[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 132 (Friday, September 7, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11271-S11278]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2008

  On Thursday, September 6, 2007, the Senate passed H.R. 2642, as 
amended, as follows:

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 
     construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2008, and 
     for other purposes, namely:

                                TITLE I

                         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

                      Military Construction, Army

       For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment 
     of temporary or permanent public works, military 
     installations, facilities, and real property for the Army as 
     currently authorized by law, including personnel in the Army 
     Corps of Engineers and other personal services necessary for 
     the purposes of this appropriation, and for construction and 
     operation of facilities in support of the functions of the 
     Commander in Chief, $3,928,149,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2012: Provided, That of this amount, not to 
     exceed $317,149,000 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.

              Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

       For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment 
     of temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, 
     facilities, and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps 
     as currently authorized by law, including personnel in the 
     Naval Facilities Engineering Command and other personal 
     services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, 
     $2,168,315,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012: 
     Provided, That of this amount, not to exceed $115,258,000 
     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, 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, $1,048,518,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of 
     this amount, not to exceed $64,958,000 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, 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, $1,758,755,000, 
     to remain available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That 
     such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by 
     the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such 
     appropriations of the Department of Defense available for 
     military construction or family housing as the Secretary may 
     designate, to be merged with and to be available for the same 
     purposes, and for the same time period, as the appropriation 
     or fund to which transferred: Provided further, That of the 
     amount appropriated, not to exceed $154,728,000 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, 
     $478,836,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.

               Military Construction, Air National Guard

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the Air National Guard, and contributions 
     therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United 
     States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, 
     $228,995,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.

                  Military Construction, Army Reserve

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 
     1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military 
     Construction Authorization Acts, $138,424,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2012.

                  Military Construction, Navy Reserve

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the reserve components of the Navy and 
     Marine Corps as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, 
     United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization 
     Acts, $59,150,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2012.

                Military Construction, Air Force Reserve


                    (including rescission of funds)

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the Air Force Reserve as authorized by 
     chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military 
     Construction Authorization Acts, $27,559,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2012: Provided, That of the 
     funds appropriated for ``Military Construction, Air Force 
     Reserve'' under Public Law 109-114, $3,100,000 are hereby 
     rescinded.

                   North Atlantic Treaty Organization


                      Security Investment Program

       For the United States share of the cost of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for 
     the acquisition and construction of military facilities and 
     installations (including international military headquarters) 
     and for related expenses for the collective defense of the 
     North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by section 2806 of 
     title 10, United States

[[Page S11272]]

     Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, 
     $201,400,000, 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, 
     $419,400,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.

             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, $742,920,000.

           Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

       For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine 
     Corps for construction, including acquisition, replacement, 
     addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized 
     by law, $288,329,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2012.

    Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps

       For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine 
     Corps for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, 
     leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, 
     and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $371,404,000.

                 Family Housing Construction, Air Force

       For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 
     construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, 
     expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, 
     $362,747,000, to remain available until September 30, 2012.

          Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force

       For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 
     operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, 
     minor construction, principal and interest charges, and 
     insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $688,335,000.

         Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide

       For expenses of family housing for the activities and 
     agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the 
     military departments) for operation and maintenance, leasing, 
     and minor construction, as authorized by law, $48,848,000.

         Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund

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

          Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide

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

            Department of Defense Base Closure Account 1990

       For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure 
     Account 1990, established by section 2906(a)(1) of the 
     Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 
     2687 note), $320,689,000, to remain available until expended.

            Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005

       For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure 
     Account 2005, established by section 2906A(a)(1) of the 
     Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 
     2687 note), $8,174,315,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That funds made available under this 
     heading for the construction of facilities are subject to the 
     notification and reprogramming requirements applicable to 
     military construction projects under section 2853 of title 
     10, United States Code, and section 0703 of the Department of 
     Defense Financial Management Regulation of December 1996, 
     including the requirement to obtain the approval of the 
     congressional defense committees prior to executing certain 
     reprogramming actions.

