO, to
 construct and equip a
 community health clinic.
Northwest Hospital and Medical         1,150,000  Murray, Cantwell
 Center, Seattle, WA, for a
 Community Health Education and
 Simulation Center.
Northwest Hospital, Baltimore,           375,000  Mikulski
 MD, for equipment.
Northwest Nazarene University,           350,000  Craig, Crapo
 Nampa, ID, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment.
Northwest Research and                   350,000  Baucus
 Education Institute, Billings,
 MT, to create a continuing
 medical education program.
NYU School of Medicine, New              900,000  Clinton, Schumer
 York, NY, for the Basic
 Research and Imaging  Program.
Oconee Memorial Hospital,                100,000  Graham
 Seneca, SC, to design,
 develop, and implement a
 community-wide health
 information exchange system.
Ohio State University                    100,000  Voinovich
 Comprehensive Cancer Center,
 Columbus, OH, for design,
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Ohio University, Athens, Ohio,           200,000  Brown
 for the Appalachian Healthcare
 Screening Program.
Ohio Valley General Hospital,            100,000  Specter
 McKees Rocks, PA, for
 equipment.
Oklahoma Foundation for Kidney           100,000  Inhofe
 Disease, Oklahoma City, OK,
 for telehealth applications.
Oklahoma Medical Research                100,000  Inhofe
 Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK,
 for construction, renovation,
 and equipment of a Biotech
 Research Tower.
Oklahoma State University,               100,000  Inhofe
 Center for Health Sciences,
 Tulsa, OK, for mobile health
 clinics.
Orange County Government,                200,000  Martinez, Bill Nelson
 Orlando, FL, for health
 information technology
 equipment.
Ottumwa Regional Health Center,          445,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Ottumwa, IA, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical              700,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 Center, Camden, NJ, for
 facilities and equip-  ment.
Owensboro Medical Center,                150,000  Bunning
 Owensboro, KY, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Penn State Milton S. Hershey             200,000  Specter
 Medical Center/College of
 Medicine, Hershey, PA, for
 construction.
Philadelphia College of                  100,000  Specter
 Osteopathic Medicine,
 Philadelphia, PA, for equip-
 ment.
Phoebe Putney Memorial                   100,000  Chambliss
 Hospital, Albany, GA, to
 partner with Dougherty County
 School System to implement a
 pilot program to promote
 healthy lifestyles in school
 children.
Piedmont Access to Health                175,000  Webb, Warner
 Services, Inc. (PATHS),
 Danville, VA, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Pinnacle Health System,                  100,000  Specter
 Harrisburg, PA, for
 construction.
Pioneer Valley Life Sciences             450,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Institute, Springfield, MA,
 for the construction of
 biomedical research facilities.
Pocono Medical Center, East              100,000  Specter
 Stroudsburg, PA, for
 construction.
Pointe Coupee Better Access              350,000  Landrieu, Vitter
 Community Health (BACH), New
 Roads, LA, to sustain a
 community-based clinic and
 diabetic outreach program.
Powell County, Deer Lodge, MT,           100,000  Baucus
 for equipment for the Powell
 County Medical Center.
Primary Care Association of HI,        1,000,000  Inouye, Akaka
 for construction, renovation,
 equipment, disability services
 and outreach at the State's
 health centers.
Providence Community Health              300,000  Reed, Whitehouse
 Center, Providence, RI, for
 construction.
Providence Medical Center,               500,000  Brownback
 Kansas City, KS, for
 telehealth upgrades.
Providence Telehealth Network            300,000  Murray
 Rural Outreach Program,
 Spokane, WA, for equipment.
Rapid City Area School District          100,000  Thune
 51/4, Rapid City, SD, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment for a school-based
 health clinic.
Reading Hospital and Medical             100,000  Specter
 Center, West Reading, PA, for
 equipment.
Redevelopment Authority of the           100,000  Specter
 County of Washington,
 Washington, PA, for
 construction and renovation at
 Washington Hospital.
Rhode Island Quality Institute,          700,000  Whitehouse, Reed
 Providence, RI, to build a
 health information exchange.
Rice University, Houston, TX,            500,000  Hutchison
 for equipment for the
 Collaborative Research Center.
Riverside County, Moreno                 500,000  Feinstein
 Valley, CA, for Riverside
 County Regional Medical Center
 Trauma Center renovation.
Riverside Healthcare, Kankakee,          350,000  Obama
 IL, for a computerized
 physician order entry system.
Rochester General Hospital,              250,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Rochester, NY, for heart
 failure equipment and training.
Roper/Saint Francis Healthcare,          200,000  Graham
 Charleston, SC, for the
 expansion initiative for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Rosebud Alcohol Drug Treatment           800,000  Johnson
 Center, Rosebud, SD, for the
 construction of a treatment
 wing.
Rosebud Inter-facility                   200,000  Johnson
 Transport, Rosebud, SD, for
 purchase of emergency vehicles
 and equipment.
Rural Wisconsin Health                   225,000  Kohl
 Cooperative, Sauk City, WI,
 for health information
 technology.
Sac and Fox Tribe of the                 750,000  Harkin
 Mississippi in Iowa for a
 Tribal Health Care Clinic.
Sacred Heart Hospital of                 100,000  Specter
 Allentown,, Allentown, PA, for
 equipment.
Saint Agnes Hospital,                    850,000  Mikulski, Cardin
 Baltimore, MD, for equipment.
Saint Alphonsus Regional                 250,000  Craig
 Medical Center, Boise, ID, for
 rural emergency medical
 services training and
 equipment.
Saint Ambrose University,                500,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Davenport, IA, for the
 construction of a Center for
 Health Sciences Education.
Saint Anthony Hospital,                  100,000  Inhofe
 Oklahoma City, OK, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment of a Level II
 Newborn Nursery.
Saint Bernard Health Center,           1,500,000  Landrieu, Vitter
 Inc., Chalmette, LA, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Saint Croix Regional Family              180,000  Collins, Snowe
 Health Center, Princeston, ME,
 for construction, renovation,
 and equipment.
Saint Francis Hospital,                  300,000  Levin, Stabenow
 Escabana, MI, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment.
Saint Francis University,                100,000  Specter
 Loretto, PA, for equipment.
Saint Joseph's Hospital,                 700,000  Sununu, Gregg
 Nashua, NH, for the Patient
 Focused Technology Initiative.
Saint Joseph's Hospital,                 500,000  Kyl
 Phoenix, AZ, to purchase and
 equip a mobile prenatal clinic
 for the MoMobile program.
Saint Louis Children's                 1,000,000  Bond
 Hospital, St. Louis, MO, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment of the Neonatal
 Intensive Care Unit Expansion.
Saint Luke's Episcopal                   200,000  Hutchison
 Hospital, Houston, TX, for
 equipment for the Neuroscience
 Center.
Saint Luke's Hospital,                   100,000  Specter
 Allentown, PA, for
 construction and equipment.
Saint Luke's Miners Memorial             100,000  Specter
 Hospital, Coaldale, PA, for
 equipment.
Saint Luke's Regional Medical            200,000  Craig, Crapo
 Center, Boise, ID, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Saint Mary Medical Center,               100,000  Specter
 Langhorne, PA, for health
 outreach programs.
Saint Mary's Good Samaritan              500,000  Durbin
 Hospital, Mount Vernon, IL,
 for equipment.
Saint Mary's Hospital                    650,000  Lieberman, Dodd
 Incorporated, Waterbury, CT,
 for construction, renovation
 and equipment.
Saint Mary's Medical Center,             205,000  Collins, Snowe
 Lewiston, ME, for equipment.
Saint Patrick Hospital and               400,000  Baucus, Tester
 Health Sciences Center,
 Missoula, MT, to implement an
 electronic medical records
 system.
Saint Peter's Hospital, Helena,          150,000  Baucus
 MT, for construction,
 renovation and equip-  ment.
Saint Vincent Healthcare                 750,000  Baucus, Tester
 Foundation, Billings, MT, for
 a feasibility study on the
 establishment of the Montana
 Children's Hospital Network.
Saint Vincent Regional Medical           750,000  Domenici, Bingaman
 Center, Santa Fe, NM, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Saint Vincent's Hospital,                200,000  Dodd
 Bridgeport, CT, for renovation
 and equipment.
San Diego County, Santee, CA,            500,000  Feinstein
 to purchase equipment for
 Edgemoor Hospital renovation.
San Francisco, CA, for HIV/AIDS          700,000  Feinstein
 outreach programs.
San Luis Valley Regional                 200,000  Salazar
 Medical Center, Alamosa, CO,
 for health information
 technology.
Sanford Health Mid-Dakota                100,000  Johnson
 Medical Center, Chamberlain,
 SD, for medical equipment.
Seattle Cancer Care Alliance,          1,500,000  Murray, Cantwell
 Seattle, WA, for equipment.
Sharon Regional Health System,           100,000  Specter
 Sharon, PA, for equipment.
Shodair Children's Hospital,             150,000  Baucus
 Helena, MT, for project Cancer
 Genetics.
Sierra Vista Hospital, Truth or          750,000  Domenici, Bingaman
 Consequences, NM, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Sixteenth Street Community               325,000  Kohl
 Health Center, Milwaukee, WI,
 for renovations.
Soldiers & Sailors Memorial              100,000  Specter
 Hospital, Wellsboro, PA, for
 emergency department expansion.
Somerset Hospital, Somerset,             100,000  Specter
 PA, for equipment.
South Carolina Office of Rural           200,000  Graham
 Health, Lexington, SC, for an
 electronic medical records
 system.
South Dakota State University,           300,000  Johnson
 Brookings, SD, for
 construction of a pharmacy
 education space.
South Dakota State University,           350,000  Johnson
 Brookings, SD, to construct
 the Center for Accelerated
 Design, Screen, and
 Development of Biomaterials.
South Sound Health                       250,000  Cantwell
 Communication Network, Tacoma,
 WA, for a community Health
 Record Bank.
Southcentral Foundation,                 750,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, to purchase
 equipment for the Primary Care
 Center in Anchorage, Alaska.
Southern Methodist University,           200,000  Hutchison
 Dallas, TX, for facilities and
 equipment at the Southwestern
 Consortium for Anti-Infectives
 and Virological Research.
Stone Soup Group, Anchorage,             200,000  Stevens
 AK, to continue and expand
 services to Alaskans with
 autism in Alaska.
Straub Hospital Burn Center,             100,000  Inouye
 HI, for health professions
 training in burn treatment.
Susquehanna Health System,               100,000  Specter
 Williamsport, PA, for
 equipment.
Swedish Medical Center,                  250,000  Cantwell
 Seattle, WA, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Temple University Health                 200,000  Specter, Casey
 System, Philadelphia, PA, for
 construction and renovation.
Tennessee State University,              250,000  Alexander
 Nashville, TN, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment of an animal
 research facility for
 biomedical research.
Texas A&M University, College            300,000  Hutchison
 Station, TX, for equipment in
 the Michael E. DeBakey
 Institute.
Texas Health Institute, Austin,          200,000  Hutchison
 TX, for equipment for an
 emergency communications
 demonstration project.
Texas Medical Center, Houston,           200,000  Hutchison
 TX, for the National Center
 for Human Performance.
Thomas Jefferson University              200,000  Specter, Casey
 Hospital, Philadelphia, PA,
 for construction and equipment.
Toumey Health Care System,               100,000  Graham
 Sumter, SC, for equipment.
Touro University, Henderson,             500,000  Reid
 NV, for construction and
 equipment for the Center for
 Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Translational Genomics Research          500,000  Kyl
 Institute, Phoenix, AZ, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
Trinitas Health Foundation,              200,000  Menendez, Lautenberg
 Elizabeth, NJ, for
 construction, equipment and
 renovation.
Trinity County, Weaverville,             100,000  Boxer
 CA, for renovation and
 equipment to Mountain
 Community Medical Services.
Tyrone Hospital, Tyrone, PA,             100,000  Specter
 for equipment.
UMass Memorial Health Care in            900,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Worcester, MA for a high-speed
 network and Picture Archiving
 and Communication System.
University of Alabama,                11,000,000  Shelby
 Tuscaloosa, AL, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
University of Alaska Statewide           500,000  Stevens
 Office, Fairbanks, AK, for the
 Health Distance Education
 Program in Alaska.
University of Alaska Statewide           750,000  Stevens
 Office, Fairbanks, AK, to
 develop and implement a
 statewide health agenda in
 Alaska.
University of Alaska/Anchorage,          250,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, for the
 Geriatric and Disabled Care
 Training Program in Anchorage,
 Alaska.
University of Colorado, Denver,          300,000  Allard, Salazar
 CO, for construction,
 renovation, and equip-  ment.
University of Delaware, Newark,          450,000  Biden, Carper
 DE, for the Delaware
 Biotechnology Institute.
University of Findlay, Findlay,          250,000  Brown
 Ohio, for public health
 training programs.
University of Georgia, Athens,           100,000  Chambliss
 GA, for construction,
 renovation, and equip ment.
University of Iowa, Iowa City,         3,000,000  Harkin
 IA, for the School of Public
 Health.
University of Iowa, Iowa City,         5,000,000  Harkin, Grasssley
 IA, for the Iowa Institute for
 Biomedical Dis-  covery.
University of Kentucky Research        1,500,000  McConnell
 Foundation, Lexington, KY, for
 equipment and renovation.
University of Kentucky Research          500,000  McConnell
 Foundation, Lexington, KY, for
 the Kentucky Oral Health
 Initiative.
University of Louisville              10,750,000  McConnell
 Research Foundation,
 Louisville, KY, to upgrade and
 expand cardiovascular
 facilities at the University
 of Louisville.
University of Maryland School          1,000,000  Mikulski, Cardin
 of Nursing, Baltimore, MD, for
 the Institute for Educators in
 Nursing and Health Professions.
University of Miami Miller               500,000  Bill Nelson
 School of Medicine, Miami, FL,
 for the Center for Patient
 Safety.
University of Minnesota,                 350,000  Coleman, Klobuchar
 Minneapolis, MN, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
University of Mississippi              3,000,000  Cochran
 Medical Center, Jackson, MS,
 for construction, renovation,
 and equipment at the Arthur C.
 Guyton Laboratory Building.
University of Mississippi                150,000  Cochran
 Medical Center, Jackson, MS,
 for equipment for the School
 of Dentistry.
University of Mississippi              2,200,000  Cochran
 School of Pharmacy,
 University, MS, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
University of Mississippi,             5,000,000  Cochran
 University, MS, for Phase II
 of the National Center for
 Natural Products Research.
University of Mississippi,               500,000  Cochran
 University, MS, for the Center
 for Thermal Pharmaceutical
 Processing.
University of Nebraska Medical           900,000  Ben Nelson
 Center, Omaha, NE, for
 construction of a cancer floor.
University of Nebraska Medical           200,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 Center, Omaha, NE, for
 construction, renovation and
 equipment at the College of
 Nursing in Lincoln, Nebraska.
University of Nebraska Medical           100,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 Center, Omaha, NE, for the
 NEED-IT program for statewide
 lung cancer screenings.
University of Nevada Health            1,000,000  Reid
 Sciences System, Las Vegas,
 NV, for construction and
 equipment.
University of Nevada School of         1,500,000  Reid
 Medicine, Center for Molecular
 Medicine, Reno, NV, for the
 purchase of equipment and for
 construction.
University of Nevada, Las                600,000  Reid
 Vegas, NV, for construction at
 the School of Public Health.
University of New Mexico,              3,750,000  Domenici
 Albuquerque, NM, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
University of North Dakota             1,500,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 School of Medicine and Health
 Services, Grand Forks, ND, for
 construction of a forensic
 facility.
University of Pennsylvania,              200,000  Specter, Casey
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 equipment.
University of Pittsburgh Cancer          200,000  Specter
 Institute, Pittsburgh, PA, for
 equipment.
University of Pittsburgh                 100,000  Specter
 Medical Center, Pittsburgh,
 PA, for equipment.
University of South Alabama,             600,000  Sessions
 Mobile, AL, for renovation and
 equipment.
University of South Dakota,              200,000  Johnson
 Vermillion, SD, for biomedical
 laboratory facilities and
 equipment.
University of South Dakota             2,000,000  Johnson
 Sanford School of Medicine,
 Vermillion, SD, for medical
 equipment.
University of Tennessee Health           250,000  Alexander
 Science Center, Memphis, TN,
 for equipment at the regional
 biocontainment laboratory.
University of Texas M.D.                 500,000  Hutchison
 Anderson Cancer Center,
 Houston, TX, for equipment.
University of Texas Medical              250,000  Hutchison
 Branch at Galveston,
 Galveston, TX, for equip-
 ment.
University of Washington,                200,000  Cantwell
 Seattle, WA, for the Bothell
 Nursing Faculty Consortium.
University of Wisconsin                  150,000  Kohl
 Oshkosh, Oshkosh, WI, for
 construction and equipment of
 a primary care facility.
University of Wisconsin                  200,000  Kohl
 Superior, Superior, WI, for
 construction and equip-  ment.
Valley Baptist Health System,            200,000  Hutchison
 Harlingen, TX, for the
 Hispanic Stroke Care Center of
 Excellence for equipment.
Vermont Information Technology           500,000  Leahy
 Leaders, Inc, Montpelier, VT,
 for health information
 technology.
Village of Kiryas Joel, NY, for          150,000  Clinton, Schumer
 construction of a primary care
 clinic.
Virginia Dental Health                   100,000  Warner, Webb
 Foundation, Richmond, VA, for
 the Mission of Mercy project.
Virginia Primary Care                    200,000  Webb, Warner
 Association, Richmond, VA, for
 health information technology.
WakeMed Health & Hospitals,              200,000  Dole
 Raleigh, North Carolina, for
 the Emergency Operations and
 Regional Call Center.
Washingon State University,            1,500,000  Murray, Cantwell
 Seattle, WA, for construction
 and equipment at the College
 of Nursing.
Wayne Memorial Hospital,                 100,000  Specter
 Honesdale, PA, for equipment.
Wayne Memorial Hospital, Jesup,          100,000  Chambliss, Isakson
 GA, for construction,
 renovation, and equipment.
Wentworth-Douglass Hospital,             450,000  Gregg, Sunune
 Dover, NH, for equipment.
Wesley College, Dover, DE, for           200,000  Carper, Biden
 the expansion of the nursing
 program.
West Virginia University, for          3,150,000  Byrd
 the construction and equipping
 of medical simulation research
 and training centers in
 Morgantown, Charleston and
 Martinsburg.
West Virginia University, for          4,050,000  Byrd
 the construction of a Multiple
 Sclerosis Center.
Westerly Hospital, Westerly,             500,000  Reed
 RI, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Western Kentucky University              500,000  McConnell
 Research Foundation, Bowling
 Green, KY, for the Western
 Kentucky University Mobile
 Health Screening Unit.
Western Pennsylvania Hospital,           100,000  Specter
 Pittsburgh, PA, for
 construction.
Wetzel County Hospital, WV, for        1,000,000  Byrd
 the expansion and remolding of
 the Emergency Department.
Whitman Walker Clinic of                 150,000  Webb, Warner
 Northern Virginia, Arlington,
 VA, for construction,
 renovation and equipment.
Wills Eye Health System,                 100,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 equipment.
Wistar Institute, Philadelphia,          100,000  Specter
 PA, for construction.
Wolfson Children's Hospital,             500,000  Bill Nelson
 Jacksonville, FL, for
 equipment.
Wyoming Health Resources                 500,000  Enzi
 Network, Inc., Cheyenne, WY,
 to expand recruitment and
 retention of medical
 professionals in Wyoming.
Wyoming Valley Health Care               100,000  Specter
 System-Hospital, Wilkes-Barre,
 PA, for equip-  ment.
Youth Crisis Center,                     100,000  Martinez, Bill Nelson
 Jacksonville, FL, for
 construction, renovation, and
 equipment.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee intends that these funds be disbursed as 
direct subsidy payments. The Committee directs HRSA to develop 
this program with appropriate safeguards to assure compliance 
by recipients with the intended uses of these funds and with 
other applicable requirements, such as civil rights statutes 
and the National Historic Preservation Act. Further, the 
Committee intends that when these funds are used for purchase, 
construction or major alteration of real property or the 
purchase of equipment, the Federal interest in the property 
will last for a period of 5 years following the completion of 
the project or until such time that the Government is 
compensated for its proportionate interest in the property if 
the property use changes or the property is transferred or 
sold, whichever time period is less. At the conclusion of that 
time period, the Federal interest in that property shall be 
terminated.
    The Committee has included bill language to terminate after 
5 years the Federal interest in buildings and equipment funded 
in this line item. The Committee is aware of situations in 
which HRSA has had to track obsolete pieces of equipment, such 
as old medical equipment, for years after the useful life of 
the equipment has ended. The Committee is also aware of 
situations in which HRSA has had to track Federal interest of 
less than 2 percent of total value of a building for years 
after the completion of construction. The bill language should 
alleviate these unintended consequences of the grant process.

Telehealth

    The Committee provides $7,000,000 for telehealth 
activities. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 were both $6,819,000. The 
telehealth program funded through the Office for the 
Advancement of Telehealth promotes the effective use of 
technologies to improve access to health services for people 
who are isolated from healthcare and distance education for 
health professionals.
    The Committee intends for HRSA to continue to carry out 
activities initiated in fiscal year 2006 related to the 
telehealth resource centers, network grants, telehomecare, and 
the programs under which health licensing boards or various 
States cooperate to develop and implement policies that will 
reduce statutory and regulatory barriers to telehealth.

Program Management

    The Committee provides $145,000,000 for program management 
activities for fiscal year 2008. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $146,294,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 was $144,191,000.
    The Committee commends HRSA for working with stakeholders 
to develop recommendations and implement cost effective 
clinical pharmacy services to improve patient health outcomes 
as components of federally qualified health centers, rural 
hospital programs, academic medical centers, Indian Health 
Service programs, Ryan White programs, and all HRSA supported 
programs in which medications play an integral part of patient 
care. The Committee looks forward to receiving a report of 
these activities. The Committee strongly encourages HRSA to 
continue to develop and implement cost effective clinical 
pharmacy programs in all of the various safety net provider 
settings.
    The Committee further encourages HRSA to establish a 
pharmacy collaborative to identify and implement best 
practices, which may improve patient care by establishing the 
pharmacist as an integral part of a patient-centered, 
interprofessional health care team.

                   HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOANS

    The Committee provides $1,000,000 to liquidate obligations 
from loans guaranteed before 1992. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $4,000,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 was $1,000,000. For administration of the HEAL 
program including the Office of Default Reduction, the 
Committee provides $2,906,000. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $2,898,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $2,906,000.
    The HEAL program insures loans to students in the health 
professions. The Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, changed the 
accounting of the HEAL program. One account is used to pay 
obligations arising from loans guaranteed prior to 1992. A 
second account was created to pay obligations and collect 
premiums on loans guaranteed in 1992 and after. Administration 
of the HEAL program is separate from administration of other 
HRSA programs.

              NATIONAL VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM

    The Committee provides that $61,075,000 be released from 
the vaccine injury compensation trust fund in fiscal year 2008, 
of which $3,528,000 is for administrative costs. The total 
fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $59,853,000 and the total 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $61,075,000.
    The National Vaccine Injury Compensation program provides 
compensation for individuals with vaccine-associated injuries 
or deaths. Funds are awarded to reimburse medical expenses, 
lost earnings, pain and suffering, legal expenses, and a death 
benefit. The vaccine injury compensation trust fund is funded 
by excise taxes on certain childhood vaccines.

               Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

                DISEASE CONTROL, RESEARCH, AND TRAINING

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $6,202,672,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   5,982,651,000
Committee recommendation................................   6,426,833,000

    The Committee provides a program level of $6,426,833,000 
for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]. The 
Committee recommendation includes $6,157,169,000 in budget 
authority and an additional $269,664,000 via transfers 
available under section 241 of the Public Health Services Act. 
The fiscal year 2007 comparable program level was 
$6,202,672,000 and the program level budget request for fiscal 
year 2008 was $5,982,651,000.
    The Committee notes that an additional $158,000,000 is 
appropriated within the Public Health and Social Services 
Emergency Fund in this act and will be transferred to the CDC 
for activities to prepare for an influenza pandemic. These 
amounts are included in the President's request for CDC, but 
not in the Committee recommendation figures below. Including 
the pandemic funding, the comparable fiscal year 2008 
programmatic amount total for CDC would be $6,584,513,000.
    The activities of the CDC focus on several major 
priorities: provide core public health functions; respond to 
urgent health threats; monitor the Nation's health using sound 
scientific methods; build the Nation's health infrastructure to 
insure our national security against bioterrorist threats; 
assure the Nation's preparedness for emerging infectious 
diseases and potential pandemics; promote women's health; and 
provide leadership in the implementation of nationwide 
prevention strategies to encourage responsible behavior and 
adoption of lifestyles that are conducive to good health. All 
comparisons to fiscal year 2007 and the fiscal year 2008 budget 
request account for various reprogrammings and rescissions. 
These are not reflected in the table at the back of this 
report.

                          INFECTIOUS DISEASES

    The Committee recommends $1,774,877,000 for infectious 
disease related programs at the CDC. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $1,804,231,000 and the comparable budget 
request level for fiscal year 2008 was $1,794,368,000. The 
Committee recommendation includes $12,794,000 in transfers 
available under section 241 of the Public Health Services Act.
    The Coordinating Center for Infectious Disease reorganized 
in fiscal year 2007. The new four center structure includes: 
Zoonotic, Vector Borne, and Enteric Diseases; Preparedness, 
Detection and Control of Infectious Diseases; HIV/AIDS, Viral 
Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention; and Immunization and 
Respiratory Diseases.

Zoonotic, Vector Borne, and Enteric Diseases

    The Committee has included $70,070,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for this center. The fiscal year 2007 level was $70,070,000 and 
the 2008 budget request was $62,952,000. This Center provides 
outbreak investigation, infection control and scientific 
evaluations of zoonotic, vector borne and enteric diseases; and 
conducts food-borne illness surveillance and investigation. All 
activities in this Center have been funded at last year's 
level.
    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.--The Committee has included 
funding to continue a public awareness campaign on chronic 
fatigue syndrome. The Committee also commends the excellent 
work of the CDC's CFS research program and its systems biology 
approach to CFS and understands that it is recognized as a 
leading program globally. The Committee awaits reports from CDC 
regarding how the organizational restructuring will impact the 
CFS program and how CDC will address emerging evidence 
concerning human herpesvirus 6A and Epstein-Barr virus and CFS.
    Food Safety.--The Committee notes that 76 million Americans 
suffer from food borne illnesses each year and the CDC 
coordinates with State and local health officials to respond to 
the most severe outbreaks. The Committee is concerned by recent 
E. coli outbreaks linked to spinach and lettuce, and urges the 
CDC to work with the Food and Drug Administration to prevent 
future outbreaks.
    Morgellons Disease.--The Committee urges the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention to study an unexplained skin 
condition commonly known as Morgellons Disease, which affects 
over 10,000 individuals with skin lesions, joint pain, and 
neurological difficulties, among other symptoms. The Committee 
encourages the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to 
work as quickly as possible to plan and begin this important 
research to increase the amount of information available to 
practitioners and the public.
    West Nile Virus.--The Committee is aware of the active role 
that State laboratories play in testing for west nile virus. 
This highly seasonal activity is at the forefront of the 
public's interaction with local health departments and labs. 
The Committee strongly supports these efforts and has rejected 
the proposed cut to these important activities.

Preparedness, Detection and Control of Infectious Diseases

    The Committee has included $156,966,000 for fiscal year 
2008 for this Center. The comparable level for fiscal year 2007 
was $155,966,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 
was $129,641,000. This Center builds epidemiology and 
laboratory capacity and provides technical assistance to 
identify and monitor infectious diseases. With the exception 
noted below, all activities in this Center are funded at the 
same level as the 2007 operating plan.
    Antimicrobial Resistance.--The Committee is aware that 
infectious pathogens such as methicillin-resistant 
Staphylosossus aureus [MRSA] are rapidly gaining new forms of 
resistance to available antimicrobial drugs. The Committee 
commends the CDC for its work in tracking trends over time in 
community acquired MRSA [CA-MRSA] and urges the CDC to continue 
supporting this surveillance effort. The Committee further 
encourages the CDC to strengthen research on CA-MRSA 
prevention, control and treatment strategies, including the 
expansion and routinization of it collection of isolates of 
resistant pathogens from a broad range of sites for analysis by 
CDC experts. Finally, the Committee encourages the CDC to post 
timely and pertinent information available to the public 
through its website.
    Emerging Infectious Diseases.--The Committee provides 
$136,671,000 for all other emerging infectious diseases. This 
increase of $1,000,000 will provide sufficient resources to 
expand laboratory capacity, research and support for detecting 
and characterizing influenza and other infectious diseases.
    Prevention Epicenter Program.--The Committee applauds CDC's 
support for the Prevention Epicenter Program and has provided 
sufficient resources to continue this program to address 
patient safety issues.

HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention

    The Committee has included $1,020,191,000 for the 
activities at this Center in fiscal year 2008. The fiscal year 
2007 level was $1,010,191,000 and the 2008 budget request was 
$1,056,798,000. Recognizing the intersection among these 
diseases, and the need for a focal point for leadership and 
accountability, CDC combines HIV, STD, Viral Hepatitis, and TB 
activities to provide leadership in preventing and controlling 
human immunodeficiency virus infection, other sexually 
transmitted diseases [STDs], and tuberculosis. CDC works in 
collaboration with partners at community, State, national, and 
international levels, applying multi-disciplinary programs of 
research, surveillance, technical assistance, and evaluation. 
These diseases are not yet vaccine preventable and must be 
controlled and prevented by identifying, diagnosing, and 
treating infected persons; providing confidential, culturally 
competent counseling to identify and reach those who have been 
exposed to infection and who may not know it; and promoting 
individual and population level health to reduce high risk 
behaviors. With the exception of an additional $10,000,000 for 
TB prevention activities, the Committee has provided funding at 
the level of the fiscal year 2007 operating plan.
    Hepatitis and Diversity.--The Committee continues to be 
concerned with the high prevalence of hepatitis among Asian 
Americans. One out of ten Asian Americans are affected with 
hepatitis B, which along with hepatitis C is associated with an 
increased incidence of liver cancer. The Committee encourages 
the CDC to develop targeted research and approaches towards the 
Asian American community in its work on hepatitis.
    Hepatitis B.--The Committee applauds CDC's efforts to 
develop and implement a new strategy to screen at risk 
individuals for chronic hepatitis B. As only approximately one-
third of individuals with hepatitis B are aware of their 
condition, the Committee urges CDC to continue to collaborate 
with NIDDK in the development of a public health strategy to 
expand the screening of individuals at risk for chronic 
hepatitis B. In addition, the Committee notes that accurate 
national statistics are lacking as to the number of Americans 
infected with hepatitis B, as existing population-based surveys 
have not included Asian/Pacific Islander groups in whom 
hepatitis B is by far the most common. The Committee urges CDC 
to continue to implement the recommendations of the National 
Hepatitis C Prevention strategy and the report of the National 
Viral Hepatitis roundtable.
    Hepatitis C.--The Committee notes that, as 2008 will be the 
10th anniversary of the National Hepatitis C Prevention 
Strategy, this plan may need to be reviewed and updated. The 
Committee continues to be concerned that less than half the 
people infected with hepatitis C are aware of their condition, 
and encourages any update of the strategy to include an 
aggressive screening program. In addition to targeting at-risk 
populations, the Committee encourages the consideration of age 
based screening policies to more effectively reach infected 
populations.
    Hepatitis Prevention.--The Committee continues to be 
concerned about the prevalence of hepatitis and urges CDC to 
promote liver wellness with increased attention to childhood 
education and primary prevention.
    HIV/AIDS Initiative.--The Committee is strongly supportive 
of the HIV/AIDS initiative begun in fiscal year 2007 and has 
included sufficient funding to maintain that effort within 
CDC's HIV/AIDS-related activities. Although approximately 1 
million Americans have been infected with HIV, approximately 25 
percent are unaware of their infection. This results in 
increased spread of the disease, as persons who are aware of 
their infection are more likely to modify their behaviors to 
avoid transmission to others. The Committee notes that quick 
HIV tests that can provide results in less than an hour are a 
critical component of the initiative. The Committee continues 
to support bulk purchases of HIV quick tests for distribution 
to providers.
    In fiscal year 2007, the Committee provided no funding for 
the Early Diagnosis and Screening program authorized in section 
2625 of the Public Health Service Act because no State was 
eligible for the program. The Committee is aware of legislation 
pending in several States that may qualify those States for 
funding under this program. Therefore, the Committee has 
provided $30,000,000 for the program within HIV prevention 
funding, should States become eligible.
    Infertility Prevention.--The Committee notes that there are 
multiple causes for infertility including ovulatory and 
hormonal disorders, blocked fallopian tubes, endometriosis and 
cervical problems among women and poor sperm quality, motility 
and count among men. There are also recognized risk factors 
that contribute to these causes in addition to sexually 
transmitted diseases, which have been the primary focus of 
CDC's education on infertility risks. These factors include 
delayed child bearing, smoking, low or excessive body weight 
and other chronic conditions, exposures to hazardous 
environmental toxins and contaminants, drug and alcohol abuse, 
diabetes, cancer and, particularly for men, exposure to high 
temperatures. The Committee encourages CDC to consider 
expanding the scope of this program and provide greater support 
to public education on the risks to fertility.
    Tuberculosis.--The Committee understands that tuberculosis 
[TB] is an enormous health crisis in the developing world, 
killing 2 million people every year. Despite the development of 
effective treatments against TB 50 years ago, approximately a 
third of the world's population is currently infected.
    At a recent hearing, the Committee heard testimony about 
current testing methods that take 6 to 16 days to correctly 
diagnose the presence of TB bacteria. The Committee is 
concerned by this long delay. The Department of Defense has 
been working on biological and chemical detection and 
identification technology that can confirm the presence of 
specific bacteria in just 2 hours. This technology is currently 
being developed to identify chemical and biological threat 
agents but may be adapted for use in medical diagnosis. The 
Committee encourages the CDC to work with the Department of 
Defense and the National Institutes of Health to develop new 
diagnostic tools to identify TB more rapidly.
    Drug Resistant Tuberculosis.--The Committee has heard 
testimony about drug resistant tuberculosis and extensively 
drug resistant TB [XDR-TB]. The Committee is concerned that the 
under-funding of TB treatment programs worldwide is 
contributing to this dangerous illness. The Committee has 
included $10,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 operating plan 
for TB in an effort to shore up the public health efforts to 
prevent TB in general and its progression into XDR-TB. The 
Committee remains hopeful about the ability of the United 
States to meet its TB elimination goals.
    The Committee understands that Phase II of CDC's new 
formula under the TB Elimination and Laboratory Cooperative 
Agreements is scheduled to be implemented in fiscal year 2008. 
The Committee expects the CDC to implement Phase II within the 
increase provided.

Immunization and Respiratory Diseases

    The Committee has included a program level of $527,650,000 
for the activities of this Center in fiscal year 2008. The 
comparable level for fiscal year 2007 was $568,004,000 and the 
budget request included $544,977,000 for this Center. The 
Committee notes that the fiscal year 2007 level and budget 
request for 2008 include funding to prepare for an influenza 
pandemic, an activity that the Committee has chosen to fund 
through the Public Health and Social Service Emergency Fund. 
This Center supports the immunization efforts of States by 
purchasing vaccines and supporting infrastructure; building 
domestic and international capacity to address annual 
influenza; and continuously monitoring vaccines for safety. 
With the exception of influenza activities noted below, all of 
the activities of this Center are funded at the 2007 comparable 
level.
    The Committee recommends $457,523,000 for the program 
authorized under section 317 of the Public Health Service Act. 
The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $457,523,000 and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $425,123,000. The 
Committee recommendation includes $12,794,000 in transfers 
available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act.
    The Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1993 established a 
vaccine purchase and distribution system that provides, free of 
charge, all pediatric vaccines recommended for routine use by 
the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices to all 
Medicaid-eligible children, uninsured children, underinsured, 
and native Americans through program-registered providers.
    Immunization project grants are awarded to all 50 States, 
six cities and eight current or former territories for 
planning, developing, and conducting childhood immunization 
programs including enhancement of the vaccine delivery 
infrastructure. 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 understands that infrastructure costs of 
delivering vaccines to children in remote areas are 
substantially higher than in other areas of the country, 
because of the distances that must be traveled to administer 
the vaccine. Some communities are so remote, they must be 
served primarily by air, dramatically increasing the cost of 
each dose. The Committee encourages CDC to increase section 317 
grant support for infrastructure development and purchase of 
vaccines for States facing these extreme challenges.
    Adolescent and Adult Immunizations.--The Committee 
recognizes the success that vaccines research and development, 
as well as a strong national immunization program, have played 
in protecting children, adolescents, and adults against many 
previously life-threatening and debilitating infectious 
diseases. The section 317 program, overseen by CDC's National 
Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, has 
demonstrated success by helping to raise childhood immunization 
coverage rates across the United States to their highest 
levels. The Committee recognizes that States have not been able 
to direct sufficient resources toward adult immunization 
despite extremely high rates of vaccine-preventable deaths 
among adults. Moreover, States now face increased challenges in 
expanding coverage rates as several new, and expensive, 
vaccines are becoming available for all age groups.
    The Committee is pleased with the report on the 317 program 
that CDC provided, and expects the report to be updated and 
promptly submitted next year by February 1, 2008, to reflect 
fiscal year 2009 cost estimates. The updated report should also 
include an estimate of optimum State and local operations 
funding as well as CDC operations funding needed relative to 
current levels to conduct and support childhood, adolescent and 
adult programs. This estimate should include the cost of 
vaccine administration; surveillance and assessment of changes 
in immunization rates; vaccine storage, handling and quality 
assurance; implementation of centralized vaccine distribution 
and other vaccine business improvement practices; needs to 
support provider and public outreach and education on new 
vaccines; identification of barriers to immunization and 
strategies to address such barriers; maintenance, utilization, 
and enhancement of Immunization Information Systems [IIS] 
including integration with public health preparedness and other 
public health information technology systems; innovative 
strategies to increase coverage rates in hard-to-reach 
populations and geographic pockets of need; and other non-
vaccine resource needs of a comprehensive immunization program. 
Each of these activities is critical to ensuring the delivery 
of life-saving vaccines to our nation. The Committee urges CDC 
to consider integrating the data from this report into its 
budget justification on an annual basis.
    Influenza.--The Committee includes $7,311,000 for influenza 
activities in fiscal year 2008. This funding level is not 
intended to support the pandemic flu activities that were 
requested in the President's budget, as the Committee has 
appropriated all pandemic flu activities out of the Office of 
the Secretary Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund.

                            HEALTH PROMOTION

    The Coordinating Center for Health Promotion includes the 
National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health 
Promotion and the National Center for Birth Defects and 
Developmental Disabilities.
    The Committee recommends $979,876,000 for Health Promotion-
related activities at the CDC. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $959,662,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 
2008 was $958,732,000.
    The Committee recognizes the important role national non-
governmental health organizations play in increasing the 
awareness of chronic disease prevention and birth defects and 
development disabilities issues.

            CHRONIC DISEASE PREVENTION AND HEALTH PROMOTION

    The Committee has recommended $851,180,000 for chronic 
disease prevention and health promotion. The comparable level 
for fiscal year 2007 was $834,998,000 and the budget request 
for 2008 was $834,195,000. Within the total provided, the 
following amounts are available for the following categories of 
funding above the comparable amount for fiscal year 2007: 
$4,431,000 to expand heart disease and stroke-related 
activities; $2,000,000 to expand diabetes-related activities; 
$19,228,000 to expand cancer prevention and control activities; 
$1,000,000 to expand epilepsy and lupus-related activities; 
$2,000,000 to expand tobacco-related activities; $3,000,000 for 
nutrition physical activity and obesity; $775,000 to expand 
health promotion activities; $50,000 to expand safe motherhood 
and infant health activities; $500,000 for prevention centers; 
and $497,000 for Primary Immune Deficiency Syndrome. The 
Committee has included more specific information regarding the 
allocation of these increases below. With the exceptions noted, 
the Committee has provided funding at the level of the fiscal 
year 2007 operating plan.
    Chronic diseases have had a profound human and economic 
toll on our Nation. Nearly 125 million Americans today are 
living with some form of chronic condition, including cancer, 
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis, and various 
neurological conditions such as epilepsy. These and other 
chronic diseases now account for nearly 70 percent of all 
healthcare costs, as well as 70 percent of all deaths annually. 
A few modifiable risk factors bring suffering and early death 
to millions of Americans. Three such factors--tobacco use, poor 
nutrition, and lack of physical activity--are major 
contributors to our Nation's leading causes of death.
    Alzheimer's Disease and Healthy Aging.--There is growing 
scientific evidence that many of the same strategies that 
preserve overall health may also help prevent or delay the 
onset of Alzheimer's disease and dementia. For example, 
epidemiological studies appear to link known risk factors for 
diabetes and heart disease with those for Alzheimer's disease. 
Within the health promotion increase, the Committee has 
provided $150,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level to continue 
CDC-supported activities to promote brain health and prevent 
Alzheimer's disease.
    Cancer Prevention and Control.--The Committee is strongly 
supportive of the CDC cancer programs focused on awareness, 
education, and early detection and has included a significant 
increase for these programs.
    Within the amounts provided, the following amounts are 
provided for the specified activities above the comparable 
amount for fiscal year 2007: $10,000,000 to expand breast and 
cervical cancer activities including $6,535,000 to expand 
Wisewoman; $9,133,000 to expand comprehensive cancer activities 
and $100,000 to expand activities related to cancer 
survivorship. All other cancer activities are funded at the 
fiscal year 2007 level.
    Colorectal Cancer.--The Committee is pleased with 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.
    Cerebral Palsy.--The Committee is aware of new research 
into the prevalence of cerebral palsy in cases of preterm 
birth, which may indicate a potential correlation between 
cerebral palsy rates and neonatal treatments. This type of 
research highlights the need for epidemiologic data on cerebral 
palsy. The Committee requests a report by July 31, 2008 on what 
types of data are most needed for a public health response to 
cerebral palsy and the strengths and weaknesses of the various 
methods of collecting epidemiologic data in this population. As 
part of that report, the Committee encourages the CDC to 
consider establishing cerebral palsy surveillance and 
epidemiology systems that would work in concert with similar 
disorders.
    Chronic Kidney Disease.--The Committee previously has 
expressed concern regarding the need to expand public health 
strategies to combat chronic kidney disease [CKD] given that 
many individuals are diagnosed too late to initiate treatment 
regimens that could reduce morbidity and mortality. The 
Committee has included $175,000 over the 2007 operating plan 
within the health promotion increase to continue planning for 
capacity and infrastructure at CDC for a kidney disease 
epidemiology, research and outcomes program and to institute a 
CKD surveillance system. The Committee encourages CDC to 
continue development of a Public Health Strategy for Chronic 
Kidney Disease.
    COPD Self Management Demonstration.--The Committee is aware 
that Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD] is a chronic 
condition similar to diabetes that requires an aggressive self-
management in order to prevent continued deterioration, 
hospitalization, and costly medical interventions. In view of 
the increasing mortality, morbidity, and cost to the Nation's 
health care system, the Committee urges CDC to demonstrate and 
validate intervention and training protocols that are needed to 
improve health outcomes and reduce health care costs for COPD 
patients.
    Diabetes.--The Committee has included an increase of 
$2,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level for diabetes-related 
activities. Approximately 14.6 million Americans have diabetes, 
and an estimated 6.2 million people are undiagnosed and 
therefore untreated. The Committee encourages CDC to conduct 
public awareness campaigns aimed at getting at-risk individuals 
to identify the stage of their diabetes and to prevent or slow 
the progression of their disease. In particular, the Committee 
is pleased with CDC's goal to increase the percentage of 
individuals with diabetes who receive annual eye and foot 
exams, and at least two A1C measures per year.
    It is estimated that maintaining a certain blood glucose 
level (A1C target of 7 or below) would reduce complications of 
diabetes. The Committee encourages CDC to expand diabetes 
education activities to encourage individuals to be tested and 
know their A1C levels so they can take appropriate steps to 
control their conditions.
    SEARCH Study.--The Committee applauds the CDC and NIDDK for 
their strong support and continuation of the Search for 
Diabetes in Youth Study [SEARCH] which has, for the first time, 
assembled robust data on the epidemic of type 1 and type 2 
diabetes in American youth. The Committee encourages the CDC to 
expand this important work, including the consideration of 
ancillary studies and innovative analyses on the biosamples 
collected through SEARCH.
    Diabetes and Obesity in Diverse Populations.--The Committee 
is concerned about the adverse health toll that the twin 
epidemics of diabetes and obesity are taking across the Nation. 
An informed and culturally sensitive response is urgently 
needed to address this escalating epidemic. The Committee 
encourages CDC to fund projects of national and community 
organizations that have the capacity to carry out coordinated 
health promotion programs that will focus on diabetes and 
obesity in the general population and across minority 
communities. The Committee further encourages CDC to identify 
potential grantee organizations directed by and serving 
individuals from communities with disproportionate diabetes and 
obesity rates.
    The high incidence of diabetes among Native American, 
Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian populations persists. The 
Committee is pleased with the CDC's efforts to target these 
populations. It is important to incorporate traditional healing 
concepts and to develop partnerships with community health 
centers. The Committee encourages CDC to build on all its 
historical efforts in this regard.
    Diabetic Kidney Disease.--The Committee strongly encourages 
the CDC to work closely with the National Institute of 
Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases to ensure that the 
biosamples and data from the Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes 
collection are made available to the research community in a 
timely and efficient manner.
    Eating Disorders.--The Committee is concerned about the 
increasing prevalence of eating disorders affecting 8 to 10 
million Americans. Research suggests that for females between 
15 and 24 years of age, the mortality rate associated with 
anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than for all other causes 
of death. The Committee urges the CDC to implement data 
collection regarding the morbidity and mortality of anorexia 
nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and related eating disorders so that 
prevention and treatment strategies may be most effective.
    Epilepsy.--The Committee strongly supports the CDC epilepsy 
program, which has made considerable progress over the past 
decade in establishing and advancing a public health agenda to 
meet the needs of Americans with epilepsy. The Committee 
applauds CDC's activities to train first-responders, educators, 
school nurses, employers, family caregivers and other health 
care professionals in the recognition, diagnosis and treatment 
of seizures. The Committee provides $500,000 over fiscal year 
2007 levels to continue efforts to expand public health 
activities on behalf of persons with epilepsy.
    Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Information.--The Committee 
encourages CDC to create an information center on food allergy 
and anaphylaxis. Food allergy is the leading cause of 
anaphylaxis (a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic 
reaction) outside the hospital setting, virtually all of which 
can be prevented with proper education. The Committee 
encourages the CDC to create a Center that will provide 
guidance to the public and health care professionals about how 
to avoid products with allergy-causing ingredients and how to 
respond to potentially life-threatening reactions to food 
allergens.
    Glaucoma and Other Vision Disorders.--Despite the fact that 
half of all blindness can be prevented, it is estimated that 
the number of blind and visually impaired people will double by 
2030 if nothing is done to curb vision problems. Within the 
increase for health promotion activities, the Committee has 
included an increase of $125,000 to expand vision screening 
programs in preventing blindness and vision impairments among 
many of the more than 30 million adults that suffer from eye-
related disorders.
    In addition, the Committee is encouraged by the CDC's 
exploration of strategies to implement a national initiative to 
combat the effects of eye-related disorders, especially 
glaucoma. Within the health promotion increase, the Committee 
has included an increase of $125,000 for the expansion of 
vision screening and education programs and to evaluate the 
efficacy of glaucoma screening using mobile units.
    Gynecologic Cancer Education and Awareness Program.--The 
Committee is encouraged by the progress that has been made by 
CDC, in coordination with the Office of Women's Health at the 
Public Health Service, to initiate a national education 
campaign on Gynecologic Cancers. The Committee strongly urges 
the rapid completion of the evaluation of past and present 
activities to increase the awareness and knowledge regarding 
gynecologic cancers and the creation of a strategy for 
improving efforts to increase awareness and knowledge of the 
public and health care providers with respect to gynecological 
cancers.
    Heart Disease and Stroke.--The Committee remains strongly 
supportive of CDC's new Division for Heart Disease and Stroke 
Prevention and has included $4,431,000 over the fiscal year 
2007 level to support and expand it's work. Heart disease, 
stroke and other cardiovascular diseases continue to be the 
leading cause of death in every state; however, effective 
prevention efforts are not practiced universally. Additionally, 
the current surveillance systems in the United States cannot 
track our progress towards achieving our Healthy People 2010 
goals to reduce the epidemic burden of heart disease and 
stroke.
    The Mississippi Delta Region experiences some of the 
Nation's highest rates of chronic diseases, such as diabetes, 
hypertension, obesity, heart disease, and stroke. The Committee 
recognizes CDC's expertise in implementing research and 
programs to prevent the leading causes of death and disability. 
The Committee is aware that CDC has been conducting a 
background community assessment of health and related social 
and environmental conditions in the delta. The Committee has 
provided $2,000,000 within the program, for CDC to continue and 
expand these activities (Requested by Senator Cochran).
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease.--The Committee understands that 
up to 1.4 million people in the United States may suffer from 
Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, collectively known as 
inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. Within the health promotion 
increase, the Committee has included $100,000 over the fiscal 
year 2007 operating plan level for these activities.
    Interstitial Cystitis.--The Committee understands the 
burden of lack of information regarding interstitial cystitis 
and supports the continuation of these activities at $100,000 
over the fiscal year 2007 funding level within the health 
promotion increase.
    Lupus.--The Committee recognizes that lupus is a serious, 
complex, debilitating chronic autoimmune disease that can cause 
inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ system in 
the body and impacts between 1.5 and 2 million individuals. The 
Committee is concerned by the lack of reliable epidemiological 
data on the incidence and prevalence of all forms of lupus 
among various ethnic and racial groups. The Committee has 
included $500,000 over the fiscal year 2007 operating plan 
level to continue and expand CDC's lupus-related activities.
    Mind-Body Research.--The Committee continues to support 
mind-body research. The Committee supports this activity at the 
2007 funding level.
    Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity.--The Committee 
has included $3,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level for 
nutrition, physical activity, and obesity activities. The 
Committee understands that the multiple factors contributing to 
the overweight and obesity epidemic took years to develop. 
Reversing the epidemic will require a long-term, well-
coordinated, concerted approach to reach Americans where they 
live, work, play, and pray. Effective collaboration among the 
public, voluntary, and private sectors is critical to reshape 
the social and physical environment of our Nation's communities 
and provide the necessary support, information, tools, and 
realistic strategies needed to reverse the current obesity 
trends nationwide.
    Given the large, preventable health and economic burden of 
poor nutrition, physical inactivity, and unhealthy body weight, 
the Committee encourages CDC to continue its leadership role in 
developing, implementing, and evaluating nutrition and physical 
activity population-based strategies to prevent and control 
overweight and obesity. Targeting prevention efforts throughout 
the lifespan--including children as young as toddlers--as well 
as promoting fruit and vegetable consumption through CDC's 
Federal lead role in the national 5 A Day program, and 
increasing the proportion of children, adolescents, and adults 
who meet daily physical activity recommendations should remain 
priorities for the agency. The Committee has provided 
$1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2007 level to sustain and 
expand CDC's support of the 5 A Day Program.
    Nutrition and Physical Activity Study.--Within the amount 
provided for Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, the 
Committee has provided sufficient funds to conduct a study of 
the impact of school nutrition and physical activity programs 
on academic outcomes, including school attendance, student 
behavior, and student achievement on standardized tests.
    Nutrition and Salt Study.--Within the amount provided for 
Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, the Committee has 
provided $1,000,000 for a study by the Institute of Medicine of 
the National Academy of Sciences that will examine and make 
recommendations regarding various means that could be employed 
to reduce dietary sodium intake to levels recommended by the 
Dietary Guidelines for Americans. These should include, but not 
be limited to, actions by food manufacturers, such as new 
product development and food reformulation, and governmental 
approaches, such as regulatory, legislative approaches, and 
public and professional information and education.
    The Committee continues to be concerned with the prevalence 
of obesity among Native Hawaiians. The Committee urges the CDC 
to use culturally-sensitive methods to promote diet, exercise, 
and healthy behaviors in children, adolescents, and adults, 
particularly among Native Hawaiians.
    Office on Smoking and Health.--For years the Committee has 
expressed its strong support for OSH's work to reduce tobacco 
use, the leading preventable cause of disease and death in 
America. The Committee recognizes that efforts to reduce 
smoking and other forms of tobacco use are among the most 
effective and cost effective investments in prevention that can 
be made. As a part of its efforts to improve health and reduce 
health care costs through prevention, the Committee has 
increased funding for OSH by $2,000,000 over the fiscal year 
2007 level.
    In light of renewed efforts to more appropriately regulate 
tobacco products and to take better advantage of CDC's unique 
laboratory capacity, the Committee intends that the increase in 
funding for OSH be used to support a substantially stepped up 
effort by the Environmental Health Laboratory to analyze 
tobacco products and cigarette smoke. These efforts are 
essential to providing critical information about how chemical 
make-up and product design influence the health consequences of 
tobacco products and how chemical additives, constituents and 
design affect the toxicity and addictiveness of tobacco 
products and the delivery of nicotine, carcinogens and other 
toxic substances.
    Oral Health.--The Committee recognizes that to effectively 
reduce disparities in oral disease will require improvements at 
the State and local levels. The Committee has provided 
sufficient funding to States to maintain their capacities to 
assess the prevalence of oral diseases, to target 
interventions, such as additional water fluoridation and 
school-linked sealant programs, and resources to the 
underserved, and to evaluate changes in policies, programs, and 
disease burden. The Committee encourages the CDC to advance 
efforts to reduce the disparities and health burden from oral 
cancers that are closely linked to chronic diseases such as 
diabetes and heart disease.
    Pioneering Healthier Communities.--The Committee has 
provided sufficient funding to support the Pioneering Healthier 
Communities initiative as proposed in the President's budget, 
but at the same funding level as in fiscal year 2007.
    Prevention Centers.--The Committee encourages the continued 
support of center activities aimed at improving knowledge about 
the effective models for health promotion programs for persons 
with disabilities. The Committee has included $500,000 above 
the 2007 operating plan for these centers.
    Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases.--The Committee has 
included $497,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level for CDC to 
support a national physician education and public awareness 
campaign, including a targeted outreach to underserved 
communities, featuring public service announcements, physician 
symposia, publications, a website and educational materials, 
and mailings to physicians, school nurses, daycare centers, and 
others. The Committee is pleased that the current campaign has 
generated more than $75,000,000 in donated media coverage and 
other contributions over 3 years, or about 10 private dollars 
for every public dollar invested. This has directly resulted in 
a three-fold increase in diagnosis, testing and treatment since 
the campaign began.
    Prostatitis.--The committee encourages the CDC to consider 
expanding its investigation of the etiology of prostatitis.
    Public Health Genomics.--The coming era of personalized 
medicine has broad applicability for the field of public 
health. The Committee urges CDC to conduct and sponsor public 
health genomics research and develop appropriate programs to 
identify people at risk for disease and early death. CDC is 
further urged to use genomic information to provide targeted 
and personalized interventions that will prevent disease, 
disability, and death, and may ultimately save public 
resources.
    REACH Initiative.--The Committee recognizes the strengths 
that national/multi-geographical minority organizations may be 
able to provide to the REACH Initiative. Such organizations 
could have the capacity to influence communities through pre-
existing coalitions and collaborative relationships. Such 
organizations may also be able to provide key support to local 
organizations that may lack the infrastructure needed to fully 
implement the programmatic activities required for this 
important program. The Committee urges CDC to include such 
organizations among the entities that are eligible to compete 
for funding without preventing other applicants from receiving 
these grants.
    Preterm Birth.--Preterm birth is a serious and growing 
public health problem that occurs in 12.5 percent of all births 
in the United States. The Committee encourages the CDC to 
conduct additional epidemiological studies on preterm birth, 
including the relationship between prematurity, birth defects 
and developmental disabilities. The Committee also encourages 
the establishment of systems for the collection of maternal-
infant clinical and biomedical information to link with the 
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System [PRAMS] and other 
epidemiological studies of prematurity in order to track 
pregnancy outcomes and prevent preterm birth.
    Sleep Disorders.--The Committee is pleased with the 
activities of the National Sleep Awareness Roundtable. The 
Committee encourages the CDC to continue activities to promote 
public awareness of the benefits of sleep.
    Steps to a Healthier United States.--The Committee applauds 
the Department's continued commitment to tackling the problems 
of obesity, diabetes, and asthma. The Committee agrees that 
these are three of the most critical chronic conditions 
afflicting Americans. The Committee is concerned that existing 
programs that address these problems have not yet been 
implemented in all of the States. The Committee has provided 
the President's request level to continue this initiative and 
existing programs within CDC that are aimed at obesity, 
diabetes, and asthma. The Committee strongly urges CDC to 
coordinate the efforts of these programs such that the best 
possible outcome is achieved using these limited funds.
    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.--To prevent Sudden Infant 
Death Syndrome [SIDS], the Committee has included $261,000 for 
SIDS prevention activities. In addition, the Committee 
encourages CDC to consider supporting a National Campaign for 
Cribs pilot program. Such a pilot project may be composed of a 
public health education component for new parents and 
caregivers and seek to provide a crib for babies whose mothers 
and caregivers cannot afford a proper sleeping environment for 
their children.

    BIRTH DEFECTS, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, DISABILITY AND HEALTH

    The Committee has included $128,696,000 for birth defects, 
developmental disabilities, disability and health in fiscal 
year 2008. The comparable level for 2007 was $124,664,000 and 
the 2008 budget request was $124,537,000.
    Within the total provided, the following amounts are 
provided above the comparable amount for fiscal year 2007 for 
the following catagories of funding: $200,000 for craniofacial 
malformation; $3,782,000 for activities within Human 
Development and Disability; and $50,000 for Cooley's Anemia 
programs. With the exceptions noted, all other programs are 
funded at the level of the fiscal year 2007 request.
    Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.--Within human 
development and disability funding, the Committee has included 
an increase of $100,000 to support and expand activities 
designed to provide information, support services and health 
professional education regarding attention deficit/
hyperactivity disorder.
    Autism.--The Committee is aware of the progress that has 
been made with the autism programs at CDC. The Committee 
acknowledges the importance of this work by the CDC in the area 
of autism surveillance and research, and urges this work to 
continue in a timely manner. Within the human development and 
disability increase, the Committee has included $1,407,000 over 
the fiscal year 2007 level to continue the Center's 
surveillance and research programs, including the CADDRE and 
ADDM Network and the National awareness campaign.
    Blood Disorders.--The Committee has provided sufficient 
funding to sustain the hereditary blood disorders programs, 
including treatment centers, at the fiscal year 2007 levels. 
The Committee requests strategic plan of action regarding 
research, outreach activities, and resources needed to address 
key blood disorders. In preparing this report, CDC should seek 
input from patient and physician organizations, research 
scientists, and public health officials.
    Centers for Birth Defects Research and Prevention.--The 
Committee encourages CDC to consider expanding the promising 
research being conducted by the regional Centers for Birth 
Defects Research and Prevention and maintain assistance to 
States to implement and expand community-based birth defects 
tracking systems, programs to prevent birth defects, and 
activities to improve access to health services for children 
with birth defects.
    Birth Defects Research, Surveillance and Prevention.--The 
Committee understands that birth defects are a leading cause of 
infant mortality and about 120,000 babies are born each year 
with a birth defect. Both genetic and environmental factors can 
cause a birth defect, however the causes of 70 percent of birth 
defects are unknown. The Committee supports CDC's efforts in 
the area of birth defects surveillance, research and prevention 
and encourages CDC to continue the promising research being 
conducted by the regional centers for birth defects research 
and prevention. The Committee has included sufficient funding 
to maintain the current level for states to continue birth 
defects surveillance systems, programs to prevent birth defects 
and activities to improve access to health services for 
children with birth. The Committee encourages the CDC to expand 
the birth defects studied in the National Birth Defects 
Prevention Study to include single gene disorders [SGD], like 
Fragile X. Although these disorders are rare individually, when 
grouped together they affect approximately 1 in 300 births.
    Cooley's Anemia.--The Committee remains pleased with the 
progress that CDC has made in the establishment of a blood 
safety surveillance program for Cooley's anemia patients, who 
are the largest consumers of red blood cells. Six treatment 
centers throughout the Nation handle the medical monitoring and 
treatment; education and awareness, patient recruitment, and 
other services are being provided; and CDC has created an 
archive of tested and analyzed blood samples. The Committee has 
included an increase of $50,000 to continue and expand these 
activities and encourages CDC to utilize this program to 
enhance the safety of the blood supply while improving the 
health of Cooley's anemia patients.
    Craniofacial Malformation.--The Committee has included an 
additional $200,000 over last year's level for CDC's 
initiatives to help families of children with craniofacial 
malformations. The Committee commends CDC for their work on 
this important public health issue. The Committee intends that 
the increase be used to develop and test a pediatric 
craniofacial outcomes reporting instrument with the goal of 
creating an optimum standard of treatment which will improve 
the level of care for all children nationwide. In addition, the 
increase may be used to expand and enhance CDC's ongoing 
studies of children with craniofacial malformations, 
specifically those relating to ways to decrease secondary 
surgeries, thus saving healthcare cost and trauma to the child.
    Diamond Blackfan Anemia.--The Committee has provided 
sufficient funds to continue CDC's public health outreach and 
surveillance programs for Diamond Blackfan Anemia [DBA] as 
included in the budget request.
    Disabilities Prevention.--The Committee continues to 
strongly support the CDC disabilities prevention program, which 
provides support to States and academic centers to reduce the 
incidence and severity of disabilities, especially 
developmental and secondary disabilities.
    Down Syndrome.--The Committee commends the CDC for 
initiating a study to document the onset and course of 
secondary and related developmental and mental disorders in 
individuals with Down syndrome. The Committee encourages 
further research relating to these areas of dual diagnosis.
    Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy.--The Committee has 
provided a $100,000 increase within the human development and 
disability funding to continue surveillance, epidemiological, 
and education efforts for Duchenne and Becker muscular 
dystrophy.
    Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders.--The Committee is 
concerned by the prevalence of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders 
[FASD] in the United States and notes that drinking during 
pregnancy is the Nation's leading known preventable cause of 
mental retardation and birth defects. To publicize and promote 
awareness of this critical public health information, the 
Committee has provided sufficient resources to continue these 
activities. The Committee notes that the National Task Force on 
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect is due to 
expire in October 2007. The Committee requests that the CDC 
submit a progress report within six months on the Task Force's 
contributions to preventing and reducing fetal alcohol spectrum 
disorders. The report should outline future plans for the Task 
Force, including programmatic and funding priorities.
    Folic Acid Campaign.--The Committee is encouraged with the 
progress made in preventing neural tube defects, but is 
concerned by a recent analysis which found that folate 
concentrations among non-pregnant women of child bearing age 
decreased by 16 percent from 1999-2000 through 2003-2004. The 
Committee commends the CDC for its efforts related to educating 
women about multivitamin usage in order to improve folic acid 
status and reduce the rate of birth defects. The Committee has 
provided sufficient funding to continue these efforts, 
particularly those that engage Hispanic women and other at-risk 
populations.
    Fragile X.--Within the increase for human development and 
disability, the Committee has included an additional $1,000,000 
over last year's level to support the CDC's continuation of 
public health activities in the areas of Fragile X, Fragile X-
associated tremor/ataxia syndrome, and Fragile X-associated 
premature ovarian failure. The Committee urges the CDC to focus 
its efforts primarily on increasing epidemiological research, 
surveillance, and screening efforts, with particular attention 
towards collecting epidemiological data on the incidence and 
prevalence of Fragile X and related conditions, including 
autism. The Committee is aware of the potential benefit of a 
national registry to track patients living with Fragile X which 
could be utilized to create a common data entry and management 
system across research and clinical sites, as well as to track 
the impact of therapeutic interventions.
    The Committee encourages CDC to establish Fragile X 
surveillance and epidemiology sites throughout the United 
States based on the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental 
Disabilities Study and the Metropolitan Atlanta Developmental 
Disabilities Surveillance Program. The Committee strongly urges 
the CDC to leverage Federal funding with private and other 
public institutions involved in the same work, and to 
prioritize epidemiological research connecting Fragile X, 
autism, and autism spectrum disorders.
    The Committee requests that CDC report back to the 
Committee no later than April 2008 with a progress update on 
the agency's efforts and spending priorities as they relate to 
Fragile X.
    Healthy Athletes Initiative.--The Committee has included 
funding at last year's level for the Healthy Athletes Program, 
activities requested in the President's budget to provide 
Special Olympics athletes access to an array of health 
assessment, education, preventive health services and supplies, 
and referral for follow-up care where needed. These services 
are provided to athletes without cost in conjunction with 
competitions at local, State, national, and international 
levels.
    Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia.--The Committee is 
aware of interest in the establishment of a Hereditary 
Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia [HHT] National Resource Center. The 
Committee encourages the CDC to examine carefully proposals to 
establish such a center.
    Limb Loss Information Center.--The Committee understands 
that more than 1.5 million Americans are living with limb loss 
due to diabetes, heart disease, trauma, and cancer. A key 
challenge facing individuals with limb loss is gaining access 
to necessary health and rehabilitative services. The Committee 
provides funding to continue at no less than fiscal year 2007 
levels CDC activities addressing these challenges.
    Paralysis programs.--The Committee recommendation for human 
development and disability funding includes an increase of 
$500,000 over fiscal year 2007 for activities to increase 
awareness of paralysis treatments and services, as well as 
health promotion activities meant to expand access to activity-
based rehabilition.
    Spina Bifida.--The Committee recognizes that Spina Bifida 
is the leading permanently disabling birth defect in the United 
States, and that spina bifida and related neural tube defects 
are highly preventable. In an effort to continue to prevent 
spina bifida and improve the quality-of-life for individuals 
affected by spina bifida, the Committee recommendation for 
human development and disability increases funding by $500,000 
over the fiscal year 2007 level to provide information and 
support services. In addition, the Committee supports the 
memorandum of understanding between CDC and AHRQ to examine 
clinical treatment of spina bifida and improve quality of life.
    Tourette Syndrome.--The Committee commends CDC for its 
support of activities to educate parents, physicians, 
educators, and other healthcare workers about the disorder and 
to expand on the scientific knowledge base on prevalence, risk 
factors and co-morbidities of Tourette Syndrome. The Committee 
has provided $175,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level for these 
activities within the increase for the human development and 
disability category.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.--Tuberous sclerosis complex 
[TSC] is a genetic disorder that causes uncontrollable tumor 
growth. Because this disorder can affect multiple organs of the 
body, it is difficult to diagnose, track, and properly treat. 
The Committee has provided resources at the 2007 funding level 
for CDC to collect and analyze data at the nationwide network 
of TSC clinics; support surveillance and epidemiological 
studies; and to educate healthcare professionals and teachers 
who come into contact with TSC patients.

                     HEALTH INFORMATION AND SERVICE

    The Coordinating Center for Health Information and Services 
includes the National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS], a 
National Center for Health Marketing, and a National Center for 
Public Health Informatics.
    The Committee recommends a program level of $232,653,000 
for Health Information and Service related activities at the 
CDC. The fiscal year 2007 comparable program level was 
$222,653,000. The budget request for 2008 was $243,496,000.

Health Statistics

    CDC's statistics give context and perspective on which to 
base important public health decisions. By aggregating the 
experience of individuals, CDC gains a collective understanding 
of health, collective experience with the health care system, 
and public health challenges. NCHS data are used to create a 
basis for comparisons between population groups or geographic 
areas, as well as an understanding of how trends in health 
change and develop over time.
    The Committee commends the NCHS for fulfilling its mission 
as the Nation's premier health statistics agency and for 
ensuring the credibility and integrity of the data it produces. 
In particular, the Committee congratulates the agency for its 
timely release of critical data and encourages it to continue 
making information, including data from the National Health and 
Nutrition Examination Survey [NHANES] and the National Health 
Interview Study [HIS], accessible to the public as soon as 
possible. The Committee has provided an increase of $8,000,000 
above the fiscal year 2007 level.
    Eating Disorders.--The Committee is concerned about the 
growing incidence and health consequences of eating disorders 
among the population. The extent of the problem, while 
estimated by several long-term outcome studies as being high, 
remains unknown. The Committee urges the CDC to research the 
incidence and morbidity and mortality rates of eating 
disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge 
eating disorder, and eating disorders not otherwise specified 
across age, race, and sex.
    Food Allergy.--Life-threatening food allergies severely 
impair the quality of life for allergic children and their 
parents, and the incidence of food allergies seems to be 
increasing. For that reason, the Committee encourages the CDC 
to include food allergy in its National Health Interview 
Survey, or a comparable annual tracking mechanism.
    Genomics.--With the success and continual improvement of 
genomic technologies, the Committee encourages CDC to consider 
expanding NHANES to include the genotyping of participants 
(with appropriate consideration for consent and privacy) and 
assessing the genomic impact on public health, along with 
nutrition and environmental factors.
    Nontuberculous Mycobacteria.--The Committee is concerned 
that nontuberculous mycobacteria [NTM] incidence continues to 
rise. Mycobacteria are environmental organisms found in both 
water and soil that cause significant respiratory damage. The 
Committee continues to encourage NCHS to include questions 
regarding NTM testing in ongoing surveys to enhance 
understanding of the epidemiology of this emergent disease
    Psoriasis.--As many as 7.5 million Americans are affected 
by psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis--chronic, inflammatory, 
painful and disfiguring diseases for which there are limited 
treatment options and no cure. The Committee understands that 
there are few efforts to collect epidemiologic and other 
related data on individuals with psoriasis and psoriatic 
arthritis, and as such, researchers and clinicians are limited 
in their longitudinal understanding of the disease and its 
effects. As such, the Committee strongly encourages the NCHS to 
add psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis specific components to 
the 2009-2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 
[NHANES]. Further, the Committee is concerned by reports that 
there is a dearth of scientists conducting epidemiologic 
research in dermatology. As such, the Committee encourages the 
NCHS to work with others within CDC and NIAMS in developing 
programs to encourage dermatologists to work in the field of 
epidemiology.
    Vital Statistics.--The Committee values the National Center 
for Health Statistics and its critical role in monitoring our 
Nation's health. The Committee has included sufficient funding 
to ensure that NCHS collects a full year's worth of data on 
births, deaths, and other vital information under the agreed 
upon terms of the Vital Statistics Cooperative Program. In 
addition, CDC should consider ways to encourage local 
jurisdictions to implement electronic systems that will improve 
the timeliness, quality, and security of birth and death data.

Public Health Informatics

    Information systems and information technology are critical 
to the practice of public health. CDC activities reflect 
ongoing efforts to build a national network of public health 
information systems that will enhance public health partner 
capabilities in detection and monitoring, surveillance, data 
analysis and interpretation, and other public health 
activities.

Health Marketing

    CDC links directly with the people whose health it is 
trying to improve. This activity uses commercial, nonprofit, 
and public service marketing practices to better understand 
people's health-related needs and preferences; to motivate 
changes in behaviors; and to enhance CDC's partnerships with 
public and private organizations to more effectively accomplish 
health protection and improvement.

               ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND INJURY PREVENTION

    The Coordinating Center for Environmental Health and Injury 
Prevention includes the National Center for Environmental 
Health, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, 
and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control.
    The Committee recommends $296,338,000 for environmental 
health and injury prevention related activities at the CDC. The 
fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $288,104,000 and the 
budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $287,674,000.

Environmental Health

    Many of the public health successes that were achieved in 
the 20th century can be traced to innovations in environmental 
health practices. However, emerging pathogens and environmental 
toxins continue to pose risks to our health and significant 
challenges to public health. The task of protecting people's 
health from hazards in their environment requires a broad set 
of tools. First among these tools are surveillance and data 
collection to determine which substances in the environment are 
getting into people and to what degree. It also must be 
determined whether or not these substances are harmful to 
humans, and at what level of exposure. The Committee 
recommendation includes an increase of $3,317,000 over the 
fiscal year 2007 level for environmental health activities. 
With the exceptions noted below, all activities are funded at 
the level of the 2007 operating plan.
    Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Registry.--The Committee is 
pleased that the CDC is beginning to gather data for a 
nationwide ALS registry that will estimate the incidence and 
prevalence of the disease, promote a better understanding of 
the disease, and provide data that will be useful for research 
on improving disease management and developing standards of 
care. The Committee is concerned that ALS is often misdiagnosed 
as another neurodegenerative disorder. The Committee believes 
that a more comprehensive registry, focusing on ALS but 
including other neurodegenerative disorders, will provide a key 
resource for efforts to understanding the biology and 
epidemiology of ALS. The Committee has provided an additional 
$2,000,000 over the 2007 operating plan to continue and expand 
the national ALS Registry to other neurodegenerative disorders 
in line with pending authorization legislation.
    Asthma.--The Committee is pleased with the work that the 
CDC has done to address the increasing prevalence of asthma. 
However, the increase in asthma among children remains 
alarming. The Committee encourages CDC to continue to expand 
its outreach aimed at increasing public awareness of asthma 
control and prevention strategies, particularly among at-risk 
populations in underserved communities. In addition, the 
Committee is deeply concerned with the high incidence of asthma 
among Hawaiian children, and the high prevalence of asthma 
among Native Hawaiians compared to other adults, including 
those who are similarly located. The Committee is pleased with 
the efforts that the CDC has taken to monitor lung function and 
other asthma interventions among this and other disparately 
affected populations and encourages the CDC to continue this 
important research.
    Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention.--The Committee 
continues to commend the CDC for its commitment to support the 
enhanced development of a portable, hand-held lead screening 
device that holds great promise for increasing childhood 
screening rates in underserved communities. Further development 
of this device will help ensure its application in community 
health settings.
    Environmental Health Laboratory.--The CDC environmental 
health laboratory performs assessments for State investigations 
of diseases (such as cancer and birth defects) and 
investigations of chemical exposures, such as dioxin, 
pesticides, mercury and cadmium. CDC is also working with 
States to improve public health laboratories that assess State 
level biomonitoring needs. CDC works closely with academic 
institutions, other Federal agencies, and other partners to 
measure human exposure to toxic substances and the adverse 
effects of that exposure. The Committee has included $1,000,000 
over last year's level for a pilot program for newborn 
screening for severe combined immunodeficiency disease.
    Health Tracking Network.--The Committee supports the 
continued development of a Health Tracking Network, a 
surveillance system that can integrate environmental hazards 
data with human exposure and health effects data that have 
possible links to the environment. With health tracking, public 
health officials can better target preventive services, health 
care providers can offer better health care, and the public 
will be able to develop a clear understanding of what is 
occurring in their communities and how overall health can be 
improved.
    Laboratory Measurement of Trans Fat.---The Committee is 
aware that experimental evidence shows an increasing risk of 
heart disease associated with trans fat intake, and that many 
State and local governments are proposing bans in restaurants 
and schools. The Committee encourages the CDC to explore the 
development of a surveillance system to monitor trans fat 
levels and other important fatty acids, such as omega-3 fatty 
acids, in humans.
    Landmine Survivor Network.--The Committee strongly supports 
peer support networks for landmine survivors worldwide. The 
Committee has included $300,000 over the fiscal year 2007 
operating plan level. These funds will be used to expand peer 
support networks and the number of survivors that are reached 
in network and non-network countries; strengthen the capacity 
of medical and rehabilitative care facilities to address the 
needs of amputees; enhance economic opportunities for 
survivors; and further CDC programs and research for victims of 
landmines, civil strife and warfare.
    Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Prevention.--Mycobacteria are 
environmental organisms found in both water and soil that can 
cause significant respiratory damage. The Committee is aware of 
the increasing incidence of nontuberculous mycobacteria [NTM] 
pulmonary infections and encourages the CDC to study the 
environmental issues related to NTM transmission and infection 
via water and soil, as well as to implement a public health 
education and outreach initiative to promote NTM education for 
health care providers and the general public. Further the 
Committee encourages that CDC develop specific epidemiology 
studies regarding prevalence, geographic, demographic and host 
specific data regarding NTM infection in the population.
    Volcanic Emissions.--The Committee remains concerned about 
the public health issue of volcanic emissions. Such emissions 
contribute to the exacerbation of a myriad of pre-existing 
health conditions in many island residents, especially 
children. The acute- and long-term impact that these emissions 
have on both the healthy and pre-disposed residents warrants 
further study. The Committee has included $17,000 over the 
fiscal year 2007 level for research into the health effects of 
volcanic emissions and encourages the CDC to explore the 
establishment of a dedicated center that embraces a multi-
disciplinary approach in studying the short- and long-term 
health effects of the volcanic emissions.

Injury Prevention and Control

    CDC is the lead Federal agency for injury prevention and 
control. Programs are designed to prevent premature death and 
disability and reduce human suffering and medical costs caused 
by: fires and burns; poisoning; drowning; violence; lack of 
bicycle helmet use; lack of seatbelt and proper baby seat use; 
and other injuries. The national injury control program at CDC 
encompasses non-occupational injury and applied research in 
acute care and rehabilitation of the injured. Funds are 
utilized for both intramural and extramural research as well as 
assisting State and local health agencies in implementing 
injury prevention programs. The Committee recognizes the vital 
role CDC serves as a focal point for all Federal injury control 
activities.
    The Committee has included an increase of $4,917,000 for 
injury prevention and control. Within the increase provided, 
the Committee has provided the following increases over the 
fiscal year 2007 level: $1,000,000 for traumatic brain injury; 
$1,982,000 for youth violence prevention; and $1,935,000 for 
rape prevention. All other activities are funded at the level 
of the fiscal year 2007 operating plan.
    Child Maltreatment.--The Committee recognizes that child 
maltreatment is a serious public health threat with extensive 
short-and long-term health consequences. New avenues to support 
child maltreatment prevention would allow CDC to further the 
identification, enhancement, and dissemination of evidence-
based child maltreatment prevention programs, such as positive 
parenting programs and home visitation programs.
    Falls Prevention.--The Committee is pleased that the CDC 
has initiated a falls prevention and safety program to teach 
older Americans how to prevent falls. The Committee encourages 
the CDC to engage in an awareness campaign to train health care 
professionals on the prevention of falls.
    Injury Control Research Centers.--The Committee recognizes 
the need for an Injury Control Research Center specializing in 
children and adolescents. Injury is the leading cause of death 
and disability among children and teenagers in the United 
States. Currently, no existing Centers focus exclusively on 
childhood and adolescent injuries. Therefore, if new Centers 
are to be added to the program, the Committee encourages CDC to 
give preference to applicants with proven experience in 
children and adolescent injury control and prevention research.
    National Violent Death Reporting System.--The Committee is 
supportive of the National Violent Death Reporting System, 
which is a State-based system that collects data from medical 
examiners, coroners, police, crime labs, and death certificates 
to understand the circumstances surrounding violent deaths. The 
information can be used to develop, inform, and evaluate 
violence prevention programs. The Committee continues to urge 
the CDC to work with private health and education agencies as 
well as State agencies in the development and implementation of 
an injury reporting system.
    Suicide Prevention.--The Committee encourages CDC to 
consider supporting the evaluation of suicide prevention 
planning, programs, and communication efforts to change 
knowledge and attitudes and to reduce suicide and suicidal 
behavior. These evaluation efforts would support communities to 
identify promising and effective suicide prevention strategies 
that follow the public health model and build community 
resilience.
    Violence Against Women.--The Committee urges CDC to 
increase research on the psychological sequelae of violence 
against women and expand research on special populations and 
their risk for violence including adolescents, older women, 
ethnic minorities, women with disabilities, and other affected 
populations.
    Youth Violence.--The Committee has included an increase of 
$1,982,000 for CDC's youth violence prevention activities. The 
Committee notes that the increasing level of youth violence in 
schools and in cities around the Nation is troubling and urges 
the CDC to expand efforts to reduce it.

