[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 27, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S3837-S3840]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. DURBIN (for himself, Mr. Coleman, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Hagel, Mr. 
        Obama, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Menendez, Mr. Cochran, Mr. 
        Lieberman, Mr. Levin, Mr. Smith, Mr. Stevens, Mr. Akaka, Mr. 
        Chambliss, Ms. Stabenow, Ms. Snowe, Ms. Cantwell, Mr. Baucus, 
        Mr. Warner, Mr. Pryor, and Mr. Kennedy):
  S. 991. A bill to establish the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad 
Foundation under the authorities of the Mutual Educational and Cultural 
Exchange Act of 1961; to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I have spoken many times about one of our 
Nation's greatest public servants, the late Senator Paul Simon. He was 
an honorable man who devoted his life to working for the public good.
  In the months before his untimely death, Senator Simon returned to 
Washington to talk to his former colleagues about the need to 
strengthen our Nation's international understanding and our ability to 
remain a world leader in the 21st century. His desire to promote peace 
and security through mutual understanding and sensitivity to the rest 
of the world was borne out of the tragic events of September 11, 2001.
  Senator Simon struggled with the question of how America could lead 
when so few of our citizens have the proper knowledge and understanding 
of the world beyond our borders. He knew that America's security, 
global competitiveness, and diplomatic efforts in working towards a 
peaceful society rest on our young people's global competence and 
ability to appreciate languages and cultural and social realities 
beyond what they may have experienced in the United States. He 
envisioned a United States populated by a generation of Americans with 
a greater knowledge and understanding of the world--a generation of our 
Nation's future leaders that have been abroad and have a personal 
connection to another part of the world.
  Senator Simon's tireless efforts led to Congress's establishment of 
the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Commission. I was honored to serve on 
this bipartisan Commission, and it was a privilege for me to introduce 
legislation last year that brought Senator Simon's dream one step 
closer to reality. The bill, based on the Commission's recommendations, 
would have established a study abroad program for undergraduate 
students that would help build global awareness and international 
understanding.
  I am once again proud to stand here today and introduce legislation 
that embodies Senator Simon's vision. The bill has been renamed the 
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act so that all future 
generations will remember Senator Simon's commitment to international 
education.
  The goal of this legislation remains the same: to encourage and 
support the experience of studying abroad in developing countries--in 
countries whose people, culture, language, government, and religion 
might be very different from ours. This bill aims to have at least 1 
million undergraduate students study abroad annually within 10 years 
and to expand study abroad opportunities for students who are currently 
underrepresented.
  The Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act would establish 
study abroad as a national priority and provide the catalyst for the 
education community to commit to making study abroad an institutional 
priority.
  This legislation would create an independent public-private entity, 
the Senator Paul Simon Foundation, that would award grants to carry out 
the goal of making study abroad in high-quality programs in diverse 
locations around the world the routine, rather than the exception, for 
college students. Students who were previously unable to study abroad 
due to financial constraints would be eligible for grants. Grants also 
would provide colleges, universities and nongovernmental institutions 
with the financial incentive to develop programs that make it easier 
for college students to study abroad.
  The future of our country depends on having globally literate 
citizens--those who are able to look at other points of view and 
incorporate those ideas into their thinking and manner of interacting 
with others. I have shared this

[[Page S3838]]

Paul Simon quote before, and I will do so again because it is the most 
poignant example of Paul's vision in his own words:

       A nation cannot drift into greatness. We must dream, and we 
     must be willing to make small sacrifices to achieve those 
     dreams. This major national initiative can lift our vision 
     and responsiveness to the rest of the world.

  I ask my colleagues to join with me and with Senator Coleman in 
support of this legislation and to see to it that Senator Paul Simon's 
dream of building a stronger and more culturally aware nation is 
realized.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the text of the bill was ordered to be 
printed in the Record, as follows:

                                 S. 991

       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 ``Senator Paul Simon Study 
     Abroad Foundation Act of 2007''.

