[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 94 (Thursday, June 7, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H4884-H4938]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 
                                  2019

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Simpson). Pursuant to House Resolution 
918 and rule XVIII, the Chair declares the House in the Committee of 
the Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the 
bill, H.R. 5895.
  The Chair appoints the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Mitchell) to 
preside over the Committee of the Whole.

                              {time}  1522


                     In the Committee of the Whole

  Accordingly, the House resolved itself into the Committee of the 
Whole House on the state of the Union for the consideration of the bill 
(H.R. 5895) making appropriations for energy and water development and 
related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for 
other purposes, with Mr. Mitchell in the chair.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The CHAIR. Pursuant to the rule, the bill is considered read the 
first time. General debate shall be confined to the bill and shall not 
exceed 1 hour equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking 
minority member of the Committee on Appropriations.
  The gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Frelinghuysen) and the gentlewoman 
from New York (Mrs. Lowey) each will control 30 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New Jersey.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 5895, the first set of the fiscal 
year 2019 appropriations bills: Energy and Water, the Legislative 
Branch, and the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.
  I am pleased that the House is considering three appropriations bills 
this afternoon. These bills provide funding to rebuild our military 
infrastructure, support military families, improve nuclear security, 
support our Nation's energy and water infrastructure, and assure the 
smooth and safe operations of the legislative branch.
  To highlight a few of these important investments:
  The Energy and Water bill, under Chairman Simpson's direction, funds 
our national security and supports the energy and water infrastructure 
that keeps our economy moving and America open for business.
  In total, his bill provides $44.7 billion in discretionary funding. 
To support a strong nuclear national security strategy, particularly at 
this time of rapidly shifting global dynamics, his bill provides 
targeted increases that will maintain an effective nuclear arsenal, 
preserve our Nation's nuclear-powered fleet, and keep nuclear weapons 
out of the hands of those who would misuse them.
  Beyond these critical responsibilities, the bill also directs $7.28 
billion to the Army Corps of Engineers for projects and activities that 
will improve America's ports and waterways and promote public health 
and safety.
  The bill also further supports economic growth by investing in the 
Department of Energy's programs to advance the goal of an all-of-the-
above solution to energy independence. This includes funding to 
continue congressional efforts for the safe, secure storage of nuclear 
waste at Yucca Mountain.
  Next, the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill under Chairman 
Yoder's lead provides $3.8 billion in funding for the operation of 
Congress and its support agencies, excluding Senate-only items. It may 
be the smallest of the 12 appropriations bills, but it is very 
important to the operation of our great democracy.
  This total represents a small increase above current enacted levels. 
These increases are directed to critical programs that make our Capitol 
complex more secure and more efficient. This includes supporting our 
wonderful and dedicated Capitol Police force, which keeps the complex 
safe for Members and visitors.
  Lastly, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations 
bill, led initially by former Chairman Dent and now by Chairman Judge 
Carter, provides a total of $96.9 billion in discretionary funding at a 
crucial time for our Armed Forces and the VA. This includes $11.3 
billion for military construction projects, a 3.8 percent increase 
above fiscal year 2018 levels, recognizing the need to rebuild our 
military infrastructure. This funding will enable our troops to fight 
current and emerging threats around the globe, as well as provide them 
with peace of mind and care for their families.

  This bill also includes $85.3 billion for the Department of Veterans 
Affairs, the largest total amount for the VA in its history. These 
additional funds will be directed to critical priorities within the 
Veterans Administration: improved access to healthcare; quicker claims 
processing; and support for crucial health programs like suicide 
prevention, mental health, and opioid abuse prevention. This also 
includes $1.2 billion for the new VA Electronic Health Record system to 
accelerate the progress on this long-awaited project.
  Accompanying these funding increases are strong oversight provisions 
that will increase accountability at both the Pentagon and the Veterans 
Administration and ensure that precious tax dollars go where they are 
most needed.
  I want to thank the chairs and ranking members and all the staff who 
worked on these bills that all Members should be proud to support.
  These bills received bipartisan support in committee because they 
focus on universal priorities: national security, care for our veterans 
and military families, and essential infrastructure.
  I am extremely disappointed to read and hear the minority has 
directed its Members to oppose this appropriations package, despite the 
fact that all of these bills were constructed as they always have been: 
in a bipartisan manner. If there is no minority support for this 
package, those Members will be turning their backs on this House's 
historic support for our veterans and their families and for 
modernizing our military installations around the world, which include 
medical facilities, new barracks and mess halls, playgrounds, schools, 
and family housing.
  I want to thank Chairman Simpson, Chairman Yoder, former Chairman

[[Page H4885]]

Dent and now Chairman Judge Carter for their leadership on these bills; 
and also Ranking Member Kaptur, Ms. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Mr. 
Tim Ryan from Ohio for their work on these bills.
  I would also like to thank the hardworking staff who helped to bring 
the bills to the floor: Jenny Panone and Tim Monahan from the 
Legislative Branch Subcommittee; Sue Quantius, Sarah Young, Kiya 
Batmanglidj, and Tracey Russell from the Military Construction and 
Veterans Affairs Subcommittee; Angie Giancarlo, Loraine Heckenberg, 
Perry Yates, and Amy Murphy from the Energy and Water Subcommittee; 
along with the front office staff and my personal staff.
  I urge my colleagues to support these responsible appropriations 
bills and vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5895.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.

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                              {time}  1530

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the three-bill 
package that Republicans are bringing to the floor today.
  Instead of following regular order and debating and amending the 
Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and 
Veterans Affairs bills separately, Republican leadership is forcing us 
to consider them together.
  This broken process has a simple aim. Republicans are using America's 
veterans as pawns to force through cuts to clean energy research and 
harmful policy provisions that weaken environmental standards.
  We all recognize the tremendous debt of gratitude we owe to those who 
have sacrificed for us in our Armed Forces, as well as their family 
members who share in their service to our country. That is why it is so 
important that Congress ensure our veterans receive the honors, 
benefits, and assistance they have earned.
  While I support many of the increases within the Military 
Construction and Veterans Affairs bill, Republicans have created a 
dilemma by transitioning the VA Choice program from mandatory to 
discretionary funding in the middle of fiscal year 2019.
  I want to make it clear: This is a serious decision. It should have 
been adequately debated.
  Even worse, Republicans have blocked consideration of my amendment to 
solve this problem. That will mean a further squeeze, and perhaps even 
cuts, to programs that benefit the middle class.
  The Bipartisan Budget Act provided an $18 billion increase for both 
defense and nondefense discretionary spending between fiscal years 2018 
and 2019.
  Instead of using those resources to create jobs and grow our economy, 
Republicans have chosen to devote $4.8 billion, more than a quarter of 
that increase, to the Department of Homeland Security, presumably for 
President Trump's border wall and the deportation force.
  Not only is such spending a betrayal of our American values, it is a 
waste of resources that crowds out investments that keep our families 
and communities safe, strong, and moving forward.
  Frankly, it is just part of a pattern in which Republicans are 
underfunding bills that will come later in the appropriations process.
  For example, Republicans have not provided a single penny in 
additional resources to the Labor, Health and Human Services, 
Education, and Related Agencies appropriations bill. What does that 
mean? This means that they threaten to starve our schools, hurt job 
training and workplace rights protection, jeopardize Pell grants, and 
limit access to affordable healthcare, among many other ill effects.
  We can and must do better than spending levels that prioritize 
President Trump's border wall and attacks on immigrant communities over 
the urgent needs of American children, families, and seniors.
  Now, with regard to the Energy and Water bill specifically, we are 
confronted with a partisan bill that contains cuts to many important 
priorities for the American people.
  With gas prices approaching $3 a gallon, the bill cuts energy 
efficiency and renewable energy initiatives. It cuts transformational 
science efforts, such as the successful and popular ARPA-E program.
  And just as bad, it contains many harmful riders, including rolling 
back clean water protections, blocking the National Ocean Policy, 
further endangering salmon on the Columbia River, and weakening gun 
safety rules on public lands.
  These provisions and the cuts to important priorities that drive 
innovation and safeguard our national security make it impossible for 
Democrats to support this bill.
  We can and must do better. I urge my colleagues to vote ``no,'' 
oppose the Republican raw deal that cuts critical priorities, includes 
harmful poison-pill riders, and sets Congress on a path to future bills 
that will cause serious pain for American children, families, and 
seniors.
  Before I reserve the balance of my time, I would like to thank our 
chair, with whom I have always worked cooperatively, and your staff and 
my staff and all those who spend many, many hours making sure we can 
work together. However, I do hope, at the end of the process, we can 
put together a more responsible bipartisan bill.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), the chairman of the Energy and Water 
Subcommittee on Appropriations.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding the 
time.
  Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to present to the House the fiscal year 
2019 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act.
  Before I review the details of the bill, I would like to thank 
Chairman Frelinghuysen for his leadership and unwavering commitment to 
the appropriations process. Our committee is back on track to bring 12 
bills through the committee markup and before the full House for the 
second year in a row.
  I would also like to thank Ranking Members Lowey and  Kaptur. As 
always, their thoughtful approach to the issues have made this a better 
bill, even though I was disappointed that the gentlewoman from New 
York, who is my friend, said she didn't like the Energy and Water bill 
just now.
  The Energy and Water bill totals $44.7 billion, which is $1.5 billion 
more than last year's level and $8.2 billion above the budget request.
  Increases over last year were targeted to those areas where they are 
needed most: to provide for our Nation's defense and to support our 
Nation's infrastructure.
  The bill provides a total of $15.3 billion for the Department of 
Energy's nuclear weapons security programs, including Weapons 
Activities, Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, and Naval Reactors, a 
$644 million increase above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level and $222 
million above the President's budget request
  It aligns with the administration's Nuclear Posture Review and calls 
for continuing to maintain a strong nuclear deterrent to meet the 
challenges of a changing security environment, revitalizing our nuclear 
complex, and supporting effective arms control and nonproliferation 
efforts.
  Additionally, the bill provides for funding increases across the 
Department of Energy to defend against cyber attacks and within the 
administration's new Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency 
Response Office to strengthen energy-sector cybersecurity preparedness, 
response, and recovery.
  The bill includes strong funding for the Army Corps of Engineers--
$451 million more than last year and $2.5 billion more than the budget 
request. This is to address our Nation's critical infrastructure needs.
  Harbor maintenance activities are funded at $1.6 billion, which is 
$200 million more than the fiscal year 2018 appropriation. The level 
exceeds the WRDA annual target by $160 million and represents--and I am 
proud of this--95 percent of the estimated revenue.
  Basic science research and applied energy research and development 
programs at the Department of Energy, including Nuclear Energy, Fossil 
Energy, the Office of Science, Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, 
and ARPA-E, are strongly supported in this bill. Taken together, these 
programs advance the all-of-the-above energy strategy that will support 
a strong national economy well into the future.
  Finally, the bill sends a clear message that it is time to address 
the long-term storage of spent nuclear fuel and finish the Yucca 
Mountain license application, with $220 million going to the Department 
of Energy and $47.7 million to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. We 
simply cannot wait any longer to finish the license application process 
and proceed to construction and operation of the permanent repository.
  This is a strong bill that incorporates priorities and interests of 
all Members of the House. In fact, this bill addresses, in full or in 
part, 94 percent of the more than 3,000 separate requests that we 
received from Members. I urge my colleagues to support this.
  Before I end, I would like to say and emphasize what the chairman 
said. These bills would not be possible without the strong work and the 
competent

[[Page H4900]]

work of the staff of the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee, 
both minority and majority, and also from our personal offices. They do 
a great job trying to address the concerns of individual Members and 
the requests of individual Members. We wouldn't be able to do this 
without the strong work they do, and I thank them for that.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Energy and 
Water Development and Related Agencies.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I wish to thank the ranking member from New 
York, Nita Lowey, for yielding me this time and for the wonderful work 
she has done on 12 bills, and this is but the first.
  I also want to thank the chair of the full committee, Congressman 
Frelinghuysen, whose service has been so meritorious. We miss his 
service on the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies 
Committee directly, but he has moved up to greater things.
  I also thank Chairman Simpson and the members of our fine 
subcommittee and our staff on our side of the aisle, Jaime Shimek and 
T.J. Loudermilk, and on the majority side, Angie Giancarlo, for their 
hard work on this bill under rushed circumstances.
  I value the hard work that all of you have put into this bill and the 
dispatch with which Chair Simpson has moved through the process, 
including with great cordiality.
  Our bill contributes to ensuring the critical availability of energy 
and waterway improvements for domestic stability and national security, 
not just for today but for the tomorrows to come.
  Energy is the power that flows and drives our economy and courses 
through our Nation. Sometimes people even forget it is there binding 
our country together at the community level, connecting our Nation from 
coast to coast, and ensuring our superior defense posture globally.
  Our Nation has made enormous strides in increasing our energy 
independence by developing a broad portfolio of power sources, with no 
bill more important than this one in reaching the strategic goal of 
energy independence for America's independence.
  But it is not yet time to declare mission accomplished. Today, the 
price of oil is on the rise again, standing 50 percent higher than it 
was 1 year ago, due at least in part to unrest across our globe.
  It is no secret that every time in recent history--and I am talking 
40, 50 years--that fuel prices exceed $4 per gallon our Nation sinks 
into deep recession. Actually, energy can become a tourniquet that 
throttles economic growth, and rising fuel prices means our Nation 
could be headed there again.
  So we must not lose sight of the ultimate goal of energy independence 
for American independence. Largely, thanks to the bipartisan budget 
agreement, the chairman has been able to provide increased funding 
levels to that end across much of our bill.
  Turning to the water and waterway elements in our bill, all essential 
to human life, our bill significantly increases funding for the Army 
Corps of Engineers to ensure continued forward progress in all regions 
of our country across all project areas, including navigation and 
environmental restoration. All projects are job creators and benefit 
future economic growth and environmental improvement.
  I am grateful for the chairman's continued partnership to address the 
Asian carp threat to our freshwater Great Lakes ecosystem, as well as 
for funding to keep our Great Lakes ports open to shippers, which drive 
economic investment in the Great Lakes region.
  And, unfortunately, while the chair has been generous in the funding 
of most programs, the bill cuts over $400 million in funding from this 
year's levels for next year for some of the highest priorities to those 
of us on this side of the aisle.
  Let me enumerate them: energy efficiency and renewable energy, where 
America is making great strides and nations like China seek to blunt 
our lead; transformational science driven by the highest level of 
research in our country, the advanced research and energy we call ARPA-
E; and, finally, in the third important area of nuclear 
nonproliferation.
  Those accounts should not be cut. They all exist within the 
Department of Energy budget.

                              {time}  1545

  These programs invest in new horizons to move our country and economy 
forward through innovation, creating jobs along the way. Think about 
this: Nearly 3.2 million Americans now work in clean energy industries 
alone. Those are jobs that didn't exist 35 years ago. Energy means 
jobs, and new energy systems means economic growth.
  I remain troubled by the continued unsustainable spending in the 
Department of Energy's weapons program. Instead of working to rein in 
costs, just over a month ago, the administration submitted a budget 
amendment to begin work on a new, low-yield ballistic missile, as 
proposed in the Nuclear Posture Review. I remain unconvinced this new 
capability will actually improve our nuclear deterrent.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentlewoman has expired.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentlewoman from Ohio.
  Ms. KAPTUR. We owe it to the American people to have a full 
discussion and debate before wandering down a path to new varieties of 
nuclear weapons, including security, cost, and schedule.
  The bill, again, includes several unnecessary and controversial 
policy riders, everything related to the Waters of the United States to 
new language legislating an ongoing court case in the northwest. I ask 
my colleagues to vote no when I offer an amendment to eliminate all of 
them.
  One of our biggest concerns is the damage this bill does to other 
bills. It is like musical chairs: if we succeed with our bill, then the 
11 bills that follow may not have sufficient funding.
  Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for leading us to this point. We 
are very proud to be the first bill on the floor this year, 2018, in 
the appropriations process.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to 
the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Carter), the new chairman of the Military 
Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies on Appropriations, 
and I also thank him for his leadership and work on the Homeland 
Security Subcommittee as well.
  Mr. CARTER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to be here as the 
newly appointed chairman of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs 
and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
  I arrived post-midstream and I have a lot to learn. But I have served 
on this subcommittee before and I have got a great base to start with. 
Charlie Dent and Debbie Wasserman Schultz developed such a good bill 
that it was approved by a 47-0 vote in the full committee.
  The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs bill provides 
generously for our servicemembers, our veterans, their families, and 
our monuments and cemeteries. Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member 
Lowey have provided strong support for this bill. I appreciate their 
leadership, as well as the participation of all of the members of the 
subcommittee, and I especially want to thank my ranking member, Ms. 
Wasserman Schultz.
  The bill contains $96.9 billion in budget authority, an increase of 
$4.2 billion over last year's level. The funding recommendation 
includes:
  $11.3 billion for military construction, which is a $412 million, or 
3.8 percent, increase over the fiscal year 2018 level. The bill 
includes $10.3 billion in base funding and $921 million in overseas 
contingency operations funding. The level is $131 million below the 
request.
  $85.3 billion for the Department of Veterans Affairs, which is an 
increase of nearly $4 billion, or 4.8 percent over the FY18 level, and 
the same as the budget request. Of the $85.3 billion provided for VA, 
$71.2 billion is for medical care for 7 million veterans. We make 
important investments in many VA programs, including: mental health 
treatment and suicide prevention; development of the VA electronic 
health record; prevention of opioid abuse; and disability claims 
processing.
  And $2 billion is provided as the second year of the budget deal 
commitment for infrastructure funding for VA facilities.

[[Page H4901]]

  This bill supports our troops with the facilities necessary to 
maintain readiness and morale at bases here in the United States and 
around the world.
  In addition, the bill funds our veterans healthcare and benefits 
systems to ensure that our promise to care for those who have 
sacrificed in defense of our Nation is met as those men and women 
return home.
  This is a strong bill, and I urge everyone to support it.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 5 minutes to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan), the ranking member of the Legislative 
Branch Subcommittee.
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from New York 
for yielding, and I thank her for her leadership on the Appropriations 
Committee.
  I also thank my partner on the Legislative Branch Subcommittee on 
Appropriations, Mr. Yoder, who was chairman of the Legislative Branch 
Subcommittee on Appropriations until recently. He carried out his 
responsibilities as chairman in an inclusive and thoughtful manner. Not 
only did we hold a budget hearing with almost every agency funded under 
the bill, but we ended our markup with a bipartisan measure that gives 
most of the agencies in the legislative branch their full budget 
request.
  Chairman Frelinghuysen is now wielding the gavel for both the full 
Appropriations Committee and the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. I am 
grateful for the courtesy he has shown me as full committee chair, and 
in his short tenure so far as my subcommittee chair. I know he will 
continue to work with me as the ranking minority member in the same 
sort of respectful bipartisan manner as Mr. Yoder did.

  And, of course, I would like to thank the staff on both sides of the 
aisle: subcommittee clerk Jenny Panone, Tim Monahan, Adam Berg; and, 
from my office, Anne Sokolov and Ryan Keating.
  As Mr. Frelinghuysen noted, the Legislative Branch division of this 
bill provides $3.81 billion, excluding Senate items.
  With $456.4 million for the Capitol Police and $18.8 million for the 
House Sergeant at Arms, we are looking after the security needs of the 
Members, staff, and visitors both here in Washington and at our 
district offices back home.
  The bill's $5.4 million for the Office of Compliance and $147.6 
million for the House chief administrative officer will support our 
response to the sexual harassment that has been pervasive since longer 
than any of us have been Members of Congress, but has only recently 
become a national scandal.
  The $642 million for the Architect of the Capitol will help continue 
to reduce our backlog of deferred maintenance.
  The $578.9 million for the Government Accountability Office will 
bring the Federal Government's premier auditor and watchdog back up to 
the staffing level it needs to root out waste, fraud, and abuse.
  Those are just some of the worthwhile issues to which we are putting 
taxpayer dollars in the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill.
  Unfortunately, I have to oppose this bill. It isn't because the 
funding for legislative branch agencies or energy and water or military 
construction and veterans affairs is inadequate. On the contrary. It is 
because the majority has taken the sequestration relief that Democrats 
fought for, and used it all for Republican priorities in fiscal year 
2019, instead of putting it toward programs that help working people 
support their families and grow the middle class. That was not what we 
agreed upon.
  A number of the appropriations bills this year won't see an increase 
at all, even though there are billions more dollars available for 
domestic spending.
  The Republican plan says the Labor, Health, Human Services, and 
Education bill that funds the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration and the National Institutes of Health are not 
priorities, even in the face of the opioid crisis that we see in Ohio.
  We are saying it isn't a priority to fund the wage and hour division 
of the Department of Labor, which enforces Federal minimum wage, 
overtime pay, and recordkeeping laws to prevent wage theft.
  We are saying we don't care about the Bureau of International Labor 
Affairs, whose mission it is to promote a fair global playing field for 
workers in the U.S. and around the world by enforcing trade 
commitments, strengthening labor standards, and more.
  We are saying we don't care about job training and apprenticeship 
programs.
  But we somehow have billions of dollars for a wasteful, unnecessary, 
ineffective border wall?
  Shifting domestic spending away from programs that help the middle 
class isn't the only way in which the majority is effectively violating 
the bipartisan budget caps deal we agreed to in February.
  The majority is also counting over $1 billion for bipartisan veterans 
programs against the domestic spending caps, even though those dollars 
were previously outside the caps. They changed the rules to move it 
under the caps, and you have to spend less somewhere else. It is just 
another way of squeezing out funding for Democratic priorities.
  And, as we saw earlier today, they are rescinding money that we were 
relying on to write 2019 spending bills that made adequate investments 
in our country under the budget cap levels. Both sides understood we 
would use rescinded money to cover investments in health and education, 
for example, and now the Republicans are taking that away. Again, 
changing the rules to squeeze out spending for programs that help 
working families.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield an additional 30 seconds to the 
gentleman.
  Mr. RYAN of Ohio. Lastly, Republicans are trying to simply sit on 
some of the domestic funds we agreed to in the bipartisan budget deal 
in February. For example, in the financial services bill, Republicans 
are taking $585 million away.
  If Republicans think they can get all the way through this year's 
appropriations process without bipartisan cooperation, good luck. And 
to get cooperation, you have to show good faith. We had a deal, we need 
to keep the deal.
  Mr. Chairman, I hope we can return to working together, like we did 
when we produced the fiscal year 2018 omnibus, less than 3 months ago. 
There is still time. But, for today, we have to oppose this bill.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to 
the gentleman from California (Mr. Calvert), the chairman of the 
Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, and thank him 
for getting through such a successful markup of 5 hours yesterday 
afternoon. Actually, I thank all members for their perseverance in that 
regard.
  Mr. CALVERT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in strong support of these 
appropriations bills on the floor.
  I thank the full committee chairman, Rodney Frelinghuysen, for his 
dedication to regular order. We are committed to fulfilling our 
constitutional responsibility and pass these bills before the end of 
the fiscal year, and I commend the relevant chairmen and ranking 
members for their hard work on these bills.
  One of the most important duties of Members of Congress is to provide 
for the United States Armed Forces. The Military Construction and 
Veterans Affairs appropriations bill does just that. In particular, 
the bill provides $50 million in force protection funding for each of 
the services. This money could be used for access control points, air 
traffic control towers, and fire stations.

  This funding is particularly important for bases near my 
congressional district: March Air Reserve Base and Camp Pendleton. 
March Air Reserve Base is busier than ever, including managing the 
deployment of over 4,000 troops every month. In order to ensure the 
safety of these brave men and women, a new main gate complex is needed.
  At Camp Pendleton, the fire stations are in dire need of replacement. 
Of the top six fire stations identified for replacement by the Navy, 
five are at Camp Pendleton. Of the full-time stations, all but three 
are spartan wood-

[[Page H4902]]

frame structures built in the 1940s. The funding in this bill would 
start the process of replacing old, outdated fire stations with 
contemporary structures able to respond to the needs of our United 
States Marine Corps.
  I also support the Energy and Water portion of the bill put forward 
by my friend Mike Simpson. The robust funding for the Bureau of 
Reclamation will go to critical infrastructure, including $134 million 
for water storage projects. The bill includes language directing FERC 
to continue working with the industry on cost-effective ways to 
increase the resilience of our electric transmission system. This is 
especially important following one of the worst fire seasons in 
California's modern history.
  The bill also provides strong funding for the Army Corps of 
Engineers, allowing them to update and improve water projects 
throughout the country. The report contains much-needed language for 
the Murrieta Creek project in my own district. The report highlights 
that the project is critical to the health, safety, and protection of 
the communities of Murrieta and Temecula.
  Finally, the bill also repeals the disastrous Waters of the United 
States rule that would significantly restrict the ability of private 
landowners to make decisions about their own property. Deciding how 
water should be used is a State and local issue, not the Federal 
Government.

                              {time}  1600

  Mr. Chair, I thank the full committee chairman and ranking member, 
the relevant subcommittee chairmen and ranking members, and staff for 
their diligent work.
  Mr. Chair, I urge passage of the bill.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Wasserman Schultz), the ranking member of the Military 
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman for 
yielding. I also thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and former Chairman Dent 
for their hard work on the bill.
  Mr. Chair, I recognize Chairman Carter for taking up the reins on 
this bill. It is not an easy, carefree situation to come in and take 
over after a bill has been completely written and then have to manage 
it. But I am confident, given the track record that I have seen 
Chairman Carter have, that it is going to be an absolute pleasure to 
work with him, as it has been all throughout my tenure on the 
Appropriations Committee.
  As you all know, the MILCON-VA bill has a strong reputation for 
common ground and bipartisanship. Chairman Dent set a cooperative tone 
and was inclusive throughout the process before his retirement.
  The MILCON portion of the bill is up by $241 million over last year's 
enacted level. In my opinion, the fiscal year 2019 request adequately 
provides funding for both the Active and Reserve components.
  One item that I want to point out in the MILCON portion of the bill 
is new funding for enhancing security and safety. The bill includes 
$150 million for enhancing much-needed force protection and safety 
concerns at military installations. Too often, we had situations where 
these projects were deferred for big-ticket items and then never made 
it into the request.
  For the Department of Veterans Affairs, title 2 is $3.9 billion over, 
for a 5 percent increase above the fiscal year 2018 enacted level.
  Mr. Chairman, I am also pleased the bill rejects the administration's 
proposal to combine the Medical Services and Community Care accounts 
into one enormous account, which was a bipartisan agreement. 
Maintaining the old structure of two accounts offers us the most 
transparency for the committee to both monitor and control spending in 
these two areas.
  Mr. Chairman, while the Military Construction-Veterans Affairs 
division makes many important investments, it does fall far short in 
averting the multibillion-dollar funding shortfall at the VA in both 
the Choice and Community Care programs.
  The majority has acknowledged this fact because included in the rule 
was a self-executing amendment that added $1.1 billion to the Community 
Care account to address a discretionary shortfall caused by the VA 
MISSION Act, which the Democrats had repeatedly since the introduction 
and passage of the MISSION Act warned the majority about.
  Even with this additional $1.1 billion, the bill fails to address the 
$1.6 billion shortfall in traditional Community Care due to increased 
requirements. And it does nothing to address the long-term stability of 
the Veterans Community Care program, which CBO now estimates will need 
an additional $1 billion for fiscal year 2019 and at least $47 billion 
from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2023.
  This future shortfall--make no mistake, you can take this to the 
bank, mark my words--if we don't deal with this, will ultimately force 
the VA to begin cannibalizing other critical VA priorities.
  Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Lowey submitted an amendment to the 
Rules Committee that would have addressed this issue, as did Mr. Walz 
in the VA authorizing process, that would have preserved the Bipartisan 
Budget Act deal and prevented cuts to VA programs.
  It also would have held nondefense discretionary caps for VA 
negotiated under the Bipartisan Budget Act harmless when funding for 
the Veterans Choice Program is transferred from mandatory to 
discretionary accounts.
  Another concern I have is that, despite calls to return to regular 
order, as many of my colleagues have discussed here today, we are 
instead taking up, completely unnecessarily--because we have plenty of 
time to do this--three bills at once. This year especially, the process 
should have been better.
  The bipartisan budget agreement enacted in February provided us 
relief from unworkable discretionary spending caps by giving this 
committee a bipartisan top-line number for fiscal year 2018 and fiscal 
year 2019. Yet here we are, for the second straight year, doing another 
minibus. This is extremely disappointing, and it is nowhere close to 
regular order.
  Mr. Chairman, if we want to return to regular order, we have to know 
the full 302(b) picture at the beginning of this process, not five 
bills in to when we have marked up over a third of the bills that we 
consider every year. We have to return to considering bills one at a 
time and under an open process that allows each Member of this body to 
have reasonable input.
  Mr. Chairman, we cannot continue to govern in this fashion. We must 
stop listening to the most extreme voices, because it is clear that 
passing any appropriations bill at the end of the day that will be 
signed into law is going to require a bipartisan majority of both 
houses, which this minibus will not get, in my estimation.
  As a result of this irresponsible posture, I am incredibly 
disappointed that I will be voting against the minibus and look forward 
to working towards an appropriations product that both parties have 
actually worked on together and can support.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Fleischmann), a valuable member of the Energy and 
Water Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
  Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Chair, I rise to speak in support of H.R. 5895.
  But before I do that, I want to thank Chairman Frelinghuysen for his 
tremendous hard work and efforts and also the ranking member, Mrs. 
Lowey, for her hard work on this bill as well.

  Mr. Chair, this bill combines the appropriation bills for Energy and 
Water Development, Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and 
Legislative Branch.
  As the vice chairman of the Energy and Water Development 
Subcommittee, I am especially proud to support this bill, which 
reflects the hard work of the subcommittee members and staff under the 
leadership of Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur.
  This bill provides robust funding for the National Nuclear Security 
Administration to maintain the safety and readiness of our Nation's 
nuclear weapons stockpile, addresses aging infrastructure in our 
weapons complex facilities, and supports current and future missions of 
our great nuclear Navy.

[[Page H4903]]

  Another issue that is near and dear to me is nuclear cleanup, as both 
Y-12 and the Oak Ridge National Laboratory have significant ongoing 
cleanup missions.
  As the chairman of the Nuclear Cleanup Caucus, I know that addressing 
the legacy of the Cold War in communities around the Nation is a vital 
Federal commitment. This bill provides the Department of Energy's 
Office of Environmental Management with the funding it needs to 
continue to live up to this commitment.
  I am also pleased with the strong support in this bill for the 
Department of Energy's Office of Science. Notably, this bill supports 
continued investment in the area of supercomputing and supports the 
Department of Energy's goal to deploy a first-in-the-world exascale 
supercomputer. Much of that critical research will take place at Oak 
Ridge National Laboratory.
  There is also continued support for Oak Ridge National Laboratory's 
high-flux neutron sources, which enable novel scientific research into 
the fundamental nature of matter that can be formed nowhere else in the 
world.
  Funding in this bill provides critical infrastructure for our 
waterways, which is essential to our economy.
  Mr. Chair, I will close by reiterating my full, strong support for 
this bill and encouraging all of my colleagues to support this bill and 
support the incredibly important national priorities that it funds.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Maryland (Mr. Hoyer), the Democratic whip.
  Mr. HOYER. Mr. Chair, I thank the ranking member, Mrs. Lowey, for 
yielding.
  I rise twice today in sadness. As a member of the Appropriations 
Committee, albeit on leave, I have great respect for this committee, 
but I rise to express my concern with this minibus legislation.
  Republicans brought it to the floor through a closed process and 
without an agreement on funding levels. Doing so, of course, shuts down 
debate, limits opportunity for Members to amend an appropriations bill, 
and sets the House up once again to shortchange important domestic 
priorities like healthcare and education.
  And let me say to my friends on the majority side, who regularly and 
strongly and somewhat sanctimoniously attacked putting bills together, 
not considering them one at a time, and have now repaired to this `bus 
system, they are putting America under the bus. And they are putting 
regular order under the bus. And they are putting the ability to 
consider bills under the bus.
  This minibus includes problematic cuts to funding for renewable 
energy programs, changes to gun safety rules, and a weakening of 
environmental protections. So if you are for MILCON and you are for the 
Leg bill, you ought to vote for the stuff you don't like. That is what 
this process does to all of us.
  I am also particularly concerned with the title funding the 
legislative branch. Most people won't talk about this, but, yes, I am 
known as a person of this institution, and I am proud of it. I am also 
proud that I have fought for Members for over two decades as a leader.
  As many of my colleagues are aware but few Americans might be, the 
people's Representatives have been asked to do more and more each year 
with fewer and fewer resources. The Members' Representational Allowance 
exists in order to ensure that Members and their staff can serve their 
districts and constituents in the most effective and responsible way 
possible.
  For example, my office--and all of yours--uses its resources to help 
veterans navigate the VA system, help seniors collect their Social 
Security benefits, and to advocate for our district's critical military 
and civilian installations.
  Sadly, Mr. Speaker, the MRA is often considered the low-hanging fruit 
of discretionary cuts, a political messaging freebie that has no 
constituency to advocate on its behalf.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chair, I yield an additional 1 minute to the 
gentleman from Maryland.
  Mr. HOYER. As result, the MRA today has shrunk to 85 percent of what 
it was 8 years ago. Meanwhile, the population of the United States has 
grown by an estimated 19 million people. Less service for our people.
  That is why I wrote the Appropriations Committee and asked the MRA be 
funded at least at 2010 levels, 8 years ago. I am disappointed that was 
not done.
  At the same time--and, Members, hear this, because most of you won't 
say it because you are afraid that somehow your constituents will make 
you pay the price--we have once again frozen the cost-of-living 
adjustment as the costs go up in Washington, D.C.
  I don't ask for a raise for Members, but I do ask that they be kept 
at the same level. We ought to stop all this hair-shirting in this body 
and treat Members with the respect that they deserve.
  Mr. Chair, I will vote against this bill. I will vote against this 
bill because it is bad process and bad product and lets the American 
people down.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Florida (Mr. Rutherford), a new member of the House Appropriations 
Committee.
  Mr. RUTHERFORD. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen for his 
leadership on this bill with scores of amendments through committee.
  Mr. Chair, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5895, the Energy 
and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans 
Affairs Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2019.
  This bill makes key investments in water resources infrastructure and 
coastal flood protection, increases funding for veterans healthcare and 
benefits, bolsters our military assets, and increases funding for the 
Capitol Police by $29 million.
  Of great importance to my district, Mr. Chair, in northeast Florida 
is the MILCON appropriation, which includes $111 million for two much-
needed facilities for the training and support of the littoral combat 
ship crews at Naval Station Mayport. These facilities will ensure that 
the LCS crews are efficiently and adequately trained as we continue to 
rebuild our fleet and deploy these ships in the future.
  Mr. Chair, I am grateful to former Chairman Dent, Chairman Carter, 
the committee staff, and my colleagues for their hard work on this 
package, and I urge its passage.

