H. R. 5009—635 
SEC. 4701. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY NATIONAL SECURITY PROGRAMS 
(In Thousands of Dollars) 
Program 
FY 2025 
Request 
Conference 
Authorized 
15–D–412 Utility Shaft, WIPP ..............................
1,200 
1,200 
Total, Construction ...........................................................
11,546 
11,546 
Total, Waste Isolation Pilot Plant .........................................
425,420 
425,420 
Program direction—Defense Environmental Cleanup ..............
334,958 
326,893 
Insufficient justification ........................................................
[–8,065 ] 
Program support—Defense Environmental Cleanup ................
105,885 
65,885 
Program decrease ..................................................................
[–40,000 ] 
Safeguards and Security—Defense Environmental Cleanup ...
265,197 
265,197 
Technology development and deployment ..................................
30,600 
30,600 
Subtotal, Defense Environmental Cleanup ...............................
736,640 
688,575 
TOTAL, Defense Environmental Cleanup .................................
7,059,695 
7,005,630 
Defense Uranium Enrichment D&D ............................................
384,957 
Program reduction ........................................................................
[–384,957 ] 
Other Defense Activities 
Environment, health, safety and security 
Environment, health, safety and security mission support 
141,908 
141,908 
Program direction .................................................................
90,555 
90,555 
Total, Environment, health, safety and security ..............
232,463 
232,463 
Office of Enterprise Assessments 
Enterprise assessments ........................................................
30,022 
30,022 
Program direction .................................................................
64,132 
64,132 
Total, Office of Enterprise Assessments .............................
94,154 
94,154 
Specialized security activities ......................................................
390,000 
390,000 
Legacy Management 
Legacy Management Activities—Defense ...........................
181,289 
181,289 
Program Direction .................................................................
23,969 
23,969 
Total, Legacy Management .....................................................
205,258 
205,258 
Defense-Related Administrative Support ...................................
213,649 
213,649 
Office of Hearings and Appeals ...................................................
4,499 
4,499 
Subtotal, Other Defense Activities .......................................
1,140,023 
1,140,023 
Use of prior year balances ...........................................................
Total, Other Defense Activities ....................................................
1,140,023 
1,140,023 
DIVISION E—OTHER MATTERS 
TITLE L—VETERANS AFFAIRS MATTERS 
Sec. 5001. Grants for State, county, and tribal veterans’ cemeteries that allow in-
terment of certain persons eligible for interment in national cemeteries. 
Sec. 5002. Telephone helpline for assistance for veterans and other eligible individ-
uals. 
Sec. 5003. Report on Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0. 
SEC. 5001. GRANTS FOR STATE, COUNTY, AND TRIBAL VETERANS’ 
CEMETERIES THAT ALLOW INTERMENT OF CERTAIN PER-
SONS ELIGIBLE FOR INTERMENT IN NATIONAL CEME-
TERIES. 
Section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, is amended—
H. R. 5009—636 
(1) by redesignating subsection (k) as subsection (l); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (j) the following new sub-
section (k): 
‘‘(k)(1) The Secretary may not establish a condition for a grant 
under this section that restricts the ability of a State, county, 
or tribal organization receiving such a grant to allow the interment 
of any person described in paragraph (8) or (10) of section 2402(a) 
of this title in a veterans’ cemetery owned by that State or county 
or on trust land owned by, or held in trust for, that tribal organiza-
tion. 
‘‘(2) The Secretary may not deny an application for a grant 
under this section solely on the basis that the State, county, or 
tribal organization receiving such grant may use funds from such 
grant to expand, improve, operate, or maintain a veterans’ cemetery 
in which interment of persons described in paragraph (8) or (10) 
of section 2402(a) of this title is allowed. 
‘‘(3)(A) When requested by a State, county, or tribal organiza-
tion that is the recipient of a grant made under this section, 
the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(i) determine whether a person is eligible for burial in a 
national cemetery under paragraph (8) or (10) of section 2402(a) 
of this title; and 
‘‘(ii) advise the recipient of the determination. 
‘‘(B) A recipient described in subparagraph (A) may use a 
determination of the Secretary under such subparagraph as a deter-
mination of the eligibility of the person concerned for burial in 
the cemetery for which the grant was made.’’. 
