2009: Provided, That none of these funds may be obli-
gated until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits to 
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con-
gress, and such Committees approve, a plan for expendi-
ture that: (1) meets the capital planning and investment 
control review requirements established by the Office of 
Management and Budget; (2) complies with the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs enterprise architecture; (3) con-
forms with an established enterprise life cycle method-
ology; and (4) complies with the acquisition rules, require-
ments, guidelines, and systems acquisition management 
practices of the Federal Government: Provided further, 
That within 30 days of the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
a reprogramming base letter which provides, by project, 
the costs included in this appropriation. 
NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION 
For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Ad-
ministration for operations and maintenance, not other-
wise provided for, including uniforms or allowances there-
for; cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase 
of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial oper-
ations; 
and 
hire 
of 
passenger 
motor 
vehicles, 
$170,000,000, of which not to exceed $7,800,000 shall be 
available until September 30, 2009.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL 
For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector 
General in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector 
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $76,500,000, of 
which $3,630,000 shall remain available until September 
30, 2009. 
CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS 
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 
any of the facilities, including parking projects, under the 
jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 
316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, 
and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, including plan-
ning, architectural and engineering services, construction 
management services, maintenance or guarantee period 
services costs associated with equipment guarantees pro-
vided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 
utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and 
site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is 
more than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) 
of title 38, United States Code, or where funds for a 
project were made available in a previous major project 
appropriation, $1,410,800,000, to remain available until 
expended, of which $2,000,000 shall be to make reim-
bursements as provided in section 13 of the Contract Dis-
putes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 612) for claims paid for
contract disputes: Provided, That except for advance plan-
ning activities, including needs assessments which may or 
may not lead to capital investments, and other capital 
asset management related activities, including portfolio 
development and management activities, and investment 
strategy studies funded through the advance planning 
fund and the planning and design activities funded 
through the design fund, including needs assessments 
which may or may not lead to capital investments, none 
of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be used 
for any project which has not been approved by the Con-
gress in the budgetary process: Provided further, That 
funds provided in this appropriation for fiscal year 2008, 
for each approved project shall be obligated: (1) by the 
awarding of a construction documents contract by Sep-
tember 30, 2008; and (2) by the awarding of a construc-
tion contract by September 30, 2009: Provided further, 
That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promptly sub-
mit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
of Congress a written report on any approved major con-
struction project for which obligations are not incurred 
within the time limitations established above: Provided 
further, That none of the funds appropriated in this or 
any other Act may be used to reduce the mission, services, 
or infrastructure, including land, of the 18 facilities on
the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services 
(CARES) list requiring further study, as specified by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, without prior approval of 
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Con-
gress. 
CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS 
For constructing, altering, extending, and improving 
any of the facilities, including parking projects, under the 
jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, including planning and assessments of needs 
which may lead to capital investments, architectural and 
engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period 
services costs associated with equipment guarantees pro-
vided under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 
utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and 
site acquisition, or for any of the purposes set forth in 
sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 
8110, 8122, and 8162 of title 38, United States Code, 
where the estimated cost of a project is equal to or less 
than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 
38, United States Code, $615,000,000, to remain avail-
able until expended, along with unobligated balances of 
previous ‘‘Construction, minor projects’’ appropriations 
which are hereby made available for any project where the 
estimated cost is equal to or less than the amount set forth 
in such section: Provided, That funds in this account shall
be available for: (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facili-
ties under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Depart-
ment which are necessary because of loss or damage 
caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; and (2) 
temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize 
further loss by such causes: Provided further, That within 
30 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Vet-
erans Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming 
base letter which provides, by project, the costs included 
in this appropriation. 
GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE 
FACILITIES 
For grants to assist States to acquire or construct 
State nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to re-
model, modify, or alter existing hospital, nursing home, 
and domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing 
care to veterans as authorized by sections 8131 through 
8137 of title 38, United States Code, $165,000,000, to 
remain available until expended. 
GRANTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATE VETERANS 
CEMETERIES 
For grants to assist States in establishing, expand-
ing, or improving State veterans cemeteries as authorized 
by section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, 
$37,000,000, to remain available until expended.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2008 for 
‘‘Compensation and pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment benefits’’, 
and ‘‘Veterans insurance and indemnities’’ may be trans-
ferred as necessary to any other of the mentioned appro-
priations: Provided, That before a transfer may take place, 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
the authority to make the transfer and such Committees 
issue an approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 
days has elapsed. 
SEC. 202. Appropriations available in this title for 
salaries and expenses shall be available for services au-
thorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 
hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or land 
or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as author-
ized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 203. No appropriations in this title (except the 
appropriations for ‘‘Construction, major projects’’, and 
‘‘Construction, minor projects’’) shall be available for the 
purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any 
new hospital or home.
SEC. 204. No appropriations in this title shall be 
available for hospitalization or examination of any persons 
(except beneficiaries entitled to such hospitalization or ex-
amination under the laws providing such benefits to vet-
erans, and persons receiving such treatment under sec-
tions 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States Code, 
or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reim-
bursement of the cost of such hospitalization or examina-
tion is made to the ‘‘Medical services’’ account at such 
rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. 