                              {time}  1615

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman 
from Washington State (Mr. Newhouse).
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen as well as 
Chairman Simpson for their hard work on this package of bills.
  Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of H.R. 5895, which includes the 
fiscal year 2019 Energy and Water Development Appropriations bill.
  Of all the funding bills I work on with my colleagues on the 
Appropriations Committee, the Energy and Water legislation is one of 
the most important for my district of central Washington.
  From supporting the continued cleanup efforts at the Hanford nuclear 
site to boosting the groundbreaking scientific research conducted at 
the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, to aiding the vitally 
important water projects managed and developed by both the Army Corps 
of Engineers as well as the Bureau of Reclamation, this bill is 
composed of important resources for central Washington.
  Regarding Hanford, I am proud this bill restores more than $200 
million from the President's request for the Richland office to 
continue providing for continued safe and effective cleanup operations 
onsite.
  I am also pleased with the restoration of more than $40 million to 
the Office of River Protection to continue important work on the 56 
million gallons of radioactive nuclear waste that is stored at the 
site.
  I remain steadfast in my commitment to holding the Federal Government 
accountable to its moral and legal obligation to the cleanup of the 
Hanford site, and this bill does precisely that, so thank you.
  I am also encouraged by this legislation's demonstrated commitment to

[[Page H4904]]

moving forward with Yucca Mountain as the lead geological repository 
for legacy waste and spent nuclear fuel, as well as the continued 
commitment to support science, including robust funding for Basic 
Energy Sciences, cybersecurity, and the National Nuclear Security 
Administration. These programs are important for the groundbreaking 
work conducted at PNNL to tackle some of the most challenging problems 
in energy, the environment, and in national security.
  Finally, this legislation includes a provision that I authored to 
stop the dangerous, antiscience forced spill order currently in effect 
on the eight lower Snake and lower Columbia River dams, which began in 
early April of this year.
  Just a week ago, Mr. Chairman, we received news from the Army Corps 
that fish managers are having to take measures to manage the effects of 
this reckless spill order. High flow rates from the forced spill are 
causing fish to stall in their migration upstream, with only 300 to 400 
spring chinook passing through Little Goose Dam in late May. However, 
after the Corps reduced the spill rate by just 20 percent a week ago, 
the daily passage rose to 2,689 fish. This demonstrates the strain the 
spill order is placing on our endangered species.
  Some of my colleagues refuse to acknowledge this unambiguous 
scientific data and claim to support endangered fish species with their 
words.
  The CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chair, I yield the gentleman an additional 15 
seconds.
  Mr. NEWHOUSE. Mr. Chair, they claim to support the endangered species 
with their words but not with their actions.
  I am proud to have advocated for the inclusion of this language to 
stop this misguided spill to help save our fish and save our dams.
  I urge a ``yes'' vote on H.R. 5895.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from Alabama (Mr. Aderholt), chairman of the Agriculture, Rural 
Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies 
Subcommittee on Appropriations.
  Mr. ADERHOLT. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of this first 
package of FY 2019 appropriations bills. This combined bill that we are 
talking about today is the start of the process, and it is a good 
example of how the House is doing its job.
  We have had a lot of hearings and we have had a lot of meetings with 
administration officials over the last several months, and we have 
talked about their budget and how they justified it and how we are 
moving through the process.
  The Appropriations Committee has now taken action. We have marked up 
and passed these bills that are before us out of the subcommittee. We 
have passed them out of the committee. The House has taken action with 
this legislative package that we will pass tomorrow, and now it is the 
Senate's turn.
  Mr. Chairman, let me point out that the Senate has passed just two 
appropriations bills through subcommittee and full committee and had 
floor votes in the Senate since 2012, just two standalone bills in 6 
years.
  Mr. Chairman, certainly I think it is a real problem. The House is 
doing its job and it is time for the Senate to do theirs, and they may 
have to stay in session during the month of August to get their work 
done.
  The President has promised that he will not sign another 12-bill 
package omnibus bill. We are doing our part here to ensure the process 
moves forward and that we have the bills to conference with the Senate 
once they are completed. So I urge my colleagues to support this three-
bill package to fund our veterans' healthcare, infrastructure package, 
and these other important programs.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Valadao), a great member of the Appropriations 
Committee.
  Mr. VALADAO. Mr. Chairman, as a member of the committee of 
jurisdiction, I am proud to rise today in strong support of the fiscal 
year 2019 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations 
bill.

  Our military servicemembers have made immeasurable sacrifices for our 
Nation, and we are forever indebted to the brave men and women who have 
served. Providing access to benefits ranging from medical care to 
education opportunities is a small, yet important, symbol of gratitude 
for their service.
  The bill before us today improves the management of the VA facilities 
across the Nation and rebuilds our military infrastructure at 
facilities such as Naval Air Station Lemoore in California's 21st 
Congressional District, the district I have the honor of representing.
  But, most importantly, the legislation ensures our veterans get the 
care they deserve. In fact, I am proud to say this historic piece of 
legislation provides the VA with more financial resources than any 
other previous year, resources desperately needed in order to ensure 
our veterans receive the services and treatment they have earned and 
truly deserve.
  In rural areas like California's Central Valley, where unemployment 
is high and primary care options are limited, healthcare options are, 
unfortunately, inadequate. This is especially true for our Nation's 
veterans living in rural America. However, this package delivers 
targeted, results-oriented solutions to increase access to healthcare 
for 3 million veterans living in rural communities across the Nation.
  On top of that, more than 450,000 veterans from coast to coast are 
waiting to be compensated for medical claims they have submitted to the 
VA, and this is simply unacceptable. As a result of this legislation, 
we can cut through that backlog and provide our veterans with the 
financial relief they desperately need.
  Mr. Chairman, I stand here today representing the 22,000 veterans who 
call California's 21st Congressional District home. They have 
sacrificed so much for us and it is past time that we repay the favor.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman 
from Idaho (Mr. Simpson), chairman of the Energy and Water Development, 
and Related Agencies Subcommittee.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Utah (Mr. 
Curtis) for the purpose of a colloquy.
  Mr. CURTIS. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of increased 
funding for the Moab UMTRA project in the underlying legislation. This 
bill would fund the site cleanup at $42 million, an increase of 
approximately $4 million over last year's funding.
  Located just across the street from Arches National Park, the Energy 
Department is currently undertaking the largest uranium mill tailing 
pile relocation in the United States. Once the cleanup is complete, 
this valuable real estate can be used for a wide variety of economic 
and other uses in the area.
  I appreciate the leadership of Chairman Simpson on this issue as well 
as his support of other programs that are important to the West within 
his subcommittee. I urge my colleagues to support funding for the Moab 
UMTRA project as well as the underlying legislation.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Reclaiming my time, I appreciate my colleague's support 
for the cleanup activities of the Department of Energy.
  The bill provides $62 million for the cleanup at DOE's nondefense 
small sites, $7.1 million above the budget request. Within that, 
funding for the Moab uranium mill tailings site is available at $42 
million. We would be pleased to work with the gentleman from Utah on 
expediting cleanup of the site and appreciate his support for the 
underlying legislation.
  Mr. CURTIS. I would like to thank Chairman Simpson for his support of 
the Moab UMTRA cleanup. I look forward to continuing to work on this 
issue as well as other issues that can benefit our constituents and the 
American people.
  Again, I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this bill.
  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself the balance of my time to 
close.
  I urge all of my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this bill, which guts 
critical

[[Page H4905]]

investments in clean energy, guts clean water protection.
  The Republican raw deal prioritizes President Trump's border wall and 
deportation force over much-needed increases to services that help 
American families, from early childhood education, job training, to 
securing the sanctity of our elections.
  I vote ``no,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. FRELINGHUYSEN. Mr. Chairman, I am pleased to urge Members to vote 
for this three-bill package. I know that both Members of the majority 
and minority have worked hard on those bills. I think it is important 
we deliver this package for the American people.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. LEE. Mr. Chair, I thank Ranking Member Lowey for yielding and for 
her tireless work.
  Mr. Chair, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, I rise in 
strong opposition to this bill--H.R. 5895--the Fiscal Year 2019 Energy 
and Water, Leg Branch, and MilconVA spending bills.
  This Republican minibus fails to protect the health, security, and 
safety of the American people.
  And really, this bill is an attempt to block critical funding for 
education, health, and the economic security.
  Once again, Republicans are funding defense at the expense of 
priorities here at home.
  This is shameful and short-sighted.
  Mr. Chair, the Pentagon does not need more funding. A Washington Post 
report in 2016 exposed $125 billion in waste, fraud and abuse at the 
Pentagon. But rather than come clean, leaders at the Pentagon chose to 
bury the report and continue wasting taxpayer dollars.
  Yet, Republicans want to increase Defense spending by $17 billion. 
Mr. Chair--instead of making defense contractors even richer, how about 
we start helping struggling families home at home?
  At a time when we should invest robustly in the American people, 
Republicans are doing just the opposite.
  The partisan bill before us cuts vital clean energy initiatives, 
attacks job-creating investments, and slashes funds for nuclear non-
proliferation efforts.
  All this bill does is make it harder to grow the economy and for 
hardworking Americans to succeed.
  By flat funding four of our most important domestic spending bills--
including Labor, HHS, and Education, the funding subcommittee I sit 
on--there will be less money for job training, education, and public 
health.
  This is a shame, Mr. Chair.
  And I am sad to say that with the flat funding of many of our bills--
people will lose out.
  Ameicans want good-paying jobs. They want to be able to see a doctor 
when they're sick. They want safe schools to send their kids to.
  But instead, Republicans keep shortchanging families so that 
billionaires, polluters and defense contractors can pad their pockets.
  This bill is a disgrace. I urge my colleagues to vote no.
  The CHAIR. All time for general debate has expired.
  Pursuant to the rule, the bill shall be considered for amendment 
under the 5-minute rule.
  An amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of 
Rules Committee Print 115-71 shall be considered as adopted, and the 
bill, as amended, shall be considered as an original bill for the 
purpose of further amendment under the 5-minute rule and shall be 
considered as read.
  The text of the bill, as amended, is as follows:

                               H.R. 5895

       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 ``Energy and Water, 
     Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans 
     Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019''.

     DIVISION A--ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019

        The following sums are appropriated, out of any money in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for energy and water 
     development and related agencies for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2019, and for other purposes, namely:

                                TITLE I

                       CORPS OF ENGINEERS--CIVIL

                         DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY

                       Corps of Engineers--Civil

       The following appropriations shall be expended under the 
     direction of the Secretary of the Army and the supervision of 
     the Chief of Engineers for authorized civil functions of the 
     Department of the Army pertaining to river and harbor, flood 
     and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic 
     ecosystem restoration, and related efforts.

                             investigations

       For expenses necessary where authorized by law for the 
     collection and study of basic information pertaining to river 
     and harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore 
     protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related needs; 
     for surveys and detailed studies, and plans and 
     specifications of proposed river and harbor, flood and storm 
     damage reduction, shore protection, and aquatic ecosystem 
     restoration projects, and related efforts prior to 
     construction; for restudy of authorized projects; and for 
     miscellaneous investigations, and, when authorized by law, 
     surveys and detailed studies, and plans and specifications of 
     projects prior to construction, $128,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That the Secretary shall 
     initiate six new study starts during fiscal year 2019: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall not deviate from 
     the new starts proposed in the work plan, once the plan has 
     been submitted to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress.

                              construction

       For expenses necessary for the construction of river and 
     harbor, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, 
     aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related projects 
     authorized by law; for conducting detailed studies, and plans 
     and specifications, of such projects (including those 
     involving participation by States, local governments, or 
     private groups) authorized or made eligible for selection by 
     law (but such detailed studies, and plans and specifications, 
     shall not constitute a commitment of the Government to 
     construction); $2,323,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended; of which such sums as are necessary to cover the 
     Federal share of construction costs for facilities under the 
     Dredged Material Disposal Facilities program shall be derived 
     from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund as authorized by 
     Public Law 104-303; and of which such sums as are necessary 
     to cover one-half of the costs of construction, replacement, 
     rehabilitation, and expansion of inland waterways projects 
     shall be derived from the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, except 
     as otherwise specifically provided for in law: Provided, That 
     the Secretary shall initiate five new construction starts 
     during fiscal year 2019: Provided further, That for new 
     construction projects, project cost sharing agreements shall 
     be executed as soon as practicable but no later than August 
     31, 2019: Provided further, That no allocation for a new 
     start shall be considered final and no work allowance shall 
     be made until the Secretary provides to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an out-year funding 
     scenario demonstrating the affordability of the selected new 
     starts and the impacts on other projects: Provided further, 
     That the Secretary may not deviate from the new starts 
     proposed in the work plan, once the plan has been submitted 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress.

                   mississippi river and tributaries

       For expenses necessary for flood damage reduction projects 
     and related efforts in the Mississippi River alluvial valley 
     below Cape Girardeau, Missouri, as authorized by law, 
     $430,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which 
     such sums as are necessary to cover the Federal share of 
     eligible operation and maintenance costs for inland harbors 
     shall be derived from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.

                       operation and maintenance

       For expenses necessary for the operation, maintenance, and 
     care of existing river and harbor, flood and storm damage 
     reduction, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related 
     projects authorized by law; providing security for 
     infrastructure owned or operated by the Corps, including 
     administrative buildings and laboratories; maintaining harbor 
     channels provided by a State, municipality, or other public 
     agency that serve essential navigation needs of general 
     commerce, where authorized by law; surveying and charting 
     northern and northwestern lakes and connecting waters; 
     clearing and straightening channels; and removing 
     obstructions to navigation, $3,820,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, of which such sums as are necessary 
     to cover the Federal share of eligible operation and 
     maintenance costs for coastal harbors and channels, and for 
     inland harbors shall be derived from the Harbor Maintenance 
     Trust Fund; of which such sums as become available from the 
     special account for the Corps of Engineers established by the 
     Land and Water Conservation Fund Act of 1965 shall be derived 
     from that account for resource protection, research, 
     interpretation, and maintenance activities related to 
     resource protection in the areas at which outdoor recreation 
     is available; and of which such sums as become available from 
     fees collected under section 217 of Public Law 104-303 shall 
     be used to cover the cost of operation and maintenance of the 
     dredged material disposal facilities for which such fees have 
     been collected: Provided, That 1 percent of the total amount 
     of funds provided for each of the programs, projects, or 
     activities funded under this heading shall not be allocated 
     to a field operating activity prior to the beginning of the 
     fourth quarter of the fiscal year and shall be available for 
     use by the Chief of Engineers to fund such emergency 
     activities as the Chief of Engineers determines to be 
     necessary and appropriate, and that the Chief of Engineers 
     shall allocate during the fourth quarter any remaining funds 
     which have not been used for emergency activities 
     proportionally in accordance with the amounts provided for 
     the programs, projects, or activities.

                           regulatory program

       For expenses necessary for administration of laws 
     pertaining to regulation of navigable

[[Page H4906]]

     waters and wetlands, $200,000,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2020.

            formerly utilized sites remedial action program

       For expenses necessary to clean up contamination from sites 
     in the United States resulting from work performed as part of 
     the Nation's early atomic energy program, $150,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.

                 flood control and coastal emergencies

       For expenses necessary to prepare for flood, hurricane, and 
     other natural disasters and support emergency operations, 
     repairs, and other activities in response to such disasters 
     as authorized by law, $35,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended.

                                expenses

       For expenses necessary for the supervision and general 
     administration of the civil works program in the headquarters 
     of the Corps of Engineers and the offices of the Division 
     Engineers; and for costs of management and operation of the 
     Humphreys Engineer Center Support Activity, the Institute for 
     Water Resources, the United States Army Engineer Research and 
     Development Center, and the United States Army Corps of 
     Engineers Finance Center allocable to the civil works 
     program, $187,000,000, to remain available until September 
     30, 2020, of which not to exceed $5,000 may be used for 
     official reception and representation purposes and only 
     during the current fiscal year: Provided, That no part of any 
     other appropriation provided in this title shall be available 
     to fund the civil works activities of the Office of the Chief 
     of Engineers or the civil works executive direction and 
     management activities of the division offices: Provided 
     further, That any Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies 
     appropriation may be used to fund the supervision and general 
     administration of emergency operations, repairs, and other 
     activities in response to any flood, hurricane, or other 
     natural disaster.

     office of the assistant secretary of the army for civil works

       For the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for 
     Civil Works as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 3016(b)(3), 
     $5,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020: 
     Provided, That not more than 25 percent of such amount may be 
     obligated or expended until the Assistant Secretary submits 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress a work plan that allocates at least 95 percent of 
     the additional funding provided under each heading in this 
     title (as designated under such heading in the report of the 
     Committee on Appropriations accompanying this Act) to 
     specific programs, projects, or activities.

             GENERAL PROVISIONS--CORPS OF ENGINEERS--CIVIL

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 101. (a) None of the funds provided in this title 
     shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a 
     reprogramming of funds that--
       (1) creates or initiates a new program, project, or 
     activity;
       (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity;
       (3) increases funds or personnel for any program, project, 
     or activity for which funds have been denied or restricted by 
     this Act;
       (4) reduces funds that are directed to be used for a 
     specific program, project, or activity by this Act;
       (5) increases funds for any program, project, or activity 
     by more than $2,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; or
       (6) reduces funds for any program, project, or activity by 
     more than $2,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less.
       (b) Subsection (a)(1) shall not apply to any project or 
     activity authorized under section 205 of the Flood Control 
     Act of 1948, section 14 of the Flood Control Act of 1946, 
     section 208 of the Flood Control Act of 1954, section 107 of 
     the River and Harbor Act of 1960, section 103 of the River 
     and Harbor Act of 1962, section 111 of the River and Harbor 
     Act of 1968, section 1135 of the Water Resources Development 
     Act of 1986, section 206 of the Water Resources Development 
     Act of 1996, or section 204 of the Water Resources 
     Development Act of 1992.
       (c) The Corps of Engineers shall submit reports on a 
     quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress detailing all the funds reprogrammed 
     between programs, projects, activities, or categories of 
     funding. The first quarterly report shall be submitted not 
     later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       Sec. 102.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to award or modify any contract that commits 
     funds beyond the amounts appropriated for that program, 
     project, or activity that remain unobligated, except that 
     such amounts may include any funds that have been made 
     available through reprogramming pursuant to section 101.
       Sec. 103.  The Secretary of the Army may transfer to the 
     Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Fish and Wildlife Service 
     may accept and expend, up to $5,400,000 of funds provided in 
     this title under the heading ``Operation and Maintenance'' to 
     mitigate for fisheries lost due to Corps of Engineers 
     projects.
       Sec. 104.  None of the funds in this Act shall be used for 
     an open lake placement alternative for dredged material, 
     after evaluating the least costly, environmentally acceptable 
     manner for the disposal or management of dredged material 
     originating from Lake Erie or tributaries thereto, unless it 
     is approved under a State water quality certification 
     pursuant to section 401 of the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1341):  Provided, That until an open 
     lake placement alternative for dredged material is approved 
     under a State water quality certification, the Corps of 
     Engineers shall continue upland placement of such dredged 
     material consistent with the requirements of section 101 of 
     the Water Resources Development Act of 1986 (33 U.S.C. 2211).
       Sec. 105.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used for any acquisition of buoy chain that is not 
     consistent with 48 CFR 225.7007, subsections (a)(1) and 
     (a)(2).
       Sec. 106.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used to carry out any water supply reallocation study 
     under the Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, project 
     authorized under the Act of July 24, 1946 (60 Stat. 636, ch. 
     595).
       Sec. 107.  Notwithstanding section 404(f)(2) of the Federal 
     Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)(2)), none of 
     the funds made available by this Act may be used to require a 
     permit for the discharge of dredged or fill material under 
     the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1251 et 
     seq.) for the activities identified in subparagraphs (A) and 
     (C) of section 404(f)(1) of the Act (33 U.S.C. 1344(f)(1)(A), 
     (C)).
       Sec. 108.  The final rule issued by the Administrator of 
     the Environmental Protection Agency and the Secretary of the 
     Army entitled ``Clean Water Rule: `Definition of Waters of 
     the United States' '' (80 Fed. Reg. 37053 (June 29, 2015)) is 
     repealed, and, until such time as the Administrator and the 
     Secretary issue a final rule after the date of enactment of 
     this Act defining the scope of waters protected under the 
     Federal Water Pollution Control Act and such new final rule 
     goes into effect, any regulation or policy revised under, or 
     otherwise affected as a result of, the rule repealed by this 
     section shall be applied as if that repealed rule had not 
     been issued.
       Sec. 109.  As of the date of enactment of this Act and each 
     fiscal year thereafter, the Secretary of the Army shall not 
     promulgate or enforce any regulation that prohibits an 
     individual from possessing a firearm, including an assembled 
     or functional firearm, at a water resources development 
     project covered under section 327.0 of title 36, Code of 
     Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of 
     this Act), if--
       (1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from 
     possessing the firearm; and
       (2) the possession of the firearm is in compliance with the 
     law of the State in which the water resources development 
     project is located.
       Sec. 110.  For fiscal year 2019, none of the funds provided 
     in this Act or available in the revolving fund established by 
     the Civil Functions Appropriations Act of 1954 (33 U.S.C. 
     576(a)) may be obligated or expended on a new hopper dredge.

                                TITLE II

                       DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

                          Central Utah Project

                central utah project completion account

       For carrying out activities authorized by the Central Utah 
     Project Completion Act, $15,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended, of which $898,000 shall be deposited into the 
     Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Account for use 
     by the Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation 
     Commission: Provided, That of the amount provided under this 
     heading, $1,398,675 shall be available until September 30, 
     2020, for expenses necessary in carrying out related 
     responsibilities of the Secretary of the Interior: Provided 
     further, That for fiscal year 2019, of the amount made 
     available to the Commission under this Act or any other Act, 
     the Commission may use an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 for 
     administrative expenses.

                         Bureau of Reclamation

       The following appropriations shall be expended to execute 
     authorized functions of the Bureau of Reclamation:

                      water and related resources

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For management, development, and restoration of water and 
     related natural resources and for related activities, 
     including the operation, maintenance, and rehabilitation of 
     reclamation and other facilities, participation in fulfilling 
     related Federal responsibilities to Native Americans, and 
     related grants to, and cooperative and other agreements with, 
     State and local governments, federally recognized Indian 
     tribes, and others, $1,381,992,000, to remain available until 
     expended, of which $67,393,000 shall be available for 
     transfer to the Upper Colorado River Basin Fund and 
     $5,551,000 shall be available for transfer to the Lower 
     Colorado River Basin Development Fund; of which such amounts 
     as may be necessary may be advanced to the Colorado River Dam 
     Fund: Provided, That such transfers may be increased or 
     decreased within the overall appropriation under this 
     heading: Provided further, That of the total appropriated, 
     the amount for program activities that can be financed by the 
     Reclamation Fund or the Bureau of Reclamation special fee 
     account established by 16 U.S.C. 6806 shall be derived from 
     that Fund or account: Provided further, That funds 
     contributed under 43 U.S.C. 395 are available until expended 
     for the purposes for which the funds were contributed: 
     Provided further, That funds advanced under 43 U.S.C. 397a 
     shall be credited to this account and are available until 
     expended for the same purposes as the sums appropriated under 
     this heading: Provided further, That of the amounts provided 
     herein, funds may be used for high-priority projects which 
     shall be carried out by the Youth Conservation Corps, as 
     authorized by 16 U.S.C. 1706.

                central valley project restoration fund

       For carrying out the programs, projects, plans, habitat 
     restoration, improvement, and acquisition provisions of the 
     Central Valley Project Improvement Act, $62,008,000, to be 
     derived from such sums as may be collected in the Central 
     Valley Project Restoration Fund pursuant to sections 3407(d), 
     3404(c)(3), and 3405(f) of Public Law 102-575, to remain 
     available until

[[Page H4907]]

     expended: Provided, That the Bureau of Reclamation is 
     directed to assess and collect the full amount of the 
     additional mitigation and restoration payments authorized by 
     section 3407(d) of Public Law 102-575: Provided further, That 
     none of the funds made available under this heading may be 
     used for the acquisition or leasing of water for in-stream 
     purposes if the water is already committed to in-stream 
     purposes by a court adopted decree or order.

                    california bay-delta restoration

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For carrying out activities authorized by the Water Supply, 
     Reliability, and Environmental Improvement Act, consistent 
     with plans to be approved by the Secretary of the Interior, 
     $35,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which 
     such amounts as may be necessary to carry out such activities 
     may be transferred to appropriate accounts of other 
     participating Federal agencies to carry out authorized 
     purposes: Provided, That funds appropriated herein may be 
     used for the Federal share of the costs of CALFED Program 
     management: Provided further, That CALFED implementation 
     shall be carried out in a balanced manner with clear 
     performance measures demonstrating concurrent progress in 
     achieving the goals and objectives of the Program.

                       policy and administration

       For expenses necessary for policy, administration, and 
     related functions in the Office of the Commissioner, the 
     Denver office, and offices in the five regions of the Bureau 
     of Reclamation, to remain available until September 30, 2020, 
     $61,000,000, to be derived from the Reclamation Fund and be 
     nonreimbursable as provided in 43 U.S.C. 377: Provided, That 
     no part of any other appropriation in this Act shall be 
     available for activities or functions budgeted as policy and 
     administration expenses.

                        administrative provision

       Appropriations for the Bureau of Reclamation shall be 
     available for purchase of not to exceed five passenger motor 
     vehicles, which are for replacement only.

             GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

       Sec. 201. (a) None of the funds provided in this title 
     shall be available for obligation or expenditure through a 
     reprogramming of funds that--
       (1) creates or initiates a new program, project, or 
     activity;
       (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity;
       (3) increases funds for any program, project, or activity 
     for which funds have been denied or restricted by this Act;
       (4) restarts or resumes any program, project or activity 
     for which funds are not provided in this Act, unless prior 
     approval is received from the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress;
       (5) transfers funds in excess of the following limits--
       (A) 15 percent for any program, project or activity for 
     which $2,000,000 or more is available at the beginning of the 
     fiscal year; or
       (B) $400,000 for any program, project or activity for which 
     less than $2,000,000 is available at the beginning of the 
     fiscal year;
       (6) transfers more than $500,000 from either the Facilities 
     Operation, Maintenance, and Rehabilitation category or the 
     Resources Management and Development category to any program, 
     project, or activity in the other category; or
       (7) transfers, where necessary to discharge legal 
     obligations of the Bureau of Reclamation, more than 
     $5,000,000 to provide adequate funds for settled contractor 
     claims, increased contractor earnings due to accelerated 
     rates of operations, and real estate deficiency judgments.
       (b) Subsection (a)(5) shall not apply to any transfer of 
     funds within the Facilities Operation, Maintenance, and 
     Rehabilitation category.
       (c) For purposes of this section, the term ``transfer'' 
     means any movement of funds into or out of a program, 
     project, or activity.
       (d) The Bureau of Reclamation shall submit reports on a 
     quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress detailing all the funds reprogrammed 
     between programs, projects, activities, or categories of 
     funding. The first quarterly report shall be submitted not 
     later than 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
       Sec. 202. (a) None of the funds appropriated or otherwise 
     made available by this Act may be used to determine the final 
     point of discharge for the interceptor drain for the San Luis 
     Unit until development by the Secretary of the Interior and 
     the State of California of a plan, which shall conform to the 
     water quality standards of the State of California as 
     approved by the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
     Agency, to minimize any detrimental effect of the San Luis 
     drainage waters.
       (b) The costs of the Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup Program 
     and the costs of the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program 
     shall be classified by the Secretary of the Interior as 
     reimbursable or nonreimbursable and collected until fully 
     repaid pursuant to the ``Cleanup Program--Alternative 
     Repayment Plan'' and the ``SJVDP--Alternative Repayment 
     Plan'' described in the report entitled ``Repayment Report, 
     Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup Program and San Joaquin Valley 
     Drainage Program, February 1995'', prepared by the Department 
     of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation. Any future 
     obligations of funds by the United States relating to, or 
     providing for, drainage service or drainage studies for the 
     San Luis Unit shall be fully reimbursable by San Luis Unit 
     beneficiaries of such service or studies pursuant to Federal 
     reclamation law.
       Sec. 203.  Hereinafter, notwithstanding any other provision 
     of law, during the period from November 1 through April 30, 
     water users may use their diversion structures for the 
     purpose of recharging the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer, when 
     the Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Committee 
     and Water District 1 watermaster, determines there is water 
     available in excess of that needed to satisfy existing 
     Minidoka Project storage and hydropower rights and ensure 
     operational flexibility.
       Sec. 204.  Section 9001(d) of the Omnibus Public Land 
     Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11; 123 Stat. 1295) is 
     amended by striking ``10'' and inserting ``20''.
       Sec. 205.  None of the funds in this Act shall be available 
     to implement the Stipulation of Settlement (Natural Resources 
     Defense Council, et al. v. Kirk Rodgers, et al., Eastern 
     District of California, No. Civ. 9 S-88-1658 LKK/GGH) or 
     subtitle A of title X of Public Law 111-11.
       Sec. 206.  None of the funds in this Act shall be available 
     for the purchase of water in the State of California to 
     supplement instream flow within a river basin that has 
     suffered a drought within the last two years.
       Sec. 207.  Section 9(c)(1) of the Reclamation Project Act 
     of 1939 (43 U.S.C. 485h(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``and 
     pumped storage hydropower development exclusively using 
     Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs'' after ``including small 
     conduit hydropower development''.

                               TITLE III

                          DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                            ENERGY PROGRAMS

                 Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

       For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, 
     and other expenses necessary for energy efficiency and 
     renewable energy activities in carrying out the purposes of 
     the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et 
     seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real 
     property or any facility or for plant or facility 
     acquisition, construction, or expansion, $2,078,640,000, to 
     remain available until expended: Provided, That of such 
     amount, $153,700,000 shall be available until September 30, 
     2020, for program direction.

         Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response

       For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, 
     and other expenses necessary for energy sector cybersecurity, 
     energy security, and emergency response activities in 
     carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the 
     acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any 
     facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, 
     or expansion, $146,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of such amount, $11,500,000 shall be 
     available until September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                          Electricity Delivery

       For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, 
     and other expenses necessary for electricity delivery 
     activities in carrying out the purposes of the Department of 
     Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including 
     the acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any 
     facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, 
     or expansion, $175,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of such amount, $17,000,000 shall be 
     available until September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                             Nuclear Energy

       For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, 
     and other expenses necessary for nuclear energy activities in 
     carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the 
     acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any 
     facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, 
     or expansion, $1,346,090,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of such amount, $66,500,000 shall be 
     available until September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                 Fossil Energy Research and Development

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 
     fossil energy research and development activities, under the 
     authority of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
     U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the acquisition of interest, 
     including defeasible and equitable interests in any real 
     property or any facility or for plant or facility acquisition 
     or expansion, and for conducting inquiries, technological 
     investigations and research concerning the extraction, 
     processing, use, and disposal of mineral substances without 
     objectionable social and environmental costs (30 U.S.C. 3, 
     1602, and 1603), $785,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of such amount $61,070,000 shall be 
     available until September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                 Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary to carry out 
     naval petroleum and oil shale reserve activities, 
     $10,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That notwithstanding any other provision of law, unobligated 
     funds remaining from prior years shall be available for all 
     naval petroleum and oil shale reserve activities.

                      Strategic Petroleum Reserve

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary for Strategic 
     Petroleum Reserve facility development and operations and 
     program management activities pursuant to the Energy Policy 
     and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), $252,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended:

[[Page H4908]]

     Provided, That, as authorized by section 404 of the 
     Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-74; 42 U.S.C. 
     6239 note), the Secretary of Energy shall draw down and sell 
     not to exceed $300,000,000 of crude oil from the Strategic 
     Petroleum Reserve in fiscal year 2019: Provided further, That 
     the proceeds from such drawdown and sale shall be deposited 
     into the ``Energy Security and Infrastructure Modernization 
     Fund'' during fiscal year 2019: Provided further, That such 
     amounts shall be made available and shall remain available 
     until expended for necessary expenses to carry out the Life 
     Extension II project for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

                         SPR Petroleum Account

       For the acquisition, transportation, and injection of 
     petroleum products, and for other necessary expenses pursuant 
     to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6201 et 
     seq.), sections 403 and 404 of the Bipartisan Budget Act of 
     2015 (42 U.S.C. 6241, 6239 note), and section 5010 of the 
     21st Century Cures Act (Public Law 114-255), $10,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.

                   Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary for Northeast 
     Home Heating Oil Reserve storage, operation, and management 
     activities pursuant to the Energy Policy and Conservation Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 6201 et seq.), $10,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended.

                   Energy Information Administration

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 
     the activities of the Energy Information Administration, 
     $125,000,000, to remain available until expended.

                   Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup

       For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment 
     and other expenses necessary for non-defense environmental 
     cleanup activities in carrying out the purposes of the 
     Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et 
     seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real 
     property or any facility or for plant or facility 
     acquisition, construction, or expansion, $240,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.

      Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 
     uranium enrichment facility decontamination and 
     decommissioning, remedial actions, and other activities of 
     title II of the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, and title X, 
     subtitle A, of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, $870,000,000, 
     to be derived from the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and 
     Decommissioning Fund, to remain available until expended, of 
     which $32,959,000 shall be available in accordance with title 
     X, subtitle A, of the Energy Policy Act of 1992, including 
     for the purchase of not to exceed one ambulance for 
     replacement only.

