99–763 PDF 

Calendar No. 424 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 114–237 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND 

RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 2017 

APRIL 18, 2016.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. KIRK, from the Committee on Appropriations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 2806] 

The Committee on Appropriation reports the bill (S. 2806) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of 

Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 

September 30, 2017, and for other purposes, reports favorably 

thereon and recommends that the bill do pass. 

Amounts in new budget authority 

Total of bill as reported to the Senate ....................$190,096,633,000 

Amount of 2016 appropriations ............................... 278,249,736,000 

Amount of 2017 budget estimate ............................ 189,937,038,000 

Bill as recommended to Senate compared to— 

2016 appropriations .......................................... ¥88,153,103,000 

2017 budget estimate ........................................ ∂159,595,000 
(2) 

C O N T E N T S 

Page 

Background: 

Purpose of the Bill ............................................................................................ 4 

Committee Recommendation ........................................................................... 4 

Overview and Summary of Bill ....................................................................... 4 

Title I: 

Military Construction: 

Items of Special Interest: 

Hearings .............................................................................................. 6 

Summary of Committee Recommendations ..................................... 6 

Reprogramming Guidelines ............................................................... 6 

Real Property Maintenance ............................................................... 7 

Incremental Funding ......................................................................... 7 

Missile Defense ................................................................................... 7 

Other Matters ..................................................................................... 8 

Military Construction Overview ............................................................... 12 

Military Construction, Army .................................................................... 12 

Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps ..................................... 13 

Military Construction, Air Force .............................................................. 13 

Military Construction, Defense-Wide ...................................................... 16 

Military Construction, Army National Guard ......................................... 17 

Military Construction, Air National Guard ............................................. 17 

Military Construction, Army Reserve ...................................................... 18 

Military Construction, Navy Reserve ...................................................... 18 

Military Construction, Air Force Reserve ............................................... 18 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program ..... 18 

Department of Defense Base Closure Account ....................................... 19 

Family Housing Overview ........................................................................ 19 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army ............................. 20 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine 

Corps ....................................................................................................... 20 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force ....................... 20 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide ................ 20 

Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund ............... 20 

Family Housing Construction, Army ....................................................... 21 

Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps ........................ 21 

Family Housing Construction, Air Force ................................................. 21 

Administrative Provisions ........................................................................ 21 

Title II: 

Department of Veterans Affairs: 

Items of Special Interest: 

Hearings .............................................................................................. 24 

Summary of Committee Recommendations ..................................... 24 

Department Overview ........................................................................ 24 

Veterans Benefits Administration ........................................................... 29 

Compensation and Pensions .............................................................. 29 

Readjustment Benefits ....................................................................... 30 

Veterans Insurance and Indemnities ............................................... 31 

Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund ........................................ 32 

Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account ......................... 32 

Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account ........... 33 

General Operating Expenses, Veteran Benefits Administration ... 33 

Veterans Health Administration .............................................................. 35 

Medical Services ................................................................................. 38 

Medical Community Care .................................................................. 55 
Page

3 

Title II—Continued 

Department of Veterans Affairs—Continued 

Veterans Health Administration—Continued 

Medical Support and Compliance ..................................................... 55 

Medical Facilities ............................................................................... 56 

Medical and Prosthetic Research ...................................................... 56 

Medical Care Cost Recovery Collections .......................................... 59 

National Cemetery Administration .......................................................... 60 

Departmental Administration .................................................................. 60 

General Administration ..................................................................... 61 

Board of Veterans Appeals ................................................................ 62 

Information Technology Systems ...................................................... 62 

Office of Inspector General ................................................................ 65 

Construction, Major Projects ............................................................. 66 

Construction, Minor Projects ............................................................. 67 

Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities ............ 67 

Grants for Construction of Veterans Cemeteries ............................ 68 

Administrative Provisions ........................................................................ 68 

Title III: 

Related Agencies: 

American Battle Monuments Commission: 

Salaries and Expenses ....................................................................... 72 

Foreign Currency Fluctuations ......................................................... 72 

United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: Salaries and 

Expenses ................................................................................................. 73 

Department of Defense—Civil: Cemeterial Expenses, Army: 

Salaries and Expenses ....................................................................... 73 

Armed Forces Retirement Home: Trust Fund ........................................ 74 

Administrative Provisions ........................................................................ 75 

Title IV: General Provisions ................................................................................... 76 

Program, Project, and Activity ............................................................................... 77 

Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI, of the Standing Rules of the 

Senate ................................................................................................................... 77 

Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the 

Senate ................................................................................................................... 78 

Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the 

Senate ................................................................................................................... 79 

Budgetary Impact of Bill ......................................................................................... 89 

Military Construction Project Listing by Location ................................................ 90 

Overseas Contingency Operations .......................................................................... 106 

Comparative Statement of Budget Authority ........................................................ 108 
(4) 

BACKGROUND 

PURPOSE OF THE BILL

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill provides necessary funding for the planning, design, construction, alteration, and improvement of military 

facilities worldwide. It also finances the cost of military family 

housing and the U.S. share of the NATO Security Investment Program. In addition, the bill provides funding, including environmental remediation, for base closures and realignments authorized 

by law. The bill provides resources to the Department of Veterans 

Affairs for veterans benefits and healthcare and funding for U.S. 

cemeteries and battlefield monuments both in the United States 

and abroad, including the American Battle Monuments Commission and Arlington National Cemetery. Additionally, the bill funds 

the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Armed 

Forces Retirement Homes. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends new budget authority totaling $190,096,633,000 for fiscal year 2017 military construction, family 

housing, base closure, veterans healthcare and benefits, including 

fiscal year 2018 advance appropriations for veterans medical care 

and appropriated mandatories, and related agencies. This includes 

$103,952,601,000 in mandatory funding and $86,144,032,000 in 

discretionary funding. The table at the end of the report displays 

the Committee recommendation in comparison with the current fiscal year and the President’s fiscal year 2017 request. 

APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 

Budget request Senate recommendation 

New budget authority ..................................................................................... $189,937,038,000 $190,096,633,000 

Previous advances provided for fiscal year 2017 for medical care .............. 63,271,000,000 63,271,000,000 

Previous advances provided for fiscal year 2017 for appropriated 

mandatories ................................................................................................ 102,515,876,000 102,515,876,000 

Less advances provided for fiscal year 2018 for medical care .................... ¥66,385,032,000 ¥66,385,032,000 

Less advances provided for fiscal year 2018 for appropriated mandatories ¥103,935,996,000 ¥103,935,996,000 

Total appropriations for fiscal year 2017 ......................................... 185,402,886,000 185,562,481,000 

OVERVIEW AND SUMMARY OF BILL

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill funds an array of programs that are vital 

to America’s military personnel and their families, and to the Nations’ veterans. For U.S. military forces and their families worldwide, the bill funds critical infrastructure, ranging from mission es-
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sential operational and training facilities to key quality-of-life facilities, including barracks, family housing, child care centers, 

schools and hospitals. 

For America’s 21.7 million veterans, the bill provides the necessary funding for veterans benefits and healthcare, from prescription drugs and clinical services to the construction of hospitals and 

other medical facilities throughout the Nation. 

The bill also funds veterans cemeteries in the United States and 

provides funding for four independent agencies—the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans 

Claims, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Armed Forces Retirement Homes. 

Printing Efficiency.—The Committee is concerned about the millions of taxpayer dollars spent on wasteful printing practices each 

year and the lack of clear printing policies within each Agency. 

While progress has been made to better utilize the cloud and 

digitize records, little progress has been made to reform in-house 

printing practices. The Committee directs each Agency to work 

with Office of Management and Budget to reduce printing and reproduction by 34 percent and report to the Committee within 60 

days after enactment of this act on what steps have been taken to 

reduce printing volume and costs. The report should specifically 

identify how much money each Agency will be saving. 
(6) 

TITLE I 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION 

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

HEARINGS

The Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, 

and Related Agencies held one hearing related to the fiscal year 

2017 military construction budget request. Witnesses included representatives of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and the 

Office of the Secretary of Defense. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

The fiscal year 2017 budget request for military construction and 

family housing totals $7,444,056,000. The Committee recommends 

$7,930,000,000, which is $485,944,000 above the President’s budget 

request. This includes $172,449,000 requested by the President in 

a separate Overseas Contingency Operations title. 

REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES

The following reprogramming guidelines apply for all military 

construction and family housing projects. A project or account (including the sub-elements of an account) which has been specifically 

reduced by the Congress in acting on the budget request is considered to be a congressional interest item and as such, prior approval 

is required. Accordingly, no reprogrammings to an item specifically 

reduced below the threshold by the Congress are permitted. 

The reprogramming criteria that apply to military construction 

projects (25 percent of the funded amount or $2,000,000, whichever 

is less) continue to apply to new housing construction projects and 

to improvements over $2,000,000. To provide the services the flexibility to proceed with construction contracts without disruption or 

delay, the costs associated with environmental hazard remediation 

such as asbestos removal, radon abatement, lead-based paint removal or abatement, and any other legislated environmental hazard remediation may be excluded, provided that such remediation 

requirements could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of the 

budget submission. This exclusion applies to projects authorized in 

this budget year, as well as projects authorized in prior years for 

which construction has not been completed. 

Furthermore, in instances where prior approval of a reprogramming request for a project or account has been received from the 

Committee, the adjusted amount approved becomes the new base 

for any future increase or decrease via below-threshold 

reprogrammings (provided that the project or account is not a congressional interest item as defined above). 
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In addition to these guidelines, the services are directed to adhere to the guidance for military construction reprogrammings and 

notifications, including the pertinent statutory authorities contained in Department of Defense [DOD] Financial Management 

Regulation 7000.14–R and relevant updates and policy memoranda. 

REAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE

The Committee recommends a continuation of the following general rules for repairing a facility under ‘‘Operation and Maintenance’’ account funding: 

—Components of the facility may be repaired by replacement, 

and such replacement may be up to current standards or code. 

—Interior arrangements and restorations may be included as repair, but additions, new facilities, and functional conversions 

must be performed as military construction projects. 

—Such projects may be done concurrent with repair projects, as 

long as the final conjunctively funded project is a complete and 

usable facility. 

—The appropriate Service Secretary shall submit a 21-day notification prior to carrying out any repair project with an estimated cost in excess of $7,500,000. 

The Department is directed to continue to report on the real 

property maintenance backlog at all installations for which there 

is a requested construction project in future budget requests. This 

information is to be provided on the form 1390. In addition, for all 

troop housing requests, the form 1391 is to continue to show all 

real property maintenance conducted in the past 2 years and all future requirements for unaccompanied housing at that installation. 

INCREMENTAL FUNDING

In general, the Committee supports full funding for military construction projects. However, it continues to be the practice of the 

Committee to provide incremental funding for certain large 

projects, despite administration policy to the contrary, to enable the 

services to more efficiently allocate military construction dollars 

among projects that can be executed in the year of appropriation. 

MISSILE DEFENSE

The Committee remains committed to rapidly implementing the 

European Phased Adaptive Approach [EPAA]. Construction of the 

first Aegis Ashore missile defense site in Deveselu, Romania is 

complete and the site is operational. The Committee fully funded 

construction of the second site at Redzikowo, Poland in fiscal year 

2016, and expects the Missile Defense Agency to pursue an aggressive construction schedule to bring this critical asset online. Additionally, the Committee fully funds the request for the first phase 

of the Long Range Discrimination Radar at Clear, Alaska. This 

radar will dramatically improve our ability to effectively target ballistic missile threats to the homeland coming from the Pacific. As 

the missile threat continues to evolve, the Committee remains 

strongly supportive of the expeditionary deployment of a Terminal 

High Altitude Area Defense battery on Guam. The Committee encourages the Department to consider making this deployment per-
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manent and requesting appropriate military construction projects 

in support of this critical mission. 

OTHER MATTERS

Asia-Pacific Realignment and Infrastructure.—The Committee remains interested in infrastructure requirements driven by force 

structure changes in the Pacific Command [PACOM] Area of Responsibility. The relocation of Marines from Okinawa, recapitalization of bases on Guam, rotational deployments in Australia, and 

the movement of forces in Korea are initiatives that require significant military construction. In light of these investments and the 

developing threat, the Committee remains supportive of a strong 

U.S. strategic presence, including missile defense capabilities, 

throughout the region. 

Recent Chinese land reclamation projects in the South China 

Sea, apparently military in nature, are indicative of the need for 

properly located, forward deployed U.S. forces in the region. The 

Committee is closely monitoring developments in the South China 

Sea and is encouraged by progress with the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines, which will expand access for U.S. forces at five locations throughout the country. The 

Committee expects to be kept fully apprised of military construction requirements resulting from this and other enhanced partnerships in the region, including projects utilizing foreign financing 

and cost-sharing agreements. 

The Committee remains concerned about the status of the 

Futenma Replacement Facility [FRF] in Okinawa. Continuous local 

protests, current and anticipated lawsuits, local government opposition, and repeated delays in construction paint a very bleak picture 

for the future of this project. In testimony before the Senate Armed 

Services Committee on February 23, 2016, PACOM Commander 

Admiral Harry Harris noted that these factors have already led to 

a 2 year delay in completion of the project, which will not be complete until 2025 under the best of circumstances. The Committee 

continues to urge the Department to consider potential alternatives 

to the FRF that already exist on Okinawa, including facilities at 

Marine Corps Air Station Futenma and Kadena Air Base. 

The FRF delays combined with severely constrained military construction budget requests leaves the Committee concerned that the 

overall relocation of Marines under the Defense Policy Review Initiative will be delayed as a result. At the Committee’s request, the 

Government Accountability Office [GAO] is conducting a comprehensive review of force realignment and posture in the Pacific. 

The Committee expects the Department to take GAO’s findings 

into consideration as it builds its future budgets. 

Energy Policy.—The Department of Defense [DOD] is the largest 

consumer of energy in the Federal Government, accounting for 

nearly 80 percent of the Government’s total energy consumption. 

The Committee commends the Department for its efforts to improve the energy efficiency of its facilities and installations, reduce 

its energy consumption, and invest in renewable energy projects 

and energy security. The Committee continues to support the Department’s efforts to incorporate green building technologies into 

new facility construction and into the renovation of existing build-
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ings, including leading-edge technologies that can minimize lifecycle costs. The DOD and the services should engage with government, industry, and academia to identify and utilize innovative 

technologies to reduce long-term energy costs, limit the constraints 

of energy and water resources on military mission capabilities and 

readiness, and meet congressional and DOD mandated goals for renewable energy generation and energy and water efficiency. Military installations in Hawaii are among those at the forefront of the 

military’s efforts to address these issues, including the development 

of net-zero energy military housing and installation facilities, upgrades and retrofits for improved energy and water efficiency, and 

microgrid demonstrations. The Committee supports the Department’s investments in microgrid energy security and encourages 

the Department to continue to explore ways to mitigate the risk to 

mission critical assets and promote energy independence at military installations through the Energy Conservation Investment 

Program [ECIP]. 

Al Udeid Air Base Mold Contamination.—The Committee is concerned about reports that airmen serving at Al Udeid Air Base in 

Qatar were living in dangerously contaminated barracks. On social 

media and later in the press, reports detailed collapsing ceilings, 

contaminated water, and toxic black mold found throughout the facility. The Committee has raised concerns in the past about low 

levels of funding for facility sustainment, restoration and modernization, and if the black mold issues at Al Udeid were a result 

of a lack of funding for maintenance, that is unacceptable. Also, the 

Committee is aware that the Department of Defense Inspector 

General released a report in September, 2014 [DODIG–2014–121] 

that identified 1,057 deficiencies and code violations ‘‘that could affect the health, safety, and well-being of warfighters and their families’’ stationed in Japan. Included among the deficiencies were elevated levels of radon and excessive mold growth. In light of the Inspector General report and the reports from Al Udeid, the Committee directs the Department to submit a report not later than 

180 days after enactment of this act detailing global military housing locations with mold contamination, mitigation strategies implemented or expected to be in place, and any new construction standards designed to prevent mold contamination. 

Water Conservation on Military Installations.—The Committee 

recognizes that the Department of Defense [DOD] has the opportunity to play a key role in advancing our Nation’s water security 

by implementing water conservation, reuse, and recharge practices 

on military installations. This should include efforts to incorporate 

water conservation technologies into new infrastructure design, as 

well as to update existing infrastructure to make it more water efficient. 

The Committee also recognizes that many technologies that increase water efficiency do not result in competitive returns on investment. Therefore, the Department is encouraged to implement 

water conservation projects that are not solely contingent on cost 

savings performance, but also take into account reduced water use. 

To assess the current status of water demand and potential water 

conservation opportunities across U.S. military installations, the 

Secretary of Defense is directed to report to the Committees on Ap-
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propriations of both Houses of Congress within 180 days of enactment of this act the following: (1) the current water usage on military installations; (2) the vulnerability of each military installation 

to water scarcity; and, (3) the water conservation potential according to (a) reduced water use and (b) cost savings if current water 

conservation technologies and efficient design were implemented at 

military installations. 

Energy Conservation and Investment Program.—On January 29, 

2016 the U.S. Government Accountability Office [GAO] released a 

report (GAO–16–162) regarding the DOD’s Energy Conservation 

Investment Program (ECIP). GAO recommended that DOD improve reporting on both expected and actual savings of selected 

projects as well as update guidance on selecting projects to receive 

program funding. Currently, ECIP is focused primarily on energy 

conservation projects that yield returns on investment. Recognizing 

that energy resiliency should also be a strategic aim of the program, the Committee urges the Department to consider ECIP 

project selection criteria that also prioritizes installations’ energy 

resiliency and security. 

Defense Workplace Facilities Improvements.—The Committee is 

concerned that continued constraints on the Defense budget in the 

face of increasing operational requirements is taking a serious toll 

on the Department’s aging and structurally deficient workplace facilities inventory. According to recent facility condition assessment 

data, roughly one in four Defense facilities are rated as being in 

poor or failing condition. In testimony presented to the Committee 

on April 7, 2016, Mr. Pete Potochney, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment, noted that, ‘‘Our limited MilCon budget for fiscal year 2017 

leaves limited room for projects that would improve aging workplaces, and therefore, could adversely impact routine operations 

and the quality of life for our personnel.’’ 

A prime example of deteriorating infrastructure that is adversely 

impacting Defense Department personnel is the parking garage at 

the National Maritime Intelligence Center [NMIC] in Suitland, 

MD, which has been certified as unsafe and structurally deficient 

by professional engineers. The garage, which serves a workforce of 

approximately 3,700 personnel, is no longer fully operational due to 

structural concerns despite the fact that $12,000,000 has already 

been spent on repairs in an effort to maintain the facility. A Navycommissioned engineering analysis has validated that the repairs 

are only a stopgap measure because of the severity of the structural flaws, but due to competition for scarce military construction 

dollars, an urgently needed replacement project has been repeatedly delayed and is currently not projected to be programmed for 

funding until fiscal year 2019. As the engineering analysis noted, 

‘‘The longer it takes to replace the parking structure the more severe the impact to NMIC operations.’’ 

In recognition of the fact that aging and structurally deficient 

workplace and support facility infrastructure has a significant impact on personnel safety and operational readiness, the Committee 

urges the Department and the services to prioritize needed workplace replacement projects, including the NMIC parking structure, 

in the fiscal year 2018 and future budget submissions. 
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Coastal Erosion.—Senate Report 114–67 accompanying the fiscal 

year 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related 

Agencies appropriations bill included language directing the Department of Defense [DOD] to include an assessment of coastal erosion and potential flooding risks in the siting of proposed military 

construction projects. In a July 23, 2015, report to Congress regarding the security implications of climate-related risks, the Department noted that is has directed a global screening level assessment 

to determine installation vulnerabilities to climate-related security 

risks with the goal of identifying serious vulnerabilities and developing necessary adaptation strategies. The Committee directs the 

Secretary of Defense to report to the congressional defense committees not later than 120 days after enactment of this act, describing 

the results or the status of the vulnerability assessment, the adaptation strategies developed for vulnerable installations, and the estimated costs associated with implementing these strategies. 

Utilization of the Alaska Workforce in Military Construction.— 

The Committee encourages the Department of Defense and the 

Armed Services to conduct proactive outreach to contractors located 

in Alaska and experienced in Arctic construction techniques and 

constraints in the execution of the military construction program 

for Alaska provided in this bill. The Committee urges the Department to conduct such outreach as near to the construction location 

as possible to maximize local participation. The Committee further 

encourages the Department to coordinate its outreach with the 

Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, local colleges and universities, vocational and technical training providers 

and other organizations involved in Alaska workforce development 

to ensure that an experienced workforce is available for the execution of these critical national security projects. 

Military Construction Funding Initiatives.—The bill includes 

funding for military construction initiatives to address important 

unfunded priorities included in the Department of Defense’s unfunded priority lists provided to Congress. The Committee notes 

that in recent years the military construction budget requests have 

been at historically low levels. Amounts budgeted for facility 

sustainment, restoration, and modernization are similarly low. The 

infrastructure initiatives in unfunded priority lists would ordinarily 

appear as part of the annual budget request, but were not included 

as the military construction budget remains severely constrained. 

For this reason, the Committee includes an additional 

$40,500,000 for the Army, $143,000,000 for the Navy and Marine 

Corps, $195,465,000 for the Air Force, $64,364,000 for DefenseWide, $16,500,000 for the Army National Guard, $34,200,000 for 

the Army Reserve, and $14,400,000 for Family Housing Construction, Army. All additional funding is reserved for projects that were 

included in the unfunded priority lists submitted to Congress. 

Rescissions.—The Committee recommends an administrative provision rescinding prior year unobligated funds due primarily to 

project bid savings and the slow execution of projects. 

Overseas Contingency Operations.—The Committee does not include funds requested by the President designated as Overseas 

Contingency Operations in title IV. Instead, the Committee fully 
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funds these requested projects in the base military construction accounts in title I. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION OVERVIEW

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $6,916,539,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 6,124,204,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 6,294,542,000 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTS—PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The military construction appropriation provides for acquisition, 

construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Department of Defense. This appropriation also provides for facilities required as well as funds for infrastructure 

projects and programs required to support bases and installations 

around the world. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $663,245,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 503,459,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 532,359,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $532,359,000 for the Army for fiscal 

year 2017. This amount is $130,886,000 below the fiscal year 2016 

enacted level and $28,900,000 above the budget request. Further 

detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State 

table at the end of this report. 

Defense Laboratory Enterprise Facilities and Infrastructure.—The 

Committee notes that DOD investments in Defense laboratories 

has been lacking, resulting in negative impacts on the ability of the 

military to develop new acquisition programs or perform cuttingedge research. At the same time, the Nation’s near-peer competitors are making significant new investments in their research and 

development capabilities as part of the effort to close the technology gap with the U.S. military. Of additional concern, aging lab 

infrastructure also creates a disincentive to attracting new employees as DOD tries to rebuild its technical workforce. 

One of the tools that Congress has provided to incentivize DOD 

lab investment is the establishment of a higher threshold for unspecified minor military construction [UMMC] for laboratories to 

enable the services to keep up with a threat that evolves faster 

than the normal planning process. However, the Committee is concerned that the services are not programming sufficient UMMC to 

take full advantage of the laboratory revitalization initiative. For 

example, in fiscal year 2016, the Army, which operates an extensive network of DOD labs, did not allocate any minor military construction funding for necessary laboratory revitalization projects, 

and the request for UMMC in the Army has remained flat at 

$25,000,000. Therefore, the Committee recommends an additional 

$10,000,000 to supplement unspecified minor construction, and the 

Army is encouraged to pursue opportunities to use the additional 

funding for lab revitalization. 
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Major Range and Test Facility Bases.—The Committee is concerned about the lack of investment and sustainment of Major 

Range and Test Facility Bases. In the past 5 years, only seven military construction projects have been requested in direct support of 

test and evaluation missions at these bases nationwide. For example, White Sands Missile Range, which is the Nation’s largest overland testing facility, has not received a military construction 

project in support of test and evaluation missions in over a decade. 

As a result, support for critical testing on missile systems such as 

the Standard Missile-2, Patriot Missile system, Joint Air to Surface 

Standoff Missile, Cruise Missile, and others may be adversely impacted. The lack of military construction investment at these test 

and evaluation facilities places future technology development at 

risk and threatens the ability to counter emerging threats. Therefore, the Committee directs the Defense Department to submit a 

report within 90 days after enactment of this act outlining its plan 

to address military construction requirements at Major Range and 

Test facilities. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $1,669,239,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 1,027,763,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 1,087,572,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $1,087,572,000 for Navy and Marine 

Corps military construction for fiscal year 2017. This amount is 

$581,667,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 

$59,809,000 above the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end 

of this report. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $1,389,185,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 1,481,058,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 1,579,798,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $1,579,798,000 for the Air Force in 

fiscal year 2017. This amount is $190,613,000 above the fiscal year 

2016 enacted level and $98,740,000 above the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the 

State table at the end of this report. 

Air Force Ballistic Missile Facilities.—The Committee is aware 

that ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile [ICBM] facilities at Malmstrom Air Force Base [AFB], Montana; Minot AFB, 

North Dakota; and F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, are aging and in 

urgent need of replacement. The Air Force has developed a funding 

roadmap to replace the Weapons Storage Facilities [WSFs] at each 

of the bases, beginning with the construction of a prototype facility 

at F. E. Warren AFB, which was funded in fiscal year 2016. A replacement WSF at Malmstrom, programmed for fiscal year 2019, 

will be based on the F. E. Warren prototype. A replacement facility 
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for Minot AFB is also planned but is not programmed for funding 

in the current Future Years Defense Program [FYDP]. 

Given the failing condition of the weapons storage facilities due 

to decades of wear-and-tear and a lack of sufficient maintenance 

and sustainment funding, the Committee urges the Air Force to 

prioritize replacement of not only the WSFs but also other aging 

facilities at these installations, which are the only Air Force bases 

in the Nation to have Minuteman-III ICBM launch capability, and 

to accelerate funding of both the Malmstrom and Minot WSFs 

within the current FYDP. As an Air Force analysis of the WSFs at 

Malmstrom earlier this year documented, continued deferral of replacing these facilities carries risks far beyond bricks-and-mortar 

deterioration, including the following impacts on operating costs 

and operational readiness: 

—Day-to-day operations, maintenance and labor costs have increased 280 percent over the past 5 years while engineers have 

executed patchwork repairs on existing infrastructure. 

—An additional 3,000 man-hours of human surveillance is required annually due to security system inadequacies. 

—Recent flooding and fire suppression issues cancelled training 

and certification operations for 6 months resulting in 4,000 lost 

man-hours. 

—Munitions experts are required to work extra shifts, which 

likely contributed to a drop in retention from 75 percent to 20 

percent in the last 5 years. 

As the Air Force analysis confirms, military construction is a key 

component of readiness. Failure to invest in needed military construction projects does not just impact the cost of trying to maintain a deteriorating facility, which in itself is substantial, but it 

also impacts training, readiness and retention of personnel—the 

very areas that the Department of Defense is focused on reinforcing 

in a time of severe budget constraints. Nowhere is this more important than in the Nation’s nuclear deterrence efforts. As Secretary 

of the Air Force Deborah Lee James noted in testimony presented 

to the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on the fiscal 

year 2017 Air Force budget request, ‘‘There is no mission more critical than maintaining our Nation’s nuclear capability.’’ 

It is clear from the analysis of the weapons storage facilities at 

Malmstrom AFB that adequate infrastructure is a key component 

of maintaining nuclear capability. Unfortunately, WSFs are not the 

only example of crumbling infrastructure at the Air Force ballistic 

missile fields. The Missile Alert Facilities at Malmstrom, which 

house the ICBM mission support personnel, are also in an advanced state of disrepair. Like the MSFs, the Missile Alert Facilities date to the early 1960s. The power, communications and air 

supply systems for the Launch Control Center are housed in 

unhardened rooms. The underground utilities have deteriorated to 

the point that they require extensive maintenance but remain subject to frequent water and sewage disruptions. According to officials 

at Malmstrom, the primary Missile Alert Facility structures are 

often infested with rodents, rattlesnakes and mold due to gaps between the foundation and wall structures as a result of the facilities settling. Of extreme concern to the Committee is that a military construction project for the first phase of construction to re-
15 

place the Missile Alert Facilities at Malmstrom, which was programmed for fiscal year 2019 in the fiscal year 2016 Air Force 

FYDP, was eliminated from the fiscal year 2017–2021 FYDP due 

to budget constraints. 

Strategic nuclear deterrence capabilities cannot be sustained 

with third-rate support infrastructure. To assess the impact of indefinitely deferring replacement of the Missile Alert Facilities at 

Malmstrom and other ballistic missile bases, the Committee directs 

the Secretary of the Air Force to undertake an analysis of the cost 

of maintaining the existing Missile Alert Facilities at these bases 

including: (a) an assessment of day-to-day operations, maintenance 

and labor cost increases over the past 5 years; (b) annual personnel 

hours and costs required to maintain human security surveillance; 

(c) lost training and certification man-hours due to safety hazards; 

(d) estimated impact of increased workloads and substandard working conditions on personnel retention over the past 5 years; and (e) 

other factors impacting operational costs and readiness. The Secretary is directed to provide a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 90 days of enactment 

of this act on the findings of the analysis and a projected cost and 

timeline for replacing the Weapons Alert Facilities at each of these 

bases. 

Air Force Facility Security Requirements.—The Committee is concerned with the Department’s funding recommendation for the Air 

Force’s unspecified minor construction account. An additional 

$10,000,000 is provided to assist installations in the continental 

U.S. with significant facility entry and exit point concerns. Priority 

should be given to installations with access control points that 

present safety, security and traffic hazards. 

Software Sustainment Infrastructure.—The Committee notes the 

growing demand for software sustainment resulting from the deployment of new, technologically advanced weapons systems. For 

example, the F–35 has more than 8 million lines of code, roughly 

four times as many as the F–22. As a result, the existing software 

sustainment infrastructure is under increasing stress. The Committee encourages the Air Force to prioritize the capitalization of 

its software sustainment infrastructure and to utilize all its authorities to ensure mission critical software needs are met. 

