[Congressional Bills 108th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Con. Res. 95 Engrossed in Senate (ES)]
2d Session
S. CON. RES. 95
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring),
SECTION 1. CONCURRENT RESOLUTION ON THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005.
(a) Declaration.--Congress declares that this resolution is the
concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2005 including the
appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2006 through 2009 as
authorized by section 301 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2
U.S.C. 632).
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this concurrent
resolution is as follows:
Sec. 1. Concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2005.
TITLE I--LEVELS AND AMOUNTS
Sec. 101. Recommended levels and amounts.
Sec. 102. Social security.
Sec. 103. Major functional categories.
TITLE II--RECONCILIATION
Sec. 201. Reconciliation in the Senate.
TITLE III--RESERVE FUNDS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Subtitle A--Reserve Funds
Sec. 301. Reserve fund for health insurance for the uninsured.
Sec. 302. Reserve fund for higher education.
Sec. 303. Reserve for energy legislation.
Sec. 304. Reserve fund for guard and reserve health care.
Sec. 305. Reserve fund for Montgomery GI bill benefits.
Sec. 306. Reserve for funding of Hope Credit.
Sec. 307. Reserve fund for expansion of pediatric vaccine distribution
program.
Sec. 308. Reserve fund for addressing minority health disparities.
Sec. 309. Reserve for postal service reform.
Subtitle B--Adjustments With Respect to Discretionary Spending
Sec. 311. Adjustment for surface transportation.
Sec. 312. Supplemental appropriations for Iraq and related activities
for fiscal year 2005.
Sec. 313. Adjustment for wildland fire suppression.
Sec. 314. Reserve fund for eliminating survivor benefit plan-social
security offset.
TITLE IV--BUDGET ENFORCEMENT
Sec. 401. Restrictions on advance appropriations.
Sec. 402. Extension of emergency rule in the Senate.
Sec. 403. Discretionary spending limits in the Senate.
Sec. 404. Scoring rules.
Sec. 405. Adjustments to reflect changes in concepts and definitions.
Sec. 406. Application and effect of changes in allocations and
aggregates.
Sec. 407. Exercise of rulemaking powers.
Sec. 408. Pay-as-you-go point of order in the Senate.
TITLE V--SENSE OF THE SENATE
Sec. 501. Sense of the Senate on budget process reform.
Sec. 502. Sense of the Senate on budget process reform with regard to
the creation of bipartisan commissions to
combat waste, fraud, and abuse and to
promote spending efficiency.
Sec. 503. Sense of the Senate on the relationship between annual
deficit spending and increases in debt
service costs.
Sec. 504. Sense of the Senate regarding the costs of the medicare
prescription drug program.
Sec. 505. Sense of the Senate regarding pay parity.
Sec. 506. Sense of the Senate on returning stability to payments under
medicare physician fee schedule.
Sec. 507. Sense of the Senate regarding the use of Federal funds to
support American companies and American
workers.
Sec. 508. Sense of the Senate regarding closing the ``tax gap''.
Sec. 509. Sense of the Senate amendment on drug comparativeness
studies.
Sec. 510. Sense of the Senate regarding funding for port security.
Sec. 511. Sense of the Senate regarding tribal colleges and
universities.
Sec. 512. Findings and sense of the Senate.
Sec. 513. Sense of the Senate supporting funding restoration for
agriculture research and extension.
Sec. 514. Reserve fund for Homeland Security Grant Program, assistance
to firefighter grants, and port security
grants.
Sec. 515. State Homeland Security Grant Program.
Sec. 516. Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Sec. 517. Sense of the Senate concerning a National Animal
Identification Program.
Sec. 518. Sense of the Senate regarding contributions to The Global
Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and
Malaria.
Sec. 519. Sense of the Senate concerning child nutrition funding.
Sec. 520. Sense of the Senate regarding compensation for exposure to
toxic substances at the Department of
Energy.
Sec. 521. Sense of the Senate regarding tax incentives for certain
rural communities.
Sec. 522. Sense of the Senate concerning summer food pilot projects.
TITLE I--LEVELS AND AMOUNTS
SEC. 101. RECOMMENDED LEVELS AND AMOUNTS.
The following budgetary levels are appropriate for the fiscal years
2005 through 2009:
(1) Federal revenues.--For purposes of the enforcement of
this resolution--
(A) The recommended levels of Federal revenues are
as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: $1,453,714,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: $1,615,655,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: $1,730,119,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: $1,822,516,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: $1,925,154,000,000.
(B) The amounts by which the aggregate levels of
Federal revenues should be changed are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: -$23,420,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: -$38,526,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: -$24,825,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: -$23,274,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: -$27,906,000,000.
(2) New budget authority.--For purposes of the enforcement
of this resolution, the appropriate levels of total new budget
authority are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: $1,958,150,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: $2,072,497,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: $2,187,109,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: $2,294,017,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: $2,397,359,000,000.
(3) Budget outlays.--For purposes of the enforcement of
this resolution, the appropriate levels of total budget outlays
are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: $1,968,807,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: $2,061,467,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: $2,161,380,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: $2,263,755,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: $2,363,932,000,000.
(4) Deficits.--For purposes of the enforcement of this
resolution, the amounts of the deficits are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: -$515,093,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: -$445,812,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: -$431,261,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: -$441,239,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: -$438,778,000,000.
(5) Debt subject to limit.--The appropriate levels of the
public debt are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: $8,052,710,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: $8,624,516,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: $9,178,616,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: $9,742,730,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: $10,308,215,000,000.
(6) Debt held by the public.--The appropriate levels of the
debt held by the public are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: $4,741,120,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: $5,009,410,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: $5,247,139,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: $5,479,268,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: $5,696,111,000,000.
SEC. 102. SOCIAL SECURITY.
(a) Social Security Revenues.--For purposes of Senate enforcement
under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
amounts of revenues of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance
Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as
follows:
Fiscal year 2005: $572,314,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: $600,902,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: $629,333,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: $658,731,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: $689,620,000,000.
(b) Social Security Outlays.--For purposes of Senate enforcement
under sections 302 and 311 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
amounts of outlays of the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust
Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005: $396,159,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006: $406,390,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007: $419,424,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008: $433,487,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009: $450,288,000,000.
(c) Social Security Administrative Expenses.--In the Senate, the
amounts of new budget authority and budget outlays of the Federal Old-
Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability
Insurance Trust Fund for administrative expenses are as follows:
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $4,249,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $4,264,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $4,352,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $4,335,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $4,477,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $4,457,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $4,617,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $4,594,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $4,762,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $4,738,000,000.
SEC. 103. MAJOR FUNCTIONAL CATEGORIES.
Congress determines and declares that the appropriate levels of new
budget authority, budget outlays, new direct loan obligations, and new
primary loan guarantee commitments for fiscal years 2005 through 2009
for each major functional category are:
(1) National Defense (050):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $422,157,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $449,442,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $445,708,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $442,157,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $456,148,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $441,732,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $467,482,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $451,564,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $479,494,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $463,106,000,000.
(2) International Affairs (150):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $31,970,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $34,032,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $34,855,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $33,192,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $35,499,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $31,746,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $35,856,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $31,640,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $35,912,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $32,059,000,000.
(3) General Science, Space, and Technology (250):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $24,278,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $23,752,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $25,412,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $24,863,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $26,269,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,613,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $26,499,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $25,914,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $26,547,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $26,095,000,000.
(4) Energy (270):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $1,093,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$546,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $2,762,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $1,653,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $2,781,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $1,214,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $2,501,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $601,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $2,082,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $718,000,000.
(5) Natural Resources and Environment (300):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $36,160,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $31,191,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $32,909,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $33,529,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $32,895,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $34,099,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $32,825,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $33,879,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $33,523,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $33,974,000,000.
