[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 121 (Monday, September 26, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S10453-S10459]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

  On Thursday, September 22, 2005, the Senate passed H.R. 2528, as 
amended as follows:

                               H.R. 2528

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

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

                     TITLE I--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION

                      Military Construction, Army

       For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment 
     of temporary or permanent public works, military 
     installations, facilities, and

[[Page S10454]]

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

              Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps


                    (including rescission of funds)

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

                    Military Construction, Air Force

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

                  Military Construction, Defense-wide


                     (including transfer of funds)

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

               Military Construction, Army National Guard

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

               Military Construction, Air National Guard

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

                  Military Construction, Army Reserve

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

                  Military Construction, Naval Reserve

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

                Military Construction, Air Force Reserve

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

                   North Atlantic Treaty Organization

                      Security Investment Program

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

                   Family Housing Construction, Army

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

             Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army

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

           Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

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

    Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps

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

                 Family Housing Construction, Air Force

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

          Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force

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

         Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide

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

         Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund

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

            Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990

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

            Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005

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

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 101. None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee 
     contract for construction, where cost estimates exceed 
     $25,000, to be performed within the United States, except 
     Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the 
     Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor.
       Sec. 102. Funds made available in this title shall be 
     available for hire of passenger motor vehicles.
       Sec. 103. Funds made available in this title may be used 
     for advances to the Federal Highway Administration, 
     Department of Transportation, for the construction of access 
     roads as authorized by section 210 of title 23, United States 
     Code, when projects authorized therein are certified as 
     important to the national defense by the Secretary of 
     Defense.
       Sec. 104. None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to begin construction of

[[Page S10455]]

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


                          (transfer of funds)

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


                          (transfer of funds)

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


                          (transfer of funds)

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


                          (transfer of funds)

       Sec. 123. In addition to any other transfer authority 
     available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be 
     transferred from the account established by section 
     2906(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 
     1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), to the fund established by 
     section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan 
     Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. section 3374) to pay for 
     expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program. 
     Any amounts transferred shall be merged with and be available 
     for the same purposes and for the same time period as the 
     fund to which transferred.
       Sec. 124. Notwithstanding this or any other provision of 
     law, funds made available in this title for operation and 
     maintenance of family housing shall be the exclusive source 
     of funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing 
     units, including general or flag officer quarters: Provided, 
     That not more than $35,000 per unit may be spent annually for 
     the maintenance and repair of any general or flag officer 
     quarters without 30 days prior notification to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, except that an 
     after-the-fact notification shall be submitted if the 
     limitation is exceeded solely due to costs associated with 
     environmental remediation that could not be reasonably 
     anticipated at the time of the budget submission: Provided 
     further, That the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is 
     to report annually to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress all operation and maintenance 
     expenditures for each individual general or flag officer 
     quarters for the prior fiscal year.
       Sec. 125. None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be transferred to any department, agency, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government, except 
     pursuant to a transfer made by, or transfer authority 
     provided in this Act, or any other appropriations Act.
       Sec. 126. None of the funds made available in this title 
     under the heading ``North Atlantic Treaty Organization 
     Security Investment Program'', and no funds appropriated for 
     any fiscal year before fiscal year 2006 for that program that 
     remain available for obligation, may be obligated or expended 
     for the conduct of studies of missile defense.
       Sec. 127. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement 
     Account established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of 
     title 10, United States Code, are appropriated and shall be 
     available until expended for the purposes specified in 
     subsection (i)(1) of such section or until transferred 
     pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.
       Sec. 128. None of the funds made available in this title, 
     or in any Act making appropriations for military construction 
     which remain available for obligation, may be obligated or 
     expended to carry out a military construction, land 
     acquisition, or family housing project at or for a military 
     installation approved for closure, or at a military 
     installation for the purposes of supporting a function that 
     has been approved for realignment to another installation, in 
     2005

[[Page S10456]]

