datamatters24/research-document-archive huggingface dataset:
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is
authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs for fiscal year 2004 for the Construction, Major
Projects, account $332,100,000 for the projects author-
ized in subsection (a).
(c) LIMITATION.—The projects authorized in sub-
section (a) may only be carried out using—
(1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2004 pur-
suant to the authorization of appropriations in sub-
section (b);
(2) funds appropriated for Construction, Major
Projects, for a fiscal year before fiscal year 2004
that remain available for obligation; and
(3) funds appropriated for Construction, Major
Projects, for fiscal year 2004 for a category of activ-
ity not specific to a project.
(d) AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY
LEASES.—The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter
into leases as follows:
(1) For an outpatient clinic in Charlotte, North
Carolina, in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000.
(2) For facilities for a multi-specialty out-
patient clinic for the Veterans Health Administra-
tion and a satellite office for the Veterans Benefits
(C) Residential and rehabilitation pro-
grams for veterans with substance-use dis-
orders. 
(D) Physical medicine and rehabilitation 
activities. 
(E) Long-term care, including geriatric re-
search, education, and clinical centers, adult 
day care centers, and nursing home care facili-
ties. 
(F) Amputation care, including facilities 
for prosthetics, orthotics programs, and sensory 
aids. 
(G) Spinal cord injury centers. 
(H) Traumatic brain injury programs. 
(I) Women veterans’ health programs (in-
cluding particularly programs involving privacy 
and accommodation for female patients). 
(J) Facilities for hospice and palliative 
care programs. 
(d) REVIEW PROCESS.—(1) The Secretary shall pro-
vide that, before a project is submitted to the Secretary 
with a recommendation that it be approved as a project 
to be carried out under the authority of this section, the 
project shall be reviewed by a board within the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs that is independent of the Vet-
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 171
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal the provision that 
limited the interest deduction on refinanced home mortgage indebtedness 
to the amount of the indebtedness being refinanced. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JANUARY 7, 2003
Mr. REYNOLDS (for himself and Mrs. MYRICK) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to repeal 
the provision that limited the interest deduction on refi-
nanced home mortgage indebtedness to the amount of 
the indebtedness being refinanced.
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 ‘‘Homeowner Refinance 
Fairness Act of 2003’’.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF REFINANCING LIMITATION ON DEDUC-
TION FOR HOME MORTGAGE INTEREST. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The last sentence of section 
163(h)(3)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
amended to read as follows: 
‘‘Such term also includes any indebtedness secured by 
such residence resulting from the refinancing of indebted-
ness meeting the requirements of the preceding sentence 
(or this sentence); but only to the extent the amount of 
the indebtedness resulting from such refinancing does not 
exceed the limitation under clause (ii).’’
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after 
the date of the enactment of this Act.
Æ
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1720
AN ACT
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to
carry out construction projects for the purpose of
improving, renovating, establishing, and updating
patient care facilities at Department of Veterans
Affairs medical centers, to provide by law for the
establishment and functions of the Office of Re-
search Oversight in the Veterans Health Admin-
istration of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
and for other purposes.
108TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1720
AN ACT
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out
construction projects for the purpose of improving, ren-
ovating, establishing, and updating patient care facilities
at Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers, to
provide by law for the establishment and functions of
the Office of Research Oversight in the Veterans Health
Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs,
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; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the
‘‘Veterans Health Care Facilities Capital Improvement
Act’’.
(b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—The table of contents for
this Act is as follows:
Sec.
1. Short title.
Sec.
2. Authorization of major medical facility projects for patient care im-
provements.
Sec.
3. Authorization of major medical facility projects and leases.
Sec.
4. Authorization of major medical facility projects, former Fitzsimons
Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado.
Sec.
5. Limitation on disposal of Lakeside Division, Department of Veterans
Affairs medical facilities, Chicago, Illinois.
Sec.
6. Plans for facilities in southern New Jersey and far South Texas.
Sec.
7. Increase in major medical facility construction cost threshold.
Sec.
8. Study and report on feasibility of coordination of veterans health care
services in South Carolina with new university medical center.