     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) According to President George W. Bush, ``America's 
     leadership and national security rest on our commitment to 
     educate and prepare our youth for active engagement in the 
     international community.''.
       (2) According to former President William J. Clinton, 
     ``Today, the defense of United States interests, the 
     effective management of global issues, and even an 
     understanding of our Nation's diversity require ever-greater 
     contact with, and understanding of, people and cultures 
     beyond our borders.''.
       (3) Congress authorized the establishment of the Commission 
     on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship Program 
     pursuant to section 104 of the Miscellaneous Appropriations 
     and Offsets Act, 2004 (division H of Public Law 108-199). 
     Pursuant to its mandate, the Commission has submitted to 
     Congress and the President a report of its recommendations 
     for greatly expanding the opportunity for students at 
     institutions of higher education in the United States to 
     study abroad, with special emphasis on studying in developing 
     nations.
       (4) Studies consistently show that United States students 
     score below their counterparts in other advanced countries on 
     indicators of international knowledge. This lack of global 
     literacy is a national liability in an age of global trade 
     and business, global interdependence, and global terror.
       (5) By numbers ranging from 77 to more than 90 percent, 
     Americans believe that it is important for their children to 
     learn other languages, study abroad, attend a college where 
     they can interact with international students, learn about 
     other countries and cultures, and generally be prepared for 
     the global age, according to a December 2005 national survey 
     commissioned by NAFSA: Association of International 
     Educators.
       (6) In today's world, it is more important than ever for 
     the United States to be a responsible, constructive leader 
     that other countries are willing to follow. Such leadership 
     cannot be sustained without an informed citizenry with much 
     more knowledge and awareness of the world than most Americans 
     currently possess.
       (7) Study abroad has proven to be a very effective means of 
     imparting international and foreign-language competency to 
     students.
       (8) In any given year, only approximately one percent of 
     all students enrolled in United States institutions of higher 
     education study abroad.
       (9) Less than 10 percent of the students who graduate from 
     United States institutions of higher education with bachelors 
     degrees have studied abroad.
       (10) Far more study abroad must take place in the 
     developing countries. Ninety-five percent of the world's 
     population growth over the next 50 years will occur outside 
     of Europe. Yet in the academic year 2004-2005, 60 percent of 
     United States students studying abroad studied in Europe, and 
     45 percent studied in four countries--the United Kingdom, 
     Italy, Spain, and France--according to the Institute of 
     International Education.
       (11) The Final Report of the National Commission on 
     Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (The 9/11 Commission 
     Report) recommended that the United States increase support 
     for ``scholarship, exchange, and library programs''. The 9/11 
     Public Discourse Project, successor to the 9/11 Commission, 
     noted in its November 14, 2005, status report that this 
     recommendation was ``unfulfilled,'' and stated that ``The 
     U.S. should increase support for scholarship and exchange 
     programs, our most powerful tool to shape attitudes over the 
     course of a generation.''. In its December 5, 2005, Final 
     Report on the 9/11 Commission Recommendations, the 9/11 
     Public Discourse Project gave the government a grade of ``D'' 
     for its implementation of this recommendation.
       (12) Investing in a national study abroad program would 
     help turn a grade of ``D'' into an ``A'' by equipping United 
     States students to communicate United States values and way 
     of life through the unique dialogue that takes place among 
     citizens from around the world when individuals study abroad.

     SEC. 3. PURPOSES.

