[Congressional Bills 109th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 2528 Engrossed Amendment Senate (EAS)]


  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

                  In the Senate of the United States,

                                                    September 22, 2005.
    Resolved, That the bill from the House of Representatives (H.R. 
2528) entitled ``An Act making appropriations for military quality of 
life functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes.'', do pass with 
the following

                              AMENDMENTS:

            Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert:

That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated for military quality of life 
functions of the Department of Defense, military construction, the 
Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2006, and for other purposes, namely:

                     TITLE I--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION

                      Military Construction, Army

    For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 
temporary or permanent public works, military installations, 
facilities, and real property for the Army as currently authorized by 
law, including personnel in the Army Corps of Engineers and other 
personal services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, and 
for construction and operation of facilities in support of the 
functions of the Commander in Chief, $1,640,641,000, to remain 
available until September 30, 2010: Provided, That of this amount, not 
to exceed $179,343,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, 
architect and engineer services, and host nation support, as authorized 
by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional 
obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees 
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the determination and 
the reasons therefor: Provided further, That of the amount provided for 
Military Construction, Army, $8,900,000 shall be available for Phase 1a 
of a Permanent Party Barracks at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and 
$3,150,000 shall be available for an Airfield Fire Station at Fort 
Sill, Oklahoma.

              Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

                    (including rescission of funds)

    For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 
temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities, 
and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps as currently authorized 
by law, including personnel in the Naval Facilities Engineering Command 
and other personal services necessary for the purposes of this 
appropriation, $1,045,882,000, to remain available until September 30, 
2010: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $32,524,000 shall be 
available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer 
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense 
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes 
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided 
further, That of the funds appropriated for ``Military Construction, 
Navy'' under Public Law 108-324, $92,354,000 are hereby rescinded.

                    Military Construction, Air Force

    For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 
temporary or permanent public works, military installations, 
facilities, and real property for the Air Force as currently authorized 
by law, $1,209,128,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: 
Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $83,626,000 shall be 
available for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer 
services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense 
determines that additional obligations are necessary for such purposes 
and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor: Provided 
further, That of the amount provided for Military Construction, Air 
Force, $5,721,000 shall be available for a B-2 Conventional Munitions 
Storage Facility at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri, and $14,000,000 
for Phase 1 of Force Protection Enhancement at Vance Air Force Base, 
Oklahoma.

                  Military Construction, Defense-wide

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of 
temporary or permanent public works, installations, facilities, and 
real property for activities and agencies of the Department of Defense 
(other than the military departments), as currently authorized by law, 
$1,072,165,000, to remain available until September 30, 2010: Provided, 
That such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by the 
Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such appropriations of the 
Department of Defense available for military construction or family 
housing as the Secretary may designate, to be merged with and to be 
available for the same purposes, and for the same time period, as the 
appropriation or fund to which transferred: Provided further, That of 
the amount appropriated, not to exceed $133,120,000 shall be available 
for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, as 
authorized by law, unless the Secretary of Defense determines that 
additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the 
determination and the reasons therefor.

               Military Construction, Army National Guard

    For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the 
Army National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by 
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction 
Authorization Acts, $467,146,000, to remain available until September 
30, 2010.

               Military Construction, Air National Guard

    For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air 
National Guard, and contributions therefor, as authorized by chapter 
1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction 
Authorization Acts, $279,156,000, to remain available until September 
30, 2010.

                  Military Construction, Army Reserve

    For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the 
Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States 
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $136,077,000, to 
remain available until September 30, 2010.

                  Military Construction, Naval Reserve

    For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the 
reserve components of the Navy and Marine Corps as authorized by 
chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction 
Authorization Acts, $46,676,000, to remain available until September 
30, 2010.

                Military Construction, Air Force Reserve

    For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, and 
conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Air 
Force Reserve as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United States 
Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, $89,260,000, to 
remain available until September 30, 2010.

                   North Atlantic Treaty Organization

                      Security Investment Program

    For the United States share of the cost of the North Atlantic 
Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for the acquisition and 
construction of military facilities and installations (including 
international military headquarters) and for related expenses for the 
collective defense of the North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by 
section 2806 of title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction 
Authorization Acts, $206,858,000, to remain available until expended.

                   Family Housing Construction, Army

    For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction, 
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and 
alteration, as authorized by law, $549,636,000, to remain available 
until September 30, 2010.

             Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army

    For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation and 
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, 
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized 
by law, $812,993,000.

           Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

    For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for 
construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, 
extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, $218,942,000, to 
remain available until September 30, 2010.

    Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps

    For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine Corps for 
operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor 
construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, 
as authorized by law, $593,660,000.

                 Family Housing Construction, Air Force

    For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction, 
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and 
alteration, as authorized by law, $1,142,622,000, to remain available 
until September 30, 2010.

          Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force

    For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for operation and 
maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor construction, 
principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums, as authorized 
by law, $766,939,000.

         Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide

    For expenses of family housing for the activities and agencies of 
the Department of Defense (other than the military departments) for 
operation and maintenance, leasing, and minor construction, as 
authorized by law, $46,391,000.

         Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund

    For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund, 
$2,500,000, to remain available until expended, for family housing 
initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, United 
States Code, providing alternative means of acquiring and improving 
military family housing and supporting facilities.

            Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990

    For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 
1990, established by section 2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and 
Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. section 2687 note), $377,827,000, to 
remain available until expended.

            Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005

    For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 
2005, established by section 2906A(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure 
and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. section 2687 note), 
$1,504,466,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That 
these funds may not be obligated or expended until the Secretary of 
Defense submits to the congressional defense committees and receives 
approval of a report describing the specific programs, projects, and 
activities for which such funds are to be obligated.

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Sec. 101. None of the funds made available in this title shall be 
expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for 
construction, where cost estimates exceed $25,000, to be performed 
within the United States, except Alaska, without the specific approval 
in writing of the Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons 
therefor.
    Sec. 102. Funds made available in this title shall be available for 
hire of passenger motor vehicles.
    Sec. 103. Funds made available in this title may be used for 
advances to the Federal Highway Administration, Department of 
Transportation, for the construction of access roads as authorized by 
section 210 of title 23, United States Code, when projects authorized 
therein are certified as important to the national defense by the 
Secretary of Defense.
    Sec. 104. None of the funds made available in this title may be 
used to begin construction of new bases in the United States for which 
specific appropriations have not been made.
    Sec. 105. None of the funds made available in this title shall be 
used for purchase of land or land easements in excess of 100 percent of 
the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval 
Facilities Engineering Command, except: (1) where there is a 
determination of value by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by 
the Attorney General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where 
the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise 
determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public interest.
    Sec. 106. None of the funds made available in this title shall be 
used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site preparation; or (3) 
install utilities for any family housing, except housing for which 
funds have been made available in annual military construction 
appropriations Acts.
    Sec. 107. None of the funds made available in this title for minor 
construction may be used to transfer or relocate any activity from one 
base or installation to another, without prior notification to the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
    Sec. 108. None of the funds made available in this title may be 
used for the procurement of steel for any construction project or 
activity for which American steel producers, fabricators, and 
manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete for such 
steel procurement.
    Sec. 109. None of the funds made available in this title may be 
used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation.
    Sec. 110. None of the funds made available in this title may be 
used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification 
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
    Sec. 111. None of the funds made available in this title may be 
obligated for architect and engineer contracts estimated by the 
Government to exceed $500,000 for projects to be accomplished in Japan, 
in any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member country, or in 
countries bordering the Arabian Sea, unless such contracts are awarded 
to United States firms or United States firms in joint venture with 
host nation firms.
    Sec. 112. None of the funds made available in this title for 
military construction in the United States territories and possessions 
in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the 
Arabian Sea, may be used to award any contract estimated by the 
Government to exceed $1,000,000 to a foreign contractor: Provided, That 
this section shall not be applicable to contract awards for which the 
lowest responsive and responsible bid of a United States contractor 
exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a foreign 
contractor by greater than 20 percent: Provided further, That this 
section shall not apply to contract awards for military construction on 
Kwajalein Atoll for which the lowest responsive and responsible bid is 
submitted by a Marshallese contractor.
    Sec. 113. The Secretary of Defense shall inform the appropriate 
committees of both Houses of Congress, including the Committees on 
Appropriations, of the plans and scope of any proposed military 
exercise involving United States personnel 30 days prior to its 
occurring, if amounts expended for construction, either temporary or 
permanent, are anticipated to exceed $100,000.
    Sec. 114. Not more than 20 percent of the funds made available in 
this title which are limited for obligation during the current fiscal 
year shall be obligated during the last two months of the fiscal year.

                          (transfer of funds)

    Sec. 115. Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense for 
construction in prior years shall be available for construction 
authorized for each such military department by the authorizations 
enacted into law during the current session of Congress.
    Sec. 116. For military construction or family housing projects that 
are being completed with funds otherwise expired or lapsed for 
obligation, expired or lapsed funds may be used to pay the cost of 
associated supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering and design on 
those projects and on subsequent claims, if any.
    Sec. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any funds 
made available to a military department or defense agency for the 
construction of military projects may be obligated for a military 
construction project or contract, or for any portion of such a project 
or contract, at any time before the end of the fourth fiscal year after 
the fiscal year for which funds for such project were made available if 
the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from funds 
available for military construction projects; and (2) do not exceed the 
amount appropriated for such project, plus any amount by which the cost 
of such project is increased pursuant to law.
    Sec. 118. The Secretary of Defense shall provide the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress with an annual report by 
February 15, containing details of the specific actions proposed to be 
taken by the Department of Defense during the current fiscal year to 
encourage other member nations of the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organization, Japan, Korea, and United States allies bordering the 
Arabian Sea to assume a greater share of the common defense burden of 
such nations and the United States.

                          (transfer of funds)

    Sec. 119. In addition to any other transfer authority available to 
the Department of Defense, proceeds deposited to the Department of 
Defense Base Closure Account established by section 207(a)(1) of the 
Defense Authorization Amendments and Base Closure and Realignment Act 
(Public Law 100-526) pursuant to section 207(a)(2)(C) of such Act, may 
be transferred to the account established by section 2906(a)(1) of the 
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. section 
2687 note), to be merged with, and to be available for the same 
purposes and the same time period as that account.

