[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 79 (Wednesday, May 18, 2016)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2980-S2997]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           TEXT OF AMENDMENTS

  SA 4005. Mr. HELLER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  Not later than 180 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall submit to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate 
     and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives a report that contains an update on the 
     progress of the Department of Veterans Affairs in completing 
     the Rural Veterans Burial Initiative and the expected 
     timeline for completion of such initiative.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4006. Mr. VITTER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  None of the funds made available in this Act 
     shall be used to pay any bonus to an individual in a Senior 
     Executive position (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, 
     United States Code) in the Department of Veterans Affairs who 
     is employed within Veterans Integrated Service Network 16.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4007. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, on page 41, after line 25, add the 
     following:
       Sec. 127. (a) All of the unobligated balances of the 
     amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2016 under the headings 
     ``MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE'' and ``BILATERAL ECONOMIC 
     ASSISTANCE'' in titles III and V of the Department of State, 
     Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 
     2016 (division K of Public Law 114-113), including funds 
     designated by Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/
     Global War on Terrorism pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) 
     of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(ii)) are rescinded.
       (b) In addition to the amount made available under the 
     heading ``federal-aid highways''in this title, an amount 
     equal to the amount rescinded pursuant to subsection (a) 
     shall be made available for the implementation or execution 
     of Federal-aid highway, bridge construction, and highway 
     safety construction programs authorized under titles 23 and 
     49, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4008. Mr. DAINES (for himself and Mr. Tester) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. 
Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill 
H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in title I of division B, insert 
     the following:
       Sec. __.  Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct 
     a study and submit to Congress a report on the use of defense 
     access road funding to build alternate routes for military 
     equipment traveling to missile launch facilities, taking into 
     consideration the location of local populations, security 
     risks, safety, and impacts of weather.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4009. Mr. UDALL (for himself and Mr. Heinrich) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. 
Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill 
H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 102, strike lines 3 through 16 and insert the 
     following:
     would otherwise receive: Provided further, That grant amounts 
     not allocated to a recipient pursuant to the previous proviso 
     shall be allocated under the need component of the formula 
     proportionately among all other Indian tribes not subject to 
     an adjustment under such proviso: Provided further, That the 
     second proviso shall not apply to any Indian tribe that would 
     otherwise receive a formula allocation of less than 
     $8,000,000:  Provided further, That to take effect, the 3 
     previous provisos do not
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4010. Mr. DAINES submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II in division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available in this title shall be used in a manner that would 
     interfere with removal by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     of employees who have committed felony or misdemeanor 
     offenses, regardless of whether the offense occurred while 
     the employee was at work.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4011. Mr. NELSON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

       In division A, strike section 225 and insert the following:

[[Page S2981]]

       Sec. 225. (a) Any entity receiving housing assistance 
     payments shall maintain decent, safe, and sanitary 
     conditions, as determined by the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development (in this section referred to as the 
     ``Secretary''), and comply with any standards under 
     applicable State or local laws, rules, ordinances, or 
     regulations relating to the physical condition of any 
     property covered under a housing assistance payment contract.
       (b) The Secretary shall take action under subsection (c) 
     when a multifamily housing project with a section 8 contract 
     or contract for similar project-based assistance--
       (1) receives a Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) 
     score of 30 or less;
       (2) fails to certify in writing to the Secretary within 3 
     days that all Exigent Health and Safety deficiencies 
     identified by the inspector at the project have been 
     corrected; or
       (3) receives a UPCS score between 31 and 59 and has 
     received consecutive scores of less than 60 on UPCS 
     inspections.
       Such requirements shall apply to insured and noninsured 
     projects with assistance attached to the units under section 
     8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f), 
     but do not apply to such units assisted under section 
     8(o)(13) (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)) or to public housing units 
     assisted with capital or operating funds under section 9 of 
     the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437g).
       (c)(1) The Secretary shall notify the owner and provide an 
     opportunity for response within 15 days after the results of 
     the UPCS inspection are issued. If the violations remain, the 
     Secretary shall develop a plan to bring the property into 
     compliance within 30 days after the results of the UPCS 
     inspection are issued and must provide the owner with a 
     Notice of Default with a specified timetable, determined by 
     the Secretary, for correcting all deficiencies. The Secretary 
     must also provide a copy of the Notice of Default to the 
     tenants, the local government, any mortgagees, and any 
     contract administrator. If the owner's appeal results in a 
     UPCS score of 60 or above, the Secretary may withdraw the 
     Notice of Default.
       (2) At the end of the time period for correcting all 
     deficiencies specified in the Notice of Default, if the owner 
     fails to fully correct such deficiencies, the Secretary may--
       (A) require immediate replacement of project management 
     with a management agent approved by the Secretary;
       (B) impose civil money penalties, which shall be used 
     solely for the purpose of supporting safe and sanitary 
     conditions at applicable properties, as designated by the 
     Secretary, with priority given to the tenants of the property 
     affected by the penalty;
       (C) abate the section 8 contract, including partial 
     abatement, as determined by the Secretary, until all 
     deficiencies have been corrected;
       (D) pursue transfer of the project to an owner, approved by 
     the Secretary under established procedures, which will be 
     obligated to promptly make all required repairs and to accept 
     renewal of the assistance contract as long as such renewal is 
     offered;
       (E) transfer the existing section 8 contract to another 
     project or projects and owner or owners;
       (F) pursue exclusionary sanctions, including suspensions or 
     debarments from Federal programs;
       (G) seek judicial appointment of a receiver to manage the 
     property and cure all project deficiencies or seek a judicial 
     order of specific performance requiring the owner to cure all 
     project deficiencies;
       (H) work with the owner, lender, or other related party to 
     stabilize the property in an attempt to preserve the property 
     through compliance, transfer of ownership, or an infusion of 
     capital provided by a third-party that requires time to 
     effectuate; or
       (I) take any other regulatory or contractual remedies 
     available as deemed necessary and appropriate by the 
     Secretary.
       (d) The Secretary shall also take appropriate steps to 
     ensure that project-based contracts remain in effect, subject 
     to the exercise of contractual abatement remedies to assist 
     relocation of tenants for major threats to health and safety 
     after written notice to and informed consent of the affected 
     tenants and use of other remedies set forth above. To the 
     extent the Secretary determines, in consultation with the 
     tenants and the local government, that the property is not 
     feasible for continued rental assistance payments under such 
     section 8 or other programs, based on consideration of (1) 
     the costs of rehabilitating and operating the property and 
     all available Federal, State, and local resources, including 
     rent adjustments under section 524 of the Multifamily 
     Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 
     (``MAHRAA'') and (2) environmental conditions that cannot be 
     remedied in a cost-effective fashion, the Secretary may, in 
     consultation with the tenants of that property, contract for 
     project-based rental assistance payments with an owner or 
     owners of other existing housing properties, or provide other 
     rental assistance.
       (e) The Secretary shall report quarterly on all properties 
     covered by this section that are assessed through the Real 
     Estate Assessment Center and have UPCS physical inspection 
     scores of less than 60 or have received an unsatisfactory 
     management and occupancy review within the past 36 months. 
     The report shall include--
       (1) the enforcement actions being taken to address such 
     conditions, including imposition of civil money penalties and 
     termination of subsidies, and identify properties that have 
     such conditions multiple times;
       (2) actions that the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development is taking to protect tenants of such identified 
     properties; and
       (3) any administrative or legislative recommendations to 
     further improve the living conditions at properties covered 
     under a housing assistance payment contract.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4012. Mr. TOOMEY (for himself, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Vitter, Mr. 
Cotton, and Mr. Inhofe) submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, 
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations 
for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       In division A, on page 108, line 7, strike the period at 
     the end and insert the following:
     : Provided further, That none of the funds made available 
     under this heading may be obligated or expended for any 
     State, or any political subdivision of a State--
       (1) that has in effect a statute, ordinance, policy, or 
     practice that prohibits or restricts any government entity or 
     official--
       (A) from sending, receiving, maintaining, or exchanging 
     with any Federal, State, or local government entity 
     information regarding the citizenship or immigration status 
     (lawful or unlawful) of any individual other than an 
     individual who comes forward as a victim or a witness to a 
     criminal offense; or
       (B) from complying with a request lawfully made by the 
     Department of Homeland Security under section 236 or 287 of 
     the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1226 and 1357) 
     to comply with a detainer for, or notify about the release 
     of, an individual other than an individual who comes forward 
     as a victim or a witness to a criminal offense; or
       (2) whose law enforcement officers and other employees, 
     contractors, and agents are not certified by the Department 
     of Homeland Security (whether under section 287(g) of the 
     Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1357(g)) or other 
     authority and whether through a memorandum of understanding, 
     regulations, or otherwise) to be acting as agents of the 
     Department of Homeland Security with all the authority 
     available to employees of the Department of Homeland Security 
     when they take actions to comply with a detainer issued by 
     the Department of Homeland Security under section 236 or 287 
     of such Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4013. Mr. SESSIONS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3900 proposed by Mr. McConnell (for Mr. Blunt (for 
himself, Mr. Graham, Mr. Cochran, Mrs. Murray, and Mr. Leahy)) to the 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:

                     CHAPTER 4--REVENUE PROVISIONS


                    eligibility for child tax credit

       Sec. ___.  (a) Subsection (e) of section 24 of the Internal 
     Revenue Code of 1986 is amended to read as follows:
       ``(e) Identification Requirements.--
       ``(1) In general.--No credit shall be allowed under this 
     section to any taxpayer unless--
       ``(A) such taxpayer includes the taxpayer's valid 
     identification number on the return of tax for the taxable 
     year, and
       ``(B) with respect to any qualifying child, the taxpayer 
     includes the name and valid identification number of such 
     qualifying child on such return of tax.
       ``(2) Valid identification number.--
       ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection, the 
     term `valid identification number' means a social security 
     number issued to an individual by the Social Security 
     Administration. Such term shall not include a TIN issued by 
     the Internal Revenue Service.
       ``(B) Date of issuance.--No credit shall be allowed under 
     this section if the valid identifying number of the taxpayer 
     was issued after the due date for filing the return for the 
     taxable year.''.
       (b) The amendment made by this section shall apply to 
     taxable years beginning after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4014. Ms. MURKOWSKI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, 
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations 
for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:


[[Page S2982]]


  

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law or 
     regulation, including section 41713 of title 49, United 
     States Code, the State of Alaska or the State of Hawaii may 
     enact or enforce a law, regulation, or other provision having 
     the force and effect of law that regulates the price, route, 
     or service of an air carrier that provides air ambulance 
     service in that State.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4015. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. 
Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making 
appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and 
Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on 
the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __. (a) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     shall require each public housing agency that administers 
     public housing (as defined in section 3 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a)) or housing assisted 
     under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437f) to remove and replace, in each dwelling unit in 
     which a child under the age of 9 resides, window coverings 
     with accessible cords exceeding 8 inches in length and window 
     coverings with continuous loops or beads.
       (b) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
     require public housing agencies to phase out window coverings 
     with accessible cords exceeding 8 inches in length and window 
     coverings with continuous loops or beads that do not contain 
     a cord tension device that prohibits operation when not 
     anchored to a wall from dwelling units in public housing (as 
     defined in section 3 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 
     (42 U.S.C. 1437a)) and housing assisted under section 8 of 
     the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f) not 
     later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4016. Ms. BALDWIN (for herself and Mr. Johnson) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. 
Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill 
H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title I in division A, add the following:
       Sec. ___.  Section 127 of title 23, United States Code, is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(u) Pilot Program.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
       ``(A) Pilot program.--The term `pilot program' means the 
     pilot program established by paragraph (2).
       ``(B) State.--The term `State' means the State of 
     Wisconsin.
       ``(2) Establishment.--Notwithstanding subsection (a) the 
     State may participate in a pilot program relating to certain 
     exceptions to certain vehicle weight limitations applicable 
     to the Interstate System in accordance with this subsection.
       ``(3) Program.--Under the pilot program, the State may 
     authorize a vehicle with a maximum gross weight, including 
     all enforcement tolerances, that exceeds the maximum gross 
     weight otherwise applicable under subsection (a) to operate 
     on Interstate System routes in the State, if--
       ``(A) the vehicle is equipped with at least 6 axles;
       ``(B) the weight of any single axle on the vehicle does not 
     exceed 20,000 pounds, including enforcement tolerances;
       ``(C) the weight of any tandem axle on the vehicle does not 
     exceed 34,000 pounds, including enforcement tolerances;
       ``(D) the weight of any group of 3 or more axles on the 
     vehicle does not exceed 51,000 pounds, including enforcement 
     tolerances;
       ``(E) the gross weight of the vehicle does not exceed 
     91,000 pounds, including enforcement tolerances; and
       ``(F) the vehicle complies with the bridge formula under 
     subsection (a)(2).
       ``(4) Special rules.--
       ``(A) Other exceptions not affected.--This subsection shall 
     not restrict--
       ``(i) a vehicle that may operate under any other provision 
     of this section, or another Federal law; or
       ``(ii) the authority of the State with respect to a vehicle 
     described in clause (i).
       ``(B) Means of implementation.--The State may implement 
     this subsection by any means, including statute or rule of 
     general applicability, by special permit, or otherwise.
       ``(5) Reporting requirements.--
       ``(A) Report.--If the State participates in the pilot 
     program, after the pilot program terminates in accordance 
     with paragraph (10), the State shall submit to the Secretary 
     a report that includes--
       ``(i) the number of fatalities that occurred in the State 
     involving crashes on the Interstate System in the State of 
     vehicles authorized to operate on that system under the pilot 
     program;
       ``(ii) the estimated vehicle miles traveled by vehicles 
     described in clause (i) on the Interstate System in the 
     State; and
       ``(iii) the estimated gross vehicle weight and number of 
     axles of vehicles described in clause (i) at the time of a 
     crash described in clause (i).
       ``(B) Public availability.--The Secretary shall make all 
     information required under subparagraph (A) available to the 
     public.
       ``(6) Termination as to route segment.--The Secretary may 
     terminate the operation of vehicles authorized by the State 
     under the pilot program on a specific Interstate System route 
     segment if, after the effective date of a decision of the 
     State to allow vehicles to operate under the pilot program, 
     the Secretary determines that operation poses an unreasonable 
     safety risk based on an engineering analysis of the route 
     segment or an analysis of safety or other applicable data 
     from the route segment.
       ``(7) Waiver of highway funding reduction.--Notwithstanding 
     subsection (a), the total amount of funds apportioned to the 
     State under section 104(b)(1) for any period may not be 
     reduced under subsection (a) if the State authorizes a 
     vehicle described in paragraph (3) to operate on the 
     Interstate System in the State under the pilot program.
       ``(8) Preserving state and local authority regarding non-
     interstate system highways.--Subsection (b) shall not apply 
     to motor vehicles operating on the Interstate System solely 
     under the pilot program.
       ``(9) Savings provision.--The pilot program shall not 
     affect the operation of any vehicle that, as of the date of 
     enactment of this subsection, is permitted under Federal and 
     State law to have a gross vehicle weight of greater than 
     91,000 pounds, including under subsections (f), (j), and (o).
       ``(10) Termination.--The pilot program shall terminate on 
     the date that is 1 year after the date of enactment of this 
     subsection.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4017. Mrs. ERNST submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to pay a bonus to an individual in a Senior 
     Executive position (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, 
     United States Code) or leadership position within the Office 
     of Construction and Facilities Management of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     submits to Congress a report detailing how the Department 
     intends to reduce the designation of the Department by the 
     Government Accountability Office as ``high-risk'' in Federal 
     real property portfolios due to longstanding problems with 
     excess and underutilized property and overreliance on 
     leasing.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4018. Mrs. ERNST submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to pay a bonus to an individual in a Senior 
     Executive position (as defined in section 3132(a) of title 5, 
     United States Code) or leadership position in the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     submits to Congress a report detailing a plan to address the 
     report by the Government Accountability Office in 2012 
     concerning savings estimates by the Department that were 
     flawed or lacked analytic support.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4019. Mrs. ERNST submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to provide administrative leave to an employee of 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs unless the immediate 
     supervisor of the employee specifies

[[Page S2983]]

     that the administrative leave complies with the guidelines 
     issued by the Office of Personnel Management with respect to 
     administrative leave.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4020. Mrs. ERNST submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used for the procurement of artwork, including in new 
     construction by the Department of Veterans Affairs, until the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs notifies Congress that the 
     appointment backlog for veterans seeking primary care 
     appointments from the Department has been eliminated.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4021. Mrs. ERNST submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  Funds made available in this Act for purposes of 
     paying bonuses or relocation benefits to individuals in 
     Senior Executive positions (as defined in section 3132(a) of 
     title 5, United States Code) at the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs shall be used, in lieu of paying such bonuses or 
     benefits, to reduce the backlog of appeals of disability 
     claims under the laws administered by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4022. Ms. KLOBUCHAR (for herself and Mr. Tillis) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. 
Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill 
H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:

     SEC. 251. ESTABLISHMENT OF CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN 
                   PREVENTION, DIAGNOSIS, MITIGATION, TREATMENT, 
                   AND REHABILITATION OF HEALTH CONDITIONS 
                   RELATING TO EXPOSURE TO BURN PITS AND OTHER 
                   ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURES.

