[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 115 (Thursday, September 6, 2001)]
[Senate]
[Pages S9198-S9202]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. ROCKEFELLER:
S. 1408. A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to standardize
the income threshold for copayment for outpatient medications with the
income threshold for inability to defray necessary expense of care, and
for other purposes; to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I am pleased to introduce today
legislation that would exempt certain veterans from copayments for
needed prescription drugs.
Currently, veterans with incomes of less than $24,000 a year are
exempt from copayments for most VA health care services. However, when
it comes to prescription drugs, the income threshold for exemption is
just $9,000 a
[[Page S9199]]
year. Veterans earning over $9,000, well below the poverty threshold
established by the Census Bureau, are required to make copayments.
These copayments place an undue burden on our poorest veterans. To
compound the problem, the Department of Veterans Affairs recently
proposed increasing the copayment for prescription drugs from $2 to $7
per 30-day prescription.
I have serious concerns about what this copayment increase will mean
for veterans. Indeed, I have already heard from a number of veterans
whose incomes hover just above the $9,000 threshold, who must make the
required copayments for their pharmaceuticals. Many of them are on
several different medications for multiple medical conditions, each
requiring their own copay. There are many veterans like Steven Smith,
formerly of Greenwood, WV, who has no health insurance except Medicare
and depends upon the VA for his medications. With the lack of a
Medicare drug benefit, he, and many veterans like him, are faced with a
350 percent increase in what they must pay for life-sustaining
medications.
I am not alone in my concerns about the impact the copayment increase
will have on veterans. In commenting on the proposed regulations, the
VFW recently cited an example of a veteran who has an annual income of
$10,500, just above the current exemption limit set by VA. The increase
in the prescription copayment rate would force that veteran to allocate
over 8 percent of his annual income just to prescription drugs. There
is a grave danger that, faced with this situation, many veterans will
stop seeking necessary medical care because they are priced out of the
system.
At a glance, the increase to $7 per prescription may seem reasonable
enough and in keeping with industry standards. However, consider a
veteran with an income of about $9,000 a year who currently pays $2 per
prescription for 10 medications a month. He presently incurs out-of-
pocket costs of $240 a year. Under the new regulations, his costs would
go up to $840 per year, an increase of $600. For someone living barely
over the $9,000 annual income threshold, this is a substantial sum.
I am also concerned about disparities in how VA defines who is
``poor'' for the purpose of exemption from health care copayments. For
prescription drugs, veterans with more than $9,000 annual income must
make copayments, but for outpatient care, hospitalization, and extended
care, the income threshold for copayments is $24,000 per year. My
proposed legislation would raise the exemption level for prescription
copays to make them the same as all other VA health care copays. It
will be less confusing to veterans, easier to administer, and quite
simply, it's the right thing to do.
My legislation, the Veterans' Copayment Adjustment Act, would also
require VA to delay implementing the increase in prescription
copayments until we see an adjustment to copayments for other health
care services. On July 24, I held a hearing on prescription drug issues
in VA. At that hearing, we heard testimony from VA Secretary Anthony
Principi who also believes that new drug copayments shouldn't be put
into effect until we see a reduction in other health care copayments.
As part of the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act,
Congress gave VA authority to adjust the different health care
copayments. This was intended to make VA's copayments more rational.
Currently, veterans must make a copayment of over $50 for outpatient
care services. There is no doubt that $50 for a routine outpatient
visit is unreasonable at best, and at worst, discourages veterans from
getting the primary care they need. By delaying the increase in the
medication copayment until VA implements its adjusted outpatient
copayment, we will reduce the negative financial impact on our Nation's
veterans. I am confident that VA will study this issue closely and will
expeditiously set the outpatient copayment to be more in line with
managed care plans.
I urge my Senate colleagues to join me in seeking to provide
affordable health care for our sick and disabled veterans. They have
sacrificed for all of us, and deserve every effort we can make to keep
them from having to choose between buying needed prescription drugs and
putting food on the table.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the
Record, as follows:
S. 1408
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Veterans' Copyament
Adjustment Act''.
SEC. 2. STANDARDIZATION OF INCOME THRESHOLDS FOR COPAYMENT
FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICATIONS AND FOR INABILITY TO
DEFRAY NECESSARY EXPENSES OF CARE.
(a) Standardization.--Section 1722A(a)(3)(B) of title 38,
United States Code, is amended to read as follows:
``(B) to a veteran whose attributable income is not
greater than the amount provided for in subsection (b) of
section 1722 of this title, as adjusted from time to time
under subsection (c) of that section.''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on January 1, 2002, and shall apply with
respect to calendar years beginning on or after that date.