                          (transfer of funds)

    Sec. 120. Subject to 30 days prior notification to the Committees 
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such additional amounts 
as may be determined by the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to: 
(1) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from 
amounts appropriated for construction in ``Family Housing'' accounts, 
to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the 
same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund; or 
(2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing 
Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for construction of military 
unaccompanied housing in ``Military Construction'' accounts, to be 
merged with and to be available for the same purposes and for the same 
period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Provided, 
That appropriations made available to the Funds shall be available to 
cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the 
Department of Defense pursuant to the provisions of subchapter IV of 
chapter 169, title 10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative 
means of acquiring and improving military family housing, military 
unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.
    Sec. 121. None of the funds made available in this title may be 
obligated for Partnership for Peace Programs in the New Independent 
States of the former Soviet Union.
    Sec. 122. (a) Not later than 60 days before issuing any 
solicitation for a contract with the private sector for military family 
housing the Secretary of the military department concerned shall submit 
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the 
notice described in subsection (b).
    (b)(1) A notice referred to in subsection (a) is a notice of any 
guarantee (including the making of mortgage or rental payments) 
proposed to be made by the Secretary to the private party under the 
contract involved in the event of--
            (A) the closure or realignment of the installation for 
        which housing is provided under the contract;
            (B) a reduction in force of units stationed at such 
        installation; or
            (C) the extended deployment overseas of units stationed at 
        such installation.
    (2) Each notice under this subsection shall specify the nature of 
the guarantee involved and assess the extent and likelihood, if any, of 
the liability of the Federal Government with respect to the guarantee.

                          (transfer of funds)

    Sec. 123. In addition to any other transfer authority available to 
the Department of Defense, amounts may be transferred from the account 
established by section 2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and 
Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), to the fund established 
by section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan 
Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. section 3374) to pay for expenses 
associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program. Any amounts 
transferred shall be merged with and be available for the same purposes 
and for the same time period as the fund to which transferred.
    Sec. 124. Notwithstanding this or any other provision of law, funds 
made available in this title for operation and maintenance of family 
housing shall be the exclusive source of funds for repair and 
maintenance of all family housing units, including general or flag 
officer quarters: Provided, That not more than $35,000 per unit may be 
spent annually for the maintenance and repair of any general or flag 
officer quarters without 30 days prior notification to the Committees 
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, except that an after-the-
fact notification shall be submitted if the limitation is exceeded 
solely due to costs associated with environmental remediation that 
could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of the budget 
submission: Provided further, That the Under Secretary of Defense 
(Comptroller) is to report annually to the Committees on Appropriations 
of both Houses of Congress all operation and maintenance expenditures 
for each individual general or flag officer quarters for the prior 
fiscal year.
    Sec. 125. None of the funds made available in this title may be 
transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the United 
States Government, except pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer 
authority provided in this Act, or any other appropriations Act.
    Sec. 126. None of the funds made available in this title under the 
heading ``North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment 
Program'', and no funds appropriated for any fiscal year before fiscal 
year 2006 for that program that remain available for obligation, may be 
obligated or expended for the conduct of studies of missile defense.
    Sec. 127. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement Account 
established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of title 10, United 
States Code, are appropriated and shall be available until expended for 
the purposes specified in subsection (i)(1) of such section or until 
transferred pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.
    Sec. 128. None of the funds made available in this title, or in any 
Act making appropriations for military construction which remain 
available for obligation, may be obligated or expended to carry out a 
military construction, land acquisition, or family housing project at 
or for a military installation approved for closure, or at a military 
installation for the purposes of supporting a function that has been 
approved for realignment to another installation, in 2005 under the 
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (part A of title XXIX 
of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. section 2687 note), unless the 
Secretary of Defense certifies that the cost to the United States of 
carrying out such project would be less than the cost to the United 
States of cancelling such project, or in the case of projects having 
multi-agency use, that another Government agency has indicated it will 
assume ownership of the completed project, and the Secretary of Defense 
may not transfer funds made available for such a military construction 
project, land acquisition, or family housing project to another account 
or use such funds for another purpose or project without the prior 
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
Congress.
    Sec. 129. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and notifications 
required by this title shall be submitted to the Subcommittee on 
Military Quality of Life and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of 
the Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related 
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
    Sec. 130. Of the amount appropriated by this title under the 
heading ``Military Construction, Air National Guard'' and available for 
planning and design, $1,440,000 shall be available for planning and 
design for a replacement C-130 maintenance hangar at Air National Guard 
New Castle County Airport, Delaware.
    Sec. 131. (a) Of the amount appropriated by this title under the 
heading ``Military Construction, Army'', $4,550,000 shall be made 
available for the construction of a military police complex at Fort 
Gordon, Georgia.
    (b) The amount appropriated by this title under the heading 
``Military Construction, Army'' and available for Fort Gillem, Georgia, 
is hereby decreased by $4,550,000.
    Sec. 132. (a) The amount appropriated by this title under the 
heading ``Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990'' is hereby 
increased by $25,000,000.
    (b) The amount appropriated by this title under the heading 
``Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005'' is hereby decreased 
by $25,000,000.

                TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                    Veterans Benefits Administration

                       compensation and pensions

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of 
veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as authorized 
by law (38 U.S.C. 107, chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61); 
pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by law (38 
U.S.C. chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61; 92 Stat. 2508); and burial 
benefits, the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors, emergency 
and other officers' retirement pay, adjusted-service credits and 
certificates, payment of premiums due on commercial life insurance 
policies guaranteed under the provisions of article IV of the Soldiers' 
and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940 (50 U.S.C. App. 540 et seq.) and 
for other benefits as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. 107, 1312, 1977, and 
2106, chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61; 50 U.S.C. App. 540-548; 43 Stat. 
122, 123; 45 Stat. 735; 76 Stat. 1198), $33,412,879,000, to remain 
available until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $23,491,000 of 
the amount appropriated under this heading shall be reimbursed to 
``General operating expenses'' and ``Medical administration'' for 
necessary expenses in implementing those provisions authorized in the 
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and in the Veterans' 
Benefits Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C. chapters 51, 53, and 55), the funding 
source for which is specifically provided as the ``Compensation and 
pensions'' appropriation: Provided further, That such sums as may be 
earned on an actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to 
``Medical care collections fund'' to augment the funding of individual 
medical facilities for nursing home care provided to pensioners as 
authorized.

                         readjustment benefits

    For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to or 
on behalf of veterans as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. chapters 21, 30, 
31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61), $3,214,246,000, to remain 
available until expended: Provided, That expenses for rehabilitation 
program services and assistance which the Secretary is authorized to 
provide under section 3104(a) of title 38, United States Code, other 
than under subsection (a)(1), (2), (5), and (11) of that section, shall 
be charged to this account.

                   veterans insurance and indemnities

    For military and naval insurance, national service life insurance, 
servicemen's indemnities, service-disabled veterans insurance, and 
veterans mortgage life insurance as authorized by title 38, United 
States Code, chapter 19; 70 Stat. 887; 72 Stat. 487, $45,907,000, to 
remain available until expended.

         veterans housing benefit program fund program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by title 38, United 
States Code, chapter 37: Provided, That such costs, including the cost 
of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That during fiscal 
year 2006, within the resources available, not to exceed $500,000 in 
gross obligations for direct loans are authorized for specially adapted 
housing loans.
    For administrative expenses to carry out the direct and guaranteed 
loan programs, $153,575,000, which may be transferred to and merged 
with the appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.

            vocational rehabilitation loans program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For the cost of direct loans, $53,000, as authorized by title 38, 
United States Code, chapter 31: Provided, That such costs, including 
the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of 
the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That funds made 
available under this heading are available to subsidize gross 
obligations for the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed 
$4,242,000.
    In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
direct loan program, $305,000, which may be transferred to and merged 
with the appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.

          native american veteran housing loan program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program 
authorized by title 38, United States Code, chapter 37, subchapter V, 
$580,000, which may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation 
for ``General operating expenses'': Provided, That no new loans in 
excess of $30,000,000 may be made in fiscal year 2006.

  guaranteed transitional housing loans for homeless veterans program 
                                account

    For the administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed 
transitional housing loan program authorized by title 38, United States 
Code, chapter 37, subchapter VI, not to exceed $750,000 of the amounts 
appropriated by this Act for ``General operating expenses'' and 
``Medical administration'' may be expended.

                     Veterans Health Administration

                            medical services

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by law, 
inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to beneficiaries of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs and veterans described in paragraphs (1) 
through (8) of section 1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, 
including care and treatment in facilities not under the jurisdiction 
of the Department of Veterans Affairs and including medical supplies 
and equipment and salaries and expenses of healthcare employees hired 
under title 38, United States Code, and aid to State homes as 
authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States Code; 
$23,308,011,000, plus reimbursements, of which $1,977,000,000 are 
designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 402 of House 
Concurrent Resolution 95 (109th Congress), the fiscal year 2006 budget 
resolution: Provided further, That of the emergency funds provided 
under this heading, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall submit for 
approval by the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
Congress, a financial plan outlining how the emergency funds will be 
obligated: Provided further, That the Department of Veterans Affairs 
shall include these emergency funds in their base request for the 
fiscal year 2007 budget submission: Provided further, That of the funds 
made available under this heading, not to exceed $1,500,000,000 shall 
be available until September 30, 2007: Provided further, That 
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall establish a priority for treatment for veterans who are 
service-connected disabled, lower income, or have special needs: 
Provided further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall give priority funding for the 
provision of basic medical benefits to veterans in enrollment priority 
groups 1 through 6: Provided further, That notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs may authorize the 
dispensing of prescription drugs from Veterans Health Administration 
facilities to enrolled veterans with privately written prescriptions 
based on requirements established by the Secretary: Provided further, 
That the implementation of the program described in the previous 
proviso shall incur no additional cost to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs: Provided further, That for the Department of Defense/Veterans 
Affairs Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 
721 of Public Law 107-314, a minimum of $15,000,000, to remain 
available until expended, for any purpose authorized by title 38, 
United States Code, section 8111.

                         medical administration

    For necessary expenses in the administration of the medical, 
hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, supply, and research 
activities, as authorized by law; administrative expenses in support of 
capital policy activities; uniforms or allowances therefore, as 
authorized by sections 5901-5902 of title 5, United States Code; and 
administrative and legal expenses of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
for collecting and recovering amounts owed the department as authorized 
under chapter 17 of title 38, United States Code, and the Federal 
Medical Care Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 2651 et seq.); $2,858,442,000, 
plus reimbursements, of which $250,000,000 shall be available until 
September 30, 2007.