       (a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 73 of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the 
     following new section:

     ``Sec. 7330B. Center of excellence in prevention, diagnosis, 
       mitigation, treatment, and rehabilitation of health 
       conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and other 
       environmental exposures

       ``(a) Establishment.--(1) The Secretary shall establish 
     within the Department a center of excellence in the 
     prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, treatment, and 
     rehabilitation of health conditions relating to exposure to 
     burn pits and other environmental exposures to carry out the 
     responsibilities specified in subsection (d).
       ``(2) The Secretary shall establish the center of 
     excellence under paragraph (1) through the use of--
       ``(A) the directives and policies of the Department in 
     effect as of the date of the enactment of this section;
       ``(B) the recommendations of the Comptroller General of the 
     United States and Inspector General of the Department in 
     effect as of such date; and
       ``(C) guidance issued by the Secretary of Defense under 
     section 313 of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2013 (Public Law 112-239; 10 U.S.C. 1074 note).
       ``(b) Selection of Site.--In selecting the site for the 
     center of excellence established under subsection (a), the 
     Secretary shall consider entities that--
       ``(1) are equipped with the specialized equipment needed to 
     study, diagnose, and treat health conditions relating to 
     exposure to burn pits and other environmental exposures;
       ``(2) have a track record of publishing information 
     relating to post-deployment health exposures among veterans 
     who served in the Armed Forces in support of Operation Iraqi 
     Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom;
       ``(3) have developed animal models and in vitro models of 
     dust immunology and lung injury consistent with the injuries 
     of members of the Armed Forces who served in support of 
     Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; and
       ``(4) have expertise in allergy and immunology, pulmonary 
     diseases, and industrial and management engineering.
       ``(c) Collaboration.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
     center of excellence collaborates, to the maximum extent 
     practicable, with the Secretary of Defense, institutions of 
     higher education, and other appropriate public and private 
     entities (including international entities) to carry out the 
     responsibilities specified in subsection (d).
       ``(d) Responsibilities.--The center of excellence shall 
     have the following responsibilities:
       ``(1) To provide for the development, testing, and 
     dissemination within the Department of best practices for the 
     treatment of health conditions relating to exposure to burn 
     pits and other environmental exposures.
       ``(2) To provide guidance for the health systems of the 
     Department and the Department of Defense in determining the 
     personnel required to provide quality health care for members 
     of the Armed Forces and veterans with health conditions 
     relating to exposure to burn pits and other environmental 
     exposures.
       ``(3) To establish, implement, and oversee a comprehensive 
     program to train health professionals of the Department and 
     the Department of Defense in the treatment of health 
     conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and other 
     environmental exposures.
       ``(4) To facilitate advancements in the study of the short-
     term and long-term effects of exposure to burn pits and other 
     environmental exposures.
       ``(5) To disseminate within medical facilities of the 
     Department best practices for training health professionals 
     with respect to health conditions relating to exposure to 
     burn pits and other environmental exposures.
       ``(6) To conduct basic science and translational research 
     on health conditions relating to exposure to burn pits and 
     other environmental exposures for the purposes of 
     understanding the etiology of such conditions and developing 
     preventive interventions and new treatments.
       ``(7) To provide medical treatment to all veterans 
     identified as part of the open burn pit registry established 
     under section 201 of the Dignified Burial and Other Veterans' 
     Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 (Public Law 112-260; 38 
     U.S.C. 527 note).
       ``(e) Use of Burn Pits Registry Data.--In carrying out its 
     responsibilities under subsection (d), the center shall have 
     access to and make use of the data accumulated by the burn 
     pits registry established under section 201 of the Dignified 
     Burial and Other Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 2012 
     (Public Law 112-260; 38 U.S.C. 527 note).
       ``(f) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `burn pit' means an area of land located in 
     Afghanistan or Iraq that--
       ``(A) is designated by the Secretary of Defense to be used 
     for disposing solid waste by burning in the outdoor air; and
       ``(B) does not contain a commercially manufactured 
     incinerator or other equipment specifically designed and 
     manufactured for the burning of solid waste.
       ``(2) The term `other environmental exposures' means 
     exposure to environmental hazards, including burn pits, dust 
     or sand, hazardous materials, and waste at any site in 
     Afghanistan or Iraq that emits smoke containing pollutants 
     present in the environment or smoke from fires or explosions.
       ``(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to carry out this section $30,000,000 for 
     each of the first five fiscal years beginning after the date 
     of the enactment of this section.''.
       (b) Use of Funds.--In carrying out section 7330B of title 
     38, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use amounts appropriated or 
     otherwise made available to the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs for any other purpose.
       (c) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 73 of such title is amended by inserting 
     after the item relating to section 7330A the following new 
     item:

``7330B. Center of excellence in prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, 
              treatment, and rehabilitation of health conditions 
              relating to exposure to burn pits and other environmental 
              exposures.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4023. Mr. SASSE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available in this title may be used by the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to enter into an agreement related to 
     resolving a dispute or claim with an individual that would 
     restrict in any way the individual from speaking to members 
     of Congress or

[[Page S2984]]

     their staff on any topic not otherwise prohibited from 
     disclosure by Federal law.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4024. Mr. ISAKSON submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, 
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations 
for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2016, and for other purposes; as follows:

       In division A, on page 49, between lines 6 and 7, insert 
     the following:
       Sec. 142.  Not later than 6 months after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall 
     issue a final rule requiring the use of speed limiting 
     devices on trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating in 
     excess of 26,000 pounds.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4025. Ms. BALDWIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, 
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations 
for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:


  discontinuation by department of veterans affairs of use of social 
             security account numbers to identify veterans

       Sec. 251.  (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in consultation with the 
     Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Labor, shall 
     discontinue using Social Security account numbers to identify 
     individuals in all information systems of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs as follows:
       (1) For all veterans submitting to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs new claims for benefits under laws 
     administered by the Secretary, not later than two years after 
     the date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) For all individuals not described in paragraph (1), not 
     later than five years after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.
       (b) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use a Social 
     Security account number to identify an individual in an 
     information system of the Department of Veterans Affairs if 
     and only if the use of such number is required to obtain 
     information the Secretary requires from an information system 
     that is not under the jurisdiction of the Secretary.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4026. Ms. BALDWIN (for herself, Mr. Moran, and Mr. Tillis) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 
proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. 
Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the 
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:

     SEC. 251. PREVENTION OF CERTAIN HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS FROM 
                   PROVIDING NON-DEPARTMENT HEALTH CARE SERVICES 
                   TO VETERANS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     deny or revoke the eligibility of a health care provider to 
     provide non-Department health care services to veterans if 
     the Secretary determines that--
       (1) the health care provider was removed from employment 
     with the Department of Veterans Affairs due to conduct that 
     violated a policy of the Department relating to the delivery 
     of safe and appropriate patient care;
       (2) the health care provider violated the requirements of a 
     medical license of the health care provider;
       (3) the health care provider had a Department credential 
     revoked and the Secretary determines that the grounds for 
     such revocation impacts the ability of the health care 
     provider to deliver safe and appropriate care; or
       (4) the health care provider violated a law for which a 
     term of imprisonment of more than one year may be imposed.
       (b) Permissive Action.--The Secretary may deny, revoke, or 
     suspend the eligibility of a health care provider to provide 
     non-Department health care services if the Secretary has 
     reasonable belief that such action is necessary to 
     immediately protect the health, safety, or welfare of 
     veterans and--
       (1) the health care provider is under investigation by the 
     medical licensing board of a State in which the health care 
     provider is licensed or practices;
       (2) the health care provider has entered into a settlement 
     agreement for a disciplinary charge relating to the practice 
     of medicine by the health care provider; or
       (3) the Secretary otherwise determines that such action is 
     appropriate under the circumstances.
       (c) Suspension.--The Secretary shall suspend the 
     eligibility of a health care provider to provide non-
     Department health care services to veterans if the health 
     care provider is suspended from serving as a health care 
     provider of the Department.
       (d) Report Required.--Not later than two years after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of 
     the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the 
     implementation by the Secretary of this section, including 
     the following:
       (1) The aggregate number of health care providers denied or 
     suspended under this section from participation in providing 
     non-Department health care services.
       (2) An evaluation of any impact on access to care for 
     patients or staffing shortages in programs of the Department 
     providing non-Department health care services.
       (3) An explanation of the coordination of the Department 
     with the medical licensing boards of States in implementing 
     this section, the amount of involvement of such boards in 
     such implementation, and efforts by the Department to address 
     any concerns raised by such boards with respect to such 
     implementation.
       (4) Such recommendations as the Comptroller General 
     considers appropriate regarding harmonizing eligibility 
     criteria between health care providers of the Department and 
     health care providers eligible to provide non-Department 
     health care services.
       (e) Non-Department Health Care Services Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``non-Department health care services'' 
     means--
       (1) services provided under subchapter I of chapter 17 of 
     title 38, United States Code, at non-Department facilities 
     (as defined in section 1701 of such title);
       (2) services provided under section 101 of the Veterans 
     Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 
     113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note);
       (3) services purchased through the Medical Community Care 
     account of the Department; or
       (4) services purchased with amounts deposited in the 
     Veterans Choice Fund under section 802 of the Veterans 
     Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4027. Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Blunt) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2577, making 
appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and 
Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on 
the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place, insert the following:

 DIVISION __--BUILDING AND RENEWING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND 
                          GROWTH IN EMPLOYMENT

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This division may be cited as the 
     ``Building and Renewing Infrastructure for Development and 
     Growth in Employment Act'' or the ``BRIDGE Act''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this 
     division is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Purpose.
Sec. 3. Definitions.

              TITLE I--INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING AUTHORITY

Sec. 101. Establishment and general authority of IFA.
Sec. 102. Voting members of the Board of Directors.
Sec. 103. Chief executive officer of IFA.
Sec. 104. Powers and duties of the Board of Directors.
Sec. 105. Senior management.
Sec. 106. Office of Technical and Rural Assistance.
Sec. 107. Special Inspector General for IFA.
Sec. 108. Other personnel.
Sec. 109. Compliance.

  TITLE II--TERMS AND LIMITATIONS ON DIRECT LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES

Sec. 201. Eligibility criteria for assistance from IFA and terms and 
              limitations of loans.
Sec. 202. Loan terms and repayment.
Sec. 203. Environmental permitting process improvements.
Sec. 204. Compliance and enforcement.
Sec. 205. Audits; reports to the President and Congress.
Sec. 206. Effect on other laws.

                       TITLE III--FUNDING OF IFA

Sec. 301. Fees.
Sec. 302. Self-sufficiency of IFA.
Sec. 303. Funding.
Sec. 304. Contract authority.
Sec. 305. Limitation on authority.

     TITLE IV--TAX EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL BONDS

Sec. 401. National limitation on amount of tax-exempt financing for 
              facilities.

                       TITLE V--BUDGETARY EFFECTS

Sec. 501. Budgetary effects.

     SEC. 2. PURPOSE.

       The purpose of this division is to facilitate investment 
     in, and the long-term financing of, economically viable 
     eligible infrastructure projects of regional or national 
     significance that are in the public interest in a manner that 
     complements existing Federal, State, local, and private 
     funding sources for