Physical Fitness Centers.—Physical fitness is a core requirement 

of military readiness, and the Committee commends the Air Force 

for programming the construction of multiple physical fitness centers over the fiscal year 2017 Future Years Defense Program 

[FYDP]. However, the Air Force program is still small, with only 

eight physical fitness centers programmed over the FYDP, and all 

but one—a fiscal year 2021 project for the Niagara Falls, NY, Air 

Reserve Station—are active Air Force projects. Physical fitness is 

equally important to members of the Air Guard and Air Force Reserve, who regularly train and serve alongside active duty airmen 

and women. Access to physical fitness centers such as the one proposed for the Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station will increase the 

readiness of Guard and reserve personnel to ensure they are adequately trained at the highest readiness level to be ready to deploy. 

The Committee therefore urges the Air Force to prioritize construction of the Niagara Falls facility within the FYDP and to program 
16 

additional Guard and reserve physical fitness facilities in the fiscal 

year 2018 FYDP. 

KC–46 Strategic Basing.—The Committee supports the Air 

Force’s long-term effort to recapitalize the United States’ aging Air 

Force aerial refueling tanker fleet and has supported the beddown 

of the KC–46A with appropriations for Military Construction at the 

KC–46A Formal Training Unit, Main Operating Base 1, Main Operating Base 2, and Main Operating Base 3. The Committee is 

aware that the Air Force is currently developing a list of candidate 

installations through the strategic basing process for KC–46A Main 

Operating Base 4. The Committee is also aware that through this 

process, the Air Force is considering a possible reduction in the 

number of Primary Assigned Aircraft from 36 to 24 for this location. As the Air Force has proposed Main Operating Base 4 as the 

second and final Active Component KC–46A Main Operating Base 

in the continental United States, a reduction of a full squadron of 

Primary Assigned Aircraft in this laydown could have significant 

long-term impacts for the operations, training, and readiness of the 

KC–46A fleet. The KC–46A represents the future of the Air Force’s 

aerial refueling capability which is an integral component of all air 

operations for the Air Force and the other services. Understanding 

the gravity of this decision, the Committee directs the Secretary of 

the Air Force to submit a report within 60 days of enactment of 

this act detailing the operational planning factors, operational risk, 

manpower efficiencies, maintenance efficiencies, and implications 

for National Guard and Reserve end strength. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $2,242,867,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 2,056,091,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 2,038,980,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $2,038,980,000 for projects considered within the Defense-Wide account in fiscal year 2017. This 

amount is $203,887,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 

and $17,111,000 below the budget request. Further detail of the 

Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the 

end of this report. 

Medical Military Construction.—The Committee provides funding 

for eight projects to renovate or build new medical treatment facilities within the Department of Defense. Medical military construction budget submissions remain at historically low levels, forcing 

necessary projects to be deferred in the Future Years Defense Program [FYDP]. For example, the General Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital [GLWACH] replacement originally planned for fiscal year 2016 is once again deferred, now planned for fiscal year 

2021. The Committee notes the Surgeon General of the United 

States Army testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on March 9, 2016, that this hospital replacement project remains the Army’s top medical military construction 

priority. The existing hospital last underwent a major renovation 
17 

nearly 40 years ago. The Committee recognizes that the GLWACH 

serves a large population with few alternatives military health system providers in the surrounding area. Due to the quality of life 

importance of this and other medical facilities like it, the Committee strongly encourages the Department to prioritize and restore medical military construction projects within the FYDP submitted for fiscal year 2018. In addition, the Committee encourages 

the Department to continue collaborating with the Department of 

Veterans Affairs to pursue Joint DOD/VA medical facility projects. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $197,237,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 232,930,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 232,930,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $232,930,000 for Military Construction, Army National Guard for fiscal year 2017. This amount is 

$35,693,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 

the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

Army National Guard Readiness Center Transformation Plan.— 

Army National Guard Readiness Centers are integral to the 

Guard’s mission. They provide critical operational training and administrative space, sensitive equipment storage, family and community support, and a base from which to stage emergency responses. However, the Army National Guard’s 2014 Readiness Center Transformation Master Plan’s findings report that the 

inventory’s condition is deteriorating, and facilities have obsolete 

space configurations, insufficient emergency communication infrastructure, and deficient storage space. The report also outlined the 

staggering cost to address these failing facilities and the consequences of allowing them to continue to deteriorate. The Committee is concerned by the current state of the portfolio, and supports increased investments in National Guard Readiness Centers 

in accordance with the Readiness Center Transformation Master 

Plan so that they can better meet the needs of the Army Guard. 

Therefore, the Committee encourages the Department to prioritize 

investment in Readiness Center facilities with low readiness ratings, and to examine where efficiencies and cost-sharing can be 

achieved by co-locating Readiness Centers with other public facilities. The Committee further directs the Army to provide a report 

no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act on a plan to implement, as a first step, the National Guard’s ‘‘Affordable Readiness’’ Transformation Plan, including an annual investment estimate based on the proposed 15-year implementation timeline. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $138,738,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 143,957,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 143,957,000 
18 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $143,957,000 for Military Construction, Air National Guard for fiscal year 2017. This amount is 

$5,219,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 

the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $113,595,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 68,230,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 68,230,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $68,230,000 for Military Construction, Army Reserve for fiscal year 2017. This amount is 

$45,365,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 

the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY RESERVE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $36,078,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 38,597,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 38,597,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $38,597,000 for Military Construction, Navy Reserve for fiscal year 2017. This amount is $2,519,000 

above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget 

request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $65,021,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 188,950,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 188,950,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $188,950,000 for Military Construction, Air Force Reserve for fiscal year 2017. This amount is 

$123,929,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 

the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $135,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 177,932,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 177,932,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] appropriation 

provides for the U.S. cost share of the NATO Security Investment 
19 

Program for the acquisition and construction of military facilities 

and installations (including international military headquarters) 

and for related expenses for the collective defense of the NATO 

Treaty area. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $177,932,000 for the North Atlantic 

Treaty Organization Security Investment Program [NSIP] for fiscal 

year 2017 as requested. This amount is $42,932,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $266,334,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 205,237,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 205,237,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Section 2711 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 

Year 2014 (Public Law 112–239) consolidated the Base Closure Account 1990 and the Base Closure Account 2005 into a single Department of Defense Base Closure Account. The Base Closure Account provides for cleanup and disposal of property consistent with 

the four closure rounds required by the base closure acts of 1988 

and 1990, and with the 2005 closure round required by the Defense 

Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note). 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total of $205,237,000 for the Department of Defense Base Closure Account for fiscal year 2017. 

This amount is $61,097,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted 

level and equal to the budget request. Funds provided for fiscal 

year 2017 are for environmental cleanup and ongoing operations 

and maintenance. 

FAMILY HOUSING OVERVIEW

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $1,404,281,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 1,319,852,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 1,319,852,000 

FAMILY HOUSING ACCOUNTS—PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Family Housing appropriation provides funds for military 

family housing construction activities, operation and maintenance, 

the Family Housing Improvement Fund, and the Homeowners Assistance Program. Construction accounts provide funding for new 

construction, improvements and the Federal Government share of 

housing privatization. Operation and maintenance accounts fund 

costs associated with the maintenance and leasing of military family housing, including utilities, services, management, and furnishings. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $1,319,852,000 for Family Housing 

Construction, Operations and Maintenance, and the Department’s 
20 

family housing improvement fund for fiscal year 2017. This amount 

is $84,429,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal 

to the budget request. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $375,611,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 325,995,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 325,995,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $325,995,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Army for fiscal year 2017. This amount 

is $49,616,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal 

to the budget request. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, NAVY AND

MARINE CORPS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $353,036,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 300,915,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 300,915,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $300,915,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps, in fiscal year 

2017. This amount is $52,121,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, AIR FORCE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $331,232,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 274,429,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 274,429,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $274,429,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Air Force, in fiscal year 2017. This 

amount is $56,803,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 

equal to the budget request. 

FAMILY HOUSING OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $58,668,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 59,157,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 59,157,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $59,157,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Defense-Wide, for fiscal year 2017. This 

amount is $489,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 

equal to the budget request. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. ........................... 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... $3,258,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 3,258,000 
21 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Family Housing Improvement Fund appropriation provides 

for the Department of Defense to undertake housing initiatives and 

to provide an alternative means of acquiring and improving military family housing and supporting facilities. This account provides 

seed money for housing privatization initiatives. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $3,258,000 for the Family Housing 

Improvement Fund in fiscal year 2017. This amount is equal to the 

budget request. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $108,695,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 200,735,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 200,735,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $200,735,000 for Army Family 

Housing Construction in fiscal year 2017. This amount is 

$92,040,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 

the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $16,541,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 94,011,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 94,011,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $94,011,000 for Family Housing 

Construction, Navy and Marine Corps. This amount is $77,470,000 

above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget 

request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $160,498,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 61,352,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 61,352,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $61,352,000 for Family Housing 

Construction, Air Force, in fiscal year 2017. This amount is 

$99,146,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to 

the budget request. Further detail of the Committee’s recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

SEC. 101. The Committee includes a provision that restricts payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for work, except in 
22 

cases of contracts for environmental restoration at base closure 

sites. 

SEC. 102. The Committee includes a provision that permits the 

use of funds for the hire of passenger motor vehicles. 

SEC. 103. The Committee includes a provision that permits the 

use of funds for defense access roads. 

SEC. 104. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits construction of new bases inside the continental United States for 

which specific appropriations have not been made. 

SEC. 105. The Committee includes a provision that limits the use 

of funds for purchase of land or land easements. 

SEC. 106. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits the 

use of funds to acquire land, prepare a site, or install utilities for 

any family housing except housing for which funds have been made 

available. 

SEC. 107. The Committee includes a provision that limits the use 

of minor construction funds to transfer or relocate activities among 

installations. 

SEC. 108. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits the 

procurement of steel unless American producers, fabricators, and 

manufacturers have been allowed to compete. 

SEC. 109. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits payments of real property taxes in foreign nations. 

SEC. 110. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits construction of new bases overseas without prior notification. 

SEC. 111. The Committee includes a provision that establishes a threshold for American preference of $500,000 relating to architect 

and engineering services for overseas projects. 

SEC. 112. The Committee includes a provision that establishes 

preference for American contractors for military construction in the 

United States territories and possessions in the Pacific, and on 

Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf. 

SEC. 113. The Committee includes a provision that requires notification of military exercises involving construction in excess of 

$100,000. 

SEC. 115. The Committee includes a provision that permits funds 

appropriated in prior years to be available for construction authorized during the current session of Congress. 

SEC. 116. The Committee includes a provision that permits the 

use of expired or lapsed funds to pay the cost of supervision for any 

project being completed with lapsed funds. 

SEC. 117. The Committee includes a provision that permits obligation of funds from more than 1 fiscal year to execute a construction project, provided that the total obligation for such project is 

consistent with the total amount appropriated for the project. 

SEC. 118. The Committee includes a provision that permits the 

transfer of funds from Family Housing Construction accounts to 

the DOD Family Housing Improvement Fund and from Military 

Construction accounts to the DOD Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund. 

SEC. 119. The Committee includes a provision that provides 

transfer authority to the Homeowners Assistance Fund. 

SEC. 120. The Committee includes a provision that requires all 

acts making appropriations for military construction be the sole 
23 

funding source of all operation and maintenance for family housing, 

including flag and general officer quarters, and limits the repair on 

flag and general officer quarters to $35,000 per unit per year without prior notification to the congressional defense committees. 

SEC. 121. The Committee includes a provision that provides authority to expend funds from the ‘‘Ford Island Improvement’’ account. 

SEC. 122. The Committee includes a provision that allows the 

transfer of expired funds to the Foreign Currency Fluctuation, Construction, Defense Account. 

SEC. 123. The Committee includes a provision that allows the reprogramming of military construction and family housing construction funds among projects and activities within the account in 

which they are funded. 

SEC. 124. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits the 

use of funds in this title for planning and design and construction 

of projects at Arlington National Cemetery. 

SEC. 125. The Committee includes a provision providing additional funds for unfunded military construction priorities. 

SEC. 126. The Committee includes a provision rescinding unobligated balances from various military construction accounts. 

SEC. 127. The Committee includes a provision regarding the consolidation or relocation of a U.S. Air Force RED HORSE Squadron 

outside of the United States. 

SEC. 128. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting the use 

of funds in this title to close or realign Naval Station Guantanamo 

Bay, Cuba. The provision is intended to prevent the closure or 

transfer of the installation out of the possession of the United 

States, and maintain the Naval Station’s long-standing regional security and migrant operations missions. 
(24) 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

ITEMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST

HEARINGS

The Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, 

and Related Agencies held two hearings related to the fiscal year 

2017 and 2018 Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] budget request. The subcommittee heard testimony from the Honorable 

David J. Shulkin, Under Secretary for Health, Mr. Danny G. I. 

Pummill, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits, and the Honorable 

Robert A. McDonald, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

The Committee recommendation includes $177,391,336,000 for 

the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2017, including 

$102,532,481,000 in mandatory spending and $74,858,855,000 in 

discretionary spending. The Committee also recommends 

$66,385,032,000 in advance appropriations for veterans medical 

care for fiscal year 2018 and $103,935,996,000 in advance appropriations for appropriated mandatories for fiscal year 2018. 

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Veterans Administration was established on July 21, 1930, 

as an independent agency by Executive Order 5398, in accordance 

with the Act of July 3, 1930 (46 Stat. 1016). This act authorized 

the President to consolidate and coordinate Federal agencies specially created for or concerned with the administration of laws providing benefits to veterans, including the Veterans’ Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions, and the National Home for Disabled Volunteer 

Soldiers. On March 15, 1989, the Veterans Administration was elevated to Cabinet-level status as the Department of Veterans Affairs. 

VA’s mission is to serve America’s veterans and their families as 

their principal advocate in ensuring they receive the care, support, 

and recognition they have earned in service to the Nation. As of 

September 30, 2015, there were an estimated 21.7 million living 

veterans, with 21.6 million of them residing in the United States 

and Puerto Rico. There were an estimated 26.1 million dependents 

(spouses and dependent children) of living veterans in the United 

States and Puerto Rico, and there were 594,000 survivors of deceased veterans receiving VA survivor benefits in the United States 

and Puerto Rico. Thus, approximately 48.3 million people, or 14.8 

percent of the total estimated resident population of the United 
25 

States and Puerto Rico, were recipients or potential recipients of 

veterans benefits from the Federal Government. VA’s operating 

units include the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans 

Health Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and 

staff support offices. 

The Veterans Benefits Administration [VBA] provides an integrated program of nonmedical veterans benefits. VBA administers 

a broad range of benefits to veterans and other eligible beneficiaries through 56 regional offices and a records processing center 

in St. Louis, Missouri. The benefits provided include: compensation 

for service-connected disabilities; pensions for wartime, needy, and 

totally disabled veterans; vocational rehabilitation assistance; educational and training assistance; home buying assistance; estate 

protection services for veterans under legal disability; information 

and assistance through personalized contacts; and six life insurance programs. 

The Veterans Health Administration [VHA] develops, maintains, 

and operates a national healthcare delivery system for eligible veterans; carries out a program of education and training of 

healthcare personnel; conducts medical research and development; 

and furnishes health services to members of the Armed Forces during periods of war or national emergency. A system of 167 medical 

centers, 1,018 community-based outpatient clinics, 300 vet centers, 

and 135 community living centers is maintained to meet the VA’s 

medical mission. 

The National Cemetery Administration [NCA] provides for the 

interment of the remains of eligible deceased servicemembers and 

discharged veterans in any national cemetery with available grave 

space; permanently maintains these graves; provides headstones 

and markers for the graves of eligible persons in national and private cemeteries; administers the grant program for aid to States in 

establishing, expanding, or improving State veterans cemeteries; 

and provides certificates to families of deceased veterans recognizing their contributions and service to the Nation. In 2017, cemetery activities will encompass 133 national cemeteries, one national 

veterans’ burial ground, and 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites. 

Staff support offices include the Office of Inspector General, 

Boards of Contract Appeals and Veterans Appeals, and General Administration offices, which support the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits, Under Secretary for Health, 

Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, and General Counsel. 

Whistleblower Protection.—The Committee remains concerned 

about unacceptable retaliation against whistleblowers within the 

Department across the Nation. The Department has made many 

promises to foster a culture of openness by encouraging VA employees to report cases of wrongdoing, yet the Committee continues to 

hear reports that once reporting cases of wrongdoing, the whistleblowers become subjects of retaliation. For example, on February 

25, 2016, the Office of Special Counsel revealed OIG’s actions regarding complaints filed by whistleblowers in Illinois and Louisiana were ‘‘incomplete’’ and ‘‘inadequate,’’ and on September 17, 

2015, OSC also reported to the President documented instances of 

whistleblower retaliation in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Missouri, 

Maryland, and Puerto Rico. The Committee finds such actions rep-
26 

rehensible, and the Committee continues to direct the Department 

to send a clear and unequivocal message throughout the VA system 

that retaliation against whistleblowers will not stand, and those in 

leadership who condone or ignore such retaliation will be held accountable. The Committee will continue to advocate on behalf of 

those employees who receive unfair retribution for reporting wrongdoing at VA facilities and will bring to the Department’s attention 

every instance of whistleblower retaliation brought to its attention. 

As such, the Committee directs VA to create a formal process for 

whistleblowers to file complaints within VA that begins a paper 

trail for management to be held accountable for ignoring or mistreating whistleblowers. Specifically, the Department is directed to 

establish a Central Whistleblower Office that is not connected with 

VA General Counsel’s office to investigate all whistleblower complaints at VA. This office will specialize in investigating whistleblower complaints, with all resources being allocated to protecting 

the rights on VA whistleblowers. 

Further, the Secretary shall carry out specified adverse actions 

against a supervisor who commits a prohibited personnel action relating to a whistleblower complaint. A supervisor who commits a 

prohibited personnel action shall not be paid any award or bonus 

for a 1 year period, and any award or bonus paid during that period shall be recouped. Retaliation includes, but is not limited to, 

taking a prohibited personnel action against a whistleblower for (1) 

filing a complaint, (2) providing information or participating as a 

witness in a whistleblower complaint investigation, (3) refusing to 

perform an action that is unlawful, and/or (4) engaging in protected 

communications that are related to the employee’s duties. The 

Committee directs the Department to produce an annual report to 

Congress on how many whistleblower complaints were filed with 

VA, the location at which the alleged misconduct occurred, and the 

outcome of VA’s investigation, including the length of time needed 

to reach a resolution, and a list of any personnel disciplinary actions taken. 

For purposes of testifying in an official capacity in front of either 

House of Congress, a Committee of either House of Congress, or a 

joint or select Committee of Congress regarding whistleblower complaints, an employee of the Department should be considered as 

performing an official duty, and as such, the Department shall provide travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, to 

any such VA employee. 

The Committee is also concerned there is no proper mechanism 

at the Department to inform employees of their rights under the 

law with regards to reporting wrongdoing and whistleblower protection. The Committee is aware there is no whistleblower protection training for employees mandated within the Department, and 

there is not an official handbook or orientation outlining and explaining employee rights and responsibilities in this area, to include management and their role and responsibilities either when 

reporting wrongdoing themselves or supervising someone who has 

blown the whistle on misconduct, waste, fraud, or poor patient 

care. Therefore, the Department is directed to ensure all employees 

are educated on: their rights from retaliation, existing whistleblower protections, and resources available to them, to include the 
27 

VA Office of the Inspector General [OIG], Office of Special Counsel, 

and the Merit System Protection Board and the location of such resources on the OIG Web site. The Department is directed to implement education for all employees on these issues through employee 

orientation, employee manuals, and periodic briefings. Additionally, 

employees must be educated on exemptions from privacy laws, specifically that healthcare providers are exempted from the Health 

Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [HIPAA] privacy rules 

when disclosing to OIG allegations of problems with patient care. 

Further, any VA employee who discloses HIPAA and Privacy Act 

information to OIG for purposes of providing such information for 

an OIG investigation is not in violation of these laws. The law shall 

be clearly communicated by the investigator prior to any investigative interview with a VA employee. Currently, the law is not clearly stated on the OIG Web site nor regularly communicated to VA 

employees. It is critical all employees understand their protections 

under the law and are encouraged to report misconduct, waste, 

fraud, and poor patient care so those engaging in wrongdoing may 

be held accountable. The Department is directed to submit a report 

to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

no later than 90 days after enactment of this act detailing how VA 

is complying with the directives listed above. 

Electronic Health Record.—Achieving interoperability between 

the health records of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the 

Department of Defense remains one of the highest priorities of the 

Committee. The Committee believes from a servicemember’s initial 

military entrance physical to their final interaction with VA, a 

seamless health record should follow the individual. VA’s current 

VistA Evolution program and DOD’s acquisition of an electronic 

health record are two separate and distinct programs, yet the Departments have a mandate from Congress to ensure the records are 

able to transmit computable data that can be used by clinicians on 

either side. The Committee also notes the increased utilization of 

medical care in the community by enrolled veterans makes it incumbent upon the Department to ensure medical information from 

outside VA can be easily brought into the VA’s health record system. The Committee continues to expect the electronic health 

record [EHR] will be developed with an open architecture to best 

leverage the innovation of the private sector. 

Although the Committee was under the impression the decision 

to evolve VistA was final, in 2015, VA began a business case analysis to review the options available to the Department regarding 

purchasing a commercial-off-the-shelf product. The business case is 

also reviewing the current plan to evolve VistA. While the Committee supports this prudent decision to proceed forward with all 

available information, the Department is directed to make a decision about the future of the EHR as soon as possible. The development of other Information systems technology programs hinge on 

the decision regarding the EHR platform, including the replacement of the legacy scheduling system, and the Committee expects 

a decision from the Chief Information Officer of the Department no 

later than the end of the summer 2016. 

In fiscal years 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, Congress required the 

Department to provide information on the cost, timeline, perform-
28 

ance benchmarks, and interoperability capacity of VistA Evolution 

before releasing 75 percent of the funds appropriated. Even though 

the future of VistA is uncertain, the Committee maintains in this 

act its oversight authority by placing similar constraints on the obligation or expenditure of funding for the development of VistA 

Evolution until certain conditions are met. As the decision over the 

EHR progresses this year, the Committee will inform VA of any 

changes to this constraint. Further explanation of the Committee’s 

intent is included in the appropriate section of the report. 

Disability Claims Backlog.—The Committee commends the Department on its efforts to reduce the disability claims backlog and 

increase the accuracy of claims decisions, yet the processing of disability claims remains a major concern of the Committee. The Committee is committed to ensuring the Department maintains its goal 

of processing all claims over 125 days with 98 percent accuracy. 

The Committee has not only fully funded the request for claims 

processing in recent years, but has provided increases above the 

budget requests for hiring and training claims processors, bolstering the migration to electronic claims processing systems, and 

addressing the increasing backlog of appeals at the Board of Veterans Appeals. As a result of these funding levels and the specific 

measures intended to bring the backlog down included in the fiscal 

year 2014 and 2015 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs 

and Related Agencies appropriations bill and report, VBA has 

made significant and notable progress in reducing the number of 

backlogged claims from a high of 611,000 in March 2013 to fewer 

than 77,483 as of April 2, 2016. 

The Committee is also committed to ensuring there is not a recurrence of any sizeable backlog or a reduction in accuracy. To that 

end, the Committee will continue to host reoccurring meeting of the 

disability claims interagency working group that began in May 

2013. This group includes the Under Secretary of Benefits and representatives from the Department of Defense, the Social Security 

Administration, and the Internal Revenue Service. The Committee 

will continue to assert its oversight ability by monitoring these 

agencies as they work to better expedite the flow of interagency information needed to process claims in a timely manner. The Committee will continue to require the Department provide monthly 

updates on performance measures for each Regional Office. 

The Committee will continue to monitor VBA as it is making the 

shift from crisis-mode to maintenance-mode in the area of claims 

processing. Given the goal of ending the backlog at the end of 2016 

was not met, the Committee directs VBA to continue working towards that goal. The Department must consider processing all 

claims within 125 days with 98 percent accuracy a mandate of 

VBA, and the Department should fund and staff this agency accordingly. The Committee is also focused on the next assumed 

issue for disability claims: the backlog at the appellate level. 

The fiscal year 2017 justification accompanying the budget request states appeals received by the Board of Veterans Appeals are 

projected to increase 57 percent, from 66,778 in 2014 to 105,012 by 

the end of 2016. The Committee notes the Department is aware the 

appeals process needs reform and resources, and to that end, the 

Department is directed to submit a report no later than 180 days 
29 

after enactment of this act on the actions VBA is taking to reduce 

the backlog of appeals and streamline the appeals process. 

VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $94,129,886,000 

Advance Appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 102,515,876,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 3,043,209,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 3,073,209,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018 ................................. 103,935,996,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018 .............. 103,935,996,000 

* The Committee notes the totals above reflect the shift of GOE, VBA from Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits Administration. 

ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW

The Veterans Benefits Administration [VBA] is responsible for 

the payment of compensation and pension benefits to eligible service-connected disabled veterans, as well as education benefits and 

housing loan guarantees. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided $102,515,876,000 in 

advance for the Veterans Benefits Administration for fiscal year 

2017. This included $86,083,128,000 for Compensation and pensions; $16,340,828,000 for Readjustment benefits; and $91,920,000 

for Veterans insurance and indemnities. For fiscal year 2017, the 

Committee recommends an additional $16,605,000 for Veterans insurance and indemnities. Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes $198,856,000 for the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund administrative expenses; $36,000 for the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program account, with $389,000 for administrative expenses; $1,163,000 for the Native American Veteran 

Housing Loan Program account; $2,856,160,000 for General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account; and an 

advance appropriation of $103,935,996,000 for fiscal year 2018. 

The Committee also notes the move of the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account from Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits Administration 

with the fiscal year 2017 recommendation. This move puts 

GOE,VBA back under its appropriate section within the act, and 

the Committee instructs the Department to place GOE,VBA in this 

location with the fiscal year 2018 request. 

COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $76,865,545,000 

Advance Appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 86,083,128,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 86,083,128,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 86,083,128,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018 ................................. 90,119,449,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018 .............. 90,119,449,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Compensation is payable to living veterans who have suffered 

impairment of earning power from service-connected disabilities. 
30 

The amount of compensation is based upon the impact of disabilities on a veteran’s earning capacity. Death compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation is payable to the surviving 

spouses and dependents of veterans whose deaths occur while on 

active duty or result from service-connected disabilities. A clothing 

allowance may also be provided for service-connected veterans who 

use a prosthetic or orthopedic device. In fiscal year 2017, the Department estimates it will obligate $79,677,123,000 for payments to 

4,427,225 veterans, 405,014 survivors, and 1,140 dependents receiving special benefits. 

Pensions are an income security benefit payable to needy wartime veterans who are precluded from gainful employment due to 

nonservice-connected disabilities which render them permanently 

and totally disabled. Public Law 107–103, the Veterans Education 

and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, restored the automatic presumption of permanent and total nonservice connected disability 

for purposes of awarding a pension to veterans age 65 and older, 

subject to the income limitations that apply to all pensioners. 

Death pensions are payable to needy surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. The rate payable for both disability and death pensions is determined on the basis of the annual 

income of the veteran or their survivors. In fiscal year 2017, the 

Department estimates that the Pensions program will provide benefits to 297,093 veterans and 209,606 survivors totaling 

$6,087,586,000. 

The Compensation and Pensions program funds certain burial 

benefits on behalf of eligible deceased veterans. These benefits provide the purchase and transportation costs for headstones and 

markers, graveliners, and pre-placed crypts; and provide partial reimbursement for privately purchased outer burial receptacles. In 

fiscal year 2017, the Department estimates the Compensation and 

Pensions program will obligate $225,525,000 providing burial benefits. This funding will provide 45,065 burial allowances, 23,138 burial plot allowances, 24,810 service-connected death awards, 497,644 

burial flags, 368,059 headstones or markers, 44,063 graveliners or 

reimbursement for privately purchased outer burial receptacles, 

and 635 caskets and urns for the internment of the remains of veterans without next of kin. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $86,083,128,000 for fiscal year 2017. The Committee 

recommendation includes an advance appropriation of 

$90,119,449,000 for Compensation and pensions for fiscal year 

2018. This is $4,036,321,000 above the fiscal 2017 request and 

equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget request. 

READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $14,313,357,000 

Advance Appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 16,340,828,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 16,340,828,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 16,340,828,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018 ................................. 13,708,648,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018 .............. 13,708,648,000 
31 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Readjustment benefits appropriation finances the education 

and training of veterans and servicemembers under chapters 30, 

31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 42 and 43 of title 38, United 

States Code. These benefits include the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (Montgomery GI bill) and the Post 9/ 

11 Educational Assistance Program. Basic benefits are funded 

through appropriations made to the readjustment benefits appropriation and by transfers from the Department of Defense. This account also finances vocational rehabilitation, specially adapted 

housing grants, specially adapted automobile grants for certain disabled veterans, and educational assistance allowances for eligible 

dependents of those veterans who died from service-connected 

causes or who have a total permanent service-connected disability, 

as well as dependents of servicemembers who were captured or 

missing in action. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $16,340,828,000 for Readjustment benefits fiscal year 

2017. The Committee recommendation includes an advance appropriation of $13,708,648,000 for Readjustment benefits for fiscal 

year 2018. This is $2,632,180,000 below the fiscal year 2017 request and equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget request. 

VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $77,160,000 

Advance Appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 91,920,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 16,605,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 16,605,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018 ................................. 107,899,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018 .............. 107,899,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Veterans insurance and indemnities appropriation consists 

of the former appropriations for military and naval insurance, applicable to World War I veterans; National Service Life Insurance, 

applicable to certain World War II veterans; servicemen’s indemnities, applicable to Korean conflict veterans; and veterans mortgage life insurance to individuals who have received a grant for 

specially adapted housing. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $91,920,000 for Veterans insurance and indemnities for 

fiscal year 2017. The Committee recommendation includes an advance appropriation of $107,899,000 for Veterans insurance and indemnities for fiscal year 2018. This is $15,979,000 above the fiscal 

year 2017 advanced request and equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget request. 
32 

VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND

Program account Administrative 

expenses 

Appropriations, 2016 ....................................................................................................... ............................ $164,558,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ................................................................................................... ............................ 198,856,000 

Committee recommendation ........................................................................................... ............................ 198,856,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Veterans housing benefit program fund provides for all costs 

associated with VA’s direct and guaranteed housing loan programs, 

with the exception of the Native American veteran housing loan 

program. 

