[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 137 (Monday, September 12, 2016)]
[House]
[Pages H5274-H5277]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  WEST LOS ANGELES LEASING ACT OF 2016

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 5936) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements 
with certain health care providers to furnish health care to veterans, 
to authorize the Secretary to enter into certain leases at the 
Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los Angeles, 
California, to make certain improvements to the enhanced-use lease 
authority of the Department, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5936

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``West Los Angeles Leasing Act 
     of 2016''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO CERTAIN LEASES AT THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WEST LOS ANGELES 
                   CAMPUS.

       (a) In General.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     carry out leases described in subsection (b) at the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in Los 
     Angeles, California (hereinafter in this section referred to 
     as the ``Campus'').
       (b) Leases Described.--Leases described in this subsection 
     are the following:
       (1) Any enhanced-use lease of real property under 
     subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, 
     for purposes of providing supportive housing, as that term is 
     defined in section 8161(3) of such title, that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families.
       (2) Any lease of real property for a term not to exceed 50 
     years to a third party to provide services that principally 
     benefit veterans and their families and that are limited to 
     one or more of the following purposes:
       (A) The promotion of health and wellness, including 
     nutrition and spiritual wellness.
       (B) Education.
       (C) Vocational training, skills building, or other training 
     related to employment.
       (D) Peer activities, socialization, or physical recreation.
       (E) Assistance with legal issues and Federal benefits.
       (F) Volunteerism.
       (G) Family support services, including child care.
       (H) Transportation.
       (I) Services in support of one or more of the purposes 
     specified in subparagraphs (A) through (H).
       (3) A lease of real property for a term not to exceed 10 
     years to The Regents of the University of California, a 
     corporation organized under the laws of the State of 
     California, on behalf of its University of California, Los 
     Angeles (UCLA) campus (hereinafter in this section referred 
     to as ``The Regents''), if--
       (A) the lease is consistent with the master plan described 
     in subsection (g);
       (B) the provision of services to veterans is the 
     predominant focus of the activities of The Regents at the 
     Campus during the term of the lease;

[[Page H5275]]