[[Page S2985]]

     these projects and introduces a merit-based system for 
     financing those projects, in order to mobilize significant 
     private sector investment, create long-term jobs, and ensure 
     United States competitiveness through a self-sustaining 
     institution that limits the need for ongoing Federal funding.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this division:
       (1) Blind trust.--The term ``blind trust'' means a trust in 
     which the beneficiary has no knowledge of the specific 
     holdings and no rights over how those holdings are managed by 
     the fiduciary of the trust prior to the dissolution of the 
     trust.
       (2) Board of directors.--The term ``Board of Directors'' 
     means the Board of Directors of IFA.
       (3) Chairperson.--The term ``Chairperson'' means the 
     Chairperson of the Board of Directors of IFA.
       (4) Chief executive officer.--The term ``Chief Executive 
     Officer'' means the chief executive officer of IFA, appointed 
     under section 103.
       (5) Cost.--The term ``cost'' has the meaning given the term 
     in section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 
     U.S.C. 661a).
       (6) Direct loan.--The term ``direct loan'' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform 
     Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).
       (7) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means--
       (A) an individual;
       (B) a corporation;
       (C) a partnership, including a public-private partnership;
       (D) a joint venture;
       (E) a trust;
       (F) a State or any other governmental entity, including a 
     political subdivision or any other instrumentality of a 
     State; or
       (G) a revolving fund.
       (8) Eligible infrastructure project.--
       (A) In general.--The term ``eligible infrastructure 
     project'' means the construction, consolidation, alteration, 
     or repair of the following sectors:
       (i) Intercity passenger or freight rail lines, intercity 
     passenger rail facilities or equipment, and intercity freight 
     rail facilities or equipment.
       (ii) Intercity passenger bus facilities or equipment.
       (iii) Public transportation facilities or equipment.
       (iv) Highway facilities, including bridges and tunnels.
       (v) Airports and air traffic control systems.
       (vi) Port or marine terminal facilities, including 
     approaches to marine terminal facilities or inland port 
     facilities, and port or marine equipment, including fixed 
     equipment to serve approaches to marine terminals or inland 
     ports.
       (vii) Transmission or distribution pipelines.
       (viii) Inland waterways.
       (ix) Intermodal facilities or equipment related to 2 or 
     more of the sectors described in clauses (i) through (viii).
       (x) Water treatment and solid waste disposal facilities.
       (xi) Storm water management systems.
       (xii) Dams and levees.
       (xiii) Facilities or equipment for energy transmission, 
     distribution or storage.
       (B) Authority of the board of directors to modify 
     sectors.--The Board of Directors may make modifications, at 
     the discretion of the Board, to any of the sectors described 
     in subparagraph (A) by a vote of not fewer than 5 of the 
     voting members of the Board of Directors.
       (9) IFA.--The term ``IFA'' means the Infrastructure 
     Financing Authority established under section 101.
       (10) Investment-grade rating.--The term ``investment-grade 
     rating'' means a rating of BBB minus, Baa3, or higher 
     assigned to an eligible infrastructure project by a ratings 
     agency.
       (11) Loan guarantee.--The term ``loan guarantee'' has the 
     meaning given the term in section 502 of the Federal Credit 
     Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661a).
       (12) OTRA.--The term ``OTRA'' means the Office of Technical 
     and Rural Assistance created pursuant to section 106.
       (13) Public-private partnership.--The term ``public-private 
     partnership'' means any eligible entity--
       (A)(i) that is undertaking the development of all or part 
     of an eligible infrastructure project that will have a 
     measurable public benefit, pursuant to requirements 
     established in 1 or more contracts between the entity and a 
     State or an instrumentality of a State; or
       (ii) the activities of which, with respect to such an 
     eligible infrastructure project, are subject to regulation by 
     a State or any instrumentality of a State;
       (B) that owns, leases, or operates or will own, lease, or 
     operate, the project in whole or in part; and
       (C) the participants in which include not fewer than 1 
     nongovernmental entity with significant investment and some 
     control over the project or entity sponsoring the project 
     vehicle.
       (14) Rating agency.--The term ``rating agency'' means a 
     credit rating agency registered with the Securities and 
     Exchange Commission as a nationally recognized statistical 
     rating organization (as defined in section 3(a) of the 
     Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78c(a))).
       (15) Regional infrastructure accelerator.--The term 
     ``regional infrastructure accelerator'' means an organization 
     created by public sector agencies through a multi-
     jurisdictional or multi-state agreement to provide technical 
     assistance to local jurisdictions that will facilitate the 
     implementation of innovative financing and procurement models 
     to public infrastructure projects.
       (16) Rural infrastructure project.--The term ``rural 
     infrastructure project''--
       (A) has the same meaning given the term in section 601(15) 
     of title 23, United States Code; and
       (B) includes any eligible infrastructure project sector 
     described in clauses (i) through (xvii) of paragraph (8)(A) 
     located in any area other than a city with a population of 
     more than 250,000 inhabitants within the city limits.
       (17) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
     of the Treasury or the designee of the Secretary of the 
     Treasury.
       (18) Senior management.--The term ``senior management'' 
     means the chief financial officer, chief risk officer, chief 
     compliance officer, general counsel, chief lending officer, 
     and chief operations officer of IFA, and such other officers 
     as the Board of Directors may, by majority vote, add to 
     senior management.
       (19) State.--The term ``State'' means--
       (A) each of the several States of the United States; and
       (B) the District of Columbia.

              TITLE I--INFRASTRUCTURE FINANCING AUTHORITY

     SEC. 101. ESTABLISHMENT AND GENERAL AUTHORITY OF IFA.

       (a) Establishment of IFA.--The Infrastructure Financing 
     Authority is established as a wholly owned Government 
     corporation.
       (b) General Authority of IFA.--IFA shall--
       (1) provide direct loans and loan guarantees to facilitate 
     eligible infrastructure projects that are economically 
     viable, in the public interest, and of regional or national 
     significance; and
       (2) carry out any other activities and duties authorized 
     under this division.
       (c) Incorporation.--
       (1) In general.--The Board of Directors first appointed 
     shall be deemed the incorporator of IFA, and the 
     incorporation shall be held to have been effected from the 
     date of the first meeting of the Board of Directors.
       (2) Corporate office.--IFA shall--
       (A) maintain an office in Washington, DC; and
       (B) for purposes of venue in civil actions, be considered 
     to be a resident of Washington, DC.
       (d) Responsibility of the Secretary.--The Secretary shall 
     take such action as may be necessary to assist in 
     implementing IFA and in carrying out the purpose of this 
     division.
       (e) Rule of Construction.--Chapter 91 of title 31, United 
     States Code, does not apply to IFA, unless otherwise 
     specifically provided in this division.

     SEC. 102. VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

       (a) Voting Membership of the Board of Directors.--
       (1) In general.--IFA shall have a Board of Directors 
     consisting of 7 voting members appointed by the President, by 
     and with the advice and consent of the Senate, not more than 
     4 of whom shall be from the same political party.
       (2) Chairperson.--One of the voting members of the Board of 
     Directors shall be designated by the President, by and with 
     the advice and consent of the Senate, to serve as Chairperson 
     of the Board of Directors.
       (3) Congressional recommendations.--Not later than 30 days 
     after the date of enactment of this Act, the majority leader 
     of the Senate, the minority leader of the Senate, the Speaker 
     of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of 
     the House of Representatives shall each submit a 
     recommendation to the President for appointment of a member 
     of the Board of Directors, after consultation with the 
     appropriate committees of Congress.
       (4) Special consideration of rural interests and geographic 
     diversity.--In making an appointment under this subsection, 
     the President shall give consideration to the geographic 
     areas of the United States in which the members of the Board 
     of Directors live and work, particularly to ensure that the 
     infrastructure priorities and concerns of each region of the 
     country, including rural areas and small communities, are 
     represented on the Board of Directors.
       (b) Voting Rights.--Each voting member of the Board of 
     Directors shall have an equal vote in all decisions of the 
     Board of Directors.
       (c) Qualifications of Voting Members.--Each voting member 
     of the Board of Directors shall--
       (1) be a citizen of the United States; and
       (2) have significant demonstrated expertise in--
       (A) the management and administration of a financial 
     institution relevant to the operation of IFA; or
       (B) the financing, development, or operation of 
     infrastructure projects, including in the evaluation and 
     selection of eligible infrastructure projects based on the 
     purposes, goals, and objectives of this division.
       (d) Terms.--
       (1) In general.--Except as otherwise provided in this 
     division, each voting member of the Board of Directors shall 
     be appointed for a term of 5 years.

[[Page S2986]]

       (2) Initial staggered terms.--Of the voting members first 
     appointed to the Board of Directors--
       (A) the initial Chairperson and 3 of the other voting 
     members shall each be appointed for a term of 5 years; and
       (B) the remaining 3 voting members shall each be appointed 
     for a term of 2 years.
       (3) Date of initial nominations.--The initial nominations 
     for the appointment of all voting members of the Board of 
     Directors shall be made not later than 60 days after the date 
     of enactment of this Act.
       (4) Beginning of term.--The term of each of the initial 
     voting members appointed under this section shall commence 
     immediately upon the date of appointment, except that, for 
     purposes of calculating the term limits specified in this 
     subsection, the initial terms shall each be construed as 
     beginning on January 22 of the year following the date of the 
     initial appointment.
       (5) Vacancies.--
       (A) In general.--A vacancy in the position of a voting 
     member of the Board of Directors shall be filled by the 
     President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
       (B) Term.--A member appointed to fill a vacancy on the 
     Board of Directors occurring before the expiration of the 
     term for which the predecessor was appointed shall be 
     appointed only for the remainder of that term.
       (e) Meetings.--
       (1) Open to the public; notice.--Except as provided in 
     paragraph (3), all meetings of the Board of Directors shall 
     be--
       (A) open to the public; and
       (B) preceded by reasonable public notice.
       (2) Frequency.--The Board of Directors shall meet--
       (A) not later than 60 days after the date on which all 
     members of the Board of Directors are first appointed;
       (B) at least quarterly after the date described in 
     subparagraph (A); and
       (C) at the call of the Chairperson or 3 voting members of 
     the Board of Directors.
       (3) Exception for closed meetings.--
       (A) In general.--The voting members of the Board of 
     Directors may, by majority vote, close a meeting to the 
     public if, during the meeting to be closed, there is likely 
     to be disclosed proprietary or sensitive information 
     regarding an eligible infrastructure project under 
     consideration for assistance under this division.
       (B) Availability of minutes.--The Board of Directors shall 
     prepare minutes of any meeting that is closed to the public, 
     which minutes shall be made available as soon as practicable, 
     but not later than 1 year after the date of the closed 
     meeting, with any necessary redactions to protect any 
     proprietary or sensitive information.
       (4) Quorum.--For purposes of meetings of the Board of 
     Directors, 5 voting members of the Board of Directors shall 
     constitute a quorum.
       (f) Compensation of Members.--Each voting member of the 
     Board of Directors shall be compensated at a rate equal to 
     the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay 
     prescribed for level III of the Executive Schedule under 
     section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, for each day 
     (including travel time) during which the member is engaged in 
     the performance of the duties of the Board of Directors.
       (g) Conflicts of Interest.--A voting member of the Board of 
     Directors may not participate in any review or decision 
     affecting an eligible infrastructure project under 
     consideration for assistance under this division, if the 
     member has or is affiliated with an entity who has a 
     financial interest in that project.

     SEC. 103. CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.

       (a) In General.--The Chief Executive Officer shall--
       (1) be a nonvoting member of the Board of Directors;
       (2) be responsible for all activities of IFA; and
       (3) support the Board of Directors in accordance with this 
     division and as the Board of Directors determines to be 
     necessary.
       (b) Appointment and Tenure of the Chief Executive 
     Officer.--
       (1) In general.--The President shall appoint the Chief 
     Executive Officer, by and with the advice and consent of the 
     Senate.
       (2) Term.--The Chief Executive Officer shall be appointed 
     for a term of 6 years.
       (3) Vacancies.--
       (A) In general.--Any vacancy in the office of the Chief 
     Executive Officer shall be filled by the President, by and 
     with the advice and consent of the Senate.
       (B) Term.--The person appointed to fill a vacancy in the 
     Chief Executive Officer position that occurs before the 
     expiration of the term for which the predecessor was 
     appointed shall be appointed only for the remainder of that 
     term.
       (c) Qualifications.--The Chief Executive Officer--
       (1) shall have significant expertise in management and 
     administration of a financial institution, or significant 
     expertise in the financing and development of infrastructure 
     projects; and
       (2) may not--
       (A) hold any other public office;
       (B) have any financial interest in an eligible 
     infrastructure project then being considered by the Board of 
     Directors, unless that interest is placed in a blind trust; 
     or
       (C) have any financial interest in an investment 
     institution or its affiliates or any other entity seeking or 
     likely to seek financial assistance for any eligible 
     infrastructure project from IFA, unless any such interest is 
     placed in a blind trust for the tenure of the service of the 
     Chief Executive Officer plus 2 additional years.
       (d) Responsibilities.--The Chief Executive Officer shall 
     have such executive functions, powers, and duties as may be 
     prescribed by this division, the bylaws of IFA, or the Board 
     of Directors, including--
       (1) responsibility for the development and implementation 
     of the strategy of IFA, including--
       (A) the development and submission to the Board of 
     Directors of the annual business plans and budget;
       (B) the development and submission to the Board of 
     Directors of a long-term strategic plan; and
       (C) the development, revision, and submission to the Board 
     of Directors of internal policies; and
       (2) responsibility for the management and oversight of the 
     daily activities, decisions, operations, and personnel of 
     IFA.
       (e) Compensation.--
       (1) In general.--Any compensation assessment or 
     recommendation by the Chief Executive Officer under this 
     section shall be without regard to the provisions of chapter 
     51 or subchapter III of chapter 53 of title 5, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Considerations.--The compensation assessment or 
     recommendation required under this subsection shall take into 
     account merit principles, where applicable, as well as the 
     education, experience, level of responsibility, geographic 
     differences, and retention and recruitment needs in 
     determining compensation of personnel.

     SEC. 104. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

       The Board of Directors shall--
       (1) as soon as practicable after the date on which all 
     members are appointed, approve or disapprove senior 
     management appointed by the Chief Executive Officer;
       (2) not later than 180 days after the date on which all 
     members are appointed--
       (A) develop and approve the bylaws of IFA, including bylaws 
     for the regulation of the affairs and conduct of the business 
     of IFA, consistent with the purpose, goals, objectives, and 
     policies set forth in this division;
       (B) establish subcommittees, including an audit committee 
     that is composed solely of members of the Board of Directors, 
     other than the Chief Executive Officer;
       (C) develop and approve, in consultation with senior 
     management, a conflict-of-interest policy for the Board of 
     Directors and for senior management;
       (D) approve or disapprove internal policies that the Chief 
     Executive Officer shall submit to the Board of Directors, 
     including--
       (i) policies regarding the loan application and approval 
     process, including application procedures and project 
     approval processes; and
       (ii) operational guidelines; and
       (E) approve or disapprove a 1-year business plan and budget 
     for IFA;
       (3) ensure that IFA is at all times operated in a manner 
     that is consistent with this division, by--
       (A) monitoring and assessing the effectiveness of IFA in 
     achieving its strategic goals;
       (B) reviewing and approving internal policies, annual 
     business plans, annual budgets, and long-term strategies 
     submitted by the Chief Executive Officer;
       (C) reviewing and approving annual reports submitted by the 
     Chief Executive Officer;
       (D) engaging 1 or more external auditors, as set forth in 
     this division; and
       (E) reviewing and approving all changes to the organization 
     of senior management;
       (4) appoint and fix, by a vote of not less than 5 of the 7 
     voting members of the Board of Directors, and without regard 
     to the provisions of chapter 51 or subchapter III of chapter 
     53 of title 5, United States Code, the compensation and 
     adjustments to compensation of all IFA personnel, provided 
     that in appointing and fixing any compensation or adjustments 
     to compensation under this paragraph, the Board shall--
       (A) consult with, and seek to maintain comparability with, 
     other comparable Federal personnel, as the Board of Directors 
     may determine to be appropriate;
       (B) consult with the Office of Personnel Management; and
       (C) carry out those duties consistent with merit 
     principles, where applicable, as well as the education, 
     experience, level of responsibility, geographic differences, 
     comparability to private sector positions, and retention and 
     recruitment needs in determining compensation of personnel;
       (5) serve as the primary liaison for IFA in interactions 
     with Congress, the Secretary of Transportation and other 
     executive branch officials, and State and local governments, 
     and to represent the interests of IFA in those interactions 
     and others;
       (6) approve by a vote of not less than 5 of the 7 voting 
     members of the Board of Directors any changes to the bylaws 
     or internal policies of IFA;
       (7) have the authority and responsibility--
       (A) to oversee entering into and carrying out such 
     contracts, leases, cooperative agreements, or other 
     transactions as are necessary to carry out this division;
       (B) to approve of the acquisition, lease, pledge, exchange, 
     and disposal of real and personal property by IFA and 
     otherwise approve the exercise by IFA of all of the usual

[[Page S2987]]

     incidents of ownership of property, to the extent that the 
     exercise of those powers is appropriate to and consistent 
     with the purposes of IFA;
       (C) to determine the character of, and the necessity for, 
     the obligations and expenditures of IFA, and the manner in 
     which the obligations and expenditures will be incurred, 
     allowed, and paid, subject to this division and other Federal 
     law specifically applicable to wholly owned Federal 
     corporations;
       (D) to execute, in accordance with applicable bylaws and 
     regulations, appropriate instruments;
       (E) to approve other forms of credit enhancement that IFA 
     may provide to eligible projects, as long as the forms of 
     credit enhancements are consistent with the purposes of this 
     division and terms set forth in title II;
       (F) to exercise all other lawful powers which are necessary 
     or appropriate to carry out, and are consistent with, the 
     purposes of IFA;
       (G) to sue or be sued in the corporate capacity of IFA in 
     any court of competent jurisdiction;
       (H) to indemnify the members of the Board of Directors and 
     officers of IFA for any liabilities arising out of the 
     actions of the members and officers in that capacity, in 
     accordance with, and subject to the limitations contained in 
     this division;
       (I) to review all financial assistance packages to all 
     eligible infrastructure projects, as submitted by the Chief 
     Executive Officer and to approve, postpone, or deny the same 
     by majority vote;
       (J) to review all restructuring proposals submitted by the 
     Chief Executive Officer, including assignation, pledging, or 
     disposal of the interest of IFA in a project, including 
     payment or income from any interest owned or held by IFA, and 
     to approve, postpone, or deny the same by majority vote;
       (K) to enter into binding commitments, as specified in 
     approved financial assistance packages;
       (L) to determine whether--
       (i) to obtain a lien on the assets of an eligible entity 
     that receives assistance under this division; and
       (ii) to subordinate a lien under clause (i) to any other 
     lien securing project obligations; and
       (M) to ensure a measurable public benefit in the selection 
     of eligible infrastructure projects and to provide for 
     reasonable public input in the selection of such projects;
       (8) delegate to the Chief Executive Officer those duties 
     that the Board of Directors determines to be appropriate, to 
     better carry out the powers and purposes of the Board of 
     Directors under this section; and
       (9) to approve a maximum aggregate amount of principal 
     exposure of IFA at any given time.