       The purposes of this Act are--
       (1) to significantly enhance the global competitiveness and 
     international knowledge base of the United States by ensuring 
     that more students in United States institutions of higher 
     education have the opportunity to acquire foreign language 
     skills and international knowledge through significantly 
     expanded study abroad;
       (2) to enhance the foreign policy capacity of the United 
     States by significantly expanding and diversifying the talent 
     pool of individuals with non-traditional foreign language 
     skills and cultural knowledge in the United States who are 
     available for recruitment by United States foreign affairs 
     agencies, legislative branch agencies, and nongovernmental 
     organizations involved in foreign affairs activities;
       (3) to ensure that an increasing portion of study abroad by 
     United States students will take place in nontraditional 
     study abroad destinations such as the People's Republic of 
     China, countries of the Middle East region, and developing 
     countries; and
       (4) to create greater cultural understanding of the United 
     States by exposing foreign students and their families to 
     American students in countries that have not traditionally 
     hosted large numbers of American students.

     SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means--
       (A) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
       (B) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate.
       (2) Board.--The term ``Board'' means the Board of Directors 
     of the Foundation established pursuant to section 5(d).
       (3) Chief executive officer.--The term ``Chief Executive 
     Officer'' means the chief executive officer of the Foundation 
     appointed pursuant to section 5(c).
       (4) Foundation.--The term ``Foundation'' means the Senator 
     Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation established by section 
     5(a).
       (5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
     term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
     (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
       (6) Nontraditional study abroad destination.--The term 
     ``nontraditional study abroad destination'' means a location 
     that is determined by the Foundation to be a less common 
     destination for United States students who study abroad.
       (7) Study abroad.--The term ``study abroad'' means an 
     educational program of study, work, research, internship, or 
     combination thereof that is conducted outside the United 
     States and that carries academic credit toward fulfilling the 
     participating student's degree requirements.

     SEC. 5. ESTABLISHMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE SENATOR PAUL 
                   SIMON STUDY ABROAD FOUNDATION.

       (a) Establishment.--
       (1) In general.--There is established in the executive 
     branch a corporation to be known as the ``Senator Paul Simon 
     Study Abroad Foundation'' that shall be responsible for 
     carrying out this Act under the authorities of the Mutual 
     Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 196l (22 U.S.C. 2451 
     et seq.). The Foundation shall be a government corporation, 
     as defined in section 103 of title 5, United States Code.
       (2) Board of directors.--The Foundation shall be governed 
     by a Board of Directors chaired by the Secretary of State in 
     accordance with subsection (d).
       (3) Intent of congress.--It is the intent of Congress in 
     establishing the structure of the Foundation set forth in 
     this subsection to create an entity that will administer a 
     study abroad program that--
       (A) serves the long-term foreign policy and national 
     security needs of the United States; but
       (B) operates independently of short-term political and 
     foreign policy considerations.
       (b) Mandate of Foundation.--In administering the program 
     referred to in subsection (a)(3), the Foundation shall--
       (1) promote the objectives and purposes of this Act;
       (2) through responsive, flexible grant-making, promote 
     access by students at diverse institutions of higher 
     education, including two-year institutions, minority-serving 
     institutions, and institutions that serve nontraditional 
     students;
       (3) through creative grant-making, promote access by 
     diverse students, including minority students, students of 
     limited financial means, and nontraditional students;
       (4) raise funds from the private sector to supplement funds 
     made available under this Act; and
       (5) be committed to minimizing administrative costs and to 
     maximizing the availability of funds for grants under this 
     Act.
       (c) Chief Executive Officer.--
       (1) In general.--There shall be in the Foundation a Chief 
     Executive Officer who shall be responsible for the management 
     of the Foundation.
       (2) Appointment.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be 
     appointed by the Board and shall be a recognized leader in 
     higher education, business, or foreign policy, chosen on the 
     basis of a rigorous search.

