datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
quirement under State or local law regarding an in-
dividual’s eligibility to receive an absentee ballot or 
vote by absentee ballot in any election; and 
(3) work with local election officials to ensure 
the proper delivery of absentee ballot applications 
and absentee ballots. 
SEC. 5. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NONPARTISAN ORGA-
NIZATIONS. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit a 
meaningful opportunity, including reasonable time, place, 
and manner restrictions, for nonpartisan organizations to 
provide voter registration information and assistance at 
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY ELECTION OFFICIALS 
AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FA-
CILITIES. 
(a) DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall not prohibit any election administration 
official, whether State or local, party-affiliated or 
non-party affiliated, or elected or appointed, from 
providing voting information to veterans at any facil-
ity of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) VOTING INFORMATION.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘‘voting information’’ means nonpartisan
information intended for the public about voting, in-
cluding information about voter registration, voting 
systems, absentee balloting, polling locations, and 
other important resources for voters. 
(b) VOTER REGISTRATION SERVICES.—The Sec-
retary shall provide reasonable access to facilities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to State and local election 
officials for the purpose of providing nonpartisan voter 
registration services to individuals. 
(c) COORDINATION
TO MINIMIZE DISRUPTION
OF 
REGULAR ACTIVITIES.—Any election official providing 
nonpartisan voting information or nonpartisan voter reg-
istration services under this section at a facility of the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs shall coordinate the provi-
sion of the information or services with the Secretary to 
ensure that the information or services are provided in a 
manner which minimizes the disruption of the regular ac-
tivities of the facility.
SEC. 7. ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPLIANCE. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
Congress an annual report on how the Secretary has com-
plied with the requirements of this Act. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 17, 
2008. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6625 
AN ACT 
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to per-
mit facilities of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs to be designated as voter registration agen-
cies, and for other purposes.
I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6625 
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facilities of the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs to be designated as voter registration agencies, 
and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2008 
Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania (for himself, Ms. WATSON, Ms. ZOE LOFGREN 
of California, Ms. KAPTUR, Mr. GONZALEZ, Mrs. DAVIS of California, 
Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ, Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania, 
Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. LEWIS of Georgia, Ms. BERKLEY, Mr. HINCHEY, 
Ms. MOORE of Wisconsin, Mr. CUMMINGS, Ms. EDDIE BERNICE JOHN-
SON of Texas, Mr. FILNER, Mr. FARR, Mr. MURPHY of Connecticut, Mrs. 
CHRISTENSEN, Mr. FOSTER, Ms. CORRINE BROWN of Florida, Mr. 
CAPUANO, Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas, Mr. BOUCHER, Mr. DAVIS of Ala-
bama, Mr. SERRANO, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mrs. CAPPS, Mr. UDALL of 
Colorado, Mr. ALLEN, Mr. SCOTT of Virginia, Mr. MCGOVERN, Mr. BOS-
WELL, Ms. SLAUGHTER, Mr. GRIJALVA, Mr. HOLT, Mr. GENE GREEN of 
Texas, and Mr. COURTNEY) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on House Administration, and in addition to the 
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, for a period to be subsequently deter-
mined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions 
as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to permit facili-
ties of the Department of Veterans Affairs to be des-
ignated as voter registration agencies, and for other pur-
poses. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Veteran Voting Sup-
port Act’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress makes the following findings: 
(1) Veterans serving in foreign wars have per-
formed a great service to, and risked the greatest 
sacrifice in the name of, our country, and should be 
supported by the people and the Government of the 
United States. 
(2) Veterans are especially qualified to under-
stand issues of war, foreign policy, and government 
support for veterans, and they should have the op-
portunity to voice that understanding through vot-
ing. 
(3) The Department of Veterans Affairs should 
assist veterans in meeting their medical, social, and 
civic needs, including the full participation of vet-
erans in our democracy. 
(4) The Department of Veterans Affairs should 
make every effort to assist veterans to register to 
vote and to vote. 
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and compulsorily or involuntarily converted as a 
result of a federally declared disaster’’. 
(iii) Paragraph (3) of section 1033(h) is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(3) FEDERALLY
DECLARED
DISASTER; DIS-
ASTER
AREA.—The terms ‘‘federally declared dis-
aster’’ and ‘‘disaster area’’ shall have the respective 
meaning given such terms by section 165(h)(3)(C).’’. 