       (C) The Regents expressly agrees to provide, during the 
     term of the lease and to an extent and in a manner that the 
     Secretary considers appropriate, additional services and 
     support (for which The Regents is not compensated by the 
     Secretary or through an existing medical affiliation 
     agreement) that--
       (i) principally benefit veterans and their families, 
     including veterans that are severely disabled, women, aging, 
     or homeless; and
       (ii) may consist of activities relating to the medical, 
     clinical, therapeutic, dietary, rehabilitative, legal, 
     mental, spiritual, physical, recreational, research, and 
     counseling needs of veterans and their families or any of the 
     purposes specified in any of subparagraphs (A) through (I) of 
     paragraph (2); and
       (D) The Regents maintains records documenting the value of 
     the additional services and support that The Regents provides 
     pursuant to subparagraph (C) for the duration of the lease 
     and makes such records available to the Secretary.
       (c) Limitation on Land-Sharing Agreements.--The Secretary 
     may not carry out any land-sharing agreement pursuant to 
     section 8153 of title 38, United States Code, at the Campus 
     unless such agreement--
       (1) provides additional health-care resources to the 
     Campus; and
       (2) benefits veterans and their families other than from 
     the generation of revenue for the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.
       (d) Revenues From Leases at the Campus.--Any funds received 
     by the Secretary under a lease described in subsection (b) 
     shall be credited to the applicable Department medical 
     facilities account and shall be available, without fiscal 
     year limitation and without further appropriation, 
     exclusively for the renovation and maintenance of the land 
     and facilities at the Campus.
       (e) Easements.--
       (1) In general.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     (other than Federal laws relating to environmental and 
     historic preservation), pursuant to section 8124 of title 38, 
     United States Code, the Secretary may grant easements or 
     rights-of-way on, above, or under lands at the Campus to--
       (A) any local or regional public transportation authority 
     to access, construct, use, operate, maintain, repair, or 
     reconstruct public mass transit facilities, including, fixed 
     guideway facilities and transportation centers; and
       (B) the State of California, County of Los Angeles, City of 
     Los Angeles, or any agency or political subdivision thereof, 
     or any public utility company (including any company 
     providing electricity, gas, water, sewage, or 
     telecommunication services to the public) for the purpose of 
     providing such public utilities.
       (2) Improvements.--Any improvements proposed pursuant to an 
     easement or right-of-way authorized under paragraph (1) shall 
     be subject to such terms and conditions as the Secretary 
     considers appropriate.
       (3) Termination.--Any easement or right-of-way authorized 
     under paragraph (1) shall be terminated upon the abandonment 
     or nonuse of the easement or right-of-way and all right, 
     title, and interest in the land covered by the easement or 
     right-of-way shall revert to the United States.
       (f) Prohibition on Sale of Property.--Notwithstanding 
     section 8164 of title 38, United States Code, the Secretary 
     may not sell or otherwise convey to a third party fee simple 
     title to any real property or improvements to real property 
     made at the Campus.
       (g) Consistency With Master Plan.--The Secretary shall 
     ensure that each lease carried out under this section is 
     consistent with the draft master plan approved by the 
     Secretary on January 28, 2016, or successor master plans.
       (h) Compliance With Certain Laws.--
       (1) Laws relating to leases and land use.--If the Inspector 
     General of the Department of Veterans Affairs determines, as 
     part of an audit report or evaluation conducted by the 
     Inspector General, that the Department is not in compliance 
     with all Federal laws relating to leases and land use at the 
     Campus, or that significant mismanagement has occurred with 
     respect to leases or land use at the Campus, the Secretary 
     may not enter into any lease or land-sharing agreement at the 
     Campus, or renew any such lease or land-sharing agreement 
     that is not in compliance with such laws, until the Secretary 
     certifies to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the 
     Senate and House of Representatives, the Committees on 
     Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
     and each Member of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives who represents the area in which the Campus 
     is located that all recommendations included in the audit 
     report or evaluation have been implemented.
       (2) Compliance of particular leases.--Except as otherwise 
     expressly provided by this section, no lease may be entered 
     into or renewed under this section unless the lease complies 
     with chapter 33 of title 41, United States Code, and all 
     Federal laws relating to environmental and historic 
     preservation.
       (i) Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement 
     Board.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall establish a 
     Veterans and Community Oversight and Engagement Board (in 
     this subsection referred to as the ``Board'') for the Campus 
     to coordinate locally with the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     to--