                       Administrative Provisions

       Sec. 101. None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee 
     contract for construction, where cost estimates exceed 
     $25,000, to be performed within the United States, except 
     Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the 
     Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor.
       Sec. 102. Funds made available in this title for 
     construction shall be available for hire of passenger motor 
     vehicles.
       Sec. 103. Funds made available in this title for 
     construction may be used for advances to the Federal Highway 
     Administration, Department of Transportation, for the 
     construction of access roads as authorized by section 210 of 
     title 23, United States Code, when projects authorized 
     therein are certified as important to the national defense by 
     the Secretary of Defense.
       Sec. 104. None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to begin construction of new bases in the United 
     States for which specific appropriations have not been made.
       Sec. 105. None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be used for purchase of land or land easements in 
     excess of 100 percent of the value as determined by the Army 
     Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering 
     Command, except: (1) where there is a determination of value 
     by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by the Attorney 
     General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where 
     the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise 
     determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public 
     interest.
       Sec. 106. None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site 
     preparation; or (3) install utilities for any family housing, 
     except housing for which funds have been made available in 
     annual Acts making appropriations for military construction.
       Sec. 107. None of the funds made available in this title 
     for minor construction may be used to transfer or relocate 
     any activity from one base or installation to another, 
     without prior notification to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 108. None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used for the procurement of steel for any construction 
     project or activity for which American steel producers, 
     fabricators, and manufacturers have been denied the 
     opportunity to compete for such steel procurement.
       Sec. 109. None of the funds available to the Department of 
     Defense for military construction or family housing during 
     the current fiscal year may be used to pay real property 
     taxes in any foreign nation.
       Sec. 110. None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to initiate a new installation overseas without 
     prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 111. None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be obligated for architect and engineer contracts 
     estimated by the Government to exceed $500,000 for projects 
     to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization member country, or in countries bordering the 
     Arabian Sea if that country has not increased its defense 
     spending by at least 3 percent in calendar year 2005, unless 
     such contracts are awarded to United States firms or United 
     States firms in joint venture with host nation firms.
       Sec. 112. None of the funds made available in this title 
     for military construction in the United States territories 
     and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in 
     countries bordering the Arabian Sea, may be used to award any 
     contract estimated by the Government to exceed $1,000,000 to 
     a foreign contractor: Provided, That this section shall not 
     be applicable to contract awards for which the lowest 
     responsive and responsible bid of a United States contractor 
     exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a 
     foreign contractor by greater than 20 percent: Provided 
     further, That this section shall not apply to contract awards 
     for military construction on Kwajalein Atoll for which the 
     lowest responsive and responsible bid is submitted by a 
     Marshallese contractor.
       Sec. 113. The Secretary of Defense is to inform the 
     appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, including 
     the Committees on Appropriations, of the plans and scope of 
     any proposed military exercise involving United States 
     personnel 30 days prior to its occurring, if amounts expended 
     for construction, either temporary or permanent, are 
     anticipated to exceed $750,000.
       Sec. 114. Not more than 20 percent of the funds made 
     available in this title which are limited for obligation 
     during the current fiscal year shall be obligated during the 
     last two months of the fiscal year.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 115. Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense 
     for construction in prior years shall be available for 
     construction authorized for each such military department by 
     the authorizations enacted into law during the current 
     session of Congress.
       Sec. 116. For military construction or family housing 
     projects that are being completed with funds otherwise 
     expired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds may 
     be used to pay the cost of associated supervision, 
     inspection, overhead, engineering and design on those 
     projects and on subsequent claims, if any.
       Sec. 117. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 
     funds made available to a military department or defense 
     agency for the construction of military projects may be 
     obligated for a military construction project or contract, or 
     for any portion of such a project or contract, at any time 
     before the end of the fourth fiscal year after the fiscal 
     year for which funds for such project were made available, if 
     the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from 
     funds available for military construction projects; and (2) 
     do not exceed the amount appropriated for such project, plus 
     any amount by which the cost of such project is increased 
     pursuant to law.
       Sec. 118. (a) The Secretary of Defense, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of State, shall submit to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, by February 15 
     of each year, an annual report on actions taken by the 
     Department of Defense and the Department of State during the 
     previous fiscal year to encourage host countries to assume a 
     greater share of the common defense burden of such countries 
     and the United States.
       (b) The report under subsection (a) shall include a 
     description of--
       (1) attempts to secure cash and in-kind contributions from 
     host countries for military construction projects;
       (2) attempts to achieve economic incentives offered by host 
     countries to encourage private investment for the benefit of 
     the United States Armed Forces;

[[Page S11273]]

       (3) attempts to recover funds due to be paid to the United 
     States by host countries for assets deeded or otherwise 
     imparted to host countries upon the cessation of United 
     States operations at military installations;
       (4) the amount spent by host countries on defense, in 
     dollars and in terms of the percent of gross domestic product 
     (GDP) of the host country; and
       (5) for host countries that are members of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the amount contributed 
     to NATO by host countries, in dollars and in terms of the 
     percent of the total NATO budget.
       (c) In this section, the term ``host country'' means other 
     member countries of NATO, Japan, South Korea, and United 
     States allies bordering the Arabian Sea.


                     (including transfer of funds)