                                Science

       For Department of Energy expenses including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment, 
     and other expenses necessary for science activities in 
     carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the 
     acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any 
     facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, 
     or expansion, and purchase of not more than 16 passenger 
     motor vehicles and one airplane for replacement only, 
     including one bus, $6,600,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of such amount, $183,000,000 shall 
     be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                         Nuclear Waste Disposal

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary for nuclear 
     waste disposal activities to carry out the purposes of the 
     Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (Public Law 97-425), as 
     amended (hereinafter referred to as the ``NWPA''), including 
     the acquisition of any real property or facility 
     construction, or expansion, $190,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended, and to be derived from the Nuclear Waste 
     Fund: Provided, That of the funds made available in this Act 
     for nuclear waste disposal and defense nuclear waste disposal 
     activities, 1.62 percent shall be provided to the Office of 
     the Attorney General of the State of Nevada solely for 
     expenditures, other than salaries and expenses of State 
     employees, to conduct scientific oversight responsibilities 
     and participate in licensing activities pursuant to the NWPA: 
     Provided further, That of the funds made available in this 
     Act for nuclear waste disposal and defense nuclear waste 
     disposal activities, 2.91 percent shall be provided to 
     affected units of local government, as defined in the NWPA, 
     to conduct appropriate activities and participate in 
     licensing activities under Section 116(c) of the NWPA: 
     Provided further, That of the amounts provided to affected 
     units of local government, 7.5 percent shall be made 
     available to affected units of local government in California 
     with the balance made available to affected units of local 
     government in Nevada for distribution as determined by the 
     Nevada affected units of local government: Provided further, 
     That of the funds made available in this Act for nuclear 
     waste disposal and defense nuclear waste disposal activities, 
     0.16 percent shall be provided to the affected Federally-
     recognized Indian tribes, as defined in the NWPA, solely for 
     expenditures, other than salaries and expenses of tribal 
     employees, to conduct appropriate activities and participate 
     in licensing activities under section 118(b) of the NWPA: 
     Provided further, That of the funds made available in this 
     Act for nuclear waste disposal and defense nuclear waste 
     disposal activities, 3.0 percent shall be provided to Nye 
     County, Nevada, 0.05 percent shall be provided to Clark 
     County, Nevada, and 0.46 percent shall be provided to the 
     State of Nevada as payment equal to taxes under section 
     116(c)(3) of the NWPA: Provided further, That within 90 days 
     of the completion of each Federal fiscal year, the Office of 
     the Attorney General of the State of Nevada, each affected 
     Federally-recognized Indian tribe, and each of the affected 
     units of local government shall provide certification to the 
     Department of Energy that all funds expended from such 
     payments have been expended for activities authorized by the 
     NWPA and this Act: Provided further, That failure to provide 
     such certification shall cause such entity to be prohibited 
     from any further funding provided for similar activities: 
     Provided further, That none of the funds herein appropriated 
     may be: (1) used for litigation expenses; (2) used for 
     interim storage activities; or (3) used to support multi-
     State efforts or other coalition building activities 
     inconsistent with the restrictions contained in this Act: 
     Provided further, That all proceeds and recoveries realized 
     by the Secretary in carrying out activities authorized by the 
     NWPA, including but not limited to any proceeds from the sale 
     of assets, shall be credited to this account, to remain 
     available until expended, for carrying out the purposes of 
     this account.

               Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out 
     the activities authorized by section 5012 of the America 
     COMPETES Act (Public Law 110-69), $325,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That of such amount, 
     $29,250,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, for 
     program direction.

         Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Program

       Such sums as are derived from amounts received from 
     borrowers pursuant to section 1702(b) of the Energy Policy 
     Act of 2005 under this heading in prior Acts, shall be 
     collected in accordance with section 502(7) of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974: Provided, That for 
     necessary administrative expenses to carry out this Loan 
     Guarantee program, $32,000,000 is appropriated from fees 
     collected in prior years pursuant to section 1702(h) of the 
     Energy Policy Act of 2005 which are not otherwise 
     appropriated, to remain available until September 30, 2020: 
     Provided further, That if the amount in the previous proviso 
     is not available from such fees, an amount for such purposes 
     is also appropriated from the general fund so as to result in 
     a total amount appropriated for such purpose of no more than 
     $32,000,000: Provided further, That fees collected pursuant 
     to such section 1702(h) for fiscal year 2019 shall be 
     credited as offsetting collections under this heading and 
     shall not be available until appropriated: Provided further, 
     That the Department of Energy shall not subordinate any loan 
     obligation to other financing in violation of section 1702 of 
     the Energy Policy Act of 2005 or subordinate any Guaranteed 
     Obligation to any loan or other debt obligations in violation 
     of section 609.10 of title 10, Code of Federal Regulations.

        Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program

       For Department of Energy administrative expenses necessary 
     in carrying out the Advanced Technology Vehicles 
     Manufacturing Loan Program, $5,000,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2020.

                  Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program

       For Department of Energy administrative expenses necessary 
     in carrying out the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program, 
     $1,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 2020.

                      Departmental Administration

       For salaries and expenses of the Department of Energy 
     necessary for departmental administration in carrying out the 
     purposes of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 
     U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), $280,524,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2020, including the hire of passenger motor 
     vehicles and official reception and representation expenses 
     not to exceed $30,000, plus such additional amounts as 
     necessary to cover increases in the estimated amount of cost 
     of work for others notwithstanding the provisions of the 
     Anti-Deficiency Act (31 U.S.C. 1511 et seq.): Provided, That 
     such increases in cost of work are offset by revenue 
     increases of the same or greater amount: Provided further, 
     That moneys received by the Department for miscellaneous 
     revenues estimated to total $96,000,000 in fiscal year 2019 
     may be retained and used for operating expenses within this 
     account, as authorized by section 201 of Public Law 95-238, 
     notwithstanding the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 3302: Provided 
     further, That the sum herein appropriated shall be reduced as 
     collections are received during the fiscal year so as to 
     result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation from the 
     general fund estimated at not more than $184,524,000.

                    Office of the Inspector General

       For expenses necessary for the Office of the Inspector 
     General in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector 
     General Act of 1978, $51,330,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2020.

                    ATOMIC ENERGY DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

                NATIONAL NUCLEAR SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

                           Weapons Activities

       For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment 
     and other incidental expenses necessary for atomic energy 
     defense weapons activities in carrying out the purposes of 
     the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et 
     seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real 
     property or any facility or for plant or facility 
     acquisition, construction, or expansion, and the purchase of 
     not to exceed one ambulance for replacement only, 
     $11,200,000,000, to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That of such amount,

[[Page H4909]]

     $102,022,000 shall be available until September 30, 2020, for 
     program direction.

                    Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation

       For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment 
     and other incidental expenses necessary for defense nuclear 
     nonproliferation activities, in carrying out the purposes of 
     the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et 
     seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any real 
     property or any facility or for plant or facility 
     acquisition, construction, or expansion, and the purchase of 
     not to exceed three aircraft, $1,902,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended.

                             Naval Reactors

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary for naval 
     reactors activities to carry out the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the 
     acquisition (by purchase, condemnation, construction, or 
     otherwise) of real property, plant, and capital equipment, 
     facilities, and facility expansion, $1,788,618,000, to remain 
     available until expended, of which, $85,500,000 shall be 
     transferred to ``Department of Energy--Energy Programs--
     Nuclear Energy'', for the Advanced Test Reactor: Provided, 
     That of such amount, $48,709,000 shall be available until 
     September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                     Federal Salaries and Expenses

       For expenses necessary for Federal Salaries and Expenses in 
     the National Nuclear Security Administration, $422,529,000, 
     to remain available until September 30, 2020, including 
     official reception and representation expenses not to exceed 
     $12,000.

               ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER DEFENSE ACTIVITIES

                     Defense Environmental Cleanup

       For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment 
     and other expenses necessary for atomic energy defense 
     environmental cleanup activities in carrying out the purposes 
     of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 
     et seq.), including the acquisition or condemnation of any 
     real property or any facility or for plant or facility 
     acquisition, construction, or expansion, and the purchase of 
     not to exceed one passenger minivan for replacement only, 
     $5,759,220,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That of such amount, $295,000,000 shall be available until 
     September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                        Other Defense Activities

       For Department of Energy expenses, including the purchase, 
     construction, and acquisition of plant and capital equipment 
     and other expenses, necessary for atomic energy defense, 
     other defense activities, and classified activities, in 
     carrying out the purposes of the Department of Energy 
     Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including the 
     acquisition or condemnation of any real property or any 
     facility or for plant or facility acquisition, construction, 
     or expansion, $870,300,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of such amount, $301,085,000 shall 
     be available until September 30, 2020, for program direction.

                     Defense Nuclear Waste Disposal

       For Department of Energy expenses necessary for nuclear 
     waste disposal activities to carry out the purposes of the 
     Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended, including the 
     acquisition of real property or facility construction or 
     expansion, $30,000,000, to remain available until expended.

                    POWER MARKETING ADMINISTRATIONS

                  Bonneville Power Administration Fund

       Expenditures from the Bonneville Power Administration Fund, 
     established pursuant to Public Law 93-454, are approved for 
     official reception and representation expenses in an amount 
     not to exceed $5,000: Provided, That during fiscal year 2019, 
     no new direct loan obligations may be made.

      Operation and Maintenance, Southeastern Power Administration

       For expenses necessary for operation and maintenance of 
     power transmission facilities and for marketing electric 
     power and energy, including transmission wheeling and 
     ancillary services, pursuant to section 5 of the Flood 
     Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), as applied to the 
     southeastern power area, $6,500,000, including official 
     reception and representation expenses in an amount not to 
     exceed $1,500, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302 and section 5 of the 
     Flood Control Act of 1944, up to $6,500,000 collected by the 
     Southeastern Power Administration from the sale of power and 
     related services shall be credited to this account as 
     discretionary offsetting collections, to remain available 
     until expended for the sole purpose of funding the annual 
     expenses of the Southeastern Power Administration: Provided 
     further, That the sum herein appropriated for annual expenses 
     shall be reduced as collections are received during the 
     fiscal year so as to result in a final fiscal year 2019 
     appropriation estimated at not more than $0: Provided 
     further, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, up to 
     $55,360,000 collected by the Southeastern Power 
     Administration pursuant to the Flood Control Act of 1944 to 
     recover purchase power and wheeling expenses shall be 
     credited to this account as offsetting collections, to remain 
     available until expended for the sole purpose of making 
     purchase power and wheeling expenditures: Provided further, 
     That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses 
     means expenditures that are generally recovered in the same 
     year that they are incurred (excluding purchase power and 
     wheeling expenses).

      Operation and Maintenance, Southwestern Power Administration

       For expenses necessary for operation and maintenance of 
     power transmission facilities and for marketing electric 
     power and energy, for construction and acquisition of 
     transmission lines, substations and appurtenant facilities, 
     and for administrative expenses, including official reception 
     and representation expenses in an amount not to exceed $1,500 
     in carrying out section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 
     (16 U.S.C. 825s), as applied to the Southwestern Power 
     Administration, $45,802,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302 and 
     section 5 of the Flood Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), 
     up to $35,402,000 collected by the Southwestern Power 
     Administration from the sale of power and related services 
     shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting 
     collections, to remain available until expended, for the sole 
     purpose of funding the annual expenses of the Southwestern 
     Power Administration: Provided further, That the sum herein 
     appropriated for annual expenses shall be reduced as 
     collections are received during the fiscal year so as to 
     result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at 
     not more than $10,400,000: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, up to $10,000,000 collected 
     by the Southwestern Power Administration pursuant to the 
     Flood Control Act of 1944 to recover purchase power and 
     wheeling expenses shall be credited to this account as 
     offsetting collections, to remain available until expended 
     for the sole purpose of making purchase power and wheeling 
     expenditures: Provided further, That for purposes of this 
     appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures that are 
     generally recovered in the same year that they are incurred 
     (excluding purchase power and wheeling expenses).

 Construction, Rehabilitation, Operation and Maintenance, Western Area 
                          Power Administration

       For carrying out the functions authorized by title III, 
     section 302(a)(1)(E) of the Act of August 4, 1977 (42 U.S.C. 
     7152), and other related activities including conservation 
     and renewable resources programs as authorized, $265,142,000, 
     including official reception and representation expenses in 
     an amount not to exceed $1,500, to remain available until 
     expended, of which $265,142,000 shall be derived from the 
     Department of the Interior Reclamation Fund: Provided, That 
     notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, section 5 of the Flood 
     Control Act of 1944 (16 U.S.C. 825s), and section 1 of the 
     Interior Department Appropriation Act, 1939 (43 U.S.C. 392a), 
     up to $175,770,000 collected by the Western Area Power 
     Administration from the sale of power and related services 
     shall be credited to this account as discretionary offsetting 
     collections, to remain available until expended, for the sole 
     purpose of funding the annual expenses of the Western Area 
     Power Administration: Provided further, That the sum herein 
     appropriated for annual expenses shall be reduced as 
     collections are received during the fiscal year so as to 
     result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at 
     not more than $89,372,000, of which $89,372,000 is derived 
     from the Reclamation Fund: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, up to $180,408,000 collected 
     by the Western Area Power Administration pursuant to the 
     Flood Control Act of 1944 and the Reclamation Project Act of 
     1939 to recover purchase power and wheeling expenses shall be 
     credited to this account as offsetting collections, to remain 
     available until expended for the sole purpose of making 
     purchase power and wheeling expenditures: Provided further, 
     That for purposes of this appropriation, annual expenses 
     means expenditures that are generally recovered in the same 
     year that they are incurred (excluding purchase power and 
     wheeling expenses).

           Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund

       For operation, maintenance, and emergency costs for the 
     hydroelectric facilities at the Falcon and Amistad Dams, 
     $5,207,000, to remain available until expended, and to be 
     derived from the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance 
     Fund of the Western Area Power Administration, as provided in 
     section 2 of the Act of June 18, 1954 (68 Stat. 255): 
     Provided, That notwithstanding the provisions of that Act and 
     of 31 U.S.C. 3302, up to $4,979,000 collected by the Western 
     Area Power Administration from the sale of power and related 
     services from the Falcon and Amistad Dams shall be credited 
     to this account as discretionary offsetting collections, to 
     remain available until expended for the sole purpose of 
     funding the annual expenses of the hydroelectric facilities 
     of these Dams and associated Western Area Power 
     Administration activities: Provided further, That the sum 
     herein appropriated for annual expenses shall be reduced as 
     collections are received during the fiscal year so as to 
     result in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at 
     not more than $228,000: Provided further, That for purposes 
     of this appropriation, annual expenses means expenditures 
     that are generally recovered in the same year that they are 
     incurred: Provided further, That for fiscal year 2019, the 
     Administrator of the Western Area Power Administration may 
     accept up to $122,000 in funds contributed by United States 
     power customers of the Falcon and Amistad Dams for deposit 
     into the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund, 
     and such funds shall be available for the purpose for which 
     contributed in like manner as if said sums had been 
     specifically appropriated for such purpose: Provided further, 
     That any such funds shall be available without further 
     appropriation and without fiscal year limitation for use by 
     the Commissioner of the United States Section of the 
     International Boundary and

[[Page H4910]]

     Water Commission for the sole purpose of operating, 
     maintaining, repairing, rehabilitating, replacing, or 
     upgrading the hydroelectric facilities at these Dams in 
     accordance with agreements reached between the Administrator, 
     Commissioner, and the power customers.

                  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

                         salaries and expenses

       For expenses necessary for the Federal Energy Regulatory 
     Commission to carry out the provisions of the Department of 
     Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7101 et seq.), including 
     services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, official reception 
     and representation expenses not to exceed $3,000, and the 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles, $369,900,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, not to exceed $369,900,000 of 
     revenues from fees and annual charges, and other services and 
     collections in fiscal year 2019 shall be retained and used 
     for expenses necessary in this account, and shall remain 
     available until expended: Provided further, That the sum 
     herein appropriated from the general fund shall be reduced as 
     revenues are received during fiscal year 2019 so as to result 
     in a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation from the general 
     fund estimated at not more than $0.

                GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

                     (including transfers of funds)

       Sec. 301. (a) No appropriation, funds, or authority made 
     available by this title for the Department of Energy shall be 
     used to initiate or resume any program, project, or activity 
     or to prepare or initiate Requests For Proposals or similar 
     arrangements (including Requests for Quotations, Requests for 
     Information, and Funding Opportunity Announcements) for a 
     program, project, or activity if the program, project, or 
     activity has not been funded by Congress.
       (b)(1) Unless the Secretary of Energy notifies the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at 
     least 3 full business days in advance, none of the funds made 
     available in this title may be used to--
       (A) make a grant allocation or discretionary grant award 
     totaling $1,000,000 or more;
       (B) make a discretionary contract award or Other 
     Transaction Agreement totaling $1,000,000 or more, including 
     a contract covered by the Federal Acquisition Regulation;
       (C) issue a letter of intent to make an allocation, award, 
     or Agreement in excess of the limits in subparagraph (A) or 
     (B); or
       (D) announce publicly the intention to make an allocation, 
     award, or Agreement in excess of the limits in subparagraph 
     (A) or (B).
       (2) The Secretary of Energy shall submit to the Committees 
     on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 15 days 
     of the conclusion of each quarter a report detailing each 
     grant allocation or discretionary grant award totaling less 
     than $1,000,000 provided during the previous quarter.
       (3) The notification required by paragraph (1) and the 
     report required by paragraph (2) shall include the recipient 
     of the award, the amount of the award, the fiscal year for 
     which the funds for the award were appropriated, the account 
     and program, project, or activity from which the funds are 
     being drawn, the title of the award, and a brief description 
     of the activity for which the award is made.
       (c) The Department of Energy may not, with respect to any 
     program, project, or activity that uses budget authority made 
     available in this title under the heading ``Department of 
     Energy--Energy Programs'', enter into a multiyear contract, 
     award a multiyear grant, or enter into a multiyear 
     cooperative agreement unless--
       (1) the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement is funded 
     for the full period of performance as anticipated at the time 
     of award; or
       (2) the contract, grant, or cooperative agreement includes 
     a clause conditioning the Federal Government's obligation on 
     the availability of future year budget authority and the 
     Secretary notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress at least 3 days in advance.
       (d) Except as provided in subsections (e), (f), and (g), 
     the amounts made available by this title shall be expended as 
     authorized by law for the programs, projects, and activities 
     specified in the ``Bill'' column in the ``Department of 
     Energy'' table included under the heading ``Title III--
     Department of Energy'' in the report of the Committee on 
     Appropriations accompanying this Act.
       (e) The amounts made available by this title may be 
     reprogrammed for any program, project, or activity, and the 
     Department shall notify the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress at least 30 days prior to the use of 
     any proposed reprogramming that would cause any program, 
     project, or activity funding level to increase or decrease by 
     more than $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less, during 
     the time period covered by this Act.
       (f) None of the funds provided in this title shall be 
     available for obligation or expenditure through a 
     reprogramming of funds that--
       (1) creates, initiates, or eliminates a program, project, 
     or activity;
       (2) increases funds or personnel for any program, project, 
     or activity for which funds are denied or restricted by this 
     Act; or
       (3) reduces funds that are directed to be used for a 
     specific program, project, or activity by this Act.
       (g)(1) The Secretary of Energy may waive any requirement or 
     restriction in this section that applies to the use of funds 
     made available for the Department of Energy if compliance 
     with such requirement or restriction would pose a substantial 
     risk to human health, the environment, welfare, or national 
     security.
       (2) The Secretary of Energy shall notify the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of any waiver under 
     paragraph (1) as soon as practicable, but not later than 3 
     days after the date of the activity to which a requirement or 
     restriction would otherwise have applied. Such notice shall 
     include an explanation of the substantial risk under 
     paragraph (1) that permitted such waiver.
       (h) The unexpended balances of prior appropriations 
     provided for activities in this Act may be available to the 
     same appropriation accounts for such activities established 
     pursuant to this title. Available balances may be merged with 
     funds in the applicable established accounts and thereafter 
     may be accounted for as one fund for the same time period as 
     originally enacted.
       Sec. 302.  Funds appropriated by this or any other Act, or 
     made available by the transfer of funds in this Act, for 
     intelligence activities are deemed to be specifically 
     authorized by the Congress for purposes of section 504 of the 
     National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3094) during fiscal 
     year 2019 until the enactment of the Intelligence 
     Authorization Act for fiscal year 2019.
       Sec. 303.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be used for the construction of facilities classified 
     as high-hazard nuclear facilities under 10 CFR Part 830 
     unless independent oversight is conducted by the Office of 
     Enterprise Assessments to ensure the project is in compliance 
     with nuclear safety requirements.
       Sec. 304.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to approve critical decision-2 or critical 
     decision-3 under Department of Energy Order 413.3B, or any 
     successive departmental guidance, for construction projects 
     where the total project cost exceeds $100,000,000, until a 
     separate independent cost estimate has been developed for the 
     project for that critical decision.
       Sec. 305.  The Secretary of Energy may not transfer more 
     than $274,833,000 from the amounts made available under this 
     title to the working capital fund established under section 
     653 of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 
     7263): Provided, That the Secretary may transfer additional 
     amounts to the working capital fund after the Secretary 
     provides notification in advance of any such transfer to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress: 
     Provided further, That any such notification shall identify 
     the sources of funds by program, project, or activity: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall notify the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     before adding or removing any activities from the fund.
       Sec. 306. (a) None of the funds made available in this or 
     any prior Act under the heading ``Defense Nuclear 
     Nonproliferation'' may be made available to enter into new 
     contracts with, or new agreements for Federal assistance to, 
     the Russian Federation.
       (b) The Secretary of Energy may waive the prohibition in 
     subsection (a) if the Secretary determines that such activity 
     is in the national security interests of the United States. 
     This waiver authority may not be delegated.
       (c) A waiver under subsection (b) shall not be effective 
     until 15 days after the date on which the Secretary submits 
     to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress, in classified form if necessary, a report on the 
     justification for the waiver.
       Sec. 307. (a) New Regional Reserves.--The Secretary of 
     Energy may not establish any new regional petroleum product 
     reserve unless funding for the proposed regional petroleum 
     product reserve is explicitly requested in advance in an 
     annual budget submission and approved by the Congress in an 
     appropriations Act.
       (b) The budget request or notification shall include--
       (1) the justification for the new reserve;
       (2) a cost estimate for the establishment, operation, and 
     maintenance of the reserve, including funding sources;
       (3) a detailed plan for operation of the reserve, including 
     the conditions upon which the products may be released;
       (4) the location of the reserve; and
       (5) the estimate of the total inventory of the reserve.
       Sec. 308. (a) Funds provided by this Act for Project 99-D-
     143, Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility, and any funds 
     provided by prior Acts for such Project that remain 
     unobligated, may be made available only for construction and 
     project support activities for such Project.
       (b) The Secretary of Energy may waive the requirement under 
     subsection (a) if the Secretary concurrently submits to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress--
       (1) the commitment, certification, and details described in 
     section 3121(b) of the National Defense Authorization Act for 
     Fiscal Year 2018 (Public Law 115-91; 131 Stat. 1892); and
       (2) the lifecycle cost estimate used to make such 
     certification.
       (c) If the Secretary waives the requirements under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary may not use funds provided for 
     the Project described in such subsection to eliminate such 
     Project until the date that is 30 days after the submission 
     of the lifecycle cost estimate required under subsection 
     (b)(2).
       Sec. 309.  Notwithstanding section 161 of the Energy Policy 
     and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6241), upon a determination 
     by the President in this fiscal year that a regional supply 
     shortage of refined petroleum product of significant scope 
     and duration exists, that a severe increase in the price of 
     refined petroleum product will likely result from such 
     shortage, and that a draw down and sale of refined petroleum 
     product would assist directly and significantly in reducing 
     the adverse impact of such shortage, the Secretary of Energy 
     may draw down and sell refined petroleum product from the 
     Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Proceeds from a sale under this 
     section shall be deposited into the SPR Petroleum Account 
     established in section 167 of the

[[Page H4911]]

     Energy Policy and Conservation Act (42 U.S.C. 6247), and such 
     amounts shall be available for obligation, without fiscal 
     year limitation, consistent with that section.
       Sec. 310. (a) Report.--The Secretary of Energy shall submit 
     to Congress and the State of Nevada a report on the potential 
     of locating a reprocessing or recycling facility for spent 
     nuclear fuel near the Yucca Mountain site.
       (b) Contents.--The Secretary shall include in the report 
     required under subsection (a) a description of--
       (1) the energy technology benefits associated with a 
     reprocessing or recycling facility for spent nuclear fuel;
       (2) the potential economic benefits for the host community 
     associated with such a facility, including employment, 
     infrastructure development, and workforce development 
     benefits;
       (3) the energy and national security implications for the 
     supply and availability of nuclear fuel associated with such 
     a facility; and
       (4) the potential for locating other nuclear fuel cycle 
     facilities near the Yucca Mountain site, such as an 
     enrichment facility for national defense purposes.
       (c) Consultation.--In preparing the report required under 
     subsection (a), the Secretary shall consult with institutions 
     in the Nevada System of Higher Education, as defined by the 
     State of Nevada, with prior reprocessing research experience.
       (d) Yucca Mountain Site Defined.--In this section, the term 
     ``Yucca Mountain site'' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 2(30) of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982 (42 
     U.S.C. 10101(30)).

                                TITLE IV

                          INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

                    Appalachian Regional Commission

       For expenses necessary to carry out the programs authorized 
     by the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965, and for 
     expenses necessary for the Federal Co-Chairman and the 
     Alternate on the Appalachian Regional Commission, for payment 
     of the Federal share of the administrative expenses of the 
     Commission, including services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 
     3109, and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $155,000,000, to 
     remain available until expended.

                Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board

                         salaries and expenses

       For expenses necessary for the Defense Nuclear Facilities 
     Safety Board in carrying out activities authorized by the 
     Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended by Public Law 100-456, 
     section 1441, $31,243,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2020.

                        Delta Regional Authority

                         salaries and expenses

       For expenses necessary for the Delta Regional Authority and 
     to carry out its activities, as authorized by the Delta 
     Regional Authority Act of 2000, notwithstanding sections 
     382F(d), 382M, and 382N of said Act, $15,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended.

                           Denali Commission

       For expenses necessary for the Denali Commission including 
     the purchase, construction, and acquisition of plant and 
     capital equipment as necessary and other expenses, 
     $15,000,000, to remain available until expended, 
     notwithstanding the limitations contained in section 306(g) 
     of the Denali Commission Act of 1998: Provided, That funds 
     shall be available for construction projects in an amount not 
     to exceed 80 percent of total project cost for distressed 
     communities, as defined by section 307 of the Denali 
     Commission Act of 1998 (division C, title III, Public Law 
     105-277), as amended by section 701 of appendix D, title VII, 
     Public Law 106-113 (113 Stat. 1501A-280), and an amount not 
     to exceed 50 percent for non-distressed communities: Provided 
     further, That notwithstanding any other provision of law 
     regarding payment of a non-Federal share in connection with a 
     grant-in-aid program, amounts under this heading shall be 
     available for the payment of such a non-Federal share for 
     programs undertaken to carry out the purposes of the 
     Commission.

                  Northern Border Regional Commission

       For expenses necessary for the Northern Border Regional 
     Commission in carrying out activities authorized by subtitle 
     V of title 40, United States Code, $12,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That such amounts shall 
     be available for administrative expenses, notwithstanding 
     section 15751(b) of title 40, United States Code.

                 Southeast Crescent Regional Commission

       For expenses necessary for the Southeast Crescent Regional 
     Commission in carrying out activities authorized by subtitle 
     V of title 40, United States Code, $250,000, to remain 
     available until expended.

                     Nuclear Regulatory Commission

                         salaries and expenses

       For expenses necessary for the Commission in carrying out 
     the purposes of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 and the 
     Atomic Energy Act of 1954, $953,050,000, including official 
     representation expenses not to exceed $25,000, to remain 
     available until expended, of which $47,700,000 shall be 
     derived from the Nuclear Waste Fund: Provided, That of the 
     amount appropriated herein, not more than $9,500,000 may be 
     made available for salaries, travel, and other support costs 
     for the Office of the Commission, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2020, of which, notwithstanding section 
     201(a)(2)(c) of the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (42 
     U.S.C. 5841(a)(2)(c)), the use and expenditure shall only be 
     approved by a majority vote of the Commission: Provided 
     further, That revenues from licensing fees, inspection 
     services, and other services and collections estimated at 
     $763,640,000 in fiscal year 2019 shall be retained and used 
     for necessary salaries and expenses in this account, 
     notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302, and shall remain available 
     until expended: Provided further, That of the amounts 
     appropriated under this heading, not less than $9,896,000 
     shall be for activities related to the development of 
     regulatory infrastructure for advanced nuclear technologies, 
     and $16,080,000 shall be for international activities, except 
     that the amounts provided under this proviso shall not be 
     derived from fee revenues, notwithstanding 42 U.S.C. 2214: 
     Provided further, That the sum herein appropriated shall be 
     reduced by the amount of revenues received during fiscal year 
     2019 so as to result in a final fiscal year 2019 
     appropriation estimated at not more than $189,410,000: 
     Provided further, That of the amounts appropriated under this 
     heading, $10,000,000 shall be for university research and 
     development in areas relevant to the Commission's mission, 
     and $5,000,000 shall be for a Nuclear Science and Engineering 
     Grant Program that will support multiyear projects that do 
     not align with programmatic missions but are critical to 
     maintaining the discipline of nuclear science and 
     engineering, except that the amounts provided under this 
     proviso shall not be derived from fee revenues, 
     notwithstanding 42 U.S.C. 2214.

                      office of inspector general

       For expenses necessary for the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978, $12,609,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2020: Provided, That revenues from licensing fees, inspection 
     services, and other services and collections estimated at 
     $10,355,000 in fiscal year 2019 shall be retained and be 
     available until September 30, 2020, for necessary salaries 
     and expenses in this account, notwithstanding section 3302 of 
     title 31, United States Code: Provided further, That the sum 
     herein appropriated shall be reduced by the amount of 
     revenues received during fiscal year 2019 so as to result in 
     a final fiscal year 2019 appropriation estimated at not more 
     than $2,254,000: Provided further, That of the amounts 
     appropriated under this heading, $1,103,000 shall be for 
     Inspector General services for the Defense Nuclear Facilities 
     Safety Board, which shall not be available from fee revenues.

                  Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board

                         salaries and expenses

       For expenses necessary for the Nuclear Waste Technical 
     Review Board, as authorized by Public Law 100-203, section 
     5051, $3,600,000, to be derived from the Nuclear Waste Fund, 
     to remain available until September 30, 2020.

                GENERAL PROVISIONS--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

       Sec. 401.  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall comply 
     with the July 5, 2011, version of Chapter VI of its Internal 
     Commission Procedures when responding to Congressional 
     requests for information, consistent with Department of 
     Justice guidance for all federal agencies.
       Sec. 402. (a) The amounts made available by this title for 
     the Nuclear Regulatory Commission may be reprogrammed for any 
     program, project, or activity, and the Commission shall 
     notify the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress at least 30 days prior to the use of any proposed 
     reprogramming that would cause any program funding level to 
     increase or decrease by more than $500,000 or 10 percent, 
     whichever is less, during the time period covered by this 
     Act.
       (b)(1) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission may waive the 
     notification requirement in subsection (a) if compliance with 
     such requirement would pose a substantial risk to human 
     health, the environment, welfare, or national security.
       (2) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission shall notify the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of 
     any waiver under paragraph (1) as soon as practicable, but 
     not later than 3 days after the date of the activity to which 
     a requirement or restriction would otherwise have applied. 
     Such notice shall include an explanation of the substantial 
     risk under paragraph (1) that permitted such waiver and shall 
     provide a detailed report to the Committees of such waiver 
     and changes to funding levels to programs, projects, or 
     activities.
       (c) Except as provided in subsections (a), (b), and (d), 
     the amounts made available by this title for ``Nuclear 
     Regulatory Commission--Salaries and Expenses'' shall be 
     expended as directed in the report of the Committee on 
     Appropriations accompanying this Act.
       (d) None of the funds provided for the Nuclear Regulatory 
     Commission shall be available for obligation or expenditure 
     through a reprogramming of funds that increases funds or 
     personnel for any program, project, or activity for which 
     funds are denied or restricted by this Act.
       (e) The Commission shall provide a monthly report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, 
     which includes the following for each program, project, or 
     activity, including any prior year appropriations--
       (1) total budget authority;
       (2) total unobligated balances; and
       (3) total unliquidated obligations.

                                TITLE V

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 501.  None of the funds appropriated by this Act may 
     be used in any way, directly or indirectly, to influence 
     congressional action on any legislation or appropriation 
     matters pending before Congress, other than to communicate to 
     Members of Congress as described in 18 U.S.C. 1913.
       Sec. 502. (a) None of the funds made available in title III 
     of this Act may be transferred to any department, agency, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government, except 
     pursuant to a transfer made by or transfer authority provided 
     in this Act or any other appropriations Act for any fiscal 
     year, transfer authority referenced in the report of the 
     Committee on Appropriations

[[Page H4912]]

     accompanying this Act, or any authority whereby a department, 
     agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government 
     may provide goods or services to another department, agency, 
     or instrumentality.
       (b) None of the funds made available for any department, 
     agency, or instrumentality of the United States Government 
     may be transferred to accounts funded in title III of this 
     Act, except pursuant to a transfer made by or transfer 
     authority provided in this Act or any other appropriations 
     Act for any fiscal year, transfer authority referenced in the 
     report of the Committee on Appropriations accompanying this 
     Act, or any authority whereby a department, agency, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government may provide 
     goods or services to another department, agency, or 
     instrumentality.
       (c) The head of any relevant department or agency funded in 
     this Act utilizing any transfer authority shall submit to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a 
     semiannual report detailing the transfer authorities, except 
     for any authority whereby a department, agency, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government may provide 
     goods or services to another department, agency, or 
     instrumentality, used in the previous 6 months and in the 
     year-to-date. This report shall include the amounts 
     transferred and the purposes for which they were transferred, 
     and shall not replace or modify existing notification 
     requirements for each authority.
       Sec. 503.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used in contravention of Executive Order No. 12898 of 
     February 11, 1994 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental 
     Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).
       Sec. 504. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act 
     may be used to maintain or establish a computer network 
     unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and 
     exchanging of pornography.
       (b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds 
     necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law 
     enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal 
     investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities.
       Sec. 505.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used to further implementation of the coastal and marine 
     spatial planning and ecosystem-based management components of 
     the National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order No. 
     13547 of July 19, 2010.
       Sec. 506.  None of the funds made available in this Act, or 
     federal funds provided from any other source, may be used to 
     operate the Federal Columbia River Power System hydroelectric 
     dams in a manner that is inconsistent with the Army Corps of 
     Engineers' 2017 Fish Operations Plan.
       Sec. 507.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used for the removal of any federally owned or operated 
     dam unless the removal was previously authorized by Congress.
       Sec. 508.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used to conduct closure of adjudicatory functions, 
     technical review, or support activities associated with the 
     Yucca Mountain geologic repository license application, or 
     for actions that irrevocably remove the possibility that 
     Yucca Mountain may be a repository option in the future.