(iv) Section 139(c)(2) of such Code is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘(2) federally declared disaster (as defined by 
section 165(h)(3)(C)(i)),’’. 
(v) 
Subclause 
(II) 
of 
section 
172(b)(1)(F)(ii) of such Code is amended by 
striking ‘‘Presidentially declared disasters (as 
defined in section 1033(h)(3))’’ and inserting 
‘‘federally declared disasters (as defined by sub-
section (h)(3)(C)(i))’’. 
(vi) 
Subclause 
(III) 
of 
section 
172(b)(1)(F)(ii) of such Code is amended by 
striking ‘‘Presidentially declared disasters’’ and 
inserting ‘‘federally declared disasters’’. 
(vii) Subsection (a) of section 7508A of 
such Code is amended by striking ‘‘Presi-
dentially declared disaster (as defined in section 
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SEC. 3. USE OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FA-
CILITIES AS VOTER REGISTRATION AGEN-
CIES. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit a 
State to designate facilities of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs located in such State as voter registration agencies 
under section 7 of the National Voter Registration Act of 
1993 (42 U.S.C. 1973gg–5). 
SEC. 4. ASSISTANCE WITH ABSENTEE BALLOTS. 
In addition to the duties required under section 7 of 
the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (42 U.S.C. 
1973gg–5), any facility of the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs designated as a voter registration agency under sec-
tion 3 shall— 
(1) provide information relating to the oppor-
tunity to request an absentee ballot; 
(2) make available absentee ballot applications 
and absentee ballots upon request, as well as assist-
ance in completing such applications and ballots; 
and 
(3) work with local election officials to ensure 
the proper delivery of absentee ballot applications 
and absentee ballots. 
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SEC. 5. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY NONPARTISAN ORGA-
NIZATIONS. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall permit a 
meaningful opportunity for nonpartisan organizations to 
provide voter registration information and assistance at 
facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 6. ASSISTANCE PROVIDED BY ELECTION OFFICIALS 
AT DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS FA-
CILITIES. 
(a) DISTRIBUTION OF INFORMATION.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall not prohibit any election administration 
official, whether State or local, party-affiliated or 
non-party affiliated, or elected or appointed, from 
providing voting information to veterans at any facil-
ity of the Department of Veterans Affairs. 
(2) VOTING INFORMATION.—In this subsection, 
the term ‘‘voting information’’ means nonpartisan 
information intended for the public about voting, in-
cluding information about voter registration, voting 
systems, absentee balloting, polling locations, and 
other important resources for voters. 
(b) VOTER REGISTRATION SERVICES.—The Sec-
retary shall provide reasonable access to facilities of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs to State and local election 
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officials for the purpose of providing nonpartisan voter 
registration services to individuals. 
SEC. 7. ANNUAL REPORT ON COMPLIANCE. 
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
Congress an annual report on how the Secretary has com-
plied with the requirements of this Act. 
Æ 
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I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6626 
To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to repay Federal educational loans 
of officers of the United States Marine Corps who were commissioned 
on or after September 11, 2001. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2008 
Mr. SHAYS (for himself and Mr. COURTNEY) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of the Navy to repay Federal 
educational loans of officers of the United States Marine 
Corps who were commissioned on or after September 
11, 2001. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. AUTHORIZATION OF FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL 
LOAN PAYMENT. 
(a) AUTHORIZATION.—The Secretary of the Navy is 
authorized to pay the outstanding balance on any Federal 
educational loan of an officer of the United States Marine 
Corps who was commissioned on or after September 11, 
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2001, and is not in default on such Federal educational 
loan. 
(b) EXCEPTION.—This section shall not apply to an 
officer who is a graduate of the United States Naval Acad-
emy. 
(c) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this sec-
tion shall be construed to authorize the refunding of any 
repayment of a Federal educational loan. 
(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
(1) FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL LOAN.—The term 
‘‘Federal educational loan’’ means a loan made, in-
sured, or guaranteed under part B, D, or E of title 
IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1070 et seq.), except that such term does not in-
clude a Federal consolidation loan under section 
428C of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1078–3). 