                     OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

    The Committee recommends $272,397,000 for occupational 
safety and health programs. The fiscal year 2007 level was 
$254,099,000 and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was 
$252,998,000. The Committee recommendation includes $92,071,000 
in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health 
Service Act. Sufficient funding has been provided to maintain 
staffing levels at the Morgantown facility and increase 
research funding at that facility.
    The CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and 
Health [NIOSH] is the only Federal agency responsible for 
conducting research and making recommendations for the 
prevention of work-related illness and injury. The NIOSH 
mission spans the spectrum of activities necessary for the 
prevention of work-related illness, injury, disability, and 
death by gathering information, conducting scientific 
biomedical research (both applied and basic), and translating 
the knowledge gained into products and services that impact 
workers in settings from corporate offices to construction 
sites to coal mines. With the exceptions noted below, all other 
activities are funded at the level of the fiscal year 2007 
operating plan.
    Education and Research Centers.--The Committee recognizes 
the important role Education and Research Centers [ERCs] play 
in preventive health research and the training of occupational 
safety and health professionals, and includes an increase of 
$1,982,000 over the amount appropriated for ERCs in fiscal year 
2007.
    Farm Health and Safety.--The Committee has included funding 
to continue the farm health and safety initiative. The 
Committee encourages NIOSH to give priority to grants to States 
and private organizations with a focus on disseminating and 
translating research for occupational safety and health.
    Mine Safety Technology Research.--The Committee has 
included $10,000,000 over the 2007 level for mine safety 
technology research, development, and testing. The Committee is 
pleased by the additional research being conducted into mine 
refuge chambers, emergency tracking, respiratory and 
communication devices in line with the MINER Act of 2006. The 
Committee is concerned that the focus on MINER Act deadlines 
may have inadvertently put other important mine safety research 
on hold, and expects that additional funding in fiscal year 
2008 will be used to ensure that NIOSH's research agenda in 
areas such as dust monitoring, roof control and disaster 
prevention are not abandoned. The Committee directs NIOSH to 
expand the required progress reports on grantmaking and 
research findings to these related research goals.
    The Committee is strongly supportive of the memorandum of 
understanding NIOSH has worked out with the U.S. Army 
surrounding communication devices and is eager to see NIOSH 
expand on this model of collaboration with other Agencies and 
industries. In particular, the Committee encourages NIOSH to 
investigate establishing an innovation challenge award similar 
to those given out by NASA and the Department of Defense to 
leverage private resources to tackle difficult technological 
problems.
    Miners' Choice Health Screening Program.--The Committee has 
provided an increase of $300,000 to further implement the 
Miners' Choice Health Screening Program in fiscal year 2008. 
This program was initiated to encourage all miners to obtain 
free and confidential chest x-rays to obtain more data on the 
prevalence of Coal Workers' Pneumonconiosis in support of 
development of new respirable coal dust rules. The Committee is 
strongly supportive of these efforts and urges NIOSH to work to 
improve this health screening program, thereby helping to 
protect the health and safety of our Nation's miners.
    National Occupational Research Agenda.--NIOSH provides 
national and international leadership to prevent work-related 
illness, injury, and death by gathering information, conducting 
scientific research, and translating the knowledge gained into 
products and services. The Committee is pleased with the 
progress NIOSH has made in consulting with partners and 
stakeholders across the country to examine and update the 
National Occupational Research Agenda for the coming decade. 
The Committee expects that this updated agenda will provide an 
important blueprint for conducting occupational research and 
examining the impact of stressful workplaces on psychological 
functioning.
    The Committee recommendation includes $5,000,000 in 
increased funding for CDC's National Occupational Research 
Agenda [NORA]. The Committee believes that NORA is a critical 
scientific research program that protects employees and 
employers from the high personal and financial costs of 
worksite health and safety losses. Industries such as 
agriculture, construction, health care, and mining benefit from 
the scientific research supported by NORA. The program's 
research agenda focuses on prevention of disease and injury 
resulting from infectious diseases, cancer, asthma, hearing 
loss, musculoskeletal disorders, traumatic injuries, and 
allergic reactions, among others. The Committee continues to 
strongly support NORA and encourages expansion of its research 
program to cover additional causes of workplace health and 
safety problems.
    National Mesothelioma Registry.--The Committee has provided 
an increase of $100,000 for the continuation and expansion of a 
National Mesothelioma Registry to collect data regarding 
symptoms, pathology, evaluation, treatment, outcomes, and 
quality of life and a Tissue Bank to include the pre- and post-
treatment blood (serum and blood cells) specimens as well as 
tissue specimens from biopsies and surgery.
    National Personal Protective Technologies Laboratory.--The 
Committee has provided $916,000 above the fiscal year 2007 
level of funding for the NIOSH National Personal Protective 
Technologies Laboratory to expedite research and development 
in, and certification of, protective equipment, such as powered 
air purifying respirators, and combined self-contained 
breathing apparatus/escape sets.
    Volcanic Emissions.--The Committee strongly urges NIOSH to 
continue to study the impact of potentially toxic volcanic 
emissions. In particular, preexisting respiratory conditions 
such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema seem to be 
particularly susceptible to the effects of sulfur dioxide. The 
acute and long-term impact that these emissions have on both 
the healthy and pre-disposed residents warrants further study. 
The Committee strongly advises a multi-disciplinary approach in 
studying the short-and long-term health effects of the volcanic 
emissions.

                             GLOBAL HEALTH

    The Committee recommends $334,038,000 for global health-
related activities at the CDC in fiscal year 2008. The fiscal 
year 2007 comparable level was $334,038,000 and the budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 was $379,719,000. The Office of 
Global Health leads and coordinates CDC's global programs to 
promote health and prevent disease in the United States and 
abroad, including ensuring rapid detection and response to 
emerging health threats. With the exceptions noted below, all 
activities are funded at the level of the budget request. The 
Committee notes that the President's request includes pandemic 
flu activities that the Committee appropriated in the Public 
Health and Social Services Emergency Fund through the HHS 
Office of the Secretary.
    Global HIV/AIDS.--CDC works with governments in 25 
countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean 
focusing on primary prevention of HIV/AIDS; care and treatment 
of tuberculosis and other opportunistic infections, palliative 
care and appropriate use of antiretroviral medications; and 
infrastructure and capacity development.
    Global Disease Detection.--The Committee commends CDC for 
its role in strengthening the capacity of the public health 
community, both at home and abroad, to respond to global 
threats, such as SARS, monkeypox, West Nile virus, pandemic flu 
and bioterrorism. CDC's Global Disease Detection System is 
integral to these efforts. This system is designed to provide 
worldwide technical support to ensure rapid and accurate 
diagnoses of emerging infectious disease events, and to provide 
a secure link between clinicians and laboratories and CDC and 
the World Health Organization to ensure real-time reporting of 
emerging threats. The Global Disease Detection System also will 
support sentinel sites in key regions around the globe to 
ensure prompt disease detection and referral to a regional 
laboratory service. These capacities are critical to mitigate 
the consequences of a catastrophic public health event, whether 
the cause is an intentional act of terrorism or the natural 
emergence of a deadly infectious virus, like SARS.
    Global Immunization Activities.--The Committee includes 
$144,438,000 for global immunization activities, including 
$101,240,000 for polio vaccine, surveillance, and program 
operations for the highly successful, yet unfinished polio 
eradication efforts; and $43,198,000 for the purchase of 
measles vaccine for measles mortality reduction and regional 
measles elimination initiatives and to expand epidemiologic, 
laboratory, and programmatic/operational support to WHO and its 
member countries.
    Global Malaria.--The Committee recognizes that malaria is a 
global emergency affecting mostly poor women and children. 
While malaria is treatable and preventable, it remains one of 
the leading causes of death and disease worldwide. The 
Committee appreciates the integral and unique role that the CDC 
Malaria Program plays in national and global efforts. 
Insecticide resistance and drug resistance have the potential 
to compromise global malaria efforts and point to the need for 
the development and testing of new technologies and materials 
for insecticide treated nets and new anti-malarial therapies. 
The Committee is concerned that failure to support these 
efforts could seriously impair future control efforts. In 
addition, the Committee supports CDC's role in providing 
technical assistance to the President's Malaria Initiative, the 
World Bank, the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and 
Malaria, and other malaria control initiatives. These programs 
are in need of greater expertise and capacity in monitoring and 
evaluation to support documentation of impact of efforts. The 
Committee recognizes and appreciates that the impact of malaria 
is not limited to Africa; millions of cases and thousands of 
deaths occur in Asia and the Americas--areas not currently 
targeted by the President's Malaria Initiative. Therefore, the 
Committee intends the CDC Director may have discretion to use 
some of the funding provided for technical assistance and 
support program research in non-African malaria-affected 
countries, which, in turn, can then be used to strengthen 
control efforts in African countries.

                               TERRORISM

    The Committee provides $1,632,448,000 for CDC terrorism 
preparedness activities. The comparable fiscal year 2007 level 
was $1,541,300,000 and the administration requested 
$1,504,375,000 for these activities in fiscal year 2008.
    Within the funds provided, $760,470,000 is for Upgrading 
State and Local Capacity through grants and cooperative 
agreements; $9,500,000 is for anthrax vaccine studies; 
$11,095,000 is for quarantine stations; and $581,335,000 is for 
the Strategic National Stockpile. All other activities are 
funded at the fiscal year 2007 operating plan level.
    Centers for Public Health Preparedness.--The Committee is 
aware that the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, 
Public Law 109-417, mandated three central responsibilities for 
Centers for Public Health Preparedness that include developing 
core academic curricula based on established competencies, 
administering a core competency-based training program, and 
conducting public health systems research. The Committee 
expects the Secretary and CDC to submit an implementation plan 
to the Committee prior to making program changes to ensure 
continuity of competency-based education and training as a 
public health systems research agenda is developed and added to 
the program.
    State and Local Capacity.--The Committee continues to 
recognize that bioterrorism events will occur at the local 
level and will require local capacity, preparedness and initial 
response. It is the Committee's intent that significant funding 
for State and local public health infrastructure be used to 
improve local public health capacity and meet the needs 
determined by local public health agencies. The Committee notes 
that HHS' cooperative agreement guidance now includes explicit 
requirements for local concurrence with State spending plans 
for public health emergency preparedness and urges CDC to 
monitor and enforce these requirements.
    The Committee also recognizes that HHS has incorporated the 
National Response Plan into the cooperative agreement guidance 
and established new CDC Preparedness Goals. The Committee 
therefore urges the Department to assure that any performance 
metrics intended to measure public health preparedness include 
measures of local health department performance in the context 
of their own communities' emergency management systems.
    Funds for bioterrorism prevention and response are 
distributed through grants to 50 States and four metropolitan 
areas. The Committee strongly recommends that these funds be 
distributed based on a formula that includes factors for risk 
of a terrorist event. Risk is challenging to quantify, but the 
Committee suggests that CDC, in coordination with the Secretary 
of Health and Human Services, consider the following and other 
factors: (1) site of headquarters or major offices of 
multinational organizations; (2) site of major financial 
markets; (3) site of previous incidents of international 
terrorism; (4) some measure of population density versus just 
population; (5) internationally recognized icons; (6) percent 
of national daily mass transit riders; and (7) proximity to a 
major port, including major port ranked on number of cargo 
containers arriving at the port per year.
    Strategic National Stockpile.--Vaccines and antivirals are 
not the only supplies that need to be stockpiled in preparation 
for a pandemic. Currently, most health providers order and 
stock supplies on a ``just-in-time'' basis. This means they 
often only have a few days of reserve supplies, equipment like 
portable respirators, and commonly prescribed medications, 
including many basic protective items, such as protective N95 
masks, gloves, gowns, and clean hospital linens, many of which 
are produced abroad and may not be available during a global 
health emergency.
    The Committee commends the Secretary for commissioning the 
Institute of Medicine to evaluate the potential development of 
reusable respirator facemasks in the event on an influenza 
pandemic. The Committee encourages the Secretary to consider 
comparative data regarding duration of effectiveness, range of 
cidal activity and shelf life for disposable NIOSH approved 
respirator facemasks with particulate filter, antimicrobial 
coated and antimicrobial iodinated technology, and to consider 
supply needs and issue end-user recommendations for such 
facemasks.

                         PUBLIC HEALTH RESEARCH

    Public Health Research.--The Committee has provided 
$31,000,000 to fund the Public Health Research program. The 
fiscal year 2007 comparable level and 2008 budget request were 
also $31,000,000. The Committee is strongly supportive of 
public health and prevention research, which bridges the gap 
between medical research discoveries and behaviors that people 
adopt by identifying the best strategies for detecting new 
diseases, assessing the health status of populations, 
motivating healthy lifestyles, communicating effective health 
promotion messages, and acquiring and disseminating information 
in times of crisis.

                PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

    The Committee provides $209,829,000 for public health 
improvement and leadership activities at the CDC. The fiscal 
year 2007 comparable level was $189,808,000 and the budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 was $190,412,000.

Leadership and Management

    The Committee provides $162,879,000 for leadership and 
management costs at the CDC in fiscal year 2008. The fiscal 
year 2007 comparable level was $162,214,000 and the budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 was $162,879,000.
    In addition, the Committee has included sufficient funding 
for the following projects in the following amounts for fiscal 
year 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A Voice for All, Wilmington,            $400,000  Harkin
 DE, for speech and language
 evaluations for persons with
 disabilities.
Alaska Department of Health and          500,000  Stevens
 Social Services, Juneau, AK,
 for an Obesity Prevention and
 Control project in Alaska.
Alaska Department of Health and          500,000  Stevens
 Social Services, Juneau, AK,
 for continuation and expansion
 of program to detect and
 control tuberculosis in Alaska.
Alaska Multiple Sclerosis                150,000  Stevens
 Center, Anchorage, AK, for
 multiple sclerosis related
 activities.
Albert Einstein Healthcare               200,000  Specter
 Network, Philadelphia, PA, for
 college student screening
 programs.
American Optometric                      500,000  Byrd
 Association, Alexandria, VA,
 for the InfantSee program.
Brown County Oral Health                 300,000  Kohl
 Partnership, Green Bay, WI, to
 expand an oral health program.
Camden County, Camden, NJ, to            400,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 purchase, equip and staff a
 mobile health van.
Cascade AIDS, Portland, Oregon,          200,000  Smith
 to conduct HIV/AIDS awareness
 and prevention programs.
Center for International                 250,000  Harkin
 Rehabilitation, Chicago, IL,
 for the Disability Rights
 Monitor.
Colorado School of Mines,                200,000  Allard, Salazar
 Golden, CO, for the
 development and deployment of
 Mine safety and Rescue through
 Sensing Networks and Robotics
 Technology (Mine-SENTRY).
Community Health Centers in              175,000  Inouye
 Hawaii for Childhood Rural
 Asthma Project, for childhood
 rural asthma project.
Emory University, Atlanta, GA,           300,000  Chambliss, Isakson
 for the Southeastern Center
 for Emerging Biologic Threats.
ExemplaSaint Joseph Hospital             100,000  Salazar
 Foundation, Denver, CO, for
 the mobile mammography program.
Fletcher Allen Health Care,              200,000  Leahy
 Burlington, VT, to develop
 chronic disease regis-  tries.
Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis             120,000  Harkin
 Network, Fairfax, VA, for the
 Iowa Food Allergy Education
 program.
Georgia Rural Water                      100,000  Chambliss
 Association, Barnesville, GA,
 for the National Fluoridation
 Training Institute.
Health Care Medical Technology,          100,000  Johnson
 Inc., Sioux Falls, SD, for
 comprehensive health education.
Health Care Network, Inc,                100,000  Kohl
 Racine, WI, to coordinate
 dental services for low-income
 patients.
Healthy Futures, Columbia, SC,           250,000  Graham
 to educate the community to
 recognize the health concerns,
 specifically obesity, of youth
 in the minority community.
Healthy Northeast Pennsylvania           100,000  Specter
 Initiative, Clarks Summit, PA,
 for health education.
Henderson, Henderson, NV, for a          200,000  Reid
 diabetes screening, education
 and counseling program for
 seniors.
Institute of Medical Humanism,           200,000  Leahy
 Inc, Bennington, VT, for an
 end-of-life care initiative.
Iowa Chronic Care Consortium,            150,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Des Moines, Iowa, for a
 preventative health
 demonstration program.
Iowa Department of Public              2,000,000  Harkin
 Health to continue the Harkin
 Wellness Grant program.
Iowa Games, Ames, IA, to                 100,000  Harkin
 continue the Lighten Up Iowa
 program.
Iowa Health Foundation, for              100,000  Harkin
 wellness activities for
 dementia patients.
Iowa State University, Ames,             450,000  Harkin, Grassley
 IA, for the Iowa Initiative
 for Healthier Schools and
 Student Wellness.
Kennedy Health System,                   450,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 Voorhees, NJ, for the Women
 and Children's Health
 Pavillion's Advanced Cancer
 Prevention and Treatment
 Initiative.
Kids Kicking Cancer, Inc.,               700,000  Levin, Stabenow
 Lansing, MI, for cancer
 treatment support activi-
 ties.
Lower Bucks Hospital, Bristol,           100,000  Specter
 PA, for autism therapy
 evaluation.
Marin County, San Rafael, CA,            150,000  Boxer
 for breast cancer screening
 and epidemiology.
Mary Bird Perkins Cancer                 100,000  Vitter
 Center, Baton Rouge, LA, for
 additional C.A.R.E Network
 screenings and program
 development.
Michigan Health and Hospital             500,000  Levin, Stabenow
 Association, Kalamazoo, MI, to
 improve quality of care and
 patient safety in hospital
 surgery settings.
Nazareth Hospital,                       100,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for health
 outreach.
Northeast Regional Cancer                100,000  Specter
 Institute, Scranton, PA, for
 cancer screening evaluation.
Nueva Esperanza, Philadelphia,           100,000  Specter
 PA, for HIV/AIDS programs.
Pennsylvania Breast Cancer               100,000  Specter, Casey
 Coalition, Ephrata, PA, for
 education, awareness, and
 publication production.
Pittsburgh Regional Health               100,000  Specter
 Initiative, Pittsburgh, PA,
 for an infection control
 training program.
Potter County Human Services,            100,000  Specter
 Roulette, PA, for health
 promotion programs.
Providence Multiple Sclerosis            100,000  Smith, Wyden
 Center, Portland, Oregon, to
 develop a registry for
 multiple sclerosis.
Saint Michael's Medical Center,          200,000  Menendez, Lautenberg
 Newark, NJ, for heart disease
 screening.
Sister to Sister-Everyone Has a          250,000  Cardin
 Heart Foundation to increase
 women's awareness of heart
 disease, Washington, D.C.
South Dakota State University,           125,000  Johnson, Thune
 Brookings, SD, for
 interdisciplinary research on
 obesity prevention and
 treatment.
Spinal Muscular Atrophy                  500,000  Schumer, Clinton,
 Foundation, New York, NY, for                     Harkin, Specter
 outreach, patient education
 and registries.
Supporting Autism Families               100,000  Specter
 Everywhere, Wilkes-Barre, PA,
 for Autism programs and
 education.
Texas Tech University Health             500,000  Hutchison
 Sciences Center at El Paso, El
 Paso, TX, for the Center for
 Research and Re-Emerging
 Infectious Diseases.
United Mine Workers of America,          100,000  Specter
 Fairfax, VA, for a fuel-cell
 coalmine vehicle demonstration
 project.
University of Colorado School            200,000  Johnson
 of Dentistry, Aurora, CO, for
 a rural oral health care
 program.
University of Kansas, Lawrence,        1,400,000  Roberts
 KS, for the biodiversity
 research center.
University of Montana                    150,000  Baucus
 Rehabilitation, Research, and
 Training Center, Missoula, MT,
 to develop program Living Well
 and Working Well with a
 Disability: Improving Health,
 Promoting Employment, and
 Reducing Medical Costs.
University of Montana,                   180,000  Tester
 Missoula, MT, for
 Methamphetamine Detection and
 Health Effects Research.
University of North Carolina at          700,000  Dole
 Chapel Hill with East Carolina
 University, Chapel Hill, North
 Carolina, for the Program in
 Racial Disparities in
 Cardiovascular Disease.
University of North Texas,               400,000  Hutchison
 Denton, TX, for the Center for
 Computational Epidemiology.
University of Pittsburgh                 200,000  Specter
 Medical Center, Pittsburgh,
 PA, for health outreach.
University of Wisconsin                  240,000  Kohl
 Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, for
 evidence based adolescent
 pregnancy prevention programs.
WellSpan Health, York, PA, for           100,000  Specter
 health outreach.
Youth and Family Services,               300,000  Johnson, Thune
 Rapid City, SD, for the Health
 Connections Pro-  gram.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Applied Epidemiology Fellowship Training.--The Committee 
has included $2,000,000 for the Applied Epidemiology Fellowship 
Training program to address the documented shortages of these 
core public health professionals in State and local health 
departments.
    Director's Discretionary Fund.--The Committee has provided 
$7,851,000 for a Director's Discretionary Fund. This fund will 
allow the director to quickly respond to emerging public health 
issues and threats not contemplated at the time of enactment of 
the appropriations.
    Epidemic Services and Response.--CDC's epidemic services 
and response program provides resources and scientific 
expertise for operating and evaluating surveillance systems; 
developing and refining research methods and strategies to the 
benefit of public health practice; training public health 
professionals who are prepared to respond to public health 
emergencies, outbreaks and other assistance requests; and 
communicating with multi-faceted audiences accurate public 
health information and effective messages. The Committee 
recognizes that CDC maintains a keen appreciation for the fact 
that local outbreaks of illness can develop rapidly into 
epidemics; that previously unidentified health problems can 
appear at any time; that contaminated food or defective 
products may appear in the community without warning; and that 
the threat of bioterrorism is present in many areas of the 
world. When CDC participates in an investigation, all of the 
resources of the agency are at the disposal of the affected 
area, including its state-of-the-art laboratories.
    Leadership and Management Savings.--The Committee strongly 
believes that as large a portion as possible of CDC funding 
should go to programs and initiatives that improve the health 
and safety of Americans. To facilitate this goal, any savings 
in leadership and management may be reallocated to the 
Director's Discretionary Fund upon notification of the 
Committee.

           PREVENTIVE HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

    The Committee has provided $99,000,000 for the Preventive 
Health and Health Services Block grant. The fiscal year 2007 
comparable level was $99,000,000 and the budget request for 
fiscal year 2008 did not request any funding for this program.
    The block grant provides funding for primary prevention 
activities and health services that address urgent health 
problems in local communities. This flexible source of funding 
can be used to target concerns where other funds do not exist 
or where they are inadequate to address the extent of the 
health problem. The grants are made to the 50 States, the 
District of Columbia, two American Indian tribes, and eight 
U.S. territories.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

    The Committee has provided $220,000,000 for the planning, 
design, and construction of new facilities, repair and 
renovation of existing CDC facilities, and data security and 
storage. The fiscal year 2007 comparable level was $134,400,000 
and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 was $20,000,000.
    The Committee has again provided bill language to allow CDC 
to enter into a single contract or related contracts for the 
full scope of development and construction of facilities and 
instructs CDC to utilize this authority, when necessary, in 
constructing the Atlanta and Fort Collins facilities.

                     BUSINESS SERVICES AND SUPPORT

    The Committee provides $344,377,000 for business services 
support functions at the CDC. The fiscal year 2007 comparable 
level was $344,377,000 and the administration requested a 
comparable level of $319,877,000 for fiscal year 2008. These 
funds will be used to support CDC-wide support functions.
    The Committee strongly believes that as large a portion as 
possible of CDC funding should go to programs and initiatives 
that improve the health and safety of Americans. To facilitate 
this goal, any savings in business services support may be 
reallocated to the Director's Discretionary Fund upon 
notification of the Committee.

                     National Institutes of Health

    When the 5-year effort to double funding for the National 
Institutes of Health ended in fiscal year 2003, few could have 
imagined that the agency would be in the position it finds 
itself today. After 4 years of stagnant budgets, its funding 
has dropped 8.3 percent in real terms. The overall success rate 
for research project grants stands at just 21 percent. Young 
investigators have only the slimmest chance of getting approved 
on their first try, and even some well-established biomedical 
researchers are leaving the field.
    The impact of this funding squeeze goes far beyond those 
directly involved in awarding and receiving grants. More 
importantly, it threatens the pace of biomedical research and 
could delay cures and treatments that are within reach. And the 
ripple effect could be felt for decades to come if, as feared, 
we lose the next generation of scientists to other careers.
    The Committee took steps to reverse this trend in the 
fiscal year 2007 joint funding resolution, which increased NIH 
funding by $570,000,000--enough to launch the National 
Children's Study, add another 500 research grants, and provide 
additional funding for high-risk grants and young 
investigators.
    Regrettably, the budget request calls for cutting NIH 
funding by $278,646,000, for a total of $28,621,241,000. The 
Committee recommendation rejects that cut and instead provides 
a $1,000,000,000 increase over the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation, for a total of $29,899,887,000. This amount will 
allow the NIH, for the first time since fiscal year 2005, to 
plan on increasing the average costs of new grants (by 3 
percent) and provide the full ``committed level'' for 
noncompeting grants.
    The recommendation provides $110,900,000 for the second 
full year of implementing the National Children's Study. The 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $69,000,000. The Committee 
also fully funds the budget request of $300,000,000 for 
transfer to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and 
Malaria. The fiscal year 2007 transfer was $99,000,000.
    The recommendation also includes $96,130,000 for 
radiological, nuclear and chemical countermeasures, and 
$91,250,000 for Director's 1-year Bridge awards.
    The Committee recommends $531,300,000 for the Common Fund. 
This is a 10 percent increase over the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation of $483,000,000. The budget request is 
$486,153,000. Within the fund, the Committee recommends 
$28,459,000 for Director's Pioneer Awards, $55,000,000 for 
Director's New Innovator Awards and up to $25,000,000 that can 
be awarded using a flexible research authority described in a 
general provision in the bill.
    The Committee strongly endorses the goals of the Common 
Fund, as articulated in the National Institutes of Health 
Reform Act of 2006. In recognition of the growing importance of 
this funding mechanism, and in an effort to provide greater 
transparency, the Committee instituted two changes in the 
fiscal year 2007 joint funding resolution. First, it specified 
the exact amount appropriated for the Common Fund in bill 
language. Second, it ended the practice of transferring a 
certain percentage of each Institute and Center's appropriation 
to the fund.
    This report marks another related change. The Committee 
will now display the Common Fund level on the funding table at 
the back of the report, within the Office of the Director.
    These changes present a challenge in comparing the 
President's fiscal year 2008 budget request (which was prepared 
before the completion of the fiscal 2007 joint funding 
resolution) with the fiscal year 2007 appropriated level and 
with the fiscal year 2008 Committee recommendation on the 
funding table. Under the ``budget estimate'' column, the 
funding level for each Institute and Center includes a 1.3 
percent contribution to the Common Fund, in addition to the 
base amount for each IC. For the fiscal year 2007 appropriated 
level and the fiscal year 2008 Committee recommendation, the 
Institute and Center amounts do not include any Common Fund 
contributions--just the base amount for each IC--while the 
total Common Fund amount is shown on its own line within the 
Office of the Director.
    As a result, the ``budget estimate'' for each IC reflects 
an amount that is higher relative to the other two columns, 
while the ``budget estimate'' for the Common Fund is lower 
relative to the other columns. In future years, all the columns 
will be consistent.
    The Committee includes a new general provision in the bill 
that transfers funds to HRSA and AHRQ, to be used for National 
Research Service Awards.
    Budget Justification Materials.--The Committee commends the 
NIH for making significant improvements to its budget 
justification materials, in response to last year's report 
language. The Committee reiterates its desire for the 
justifications to include a funding table for stem cell 
research. The table should include amounts for human and non-
human research involving embryonic and non-embryonic stem 
cells, from fiscal years 2004 through 2009.
    The Committee also expects the justifications to include 
the funding level necessary to implement the public access 
policy described below.
    Public Access.--The Committee has included bill language 
that would require investigators who are funded by the NIH to 
submit an electronic version of their final peer-reviewed 
manuscripts to the National Library of Medicine's PubMed 
Central upon acceptance for publication. The manuscript shall 
be made publicly available on PubMed Central as soon as 
possible, but no later than 12 months after the official date 
of publication. The Committee highly encourages collaborations 
with journal publishers that would enable them to deposit 
manuscripts on behalf of the funded investigators, if all 
parties agree. The Committee directs the NIH to seek and 
carefully take into account the advice of journal publishers on 
the implementation of this policy.
    In particular, the Committee directs the NIH to ensure that 
publishers' copyright protections are maintained. The Committee 
also directs the NIH to provide a report by April 1, 2008, on 
the status of the program, including how many manuscripts have 
been made publicly available through PubMed Central and how 
many have been deposited but not yet made publicly available. 
The report should also break down the amounts by the various 
submission methods, including author deposit, bulk deposit and 
the NIH portfolio.
    Stem Cell Research.--The Committee includes legislative 
language (sec. 520) that would supersede the administration's 
guidelines on human embryonic stem cell research, which 
stipulate that only those stem cell lines derived by August 9, 
2001, are eligible for NIH-funded research. Only 21 lines meet 
those criteria, fewer than 10 of which are commonly used by 
researchers--not nearly enough to reflect the diversity of the 
human population. Furthermore, all 21 are contaminated with 
mouse feeder cells, and many are showing abnormalities.
    The bill language sets a new cut-off date of June 15, 2007, 
and institutes new ethical guidelines that are lifted from S. 
5, the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act of 2007, and are 
tighter than those under the administration's policy. The new 
provision is not a replacement for S. 5, which would allow NIH-
funded research on any stem cell line regardless of the date on 
which it was derived. However, it would create exciting new 
potential for treatments and cures by greatly expanding the 
number of eligible lines.
    Until this provision is implemented, the Committee strongly 
urges the NIH to support human embryonic stem cell research to 
the greatest extent possible under the current guidelines. The 
Committee also expects the NIH to explore all other avenues of 
stem cell research, including adult stem cells and stem cells 
from the placenta, amniotic fluid, cord blood and other 
sources; and alternative methods of establishing pluripotent 
stem cell lines that do not involve the destruction of an 
embryo.

                       NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $4,797,639,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   4,782,114,000
Committee recommendation................................   4,910,160,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,910,160,000 
for the National Cancer Institute [NCI]. The budget request was 
$4,782,114,000. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$4,797,639,000. The comparable amounts for the budget estimate 
include funds to be transferred from the Office of AIDS 
Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Blood Cancers.--The incidence of lymphoma, multiple myeloma 
and acute leukemia/myelodysplasia increases dramatically with 
age, and chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL] is almost 
exclusively a disease of the aged. The Committee urges the NCI 
to place greater emphasis on translational and clinical 
research in blood cancers, with particular attention to blood 
cancers that affect the elderly.
    Brain Tumors.--The Committee strongly encourages the NCI to 
continue its support for clinical research consortia and SPOREs 
that focus on brain tumors.
    Breast Cancer.--The Committee again strongly urges the NCI 
to give increased attention to breast cancer, particularly in 
the areas of lymphedema, stress, nutrition, exercise, weight, 
the environment, and ways to help women more fully restore and 
improve their quality of life after treatment. The Committee 
also urges the NCI to further accelerate advances in breast 
cancer screening technology and to capitalize on existing and 
create new technologies that improve early diagnosis, health 
outcomes, and survival.
    Cancer Clinical Trials.--Only 3 percent of adult cancer 
patients participate in trials, and the participation by senior 
citizens is even more limited. The Committee urges the NCI to 
support research to investigate decision-making by patients, 
particularly with respect to barriers to, and decisions on, 
participation in clinical trials. This research effort should 
be undertaken to inform strategies to enhance accrual in cancer 
clinical trials. Current low levels of accrual are often rate-
limiting in the development of novel treatment approaches, and 
solving this problem would ultimately improve outcomes for 
cancer patients.
    Cancer Genome.--The Committee commends the NHGRI and NCI 
for launching The Cancer Genome Atlas [TCGA], which will 
accelerate the understanding of the molecular basis of cancer 
using genome analysis technologies, including large-scale 
genome sequencing, copy number variation, and expression 
analysis.
    Cancer in Minority Communities.--The Committee commends the 
NCI for its continuing efforts to establish a cancer center at 
a minority institution focused on research, treatment, and 
prevention of cancer in African American and other minority 
communities.
    Cancer in Native Hawaiians.--The Committee continues to be 
deeply concerned that mortality rates for all cancers are much 
higher for Native Hawaiian males and females compared to other 
residents of the State. The Committee strongly urges the NCI to 
increase research that is focused towards understanding cancer 
among Native Hawaiians.
    Cancer Metastasis to Bone.--A frequent complication of 
cancer is its spread to bone. The Committee understands that 
immune response plays a role in cancer metastasis and urges the 
NCI to focus research in the emerging area of osteoimmunology. 
The Committee encourages the NCI, NIAMS, NIA, and NIDDK to 
support research to determine mechanisms to identify, block and 
treat cancer metastasis to bone. Furthermore, the Committee 
urges the NCI to expand research on osteosarcoma to improve 
survival and quality of life and to prevent metastatic 
osteosarcoma in children and teenagers who develop this cancer. 
In addition, the NCI is encouraged to expand research on tumor 
dormancy as it relates to bone metastasis.
    Communication Research.--The Committee is pleased to note 
that the NCI has a long history of supporting research on 
behavioral and sociocultural influences on cancer outcomes and 
access to care, including support for communication research to 
ensure that the public receives accurate, easily understood 
information about the human papillomavirus vaccine, and thus 
facilitate access for those who need appropriate care.
    Gynecologic Oncology Clinical Trials Cooperative Group.--
The Committee urges the NCI to provide additional resources to 
fund clinical trials through the Gynecologic Oncology Clinical 
Trials Cooperative Group. Priority should be given to 
translational research involving biologic prognosticators and 
therapeutic effects of chemotherapy to speed the development 
and delivery of new cancer treatments to women with gynecologic 
cancers.
    HPV Vaccine and Cervical Cancer.--The Committee urges the 
NCI to fund research that will allow for the identification of 
the most cost-effective management strategy for cervical cancer 
screening in the era of HPV L1 vaccines and to identify the 
circumstances where Pap test/HPV screening fails in vaccinated 
women.
    Imaging Systems Technologies.--The Committee is aware of 
the potential for improved patient care and disease management 
represented by molecular imaging technologies, especially 
positron emission tomography [PET], through its ability to 
image the biology of many kinds of cancer and other diseases. 
The Committee continues to support the NCI's increased emphasis 
on examining the molecular basis of disease through imaging 
technologies such as PET and MicroPET. The Committee further 
encourages the testing of women for breast cancer and men for 
prostate cancer to demonstrate and quantify the increased 
diagnostic and staging capabilities of PET relative to 
conventional diagnostic and staging technologies, including 
mammography.
    Liver Cancer.--The Committee notes that the incidence of 
primary liver cancer continues to increase, liver cancer is the 
only cancer experiencing continuing increases in mortality, and 
treatment options for physicians remain very limited. 
Therefore, the Committee urges the NCI to work closely with the 
NIDDK to develop a basic, clinical and translational research 
program designed to reverse these trends and enhance 
survivability. In addition, the Committee welcomes the 
conclusions of the October 2006 NCI-Hepatitis B Foundation 
workshop regarding the early detection of liver cancer, and it 
urges the NCI to support more work in this area.
    Lung Cancer.--Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer 
death among women and minority populations. The Committee 
encourages the NCI to work with the thoracic surgical community 
to initiate new clinical trials that involve patients at an 
early stage of the disease when surgery is a treatment option.
    Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Diseases.--The Committee 
urges the NCI to support research on lymphedema and to devote 
increased resources toward the study of lymphangiogenesis and 
lymphatic imaging.
    Lymphoma Translational and Clinical Research.--The 
Committee urges the NCI to capitalize on the recent investment 
in basic research on lymphoma by aggressively funding 
translational and clinical research on this disease. The basic 
research program has resulted in significant information about 
the biology of lymphoma and better strategies for identifying 
critical metabolic pathways and immune system functioning in 
lymphoma. The translational and clinical research effort should 
be strengthened to accelerate therapeutic development for 
lymphoma.
    Melanoma.--The Committee commends the NCI for a workshop in 
February 2007 to develop a Strategic Action Plan for Melanoma 
Research. The Committee strongly encourages the NCI to devote 
sufficient funds in the areas of research opportunity 
identified by the plan and issue program announcements in those 
areas. The Committee requests the NCI to report by July 1, 
2008, on steps it has taken to implement the plan. In addition, 
the Committee encourages the NCI to support the creation of a 
Melanoma Investigators Consortium, and to fund a multi-site, 
multi-year, population-based clinical trial to testy the 
efficacy of early detection methods. The Committee also 
recommends increased collaboration between the NCI and the 
NIAMS on their melanoma research activities.
    Mesothelioma Research.--The Committee is concerned with the 
pace of mesothelimoma research. The NCI is encouraged to 
establish up to 10 mesothelioma centers and increase related 
research, including clinical trials, detection and prevention 
methods, palliation of disease symptoms and pain management.
    Nanosystems Biology.--The Committee encourages the NCI and 
the Office of the Director to continue to support a 
collaborative effort to bring nanotechnology, systems biology 
and molecular imaging together to examine the molecular basis 
of cancer. Many clinical trials of new drugs are now considered 
to fail if only 10 percent of patients benefit, yet the 10 
percent may represent a specific type of the disease for which 
the drug may be 100 percent effective. Bringing these three 
disciplines together may allow researchers to identify specific 
sub-types of cancer and to better target new interventions. 
Successful results of such an effort could lead to a molecular 
classification of many types of cancer and to targeted 
molecular treatments for molecular-specific diseases.
    Neurofibromatosis [NF].--Recognizing NF's connection to 
many of the most common forms of human cancer, the Committee 
encourages the NCI to substantially increase its NF research 
portfolio in such areas as further development of animal 
models, natural history studies, genetic and drug screening, 
therapeutic experimentation, and clinical and pre-clinical and 
clinical trials. The Committee also encourages the NCI to 
create, fund, and implement NF clinical and pre-clinical trials 
infrastructures including NF centers, pre-clinical mouse 
consortiums, patient data bases, and tissue banks. The 
Committee further encourages the NCI to apply existing cancer 
drugs to NF patients in clinical trials both extramurally and 
intramurally, and to develop new drugs for NF which could then 
apply to the general population.
    Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.--The incidence rates for non-Hodgkin 
lymphoma in the general population have doubled since the 
1970s, for reasons that are not clear. The Committee strongly 
recommends an enhanced commitment to research focusing on the 
possible environmental links to lymphoma. The Committee 
suggests that the NCI direct funds to: (1) studies on the 
identification of environmental-genetic interactions that may 
influence the development of lymphoma; (2) studies of adequate 
scope to assure the identification of environmental risk 
factors for specific subtypes of lymphoma; (3) small studies 
designed to improve detection and quantification of 
historically difficult-to-measure environmental factors; (4) 
studies that are directed toward enhancing the understanding of 
the role of the immune system in the initiation and progression 
of lymphoma; and, (5) studies that examine the simultaneous 
presence of a wide profile of infectious agents among 
individuals with lymphoma. The Committee also notes that 
lymphoma is often diagnosed in young adulthood and middle age, 
and survivors may experience immediate, and also late and long-
term effects of the disease and treatment. The Committee urges 
the NCI to dedicate some of its survivorship research funds on 
research issues related to problems confronted by lymphoma 
survivors.
    Ovarian Cancer.--The Committee urges the NCI to support 
randomized, prospective studies that would lead to the 
validation and acceptance of biomarkers for the early detection 
of ovarian cancer.
    Pancreatic Cancer.--Research on pancreatic cancer, the 
country's fourth leading cause of cancer death among men and 
women, remains underfunded as compared to the top five cancers 
based on mortality. The Committee notes that the NCI currently 
categorizes grants as falling under a specific cancer type if 
the grant is at least 25 percent relevant to that cancer. The 
Committee urges the NCI to increase this criterion to 50 
percent relevancy for pancreatic cancer research and to fund 
more pancreatic cancer grants at this higher level so that the 
minimal dollars being funded toward the disease are truly 
pushing the research forward. Further, the Committee requests 
that the Institute ensure that pancreatic cancer grants are 
reviewed by at least three reviewers who are experts in 
pancreatic cancer research. Finally, the Committee is 
disappointed that the three existing pancreatic cancer 
Specialized Projects of Research Excellence [SPORE] grants have 
never been fully funded, and it urges the Institute to fully 
fund no fewer than three pancreatic cancer SPOREs this year.
    Prostate Cancer.--The Committee commends the NCI for its 
considerable investment in prostate cancer and encourages the 
Institute to continue to support research to improve the 
accuracy of screening and early detection of this disease.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC].--The Committee applauds 
the NCI for supporting a multi-center clinical trial on TSC, 
and it urges the Institute to support additional clinical 
trials. The Committee also encourages the NCI to continue to 
support basic research on the mTOR signaling pathway and the 
role of the TSC1/2 genes in nutrient sensing, insulin signaling 
and cell growth and proliferation.

               NATIONAL HEART, LUNG, AND BLOOD INSTITUTE

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $2,922,929,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   2,925,413,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,992,197,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $2,992,197,000 for 
the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute [NHLBI]. The 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $2,922,929,000 and the 
budget request was $2,925,413,000. The comparable amounts for 
the budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the 
Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    ACCORD Trial.--The Committee commends the NHLBI on the 
ACCORD trial, which should definitively address the 
relationship between glucose levels, blood pressure and lipids 
in the formation of macrovascular disease. The NHLBI is urged 
to consider utilization of new therapeutic options, 
particularly continuous glucose sensors, to assist those 
patients in the study for whom current treatments are not 
allowing target glycemic control levels to be achieved.
    Advanced Imaging Technology.--The Committee is aware that 
heart perfusion PET scans using Rubidium-82 are considered the 
``gold standard'' for determining the extent of muscle damage 
to the heart following a heart attack. The Committee encourages 
the NHLBI to expand its research efforts into the role of 
biological imaging and PET in delivering more accurate 
information to determine appropriate treatment for heart 
disease patients.
    Bleeding and Clotting Disorders.--The Committee commends 
the NHLBI for its commitment to research in bleeding and 
clotting disorders and encourages the Institute to continue 
these efforts focusing on improved and novel therapies for 
these disorders and maintaining its collaborative relationship 
with patient-advocacy groups and the scientific and medical 
research community.
    Bone Marrow Failure Diseases.--The Committee applauds the 
NHLBI for funding research that has led to a greater 
understanding of bone marrow failure diseases. The Committee 
encourages the NHLBI to collaborate with the NCI to fund new 
research efforts that seek new treatments and cures for 
aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic syndromes and paroxysmal 
nocturnal hemoglobinuria.
    Cardiovascular Diseases.--The Committee commends the 
Institute for its leadership in undertaking an inclusive 
strategic planning process, which included a national 
conference on heart disease that was recommended by this 
Committee in fiscal year 2006. The Committee continues to 
regard research on heart disease, stroke and other 
cardiovascular diseases as a top health priority, and it 
expects the Institute to aggressively expand its investment in 
basic, clinical, translational, and trans-institute research 
through all available mechanisms.
    Chronic Obstruction Pulmonary Disease [COPD].--The 
Committee commends the NHLBI for launching a national public 
awareness campaign designed to increase awareness, diagnoses, 
and treatment for COPD. The Committee is aware that the 
Division of Lung Diseases has sponsored several COPD workshops 
that have recommended additional research focused on the 
disease process, pathogenesis, and therapy and other 
recommendations. The Committee recommends that the NHLBI 
aggressively pursue COPD research as recommended by these 
expert panels and convene a panel of leading researchers to 
create a COPD Research Action Plan to identify opportunities 
and to accelerate the pace of research.
    Congenital Heart Disease.--The Committee commends the NHLBI 
for convening a working group to address congenital heart 
diseases, and supports its recommendation that action be taken 
to prevent needless disability and premature mortality. The 
Committee urges the NHLBI to work with patient associations, 
other appropriate NIH Institutes, and the CDC to develop 
education and research initiatives targeted to the life-long 
needs of congenital heart defect survivors.
    Cooley's Anemia [Thalassemia].--The Committee remains 
supportive of the effort being undertaken by the Thalassemia 
Clinical Research Network. In addition, the Committee commends 
the NHLBI for its commitment to pursue gene therapy and urges 
the Institute to move more aggressively in pursuing a research 
agenda that will lead to a cure.
    Depression and Heart Disease.--The NHLBI is encouraged to 
work closely with the NIMH to ensure that projects examining 
depression in heart disease patients, or how treatment of 
depression may improve adherence to cardiovascular health 
regimens, are routed to the appropriate Institute and review 
groups so that this type of research may be supported.
    Diabetic Cardiovascular Disease.--Research has shown that 
heart disease begins as early as childhood or adolescence in 
type 1 diabetes patients. The NHLBI is encouraged to promote 
research to identify early biomarkers of cardiovascular disease 
in young diabetic patients to learn who might benefit from 
therapeutic agents that are currently used in adults.
    Diamond-Blackfan Anemia [DBA].--The Committee is pleased 
with the NHLBI's support of research initiatives investigating 
DBA and the enhancement of the DBA Registry. The Committee 
understands that important advancements have been achieved in 
the areas of further gene discovery and the indication that DBA 
is the first human disorder linked to a ribosome protein 
deficiency. Understanding that breakthroughs in this disorder 
may lead to important strides in additional research areas 
relating to blood cell formation (recovery from cancer 
chemotherapy), cancer predisposition, gene discovery, and the 
effectiveness of steroids and blood transfusions as treatment 
options for all bone marrow failure syndromes, the Committee 
continues to commend the NHLBI for its attention to this 
important disorder.
    Heart Disease in Native Hawaiians.--The Committee continues 
to be concerned that Native Hawaiians have a higher rate of 
mortality from heart disease and cerebrovascular disease 
compared to other residents of the State. The Committee 
strongly urges the NHLBI to increase research that is focused 
towards understanding heart disease and cerebrovascular disease 
among Native Hawaiians.
    Hematology.--The Committee commends the NHLBI for 
developing a strategic plan based on input from its broad 
constituency and for committing 70 percent of its budget to the 
funding of investigator-initiated research. The Committee 
encourages the NHLBI, in conjunction with the NIDDK, NCI and 
NIA and experts in hematology research, to identify hematology 
research priorities that can impact chronic malignant and non-
malignant bleeding disorders.
    Kidney Disease.--The Committee notes that chronic kidney 
dysfunction is a unique and important risk factor for the 
development of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, 
hypertension, or high blood pressure, is the second-leading 
cause of end-stage renal disease [ESRD]. Given the significant 
morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease 
among patients with kidney disease, the Committee recognizes 
the importance of the urgency to examine the relationship 
between cardiovascular disease and kidney disease. The 
Committee encourages the NHBLI and NIDDK to work together to 
develop appropriate basic and clinical research initiatives 
addressing the pathogenesis of cardiovascular events in 
patients with kidney disease and exploring therapeutic and 
preventive interventions. The Committee also encourages the 
NHBLI to work with the renal community to support ongoing 
educational programs directed to health professionals, patients 
and the public to raise the awareness of the relationship 
between cardiovascular disease, hypertension and kidney 
disease.
    Lupus.--The Committee strongly encourages the NHLBI to 
expand and intensify research on lupus, with a special focus on 
its links to early-onset cardiovascular disease.
    Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Diseases.--The Committee 
commends the NHLBI for its leadership role in lymphatic 
research and strongly encourages amplified continuation of 
these efforts in concert with the NCI, NIAID, NIDDK, NIAMS, and 
other relevant ICs. In addition, the Committee urges the 
NHLBI's Lung Division to engage in lymphatic research 
initiatives, with particular attention to congenital lymphatic 
malformation-induced pulmonary dysfunction.
    Marfan Syndrome.--The Committee commends the NHLBI for its 
strong leadership on Marfan syndrome research, particularly its 
sponsorship of a landmark ``Pediatric Heart Network'' clinical 
trial focused on the drug losartan. The Committee encourages 
the NHLBI to continue to partner with the Marfan syndrome 
community and explore ways to support promising ancillary 
studies to the clinical trial. The Committee also applauds the 
Institute for establishing a Working Group on Marfan Syndrome.
    Neurofibromatosis [NF].--The Committee applauds the NHLBI 
for its involvement with NF research and with NF patient 
advocacy groups, and it encourages the Institute to continue to 
expand its NF research portfolio.
    Nontuberculous Mycobacteria [NTM].--The Committee commends 
the NIH for its planning meetings regarding NTM and recommends 
further collaboration with the NIAID, the advocacy community, 
and other Federal agencies to provide a better understanding of 
NTM, enhance diagnostic and treatment options and outcomes, and 
promote education of health care providers. The Committee also 
encourages the NHLBI to issue a program announcement or other 
appropriate mechanism to ensure the initiation of grant 
proposals.
    Pulmonary Hypertension [PH].--The Committee continues to 
view research on PH as a high priority. It encourages the NHLBI 
to expand its successful SCCOR program in this area and 
establish a PH Research Network to facilitate collaboration and 
data sharing among leading PH investigators.
    Sickle Cell Disease [SCD].--The Committee encourages the 
Institute to continue to strengthen its efforts related to the 
funding of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers, the SCD 
Comprehensive Clinical Network centers, and related activities. 
Specifically, the Committee encourages the expansion of 
opportunities available for patients to participate in large, 
multi-center clinical trials to support the development of more 
treatment options and the establishment of a central 
prospective registry of several thousand well-characterized 
individuals with SCD. Additionally, the Institute is encouraged 
to bring new health and medical professionals and researchers 
into the field to support the next generation of researchers 
equipped to integrate genomics, proteomics and high-throughput 
screening expertise into the SCD research field. The Committee 
also encourages the Institute to expand the use of transgenic 
mice and a tissue bank facility, and to encourage collaboration 
between the NHLBI, HRSA, CDC, and national and local 
organizations. The Committee requests an update on these 
efforts in the fiscal year 2009 congressional budget 
justifications.
    Sleep Disorders.--The Committee continues to urge the 
National Center on Sleep Disorders Research to partner with 
other Federal agencies and voluntary health organizations to 
implement a sleep education and public awareness initiative 
using the roundtable model.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.--The Committee urges the NHLBI 
to support basic research on the mTOR signaling pathway and the 
role of the TSC1/2 genes in cell growth and proliferation in 
the heart and lungs. The Committee also urges the NHLBI to 
continue and expand intramural and extramural programs on 
lymphangioleiomyomatosis [LAM], a lung disorder that primarily 
affects women. In particular, research should focus on the 
natural history of LAM in TSC and sporadic LAM, as well as 
support for clinical trials.

         NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DENTAL AND CRANIOFACIAL RESEARCH

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $389,703,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     389,722,000
Committee recommendation................................     398,602,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $398,602,000 for the 
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research [NIDCR]. 
The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $389,703,000 and the 
budget requested $389,722,000. The comparable amounts for the 
budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the Office 
of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institutes's budget. The other amounts do not 
include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders [TMJDs].--The 
Committee commends the NIDCR for its efforts to increase 
funding for TMJDs research and stimulate interest in young 
investigators in TMJD research. The Committee urges the NIDCR 
to give priority to the recommendations of the Fourth 
Scientific Meeting of The TMJ Association, especially those 
calling for the establishment of Regional TMJD Centers of 
Excellence. Because the multifaceted nature of TMJDs requires 
an approach that coordinates the work of many interested 
parties at the NIH, the Committee expects the NIDCR to continue 
to collaborate and coordinate research and awareness activities 
with the NIBIB, NINDS, NIAMS, ORWH and all other relevant ICs 
as well as the trans-NIH Pain Consortium and the NIH Blueprint 
for Neuroscience Research. The Committee also urges the NIDCR 
to consult regularly with patient advocacy groups in the 
planning of research initiatives.

    NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,705,868,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,708,045,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,747,784,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,747,784,000 
for the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney 
Diseases [NIDDK]. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$1,705,868,000 and the administration's request is 
$1,708,045,000. The comparable amounts for the budget estimates 
include funds to be transferred from the Office of AIDS 
Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Acute Liver Failure.--The Committee is aware that there is 
no effective and approved medical procedure to maintain liver 
function after acute failure for a period of time until a liver 
becomes available for transplantation or the liver repairs 
itself naturally. The Committee urges research in this area, 
consistent with the Liver Disease Research Action Plan, to 
reduce the mortality rate for those who suffer from acute liver 
failure.
    Animal Models of Diabetes.--The Committee applauds the 
NIDDK, in partnership with the NHLBI, for its renewal of the 
Animal Models of Diabetic Complications Consortium [AMDCC]. 
While the AMDCC focuses on rodent models, the NIDDK is also 
encouraged to support the development and use of larger animal 
models that more closely mimic diabetes in humans and that can 
be used for preclinical testing of new therapeutic agents to 
treat complications.
    Beta Cell Biology.--The Committee urges the NIDDK to 
support research focused on translating the fundamental 
discoveries made by the Beta Cell Biology Consortium into 
clinical applications that may directly benefit type 1 diabetes 
patients.
    Clinical Trials for Type 1 Diabetes.--The Committee urges 
the NIDDK to continue to expand the pipeline of new therapies 
being tested by the Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet to accelerate the 
rate of drug discovery and development to combat type 1 
diabetes. For example, anti-CD3 monoclonal antibodies represent 
a breakthrough in the treatment of type 1 diabetes and, for the 
first time, provide a way to intervene in the natural history 
of the disease. The Committee urges the NIDDK and the NIAID to 
foster mechanistic and clinical research aimed at understanding 
how anti-CD3 works so that drug design can be optimized to 
reduce side effects and define all patient populations who 
might benefit from anti-CD3 therapy.
    Continuous Glucose Monitoring.--Recent advances in 
continuous glucose monitoring technology have the potential to 
revolutionize the way diabetes is managed on a daily basis, but 
more research is needed to validate this technology in a 
variety of patient populations under ``real world'' conditions. 
Moreover, biomedical research progress is enabling increasing 
numbers of type 1 diabetes patients to live with this disease 
for more than 50 years. The NIDDK is urged to support clinical 
research on the potential benefits of continuous glucose 
monitoring in type 1 diabetes patients over the age of 65.
    Cooley's Anemia.--The Committee continues to support NIDDK 
research on iron chelation and non-invasive iron measurement, 
and to encourage the NIDDK to work closely with the NIBIB to 
develop and perfect non-invasive means of measuring iron that 
accumulates in the heart and liver.
    Diabetes in Native Hawaiians.--The Committee is concerned 
about the high prevalence of diabetes among Native Hawaiians, 
and it urges the NIDDK to continue research in this area.
    Digestive Diseases.--The Committee continues to encourage 
the NIDDK to expand its Digestive Disease Centers program, with 
an increased emphasis on irritable bowel syndrome.
    Drug-induced Liver Injury.--In view of the increasing 
incidence of liver injury from prescription and nonprescription 
drugs, the Committee urges an expansion of the Drug-Induced 
Liver Injury Network.
    Environmental Triggers of Type 1 Diabetes.--The Committee 
encourages the NIDDK to ensure that resources are made 
available to maximize the knowledge about type 1 diabetes that 
can be gained from The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes 
in the Young Study [TEDDY], including the support of innovative 
ancillary studies using biosamples and data collected from 
TEDDY participants.
    Fragile X.--The symptoms of Fragile X syndrome include 
digestive difficulties. The Committee urges the NIDDK to expand 
its research activities on Fragile X and to coordinate these 
efforts with other Institutes working on related activities, 
including the NIMH, NINDS, NICHD, NHGRI and the Fogarty 
International Center.
    Genetics of Diabetic Kidney Disease.--The NIDDK is 
recognized for supporting the whole genome sequencing of the 
Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes [GoKinD] collection of genetic 
samples from nearly 1,900 type 1 diabetes patients and their 
relatives. This work should help identify the genetic factors 
that make some diabetic patients more susceptible to kidney 
disease.
    Genetics of Type 1 Diabetes.--The Committee commends the 
NIDDK for its oversight of the International Type 1 Diabetes 
Genetics Consortium, which is in the final stages of recruiting 
2,800 families with two or more children with type 1 diabetes. 
As the sample collection phase nears completion, the NIDDK is 
encouraged to support researchers who plan to use the genetic 
collection to fully understand the genetic causes of type 1 
diabetes.
    Glomerular Disease Research.--The Committee continues to be 
pleased with the work of the NIDDK in the area of glomerular 
disease research, particularly as it relates to focal segmental 
glomerulosclerosis.
    Hematology.--Research into basic mechanisms of blood cell 
formation and function is intimately linked to determining the 
health risks of different diseases and in developing novel 
therapies for treatment. An example is the study of anemias of 
inflammation and chronic disease, which would greatly improve 
the understanding of chronic infection and immune activation, 
severe trauma, heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. The 
Committee urges the NIDDK, using the findings of the 2006 
workshop on this topic, to work with the NHLBI, NCI, NIA, NIAID 
and NIAMS to develop a research agenda on anemias of 
inflammation and chronic disease. The Committee requests an 
update in the fiscal year 2009 congressional budget 
justification on the research opportunities identified and the 
next steps to be taken.
    Hepatitis B.--The Committee is pleased with the NIH 
commitment to conduct a consensus conference in 2008 on best 
treatment practices for individuals with hepatitis B. The 
Committee is aware that there are six hepatitis B 
pharmaceutical products on the market and that three of them 
have become available in the last two years. The growing number 
of treatment options is encouraging and suggests a strong 
rationale for conducting a consensus conference to provide 
state of the art treatment guidelines for the practicing 
physician community. As only approximately one-third of 
individuals with hepatitis B are aware of their condition, the 
Committee urges the NIDDK to continue to collaborate with the 
CDC in the development of a public health strategy to expand 
the screening of individuals at risk for chronic hepatitis B.
    Hepatitis C.--The Committee encourages implementation of 
clinical studies aimed at overcoming antiviral drug resistance 
to hepatitis C, possibly by utilizing novel agents in 
combination.
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD].--The Committee has been 
encouraged in recent years by discoveries related to Crohn's 
disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as IBD. The 
Committee commends the NIDDK for its strong leadership in this 
area and continues to encourage the Institute to increase 
funding for research, particularly pediatric research, focused 
on; (1) the cellular, molecular and genetic structure of IBD, 
(2) identification of the genes that determine susceptibility 
or resistance to IBD in various patient subgroups, and (3) 
translation of basic research findings into patient clinical 
trails as outlined in the research agenda developed by the 
scientific community titled, ``Challenges in Inflammatory Bowel 
Disease.'' The Committee also encourages the NIDDK to continue 
to strengthen its partnership with the IBD community and 
increase support for its successful Digestive Disease Centers 
program with an emphasis on IBD.
    Interstitial Cystitis [IC] and Painful Bladder Syndrome 
[PBS].--The Committee is concerned by a pattern of inconsistent 
funding at the NIDDK on IC/PBS-specific research, and it urges 
the Institute to make a sustained investment in this area. The 
Committee urges the NIDDK to issue a request for applications 
for IC/PBS-specific research in areas that examine 
predisposition/risk factors, underlying cellular and molecular 
pathology of IC/PBS and the association/cross-sensitization of 
IC/PBS with other disorders/diseases. The Committee also 
encourages translational research in IC/PBS that includes pilot 
therapy testing and early intervention of lifestyle/behavioral 
changes to prevent or lessen symptoms. The Committee remains 
concerned about the lack of clarity surrounding the 
nomenclature and definition of IC, and it urges the NIDDK to 
host a meeting of international IC experts that specifically 
addresses these issues not only to update its own research 
criteria and clarify its investigative questions on IC but also 
to ensure that the United States continues to be at the 
forefront of all IC research activities. In addition, the 
Committee is discouraged by the lack of progress in the NIDDK-
funded RAND study on the epidemiology of IC. The NIDDK is urged 
to take an active role in the last two years of this study to 
ensure that any design flaws are addressed, outside experts are 
consulted and it is well executed.
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS].--The Committee is pleased 
that the NIDDK is formulating an action plan for digestive 
diseases through the National Commission on Digestive Diseases 
and that IBS will be included. The Committee continues to urge 
the NIDDK to expedite this plan and ensure that IBS be given 
sufficient attention.
    Islet Transplantation.--The Committee acknowledges the 
productive collaboration of the NIDDK and NIAID in overseeing 
the Clinical Islet Transplantation Consortium. The development 
of seven clinical trial protocols of islet transplantation 
marks a significant step toward validating this procedure as a 
viable treatment for Type 1 diabetes patients suffering from 
extremely ``brittle'' or difficult-to-control blood sugar 
levels. The NIDDK and NIAID are urged to take steps to ensure 
the efficient launch of these trials and to expedite patient 
recruitment and enrollment.
    Kidney Disease.--The Committee encourages the NIDDK to 
expand the kidney disease research infrastructure through an 
increased number of kidney research core centers to promulgate 
collaborative research on a local, regional and national level. 
In addition, the Committee recommends expanded support for 
investigator-initiated research projects in five priority areas 
of greatest importance clinically: acute renal failure, 
diabetic nephropathy, hypertension, transplantation, and uremic 
cardiovascular toxicity. The Committee commends the NIDDK for 
moving forward with the Clinical Trials Cooperative Group and 
supports collaboration with the renal community to seek new 
strategies and energize clinical investigation in the above-
mentioned areas.
    Lupus.--The Committee encourages the NIDDK to expand and 
intensify research on lupus, which can damage virtually any 
organ system in the body, including the kidneys, stomach and 
intestinal tract.
    Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Diseases.--The NIDDK is 
urged to study the metabolic link between lymphatic function 
and obesity, dyslipedema and diabetes. In addition, the 
Committee strongly urges the NIDDK to study protein-losing 
enteropathy, a life-threatening complication associated with 
numerous syndromes involving congenital lymphatic 
malformations.
    Management of Pediatric Kidney Disease.--The complexity and 
variety of causes unique to childhood kidney diseases requires 
multiple detailed treatment regimens for chronic kidney 
disease, dialysis and kidney transplantation. When these 
medication and treatment plans are not followed, patients 
experience life-threatening complications and costly 
hospitalizations. The Committee urges the NIDDK to conduct 
trans-institute trials to study methods to improve adherence 
with treatment regimens for children and adolescents, 
particularly in the areas of dialysis and post kidney 
transplantation. Additionally, the Committee urges NIDDK to 
support collaborating networks of health care providers to 
collect data and plan trials to improve therapy for the 
spectrum of childhood kidney diseases and the transition of 
children with kidney disease into adulthood.
    National Commission of Digestive Diseases.--The Committee 
applauds the continuing work of the National Commission of 
Digestive Diseases to develop a 10-year plan and urges that the 
chapter on liver disease encompass the findings and 
recommendations of the recently updated Liver Disease Research 
Action Plan.
    Obesity and Translational Research.--The Committee urges 
the NIDDK to address the growing obesity crisis by 
investigating the role of the gastrointestinal tract in 
regulating food intake, how obesity causes liver disease and 
colon cancer, and the best treatment options and novel 
therapeutic approaches for preventing and treating obesity, 
including novel endoscopic therapies and other approaches that 
extend beyond existing treatment modalities.
    Obesity-related Liver Disease.--There has been a dramatic 
increase in obesity-related chronic liver disease, which may 
affect as many as one in four adults and a significant number 
of obese children. This diagnosis encompasses a spectrum of 
severity with many cases evolving into non-alcoholic 
steatohepatitis [NASH] and, ultimately, cirrhosis. NASH-related 
liver disease has already become an important indicator for 
liver transplantation, and in the absence of better treatments, 
the need for NASH-related liver transplantation will increase 
significantly over time. The Committee urges the NIDDK to 
continue to support fatty liver disease clinical trials that 
includes both adult and pediatric populations.
    Polycystic Kidney Disease [PKD].--The Committee is pleased 
that NIH-supported research has rapidly led to the development 
of multiple human clinical trials and interdisciplinary studies 
focused on slowing or even reversing the progression of PKD. 
However, the Committee is deeply concerned by recent cuts in 
NIH funding for PKD research, combined with coding errors that 
made it appear as if NIDDK funding for PKD were higher than the 
actual figures. Therefore, the Committee strongly urges the 
NIDDK to increase its investment in PKD research by promoting 
additional PKD clinical trials and multidisciplinary research, 
and expanding studies of pathophysiology and molecular biology.
    Prostatitis.--The Committee supports the efforts of the 
Chronic Prostatitis Collaborative Research Network [CPCRN] to 
find the cause and a cure for prostatitis. The past 10 years of 
research by the CPCRN have produced important progress, and the 
Committee urges the NIDDK to fund the research to completion.
    Spina Bifida.--The Committee encourages the Institute to 
undertake research efforts to study the causes and care of the 
neurogenic bladder to improve the quality of life of children 
and adults with spina bifida.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.--TSC is a genetic disorder that 
triggers uncontrollable tumor growth in multiple organs of the 
body including the kidneys, where patients are at risk for 
polycystic kidney disease [PKD], cancer or, most commonly, 
benign growths known as angiomyolipoma that can result in 
kidney failure. The Committee urges the NIDDK to continue to 
support basic research on the mTOR signaling pathway and the 
role of the TSC1/2 genes in nutrient sensing, insulin signaling 
and cell growth and proliferation. The Committee also urges the 
NIDDK to support research on the link between TSC and PKD.

        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,535,545,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,537,019,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,573,268,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,573,268,000 
for the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke 
[NINDS]. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $1,535,545,000 
and the budget request is $1,537,019,000. The comparable 
amounts for the budget estimates include funds to be 
transferred from the Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Alzheimer's Disease.--The Committee recognizes that the 
NINDS has funded several new areas of research on Alzheimer's 
that may ultimately contribute to the development of 
therapeutics, as well as a translational project involving the 
screening of small molecules that may prevent mutant proteins 
linked to inherited forms of the disease from contributing to 
detrimental cellular changes. The Committee encourages the 
NINDS to continue to assign a high priority to its Alzheimer 
research portfolio; expand its research into early diagnosis of 
Alzheimer's using PET imaging of the brain and to share its 
results with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; 
and to continue to work in collaboration with the NIA, NIMH and 
other Institutes.
    Basic and Translational Research.--The Committee recognizes 
the NINDS for its cooperative efforts in expanding basic and 
translational research on the processes and mechanisms involved 
in the experience, expression, and regulation of emotion.
    Brain Tumors.--The Committee continues to believe that the 
NINDS should give additional attention to identifying causes of 
and treatments for brain tumors, and it encourages the 
Institute to continue working with the NCI to carry out the 
recommendations of the Report of the Brain Tumor Progress 
Review Group.
    Charcot-Marie-Tooth [CMT].--The Committee commends the 
NINDS for holding a workshop on peripheral neuropathies that 
focused on developing research opportunities to address CMT. 
The workshop concluded that a number of specific research 
directions are relevant to developing treatments for CMT and 
related disorders, including: (1) the development of high-
throughput screening to identify candidate treatments that may 
currently be available for patients; (2) research into novel 
mechanisms to repair genetic abnormalities in patients with 
CMT; (3) research into interactions between neurons and glial 
cells that are disrupted and cause disability in many CMT 
patients; and (4) research into the biological role of 
inflammatory cells that may exacerbate disability in CMT 
patients. The Committee strongly urges the NINDS to capitalize 
on these recommendations and follow up with a relevant program 
announcement or request for applications. The Committee also 
requests an update on these activities in the fiscal year 2009 
congressional budget justifications.
    Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy [CIDP].--
The Committee urges the NINDS to support research to assist in 
the diagnosis and treatment of CIDP, a rare disorder of the 
peripheral nerves characterized by gradually increasing 
weakness of the legs and arms.
    Cognitive and Emotional Health Project [CEHP].--The 
Committee commends the NINDS for its cooperative efforts in 
producing a searchable database of studies and planning joint 
efforts to solicit research on enhancing healthy cognitive and 
emotional function.
    Dandy-Walker.--The Committee urges the NINDS to form a 
coordinating committee for Dandy-Walker and hydrocephalus 
research, and to sponsor a workshop to increase awareness and 
set national research priorities for these diseases.
    Down Syndrome.--The Committee notes the recent publication 
of a number of breakthrough studies concerning the structure 
and function of synapses in cognitive circuits in mouse models 
of Down syndrome. These findings suggest that important 
advances are possible in the near future that could enhance 
cognitive function in both children and adults with this 
disorder. The Committee notes that these advances were, in 
part, forecast by the Down syndrome workshop sponsored by the 
NINDS. The Committee commends the NINDS for its leadership in 
organizing the workshop and urges it to build upon the 
important findings that came out of the meeting. In particular, 
the Committee encourages the NINDS to identify opportunities 
for investigating the genetic and cellular basis for 
abnormalities in the structure and function of cognitive 
circuits in both the developing and mature nervous systems of 
people with Down syndrome. The NINDS is also encouraged to work 
with the NIA to develop strategies to investigate the biology 
of age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease and 
Parkinson's disease, in people with Down syndrome.
    Duchenne and Becker Muscular Dystrophy [DBMD] Translational 
Research.--The Committee understands that the NIH plans to 
convene a workshop examining DBMD translational opportunities 
later this year. The Committee is pleased that these actions 
are taking place and requests that the NINDS and the Muscular 
Dystrophy Coordinating Committee develop and submit to the 
Committee, by February 1, 2008, specific measurable milestones 
needed to establish a DBMD Translational Research Initiative. 
This information should be part of the annual report called for 
under the MD Care Act and be provided by the NINDS, with 
support from other appropriate Institutes, including the NIAMS 
and NHLBI. The Committee further requests a detailed timeline 
for establishing a DBMD translational research initiative by 
July 1, 2007, and it urges the involvement of representatives 
from the six MD centers of excellence.
    Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.--The Committee is pleased that 
the Muscular Dystrophy Coordinating Committee [MDCC] has 
approved the Action Plan for the Muscular Dystrophies. However, 
the plan does not make clear the agency or agencies tasked with 
primary and secondary responsibilities for achieving each of 
the 76 research objectives. The Committee requests the MDCC to 
designate those agencies by February 1, 2008. The Committee 
also encourages the NINDS, NIAMS, and NHLBI to provide the 
funding needed to support the research agenda at each of the 
six Paul Wellstone Muscular Dystrophy Cooperative Research 
Centers.
    Dystonia.--The Committee continues to support the expansion 
of research and treatment developments regarding dystonia, and 
it commends the NINDS for sponsoring the scientific workshop on 
dystonia in June 2006.
    Epilepsy.--The Committee applauds the Institute on the 
second ``Curing Epilepsy'' conference, held in March 2007, and 
it encourages the NINDS, along with the epilepsy community, to 
update the Epilepsy Research Benchmarks to reflect promising 
future directions for research toward a cure. The Committee 
requests an update in the fiscal year 2009 congressional budget 
justifications on the state of the science in epilepsy research 
and critical areas for future study, which should include 
collaborative initiatives with the NIMH, NIA, NICHD and patient 
and scientific organizations.
    Fragile X.--The Committee strongly endorses accelerated 
funding for basic and translational Fragile X research, 
especially efforts to analyze the linkages among Fragile X 
syndrome, autism, and autism spectrum disorders. The Committee 
urges the NINDS to participate in the scientific session 
described under the section on the NICHD and to collaborate 
with the Fragile X Centers of Excellence as well as the Fragile 
X Clinics Consortium.
    Hydrocephalus.--The NINDS is commended for taking lead 
sponsorship of the 2005 workshop ``Myths, New Facts, Clear 
Directions'' to set national research priorities for 
hydrocephalus. The Committee urges the Institute to 
significantly increase funding for hydrocephalus research and 
awareness along with actively soliciting grant applications 
based on the findings from the workshop. The Committee also 
encourages the NINDS to seek opportunities to collaborate with 
other Institutes, including the NIA, NICHD, NEI, NIBIB and ORD, 
in developing a coordinating committee to support research 
collaboratively in epidemiology.
    Lupus.--The Committee encourages the NINDS to expand and 
intensify research on lupus, which can attack the blood vessels 
in the brain, causing seizures, psychosis, and stroke.
    Mucolipidosis Type IV [ML4].--The gene causing this 
debilitating genetic metabolic disorder has been identified, so 
the Committee believes it is timely to increase funding that 
could lead to a treatment or cure. In particular, this should 
include research involving other organisms that bear genes 
resembling the one whose mutation in humans causes ML4.
    Neurofibromatosis [NF].--The Committee encourages the NINDS 
to continue its efforts in the creation, implementation and 
funding of NF pre-clinical and clinical trials infrastructures, 
including NF Centers, translational research, genetic and drug 
screening, training of new NF researchers, and clinical trials 
using existing and new drugs on NF patients. The Committee 
applauds the ongoing work of analyzing DNA of NF tumor samples, 
which not only will help find a treatment for NF but also 
connect it to other forms of cancers and other diseases.
    Opsoclonus-Myoclonus Syndrome [OMS].--The Committee 
continues to urge the Institute to accelerate research efforts 
to identify OMS susceptibility genes and biomarkers and to 
develop innovative immunotherapeutic strategies.
    Parkinson's Disease.--The Committee is concerned that NIH 
spending on Parkinson's disease research, overall, is 
declining. The Committee urges the NINDS to dedicate additional 
funding to pursue promising translational and clinical research 
that may result in scientific breakthroughs for people living 
with Parkinson's disease. The Committee commends the NIH for 
preparing the 2006 Parkinson's Disease Strategic Research Plan 
and requests a report by June 1, 2008, that would provide 
additional information on the Plan's implementation, including 
funding mechanisms used, such as program announcements, 
requests for proposals; budgetary estimates associated with 
each of the priority research areas identified by the Plan; 
anticipated next steps; and necessary funding levels.
    The Committee continues to support the Morris K. Udall 
Parkinson's Disease Research Centers of Excellence and applauds 
the creation of an additional center to further focus and 
manage their interdisciplinary efforts. The Committee further 
encourages NIH to require that the centers include a 
significant clinical component, in addition to their ongoing 
basic and translational research.
    Peripheral Neuropathy.--More than 60 percent of diabetic 
patients experience some degree of nerve damage that can lead 
to skin ulceration on the feet, poor wound healing, and, in 
extreme cases, lower limb amputation. The NINDS is recognized 
for organizing a workshop of leading experts in diabetic nerve 
damage who defined challenges and barriers to the successful 
implementation of clinical trials to combat this long-term 
complication. The NINDS is urged to consider establishing a 
clinical trial network to design and conduct clinical research 
protocols of new agents to prevent or treat diabetic nerve 
damage.
    Spina Bifida.--The Committee encourages the Institute to 
continue and expand research to address issues related to the 
prevention and treatment of spina bifida and associated 
secondary conditions such as hydrocephalus.
    Spinal Muscular Atrophy [SMA].--The Committee commends the 
NINDS for the advancement of the SMA Therapeutics Development 
program and strongly urges the Institute to continue 
identifying and completing preclinical research and development 
of SMA drug candidates. The Committee urges the NINDS to plan 
and budget for the successive stages of the project, including, 
most importantly, funding for clinical trials and 
infrastructure (e.g., site support, patient registries, 
biomarker development and natural history studies). Lastly, the 
Committee notes the need to expand basic research funding on 
SMA and requests that a request for applications be issued.
    Stroke.--The Committee commends the Institute for its 
leadership in initiating a strategic planning process for 
stroke research and expects that the NINDS will work with 
experts in the field to develop this initiative. The Committee 
urges the Institute to aggressively expand its investment in 
basic, clinical, translational, and trans-institute stroke 
research through all available mechanisms. The Committee is 
encouraged that the NINDS convened stroke experts to conduct a 
midpoint review of the 10-year plan outlined in the Stroke 
Progress Review Group report. The Committee strongly supports 
the full and timely implementation of the SPRG report, and it 
requests a written update on the implementation of the report 
by July 1, 2008, highlighting activities and initiatives for 
each of the remaining fiscal years of the plan.
    Stroke Rehabilitation.--The Committee notes the growing 
body of evidence that stroke victims do not achieve the fullest 
possible recovery from rehabilitation because of limited 
awareness of appropriate rehabilitation protocols. The 
Committee therefore urges the convening of an experts panel to 
examine this issue with the goal of developing consensus 
treatment protocols. Finally, the Committee urges 
implementation of the Stroke Progress Review Report's 
recommendations on recovery and rehabilitation.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC].--The Committee applauds 
the leadership undertaken at the NINDS to coordinate research 
on TSC through the Trans-NIH Tuberous Sclerosis Coordinating 
Committee. The Committee believes the scope of the committee 
should be broadened to include planning of international 
conferences and annual targeted workshops on specific areas of 
TSC research. The Committee also urges the NINDS Human Genetics 
Resource Center to develop a TSC DNA Repository that would 
serve as a research resource for the TSC research community. 
Finally, the Committee urges the NINDS to stimulate and support 
research on the role of early-onset seizures in TSC and 
subsequent cognitive development.
    Vulvodynia.--The Committee urges the NINDS, in coordination 
with the NICHD, ORWH, NIH Pain Consortium and other ICs, to 
expand its support of research in vulvodynia, with a focus on 
etiology and multi-center therapeutic trials. The Committee 
also calls on the NINDS to work with the ORWH and other 
relevant ICs and government agencies, as well as patient and 
professional organizations, to implement an educational 
outreach campaign on vulvodynia.

         NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $4,367,708,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   4,592,482,000
Committee recommendation................................   4,668,472,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,668,472,000 
for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases 
[NIAID]. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $4,367,708,000 
and the budget request is $4,592,482,000. Included in these 
funds is $300,000,000 to be transferred to the Global Fund to 
Fight HIV/ AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis. The fiscal year 
2007 transfer amount was $99,000,000. The comparable amounts 
for the budget estimate include funds to be transferred from 
the Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    The Committee has included bill language requested by the 
President that allows sums obligated in fiscal years 2003 
through 2007 for extramural facilities construction grants to 
remain available until expended.
    Antiviral Drug Resistance.--One of the major challenges in 
implementing therapies for hepatitis B and hepatitis C is 
antiviral drug resistance. The Committee encourages the 
development of standardized terminology to describe this 
resistance, as well as studies of the mechanism of resistance 
and methods to overcome it.
    Asthma.--The Committee urges the NIAID to continue to 
improve its focus and effort on asthma management, especially 
as it relates to children.
    Atopic Dermatitis and Asthma/Allergic Diseases.--The 
Committee applauds the NIAID for focusing on atopic dermatitis 
[AD] as a risk factor for adverse reactions to the smallpox 
vaccine. However, the Committee believes that the NIAID should 
focus additional attention on the relationship between AD and 
asthma and other allergic diseases. Studies have confirmed that 
individuals with severe AD are more likely to develop 
particularly severe asthma and allergies. The Committee 
encourages the NIAID to coordinate with other Institutes on a 
multidisciplinary initiative to encourage investigator-
initiated research projects on AD as it relates to the 
progression to asthma and other allergic diseases as well as 
changes in immune responses to allergen exposure in sensitized 
patients.
    Autoimmune Disease Research.--The Committee commends the 
NIAID for its successful renewal of the Autoimmune Prevention 
Centers initiative, which has generated and tested innovative 
ideas in autoimmune research.
    Biocontainment Labs.--In 2003, the NIH awarded contracts 
for construction of two extramural National Biocontainment 
Laboratories for research on infectious agents and related 
countermeasures. These facilities are due to open in 2008. The 
Committee encourages NIH to provide the Committee with its 
strategic plan for the continued operations of these facilities 
and for protection of the substantial Federal investment in 
them.
    Drug Development for Type 1 Diabetes.--The NIAID, in 
collaboration with the NIDDK, is recognized for its successful 
renewal of the Immune Tolerance Network [ITN], which designs 
and conducts clinical trials of new immune modulating therapies 
for type 1 diabetes and other diseases. The Committees 
encourages the NIAID to continue to explore opportunities for 
testing drugs that are already approved by the FDA for other 
indications for use as therapies for Type 1 diabetes.
    Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis.--The Committee is pleased 
that the NIAID plans to solicit grant applications for research 
on food allergy, and it urges the highest possible level of 
funding for this initiative. The Committee believes that a 
similar, complementary effort should be undertaken with respect 
to anaphylaxis. A report of a second symposium on anaphylaxis 
co-sponsored by the NIAID highlighted a number of areas 
requiring additional research, including the identification of 
relevant biomarkers; improved understanding of the basic 
immunology and pathophysiology of anaphylaxis; and studies of 
the mechanisms that determine the severity of allergic 
reactions and the variability of organ system responses. The 
report also noted that the three-step treatment follow-up 
recommended for anaphylaxis is ``infrequently performed in 
North American emergency departments.'' The Committee urges the 
NIAID to stimulate investigator-initiated research on 
anaphylaxis including clinical studies of ways to improve its 
diagnosis and prevention as well as emergency treatment. The 
Committee requests a report outlining these efforts in the 
fiscal year 2009 congressional budget justifications.
    Hepatitis B.--The Committee encourages the NIAID to 
continue work in the area of therapeutic drug discovery for 
hepatitis B.
    Inflammatory Bowel Disease [IBD].--The Committee continues 
to encourage the NIAID to expand its research partnerships with 
the IBD community and increase funding for research focused on 
the immunology of IBD and the interaction of genetics and 
environmental factors in the development of the disease, 
particularly in pediatric populations.
    Liver Transplantation.--The Committee applauds the 
significant progress in developing successful techniques for 
liver transplantation, but notes that more work remains on 
improving the long-term quality of life of individuals who 
receive such transplants. The Committee urges additional 
research in this area, as well as research to improve patient 
and graft survival, and pre-transplant graft evaluation and 
preservation, with a particular focus on research to reduce and 
eventually eliminate a transplant recipient's dependence on 
immunosuppressive drugs.
    Lupus.--The Committee urges the NIAID to expand and 
intensify genetic, clinical, and basic research on lupus, with 
particularly strong focus on gene-gene and gene-environmental 
interactions, epidemiological research, biomarkers, pediatric 
research, environmental factors, and factors related to the 
health disparities and co-morbidities associated with this 
diseases.
    Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Diseases.--With a 
portfolio that includes chronic infections, immune-mediated 
diseases, transplantation, allergy, asthma and airway 
infections, the NIAID has a significant stake in advancing 
lymphatic research. The Committee urges the NIAID to work 
closely with the NHLBI to support research that addresses the 
immune functions of the lymphatic system and the role of immune 
mechanisms and inflammation in lymphatic diseases, with 
particular attention to the immunodeficient complications 
associated with congenital lymphatic malformations and 
lymphedema.
    Malaria.--The Committee urges the NIAID to allocate 
additional resources to support malaria vaccine development, 
drug development, diagnostics, vector control, infrastructure 
and research capability, and to strengthen components of the 
Implementation Plan for Global Research on Malaria. The 
Committee is concerned that reports of drug-resistant malaria 
and insecticide-resistant mosquitoes are on the rise. To that 
end, the Committee urges the NIAID to undertake additional 
research on the basic biology and ecology of mosquitoes, as 
well as work in genomics to develop new insecticides or render 
mosquitoes incapable of transmitting malaria.
    Nontuberculous Mycobacteria [NTM].--The Committee commends 
the NIAID for its planning meetings regarding NTM and 
recommends further collaboration with the NHLBI, the advocacy 
community and other Federal agencies. The Committee encourages 
the NIAID to advance the understanding of NTM by establishing a 
national registry of patients. Further, the Committee 
encourages the NIAID to issue a program announcement or other 
appropriate mechanism to ensure the initiation of grant 
proposals and other activities in NTM.
    Parasitic Tropical Diseases.--The Committee urges the NIAID 
to continue research on the development of new vaccines, 
diagnostics, and safe, effective treatments for cholera, 
African trypanosomiasis (African Sleeping Sickness), American 
trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), visceral leishmaniasis, 
Buruli ulcer, and other debilitating parasitic infections.
    Primary Immunodeficiency [PI] Diseases.--The NIAID is the 
lead agency for research into bone marrow transplantation, 
which can cure some primary immunodeficiencies. The Institute 
has made significant progress in reducing graft versus host 
disease [GVHD] and improving therapies when GVHD develops. With 
newborn screening of certain PI diseases being piloted in the 
States, the Committee urges the Institute to redouble its 
efforts to assure that identified patients have the best 
possible chance for survival.
    Tuberculosis.--The Committee is extremely concerned about 
the spread of tuberculosis in the United States and around the 
world, and urges the NIAID to continue supporting research 
toward the development of improved medications; an effective, 
safe vaccine; and diagnostics.
    U.S. Immunodeficiency Network [USIDNet].--The Committee 
recognizes the importance of the USIDNET research and training 
portfolio and urges the NIAID to increase support for the 
consortium. This unique program provides a mechanism to foster 
progress in this important and under-supported group of primary 
immunodeficiency diseases [PIDD] that historically have 
impacted clinical medicine far beyond their proportional 
representation in the population. The program supports research 
in this area by both new and established investigators with a 
goal of training the next generation of clinicians and 
scientists to take on the questions that can continue to 
benefit the greater population with suppressed immune systems. 
A DNA and cell repository and an immunodeficiency patient 
registry have been established to further facilitate research 
in this area. The registry can provide a mechanism of improved 
communication with patients to assist recognition of new 
patterns of disease and long-term surveillance of the effect of 
therapeutics and live-agent vaccines in this patient group.

             NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,935,808,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,941,462,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,978,601,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $1,978,601,000 for 
the National Institute of General Medical Sciences [NIGMS]. The 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $1,935,808,000 and the 
administration's request is $1,941,462,000. The comparable 
amounts for the budget estimate include funds to be transferred 
from the Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Behavioral Research.--The Committee continues to be 
concerned that the NIGMS does not support basic behavioral 
research. The Institute's statutory mandate includes basic 
behavioral research and training, and the Committee believes 
that the NIGMS has a scientific mandate in this area because of 
the clear relevance of fundamental behavioral factors to a 
variety of diseases and health conditions. To date, the NIGMS 
has not responded to this concern despite the recommendation of 
an NIH working group that called for the establishment of such 
a program, and similar recommendations from the National 
Academy of Sciences, the Institute of Medicine, and others. The 
Committee expects the NIGMS to support basic behavioral 
research and training.
    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. In addition, the Committee encourages the 
NIGMS to seek out innovative partnerships with professional 
societies and other scientific and educational organizations to 
recruit and retain minority or disadvantaged students in the 
research pipeline.

        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,254,707,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,264,946,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,282,231,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,282,231,000 
for the National Institute of Child Health and Human 
Development [NICHD]. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$1,254,707,000 and the administration's request is 
$1,264,946,000. The comparable amounts for the budget estimate 
include funds to be transferred from the Office of AIDS 
Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Adverse Pregnancy Outcome.--A recent national study showed 
that the rate of pre-term births among first pregnancies has 
increased 50 percent over the past decade; women in their first 
pregnancy are at highest risk for developing preeclampsia; and 
black women have a two-fold higher risk of these problems than 
white women. The Committee requests that the NICHD launch an 
intensive research study of first pregnancy women in order to 
fill the major gap in the research on the etiology, mechanisms 
and prevention of these complications. The Committee also urges 
the NICHD to investigate the rates of adverse pregnancy 
outcomes in pregnancies associated with assisted reproductive 
technology [ART]. The Committee urges the NICHD to support a 
multi-center cohort study on ART that would emphasize pregnancy 
outcomes, and short-and long-term effects on children, to 
determine if the adverse outcomes are specifically related to 
ART procedures versus underlying factors within the couple.
    Behavioral Science.--The Committee continues its strong 
support for the broad portfolio of behavioral research at the 
NICHD.
    Childhood Obesity.--The Committee continues its support for 
NICHD research on the behavioral and social factors that 
contribute to childhood obesity.
    Demographic Research.--The Committee applauds the NICHD for 
its strong support of demographic research, which has resulted 
in a greater understanding of such topics as family dynamics 
and immigration. The NICHD is encouraged to provide additional 
resources on research that addresses the future of America's 
families, including the forces affecting birth rates and family 
investments in children. The Institute should also actively 
support opportunities for interdisciplinary research into the 
complex socioeconomic and biological mechanisms that produce 
health disparities within our population. To ensure the 
continued vitality of this program, the Committee urges the 
NICHD to maintain its levels of investment in demographic 
training and infrastructure support.
    Diabetes Research in Children.--The Committee commends the 
NICHD for its support of the Diabetes Research in Children 
Network [DirecNet], which has made excellent progress in 
studying glucose control and the application of new 
technologies in a pediatric population with diabetes.
    Dietary Intervention to Prevent Juvenile Diabetes.--The 
Committee applauds the NICHD for its oversight of the Trial to 
Reduce IDDM in the Genetically at Risk [TRIGR] study, which is 
testing whether substitution of hydrolyzed cow's milk in an 
infant's diet can reduce the rate of type 1 diabetes in 
children. The Committee urges the NICHD to continue its strong 
support of TRIGR to follow the study participants over the next 
10 years.
    Down Syndrome.--The Committee commends the NICHD on earlier 
efforts to supply mouse models of Down syndrome for the 
research community. It now encourages the NICHD to partner with 
the NINDS and other agencies to define additional mouse models 
needed to link important structural and functional 
abnormalities that underlie cognitive difficulties to the 
actions of specific genes and gene pathways. The Committee 
urges the NICHD to take a leadership role in providing a robust 
research portfolio that addresses the problems that affect 
children with Down syndrome and to work collaboratively with 
other Institutes to carry out this mission.
    Early Language Development.--The Committee applauds the 
NICHD's continued support of research in early language 
development, particularly studies that underscore the 
importance of social interaction as a necessary component for 
language learning. The Committee encourages further research to 
help understand which components of social interaction are 
critical for language development, and how this knowledge can 
be used to improve the linguistic skills of those with social 
impairments.
    Epilepsy.--Epilepsy often begins in childhood, and even in 
its mildest forms can modify brain development, with lifelong 
effects on cognitive processes ranging from learning 
disabilities to severe developmental disabilities. Recurring 
seizures are also common for children with autism, brain 
tumors, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, tuberous sclerosis 
and a variety of genetic syndromes and may dramatically add to 
the burden of these disorders. The Committee urges the NICHD to 
make research in epilepsy a priority, with particular emphasis 
on developmental effects, and to coordinate these efforts with 
the NINDS.
    Family Formation.--The Committee encourages the NICHD to 
continue to fund research on effective ways to promote and 
sustain healthy family formations, particularly for low-income 
families and families of color.
    Fragile X.--The Committee strongly encourages the NICHD to 
support upcoming clinical drug trials of pharmaceuticals 
indicated for treatment for Fragile X. In addition, the 
Committee endorses accelerated funding for basic and 
translational Fragile X research, including efforts to analyze 
the linkages among Fragile X, autism, and autism spectrum 
disorders. The Committee is encouraged by the efforts of all of 
the Institutes supporting Fragile X research to coordinate 
Fragile X research and encourages them to intensify and 
expedite this effort. The Committee urges the NIH, through the 
NICHD and other participating Institutes, to convene a 
scientific session in 2008 to develop pathways to new 
opportunities for collaborative, directed research across 
Institutes, and to produce a blueprint of coordinated research 
strategies and public-private partnership opportunities for 
Fragile X. In these efforts, the NICHD is urged to collaborate 
with the three existing federally funded Fragile X Centers of 
Excellence as well as the Fragile X Clinics Consortium. The 
Committee requests the NICHD to report to Congress by September 
1, 2008, on its progress in achieving these goals. The 
Committee also urges the NICHD to continue to prioritize 
Fragile X as a key prototype in the development of cost-
effective newborn screening programs.
    Fragile X-associated Premature Ovarian Failure [POF].--POF 
is a condition in which the ovaries stop functioning normally 
in a woman younger than age 40. Studies show that it is often 
associated with the FMR1 gene, the same gene that causes 
Fragile X syndrome. The Committee acknowledges the importance 
of furthering research into the FMR1 premutation to inform the 
research community about the genetic causes of infertility and 
disorders of altered ovarian function. The Committee supports 
further research efforts focused on collecting genetic 
information from women who possess a mutation of the FMR1 gene 
as well as women who have POF. To accomplish this goal, the 
Committee urges the NICHD to include the collection of genetic 
data on women who are relatives of people living with Fragile X 
in the development of a National Fragile X Patient Registry in 
order to facilitate genetic screening and counseling services 
for family members who may be at risk of Fragile X. 
Additionally, the NICHD is encouraged to address POF as it 
relates to the FMR1 gene in the development of a blueprint on 
Fragile X research opportunities.
    Liver Wellness in Children.--The National Children's Study 
provides a unique opportunity to study the prevalence of 
obesity-related chronic liver disease, also known as non-
alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH], from birth to early 
adulthood. The Committee urges the NICHD to analyze the 
prevalence of NASH under the NCS to better understand obesity-
related chronic illnesses in children and to work with other 
agencies in the screening and prevention of these diseases.
    Mental Retardation.--The Committee recognizes the 
contributions of the Mental Retardation/Developmental 
Disabilities Research Centers [MRDDRC] toward understanding why 
child development goes awry, discovering ways to prevent 
developmental disabilities, and discovering treatments and 
interventions to improve the lives of people with developmental 
disabilities and their families. The Committee is particularly 
pleased with the MRDDRC contributions in the areas of autism, 
Fragile X syndrome, Down syndrome and other genetic and 
environmentally induced disorders. However, the Committee is 
concerned that the MRDDRCs do not have sufficient resources to 
sustain the progress made in this critical area and is 
especially concerned with the cut in support for recently 
funded centers. The Committee urges the NICHD to restore these 
reductions and to the extent possible provide additional 
resources to the MRDDRCs.
    National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research 
[NCMRR].--The Committee notes that while the NCMRR has the lead 
at NIH for medical rehabilitation, 15 other institutes and 
centers also fund research in this area. The Committee urges 
the NCMRR to provide leadership for this trans-NIH research and 
to increase its focus on institutional and career development 
awards with the goal of raising the applicant success rates of 
the several under-represented health professions that can 
contribute significantly to the field, such as occupational 
therapists. The Committee also urges the NCMRR to support 
research on pulmonary rehabilitation.
    Neurofibromatosis.--The Committee continues to encourage 
the NICHD to issue RFAs for NF research, aggressively pursue 
and expand funding of clinical trials for NF patients in the 
area of learning disabilities and support the creation of NF 
Centers involved with treating and curing learning 
disabilities.
    Preterm Birth.--The Committee commends the NICHD for its 
sustained investment in prematurity research through the 
Maternal-Fetal Medicine Network, the Neonatal Research Network 
and the Genomics and Proteomics Network. The Committee strongly 
encourages the NICHD to expand research on the underlying 
causes of preterm delivery and the development of treatments 
for the prevention of premature birth.
    Primary Immunodeficiency [PI] Diseases.--The Committee 
continues to support the NICHD's efforts to educate physicians 
and the public regarding this class of about 140 diseases. The 
Committee also encourages the Institute's focus on newborn 
screening research as States begin to implement pilot newborn 
screening programs for SCID, one of the most severe forms of 
PI. The NICHD is urged to coordinate its efforts with the CDC 
and the States in this implementation period.
    Obstetric Systematic Reviews.--The Committee continues to 
encourage the NICHD to support obstetric systemic reviews, 
which provide an important resource to practicing physicians 
and the general public.
    Spina Bifida.--The Committee strongly urges the NICHD to 
make a greater investment in the prevention and treatment of 
spina bifida and its associated secondary conditions. In 
particular, the Committee urges a stronger emphasis on 
understanding the myriad co-morbid conditions experienced by 
children with spina bifida, including paralysis and 
developmental delay.
    Spinal Muscular Atrophy [SMA].--The Committee has stated in 
previous years that improving the diagnosis of SMA and 
accelerating the development of treatments for this disease is 
consistent with the NICHD's mission. However, the Committee is 
concerned that the NICHD has dedicated only minimal resources 
specifically to initiate work and sustain ongoing resources for 
SMA. The Committee again urges the NICHD to fund specific 
basic, translational and clinical research initiatives on SMA. 
Further, the Committee urges the NICHD to coordinate its 
efforts with the NINDS and NIGMS.
    Stillbirth.--The Committee applauds the NICHD's efforts to 
address stillbirth and urges the Institute to fully fund the 
cooperative network's ongoing study using a standard protocol 
at five clinical sites.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC].--Individuals with TSC--
many of whom are infants and young children--face a lifetime of 
suffering with seizures, behavioral disorders, autism and 
mental retardation. The Committee urges the NICHD to stimulate 
and support research on the link between autism and TSC, 
specifically the role of the TSC1/2 genes in autism. The 
Committee also urges the NICHD to stimulate and support 
research on the role of early-onset seizures in TSC and 
subsequent cognitive development.
    Uterine Fibroids.--The Committee encourages the NICHD to 
expand, intensify, and coordinate programs for the conduct and 
support of research with respect to uterine fibroids. Current 
research and available data do not provide adequate information 
on the rates of prevalence and incidents of fibroids in Asian, 
Hispanic, and other minority women, the costs associated with 
treating fibroids, and the methods by which fibroids may be 
prevented in these women.
    Vulvodynia.--As a result of efforts funded by the NICHD, 
the number of highly qualified scientists interested in 
researching vulvodynia has greatly increased. The Committee 
commends the NICHD for reissuing its program announcement in 
this area; however, to ensure that experts in vulvodynia, and 
related chronic pain and female reproductive system conditions, 
are adequately represented on peer review panels, the Committee 
recommends that future program announcements on vulvodynia be 
issued with ``special review.'' The Committee commends the 
NICHD for supporting two new projects on vulvodynia in 2006 and 
strongly urges the Institute to increase the number of awards 
for vulvodynia studies in fiscal year 2008, with a particular 
emphasis on etiology and multi-center therapeutic trials. 
Finally, the Committee commends the NICHD for working with the 
ORWH to implement an educational outreach campaign on 
vulvodynia, and calls upon the Institute to continue these 
efforts.

                         NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $667,116,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     667,820,000
Committee recommendation................................     681,962,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $681,962,000 
for the National Eye Institute [NEI]. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $667,116,000 and the budget request is 
$667,820,000. The comparable amounts for the budget estimate 
include funds to be transferred from the Office of AIDS 
Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Age-related Macular Degeneration [AMD].--The Committee 
commends the NEI for its trans-institute research into the 
cause, prevention and treatment of AMD, the Nation's leading 
cause of blindness, including the identification of gene 
variants associated with an increased risk for AMD, which 
presents an opportunity to predict and preempt the disease. The 
Committee encourages further research into diagnostics for 
early detection and appropriate therapies. The Committee also 
applauds the NEI for initiating the second phase of its Age-
related Eye Disease Study [AREDS], in which additional dietary 
supplements are being studied to determine if they can 
demonstrate or enhance their protective effects against 
progression to the advanced form of AMD, as shown with dietary 
zinc and antioxidant vitamins in the study's first phase.
    Diabetes Management Devices.--The Committee is aware that a 
significant proportion of Americans with diabetes are visually 
impaired and that there are currently no state-of-the-art 
glucose monitoring or insulin delivery devices that are user-
friendly and accessible to Americans with blindness and low 
vision. The Committee therefore urges the NEI, in collaboration 
with the NIDDK and the Food and Drug Administration, to sponsor 
a scientific workshop that would include representatives from 
diabetes management device manufacturers and representatives of 
organizations that address the technology access needs of 
Americans with low vision or blindness to document and clarify 
the technical capabilities of the devices currently on the 
market and to develop standards for device accessibility for 
Americans with low vision or blindness.
    Diabetic Eye Disease.--The Committee applauds the NEI for 
the collaborative efforts of the Diabetic Retinopathy Clinical 
Research Network to test innovative treatments for diabetic eye 
disease. The Institute is encouraged to expand and extend the 
network by increasing the number of clinical trials with new 
drugs and therapeutics that can treat and prevent diabetic 
retinopathy.

          NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SCIENCES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $642,002,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     637,406,000
Committee recommendation................................     656,176,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $656,176,000 
for the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences 
[NIEHS]. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $642,002,000 
and the budget request was $637,406,000. The comparable amounts 
for the budget estimate include funds to be transferred from 
the Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Alternative Methods.--The Committee commends the National 
Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Methods/
Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Validation of 
Alternative Methods [NICEATM/ICCVAM] for commencing a process 
for developing a 5-year plan to research, develop, translate 
and validate new and revised non-animal and other alternative 
assays for integration of relevant and reliable methods into 
the Federal agency testing programs. The 5-year plan shall be 
used to prioritize areas, including tiered testing and 
evaluation frameworks, that have the potential to most 
significantly and rapidly reduce, refine or replace laboratory 
animal methods while at the same time providing an adequate 
degree of scientific certainty for protection of health and the 
environment.
    Asthma.--Given the link between environmental factors and 
the onset of asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease 
[COPD], and pulmonary fibrosis, the Committee encourages the 
NIEHS to further develop research initiatives to understand the 
environmental and genetic risk factors for predisposing some 
individuals to and in controlling the severity of these lung 
diseases.
    Autism.--The Committee remains strongly interested in 
possible environmental causes or triggers of autism. The 
Committee commends the NIEHS for convening an expert panel in 
May 2006 regarding thimerosal exposure in response to fiscal 
year 2006 report language. The report from the workshop, titled 
``Thimerasol Exposure in Pediatric Vaccines,'' concluded that 
comparing the rates of autism in the Vaccine Safety Datalink 
[VSD] over the time period before, during and after the removal 
of thimerasol from most childhood vaccines would be 
``uninformative and potentially misleading.'' The report also 
outlined three alternate studies that could address possible 
associations between thimerosal exposure and increased rates of 
autism. The Committee urges the NIEHS to evaluate the merit of 
conducting these alternate studies and provide an update in the 
fiscal year 2009 congressional budget justifications.
    Behavioral Research.--The Committee encourages the NIEHS to 
maintain its steps toward integrating basic behavioral and 
social science research into its portfolio. The NIEHS is urged 
to expand partnerships with OBSSR and other institutes to fund 
research on common interest including gene and environment 
interactions and health.
    Bone Marrow Failure Diseases.--While there are no known 
causes of bone marrow failure diseases such as aplastic anemia, 
myelodysplastic syndromes [MDS], and paroxysmal nocturnal 
hemoglobinuria [PNH], they have been linked to environmental 
factors. The Committee encourages the NIEHS to work with the 
NHLBI and NCI to fund research that explores these links.
    Genes and Environment Initiative.--The Committee strongly 
supports the trans-institute effort of the NIEHS and NHGRI to 
identify the genetic and environmental underpinnings of asthma, 
diabetes, cancer, and other common illnesses, focusing on the 
development of innovative technologies for assessing the role 
that environmental exposures and genetic variation play in the 
risk of developing disease.
    Global Environmental Health.--The Committee encourages the 
Institute's effort to develop a Global Environmental Health 
Initiative designed to identify diseases where environment 
plausibly constitutes a significant contributor to human 
disease, develop methodological approaches for advancing 
research and interventions/therapies on this topic, and support 
successful and meaningful research in global environmental 
health.
    Lupus.--As lupus can be triggered by environmental factors, 
the Committee encourages the Institute to expand and intensify 
research on this disease.
    Parkinson's Disease.--The Committee commends the NIEHS for 
funding the Collaborative Centers for Neurodegenerative Disease 
Environmental Research [CCNDER] to foster multidisciplinary 
research approaches to elucidate gene-environment interactions 
in neurodegenerative diseases. The Committee encourages the 
NIEHS to ensure that the CCNDER program continues to pursue 
promising Parkinson's research resulting from the Collaborative 
Centers for Parkinson's Disease Environmental Research [CCPDER] 
program. The Committee also encourages the NIEHS to work in 
conjunction with other NIH institutes and CDC, as necessary, to 
investigate the incidence of Parkinson's disease, including 
age, occupation, and geographic population clusters, and 
related environmental factors relating to the disease. The 
Committee requests an update on these efforts in the report 
discussed under the NINDS.

                      NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,047,260,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,047,148,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,073,048,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $1,073,048,000 for 
the National Institute on Aging [NIA]. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $1,047,260,000 and the budget request was 
$1,047,148,000. The comparable amounts for the budget estimate 
include funds to be transferred from the Office of AIDS 
Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Aging and the Workplace.--NIA is encouraged to continue its 
program of research on aging and work, on such important topics 
as improved design of jobs, the workplace, and work schedules 
to accommodate an aging workforce; potential changes in benefit 
plans for an aging workforce; and changing attitudes toward 
work and retirement as the baby boom generation reaches what 
was once considered the age of retirement.
    Alzheimer's Disease.--Unless science soon finds ways to 
prevent, cure or more effectively treat Alzheimer's, by mid-
century as many as 16 million persons will be living with this 
disease. To prevent this will require a stepped-up investment 
in a comprehensive Alzheimer research strategy that includes: 
basic investigator-initiated research to isolate the best 
targets for drug development; cost-effective interdisciplinary 
research across multiple institutions that shares data and 
biological materials; multi-site clinical trials to test 
potential therapies; and larger-scale clinical studies, 
including neuroimaging techniques, to find early biomarkers of 
disease so as to speed drug discovery and to identify those at 
risk so treatment can start soon enough to make a difference. 
As the lead institute in Alzheimer research, the NIA is urged 
to expand its investment into finding more effective treatments 
and prevention strategies for at-risk individuals.
    Behavioral Research.--The Committee commends the NIA for 
participating in the Cognitive and Emotional Health Project in 
collaboration with the NIMH and NINDS, which will support 
research on maintaining cognitive and emotional health in later 
life.
    Biology of Aging.--The Committee commends the NIA for work 
it has done to improve understanding of the biological factors 
that regulate the processes of aging. These new discoveries 
have led many scientists to believe that it may become possible 
to postpone the onset of a wide range of fatal and disabling 
diseases, in a coordinated fashion, by retardation of the aging 
process. It is widely understood that chronic illness is a 
powerful driver of medical costs, which in the United States 
are expected to reach $16,000,000,000,000 annually by 2030. To 
alleviate this financial burden and to develop interventions 
that can extend health and longevity, the Committee urges the 
NIH to increase dramatically its annual investment in the 
biological basis of aging.
    Bone Strength.--The Committee continues to encourage the 
NIA, in conjunction with the NIAMS, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDDK, NCRR 
and NHLB, to support research, including research on bone 
structure and periosteal biology, that will achieve 
identification of the parameters that influence bone strength 
and lead to better prediction for prevention and treatment of 
bone diseases.
    Demographic and Economic Research.--The Committee urges the 
NIA to sustain its commitment to the Demography of Aging 
centers program and continue its current support of the 
economic and demographic components of the Roybal Centers for 
Applied Gerontology. Finally, the Committee commends the NIA 
for elevating the dialogue surrounding global aging issues by 
hosting with the Department of State the Summit on Global 
Aging.
    Down Syndrome.--The Committee commends the NIA for its 
support of studies to examine the cellular, molecular and 
genetic bases for age-related neuropathological and cognitive 
abnormalities in people with Down syndrome. It encourages the 
NIA to further examine these abnormalities and to devise new 
methods for diagnosing and treating them. Given that all people 
with Down syndrome develop the neuropathological changes of 
Alzheimer's disease, and that many or most go on to suffer 
dementia, the NIA is encouraged to consider how studies of the 
Down syndrome population might enhance the ability to 
understand, diagnose and treat Alzheimer's disease. The 
Committee urges the NIA to collaborate with other institutes to 
address the issues that face elderly adults with Down syndrome.
    Epilepsy.--The Committee urges the NIA, working with the 
NINDS, to continue research on why epilepsy develops in 
association with diseases of the elderly and to develop 
therapies to prevent the occurrence of seizures and to diminish 
their consequences in this population.
    Exercise and Aging.--Given the positive impact of exercise 
on many aspects of aging, from improved cognition and decreased 
depression to fewer falls and fractures, the Committee is very 
supportive of NIA's taking additional steps in exercise 
research.
    Fragile X-Associated Tremor/Ataxia Syndrome [FXTAS].--The 
Committee urges the NIA to expand its existing dialogue with 
the NINDS to fund research on FXTAS. Given the link between 
FXTAS and adult-onset disorders, this disease may serve as a 
gateway to understanding parkinsonism and dementia. The NIA is 
urged to participate in the NIH's efforts to develop a 
coordinated design of Fragile X research strategies and public-
private partnership opportunities as they relate to FXTAS.
    Healthy Brain.--The Committee encourages the NIA's 
cooperation with other Institutes and Centers on the Healthy 
Brain Project.
    Hematology.--The Committee commends the Institute for its 
increased emphasis on research in thrombotic disorders and 
anemia in the elderly. The frequency of other hematologic 
diseases, including most of the blood cancers, also increases 
dramatically with age. The Committee encourages the NIA to 
further its efforts in research in hematologic issues affecting 
the elderly, including hematologic malignancies and anemias of 
inflammation and chronic disease.
    Stereotypes.--The NIA is encouraged to expand its work on 
the role of stereotypes in the functioning of the aging and 
elderly. The Committee is interested in the social and cultural 
transformation that is taking place as the population ages, and 
as the workforce ages, and encourages additional research on 
stereotypes that may hinder or otherwise affect how our society 
manages the transformation.

 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ARTHRITIS AND MUSCULOSKELETAL AND SKIN DISEASES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $508,240,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     508,082,000
Committee recommendation................................     519,810,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $519,810,000 
for the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and 
Skin Diseases [NIAMS]. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$508,240,000 and the budget request is $508,082,000. The 
comparable amounts for the budget estimate include funds to be 
transferred from the Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Burden of Skin Diseases.--The Committee continues to urge 
the NIAMS to expand its research portfolio on skin disease and 
develop partnerships with the skin disease research community.
    Congenic and Genetic Disease of Bone.--The Committee 
understands that the science of genetics has led to a greater 
understanding of numerous systems that affect bone health, but 
little of this technology is being applied to bone research. 
The Committee encourages the NIAMS and NICHD to support 
research focusing on mechanisms for preventing fractures and 
improving bone quality and correcting malformations; on 
innovations in surgical and non-surgical approaches to 
treatment; on physical factors that affect growth; and on 
genetic defects that cause bone disease. Furthermore, the 
Committee urges the NIAMS, NICHD, NIDCR, and NIDDK to expand 
research on skeletal stem cell biology and the genetics and 
pathophysiology of rare disorders such as fibrous dysplasia, 
melhoreostosis, XLinked hypophosphatemic rickets and 
fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva.
    Lupus.--The Committee urges the NIAMS to expand and 
intensify genetic, clinical, and basic research on lupus, with 
particular focus on understanding the underlying mechanisms of 
disease, gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions, 
epidemiological research, lupus and kidney disease, biomarkers, 
pediatric research, environmental factors and factors related 
to the health disparities and comorbidities associated with 
lupus.
    Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Diseases.--The lymphatics 
are central to the function of bone, muscle, skin and joint 
tissues. The Committee urges the NIAMS to place a high priority 
on research in lymphatic biology and disease, with the goal of 
improving the understanding of inflammatory, autoimmune and 
fibrotic mechanisms that impact a myriad of diseases and bodily 
functions.
    Marfan Syndrome.--The Committee commends the NIAMS for the 
leading role it has played in advancing basic research on 
Marfan syndrome. The Committee notes with interest an NHLBI-
sponsored clinical trial on the potential benefits of the drug 
losartan in addressing the cardiovascular manifestations of 
Marfan syndrome. The Committee encourages the NIAMS to partner 
with the NHLBI on this research where appropriate, including 
support for ancillary studies that fall under the mission and 
jurisdiction of the NIAMS.
    Musculoskeletal Trauma and Skeletal Pain.--The Committee 
urges the NIAMS, NIA, NIDCR, and NCCAM to study ways to better 
understand the epidemiology of back pain and improve existing 
diagnostic techniques, as well as develop new ones. The 
Committee also encourages the NIAMS, NIBIB, NICHD, NIDCR, NIDDK 
and NIA to expand research to improve diagnostic and 
therapeutic approaches to lower the impact of musculoskeletal 
traumas, as well as research on accelerated fracture healing--
including the use of biochemical or physical bone stimulation, 
the role of hematopoietic niches to preserve bone stem cells, 
the use of mesenchymal bone stem cells, and biomaterials and 
biologicals in bone repair and regeneration--and research into 
repair of nonunion fractures in osteogenesis imperfecta.
    Paget's Disease.--The Committee urges the NIAMS to continue 
to study the prevalence, cause, and treatment of Paget's 
disease.
    Psoriasis.--The Committee strongly urges the NIAMS to 
expand genetic, clinical, and basic research related to the 
understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of 
psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis research. Moreover, 
additional attention is needed to conclusively identify the 
major psoriasis gene as well as others that contribute to 
psoriasis and/or psoriatic arthritis genetic susceptibility. 
The Committee is concerned about recent studies illustrating an 
elevated risk for certain chronic diseases, such as heart 
attack and diabetes, among individuals with psoriasis, and 
therefore urges the NIAMS to examine the relationship between 
co-morbidities and psoriasis, including shared molecular 
pathways. Further, the Committee encourages the NIAMS to 
undertake studies to understand individual response to 
particular therapies for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, 
determine if psoriatic arthritis can be prevented in those who 
are at risk, and examine joint inflammation and the associated 
damage caused by psoriatic arthritis.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC].--The Committee urges the 
NIAMS to support clinical trials that specifically target skin 
manifestations of TSC (facial angiofibromas, hypomelanotic 
macules, Shagreen patches, etc.). The Committee also urges the 
NIAMS to support basic research on the mTOR signaling pathway 
and the role of the TSC1/2 genes in skin and muscle cells.

    NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DEAFNESS AND OTHER COMMUNICATION DISORDERS

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $393,668,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     393,682,000
Committee recommendation................................     402,680,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $402,680,000 
for the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication 
Disorders [NIDCD]. The budget request is $393,682,000 and the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $393,668,000. The comparable 
amounts for the budget estimate include funds to be transferred 
from the Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Animal Models of Plasticity.--The Committee emphasizes the 
importance of research into the brain's response to and changes 
due to stimulation by sound or electricity, as hearing loss 
will increasingly be ameliorated through advanced restorative 
technologies such as amplification devices and cochlear 
prostheses. Focus should be on how hearing loss changes the 
central nervous system, with studies at the level of synaptic 
connections through studies of perceptual learning. These 
should include studies of neural coding, neural network 
function, and ``critical periods'' during life when central 
auditory processing is affected. The Committee also encourages 
the use of new methodologies, including computational models, 
emerging optical tools and new anatomical methods and models.
    Early Detection and Intervention.--The Committee continues 
to support expanded research on early detection, diagnosis and 
optimal intervention strategies for infants identified at birth 
with hearing loss and other communication disorders. The 
Committee urges the NIDCD to accelerate efforts to define the 
role of congenital exposure to cytomegalovirus in progressive 
hearing loss in childhood and foster research to identify novel 
effective intervention strategies to prevent otitis media and 
lessen dependence on antibiotic therapies.
    Environmentally Induced Hearing Loss.--The Committee 
remains concerned by the number of Americans who suffer from 
chemical and noise-induced hearing loss. It strongly supports 
informing the public of the risks to the auditory system from 
excessive noise, with special emphasis on young individuals. 
Therefore, the expansion of NIDCD's Wise Ears! Campaign is 
greatly encouraged.
    Funding Strategies.--The Committee suggests that the NIDCD 
consider novel funding formats such as multi-year project 
periods, with the first several years devoted to technology 
development and the second several years devoted to 
implementation of the technology. The Committee also encourages 
the NIDCD to consider funding collaborations with foundations 
and/or other non-government funders of deafness-related 
research.
    Hearing Devices.--Recognizing that more people are 
receiving cochlear implants, the Committee recommends tissue 
engineering research to improve their efficacy and, for 
recipients of two implants, research to improve spatial 
hearing. The Committee also encourages the NIDCD to support 
research building on developments in brain stem prostheses.
    Hereditary Hearing Loss.--The Committee urges the NIDCD to 
continue to support molecular and cellular research to identify 
the structure, regulation and function of genes whose mutation 
results in human communication disorders. In addition, 
acknowledging the progress of the HapMap Project, the Committee 
encourages the NIDCD to consider large-scale screening of 
patients with hearing and other communication disorders to 
determine the loci of mutant genes relevant to susceptibility 
to manifestation of various outcomes.
    Inner Ear Hair Cell Regeneration.--The Committee applauds 
past support of regenerative studies and urges the NIDCD to 
continue to give a high priority to biological molecular and 
genetic research aimed at preventing the loss of hair cells and 
replacing lost and dying inner ear hair cells and other cells 
compromised by aging, drugs, noise and genetic conditions. The 
Committee encourages the NIDCD to build on animal studies 
demonstrating the possibility of regenerating lost sensory 
cells and the potential use of stem cells or endogenous 
precursors to replace lost sensory cells or auditory nerve 
cells.
    Mouse Models.--The Committee recommends developing new 
mouse genetic models for in vivo studies of hair cell 
development, regeneration and damage/protection, including 
models of hair cell damage not caused by aminoglycosides.
    Neurofibromatosis.--NF2 accounts for approximately 5 
percent of genetic forms of deafness. The Committee therefore 
encourages the NIDCD to expand its NF2 research portfolio.
    Presbycusis.--Presbycusis, the gradual loss of hearing from 
aging, is the most prevalent type of hearing loss and the third 
leading chronic disease in people over 65. The Committee 
encourages continuing studies of the declining stria vascularis 
metabolism, as well as investigations of the central mechanisms 
of presbycusis.
    Tinnitus.--The Committee recommends that the NIDCD expand 
its research into causal mechanisms underlying peripheral and 
central tinnitus and pursue research to develop therapies for 
treatment. In 2005, the NIDCD held a workshop to explore areas 
of needed research for the treatment and cure of tinnitus. The 
Committee urges the Institute to devote additional resources to 
follow up on the workshop's recommendations, including 
increasing collaboration with the Department of Defense and the 
Veterans Administration to support a mutli-disciplinary 
research approach that promotes accurate diagnosis and 
treatment to cure tinnitus.
    Translational Research.--The Committee applauds the NIDCD's 
establishment of a Translational Research Branch and urges the 
continuation of research activities and clinical trials that 
can be used in treatments of communication disorders.

                 NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NURSING RESEARCH

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $137,404,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     137,800,000
Committee recommendation................................     140,456,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $140,456,000 
for the National Institute of Nursing Research [NINR]. The 
budget request is $137,800,000 and the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $137,404,000. The comparable amounts for the 
budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the Office 
of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Nurse-Family Partnership Program.--The Committee urges the 
NINR to expand Nurse-Family Partnership Programs affiliated 
with nurse-managed health centers and involve advanced practice 
nurses in research and demonstration projects.
    Nursing Shortage.--The nursing shortage has an adverse 
effect on the health care delivery system as well as the health 
of our Nation's citizens. A shortage of nurse faculty caused 
schools of nursing to turn away thousands of qualified students 
last year. The NINR confronts this issue by directing 8 percent 
of its budget to research training to help develop the pool of 
nurse researchers who also become faculty. Training support for 
fast-track baccalaureate-to-doctoral program participants is 
one important initiative. The 17 recently funded Nursing 
Partnership Centers to Reduce Health Disparities is another 
initiative that helps produce an adequate number of nurse 
researchers. The Committee encourages these ongoing efforts. 
The Committee also encourages the NINR to facilitate research 
projects located in rural areas that serve minority nursing 
students through community colleges.

           NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON ALCOHOL ABUSE AND ALCOHOLISM

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $436,259,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     436,505,000
Committee recommendation................................     445,702,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $445,702,000 
for the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 
[NIAAA]. The budget request is $436,505,000 and the fiscal year 
2007 appropriation was $436,259,000. The comparable amounts for 
the budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the 
Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Alaska Natives.--The Committee is aware of serious problems 
with alcohol and substance abuse among Alaska Natives and of 
the need for translating research into clinical applications 
for this population. The Committee urges the NIAAA to sponsor a 
research-to-practice forum with SAMHSA and other experts to 
focus on bridging the gap between researchers and practitioners 
and translating scientific research into clinical applications.
    Clinician's Guide.--The Committee commends the NIAAA for 
widely disseminating its publication ``Helping Patients Who 
Drink Too Much: A Clinician's Guide.'' The Committee encourages 
the NIAAA to further develop guide materials, including 
information for clinicians about how to best use the guide, and 
short pamphlets that are targeted toward special 
subpopulations, and to work with professional organizations, 
SAMHSA, and other international organizations to further 
disseminate this important resource. The Committee also 
encourages the NIAAA to develop supporting training materials 
for physicians and other health care providers.
    Collaboration with Single State Authorities [SSAs].--The 
Committee urges the NIAAA to work with State substance abuse 
agencies, also known as Single State Authorities [SSAs], on 
collaborative initiatives to ensure that research findings are 
relevant and adaptable by publicly funded State substance abuse 
systems.
    Environmental Effects Underlying Alcoholism.--The Committee 
encourages the NIAAA to continue to fund research to determine 
the role of the environment and environmental factors in 
producing lasting and potentially life-altering changes in gene 
expression and gene function that contributes to the 
development of alcohol abuse and addiction with the ultimate 
goal of developing new medication for the treatment of alcohol 
use disorders.
    Hepatitis Prevention.--The Committee urges the NIAAA to 
work with voluntary health organizations to promote liver 
wellness, education, and primary prevention of both hepatitis 
and substance abuse.
    Mechanisms of Behavior Change.--The Committee commends the 
NIAAA for launching an interdisciplinary initiative aimed at 
understanding the social, behavioral and psychological factors 
in discontinuing harmful drinking by young adults.
    Patterns of Alcohol Consumption.--The Committee encourages 
the NIAAA's efforts to include measurement of quantity and 
frequency of alcohol consumption in new classification systems 
of alcohol problems. The Committee also encourages the NIAAA to 
continue to fund research that defines both safe and hazardous 
levels of alcohol consumption for various segments of the 
population.
    Underage Drinking.--The Committee notes that the Surgeon 
General calls for measures to decrease the availability of 
alcohol to youth. The Committee urges the NIAAA to conduct 
further research on the most effective means of reducing youth 
access to alcohol and increasing the cost of obtaining it.
    Understanding the Processes of Change in Drinking 
Behavior.--The Committee understands that a number of distinct 
treatment approaches have been developed to address alcohol use 
disorders. While each approach is useful in reducing alcohol 
consumption, research suggests that these approaches have 
similar levels of effectiveness. Recent research has also 
demonstrated that many individuals transition out of alcohol 
dependence without professional treatment, while others drink 
heavily but never develop complications required for a 
diagnosis of dependence. The Committee applauds recent NIAAA 
research initiatives supporting mechanisms of behavioral change 
using professional treatment mechanisms. The Committee 
encourages the NIAAA to further expand research in this area by 
stimulating interdisciplinary research that integrates 
biomedical, psychological and social science perspectives on 
mechanisms of behavior change.

                    NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON DRUG ABUSE

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,000,621,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,000,365,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,022,594,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,022,594,000 
for the National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA]. The budget 
request is $1,000,365,000 and the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $1,000,621,000. The comparable numbers for 
the budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the 
Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Adolescent Brain Development.--The Committee encourages 
NIDA to continue its emphasis on adolescent brain development 
to better understand how developmental processes and outcomes 
are affected by drug exposure, the environment and genetics.
    Blending Research and Practice.--The Committee notes that 
it takes far too long for clinical research results to be 
implemented as part of routine patient care, and that this lag 
in diffusion of innovation is costly for society, devastating 
for individuals and families, and wasteful of knowledge and 
investments made to improve the health and quality of people's 
lives. The Committee applauds NIDA's collaborative approach 
aimed at involving all entities invested in changing the system 
and making it work better.
    Brain Imaging.--The Committee applauds the Institute's 
efforts to find new and important uses for brain imaging 
technologies--such as through the new RFA titled ``Brain 
Imaging Drug Use Prevention Messages''--and urges the Institute 
to continue work in this area.
    Centers of Excellence for Physician Information.--The 
Committee is pleased that NIDA has created Centers of 
Excellence for Physician Information, and understands that 
these centers will serve as national models to support the 
advancement of addiction awareness, prevention, and treatment 
in primary care practices.
    Clinical Trials Network.--The Committee is pleased with the 
continued success and progress of NIDA's National Drug Abuse 
Treatment Clinical Trials Network, which provides an 
infrastructure to test the effectiveness of new and improved 
interventions in real-life community settings with diverse 
populations.
    Collaboration with Single State Authorities [SSAs].--The 
Committee commends NIDA for its outreach and work with SAMHSA's 
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment and State substance abuse 
directors, also known as Single State Authorities [SSAs], to 
reduce the lag between the discovery of an effective treatment 
intervention and its availability at the community level.
    Co-occurring Disorders.--The Committee encourages NIDA to 
continue to work with other agencies to stimulate new research 
to develop effective strategies and to ensure the timely 
adoption and implementation of evidence-based practices for the 
prevention and treatment of co-occurring disorders.
    Criminal Justice Population.--The Committee commends NIDA 
for the success of its Criminal Justice Drug Abuse Treatment 
Studies program. By providing evidence-based training to judges 
about the neurological and behavioral underpinnings of 
substance abuse and treatment, this program helps ensure that 
addicted offenders will receive appropriate treatment. The 
Committee encourages NIDA to continue its support of behavioral 
research that can further our understanding about the 
underlying cognitive, emotional, and behavioral factors that 
lead to drug abuse relapses in prisons and how to prevent them.
    Disseminating Addiction Research Information to the General 
Public.--The Committee congratulates NIDA for its collaboration 
with HBO and other partners on the production of the 
groundbreaking documentary film, ``Addiction.'' This film 
details the latest scientific knowledge on addiction and 
presents it in a compelling way to help the lay public 
understand addiction as a brain disease that can be 
successfully treated.
    Drug Abuse and HIV/AIDS.--The Committee understands that 
drug abuse and addiction continue to fuel the spread of HIV/
AIDS, and that drug abuse prevention and treatment 
interventions can be very effective in reducing HIV risk. 
Research should continue to examine every aspect of HIV/AIDS, 
drug abuse, and addiction, including risk behaviors associated 
with both injection and non-injection drug abuse; how drugs of 
abuse alter brain function and impair decision making; and HIV 
prevention and treatment strategies for diverse groups. The 
Committee also applauds the Institute for holding a spring 2007 
conference titled ``Drug Abuse and Risky Behaviors: The 
Evolving Dynamics of HIV/AIDS.''
    Emerging Drug Problems.--The Committee is pleased with 
NIDA's efforts to monitor drug use trends and to rapidly inform 
the public of emerging drug problems.
    Genes, Environment, and Development.--The Committee 
recognizes and commends NIDA for its leadership role in 
launching the Genes, Environment, and Development Initiative 
[GEDI] with the NCI. This initiative will add to the 
understanding of the contribution of genetic, environmental and 
developmental factors to the etiology of substance abuse and 
related phenotypes, and could lead to improved and tailored 
drug abuse and addiction prevention and treatment 
interventions.
    Health Disparities.--The Committee notes that the 
consequences of drug abuse disproportionately impact 
minorities, especially African American populations. The 
Committee encourages NIDA to conduct more studies in these 
populations, especially in criminal justice settings and 
geographic areas where HIV/AIDS rates are high.
    Hepatitis Prevention.--The Committee urges NIDA to work 
with voluntary health organizations to promote liver wellness, 
education, and primary prevention of both hepatitis and 
substance abuse.
    Inhalant Abuse.--The Committee urges the Institute to 
continue its support of research on prevention and treatment of 
inhalant abuse, and to enhance public awareness on this issue.
    Marijuana Use.--The Committee urges NIDA to continue to 
support research on the long-term consequences of marijuana use 
and work with the private sector to develop medications 
focusing on marijuana addiction.
    Methamphetamine Abuse.--The Committee urges NIDA to 
continue supporting research to address the medical 
consequences of methamphetamine abuse.
    Pain Medications and Addiction.--The Committee commends 
NIDA for taking a leadership role in addressing issues around 
pain medications and addiction. The prevalence of, and process 
of how to prevent, reduce, and treat, negative health 
consequences such as intoxication and physical dependence are 
not well understood. The Committee is pleased that NIDA brought 
a focus to this important issue, in collaboration with the 
American Medical Association and in conjunction with the NIH 
Pain Consortium, via its spring 2007 conference ``Pain, 
Opioids, and Addiction: An Urgent Problem for Doctors and 
Patients.'' Research in this area should continue to be a 
priority, through such efforts as the Prescription Opioid Use 
and Abuse in the Treatment of Pain initiative. The Committee 
applauds NIDA for continuing to work with private industry to 
develop anti-addiction medications.
    Primary Care Settings and Youth.--The Committee encourages 
NIDA to continue to support health services research on 
effective ways to educate primary care providers about drug 
abuse, develop brief behavioral interventions for preventing 
and treating drug use and related health problems; and develop 
methods to integrate drug abuse screening, assessment, 
prevention and treatment into primary health care settings.
    Social Neuroscience.--The Committee encourages the 
Institute to continue its focus on the interplay between genes, 
environment, and social factors and their relevance to drug 
abuse and addiction. In particular, the Committee applauds 
NIDA's involvement in last year's ``social neuroscience'' 
request for applications and this year's ``genes, environment, 
and development initiative'' request for applications.
    Support for Young Investigators.--The Committee 
congratulates NIDA for its focus on supporting young 
investigators, especially in the area of clinical research.

                  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,404,494,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,405,421,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,436,001,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,436,001,000 
for the National Institute of Mental Health [NIMH]. The budget 
request is $1,405,421,000 and the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $1,404,494,000. The comparable amounts for 
the budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the 
Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Alzheimer's Disease.--The NIMH plays a vital role in 
efforts to develop new treatment strategies for Alzheimer's 
disease, from basic neuroscience studies to treatment and 
services research. For example, the Institute is supporting a 
large practical clinical trial examining the effectiveness of 
antipsychotic medications for treating agitation and other 
behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer patients. The Committee 
encourages the NIMH to continue to advance understanding of 
Alzheimer's disease.
    Basic Behavioral Science.--The Committee urges the NIMH to 
put a higher priority on the study of basic behavioral 
functions such as cognition, emotion, decision-making, and 
motivation, and to maintain its support for research on the 
promotion of mental health and the study of basic psychological 
factors that influence behavior.
    Clinical Research.--The Committee applauds NIMH's continued 
commitment to the goals of the NIH Roadmap Initiative on 
reengineering the clinical research enterprise through the new 
clinical trials networks on bipolar disorder, depression, and 
schizophrenia. The Committee strongly supports these efforts 
and urges the NIMH to examine treatments of mental disorders 
across the lifespan, with particular attention paid to aging 
populations and youth, and to the effects of 
psychopharmacological treatments on cognition, emotional 
development, and other co-morbid conditions. The Committee 
further urges the NIMH to examine cultural factors, such as 
stigma, that influence the diagnosis and treatment of mental 
disorders.
    Down Syndrome.--The Committee encourages the NIMH to 
develop new strategies for cataloging, understanding, 
diagnosing and treating behavioral disorders that are common in 
people with Down syndrome. They include autism, pervasive 
developmental disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, 
depression and psychosis. The Committee urges the NIMH to 
coordinate its research on Down syndrome with the NICHD, NINDS, 
NIA and other Institutes.
    Epilepsy.--The connections between epilepsy and depression 
as well as the cognitive burden of epilepsy are of particular 
importance to the Committee. The Committee strongly urges the 
Institute to coordinate research into this area with the NINDS 
and to intensify efforts at understanding the etiology and 
treatment of co-morbid mental and neurological disorders.
    Fragile X.--The Committee urges the NIMH to enhance its 
Fragile X translational research efforts that were identified 
during focused meetings from November 2001 through July 2004. 
These include controlled studies of existing and new 
pharmacological treatments for Fragile X and identification of 
the key molecular targets that are likely candidates for 
designing drug treatments for Fragile X and related disorders 
such as autism. The Committee also urges the NIMH to include 
Fragile X in its studies of related neuropsychiatric disorders 
and to work with other Institutes such as the NICHD and NINDS 
to develop cooperative research support mechanisms in this 
area. In addition, the Committee encourages the NIMH 
participate in the scientific session described under the 
section on the NICHD.
    Frontier Mental Health Needs.--The Committee commends the 
NIMH on its outreach efforts to determine the unique mental 
health needs that may exist in remote frontier communities, 
including Alaska. The Committee encourages the NIMH to expand 
its research efforts into these communities, which are often 
ignored in research projects but continue to suffer from high 
incidences of mental health problems including depression, 
suicide and co-occurring disorders with substance abuse.
    Immigrant Health.--The Committee recognizes that immigrants 
to the United States experience unique stresses, prejudice, and 
poverty and can be considered at-risk subpopulations for 
health, emotional and behavioral problems as well as, in the 
case of children, learning and academic difficulties. The 
effects of immigration on the psychological and social well-
being are especially profound for certain populations, 
including children, women, individuals with disabilities, and 
those with limited financial resources. To address this, the 
Committee urges the NIMH to partner with other Institutes to 
boost research on the adaptation, development, health, and 
mental health needs of diverse immigrant children, youth, and 
families.
    Older Adults.--The Committee urges the NIMH to place a 
stronger emphasis on research on adults over age 65 to reflect 
the growth in numbers of this population. The Committee 
requests that the Institute provide data in the fiscal year 
2009 congressional budget justifications on the amount of NIMH 
funding directed toward geriatric mental health research over 
the past 5 years.
    Social Neuroscience.--The Committee is pleased that the 
emerging field of social neuroscience is among NIMH's 
priorities. The Committee recognizes that research into the 
biological mechanisms underlying social behaviors related to 
mental health has great potential in efforts to understand and 
treat mental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia.
    Suicide Prevention.--The Committee is pleased that the NIMH 
is supporting two developing centers for interventions to 
prevent suicide. The Committee encourages the NIMH to increase 
its investment in suicide prevention research by supporting 
advanced centers for this purpose and creating new developing 
centers.

                NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $486,491,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     484,436,000
Committee recommendation................................     497,031,000

    The Committee recommendation includes $497,031,000 for the 
National Human Genome Research Institute [NHGRI]. The budget 
request is $484,436,000 and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation 
was $486,491,000. The comparable amounts for the budget 
estimate include funds to be transferred from the Office of 
AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Fragile X.--FMRP, the protein whose absence results in 
Fragile X syndrome, is a regulator of translation of many genes 
including those involved in learning and memory. A genomic 
approach to understanding the diverse pathways regulated by 
FMRP would enhance the understanding of human cognition and 
identify potential targets for drug design to alleviate the 
symptoms of Fragile X and related disorders. The Committee 
urges the NHGRI to consider expanding its research activities 
on Fragile X and to coordinate these efforts with other 
Institutes working on related activities.
    Spinal Muscular Atrophy [SMA].--The Committee supports the 
development of a pan-ethnic carrier screening program for SMA 
and commends the NHGRI and NICHD for their plans to jointly 
convene a workshop in early 2008 to stimulate carrier screening 
technology development, enhance education and awareness among 
professional and patient communities, and promote policy 
discussions regarding the ethical and social issues related to 
implementing new carrier screening programs for disorders such 
as SMA. The Committee requests an update on the workshop in the 
fiscal year 2009 congressional budget justifications. 
Furthermore, the Committee urges the NHGRI to work 
collaboratively and cooperatively with the advocacy community 
in this effort.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC].--The Committee urges the 
NHGRI to provide assistance and advice to the TSC research 
community on TSC gene and genome-wide sequencing projects.

      NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF BIOMEDICAL IMAGING AND BIOENGINEERING

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $296,887,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     300,463,000
Committee recommendation................................     304,319,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $304,319,000 
for the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and 
Bioengineering [NIBIB]. The budget request is $300,463,000 and 
the fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $296,887,000. The 
comparable amounts for the budget estimate include funds to be 
transferred from the Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Institute's budget. The other amounts above do 
not include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Artificial Pancreas.--A fully automated pancreas that 
responds rapidly to changes in diet, physical activity, and 
metabolic status has the potential to improve daily glucose 
control and dramatically reduce the risk of long-term diabetic 
complications. The NIBIB is urged to foster research on 
algorithms that can replicate normal glucose control and 
accurately close the loop between glucose monitoring and 
insulin treatment.
    Imaging Beta Cells.--The ability to painlessly and non-
invasively visualize pancreatic islets in people with type 1 
diabetes has the potential to revolutionize diagnosis and 
therapy of type 1 diabetes. The Committee recognizes the NIBIB, 
along with the NIA, NIAID, and NIDDK, for their collaborative 
efforts to promote research on the development of new islet 
imaging technologies. The Committee encourages the NIBIB and 
NIDDK to support translational research efforts to convert 
advances made in imaging of islets in animal models into 
technologies that can be applied to human type 1 diabetes 
patients.
    Positron emission tomography [PET].--The Committee 
continues to encourage the NIBIB to devote significant 
resources to molecular imaging technologies such as PET and 
microPET to take advantage of the capacities of molecular 
imaging to detect disease process at the molecular level and to 
monitor the effectiveness of targeted gene therapies now under 
development. The Committee also encourages the NIBIB to 
collaborate with other, disease-specific Institutes at NIH, so 
that new imaging technologies are closely tied to the research 
projects being undertaken throughout the NIH.

                 NATIONAL CENTER FOR RESEARCH RESOURCES

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,133,240,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,112,498,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,177,997,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,177,997,000 
for the National Center for Research Resources [NCRR]. The 
budget request is $1,112,498,000 and the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $1,133,240,000. The comparable amounts for 
the budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the 
Office of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Center's budget. The other amounts above do not 
include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Clinical and Translational Science Awards [CTSAs].--The 
Committee strongly endorses the CTSA initiative and urges the 
NCRR to adhere to its goal of supporting 60 CTSAs by 2012. In 
doing so, the Committee urges the NCRR to maintain or 
strengthen the clinical research infrastructure component 
currently provided by the longstanding General Clinical 
Research Centers [GCRC] program. The Committee requests an 
update on these activities in the fiscal year 2009 
congressional budget justifications.
    Imaging.--The Committee applauds the NCRR for its 
development and support of a national Image Guided Therapy 
[IGT] Center for research, training, and services related to 
novel imaging tools for disease diagnosis and therapy. The NCRR 
is encouraged to work with the NIDDK and NIBIB to ensure that 
this unique resource center engages with the diabetes research 
community to accelerate the development of new methods for the 
non-invasive imaging of pancreatic islets for applications in 
Type 1 diabetes research and treatment.
    Institutional Development Awards [IDeA].--The Committee has 
provided $223,607,000, for the IDeA program authorized by 
section 402(g) of the Public Health Service Act. The fiscal 
year 2007 funding level was $218,153,000. The Committee 
recognizes the importance of the Centers of Biomedical Research 
Excellence and the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research 
Excellence programs in improving the infrastructure and 
strengthening the biomedical research capacity and capability 
of research institutions within the IDeA States.
    Islet Cell Resource Centers.--The Committee applauds the 
NCRR for renewal of the Islet Cell Resource Centers [ICRs] 
program, a vital resource for the isolation and distribution of 
clinical grade human islets for transplantation and basic 
diabetes research.
    Positron Emission Tomography [PET].--The Committee 
continues to urge the NCRR to support research resource centers 
for the development and refinement of PET as a unique imaging 
technology to diagnose and stage diseases of the brain, 
including Alzheimer's disease.
    Rare Disease Initiative.--The Committee understands that 
obtaining adequate human biospecimen tissues and clinical data 
for research for many of the more than 7,000 rare diseases 
known today has been a major barrier to adequately expanding 
research aimed ultimately to treat and cure these rare 
diseases. The Committee, therefore, encourages the NCRR and the 
Office of Rare Diseases to expand their emphasis on rare 
diseases human tissue/biospecimen procurement and storage 
activities for rare diseases research.
    Research Centers at Minority Institutions.--The Committee 
continues to recognize the critical role played by minority 
institutions at both the graduate and undergraduate level in 
addressing the health research and training needs of minority 
populations. The Committee encourages the NIH to strengthen 
participation from minority institutions and increase resources 
available in this area. The Committee recommends that the NCRR 
direct supplemental funds to high-impact, high-risk research 
activities within the RCMI program such as creating an 
integrated translational research network to help reduce health 
disparities.

       NATIONAL CENTER FOR COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $121,576,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     121,699,000
Committee recommendation................................     124,213,000

    The Committee has included $124,213,000 for the National 
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The budget 
request is $121,699,000 and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation 
was $121,576,000. The comparable amounts for the budget 
estimate include funds to be transferred from the Office of 
AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Center's budget. The other amounts above do not 
include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Improving Liver Disease Outcomes.--The Committee is pleased 
with the progress made in studying the benefit of active 
ingredients in milk thistle and SAM-e, a naturally occurring 
compound in ameliorating and improving the outcome of 
individuals with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis [NASH]. As NASH-
related liver disease has become an important indicator for 
liver transplantation, in the absence of better interventions, 
the need for NASH-related liver transplantation will increase 
significantly over time.
    Portfolio Balance.--The Committee endorses the goal 
articulated in NCCAM's 2005-2009 strategic plan to put a 
greater emphasis on basic research and preclinical studies 
before engaging in costly clinical trials.

       NATIONAL CENTER ON MINORITY HEALTH AND HEALTH DISPARITIES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $199,444,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     194,495,000
Committee recommendation................................     203,895,000

    The Committee has included $203,895,000 for the National 
Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The budget 
request is $194,495,000 and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation 
was $199,444,000. The comparable amounts for the budget 
estimate include funds to be transferred from the Office of 
AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Center's budget. The other amounts above do not 
include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Ethnic Minorities and Research.--The Committee encourages 
the NIH to invest in training programs that seek to prepare 
ethnic minorities and others for research and services careers 
that address the needs of the Nation's racial and ethnic 
diverse populations and to ensure, whenever feasible, that 
psychology is recognized as an eligible discipline for funding 
applications for such training programs.
    Glomerular Disease.--The Committee understands that 
glomerular disease, a group of diseases affecting the filtering 
mechanisms of the kidneys, is more prevalent among African 
Americans than the general population. The Committee urges the 
NCMHD to explore collaboration with the NIDDK to support 
research activities related to glomerular injury.
    Lupus.--Lupus is two to three times more common among 
African American, Hispanic, Asian American and Native American 
women than Caucasian women--a health disparity that remains 
unexplained. Moreover, lupus mortality has increased over the 
past three decades and is higher among older African-American 
women. The Committee urges the NCMHD to prioritize lupus 
research with a particular focus on exploring the associated 
health disparities and co-morbidities such as heart disease, 
depression, and renal disease.
    Project EXPORT.--The Committee commends the NCMHD for its 
successful ``Project EXPORT'' initiative and urges continued 
support for this program.
    Research Endowments.--The Committee commends the NCMHD for 
its leadership in addressing the longstanding problem of health 
status disparities in minority and medically underserved 
populations. The Committee continues to encourage the NCMHD to 
implement its research endowment program in a manner that is 
consistent with the authorizing legislation.

 JOHN E. FOGARTY INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR ADVANCED STUDY IN THE HEALTH 
                                SCIENCES

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $66,446,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      66,594,000
Committee recommendation................................      68,000,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $68,000,000 
for the Fogarty International Center [FIC]. The budget request 
is $66,594,000 and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$66,446,000. The comparable amounts for the budget estimate 
include funds to be transferred from the Office of AIDS 
Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the Center's budget. The other amounts above do not 
include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease [COPD].--The 
Committee notes that COPD is the fourth leading cause of death 
worldwide, and encourages the Fogarty International Center to 
expand its COPD research and training activities.
    Global Health Challenges.--The Committee commends the 
Center for the success of its programs to strengthen science 
and public health research institutions in low-income 
countries, specifically in malaria, TB, and neglected tropical 
diseases. The Committee urges the FIC to continue supporting 
research training, focused in these areas, to enable developing 
country scientists to develop effective, evidence-based 
strategies to prevent, treat, and diagnose these debilitating 
diseases. While major investments in biomedical research are 
resulting in new tools and medical advances, the Committee is 
concerned that improvements in health outcomes will be delayed 
without local scientific expertise to translate research 
findings into practice. The Committee urges the FIC to promote 
applied health research in developing countries to speed the 
implementation of new health interventions for malaria, TB, and 
neglected tropical diseases.
    Training Programs.--The Committee is pleased with the FIC's 
leadership in training American researchers in global health 
research though its International Clinical Research Scholars 
Program and the International Research Scientist Development 
Award Program. The Committee encourages the expansion of the 
FIC's training programs that support junior U.S. scientists. 
The Committee is also pleased with the Center's efforts to 
supplement grants in AIDS International Training and Research 
Program [AITRP] or International Training and Research Program 
in Emerging Infectious Diseases [ERID], which trains 
tuberculosis experts in the developing world. The Committee 
encourages the FIC to support activities, such as the Pan-
African Thoracic Society's Methods in Epidemiologic, Clinical 
and Operations Research [MECOR] program, to expand training 
opportunities for physicians in Africa.

                      NATIONAL LIBRARY OF MEDICINE

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $329,050,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     320,762,000
Committee recommendation................................     336,017,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $336,017,000 
for the National Library of Medicine [NLM]. The budget request 
is $320,762,000 and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$329,050,000. These amounts include $8,200,000 made available 
from program evaluation funds. The comparable amounts for the 
budget estimate include funds to be transferred from the Office 
of AIDS Research.
    As explained in the opening section on the NIH, the budget 
request includes a contribution to the Common Fund equal to 1.3 
percent of the NLM's budget. The other amounts above do not 
include any contribution for the Common Fund.
    Communication of Research Findings.--One of the fundamental 
charges to the NIH is to facilitate the translation of research 
findings into practice. In this regard, the Committee is 
pleased that the NLM has helped to launch NIH MedlinePlus 
magazine, which provides consumers and health professionals 
authoritative health information based on the latest NIH-
supported research in a user-friendly format. The Committee 
strongly urges the NLM to substantially expand the distribution 
of this new publication.
    Disease Management Technology.--The Committee urges the NLM 
to conduct outreach activities to all public and private sector 
organizations which have demonstrated capabilities in health 
information technology.
    Native Hawaiian Healthcare Resources.--The Committee urges 
the NLM to work with Native Hawaiian organizations to increase 
access to health information and health resources for Native 
Hawaiians.
    Registry of Liver Toxicities.--The Committee applauds the 
NLM's plan to create an accessible, online registry of the 
liver toxicity of medications and sees this as an important 
step to help physicians and patients avoid the devastating 
consequences of liver failure. The registry will include 
information regarding the liver toxicity of more than 400 
drugs. The Committee urges the inclusion in the registry of 
databases that develop information on the interrelationship 
between environmental toxins and genes.

                         OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,046,901,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     517,062,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,145,790,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,145,790,000 
for the Office of the Director [OD]. The budget request is 
$517,062,000 and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$1,046,901,000. The comparable amounts for the budget estimate 
include funds to be transferred from the Office of AIDS 
Research.
    The Committee has included bill language specifying the 
amount for the Common Fund as $531,300,000. The comparable 
amount for fiscal year 2007 was $483,000,000, and the 
comparable amount for the budget request is $486,153,000. The 
discrepancy between the latter amount and the amount on the 
funding table is explained at the beginning of the section on 
the NIH.
    The Committee includes bill language providing up to 
$500,000 for the Foundation for the NIH.

Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research

    Basic Behavioral Research.--The Committee is aware that 
basic behavioral research focused on such areas as cognition, 
perception, emotion, social interaction, and learning have led 
to important advances and improved treatments for depression, 
bipolar and other affective disorders, diabetes, compliance on 
behavior change related to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, 
obesity, and more effective public health announcements and 
interventions. In view of the fact that 8 out of the 10 leading 
causes of death have a significant behavioral component and 
that basic research is the underpinning of advances in 
behavioral research, the Committee is concerned by the 
continued lack of focus of scientific leadership at NIH for 
this important field of science. It is therefore requested that 
the Director submit a report to the Committee by December 1, 
2007, indicating the scientific leadership structure for this 
field within the appropriate grant-making Institute.
    Gene-Environment Interactions and Health.--The Committee 
encourages the OBSSR to work with other Institutes and Centers 
to spur progress on understanding the interactions among 
genetic and environmental factors, especially regarding how 
they might contribute to health disparities in minority 
populations.

Office of Rare Diseases

    CETT Program.--The Collaborative, Education and Test 
Translation [CETT] Program promotes the translation of rare 
disease genetic tests from research to clinical laboratories. 
The Committee believes that this program can be enhanced by 
using microarray technology in the development of new tests and 
by close collaboration with and support from those Institutes 
whose research agendas already relate to specific rare 
diseases. The Director is urged to assure such trans-institute 
collaborations are aggressively fostered.

Office of Research on Women's Health

    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome [CFS].--The Committee commends the 
Office of Research on Women's Health for its leadership on CFS 
research, particularly the coordination of the request for 
applications that culminated in the October 2006 announcement 
of seven new awards for in this area. The Committee recognizes 
the opportunity created by the requirement that the 
investigators funded under this initiative meet annually and 
encourages the NIH to use this meeting to stimulate new 
research initiatives and build multi-center collaborations. The 
Committee again urges the NIH to develop an intramural CFS 
research program and to implement the recommendation made by 
the CFS Advisory Committee to ``establish five Centers of 
Excellence within the United States that would effectively 
utilize state of the art knowledge concerning the diagnosis, 
clinical management, treatment and clinical research of persons 
with CFS.'' The Committee also urges special attention to CFS 
research as part of the NIH effort to refine its disease/
research categories.
    Irritable Bowel Syndrome [IBS].--The Committee is pleased 
with the focus on IBS at the Office of Research of Women's 
Health and urges additional research in this area.
    Stroke in Women.--Recognizing that women are the single 
largest group at risk for death from stroke, the Committee 
believes that special attention should be focused on better 
understanding the gender-related differences in this condition. 
The Committee supports the funding of new and continuing NIH 
studies on postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy and 
understanding the impact of hormones on women's vascular 
systems. The Committee urges the NIH to increase research in 
stroke among women of all ages, with specific attention to 
gender-related differences in stroke risk, prevention 
interventions, acute stroke management, the use of clot buster 
drugs, post-stroke recovery, long-term outcomes, and quality of 
care. The Committee further urges NIH to increase research into 
new therapies for stroke in women including (1) observational 
research on differences in the way men and women present with 
stroke symptoms, (2) research addressing how stroke influences 
the likelihood and severity of cognitive impairment in women, 
(3) a clinical trial of carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty/
stenting in women, (4) studies of differences in how men and 
women respond to antiplatelet agents for recurrent stroke 
prevention, and (5) basic science research to address unique 
brain cell death and repair mechanisms in females. The 
Committee also urges and recommends all of these important 
initiatives be subsumed under an NIH mandate for a Women's 
Agenda for Stroke Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment.
    Vulvodynia.--In the last decade, the NIH has supported 
three important research conferences on vulvodynia, as well as 
the first prevalence study and clinical trial on the disorder. 
These efforts have both clearly demonstrated the need for 
substantial additional research and served to heighten the 
research community's level of interest in studying vulvodynia. 
The Committee calls upon the Director to build upon these 
initial successes by coordinating through the ORWH an expanded, 
collaborative extramural and intramural research effort into 
the causes of, and treatments for, vulvodynia. This effort 
should involve the NICHD, NINDS and other relevant ICs, as well 
as the NIH Pain Consortium. The Committee also commends the 
ORWH for working with patient groups, other relevant ICs and 
women's health offices in other governmental agencies to plan 
an educational outreach campaign on vulvodynia, as previously 
requested by the Committee. Finally, the Committee encourages 
the Director to work with the Center for Scientific Review and 
ICs to ensure that experts in vulvodynia, and related chronic 
pain and female reproductive system conditions, are adequately 
represented on peer-review panels.

Multi-Institute Research Initiatives

    Antibacterial Therapy.--The Committee is concerned about 
the alarming rates of antibiotic resistance and the related 
increase in morbidity, mortality and health care costs. Little 
research has been devoted to defining optimal dosing regimens, 
particularly in defining the minimal duration of therapy 
necessary to cure many types of infections. The Committee 
recognizes that studies of this type require a long-term 
commitment and are not likely to be funded by pharmaceutical 
manufacturers since the products are already approved by the 
FDA. The consensus of many experts is that infections are 
frequently treated for longer periods of time than are 
necessary, needlessly increasing the antimicrobial resistance. 
Therefore, the Committee urges the NIH to support a Clinical 
Trials Network devoted to defining optimal antibacterial 
therapy. Multi-center randomized controlled trials to define 
the necessary length of therapy would create an excellent basis 
of evidence from which coherent and defensible recommendations 
could be developed.
    Autism.--The Committee requests that the Director report to 
the Committee by July 1, 2008, on progress made to implement 
the provisions of the Combating Autism Act that are relevant to 
the NIH, including funding levels for relevant components of 
the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee's strategic 
research plan.
    Bridging the Sciences.--The Committee believes the 
``Bridging the Sciences'' demonstration program fulfills a need 
not met elsewhere in the Federal Government by supporting 
research at the interface between the biological, behavioral, 
and social sciences with the physical, chemical, mathematical, 
and computational sciences. The Committee urges the Director to 
give high priority to the program and to urge active 
consultation and collaboration with the Department of Energy, 
the National Science Foundation, and other agencies. The 
Committee notes the importance of compliance with the statutory 
provisions dealing with appropriate, multidisciplinary peer 
review panels and the unique type of research envisioned.
    Children's Brain Tumors.--Brain tumors are the most common 
solid tumor type for children, and the leading cause of 
pediatric solid tissue cancer deaths. The most common forms of 
childhood brain tumors, affecting patients ages 0 to 19, are 
Juvenile Pilocytic Astrocytomas [JPA] and other Pediatric Low 
Grade Astrocytomas [PLGA]. Because current treatments--
chemotherapy and radiotherapy--are invasive, toxic, and cause 
debilitating side effects/impairments, the Committee strongly 
urges the NCI, NINDS, NIBIB, and ORD to develop a comprehensive 
research plan, including specific timeframes, to focus on 
children's brain tumors, with the goal of identifying 
alternative, safer and more effective treatments, as well as a 
cure. The Committee further encourages the NIH to achieve this 
objective by targeting basic and clinical research, 
accelerating the enhancement of the Institutes' cancer research 
portfolios, creating research priorities with a sequential 
agenda and timeline, and facilitating the coordination and 
collaboration of organizations (both public and private) 
already funding related research initiatives.
    Chromosome Abnormalities.--One out of every 180 babies born 
has a chromosome abnormality that by its very nature is 
multisystemic because it involves a copy number change in 
dozens of contiguous genes. The frequency and complexity of 
these conditions have a major impact on childhood morbidity and 
mortality. The key to helping these children is creating 
interdisciplinary, multi-institute research teams. The 
Committee commends the NIH for supporting some independent 
investigators studying chromosome abnormalities and for 
partnering to sponsor meetings on many conditions, as described 
in the fiscal year 2008 congressional budget justification. The 
Committee also encourages the NIH to sponsor mechanisms to 
support multidisciplinary research focused on devising 
treatments for the 20,000 babies born every year with a 
chromosome abnormality, especially those involving chromosome 
18.
    Class B Animal Dealers.--While the Committee recognizes 
that the use of animals in research, under certain 
circumstances, has been beneficial to the advancement of 
biomedical research, the Committee would like assurances that 
such research is conducted as humanely as possible. In the case 
of the use of dogs and cats used in research and obtained from 
Class B dealers, the Committee is concerned that such dealers 
have the potential to provide animals that have not been 
treated in accord with USDA regulations for use in federally 
supported research. The Committee asks the NIH to seek an 
independent review by a nationally recognized panel of experts 
of the use of Class B dogs and cats in federally supported 
research to determine how frequently such animals are used in 
NIH research and to propose recommendations outlining the 
parameters of such use, if determined to be necessary.
    Cooley's Anemia.--The Committee is encouraged by promising 
research being undertaken in gene therapy, especially regarding 
thalassemia, or Cooley's anemia. The NIH has indicated that 
human clinical trials could begin between 2008 and 2010. The 
Committee urges that this research move forward without delay 
at the earliest possible date, consistent with safety.
    Distribution of Resources.--In light of the doubling of the 
agency's budget over the past 5 years and the rapid 
encroachment of new medical research challenges such as SARS 
and threats of bioweapons, the Committee believes that the NIH 
should encourage funding of large-scale collaborative efforts 
to address these and other medical challenges. In addition, 
while the pace of new challenges has increased, review time for 
proposals submitted to the Institutes at NIH continues to 
average about 18 months. The Committee strongly encourages the 
Director to develop means of encouraging large-scale, multi-
institution projects to address significant areas of medical 
research and to devise means of reducing the time frames 
between submission of proposals and awarding of grants.
    Down Syndrome.--The Committee is deeply concerned by the 
significant decrease in funding for Down syndrome research 
since fiscal year 2003, and it strongly urges the NIH to 
increase its investment in this area. Due to recent studies and 
advances, the Committee believes that further research into how 
to successfully reduce the many adverse health effects of Down 
syndrome, including eradicating all the ill effects of the 
extra chromosome 21 of Down syndrome, is an emerging area of 
study that deserves NIH's immediate attention. The Committee 
urges the Director to take note of recent advances in the 
neurobiology of Down syndrome, especially concerning the 
structure and function of neural circuits that mediate 
cognition. These advances point to Down syndrome as a fertile 
area for research investments that could lead to effective 
treatments for cognitive difficulties in both adults and 
children with this disorder. Because the responsibility for 
researching Down syndrome rests with multiple Institutes, the 
Committee notes that it is an ideal candidate for a trans-NIH 
initiative. The Committee requests an update on these efforts 
in the fiscal year 2009 congressional budget justifications.
    Fragile X.--The Committee strongly urges the Director to 
facilitate and fund public/private partnerships to advance 
possible treatment strategies and clinical drug trials for this 
orphan indication, including, but not limited to, mGluR5 
antagonists, ampakines, aripiprazole, and lithium. Nine NIH 
Institutes and the NCRR currently fund 85 diverse grants to 
find a treatment and cure for Fragile X. Given this array of 
efforts, the Committee urges the NIH to prepare and implement a 
blueprint to focus and coordinate strategy for maximizing 
resources dedicated to Fragile X. In addition, the Committee 
urges the NIH to convene a scientific session in 2008 to 
develop pathways to new opportunities for collaborative, 
directed research across Institutes. The Committee requests 
that the Director supply to the Committee, no later than 
September 1, 2008, a progress update on all aspects of Fragile 
X translational research, including the agency's progress in 
stimulating and funding partnerships between industry, 
academia, voluntary health organizations and NIH Institutes 
focused on pharmacological and other therapeutic interventions.
    Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia [HHT].--The Committee 
encourages the Director to coordinate the development of an HHT 
Research Plan with the NINDS, NIDDK, NHLBI, NHGRI, and NICHD 
and to issue an RFA to optimize opportunities for research 
identified at the NIH workshop on HHT vascular biology and 
pathophysiology. The Committee also encourages the NIH to 
establish an HHT tissue registry through coordination with the 
Office of Rare Diseases.
    Human Tissue Supply.--The Committee understands that there 
is an increased need to provide NIH intramural and extramural 
researchers with human tissues and organs to study human 
diseases. The Committee strongly urges the Director, NCRR, and 
Institutes such as the NCI, NHGRI, NHLBI, NICHD, NIMH, and 
NINDS to identify and expand support for nonprofit 
organizations that supply human tissues to NIH-funded 
researchers.
    Lymphatic Research and Lymphatic Diseases.-- Lymphatic 
system research falls within and between numerous IC missions, 
a situation that contributes to its relative neglect as an 
investigative focus. Therefore, the Committee once again 
strongly urges that the NIH foster lymphatic research 
initiatives and awareness across all relevant NIH Institutes 
and Centers. The Committee also reiterates its earlier requests 
that relevant ICs specifically cite lymphatic system research 
in related funding mechanism requests where a lymphatic 
research component is appropriate.
    Minority Institutions.--The Committee continues to be 
pleased with the NIH Director's implementation of various 
programs focused on developing the research infrastructure at 
minority health professions institutions, including Research 
Centers at Minority Institutions, Extramural Biomedical 
Research Facilities, and the NCMHD. The Committee encourages 
the Director to work closely with the NCMHD to establish a 
program of coordination among these various mechanisms and 
partner with minority health professions schools to address 
their infrastructure needs.
    Mitochondrial Disease.--The Committee encourages the NIH to 
intensify its research efforts into primary mitochondrial 
disease, which is also implicated in numerous other diseases 
such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, heart disease, diabetes and 
cancer. The Committee understands that intensified research 
into primary mitochondrial disease will help to further 
understand these other conditions.
    Nanosystems Biology.--The Committee encourages the 
Director, along with the NCI, to support a collaborative effort 
to bring nanotechnology, systems biology and molecular imaging 
together to examine the molecular basis of cancer, consistent 
with the Director's Roadmap Initiative. Bringing these three 
disciplines together may allow researchers to identify specific 
sub-types of cancer and to better target new interventions. 
Successful results of such an effort could lead to a molecular 
classification of many types of cancer and to targeted 
molecular treatments for molecular-specific disease.
    National Children's Study.--The Committee was disappointed 
that the President's budget once again has proposed to 
eliminate funding for the National Children's Study. The 
Committee supports full and timely implementation of the study 
and has included $110,900,000 within the Office of the Director 
for that purpose. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$69,000,000. The study aims to quantify the impacts of a broad 
range of environmental influences, including physical, 
chemical, biological and social influences, on child health and 
development. The funding provided will help expand the number 
of study centers and study locations across the Nation. The 
Committee urges the NIH to coordinate the involvement of all 
the relevant Federal partners such that this study is ready for 
the field by no later than 2008.
    Osteoporosis.--The Committee urges the NIH to support 
research into the pathophysiology of bone loss in diverse 
populations in order to develop targeted therapies to improve 
bone density and bone quality and to identify racial 
differences in bone and the origin of racial differences in 
fracture patterns. Furthermore, the Committee urges research to 
identify patients at risk for fracture who do not meet current 
criteria for osteoporosis, as well as to study the effects of 
current and developing osteoporosis treatments on these 
patients.
    Pain Consortium.--The Committee is pleased with the 
increased activity of the NIH Pain Consortium, including the 
recent meeting showcasing NIH-funded pain research projects. 
However, the Committee believes that much more needs to be done 
to realize the Consortium's full potential. The Committee urges 
the NIH to convene a conference of outside experts in pain 
research and care to review the current pain research portfolio 
at NIH and make recommendations with respect to gaps in pain 
research that still need to be explored as the end of the 
congressionally declared Decade of Pain Control and Research 
approaches. The Committee also suggests that the Pain 
Consortium have a mechanism for ongoing extramural 
participation and input, such as an advisory committee 
consisting of outside experts.
    Pharmacy.--The Committee is pleased that the NIH recognizes 
the importance of doctors of pharmacy across the research 
spectrum as evidenced by the newly created ``PharmD Gateway'' 
on the NIH website. The Committee encourages interested 
organizations to find opportunities that will increase the 
participation of colleges and schools of pharmacy and doctor of 
pharmacy clinical scientists in NIH post-graduate training 
programs such as the clinical pharmacology research (T32) 
program.
    Spinal Muscular Atrophy [SMA].--The Committee strongly 
urges the OD to ensure the success of the SMA Project at the 
NINDS by providing active and ongoing support from the OD as 
well as from other related Institutes. The current SMA Project 
is scheduled to reach its near-term milestones in 2007 and thus 
it is imperative that the NIH begin planning and budgeting for 
the necessary successive stages of the project, including 
funding for clinical trials and the infrastructure that will be 
needed to support of each of the stages of drug development.
    Statistics.--The Committee encourages the Office of 
Extramural Research to update and improve its data-gathering 
capacity so that it may better track and analyze grant and 
training award success rates by the academic discipline of the 
principle investigator.
    Temporomandibular Joint and Muscle Disorders [TMJDs].--The 
Committee remains encouraged by actions taken over the last 
year by NIH to expand research on TMJDs. However, significant 
additional work is necessary. Because TMJDs are a complex 
family of diseases and disorders influenced by genetics, gender 
and environmental and behavioral triggers, research should 
involve collaborations between many ICs, including the OD, 
ORWH, NIDCR, NIAMS, NINDS, NIBIB, NIDCD, NIAD, NIDDK, NIMH, 
NCRR, and NHLBI, as well as the NIH Pain Consortium. The NIH is 
urged to take quick action to implement the recommendations of 
the Fourth Scientific Meeting of the TMJ Association, 
especially its call for the establishment of regional TMJD 
Centers of Excellence. The Committee again urges the NIBIB to 
work with the NIDCR to develop bioengineering approaches that 
will improve diagnostics as well as treatments for TMJD 
problems. Complex disease research calls for team efforts 
involving engineers, computer scientists and medical scientists 
to study the jaw anatomy, physiology and the complex nervous, 
endocrine and immune system interactions that orchestrate jaw 
function. The Committee calls on the Director to coordinate the 
work of all relevant ICs and give priority to collaborative, 
cross-cutting research. While the Committee is pleased that the 
NIH has developed a new brochure for TMJD patients, it once 
again calls on the NIH to develop informational materials 
directed to medical, dental and allied health professionals to 
improve understanding of TMJDs and their frequent co-
morbidities such as mitral valve prolapse, irritable bowel 
syndrome, chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia.
    Tuberous Sclerosis Complex [TSC].--Because of the effects 
of TSC on multiple organ systems, the Committee urges the 
Office of the Director to continue the coordination of TSC 
research activities through the Trans-NIH Tuberous Sclerosis 
Coordinating Committee.
    Urological Research.--The Committee strongly urges the 
Director to continue to increase and accelerate the research 
portfolio in urology. The Committee further urges the Director 
to coordinate and stimulate urology-related research across the 
NIH and other Federal agencies.