                           references to act

       Sec. 509.  Except as expressly provided otherwise, any 
     reference to ``this Act'' contained in this division shall be 
     treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.

                          references to report

       Sec. 510.  Any reference to a ``report accompanying this 
     Act'' contained in this division shall be treated as a 
     reference to House Report 115-697. The effect of such Report 
     shall be limited to this division and shall apply for 
     purposes of determining the allocation of funds provided by, 
     and the implementation of, this division.

                       spending reduction account

       Sec. 511.  The amount by which the applicable allocation of 
     new budget authority made by the Committee on Appropriations 
     of the House of Representatives under section 302(b) of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974 exceeds the amount of 
     proposed new budget authority is $0.
       This division may be cited as the ``Energy and Water 
     Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019''.

        DIVISION B--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019

        The following sums are appropriated, out of any money in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Legislative 
     Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and for 
     other purposes, namely:

                                TITLE I

                           LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For salaries and expenses of the House of Representatives, 
     $1,232,143,035, as follows:

                        House Leadership Offices

       For salaries and expenses, as authorized by law, 
     $25,378,875, including: Office of the Speaker, $7,123,634, 
     including $25,000 for official expenses of the Speaker; 
     Office of the Majority Floor Leader, $2,642,739, including 
     $10,000 for official expenses of the Majority Leader; Office 
     of the Minority Floor Leader, $7,751,946, including $10,000 
     for official expenses of the Minority Leader; Office of the 
     Majority Whip, including the Chief Deputy Majority Whip, 
     $2,197,163, including $5,000 for official expenses of the 
     Majority Whip; Office of the Minority Whip, including the 
     Chief Deputy Minority Whip, $1,700,079, including $5,000 for 
     official expenses of the Minority Whip; Republican 
     Conference, $2,186,819; Democratic Caucus, $1,776,495: 
     Provided, That such amount for salaries and expenses shall 
     remain available from January 3, 2019 until January 2, 2020.

                  Members' Representational Allowances

   Including Members' Clerk Hire, Official Expenses of Members, and 
                             Official Mail

       For Members' representational allowances, including 
     Members' clerk hire, official expenses, and official mail, 
     $573,630,000.

                          Committee Employees

                Standing Committees, Special and Select

       For salaries and expenses of standing committees, special 
     and select, authorized by House resolutions, $127,903,173: 
     Provided, That such amount shall remain available for such 
     salaries and expenses until December 31, 2020, except that 
     $4,000,000 of such amount shall remain available until 
     expended for committee room upgrading.

                      Committee on Appropriations

       For salaries and expenses of the Committee on 
     Appropriations, $23,112,971, including studies and 
     examinations of executive agencies and temporary personal 
     services for such committee, to be expended in accordance 
     with section 202(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 
     1946 and to be available for reimbursement to agencies for 
     services performed: Provided, That such amount shall remain 
     available for such salaries and expenses until December 31, 
     2020.

                   Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

       For salaries and expenses of the Tom Lantos Human Rights 
     Commission established under House Resolution 1451, One 
     Hundred Tenth Congress, $230,000: Provided, That such amount 
     shall remain available for such salaries and expenses from 
     January 3, 2019 until January 3, 2020.

                    Salaries, Officers and Employees

       For compensation and expenses of officers and employees, as 
     authorized by law, $217,845,000, including: for salaries and 
     expenses of the Office of the Clerk, including the positions 
     of the Chaplain and the Historian, and including not more 
     than $25,000 for official representation and reception 
     expenses, of which not more than $20,000 is for the Family 
     Room and not more than $2,000 is for the Office of the 
     Chaplain, $28,305,000; for salaries and expenses of the 
     Office of the Sergeant at Arms, including the position of 
     Superintendent of Garages and the Office of Emergency 
     Management, and including not more than $3,000 for official 
     representation and reception expenses, $18,773,000 of which 
     $5,524,000 shall remain available until expended; for 
     salaries and expenses of the Office of the Chief 
     Administrative Officer including not more than $3,000 for 
     official representation and reception expenses, $147,558,000, 
     of which $11,631,000 shall remain available until expended; 
     for salaries and expenses of the Office of the Inspector 
     General, $5,019,000; for salaries and expenses of the Office 
     of General Counsel, $1,502,000; for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of the Parliamentarian, including the 
     Parliamentarian, $2,000 for preparing the Digest of Rules, 
     and not more than $1,000 for official representation and 
     reception expenses, $2,026,000; for salaries and expenses of 
     the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House, 
     $3,327,000; for salaries and expenses of the Office of the 
     Legislative Counsel of the House, $9,937,000; for salaries 
     and expenses of the Office of Interparliamentary Affairs, 
     $814,000; for other authorized employees, $584,000.

                        Allowances and Expenses

       For allowances and expenses as authorized by House 
     resolution or law, $264,043,016, including: supplies, 
     materials, administrative costs and Federal tort claims, 
     $525,016; official mail for committees, leadership offices, 
     and administrative offices of the House, $190,000; Government 
     contributions for health, retirement, Social Security, and 
     other applicable employee benefits, $239,000,000, to remain 
     available until March 31, 2020; Business Continuity and 
     Disaster Recovery, $16,186,000 of which $5,000,000 shall 
     remain available until expended; transition activities for 
     new members and staff, $3,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended; Wounded Warrior Program $2,750,000, to remain 
     available until expended; Office of Congressional Ethics, 
     $1,670,000; and miscellaneous items including purchase, 
     exchange, maintenance, repair and operation of House motor 
     vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities to 
     heirs of deceased employees of the House, $722,000.

                       Administrative Provisions

requiring amounts remaining in members' representational allowances to 
      be used for deficit reduction or to reduce the federal debt

       Sec. 110. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     any amounts appropriated under this Act for ``HOUSE OF 
     REPRESENTATIVES--Salaries and Expenses--Members' 
     Representational Allowances'' shall be available only for 
     fiscal year 2019. Any amount remaining after all payments are 
     made under such allowances for fiscal year 2019 shall be 
     deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction (or, 
     if there is no Federal budget deficit after all such payments 
     have been made, for reducing the Federal debt, in such manner 
     as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate).
       (b) Regulations.--The Committee on House Administration of 
     the House of Representatives shall have authority to 
     prescribe regulations to carry out this section.
       (c) Definition.--As used in this section, the term ``Member 
     of the House of Representatives'' means a Representative in, 
     or a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress.

                   delivery of bills and resolutions

       Sec. 111. (a) None of the funds made available in any 
     fiscal year may be used to deliver a printed copy of a bill, 
     joint resolution, or resolution to the office of a Member of 
     the House of

[[Page H4913]]

     Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident 
     Commissioner to the Congress) unless the Member requests a 
     copy.
       (b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

                    delivery of congressional record

       Sec. 112. (a) None of the funds made available in any 
     fiscal year may be used to deliver a printed copy of any 
     version of the Congressional Record to the office of a Member 
     of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or 
     Resident Commissioner to the Congress).
       (b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

            limitation on amount available to lease vehicles

       Sec. 113.  None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of 
     Representatives to make any payments from any Members' 
     Representational Allowance for the leasing of a vehicle, 
     excluding mobile district offices, in an aggregate amount 
     that exceeds $1,000 for the vehicle in any month.

           limitation on printed copies of u.s. code to house

       Sec. 114. (a) None of the funds made available in any 
     fiscal year may be to provide an aggregate number of more 
     than 50 printed copies of any edition of the United States 
     Code to all offices of the House of Representatives.
       (b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

                  delivery of reports of disbursements

       Sec. 115. (a) None of the funds made available in any 
     fiscal year may be used to deliver a printed copy of the 
     report of disbursements for the operations of the House of 
     Representatives under section 106 of the House of 
     Representatives Administration Reform Technical Corrections 
     Act (2 U.S.C. 5535) to the office of a Member of the House of 
     Representatives (including a Delegate or Resident 
     Commissioner to the Congress).
       (b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

                       delivery of daily calendar

       Sec. 116. (a) None of the funds made available in any 
     fiscal year may be used to deliver to the office of a Member 
     of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or 
     Resident Commissioner to the Congress) a printed copy of the 
     Daily Calendar of the House of Representatives which is 
     prepared by the Clerk of the House of Representatives.
       (b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

             delivery of congressional pictorial directory

       Sec. 117. (a) None of the funds made available in any 
     fiscal year may be used to deliver a printed copy of the 
     Congressional Pictorial Directory to the office of a Member 
     of the House of Representatives (including a Delegate or 
     Resident Commissioner to the Congress).
       (b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

              repeal of authorizations for former speakers

       Sec. 118. (a) Repeal of Authorizations for Office Space, 
     Office Expenses, Franking and Printing Privileges, and 
     Staff.--The first section and sections 2, 4, 5, and 8 of 
     House Resolution 1238, Ninety-first Congress, agreed to 
     December 22, 1970 (as enacted into permanent law by chapter 
     VIII of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1971) (2 U.S.C. 
     5125(a), 5126, 5127, 5128, and 5129) are repealed.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Subsection (b) of the first 
     section of Public Law 93-532 (2 U.S.C. 5125(b)) is repealed.
       (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section 
     shall apply with respect to any individual who serves as a 
     Representative in Congress during the One Hundred Fifteenth 
     Congress or any succeeding Congress.

                      adjustments to compensation

       Sec. 119.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no 
     adjustment shall be made under section 601(a) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4501) 
     (relating to cost of living adjustments for Members of 
     Congress) during fiscal year 2019.

                           transfer authority

       Sec. 120. (a) Authority To Make Transfers Among House 
     Leadership Offices.--Section 101 of the Legislative Branch 
     Appropriations Act, 1993 (2 U.S.C. 5507) is amended by adding 
     at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(f) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for the 
     House of Representatives under the heading `House Leadership 
     Offices' may be transferred among and merged with the various 
     offices and activities under such heading, effective upon the 
     expiration of the 21-day period (or such alternative period 
     that may be imposed by the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives) which begins on the date such 
     Committee has been notified of the transfer.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year.

                              JOINT ITEMS

       For Joint Committees, as follows:

                        Joint Economic Committee

       For salaries and expenses of the Joint Economic Committee, 
     $4,203,000, to be disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate.

                      Joint Committee on Taxation

       For salaries and expenses of the Joint Committee on 
     Taxation, $11,169,000, to be disbursed by the Chief 
     Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.
       For other joint items, as follows:

                   Office of the Attending Physician

       For medical supplies, equipment, and contingent expenses of 
     the emergency rooms, and for the Attending Physician and his 
     assistants, including:
       (1) an allowance of $2,175 per month to the Attending 
     Physician;
       (2) an allowance of $1,300 per month to the Senior Medical 
     Officer;
       (3) an allowance of $725 per month each to three medical 
     officers while on duty in the Office of the Attending 
     Physician;
       (4) an allowance of $725 per month to 2 assistants and $580 
     per month each not to exceed 11 assistants on the basis 
     heretofore provided for such assistants; and
       (5) $2,740,000 for reimbursement to the Department of the 
     Navy for expenses incurred for staff and equipment assigned 
     to the Office of the Attending Physician, which shall be 
     advanced and credited to the applicable appropriation or 
     appropriations from which such salaries, allowances, and 
     other expenses are payable and shall be available for all the 
     purposes thereof, $3,798,000, to be disbursed by the Chief 
     Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.

             Office of Congressional Accessibility Services

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For salaries and expenses of the Office of Congressional 
     Accessibility Services, $1,486,000, to be disbursed by the 
     Secretary of the Senate.

                             CAPITOL POLICE

                                Salaries

       For salaries of employees of the Capitol Police, including 
     overtime, hazardous duty pay, and Government contributions 
     for health, retirement, social security, professional 
     liability insurance, and other applicable employee benefits, 
     $374,804,000 of which overtime shall not exceed $47,000,000 
     unless the Committee on Appropriations of the House and 
     Senate are notified, to be disbursed by the Chief of the 
     Capitol Police or his designee.

                            General Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Capitol Police, including 
     motor vehicles, communications and other equipment, security 
     equipment and installation, uniforms, weapons, supplies, 
     materials, training, medical services, forensic services, 
     stenographic services, personal and professional services, 
     the employee assistance program, the awards program, postage, 
     communication services, travel advances, relocation of 
     instructor and liaison personnel for the Federal Law 
     Enforcement Training Center, and not more than $5,000 to be 
     expended on the certification of the Chief of the Capitol 
     Police in connection with official representation and 
     reception expenses, $81,554,000, to be disbursed by the Chief 
     of the Capitol Police or his designee: Provided, That, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, the cost of basic 
     training for the Capitol Police at the Federal Law 
     Enforcement Training Center for fiscal year 2019 shall be 
     paid by the Secretary of Homeland Security from funds 
     available to the Department of Homeland Security.

                          OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For salaries and expenses of the Office of Compliance, as 
     authorized by section 305 of the Congressional Accountability 
     Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1385), $5,410,000, of which $550,000 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2019: Provided, 
     That not more than $500 may be expended on the certification 
     of the Executive Director of the Office of Compliance in 
     connection with official representation and reception 
     expenses.

                      CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For salaries and expenses necessary for operation of the 
     Congressional Budget Office, including not more than $6,000 
     to be expended on the certification of the Director of the 
     Congressional Budget Office in connection with official 
     representation and reception expenses, $50,737,000.

                        Administrative Provision

                          relocation expenses

       Sec. 130. (a) Authorizing Payment of Relocation Expenses.--
     Amounts made available for salaries and expenses of the 
     Congressional Budget Office for a fiscal year may be used to 
     reimburse new employees of the Office for relocation expenses 
     if the Director of the Office determines that reimbursing 
     such expenses is of sufficient benefit or value to the 
     Office.
       (b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect 
     to fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

                        ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

                  Capital Construction and Operations

       For salaries for the Architect of the Capitol, and other 
     personal services, at rates of pay provided by law; for all 
     necessary expenses for surveys and studies, construction, 
     operation, and general and administrative support in 
     connection with facilities and activities under the care of 
     the Architect of the Capitol including the Botanic Garden; 
     electrical substations of the Capitol, Senate and House 
     office buildings, and other facilities under the jurisdiction 
     of the Architect of the Capitol; including furnishings and 
     office equipment; including not more than $5,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, to be expended as the 
     Architect of the Capitol may approve; for purchase or 
     exchange, maintenance, and operation of a passenger motor 
     vehicle, $103,962,000.

                            Capitol Building

       For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and 
     operation of the Capitol, $44,379,000, of which $17,731,000 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2023.

[[Page H4914]]

  


                            Capitol Grounds

       For all necessary expenses for care and improvement of 
     grounds surrounding the Capitol, the Senate and House office 
     buildings, and the Capitol Power Plant, $16,761,000, of which 
     $5,519,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2023.

                         House Office Buildings

       For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and 
     operation of the House office buildings, $187,098,000, of 
     which $127,552,000 shall remain available until September 30, 
     2023, and of which $62,000,000 shall remain available until 
     expended for the restoration and renovation of the Cannon 
     House Office Building; Provided, That of the amount made 
     available under this heading, $7,000,000 shall be derived by 
     transfer from the House Office Building Fund established 
     under section 176(d) of the Continuing Appropriations Act, 
     2017, as added by section 101(3) of the Further Continuing 
     Appropriation Act, 2017 (Public Law 114-254; 2 U.S.C. 2001 
     note).
       In addition, for a payment to the House Historic Buildings 
     Revitalization Trust Fund, $10,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended.

                          Capitol Power Plant

       For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and 
     operation of the Capitol Power Plant; lighting, heating, 
     power (including the purchase of electrical energy) and water 
     and sewer services for the Capitol, Senate and House office 
     buildings, Library of Congress buildings, and the grounds 
     about the same, Botanic Garden, Senate garage, and air 
     conditioning refrigeration not supplied from plants in any of 
     such buildings; heating the Government Publishing Office and 
     Washington City Post Office, and heating and chilled water 
     for air conditioning for the Supreme Court Building, the 
     Union Station complex, the Thurgood Marshall Federal 
     Judiciary Building and the Folger Shakespeare Library, 
     expenses for which shall be advanced or reimbursed upon 
     request of the Architect of the Capitol and amounts so 
     received shall be deposited into the Treasury to the credit 
     of this appropriation, $118,980,000, of which $36,292,000 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2023: Provided, 
     That not more than $9,000,000 of the funds credited or to be 
     reimbursed to this appropriation as herein provided shall be 
     available for obligation during fiscal year 2019.

                     Library Buildings and Grounds

       For all necessary expenses for the mechanical and 
     structural maintenance, care and operation of the Library 
     buildings and grounds, $70,201,000, of which $42,079,000 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2023.

             Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security

       For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and 
     operation of buildings, grounds and security enhancements of 
     the United States Capitol Police, wherever located, the 
     Alternate Computing Facility, and Architect of the Capitol 
     security operations, $52,542,000, of which $26,605,000 shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2023.

                             Botanic Garden

       For all necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and 
     operation of the Botanic Garden and the nurseries, buildings, 
     grounds, and collections; and purchase and exchange, 
     maintenance, repair, and operation of a passenger motor 
     vehicle; all under the direction of the Joint Committee on 
     the Library, $14,759,000, of which $3,559,000 shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2023: Provided, That, of the 
     amount made available under this heading, the Architect of 
     the Capitol may obligate and expend such sums as may be 
     necessary for the maintenance, care and operation of the 
     National Garden established under section 307E of the 
     Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1989 (2 U.S.C. 2146), 
     upon vouchers approved by the Architect of the Capitol or a 
     duly authorized designee.

                         Capitol Visitor Center

       For all necessary expenses for the operation of the Capitol 
     Visitor Center, $23,322,000.

                       Administrative Provisions

       no bonuses for contractors behind schedule or over budget

       Sec. 140.  None of the funds made available in this Act for 
     the Architect of the Capitol may be used to make incentive or 
     award payments to contractors for work on contracts or 
     programs for which the contractor is behind schedule or over 
     budget, unless the Architect of the Capitol, or agency-
     employed designee, determines that any such deviations are 
     due to unforeseeable events, government-driven scope changes, 
     or are not significant within the overall scope of the 
     project and/or program.

                                 scrims

       Sec. 141. (a) None of the funds made available in any 
     fiscal year may be used for scrims containing photographs of 
     building facades during restoration or construction projects 
     performed by the Architect of the Capitol.
       (b) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
     2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

                           security programs

       Sec. 142. (a) Purpose of Programs.--Section 906(b) of the 
     2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery 
     From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States 
     (2 U.S.C. 1865(b)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(b) Funds in the account shall be used by the Architect 
     of the Capitol for all necessary expenses for--
       ``(1) resilience and security programs of the Architect of 
     the Capitol; and
       ``(2) the maintenance, care, and operation of buildings, 
     grounds, and security enhancements for facilities of the 
     United States Capitol Police and for other facilities 
     associated with such resilience and security programs at any 
     location.''.
       (b) Transfers of Funds.--Section 906 of such Act (2 U.S.C. 
     1865) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (d); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(c)(1) For carrying out the purposes of the account, the 
     Architect of the Capitol may receive transfers of 
     appropriations from any agency or instrumentality of the 
     United States Government upon the approval of--
       ``(A) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives, in the case of a transfer from an office of 
     the House of Representatives;
       ``(B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, in the 
     case of a transfer from an office of the Senate; or
       ``(C) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
     Representatives and the Senate, in the case of a transfer 
     from any other office of the Government.
       ``(2) Amounts transferred under this subsection shall be 
     merged with the account and made available under this 
     section.
       ``(3) This subsection shall apply with respect to fiscal 
     year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.''.

     increase in threshold for small purchase contracting authority

       Sec. 143. (a) Increase.--Section 1201(a)(1) of the 
     Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003 (2 U.S.C. 
     1821(a)(1)) is amended by striking ``$100,000'' and inserting 
     ``$250,000''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2019 and each 
     succeeding fiscal year.

                          interagency details

       Sec. 144. (a) Authorizing Details of Employees Under Joint 
     Agency Agreements.--In addition to any other authority 
     relating to the detail of employees, the Architect of the 
     Capitol and the head of any other department, agency, or 
     instrumentality of the United States Government may enter 
     into a joint agency agreement under which--
       (1) employees of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol 
     (including employees of the United States Botanic Garden) may 
     be detailed to such department, agency, or instrumentality on 
     a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis; and
       (2) employees of such department, agency, or 
     instrumentality may be detailed to the Office of the 
     Architect of the Capitol on a reimbursable or non-
     reimbursable basis.
       (b) Duration.--The detail of an employee under a joint 
     agency agreement under this section shall be for such 
     duration as may be provided in the agreement, except that in 
     the case of a detail made on a non-reimbursable basis, the 
     duration of the detail may not exceed one year unless the 
     Architect of the Capitol and the head of the department, 
     agency, or instrumentality involved each determine that an 
     extension of the detail of the employee is in the public 
     interest.
       (c) No Effect on Appropriations of Recipient of Non-
     reimbursable Detail.--For purposes of any law, rule, or 
     regulation, the detail of an employee on a non-reimbursable 
     basis under a joint agency agreement under this section for a 
     fiscal year shall not be treated as an increase or 
     modification of the appropriation for the fiscal year of the 
     office to whom the employee is detailed.
       (d) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect 
     to fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

         acceptance of travel expenses from non-federal sources

       Sec. 145. (a) Permitting Acceptance of Expenses.--
     Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Architect of 
     the Capitol may accept payment or authorize an employee of 
     the Office of the Architect of the Capitol to accept payment 
     on the Office's behalf from non-Federal sources for travel, 
     subsistence, and related expenses with respect to attendance 
     of the employee (or the spouse of such employee) at any 
     meeting or similar function relating to the employee's 
     official duties. Any cash payment so accepted shall be 
     credited to the appropriation applicable to such expenses. In 
     the case of a payment in kind so accepted, a pro rata 
     reduction shall be made in any entitlement of the employee to 
     payment from the Government for such expenses.
       (b) Prohibiting Acceptance From Other Sources.--Except as 
     provided in this section or section 7342 of title 5, United 
     States Code, the Office or an employee of the Office may not 
     accept payment for expenses referred to in subsection (a). An 
     employee who accepts any payment in violation of the 
     preceding sentence--
       (1) may be required, in addition to any penalty provided by 
     law, to repay, for deposit in the general fund of the 
     Treasury, an amount equal to the amount of the payment so 
     accepted; and
       (2) in the case of a repayment under paragraph (1), shall 
     not be entitled to any payment from the Government for such 
     expenses.
       (c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply with respect 
     to fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.

                          LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For all necessary expenses of the Library of Congress not 
     otherwise provided for, including development and maintenance 
     of the Library's catalogs; custody and custodial care of the 
     Library buildings; special clothing; cleaning, laundering and 
     repair of uniforms; preservation of motion pictures in the 
     custody of the Library; operation and maintenance of the 
     American Folklife Center in the Library; preparation and 
     distribution of catalog records and other publications of the 
     Library; hire or purchase of one

[[Page H4915]]

     passenger motor vehicle; and expenses of the Library of 
     Congress Trust Fund Board not properly chargeable to the 
     income of any trust fund held by the Board, $493,818,272, of 
     which not more than $6,000,000 shall be derived from 
     collections credited to this appropriation during fiscal year 
     2019, and shall remain available until expended, under the 
     Act of June 28, 1902 (chapter 1301; 32 Stat. 480; 2 U.S.C. 
     150): Provided, That the Library of Congress may not obligate 
     or expend any funds derived from collections under the Act of 
     June 28, 1902, in excess of the amount authorized for 
     obligation or expenditure in appropriations Acts: Provided 
     further, That the total amount available for obligation shall 
     be reduced by the amount by which collections are less than 
     $6,350,000: Provided further, That of the total amount 
     appropriated, not more than $12,000 may be expended, on the 
     certification of the Librarian of Congress, in connection 
     with official representation and reception expenses for the 
     Overseas Field Offices: Provided further, That of the total 
     amount appropriated, $8,589,000 shall remain available until 
     expended for the digital collections and educational 
     curricula program: Provided further, That of the total amount 
     appropriated, $1,133,000 shall remain available until 
     expended for upgrade of the Legislative Branch Financial 
     Management System: Provided further, That of the total amount 
     appropriated, $20,000,000 is provided to enhance public 
     exhibits and visitor services at the Library to remain 
     available until expended, may be obligated and expended only 
     upon written approval by the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Senate, following review 
     of a project plan.

                            Copyright Office

                         salaries and expenses

       For all necessary expenses of the Copyright Office, 
     $93,407,000, of which not more than $39,218,000, to remain 
     available until expended, shall be derived from collections 
     credited to this appropriation during fiscal year 2019 under 
     section 708(d) of title 17, United States Code: Provided, 
     That the Copyright Office may not obligate or expend any 
     funds derived from collections under such section, in excess 
     of the amount authorized for obligation or expenditure in 
     appropriations Acts: Provided further, That not more than 
     $6,272,000 shall be derived from collections during fiscal 
     year 2019 under sections 111(d)(2), 119(b)(3), 803(e), 1005, 
     and 1316 of such title: Provided further, That the total 
     amount available for obligation shall be reduced by the 
     amount by which collections are less than $45,490,000: 
     Provided further, That $4,328,000 shall be derived from prior 
     year unobligated balances: Provided further, That not more 
     than $100,000 of the amount appropriated is available for the 
     maintenance of an ``International Copyright Institute'' in 
     the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress for the 
     purpose of training nationals of developing countries in 
     intellectual property laws and policies: Provided further, 
     That not more than $6,500 may be expended, on the 
     certification of the Librarian of Congress, in connection 
     with official representation and reception expenses for 
     activities of the International Copyright Institute and for 
     copyright delegations, visitors, and seminars: Provided 
     further, That, notwithstanding any provision of chapter 8 of 
     title 17, United States Code, any amounts made available 
     under this heading which are attributable to royalty fees and 
     payments received by the Copyright Office pursuant to 
     sections 111, 119, and chapter 10 of such title may be used 
     for the costs incurred in the administration of the Copyright 
     Royalty Judges program, with the exception of the costs of 
     salaries and benefits for the Copyright Royalty Judges and 
     staff under section 802(e).

                     Congressional Research Service

                         salaries and expenses

       For all necessary expenses to carry out the provisions of 
     section 203 of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 
     U.S.C. 166) and to revise and extend the Annotated 
     Constitution of the United States of America, $125,688,000: 
     Provided, That no part of such amount may be used to pay any 
     salary or expense in connection with any publication, or 
     preparation of material therefor (except the Digest of Public 
     General Bills), to be issued by the Library of Congress 
     unless such publication has obtained prior approval of either 
     the Committee on House Administration of the House of 
     Representatives or the Committee on Rules and Administration 
     of the Senate: Provided further, That this prohibition does 
     not apply to publication of non-confidential Congressional 
     Research Service (CRS) products: Provided further, That a 
     non-confidential CRS product includes any written product 
     containing research or analysis that is currently available 
     for general congressional access on the CRS Congressional 
     Intranet, or that would be made available on the CRS 
     Congressional Intranet in the normal course of business and 
     does not include material prepared in response to 
     Congressional requests for confidential analysis or research.

             Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

                         salaries and expenses

       For all necessary expenses to carry out the Act of March 3, 
     1931 (chapter 400; 46 Stat. 1487; 2 U.S.C. 135a), 
     $52,783,000: Provided, That of the total amount appropriated, 
     $650,000 shall be available to contract to provide newspapers 
     to blind and physically handicapped residents at no cost to 
     the individual.

                       Administrative Provisions

               reimbursable and revolving fund activities

       Sec. 150. (a) In General.--For fiscal year 2019, the 
     obligational authority of the Library of Congress for the 
     activities described in subsection (b) may not exceed 
     $194,608,000.
       (b) Activities.--The activities referred to in subsection 
     (a) are reimbursable and revolving fund activities that are 
     funded from sources other than appropriations to the Library 
     in appropriations Acts for the legislative branch.

                      GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

                        Congressional Publishing

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For authorized publishing of congressional information and 
     the distribution of congressional information in any format; 
     publishing of Government publications authorized by law to be 
     distributed to Members of Congress; and publishing, and 
     distribution of Government publications authorized by law to 
     be distributed without charge to the recipient, $79,000,000: 
     Provided, That this appropriation shall not be available for 
     paper copies of the permanent edition of the Congressional 
     Record for individual Representatives, Resident Commissioners 
     or Delegates authorized under section 906 of title 44, United 
     States Code: Provided further, That this appropriation shall 
     be available for the payment of obligations incurred under 
     the appropriations for similar purposes for fiscal year 2019: 
     Provided further, That notwithstanding the 2-year limitation 
     under section 718 of title 44, United States Code, none of 
     the funds appropriated or made available under this Act or 
     any other Act for printing and binding and related services 
     provided to Congress under chapter 7 of title 44, United 
     States Code, may be expended to print a document, report, or 
     publication after the 27-month period beginning on the date 
     that such document, report, or publication is authorized by 
     Congress to be printed, unless Congress reauthorizes such 
     printing in accordance with section 718 of title 44, United 
     States Code: Provided further, That any unobligated or 
     unexpended balances in this account or accounts for similar 
     purposes for fiscal year 2019 and each succeeding fiscal year 
     may be transferred to the Government Publishing Office 
     Business Operations Revolving Fund for carrying out the 
     purposes of this heading, subject to the approval of the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives 
     and Senate: Provided further, That notwithstanding sections 
     901, 902, and 906 of title 44, United States Code, this 
     appropriation may be used to prepare indexes to the 
     Congressional Record on only a monthly and session basis.

     Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents

                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For expenses of the public information programs of the 
     Office of Superintendent of Documents necessary to provide 
     for the cataloging and indexing of Government publications 
     and their distribution to the public, Members of Congress, 
     other Government agencies, and designated depository and 
     international exchange libraries as authorized by law, 
     $32,000,000: Provided, That amounts of not more than 
     $2,000,000 from current year appropriations are authorized 
     for producing and disseminating Congressional serial sets and 
     other related publications for fiscal years 2017 and 2018 to 
     depository and other designated libraries: Provided further, 
     That any unobligated or unexpended balances in this account 
     or accounts for similar purposes for fiscal year 2019 and 
     each succeeding fiscal year may be transferred to the 
     Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving 
     Fund for carrying out the purposes of this heading, subject 
     to the approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives and Senate.

    Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund

       For payment to the Government Publishing Office Business 
     Operations Revolving Fund, $6,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended, for information technology development and 
     facilities repair: Provided, That the Government Publishing 
     Office is hereby authorized to make such expenditures, within 
     the limits of funds available and in accordance with law, and 
     to make such contracts and commitments without regard to 
     fiscal year limitations as provided by section 9104 of title 
     31, United States Code, as may be necessary in carrying out 
     the programs and purposes set forth in the budget for the 
     current fiscal year for the Government Publishing Office 
     Business Operations Revolving Fund: Provided further, That 
     not more than $7,500 may be expended on the certification of 
     the Director of the Government Publishing Office in 
     connection with official representation and reception 
     expenses: Provided further, That the Business Operations 
     Revolving Fund shall be available for the hire or purchase of 
     not more than 12 passenger motor vehicles: Provided further, 
     That expenditures in connection with travel expenses of the 
     advisory councils to the Director of the Government 
     Publishing Office shall be deemed necessary to carry out the 
     provisions of title 44, United States Code: Provided further, 
     That the Business Operations Revolving Fund shall be 
     available for temporary or intermittent services under 
     section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code, but at rates 
     for individuals not more than the daily equivalent of the 
     annual rate of basic pay for level V of the Executive 
     Schedule under section 5316 of such title: Provided further, 
     That activities financed through the Business Operations 
     Revolving Fund may provide information in any format: 
     Provided further, That the Business Operations Revolving Fund 
     and the funds provided under the heading ``Public Information 
     Programs of the Superintendent of Documents'' may not be used 
     for contracted security services at Government Publishing 
     Office's passport facility in the District of Columbia.

                    GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Government Accountability 
     Office, including not more than

[[Page H4916]]

     $12,500 to be expended on the certification of the 
     Comptroller General of the United States in connection with 
     official representation and reception expenses; temporary or 
     intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, 
     United States Code, but at rates for individuals not more 
     than the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay for 
     level IV of the Executive Schedule under section 5315 of such 
     title; hire of one passenger motor vehicle; advance payments 
     in foreign countries in accordance with section 3324 of title 
     31, United States Code; benefits comparable to those payable 
     under sections 901(5), (6), and (8) of the Foreign Service 
     Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081(5), (6), and (8)); and under 
     regulations prescribed by the Comptroller General of the 
     United States, rental of living quarters in foreign 
     countries, $578,916,653: Provided, That, in addition, 
     $23,800,000 of payments received under sections 782, 791, 
     3521, and 9105 of title 31, United States Code, shall be 
     available without fiscal year limitation: Provided further, 
     That this appropriation and appropriations for administrative 
     expenses of any other department or agency which is a member 
     of the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional 
     Intergovernmental Audit Forum shall be available to finance 
     an appropriate share of either Forum's costs as determined by 
     the respective Forum, including necessary travel expenses of 
     non-Federal participants: Provided further, That payments 
     hereunder to the Forum may be credited as reimbursements to 
     any appropriation from which costs involved are initially 
     financed: Provided further, That this appropriation shall be 
     available to transfer amounts to the Department of the Army 
     for the construction of an Army facility at Redstone Arsenal 
     for the sole, unlimited use of GAO: Provided further, That 
     hereafter, amounts appropriated for the salaries and expenses 
     of the Government Accountability Office shall be available to 
     transfer to the Department of the Army for the maintenance of 
     such facility.