     SEC. 105. SENIOR MANAGEMENT.

       (a) In General.--Senior management shall support the Chief 
     Executive Officer in the discharge of the responsibilities of 
     the Chief Executive Officer.
       (b) Appointment of Senior Management.--The Chief Executive 
     Officer shall appoint such senior managers as are necessary 
     to carry out the purposes of IFA, as approved by a majority 
     vote of the voting members of the Board of Directors, 
     including a chief compliance officer, general counsel, chief 
     operating officer, chief lending officer, and other positions 
     as determined to be appropriate by the Chief Executive 
     Officer and the Board of Directors.
       (c) Term.--Each member of senior management shall serve at 
     the pleasure of the Chief Executive Officer and the Board of 
     Directors.
       (d) Removal of Senior Management.--Any member of senior 
     management may be removed--
       (1) by a majority of the voting members of the Board of 
     Directors at the request of the Chief Executive Officer; or
       (2) by a vote of not fewer than 5 voting members of the 
     Board of Directors.
       (e) Senior Management.--
       (1) In general.--Each member of senior management shall 
     report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, other than 
     the chief risk officer, who shall report directly to the 
     Board of Directors.
       (2) Chief risk officer.--The chief risk officer shall be 
     responsible for all functions of IFA relating to--
       (A) the creation of financial, credit, and operational risk 
     management guidelines and policies;
       (B) the establishment of guidelines to ensure 
     diversification of lending activities by region, 
     infrastructure project type, and project size;
       (C) the creation of conforming standards for infrastructure 
     finance agreements;
       (D) the monitoring of the financial, credit, and 
     operational exposure of IFA; and
       (E) risk management and mitigation actions, including by 
     reporting those actions, or recommendations of actions to be 
     taken, directly to the Board of Directors.
       (f) Conflicts of Interest.--No individual appointed to 
     senior management may--
       (1) hold any other public office;
       (2) have any financial interest in an eligible 
     infrastructure project then being considered by the Board of 
     Directors, unless that interest is placed in a blind trust; 
     or
       (3) have any financial interest in an investment 
     institution or its affiliates, IFA or its affiliates, or 
     other entity then seeking or likely to seek financial 
     assistance for any eligible infrastructure project from IFA, 
     unless any such interest is placed in a blind trust during 
     the term of service of that individual in a senior management 
     position, and for a period of 2 years thereafter.

     SEC. 106. OFFICE OF TECHNICAL AND RURAL ASSISTANCE.

       (a) In General.--The Chief Executive Officer shall create 
     and manage, within IFA, the ``Office of Technical and Rural 
     Assistance''.
       (b) Duties.--The OTRA shall--
       (1) in consultation with the Secretary of Transportation 
     and the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, as 
     determined by the Chief Executive Officer, provide technical 
     assistance to State and local governments and parties in 
     public-private partnerships in the development and financing 
     of eligible infrastructure projects, including rural 
     infrastructure projects;
       (2) assist the entities described in paragraph (1) with 
     coordinating loan and loan guarantee programs available 
     through Federal agencies, including the Department of 
     Transportation and other Federal agencies, as appropriate;
       (3) work with the entities described in paragraph (1) to 
     identify and develop a pipeline of projects suitable for 
     financing through innovative project financing and 
     performance based project delivery, including those projects 
     with the potential for financing through IFA; and
       (4) establish a regional infrastructure accelerator 
     demonstration program to assist the entities described in 
     paragraph (1) in developing improved infrastructure 
     priorities and financing strategies, for the accelerated 
     development of covered infrastructure projects, including 
     those projects with the potential for financing through IFA.
       (c) Designation of Regional Infrastructure Accelerators.--
     In carrying out the program established pursuant to 
     subsection (b)(3), the OTRA is authorized to designate 
     regional infrastructure accelerators that will--
       (1) serve a defined geographic area; and
       (2) act as a resource in such area to entities described in 
     subsection (b)(1), in accordance with this subsection.
       (d) Application Process.--To be eligible for a designation 
     under subsection (c), regional infrastructure accelerators 
     shall submit a proposal to the OTRA at such time, in such 
     form, and containing such information as the OTRA determines 
     is appropriate.
       (e) Considerations.--In evaluating proposals submitted 
     pursuant to subsection (d), the OTRA shall consider--
       (1) the need for geographic diversity among regional 
     infrastructure accelerators; and
       (2) promoting investment in covered infrastructure 
     projects, which shall include a plan--
       (A) to evaluate and promote innovative financing methods 
     for local projects, including the use of IFA;
       (B) to build capacity of governments to evaluate and 
     structure projects involving the investment of private 
     capital;
       (C) to provide technical assistance and information on best 
     practices with respect to financing such projects;
       (D) to increase transparency with respect to infrastructure 
     project analysis and utilizing innovative financing for 
     public infrastructure projects;
       (E) to deploy predevelopment capital programs designed to 
     facilitate the creation of a pipeline of infrastructure 
     projects available for investment;
       (F) to bundle smaller-scale and rural projects into larger 
     proposals that may be more attractive for investment; and
       (G) to reduce transaction costs for public project 
     sponsors.
       (f) Annual Report.--The OTRA shall submit an annual report 
     to Congress that describes the findings and effectiveness of 
     the infrastructure accelerator demonstration program.

     SEC. 107. SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR IFA.

       (a) In General.--
       (1) Initial period.--During the 5-year period beginning on 
     the date of the enactment of this Act, the Inspector General 
     of the Department of the Treasury shall serve as the Special 
     Inspector General for IFA in addition to the existing duties 
     of the Inspector General of the Department of the Treasury.
       (2) Office of the special inspector general.--Beginning on 
     the day that is 5 years after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, there is established the Office of the Special 
     Inspector General for IFA.
       (b) Appointment of Inspector General; Removal.--
       (1) Head of office.--The head of the Office of the Special 
     Inspector General for IFA shall be the Special Inspector 
     General for IFA (referred to in this division as the 
     ``Special Inspector General''), who shall be appointed by the 
     President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.
       (2) Basis of appointment.--The appointment of the Special 
     Inspector General shall be made on the basis of integrity and 
     demonstrated ability in accounting, auditing, financial 
     analysis, law, management analysis, public administration, or 
     investigations.
       (3) Timing of nomination.--The nomination of an individual 
     as Special Inspector General shall be made as soon as 
     practicable after the date of enactment of this Act.
       (4) Removal.--The Special Inspector General shall be 
     removable from office in accordance with the provisions of 
     section 3(b) of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App.).
       (5) Rule of construction.--For purposes of section 7324 of 
     title 5, United States Code,

[[Page S2988]]

     the Special Inspector General shall not be considered an 
     employee who determines policies to be pursued by the United 
     States in the nationwide administration of Federal law.
       (6) Rate of pay.--The annual rate of basic pay of the 
     Special Inspector General shall be the annual rate of basic 
     pay for an Inspector General under section 3(e) of the 
     Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
       (c) Duties.--The Special Inspector General shall--
       (1) conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and 
     investigations of the business activities of IFA;
       (2) establish, maintain, and oversee such systems, 
     procedures, and controls as the Special Inspector General 
     considers appropriate to discharge the duty under paragraph 
     (1); and
       (3) carry out any other duties and responsibilities of 
     inspectors general under the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 
     U.S.C. App.).
       (d) Powers and Authorities.--
       (1) In general.--In carrying out the duties specified in 
     subsection (c), the Special Inspector General shall have the 
     authorities provided in section 6 of the Inspector General 
     Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
       (2) Additional authority.--The Special Inspector General 
     shall carry out the duties specified in subsection (c)(1) in 
     accordance with section 4(b)(1) of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.).
       (e) Personnel, Facilities, and Other Resources.--
       (1) Additional officers.--
       (A) In general.--The Special Inspector General may select, 
     appoint, and employ such officers and employees as may be 
     necessary for carrying out the duties of the Special 
     Inspector General, subject to the provisions of title 5, 
     United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive 
     service, and the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III 
     of chapter 53 of such title, relating to classification and 
     General Schedule pay rates.
       (B) Employment and compensation.--The Special Inspector 
     General may exercise the authorities of subsections (b) 
     through (i) of section 3161 of title 5, United States Code 
     (without regard to subsection (a) of that section).
       (2) Retention of services.--The Special Inspector General 
     may obtain services as authorized by section 3109 of title 5, 
     United States Code, at daily rates not to exceed the 
     equivalent rate prescribed for grade GS-15 of the General 
     Schedule by section 5332 of such title.
       (3) Ability to contract for audits, studies, and other 
     services.--The Special Inspector General may enter into 
     contracts and other arrangements for audits, studies, 
     analyses, and other services with public agencies and with 
     private persons, and make such payments as may be necessary 
     to carry out the duties of the Special Inspector General.
       (4) Request for information.--
       (A) In general.--Upon request of the Special Inspector 
     General for information or assistance from any department, 
     agency, or other entity of the Federal Government, the head 
     of that entity shall, insofar as is practicable and not in 
     contravention of any existing law, furnish the information or 
     assistance to the Special Inspector General or an authorized 
     designee.
       (B) Refusal to comply.--If information or assistance 
     requested by the Special Inspector General is, in the 
     judgment of the Special Inspector General, unreasonably 
     refused or not provided, the Special Inspector General shall 
     report the circumstances to the Secretary, without delay.
       (f) Reports.--
       (1) Annual report.--Not later than 1 year after the date on 
     which the Special Inspector General is confirmed, and every 
     calendar year thereafter, the Special Inspector General shall 
     submit to the President and appropriate committees of 
     Congress a report summarizing the activities of the Special 
     Inspector General during the previous 1-year period ending on 
     the date of that report.
       (2) Public disclosures.--Nothing in this subsection 
     authorizes the public disclosure of information that is--
       (A) specifically prohibited from disclosure by any other 
     provision of law;
       (B) specifically required by Executive order to be 
     protected from disclosure in the interest of national defense 
     or national security or in the conduct of foreign affairs; or
       (C) a part of an ongoing criminal investigation.

     SEC. 108. OTHER PERSONNEL.

       (a) Appointment, Removal, and Definition of Duties.--Except 
     as otherwise provided in the bylaws of IFA, the Chief 
     Executive Officer, in consultation with the Board of 
     Directors, shall appoint, remove, and define the duties of 
     such qualified personnel as are necessary to carry out the 
     powers, duties, and purpose of IFA, other than senior 
     management, who shall be appointed in accordance with section 
     105.
       (b) Coordination in Identifying Qualifications and 
     Expertise.--In appointing qualified personnel pursuant to 
     subsection (a), the Chief Executive Officer shall coordinate 
     with, and seek assistance from, the Secretary of 
     Transportation in identifying the appropriate qualifications 
     and expertise in infrastructure project finance.

     SEC. 109. COMPLIANCE.

       The provision of assistance by IFA pursuant to this 
     division does not supersede any provision of State law or 
     regulation otherwise applicable to an eligible infrastructure 
     project.

  TITLE II--TERMS AND LIMITATIONS ON DIRECT LOANS AND LOAN GUARANTEES

     SEC. 201. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR ASSISTANCE FROM IFA AND 
                   TERMS AND LIMITATIONS OF LOANS.

       (a) Public Benefit; Financeability.--A project is not be 
     eligible for financial assistance from IFA under this 
     division if--
       (1) the use or purpose of such project is private or such 
     project does not create a public benefit, as determined by 
     the Board of Directors; or
       (2) the applicant is unable to demonstrate, to the 
     satisfaction of the Board of Directors, a sufficient revenue 
     stream to finance the loan that will be used to pay for such 
     project.
       (b) Financial Criteria.--If the project meets the 
     requirements under subsection (a), an applicant for financial 
     assistance under this division shall demonstrate, to the 
     satisfaction of the Board of Directors, that--
       (1) for public-private partnerships, the project has 
     received contributed capital or commitments for contributed 
     capital equal to not less than 10 percent of the total cost 
     of the eligible infrastructure project for which assistance 
     is being sought if such contributed capital includes--
       (A) equity;
       (B) deeply subordinate loans or other credit and debt 
     instruments, which shall be junior to any IFA assistance 
     provided for the project;
       (C) appropriated funds or grants from governmental sources 
     other than the Federal Government; or
       (D) irrevocable private contributions of funds, grants, 
     property (including rights-of-way), and other assets that 
     directly reduce or offset project costs; and
       (2) the eligible infrastructure project for which 
     assistance is being sought--
       (A) is not for the refinancing of an existing 
     infrastructure project; and
       (B) meets--
       (i) any pertinent requirements set forth in this division;
       (ii) any criteria established by the Board of Directors 
     under subsection (c) or by the Chief Executive Officer in 
     accordance with this division; and
       (iii) the definition of an eligible infrastructure project.
       (c) Considerations.--The criteria established by the Board 
     of Directors under this subsection shall provide adequate 
     consideration of--
       (1) the economic, financial, technical, environmental, and 
     public benefits and costs of each eligible infrastructure 
     project under consideration for financial assistance under 
     this division, prioritizing eligible infrastructure projects 
     that--
       (A) demonstrate a clear and measurable public benefit;
       (B) offer value for money to taxpayers;
       (C) contribute to regional or national economic growth;
       (D) lead to long-term job creation; and
       (E) mitigate environmental concerns;
       (2) the means by which development of the eligible 
     infrastructure project under consideration is being financed, 
     including--
       (A) the terms, conditions, and structure of the proposed 
     financing;
       (B) the creditworthiness and standing of the project 
     sponsors, providers of equity, and cofinanciers;
       (C) the financial assumptions and projections on which the 
     eligible infrastructure project is based; and
       (D) whether there is sufficient State or municipal 
     political support for the successful completion of the 
     eligible infrastructure project;
       (3) the likelihood that the provision of assistance by IFA 
     will cause the development to proceed more promptly and with 
     lower costs for financing than would be the case without IFA 
     assistance;
       (4) the extent to which the provision of assistance by IFA 
     maximizes the level of private investment in the eligible 
     infrastructure project or supports a public-private 
     partnership, while providing a significant public benefit;
       (5) the extent to which the provision of assistance by IFA 
     can mobilize the participation of other financing partners in 
     the eligible infrastructure project;
       (6) the technical and operational viability of the eligible 
     infrastructure project;
       (7) the proportion of financial assistance from IFA;
       (8) the geographical location of the project, prioritizing 
     geographical diversity of projects funded by IFA;
       (9) the size of the project and the impact of the project 
     on the resources of IFA; and
       (10) the infrastructure sector of the project, prioritizing 
     projects from more than 1 sector funded by IFA.
       (d) Application.--
       (1) In general.--Any eligible entity seeking assistance 
     from IFA under this division for an eligible infrastructure 
     project shall submit an application to IFA at such time, in 
     such manner, and containing such information as the Board of 
     Directors or the Chief Executive Officer may require.
       (2) Review of applications.--
       (A) In general.--IFA shall review applications for 
     assistance under this division on an ongoing basis.
       (B) Preparation.--The Chief Executive Officer, in 
     cooperation with the senior management, shall prepare 
     eligible infrastructure projects for review and approval by 
     the Board of Directors.