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


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 120. Subject to 30 days prior notification to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, such 
     additional amounts as may be determined by the Secretary of 
     Defense may be transferred to: (1) the Department of Defense 
     Family Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for 
     construction in ``Family Housing'' accounts, to be merged 
     with and to be available for the same purposes and for the 
     same period of time as amounts appropriated directly to the 
     Fund; or (2) the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied 
     Housing Improvement Fund from amounts appropriated for 
     construction of military unaccompanied housing in ``Military 
     Construction'' accounts, to be merged with and to be 
     available for the same purposes and for the same period of 
     time as amounts appropriated directly to the Fund: Provided, 
     That appropriations made available to the Funds shall be 
     available to cover the costs, as defined in section 502(5) of 
     the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, of direct loans or loan 
     guarantees issued by the Department of Defense pursuant to 
     the provisions of subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, 
     United States Code, pertaining to alternative means of 
     acquiring and improving military family housing, military 
     unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.
       Sec. 121. (a) Not later than 60 days before issuing any 
     solicitation for a contract with the private sector for 
     military family housing the Secretary of the military 
     department concerned shall submit to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the notice 
     described in subsection (b).
       (b)(1) A notice referred to in subsection (a) is a notice 
     of any guarantee (including the making of mortgage or rental 
     payments) proposed to be made by the Secretary to the private 
     party under the contract involved in the event of--
       (A) the closure or realignment of the installation for 
     which housing is provided under the contract;
       (B) a reduction in force of units stationed at such 
     installation; or
       (C) the extended deployment overseas of units stationed at 
     such installation.
       (2) Each notice under this subsection shall specify the 
     nature of the guarantee involved and assess the extent and 
     likelihood, if any, of the liability of the Federal 
     Government with respect to the guarantee.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 122. In addition to any other transfer authority 
     available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be 
     transferred from the accounts established by sections 
     2906(a)(1) and 2906A(a)(1) of the Defense Base Closure and 
     Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), to the fund 
     established by section 1013(d) of the Demonstration Cities 
     and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 3374) to 
     pay for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance 
     Program. Any amounts transferred shall be merged with and be 
     available for the same purposes and for the same time period 
     as the fund to which transferred.
       Sec. 123. Notwithstanding this or any other provision of 
     law, funds made available in this title for operation and 
     maintenance of family housing shall be the exclusive source 
     of funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing 
     units, including general or flag officer quarters: Provided, 
     That not more than $35,000 per unit may be spent annually for 
     the maintenance and repair of any general or flag officer 
     quarters without 30 days prior notification to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, except that an 
     after-the-fact notification shall be submitted if the 
     limitation is exceeded solely due to costs associated with 
     environmental remediation that could not be reasonably 
     anticipated at the time of the budget submission: Provided 
     further, That the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is 
     to report annually to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress all operation and maintenance 
     expenditures for each individual general or flag officer 
     quarters for the prior fiscal year: Provided further, That 
     nothing in this section precludes the Secretary of a military 
     department, after notifying the congressional defense 
     committees and waiting 21 days, from using funds derived 
     under section 2601, chapter 403, chapter 603, or chapter 903 
     of title 10, United States Code, for the maintenance or 
     repair of general and flag officer quarters at the military 
     service academy under the jurisdiction of that Secretary: 
     Provided further, That each Secretary of a military 
     department shall provide an annual report by February 15 to 
     the congressional defense committees on the amount of funds 
     that were derived under section 2601, chapter 403, chapter 
     603, or chapter 903 of title 10, United States Code, in the 
     previous year and were obligated for the construction, 
     improvement, repair, or maintenance of any military facility 
     or infrastructure.
       Sec. 124. Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement 
     Account established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of 
     title 10, United States Code, are appropriated and shall be 
     available until expended for the purposes specified in 
     subsection (i)(1) of such section or until transferred 
     pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 125. None of the funds made available in this title, 
     or in any Act making appropriations for military construction 
     which remain available for obligation, may be obligated or 
     expended to carry out a military construction, land 
     acquisition, or family housing project at or for a military 
     installation approved for closure, or at a military 
     installation for the purposes of supporting a function that 
     has been approved for realignment to another installation, in 
     2005 under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 
     1990 (part A of title XXIX of Public Law 101-510; 10 U.S.C. 
     2687 note), unless such a project at a military installation 
     approved for realignment will support a continuing mission or 
     function at that installation or a new mission or function 
     that is planned for that installation, or unless the 
     Secretary of Defense certifies that the cost to the United 
     States of carrying out such project would be less than the 
     cost to the United States of cancelling such project, or if 
     the project is at an active component base that shall be 
     established as an enclave or in the case of projects having 
     multi-agency use, that another Government agency has 
     indicated it will assume ownership of the completed project. 
     The Secretary of Defense may not transfer funds made 
     available as a result of this limitation from any military 
     construction project, land acquisition, or family housing 
     project to another account or use such funds for another 
     purpose or project without the prior approval of the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. This 
     section shall not apply to military construction projects, 
     land acquisition, or family housing projects for which the 
     project is vital to the national security or the protection 
     of health, safety, or environmental quality: Provided, That 
     the Secretary of Defense shall notify the congressional 
     defense committees within seven days of a decision to carry 
     out such a military construction project.
       Sec. 126. Funds made available by this title for the 
     construction of facilities identified in the State table of 
     the report accompanying this Act as ``Grow the Force'' 
     projects are subject to the notification and reprogramming 
     requirements applicable to military construction projects 
     under section 2853 of title 10, United States Code, and 
     section 0703 of the Department of Defense Financial 
     Management Regulation of December 1996, including the 
     requirement to obtain the approval of the congressional 
     defense committees prior to executing certain reprogramming 
     actions.

                                TITLE II

                     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                       Veterans Benefits Programs


                       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 title 
     IV of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (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; 43 Stat. 122, 123; 45 Stat. 735; 76 Stat. 1198), 
     $41,236,322,000, to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That not to exceed $28,583,000 of the amount 
     appropriated under this heading shall be reimbursed to 
     ``General operating expenses'' and ``Medical administration'' 
     for necessary expenses in implementing the provisions of 
     chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United States Code, the 
     funding source for which is specifically provided as the 
     ``Compensation and pensions'' appropriation: Provided 
     further, That such sums as may be earned on an actual 
     qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to ``Medical 
     care collections fund'' to augment the funding of individual 
     medical facilities for nursing home care provided to 
     pensioners as authorized.


                         Readjustment Benefits

       For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits 
     to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. 
     chapters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61), 
     $3,300,289,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That expenses for rehabilitation program services and 
     assistance which the Secretary is authorized to provide under 
     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.

[[Page S11274]]

     887; 72 Stat. 487, $41,250,000, to remain available until 
     expended.


         Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund Program Account

       For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as 
     may be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by 
     subchapters I through III of chapter 37 of title 38, United 
     States Code: Provided, That such costs, including the cost of 
     modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of 
     the Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided further, That 
     during fiscal year 2008, within the resources available, not 
     to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for direct loans are 
     authorized for specially adapted housing loans.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct and guaranteed loan programs, $154,562,000.


            Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $71,000, as authorized by 
     chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code: Provided, That 
     such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall 
     be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act 
     of 1974: Provided further, That funds made available under 
     this heading are available to subsidize gross obligations for 
     the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed 
     $3,287,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $311,000, which may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


          Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

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


  Guaranteed Transitional Housing Loans for Homeless Veterans Program 
                                Account

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

                     Veterans Health Administration


                            medical services

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by 
     law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to 
     beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
     veterans described in section 1705(a) of title 38, United 
     States Code, including care and treatment in facilities not 
     under the jurisdiction of the Department, and including 
     medical supplies and equipment, food services, and salaries 
     and expenses of health-care employees hired under title 38, 
     United States Code, and aid to State homes as authorized by 
     section 1741 of title 38, United States Code; 
     $28,979,220,000, plus reimbursements: Provided, That of the 
     funds made available under this heading, not to exceed 
     $1,350,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 
     2009: 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/Department of Veterans Affairs Health Care Sharing 
     Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 8111(d) of title 38, 
     United States Code, a minimum of $15,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for any purpose authorized by 
     section 8111 of title 38, United States Code.


                         MEDICAL ADMINISTRATION

       For necessary expenses in the administration of the 
     medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, 
     supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; 
     administrative expenses in support of capital policy 
     activities; and administrative and legal expenses of the 
     Department for collecting and recovering amounts owed the 
     Department as authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, United 
     States Code, and Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 U.S.C. 
     2651 et seq.): $3,642,000,000, plus reimbursements, of which 
     $250,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2009.


                           medical facilities

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities and 
     other necessary facilities 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; for oversight, engineering and architectural 
     activities not charged to project costs; for repairing, 
     altering, improving or providing facilities in the several 
     hospitals and homes under the jurisdiction of the Department, 
     not otherwise provided for, either by contract or by the hire 
     of temporary employees and purchase of materials; for leases 
     of facilities; and for laundry services, $4,092,000,000, plus 
     reimbursements, of which $350,000,000 shall remain available 
     until September 30, 2009: Provided, That not less than 
     $350,000,000 for non-recurring maintenance provided under 
     this heading shall be allocated in a manner not subject to 
     the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation.


                    medical and prosthetic research

       For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical 
     and prosthetic research and development as authorized by 
     chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, $500,000,000, 
     plus reimbursements, to remain available until September 30, 
     2009.

                    National Cemetery Administration

       For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery 
     Administration for operations and maintenance, not otherwise 
     provided for, including uniforms or allowances therefor; 
     cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase of one 
     passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial operations; and 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles, $217,709,000, of which not 
     to exceed $25,000,000 shall remain available until September 
     30, 2009.

                      Departmental Administration


                       general operating expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary operating expenses of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including 
     administrative expenses in support of Department-wide capital 
     planning, management and policy activities, uniforms or 
     allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses; hire of passenger 
     motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services 
     Administration for security guard services, and the 
     Department of Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail, 
     $1,612,031,000: Provided, That expenses for services and 
     assistance authorized under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and 
     (11) of section 3104(a) of title 38, United States Code, that 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs determines are necessary to 
     enable entitled veterans: (1) to the maximum extent 
     feasible, to become employable and to obtain and maintain 
     suitable employment; or (2) to achieve maximum 
     independence in daily living, shall be charged to this 
     account: Provided further, That the Veterans Benefits 
     Administration shall be funded at not less than 
     $1,329,044,000: Provided further, That of the funds made 
     available under this heading, not to exceed $75,000,000 
     shall be available for obligation until September 30, 
     2009: Provided further, That from the funds made available 
     under this heading, the Veterans Benefits Administration 
     may purchase up to two passenger motor vehicles for use in 
     operations of that Administration in Manila, Philippines.


                      office of inspector general

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, 
     to include information technology, in carrying out the 
     provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, $88,700,000, 
     of which $3,630,000 shall remain available until September 
     30, 2009.


                      Construction, Major Projects

       For constructing, altering, extending and improving any of 
     the facilities including parking projects under the 
     jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 
     316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, and 8122 
     of title 38, United States Code, including planning, 
     architectural and engineering services, construction 
     management services, maintenance or guarantee period services 
     costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the 
     project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and 
     storm drainage system construction costs, and site 
     acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is more 
     than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 
     38, United States Code, or where funds for a project were 
     made available in a previous major project appropriation, 
     $727,400,000, to remain available until expended, of which 
     $2,000,000 shall be to make reimbursements as provided in 
     section 13 of the Contract Disputes Act of 1978 (41 U.S.C. 
     612) for claims paid for contract disputes: Provided, That 
     except for advance planning activities, including needs 
     assessments which may or may not lead to capital investments, 
     and other capital asset management related activities, 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 2008, 
     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, 2008; and 
     (2) by the awarding of a construction contract by September 
     30, 2009: 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.

[[Page S11275]]

                      Construction, Minor Projects

       For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of 
     the facilities including parking projects under the 
     jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs, including planning and assessments of needs which 
     may lead to capital investments, architectural and 
     engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period 
     services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided 
     under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 
     utility and storm drainage system construction costs, and 
     site acquisition, or for any of the purposes set forth in 
     sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, 
     8122, and 8162 of title 38, United States Code, where the 
     estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than the 
     amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 38, United 
     States Code, $751,398,000, to remain available until 
     expended, along with unobligated balances of previous 
     ``Construction, minor projects'' appropriations which are 
     hereby made available for any project where the estimated 
     cost is equal to or less than the amount set forth in such 
     section for: (1) repairs to any of the nonmedical facilities 
     under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department which 
     are necessary because of loss or damage caused by any natural 
     disaster or catastrophe; and (2) temporary measures necessary 
     to prevent or to minimize further loss by such causes.


       Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities

       For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State 
     nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to remodel, 
     modify or alter existing hospital, nursing home and 
     domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing care to 
     veterans as authorized by sections 8131-8137 of title 38, 
     United States Code, $250,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended.


          Grants for Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries

       For grants to aid States in establishing, expanding, or 
     improving State veterans cemeteries as authorized by section 
     2408 of title 38, United States Code, $100,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended.


                     Information Technology Systems

       For necessary expenses for information technology systems 
     and telecommunications support, including developmental 
     information systems and operational information systems; 
     including pay and associated cost for operations and 
     maintenance associated staff; for the capital asset 
     acquisition of information technology systems, including 
     management and related contractual costs of said 
     acquisitions, including contractual costs associated with 
     operations authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United 
     States Code, $1,898,000,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2009: Provided, That none of these funds may be 
     obligated until the Department of Veterans Affairs submits to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, 
     and such Committees approve, a plan for expenditure that: (1) 
     meets the capital planning and investment control review 
     requirements established by the Office of Management and 
     Budget; (2) complies with the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     enterprise architecture; (3) conforms with an established 
     enterprise life cycle methodology; and (4) complies with the 
     acquisition rules, requirements, guidelines, and systems 
     acquisition management practices of the Federal Government: 
     Provided further, That within 60 days of enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a 
     reprogramming base letter which provides, by project, the 
     costs included in this appropriation.

                       Administrative Provisions


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 201. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2008, in this 
     Act or any other Act, 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 fiscal year 2008, in 
     this Act or any other Act, under the ``Medical services'', 
     ``Medical Administration'', and ``Medical facilities'' 
     accounts may be transferred between the accounts to the 
     extent necessary to implement the restructuring of the 
     Veterans Health Administration accounts: Provided, That 
     before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer 
     and an approval is issued.
       Sec. 203. Appropriations available in this title for 
     salaries and expenses shall be available for services 
     authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or land 
     or both; and uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized 
     by sections 5901-5902 of title 5, United States Code.
       Sec. 204. No appropriations in this title (except the 
     appropriations for ``Construction, major projects'', and 
     ``Construction, minor projects'') shall be available for the 
     purchase of any site for the construction of any new hospital 
     or home.
       Sec. 205. No appropriations in this title shall be 
     available for hospitalization or examination of any persons 
     (except beneficiaries entitled under the laws bestowing such 
     benefits to veterans, and persons receiving such treatment 
     under sections 7901-7904 of title 5, United States Code or 
     the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency 
     Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless 
     reimbursement of 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 in this title for 
     ``Compensation and pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and 
     ``Veterans insurance and indemnities'' shall be available for 
     payment of prior year accrued obligations required to be 
     recorded by law against the corresponding prior year accounts 
     within the last quarter of fiscal year 2007.
       Sec. 207. Appropriations available in this title shall be 
     available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
     prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 
     3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, 
     except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts 
     they shall be payable from ``Compensation and pensions''.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 208. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     during fiscal year 2008, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Government Life Insurance 
     Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reimburse the ``General operating 
     expenses'' account for the cost of administration of the 
     insurance programs financed through those accounts: Provided, 
     That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus 
     earnings accumulated in an insurance program in fiscal year 
     2008 that are available for dividends in that program after 
     claims have been paid and actuarially determined reserves 
     have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of 
     administration of an insurance program exceeds the amount of 
     surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement 
     shall be made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall determine the cost 
     of administration for fiscal year 2008 which is properly 
     allocable to the provision of each insurance program and to 
     the provision of any total disability income insurance 
     included in such insurance program.
       Sec. 209. Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds 
     to reimburse an account for expenses incurred by that account 
     during a prior fiscal year for providing enhanced-use lease 
     services, may be obligated during the fiscal year in which 
     the proceeds are received.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 210. Funds available in this title or funds for 
     salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be 
     available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management 
     and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint 
     Adjudication for all services provided at rates which will 
     recover actual costs but not exceed $32,067,000 for the 
     Office of Resolution Management and $3,148,000 for the Office 
     of Employment and Discrimination Complaint Adjudication: 
     Provided, That payments may be made in advance for services 
     to be furnished based on estimated costs: Provided further, 
     That amounts received shall be credited to ``General 
     operating expenses'' for use by the office that provided the 
     service.
       Sec. 211. No appropriations in this title shall be 
     available to enter into any new lease of real property if the 
     estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 unless the 
     Secretary submits a report which the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress approve within 30 
     days following the date on which the report is received.
       Sec. 212. No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     shall be available for hospital care, nursing home care, or 
     medical services provided to any person under chapter 17 of 
     title 38, United States Code, for a non-service-connected 
     disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of such title, 
     unless that person has disclosed to the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may require, current, 
     accurate third-party reimbursement information for purposes 
     of section 1729 of such title: Provided, That the Secretary 
     may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the 
     United States, the reasonable charges for such care or 
     services from any person who does not make such disclosure as 
     required: Provided further, That any amounts so recovered for 
     care or services provided in a prior fiscal year may be 
     obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal year in which 
     amounts are received.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 213. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, at 
     the discretion of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, proceeds 
     or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing activities 
     (including disposal) may be deposited into the 
     ``Construction, major projects'' and ``Construction, minor 
     projects'' accounts and be used for construction (including 
     site acquisition and disposition), alterations and 
     improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction 
     or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such 
     sums as realized are in addition to the amount provided for 
     in ``Construction, major projects'' and ``Construction, minor 
     projects''.
       Sec. 214. Amounts made available under ``Medical services'' 
     are available--
       (1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and 
     equipment; and
       (2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other 
     expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries 
     receiving care in the Department.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 215. Such sums as may be deposited to the Medical Care 
     Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, 
     United States Code, may be transferred to ``Medical 
     services'', to remain available until expended for the 
     purposes of this account.
       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 Service or tribal organizations. The Secretary shall: 
     (1) limit the application of this provision to rural Alaskan 
     veterans in areas where an existing Department of Veterans 
     Affairs facility or Veterans Affairs-contracted service is 
     unavailable; (2)