SEC. 3. LIMITATION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF INCREASE IN
COPAYMENTS FOR OUTPATIENT MEDICATIONS PENDING
COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS FOR OUTPATIENT CARE.
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary
of Veterans Affairs may not implement under section
1722A(b)(1) of title 38, United States Code, an increase in
the copayment amount for medications furnished on an
outpatient basis under section 1722A(a) of that title until
the Secretary commences collection of amounts for outpatient
visits for medical services under section 1710(g) of that
title.
______
By Mr. McCONNELL (for himself, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. Daschle, Mr.
Schumer, Ms. Mikulski, Mr. Crapo, Mrs. Clinton, Mrs. Carnahan,
Mrs. Boxer, Mr. Torricelli, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Cleland, Mr.
Ensign, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Inouye):
S. 1409. A bill to impose sanctions against the PLO or the
Palestinian Authority if the President determines that those entities
have failed to substantially comply with commitments made to the State
of Israel; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
MIDDLE EAST PEACE COMPLIANCE ACT OF 2001
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I am today joining with my good friend,
Senator Feinstein from California, who is in the Chamber as well, in
offering the Middle East Peace Compliance Act of 2001. We do that with
the support also of our colleagues, Senators Daschle, Schumer,
Mikulski, Crapo, Clinton, Carnahan, Boxer, Torricelli, Edwards,
Cleland, Ensign, and Shelby.
We also do so with full appreciation of the dire and untenable
situation in the Middle East.
Given the ongoing and relentless bloodshed in the Middle East, the
time has come for finger pointing. Palestinian Liberation Organization
(PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat--and the terrorists he allows free reign
in the West Bank and Gaza--are guilty of waging a guerrilla war against
America's most important and reliable ally in that region. Scores of
innocent Israeli men, women and children have been killed by bombs,
bullets, knives, and stones. In acts of cowardice, Palestinian suicide
bombers have caused death and destruction in discos, pizza parlors,
cafes, and on the streets of Jerusalem and Tel Aviv.
There appears no end to this madness. On Monday of this week, four
bombs exploded in the Jerusalem neighborhood of French Hill. On
Tuesday, a Palestinian suicide bomber disguised as an orthodox Jew
killed himself and injured others on a Jerusalem street close to two
international schools. One wonders how much more of this terror the
people of Israel can--or should--endure.
Mr. Arafat and his minions are enlisting Palestinians of all ages to
their misguided cause of mutually assured destruction. One Palestinian
children's television show reportedly broadcast a song: ``When I wander
into Jerusalem, I will become a suicide bomber.'' Mr. President, Israel
is well aware of the people in Mr. Arafat's Neighborhood, and they are
not ones they, or any
[[Page S9200]]
peaceful loving people, would choose to associate with.
The legislation we are introducing will make clear the intentions of
Mr. Arafat and the PLO. In a report to Congress, the Administration is
required to determine whether or not the PLO has lived up to its 1993
commitments under the Oslo Accords to renounce violence against Israel,
and what steps have been taken by the PLO and the Palestinian Authority
to investigate and prosecute those responsible for killing American and
Israeli citizens. Should the Administration determine that the PLO's
actions run contrary to their word, the President is required to
immediately suspend all assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, except
humanitarian aid. He is also required to initiate additional sanctions
against the PLO, which may include denying visas to senior officials
and downgrading their representative office in the United States.
I intend to offer this legislation, along with Senator Feinstein, as
an amendment to the Foreign Operations Appropriations bill, which may
be considered by the full Senate in the near future.
While I will have much more to say on the situation in the Middle
East at a later date, let me close by asking a question of my
colleagues: If the daily terrorists attacks taking place against
Israelis were occurring on American soil against U.S. citizens, what
would our response be? A democracy in a region of dictatorships and
kingdoms, Israel has the right and responsibility to protect and defend
its citizens against terrorism. The United States should be clear in
its support of Israel exercising this right, in whatever manner the
people of Israel, through their elected leaders, deem appropriate. To
date, Israel has shown remarkable restraint.
Mr. McCONNELL. With great thanks to my colleague from California in
collaborating with me on this effort, and looking forward to further
efforts on behalf of this proposal, I now yield the floor.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California is recognized.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I thank the Senator from Kentucky for
his leadership. We have consulted together on this bill, and I am very
proud to join him as the lead Democratic cosponsor.
I ask unanimous consent to put the following Members from this side
of the aisle on the bill: Senators Daschle, Schumer, Mikulski, Clinton,
Carnahan, Boxer, Torricelli, Edwards, and Cleland.