VA loan guaranties are made to servicemembers, veterans, reservists, and unremarried surviving spouses for the purchase of 

homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes, and for refinancing loans. VA guarantees part of the total loan, permitting the 

purchaser to obtain a mortgage with a competitive interest rate, 

even without a downpayment, if the lender agrees. VA requires a 

downpayment be made for a manufactured home. With a VA guaranty, the lender is protected against loss up to the amount of the 

guaranty if the borrower fails to repay the loan. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends such sums as may be necessary for 

funding subsidy payments, and $198,856,000 for administrative expenses for fiscal year 2017. Bill language limits gross obligations 

for direct loans for specially adapted housing to $500,000. 

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Program account Administrative 

expenses 

Appropriations, 2016 ....................................................................................................... $31,000 $367,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ................................................................................................... 36,000 389,000 

Committee recommendation ........................................................................................... 36,000 389,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program account covers the 

cost of direct loans for vocational rehabilitation of eligible veterans 

and, in addition, includes administrative expenses necessary to 

carry out the direct loan program. Loans of up to $2,517,000 (based 

on the indexed chapter 31 subsistence allowance rate) are currently 

available to service-connected disabled veterans enrolled in vocational rehabilitation programs, as provided under 38 U.S.C. chapter 

31, when the veteran is temporarily in need of additional assistance. Repayment is made in monthly installments, without interest, through deductions from future payments of compensation, 

pension, subsistence allowance, educational assistance allowance, 

or retirement pay. Virtually all loans are repaid in full and most 

in less than one year. 
33 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $36,000 for program costs and 

$389,000 for administrative expenses for the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program account. The administrative expenses may be 

paid to the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account. Bill language is included limiting program direct 

loans to $2,517,000. It is estimated VA will make 2,618 loans in fiscal year 2017, with an average amount of $962. 

NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $1,134,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 1,163,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 1,163,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Native American veteran housing loan program is authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, section 3761 to provide direct loans 

to Native American veterans living on trust lands. The loans are 

available to purchase, construct, or improve homes to be occupied 

as veteran residences or to refinance a loan previously made under 

this program in order to lower the interest rate. The principal 

amount of a loan under this authority generally may not exceed 

$417,000 however, in some locations this limit may be higher depending on median area home prices. Veterans pay a funding fee 

of 1.25 percent of the loan amount, although veterans with a service-connected disability are exempt from paying the fee. Before a 

direct loan can be made, the veteran’s tribal organization must sign 

a memorandum of understanding with VA regarding the terms and 

conditions of the loan. The Native American Veteran Housing Loan 

Program began as a pilot program in 1993 and was made permanent by Public Law 109–233, the Veterans Housing Opportunity 

and Benefits Act of 2006. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $1,163,000 for administrative expenses associated with this program. This is $29,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS

ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $2,707,734,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 2,826,160,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 2,856,160,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account provides funding for the Veterans Benefits Administration to administer entitlement programs such as service-connected disability compensation, education benefits, and vocational 

rehabilitation services. 
34 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $2,856,160,000 for the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account, which 

is $148,426,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and 

$30,000,000 above the budget request. The Committee has included 

bill language to make available through September 30, 2018, up to 

5 percent of the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits 

Administration account. 

Disability Claims Processing.—The Committee remains concerned over the growing backlog of disability claims at all stages 

of the appeals process. The fiscal year 2017 justification accompanying the Department’s budget submission notes the number of 

cases received by the Board of Veterans [BVA] appeals increased 

57 percent, from 66,778 in 2014 to 105,012 in 2016. Each year 

since 1996, the volume of appeals received by VBA equated to 9 to 

15 percent of the total claims completed in those years. The Board 

notes that it expects the backlog to increase dramatically over the 

coming years without additional resources and legislative reform. 

The Committee has repeatedly expressed its concern over the backlog and provided additional resources beyond the President’s request to help address the issue. To date, funding has largely been 

directed at increasing capacity at Board of Veterans Appeals, including hiring an additional 242 full-time employees since 2015. 

The Committee recommends the Department consider a more 

comprehensive approach to increasing capacity in the appeals process, specifically hiring additional BVA Members as well as Decision 

Review Officers. Since 2011, the Board of Veterans Appeals has 

added more than 250 new staff; however, the number of Board 

Members has increased only slightly from 60 to 64. Given the dramatic increase in workload, additional Board Members may be necessary. In addition, despite pending appeals exceeding several 

years, some Regional Offices employ two or fewer Decision Review 

Officers. To begin to fully address the rapidly expanding backlog of 

appeals claims, VA should consider increasing its capacity at all 

stages of the appeals process. 

VBA Staffing Levels.—The Committee remains concerned about 

the Department’s staffing and production model and directs VA to 

conduct an assessment of the VBA staffing and production models, 

including its resource allocation model. This assessment shall include discussion on efforts by the VBA Office of Strategic Planning 

to develop a workforce capacity model and a discussion of how the 

National Work Queue initiative will impact staffing throughout 

VBA. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 

180 days after enactment of this act detailing its findings. 

Women Veteran Participation Rates.—The Committee directs the 

Department to include an analysis of trends and satisfaction rates 

among women veterans participating in the Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program in the annual report to Congress to 

ensure these services are adapting to the changing demographics 

of veterans and the needs of women veterans with disabilities. 

Gulf War Veterans Claims for Service-Connected Disability Compensation.—The Committee is concerned by the Department’s rates 
35 

of denial of Gulf War veterans’ claims for undiagnosed illnesses 

and chronic multi-symptom illnesses. The Department is directed 

to provide the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress with a finalized Disability Benefits Questionnaire [DBQ] 

within 180 days of the enactment of this act for each of these types 

of claims for which a DBQ does not currently exist. The Committee 

urges the Department to make permanent the period for filing Gulf 

War presumptive claims under 38 CFR 3.317. While the Committee 

commends VA on its efforts to revise the Compensation and Pension manual for ‘‘Service Connection for Certain Disabilities Associated with Gulf War Service,’’ concern remains that VA claims adjudicators are not consistently following these changes. 

Work-Study Program.—The VA work-study program allows veterans and eligible dependents who are in school to be paid for 

working up to 20 hours a week on a job that is directly related to 

Department activities. These activities could be part-time work at 

a local VA hospital, benefits office, Vet Center, or at the school 

handling VA-related work. The program not only helps the student 

cover school-related expenses, it also gives them work experience 

that can help bolster their resume as they search for employment 

after graduation. The Committee supports this program and is very 

concerned about recent reports of delays in the VA processing of 

work-study participants pay. The Committee is aware that in some 

locations it is taking as long as 40 days for the pay to be processed. 

This is unacceptable, and the Department is directed to report to 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 

within 60 days on steps it is taking to better monitor the time it 

takes to process pay for work-study participants and to address any 

identified delays in the process. 

VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $61,767,227,000 

Advance appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 63,271,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 2,391,359,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 2,249,459,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018 ................................. 66,385,032,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018 .............. 66,385,032,000 

ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW

The Veterans Health Administration [VHA] is home to the 

United States’ largest integrated healthcare system consisting of 

167 medical centers, 1,018 community-based outpatient clinic, 300 

vet centers, and 135 community living centers. 

The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections 

Fund [MCCF] was established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 

(Public Law 105–33). In fiscal year 2004, Public Law 108–199 allowed the Department to deposit first-party and pharmaceutical copayments, third-party insurance payments and enhanced-use collections, long-term care co-payments, Compensated Work Therapy 

Program collections, Compensation and Pension Living Expenses 

Program collections, and Parking Program fees into the MCCF. 

The Parking Program provides funds for the construction, alteration, and acquisition (by purchase or lease) of parking garages at 

VA medical facilities authorized by 38 U.S.C. 8109. The Secretary 
36 

is required under certain circumstances to establish and collect fees 

for the use of such garages and parking facilities. Receipts from the 

parking fees are to be deposited into the MCCF and are used for 

medical services activities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided $63,271,000,000 in 

advance appropriations for VA’s medical care accounts for fiscal 

year 2017. This included $51,673,000,000 for Medical services, 

$6,524,000,000 for Medical support and compliance, and 

$5,074,000,000 for Medical facilities. The Committee also includes 

an Administrative Provision allowing the Department to carry forward into fiscal year 2017 certain amounts provided as an advance 

for fiscal year 2016. For fiscal year 2017, the Committee recommends an additional $1,078,993,000 for Medical services. Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes $663,366,000 for 

Medical and prosthetic research. Medical care collections are expected to be $2,637,000. The Committee recommendation also includes an advance appropriation of $63,499,914,000 for veterans 

medical care for fiscal year 2018. 

Vet Centers.—The Committee recommendation includes the full 

budget request for readjustment counseling at Vet Centers. Vet 

Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide a 

wide range of social and psychological services. These services include: professional readjustment counseling to veterans and active 

duty servicemembers, counseling for the victims of military sexual 

trauma, bereavement counseling for families who experience an active duty death, substance abuse assessments and referrals, VBA 

benefit information and referrals to Regional Offices, and employment counseling. Certain services also extend to the family members as a means to assist in the readjustment for veterans and active duty servicemembers. The Department is directed to continue 

to build the necessary readjustment counseling capacity across the 

country in order to address the continued growth in workload. 

Female Veterans.—The Committee continues to believe that VA 

must be poised to address the changing demographic of today’s and 

tomorrow’s veterans in order to fulfill its mission. Toward this end, 

the Committee recommendation includes $535,400,000 for genderspecific healthcare. This is $20,000,000 over the budget estimate 

for fiscal year 2017. The Committee also encourages the Department to consider a mobile healthcare pilot program to provide gender specific services, awareness of benefits, and outreach to women 

veterans utilizing mobile healthcare infrastructure. This innovative 

model is designed to fill the current gap in VA gender-specific services as VA works to expand infrastructure and hire the needed 

staff for specialty care. Additionally, the Committee is concerned 

with the Department’s research, testing, development, and treatment capabilities with regards to women veterans and their specific prosthetic needs; including medically prescribed prosthetic and 

sensory aids, medical devices, assistive aids, repairs, and services 

which maximize independence and enhance quality of life. The 

Committee urges an aggressive and targeted women veterans’ prosthetic program. In order to ensure proper care and to better meet 

the needs of women veterans, the Department is directed to 
37 

prioritize the acquisition of gender specific prosthetics with the 

funds appropriated to ensure every eligible woman veteran receives 

high-quality comprehensive care including specific treatment and 

long-term services. Furthermore, the Committee directs VA to meet 

all of its commitments to treat and provide continuum care for 

women veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF], Operating 

Iraqi Freedom [OIF], and Operation New Dawn [OND] and 

servicemembers in 2016 and 2017. The Department is directed to 

submit the specific funding amounts allocated for women veterans 

prosthetics in fiscal year 2017 to the Committees on Appropriations 

of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment 

of this act. 

Domiciliary Program.—The Committee notes recent reports of 

safety gaps in the VA domiciliary program. Therefore, the Committee directs the Department to address security concerns and assess whether the current program can meet the needs of veterans 

who are at heightened risk for overdose or suicide. The Department’s assessment should include alternatives to the domiciliary 

program if it finds the current program cannot meet the needs of 

these veterans. 

Capacity Need.—In order for the Committee to better understand 

capacity needs across the Veterans Health Administration, particularly for those critical services that have no private or community 

sector alternatives, the Department is directed to submit a report 

annually to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress on bedding and staffing capacities in mental health, amputations, spinal cord injury, and blinded rehabilitation. The first 

report shall be delivered to the Committees no later than 1 year 

after enactment of this act. 

Education Debt Reduction Program.—The Department is directed 

provide a breakdown of spending by VA in connection with the education debt reduction program of the Department under subchapter 

VII of chapter 76 of title 38, United States Code. The breakout 

shall include the following elements: (1) the amount spent by the 

Department in debt reduction payments during the three year period preceding the submittal of the report disaggregated by the 

medical profession of the individual receiving the payments; (2) a 

description of how the Department prioritizes such spending by 

medical profession, including an assessment of whether such priority reflects the five occupations identified in the most recent determination by VA OIG as having the largest staffing shortages in 

VHA; and (3) a description of the actions taken by the Secretary 

to increase the effectiveness of such spending for purposes of recruitment of healthcare providers to the Department, including efforts to more consistently include eligibility for the education debt 

reduction program in vacancy announcements of positions for 

healthcare providers at VA. 

Promotion of Federal Burn Pits Registry.—The Committee directs 

the Department to work with State Governors and State veterans 

affairs agencies to promote and educate State officials about the 

Federal Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry. The Committee is concerned that efforts by the States have led to confusion 

among veterans about which registry is the official registry of the 

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Committee urges the De-
38 

partment to increase outreach to veterans and State governments 

to communicate the existence and purpose of the Airborne Hazards 

and Open Burn Pit Registry. 

MEDICAL SERVICES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $49,972,360,000 

Advance appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 51,673,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 1,078,993,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 1,078,993,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018 ................................. 44,886,554,000 

Committee recommendations, advance appropriations, 2018 ............ 44,886,554,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical Services account provides for medical services for eligible enrolled veterans and other beneficiaries in VA healthcare 

facilities, including VA medical centers and VA outpatient clinics. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance appro- priation of $51,673,000,000 for fiscal year 2017. The recommendation for fiscal year 2017 includes an additional $1,078,993,000 as 

included in the budget request. In addition, VA has the authority 

to retain co-payments and third-party collections, estimated to total 

$2,637,000,000 in fiscal year 2017. 

The Committee recommendation also includes an advance appro- priation of $44,886,554,000 for Medical services for fiscal year 

2018. This is $6,786,446,000 below the level for fiscal year 2017 

and equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget request. 

Stroke Telemedicine.—Stroke is a leading cause of serious, longterm disability and dementia in the U.S. More than half of veterans are over age 65 putting them at an increased risk of stroke. 

Fast care is critical in treating stroke. Research shows for every 15 

minute reduction in the time from symptom onset to treatment, 5.1 

percent more patients are able to return home. The Committee is 

aware stroke telemedicine, or telestroke, has proven to be tremendously beneficial in improving access to high quality stroke care in 

rural and neurologically-underserved areas and in reducing disability and the need for long-term care following a stroke. The 

Committee urges the Department to consider the significant potential benefits of implementing a telestroke program for both veterans and their families as well as to the VA healthcare system 

and taxpayers. The Department is directed to submit a report to 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no 

later than 90 days after enactment of this act detailing the status 

of its plans to implement telestroke within VA medical centers that 

do not currently have around-the-clock neurological expertise available to veterans who suffer a stroke. 

Manipulation of Appointment Scheduling.—In the wake of the 

high-profile scandal involving manipulation of veterans’ healthcare 

appointment scheduling, which served to artificially suppress excessive wait times for veterans to receive health services, the Committee remains concerned about VA’s handling of allegations made 

by whistleblowers that VA officials manipulated scheduling proc-
39 

esses, in violation of the Department’s own directive. In fact, when 

reviewing a summary of an investigation into allegations of scheduling protocol violations conducted by the VA OIG, the Office of 

Special Counsel [OSC] found the ‘‘focus and tone of the OIG investigations appear to be intended to discredit the whistleblowers by 

focusing on the word ‘secret’ rather than reviewing the access to 

care issues identified by the whistleblowers and in the OSC referrals.’’ Moreover, while OIG has uncovered indications of access to 

care challenges at several VA facilities, according to OSC, OIG did 

not analyze the wait-time information or provide recommendations 

for improvement. In the case of the Edward J. Hines, Jr. VA Medical Center in Chicago, IL, OSC found whistleblower allegations regarding improper scheduling protocols that created the false appearance of acceptable wait times while masking significant delays 

in veterans’ access to care have never been sufficiently investigated. As a result, by OIG’s own admission, scheduling protocol 

violations occurred at VA facilities in at least seven States (Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Vermont). 

As such, the Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 

180 days after enactment of this act detailing the administrative 

actions taken in response to substantiated claims of scheduling protocol violations by VA employees, including specific employee disciplinary actions, as well as a description of corrective actions VA 

has implemented or plans to implement, to ensure veterans receive 

quality, timely access to health services. 

Compliance with Reviews of Healthcare Providers.—The Committee is concerned VHA employees accused of wrongdoing are routinely transferred to other VA facilities or leave the Department 

while accusations of misconduct against them remain unresolved. 

In the case of the VA Illiana Health System in Danville, IL, as recently as April 2015, a physician whose medical license had previously been suspended, and against whom criminal charges were 

later filed, was hired as a result of insufficient screening processes 

at VA. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 

180 days after enactment of this act on the compliance by the Department with its policy to conduct a review of each VA healthcare 

provider who transfers to another medical facility within VHA or 

leaves the Department to determine whether there are any concerns, complaints, or allegations of violations relating to the medical practice of the healthcare provider in order to combat the trend 

within VA of simply transferring poor performing providers to 

other facilities where they may continue to jeopardize patient 

health. 

Curing Hepatitis C Within the Veteran Population.—Last year, 

the Committee included language in the act that funds the treatment of Hepatitis C within the VA system at no less than $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2017. Given the fluidity of drug availability and 

drug pricing, the Committee directs VA to keep it apprised of 

changes in this area, including changes related to funding needs. 

The Committee directs VA to continue funding the treatment of 

Hepatitis C aggressively with the objective of treating and curing 

as many veterans as possible in the shortest amount of time. The 
40 

Department is directed to continue its quarterly updates to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress detailing 

the expenditures and obligations of funding Hepatitis C treatment, 

the number of veterans treated, the number of veterans deemed 

cured, and the projection of spending, new starts for drug treatment, and number of veterans who will be cured in the next quarter. 

Service Dogs for Veterans.—The Committee is concerned by the 

significant delays with VA research efforts associated with service 

dogs, and the resulting impact on VA policy decisions with respect 

to the placement of service dogs for psychological injuries, including 

PTSD. The Committee authorized VA to provide service dogs for 

veterans with mental illnesses in Section 229 of the 2010 Military 

Construction, Veterans Affairs & Related Agencies Appropriations 

Act (Public Law 111–117). However, VA maintains it will not support the provision of service dogs for psychological injuries until the 

VA research study is complete and provides scientific evidence of 

the benefits of such placement. With the high suicide rate among 

veterans and almost daily reports from veterans that service dogs 

are saving their lives, it is concerning VA continues to indicate its 

research results are still years away, and there will be no revision 

of its policy with respect to service dogs for psychological illnesses. 

To help in the research effort, VA is encouraged to create a VADepartment of Defense working group to collaborate on the use of 

service dogs for psychological injuries, align related research efforts, identify best practices, and develop a strategy and process to 

provide service dogs to veterans who need them. This working 

group may include representatives from the VA Office of Prosthetics and Sensory Aids, VA Mental Health Services, the VA Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation, Walter 

Reed National Military Medical Center, the Uniformed Services 

University of the Health Sciences, and Assistance Dog International service dog organizations with significant experience in 

working with and placing service dogs with veterans. 

VEO Reimbursements.—Within the General Administration account, the budget request includes an appropriation of $72,600,000 

for the Veterans Experience Office [VEO]. VEO is a cornerstone 

element of the Secretary’s reform initiatives. VEO’s mission is 

‘‘building trusted, lifelong relationships with Veterans, their families, and supporters.’’ VEO was established in 2016 as part of the 

MyVA Taskforce and was funded through reimbursements from 

VA’s three administrations and various staff offices. Fiscal Year 

2017 is the first year appropriated funds were requested directly 

for VEO. In fiscal year 2016, the Medical Care accounts provided 

an estimate of $68,700,000 to fund VEO through a reimbursable 

arrangement (other accounts provided $7,600,000, for a total of 

$76,300,000 for VEO). Typically, when an office or function moves 

from reimbursable authority to budget authority through a direct 

appropriation, the funding is reduced in the offices providing the 

reimbursable funding. This avoids double budgeting for the same 

office or function. VA’s 2017 budget justifications do not show 

where a $72,600,000 reduction was taken to offset the direct appropriation to VEO. The Committee considered reducing VA’s request 

by $72,600,000 to correct for this double budgeting. Instead, the 
41 

Committee has taken and reapplied these resources to high priority 

programs funded in the Medical Services account, as follows: 

Program Requested Additional Total 

Womens Veterans (gender specific health care) ............................................ $515,000,000 $20,000,000 $535,000,000 

Caregivers ........................................................................................................ 725,000,000 10,000,000 735,000,000 

Homelessness: Grand & Per Diem Program [GPD] ......................................... 216,068,000 10,000,000 226,068,000 

Homelessness: Supportive Services for Veterans and Families ...................... 300,000,000 20,000,000 320,000,000 

Veterans Crisis Line ......................................................................................... 38,645,000 8,700,000 47,345,000 

...................... 68,700,000 ......................

Therapeutic Benefits of Farming.—The Committee notes over 

800,000 servicemembers will transition out of the military in the 

next decade and a half, and the Department has a responsibility 

to provide healthcare, educational benefits, and transition assistance as servicemembers transition into civilian life. The Committee 

recognizes 40 percent of the Nation’s farms are operated and owned 

by farmers over the age of 65, and there will be a demand for 1 

million new farmers over the next 15 years. The Committee encourages the Department to provide opportunities for veterans and 

transitioning servicemembers in vocational agriculture programs to 

fill this growing gap. In addition, veterans face obstacles accessing 

behavioral healthcare in rural and highly rural areas. The Committee encourages the Department to assess the therapeutic benefits of farming and agricultural work to treat the behavioral health 

conditions of veterans and the ability to partner with programs 

that provide training in agriculture. The Committee urges the Department to coordinate with the Department of Agriculture and the 

Department of Defense in identifying and promoting vocational 

programs that provide the following: educational or vocational 

training in agriculture related fields, behavioral health services on 

site through licensed providers, and a pathway to employment in 

agriculture related fields. 

Agritherapy.—An increasing number of States now have programs that assist veterans in starting farms, and many veterans 

turning to farming also suffer from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder 

[PTSD]. The benefits of agritherapy have been reported in the news 

media; however, no research has yet been conducted to confirm the 

benefits of agritherapy to those suffering from PTSD. Therefore, 

the Department is urged to consider agritherapy for inclusion 

among VA’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine therapies. 

The Department is urged to establish a pilot study through the National Center for PTSD no later than 180 days after enactment of 

this act to determine if research supports the benefits of 

agritherapy as it relates to PTSD. 

Access to Care in Alaska.—The Committee continues to be concerned about the access of Alaska veterans to the full spectrum of 

medical and surgical services available to veterans living in the 48 

contiguous States. The Committee has championed VA’s efforts to 

provide care to Alaska veterans residing in rural and roadless 

areas of the State through partnerships with the Alaska Native 

Healthcare System. It has also criticized VA’s practice of requiring 

veterans travel thousands of miles outside of Alaska to receive care 

VA could not provide in its Alaska facilities even when the care 
42 

was available in the veteran’s community or elsewhere in the State 

of Alaska. In response, the Alaska VA Healthcare System developed a model system of integrated care partnering for the first time 

with the Alaska Native Healthcare System and Community Health 

Centers to fill coverage gaps in urban Alaska and rural Alaska. It 

also implemented the ‘‘Care Closer to Home Program’’ to ensure 

Alaska veterans requiring medical specialty and surgical services 

not available directly from VA could receive those services from 

community providers in the State of Alaska. This system seems to 

have broken down following enactment of the Veterans Access 

Choice and Accountability Act [VACAA]. Implementation of 

VACAA in Alaska was flawed from the start and remains severely 

problematic. VACAA did not prohibit VA from continuing to operate the system of integrated care that existed in Alaska prior to its 

enactment. The Committee remains committed to ensuring Alaska’s veterans enjoy their earned healthcare benefits on a par with 

veterans residing in the 48 contiguous States. It continues to believe no veteran should be required to travel to a VA facility outside of Alaska for care that can be purchased by VA from a community provider in Alaska. The Committee urges VA to execute funds 

made available under this act for the delivery of healthcare services in Alaska in accordance with these principles. 

Staffing of the Alaska VA Healthcare System.—For the past 2 

years, the Committee has called attention to VA’s failure to address 

a longstanding physician vacancy in the Wasilla Community Based 

Outpatient Clinic. That physician vacancy still exists. Over the 

past year the Committee has become aware of reports that inaccurate information about relocation benefits may be driving providers who are willing to relocate to abandon their interest in serving VA. The Department is directed to investigate the failure to 

meet its recruiting objectives for the Alaska VA Healthcare System, 

to include an assessment of whether misinformation about compensation and benefits has resulted in the loss of qualified candidates, and report back to the Committee on its plans to remedy 

this issue. The Department is further directed to inform the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 90 days in 

advance of a decision by the Alaska VA Healthcare System to discontinue utilizing VA staff providers to deliver any of its medical 

or surgical services. 

Access Received Closer to Home.—Funding for the Rural Health 

Initiative includes support for the Access Received Closer to Home 

program [ARCH]. The Committee notes ARCH has been highly successful in providing healthcare services to veterans who live in the 

rural and highly rural States in which it operates. Current VISN 

analysis demonstrates that more than 90 percent of veterans who 

received medical care through ARCH were ‘‘completely satisfied’’ 

with their care and cited significantly shortened travel and wait 

times to receive care. Given ARCH’s proven track record, the Committee supports the extension of this program to sustain continuity 

of care for veterans served by ARCH until VAs community care 

programs are consolidated. 

Anchorage VA Outpatient Clinic.—The Anchorage VA Outpatient 

Clinic and Regional Office Building opened in May 2010 at an expense of $76,000,000. In May 2015, VA acknowledged it was re-
43 

quired to shutter two operating rooms in the facility due to dust 

and ventilation issues. These operating rooms remained shuttered 

as VA has shifted procedures to the Joint Venture Hospital on 

Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. The Department is directed to 

submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress no later than 90 days after enactment of this 

act detailing its reasons for not placing the operating rooms back 

in service, including the advantages and disadvantages of moving 

surgical services to the Joint Venture Hospital, and whether VA intends to repair the operating room in fiscal year 2017 or subsequent years. 

Natural Resource Conservation Management.—The Committee 

includes language giving the Department the authority to administer financial assistance grants and enter into cooperative agreements in fiscal year 2017. The Committee is aware there are a 

number of non-profit, local, and State-based organizations capable 

of providing veterans with job training and employment opportunities in the area of natural resource conservation management. The 

Committee is further aware there has been broad support to end 

veterans homelessness and encourages VA to utilize the authority 

provided in this section in a way that combines job training and 

employment opportunities with the Department’s continued commitment to mitigate homelessness among at-risk veterans. Before 

entering into any agreement, the Department is directed to create 

metrics for the program to ensure success can be clearly demonstrated and provide a report to the Committees of jurisdiction of 

both Houses of Congress detailing this program. 

Nursing Handbook.—The Committee is aware the VHA Nursing 

Handbook is under review at OMB as part of a VHA proposed rule. 

The Committee understands this proposed rule will directly conflict 

with the anesthesia team-based care language as set forth in the 

current VHA Anesthesia Service Handbook. The Committee strongly encourages VHA to carefully and thoughtfully seek additional 

input from internal and external stakeholders prior to any VHA 

final rule that would seek to dismantle team-based anesthesia care. 

The Committee believes all possible outreach efforts should be used 

to communicate the changes contained in the proposed rule, gather 

public comment, and collaborate with Congress, affected stakeholders, VA physician and nursing staffs, and external organizations. The VA should also consider the benefits to veterans of having more VA healthcare staff able to provide services at the full 

scope of their training and how this will affect veterans, particularly in rural communities. The Committee also requests VHA ensure any VHA handbooks and policies adopted by rule not conflict 

with other handbooks and policies already in place within VHA. 

DOD/VA Joint Formulary.—The Committee remains committed 

to ensuring VA has the resources it needs to support transitioning 

veterans as they leave military service. The Committee notes the 

Department’s statutorily-required report, due July 1, 2016, regarding ongoing efforts to develop a strategic joint uniform formulary 

between the Department of Defense and VA, with particular focus 

on medications to treat psychiatric conditions, sleep disorders, and 

pain management. The Department is directed to submit a report 

to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
44 

no later than 180 days after enactment of this act assessing costs 

and savings associated with such a strategic joint uniform formulary. 

Orthotics and Prosthetics Workforce.—The Committee is concerned about the sustainability of the orthotics and prosthetics 

workforce treating veterans, particularly given an aging workforce 

with imminent retirements as well as a lack of availability of advanced degree programs necessary to train new professionals. Reports indicate up to 20 percent of the 7,100 clinicians nationwide 

are either past retirement age or within 5 years of retiring. The 

Committee recognizes the contributions made by the VHA’s 

Orthotic and Prosthetic Residency Program to provide rotation opportunities through the VA system but acknowledges this program 

alone is inadequate to ensure a sustainable workforce for the future, especially in light of the skill set necessary to provide the increasingly complex, state-of-the-art orthotics and prosthetics care 

for OEF/OIF veterans. The Department is directed to explore cost 

effective opportunities to grow the workforce pipeline in order to 

ensure the future orthotic and prosthetic workforce required by the 

Nation’s new generation of veterans. The Department is directed to 

submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of this 

act detailing the findings. 

Home and Community Based Services.—The Committee supports 

the Department’s efforts to broaden veterans’ options regarding 

long-term care support and services. As the Department realigns 

these programs under the medical community care account, the 

Committee encourages VA to continue to prioritize veterans’ preferences in receiving home based services. The Committee notes the 

positive results of pilot programs such as the Veterans Independence Program, a veterans-directed Home and Community Based 

Services [HCBS] grant program originally created as a pilot administered jointly by VA and the Department of Health and Human 

Services [HHS]. The Committee encourages enhanced cooperation 

with HHS to expand and grow these programs. The Department is 

directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment 

of this act on the cost avoidance associated with various non-institutional care programs. The report should include information on 

the demand for HCBS among the veteran population, the number 

of veterans currently being served by each program under HCBS, 

and the Department’s plans to expand the size and scope of HCBS. 