       (A) identify the goals of the community and veteran 
     partnership;
       (B) provide advice and recommendations to the Secretary to 
     improve services and outcomes for veterans, members of the 
     Armed Forces, and the families of such veterans and members; 
     and
       (C) provide advice and recommendations on the 
     implementation of the draft master plan approved by the 
     Secretary on January 28, 2016, and on the creation and 
     implementation of any successor master plans.
       (2) Members.--The Board shall be comprised of a number of 
     members that the Secretary determines appropriate, of which 
     not less than 50 percent shall be veterans. The nonveteran 
     members shall be family members of veterans, veteran 
     advocates, service providers, real estate professionals 
     familiar with housing development projects, or stakeholders.
       (3) Community input.-- In carrying out paragraph (1), the 
     Board shall--
       (A) provide the community opportunities to collaborate and 
     communicate with the Board, including by conducting public 
     forums on the Campus; and
       (B) focus on local issues regarding the Department that are 
     identified by the community, including with respect to health 
     care, implementation of the draft master plan and any 
     subsequent plans, benefits, and memorial services at the 
     Campus.
       (j) Notification and Reports.--
       (1) Congressional notification.--With respect to each lease 
     or land-sharing agreement intended to be entered into or 
     renewed at the Campus, the Secretary shall notify the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives, the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     Senate and House of Representatives, and each Member of the 
     Senate and the House of Representatives who represents the 
     area in which the Campus is located of the intent of the 
     Secretary to enter into or renew the lease or land-sharing 
     agreement not later than 45 days before entering into or 
     renewing the lease or land-sharing agreement.
       (2) Annual report.--Not later than one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act, and not less frequently than 
     annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the 
     Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives, the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     Senate and House of Representatives, and each Member of the 
     Senate and the House of Representatives who represents the 
     area in which the Campus is located an annual report 
     evaluating all leases and land-sharing agreements carried out 
     at the Campus, including--
       (A) an evaluation of the management of the revenue 
     generated by the leases; and
       (B) the records described in subsection (b)(3)(D).
       (3) Inspector general report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than each of two years and five 
     years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and as 
     determined necessary by the Inspector General of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs thereafter, the Inspector 
     General shall submit to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs 
     of the Senate and House of Representatives and the Committees 
     on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives, 
     and each Member of the Senate and the House of 
     Representatives who represents the area in which the Campus 
     is located a report on all leases carried out at the Campus 
     and the management by the Department of the use of land at 
     the Campus, including an assessment of the efforts of the 
     Department to implement the master plan described in 
     subsection (g) with respect to the Campus.
       (B) Consideration of annual report.--In preparing each 
     report required by subparagraph (A), the Inspector General 
     shall take into account the most recent report submitted to 
     Congress by the Secretary under paragraph (2).
       (k) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
     construed as a limitation on the authority of the Secretary 
     to enter into other agreements regarding the Campus that are 
     authorized by law and not inconsistent with this section.
       (l) Principally Benefit Veterans and Their Families 
     Defined.--In this section the term ``principally benefit 
     veterans and their families'', with respect to services 
     provided by a person or entity under a lease of property or 
     land-sharing agreement--
       (1) means services--
       (A) provided exclusively to veterans and their families; or
       (B) that are designed for the particular needs of veterans 
     and their families, as opposed to the general public, and any 
     benefit of those services to the general public is distinct 
     from the intended benefit to veterans and their families; and
       (2) excludes services in which the only benefit to veterans 
     and their families is the generation of revenue for the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs.
       (m) Conforming Amendments.--
       (1) Prohibition on disposal of property.--Section 224(a) of 
     the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-161; 121 
     Stat. 2272) is amended by striking ``The Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs'' and inserting ``Except as authorized under 
     the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 2016, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs''.
       (2) Enhanced-use leases.--Section 8162(c) of title 38, 
     United States Code, is amended by inserting ``, other than an 
     enhanced-use