The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, the Senator from Kentucky and I joined
together in this legislation because we believe that if the violence
between the Palestinians and Israel is to end and the peace process is
to gain any momentum, the Palestinian leadership must show it can
muster the political will that is necessary to meet the commitments
they made at Oslo.
Most people, I think, don't know what the Oslo accords were. In fact,
the Oslo accords were letters that were sent between the Palestinian
and Israeli leadership in 1993. Those letters became the Oslo accords.
I want to indicate what the Palestinians, over the signature of their
chairman, Mr. Arafat, said they would do on September 9, 1993:
The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel to
exist in peace and security.
The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council Resolutions
242 and 338.
The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace process,
and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between the two
sides and declares that all outstanding issues relating to
permanent status will be resolved through negotiations.
These are not my words, these are the words of Chairman Arafat.
It goes on:
The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration of
Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a new
epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all
other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly,
the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of
violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements
and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent
violence, and discipline violators.
In view of the promise of a new era and the signing of the
Declaration of Principles, and based on Palestinian
acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the
PLO affirms that those articles of the Palestinian Covenant
which deny Israel's right to exist, and the provisions of the
Covenant which are inconsistent [with the commitments of this
letter] are invalid.
For its part, Israel, under Prime Minister Rabin, in a letter to
Chairman Arafat, stated:
I wish to confirm to you that in light of the PLO
commitments included in your letter, the Government of Israel
has decided to recognize the PLO as the representative of the
Palestinian people and commence negotiations with the PLO
within the Middle East peace process.
Mr. President, that was what formed the beginning of Oslo--not the
end, but the beginning of the Oslo peace process. They were the
necessary minimum threshold to begin that process--a recognition that
Israel has the right to exist in peace and security and that the
Palestinian people have a right to be represented in peace negotiations
by representatives of their own choosing.
Unfortunately, since Camp David last year, the Palestinians have
carried out more than 6,700 armed attacks against Israelis in a
fundamental violation of their peace process commitments. This
Palestinian campaign of terror has killed 155 Israelis, 114 of them
civilians, and it has wounded another 1,500 Israelis.
As the Senator from Kentucky pointed out, whether it is a bomb that
goes off in a pizza parlor, a discotheque, a school bus, or a shopping
mall, this is the way that kind of violence has happened.
Now, Israel has responded. Some have criticized Israel for that
response. Yet if Israel is not going to practice that kind of response,
the violence--such as the incident that just happened in Jerusalem, I
think, yesterday, when somebody dressed as an Orthodox Jew walking down
the street with a bomb in his backpack, detonated the bomb when an
Israeli officer came up to him--must stop. A group of schoolchildren
were nearby, but luckily they were not injured. Many others were.
The subject here is terror, and no Israeli and no Palestinian should
have to live with terror every day, when a child gets on that school
bus, when a son goes to work, when a wife goes shopping, when friends
meet at a cafe or pizzeria or go to a night club.
The bombings, the terror, and the violence must stop. The Palestinian
use of this kind of terror over the past 10 months runs contrary to
what is expected of a peace partner. Mr. Arafat must understand that
allowing an atmosphere of violence and terror to continue will not and
cannot lead to peace.
The bill we are proposing today, the Middle East Peace Compliance
Act, sends that signal clearly and simply and says either the PLO live
up to these commitments or we return to a pre-Oslo posture.
So it is a very simple and very straightforward bill based on these
commitments. It calls for the President to issue a report addressing
whether the PLO and the Palestinian Authority are in compliance with
the fundamental commitments they have repeatedly made to renounce
terrorism.
If the President is unable to find that the PLO or the Palestinian
Authority is adhering to its commitments, it requires him to restrict
nonhumanitarian assistance to the West Bank and Gaza and to impose one
of two additional sanctions: Denial of visas to Palestinian Authority
officials, or closing the Palestinian office in the United States.
I think this legislation is necessary to send a message that we
cannot continue this kind of violence. We cannot see that letter
abrogated in chapter and verse--the letter that became the foundation
of PLO recognition, and the letter that became the foundation of the
Oslo peace process.
Let me be clear. It is also my expectation that the Government of
Israel, for its part, must continue to meet the commitments it has made
to peace and continue to exercise restraint in reaction to these
Palestinian terrorist acts.
Mr. President, we submit this legislation. Again, I am very delighted
to work with the distinguished Senator from Kentucky. We have a bill
and, as the Senator said, we will also offer this as an amendment to
the foreign operations appropriations bill. I thank the Chair and the
Senator. It has been a great pleasure to work with him.