                        OFFICE OF AIDS RESEARCH

    The Committee recommendation does not include a direct 
appropriation for the Office of AIDS Research [OAR]. Instead, 
funding for AIDS research is included within the appropriation 
for each Institute, Center, and Division of the NIH. The 
recommendation also includes a general provision which directs 
that the funding for AIDS research, as determined by the 
Director of the National Institutes of Health and the OAR, be 
allocated directly to the OAR for distribution to the 
Institutes consistent with the AIDS research plan. The 
recommendation also includes a general provision permitting the 
Director of the NIH and the OAR to shift up to 3 percent of 
AIDS research funding among Institutes and Centers throughout 
the year if needs change or unanticipated opportunities arise. 
The Committee requests that the Director provide notification 
to the Committee in the event the Directors exercise the 3 
percent transfer authority.
    The NIH Office of AIDS Research [OAR] coordinates the 
scientific, budgetary, legislative, and policy elements of the 
NIH AIDS research program. The NIH Revitalization Act 
Amendments of 1993 mandates the OAR to develop an annual 
comprehensive plan and budget for all NIH AIDS research and to 
prepare a Presidential bypass budget.

                        BUILDINGS AND FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $81,081,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     136,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     121,081,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $121,081,000 
for buildings and facilities [B&F]. The budget request is 
$136,000,000 and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$81,081,000.
    Building Improvements.--The Committee is aware that in the 
conduct of research in buildings of the type and age of those 
operated and owned by the NIH, it will sometimes be necessary 
to conduct improvements, including renovations and alterations, 
and/or repairs to meet program objectives; and that the needs 
for such activities often cannot be anticipated in budgets 
prepared a year or more in advance. The Committee, therefore, 
has included a provision to clarify that consistent with long-
standing NIH practice, funds appropriated to the Institutes and 
Centers may be used for improvements (renovation/alterations) 
and repairs provided that (1) the funds are not already 
included in the buildings and facilities appropriation, (2) the 
improvements and repairs funded are principally for the benefit 
of the program from which the funds are drawn, and (3) such 
activities are conducted under and subject to the 
administrative policies and procedures of the NIH Office of the 
Director. The Committee has included a limitation on the size 
of projects to be funded directly by the Institutes and 
Centers.

       Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $3,327,021,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   3,167,589,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,404,798,000

    The Committee recommends $3,404,798,000 for the Substance 
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA] for 
fiscal year 2008. This amount is $77,777,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level and $237,209,000 above the 
administration request. The recommendation includes 
$126,663,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the 
Public Health Service Act. SAMHSA is responsible for supporting 
mental health programs and alcohol and other drug abuse 
prevention and treatment services throughout the country, 
primarily through categorical grants and block grants to 
States.
    The Committee has provided funding for programs of regional 
and national significance under each of the three SAMHSA 
centers: mental health services, substance abuse treatment, and 
substance abuse prevention. Separate funding is available for 
the children's mental health services program, projects for 
assistance in transition from homelessness, the protection and 
advocacy program, data collection activities undertaken by the 
Office of Applied Studies and the two block grant programs: the 
community mental health services block grant and the substance 
abuse prevention and treatment block grant.

                   CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $883,858,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     807,228,000
Committee recommendation................................     923,812,000

    The Committee recommends $923,812,000 for mental health 
services. This amount is $39,954,000 above the comparable level 
for fiscal year 2007 and $116,584,000 above the administration 
request. The recommendation includes $21,413,000 in transfers 
available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act. 
Included in the recommendation is funding for programs of 
regional and national significance, the mental health 
performance partnership block grant to the States, children's 
mental health services, projects for assistance in transition 
from homelessness, and protection and advocacy services for 
individuals with mental illnesses.

Programs of Regional and National Significance

    The Committee recommends $298,217,000 for programs of 
regional and national significance. This amount is $34,954,000 
above the comparable level for fiscal year 2007 and 
$111,584,000 above the administration request. Programs of 
regional and national significance [PRNS] address priority 
mental health needs through developing and applying best 
practices, offering training and technical assistance, 
providing targeted capacity expansion grants, and changing the 
delivery system through family, client-oriented and consumer-
run activities.
    The Committee notes that current prevention and health 
promotion programs are filtered through a fractured array of 
services and systems, with behavioral health often not seen as 
an integral part of overall health. Effective collaboration 
among mental health and public health systems is essential to 
provide a comprehensive range of services to promote the health 
and well-being of children, families, and communities. The 
Committee recommendation includes $15,000,000 for SAMHSA to 
assist local communities in the coordination and improvement of 
the integration of behavioral/mental and physical health 
services. The Committee expects SAMHSA to collaborate with HRSA 
on this initiative, as well as coordinate with the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
    The Committee intends that the funding provided will allow 
local communities to undertake a range of prevention activities 
that include: (1) the development of a comprehensive plan to 
integrate behavioral and physical health; (2) integration of 
early childhood systems of care to blend services and supports 
from health, mental health, substance abuse, education and 
social services; and (3) development of community-based 
networks for preventative and primary care that coordinates and 
integrates behavioral and physical health service delivery. 
Successful grantees must be able to demonstrate partnerships 
among public health, mental health, substance abuse and early 
childhood and elementary education systems. The Committee 
expects that grantees must be able to evaluate the success of 
the program based on their ability to provide evidence-based 
services.
    The Committee remains deeply concerned that each year more 
than 3,000 Americans between the ages of 15 and 24 die by 
suicide, making suicide the third leading cause of death among 
adolescents. Beginning in fiscal year 2005, the Committee has 
provided funding each year for grants to States and tribes to 
develop youth suicide prevention and early intervention 
programs. The Committee recommendation includes $30,000,000 for 
these grants, $12,180,000 above last year's level and the 
administration request. In addition, the Committee has provided 
$5,000,000 for campus-based programs that address youth suicide 
prevention. The Committee also provides $5,000,000 for the 
Suicide Prevention Resource Center.
    The Committee intends that no less than last year's level 
of funding be used for preventing youth violence. This 
initiative includes the Safe Schools/Healthy Students 
interdepartmental program. The administration proposed cutting 
this initiative by $17,446,000. The Committee believes that 
enhanced school and community-based services can strengthen 
healthy child development, thus reducing violent behavior and 
substance use.
    The Committee recommendation provides funding at last 
year's level for statewide consumer network grants and 
statewide family network grants. The administration proposed 
eliminating both of these programs. The Committee also provides 
funding at last year's level for the consumer and consumer-
supporter national technical assistance centers. The Committee 
directs CMHS to support multi-year grants to five such national 
technical assistance centers.
    The Committee reiterates its strong support for the 
national child traumatic stress network [NCTSN]. The 
recommendation includes $35,000,000 to support grants through 
the NCTSN that will develop knowledge of best practices, offer 
trauma training to mental health and other child-serving 
providers, and provide mental health services to children and 
families suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] 
and other trauma-related disorders as a result of having 
witnessed or experienced a traumatic event. The Committee 
encourages the expansion of the number of network centers, with 
preference to applicants with prior experience in the NCTSN and 
extensive experience in the field of trauma-related mental 
disorders in children, youth, and families.
    The Committee recommendation restores over $73,000,000 in 
funding to programs that the administration proposed to be 
reduced or eliminated within PRNS. The budget request proposes 
to eliminate the minority fellowship program, mental health 
systems transformation activities, children's programs, the 
anti-stigma campaign, as well as the older adult program. The 
administration has proposed a reduction of $6,216,000 for the 
State incentives grant for transformation. The Committee 
recommendation includes funding at last year's level for these 
and other programs within CMHS.
    Disaster Mental Health.--The Committee recognizes the 
significant impact that natural and human-made disasters can 
have on mental and behavioral health. In particular, such 
events can lead to negative mental and behavioral health 
consequences for vulnerable populations, including older 
adults, children, individuals with disabilities, and ethnic 
minorities. The Committee acknowledges the role of the 
Emergency Mental Health and Traumatic Stress Services Branch in 
supporting the emotional recovery of those impacted by trauma 
and disasters. The Committee encourages this branch, in 
collaboration with FEMA, to increase attention to the mental 
and behavioral health needs of vulnerable populations during 
and in the aftermath of a disaster.
    Juvenile Justice.--The Committee encourages SAMSHA to give 
high priority to projects that coordinate, screen, assess, 
diagnose and treat juveniles who have had encounters with the 
juvenile justice system. The Committee is encouraged by the 
results of such programs that have shown significant decreases 
in contacts with law enforcement.
    Mental Health of Older Adults.--The Committee recognizes 
that older adults are among the fastest growing subgroups of 
the U.S. population. Approximately 20-25 percent of older 
adults have a mental or behavioral health problem. In fact, 
older white males (age 85 and over) currently have the highest 
rates of suicide of any group in the United States. The 
Committee acknowledges the efforts of SAMHSA to address the 
mental and behavioral health needs of older adults through the 
targeted capacity expansion grant program. The Committee 
encourages increased support for communities to assist them in 
building a solid foundation for delivering and sustaining 
effective mental health outreach, treatment and prevention 
services for older adults at risk for a mental disorder.
    Teenage Depression and Suicide.--According to the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention, teen suicide rates in the 
United States increased by 18 percent between 2003 and 2004. 
The Committee is deeply concerned by this disturbing 
development and urges SAMHSA to strengthen its efforts to 
assist local educational systems and non-profit entities to 
implement mental health screening and suicide prevention 
programs and to identify evidence-based practices for 
facilitating treatment for youth at risk. As evidence-based 
programs are developed and identified, the Committee strongly 
urges SAMHSA to determine how these practices can be best 
implemented at the community level.
    The Committee recommendation also includes language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Access Community Health                 $500,000  Durbin
 Network, Chicago, IL, for
 behavioral health integration
 programs.
Carroll County Youth Service             350,000  Cardin, Mikulski
 Bureau, Westminster, MD, for
 mental health programs for
 youth.
Children's Coalition for                 250,000  Landrieu
 Northeast Louisiana, Monroe,
 LA, to expand a nationally-
 recognized, community-based
 mental illness screening
 program for middle school
 youth.
Community Counseling Center,             100,000  Collins, Snowe
 Portland, ME, for the
 expansion of the Greater
 Portland Trauma Assistance
 Network.
Corporate Alliance for Drug              100,000  Specter
 Education, Philadelphia, PA,
 for mental health programs.
Essex County, Newark, NJ, for a          750,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 mental health initiative.
New Mexico Human Services                250,000  Bingaman, Domenici
 Department, Behavioral Health
 Collaborative, Santa Fe, NM,
 to transform the behavioral
 health services system.
Oregon Partnership, Portland,            100,000  Smith
 Oregon, for mental health
 services and pro-  grams.
Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Rosebud,            150,000  Johnson
 SD, Rosebud, SD, for youth
 residential and outpatient
 therapy at Piya Mani Otipi.
Sacramento Housing and                   100,000  Boxer
 Redevelopment Agency,
 Sacramento, CA, for services
 to the chronically homeless.
Samaritans of Rhode Island,              250,000  Reed, Whitehouse
 Providence, RI, to enhance the
 Suicide Crisis Hotline.
Spurwink Services, New                   135,000  Collins, Snowe
 Gloucester, ME, to improve
 early detection, training,
 timely access and evaluating
 best practice models for child
 mental health services.
United Way of Anchorage,                 600,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, for the 211
 project to provide a statewide
 health and human services
 management system for Alaska.
Wisconsin Department of                  100,000  Kohl
 Agriculture, Transportation
 and Consumer Protection,
 Madison, WI, to provide mental
 health services for farmers
 and their families throughout
 Wisconsin.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Community Mental Health Services Block Grant

    The Committee recommends $428,256,000 for the community 
mental health services block grant, which is the same as the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount and the administration 
request. The recommendation includes $21,413,000 in transfers 
available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act.
    The community mental health services block grant 
distributes funds to 59 eligible States and Territories through 
a formula based upon specified economic and demographic 
factors. Applications must include an annual plan for providing 
comprehensive community mental health services to adults with a 
serious mental illness and children with a serious emotional 
disturbance. Because the mental health needs of our Nation's 
elderly population are often not met by existing programs and 
because the need for such services is dramatically and rapidly 
increasing, the Committee encourages SAMHSA to require that 
States' plans include specific provisions for mental health 
services for older adults.

                   CHILDREN'S MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES

    The Committee recommends $104,078,000 for the children's 
mental health services program. This amount is the same as the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level and the administration 
request. This program provides grants and technical assistance 
to support community-based services for children and 
adolescents with serious emotional, behavioral or mental 
disorders. Grantees must provide matching funds, and services 
must involve the educational, juvenile justice, and health 
systems.

     PROJECTS FOR ASSISTANCE IN TRANSITION FROM HOMELESSNESS [PATH]

    The Committee recommends $54,261,000 for the PATH Program. 
This amount is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2007 
level and the administration request.
    PATH provides outreach, mental health, and case management 
services and other community support services to individuals 
with serious mental illness who are homeless or at risk of 
becoming homeless. The PATH program makes a significant 
difference in the lives of homeless persons with mental 
illnesses. PATH services eliminate the revolving door of 
episodic inpatient and outpatient hospital care. 
Multidisciplinary teams address client needs within a continuum 
of services, providing needed stabilization so that mental 
illnesses and co-occurring substance abuse and medical issues 
can be addressed. Assistance is provided to enhance access to 
housing, rehabilitation and training, and other needed 
supports, assisting homeless people in returning to secure and 
stable lives.

                        PROTECTION AND ADVOCACY

    The Committee recommends $39,000,000 for the protection and 
advocacy for individuals with mental illness [PAIMI] program, 
which is $5,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2007 level 
and the administration request. This program helps ensure that 
the rights of mentally ill individuals are protected while they 
are patients in all public and private facilities, or while 
they are living in the community, including their own homes. 
Funds are allocated to States according to a formula based on 
population and relative per capita incomes.
    The Committee is aware that many protection and advocacy 
[P&A] agencies are playing a role in correctional facilities, 
which are increasingly holding people with mental illness who 
have not received the supports they need in the community. 
Nationally as many as 20 percent of Americans in jail or prison 
have a serious mental disorder. Providing P&A services to 
individuals with mental illness leaving correctional facilites 
can improve their reentry into communities and can reduce 
recidivism. The additional funding provided by the Committee 
will allow P&A agencies to improve conditions in jails and 
prisons, promote prevention and diversion initiatives, and 
ensure that prisoners with mental illness are prepared to 
reenter society with the supports and services needed to do 
well.

                  CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $2,157,540,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   2,110,681,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,185,159,000

    The Committee recommends $2,185,159,000 for substance abuse 
treatment programs. This amount is $27,619,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and $74,478,000 above 
the administration request. The recommendation includes 
$83,500,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the 
Public Health Service Act. This amount funds substance abuse 
treatment programs of regional and national significance and 
the substance abuse prevention and treatment block grant to the 
States.
    The Committee commends SAMHSA for its outreach and work 
with the National Institute on Drug Abuse [NIDA] and individual 
State substance abuse authorities to reduce the current 15- to 
20-year lag between the discovery of an effective treatment 
intervention and its availability at the community level. In 
particular, the Committee applauds SAMHSA for continuing its 
work with NIDA to strengthen State agencies' capacity to 
support and engage in research that will foster statewide 
adoption of meritorious science-based policies and practices. 
The Committee encourages SAMHSA to continue collaborative work 
with NIDA and individual States to ensure that research 
findings are relevant and adaptable by State substance abuse 
systems.

Programs of Regional and National Significance

    The Committee recommends $426,568,000 for programs of 
regional and national significance [PRNS]. The recommendation 
includes $4,300,000 in transfers available under section 241 of 
the Public Health Service Act. The recommendation is 
$27,619,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2007 level and 
$74,478,000 above the administration request.
    Programs of regional and national significance include 
activities to increase capacity by implementing service 
improvements using proven evidence-based approaches and science 
to services activities, which promote the identification of 
practices thought to have potential for broad service 
improvement.
    The Committee appreciates the administration's emphasis on 
funding substance abuse treatment services through the access 
to recovery [ATR] program, screening, brief intervention, 
referral and treatment [SBIRT] and treatment drug courts, but 
strongly believes that the reduction or elimination of other 
treatment capacity efforts and the elimination of most of the 
science to service activities from the request is not in the 
Nation's best interest. The administration's requested 
increases are offset by decreases in opioid treatment 
activities, treatment for homeless persons and persons with co-
occurring substance use and mental health disorders, children 
and families programs, pregnant and postpartum women programs, 
recovery support services, and other programs that are small in 
costs but that provide critical support to States and 
communities that are attempting to address their serious 
substance abuse services needs. The administration also 
proposes to eliminate science to service activities such as 
Addiction Technology Transfer Centers [ATTCs], the minority 
fellowship program, Recovery Month and consumer affairs 
activities that support public education campaigns on 
prescription drug abuse, drug abuse among the elderly, abuse of 
inhalants and youth steroid use.
    Because of the significant value provided by these 
activities in combating substance use disorders, the Committee 
has provided funding for all of CSAT's PRNS activities at no 
less than last year's level.
    Within the funds appropriated for CSAT, the Committee 
recommends $20,000,000 for residential treatment programs for 
pregnant and postpartum women and their children. This amount 
is $9,610,000 above the comparable level for fiscal year 2007 
and $16,068,000 above the administration request.
    The Committee has provided last year's level for the SBIRT 
program. This competitive grant program assists States, 
territories, and tribes in targeting nondependent drug users 
and is designed to avert the progression of patients from 
chronic substance abuse problems. The SBIRT program works in 
primary and general care settings to identify patients in need 
of treatment and to provide them with appropriate intervention 
and treatment options.
    The Committee recommendation includes an increase of 
$13,709,000, as requested by the administration, for criminal 
justice activities including treatment drug court grants. The 
Committee urges SAMHSA to ensure through the grant application 
process that successful applicants for treatment drug court 
programs demonstrate evidence of consultation and collaboration 
with the corresponding State substance abuse agency in the 
planning, implementation and evaluation of the grant.
    Blood Borne Pathogens.--The Committee is concerned about 
the prevalence of substance abuse, hepatitis and other blood 
borne pathogens and encourages SAMHSA to promote liver health 
education and primary prevention activities. This effort could 
include the promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors for all 
age groups and secondary prevention to promote recovery for 
those infected with blood borne pathogens.
    Rural and Native Communities.--The Committee remains 
concerned by the disproportionate presence of substance abuse 
in rural and Native communities, particularly for American 
Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities. The 
Committee reiterates its belief that funds for prevention and 
treatment programs should be targeted to those persons and 
communities most in need of service. Therefore, the Committee 
has provided sufficient funds to fund projects to increase 
knowledge about effective ways to deliver services to rural and 
native communities.
    Screening Persons with HIV.--According to the nationally 
representative HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study [HCSUS], 
almost half of persons with HIV screened positive for illicit 
drug use or a mental disorder, including depression and anxiety 
disorder. Unfortunately, health care providers fail to notice 
mental disorder and substance use problems in almost half of 
patients with HIV/AIDS, and mental health and substance use 
screening is not common practice in primary care settings. The 
Committee encourages SAMHSA to collaborate with HRSA to train 
health care providers to screen HIV/AIDS patients for mental 
health and substance use problems.
    The Committee recommendation also includes language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Akeela, Inc., Anchorage, AK,            $200,000  Stevens
 for the Re-Entry Program in
 Anchorage, Alaska.
Anchorage Dept. of Health and            400,000  Stevens
 Social Services, Anchorage,
 AK, for the Pathways to
 Sobriety Project in Anchorage,
 Alaska.
Asian American Recovery                  200,000  Feinstein
 Services, Inc., San Francisco,
 CA, for substance abuse
 treatment programs.
Eddy County, Carlsbad, NM, for         1,000,000  Domenici
 substance abuse treatment
 services.
Heartland Family Services,               100,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 Inc., Omaha, NE, for the Sarpy
 County Methamphetamine
 Treatment Program for women
 and children.
Maine Lighthouse Corp., Bar              100,000  Collins, Snowe
 Harbor, ME, for the
 Therapeutic Community for the
 Substance Abuse Treatment
 project.
Maniilaq, Inc., Kotzebue, AK,            500,000  Stevens
 for the Mavsigviq Family
 Recovery Program in Northwest
 Arctic Borough Alaska.
Marin Services for Women, Inc.,          200,000  Feinstein
 Greenbrae, CA, for substance
 abuse treatment for low-income
 women and their children.
Martin Addiction Recovery                200,000  Johnson
 Center, Martin, SD, to enhance
 and expand substance abuse
 intervention and treatment
 services.
Metro Homeless Youth Services            250,000  Feinstein
 of Los Angeles, CA, for
 substance abuse counseling.
Nicasa in Round Lake, IL, for            350,000  Durbin
 evening outpatient substance
 abuse treatment program for
 women.
San Francisco Department of              600,000  Feinstein, Boxer
 Human Services, CA, for mental
 health and substance abuse
 services for the homeless.
University of South Dakota               200,000  Johnson
 Center for Disabilities, Sioux
 Falls, SD, for a rural
 substance abuse technical
 assistance center.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant

    The Committee recommends $1,758,591,000 for the substance 
abuse prevention and treatment block grant. The recommendation 
includes $79,200,000 in transfers available under section 241 
of the Public Health Service Act. The recommendation is the 
same as the comparable level for fiscal year 2007 and the 
administration request. The block grant provides funds to 
States to support alcohol and drug abuse prevention, treatment, 
and rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated to the States 
according to formula. State plans must be submitted and 
approved annually.
    The Committee has not included bill language requested by 
the administration to withhold at least 5 percent of block 
grant funds from States unable to submit National Outcome 
Measures [NOMs] data. The Committee strongly opposes this 
proposal and believes that punitive policies could threaten or 
interrupt service delivery.

                 CENTER FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE PREVENTION

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $192,902,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     156,461,000
Committee recommendation................................     197,108,000

    The Committee recommends $197,108,000 for programs to 
prevent substance abuse, which is $4,206,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level and $40,647,000 above the 
administration request.

Programs of Regional and National Significance

    The Committee has provided $197,108,000 for programs of 
regional and national significance [PRNS]. The Center for 
Substance Abuse Prevention [CSAP] is the sole Federal 
organization with responsibility for improving accessibility 
and quality of substance abuse prevention services. Through the 
PRNS, CSAP supports: development of new practice knowledge on 
substance abuse prevention; identification of proven effective 
models; dissemination of science-based intervention 
information; State and community capacity-building for 
implementation of proven effective substance abuse prevention 
programs; and programs addressing new needs in the prevention 
system.
    The Committee expects CSAP to focus its efforts on 
preventing substance use among youth through environmental and 
population-based strategies due to the cost effectiveness of 
these approaches. Further, the Committee instructs that given 
the paucity of resources for bona fide substance abuse 
prevention programs and strategies, money specifically 
appropriated to CSAP for these purposes shall not be 
reallocated for any other programs or purposes within SAMHSA.
    The Committee recommendation includes funding at last 
year's level for the strategic prevention framework State 
incentive grant [SPF SIG] program, which is designed to 
promote, bolster and sustain prevention infrastructure in every 
State in the country. The Committee recognizes that the 
lynchpin of the SPF SIG program is State flexibility. 
Therefore, the Committee urges SAMHSA to promote flexibility in 
the use of SPF SIG funds in order to allow each State to tailor 
prevention services based on a needs assessment or plan, rather 
than pre-determined strategies that may not be appropriate for 
the populations in their own jurisdiction.
    The Committee provides funding at no less than last year's 
level for the Centers for the Application of Prevention 
Technologies [CAPTs] instead of the proposed elimination of 
this program. The Committee is extremely concerned with 
SAMHSA's proposal to eliminate the CAPTs. The purpose of the 
CAPTs is to translate the latest substance abuse prevention 
science and improve the practices of prevention professionals 
and community coalition members. The CAPTs are SAMHSA's only 
regional network system that provides substance abuse 
prevention workforce training through regional conferences, 
workshops, customized technical assistance, curriculum 
development, online courses, and trainer events.
    The Committee commends the Surgeon General's ``Call to 
Action'' on underage drinking, which emphasizes that alcohol 
remains the most heavily abused substance by America's youth 
and focuses national attention on this major public health and 
safety problem. The Committee shares the Surgeon General's 
concern about new research indicating that the developing 
adolescent brain may be particularly susceptible to long-term 
harms from alcohol use, including neurocognitive impairment. 
Those findings add new urgency to public and private sector 
efforts to prevent and reduce underage drinking.
    The Committee expects the Intergovernmental Coordinating 
Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking [ICCPUD] and 
its member agencies to continue coordinating national efforts 
to prevent and reduce underage drinking and its consequences, 
and develop and pursue efforts to carry out the Surgeon 
General's Call to Action. Those efforts should include 
supporting and assisting State and local efforts to carry out 
the Surgeon General's recommendations. In reporting Monitoring 
the Future and other substance use surveillance data, the 
Committee expects SAMHSA to collaborate with NIDA and other 
ICCPUD agencies to separately and prominently highlight 
alcohol-related findings.
    In support of the Surgeon General's recommendations for 
strengthening national efforts to prevent and reduce underage 
drinking, the the Committee recommendation includes $4,000,000 
for activities authorized by the Sober Truth on Preventing 
[STOP] Underage Drinking Act. This amount includes $1,000,000 
for continuation of the national adult-oriented media campaign 
to prevent underage drinking and $3,000,000 for grants to help 
community coalitions address underage drinking.
    The Committee supports the continuation and enhancement of 
SAMHSA's Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders [FASD] Center for 
Excellence, and has included funding at last year's level for 
FASD activities. The Committee requests that SAMHSA submit a 
progress report in its fiscal year 2009 congressional budget 
justification on the Center's accomplishments and lessons 
learned in preventing and reducing fetal alcohol spectrum 
disorders. The report should outline future plans for the 
Center, including programmatic and funding priorities.
    The Committee recommendation also includes language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe,             $400,000  Johnson
 Eagle Butte, SD, for a
 methamphetamine prevention
 program.
Clinton County Office of                 100,000  Specter
 District Attorney, Lock Haven,
 PA, for substance abuse
 prevention programs.
Community Health Center on the           200,000  Inouye
 Big Island of Hawaii.
Institute for Research,                  100,000  Specter
 Education and Training in
 Addictions, Pittsburgh, PA,
 for substance abuse prevention
 programs.
Iowa Office of Drug Control              100,000  Harkin
 Policy, Des Moines, IA, to
 educate parents about drug use
 by teenagers.
Municipality of Anchorage,               400,000  Stevens, Murkowski
 Anchorage, AK, for
 methamphetamine education
 project in Alaska.
Seton Hill University,                   100,000  Specter
 Greensburg, PA, for substance
 abuse prevention programs.
Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, Fort          400,000  Johnson
 Yates, ND, for a
 methamphetamine prevention
 program.
Tanana Chiefs Conference,                500,000  Stevens
 Fairbanks, AK, for the
 Ch'eghutsen Children's Mental
 Health Program in Interior
 Alaska.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

    The Committee recommends $98,719,000 for program management 
activities of the agency. The recommendation includes 
$21,750,000 in transfers available under section 241 of the 
Public Health Service Act. The recommendation is $5,998,000 
above the comparable level for fiscal year 2007 and $5,500,000 
above the budget request. The program management activity 
includes resources for coordinating, directing, and managing 
the agency's programs. Program management funds support 
salaries, benefits, space, supplies, equipment, travel, and 
departmental overhead required to plan, supervise, and 
administer SAMHSA's programs. The Committee has included an 
additional $4,000,000 to maintain the level of effort for the 
National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH].
    Despite the significant levels of Federal, State, and local 
funding for mental health services, and a growing consensus 
that the Nation's mental healthcare system must be reformed, 
there are no current regular and periodic population-based 
sources of data on adults with serious mental illness and 
children with serous emotional disturbance. The Committee 
believes that such data are necessary to help policymakers 
implement the recommendations in the President's New Freedom 
Commission on Mental Health report ``Achieving the Promise: 
Transforming Mental Health Care in America.''
    On the recommendation of a meeting in December 2006 of 
mental health researchers and stakeholders, the Committee is 
funding the development and calibration of a module in the 
National Survey on Drug Use and Health [NSDUH] to provide 
reliable and valid data on adults with serious mental illness.
    The meeting of experts also recommended the use of the 
National Health Interview Survey [NHIS], conducted by the 
National Center for Health Statistics at CDC, as the best 
mechanism to collect information on children with serious 
emotional disturbance. Thus the Committee is providing, in 
addition to the funds needed to continue the validation and 
calibration studies on NSDUH, $1,500,000 to include mental 
health questions in the NHIS and to carry out studies necessary 
to ensure the validity and reliability of the NHIS data.
    The Committee is aware of collaborative work by SAMHSA and 
State substance abuse directors to implement outcomes data 
collection and reporting through the NOMs initiative. The 
Committee commends States and SAMHSA for working to streamline 
data reporting, reduce administrative burden, and improve 
accountability. The Committee is encouraged by work to examine 
and promote effective non-proprietary data management tools and 
State-to-State problem solving solutions. The Committee notes 
that States are making progress in reporting NOMs information 
through the SAPT block grant. According to SAMHSA, 
approximately 40 States voluntarily reported substance abuse 
outcomes data through the SAPT block grant in 2006. States 
reported positive improvements in a number of data domains--
including abstinence from alcohol and drug use; housing status; 
criminal justice involvement; and employment.

               Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $318,986,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     329,564,000
Committee recommendation................................     329,564,000

    The Committee recommends $329,564,000 for the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality [AHRQ]. This amount is 
$10,578,000 above the comparable funding level for fiscal year 
2007 and is the same as the administration request. The 
Committee has funded AHRQ through budget authority rather than 
through transfers available under section 241 of the Public 
Health Service Act.
    The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was 
established in 1990 to promote improvements in clinical 
practice and patient outcomes, promote improvements in the 
financing, organization, and delivery of health care services, 
and increase access to quality care. AHRQ is the Federal agency 
charged to produce and disseminate scientific and policy-
relevant information about the cost, quality, access, and 
medical effectiveness of health care. AHRQ provides 
policymakers, health care professionals, and the public with 
the information necessary to improve cost effectiveness and 
appropriateness of health care and to reduce the costs of 
health care.

                  HEALTH COSTS, QUALITY, AND OUTCOMES

    The Committee provides $271,564,000 for research on health 
costs, quality and outcomes [HCQO]. This amount is $10,578,000 
above the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 and is 
the same as the administration request. HCQO research activity 
is focused upon improving clinical practice, improving the 
health care system's capacity to deliver quality care, and 
tracking progress toward health goals through monitoring and 
evaluation.
    Of the total amount provided for HCQO the Committee has 
included $78,934,000 to continue AHRQ's patient safety program. 
Of this amount, $44,820,000 will support the Department's 
initiative to promote the development, adoption, and diffusion 
of information technology in health care.
    The Committee has not provided funding for the 
administration's personalized health care initiative. Instead, 
the Committee recommendation includes $30,000,000 for research 
regarding the outcomes, comparative effectiveness and 
appropriateness of health care interventions. The Committee's 
recommendation doubles the amount provided for this research, 
which was authorized under section 1013 of the Medicare 
Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.
    The Committee is aware that despite having the most 
expensive health care system in the world based on per capita 
expenditures, the United States ranks well below other 
countries on key health indicators, such as overall life 
expectancy and infant survival. Studies have shown that much of 
this is due to health care that lacks a basis in evidence. 
Studies have estimated that up to 30 percent of the Nation's 
health care spending pays for ineffective, inappropriate or 
redundant care.
    In order to help providers and patients achieve the best 
quality care, the Committee believes we need a sound foundation 
of evidence about which treatments work best. AHRQ's 
comparative effectiveness research program helps patients and 
providers make informed decisions about treatment options by 
providing them with unbiased, practically useful information on 
the benefits and risks of treatments for common health 
problems. With funding provided by the Committee in previous 
years, AHRQ has released final reports focusing on 
interventions of special importance to Medicare beneficiaries, 
such as the effectiveness of the most commonly prescribed 
antidepressants, the use of stents for patients with narrow 
kidney arteries, and the accuracy of noninvasive tests for 
breast cancer. The additional funding provided by the Committee 
will allow AHRQ to undertake a greater number of reviews of 
health care interventions including drugs, devices, medical 
procdedures and other treatments that have the most impact on 
Medicare, as well as allow the agency to expand its research to 
the Medicaid and SCHIP programs.
    Deep Vein Thrombosis.--Numerous studies conducted on deep 
vein thrombosis [DVT] have shown that there is a gap between 
knowledge and practice. A recent large scale national study 
found that only one-third of acute hospital patients who were 
at risk for DVT actually received the pharmacological or 
mechanical prophylaxis according to established guidelines. The 
Committee urges AHRQ to disseminate and make available 
evidence-based information to healthcare providers and patients 
as a step toward reducing the risks of serious and life-
threatening complications from DVT.
    Investigator-initiated Research.--The Committee values AHRQ 
for its critical role in supporting health services research to 
improve health care quality, reduce costs, advance patient 
safety, decrease medical errors, eliminate health care 
disparities, and broaden access to essential services. However, 
the Committee is troubled that AHRQ's investigator-initiated 
research portfolio has languished, even though many of the 
sentinel studies that have changed the face of health and 
health care in the United States are the result of researchers' 
ingenuity and creativity. To advance scientific discovery and 
the expansion of knowledge, AHRQ should invest at least as much 
on an investigator-initiated research agenda as it does on 
intramural health services research. The Committee urges the 
Department to expand funding for AHRQ's investigator-initiated 
research in its fiscal year 2009 budget request.
    Safe Patient Handling.--The Committee is concerned about 
the consequences of manual patient lifting in hospitals, 
nursing homes and other patient care settings that increase the 
risk to patients of injuries such as skin tears, skin 
ulceration, falls and shoulder dislocations. Moreover, 
workplace injuries to nurses, such as back, shoulder and neck 
injuries, exacerbate the nursing shortage with loss of work 
time or debilitating, career-ending injuries. The Committee 
urges AHRQ to study the impact of utilizing assistive devices 
and patient lifting equipment on patient injuries and outcomes, 
as well as the health and safety of nurses.
    Spina Bifida.--The Committee encourages AHRQ to continue 
its efforts to validate quality patient treatment data measures 
for the National Spina Bifida Patient Registry being developed 
in partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention. The Committee requests that the Agency report on 
the status of this effort in its fiscal year 2009 congressional 
budget justification.
    Unit-of-use Packaging.--The Committee is aware that the 
Institute of Medicine has recognized the potential benefits 
provided to patients by unit-of-use packaging, which are drug 
products dispensed directly to patients in containers that 
provide enough medication for use during a specified time 
interval. The Committee urges AHRQ to conduct a comprehensive 
study to evaluate unit-of-use packaging and design approaches 
that would support various patient populations in their 
medication self-management, including children, chronically ill 
patients, patients taking prescription narcotics, and patients 
taking antibiotics.

                   MEDICAL EXPENDITURES PANEL SURVEYS

    The Committee provides $55,300,000 for health insurance and 
medical expenditures panel surveys [MEPS], which is the same as 
the comparable fiscal year 2007 level and the administration 
request. MEPS is intended to obtain 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. It also develops cost and 
savings estimates of proposed changes in policy and identifies 
impact of policy changes on payers, providers, and patients.

                            PROGRAM SUPPORT

    The Committee recommends $2,700,000 for program support. 
This amount is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2007 
level and the administration request. This activity supports 
the overall management of the agency.

               Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

                     GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID

Appropriations, 2007....................................$105,470,957,000
Budget estimate, 2008................................... 141,628,056,000
Committee recommendation................................ 141,628,056,000

    The Committee recommends $141,628,056,000 for Grants to 
States for Medicaid, the same amount as the administration's 
request. This amount excludes $65,257,617,000 in fiscal year 
2007 advance appropriations for fiscal year 2008. In addition, 
$67,292,669,000 is provided for the first quarter of fiscal 
year 2009, as requested by the administration.
    The Medicaid program provides medical care for eligible 
low-income individuals and families. It is administered by each 
of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 
the territories. Federal funds for medical assistance are made 
available to the States according to a formula, which 
determines the appropriate Federal matching rate for State 
program costs. This matching rate is based upon the State's 
average per capita income relative to the national average, and 
shall be no less than 50 percent and no more than 83 percent.

                  PAYMENTS TO HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS

Appropriations, 2007....................................$176,298,480,000
Budget estimate, 2008................................... 188,628,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 188,828,000,000

    The Committee recommends $188,828,000,000 for Federal 
payments to health care trust funds. This amount is 
$200,000,000 more than the administration's request. This 
entitlement account includes the general fund subsidy to the 
Federal Supplementary Medical Insurance Trust Fund for Medicare 
part B benefits and for Medicare part D drug benefits and 
administration, plus other reimbursements to the Federal 
Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for part A benefits and related 
administrative costs that have not been financed by payroll 
taxes or premium contributions. The Committee has provided 
$140,704,000,000 for the Federal payment to the Supplementary 
Medical Insurance Trust Fund. This payment provides matching 
funds for premiums paid by Medicare part B enrollees. The 
Committee further provides $46,299,000,000 for the general fund 
share of benefits paid under Public Law 108-173, the Medicare 
Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. 
The Committee includes bill language requested by the 
administration providing indefinite authority for paying the 
General Revenue portion of the part B premium match and 
provides resources for the part D drug benefit program in the 
event that the annual appropriation is insufficient. The 
recommendation also includes $269,000,000 for hospital 
insurance for the uninsured. The Committee also recommends 
$237,000,000 for Federal uninsured benefit payment. This 
payment reimburses the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund for the 
cost of benefits provided to Federal annuitants who are 
eligible for Medicare. The Committee recommendation includes 
$192,000,000 to be transferred to the Hospital Insurance Trust 
Fund as the general fund share of CMS Program Management 
administrative expenses. The Committee recommendation also 
includes $744,000,000 to be transferred to the Supplementary 
Insurance Trust Fund as the general fund share of part D 
administrative expenses. The Committee recommendation includes 
$383,000,000 in reimbursements to the Health Care Fraud and 
Abuse Control [HCFAC] fund.

                           PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $3,141,107,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   3,274,026,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,248,088,000

    The Committee recommends $3,248,088,000 for CMS program 
management, which is $106,981,000 more than the fiscal year 
2007 enacted level.

Research, Demonstrations, and Evaluations

    The Committee recommends $35,325,000 for research, 
demonstrations, and evaluation activities, $1,625,000 more than 
the administration's request.
    CMS research and demonstration activities facilitate 
informed rational Medicare and Medicaid policy choices and 
decision making. These studies and evaluations include projects 
to measure the impact of Medicare and Medicaid policy analysis 
and decision making, projects to measure the impact of Medicare 
and Medicaid on health care costs, projects to measure patient 
outcomes in a variety of treatment settings, and projects to 
develop alternative strategies for reimbursement, coverage, and 
program management.
    The Committee has included $10,000,000 for Real Choice 
Systems Change Grants for Community Living to States to fund 
initiatives that establish enduring and systemic improvements 
in long-term services and supports.
    The Committee recommendation also includes bill language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Medicare Chronic Care Practice          $675,000  Johnson
 Research Network, Sioux Falls,
 SD, to evolve and continue the
 Medicare Coordinated Care
 Demonstration project.
Mississippi Primary Health Care          100,000  Cochran
 Association, Jackson, MS, for
 the Mississippi PharmNet South
 340B Initiative, a 340B health
 information technology model.
Mosaic, Des Moines, IA, for the          350,000  Harkin
 Iowa Community Integration
 Project.
University of Mississippi,               400,000  Cochran
 University, MS, for the
 Medication Use and Outcomes
 Research Group.
University of North Carolina             100,000  Burr
 School of Pharmacy, Chapel
 Hill, NC, to study the impact
 of a primary care practice
 model utilizing clinical
 pharmacist practitioners to
 improve the care of Medicare-
 eligible populations in NC.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Medicare Operations

    The Committee recommends $2,276,052,000 for Medicare 
operations, which is $27,563,000 less than the administration's 
request.
    The Medicare operations line item covers a broad range of 
activities including claims processing and program safeguard 
activities performed by Medicare contractors. These contractors 
also provide information, guidance, and technical support to 
both providers and beneficiaries. In addition, this line item 
includes a variety of projects that extend beyond the 
traditional fee-for-service arena.
    The Committee recommends that not less than $35,000,000 be 
made available for the State Health Insurance Counseling 
Program. SHIPs provide one-on-one counseling to beneficiaries 
on complex Medicare-related topics, including Medicare 
entitlement and enrollment, health plan options, prescription 
drug benefits, Medigap and long-term care insurance, and 
Medicaid.
    The committee recommendation includes $500,000 to support 
activities of the National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach 
and Enrollment within the Administration on Aging. CMS is 
directed to coordinate with AoA to utilize cost effective 
strategies to find and enroll those with greatest need in part 
D and other health and human services assistance for which they 
are eligible.
    The Committee includes bill language that extends the 
availability of funds for Medicare contracting reform until 
September 30, 2009 but does not include language, requested by 
the Administration that directs CMS to ensure that no fewer 
than 15 Medicare administrative contractors begin operations by 
December 15, 2008.
    The Committee recommends that $49,869,000 be made available 
for obligation over a 2-year period ending September 30, 2009, 
for contract costs pursuant to the development of the 
Healthcare Integrated General Ledger Accounting System 
[HIGLAS].
    Advances in medicine have enabled increasing numbers of 
Type 1 diabetes patients to live with this disease for more 
than 50 years. Recent advances in continuous glucose monitoring 
technology have the potential to revolutionize the way diabetes 
is managed on a daily basis. While research is underway, the 
Committee urges CMS not to make premature coverage decisions 
for this durable medical equipment nor take actions that would 
delay the private adoption of these technologies.
    In early 2007 CMS promulgated new regulations for long term 
acute care hospitals [LTACHS]. The Committee is concerned that 
the CMS guidelines once again set arbitrary quota limits for 
the number of patients which an LTACH can accept from any one 
hospital. Patients who need access to LTACHS are among the most 
vulnerable of the sick.
    This Committee has previously stated that the decision as 
to which patients should go into a LTACH should be made by 
physicians based on well-defined patient and hospital 
admissions criteria--not on arbitrary quotas. The Medicare 
Payment Advisory Commission [MEDPAC] in its March 22, 2007 
letter to CMS warned that arbitrary criteria increase the risk 
of unintended consequences.
    The Committee expects that CMS will work closely with 
providers and others in an expedited timetable to develop and 
promulgate realistic and workable admissibility criteria which 
will allow for the reasonable and measured expansion of the 
LTACH system.
    The Committee is aware of concerns that Medicare 
beneficiaries have inconsistent access to recreational therapy 
[RT] services in various inpatient settings due a lack of 
clarity in CMS regulations. These settings are inpatient 
rehabilitation facilities [IRFs], skilled nursing facilities 
[SNFs] and inpatient psychiatric hospitals [IPFs]. CMS has not 
adequately communicated policies to these inpatient providers 
through revisions to its regulations or the Medicare Benefits 
Policy Manual [MBPM]. This lack of clarity is creating 
confusion among Medicare providers and contractors and 
resulting in inconsistent access to recreational therapy for 
Medicare beneficiaries in need of these services.
    The Committee encourages CMS to issue revised regulations 
or publish policy guidance in the MBPM that clarifies policies 
related to recreational therapies.
    The Committee is aware of the significant Medicare 
reductions (in excess of 25 percent on average) to the Power 
Mobility Device [PMD] fee schedule amounts, which became 
effective November 15, 2006. The Committee strongly encourages 
CMS not to alter further the PMD fee schedule in effect 
November 15, 2006 during fiscal year 2008. The Committee 
further encourages CMS to validate any subsequent alterations 
in a report based on claims data under current PMD fee schedule 
amounts. The Committee is concerned that the Medicare 
Modernization Act provision requiring mandatory provider 
accreditations has not been fully implemented. Such a 
requirement will reduce fraud and abuse and ensure beneficiary 
access only to quality providers and equipment. The Committee 
believes that the provision of medically necessary PMDs can 
save Medicare money through cost-avoidance associated with 
expensive institutional care or hospitalization resulting from 
falls by the growing elderly population.
    The Committee is aware that the Centers for Medicare and 
Medicaid Services [CMS] has proposed a national coverage 
decision memorandum for the use of Erythropoiesis Stimulating 
Agents [ESAs] in Cancer and Related Neoplastic Conditions. 
Recent concerns have been raised by both CMS and the Food and 
Drug Administration about the use of ESAs in treating anemia 
that results from chemotherapy. These concerns may be valid for 
patients treated with ESAs to high hemoglobin targets (above 
12g/dL), but, as the FDA noted, they do not apply to all 
individuals treated for chemotherapy-induced anemia or bone 
marrow failure diseases, eg. myelodysplasia. The Committee is 
concerned that evidence from some studies is being broadly and 
inappropriately extrapolated, resulting in proposals that are 
not evidence-based or scientifically rigorous. The committee 
requests that CMS delay finalizing the Proposed Decision Memo 
for Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents [ESAs] for non-renal 
disease indications (CAG-00383N) until after the FDA has 
completed its current review of ESA labeling.

State Survey and Certification

    The Committee recommends $293,524,000 for Medicare State 
survey and certification activities, which is the same as the 
administration's 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.
    The Committee has included language, requested by the 
administration, which authorizes the Secretary to charge fees 
associated with the cost of conducting revisits of certain 
health care facilities.

Federal Administration

    The Committee recommends $643,187,000 for Federal 
administration costs, which is the same as the budget request.
    The Committee recommends continuing the Healthy Start, Grow 
Smart program, which disseminates educational brochures to low-
income pregnant women and new mothers. The prenatal brochure 
provides information on prenatal care and highlights the link 
between maternal behaviors and development of the unborn child. 
The remaining brochures are distributed at birth and at key 
developmental points during the first two years of life. The 
publications offer vital health and safety information for new 
parents and focuses on infant brain development and skills 
these children need to be successful in school.
    The Committee commends CMS for supporting rural health 
interdisciplinary training initiatives. The Committee strongly 
supports demonstration projects to develop interdisciplinary, 
collaborative and culturally appropriate family medicine 
residency, nursing and allied health professions training in 
rural areas. These projects have the potential to reduce health 
disparities and to improve access to culturally appropriate 
health care for underserved populations. The Committee urges 
CMS to consider waivers of population density requirements for 
demonstration projects in rural and/or isolated areas.
    The Committee encourages CMS to use existing waiver 
authority under the Public Health Service Act to issue waivers 
of the governance requirements for Federally Qualified Health 
Centers [FQHC] look-alike centers to nurse practice 
arrangements commonly referred to as nurse-managed health 
centers.
    The Committee recognizes that nurse practitioners and 
nurse-managed health centers are an important part of the 
Nation's healthcare safety-net serving vulnerable and 
underserved populations. Vulnerable populations are populations 
comprised of a high percentage of uninsured patients that lack 
access to adequate primary care services. The Committee 
understands that States have the primary role regarding the 
scope of practice for nurse practitioners and other health 
practitioners. The Committee is pleased that CMS has taken some 
steps to ensure that these providers do not face provider-based 
discrimination when applying for admission to the primary care 
provider networks of managed care organizations [MCO] operating 
around the Nation. The Committee is, however, concerned that a 
large percentage of MCOs have established policies which 
unfairly exclude nurse practitioners as a class of providers 
from their provider panels. The Committee encourages CMS to 
develop written guidance informing MCOs that Federal 
regulations allow and encourage nurse practitioners to be part 
of an MCO's panel of providers. The Committee also encourages 
CMS to conduct a survey of MCOs to determine the extent to 
which nurse practitioners are part of their panel of providers 
and if not, the reasons for that.
    Since January 1, 1998, nurse practitioners have been 
providing reimbursable care to patients as part B providers. 
Despite their ability to provide and bill for services rendered 
in all of these areas, they are still unable to order or 
certify home health care for patients. CMS has referenced the 
sections 1861(r) of the Social Security Act's definition of 
physician, which does not include nurse practitioner. The 
Committee encourages CMS to expand its interpretation of the 
word ``physician'' in Part A, section 1814, of the Medicare law 
to enable nurse practitioners to certify and order hospice and 
home health care.
    The Committee encourages the Secretary to work across the 
Department to direct its resources toward programs with the 
highest evidentiary standards, such as randomized trials. For 
example, the Committee is aware of extensive evidence that 
Nurse-Family Partnership, an early home visitation program for 
first-time low-income mothers, prevents child abuse and 
childhood injury, helps develop positive parent-child 
relationships, and helps the brain development of the children 
served. The Committee requests that the Secretary apply the 
high evidentiary standards to programs across the Department, 
and to support agencies within the Department, such as Health 
Resources and Services Administration [HRSA] and Administration 
for Children and Families [ACF], adopting evidence-based 
programs.
    The Committee encourages the Division of Nursing [DON] to 
use existing authority under the Nurse Reinvestment Act to 
consider establishing a grant program that will assist nurse 
practice arrangements commonly referred to as nurse-managed 
health centers in securing an alternative means of prospective 
payment reimbursement for their Medicare and Medicaid clients.
    This Committee has supported demonstration projects that 
have assessed the efficacy of using interactive video 
technology as a means for providing intensive behavioral health 
services to individuals with serious emotional and behavioral 
challenges, such as autism and other at-risk populations. Such 
projects have assessed the effectiveness of the medium in 
providing a range of services such as behavior analysis, case 
management, medical services, psychiatric services, support to 
education and training. However, the Committee has observed 
that one of the most serious obstacles to the integration of 
telemedicine into health practices is the absence of 
consistent, comprehensive reimbursement policies. Medicare 
authorizes only partial reimbursement. Medicaid policies set at 
state levels vary widely and are inconsistent from State to 
State. The Committee believes that telehealth technology is a 
way to provide intensive behavioral health therapy services in 
a cost effective manner. Further, since the 1999 Supreme Court 
Olmstead decision, the Committee has been dedicating resources 
towards States to move individuals out of institutions into 
community-based settings. The Committee recognizes the 
potential benefits that telehealth technologies can have in 
supporting the independence, productivity and integration into 
the community of persons with developmental disabilities.
    The Committee urges CMS this year to provide it with a 
comprehensive survey on a State-by-State basis of telehealth 
services provided under Medicaid. It further requests that CMS 
meet with an appropriate array of telehealth specialists 
including those who have been involved in the demonstration 
projects supported by this Committee to survey and assess best 
practices and professional criteria standards and make 
recommendations to the Committee concerning national standards 
for telehealth reimbursement which advances and encourages this 
technology.
    The Committee is aware that many low-income Medicare part D 
enrollees living with HIV/AIDS have benefited from effective 
medication management programs. In its fiscal year 2008 budget 
justification, CMS noted that it was considering demonstration 
authority as a way to test best practice models of medication 
therapy management programs. The Committee strongly encourages 
CMS to develop such demonstrations in fiscal year 2008.
    The Committee is concerned that many seniors do not have a 
good understanding of the benefits covered, and not covered, 
under the Medicare program. In particular, studies have 
indicated that a majority of adults who are 45 or older 
overestimate Medicare coverage for long-term care. The 
Committee commends CMS for stating its intention to inform all 
target households through its initial mailings that ``Medicare 
generally does not pay'' for long-term care. The Committee also 
encourages the Department to use other communication methods, 
in addition to the Internet and direct mail, to clarify widely 
held misperceptions about Medicare and long-term care. This 
policy would allow individuals to better prepare for their 
potential long-term care needs without impoverishing themselves 
to qualify for Medicaid.

                  HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ABUSE CONTROL

Appropriations, 2007....................................................
Budget estimate, 2008...................................    $183,000,000
Committee recommendation................................     383,000,000

    The Committee recommends $383,000,000, to be transferred 
from the Medicare trust funds, for health care fraud and abuse 
control activities. This account has not been funded using 
discretionary funds in prior years. This amount, in addition to 
the $1,131,031,000 in mandatory monies for these activities, 
will provide a total of $1,514,031,000 for health care fraud 
and abuse control activities in fiscal year 2008, $200,000,000 
over the budget request.
    Reducing fraud, waste, and abuse in Medicare and Medicaid 
continues to be a top priority of the Committee. The Committee 
has held a number of hearings on fraud and abuse issues over 
the past 10 years and expects to begin holding more hearings on 
this issue over the next 12 months.

                Administration for Children and Families

  PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AND FAMILY SUPPORT 
                                PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $3,263,678,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   2,949,713,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,949,713,000

    The Committee recommends $2,949,713,000 be made available 
in fiscal year 2008 for payments to States for child support 
enforcement and family support programs. The Committee 
recommendation is the same as the budget request under current 
law. The Committee also has provided $1,000,000,000 in advance 
funding for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 for the child 
support enforcement program, the same as the budget request.
    These payments support the States' efforts to promote the 
self-sufficiency and economic security of low-income families. 
These funds also support efforts to locate non-custodial 
parents, determine paternity when necessary, and establish and 
enforce orders of support.

               LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $2,161,170,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,782,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,161,170,000

    The Committee recommends $2,161,170,000 for fiscal year 
2008 for the low income home energy assistance program 
[LIHEAP]. This is the same as the comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007 and $379,170,000 above the budget request. 
LIHEAP is made up of two components: the State grant program 
and a contingency fund.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,980,000,000 for 
the State grant program, which is the same as the comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 and $480,000,000 above the 
budget request. LIHEAP grants are awarded to States, 
territories, Indian tribes, and tribal organizations to assist 
low-income households in meeting the costs of home energy. 
States receive great flexibility in how they provide 
assistance, including direct payments to individuals and 
vendors and direct provision of fuel. These resources are 
distributed by formula to these entities as defined by statute, 
based in part on each State's share of home energy expenditures 
by low-income households.
    The Committee recommends $181,170,000 for the contingency 
fund. This is the same as the comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007 and $100,830,000 below the budget request. The 
contingency fund may be used to provide assistance to one or 
more States adversely affected by extreme heat or cold, 
significant price increases, or other causes of energy-related 
emergencies.

                     REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $587,847,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     655,630,000
Committee recommendation................................     654,166,000

    The Committee recommends $654,166,000 for refugee and 
entrant assistance. The recommendation is $66,319,000 above the 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 and $1,464,000 
below the budget request for this program.
    The refugee and entrant assistance program is designed to 
assist States in their efforts to assimilate refugees, asylees, 
Cuban and Haitian entrants, and adults and minors who are 
trafficking victims, into American society as quickly and 
effectively as possible. The program funds State-administered 
transitional and medical assistance, the voluntary agency 
matching grant program, programs for victims of trafficking and 
torture, employment and social services, targeted assistance, 
and preventive health. Based on an estimated refugee admission 
ceiling of 70,000, this appropriation enables States to provide 
8 months of cash and medical assistance to eligible refugees 
and entrants, a variety of social and educational services, as 
well as foster care for refugee and entrant unaccompanied 
minors.
    In order to carry out the refugee and entrant assistance 
program, the Committee recommends $294,021,000 for transitional 
and medical assistance including State administration and the 
voluntary agency program; $9,823,000 for victims of 
trafficking; $154,005,000 for social services; $4,748,000 for 
preventive health; and $48,590,000 for targeted assistance.
    The Committee is troubled by reports that HHS has been 
hampered by the Department of Homeland Security and the 
Department of Justice in providing emergency benefits and 
services to child victims of trafficking. Congress clearly 
intended in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 to 
allow children to receive assistance regardless of their 
ability or willingness to participate in an investigation and 
prosecution of their traffickers. Yet the Committee understands 
that, in practice, children are often coerced into working with 
law enforcement because they have contacted HHS for access to 
services. The Committee expects HHS to use its authority from 
the Trafficking Victims Protection Act to expedite the 
determination of eligibility of child victims without delays 
from law enforcement authorities.
    For unaccompanied children, pursuant to section 462 of the 
Homeland Security Act of 2002, the Committee recommends 
$133,162,000. Funds provided are for the care and placement of 
unaccompanied alien children [UAC] in the Office of Refugee 
Resettlement [ORR].
    The Committee notes that $25,000,000 of the funding 
increase provided for the UAC program is for shelter needs, 
partly due to an estimated 12 percent increase in the average 
length of stay in ORR facilities. The Committee is alarmed by 
this increase and directs the Department to prepare a report 
that identifies factors contributing to increased shelter costs 
and delays in the release of children from ORR care. The report 
should examine such factors as backlogs in background checks, 
issuance of travel documents and delays in repatriations. The 
report should also propose cost-effective and expedient 
solutions to remedy the delays that are costing the Department 
thousands of dollars in shelter care costs per day.
    The Committee has not provided the additional funds 
requested by the administration for expanded background checks. 
ORR currently performs background checks on the adult to whom 
the child is released, as well as home visits when deemed 
necessary. The Committee believes that expanded background 
checks would contribute to even lengthier delays in getting 
children released and even longer periods of time in custody.
    The Committee directs ORR to use the increase provided to 
expand the pro bono legal services initiative. The Committee 
recognizes the need for unaccompanied children to be 
appropriately represented before immigration courts and is 
pleased with the progress ORR has made in providing pro bono 
counsel and support services for these children. The Committee 
has provided sufficient funding for ORR to increase its efforts 
for pro bono legal services in all places where UAC are held in 
and released from Federal custody. The Committee expects ORR to 
use part of the increase provided to assess the overall impact 
of the pro bono legal services initiative.
    The Committee also recommends $9,817,000 to treat and 
assist victims of torture. These funds may also be used to 
provide training to healthcare providers to enable them to 
treat the physical and psychological effects of torture.

                 CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $2,062,081,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   2,062,081,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,062,081,000

    The Committee recommends $2,062,081,000 for the child care 
and development block grant. This is the same as the comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request. The 
child care and development block grant supports grants to 
States to provide low-income families with financial assistance 
for child care; for improving the quality and availability of 
child care; and for establishing or expanding child development 
programs.
    The Committee recommendation continues specific set asides 
in appropriations language, also included in the budget 
request, that provide targeted resources to specific policy 
priorities including $18,777,370 for the purposes of supporting 
before and afterschool services, as well as resource and 
referral programs. This represents the Federal commitment to 
the activities previously funded under the dependent care block 
grant. The Committee recommendation sets aside $267,785,718 for 
child care quality activities, including $98,208,000 
specifically for an infant care quality initiative. These funds 
are recommended in addition to the 4 percent quality earmark 
established in the authorizing legislation. The Committee has 
provided these additional quality funds because of the 
considerable research that demonstrates the importance of 
serving children in high quality child care settings which 
include nurturing providers who are educated in child 
development and adequately compensated.
    The Committee recommendation also provides $9,821,000 for 
child care research, demonstration and evaluation activities.
    The Committee recommendation for resource and referral 
activities also includes $982,080 to continue support for a 
national toll-free hotline that assists families in accessing 
local information on child care options and that provides 
consumer education materials. The Committee expects the grantee 
to monitor the quality of services provided to families as a 
result of the program.

                      SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,700,000,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,700,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,700,000,000

    The Committee recommends $1,700,000,000 for fiscal year 
2008 for the social services block grant. The amount is the 
same as the comparable fiscal year 2007 level and the budget 
request. The Committee rejects the administration's proposed 
bill language to lower the authorized funding level stipulated 
in section 2003(c) of the Social Security Act to 
$1,200,000,000.

                CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $8,948,970,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   8,250,089,000
Committee recommendation................................   9,223,832,000

    The Committee recommends $9,223,832,000 for fiscal year 
2008 for children and families services programs. The 
recommendation is $274,862,000 above the comparable funding 
level for fiscal year 2007 and $973,743,000 above the budget 
request. The recommendation includes $10,500,000 in transfers 
available under section 241 of the Public Health Service Act.
    This appropriation provides funding for programs for 
children, youth, and families, the developmentally disabled, 
and Native Americans, as well as Federal administrative costs.

Head Start

    The Committee recommends $7,088,571,000 for Head Start. 
This amount is $200,000,000 above the comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007 and $300,000,000 above the budget request. 
The Committee recommendation includes $1,388,800,000 in advance 
funding that will become available on October 1, 2008.
    Head Start provides comprehensive development services for 
low-income children and families that emphasize cognitive and 
language development, socioemotional development, physical and 
mental health, and parent involvement to enable each child to 
develop and function at his or her highest potential. At least 
10 percent of enrollment opportunities in each State are made 
available to children with disabilities.
    The Committee understands the serious need for additional 
and expanded Head Start facilities in rural areas and among 
Native American populations. The Committee believes that the 
Department could help serve these needy communities by 
providing minor construction funding, as authorized, in remote 
Native American communities.
    The Committee is aware that the Migrant and Seasonal Head 
Start [MSHS] program was started in 1969 as a direct response 
to the unique needs of migrant farm workers and their families. 
In most States, local childcare resources are not available 
when migrant families come into a community, especially for 
infants and toddlers. Without childcare resources, parents have 
no choice but to take children to the fields where they are 
exposed to pesticides, hazardous equipment, extreme heat and 
other health dangers. MSHS programs serve approximately 38,000 
children annually, operating in 40 States in every region of 
the country.
    Since 2001, when the Department released a study 
documenting that only 19 percent of eligible children were able 
to access MSHS programs, the Committee has requested that the 
Secretary come forth with a plan for serving a larger 
proportion of eligible farm worker children. While the 
Committee was pleased that $35,000,000 in fiscal year 2005 
expansion funds were made available to serve additional migrant 
children, the Committee continues to be concerned that the 
needs of at risk migrant and seasonal farmworker children are 
not being adequately addressed. The Committee continues to look 
to the Secretary for a plan that describes how adequate systems 
are being put in place within the Department to ensure that 
children of migrant and seasonal farmworkers have adequate 
access to Head Start programs.
    The Head Start Bureau shall continue to provide the 
Committee with the number and cost of buses purchased, by 
region with Head Start in the annual congressional budget 
justification.

Consolidated Runaway and Homeless Youth Program

    The Committee recommends $102,837,000 for the consolidated 
runaway and homeless youth program. This is $15,000,000 above 
the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 and the 
budget request. This program was reauthorized under the 
Runaway, Homeless, and Missing Children Protection Act of 2003. 
In this reauthorization a statutory formula was established to 
distribute funds between the Basic Center Program and the 
Transitional Living Program.
    This program addresses the crisis needs of runaway and 
homeless youth and their families through support to local and 
State governments and private agencies. Basic centers and 
transitional living programs provide services to help address 
the needs of some of the estimated 1.3 to 2.8 million runaway 
and homeless youth, many of whom are running away from unsafe 
or unhealthy living environments. These programs have been 
proven effective at lessening rates of family conflict and 
parental abuse, as well as increasing school participation and 
the employment rates of youth. The Committee notes that basic 
center grantees serve only a fraction of the youth who run away 
or are homeless. The Committee has provided funding above the 
request level to expand the number of basic centers and 
transitional living grantees so that more at-risk youth can be 
served.
    The Committee is concerned that the Department has not 
published a report on promising strategies to end youth 
homelessness, as required by the Runaway, Homeless, and Missing 
Children Protection Act of 2003. The Committee urges the 
Secretary to release this report to Congress within 6 months of 
the enactment of this act.

Runaway Youth Prevention Program

    The Committee recommends $20,027,000 for the runaway youth 
prevention program. This is $5,000,000 above the comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request. This 
is a discretionary grant program open to private nonprofit 
agencies for the provision of services to runaway, homeless, 
and street youth. Funds may be used for street-based outreach 
and education, including treatment, counseling, provision of 
information, and referrals for these youths, many of whom have 
been subjected to, or are at risk of being subjected to, sexual 
abuse.

Child Abuse Programs

    The Committee recommends $107,175,000 for child abuse 
programs. The recommendation is $11,958,000 above the 
comparable level for fiscal year 2007 and $1,600,000 above the 
budget request. The recommendation includes $27,007,000 for 
State grants, $37,738,000 for discretionary activities, and 
$42,430,000 for community-based child abuse prevention.
    These programs seek 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.
    The Committee has included funds for a nurse home 
visitation initiative as requested by the administration. These 
funds will encourage investment of existing Federal, State and 
local funding streams into evidence-based home visitation 
programs. The Committee notes that these programs have been 
shown not only to reduce child abuse and neglect, but also to 
increase employment, lower criminal activity, improve child 
health and contribute to child cognitive development.
    The Committee expects that when implementing this program, 
ACF will adhere closely to effective nurse home visitation 
interventions as they were originally developed and evaluated. 
ACF should not expand these interventions to integrate other 
initiatives or services that could dilute the program.
    Within the funds provided for child abuse discretionary 
activities, the Committee includes funding for the following 
items:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boys and Girls Town of                  $500,000  Bond
 Missouri, St. James, MO, to
 expand services to abused and
 neglected children.
Catholic Community Services of           400,000  Stevens
 Juneau, Juneau, AK, to
 continue operations at its
 Family Resource Center for
 child abuse prevention and
 treatment in Juneau, Alaska.
Crisis Nursery of the Ozarks,            200,000  Bond
 Springfield, MO, for
 programming, equipment,
 services and curriculum.
Darkness to Light, Charleston,           400,000  Brown
 SC, to expand and disseminate
 the Stewards of Children
 program in consultation with
 the CARE House of Dayton, OH.
Young Women's Christian                  100,000  Specter
 Association, Williamsport, PA,
 for abused and neglected
 children's CASA programs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Abandoned Infants Assistance

    The Committee recommends $11,835,000 for abandoned infants 
assistance, which is the same as the comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request.
    This program provides grants to public and private 
nonprofit agencies, State and county child welfare agencies, 
universities, and community-based organizations to develop, 
implement, and operate demonstration projects that will prevent 
the abandonment of infants and young children, especially those 
impacted by substance abuse and HIV and who are at-risk of 
being or are currently abandoned. By providing respite care for 
families and caregivers and assisting abandoned infants and 
children to reside with their natural families or in foster 
care.

Child Welfare Services

    The Committee recommends $286,754,000 for child welfare 
services. This is the same as the comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007 and the budget request.
    This program helps State public welfare agencies improve 
their child welfare services with the goal of keeping families 
together. State services include: preventive intervention so 
that, if possible, children will not have to be removed from 
their homes; reunification so that children can return home; 
and development of alternative placements like foster care or 
adoption if children cannot remain at home. These services are 
provided without regard to income.

Child Welfare Training

    The Committee recommends $7,335,000 for child welfare 
services. This is the same as the comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007 and the budget request.
    Under section 426, title IV-B of the Social Security Act, 
discretionary grants are awarded to public and private 
nonprofit institutions of higher learning to develop and 
improve education/training programs and resources for child 
welfare service providers. These grants upgrade the skills and 
qualifications of child welfare workers.

Adoption Opportunities

    The Committee recommends $26,848,000 for adoption 
opportunities, which is the same as the comparable funding 
level for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request.
    This program eliminates barriers to adoption and helps find 
permanent homes for children who would benefit by adoption, 
particularly children with special needs.

Adoption Incentives

    The Committee recommends $9,500,000 for adoption 
incentives. The recommendation is $4,500,000 above the 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 and $4,000,000 
below the budget request.
    The purpose of this program is to provide incentive funds 
to States to encourage an increase in the number of adoptions 
of children from the public foster care system. The 
appropriation allows incentive payments to be made for 
adoptions completed prior to September 30, 2008.

Adoption Awareness

    The Committee recommends $12,674,000 for adoption 
awareness, which is the same as the comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request. This program 
consists of two activities: the infant adoption awareness 
training program and the special needs awareness campaign.
    The infant adoption awareness training program provides 
grants to train health centers staff serving pregnant women so 
that they can inform them about adoption and make referrals on 
request to adoption agencies. Within the Committee 
recommendation, $9,728,000 is available for this purpose.
    The special needs adoption campaign supports grants to 
carry out a national campaign to inform the public about the 
adoption of children with special needs. The Committee 
recommendation includes $2,946,000 to continue this important 
activity.

Compassion Capital Fund

    The Committee recommends $53,625,000 for the compassion 
capital fund [CCF], which is $10,725,000 below the comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 and $21,375,000 below the 
budget request. The goal of this program is to help faith-based 
and community organizations maximize their social impact as 
they provide services to those most in need. The CCF 
administers three discretionary grant programs: a demonstration 
program which provides funding to intermediary organizations to 
provide training and technical assistance to smaller faith and 
community-based organizations; a program to fund capacity-
building activities; and a program to build the capacity of 
organizations that combat gang activity and youth violence.
    The Committee is concerned that the compassion capital fund 
has yet to demonstrate its effectiveness and for this reason 
has not provided funding for new grants. A program assessment 
ratings tool [PART] review conducted in 2006 gave the program a 
rating of ``Results Not Demonstrated.'' In addition, the 
Committee notes that the program lacks baseline data for its 
performance measures and therefore it is not possible to 
determine the CCF's effectiveness. The Committee understands 
that ACF is conducting a multi-year evaluation of the program 
to be completed in 2008. The Committee will consider funding 
increases for the program when the results of the evaluation 
are available.

Social Services Research

    The Committee recommends $11,825,000 for social services 
research. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 is 
$11,868,000 and the budget request is $5,880,000.
    The Committee recommendation includes $6,000,000 in 
transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health 
Service Act. These funds support research and evaluation 
projects focusing on finding programs that are cost effective, 
that increase the economic independence of American families 
and that contribute to healthy development of children and 
youth.
    The Committee is aware of the dramatic increase in 
multiracial and multiethnic individuals and families in the 
United States today that present a unique social and 
demographic environment for the development of a knowledge base 
to expand and assess public policies that affect the wellbeing 
of multiethnic individuals and families. The Committee 
recommends the agency provide full and fair consideration of 
research proposals for this purpose.
    Within the funds provided for social services research, the 
Committee includes funding for the following items:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A+ For Abstinence, Waynesboro,           $30,000  Specter
 PA, for abstinence education
 and related services.
Abyssinian Development                   150,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Corporation, New York, NY, to
 support and expand youth and
 family displacement prevention
 programs.
Alaska Children's Services,              250,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, for its program
 to serve low income youth in
 Anchorage, Alaska.
Alaska Statewide Independent             200,000  Stevens, Murkowski
 Living Council, Inc.,
 Anchorage, AK, to continue and
 expand the Personal Care
 Attendant Program and to
 expand outreach efforts to the
 disabled living in rural
 Alaska.
Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA,          100,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 the Molly Bish Center for the
 Protection of Children and the
 Elderly.
Boston Medical Center, Boston,           210,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 MA, the Children's AIDS
 project.
Catholic Family Center,                  250,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Rochester, NY, for kinship
 care outreach.
Catholic Social Services,                 45,000  Specter
 Wilkes-Barre, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Child Care Resource and                1,000,000  Murray
 Referral Network, Tacoma, WA,
 for a child care quality
 initiative.
Children's Home Society of               250,000  Craig
 Idaho, Boise, ID, for the
 Bridge Project to place Idaho
 children-in-care in foster
 care.
City of Chester, Bureau of                35,000  Specter
 Health, Chester, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Community Partnership for                200,000  Bingaman
 Children, Inc., Silver City,
 NM, for a child care quality
 initiative.
Community Services for                   100,000  Specter
 Children, Inc., Allentown, PA,
 for early childhood
 development services.
Connecticut Council of Family            400,000  Dodd, Lieberman
 Service Agencies,
 Wethersfield, CT, for the
 Empowering People for Success
 (EPS) initiative.
Crozer Chester Medical Center,            35,000  Specter
 Upland, PA, for abstinence
 education and related services.
Family Center of Washington              500,000  Leahy
 County, Montpelier, VT, to
 support and expand youth
 services.
Family Service & Childrens Aid            30,000  Specter
 Society, Oil City, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Fathers and Families Center,             100,000  Bayh
 Indianapolis, IN, for
 supportive services for
 fathers.
Friends Association for Care             100,000  Specter
 and Protection of Children,
 West Chester, PA, for programs
 to provide safe, secure
 housing for children through
 an emergency shelter for
 families, transitional
 housing, specialized foster
 care and adoption programs.
Guidance Center, Ridgeway, PA,            30,000  Specter
 for abstinence education and
 related serv-  ices.
Heart Beat, Millerstown, PA,              45,000  Specter
 for abstinence education and
 related services.
Horizons for Homeless Children,          190,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Boston, MA, for mentoring,
 educational, and social
 development programs.
Keystone Central School                   40,000  Specter
 District, Mill Hall, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Keystone Economic Development             40,000  Specter
 Corporation, Johnstown, PA,
 for abstinence education and
 related services.
LaSalle University,                       55,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Mercy Hospital of Pittsburgh,             55,000  Specter
 Pittsburgh, PA, for abstinence
 education and related services.
My Choice, Inc., Athens, PA,              25,000  Specter
 for abstinence education and
 related services.
Neighborhood United Against               45,000  Specter
 Drugs, Philadelphia, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
New Brighton School District,             35,000  Specter
 New Brighton, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Northeast Guidance Center,               250,000  Levin, Stabenow
 Detroit, MI, for the Family
 Life Center project.
Northwest Family Services,               100,000  Inhofe
 Alva, OK, to establish
 behavioral health services and
 family counseling programs.
Nueva Esperanza, Philadelphia,            35,000  Specter
 PA, for abstinence education
 and related services.
Partners for Healthier                    25,000  Specter
 Tomorrows, Ephrata, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Pennsylvania Coalition Against           100,000  Specter
 Domestic Violence, Harrisburg,
 PA, for domestic violence
 programs.
Positively Kids, Las Vegas, NV,          100,000  Reid
 to create a program to provide
 home, respite, and medical day
 care for severely-disabled
 children.
Progressive Believers Ministry,           30,000  Specter
 Wynmoor, PA, for abstinence
 education and related services.
Real Commitment, Gettysburg,              55,000  Specter
 PA, for abstinence education
 and related services.
School District of                        45,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, Philadelphia,
 PA, for abstinence education
 and related services.
Shepherd's Maternity House,               30,000  Specter
 Inc., East Stroudsburg, PA,
 for abstinence education and
 related services.
Southend Community Services,             250,000  Dodd, Lieberman
 Inc., Hartford, CT, for social
 outreach services to
 grandparents raising teenagers.
Tuscarora Intermediate Unit,              45,000  Specter
 McVeytown, PA, for abstinence
 education and related services.
Urban Family Council,                     80,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Washington Hospital Teen                  45,000  Specter
 Outreach, Washington, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
Women's Care Center of Erie               45,000  Specter
 County, Inc., Erie, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
York County Human Life                    45,000  Specter
 Services, York, PA, for
 abstinence education and
 related services.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Developmental Disabilities

    The Committee recommends $190,836,000 for programs 
administered by the Administration on Developmental 
Disabilities. The recommendation is $20,001,000 above the 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 and $20,000,000 
above the budget request. Within the funds provided, 
$174,116,000 is for carrying out the Developmental Disability 
Act, and $16,720,000 is for carrying out the Help America Vote 
Act of 2002.
    The Administration on Developmental Disabilities [ADD] 
supports community-based delivery of services which promote the 
rights of persons of all ages with developmental disabilities. 
Developmental disability is defined as severe, chronic 
disability attributed to mental or physical impairments 
manifested before age 22, which causes substantial limitations 
in major life activities. The ADD also provides funding for 
election assistance for individuals with disabilities. This 
program is for individuals with any type of disability.
    Of the funds provided, the Committee recommends $77,271,000 
for State councils. These councils assist each State in 
promoting the development of a comprehensive, statewide, 
consumer and family-centered system which provides a 
coordinated array services for individuals with development 
disabilities. State councils undertake a range of activities 
including demonstration of new approaches, program and policy 
analysis, interagency collaboration and coordination, outreach 
and training.
    The Committee recommends $42,718,000 for protection and 
advocacy grants. This formula grant program provides funds to 
States to establish protection and advocacy systems to protect 
the legal and human rights of persons with developmental 
disabilities who are receiving treatment, services, or 
rehabilitation.
    The Committee recommends $16,720,000 for disabled voter 
services. Of these funds, $11,390,000 is to promote disabled 
voter access, and the remaining $5,330,000 is for disabled 
voters protection and advocacy systems. The election assistance 
for individuals with disabilities program was authorized in the 
Help America Vote Act of 2002. The program enables grantees to 
make polling places more accessible and increase participation 
in the voting process of individuals with disabilities.
    The Committee recommends $15,414,000 for projects of 
national significance to assist persons with developmental 
disabilities. This program funds grants and contracts that 
develop new technologies and demonstrate innovative methods to 
support the independence, productivity, and integration into 
the community of persons with developmental disabilities.
    The Committee has included $2,000,000 within its 
recommendation for a National Clearinghouse and Technical 
Assistance Center with local projects in as many States as 
funds permit. This Center will promote leadership by families 
of children with disabilities in the design and improvement of 
family-centered and family-controlled systems of family support 
services, as described in Section 202(b)(2) of the Families of 
Children with Disabilities Support Act of 2000. The Committee 
intends these funds to supplement, not supplant existing 
funding for family support activities within the projects of 
national significance account.
    The Committee recommends $38,713,000 for the University 
Centers for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities [UCEDDs], 
a network of 67 centers that are interdisciplinary education, 
research and public service units of a university system or are 
public or nonprofit entities associated with universities. The 
Centers serve as the major vehicle to translate disability-
related research into community practice and to train the next 
cohort of future professionals who will provide services and 
supports to an increasingly diverse population of people with 
disabilities. The Committee recommendation provides an increase 
of $5,501,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2007 level, 
which will fund the existing centers at their authorized level, 
allow them to receive a mdoest cost of living adjustment and 
support additional training for critical and emerging national 
needs, such as autism spectrum disorder.

Native American Programs

    The Committee recommends $49,332,000 for Native American 
programs. This is $5,000,000 above the comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request.
    The Administration for Native Americans [ANA] assists 
Indian tribes and Native American organizations in planning and 
implementing long-term strategies for social and economic 
development through the funding of direct grants for individual 
projects, training and technical assistance, and research and 
demonstration programs.
    The Committee is aware that Native American languages are 
in rapid decline in this country and that only 20 of the nearly 
300 languages originally spoken in America are still being used 
by Native youth today. The Esther Martinez Native American 
Languages Preservation Act was passed by Congress last year for 
the purpose of halting and reversing this alarming trend. In 
addition to increasing language fluency, Native language 
immersion programs have additional benefits: evidence suggests 
they may decrease Native dropout rates and increase educational 
attainment among Native youth. The Committee is extremely 
supportive of this effort and has included $5,000,000 in its 
recommendation to support Native language immersion and other 
revitalization programs.

Community Services

    The Committee recommends $735,281,000 for the community 
services programs. The recommendation is $40,707,000 above the 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 and $710,829,000 
above the budget request.
    Within the funds provided, the Committee recommends 
$670,425,000 for the community services block grant [CSBG], 
which is $40,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level. The administration did not request funding for 
this program. These funds are used to make formula grants to 
States and Indian tribes to provide a wide range of services 
and activities to alleviate causes of poverty in communities 
and to assist low-income individuals in becoming self-
sufficient.
    Several other discretionary programs are funded from this 
account. Funding for these programs is recommended at the 
following levels for fiscal year 2008: community economic 
development, $32,404,000; individual development accounts, 
$24,452,000; and rural community facilities, $8,000,000.
    The Committee is aware that the Government Accountability 
Office [GAO] has found severe deficiencies in the Office of 
Community Services' [OCS] oversight of the CSBG. A GAO review 
found that OCS lost 2 year's worth of key documents relating to 
State monitoring visits, sent monitoring teams without the 
necessary financial expertise to States, and did not use 
performance data or audit findings to target its monitoring 
resources toward high risk States. The review also found that 
training and technical assistance funds were used to support 
Federal staff in OCS and that 60 percent of the funding was 
used for a variety of grants unrelated to assisting local 
agencies with problems. The GAO reported OCS has ignored the 
Committee's direction from the fiscal year 2005 appropriations 
conference report to implement a training and technical 
assistance needs assessment and delivery plan in consultation 
with CSBG State and local eligible entities.
    The Committee believes the Secretary must make better use 
of funds reserved for training and technical assistance by 
ensuring that the funds are provided solely to State grantees, 
local eligible entities, or their State, regional, and national 
associations for the purpose of expanding their capacity to 
achieve the purposes of the act effectively. While some share 
of these resources should be available to assist State and 
local agencies to correct deficiencies, the primary purpose of 
such funding should be to build the organizational and 
programmatic resources needed to reduce poverty and rebuild 
communities. The Committee believes that this funding is not 
intended for support of Federal administrative expenses.
    The Committee directs that OCS report to the Committee the 
results of training and technical activities at the end of each 
grant period. Funding for fiscal year 2008 should support, but 
not be limited to, a system for rating the quality and 
effectiveness of training and technical assistance activities 
and providers; a program of technical assistance for 
establishing and assessing voluntary local agency benchmarks 
for high performance; and a system for providing effective 
responses to needs identified by monitoring or corrective 
action plans.