(6) Agriculture (350):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $21,746,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $20,976,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $23,806,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,574,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $24,698,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $23,509,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $24,604,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $23,483,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $25,563,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $24,623,000,000.
(7) Commerce and Housing Credit (370):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $7,864,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,935,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $8,041,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,593,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $9,141,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $3,406,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $9,336,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,550,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $9,826,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $2,766,000,000.
(8) Transportation (400):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $69,985,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $68,390,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $70,923,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $70,998,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $71,428,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $72,207,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $71,760,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $72,571,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $72,241,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $72,597,000,000.
(9) Community and Regional Development (450):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $13,897,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,986,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $13,682,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,220,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $13,851,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $14,321,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $13,979,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,818,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $14,150,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $13,913,000,000.
(10) Education, Training, Employment, and Social Services (500):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $100,414,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $89,304,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $95,314,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $94,577,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $95,628,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $93,799,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $95,858,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $94,262,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $96,168,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $94,684,000,000.
(11) Health (550):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $252,299,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $247,712,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $254,677,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $255,618,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $267,998,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $27,754,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $286,815,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $286,525,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $307,860,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $305,533,000,000.
(12) Medicare (570):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $287,513,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $288,654,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $322,517,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $322,035,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $361,999,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $362,277,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $386,753,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $386,795,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $412,922,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $412,515,000,000.
(13) Income Security (600):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $337,868,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $342,111,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $343,354,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $346,782,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $348,271,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $350,920,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $361,670,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $363,674,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $371,602,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $373,123,000,000.
(14) Social Security (650):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $15,214,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $15,214,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $16,779,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,779,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $18,269,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $18,269,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $20,218,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $20,218,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $22,229,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $22,229,000,000.
(15) Veterans Benefits and Services (700):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $71,546,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $70,159,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $68,196,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $67,731,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $66,209,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $65,834,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $69,326,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $69,132,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $69,888,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $69,660,000,000.
(16) Administration of Justice (750):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $41,841,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $40,727,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $39,490,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $40,336,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $40,099,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $40,462,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $40,870,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $40,873,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $41,206,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $41,228,000,000.
(17) General Government (800):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $16,182,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,742,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $17,503,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $17,110,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $17,611,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $17,245,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $17,190,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,878,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $17,256,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $16,763,000,000.
(18) Net Interest (900):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, $270,115,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $270,115,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, $317,196,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $317,196,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, $361,739,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $361,739,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, $394,951,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $394,951,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, $422,613,000,000.
(B) Outlays, $422,613,000,000.
(19) Allowances (920):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, -$11,486,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$4,584,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, -$779,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$3,627,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, -$987,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$2,329,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, -$993,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$2,091,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, -$998,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$1,542,000,000.
(20) Undistributed Offsetting Receipts (950):
Fiscal year 2005:
(A) New budget authority, -$52,505,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$52,505,000,000.
Fiscal year 2006:
(A) New budget authority, -$59,848,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$59,848,000,000.
Fiscal year 2007:
(A) New budget authority, -$62,437,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$62,437,000,000.
Fiscal year 2008:
(A) New budget authority, -$63,482,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$63,482,000,000.
Fiscal year 2009:
(A) New budget authority, -$62,725,000,000.
(B) Outlays, -$62,725,000,000.
TITLE II--RECONCILIATION
SEC. 201. RECONCILIATION IN THE SENATE.
(a) Tax Relief.--The Senate Committee on Finance shall report a
reconciliation bill not later than September 30, 2004, that consists of
changes in laws within its jurisdiction sufficient to reduce revenues
by not more than $12,311,000,000 for fiscal year 2005 and
$80,642,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, and
to increase outlays by not more than $2,000,000,000 for the period of
fiscal years 2005 through 2009.
(b) Increase in Statutory Debt Limit.--The Committee on Finance
shall report a reconciliation bill not later than September 30, 2004,
that consists solely of changes in laws within its jurisdiction to
increase the statutory debt limit by $664,028,000,000.
TITLE III--RESERVE FUNDS AND ADJUSTMENTS
Subtitle A--Reserve Funds
SEC. 301. RESERVE FUND FOR HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE UNINSURED.
If the Committee on Finance or the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions of the Senate reports a bill or joint resolution,
or an amendment thereto is offered or a conference report thereon is
submitted, that provides health insurance or expands access to care for
the uninsured (including a measure providing for tax deductions for the
purchase of health insurance or other measures) and including
legislation to reallocate and maintain expiring SCHIP funds rather than
allowing such funds to revert to the Treasury, increases access to
health insurance through lowering costs, and does not increase the
costs of current health insurance coverage, the chairman of the
Committee on the Budget may revise allocations of new budget authority
and outlays, the revenue aggregates, and other appropriate aggregates
to reflect such legislation, provided that such legislation would not
increase the deficit for fiscal year 2005 and for the period of fiscal
years 2005 through 2009.
SEC. 302. RESERVE FUND FOR HIGHER EDUCATION.
If the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the
Senate reports a bill or joint resolution, or if an amendment thereto
is offered or a conference report thereon is submitted, that provides,
funding for--
(1) the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act of
1965, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may revise
committee allocations for that committee and other appropriate
budgetary aggregates and allocations of new budget authority
and outlays by the amount provided by that measure for that
purpose, but not to exceed $1,000,000,000 in new budget
authority and $1,000,000,000 in outlays for fiscal year 2005,
$5,000,000,000 in new budget authority and $5,000,000,000 in
outlays for the period of fiscal years 2005 through 2009; and
(2) a measure that eliminates the accumulated shortfall of
budget authority resulting from insufficient appropriations of
discretionary new budget authority previously enacted for the
Federal Pell Grant Program for awards made through award year
2004-2005, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may
revise the committee allocation and other appropriate budgetary
aggregates by the amount provided by that measure for that
purpose, but not to exceed $3,700,000,000 in new budget
authority only for fiscal year 2005.
SEC. 303. RESERVE FOR ENERGY LEGISLATION.
If a measure, predominately within the jurisdiction of the
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate (including a
bill or joint resolution, an amendment or a conference report), is
considered in the Senate that provides for a national energy policy and
does not reduce revenues by more than $1,785,000,000 in 2005 and
$15,092,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget may revise committee
allocations for that committee and other appropriate budgetary
aggregates and allocation of new budget authority and outlays by the
amount provided by that measure for that purpose, but not to exceed
$261,000,000 in new budget authority and $221,000,000 in outlays for
fiscal year 2005 and $1,465,000,000 in new budget authority and
$1,465,000,000 in outlays for the period of fiscal years 2005 through
2009.
SEC. 304. RESERVE FUND FOR GUARD AND RESERVE HEALTH CARE.
If the Committee on Armed Services or the Committee on
Appropriations reports a bill or joint resolution, or an amendment
thereto is offered or a conference report thereon is submitted that
expands access to health care for members of the reserve component, the
Chairman of the Committee on the Budget may revise allocations of new
budget authority and outlays, the revenue aggregates, other appropriate
aggregates, and the discretionary spending limits to reflect such
legislation, providing that such legislation--
(1) would not increase the deficit for fiscal year 2005 and
for the period of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, or would
offset such deficit increases through reduction of unobligated
balances from Iraqi reconstruction; and
(2) does not exceed $5,600,000,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2005 through 2009.
SEC. 305. RESERVE FUND FOR MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS.
If the Committee on Armed Services or the Committee on
Appropriations reports a bill or joint resolution, or an amendment
thereto is offered or a conference report thereon is submitted, that
increases benefit levels under the Montgomery GI Bill for members of
the Selected Reserves, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget may
revise allocations of new budget authority and outlays, the revenue
aggregates, other appropriate aggregates, and the discretionary
spending limits to reflect such legislation, providing that such
legislation--
(1) would not increase the deficit for fiscal year 2005 and
for the period of fiscal years 2005 through 2009; and
(2) does not exceed $1,200,000,000 for the period of fiscal
years 2005 through 2009.