Sec.
9. Name of Department of Veterans Affairs health care facility, Chicago,
Illinois.
Sec. 10. Name of Department of Veterans Affairs outpatient clinic, New Lon-
don, Connecticut.
Sec. 11. Office of Research Oversight in Veterans Health Administration.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY
PROJECTS FOR PATIENT CARE IMPROVE-
MENTS.
(a) IN GENERAL.—(1) Subject to paragraph (3), the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized to carry out
major medical facility projects in accordance with this sec-
tion, using funds appropriated for fiscal year 2004 or
2005 pursuant to subsection (e). The cost of any such
project may not exceed—
(A) $100,000,000 in fiscal year 2004; and
(B) $125,000,000 in fiscal year 2005.
erans Health Administration and that is constituted by 
the Secretary to evaluate capital investment projects. The 
board shall review such project to determine the project’s 
relevance to the medical care mission of the Department 
and whether the project improves, renovates, repairs, es-
tablishes, or updates facilities of the Department in ac-
cordance with this section. 
(2) In selecting projects to be carried out under the 
authority provided by this section, the Secretary shall con-
sider the recommendations of the board under paragraph 
(1). In any case in which the Secretary approves a project 
to be carried out under this section that was not rec-
ommended for such approval by the board under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall include in the report of the 
Secretary under section 4(b) notice of such approval and 
the Secretary’s reasons for not following the recommenda-
tion of the board with respect to that project. 
SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the Con-
struction, Major Projects, account for projects under sec-
tion 2—
(1) $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; 
(2) $600,000,000 for fiscal year 2005; and 
(3) $700,000,000 for fiscal year 2006.
(b) LIMITATION.—Projects may be carried out under 
section 2 only using funds appropriated pursuant to the 
authorization of appropriations in subsection (a), except 
that funds appropriated for advance planning may be used 
for the purposes for which appropriated in connection with 
such projects. 
SEC. 4. REPORTS. 
(a) GAO REPORT.—Not later than April 1, 2005, the 
Comptroller General shall submit to the Committees on 
Veterans’ Affairs and on Appropriations of the Senate and 
House of Representatives a report evaluating the advan-
tages and disadvantages of congressional authorization for 
projects of the type described in section 2(b) through gen-
eral authorization as provided by section 2(a), rather than 
through specific authorization as would otherwise be appli-
cable under section 8104(a)(2) of title 38, United States 
Code. Such report shall include a description of the actions 
of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs during fiscal year 
2004 to select and carry out projects under section 2. 
(b) SECRETARY REPORT.—Not later than 120 days 
after the date on which the site for the final project under 
section 2 for each such fiscal year is selected, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the committees referred to in sub-
section (a) a report on the authorization process under
‘‘(1) A summary of reviews of individual med-
ical research programs of the Department completed
by the Office.
‘‘(2) Directives and other communications
issued by the Office to field activities of the Depart-
ment.
‘‘(3) Results of any investigations undertaken
by the Office during the reporting period consonant
with the purposes of this section.
‘‘(4) Other information that would be of inter-
est to those committees in oversight of the Depart-
ment medical research program.
‘‘(g) MEDICAL RESEARCH.—For purposes of this sec-
tion, the term ‘medical research’ has the meaning given
such term in section 7303(a)(2) of this title.’’.
(2) The table of sections at the beginning of such
chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating
to section 7306 the following new item:
‘‘7307. Office of Research Oversight.’’.
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 7303 of
title 38, United States Code, is amended by striking sub-
section (e).
(c) COMPTROLLER
GENERAL
REPORT.—(1) The
Comptroller General shall conduct a study to assess—
(A) the effects of the establishment by law of
the Office of Research Oversight in section 7307 of
title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a);
(B) the effects of the specification by law of the
functions of that Office; and
(C) improvements in the conduct of ethical
medical research in the Veterans Health Administra-
tion.
(2) Not later than January 1, 2006, the Comptroller
General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Af-
fairs of the House and Senate a report on the study con-
ducted under paragraph (1). The Comptroller General
shall include in the report such recommendations for legis-
lation and administrative action as the Comptroller Gen-
eral considers appropriate.