Domestic Violence Hotline

    The Committee recommends $3,200,000 for the national 
domestic violence hotline. The comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007 is $2,970,000, as is the budget request.
    This activity funds the operation of a national, toll-free, 
24-hours-a-day telephone hotline to provide information and 
assistance to victims of domestic violence.

Battered Women's Shelters

    The Committee recommends $127,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for battered women's shelters program. This amount is 
$2,269,000 above both the comparable funding level for fiscal 
year 2007 and the budget request.
    These funds support community-based projects which operate 
shelters and provide related assistance for victims of domestic 
violence and their dependents. Emphasis is given to projects 
which provide counseling, advocacy, and self-help services to 
victims and their children.

Mentoring Children of Prisoners

    The Committee recommends $49,493,000 for mentoring children 
of prisoners, which is the same as the comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007. The administration requested $50,000,000 
for this activity.
    The mentoring children of prisoners program was authorized 
in 2001 under section 439 of the Social Security Act. The 
purpose of this program is to keep children connected to a 
parent in prison in order to increase the chances that the 
family will come together successfully when the parent is 
released. As a group, children of prisoners are less likely 
than their peers to succeed in school and more likely to become 
engaged in delinquent behavior.

Independent Living Training Vouchers

    The Committee recommends $46,157,000 for independent living 
training vouchers, which is the same as the comparable funding 
level for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request.
    These funds will support vouchers of up to $5,000 for 
college tuition, or vocational training for individuals who age 
out of the foster care system so they can be better prepared to 
live independently and contribute productively to society. 
Studies have shown that 25,000 youths leave foster care each 
year at age 18. In addition, only 50 percent will have 
graduated from high school, whereas 52 percent will be 
unemployed and 25 percent will be homeless for one or more 
nights.

Abstinence Education

    The Committee recommends $84,916,000 for community-based 
abstinence education. This is $28,484,000 below the comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 and $56,248,000 below the 
administration request. The recommendation includes $4,500,000 
in transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health 
Service Act.
    The Committee notes that the Department's recent multi-
year, experimentally designed evaluation of abstinence-only 
education programs funded under title V of the Social Security 
Act found that they had no effect on the sexual abstinence of 
youth. The Committee notes that community based abstinence 
education programs have been required to share the same eight 
statutory elements as programs funded under title V. In light 
of this evaluation, the Committee has not provided funding for 
the administration's proposed increase or for the national 
abstinence media campaign. The Committee recommendation fully 
funds current granteee continuation costs.
    The Committee firmly supports the goal of delaying sexual 
activity and preventing teen pregnancy among youth. However, 
the Committee believes that the Department must encourage 
further innovation in abstinence education programs in order to 
develop effective, evidence-based interventions. Until 
abstinence programs can demonstrate sizeable and lasting 
impacts, the Committee does not believe that new funding is 
warranted.
    The Committee is disturbed by reports that grantee 
materials in this program may not contain scientifically 
accurate information. The Committee has included bill language 
clarifying that funds provided under this program must be 
scientifically accurate as required by Federal law.

Faith-Based Center

    The Committee recommends $1,386,000 for the operation of 
the Department's Center for Faith-Based and Community 
Initiatives. This amount is the same as the comparable funding 
level for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request.

Program Administration

    The Committee recommends $197,225,000 for program 
administration. This is $9,449,000 above the comparable funding 
level for fiscal year 2007 and is the same as the budget 
request.
    The Committee recommendation includes an additional 
$6,200,000 to expand the agency's improper payments activities 
to establish error rates for the temporary assistance for needy 
families [TANF] and child care programs, as well as for foster 
care administrative costs. The Committee believes that the 
agency's efforts to minimize improper payments are particularly 
important given that the TANF and child care programs total 
approximately $34,000,000,000 in Federal and State funds 
annually. The Committee notes that previous ACF program 
integrity efforts have achieved over $600,000,000 in savings in 
Head Start and the foster care program.

                   PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $434,100,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     434,100,000
Committee recommendation................................     434,100,000

    The Committee recommends $434,100,000 for promoting safe 
and stable families, which is the same as the comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request. The 
promoting safe and stable families program is comprised of 
$345,000,000 in capped entitlement funds authorized by the 
Social Security Act and $89,100,000 in discretionary 
appropriations
    Funds available through the promoting safe and stable 
families program are focused on supporting those activities 
that can prevent family crises from emerging which might 
require the temporary or permanent removal of a child from his 
or her own home. The program provides grants to States, 
territories, and tribes for provision of four broad categories 
of services to children and families: (1) family preservation 
services; (2) time-limited family reunification services; (3) 
community-based family support services; and (4) adoption 
promotion and support services. The Child and Family Services 
Improvement Act (Public Law 109-288) allocated $40,000,000 for 
formula grants to States to support monthly caseworker visits 
to children in foster care and for competitive grants to 
regional partnerships to address child welfare issues raised by 
parent or caretaker abuse of methamphetamine or other 
substance.

       PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $4,912,000,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   5,067,000,000
Committee recommendation................................   5,067,000,000

    The Committee recommends $5,067,000,000 for payments to 
States for foster care and adoption assistance. The comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 is $4,912,000,000. In 
addition, the Committee recommendation provides $1,776,000,000 
for an advance appropriation for the first quarter of fiscal 
year 2009. The Committee recommendation provides the full 
amount requested under current law.
    The foster care program provides Federal reimbursement to 
States for: Maintenance payments to families and institutions 
caring for eligible foster children, matched at the Federal 
medical assistance percentage [FMAP] rate for each State; 
administration and training costs to pay for the efficient 
administration of the foster care program; and training of 
foster care workers and parents.
    The adoption assistance program provides funds to States 
for maintenance costs and the nonrecurring costs of adoption 
for children with special needs. The goal of this program is to 
facilitate the placement of hard-to-place children in permanent 
adoptive homes, and thus prevent long, inappropriate stays in 
foster care. As in the foster care program, State 
administrative and training costs are reimbursed under this 
program.
    The independent living program provides services to foster 
children under 18 and foster youth ages 18-21 to help them make 
the transition to independent living by engaging in a variety 
of services including educational assistance, life skills 
training and health services. States are awarded grants from 
the annual appropriation proportionate to their share of the 
number of children in foster care, subject to a matching 
requirement.

                        Administration on Aging

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,383,007,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,335,146,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,441,585,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,441,585,000 
for aging programs. This amount is $58,578,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level and $106,439,000 above the 
administration request.

Supportive Services and Senior Centers

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $350,595,000 
for supportive services and senior centers, which is the same 
as the comparable fiscal year 2007 level and the administration 
request. This State formula grant program funds a wide range of 
social services for the elderly, including multipurpose senior 
centers, adult day care, and ombudsman activities. State 
agencies on aging award funds to designated area agencies on 
aging who in turn make awards to local services providers. All 
individuals age 60 and over are eligible for services, 
although, by law, priority is given to serving those who are in 
the greatest economic and social need, with particular 
attention to low-income minority older individuals, older 
individuals with limited english proficiency, and older 
individuals residing in rural areas. Under the basic law, 
States have the option to transfer up to 30 percent of funds 
appropriated between the senior centers program and the 
nutrition programs, which allows the State to determine where 
the resources are most needed.

Preventive Health Services

    The Committee recommends $21,400,000 for preventive health 
services, which is the same as the comparable fiscal year 2007 
level. The administration did not request funds for this 
activity. Funds appropriated for this program are part of the 
comprehensive and coordinated service systems targeted to those 
elderly most in need. Preventive health services include 
nutritional counseling and education, exercise programs, health 
screening and assessments, and prevention of depression.

Protection of Vulnerable Older Americans

    The Committee recommends $21,156,000 for grants to States 
for protection of vulnerable older Americans. This is 
$1,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2007 level and 
$1,990,000 above the administration request. Within the 
Committee recommendation, $16,010,000 is for the ombudsman 
services program and $5,146,000 is for the prevention of elder 
abuse program. Both programs provide formula grants to States 
to prevent the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older 
individuals. The ombudsman program focuses on the needs of 
residents of nursing homes and board and care facilities, while 
elder abuse prevention targets its message to the elderly 
community at large.

National Family Caregiver Support Program

    The Committee recommends $156,167,000 for the national 
family caregiver support program, which is the same as 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level and $1,980,000 above the 
administration request. Funds appropriated for this activity 
establish a multifaceted support system in each State for 
family caregivers. All States are expected to implement the 
following five components into their program: information to 
caregivers about available services; assistance to caregivers 
in gaining access to services; caregiver counseling, training 
and peer support; respite care to enable caregivers to be 
temporarily relieved from their caregiving responsibilities; 
and limited supplemental services that fill remaining service 
gaps.
    The Committee recognizes the essential role of family 
caregivers who provide a significant proportion of our Nation's 
health and long-term care for the chronically ill and aging. 
While caring for a loved one can be rewarding, it may also put 
caregivers at risk for negative physical and mental health 
consequences. The Committee acknowledges the efforts of the 
Administration on Aging [AoA] to provide vital support services 
for family caregivers through the national family caregiver 
support program. The Committee encourages increased support of 
services that may prevent or reduce the health burdens of 
caregiving, including individual counseling, support groups, 
respite care, and caregiver training.

Native American Caregiver Support Program

    The Committee recommendation includes $6,428,000 to carry 
out the Native American caregiver support program. This amount 
is $187,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2007 level and the 
administration request. The program will assist tribes in 
providing multifaceted systems of support services for family 
caregivers and for grandparents or older individuals who are 
relative caregivers.

Congregate and Home-delivered Nutrition Services

    For congregate nutrition services, the Committee recommends 
an appropriation of $418,519,000 which is $19,600,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level and $35,118,000 above the 
administration request. For home-delivered meals, the Committee 
recommends $197,805,000 which is $9,500,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level and $16,807,000 above the 
administration request. These programs address the nutritional 
needs of older individuals. Projects funded must make home-
delivered and congregate meals available at least once a day, 5 
days a week, and each meal must meet a minimum of one-third of 
daily dietary requirements. While States receive separate 
allotments of funds for congregate and home-delivered nutrition 
services and support services, they are permitted to transfer 
up to 40 percent of funds between these programs.
    The Committee is aware that proper nutrition is essential 
to the health and wellness of older Americans. A healthy diet 
can prevent weakness and frailty, improve resistance to illness 
and disease, and lead to better management of chronic health 
problems. All of these in turn lead to greater independence and 
quality of life for older persons.
    The recent reauthorization of the Older Americans Act 
recognized the important role that nutrition plays in promoting 
the health and well-being of seniors. In addition to reducing 
hunger and promoting socialization, the nutrition services 
program was reauthorized with the purpose of assisting older 
Americans in accessing nutrition and other disease promotion 
services that can delay the onset of adverse health conditions. 
The act also added greater emphasis on nutrition education, 
nutrition counseling and other nutrition services.
    Despite increased recognition of nutrition's importance to 
the health and well-being of our seniors, the funding level for 
the nutrition services program has stagnated in recent years, 
while at the same time the population of older Americans 
continues to increase. The Committee notes that the number of 
meals provided under the nutrition services program has 
declined by more than 8 percent from fiscal years 2000 to 2005. 
The Committee is aware that flat funding, along with higher 
food and transportation costs, has forced many programs to 
implement waiting lists and consolidate meal sites in order to 
cut costs. The Committee hopes that the funding increase 
provided will help alleviate the fiscal strain affecting these 
programs and will allow them to continue to provide meals 
services that are essential to our seniors.
    The Committee recognizes that the recent reauthorization of 
the Older Americans Act (Public Law 109-365) continues to allow 
States to transfer funds between title III-B, which funds 
supportive services, and title III-C, which provides funding 
for nutrition services. While such transfers have remained 
relatively stable over time, amounting to approximately 
$35,000,000 per year transferred from nutrition programs to 
supportive services, the Committee is concerned by the decrease 
of funds available for nutrition services. The Committee 
believes that the specific funding increase provided for 
nutrition services in this bill should be used to directly 
support, facilitate, or foster nutrition programs, and should 
not be transferred for non-nutrition-related supportive 
services.

Nutrition Services Incentives Program

    The Committee recommendation includes $157,246,000 for the 
nutrition services incentives program [NSIP], $9,400,000 above 
the comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and $10,136,000 
above the administration request. This program augments funding 
for congregate and home-delivered meals provided to older 
adults. Funds provided under this program are dedicated 
exclusively to the provision of meals. NSIP rewards effective 
performance by States and tribal organizations in the efficient 
delivery of nutritious meals to older individuals through the 
use of cash or commodities.

Aging Grants to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations

    The Committee recommends $27,834,000 for grants to Native 
Americans, which is $1,700,000 above the comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level and the administration request. Under this 
program awards are made to tribal and Alaskan Native 
organizations and to public or nonprofit private organizations 
serving native Hawaiians which represent at least 50 percent 
Indians or Alaskan Natives 60 years of age or older to provide 
a broad range of supportive services and assure that nutrition 
services and information and assistance are available.

Program Innovations

    The Committee recommends $11,420,000 for program 
innovations, which is $12,638,000 below above the comparable 
fiscal year 2007 level and $24,065,000 below the administration 
request. These funds support activities designed to expand 
public understanding of aging and the aging process, apply 
social research and analysis to improve access to and delivery 
of services for older individuals, test innovative ideas and 
programs to serve older individuals, and provide technical 
assistance to agencies that administer the Older Americans Act.
    The Committee has provided funding for the choices for 
independence initiative in aging network support activities, 
rather than in program innovations as proposed by the 
administration.
    Recognizing that Alzheimer's disease often causes patients 
to exhibit unusual and unpredictable behavior, the AoA supports 
a 24-hour call center to provide family caregivers with 
professional care consultation and crisis intervention through 
a national network of community-based organizations. The 
Committee has provided $1,000,000 to continue this valuable 
program.
    The Committee continues to support funding at no less than 
last year's level for national programs scheduled to be 
refunded in fiscal year 2008 that address a variety of issues, 
including elder abuse, Native American issues, and legal 
services.
    Vision Loss.--The Committee applauds the AoA and CMS' aging 
and disability resource center [ADRC] program which supports 
State efforts to develop one-stop shop programs at the 
community level to provide information on the range of services 
and options available to older Americans as well as streamlined 
access to publicly funded benefits. The Committee supports the 
inclusion of vision loss information among the array of 
services offered by the ADRCs so that the needs of older 
Americans with vision loss are addressed.
    The Committee includes the following projects and 
activities and the following amounts for fiscal year 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Coalition of Wisconsin Aging            $200,000  Kohl
 Groups, Madison, WI, to
 conduct outreach and education
 for law enforcement and
 financial industry on
 financial elder abuse.
Disability Rights Wisconsin,             185,000  Kohl
 Madison, WI, for nursing home
 support services.
Good Samaritan Village of                100,000  Hagel
 Hastings, Sioux Falls, SD, for
 the continuation of the Sensor
 Technology Project for Senior
 Independent Living and Home
 Health.
Jewish Family & Child Services,          100,000  Smith
 Portland, Oregon, for seniors
 programs and services at a
 Naturally Occurring Retirement
 Community.
Jewish Family and Children's             100,000  Specter
 Service of Greater
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 Naturally Occurring Retirement
 Community.
Jewish Family Service of New             300,000  Domenici, Bingaman
 Mexico, Albuquerque, NM, to
 support a Naturally Occurring
 Retirement Communities (NORC)
 demonstration project.
Jewish Family Services of                200,000  Biden, Carper
 Delaware, Wilmington, DE, for
 a Naturally Occurring
 Retirement Community.
Jewish Federation of Greater             100,000  Chambliss
 Atlanta, GA, for a Naturally
 Occurring Retirement Community.
Jewish Federation of Greater             750,000  Bayh, Lugar
 Indianapolis, IN, for a
 Naturally Occurring Retirement
 Community.
Jewish Federation of Las Vegas,          500,000  Reid
 NV, for the Las Vegas Senior
 Lifeline Pro-  gram.
Nevada Rural Counties RSVP,              100,000  Reid
 Carson City, NV, to provide
 home services to seniors in
 rural areas.
UJA Federation of Northern New           200,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 Jersey, River Edge, NJ, for a
 Naturally Occurring Retirement
 Community.
United Jewish Federation of              100,000  Specter
 Greater Pittsburgh, PA, for a
 Naturally Occurring Retirement
 Community.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Aging Network Support Activities

    The Committee recommends $42,651,000 for aging network 
support activities, $29,518,000 above both the comparable 
amount for fiscal year 2007 and the administration request. The 
Committee recommendation includes funding at the administration 
request level for the Eldercare Locator, which is a toll-free, 
nationwide directory assistance service for older Americans and 
their caregivers. Since 1991, the service has linked more than 
700,000 callers to an extensive network of resources for aging 
Americans and their caregivers.
    The Committee recommendation includes $28,000,000 to begin 
national implementation of the choices for independence 
program. The Committee has provided funding for this program in 
aging network support activities, as reflected in the 
reauthorized Older Americans Act. The administration requested 
these funds within the program innovations activity. The 
choices for independence program will seek to establish long-
term care options for seniors so they can live independently in 
their own communities. The program will continue and expand 
existing AoA programs that focus on nursing home diversion, 
aging and disability resource centers and evidence-based 
disease prevention activities.
    The Committee has included $1,000,000 within aging network 
support activities for the establishment of a National Center 
on Senior Benefits Outreach and Enrollment, which was included 
in the reauthorization of the Older American Act. Studies show 
that, even after decades of outreach efforts, large percentages 
of older Americans who are eligible for important public 
benefits are not receiving them. Officials estimate that up to 
4.4 million low-income beneficiaries are eligible for, but not 
receiving, low-income subsidies [LIS] under the Medicare Part D 
prescription drug benefit. It is the Committee's intent that 
this new Center would work closely with the aging network, as 
well as state health insurance assistance programs [SHIPs], the 
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS], the Social 
Security Administration [SSA] and other Federal agencies to 
utilize cost-effective strategies to find and enroll those 
seniors with greatest economic need. The Committee has also 
included $500,000 in CMS and $1,000,000 in SSA for this 
purpose.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,676,000 for the 
pension counseling and information program. Regional pension 
counseling projects provide hands-on personalized advice to 
workers, retirees and their family members about employer 
sponsored pension and retirement savings plan benefits, and 
assistance in pursuing claims when problems arise. The program 
has secured nearly $75,000,000 in benefits for the thousands of 
clients it has served--a return on Federal investment of more 
than five to one. Hundreds of thousands more have benefited 
from the program's outreach and information efforts. The 
Committee's recommendation includes funds to increase support 
for the counseling projects and expand the number of regional 
counseling projects from five to six.
    The Committee has provided funding at the administration 
request level for the National Long Term Care Ombudsman 
Resource Center, the National Center on Elder Abuse and the 
Health Care Anti-Fraud, Waste and Abuse Program.

Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants to States

    The Committee recommends a funding level of $11,668,000 for 
Alzheimer's disease demonstration grants to States, which is 
the same as the comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level. The 
administration proposed eliminating funding for this activity.
    An estimated 70 percent of Americans with Alzheimer's 
disease live at home, where family members provide the 
preponderance of care. The Alzheimer's disease demonstration 
grant program currently supports matching grants to 38 States 
to help stimulate and coordinate services to assist families 
caring for Alzheimer patients, particularly those living in 
underserved rural communities and minorities. In light of the 
unique demands Alzheimer's disease places on families and 
States, the Committee has provided sufficient funds to continue 
this program at its current level.

Program Administration

    The Committee recommends $18,696,000 for program 
administration, which is $311,000 above the comparable fiscal 
year 2007 funding level and the same as the administration 
request. These funds support salaries and related expenses for 
program management and oversight activities.

                        Office of the Secretary

                    GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $356,238,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     392,556,000
Committee recommendation................................     405,237,000

    The Committee recommends $405,237,000 for general 
departmental management [GDM]. This amount includes $4,000,000 
for the Secretary's discretionary fund. The Committee 
recommendation includes the transfer of $5,851,000 from 
Medicare trust funds, which is the same as the administration 
request. In addition, for policy evaluation activities the 
Committee recommends $46,756,000 in transfers available under 
section 241 of the Public Health Service Act.
    This appropriation supports those activities that are 
associated with the Secretary's role as policy officer and 
general manager of the Department. It supports certain health 
activities performed by the Office of Public Health and 
Science, including the Office of the Surgeon General. GDM funds 
also support the Department's centralized services carried out 
by several Office of the Secretary staff divisions, including 
personnel management, administrative and management services, 
information resources management, intergovernmental relations, 
legal services, planning and evaluation, finance and 
accounting, and external affairs.
    The Office of the Surgeon General, in addition to its other 
responsibilities, provides leadership and management oversight 
for the PHS Commissioned Corps, including the involvement of 
the Corps in departmental emergency preparedness and response 
activities.
    The Committee directs that specific information requests 
from the chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on 
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related 
Agencies, on scientific research or any other matter, shall be 
transmitted to the Committee on Appropriations in a prompt 
professional manner and within the timeframe specified in the 
request. The Committee further directs that scientific 
information requested by the Committees on Appropriations and 
prepared by Government researchers and scientists be 
transmitted to the Committee on Appropriations, uncensored and 
without delay.
    The Committee has included $30,000,000 for the 
transformation of the Commissioned Corps. The Committee 
commends the Secretary on his proposal to transform the Public 
Health Service Commissioned Corps into a force that is ready to 
respond to public health emergencies and looks forward to 
working with him on this important initiative.
    The Committee has also included $9,500,000 for the Latin 
American health initiative which will focus on training health 
care workers in Central and South America. The Committee has 
held hearings on global health issues, drug-resistant 
tuberculosis, and pandemic influenza and understands that 
infectious diseases know no borders. While the United States 
has provided strong financial support for the elimination of 
HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria across the world, the 
Committee understands that these efforts cannot succeed without 
a basic public health infrastructure in place. The Committee 
believes that this health diplomacy initiative will address 
that goal by giving local residents the training they need to 
provide basic health care in Latin America.
    Bill language is included to provide HHS the authority to 
work with non governmental organizations in the provision of 
medical services. Section 215 of the General Provisions is also 
modified so that the State Department can provide the same 
embassy personnel, space, and logistics services to the Health 
Diplomacy Initiative that it provides to CDC.
    The Committee has included $1,000,000 for the Secretary to 
implement section 399CC of the Public Health Service Act (as 
enacted in the Combating Autism Act, Public Law 109-416) 
related to creation and administration of the Interagency 
Autism Coordinating Committee.
    The Committee recognizes the importance of rebuilding the 
health care delivery system in Louisiana following hurricanes 
Katrina and Rita in 2005 and encourages the Department of 
Health and Human Services to work with the State of Louisiana 
to rebuild a redesigned, properly funded health care system for 
its citizens. Barriers to expanded access and choice to the 
medically uninsured low-income population should be eliminated. 
Recognizing the failings and poor health outcomes of the 
State's two-tier delivery system, the Committee encourages HHS 
to continue working with Louisiana on the development of a 
waiver for more flexible use of Federal match DSH dollars to 
ensure more expanded access to community and private providers 
to the state's low-income population. To combat the growing 
pandemic and public health emergency associated with HIV/AIDS, 
the Committee urges the Department and NIH to review the range 
of approaches available to addressing liability concerns for 
the administration and clinical testing of an HIV/AIDS vaccine.
    Preterm Birth.--The Committee has provided sufficient 
funding to convene a Surgeon General's conference on preterm 
birth and produce a report establishing a public-private agenda 
to speed the identification of and treatments for the causes 
and risk factors for preterm labor and delivery.
    Food Allergies.--Approximately 2 million school-aged 
children in the United States suffer from food allergy, for 
which there is no cure. Allergic reactions in children often 
occur in the school setting and can develop into severe 
anaphylactic shock that can kill within minutes unless 
epinephrine is administered. It is estimated that 94 percent of 
the Nation's schools have students with food allergy, and the 
incidence is increasing. The Committee encourages the 
Department to work with the Department of Education and 
knowledgeable private sector organizations on the development 
of guidelines for the management of children with food allergy 
as well as a plan to disseminate and publicize these guidelines 
to local educational agencies and youth organizations.
    Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.--The Committee appreciates the 
work of the Department's Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Advisory 
Committee [CFSAC], especially the August 30, 2006 renewal of 
its charter and the personal participation of the Assistant 
Secretary for Health in recent meetings. The Committee 
encourages the CFSAC to prioritize strategies to address the 
low rate of diagnosis of CFS and lack of defined standards of 
medical care for CFS patients and the stagnation in research 
funding by CDC and NIH in spite of progress being demonstrated 
in the field.
    Sleep Disorders.--At NIH's Frontiers of Knowledge in Sleep 
and Sleep Disorders conference in March 2004, the U.S. Surgeon 
General reported on the profound impact that chronic sleep loss 
and untreated sleep disorders have on Americans of all ages. 
The public health model is well suited to translate these 
essential health messages to society. The Committee continues 
to urge the Surgeon General to develop a Surgeon General's 
Report on Sleep and Sleep Disorders and requests report 
regarding progress made on this initiative.
    The Committee includes the following projects and 
activities and in the following amounts for fiscal year 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Community Transportation              $1,000,000  Harkin
 Association of America,
 Washington, DC, for TA to
 human services transportation
 providers on ADA requirements.
Palmer College on                        400,000  Harkin
 Chiropractice, Consortial
 Center for Chiropractic
 Research in Davenport, Iowa,
 and the Policy Institute for
 Integrative Medicine in
 Philadelphia, PA for a best
 practices initiative on lower
 back pain.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Adolescent Family Life

    The Committee has provided $30,307,000 for the Adolescent 
Family Life Program [AFL], which is the same as the comparable 
fiscal year 2007 level.
    The AFL program funds demonstration projects that provide 
services to pregnant and parenting adolescents, and prevention 
projects which promote abstinence from sexual activity for 
adolescents.

Minority Health

    The Committee recommends $49,475,000 for the Office of 
Minority Health, which is $3,980,000 below the comparable level 
for fiscal year 2007.
    The Office of Minority Health [OMH] focuses on strategies 
designed to decrease the disparities and to improve the health 
status of racial and ethnic minority populations in the United 
States. OMH establishes goals, and coordinates all departmental 
activity related to improving health outcomes for disadvantaged 
and minority individuals. OMH supports several initiatives, 
including demonstration projects (the Minority Community Health 
Partnership HIV/AIDS, the Bilingual/Bicultural Service, and the 
Youth Empowerment Program) as well as the Center for Linguistic 
and Cultural Competency in Health Care, and the Family and 
Community Violence Prevention Program.
    The Committee is encouraged by the progress the Office of 
Minority Health is making in fiscal year 2007 on the multi-year 
effort to address health disparities issues in the gulf coast 
region, and looks forward to further progress in this area in 
fiscal year 2008.
    The Committee continues to support cooperative partnerships 
between OMH and our Nation's historically black medical schools 
to impact ongoing opportunities and challenges in health 
disparities and training which these institutions are uniquely 
positioned to address.
    The Committee includes the following projects and 
activities and in the following amounts for fiscal year 2008:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Saint Francis Hospital,                 $700,000  Biden, Carper
 Wilmington, DE, to expand
 prenatal, maternity,
 pediatric, and other primary
 care services to indigent
 populations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Office on Women's Health

    The Committee recommends $30,369,000 for the Office on 
Women's Health. This is $3,000,000 above the comparable level 
for fiscal year 2007.
    The Office on Women's Health [OWH] develops, stimulates, 
and coordinates women's health research, health care services, 
and public and health professional education and training 
across HHS agencies. It advances important crosscutting 
initiatives and develops public-private partnerships, providing 
leadership and policy direction, and initiating and 
synthesizing program activities to redress the disparities in 
women's health.
    The Committee understands that lupus is a serious, complex, 
debilitating chronic autoimmune disease that can cause 
inflammation and tissue damage to virtually any organ system in 
the body and impacts an estimated one to two million 
individuals. The Committee further understands that public and 
health professional recognition and understanding of lupus is 
extremely low, contributing to misdiagnoses or late diagnoses 
that can result in disability or death. The Committee has 
included sufficient funds for the Office of Women's Health to 
work with the advocacy community to develop and implement a 
sustained lupus awareness and education campaign aimed at 
reaching health care professionals and the general public, with 
an emphasis on reaching women at greatest risk for developing 
lupus.
    The Committee has included $1,000,000 for a study by the 
Institute of Medicine which would comprehensively review the 
status of women's health research, summarize what we have 
learned about the how diseases specifically effect woman, and 
report back to Congress suggestions for the direction of future 
research.

HIV/AIDS in Minority Communities

    To address high-priority HIV prevention and treatment needs 
of minority communities heavily impacted by HIV/AIDS, the 
Committee recommends $51,891,000. This amount is the same as 
the fiscal year 2007 level. These funds are available to key 
operating divisions of the Department with capability and 
expertise in HIV/AIDS services to assist minority communities 
with education, community linkages, and technical assistance.

Afghanistan

    The Committee recommendation includes $5,941,000 for the 
Secretary's Afghanistan health initiative. Funds will be used 
in partnership with the Department of Defense for medical 
training activities at the Rabia Balkhi Women's Hospital in 
Kabul, and for support of maternal and child health throughout 
Afghanistan.

Embryo Donation and Adoption

    The Committee continues to believe that increasing public 
awareness of embryo donation and adoption remains an important 
goal. The Committee has provided $4,000,000 for the 
Department's embryo donation and adoption awareness activities, 
which is $2,020,000 more than the comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level. The Committee notes that the costs associated 
with embryo adoption may be hindering people from participating 
in embryo adoption. The Committee is aware that the medical 
procedures involved can be expensive and are not always 
successful. To address these challenges, the Committee has 
included bill language allowing funds appropriated for embryo 
adoption activities to be available to pay medical and 
administrative costs deemed necessary to facilitate embryo 
donations and adoptions.

                OFFICE OF MEDICARE HEARINGS AND APPEALS

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $59,727,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      70,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      70,000,000

    The Committee provides $70,000,000 for the Office of 
Medicare Hearings and Appeals, which is $10,273,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 2007 level.
    The Office of Medicare Hearings and Appeals is responsible 
for hearing Medicare appeals at the administrative law judge 
level, which is the third level of Medicare claims appeals. 
This office began to process Medicare appeals in 2005. Prior to 
that time, appeals had been processed by the Social Security 
Administration under an interagency agreement with the Centers 
for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This function was 
transferred to the Office of the Secretary by the Medicare 
Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003.

  OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $61,302,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     117,872,000
Committee recommendation................................      71,000,000

    The Committee provides $71,000,000 to the Office of the 
National Coordinator for Health Information Technology [ONC]. 
This amount is $9,698,000 above the comparable fiscal year 2007 
level. The Committee recommendation includes $28,000,000 in 
transfers available under section 241 of the Public Health 
Service Act.
    The Office of The National Coordinator for Health 
Information Technology is responsible for promoting the use of 
electronic health records in clinical practice, coordinating 
Federal health information systems and collaborating with the 
private sector to develop standards for a nationwide 
interoperable health information technology infrastructure.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $215,378,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     241,105,000
Committee recommendation................................     242,105,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $242,105,000 
for the Office of Inspector General [OIG]. which is $1,000,000 
above the administration request. In addition to discretionary 
funds provided in this act, the Health Insurance Portability 
and Accountability Act of 1996 and the Deficit Reduction Act of 
2005 both contain permanent appropriations for the Office of 
Inspector General. The total funds provided to the OIG from 
this bill and other permanent appropriations are $196,418,000 
in fiscal year 2008.
    The Office of Inspector General conducts audits, 
investigations, and evaluations, of the programs administered 
by the Department of Health and Human Services Operating and 
Staff Divisions, including the recipients of HHS's grant and 
contract funds. In doing so, the OIG addresses issues of waste, 
fraud, and abuse and makes recommendations to improve the 
efficiency and effectiveness of HHS programs and operations.
    As part of its emphasis on fraud and abuse activities, the 
Committee has increased funding for the OIG over the budget 
request. This office's oversight of HHS health care programs 
from fiscal year 2004 to fiscal year 2006 resulted in a return 
on investment of approximately $12 for every $1 spent on IG 
activities, with total expected recoveries reaching 
$2,700,000,000.

                        OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $34,909,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      37,062,000
Committee recommendation................................      37,062,000

    The Committee recommends $37,062,000 for the Office for 
Civil Rights [OCR], which is the same as the Administration's 
request. The recommendation includes the transfer of $3,314,000 
from the Medicare trust funds.
    The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing 
civil rights-related statutes in health care and human services 
programs. To enforce these statutes, OCR investigates 
complaints of discrimination, conducts program reviews to 
correct discriminatory practices, and implements programs to 
generate voluntary compliance among providers and constituency 
groups of health and human services.

     RETIREMENT PAY AND MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $370,698,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     402,542,000
Committee recommendation................................     402,542,000

    The Committee provides an estimated $402,542,000 for 
retirement pay and medical benefits for commissioned officers 
of the U.S. Public Health Service, the same as the 
administration request.
    This account provides for: retirement payments to U.S. 
Public Health Service officers who are retired for age, 
disability, or length of service; payments to survivors of 
deceased officers; medical care to active duty and retired 
members and dependents and beneficiaries; and for payments to 
the Social Security Administration for military service 
credits.

            PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $717,320,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,753,737,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,699,556,000

    The Committee provides $1,699,556,000 to the Public Health 
and Social Services Emergency Fund. The Pandemic Preparedness 
and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, enacted into law in December, 
2006, created the new position of the Assistant Secretary for 
Preparedness and Response.
    This appropriation supports the activities of the Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response and other 
activities within the Office of the Secretary to prepare for 
the health consequences of bioterrorism and other public health 
emergencies, including pandemic influenza and to support the 
Department's cyber-security efforts.

Hospital Preparedness

    The Committee's recommendation includes $438,843,000 for 
hospital preparedness grants, a decrease of $35,151,000 below 
the comparable fiscal year 2007 level. This program was 
transferred from the Health Resources Services Administration 
in 2007.
    The Committee's recommendation includes $25,000,000 to 
continue the state-of-the-art mass casualty emergency care 
demonstration proposed in the Hospital Preparedness fiscal year 
2007 budget request and funded in the fiscal year 2007 joint 
funding resolution.
    The Committee believes that progress has been made in 
improving the preparedness of the Nation's trauma centers to 
address the consequences of a possible future terrorist attack 
or natural disaster, but that a greater level of preparedness 
must be achieved. The recently-enacted Pandemic and All Hazards 
Preparedness Act recognized the importance of increasing the 
response capabilities of the nation's trauma centers. 
Consistent with this, the Committee urges the Secretary to 
emphasize improvements in this area.
    According to a September 2006, report entitled ``U.S. 
Trauma Center Preparedness for a Terrorist Attack'' (funded by 
the Centers for Disease Control), an assessment of 175 trauma 
centers found an overall preparedness level of 74 percent. The 
report found that Level I trauma centers were more likely to 
score above average in preparedness than Level II centers, that 
preparedness (and supporting funding) correlated well with 
proximity to large numbers of hazardous sites (especially sites 
that could trigger mass decontamination requirements), and that 
funding through the National Bioterrorism Hospital Preparedness 
Program had resulted in high levels of emergency planning 
preparedness. However, the report also found significant 
variations in decontamination and surge capacity, often 
inadequate planning and preparation for prolonged operations in 
a ``siege'' environment, the absence of health care resource 
capacity monitoring, the absence of adequate preparedness for 
special needs populations, and the need for broader 
implementation of mutual aid agreements [MAAs) to include cross 
credentialing.
    The Committee strongly urges the Secretary to review these 
recommendations and to incorporate them into the Hospital 
Preparedness Cooperative Agreement Grants Program, including 
through providing support for local partnerships.

Advanced Research and Development

    The Committee recommendation includes $159,000,000 for 
advanced research and development, an increase of $60,000,000 
over the fiscal year 2007 level.

Other Preparedness and Response Activities

    The Committee recommendation includes $158,713,000 for 
other preparedness and response activities within the Office of 
the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, the 
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Resources and Technology, 
and the Office of Public Health and Science, and the Office of 
the Secretary.
    Within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 
Preparedness and Response, those activities include:
  --$53,000,000 for the national disaster medical systems, the 
        same level as the request. This activity was funded by 
        the Department of Homeland Security in fiscal year 
        2007.
  --$22,363,000 for BioShield management, the same level as the 
        request. This activity was funded in fiscal year 2007 
        by CDC under the appropriation for the strategic 
        national stockpile.
  --$6,000,000 for the emergency systems for advance 
        registration of volunteer health professionals. This 
        program was transferred from the Health Resources 
        Services Administration in 2007.
    The Committee recommendation includes $9,482,000 for the 
Office of the Chief Information officer for information 
technology cyber-security, the same as the fiscal year 2007 
level.
    The Committee recommendation includes $14,113,000 for the 
medical reserve corps program, which is $1,000,000 less than 
the request.
    The Committee realizes that managing a possible a multi-
pronged strategy involving the procurement of vaccines, 
antibiotics, and post-exposure prophylaxis/therapies. HHS has a 
goal to procure enough vaccine to inoculate 25 million people 
and up to 200,000 anthrax therapies. To date, however, HHS has 
stockpiled 10 million doses of existing vaccine and 30,000 
anthrax treatments. The Committee requests that the Department 
report to the Committee on their plans to protect the country 
in the case of an anthrax attack.

Health Care Credentialing

    The Committee recommendation includes $3,300,000 for 
Healthcare provider Credentialing and Security and improvement 
activities within the Office of the Secretary.

World Trade Center

    The Committee recognizes the importance of addressing the 
short and long-term health needs of those individuals that were 
exposed to the environmental hazards released as a result of 
the September 11, 2001 attacks upon the World Trade Center, and 
affirms the commitment of the Federal Government to provide 
assistance to those whose physical and mental health was 
adversely impacted as a result of this exposure.
    The Committee has provided $55,000,000 for treatment, 
screening, and monitoring activities and has provided bill 
language which directs the Secretary to transfer these funds to 
the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The 
Committee intends that the NIOSH not only fund existing 
grantees but to also to provide funding to entities that would 
provide services to building and construction trade workers, 
residents, office and commercial workers, volunteers, students, 
and other individuals that were exposed to the environmental 
hazards released as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks 
upon the World Trade Center
    More than 5 years after the attacks, persistent health 
effects have been documented among residents, rescue and 
recovery workers, such as asthma, chronic sinusitis, and 
gastrointestinal conditions. Post-traumatic stress disorder 
[PTSD], anxiety, depression, and other health effects have also 
been diagnosed among many of those that have been exposed. The 
Committee encourages the development of a long-term, 
comprehensive solution to screen and monitor all individuals 
who were exposed to the environmental hazards at the World 
Trade Center [WTC] site following the terrorist attacks on 
September 11, 2001 and provide comprehensive medical services 
for those experiencing illnesses or injuries as a result of 
these exposures.

Pandemic Influenza Preparedness

    The Committee recommendation includes $888,000,000 for 
pandemic influenza preparedness activities. Of this amount, 
$652,000,000, to be available until expended, is for activities 
including purchase of pre-pandemic vaccine for stockpiling, 
vaccine development, the purchase of antivirals and the 
research and development of diagnostic tests.
    The Committee has led efforts to provide funding for 
pandemic flu preparedness and remains committed to preparing 
the Nation for the next pandemic. The Committee has provided 
$652,000,000 of the $870,000,000 requested for non-recurring 
pandemic influenza activities. This amount is based on two 
factors: (1) the $5,620,000,000 thus far appropriated for these 
activities was done so with maximum flexibility to allow 
modifications to plans as technologies evolve and the pattern 
of avian flu spread becomes more apparent and (2) over 
$2,600,000,000 of the funds thus far appropriated remain 
unobligated.
    The Committee is aware of the Department's spending plans 
and does not intend to imply that the remaining balances are 
indicative of poor performance. However, given the remaining 
funds and attached flexibility, the case for providing these 
additional dollars in a regular appropriations bill is not 
strong. The funds provided by the Committee will ensure that 
the next steps in the Department's plan can be taken without 
impediment while ensuring adequate oversight by the Congress. 
The Committee requests monthly reports updating the status of 
actions taken and funds obligated.
    The Committee has not specified how these no-year funds are 
to be used, and is broadly supportive of plans for vaccine 
development and purchase, antiviral procurement, and research 
and development of diagnostics. However, the Committee 
encourages HHS to identify new technologies that might have the 
potential to greatly enhance our response to a pandemic, and to 
be open to using the provided flexibility to make strategic 
investments in these potentially paradigm shifting 
technologies. Examples made known to the Committee include 
universal vaccines and passive immunotherapy. The Committee 
continues to support progress being made in influenza and 
pandemic viral vaccine selection and development. The Committee 
is aware of new technologies for rapid in vitro high throughput 
immune response assessment that could accelerate vaccine 
protection against influenza and pandemic viruses and 
monitoring of vaccine efficacy, storage and distribution. The 
Committee encourages the Department and CDC to consider 
supporting the development of such technology.
    Also within this amount, $78,000,000 is for ongoing 
activities within the department including $4,000,000 for 
communication activities, $35,000,000 for pandemic preparedness 
and planning, $15,000,000 for international activities, 
$15,000,000 for the advanced development of rapid tests and 
$9,000,000 for management and administration.
    And also within this amount, $158,000,000 is to be 
transferred to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
within 30 days of enactment for ongoing pandemic influenza 
activities, including $10,000,000 for quarantine stations; 
$4,000,000 for human-animal interface studies; $48,000,000 for 
international surveillance, diagnosis, and epidemic 
investigations; $18,000,000 for rapid outbreak response in 15 
targeted countries; $20,000,000 for a library of pandemic 
reference strains; $15,000,000 for a diagnostic reagent 
stockpile; $10,000,000 for real-time assessment and evaluation 
of interventions; $15,000,000 for the development of a vaccine 
registry to monitor vaccine use and distribution; and 
$20,000,000 to fund States to increase annual influenza vaccine 
demand.
    The Committee strongly encourages HHS and CDC to support 
public and professional education, media awareness and outreach 
programs, and pandemic influenza risk communication. These 
activities would increase seasonal vaccination rates, thereby 
lowering influenza-related deaths and hospitalizations. The 
Committee strongly encourages CDC and HHS to aggressively 
implement initiatives for increasing influenza vaccine demand 
to match the increased domestic vaccine production and supply 
resulting from pandemic preparedness funding. Developing a 
sustainable business model for vaccine production will go a 
long way toward making vaccine available when needed.

      General Provisions, Department of Health and Human Services

    The Committee recommendation continues a provision placing 
a $50,000 ceiling on official representation expenses (sec. 
201).
    The Committee recommendation continues a provision which 
limits the assignment of certain public health personnel (sec. 
202).
    The Committee recommendation retains language regarding 
set-asides in the authorizing statute of the National 
Institutes of Health (sec. 203).
    The Committee recommendation continues a provision limiting 
the use of grant funds to pay individuals no more than an 
annual rate of executive level I (sec. 204).
    The Committee recommendation includes a provision limited 
the use of funds for Head Start to pay compensation of an 
individual in excess of executive level II (sec. 205).
    The Committee recommendation continues a provision 
restricting the Secretary's use of taps for program evaluation 
activities unless a report is submitted to the Appropriations 
Committees on the proposed use of funds (sec. 206).
    The Committee recommendation modifies a provision 
authorizing the transfer of up to 2.4 percent of Public Health 
Service funds for evaluation activities (sec. 207).
    The Committee recommendation continues a provision 
restricting transfers of appropriated funds and requires a 15-
day notification to both the House and Senate Appropriations 
Committees (sec. 208).
    The Committee recommendation continues a provision 
permitting the transfer of up to 3 percent of AIDS funds among 
institutes and centers by the Director of NIH and the Director 
of the Office of AIDS Research at NIH (sec. 209).
    The Committee recommendation retains language which 
requires that the use of AIDS research funds be determined 
jointly by the Director of the National Institutes of Health 
and the Director of the Office of AIDS Research and that those 
funds be allocated directly to the Office of AIDS Research for 
distribution to the institutes and centers consistent with the 
AIDS research plan (sec. 210).
    The Committee recommendation continues a provision 
regarding requirements for family planning applicants (sec. 
211).
    The Committee recommendation retains language which 
restricts the use of funds to carry out the Medicare Advantage 
Program if the Secretary denies participation to an otherwise 
eligible entity (sec. 212).
    The Committee recommendation retains language which states 
that no provider services under title X of the PHS Act may be 
exempt from State laws regarding child abuse (sec. 213).
    The Committee recommendation retains language which 
prohibits the Secretary from withholding substance abuse 
treatment funds (sec. 214).
    The Committee recommendation continues a provision which 
facilitates the expenditure of funds for international health 
activities (sec. 215).
    The Committee recommendation includes a provision allowing 
the Division of Federal Occupational Health to use personal 
services contracting to employ professional, administrative, 
and occupational health professionals (sec. 216).
    The Committee recommendation modifies a provision 
authorizing the Director of the National Institutes of Health 
to enter into certain transactions to carry out research in 
support of the NIH Common Fund (sec. 217).
    The Committee includes a provision that permits the Centers 
for Disease Control and Prevention and the Agency for Toxic 
Substances and Disease Registry to transfer funds that are 
available for Individual Learning Accounts to ``Disease 
Control, Research, and Training'' (sec. 218).
    The Committee recommendation includes bill language 
allowing use of funds to continue operating the Council on 
Graduate Medical Education (sec. 219).
    The Committee recommendation modifies language pertaining 
to use of the Centers for Disease Control aircraft (sec. 220).
    The Committee includes a provision pertaining to a new 
mandatory ``public access'' policy at the National Institutes 
of Health (sec. 221).
    The Committee includes a provision which authorizes funding 
for the Delta Health Alliance (sec. 222).
    The Committee recommendation includes a provision 
permitting the National Institutes of Health to use up to 
$2,500,000 per project for improvements and repairs of 
facilities (sec. 223).
    The Committee recommendation includes a provision that 
transfers funds from NIH to HRSA and AHRQ, to be used for 
National Research Service Awards (sec. 224).

                               TITLE III

                        DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

                    Education for the Disadvantaged

Appropriations, 2007.................................... $14,725,593,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................  16,689,090,000
Committee recommendation................................  15,867,778,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$15,867,778,000 for education for the disadvantaged. The 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was 
$14,725,593,000 and the budget request includes $16,689,090,000 
for this account.
    The programs in the Education for the Disadvantaged account 
help ensure that poor and low-achieving children are not left 
behind in the Nation's effort to raise the academic performance 
of all children and youth. That goal is more pressing than ever 
since the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, which 
incorporates numerous accountability measures into title I 
programs, especially part A grants to local educational 
agencies--the largest Federal elementary and secondary 
education program.
    Funds appropriated in this account primarily support 
activities in the 2008-2009 school year.

Grants to Local Educational Agencies

    Title I grants to local educational agencies [LEAs] provide 
supplemental education funding, especially in high-poverty 
areas, for local programs that provide extra academic support 
to help raise the achievement of eligible students or, in the 
case of schoolwide programs, help all students in high-poverty 
schools to meet challenging State academic standards. The 
program serves about 18 million students in nearly all school 
districts and more than half of all public schools--including 
two-thirds of the Nation's elementary schools.
    Title I schools help students reach challenging State 
standards through one of two models: ``targeted assistance'' 
that supplements the regular education program of individual 
children deemed most in need of special assistance, or a 
``schoolwide'' approach that allows schools to use title I 
funds--in combination with other Federal, State, and local 
funds--to improve the overall instructional program for all 
children in a school.
    States are required to reserve 4 percent of their 
allocation under this program for school improvement 
activities, unless such action would require a State to reduce 
the grant award of a local educational agency to an amount 
below the preceding year. States must distribute 95 percent of 
these reserved funds to local educational agencies for schools 
identified for improvement, corrective action, or 
restructuring. The Committee intends for States to utilize 
these funds along with those available under the School 
Improvement Grants program to make competitive awards to school 
districts that are of sufficient size and scope, and of a 
multi-year duration, so that schools may undertake sustainable, 
scientifically based research reform activities that have a 
positive impact on improving instructional practices in the 
classroom.
    Of the funds available for title I grants to LEAs, up to 
$4,000,000 shall be available on October 1, 2007, not less than 
$5,038,599,000 will become available on July 1, 2008, and 
$8,867,301,000 will become available on October 1, 2008. The 
funds that become available on July 1, 2008, and October 1, 
2008, will remain available for obligation until September 30, 
2009.
    Title I grants are distributed through four formulas: 
basic, concentration, targeted, and education finance incentive 
grant [EFIG].
    Overall, the Committee recommends $13,909,900,000, the same 
as the budget request, for title I grants. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriated level was $12,838,125,000. As in past years, the 
Committee divided the increase over fiscal year 2007 equally 
between the targeted and EFIG formulas, both of which direct a 
higher share of funds to poorer students than the basic and 
concentration formulas do. The budget request allocates all of 
the increase over fiscal year 2007 into the targeted account.
    For title I basic grants, including up to $4,000,000 
transferred to the Census Bureau for poverty updates, the 
Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,808,407,000. The 
comparable funding levels for basic grants for fiscal year 2007 
and the budget request are both $6,808,408,000. Basic grants 
are awarded to school districts with at least 10 poor children 
who make up more than 2 percent of enrollment.
    For concentration grants, the Committee recommends an 
appropriation of $1,365,031,000, the same as the comparable 
funding levels for fiscal year 2007 and the budget request. 
Funds under this program are distributed according to the basic 
grants formula, except that they go only to LEAs where the 
number of poor children exceeds 6,500 or 15 percent of the 
total school-aged population.
    The targeted grants formula weights child counts to make 
higher payments to school districts with high numbers or 
percentages of poor students. For these grants, the Committee 
recommends an appropriation of $2,868,231,000. The comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $2,332,343,000 and the 
budget request is $3,466,618,000.
    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,868,231,000 
to be allocated through the EFIG formula. The comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $2,332,343,000 and the 
budget request is $2,269,843,000. The EFIG funding stream is 
allocated using State-level equity and effort factors that are 
intended to encourage States to improve the equity of their 
education funding systems.

William F. Goodling Even Start Family Literacy Program

    The Committee does not recommend any funds for the Even 
Start program. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 
2007 was $82,283,000. The budget request does not include any 
funds for this program.
    The Even Start program provides grants for family literacy 
programs that serve disadvantaged families with children under 
8 years of age and adults eligible for services under the Adult 
Education and Family Literacy Act. Programs combine early 
childhood education, adult literacy, and parenting education. 
Funding is provided to States based on their relative share of 
title I, part A funds, and States use these resources to make 
competitive subgrants to partnerships comprised of local 
educational agencies and other organizations serving families 
in high-poverty areas.

School Improvement Grants

    The Committee recommendation includes $500,000,000, the 
same as the budget request, for the school improvement grants 
program. This program was funded for the first time in fiscal 
year 2007, at $125,000,000. The School Improvement Grants 
program was authorized as part of the No Child Left Behind Act 
to support a formula grant program to States that will enable 
them to provide assistance to schools not making adequate 
yearly progress for at least 2 years. Under the authorized 
program, States are required to allocate not less than 95 
percent of their awards to schools to enable them to, among 
other things, develop and implement their school improvement 
plans (which may include research-based activities such as 
comprehensive school reform, professional development for 
teachers and staff, and extended learning opportunities.)
    When subgranting these funds to LEAs, the Committee 
strongly urges the Secretary to inform States that they are 
required to make awards of sufficient size and scope to 
undertake activities required by sections 1116 and 1117 of 
NCLB, integrate these grant funds with other resources awarded 
by the States under this act (particularly, the 4 percent 
school improvement set-aside), and give priority to those LEAs 
with the lowest-achieving schools that demonstrate the greatest 
need for school improvement funding and the strongest 
commitment to ensuring that such funds are used to provide 
adequate resources to enable the lowest-performing schools to 
meet the goals identified in improvement plans, correction 
action, and restructuring plans under section 1116 of NCLB.
    The Committee requests that the fiscal year 2009 
congressional justification include specific information about 
the actions taken to support the Committee's intention in 
providing resources for this program and other school 
improvement activities and steps the Department will take to 
collect evidence on the outcomes achieved with school 
improvement funds.

Reading First State Grants

    The Committee recommends $800,000,000 for the Reading First 
State Grants program. The comparable funding level for fiscal 
year 2007 was $1,029,234,000. The budget request is 
$1,018,692,000.
    Reading First is a comprehensive effort to provide States 
and LEAs with funds to implement comprehensive reading 
instruction for children in grades K-3, to help ensure that 
every child can read by the end of third grade.
    The funding cut recommended by the Committee is in direct 
response to the Education Department's egregious mismanagement 
of the program, as described in six reports by the Inspector 
General, numerous media accounts and congressional hearings. 
The Committee notes that Reading First was long touted by the 
administration as a model education program that awarded grants 
solely on the basis of solid scientific research and 
effectiveness. The Committee responded by providing more than 
$5,000,000,000 for the program over the past 5 years, as the 
administration requested.
    Regrettably, it became clear that the Department and its 
contractors frequently ignored evidence of effectiveness while 
promoting certain programs that were favored by a few key 
individuals, some of whom had a financial interest in the 
programs' success. In addition, Department officials flouted 
the No Child Left Behind Act by interfering in State and local 
decisions regarding the selection of reading curricula. The 
Committee appreciates the Department's expressed willingness to 
correct its mistakes and restore the public's trust in its 
ability to administer Reading First. In the meantime, however, 
the Committee does not believe it would be appropriate to 
maintain funding for the program at its current level.

Early Reading First

    The Committee recommends $117,666,000, the same as the 
budget request and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the 
Early Reading First program.
    Early Reading First complements Reading First State Grants 
by providing competitive grants to school districts and 
nonprofit groups to support activities in existing preschool 
programs that are designed to enhance the verbal skills, 
phonological awareness, letter knowledge, pre-reading skills, 
and early language development of children ages 3 through 5. 
Funds are targeted to communities with high numbers of low-
income families.

Striving Readers

    The Committee recommends $36,000,000 for the Striving 
Readers initiative. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding 
level was $31,870,000 and the budget request is $100,000,000. 
This program supports grants to develop, implement, and 
evaluate reading interventions for middle or high school 
students reading significantly below grade level. Under this 
program, awards are made to local educational agencies eligible 
to receive funds under part A of title I with one or more high 
schools or middle schools serving a significant number of 
students reading below grade level. Awards also may be made to 
partnerships including institutions of higher education and 
eligible nonprofit or for-profit organizations.

Math Now

    The Committee recommendation does not include any funding 
for the proposed Math Now for Elementary School Students or 
Math Now for Middle School Students initiatives. The budget 
request for each program is $125,000,000. The purpose of both 
programs is to raise student achievement in math. The Committee 
notes that it already funds the mathematics and science 
partnerships program, and is recommending a small increase for 
it.

Improving Literacy Through School Libraries

    The Committee recommends $23,000,000 for the Improving 
Literacy Through School Libraries program. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $19,485,000, the same amount as the budget 
request.
    This program provides funds for urgently needed, up-to-date 
school library books and training for school library media 
specialists. LEAs with a child-poverty rate of at least 20 
percent are eligible for the competitive awards. Funds may be 
used to acquire school library media resources, including books 
and advanced technology; facilitate resource-sharing networks 
among schools and school libraries; provide professional 
development for school library media specialists; and provide 
students with access to school libraries during nonschool 
hours.

Promise Scholarships

    The Committee recommendation does not include any funding 
for the proposed Promise Scholarships program. The budget 
request is $250,000,000. This program would provide students 
from low-income families who are enrolled in persistently low-
performing schools with scholarships that they can use to pay 
tuition, fees and other costs to attend private or out-of-
district schools, or to purchase supplemental educational 
services.

Opportunity Scholarships

    The Committee recommendation does not include any funding 
for the proposed Opportunity Scholarships program. The budget 
request is $50,000,000. This program would provide competitive 
grants to enable students from low-income households who attend 
a school identified for improvement, corrective action or 
restructuring under the No Child Left Behind Act to attend 
private or out-of-district schools, or to purchase supplemental 
educational services.

Migrant Education Program

    The Committee recommends $386,524,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the migrant education 
program. The budget request is $380,295,000.
    The title I migrant education program authorizes grants to 
State educational agencies for programs to meet the special 
educational needs of the children of migrant agricultural 
workers and fishermen. Funds are allocated to the States 
through a statutory formula based on each State's average per-
pupil expenditure for education and actual counts of migratory 
children ages 3 through 21 residing within the States in the 
previous year. Only migratory children who have moved within 
the last 3 years are generally eligible to be counted and 
served by the program.
    This appropriation also supports activities to improve 
interstate and intrastate coordination of migrant education 
programs, as well as identifying and improving services to the 
migrant student population.

Neglected and Delinquent

    The Committee recommends $49,797,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation and the budget request, for the 
title I neglected and delinquent program.
    This program provides financial assistance to State 
educational agencies for education services to neglected and 
delinquent children and youth in State-run institutions and for 
juveniles in adult correctional institutions. Funds are 
allocated to individual States through a formula based on the 
number of children in State-operated institutions and per-pupil 
education expenditures for the State.
    States are authorized to set aside at least 15 percent, but 
not more than 30 percent, of their neglected and delinquent 
funds to help students in State-operated institutions make the 
transition into locally operated programs and to support the 
successful reentry of youth offenders, who are age 20 or 
younger and have received a secondary school diploma or its 
recognized equivalent. Reentry activities may include 
strategies designed to expose the youth to, and prepare the 
youth for, postsecondary education, or vocational and technical 
training programs.

Evaluation

    The Committee recommends $9,330,000, the same as the fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation, for evaluation of title I programs. 
The budget request is $9,327,000.
    Evaluation funds are used to support large-scale national 
surveys that examine how the title I program is contributing to 
student academic achievement. Funds also are used to evaluate 
State assessment and accountability systems and analyze the 
effectiveness of educational programs supported with title I 
funds.

Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration

    The Committee includes $1,634,000 for the comprehensive 
school reform demonstration program. The comparable funding 
level for fiscal year 2007 was $2,352,000. The budget request 
did not include any funds for this program. The Committee 
recommendation is sufficient to pay the continuation costs of 
the Comprehensive School Reform Clearinghouse.

High School Equivalency Program

    The Committee recommends $18,550,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation and the budget request, for the 
high school equivalency program [HEP].
    This program provides 5-year grants to institutions of 
higher education and other nonprofit organizations to recruit 
migrant students ages 16 and over and provide the academic and 
support services needed to help them obtain a high school 
equivalency certificate and subsequently gain employment, win 
admission to a postsecondary institution or a job-training 
program, or join the military. Projects provide counseling, 
health services, stipends, and placement assistance.

College Assistance Migrant Program

    For the College Assistance Migrant Program [CAMP], the 
Committee recommends $15,377,000, the same amount as the fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation and the budget request.
    Funds provide 5-year grants to institutions of higher 
education and nonprofit organizations for projects that provide 
tutoring, counseling, and financial assistance to migrant 
students during their first year of postsecondary education. 
Projects also may use up to 10 percent of their grants for 
follow-up services after students have completed their first 
year of college, including assistance in obtaining student 
financial aid.

                               Impact Aid

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,228,453,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,228,100,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,248,453,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,248,453,000 
for impact aid. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 
2007 was $1,228,453,000, and the budget request is 
$1,228,100,000.
    Impact aid provides financial assistance to school 
districts for the costs of educating children when enrollments 
and the availability of revenues from local sources have been 
adversely affected by the presence of Federal activities. 
Children who reside on Federal or Indian lands generally 
constitute a financial burden on local school systems because 
these lands do not generate property taxes--a major revenue 
source for elementary and secondary education in most 
communities. In addition, realignments of U.S. military forces 
at bases across the country often lead to influxes of children 
into school districts without producing the new revenues 
required to maintain an appropriate level of education.
    The Committee bill retains language that provides for 
continued eligibility for students affected by the deployment 
or death of their military parent, as long as these children 
still attend the same school district.
    Basic Support Payments.--The Committee recommends 
$1,111,867,000 for basic support payments. The comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $1,091,867,000, the same 
as the budget request. Under this statutory formula, payments 
are made on behalf of all categories of Federally connected 
children, with a priority placed on making payments first to 
heavily impacted school districts and providing any remaining 
funds for regular basic support payments.
    Payments for Children with Disabilities.--The Committee 
bill includes $49,466,000, the same as the budget request and 
the fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for payments for children 
with disabilities. Under this program, additional payments are 
made for certain Federally connected children eligible for 
services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
    Facilities Maintenance.--The Committee recommends 
$4,950,000, the same as the fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for 
facilities maintenance. The budget request is $4,597,000. This 
activity provides funding for emergency repairs and 
comprehensive capital improvements to certain school facilities 
owned by the Department of Education and used by local 
educational agencies to serve federally connected military 
dependent students. Funds appropriated for this purpose are 
available until expended.
    Construction.--The Committee recommends $17,820,000, the 
same as the fiscal year 2007 appropriation and the budget 
request, for this program. Formula and competitive grants are 
authorized to be awarded to eligible LEAs for emergency repairs 
and modernization of school facilities. Funds appropriated for 
the construction activity are available for obligation for a 
period of 2 years.
    The fiscal year 2006 and 2007 appropriations for this 
activity stipulated that funds were to be used only on formula 
construction grants to eligible school districts. The budget 
request proposes bill language this year to provide 
construction funds on a competitive basis only. The Committee 
has provided this requested authority.
    Payments for Federal Property.--The Committee recommends 
$64,350,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 
2007 appropriation, for this activity. These payments 
compensate local educational agencies in part for revenue lost 
due to the removal of Federal property from local tax rolls. 
Payments are made to LEAs that have a loss of tax base of at 
least 10 percent of assessed value due to the acquisition since 
1938 of real property by the U.S. Government.

                      School Improvement Programs

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $5,255,478,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   4,698,276,000
Committee recommendation................................   5,198,525,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,198,525,000 
for school improvement programs. The comparable funding level 
in fiscal year 2007 was $5,255,478,000, and the budget request 
is $4,698,276,000.

State Grants for Improving Teacher Quality

    The Committee recommends $2,887,439,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for State grants for improving 
teacher quality. The budget request is $2,787,488,000.
    The appropriation for this program primarily supports 
activities associated with the 2008-2009 academic year. Of the 
funds provided, $1,452,439,000 will become available on July 1, 
2008, and $1,435,000,000 will become available on October 1, 
2008. These funds will remain available for obligation until 
September 30, 2009.
    States and LEAs may use the funds for a range of activities 
related to the certification, recruitment, professional 
development, and support of teachers and administrators. 
Activities may include reforming teacher certification and 
licensure requirements, addressing alternative routes to State 
certification of teachers, recruiting teachers and principals, 
and implementing teacher mentoring systems, teacher testing, 
merit pay, and merit-based performance systems. These funds may 
also be used by districts to hire teachers to reduce class 
sizes.

Early Childhood Educator Professional Development

    The Committee recommends $14,550,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, to support professional 
development activities for early childhood educators and 
caregivers in high-poverty communities. The budget did not 
request any funds for this program. From this appropriation, 
the Secretary makes competitive grants to partnerships of early 
childhood and family literacy caregivers and educators in order 
to provide high-quality, sustained and intensive professional 
development for early childhood educators to help them provide 
developmentally appropriate school-readiness services for 
preschool-age children.

Mathematics and Science Partnerships

    The Committee recommends $184,000,000 for the mathematics 
and science partnerships program. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $182,160,000, and the budget request is 
$182,124,000. These funds will be used to improve the 
performance of students in the areas of math and science by 
bringing math and science teachers in elementary and secondary 
schools together with scientists, mathematicians, and engineers 
to increase the teachers' subject-matter knowledge and improve 
their teaching skills. When the appropriation for this program 
is $100,000,000 or greater, the Secretary is authorized to 
award grants to States by a formula which includes 
consideration of the number of children aged 5 to 17 below the 
poverty line. States then are required to make grants 
competitively to eligible partnerships to enable the entities 
to pay the Federal share of the costs of developing or 
redesigning more rigorous mathematics and science curricula 
that are aligned with State and local standards; creating 
opportunities for enhanced professional development that 
improves the subject-matter knowledge of math and science 
teachers; recruiting math and science majors; and improving and 
expanding training of math and science teachers, including the 
effective integration of technology into curricula and 
instruction.

Innovative Education Program Strategies State Grants

    The Committee does not recommend any funding for innovative 
education program strategies State grants. Neither does the 
budget request. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 
2007 was $99,000,000.
    The innovative education program is a flexible source of 
Federal funds that provides support to States and LEAs for 
developing education reform initiatives that will improve the 
performance of students, schools, and teachers.

Educational Technology State Grants

    The Committee recommends $272,250,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for educational technology 
State grants. The budget request did not include any funds for 
this program.
    The educational technology State grants program supports 
efforts to integrate technology into curricula to improve 
student learning. Funds flow by formula to States and may be 
used for the purchase of hardware and software, teacher 
training on integrating technology into the curriculum, and 
efforts to use technology to improve communication with 
parents, among other related purposes. An LEA must use at least 
25 percent of its formula allocation for professional 
development in the integration of technology into the curricula 
unless it can demonstrate that it already provides such high-
quality professional development.
    Under the No Child Left Behind Act, States may use up to 5 
percent of their award for technical assistance and 
administrative expenses and then must distribute 50 percent of 
remaining funds based on a formula and 50 percent based on a 
grant competition. However, the Committee bill includes 
language allowing States to award up to 100 percent of their 
funds competitively.

Supplemental Education Grants

    The Committee recommendation includes $18,001,000, the same 
as the budget request and the fiscal year 2007 appropriation, 
for supplemental education grants to the Republic of Marshall 
Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. This grant 
program was authorized by the Compact of Free Association 
Amendments Act of 2003. These funds will be transferred from 
the Department of Education to the Secretary of the Interior 
for grants to these entities. The Committee bill includes 
language that allows up to 5 percent to be used by the FSM and 
RMI to purchase oversight and technical assistance, which may 
include reimbursement of the Departments of Labor, Health and 
Human Services and Education for such services.

21st Century Community Learning Centers

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,000,000,000 
for the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program. The 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $981,166,000, and the budget 
request is $981,180,000.
    Funds are allocated to States by formula, which in turn, 
award at least 95 percent of their allocations to local 
educational agencies, community-based organizations and other 
public and private entities. Grantees use these resources to 
establish or expand community learning centers that provide 
activities offering significant extended learning 
opportunities, such as before- and after-school programs, 
recreational activities, drug and violence prevention and 
family literacy programs for students and related services to 
their families. Centers must target their services on students 
who attend schools that are eligible to operate a schoolwide 
program under title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act or serve high percentages of students from low-income 
families.

State Assessments and Enhanced Assessment Instruments

    The Committee recommends $416,000,000 for State assessments 
and enhanced assessment instruments. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $407,563,000, and the budget request was 
$411,630,000.
    This program has two components. The first provides formula 
grants to States to pay the cost of developing standards and 
assessments required by the No Child Left Behind Act.
    Under the second component--grants for enhanced assessment 
instruments--appropriations in excess of the ``trigger level'' 
(which is $400,000,000 in fiscal year 2008) are used for a 
competitive grant program designed to support efforts by States 
to improve the quality and fairness of their assessment 
systems. The Committee recommendation for the second component 
is $16,000,000, compared with the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation of $7,563,000. The Committee recommends increased 
funding for this activity as part of its initiative to improve 
the implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act.
    The Committee continues to be concerned that many schools 
are unable to properly assess the performance of limited-
English proficient students and students with disabilities. The 
Committee urges the Department to continue to place a high 
priority on grant applications that aim to improve the quality 
of State assessments for students with disabilities and 
students with limited English proficiency, and to ensure the 
most accurate means of measuring their performance on these 
assessments.

Javits Gifted and Talented Education

    The Committee recommends $7,596,000, the same as the fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation, for the Javits Gifted and Talented 
Students Education Program. The budget requests no funding for 
this program. Funds are used for awards to State and local 
educational agencies, institutions of higher education, and 
other public and private agencies for research, demonstration, 
and training activities designed to enhance the capability of 
elementary and secondary schools to meet the special 
educational needs of gifted and talented students.

Foreign Language Assistance

    The Committee recommends $26,780,000 for the foreign 
language assistance program. The comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007 was $23,780,000. The budget request is 
$23,755,000.
    The Committee intends for funding available under this 
program to promote the goal of well-articulated, long-sequence 
language programs that lead to demonstrable results for all 
students. The Committee directs the Department not to make 
grants to schools that are replacing current traditional 
language programs with critical needs language instruction.
    Funds from this program support competitive grants to 
increase the quality and quantity of foreign language 
instruction. At least 75 percent of the appropriation must be 
used to expand foreign language education in the elementary 
grades. The Committee has included bill language that prohibits 
foreign language assistance program funds from being used for 
the foreign language incentive program.
    The Committee is concerned that this program, which is the 
only Federal program designed to help schools meet the need for 
foreign language instruction, is unavailable to the poorest 
schools because grant recipients must provide a 50 percent 
match from non-Federal sources. The Committee, therefore, 
strongly urges the Secretary to use her ability to waive the 
matching requirement for qualifying schools and to increase 
awareness of this accommodation among the affected school 
population.

Education for Homeless Children and Youth

    For carrying out education activities authorized by title 
VII, subtitle B of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance 
Act, the Committee recommends $66,878,000. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $61,871,000, and the budget request is 
$61,878,000.
    This program provides assistance to each State to support 
an office of the coordinator of education for homeless children 
and youth, to develop and implement State plans for educating 
homeless children, and to make subgrants to LEAs to support the 
education of those children. Grants are made to States based on 
the total that each State receives in title I grants to LEAs.
    Under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Children and Youths 
Program, State educational agencies must ensure that homeless 
children and youth have equal access to the same free public 
education, including a public preschool education, as is 
provided to other children and youth.

Training and Advisory Services

    For training and advisory services authorized by title IV 
of the Civil Rights Act, the Committee recommends $7,113,000, 
the same as the fiscal year 2007 appropriation and the budget 
request.
    The funds provided will support awards to operate the 10 
regional equity assistance centers [EACs]. Each EAC provides 
services to school districts upon request. Activities include 
disseminating information on successful practices and legal 
requirements related to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, 
color, sex, or national origin in education programs.

Education for Native Hawaiians

    For programs for the education of Native Hawaiians, the 
Committee recommends $34,500,000 (Funding for this program was 
requested by Senators Inouye and Akaka). The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 funding level was $33,907,000. The budget request 
does not include any funding for this purpose.
    The Committee bill includes language allowing $1,250,000 of 
the funds recommended to be used for construction and 
renovation of Native Hawaiian educational facilities.
    The Committee bill includes also language stipulating that 
$1,250,000 shall be used for a grant to the Center of 
Excellence at the University of Hawaii School of Law, for the 
Native Hawaiian Law School Center of Excellence. This 
repository houses a compilation of historical and cultural 
documents that facilitates preservation and examination of laws 
of great significance to Native Hawaiians.
    The Committee also recommends support of projects that 
promote the development of academic curricula or instructional 
materials that are based on archives of oral histories of 
Native Hawaiian history and culture. Activities supported with 
project funds may include the development of archives for 
collectable media significant to the State of Hawaii in memory 
of former Senate Sergeant at Arms Henry Kuualoha Giugni. The 
Henry Kuualoha Giugni Kupuna Archives will facilitate the 
acquisition of historical records and stories unique to the 
culture of Native Hawaiians. The establishment of this archival 
collection is critical for recording, cataloguing, and 
digitalization of oral histories, both new and old, and 
securing their availability for development of innovative 
educational programs to assist Native Hawaiian students.

Alaska Native Educational Equity

    The Committee recommends $34,500,000 for the Alaska Native 
educational equity assistance program (Funding for this program 
was requested by Senator Stevens). The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level was $33,907,000. The budget request did not 
include any funds for this purpose.
    These funds address the severe educational handicaps of 
Alaska Native schoolchildren. Funds are used for the 
development of supplemental educational programs to benefit 
Alaska Natives. The Committee bill includes language which 
allows funding provided by this program to be used for 
construction. The Committee expects the Department to use some 
of these funds to address the construction needs of rural 
schools.

Rural Education

    The Committee recommends $168,918,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for rural education programs. 
The budget request is $168,851,000.
    The Committee expects that rural education funding will be 
equally divided between the Small, Rural Schools Achievement 
Program, which provides funds to LEAs that serve a small number 
of students, and the Rural and Low-Income Schools Program, 
which provides funds to LEAs that serve concentrations of poor 
students, regardless of the number of students served.

Comprehensive Centers

    The Committee recommends $60,000,000 for the comprehensive 
centers program. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$56,257,000, and the budget request is $56,256,000.
    These funds provide continued support to a network of 21 
comprehensive centers, at least one of which will operate in 
each of the 10 geographic regions of the United States served 
by the regional educational laboratories. The centers are 
operated by research organizations, agencies, institutions of 
higher education or partnerships thereof, and provide training 
and technical assistance on various issues to States, LEAs, and 
schools as identified through needs assessments undertaken in 
each region.
    The system includes 16 regional centers that are charged 
with providing intensive technical assistance to State 
educational agencies to increase their capacity to assist local 
educational agencies and schools with meeting the goals of No 
Child Left Behind. This assistance is based in large part on 
the work of the five content centers, which are organized by 
topic area so these centers can develop the information, 
materials and resources that the regional centers need to 
fulfill their mission.
    The Committee recommends increased funding for the centers 
as part of its initiative to improve the implementation of the 
No Child Left Behind Act..

                            Indian Education

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $118,690,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     118,683,000
Committee recommendation................................     118,690,000

    The Committee recommends $118,690,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for Indian Education programs. 
The budget request is $118,683,000.

Grants to Local Education Agencies

    For grants to local educational agencies, the Committee 
recommends $95,331,000, the same as the fiscal year 2007 
funding level and the budget request.
    These funds provide financial support to elementary and 
secondary school programs that serve Indian students, including 
preschool children. Funds are awarded on a formula basis to 
local educational agencies, schools supported and operated by 
the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and in some cases directly to 
Indian Tribes.

Special Programs for Indian Children

    The Committee recommends $19,399,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 funding level and the budget request, for 
special programs for Indian children.
    Funds are used for demonstration grants to improve Indian 
student achievement through early childhood education and 
college preparation programs, and for professional development 
grants for training Indians who are preparing to begin careers 
in teaching and school administration.

National Activities

    The Committee recommends $3,960,000, the same as the fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation, for national activities. The budget 
request is $3,953,000. Funds will be used to expand efforts to 
improve research, evaluation, and data collection on the status 
and effectiveness of Indian education programs.

                       Innovation and Improvement

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $837,686,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     922,018,000
Committee recommendation................................     962,889,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $962,889,000 
for programs within the innovation and improvement account. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level for these programs 
was $837,686,000 and the budget request is $922,018,000.

Troops-to-Teachers

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $14,645,000, 
the same as the fiscal year 2007 appropriation and the budget 
request, to support the Defense Department's Troops-to-Teachers 
program.
    This program helps recruit and prepare retiring and former 
military personnel to become highly qualified teachers serving 
in high-poverty school districts. The Secretary of Education 
transfers program funds to the Department of Defense for the 
Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support to 
provide assistance, including stipends of up to $5,000 and/or 
bonuses of up to $10,000 to eligible members of the Armed 
Forces so that they can obtain teacher certification or 
licensing. In addition, the program helps these individuals 
find employment in a school.

Transition to Teaching

    The Committee recommends $44,484,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the transition to teaching 
program. The budget request is $44,482,000.
    This program provides grants to help support efforts to 
recruit, train, and place nontraditional teaching candidates 
into teaching positions and to support them during their first 
years in the classroom. In particular, this program is intended 
to attract mid-career professionals and recent college 
graduates. Program participants are placed in high-need schools 
in high-need LEAs.

National Writing Project

    The Committee recommends $24,000,000 for the National 
Writing Project (Funding for this program was requested by 
Senators Cochran, Durbin, Feinstein, Landrieu, Leahy, Mikulski, 
Reed, Akaka, Baucus, Bayh, Biden, Bingaman, Boxer, Brown, 
Bunning, Cardin, Casey, Clinton, Coleman, Collins, Conrad, 
Crapo, Dodd, Grassley, Kennedy, Kerry, Klobuchar, Levin, 
Lieberman, Lincoln, Lott, Lugar, Menendez, Obama, Pryor, Reid, 
Salazar, Sanders, Schumer, Smith, Snowe, Stabenow, Tester, 
Whitehouse and Wyden). The comparable funding level for fiscal 
year 2007 was $21,532,000. The budget request proposes to 
eliminate Federal funding for this program.
    These funds are awarded to the National Writing Project, a 
nonprofit organization that supports and promotes K-16 teacher 
training programs in the effective teaching of writing.

Teaching of Traditional American History

    The Committee recommends $120,000,000 for the teaching of 
traditional American history program. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 funding level was $119,790,000, and the budget 
request was $50,000,000. This program supports competitive 
grants to LEAs, and funds may be used only to undertake 
activities that are related to American history, and cannot be 
used for social studies coursework. Grant awards are designed 
to augment the quality of American history instruction and to 
provide professional development activities and teacher 
education in the area of American history. The Committee 
directs the Department to continue its current policy of 
awarding 3-year grants.
    The Committee bill retains language that allows the 
Department to reserve up to 3 percent of funds appropriated for 
this program for national activities.

School Leadership

    The Committee recommends $14,731,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the school leadership 
program. The budget request proposes to eliminate funding for 
this program. The program provides competitive grants to assist 
high-need LEAs to recruit and train principals and assistant 
principals through activities such as professional development 
and training programs. The Committee continues to recognize the 
critical role that principals and assistant principals play in 
creating an environment that fosters effective teaching and 
high academic achievement for students.

Advanced Credentialing

    The Committee recommends $9,821,000 for the advanced 
credentialing program (Funding for this program was requested 
by Senators Cochran and Harkin). The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level was $16,695,000. The budget request proposes 
to eliminate funds for this program.
    The Committee includes bill language directing all of the 
funding for this program to the National Board for Professional 
Teaching Standards [NBPTS]. Funds available assist the board's 
work in providing financial support to States for teachers 
applying for certification, increasing the number of minority 
teachers seeking certification and developing outreach programs 
about the advanced certification program.
    No funding is included for the American Board for the 
Certification of Teacher Excellence [ABCTE]; the 5-year grant 
for the ABCTE ended in fiscal year 2007. The Committee 
recommendation is sufficient to continue funding for the NBPTS 
at the level it received in fiscal year 2007.

Charter Schools Grants

    The Committee recommends $214,783,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the support of charter 
schools. The budget request is $214,782,000.
    This appropriation supports the planning, development, and 
initial implementation of charter schools, which are public 
schools that receive exemption from many statutory and 
regulatory requirements in exchange for promising to meet 
agreed-upon accountability measures. State educational agencies 
that have the authority under State law to approve charter 
schools are eligible to compete for grants. If an eligible SEA 
does not participate, charter schools from the State may apply 
directly to the Secretary. The authorizing statute requires 
that amounts appropriated in excess of $200,000,000 and less 
than $300,000,000 shall be used for 5-year competitive grants 
to States that operate per-pupil facilities aid programs for 
charters schools. Federal funds are used to match State-funded 
programs in order to provide charter schools with additional 
resources for charter school facilities financing. At the 
Committee recommendation, $14,783,000 will be available to 
continue support for per-pupil facilities aid grants.

Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities

    The Committee does not recommend any funding for this 
program. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was 
$36,611,000, the same as the budget request. The Committee 
notes that the authorization for this program expired in fiscal 
year 2005.
    This program provides assistance to help charter schools 
meet their facility needs. Funds are provided on a competitive 
basis to public and nonprofit entities, to leverage non-Federal 
funds that help charter schools obtain school facilities 
through purchase, lease, renovation and construction.

Voluntary Public School Choice

    The Committee recommends $26,278,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the voluntary public school 
choice program. The budget request is $26,275,000.
    This program supports efforts by States and school 
districts to establish or expand State- or district-wide public 
school choice programs, especially for parents whose children 
attend low-performing public schools.

Magnet Schools Assistance

    The Committee recommends $106,693,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the magnet schools 
assistance program. The budget request is $106,685,000.
    This program supports grants to local educational agencies 
to establish and operate magnet schools that are part of a 
court-ordered or federally approved voluntary desegregation 
plan. Magnet schools are designed to attract substantial 
numbers of students from different social, economic, ethnic, 
and racial backgrounds. Grantees may use funds for planning and 
promotional materials, teacher salaries, and the purchase of 
computers and other educational materials and equipment.