Given the success of current HCBS pilot programs, the Department 

should include a cost analysis of growing the existing pilot programs prior to national expansion to leverage coordination with 

HHS, in addition to detail regarding the Department’s efforts to coordinate with HHS on HCBS in future years. Given that mandatory eligibility for certain types of care is associated with disability 

levels adjudicated by VBA, this report should also include recommendations for modernizing the claims process for veterans requiring long-term care. 

Veteran Suicide.—According to data compiled by VA in 2015, veterans experience a suicide rate 50 percent higher than the general 

population, and female veterans commit suicide at a rate 6 times 
45 

that of their civilian counterparts. The Committee notes 20 percent 

of veterans with PTSD have a substance abuse disorder, and substance abuse is proven to lead to increased suicidal tendencies. The 

Committee encourages the prioritization of funding for substance 

abuse counseling based treatment for veterans in order to decrease 

suicide rates among veterans suffering from PTSD. The Committee 

remains concerned about the alarming prevalence of suicide among 

rural veterans as they are more likely than urban veterans to commit suicide. The Committee urges VA to prioritize suicide prevention within rural communities and increase the availability of mental health resources available within States with great geographic 

barriers. The Department is directed to conduct a new study on the 

prevalence of suicide among veterans, which shall include an assessment of the data provided by each State and an identification 

of which States should increase or improve data reporting to the 

Department and submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing its findings. 

Veterans Crisis Line.—One tool VA has to combat high suicide 

rates and help those who are considering suicide is the Veterans 

Crisis Line [VCL], a 24-hour, toll-free hotline that veterans across 

the United States can call to connect to a responder trained in crisis management. VCL is invaluable, but it is not without shortcomings. An OIG investigation was initiated in 2015 after complaints that phone calls to the center were routed to voicemails and 

left unanswered. The OIG published its final report February 11, 

2016, which substantiated the allegation that some calls were not 

answered in an appropriate amount of time. One potential reason 

for these unanswered calls was inadequate staffing levels. The 

Committee is aware changes were implemented to VCL before publication of the OIG report, including hiring a new director of the 

facility and improving tracking of quality assurance indicators. The 

Committee notes plans are underway to move VCL to a new stateof-the-art facility, and VA hopes to hire 100 additional employees 

at the call center, plus an additional 40 employees for quality assurance purposes. To ensure veterans receive the care they need 

and deserve, especially in times of crisis, the Committee provides 

$8,700,000 above the budget request for VCL so the Department 

can hire, train, and staff the call center to an appropriate level and 

ensure its facilities and technologies remain up-to-date. 

Infectious Disease Screening.—The Committee remains concerned 

about the high rates of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis among veterans. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 

180 days after enactment of this act detailing its efforts to improve 

HIV/AIDS and hepatitis screening rates in traditional and non-traditional settings and the utilization of innovative strategies like 

point-of-care testing and public health outreach. 

Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Gulf War Illness.— 

The Committee continues to monitor the Department’s plan to address Gulf War Illness and encourages the Department to include 

research on early intervention for functional gastrointestinal disorders related to Gulf War Illness in veterans and military personnel. 
46 

Opioid Safety Initiative Update.—The Committee fully supports 

VA’s efforts to reduce the misuse and abuse of prescription opioids 

and notes the progress being made by individual facilities, including the Tomah VA Medical Center in Wisconsin, where VA’s dangerous opioid prescription practices led to the tragic death of Marine veteran Jason Simcakoski in 2014. But more must be done to 

address VA’s prescription drug abuse epidemic and to improve appropriate pain care for veterans who have a higher risk of opioidrelated overdose than the general population. As such, the Department is directed to continue to comply with the instructions included under the paragraph titled Opioid Safety Initiative in last 

year’s Committee report and includes a number of provisions in 

this year’s bill, including the elimination of copayments for opioid 

antagonists like naloxone and related education. 

Furthermore, to ensure transparency and accountability, the Department is directed to make public the findings of the Office of Accountability Review’s investigation of accusations of widespread retaliation against whistleblowers and the culture of fear at the 

Tomah VA Medical Center as well as the outside clinical review, 

which is being done in follow-up to VA’s initial review of the incidents at the facility. The Committee is disappointed with the pace 

of these reviews and expects VA to make the findings public without further delay. 

Medication-Assisted Opioid Dependence Treatment.—The Committee is pleased the Department has established and is implementing the VA Opioid Safety Initiative and the results it is producing in reducing the dependence of veterans on prescription 

opioids. However, the Committee is concerned VA is not utilizing 

the full spectrum of treatment options for dealing with opioid addiction recommended by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 

Services Administration [SAMHSA]. The Committee encourages 

VA to expand the use of medication-assisted treatment and other 

clinically appropriate services to achieve and maintain abstinence 

from all opioids and heroin and prioritize treatment regimens that 

are less susceptible to diversion for illicit purposes. 

Participation in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.—Abuse 

of prescription opioids is a critical issue that affects all demographics in the United States, including veterans. As such, the 

Committee believes it is critical to the health and wellbeing of 

America’s veterans for VA to report necessary information to Staterun prescription drug monitoring programs [PDMPs] about the prescribing of controlled substances. Full participation by VA in Staterun PDMPs will ensure VA providers have the tools they need to 

better identify patients at-risk of accidentally or intentionally misuse prescription drugs. 

Caregivers.—The Committee notes the robust usage of the post9/11 Caregiver program with its more than 23,000 approved applications, as well as the consistent reviews by caregiver families noting the program’s stipend, respite care, formal training, and support structure are critical components to its success. Given the 

demonstrated success of the program, the Committee encourages 

VA to ensure the caregiver coordinators at each medical center are 

fully resourced and, to the maximum extent possible, assigned designated caregiver duties as their chief and only responsibility. To 
47 

that end, the Committee provides $10,000,000 above the budget request for fiscal year 2017, bringing the total amount available to 

$734,628,000. The funding will support stipends paid directly to 

family caregivers of post-9/11 veterans seriously injured in the line 

of duty, as well as the national caregiver support line and increased support for caregiver support coordinators. In addition, the 

Committee encourages VA to examine expansion of the program beyond the post-9/11 population. The Committee also encourages VA 

to work with the Department of Defense in order to develop and 

share best practices. The Committee recognizes many caregivers for 

severely wounded veterans are working dramatically reduced hours 

outside the home or have left the workforce completely leading to 

financial hardship. This reduction in outside earnings results in 

difficulties meeting financial obligations including student loan 

debt held by the caregiver. VA is directed to survey all caregivers 

currently in the program to identify the number possessing outstanding student loan debt, develop a plan to monitor this issue, 

including future data collection and regular reports, and submit a 

report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing 

the report survey findings and details of the plan. 

Vehicle Transportation Drivers.—The Committee is concerned 

with the Department’s prioritization of effort to recruit vehicle 

transportation drivers for purposes of transporting veterans to and 

from medical appointments. The Committee notes veterans in large 

States with geographic barriers and veterans living in rural tribal 

communities have decreased access to public transportation. VA 

should prioritize funding for recruitment of vehicle transportation 

drivers for veterans in rural and tribal areas in order to ensure positions are not left vacant. 

Community Care Provider Payment.—The Committee remains 

committed to helping VA in its efforts to ensure timely reimbursement for non-VA care providers and care facilities who participate 

in providing necessary care for our veterans. The Committee is encouraged VA announced the elimination of burdensome administrative requirements to facilitate timely payments for medical care 

and to use additional contracted resources, when necessary, to accomplish this goal. 

Homeless Veterans.—According to data collected during the annual Point in Time Count, there were 48,000 homeless veterans on 

a single night in January 2015, a decline of more than 26,360 veterans since 2010. This includes a nearly 50 percent drop in the 

number of unsheltered veterans sleeping on the street. While the 

Point in Time Count is a snapshot of homelessness on a specific 

date and provides a measure of progress on the overall direction of 

homelessness, it does not reflect the effort and number of veterans 

prevented from becoming homeless or veterans who have found 

permanent housing. As a direct result of VA’s homeless programs, 

more than 365,000 veterans and their family members have been 

permanently housed, rapidly rehoused, or prevented from falling 

into homelessness. In 2015, through the Supportive Services for 

Veteran Families [SSVF] program alone, more than 36,000 veterans and their family members were prevented from becoming 

homeless, including 6,555 children. The Committee strongly sup-
48 

ports VA’s homeless prevention programs; two of the most effective 

are the SSVF program and the Grant and Per Diem program. 

These two unique programs support community-based organizations to provide critical services and transitional housing for veterans and their families. These programs provide important lifelines to veterans in need and their families. Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes increases for both of these programs above the request. 

Office of Rural Health.—The Committee recommendation includes the full budget request of $250,000,000 for the Office Rural 

Health [ORH] and the Rural Health Initiative. When established 

by the Committee in 2009, the intent of the Rural Health Initiative 

was to give the VA flexibility to develop unique and innovative programs to help close gaps in services which face veterans who reside 

in rural and highly rural areas. Through collaborations with other 

VA program offices, Federal partners, State partners, and rural 

communities, ORH works to optimize the use of available and 

emerging technologies, establish new access points to care, and employ strategies to increase healthcare options for all rural veterans. 

Currently, ORH identifies and implements initiatives that support 

rural clinics and rural home-based primary care, address barriers 

to access and quality of healthcare delivery in rural areas, develop 

workforce recruitment and retention initiatives, and accelerate and 

expand telehealth. ORH also operates Rural Health Resource Centers and works with Federal and non-Federal community partners 

to share resources and expand access to care for rural veterans. 

The Committee commends this effort and encourages ORH to establish relationships with institutions of higher education in rural 

States in order to develop best practices in the delivery of 

healthcare in rural areas. 

Homeless Veterans in Rural Areas.—Concern remains about the 

Department’s efforts to combat homelessness among rural veterans. The Committee directs VA to identify ways to obtain more 

accurate data on homeless and at-risk veterans in rural areas, especially by determining whether changes to the universal homeless 

screening clinical reminder would result in more accurate identification of these veterans, and report actions VA is taking to reduce 

homelessness among the rural veteran population. 

Rural Veterans Health.—The Committee notes persistent issues 

for VA health facilities in rural areas to recruit and retain health 

providers in the face of national provider shortages and a highly 

competitive environment. The Committee encourages the Department to consider the expanded use of doctors of osteopathic medicine [DOs] and physician assistants [PAs] through physical facilities and expanded access to telehealth services to address the rural 

health provider gap. The Department is directed to review and report to Congress a plan to improve recruitment and retention initiatives for healthcare providers in rural and highly rural areas, including expansion of the Locality Pay System, implementing recruitment and retention tools targeting the Education Debt Reduction Program and the Employee Incentive Scholarship Program for 

medical doctors, DOs, and PAs. Furthermore, the Committee is 

concerned about lack of mental healthcare providers, counselors, 

and caseworkers in rural areas. The criteria used by the Depart-
49 

ment in establishing the priority of hiring and placement of mental 

healthcare providers, counselors, and caseworkers should take into 

consideration the higher rate of facility-use in rural States due to 

lower numbers of facilities and the increased amount of outreach 

they must do with geographical barriers. 

Fee Basis Claims System.—The Committee recognizes the critical 

importance of veterans and their community care providers having 

access to the accurate and timely processing of veterans and vendor 

claims for medical services. The Committee is aware the current 

Fee Basis Claims System [FBCS] has processed more than 72 million claims to date, and industry standard modernization upgrades, 

including centralization of claims processing and auto-adjudication, 

could enable an even more efficient processing of claims. The Committee is concerned this system is scheduled to cease operation on 

November 30, 2016, with no other system scheduled to come on 

line to continue processing claims. The Committee directs the Department, if it plans to continue the use of FBCS, to upgrade the 

system to provide the latest software advancements to facilitate the 

submission of electronic claims, the auto adjudication of claims, 

and a centralized claims intake capability for veterans and their 

providers. The Department is directed to submit a report to the 

Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later 

than 30 days after enactment of this act detailing the status of this 

system, the potential of a gap in service, and the plans to upgrade 

the system. 

Medical School Affiliations with VA Health Care Facilities.—For 

many years, the Committee has encouraged improved collaboration 

between VA healthcare facilities and historically black health professions schools. The Committee acknowledges the progress made 

but recognizes almost all improvements have been with smaller 

community-based outpatient clinics, not larger, urban VA hospitals. 

The Committee encourages the Department to convene national 

and VISN VA health leaders and leaders of the historically black 

health professions schools to discuss and address minority collaboration concerns. The Department is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 

180 after enactment of this act on the relationship VA has with 

historically black health professions schools and its plan to convene 

national and VISN VA health leaders and leaders of the historically black health professions schools. 

Partnerships with Academic Medical Institutions.—Last year, the 

Committee included report language encouraging the Department 

to seek out public-private partnerships, particularly with research 

universities, those with and without medical schools, to expand its 

efforts related to suicide prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder, 

traumatic brain injury, and substance abuse disorders. The Committee continues to believe the Department should make broader 

use of existing partnering authority to collaborate with academic 

institutions, and further encourages VA to enter into partnerships 

with accredited medical schools and teaching hospitals for the mutually beneficial coordination, use, or exchange of health-care resources with the goal of improving access to and quality of the hospital care and medical services furnished by the Department. 
50 

Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships.—The Committee is 

aware of private-sector solutions that can effectively and efficiently 

leverage innovations in healthcare delivery, information technology, and data interoperability capabilities to eliminate existing 

silos and better coordinate and integrate health services for our 

Nation’s veterans across care settings. These solutions hold particular potential to improve care for veterans residing in rural 

areas and veterans served by community providers under the 

Choice program. The Committee directs VA to implement publicprivate pilot projects within one or more VISNs to adopt a delivery 

model that fosters a culture of patient-centered care and utilizes a 

collaborative, integrated team approach to focus on care planning 

and coordination; patient education, management, and self-compliance; service integration and data sharing; monitoring protocols; 

performance metrics and trend analysis; predictive analytics; and 

systems improvement. The pilots should employ effective models of 

care that hold the promise of improving patient outcomes and reducing costs by avoiding re-hospitalizations and by enabling clinicians to: (1) use data to develop personalized care plans for medical 

and behavioral health services, reduce missed visits, avoid delayed 

services and long waits, and identify medical trends; (2) access systems that standardize clinical workflow and provide real-time 

transparency for care management; and (3) monitor patients outside of the clinical care setting. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of this act evaluating the effectiveness of the pilots and providing an assessment 

regarding the potential for broader adoption of the solutions within 

VA’s healthcare programs. 

Agent Orange Registry.—VA maintains an Agent Orange Registry for veterans who served in Vietnam. The Committee is aware, 

however, of a number of instances where U.S. veterans may have 

been exposed to chemicals including Agent Orange during training 

activities and missions outside of Vietnam. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment 

of this act on the feasibility of establishing a registry of U.S. veterans who served or trained outside of Vietnam and have subsequently experienced health issues, which may have resulted from 

exposure to these chemicals. 

Sleep Disorders.—The Committee recommends the Department 

assign a program manager for sleep disorders, including sleep 

apnea, which affects at least 200,000 veterans of the Persian Gulf 

War and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. 

Magnetic EEG/EKG-guided Resonance Therapy.—The Committee understands Magnetic EEG/EKG-guided Resonance Therapy 

[MERT] has successfully treated veterans with Post Traumatic 

Stress Disorder [PTSD], Traumatic Brain Injuries [TBI], chronic 

pain, and opiate addiction. Recent non-significant risk and noninvasive clinical trials and pilot studies have produced promising 

results in the evolution of MERT treatment. The Committee encourages VA to undertake MERT pilot programs at up to five VA 

facilities of its determining to create access to MERT in treating 
51 

larger populations of veterans suffering from PTSD/TBI, chronic 

pain, and addiction. 

Healthcare Providers.—The Committee encourages VA to establish relationships with the appropriate personnel divisions dealing 

with departing military personnel at the Department of Defense 

and Department of Homeland Security (for the U.S. Coast Guard), 

as well as establish a formal system for receiving advanced notice 

of separating members of the Armed Forces who served in the 

healthcare field in order to actively recruit such individuals directly 

into the VA workforce. Additionally, the Committee directs VHA to 

conduct an internal audit of its procedures for the re-credentialing 

of providers when transferring within the VHA system and to institute such policies and procedures to ensure the speedy and timely 

transfer of licensed personnel between facilities. 

Prosthetic Digital Health Technology.—Advanced, proven lower 

limb prosthetic digital health technology can provide real-world 

data documenting activity and function for veterans with lower 

limb prostheses. Accurate activity data which documents how veterans function with their prosthetic devices offers new opportunities to improve outcomes, increase activity, and improve the quality 

of life for veterans who have lost limbs. To better understand the 

degree to which this technology is utilized by VA, the VA’s Prosthetics and Sensory Aids Service is directed to submit a report to 

the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no 

later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing where 

within VHA this technology is available, the number of veterans 

utilizing this technology, and any plans for increasing the availability of this technology, as well as making this outcomes-based 

data collection standard throughout VHA. 

Continuous Health Monitoring Technology.—Increased accuracy 

and reliability in patient health monitoring can improve VHA patient outcomes, prevent required return visits, and reduce costs. 

Continuous monitoring technology provides constant feedback to 

doctors, nurses, and health professionals on patient status. This allows professionals to make treatment decisions based on comprehensive data and assists in detecting patient crises quicker, including crises that may not have been detected altogether. In order 

to ensure the entire VHA is benefitting from the outcomes achieved 

at VHA facilities and civilian facilities where continuous monitoring technology is deployed, the Committee urges VA to expeditiously proceed with research surrounding continuous monitoring 

technologies. The Department is directed to report back to the 

Committee on any recommendation for fuller deployment within 

VHA, including a proposed timeline for adoption of proven continuous monitoring technologies. 

Three Dimensional Printing and Prosthetics.—Additive manufacturing, also known as three dimensional printing, continues to revolutionize the development of new procedures and therapies for patients suffering from a variety of ailments requiring surgery or replacement of lost limbs. In addition to prosthetics, three dimensional printing may aid burn victims, veterans requiring coronary 

surgery, and others in need of hearing restoration. Three dimensional printing is also a cost effective solution which increases precision and can allow VA to tailor its manufacturing for veterans. 
52 

The Committee encourages the Department to expand additive 

manufacturing capabilities to Veterans Affairs Medical Centers 

which lack access to tradition manufacturing capabilities in order 

to provide veterans with a cost effective option for treatment of a 

multitude of medical problems. Furthermore, VA is encouraged to 

conduct such research, including medical trials, into three dimensional printing of prosthetics for veterans, as well as emerging research to print organs such as livers, kidneys, and lungs. 

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Consultation Program.—The 

Committee recommendation includes the full budget estimate of 

$19,107,000 for the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [NCPTSD] and its mission. The Committee supports the 

NCPTSD’s Consultation Program’s dissemination of expert, evidence-based resources to private providers. With the expansion of 

community-based provider options under the Veterans Access, 

Choice, and Accountability Act, the Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress no later than 90 days after enactment of this act assessing the program’s performance in terms of consultations both 

within the Department and with community-based providers, including recommendations for additional policy, resource, or staff 

changes that can be made in order to increase the scale of the program. 

Mental Health.—The Committee is concerned by the continued 

high rate of suicide and the growing mental health needs among 

veterans. In particular, the results of the VA Inspector General report Veterans Crisis Line Caller Response and Quality Assurance 

Concerns, Canandaigua, NY (14–03540–123) and the Comptroller 

General report VA Mental Health: Clearer Guidance on Access 

Policies and Wait-Time Data Needed [GAO–16–24) are deeply troubling. The Committee directs the Department to implement the recommendations of the Comptroller General and the Inspector General not later than 180 days after the enactment of this act. The 

Committee recognizes the Department’s efforts to significantly expand mental health treatment capacity. In light of projected future 

growth in demand for mental health services among veterans and 

nationwide mental health provider shortages, the Committee urges 

VHA to consider the expanded use of nurse practitioners, physician 

assistants, marriage and family therapists, mental health counselors, and peer specialists to close gaps in service and reduce wait 

times. The Committee is aware the Department of Defense [DOD] 

is currently developing a designation system for non-Department 

mental healthcare providers that demonstrate, through training or 

past experience, knowledge and understanding of military culture 

and of evidence-based mental health treatments. DOD will also establish and update a publicly available list of providers so-designated. The Committee notes the potential for shared benefits of 

such a system to veterans seeking non-VA care in their communities. Therefore, the Department is directed to coordinate with 

DOD to ensure access to and awareness of the provider list described above for veterans. The Committee also encourages the Department to consider establishing a veteran’s workforce training 

program in which veterans with PTSD or service-related mental 
53 

health conditions learn how to train service dogs for use by veterans with physical disabilities. 

Certified Surgical Assistants.—The Committee has become aware 

of data suggesting that wider utilization of full-time Certified Surgical Assistants [CSA] at VHA Medical centers could reduce surgical operation procedure durations thereby reducing costs and recovery times and making possible shorter post-operation hospital 

stays, fewer complications, and fewer post-operation admissions. 

The Committee urges VA to review the use of CSAs in surgery 

where surgical assistants are called for to determine whether routine use of CSAs in surgery can achieve significant savings 

throughout the VA healthcare system. 

Health Professional Scholarship Program.—The Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides scholarships to students receiving education or training in a direct or indirect 

healthcare services discipline. Awards are offered on a competitive 

basis and are exempt from Federal taxation. In exchange for the 

award, scholarship program participants agree to a service obligation in a VA health care facility. The Committee continues to support this program and is concerned VA is limiting HPSP awards to 

only nursing students in fiscal year 2016. The Committee believes 

strongly that ample resources exist within the Department to ensure hard to fill specialties are not excluded from participation. 

Aside from the Committee providing additional funding above what 

was requested in previous years, including over $1,200,000,000 

more than the requested level for Medical services in fiscal year 

2016, Congress also gave the Department increased tools to close 

gaps in care and build a strong professional healthcare workforce 

through the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 

2014. In spite of this, the Committee continues to hear VA is not 

utilizing these tools in the most judicious and efficient manner. The 

Department is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than October 30, 2016, 

each profession eligible to receive HPSP scholarship and any limitation VA is placing on awards. In addition, VHA is also directed 

to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress no later than 90 days after enactment of this act a strategic plan which identifies difficult to recruit occupations and outlines specific actions being taken to address those shortages. 

Medical Facilities Realignment.—Concern remains that VA medical care realignments are being approached in an ad hoc manner 

by each individual VISN rather than on a comprehensive basis by 

VA Central Office. Moreover, such an approach may lead to inequitable and inefficient distribution of medical resources throughout 

the Nation. Before VA makes any decision to relocate, close, or diminish services at an existing facility, or proceeds with any such 

realignment already underway, consideration must be given to the 

impact such action would have on veterans, especially tribal veterans or veterans in rural or highly rural areas, PTSD programs, 

and other Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs [RRTP]. 

VA must adhere to a clear and transparent process that engages 

all parties from the onset and is consistent with a national realignment strategy. In title II of division I of the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (Public Law 113–235), 
54 

the Committees suspended the proposed realignment of services in 

VISN 23 until a report was transmitted to the Committees. To date 

that report has not been received. The Department is again directed to comply with the request for the report and meanwhile 

suspend the proposed realignment of services in VISN 23 until 

such time as the Department transmits to the Committee the report as outlined in Public Law 113–235. 

Medical Consults.—The Committee remains very concerned 

about confirmed reports of large numbers of open consults across 

the country. To date, the Committee is aware of at least one specific review underway by OIG regarding consults and the length 

these consults have remained opened. The Committee is aware that 

over the past year VA has instituted a number of quality controls 

to ensure referrals are handled in a timely manner and that there 

is better visibility both at the local level and at the national level 

to ensure consults are monitored appropriately. To ensure better 

accountability and transparency, the Department is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 30 days after enactment of this act on specific 

quality controls that have been implemented and new practices 

that have made this process less cumbersome for healthcare providers and ensures there are no delays in the delivery of care to 

veterans. 

Mileage Reimbursement.—The Beneficiary Travel program provides eligible veterans and other beneficiaries mileage reimbursement, common carrier (plane, train, bus, taxi, light rail etc.), or 

when medically indicated, ‘‘special mode’’ (ambulance, wheelchair 

van) transport for travel to and from VA healthcare, or VA authorized non-VA healthcare for which the veteran is eligible. The Committee understands VA has switched the reimbursement payment 

to an electronic funds transfer [EFT] and no longer provides reimbursement through check or cash. While the Committee understands EFT can be more efficient and may help streamline the 

process, there is concern about the length of time it is taking for 

the transfer to occur. The Department is directed to take additional 

steps to ensure veterans are reimbursed in a timelier manner. 

Choice Program.—The Committee directs the Department to 

carry out a survey of VA and private sector medical providers to 

assess the experiences of such providers in using the Choice Program, particularly in rural areas. At a minimum, the survey should 

address barriers and obstacles faced by providers in using the 

Choice Program, barriers and obstacles faced by veterans in using 

the Choice Program, whether Department staff is sufficiently 

trained and proficient in administering the Choice Program, the 

role and effectiveness of the third-party administrators, and appropriate recommendations for improvement. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment 

of this act detailing the findings of the survey. 

Therapeutic Listening Devices.—Therapeutic listening devices 

could vastly improve patient outcomes for veterans with PTSD or 

Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as relieve symptoms that are integral to a veteran’s recovery. The Committee encourages the Department to consider returning to its pre-fiscal year 2013 policy of pro-
55 

viding handheld therapeutic listening devices to assist veterans 

suffering from mental health related problems or Traumatic Brain 

Injury. 

MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... $7,246,181,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 7,246,181,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018 ................................. 9,409,118,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018 .............. 9,409,118,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical Community Care account provides for medical services for eligible enrolled veterans and other beneficiaries that is 

purchased from and provided by non-Department of Veterans Affairs facilities and providers, including contract hospitals, State 

homes, and outpatient services. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

For fiscal year 2017, the Committee provides $7,246,181,000 for 

the Medical Community Care appropriation. The amount is as requested in the President’s budget. The Committee recommendation 

includes an advance appropriation of $9,409,118,000 for Medical 

community care in fiscal year 2018. This is equal to the budget request. The recommendation creates the new Medical Community 

Care account as required by the Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 

114–41). This new account will provide the Committee with better 

oversight of how non-VA care funding is budgeted and executed. 

MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $6,144,000,000 

Advance appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 6,524,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... ........................... 

Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2018 ................................... 6,654,480,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2018 ............... 6,654,480,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical Support and Compliance account provides funds for 

management, security, and administrative expenses within the VA 

healthcare system, in addition to providing costs associated with 

the operation of VA medical centers and clinics, VISN offices, and 

the VHA Central Office in Washington, DC. This appropriation also 

covers Chief of Staff and Facility Director operations, quality of 

care oversight, legal services, billing and coding activities, procurement, financial management, security, and human resource management. 

The President’s 2017 and 2018 submission for Medical support 

and compliance is based on an actuarial analysis founded on the 

current and projected veteran population, enrollment projections of 

demand, and case mix changes associated with current veteran patients. 
56 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance appro- priation of $6,524,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 for the Medical Support and Compliance account. The Committee recommendation includes an advance appropriation of $6,654,480,000 for Medical support and compliance for fiscal year 2018. 

VHA Security.—In each of the past two fiscal years, the VA’s Office of Security and Law Enforcement has been directed to provide 

to the Committee a physical security assessment of VA hospitals 

nationwide, to include recommendations for strengthening security 

and safety protocols across VHA facilities. The Committee understands an assessment of this magnitude may take time, but encourages the Department to move as expeditiously as possible with the 

review. In the meantime, the Committee encourages VHA after 

consulting with local VA police chiefs to utilize at least $1,000,000 

to acquire intelligent policing solutions or other technology that is 

readily available to enhance safety across the system. 

MEDICAL FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $5,020,132,000 

Advance appropriations, 2017 .............................................................. 5,074,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 649,000,000 

Committee recommendation, 2017 ....................................................... 495,100,000 

Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2018 ................................... 5,434,880,000 

Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2018 ............... 5,434,880,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical Facilities account provides funds for the operation 

and maintenance of the VA healthcare system’s vast capital infrastructure. This appropriation provides for costs associated with 

utilities, engineering, capital planning, leases, laundry, 

groundskeeping, housekeeping, facility repair, and property disposition and acquisition. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $5,074,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 for the Medical Facilities account. The Committee recommendation for fiscal year 

2017 includes an additional $495,100,000 and an advance appropriation of $5,434,880,000 for Medical facilities for fiscal year 2018. 

MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $630,735,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 663,366,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 675,366,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical and Prosthetic Research account provides funds for 

medical, rehabilitative, and health services research. Medical research supports basic and clinical studies that advance knowledge 

leading to improvements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disabilities. Rehabilitation research focuses 

on rehabilitation engineering problems in the fields of prosthetics, 

orthotics, adaptive equipment for vehicles, sensory aids and related 
57 

areas. Health services research focuses on improving the effectiveness and economy of the delivery of health services. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $675,366,000 for the Medical and 

Prosthetic Research account. This is $44,631,000 above the fiscal 

year 2016 enacted level and $12,000,000 above the budget request. 

The Committee remains highly supportive of this program, and 

recognizes its importance both in improving healthcare services to 

veterans and recruiting and retaining high quality medical professionals in the Veterans Health Administration. 

Through the Department’s research and development program, 

VA has implemented a comprehensive research agenda to develop 

new treatments and tools for clinicians to ease the physical and 

psychological pain of men and women returning from war zones, to 

improve access to VA healthcare services, and to accelerate discoveries and applications, especially for neurotrauma, sensory loss, 

amputation, polytrauma, and related prosthetic needs. The Committee encourages VA to continue its research into developing novel 

approaches to restoring veterans with amputation, central nervous 

system injuries, loss of sight or hearing, or other physical and cognitive impairments to full and productive lives. 

Toxic Exposures.—The Committee wants to ensure VA is actively 

researching the residual impact to veterans of Agent Orange and 

other toxic exposures such as oil well fires and burn pits. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days 

after enactment of this act detailing ongoing activities and future 

plans for research into residual exposure to Agent Orange and 

other toxins. 