(d) REPORT
BY SECRETARY
OF VETERANS AF-
FAIRS.—Not later than 180 days after the date of the en-
actment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs
shall submit to the Committees on Veterans Affairs’ of
the Senate and House of Representatives a report setting
forth the results of the implementation of section 7307
of title 38, United States Code, as added by subsection
(a).
Passed the House of Representatives October 29,
2003.
Attest:
Clerk.
(2) Not later than 120 days after the date on which 
the site for the final project under this section for each such 
fiscal year is selected, the Secretary shall submit to the com-
mittees referred to in paragraph (1) a report on the author-
ization process under this section. The Secretary shall in-
clude in each such report the following: 
(A) A listing by project of each such project se-
lected by the Secretary under that section, together 
with a prospectus description of the purposes of the 
project, the estimated cost of the project, and a state-
ment attesting to the review of the project under sub-
section (c), and, if that project was not recommended 
by the board, the Secretary’s justification under sub-
section (d) for not following the recommendation of 
the board. 
(B) An assessment of the utility to the Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs of that authorization process. 
(C) Such recommendations as the Secretary con-
siders appropriate for future congressional policy for 
authorizations of major and minor medical facility 
construction projects for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs. 
(D) Any other matter that the Secretary con-
siders to be appropriate with respect to oversight by
‘‘(iii) individuals who represent a 
broad range of—
‘‘(I) environmental non-govern-
mental organizations of, or active in, 
the beneficiary country; 
‘‘(II) local community develop-
ment non-governmental organizations 
of the beneficiary country; and 
‘‘(III) scientific, academic, or for-
estry organizations of the beneficiary 
country. 
‘‘(B) ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT.—A ma-
jority of the members of the administering body 
shall be individuals described in subparagraph 
(A)(iii). 
‘‘(3) 
RESPONSIBILITIES.—The 
requirements 
contained in section 708(c)(3) of this Act (relating 
to responsibilities of the administering body) shall 
apply to an administering body described in para-
graph (1) in the same manner as such requirements 
apply to an administering body described in section 
708(c)(1) of this Act. 
‘‘(d) ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES.—Amounts deposited in a 
Fund shall be used only to provide grants to conserve, 
maintain, and restore the coral reefs and other coastal ma-
‘‘(B) other appropriate local or regional 
entities of, or active in, the beneficiary country; 
or 
‘‘(C) in exceptional circumstances, the gov-
ernment of the beneficiary country. 
‘‘(2) PRIORITY.—In providing grants under 
paragraph (1), priority shall be given to projects 
that are run by nongovernmental organizations and 
other private entities and that involve local commu-
nities in their planning and execution. 
‘‘(f) REVIEW OF LARGER GRANTS.—Any grant of 
more than $100,000 from a Fund shall be subject to veto 
by the Government of the United States or the govern-
ment of the beneficiary country. 
‘‘(g) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—In the event that a 
country ceases to meet the eligibility requirements set 
forth in section 905(a), as determined by the President 
pursuant to section 905(b), then grants from the Fund 
for that country may only be made to nongovernmental
organizations until such time as the President determines 
that such country meets the eligibility requirements set 
forth in section 905(a).
(2) In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall 
consider the degree to which the Department of Veterans Af-
fairs and the university medical center would be able to 
share expensive technologies and scarce specialty services 
that would affect any such plans of the Secretary or the 
university. 
(3) In carrying out the study, the Secretary shall espe-
cially consider the applicability of the authorities under sec-
tion 8153 of title 38, United States Code (relating to shar-
ing of health care resources between the Department and 
community provider organizations) to govern future ar-
rangements and relationship between the Department and 
the Medical University of South Carolina. 
(c) CONSULTATION WITH SECRETARY OF DEFENSE.—
The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall consult with the Sec-
retary of Defense in carrying out the study under this sec-
tion. Such consultation shall include consideration of estab-
lishing a Department of Veterans Affairs-Department of 
Defense joint health-care venture at the site referred to in 
subsection (a). 