[[Page S3839]]

       (3) Relationship to board.--The Chief Executive Officer 
     shall report to and be under the direct authority of the 
     Board.
       (4) Compensation and rank.--
       (A) In general.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be 
     compensated at the rate provided for level III of the 
     Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United 
     States Code, and shall have the equivalent rank of Deputy 
     Secretary.
       (B) Amendment.--Section 5314 of title 5, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``Chief Executive Officer, Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad 
     Foundation.''.
       (5) Authorities and duties.--The Chief Executive Officer 
     shall be responsible for the management of the Foundation and 
     shall exercise the powers and discharge the duties of the 
     Foundation.
       (6) Authority to appoint officers.--In consultation and 
     with approval of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer shall 
     appoint all officers of the Foundation.
       (d) Board of Directors.--
       (1) Establishment.--There shall be in the Foundation a 
     Board of Directors.
       (2) Duties.--The Board shall perform the functions 
     specified to be carried out by the Board in this Act and may 
     prescribe, amend, and repeal bylaws, rules, regulations, and 
     procedures governing the manner in which the business of the 
     Foundation may be conducted and in which the powers granted 
     to it by law may be exercised.
       (3) Membership.--The Board shall consist of--
       (A) the Secretary of State (or the Secretary's designee), 
     the Secretary of Education (or the Secretary's designee), the 
     Secretary of Defense (or the Secretary's designee), and the 
     Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
     Development (or the Administrator's designee); and
       (B) five other individuals with relevant experience in 
     matters relating to study abroad (such as individuals who 
     represent institutions of higher education, business 
     organizations, foreign policy organizations, or other 
     relevant organizations) who shall be appointed by the 
     President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, 
     of which--
       (i) one individual shall be appointed from among a list of 
     individuals submitted by the majority leader of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (ii) one individual shall be appointed from among a list of 
     individuals submitted by the minority leader of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (iii) one individual shall be appointed from among a list 
     of individuals submitted by the majority leader of the 
     Senate; and
       (iv) one individual shall be appointed from among a list of 
     individuals submitted by the minority leader of the Senate.
       (4) Chief executive officer.--The Chief Executive Officer 
     of the Foundation shall serve as a nonvoting, ex officio 
     member of the Board.
       (5) Terms.--
       (A) Officers of the federal government.--Each member of the 
     Board described in paragraph (3)(A) shall serve for a term 
     that is concurrent with the term of service of the 
     individual's position as an officer within the other Federal 
     department or agency.
       (B) Other members.--Each member of the Board described in 
     paragraph (3)(B) shall be appointed for a term of 3 years and 
     may be reappointed for a term of an additional 3 years.
       (C) Vacancies.--A vacancy in the Board shall be filled in 
     the manner in which the original appointment was made.
       (6) Chairperson.--There shall be a Chairperson of the 
     Board. The Secretary of State shall serve as the Chairperson.
       (7) Quorum.--A majority of the members of the Board 
     described in paragraph (3) shall constitute a quorum, which, 
     except with respect to a meeting of the Board during the 135-
     day period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
     Act, shall include at least one member of the Board described 
     in paragraph (3)(B).
       (8) Meetings.--The Board shall meet at the call of the 
     Chairperson.
       (9) Compensation.--
       (A) Officers of the federal government.--
       (i) In general.--A member of the Board described in 
     paragraph (3)(A) may not receive additional pay, allowances, 
     or benefits by reason of the member's service on the Board.
       (ii) Travel expenses.--Each such member of the Board shall 
     receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of 
     subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under 
     subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
       (B) Other members.--
       (i) In general.--Except as provided in clause (ii), a 
     member of the Board described in paragraph (3)(B)--

       (I) shall be paid compensation out of funds made available 
     for the purposes of this Act at the daily equivalent of the 
     highest rate payable under section 5332 of title 5, United 
     States Code, for each day (including travel time) during 
     which the member is engaged in the actual performance of 
     duties as a member of the Board; and
       (II) while away from the member's home or regular place of 
     business on necessary travel in the actual performance of 
     duties as a member of the Board, shall be paid per diem, 
     travel, and transportation expenses in the same manner as is 
     provided under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
     States Code.

       (ii) Limitation.--A member of the Board may not be paid 
     compensation under clause (i)(II) for more than 90 days in 
     any calendar year.

