[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2363 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 511
110th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                S. 2363

  Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
   Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
              September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           November 15, 2007

Mrs. Hutchison (for herself, Mr. McConnell, Mr. Bennett, Mr. Craig, and 
Mr. Brownback) introduced the following bill; which was read the first 
                                  time

                           November 16, 2007

            Read the second time and placed on the calendar

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
  Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
   Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
              September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, That the following sums 
are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise 
appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, 
receipts, and funds, for the several departments, agencies, 
corporations, and other organizational units of Government for fiscal 
year 2008, and for other purposes, namely:

                                TITLE I

                         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

                      Military Construction, Army

                    (including rescission of funds)

    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, $3,950,383,000, to remain 
available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of this amount, not 
to exceed $321,983,000 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 funds appropriated 
for ``Military Construction, Army'' under Public Law 110-5, $8,690,000 
are hereby rescinded.

              Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

                    (including rescissions 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, $2,220,784,000, to remain available until September 30, 
2012: Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $113,017,000 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 and Marine Corps'' under Public Law 108-132, $5,862,000; under 
Public Law 108-324, $2,069,000; and under Public Law 110-5, $2,626,000 
are hereby rescinded.

                    Military Construction, Air Force

                    (including rescissions of funds)

    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, $1,159,747,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: 
Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $43,721,000 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, 
Air Force'' under Public Law 108-324, $5,319,000; and under Public Law 
110-5, $5,151,000 are hereby rescinded.

                  Military Construction, Defense-Wide

              (including transfer and rescission 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, 
$1,609,596,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: 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 $155,569,000 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, Defense-Wide'' under 
Public Law 110-5, $10,192,000 are hereby rescinded.

               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, $536,656,000, to remain available until September 
30, 2012.

               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, $287,537,000, to remain available until September 
30, 2012.

                  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, $148,133,000, to 
remain available until September 30, 2012.

                  Military Construction, Navy 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, $64,430,000, to remain available until September 
30, 2012.

                Military Construction, Air Force Reserve

                    (including rescission of funds)

    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, $28,359,000, to 
remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of the funds 
appropriated for ``Military Construction, Air Force Reserve'' under 
Public Law 109-114, $3,069,000 are hereby rescinded.

     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, $201,400,000, to remain available until expended.

                   Family Housing Construction, Army

                    (including rescission of funds)

    For expenses of family housing for the Army for construction, 
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and 
alteration, as authorized by law, $424,400,000, to remain available 
until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of the funds appropriated for 
``Family Housing Construction, Army'' under Public Law 110-5, 
$4,559,000 are hereby rescinded.

             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, $731,920,000.

           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, $293,129,000, to 
remain available until September 30, 2012.

    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, $371,404,000.

                 Family Housing Construction, Air Force

                    (including rescission of funds)

    For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for construction, 
including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and 
alteration, as authorized by law, $327,747,000, to remain available 
until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of the funds appropriated for 
``Family Housing Construction, Air Force'' under Public Law 108-132, 
$15,000,000 are hereby rescinded.

          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, $688,335,000.

         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, $48,848,000.

         Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund

    For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund, 
$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.

          Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide

    For expenses of construction, not otherwise provided for, necessary 
for the destruction of the United States stockpile of lethal chemical 
agents and munitions in accordance with section 1412 of the Department 
of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 (50 U.S.C. 1521), and for the 
destruction of other chemical warfare materials that are not in the 
chemical weapon stockpile, as currently authorized by law, 
$104,176,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012, which shall 
be only for the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives program.

            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. 2687 note), $295,689,000, 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. 2687 note), $8,040,401,000, to 
remain available until expended: Provided, That the Department of 
Defense shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
Congress 14 days prior to obligating an amount for a construction 
project that exceeds or reduces the amount identified for that project 
in the most recently submitted budget request for this account by 20 
percent or $2,000,000, whichever is less: Provided further, That the 
previous proviso shall not apply to projects costing less than 
$5,000,000, except for those projects not previously identified in any 
budget submission for this account and exceeding the minor construction 
threshold under 10 U.S.C. 2805.