SEC. 306. RESERVE FOR FUNDING OF HOPE CREDIT.
If the Committee on Finance of the Senate reports a bill or joint
resolution, or an amendment thereto is offered or a conference report
thereon is submitted, that increases the Hope credit to $4,000, makes
the credit available for 4 years, and makes the credit refundable, the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget may revise committee
allocations for the Committee on Finance and other appropriate
budgetary aggregates and allocations of new budget authority and
outlays by the amount provided by that measure for that purpose, if it
would not increase the deficit for fiscal year 2005 or for the total of
fiscal years 2005 though 2009.
SEC. 307. RESERVE FUND FOR EXPANSION OF PEDIATRIC VACCINE DISTRIBUTION
PROGRAM.
If the Committee on Finance of the Senate reports a bill or joint
resolution, or an amendment thereto is offered or a conference report
thereon is submitted, that expands the pediatric vaccine distribution
program established under section 1928 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1396s) to include coverage for children administered a vaccine
at a public health clinic or Indian clinic and repeals the price cap
for pre-1993 vaccines, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may
revise allocations of new budget authority and outlays, the revenue
aggregates, and other appropriate aggregates to reflect such
legislation, provided that such legislation would not increase the
deficit for fiscal year 2005 and for the period of fiscal years 2005
through 2009.
SEC. 308. RESERVE FUND FOR ADDRESSING MINORITY HEALTH DISPARITIES.
If the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate reports a bill or
joint resolution, or an amendment thereto is offered or a conference
report thereon is submitted, that addresses minority health disparities
through activities including those at the HHS Office of Minority
Health, the Office of Civil Rights, the National Center on Minority
Health and Health Disparities, the Minority HIV/AIDS initiative, health
professions training, and through the Racial and Ethnic Approaches to
Community Health at the Centers for Disease Control and provides not to
exceed $400,000,000 in new budget authority for fiscal year 2005, the
chairman of the Committee on the Budget may revise allocations of new
budget authority and outlays and other appropriate aggregates to
reflect such legislation, provided that such legislation would not
increase the deficit for fiscal year 2005 and for the period of fiscal
years 2005 through 2009.
SEC. 309. RESERVE FOR POSTAL SERVICE REFORM.
If the Committee on Governmental Affairs of the Senate reports a
bill or joint resolution, or an amendment thereto is offered or a
conference report thereon is submitted, that reforms the United States
Postal Service to improve its economic viability, the Chairman of the
Committee on the Budget may revise committee allocations for the
Committee on Governmental Affairs and other appropriate budgetary
aggregates and allocations of new budget authority and outlays by the
amount provided by that measure for that purpose, if that measure would
not increase the deficit for fiscal year 2005 and for the period of
fiscal years 2005 though 2009.
Subtitle B--Adjustments With Respect to Discretionary Spending
SEC. 311. ADJUSTMENT FOR SURFACE TRANSPORTATION.
(a) In General.--If the Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure of the House or the Committee on Environment and Public
Works, the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, or the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate
reports a bill or joint resolution, or if an amendment thereto is
offered or a conference report thereon is submitted, that provides new
budget authority for the budget accounts or portions thereof in the
highway and transit categories as defined in subparagraphs (B) and (C)
of section 250(c)(4) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985 in excess of--
(1) for fiscal year 2005, $41,772,000,000; or
(2) for fiscal years 2005 through 2009, $207,293,000,000;
the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may adjust the appropriate
budget aggregates and increase the allocation of new budget authority
to such committee for fiscal year 2005 and for the period of fiscal
years 2005 through 2009 to the extent such excess is offset by an
increase in net new user-fee receipts related to the purposes of the
highway trust fund that are appropriated to such fund for the
applicable fiscal year caused by such legislation. In the Senate, any
increase in receipts shall be reported from the Committee on Finance.
(b) Adjustment for Outlays.--(1) For fiscal year 2005, in the
Senate, if a bill or joint resolution is reported, or if an amendment
thereto is offered or a conference report thereon is submitted, that
changes obligation limitations such that the total limitations are in
excess of $40,600,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, for programs, projects,
and activities within the highway and transit categories as defined in
subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 250(c)(4) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and if legislation has been
enacted that satisfies the conditions set forth in subsection (a) for
such fiscal year, the appropriate chairman of the Committee on the
Budget may increase the allocation of outlays and appropriate
aggregates for such fiscal year for the committee reporting such
measure by the amount of outlays that corresponds to such excess
obligation limitations, but not to exceed the amount of such excess
that was offset in 2005 pursuant to subsection (a).
(2) For fiscal year 2006, in the Senate, if a bill or joint
resolution is reported, or if an amendment thereto is offered or a
conference report thereon is submitted, that changes obligation
limitations such that the total limitations are in excess of
$40,621,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, for programs, projects, and
activities within the highway and transit categories as defined in
subparagraphs (B) and (C) of section 250(c)(4) of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 and if legislation has been
enacted that satisfies the conditions set forth in subsection (a) for
such fiscal year, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may
increase the allocation of outlays and appropriate aggregates for such
fiscal year for the committee reporting such measure by the amount of
outlays that corresponds to such excess obligation limitations, but not
to exceed the amount of such excess that was offset in 2006 pursuant to
subsection (a).
SEC. 312. SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR IRAQ AND RELATED ACTIVITIES
FOR FISCAL YEAR 2005.
If the President transmits a budget request for additional
resources for activities in Iraq and Afghanistan and if the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate reports legislation providing
additional discretionary appropriations in excess of the levels assumed
in this resolution for defense-related activities for fiscal year 2005,
the chairman of the Committee on the Budget may revise the allocation
(and all other appropriate levels and aggregates set out in this
resolution) for that committee for such purpose but not to exceed:
$30,000,000,000 in new budget authority for fiscal year 2005 and the
outlays that flow therefrom.
SEC. 313. ADJUSTMENT FOR WILDLAND FIRE SUPPRESSION.
(a) Findings.--The Senate makes the following findings:
(1) Due to the expansion of the wildland urban interface,
severe drought conditions in many regions of the country, and
the poor health of the Nation's forests and rangelands, the
Forest Service and Department of the Interior regularly spend
more than the amount appropriated for fire suppression, and
then borrow from other accounts to pay for fire suppression.
(2) This borrowing has a negative effect on many Forest
Service and Department of the Interior programs.
(3) This resolution provides an amount equal to the 10-year
average for fire suppression in fiscal year 2005.
(4) The Senate recommends that the Forest Service and the
Department of the Interior address cost containment within the
fire suppression account, and report to Congress regarding how
funds appropriated pursuant to this section are used.
(b) Cap Adjustment.--
(1) Definition.--For this subsection, the term ``base
amount'' refers to the average of the obligations of the
preceding 10 years for wildfire suppression in the Forest
Service and the Department of the Interior, calculated as of
the date of the applicable year's budget request is submitted
by the President to Congress.
(2) Adjustments for fiscal years 2005 and 2006.--If the
amount appropriated for Wildland Fire Suppression in a fiscal
year is not less than the base amount, then the chairman of the
Committee on the Budget may adjust the appropriate allocations
and other budgetary levels in the most recently agreed to
concurrent resolution on the budget for any bill, joint
resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that
provides additional funding for wildland fire suppression, but
not to exceed--
(A) for the Forest Service--
(i) for fiscal year 2005, $400,000,000; and
(ii) for fiscal year 2006, $400,000,000;
and
(B) for the Department of the Interior--
(i) for fiscal year 2005, $100,000,000; and
(ii) for fiscal year 2006, $100,000,000.
