[Congressional Bills 104th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.J. Res. 134 Engrossed in House (EH)]


  1st Session

                             H. J. RES. 134

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION

 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1996, and 
                          for other purposes.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
104th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. J. RES. 134

_______________________________________________________________________

                            JOINT RESOLUTION


 
 Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year 1996, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums are 
hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, 
receipts, and funds, for the several departments, agencies, 
corporations and other organizational units of Government for the 
fiscal year 1996, and for other purposes, namely:

SEC. 101. ENSURED PAYMENT DURING FISCAL YEAR 1996 OF VETERANS' BENEFITS 
              IN EVENT OF LACK OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) Payments Required.--In any case during fiscal year 1996 in 
which appropriations are not otherwise available for programs, 
projects, and activities of the Department of Veterans Affairs, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall nevertheless ensure that--
            (1) payments of existing veterans benefits are made in 
        accordance with regular procedures and schedules and in 
        accordance with eligibility requirements for such benefits; and
            (2) payments to contractors of the Veterans Health 
        Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs are made 
        when due in the case of services provided that directly relate 
        to patient health and safety.
    (b) Funding.--There is hereby appropriated such sums as may be 
necessary for the payments pursuant to subsection (a), including such 
amounts as may be necessary for the costs of administration of such 
payments.
    (c) Charging of Accounts When Appropriations Made.--In any case in 
which the Secretary uses the authority of subsection (a) to make 
payments, applicable accounts shall be charged for amounts so paid, and 
for the costs of administration of such payments, when regular 
appropriations become available for those purposes.
    (d) Existing Benefits Specified.--For purposes of this section, 
existing veterans benefits are benefits under laws administered by the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs that have been adjudicated and authorized 
for payment as of--
            (1) December 15, 1995; or
            (2) if appropriations for such benefits are available 
        (other than pursuant to subsection (b)) after December 15, 
        1995, the last day on which appropriations for payment of such 
        benefits are available (other than pursuant to subsection (b)).

            Passed the House of Representatives December 20, 1995.

            Attest:

                                                                 Clerk.