[[Page S2989]]

       (3) Dedicated revenue sources.--The Federal credit 
     instrument shall be repayable, in whole or in part, from 
     tolls, user fees, or other dedicated revenue sources derived 
     from users or beneficiaries that also secure the eligible 
     infrastructure project obligations.
       (e) Eligible Infrastructure Project Costs.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), to be 
     eligible for assistance under this division, an eligible 
     infrastructure project shall have project costs that are 
     reasonably anticipated to equal or exceed $50,000,000.
       (2) Rural infrastructure projects.--To be eligible for 
     assistance under this division a rural infrastructure project 
     shall have project costs that are reasonably anticipated to 
     equal or exceed $10,000,000.
       (f) Loan Eligibility and Maximum Amounts.--
       (1) In general.--The amount of a direct loan or loan 
     guarantee under this division shall not exceed the lesser 
     of--
       (A) 49 percent of the reasonably anticipated eligible 
     infrastructure project costs; and
       (B) the amount of the senior project obligations, if the 
     direct loan or loan guarantee does not receive an investment 
     grade rating.
       (2) Maximum annual loan and loan guarantee volume.--The 
     aggregate amount of direct loans and loan guarantees made by 
     IFA shall not exceed--
       (A) during the first 2 fiscal years of the operations of 
     IFA, $10,000,000,000 per year;
       (B) during fiscal years 3 through 9 of the operations of 
     IFA, $20,000,000,000 per year; and
       (C) during any fiscal year thereafter, $50,000,000,000.

     SEC. 202. LOAN TERMS AND REPAYMENT.

       (a) In General.--A direct loan or loan guarantee under this 
     division with respect to an eligible infrastructure project 
     shall be on such terms, subject to such conditions, and 
     contain such covenants, representations, warranties, and 
     requirements (including requirements for audits) as the Chief 
     Executive Officer determines appropriate.
       (b) Terms.--A direct loan or loan guarantee under this 
     division--
       (1) shall--
       (A) be payable, in whole or in part, from tolls, user fees, 
     or other dedicated revenue sources derived from users or 
     beneficiaries; and
       (B) include a rate covenant, coverage requirement, or 
     similar security feature supporting the project obligations; 
     and
       (2) may be secured by a lien--
       (A) on the assets of the obligor, including revenues 
     described in paragraph (1); and
       (B) which may be subordinated to any other lien securing 
     project obligations.
       (c) Base Interest Rate.--The base interest rate on a direct 
     loan under this division shall be not less than the yield on 
     Treasury obligations of a similar maturity to the maturity of 
     the direct loan on the date of execution of the loan 
     agreement.
       (d) Risk Assessment.--Before entering into an agreement for 
     assistance under this division, the Chief Executive Officer, 
     in consultation with the Director of the Office of Management 
     and Budget and each rating agency providing a preliminary 
     rating opinion letter under this section, shall determine an 
     appropriate Federal credit subsidy amount for each direct 
     loan and loan guarantee, taking into account that preliminary 
     rating opinion letter, as well as any comparable market rates 
     available for such a loan or loan guarantee, should any 
     exist.
       (e) Credit Fee.--
       (1) In general.--With respect to each agreement for 
     assistance under this division, the Chief Executive Officer 
     shall charge a credit fee to the recipient of that assistance 
     to pay for, over time, all or a portion of the Federal credit 
     subsidy determined under subsection (d), with the remainder 
     paid by the account established for IFA.
       (2) Direct loans.--In the case of a direct loan, the credit 
     fee described in paragraph (1) shall be in addition to the 
     base interest rate established under subsection (c).
       (f) Maturity Date.--The final maturity date of a direct 
     loan or loan guaranteed by IFA under this division shall be 
     not later than 35 years after the date of substantial 
     completion of the eligible infrastructure project, as 
     determined by the Chief Executive Officer.
       (g) Preliminary Rating Opinion Letter.--
       (1) In general.--The Chief Executive Officer shall require 
     each applicant for assistance under this division to provide 
     a preliminary rating opinion letter from at least 1 rating 
     agency, indicating that the senior obligations of the 
     eligible infrastructure project, which may be the Federal 
     credit instrument, have the potential to achieve an 
     investment-grade rating.
       (2) Rural infrastructure projects.--With respect to a rural 
     infrastructure project, a rating agency opinion letter 
     described in paragraph (1) shall not be required, except that 
     the loan or loan guarantee shall receive an internal rating 
     score, using methods similar to the rating agencies generated 
     by IFA, measuring the proposed direct loan or loan guarantee 
     against comparable direct loans or loan guarantees of similar 
     credit quality in a similar sector.
       (h) Investment-Grade Rating Requirement.--
       (1) Loans and loan guarantees.--The execution of a direct 
     loan or loan guarantee under this division shall be 
     contingent on the senior obligations of the eligible 
     infrastructure project receiving an investment-grade rating.
       (2) Rating of ifa overall portfolio.--The average rating of 
     the overall portfolio of IFA shall be not less than 
     investment grade after 5 years of operation.
       (i) Terms and Repayment of Direct Loans.--
       (1) Schedule.--The Chief Executive Officer shall establish 
     a repayment schedule for each direct loan under this 
     division, based on the projected cash flow from eligible 
     infrastructure project revenues and other repayment sources.
       (2) Commencement.--Scheduled loan repayments of principal 
     or interest on a direct loan under this division shall 
     commence not later than 5 years after the date of substantial 
     completion of the eligible infrastructure project, as 
     determined by the Chief Executive Officer of IFA.
       (3) Deferred payments of direct loans.--
       (A) Authorization.--If, at any time after the date of 
     substantial completion of an eligible infrastructure project 
     assisted under this division, the eligible infrastructure 
     project is unable to generate sufficient revenues to pay the 
     scheduled loan repayments of principal and interest on the 
     direct loan under this division, the Chief Executive Officer 
     may allow the obligor to add unpaid principal and interest to 
     the outstanding balance of the direct loan, if the result 
     would benefit the taxpayer.
       (B) Interest.--Any payment deferred under subparagraph (A) 
     shall--
       (i) continue to accrue interest, in accordance with the 
     terms of the obligation, until fully repaid; and
       (ii) be scheduled to be amortized over the remaining term 
     of the loan.
       (C) Criteria.--
       (i) In general.--Any payment deferral under subparagraph 
     (A) shall be contingent on the eligible infrastructure 
     project meeting criteria established by the Board of 
     Directors.
       (ii) Repayment standards.--The criteria established under 
     clause (i) shall include standards for reasonable assurance 
     of repayment.
       (4) Prepayment of direct loans.--
       (A) Use of excess revenues.--Any excess revenues that 
     remain after satisfying scheduled debt service requirements 
     on the eligible infrastructure project obligations and direct 
     loan and all deposit requirements under the terms of any 
     trust agreement, bond resolution, or similar agreement 
     securing project obligations under this division may be 
     applied annually to prepay the direct loan, without penalty.
       (B) Use of proceeds of refinancing.--A direct loan under 
     this division may be prepaid at any time, without penalty, 
     from the proceeds of refinancing from non-Federal funding 
     sources.
       (j) Loan Guarantees.--The terms of a loan guaranteed by IFA 
     under this division shall be consistent with the terms set 
     forth in this section for a direct loan, except that the rate 
     on the guaranteed loan and any payment, prepayment, or 
     refinancing features shall be negotiated between the obligor 
     and the lender (as defined in section 601(a) of title 23, 
     United States Code) with the consent of the Chief Executive 
     Officer.
       (k) Compliance With Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990.--
       (1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     direct loans and loan guarantees authorized by this division 
     shall be subject to the provisions of the Federal Credit 
     Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).
       (2) Exception.--Section 504(b) of the Federal Credit Reform 
     Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661c(b)) shall not apply to a loan or 
     loan guarantee under this division.
       (l) Policy of Congress.--It is the policy of Congress that 
     IFA shall only make a direct loan or loan guarantee under 
     this division if IFA determines that IFA is reasonably 
     expected to recover the full amount of the direct loan or 
     loan guarantee.

     SEC. 203. ENVIRONMENTAL PERMITTING PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS.

       (a) Interagency Coordination.--As soon as practicable after 
     IFA approves financing for a proposed project under this 
     title, the President shall convene a meeting of 
     representatives of all relevant and appropriate permitting 
     agencies--
       (1) to establish or update a permitting timetable for the 
     proposed project;
       (2) to coordinate concurrent permitting reviews by all 
     necessary agencies; and
       (3) to coordinate with relevant State agencies and regional 
     infrastructure development agencies to ensure--
       (A) adequate participation; and
       (B) the timely provision of necessary documentation to 
     allow any State review to proceed without delay.
       (b) Goal.--The permitting timetable for each proposed 
     project established pursuant to subsection (a)(1) shall 
     ensure that the environmental review process is completed as 
     soon as practicable.
       (c) Earlier.--The President may carry out the functions set 
     forth in subsection (a) with respect to a proposed project 
     before the IFA has approved financing for such project upon 
     the request of the Chief Executive Officer.
       (d) Concurrent Reviews.--Each agency, to the greatest 
     extent permitted by law, shall--
       (1) carry out the obligations of the agency under other 
     applicable law concurrently, and in conjunction with other 
     reviews being conducted by other participating agencies, 
     including environmental reviews required under the National 
     Environmental Policy Act (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), unless 
     such concurrent reviews would impair the ability of

[[Page S2990]]

     the agency to carry out its statutory obligations; and
       (2) formulate and implement administrative, policy, and 
     procedural mechanisms to enable the agency to ensure the 
     completion of the environmental review process in a timely, 
     coordinated, and environmentally responsible manner.

     SEC. 204. COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT.

       (a) Credit Agreement.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, each eligible entity that receives assistance under 
     this division shall enter into a credit agreement that 
     requires such entity to comply with all applicable policies 
     and procedures of IFA, in addition to all other provisions of 
     the loan agreement.
       (b) Applicability of Federal Laws.--Each eligible entity 
     that receives assistance under this division shall provide 
     written assurance, in such form and manner and containing 
     such terms as are to be prescribed by IFA, that the eligible 
     infrastructure project will be performed in compliance with 
     the requirements of all Federal laws that would otherwise 
     apply to similar projects to which the United States is a 
     party, or financed in whole or in part from Federal funds or 
     in accordance with guarantees of a Federal agency or financed 
     from funds obtained by pledge of any contract of a Federal 
     agency to make a loan, grant, or annual contribution (except 
     where a different meaning is expressly indicated).
       (c) IFA Authority on Noncompliance.--In any case in which 
     an eligible entity that receives assistance under this 
     division is materially out of compliance with the loan 
     agreement, or any applicable policy or procedure of IFA, the 
     Board of Directors may take action--
       (1) to cancel unused loan amounts; or
       (2) to accelerate the repayment terms of any outstanding 
     obligation.

     SEC. 205. AUDITS; REPORTS TO THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS.

       (a) Accounting.--The books of account of IFA shall be--
       (1) maintained in accordance with generally accepted 
     accounting principles; and
       (2) subject to an annual audit by independent public 
     accountants of nationally recognized standing appointed by 
     the Board of Directors.
       (b) Reports.--
       (1) Board of directors.--Not later than 90 days after the 
     last day of each fiscal year, the Board of Directors shall 
     submit to the President and Congress a complete and detailed 
     report with respect to the preceding fiscal year, setting 
     forth--
       (A) a summary of the operations of IFA for that fiscal 
     year;
       (B) a schedule of the obligations of IFA and capital 
     securities outstanding at the end of that fiscal year, with a 
     statement of the amounts issued and redeemed or paid during 
     that fiscal year;
       (C) the status of eligible infrastructure projects 
     receiving funding or other assistance pursuant to this 
     division during that fiscal year, including--
       (i) all nonperforming loans; and
       (ii) disclosure of all entities with a development, 
     ownership, or operational interest in those eligible 
     infrastructure projects;
       (D) a description of the successes and challenges 
     encountered in lending to rural communities, including the 
     role of the Office of Technical and Rural Assistance 
     established under this division; and
       (E) an assessment of the risks of the portfolio of IFA, 
     which shall be prepared by an independent source.
       (2) GAO.--Not later than 5 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct an evaluation of, and submit to the 
     Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate and to the Committees on Transportation and 
     Infrastructure and Energy and Commerce of the House of 
     Representatives a report on the activities of IFA for the 
     fiscal years covered by the report that includes--
       (A) an assessment of the impact and benefits of each funded 
     eligible infrastructure project, including a review of how 
     effectively each eligible infrastructure project accomplished 
     the goals prioritized by the eligible infrastructure project 
     criteria of IFA; and
       (B) an evaluation of the effectiveness of, and challenges 
     facing, loan programs at the Department of Transportation and 
     Department of Energy, and an analysis of the advisability of 
     consolidating those programs within IFA.
       (c) Books and Records.--
       (1) In general.--IFA shall maintain adequate books and 
     records to support the financial transactions of IFA, with a 
     description of financial transactions and eligible 
     infrastructure projects receiving funding, and the amount of 
     funding for each project maintained on a publically 
     accessible database.
       (2) Audits by the secretary and gao.--The books and records 
     of IFA shall at all times be open to inspection by the 
     Secretary, the Special Inspector General, and the Comptroller 
     General of the United States.

     SEC. 206. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS.

       Nothing in this division may be construed to affect or 
     alter the responsibility of an eligible entity that receives 
     assistance under this division to comply with applicable 
     Federal and State laws (including regulations) relating to an 
     eligible infrastructure project.

                       TITLE III--FUNDING OF IFA

     SEC. 301. FEES.