I yield the floor.
[[Page S9201]]
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text
of the bill be printed in the Record.
There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in
the Record, as follows:
S. 1409
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Middle East Peace Compliance
Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress makes the following findings:
(1) On September 9, 1993, Palestinian Liberation
Organization (PLO) Chairman Yasser Arafat made the following
commitments in an exchange of letters with Prime Minister of
Israel Yitzhak Rabin:
(A) ``The PLO recognizes the right of the State of Israel
to exist in peace and security.''.
(B) ``The PLO accepts United Nations Security Council
Resolutions 242 and 338'' pertaining to the cessation of
hostilities and the establishment of a just and lasting peace
in the Middle East.
(C) ``The PLO commits itself to the Middle East peace
process, and to a peaceful resolution of the conflict between
the two sides and declares that all outstanding issues
relating to permanent status will be resolved through
negotiations.''.
(D) ``The PLO considers that the signing of the Declaration
of Principles constitutes a historic event, inaugurating a
new epoch of peaceful coexistence, free from violence and all
other acts which endanger peace and stability. Accordingly,
the PLO renounces the use of terrorism and other acts of
violence and will assume responsibility over all PLO elements
and personnel in order to assure their compliance, prevent
violence and discipline violators.''.
(E) ``In view of the promise of a new era and the signing
of the Declaration of Principles and based on Palestinian
acceptance of Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338, the
PLO affirms that those articles of the Palestinian Covenant
which deny Israel's right to exist, and the provisions of the
Covenant which are inconsistent with the commitments of this
letter are now inoperative and no longer valid.''.
(2) The Palestinian Authority, the governing body of
autonomous Palestinian territories, was created as a result
of the agreements between the PLO and the State of Israel
that are a direct outgrowth of the September 9, 1993,
commitments.
(3) The United States Congress has provided authorities to
the President to suspend certain statutory restrictions
relating to the PLO, subject to Presidential certification
that the PLO has continued to abide by commitments made.
SEC. 3. REPORTS.
(a) In General.--The President shall, at the times
specified in subsection (b), transmit to Congress a report--
(1) detailing and assessing the steps that the PLO or the
Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, has taken to
substantially comply with its 1993 commitments, as specified
in section 2(1) of this Act;
(2) a description of the steps taken by the PLO or the
Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, to investigate and
prosecute those responsible for violence against American and
Israeli citizens;
(3) making a determination as to whether the PLO or the
Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, has substantially
complied with such commitments during the period since the
submission of the preceding report, or, in the case of the
initial report, during the preceding 6-month period; and
(4) detailing progress made in determining the designation
of the PLO, or one or more of its constituent groups
(including Fatah and Tanzim) or groups operating as arms of
the Palestinian Authority (including Force 17) as a foreign
terrorist organization, in accordance with section 219(a) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act.
(b) Transmission.--The initial report required under
subsection (a) shall be transmitted not later than 30 days
after the date of enactment of this Act. Each subsequent
report shall be submitted on the date on which the President
is next required to submit a report under the PLO Commitments
Compliance Act of 1989 (title VIII of Public Law 101-246) and
may be combined with such report.
SEC. 4. IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.
(a) In General.--If, in any report transmitted pursuant to
section 3, the President determines that the PLO or
Palestinian Authority, as appropriate, has not substantially
complied with the commitments specified in section 2(1), the
following sanctions shall apply:
(1) Suspension of assistance.--The President shall suspend
all United States assistance to the West Bank and Gaza except
for humanitarian assistance.
(2) Additional sanction or sanctions.--The President shall
impose one or more of the following sanctions:
(A) Denial of visas to plo and palestinian authority
figures.--The President shall prohibit the Secretary of State
from issuance of any visa for any member of the PLO or any
official of the Palestinian Authority.
(B) Downgrade in status of plo office in the united
states.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
President shall withdraw or terminate any waiver by the
President of the requirements of section 1003 of the Foreign
Relations Authorization Act of 1988 and 1989 (22 U.S.C. 5202)
(prohibiting the establishment or maintenance of a
Palestinian information office in the United States), and
such section shall apply so as to prohibit the operation of a
PLO or Palestinian Authority office in the United States from
carrying out any function other than those functions carried
out by the Palestinian information office in existence prior
to the Oslo Accord.
(b) Duration of Sanctions.--The period of time referred to
in subsection (a) is the period of time commencing on the
date that the report pursuant to section 3 was transmitted
and ending on the later of--
(1) the date that is 6 months after such date;
(2) the date that the next report under section 3 is
required to be transmitted; or
(3) the date, if any, on which the President determines and
informs Congress that the conditions that were the basis for
imposing the sanctions are no longer valid.