                         information technology

    For necessary expenses, $1,456,821,000 shall be available for the 
Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology program: 
Provided, That within 90 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall establish an office for Information 
Technology (IT) with the authority and responsibility for all IT 
projects: Provided further, That this office shall report directly to 
the Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That this 
new organizational structure shall be subject to approval of the 
Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress: Provided 
further, That within this amount, no more than $100,000,000 from all 
sources shall be available for the HealtheVet project for fiscal year 
2006: Provided further, That none of the funds made available for the 
HealtheVet project may be obligated until such time that the Department 
of Veterans Affairs creates a single position with the responsibility 
for and the authority to manage the entire project, including budgetary 
authority: Provided further, That none of the funds made available for 
the HealtheVet project may be obligated until the Committees on 
Appropriations in both Houses of Congress approve a financial 
expenditure plan for the entire project.

                           medical facilities

    For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities and other 
necessary facilities for the Veterans Health Administration; for 
administrative expenses in support of planning, design, project 
management, real property acquisition and disposition, construction and 
renovation of any facility under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
Department of Veterans Affairs; for oversight, engineering and 
architectural activities not charged to project costs; for repairing, 
altering, improving or providing facilities in the several hospitals 
and homes under the jurisdiction of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 
not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by the hire of 
temporary employees and purchase of materials; for leases of 
facilities; and for laundry and food services, $3,297,669,000, plus 
reimbursements, of which $250,000,000 shall be available until 
September 30, 2007.

                    medical and prosthetic research

    For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical and 
prosthetic research and development as authorized by chapter 73 of 
title 38, United States Code to remain available until September 30, 
2007, $412,000,000, plus reimbursements, of which, not less than 
$15,000,000 shall be used for Gulf War Illness research.

                      Departmental Administration

                       general operating expenses

    For necessary operating expenses of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including administrative expenses 
in support of department-wide capital planning, management and policy 
activities, uniforms or allowances therefore; not to exceed $25,000 for 
official reception and representation expenses; hire of passenger motor 
vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services Administration for 
security guard services, and the Department of Defense for the cost of 
overseas employee mail, $1,418,827,000: Provided, The Veterans Affairs 
shall conduct an information campaign in States with an average annual 
disability compensation payment of less than $7,300 (according to the 
report issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector 
General on May 19, 2005), to inform all veterans receiving disability 
compensation, by direct mail, of the history of below average 
disability compensation payments to veterans in such States, and to 
provide all veterans in each such State, through broadcast or print 
advertising, with the aforementioned historical information and 
instructions for submitting new claims and requesting review of past 
disability claims and ratings: Provided further, That expenses for 
services and assistance authorized under title 38, United States Code, 
sections 3104(a)(1), (2), (5), and (11) that the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs determines are necessary to enable entitled veterans: (1) to 
the maximum extent feasible, to become employable and to obtain and 
maintain suitable employment; or (2) to achieve maximum independence in 
daily living, shall be charged to this account: Provided further, That 
the Veterans Benefits Administration shall be funded at not less than 
$1,093,937,500: Provided further, That of the funds made available 
under this heading, not to exceed $71,000,000 shall be available for 
obligation until September 30, 2007.

                    national cemetery administration

    For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Administration for 
operations and maintenance, not otherwise provided for, including 
uniforms or allowances therefore; cemeterial expenses as authorized by 
law; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial 
operations; and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $156,447,000: 
Provided, That of the funds made available under this heading, not to 
exceed $7,800,000 shall be available until September 30, 2007.

                      office of inspector general

    For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General in 
carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, 
$70,174,000, to remain available until September 30, 2007.

                      construction, major projects

    For constructing, altering, extending and improving any of the 
facilities including parking projects under the jurisdiction or for the 
use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the purposes 
set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 
8110, and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, including planning, 
architectural and engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period 
services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the 
project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm 
drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, where the 
estimated cost of a project is more than the amount set forth in title 
38, United States Code, section 8104(a)(3)(A) or where funds for a 
project were made available in a previous major project appropriation, 
$607,100,000, to remain available until expended, of which $539,800,000 
shall be for Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) 
activities; and of which $2,500,000 shall be to make reimbursements as 
provided in title 41, United States Code, section 612 for claims paid 
for contract disputes: Provided, That except for advance planning 
activities, including needs assessments which may or may not lead to 
capital investments, and other capital asset management related 
activities, such as portfolio development and management activities, 
and investment strategy studies funded through the advance planning 
fund and the planning and design activities funded through the design 
fund and CARES funds, including needs assessments which may or may not 
lead to capital investments, none of the funds appropriated under this 
heading shall be used for any project which has not been approved by 
the Congress in the budgetary process: Provided further, That funds 
provided in this appropriation for fiscal year 2006, for each approved 
project (except those for CARES activities referenced above) shall be 
obligated: (1) by the awarding of a construction documents contract by 
September 30, 2006; and (2) by the awarding of a construction contract 
by September 30, 2007: Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall promptly report in writing to the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress any approved major 
construction project in which obligations are not incurred within the 
time limitations established above: Provided further, That none of the 
funds in this or any other Act may be used to modify or alter the 
mission, services or infrastructure of the 18 facilities on the Capital 
Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) list requiring further 
study as specified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

                      construction, minor projects

    For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the 
facilities including parking projects under the jurisdiction or for the 
use of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning and 
assessments of needs which may lead to capital investments, 
architectural and engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period 
services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the 
project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and storm 
drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, or for any of 
the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 
8108, 8109, 8110, 8122, and 8162 of title 38, United States Code, where 
the estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than the amount set 
forth in title 38, United States Code, section 8104(a)(3)(A), 
$208,937,000, to remain available until expended, along with 
unobligated balances of previous ``Construction, minor projects'' 
appropriations, of which $160,000,000 shall be for Capital Asset 
Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) activities: Provided, That 
from amounts appropriated under this heading, additional amounts may be 
used for CARES activities upon notification of and approval by the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: Provided 
further, That funds in this account shall be available for: (1) repairs 
to any of the nonmedical facilities under the jurisdiction or for the 
use of the Department of Veterans Affairs which are necessary because 
of loss or damage caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; and 
(2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize further loss 
by such causes.