                OPEN WORLD LEADERSHIP CENTER TRUST FUND

       For a payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust 
     Fund for financing activities of the Open World Leadership 
     Center under section 313 of the Legislative Branch 
     Appropriations Act, 2001 (2 U.S.C. 1151), $5,600,000: 
     Provided, That funds made available to support Russian 
     participants shall only be used for those engaging in free 
     market development, humanitarian activities, and civic 
     engagement, and shall not be used for officials of the 
     central government of Russia.

   John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development

       For payment to the John C. Stennis Center for Public 
     Service Development Trust Fund established under section 116 
     of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and 
     Development Act (2 U.S.C. 1105), $430,000.

                                TITLE II

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

                maintenance and care of private vehicles

       Sec. 201.  No part of the funds appropriated in this Act 
     shall be used for the maintenance or care of private 
     vehicles, except for emergency assistance and cleaning as may 
     be provided under regulations relating to parking facilities 
     for the House of Representatives issued by the Committee on 
     House Administration and for the Senate issued by the 
     Committee on Rules and Administration.

                         fiscal year limitation

       Sec. 202.  No part of the funds appropriated in this Act 
     shall remain available for obligation beyond fiscal year 2019 
     unless expressly so provided in this Act.

                 rates of compensation and designation

       Sec. 203.  Whenever in this Act any office or position not 
     specifically established by the Legislative Pay Act of 1929 
     (46 Stat. 32 et seq.) is appropriated for or the rate of 
     compensation or designation of any office or position 
     appropriated for is different from that specifically 
     established by such Act, the rate of compensation and the 
     designation in this Act shall be the permanent law with 
     respect thereto: Provided, That the provisions in this Act 
     for the various items of official expenses of Members, 
     officers, and committees of the Senate and House of 
     Representatives, and clerk hire for Senators and Members of 
     the House of Representatives shall be the permanent law with 
     respect thereto.

                          consulting services

       Sec. 204.  The expenditure of any appropriation under this 
     Act for any consulting service through procurement contract, 
     under section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, shall be 
     limited to those contracts where such expenditures are a 
     matter of public record and available for public inspection, 
     except where otherwise provided under existing law, or under 
     existing Executive order issued under existing law.

                             costs of lbfmc

       Sec. 205.  Amounts available for administrative expenses of 
     any legislative branch entity which participates in the 
     Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council (LBFMC) 
     established by charter on March 26, 1996, shall be available 
     to finance an appropriate share of LBFMC costs as determined 
     by the LBFMC, except that the total LBFMC costs to be shared 
     among all participating legislative branch entities (in such 
     allocations among the entities as the entities may determine) 
     may not exceed $2,000.

                        limitation on transfers

       Sec. 206.  None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality 
     of the United States Government, except pursuant to a 
     transfer made by, or transfer authority provided in, this Act 
     or any other appropriation Act.

                      guided tours of the capitol

       Sec. 207. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), none of 
     the funds made available to the Architect of the Capitol in 
     this Act may be used to eliminate or restrict guided tours of 
     the United States Capitol which are led by employees and 
     interns of offices of Members of Congress and other offices 
     of the House of Representatives and Senate, unless through 
     regulations as authorized by section 402(b)(8) of the Capitol 
     Visitor Center Act of 2008 (2 U.S.C. 2242(b)(8)).
       (b) At the direction of the Capitol Police Board, or at the 
     direction of the Architect of the Capitol with the approval 
     of the Capitol Police Board, guided tours of the United 
     States Capitol which are led by employees and interns 
     described in subsection (a) may be suspended temporarily or 
     otherwise subject to restriction for security or related 
     reasons to the same extent as guided tours of the United 
     States Capitol which are led by the Architect of the Capitol.

                           references to act

       Sec. 208.  Except as expressly provided otherwise, any 
     reference to ``this Act'' contained in this division shall be 
     treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.

                          references to report

       Sec. 209.  Any reference to a ``report accompanying this 
     Act'' contained in this division shall be treated as a 
     reference to House Report 115-696. The effect of such Report 
     shall be limited to this division and shall apply for 
     purposes of determining the allocation of funds provided by, 
     and the implementation of, this division.

                       spending reduction account

       Sec. 210.  The amount by which the applicable allocation of 
     new budget authority made by the Committee on Appropriations 
     of the House of Representatives under section 302(b) of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974 exceeds the amount of 
     proposed new budget authority is $0.
       This division may be cited as the ``Legislative Branch 
     Appropriations Act, 2019''.

   DIVISION C--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED 
                   AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019

        The following sums are appropriated, out of any money in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for military 
     construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related 
     agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2019, and 
     for other purposes, namely:

                                TITLE I

                         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

                      Military Construction, Army

       For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment 
     of temporary or permanent public works, military 
     installations, facilities, and real property for the Army as 
     currently authorized by law, including personnel in the Army 
     Corps of Engineers and other personal services necessary for 
     the purposes of this appropriation, and for construction and 
     operation of facilities in support of the functions of the 
     Commander in Chief, $1,001,768,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2023:  Provided, That, of this amount, not to 
     exceed $110,068,000 shall be available for study, planning, 
     design, architect and engineer services, and host nation 
     support, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the 
     Army determines that additional obligations are necessary for 
     such purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress of the determination and the 
     reasons therefor.

              Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

       For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment 
     of temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, 
     facilities, and real property for the Navy and Marine Corps 
     as currently authorized by law, including personnel in the 
     Naval Facilities Engineering Command and other personal 
     services necessary for the purposes of this appropriation, 
     $2,100,298,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023: 
      Provided, That, of this amount, not to exceed $185,542,000 
     shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect 
     and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the 
     Secretary of the Navy determines that additional obligations 
     are necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees 
     on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the 
     determination and the reasons therefor.

                    Military Construction, Air Force

       For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment 
     of temporary or permanent public works, military 
     installations, facilities, and real property for the Air 
     Force as currently authorized by law, $1,454,723,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2023:  Provided, That, 
     of this amount, not to exceed $206,577,000 shall be available 
     for study, planning, design, and architect and engineer 
     services, as authorized by law, unless the Secretary of the 
     Air Force determines that additional obligations are 
     necessary for such purposes and notifies the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the 
     determination and the reasons therefor.

                  Military Construction, Defense-Wide

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment 
     of temporary or permanent public works, installations, 
     facilities, and real property for activities and agencies of 
     the Department of Defense (other than the military 
     departments), as currently authorized by law, $2,465,738,000, 
     to remain available until September 30, 2023:  Provided, That 
     such amounts of this appropriation as may be determined by 
     the Secretary of Defense may be transferred to such 
     appropriations of the Department of Defense available for 
     military construction or family housing as the Secretary may 
     designate, to be merged with and to be available for the same 
     purposes, and for the same time period, as the appropriation 
     or fund to which transferred:

[[Page H4917]]

      Provided further, That, of the amount, not to exceed 
     $195,345,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, 
     and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, 
     unless the Secretary of Defense determines that additional 
     obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of 
     the determination and the reasons therefor:  Provided 
     further, That the Director of the Missile Defense Agency 
     shall provide quarterly reports to the congressional defense 
     committees on the construction timeline and obligations for 
     the Poland Aegis Ashore complex.

               Military Construction, Army National Guard

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the Army National Guard, and contributions 
     therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United 
     States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, 
     $180,122,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023:  
     Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $16,622,000 
     shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect 
     and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the 
     Director of the Army National Guard determines that 
     additional obligations are necessary for such purposes and 
     notifies the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress of the determination and the reasons therefor.

               Military Construction, Air National Guard

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the Air National Guard, and contributions 
     therefor, as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, United 
     States Code, and Military Construction Authorization Acts, 
     $129,126,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023:  
     Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed $18,500,000 
     shall be available for study, planning, design, and architect 
     and engineer services, as authorized by law, unless the 
     Director of the Air National Guard determines that additional 
     obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of 
     the determination and the reasons therefor.

                  Military Construction, Army Reserve

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the Army Reserve as authorized by chapter 
     1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military 
     Construction Authorization Acts, $64,919,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2023:  Provided, That, of the 
     amount, not to exceed $5,855,000 shall be available for 
     study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, 
     as authorized by law, unless the Chief of the Army Reserve 
     determines that additional obligations are necessary for such 
     purposes and notifies the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress of the determination and the reasons 
     therefor.

                  Military Construction, Navy Reserve

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the reserve components of the Navy and 
     Marine Corps as authorized by chapter 1803 of title 10, 
     United States Code, and Military Construction Authorization 
     Acts, $43,065,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2023:  Provided, That, of the amount, not to exceed 
     $4,695,000 shall be available for study, planning, design, 
     and architect and engineer services, as authorized by law, 
     unless the Secretary of the Navy determines that additional 
     obligations are necessary for such purposes and notifies the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of 
     the determination and the reasons therefor.

                Military Construction, Air Force Reserve

       For construction, acquisition, expansion, rehabilitation, 
     and conversion of facilities for the training and 
     administration of the Air Force Reserve as authorized by 
     chapter 1803 of title 10, United States Code, and Military 
     Construction Authorization Acts, $50,163,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2023:  Provided, That, of the 
     amount, not to exceed $4,055,000 shall be available for 
     study, planning, design, and architect and engineer services, 
     as authorized by law, unless the Chief of the Air Force 
     Reserve determines that additional obligations are necessary 
     for such purposes and notifies the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress of the 
     determination and the reasons therefor:  Provided further, 
     That, the Chief of the Air Force Reserve shall take immediate 
     action to address unfunded military construction requirements 
     for access control points and security issues at Air Force 
     Reserve facilities.

                   North Atlantic Treaty Organization

                      Security Investment Program

       For the United States share of the cost of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program for 
     the acquisition and construction of military facilities and 
     installations (including international military headquarters) 
     and for related expenses for the collective defense of the 
     North Atlantic Treaty Area as authorized by section 2806 of 
     title 10, United States Code, and Military Construction 
     Authorization Acts, $171,064,000, to remain available until 
     expended.

               Department of Defense Base Closure Account

       For deposit into the Department of Defense Base Closure 
     Account, established by section 2906(a) of the Defense Base 
     Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note), 
     $322,390,000, to remain available until expended.

                   Family Housing Construction, Army

       For expenses of family housing for the Army for 
     construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, 
     expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, 
     $330,660,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023:  
     Provided, That none of the funds provided under this heading 
     for family housing construction may be expended for family 
     housing improvements on Kwajalein Atoll until the Secretary 
     of the Army certifies to the congressional defense committees 
     that the new housing units represent the best value to the 
     taxpayer and that no reasonable alternatives exist at a lower 
     cost.

             Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army

       For expenses of family housing for the Army for operation 
     and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, minor 
     construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance 
     premiums, as authorized by law, $376,509,000.

           Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

       For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine 
     Corps for construction, including acquisition, replacement, 
     addition, expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized 
     by law, $104,581,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2023.

    Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps

       For expenses of family housing for the Navy and Marine 
     Corps for operation and maintenance, including debt payment, 
     leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, 
     and insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $314,536,000.

                 Family Housing Construction, Air Force

       For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 
     construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, 
     expansion, extension, and alteration, as authorized by law, 
     $78,446,000, to remain available until September 30, 2023.

          Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force

       For expenses of family housing for the Air Force for 
     operation and maintenance, including debt payment, leasing, 
     minor construction, principal and interest charges, and 
     insurance premiums, as authorized by law, $317,274,000.

         Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide

       For expenses of family housing for the activities and 
     agencies of the Department of Defense (other than the 
     military departments) for operation and maintenance, leasing, 
     and minor construction, as authorized by law, $58,373,000.

         Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund

       For the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement 
     Fund, $1,653,000, to remain available until expended, for 
     family housing initiatives undertaken pursuant to section 
     2883 of title 10, United States Code, providing alternative 
     means of acquiring and improving military family housing and 
     supporting facilities.

 Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund

       For the Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied 
     Housing Improvement Fund, $600,000, to remain available until 
     expended, for unaccompanied housing initiatives undertaken 
     pursuant to section 2883 of title 10, United States Code, 
     providing alternative means of acquiring and improving 
     military unaccompanied housing and supporting facilities.

                       Administrative Provisions

       Sec. 101.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be expended for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee 
     contract for construction, where cost estimates exceed 
     $25,000, to be performed within the United States, except 
     Alaska, without the specific approval in writing of the 
     Secretary of Defense setting forth the reasons therefor.
       Sec. 102.  Funds made available in this title for 
     construction shall be available for hire of passenger motor 
     vehicles.
       Sec. 103.  Funds made available in this title for 
     construction may be used for advances to the Federal Highway 
     Administration, Department of Transportation, for the 
     construction of access roads as authorized by section 210 of 
     title 23, United States Code, when projects authorized 
     therein are certified as important to the national defense by 
     the Secretary of Defense.
       Sec. 104.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to begin construction of new bases in the United 
     States for which specific appropriations have not been made.
       Sec. 105.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be used for purchase of land or land easements in 
     excess of 100 percent of the value as determined by the Army 
     Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering 
     Command, except: (1) where there is a determination of value 
     by a Federal court; (2) purchases negotiated by the Attorney 
     General or the designee of the Attorney General; (3) where 
     the estimated value is less than $25,000; or (4) as otherwise 
     determined by the Secretary of Defense to be in the public 
     interest.
       Sec. 106.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     shall be used to: (1) acquire land; (2) provide for site 
     preparation; or (3) install utilities for any family housing, 
     except housing for which funds have been made available in 
     annual Acts making appropriations for military construction.
       Sec. 107.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     for minor construction may be used to transfer or relocate 
     any activity from one base or installation to another, 
     without prior notification to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 108.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used for the procurement of steel for any construction 
     project or activity for

[[Page H4918]]

     which American steel producers, fabricators, and 
     manufacturers have been denied the opportunity to compete for 
     such steel procurement.
       Sec. 109.  None of the funds available to the Department of 
     Defense for military construction or family housing during 
     the current fiscal year may be used to pay real property 
     taxes in any foreign nation.
       Sec. 110.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be used to initiate a new installation overseas without 
     prior notification to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 111.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be obligated for architect and engineer contracts 
     estimated by the Government to exceed $500,000 for projects 
     to be accomplished in Japan, in any North Atlantic Treaty 
     Organization member country, or in countries bordering the 
     Arabian Gulf, unless such contracts are awarded to United 
     States firms or United States firms in joint venture with 
     host nation firms.
       Sec. 112.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     for military construction in the United States territories 
     and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in 
     countries bordering the Arabian Gulf, may be used to award 
     any contract estimated by the Government to exceed $1,000,000 
     to a foreign contractor:  Provided, That this section shall 
     not be applicable to contract awards for which the lowest 
     responsive and responsible bid of a United States contractor 
     exceeds the lowest responsive and responsible bid of a 
     foreign contractor by greater than 20 percent:  Provided 
     further, That this section shall not apply to contract awards 
     for military construction on Kwajalein Atoll for which the 
     lowest responsive and responsible bid is submitted by a 
     Marshallese contractor.
       Sec. 113.  The Secretary of Defense shall inform the 
     appropriate committees of both Houses of Congress, including 
     the Committees on Appropriations, of plans and scope of any 
     proposed military exercise involving United States personnel 
     30 days prior to its occurring, if amounts expended for 
     construction, either temporary or permanent, are anticipated 
     to exceed $100,000.
       Sec. 114.  Funds appropriated to the Department of Defense 
     for construction in prior years shall be available for 
     construction authorized for each such military department by 
     the authorizations enacted into law during the current 
     session of Congress.
       Sec. 115.  For military construction or family housing 
     projects that are being completed with funds otherwise 
     expired or lapsed for obligation, expired or lapsed funds may 
     be used to pay the cost of associated supervision, 
     inspection, overhead, engineering and design on those 
     projects and on subsequent claims, if any.
       Sec. 116.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any 
     funds made available to a military department or defense 
     agency for the construction of military projects may be 
     obligated for a military construction project or contract, or 
     for any portion of such a project or contract, at any time 
     before the end of the fourth fiscal year after the fiscal 
     year for which funds for such project were made available, if 
     the funds obligated for such project: (1) are obligated from 
     funds available for military construction projects; and (2) 
     do not exceed the amount appropriated for such project, plus 
     any amount by which the cost of such project is increased 
     pursuant to law.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 117.  Subject to 30 days prior notification, or 14 
     days for a notification provided in an electronic medium 
     pursuant to sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States 
     Code, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress, such additional amounts as may be determined by the 
     Secretary of Defense may be transferred to: (1) the 
     Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund from 
     amounts appropriated for construction in ``Family Housing'' 
     accounts, to be merged with and to be available for the same 
     purposes and for the same period of time as amounts 
     appropriated directly to the Fund; or (2) the Department of 
     Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund from 
     amounts appropriated for construction of military 
     unaccompanied housing in ``Military Construction'' accounts, 
     to be merged with and to be available for the same purposes 
     and for the same period of time as amounts appropriated 
     directly to the Fund:  Provided, That appropriations made 
     available to the Funds shall be available to cover the costs, 
     as defined in section 502(5) of the Congressional Budget Act 
     of 1974, of direct loans or loan guarantees issued by the 
     Department of Defense pursuant to the provisions of 
     subchapter IV of chapter 169 of title 10, United States Code, 
     pertaining to alternative means of acquiring and improving 
     military family housing, military unaccompanied housing, and 
     supporting facilities.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 118.  In addition to any other transfer authority 
     available to the Department of Defense, amounts may be 
     transferred from the Department of Defense Base Closure 
     Account to the fund established by section 1013(d) of the 
     Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 
     (42 U.S.C. 3374) to pay for expenses associated with the 
     Homeowners Assistance Program incurred under 42 U.S.C. 
     3374(a)(1)(A). Any amounts transferred shall be merged with 
     and be available for the same purposes and for the same time 
     period as the fund to which transferred.
       Sec. 119.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     funds made available in this title for operation and 
     maintenance of family housing shall be the exclusive source 
     of funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing 
     units, including general or flag officer quarters:  Provided, 
     That not more than $15,000 per unit may be spent annually for 
     the maintenance and repair of any general or flag officer 
     quarters without 30 days prior notification, or 14 days for a 
     notification provided in an electronic medium pursuant to 
     sections 480 and 2883 of title 10, United States Code, to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, 
     except that an after-the-fact notification shall be submitted 
     if the limitation is exceeded solely due to costs associated 
     with environmental remediation that could not be reasonably 
     anticipated at the time of the budget submission:  Provided 
     further, That the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller) is 
     to report annually to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress all operation and maintenance 
     expenditures for each individual general or flag officer 
     quarters for the prior fiscal year.
       Sec. 120.  Amounts contained in the Ford Island Improvement 
     Account established by subsection (h) of section 2814 of 
     title 10, United States Code, are appropriated and shall be 
     available until expended for the purposes specified in 
     subsection (i)(1) of such section or until transferred 
     pursuant to subsection (i)(3) of such section.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 121.  During the 5-year period after appropriations 
     available in this Act to the Department of Defense for 
     military construction and family housing operation and 
     maintenance and construction have expired for obligation, 
     upon a determination that such appropriations will not be 
     necessary for the liquidation of obligations or for making 
     authorized adjustments to such appropriations for obligations 
     incurred during the period of availability of such 
     appropriations, unobligated balances of such appropriations 
     may be transferred into the appropriation ``Foreign Currency 
     Fluctuations, Construction, Defense'', to be merged with and 
     to be available for the same time period and for the same 
     purposes as the appropriation to which transferred.
       Sec. 122. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), none of 
     the funds made available in this Act may be used by the 
     Secretary of the Army to relocate a unit in the Army that--
       (1) performs a testing mission or function that is not 
     performed by any other unit in the Army and is specifically 
     stipulated in title 10, United States Code; and
       (2) is located at a military installation at which the 
     total number of civilian employees of the Department of the 
     Army and Army contractor personnel employed exceeds 10 
     percent of the total number of members of the regular and 
     reserve components of the Army assigned to the installation.
       (b) Exception.--Subsection (a) shall not apply if the 
     Secretary of the Army certifies to the congressional defense 
     committees that in proposing the relocation of the unit of 
     the Army, the Secretary complied with Army Regulation 5-10 
     relating to the policy, procedures, and responsibilities for 
     Army stationing actions.
       Sec. 123.  Amounts appropriated or otherwise made available 
     in an account funded under the headings in this title may be 
     transferred among projects and activities within the account 
     in accordance with the reprogramming guidelines for military 
     construction and family housing construction contained in 
     Department of Defense Financial Management Regulation 
     7000.14-R, Volume 3, Chapter 7, of March 2011, as in effect 
     on the date of enactment of this Act.
       Sec. 124.  None of the funds made available in this title 
     may be obligated or expended for planning and design and 
     construction of projects at Arlington National Cemetery.
       Sec. 125.  For an additional amount for the accounts and in 
     the amounts specified, to remain available until September 
     30, 2023:
       ``Military Construction, Army'', $44,100,000;
       ``Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'', 
     $317,800,000;
       ``Military Construction, Air Force'', $144,450,000;
       ``Military Construction, Army National Guard'', 
     $11,000,000;
       ``Military Construction, Air National Guard'', $62,000,000;
       ``Military Construction, Army Reserve'', $23,000,000; and
       ``Military Construction, Air Force Reserve'', $84,800,000:
       Provided, That such funds may only be obligated to carry 
     out construction projects identified in the respective 
     military department's unfunded priority list for fiscal year 
     2019 submitted to Congress:  Provided further, That such 
     projects are subject to authorization prior to obligation and 
     expenditure of funds to carry out construction:  Provided 
     further, That not later than 30 days after enactment of this 
     Act, the Secretary of the military department concerned, or 
     his or her designee, shall submit to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an expenditure plan 
     for funds provided under this section.

                         (rescissions of funds)

       Sec. 126.  Of the unobligated balances available to the 
     Department of Defense from prior appropriation Acts, the 
     following funds are hereby rescinded from the following 
     accounts in the amounts specified:
       ``NATO Security Investment Program'', $25,000,000;
       ``Military Construction, Air Force'', $31,158,000; and
       ``The fund established in section 1013(d) of the 
     Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 
     (42 U.S.C. 3374)'', $15,000,000:
       Provided, That no amounts may be rescinded from amounts 
     that were designated by the Congress for Overseas Contingency 
     Operations/Global War on Terrorism or as an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget 
     or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985, as amended.

[[Page H4919]]

       Sec. 127.  For the purposes of this Act, the term 
     ``congressional defense committees'' means the Committees on 
     Armed Services of the House of Representatives and the 
     Senate, the Subcommittee on Military Construction and 
     Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     Senate, and the Subcommittee on Military Construction and 
     Veterans Affairs of the Committee on Appropriations of the 
     House of Representatives.
       Sec. 128.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used to carry out the closure or realignment of the United 
     States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
       Sec. 129.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, none 
     of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available by this 
     or any other Act may be used to consolidate or relocate any 
     element of a United States Air Force Rapid Engineer 
     Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED 
     HORSE) outside of the United States until the Secretary of 
     the Air Force (1) completes an analysis and comparison of the 
     cost and infrastructure investment required to consolidate or 
     relocate a RED HORSE squadron outside of the United States 
     versus within the United States; (2) provides to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     (``the Committees'') a report detailing the findings of the 
     cost analysis; and (3) certifies in writing to the Committees 
     that the preferred site for the consolidation or relocation 
     yields the greatest savings for the Air Force:  Provided, 
     That the term ``United States'' in this section does not 
     include any territory or possession of the United States.
       Sec. 130.  All amounts appropriated to ``Department of 
     Defense--Military Construction accounts for Army, Navy and 
     Marine Corps, Air Force and Defense-Wide'' pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations in the National Defense 
     Authorization Act specified for fiscal year 2019 in the 
     funding table in section 4601 of that Act, shall be 
     immediately available and allotted to contract for the full 
     scope of authorized projects.
       Sec. 131.  For an additional amount for the accounts and in 
     the amounts specified, for enhancing force protection and 
     safety at military installations, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2023:
       ``Military Construction, Army'', $50,000,000;
       ``Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps'', 
     $50,000,000;
       ``Military Construction, Air Force'', $50,000,000:
       Provided , That such projects are subject to authorization 
     prior to obligation and expenditure of funds to carry out 
     construction:  Provided further, That not later than 30 days 
     after enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the military 
     department concerned, or his or her designee, shall submit to 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     an expenditure plan for funds provided under this section.

                                TITLE II

                     DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                    Veterans Benefits Administration

                       compensation and pensions

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of 
     veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as 
     authorized by section 107 and chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 53, 
     55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code; pension benefits 
     to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by chapters 15, 51, 
     53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States Code; and burial 
     benefits, the Reinstated Entitlement Program for Survivors, 
     emergency and other officers' retirement pay, adjusted-
     service credits and certificates, payment of premiums due on 
     commercial life insurance policies guaranteed under the 
     provisions of title IV of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act 
     (50 U.S.C. App. 541 et seq.) and for other benefits as 
     authorized by sections 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, and 
     chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, United States 
     Code, $108,530,139,000, to remain available until expended, 
     of which $107,119,807,000 shall become available on October 
     1, 2019:  Provided, That not to exceed $18,047,000 of the 
     amount made available for fiscal year 2020 under this heading 
     shall be reimbursed to ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans 
     Benefits Administration'', and ``Information Technology 
     Systems'' for necessary expenses in implementing the 
     provisions of chapters 51, 53, and 55 of title 38, United 
     States Code, the funding source for which is specifically 
     provided as the ``Compensation and Pensions'' appropriation:  
     Provided further, That such sums as may be earned on an 
     actual qualifying patient basis, shall be reimbursed to 
     ``Medical Care Collections Fund'' to augment the funding of 
     individual medical facilities for nursing home care provided 
     to pensioners as authorized.

                         readjustment benefits

       For the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits 
     to or on behalf of veterans as authorized by chapters 21, 30, 
     31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 51, 53, 55, and 61 of title 38, 
     United States Code, $14,065,282,000, to remain available 
     until expended and to become available on October 1, 2019:  
     Provided, That expenses for rehabilitation program services 
     and assistance which the Secretary is authorized to provide 
     under subsection (a) of section 3104 of title 38, United 
     States Code, other than under paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and 
     (11) of that subsection, shall be charged to this account.

                   veterans insurance and indemnities

       For military and naval insurance, national service life 
     insurance, servicemen's indemnities, service-disabled 
     veterans insurance, and veterans mortgage life insurance as 
     authorized by chapters 19 and 21, title 38, United States 
     Code, $111,340,000, which shall become available on October 
     1, 2019, and shall remain available until expended.

                 veterans housing benefit program fund

       For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as 
     may be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by 
     subchapters I through III of chapter 37 of title 38, United 
     States Code:  Provided, That such costs, including the cost 
     of modifying such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 
     of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974:  Provided further, 
     That, during fiscal year 2019, within the resources 
     available, not to exceed $500,000 in gross obligations for 
     direct loans are authorized for specially adapted housing 
     loans.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct and guaranteed loan programs, $200,612,000.

            vocational rehabilitation loans program account

       For the cost of direct loans, $39,000, as authorized by 
     chapter 31 of title 38, United States Code:  Provided, That 
     such costs, including the cost of modifying such loans, shall 
     be as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act 
     of 1974:  Provided further, That funds made available under 
     this heading are available to subsidize gross obligations for 
     the principal amount of direct loans not to exceed 
     $2,037,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $396,000, which may be paid to 
     the appropriation for ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans 
     Benefits Administration''.

          native american veteran housing loan program account

       For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan 
     program authorized by subchapter V of chapter 37 of title 38, 
     United States Code, $1,149,000.

      general operating expenses, veterans benefits administration

       For necessary operating expenses of the Veterans Benefits 
     Administration, not otherwise provided for, including hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles, reimbursement of the General 
     Services Administration for security guard services, and 
     reimbursement of the Department of Defense for the cost of 
     overseas employee mail, $2,922,000,000:  Provided, That 
     expenses for services and assistance authorized under 
     paragraphs (1), (2), (5), and (11) of section 3104(a) of 
     title 38, United States Code, that the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs determines are necessary to enable entitled veterans: 
     (1) to the maximum extent feasible, to become employable and 
     to obtain and maintain suitable employment; or (2) to achieve 
     maximum independence in daily living, shall be charged to 
     this account:  Provided further, That, of the funds made 
     available under this heading, not to exceed 5 percent shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2020.

                     Veterans Health Administration

                            medical services

       For necessary expenses for furnishing, as authorized by 
     law, inpatient and outpatient care and treatment to 
     beneficiaries of the Department of Veterans Affairs and 
     veterans described in section 1705(a) of title 38, United 
     States Code, including care and treatment in facilities not 
     under the jurisdiction of the Department, and including 
     medical supplies and equipment, bioengineering services, food 
     services, and salaries and expenses of healthcare employees 
     hired under title 38, United States Code, aid to State homes 
     as authorized by section 1741 of title 38, United States 
     Code, assistance and support services for caregivers as 
     authorized by section 1720G of title 38, United States Code, 
     loan repayments authorized by section 604 of the Caregivers 
     and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 
     111-163; 124 Stat. 1174; 38 U.S.C. 7681 note), monthly 
     assistance allowances authorized by section 322(d) of title 
     38, United States Code, grants authorized by section 521A of 
     title 38, United States Code, and administrative expenses 
     necessary to carry out sections 322(d) and 521A of title 38, 
     United States Code, and hospital care and medical services 
     authorized by section 1787 of title 38, United States Code, 
     $48,747,988,000, plus reimbursements, shall become available 
     on October 1, 2019, and shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2020:  Provided, That, of the amount made 
     available on October 1, 2018, under this heading, 
     $1,400,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 
     2021:  Provided further, That, notwithstanding any other 
     provision of law, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     establish a priority for the provision of medical treatment 
     for veterans who have service-connected disabilities, lower 
     income, or have special needs:  Provided further, That, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs shall give priority funding for the 
     provision of basic medical benefits to veterans in enrollment 
     priority groups 1 through 6:  Provided further, That, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs may authorize the dispensing of prescription 
     drugs from Veterans Health Administration facilities to 
     enrolled veterans with privately written prescriptions based 
     on requirements established by the Secretary:  Provided 
     further, That the implementation of the program described in 
     the previous proviso shall incur no additional cost to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs.

                         medical community care

       For necessary expenses for furnishing health care to 
     individuals pursuant to chapter 17 of title 38, United States 
     Code, at non-Department facilities, $500,000,000 which shall 
     be in addition to funds previously appropriated under this 
     heading that become available on October 1, 2018: and, in 
     addition, $14,419,786,000, plus reimbursements, shall become 
     available on October 1, 2019, and shall remain available 
     until September 30, 2020:  Provided, That, of the amount made 
     available on October 1, 2019, under this heading, 
     $2,000,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 
     2021.

[[Page H4920]]

  


                     medical support and compliance

       For necessary expenses in the administration of the 
     medical, hospital, nursing home, domiciliary, construction, 
     supply, and research activities, as authorized by law; 
     administrative expenses in support of capital policy 
     activities; and administrative and legal expenses of the 
     Department for collecting and recovering amounts owed the 
     Department as authorized under chapter 17 of title 38, United 
     States Code, and the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act (42 
     U.S.C. 2651 et seq.), $7,106,150,000, plus reimbursements, 
     shall become available on October 1, 2019, and shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2020:  Provided, That, of the 
     amount made available on October 1, 2019, under this heading, 
     $100,000,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2021.

                           medical facilities

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     hospitals, nursing homes, domiciliary facilities, and other 
     necessary facilities of the Veterans Health Administration; 
     for administrative expenses in support of planning, design, 
     project management, real property acquisition and 
     disposition, construction, and renovation of any facility 
     under the jurisdiction or for the use of the Department; for 
     oversight, engineering, and architectural activities not 
     charged to project costs; for repairing, altering, improving, 
     or providing facilities in the several hospitals and homes 
     under the jurisdiction of the Department, not otherwise 
     provided for, either by contract or by the hire of temporary 
     employees and purchase of materials; for leases of 
     facilities; and for laundry services, $5,276,676,000, plus 
     reimbursements, shall become available on October 1, 2019, 
     and shall remain available until September 30, 2020:  
     Provided, That, of the amount made available on October 1, 
     2019, under this heading, $250,000,000 shall remain available 
     until September 30, 2021.

                    medical and prosthetic research

       For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical 
     and prosthetic research and development as authorized by 
     chapter 73 of title 38, United States Code, $732,262,000, 
     plus reimbursements, shall remain available until September 
     30, 2020: Provided, That of the amount made available under 
     this heading, $27,000,000 shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2023 .

                    National Cemetery Administration

       For necessary expenses of the National Cemetery 
     Administration for operations and maintenance, not otherwise 
     provided for, including uniforms or allowances therefor; 
     cemeterial expenses as authorized by law; purchase of one 
     passenger motor vehicle for use in cemeterial operations; 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles; and repair, alteration or 
     improvement of facilities under the jurisdiction of the 
     National Cemetery Administration, $315,836,000, of which not 
     to exceed 10 percent shall remain available until September 
     30, 2020.