                       Administrative 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 for construction shall 
be available for hire of passenger motor vehicles.
    Sec. 103. Funds made available in this title for construction 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 Acts making appropriations for 
military construction.
    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 available to the Department of Defense 
for military construction or family housing during the current fiscal 
year 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 is to 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.

                     (including 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. (a) The Secretary of Defense, in consultation with the 
Secretary of State, shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of 
both Houses of Congress, by February 15 of each year, an annual report, 
in unclassified and, if necessary classified form, on actions taken by 
the Department of Defense and the Department of State during the 
previous fiscal year to encourage host countries to assume a greater 
share of the common defense burden of such countries and the United 
States.
    (b) The report under subsection (a) shall include a description 
of--
            (1) attempts to secure cash and in-kind contributions from 
        host countries for military construction projects;
            (2) attempts to achieve economic incentives offered by host 
        countries to encourage private investment for the benefit of 
        the United States Armed Forces;
            (3) attempts to recover funds due to be paid to the United 
        States by host countries for assets deeded or otherwise 
        imparted to host countries upon the cessation of United States 
        operations at military installations;
            (4) the amount spent by host countries on defense, in 
        dollars and in terms of the percent of gross domestic product 
        (GDP) of the host country; and
            (5) for host countries that are members of the North 
        Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the amount contributed to 
        NATO by host countries, in dollars and in terms of the percent 
        of the total NATO budget.
    (c) In this section, the term ``host country'' means other member 
countries of NATO, Japan, South Korea, and United States allies 
bordering the Arabian Sea.

                     (including 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 
(10 U.S.C. 2687 note) 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. 2687 note), 
to be merged with, and to be available for the same purposes and the 
same time period as that account.

                     (including 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 of title 10, United States Code, pertaining to alternative 
means of acquiring and improving military family housing, military 
unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.
    Sec. 121. (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.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 122. In addition to any other transfer authority available to 
the Department of Defense, amounts may be transferred from the accounts 
established by sections 2906(a)(1) and 2906A(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. 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. 123. 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. 124. Whenever the Secretary of Defense or any other official 
of the Department of Defense is requested by the subcommittee on 
Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives or the 
subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related 
Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate to respond to 
a question or inquiry submitted by the chairman or another member of 
that subcommittee pursuant to a subcommittee hearing or other activity, 
the Secretary (or other official) shall respond to the request, in 
writing, within 21 days of the date on which the request is transmitted 
to the Secretary (or other official).
    Sec. 125. 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.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 126. 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. 2687 note), unless such a project at a 
military installation approved for realignment will support a 
continuing mission or function at that installation or a new mission or 
function that is planned for that installation, or 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 if the project is at an active component 
base that shall be established as an enclave or in the case of projects 
having multi-agency use, that another Government agency has indicated 
it will assume ownership of the completed project. The Secretary of 
Defense may not transfer funds made available as a result of this 
limitation from any 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. This section shall not apply 
to military construction projects, land acquisition, or family housing 
projects for which the project is vital to the national security or the 
protection of health, safety, or environmental quality: Provided, That 
the Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional defense 
committees within seven days of a decision to carry out such a military 
construction project.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 127. During the 5-year period after appropriations available 
in this Act to the Department of Defense for military construction and 
family housing operation and maintenance and construction have expired 
for obligation, upon a determination that such appropriations will not 
be necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making 
authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obligations incurred 
during the period of availability of such appropriations, unobligated 
balances of such appropriations may be transferred into the 
appropriation ``Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense'', 
to be merged with and to be available for the same time period and for 
the same purposes as the appropriation to which transferred.
    Sec. 128. None of the funds in this title shall be used for any 
activity related to the construction of an Outlying Landing Field in 
Washington County, North Carolina.