National Academy of Medicine Study on Toxic Exposures.—Veterans have expressed growing concern that toxic exposure during 

their military service is related to adverse health conditions in 

their children and grandchildren. According to the National Academy of Medicine [NAM], scientific data and research is extremely 

limited to determine what exposures may cause harm to future 

generations. The report, ‘‘Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 

2014’’, recommended VA pursue further laboratory research to 

identify toxins and dioxins that may cause epigenetic modifications 

and invest in epidemiologic protocols that address the challenges of 

connecting adverse conditions in the children of members of the 

military with toxic exposure. The Committee directs the Department to contract with NAM on an assessment that will include a 

review of the scientific literature regarding toxicological and epidemiological research on descendants of individuals with toxic exposure; an assessment of areas requiring further scientific study relating to the descendants of veterans with toxic exposure; an assessment of the scope and methodology required to conduct adequate scientific research relating to the descendants of individuals 

with toxic exposure; will establish categories and provide definitions for categories that assess the evidence that a particular 

health condition is related to toxic exposure; an analysis of the feasibility, value and relevance, and need for access to additional information held by a Federal agency of conducting further scientific 
58 

research; and identification of a research entity or entities with expertise and ability to conduct the relevant scientific research. 

National Academy of Sciences Study on Gulf War Illness.—The 

Committee recommends the Department continue to conduct and 

publish epidemiological studies regarding the prevalence of Gulf 

War illness and disease-specific morbidity and mortality in Gulf 

War veterans and the development of effective treatments, preventions, and cures. The Department is directed, within 60 days of the 

enactment of this act, to contract with the National Academy of 

Sciences [NAS] for a study with the NAS collecting new data to determine the prevalence of ‘‘diagnosed neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and brain cancers,’’ in 

Gulf War veterans, as directed by Public Law 110–389, section 804 

and advised in the IOM’s 2015 report on the study’s design. The 

Committee is concerned by VA’s ever-evolving terminology for the 

signature adverse health outcome of the Persian Gulf War as recognized by the Institute of Medicine [IOM]—Gulf War illness—and 

encourages the Department to utilize the term, ‘‘Gulf War illness,’’ 

as IOM has recommended. The Committee urges the Secretary to 

consider revising and updating the Clinical Practice Guideline for 

Chronic Multisymptom Illness [CMI] consistent with the July 2011 

Veterans Health Initiative, ‘‘Caring for Gulf War Veterans,’’ that it, 

‘‘cannot be reliably ascribed to any known psychiatric disorder,’’ 

and to focus on recent Gulf War illness treatment research findings 

and ongoing Gulf War illness treatment research direction. Furthermore, the Committee encourages VA to strengthen the training 

of primary, specialty, and mental healthcare providers on the Gulf 

War illness case definitions recommended by the IOM. The role of 

the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans’ Illnesses 

[RAC] was intended to provide a meaningful consultative role in 

helping shape the Persian Gulf War research agenda, strengthen 

the process by which the government sets its Persian Gulf War research agenda, and lend credibility to future research activities. 

However, concern has been raised that this role has been degraded 

and compromised. The RAC charter no longer requires it to assess 

the effectiveness of Federal Gulf War research, no longer contains 

a requirement for its own staff, and its purview is presently limited 

solely to research conducted by the Department. Determinations by 

the RAC and IOM that Gulf War illness is physiological and not 

psychological should be the basis in determining the type of medical practitioners and scientific researchers needed to create a wellqualified membership. The Committee notes the RAC has provided 

no new recommendations since September 2014 and encourages the 

RAC renew its efforts in studying Gulf War Illness. Finally, the 

Committee urges the Department to restore regular reporting 

throughout the year of healthcare and benefits utilization by Gulf 

War and post-9/11 veterans, to publish these reports on the Department’s Web site, and to consider for adoption the ‘‘Recommendations for New VA Gulf War-Era Data Report,’’ adopted by the RAC 

on February 1, 2012. 

Research Reports.—The Committee is aware VA publicly reports 

all of its completed and ongoing VA funded research projects 

through the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting Tools 

[RePORT]. However, funding information for each project is not 
59 

provided on the site by VA. The Committee directs VA to report the 

total cost of each ongoing project and going forward, provide funding information for any new projects, in addition to the information 

which is already publicly reported. Additionally, the Committee directs VA to prominently place a description and a link to the NIH 

RePORT Web site on the VA Office Research and Development 

main Web page so that any veteran may access this information 

easily. 

Burn Pits.—The Committee recommends VA continue conducting 

medical trials, using available treatments for pulmonary, cardiovascular, and other diseases and conditions related to the exposure 

to open air burn pits. The Department is directed to provide an update to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of this act on the status and progress of such medical trials. Furthermore, where appropriate, VA is encouraged to work with private and public institutions which have already begun to research the chronic impacts of 

exposure to burn pits in order to develop treatments for veterans 

exposed to burn pits. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 90 days after enactment of this act regarding 

the feasibility of entering into cooperative agreements with institutions engaged in the aforementioned research and whether additional authorities and funding are needed to pursue such research. 

MEDICAL CARE COST RECOVERY COLLECTIONS

MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $2,445,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 2,637,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 2,637,000,000 

MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND—REVENUES APPLIED

Appropriations, 2016 .............................................................................¥$2,445,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... ¥2,637,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. ¥2,637,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Medical Care Collection Fund [MCCF] was established by 

the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105–33). In fiscal 

year 2004, Public Law 108–199 allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs to deposit first-party and pharmacy co-payments; 

third-party insurance payments and enhanced-use collections; longterm care co-payments; Compensated Work Therapy Program collections; and Parking Program fees into the MCCF. The Secretary 

of Veterans Affairs has the authority to transfer funds from the 

MCCF to the Medical Services account. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation includes the authority to retain 

co-payments and third-party collections, estimated to total 

$2,637,000,000 in fiscal year 2017. 
60 

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $271,220,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 286,193,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 286,193,000 

ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW

The National Cemetery Administration [NCA] was established in 

accordance with Public Law 93–94, the National Cemeteries Act of 

1973. It has a four-fold mission: to provide for the interment in any 

national cemetery of the remains of eligible deceased 

servicemembers and discharged veterans, together with their 

spouses and certain dependents, and permanently maintain their 

graves; to provide headstones for, and to mark graves of, eligible 

persons in national, State, and private cemeteries; to administer 

the grant program for aid to States in establishing, expanding, or 

improving State veterans cemeteries; and to administer the Presidential Memorial Certificate Program. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $286,193,000 for the National Cemetery Administration. This is an increase of $14,973,000 above the 

fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

The Committee has included bill language to make available 

through September 30, 2018, up to 10 percent of the National Cemetery Administration appropriation. 

DEPARTMENTAL ADMINISTRATION

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $6,532,672,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 6,037,599,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 6,047,599,000 

* The Committee notes the totals above reflect the shift of GOE,VBA from Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits Administration. 

ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW

Departmental Administration provides for the administration of 

veterans benefits through the Veterans Benefits Administration 

[VBA], the executive direction of the Department, several top level 

supporting offices, the Board of Contract Appeals, and the Board 

of Veterans Appeals. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $6,047,599,000 for Departmental 

Administration. The amount is composed of $417,959,000 for General administration; $156,096,000 for the Board of Veterans Appeals; $4,278,259,000 for Information technology systems; 

$160,106,000 for the Office of the Inspector General; $528,110,000 

for Construction, major projects; $372,069,000 for Construction, 

minor projects; $90,000,000 for Grants for construction of State extended care facilities; and $45,000,000 for Grants for the construction of State veterans cemeteries. 

The Committee also notes the move of the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account from Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits Administration 
61 

with the fiscal year 2017 recommendation. This move puts 

GOE,VBA back under its appropriate section within the act, and 

the Committee instructs the Department to place GOE,VBA in this 

location with the fiscal year 2018 request. 

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $336,659,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 417,959,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 417,959,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The General Administration account provides funding for the Office of the Secretary, six assistant secretaries, and three independent staff offices. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $417,959,000 for General Administration. This amount is $81,300,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 

2018, up to 5 percent of the General Administration appropriation. 

The Committee recommends $9,208,000 for the Office of Government Relations, to include $3,246,000 for functions previously conducted by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and $5,962,000 

for functions previously conducted by the Office of Congressional 

and Legislative Affairs [OCLA], and $10,593,000 is for the Office 

of the Secretary, to include $7,348,000 for the immediate Office of 

the Secretary to support not more than 45 FTE. The recommendation fully supports and provides the requested amounts in fiscal 

year 2017 for the Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the Center for Minority Veterans, the Center for Women 

Veterans, and the Office of Survivors Assistance. In addition, the 

recommendation includes $3,532,000 in reimbursable authority for 

the Office of the Secretary to be used solely for the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication. 

The Committee notes approximately 40 percent of the VA’s VISN 

director positions remain unfilled as of the writing of this report. 

Within available balances for OCLA and for the immediate Office 

of the Secretary, including any prior-year carryover available to 

their respective offices, the Committee directs $1,500,000 be transferred to VHA and be used exclusively to accelerate the hiring of 

these positions. These amounts shall supplement and not supplant 

any amounts previously dedicated for this purpose in the fiscal 

year 2017 budget request for VHA. 

The Committee’s concern remains high regarding the number of 

vacancies within VHA. The Secretary is directed to develop and implement succession planning policies to address the prevalence of 

vacancies in positions in VHA of more than 180 days, including the 

development of an enterprise position management system to more 

effectively identify, track, and resolve such vacancies and submit a 

report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con-
62 

gress no later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing 

its findings. 

BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $109,884,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 156,096,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 156,096,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

As set forth in section 7101(a) of title 38 United States Code, the 

Board of Veterans Appeals is responsible for making final decisions 

on claims for veterans benefits presented to the Board for appellate 

review. The vast majority of the Board’s workload derives from 

benefit claims initiated by the Veterans Benefits Administration’s 

Regional Offices. The appellate process has multiple steps, most of 

which occur at the local Regional Office level. If a veteran is not 

satisfied with the Regional Office determination, he or she may appeal to the Board for a final agency decision. The Board adjudicates 

appeals covering all areas of veterans benefits, including: service 

connection, increased disability ratings, total disability ratings, 

pensions, insurance benefits, educational benefits, home loan guaranties, vocational rehabilitation, waivers of indebtedness, fee basis 

medical care, and dependency and indemnity compensation. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $156,096,000 for the Board of Veterans Appeals, which is $46,212,000 above fiscal year 2016 enacted 

level and equal to the budget request. The Committee has included 

bill language to make available through September 30, 2018, up to 

10 percent of the Board of Veterans Appeals appropriation. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $4,133,363,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 4,278,259,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 4,278,259,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Information Technology [IT] Systems appropriation, along 

with reimbursements, funds the costs of all IT staff salaries and 

expenses, the operations and maintenance of all existing information technology systems, and the development of new projects and 

programs designed to improve the delivery of service to veterans. 

This appropriation also funds the costs associated with the Office 

of Information and Technology which oversees the functions highlighted above. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $4,278,259,000 for the Information 

Technology Systems account. This amount is $144,896,000 above 

the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

The Committee recommendation includes $1,272,548,000 for staff 

salaries and expenses, $2,534,442,000 for operation and maintenance of existing programs, and $471,269,000 for program development. 
63 

The Committee has appropriated the Information Technology 

Systems account as three subaccounts. This funding structure enhances the Committee’s ability to ensure funds are executed in a 

manner consistent with the Department’s budget submission. The 

Committee has provided sufficient flexibility within the subaccounts by way of authorized carryover amounts and reprogramming authority to give the Office of Information Technology as 

much flexibility as possible to accomplish its mission and goals, 

while ensuring proper accountability and oversight. The Committee 

will continue to work with the Department to ensure the IT 

projects currently underway, as well as the projects planned for the 

future, have the resources needed for success. 

The Committee has included bill language restricting the obligation of development funds until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 

or the Chief Information Officer submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a certification of the 

amounts, in parts or in full, that will be obligated and expended 

for each development project. Further, the Office of Information 

Technology is directed to provide an IT expenditure report, by 

project, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 

Congress on a monthly basis. 

The chart below reflects the Administration’s budget request for 

development projects and includes the Committee recommendation 

for each. This chart will serve as the Department’s approved list 

of development projects, and all requested changes are subject to 

the reprogramming guidelines as outlined in the accompanying act. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Project Fiscal year 2017 

budget request 

Committee 

recommendation 

Electronic Health Record [EHR] Interoperability and VLER Health ................................ 17,322 17,322 

VistA Evolution ................................................................................................................ 63,339 63,339 

Veterans Benefits Management System [VBMS] ............................................................ 85,288 85,288 

Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record [VLER] ...................................................................... 17,857 17,857 

Veterans Customer Experience ....................................................................................... 73,624 73,624 

VHA Research IT Support Development .......................................................................... 15,066 15,066 

Other IT Systems Development ....................................................................................... 198,773 198,773 

Total Development ............................................................................................. 471,269 471,269 

Electronic Health Records.—As mentioned previously in the report, the Committee remains concerned about the development of 

VA’s electronic health record [EHR] and believes it necessary to 

monitor VA’s progress, including its obligations and expenditures, 

as it pursues its EHR program. The Committee again includes language in the act limiting obligation or expenditure of information 

technology development funding for the EHR program to 25 percent of funds provided until the Department: 

(1) certifies in writing to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress that VA has met the requirements contained in the National Defense Authorization Act of Fiscal Year 

2014 (Public Law 113–66) which require that electronic health 

record systems of DOD and VA have reached interoperability, comply with national standards and architectural requirements identi-
64 

fied by the DOD/VA Interagency Program Office in collaboration 

with the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information 

Technology; 

(2) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress the VistA Evolution Business Case and supporting documents regarding continuation of VistA Evolution or alternatives 

to VistA Evolution, including an analysis of necessary or desired 

capabilities, technical and security requirements, the plan for modernizing the platform framework, and all associated costs; 

(3) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress, and such Committees approve, the following: a report 

that describes a strategic plan for VistA Evolution, or any successor 

program, and the associated implementation plan including metrics 

and timelines; a master schedule and lifecycle cost estimate for 

VistA Evolution or any successor; and an implementation plan for 

the transition from the Project Management Accountability System 

to a new project delivery framework, the Veteran-focused Integration Process, that includes the methodology by which projects will 

be tracked, progress measured, and deliverables evaluated; 

(4) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress a report outlining the strategic plan to reach interoperability with private sector healthcare providers, the timeline for 

reaching ‘‘meaningful use’’ as defined by the Office of National Coordinator for Health Information Technology for each data domain 

covered under the VistA Evolution program, and the extent to 

which the Department leverages the State Health Information Exchanges to share health data with private sector providers; and 

(5) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 

of Congress, and such Committees approve, the following: a report 

that describes the extent to which VistA Evolution, or any successor program, maximizes the use of commercially available software used by DOD and the private sector, requires an open architecture that leverages best practices and rapidly adapts to technologies produced by the private sector, enhances full interoperability between VA and DOD and between VA and the private sector, and ensures the security of personally identifiable information 

of veterans and beneficiaries. 

Additionally, the Department is directed to continue to provide 

quarterly briefings to the Committees on Appropriations of both 

Houses of Congress regarding schedule, milestones, and obligations. The DOD/VA Interagency Program Office is directed to continue to provide briefings to the Committees on a quarterly basis 

regarding standards development and how those standards are 

being incorporated by both Departments. In an effort to ensure government-wide accountability, the Committee also directs VA, in coordination with DOD, to provide the Federal Chief Information Officer of the United States with monthly updates on progress made 

by the two Departments to reach interoperability and modernize 

their respective electronic health records. 

Cybersecurity.—The Committee recommends the full budget request of $370,067,000 for the VA’s information security program. 

This amount includes $125,000,000 for VA’s Cybersecurity Strategy 

Implementation program. In fiscal year 2017, the Department will 

execute an enterprise-wide cybersecurity strategy, which will define 
65 

a comprehensive set of actions, processes, and emerging security 

technologies that will further enhance the cybersecurity of VA’s information and assets and improve the resilience of VA networks. 

This effort is aligned with the Federal Government-wide 

cybersecurity strategy efforts and was developed to identify and address critical cybersecurity gaps and emerging priorities, with specific recommendations to address those gaps and priorities. The 

Committee supports the Department’s efforts to strengthen IT security and directs VA to provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on these efforts. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $136,766,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 160,106,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 160,106,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Office of Inspector General [OIG] was established by the Inspector General Act of 1978 and is responsible for the audit, investigation, and inspection of all Department of Veterans Affairs programs and operations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $160,106,000 for the Office of Inspector General. This is $23,340,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 

2018, up to 10 percent of the Office of the Inspector General appropriation. 

Transparency and Communication.—The Committee recognizes 

the critical role OIG plays in overseeing the fulfillment of the Department’s mission to care for our Nation’s veterans. Public Law 

114–113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016, included language intended to increase OIG’s transparency and communication 

with Congress. The Committee is concerned by OIG’s interpretation 

of that language, which at times has been overly technical and inconsistent with the spirit of the law. The Committee strongly believes OIG must make its work products available to Congress, and 

in fact, OIG’s default position should be to share all work with 

Congress, unless otherwise explicitly prohibited by law. While redaction of information protected by law should be applied, it should 

not preclude the sharing of the work in which such protected information is located. Specifically, not later than 3 days after any report or audit (or portion of any report of audit) is submitted in final 

form to the Secretary, OIG should post that report or audit (or portion of that report or audit) on the OIG Web site excluding the public disclosure of information prohibited from disclosure by law. As 

OIG executes its oversight responsibility, it should make considerable efforts to increase its transparency, accountability, and collaboration with key stakeholders including Congress, other Federal 

agencies, and the veteran community. 
66 

CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $1,243,800,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 528,110,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 528,110,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Construction, Major Projects account provides for constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the facilities 

(including parking projects) under the jurisdiction or for the use of 

VA, including planning, architectural and engineering services, 

needs assessment, and site acquisition where the estimated cost of 

a project is more than the amount set forth in 38 U.S.C. 

8104(a)(3)(A). Proceeds realized from Enhanced Use Lease activities may be deposited into the Construction, Major Projects and 

Construction, Minor Projects accounts. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $528,110,000 for 

the construction of major projects. This is $715,690,000 below the 

fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal the budget request. 

The following table reflects the President’s budget request for 

major construction projects and the corresponding Committee recommendations. 

MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Location and description Fiscal year 2017 

budget request 

Committee recommendation 

Veterans Health Administration [VHA]: 

Long Beach, California: Seismic Corrections—Mental Health and Community Living 

Center ........................................................................................................................ 30,200 30,200 

Reno, Nevada: Upgrade B1 Seismic, Life Safety, Utility Correction and Expand Clinical Services .............................................................................................................. 192,420 192,420 

Advance Planning and Design Fund: Various Locations .............................................. 65,000 65,000 

Major Construction Staff: Various Locations ................................................................. 24,000 24,000 

Claims Analysis: Various Locations ............................................................................... 5,000 5,000 

Hazardous Waste: Various Locations ............................................................................. 10,000 10,000 

Judgement Fund ............................................................................................................. 9,000 9,000 

Non-Departmental Federal Entity Project Management Support .................................. 49,490 49,490 

Total, VHA .................................................................................................................. 385,110 385,110 

National Cemetery Administration [NCA]: 

Elmira, New York: New York National Cemetery—Western New York .......................... 36,000 36,000 

Las Animas, Colorado: New National Cemetery—Southern Colorado .......................... 36,000 36,000 

Jacksonville, Florida: Gravesite Expansion .................................................................... 24,000 24,000 

South Florida: Gravesite Expansion ............................................................................... 31,000 31,000 

Advance Planning and Design Fund ............................................................................. 10,000 10,000 

Total, NCA .................................................................................................................. 137,000 137,000 

General Administration—Staff Offices, Advance Planning Fund .......................................... 6,000 6,000 

Total Construction, Major Projects ............................................................................ 528,110 528,110 

VA/Army Corps of Engineers.—The Committee directs the Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to ensure there are no unnecessary delays in completing 
67 

major Veterans Heath Administration [VHA] construction projects. 

The Committee is particularly concerned about delays affecting 

VHA projects to retrofit or replace seismically deficient buildings, 

which put veterans, Federal employees, and the public at significant risk. The Department in conjunction with the Corps is directed to provide quarterly updates to the Committee on all major 

VHA construction projects managed by the Corps. 

CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $406,200,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 372,069,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 372,069,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Construction, Minor Projects account provides for constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the facilities 

(including parking) under the jurisdiction or for the use of VA, including planning, assessment of needs, architectural and engineering services, and site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a 

project is equal to or less than $10,000,000. Public Law 106–117, 

the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act of 1999, 

gave VA authority to make capital contributions from minor construction in enhanced-use leases. Proceeds realized from enhanceduse lease activities may be deposited into the Construction, Major 

Projects and Construction, Minor Projects accounts. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $372,069,000 for minor construction. This is $34,131,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level 

and equal to the budget request. The recommendation includes $285,000 for the Veterans Health 

Administration, $56,890 for the National Cemetery Administration, 

and $20,000 for the Veterans Benefits Administration. The Department is directed to provide an expenditure plan to the Committees 

on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 30 days 

after enactment of this act for the amount appropriated for minor 

construction. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $120,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 80,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 90,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This account is used to provide grants to assist States in acquiring or constructing State home facilities for furnishing domiciliary 

or nursing home care to veterans, and to expand, remodel, or alter 

existing buildings for furnishing domiciliary, nursing home, or hospital care to veterans in State homes. The grant may not exceed 

65 percent of the total cost of the project. Public Law 102–585 

granted permanent authority for this program, and Public Law 

106–117 provided greater specificity in directing VA to prescribe 

regulations for the number of beds for which grant assistance may 

be furnished. This program has been a successful partnership be-
68 

tween States and VA in meeting the long-term care needs of elderly veterans for decades. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $90,000,000 for Grants for construction of State extended care facilities. This is $10,000,000 above the 

budget request. 

Funding Prioritization.—The Committee is concerned about the 

prioritization of funding for new State veterans homes. The criteria 

used by the Department when making funding decisions for new 

facilities should take into account the profound geographical barriers facing large rural States. 

In addition, it should also consider the unique needs of geographically small States and should reflect that many do not have 

alternative facilities to care for veterans while their projects are 

pending. 

GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $46,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 45,000,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 45,000,000 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Public Law 105–368 amended title 38 U.S.C. 2408 and established authority to provide aid to States for establishment, expansion, and improvement of State veterans cemeteries, which are operated and permanently maintained by the States. This statutory 

change increased the maximum Federal share from 50 percent to 

100 percent in order to fund construction costs and initial equipment expenses when the cemetery is established. States remain responsible for providing the land and for paying all costs related to 

operation and maintenance of the cemeteries, including the costs 

for subsequent equipment purchases. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $45,000,000 for Grants for construction of State veterans cemeteries. This is equal to the budget request. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)

SEC. 201. The Committee includes a provision which outlines 

transfer authority and responsibilities for the Veterans Benefits 

Administration. 

SEC. 202. The Committee includes a provision which outlines 

transfer authority and responsibilities for the Veterans Health Administration. 

SEC. 203. The Committee includes a provision which outlines the 

use of funds appropriated for salaries and expenses. 

SEC. 204. The Committee includes a provision mandating that 

only construction funds may be used for land procurement or the 

construction of any new hospital or home. 
69 

SEC. 205. The Committee includes a provision allowing for reimbursements to the Medical Services account. 

SEC. 206. The Committee includes a provision allowing for payments of prior year obligations. 

SEC. 207. The Committee includes a provision which allows for 

the use of funds for prior year obligations. 

SEC. 208. The Committee includes a provision which allows for 

payments from the National Service Life Insurance Fund. 

SEC. 209. The Committee includes a provision which outlines the 

use of funds from enhanced-use lease proceeds. 

SEC. 210. The Committee includes a provision which provides for 

funds for the Office of Resolution Management and the Office of 

Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication. 

SEC. 211. The Committee includes a provision restricting funds 

from being used to close certain medical facilities in the absence of 

a national realignment strategy. 

SEC. 212. The Committee includes a provision which requires disclosure of third-party reimbursement information. 

SEC. 213. The Committee includes a provision which allows for 

the transfer of revenue derived from enhanced-use leases into the 

construction accounts. 

SEC. 214. The Committee includes a provision which outlines authorized uses for medical services funds. 

SEC. 215. The Committee includes a provision which allows funds 

in the Medical Care Collection Fund to be transferred into the 

Medical Services and Medical Community Care accounts. 

SEC. 216. The Committee includes a provision which allows eligible veterans in the State of Alaska to obtain medical care services. 

SEC. 217. The Committee includes a provision which allows for 

the transfer of funds into the construction accounts. 

SEC. 218. The Committee includes a provision rescinding funds 

from Medical services to enable the establishment of the Medical 

Community Care account. 

SEC. 219. The Committee includes a provision requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit quarterly financial reports on 

the Veterans Health Administration. 

SEC. 220. The Committee includes a provision outlining transfer 

authority for the Information Technology Systems account. 

SEC. 221. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting any 

funds to be used to contract out any functions performed by more 

than 10 employees without a fair competition process. 

SEC. 222. The Committee includes a provision allowing for the 

transfer of funds from certain accounts to the Joint Department of 

Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, as authorized by Public Law 111–84. 

SEC. 223. The Committee includes a provision allowing for the 

transfer of funds from certain advance appropriation accounts to 

the Joint Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs 

Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, as authorized by Public Law 

111–84. 

SEC. 224. The Committee includes a provision allowing for the 

transfer of certain funds deposited in the Medical Care Collections 

Fund to the Joint Department of Defense/Department of Veterans 
70 

Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, as authorized by 

Public Law 111–84. 

SEC. 225. The Committee includes a provision directing a min- imum of $15,000,000 be transferred from Medical Services, Medical 

Support and Compliance, and Medical Facilities to the Department 

of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 8111 of title 38, United 

States Code. 

SEC. 226. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting the Department from replacing the current system by which diabetes 

monitoring equipment and supplies are contracted. 

SEC. 227. The Committee includes a provision requiring notification of all bid savings for major construction projects. 

SEC. 228. The Committee includes a provision restricting scope 

increases for major construction projects above that specified in the 

original project justification. 

SEC. 229. The Committee includes a provision requiring the Department to submit reports relating to the Veterans Benefits Administration on claims processing at Regional Offices. 

SEC. 230. The Committee includes a provision limiting the funding from the Medical Support and Compliance account for the 

VistA Evolution and electronic health record interoperability 

projects. 

SEC. 231. The Committee includes a provision requiring VA to 

notify the Committee 15 days prior to any organizational changes 

within VA of 25 or more FTE. 

SEC. 232. The Committee includes a provision permitting the 

transfer of funds between GOE,VBA and BVA. 

SEC. 233. The Committee includes a provision rescinding unobligated balances from the DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive 

Fund. 

SEC. 234. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting the re- programming of funds in excess of $5,000,000 among major construction projects or programs. 

SEC. 235. The Committee includes a provision prohibitions the 

transfer of funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation 

Fund to any other VA account. 

SEC. 236. The Committee includes a provision providing for the 

extension of a purchased care program. 

SEC. 237. The Committee includes a provision regarding copayments for opioid antagonists and education on the use of opioid antagonists. 

SEC. 238. The Committee includes a provision regarding access 

to Office of Inspector General reports. 

SEC. 239. The Committee includes a provision allowing for grants 

to train and employ at-risk veterans. 

SEC. 240. The Committee includes a provision regarding a study 

on toxic exposure. 

SEC. 241. The Committee includes a provision regarding a 

childcare program. 

SEC. 242. The Committee includes a provision requiring the reporting to State prescription drug monitoring programs. 

SEC. 243. The Committee includes a provision regarding the hiring of medical providers. 
71 

SEC. 244. The Committee includes a provision regarding the reporting of information to State medical boards. 

SEC. 245. The Committee includes a provision granting the Secretary transfer authority between any discretionary appropriations 

accounts and limiting the total transfer to 2 percent of the total 

discretionary appropriations made available to the Department in 

this act. 

SEC. 246. The Committee includes a provision protecting whistleblowers from retaliation. 

SEC. 247. The Committee includes a provision on fertility treatment and counseling for service-connected disabled veterans. 

SEC. 248. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting the Appraisal Value Offer Program or the Home Marketing Incentive Program with a waiver. 

SEC. 249. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting the use 

of funds to interfere with the ability of veterans to participate in 

State-approved medicinal marijuana programs or deny services to 

such veterans. 

SEC. 250. The Committee includes a provision on coastwise merchant seamen. 
(72) 

TITLE III 

RELATED AGENCIES 

AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

OVERVIEW

The American Battle Monuments Commission was established by 

Congress in 1923 and is responsible for the following: designing, 

constructing, operating, and maintaining permanent American 

cemeteries in foreign countries; establishing and maintaining U.S. 

military memorials, monuments, and markers where American 

Armed Forces have served overseas since April 6, 1917, the date 

of the United States entry into World War I, and within the United 

States when directed by public law; and controlling the design and 

construction of permanent U.S. military monuments and markers 

by other U.S. citizens and organizations, both public and private, 

and encouraging their maintenance. ABMC administers, operates, 

and maintains 25 permanent American military cemeteries, 27 

Federal memorial, monuments, and markers, and 8 non-Federal 

memorials located in 15 foreign countries, the U.S. Commonwealth 

of the Northern Mariana Islands, the British Dependency of Gibraltar, and the United States of America. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $105,100,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 75,100,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 75,100,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $75,100,000 for the Salaries and Expenses account. This amount is $32,000,000 below the fiscal year 

2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $2,000,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... ........................... 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. ........................... 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee includes in the accompanying act, as proposed by 

the administration, such sums as necessary for the Foreign Currency Fluctuations account. Funding the account in this manner allows the Commission to maintain cemeteries regardless of the volatility of foreign currency fluctuations. 
73 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

OVERVIEW

The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims was established by the Veterans’ Judicial Review Act of 1988. The Court 

is an independent judicial tribunal with exclusive jurisdiction to review decisions of the Board of Veterans Appeals. It has the authority to decide all relevant questions of law; interpret constitutional, 

statutory, and regulatory provisions; and determine the meaning or 

applicability of the terms of an action by the Secretary of Veterans 

Affairs. It is authorized to compel action by the Secretary. It is authorized to hold unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful and set 

aside decisions, findings, conclusions, rules, and regulations issued 

or adopted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Board of Veterans Appeals, or the Chairman of the Board that are found to be 

arbitrary or capricious. The Court’s principal office location is 

Washington, DC; however, it is a national court, empowered to sit 

anywhere in the United States. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $32,141,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 30,945,100 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 30,945,100 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $30,945,100 for the U.S. Court of 

Appeals for Veterans Claims. This amount is $1,195,900 below the 

fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL

CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY

OVERVIEW

The Secretary of the Army is responsible for the administration, 

operation, and maintenance of Arlington National Cemetery and 

the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. In addition to 

its principal function as a national cemetery, Arlington is the site 

of approximately 3,000 nonfuneral ceremonies each year and has 

approximately four million visitors annually. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $79,516,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 70,800,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 70,800,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $70,800,000 for Salaries and expenses. This amount is $8,716,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. 

