Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013

Bill: 112-hr-5854
Sponsor: Rep. Culberson, John Abney [R-TX-7]
Introduced: 2012-05-23 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alaska
American Battle Monuments Commission
Appropriations
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Arms control and nonproliferation
Building construction
Business ethics
Caribbean area
Cemeteries and funerals
Colorado
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Cuba
Defense spending
Dental care
Department of Defense
Department of Veterans Affairs
Detention of persons
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal appellate courts
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government trust funds
Health facilities and institutions
Health technology, devices, supplies
Housing finance and home ownership
Indian social and development programs
International organizations and cooperation
Labor-management relations
Land transfers
Latin America
Medical research
Members of Congress
Mental health
Military education and training
Military facilities and property
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Minority health
Pornography
Property rights
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Specialized courts
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Terrorism
Transportation costs
Travel and tourism
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs
Veterans' medical care
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2012-05-23
text: 
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 - Appropriates funds for FY2013 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) DOD chemical demilitarization construction; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts of 1990 and 2005.
 
Appropriates funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) the Veterans Benefits Administration, (2) readjustment benefits, (3) veterans insurance and indemnities, (4) the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund, (5) the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program, (6) the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, (7) the Veterans Health Administration, (8) the National Cemetery Administration, (9) the Office of Inspector General, (10) construction for major and minor projects, and (11) grants for the construction of extended care facilities and veterans cemeteries.
 
Appropriates funds for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission, (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, (3) DOD cemeterial expenses, and (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
 
Appropriates funds for DOD for overseas contingency operations, specifically for Navy and Marine Corps military construction.
 
Specifies restrictions and authorities regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act.

action_date: 2012-05-23
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary has been expanded because action occurred on the measure.)

 
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2013 - 
Title I: Department of Defense
 - Appropriates funds for FY2013 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) chemical demilitarization construction; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts of 1990 and 2005.
 
Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this title and in other military construction appropriations Acts.
 
(Sec. 110) Prohibits appropriated funds from being used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification to the congressional appropriations committees.
 
(Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any proposed military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000.
 
(Sec. 119) Authorizes the transfer of DOD funds for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Metropolitan Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966.
 
(Sec. 122) Places specified restrictions and limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds made available in this title or in any other military construction appropriations Act to carry out a military construction, land acquisition, or family housing project at or for a military installation approved for closure, or for supporting a function that has been approved for realignment to another installation, in 2005 under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990.
 
(Sec. 123) Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Defense account.
 
(Sec. 124) Prohibits the Secretary from using appropriated funds to take beneficial occupancy of more than 2,000 parking spaces provided by the BRAC (base realignment and closure) 133 project (northern Virginia). Allows a waiver of such prohibition under limited circumstances.
 
(Sec. 125) Prohibits this Act's funds from being used for any action that relates to or promotes the expansion of the boundaries or size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado.
 
(Sec. 126) Prohibits the Secretary of the Army from using appropriated funds to relocate an Army unit that: (1) performs a testing mission or function that is not performed by any other Army unit and is statutorily required, and (2) is located at a military installation at which the total number of Army civilian employees and contractor personnel exceeds 10% of the total number of regular and reserve Army personnel assigned there. Allows an exception if such Secretary notifies the defense committees of such relocation's compliance with Army Regulation 5-10 concerning the policy, procedures, and responsibilities for Army stationing actions.
 
(Sec. 127) Cancels from prior appropriations Acts: (1) $20 million in defense-wide military construction funds, and (2) $212.291 million for the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005.
 
(Sec. 129) Reduces by $2.334 million the total amount available in this Act for DOD civilian personnel.
 

Title II: Department of Veterans Affairs
 - Authorizes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) the Veterans Benefits Administration, (2) readjustment benefits, (3) veterans insurance and indemnities, (4) the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund, (5) the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program, (6) the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program, (7) the Veterans Health Administration (including for medical and prosthetic research and information technology systems), (8) the National Cemetery Administration, (9) the Office of the Inspector General, (10) construction for major and minor projects, and (11) grants for the construction of state extended care facilities and veterans cemeteries.
 
Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this title.
 
(Sec. 210) Makes funds from this title available to reimburse expenses of the Office of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, within specified limits.
 