                                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 section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, 
United States Code; pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans as 
authorized by chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United 
States Code; 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 title IV of 
the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. App. 541 et seq.) and 
for other benefits as authorized by sections 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, 
and chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code, 
$41,236,322,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That not 
to exceed $28,583,000 of the amount appropriated under this heading 
shall be reimbursed to ``General operating expenses'' and ``Medical 
administration'' for necessary expenses in implementing the provisions 
of chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United States Code, 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 chapters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 
39, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code, $3,300,289,000, 
to remain available until expended: Provided, That expenses for 
rehabilitation program services and assistance which the Secretary is 
authorized to provide under subsection (a) of section 3104 of title 38, 
United States Code, other than under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) 
of that subsection, 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, chapters 19 and 21, $41,250,000, to remain available until 
expended.

         veterans housing benefit program fund program account

    For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as may be 
necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by subchapters I 
through III of chapter 37 of title 38, United States Code: 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 2008, within the resources 
available, not to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for direct loans 
are authorized for specially adapted housing loans.
    In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the direct 
and guaranteed loan programs, $154,562,000.

            vocational rehabilitation loans program account

                     (including transfer of funds)

    For the cost of direct loans, $71,000, as authorized by chapter 31 
of title 38, United States Code: 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 
$3,287,000.
    In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
direct loan program, $311,000, which may be transferred to and merged 
with the appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.

          native american veteran housing loan program account

    For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan program 
authorized by subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, United States 
Code, $628,000.

  guaranteed transitional housing loans for homeless veterans program 
                                account

    For the administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed 
transitional housing loan program authorized by subchapter VI of 
chapter 20 of title 38, United States Code, 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 section 
1705(a) of title 38, United States Code, including care and treatment 
in facilities not under the jurisdiction of the Department, and 
including medical supplies and equipment, food services, and salaries 
and expenses of health-care employees hired under title 38, United 
States Code, and aid to State homes as authorized by section 1741 of 
title 38, United States Code; $29,104,220,000, plus reimbursements, of 
which not less than $2,900,000,000 shall be expended for specialty 
mental health care and not less than $130,000,000 shall be expended for 
the homeless grants and per diem program: Provided, That of the funds 
made available under this heading, not to exceed $1,350,000,000 shall 
be available until September 30, 2009: Provided further, That, 
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall establish a priority for the provision of medical 
treatment for veterans who have service-connected disabilities, 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/Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care 
Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 8111(d) of title 38, 
United States Code, a minimum of $15,000,000, to remain available until 
expended, for any purpose authorized by section 8111 of title 38, 
United States Code.

                         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; and administrative and legal expenses of the 
Department 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.): 
$3,517,000,000, plus reimbursements, of which $250,000,000 shall be 
available until September 30, 2009.

                           medical facilities

    For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities and other 
necessary facilities of 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; 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, 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 services, 
$4,100,000,000, plus reimbursements, of which $350,000,000 shall be 
available until September 30, 2009: Provided, That $325,000,000 for 
non-recurring maintenance provided under this heading shall be 
allocated in a manner not subject to the Veterans Equitable Resource 
Allocation.

                    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, $480,000,000, plus reimbursements, to 
remain available until September 30, 2009.

                    National Cemetery Administration

    For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery Administration for 
operations and maintenance, not otherwise provided for, including 
uniforms or allowances therefor; cemeterial expenses as authorized by 
law; purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial 
operations; and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $195,000,000, of 
which not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 
2009.

                      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 therefor; 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, $1,605,000,000: Provided, That expenses for 
services and assistance authorized under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and 
(11) of section 3104(a) of title 38, United States Code, 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 $1,327,001,000: Provided further, That 
of the funds made available under this heading, not to exceed 
$75,000,000 shall be available for obligation until September 30, 2009: 
Provided further, That from the funds made available under this 
heading, the Veterans Benefits Administration may purchase (on a one-
for-one replacement basis only) up to two passenger motor vehicles for 
use in operations of that Administration in Manila, Philippines.

                     information technology systems

    For necessary expenses for information technology systems and 
telecommunications support, including developmental information systems 
and operational information systems; including pay and associated cost 
for operations and maintenance associated staff; for the capital asset 
acquisition of information technology systems, including management and 
related contractual costs of said acquisitions, including contractual 
costs associated with operations authorized by section 3109 of title 5, 
United States Code, $1,966,465,000, to be available until September 30, 
2009: Provided, That none of these funds may be obligated until the 
Department of Veterans Affairs submits to the Committees on 
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, and such Committees approve, 
a plan for expenditure that: (1) meets the capital planning and 
investment control review requirements established by the Office of 
Management and Budget; (2) complies with the Department of Veterans 
Affairs enterprise architecture; (3) conforms with an established 
enterprise life cycle methodology; and (4) complies with the 
acquisition rules, requirements, guidelines, and systems acquisition 
management practices of the Federal Government: Provided further, That 
within 30 days of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
of Congress a reprogramming base letter which provides, by project, the 
costs included in this appropriation.

                      office of inspector general

    For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, to 
include information technology, in carrying out the provisions of the 
Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), $80,500,000, of which 
$5,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 2009.