SEC. 5002. TELEPHONE HELPLINE FOR ASSISTANCE FOR VETERANS 
AND OTHER ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 53 of title 38, United States Code, 
is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 
‘‘§ 5321. Benefits helpline 
‘‘(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—The Secretary shall maintain a toll-free 
telephone helpline that a covered individual may call in order 
to— 
‘‘(1) obtain information about any service or benefit pro-
vided under the laws administered by the Secretary; or 
‘‘(2) be directed to an appropriate office of the Department 
regarding such a service or benefit. 
‘‘(b) CONTRACT
FOR DIRECTION
OF CALLS AUTHORIZED.—The 
Secretary may enter into a contract with a third party to direct 
calls made to the helpline to an appropriate office under subsection 
(a)(2). 
‘‘(c) LIVE INDIVIDUAL REQUIRED.—The Secretary shall ensure 
that a covered individual who calls the helpline has the option 
to speak with a live individual. 
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: 
‘‘(1) The term ‘covered individual’ means— 
‘‘(A) a veteran; 
‘‘(B) an individual acting on behalf of a veteran; or 
‘‘(C) an individual other than a veteran who is eligible 
to receive a benefit or service under a law administered 
by the Secretary. 
‘‘(2) The term ‘veteran’ has the meaning given such term 
in section 2002(b) of this title.’’.
H. R. 5009—637 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections at the begin-
ning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following 
new item: 
‘‘5321. Benefits helpline.’’. 
SEC. 5003. REPORT ON AIRBORNE HAZARDS AND OPEN BURN PIT REG-
ISTRY 2.0. 
(a) REPORT REQUIRED.—Not later than 90 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall submit to Congress a report on the redesigned Airborne Haz-
ards and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0. 
(b) ELEMENTS.—The report required by subsection (a) shall 
include the following elements: 
(1) An analysis of how the redesigned Airborne Hazards 
and Open Burn Pit Registry 2.0 improves research and delivery 
of health care for veterans exposed to airborne hazards and 
open burn pits. 
(2) A description of how the redesign has affected the 
accuracy of registry data, including data regarding causes of 
death. 
(3) The plans of the Secretary to ensure veterans, care-
givers, and survivors are updated on research outcomes and 
informed regarding how to confirm the accuracy of registry 
data. 
TITLE LI—FOREIGN AFFAIRS MATTERS 
Subtitle A—United States Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2024 
Sec. 5101. Definitions. 
Sec. 5102. United States Foundation for International Conservation. 
Sec. 5103. Governance of the Foundation. 
Sec. 5104. Corporate powers and obligations of the Foundation. 
Sec. 5105. Safeguards and accountability. 
Sec. 5106. Projects and grants. 
Sec. 5107. Prohibition of support for certain governments. 
Sec. 5108. Annual report. 
Sec. 5109. Authorization of appropriations. 
Subtitle B—Western Hemisphere Partnership Act 
Sec. 5111. Short title. 
Sec. 5112. United States policy in the Western Hemisphere. 
Sec. 5113. Promoting security and the rule of law in the Western Hemisphere. 
Sec. 5114. Promoting digitalization and cybersecurity in the Western Hemisphere. 
Sec. 5115. Promoting economic and commercial partnerships in the Western Hemi-
sphere. 
Sec. 5116. Promoting transparency and democratic governance in the Western 
Hemisphere. 
Sec. 5117. Sense of Congress on prioritizing nomination and confirmation of quali-
fied ambassadors. 
Sec. 5118. Western Hemisphere defined. 
Sec. 5119. Report on efforts to capture and detain United States citizens as hos-
tages. 
Subtitle C—Other Matters 
Sec. 5121. Improving multilateral cooperation to improve the security of Taiwan. 
Sec. 5122. Millennium Challenge Corporation candidate country reform. 
‘‘Sec. 606. Candidate countries. 
Sec. 5123. Extension of sunset. 
Sec. 5124. Strategy and grant program to promote internet freedom in Iran.
H. R. 5009—638 
Subtitle A—United States Foundation for 
International Conservation Act of 2024 
SEC. 5101. DEFINITIONS. 
In this title: 
(1) The term ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’ 
means— 
(A) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; 
(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate; 
(C) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House 
of Representatives; and 
(D) the Committee on Appropriations of the House 
of Representatives. 
(2) The term ‘‘Board’’ means the Board of Directors estab-
lished pursuant to section 5103(b). 
(3) The term ‘‘eligible country’’ means any country described 
in section 5106(b). 
(4) The term ‘‘eligible project’’ means any project described 
in section 5106(a)(3). 