[[Page S11276]]

     require participating veterans and facilities to comply with 
     all appropriate rules and regulations, as established by the 
     Secretary; (3) require this provision to be consistent with 
     Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services activities; 
     and (4) result in no additional cost to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs or the Indian Health Service.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 217. Such sums as may be deposited to the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to section 
     8118 of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to 
     the ``Construction, major projects'' and ``Construction, 
     minor projects'' accounts, to remain available until expended 
     for the purposes of these accounts.
       Sec. 218. None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used to implement any policy prohibiting the Directors of 
     the Veterans Integrated Service Networks from conducting 
     outreach or marketing to enroll new veterans within their 
     respective Networks.
       Sec. 219. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a 
     quarterly report on the financial status of the Veterans 
     Health Administration.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 220. Amounts made available under the ``Medical 
     services'', ``Medical Administration'', ``Medical 
     facilities'', ``General operating expenses'', and ``National 
     Cemetery Administration'' accounts for fiscal year 2008, may 
     be transferred to or from the ``Information technology 
     systems'' account: Provided, That before a transfer may take 
     place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     the authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 221. For purposes of perfecting the funding sources of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs' new ``Information 
     technology systems'' account, funds made available for fiscal 
     year 2008, in this or any other Act, may be transferred from 
     the ``General operating expenses'', ``National Cemetery 
     Administration'', and ``Office of Inspector General'' 
     accounts to the ``Medical services'' account: Provided, That 
     before a transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall request from the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer 
     and an approval is issued.


                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 222. Amounts made available for the ``Information 
     technology systems'' account may be transferred between 
     projects: Provided, That no project may be increased or 
     decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost prior to submitting 
     a request to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
     of Congress to make the transfer and an approval is issued, 
     or absent a response, a period of 30 days has elapsed.
       Sec. 223. None of the funds available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, in this Act, or any other Act, may be used 
     to replace the current system by which the Veterans 
     Integrated Services Networks select and contract for diabetes 
     monitoring supplies and equipment.
       Sec. 224. Of the amounts made available for fiscal year 
     2008, in this Act or any other Act, under the ``Medical 
     Facilities'' account for non-recurring maintenance, not more 
     than 20 percent of the funds made available shall be 
     obligated during the last two months of the fiscal year.
       Sec. 225. Prohibition on Disposal of Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Lands and Improvements at West Los Angeles Medical 
     Center, California. (a) In General.--The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs may not declare as excess to the needs of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs, or otherwise take any 
     action to exchange, trade, auction, transfer, or otherwise 
     dispose of, or reduce the acreage of, Federal land and 
     improvements at the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los 
     Angeles Medical Center, California, encompassing 
     approximately 388 acres on the north and south sides of 
     Wilshire Boulevard and west of the 405 Freeway.
       (b) Special Provision Regarding Lease With Representative 
     of the Homeless.--Notwithstanding any provision of this Act, 
     section 7 of the Homeless Veterans Comprehensive Services Act 
     of 1992 (Public Law 102-590) shall remain in effect.
       (c) Conforming Amendment.--Section 8162(c)(1) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) by inserting ``or section 225(a) of the Military 
     Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 2008'' after ``section 421(b)(2) of the 
     Veterans' Benefits and Services Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-
     322; 102 Stat. 553)''; and
       (2) by striking ``that section'' and inserting ``such 
     sections''.
       (d) Effective Date.--This section, including the amendment 
     made by this section, shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2008 and each fiscal year thereafter.
       Sec. 226. The Department shall continue research into Gulf 
     War Illness at levels not less than those made available in 
     fiscal year 2007, within available funds contained in this 
     Act.
       Sec. 227. (a) Anonymous Reporting of Waste, Fraud, or 
     Abuse.--Not later than 30 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain 
     on the homepage of the Internet website of the Office of 
     Inspector General a mechanism by which individuals can 
     anonymously report cases of waste, fraud, or abuse with 
     respect to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Link to Office of Inspector General From Homepage of 
     Department of Veterans Affairs.--Not later than 30 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall establish and maintain on the homepage 
     of the Internet website of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     a direct link to the Internet website of the Office of 
     Inspector General of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       Sec. 228. (a) Authority for Transfer of Funds to Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services to Train Psychologists.--Upon a 
     determination by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs that such 
     action is in the national interest, the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs may transfer not more than $5,000,000 to the 
     Secretary of Health and Human Services for the Graduate 
     Psychology Education Program to support increased training of 
     psychologists skilled in the treatment of post-traumatic 
     stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and related 
     disorders.
       (b) Limitation on Use of Transferred Funds.--The Secretary 
     of Health and Human Services may only use funds transferred 
     under this section for the purposes described in subsection 
     (a).
       (c) Notification.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     notify Congress of any such transfer of funds under this 
     section.
       Sec. 229. (a) Reports on Reconstruction of Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana.--
     (1) Not later than October 1 and April 1 each year, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall submit to the Committees 
     on Appropriations a report on the current status of the 
     reconstruction of the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Each report shall include 
     the following:
       (A) The current status of the reconstruction of the Medical 
     Center, including the status of any ongoing environmental 
     assessments, the status of any current construction, and an 
     assessment of the adequacy of funding necessary to complete 
     the reconstruction.
       (B) If reconstruction of the Medical Center is subject to 
     any major delay--
       (i) a description of each such delay;
       (ii) an explanation for each such delay; and
       (iii) a description of the action being taken or planned to 
     address the delay.
       (C) A description of current and anticipated funding for 
     the reconstruction of the Medical Center, including an 
     estimate of any additional funding required for the 
     reconstruction.
       (2) The requirement in paragraph (1) shall cease on the day 
     that the reconstruction of the Medical Center referred to in 
     that paragraph is completed.
       (b) Report on Designation of Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Medical Center in New Orleans as Polytrauma Rehabilitation 
     Center or Polytrauma Network Site.--Not later than 60 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary 
     shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations a report 
     setting forth the recommendation of the Secretary as to 
     whether or not the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center being reconstructed in new Orleans, Louisiana, should 
     be designated as a tier I polytrauma rehabilitation center or 
     a polytrauma network site.
       Sec. 230. (a) Additional Amount for Medical Services.--The 
     amount appropriated or otherwise made available by this title 
     under the heading ``medical services'' is hereby increased by 
     $125,000,000.
       (b) Availability.--Of the amount appropriated or otherwise 
     made available by this title under the heading ``medical 
     services'', as increased by subsection (a), $125,000,000 
     shall be available for the Veterans Beneficiary Travel 
     Program. The amount available for the Veterans Beneficiary 
     Travel Program under this subsection is in addition to any 
     other amounts available for that program under this title.
       (c) Offset.--The amount appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this title for the Veterans Health 
     Administration under the heading ``medical administration'' 
     is hereby decreased by $125,000,000.
       Sec. 231. (a) Report on Access to Medical Services Provided 
     by Department of Veterans Affairs to Veterans in Remote Rural 
     Areas.--Not later than six months after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     appropriate committees of Congress a report setting forth the 
     following:
       (1) A description of the following:
       (A) The unique challenges and costs faced by veterans in 
     remote rural areas of contiguous and non-contiguous States 
     when obtaining medical services from the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs.
       (B) The need to improve access to locally-administered care 
     for veterans who reside in remote rural areas.
       (C) The need to fund alternative sources of medical 
     services--
       (i) in areas where facilities of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs are not accessible to veterans without leaving such 
     areas; and
       (ii) in cases in which receipt of medical services by a 
     veteran in a facility of the Department requires 
     transportation of such veteran by air due to geographic and 
     infrastructural constraints.
       (2) An assessment of the potential for increasing local 
     access to medical services for veterans in remote rural areas 
     of contiguous and non-contiguous States through strategic 
     partnerships with other government and local private health 
     care providers.
       (b) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and 
     the House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Subcommittees referred to in section 407.
       Sec. 232. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act may be used during fiscal year 2008 to 
     round down dollar amounts to the next lower whole dollar for 
     payments of the following:
       (1) Disability compensation under section 1114 of 38, 
     United States Code.
       (2) Additional compensation for dependents under section 
     1115(1) of such title.
       (3) Clothing allowance under section 1162 of such title.
       (4) Dependency and indemnity compensation to surviving 
     spouse under subsections (a) through (d) of section 1311 of 
     such title.