Land Exchange.—The Committee recognizes the future burial capacity of Arlington National Cemetery would be dramatically increased through a land exchange in the area of the former Navy 

Annex site with Arlington County and the Commonwealth of Vir-
74 

ginia. The Committee strongly supports this effort and understands 

the Secretary of the Army is working with Arlington County and 

the Virginia Department of Transportation to finalize the land exchange agreement. The closure and relocation of current State and 

local roadways in this area would facilitate such an exchange. The 

Committee urges the Secretary of the Army to continue to work 

closely with the Virginia Department of Transportation and Arlington County to finalize details of the proposed land exchange so that 

the cemetery expansion plans, including the relocation of utilities, 

can move forward as expeditiously as possible. 

ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

TRUST FUND

OVERVIEW

Appropriations, 2016 ............................................................................. $64,300,000 

Budget estimate, 2017 ........................................................................... 64,300,000 

Committee recommendation ................................................................. 64,300,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends authority to expend $64,300,000 

from the Armed Forces Retirement Home [AFRH] Trust Fund to 

operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Washington, DC, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, 

Mississippi. 

Trust Fund Solvency.—The Committee is concerned by the continued reliance on the General Fund, which the Committee views 

as an emergency measure, to supplement the AFRH Trust Fund. 

The Committee understands AFRH and the Department of Defense 

have undertaken an in-depth study to develop mid-term and longterm plans to improve Trust Fund solvency; however, the Committee is troubled that the study’s statement of work seems to be 

focused on cuts to core AFRH operations as a means of achieving 

solvency within the Trust Fund. The Committee reminds the executive branch that reductions in appropriations to AFRH, which support certain former members of our Nation’s Armed Forces, is the 

sole prerogative of the legislative branch and directs AFRH and the 

Department of Defense to submit by September 30, 2016, a proposal that ensures the long-term sustainability of the Trust Fund 

by replenishing the Trust Fund’s revenues, not by cutting core 

AFRH operations. 

The Committee is disappointed the Department of Defense did 

not include with the budget request a combination of legislative 

proposals and administrative actions that can be taken under current law in order to achieve Trust Fund solvency in spite of clear 

Committee direction to do so in the Explanatory Statement accompanying H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016. Instead, the Department of Defense proposed a complicated transfer 

from operation and maintenance for Defense-wide activities, which 

is nothing more than a thinly disguised appropriation from the 

General Fund. Both legislative and administrative actions are necessary to improve Trust Fund solvency, eliminate AFRH’s reliance 

on the General Fund, and maintain the high-quality services provided to AFRH residents. The Committee again directs the Depart-
75 

ment of Defense, working with AFRH, to take appropriate administrative action and to develop and submit proposed authorizing language with the fiscal year 2018 budget request in order to fully address the issue of Trust Fund solvency. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

SEC. 301. The Committee includes a provision allowing the relocation of a federally owned water main. 

SEC. 302. The Committee includes a provision making available 

funds as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 4727. 
(76) 

TITLE IV 

GENERAL PROVISIONS 

SEC. 401. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits the 

obligation of funds beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly 

so provided. 

SEC. 402. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits the 

use of funds for programs, projects, or activities not in compliance 

with Federal law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates. 

SEC. 403. The Committee includes a provision that encourages 

the expansion of E-commerce technologies and procedures. 

SEC. 404. The Committee includes a provision that specifies the 

congressional committees that are to receive all reports and notifications. 

SEC. 405. The Committee includes a provision that limits funds 

from being transferred from this appropriations measure to any instrumentality of the United States Government without authority 

from an appropriations act. 

SEC. 406. The Committee includes a provision regarding the posting of congressional reports on agency Web sites. 

SEC. 407. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting the use 

of funds to establish or maintain a computer network unless such 

network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography, except for law enforcement investigation, prosecution, or 

adjudication activities. 

SEC. 408. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting the use 

of funds for the payment of first-class travel by an employee of the 

executive branch. 

SEC. 409. The Committee includes a provision limiting the construction of facilities for the purposes of housing individuals detained at Guanta ́namo Bay, Cuba. 
(77) 

PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY 

In fiscal year 2017, for purposes of the Balanced Budget and 

Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99–177) or the 

Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Reaffirmation Act 

of 1987 (Public Law 100–119), the following information provides 

the definition of the term ‘‘program, project, and activity’’ for departments, agencies and programs under the jurisdiction of the 

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies 

subcommittee. The term ‘‘program, project, and activity’’ shall include the most specific level of budget items identified in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017, the House and Senate Committee reports, and 

the conference report and accompanying joint explanatory statement of managers of the committee of conference. 

If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the Presidential order, departments, and agencies shall apply any percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2017 pursuant to the provisions of Public Law 99–177 or Public Law 100–119 to all items 

specified in the justifications submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives in support 

of the fiscal year 2017 budget estimates, as amended, for such departments and agencies, as modified by congressional action, and 

in addition, for the Department of Defense, Military Construction, 

the definition shall include specific construction locations as identified in the explanatory notes. 

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI, OF THE 

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE 

Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports accompanying general appropriations bills identify each recommended 

amendment 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 recommends funding for the following programs 

which currently lack authorization: 

Title I: Department of Defense 

Military Construction, Army 

Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps 

Military Construction, Air Force 

Military Construction, Defense-Wide 

Military Construction, Army National Guard 

Military Construction, Air National Guard 

Military Construction, Army Reserve 

Military Construction, Navy Reserve 

Military Construction, Air Force Reserve 
78 

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program 

Department of Defense Base Closure Account 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine 

Corps 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force 

Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide 

Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund 

Family Housing Construction, Army 

Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps 

Family Housing Construction, Air Force 

Title II: Department of Veterans Affairs 

Veterans Benefits Administration 

Veterans Health Administration 

National Cemetery Administration 

Departmental Administration 

Title III: Related Agencies 

American Battle Monuments Commission 

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 

Cemeterial Expenses, Army 

Armed Forces Retirement Home 

COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE 

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE 

Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on April 14, 2016, the 

Committee ordered favorably reported a bill (S. 2806) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans 

Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 

30, 2017, and for other purposes, provided, that the bill be subject 

to amendment and that the bill be consistent with its budget allocation, by a recorded vote of 30–0, a quorum being present. The 

vote was as follows: 

Yeas Nays 

Chairman Cochran 

Mr. McConnell 

Mr. Shelby 

Mr. Alexander 

Ms. Collins 

Ms. Murkowski 

Mr. Graham 

Mr. Kirk 

Mr. Blunt 

Mr. Moran 

Mr. Hoeven 

Mr. Boozman 

Mrs. Capito 

Mr. Cassidy 

Mr. Lankford 

Mr. Daines 

Ms. Mikulski 
79 

Mr. Leahy 

Mrs. Murray 

Mrs. Feinstein 

Mr. Durbin 

Mr. Reed 

Mr. Tester 

Mr. Udall 

Mrs. Shaheen 

Mr. Merkley 

Mr. Coons 

Mr. Schatz 

Ms. Baldwin 

Mr. Murphy 

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 joint resolution repealing or amending any statute or part 

of 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.’’ 

In compliance with this rule, changes in existing law proposed to 

be made by the bill are shown as follows: existing law to be omitted 

is enclosed in black brackets; new matter is printed in italic; and 

existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman. 

TITLE 38—VETERANS’ BENEFITS 

PART I—GENERAL PROVISIONS

CHAPTER 3—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

§ 312. Inspector General 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(c)(1) Whenever the Inspector General, in carrying out the duties and responsibilities established under the Inspector General 

Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), issues a work product øthat makes a 

recommendation or otherwise suggests corrective action,¿ the Inspector General shall— 

CHAPTER 7—EMPLOYEES

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL EMPLOYEE MATTERS

Sec. 

701. Placement of employees in military installations. 

* * * * * * * 
80 

713. Senior executives: removal based on performance or misconduct. 

715. Congressional testimony by employees: treatment as official duty. 

SUBCHAPTER II—WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS

731. Whistleblower complaint defined. 

732. Treatment of whistleblower complaints. 

733. Adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited personnel 

actions relating to whistleblower complaints. 

734. Evaluation criteria of supervisors and treatment of bonuses. 

735. Training regarding whistleblower complaints. 

736. Reports to Congress. 

SUBCHAPTER I—GENERAL EMPLOYEE MATTERS

§ 701. Placement of employees in military installations 

* * * * * * * 

§ 713. Senior executives: removal based on performance or 

misconduct 

(a) IN GENERAL.— 

* * * * * * * 

(g) DEFINITIONS.— 

(1)* * * 

* * * * * * * 

(3)* * * 

(A)* * * 

(B) with respect to an individual appointed under section 7306(a) or section 7401(1) of this title, an administrative or executive position. 

§ 715. Congressional testimony by employees: treatment as official duty 

(a) CONGRESSIONAL TESTIMONY.—An employee of the Department is performing official duty during the period with respect to 

which the employee is testifying in an official capacity in front of 

either chamber of Congress, a committee of either chamber of Congress, or a joint or select committee of Congress. 

(b) TRAVEL EXPENSES.—The Secretary shall provide travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with 

applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, to 

any employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs performing official duty described under subsection (a). 

SUBCHAPTER II—WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINTS

§ 731. Whistleblower complaint defined 

In this subchapter, the term ‘‘whistleblower complaint’’ means 

a complaint by an employee of the Department disclosing, or assisting another employee to disclose, a potential violation of any law, 

rule, or regulation, or gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, 

abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public 

health and safety. 
81 

§ 732. Treatment of whistleblower complaints 

(a) FILING.—(1) In addition to any other method established by 

law in which an employee may file a whistleblower complaint, an 

employee of the Department may file a whistleblower complaint in 

accordance with subsection (g) with a supervisor of the employee. 

(2) Except as provided by subsection (d)(1), in making a whistleblower complaint under paragraph (1), an employee shall file the 

initial complaint with the immediate supervisor of the employee. 

(b) NOTIFICATION.—(1)(A) Not later than four business days 

after the date on which a supervisor receives a whistleblower complaint by an employee under this section, the supervisor shall notify, 

in writing, the employee of whether the supervisor determines that 

there is a reasonable likelihood that the complaint discloses a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or gross mismanagement, gross 

waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. 

(B) The supervisor shall retain written documentation regarding the whistleblower complaint and shall submit to the next-level 

supervisor and the central whistleblower office described in subsection (h) a written report on the complaint. 

(2)(A) On a monthly basis, the supervisor shall submit to the 

appropriate director or other official who is superior to the supervisor a written report that includes the number of whistleblower 

complaints received by the supervisor under this section during the 

month covered by the report, the disposition of such complaints, and 

any actions taken because of such complaints pursuant to subsection 

(c). 

(B) In the case in which such a director or official carries out 

this paragraph, the director or official shall submit such monthly 

report to the supervisor of the director or official and to the central 

whistleblower office described in subsection (h). 

(c) POSITIVE DETERMINATION.—If a supervisor makes a positive 

determination under subsection (b)(1) regarding a whistleblower 

complaint of an employee, the supervisor shall include in the notification to the employee under such subsection the specific actions 

that the supervisor will take to address the complaint. 

(d) FILING COMPLAINT WITH NEXT-LEVEL SUPERVISORS.—(1) If 

any circumstance described in paragraph (3) is met, an employee 

may file a whistleblower complaint in accordance with subsection 

(g) with the next-level supervisor who shall treat such complaint in 

accordance with this section. 

(2) An employee may file a whistleblower complaint with the 

Secretary if the employee has filed the whistleblower complaint to 

each level of supervisors between the employee and the Secretary in 

accordance with paragraph (1). 

(3) A circumstance described in this paragraph is any of the following circumstances: 

(A) A supervisor does not make a timely determination 

under subsection (b)(1) regarding a whistleblower complaint. 

(B) The employee who made a whistleblower complaint determines that the supervisor did not adequately address the 

complaint pursuant to subsection (c). 

(C) The immediate supervisor of the employee is the basis 

of the whistleblower complaint. 
82 

(e) TRANSFER OF EMPLOYEE WHO FILES WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT.—If a supervisor makes a positive determination under subsection (b)(1) regarding a whistleblower complaint filed by an employee, the Secretary shall— 

(1) inform the employee of the ability to volunteer for a 

transfer in accordance with section 3352 of title 5; and 

(2) give preference to the employee for such a transfer in accordance with such section. 

(f) PROHIBITION ON EXEMPTION.—The Secretary may not exempt 

any employee of the Department from being covered by this section. 

(g) WHISTLEBLOWER COMPLAINT FORM.—(1) A whistleblower 

complaint filed by an employee under subsection (a) or (d) shall consist of the form described in paragraph (2) and any supporting materials or documentation the employee determines necessary. 

(2) The form described in this paragraph is a form developed 

by the Secretary, in consultation with the Special Counsel, that includes the following: 

(A) An explanation of the purpose of the whistleblower complaint form. 

(B) Instructions for filing a whistleblower complaint as described in this section. 

(C) An explanation that filing a whistleblower complaint 

under this section does not preclude the employee from any 

other method established by law in which an employee may file 

a whistleblower complaint. 

(D) A statement directing the employee to information accessible on the Internet website of the Department as described 

in section 735(d). 

(E) Fields for the employee to provide— 

(i) the date that the form is submitted; 

(ii) the name of the employee; 

(iii) the contact information of the employee; 

(iv) a summary of the whistleblower complaint (including the option to append supporting documents pursuant to 

paragraph (1)); and 

(v) proposed solutions to the complaint. 

(F) Any other information or fields that the Secretary determines appropriate. 

(3) The Secretary, in consultation with the Special Counsel, 

shall develop the form described in paragraph (2) by not later than 

60 days after the date of the enactment of this section. 

(h) CENTRAL WHISTLEBLOWER OFFICE.—(1) The Secretary shall 

ensure that the central whistleblower office— 

(A) is not an element of the Office of the General Counsel; 

(B) is not headed by an official who reports to the General 

Counsel; 

(C) does not provide, or receive from, the General Counsel 

any information regarding a whistleblower complaint except 

pursuant to an action regarding the complaint before an administrative body or court; and 

(D) does not provide advice to the General Counsel. 

(2) The central whistleblower office shall be responsible for investigating all whistleblower complaints of the Department, regard-
83 

less of whether such complaints are made by or against an employee 

who is not a member of the Senior Executive Service. 

(3) The Secretary shall ensure that the central whistleblower office maintains a toll-free hotline to anonymously receive whistleblower complaints. 

(4) The Secretary shall ensure that the central whistleblower office has such staff and resources as the Secretary considers necessary to carry out the functions of the central whistleblower office. 

(5) In this subsection, the term ‘central whistleblower office’ 

means the Office of Accountability Review or a successor office that 

is established or designated by the Secretary to investigate whistleblower complaints filed under this section or any other method established by law. 

§ 733. Adverse actions against supervisory employees who 

commit prohibited personnel actions relating to 

whistleblower complaints 

(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) In accordance with paragraph (2), the 

Secretary shall carry out the following adverse actions against supervisory employees (as defined in section 7103(a) of title 5) whom 

the Secretary, an administrative judge, the Merit Systems Protection 

Board, the Office of Special Counsel, an adjudicating body provided 

under a union contract, a Federal judge, or the Inspector General 

of the Department determines committed a prohibited personnel action described in subsection (c): 

(A) With respect to the first offense, an adverse action that 

is not less than a 12-day suspension and not more than removal. 

(B) With respect to the second offense, removal. 

(2)(A) An employee against whom an adverse action under 

paragraph (1) is proposed is entitled to written notice. 

(B)(i) An employee who is notified under subparagraph (A) of 

being the subject of a proposed adverse action under paragraph (1) 

is entitled to 14 days following such notification to answer and furnish evidence in support of the answer. 

(ii) If the employee does not furnish any such evidence as described in clause (i) or if the Secretary determines that such evidence is not sufficient to reverse the determination to propose the 

adverse action, the Secretary shall carry out the adverse action following such 14-day period. 

(C) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of section 7513 of 

title 5, subsection (c) of such section, paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of section 7543 of such title, and subsection (c) of such 

section shall not apply with respect to an adverse action carried out 

under paragraph (1). 

(b) LIMITATION ON OTHER ADVERSE ACTIONS.—With respect to 

a prohibited personnel action described in subsection (c), if the Secretary carries out an adverse action against a supervisory employee, 

the Secretary may carry out an additional adverse action under this 

section based on the same prohibited personnel action if the total severity of the adverse actions do not exceed the level specified in subsection (a). 
84 

(c) PROHIBITED PERSONNEL ACTION DESCRIBED.—A prohibited 

personnel action described in this subsection is any of the following 

actions: 

(1) Taking or failing to take a personnel action in violation 

of section 2302 of title 5 against an employee relating to the employee— 

(A) filing a whistleblower complaint in accordance 

with section 732 of this title; 

(B) filing a whistleblower complaint with the Inspector 

General of the Department, the Special Counsel, or Congress; 

(C) providing information or participating as a witness 

in an investigation of a whistleblower complaint in accordance with section 732 or with the Inspector General of the 

Department, the Special Counsel, or Congress; 

(D) participating in an audit or investigation by the 

Comptroller General of the United States; 

(E) refusing to perform an action that is unlawful or 

prohibited by the Department; or 

(F) engaging in communications that are related to the 

duties of the position or are otherwise protected. 

(2) Preventing or restricting an employee from making an 

action described in any of subparagraphs (A) through (F) of 

paragraph (1). 

(3) Conducting a negative peer review or opening a retaliatory investigation because of an activity of an employee that is 

protected by section 2302 of title 5. 

(4) Requesting a contractor to carry out an action that is 

prohibited by section 4705(b) or section 4712(a)(1) of title 41, as 

the case may be. 

§ 734. Evaluation criteria of supervisors and treatment of bonuses 

(a) EVALUATION CRITERIA.—(1) In evaluating the performance 

of supervisors of the Department, the Secretary shall include the criteria described in paragraph (2). 

(2) The criteria described in this subsection are the following: 

(A) Whether the supervisor treats whistleblower complaints 

in accordance with section 732 of this title. 

(B) Whether the appropriate deciding official, performance 

review board, or performance review committee determines that 

the supervisor was found to have committed a prohibited personnel action described in section 733(b) of this title by an administrative judge, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, an adjudicating body provided under a 

union contract, a Federal judge, or, in the case of a settlement 

of a whistleblower complaint (regardless of whether any fault 

was assigned under such settlement), the Secretary. 

(b) BONUSES.—(1) The Secretary may not pay to a supervisor 

described in subsection (a)(2)(B) an award or bonus under this title 

or title 5, including under chapter 45 or 53 of such title, during the 

one-year period beginning on the date on which the determination 

was made under such subsection. 
85 

(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary 

shall issue an order directing a supervisor described in subsection 

(a)(2)(B) to repay the amount of any award or bonus paid under 

this title or title 5, including under chapter 45 or 53 of such title, 

if— 

(A) such award or bonus was paid for performance during 

a period in which the supervisor committed a prohibited personnel action as determined pursuant to such subsection 

(a)(2)(B); 

(B) the Secretary determines such repayment appropriate 

pursuant to regulations prescribed by the Secretary to carry out 

this section; and 

(C) the supervisor is afforded notice and an opportunity for 

a hearing before making such repayment. 

§ 735. Training regarding whistleblower complaints 

(a) TRAINING.—Not less frequently than once each year, the Secretary, in coordination with the Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman designated under section 3(d)(1)(C) of the Inspector General 

Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), shall provide to each employee of the 

Department training regarding whistleblower complaints, including— 

(1) an explanation of each method established by law in 

which an employee may file a whistleblower complaint; 

(2) an explanation of prohibited personnel actions described 

by section 733(c) of this title; 

(3) with respect to supervisors, how to treat whistleblower 

complaints in accordance with section 732 of this title; 

(4) the right of the employee to petition Congress regarding 

a whistleblower complaint in accordance with section 7211 of 

title 5; 

(5) an explanation that the employee may not be prosecuted 

or reprised against for disclosing information to Congress, the 

Inspector General, or another investigatory agency in instances 

where such disclosure is permitted by law, including under sections 5701, 5705, and 7732 of this title, under section 552a of 

title 5 (commonly referred to as the Privacy Act), under chapter 

93 of title 18, and pursuant to regulations promulgated under 

section 264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104–191); 

(6) an explanation of the language that is required to be included in all nondisclosure policies, forms, and agreements pursuant to section 115(a)(1) of the Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (5 U.S.C. 2302 note); and 

(7) the right of contractors to be protected from reprisal for 

the disclosure of certain information under section 4705 or 4712 

of title 41. 

(b) MANNER TRAINING IS PROVIDED.—The Secretary shall ensure that training provided under subsection (a) is provided in person. 

(c) CERTIFICATION.—Not less frequently than once each year, the 

Secretary shall provide training on merit system protection in a 

manner that the Special Counsel certifies as being satisfactory. 
86 

(d) PUBLICATION.—(1) The Secretary shall publish on the Internet website of the Department, and display prominently at each facility of the Department, the rights of an employee to file a whistleblower complaint, including the information described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (a). 

(2) The Secretary shall publish on the Internet website of the 

Department, the whistleblower complaint form described in section 

732(g)(2). 

§ 736. Reports to Congress 

(a) ANNUAL REPORTS.—Not less frequently than once each year, 

the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes— 

(1) with respect to whistleblower complaints filed under section 732 of this title during the year covered by the report— 

(A) the number of such complaints filed; 

(B) the disposition of such complaints; and 

(C) the ways in which the Secretary addressed such 

complaints in which a positive determination was made by 

a supervisor under subsection (b)(1) of such section; 

(2) the number of whistleblower complaints filed during the 

year covered by the report that are not included under paragraph (1), including— 

(A) the method in which such complaints were filed; 

(B) the disposition of such complaints; and 

(C) the ways in which the Secretary addressed such 

complaints; and 

(3) with respect to disclosures made by a contractor under 

section 4705 or 4712 of title 41— 

(A) the number of complaints relating to such disclosures that were investigated by the Inspector General of the 

Department of Veterans Affairs during the year covered by 

the report; 

(B) the disposition of such complaints; and 

(C) the ways in which the Secretary addressed such 

complaints. 

(b) NOTICE OF OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL DETERMINATIONS.—Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary receives from the Special Counsel information relating to a 

whistleblower complaint pursuant to section 1213 of title 5, the Secretary shall notify the appropriate committees of Congress of such 

information, including the determination made by the Special 

Counsel. 

(c) APPROPRIATE COMMITTEES OF CONGRESS.—In this section, 

the term ‘appropriate committees of Congress’ means— 

(1) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 

on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; 

and 

(2) the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs and the Committee 

on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives. 
87 

PART II—GENERAL BENEFITS

CHAPTER 17—HOSPITAL, NURSING HOME, DOMICILIARY, AND

MEDICAL CARE

Subchapter II—Hospital, Nursing Home, or Domiciliary Care and 

Medical Treatment 

§ 1710. Eligibility for hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care 

(a)(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(g)(1) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

(3) This subsection does not apply øwith respect to home 

health services¿ with respect to the following: 

(A) Home health services under section 1717 of this title to 

the extent that such services are for improvements and structural alterations. 

(B) Education on the use of opioid antagonists to reverse 

the effects of overdoses of specific medications or substances. 

Subchapter III—Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Hospital and 

Nursing Home Care and Medical Treatment of Veterans 

§ 1722A. Copayment for medications 

(a)(1) * * * 

(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply— 

(A)* * * 

* * * * * * * 

(C) to a veteran whose annual income (as determined 

under section 1503 of this title) does not exceed the maximum 

annual rate of pension which would be payable to such veteran 

if such veteran were eligible for pension under section 1521 of 

this title. 

(4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to opioid antagonists furnished under this chapter to a veteran who is at high risk for overdose of a specific medication or substance in order to reverse the effect of such an overdose. 

PART IV—GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Chapter 57—Records and Investigations 

Subchapter I—Records 

§ 5701. Confidential nature of claims 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 
88 

(l) Under regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, the Secretary ømay¿ shall disclose information about a veteran or the dependent of a veteran to a State controlled substance monitoring 

program, including a program approved by the Secretary of Health 

and Human Services under section 399O of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g–3), to the extent necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription medicines. 

VETERANS’ MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER CARE 

IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2008, PUBLIC LAW 110–387 

TITLE IV 

HEALTH CARE MATTERS 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 403. PILOT PROGRAM OF ENHANCED CONTRACT CARE AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH CARE NEEDS OF VETERANS IN HIGHLY 

RURAL AREAS. 

(a) PILOT PROGRAM REQUIRED.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—* * * 

* * * * * * * 

ø(3) TERMINATION.—A veteran may receive health services 

under the pilot program only during the three-year period beginning on the date of the commencement of the pilot program 

under paragraph (2).¿ 

(3) DURATION.—A veteran may receive health services 

under this section during the period beginning on the date specified in paragraph (2) and ending on September 30, 2018. 

CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016, 

PUBLIC LAW 114–113 

DIVISION J—MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 

2016 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE II 

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

* * * * * * * 

ø(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

SEC. 223. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of 

Veterans Affairs which become available on October 1, 2016, for 

‘‘Medical Services’’, ‘‘Medical Support and Compliance’’, and ‘‘Medical Facilities’’, up to $265,675,000, plus reimbursements, may be 

transferred to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, established by 

section 1704 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 

Year 2010 (Public Law 111–84; 123 Stat. 3571) and may be used 
89 

for operation of the facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 

110–417; 122 Stat. 4500): Provided, That additional funds may be 

transferred from accounts designated in this section to the Joint 

Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 

Facility Demonstration Fund upon written notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of 

both Houses of Congress.¿ Repealed. 

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 

allocation 

Amount 

in bill 

Committee 

allocation 

Amount 

in bill 

Comparison of amounts in the bill with the subcommittee 

allocation for 2017: Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: 

Mandatory .................................................................... 101,868 101,868 101,470 1 101,470 

Discretionary ................................................................ 83,030 83,030 83,151 1 83,141 

Security ............................................................... 7,930 7,930 NA NA 

Nonsecurity ......................................................... 75,100 75,100 NA NA 

Projections of outlays associated with the recommendation: 

2017 ............................................................................. ...................... ...................... ...................... 2 109,898 

2018 ............................................................................. ...................... ...................... ...................... 5,246 

2019 ............................................................................. ...................... ...................... ...................... 3,686 

2020 ............................................................................. ...................... ...................... ...................... 2,260 

2021 and future years ................................................ ...................... ...................... ...................... 1,469 

Financial assistance to State and local governments for 

2017 ................................................................................. NA 201 NA 2 37 

1 Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

2 Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

NA: Not applicable. 
90 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Installation and project Budget 

estimate 

Committee recommendation 

Committee recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

ALASKA 

ARMY: 

FORT WAINWRIGHT: 

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE HANGAR ..................................... 47,000 47,000 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

CLEAR AFS: 

FIRE STATION ........................................................................... 20,000 20,000 ........................

EIELSON AFB: 

F–35A ADAL FIELD TRAINING DETACHMENT FAC ..................... 22,100 22,100 ........................

F–35A AIRCRAFT WEATHER SHELTER (SQD 2) ........................ 82,300 82,300 ........................

F–35A AIRCRAFT WEATHER SHELTERS (SQD 1) ...................... 79,500 79,500 ........................

F–35A EARTH COVERED MAGAZINES ....................................... 11,300 11,300 ........................

F–35A HANGAR/PROPULSION MX/DISPATCH ............................ 44,900 44,900 ........................

F–35A HANGAR/SQUAD OPS/AMU SQ #2 ................................. 42,700 42,700 ........................

F–35A MISSILE MAINTENANCE FACILITY .................................. 12,800 12,800 ........................

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF–RICHARDSON: 

ADD/ALTER AWACS ALERT HANGAR ......................................... 29,000 29,000 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

CLEAR AFS: 

LONG RANGE DISCRIM RADAR SYS COMPLEX PH1 ................. 155,000 155,000 ........................

FORT GREELY: 

MISSILE DEFENSE COMPLEX SWITCHGEAR FACILITY ............... 9,560 9,560 ........................

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF–RICHARDSON: 

CONSTRUCT TRUCK OFFLOAD FACILITY ................................... 4,900 4,900 ........................

TOTAL, ALASKA .............................................................................. 561,060 561,060 ........................

ARIZONA 

NAVY: 

YUMA: 

VMX–22 MAINTENANCE HANGAR ............................................. 48,355 48,355 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

LUKE AFB: 

F–35A SQUAD OPS/AIRCRAFT MAINT UNIT #5 ......................... 20,000 20,000 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

FORT HUACHUCA: 

JITC BUILDING 52110 RENOVATION ......................................... 4,493 4,493 ........................

TOTAL, ARIZONA ............................................................................ 72,848 72,848 ........................

CALIFORNIA 

ARMY: 

CONCORD: 

ACCESS CONTROL POINT ......................................................... 12,600 12,600 ........................

NAVY: 

CORONADO: 

COASTAL CAMPUS ENTRY CONTROL POINT ............................. 13,044 13,044 ........................

COASTAL CAMPUS UTILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE ....................... 81,104 81,104 ........................

GRACE HOPPER DATA CENTER POWER UPGRADES ................. 10,353 10,353 ........................

LEMOORE: 

F–35C ENGINE REPAIR FACILITY ............................................. 26,723 26,723 ........................

SAN DIEGO: 

ENERGY SECURITY HOSPITAL MICROGRID ............................... 6,183 6,183 ........................