(2) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.—The 
term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given it in section 101(a) of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(3) OUTSTANDING BALANCE.—The term ‘‘out-
standing balance’’ means the principal and interest 
owed on a Federal educational loan, as determined 
by the Secretary of the Navy. 
Æ 
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I 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6627 
To authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to carry 
out certain construction projects, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JULY 29, 2008 
Mr. OBERSTAR (for himself, Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, Mr. MICA, Mr. 
EHLERS, Mr. HOYER, Ms. NORTON, Mr. BECERRA, Ms. MATSUI, and Mr. 
SAM JOHNSON of Texas) introduced the following bill; which was referred 
to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition 
to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subse-
quently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such 
provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned 
A BILL 
To authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution to carry out certain construction projects, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Smithsonian Institu-
tion Facilities Authorization Act of 2008’’. 
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SEC. 2. LABORATORY AND SUPPORT SPACE, EDGEWATER, 
MARYLAND. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT.—The 
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is au-
thorized to design and construct laboratory and support 
space to accommodate the Mathias Laboratory at the 
Smithsonian 
Environmental 
Research 
Center 
in 
Edgewater, Maryland. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section a 
total of $41,000,000 for fiscal years 2009 through 2011. 
Such sums shall remain available until expended. 
SEC. 3. LABORATORY SPACE, GAMBOA, PANAMA. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT.—The Board of Re-
gents of the Smithsonian Institution is authorized to con-
struct laboratory space to accommodate the terrestrial re-
search program of the Smithsonian tropical research insti-
tute in Gamboa, Panama. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section a 
total of $14,000,000 for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Such 
sums shall remain available until expended. 
Æ 
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II 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6627 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
SEPTEMBER 18 (legislative day, SEPTEMBER 17), 2008 
Received 
AN ACT 
To authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Insti-
tution to carry out certain construction projects, and 
for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
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HR 6627 RDS
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Smithsonian Institu-
tion Facilities Authorization Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 2. LABORATORY AND SUPPORT SPACE, EDGEWATER, 
MARYLAND. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT.—The 
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is au-
thorized to design and construct laboratory and support 
space to accommodate the Mathias Laboratory at the 
Smithsonian 
Environmental 
Research 
Center 
in 
Edgewater, Maryland. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section a 
total of $41,000,000 for fiscal years 2009 through 2011. 
Such sums shall remain available until expended. 
SEC. 3. LABORATORY SPACE, GAMBOA, PANAMA. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT.—The Board of Re-
gents of the Smithsonian Institution is authorized to con-
struct laboratory space to accommodate the terrestrial re-
search program of the Smithsonian tropical research insti-
tute in Gamboa, Panama. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section a 
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HR 6627 RDS
total of $14,000,000 for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Such 
sums shall remain available until expended. 
Passed the House of Representatives September 17, 
2008. 
Attest: 
LORRAINE C. MILLER, 
Clerk. 
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H. R. 1107—164 
Comptroller General and the inspector general of the contracting 
agency, or a representative of the contracting agency designated 
by the head of the agency if the agency does not have an inspector 
general, shall have access to and may inspect the facilities and 
audit the books and records, including electronic data or records, 
of a prime contractor or subcontractor under a prime contract 
awarded by the agency. 
(b) EXCEPTION.—This section does not apply to a prime contract 
for the acquisition of commercial items (as defined in section 103 
of this title). 
§ 8705. Administrative offsets 
(a) DEFINITION.—In this section, the term ‘‘contracting officer’’ 
has the meaning given that term in chapter 71 of this title. 
(b) OFFSET AUTHORITY.—A contracting officer of a contracting 
agency may offset the amount of a kickback provided, accepted, 
or charged in violation of section 8702 of this title against amounts 
the Federal Government owes the prime contractor under the prime 
contract to which the kickback relates. 
(c) DUTIES OF PRIME CONTRACTOR.— 
(1) WITHHOLDING AND PAYING OVER OR RETAINING AMOUNTS.— 
On direction of a contracting officer of a contracting agency 
with respect to a prime contract, the prime contractor shall 
withhold from amounts owed to a subcontractor under a sub-
contract of the prime contract the amount of a kickback which 
was or may be offset against the prime contractor under sub-
section (b). The contracting officer may order that amounts 
withheld— 
(A) be paid over to the contracting agency; or 
(B) be retained by the prime contractor if the Federal 
Government has already offset the amount against the 
prime contractor. 