       grants for construction of state extended care facilities

    For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State nursing 
home and domiciliary facilities; and to remodel, modify or alter 
existing hospital, nursing home and domiciliary facilities in State 
homes; and for furnishing care to veterans as authorized by title 38, 
United States Code, sections 8131-8137, $104,322,000, to remain 
available until expended.

        grants for the construction of state veterans cemeteries

    For grants to aid States in establishing, expanding, or improving 
State veterans cemeteries as authorized by title 38, United States 
Code, section 2408, $32,000,000, to remain available until expended.

                           General Provisions

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 201. Any appropriation for the Veterans Benefits 
Administration for fiscal year 2006 for ``Compensation and pensions'', 
``Readjustment benefits'', and ``Veterans insurance and indemnities'' 
may be transferred as necessary to any other of the mentioned 
appropriations: Provided, That before a transfer may take place, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the 
transfer and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 
30 days has elapsed.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 202. Amounts made available for the Veterans Health 
Administration for fiscal year 2006 under the ``Medical services'', 
``Medical administration'', ``Information technology'', and ``Medical 
facilities'' accounts may be transferred between the mentioned 
accounts: Provided, That before a transfer may take place, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the 
transfer and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 
30 days has elapsed: Provided further, That no transfer may be made out 
of the ``Medical and Prosthetic Research'' account.
    Sec. 203. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress a quarterly 
report on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration. 
This report shall contain, at a minimum, both planned and actual 
expenditure rates, unobligated balances, and any potential financial 
shortfalls.
    Sec. 204. No project for which funds have been appropriated in the 
``Construction, major projects'' account may be canceled or altered in 
scope by more than 10 percent in cost without submitting a request to 
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress and an 
approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has 
elapsed.
    Sec. 205. No appropriations in this Act for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospitalization or examination 
of any persons (except beneficiaries entitled under the laws bestowing 
such benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such treatment under 5 
U.S.C., sections 7901-7904 or 42 U.S.C., sections 5141-5204), unless 
reimbursement of cost is made to the ``Medical services'' account at 
such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    Sec. 206. Appropriations available to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for fiscal year 2006 for ``Compensation and pensions'', 
``Readjustment benefits'', and ``Veterans insurance and indemnities'' 
shall be available for payment of prior year accrued obligations 
required to be recorded by law against the corresponding prior year 
accounts within the last quarter of fiscal year 2005.
    Sec. 207. Appropriations accounts available to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 shall be available to pay prior 
year obligations of corresponding prior year appropriations accounts 
resulting from title X of the Competitive Equality Banking Act, Public 
Law 100-86, except that if such obligations are from trust fund 
accounts they shall be payable from ``Compensation and pensions''.
    Sec. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during fiscal 
year 2006, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, from the National 
Service Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans' Special 
Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Government 
Life Insurance Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reimburse the ``General operating 
expenses'' account for the cost of administration of the insurance 
programs financed through those accounts: Provided, That reimbursement 
shall be made only from the surplus earnings accumulated in an 
insurance program in fiscal year 2006 that are available for dividends 
in that program after claims have been paid and actuarially determined 
reserves have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of 
administration of an insurance program exceeds the amount of surplus 
earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement shall be made only 
to the extent of such surplus earnings: Provided further, That the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall determine the cost of 
administration for fiscal year 2006 which is properly allocable to the 
provision of each insurance program and to the provision of any total 
disability income insurance included in such insurance program.
    Sec. 209. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and hereafter, 
the Department of Veterans Affairs shall continue the Franchise Fund 
established by title I of Public Law 104-204.
    Sec. 210. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds to 
reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account during a 
prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease services, may be 
obligated during the fiscal year in which the proceeds are received.
    Sec. 211. Funds available in any Department of Veterans Affairs 
appropriation for fiscal year 2006 or funds for salaries and other 
administrative expenses shall also be available to reimburse the Office 
of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination 
Complaint Adjudication for all services provided at rates which will 
recover actual costs but not exceed $29,758,000 for the Office of 
Resolution Management and $3,059,000 for the Office of Employment and 
Discrimination Complaint Adjudication: Provided, That payments may be 
made in advance for services to be furnished based on estimated costs: 
Provided further, That amounts received shall be credited to ``General 
operating expenses'' for use by the office that provided the service.
    Sec. 212. No appropriations in this Act for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall be available to enter into any new lease of real 
property if the estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 unless 
the Secretary of Veterans Affairs submits a report which the Committees 
on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress approve within 30 days 
following the date on which the report is received.
    Sec. 213. No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs shall be 
available for hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services 
provided to any person under chapter 17 of title 38, United States 
Code, for a non-service-connected disability described in section 
1729(a)(2) of such title, unless that person has disclosed to the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may 
require, current, accurate third-party reimbursement information for 
purposes of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That the Secretary 
may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the United 
States, the reasonable charges for such care or services from any 
person who does not make such disclosure as required: Provided further, 
That any amounts so recovered for care or services provided in a prior 
fiscal year may be obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal year in 
which amounts are received.
    Sec. 214. Amounts made available under the ``Medical services'' 
account are available--
            (1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and 
        equipment; and
            (2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other 
        expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries 
        receiving care in the department.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 215. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2006 for the Veterans 
Benefits Administration made available under the heading ``General 
operating expenses'' may be transferred to the ``Veterans Housing 
Benefit Program Fund Program Account'' for the purpose of providing 
funds for the nationwide property management contract if the 
administrative costs of such contract exceed $8,800,000 in the fiscal 
year.
    Sec. 216. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall allow veterans eligible under existing 
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care requirements and who reside 
in Alaska to obtain medical care services from medical facilities 
supported by the Indian Health Services or tribal organizations. The 
Secretary shall: (1) limit the application of this provision to rural 
Alaskan veterans in areas where an existing Department of Veterans 
Affairs facility or Veterans Affairs-contracted service is unavailable; 
(2) require participating veterans and facilities to comply with all 
appropriate rules and regulations, as established by the Secretary; (3) 
require this provision to be consistent with Capital Asset Realignment 
for Enhanced Services Activities; and (4) result in no additional cost 
to the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 217. Such sums as may be deposited to the Department of 
Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to title 38, United States 
Code, section 8118 may be transferred to the ``Construction, major 
projects'' and ``Construction, minor projects'' accounts, to remain 
available until expended for the purposes of these accounts.
    Sec. 218. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, at the 
discretion of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, proceeds or revenues 
derived from enhanced-use leasing activities (including disposal) may 