(3) Special rule for fiscal year 2004.--If additional
funding for wildland fire suppression for fiscal year 2004 is
provided in a bill, joint resolution, amendment, motion, or
conference report, then the chairman of the Committee on the
Budget may determine that such amounts shall not be counted for
the purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and this
resolution, provided that such amounts do not exceed--
(A) for the Forest Service, for fiscal year 2004,
$400,000,000; and
(B) for the Department of the Interior, for fiscal
year 2004, $100,000,000.
SEC. 314. RESERVE FUND FOR ELIMINATING SURVIVOR BENEFIT PLAN-SOCIAL
SECURITY OFFSET.
If the Committee on Armed Services or the Committee on
Appropriations reports a bill or joint resolution, or an amendment
thereto is offered or a conference report thereon is submitted, that
provides for an increase to the minimum Survivor Benefit Plan basic
annuity for surviving spouses age 62 and older, the Chairman of the
Committee on the Budget shall revise the aggregates, functional totals,
allocations, discretionary caps, and other appropriate levels and
limits in this resolution by up to $2,757,000,000 in budget authority
and $2,757,000,000 in outlays over the total of fiscal years 2005
through 2009.
TITLE IV--BUDGET ENFORCEMENT
SEC. 401. RESTRICTIONS ON ADVANCE APPROPRIATIONS.
(a) In General.--Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall not
be in order in the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution,
motion, amendment, or conference report that would provide an advance
appropriation.
(b) Accounts.--An advance appropriation may be provided for fiscal
years 2006 and 2007 for programs, projects, activities, or accounts
identified in the joint explanatory statement of managers accompanying
this resolution under the heading ``Accounts Identified for Advance
Appropriations'' in an aggregate amount not to exceed $23,158,000,000
in new budget authority in each year.
(c) Point of Order.--
(1) Waiver.--In the Senate, subsection (a) may be waived or
suspended only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths of the
Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative vote of three-
fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and sworn,
shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling of the
Chair on a point of order raised under subsection (a).
(2) Procedure.--A point of order under subsection (a) may
be raised by a Senator as provided in section 313(e) of
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(3) Conference report.--If a point of order is sustained
under subsection (a) against a conference report in the Senate,
the report shall be disposed of as provided in section 313(d)
of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
(d) Advance Appropriation.--In this section, the term ``advance
appropriation'' means any discretionary new budget authority in a bill
or joint resolution--
(1) making general appropriations or continuing
appropriations for fiscal year 2005 that first becomes
available for any fiscal year after 2005; or
(2) making general appropriations or continuing
appropriations for fiscal year 2006 that first becomes
available for any fiscal year after 2006.
SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF EMERGENCY RULE IN THE SENATE.
Section 502(c) of H. Con. Res. 95 (108th Cong., 1st. Sess.) is
amended to read as follows:
``(c) In the Senate.--
``(1) Authority to designate.--In the Senate, with respect
to a provision of direct spending or receipts legislation or
appropriations for discretionary accounts that the President
designates as an emergency requirement and that Congress so
designates in such measure, the amounts of new budget
authority, outlays, and receipts in all fiscal years resulting
from that provision shall be treated as an emergency
requirement for the purpose of this section.
``(2) Exemption of emergency provisions.--In the Senate,
any new budget authority, outlays, and receipts resulting from
any provision designated as an emergency requirement, pursuant
to this section, in any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or
conference report shall not count for purposes of sections 302,
303, 311, and 401 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 and
any concurrent resolution on the budget.
``(3) Designations.--
``(A) Guidance.--In the Senate, if a provision of
legislation is designated as an emergency requirement
under this section, the committee report and any
statement of managers accompanying that legislation
shall include an explanation of the manner in which the
provision meets the criteria in subparagraph (B).
``(B) Criteria.--
``(i) In general.--Any such provision is an
emergency requirement if the situation
addressed by such provision is--
``(I) necessary, essential, or
vital (not merely useful or
beneficial);
``(II) sudden, quickly coming into
being, and not building up over time;
``(III) an urgent, pressing, and
compelling need requiring immediate
action;
``(IV) subject to clause (ii),
unforeseen, unpredictable, and
unanticipated; and
``(V) not permanent, temporary in
nature.
``(ii) Unforeseen.--An emergency that is
part of an aggregate level of anticipated
emergencies, particularly when normally
estimated in advance, is not unforeseen.
``(4) Definitions.--In this subsection, the terms `direct
spending', `receipts', and `appropriations for discretionary
accounts' means any provision of a bill, joint resolution,
amendment, motion, or conference report that affects direct
spending, receipts, or appropriations as those terms have been
defined and interpreted for purposes of the Balanced Budget and
Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.
``(5) Point of order.--When the Senate is considering a
bill, resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report, if a
point of order is made by a Senator against an emergency
designation in that measure, that provision making such a
designation shall be stricken from the measure and may not be
offered as an amendment from the floor.
``(6) Waiver and appeal.--Paragraph (5) may be waived or
suspended in the Senate only by an affirmative vote of three-
fifths of the Members, duly chosen and sworn. An affirmative
vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen
and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling
of the Chair on a point of order raised under this section.
``(7) Definition of an emergency designation.--For purposes
of paragraph (5), a provision shall be considered an emergency
designation if it designates any item as an emergency
requirement pursuant to this section.
``(8) Form of the point of order.--A point of order under
paragraph (5) may be raised by a Senator as provided in section
313(e) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
``(9) Conference reports.--If a point of order is sustained
under paragraph (5) against a conference report, the report
shall be disposed of as provided in section 313(d) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
``(10) Exception for defense spending.--Paragraph (5) shall
not apply against an emergency designation for a provision
making discretionary appropriations in the defense category.''.
SEC. 403. DISCRETIONARY SPENDING LIMITS IN THE SENATE.
(a) Discretionary Spending Limits.--In the Senate and as used in
this section, the term ``discretionary spending limit'' means--
(1) for fiscal year 2005--
(A) $819,673,000,000 in new budget authority and
$823,694,000,000 in outlays for the discretionary
category;
(B) for the highway category, $33,393,000,000 in
outlays; and
(C) for the mass transit category, $1,488,000,000
in new budget authority, and $6,726,000,000 in outlays;
and
(2) for fiscal year 2006 $852,257,000,000 in new budget
authority, and $885,860,000,000 in outlays for the
discretionary category.
(b) Discretionary Spending Point of Order in the Senate.--
(1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this
subsection, it shall not be in order in the Senate to consider
any bill or resolution (including a concurrent resolution on
the budget) or amendment, motion, or conference report thereon
that would exceed any of the discretionary spending limits in
this section.
(2) Waiver.--This subsection may be waived or suspended in
the Senate only by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the
Members, duly chosen and sworn.
(3) Appeals.--Appeals in the Senate from the decisions of
the Chair relating to any provision of this subsection shall be
limited to 1 hour, to be equally divided between, and
controlled by, the appellant and the manager of the bill or
joint resolution, as the case may be. An affirmative vote of
three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly chosen and
sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling of
the Chair on a point of order raised under this subsection.
(c) Adjustments.--
(1) In general.--
(A) Chairman.--After the reporting of a bill or
joint resolution, or the offering of an amendment
thereto or the submission of a conference report
thereon, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget
may make the adjustments set forth in subparagraph (B)
for the amount of new budget authority in that measure
(if that measure meets the requirements set forth in
paragraph (2)) and the outlays flowing from that budget
authority.
(B) Matters to be adjusted.--The adjustments
referred to in subparagraph (A) are to be made to--
(i) the discretionary spending limits, if
any, set forth in the appropriate concurrent
resolution on the budget;
(ii) the allocations made pursuant to the
appropriate concurrent resolution on the budget
pursuant to section 302(a) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974; and
(iii) the budgetary aggregates as set forth
in the appropriate concurrent resolution on the
budget.