SEAL BEACH: 

MISSILE MAGAZINES ................................................................. 21,007 21,007 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE: 

FLIGHTLINE FIRE STATION ........................................................ 24,000 24,000 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

CORONADO: 

SOF HUMAN PERFORMANCE TRAINING CENTER ...................... 15,578 15,578 ........................
91 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Installation and project Budget 

estimate 

Committee 

recommendation 

Committee 

recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

SOF SEAL TEAM OPS FACILITY ................................................. 47,290 47,290 ........................

SOF SEAL TEAM OPS FACILITY ................................................. 47,290 47,290 ........................

SOF SPECIAL RECON TEAM ONE OPERATIONS FAC ................. 20,949 20,949 ........................

SOF TRAINING DETACHMENT ONE OPS FACILITY ..................... 44,305 44,305 ........................

TRAVIS AFB REPLACE HYDRANT FUEL SYSTEM ....................... 26,500 26,500 ........................

ARMY RESERVE: 

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT: 

EMERGENCY SERVICES CENTER .............................................. 21,500 21,500 ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE ....................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

TRANSIENT TRAINING BARRACKS ............................................. 19,000 19,000 ........................

TOTAL, CALIFORNIA ....................................................................... 437,426 437,426 ........................

COLORADO 

ARMY: 

FORT CARSON: 

AUTOMATED INFANTRY PLATOON BATTLE COURSE .................. 8,100 8,100 ........................

UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE HANGAR ..................................... 5,000 5,000 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE: 

SMALL ARMS RANGE COMPLEX ............................................... 13,500 13,500 ........................

TOTAL, COLORADO ........................................................................ 26,600 26,600 ........................

CONNECTICUT 

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

BRADLEY IAP: 

CONSTRUCT SMALL AIR TERMINAL .......................................... 6,300 6,300 ........................

TOTAL, CONNECTICUT ................................................................... 6,300 6,300 ........................

DELAWARE 

AIR FORCE: 

DOVER AFB: 

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR ........................................... 39,000 39,000 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

DOVER AFB: 

WELCH ES/DOVER MS REPLACEMENT ...................................... 44,115 44,115 ........................

TOTAL, DELAWARE ........................................................................ 83,115 83,115 ........................

FLORIDA 

NAVY: 

EGLIN AFB: 

WMD FIELD TRAINING FACILITIES ............................................. 20,489 20,489 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

EGLIN AFB: 

ADVANCED MUNITIONS TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX ...................... 75,000 75,000 ........................

FLIGHTLINE FIRE STATION ........................................................ 13,600 13,600 ........................

PATRICK AFB 

FIRE/CRASH RESCUE STATION ................................................. 13,500 13,500 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

PATRICK AFB: 

REPLACE FUEL TANKS .............................................................. 10,100 10,100 ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

JACKSONVILLE IAP: 

REPLACE FIRE CRASH/RESCUE STATION ................................. 9,000 9,000 ........................

TOTAL, FLORIDA ............................................................................ 141,689 141,689 ........................
92 

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Committee 

recommendation 

compared to 

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GEORGIA 

ARMY: 

FORT GORDON: 

CYBER PROTECTION TEAM OPS FACILITY ................................ 90,000 90,000 ........................

FORT STEWART 

AUTOMATED QUALIFICATION/TRAINING RANGE ......................... 14,800 14,800 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

MOODY AFB: 

PERSONNEL RECOVERY 4–BAY HANGAR/HELO MX UNIT ......... 30,900 30,900 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

FORT BENNING: 

SOF TACTICAL UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE HANGAR ............. 4,820 4,820 ........................

FORT GORDON 

MEDICAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT .............................................. 25,000 25,000 ........................

TOTAL, GEORGIA ........................................................................... 165,520 165,520 ........................

HAWAII 

ARMY: 

FORT SHAFTER: 

COMMAND AND CONTROL FACILITY, INCR 2 ........................... 40,000 40,000 ........................

NAVY: 

BARKING SANDS: 

UPGRADE POWER PLANT & ELECTRICAL DISTRIB SYS ............ 43,384 43,384 ........................

KANEOHE BAY 

REGIMENTAL CONSOLIDATED COMM/ELEC FACILITY ................ 72,565 72,565 ........................

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

HILO: 

COMBINED SUPPORT MAINTENANCE SHOP .............................. 31,000 31,000 ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR–HICKAM: 

F–22 COMPOSITE REPAIR FACILITY ......................................... 11,000 11,000 ........................

TOTAL, HAWAII .............................................................................. 197,949 197,949 ........................

IOWA 

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

DAVENPORT: 

NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER .................................... 23,000 23,000 ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

SIOUX GATEWAY AIRPORT: 

CONSTRUCT CONSOLIDATED SUPPORT FUNCTIONS ................. 12,600 12,600 ........................

TOTAL, IOWA ................................................................................. 35,600 35,600 ........................

KANSAS 

AIR FORCE: 

MCCONNELL AFB: 

AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER ................................................. 11,200 11,200 ........................

KC–46A ADAL TAXIWAY DELTA ................................................. 5,600 5,600 ........................

KC–46A ALTER FLIGHT SIMULATOR BLDGS ............................. 3,000 3,000 ........................

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

FORT LEAVENWORTH: 

NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER .................................... 29,000 29,000 ........................

TOTAL, KANSAS ............................................................................. 48,800 48,800 ........................
93 

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LOUISIANA 

AIR FORCE: 

BARKSDALE AFB: 

CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATION FACILITY ............................. 21,000 21,000 ........................

NAVY RESERVE: 

NEW ORLEANS: 

JOINT RESERVE INTELLIGENCE CENTER ................................... 11,207 11,207 ........................

TOTAL, LOUISIANA ......................................................................... 32,207 32,207 ........................

MAINE 

NAVY: 

KITTERY: 

UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING ...................................................... 17,773 17,773 ........................

UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR NUCLEAR PLATFORMS ............... 30,119 30,119 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

KITTERY: 

MEDICAL/DENTAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT ................................. 27,100 27,100 ........................

TOTAL, MAINE ............................................................................... 74,992 74,992 ........................

MARYLAND 

NAVY: 

PATUXENT RIVER: 

CBARS RDT&E HANGAR ........................................................... 40,576 40,576 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

JOINT BASE ANDREWS: 

21 POINTS ENCLOSED FIRING RANGE ...................................... 13,000 13,000 ........................

PAR RELOCATE JADOC SATELLITE SITE .................................... 3,500 3,500 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL: 

MEDCEN ADDITION/ALTERATION INCR 1 .................................. 50,000 50,000 ........................

FORT MEADE 

ACCESS CONTROL FACILITY ..................................................... 21,000 21,000 ........................

NSAW CAMPUS FEEDERS PHASE 3 .......................................... 17,000 17,000 ........................

NSAW RECAPITALIZE BUILDING #2 INCR 2 .............................. 195,000 195,000 ........................

TOTAL, MARYLAND ........................................................................ 340,076 340,076 ........................

MASSACHUSETTS 

AIR FORCE: 

HANSCOM AFB: 

SYSTEM MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING FACILITY ....................... 20,000 20,000 ........................

TOTAL, MASSACHUSETTS .............................................................. 20,000 20,000 ........................

MINNESOTA 

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

DULUTH IAP: 

LOAD CREW TRAINING/WEAPON SHOPS ................................... 7,600 7,600 ........................

TOTAL, MINNESOTA ....................................................................... 7,600 7,600 ........................

MISSOURI 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

ST LOUIS: 

LAND ACQUISITION–NEXT NGA WEST (N2W) CAMPUS ............. 801 801 ........................

TOTAL, MISSOURI .......................................................................... 801 801 ........................
94 

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MONTANA 

AIR FORCE: 

MALMSTROM AFB: 

MISSILE MAINTENANCE FACILITY ............................................. 14,600 14,600 ........................

TOTAL, MONTANA .......................................................................... 14,600 14,600 ........................

NEVADA 

NAVY: 

FALLON: 

AIR WING SIMULATOR FACILITY ............................................... 13,523 13,523 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

NELLIS AFB: 

F–35A POL FILL STAND ADDITION ............................................ 10,600 10,600 ........................

TOTAL, NEVADA ............................................................................. 24,123 24,123 ........................

NEW HAMPSHIRE 

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

HOOKSETT: 

NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SHOP .................... 11,000 11,000 ........................

ROCHESTER 

NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SHOP .................... 8,900 8,900 ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

PEASE INTERNATIONAL TRADE PORT: 

KC–46A INSTALL FUSELAGE TRAINER BLDG 251 .................... 1,500 1,500 ........................

TOTAL, NEW HAMPSHIRE .............................................................. 21,400 21,400 ........................

NEW MEXICO 

AIR FORCE: 

CANNON AFB: 

NORTH FITNESS CENTER .......................................................... 21,000 21,000 ........................

HOLLOMAN AFB 

HAZARDOUS CARGO PAD AND TAXIWAY .................................. 10,600 10,600 ........................

KIRTLAND AFB 

COMBAT RESCUE HELICOPTER (CRH) SIMULATOR .................. 7,300 7,300 ........................

TOTAL, NEW MEXICO ..................................................................... 38,900 38,900 ........................

NEW YORK 

NAVY RESERVE: 

BROOKLYN: 

ELECTRIC FEEDER DUCTBANK ................................................. 1,964 1,964 ........................

SYRACUSE 

MARINE CORPS RESERVE CENTER .......................................... 13,229 13,229 ........................

TOTAL, NEW YORK ........................................................................ 15,193 15,193 ........................

NORTH CAROLINA 

NAVY: 

CAMP LEJEUNE: 

RANGE FACILITIES SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS ............................. 18,482 18,482 ........................

CHERRY POINT MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CENTRAL HEATING PLANT CONVERSION ...................................................... 12,515 12,515 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

CAMP LEJEUNE: 

DENTAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT ................................................ 31,000 31,000 ........................

FORT BRAGG SOF COMBAT MEDIC TRAINING FACILITY ........... 10,905 10,905 ........................

SOF PARACHUTE RIGGING FACILITY ......................................... 21,420 21,420 ........................
95 

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budget estimate 

SOF SPECIAL TACTICS FACILITY (PH3) ..................................... 30,670 30,670 ........................

SOF TACTICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE FACILITY ................ 23,598 23,598 ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS IAP: 

C–17 CORROSION CONTROL/FUEL CELL HANGAR ................... 29,600 29,600 ........................

C–17 TYPE III HYDRANT REFUELING SYSTEM ......................... 21,000 21,000 ........................

AIR FORCE RESERVE: 

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB: 

KC–46A ADAL BLDG FOR AGE/FUSELAGE TRAINING ................ 5,700 5,700 ........................

KC–46A ADAL SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITIES ................. 2,250 2,250 ........................

KC–46A TWO BAY CORROSION/FUEL CELL HANGAR ............... 90,000 90,000 ........................

TOTAL, NORTH CAROLINA ............................................................. 297,140 297,140 ........................

OHIO 

AIR FORCE: 

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB: 

RELOCATED ENTRY CONTROL FACILITY 26A ............................ 12,600 12,600 ........................

TOTAL, OHIO .................................................................................. 12,600 12,600 ........................

OKLAHOMA 

AIR FORCE: 

ALTUS AFB: 

KC–46A FTU/FTC SIMULATOR FACILITY PH 2 .......................... 11,600 11,600 ........................

TINKER AFB: 

KC–46A DEPOT SYSTEM INTEGRATION LABORATORY .............. 17,000 17,000 ........................

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

ARDMORE 

NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER .................................... 22,000 22,000 ........................

TOTAL, OKLAHOMA ........................................................................ 50,600 50,600 ........................

PENNSYLVANIA 

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

YORK: 

NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER .................................... 9,300 9,300 ........................

AIR FORCE RESERVE: 

PITTSBURGH IAP: 

C–17 ADAL FUEL HYDRANT SYSTEM ....................................... 22,800 22,800 ........................

C–17 CONST/OVERLAYTAXIWAY AND APRON ........................... 8,200 8,200 ........................

C–17 CONSTRUCT TWO BAY CORROSION/FUEL HANGAR ........ 54,000 54,000 ........................

TOTAL, PENNSYLVANIA .................................................................. 94,300 94,300 ........................

RHODE ISLAND 

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

EAST GREENWICH: 

NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE CENTER BUILDING (JFHQ) ........... 20,000 20,000 ........................

TOTAL, RHODE ISLAND .................................................................. 20,000 20,000 ........................

SOUTH CAROLINA 

NAVY: 

BEAUFORT: 

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR ........................................... 83,490 83,490 ........................

PARRIS ISLAND: 

RECRUIT RECONDITIONING CENTER & BARRACKS .................. 29,882 29,882 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

JOINT BASE CHARLESTON: 

CONSTRUCT HYDRANT FUEL SYSTEM ...................................... 17,000 17,000 ........................
96 

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Committee 

recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

MCENTIRE ANGS: 

REPLACE OPERATIONS AND TRAINING FACILITY ...................... 8,400 8,400 ........................

TOTAL, SOUTH CAROLINA .............................................................. 138,772 138,772 ........................

TEXAS 

ARMY: 

FORT HOOD: 

AUTOMATED INFANTRY PLATOON BATTLE COURSE .................. 7,600 7,600 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO: 

BMT RECRUIT DORMITORY 6 ................................................... 67,300 67,300 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

RED RIVER ARMY DEPOT: 

CONSTRUCT WAREHOUSE & OPEN STORAGE ........................... 44,700 44,700 ........................

SHEPPARD AFB: 

MEDICAL/DENTAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT ................................. 91,910 91,910 ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

ELLINGTON FIELD: 

CONSOLIDATE CREW READINESS FACILITY .............................. 4,500 4,500 ........................

NAVY RESERVE: 

GALVESTON: 

RESERVE CENTER ANNEX ........................................................ 8,414 8,414 ........................

TOTAL, TEXAS ................................................................................ 224,424 224,424 ........................

UTAH 

ARMY: 

CAMP WILLIAMS: 

LIVE FIRE EXERCISE SHOOTHOUSE .......................................... 7,400 7,400 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

HILL AFB: 

649 MUNS MUNITIONS STORAGE MAGAZINES ......................... 6,600 6,600 ........................

649 MUNS PRECISION GUIDED MISSILE MX FACILITY ............. 8,700 8,700 ........................

649 MUNS STAMP/MAINT & INSPECTION FACILITY .................. 12,000 12,000 ........................

COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT ANTENNA CALIBRATION FAC ................ 7,100 7,100 ........................

F–35A MUNITIONS MAINTENANCE COMPLEX ........................... 10,100 10,100 ........................

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

CAMP WILLIAMS: 

NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER .................................... 37,000 37,000 ........................

TOTAL, UTAH ................................................................................. 88,900 88,900 ........................

VERMONT 

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

BURLINGTON IAP: 

F–35 BEDDOWN 4–BAY FLIGHT SIMULATOR ............................ 4,500 4,500 ........................

TOTAL, VERMONT .......................................................................... 4,500 4,500 ........................

VIRGINIA 

ARMY: 

FORT BELVOIR: 

SECURE ADMIN/OPERATIONS FACILITY, INCR 2 ....................... 64,000 64,000 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

JOINT BASE LANGLEY–EUSTIS: 

AIR FORCE TARGETING CENTER ............................................... 45,000 45,000 ........................

FUEL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE DOCK ......................................... 14,200 14,200 ........................
97 

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DEFENSE-WIDE: 

PENTAGON: 

PENTAGON METRO ENTRANCE FACILITY .................................. 12,111 ........................ ¥12,111 

UPGRADE IT FACILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE–RRMC .................. 8,105 8,105 ........................

ARMY RESERVE: 

DUBLIN: 

ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCE SHOP/AMSA .......................... 6,000 6,000 ........................

TOTAL, VIRGINIA ............................................................................ 149,416 137,305 ¥12,111 

WASHINGTON 

NAVY: 

BANGOR: 

SERVICE PIER ELECTRICAL UPGRADES .................................... 18,939 18,939 ........................

SUBMARINE REFIT MAINT SUPPORT FACILITY .......................... 21,476 21,476 ........................

BREMERTON: 

NUCLEAR REPAIR FACILITY ...................................................... 6,704 6,704 ........................

WHIDBEY ISLAND: 

EA–18G MAINTENANCE HANGAR .............................................. 45,501 45,501 ........................

TRITON MISSION CONTROL FACILITY ........................................ 30,475 30,475 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

FAIRCHILD AFB: 

PIPELINE DORM, USAF SERE SCHOOL (150 RM) ..................... 27,000 27,000 ........................

TOTAL, WASHINGTON ..................................................................... 150,095 150,095 ........................

WISCONSIN 

ARMY RESERVE: 

FORT MCCOY: 

AT/MOB DINING FACILITY ......................................................... 11,400 11,400 ........................

TOTAL, WISCONSIN ........................................................................ 11,400 11,400 ........................

WYOMING 

AIR FORCE: 

F. E. WARREN AFB: 

MISSILE TRANSFER FACILITY BLDG 4331 ................................ 5,550 5,550 ........................

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

LARAMIE: 

NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER .................................... 21,000 21,000 ........................

TOTAL, WYOMING .......................................................................... 26,550 26,550 ........................

AUSTRALIA 

AIR FORCE: 

DARWIN: 

APR—AIRCRAFT MX SUPPORT FACILITY .................................. 1,800 1,800 ........................

APR—EXPAND PARKING APRON .............................................. 28,600 28,600 ........................

TOTAL, AUSTRALIA ........................................................................ 30,400 30,400 ........................

BULGARIA 

AIR FORCE: 

GRAF IGNATIEVO: 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS/OPERATION ALERT FACILITY ............. ........................ 3,800 ∂3,800 

FIGHTER RAMP EXTENSION ...................................................... ........................ 7,000 ∂7,000 

UPGRADE MUNITIONS STORAGE ............................................... ........................ 2,600 ∂2,600 

TOTAL, BULGARIA .......................................................................... ........................ 13,400 ∂13,400 
98 

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CUBA 

ARMY: 

GUANTANAMO BAY: 

MASS MIGRATION COMPLEX ..................................................... 33,000 33,000 ........................

TOTAL, CUBA ................................................................................. 33,000 33,000 ........................

DIEGO GARCIA 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

DIEGO GARCIA: 

IMPROVE WHARF REFUELING CAPABILITY ................................ 30,000 30,000 ........................

TOTAL, DIEGO GARCIA .................................................................. 30,000 30,000 ........................

DJIBOUTI 

NAVY: 

CAMP LEMONNIER: 

MEDICAL/DENTAL FACILITY ....................................................... ........................ 37,409 ∂37,409 

AIR FORCE: 

CHABELLEY AIRFIELD: 

ACCESS ROAD .......................................................................... ........................ 3,600 ∂3,600 

PARKING APRON AND TAXIWAY ................................................ ........................ 6,900 ∂6,900 

TOTAL, DJIBOUTI ........................................................................... ........................ 47,909 ∂47,909 

ESTONIA 

AIR FORCE: 

AMARI AB: 

BULK FUEL STORAGE ............................................................... ........................ 6,500 ∂6,500 

TOTAL, ESTONIA ............................................................................ ........................ 6,500 ∂6,500 

GERMANY 

ARMY: 

EAST CAMP GRAFENWOEHR: 

TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER .................................................... 22,000 22,000 ........................

GARMISCH: 

DINING FACILITY ....................................................................... 9,600 9,600 ........................

WIESBADEN ARMY AIRFIELD: 

CONTROLLED HUMIDITY WAREHOUSE ...................................... 16,500 16,500 ........................

HAZARDOUS MATERIAL STORAGE BUILDING ............................ 2,700 2,700 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

RAMSTEIN AB: 

37 AS SQUADRON OPERATIONS/AIRCRAFT MAINT UNIT ........... 13,437 13,437 ........................

SPANGDAHLEM AB: 

EIC—SITE DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE .................. 43,465 43,465 ........................

HIGH CAPACITY TRIM PAD AND HUSH HOUSE ......................... ........................ 1,000 ∂1,000 

F/A–22 LOW OBSERVABLE/COMPOSITE REPAIR FACILITY ........ ........................ 12,000 ∂12,000 

F/A–22 UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE/COMMUNICATIONS/UTILITIES ...................................................................................... ........................ 1,600 ∂1,600 

UPGRADE HARDENED AIRCRAFT SHELTERS FOR F/A–22 ........ ........................ 2,700 ∂2,700 

UPGRADE MUNITION STORAGE DOORS .................................... ........................ 1,400 ∂1,400 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

KAISERLAUTERN AB: 

SEMBACH ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL REPLACEMENT ....... 45,221 45,221 ........................

RHINE ORDNANCE BARRACKS: 

MEDICAL CENTER REPLACEMENT INCR 6 ................................ 58,063 58,063 ........................

TOTAL, GERMANY .......................................................................... 210,986 229,686 ∂18,700 
99 

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recommendation 

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GUAM 

NAVY: 

JOINT REGION MARIANAS: 

HARDENING OF GUAM POL INFRASTRUCTURE ......................... 26,975 26,975 ........................

POWER UPGRADE—HARMON ................................................... 62,210 62,210 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

JOINT REGION MARIANAS: 

APR—MUNITIONS STORAGE IGLOOS, PH 2 ............................. 35,300 35,300 ........................

APR—SATCOM C4I FACILITY ................................................... 14,200 14,200 ........................

BLOCK 40 MAINTENANCE HANGAR .......................................... 31,158 31,158 ........................

TOTAL, GUAM ................................................................................ 169,843 169,843 ........................

ICELAND 

NAVY: 

KEFLAVIK: 

P–8A AIRCRAFT RINSE FACILITY .............................................. ........................ 5,000 ∂5,000 

P–8A HANGAR UPGRADE .......................................................... ........................ 14,600 ∂14,600 

TOTAL, ICELAND ............................................................................ ........................ 19,600 ∂19,600 

JAPAN 

NAVY: 

KADENA AB: 

AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE COMPLEX ......................................... 26,489 26,489 ........................

SASEBO: 

SHORE POWER (JULIET PIER) ................................................... 16,420 16,420 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

KADENA AB: 

APR—REPLACE MUNITIONS STRUCTURES ............................... 19,815 19,815 ........................

YOKOTA AB: 

C–130J CORROSION CONTROL HANGAR .................................. 23,777 23,777 ........................

CONSTRUCT COMBAT ARMS TRAINING & MAINT FAC .............. 8,243 8,243 ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

IWAKUNI: 

CONSTRUCT TRUCK OFFLOAD & LOADING FACILITIES ............. 6,664 6,664 ........................

KADENA AB: 

KADENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPLACEMENT ....................... 84,918 84,918 ........................

MEDICAL MATERIEL WAREHOUSE ............................................. 20,881 20,881 ........................

SOF MAINTENANCE HANGAR .................................................... 42,823 42,823 ........................

SOF SIMULATOR FACILITY (MC–130) ....................................... 12,602 12,602 ........................

YOKOTA AB: 

AIRFIELD APRON ....................................................................... 41,294 41,294 ........................

HANGAR/AMU ............................................................................ 39,466 39,466 ........................

OPERATIONS AND WAREHOUSE FACILITIES .............................. 26,710 26,710 ........................

SIMULATOR FACILITY ................................................................ 6,261 6,261 ........................

TOTAL, JAPAN ................................................................................ 376,363 376,363 ........................

KWAJALEIN 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

KWAJALEIN ATOLL: 

REPLACE FUEL STORAGE TANKS .............................................. 85,500 85,500 ........................

TOTAL, KWAJALEIN ........................................................................ 85,500 85,500 ........................
100 

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LITHUANIA 

AIR FORCE: 

SIAULIAI: 

MUNITIONS STORAGE ............................................................... ........................ 3,000 ∂3,000 

TOTAL, LITHUANIA ......................................................................... ........................ 3,000 ∂3,000 

MARIANA ISLANDS 

AIR FORCE: 

UNSPECIFIED LOCATION: 

APR—LAND ACQUISITION ........................................................ 9,000 9,000 ........................

TOTAL, MARIANA ISLANDS ............................................................ 9,000 9,000 ........................

POLAND 

AIR FORCE: 

LASK AIR BASE: 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY ........................................... ........................ 4,100 ∂4,100 

POWIDZ: 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY ........................................... ........................ 4,100 ∂4,100 

TOTAL, POLAND ............................................................................. ........................ 8,200 ∂8,200 

ROMANIA 

AIR FORCE: 

CAMP TURZII: 

MUNITIONS STORAGE AREA ...................................................... ........................ 3,000 ∂3,000 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY ........................................... ........................ 3,400 ∂3,400 

TWO–BAY HANGAR ................................................................... ........................ 6,100 ∂6,100 

EXTEND PARKING APRONS ....................................................... ........................ 6,000 ∂6,000 

TOTAL, ROMANIA ........................................................................... ........................ 18,500 ∂18,500 

SPAIN 

NAVY: 

ROTA: 

COMMUNICATION STATION ....................................................... 23,607 23,607 ........................

TOTAL, SPAIN ................................................................................ 23,607 23,607 ........................

TURKEY 

AIR FORCE: 

INCIRLIK AB: 

AIRFIELD FIRE/CRASH RESCUE STATION .................................. 13,449 13,449 ........................

TOTAL, TURKEY ............................................................................. 13,449 13,449 ........................

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES 

AIR FORCE: 

AL DHAFRA: 

LARGE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR ............................... 35,400 35,400 ........................

TOTAL, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES ................................................... 35,400 35,400 ........................

UNITED KINGDOM 

AIR FORCE: 

CROUGHTON RAF: 

JIAC CONSOLIDATION—PH 3 ................................................... 53,082 53,082 ........................

MAIN GATE COMPLEX ............................................................... 16,500 16,500 ........................
101 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Installation and project Budget 

estimate 

Committee recommendation 

Committee recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

CROUGHTON RAF: 

CROUGHTON ELEM/MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL REPLACEMENT ...... 71,424 71,424 ........................

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH: 

CONSTRUCT HYDRANT FUEL SYSTEM ...................................... 13,500 13,500 ........................

TOTAL, UNITED KINGDOM .............................................................. 154,506 154,506 ........................

WAKE ISLAND 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

WAKE ISLAND: 

TEST SUPPORT FACILITY .......................................................... 11,670 11,670 ........................

TOTAL, WAKE ISLAND .................................................................... 11,670 11,670 ........................

VARIOUS WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS 

NAVY: 

TRITON FORWARD OPERATING BASE HANGAR .................................. 41,380 41,380 ........................

NATO SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM ................................. 177,932 177,932 ........................

WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED 

ARMY: 

HOST NATION SUPPORT ..................................................................... 18,000 18,000 ........................

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 25,000 35,000 ∂10,000 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 80,159 99,059 ∂18,900 

NAVY: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 88,230 91,030 ∂2,800 

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 29,790 29,790 ........................

AIR FORCE: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 84,862 94,802 ∂9,940 

PLANNING AND DESIGN—ANDREWS AFB ......................................... 18,720 18,720 ........................

PLANNING AND DESIGN—HANSCOM AFB ......................................... 40,000 40,000 ........................

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 30,000 40,000 ∂10,000 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

CONTINGENCY CONSTRUCTION ......................................................... 10,000 ........................ ¥10,000 

ENERGY CONSERVATION INVESTMENT PROGRAM ............................. 150,000 150,000 ........................

PLANNING AND DESIGN: 

DEFENSE WIDE ......................................................................... 23,450 23,450 ........................

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPENDENT EDUCATION ............... 23,585 23,585 ........................

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY ................................................... 27,660 27,660 ........................

MDA .......................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY ....................... 71,647 71,647 ........................

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY .................................................. 24,000 24,000 ........................

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND ............................................. 27,653 27,653 ........................

WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICE .................................. 3,427 3,427 ........................

SUBTOTAL, PLANNING AND DESIGN .............................................. 201,422 201,422 ........................

UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION: 

DEFENSE-WIDE .................................................................................. 3,000 3,000 ........................

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPENDENT EDUCTION .......................... 3,000 3,000 ........................

DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY ................................................................ 8,500 8,500 ........................

JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF .................................................................... 8,631 13,631 ∂5,000 

MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY ............................................................... 2,414 2,414 ........................

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY ........................................................... 3,913 3,913 ........................

SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND ...................................................... 5,994 5,994 ........................

SUBTOTAL, UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION ........................ 35,452 40,452 ∂5,000 

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 8,729 8,729 ........................

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 12,001 12,001 ........................
102 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Installation and project Budget 

estimate 

Committee recommendation 

Committee recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

AIR NATIONAL GUARD: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 10,462 10,462 ........................

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 17,495 17,495 ........................

ARMY RESERVE: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 7,500 7,500 ........................

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 2,830 2,830 ........................

NAVY RESERVE: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 3,783 3,783 ........................

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

AIR FORCE RESERVE: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 4,500 4,500 ........................

MINOR CONSTRUCTION ..................................................................... 1,500 1,500 ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY 

KOREA: 

CAMP WALKER (DAEGU): 

FAMILY HOUSING NEW CONSTRUCTION (90 UNITS) ................. 54,554 54,554 ........................

CAMP HUMPHRIES: 

FAMILY HOUSING NEW CONSTRUCTION (216 UNITS) ............... 143,563 143,563 ........................

PLANNING AND DESIGN .............................................................................. 2,618 2,618 ........................

SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION .......................................................... 200,735 200,735 ........................

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: 

UTILITIES ACCOUNT ........................................................................... 55,428 55,428 ........................

SERVICES ACCOUNT .......................................................................... 7,993 7,993 ........................

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT ................................................................... 40,344 40,344 ........................

MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT ............................................................... 400 400 ........................

FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT .................................................................... 10,178 10,178 ........................

LEASING ............................................................................................. 131,761 131,761 ........................

MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY .................................................. 60,745 60,745 ........................

PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS ....................................................... 19,146 19,146 ........................

SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ................................. 325,995 325,995 ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS 

GUAM: 

NSA ANDERSON: 

REPLACEMENT HOUSING PHASE I ............................................ 78,815 78,815 ........................

JAPAN: 

IWAKUNI: 

CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (36 UNITS) ........................... 11,047 11,047 ........................

PLANNING AND DESIGN .............................................................................. 4,149 4,149 ........................

SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION .......................................................... 94,011 94,011 ........................

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: 

UTILITIES ACCOUNT ........................................................................... 56,685 56,685 ........................

SERVICES ACCOUNT .......................................................................... 12,855 12,855 ........................

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT ................................................................... 51,291 51,291 ........................

MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT ............................................................... 364 364 ........................

FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT .................................................................... 17,457 17,457 ........................

LEASING ............................................................................................. 54,689 54,689 ........................

MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY .................................................. 81,254 81,254 ........................

PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS ....................................................... 26,320 26,320 ........................

SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ................................. 300,915 300,915 ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE 

JAPAN: 

KADENA (CAMP FOSTER): 

CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (NORTH TOWERS) ................. 52,307 52,307 ........................
103 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Installation and project Budget 

estimate 

Committee 

recommendation 

Committee 

recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

KADENA: 

CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (KADENA HEIGHTS) .............. 4,179 4,179 ........................

SPAIN: 

MORON AB: 

CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (UNITS 650 AND 658) .......... 498 498 ........................

PLANNING AND DESIGN .............................................................................. 4,368 4,368 ........................

SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION .......................................................... 61,352 61,352 ........................

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: 

UTILITIES ACCOUNT ........................................................................... 37,241 37,241 ........................

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT ................................................................... 42,919 42,919 ........................

SERVICES ACCOUNT .......................................................................... 13,026 13,026 ........................

FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT .................................................................... 31,690 31,690 ........................

MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT ............................................................... 1,745 1,745 ........................

LEASING ............................................................................................. 20,530 20,530 ........................

MAINTENANCE ................................................................................... 85,469 85,469 ........................

PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS ....................................................... 41,809 41,809 ........................

SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ................................. 274,429 274,429 ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE 

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: 

NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY: 

UTILITIES .................................................................................. 367 367 ........................

FURNISHING .............................................................................. 399 399 ........................

LEASING .................................................................................... 11,044 11,044 ........................

MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY ......................................... 800 800 ........................

DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: 

UTILITIES .................................................................................. 4,100 4,100 ........................

FURNISHINGS ............................................................................ 500 500 ........................

LEASING .................................................................................... 40,984 40,984 ........................

DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY: 

UTILITIES .................................................................................. 174 174 ........................

FURNISHINGS ............................................................................ 20 20 ........................

SERVICES ................................................................................. 32 32 ........................

MANAGEMENT ........................................................................... 388 388 ........................

MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY ......................................... 349 349 ........................

SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ................................. 59,157 59,157 ........................

DOD FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND ............................................. 3,258 3,258 ........................

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT .............................. 205,237 205,237 ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY ............................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS .............................. ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE ....................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD .................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD ..................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE ............................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE ....................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (SEC. 125) ............................................ ........................ 40,500 ∂40,500 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS (SEC. 125) ........... ........................ 143,000 ∂143,000 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE (SECTION 125.) ............................. ........................ 195,465 ∂195,465 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE (SEC. 125) ............................. ........................ 64,364 ∂64,364 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (SEC. 125) ............... ........................ 16,500 ∂16,500 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD (SEC. 125) ................... ........................ 11,000 ∂11,000 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE (SEC.125) .............................. ........................ 30,000 ∂30,000 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE (SEC. 125) .................... ........................ ........................ ........................

FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (SEC. 125) ................................ ........................ 14,400 ∂14,400 

SUBTOTAL ..................................................................................... ........................ 515,229 ∂515,229 
104 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Installation and project Budget 

estimate 

Committee recommendation 

Committee recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

RESCISSIONS FROM PRIOR YEAR UNOBLIGATED BALANCES 

ARMY .......................................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ......................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

AIR FORCE .................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

DEFENSE-WIDE ........................................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD ................................................................................ ........................ ........................ ........................

42 USC 3374 (SEC. 135) ........................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION) ..................... ........................ ¥30,000 ¥30,000 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION) .............................................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION) ............. ........................ ¥22,340 ¥22,340 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION) ...... ........................ ¥132,283 ¥132,283 

NATO SIP (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION) .......................................................... ........................ ¥15,000 ¥15,000 

SUBTOTAL ..................................................................................... ........................ ¥199,623 ¥199,623 

RECAP 

ARMY .......................................................................................................... 503,459 532,359 ∂28,900 

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ¥30,000 ¥30,000 

NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ......................................................................... 1,027,763 1,087,572 ∂59,809 

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

AIR FORCE .................................................................................................. 1,481,058 1,579,798 ∂98,740 

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ¥22,340 ¥22,340 

DEFENSE-WIDE ........................................................................................... 2,056,091 2,038,980 ¥17,111 

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ¥132,283 ¥132,283 

ARMY NATIONAL GUARD ............................................................................. 232,930 232,930 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

AIR NATIONAL GUARD ................................................................................ 143,957 143,957 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

ARMY RESERVE .......................................................................................... 68,230 68,230 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

NAVY RESERVE ........................................................................................... 38,597 38,597 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

AIR FORCE RESERVE .................................................................................. 188,950 188,950 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

NATO SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM ................................................... 177,932 177,932 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ¥15,000 ¥15,000 

DOD FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND ............................................. 3,258 3,258 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ...................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY ............................................................................ 526,730 526,730 ........................

CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................. (200,735) (200,735) ........................

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ........................................................ (325,995) (325,995) ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS ........................................... 394,926 394,926 ........................

CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................. (94,011) (94,011) ........................

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ........................................................ (300,915) (300,915) ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE .................................................................... 335,781 335,781 ........................

CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................. (61,352) (61,352) ........................

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ........................................................ (274,429) (274,429) ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE .............................................................. 59,157 59,157 ........................

CONSTRUCTION ................................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ........................................................ (59,157) (59,157) ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT .............................. 205,237 205,237 ........................

RESCISSION .............................................................................. ........................ ........................ ........................

42 USC 3374 (Sec. 135) ........................................................................... ........................ ........................ ........................
105 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Installation and project Budget 

estimate 

Committee 

recommendation 

Committee 

recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

MILITARY CONSTRUCTION .......................................................................... ........................ 515,229 ∂515,229 

GRAND TOTAL ............................................................................... 7,444,056 7,930,000 ∂485,944 
106 

OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Budget 

estimate 

Committee recommendation 

Committee recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS 

WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED 

NAVY: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 1,000 ........................ ¥1,000 

AIR FORCE: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 940 ........................ ¥940 

DJIBOUTI 

NAVY: 

CAMP LEMONIER: 

MEDICAL/DENTAL FACILITY ....................................................... 37,409 ........................ ¥37,409 

AIR FORCE: 

CHABELLEY AIRFIELD: 

ACCESS ROAD .......................................................................... 3,600 ........................ ¥3,600 

PARKING APRON AND TAXIWAY ................................................ 6,900 ........................ ¥6,900 

TOTAL, OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS ............................ 49,849 ........................ ¥49,849 

NAVY .................................................................................... 38,409 ........................ ¥38,409 

AIR FORCE ........................................................................... 11,440 ........................ ¥11,440 

EUROPEAN REASSURANCE INITIATIVE 

BULGARIA 

AIR FORCE: 

GRAF IGNATIEVO: 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS/OPERATION ALERT FACILITY ............. 3,800 ........................ ¥3,800 

FIGHTER RAMP EXTENSION ...................................................... 7,000 ........................ ¥7,000 

UPGRADE MUNITIONS STORAGE ............................................... 2,600 ........................ ¥2,600 

ESTONIA 

AIR FORCE: 

AMARI AB: 

BULK FUEL STORAGE ............................................................... 6,500 ........................ ¥6,500 

GERMANY 

AIR FORCE: 

SPANGDAHLEM AB: 

HIGH CAPACITY TRIM PAD AND HUSH HOUSE ......................... 1,000 ........................ ¥1,000 

F/A–22 LOW OBSERVABLE/COMPOSITE REPAIR FACILITY ........ 12,000 ........................ ¥12,000 

F/A–22 UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE/COMMUNICATIONS/UTILITIES ...................................................................................... 1,600 ........................ ¥1,600 

UPGRADE HARDENED AIRCRAFT SHELTERS FOR F/A–22 ................. 2,700 ........................ ¥2,700 

UPGRADE MUNITION STORAGE DOORS ............................................. 1,400 ........................ ¥1,400 

ICELAND 

NAVY: 

KEFLAVIK: 

P–8A AIRCRAFT RINSE FACILITY .............................................. 5,000 ........................ ¥5,000 

P–8A HANGAR UPGRADE .......................................................... 14,600 ........................ ¥14,600 

LITHUANIA 

AIR FORCE: 

SIAULIAI: 

MUNITIONS STORAGE ............................................................... 3,000 ........................ ¥3,000 

POLAND 

AIR FORCE: 

LASK AIR BASE: 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY ........................................... 4,100 ........................ ¥4,100 
107 

OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Budget 

estimate 

Committee 

recommendation 

Committee 

recommendation 

compared to 

budget estimate 

POWIDZ: 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY ........................................... 4,100 ........................ ¥4,100 

ROMANIA 

AIR FORCE: 

CAMP TURZII: 

MUNITIONS STORAGE AREA ...................................................... 3,000 ........................ ¥3,000 

SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY ........................................... 3,400 ........................ ¥3,400 

TWO-BAY HANGAR .................................................................... 6,100 ........................ ¥6,100 

EXTEND PARKING APRONS ....................................................... 6,000 ........................ ¥6,000 

WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED 

ARMY: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 18,900 ........................ ¥18,900 

NAVY: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 1,800 ........................ ¥1,800 

DEFENSE-WIDE: 

UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION: 

THE JOINT STAFF ...................................................................... 5,000 ........................ ¥5,000 

TOTAL, EUROPEAN REASSURANCE INITIATIVE .............................. 113,600 ........................ ¥113,600 

ARMY ................................................................................... 18,900 ........................ ¥18,900 

NAVY .................................................................................... 21,400 ........................ ¥21,400 

AIR FORCE ........................................................................... 68,300 ........................ ¥68,300 

DEFENSE-WIDE ..................................................................... 5,000 ........................ ¥5,000 

COUNTER-TERRORISM SUPPORT 

WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED 

AIR FORCE: 

PLANNING AND DESIGN ..................................................................... 9,000 ........................ ¥9,000 

TOTAL, COUNTER–TERRORISM SUPPORT ...................................... 9,000 ........................ ¥9,000 

AIR FORCE ........................................................................... 9,000 ........................ ¥9,000 

TOTAL, FY2017 OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS .............. 172,449 ........................ ¥172,449 

ARMY ................................................................................... 18,900 ........................ ¥18,900 

NAVY .................................................................................... 59,809 ........................ ¥59,809 

AIR FORCE ........................................................................... 88,740 ........................ ¥88,740 

DEFENSE-WIDE ..................................................................... 5,000 ........................ ¥5,000 

NOTE.—Funding for these projects was requested in Title IV. The bill provides the requested level of funding for these projects in Title I. 
108 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2016 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation 

compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2016 

appropriation Budget estimate 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 

Military construction, Army .................................................................................................................................................. 663,245 503,459 532,359 ¥130,886 ∂28,900 Military construction, Navy and Marine Corps .................................................................................................................... 1,669,239 1,027,763 1,087,572 ¥581,667 ∂59,809 Military construction, Air Force ............................................................................................................................................ 1,389,185 1,481,058 1,579,798 ∂190,613 ∂98,740 Military construction, Defense-Wide ..................................................................................................................................... 2,242,867 2,056,091 2,038,980 ¥203,887 ¥17,111 

Total, Active components ........................................................................................................................................ 5,964,536 5,068,371 5,238,709 ¥725,827 ∂170,338 

Military construction, Army National Guard ......................................................................................................................... 197,237 232,930 232,930 ∂35,693 ..........................Military construction, Air National Guard ............................................................................................................................ 138,738 143,957 143,957 ∂5,219 ..........................Military construction, Army Reserve ..................................................................................................................................... 113,595 68,230 68,230 ¥45,365 ..........................Military construction, Navy Reserve ..................................................................................................................................... 36,078 38,597 38,597 ∂2,519 ..........................Military construction, Air Force Reserve .............................................................................................................................. 65,021 188,950 188,950 ∂123,929 ..........................

Total, Reserve components ..................................................................................................................................... 550,669 672,664 672,664 ∂121,995 ..........................

North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program (NSIP) ............................................................................ 135,000 177,932 177,932 ∂42,932 ..........................Department of Defense Base Closure Account .................................................................................................................... 266,334 205,237 205,237 ¥61,097 ..........................

Total, Military construction ..................................................................................................................................... 6,916,539 6,124,204 6,294,542 ¥621,997 ∂170,338 

Family housing operation and maintenance, Army ............................................................................................................. 375,611 325,995 325,995 ¥49,616 ..........................Family housing operation and maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps ............................................................................... 353,036 300,915 300,915 ¥52,121 ..........................Family housing operation and maintenance, Air Force ....................................................................................................... 331,232 274,429 274,429 ¥56,803 ..........................Family housing operation and maintenance, Defense-Wide ............................................................................................... 58,668 59,157 59,157 ∂489 ..........................Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund ............................................................................................... .......................... 3,258 3,258 ∂3,258 ..........................

Total, Family Housing operation and maintenance ............................................................................................... 1,118,547 963,754 963,754 ¥154,793 ..........................

Family housing construction, Army ...................................................................................................................................... 108,695 200,735 200,735 ∂92,040 ..........................
109 

Family housing construction, Navy and Marine Corps ........................................................................................................ 16,541 94,011 94,011 ∂77,470 ..........................Family housing construction, Air Force ................................................................................................................................ 160,498 61,352 61,352 ¥99,146 ..........................

Total, Family Housing construction ........................................................................................................................ 285,734 356,098 356,098 ∂70,364 ..........................Total, Family Housing ............................................................................................................................................. 1,404,281 1,319,852 1,319,852 ¥84,429 ..........................

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 

Military construction, Army (Sec. 125) ................................................................................................................................ ¥86,420 .......................... .......................... ∂86,420 ..........................Defense Access Roads (Sec. 132) ....................................................................................................................................... 30,000 .......................... .......................... ¥30,000 ..........................Military construction, Defense-Wide (Sec. 127) ................................................................................................................... ¥134,000 .......................... .......................... ∂134,000 ..........................Military construction, Army (Sec. 128) ................................................................................................................................ 34,500 .......................... .......................... ¥34,500 ..........................Military construction, Navy and Marine Corps (Sec. 129) .................................................................................................. 34,500 .......................... .......................... ¥34,500 ..........................Military construction, Army National Guard (Sec. 130) ....................................................................................................... 51,300 .......................... .......................... ¥51,300 ..........................Military construction, Army Reserve (Sec. 131) ................................................................................................................... 34,200 .......................... .......................... ¥34,200 ..........................Military construction, Air Force (rescission) ........................................................................................................................ ¥46,400 .......................... .......................... ∂46,400 ..........................Military construction, Defense-Wide (rescission) ................................................................................................................. .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................42 USC 3374 ........................................................................................................................................................................ ¥105,000 .......................... .......................... ∂105,000 ..........................Military construction, Air Force (Sec. 132) .......................................................................................................................... 21,000 .......................... .......................... ¥21,000 ..........................Military construction, Air National Guard (Sec. 133) .......................................................................................................... 6,100 .......................... .......................... ¥6,100 ..........................Military construction, Air Force Reserve (Sec. 135) ............................................................................................................ 10,400 .......................... .......................... ¥10,400 ..........................Military construction, Army (Sec. 125) ................................................................................................................................ .......................... .......................... 40,500 ∂40,500 ∂40,500 Military construction, Navy and Marine Corps (Sec. 125) .................................................................................................. .......................... .......................... 143,000 ∂143,000 ∂143,000 Military construction, Air Force (Sec. 125) .......................................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... 195,465 ∂195,465 ∂195,465 Military construction, Defense-Wide (Sec. 125) ................................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... 64,364 ∂64,364 ∂64,364 Military construction, Army National Guard (Sec. 125) ....................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... 16,500 ∂16,500 ∂16,500 Military construction, Air National Guard (Sec. 125) .......................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... 11,000 ∂11,000 ∂11,000 Military construction, Army Reserve (Sec. 125) ................................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... 30,000 ∂30,000 ∂30,000 Family Housing construction , Army (Sec. 125) .................................................................................................................. .......................... .......................... 14,400 ∂14,400 ∂14,400 Military construction, Army (Sec. 126) (rescission) ............................................................................................................. .......................... .......................... ¥30,000 ¥30,000 ¥30,000 Military construction, Air Force (Sec. 126) (rescission) ...................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... ¥22,340 ¥22,340 ¥22,340 Military construction, Defense-Wide (Sec. 126) (rescission) ............................................................................................... .......................... .......................... ¥132,283 ¥132,283 ¥132,283 NATO SIP (Sec. 126) (rescission) ......................................................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... ¥15,000 ¥15,000 ¥15,000 

Total, Administrative Provisions ............................................................................................................................. ¥149,820 .......................... 315,606 ∂465,426 ∂315,606 

Appropriations .................................................................................................................................................... (222,000 ) .......................... (515,229 ) (∂293,229 ) (∂515,229 ) Rescissions ......................................................................................................................................................... (¥371,820 ) .......................... (¥199,623 ) (∂172,197 ) (¥199,623 ) 

Total, title I, Department of Defense ..................................................................................................................... 8,171,000 7,444,056 7,930,000 ¥241,000 ∂485,944 

Appropriations .................................................................................................................................................... (8,542,820 ) (7,444,056 ) (8,129,623 ) (¥413,197 ) (∂685,567 ) 
110 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2016 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation 

compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2016 

appropriation Budget estimate 

Rescissions ......................................................................................................................................................... (¥371,820 ) .......................... (¥199,623 ) (∂172,197 ) (¥199,623 ) 

TITLE II—DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS 

Veterans Benefits Administration 

Compensation and pensions: 

Advance from prior year .............................................................................................................................................. .......................... (86,083,128 ) (86,083,128 ) (∂86,083,128 ) ..........................Current year request ................................................................................................................................................... 76,865,545 .......................... .......................... ¥76,865,545 ..........................

Subtotal, current year ............................................................................................................................................. 76,865,545 86,083,128 86,083,128 ∂9,217,583 ..........................

Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................................... 86,083,128 90,119,449 90,119,449 ∂4,036,321 ..........................

Readjustment benefits: 

Advance from prior year .............................................................................................................................................. .......................... (16,340,828 ) (16,340,828 ) (∂16,340,828 ) ..........................Current year request ................................................................................................................................................... 14,313,357 .......................... .......................... ¥14,313,357 ..........................

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... 14,313,357 16,340,828 16,340,828 ∂2,027,471 ..........................

Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................................... 16,340,828 13,708,648 13,708,648 ¥2,632,180 ..........................

Veterans insurance and indemnities: 

Advance from prior year .............................................................................................................................................. .......................... (91,920 ) (91,920 ) (∂91,920 ) ..........................Current year request ................................................................................................................................................... 77,160 16,605 16,605 ¥60,555 ..........................

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... 77,160 108,525 108,525 ∂31,365 ..........................

Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................................... 91,920 107,899 107,899 ∂15,979 ..........................

Veterans housing benefit program fund: 

(Limitation on direct loans) ........................................................................................................................................ (500 ) (500 ) (500 ) .......................... ..........................Administrative expenses .............................................................................................................................................. 164,558 198,856 198,856 ∂34,298 ..........................

Vocational rehabilitation loans program account ............................................................................................................... 31 36 36 ∂5 ..........................
111 

(Limitation on direct loans) ........................................................................................................................................ (2,952 ) (2,517 ) (2,517 ) (¥435 ) ..........................Administrative expenses .............................................................................................................................................. 367 389 389 ∂22 ..........................

Native American veteran housing loan program account ................................................................................................... 1,134 1,163 1,163 ∂29 ..........................General operating expenses, VBA ........................................................................................................................................ 2,707,734 2,826,160 2,856,160 ∂148,426 ∂30,000 

Total, Veterans Benefits Administration ................................................................................................................. 196,645,762 106,979,205 107,009,205 ¥89,636,557 ∂30,000 

Appropriations ................................................................................................................................................ (94,129,886 ) (3,043,209 ) (3,073,209 ) (¥91,056,677 ) (∂30,000 ) Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................... (102,515,876 ) (103,935,996 ) (103,935,996 ) (∂1,420,120 ) ..........................Advances from prior year appropriations ...................................................................................................... .......................... (102,515,876 ) (102,515,876 ) (∂102,515,876 ) ..........................

Veterans Health Administration 

Medical services: 

Advance from prior year .............................................................................................................................................. (47,603,202 ) (51,673,000 ) (51,673,000 ) (∂4,069,798 ) ..........................Current year request ................................................................................................................................................... 2,369,158 1,078,993 1,078,993 ¥1,290,165 ..........................

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... 49,972,360 52,751,993 52,751,993 ∂2,779,633 ..........................

Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................................... 51,673,000 44,886,554 44,886,554 ¥6,786,446 ..........................

Medical community care: 

Advance from prior year .............................................................................................................................................. .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................Current year request ................................................................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... 7,246,181 ∂7,246,181 ∂7,246,181 Transfer from medical care accounts ......................................................................................................................... .......................... (7,246,181 ) .......................... .......................... (¥7,246,181 ) 

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 7,246,181 7,246,181 ∂7,246,181 ..........................

Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................................... .......................... 9,409,118 9,409,118 ∂9,409,118 ..........................

Medical support and compliance: 

Advance from prior year .............................................................................................................................................. (6,144,000 ) (6,524,000 ) (6,524,000 ) (∂380,000 ) ..........................Current year request ................................................................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... 6,144,000 6,524,000 6,524,000 ∂380,000 ..........................

Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................................... 6,524,000 6,654,480 6,654,480 ∂130,480 ..........................

Medical facilities: 

Advance from prior year .............................................................................................................................................. (4,915,000 ) (5,074,000 ) (5,074,000 ) (∂159,000 ) ..........................Current year request ................................................................................................................................................... 105,132 649,000 495,100 ∂389,968 ¥153,900 

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... 5,020,132 5,723,000 5,569,100 ∂548,968 ¥153,900 

Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................................... 5,074,000 5,434,880 5,434,880 ∂360,880 ..........................
112 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2016 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation 

compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2016 

appropriation Budget estimate 

Medical and prosthetic research ......................................................................................................................................... 630,735 663,366 675,366 ∂44,631 ∂12,000 Medical care cost recovery collections: 

Offsetting collections .................................................................................................................................................. ¥2,445,000 ¥2,637,000 ¥2,637,000 ¥192,000 ..........................Appropriations (indefinite) .......................................................................................................................................... 2,445,000 2,637,000 2,637,000 ∂192,000 ..........................

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................

DOD–VA Joint Medical Funds (by transfer) ......................................................................................................................... (286,000 ) (274,731 ) (274,731 ) (¥11,269 ) ..........................DOD–VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund (by transfer) ................................................................................................ (15,000 ) (15,000 ) (15,000 ) .......................... ..........................

Total, Veterans Health Administration ................................................................................................................... 66,376,025 68,776,391 75,880,672 ∂9,504,647 ∂7,104,281 

Appropriations ................................................................................................................................................ (3,105,025 ) (2,391,359 ) (9,495,640 ) (∂6,390,615 ) (∂7,104,281 ) (By transfer) ................................................................................................................................................... (301,000 ) (7,535,912 ) (289,731 ) (¥11,269 ) (¥7,246,181 ) Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................... (63,271,000 ) (66,385,032 ) (66,385,032 ) (∂3,114,032 ) ..........................

Advances from prior year appropriations ............................................................................................................... (58,662,202 ) (63,271,000 ) (63,271,000 ) (∂4,608,798 ) ..........................

National Cemetery Administration 

National Cemetery Administration ....................................................................................................................................... 271,220 286,193 286,193 ∂14,973 ..........................

Departmental Administration 

General administration ......................................................................................................................................................... 336,659 417,959 417,959 ∂81,300 ..........................Board of Veterans Appeals .................................................................................................................................................. 109,884 156,096 156,096 ∂46,212 ..........................Information technology systems ........................................................................................................................................... 4,133,363 4,278,259 4,278,259 ∂144,896 ..........................Office of Inspector General .................................................................................................................................................. 136,766 160,106 160,106 ∂23,340 ..........................Construction, major projects ................................................................................................................................................ 1,243,800 528,110 528,110 ¥715,690 ..........................Construction, minor projects ................................................................................................................................................ 406,200 372,069 372,069 ¥34,131 ..........................Grants for construction of State extended care facilities ................................................................................................... 120,000 80,000 90,000 ¥30,000 ∂10,000 Grants for the construction of veterans cemeteries ............................................................................................................ 46,000 45,000 45,000 ¥1,000 ..........................
113 

Total, Departmental Administration ....................................................................................................................... 6,532,672 6,037,599 6,047,599 ¥485,073 ∂10,000 

Administrative Provisions 

Section 226 (FY16) 

Medical services ................................................................................................................................................................... 1,400,000 .......................... .......................... ¥1,400,000 ..........................

(Rescission) ................................................................................................................................................................. ¥1,400,000 .......................... .......................... ∂1,400,000 ..........................

Medical support and compliance ......................................................................................................................................... 100,000 .......................... .......................... ¥100,000 ..........................

(Rescission) ................................................................................................................................................................. ¥100,000 .......................... .......................... ∂100,000 ..........................

Medical facilities .................................................................................................................................................................. 250,000 .......................... .......................... ¥250,000 ..........................

(Rescission) ................................................................................................................................................................. ¥250,000 .......................... .......................... ∂250,000 ..........................

Transfer authority to Medical Services ................................................................................................................................ .......................... .......................... .......................... .......................... ..........................JIF (Sec. 233) (rescission) .................................................................................................................................................... ¥30,000 .......................... ¥52,000 ¥22,000 ¥52,000 Medical Services (Sec. 218) (rescission) ............................................................................................................................. .......................... .......................... ¥7,246,181 ¥7,246,181 ¥7,246,181 

Total. Administrative Provisions ............................................................................................................................. ¥30,000 .......................... ¥7,298,181 ¥7,268,181 ¥7,298,181 Total, title II ............................................................................................................................................................ 269,795,679 182,079,388 181,925,488 ¥87,870,191 ¥153,900 

Appropriations ................................................................................................................................................ (105,788,803 ) (11,758,360 ) (18,902,641 ) (¥86,886,162 ) (∂7,144,281 ) Rescissions .................................................................................................................................................... (¥1,780,000 ) .......................... (¥7,298,181 ) (¥5,518,181 ) (¥7,298,181 ) (By transfer) ................................................................................................................................................... (301,000 ) (7,535,912 ) (289,731 ) (¥11,269 ) (¥7,246,181 ) 

TITLE III—RELATED AGENCIES 

American Battle Monuments Commission 

Salaries and expenses ......................................................................................................................................................... 105,100 75,100 75,100 ¥30,000 ..........................Foreign currency fluctuations account ................................................................................................................................. 2,000 .......................... .......................... ¥2,000 ..........................

Total, American Battle Monuments Commission ................................................................................................... 107,100 75,100 75,100 ¥32,000 ..........................

U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims 

Salaries and expenses ......................................................................................................................................................... 32,141 30,945 30,945 ¥1,196 ..........................

Department of Defense—Civil 

Cemeterial Expenses, Army 

Salaries and expenses ......................................................................................................................................................... 79,516 70,800 70,800 ¥8,716 ..........................

Armed Forces Retirement Home—Trust Fund 

Operation and maintenance ................................................................................................................................................. 43,300 63,300 41,300 ¥2,000 ¥22,000 
114 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL 

FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017—Continued 

[In thousands of dollars] 

Item 2016 appropriation Budget estimate Committee recommendation 

Senate Committee recommendation 

compared with (∂ or ¥) 

2016 

appropriation Budget estimate 

Capital program ................................................................................................................................................................... 1,000 1,000 1,000 .......................... ..........................Payment from General Fund ................................................................................................................................................ 20,000 .......................... 22,000 ∂2,000 ∂22,000 

Total, Armed Forces Retirement Home ................................................................................................................... 64,300 64,300 64,300 .......................... ..........................Total, title III ........................................................................................................................................................... 283,057 241,145 241,145 ¥41,912 ..........................

TITLE IV—OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS 

Overseas Contingency Operations 

Navy ...................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 38,409 .......................... .......................... ¥38,409 Air Force ............................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 11,440 .......................... .......................... ¥11,440 

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 49,849 .......................... .......................... ¥49,849 

European Reassurance Initiative 

Army ...................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 18,900 .......................... .......................... ¥18,900 Navy ...................................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 21,400 .......................... .......................... ¥21,400 Air Force ............................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 68,300 .......................... .......................... ¥68,300 Defense-Wide ........................................................................................................................................................................ .......................... 5,000 .......................... .......................... ¥5,000 

Subtotal ................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 113,600 .......................... .......................... ¥113,600 

Counter Terrorism Support 

Air Force ............................................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 9,000 .......................... .......................... ¥9,000 

Total, title IV ........................................................................................................................................................... .......................... 172,449 .......................... .......................... ¥172,449 Grand total .............................................................................................................................................................. 278,249,736 189,937,038 190,096,633 ¥88,153,103 ∂159,595 

Appropriations ................................................................................................................................................ (114,614,680 ) (19,443,561 ) (27,273,409 ) (¥87,341,271 ) (∂7,829,848 ) 
115 

Rescissions .................................................................................................................................................... (¥2,151,820 ) .......................... (¥7,497,804 ) (¥5,345,984 ) (¥7,497,804 ) Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2018 .................................................................................................... (165,786,876 ) (170,321,028 ) (170,321,028 ) (∂4,534,152 ) ..........................Overseas contingency operations .................................................................................................................. .......................... (172,449 ) .......................... .......................... (¥172,449 ) 

Advances from prior year appropriations ............................................................................................................... (58,662,202 ) (165,786,876 ) (165,786,876 ) (∂107,124,674 ) ..........................(By transfer) ............................................................................................................................................................ (301,000 ) (7,535,912 ) (289,731 ) (¥11,269 ) (¥7,246,181 ) (Limitation on direct loans) .................................................................................................................................... (3,452 ) (3,017 ) (3,017 ) (¥435 ) ..........................

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