Fund for the Improvement of Education

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $218,699,000 
for the Fund for the Improvement of Education [FIE]. The fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation was $158,510,000, and the budget 
request was $58,108,000.
    For programs of national significance authorized under 
section 5411 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
[ESEA], the Committee recommendation includes $700,000, the 
same as the budget request, for the National Institute of 
Building Sciences to continue operation of the National 
Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities, the Nation's sole 
source for comprehensive information about school planning, 
design, financing, construction, and maintenance. The Committee 
recommends an additional $300,000 for this purpose within Safe 
and Drug-Free Schools and Communities National Programs to 
address issues related to school safety and healthy school 
buildings.
    The Committee recommendation includes $12,000,000 for Teach 
for America. It also includes resources for the following 
activities: Reach Out and Read; evaluation and data quality 
initiatives; peer review; and other grant activities authorized 
under section 5411 of the ESEA.
    The budget request also proposed funding the Language 
Teacher Corps and the Teacher to Teacher initiative. The 
Committee recommendation does not include funding for these 
activities.
    Within the total amount for FIE, the Committee 
recommendation also includes funding for separately authorized 
programs as described in the paragraphs below.
    The Committee recommends $26,043,000, an increase of 
$1,000,000 over the budget request and the fiscal year 2007 
appropriation, to award a contract to Reading Is Fundamental 
Inc. [RIF] to provide reading-motivation activities. RIF, a 
private nonprofit organization, helps prepare young children 
and motivate older children to read, through activities 
including the distribution of books.
    The administration recommended eliminating funding for 
activities listed below.
    The Committee recommends no funding for the Star Schools 
program. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was $11,513,000. 
The Star Schools program is designed to improve instruction in 
math, science, foreign languages, and other areas such as 
vocational education, to underserved populations by means of 
telecommunications technologies.
    The Committee recommends $10,890,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for the Ready to Teach program. 
Ready to Teach encompasses funding for PBS TeacherLine and one 
or more nonprofit entities, for the purpose of continuing to 
develop telecommunications-based programs to improve teacher 
quality in core areas. It also includes digital educational 
programming grants, which encourage community partnerships 
among local public television stations, State and local 
educational agencies, and other institutions to develop and 
distribute digital instructional content based on State and 
local standards.
    The Committee recommends $9,000,000 for the Education 
through Cultural and Historical Organizations [ECHO] Act of 
2001 (Funding for this program was requested by Senators 
Cochran, Inouye, Stevens, and Kennedy). The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $8,910,000. Programs authorized under ECHO 
provide a broad range of educational, cultural, and job 
training opportunities for students from communities across the 
Nation, including Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts and 
Mississippi.
    The Committee has included $36,277,000 for arts in 
education (Funding for this program was requested by Senators 
Cochran, Bingaman, and Kennedy). The comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007 was $35,277,000. Within the total, 
$6,305,310 is for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing 
Arts; $8,365,600 is for VSA arts; $13,258,080 is for the 
competitive art education model grant program for the 
development of model projects that effectively strengthen and 
integrate arts and cultural partnerships into the core 
curriculum; $7,856,640 is for grants for professional 
development for music, dance, drama, and visual arts educators 
to be administered by the U.S. Department of Education; 
$491,040 is to continue the evaluation and national 
dissemination of information regarding model programs and 
professional development projects funded through the Arts in 
Education section, including dissemination promising practices 
from funded projects and technical assistance for self-
evaluation; and $500,000 shall be used to support the National 
Center for Education Statistics Fast Response Survey System to 
collect data for the report of Arts Education in Public 
Elementary and Secondary Schools during the 2008-2009 school 
year. The Committee expects this survey and reporting to have 
the comprehensive quality of the 2002 report and to include 
national samples of elementary and secondary school principals, 
as well as surveys of elementary and secondary classroom 
teachers and arts specialists.
    The Committee recommends $39,600,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for parental information and 
resource centers, which provide training, information, and 
support to parents, State and local education agencies, and 
other organizations that carry out parent education and family 
involvement programs.
    The Committee notes that the No Child Left Behind Act 
requires grantees to use at least 30 percent of their awards to 
establish, expand, or operate Parents as Teachers, Home 
Instruction Program for Preschool Youngsters, or other early 
childhood parent education programs.
    The Committee recommends $5,000,000 to continue support for 
the mental health integration in schools program. The 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $4,910,000. 
This program supports grants to or contracts with State 
educational agencies, local educational agencies or Indian 
tribes to increase student access to mental health care by 
linking schools with their local mental health systems. The 
Committee expects this program to continue to be carried out by 
the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools.
    The Committee includes $1,879,000, the same as the fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation, for the women's educational equity 
program. This program supports projects that assist in the 
local implementation of gender equity policies and practices.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,473,000, the same 
as the fiscal year 2007 appropriation, for activities 
authorized by the Excellence in Economics Education Act. These 
funds will support a grant to a nonprofit educational 
organization to promote economic and financial literacy among 
kindergarten through 12th grade students.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,980,000, the same 
as the fiscal year 2007 appropriation, to carry out the 
American History and Civics Education Act of 2004. From the 
amount available, the Department will make grants to support 
Presidential Academies for Teaching of American History and 
Civics and Congressional Academies for Students of American 
History and Civics.
    The Committee recommendation also includes bill language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action for Bridgeport Community         $500,000  Lieberman, Dodd
 Development, Bridgeport, CT,
 to expand and evaluate the
 Total Learning model in
 Bridgeport schools.
Alaska Department of Education           300,000  Stevens, Murkowski
 and Early Development, Juneau,
 AK, for Big Brothers/Big
 Sisters statewide, in
 partnership with Alaska Dept.
 of Education, Boys and Girls
 Club, and Cook Inlet Tribal
 Council for a comprehensive
 mentoring program in Alaska.
Alaska Dept. of Education and          1,250,000  Stevens
 Early Development, Juneau, AK,
 for the Alaska statewide
 mentor project.
Alaska Sealife Center, Seward,           250,000  Stevens
 AK, for a marine ecosystems
 education pro-  gram.
Allied Services Foundation,               75,000  Specter, Casey
 Clarks Summit, PA, for
 dyslexia education programs at
 the Allied Services dePaul
 School.
American Foundation for Negro            100,000  Specter
 Affairs National Education and
 Research Fund, Philadelphia,
 PA, to raise the achievement
 level of minority students and
 increase minority access to
 higher education.
Anchorage's Promise, Anchorage,          100,000  Stevens
 AK, to implement America's
 Promise child mentoring and
 support program in Anchorage.
ASPIRA Inc. of New Jersey,               100,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 Newark, NJ, to provide
 academic assistance and
 leadership development.
AVANCE, Inc., San Antonio,               250,000  Cornyn
 Texas, for training and
 curriculum development for a
 parent-child educational
 program.
Barnstable, MA, for the                  250,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 development of programs and
 procurement of educational
 equipment at a youth and
 community center.
Beaver County, Beaver County,             75,000  Specter
 PA, to implement educational
 programming for K-12 students,
 including safe and appropriate
 use of the Internet.
Berkeley Unified School                  100,000  Boxer
 District, Berkeley, CA, for a
 nutrition education program.
Berks County Intermediate Unit,          100,000  Specter
 Reading, PA, for music
 education programs.
Best Buddies International,              250,000  Harkin
 Inc., Miami, FL, to enhance
 the lives of people with
 mental retardation by
 providing opportunities for
 one-to-one friendships and
 integrated employment.
Best Buddies, Miami, FL, to              200,000  Reid
 develop a Nevada site for Best
 Buddies.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters of          600,000  Specter
 Southeastern Pennsylvania,
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 recruitment, placement, and
 oversight of school-based
 mentoring programs.
Boys & Girls Club of Greater             300,000  Kohl
 Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, to
 expand an early literacy
 program for children in
 Milwaukee.
Brigham City, Brigham City,               50,000  Hatch
 Utah, for acquisition of
 equipment for a distance
 learning program.
Brooklyn Public Library,                 500,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Brooklyn, NY, for the Learning
 Centers.
Carnegie Hall, NY, NY, for the           250,000  Clinton, Schumer
 National Music Education
 Programs.
Cedar Rapids Symphony                    400,000  Harkin
 Orchestra, Cedar Rapids, IA,
 to support the Residency
 program.
Center for Advancing                      75,000  Specter
 Partnerships in Education,
 Allentown, PA, to develop a
 foreign language distance
 learning program and for
 teacher training.
Charter School Development               500,000  Reid
 Fund, Las Vegas, NV, to
 integrate technology into the
 curriculum at a charter school
 in Las Vegas.
Chesapeake Bay Foundation,               500,000  Cardin, Casey, Warner,
 Annapolis, MD, to provide                         Webb
 teacher training, student
 education and field
 experiences in the Chesapeake
 Bay.
Chester County Intermediate               75,000  Specter
 Unit, Dowingtown, PA, for a
 vocational technical education
 program.
Child and Family Network                 150,000  Warner, Webb
 Centers, Virginia, Alexandria,
 VA, for education services for
 at-risk youth.
Children Uniting Nations, Los            200,000  Feinstein
 Angeles, CA, for foster child
 mentoring program in Los
 Angeles.
ChildSight New Mexico, Gallup,            50,000  Domenici
 NM, for a vision screening and
 eye glass program for children.
City Year New Hampshire,                 150,000  Gregg
 Stratham, NH, for expansion of
 an afterschool program for the
 Young Heroes Program.
Clark County School District,            250,000  Reid
 Las Vegas, NV, to create an
 Education Executive Leadership
 program.
Clark County School District,            250,000  Reid
 Las Vegas, NV, to expand the
 Newcomer Academy within Del
 Sol High School.
Clay County School system, WV,           200,000  Byrd
 for the continuation and
 expansion of Skills West
 Virginia programs in counties
 around West Virginia.
Communities in Schools of                100,000  Chambliss
 Georgia, Atlanta, GA, for
 mentoring programs.
Community Empowerment                     75,000  Specter
 Association, Inc., Pittsburgh,
 PA, for a truancy reduction
 initiative.
Congreso de Latinos Unidos,              100,000  Specter, Casey
 Inc., Philadelphia, PA, for a
 career education and
 preparation initiative for at-
 risk youth.
Council Bluffs Early Learning            500,000  Harkin
 Resource Center, Council
 Bluffs, IA, for the FAMILY
 program.
Creative Visions in Des Moines,          150,000  Harkin
 IA, for outreach to at-risk
 youth.
Cristo Rey High School,                  400,000  Durbin
 Chicago, IL, to improve
 technologies for the school's
 library and technology center.
Cumberland, RI, for afterschool          500,000  Reed
 programs and activities.
Delaware Department of                   250,000  Carper, Biden
 Education, Dover, DE, for the
 Vision Network of Schools and
 Districts.
Delta Arts Alliance, Cleveland,          100,000  Cochran
 MS, for in-school and after
 school arts education programs.
Des Moines Community School              350,000  Harkin
 District and Urban Dreams, Des
 Moines, IA, to continue a
 demonstration on full service
 community schools.
Des Moines Community School              750,000  Harkin
 District, IA, to expand pre-
 kindergarten programs.
Detroit Area Pre-College                 200,000  Levin, Stabenow
 Engineering Program, Detroit,
 MI, for student tracking and
 curriculum development.
Early Childhood and Family               500,000  Landrieu
 Learning Center Foundation,
 New Orleans, LA, to establish
 a comprehensive early
 childhood center.
East Palo Alto, East Palo Alto,          100,000  Boxer
 CA, to provide afterschool
 learning and enrichment
 activities for the students of
 East Palo Alto.
East Saint Louis High School,            600,000  Durbin
 East Saint Louis, IL, to
 upgrade the school's
 technology and sciences
 programs.
ECHO Center, Burlington, VT, to          100,000  Leahy
 enhance educational
 opportunities for students
 regarding the Lake Champlain
 Quadracentennial.
Educating Young Minds, Los               100,000  Feinstein
 Angeles, CA, for educational
 programs.
Eisenhower Foundation,                   700,000  Harkin
 Washington, DC, to replicate
 the Delaney Street project in
 Iowa.
Esmeralda County School                  100,000  Reid
 District, Goldfield, NV, to
 continue accelerated reading
 and math programs for K-8
 students in Esmeralda County.
Everybody Wins, Washington, DC,          500,000  Harkin
 for childhood literacy
 programs.
Fairbanks North Star Borough             250,000  Stevens
 School District, Fairbanks,
 AK, to expand the PLATO
 learning program to Fairbanks
 North Star Borough.
Fairfield, Fairfield, CA, to             100,000  Boxer
 support daily operation of The
 Place to Be After Three
 afterschool program at local
 school sites.
FirstBook, Washington, DC, for           250,000  Byrd
 the expansion of programs in
 West Virginia.
FirstBook, Washington, DC, for           100,000  Collins, Snowe
 the Maine literacy initiative
 for Low Income Children.
Florence Prever Rosten                   100,000  Baucus
 Foundation, Darby, MT, to
 develop MAPS: Media Arts in
 the Public Schools program.
Galena City School District,             500,000  Stevens
 Galena, AK, for a boarding
 school for low performing
 Native students from remote
 villages across Western Alaska.
George S. Eccles Ice Center,              50,000  Hatch
 North Logan, Utah, to expand
 the science, physical
 education, and creative
 movement program.
Hackett-Bower Clinic at                  300,000  Cochran
 Magnolia Speech School,
 Westport, CT, for acquisition
 of equipment and programs.
Harford County Board of                  400,000  Mikulski
 Education, Bel Air, MD, to
 support a science and math
 program at Aberdeen High
 School.
Harrisburg (PA) Area School              500,000  Casey
 District, Harrisburg, PA, to
 support the district's pre-
 kindergarten program.
Hays Community Economic                  200,000  Baucus, Tester
 Development Corporation, Hays,
 MT, to develop a Native
 American culturally competent
 curriculum.
Homer-Center School District,            100,000  Specter
 Homer City, PA, for science
 curriculum development and
 acquisition of technology.
Houston Independent School               500,000  Cornyn
 District, Houston, Texas, to
 create an incentive-
 performance plan for teachers
 at the campus and individual-
 teacher levels.
Houston Zoo, Houston, TX, for            100,000  Hutchison
 educational programming.
Indianapolis, IN, for the                400,000  Bayh, Lugar
 Indianapolis Center for
 Education Innovation.
Institute for Student                    250,000  Schumer, Clinton
 Achievement (ISA), Lake
 Success, NY, for the ISA High
 School Improvement Program.
Internet Keep Safe Coalition,            450,000  Bennett
 Salt Lake City, Utah, to
 provide educational materials
 to k-12 students regarding
 Internet safety.
Iowa Association of School               500,000  Harkin
 Boards, Des Moines, IA, for
 the Lighthouse for School
 Reform project.
Iowa City Community School               500,000  Harkin
 District, IA, to implement a
 literacy program.
Iowa Department of Education to        7,500,000  Harkin
 continue the Harkin grant
 program.
Iowa School Boards Foundation,         3,000,000  Harkin
 Des Moines, IA, for
 continuation and expansion of
 the Skills Iowa program.
Iowa State Education                      75,000  Grassley
 Association, Des Moines, IA,
 for an initiative to educate
 students on the role of
 international trade in the
 U.S. economy.
Jazz at Lincoln Center, NY, NY,          250,000  Clinton, Schumer
 for education programs.
Jeremiah Cromwell Disabilities           100,000  Collins, Snowe
 Center, Portland, ME, for
 awareness training for
 students.
Johns Hopkins University's               250,000  Mikulski
 Center for Talented Youth,
 Baltimore, MD, to conduct a
 longitudinal study on outcomes
 of Center for Talented Youth
 summer programs.
Jumpstart for Young Children,            150,000  Reed
 Boston, MA, to recruit and
 train college students to
 serve as mentors for at-risk
 preschool children.
Jumpstart for Young Children,            350,000  Murray
 Seattle, WA, to expand
 Jumpstart's One Child at a
 Time mentoring project in
 Washington.
Kanawha County School System,            810,000  Byrd
 WV, for the continuation of
 Following the Leaders programs.
Kansas Learning Center for               100,000  Roberts
 Health, Halstead, KS, to
 support health education,
 including curriculum
 development.
Kauai Economic Development               300,000  Inouye, Akaka
 Board, HI, for math and
 science education.
KIPP Foundation, San Francisco,          100,000  Burr, Dole
 CA, for subgrants to support
 student programs and extended
 learning time at KIPP Gaston
 College Preparatory and KIPP
 Pride High School in Gaston,
 NC.
KIPP Foundation, San Francisco,          300,000  Cardin
 CA, to support student
 programs and extended learning
 time through a subgrant to
 KIPP Ujima Village Academy in
 Baltimore.
KIPP Foundation, San Francisco,          250,000  Alexander
 CA, for subgrants to support
 student programs and extended
 learning time in Nashville and
 Memphis, Tennessee.
Klingberg Family Centers, Inc.,          400,000  Dodd, Lieberman
 New Britain, CT, for the
 acquisition and implementation
 of new computer technology
 associated with the Klingberg
 Family Centers' Special
 Education Enhancement
 Initiative.
La Causa Charter School,                 100,000  Kohl
 Milwaukee, WI, to implement a
 science and robotics lab.
Lafayette Parish School Board,            67,000  Vitter
 Lafayette, LA, for acquisition
 of equipment technology
 upgrades.
Lander County School District,           250,000  Reid
 Battle Mountain, NV, to
 continue a math and science
 remediation program for high
 school students.
Loess Hills Area Education               750,000  Harkin
 Agency in Iowa for a
 demonstration in early
 childhood education.
Loras College, Dubuque, IA, for          500,000  Harkin, Grassley
 a literacy program with the
 Dubuque elementary schools.
Los Angeles, CA, for the LA's            250,000  Feinstein
 BEST afterschool enrichment
 program.
Louisiana Family Forum, Baton            100,000  Vitter
 Rouge, LA, to develop a plan
 to promote better science
 education.
Louisiana State University in            300,000  Landrieu, Vitter
 Shreveport, Shreveport, LA, to
 provide professional
 development for teachers and
 faculty in Title I schools
 with low performance scores.
Lower Pioneer Valley                     200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Educational Collaborative,
 West Springfield, MA, for the
 procurement of educational
 equipment and development of
 academic programs.
Lyndon Baines Johnson                    900,000  Harkin
 Foundation, Austin, Texas, for
 the Presidential timeline
 project.
Lynwood, CA, to expand the               100,000  Boxer
 afterschool Homework
 Assistance Program at the
 Lynwood Public Library.
Maine Alliance for Arts                  100,000  Collins, Snowe
 Education, Augusta, ME, for
 the Complete Education for
 Rural Students project.
Marketplace of Ideas/                    500,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 Marketplace for Kids, Inc.,
 Mandan, ND, for a statewide
 program focused on
 entrepreneurship education.
Massachusetts 2020 Foundation,           220,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Boston, MA, for continued
 development of an expanded
 instruction demonstration
 program.
Maui Economic Development                300,000  Inouye
 Board, HI, for the girls into
 science program.
McKelvey Foundation, New                 100,000  Specter, Casey
 Wilmington, PA, to an
 entrepreneurial college
 scholarships for rural, low-
 income Pennsylvania high
 school graduates.
Mentoring Partnership of                 500,000  Specter
 Southwestern Pennsylvania,
 Pittsburgh, PA, for
 recruitment, placement, and
 oversight of school-based
 mentoring programs.
Mercy Vocational High School,            100,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for
 vocational educational
 programs.
Metropolitan Wilmington Urban            500,000  Biden, Carper
 League, Wilmington, DE, to
 continue a program aimed at
 closing the achievement gap
 among low-income and minority
 students.
Military Heritage Center                  75,000  Specter
 Foundation, Carlisle, PA, for
 the U.S. Army Heritage and
 Education Center for history
 education programs.
Milwaukee Public Schools,              1,300,000  Kohl
 Milwaukee, WI, to support
 afterschool activities for at-
 risk youth.
Mississippi State University,            500,000  Cochran
 Mississippi State, MS, for
 enhancing K-12 Science and
 Mathematics Preparation.
Mississippi University for               200,000  Cochran
 Women, Columbus, MS, for
 environmental education
 programs for the Science on
 the Tennessee-Tombigbee
 Waterway program.
National American Indian,              1,000,000  Enzi
 Alaskan and Hawaiian
 Educational Development
 Center, Sheridan, WY, to train
 teachers serving Native
 American students in an early
 literacy learning and math
 framework.
New Mexico Military Institute,            50,000  Domenici
 Roswell, NM, for a character
 development leadership camp at
 the New Mexico Military
 Institute.
New Mexico State University,             200,000  Domenici
 Las Cruces, NM, for the
 Southern New Mexico Science,
 Engineering, Mathematics and
 Aerospace Academy.
New Mexico State University,             400,000  Bingaman, Domenici
 Las Cruces, NM, to continue a
 program to transition high
 school students into technical
 careers.
New School University, New               950,000  Clinton, Schumer
 York, NY, for the Institute
 for Urban Education.
New York Hall of Science,                600,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Queens, NY, for science
 exhibits and educational
 programming.
North Country Education                  200,000  Gregg
 Services Agency, Gorham, NH,
 for the North Country Gear Up
 College Prep Initiative,
 including online curriculum
 development.
North Slope Borough, Anchorage,          300,000  Stevens
 AK, for an early education
 program.
Northwest Center, Seattle, WA,           250,000  Murray, Cantwell
 to provide and expand academic
 and vocational resources to
 developmentally delayed or
 disabled persons in King
 County.
Oakland School of the Arts,              500,000  Feinstein
 Oakland, CA, for educational
 equipment.
Oelwein Community School                 125,000  Grassley
 District, Oelwein, IA, for
 technology and program needs
 for a math and science academy.
Ogden City Schools, Ogden,                50,000  Hatch
 Utah, to enhance the
 aerospace, math, and science
 curriculum.
Omaha, Nebraska, for expansion           100,000  Hagel
 of the Omaha's after school
 initiative.
Ouachita Parish School Board,             66,000  Vitter
 Monroe, LA, for acquisition of
 equipment technology upgrades.
Pacific Islands Center for               650,000  Inouye
 Educational Development in
 American Samoa, for a
 mentoring program aimed at
 college prep.
Parents as Teachers National             225,000  Bond
 Center, St. Louis, MO, for
 expanded outreach to support
 school readiness in the
 Gateway Parents as Teachers
 program in the City of St.
 Louis.
PE4life Foundation, Kansas               500,000  Harkin
 City, MO, for expansion and
 assessment of PE4life programs
 across Iowa.
Philadelphia Martin Luther               100,000  Specter
 King, Jr. Association for
 Nonviolence Inc.,
 Philadelphia, PA, for its
 College for Teens program.
Polynesian Voyaging Society,             250,000  Inouye
 Honolulu, HI, for cultural
 education programs.
Project HOME, Philadelphia, PA,          100,000  Specter
 for an after school program.
Provo City, Provo, Utah, to               50,000  Hatch
 expand education programs at
 the Arts Center.
Rapides Parish School Board,              66,000  Vitter
 Alexandria, LA, for
 acquisition of equipment
 technology upgrades.
Robert H. Clampitt Foundation,           150,000  Landrieu
 Inc., New York, NY, to train
 elementary and secondary
 students in journalism.
Saint Joseph's University,               100,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, to develop a
 Public Education Partnership
 to provide professional
 development to area principals
 and teachers.
Saint Louis SCORES, St. Louis,           100,000  Bond
 MO, to expand after school
 programs.
San Bernadino Boys and Girls             250,000  Boxer
 Club, San Bernardino, CA, to
 expand programs that are
 available in education, health
 and the arts.
San Jose, CA, for the Early              200,000  Feinstein
 Start/Great Start School
 Readiness Initiative.
San Juan School District,                 50,000  Hatch
 Blanding, Utah, to provide
 intervention advocacy and case
 management for at-risk
 students.
Save the Children, Westport,             200,000  Cochran
 CT, for Mississippi Gulf Coast
 early childhood in-school and
 after school programs.
Save the Children, Westport,             200,000  Reid
 CT, to implement supplemental
 literacy programs for children
 in grades K-8 in rural Nevada
 schools.
School at Jacob's Pillow,                180,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Beckett, MA, for the
 development of youth cultural
 and educational programs.
Sevier School District,                   50,000  Hatch
 Richfield, Utah, for teacher
 training and professional
 development to increase
 student achievement in
 mathematics.
Shiloh Economic and                      200,000  Menendez, Lautenberg
 Entrepreneurial Lifelong
 Development Corporation,
 Plainfield, NJ, for academic
 enrichment programs.
Skills Alaska, Anchorage, AK,          1,000,000  Stevens
 for statewide teacher training
 and mentoring program,
 Anchorage.
South Dakota Symphony, Sioux             100,000  Johnson
 Falls, SD, for educational
 outreach to Native Americans.
SouthCoastConnected, New                 180,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Bedford, MA, for
 implementation of the Drop the
 Drop-Out Rate Initiative.
Southeast Island School                  100,000  Stevens
 District, Thorne Bay, AK, to
 develop interactive video
 conferencing to provide
 special education services to
 9 isolated school sites in
 Southeast Alaska.
SouthEastern Pennsylvania                150,000  Specter, Casey
 Consortium for Higher
 Education, Glenside, PA, for
 the Institute of Mathematics
 and Science to provide
 professional development to K-
 12 teachers.
Springfield, Missouri, for               600,000  Bond
 program development and
 expansion, equipment and
 technology for the Ready to
 Learn Program.
Technical Research and                   250,000  Bill Nelson
 Development Authority,
 Titusville, FL, to provide
 professional workshops for
 teachers in STEM-related
 fields.
Tulane University, New Orleans,        1,500,000  Landrieu
 LA, to provide teacher
 education and leadership
 preparation to support the
 rebuilding of New Orleans
 schools.
Tulsa Public Schools, Tulsa,             100,000  Inhofe
 OK, for academic programs.
Union County, Elizabeth, NJ,             300,000  Lautenberg, Menendez
 for training programs at the
 Union County Academy for
 Allied Health Sciences.
United Inner City Services,              750,000  Bond
 Kansas City, MO, to enhance
 and expand early learning
 programs.
United Way of Southeastern               400,000  Specter
 Pennsylvania, Philadelphia,
 PA, for recruitment,
 placement, and oversight of
 school-based mentoring
 programs.
University of Alaska/Southeast,        1,750,000  Stevens
 Juneau, AK, for the Alaska
 Distance Education Technology
 Consortium for distance
 learning.
University of Maine, Orono, ME,          190,000  Collins, Snowe
 to maintain healthy
 interscholastic youth sports
 programs.
University of North Alabama,             150,000  Sessions
 Florence, AL, for research to
 develop a model center for
 teacher preparation.
University of North Carolina at          100,000  Burr, Dole
 Greensboro, Greensboro, NC,
 for a teletherapy program to
 address the shortage of speech
 language pathologists.
University of Northern Iowa,             500,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Cedar Falls, IA, to continue
 the 2+2 teacher education
 demonstration program.
University of Southern                   400,000  Cochran
 Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS,
 for gifted education programs
 at the Frances A. Karnes
 Center for Gifted Studies
 program.
University of Southern                   400,000  Cochran
 Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS,
 for literacy enhancement.
University of Vermont,                 3,000,000  Leahy, Byrd, Harkin,
 Burlington, VT, to establish                      Inouye
 the Educational Excellence
 program.
UrbanFUTURE, St. Louis, MO, to           300,000  Bond
 expand literacy, mentoring,
 and after-school services.
Utah State Office of Education,          500,000  Bennett
 Salt Lake City, Utah, for a
 mentoring pro-  gram.
Virginia Aquarium and Marine             150,000  Warner, Webb
 Science Center (VAMSC),
 Virginia Beach, VA, to expand
 education outreach programs.
Waldo County Preschool & Family          100,000  Collins, Snowe
 Services, Belfast, ME, for the
 Maine early language and
 literacy initiative.
Washoe County School District,           250,000  Reid
 Reno, NV, for equipment for a
 parental notification system.
Washoe County School District,           300,000  Reid
 Reno, NV, to expand the
 Classroom on Wheels Program
 for low-income students.
West River Foundation, Rapid             100,000  Johnson
 City, SD, for K-12
 administrator development.
West Valley City, West Valley             50,000  Hatch
 City, Utah, to expand the
 after school learning program.
Widener University, Chester,             100,000  Specter
 PA, for an early childhood
 education program.
YMCA of Greater Saint Louis,             250,000  Bond
 St. Louis, MO, to expand after
 school programming at the
 Monsanto Family YMCA.
Youth Advocate Programs, Inc.,           100,000  Specter
 Harrisburg, PA, for
 alternative school ser-  vices.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teacher Incentive Fund

    The Committee recommendation includes $99,000,000 for the 
teacher incentive fund program. The fiscal year 2007 
appropriation was $200,000, and the budget request is 
$199,000,000.
    Under this program, the Secretary shall use not less than 
95 percent of these funds to award competitive grants to local 
educational agencies [LEAs], including charter schools that are 
LEAs, States, or partnerships of (1) a local educational 
agency, a State, or both and (2) at least one nonprofit 
organization to design and implement fair, differentiated 
compensation systems for public school teachers and principals 
based primarily on measures of gains in student achievement, in 
addition to other factors, for teachers and principals in high-
need schools.
    Not more than 5 percent of the appropriation may be used by 
the Secretary to provide schools with assistance in 
implementing this program through one or more grants to an 
organization or organizations with expertise in providing 
research-based expert advice to support schools initiating and 
implementing differentiated compensation systems, training 
school personnel, disseminating information on effective 
teacher compensation systems, and providing program outreach 
through a clearinghouse of best practices. This set-aside also 
will support the design and implementation of a program 
evaluation.
    The Committee recommendation will support continuation of 
awards made in calendar years 2006 and 2007, using fiscal year 
2006 funds.

Ready to Learn Television

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $25,255,000 
for the Ready to Learn Television program. The comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $24,255,000, the same as 
the budget request.
    Ready to Learn Television supports the development and 
distribution of educational television programming designed to 
improve the readiness of preschool children to enter 
kindergarten and elementary school. The program also supports 
the development, production, and dissemination of educational 
materials designed to help parents, children, and caregivers 
obtain the maximum advantage from educational programming. The 
Committee expects the increase over fiscal year 2007 to be used 
for Ready to Learn outreach programs at the Corporation for 
Public Broadcasting.

Close Up Fellowships

    The Committee recommendation includes $2,500,000 for Close 
Up Fellowships (Funding for this program was requested by 
Senators Harkin, Craig and Lautenberg). The comparable funding 
level for fiscal year 2007 was $1,454,000. The budget request 
did not include any funds for this purpose. Close Up 
Fellowships, which are administered by the Close Up Foundation 
of Washington, DC, provide fellowships to students from low-
income families and their teachers to enable them to spend 1 
week in Washington attending seminars and meeting with 
representatives of the three branches of the Federal 
Government.

Advanced Placement

    The Committee recommends $42,000,000 for Advanced Placement 
programs. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was 
$37,026,000. The budget request includes $122,175,000 for this 
purpose.
    The first priority of the program is to subsidize test fees 
for low-income students who are enrolled in an Advanced 
Placement class and plan to take an Advanced Placement test. 
The balance of the funds are allocated for Advanced Placement 
Incentive Program grants, which are used to expand access for 
low-income individuals to advanced placement programs. Eligible 
activities include teacher training and participation in online 
Advanced Placement courses, among other related purposes.

                 Safe Schools and Citizenship Education

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $729,518,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     324,248,000
Committee recommendation................................     697,112,000

Safe and Drug-Free Schools and Communities

    The Committee recommends a total of $697,112,000 for 
activities to promote safe schools and citizenship education. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level was $729,518,000 
and the budget request is $324,248,000.
    State Grant Program.---The Committee recommends 
$300,000,000 for the safe and drug-free schools and communities 
State grant program. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding 
level was $346,500,000. The budget request is $100,000,000. 
This formula-based State grant program provides resources to 
Governors, State educational agencies, and local educational 
agencies for developing and implementing a wide range of 
activities that help create and maintain safe and drug-free 
learning environments in and around schools.
    The Committee anticipates that the program will be more 
focused on specific activities when it is reauthorized as part 
of the No Child Left Behind Act.
    National Programs.--The Committee has included $139,112,000 
for the national programs portion of the safe and drug-free 
schools and communities program. The comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007 was $141,112,000, and the budget request 
is $224,248,000. The Committee recommendation includes 
$1,000,000, a reduction of $2,000,000 from fiscal year 2007, 
for Project SERV (School Emergency Response to Violence), which 
provides education-related services to LEAs in which the 
learning environment has been disrupted due to a violent or 
traumatic crisis. These funds are available until expended. The 
Committee believes that $1,000,000 will be sufficient for 
fiscal year 2008, given the carryover of funds from previous 
years.
    The Committee continues to be concerned about the 
increasing problem of alcohol and drug abuse on college 
campuses. The Committee has included bill language requiring 
the Department to spend $850,000 on a program under the 
guidelines in section 120(f) of Public Law 105-244. This 
program identifies and provides models of alcohol and drug 
abuse prevention and education programs in higher education. 
The Committee includes these funds within the postsecondary 
alcohol prevention efforts proposed in the budget request.
    The Committee expects that the Department will provide 
$300,000 for the continued operation of the National 
Clearinghouse for Educational Facilities. These funds will be 
used to address issues related to school safety and healthy 
school buildings. The Committee has included additional funds 
for the Clearinghouse through the Fund for the Improvement of 
Education, as the budget requested.
    The Committee recommendation includes $79,200,000 to 
continue the Safe Schools/Healthy Students initiative, as the 
budget requested. The Committee also includes funds for school 
emergency preparedness activities, drug testing, the 
continuation of a study on violence prevention, and other 
activities.
    The Committee recommendation continues the practice of 
funding character education as a separate program, rather than 
including it within national activities as proposed by the 
budget.
    The Committee is concerned about the prevalence of bullying 
in schools, and it urges Federal support for the implementation 
of effective, research-based and comprehensive bullying 
prevention programs. The adoption of research and prevention 
strategies for bullying that targets obese children and its 
effect on the development of low self-esteem is strongly 
encouraged.

Alcohol Abuse Reduction

    The Committee recommends $33,000,000 for grants to LEAs to 
develop and implement programs to reduce underage drinking in 
secondary schools. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 
2007 was $32,409,000. The budget request did not include any 
funds for this purpose. The Committee directs the Department 
and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration [SAMHSA] to continue to work together on this 
effort.

Mentoring

    The Committee recommends $50,000,000 to support mentoring 
programs and activities for children who are at risk of failing 
academically, dropping out of school, getting involved in 
criminal or delinquent activities, or who lack strong positive 
role models. The fiscal year 2007 funding level was 
$48,814,000. The budget request did not include any funds for 
this purpose.

Character Education

    The Committee recommends $25,000,000 to provide support for 
the design and implementation of character education programs. 
The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was 
$24,248,000. The budget request is also $24,248,000 for this 
program, but it proposes to include the funding within safe and 
drug-free schools and communities national activities.

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling

    The Committee recommends $40,000,000 to establish or expand 
counseling programs in elementary schools. The comparable 
fiscal year 2007 funding level was $34,650,000. The budget 
request does not include any funds for this program. As 
authorized by the No Child Left Behind Act, all amounts 
appropriated up to $40,000,000 are used only for elementary 
school counseling programs.

Carol M. White Physical Education for Progress Program

    The Committee recommends $80,000,000 to help LEAs and 
community-based organizations initiate, expand and improve 
physical education programs for students in grades K-12. The 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $72,674,000. 
The budget request does not include any funding for this 
program. Provision of this funding will help schools and 
communities nationwide improve their structured physical 
education programs for students and help children develop 
healthy lifestyles to combat the epidemic of obesity in the 
Nation.

Civic Education

    The Committee recommends $30,000,000 to improve the quality 
of civics and Government education, to foster civic competence 
and responsibility, and to improve the quality of civic and 
economic education through exchange programs with emerging 
democracies (Funding for this program was requested by Senators 
Cochran, Landrieu, Leahy, Reed, Akaka, Baucus, Bayh, Biden, 
Bingaman, Boxer, Brown, Bunning, Cantwell, Cardin, Clinton, 
Coleman, Collins, Conrad, Dodd, Dole, Durbin, Ensign, 
Feinstein, Hagel, Kennedy, Kerry, Levin, Lieberman, Lincoln, 
Lott, Lugar, Martinez, Menendez, Murkowski, Bill Nelson, Obama, 
Pryor, Salazar, Sanders, Schumer, Sessions, Smith, Snowe, 
Stabenow, Tester, Whitehouse, and Wyden). The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 appropriation was $29,111,000 for civic education, 
and the budget request proposed to eliminate funding for this 
purpose.
    The Committee recommends $15,000,000 for the We the People 
programs, which are directed by statute to the Center for Civic 
Education, $12,000,000 for the Cooperative Education Exchange, 
which are directed by statute to the Center for Civic Education 
and the National Council on Economic Education, and $3,000,000 
for a competitive grant program to improve public knowledge, 
understanding and support of the Congress and the State 
legislatures.

                      English Language Acquisition

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $669,008,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     670,819,000
Committee recommendation................................     670,819,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $670,819,000, 
the same as the budget request, for English language 
acquisition. The fiscal year 2007 appropriation was 
$669,008,000.
    The Department makes formula grants to States based on each 
State's share of the Nation's limited-English-proficient and 
recent immigrant student population. The program is designed to 
increase the capacity of States and school districts to address 
the needs of these students. The No Child Left Behind Act also 
requires that 6.5 percent of the appropriation be used to 
support national activities, which include professional 
development activities designed to increase the number of 
highly qualified teachers serving limited English proficient 
students; a National Clearinghouse for English Language 
Acquisition and Language Instructional Programs; and evaluation 
activities. The budget request includes language that would 
allow national activities funds to be available for 2 years. 
The Committee bill includes the requested language.

                           Special Education

Appropriations, 2007.................................... $11,802,867,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................  11,485,147,000
Committee recommendation................................  12,330,374,000

    The Committee recommends $12,330,374,000 for special 
education programs authorized by the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level is $11,802,867,000 and the budget request 
includes $11,485,147,000 for such programs.

Grants to States

    The Committee recommends $11,240,000,000 for special 
education grants to States, as authorized under part B of the 
IDEA. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$10,782,961,000 and the budget request includes 
$10,491,941,000. This program provides formula grants to assist 
States, Outlying Areas, and other entities in meeting the costs 
of providing special education and related services for 
children with disabilities. States pass along most of these 
funds to local educational agencies, but may reserve some for 
program monitoring, enforcement, technical assistance, and 
other activities.
    The appropriation for this program primarily supports 
activities associated with the 2008-2009 academic year. Of the 
funds available for this program, $5,315,800,000 will become 
available on July 1, 2008 and $5,924,200,000 will become 
available on October 1, 2008. These funds will remain available 
for obligation until September 30, 2009.
    The budget request includes language capping the Department 
of Interior set-aside at the prior year level, adjusted by the 
lower of the increase in inflation or the increase in the 
appropriation for grants to States. The Committee bill includes 
this language.

Preschool Grants

    The Committee recommends $380,751,000 for preschool grants. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and the budget 
request both are $380,751,000. The preschool grants program 
provides formula grants to States to assist them in making 
available special education and related services for children 
with disabilities aged 3 through 5. States distribute the bulk 
of the funds to local educational agencies. States must serve 
all eligible children with disabilities aged 3 through 5 and 
have an approved application under the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act.

Grants for Infants and Families

    The Committee recommends $450,000,000 for grants for the 
infants and families program under part C of the IDEA. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $436,400,000 and 
the budget request includes $423,067,000 for this purpose. This 
program provides formula grants to States, Outlying Areas and 
other entities to implement statewide systems of coordinated, 
comprehensive, multidisciplinary interagency programs to make 
available early intervention services to all children with 
disabilities, ages 2 and under, and their families.

State Personnel Development

    The Committee recommends $46,000,000 for the State 
personnel development program. Funds were not available under 
the fiscal year 2007 appropriation or the budget request for 
this purpose. This program focuses on the professional 
development needs in States by requiring that 90 percent of 
funds be used for professional development activities. The 
program supports grants to State educational agencies to help 
them reform and improve their personnel preparation and 
professional development related to early intervention, 
educational and transition services that improve outcomes for 
students with disabilities.

Technical Assistance and Dissemination

    The Committee recommends $48,903,000 for technical 
assistance and dissemination. The comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level is $48,903,000 and the budget request includes 
$48,902,000 for these activities. This program supports awards 
for technical assistance, model demonstration projects, the 
dissemination of useful information and other activities. 
Funding supports activities that are designed to improve the 
services provided under IDEA.

Personnel Preparation

    The Committee recommends $89,720,000 for the personnel 
preparation program. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding 
level is $89,720,000 and the budget request includes 
$89,719,000 for this program. Funds support competitive awards 
to help address State-identified needs for personnel who are 
qualified to work with children with disabilities, including 
special education teachers and related services personnel. The 
program has requirements to fund several other broad areas 
including training for leadership personnel and personnel who 
work with children with low incidence disabilities, and 
providing enhanced support for beginning special educators.

Parent Information Centers

    The Committee recommends $27,000,000 for parent information 
centers. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and the 
budget request both are $25,704,000 for authorized activities. 
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.

Technology and Media Services

    The Committee recommends $40,000,000 for technology and 
media services. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level 
is $38,428,000 and the budget request includes $25,063,000 for 
such activities. This program makes competitive awards to 
support the development, demonstration, and use of technology, 
and educational media activities of value to children with 
disabilities.
    The Committee recommendation includes $13,000,000 for 
Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic, Inc. [RFB&D] (Funding for 
this program was requested by Senator Harkin). These funds 
support the continued development, production, and circulation 
of recorded textbooks, increased outreach activities to print-
disabled students and their teachers, and accelerated use of 
digital technology.
    The Committee also recommends $1,500,000 for support of the 
Reading Rockets program, administered by the Greater Washington 
Educational Television Association (Funding for this program 
was requested by Senator Cochran).

Special Olympics Education Programs

    The Committee recommendation includes $8,000,000 for 
Special Olympics education programs. This is a new program in 
fiscal year 2008 and the budget request did not include any 
funds for this purpose. Under the Special Olympics Sport and 
Empowerment Act of 2004, the Secretary is authorized to provide 
financial assistance to Special Olympics for activities that 
promote the expansion of Special Olympics and for the design 
and implementation of education programs that can be integrated 
into classroom instruction and are consistent with academic 
content standards (Funding for the program was requested by 
Senator Harkin).
    Within the Committee recommendation, $3,000,000 shall be 
used to support the 2009 Special Olympics World Winter Games in 
Idaho (Funding for this program was requested by Senator 
Craig).

            Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $3,242,512,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   3,221,146,000
Committee recommendation................................   3,286,942,000

    The Committee recommends $3,286,942,000 for rehabilitation 
services and disability research. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level is $3,242,512,000 and the budget request 
includes $3,184,263,000 for programs in this account.
    The authorizing statute for programs funded in this 
account, except for those authorized under the Assistive 
Technology Act, expired September 30, 2004. The program 
descriptions provided below assume the continuation of current 
law.

Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants

    The Committee recommends $2,874,043,000 for vocational 
rehabilitation grants to States. The Committee recommendation 
provides the full amount authorized by the Rehabilitation Act 
of 1973. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 is 
$2,837,160,000 for this program. The President's budget 
proposes to eliminate the increase provided by the consumer 
price index adjustment authorized by the authorizing statute. 
The Committee rejects this proposal.
    Basic State grant funds assist States in providing a range 
of services to help persons with physical and mental 
disabilities prepare for and engage in meaningful employment. 
Authorizing legislation requires States to give priority to 
persons with the most significant disabilities. Funds are 
allotted to States based on a formula that takes into account 
population and per capita income. States must provide a 21.3-
percent match of Federal funds, except the State's share is 50 
percent for the cost of construction of a facility for 
community rehabilitation program purposes.
    The Rehabilitation Act requires that no less than 1 percent 
and not more than 1.5 percent of the appropriation in fiscal 
year 2008 for vocational rehabilitation State grants be set 
aside for grants for Indians. Service grants are awarded to 
Indian tribes on a competitive basis to help tribes develop the 
capacity to provide vocational rehabilitation services to 
American Indians with disabilities living on or near 
reservations.

Client Assistance State Grants

    The Committee recommends $11,782,000 for the client 
assistance State grants program. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level and the budget request both are $11,782,000 
for authorized activities.
    The client assistance program funds State formula grants to 
assist vocational rehabilitation clients or client applicants 
in understanding the benefits available to them and in their 
relationships with service providers. Funds are distributed to 
States according to a population-based formula, except that 
increases in minimum grants are guaranteed to each of the 50 
States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and 
guaranteed to each of the outlying areas, by a percentage not 
to exceed the percentage increase in the appropriation. States 
must operate client assistance programs in order to receive 
vocational rehabilitation State grant funds.

Training

    The Committee recommends $38,438,000 for training 
rehabilitation personnel. The comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level and the budget request both are $38,438,000 for 
training activities.
    The purpose of this program is to ensure that skilled 
personnel are available to serve the rehabilitation needs of 
individuals with disabilities. It supports training, 
traineeships, and related activities designed to increase the 
numbers of qualified personnel providing rehabilitation 
services. The program awards grants and contracts to States and 
public or nonprofit agencies and organizations, including 
institutions of higher education, to pay all or part of the 
cost of conducting training programs. Long-term, in-service, 
short-term, experimental and innovative, and continuing 
education programs are funded, as well as special training 
programs and programs to train interpreters for persons who are 
deaf, hard of hearing and deaf-blind.

Demonstration and Training Programs

    The Committee bill includes $10,490,000 for demonstration 
and training programs for persons with disabilities. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $6,511,000 and the 
budget request includes $6,840,000 for authorized activities. 
This program awards grants to States and nonprofit agencies and 
organizations to develop innovative methods and comprehensive 
services to help individuals with disabilities achieve 
satisfactory vocational outcomes. Demonstration programs 
support projects for individuals with a wide array of 
disabilities.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 for an 
award to the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists 
for activities that further the purposes of the grant received 
by the Academy for the period beginning October 1, 2003 
(Funding for this program was requested by Senator Harkin).
    The Committee recommendation also includes bill language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Center for the Blind and         $250,000  Stevens
 Visually Impaired, Anchorage,
 AK, for a partnership with the
 Lions Club to expand low
 vision services to Alaskans.
Darden Rehabilitation                    150,000  Sessions
 Foundation, Gadsden, AL, for
 programs serving individuals
 with disabilities who seek to
 enter the work force.
Kenai Peninsula Independent              200,000  Stevens
 Living Center, Homer, AK, for
 the Total Recreation and
 Independent Living Services
 (TRAILS) project.
National Ability Center, Park            250,000  Bennett
 City, Utah, to provide
 transportation for individuals
 with cognitive and physical
 disabilities to participate
 independently in therapeutic
 recreational programs.
Rainbow Center for                       300,000  Bond
 Communicative Disorders, Blue
 Springs, MO, to expand
 programs available to
 individuals with severe
 disabilities.
Southeast Alaska Independent             200,000  Stevens
 Living, Inc, Juneau, AK, to
 continue a joint recreation
 and employment project with
 the Tlingit-Haida Tribe.
University of Northern Colorado          200,000  Allard
 National Center for Low-
 Incidence Disabilities,
 Greeley, CO, for support to
 local schools, educational
 professionals, families of
 infants, children, and youth
 with low-incidence
 disabilities.
Deaf Blind Service Center,               400,000  Murray
 Seattle, WA, to support the
 National Support Service
 Provider Pilot Project.
Enable America, Inc., Tampa,             600,000  Harkin
 Florida, for civic/citizenship
 demonstration project for
 disabled adults.
Special Olympics of Iowa, Des            100,000  Harkin
 Moines, Iowa, for technology
 upgrades.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers

    The Committee recommends $2,279,000 for migrant and 
seasonal farmworkers, the same amount as the comparable fiscal 
year 2007 funding level. The administration proposes 
eliminating separate funding for this program.
    This program provides grants limited to 90 percent of the 
costs of the projects providing comprehensive rehabilitation 
services to migrant and seasonal farm workers with disabilities 
and their families. Projects also develop innovative methods 
for reaching and serving this population. The program 
emphasizes outreach, specialized bilingual rehabilitation 
counseling, and coordination of vocational rehabilitation 
services with services from other sources.

Recreational Programs

    The Committee provides $2,518,000 for recreational 
programs, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level. The budget request does not include funding for 
this program.
    Recreational programs help finance activities such as 
sports, music, dancing, handicrafts, and art to aid in the 
employment, mobility, and socialization of individuals with 
disabilities. Grants are awarded to States, public agencies, 
and nonprofit private organizations, including institutions of 
higher education. Grants are awarded for a 3-year period with 
the Federal share at 100 percent for the first year, 75 percent 
for the second year, and 50 percent for the third year. 
Programs must maintain the same level of services over the 3-
year period.

Protection and Advocacy of Individual Rights

    The Committee recommends $17,489,000 for protection and 
advocacy of individual rights. The comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level and the budget request both are $16,489,000 for 
this purpose.
    This program provides grants to agencies to protect and 
advocate for the legal and human rights of persons with 
disabilities who are not eligible for protection and advocacy 
services available through the Developmental Disabilities 
Assistance and Bill of Rights Act or the Protection and 
Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness Act.

Projects with Industry

    The Committee recommends $19,538,000 for projects with 
industry. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$19,538,000 and the administration proposes eliminating 
separate funding for this program.
    The projects with industry [PWI] program promotes greater 
participation of business and industry in the rehabilitation 
process. PWI provides training and experience in realistic work 
settings to prepare individuals with disabilities for 
employment in the competitive job market. Postemployment 
support services are also provided. The program supports grants 
to a variety of agencies and organizations, including 
corporations, community rehabilitation programs, labor and 
trade associations, and foundations.

Supported Employment State Grants

    The Committee recommends $29,700,000 for the supported 
employment State grant program. The comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level is $29,700,000 and the administration proposes 
eliminating separate funding for this program.
    This program assists the most severely disabled individuals 
by providing the ongoing support needed to obtain competitive 
employment. Short-term vocational rehabilitation services are 
augmented with extended services provided by State and local 
organizations. Federal funds are distributed on the basis of 
population.

Independent Living State Grants

    The Committee recommends $22,588,000 for independent living 
State grants. The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 
and the budget request both are $22,588,000 for authorized 
activities.
    The independent living State formula grants program 
provides funding to improve independent living services, 
support the operation of centers for independent living, 
conduct studies and analysis, and provide training and 
outreach.

Independent Living Centers

    The Committee recommends $74,638,000 for independent living 
centers. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and the 
budget request both are $74,638,000 for the centers.
    These funds support consumer-controlled, cross-disability, 
nonresidential, community-based centers that are designed and 
operated within local communities by individuals with 
disabilities. These centers provide an array of independent 
living services.

Independent Living Services for Older Blind Individuals

    The Committee provides $32,895,000 for independent living 
services to older blind individuals. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level and the budget request both are $32,895,000 
for these activities. Through this program, assistance is 
provided to persons aged 55 or older to adjust to their 
blindness, continue living independently and avoid societal 
costs associated with dependent care. Services may include the 
provision of eyeglasses and other visual aids, mobility 
training, braille instruction and other communication services, 
community integration, and information and referral. These 
services help older individuals age with dignity, continue to 
live independently and avoid significant societal costs 
associated with dependent care. The services most commonly 
provided by this program are daily living skills training, 
counseling, the provision of low-vision devices community 
integration, information and referral, communication devices, 
and low-vision screening.

Program Improvement Activities

    The Committee recommends $633,000 for program improvement 
activities. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$835,000 and the budget request includes $633,000 for 
authorized activities. In fiscal year 2008, funds for these 
activities will continue to support technical assistance 
efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the 
vocational rehabilitation program and improve accountability 
efforts. The funds provided are sufficient to support technical 
assistance and other ongoing program improvement activities, 
such as improved program performance measurement.

Evaluation

    The Committee recommends $1,695,000 for evaluation 
activities. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$1,473,000 and the budget request includes $1,973,000 for such 
activities. The Committee recommendation continues to support a 
new multi-year study of the State Vocational Rehabilitation 
Services program.
    These funds support evaluations of the impact and 
effectiveness of programs authorized by the Rehabilitation Act. 
The Department awards competitive contracts for studies to be 
conducted by persons not directly involved with the 
administration of Rehabilitation Act programs.

Helen Keller National Center

    The Committee recommends $9,511,000 for the Helen Keller 
National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth and Adults. The comparable 
fiscal year 2007 funding level is $8,511,000 and the budget 
request includes $8,011,000 for this purpose.
    The Helen Keller National Center consists of a national 
headquarters in Sands Point, New York, with a residential 
training and rehabilitation facility where deaf-blind persons 
receive intensive specialized services; a network of 10 
regional field offices which provide referral and counseling 
assistance to deaf-blind persons; and an affiliate network of 
agencies. The center serves approximately 110 persons with 
deaf-blindness at its headquarters facility and provides field 
services to approximately 2,000 individuals and families and 
approximately 1,100 organizations.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

    The Committee recommends $106,705,000 for the National 
Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research [NIDRR]. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and the budget 
request both are $106,705,000 for authorized activities.
    NIDRR develops and implements a comprehensive and 
coordinated approach to the conduct of research, demonstration 
projects, and related activities that enable persons with 
disabilities to better function at work and in the community, 
including the training of persons who provide rehabilitation 
services or who conduct rehabilitation research. The Institute 
awards competitive grants to support research in federally 
designated priority areas, including rehabilitation research 
and training centers, rehabilitation engineering research 
centers, research and demonstration projects, and dissemination 
and utilization projects. NIDRR also supports field-initiated 
research projects, research training, and fellowships.
    The Committee encourages the National Institute on 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research to continue to pursue 
CFS-related research proposals through its investigator-
initiated and other grants programs, including sponsoring 
studies that will illuminate the nature of disability in CFS, 
particularly the predominant feature of post-exertional 
relapse, as well as strategies to support the improved function 
and rehabilitation of CFS patients.

Assistive Technology

    The Committee recommends $32,000,000 for assistive 
technology. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$30,452,000 and the budget request includes $26,111,000 for 
activities authorized by the Assistive Technology Act of 1998.
    The Assistive Technology program is designed to improve 
occupational and educational opportunities and the quality of 
life for people of all ages with disabilities through increased 
access to assistive technology services and devices. The 
program supports various activities that help States to develop 
comprehensive, consumer-responsive statewide programs that 
increase access to, and the availability of, assistive 
technology devices and services.
    The Committee recommendation includes $26,377,000 for State 
grant activities authorized under section 4, $4,570,000 for 
protection and advocacy systems authorized by section 5, and 
$1,053,000 for technical assistance activities authorized under 
section 6.
    The Committee encourages States to use the additional funds 
provided for State grant activities authorized under section 4 
for State-level alternative financing programs. The Committee 
looks forward to reviewing the Department's mandated report on 
State implementation of this program, particularly the 
activities related to State financing.

           Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities

                 AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $17,573,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      17,573,000
Committee recommendation................................      22,000,000

    The Committee recommends $22,000,000 for the American 
Printing House for the Blind [APH]. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level and budget request both are $17,573,000 for 
this purpose.
    This appropriation helps support the American Printing 
House for the Blind, which provides educational materials to 
students who are legally blind and enrolled in programs below 
the college level. The Federal subsidy provides more than 60 
percent of APH's total sales income. Materials are distributed 
free of charge to schools and States through per capita 
allotments based on the total number of students who are blind. 
Materials provided include textbooks and other educational aids 
in braille, large type, and recorded form and computer 
applications. Appropriated funds may be used for staff salaries 
and expenses, as well as equipment purchases and other 
acquisitions consistent with the purpose of the Act to Promote 
the Education of the Blind.
    In addition to its ongoing activities, the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Improvement Act assigned to the American 
Printing House for the Blind the responsibility of establishing 
and maintaining a National Instructional Materials Access 
Center. The Committee bill includes language under the special 
education account to improve the operation and performance of 
the National Instructional Materials Access Center [NIMAC]. The 
Committee supports the NIMAC, as established in section 674(e) 
of Public Law 108-446, which serves as the central repository 
for electronic files used in reproducing instructional 
materials in specialized formats for students with print 
disabilities. The intent of the statute is to apply this 
subsection only to materials with an original publication date 
of July 19, 2006 and later.

               NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $56,141,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      56,262,000
Committee recommendation................................      59,000,000

    The Committee recommends $59,000,000 for the National 
Technical Institute for the Deaf [NTID]. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 funding level is $56,141,000 and the budget request 
includes $56,262,000 for this purpose. Within the Committee 
recommendation, $1,705,000 is available for improvements to the 
campus infrastructure of NTID.
    The Institute, located on the campus of the Rochester 
Institute of Technology, was created by Congress in 1965 to 
provide a residential facility for postsecondary technical 
training and education for persons who are deaf. NTID also 
provides support services for students who are deaf, trains 
professionals in the field of deafness, and conducts applied 
research. At the discretion of the Institute, funds may be used 
for the Endowment Grant program.

                          GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $106,998,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     106,998,000
Committee recommendation................................     111,000,000

    The Committee recommends $111,000,000 for Gallaudet 
University. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$106,998,000 and the budget request includes $106,998,000 for 
the university.
    Gallaudet University is a private, nonprofit institution 
offering undergraduate, and continuing education programs for 
students who are deaf, as well as graduate programs in fields 
related to deafness for students who are hearing and deaf. The 
University conducts basic and applied research related to 
hearing impairments and provides public service programs for 
the deaf community.
    The Model Secondary School for the Deaf serves as a 
laboratory for educational experimentation and development, 
disseminates curricula, materials, and models of instruction 
for students who are deaf, and prepares adolescents who are 
deaf for postsecondary academic or vocational education or the 
workplace. The Kendall Demonstration Elementary School develops 
and provides instruction for children from infancy through age 
15.
    The budget request includes $600,000 earmarked in bill 
language to evaluate the education programs and administrative 
operations of the University. The Committee recommendation 
includes the requested funding and language for these 
activities.

                 Career, Technical and Adult Education

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,992,170,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,189,808,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,894,788,000

    The Committee recommendation includes a total of 
$1,894,788,000 for career, technical and adult education. The 
comparable funding level in fiscal year 2007 is $1,992,170,000 
and the budget request includes $1,189,808,000 for this 
account. The recommendation consists of $1,294,306,000 for 
career and technical education, $577,712,000 for adult 
education and $22,770,000 for other activities.

Career and Technical Education

    The Committee recommends $1,294,306,000 for career and 
technical education. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding 
level is $1,296,306,000 and the budget request includes 
$610,000,000 for these activities.
    State Grants.--The Committee recommends $1,181,553,000 for 
State grants, the same amount as the comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level. The budget request includes $600,000,000 
for this purpose. Funds provided under the State grant program 
assist States, localities, and outlying areas to expand and 
improve their programs of career and technical education and 
provide equal access to career and technical education for 
populations with special needs. Persons assisted range from 
secondary students in prevocational courses through adults who 
need retraining to adapt to changing technological and labor 
market conditions. Funds are distributed according to a formula 
based on State population and State per capita income, with 
hold harmless provisions for small States and for a fiscal year 
1998 base guarantee.
    Under the Indian and Hawaiian Natives programs, competitive 
grants are awarded to federally recognized Indian tribes or 
tribal organizations and to organizations primarily serving and 
representing Hawaiian Natives for services that are in addition 
to services such groups are eligible to receive under other 
provisions of the Perkins Act.
    Of the funds available for this program, $390,553,000 will 
become available on July 1, 2008 and $791,000,000 will become 
available on October 1, 2008. These funds will remain available 
for obligation until September 30, 2009.
    Tech-Prep Education State Grants.--The Committee recommends 
$104,753,000 for tech-prep programs. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level is $104,753,000, while the budget request 
proposes to eliminate funding for this program. This program is 
designed to link academic and career and technical education 
and to provide a structural link between secondary schools and 
postsecondary education institutions. Funds are distributed to 
the States through the same formula as the State grant program. 
States then make planning and demonstration grants to consortia 
of local educational agencies and postsecondary institutions to 
develop and operate model 4-year programs that begin in high 
school and provide students with the mathematical, science, 
communication, and technological skills needed to earn a 2-year 
associate degree or 2-year certificate in a given occupational 
field.
    National Programs.--The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for 
national research programs and other national activities. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and the budget 
request both are $10,000,000 for this program.
    Funds will be used to support the national research center 
on career and technical education, as well as other activities 
that will help improve career and technical education programs 
in high schools and community colleges.

                            ADULT EDUCATION

    The Committee recommends $577,712,000 for adult education. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $579,563,000 
and the budget request includes $579,808,000 for this purpose. 
The authorizing statute for adult education programs expired on 
September 30, 2004. Descriptions of these programs provided 
below assume the continuation of current law.
    The Committee recognizes the importance of the Adult 
Education and Family Literacy Act programs. To ensure that 
funding for these programs is benefiting as many students as 
possible, the Committee encourages the Secretary to evaluate 
and report on whether the amount of funding for State grants 
that is allowed to be set aside for State leadership activities 
and State program administration is appropriate and how these 
set-asides impact the assistance reaching students. The 
Committee expects the Department to include the requested 
information in the fiscal year 2009 budget justification.
    Adult Education State Programs.--For adult education State 
programs, the Committee recommends $564,074,000. The comparable 
fiscal year 2007 funding level is $563,975,000 and the budget 
request includes $564,074,000 for authorized activities. These 
funds are used by States for programs to enable economically 
disadvantaged 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.
    The Committee recommendation continues the English literacy 
and civics education State grants set aside within the adult 
education State grant appropriation. Within the total, 
$67,896,000 is available to help States or localities affected 
significantly by immigration and large limited-English 
populations to implement programs that help immigrants acquire 
English literacy skills, gain knowledge about the rights and 
responsibilities of citizenship and develop skills that will 
enable them to navigate key institutions of American life.
    National Leadership Activities.--The Committee recommends 
$7,000,000 for national leadership activities. The comparable 
funding level for fiscal year 2007 is $9,005,000 and the budget 
request includes $9,096,000 for this purpose. Under this 
program, the Department supports applied research, development, 
dissemination, evaluation and program improvement activities to 
assist States in their efforts to improve the quality of adult 
education programs.
    National Institute for Literacy.--The Committee recommends 
$6,638,000 for the National Institute for Literacy, authorized 
under section 242 of the Adult Education and Family Literacy 
Act. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$6,583,000 and the budget request includes $6,638,000 for this 
purpose. The Institute provides national leadership on issues 
related to literacy, coordinates literary services and policy, 
and serves as a national resource for adult education and 
literacy programs. The center also engages in a variety of 
capacity-building activities that support the development of 
State, regional, and national literary services.

Smaller Learning Communities

    The Committee does not recommend additional funds for this 
program. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$93,531,000 and the budget request does not include any funds 
for this purpose. This program has supported competitive grants 
to local educational agencies to enable them to create smaller 
learning communities in large schools. Funds have been used to 
study, research, develop and implement strategies for creating 
smaller learning communities, as well as professional 
development for staff. Two types of grants were made under this 
program: 1-year planning grants, which help LEAs plan smaller 
learning communities and 3-year implementation grants, which 
help create or expand such learning environments.

State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders

    The Committee recommends $22,770,000 for education and 
training for incarcerated youth offenders, the same as the 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007. The 
administration proposes to eliminate funding for these 
activities. This program provides grants to State correctional 
education agencies to assist and encourage incarcerated youth 
to acquire functional literacy, life and job skills, through 
the pursuit of a postsecondary education certificate or an 
associate of arts or bachelor's degree. Grants also assist 
correction agencies in providing employment counseling and 
other related services that start during incarceration and 
continue through prerelease and while on parole. Under current 
law, each student is eligible for a grant of not more than 
$1,500 annually for tuition, books, and essential materials, 
and not more than $300 annually for related services such as 
career development, substance abuse counseling, parenting 
skills training, and health education. In order to participate 
in a program, a student must be no more than 25 years of age 
and be eligible to be released from prison within 5 years. 
Youth offender grants are for a period not to exceed 5 years, 1 
year of which may be devoted to study in remedial or graduate 
education.

                      Student Financial Assistance

Appropriations, 2007.................................... $15,542,456,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................  14,394,492,000
Committee recommendation................................  16,368,883,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$16,368,883,000 for student financial assistance. Program 
authorities and descriptions assume the continuation of current 
law.

Federal Pell Grant Program

    For Pell grant awards in the 2008/2009 academic year, the 
Committee recommends $14,487,000,000 to maintain the record 
maximum Pell grant award level of $4,310. The appropriation 
provided in this bill will maintain the current grant level 
without creating a shortfall in the program.
    Pell grants provide need-based financial assistance that 
helps low-and middle-income undergraduate students and their 
families defray a portion of the costs of postsecondary 
education and vocational training. Awards are determined 
according to a statutory need analysis formula that takes into 
account a student's family income and assets, household size, 
and the number of family members, excluding parents, attending 
postsecondary institutions. Pell grants are considered the 
foundation of Federal postsecondary student aid.
    The President has proposed increasing the maximum Pell 
grant to $4,600 in fiscal year 2008 and has included 
legislative language with proposed mandatory savings to pay for 
the increase. The Committee agrees with that proposal and has 
included sufficient funds to maintain the Pell grant at the 
fiscal year 2007 level of $4,310 and plans to work in concert 
with the authorizing committees to ensure that the maximum Pell 
grant is increased to no less than the $4,600 level this year.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants

    The Committee recommends $770,933,000 for Federal 
supplemental educational opportunity grants [SEOG], the same as 
the fiscal year 2007 level. The budget did not include fudns 
for this program. This program provides funds to postsecondary 
institutions for need-based grants to undergraduate students. 
Institutions must contribute 25 percent towards SEOG awards, 
which are subject to a maximum grant level of $4,000. School 
financial aid officers have flexibility to determine student 
awards, though they must give priority to Pell grant recipients 
with exceptional need.

Federal Work-Study Programs

    The Committee bill provides $980,492,000 for the Federal 
work-study program, the same amount as the budget request. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $980,354,000.
    This program provides grants to more than 3,300 
institutions to help an estimated 880,000 undergraduate, 
graduate, and professional students meet the costs of 
postsecondary education through part-time employment. Work-
study jobs must pay at least the Federal minimum wage and 
institutions must provide at least 25 percent of student 
earnings. Institutions also must use at least 7 percent of 
their grants for community-service jobs.

Federal Perkins Loans

    The Federal Perkins loan program supports student loan 
revolving funds built up with capital contributions to nearly 
1,900 participating institutions. Institutions use these 
revolving funds, which also include Federal capital 
contributions [FCC], institutional contributions equal to one-
third of the FCC, and student repayments, to provide low-
interest (5 percent) loans that help financially needy students 
pay the costs of postsecondary education.
    The Committee recommends $65,471,000 for loan 
cancellations, the same amount as the comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007. The budget request did not include any 
funds for this purpose. These funds reimburse institutional 
revolving funds on behalf of borrowers whose loans are 
cancelled in exchange for statutorily specified types of public 
or military service, such as teaching in a qualified low-income 
school, working in a Head Start Program, serving in the Peace 
Corps or VISTA, or nurses and medical technicians providing 
health care services.
    The Committee bill does not include any funds for Federal 
Perkins loans capital contributions. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level did not include such funds and the budget 
request does not provide any funds for this purpose.

Leveraging Educational Assistance Partnership Program

    For the leveraging educational assistance partnership 
[LEAP] program, the Committee recommends $64,987,000 the same 
amount as the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007. 
The budget proposes to eliminate funding for this program.
    The leveraging educational assistance partnership program 
provides a Federal match to States as an incentive for 
providing need-based grant and work-study assistance to 
eligible postsecondary students.

                       Student Aid Administration

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $717,950,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     708,216,000
Committee recommendation................................     708,216,000

    The Committee recommends $708,216,000 for the Student Aid 
Administration account, the same as the budget request, for 
activities funded under this account, as reauthorized by the 
Higher Education Reconciliation Act of 2005. These funds are 
available until expended. That act reclassified most of the 
administrative costs of the Student Aid Account that were 
classified as mandatory spending through fiscal year 2006.
    Funds appropriated for the Student Aid Administration 
Account will support the Department's student aid management 
expenses. The Office of Federal Student Aid and Office of 
Postsecondary Education have primary responsibility for 
administering Federal student financial assistance programs.
    The Committee is concerned that there have been a number of 
recent reports of abuses by lenders in the student loan 
program. Those abuses include questionable ties between lenders 
and financial aid officials, including reports of school 
officials receiving gifts and other financial inducements to 
include a lender on the schools preferred lender list. The 
Committee is concerned that lax Federal oversight by the 
Department of Education has made the situation worse. The 
Committee commends the Secretary for taking the first step 
toward addressing this issue with the recent issuance of 
regulations but is disappointed that nothing was done by the 
Department earlier in its administration.

                            Higher Education

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $1,951,053,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   1,845,103,000
Committee recommendation................................   2,028,302,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,028,302,000 
for higher education programs.

Aid for Institutional Development

    The Committee recommends $507,434,000 for aid for 
institutional development authorized by titles III and V of the 
Higher Education Act. The comparable funding level for fiscal 
year 2007 is $505,814,000.
    Strengthening Institutions.--The Committee bill includes 
$79,535,000, the same as the fiscal year 2007 comparable level. 
The part A program supports competitive, 1-year planning and 5-
year development grants for institutions with a significant 
percentage of financially needy students and low educational 
and general expenditures per student in comparison with similar 
institutions. Applicants may use part A funds to develop 
faculty, strengthen academic programs, improve institutional 
management, and expand student services. Institutions awarded 
funding under this program are not eligible to receive grants 
under other sections of part A or part B.
    Hispanic-Serving Institutions [HSI].--The Committee 
recommends $94,914,000, the same as the fiscal year 2007 
comparable level, for institutions at which Hispanic students 
make up at least 25 percent of enrollment. Institutions 
applying for title V funds must meet the regular part A 
requirements. Funds may be used for acquisition, rental or 
lease of scientific or laboratory equipment, renovation of 
instructional facilities, development of faculty, support for 
academic programs, institutional management, and purchase of 
educational materials. Title V recipients are not eligible for 
other awards provided under title III, parts A and B.
    Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and 
Universities.--The Committee recommends $238,095,000 for part B 
grants, the same as the fiscal year 2007 level. The part B 
strengthening historically black colleges and universities 
[HBCU] program makes formula grants to HBCUs that may be used 
to purchase equipment, construct and renovate facilities, 
develop faculty, support academic programs, strengthen 
institutional management, enhance fundraising activities, 
provide tutoring and counseling services to students, and 
conduct outreach to elementary and secondary school students. 
The minimum allotment is $500,000 for each eligible 
institution. Part B recipients are not eligible for awards 
under part A.
    Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions.--
The Committee recommends $57,915,000 for the part B, section 
326 program, the same as the fiscal year 2007 level. The 
section 326 program provides 5-year grants to strengthen 
historically black graduate institutions [HBGIs]. Grants may be 
used for any part B purpose and to establish an endowment.
    Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving 
Institutions.--The Committee recommends $12,500,000 for this 
program, an increase of $715,000 over the fiscal year 2007 
level. The purpose of this program is to improve and expand the 
capacity of institutions serving Alaska Native and Native 
Hawaiian students. Funds may be used to plan, develop, and 
implement activities that encourage: faculty and curriculum 
development; better fund and administrative management; 
renovation and improvement of educational facilities; student 
services; and the purchase of library and other educational 
materials. As initial funding cycles expire, the Committee 
encourages the Department to use simplified application forms 
to permit participating institutions to obtain continuation 
funding for successful programs funded under this authority 
(Funding for this program was requested by Senators Inouye and 
Stevens).
    Strengthening Tribally Controlled Colleges and 
Universities.--The Committee recommends $24,475,000 for 
strengthening tribal colleges and universities [TCUs], an 
increase of $905,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level. Tribal 
colleges and universities rely on a portion of the funds 
provided to address developmental needs, including faculty 
development, curriculum and student services.
    In past years, the Committee has supported a competitive 
grant program to assist institutions in addressing long overdue 
and high-priority infrastructure and facilities requirements. 
The Committee intends for the funds provided to be used to 
support continuation of existing basic grants and new planning 
or implementation grant awards. The remaining funds shall be 
available for grants for renovation and construction of 
facilities to continue to address urgently needed facilities 
repair and expansion.

International Education and Foreign Language Studies

    The bill includes a total of $105,751,000 for international 
education and foreign language programs, which is the same as 
the fiscal year 2007 level.
    The Committee bill includes language allowing funds to be 
used to support visits and study in foreign countries by 
individuals who plan to utilize their language skills in world 
areas vital to the United States national security in the 
fields of government, international development and the 
professions. Bill language also allows up to 1 percent of the 
funds provided to be used for program evaluation, national 
outreach, and information dissemination activities. This 
language is continued from last year's bill and was proposed in 
the budget request.
    Domestic Programs.--The Committee recommends $91,541,000 
for domestic program activities related to international 
education and foreign language studies, including international 
business education, under title VI of the HEA. This is the same 
as the fiscal year 2007 level. Domestic programs include 
national resource centers, undergraduate international studies 
and foreign language programs, international research and 
studies projects, international business education projects and 
centers, American overseas research centers, language resource 
centers, foreign language and area studies fellowships, and 
technological innovation and cooperation for foreign 
information access.
    Overseas Programs.--The bill includes $12,610,000 for 
overseas programs authorized under the Mutual Educational and 
Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, popularly known as the 
Fulbright-Hays Act, the same as the fiscal year 2007 level. 
Under these overseas programs, grants are provided for group 
and faculty research projects abroad, doctoral dissertation 
research abroad, and special bilateral projects. Unlike other 
programs authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act and administered 
by the Department of State, these Department of Education 
programs focus on training American instructors and students in 
order to improve foreign language and area studies education in 
the United States.
    Institute for International Public Policy.--The Committee 
bill recommends $1,600,000 for the Institute for International 
Public Policy. This program is designed to increase the number 
of minority individuals in foreign service and related careers 
by providing a grant to a consortium of institutions for 
undergraduate and graduate level foreign language and 
international studies. An institutional match of 50 percent is 
required.

Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education

    The Committee recommends $81,844,000 for the Fund for the 
Improvement of Postsecondary Education [FIPSE], an increase of 
$59,856,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level. FIPSE stimulates 
improvements in education beyond high school by supporting 
exemplary, locally developed projects that have potential for 
addressing problems and recommending improvements in 
postsecondary education. The Fund is administered by the 
Department with advice from an independent board and provides 
small, competitive grants and contracts to a variety of 
postsecondary institutions and agencies, including 2- and 4-
year colleges and universities, State education agencies, 
community-based organizations, and other non-profit 
institutions and organizations concerned with education beyond 
high school.
    The Committee recommendation includes $15,198,000 the full 
amount requested for the comprehensive program, as well as 
funds for international consortia programs.
    The Committee recommendation also includes bill language 
requiring that funds be provided to the following organizations 
in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
AIB College of Business, Des            $500,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Moines, IA, for scholarships
 in captioning and court
 reporting.
Aims Community College,                   50,000  Salazar
 Greeley, CO, for equipment for
 career training in the health
 professions.
Albertson College of Idaho,              350,000  Craig, Crapo
 Caldwell, ID, for acquisition
 of equipment, technology and
 library upgrade.
Albright College, Reading, PA,           100,000  Specter
 for laboratory equipment
 acquisition.
Alpena Community College,                300,000  Stabenow, Levin
 Alpena, MI, for curriculum
 development for the Rural
 Communications Initiative.
Alvernia College, Reading, PA,           100,000  Specter
 for scholarships and nursing
 education programs.
Armstrong Atlantic State                 100,000  Chambliss, Isakson
 University, Savannah, GA, for
 acquisition of equipment and
 technology upgrades for a
 distance learning classroom.
Assumption College, Worcester,           150,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 MA.
Benjamin Franklin Institute of           250,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Technology, Boston, MA, for
 educational equipment and
 curriculum development to
 support medical technology
 professional training programs.
Bristol Community College, Fall          200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 River, MA, to expand adult
 literacy and career
 development academic programs.
Bucknell University, Lewisburg,          100,000  Specter
 PA, for laboratory equipment
 acquisition.
California Community Colleges,           200,000  Feinstein
 Sacramento, CA, for Math and
 Science Teacher Initiative.
California University of                 100,000  Specter
 Pennsylvania, California, PA,
 for curriculum development and
 teacher training to enhance
 math and science instruction.
Cardinal Stritch University,             325,000  Kohl
 Milwaukee, WI, to establish a
 bachelors of science nurse
 degree program.
Carroll College, Helena, MT,             250,000  Baucus, Tester
 for curriculum development in
 Civil Engineering.
Cedar Crest College, Allentown,          100,000  Specter
 PA, for nursing education
 programs.
Central Maine Community                  150,000  Collins, Snowe
 College, Auburn, ME, for
 nursing education expansion
 and outreach.
Clinton School of Public               1,000,000  Lincoln, Pryor
 Service at the University of
 Arkansas, Little Rock, AR, for
 curriculum development.
College Success Foundation,              300,000  Cantwell
 Issaquah, WA, for matching
 students to scholarships.
Community College of Southern            750,000  Reid
 Nevada, Las Vegas, NV, to
 purchase equipment and other
 support for Internet-based
 course offerings.
Connecticut State University,            400,000  Dodd, Lieberman
 Hartford, CT, for nursing
 education programs.
Dakota Wesleyan University,              350,000  Johnson, Thune
 Mitchell, SD, for archiving of
 former Senator George
 McGovern's papers.
Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH,          300,000  Gregg
 for a new interdisciplinary
 initiative on engineering and
 medicine.
Deaf West Theatre, North                 250,000  Boxer, Harkin
 Hollywood, CA, for cultural
 experiences for the deaf.
Dean College, Franklin, MA, to           235,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 develop programs and procure
 equipment for the Learning
 Center.
Delaware County Community                 75,000  Specter
 College, Media, PA, for
 laboratory equipment upgrades
 and acquisition.
Dillard University, New                  750,000  Landrieu, Vitter
 Orleans, LA, to establish a
 recruitment and training
 program for nursing assistants
 and home health aides.
Duquesne University of the Holy          100,000  Specter
 Spirit, Pittsburgh, PA, for
 equipment and technology
 acquisition for a
 supercomputing facility.
East Stroudsburg University,             100,000  Specter
 East Stroudsburg, PA, for
 forensic science education
 programs.
Eastern Iowa Community College,          350,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Davenport, IA, for the
 creation of a center on
 sustainable energy, including
 equipment.
Eastern New Mexico University,         1,000,000  Domenici
 Portales, NM, for
 technological equipment
 upgrades.
Edinboro University of                   100,000  Specter
 Pennsylvania, Edinboro, PA, to
 support a computer forensics
 training program at its
 Western Pennsylvania High Tech
 Crime Training Center.
Emerson College, Boston, MA,             400,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 for educational equipment and
 program development.
Emmanuel College, Boston, MA,            300,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 for the procurement of
 educational equipment and
 program development.
Flathead Valley Community                350,000  Baucus, Tester
 College, Kalispell, MT, for
 program development at the
 Center for Community
 Entrepreneurship Education.
Focus: HOPE Center for Advanced          500,000  Levin, Stabenow
 Technologies Experiential
 Learning Labs, Detroit, MI, to
 establish an experiential
 learning laboratory.
Franklin Pierce College,                 400,000  Gregg
 Rindge, NH, for technology-
 based educational programs and
 services.
George Meany Center for Labor            900,000  Harkin
 Studies--the National Labor
 College, Silver Spring, MD,
 for curriculum development.
Georgia State University,                100,000  Chambliss
 Atlanta, GA, for science
 education partnership programs
 between colleges,
 universities, schools and life
 science community educational
 organizations.
Golden Apple Foundation,                 500,000  Durbin
 Chicago, IL, for a math and
 science teacher training
 initiative.
Henry Kuualoha Giugni Archives           250,000  Inouye, Akaka
 at the University of Hawaii at
 Manoa, to establish an
 archival facility of
 historical Native Hawaiian
 records and stories.
Hermiston, Hermiston, OR, to             300,000  Smith
 support programs and systems
 for Latino education.
Holyoke Community College,               200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Holyoke, MA, for educational
 equipment and information
 technology.
Houston Community College,               150,000  Hutchison
 Houston, TX, for the
 Accelerated Nursing
 Proficiency Center.
Hudson Valley Community                  500,000  Clinton, Schumer
 College, Troy, NY, to expand
 the nursing program.
Huntington Junior College,             1,080,000  Byrd
 Huntington, WV, for the
 expansion of the captioning
 program.
Indiana University of                    100,000  Specter
 Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA, for
 equipment acquisition and
 curriculum development for a
 mine safety course.
Iowa Lakes Community College,            250,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Estherville, IA, for equipment
 to support the Sustainable
 Energy Education program.
Kansas City Kansas Community             500,000  Brownback
 College, Kansas City, KS, to
 provide workforce development
 training to improve economic
 conditions and to reduce
 prisoner recidivism.
Keystone College, LaPlume, PA,           100,000  Specter
 for classroom and laboratory
 equipment upgrades and
 acquisition.
King's College, Wilkes-Barre,            100,000  Specter, Casey
 PA, for curriculum and
 professional development for
 its Center for Community
 Engagement and Learning.
Lackawanna College, Scranton,            100,000  Specter
 PA, for laboratory equipment
 and technology upgrades and
 acquisition.
Lesley University, Cambridge,            250,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 MA, for educational and
 research equipment to support
 new science instruction
 laboratories.
Lewis-Clark State College,               250,000  Craig, Crapo
 Lewiston, ID, to continue and
 expand the American Indian
 Students in Leadership of
 Education (AISLE) program.
Lincoln University, Lincoln              100,000  Specter
 University, PA, for campus-
 wide technology upgrades and
 wiring.
Lock Haven University, Lock              100,000  Specter
 Haven, PA, to provide
 professional development
 partnerships and related
 services.
Maryland Association of                2,500,000  Mikulski
 Community Colleges, Annapolis,
 MD, to expand and improve
 nursing programs at Maryland's
 community colleges.
Massachusetts College of                 200,000  Sununu
 Pharmacy, Manchester, NH, for
 Health Professionals Training.
Messiah College, Grantham, PA,           100,000  Specter
 for wireless technology
 acquisition and technology
 infrastructure improvements.
Metro State College, Denver,             150,000  Allard
 CO, for training and equipment
 acquisition.
MidAmerica Nazarene University,          300,000  Brownback
 Olathe, KS, for equipment
 acquisition to expand distance
 education for teachers in
 western Kansas.
Middle Tennessee State                   500,000  Alexander
 University, Murfreesboro, TN,
 for the comprehensive math and
 science teacher training
 program.
Miles Community College, Miles           350,000  Baucus, Tester
 City, MT, for curriculum
 development and equipment for
 the Pathways to Careers in
 Health project.
Mississippi State University,            100,000  Cochran
 Mississippi State, MS, for a
 leadership training program at
 the Appalachian Leadership
 Honors Program.
Mississippi State University,          1,100,000  Cochran
 Mississippi State, MS, for
 acquisition of equipment and
 curriculum development at the
 Wise Center-Broadcast Facility
 Conversion to Digital.
Missouri State University,             1,000,000  Bond
 Springfield, MO, for program
 development and expansion,
 equipment and technology for
 the Distance Learning Project
 on the West Plains Campus.
Montana Committee for the                100,000  Baucus
 Humanities, Missoula, MT, to
 continue civic educational
 programs.
Montana State University-                145,000  Tester
 Billings, Billings, MT, for
 the Montana Energy Workforce
 Training Center.
Montana State University-                200,000  Baucus
 Billings, Billings, MT, to
 develop job-training programs.
Montana State University-                200,000  Baucus, Tester
 Billings, Billings, MT, to
 expand professional
 development education programs
 for the health care industry.
Moravian College, Bethlehem,             100,000  Specter
 PA, for equipment and
 technology acquisition and
 curriculum development for a
 science initiative.
Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA,          100,000  Chambliss, Isakson
 to establish a research
 initiative to improve college
 graduation of minority
 students.
Mott Community College--Center           500,000  Levin, Stabenow
 for Advanced Manufacturing,
 Flint, MI, for a clearinghouse
 and pilot program for new
 technology.
Muhlenberg College, Allentown,           100,000  Specter
 PA, for education and outreach
 services to support
 undergraduate students with
 disabilities.
Nevada State College,                    325,000  Reid
 Henderson, NV, for math and
 science teacher initia-  tives.
New Hampshire Community                  300,000  Sununu, Gregg
 Technical College System,
 Concord, NH, to expand and
 modernize engineering
 technology programs.
New Hampshire Community                  250,000  Gregg
 Technical College System,
 Concord, NH, to standardize
 technology and learning across
 seven community colleges.
North Dakota State College of          1,000,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 Science, Wahpeton, ND, to
 train students in nanoscience
 and other advanced
 technologies.
Northeast Community College,             200,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 Norfolk, NE, for nurse
 training, including the
 purchase of equipment.
Northern Essex Community                 245,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 College, Lawrence, MA, for
 equipment for allied health
 program.
Northern Kentucky University,            150,000  Bunning
 Highland Heights, KY, for the
 nursing education program.
Northern Kentucky University,            500,000  McConnell
 Highland Heights, KY, for the
 Infrastructure Management
 Institute.
Northern Rockies Educational             100,000  Baucus
 Services, Twin Bridges, MT, to
 develop Taking Technology to
 the Classroom program.
Northwestern State University            200,000  Landrieu, Vitter
 of Louisiana, Natchitoches,
 LA, for a nursing education
 program.
Oregon Coast Community College,          100,000  Smith
 Nursing Program, Newport, OR,
 for equipment acquisition for
 a simulation/skills lab for
 the nursing program.
Pennsylvania Highlands                   100,000  Specter
 Community College, Johnstown,
 PA, for laboratory equipment
 and technology upgrades and
 acquisition.
Peru State College, Peru, NE,            100,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 to support the Adopt-a-High-
 School program for first
 generation college students in
 Southeastern Nebraska.
Philadelphia University,                 100,000  Specter
 Philadelphia, PA, for the
 Scientific Reasoning/Inquiry
 Based Education (SCRIBE)
 initiative.
Plymouth State University,               250,000  Gregg
 Plymouth, NH, for a
 collaborative research
 institute for sustainable
 rural economics.
Portland State University,               400,000  Wyden, Smith
 Portland, OR, to equip its
 Science Research and Teaching
 Center.
Redlands Community College, El           100,000  Inhofe
 Reno, OK, for nursing programs.
Riverside Community College,             100,000  Boxer
 Riverside, CA, to prepare high
 schools students to pursue
 postgraduate courses in health
 care.
Robert Morris University, Moon           100,000  Specter
 Township, PA, for health care
 professional education
 programs in the use of
 electronic health records.
Rochester Area Colleges,                 600,000  Schumer, Clinton
 Rochester, NY, for Excellence
 in Math and Science.
Rust College, Holly Springs,             500,000  Cochran
 MS, for acquisition of
 equipment for the Science and
 Mathematics Annex.
Ryan Foundation, Wayne, PA, for          100,000  Specter
 civic education programs.
Saint Anselm College,                    250,000  Gregg
 Manchester, NH, for a civic
 education program.
Salt Lake Community College,             500,000  Bennett
 Salt Lake City, Utah, to train
 health care professionals.
Salve Regina University,               1,000,000  Reed, Whitehouse
 Newport, RI, for historic
 preservation education
 programs including equipment.
Security on Campus, Inc., King            25,000  Specter
 of Prussia, PA, for campus
 safety peer education programs.
Seminole State College,                  100,000  Inhofe
 Seminole, OK, for the Medical
 Laboratory Technology Program,
 including technology
 acquisition.
Shippensburg University,                 100,000  Specter, Casey
 Shippensburg, PA, for
 technology upgrades and
 acquisition.
South Carolina Technical                 200,000  Graham
 College System, Columbia, SC,
 to fund apprenticeship pilot
 programs in economically
 distresses areas.
Southeastern Pennsylvania                500,000  Casey
 Consortium for Higher
 Education, Glenside, PA, for
 equipment.
Southern Utah University, Cedar           50,000  Hatch
 City, Utah, to enhance
 academic skills and training
 of science teachers in
 southern Utah through mobile
 classroom.
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic          400,000  Bingaman
 Institute, Albuquerque, NM, to
 expand a renewable energy
 training program.
Southwestern University,                 200,000  Hutchison
 Georgetown, TX, for the Center
 for Hispanic Studies.
Spelman College, Atlanta, GA,            100,000  Chambliss
 for programs to recruit and
 increase graduation rates for
 African-American females
 pursuing sciences,
 mathematics, or dual-
 engineering degrees.
Springfield Public Schools               100,000  Smith, Wyden
 Academy of Arts and Academics,
 Springfield, OR, for classroom
 equipment and technology.
Stephen F. Austin State                  200,000  Hutchison
 University, Nacogdoches, TX,
 for outreach and education
 programs at the Early
 Childhood Research and
 Development Center.
State University of New York at          300,000  Schumer, Clinton
 New Paltz, New Paltz, NY, for
 curriculum development in
 economic development and
 governance.
Stonehill College, Easton, MA,           200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 to procure equipment and
 develop programs for the
 Center for Non-Profit
 Management.
Susquehanna University,                  100,000  Specter, Casey
 Selinsgrove, PA, for
 laboratory equipment and
 technology acquisition.
Texas Woman's University,                200,000  Hutchison
 Denton, TX, for the Institute
 of Health Sciences Dallas
 Center, for acquisition of
 technology.
Thiel College, Greenville, PA,           100,000  Specter
 for technology infrastructure
 upgrades and acquisition.
Tougaloo College, Tougaloo, MS,          200,000  Cochran
 for an international study
 abroad program.
Turtle Mountain Community                750,000  Dorgan, Conrad
 College, Belcourt, ND, to
 develop a vocational and
 technical training curriculum.
University of Alaska,                    350,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, for the 49th
 State Scholars program.
University of Alaska,                  1,000,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, for the Alaska
 Native Students Science and
 Engineering program.
University of Arizona, Tucson,           250,000  Harkin
 AZ, for the Integrative
 Medicine in Residency program.
University of Arkansas for               400,000  Lincoln, Pryor
 Medical Sciences, Little Rock,
 AR, for equipment and
 curriculum development for
 genetic counseling and other
 health care programs.
University of Central Arkansas,          400,000  Lincoln, Pryor
 Conway, AR, for information
 technology.
University of Dubuque in                 500,000  Harkin
 Dubuque, Iowa for the
 establishment of a nursing
 education program.
University of Hawaii at Hilo           1,000,000  Inouye, Akaka
 for an Applied Rural Science
 program and a Clinical
 Pharmacy Training Program.
University of Hawaii School of           250,000  Inouye
 Law, for a health policy
 center and cultural education
 programs.
University of Idaho, Moscow,             200,000  Craig, Crapo
 ID, for the Gateway to Math
 Program, for continued
 outreach to pre-college math
 students.
University of Mississippi,             3,000,000  Lott
 Oxford, MS, for program
 development and curriculum.
University of New Hampshire,             400,000  Sununu
 Manchester Campus, Manchester,
 NH, to expand business and
 high technology academic
 programs.
University of North Carolina at          250,000  Dole
 Wilmington, North Carolina,
 for nursing programs including
 military veterans, clinical
 research and distance learning.
University of Northern Iowa,             200,000  Grassley
 Cedar Falls, IA, for the
 development of math and
 science programs.
University of Scranton,                  100,000  Specter, Casey
 Scranton, PA, for equipment
 acquisition to support nursing
 and allied health education
 programs.
University of South Dakota,              300,000  Johnson
 Vermillion, SD, to establish
 degrees in public health.
University of Southern                 1,000,000  Lott
 Mississippi, Hattiesburg, MS,
 for curriculum development and
 acquisition of equipment.
University of Tennessee,               6,000,000  Byrd, Cochran, Harkin
 Knoxville, TN, for the Baker
 Center for Public Policy.
University of Tulsa, Tulsa, OK,          100,000  Inhofe
 for acquisition of equipment
 at the Center for Information
 Security.
University of Vermont of                 300,000  Leahy
 Burlington, Burlington, VT, to
 establish advanced practice
 graduate nursing program in
 psychiatric-mental health
 nursing.
University of Vermont of                 200,000  Leahy
 Burlington, VT, Burlington,
 VT, to establish a child
 psychiatry fellowship program.
University of Wisconsin Eau              200,000  Kohl
 Claire, Eau Claire, WI, to
 provide educational programs
 in nanotechnology.
University of Wisconsin                  150,000  Kohl
 Platteville, Platteville, WI,
 to establish an English as a
 Second Language teacher
 certification program.
University of Wisconsin                  150,000  Kohl
 Whitewater, Whitewater, WI, to
 establish a certification
 program for science teachers.
Urban College of Boston,                 750,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Boston, MA, to support higher
 education programs serving low-
 income and minority students.
Utah Valley State College,                50,000  Hatch
 Orem, Utah, to expand nursing
 education, including
 technology acquisition and
 curriculum development.
Vermont Technical College,               500,000  Sanders
 Randolph Center, VT, for
 equipment for the Fire Science
 Program.
Villa Julie College, Stevenson,          750,000  Mikulski
 MD, to expand the Nursing
 Distance Learning Program.
Virginia Polytechnic Institute           200,000  Warner, Webb
 and State University,
 Blacksburg, VA, for equipment.
Washburn University, Topeka,             300,000  Brownback
 KS, for equipment acquisition
 to train students in science
 and health-related fields.
Washington & Jefferson College,          100,000  Specter
 Washington, PA, for foreign
 language programs.
Washington State University,             400,000  Murray, Cantwell
 Pullman, WA, for mentoring
 programs women in science
 programs.
Weber State University, Ogden,            50,000  Hatch
 Utah, to provide mentoring for
 minority disadvantaged
 students.
Weber State University, Ogden,           500,000  Bennett
 Utah, for stipends and tuition
 assistance for faculty to
 pursue advanced nursing degree.
West Chester University, West            100,000  Specter
 Chester, PA, for technology
 infrastructure upgrades and
 acquisition.
Western Iowa Tech Community              100,000  Harkin, Grassley
 College, Sioux City, IA, for
 equipment.
Western Kentucky University            1,500,000  McConnell
 Research Foundation, Bowling
 Green, KY, for equipment
 acquisition for the science,
 technology and engineering
 facility.
Western Oregon University,               250,000  Wyden, Smith
 Monmouth, OR, for equipping a
 nursing simulation laboratory.
Wheaton College, Norton, MA, to          200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 procure educational equipment
 and information technology to
 support science center
 expansion.
Wheelock College, Boston, MA,            250,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 for educational equipment and
 curriculum development for the
 K-9 science teachers program.
William Paterson University,             250,000  Lautenberg
 Wayne, NJ, for curriculum
 development and other
 activities to establish the
 Center for the Study of
 Critical Languages.
Wisconsin Association of                 200,000  Kohl
 Independent Colleges and
 Universities, Madison, WI, to
 continue implementation of
 administrative support
 functions for independent
 colleges and universities.
York College of Pennsylvania,            100,000  Specter, Casey
 York, PA, for laboratory
 equipment and technology
 upgrades and acquisition.
York College, York, NE, for              100,000  Hagel, Ben Nelson
 training of clinical social
 workers in central and western
 Nebraska, including curriculum
 development.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Minority Science and Engineering Improvement

    The Committee recommends $8,730,000 for the Minority 
Science and Engineering Improvement program [MSEIP], the same 
as the fiscal year 2007 level. Funds are used to provide 
discretionary grants to institutions with minority enrollments 
greater than 50 percent to purchase equipment, develop 
curricula, and support advanced faculty training. Grants are 
intended to improve science and engineering education programs 
and increase the number of minority students in the fields of 
science, mathematics, and engineering.

Tribally Controlled Postsecondary Career and Technical Institutions

    The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for tribally controlled 
postsecondary vocational institutions, an increase of $634,000 
over the fiscal year 2007 level. This program provides grants 
for the operation and improvement of two tribally controlled 
postsecondary vocational institutions to ensure continued and 
expanding opportunities for Indian students.

Federal TRIO Programs

    The Committee recommends $858,178,000 for Federal TRIO 
Programs, an increase of $30,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 
level.
    TRIO programs provide a variety of services to improve 
postsecondary education opportunities for low-income 
individuals and first-generation college students: Upward Bound 
offers disadvantaged high school students academic services to 
develop the skills and motivation needed to continue their 
education; Student Support Services provides remedial 
instruction, counseling, summer programs and grant aid to 
disadvantaged college students to help them complete their 
postsecondary education; Talent Search identifies and counsels 
individuals between ages 11 and 27 regarding opportunities for 
completing high school and enrolling in postsecondary 
education; Educational Opportunity Centers provide information 
and counseling on available financial and academic assistance 
to low-income adults who are first-generation college students; 
and the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program 
supports research internships, seminars, tutoring, and other 
activities to encourage disadvantaged college students to 
enroll in graduate programs.

Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs 
        [GEARUP]

    The Committee recommends $313,423,000 for GEARUP, an 
increase of $10,000,000 over the fiscal year 2007 level.
    Under this program funds are used by States and 
partnerships of colleges, middle and high schools, and 
community organizations to assist middle and high schools 
serving a high percentage of low-income students. Services 
provided help students prepare for and pursue a postsecondary 
education.

Byrd Honors Scholarships

    The Committee recommends $41,000,000 for the Byrd honors 
scholarship program, an increase of $410,000 over the fiscal 
year 2007 level.
    The Byrd honors scholarship program is designed to promote 
student excellence and achievement and to recognize 
exceptionally able students who show promise of continued 
excellence. Funds are allocated to State education agencies 
based on each State's school-aged population. The State 
education agencies select the recipients of the scholarships in 
consultation with school administrators, teachers, counselors, 
and parents. The funds provided will support a new cohort of 
first-year students in 2008, and continue support for the 2005, 
2006, and 2007 cohorts of students in their fourth, third and 
second years of study, respectively.

Javits Fellowships

    The Committee recommends $9,699,000 for the Javits 
Fellowships program, the same as the fiscal year 2007 level.
    The Javits Fellowships program provides fellowships of up 
to 4 years to students of superior ability who are pursuing 
doctoral degrees in the arts, humanities, and social sciences 
at any institution of their choice. Each fellowship consists of 
a student stipend to cover living costs, and an institutional 
payment to cover each fellow's tuition and other expenses. The 
Committee bill includes language proposed in the budget that 
stipulates that funds provided in the fiscal year 2008 
appropriation support fellowships for the 2009-2010 academic 
year.

Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need [GAANN]

    The Committee recommends $30,067,000 for graduate 
assistance in areas of national need, the same as the fiscal 
year 2007 level. This program awards competitive grants to 
graduate academic departments and programs for fellowship 
support in areas of national need as determined by the 
Secretary. In fiscal year 2005, the Secretary designated the 
following areas of national need: biology, chemistry, computer 
and information sciences, engineering, geological and related 
sciences, mathematics, physics, and nursing. Recipients must 
demonstrate financial need and academic excellence, and seek 
the highest degree in their fields.
    The Committee is especially pleased that the Secretary 
included nursing as an area of national need in its fiscal year 
2006 program announcement. Given the magnitude of the nursing 
shortage, the Committee was pleased to see the Secretary take 
this step in establishing a priority for a nursing program that 
focuses on the preparation of nurse scholars at the Ph.D. level 
for educational leadership roles.
    The Committee believes that the GAANN program can make a 
difference in helping our Nation prepare for the projected need 
for 1.2 million new and replacement nurses by 2014 as 
identified by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The 
Committee encourages the Secretary to include nursing as an 
area of national need in future years until our Nation develops 
an adequate supply of nurses and ends this projected shortage.

Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants

    The Committee recommends $28,521,000 for the teacher 
quality enhancement grants program. This amount is $31,374,000 
below the fiscal year 2007 level and a sufficient amount to 
fund all fiscal year 2008 continuation awards.
    The program was established to support initiatives that 
best meet specific teacher preparation and recruitment needs. 
Further, the Higher Education Act provides and designates 
funding for the program in three focus areas: 45 percent of 
resources support a State grant program, 45 percent of funds 
are used for a partnership program, and 10 percent are 
designated for a recruitment grant program.
    The Committee bill includes language that would allow the 
Department to fund awards under the three program areas at the 
discretion of the Department, instead of as mandated by the 
Higher Education Act. The Committee continues this language 
from last year's bill in order to prevent funds available under 
this program from going unused.
    Under the State grant program, funds may be used for a 
variety of State-level reforms, including more rigorous teacher 
certification and licensure requirements; provision of high-
quality alternative routes to certification; development of 
systems to reward high-performing teachers and principals; and 
development of efforts to reduce the shortage of qualified 
teachers in high-poverty areas.
    Teacher training partnership grants, which are awarded to 
local partnerships comprised of at least one school of arts and 
science, one school or program of education, a local education 
agency, and a K-12 school, may be used for a variety of 
activities designed to improve teacher preparation and 
performance, including efforts to provide increased academic 
study in a proposed teaching specialty area; to prepare 
teachers to use technology effectively in the classroom; to 
provide preservice clinical experiences; and to integrate 
reliable research-based teaching methods into the curriculum. 
Partnerships may work with other entities, with those involving 
businesses receiving priority consideration. Partnerships are 
eligible to receive a one-time-only grant to encourage reform 
and improvement at the local level.
    The recruitment grant program supports efforts to reduce 
shortages of qualified teachers in high-need school districts 
as well as provide assistance for high-quality teacher 
preparation and induction programs to meet the specific 
educational needs of the local area.

Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,810,000 
for the Child Care Access Means Parents in School [CCAMPIS] 
program, the same as the fiscal year 2007 level. CCAMPIS was 
established in the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 to 
support the efforts of a growing number of non-traditional 
students who are struggling to complete their college degrees 
at the same time that they take care of their children. 
Discretionary grants of up to 4 years are made to institutions 
of higher education to support or establish a campus-based 
childcare program primarily serving the needs of low-income 
students enrolled at the institution.

Advancing America through Foreign Language Partnerships

    The Committee recommendation includes $12,000,000 for this 
new program. The administration had requested $24,000,000. This 
program funds grants to increase the number of Americans with 
professional levels of competency in languages critical to 
national security. Under this new program grants would be 
awarded to institutions of higher education for partnerships 
with school districts to create programs of study in 
kindergarten through postsecondary education in critical needs 
languages.

Demonstration Projects to Ensure Quality Higher Education for Students 
        With Disabilities

    The Committee recommends $6,875,000 for this program, the 
same amount as the comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level. 
The budget proposes no funding for this program. This program's 
purpose is to ensure that students with disabilities receive a 
high-quality postsecondary education. Grants are made to 
support model demonstration projects that provide technical 
assistance and professional development activities for faculty 
and administrators in institutions of higher education.
    The Committee urges the Department to utilize resources 
available under the GPRA/data collection program to support a 
rigorous evaluation of outcomes achieved by grantees funded 
under this program and to identify the impact that these funds 
are having on improving opportunities for students with 
disabilities at institutions of higher education throughout the 
United States.

Underground Railroad Program

    The Committee recommendation does not include funding for 
the Underground Railroad program and the budget request does 
not include any funds for this activity. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 funding level was $1,980,000. The program was 
authorized by the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 and was 
funded for the first time in fiscal year 1999. Grants are 
provided to research, display, interpret, and collect artifacts 
relating to the history of the underground railroad. 
Educational organizations receiving funds must demonstrate 
substantial private support through a public-private 
partnership, create an endowment fund that provides for ongoing 
operation of the facility, and establish a network of satellite 
centers throughout the United States to share information and 
teach people about the significance of the Underground Railroad 
in American history.

GPRA/Higher Education Act Program Evaluation

    The Committee recommends $970,000 for data collection 
associated with the Government Performance and Results Act data 
collection and to evaluate programs authorized by the Higher 
Education Act. These funds are used to comply with the 
Government Performance and Results Act, which requires the 
collection of data and evaluation of Higher Education programs 
and the performance of recipients of Higher Education funds.

B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships

    The Committee recommendation does not include funding for 
this program. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is 
$970,000 and the budget request did not include funds for this 
activity.

Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program

    The Committee recommendation does not include any funds for 
the Thurgood Marshall Legal Educational Opportunity Program. 
The comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 is $2,946,000 
and the budget request does not include any funds for this 
purpose.
    Under this program, funds help low-income, minority or 
disadvantaged college students with the information, 
preparation and financial assistance to enter and complete law 
school study. The Higher Education Act stipulates that the 
Secretary make an award to or contract with the Council on 
Legal Education Opportunity to carry out authorized activities.

                           Howard University

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $237,391,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     233,866,000
Committee recommendation................................     237,392,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $237,392,000 
for Howard University. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding 
level is $237,391,000 and the budget request includes 
$233,866,000 for this purpose. Howard University is located in 
the District of Columbia and offers undergraduate, graduate, 
and professional degrees through 12 schools and colleges. The 
university also administers the Howard University Hospital, 
which provides both inpatient and outpatient care, as well as 
training in the health professions. Federal funds from this 
account support more than 50 percent of the university's 
projected educational and general expenditures, excluding the 
hospital. The Committee recommends, within the funds provided, 
not less than $3,526,000 shall be for the endowment program.
    Howard University Hospital.--Within the funds provided, the 
Committee recommends $29,461,000 for the Howard University 
Hospital. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level and the 
budget request both are $29,461,000 for this purpose. The 
hospital serves as a major acute and ambulatory care center for 
the District of Columbia and functions as a major teaching 
facility attached to the university. The Federal appropriation 
provides partial funding for the hospital's operations.

             College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans

Appropriations, 2007....................................        $571,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................         481,000
Committee recommendation................................         481,000

    Federal Administration.--The Committee bill includes 
$481,000 for Federal administration of the CHAFL program. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $571,000 and the 
budget request includes $481,000 for such expenses.
    These funds will be used to reimburse the Department for 
expenses incurred in managing the existing CHAFL loan portfolio 
during fiscal year 2008. These expenses include salaries and 
benefits, travel, printing, contracts (including contracted 
loan servicing activities), and other expenses directly related 
to the administration of the CHAFL program.

  Historically Black College and University Capital Financing Program

Appropriations, 2007....................................        $209,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................         188,000
Committee recommendation................................         188,000

    Federal Administration.--The Committee recommends $188,000 
for Federal administration of the Historically Black College 
and University [HBCU] Capital Financing Program. The comparable 
fiscal year 2007 funding level is $209,000 and the budget 
request includes $188,000 for this activity.
    The HBCU Capital Financing Program makes capital available 
to HBCUs for construction, renovation, and repair of academic 
facilities by providing a Federal guarantee for private sector 
construction bonds. Construction loans will be made from the 
proceeds of the sale of the bonds.

                     Institute of Education Science

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $517,485,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     594,262,000
Committee recommendation................................     589,826,000

    The Committee recommends $589,826,000 for the Institute of 
Education Sciences. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding 
level is $517,485,000 and the budget request includes 
$594,262,000 for authorized activities. This account supports 
education research, data collection and analysis activities, 
and the assessment of student progress.

                RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND DISSEMINATION

    The Committee recommends $182,552,000 for education 
research, development and national dissemination activities. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $162,552,000 and the 
budget request includes $162,535,000 for these activities. 
Funds are available for obligation for 2 fiscal years. These 
funds support research, development, and dissemination 
activities that are aimed at expanding fundamental knowledge of 
education and promoting the use of research and development 
findings in the design of efforts to improve education.
    The Committee recommendation includes an increase of 
$20,000,000 over the budget request to accelerate research and 
development of programs that can help States and local school 
districts meet the goals of No Child Left Behind [NCLB]. The 
Committee notes that one of the bipartisan recommendations of 
The Commission on No Child Left Behind is to double the 
research budget at IES and target the increase to research that 
assists schools in meeting the goals of NCLB. The Committee 
intends for these funds to be used in conjunction with IES base 
funding to develop and evaluate approaches to improving student 
achievement, such as supplemental education services and 
turnaround programs, particularly for schools failing to meet 
adequate yearly progress. The Committee believes that these 
funds should be used for activities such as, funding large-
scale randomized evaluations of programs that appear to be 
particularly promising through small-scale evaluations; funding 
non-profit developers of proven programs to help them create 
capacity for training, materials production, and other 
activities that would enable these programs to be utilized more 
widely; and fund researchers to carry out large-scale, 
randomized evaluations of existing programs.
    The Committee strongly supports the Department's efforts to 
carry out congressionally authorized evaluations of Federal 
education programs using rigorous methodologies, particularly 
random assignment, that are capable of producing scientifically 
valid knowledge regarding which program activities are 
effective. To ensure that authorized evaluations are conducted 
in a rigorous manner that is independent of the program office 
and includes scientific peer review, the Committee believes 
that the Institute of Education Sciences should be the lead 
agency for the design and implementation of these evaluations. 
The Committee believes further that it is essential for program 
offices to work collaboratively with the Institute to include a 
priority or requirement in program solicitations for grantee 
participation in such evaluations, including random assignment, 
to the extent the Institute deems appropriate and where not 
specifically prohibited by law. The Committee notes that 
program offices and the Institute have already collaborated in 
this manner to advance rigorous evaluations in programs such as 
Student Drug Testing, Smaller Learning Communities, Student 
Mentoring, and Striving Readers.
    The Committee is pleased with the framework identified by 
the Institute in June 2, 2006 correspondence from the Director 
that outlines concrete steps the Institute is taking to 
implement the national research and development centers 
program, consistent with the intent of the Committee. The 
Committee intends for fiscal year 2007 and 2008 funds available 
to the Institute to be utilized in the same manner.
    The Committee is encouraged by the Institute's continued 
commitment to increasing the scientific quality of its research 
projects that translate basic cognitive, developmental and 
neuroscience research findings from into effective classroom 
practices. The Committee supports the Institute's focus on math 
and science cognition research that is necessary for the 
nation's competitiveness. To maximize research investments, the 
Committee encourages IES to increase its communication and 
coordination of research agendas with the National Institute of 
Child Health and Human Development to increase academic 
achievement for all students, including those with learning 
disabilities.
    The Committee continues to support the fully integrated use 
of technology in schools and urges the Department to continue 
evaluating the use of educational technology and its impact on 
achievement over the long term. In particular, the Committee 
supports the contract recently awarded by the Department to the 
RAND Corporation for a study of the impact of Carnegie 
Learning's Cognitive Tutor Algebra I Curriculum. The Department 
should be prepared to comment on the progress of this study 
during the fiscal year 2009 budget hearing.

                               STATISTICS

    The Committee recommends $95,022,000 for data gathering and 
statistical analysis activities of the National Center for 
Education Statistics [NCES]. The comparable fiscal year 2007 
funding level is $90,022,000 and the budget request includes 
$119,022,000 for this purpose.
    The NCES collects, analyzes, and reports statistics on 
education in the United States. Activities are carried out 
directly and through grants and contracts. The Center collects 
data on educational institutions at all levels, longitudinal 
data on student progress, and data relevant to public policy. 
The NCES also provides technical assistance to State and local 
education agencies and postsecondary institutions.
    The Committee has included funds above the fiscal year 2007 
level under the arts in education evaluation activity and 
within this program for the National Center for Education 
Statistics to utilize its Fast Response Survey System to 
collect data for the report of Arts Education in Public 
Elementary and Secondary Schools during the 2008-2009 school 
year. The Committee expects this survey to be co-requested by 
the Office of Innovation and Improvement and the National 
Endowment for the Arts, and administered by the Institute for 
Education Sciences. The Committee believes the survey must have 
the comprehensive quality of the 2002 report and should include 
national samples of elementary and secondary school principals, 
as well as surveys of elementary and secondary classroom 
teachers and arts specialists.

                   REGIONAL EDUCATIONAL LABORATORIES

    The Committee recommends $68,000,000 to continue support 
for the regional educational laboratories. The comparable 
fiscal year 2007 funding level is $65,470,000 and the budget 
request includes $65,464,000 for this purpose. Program funds 
support a network of 10 laboratories that are responsible for 
promoting the use of broad-based systemic strategies to improve 
student achievement. The Committee recommends additional funds 
for the laboratories to increase their capacity to provide 
timely responses to requests for assistance on issues of urgent 
regional need.
    The Committee is pleased that the research, development, 
dissemination, and technical assistance activities carried out 
by the regional educational laboratories will be consistent 
with the standards for scientifically based research prescribed 
in the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002. The Committee 
believes that the laboratories, working collaboratively with 
the comprehensive centers and Department-supported technical 
assistance providers, have an important role to play in helping 
parents, States, and school districts improve student 
achievement as called for in No Child Left Behind. In 
particular, the Committee intends for the laboratories and 
their technical assistance provider partners to provide 
products and services that will help States and school 
districts utilize the school improvement funds available in the 
Education for the Disadvantaged account to support school 
improvement activities that are supported by scientifically 
based research.

              RESEARCH AND INNOVATION IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

    The Committee recommends $71,840,000 for research and 
innovation in special education. The comparable funding level 
for fiscal year 2007 is $71,840,000 and the budget request 
includes $71,829,000 for this purpose. The National Center for 
Special Education Research addresses gaps in scientific 
knowledge in order to improve special education and early 
intervention services and outcomes for infants, toddlers, and 
children with disabilities. Funds provided to the center are 
available for obligation for 2 fiscal years.

               SPECIAL EDUCATION STUDIES AND EVALUATIONS

    The Committee recommends $9,628,000 for special education 
studies and evaluations. The comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007 is $9,900,000 and the budget request includes 
$9,628,000 for this purpose.
    This program supports competitive grants, contracts, and 
cooperative agreements to assess the implementation of the 
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Funds also will be 
used to evaluate the effectiveness of State and local efforts 
to deliver special education services and early intervention 
programs. Funds are available for obligation for 2 fiscal 
years.

                         STATEWIDE DATA SYSTEMS

    The Committee recommendation includes $58,000,000 for 
statewide data systems. The comparable funding level for fiscal 
year 2007 is $24,552,000 and the budget request includes 
$49,152,000 for this purpose.
    This program supports competitive grants to State 
educational agencies to enable such agencies to design, 
develop, and implement statewide, longitudinal data systems to 
manage, analyze, disaggregate, and use individual student data. 
Funds are available for obligation for 2 fiscal years. The 
Committee believes these funds are necessary to help States 
measure individual student performance, particularly as it 
relates to adequate yearly progress goals, more efficiently and 
accurately.
    The Committee commends the Institute for its work in 
establishing an expert team to design the program and plan the 
2005 grant competition. These actions are the first steps 
toward fulfilling the goals established in the Educational 
Technical Assistance Act and the statement of the managers 
accompanying the fiscal year 2005 Department of Education 
appropriations act. The Committee supports the progress of the 
Institute of Education Sciences in implementing the Statewide 
Longitudinal Data Systems program through the 14 grant awards 
made to States to date. The goals of these grants are to 
enhance the ability of States to use education data from 
individual student records to make data-driven decisions to 
improve student learning, to facilitate research to increase 
student achievement and close achievement gaps, and to comply 
with requirements under the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act of 1965 and other reporting requirements. The Committee 
intends for the Institute to continue to administer this 
program in a manner that addresses all of these goals.

                               ASSESSMENT

    The Committee recommends $104,784,000 for assessment. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $93,149,000 and 
the budget request includes $116,632,000 for authorized 
activities.
    These funds provide support for the National Assessment of 
Educational Progress [NAEP], a congressionally mandated 
assessment created to measure the educational achievement of 
American students. The primary goal of NAEP is to determine and 
report the status and trends over time in educational 
achievement, subject by subject. Beginning in 2002, the 
Department began paying for State participation in biennial 
reading and mathematics assessments in grades 4 and 8.
    The budget request includes an increase of $22,500,000 to 
support activities for implementing in 2009 State-level 
assessments in the 12th grade. The Committee recommendation 
includes a portion of the requested funds.
    Within the funds appropriated, the Committee recommends 
$6,037,000 for the National Assessment Governing Board [NAGB], 
which is responsible for formulating policy for NAEP. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $5,054,000 and the budget 
request includes $6,037,000 for NAGB.

                        Departmental Management

                         PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $418,587,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     446,934,000
Committee recommendation................................     432,631,000

    The Committee recommends $432,631,000 for program 
administration. The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level 
is $418,587,000 and the budget request includes $446,934,000 
for this purpose.
    Funds support personnel compensation and benefits, travel, 
rent, communications, utilities, printing, equipment and 
supplies, automated data processing, and other services 
required to award, administer, and monitor approximately 180 
Federal education programs. Support for program evaluation and 
studies and advisory councils is also provided under this 
activity.
    The budget request includes $17,303,000 for building 
renovations and related expenses associated with the upgrade of 
the Mary E. Switzer building. The Committee recommendation 
includes $3,000,000 for this purpose and makes the funds 
available until expended, as proposed in the budget request.
    The Committee is aware that several leading professional 
societies and lay organizations have recognized the importance 
of managing life-threatening food allergies in the school 
setting. It is estimated that 94 percent of the Nation's 
schools have students with food allergy, and the incidence is 
increasing. The Committee encourages the Department to work 
with the Department of Health and Human Services and 
knowledgeable private sector organizations on the development 
of guidelines for the management of children with food allergy 
as well as a plan to disseminate these guidelines to State and 
local educational agencies.
    The rapid pace of technological change and increasing 
global competition constantly challenge our schools to innovate 
and to improve training in math, science and engineering. As a 
result, a number of promising initiatives are underway to 
improve the math and science skills of middle-school students 
and to attract students, especially young women and minorities, 
into careers in engineering. Some national multimedia 
initiatives, for example, combine innovative television 
programming with specialized lesson plans and web-based 
materials. These multi-faceted approaches complement our 
national goals to improve academic achievement and remain 
competitive in the global marketplace. The Committee encourages 
the Secretary to consider incorporating promising initiatives 
into the Department's long-term strategy to improve achievement 
in math, science and engineering, particularly among women and 
minorities.

                        OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $91,205,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      93,771,000
Committee recommendation................................      93,771,000

    The Committee recommends $93,771,000 for the Office for 
Civil Rights [OCR]. The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is 
$91,205,000 and the budget request includes $93,771,000 for 
this purpose.
    The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for the 
enforcement of laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis 
of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, and age in 
all programs and institutions funded by the Department of 
Education. To carry out this responsibility, OCR investigates 
and resolves discrimination complaints, monitors desegregation 
and equal educational opportunity plans, reviews possible 
discriminatory practices by recipients of Federal education 
funds, and provides technical assistance to recipients of funds 
to help them meet civil rights requirements.
    In the Senate report (109-103) for fiscal year 2006, the 
Committee expressed concern over the Department's ``Additional 
Clarification of Intercollegiate Athletics Policy: Three-Part 
Test--Part Three'' issued in March 2005 and asked the 
Department to prepare a report addressing the other sources of 
information besides surveys institutions consider to assess 
student interest under the third prong of the three-part test. 
The Committee is aware that the Secretary has reassured the 
Congress through several exchanges of correspondence, and in 
its report, that the Additional Clarification does not 
establish any new legal standards, but rather is intended to 
provide institutions with additional guidance on compliance 
with the third part of the three-part test. Accordingly, the 
Committee understands that the 2005 Additional Clarification 
does not change the legal standards for compliance with prong 
three set forth in the 1996 Policy Clarification, and that a 
presumption of compliance with prong three may not be achieved 
solely through reliance on a survey. Rather, the Additional 
Clarification is intended to provide recipients with a model 
survey that they may use as one tool in the process of 
evaluating their compliance with prong three and any such 
survey may only be used in conjunction with the other methods 
for assessing interest that the 1996 Clarification requires 
recipients to evaluate (such as interviews with students and 
coaches and participation rates in area high school, club, 
intramural and community sports).
    The Committee also understands that any nonresponse to the 
Model Survey will be considered a nonresponse, rather than an 
expression of lack of interest. To eliminate confusion 
regarding the use of interest surveys to demonstrate compliance 
with prong three, the Committee directs the Department to 
provide public notice of the understanding of the Additional 
Clarification expressed in the preceding sentences to all 
entities covered under title IX, including by posting such 
notice on the Department's homepage, and by including such 
notice immediately after the title of each printed or 
electronic version of the Additional Clarification. The 
Committee requests that the Department take this action no 
later than 60 days after enactment of this act.

                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $50,266,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      53,239,000
Committee recommendation................................      54,239,000

    The Committee recommends $54,239,000 for the Office of the 
Inspector General. The comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is 
$50,266,000 and the budget request includes $53,239,000 for 
authorized activities.
    The Office of the Inspector General has the authority to 
investigate all departmental programs and administrative 
activities, including those under contract or grant, to prevent 
and detect fraud and abuse, and to ensure the quality and 
integrity of those programs. The Office investigates alleged 
misuse of Federal funds, and conducts audits to determine 
compliance with laws and regulations, efficiency of operations, 
and effectiveness in achieving program goals.

                           General Provisions

    The Committee bill contains language which has been 
included in the bill since 1974, prohibiting the use of funds 
for the transportation of students or teachers in order to 
overcome racial imbalance (sec. 301).
    The Committee bill contains language included in the bill 
since 1977, prohibiting the involuntary transportation of 
students other than to the school nearest to the student's home 
(sec. 302).
    The Committee bill contains language which has been 
included in the bill since 1980, prohibiting the use of funds 
to prevent the implementation of programs of voluntary prayer 
and meditation in public schools (sec. 303).
    The Committee bill includes a provision giving the 
Secretary of Education authority to transfer up to 1 percent of 
any discretionary funds between appropriations (sec. 304).
    The Committee bill includes a new provision that prohibits 
funds from this act to be used to promulgate, implement, or 
enforce any revision to the regulations in effect under section 
496 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 on June 1, 2007, until 
legislation specifically requiring such revision is enacted, 
(sec. 305).
    The Committee bill includes a provision related to 
eligibility of and computation of payments for certain school 
districts under the Impact Aid program (sec. 306) (Funding for 
this program was requested by Senator Durbin).

                                TITLE IV

                            RELATED AGENCIES

 Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled

Appropriations, 2007....................................      $4,652,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................       4,994,000
Committee recommendation................................       4,994,000

    The Committee recommends $4,994,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
Severely Disabled.
    The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or 
Severely Disabled was established by the Javits-Wagner-O'Day 
Act of 1938 as amended. Its primary objective is to increase 
the employment opportunities for people who are blind or have 
other severe disabilities and, whenever possible, to prepare 
them to engage in competitive employment.

             Corporation for National and Community Service

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $884,547,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     828,680,000
Committee recommendation................................     880,909,000

    The Committee recommends $880,909,000 for the Corporation 
for National and Community Service in fiscal year 2008.
    The Corporation for National and Community Service, a 
Corporation owned by the Federal Government, was established by 
the National and Community Service Trust Act of 1993 (Public 
Law 103-982) to enhance opportunities for national and 
community service and provide national service education 
awards. The Corporation makes grants to States, institutions of 
higher education, public and private nonprofit organizations, 
and others to create service opportunities for students, out-
of-school youth, and adults.

                  DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS

    The Committee recommends $313,054,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the domestic volunteer service programs of the Corporation 
for National and Community Service. The comparable level for 
fiscal year 2007 is $316,554,000 and $294,226,000 is the 
administration request for fiscal year 2008. Programs 
authorized under the Domestic Volunteer Service Act include: 
the Volunteers in Service to America Program [VISTA]; the 
Foster Grandparent Program; the Senior Companion Program; and 
the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program.

VISTA

    The Committee recommends $95,468,000 for the Volunteers in 
Service to America [VISTA] Program. This amount is equal to the 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007. The budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 is $89,734,000.
    VISTA, created in 1964 under the Economic Opportunity Act, 
provides capacity building for small community-based 
organizations. VISTA volunteers raise resources for local 
projects, recruit and organize volunteers, and establish and 
expand local community-based programs in housing, employment, 
health, and economic development activities.

National Senior Volunteer Corps

    The Committee recommends $217,586,000 for the National 
Senior Volunteer Corps programs, compared to $217,586,000 in 
fiscal year 2007 and $204,492,000 in the fiscal year 2008 
budget request.
    In accordance with the Domestic Volunteer Service Act 
[DVSA], the Committee intends that at least one-third of each 
program's increase over the fiscal year 2007 level shall be 
used to fund Programs of National Significance [PNS] expansion 
grants to allow existing FGP, RSVP, and SCP programs to expand 
the number of volunteers serving in areas of critical need as 
identified by Congress in the DVSA. All remaining funds shall 
be used to fund an administrative cost increase for each 
existing program nationwide. The amount to be allocated to 
individual grantees shall be calculated based on a percentage 
of the entire Federal grant award in fiscal year 2007, 
including the amount specified for payment of non-taxable 
stipends. The Committee directs that the Corporation shall 
comply with the directive that use of PNS funding increases in 
the FGP, RSVP, SCP, and VISTA shall not be restricted to any 
particular activity. The Committee further directs that the 
Corporation shall not stipulate a minimum or maximum for PNS 
grant augmentation.
    The maximum total dollars which may be used in fiscal year 
2008 for Grants.gov/eGrants support, Training and Technical 
Assistance, and Recruitment and Retention activities shall not 
exceed the amount enacted for these activities in fiscal year 
2007.
    Further, funds appropriated for fiscal year 2008 may not be 
used to implement or support service collaboration agreements 
or any other changes in the administration and/or governance of 
national service programs prior to passage of a bill by the 
authorizing committee of jurisdiction specifying such changes.
    The CNCS shall comply with the directive that use of funds 
appropriated for FGP, RSVP, SCP, and VISTA shall not be used to 
fund demonstration activities. The Committee has not included 
funding for senior demonstration activities.

Foster Grandparent Program

    The Committee recommends $110,937,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Foster Grandparent Program, which is equal to the 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007. The budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 was $97,550,000. This program 
provides volunteer opportunities to low-income seniors age 60 
and over who serve at-risk youth. This program not only 
involves seniors in their communities, but also provides a host 
of services to children.

Senior Companion Program

    The Committee recommends $46,964,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Senior Companion Program. This amount is the same as 
the comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007. The budget 
request for fiscal year 2008 was $41,299,000.
    This program enables senior citizens to provide personal 
assistance and companionship to adults with physical, mental, 
or emotional difficulties. Senior companions provide vital in-
home services to elderly Americans who would otherwise have to 
enter nursing homes. The volunteers also provide respite care 
to relieve care givers.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program

    The Committee recommends $59,685,000 for the Retired and 
Senior Volunteer Program. The comparable level for fiscal year 
2007 is $59,685,000 and the administration request for fiscal 
year 2008 is 65,643,000.
    This program involves persons age 55 and over in volunteer 
opportunities in their communities such as tutoring youth, 
responding to natural disasters, teaching parenting skills to 
teen parents, and mentoring troubled youth. Funding was not 
included for a baby boomer initiative that would compete and be 
administered separately from the current program.

                NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

    The Committee recommends $491,435,000 for the programs 
authorized under the National Community Service Act of 1990. 
The comparable level for fiscal year 2007 is $494,066,000 and 
the administration request for fiscal year 2008 is 
$459,422,000.
    The National and Community Service Programs of the 
Corporation for National and Community Service include: the 
AmeriCorps program (including AmeriCorps State and National and 
the National Civilian Community Corps); Learn and Serve 
America, Innovation, Demonstration, Assistance and Evaluation 
activities; State Commission Administration grants; and the 
National Service Trust.
    The Committee recommendation includes $288,291,000 for 
AmeriCorps State and National operating grants (including 
$12,516,000 for State administrative expenses); $117,720,000 
for the National Service Trust; $10,550,000 for subtitle H fund 
activities; $31,789,000 for AmeriCorps NCCC; $39,125,000 for 
Learn and Serve; and $3,960,000 for audits and evaluations.
    The Committee has deleted long-standing statutory language 
urging the Corporation to reduce the cost-per-member of 
service. The Committee appreciates the Corporation's attempt to 
drive down costs, however, the Committee believes that there is 
much merit to the variety of volunteer opportunities that the 
Corporation offers. In particular, the Committee strongly 
supports full-time and residential service models which cost 
the Government more per unit but also provide a strong branding 
effort for Americorps. Part-time service and education award-
only models are an important component of AmeriCorps but should 
not become the sole means of service.
    In addition, the Committee was disappointed to note 
inconsistencies in the calculation of cost-per-member in the 
Corporation's 2008 budget justification with respect to the 
education award. Those inconsistencies unfairly disadvantaged 
residential service programs and were used to justify cuts to 
the National Civilian Community Corps. The Committee expects 
future calculations of cost-per-member to treat the education 
award equally across all programs.

AmeriCorps Grants Program (not including NCCC)

    Within the amount provided for AmeriCorps grants, the 
Committee is providing $65,000,000 for national direct 
grantees.
    The Committee is concerned that national direct funding is 
awarded in a way that disadvantages rural areas of this 
country. The Committee urges the Corporation to put a priority 
on national direct applications that serve rural areas and 
report to the Committee within 30 days after the end of the 
fiscal year on the proportion of awards given to rural and 
urban serving areas.
    The Committee requests that the Corporation provide annual 
reports to the Committee on Appropriations and the 
Corporation's Inspector General on the actual and projected 
year-end level of AmeriCorps membership enrollment, usage, and 
earnings, and the financial status of the Trust fund (revenue, 
expenses, outstanding liabilities, reserve, etc.).
    The Committee recognizes that, even with recent 
improvements, a small lapse is to be expected in AmeriCorps 
grants due to member turnover. Therefore, the Committee has 
included bill language allowing the Corporation to transfer any 
funds deobligated from closed out AmeriCorps grants to the 
National Service Trust, offsetting the need for new budget 
authority in that account in the future. The Committee expects 
the Corporation to track re-fill rates and include that 
information in the annual budget justification.
    The Committee requests a report from AmeriCorps that 
provides candidate selection and non-selection statistics for 
each of their three programs (AmeriCorps State and National, 
AmeriCorps VISTA and AmeriCorps NCCC) based on the following 
demographics: ethnicity, gender and educational preparation.

Innovation, Assistance and Other Activities

    Within the amount recommended for innovation, 
demonstration, and assistance activities, the Committee 
recommendation includes no funding for Presidentially requested 
earmarks such as Points of Light Foundation or America's 
Promise. The Committee has increased the cap on the national 
direct competition funding to encourage these and other 
previously earmarked entities to compete for the funding.
    The Committee has not provided any funding in this account 
for Teach for America; these funds were requested by the 
administration within the Department of Education.
    The Committee expects a spending plan for innovation 
activities 60 days after enactment of this act.

AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps

    The Committee is deeply disappointed that the Corporation 
has moved forward with a consolidation of the National Civilian 
Community Corps [NCCC] despite clear guidance to the contrary 
from this Committee in the last 3 years of appropriations bills 
and reports. The Committee has included funding and statutory 
direction to restore the two centers closed by the Corporation 
in sites identified and evaluated by the Corporation in its 
geographic assessment in 2005 and its more specific site 
evaluation in October 2006. The Committee expects a class to be 
operating out of each facility by the end of fiscal year 2008.

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $69,520,000 
for the Corporation's salaries and expenses. The comparable 
level for fiscal year 2007 was $68,964,000 and the 
administration request for fiscal year 2008 was $69,520,000. 
The Committee reiterates the directive under the program 
account that the Corporation must fund all staffing needs from 
the salaries and expenses account.
    The salaries and expenses appropriation provides funds for 
staff salaries, benefits, travel, training, rent, advisory and 
assistance services, communications and utilities expenses, 
supplies, equipment, and other operating expenses necessary for 
management of the Corporation's activities under the National 
and Community Service Act of 1990 and the Domestic Volunteer 
Service Act of 1973.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,900,000 for 
the Office of Inspector General [OIG]. The comparable level for 
fiscal year 2007 was $4,963,000 and the administration request 
for fiscal year 2008 was $5,512,000.
    The goals of the Office of Inspector General are to 
increase organizational efficiency and effectiveness and to 
prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. The Office of Inspector 
General within the Corporation for National and Community 
Service was transferred to the Corporation from the former 
ACTION agency when ACTION was abolished and merged into the 
Corporation in April 1994.
    The Committee continues to direct the OIG to review the 
Corporation's management of the National Service Trust fund. 
The Committee directs the OIG to continue reviewing the annual 
Trust reports and to notify the Committees on Appropriations on 
the accuracy of the reports.

                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    The Committee has included five administrative provisions 
carried in prior year appropriations acts as follows: language 
regarding: qualified student loans eligible for education 
awards; the availability of funds for the placement of 
volunteers with disabilities; the Inspector General to levy 
sanctions in accordance with standard Inspector General audit 
resolutions procedures; language regarding the Corporation to 
make significant changes to program requirements or policy 
through public rulemaking and public notice and grant selection 
process; and language limiting the Corporation's authority to 
transfer funds between programs.

                  Corporation for Public Broadcasting

Appropriations, 2008....................................    $400,000,000
Appropriations, 2009....................................     400,000,000
Budget estimate, 2010...................................................
Committee recommendation................................     420,000,000

    The Committee recommends $420,000,000 be made available for 
the Corporation for Public Broadcasting [CPB], as an advance 
appropriation for fiscal year 2010. The comparable funding 
level provided last year was $400,000,000 for fiscal year 2009. 
The budget request does not include advance funds for this 
program.
    In addition, the Committee recommends $29,700,000 be made 
available in fiscal year 2008 for the conversion to digital 
broadcasting, the same as the comparable funding level for 
fiscal year 2007. The budget request included authority to 
permit CPB to spend up to $30,600,000 in previously 
appropriated fiscal year 2008 funds for digital conversion 
activities.
    The Committee has strongly supported the conversion of 
public broadcasting stations to digital formats and continues 
to do so in this act. However, the Committee recognizes that 
this conversion to digital transmission leaves a great number 
of stations with limited programming and makes a substantial 
proportion of the public broadcasting library unusable. The 
Committee believes that this archive of material is a valuable 
asset to the public and to historians. Therefore, the Committee 
intends that CPB may spend a portion of the digital conversion 
funds to develop a digital public broadcasting archive pursuant 
to 47 U.S.C. 396(g)(2)(D). The Committee directs CPB to notify 
the Committee of the proposed level of funding for this 
activity before making any funds available.
    In addition, the Committee recommends $26,750,000 be made 
available in fiscal year 2008 for the initial stage in the 
replacement project of the radio interconnection system. In 
fiscal year 2007, $34,650,000 was appropriated for this 
purpose. The budget request for fiscal year 2008 included 
authority to permit CPB to spend up to $26,750,000 in 
previously appropriated fiscal year 2008 funds for the radio 
interconnection system.

               Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $42,849,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      43,800,000
Committee recommendation................................      44,450,000

    The Committee recommends $44,450,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service [FMCS]. The 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $42,849,000 
and the budget request for fiscal year 2008 includes 
$43,800,000 for this program.
    The FMCS was established by Congress in 1947 to provide 
mediation, conciliation, and arbitration services to labor and 
management. FMCS is authorized to provide dispute resolution 
consultation and training to all Federal agencies.
    Within the funds provided, $400,000 is for the Labor-
Management Cooperation grant program. The Committee continues 
to reject the administration's proposal to eliminate this 
program. The 1978 Labor-Management Cooperation Act authorized 
FMCS to encourage and support joint labor-management 
committees. This program awards grants to encourage these 
committees to develop innovative joint approaches to solve 
workplace problems. It has demonstrated success in improving 
workplace relationships and in instilling effective and 
efficient conflict resolution. The Committee strongly supports 
an approach to bridge labor-management relations prior to 
conflict.

            Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

Appropriations, 2007....................................      $7,778,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................       8,096,000
Committee recommendation................................       8,096,000

    The Committee recommends $8,096,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission. The 
comparable funding level for fiscal year 2007 was $7,778,000 
and the fiscal year 2008 budget request includes $8,096,000.
    The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission 
provides administrative trial and appellate review of legal 
disputes under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977. 
The five-member Commission provides review of the Commission's 
administrative law judge decisions.

                Institute of Museum and Library Services

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $247,205,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     271,246,000
Committee recommendation................................     266,680,000

    The Committee recommends $266,680,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Office of Museum Services Operations Grants

    The Committee recommends $17,152,000 for operations grants. 
These funds support grants to museums for building increased 
public access, expanding educational services, reaching 
families and children, and using technology more effectively in 
support of these goals. In addition, non-competitive grants are 
awarded for technical assistance in four types of assessments: 
Institutional, Collections Management, Public Dimension, and 
Governance. In addition to the total recommended, $7,920,000 
has been provided for National Leadership Grants for Museums, 
$982,000 has been provided for the 21st Century Museum 
Professionals program, $442,000 for museum assessment, 
$1,000,000 for Native American Museum service grants, and 
$842,000 for Museum Grants for African American History and 
Culture.

Museum Conservation Programs

    The Committee recommends $3,579,000 for Conservation 
programs. These funds support grants to allow museums to survey 
collections, perform training, research, treatment, and 
environmental improvements. In addition, grantees may receive 
additional funds to develop an education component that relates 
to their conservation project. In addition, non-competitive 
grants are awarded for technical assistance in conservation 
efforts.

Museum National Leadership Projects

    The Committee recommends $7,920,000 for National Leadership 
projects. The National Leadership Grants encourage innovation 
in meeting community needs, widespread and creative use of new 
technologies, greater public access to museum collections, and 
an extended impact of Federal dollars through collaborative 
projects.

Office of Library Services State Grants

    The Committee recommends $171,500,000 for State grants. 
This funding is sufficient to meet the authorization 
requirement for an increase in the minimum State grant. Funds 
are provided to States by formula to carry out 5-year State 
plans. These plans must set goals and priorities for the State 
consistent with the purpose of the act, describe activities to 
meet the goals and priorities and describe the methods by which 
progress toward the goals and priorities and the success of 
activities will be evaluated. States may apportion their funds 
between two activities, technology and targeted services. For 
technology, States may use funds for electronic linkages among 
libraries, linkages to educational, social and information 
services, accessing information through electronic networks, or 
link different types of libraries or share resources among 
libraries. For targeted services, States may direct library and 
information services to persons having difficulty using a 
library, underserved urban and rural communities, and children 
from low income families. In addition to the total recommended, 
$3,817,000 has been provided for library services to Native 
Americans and Native Hawaiians. The Committee is aware that 
many traditional healers are aging and the world may soon lose 
the knowledge that they possess. For that reason, the Committee 
encourages IMLS to work for the preservation and documentation 
of Native Hawaiian traditional cultural healing practices. It 
is essential that these practices be documented in creative 
media formats due to the variety and complexity of the 
practices and the healers.

Library National Leadership Projects

    The Committee recommends $12,375,000 for national 
leadership projects. These funds support activities of national 
significance to enhance the quality of library services 
nationwide and to provide coordination between libraries and 
museums. Activities are carried out through grants and 
contracts awarded on a competitive basis to libraries, 
agencies, institutions of higher education and museums. 
Priority is given to projects that focus on education and 
training of library personnel, research and development for the 
improvement of libraries, preservation, digitization of library 
materials, partnerships between libraries and museums and other 
activities that enhance the quality of library services 
nationwide. In addition to the total recommended, $23,760,000 
has been provided for the Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian 
program.

Museum and Library Services Administration

    The Committee recommends $12,917,000 for program 
administration, the same as the budget request. Funds support 
personnel compensation and benefits, travel, rent, 
communications, utilities, printing, equipment and supplies, 
automated data processing, and other services. In addition to 
the total recommended, $1,715,000 is for data collection 
activities formerly conducted by the National Commission on 
Libraries and Information Science.
    The Committee recommendation also includes funding for the 
following organizations in the amounts specified:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Committee
            Project               recommendation       Requested by
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska Native Heritage Center,          $250,000  Stevens
 Anchorage, AK, for a
 partnership with Koahnic
 Broadcasting for a Native
 Values project.
Archives Partnership Trust, New          100,000  Reid
 York, NY, to digitize fragile
 artifacts.
Bethel Performing Arts Center,         1,000,000  Schumer, Clinton
 Liberty, NY, for the Museum at
 Bethel.
Biolographical Society of                130,000  Voinovich
 America, New York, NY, for the
 National First Ladies' Library
 in Canton, OH, for the First
 White House Library Catalogue.
Bishop Museum in Honolulu, HI,           150,000  Inouye
 to enhance library services.
Bishop Museum, Honolulu, HI, to          250,000  Inouye
 provide Filipino cultural
 education.
Boston Children's Museum,                200,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Boston, MA, for the
 development of exhibitions.
Dallas, Texas, for the Women's           200,000  Hutchison
 Museum to expand outreach and
 programming efforts.
Des Moines Art Center, Des               350,000  Harkin
 Moines, IA, for exhibits.
Discovery Center of Idaho,               100,000  Crapo
 Boise, Idaho, for exhibit
 displays, education programs
 and acquisition of equipment.
Fairfield County Public                  100,000  Graham
 Library, Winnsboro, SC, for
 acquisition of equipment to
 upgrade the library facilities.
Figge Art Museum, Davenport,             400,000  Harkin
 Iowa, for exhibits, education
 programs, and community
 outreach.
Florida Memorial University,             200,000  Bill Nelson
 Miami Gardens, FL, for
 upgrades to the Nathan W
 Collier Library.
Free Library of Philadelphia             100,000  Specter
 Foundation, Philadelphia, PA,
 for technology upgrades and
 acquisition.
Great Basin College, Elko, NV,           350,000  Reid
 to develop museum exhibits and
 conduct outreach to education
 programs.
Holbrook Public Library,                 150,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 Holbrook, MA, for the
 development of exhibits.
Iowa Radio Reading Information           250,000  Harkin
 Service (IRRIS), Des Moines,
 Iowa, to expand services.
Italian-American Cultural                200,000  Harkin
 Center of Iowa in Des Moines,
 IA for exhibits, multi-media
 collections, display.
James K. Polk Association,               250,000  Alexander
 Columbia, TN, for exhibit
 preparation at Polk
 Presidential Hall.
Kellogg Hubbard Library,                 400,000  Leahy
 Montpelier, VT, for education
 and outreach.
Los Angeles Craft and Folk Art           100,000  Feinstein, Boxer
 Museum, Los Angeles, CA, for
 education and outreach.
Mid-America Arts Alliance,               100,000  Ben Nelson
 Kansas City, MO, for the HELP
 program.
Museum of Afro-American                  250,000  Kennedy, Kerry
 History, Boston, MA, for the
 development of youth
 educational programs.
Museum of Utah Art & History,            250,000  Bennett
 Salt Lake City, Utah, to
 improve technology and exhibit
 preparation.
New York Botanical Garden,               500,000  Clinton, Schumer
 Bronx, NY, for the Virtual
 Herbarium.
Newport News, Virginia, to               150,000  Warner, Webb
 enhance library services.
Oklahoma City National Memorial          100,000  Inhofe
 Foundation, Oklahoma City, OK,
 for educational programs and
 services.
Oklahoma Native American                 100,000  Inhofe
 Cultural and Educational
 Authority, Oklahoma City, OK,
 for exhibits design.
Orem, Utah, for technological            300,000  Bennett, Hatch
 upgrades, equipment and
 resource sharing for the Orem
 public library.
Putnam Museum of History and             400,000  Harkin, Grassley
 Natural Science, Davenport,
 IA, for exhibits and community
 outreach.
Southwest Museum of the                  500,000  Feinstein, Boxer
 American Indian, Los Angeles,
 CA, for the Native American
 Learning Lab.
Texas Historical Commission,             200,000  Hutchison
 Austin, TX, for educational
 programming, outreach, and
 exhibit development.
University of Vermont of                 500,000  Leahy
 Burlington, VT, for a
 digitization project.
Warner Robbins Museum of                 100,000  Chambliss
 Aviation, Warner Robbins, GA,
 for multieducational programs
 and equipment acquisition.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Medicare Payment Advisory Commission

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $12,066,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      10,748,000
Committee recommendation................................      10,748,000

    The Committee recommends $10,748,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission [MedPAC].
    The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission was established by 
Congress as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 
1050933). Congress merged the Physician Payment Review 
Commission with the Prospective Payment Assessment Commission 
to create MedPAC.

        National Commission on Libraries and Information Science

Appropriations, 2007....................................        $989,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................................
Committee recommendation................................         400,000

    The Committee recommends $400,000 for fiscal year 2008 for 
the National Commission on Libraries and Information Science 
[NCLIS]. The administration budget for fiscal year 2008 
requested that NCLIS be eliminated and the activities of the 
Commission be taken over by the Institute for Museum and 
Library Services. The Committee concurs with this request and 
has included $400,000 for close out activities.
    The Commission determined the need for, and made 
recommendations on, library and information services, and 
advised the President and Congress on the development and 
implementation of national policy in library and information 
sciences.

                     National Council on Disability

Appropriations, 2007....................................      $3,426,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................       3,113,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,113,000

    The Committee recommends $3,113,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the National Council on Disability. One time funding was 
included in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriation Act of 
2007 for technical assistance to the Department of Homeland 
Security.
    The Council is mandated to make recommendations to the 
President, the Congress, the Rehabilitation Services 
Administration, and the National Institute on Disability and 
Rehabilitation Research, on the public issues of concern to 
individuals with disabilities. The Council gathers information 
on the implementation, effectiveness, and impact of the 
Americans with Disabilities Act and looks at emerging policy 
issues as they affect persons with disabilities and their 
ability to enter or reenter the Nation's work force and to live 
independently.

                     National Labor Relations Board

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $251,507,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     256,238,000
Committee recommendation................................     256,988,000

    The Committee recommends $256,988,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the National Labor Relations Board [NLRB].
    The NLRB is a law enforcement agency which adjudicates 
disputes under the National Labor Relations Act.
    The mission of the NLRB is to carry out the statutory 
responsibilities of the National Labor Relations Act as 
efficiently as possible and in a manner that gives full effect 
to the rights afforded to employees, unions, and employers 
under the act.

                        National Mediation Board

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $11,596,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      12,242,000
Committee recommendation................................      12,992,000

    The Committee recommends $12,992,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the National Mediation Board [NMB].
    The National Mediation Board protects interstate commerce 
as it mediates labor-management relations in the railroad and 
airline industries under the Railway Labor Act. The Board 
mediates collective bargaining disputes, determines the choice 
of employee bargaining representatives through elections, and 
administers arbitration of employee grievances.
    The Committee is deeply concerned that it takes the NMB 
arbiters 30 months on average to resolve a case. The Committee 
finds it equally distressing that the funding for arbitration 
cases routinely runs out several months before the end of the 
fiscal year. The Committee concludes that the administration 
has repeatedly underestimated the funding necessary to fulfill 
the arbitration portion of the NMB's mission. Therefore, within 
the funds provided, $750,000 is to specifically address the 
backlog of cases held by the NMB. The Committee directs the NMB 
to provide detailed information as to how these funds are used 
and their impact on the backlog in the fiscal year 2009 budget 
justification.

            Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $10,471,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      10,696,000
Committee recommendation................................      10,696,000

    The Committee recommends $10,696,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.
    The Commission serves as a court to justly and 
expeditiously resolve disputes between the Occupational Safety 
and Health Administration [OSHA] and employers charged with 
violations of health and safety standards enforced by OSHA.

                       Railroad Retirement Board

                     DUAL BENEFITS PAYMENTS ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $88,000,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      79,000,000
Committee recommendation................................      79,000,000

    The Committee recommends $79,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Dual Benefits Payments Account, of these funds 
$6,000,000 is from income taxes on vested dual benefits.
    This appropriation provides for vested dual benefit 
payments authorized by the Railroad Retirement Act of 1974, as 
amended by the Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1981. This 
separate account, established for the payment of dual benefits, 
is funded by general fund appropriations and income tax 
receipts of vested dual benefits.

          FEDERAL PAYMENTS TO THE RAILROAD RETIREMENT ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2007....................................        $150,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................         150,000
Committee recommendation................................         150,000

    The Committee recommends $150,000 for fiscal year 2008 for 
interest earned on non-negotiated checks.

                      LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2007....................................    $103,694,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................     103,518,000
Committee recommendation................................     103,694,000

    The Committee recommends $103,694,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the administration of railroad retirement/survivor benefit 
programs.
    The Board administers comprehensive retirement-survivor and 
unemployment-sickness insurance benefit programs for the 
Nation's railroad workers and their families. This account 
limits the amount of funds in the railroad retirement and 
railroad unemployment insurance trust funds which may be used 
by the Board for administrative expenses.
    The Committee has included language to prohibit funds from 
the railroad retirement trust fund from being spent on any 
charges over and above the actual cost of administering the 
trust fund, including commercial rental rates.

           LIMITATION ON THE OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2007....................................      $7,173,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................       7,606,000
Committee recommendation................................       8,000,000

    The Committee recommends $8,000,000 for fiscal year 2008 
for the Office of the Inspector General.
    The Committee has included bill language to allow the 
Office of the Inspector General to use funds to conduct audits, 
investigations, and reviews of the Medicare program. The 
Committee finds that as long as the RRB has the authority to 
negotiate and administer the separate Medicare contract, the 
RRB Inspector General should not be prohibited from using funds 
to review, audit, or investigate the Railroad Retirement 
Board's separate Medicare contract.

                     Social Security Administration

                PAYMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $20,470,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      28,140,000
Committee recommendation................................      28,140,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $28,140,000 
for payments to Social Security trust funds. The comparable 
fiscal year 2007 funding level is $20,470,000 and the budget 
request includes $28,140,000 for this purpose. This amount 
reimburses the old age and survivors and disability insurance 
trust funds for special payments to certain uninsured persons, 
costs incurred administering pension reform activities, and the 
value of the interest for benefit checks issued but not 
negotiated. This appropriation restores the trust funds to the 
same financial position they would have been in had they not 
borne these costs, properly charged to the general funds.

                      SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

Appropriations, 2007.................................... $29,071,169,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................  26,911,000,000
Committee recommendation................................  26,959,000,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of 
$26,959,000,000 for supplemental security income. This is in 
addition to the $16,810,000,000 appropriated last year as an 
advance for the first quarter of fiscal year 2008. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $29,071,169,000 
and the budget request includes $26,911,000,000. The Committee 
also recommends an advance appropriation of $14,800,000,000 for 
the first quarter of fiscal year 2009 to ensure uninterrupted 
benefits payments. The program level supported by the Committee 
recommendation is $43,769,000,000, compared to the total 
program level requested in the budget of $43,721,000,000.
    These funds are used to pay benefits under the SSI Program, 
which was established to ensure a Federal minimum monthly 
benefit for aged, blind, and disabled individuals, enabling 
them to meet basic needs. It is estimated that approximately 7 
million persons will receive SSI benefits each month during 
fiscal year 2008. In many cases, SSI benefits supplement income 
from other sources, including Social Security benefits. The 
funds are also used to reimburse the Social Security trust 
funds for the administrative costs for the program with a final 
settlement by the end of the subsequent fiscal year as required 
by law, to reimburse vocational rehabilitation agencies for 
costs incurred in successfully rehabilitating SSI recipients 
and for research and demonstration projects.

Beneficiary Services

    The Committee recommends $36,000,000 for beneficiary 
services, as proposed in the budget request. The availability 
of carryover budget authority allowed the Congress not to 
provide additional resources for this activity in fiscal year 
2007. This amount is available for payments to Employment 
Networks for successful outcomes or milestone payments under 
the Ticket to Work program and for reimbursement of State 
vocational rehabilitation agencies and alternate public or 
private providers.

Research and Demonstration Projects

    The Committee recommendation includes $28,000,000 for 
research and demonstration projects conducted under sections 
1110 and 1115 of the Social Security Act. The comparable fiscal 
year 2007 funding level and the budget request both are 
$27,000,000 for authorized activities.
    This amount will support SSA's efforts to strengthen its 
policy evaluation capability and focus on research of: program 
issues, the impact of demographic changes on future workloads 
and effective return-to-work strategies for disabled 
beneficiaries.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 to support 
activities of the National Center on Senior Benefits Outreach 
and Enrollment within the Administration on Aging [AOA]. SSA is 
directed to coordinate with AoA to utilize cost effective 
strategies to find and enroll those with greatest need in 
income maintenance, health and human services programs for 
which they are eligible.

Administration

    The Committee recommendation includes $3,030,000,000 for 
payment to the Social Security trust funds for the SSI 
Program's share of SSA's base administrative expenses. The 
comparable fiscal year 2007 amount is $2,950,169,000 and the 
budget request includes $2,983,000,000 for such activities.

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2007....................................  $9,295,573,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................   9,596,953,000
Committee recommendation................................   9,721,953,000

    The Committee recommends a program funding level of 
$9,721,953,000 for the limitation on administrative expenses. 
The comparable fiscal year 2007 funding level is $9,295,573,000 
and the budget request includes $9,596,953,000 for this 
purpose.
    This account provides resources from the Social Security 
trust funds to administer the Social Security retirement and 
survivors and disability insurance programs, and certain Social 
Security health insurance functions. As authorized by law, it 
also provides resources from the trust funds for certain 
nontrust fund administrative costs, which are reimbursed from 
the general funds. These include administration of the 
supplemental security income program for the aged, blind, and 
disabled; work associated with the Pension Reform Act of 1984; 
and the portion of the annual wage reporting work done by the 
Social Security Administration for the benefit of the Internal 
Revenue Service. The dollars provided also support automated 
data processing activities and fund the State disability 
determination services which make initial and continuing 
disability determinations on behalf of the Social Security 
Administration. Additionally, the limitation provides funding 
for computer support, and other administrative costs.
    The Committee recommendation includes $9,372,953,000 for 
routine operating expenses of the agency, as well as the 
resources related to program integrity activities and those 
derived from the user fees discussed below.
    The Committee recommends $125,000,000 more than the budget 
request to ensure that the backlog of disability claims will 
decrease, as opposed to increase as assumed under the budget 
request. The Committee is concerned that over the past several 
years resource limitations, increasing legislative mandates and 
ineffective administrative reform efforts have created a 
situation where the number of cases awaiting a hearing decision 
stands at 738,000, leading to average waiting times of 505 
days, the highest ever in SSA history. The Committee requests a 
letter report not later than August 24, 2007, on current and 
planned initiatives to improve the disability process, 
including the status and results of the disability service 
improvement process being piloted in the New England region and 
efforts to improve the hearing process.
    The budget request includes bill language earmarking not 
less than $263,970,000 of funds available within this account 
for continuing disability reviews and redeterminations of 
eligibility under Social Security's disability programs. An 
additional $213,000,000 earmark for continuing disability 
reviews and redeterminations of eligibility also was proposed 
in the budget request. The Committee recommendation includes 
the requested resources and earmarking language.
    Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention have reported that Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is as 
disabling as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, end-stage 
renal failure, and multiple sclerosis. The Committee has 
encouraged SSA officials to continue the education of 
adjudicators at all levels about the functional impact of CFS 
to ensure that they remain up to date on the appropriate 
evaluation of disability that results from this condition. 
Within 60 days of enactment of this act, the Committee requests 
a report from SSA on these ongoing educational activities as 
well any plans to update the existing policy ruling on CFS, SSR 
99-2p.

Social Security Advisory Board

    The Committee has included not less than $2,000,000 within 
the limitation on administrative expenses account for the 
Social Security Advisory Board for fiscal year 2008.

User Fees

    In addition to other amounts provided, the Committee 
recommends $136,000,000 for administrative activities funded 
from user fees. Of this amount, $135,000,000 is derived from 
fees paid to SSA by States that request SSA to administer State 
SSI supplementary payments. The remaining $1,000,000 will be 
generated from a fee payment process for non-attorney 
representatives of claimants.

                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2007....................................     $92,051,000
Budget estimate, 2008...................................      95,047,000
Committee recommendation................................      96,047,000

    The Committee recommends $96,047,000 for activities for the 
Office of the Inspector General. The comparable fiscal year 
2007 funding level is $92,051,000 and the budget request 
includes $95,047,000 for this office. This includes a general 
fund appropriation of $28,000,000 together with an obligation 
limitation of $68,047,000 from the Federal old-age and 
survivors insurance trust fund and the Federal disability 
insurance trust fund.

                      TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    The Committee recommendation includes provisions which: 
authorize transfers of unexpended balances (sec. 501); limit 
funding to 1 year availability unless otherwise specified (sec. 
502); limit lobbying and related activities (sec. 503); limit 
official representation expenses (sec. 504); prohibit funding 
of any program to carry out distribution of sterile needles for 
the hypodermic injection of any illegal drug (sec. 505); 
clarify Federal funding as a component of State and local grant 
funds (sec. 506); limit use of funds for abortion (sec. 507 and 
sec. 508); restrict human embryo research (sec. 509); limit the 
use of funds for promotion of legalization of controlled 
substances included last year (sec. 510); prohibits the use of 
funds to promulgate regulations regarding the individual health 
identifier (sec. 511); limits use of funds to enter into or 
review contracts with entities subject to the requirement in 
section 4212(d) of title 38, United States Code, if the report 
required by that section has not been submitted (sec. 512); 
prohibits transfer of funds made available in this Act to any 
department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. Government, 
except as otherwise provided by this or any other act (sec. 
513); prohibits Federal funding in this act for libraries and 
elementary and secondary schools unless they are in compliance 
with the Children's Internet Protection Act (sec. 514 and sec. 
515); prohibits funds for the Railroad Retirement Board from 
being used for a non-governmental disbursing agent (sec. 516); 
maintains a provision clarifying procedures for reprogramming 
of funds (sec. 517); prohibits candidates for scientific 
advisory committees from having to disclose their political 
activities (sec. 518); includes a new provision that requires 
the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education to submit a report on the number and amounts of 
contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements awarded by the 
Departments on a non-competitive basis (sec. 519); and includes 
a new provision that sets a new eligibility cut-off date for 
federally funded research on human embryonic stem cells (sec. 
520).

                                            BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL
  PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
                                                     AMENDED
                                            [In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  Budget authority               Outlays
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                               Committee    Amount  of   Committee    Amount  of
                                                               allocation      bill      allocation      bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee allocations
 to its subcommittees of budget totals for 2008:
 Subcommittee on Labor, HHS, Education:
    Mandatory...............................................      455,281      455,281      455,156  \1\ 455,156
    Discretionary...........................................      149,236      149,872      147,183  \1\ 147,553
Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation:
    2008....................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........  \2\ 512,978
    2009....................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........       65,622
    2010....................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........       14,711
    2011....................................................  ...........  ...........  ...........        3,331
    2012 and future years...................................  ...........  ...........  ...........          659
Financial assistance to State and local governments for                NA      275,018           NA      238,532
 2008.......................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\ Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

NA: Not applicable.
NOTE.--Consistent with the funding recommended in the bill for continuing disability reviews and Supplemental
  Security Income [SSI] redeterminations, control of health care fraud and abuse, and reviews of improper
  unemployment insurance payments, and in accordance with subparagraphs A, C, and D of section 207(c)(2) of
  Senate Concurrent Resolution 21 (110th Congress), the Committee anticipates that the Budget Committee will
  file a revised section 302(a) allocation for the Committee on Appropriations reflecting an upward adjustment
  of $636,000,000 in budget authority and associated outlays.

  COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI, OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee report on 
general appropriations bills identify each Committee amendment 
to the House bill ``which proposes an item of appropriation 
which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing 
law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously 
passed by the Senate during that session.''
    The Committee is filing an original bill, which is not 
covered under this rule, but reports this information in the 
spirit of full disclosure.
    The Committee recommends funding for the following programs 
and activities which currently lack authorization: Workforce 
Investment Act; Trade Act of 2002; Homeless Veterans 
Reintegration program; Title VII of the Public Health Services 
Act; Title VIII of the Public Health Services Act; Traumatic 
Brain Injury Programs; Universal Newborn Hearing Screening; 
Organ Transplantation; Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants; 
Denali Commission; Family Planning; State Offices of Rural 
Health; Rural and Community Access to Emergency Devices; health 
centers; National Health Service Corps; Healthy Start; 
telehealth; Infectious Diseases; Health Promotion; Birth 
Defects; Health Information and Services; Environmental Health 
and Injury; Occupational Safety and Health; Global Health; 
Public Health Research; Public Health Improvement and 
Leadership; Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant; 
CDC Business Services; Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Programs, except for Stop Act programs; Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality; Low Income Home Energy 
Assistance Program; Refugee and Entrant Assistance programs; 
Adoption Awareness; Child Care and Development Block Grant; 
Head Start; Developmental Disabilities; Native American 
Programs; Community Services Block Grant; Rural Facilities; 
Individual Development Accounts; Community Economic 
Development; Alzheimer's Disease Demonstration Grants; Title V 
of the Public Health Services Act; Adolescent Family Life; 
Office of Minority Health; Office of Disease Prevention 
Services; Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research, 
except sections 4, 5 and 6 of the Assistive Technology Program; 
Higher Education Act; National Technical Institute for the 
Deaf; Gallaudet University; Corporation for National and 
Community Service; and National Council on Disability.

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(C), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on June 21, 2007, 
the Committee ordered reported en bloc an original bill (S. 
1710) making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies 
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and authorized 
the chairman of the committee or the chairman of the 
subcommittee to offer the text of the Senate bill as a 
committee amendment in the nature of a substitute to the House 
companion measure, with the bill subject to amendment and 
subject to the budget allocations, by a recorded vote of 26-3, 
a quorum being present. The vote was as follows:
        Yeas                          Nays
Chairman Byrd                       Mr. Nelson
Mr. Inouye                          Mr. Gregg
Mr. Leahy                           Mr. Brownback
Mr. Harkin
Ms. Mikulski
Mr. Kohl
Mrs. Murray
Mr. Dorgan
Mrs. Feinstein
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Johnson
Ms. Landrieu
Mr. Reed
Mr. Lautenberg
Mr. Cochran
Mr. Stevens
Mr. Specter
Mr. Domenici
Mr. Bond
Mr. McConnell
Mr. Shelby
Mr. Bennett
Mr. Craig
Mrs. Hutchison
Mr. Allard
Mr. Alexander

 COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE 
                                 SENATE

    Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports 
on a bill or a joint resolution repealing or amending any 
statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or part thereof 
which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a comparative print 
of that part of the bill or joint resolution making the 
amendment and of the statute or part thereof proposed to be 
amended, showing by stricken through type and italics, parallel 
columns, or other appropriate typographical devices the 
omissions and insertions which would be made by the bill or 
joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by the 
committee.''
    The Committee bill as recommended contains no such 
provisions.

  COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2007 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
                                                                        YEAR 2008
                                                                [In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                        Senate Committee recommendation
                                                                                                        Committee           compared with (+ or -)
                             Item                                2007 comparable   Budget estimate   recommendation  -----------------------------------
                                                                                                                       2007 comparable   Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

            EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION

               TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

Grants to States:
    Adult Training, current year..............................          152,199   ................          152,199   ................         +152,199
        Advance from prior year...............................         (712,000)         (712,000)         (712,000)  ................  ................
        Fiscal year 2009......................................          712,000           712,000           712,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

          Adult Training......................................          864,199           712,000           864,199   ................         +152,199

    Youth Training............................................          940,500           840,500           940,500   ................         +100,000

    Dislocated Worker Assistance, current year................          341,811            54,939           341,811   ................         +286,872
        Advance from prior year...............................         (848,000)         (848,000)         (848,000)  ................  ................
        Fiscal year 2009......................................          848,000           848,000           848,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Dislocated Worker Assistance........................        1,189,811           902,939         1,189,811   ................         +286,872
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Subtotal, Grants to States........................        2,994,510         2,455,439         2,994,510   ................         +539,071

                Current Year..................................       (1,434,510)         (895,439)       (1,434,510)  ................        (+539,071)
                Fiscal year 2009..............................       (1,560,000)       (1,560,000)       (1,560,000)  ................  ................

Federally Administered Programs:
    Dislocated Worker Assistance National Reserve:
        Current year..........................................           70,092   ................           70,092   ................          +70,092
        Advance from prior year...............................         (212,000)         (212,000)         (212,000)  ................  ................
        Fiscal year 2009......................................          212,000           212,000           212,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Dislocated Worker Assistance Nat'l Reserve..........          282,092           212,000           282,092   ................          +70,092
        Less funding reserved for Community College Initiative        (-125,000)  ................        (-125,000)  ................        (-125,000)
         (NA).................................................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Dislocated Worker Assistance Nat'l Reserve..........          157,092           212,000           157,092   ................          -54,908
    Native Americans Programs.................................           53,696            45,000            53,696   ................           +8,696
    Migrant and Seasonal Farmworkers Programs.................           79,752   ................           79,752   ................          +79,752
    Women in Apprenticeship...................................            1,000   ................            1,000   ................           +1,000
    YouthBuild................................................           49,500            50,000            65,000           +15,500           +15,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      Subtotal, Federally Administered Programs...............          466,040           307,000           481,540           +15,500          +174,540
          Current Year........................................         (254,040)          (95,000)         (269,540)         (+15,500)        (+174,540)
          Fiscal year 2009....................................         (212,000)         (212,000)         (212,000)  ................  ................

    National Activities:
        Pilots, Demonstrations and Research...................           14,700            13,000            30,650           +15,950           +17,650
        Responsible Reintegration of Youthful Offender........           49,104   ................           55,000            +5,896           +55,000
        Prisoner Re-entry.....................................           19,642   ................  ................          -19,642   ................
        Reintegration of Ex-offenders.........................  ................           39,600            13,642           +13,642           -25,958
        Evaluation............................................            4,921             7,000             4,921   ................           -2,079
        Community College initiative..........................  ................          150,000   ................  ................         -150,000
            Community College initiative (NA) \1\.............         (125,000)  ................         (125,000)  ................        (+125,000)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Subtotal, CC initiative, program level..........          125,000           150,000           125,000   ................          -25,000

        Denali Commission.....................................            6,875   ................            6,875   ................           +6,875
        Other.................................................              480   ................  ................             -480   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, National activities.......................           95,722           209,600           111,088           +15,366           -98,512
                                                               =========================================================================================
          Total, Training and Employment Services.............        3,556,272         2,972,039         3,587,138           +30,866          +615,099
              Current Year....................................       (1,784,272)       (1,200,039)       (1,815,138)         (+30,866)        (+615,099)
              Fiscal year 2009................................       (1,772,000)       (1,772,000)       (1,772,000)  ................  ................

COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS..............          483,611           350,000           483,611   ................         +133,611
FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES..................          837,600           888,700           888,700           +51,100   ................

STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS

Unemployment Insurance (UI):
    State Operations..........................................        2,497,770         2,510,723         2,510,723           +12,953   ................
    Additional UI Program Integrity...........................  ................           40,000            40,000           +40,000   ................
    National Activities.......................................            9,900            10,500            10,500              +600   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Unemployment Insurance........................        2,507,670         2,561,223         2,561,223           +53,553   ................

Employment Service:
    Allotments to States:
        Federal Funds.........................................           22,883            22,016            22,883   ................             +867
        Trust Funds...........................................          693,000           666,763           693,000   ................          +26,237
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, allotments to States......................          715,883           688,779           715,883   ................          +27,104
    ES National Activities....................................           33,428            32,766            34,000              +572            +1,234
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Subtotal, Employment Service............................          749,311           721,545           749,883              +572           +28,338
          Federal Funds.......................................           22,883            22,016            22,883   ................             +867
          Trust Funds.........................................          726,428           699,529           727,000              +572           +27,471

One-Stop Career Centers/Labor Market Information..............           63,855            55,985            55,985            -7,870   ................
Work Incentives Grants........................................           19,514   ................           19,541               +27           +19,541
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, State Unemployment & Employment Srvcs............        3,340,350         3,338,753         3,386,632           +46,282           +47,879
          Federal Funds.......................................          106,252            78,001            98,409            -7,843           +20,408
          Trust Funds.........................................       (3,234,098)       (3,260,752)       (3,288,223)         (+54,125)         (+27,471)

ADVANCES TO THE UI AND OTHER TRUST FUNDS......................          465,000           437,000           437,000           -28,000   ................

                    PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

Adult Employment and Training.................................           43,442            45,593            44,593            +1,151            -1,000
    Trust Funds...............................................            7,846             8,283             7,846   ................             -437
Youth Employment and Training \2\.............................           39,354            40,311            11,439           -27,915           -28,872
Employment Security...........................................            6,354             6,376             6,376               +22   ................
    Trust Funds...............................................           72,113            84,436            84,436           +12,323   ................
Apprenticeship Services.......................................           21,542            21,725            21,725              +183   ................
Executive Direction \2\.......................................            6,967             7,250             7,000               +33              -250
    Trust Funds...............................................            2,090             2,188             2,090   ................              -98
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Program Administration...........................          199,708           216,162           185,505           -14,203           -30,657
          Federal Funds.......................................          117,659           121,255            91,133           -26,526           -30,122
          Trust Funds.........................................           82,049            94,907            94,372           +12,323              -535
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Employment and Training Administration...........        8,882,541         8,202,654         8,968,586           +86,045          +765,932
          Federal Funds.......................................        5,566,394         4,846,995         5,585,991           +19,597          +738,996
              Current Year....................................       (3,794,394)       (3,074,995)       (3,813,991)         (+19,597)        (+738,996)
              Fiscal year 2009................................       (1,772,000)       (1,772,000)       (1,772,000)  ................  ................
          Trust Funds.........................................        3,316,147         3,355,659         3,382,595           +66,448           +26,936

           EMPLOYEE BENEFITS SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

                     SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Enforcement and Participant Assistance........................          118,718           123,163           119,000              +282            -4,163
Policy and Compliance Assistance..............................           17,585            18,315            18,315              +730   ................
Executive Leadership, Program Oversight and Admin.............            5,270             5,947             5,947              +677   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, EBSA.............................................          141,573           147,425           143,262            +1,689            -4,163

             PENSION BENEFIT GUARANTY CORPORATION

Pension insurance activities..................................          (80,357)          (74,784)          (74,784)          (-5,573)  ................
Pension plan termination......................................         (128,466)         (205,158)         (205,158)         (+76,692)  ................
Operational support...........................................         (196,567)         (131,209)         (131,209)         (-65,358)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, PBGC (Program level).............................         (405,390)         (411,151)         (411,151)          (+5,761)  ................

              EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS ADMINISTRATION

                     SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Enforcement of Wage and Hour Standards........................          170,220           182,365           184,365           +14,145            +2,000
Office of Labor-Management Standards..........................           47,753            56,888            45,737            -2,016           -11,151
Federal Contractor EEO Standards Enforcement..................           82,441            84,182            84,182            +1,741   ................
Federal Programs for Workers' Compensation....................          100,889           104,478           104,478            +3,589   ................
    Trust Funds...............................................            2,042             2,111             2,111               +69   ................
Program Direction and Support.................................           17,526            17,635            17,635              +109   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, ESA salaries and expenses........................          420,871           447,659           438,508           +17,637            -9,151
          Federal Funds.......................................          418,829           445,548           436,397           +17,568            -9,151
          Trust Funds.........................................            2,042             2,111             2,111               +69   ................

                       SPECIAL BENEFITS

Federal employees compensation benefits.......................          224,000           200,000           200,000           -24,000   ................
Longshore and harbor workers' benefits........................            3,000             3,000             3,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Special Benefits.................................          227,000           203,000           203,000           -24,000   ................

           SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS

Benefit payments..............................................          298,000           271,000           271,000           -27,000   ................
Administration................................................            5,373             5,221             5,221              -152   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, fiscal year 2008 program level................          303,373           276,221           276,221           -27,152   ................
          Less funds advanced in prior year...................          -74,000           -68,000           -68,000            +6,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Current Year, fiscal year 2008...................          229,373           208,221           208,221           -21,152   ................
          New advances, 1st quarter fiscal year 2009..........           68,000            62,000            62,000            -6,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners........          297,373           270,221           270,221           -27,152   ................

Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Fund,                102,307           104,745           104,745            +2,438   ................
 Administrative Expenses......................................

               BLACK LUNG DISABILITY TRUST FUND

Benefit payments and interest on advances.....................        1,010,011         1,009,763         1,009,763              -248   ................
Employment Standards Admin., Salaries and expenses............           33,578            32,761            32,761              -817   ................
Departmental Management, Salaries and expenses................           25,255            24,785            24,785              -470   ................
Departmental Management, Inspector General....................              346               335               335               -11   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Black Lung Disability.........................        1,069,190         1,067,644         1,067,644            -1,546   ................

Treasury Department Administrative Costs......................              356               356               356   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.................        1,069,546         1,068,000         1,068,000            -1,546   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Employment Standards Administration..............        2,117,097         2,093,625         2,084,474           -32,623            -9,151
          Federal Funds.......................................        2,115,055         2,091,514         2,082,363           -32,692            -9,151
              Current year....................................       (2,047,055)       (2,029,514)       (2,020,363)         (-26,692)          (-9,151)
              Fiscal year 2009................................          (68,000)          (62,000)          (62,000)          (-6,000)  ................
          Trust Funds.........................................            2,042             2,111             2,111               +69   ................

         OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

                     SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Safety and Health Standards...................................           16,892            16,851            16,892   ................              +41
Federal Enforcement...........................................          176,973           183,046           188,005           +11,032            +4,959
State Programs................................................           91,093            91,093            91,093   ................  ................
Technical Support.............................................           22,392            22,066            22,066              -326   ................

Compliance Assistance:
    Federal Assistance........................................           72,659            79,607            72,659   ................           -6,948
    State Consultation Grants.................................           53,357            54,531            54,531            +1,174   ................
    Training Grants...........................................           10,116   ................           10,116   ................          +10,116
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Compliance Assistance.........................          136,132           134,138           137,306            +1,174            +3,168

Safety and Health Statistics..................................           32,274            32,082            32,082              -192   ................
Executive Direction and Administration........................           11,169            11,001            11,001              -168   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, OSHA.............................................          486,925           490,277           498,445           +11,520            +8,168

             MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

                     SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Coal Enforcement..............................................          120,396           140,620           147,420           +27,024            +6,800
Metal/Non-Metal Enforcement...................................           72,506            72,290            72,690              +184              +400
Standards Development.........................................            2,727             2,737             3,237              +510              +500
Assessments...................................................            6,556             5,743             6,243              -313              +500
Educational Policy and Development............................           35,326            34,256            37,256            +1,930            +3,000
Technical Support.............................................           29,237            28,200            30,000              +763            +1,800
Program evaluation and information resources (PEIR)...........           21,185            16,219            16,219            -4,966   ................
Program Administration........................................           13,637            13,413            16,963            +3,326            +3,550
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Mine Safety and Health Administration............          301,570           313,478           330,028           +28,458           +16,550

                  BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS

                     SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Employment and Unemployment Statistics........................          169,722           175,320           174,320            +4,598            -1,000
Labor Market Information......................................           77,067            78,264            78,000              +933              -264
Prices and Cost of Living.....................................          177,847           192,149           178,992            +1,145           -13,157
Compensation and Working Conditions...........................           81,658            84,859            85,859            +4,201            +1,000
Productivity and Technology...................................           11,063            11,332            11,063   ................             -269
Executive Direction and Staff Services........................           30,766            32,519            31,766            +1,000              -753
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Bureau of Labor Statistics.......................          548,123           574,443           560,000           +11,877           -14,443
          Federal Funds.......................................          471,056           496,179           482,000           +10,944           -14,179
          Trust Funds.........................................           77,067            78,264            78,000              +933              -264

            OFFICE OF DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT POLICY

Salaries and expenses.........................................           27,712            18,602            27,712   ................           +9,110

                    DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

                     SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Executive Direction...........................................           28,189            28,680            28,680              +491   ................
Departmental IT Crosscut......................................           29,462            31,405            22,000            -7,462            -9,405
Departmental Management Crosscut..............................            1,108               750               750              -358   ................
Legal Services................................................           85,488            95,162            95,162            +9,674   ................
    Trust Funds...............................................              308               318               318               +10   ................
International Labor Affairs...................................           72,516            14,097            82,516           +10,000           +68,419
Administration and Management.................................           32,865            33,362            33,362              +497   ................
Adjudication..................................................           27,537            28,289            28,289              +752   ................
Women's Bureau................................................            9,666             9,832            10,300              +634              +468
Civil Rights Activities.......................................            6,445             6,763             6,763              +318   ................
Chief Financial Officer.......................................            5,336             5,578             5,578              +242   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Salaries and expenses............................          298,920           254,236           313,718           +14,798           +59,482
          Federal Funds.......................................          298,612           253,918           313,400           +14,788           +59,482
          Trust Funds.........................................              308               318               318               +10   ................

                    OFFICE OF JOB CORPS \3\

Administration \2\............................................  ................  ................           28,872           +28,872           +28,872
Operations....................................................          879,357           831,372           925,000           +45,643           +93,628
        Advance from prior year...............................         (591,000)         (591,000)         (591,000)  ................  ................
        Fiscal year 2009......................................          591,000           591,000           591,000   ................  ................

    Construction and Renovation...............................            7,920   ................           15,000            +7,080           +15,000
        Advance from prior year...............................         (100,000)         (100,000)         (100,000)  ................  ................
        Fiscal year 2009......................................          100,000           100,000           100,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Total, Job Corps....................................        1,578,277         1,522,372         1,659,872           +81,595          +137,500

               VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

State administration, Grants..................................          160,791           161,894           161,894            +1,103   ................
Federal Administration........................................           31,187            33,282            33,282            +2,095   ................
National Veterans' Training Institute.........................            1,967             1,949             1,967   ................              +18
Homeless Veterans Program.....................................           21,809            23,620            23,620            +1,811   ................
Veterans Workforce Investment Programs........................            7,435             7,351             7,435   ................              +84
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Veterans Employment and Training.................          223,189           228,096           228,198            +5,009              +102
          Federal Funds.......................................           29,244            30,971            31,055            +1,811               +84
          Trust Funds.........................................          193,945           197,125           197,143            +3,198               +18

                  OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Program Activities............................................           67,214            72,929            73,929            +6,715            +1,000
    Trust Funds...............................................            5,552             5,729             5,729              +177   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Office of Inspector General......................           72,766            78,658            79,658            +6,892            +1,000
          Federal funds.......................................           67,214            72,929            73,929            +6,715            +1,000
          Trust funds.........................................            5,552             5,729             5,729              +177   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Departmental Management..........................        2,173,152         2,083,362         2,281,446          +108,294          +198,084
          Federal Funds.......................................        1,973,347         1,880,190         2,078,256          +104,909          +198,066
          Current Year........................................       (1,282,347)       (1,189,190)       (1,387,256)        (+104,909)        (+198,066)
          Fiscal year 2009....................................         (691,000)         (691,000)         (691,000)  ................  ................
          Trust Funds.........................................          199,805           203,172           203,190            +3,385               +18

                     WORKING CAPITAL FUND

Working capital fund..........................................            6,168            12,000   ................           -6,168           -12,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Title I, Department of Labor.....................       14,684,861        13,935,866        14,893,953          +209,092          +958,087
          Federal Funds.......................................       11,089,800        10,296,660        11,228,057          +138,257          +931,397
              Current Year....................................       (8,558,800)       (7,771,660)       (8,703,057)        (+144,257)        (+931,397)
              Fiscal year 2009................................       (2,531,000)       (2,525,000)       (2,525,000)          (-6,000)  ................
          Trust Funds.........................................        3,595,061         3,639,206         3,665,896           +70,835           +26,690

       TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

         HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

                 HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES

                 BUREAU OF PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

Community health centers......................................        1,988,039         1,988,467         2,238,039          +250,000          +249,572
Free Clinics Medical Malpractice..............................               41               100                40                -1               -60
National Hansen's Disease Services............................           15,972            16,109            16,500              +528              +391
    Buildings and Facilities..................................              220               100               220   ................             +120
Payment to Hawaii, treatment of Hansen's......................            1,996             1,976             1,996   ................              +20
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Bureau of Primary Health Care.................        2,006,268         2,006,752         2,256,795          +250,527          +250,043

                 BUREAU OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

National Health Service Corps:
    Field placements..........................................           40,443            30,729            40,443   ................           +9,714
    Recruitment...............................................           85,230            85,230            85,230   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, National Health Service Corps.................          125,673           115,959           125,673   ................           +9,714

                      HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Training for Diversity:
    Centers of excellence.....................................           11,880   ................           11,880   ................          +11,880
    Health careers opportunity program........................            3,960   ................            3,960   ................           +3,960
    Faculty loan repayment....................................            1,289   ................            1,289   ................           +1,289
    Scholarships for disadvantaged students...................           46,657             9,733            46,657   ................          +36,924
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Training for Diversity........................           63,786             9,733            63,786   ................          +54,053

Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry...............           48,851   ................           48,851   ................          +48,851

Interdisciplinary Community-Based Linkages:
    Area health education centers.............................           28,681   ................           28,681   ................          +28,681
    Allied health and other disciplines.......................            3,960   ................            5,960            +2,000            +5,960
    Geriatric education.......................................           31,548   ................           31,548   ................          +31,548
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Interdisciplinary Comm. Linkages..............           64,189   ................           66,189            +2,000           +66,189

Public health, preventive med. and dental programs............            7,920   ................            8,920            +1,000            +8,920

Nursing Programs:
    Advanced Education Nursing................................           57,061   ................           68,889           +11,828           +68,889
    Nurse education, practice, and retention..................           37,291            37,291            37,291   ................  ................
    Nursing workforce diversity...............................           16,107            16,107            16,107   ................  ................
    Loan repayment and scholarship program....................           31,055            43,744            36,000            +4,945            -7,744
    Comprehensive geriatric education.........................            3,392             3,392             3,392   ................  ................
    Nursing faculty loan program..............................            4,773             4,773             8,000            +3,227            +3,227
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Nursing programs..............................          149,679           105,307           169,679           +20,000           +64,372
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Subtotal, Health Professions............................          334,425           115,040           357,425           +23,000          +242,385

Children's Hospitals Graduate Medical Education...............          297,009           110,018           200,000           -97,009           +89,982
National Practitioner Data Bank...............................           16,200            18,900            18,900            +2,700   ................
    User Fees.................................................          -16,200           -18,900           -18,900            -2,700   ................
Health Care Integrity and Protection Data Bank................            3,825   ................            3,825   ................           +3,825
    User Fees.................................................           -3,825   ................           -3,825   ................           -3,825
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Bureau of Health Professions..................          757,107           341,017           683,098           -74,009          +342,081

               MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH BUREAU

Maternal and Child Health Block Grant.........................          673,000           673,000           673,000   ................  ................
Autism and Other Developmental Disorders \4\..................           20,000            20,000            37,000           +17,000           +17,000
Sickle cell anemia demonstration program......................            2,180             2,184             3,180            +1,000              +996
Traumatic Brain Injury........................................            8,910   ................           10,000            +1,090           +10,000
Healthy Start.................................................          101,518           100,503           101,518   ................           +1,015
Universal Newborn Hearing.....................................            9,804   ................           12,000            +2,196           +12,000
Emergency medical services for children.......................           19,800   ................           20,000              +200           +20,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Maternal and Child Health Bureau..............          835,212           795,687           856,698           +21,486           +61,011

                        HIV/AIDS BUREAU

Ryan White AIDS Programs:
    Emergency Assistance......................................          603,993           603,993           603,993   ................  ................
    Comprehensive Care Programs...............................        1,195,500         1,215,518         1,225,518           +30,018           +10,000
        AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) (NA)..............         (789,546)         (814,546)         (814,546)         (+25,000)  ................
    Early Intervention Program................................          193,722           199,821           193,622              -100            -6,199
    Children, Youth, Women, and Families......................           71,794            71,794            75,000            +3,206            +3,206
    AIDS Dental Services......................................           13,086            13,086            13,086   ................  ................
    Education and Training Centers............................           34,700            28,700            34,700   ................           +6,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Ryan White AIDS programs......................        2,112,795         2,132,912         2,145,919           +33,124           +13,007
    Evaluation Tap Funding (NA)...............................          (25,000)          (25,000)          (25,000)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Ryan White AIDs program level.................       (2,137,795)       (2,157,912)       (2,170,919)         (+33,124)         (+13,007)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, HIV/AIDS Bureau...............................        2,112,795         2,132,912         2,145,919           +33,124           +13,007

                   HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS BUREAU

Organ Transplantation.........................................           23,049            23,049            25,049            +2,000            +2,000
National Cord Blood Inventory.................................            3,963             1,966            12,000            +8,037           +10,034
Bone Marrow Program...........................................           25,168            22,701            22,701            -2,467   ................
Office of Pharmacy Affairs....................................  ................            2,940             2,940            +2,940   ................
Poison control................................................           23,000            10,000            23,000   ................          +13,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Healthcare systems bureau.....................           75,180            60,656            85,690           +10,510           +25,034

                     RURAL HEALTH PROGRAMS

Rural outreach grants.........................................           38,885   ................           40,000            +1,115           +40,000
Rural Health Research.........................................            8,737             8,737             9,500              +763              +763
Rural Hospital Flexibility Grants.............................           63,538   ................           38,538           -25,000           +38,538
Delta Health Initiative \5\...................................  ................  ................           25,000           +25,000           +25,000
Rural and community access to emergency devices...............            1,487   ................            3,000            +1,513            +3,000
State Offices of Rural Health.................................            8,141             8,141             9,000              +859              +859
Black lung clinics............................................            5,891             5,886             6,000              +109              +114
Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program \5\........            1,919             1,904             1,917                -2               +13
Denali Commission.............................................           39,283   ................           39,283   ................          +39,283
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Rural health programs.........................          167,881            24,668           172,238            +4,357          +147,570

Family Planning...............................................          283,146           283,103           300,000           +16,854           +16,897
Health Care-related Facilities and Activities.................  ................  ................          191,235          +191,235          +191,235
Telehealth....................................................            6,819             6,819             7,000              +181              +181
Program Management............................................          146,294           144,191           145,000            -1,294              +809
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Health resources and services....................        6,390,702         5,795,805         6,843,673          +452,971        +1,047,868
      Total, Health resources & services program level........       (6,415,702)       (5,820,805)       (6,868,673)        (+452,971)      (+1,047,868)
          Evaluation tap funding..............................          (25,000)          (25,000)          (25,000)  ................  ................

HEALTH EDUCATION ASSISTANCE LOANS (HEAL) PROGRAM:
    Liquidating account.......................................           (4,000)           (1,000)           (1,000)          (-3,000)  ................
    Program management........................................            2,898             2,906             2,906                +8   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, HEAL.............................................            2,898             2,906             2,906                +8   ................

VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION PROGRAM TRUST FUND:
    Post-fiscal year 1988 claims..............................           55,871            57,547            57,547            +1,676   ................
    HRSA administration.......................................            3,982             3,528             3,528              -454   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund...........           59,853            61,075            61,075            +1,222   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Health Resources and Services Admin..............        6,453,453         5,859,786         6,907,654          +454,201        +1,047,868
      Total, HRSA program level...............................       (6,482,453)       (5,885,786)       (6,933,654)        (+451,201)      (+1,047,868)

          CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION

Infectious Diseases...........................................        1,791,437         1,781,574         1,762,083           -29,354           -19,491
    Evaluation Tap Funding....................................          (12,794)          (12,794)          (12,794)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level.................................       (1,804,231)       (1,794,368)       (1,774,877)         (-29,354)         (-19,491)

Health Promotion..............................................          959,662           958,732           979,876           +20,214           +21,144
Health Information and Service................................           88,418           108,361            98,854           +10,436            -9,507
    Evaluation Tap Funding....................................         (134,235)         (135,135)         (133,799)            (-436)          (-1,336)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level.................................         (222,653)         (243,496)         (232,653)         (+10,000)         (-10,843)

Environmental health and injury...............................          288,104           287,674           296,338            +8,234            +8,664

Occupational safety and health \6\............................          167,028           165,927           180,326           +13,298           +14,399
    Evaluation Tap Funding....................................          (87,071)          (87,071)          (92,071)          (+5,000)          (+5,000)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level \6\.............................         (254,099)         (252,998)         (272,397)         (+18,298)         (+19,399)

Global health.................................................          334,038           379,719           334,038   ................          -45,681
Terrorism preparedness and response...........................        1,541,300         1,504,375         1,632,448           +91,148          +128,073

Public Health research:
    Federal Funds.............................................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
    Evaluation Tap Funding....................................          (31,000)          (31,000)          (31,000)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level.................................          (31,000)          (31,000)          (31,000)  ................  ................

Public health improvement and leadership......................          189,808           190,412           209,829           +20,021           +19,417
Preventive health and health services block grant.............           99,000   ................           99,000   ................          +99,000
Buildings and Facilities......................................          134,400            20,000           220,000           +85,600          +200,000
Business services.............................................          344,377           319,877           344,377   ................          +24,500
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Centers for Disease Control......................        5,937,572         5,716,651         6,157,169          +219,597          +440,518
          Evaluation Tap Funding (NA).........................         (265,100)         (266,000)         (269,664)          (+4,564)          (+3,664)
      Total, Centers for Disease Control program level........       (6,202,672)       (5,982,651)       (6,426,833)        (+224,161)        (+444,182)

                 NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH

National Cancer Institute.....................................        4,797,639         4,782,114         4,910,160          +112,521          +128,046
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.....................        2,922,929         2,925,413         2,992,197           +69,268           +66,784
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research..........          389,703           389,722           398,602            +8,899            +8,880
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney               1,705,868         1,708,045         1,747,784           +41,916           +39,739
 Diseases.....................................................
    Juvenile diabetes (mandatory).............................         (150,000)         (150,000)         (150,000)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, NIDDK.........................................       (1,855,868)       (1,858,045)       (1,897,784)         (+41,916)         (+39,739)

National Institute of Neurological Disorders & Stroke.........        1,535,545         1,537,019         1,573,268           +37,723           +36,249

National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases \7\.......        4,268,708         4,292,482         4,368,472           +99,764           +75,990
    Global HIV/AIDS Fund Transfer.............................           99,000           300,000           300,000          +201,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, NIAID.........................................        4,367,708         4,592,482         4,668,472          +300,764           +75,990

National Institute of General Medical Sciences................        1,935,808         1,941,462         1,978,601           +42,793           +37,139
National Institute of Child Health & Human Development........        1,254,707         1,264,946         1,282,231           +27,524           +17,285
National Eye Institute........................................          667,116           667,820           681,962           +14,846           +14,142
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences...........          642,002           637,406           656,176           +14,174           +18,770
National Institute on Aging...................................        1,047,260         1,047,148         1,073,048           +25,788           +25,900
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin            508,240           508,082           519,810           +11,570           +11,728
 Diseases.....................................................
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication                  393,668           393,682           402,680            +9,012            +8,998
 Disorders....................................................
National Institute of Nursing Research........................          137,404           137,800           140,456            +3,052            +2,656
National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism............          436,259           436,505           445,702            +9,443            +9,197
National Institute on Drug Abuse..............................        1,000,621         1,000,365         1,022,594           +21,973           +22,229
National Institute of Mental Health...........................        1,404,494         1,405,421         1,436,001           +31,507           +30,580
National Human Genome Research Institute......................          486,491           484,436           497,031           +10,540           +12,595
National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering...          296,887           300,463           304,319            +7,432            +3,856
National Center for Research Resources........................        1,133,240         1,112,498         1,177,997           +44,757           +65,499
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine....          121,576           121,699           124,213            +2,637            +2,514
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities.....          199,444           194,495           203,895            +4,451            +9,400
John E. Fogarty International Center..........................           66,446            66,594            68,000            +1,554            +1,406

National Library of Medicine..................................          320,850           312,562           327,817            +6,967           +15,255
    Evaluation Tap Funding....................................           (8,200)           (8,200)           (8,200)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, NLM...........................................          329,050           320,762           336,017            +6,967           +15,255

Office of the Director \7\....................................        1,046,901           517,062         1,145,790           +98,889          +628,728
    Common Fund (Non-Add).....................................         (483,000)         (121,540)         (531,300)         (+48,300)        (+409,760)
Buildings and Facilities......................................           81,081           136,000           121,081           +40,000           -14,919
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, National Institutes of Health (NIH)..............       28,899,887        28,621,241        29,899,887        +1,000,000        +1,278,646
          Global HIV/AIDS Fund Transfer.......................          -99,000          -300,000          -300,000          -201,000   ................
          Evaluation Tap Funding..............................           (8,200)           (8,200)           (8,200)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, NIH, Program Level...............................      (28,809,087)      (28,329,441)      (29,608,087)        (+799,000)      (+1,278,646)

   SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
                           (SAMHSA)

Mental Health:
    Programs of Regional and National Significance............          263,263           186,633           298,217           +34,954          +111,584
    Mental Health block grant.................................          406,843           406,843           406,843   ................  ................
        Evaluation Tap Funding................................          (21,413)          (21,413)          (21,413)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Program level.............................         (428,256)         (428,256)         (428,256)  ................  ................

    Children's Mental Health..................................          104,078           104,078           104,078   ................  ................
    Grants to States for the Homeless (PATH)..................           54,261            54,261            54,261   ................  ................
    Protection and Advocacy...................................           34,000            34,000            39,000            +5,000            +5,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Mental Health.................................          862,445           785,815           902,399           +39,954          +116,584
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level.................................         (883,858)         (807,228)         (923,812)         (+39,954)        (+116,584)

Substance Abuse Treatment:
    Programs of Regional and National Significance............          394,649           347,790           422,268           +27,619           +74,478
        Evaluation Tap Funding................................           (4,300)           (4,300)           (4,300)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Program level.............................         (398,949)         (352,090)         (426,568)         (+27,619)         (+74,478)

    Substance Abuse block grant...............................        1,679,391         1,679,391         1,679,391   ................  ................
        Evaluation Tap Funding................................          (79,200)          (79,200)          (79,200)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Program level.............................       (1,758,591)       (1,758,591)       (1,758,591)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Substance Abuse Treatment.....................        2,074,040         2,027,181         2,101,659           +27,619           +74,478
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Program level.............................       (2,157,540)       (2,110,681)       (2,185,159)         (+27,619)         (+74,478)

Substance Abuse Prevention:
    Programs of Regional and National Significance............          192,902           156,461           197,108            +4,206           +40,647

Program Management............................................           76,721            76,969            76,969              +248   ................
    Evaluation Tap funding (NA)...............................          (16,000)          (16,250)          (21,750)          (+5,750)          (+5,500)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level.................................           92,721            93,219            98,719            +5,998            +5,500
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, SAMHSA...........................................        3,206,108         3,046,426         3,278,135           +72,027          +231,709
          Evaluation Tap funding..............................         (120,913)         (121,163)         (126,663)          (+5,750)          (+5,500)
      Total, SAMHSA program level.............................       (3,327,021)       (3,167,589)       (3,404,798)         (+77,777)        (+237,209)

          AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH AND QUALITY

Research on Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes:
    Federal Funds.............................................  ................  ................          271,564          +271,564          +271,564
    Evaluation Tap funding (NA)...............................         (260,986)         (271,564)  ................        (-260,986)        (-271,564)
        Clinical effectiveness research (NA)..................          (15,000)          (15,000)          (30,000)         (+15,000)         (+15,000)
        Reducing medical errors (NA)..........................          (84,000)          (93,934)          (78,934)          (-5,066)         (-15,000)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Program level.............................         (260,986)         (271,564)         (271,564)         (+10,578)  ................

Medical Expenditures Panel Surveys:
    Federal Funds.............................................  ................  ................           55,300           +55,300           +55,300
    Evaluation Tap funding (NA)...............................          (55,300)          (55,300)  ................         (-55,300)         (-55,300)

Program Support:
    Federal Funds.............................................  ................  ................            2,700            +2,700            +2,700
    Evaluation Tap funding (NA)...............................           (2,700)           (2,700)  ................          (-2,700)          (-2,700)
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, AHRQ.............................................  ................  ................          329,564          +329,564          +329,564
          Evaluation Tap funding (NA).........................         (318,986)         (329,564)  ................        (-318,986)        (-329,564)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, AHRQ program level...............................         (318,986)         (329,564)         (329,564)         (+10,578)  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Public Health Service appropriation..............       44,497,020        43,244,104        46,572,409        +2,075,389        +3,328,305
      Total, Public Health Service program level..............      (45,140,219)      (43,695,031)      (46,702,936)      (+1,562,717)      (+3,007,905)

          CENTERS FOR MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES

                 GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAID

Medicaid current law benefits.................................      155,467,869       194,109,000       194,109,000       +38,641,131   ................
State and local administration................................        9,881,583        10,014,716        10,014,716          +133,133   ................
Vaccines for Children.........................................        2,905,330         2,761,957         2,761,957          -143,373   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Medicaid program level........................      168,254,782       206,885,673       206,885,673       +38,630,891   ................
          Less funds advanced in prior year...................      -62,783,825       -65,257,617       -65,257,617        -2,473,792   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Grants to States for medicaid....................      105,470,957       141,628,056       141,628,056       +36,157,099   ................
          New advance, 1st quarter............................       65,257,617        67,292,669        67,292,669        +2,035,052   ................

              PAYMENTS TO HEALTH CARE TRUST FUNDS

Supplemental medical insurance................................      137,623,000       140,704,000       140,704,000        +3,081,000   ................
Hospital insurance for the uninsured..........................          239,000           269,000           269,000           +30,000   ................
Federal uninsured payment.....................................          229,000           237,000           237,000            +8,000   ................
Program management............................................          175,000           192,000           192,000           +17,000   ................
General revenue for Part D benefit............................       37,329,000        46,299,000        46,299,000        +8,970,000   ................
General revenue for Part D administration.....................          703,480           744,000           744,000           +40,520   ................
HCFAC reimbursement...........................................  ................          183,000           383,000          +383,000          +200,000
Prescription drug eligibility determinations..................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Payments to Trust Funds, current law..........      176,298,480       188,628,000       188,828,000       +12,529,520          +200,000
          Less funds advanced in prior year...................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
          New Advance fiscal year 2009........................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Payments to Trust Funds, current law.............      176,298,480       188,628,000       188,828,000       +12,529,520          +200,000

                    PROGRAM MANAGEMENT \8\

Research, Demonstration, Evaluation...........................           57,420            33,700            35,325           -22,095            +1,625
Medicare Operations \9\.......................................        2,159,242         2,303,615         2,276,052          +116,810           -27,563
Revitalization plan...........................................           23,963   ................  ................          -23,963   ................
State Survey and Certification................................          258,128           293,524           293,524           +35,396   ................
Federal Administration \9\....................................          642,354           643,187           643,187              +833   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Program management, Limitation on new BA.........        3,141,107         3,274,026         3,248,088          +106,981           -25,938
          Survey and Certification user fee...................  ................         (-35,000)         (-35,000)         (-35,000)  ................
      Total, Program management, program level................       (3,141,107)       (3,239,026)       (3,213,088)         (+71,981)         (-25,938)

              HEALTH CARE FRAUD AND ABUSE CONTROL

Part D drug benefit/medicare advantage (MIP)..................  ................          137,840           288,480          +288,480          +150,640
HHS Office of Inspector General...............................  ................           17,530            36,690           +36,690           +19,160
Department of Justice.........................................  ................           17,530            36,690           +36,690           +19,160
Medicaid and SCHIP financial management.......................  ................           10,100            21,140           +21,140           +11,040
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control..............  ................          183,000           383,000          +383,000          +200,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services........      350,168,161       401,005,751       401,379,813       +51,211,652          +374,062
          Federal funds.......................................      347,027,054       397,548,725       397,748,725       +50,721,671          +200,000
              Current year....................................     (281,769,437)     (330,256,056)     (330,456,056)     (+48,686,619)        (+200,000)
              New advance, fiscal year 2009...................      (65,257,617)      (67,292,669)      (67,292,669)      (+2,035,052)  ................
          Trust Funds.........................................        3,141,107         3,457,026         3,631,088          +489,981          +174,062

           ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES

               FAMILY SUPPORT PAYMENTS TO STATES

Payments to territories.......................................           38,000            38,000            38,000   ................  ................
Repatriation..................................................            1,000             1,000             1,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Welfare payments..............................           39,000            39,000            39,000   ................  ................

Child Support Enforcement:
    State and local administration............................        3,943,678         3,417,713         3,417,713          -525,965   ................
    Federal incentive payments................................          471,000           483,000           483,000           +12,000   ................
    Access and visitation.....................................           10,000            10,000            10,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Child Support Enforcement.....................        4,424,678         3,910,713         3,910,713          -513,965   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Family support payments program level............        4,463,678         3,949,713         3,949,713          -513,965   ................
          Less funds advanced in previous years...............       -1,200,000        -1,000,000        -1,000,000          +200,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Family support payments, current year............        3,263,678         2,949,713         2,949,713          -313,965   ................
          New advance, 1st quarter, fiscal year 2009..........        1,000,000         1,000,000         1,000,000   ................  ................

      LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LIHEAP)

Formula grants................................................        1,980,000         1,500,000         1,980,000   ................         +480,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Formula grants................................        1,980,000         1,500,000         1,980,000   ................         +480,000

Contingency fund..............................................          181,170           282,000           181,170   ................         -100,830
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Contingency fund..............................          181,170           282,000           181,170   ................         -100,830
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, LIHEAP...........................................        2,161,170         1,782,000         2,161,170   ................         +379,170
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, LIHEAP, program level............................        2,161,170         1,782,000         2,161,170   ................         +379,170

                REFUGEE AND ENTRANT ASSISTANCE

Transitional and Medical Services.............................          265,546           294,021           294,021           +28,475   ................
Victims of Trafficking........................................            9,823            14,816             9,823   ................           -4,993
Social Services...............................................          154,005           149,610           154,005   ................           +4,395
Preventive Health.............................................            4,748             4,700             4,748   ................              +48
Targeted Assistance...........................................           48,590            48,104            48,590   ................             +486
Unaccompanied minors..........................................           95,318           134,662           133,162           +37,844            -1,500
Victims of Torture............................................            9,817             9,717             9,817   ................             +100
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Refugee and entrant assistance...................          587,847           655,630           654,166           +66,319            -1,464

CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT........................        2,062,081         2,062,081         2,062,081   ................  ................
SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT (TITLE XX)........................        1,700,000         1,700,000         1,700,000   ................  ................

            CHILDREN AND FAMILIES SERVICES PROGRAMS

Programs for Children, Youth and Families:
    Head Start, current funded................................        5,499,771         5,399,771         5,699,771          +200,000          +300,000
        Advance from prior year...............................       (1,388,800)       (1,388,800)       (1,388,800)  ................  ................
        Fiscal Year 2009......................................        1,388,800         1,388,800         1,388,800   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Head Start, program level.................        6,888,571         6,788,571         7,088,571          +200,000          +300,000

    Consolidated Runaway, Homeless Youth Program..............           87,837            87,837           102,837           +15,000           +15,000
    Prevention grants to reduce abuse of runaway youth........           15,027            15,027            20,027            +5,000            +5,000
    Child Abuse State Grants..................................           27,007            27,007            27,007   ................  ................
    Child Abuse Discretionary Activities......................           25,780            36,138            37,738           +11,958            +1,600
    Community based child abuse prevention....................           42,430            42,430            42,430   ................  ................
    Abandoned Infants Assistance..............................           11,835            11,835            11,835   ................  ................
    Child Welfare Services....................................          286,754           286,754           286,754   ................  ................
    Child Welfare Training....................................            7,335             7,335             7,335   ................  ................
    Adoption Opportunities....................................           26,848            26,848            26,848   ................  ................
    Adoption Incentive........................................            5,000            13,500             9,500            +4,500            -4,000
    Adoption Awareness........................................           12,674            12,674            12,674   ................  ................
    Interstate Home Study for Adoption and Foster Care........  ................           10,000   ................  ................          -10,000
    Compassion Capital Fund...................................           64,350            75,000            53,625           -10,725           -21,375

Social Services and Income Maintenance Research...............            5,868   ................            5,825               -43            +5,825
    Evaluation tap funding....................................           (6,000)           (5,880)           (6,000)  ................            (+120)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level.................................          (11,868)           (5,880)          (11,825)             (-43)          (+5,945)

Developmental Disabilities Programs:
    State Councils............................................           71,771            71,771            77,271            +5,500            +5,500
    Protection and Advocacy...................................           38,718            38,718            42,718            +4,000            +4,000
    Voting access for individuals with disabilities...........           15,720            15,720            16,720            +1,000            +1,000
    Developmental Disabilities Projects of National                      11,414            11,414            15,414            +4,000            +4,000
     Significance.............................................
    University Centers for Excellence in Developmental                   33,212            33,213            38,713            +5,501            +5,500
     Disabilities.............................................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Developmental disabilities programs...........          170,835           170,836           190,836           +20,001           +20,000

Native American Programs......................................           44,332            44,332            49,332            +5,000            +5,000

Community Services:
    Grants to States for Community Services...................          630,425   ................          670,425           +40,000          +670,425

    Community Initiative Program:
        Economic Development..................................           27,022   ................           27,022   ................          +27,022
        Job Opportunities for Low-Income Individuals..........            5,382   ................            5,382   ................           +5,382
        Individual Development Account Initiative.............           24,452            24,452            24,452   ................  ................
        Rural Community Facilities............................            7,293   ................            8,000              +707            +8,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Community Initiative Program..............           64,149            24,452            64,856              +707           +40,404
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Subtotal, Community Services......................          694,574            24,452           735,281           +40,707          +710,829

Domestic Violence Hotline.....................................            2,970             2,970             3,200              +230              +230
Family Violence/Battered Women's Shelters.....................          124,731           124,731           127,000            +2,269            +2,269
Mentoring Children of Prisoners...............................           49,493            50,000            49,493   ................             -507
Independent Living Training Vouchers..........................           46,157            46,157            46,157   ................  ................

Abstinence Education..........................................          108,900           136,664            80,416           -28,484           -56,248
    Evaluation Tap Funding....................................           (4,500)           (4,500)           (4,500)  ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Program level.................................         (113,400)         (141,164)          (84,916)         (-28,484)         (-56,248)

Faith-Based Center............................................            1,386             1,386             1,386   ................  ................
Program Direction.............................................          187,776           197,225           197,225            +9,449   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Children and Families Services Programs..........        8,938,470         8,239,709         9,213,332          +274,862          +973,623
          Current Year........................................       (7,549,670)       (6,850,909)       (7,824,532)        (+274,862)        (+973,623)
          Fiscal Year 2009....................................       (1,388,800)       (1,388,800)       (1,388,800)  ................  ................
          Evaluation Tap funding..............................          (10,500)          (10,380)          (10,500)  ................            (+120)
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Program level....................................        8,948,970         8,250,089         9,223,832          +274,862          +973,743

PROMOTING SAFE AND STABLE FAMILIES \10\.......................          345,000           345,000           345,000   ................  ................
    Discretionary Funds.......................................           89,100            89,100            89,100   ................  ................

        PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION

Foster Care...................................................        4,475,000         4,581,000         4,581,000          +106,000   ................
Adoption Assistance...........................................        2,027,000         2,156,000         2,156,000          +129,000   ................
Independent living............................................          140,000           140,000           140,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Payments to States...............................        6,642,000         6,877,000         6,877,000          +235,000   ................
          Less Advances from Prior Year.......................       -1,730,000        -1,810,000        -1,810,000           -80,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Total, payments, current year.....................        4,912,000         5,067,000         5,067,000          +155,000   ................
            New Advance, 1st quarter..........................        1,810,000         1,776,000         1,776,000           -34,000   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Administration for Children & Families...........       26,869,346        25,666,233        27,017,562          +148,216        +1,351,329
          Current year........................................      (22,670,546)      (21,501,433)      (22,852,762)        (+182,216)      (+1,351,329)
          Fiscal year 2009....................................       (4,198,800)       (4,164,800)       (4,164,800)         (-34,000)  ................
          Evaluation Tap funding..............................          (10,500)          (10,380)          (10,500)  ................            (+120)
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Administration for Children & Families...........       26,879,846        25,676,613        27,028,062          +148,216        +1,351,449

                    ADMINISTRATION ON AGING

Grants to States:
    Supportive Services and Centers...........................          350,595           350,595           350,595   ................  ................
    Preventive Health.........................................           21,400   ................           21,400   ................          +21,400
    Protection of Vulnerable Older Americans--Title VII.......           20,156            19,166            21,156            +1,000            +1,990
    Family Caregivers.........................................          156,167           154,187           156,167   ................           +1,980
    Native American Caregivers Support........................            6,241             6,241             6,428              +187              +187
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Caregivers................................          162,408           160,428           162,595              +187            +2,167

    Nutrition:
        Congregate Meals......................................          398,919           383,401           418,519           +19,600           +35,118
        Home Delivered Meals..................................          188,305           180,998           197,805            +9,500           +16,807
        Nutrition Services Incentive Program..................          147,846           147,110           157,246            +9,400           +10,136
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Nutrition.................................          735,070           711,509           773,570           +38,500           +62,061
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Grants to States..........................        1,289,629         1,241,698         1,329,316           +39,687           +87,618

Grants for Native Americans...................................           26,134            26,134            27,834            +1,700            +1,700
Program Innovations...........................................           24,058            35,485            11,420           -12,638           -24,065
Aging Network Support Activities..............................           13,133            13,133            42,651           +29,518           +29,518
Alzheimer's Disease Demonstrations............................           11,668   ................           11,668   ................          +11,668
Program Administration........................................           18,385            18,696            18,696              +311   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Administration on Aging..........................        1,383,007         1,335,146         1,441,585           +58,578          +106,439

                    OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT:
    Federal Funds.............................................          178,674           225,442           227,403           +48,729            +1,961
    Trust Funds...............................................            5,793             5,851             5,851               +58   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal................................................          184,467           231,293           233,254           +48,787            +1,961

    Adolescent Family Life (Title XX).........................           30,307            30,307            30,307   ................  ................
    Minority health...........................................           53,455            43,775            49,475            -3,980            +5,700
    Office of Women's Health..................................           28,246            27,369            30,369            +2,123            +3,000
    Minority HIV/AIDS.........................................           51,891            51,891            51,891   ................  ................
    Afghanistan...............................................            5,892             5,941             5,941               +49   ................
    Embryo adoption awareness campaign........................            1,980             1,980             4,000            +2,020            +2,020
    Evaluation tap funding (ASPE) (NA)........................          (39,552)          (46,756)          (46,756)          (+7,204)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, General Departmental Management..................          356,238           392,556           405,237           +48,999           +12,681
          Federal Funds.......................................          350,445           386,705           399,386           +48,941           +12,681
          Trust Funds.........................................            5,793             5,851             5,851               +58   ................
          Evaluation tap funding..............................          (39,552)          (46,756)          (46,756)          (+7,204)  ................

OFFICE OF MEDICARE HEARINGS AND APPEALS.......................           59,727            70,000            70,000           +10,273   ................

OFFICE OF THE NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR HEALTH INFORMATION                42,402            89,872            43,000              +598           -46,872
 TECHNOLOGY \11\..............................................
    Evaluation tap funding....................................          (18,900)          (28,000)          (28,000)          (+9,100)  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Total, Health Information Tech. program level.........          (61,302)         (117,872)          (71,000)          (+9,698)         (-46,872)

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL:
    Federal Funds.............................................           39,808            44,687            45,687            +5,879            +1,000

        HIPAA funding (NA)....................................         (175,570)         (196,418)         (196,418)         (+20,848)  ................
Medicaid integrity program: Deficit Reduction Act (Public Law   ................          (25,000)          (25,000)         (+25,000)  ................
 109-171) (NA)................................................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Inspector General program level..................         (215,378)         (266,105)         (267,105)         (+51,727)          (+1,000)

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS:
    Federal Funds.............................................           31,628            33,748            33,748            +2,120   ................
    Trust Funds...............................................            3,281             3,314             3,314               +33   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Office for Civil Rights..........................           34,909            37,062            37,062            +2,153   ................

MEDICAL BENEFITS FOR COMMISSIONED OFFICERS:
    Retirement payments.......................................          292,249           317,967           317,967           +25,718   ................
    Survivors benefits........................................           17,338            18,026            18,026              +688   ................
    Dependents' medical care..................................           61,111            66,549            66,549            +5,438   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Medical benefits for Commissioned Officers.......          370,698           402,542           402,542           +31,844   ................

        PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICE EMERGENCY FUND

HRSA homeland security activities \7\.........................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
CDC homeland security activities \7\..........................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
NIH homeland security activities \7\..........................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
Office of the Secretary homeland security activities..........          717,320           780,646           756,556           +39,236           -24,090
Other PHSSEF homeland security activities.....................  ................           25,000            55,000           +55,000           +30,000
Pandemic influenza preparedness...............................  ................          948,091           888,000          +888,000           -60,091
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, PHSSEF...........................................          717,320         1,753,737         1,699,556          +982,236           -54,181
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Office of the Secretary..........................        1,621,102         2,790,456         2,703,084        +1,081,982           -87,372
          Federal Funds.......................................        1,552,301         2,711,291         2,623,919        +1,071,618           -87,372
          Trust Funds.........................................           68,801            79,165            79,165           +10,364   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Title II, Dept of Health & Human Services........      424,538,636       474,041,690       479,114,453       +54,575,817        +5,072,763
          Federal Funds.......................................      421,328,728       470,505,499       475,404,200       +54,075,472        +4,898,701
              Current year....................................     (351,872,311)     (399,048,030)     (403,946,731)     (+52,074,420)      (+4,898,701)
              Fiscal year 2009................................      (69,456,417)      (71,457,469)      (71,457,469)      (+2,001,052)  ................
          Trust Funds.........................................        3,209,908         3,536,191         3,710,253          +500,345          +174,062

              TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

                EDUCATION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED

Grants to Local Educational Agencies (LEAs):
    Basic Grants:
        Advance from prior year...............................       (1,478,584)       (1,353,584)       (1,353,584)        (-125,000)  ................
        Forward funded........................................        5,451,387         5,325,824         5,038,599          -412,788          -287,225
        Current funded........................................            3,437             4,000             4,000              +563   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Basic grants current year approp..........        5,454,824         5,329,824         5,042,599          -412,225          -287,225
          Subtotal, Basic grants total funds available........       (6,933,408)       (6,683,408)       (6,396,183)        (-537,225)        (-287,225)

    Basic Grants Fiscal Year 2009 Advance.....................        1,353,584         1,478,584         1,765,808          +412,224          +287,224
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Basic grants, program level...................        6,808,408         6,808,408         6,808,407                -1                -1

    Concentration Grants:
        Advance from prior year...............................       (1,365,031)       (1,365,031)       (1,365,031)  ................  ................
        Fiscal Year 2009 Advance..............................        1,365,031         1,365,031         1,365,031   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Concentration Grants program level........        1,365,031         1,365,031         1,365,031   ................  ................

    Targeted Grants:
        Current funded........................................  ................        1,196,775   ................  ................       -1,196,775
        Advance from prior year...............................       (2,269,843)       (2,332,343)       (2,332,343)         (+62,500)  ................
        Fiscal Year 2009 Advance..............................        2,332,343         2,269,843         2,868,231          +535,888          +598,388
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Targeted Grants program level.............        2,332,343         3,466,618         2,868,231          +535,888          -598,387

    Education Finance Incentive Grants:
        Advance from prior year...............................       (2,269,843)       (2,332,343)       (2,332,343)         (+62,500)  ................
        Fiscal Year 2009 Advance..............................        2,332,343         2,269,843         2,868,231          +535,888          +598,388
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Education Finance Incentive Grants........        2,332,343         2,269,843         2,868,231          +535,888          +598,388
                                                               =========================================================================================
          Subtotal, Grants to LEAs, program level.............       12,838,125        13,909,900        13,909,900        +1,071,775   ................

Even Start....................................................           82,283   ................  ................          -82,283   ................
School improvement grants.....................................          125,000           500,000           500,000          +375,000   ................

Reading First:
    State Grants (forward funded).............................        1,029,234         1,018,692           800,000          -229,234          -218,692
Early Reading First...........................................          117,666           117,666           117,666   ................  ................
Striving readers \12\.........................................           31,870           100,000            36,000            +4,130           -64,000
Math Now for elementary school students.......................  ................          125,000   ................  ................         -125,000
Math Now for middle school students...........................  ................          125,000   ................  ................         -125,000
Literacy through School Libraries.............................           19,485            19,486            23,000            +3,515            +3,514
Promise scholarships..........................................  ................          250,000   ................  ................         -250,000
America's opportunity scholarships for kids...................  ................           50,000   ................  ................          -50,000

State Agency Programs:
    Migrant...................................................          386,524           380,295           386,524   ................           +6,229
    Neglected and Delinquent/High Risk Youth..................           49,797            49,797            49,797   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, State Agency programs.........................          436,321           430,092           436,321   ................           +6,229

Evaluation....................................................            9,330             9,327             9,330   ................               +3
Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration.....................            2,352   ................            1,634              -718            +1,634

Migrant Education:
    High School Equivalency Program...........................           18,550            18,550            18,550   ................  ................
    College Assistance Migrant Program........................           15,377            15,377            15,377   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Migrant Education.............................           33,927            33,927            33,927   ................  ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Education for the disadvantaged..................       14,725,593        16,689,090        15,867,778        +1,142,185          -821,312
          Current Year........................................       (7,342,292)       (9,305,789)       (7,000,477)        (-341,815)      (-2,305,312)
          Fiscal Year 2009....................................       (7,383,301)       (7,383,301)       (8,867,301)      (+1,484,000)      (+1,484,000)
      Subtotal, forward funded................................       (7,158,447)       (8,571,383)       (6,812,554)        (-345,893)      (-1,758,829)

                          IMPACT AID

Basic Support Payments........................................        1,091,867         1,091,867         1,111,867           +20,000           +20,000
Payments for Children with Disabilities.......................           49,466            49,466            49,466   ................  ................
Facilities Maintenance (Sec. 8008)............................            4,950             4,597             4,950   ................             +353
Construction (Sec. 8007)......................................           17,820            17,820            17,820   ................  ................
Payments for Federal Property (Sec. 8002).....................           64,350            64,350            64,350   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Impact aid.......................................        1,228,453         1,228,100         1,248,453           +20,000           +20,353

                  SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAMS

State Grants for Improving Teacher Quality....................        1,452,439         1,352,488         1,452,439   ................          +99,951
    Advance from prior year...................................       (1,435,000)       (1,435,000)       (1,435,000)  ................  ................
    Fiscal Year 2009..........................................        1,435,000         1,435,000         1,435,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, State Grants for Improving Teacher Quality,          (2,887,439)       (2,787,488)       (2,887,439)  ................         (+99,951)
       program level..........................................

Early Childhood Educator Professional Development.............           14,550   ................           14,550   ................          +14,550
Mathematics and Science Partnerships..........................          182,160           182,124           184,000            +1,840            +1,876
State Grants for Innovative Education (Education Block Grant).           99,000   ................  ................          -99,000   ................
Educational Technology State Grants...........................          272,250   ................          272,250   ................         +272,250
Supplemental Education Grants.................................           18,001            18,001            18,001   ................  ................
21st Century Community Learning Centers.......................          981,166           981,180         1,000,000           +18,834           +18,820
State Assessments/Enhanced Assessment Instruments.............          407,563           411,630           416,000            +8,437            +4,370
Javits gifted and talented education..........................            7,596   ................            7,596   ................           +7,596
Foreign language assistance...................................           23,780            23,755            26,780            +3,000            +3,025
Education for Homeless Children and Youth.....................           61,871            61,878            66,878            +5,007            +5,000
Training and Advisory Services (Civil Rights).................            7,113             7,113             7,113   ................  ................
Education for Native Hawaiians................................           33,907   ................           34,500              +593           +34,500
Alaska Native Education Equity................................           33,907   ................           34,500              +593           +34,500
Rural Education...............................................          168,918           168,851           168,918   ................              +67
Comprehensive Centers.........................................           56,257            56,256            60,000            +3,743            +3,744
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, School improvement programs......................        5,255,478         4,698,276         5,198,525           -56,953          +500,249
          Current Year........................................       (3,820,478)       (3,263,276)       (3,763,525)         (-56,953)        (+500,249)
          Fiscal Year 2009....................................       (1,435,000)       (1,435,000)       (1,435,000)  ................  ................
      Subtotal, forward funded................................       (3,625,367)       (3,158,151)       (3,560,485)         (-64,882)        (+402,334)

                       INDIAN EDUCATION

Grants to Local Educational Agencies..........................           95,331            95,331            95,331   ................  ................

Federal Programs:
    Special Programs for Indian Children......................           19,399            19,399            19,399   ................  ................
    National Activities.......................................            3,960             3,953             3,960   ................               +7
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Federal Programs..............................           23,359            23,352            23,359   ................               +7
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Indian Education.................................          118,690           118,683           118,690   ................               +7

                  INNOVATION AND IMPROVEMENT

Troops-to-Teachers............................................           14,645            14,645            14,645   ................  ................
Transition to Teaching........................................           44,484            44,482            44,484   ................               +2
National Writing Project......................................           21,532   ................           24,000            +2,468           +24,000
Teaching of Traditional American History......................          119,790            50,000           120,000              +210           +70,000
School Leadership.............................................           14,731   ................           14,731   ................          +14,731
Advanced Credentialing........................................           16,695   ................            9,821            -6,874            +9,821
Adjunct Teacher Corps.........................................  ................           25,000   ................  ................          -25,000
Charter Schools Grants........................................          214,782           214,782           214,783                +1                +1
Credit Enhancement for Charter School Facilities..............           36,611            36,611   ................          -36,611           -36,611
Voluntary Public School Choice................................           26,278            26,275            26,278   ................               +3
Magnet Schools Assistance.....................................          106,693           106,685           106,693   ................               +8
Fund for the Improvement of Education (FIE)...................          158,510            58,108           218,699           +60,189          +160,591
Teacher Incentive Fund, Current funded........................              200           199,000            99,000           +98,800          -100,000
Teacher Incentive Fund, Forward funded........................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
Ready-to-Learn television.....................................           24,255            24,255            25,255            +1,000            +1,000
Close Up Fellowships..........................................            1,454   ................            2,500            +1,046            +2,500
Advanced Placement............................................           37,026           122,175            42,000            +4,974           -80,175
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Innovation and Improvement.......................          837,686           922,018           962,889          +125,203           +40,871
      Subtotal, Forward funded................................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................

            SAFE SCHOOLS AND CITIZENSHIP EDUCATION

Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities: State Grants,               346,500           100,000           300,000           -46,500          +200,000
 forward funded...............................................
National Programs.............................................          141,112           224,248           139,112            -2,000           -85,136
Alcohol Abuse Reduction.......................................           32,409   ................           33,000              +591           +33,000
Mentoring Programs............................................           48,814   ................           50,000            +1,186           +50,000
Character education...........................................           24,248   ................           25,000              +752           +25,000
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling....................           34,650   ................           40,000            +5,350           +40,000
Carol M. White Physical Education Program.....................           72,674   ................           80,000            +7,326           +80,000
Civic Education...............................................           29,111   ................           30,000              +889           +30,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Safe Schools and Citizenship Education...........          729,518           324,248           697,112           -32,406          +372,864
          Current Year........................................         (729,518)         (324,248)         (697,112)         (-32,406)        (+372,864)
      Subtotal, Forward funded................................         (346,500)         (100,000)         (300,000)         (-46,500)        (+200,000)

                 ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION

Current funded................................................           43,486            43,603            43,603              +117   ................
Forward funded................................................          625,522           627,216           627,216            +1,694   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, English Language Acquisition.....................          669,008           670,819           670,819            +1,811   ................

                       SPECIAL EDUCATION

State Grants:
    Grants to States Part B current year......................        5,358,761         4,276,741         5,315,800           -42,961        +1,039,059
        Part B advance from prior year........................       (5,424,200)       (5,424,200)       (5,424,200)  ................  ................
    Grants to States Part B (Fiscal Year 2009)................        5,424,200         6,215,200         5,924,200          +500,000          -291,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Grants to States, program level...............       10,782,961        10,491,941        11,240,000          +457,039          +748,059

    Preschool Grants..........................................          380,751           380,751           380,751   ................  ................
    Grants for Infants and Families...........................          436,400           423,067           450,000           +13,600           +26,933
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, State grants, program level...................       11,600,112        11,295,759        12,070,751          +470,639          +774,992

IDEA National Activities:
    State Personnel Development...............................  ................  ................           46,000           +46,000           +46,000
    Technical Assistance and Dissemination....................           48,903            48,902            48,903   ................               +1
    Personnel Preparation.....................................           89,720            89,719            89,720   ................               +1
    Parent Information Centers................................           25,704            25,704            27,000            +1,296            +1,296
    Technology and Media Services.............................           38,428            25,063            40,000            +1,572           +14,937
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, IDEA special programs.........................          202,755           189,388           251,623           +48,868           +62,235

Special Olympics Education Programs...........................  ................  ................            8,000            +8,000            +8,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Special education................................       11,802,867        11,485,147        12,330,374          +527,507          +845,227
          Current Year........................................       (6,378,667)       (5,269,947)       (6,406,174)         (+27,507)      (+1,136,227)
          Fiscal Year 2009....................................       (5,424,200)       (6,215,200)       (5,924,200)        (+500,000)        (-291,000)
      Subtotal, Forward funded................................       (6,175,912)       (5,080,559)       (6,192,551)         (+16,639)      (+1,111,992)

        REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH

Vocational Rehabilitation State Grants........................        2,837,160         2,874,043         2,874,043           +36,883   ................
Client Assistance State grants................................           11,782            11,782            11,782   ................  ................
Training......................................................           38,438            38,438            38,438   ................  ................
Demonstration and training programs...........................            6,511             6,840            10,490            +3,979            +3,650
Migrant and seasonal farmworkers..............................            2,279   ................            2,279   ................           +2,279
Recreational programs.........................................            2,518   ................            2,518   ................           +2,518
Protection and advocacy of individual rights (PAIR)...........           16,489            16,489            17,489            +1,000            +1,000
Projects with industry........................................           19,538   ................           19,538   ................          +19,538
Supported employment State grants.............................           29,700   ................           29,700   ................          +29,700

Independent living:
    State grants..............................................           22,588            22,588            22,588   ................  ................
    Centers...................................................           74,638            74,638            74,638   ................  ................
    Services for older blind individuals......................           32,895            32,895            32,895   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Independent living............................          130,121           130,121           130,121   ................  ................

Program Improvement...........................................              835               633               633              -202   ................
Evaluation....................................................            1,473             1,973             1,695              +222              -278
Helen Keller National Center for Deaf/Blind Youth and Adults..            8,511             8,011             9,511            +1,000            +1,500
National Inst. Disability and Rehab. Research (NIDRR).........          106,705           106,705           106,705   ................  ................
Assistive Technology..........................................           30,452            26,111            32,000            +1,548            +5,889
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, discretionary programs........................          405,352           347,103           412,899            +7,547           +65,796
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Rehabilitation services..........................        3,242,512         3,221,146         3,286,942           +44,430           +65,796

      SPECIAL INSTITUTIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND.........................           17,573            17,573            22,000            +4,427            +4,427

NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF (NTID):
    Operations................................................           56,141            55,349            57,295            +1,154            +1,946
    Construction..............................................  ................              913             1,705            +1,705              +792
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, NTID.............................................           56,141            56,262            59,000            +2,859            +2,738

GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY:
    Operations................................................          106,998           106,398           110,400            +3,402            +4,002
    Evaluation................................................  ................              600               600              +600   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Gallaudet........................................          106,998           106,998           111,000            +4,002            +4,002
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Special Institutions for Persons with                      180,712           180,833           192,000           +11,288           +11,167
       Disabilities...........................................

             CAREER, TECHNICAL AND ADULT EDUCATION

Career and Technical:
    State Grants, current funded..............................          390,553           600,000           390,553   ................         -209,447
    Advance from prior year...................................         (791,000)         (791,000)         (791,000)  ................  ................
    Fiscal Year 2009..........................................          791,000   ................          791,000   ................         +791,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, State Grants, program level...................        1,181,553           600,000         1,181,553   ................         +581,553

    Tech-Prep Education State Grants..........................          104,753   ................          104,753   ................         +104,753
    National Programs.........................................           10,000            10,000             8,000            -2,000            -2,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Career and Technical Education................        1,296,306           610,000         1,294,306            -2,000          +684,306

Adult Education:
    State Grants/Adult basic and literacy education State               563,975           564,074           564,074               +99   ................
     Grants, current funded...................................

    National Programs:
        National Leadership Activities........................            9,005             9,096             7,000            -2,005            -2,096
        National Institute for Literacy.......................            6,583             6,638             6,638               +55   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, National programs.............................           15,588            15,734            13,638            -1,950            -2,096
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Subtotal, Adult education...............................          579,563           579,808           577,712            -1,851            -2,096

Smaller Learning Communities, current funded..................            4,677   ................  ................           -4,677   ................
Smaller Learning Communities, forward funded..................           88,854   ................  ................          -88,854   ................
State Grants for Incarcerated Youth Offenders.................           22,770   ................           22,770   ................          +22,770
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Career, Technical and adult education............        1,992,170         1,189,808         1,894,788           -97,382          +704,980
          Current Year........................................       (1,201,170)       (1,189,808)       (1,103,788)         (-97,382)         (-86,020)
          Fiscal Year 2009....................................         (791,000)  ................         (791,000)  ................        (+791,000)
      Subtotal, forward funded................................       (1,196,493)       (1,189,808)       (1,103,788)         (-92,705)         (-86,020)

                 STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Pell Grants--maximum grant (NA)...............................           (4,310)           (4,050)           (4,310)  ................            (+260)
Pell Grants...................................................       13,660,711        13,414,000        14,487,000          +826,289        +1,073,000
Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants...........          770,933   ................          770,933   ................         +770,933
Federal Work Study............................................          980,354           980,492           980,492              +138   ................
Federal Perkins loan cancellations............................           65,471   ................           65,471   ................          +65,471
LEAP program..................................................           64,987   ................           64,987   ................          +64,987
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Student Financial Assistance.....................       15,542,456        14,394,492        16,368,883          +826,427        +1,974,391

STUDENT AID ADMINISTRATION....................................          717,950           708,216           708,216            -9,734   ................

                       HIGHER EDUCATION

Aid for Institutional Development:
    Strengthening Institutions................................           79,535            79,535            79,535   ................  ................
    Hispanic Serving Institutions.............................           94,914            94,911            94,914   ................               +3
    Strengthening Historically Black Colleges (HBCUs).........          238,095           238,095           238,095   ................  ................
    Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions....           57,915            57,915            57,915   ................  ................
    Strengthening Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving              11,785   ................           12,500              +715           +12,500
     Institutions.............................................
    Strengthening Tribal Colleges.............................           23,570            18,570            24,475              +905            +5,905
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Aid for Institutional development.............          505,814           489,026           507,434            +1,620           +18,408

International Education and Foreign Language:
    Domestic Programs.........................................           91,541            91,541            91,541   ................  ................
    Overseas Programs.........................................           12,610            12,610            12,610   ................  ................
    Institute for International Public Policy.................            1,600             1,600             1,600   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, International Education & Foreign Lang........          105,751           105,751           105,751   ................  ................

Fund for the Improvement of Postsec. Ed. (FIPSE)..............           21,989            21,988            81,844           +59,855           +59,856
Minority Science and Engineering Improvement..................            8,730             8,730             8,730   ................  ................
Tribally Controlled Postsec Vocational and Technical                      7,366             7,366             8,000              +634              +634
 Institutions \13\............................................
Federal TRIO Programs.........................................          828,178           828,178           858,178           +30,000           +30,000
GEAR UP.......................................................          303,423           303,423           313,423           +10,000           +10,000
Byrd Honors Scholarships......................................           40,590   ................           41,000              +410           +41,000
Javits Fellowships............................................            9,699             9,797             9,699   ................              -98
Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need.................           30,067            30,064            30,067   ................               +3
Teacher Quality Enhancement Grants............................           59,895   ................           28,521           -31,374           +28,521
Child Care Access Means Parents in School.....................           15,810            15,810            15,810   ................  ................
Advancing America thru foreign language partnerships..........  ................           24,000            12,000           +12,000           -12,000
Demonstration in Disabilities/Higher Education................            6,875   ................            6,875   ................           +6,875
Underground Railroad Program..................................            1,980   ................  ................           -1,980   ................
GPRA data/HEA program evaluation..............................              970               970               970   ................  ................
B.J. Stupak Olympic Scholarships..............................              970   ................  ................             -970   ................
Thurgood Marshall legal education opportunity program.........            2,946   ................  ................           -2,946   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Higher education.................................        1,951,053         1,845,103         2,028,302           +77,249          +183,199

                       HOWARD UNIVERSITY

Academic Program..............................................          204,404           204,405           204,405                +1   ................
Endowment Program.............................................            3,526   ................            3,526   ................           +3,526
Howard University Hospital....................................           29,461            29,461            29,461   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Howard University................................          237,391           233,866           237,392                +1            +3,526

COLLEGE HOUSING AND ACADEMIC FACILITIES LOANS (CHAFL).........              571               481               481               -90   ................
HBCU CAPITAL FINANCING PROGRAM--Federal Adm...................              209               188               188               -21   ................

                INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION SCIENCES

Research, development and dissemination.......................          162,552           162,535           182,552           +20,000           +20,017
Statistics....................................................           90,022           119,022            95,022            +5,000           -24,000
Regional Educational Laboratories.............................           65,470            65,464            68,000            +2,530            +2,536
Research in special education.................................           71,840            71,829            71,840   ................              +11
Special education studies and evaluations.....................            9,900             9,628             9,628              -272   ................
Statewide data systems........................................           24,552            49,152            58,000           +33,448            +8,848

Assessment:
    National Assessment.......................................           88,095           110,595            98,747           +10,652           -11,848
    National Assessment Governing Board.......................            5,054             6,037             6,037              +983   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Assessment....................................           93,149           116,632           104,784           +11,635           -11,848
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, IES..............................................          517,485           594,262           589,826           +72,341            -4,436

                    DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION:
    Salaries and Expenses.....................................          416,487           429,631           429,631           +13,144   ................
    Building Modernization....................................            2,100            17,303             3,000              +900           -14,303
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Program administration...........................          418,587           446,934           432,631           +14,044           -14,303

OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS.......................................           91,205            93,771            93,771            +2,566   ................
OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL...............................           50,266            53,239            54,239            +3,973            +1,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Departmental management..........................          560,058           593,944           580,641           +20,583           -13,303
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Title III, Department of Education...............       60,309,860        59,098,720        62,982,299        +2,672,439        +3,883,579
          Current Year........................................      (45,276,359)      (44,065,219)      (45,964,798)        (+688,439)      (+1,899,579)
              Emergency appropriations........................  ................  ................  ................  ................  ................
          Fiscal Year 2009....................................      (15,033,501)      (15,033,501)      (17,017,501)      (+1,984,000)      (+1,984,000)

                  TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES

COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR SEVERELY              4,652             4,994             4,994              +342   ................
 DISABLED.....................................................

        CORPORATION FOR NATIONAL AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

              DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS

Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA)......................           95,468            89,734            95,468   ................           +5,734
VISTA cost-share revolving fund...............................            3,500   ................  ................           -3,500   ................

National Senior Volunteer Corps:
    Foster Grandparents Program...............................          110,937            97,550           110,937   ................          +13,387
    Senior Companion Program..................................           46,964            41,299            46,964   ................           +5,665
    Retired Senior Volunteer Program..........................           59,685            65,643            59,685   ................           -5,958
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Senior Volunteers.............................          217,586           204,492           217,586   ................          +13,094
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Domestic Volunteer Service Programs..............          316,554           294,226           313,054            -3,500           +18,828

National and Community Service Programs:
    National service trust....................................          117,720           122,521           117,720   ................           -4,801
    AmeriCorps grants.........................................          264,825           255,625           275,775           +10,950           +20,150
    Innovation, assistance, and other activities..............           31,131            12,697            10,550           -20,581            -2,147
    Evaluation................................................            3,960             3,960             3,960   ................  ................
    National Civilian Community Corps.........................           26,789            11,620            31,789            +5,000           +20,169
    Learn and Serve America: K-12 and Higher Ed...............           37,125            32,099            39,125            +2,000            +7,026
    State Commission Administrative Grants....................           12,516            12,000            12,516   ................             +516
    Points of Light Foundation................................  ................            8,900   ................  ................           -8,900
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, National and Community Service Programs.......          494,066           459,422           491,435            -2,631           +32,013

National and Community Service, Salaries and expenses \14\....           68,964            69,520            69,520              +556   ................
Office of Inspector General...................................            4,963             5,512             6,900            +1,937            +1,388
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Corp. for National and Community Service.........          884,547           828,680           880,909            -3,638           +52,229

CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING:
    Fiscal year 2010 (current) with fiscal year 2009                    400,000   ................          420,000           +20,000          +420,000
     comparable...............................................
    Fiscal year 2009 advance with fiscal year 2008 comparable          (400,000)         (400,000)         (400,000)  ................  ................
     (NA).....................................................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, fiscal year 2009 program level................          400,000           400,000           400,000   ................  ................
    Fiscal year 2008 advance with fiscal year 2007 comparable          (400,000)         (400,000)         (400,000)  ................  ................
     (NA).....................................................
        Rescission of fiscal year 2008 funds (NA).............  ................         (-50,000)  ................  ................         (+50,000)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, fiscal year 2008 program level................          400,000           350,000           400,000   ................          +50,000

    Digitalization program, current funded \15\...............           29,700   ................           29,700   ................          +29,700
        Previous appropriated funds (NA) \16\.................  ................          (30,600)  ................  ................         (-30,600)
    Interconnection, current funded \15\......................           34,650   ................           26,750            -7,900           +26,750
        Previous appropriated funds (NA) \16\.................  ................          (26,750)  ................  ................         (-26,750)
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, fiscal year 2008 appropriation............           64,350   ................           56,450            -7,900           +56,450

FEDERAL MEDIATION AND CONCILIATION SERVICE....................           42,849            43,800            44,450            +1,601              +650
FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION..............            7,778             8,096             8,096              +318   ................
INSTITUTE OF MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICES......................          247,205           271,246           266,680           +19,475            -4,566
MEDICARE PAYMENT ADVISORY COMMISSION..........................           12,066            10,748            10,748            -1,318   ................
NATIONAL COMMISSION ON LIBRARIES AND INFO SCIENCE.............              989   ................              400              -589              +400
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY................................            3,426             3,113             3,113              -313   ................
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD................................          251,507           256,238           256,988            +5,481              +750
NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD......................................           11,596            12,242            12,992            +1,396              +750
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION..............           10,471            10,696            10,696              +225   ................

                   RAILROAD RETIREMENT BOARD

Dual Benefits Payments Account................................           88,000            79,000            79,000            -9,000   ................
Less Income Tax Receipts on Dual Benefits.....................           -6,000            -6,000            -6,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Dual Benefits.................................           82,000            73,000            73,000            -9,000   ................

Federal Payment to the RR Retirement Account..................              150               150               150   ................  ................
Limitation on Administration..................................          103,694           103,518           103,694   ................             +176
    Inspector General.........................................            7,173             7,606             8,000              +827              +394

                SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

Payments to Social Security Trust Funds.......................           20,470            28,140            28,140            +7,670   ................

                 SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME

Federal benefit payments......................................       37,204,000        40,675,000        40,675,000        +3,471,000   ................
Beneficiary services..........................................  ................           36,000            36,000           +36,000   ................
Research and demonstration....................................           27,000            27,000            28,000            +1,000            +1,000
Administration................................................        2,950,169         2,983,000         3,030,000           +79,831           +47,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, SSI program level.............................       40,181,169        43,721,000        43,769,000        +3,587,831           +48,000
          Less funds advanced in prior year...................      -11,110,000       -16,810,000       -16,810,000        -5,700,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, regular SSI current year......................       29,071,169        26,911,000        26,959,000        -2,112,169           +48,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, SSI, current request.............................       29,071,169        26,911,000        26,959,000        -2,112,169           +48,000
          New advance, 1st quarter, fiscal year 2009..........       16,810,000        14,800,000        14,800,000        -2,010,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, SSI program......................................       45,881,169        41,711,000        41,759,000        -4,122,169           +48,000

             LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

OASDI Trust Funds.............................................        4,598,834         4,698,292         4,776,292          +177,458           +78,000
HI/SMI Trust Funds............................................        1,626,570         1,679,661         1,679,661           +53,091   ................
Social Security Advisory Board................................            2,000             2,000             2,000   ................  ................
SSI...........................................................        2,950,169         2,868,000         2,915,000           -35,169           +47,000
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, regular LAE...................................        9,177,573         9,247,953         9,372,953          +195,380          +125,000

Additional Program Integrity Funding:
    OASDI Trust Funds.........................................  ................           98,000            98,000           +98,000   ................
    SSI.......................................................  ................          115,000           115,000          +115,000   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Additional Program Integrity Funding..........  ................          213,000           213,000          +213,000   ................

User Fees:
    SSI User Fee activities...................................          117,000           135,000           135,000           +18,000   ................
    SSPA User Fee Activities..................................            1,000             1,000             1,000   ................  ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal, User fees.....................................          118,000           136,000           136,000           +18,000   ................
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Limitation on Administrative Expenses............        9,295,573         9,596,953         9,721,953          +426,380          +125,000

                  OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Federal Funds.................................................           25,902            27,000            28,000            +2,098            +1,000
Trust Funds...................................................           66,149            68,047            68,047            +1,898   ................
                                                               -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Office of Inspector General......................           92,051            95,047            96,047            +3,996            +1,000

Adjustment: Trust fund transfers from general revenues........       -2,950,169        -2,983,000        -3,030,000           -79,831           -47,000
                                                               =========================================================================================
      Total, Social Security Administration...................       52,339,094        48,448,140        48,575,140        -3,763,954          +127,000
          Federal funds.......................................       46,045,541        41,902,140        41,951,140        -4,094,401           +49,000
              Current year....................................      (29,235,541)      (27,102,140)      (27,151,140)      (-2,084,401)         (+49,000)
              New advances, 1st quarter.......................      (16,810,000)      (14,800,000)      (14,800,000)      (-2,010,000)  ................
          Trust funds.........................................        6,293,553         6,546,000         6,624,000          +330,447           +78,000

      Total, Title IV, Related Agencies.......................       54,473,547        50,082,267        50,736,500        -3,737,047          +654,233
          Federal Funds.......................................       48,057,061        43,414,395        43,990,058        -4,067,003          +575,663
              Current Year....................................      (30,847,061)      (28,614,395)      (28,770,058)      (-2,077,003)        (+155,663)
              Fiscal Year 2009 Advance........................      (16,810,000)      (14,800,000)      (14,800,000)      (-2,010,000)  ................
              Fiscal Year 2010 Advance........................         (400,000)  ................         (420,000)         (+20,000)        (+420,000)
          Trust Funds.........................................        6,416,486         6,667,872         6,746,442          +329,956           +78,570
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Funding from the Dislocated Worker National Reserve.
\2\ Administration for Job Corps funding was transferred from ETA to DM in fiscal year 2006 Act.
\3\ Job Corps transferred in fiscal year 2006 Act from ETA to Depart. Management but requested in ETA for fiscal year 2008.
\4\ These funds were included in the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant in fiscal year 2007 and the fiscal year 2008 request.
\5\ In fiscal year 2006, the Delta Health initiative funded through the Rural hospital flexibility grant program.
\7\ Public Law 110-28 transferred $49.5 million from NIAID and OD to PHHSEF in fiscal year 2007.
\6\ Includes Mine Safety and Health.
\8\ The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 provided $74,000,000 for CMS Program Management.
\9\ Fiscal Year 2006 Appropriations Act included a $60,000,000 program administrative reduction.
\10\ The Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 provided $20,000,000 for the Promoting Safe and Stable Entitlement Program.
\11\ An additional $50 million for Health IT within AHRQ.
\12\ Funding for Striving readers is forward funded in the fiscal year 2006 conference agreement only.
\13\ Fiscal Year 2008 Request under Higher Education.
\14\ Current funded.
\15\ Requested funds for these activities are from previously appropriated funds.
\16\ Funds are transferred from funds appropriated to FEMA.

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