(2) Amounts of adjustments.--The adjustment referred to in
paragraph (1) shall be--
(A) an amount provided for transportation under
section 311;
(B) an amount provided for the fiscal year 2005
supplemental appropriation pursuant to section 312; and
(C) an amount provided for fire suppression
pursuant to section 313.
(3) Reporting revised suballocations.--Following any
adjustment made under paragraph (1), the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate shall report appropriately revised
suballocations under section 302(b) to carry out this
subsection.
SEC. 404. SCORING RULES.
(a) Funding for Bioshield.--The chairman of the Committee on the
Budget of the Senate shall revise the aggregates, functional totals,
and allocations to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate,
discretionary spending limits, and other appropriate levels and limits
in this resolution by $2,528,000,000 in budget authority for fiscal
year 2005, and by the amount of outlays flowing therefrom in fiscal
year 2005 and subsequent years for Project Bioshield, for a bill, joint
resolution, amendment, or conference report that makes appropriations
for the Department of Homeland Security for the fiscal year ending
September 30, 2005.
(b) Energy Savings Performance Contract Program.--In recognition
that the energy savings performance contract program recoups its costs
through guaranteed savings without increasing budgetary outlays, the
Congressional Budget Office shall score the energy savings performance
contract program under title VIII of the National Energy Conservation
Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) as zero. For the purposes of any
point of order under any concurrent resolution on the budget and the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the cost of the energy savings
performance contract program under title VIII of the National Energy
Conservation Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) shall be zero.
SEC. 405. ADJUSTMENTS TO REFLECT CHANGES IN CONCEPTS AND DEFINITIONS.
(a) In the Senate, upon the enactment of a bill or joint resolution
providing for a change in concepts or definitions, the chairman of the
Committee on the Budget shall make adjustments to the levels and
allocations in this resolution in accordance with section 251(b) of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (as in effect
prior to September 30, 2002).
(b) If the Committee on Appropriations reports a bill or
resolution, or if an amendment thereto is offered or a conference
report thereon is submitted, that changes the nature of offsetting
receipts collected from the Power Marketing Administration from
mandatory to discretionary, the chairman of the Committee on the Budget
may revise the appropriate allocations for such committee and other
appropriate levels in this resolution.
SEC. 406. APPLICATION AND EFFECT OF CHANGES IN ALLOCATIONS AND
AGGREGATES.
(a) Application.--Any adjustments of allocations and aggregates
made pursuant to this resolution shall--
(1) apply while that measure is under consideration;
(2) take effect upon the enactment of that measure; and
(3) be published in the Congressional Record as soon as
practicable.
(b) Effect of Changed Allocations and Aggregates.--Revised
allocations and aggregates resulting from these adjustments shall be
considered for the purposes of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 as
allocations and aggregates contained in this resolution.
(c) Budget Committee Determinations.--For purposes of this
resolution--
(1) the levels of new budget authority, outlays, direct
spending, new entitlement authority, revenues, deficits, and
surpluses for a fiscal year or period of fiscal years shall be
determined on the basis of estimates made by the appropriate
Committee on the Budget; and
(2) such chairman may make any other necessary adjustments
to such levels to carry out this resolution.
SEC. 407. EXERCISE OF RULEMAKING POWERS.
Congress adopts the provisions of this title--
(1) as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate
and the House of Representatives, respectively, and as such
they shall be considered as part of the rules of each House, or
of that House to which they specifically apply, and such rules
shall supersede other rules only to the extent that they are
inconsistent therewith; and
(2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of
either House to change those rules (so far as they relate to
that House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same
extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.
SEC. 408. PAY-AS-YOU-GO POINT OF ORDER IN THE SENATE.
(a) Point of Order.--
(1) In general.--It shall not be in order in the Senate to
consider any direct spending or revenue legislation that would
increase the on-budget deficit or cause an on-budget deficit
for any one of the three applicable time periods as measured in
paragraphs (5) and (6).
(2) Applicable time periods.--For purposes of this
subsection, the term ``applicable time period'' means any 1 of
the 3 following periods:
(A) The first year covered by the most recently
adopted concurrent resolution on the budget.
(B) The period of the first 5 fiscal years covered
by the most recently adopted concurrent resolution on
the budget.
(C) The period of the 5 fiscal years following the
first 5 fiscal years covered in the most recently
adopted concurrent resolution on the budget.
(3) Direct-spending legislation.--For purposes of this
subsection and except as provided in paragraph (4), the term
``direct-spending legislation'' means any bill, joint
resolution, amendment, motion, or conference report that
affects direct spending as that term is defined by, and
interpreted for purposes of, the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985.
(4) Exclusion.--For purposes of this subsection, the terms
``direct-spending legislation'' and ``revenue legislation'' do
not include--
(A) any concurrent resolution on the budget; or
(B) any provision of legislation that affects the
full funding of, and continuation of, the deposit
insurance guarantee commitment in effect on the date of
enactment of the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990.
(5) Baseline.--Estimates prepared pursuant to this section
shall--
(A) use the baseline surplus or deficit used for
the most recently adopted concurrent resolution on the
budget; and
(B) be calculated under the requirements of
subsections (b) through (d) of section 257 of the
Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of
1985 for fiscal years beyond those covered by that
concurrent resolution on the budget.
(6) Prior surplus.--If direct spending or revenue
legislation increases the on-budget deficit or causes an on-
budget deficit when taken individually, it must also increase
the on-budget deficit or cause an on-budget deficit when taken
together with all direct spending and revenue legislation
enacted since the beginning of the calendar year not accounted
for in the baseline under paragraph (5)(A), except that direct
spending or revenue effects resulting in net deficit reduction
enacted pursuant to reconciliation instructions since the
beginning of that same calendar year shall not be available.
(b) Waiver.--This section may be waived or suspended in the Senate
only by the affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members, duly
chosen and sworn.
(c) Appeals.--Appeals in the Senate from the decisions of the Chair
relating to any provision of this section shall be limited to 1 hour,
to be equally divided between, and controlled by, the appellant and the
manager of the bill or joint resolution, as the case may be. An
affirmative vote of three-fifths of the Members of the Senate, duly
chosen and sworn, shall be required to sustain an appeal of the ruling
of the Chair on a point of order raised under this section.
(d) Determination of Budget Levels.--For purposes of this section,
the levels of new budget authority, outlays, and revenues for a fiscal
year shall be determined on the basis of estimates made by the
Committee on the Budget of the Senate.
(e) Sunset.--This section shall expire on September 30, 2009.
TITLE V--SENSE OF THE SENATE
SEC. 501. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON BUDGET PROCESS REFORM.
It is the sense of the Senate that Congress and the President
should work together to enact budget process reform legislation that
would include mechanisms to restrain Government spending. Such
legislation may include--
(1) deficit targets that, when exceeded, would result in
across-the-board reductions in Federal spending except Social
Security, Medicare, and Veterans' benefits;
(2) revision of the content of budget resolutions to
increase their focus on aggregate levels, and to include easily
understood enforcement tools such as--
(A) discretionary spending limits;
(B) pay-as-you-go; and
(C) explicit committee allocations;
(3) emergency spending procedures which budget for
emergency needs;
(4) pay-as-you-go limitations which apply to non-budget
expenditures;
(5) limitations on unauthorized appropriations; and
(6) enhanced rescission or constitutional line-item veto
authority for the President.
SEC. 502. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON BUDGET PROCESS REFORM WITH REGARD TO
THE CREATION OF BIPARTISAN COMMISSIONS TO COMBAT WASTE,
FRAUD, AND ABUSE AND TO PROMOTE SPENDING EFFICIENCY.