(5) The term ‘‘Executive Director’’ means the Executive 
Director of the Foundation hired pursuant to section 5103. 
(6) The term ‘‘Foundation’’ means the United States 
Foundation for International Conservation established pursu-
ant to section 5102(a). 
(7) The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary of State. 
SEC. 5102. UNITED STATES FOUNDATION FOR INTERNATIONAL CON-
SERVATION. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish 
the United States Foundation for International Conservation, 
which shall be operated as a charitable, nonprofit corporation. 
(2) INDEPENDENCE.—The Foundation is not an agency or 
instrumentality of the United States Government. 
(3) TAX-EXEMPT STATUS.—The Board shall take all nec-
essary and appropriate steps to ensure that the Foundation 
is an organization described in subsection (c) of section 501 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, which exempt the 
organization from taxation under subsection (a) of such section. 
(4) TERMINATION OF OPERATIONS.—The Foundation shall 
terminate operations on the date that is 10 years after the 
date on which the Foundation becomes operational, in accord-
ance with— 
(A) a plan for winding down the activities of the 
Foundation that the Board shall submit to the appropriate 
congressional committees not later than 180 days before 
such termination date; and 
(B) the bylaws established pursuant to section 
5103(b)(13). 
(b) PURPOSES.—The purposes of the Foundation are— 
(1) to provide grants for the responsible management of 
designated priority primarily protected and conserved areas 
in eligible countries that have a high degree of biodiversity 
or species and ecosystems of significant ecological value;
H. R. 5009—639 
(2) to promote responsible, long-term management of pri-
marily protected and conserved areas and their contiguous 
buffer zones; 
(3) to incentivize, leverage, accept, and effectively admin-
ister governmental and nongovernmental funds, including dona-
tions from the private sector, to increase the availability and 
predictability of financing for responsible, long-term manage-
ment of primarily protected and conserved areas in eligible 
countries; 
(4) to help close critical gaps in public international con-
servation efforts in eligible countries by— 
(A) increasing private sector investment, including 
investments from philanthropic entities; and 
(B) collaborating with partners providing bilateral and 
multilateral financing to support enhanced coordination, 
including public and private funders, partner governments, 
local protected areas authorities, and private and non-
governmental organization partners; 
(5) to identify and financially support viable projects that— 
(A) promote responsible, long-term management of pri-
marily protected and conserved areas and their contiguous 
buffer zones in eligible countries, including support for 
the management of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater, and 
marine protected areas, parks, community conservancies, 
Indigenous reserves, conservation easements, and biological 
reserves; and 
(B) provide effective area-based conservation measures, 
consistent with best practices and standards for environ-
mental and social safeguards; and 
(6) to coordinate with, consult, and otherwise support and 
assist, governments, private sector entities, local communities, 
Indigenous Peoples, and other stakeholders in eligible countries 
in undertaking biodiversity conservation activities— 
(A) to achieve measurable and enduring biodiversity 
conservation outcomes; and 
(B) to improve local security, governance, food security, 
and economic opportunities. 
(c) PLAN OF ACTION.— 
(1) IN
GENERAL.—Not later than 6 months after the 
establishment of the Foundation, the Executive Director shall 
submit for approval from the Board an initial 3-year Plan 
of Action to implement the purposes of this title, including— 
(A) a description of the priority actions to be under-
taken by the Foundation over the proceeding 3-year period, 
including a timeline for implementation of such priority 
actions; 
(B) descriptions of the processes and criteria by 
which— 
(i) eligible countries, in which eligible projects may 
be selected to receive assistance under this title, will 
be identified; 
(ii) grant proposals for Foundation activities in 
eligible countries will be developed, evaluated, and 
selected; and 
(iii) grant implementation will be monitored and 
evaluated;
H. R. 5009—640 
(C) the projected staffing and budgetary requirements 
of the Foundation during the proceeding 3-year period; 
and 
(D) a plan to maximize commitments from private 
sector entities to fund the Foundation. 
(2) SUBMISSION.—The Executive Director shall submit the 
initial Plan of Action to the appropriate congressional commit-
tees not later than 5 days after the Plan of Action is approved 
by the Board. 
(3) UPDATES.—The Executive Director shall annually 
update the Plan of Action and submit each such updated plan 
to the appropriate congressional committees not later that 5 
days after the update plan is approved by the Board. 
SEC. 5103. GOVERNANCE OF THE FOUNDATION. 