SEC. 205. Appropriations available in this title for 
‘‘Compensation and pensions’’, ‘‘Readjustment benefits’’, 
and ‘‘Veterans insurance and indemnities’’ shall be avail-
able for payment of prior year accrued obligations re-
quired to be recorded by law against the corresponding 
prior year accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 
2007. 
SEC. 206. Appropriations available in this title shall 
be available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 
3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States 
Code, except that if such obligations are from trust fund 
accounts they shall be payable only from ‘‘Compensation 
and pensions’’.
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 207. Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, during fiscal year 2008, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall, from the National Service Life Insurance 
Fund (38 U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans’ Special Life Insur-
ance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Gov-
ernment Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reim-
burse the ‘‘General operating expenses’’ account for the 
cost of administration of the insurance programs financed 
through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement 
shall be made only from the surplus earnings accumulated 
in such an insurance program during fiscal year 2008 that 
are available for dividends in that program after claims 
have been paid and actuarially determined reserves have 
been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of admin-
istration of such an insurance program exceeds the 
amount of surplus earnings accumulated in that program, 
reimbursement shall be made only to the extent of such 
surplus earnings: Provided further, That the Secretary 
shall determine the cost of administration for fiscal year 
2008 which is properly allocable to the provision of each 
such insurance program and to the provision of any total 
disability income insurance included in that insurance pro-
gram.
SEC. 208. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use 
lease proceeds to reimburse an account for expenses in-
curred by that account during a prior fiscal year for pro-
viding enhanced-use lease services, may be obligated dur-
ing the fiscal year in which the proceeds are received. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 209. Funds available in this title or funds for 
salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be 
available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Manage-
ment of the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Of-
fice of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudica-
tion under section 319 of title 38, United States Code, 
for all services provided at rates which will recover actual 
costs but not exceed $32,067,000 for the Office of Resolu-
tion Management and $3,148,000 for the Office of Em-
ployment and Discrimination Complaint Adjudication: 
Provided, That payments may be made in advance for 
services to be furnished based on estimated costs: Provided 
further, That amounts received shall be credited to ‘‘Gen-
eral operating expenses’’ for use by the office that pro-
vided the service. 
SEC. 210. No appropriations in this title shall be 
available to enter into any new lease of real property if 
the estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 unless 
the Secretary submits a report which the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress approve within 
30 days following the date on which the report is received. 
SEC. 211. No funds of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs shall be available for hospital care, nursing home 
care, or medical services provided to any person under 
chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, for a non-serv-
ice-connected disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of 
such title, unless that person has disclosed to the Sec-
retary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary 
may require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement 
information for purposes of section 1729 of such title: Pro-
vided, That the Secretary may recover, in the same man-
ner as any other debt due the United States, the reason-
able charges for such care or services from any person who 
does not make such disclosure as required: Provided fur-
ther, That any amounts so recovered for care or services 
provided in a prior fiscal year may be obligated by the 
Secretary during the fiscal year in which amounts are re-
ceived. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, at the discretion of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
proceeds or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing 
activities (including disposal) may be deposited into the 
‘‘Construction, major projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, minor 
projects’’ accounts and be used for construction (including
site acquisition and disposition), alterations, and improve-
ments of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for 
the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums 
as realized are in addition to the amount provided for in 
‘‘Construction, major projects’’ and ‘‘Construction, minor 
projects’’. 
SEC. 213. Amounts made available under ‘‘Medical 
services’’ are available— 
(1) for furnishing recreational facilities, sup-
plies, and equipment; and 
(2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and 
other expenses incidental to funerals and burials for 
beneficiaries receiving care in the Department. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 214. Such sums as may be deposited to the 
Medical Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A 
of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to 
‘‘Medical services’’, to remain available until expended for 
the purposes of that account. 
SEC. 215. Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall allow veterans 
who are eligible under existing Department of Veterans 
Affairs medical care requirements and who reside in Alas-
ka to obtain medical care services from medical facilities 
supported by the Indian Health Service or tribal organiza-
tions. The Secretary shall: (1) limit the application of this
provision to rural Alaskan veterans in areas where an ex-
isting Department of Veterans Affairs facility or Veterans 
Affairs-contracted service is unavailable; (2) require par-
ticipating veterans and facilities to comply with all appro-
priate rules and regulations, as established by the Sec-
retary; (3) require this provision to be consistent with 
Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services activi-
ties; and (4) result in no additional cost to the Department 
of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 216. Such sums as may be deposited to the De-
partment of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursu-
ant to section 8118 of title 38, United States Code, may 
be transferred to the ‘‘Construction, major projects’’ and 
‘‘Construction, minor projects’’ accounts, to remain avail-
able until expended for the purposes of these accounts. 
SEC. 217. None of the funds available to the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs, in this or any other Act, may 
be used to replace the current system by which the Vet-
erans Integrated Service Networks select and contract for 
diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment. 
SEC. 218. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used to implement any policy prohibiting the 
Directors of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks 
from conducting outreach or marketing to enroll new vet-
erans within their respective Networks.
SEC. 219. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
Houses of Congress a quarterly report on the financial 
status of the Veterans Health Administration. 