be deposited into the ``Construction, major projects'' and 
``Construction, minor projects'' accounts and be used for construction 
(including site acquisition and disposition), alterations and 
improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction or for the 
use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such sums as realized are in 
addition to the amount provided for in ``Construction, major projects'' 
and ``Construction, minor projects''.
    Sec. 219. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used 
to implement any policy prohibiting the Directors of the Veterans 
Integrated Service Networks from conducting outreach or marketing to 
enroll new veterans within their respective Networks.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 220. That such sums as may be deposited to the Medical Care 
Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, United States 
Code, may be transferred to the ``Medical services'' account, to remain 
available until expended for the purposes of this account.
    Sec. 221. Appropriations available to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs for fiscal year 2006 for salaries and expenses shall be 
available for services authorized by title 5, United States Code, 
section 3109; hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or 
land or both; and uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 
title 5, United States Code, sections 5901-5902.
    Sec. 222. Report on housing assistance to low-income veterans. (a) 
In General.--The Comptroller General shall conduct a study on housing 
assistance to low-income veterans, including--
            (1) an estimate of the number of low-income, very low-
        income, and extremely low-income veteran households;
            (2) a description of the demographic and socioeconomic 
        characteristics and health and disability status of such 
        households;
            (3) an estimate of the number of such households 
        experiencing a high cost burden in, overcrowding in, or poor 
        quality of housing, or experiencing homelessness;
            (4) an assessment of such households, including their 
        current barriers to safe, quality, and affordable housing and 
        levels of homelessness among such households;
            (5) the extent to which Federal housing assistance programs 
        provide benefits, including supportive services, to all veteran 
        households and in particular to low-income, very low-income, 
        and extremely-low income veteran households;
            (6) the number of units designated for or occupied by 
        veterans and low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-
        income veterans in Federally subsidized or insured housing;
            (7) a summary description of the manner in which veteran 
        compensation, veteran dependency and indemnity compensation, 
        and veteran pension are considered as income or adjusted income 
        for purposes of determining--
                    (A) eligibility for Federal housing assistance 
                programs; and
                    (B) the amount of rent paid by a veteran household 
                for occupancy of a dwelling unit or housing assisted 
                under Federal housing assistance programs;
            (8) a summary description of the special considerations 
        made for veterans under--
                    (A) public housing plans submitted under section 5A 
                of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
                1437c-1); and
                    (B) comprehensive housing affordability strategies 
                submitted under section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez 
                National Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705);
            (9) the extent to which public housing authorities have 
        established preferences for veterans for public housing and 
        housing choice vouchers;
            (10) the number of homeless veterans provided assistance, 
        cumulatively and currently, under the program of housing choice 
        vouchers for homeless veterans under section 8(o)(19) of the 
        United States Housing Act of 1937 (42. U.S.C. 1437f(o)(19)), 
        and the current status of the program, including--
                    (A) the number of vouchers the Department of 
                Housing and Urban Development currently allocates to 
                the Department of Veterans Affairs;
                    (B) the monetary value of such vouchers; and
                    (C) the names and locations of VA medical centers 
                receiving such vouchers; and
            (11) a description of activities relating to veterans of 
        the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
    (b) Acquisition of Supporting Information.--In carrying out the 
study under this section, the Comptroller General shall seek to obtain 
views from the following persons:
            (1) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
            (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
            (3) Low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income 
        veterans.
            (4) Representatives of State and local housing assistance 
        agencies.
            (5) Representatives of nonprofit low-income housing 
        providers and homeless service providers, including homeless 
        veteran service providers.
            (6) National advocacy organizations concerned with 
        veterans, homelessness, and low-income housing.
    (c) Timing of Report.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to Congress 
a report on the study conducted under this section.
    Sec. 223. (a) Not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, after consultation with 
the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers, other 
veterans service organizations, and State departments of veterans 
affairs shall submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations of the 
Senate that describes a plan (including estimated costs) to provide an 
adequate supply of the 2006 edition of handbook entitled, Federal 
Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, and all subsequent editions, to 
all county veterans service officers in the United States.
    Sec. 224. None of the funds made available in this Act or any other 
Act may be used--
            (1) to revoke or reduce a veteran's disability compensation 
        for post traumatic stress disorder based on a finding that the 
        Department of Veterans Affairs failed to collect justifying 
        documentation unless such failure was the direct result of 
        fraud by the applicant; or
            (2) for the implementation of Recommendation 3 of VA 
        Inspector General Report No. 05-00765-137 or any related review 
        and investigation of post traumatic stress disorder 
        unemployability and 100 scheduler percent ratings cases, until 
        the Department of Veterans' Affairs reports to the Committee on 
        Appropriations on its plan for implementing this 
        recommendation, and outlines the staffing and funding 
        requirements.
    Sec. 225. Clinical training and protocols. (a) Findings.--Congress 
finds that--
            (1) the Iraq War Clinician Guide has tremendous value; and
            (2) the Secretary of Defense and the National Center on 
        Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should continue to work together 
        to ensure that the mental health care needs of servicemembers 
        and veterans are met.
    (b) Collaboration.--The National Center on Post Traumatic Stress 
Disorder shall collaborate with the Secretary of Defense--
            (1) to enhance the clinical skills of military clinicians 
        through training, treatment protocols, web-based interventions, 
        and the development of evidence-based interventions; and
            (2) to promote pre-deployment resilience and post-
        deployment readjustment among servicemembers serving in 
        Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
    (c) Training.--The National Center on Post Traumatic Stress 
Disorder shall work with the Secretary of Defense to ensure that 
clinicians in the Department of Defense are provided with the training 
and protocols developed pursuant to subsection (b)(1).
    Sec. 226. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall immediately 
submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of the 
Senate and the House of Representatives a report on any Department of 
Veterans Affairs budget shortfall totaling 2 percent or more of the 
Department's total discretionary funding budget for a fiscal year.
    (b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, not later than 180 
days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit to the 
Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of the Senate and 
the House of Representatives a comprehensive plan to improve long-term 
budget planning and actuarial forecasting at the Department of Veterans 
Affairs.
    Sec. 227. (a) In conducting advanced planning activities under this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall reevaluate Veterans Health 
Administration Handbook 1006.1 and other guidance and procedures 
related to planning, activating, staffing, and maintaining community-
based outpatient clinics.
    (b) In conducting such planning, the Secretary shall--
            (1) revise as appropriate existing policies to make them 
        less disadvantageous to rural veterans; and
            (2) reexamine criteria used in planning, activating, 
        staffing, and maintaining such clinics, including geographic 
        access, number of Priority 1-6 veterans, market penetration, 
        cost effectiveness, and distance to parent facilities, to 
        determine whether such criteria are weighted in a manner that 
        negatively affects rural veterans.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