     under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 
     (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 
     section 2687 note), unless the Secretary of Defense certifies 
     that the cost to the United States of carrying out such 
     project would be less than the cost to the United States of 
     cancelling such project, or in the case of projects having 
     multi-agency use, that another Government agency has 
     indicated it will assume ownership of the completed project, 
     and the Secretary of Defense may not transfer funds made 
     available for such a military construction project, land 
     acquisition, or family housing project to another account or 
     use such funds for another purpose or project without the 
     prior approval of the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 129. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and 
     notifications required by this title shall be submitted to 
     the Subcommittee on Military Quality of Life and Veterans 
     Affairs, and Related Agencies of the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives and the 
     Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, 
     and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the Senate.
       Sec. 130. Of the amount appropriated by this title under 
     the heading ``Military Construction, Air National Guard'' and 
     available for planning and design, $1,440,000 shall be 
     available for planning and design for a replacement C-130 
     maintenance hangar at Air National Guard New Castle County 
     Airport, Delaware.
       Sec. 131. (a) Of the amount appropriated by this title 
     under the heading ``Military Construction, Army'', $4,550,000 
     shall be made available for the construction of a military 
     police complex at Fort Gordon, Georgia.
       (b) The amount appropriated by this title under the heading 
     ``Military Construction, Army'' and available for Fort 
     Gillem, Georgia, is hereby decreased by $4,550,000.
       Sec. 132. (a) The amount appropriated by this title under 
     the heading ``Department of Defense Base Closure Account 
     1990'' is hereby increased by $25,000,000.
       (b) The amount appropriated by this title under the heading 
     ``Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005'' is hereby 
     decreased by $25,000,000.

                TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                    Veterans Benefits Administration


                       COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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


                         READJUSTMENT BENEFITS

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


                   VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES

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


         VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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


            VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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


          NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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


  GUARANTEED TRANSITIONAL HOUSING LOANS FOR HOMELESS VETERANS PROGRAM 
                                ACCOUNT

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

                     Veterans Health Administration


                            MEDICAL SERVICES

                     (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

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


                         MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION

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


                         INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

       For necessary expenses, $1,456,821,000 shall be available 
     for the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology 
     program: Provided, That within 90 days of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall establish an 
     office for Information Technology (IT) with the authority and 
     responsibility for all IT projects: Provided further, That 
     this office shall report directly to the Deputy Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs: Provided further, That this new 
     organizational structure shall be subject to approval of the 
     Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress: 
     Provided further, That within this amount, no more than 
     $100,000,000 from all sources shall be available for the

[[Page S10457]]

     HealtheVet project for fiscal year 2006: Provided further, 
     That none of the funds made available for the HealtheVet 
     project may be obligated until such time that the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs creates a single position with the 
     responsibility for and the authority to manage the entire 
     project, including budgetary authority: Provided further, 
     That none of the funds made available for the HealtheVet 
     project may be obligated until the Committees on 
     Appropriations in both Houses of Congress approve a financial 
     expenditure plan for the entire project.


                           MEDICAL FACILITIES

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


                    MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH

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

                      Departmental Administration


                       GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES

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


                    NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION

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


                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

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


                      CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS

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


                      CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS

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


       GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES

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


        GRANTS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF STATE VETERANS CEMETERIES

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

                           General Provisions


                     (including transfer of funds)

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


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 202. Amounts made available for the Veterans Health 
     Administration for fiscal year 2006 under the ``Medical 
     services'', ``Medical administration'', ``Information 
     technology'', and ``Medical facilities'' accounts may be 
     transferred between the mentioned accounts: Provided, That 
     before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer 
     and an approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 
     30 days has elapsed: Provided further, That no transfer may 
     be made out of the ``Medical and Prosthetic Research'' 
     account.
       Sec. 203. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     the Committees on Appropriations in both Houses of Congress a 
     quarterly report on the financial status of the Veterans 
     Health Administration. This report shall contain, at a 
     minimum, both planned and actual expenditure rates, 
     unobligated balances, and any potential financial shortfalls.
       Sec. 204. No project for which funds have been appropriated 
     in the ``Construction, major projects'' account may be 
     canceled or altered in scope by more than 10 percent in cost 
     without submitting a request to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress and an

[[Page S10458]]

     approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 30 days 
     has elapsed.
       Sec. 205. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospitalization or 
     examination of any persons (except beneficiaries entitled 
     under the laws bestowing such benefits to veterans, and 
     persons receiving such treatment under 5 U.S.C., sections 
     7901-7904 or 42 U.S.C., sections 5141-5204), unless 
     reimbursement of cost is made to the ``Medical services'' 
     account at such rates as may be fixed by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       Sec. 206. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 for ``Compensation and 
     pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and ``Veterans 
     insurance and indemnities'' shall be available for payment of 
     prior year accrued obligations required to be recorded by law 
     against the corresponding prior year accounts within the last 
     quarter of fiscal year 2005.
       Sec. 207. Appropriations accounts available to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 shall be 
     available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
     prior year appropriations accounts resulting from title X of 
     the Competitive Equality Banking Act, Public Law 100-86, 
     except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts 
     they shall be payable from ``Compensation and pensions''.
       Sec. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     during fiscal year 2006, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Government Life Insurance 
     Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reimburse the ``General operating 
     expenses'' account for the cost of administration of the 
     insurance programs financed through those accounts: Provided, 
     That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus 
     earnings accumulated in an insurance program in fiscal year 
     2006 that are available for dividends in that program after 
     claims have been paid and actuarially determined reserves 
     have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of 
     administration of an insurance program exceeds the amount of 
     surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement 
     shall be made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall determine the cost of administration for fiscal year 
     2006 which is properly allocable to the provision of each 
     insurance program and to the provision of any total 
     disability income insurance included in such insurance 
     program.
       Sec. 209. Notwithstanding any other provision of law and 
     hereafter, the Department of Veterans Affairs shall continue 
     the Franchise Fund established by title I of Public Law 104-
     204.
       Sec. 210. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds 
     to reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account 
     during a prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease 
     services, may be obligated during the fiscal year in which 
     the proceeds are received.
       Sec. 211. Funds available in any Department of Veterans 
     Affairs appropriation for fiscal year 2006 or funds for 
     salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be 
     available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management 
     and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint 
     Adjudication for all services provided at rates which will 
     recover actual costs but not exceed $29,758,000 for the 
     Office of Resolution Management and $3,059,000 for the Office 
     of Employment and Discrimination Complaint Adjudication: 
     Provided, That payments may be made in advance for services 
     to be furnished based on estimated costs: Provided further, 
     That amounts received shall be credited to ``General 
     operating expenses'' for use by the office that provided the 
     service.
       Sec. 212. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs shall be available to enter into any new 
     lease of real property if the estimated annual rental is more 
     than $300,000 unless the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     submits a report which the Committees on Appropriations in 
     both Houses of Congress approve within 30 days following the 
     date on which the report is received.
       Sec. 213. No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     shall be available for hospital care, nursing home care, or 
     medical services provided to any person under chapter 17 of 
     title 38, United States Code, for a non-service-connected 
     disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of such title, 
     unless that person has disclosed to the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may require, current, 
     accurate third-party reimbursement information for purposes 
     of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That the Secretary 
     may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the 
     United States, the reasonable charges for such care or 
     services from any person who does not make such disclosure as 
     required: Provided further, That any amounts so recovered for 
     care or services provided in a prior fiscal year may be 
     obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal year in which 
     amounts are received.
       Sec. 214. Amounts made available under the ``Medical 
     services'' account are available--
       (1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and 
     equipment; and
       (2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other 
     expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries 
     receiving care in the department.


                     (including transfer of funds)

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


                     (including transfer of funds)

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


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 220. That such sums as may be deposited to the Medical 
     Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, 
     United States Code, may be transferred to the ``Medical 
     services'' account, to remain available until expended for 
     the purposes of this account.
       Sec. 221. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2006 for salaries and 
     expenses shall be available for services authorized by title 
     5, United States Code, section 3109; hire of passenger motor 
     vehicles; lease of a facility or land or both; and uniforms 
     or allowances therefor, as authorized by title 5, United 
     States Code, sections 5901-5902.
       Sec. 222. Report on housing assistance to low-income 
     veterans. (a) In General.--The Comptroller General shall 
     conduct a study on housing assistance to low-income veterans, 
     including--
       (1) an estimate of the number of low-income, very low-
     income, and extremely low-income veteran households;
       (2) a description of the demographic and socioeconomic 
     characteristics and health and disability status of such 
     households;
       (3) an estimate of the number of such households 
     experiencing a high cost burden in, overcrowding in, or poor 
     quality of housing, or experiencing homelessness;
       (4) an assessment of such households, including their 
     current barriers to safe, quality, and affordable housing and 
     levels of homelessness among such households;
       (5) the extent to which Federal housing assistance programs 
     provide benefits, including supportive services, to all 
     veteran households and in particular to low-income, very low-
     income, and extremely-low income veteran households;
       (6) the number of units designated for or occupied by 
     veterans and low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-
     income veterans in Federally subsidized or insured housing;
       (7) a summary description of the manner in which veteran 
     compensation, veteran dependency and indemnity compensation, 
     and veteran pension are considered as income or adjusted 
     income for purposes of determining--
       (A) eligibility for Federal housing assistance programs; 
     and
       (B) the amount of rent paid by a veteran household for 
     occupancy of a dwelling unit or housing assisted under 
     Federal housing assistance programs;
       (8) a summary description of the special considerations 
     made for veterans under--
       (A) public housing plans submitted under section 5A of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437c-1); and
       (B) comprehensive housing affordability strategies 
     submitted under section 105 of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
     Affordable Housing Act (42 U.S.C. 12705);
       (9) the extent to which public housing authorities have 
     established preferences for veterans for public housing and 
     housing choice vouchers;
       (10) the number of homeless veterans provided assistance, 
     cumulatively and currently, under the program of housing 
     choice vouchers for homeless veterans under section 8(o)(19) 
     of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42. U.S.C. 
     1437f(o)(19)), and the current status of the program, 
     including--
       (A) the number of vouchers the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development currently allocates to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs;
       (B) the monetary value of such vouchers; and
       (C) the names and locations of VA medical centers receiving 
     such vouchers; and
       (11) a description of activities relating to veterans of 
     the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