SEC. 220. Amounts made available for the ‘‘Informa-
tion technology systems’’ account may be reprogrammed 
between projects: Provided, That no project may be in-
creased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost be-
fore the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming re-
quest and the Committees issue an approval, or absent 
a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed. 
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) 
SEC. 221. Any balances in prior year accounts estab-
lished for the payment of benefits under the Reinstated 
Entitlement Program for Survivors shall be transferred to 
and merged with amounts available under the ‘‘Compensa-
tion and pensions’’ account, and receipts that would other-
wise be credited to the accounts established for the pay-
ment of benefits under the Reinstated Entitlement Pro-
gram for Survivors program shall be credited to amounts 
available under the ‘‘Compensation and pensions’’ ac-
count. 
SEC. 222. Amounts made available for the ‘‘Con-
struction, minor projects’’ account may be reprogrammed 
between projects: Provided, That no project may be in-
creased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost be-
fore the Secretary submits to the Committees on Appro-
priations of both Houses of Congress a reprogramming re-
quest and the Committees issue an approval, or absent 
a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed. 
TITLE III 
RELATED AGENCIES 
AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 
of the American Battle Monuments Commission, including 
the acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign coun-
tries; purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of 
national cemeteries and monuments outside of the United 
States and its territories and possessions; rent of office 
and garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one-for- 
one replacement basis only) and hire of passenger motor 
vehicles; not to exceed $7,500 for official reception and 
representation expenses; and insurance of official motor 
vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of such 
countries, $43,470,000, to remain available until ex-
pended. 
FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS ACCOUNT 
For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 
of 
the 
American 
Battle 
Monuments 
Commission, 
$11,000,000, to remain available until expended, for pur-
poses authorized by section 2109 of title 36, United States 
Code. 
UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS 
CLAIMS 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses for the operation of the 
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as 
authorized by sections 7251 through 7298 of title 38, 
United States Code, $21,397,000, of which $1,300,000 
shall be available for the purpose of providing financial 
assistance as described, and in accordance with the proc-
ess and reporting procedures set forth, under this heading 
in Public Law 102–229. 
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE—CIVIL 
CEMETERIAL EXPENSES, ARMY 
SALARIES AND EXPENSES 
For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for 
maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington 
National Cemetery and Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home Na-
tional Cemetery, including the purchase of two passenger 
motor vehicles for replacement only, and not to exceed 
$1,000 for official reception and representation expenses, 
$30,592,000, to remain available until expended. In addi-
tion, such sums as may be necessary for parking mainte-
nance, repairs and replacement, to be derived from the
Lease of Department of Defense Real Property for De-
fense Agencies account. 
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME 
TRUST FUND 
For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retire-
ment Home to operate and maintain the Armed Forces 
Retirement Home—Washington, District of Columbia and 
the Armed Forces Retirement Home—Gulfport, Mis-
sissippi, to be paid from funds available in the Armed 
Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, $55,724,000. 
ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME 
FEDERAL FUND PAYMENT 
For payment to the ‘‘Armed Forces Retirement 
Home’’, $800,000, to remain available until expended. 
TITLE IV 
GENERAL PROVISIONS 
SEC. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in 
this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the 
current fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein. 
SEC. 402. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal 
year 2008 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall 
be absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act. 
SEC. 403. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used for any program, project, or activity, 
when it is made known to the Federal entity or official
to which the funds are made available that the program, 
project, or activity is not in compliance with any Federal 
law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private 
property rights, or unfunded mandates. 
SEC. 404. No part of any funds appropriated in this 
Act shall be used by an agency of the executive branch, 
other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative 
relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, and 
for the preparation, distribution or use of any kit, pam-
phlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or film presen-
tation designed to support or defeat legislation pending 
before Congress, except in presentation to Congress itself. 
SEC. 405. All departments and agencies funded under 
this Act are directed, within the limits of the existing stat-
utory authorities and funding, to expand their use of ‘‘E- 
Commerce’’ technologies and procedures in the conduct of 
their business practices and public service activities. 
SEC. 406. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or in-
strumentality of the United States Government except 
pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority pro-
vided in, this or any other appropriations Act. 
SEC. 407. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and no-
tifications required by this Act shall be submitted to the 
Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs,
and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on 
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related 
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Sen-
ate. 
SEC. 408. The Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office shall, not later than February 1, 2008, submit to 
the Committees on Appropriations of the House of Rep-
resentatives and the Senate a report projecting annual ap-
propriations necessary for the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs to continue providing necessary health care to vet-
erans for fiscal years 2009 through 2012. 
SEC. 409. None of the funds made available in this 
Act may be used to purchase light bulbs unless the light 
bulbs have the ‘‘ENERGY STAR’’ designation. 
SEC. 410. None of the funds appropriated or other-
wise made available in this Act may be used for any action 
that is related to or promotes the expansion of the bound-
aries or size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in south-
eastern Colorado.
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Military Construction 
and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2008’’. 
Passed the House of Representatives June 15, 2007. 
Attest: 
Clerk.
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 2642 
AN ACT 
Making appropriations for military construction, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related 
agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
2008, and for other purposes.