I 116th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 4515 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES September 26, 2019 Ms. Brownley of California introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Appropriations A BILL To amend title 31, United States Code, to provide for automatic continuing resolutions for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Veterans Affairs Protection Act of 2019 . 2. Automatic continuing appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) In General Chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after section 1310 the following new section: 1311. Continuing appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (a) (1) If an appropriation for an account under the heading Department of Veterans Affairs for a fiscal year is not enacted before the beginning of such fiscal year or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect, there are appropriated such sums as may be necessary to continue any program, project, or activity for which funds were provided under such heading in the preceding fiscal year— (A) in the corresponding appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or (B) if the corresponding appropriation bill for such preceding fiscal year did not become law, then in a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. (2) (A) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be at a rate of operations not in excess of the lower of— (i) 100 percent of the rate of operations provided for in the regular appropriation Act providing for such program, project, or activity for the preceding fiscal year; (ii) in the absence of such an Act, 100 percent of the rate of operations provided for such program, project, or activity pursuant to a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year; or (iii) 100 percent of the annualized rate of operations provided for in the most recently enacted joint resolution making continuing appropriations for part of that fiscal year or any funding levels established under the provisions of this Act. (B) If this section is in effect at the end of a fiscal year, funding levels shall continue as provided in this section for the next fiscal year. (3) Appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year pursuant to this section for a program, project, or activity shall be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such program, project, or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be. (b) An appropriation or funds made available, or authority granted, for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be subject to the terms and conditions imposed with respect to the appropriation made or funds made available for the preceding fiscal year, or authority granted for such program, project, or activity under current law. (c) Expenditures made for a program, project, or activity for any fiscal year pursuant to this section shall be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever a regular appropriation bill or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations until the end of a fiscal year providing for such program, project, or activity for such period becomes law. (d) This section shall not apply to a program, project, or activity during a fiscal year if any other provision of law (other than an authorization of appropriations)— (1) makes an appropriation, makes funds available, or grants authority for such program, project, or activity to continue for such period; or (2) specifically provides that no appropriation shall be made, no funds shall be made available, or no authority shall be granted for such program, project, or activity to continue for such period. . (b) Clerical Amendment The table of sections of chapter 13 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1310 the following new item: 1311. Continuing appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs. .