                      Departmental Administration

                         general administration

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary operating expenses of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including 
     administrative expenses in support of Department-wide capital 
     planning, management and policy activities, uniforms, or 
     allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses; hire of passenger 
     motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General Services 
     Administration for security guard services, $346,091,000, of 
     which not to exceed 5 percent shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2020:  Provided, That funds provided under this 
     heading may be transferred to ``General Operating Expenses, 
     Veterans Benefits Administration''.

                       board of veterans appeals

       For necessary operating expenses of the Board of Veterans 
     Appeals, $174,748,000, of which not to exceed 10 percent 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2020.

                     information technology systems

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for information technology systems 
     and telecommunications support, including developmental 
     information systems and operational information systems; for 
     pay and associated costs; and for the capital asset 
     acquisition of information technology systems, including 
     management and related contractual costs of said 
     acquisitions, including contractual costs associated with 
     operations authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United 
     States Code, $4,105,500,000, plus reimbursements:  Provided, 
     That $1,235,320,000 shall be for pay and associated costs, of 
     which not to exceed 5 percent shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2020:  Provided further, That $2,521,650,000 
     shall be for operations and maintenance, of which not to 
     exceed 5 percent shall remain available until September 30, 
     2020:  Provided further, That $348,530,000 shall be for 
     information technology systems development, and shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2020:  Provided further, That 
     amounts made available for information technology systems 
     development may not be obligated or expended until the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Chief Information 
     Officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs submits to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a 
     certification of the amounts, in parts or in full, to be 
     obligated and expended for each development project:  
     Provided further, That amounts made available for salaries 
     and expenses, operations and maintenance, and information 
     technology systems development may be transferred among the 
     three subaccounts after the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     requests from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
     of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an 
     approval is issued:  Provided further, That amounts made 
     available for the ``Information Technology Systems'' account 
     for development may be transferred among projects or to newly 
     defined projects:  Provided further, That no project may be 
     increased or decreased by more than $1,000,000 of cost prior 
     to submitting a request to the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress to make the transfer and an 
     approval is issued, or absent a response, a period of 30 days 
     has elapsed:  Provided further, That the funds made available 
     under this heading for information technology systems 
     development shall be for the projects, and in the amounts, 
     specified under this heading in the report accompanying this 
     Act.

                   veterans electronic health record

       For activities related to implementation, preparation, 
     development, interface, management, rollout, and maintenance 
     of a Veterans Electronic Health Record system, including 
     contractual costs associated with operations authorized by 
     section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, and salaries and 
     expenses of employees hired under titles 5 and 38, United 
     States Code, $1,207,000,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2021:  Provided, That the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress quarterly reports detailing 
     obligations, expenditures, and deployment implementation by 
     facility:  Provided further, That the funds provided in this 
     account shall only be available to the Office of the Deputy 
     Secretary, to be administered by that Office.

                      office of inspector general

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General, 
     to include information technology, in carrying out the 
     provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. 
     App.), $172,054,000, of which not to exceed 10 percent shall 
     remain available until September 30, 2020.

                      construction, major projects

       For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of 
     the facilities, including parking projects, under the 
     jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs, or for any of the purposes set forth in sections 
     316, 2404, 2406 and chapter 81 of title 38, United States 
     Code, not otherwise provided for, including planning, 
     architectural and engineering services, construction 
     management services, maintenance or guarantee period services 
     costs associated with equipment guarantees provided under the 
     project, services of claims analysts, offsite utility and 
     storm drainage system construction costs, and site 
     acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is more 
     than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) of title 
     38, United States Code, or where funds for a project were 
     made available in a previous major project appropriation, 
     $1,127,486,000, of which $647,486,000 shall remain available 
     until September 30, 2023; and of which $480,000,000 shall 
     remain available until expended, of which $400,000,000 shall 
     be available for seismic improvement projects and seismic 
     program management activities, including for projects that 
     would otherwise be funded by the Construction, Minor 
     Projects, Medical Facilities or National Cemetery 
     Administration accounts:  Provided, That except for advance 
     planning activities, including needs assessments which may or 
     may not lead to capital investments, and other capital asset 
     management related activities, including portfolio 
     development and management activities, and investment 
     strategy studies funded through the advance planning fund and 
     the planning and design activities funded through the design 
     fund, including needs assessments which may or may not lead 
     to capital investments, and salaries and associated costs of 
     the resident engineers who oversee those capital investments 
     funded through this account and contracting officers who 
     manage specific major construction projects, and funds 
     provided for the purchase, security, and maintenance of land 
     for the National Cemetery Administration through the land 
     acquisition line item, none of the funds made available under 
     this heading shall be used for any project that has not been 
     notified to Congress through the budgetary process or that 
     has not been approved by the Congress through statute, joint 
     resolution, or in the explanatory statement accompanying such 
     Act and presented to the President at the time of enrollment: 
      Provided further, That funds made available under this 
     heading for fiscal year 2019, for each approved project shall 
     be obligated: (1) by the awarding of a construction documents 
     contract by September 30, 2019; and (2) by the awarding of a 
     construction contract by September 30, 2020:  Provided 
     further, That the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     promptly submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress a written report on any approved major 
     construction project for which obligations are not incurred 
     within the time limitations established above:  Provided 
     further , That notwithstanding the requirements of section 
     8104(a) of title 38, United States Code, amounts made 
     available under this heading for seismic improvement projects 
     and seismic program management activities shall be available 
     for the completion of both new and existing seismic projects 
     of the Department.
       

                      construction, minor projects

       For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of 
     the facilities, including parking projects, under the 
     jurisdiction or for the use of the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs, including planning and assessments of needs which 
     may lead to capital investments, architectural and 
     engineering services, maintenance or guarantee period 
     services costs associated with equipment guarantees provided 
     under the project, services of claims analysts, offsite 
     utility and storm

[[Page H4921]]

     drainage system construction costs, and site acquisition, or 
     for any of the purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406 
     and chapter 81 of title 38, United States Code, not otherwise 
     provided for, where the estimated cost of a project is equal 
     to or less than the amount set forth in section 8104(a)(3)(A) 
     of title 38, United States Code, $649,514,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2023, along with unobligated 
     balances of previous ``Construction, Minor Projects'' 
     appropriations which are hereby made available for any 
     project where the estimated cost is equal to or less than the 
     amount set forth in such section:  Provided, That funds made 
     available under this heading shall be for: (1) repairs to any 
     of the nonmedical facilities under the jurisdiction or for 
     the use of the Department which are necessary because of loss 
     or damage caused by any natural disaster or catastrophe; and 
     (2) temporary measures necessary to prevent or to minimize 
     further loss by such causes.

       grants for construction of state extended care facilities

       For grants to assist States to acquire or construct State 
     nursing home and domiciliary facilities and to remodel, 
     modify, or alter existing hospital, nursing home, and 
     domiciliary facilities in State homes, for furnishing care to 
     veterans as authorized by sections 8131 through 8137 of title 
     38, United States Code, $150,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended.

             grants for construction of veterans cemeteries

       For grants to assist States and tribal organizations in 
     establishing, expanding, or improving veterans cemeteries as 
     authorized by section 2408 of title 38, United States Code, 
     $45,000,000, to remain available until expended.

                       Administrative Provisions

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 201.  Any appropriation for fiscal year 2019 for 
     ``Compensation and Pensions'', ``Readjustment Benefits'', and 
     ``Veterans Insurance and Indemnities'' may be transferred as 
     necessary to any other of the mentioned appropriations:  
     Provided, That, before a transfer may take place, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the 
     authority to make the transfer and such Committees issue an 
     approval, or absent a response, a period of 30 days has 
     elapsed.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 202.  Amounts made available for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2019, in this or any other 
     Act, under the ``Medical Services'', ``Medical Community 
     Care'', ``Medical Support and Compliance'', and ``Medical 
     Facilities'' accounts may be transferred among the accounts:  
     Provided, That any transfers among the ``Medical Services'', 
     ``Medical Community Care'', and ``Medical Support and 
     Compliance'' accounts of 1 percent or less of the total 
     amount appropriated to the account in this or any other Act 
     may take place subject to notification from the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs to the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress of the amount and purpose of the transfer: 
      Provided further, That any transfers among the ``Medical 
     Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', and ``Medical Support 
     and Compliance'' accounts in excess of 1 percent, or 
     exceeding the cumulative 1 percent for the fiscal year, may 
     take place only after the Secretary requests from the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the 
     authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued:  
     Provided further, That any transfers to or from the ``Medical 
     Facilities'' account may take place only after the Secretary 
     requests from the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
     of Congress the authority to make the transfer and an 
     approval is issued.
       Sec. 203.  Appropriations available in this title for 
     salaries and expenses shall be available for services 
     authorized by section 3109 of title 5, United States Code; 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles; lease of a facility or land 
     or both; and uniforms or allowances therefore, as authorized 
     by sections 5901 through 5902 of title 5, United States Code.
       Sec. 204.  No appropriations in this title (except the 
     appropriations for ``Construction, Major Projects'', and 
     ``Construction, Minor Projects'') shall be available for the 
     purchase of any site for or toward the construction of any 
     new hospital or home.
       Sec. 205.  No appropriations in this title shall be 
     available for hospitalization or examination of any persons 
     (except beneficiaries entitled to such hospitalization or 
     examination under the laws providing such benefits to 
     veterans, and persons receiving such treatment under sections 
     7901 through 7904 of title 5, United States Code, or the 
     Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.)), unless reimbursement of the 
     cost of such hospitalization or examination is made to the 
     ``Medical Services'' account at such rates as may be fixed by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       Sec. 206.  Appropriations available in this title for 
     ``Compensation and Pensions'', ``Readjustment Benefits'', and 
     ``Veterans Insurance and Indemnities'' shall be available for 
     payment of prior year accrued obligations required to be 
     recorded by law against the corresponding prior year accounts 
     within the last quarter of fiscal year 2018.
       Sec. 207.  Appropriations available in this title shall be 
     available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
     prior year appropriations accounts resulting from sections 
     3328(a), 3334, and 3712(a) of title 31, United States Code, 
     except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts 
     they shall be payable only from ``Compensation and 
     Pensions''.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 208.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     during fiscal year 2019, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund under 
     section 1920 of title 38, United States Code, the Veterans' 
     Special Life Insurance Fund under section 1923 of title 38, 
     United States Code, and the United States Government Life 
     Insurance Fund under section 1955 of title 38, United States 
     Code, reimburse the ``General Operating Expenses, Veterans 
     Benefits Administration'' and ``Information Technology 
     Systems'' accounts for the cost of administration of the 
     insurance programs financed through those accounts:  
     Provided, That reimbursement shall be made only from the 
     surplus earnings accumulated in such an insurance program 
     during fiscal year 2019 that are available for dividends in 
     that program after claims have been paid and actuarially 
     determined reserves have been set aside:  Provided further, 
     That if the cost of administration of such an insurance 
     program exceeds the amount of surplus earnings accumulated in 
     that program, reimbursement shall be made only to the extent 
     of such surplus earnings:  Provided further, That the 
     Secretary shall determine the cost of administration for 
     fiscal year 2019 which is properly allocable to the provision 
     of each such insurance program and to the provision of any 
     total disability income insurance included in that insurance 
     program.
       Sec. 209.  Amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease 
     proceeds to reimburse an account for expenses incurred by 
     that account during a prior fiscal year for providing 
     enhanced-use lease services, may be obligated during the 
     fiscal year in which the proceeds are received.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 210.  Funds available in this title or funds for 
     salaries and other administrative expenses shall also be 
     available to reimburse the Office of Resolution Management, 
     the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint 
     Adjudication, the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower 
     Protection, and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for all 
     services provided at rates which will recover actual costs 
     but not to exceed $48,431,000 for the Office of Resolution 
     Management, $4,333,000 for the Office of Employment 
     Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, $17,700,000 for the 
     Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and 
     $3,230,000 for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion:  
     Provided, That payments may be made in advance for services 
     to be furnished based on estimated costs:  Provided further, 
     That amounts received shall be credited to the ``General 
     Administration'' and ``Information Technology Systems'' 
     accounts for use by the office that provided the service.
       Sec. 211.  No funds of the Department of Veterans Affairs 
     shall be available for hospital care, nursing home care, or 
     medical services provided to any person under chapter 17 of 
     title 38, United States Code, for a non-service-connected 
     disability described in section 1729(a)(2) of such title, 
     unless that person has disclosed to the Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in such form as the Secretary may require, current, 
     accurate third-party reimbursement information for purposes 
     of section 1729 of such title:  Provided, That the Secretary 
     may recover, in the same manner as any other debt due the 
     United States, the reasonable charges for such care or 
     services from any person who does not make such disclosure as 
     required:  Provided further, That any amounts so recovered 
     for care or services provided in a prior fiscal year may be 
     obligated by the Secretary during the fiscal year in which 
     amounts are received.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 212.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     proceeds or revenues derived from enhanced-use leasing 
     activities (including disposal) may be deposited into the 
     ``Construction, Major Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor 
     Projects'' accounts and be used for construction (including 
     site acquisition and disposition), alterations, and 
     improvements of any medical facility under the jurisdiction 
     or for the use of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Such 
     sums as realized are in addition to the amount provided for 
     in ``Construction, Major Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor 
     Projects''.
       Sec. 213.  Amounts made available under ``Medical 
     Services'' are available--
       (1) for furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and 
     equipment; and
       (2) for funeral expenses, burial expenses, and other 
     expenses incidental to funerals and burials for beneficiaries 
     receiving care in the Department.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 214.  Such sums as may be deposited to the Medical 
     Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, 
     United States Code, may be transferred to the ``Medical 
     Services'' and ``Medical Community Care'' accounts to remain 
     available until expended for the purposes of these accounts.
       Sec. 215.  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may enter into 
     agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers in the 
     State of Alaska and Indian tribes and tribal organizations 
     which are party to the Alaska Native Health Compact with the 
     Indian Health Service, to provide healthcare, including 
     behavioral health and dental care, to veterans in rural 
     Alaska. The Secretary shall require participating veterans 
     and facilities to comply with all appropriate rules and 
     regulations, as established by the Secretary. The term 
     ``rural Alaska'' shall mean those lands which are not within 
     the boundaries of the municipality of Anchorage or the 
     Fairbanks North Star Borough.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 216.  Such sums as may be deposited to the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund pursuant to section 
     8118 of title 38, United States Code, may be transferred to 
     the

[[Page H4922]]

     ``Construction, Major Projects'' and ``Construction, Minor 
     Projects'' accounts, to remain available until expended for 
     the purposes of these accounts.
       Sec. 217.  Not later than 30 days after the end of each 
     fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress a report on the financial status of the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs for the preceding quarter:  Provided, 
     That, at a minimum, the report shall include the direction 
     contained in the paragraph entitled ``Quarterly reporting'', 
     under the heading ``General Administration'' in the joint 
     explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114-223.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 218.  Amounts made available under the ``Medical 
     Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', ``Medical Support and 
     Compliance'', ``Medical Facilities'', ``General Operating 
     Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration'', ``Board of 
     Veterans Appeals'', ``General Administration'', and 
     ``National Cemetery Administration'' accounts for fiscal year 
     2019 may be transferred to or from the ``Information 
     Technology Systems'' account:  Provided, That such transfers 
     may not result in a more than 10 percent aggregate increase 
     in the total amount made available by this Act for the 
     ``Information Technology Systems'' account:  Provided 
     further, That, before a transfer may take place, the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall request from the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress the 
     authority to make the transfer and an approval is issued.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 219.  Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs which become available on October 1, 2019, 
     for ``Medical Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', 
     ``Medical Support and Compliance'', and ``Medical 
     Facilities'', up to $307,609,000, plus reimbursements, may be 
     transferred to the Joint Department of Defense--Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, 
     established by section 1704 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 
     123 Stat. 3571) and may be used for operation of the 
     facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities 
     as described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 
     110-417; 122 Stat. 4500):  Provided, That additional funds 
     may be transferred from accounts designated in this section 
     to the Joint Department of Defense--Department of Veterans 
     Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund upon written 
     notification by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 220.  Such sums as may be deposited to the Medical 
     Care Collections Fund pursuant to section 1729A of title 38, 
     United States Code, for healthcare provided at facilities 
     designated as combined Federal medical facilities as 
     described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 
     110-417; 122 Stat. 4500) shall also be available: (1) for 
     transfer to the Joint Department of Defense--Department of 
     Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, 
     established by section 1704 of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 
     123 Stat. 3571); and (2) for operations of the facilities 
     designated as combined Federal medical facilities as 
     described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National 
     Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 
     110-417; 122 Stat. 4500):  Provided, That, notwithstanding 
     section 1704(b)(3) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 2573), 
     amounts transferred to the Joint Department of Defense--
     Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration 
     Fund shall remain available until expended.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 221.  Of the amounts available in this title for 
     ``Medical Services'', ``Medical Community Care'', ``Medical 
     Support and Compliance'', and ``Medical Facilities'', a 
     minimum of $15,000,000 shall be transferred to the DOD-VA 
     Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 
     8111(d) of title 38, United States Code, to remain available 
     until expended, for any purpose authorized by section 8111 of 
     title 38, United States Code.
       Sec. 222.  None of the funds available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, in this or any other Act, may be used to 
     replace the current system by which the Veterans Integrated 
     Service Networks select and contract for diabetes monitoring 
     supplies and equipment.
       Sec. 223.  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall notify 
     the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 
     of all bid savings in a major construction project that total 
     at least $5,000,000, or 5 percent of the programmed amount of 
     the project, whichever is less:  Provided, That such 
     notification shall occur within 14 days of a contract 
     identifying the programmed amount:  Provided further, That 
     the Secretary shall notify the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress 14 days prior to the obligation of 
     such bid savings and shall describe the anticipated use of 
     such savings.
       Sec. 224.  None of the funds made available for 
     ``Construction, Major Projects'' may be used for a project in 
     excess of the scope specified for that project in the 
     original justification data provided to the Congress as part 
     of the request for appropriations unless the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs receives approval from the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 225.  Not later than 30 days after the end of each 
     fiscal quarter, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of 
     Congress a quarterly report containing performance measures 
     and data from each Veterans Benefits Administration Regional 
     Office:  Provided, That, at a minimum, the report shall 
     include the direction contained in the section entitled 
     ``Disability claims backlog'', under the heading ``General 
     Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration'' in the 
     joint explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 114-223:  
     Provided further, That the report shall also include 
     information on the number of appeals pending at the Veterans 
     Benefits Administration as well as the Board of Veterans 
     Appeals on a quarterly basis.
       Sec. 226.  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide 
     written notification to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress 15 days prior to organizational 
     changes which result in the transfer of 25 or more full-time 
     equivalents from one organizational unit of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs to another.
       Sec. 227.  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall provide 
     on a quarterly basis to the Committees on Appropriations of 
     both Houses of Congress notification of any single national 
     outreach and awareness marketing campaign in which 
     obligations exceed $2,000,000.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 228.  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs, upon 
     determination that such action is necessary to address needs 
     of the Veterans Health Administration, may transfer to the 
     ``Medical Services'' account any discretionary appropriations 
     made available for fiscal year 2019 in this title (except 
     appropriations made to the ``General Operating Expenses, 
     Veterans Benefits Administration'' account) or any 
     discretionary unobligated balances within the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, including those appropriated for fiscal 
     year 2019, that were provided in advance by appropriations 
     Acts:  Provided, That transfers shall be made only with the 
     approval of the Office of Management and Budget:  Provided 
     further, That the transfer authority provided in this section 
     is in addition to any other transfer authority provided by 
     law:  Provided further, That no amounts may be transferred 
     from amounts that were designated by Congress as an emergency 
     requirement pursuant to a concurrent resolution on the budget 
     or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 
     1985:  Provided further, That such authority to transfer may 
     not be used unless for higher priority items, based on 
     emergent healthcare requirements, than those for which 
     originally appropriated and in no case where the item for 
     which funds are requested has been denied by Congress:  
     Provided further, That, upon determination that all or part 
     of the funds transferred from an appropriation are not 
     necessary, such amounts may be transferred back to that 
     appropriation and shall be available for the same purposes as 
     originally appropriated:  Provided further, That before a 
     transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and 
     receive approval of that request.

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 229.  Amounts made available for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2019, under the ``Board of 
     Veterans Appeals'' and the ``General Operating Expenses, 
     Veterans Benefits Administration'' accounts may be 
     transferred between such accounts:  Provided, That before a 
     transfer may take place, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall request from the Committees on Appropriations of both 
     Houses of Congress the authority to make the transfer and 
     receive approval of that request.
       Sec. 230.  The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may not 
     reprogram funds among major construction projects or programs 
     if such instance of reprogramming will exceed $7,000,000, 
     unless such reprogramming is approved by the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.
       Sec. 231. (a) The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     ensure that the toll-free suicide hotline under section 
     1720F(h) of title 38, United States Code--
       (1) provides to individuals who contact the hotline 
     immediate assistance from a trained professional; and
       (2) adheres to all requirements of the American Association 
     of Suicidology.
       (b)(1) None of the funds made available by this Act may be 
     used to enforce or otherwise carry out any Executive action 
     that prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs from 
     appointing an individual to occupy a vacant civil service 
     position, or establishing a new civil service position, at 
     the Department of Veterans Affairs with respect to such a 
     position relating to the hotline specified in subsection (a).
       (2) In this subsection--
       (A) the term ``civil service'' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 2101(1) of title 5, United States Code; and
       (B) the term ``Executive action'' includes--
       (i) any Executive order, presidential memorandum, or other 
     action by the President; and
       (ii) any agency policy, order, or other directive.
       Sec. 232.  None of the funds in this or any other Act may 
     be used to close Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
     hospitals, domiciliaries, or clinics, conduct an 
     environmental assessment, or to diminish healthcare services 
     at existing Veterans Health Administration medical facilities 
     located in Veterans Integrated Service Network 23 as part of 
     a planned realignment of VA services until the Secretary 
     provides to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses 
     of Congress a report including the following elements:
       (1) a national realignment strategy that includes a 
     detailed description of realignment plans within each 
     Veterans Integrated Services

[[Page H4923]]

     Network (VISN), including an updated Long Range Capital Plan 
     to implement realignment requirements;
       (2) an explanation of the process by which those plans were 
     developed and coordinated within each VISN;
       (3) a cost versus benefit analysis of each planned 
     realignment, including the cost of replacing Veterans Health 
     Administration services with contract care or other 
     outsourced services;
       (4) an analysis of how any such planned realignment of 
     services will impact access to care for veterans living in 
     rural or highly rural areas, including travel distances and 
     transportation costs to access a VA medical facility and 
     availability of local specialty and primary care;
       (5) an inventory of VA buildings with historic designation 
     and the methodology used to determine the buildings' 
     condition and utilization;
       (6) a description of how any realignment will be consistent 
     with requirements under the National Historic Preservation 
     Act; and
       (7) consideration given for reuse of historic buildings 
     within newly identified realignment requirements:  Provided, 
     That, this provision shall not apply to capital projects in 
     VISN 23, or any other VISN, which have been authorized or 
     approved by Congress.
       Sec. 233.  Effective during the period beginning on October 
     1, 2018 and ending on January 1, 2024, none of the funds made 
     available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs by this or any 
     other Act may be obligated or expended in contravention of 
     the ``Veterans Health Administration Clinical Preventive 
     Services Guidance Statement on the Veterans Health 
     Administration's Screening for Breast Cancer Guidance'' 
     published on May 10, 2017, as issued by the Veterans Health 
     Administration National Center for Health Promotion and 
     Disease Prevention.
       Sec. 234. (a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs for the ``Medical Services'' 
     account may be used to provide--
       (1) fertility counseling and treatment using assisted 
     reproductive technology to a covered veteran or the spouse of 
     a covered veteran; or
       (2) adoption reimbursement to a covered veteran.
       (b) In this section:
       (1) The term ``service-connected'' has the meaning given 
     such term in section 101 of title 38, United States Code.
       (2) The term ``covered veteran'' means a veteran, as such 
     term is defined in section 101 of title 38, United States 
     Code, who has a service-connected disability that results in 
     the inability of the veteran to procreate without the use of 
     fertility treatment.
       (3) The term ``assisted reproductive technology'' means 
     benefits relating to reproductive assistance provided to a 
     member of the Armed Forces who incurs a serious injury or 
     illness on active duty pursuant to section 1074(c)(4)(A) of 
     title 10, United States Code, as described in the memorandum 
     on the subject of ``Policy for Assisted Reproductive Services 
     for the Benefit of Seriously or Severely Ill/Injured 
     (Category II or III) Active Duty Service Members'' issued by 
     the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs on 
     April 3, 2012, and the guidance issued to implement such 
     policy, including any limitations on the amount of such 
     benefits available to such a member except that--
       (A) the time periods regarding embryo cryopreservation and 
     storage set forth in part III(G) and in part IV(H) of such 
     memorandum shall not apply; and
       (B) such term includes embryo cryopreservation and storage 
     without limitation on the duration of such cryopreservation 
     and storage.
       (4) The term ``adoption reimbursement'' means reimbursement 
     for the adoption-related expenses for an adoption that is 
     finalized after the date of the enactment of this Act under 
     the same terms as apply under the adoption reimbursement 
     program of the Department of Defense, as authorized in 
     Department of Defense Instruction 1341.09, including the 
     reimbursement limits and requirements set forth in such 
     instruction.
       (c) Amounts made available for the purposes specified in 
     subsection (a) of this section are subject to the 
     requirements for funds contained in section 508 of division H 
     of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (Public Law 115-
     141).
       Sec. 235.  None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act or any other Act for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs may be used in a manner that is inconsistent 
     with: (1) section 842 of the Transportation, Treasury, 
     Housing and Urban Development, the Judiciary, the District of 
     Columbia, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006 
     (Public Law 109-115; 119 Stat. 2506); or (2) section 
     8110(a)(5) of title 38, United States Code.
       Sec. 236.  None of the funds appropriated in this or prior 
     appropriations Acts or otherwise made available to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs may be used to transfer any 
     amounts from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund 
     to any other account within the Department of Veterans 
     Affairs.
       Sec. 237.  None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made 
     available by this Act may be used to conduct research using 
     canines unless: the scientific objectives of the study can 
     only be met by research with canines; the study has been 
     directly approved by the Secretary; and the study is 
     consistent with the revised Department of Veterans Affairs 
     canine research policy document released on December 18, 
     2017:  Provided, That not later than 180 days after enactment 
     of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committees on 
     Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a detailed report 
     outlining under what circumstances canine research may be 
     needed if there are no other alternatives, how often it was 
     used during that time period, and what protocols are in place 
     to determine both the safety and efficacy of the research.
       Sec. 238.  For an additional amount for the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, $2,000,000,000 to remain available until 
     expended, for infrastructure improvements, including new 
     construction, and in addition to amounts otherwise made 
     available in this Act for such purpose, of which:
       (1) $750,000,000 shall be available for seismic improvement 
     projects and seismic program management activities, including 
     projects that would otherwise be funded by the Construction, 
     Major Projects, the Construction, Minor Projects, Medical 
     Facilities, or National Cemetery Administration accounts;
       (2) $100,000,000 shall be for National Cemetery 
     Administration projects within ``Department Administration - 
     Construction, Major Projects'';
       (3) $800,000,000 shall be for ``Veterans Health 
     Administration--Medical Facilities'' to be used for non-
     recurring maintenance; and
       (4) $350,000,000 shall be for ``Departmental 
     Administration--Construction, Minor Projects'';
       Provided, That the additional amounts appropriated for the 
     purposes of non-recurring maintenance and minor construction 
     may be used to carry out critical life-safety projects 
     identified in the Department's annual facility condition 
     assessments; sustainment projects; modernization projects; 
     infrastructure repair; renovations at existing Veterans 
     Health Administration medical centers and outpatient clinics; 
     and projects included in the Strategic Capital Investment 
     Process plan: Provided further,  That notwithstanding the 
     requirements of section 8104(a) of title 38, United States 
     Code, amounts made available under this heading for seismic 
     improvement projects and seismic program management 
     activities shall be available for the completion of both new 
     and existing projects of the Department:  Provided further, 
     That the additional amounts appropriated under this section 
     may not be obligated or expended until the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs submits to the Committees on Appropriations 
     of both Houses of Congress, and such Committees approve, a 
     detailed expenditure plan, including project descriptions and 
     costs, for any non-recurring maintenance, major construction 
     or minor construction project being funded with the 
     additional amounts made available in this section.

                               TITLE III

                            RELATED AGENCIES

                  American Battle Monuments Commission

                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the 
     American Battle Monuments Commission, including the 
     acquisition of land or interest in land in foreign countries; 
     purchases and repair of uniforms for caretakers of national 
     cemeteries and monuments outside of the United States and its 
     territories and possessions; rent of office and garage space 
     in foreign countries; purchase (one-for-one replacement basis 
     only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed 
     $42,000 for official reception and representation expenses; 
     and insurance of official motor vehicles in foreign 
     countries, when required by law of such countries, 
     $75,100,000, to remain available until expended.

                 foreign currency fluctuations account

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, of the 
     American Battle Monuments Commission, such sums as may be 
     necessary, to remain available until expended, for purposes 
     authorized by section 2109 of title 36, United States Code.

           United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims

                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses for the operation of the United 
     States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims as authorized by 
     sections 7251 through 7298 of title 38, United States Code, 
     $33,600,000:  Provided , That $2,580,000 shall be available 
     for the purpose of providing financial assistance as 
     described and in accordance with the process and reporting 
     procedures set forth under this heading in Public Law 102-
     229.

                      Department of Defense--Civil

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army

                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses for maintenance, operation, and 
     improvement of Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and 
     Airmen's Home National Cemetery, including the purchase or 
     lease of passenger motor vehicles for replacement on a one-
     for-one basis only, and not to exceed $1,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $70,800,000, of which 
     not to exceed $15,000,000 shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2021. In addition, such sums as may be 
     necessary for parking maintenance, repairs and replacement, 
     to be derived from the ``Lease of Department of Defense Real 
     Property for Defense Agencies'' account.

                              construction

       For necessary expenses for planning and design and 
     construction at Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and 
     Airmen's Home National Cemetery, $73,855,000, to remain 
     available until expended, for planning and design and 
     construction associated with the Southern Expansion project 
     at Arlington National Cemetery.

                      Armed Forces Retirement Home

                               trust fund

       For expenses necessary for the Armed Forces Retirement Home 
     to operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home--
     Washington, District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces 
     Retirement Home--Gulfport, Mississippi, to be paid from funds 
     available in the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, 
     $64,300,000, of which $1,000,000 shall remain available until 
     expended for construction and renovation of the physical 
     plants at the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Washington, 
     District of Columbia, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--
     Gulfport, Mississippi:  Provided,  That of the amounts made

[[Page H4924]]

     available under this heading from funds available in the 
     Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund, $22,000,000 shall be 
     paid from the general fund of the Treasury to the Trust Fund.

                        Administrative Provision

       Sec. 301.  Amounts deposited into the special account 
     established under 10 U.S.C. 4727 are appropriated and shall 
     be available until expended to support activities at the Army 
     National Military Cemeteries.

                                TITLE IV

                    OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS

                         DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

                      Military Construction, Army

       For an additional amount for ``Military Construction, 
     Army'', $261,250,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2023, for projects outside of the United States:  Provided, 
     That such amount is designated by the 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: Provided further, That none of 
     the funds made available under this heading shall be for 
     construction of the High Value Detention Facility, Guantanamo 
     Bay, Cuba, unless authorized in an Act authorizing 
     appropriations for fiscal year 2019 for military 
     construction.

              Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps

       For an additional amount for ``Military Construction, Navy 
     and Marine Corps'', $227,320,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2023, for projects outside of the United 
     States:  Provided, That such amount is designated by the 
     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.

                    Military Construction, Air Force

       For an additional amount for ``Military Construction, Air 
     Force'' $345,800,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2023, for projects outside of the United States:  Provided, 
     That such amount is designated by the 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.

                  Military Construction, Defense-Wide

       For an additional amount for ``Military Construction, 
     Defense-Wide'', $87,050,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2023, for projects outside of the United 
     States:  Provided, That such amount is designated by the 
     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.

                       Administrative Provisions

       Sec. 401.  Each amount designated in this Act by the 
     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 
     shall be available only if the President subsequently so 
     designates all such amounts and transmits such designations 
     to the Congress.
       Sec. 402.  None of the funds appropriated for military 
     construction projects outside the United States under this 
     title may be obligated or expended for planning and design of 
     any project associated with the European Deterrence 
     Initiative until the Secretary of Defense submits to the 
     congressional defense committees a list of all of the 
     military construction projects associated with the European 
     Deterrence Initiative which the Secretary acticipates will be 
     carried out during each of the fiscal years 2019 through 
     2023.

                                TITLE V

                           GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 501.  No part of any appropriation contained in this 
     Act shall remain available for obligation beyond the current 
     fiscal year unless expressly so provided herein.
       Sec. 502.  None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used for any program, project, or activity, when it is 
     made known to the Federal entity or official to which the 
     funds are made available that the program, project, or 
     activity is not in compliance with any Federal law relating 
     to risk assessment, the protection of private property 
     rights, or unfunded mandates.
       Sec. 503.  All departments and agencies funded under this 
     Act are encouraged, within the limits of the existing 
     statutory authorities and funding, to expand their use of 
     ``E-Commerce'' technologies and procedures in the conduct of 
     their business practices and public service activities.
       Sec. 504.  Unless stated otherwise, all reports and 
     notifications required by this Act shall be submitted to the 
     Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, 
     and Related Agencies of the Committee on Appropriations of 
     the House of Representatives and the Subcommittee on Military 
     Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies of 
     the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
       Sec. 505.  None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality 
     of the United States Government except pursuant to a transfer 
     made by, or transfer authority provided in, this or any other 
     appropriations Act.
       Sec. 506.  None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used for a project or program named for an individual 
     serving as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of 
     the United States House of Representatives.
       Sec. 507. (a) Any agency receiving funds made available in 
     this Act, shall, subject to subsections (b) and (c), post on 
     the public Web site of that agency any report required to be 
     submitted by the Congress in this or any other Act, upon the 
     determination by the head of the agency that it shall serve 
     the national interest.
       (b) Subsection (a) shall not apply to a report if--
       (1) the public posting of the report compromises national 
     security; or
       (2) the report contains confidential or proprietary 
     information.
       (c) The head of the agency posting such report shall do so 
     only after such report has been made available to the 
     requesting Committee or Committees of Congress for no less 
     than 45 days.
       Sec. 508. (a) None of the funds made available in this Act 
     may be used to maintain or establish a computer network 
     unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and 
     exchanging of pornography.
       (b) Nothing in subsection (a) shall limit the use of funds 
     necessary for any Federal, State, tribal, or local law 
     enforcement agency or any other entity carrying out criminal 
     investigations, prosecution, or adjudication activities.
       Sec. 509.  None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used by an agency of the executive branch to pay for 
     first-class travel by an employee of the agency in 
     contravention of sections 301-10.122 through 301-10.124 of 
     title 41, Code of Federal Regulations.
       Sec. 510.  None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used to execute a contract for goods or services, 
     including construction services, where the contractor has not 
     complied with Executive Order No. 12989.
       Sec. 511.  None of the funds made available by this Act may 
     be used by the Department of Defense or the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs to lease or purchase new light duty vehicles 
     for any executive fleet, or for an agency's fleet inventory, 
     except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum--Federal 
     Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.
       Sec. 512. (a) In General.--None of the funds appropriated 
     or otherwise made available to the Department of Defense in 
     this Act may be used to construct, renovate, or expand any 
     facility in the United States, its territories, or 
     possessions to house any individual detained at United States 
     Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of 
     detention or imprisonment in the custody or under the control 
     of the Department of Defense.
       (b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not apply to 
     any modification of facilities at United States Naval 
     Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
       (c) An individual described in this subsection is any 
     individual who, as of June 24, 2009, is located at United 
     States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and who--
       (1) is not a citizen of the United States or a member of 
     the Armed Forces of the United States; and
       (2) is--
       (A) in the custody or under the effective control of the 
     Department of Defense; or
       (B) otherwise under detention at United States Naval 
     Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

                           references to act

       Sec. 513.  Except as expressly provided otherwise, any 
     reference to ``this Act'' contained in this division shall be 
     treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.