(a) Waste, Fraud, and Abuse.--It is the sense of the Senate that
legislation should be enacted that would create a bipartisan commission
for the purpose of--
(1) submitting recommendations on ways to eliminate waste,
fraud, and abuse; and
(2) to provide recommendations on ways in which to achieve
cost savings through enhancing program efficiencies in all
discretionary and entitlement programs.
The findings of the commission should be made on an annual basis, and
should be presented in conjunction with the submission of the
President's budget request to Congress.
(b) Efficiency.--It is the sense of the Senate that a bipartisan
commission should be established to--
(1) audit Federal domestic agencies, and programs within
such agencies, with the express purpose of providing Congress
with recommendations, and legislation;
(2) implement those recommendations; and
(3) realign or eliminate government agencies and programs
that are duplicative, inefficient, outdated, irrelevant, or
have failed to accomplish their intended purpose.
The findings of the commission should be made on an annual basis, and
should be presented in conjunction with the submission of the
President's budget request to Congress.
SEC. 503. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANNUAL
DEFICIT SPENDING AND INCREASES IN DEBT SERVICE COSTS.
It is the sense of the Senate that the Congressional Budget Office
shall consult with the Committee on the Budget of the Senate in order
to prepare a report containing a discussion of--
(1) the relationship between annual deficit spending and
increases in debt service costs;
(2) the relationship between incremental increases in
discretionary spending and debt service costs; and
(3) the feasibility of providing estimates of debt service
costs in the cost estimates prepared pursuant to section 308 of
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
SEC. 504. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE COSTS OF THE MEDICARE
PRESCRIPTION DRUG PROGRAM.
It is the sense of the Senate that the Committee on Finance of the
Senate should report a bill that consists of changes in laws within its
jurisdiction sufficient to ensure that spending within part D of the
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit program in fiscal years 2005 through
2013 does not exceed the total of $409,000,000,000 as estimated by the
Congressional Budget Office.
SEC. 505. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING PAY PARITY.
It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) compensation for civilian and military employees of the
United States, without whom we cannot successfully serve and
protect our citizens and taxpayers, must be sufficient to
support our critical efforts to recruit, retain, and reward
quality people effectively and responsibly; and
(2) to achieve this objective, the rate of increase in the
compensation of civilian employees should be equal to that
proposed for the military in the President's Fiscal Year 2005
Budget.
SEC. 506. SENSE OF THE SENATE ON RETURNING STABILITY TO PAYMENTS UNDER
MEDICARE PHYSICIAN FEE SCHEDULE.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) the fees Medicare pays physicians and other health
professionals were reduced by 5.4 percent across-the-board in
2002.
(2) action by Congress in early 2003 narrowly averted a
4.4-percent across-the-board reduction in such fees that year;
(3) in the fall of 2003, congressional action was once
again needed to prevent an across-the-board reduction of 4.5
percent in such fees for 2004, as well as an anticipated
further reduction in 2005;
(4) based on current projections, estimates suggest that,
absent any action, fees will be significantly reduced across-
the-board in 2006 and each year thereafter until at least 2010;
(5) the prospect of continued payment reductions under the
Medicare physician fee schedule for the foreseeable future
threatens to destabilize an important element of the program,
namely physician participation and willingness to accept
Medicare patients;
(6) there are major flaws in the formula Medicare uses to
reimburse physicians which result in steep cuts that adversely
impact Medicare beneficiaries' access to care; and
(7) CMS should use its authority to exclude Medicare-
covered drugs and biologics from the physician formula and
accurately reflect in the formula the direct and indirect cost
of increases due to coverage decisions, administrative actions,
and rules and regulations.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that, while
recent actions by Congress have helped address the immediate reductions
in reimbursement, further action by Congress is urgently needed to put
in place a new formula or mechanism for updating Medicare physician
fees in 2006 and thereafter, in order to ensure--
(1) the long-term stability of the Medicare payment system
for physicians and other health care professionals, such that
payment rates keep pace with practice cost increases; and
(2) future access to physicians' services for Medicare
beneficiaries.
SEC. 507. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING THE USE OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO
SUPPORT AMERICAN COMPANIES AND AMERICAN WORKERS.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) the United States has lost more than 2,200,000
manufacturing jobs since 2000;
(2) the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that 239,454
workers in a variety of sectors of the United States economy
lost their jobs as a result of mass layoffs in January 2004;
(3) there are millions of long-term unemployed Americans
who have been unable to find work; and
(4) the Buy American Act requires the Federal Government to
support American companies and American workers by buying
American-made goods.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the
functional totals in this resolution assume that--
(1) Federal departments and agencies will, to the maximum
extent possible, purchase goods and services from American
companies; and
(2) Federal departments and agencies will ensure that, to
the maximum extent possible, the work required by Federal
contracts for goods and services will be performed in the
United States.
SEC. 508. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING CLOSING THE ``TAX GAP''.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) the Internal Revenue Service estimates that the gross
tax gap (the difference between the amount of taxes owed by
taxpayers and the amount actually collected) is now estimated
to be in excess of $300,000,000,000 annually;
(2) the Internal Revenue Service reports that the rate of
voluntary and timely compliance from taxpayers in paying what
they owe is approximately 85 percent;
(3) this overwhelming majority of honest and hardworking
taxpayers are forced to make up the shortfall that results from
taxpayers who fail to pay what they owe voluntarily;
(4) a former Commissioner of Internal Revenue has estimated
that honest taxpayers are paying ``15 percent more'' than
necessary if the tax gap were closed;
(5) the current Commissioner of Internal Revenue is
concerned that increasing numbers of taxpayers believe that
people are less likely to report their income taxes accurately
and more inclined to take a chance that they will not be
audited; and
(6) that an increase in enforcement efforts on taxes
already due and owing can generate significant additional
revenues without raising taxes.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the
Internal Revenue Service should be provided the resources necessary to
increase enforcement activities that would be concentrated on efforts
to reduce the tax gap substantially by the end of fiscal year 2009.
SEC. 509. SENSE OF THE SENATE AMENDMENT ON DRUG COMPARATIVENESS
STUDIES.
It is the sense of the Senate that the overall discretionary levels
set in this resolution assume $75,000,000 in new budget authority in
fiscal year 2005 and new outlays that flow from this budget authority
in fiscal year 2005 and subsequent years, to fund new research and
ongoing literature surveys in the Agency for Health Care Research and
Quality. These activities will be designed to improve scientific
evidence related to the comparative effectiveness and safety of
prescription drugs and other treatments and to disseminate the findings
and underlying data from such research to health care practitioners,
consumers, and health care purchasers.
SEC. 510. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING FUNDING FOR PORT SECURITY.
(a) Findings.--The Senate makes the following findings:
(1) In the United States, the system of maritime commerce,
including seaports and other ports, is a critical element of
the United States economic, social, and environmental
infrastructure.
(2) In 2001, ports in the United States handled
approximately 5,400 ships, the majority of which were owned by
foreign persons and crewed by nationals of foreign countries,
that made a total of more than 60,000 calls at such ports.
(3) In a typical year, more than 17,000,000 cargo
containers are handled at ports in the United States.
(4) Maritime commerce is the primary mode of transportation
for international trade, with ships carrying more than 80
percent of such trade, by volume.
(5) Disruption of trade flowing through United States ports
could have a catastrophic impact on both the United States and
the world economies.
(6) In addition to the economic importance of United States
ports, such ports form a critical link in the United States
national security structure, and are necessary to ensure that
United States military material can be effectively and quickly
shipped to any location where such material is needed.
(7) Terrorist groups, including extremist groups such as al
Qaeda, are likely to consider, formulate, and execute plans to
conduct a terrorist strike against one or more of the ports in
the United States.