       The Chief Executive Officer shall establish fees with 
     respect to loans and loan guarantees under this division 
     that--
       (1) are sufficient to cover all the administrative costs to 
     the Federal Government for the operations of IFA;
       (2) may be in the form of an application or transaction 
     fee, or interest rate adjustment; and
       (3) may be based on the risk premium associated with the 
     loan or loan guarantee, taking into consideration--
       (A) the price of Treasury obligations of a similar 
     maturity;
       (B) prevailing market conditions;
       (C) the ability of the eligible infrastructure project to 
     support the loan or loan guarantee; and
       (D) the total amount of the loan or loan guarantee.

     SEC. 302. SELF-SUFFICIENCY OF IFA.

       The Chief Executive Officer shall, to the extent 
     practicable, take actions consistent with this division to 
     make IFA a self-sustaining entity, with administrative costs 
     and Federal credit subsidy costs fully funded by fees and 
     risk premiums on loans and loan guarantees.

     SEC. 303. FUNDING.

       (a) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     IFA to make direct loans and loan guarantees under this 
     division $10,000,000,000, which shall remain available until 
     expended.
       (2) Administrative costs.--Of the amounts appropriated 
     pursuant to paragraph (1), the IFA may expend, for 
     administrative costs, not more than--
       (A) $25,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2016 and 2017; 
     and
       (B) not more than $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2018.
       (b) Interest.--The amounts made available to IFA pursuant 
     to subsection (a) shall be placed in interest-bearing 
     accounts.
       (c) Rural Infrastructure Projects.--Of the amounts made 
     available to IFA under this section, not less than 5 percent 
     shall be used to offset subsidy costs associated with rural 
     infrastructure projects.

     SEC. 304. CONTRACT AUTHORITY.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, approval by the 
     Board of Directors of a Federal credit instrument that uses 
     funds made available under this division shall impose upon 
     the United States a contractual obligation to fund the 
     Federal credit investment.

     SEC. 305. LIMITATION ON AUTHORITY.

       IFA shall not have the authority to issue debt in its own 
     name.

     TITLE IV--TAX EXEMPTION REQUIREMENTS FOR STATE AND LOCAL BONDS

     SEC. 401. NATIONAL LIMITATION ON AMOUNT OF TAX-EXEMPT 
                   FINANCING FOR FACILITIES.

       Section 142(m)(2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
     is amended by striking ``$15,000,000,000'' and inserting 
     ``$16,000,000,000''.

                       TITLE V--BUDGETARY EFFECTS

     SEC. 501. BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this division, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this division, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Senate Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4028. Mr. PERDUE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __.  Notwithstanding any other provision in this Act--
       (1) the total amount made available on October 1, 2016 
     under the heading ``tenant-based rental assistance'' under 
     the heading ``Public and Indian Housing'' under the heading 
     ``DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'' shall be 
     $15,740,696,000; and
       (2) the amount made available for renewals of expiring 
     section 8 tenant-based annual contributions contracts under 
     the heading ``tenant-based rental assistance'' under the 
     heading ``Public and Indian Housing'' under the heading 
     ``DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT'' shall be 
     $17,664,000,000.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4029. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; as follows:


[[Page S2991]]


  

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  Of the funds made available in this title for 
     fiscal year 2017 for medical support and compliance, not less 
     than $21,000,000 shall be made available to the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to hire Medical Center Directors and 
     employees for other management and clinical positions that 
     are critical to the Department of Veterans Affairs in order 
     to fill vacancies in such positions.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4030. Ms. MIKULSKI submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, 
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations 
for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2016, and for other purposes; as follows:

       On page 217, line 4 of title 2 in division B, strike the 
     period and insert ``: Provided further, That the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall provide access to therapeutic 
     listening devices to veterans struggling with mental health 
     related problems, substance abuse, or traumatic brain 
     injury.''

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4031. Mr. CARDIN (for himself and Mr. McCain) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill S. 2943, to 
authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2017 for military activities 
of the Department of Defense, for military construction, and for 
defense activities of the Department of Energy, to prescribe military 
personnel strengths for such fiscal year, and for other purposes; which 
was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title XII, add the following:

                  Subtitle __--Human Rights Sanctions

     SEC. __01. SHORT TITLE.

       This subtitle may be cited as the ``Global Magnitsky Human 
     Rights Accountability Act''.

     SEC. __02. DEFINITIONS.

       In this subtitle:
       (1) Foreign person.--The term ``foreign person'' means a 
     person that is not a United States person.
       (2) Person.--The term ``person'' means an individual or 
     entity.
       (3) United states person.--The term ``United States 
     person'' means--
       (A) a United States citizen or an alien lawfully admitted 
     for permanent residence to the United States; or
       (B) an entity organized under the laws of the United States 
     or of any jurisdiction within the United States, including a 
     foreign branch of such an entity.

     SEC. __03. AUTHORIZATION OF IMPOSITION OF SANCTIONS.

       (a) In General.--The President may impose the sanctions 
     described in subsection (b) with respect to any foreign 
     person the President determines, based on credible evidence--
       (1) is responsible for extrajudicial killings, torture, or 
     other gross violations of internationally recognized human 
     rights committed against individuals in any foreign country 
     who seek--
       (A) to expose illegal activity carried out by government 
     officials; or
       (B) to obtain, exercise, defend, or promote internationally 
     recognized human rights and freedoms, such as the freedoms of 
     religion, expression, association, and assembly, and the 
     rights to a fair trial and democratic elections;
       (2) acted as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign person 
     in a matter relating to an activity described in paragraph 
     (1);
       (3) is a government official, or a senior associate of such 
     an official, that is responsible for, or complicit in, 
     ordering, controlling, or otherwise directing, acts of 
     significant corruption, including the expropriation of 
     private or public assets for personal gain, corruption 
     related to government contracts or the extraction of natural 
     resources, bribery, or the facilitation or transfer of the 
     proceeds of corruption to foreign jurisdictions; or
       (4) has materially assisted, sponsored, or provided 
     financial, material, or technological support for, or goods 
     or services in support of, an activity described in paragraph 
     (3).
       (b) Sanctions Described.--The sanctions described in this 
     subsection are the following:
       (1) Inadmissibility to united states.--In the case of a 
     foreign person who is an individual--
       (A) ineligibility to receive a visa to enter the United 
     States or to be admitted to the United States; or
       (B) if the individual has been issued a visa or other 
     documentation, revocation, in accordance with section 221(i) 
     of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)), of 
     the visa or other documentation.
       (2) Blocking of property.--
       (A) In general.--The blocking, in accordance with the 
     International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 
     et seq.), of all transactions in all property and interests 
     in property of a foreign person if such property and 
     interests in property are in the United States, come within 
     the United States, or are or come within the possession or 
     control of a United States person.
       (B) Inapplicability of national emergency requirement.--The 
     requirements of section 202 of the International Emergency 
     Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701) shall not apply for 
     purposes of this section.
       (C) Exception relating to importation of goods.--
       (i) In general.--The authority to block and prohibit all 
     transactions in all property and interests in property under 
     subparagraph (A) shall not include the authority to impose 
     sanctions on the importation of goods.
       (ii) Good.--In this subparagraph, the term ``good'' has the 
     meaning given that term in section 16 of the Export 
     Administration Act of 1979 (50 U.S.C. 4618) (as continued in 
     effect pursuant to the International Emergency Economic 
     Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.)).
       (c) Consideration of Certain Information in Imposing 
     Sanctions.--In determining whether to impose sanctions under 
     subsection (a), the President shall consider--
       (1) information provided by the chairperson and ranking 
     member of each of the appropriate congressional committees; 
     and
       (2) credible information obtained by other countries and 
     nongovernmental organizations that monitor violations of 
     human rights.
       (d) Requests by Chairperson and Ranking Member of 
     Appropriate Congressional Committees.--Not later than 120 
     days after receiving a written request from the chairperson 
     and ranking member of one of the appropriate congressional 
     committees with respect to whether a foreign person has 
     engaged in an activity described in subsection (a), the 
     President shall--
       (1) determine if that person has engaged in such an 
     activity; and
       (2) submit a report to the chairperson and ranking member 
     of that committee with respect to that determination that 
     includes--
       (A) a statement of whether or not the President imposed or 
     intends to impose sanctions with respect to the person; and
       (B) if the President imposed or intends to impose 
     sanctions, a description of those sanctions.
       (e) Exception To Comply With United Nations Headquarters 
     Agreement and Law Enforcement Objectives.--Sanctions under 
     subsection (b)(1) shall not apply to an individual if 
     admitting the individual into the United States would further 
     important law enforcement objectives or is necessary to 
     permit the United States to comply with the Agreement 
     regarding the Headquarters of the United Nations, signed at 
     Lake Success June 26, 1947, and entered into force November 
     21, 1947, between the United Nations and the United States, 
     or other applicable international obligations of the United 
     States.
       (f) Enforcement of Blocking of Property.--A person that 
     violates, attempts to violate, conspires to violate, or 
     causes a violation of subsection (b)(2) or any regulation, 
     license, or order issued to carry out subsection (b)(2) shall 
     be subject to the penalties set forth in subsections (b) and 
     (c) of section 206 of the International Emergency Economic 
     Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1705) to the same extent as a person 
     that commits an unlawful act described in subsection (a) of 
     that section.
       (g) Termination of Sanctions.--The President may terminate 
     the application of sanctions under this section with respect 
     to a person if the President determines and reports to the 
     appropriate congressional committees not later than 15 days 
     before the termination of the sanctions that--
       (1) credible information exists that the person did not 
     engage in the activity for which sanctions were imposed;
       (2) the person has been prosecuted appropriately for the 
     activity for which sanctions were imposed;
       (3) the person has credibly demonstrated a significant 
     change in behavior, has paid an appropriate consequence for 
     the activity for which sanctions were imposed, and has 
     credibly committed to not engage in an activity described in 
     subsection (a) in the future; or
       (4) the termination of the sanctions is in the vital 
     national security interests of the United States.
       (h) Regulatory Authority.--The President shall issue such 
     regulations, licenses, and orders as are necessary to carry 
     out this section.
       (i) Identification of Sanctionable Foreign Persons.--The 
     Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and 
     Labor, in consultation with the Assistant Secretary of State 
     for Consular Affairs and other bureaus of the Department of 
     State, as appropriate, is authorized to submit to the 
     Secretary of State, for review and consideration, the names 
     of foreign persons who may meet the criteria described in 
     subsection (a).
       (j) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 
     and the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Financial Services and the Committee 
     on Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. __04. REPORTS TO CONGRESS.

       (a) In General.--The President shall submit to the 
     appropriate congressional committees, in accordance with 
     subsection (b), a report that includes--

[[Page S2992]]

       (1) a list of each foreign person with respect to which the 
     President imposed sanctions pursuant to section __03 during 
     the year preceding the submission of the report;
       (2) a description of the type of sanctions imposed with 
     respect to each such person;
       (3) the number of foreign persons with respect to which the 
     President--
       (A) imposed sanctions under section __03(a) during that 
     year; and
       (B) terminated sanctions under section __03(g) during that 
     year;
       (4) the dates on which such sanctions were imposed or 
     terminated, as the case may be;
       (5) the reasons for imposing or terminating such sanctions; 
     and
       (6) a description of the efforts of the President to 
     encourage the governments of other countries to impose 
     sanctions that are similar to the sanctions authorized by 
     section __03.
       (b) Dates for Submission.--
       (1) Initial report.--The President shall submit the initial 
     report under subsection (a) not later than 120 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act.
       (2) Subsequent reports.--
       (A) In general.--The President shall submit a subsequent 
     report under subsection (a) on December 10, or the first day 
     thereafter on which both Houses of Congress are in session, 
     of--
       (i) the calendar year in which the initial report is 
     submitted if the initial report is submitted before December 
     10 of that calendar year; and
       (ii) each calendar year thereafter.
       (B) Congressional statement.--Congress notes that December 
     10 of each calendar year has been recognized in the United 
     States and internationally since 1950 as ``Human Rights 
     Day''.
       (c) Form of Report.--
       (1) In general.--Each report required by subsection (a) 
     shall be submitted in unclassified form, but may include a 
     classified annex.
       (2) Exception.--The name of a foreign person to be included 
     in the list required by subsection (a)(1) may be submitted in 
     the classified annex authorized by paragraph (1) only if the 
     President--
       (A) determines that it is vital for the national security 
     interests of the United States to do so;
       (B) uses the annex in a manner consistent with 
     congressional intent and the purposes of this subtitle; and
       (C) not later than 15 days before submitting the name in a 
     classified annex, provides to the appropriate congressional 
     committees notice of, and a justification for, including the 
     name in the classified annex despite any publicly available 
     credible information indicating that the person engaged in an 
     activity described in section __03(a).
       (d) Public Availability.--
       (1) In general.--The unclassified portion of the report 
     required by subsection (a) shall be made available to the 
     public, including through publication in the Federal 
     Register.
       (2) Nonapplicability of confidentiality requirement with 
     respect to visa records.--The President shall publish the 
     list required by subsection (a)(1) without regard to the 
     requirements of section 222(f) of the Immigration and 
     Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1202(f)) with respect to 
     confidentiality of records pertaining to the issuance or 
     refusal of visas or permits to enter the United States.
       (e) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations, and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate; 
     and
       (2) the Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on 
     Financial Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and the 
     Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4032. Mr. BLUMENTHAL submitted an amendment intended to be 
proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. 
Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making 
appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and 
Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on 
the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __. (a) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     shall require each public housing agency that administers 
     public housing (as defined in section 3 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a)) or housing assisted 
     under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 
     U.S.C. 1437f)--
       (1) to allow, in each unfurnished dwelling unit, residents 
     to anchor furniture, televisions, and large appliances to the 
     wall without incurring a penalty or obligation to repair the 
     wall upon vacating the dwelling unit; and
       (2) to securely anchor to the wall all provided clothing 
     storage units covered by the Standard Safety Specification 
     for Clothing Storage Units (ASTM F2057-14) or any successor 
     standard, bookcases, televisions, and large appliances in 
     each furnished dwelling unit in which a child under the age 
     of 6 resides or is a frequent visitor.
       (b) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
     require public housing agencies to securely anchor all 
     provided clothing storage units covered by the Standard 
     Safety Specification for Clothing Storage Units (ASTM F2057-
     14) or any successor standard, bookcases, televisions, and 
     large appliances in furnished dwelling units in public 
     housing (as defined in section 3 of the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a)) and housing assisted under 
     section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 
     1437f) not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
     this Act.
       (c) The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
     use such sums as are necessary to carry out this section.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4033. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Mr. Markey) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. 
Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill 
H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, on page 49, between lines 6 and 7, insert 
     the following:
       Sec. 142. (a) From amounts made available to the National 
     Highway Traffic Safety Administration under this title, the 
     Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety 
     Administration shall use such sums as may be necessary--
       (1) to modify the labeling and owner's manual information 
     requirements under section 571.208 of title 49, Code of 
     Federal Regulations, to require the owner's manual for any 
     vehicle sold in the United States to include warning language 
     similar to the following: ``If possible, children should be 
     placed behind unoccupied front seats in a rear seating 
     position, as appropriate based on the child's age and size. 
     In rear end crashes, the backs of occupied front seats are 
     prone to collapse under the weight of their occupants. If 
     this occurs, the seat backs and their occupants can strike 
     children in rear seats and cause severe or fatal injuries.''; 
     and
       (2) to modify the child restraint systems requirements 
     under section 571.213 of title 49, Code of Federal 
     Regulations, to require that the label on rear facing child 
     seats depicted in Figure 10 of such section include the 
     following statement: ``Place behind an unoccupied front seat 
     whenever possible.''.
       (b) Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Administrator of the National Highway 
     Traffic Safety Administration shall--
       (1) include data in the Crash Investigation Sampling System 
     and the Fatality Analysis Reporting System regarding the 
     presence, location, and consequences of seatback failure or 
     seatback collapse caused by a vehicle crash; and
       (2) determine whether local police crash investigators 
     should include photographs of vehicles involved in crashes 
     and the surrounding crash scene in the databases listed in 
     paragraph (1) to provide the National Highway Traffic Safety 
     Administration a better basis for selecting crashes for 
     further investigation.
       (c) The Administrator of the National Highway Traffic 
     Safety Administration shall conduct a study to identify the 
     structural adjustments that would be necessary to prevent a 
     seatback from collapsing in a rear end crash based on the 
     rear impact test procedure under section 571.301 of title 49, 
     Code of Federal Regulations.
       (d) Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Administrator of the National Highway 
     Traffic Safety Administration shall issue a rule that updates 
     section 571.207 of title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (or 
     a successor regulation), relating to standards for motor 
     vehicle seating systems based on the findings of the study 
     conducted under subsection (c).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4034. Mr. BLUMENTHAL (for himself and Mr. Markey) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. 
Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill 
H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was 
ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __. (a) Section 30120 of title 49, United States Code, 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(k) Limitation on Sale or Lease of Used Passenger Motor 
     Vehicles.--(1) A dealer may not sell or lease a used 
     passenger motor vehicle until any defect or noncompliance 
     determined under section 30118 with respect to the vehicle 
     has been remedied.
       ``(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply if--
       ``(A) the recall information regarding a used passenger 
     motor vehicle was not accessible at the time of sale or lease 
     using the means established by the Secretary under section 
     31301 of the Moving Ahead for