                      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, construction 
management 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 section 8104(a)(3)(A) of 
title 38, United States Code, or where funds for a project were made 
available in a previous major project appropriation, $1,069,100,000, to 
remain available until expended, of which $2,000,000 shall be to make 
reimbursements as provided in section 13 of the Contract Disputes Act 
of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 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, including 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, 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 
2008, for each approved project shall be obligated: (1) by the awarding 
of a construction documents contract by September 30, 2008; and (2) by 
the awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2009: Provided 
further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall promptly submit 
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a 
written report on any approved major construction project for which 
obligations are not incurred within the time limitations established 
above: Provided further, That none of the funds appropriated in this or 
any other Act may be used to reduce the mission, services, or 
infrastructure, including land, 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, without prior 
approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
Congress.

                      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 section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United States Code, 
$630,535,000, to remain available until expended, along with 
unobligated balances of previous ``Construction, minor projects'' 
appropriations which are hereby made available for any project where 
the estimated cost is equal to or less than the amount set forth in 
such section: Provided, 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 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, for furnishing care to veterans as authorized by sections 8131 
through 8137 of title 38, United States Code, $165,000,000, to remain 
available until expended.

          grants for construction of state veterans cemeteries

    For grants to assist States in establishing, expanding, or 
improving State veterans cemeteries as authorized by section 2408 of 
title 38, United States Code, $39,500,000, to remain available until 
expended.

                       Administrative Provisions

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2008 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 such Committees issue an approval, or absent a 
response, a period of 30 days has elapsed.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 202. Amounts made available for fiscal year 2008, in this Act 
or any other Act, under the ``Medical services'', ``Medical 
Administration'', and ``Medical facilities'' accounts may be 
transferred among the accounts to the extent necessary to implement the 
restructuring of the Veterans Health Administration 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.
    Sec. 203. Appropriations available in this title for salaries and 
expenses shall be available for services authorized by section 3109 of 
title 5, United States Code, hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of 
a facility or land or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as 
authorized by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United States 
Code.
    Sec. 204. No appropriations in this title (except the 
appropriations for ``Construction, major projects'', and 
``Construction, minor projects'') shall be available for the purchase 
of any site for or toward the construction of any new hospital or home.
    Sec. 205. No appropriations in this title shall be available for 
hospitalization or examination of any persons (except beneficiaries 
entitled to such hospitalization or examination under the laws 
providing such benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such 
treatment under sections 7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States 
Code, or the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reimbursement of the 
cost of such hospitalization or examination is made to the ``Medical 
services'' account at such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of 
Veterans Affairs.
    Sec. 206. Appropriations available in this title 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 2007.
    Sec. 207. Appropriations available in this title shall be available 
to pay prior year obligations of corresponding prior year 
appropriations accounts resulting from sections 3328(a), 3334, and 
3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, except that if such 
obligations are from trust fund accounts they shall be payable only 
from ``Compensation and pensions''.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, during fiscal 
year 2008, 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 such an 
insurance program during fiscal year 2008 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 such 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 shall determine the cost of administration for 
fiscal year 2008 which is properly allocable to the provision of each 
such insurance program and to the provision of any total disability 
income insurance included in that insurance program.
    Sec. 209. 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.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 210. Funds available in this title or funds for salaries and 
other administrative expenses shall also be available to reimburse the 
Office of Resolution Management of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication 
under section 319 of title 38, United States Code, for all services 
provided at rates which will recover actual costs but not exceed 
$32,067,000 for the Office of Resolution Management and $3,148,000 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. 211. No appropriations in this title 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 submits a report 
which the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
approve within 30 days following the date on which the report is 
received.
    Sec. 212. 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.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 213. 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. 214. Amounts made available under ``Medical services'' 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. 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 ``Medical services'', to remain available 
until expended for the purposes of that account.
    Sec. 216. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs shall allow veterans who are 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 Service 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 section 8118 of title 
38, United States Code, 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. None of the funds available to the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, in this Act, or any other Act, may be used to replace the 
current system by which the Veterans Integrated Services Networks 
select and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment.
    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.
    Sec. 220. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a quarterly 
report on the financial status of the Veterans Health Administration.