(8) Terrorists have conducted attacks against maritime
commerce in the past, including the October 2002 attack on the
French oil tanker LIMBERG and the October 2000 attack on the
USS COLE in Yemen.
(9) It is critical that port security be enhanced and
improved through the adoption of better formulated security
procedures, the adoption of new regulations and law, and
investment in long-term capital improvements to the structure
of the United States most critical ports.
(10) Effective funding to provide adequate security at
United States ports requires a commitment to provide Federal
funds over multiple years to fund long-term capital improvement
projects.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) the budget of the United States should provide adequate
funding for port security projects and not less than the amount
of such funding that is adequate to implement an effective port
security plan;
(2) the implementation of the budget of the United States
should permit the provision of Federal funds over multiple
years to fund long-term security improvement projects at ports
in the United States; and
(3) the Secretary of Homeland Security should, as soon as
practicable, develop a funding plan for port security that
permits funding over multiple years for such projects.
SEC. 511. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING TRIBAL COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds the following:
(1) American Indians from 250 federally recognized tribes
nationwide attend tribal colleges and universities, a majority
of whom are first-generation college students.
(2) Tribal colleges and universities are located in some of
the most isolated and impoverished areas in the Nation, yet
they are the Nation's most poorly funded institutions of higher
education. While the Tribally Controlled College or University
Assistance Act, or ``Tribal College Act'' provides funding
based solely on Indian students, the colleges have open
enrollment policies providing access to postsecondary education
opportunities to all interested students, about 20 percent of
whom are non-Indian. With rare exception, tribal colleges and
universities do not receive operating funds from the States for
these non-Indian State resident students. Yet, if these same
students attended any other public institutions in their
States, the State would provide basic operating funds to the
institution.
(3) While Congress has been increasing annual
appropriations for tribal colleges in recent years, the
President's fiscal year 2005 budget recommends a $5,500,000
decrease in institutional operating funds. This represents the
third consecutive year that the President's budget proposed
decreases that Congress must restore.
(4) Because of congressional budget restorations, the
tribal colleges funded through titles I and II of the Tribally
Controlled College or University Assistance Act are within
$19,000,000 of full funding at their authorized level.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) this resolution recognizes the funding challenges faced
by tribal colleges and universities and assumes that priority
consideration will be provided to them through funding of the
Tribally Controlled College or University Assistance Act, the
Equity in Educational Land Grant Status Act, title III of the
Higher Education Act, and the National Science Foundation
Tribal College Program; and
(2) such priority consideration reflects the intent of
Congress to continue to work toward statutory Federal funding
authorization goals for tribal colleges and universities.
SEC. 512. FINDINGS AND SENSE OF THE SENATE.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) the United States is in the grip of pervasively higher
home energy prices;
(2) high natural gas, heating oil, and propane prices are,
in general, having an effect that is rippling through the
United States economy and are, in particular, impacting home
energy bills;
(3) while persons in many sectors can adapt to natural gas,
heating oil, and propane price increases, persons in some
sectors simply cannot;
(4) elderly and disabled citizens who are living on fixed
incomes, the working poor, and other low-income individuals
face hardships wrought by high home energy prices;
(5) the energy burden for persons among the working poor
often exceeds 20 percent of those persons' incomes under normal
conditions;
(6) under current circumstances, home energy prices are
unnaturally high, and these are not normal circumstances;
(7) while critically important and encouraged, State energy
assistance and charitable assistance funds have been
overwhelmed by the crisis caused by the high home energy
prices;
(8) the Federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program
(referred to in this section as ``LIHEAP'') and the companion
weatherization assistance program (referred to in this section
as ``WAP''), are the Federal Government's primary means to
assist eligible low-income individuals in the United States to
shoulder the burdens caused by their home cooling and heating
needs;
(9) in 2003, LIHEAP reached only 15 percent of the persons
in the United States who were eligible for assistance under the
program;
(10) since LIHEAP's inception, its inflation-adjusted
buying power has eroded by 58 percent; and
(11) current Federal funding for LIHEAP is not sufficient
to meet the cooling and heating needs of low-income families.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the
levels in this concurrent resolution assume--
(1) an adequate increase in funding for each of fiscal
years 2005 and 2006 to carry out the LIHEAP program;
(2) an adequate increase in funding for fiscal year 2005
and an adequate increase in funding for fiscal year 2006 to
carry out the WAP program;
(3) appropriations, for these programs, of sufficient
additional funds to realistically address the cooling and
heating needs of low-income families; and
(4) advance appropriations of the necessary funds to ensure
the smooth operation of the programs during times of peak
demand.
SEC. 513. SENSE OF THE SENATE SUPPORTING FUNDING RESTORATION FOR
AGRICULTURE RESEARCH AND EXTENSION.
(a) Findings.--Congress finds that--
(1) funding for 33 programs administered by the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service of the
Department of Agriculture were each reduced by 10 percent in
the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug
Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2004
(118 Stat. 9);
(2) those cuts are already hurting a wide range of proven
programs that help people, communities, and businesses;
(3) the cuts have put at risk important advances made in
all 50 States and United States territories, including--
(A) combating obesity through programs such as the
Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program;
(B) expanding environmentally-minded pest
management programs;
(C) ensuring food safety; and
(D) educating farmers and ranchers about new
sustainable agricultural practices;
(4) the National Research Initiative is the flagship
competitive grants program funded through the Cooperative State
Research, Education, and Extension Service;
(5) because of limited funding the Service is able to fund
only a small fraction of the meritorious research proposals
that the Service receives under the National Research
Initiative program; and
(6) base funding at the Service that supports the research
infrastructure has fallen steadily over the past decade.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that levels
in this concurrent resolution assume that in making appropriations and
revenue decisions, the Senate supports--
(1) the restoration of the 33 accounts of the Cooperative
State Research, Education, and Extension Service;
(2) the fiscal year 2005 funding of the National Research
Initiative; and
(3) the fiscal year 2005 funding of competitive research
programs of the Cooperative State Research, Education, and
Extension Service in an amount that is adequate to--
(A) fight obesity and stave off chronic diseases;
(B) combat insects and animal and plant diseases;
(C) establish new crops, improved livestock, and
economic opportunities for producers; and
(D) keep pathogens and other dangers out of the
air, water, soil, plants, and animals.
SEC. 514. RESERVE FUND FOR HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM, ASSISTANCE
TO FIREFIGHTER GRANTS, AND PORT SECURITY GRANTS.
The Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the Senate shall
revise the aggregates, functional totals, allocations to the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate, discretionary spending limits, and
other appropriate levels and limits in this resolution by up to
$1,545,000,000 in budget authority for fiscal year 2005, and by the
amount of outlays flowing therefrom in 2005 and subsequent years, for a
bill, amendment, motion, or conference report that provides additional
fiscal year 2005 discretionary appropriations, in excess of the levels
provided in this resolution, for the programs at the Department of
Homeland Security.
SEC. 515. STATE HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT PROGRAM.
It is the sense of the Senate that, of the funds for the Department
of Homeland Security, $800,000,000 shall be allocated for the State
Homeland Security Grant program; $250,000,000 for the Assistance to
Firefighters Grant program; and $275,000,000 for Port Security Grants.
It is further the sense of the Senate that the State Homeland Security
Grant Program shall be increased by $220,000,000 in order to provide
for a more equitable formula for distributing funds.
SEC. 516. STRATEGIC PETROLEUM RESERVE.