[[Page S2993]]

     Progress in the 21st Century Act (49 U.S.C. 30166 note); or
       ``(B) notification of the defect or noncompliance is 
     required under section 30118(b), but enforcement of the order 
     is set aside in a civil action to which 30121(d) applies.
       ``(3) Notwithstanding section 30102(a)(1), in this 
     subsection--
       ``(A) the term `dealer' means a person that has sold at 
     least 10 motor vehicles to 1 or more consumers during the 
     most recent 12-month period; and
       ``(B) the term `used passenger motor vehicle' means a motor 
     vehicle that has previously been purchased other than for 
     resale.
       ``(4) By rule, the Secretary may exempt the auctioning of a 
     used passenger motor vehicle from the requirements under 
     paragraph (1) to the extent that the exemption does not harm 
     public safety.''.
       (b) This section shall take effect on that date that is 18 
     months after the date of the enactment of this Act.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4035. Mr. PAUL submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:


                  extension of veterans choice program

       Sec. 251.  (a) In General.--The Veterans Access, Choice, 
     and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) is amended--
       (1) in section 101(p)(2), by striking ``3 years'' and 
     inserting ``6 years''; and
       (2) in section 802(d)(1), by striking ``$10,000,000,000'' 
     and inserting ``$17,500,000,000''.
       (b) Rescission of Certain Unobligated Balances.--All of the 
     unobligated balances of the amounts appropriated for fiscal 
     year 2016 under the headings ``OPERATING EXPENSES'' and 
     ``MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE'' in titles II and V of the 
     Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs 
     Appropriations Act, 2016 (division K of Public Law 114-113), 
     including funds designated by Congress for Overseas 
     Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism pursuant to 
     section 251(b)(2)(A)(ii) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency 
     Deficit Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(ii)) are 
     rescinded.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4036. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __.  The Federal Communications Commission shall 
     extend the comment period for the proposed rule entitled 
     ``Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other 
     Telecommunications Services'' (81 Fed. Reg. 23359 (April 20, 
     2016)) by 60 days.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4037. Mr. PORTMAN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, 
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations 
for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2016, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the 
table; as follows:

       In the matter under the heading ``homeless assistance 
     grants'' under the heading ``Community Planning and 
     Development'' in title II of division A, insert before the 
     period at the end the following: ``Provided further, That for 
     purposes of this heading, the term `recovery housing' means 
     housing where the use of alcohol and the unlawful use of 
     drugs by residents is prohibited, and where residents 
     participate in programming that uses peer support to promote 
     sobriety, health, and positive community involvement''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4038. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251.  Not later than September 30, 2017, the Secretary 
     of Veterans Affairs shall--
       (1) provide for the conduct by the Office of Inspector 
     General of the Department of Veterans Affairs of an 
     inspection or audit of the use of Federal award GU1103 in the 
     amount of $3,265,487 that was awarded in 2013 to renovate a 
     veteran's cemetery in Guam under the Veterans Cemetery Grants 
     Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs, including--
       (A) an itemized accounting of the use of such award; or
       (B) if no such itemized accounting is possible, an 
     explanation of why any amounts in connection with such award 
     are unaccounted for;
       (2) submit to the Committee on Appropriations and the 
     Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the 
     Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the House of Representatives a report on the 
     results on the inspection or audit conducted under paragraph 
     (1); and
       (3) publish the results on the inspection or audit 
     conducted under paragraph (1) on a publicly available 
     Internet website of the Department.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4039. Mr. McCAIN (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Burr) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 
proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. 
Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the 
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for 
other purposes; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:


           extension and expansion of veterans choice program

       Sec. 251.  (a) Extension.--The Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) is amended--
       (1) in section 101(p)(2), by striking ``3 years'' and 
     inserting ``6 years''; and
       (2) in section 802(d)(1), by striking ``$10,000,000,000'' 
     and inserting ``$17,500,000,000''.
       (b) Expansion of Eligibility.--Subsection (b)(2) of section 
     101 of such Act is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (C)(ii), by striking ``; or'' and 
     inserting a semicolon;
       (2) in subparagraph (D)(ii)(II)(dd), by striking the period 
     at the end and inserting ``; or''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
       ``(E) has received health services under the pilot program 
     under section 403 of the Veterans' Mental Health and Other 
     Care Improvements Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-387; 38 U.S.C. 
     1703 note) and resides in a location described in section 
     (b)(2) of such section.''.
       (c) Conforming Amendments.--(1) Subsection (g)(3) of such 
     section is amended by striking ``or (D)'' and inserting 
     ``(D), or (E)''.
       (2) Subsection (q)(2)(A) of such section is amended--
       (A) in clause (iii), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     semicolon;
       (B) in clause (iv), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new clause:
       ``(v) eligible veterans described in subsection 
     (b)(2)(E).''.
       (d) Emergency Requirement.--The amounts made available 
     under the amendments made by subsection (a) are designated by 
     the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     251(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985 (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)).
       (e) Quarterly Report.--Not less frequently than quarterly 
     until all amounts deposited in the Veterans Choice Fund under 
     section 802 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and 
     Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-146; 38 U.S.C. 
     1701 note) are exhausted, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Veterans' 
     Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations and 
     the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives an update on the expenditures made from such 
     Fund to carry out section 101 of such Act during the quarter 
     covered by the report.


   establishment of criteria for provision of services under medical 
                         community care account

       Sec. 252. In using amounts made available in this title for 
     the Medical Community Care account of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     establish consistent criteria and standards--
       (1) for purposes of determining eligibility of non-
     Department health care providers to provide health care under 
     the laws administered by the Secretary, including standards 
     relating to education, certification, licensure, training, 
     and employment history; and
       (2) for the reimbursement of such health care providers for 
     care or services provided under the laws administered by the 
     Secretary, which to the extent practicable shall--
       (A) use rates for reimbursement that are not more than the 
     rates paid by the United States to a provider of services (as 
     defined in section 1861(u) of the Social Security Act (42 
     U.S.C. 1395x(u))) under the Medicare program

[[Page S2994]]

     under title XVIII of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395 
     et seq.) for the same care or services;
       (B) incorporate the use of value-based reimbursement models 
     to promote the provision of high-quality care to improve 
     health outcomes and the experience of care for veterans; and
       (C) be consistent with prompt payment standards required of 
     Federal agencies under chapter 39 of title 31, United States 
     Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4040. Mr. CARDIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __.  Not later than 90 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and every 90 days thereafter, the 
     Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration shall 
     submit to Congress a report on the implementation of the 
     policies contained in the update to the Community Involvement 
     Manual of the Federal Aviation Administration required under 
     the heading ``operations'' under the heading ``Federal 
     Aviation Administration'' in title I of the Transportation, 
     Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies 
     Appropriations Act, 2016 (division L of Public Law 114-113; 
     129 Stat. 2840).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4041. Mr. MENENDEZ (for himself, Mrs. Shaheen, and Mr. Peters) 
submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 
proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. 
Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the 
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:


          certain service deemed to be active military service

       Sec. 251.  (a) In General.--For purposes of section 
     401(a)(1)(A) of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (38 
     U.S.C. 106 note), the Secretary of Defense is deemed to have 
     determined that qualified service of an individual 
     constituted active military service.
       (b) Determination of Discharge Status.--The Secretary of 
     Defense shall issue an honorable discharge under section 
     401(a)(1)(B) of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 to each 
     person whose qualified service warrants an honorable 
     discharge. Such discharge shall be issued before the end of 
     the one-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
     this Act.
       (c) Prohibition of Retroactive Benefits.--No benefits may 
     be paid to any individual as a result of the enactment of 
     this section for any period before the date of the enactment 
     of this Act.
       (d) Qualified Service Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``qualified service'' means service of an individual as a 
     member of the organization known as the United States Cadet 
     Nurse Corps during the period beginning on July 1, 1943, and 
     ending on December 15, 1945.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4042. Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Kaine) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. 
Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill 
H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the Departments of Transportation, 
and Housing and Urban Development, and related agencies for the fiscal 
year ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes; as follows:

       On page 37, between lines 17 and 18, insert the following:
       Sec. 122. (a) Transfer of Amounts.--
       (1) State of virginia.--
       (A) In general.--Of the total amount apportioned to the 
     State of Virginia under section 104 of title 23, United 
     States Code, for fiscal year 2017, the Secretary of 
     Transportation shall, by the later of November 30, 2016, or 
     30 days after the enactment of this Act, transfer to the 
     National Park Service--
       (i) an amount equal to--

       (I) $30,000,000; multiplied by
       (II) the ratio that--

       (aa) the amount apportioned to the State of Virginia under 
     such section 104; bears to
       (bb) the combined amount apportioned to the State of 
     Virginia and the District of Columbia under such section 104; 
     and
       (ii) an amount of obligation limitation equal to the amount 
     calculated under clause (i).
       (B) Source and amount.--For purpose of the transfer under 
     subparagraph (A), the State of Virginia shall select at the 
     discretion of the State--
       (i) the programs (among those for which funding is 
     apportioned as described in that subparagraph) from which to 
     transfer the amount specified in that subparagraph; and
       (ii) the amount to transfer from each of those programs 
     (equal in aggregate to the amount calculated under 
     subparagraph (A)(i)).
       (2) District of columbia.--
       (A) In general.--Of the total amount apportioned to the 
     District of Columbia under section 104 of title 23, United 
     States Code, for fiscal year 2017, the Secretary of 
     Transportation shall, by the later of November 30, 2016, or 
     30 days after the enactment of this Act, transfer to the 
     National Park Service--
       (i) an amount equal to--

       (I) $30,000,000; multiplied by
       (II) the ratio that--

       (aa) the amount apportioned to the District of Columbia 
     under such section 104; bears to
       (bb) the combined amount apportioned to the State of 
     Virginia and the District of Columbia under such section 104; 
     and
       (ii) an amount of obligation limitation equal to the amount 
     calculated under clause (i).
       (B) Source and amount.--For purpose of the transfer under 
     subparagraph (A), the District of Columbia shall select at 
     the discretion of the District--
       (i) the programs (among those for which funding is 
     apportioned as described in that subparagraph) from which to 
     transfer the amount specified in that subparagraph; and
       (ii) the amount to transfer from each of those programs 
     (equal in aggregate to the amount calculated under 
     subparagraph (A)(i)).
       (3) Federal lands transportation program.--Of the amounts 
     otherwise made available to the National Park Service under 
     section 203 of title 23, United States Code, not less than 10 
     percent shall be set aside for purposes of this section.
       (b) Eligibility and Federal Share.--The amounts under 
     subsection (a) shall be--
       (1) available to the National Park Service only for 
     projects that--
       (A) are eligible under section 203 of title 23, United 
     States Code;
       (B) are located on bridges on the National Highway System 
     that were originally constructed before 1945 and are in poor 
     condition; and
       (C) each have an estimated total project cost of not less 
     than $150,000,000; and
       (2) subject to the Federal share described in section 
     201(b)(7)(A) of title 23, United States Code.
       (c) Other Funds and Obligation Limitation.--Any funds and 
     obligation limitation transferred under subsection (a) shall 
     be in addition to funds or obligation limitation otherwise 
     made available to the National Park Service under sections 
     203 and 204 of title 23, United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4043. Mr. MANCHIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, 
Mr. Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations 
for the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban 
Development, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 
30, 2016, and for other purposes; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:
       Sec. 251. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may use 
     amounts appropriated or otherwise made available in this 
     title to ensure that the ratio of veterans to full-time 
     employment equivalents within any program of rehabilitation 
     conducted under chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code, 
     does not exceed 125 veterans to one full-time employment 
     equivalent.
       (b) Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to Congress a report 
     on the programs of rehabilitation conducted under chapter 31 
     of title 38, United States Code, including--
       (1) an assessment of the veteran-to-staff ratio for each 
     such program; and
       (2) recommendations for such action as the Secretary 
     considers necessary to reduce the veteran-to-staff ratio for 
     each such program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4044. Mr. DURBIN submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 215, line 5, strike ``2018.'' and insert ``2018: 
     Provided further, That, of the funds made available under 
     this heading, not to exceed $100,000, shall be used to expand 
     procedures related to any online consumer tool offered or 
     supported by the Department of Veterans Affairs that provides 
     information to veterans regarding specific postsecondary 
     educational institutions, such as the GI Bill Comparison Tool 
     or any successor or similar program, to ensure for each such 
     institution an accounting of pending investigations and civil 
     or criminal actions against the institution by Federal 
     agencies and State attorneys general, to the extent such 
     information is publicly available.''.

[[Page S2995]]

  

                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4045. Mr. ROUNDS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end of title II of division B, add the following:

     SEC. 251. ESTABLISHMENT OF GRANT PROGRAM TO IMPROVE 
                   MONITORING OF MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE 
                   TREATMENT PROGRAMS OF DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS.