[[Page S11277]]

       (5) Dependency and indemnity compensation to children under 
     sections 1313(a) and 1314 of such title.
       Sec. 233. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act or any other Act for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs may be used in a manner that is inconsistent 
     with--
       (1) section 842 of the Transportation, Treasury, Housing 
     and Urban Development, the Judiciary, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 (Public Law 109-115; 119 
     Stat. 2506); or
       (2) section 8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code.
       Sec. 234. Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner 
     Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic. (a) Designation.--The 
     Department of Veterans Affairs clinic located in Alpena, 
     Michigan, shall be known and designated as the ``Lieutenant 
     Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of Veterans Affairs 
     Clinic''.
       (b) References.--Any reference in a law, map, regulation, 
     document, paper, or other record of the United States to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs clinic referred to in 
     subsection (a) shall be deemed to be a reference to the 
     ``Lieutenant Colonel Clement C. Van Wagoner Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Clinic''.
       Sec. 235. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may carry out a 
     major medical facility lease in fiscal year 2008 in an amount 
     not to exceed $12,000,000 to implement the recommendations 
     outlined in the August, 2007 Study of South Texas Veterans' 
     Inpatient and Specialty Outpatient Health Care Needs.

                               TITLE III

                            RELATED AGENCIES

                  AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the 
     American Battle Monuments Commission, including the 
     acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries; 
     purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national 
     cemeteries and monuments outside of the United States and its 
     territories and possessions; rent of office and garage space 
     in foreign countries; purchase (one-for-one replacement 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, $45,600,000, to 
     remain available until expended.

                     Foreign Currency Fluctuations

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

           UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR VETERANS CLAIMS

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses for the operation of the United 
     States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized by 
     sections 7251-7298 of title 38, United States Code, 
     $24,217,000: Provided, That $1,120,000 shall be available for 
     the purpose of providing financial assistance as described, 
     and in accordance with the process and reporting procedures 
     set forth, under this heading in Public Law 102-229.

                      DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE--CIVIL

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for 
     maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington National 
     Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, 
     including the purchase of two passenger motor vehicles for 
     replacement only, and not to exceed $1,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $31,865,000, to remain 
     available until expended. In addition, such sums as may be 
     necessary for parking maintenance, repairs and replacement, 
     to be derived from the Lease of Department of Defense Real 
     Property for Defense Agencies account.
       Funds appropriated under this Act may be provided to 
     Arlington County, Virginia, for the relocation of the 
     federally-owned watermain at Arlington National Cemetery 
     making additional land available for ground burials.