                     (including transfer of funds)

    Sec. 221. Amounts made available under the ``Medical services'', 
``Medical Administration'', ``Medical facilities'', ``General operating 
expenses'', and ``National Cemetery Administration'' accounts for 
fiscal year 2008, may be transferred to or from the ``Information 
technology systems'' account: 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.
    Sec. 222. Amounts made available for the ``Information technology 
systems'' account may be transferred between projects: Provided, That 
no project may be increased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of 
cost prior to submitting a request to the Committees on Appropriations 
of both Houses of Congress 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. 223. Any balances in prior year accounts established for the 
payment of benefits under the Reinstated Entitlement Program for 
Survivors shall be transferred to and merged with amounts available 
under the ``Compensation and pensions'' account, and receipts that 
would otherwise be credited to the accounts established for the payment 
of benefits under the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors 
program shall be credited to amounts available under the ``Compensation 
and pensions'' account.
    Sec. 224. Prohibition on Disposal of Department of Veterans Affairs 
Lands and Improvements at West Los Angeles Medical Center, California. 
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not declare as 
excess to the needs of the Department of Veterans Affairs, or otherwise 
take any action to exchange, trade, auction, transfer, or otherwise 
dispose of, or reduce the acreage of, Federal land and improvements at 
the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Medical Center, 
California, encompassing approximately 388 acres on the north and south 
sides of Wilshire Boulevard and west of the 405 Freeway.
    (b) Special Provision Regarding Lease With Representative of the 
Homeless.--Notwithstanding any provision of this Act, section 7 of the 
Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Services Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-
590) shall remain in effect.
    (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8162(c)(1) of title 38, United 
States Code, is amended--
            (1) by inserting ``or section 225(a) of the Military 
        Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies 
        Appropriations Act, 2008'' after ``section 421(b)(2) of the 
        Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-
        322; 102 Stat. 553)''; and
            (2) by striking ``that section'' and inserting ``such 
        sections''.
    (d) Effective Date.--This section, including the amendment made by 
this section, shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2008 and each 
fiscal year thereafter.
    Sec. 225. The Department shall continue research into Gulf War 
Illness at levels not less than those made available in fiscal year 
2007, within available funds contained in this Act.
    Sec. 226. (a) Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain on the homepage of the 
Internet website of the Office of Inspector General a mechanism by 
which individuals can anonymously report cases of waste, fraud, or 
abuse with respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) Not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment of this 
Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain on 
the homepage of the Internet website of the Department of Veterans 
Affairs a direct link to the Internet website of the Office of 
Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    Sec. 227. (a) Upon a determination by the Secretary of Veterans 
Affairs that such action is in the national interest, and will have a 
direct benefit for veterans through increased access to treatment, the 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs may transfer not more than $5,000,000 to 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Graduate Psychology 
Education Program, which includes treatment of veterans, to support 
increased training of psychologists skilled in the treatment of post-
traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and related 
disorders.
    (b) The Secretary of Health and Human Services may only use funds 
transferred under this section for the purposes described in subsection 
(a).
    (c) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify Congress of any 
such transfer of funds under this section.
    Sec. 228. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
available by this Act or any other Act for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs may be used in a manner that is inconsistent with--
            (1) section 842 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing 
        and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent Agencies 
        Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109-115; 119 Stat. 2506); 
        or
            (2) section 8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code.
    Sec. 229. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a major 
medical facility lease in fiscal year 2008 in an amount not to exceed 
$12,000,000 to implement the recommendations outlined in the August, 
2007 Study of South Texas Veterans' Inpatient and Specialty Outpatient 
Health Care Needs.