(c) Waiver Authority.--The President may waive any or all
of the sanctions imposed under this Act if the President
determines that such a waiver is in the national security
interest of the United States, and reports such a
determination to the appropriate committees of Congress.
SEC. 5. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERMINATION DATE.
(a) Effective Date.--This Act shall take effect on the date
of enactment of this Act.
(b) Termination Date.--This Act shall cease to be effective
5 years after the date of enactment of this Act.
____
By Mr. CAMPBELL (for himself and Mr. Allard):
S. 1411. A bill to authorize the transfer of the Denver Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Colorado, and for other purposes; to
the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Mr. CAMPBELL. Mr. President, today I am introducing a bill to
facilitate the move of the Denver Veterans Affairs Medical Center,
DVAMC, from its present site in Denver to the former Fitzsimons Army
Medical Center in Aurora, CO. I am happy to be joined in this effort by
my friend and colleague Senator Allard as an original co-sponsor. The
bill would authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to accomplish
the transfer in a timely manner. It would also require the Secretary to
submit a report to the Veterans Affairs Committee and the
Appropriations Committee of both the Senate and House of
Representatives. This report would detail the costs of the transfer and
would be submitted 60 days prior to awarding a contract for the move.
The relocation of the DVAMC to the former Fitzsimons site offers a
unique opportunity to provide the highest quality medical care for our
veterans. The University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, UCHSC, is
moving its facilities from its overcrowded location near downtown
Denver to the Fitzsimons site, a decomissioned Army base. The UCHSC and
the DVAMC have long operated on adjacent campuses and have shared
faculty, medical residents, and access to equipment. A DVAMC move to
the new location would allow such cost-effective cooperation to
continue, for the benefits of our veterans and all taxpayers.
The need to move is pressing. A recent VA study concludes that the
Colorado State veterans' population will experience one of the highest
percent increases nationally in veterans 65 and over between 1990 and
2020. The present VA hospital was built in the 1950's. While still able
to provide service, the core facilities are approaching the end of
their useful lives and many of the patient care units have fallen
horribly out of date. Studies indicate that co-location with the
University on a state-of-the-art medical campus would be a cost
effective way to give veterans in the region the highest quality of
care. The move would also provide a tremendous opportunity to showcase
a nationwide model of cooperation between the University and the
Department of Veterans Affairs, VA. These cooperative initiatives have
proven time and again their effectiveness.
Timing is also very important. The VA needs to move quickly to
realize the financial advantages of this unique opportunity. In order
to make the move fiscally effective, the VA needs to make a decision
not later than 2004. Additionally, our veterans are aging and their
needs are increasing. Assisting our veterans with their medical needs
is a promise we, as a country, made long ago.
The savings we can realize by approving the timely transfer of our
veterans' medical treatment facilities in the Denver region compels me
to urge my
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colleagues to act quickly on this bill. We must not miss out on this
opportunity to serve America's veterans and their families by ensuring
that they receive the excellent medical care they deserve.
I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the
Record.
There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be
printed in the Record, as follows:
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Denver Veterans Affairs
Medical Center Transfer to Fitzsimons Act of 2001''.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT TO
FACILITATE TRANSFER OF DENVER DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL CENTER, COLORADO.
(a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may
carry out a major medical facility project, in the amount
appropriated for the project pursuant to the authorization of
appropriations in subsection (b), for purposes of the
transfer of the Denver Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Center, Colorado, from its current location in Denver,
Colorado, to the site of the former Fitzsimons Army Medical
Center, Aurora, Colorado.
(b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized
to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for
the Construction, Major Projects, account such sums as may be
necessary for the project authorized by subsection (a).
(c) Transfer of Medical Center.--(1) Upon completion of the
major medical facility project authorized by subsection (a),
the Secretary shall transfer the Denver Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Center to the facility constructed
pursuant to that authorization.
(2) Amounts for the cost of the transfer authorized by
paragraph (1) shall be derived from amounts in the
Construction, Major Projects, account for a category of
activity not specific to a project that are available for
obligation.
(d) Report on Transfer Costs.--Not later than 60 days
before awarding the contract for the major medical facility
project authorized by subsection (a), the Secretary shall
submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report
on the estimated cost of the transfer of the Denver
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center under
subsection (c).
(e) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this
section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees''
means the following:
(1) The Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations
of the Senate.
(2) The Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations
of the House of Representatives.
____________________