(d) REPORT.—Not later than March 31, 2004, the Sec-
retary shall submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs 
of the Senate and House of Representatives a report on the 
results of the study. The report shall include the Secretary’s 
recommendations with respect to coordination described in
subsection (a), including recommendations with respect to 
each of the matters referred to in subsection (b).
Amend the title so as to read: ‘‘A bill to authorize 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to carry out construc-
tion projects for the purpose of improving, renovating, es-
tablishing, and updating patient care facilities at Depart-
ment of Veterans Affairs medical centers, and for other 
purposes.’’.
Union Calendar No. 116
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. R. 1720
[Report No. 108–210] 
A BILL 
To authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
carry out construction projects for the purpose of 
improving, renovating, establishing, and updating 
patient care facilities at Department of Veterans 
Affairs medical centers. 
JULY 15, 2003
Reported with amendments, committed to the Committee 
of the Whole House on the State of the Union, and or-
dered to be printed
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1725
To change the deadline for income tax returns for calendar year taxpayers 
from the 15th of April to the first Monday in November. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 10, 2003
Mr. BARTLETT of Maryland (for himself, Mr. GOODE, Mr. SMITH of Michigan, 
Mr. HOEKSTRA, Mr. TOOMEY, Mr. JONES of North Carolina, Mr. FLAKE, 
Mr. WILSON of South Carolina, Mr. KING of Iowa, Mr. GARRETT of New 
Jersey, Mr. PETRI, Mr. CHABOT, Mr. PITTS, Mr. SHADEGG, Mr. 
HEFLEY, Mr. KINGSTON, Mrs. MUSGRAVE, Mr. FRANKS of Arizona, Mr. 
CHOCOLA, and Mr. HAYES) introduced the following bill; which was re-
ferred to the Committee on Ways and Means 
A BILL 
To change the deadline for income tax returns for calendar 
year taxpayers from the 15th of April to the first Mon-
day in November.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEADLINE FOR FILING INCOME TAX RETURNS 
FOR CALENDAR YEAR TAXPAYERS CHANGED 
FROM APRIL 15TH TO FIRST MONDAY OF NO-
VEMBER. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 6072 of the Internal Rev-
enue Code of 1986 (relating to time for filing income tax 
returns) is amended in subsection (a) by striking ‘‘15th 
day of April’’ and inserting ‘‘first Monday in November’’. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendment made by 
subsection (a) shall apply to taxable years beginning after 
December 31, 2003.
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1726
To amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the offset from surviving 
spouse annuities under the military Survivor Benefit Plan for amounts 
paid by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs as dependency and indemnity 
compensation. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 10, 2003
Mr. BROWN of South Carolina (for himself, Mr. ANDREWS, Mr. BARTLETT 
of Maryland, Mr. CARSON of Oklahoma, Ms. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. 
FILNER, Mr. FROST, Mr. GILLMOR, Mr. HEFLEY, Mr. LAHOOD, Ms. 
LEE, Mr. MCINTYRE, Mr. MILLER of Florida, Mr. MORAN of Virginia, 
Mr. PAUL, Mr. REYES, Mr. SANDLIN, and Mr. WILSON of South Caro-
lina) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee 
on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To amend title 10, United States Code, to repeal the offset 
from surviving spouse annuities under the military Sur-
vivor Benefit Plan for amounts paid by the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs as dependency and indemnity com-
pensation.
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 ‘‘Military Surviving 
Spouses Equity Act’’.
SEC. 2. REPEAL OF DEPENDENCY AND INDEMNITY COM-
PENSATION OFFSET FROM SURVIVOR BEN-
EFIT PLAN SURVIVING SPOUSE ANNUITIES. 
(a) REPEAL.—Subsections (c), (e), and (k) of section 
1450 of title 10, United States Code, and subsection (c)(2) 
of section 1451 of such title are repealed. 
(b) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
subsection (a)—
(1) shall take effect on the later of October 1, 
2003, and the date of the enactment of this Act; and 
(2) shall apply with respect to payment of an-
nuities under subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 10, 
United States Code, for months beginning on or 
after that date. 