[[Page H5276]]

     lease under the Los Angeles Homeless Veterans Leasing Act of 
     2016,'' before ``shall be considered''.

     SEC. 3. IMPROVEMENTS TO ENHANCED-USE LEASE AUTHORITY OF 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Prohibition on Waiver of Obligation of Lessee.--
     Paragraph (3) of section 8162(b) of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the following new subparagraph:
       ``(D) The Secretary may not waive or postpone the 
     obligation of a lessee to pay any consideration under an 
     enhanced-use lease, including monthly rent.''.
       (b) Clarification of Liability of Federal Government to 
     Third Parties.--Section 8162 of such title is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(d)(1) Nothing in this subchapter authorizes the 
     Secretary to enter into an enhanced-use lease that provides 
     for, is contingent upon, or otherwise authorizes the Federal 
     Government to guarantee a loan made by a third party to a 
     lessee for purposes of the enhanced-use lease.
       ``(2) Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to 
     abrogate or constitute a waiver of the sovereign immunity of 
     the United States with respect to any loan, financing, or 
     other financial agreement entered into by the lessee and a 
     third party relating to an enhanced-use lease.''.
       (c) Transparency.--
       (1) Notice.--Section 8163(c)(1) of such title is amended--
       (A) by inserting ``, the Committees on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate, and the 
     Committees on the Budget of the House of Representatives and 
     the Senate'' after ``congressional veterans' affairs 
     committees'';
       (B) by striking ``and shall publish'' and inserting ``, 
     shall publish'';
       (C) by inserting before the period at the end the 
     following: ``, and shall submit to the congressional 
     veterans' affairs committees a copy of the proposed lease''; 
     and
       (D) by adding at the end the following new sentence: ``With 
     respect to a major enhanced-use lease, upon the request of 
     the congressional veterans' affairs committees, not later 
     than 30 days after the date of such notice, the Secretary 
     shall testify before the committees on the major enhanced-use 
     lease, including with respect to the status of the lease, the 
     cost, and the plans to carry out the activities under the 
     lease. The Secretary may not delegate such testifying below 
     the level of the head of the Office of Asset Enterprise 
     Management of the Department or any successor to such 
     office.''.
       (2) Annual reports.--Section 8168 of such title is 
     amended--
       (A) by striking ``to Congress'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``to the congressional veterans' affairs 
     committees, the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, and the Committees on the 
     Budget of the House of Representatives and the Senate'';
       (B) in subsection (a)--
       (i) by striking ``Not later'' and inserting ``(1) Not 
     later'';
       (ii) by striking ``a report'' and all that follows through 
     the period at the end and inserting ``a report on enhanced-
     use leases.''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Each report under paragraph (1) shall include the 
     following:
       ``(A) Identification of the actions taken by the Secretary 
     to implement and administer enhanced-use leases.
       ``(B) For the most recent fiscal year covered by the 
     report, the amounts deposited into the Medical Care 
     Collection Fund account that were derived from enhanced-use 
     leases.
       ``(C) Identification of the actions taken by the Secretary 
     using the amounts described in subparagraph (B).
       ``(D) Documents of the Department supporting the contents 
     of the report described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).''; 
     and
       (C) in subsection (b)--
       (i) by striking ``Each year'' and inserting ``(1) Each 
     year'';
       (ii) by striking ``this subchapter,'' and all that follows 
     through the period at the end and inserting ``this 
     subchapter.''; and
       (iii) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(2) Each report under paragraph (1) shall include the 
     following with respect to each enhanced-use lease covered by 
     the report:
       ``(A) An overview of how the Secretary is using 
     consideration received by the Secretary under the lease to 
     support veterans.
       ``(B) The amount of consideration received by the Secretary 
     under the lease.
       ``(C) The amount of any revenues collected by the Secretary 
     relating to the lease not covered by subparagraph (B), 
     including a description of any in-kind assistance or services 
     provided by the lessee to the Secretary or to veterans under 
     an agreement entered into by the Secretary pursuant to any 
     provision of law.
       ``(D) The costs to the Secretary of carrying out the lease.
       ``(E) Documents of the Department supporting the contents 
     of the report described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).''.
       (d) Additional Definitions.--Section 8161 of such title is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(4) The term `lessee' means the party with whom the 
     Secretary has entered into an enhanced-use lease under this 
     subchapter.
       ``(5) The term `major enhanced-use lease' means an 
     enhanced-use lease that includes consideration consisting of 
     an average annual rent of more than $10,000,000.''.
       (e) Comptroller General Audit.--
       (1) Report.--Not later than 270 days after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees a report containing an audit of the enhanced-use 
     lease program of the Department of Veterans Affairs under 
     subchapter V of chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code.
       (2) Matters included.--The report under paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (A) The financial impact of the enhanced-use lease 
     authority on the Department of Veterans Affairs and whether 
     the revenue realized from such authority and other financial 
     benefits would have been realized without such authority.
       (B) The use by the Secretary of such authority and whether 
     the arrangements made under such authority would have been 
     made without such authority.
       (C) An identification of the controls that are in place to 
     ensure accountability and transparency and to protect the 
     Federal Government.
       (D) An overall assessment of the activities of the 
     Secretary under such authority to ensure procurement cost 
     avoidance, negotiated cost avoidance, in-contract cost 
     avoidance, and rate reductions.
       (3) Appropriate congressional committees defined.--In this 
     subsection, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate;
       (B) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate; and
       (C) the Committees on the Budget of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Miller) and the gentleman from California (Mr. Takano) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.


                             General Leave

  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members may have 5 legislative days within which to revise and extend 
their remarks and provide any extraneous material.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Florida?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5936, as amended, the 
West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016.
  I would like to express my appreciation to Dr. Price for his tireless 
efforts in working with our committee on scoring that was associated 
with this particular piece of legislation. Without his cooperation, we 
would not be poised to pass this bill today.
  This bill would authorize VA to carry out certain leases on the VA 
Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System West L.A. Medical Center Campus 
in Los Angeles, California, in accordance with the draft master plan.
  Leases that would be considered allowable under this language 
include: an enhanced-use lease for the purpose of providing supportive 
housing, any lease lasting less than 50 years to a third party to 
provide services that benefit veterans and their families, or a lease 
lasting less than 10 years to the University of California if the lease 
is consistent with the master plan and the University's activities are 
principally focused on providing services to veterans.
  Any land-sharing agreements that fail to provide additional 
healthcare resources or to benefit veterans and their families in ways 
other than generating additional revenue would be prohibited, and any 
funds received from leases credited to the West L.A. VA Medical 
facility would be required to be used exclusively for renovation and 
maintenance.
  The bill also includes numerous reporting requirements to ensure that 
the VA is fully transparent with Congress and the American people 
regarding the management use and operations of the campus.
  I was honored to visit West L.A. and their medical center campus 
earlier this year and witness firsthand the enormous promise it holds 
for our veterans, especially our homeless veterans.
  This historic site has suffered from many years of neglect, misuse, 
and mismanagement; but, with passage of H.R. 5936, as amended, today, I 
am confident that it will finally be on the path to preservation, 
revitalization,