                  AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

                         Salaries and Expenses

    For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American 
Battle Monuments Commission, including the acquisition of land or 
interest in land in foreign countries; purchases and repair of uniforms 
for caretakers of national cemeteries and monuments outside of the 
United States and its territories and possessions; rent of office and 
garage space in foreign countries; purchase (one for replacement only) 
and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $7,500 for official 
reception and representation expenses; and insurance of official motor 
vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of such countries, 
$36,250,000, to remain available until expended.

                     Foreign Currency Fluctuations

    For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American 
Battle Monuments Commission, $15,250,000, to remain available until 
expended, for purposes authorized by title 36, United States Code, 
section 2109.

           UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

                         Salaries and Expenses

    For necessary expenses for the operation of the United States Court 
of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized by title 38, United States 
Code, sections 7251-7298, $18,795,000, of which $1,260,000 shall be 
available for the purpose of providing financial assistance as 
described, and in accordance with the process and reporting procedures 
set forth, under this heading in Public Law 102-229.

                      DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army

                         salaries and expenses

    For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for maintenance, 
operation, and improvement of Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' 
and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, including the purchase of two 
passenger motor vehicles for replacement only, and not to exceed $1,000 
for official reception and representation expenses, $28,550,000, to 
remain available until expended. In addition, such sums as may be 
necessary for parking maintenance, repairs and replacement, to be 
derived from the lease of Department of Defense Real Property for 
Defense Agencies account.

                      ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

                      Armed Forces Retirement Home

    For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retirement Home to 
operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington, 
District of Columbia and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport, 
Mississippi, to be paid from funds available in the Armed Forces 
Retirement Home Trust Fund, $58,281,000, of which $1,248,000 shall 
remain available until expended for construction and renovation of the 
physical plants at the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington, 
District of Columbia and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport, 
Mississippi.

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Sec. 301. Any limitation, directive, or earmarking contained in 
either the House of Representatives or Senate report accompanying H.R. 
2528 shall also be included in the conference report or joint statement 
accompanying H.R. 2528 in order to be considered as having been 
approved by both Houses of Congress.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Military Construction and Veterans 
Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006''.
            Amend the title so as to read: ``An Act making 
        appropriations for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, 
        and Related Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 
        2006, and for other purposes.''.

            Attest:

                                                             Secretary.
109th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                               H. R. 2528

_______________________________________________________________________

                               AMENDMENTS