(c) RECOUPMENT
OF
CERTAIN
AMOUNTS
PRE-
VIOUSLY REFUNDED TO SPB RECIPIENTS.—(1) A sur-
viving spouse who is in receipt of an SBP annuity that 
is in effect before the date specified in subsection (b) and 
that is adjusted by reason of the amendments made by 
subsection (a) and who had previously received an SBP 
retired pay refund shall repay an amount determined 
under paragraph (2). Any such repayment shall be made 
in the same manner as a repayment under subsection 
(k)(2) of section 1450 of title 10, United States Code, as 
in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act.
IIB 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1732
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 
NOVEMBER 18, 2003
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources 
AN ACT 
To amend the Reclamation Wastewater and Groundwater 
Study and Facilities Act to authorize the Secretary of 
the Interior to participate in the Williamson County, 
Texas, Water Recycling and Reuse Project, and for other 
purposes.
(2) The amount of a repayment under paragraph (1) 
shall be the amount that bears the same ratio to the 
amount of that refund as the surviving spouse’s life ex-
pectancy (determined in accordance with standard actu-
arial practices) bears to the anticipated total duration of 
the annuity (determined as the sum of such life expectancy 
and the duration of the annuity already received). 
(3) In this subsection: 
(A) The term ‘‘SBP annuity’’ means an annu-
ity under the program established under subchapter 
II of chapter 73 of title 10, United States Code. 
(B) The term ‘‘SBP retired pay refund’’ means 
a refund under subsection (e) of section 1450 of title 
10, United States Code, as in effect before the date 
specified in subsection (b).
Æ
I 
108TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 1728
To amend title 37, United States Code, to ensure equal treatment for mem-
bers of reserve components who perform inactive-duty training in deter-
mining their entitlement for aviation incentive pay and hazardous duty 
pay. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
APRIL 10, 2003
Mrs. CAPITO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Armed Services 
A BILL 
To amend title 37, United States Code, to ensure equal 
treatment for members of reserve components who per-
form inactive-duty training in determining their entitle-
ment for aviation incentive pay and hazardous duty pay.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. EQUAL TREATMENT OF RESERVE COMPONENT 
MEMBERS 
PERFORMING 
INACTIVE-DUTY 
TRAINING FOR RECEIPT OF AVIATION CA-
REER INCENTIVE PAY AND HAZARDOUS DUTY 
PAY. 
(a) HAZARDOUS DUTY INCENTIVE PAY.—Section 
301 of title 37, United States Code, is amended—
(1) in subsection (a) by inserting after ‘‘basic 
pay’’ in the first sentence the following: ‘‘under sec-
tion 204 of this title or compensation under section 
206 of this title’’; and 
(2) by striking subsection (f). 
(b) OFFICER AVIATION CAREER INCENTIVE PAY.—
Section 301a of such title is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by inserting after 
‘‘basic pay’’ the following: ‘‘under section 204 of this 
title or compensation under section 206 of this 
title’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (d); and 
(3) by redesignating subsection (f) as sub-
section (d). 
(c) CAREER ENLISTED FLYERS INCENTIVE PAY.—
Section 320 of such title is amended—
(1) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ‘‘, or is en-
titled to pay under section 206 of this title as de-
scribed in subsection (e) of this section’’ and insert-
ing ‘‘or compensation under section 206 of this 
title’’; 
(2) by striking subsection (e); and 
(3) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), (h), 
and (i) as subsections (e), (f), (g), and (h), respec-
tively. 
(d) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall take effect on October 1, 2003, and apply 
to duty described in sections 301, 301a, and 320 of such 
title performed on or after that date.
Æ
‘‘(14) for the month of receipt and every month 
thereafter, any annuity paid by a State to the indi-
vidual (or such spouse) on the basis of the individ-
ual’s being a veteran (as defined in section 101 of 
title 38, United States Code) and blind, if a law of 
such State providing for such an annuity was in ef-
fect on the date of the enactment of this para-
graph.’’. 
(c) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by 
this section shall apply to benefits paid for months begin-
ning after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Æ