(2) NOTICE.—The prime contractor shall notify the contracting 
officer when an amount is withheld and retained under para-
graph (1)(B). 
(d) OFFSET, DIRECTION, OR ORDER IS CLAIM OF FEDERAL GOVERN-
MENT.—An offset under subsection (b) or a direction or order of 
a contracting officer under subsection (c) is a claim by the Federal 
Government for the purposes of chapter 71 of this title. 
§ 8706. Civil actions 
(a) AMOUNT.—The Federal Government in a civil action may 
recover from a person— 
(1) that knowingly engages in conduct prohibited by section 
8702 of this title a civil penalty equal to— 
(A) twice the amount of each kickback involved in the 
violation; and 
(B) not more than $10,000 for each occurrence of prohib-
ited conduct; and 
(2) whose employee, subcontractor, or subcontractor employee 
violates section 8702 of this title by providing, accepting, or 
charging a kickback a civil penalty equal to the amount of 
that kickback. 
(b) STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS.—A civil action under this section 
must be brought within 6 years after the later of the date on 
which— 
(1) the prohibited conduct establishing the cause of action 
occurred; or
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Smithsonian Institu-
tion Facilities Authorization Act of 2008’’. 
SEC. 2. LABORATORY AND SUPPORT SPACE, EDGEWATER, 
MARYLAND. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT.—The 
Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution is au-
thorized to design and construct laboratory and support 
space to accommodate the Mathias Laboratory at the 
Smithsonian 
Environmental 
Research 
Center 
in 
Edgewater, Maryland. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section a 
total of $41,000,000 for fiscal years 2009 through 2011. 
Such sums shall remain available until expended. 
SEC. 3. LABORATORY SPACE, GAMBOA, PANAMA. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO CONSTRUCT.—The Board of Re-
gents of the Smithsonian Institution is authorized to con-
struct laboratory space to accommodate the terrestrial re-
search program of the Smithsonian tropical research insti-
tute in Gamboa, Panama. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section a 
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total of $14,000,000 for fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Such 
sums shall remain available until expended. 
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Union Calendar No. 550 
110TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6627 
[Report No. 110–842, Parts I and II] 
A BILL 
To authorize the Board of Regents of the Smithso-
nian Institution to carry out certain construction 
projects, and for other purposes. 
SEPTEMBER 15, 2008 
Reported from the Committee on Transportation and In-
frastructure, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be 
printed 
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SEC. 2. AVAILABILITY OF FULL-SERVICE HOSPITAL OF THE 
VETERANS 
HEALTH 
ADMINISTRATION 
IN 
CERTAIN STATES OR PROVISION OF COM-
PARABLE SERVICES THROUGH CONTRACT 
WITH OTHER HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS IN 
THE STATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 17 of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1716 
the following new section: 
‘‘§ 1716A. Access to full-service hospitals in certain 
States or comparable services through 
contract 
‘‘(a) REQUIREMENT.—With respect to each of the 48 
contiguous States, the Secretary shall ensure that veterans 
in the State eligible for hospital care and medical services 
under section 1710 of this title have access— 
‘‘(1) to at least one full-service hospital of the 
Veterans Health Administration in the State; or 
‘‘(2) to hospital care and medical services com-
parable to the services provided in full-service hos-
pitals through contract with other health care pro-
viders in the State. 
‘‘(b) RULE
OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in sub-
section (a) shall be construed to restrict the ability of the 
Secretary to provide enhanced care to an eligible veteran 
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who resides in one State in a hospital of the Veterans 
Health Administration in another State.’’. 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections 
at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting 
after the item relating to section 1716 the following new 
item: 
‘‘1716A. Access to full-service hospitals in certain States or comparable services 
through contract.’’. 
(c) REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION.—Not later than 
one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to Congress a 
report describing the extent to which the Secretary has 
complied with the requirement imposed by section 1716A 
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection 
(a), including the effect of such requirement on improving 
the quality and standards of care provided to veterans. 
Æ 
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