[[Page S10459]]

       (b) Acquisition of Supporting Information.--In carrying out 
     the study under this section, the Comptroller General shall 
     seek to obtain views from the following persons:
       (1) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
       (2) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       (3) Low-income, very low-income, and extremely low-income 
     veterans.
       (4) Representatives of State and local housing assistance 
     agencies.
       (5) Representatives of nonprofit low-income housing 
     providers and homeless service providers, including homeless 
     veteran service providers.
       (6) National advocacy organizations concerned with 
     veterans, homelessness, and low-income housing.
       (c) Timing of Report.--Not later than 6 months after the 
     date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall 
     submit to Congress a report on the study conducted under this 
     section.
       Sec. 223. (a) Not later than 60 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, 
     after consultation with the National Association of County 
     Veterans Service Officers, other veterans service 
     organizations, and State departments of veterans affairs 
     shall submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the Senate that describes a plan (including estimated costs) 
     to provide an adequate supply of the 2006 edition of handbook 
     entitled, Federal Benefits for Veterans and Dependents, and 
     all subsequent editions, to all county veterans service 
     officers in the United States.
       Sec. 224. None of the funds made available in this Act or 
     any other Act may be used--
       (1) to revoke or reduce a veteran's disability compensation 
     for post traumatic stress disorder based on a finding that 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs failed to collect 
     justifying documentation unless such failure was the direct 
     result of fraud by the applicant; or
       (2) for the implementation of Recommendation 3 of VA 
     Inspector General Report No. 05-00765-137 or any related 
     review and investigation of post traumatic stress disorder 
     unemployability and 100 scheduler percent ratings cases, 
     until the Department of Veterans' Affairs reports to the 
     Committee on Appropriations on its plan for implementing this 
     recommendation, and outlines the staffing and funding 
     requirements.
       Sec. 225. Clinical training and protocols. (a) Findings.--
     Congress finds that--
       (1) the Iraq War Clinician Guide has tremendous value; and
       (2) the Secretary of Defense and the National Center on 
     Post Traumatic Stress Disorder should continue to work 
     together to ensure that the mental health care needs of 
     servicemembers and veterans are met.
       (b) Collaboration.--The National Center on Post Traumatic 
     Stress Disorder shall collaborate with the Secretary of 
     Defense--
       (1) to enhance the clinical skills of military clinicians 
     through training, treatment protocols, web-based 
     interventions, and the development of evidence-based 
     interventions; and
       (2) to promote pre-deployment resilience and post-
     deployment readjustment among servicemembers serving in 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.
       (c) Training.--The National Center on Post Traumatic Stress 
     Disorder shall work with the Secretary of Defense to ensure 
     that clinicians in the Department of Defense are provided 
     with the training and protocols developed pursuant to 
     subsection (b)(1).
       Sec. 226. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     immediately submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and 
     Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives 
     a report on any Department of Veterans Affairs budget 
     shortfall totaling 2 percent or more of the Department's 
     total discretionary funding budget for a fiscal year.
       (b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall, not later than 
     180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, submit 
     to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs and Appropriations of 
     the Senate and the House of Representatives a comprehensive 
     plan to improve long-term budget planning and actuarial 
     forecasting at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       Sec. 227. (a) In conducting advanced planning activities 
     under this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     reevaluate Veterans Health Administration Handbook 1006.1 and 
     other guidance and procedures related to planning, 
     activating, staffing, and maintaining community-based 
     outpatient clinics.
       (b) In conducting such planning, the Secretary shall--
       (1) revise as appropriate existing policies to make them 
     less disadvantageous to rural veterans; and
       (2) reexamine criteria used in planning, activating, 
     staffing, and maintaining such clinics, including geographic 
     access, number of Priority 1-6 veterans, market penetration, 
     cost effectiveness, and distance to parent facilities, to 
     determine whether such criteria are weighted in a manner that 
     negatively affects rural veterans.

                      TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

                  AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

                         Salaries and Expenses

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

                     Foreign Currency Fluctuations

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

           UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

                         Salaries and Expenses

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

                      DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army


                         Salaries and Expenses

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

                      ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

                      Armed Forces Retirement Home

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

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

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

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