                    (including rescission of funds)

    Sec. 230. Of the amounts made available for ``Veterans Health 
Administration, Medical Services'' in Public Law 110-28, $66,000,000 
are rescinded. For an additional amount for ``Departmental 
Administration, Construction, Major Projects'', $66,000,000, to be 
available until expended. Amounts in this section are designated as 
emergency requirements and necessary to meet emergency needs pursuant 
to subsections (a) and (b) of section 204 of S. Con. Res. 21 (110th 
Congress), the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 
2008.

                               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-one replacement 
basis 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, $44,600,000, to remain available until expended.

                 foreign currency fluctuations account

    For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the American 
Battle Monuments Commission, $11,000,000, to remain available until 
expended, for purposes authorized by section 2109 of title 36, United 
States Code.

           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 sections 7251 through 
7298 of title 38, United States Code, $22,717,000, of which $1,210,000 
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, $31,230,000, 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.
    Funds appropriated under this Act may be provided to Arlington 
County, Virginia, for the relocation of the federally-owned water main 
at Arlington National Cemetery making additional land available for 
ground burials.

                      Armed Forces Retirement Home

                               trust fund

    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, $55,724,000.

           General Fund Payment, Armed Forces Retirement Home

    For payment to the ``Armed Forces Retirement Home'', $800,000, to 
remain available until expended.

                                TITLE IV

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Sec. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in this Act shall 
remain available for obligation beyond the current fiscal year unless 
expressly so provided herein.
    Sec. 402. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008 pay 
raises for programs funded by this Act shall be absorbed within the 
levels appropriated in this Act.
    Sec. 403. None of the funds made available in this Act may be used 
for any program, project, or activity, when it is made known to the 
Federal entity or official to which the funds are made available that 
the program, project, or activity is not in compliance with any Federal 
law relating to risk assessment, the protection of private property 
rights, or unfunded mandates.
    Sec. 404. No part of any funds appropriated in this Act shall be 
used by an agency of the executive branch, other than for normal and 
recognized executive-legislative relationships, for publicity or 
propaganda purposes, and for the preparation, distribution or use of 
any kit, pamphlet, booklet, publication, radio, television, or film 
presentation designed to support or defeat legislation pending before 
Congress, except in presentation to Congress itself.
    Sec. 405. All departments and agencies funded under this Act are 
encouraged, within the limits of the existing statutory authorities and 
funding, to expand their use of ``E-Commerce'' technologies and 
procedures in the conduct of their business practices and public 
service activities.
    Sec. 406. None of the funds made available in this Act 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 or any other appropriations Act.
    Sec. 407. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and notifications 
required by this Act shall be submitted to the Subcommittee on Military 
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee 
on Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee 
on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the 
Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
    Sec. 408. The Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall, 
not later than February 1, 2008, submit to the Committees on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the Senate a report 
projecting annual appropriations necessary for the Department of 
Veterans Affairs to continue providing necessary health care to 
veterans for fiscal years 2009 through 2012.
    Sec. 409. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
available in this Act may be used for any action that is related to or 
promotes the expansion of the boundaries or size of the Pinon Canyon 
Maneuver Site, Colorado.
    Sec. 410. (a) In this section:
            (1) The term ``City'' means the City of Aurora, Colorado.
            (2) The term ``deed'' means the quitclaim deed--
                    (A) conveyed by the Secretary to the City; and
                    (B) dated May 24, 1999.
            (3) The term ``non-Federal land'' means--
                    (A) parcel I of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, 
                Colorado; and
                    (B) the parcel of land described in the deed.
            (4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
        Interior.
    (b)(1) In accordance with paragraph (2), to allow the City to 
convey by donation to the United States the non-Federal land to be used 
by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the construction of a veterans 
medical facility.
    (2) In carrying out paragraph (1), with respect to the non-Federal 
land, the Secretary shall forego exercising any rights provided by 
the--
            (A) deed relating to a reversionary interest of the United 
        States; and
            (B) any other reversionary interest of the United States.
    This Act may be cited as the ``Military Construction and Veterans 
Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008''.
                                                       Calendar No. 511

110th CONGRESS

  1st Session

                                S. 2363

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

  Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of 
   Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
              September 30, 2008, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           November 16, 2007

            Read the second time and placed on the calendar