                          references to report

       Sec. 514.  Any reference to a ``report accompanying this 
     Act'' contained in this division shall be treated as a 
     reference to House Report 115-673. The effect of such Report 
     shall be limited to this division and shall apply for 
     purposes of determining the allocation of funds provided by, 
     and the implementation of, this division.

                       spending reduction account

       Sec. 515.  The amount by which the applicable allocation of 
     new budget authority made by the Committee on Appropriations 
     of the House of Representatives under section 302(b) of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974 exceeds the amount of 
     proposed new budget authority is $0.
       This division may be cited as the ``Military Construction, 
     Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 
     2019''.

  The CHAIR. Are there any points of order against the bill?


                             Point of Order

  Mr. HARPER. Mr. Chairman, I raise a point of order against the 
following provision contained in H.R. 5895 because it violates clause 2 
of House rule XXI.
  This provision is on page 66, line 14, through page 66, line 20, and 
relates to the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission. Under clause 2(a)(1) 
of rule XXI, ``an appropriation may not be reported in a general 
appropriation bill . . . for an expenditure not previously authorized 
by law. . . . ''
  Mr. Chairman, the Committee on House Administration is responsible 
for providing funding for House Committees, other than for the 
Committee on House Appropriations.
  Sections 5 and 7 of H. Res. 1451 of the Commission's enabling 
resolution, which is carried forward through H. Res. 5, make clear the 
Commission is not authorized to receive a direct appropriation. The 
Commission's enabling resolution specifies the role of the Committee on 
Foreign Affairs in providing staff and resources for the Commission, as 
well as funding for the Commission.
  In fact, consistent with H. Res. 1451, at the request of the 
Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on House Administration 
adopted Committee Resolution 115-9 earlier this year authorizing 
$200,000 from the Committee's reserve fund to provide for support for 
Commission personnel.

[[Page H4925]]

  In summary, Mr. Chairman, there is no authorization for the 
Commission to receive a direct appropriation of funds, and I reiterate 
my point of order.
  I ask for a ruling of the Chair.
  The CHAIR. Does any other Member wish to be heard on the point of 
order?
  If not, the Chair will rule.
  The provision proposes an item of appropriation for the Tom Lantos 
Human Rights Commission. Under clause 2(a) of rule XXI, such an item of 
appropriation must be specifically authorized by law. The burden of 
establishing the authorization in law rests in this instance with the 
committee or other proponent of the provision.
  Finding that this burden has not been carried, the point of order is 
sustained and the provision is stricken from the bill.


                       announcement by the chair

  The CHAIR. No further amendment to the bill, as amended, shall be in 
order except those printed in part B of House Report 115-711 and pro 
forma amendments described in section 4 of this resolution.


 =========================== NOTE =========================== 

  
  June 7, 2018, on page H4925, the following appeared: Finding 
that this burden has not been carried, the point of order is 
sustained and the provision is stricken from the bill. No further 
amendment to the bill, as amended, shall be in order except those 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711 and pro forma amendments 
described in section 4 of this resolution.
  
  The online version has been corrected to read: Finding that this 
burden has not been carried, the point of order is sustained and 
the provision is stricken from the bill. ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIR 
The CHAIR. No further amendment to the bill, as amended, shall be 
in order except those printed in part B of House Report 115-711 
and pro forma amendments described in section 4 of this 
resolution.


 ========================= END NOTE ========================= 

  Each further amendment printed in part B of the report shall be 
considered only in the order printed in the report, may be offered only 
by a Member designated in the report, shall be considered as read, 
shall be debatable for the time specified in the report equally divided 
and controlled by the proponent and an opponent, may be withdrawn by 
the proponent at any time before action thereon, shall not be subject 
to amendment except as provided by section 4 of House Resolution 918, 
and shall not be subject to a demand for division of the question.

                              {time}  1630


           Amendment No. 1 Offered by Mr. Collins of New York

  The CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 1 printed in 
part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. COLLINS of New York. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the 
desk.
  The CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 2, line 23, after the dollar amount, insert (increased 
     by $1,200,000).
       Page 7, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert (reduced 
     by $1,200,000).

  The CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman from New 
York (Mr. Collins) and a Member opposed each will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from New York.
  Mr. COLLINS of New York. Mr. Chair, my amendment would increase the 
Army Corps investigation account by $1.2 million.
  Increased funding under this account will allow additional studies 
that were previously authorized in the Water Resources Development Act 
to be completed by the Army Corps.
  One example is the Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study. This study 
was authorized in 1986, and, although it is a priority of the Army 
Corps, it has not been funded. This study pulls together Federal, 
State, local, and private resources to create a strategy to preserve 
and protect the shorelines of the Great Lakes.
  Last year, my constituents in western New York felt the devastating 
impact of high lake levels. We saw the worst flooding we have seen in 
decades along Lake Ontario. The flooding destroyed homes and wreaked 
havoc on businesses along the shoreline. This study will create a 
comprehensive strategy to protect these communities so they do not 
suffer again.
  I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress, as well as 
the Army Corps, to ensure that studies like the Great Lakes Coastal 
Resiliency Study receive funding.
  Mr. Chair, I urge support of my amendment, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment, 
although I am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Zeldin). Without objection, the gentleman from 
Idaho is recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I understand the Great Lakes Coastal 
Resiliency Study is of great importance to my colleague from New York 
as well as other Members from the Great Lakes region. I would like to 
note that the underlying bill includes funding and authority for new 
studies, including a multipurpose study like the Great Lakes study.
  I also remind my colleagues that the amendment increases the funding 
level of an account. It does not direct the funding to any particular 
activity. For that reason and because the amendment does not constitute 
a major shift in funding between accounts, I would not oppose the 
amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Kaptur), if she 
has any comments to make.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise in strong support of my fellow Great 
Lakes colleague's amendment and thank him for raising the issue.
  I think the Great Lakes have finally arrived at the U.S. Army Corps 
of Engineers. As the gentleman knows and as I have made clear to the 
Corps, our Great Lakes Members and myself are very supportive of the 
proposal for a Great Lakes Coastal Resiliency Study.
  The study will take an inclusive view of how to make our coastline 
more resilient, with an eye toward using more sustainable, green, or 
natural infrastructure to reduce runoff, mitigate erosion and flooding, 
and protect property. This approach will ultimately save money as the 
Corps looks to fulfill its mission in the face of changing 
environmental hazards.
  And I have to say, over my many years of service, we finally have at 
the Corps not just civil engineers, we have environmental engineers. We 
have raised a new generation of Americans who understand the 
relationship between structures and the environment. It is a new day at 
the Corps, and nobody welcomes it more than this Member.
  Mr. Chair, I want to thank the gentleman for offering this amendment, 
and I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. COLLINS of New York. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my 
time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from New York (Mr. Collins).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 2 Offered by Mr. Abraham

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 2 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 3, line 15, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $17,410,000)''.
       Page 32, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $17,410,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Louisiana (Mr. Abraham) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Louisiana.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chairman, my amendment would increase the Corps of 
Engineers construction account to address the $96 billion backlog in 
construction projects across the country.
  My amendment would offset this increase by reducing the Department of 
Energy's departmental administration and bringing it closer in line 
with the President's budget request.
  Our water infrastructure is aging and deteriorating, and the Corps of 
Engineers has failed to keep up with these projects across the country 
because of the growing bureaucratic morass that delays construction and 
leads to wasteful cost overruns.
  While the Corps needs reforms to expedite project delivery, we in 
Congress should also prioritize spending and provide more resources to 
water infrastructure.
  Projects in Louisiana would greatly benefit from increased 
construction and operation and maintenance funding, especially projects 
like the J. Bennett Johnston Waterway, the Ouachita-Black Rivers 
Navigation Project, and the Madison Parish and Lake Providence Ports. 
These projects are critical for the economy in the Mississippi Delta.
  I commend Chairman Simpson for his leadership in increasing water 
infrastructure funding since he has been chairman of the Energy and 
Water Subcommittee.
  This bill provides significant increases in the additional funding 
pots for both construction and operation

[[Page H4926]]

and maintenance. This additional funding will increase the 
opportunities for worthy projects to compete for limited dollars.
  Although I intend to withdraw my amendment, Congress should continue 
to provide more funding to projects across the country that improve 
commerce, grow the economy, and that protect homes and businesses from 
flooding. I hope to work with Chairman Simpson and his committee to 
address the issue moving forward.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I want to assure my colleague that when the 
Appropriations Committee develops its bills it takes into consideration 
the requests and priorities of Members of the House. Funding levels in 
the underlying bill reflect those requests, including those requests 
from the gentleman from Louisiana.
  Specifically, funding above the budget request for construction of 
navigation projects totals $625 million, an increase of $176 million 
above fiscal year 2018.
  Additional funding for operation and maintenance of inland navigation 
projects is at $50 million, an increase of $20 million above last 
year's additional funding level.
  While we can't specify funding for any particular project, we have 
worked hard to ensure significant funding for which projects not in the 
budget request can compete.
  I would be happy to continue working with my colleague from Louisiana 
to ensure significant funding for the critical water resources 
infrastructure work of the Corps of Engineers, and I thank him for his 
willingness to withdraw the amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his commitment to 
work with me on this issue, and I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chair, I withdraw my amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


                 Amendment No. 3 Offered by Mr. Keating

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 3 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 3, line 15, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $7,000,000) (increased by $7,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would direct the Army Corps 
to consider the historic and national significance of dredging projects 
as the Corps makes its funding decisions.
  In my area, this amendment will provide much-needed support for the 
completion of the Plymouth Harbor dredging project in time for the 
celebrations of the 400th anniversary of the Mayflower landing in 
Plymouth and Provincetown, Massachusetts.
  The year 2020 will be a momentous year for our country, as we 
commemorate the 400th anniversary of the settlement at Plymouth by the 
Pilgrims, the vital contributions of the Aquinnah and Mashpee Wampanoag 
Tribes, and the significant events that followed, including the signing 
of the Mayflower Compact, the 50-year Pilgrim-Wampanoag peace treaty, 
and, of course, the first Thanksgiving.
  For my entire time in Congress, I have worked closely with my 
constituents to prepare for this commemoration of Plymouth 400. The 
Plymouth Harbor dredging project has always been at the heart of these 
preparations.
  The dredging project is required ahead of the return to Plymouth of 
the fully restored Mayflower II, a full-scale replica of the original 
ship that brought the Pilgrims to Cape Cod in 1620. The Mayflower II 
cannot return to her home in Plymouth Harbor unless much-needed 
dredging work is completed.
  We also anticipate a maritime salute to mark the return of the 
Mayflower II as part of the commemoration, and the flotilla will need 
safe passage in the harbor.
  Furthermore, an uptick in marine traffic is also expected as 
Americans and visitors from around the world travel to Plymouth to 
participate in the 2020 celebration. It is therefore critical for 
navigational safety concerns that this dredging occur.
  This amendment will help ensure that one of the final pieces of the 
2020 commemoration is completed and in place. We anticipate an 
exceedingly memorable year for the people of our community, for 
visitors across the country, and for a significant number of 
international visitors as well.
  Mr. Chair, I look forward to the completion of this project ahead of 
the commemoration, which also, it is important to note, will bring in 
significant added revenue and jobs.
  I thank the chairman, and I urge my colleagues to support this 
amendment.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I 
am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I can certainly understand my colleague's 
interest in this issue, and I agree that there are certain 
circumstances where the Corps should consider more than just commercial 
tonnage using a waterway when allocating funding. In fact, a report 
accompanying the bill directs the Corps to consider several criteria 
other than just tonnage.
  Since the amendment does not upset the balance of priorities within 
the bill nor direct funds to any particular project or activity, I will 
not oppose the amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman and staff for their 
cooperation. And I also invite them to come to Plymouth in 2020 and 
enjoy what will be an amazing international celebration and a 
celebration of the beginning of our country as well.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 4 Offered by Mr. Beyer

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 4 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 11, beginning on line 21, strike section 107.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, this amendment seeks to preserve our current 
Clean Water Act protections over our rivers, streams, and wetlands.
  Our Nation's river system and wetlands provide values that no other 
ecosystem can: natural water quality improvement; flood protection; 
shoreline erosion control; recreation; general aesthetic appreciation; 
and national products for our use at no cost.
  Yet section 107 of this bill seeks to undermine protection of streams 
and wetlands and the critical balance between protecting these waters 
and the day-to-day operations of our Nation's farmers, ranchers, and 
foresters.
  Under current law, farmers, ranchers, and foresters can carry out 
their normal operations in any water body without requiring a Clean 
Water Act permit. What this means is that farmers can continue to plow 
their fields--including potential wet areas that have been farmed for 
decades--plant their seeds, and harvest their crops without ever having 
to obtain approval under the Clean Water Act.
  Any normal farming, ranching, or forestry exemption is going to 
include

[[Page H4927]]

minor limitations. For example, a farmer cannot use the current 
exemption to convert his farmland to a residential development without 
obtaining a permit; a rancher can't use this exemption to plow under a 
wetland to expand his grazing lands; and forestry operations can't use 
this exemption to change the course of a local stream to improve 
drainage on their growing lands.
  In short, the way the Clean Water Act currently operates is to allow 
normal ranching, farming, and forestry operations to continue without a 
permit unless the activity either changes or converts the use of a 
water body to a new purpose or impairs the historic flow or reach of a 
stream or wetland. If the planned activity triggers either of these 
limitations, current law obviously would require that activity to 
obtain a permit.
  Section 107 of this bill, in essence, would provide an absolute Clean 
Water Act exemption for impacts to any streams or wetlands that happen 
to be on agricultural, ranching, or forestry lands.
  Mr. Chairman, this is a fundamental change to the Clean Water Act, 
and it is one where the impacts have never been explored. This 
amendment would be a significant departure from almost 40 years of 
implementation of the Clean Water Act by Democrats and Republicans by 
eliminating the existing provision requiring that the exemptions apply 
only to normal--as in established, ongoing--farming practices.

                              {time}  1645

  Mr. Chairman, we should not be using an appropriations bill to change 
Federal policy related to the protection of our Nation's rivers and 
streams. To the best of my knowledge, no hearings or investigations on 
the impacts of this provision have ever been held.
  If this Congress is interested in overturning almost 40 years of 
Clean Water Act precedent, regular order would require hearings before 
the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and approval 
by that committee before consideration on the floor.
  This rider is bad policy for the protection of our environment, bad 
policy for the protection of human health, and bad policy for the 
protection of public safety.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in strong opposition to 
this amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, this amendment would allow the regulatory 
overreach that has been happening to the agriculture community through 
misuse of the Clean Water Act.
  The recapture provision of the Clean Water Act was never meant to 
swallow the original intent of the agricultural exemptions, the clear 
ag exemptions in the law. But that is exactly what has started 
happening, and if this amendment passes, it will only get worse.
  The agriculture industry is already one of the most overregulated in 
the country, and there is little clarity for farmers and ranchers about 
what exactly those regulations are and how they apply to their 
operations.
  This amendment provides additional uncertainty. It was never the 
intention of the Clean Water Act to punish farmers for conducting 
normal farming operations such as plowing or doing stock pond 
maintenance, yet that is what is happening. Without the ability to 
freely conduct these normal activities, farmers and ranchers are unable 
to do their jobs and grow the food we need as a nation.
  There is a difference between filling a river, a wetland, and plowing 
the corner of your own field. These exemptions were constructed to 
address that difference.
  The ongoing expansion of enforcement under the Clean Water Act has 
chipped away at the rights of landowners and has made it a danger to 
farmers to effectively utilize their own property.
  This hasn't been happening for 40 years. It was never the original 
intent. This is a fairly recent expansion of the interpretation of the 
law. Indeed, it is ridiculous that a farmer has to worry about being 
slapped with a fine, in some cases millions of dollars. This has 
occurred for simply conducting normal farming activities on their land 
where there are clear exemptions for agriculture.
  In my own district in northern California, there have already been 
lawsuits against residents for farming without Federal permission. 
Cases like these across the country cost farmers millions of dollars in 
legal damages, and they risk running farmers out of business.
  If this amendment is not defeated, these damages to the farm 
community will only grow. It is not a situation we want to put upon an 
industry that is already, in many cases, in financial crisis.
  Farmers and ranchers deserve our support, and they deserve the 
ability to make decisions about managing their land, whether it is 
going to be in a crop this year or not, and not have the Federal 
Government decide if it has been idle for a few years now that that is 
an abandonment of their land. Market conditions and a lot of different 
things affect what a farmer's decision is going to be; but, indeed, it 
is their land without having more ambiguity and aggressive enforcements 
over things that really clearly are exempt in the Clean Water Act. So 
we don't need additional red tape, and we don't need these threats.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I find myself confused by the comments of my 
distinguished friend from California. Nothing has changed in the law in 
40 years. This law has been applied under Democratic and Republican 
Presidents and administrations.
  The law is very clear that any normal farming use, forestry, 
agriculture or ranching is exempt already. It is only a wholesale shift 
from what the farm's original exemption was intended for that would 
require a Clean Water Act permit.
  So if a farmer is, in fact, going to turn out and develop houses, a 
subdivision, you need a clean water permit. But there is nothing in 
there that says you need a clean water permit to plow, to plant, or to 
use the land as it has always been used.
  My fear is that I don't know of any specific instances where there 
has been an overinterpretation of existing law, but section 107 would 
basically throw out the entire baby in order to fix an 
overinterpretation problem by one or two agents of the Department of 
Agriculture.
  Essentially, section 107 says everything is accepted under the Clean 
Water Act if it is agriculture, forestry, or ranching on that land.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, I would invite my friend, Mr. Beyer, to 
come talk to the ranchers and farmers who are being hit with these new 
interpretations and aggressive interpretations coming out of the 
divisions of northern California to see what is happening to them for 
simply applying farming techniques to their land.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Idaho (Mr. Simpson).
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman for yielding. 
Yes, it is true that this was written in 1977. The law has stayed the 
same since 1977. That doesn't mean that the interpretation of the law 
by agencies has been the same since then, and that interpretation has 
changed over time.
  In recent years, the Corps and the EPA have changed the 
implementation of these provisions to significantly reduce the 
application of the statutory exemptions. This language in the 
underlying bill is intended to get us back to the original intent of 
the law. That is all it is meant to do is get back to the original 
intent of the law.

  If the gentleman is correct and they are interpreting the law the 
same as they have for 40 years, then this wouldn't be necessary. But 
the fact is that is not the case. They have been changing the way they 
implement this law. This is meant to get us back to the original 
intent, and, therefore, I must oppose the amendment that would strike 
this language.
  Mr. LaMALFA. How much time do I have remaining, Mr. Chairman?
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from California has 5 seconds 
remaining.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

[[Page H4928]]

  

  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I respect the concern about an 
overinterpretation of existing law that has been on the books for 40 
years. The real challenge with section 107 is it throws out the entire 
exemption process and makes everything legal.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Chairman, again, it has been a much more aggressive 
interpretation of the exemptions under the Clean Water Act that were 
clearly made by Congress to allow normal farming activities, the normal 
crop rotation that you would use.
  Indeed, if these activities were applied even more aggressively, 
normal year-to-year crops could find themselves unable to be planted 
because of plowing or disking or land planing, things that are 
considered normal in the millions of acres we have in northern 
California that are under agriculture.
  So the activities of the EPA and the Army Corps go above the law to 
impose these requirements, and they certainly expand the jurisdiction 
of the Clean Water Act well beyond what Congress had ever intended 40-
plus years ago.
  Mr. Chairman, I strongly oppose this amendment and urge my colleagues 
to vote ``no.'' I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
  The amendment was rejected.


                  Amendment No. 5 Offered by Mr. Ruiz

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 5 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 14, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $2,000,000) (increased by $2,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. Ruiz) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment to H.R. 5895 to 
provide $2 million in additional critical funding for Bureau of 
Reclamation environmental restoration projects that will benefit our 
public health within a region such as the Salton Sea in my 
congressional district in southern California.
  The Bureau of Reclamation is responsible for managing, developing, 
and restoring our Nation's waters to support the interests of the 
American people, and there are few interests more important than 
protecting the public's health.
  To demonstrate why projects that support the public's health are so 
important, I want to talk about the Salton Sea, the largest inland body 
of water in the entire State of California.
  Located in Riverside and Imperial Counties, the Salton Sea was once 
the jewel of the southern California desert, drawing thousands of 
tourists, birdwatchers, and other outdoors and water sports 
enthusiasts.
  Having grown up near the Salton Sea, I have wonderful memories of 
going fishing there with my father and picnicking with my family.
  However, for decades now, deteriorating water quality and reduced 
water inflows have made the declining lake bed of the Salton Sea a 
public health danger to the residents in the surrounding area. If we do 
not take decisive action now, the sea will harm the public's health in 
cities all across southern California.
  You see, as the sea dries and the water level recedes, the exposed 
lake bed releases windblown contaminants containing selenium, arsenic, 
and pesticides. These are in small particulate matter small enough to 
go through your lungs and straight into your bloodstream.
  Exposure to these contaminants has been shown to increase the number 
and severity of asthma attacks, decrease the growth and development of 
lung function in school-age children, and increase the risk of cardiac 
disease, heart attacks, and mortality in adults.
  In fact, children in this underserved area already have the highest 
pediatric asthma hospitalization rate in the entire State of 
California. So adding this insult and adding this exposure is going to 
be devastating for the surrounding pediatric population.
  As an emergency medicine doctor, I care deeply about the health of 
our communities and have seen firsthand the effects of poor air quality 
in these underserved communities. So the public health danger to 
families and children from the Salton Sea is very real and must be 
addressed at all levels of government--local, State, and Federal--and 
through public-private partnerships. We are making progress.
  I also appreciate the committee's strong support of the memorandum of 
understanding that I helped broker between the Department of the 
Interior and the State of California to support the State's mitigation 
plan by including report language in the underlying bill.
  In addition to the Salton Sea, funding for the Bureau of Reclamation 
supports restoration projects across the Western United States that 
protect public health. For example, in Congressman  Ken Calvert's 
district which neighbors my own district, the Bureau of Reclamation 
helped to mitigate public health concerns and water quality issues at 
Lake Elsinore.
  Lake Elsinore, like the Salton Sea, has faced chronic challenges 
relating to water level, water quality, and associated public health 
concerns. However, a collaboration between the city of Lake Elsinore, 
Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District, Riverside County, and the 
Bureau of Reclamation came together to finally address these 
challenges. Together they built levees to contain the lake, established 
a supply of recycled water to help maintain water levels, and installed 
aerators to prevent fish die-offs by keeping oxygen levels high.
  So it can work. Lake Elsinore now supports many local businesses and 
has a flourishing tourism industry. Most importantly, the water is now 
safer for residents to enjoy all the benefits the lake has to offer, 
including swimming and water sports.
  There are countless other examples of Bureau of Reclamation 
restoration projects helping to protect public health. That is why I 
urge my colleagues to support my amendment and provide an additional $2 
million to these types of projects. That is why, if we know that this 
can work in other areas with pending public health crises, it can and 
will work in my district with the Salton Sea if they are so fortunate 
to receive some grant moneys and work in a collaborative way like Lake 
Elsinore. The health of the American people must be put above politics.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment, although I am not opposed to it.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. I understand the gentleman seeks to show support for 
additional funding for projects such as the one important to his 
district and his constituents.
  I would note that the underlying bill includes a total of $379 
million above the budget request for various types of projects that may 
have public health benefits. Since the amendment before us does not 
upset the balance of priorities within the bill nor direct funds to any 
particular project or activity, I would not oppose the amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. RUIZ. Mr. Chair, I want to thank the chairman for not opposing. I 
also want to thank the ranking member for yielding me the time and 
allowing all of this to proceed.
  On behalf of those children with pediatric asthma, on behalf of our 
seniors with COPD, chronic bronchitis, and on behalf of the doctors who 
work in emergency departments, I truly want to bring this awareness to 
everybody here that this is a pending public health nightmare 
catastrophe that, if we do nothing, will cost up to $9 billion to 
address the effects--the public health and the economic effects--that 
this will do. So putting money in the front end is going to save money 
in the back end, and it is going to prevent the bad health of our 
pediatric and our senior populations.
  Mr. Chairman, I thank the leadership for both listening, 
understanding, and proceeding with this amendment.

[[Page H4929]]

  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. Ruiz).
  The amendment was agreed to.


  Amendment No. 6 Offered by Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico

  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Holding). It is now in order to consider 
amendment No. 6 printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, I have an 
amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 14, line 16, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(decreased by $15,000,000)(increased by $15,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentlewoman 
from New Mexico (Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham) and a Member opposed each 
will control 5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New Mexico.
  Ms. MICHELLE LUJAN GRISHAM of New Mexico. Mr. Chairman, 99.9 percent 
of New Mexico is under drought conditions, including over 60 percent of 
the State which is suffering from extreme drought or worse. It is so 
dry that more than half the State is at significant risk for dangerous 
and destructive wildfires, and long stretches of the Rio Grande 
riverbed are already dry as a bone.

                              {time}  1700

  As I speak, there are wildfires raging across the state, including a 
massive fire in Ute Park, which is threatening multiple communities and 
hundreds of buildings.
  On top of that, last winter's mountain snowpack was the second lowest 
on record, creating significant issues for New Mexico's agricultural 
industry. Farmers are leaving fields unplanted and ranchers are 
downsizing their herds. Many farmers and ranchers, including families 
who have worked their land for generations, are worried that they will 
not have the water to grow their crops or the hay to feed their 
livestock in the months and years ahead.
  Extreme drought is the new normal in large parts of the American 
Southwest and we have to develop innovative technologies and management 
practices to both preserve the water resources we have and increase 
access to previously unusable water.
  My amendment intends to prioritize $15 million for the Bureau of 
Reclamation's water research and development programs. It is critical 
that we make new investments to develop innovative methods to recycle, 
reuse, and purify water for agricultural, environmental, residential, 
and industrial uses.
  This funding also supports the Brackish Groundwater National 
Desalination Research Facility located in Alamogordo, New Mexico, that 
develops more cost-effective and efficient ways to desalinate and 
purify water. This cutting-edge facility brings together researchers 
from a range of Federal agencies, universities, private companies, and 
State and local governments to work collaboratively on sustainability 
using billions of previously untapped brackish groundwater in New 
Mexico.
  Mr. Chairman, if we don't develop innovative water management 
strategies to do more with less, we won't have the water we need to 
plant our fields, feed our livestock, or grow New Mexico's economy.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support my amendment, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition, although I am 
not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I understand that the gentlewoman seeks to 
show support for additional funding for water research and development 
activities that are important to her district and to the country.
  I would just like to clarify that the amendment does not direct funds 
to any particular activities. For that reason and because it does not 
upset the balance within the bill, I will not oppose the amendment.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from New Mexico (Ms. Michelle Lujan Grisham).
  The amendment was agreed to.


               Amendment No. 7 Offered by Mr. DeSaulnier

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 7 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 15, line 17, after the dollar amount insert ``(reduced 
     by $5,000,000) (increased by $5,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from California (Mr. DeSaulnier) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from California.
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, this amendment seeks a modest amount of 
dedicated funding for the repair and maintenance of existing equipment 
in the migrating fish screen program.
  Fish screens are an important part of the water supply infrastructure 
of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta that help to protect fish in the 
delta ecosystem. These fish screens work to prevent fish from being 
drawn into various locations in the Bay-Delta Watershed where our water 
supply takes in water. Fish screens in the delta are particularly 
important for protecting multiple species listed or threatened as 
endangered under the Endangered Species Act, including salmon, 
steelhead, and delta smelt.
  Fish screen components operate under water and are constantly exposed 
to stress and damage that wears them down and makes them less 
effective. Without proper upkeep, debris, sediment, and changes in 
temperature can create gaps or holes in the screening material and 
damage cleaning mechanisms.
  While I appreciate that in its report the Appropriations Committee 
has recognized the need for continued support of the fish screen 
program overall, it is important that we include money specifically for 
the maintenance and repair of existing equipment. My commonsense 
amendment helps us to do that, I urge my colleagues to support it.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition, although I 
am not opposed to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I understand that the gentleman seeks to 
show support for additional funding for fish screen projects important 
to his district and his constituents. I would simply note that this 
account is one where we historically have given the administration, 
Republican or Democratic, great flexibility in allocating the funds. If 
there is widespread interest, we should take a comprehensive look at 
funding levels within the program, not just adjust funding levels in 
one activity.
  Since the amendment does not direct funds to a specific activity and 
because it does not upset the balance of the bill, I will not oppose 
the amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. DeSAULNIER. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman's comments, 
and I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from California (Mr. DeSaulnier).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Chair understands that amendment No. 8 will not 
be offered.


                  Amendment No. 9 Offered by Mr. Cohen

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 9 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:


[[Page H4930]]


  

       Page 21, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $2,000,000)''.
       Page 32, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $2,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Tennessee.
  Mr. COHEN. Mr. Chair, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today to offer an amendment to increase funding for the Energy 
Efficiency and Renewable Energy account by $2 million, specifically for 
use in the SuperTruck II program.
  The SuperTruck program was started by the Department of Energy under 
President Obama and former Secretary of Energy Steven Chu to improve 
freight and heavy-duty vehicle efficiency.
  The Appropriations Committee acknowledged in the committee report the 
success of the SuperTruck II program, noting these funds will help 
SuperTruck II to continue to dramatically improve the freight 
efficiency of heavy-duty class 8 long-haul and regional-haul vehicles 
through system level improvements like the hybridization of vehicles, 
saving more fuel while idling--that is something I saw in a field 
demonstration and it is pretty amazing how they turn off at 
intersections with lights, et cetera--engineering high-efficiency HVAC 
technologies, and more.
  This amendment to increase funding for the SuperTruck II program will 
allow the Department of Energy to better achieve its freight efficiency 
goals, and the amendment is fully offset by decreasing the departmental 
administration account.
  I would like to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for 
their hard work on this bill and for including this amendment. The 
Rules Committee might have done that, but I don't think they would have 
if there were objections from the chair and ranking member.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on the amendment, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Tennessee (Mr. Cohen).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                Amendment No. 10 Offered by Mr. Keating

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 10 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 21, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $10,000,000)''.
       Page 32, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $10,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, my amendment seeks to provide adequate 
resources for the marine and hydrokinetic energy resource supported by 
the Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies Office.
  Renewable power offers exciting and important security opportunities 
for our energy future here in the United States. My amendment would 
allocate resources to support these efforts, including for the 
development of pilot project plans, development of prototype turbines 
and associated undersea cables, as well as environmental impact 
assessments.
  In my district, there is an important research already underway in 
marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies to tap the power of ocean 
waves, tides, and currents to generate electricity.
  For example, the Marine Energy Renewable Collaborative of New England 
created the first permanent tidal power testing station in the entire 
United States. This state-of-the-art testing station is collecting new 
and valuable data every day on tidal power. Companies like MERCO in 
Marion, Massachusetts, and Littoral Power in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, 
are also pursuing this cutting-edge science in this emerging field of 
energy projection.
  Southeastern Massachusetts is a leader in the maritime economy. The 
research and technologies being developed currently will enhance our 
energy security for the future. We must make these investments today to 
ensure our security, health, and economic competitiveness going 
forward.
  The power supplied by these marine and hydrokinetic technologies is 
clean, predictable, and domestic. These technologies are 
environmentally friendly and don't rely on the importation of energy 
from foreign sources. They give us even more flexibility to keep our 
energy prices low for families and businesses. Cheaper energy means 
keeping business operating costs low so they can invest in more 
employees and on products and research.
  Supporting research in these technologies also means investigating 
the potential positive and negative effects that they might hold. We 
need to know more about water quality, our cultural and historic sites, 
our electromagnetic devices, and our shellfish, fish stocks, marine 
habitats, and large mammals.
  This is a very important program for my region and for the country. I 
thank my colleagues.
  I will say, this is so technologically advanced, this is a real 
tongue twister as I have gone through this whole thing, but don't let 
that dissuade anyone going forward. This is the future. This is where 
economic growth is already occurring in our region. We should do 
everything in our power to help the development of this power.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate my colleague's passion for 
research and development in the Water Power Technologies Office. He is 
a strong advocate in his State for research in this important work.
  Although I could not support the original amendment, I would 
appreciate it if the gentleman would be willing to withdraw it and 
instead work together as we move toward conference to discuss efficient 
funding for the Water Power Technologies Office.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank Chairman Simpson for 
that opportunity to work together. I think we can work together going 
forward in the short term. Perhaps as this goes to conference, we can 
look at working together in the long-term and really investigating the 
importance of this new energy that can be developed here in the United 
States so cleanly.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


                Amendment No. 11 Offered by Ms. Bonamici

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 11 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 21, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $10,000,000)''.
       Page 32, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $10,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentlewoman 
from Oregon (Ms. Bonamici) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Oregon.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, I rise today to offer a bipartisan amendment 
to increase investments in research and development that support marine 
energy, hydropower, and pump storage.
  I first want to thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for 
their leadership in supporting the Water Power Technologies Office. 
Robust funding for the Department of Energy's Water Power Technologies 
Office will support investments in innovative hydropower, marine, and 
hydrokinetic energy technologies.
  This bipartisan amendment would increase funding for the Office of 
Energy and Efficiency and Renewable Energy by $10 million for water 
power and decrease funding for departmental administrative spending to 
result in no additional cost.