                      ARMED FORCES RETIREMENT HOME

                               Trust Fund

       For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retirement Home 
     to operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home--
     Washington, District of Columbia and the Armed Forces 
     Retirement Home--Gulfport, Mississippi, to be paid from funds 
     available in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, 
     $55,724,000.

           General Fund Payment, Armed Forces Retirement Home

       For payment to the ``Armed Forces Retirement Home'', 
     $5,900,000, to remain available until expended.

                        ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

       Sec. 301. None of the funds in this title under the heading 
     ``American Battle Monuments Commission'' shall be available 
     for the Capital Security Costs Sharing program.

                                TITLE IV

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 401. No part of any appropriation contained in this 
     Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current 
     fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
       Sec. 402. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
     2008 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be 
     absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act.
       Sec. 403. None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used for any program, project, or activity, when it is 
     made known to the Federal entity or official to which the 
     funds are made available that the program, project, or 
     activity is not in compliance with any Federal law relating 
     to risk assessment, the protection of private property 
     rights, or unfunded mandates.
       Sec. 404. No part of any funds appropriated in this Act 
     shall be used by an agency of the executive branch, other 
     than for normal and recognized executive-legislative 
     relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, and for 
     the preparation, distribution or use of any kit, pamphlet, 
     booklet, publication, radio, television or film presentation 
     designed to support or defeat legislation pending before 
     Congress, except in presentation to Congress itself.
       Sec. 405. All departments and agencies funded under this 
     Act are encouraged, within the limits of the existing 
     statutory authorities and funding, to expand their use of 
     ``E-Commerce'' technologies and procedures in the conduct of 
     their business practices and public service activities.
       Sec. 406. None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality 
     of the United States Government except pursuant to a transfer 
     made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act or any 
     other appropriations Act.
       Sec. 407. Unless stated otherwise, all reports and 
     notifications required by this Act shall be submitted to the 
     Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and 
     Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Military 
     Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of the 
     Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
       Sec. 408. (a) Assessment of Mental Health Care Services for 
     Female Servicemembers and Veterans.--The Comptroller General 
     of the United States shall conduct an assessment of the 
     adequacy of the mental health care services provided by the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense 
     to female members of the Armed Forces and female veterans to 
     meet the mental health care needs of such members and 
     veterans.
       (b) Report.--Not later than September 1, 2008, the 
     Comptroller General shall submit to the Subcommittees 
     referred to in section 407 a report on the assessment 
     required by subsection (a).
       Sec. 409. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act may be used to enter into a contract in 
     an amount greater than $5,000,000 or to award a grant in 
     excess of such amount unless the prospective contractor or 
     grantee certifies in writing to the agency awarding the 
     contract or grant that the contractor or grantee has filed 
     all Federal tax returns required during the three years 
     preceding the certification, has not been convicted of a 
     criminal offense under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and 
     has not been notified of any unpaid Federal tax assessment 
     for which the liability remains unsatisfied unless the 
     assessment is the subject of an installment agreement or 
     offer in compromise that has been approved by the Internal 
     Revenue Service and is not in default or the assessment is 
     the subject of a non-frivolous administrative or judicial 
     appeal.
       Sec. 410. (a) In this section:
       (1) The term ``City'' means the City of Aurora, Colorado.
       (2) The term ``deed'' means the quitclaim deed--
       (A) conveyed by the Secretary to the City; and
       (B) dated May 24, 1999.
       (3) The term ``non-Federal land'' means--
       (A) parcel I of the Fitzsimons Army Medical Center, 
     Colorado; and
       (B) the parcel of land described in the deed.
       (4) The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of the 
     Interior.
       (b)(1) In accordance with paragraph (2), and subject to 
     each term and condition required under paragraph (3), to 
     allow the City to convey to the United States the non-Federal 
     land to be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for the 
     construction of a veterans medical facility, the Secretary 
     may execute such instruments as determined by the Secretary 
     to be necessary to modify or release any condition under 
     which the non-Federal land would revert to the United States.
       (2) In carrying out paragraph (1), with respect to the non-
     Federal land, the Secretary shall alter--
       (A) each provision of the deed relating to a reversionary 
     interest of the United States; and
       (B) any other reversionary interest of the United States.
     To authorize the use of the property to include use as a 
     veteran's facility in addition to use for recreational 
     purposes.
       (3) The Secretary shall carry out paragraph (1) subject to 
     such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines to be 
     necessary to protect the interests of the United States.
       Sec. 411. For an additional amount $100,000,000, with 
     $50,000,000 each to the Cities of Denver, Colorado, and St. 
     Paul, Minnesota, shall be available to the Department of 
     Homeland Security for State and local law enforcement 
     entities for security and related costs, including overtime, 
     associated with the Democratic National Convention and 
     Republican National Convention in 2008. The Department of 
     Homeland Security shall provide for an audit

[[Page S11278]]

     of all amounts made available under this section, including 
     expenditures by State and local law enforcement entities. 
     Amounts provided by this section are designated as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 204 of S. Con. Res. 
     21 (110th Congress).
       Sec. 412. None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act may be used for any action that is 
     related to or promotes the expansion of the boundaries or 
     size of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, Colorado.
       This Act may be cited as the ``Military Construction and 
     Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
     2008''.
  Mr. INOUYE. Mr. President, I note the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BROWN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________