(a) EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.—There shall be in the Foundation 
an Executive Director, who shall— 
(1) manage the Foundation; and 
(2) report to, and be under the direct authority, of the 
Board. 
(b) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.— 
(1) GOVERNANCE.—The Foundation shall be governed by 
a Board of Directors, which— 
(A) shall perform the functions specified to be carried 
out by the Board under this title; and 
(B) may prescribe, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, 
regulations, and procedures governing the manner in which 
the business of the Foundation may be conducted and 
in which the powers granted to it by law may be exercised. 
(2) MEMBERSHIP.—The Board shall be composed of— 
(A) the Secretary, the Administrator of the United 
States Agency for International Development, the Secretary 
of the Interior, the Chief of the United States Forest 
Service, and the head of one other relevant Federal depart-
ment or agency, as determined by the Secretary, or the 
Senate-confirmed designees of such officials; and 
(B) 8 other individuals, who shall be appointed by 
the Secretary, in consultation with the members of the 
Board described in subparagraph (A), the Speaker and 
Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, and the 
President Pro Tempore and Minority Leader of the Senate, 
of whom— 
(i) 4 members shall be private-sector donors 
making financial contributions to the Foundation; and 
(ii) 4 members shall be independent experts who, 
in addition to meeting the qualification requirements 
described in paragraph (3), represent diverse points 
of view and diverse geographies, to the maximum 
extent practicable. 
(3) QUALIFICATIONS.—Each member of the Board appointed 
pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) shall be knowledgeable and 
experienced in matters relating to— 
(A) international development; 
(B) protected area management and the conservation 
of global biodiversity, fish and wildlife, ecosystem restora-
tion, adaptation, and resilience; and
H. R. 5009—641 
(C) grantmaking in support of international conserva-
tion. 
(4) POLITICAL AFFILIATION.—Not more than 5 of the mem-
bers appointed to the Board pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) may 
be affiliated with the same political party. 
(5) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—Any individual with business 
interests, financial holdings, or controlling interests in any 
entity that has sought support, or is receiving support, from 
the Foundation may not be appointed to the Board during 
the 5-year period immediately preceding such appointment. 
(6) CHAIRPERSON.—The Board shall elect, from among its 
members, a Chairperson, who shall serve for a 2-year term. 
(7) TERMS; VACANCIES.— 
(A) TERMS.— 
(i) IN
GENERAL.—The term of service of each 
member of the Board appointed pursuant to paragraph 
(2)(B) shall be not more than 5 years. 
(ii) INITIAL APPOINTED DIRECTORS.—Of the initial 
members of the Board appointed pursuant to para-
graph (2)(B)— 
(I) 4 members, including at least 2 private- 
sector donors making financial contributions to the 
Foundation, shall serve for 4 years; and 
(II) 4 members shall serve for 5 years, as 
determined by the Chairperson of the Board. 
(B) VACANCIES.—Any vacancy in the Board— 
(i) shall be filled in the manner in which the 
original appointment was made; and 
(ii) shall not affect the power of the remaining 
appointed members of the Board to execute the duties 
of the Board. 
(8) QUORUM.—A majority of the current membership of 
the Board, including the Secretary or the Secretary’s designee, 
shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of Foundation 
business. 
(9) MEETINGS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Board shall meet not less fre-
quently than annually at the call of the Chairperson. Such 
meetings may be in person, virtual, or hybrid. 
(B) INITIAL MEETING.—Not later than 60 days after 
the Board is established pursuant to section 5102(a), the 
Secretary of State shall convene a meeting of the ex-officio 
members of the Board and the appointed members of the 
Board to incorporate the Foundation. 
(C) REMOVAL.—Any member of the Board appointed 
pursuant to paragraph (2)(B) who misses 3 consecutive 
regularly scheduled meetings may be removed by a 
majority vote of the Board. 
(10) REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Board shall serve 
without pay, but may be reimbursed for the actual and 
necessary traveling and subsistence expenses incurred in 
the performance of the duties of the Foundation. 
(B) LIMITATION.—Expenses incurred outside the United 
States may be reimbursed under this paragraph if at least 
2 members of the Board concurrently incurred such 
expenses. Such reimbursements—
H. R. 5009—642 
(i) shall be available exclusively for actual costs 
incurred by members of the Board up to the published 
daily per diem rate for lodging, meals, and incidentals; 
and 
(ii) shall not include first-class, business-class, or 
travel in any class other than economy class or coach 
class. 