It is the sense of the Senate that the increased funding for the
Homeland Security Department programs shall come from the cancellation
of planned future deliveries of oil to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
SEC. 517. SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING A NATIONAL ANIMAL
IDENTIFICATION PROGRAM.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) animal identification is important for operational
management, herd health, and increased trade opportunities;
(2) animal identification is a critical component of the
animal health infrastructure of the United States;
(3) it is vital to the well-being of all people in the
United States to protect animal agriculture in the United
States by safeguarding animal health;
(4) the ability to collect information in a timely manner
is critical to an effective response to an imminent threat to
animal health or food safety.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the
levels in this concurrent resolution assume that in making
appropriations and revenue decisions, the Senate supports--
(1) the development and implementation of a national animal
identification program recognizing the need for resources to
carry out the implementation of the plan;
(2) the provision by the Secretary of Agriculture of a
time-line for the development and implementation of the program
as soon as practicable after the date of approval of this
concurrent resolution;
(3) the provision by the Secretary of Agriculture to ensure
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, State animal
health agencies, and agricultural producers are provided funds
necessary to implement a national animal identification
program; and
(4) the establishment of a program that is not overly
burdensome to agricultural producers and ensures the privacy of
information of agricultural producers.
SEC. 518. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE GLOBAL
FUND TO FIGHT AIDS, TUBERCULOSIS, AND MALARIA.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) the United States--
(A) helped establish The Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis, and Malaria (referred to in this section
as the ``Fund'');
(B) provided its first donation; and
(C) provides leadership to the Fund under Fund
Board Chairman Tommy Thompson, Secretary of the
Department of Health and Human Services;
(2) as a complement to the President's historic 15-country
AIDS initiative, the Fund provides resources to fight AIDS,
tuberculosis, malaria, and related diseases around the world;
(3) section 202 of the United States Leadership Against
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2004 (22 U.S.C.
7622) authorizes contributions to the Fund to the extent that
United States contributions do not exceed 33 percent of all
contributions to the Fund, allowing the United States to
contribute $1 for every $2 contributed by other sources.
(4) during fiscal years 2001 through 2003, the United
States provided $623,000,000 of the total contributions of
$1,900,000,000 to the Fund, which represents approximately \1/
3\ of total contributions to the Fund;
(5) Congress has appropriated $547,000,000 to the Fund for
fiscal year 2004, which has been matched by confirmed pledges
of $994,000,000, and is slightly more than \1/3\ of total
pledges, with additional pledges expected;
(6) over the life of the Fund, Congress has appropriated
sufficient amounts to match contributions from other sources to
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria on a
1-to-2 basis; and
(7) transparency and accountability are critical to fund
grant-making and the United States should work with foreign
governments and international organizations to support the
Fund's efforts to use its contributions most effectively.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that this
concurrent resolution and subsequent appropriations Acts should provide
sufficient funds to continue matching contributions from other sources
to The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria on a 1-to-2
basis.
SEC. 519. SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING CHILD NUTRITION FUNDING.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds that--
(1) Federal child nutrition programs have long played a
critical role in providing children in the United States with
quality nutrition from birth through secondary school;
(2) recognizing the value of these benefits to children in
the United States, Congress has an enduring tradition of
bipartisan support for these programs;
(3) children in the United States are increasingly at
nutritional risk due to poor dietary habits, lack of access to
nutritious foods, and obesity and diet-related diseases
associated with poor dietary intake;
(4) many children in the United States who would benefit
from Federal child nutrition programs do not receive benefits
due to financial or administrative barriers; and
(5) Federal child nutrition programs are expected to be
reauthorized in the One Hundred Eighth Congress.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that the
levels in this concurrent resolution assume that in making
appropriations and revenue decisions, the Senate supports the retention
in the conference report for this concurrent resolution of the
additional funds provided in this concurrent resolution for the
reauthorization of Federal child nutrition programs.
SEC. 520. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING COMPENSATION FOR EXPOSURE TO
TOXIC SUBSTANCES AT THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY.
(a) Findings.--The Senate finds the following:
(1) The Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation
Program Act of 2000 (42 U.S.C. 7384 et seq.) (referred to in
this section as the ``EEOICPA'') is intended to ensure the
timely payment of uniform and adequate compensation to covered
employees suffering from occupational illnesses incurred during
their work for the Department of Energy.
(2) The Department of Labor is responsible for implementing
the provisions under subtitle B of the EEOICPA, relating to
claims for radiation related cancers, beryllium disease, and
silicosis. The Department of Labor has, within its area of
responsibility, processed over 95 percent of the 52,000 claims
it has received, and is processing these claims in an average
of 73 days.
(3) As of the date of enactment of this resolution, the
Department of Health and Human Services has not promulgated the
regulations required under section 3626 of the EEOICPA for
allowing claimants to petition to be members of the Special
Exposure Cohort. Special Exposure Cohorts provide a presumption
in favor of the claimant for radiation related cancers if--
(A) it is not feasible to estimate radiation dose
with sufficient accuracy; and
(B) there is a reasonable likelihood that the
health of the class of workers may have been
endangered.
(4) The Department of Energy, which is responsible for
implementing subtitle D of the EEOICPA, relating to
occupational illness caused by exposure to toxic substances at
Department of Energy facilities, finalized its regulations on
August 14, 2002. The Department of Energy has processed 1
percent of the 22,000 claims received through the Department of
Energy physicians panels since its regulations were made final.
(5) The Department of Energy has no willing payor for up to
50 percent of the claims that its physicians panels determine
to be related to exposure to a toxic substance at the
Department of Energy. As a consequence, many claimants with a
positive determination from the physicians panel will be denied
benefits. Many States, including Alaska, Colorado, Iowa,
Kentucky, Missouri, Ohio, New Mexico, Idaho, and Nevada, may
not have a willing payor.
(b) Sense of the Senate.--It is the sense of the Senate that--
(1) claims for occupational illness, which are determined
to be caused by exposure to toxic substances at Department of
Energy facilities under subtitle D of the EEOICPA, should be
promptly, equitably, and efficiently compensated;
(2) administrative and technical changes should be made to
the EEOICPA to--
(A) improve claims processing and review by
physicians panels to ensure cost-effective and
efficient consideration and determination of workers'
claims;
(B) provide for membership in additional special
exposure cohorts; and
(C) address eligibility issues at facilities with
residual radiation; and
(3) the President and Congress should work together at the
earliest opportunity to develop a plan that effectively
resolves the issue of a lack of a willing payor for many claims
that are determined under subtitle D of the EEOICPA to be
related to exposure to a toxic substance at Department of
Energy facilities.
SEC. 521. SENSE OF THE SENATE REGARDING TAX INCENTIVES FOR CERTAIN
RURAL COMMUNITIES.
It is the sense of the Senate that if tax relief measures are
passed in accordance with the assumptions in this resolution in this
session of Congress, such legislation should include--
(1) tax and other financial incentives, similar to those
included in the New Homestead Act (S. 602), to help rural
communities fight the economic decimation caused by chronic
out-migration by giving such communities the tools they need to
attract individuals to live and work, or to start and grow a
business, in such rural areas, and
(2) revenue provisions which fully offset the cost of such
tax and other financial incentives.
SEC. 522. SENSE OF THE SENATE CONCERNING SUMMER FOOD PILOT PROJECTS.
It is the sense of the Senate that the levels in this concurrent
resolution assume that in making appropriations and revenue decisions
in Function 600 (Income Security), the Senate supports the provision,
to the Food and Nutrition Service and other appropriate agencies within
the Department of Agriculture, of $15,000,000 for fiscal year 2005, and
$127,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2005 through 2009, to
enable those agencies to expand the summer food pilot projects
established under section 18(f) of the Richard B. Russell National
School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1769(f)) to all States of the United States
and to all service institutions (including service institutions
described in section 13(a)(7) of that Act).
Passed the Senate March 12 (legislative day, March 11),
2004.
Attest:
Secretary.
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. CON. RES. 95
_______________________________________________________________________
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government
for fiscal year 2005 and including the appropriate budgetary levels for
fiscal years 2006 through 2009.