       (a) Establishment.--Commencing not later than 180 days 
     after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall establish a grant program to improve 
     the monitoring of mental health and substance abuse treatment 
     programs of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (b) Grants.--
       (1) Main grant.--
       (A) Award.--In carrying out subsection (a), the Secretary 
     shall award grants to four protection and advocacy systems 
     under which each protection and advocacy system shall carry 
     out a demonstration project to investigate and monitor the 
     care and treatment of veterans provided under chapter 17 of 
     title 38, United States Code, for mental illness or substance 
     abuse issues at medical facilities of the Department.
       (B) Minimum amount.--Each grant awarded under subparagraph 
     (A) to a protection and advocacy system shall be in an amount 
     that is not less than $105,000 for each year that the 
     protection and advocacy system carries out a demonstration 
     project described in such subparagraph under the grant 
     program.
       (2) Collaboration grant.--
       (A) Award.--During each year in which a protection and 
     advocacy system carries out a demonstration project under 
     paragraph (1)(A), the Secretary shall award a joint grant to 
     a national organization with extensive knowledge of the 
     protection and advocacy system and a veterans service 
     organization in the amount of $80,000.
       (B) Collaboration.--Each national organization and veterans 
     service organization that is awarded a joint grant under 
     subparagraph (A) shall use the amount of the grant to 
     facilitate the collaboration between the national 
     organization and the veterans service organization to--
       (i) coordinate training and technical assistance for the 
     protection and advocacy systems awarded grants under 
     paragraph (1)(A); and
       (ii) provide for data collection, reporting, and analysis 
     in carrying out such paragraph.
       (3) Authority.--In carrying out a demonstration project 
     under paragraph (1)(A), a protection and advocacy system 
     shall have the authorities specified in section 105(a) of the 
     Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental Illness 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 10805(a)) with respect to medical facilities 
     of the Department.
       (c) Selection.--In selecting the four protection and 
     advocacy systems to receive grants under subsection 
     (b)(1)(A), the Secretary shall consider the following 
     criteria:
       (1) Whether the protection and advocacy system has 
     demonstrated monitoring and investigation experience, along 
     with knowledge of the issues facing veterans with 
     disabilities.
       (2) Whether the State in which the protection and advocacy 
     system operates--
       (A) has low aggregated scores in the domains of mental 
     health, performance, and access as rated by the Strategic 
     Analytics Improvement and Learning database system (commonly 
     referred to as ``SAIL''); and
       (B) to the extent practicable, is representative of both 
     urban and rural States.
       (d) Reports.--The Secretary shall ensure that each 
     protection and advocacy system participating in the grant 
     program submits to the Secretary reports developed by the 
     protection and advocacy system relating to investigations or 
     monitoring conducted pursuant to subsection (b)(1)(A). The 
     Secretary shall designate an office of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs to receive each such report.
       (e) Duration; Termination.--
       (1) Duration.--The Secretary shall carry out the grant 
     program established under subsection (a) for a period of five 
     years beginning on the date of commencement of the grant 
     program.
       (2) Termination of demonstration projects.--The Secretary 
     may terminate a demonstration project under subsection 
     (b)(1)(A) before the end of the five-year period described in 
     paragraph (1) if the Secretary determines there is good cause 
     for such termination. If the Secretary carries out such a 
     termination, the Secretary shall award grants under such 
     subsection to a new protection and advocacy system for the 
     remaining duration of the grant program.
       (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out the grant 
     program under subsection (a) $500,000 for each of fiscal 
     years 2017 through 2021.
       (g) Transfer of Funds.--Of the funds made available to the 
     Department of Defense in title I of division B of this Act 
     for the Department of Defense Base Closure Account, $500,000 
     shall be transferred to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to 
     carry out this section in fiscal year 2017.
       (h) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) The term ``protection and advocacy system'' has the 
     meaning given the term ``eligible system'' in section 102(2) 
     of the Protection and Advocacy for Individuals with Mental 
     Illness Act (42 U.S.C. 10802(2)).
       (2) The term ``State'' means each of the several States, 
     territories, and possessions of the United States, the 
     District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
       (3) The term ``veterans service organization'' means any 
     organization recognized by the Secretary for the 
     representation of veterans under section 5902 of title 38, 
     United States Code.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4046. Mr. PETERS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, on page 46, beginning on line 2, strike 
     ``$160,075,000'' and all that follows through line 4, and 
     insert the following: ``$163,075,000, of which $20,000,000 
     shall remain available through September 30, 2018: Provided, 
     That not less than $9,600,000 of the amount provided under 
     this heading shall be expended on vehicle electronics and 
     emerging technology research for autonomous vehicles: 
     Provided further, That the amount appropriated under this 
     title for necessary expenses of the Office of the Secretary 
     shall be reduced by $3,000,000.''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4047. Mr. INHOFE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 15, line 25, strike ``airport'' and insert the 
     following: ``airport: Provided  further, That an amount not 
     to exceed $2,000,000 shall be available for use to revise 
     existing third class medical certification regulations such 
     that a general aviation pilot is authorized to operate an 
     aircraft authorized under Federal law to carry not more than 
     6 occupants and with a maximum certificated takeoff weight of 
     not more than 6,000 pounds if the pilot has held a third 
     class medical certificate issued by the Federal Aviation 
     Administration in the preceding 10 years, has completed an 
     online medical education course in the preceding 2 years, has 
     received a medical examination by a State-licensed physician 
     in the preceding 4 years, and is under the care and treatment 
     of a physician as directed, as provided for in the report of 
     the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the 
     Senate accompanying S. 571, 114th Congress (Senate Report 
     114-198)''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4048. Mr. WARNER submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __. (a) The Secretary of Transportation shall 
     establish a program to evaluate unmanned aircraft system 
     detection and mitigation technologies that--
       (1) may be used by airports to locate and track unmanned 
     aircraft systems and the operators of such systems;
       (2) do not interfere with existing airport operations, 
     navigation, or communications systems;
       (3) cannot be disabled or overridden by the owner or 
     operator of an unmanned aircraft system;
       (4) do not rely on the compliance of the manufacturer, 
     owner, or operator of an unmanned aircraft system.
       (b) The Administrator of the Federal Aviation 
     Administration shall--
       (1) not later than 30 days after the date of the enactment 
     of this Act, submit to Congress a report on the program 
     required by subsection (a);
       (2) establish pilot programs at not more than 3 airports to 
     deploy and test the most promising technology identified in 
     the report required by paragraph (1); and
       (3) not later than 90 days after such date of enactment, 
     submit to Congress a report that includes--
       (A) the results of the pilot programs established under 
     paragraph (2); and
       (B) recommendations for national unmanned aircraft system 
     detection and mitigation protocols at airports in the United 
     States.

[[Page S2996]]

       (c) Of amounts in the Airport and Airway Trust Fund 
     established under section 9502 of the Internal Revenue Code 
     of 1986, not more than $5,000,000 shall be available to carry 
     out the pilot programs required by subsection (b)(2).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4049. Mr. FLAKE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the appropriate place in division A, insert the 
     following:
       Sec. __.  It is the sense of Congress that, during the 
     pending summer travel season, the Transportation Security 
     Administration should use all existing resources and 
     technology to increase the efficiency of security screening 
     at airports while preserving a high level of security, 
     including by--
       (1) redeploying behavior detection officers to staff the 
     travel document checker position and putting the travel 
     document checkers at screening checkpoints to perform 
     screening functions;
       (2) redeploying divest officers to screening checkpoints to 
     perform screening functions and accepting the voluntary 
     assistance of airports or air carriers with queuing and 
     encouraging passengers to properly divest;
       (3) providing Federal security directors the ability to 
     make local decisions about manpower resource allocation 
     without having to consult with Transportation Security 
     Administration headquarters;
       (4) immediately disseminating to airports and Federal 
     security directors the best practices developed during the 
     optimization team visits;
       (5) using passenger screening canines to their greatest 
     benefit in terms of both volume and mitigating excessive 
     screening checkpoint wait times;
       (6) conducting local training of transportation security 
     officers until after the busy summer travel season;
       (7) ensuring predictable and consistent operating hours for 
     the PreCheck program and immediately initiating a marketing 
     blitz highlighting the program and its benefits in 
     coordination with airports;
       (8) reassigning all available administrative and regulatory 
     personnel to support passenger and baggage screening 
     operations;
       (9) moving available part-time screeners to full-time for 
     the summer; and
       (10) adopting an online enrollment process for the PreCheck 
     program.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4050. Mr. RUBIO submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       On page 85, line 6, insert ``Provided further, That the 
     Secretary may provide section 8 rental assistance from 
     amounts made available under this paragraph for units 
     assisted under a project-based subsidy contract funded under 
     the `Project-Based Rental Assistance' heading under this 
     title where the owner has received a Notice of Default and 
     the units pose an imminent health and safety risk to 
     residents: Provided further, That to the extent that the 
     Secretary determines that such units are not feasible for 
     continued rental assistance payments or transfer of the 
     subsidy contract associated with such units to another 
     project or projects and owner or owners, any remaining 
     amounts associated with such units under such contract shall 
     be recaptured and used to reimburse amounts used under this 
     paragraph for rental assistance under the preceding 
     proviso:'' before ``Provided further,''.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4051. Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Bennet) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 4039 submitted by Mr. 
McCain (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Burr) to the amendment SA 
3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. 
Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the 
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:


     authorization of certain major medical facility leases of the 
                     department of veterans affairs

       Sec. 253.  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility 
     leases at the locations specified and in an amount for each 
     lease not to exceed the amount specified for such location 
     (not including any estimated cancellation costs):
       (1) For an outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan, an 
     amount not to exceed $17,093,000.
       (2) For an outpatient mental health clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $6,971,000.
       (3) For an outpatient specialty clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $10,479,000.
       (4) For research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,497,000.
       (5) For research space, Charleston, South Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,581,000.
       (6) For an outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $12,664,000.
       (7) For Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space, 
     Denver, Colorado, an amount not to exceed $17,215,000.
       (8) For an outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $4,686,000.
       (9) For an outpatient clinic, Hampton Roads, Virginia, an 
     amount not to exceed $18,124,000.
       (10) For research space, Mission Bay, California, an amount 
     not to exceed $23,454,000.
       (11) For an outpatient clinic, Missoula, Montana, an amount 
     not to exceed $7,130,000.
       (12) For an outpatient clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, 
     an amount not to exceed $8,776,000.
       (13) For an outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,279,000.
       (14) For an outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,297,000.
       (15) For an outpatient clinic, Pike County, Georgia, an 
     amount not to exceed $5,757,000.
       (16) For an outpatient clinic, Portland, Maine, an amount 
     not to exceed $6,846,000.
       (17) For an outpatient clinic, Raleigh, North Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $21,607,000.
       (18) For an outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,498,000.
       (19) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Corpus Christi, 
     Texas, an amount not to exceed $7,452,000.
       (20) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Jacksonville, 
     Florida, an amount not to exceed $18,136,000.
       (21) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Pontiac, 
     Michigan, an amount not to exceed $4,532,000.
       (22) For a replacement outpatient clinic, phase II, 
     Rochester, New York, an amount not to exceed $6,901,000.
       (23) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Tampa, Florida, 
     an amount not to exceed $10,568,000.
       (24) For a replacement outpatient clinic, Terre Haute, 
     Indiana, an amount not to exceed $4,475,000.
       (b) Emergency Requirement.--The amounts made available 
     under subsection (a) are designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 
     (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4052. Mr. WARNER (for himself and Mr. Bennet) submitted an 
amendment intended to be proposed to amendment SA 4039 submitted by Mr. 
McCain (for himself, Mr. Blumenthal, and Mr. Burr) to the amendment SA 
3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed, and Mr. 
Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the 
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       At the end, add the following:


     authorization of certain major medical facility leases of the 
                     department of veterans affairs

       Sec. 253.  (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs may carry out the following major medical facility 
     leases at the locations specified and in an amount for each 
     lease not to exceed the amount specified for such location 
     (not including any estimated cancellation costs):
       (1) For an outpatient clinic, Ann Arbor, Michigan, an 
     amount not to exceed $17,093,000.
       (2) For an outpatient mental health clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $6,971,000.
       (3) For an outpatient specialty clinic, Birmingham, 
     Alabama, an amount not to exceed $10,479,000.
       (4) For research space, Boston, Massachusetts, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,497,000.
       (5) For research space, Charleston, South Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,581,000.
       (6) For an outpatient clinic, Daytona Beach, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $12,664,000.
       (7) For Chief Business Office Purchased Care office space, 
     Denver, Colorado, an amount not to exceed $17,215,000.
       (8) For an outpatient clinic, Gainesville, Florida, an 
     amount not to exceed $4,686,000.
       (9) For an outpatient clinic, Hampton Roads, Virginia, an 
     amount not to exceed $18,124,000.
       (10) For research space, Mission Bay, California, an amount 
     not to exceed $23,454,000.
       (11) For an outpatient clinic, Missoula, Montana, an amount 
     not to exceed $7,130,000.

[[Page S2997]]

       (12) For an outpatient clinic, Northern Colorado, Colorado, 
     an amount not to exceed $8,776,000.
       (13) For an outpatient clinic, Ocala, Florida, an amount 
     not to exceed $5,279,000.
       (14) For an outpatient clinic, Oxnard, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,297,000.
       (15) For an outpatient clinic, Pike County, Georgia, an 
     amount not to exceed $5,757,000.
       (16) For an outpatient clinic, Portland, Maine, an amount 
     not to exceed $6,846,000.
       (17) For an outpatient clinic, Raleigh, North Carolina, an 
     amount not to exceed $21,607,000.
       (18) For an outpatient clinic, Santa Rosa, California, an 
     amount not to exceed $6,498,000.
       (b) Emergency Requirement.--The amounts made available 
     under subsection (a) are designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A)(i) of 
     the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 
     (2 U.S.C. 901(b)(2)(A)(i)).
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4053. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, beginning on page 61, strike line 10 and all 
     that follows through page 62, line 4.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4054. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, beginning on page 56, strike line 10 and all 
     that follows through page 57, line 12.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4055. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, on page 56, strike lines 6 through 9.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4056. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, beginning on page 51, strike line 14 and all 
     that follows through page 53, line 3.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4057. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, on page 27, strike lines 5 through 12 and 
     insert the following:
       Not to exceed $430,795,000, together with advances and 
     reimbursements received by the Federal Highway 
     Administration, shall be obligated for necessary expenses for 
     administration and operation of the Federal Highway 
     Administration.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4058. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, beginning on page 10, strike line 16 and all 
     that follows through page 11, line 16.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4059. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, on page 28, line 9, strike the period at the 
     end and insert the following: ``: Provided  further, That 
     none of the funds made available under this heading may be 
     used to carry out a project under section 133(h) of title 23, 
     United States Code.''
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4060. Mr. LEE submitted an amendment intended to be proposed to 
amendment SA 3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. 
Reed, and Mr. Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for 
the Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, 
and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and 
for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In division A, beginning on page 4, strike line 10 and all 
     that follows through page 6, line 18.
                                 ______
                                 
  SA 4061. Ms. COLLINS submitted an amendment intended to be proposed 
to amendment SA 3897 proposed by Mr. McConnell (for Mr. Lee (for 
himself, Mr. Vitter, Mr. Cotton, and Mr. Shelby)) to the amendment SA 
3896 proposed by Ms. Collins (for herself, Mr. Kirk, Mr. Reed and Mr. 
Tester) to the bill H.R. 2577, making appropriations for the 
Departments of Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2016, and for 
other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

       In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted, insert the 
     following:
       Sec.__. None of the funds made available by this Act may be 
     used by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to 
     direct a grantee to undertake specific changes to existing 
     zoning laws as part of carrying out the final rule entitled 
     ``Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing'' (80 Fed. Reg. 42272 
     (July 16, 2015)) or the notice entitled ``Affirmatively 
     Furthering Fair Housing Assessment Tool'' (79 Fed. Reg. 57949 
     (September 26, 2014)).

                          ____________________