(C) OTHER EXPENSES.—All other expenses, including 
salaries for officers and staff of the Foundation, shall be 
established by a majority vote of the Board, as proposed 
by the Executive Director on no less than an annual basis. 
(11) NOT FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.—Appointment as a member 
of the Board and employment by the Foundation does not 
constitute employment by, or the holding of an office of, the 
United States for purposes of any Federal law. 
(12) DUTIES.—The Board shall— 
(A) establish bylaws for the Foundation in accordance 
with paragraph (13); 
(B) provide overall direction for the activities of the 
Foundation and establish priority activities; 
(C) carry out any other necessary activities of the 
Foundation; 
(D) evaluate the performance of the Executive Director; 
(E) take steps to limit the administrative expenses 
of the Foundation; and 
(F) not less frequently than annually, consult and 
coordinate with stakeholders qualified to provide advice, 
assistance, and information regarding effective protected 
and conserved area management. 
(13) BYLAWS.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The bylaws required to be estab-
lished under paragraph (12)(A) shall include— 
(i) the specific duties of the Executive Director; 
(ii) policies and procedures for the selection of 
members of the Board and officers, employees, agents, 
and contractors of the Foundation; 
(iii) policies, including ethical standards, for— 
(I) the acceptance, solicitation, and disposition 
of donations and grants to the Foundation; and 
(II) the disposition of assets of the Foundation 
upon the dissolution of the Foundation; 
(iv) policies that subject all implementing partners, 
employees, fellows, trainees, and other agents of the 
Foundation (including ex-officio members of the Board 
and appointed members of the Board) to stringent eth-
ical and conflict of interest standards; 
(v) removal and exclusion procedures for imple-
menting partners, employees, fellows, trainees, and 
other agents of the Foundation (including ex-officio 
members of the Board and appointed members of the 
Board) who fail to uphold the ethical and conflict of 
interest standards established pursuant to clause (iii); 
(vi) policies for winding down the activities of the 
Foundation upon its dissolution, including a plan— 
(I) to return unspent appropriations to the 
Treasury of the United States; and
H. R. 5009—643 
(II) to donate unspent private and philan-
thropic contributions to projects that align with 
the goals and requirements described in section 
5106; 
(vii) policies for vetting implementing partners and 
grantees to ensure the Foundation does not provide 
grants to for profit entities whose primary objective 
is activities other than conservation activities; and 
(viii) clawback policies and procedures to be incor-
porated into grant agreements to ensure compliance 
with the policies referred to in clause (vii). 
(B) REQUIREMENTS.—The Board shall ensure that the 
bylaws of the Foundation and the activities carried out 
under such bylaws do not— 
(i) reflect unfavorably on the ability of the Founda-
tion to carry out activities in a fair and objective 
manner; or 
(ii) compromise, or appear to compromise, the 
integrity of any governmental agency or program, or 
any officer or employee employed by, or involved in, 
a governmental agency or program. 
(c) FOUNDATION STAFF.—Officers and employees of the Founda-
tion— 
(1) may not be employees of, or hold any office in, the 
United States Government; 
(2) may not serve in the employ of any nongovernmental 
organization, project, or person related to or affiliated with 
any grantee of the Foundation while employed by the Founda-
tion; 
(3) may not receive compensation from any other source 
for work performed in carrying out the duties of the Foundation 
while employed by the Foundation; and 
(4) should not receive a salary at a rate that is greater 
than the maximum rate of basic pay authorized for positions 
at level I of the Executive Schedule under section 5312 of 
title 5, United States Code. 
(d) LIMITATION AND CONFLICTS OF INTERESTS.— 
(1) POLITICAL PARTICIPATION.—The Foundation may not— 
(A) lobby for political or policy issues; or 
(B) participate or intervene in any political campaign 
in any country. 
(2) FINANCIAL INTERESTS.—As determined by the Board 
and set forth in the bylaws established pursuant to subsection 
(b)(13), and consistent with best practices, any member of the 
Board or officer or employee of the Foundation shall be prohib-
ited from participating, directly or indirectly, in the consider-
ation or determination of any question before the Foundation 
affecting— 
(A) the financial interests of such member of the Board, 
or officer or employee of the Foundation, not including 
such member’s Foundation expenses and compensation; 
and 
(B) the interests of any corporation, partnership, entity, 
or organization in which such member of the Board, officer, 
or employee has any fiduciary obligation or direct or 
indirect financial interest.