     SEC. 6. ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment of the Program.--There is hereby 
     established a program, which shall--
       (1) be administered by the Foundation; and
       (2) award grants to--
       (A) individuals for study abroad;
       (B) nongovernmental institutions that provide and promote 
     study abroad opportunities, in consortium with institutions 
     described in subparagraph (C); and
       (C) institutions of higher education, individually or in 
     consortium,
     in order to accomplish the objectives set forth in subsection 
     (b).
       (b) Objectives.--The objectives of the program established 
     under subsection (a) are that, within 10 years of the date of 
     the enactment of this Act--
       (1) not less than one million undergraduate students in 
     United States institutions of higher education will study 
     abroad annually for credit;
       (2) the demographics of study-abroad participation will 
     reflect the demographics of the United States undergraduate 
     population; and
       (3) an increasing portion of study abroad will take place 
     in nontraditional study abroad destinations, with a 
     substantial portion of such increases taking place in 
     developing countries.
       (c) Mandate of the Program.--In order to accomplish the 
     objectives set forth in subsection (b), the Foundation shall, 
     in administering the program established under subsection 
     (a), take fully into account the recommendations of the 
     Commission on the Abraham Lincoln Study Abroad Fellowship 
     Program (established pursuant to section 104 of the 
     Miscellaneous Appropriations and Offsets Act, 2004 (division 
     H of Public Law 108-199)).
       (d) Structure of Grants.--In accordance with the 
     recommendations of the Commission on the Abraham Lincoln 
     Study Abroad Fellowship Program, grants awarded under the 
     program established under subsection (a) shall be structured 
     to the maximum extent practicable to promote appropriate 
     reforms in institutions of higher education in order to 
     remove barriers to participation by students in study abroad.
       (e) Balance of Long-Term and Short-Term Study Abroad 
     Programs.--In administering the program established under 
     subsection (a), the Foundation shall seek an appropriate 
     balance between--
       (1) longer-term study abroad programs, which maximize 
     foreign-language learning and intercultural understanding; 
     and
       (2) shorter-term study abroad programs, which maximize the 
     accessibility of study abroad to nontraditional students.

     SEC. 7. ANNUAL REPORT.

       Not later than March 31, 2008, and each March 31 
     thereafter, the Foundation shall submit to Congress a report 
     on the implementation of this Act during the prior fiscal 
     year.

     SEC. 8. POWERS OF THE FOUNDATION; RELATED PROVISIONS.

       (a) Powers.--The Foundation--
       (1) shall have perpetual succession unless dissolved by a 
     law enacted after the date of the enactment of this Act;
       (2) may adopt, alter, and use a seal, which shall be 
     judicially noticed;
       (3) may make and perform such contracts, grants, and other 
     agreements with any person or government however designated 
     and wherever situated, as may be necessary for carrying out 
     the functions of the Foundation;
       (4) may determine and prescribe the manner in which its 
     obligations shall be incurred and its expenses allowed and 
     paid, including expenses for representation;
       (5) may lease, purchase, or otherwise acquire, improve, and 
     use such real property wherever situated, as may be necessary 
     for carrying out the functions of the Foundation;
       (6) may accept cash gifts or donations of services or of 
     property (real, personal, or mixed), tangible or intangible, 
     for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this Act;
       (7) may use the United States mails in the same manner and 
     on the same conditions as the executive departments;
       (8) may contract with individuals for personal services, 
     who shall not be considered Federal employees for any 
     provision of law administered by the Office of Personnel 
     Management;
       (9) may hire or obtain passenger motor vehicles; and
       (10) shall have such other powers as may be necessary and 
     incident to carrying out this Act.
       (b) Principal Office.--The Foundation shall maintain its 
     principal office in the metropolitan area of Washington, 
     District of Columbia.
       (c) Applicability of Government Corporation Control Act.--
       (1) In general.--The Foundation shall be subject to chapter 
     91 of subtitle VI of title 31, United States Code, except 
     that the Foundation shall not be authorized to issue 
     obligations or offer obligations to the public.
       (2) Conforming amendment.--Section 9101(3) of title 31, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following:

[[Page S3840]]

       ``(R) the Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation.''.
       (d) Inspector General.--
       (1) In general.--The Inspector General of the Department of 
     State shall serve as Inspector General of the Foundation, 
     and, in acting in such capacity, may conduct reviews, 
     investigations, and inspections of all aspects of the 
     operations and activities of the Foundation.
       (2) Authority of the board.--In carrying out the 
     responsibilities under this subsection, the Inspector General 
     shall report to and be under the general supervision of the 
     Board.
       (3) Reimbursement and authorization of services.--
       (A) Reimbursement.--The Foundation shall reimburse the 
     Department of State for all expenses incurred by the 
     Inspector General in connection with the Inspector General's 
     responsibilities under this subsection.
       (B) Authorization for services.--Of the amount authorized 
     to be appropriated under section 10(a) for a fiscal year, up 
     to $2,000,000 is authorized to be made available to the 
     Inspector General of the Department of State to conduct 
     reviews, investigations, and inspections of operations and 
     activities of the Foundation.

     SEC. 9. GENERAL PERSONNEL AUTHORITIES.

       (a) Detail of Personnel.--Upon request of the Chief 
     Executive Officer, the head of an agency may detail any 
     employee of such agency to the Foundation on a reimbursable 
     basis. Any employee so detailed remains, for the purpose of 
     preserving such employee's allowances, privileges, rights, 
     seniority, and other benefits, an employee of the agency from 
     which detailed.
       (b) Reemployment Rights.--
       (1) In general.--An employee of an agency who is serving 
     under a career or career conditional appointment (or the 
     equivalent), and who, with the consent of the head of such 
     agency, transfers to the Foundation, is entitled to be 
     reemployed in such employee's former position or a position 
     of like seniority, status, and pay in such agency, if such 
     employee--
       (A) is separated from the Foundation for any reason, other 
     than misconduct, neglect of duty, or malfeasance; and
       (B) applies for reemployment not later than 90 days after 
     the date of separation from the Foundation.
       (2) Specific rights.--An employee who satisfies paragraph 
     (1) is entitled to be reemployed (in accordance with such 
     paragraph) within 30 days after applying for reemployment 
     and, on reemployment, is entitled to at least the rate of 
     basic pay to which such employee would have been entitled had 
     such employee never transferred.
       (c) Hiring Authority.--Of persons employed by the 
     Foundation, not to exceed 30 persons may be appointed, 
     compensated, or removed without regard to the civil service 
     laws and regulations.
       (d) Basic Pay.--The Chief Executive Officer may fix the 
     rate of basic pay of employees of the Foundation without 
     regard to the provisions of chapter 51 of title 5, United 
     States Code (relating to the classification of positions), 
     subchapter III of chapter 53 of such title (relating to 
     General Schedule pay rates), except that no employee of the 
     Foundation may receive a rate of basic pay that exceeds the 
     rate for level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 
     5315 of such title.
       (e) Definitions.--In this section--
       (1) the term ``agency'' means an executive agency, as 
     defined by section 105 of title 5, United States Code; and
       (2) the term ``detail'' means the assignment or loan of an 
     employee, without a change of position, from the agency by 
     which such employee is employed to the Foundation.

     SEC. 10. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this Act $80,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008 and each subsequent fiscal year.
       (b) Allocation of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--The Foundation may allocate or transfer to 
     any agency of the United States Government any of the funds 
     available for carrying out this Act. Such funds shall be 
     available for obligation and expenditure for the purposes for 
     which the funds were authorized, in accordance with authority 
     granted in this Act or under authority governing the 
     activities of the United States Government agency to which 
     such funds are allocated or transferred.
       (2) Notification.--The Foundation shall notify the 
     appropriate congressional committees not less than 15 days 
     prior to an allocation or transfer of funds pursuant to 
     paragraph (1).
                                 ______