(Sec. 216) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to enter into agreements with certain Indian tribes and tribal organizations in rural Alaska to provide health care, including behavioral health and dental care.
 
(Sec. 219) Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to the appropriations committees on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
 
(Sec. 223) Allows certain VA funds to be used to fund operations of the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center. Requires written notification from the Secretary to the appropriations committees of any fund transfers for such purpose.
 
(Sec. 226) Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriations committees on all bid savings in major construction projects that total at least $5 million or 5% of the programmed amount, whichever is less.
 
(Sec. 228) Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriations committees quarterly concerning any single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign in which obligations exceed $2 million.
 
(Sec. 229) Directs the Secretary to include in a current annual sufficiency letter to Congress a description of any changes exceeding $250 million in funding requirements for the Medical Services account resulting from the spring recalculation of the Enrollee Healthcare Projection Model.
 
(Sec. 230) Requires the Secretary to submit a reprogramming request to the appropriations committees whenever a change of 10% or more is proposed in funding for the current or advance year in the Medical Services initiatives listed in the congressional submission.
 
(Sec. 231) Rescinds specified funds made available in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2012 for the VA's Medical services, Medical support and compliance, and Medical facilities accounts.
 
(Sec. 232) Reduces by specified amounts funds made available in this Act for the Veterans Health Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, and VA departmental administration.
 

Title III: Related Agencies
 - Appropriates funds for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission, (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, (3) cemeterial expenses, and (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home.
 

Title IV: Overseas Contingency Operations 
- Appropriates funds for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism, specifically for Navy and Marine Corps military construction.
 

Title V: General Provisions 
- Specifies restrictions and authorities regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act.
 
(Sec. 507) Prohibits this Act's funds from being used for: (1) a project or program named for an individual serving as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the U.S. House of Representatives; (2) maintaining or establishing a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography; (3) funding the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN
)
; (4) exercising the power of eminent domain without the payment of just compensation; (5) renovating, expanding, or constructing any facility in the United States in order to house any non-U.S. citizen detained at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; (6) paying for first-class travel by an agency employee in contravention of federal employee travel requirements; (7) entering into a contract or agreement with any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal violation within the preceding 24 months, or that carries an unpaid federal tax liability; or (8) requiring or prohibiting bidders, contractors, and subcontractors from entering into or adhering to agreements with one or more labor organizations.
 
(Sec. 518) Prohibits the applicable allocation of new budget authority under this Act from exceeding the amount of proposed new budget authority.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-05
text: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 421.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 407 - 12 (Roll no. 305).
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 407 - 12 (Roll no. 305).
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 188 - 230 (Roll no. 304). (consideration: CR H3359)
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H3359)
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with ten minutes of debate on the Barrow motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with amendments to reduce funding for the Departement of Defense Base Closure Account by $56,652,000 and to increase the funding for medical and prosthetic research by $28,326,000.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Mr. Barrow moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations. (consideration: CR H3358; text: CR H3358)
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H3358)
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5854.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: On motion to rise and report Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Mr. Culberson moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was the question of adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3356-3360)
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5854 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Stearns amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Grimm amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Franks (AZ) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Franks (AZ) amendment No. 8 under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Webster amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Flores amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Runyan amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the second Poe (TX) amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Poe (TX) amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Fitzpatrick amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Speier amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Grimm amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Culberson demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Grimm amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Schock amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blumenauer amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Terry amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Welch amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Hayworth amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 667, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blumenauer amendment under the five-minute rule.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5854.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Candice S. Miller to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 667 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 5743; H.R. 5854; H.R. 5855; and H.R. 5325.
action_date: 2012-05-31
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 667. (consideration: CR H3309-3346; text of Title I as reported in House: CR H3320, H3321, H3322-3324; text of Title II as reported in House: CR H3324, H3325, H3328-3330; text of Title III as reported in House: CR H3330; text of Title IV as reported in House: CR H3330-3331; text of Title V as reported in House: CR H3331, H3341, H3358)
action_date: 2012-05-23
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 344.
action_date: 2012-05-23
text: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 112-491, by Mr. Culberson.
action_date: 2012-05-23
text: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 112-491, by Mr. Culberson.
action_date: 2012-05-23
text: Introduced in House