[[Page H5277]]

and the fulfillment of its mission to serve and to provide for veterans 
in need throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.
  I am grateful to my friend and colleague, Congressman Ted Lieu, from 
California, for joining me in sponsoring this legislation, and I urge 
all of my colleagues to join us in supporting this piece of 
legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise in support of H.R. 5936. This legislation would provide a 
model for how VA campuses can provide services to homeless veterans and 
those at risk of homelessness.
  It would authorize VA to carry out certain leases on the VA Greater 
Los Angeles Healthcare System West L.A. Medical Center Campus, and 
would prohibit VA from entering into any land-sharing agreements unless 
the agreements provide additional healthcare resources and also benefit 
veterans and their families in ways other than generating additional 
revenue.
  Mr. Speaker, there is a long history here with the West L.A. Campus. 
Without going into too much detail, this provision would ensure that 
the VA West L.A. Campus is used for the betterment of veterans, the 
original intent of the legacy when the land was donated decades ago. It 
is an important step forward for the veterans community in southern 
California.
  I would like to thank the chairman for introducing this bill and 
Representative Ted Lieu of California for his hard work.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I have no other speakers at this 
time, so we are prepared to close.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I strongly support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to vote 
``yes'' on H.R. 5936, as amended. And I want to express, again, my deep 
appreciation in working with the majority to get this bill done. It is 
really important to those of us in southern California, and I cannot 
overstate how much this means to the veterans community in California.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. MILLER of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support 
this piece of legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today, the House will consider 
H.R. 5936, the Veterans Care Agreement and West Los Angeles Leasing Act 
of 2016. H.R. 5936 authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
to lease underused Federal property at the Department's medical campus 
in Los Angeles to developers who would construct supportive housing and 
rehabilitation facilities for homeless veterans.
  Congressional Budget Office [CBO] estimates of the budgetary effects 
of VA's enhanced-use leases have evolved over time. Dating back to the 
first VA enhanced-use lease in 1999, CBO believed that VA enhanced-use 
leasing arrangements were a quid pro quo exchange of equal value which 
would not have any scoring implications. As CBO continued to gather 
more information on these leases, in addition to monitoring and 
evaluating VA's behavior regarding these lease agreements, it changed 
its scoring practices and today scores enhanced-use leases with an 
upfront, direct spending cost. The evolution of CBO's VA enhanced-use 
lease scoring came about from agreements and contracts that assured 
non-Federal lessees would be able to recover their capital costs 
invested in leased facilities through guaranteed payments from the 
Federal Government.
  CBO estimates that enacting H.R. 5936 would provide borrowing 
authority of $44 million over fiscal years 2017 through 2026, which 
would result in new direct spending. Notwithstanding CBO's conclusion, 
the House Committee on the Budget believes new mandatory spending will 
not be provided by H.R. 5936 as amended. The Committee, working closely 
with the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, has included section 4 
in H.R. 5936 that would do the following: (1) ensure the Department of 
Veterans Affairs and third-party enhanced-use leasing agreements do not 
include either an explicit or implicit Federal Government loan 
guarantee; (2) prevent the Federal government from abrogating its 
sovereign immunity with respect to any loan, or other financial 
agreement; and, (3) require greater transparency, accountability, and 
congressional oversight of VA's enhanced-use lease program. If the 
Department of Veterans Affairs fails to faithfully execute the 
requirements in H.R. 5936, the House Committee on the Budget will 
revisit this issue in the context of future requests for enhanced-use 
leasing authority.
  With these fiscal protections in place, I support H.R. 5936, the 
Veterans Care Agreement and West Los Angeles Leasing Act of 2016, which 
ensures America's homeless veterans are provided quality access to care 
and services, and brings our Nation one step closer to ending veteran 
homelessness.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Miller) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 5936, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  The title of the bill was amended so as to read: ``A bill to 
authorize the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into certain 
leases at the Department of Veterans Affairs West Los Angeles Campus in 
Los Angeles, California, to make certain improvements to the enhanced-
use lease authority of the Department, and for other purposes.''.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________