[[Page H4931]]

  Harnessing energy from waves, currents, and tides is an exciting 
frontier in the renewable energy sector. Oregon State University, the 
University of Washington, and the University of Alaska Fairbanks are 
partnering to support marine renewable energy research and development 
at the Pacific Marine Energy Center.
  The center relies on Federal investments from the Department of 
Energy to establish the Nation's fully energetic on-grid wave energy 
test facility off the Oregon coast. This facility will be able to test 
wave energy converters that capture the energy of ocean waves, current, 
tides, and in-river resources and turn it into electricity.
  Hydropower has tremendous potential to become the major source of 
electricity for the United States and the world, but other countries 
are ahead of us here. We must continue to develop clean and sustainable 
energy sources, and that means supporting new solutions like marine and 
hydrokinetic renewable energy.
  We should be doing more to harness the power of water to meet our 
Nation's clean energy needs, create good-paying jobs, and spur economic 
growth in our communities.

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. Chair, I again thank the chairman and ranking member for their 
work on this issue and also Representatives Perry and Pingree for their 
bipartisan leadership on water power.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, similar to the previous amendment, I 
appreciate my colleague's passion for this important research and 
development and work done in the Water Power Technologies Office. They 
are each strong advocates, and I recognize their leadership in their 
States for this important work.
  Although I could not support this amendment, I would again make the 
offer that, if the gentlewoman is willing to withdraw the amendment, I 
would work with her and others to make sure that we have sufficient 
funding for the Water Power Technologies Office when we go to 
conference.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Chair, I appreciate that offer of the gentleman to 
work together on this important issue with a lot of promise for 
additional renewable energy jobs and sources.
  So, Mr. Chairman, we do need to be making stronger investments in 
clean and sustainable energy sources like water power. With that offer 
to work together, I will withdraw this amendment but do hope that we 
will work together going forward to increase funding for this very 
important program.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


          Amendment No. 12 Offered by Ms. Esty of Connecticut

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 12 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 21, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $15,000,000)''.
       Page 27, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $15,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentlewoman 
from Connecticut (Ms. Esty) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Connecticut.
  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my 
amendment, which would protect millions of good-paying manufacturing 
jobs across the country, including in my home State of Connecticut. My 
amendment would restore $15 million to the Advanced Manufacturing 
Office in fiscal year 2019.
  The Department of Energy's Advanced Manufacturing Office is the only 
technology development office in the Federal Government that is 
dedicated to enhancing American manufacturing competitiveness.
  Unfortunately, the appropriations bill before us here today cuts 
funding to the Advanced Manufacturing Office by $45 million from the 
FY18 enacted levels. That is a mistake.
  One of the vital programs funded through the Advanced Manufacturing 
Office is the Industrial Assessment Centers program. Industrial 
Assessment Centers are located across the United States and provide 
companies with the tools they need to promote energy efficiency.
  A couple of years ago, I visited Forum Plastics, a plastic molding 
company in Waterbury, Connecticut. Forum Plastics had recently 
partnered with our regional Industrial Assessment Center at the 
University of Massachusetts to carry out an audit of Forum Plastics' 
energy costs and energy efficiency.
  That audit showed the small company ways they could save energy, 
reduce waste, and see cost savings. In fact, the audit helped Forum 
Plastics develop more energy-efficient processes, which resulted in a 
cost savings of nearly $25,000 the very next year.
  For small and medium-size companies like Forum Plastics, savings like 
this are real. They free up budgets to hire more employees, carry out 
systems and equipment upgrades, and expand their facilities.
  We know that much of America's innovation comes from exactly these 
sort of small and medium-size companies that the Advanced Manufacturing 
Office is designed to help. These companies are not able to afford 
high-priced consultants or systems analysts but benefit greatly from 
the analyses that the Industrial Assessment Centers offer.
  This helps create jobs in our communities, helps support American 
competitiveness, and ensures that taxpayer dollars support smaller 
manufacturers that are the backbone of so many of our communities.
  Mr. Chair, I urge support of my amendment, and I reserve the balance 
of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate my colleague's advocacy for 
the Advanced Manufacturing Office within the Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy account.
  The Advanced Manufacturing Office performs research and development 
to improve the productivity and energy efficiency of U.S. 
manufacturing. This is important work, and I recognize my colleague's 
leadership in highlighting the office.
  While I could not support using the Nuclear Waste Disposal account as 
an offset for the original amendment, I would appreciate my colleague's 
willingness to offer to withdraw this amendment. I look forward to 
working with my colleague as we move forward toward conference to 
discuss sufficient funding for the Advanced Manufacturing Office.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate Chairman 
Simpson's and Ranking Member Kaptur's support for the Advanced 
Manufacturing Office, and I look forward to working with both of them 
in the future to increase funding for these important programs for 
fiscal year 2019.
  Therefore, I will withdraw my amendment to restore $15 million to the 
Advanced Manufacturing Office in fiscal year 2019.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chair, I withdraw my amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


                Amendment No. 13 Offered by Ms. Tsongas

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 13 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

        Page 21, line 24, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $5,000,000)''.
       Page 32, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $5,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentlewoman

[[Page H4932]]

from Massachusetts (Ms. Tsongas) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Massachusetts.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chair, my amendment increases funding by $5 million 
for the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and 
Renewable Energy for the purposes of offshore wind job training grants.
  The amendment is paid for by using an equal offset from the 
Department's administration accounts.
  According to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, our Nation's 
offshore wind energy potential is nearly double our total electricity 
need. It is also an energy resource available to nearly every coastline 
in the country, including the Great Lakes.
  Offshore wind is broadly recognized as our Nation's next great energy 
resource, one that has the potential to create tens of thousands of new 
jobs in manufacturing, logistics, engineering, construction, and long-
term operations and maintenance of these projects.
  This potential has been acknowledged by the Trump administration. 
Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke recently spoke at an offshore wind 
energy conference and said that offshore wind has more growth potential 
than any other energy resource.
  In fact, he also published an op-ed in The Boston Globe in April 
underscoring the importance of offshore wind to the Trump 
administration's all-of-the-above energy strategy and announced two new 
proposed lease sales in Massachusetts for commercial wind development.
  As he said in the op-ed--and we have it printed right here: ``The 
Trump administration supports an all-of-the-above American energy 
policy, and wind energy is an important part of the energy mix. Just 
like the pioneers who drilled our Nation's first offshore wells in the 
1890s, those men and women who construct wind turbines in American 
waters in the years to come will continue to set our Nation toward 
clean energy dominance.''
  To realize the full potential of our Nation's offshore wind 
resources, we must make sure that a cadre of American workers are fully 
trained and ready to pave the way for growth and innovation in this 
rapidly growing industry. This amendment makes a modest investment 
toward this goal by specifically appropriating $5 million for offshore 
wind job training grants at the Department of Energy.
  Workforce development and education is one of several focus areas at 
the Wind Energy Technologies Office, and grants funded by this 
amendment would help develop curricula, apprenticeships, health and 
safety certification programs, and other activities that help workers 
transition to the offshore wind industry.
  The Trump administration recently announced similar workforce 
training grants for solar through DOE's Solar Energy Technologies 
Office, and we should be doing the same for offshore wind workforce 
development through DOE's Wind Energy Technologies Office.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support American energy jobs by 
voting ``yes'' on this amendment.
  And I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Idaho is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, this bill includes $84 million for research 
and development on wind energy within the EERE account. That is more 
than $53 million higher than the budget request--$53 million higher 
than the budget request.
  Research and development in the wind office was targeted to support 
our Nation's wind turbine testing infrastructure and advanced solutions 
to wind energy challenges. This is a strategic focus to lay the 
foundation for technological innovations that can be picked up by 
industry at a later stage.
  While I support research and development on wind energy and recognize 
my colleague's advocacy for these activities, focusing funds on job 
training grants strays too far from the bill's strategic priorities. 
Therefore, I must oppose the amendment and urge my colleagues to do the 
same.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chair, this amendment really is a very modest 
investment in our Nation's workforce and, therefore, worthy of 
increased funding devoted to this purpose.
  We can't just be investing in energy technologies; we need to be 
investing in our people who will bring these technologies out of the 
lab and into our homes and businesses.
  Offshore wind has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs 
and make the United States a global industry leader.
  The gentleman referenced some increases, but, even with this 
amendment, funding for the Wind Energy Technologies Office is still 
below last year's level.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. 
Kaptur), the ranking member.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I rise to strongly support Congresswoman 
Tsongas' amendment.
  In our country today, there are 12 wind projects in various stages of 
development, spanning 10 States off the east, west, and Texas coasts 
and, of course, in the Great Lakes as well. These offshore projects 
alone represent over 5,000 megawatts of potential offshore development. 
We don't have a kilowatt to waste.
  These projects can create thousands of manufacturing, construction, 
and supply-chain jobs across our country and drive billions of dollars 
of local economic investment.
  We know we will need workers to do these clean energy jobs. And I can 
guarantee you those towers are very high. So I definitely support 
funding for training activities in this regard for the future.
  The Department of Energy already has workforce training grants for 
solar, and, therefore, I would very much wish to carry over that effort 
as well to the Wind Power Technologies Office.
  Mr. Chairman, I congratulate the gentlewoman for offering this 
important amendment, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I yield 15 seconds to my colleague from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Keating).
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, there are people in our country who are 
looking for jobs. We also have in our country jobs that are looking for 
people. So this matches that up.
  Research and development is important, but without people to be 
trained to go forward it will come to no avail in our country. It is 
important for our region; it is important for our country.
  The Acting CHAIR. The time of the gentleman has expired.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from 
Massachusetts (Mr. Keating).
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Simpson for yielding me 
additional time. This gives me a brief time to tell how it is important 
in my region as well as how real it is in our region.
  In my district, a major offshore wind project just got the green 
light to build an 800-megawatt wind farm 15 miles south of Martha's 
Vineyard. It is going to bring with it hundreds and hundreds of new, 
high-quality job opportunities in southeastern Massachusetts.
  This requires skilled labor, and the amendment would try to connect 
those workers with these skills and the training they need to take 
advantage of these opportunities to these new jobs.
  This is something that has to be done ahead of time in our country. 
One of the biggest weaknesses we do have, I think, economically, is 
that we have to prepare for the jobs that are here that we don't have 
people for and the jobs that will grow that we don't have enough people 
for. It is an opportunity to do this.
  I thank the chairman again for yielding the time, and I thank the 
leadership of the gentlewoman from Massachusetts, Ms. Tsongas.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the gentleman and 
gentlewoman's passion for this.
  I have to oppose the amendment at this time but look forward to 
working with the gentlewoman to try to address this issue as we move 
forward in the future.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Massachusetts (Ms. Tsongas).

[[Page H4933]]

  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Ms. TSONGAS. Mr. Chair, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentlewoman from 
Massachusetts will be postponed.

                              {time}  1730


                  Amendment No. 14 Offered by Mr. Soto

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 14 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 22, line 13, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 32, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $1,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Soto) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment would increase funding for the 
Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency Response program by $1 
million and decrease the departmental administration fund within the 
Department of Energy by an equal amount.
  The new Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security, and Emergency 
Response addresses the emerging threats of tomorrow while protecting 
the reliable flow of energy to America's broad population today by 
improving energy infrastructure security and supporting the Department 
of Energy's national security mission.
  Being prepared and ready to respond quickly and effectively to all 
hazards is crucial. We need to make sure we can improve the ability of 
energy sector stakeholders to prevent, prepare for, and respond to 
threats, hazards, natural disaster, and other supply disruptions. 
Additionally, in today's highly interconnected world, reliable energy 
delivery requires cyber resilient energy delivery systems.
  This amendment would increase funds to focus on preparedness and 
response activities to natural and manmade threats, ensuring a 
stronger, more prosperous, and secure future for the Nation.
  Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman for his support.
  I urge my colleagues to support the amendment, and I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                  Amendment No. 15 Offered by Mr. Soto

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 15 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 22, line 25, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $1,000,000)''.
       Page 32, line 1, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $1,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Soto) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Florida.
  Mr. SOTO. Mr. Chair, my amendment would increase funding for the 
Electric Delivery program by $1 million and decrease the departmental 
administrative fund within the Department of Energy by an equal amount.
  This amendment is intended to increase funding for the new Electric 
Delivery program's activities to accelerate discovery and innovation in 
electrical transmission and distribution technologies and create next 
generation devices, software, tools, and techniques to help modernize 
the electric grid.
  Additionally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 
committee for all their work in advancing high-power capacity batteries 
and grid restoration efforts in Puerto Rico.
  First, I thank the committee for the inclusion of report language 
discussing the potential benefits of high-power, high-capacity 
batteries. These batteries could provide energy resilience in the face 
of extreme weather disasters. These technologies could have prevented 
hardships during last year's hurricane season and decrease reliance on 
generators during emergencies.
  In Florida, Hurricane Maria caused a prolonged power outage in 
assisted living facilities that cost lives. This could have been 
prevented, and this amendment assists in that.
  Second, I thank the committee for the report language that supports 
the Department's involvement in the grid restoration efforts in Puerto 
Rico. Their continued effort and support provide technical assistance 
as Puerto Rico works to rebuild its energy infrastructure and is 
essential to long-term recovery.
  Again, my amendment would increase funding for the Electric Delivery 
program, which would advance our Nation's grid reliability and 
resiliency.
  I thank the chairman and the committee for their support, and I urge 
my colleagues to support this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto).
  The amendment was agreed to.


             Amendment No. 16 Offered by Mr. Weber of Texas

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 16 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 23, line 12, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $35,000,000)(increased by $35,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Weber) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to offer an amendment to 
H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act of 2019.
  I want to thank the gentleman from Idaho, Representative Mike 
Simpson, the chairman of the House Energy and Water Development, and 
Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee for bringing a pro-science 
bill to the floor that supports nuclear energy innovation. I strongly 
support division A of this legislation and appreciate the chairman's 
work on this bill.
  Over the past 4 years, the Science, Space, and Technology Committee 
championed legislation to provide the tools needed to develop advanced 
nuclear reactor technology in these United States. My bill, the Nuclear 
Energy Innovation Capabilities Act, passed the House three times last 
Congress and, most recently, was included in H.R. 589, the Department 
of Energy Research and Innovation Act, that passed the House in January 
of last year.
  A key part of this legislation authorizes DOE to construct a research 
reactor. This reactor, or versatile neutron source, is critical for the 
development of advanced reactor designs, materials, and nuclear fuels. 
Access to fast neutrons currently only available for civilian research 
in Russia is crucial for private sector development of next generation 
materials and fuels needed for advanced nuclear reactor technology.
  The versatile neutron source will also enable the Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission to verify data on new fuels, materials, and designs more 
efficiently, expediting regulatory approval for advanced nuclear 
reactors.
  Earlier this year, the House passed a second bill that authorizes 
specific funding from within the DOE Office of Nuclear Energy for the 
construction of that versatile neutron source. My bill, the Nuclear 
Energy Research Infrastructure Act, included $100 million for this 
project in fiscal year 2019.
  While I am pleased to see the report for this legislation direct $65 
million in funding for this facility, we must move forward on 
construction for the versatile neutron source as quickly as possible. 
My amendment is intended to increase funding for this vital project 
from within the Office of Nuclear Energy to match the House-passed 
authorization.

[[Page H4934]]

  Modeling and simulation can accelerate R&D, but nuclear energy 
research must be validated through a physical source like a research 
reactor. Building this open-access user facility in the DOE national 
lab system will facilitate nuclear energy research in the United 
States, which otherwise simply will not take place. We cannot afford to 
lose the ability to develop innovative nuclear technology right here at 
home.
  I want to again thank Chairman Simpson for his support of nuclear 
energy research and for prioritizing the research infrastructure that 
keeps America safe while keeping America globally competitive.
  I am prepared to withdraw my amendment and to continue working with 
the chairman to advance the House-passed authorization levels for this 
important project in conference if I can get assurance from him.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim time in opposition to the amendment, 
even though I am not opposed to it.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I thank my colleague for his amendment and 
for his willingness to withdraw it and for the authorizer's strong 
support for this bill.
  I recognize the House-passed authorization for the versatile neutron 
source is a priority of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee 
and also of me.
  I appreciate my colleague's highlighting these priorities, and I look 
forward to working with him as we move into conference to ensure these 
priorities have sufficient funding in the final legislation.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WEBER of Texas. Mr. Chair, I thank the gentleman, and I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chair, I withdraw my amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


          Amendment No. 17 Offered by Ms. Esty of Connecticut

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 17 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 24, line 3, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $20,000,000) (increased by $20,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentlewoman 
from Connecticut (Ms. Esty) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Connecticut.
  Ms. ESTY of Connecticut. Mr. Chair, I rise in support of my amendment 
to increase funding to the Office of Fossil Energy's program to support 
solid oxide fuel cell research technology for power generation, and I 
want to thank my colleague from Connecticut (Mr. Larson) for working on 
this amendment with me.
  Countries around the world--China, Korea, Germany, and Japan--are 
already prioritizing the development of their fuel cell industries. In 
order for the United States to remain competitive in this global 
economy, we must support the research and development of new and 
innovative energy technologies, including fuel cells.
  Robust Federal funding of technologies that are not yet commercially 
viable, like solid oxide fuel cells, allow the United States to remain 
in the forefront of cleaner energy technologies and will help grow jobs 
across the country to meet the entire world's demand for cleaner, 
cheaper energy.
  In my home State of Connecticut, FuelCell Energy, a Danbury- and 
Torrington-based company, has become one of the world's leaders in 
delivering clean, efficient, and affordable fuel cell solutions. 
Researchers at FuelCell are developing new applications for solid oxide 
fuel cell technology and are making great advances in the field of 
stationary fuel cells.
  The Department of Energy program that our amendment increases funding 
for supports jobs in Connecticut at FuelCell Energy, FuelCell Energy's 
Connecticut vendors, the University of Connecticut, which receives SECA 
funding through the FuelCell subcontractors, and at innovative 
companies and institutions across this country.
  Mr. Chair, this amendment is a win-win for our economy. New 
innovation in fuel cell technology promotes cleaner, more sustainable 
energy and creates American jobs. I urge my colleagues to support 
funding for the Office of Fossil Energy's program to support solid 
oxide fuel cell research technology.
  I thank the Members for their support, and I yield back the balance 
of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentlewoman from Connecticut (Ms. Esty).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 18 Offered by Mr. Beyer

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 18 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 24, line 3, after the dollar amount, insert ``(reduced 
     by $28,310,000)''.
       Page 30, line 7, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $28,310,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Virginia (Mr. Beyer) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Virginia.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, the Beyer-Eshoo-Esty amendment simply 
restores funding to the Advanced Research Project-Energy, ARPA-E, to 
the FY18 enacted level that was already approved by this Congress 
earlier this year.
  ARPA-E was created to replicate the successful DARPA model by 
incentivizing researchers to develop promising research into game-
changing technologies that can meet our future energy needs.
  Mr. Chairman, despite the huge payoff, the private sector does not 
often and cannot invest efficiently in kind of high-risk, high-reward 
energy research. ARPA-E has already demonstrated incredible success in 
advancing energy technology solutions that neither the public nor the 
private sector has been willing or able to support in the past.
  Since 2009, 136 of these projects have attracted more than $2.6 
billion in private sector follow-on funding.
  And please note, the amendment does not cut fossil energy research. 
It simply reduces the plus-up for the account. The Fossil Energy R&D 
will still receive $30 million more than last year and 50 percent more 
than President Trump's FY19 request level.
  I urge my colleagues to support the Beyer-Eshoo-Esty amendment to 
make ARPA-E whole. ARPA-E is a smart bet on America's proven ability to 
turn creative ideas into market-creating, job-growing businesses.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to 
the amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from West Virginia is recognized for 
5 minutes.
  Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the 
gentleman from West Virginia (Mr. McKinley).
  Mr. McKINLEY. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to this amendment, 
but let's just step back a second. Here is the reality.
  America and the entire world will be relying on fossil energy for 
years to come. The Energy Information Administration estimates that, in 
2040, fossil energy will still make up 78 percent of the energy used in 
the world.

                              {time}  1745

  Let's look at two examples of what America stands to lose if this 
amendment is adopted.
  The fossil R&D program has put America on the cusp of producing zero 
carbon emissions from electric generation using the innovative and 
unique Allam cycle.
  The innovative NET Power plant in Texas was funded by DOE in its 
research. It is amazing what they are doing using CO2 to 
spin a turbine instead of as an emission.

[[Page H4935]]

  To this end, Congress should be putting more money into this program 
on research, not reducing it.
  Secondly, the fossil R&D program also has had tremendous success in 
extracting rare earth elements from coal and mine drainage. But, 
currently, China controls over 90 percent of the world's rare earth 
elements. These minerals are critical to our national defense and are 
used in hybrid vehicles, wind turbines, fuel cells, and portable 
electronics.
  By adopting this amendment, we would be unnecessarily putting the 
environment at risk and lose a potential key supply of rare earth 
minerals.
  Fossil fuels will be around for the foreseeable future. We should be 
utilizing them in the cleanest, most efficient manner through research, 
and all of that requires more research at the Federal level.
  The House has soundly defeated a similar amendment in the past, and I 
urge my colleagues to do so now as well.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, there is virtually nothing my friend from 
West Virginia said that I disagree with, except the idea that we are 
somehow taking money from fossil fuel research that is untoward. Just 
remember, this is a $30 million step up from last year and 50 percent 
more than President Trump has even asked for.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from California 
(Ms. Eshoo).
  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding.
  I rise in strong support of this amendment, the Beyer-Eshoo-Esty 
amendment, which restores funding to make it equal to the fiscal year 
2018 level agreed to by Congress earlier this year for ARPA-E, which is 
the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.
  ARPA-E is housed within the Department of Energy and invests in 
emerging clean energy technologies to make our country more energy-
secure, reduce costs, and increase energy efficiency. So it is smart. 
It is smart. That is what America has been known for, and we want to 
retain that reputation.
  The Agency specializes in high-risk, high-reward technologies that 
are, in many instances, too risky for the private sector but have 
enormous potential to change how we produce and consume energy.
  ARPA-E is doing for energy development what the NIH does for medical 
research. It provides early-stage support for new moonshot ideas that 
have the potential to transform the everyday lives of Americans and our 
economy.
  ARPA-E is a product of the 2006 Innovation Agenda and was modeled 
after the highly acclaimed DARPA, created 60 years ago in the 
Department of Defense. It is credited with launching some of the most 
successful technologies of our time, including GPS and the internet.
  ARPA-E was created by Congress in 2007 with bipartisan support, it 
was signed into law by a Republican President, and it has been a 
resounding success.
  In its 10-year history, the agency has funded over 660 projects that 
have helped create 71 new companies; attracted over $2.6 billion in 
private sector funding; led to the creation of 245 new patents; and 
fostered over 1,700 peer-reviewed articles to further our understanding 
of the energy ecosystem.
  Mr. Chairman, the United States, I think, is really at an important 
crossroads in our history. We will decide whether our country is going 
to continue to lead the world in innovation.
  Foreign competitors, such as China, are surging investments in new 
R&D and threaten to overtake our country in that area. We must continue 
our basic investments to ensure we remain the most innovative and 
successful economy in the world, and this amendment helps to advance 
this.
  This has been bipartisan and overwhelmingly successful for our 
country. Why would we turn the pages back?
  So, for all these reasons and more, I urge my colleagues to support 
this amendment.
  Mr. JENKINS of West Virginia. Mr. Chairman, fossil energy helped make 
America the great Nation it is today. West Virginia coal, for example, 
helped forge the steel that built skyscrapers and won world wars.
  The DOE Fossil Energy account helps our Nation develop the next 
generation of fossil technologies. If we don't develop it, other 
nations will. America must continue its energy dominance and 
independence, and fossil fuels must play a critical role in our energy 
strategy.
  The Fossil Energy account invests in research and development for 
coal, oil, and natural gas, which produce, as you have heard, more than 
60 percent of our Nation's electricity.
  The research being done at the National Energy Technology Laboratory 
in Morgantown, West Virginia, and other locations is paying off. We are 
seeing breakthroughs in coal use in energy production, as well as 
carbon capture and storage technology.
  These breakthroughs mean the United States does not need to rely on 
unfriendly nations for energy anymore. Within 5 years, the United 
States will become the largest producer in the world of crude oil, 
bigger than Russia or Saudi Arabia.
  Investing in fossil energy programs will fuel the next generation of 
innovation and do so responsibly. Cutting this funding will only set 
America back. We have abundant, reliable, domestic energy resources, 
and abandoning this research will put our energy future in severe 
jeopardy.
  President Trump, just last week, took action to strengthen our 
Nation's coal-fired power plants to protect our national security and 
grid reliability.
  Cutting this funding is irresponsible and jeopardizes our energy 
independence. Therefore, I urge Members to vote against this amendment, 
which would impose significant cuts to R&D funding for fossil energy 
technology.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, as the designee of Ranking Member Lowey, I 
move to strike the last word.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentlewoman from Ohio is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chairman, I just wanted to point out that, if one 
looks at the fine print in our bill, the account, actually, for fossil 
is increased by over $50 million over the current year. That is a 
pretty healthy increase.
  We are not really cutting anything in that bill if we take the funds 
that you are offering here. Fossil will still see a $30 million 
increase over this year. It isn't being cut to the bones or anything 
like that. In fact, we are adding flesh to the bones of the fossil 
accounts.
  I think it is important to support the Beyer-Eshoo-Esty proposal here 
in this amendment because we are creating the future with ARPA-E. 
Nobody knows what ARPA-E means in the average neighborhood of our 
country. It really is not just the moonshot; it is the Mars-shot. It is 
the highest level of energy research we do.
  When I saw Members from Massachusetts down on the floor here a little 
earlier, I thought to myself: When I saw the Russian tanker come in 
last year with natural gas because parts of the East Coast couldn't 
heat their homes in the wintertime, I have to tell you, I am worried. 
Every American should be worried.
  We should be developing energy on many fronts. An all-of-the-above 
strategy is exactly what this country should be doing. We shouldn't be 
peeling away funds for the highest level of research that we do in our 
Nation.
  Truly, ARPA-E helps us become a global leader. It is transformational 
in what it does. It is a model for others to imitate. It is smart, it 
is agile, it is fast-acting, it is nonbureaucratic, and it is bold--
qualities that both Republicans and Democrats like.
  Last year, actually, many Republican officials and business leaders, 
including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said ARPA-E is a blueprint for 
smart Federal investments that boost our global competitiveness. And 
surely it does, because I can remember a time when America was not 
running its way to energy independence. It was, in fact, completely 
dependent on imported sources of energy.
  ARPA-E has been nothing short of remarkable. One hundred and thirty-
six projects have attracted over $2.6 billion in private sector follow-
on funding. I repeat: private sector.
  While I do support fossil--and Ohio is a State right now where we 
have a lot of coal, we have a lot of natural gas. We even have some oil 
being brought up with the natural gas. I support all that. But we know 
one thing about

[[Page H4936]]

that: it is finite. It is not going to be there for future generations.
  ARPA-E leads us into a new future, and this amendment moves us in the 
proper direction.
  Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support the Beyer-Eshoo-Esty 
amendment.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I simply add that we are not cutting the 
fossil fuel research and development, which we do believe in. This is a 
plus-up from last year of at least $30 million and 50 percent more than 
President Trump has requested.
  All we are simply doing is trying to appropriate to ARPA-E what was 
enacted by this Congress and, also, to point out that ARPA-E does not 
exclude fossil fuel research.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Beyer).
  The question was taken; and the Acting Chair announced that the noes 
appeared to have it.
  Mr. BEYER. Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.
  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to clause 6 of rule XVIII, further 
proceedings on the amendment offered by the gentleman from Virginia 
will be postponed.


             Amendment No. 19 Offered by Mr. Smith of Texas

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 19 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 27, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $126,800,000) (increased by $126,800,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Texas (Mr. Smith) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment to H.R. 5895, 
the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations 
Act of 2019.
  I first want to thank the gentleman from Idaho, Congressman Mike 
Simpson, the chairman of the House Appropriations Energy and Water 
Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee, for working with us to 
develop a strong, pro-science appropriations bill.
  I strongly support division A of this legislation, and I appreciate 
the chairman's initiative in basic science research.
  This amendment provides for critical facility upgrades and 
construction of basic research infrastructure that are within the core 
mission of the Department of Energy and will lead to scientific 
discoveries that will maintain U.S. leadership in innovation and 
technology.
  In February, the House unanimously passed three bipartisan House 
Science, Space, and Technology Committee research infrastructure bills: 
H.R. 4376, the Department of Energy Research Infrastructure Act; H.R. 
4377, the Accelerating American Leadership in Science Act; and H.R. 
4378, the Nuclear Energy Research Infrastructure Act. These bills 
authorized full funding for upgrades in construction of several high-
priority user facilities at DOE National Labs.
  This amendment provides $76.8 million from within funds appropriated 
to the Office of Science to meet the House-passed authorization levels 
for four of the infrastructure projects included in these bills, 
including the LINAC Coherent Light Source high energy upgrade, the 
proton power upgrade to the Spallation Neutron Source, the construction 
of the Spallation Neutron Source Second Target Station, and the 
construction of the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams.
  My amendment also fully supports basic research in fusion energy 
science, a field that could lead to a revolutionary new energy source. 
Specifically, it provides $50 million from within the funds 
appropriated to the Office of Science for the direct U.S. commitment 
for fiscal year 2019 to the construction of the International 
Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, or ITER, project.
  While I am pleased that division A of this legislation provides $163 
million for the agreed-to hardware and other in-kind contributions, 
cash contributions to ITER are not designated in the bill. My amendment 
is intended to address this issue and fully fund the U.S. commitment in 
fiscal year 2019.
  I want to also draw attention to another shared priority with the 
chairman, reinstating the Low Dose Radiation Research Program at DOE. 
This program is essential to understanding the health impact of low 
doses of radiation.
  There is a broad consensus within the radiobiology community that 
more research is necessary for Federal agencies, physicians, and 
related experts to make better-informed decisions regarding low-dose 
radiation.

                              {time}  1800

  Earlier this year, the House passed H.R. 4675, the Low Dose Radiation 
Research Act, which authorizes $20 million in fiscal year 2019. I hope 
we can work together to provide this funding for low dose radiation 
research.
  Mr. Chair, I again thank Chairman Simpson for his long-standing 
support of basic research and investments in DOE's best-in-the-world 
science facilities.
  I greatly appreciate the effort the chairman has made to prioritize 
fundamental science and our long-standing partnership to responsibly 
fund DOE.
  Mr. Chair, I am prepared to withdraw my amendment and to continue 
working with the chairman to advance the House-passed authorization 
levels for these important projects in conference.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Idaho is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SIMPSON. Mr. Chair, I thank the chairman of the Science Committee 
for his amendment and for the authorizers' strong support for this 
bill. I recognize the House-passed authorizations for DOE research, 
infrastructure construction and facilities upgrades, and the low dose 
radiation research are priorities of the Science Committee.
  I appreciate the chairman highlighting these priorities and I look 
forward to working with him as we move to conference to ensure these 
projects receive sufficient funding.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SMITH of Texas. Mr. Chair, I appreciate Chairman Simpson's 
commitment and support.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. Chair, I withdraw my amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The amendment is withdrawn.


                Amendment No. 20 Offered by Mr. Keating

  The Acting CHAIR (Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania). It is now in order 
to consider amendment No. 20 printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 27, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $5,000,000)(increased by $5,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Massachusetts.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chairman, my amendment allocates resources for 
additional research into innovative technologies and processes for safe 
and secure storage, treatment, transportation, and disposal of spent 
nuclear fuel from civilian nuclear reactors.
  Five nuclear power plants have retired since 2013. Six more across 
the country, including the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Plant in my district, 
are slated to retire just in the next few years.
  This is also timely, because just last month, this House passed, by a 
margin of 340-72, a bill to improve nuclear waste storage.
  Reactors can shut down, but that doesn't mean there is a safe, secure 
plan for spent fuel stored onsite.

[[Page H4937]]

  Pilgrim has been operating for over 45 years in Massachusetts, and 
its spent fuel has been stored there ever since.
  The Pilgrim Plant is slated to retire in 2019, almost exactly 1 year 
from today. The spent fuel there needs to be addressed. My community in 
Plymouth and those around the country are asking legitimate questions 
on how the safety and security of these materials can be increased.
  We have an opportunity to dig deeper into these questions and find 
better answers for my constituents and for people around the country 
who have a nuclear power plant nearby.
  New advanced research should examine how the safety and security of 
spent fuel pools can be improved.
  Additionally, the safe transfer of materials to dry casks deserves to 
be reexamined, as does the design and long-term integrity of dry casks. 
Furthermore, research into the transportation and ultimate disposal of 
spent fuel is crucial in identifying the best and safest long-term 
solutions. They too need to be examined and improved.
  My amendment supports further research into these areas so that when 
nuclear energy is part of our communities, we are able to ensure, as 
best we can, that spent nuclear fuel is secure and not posing 
unnecessary threats.
  Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for their consideration of this 
amendment and urge their support.
  Mr. Chair, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment, even though I am not opposed to it.
  The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentlewoman from Ohio is 
recognized for 5 minutes.
  There was no objection.
  Ms. KAPTUR. Mr. Chair, I rise to support my good colleague, 
Congressman Keating, and his amendment dealing with spent nuclear fuel.
  We need a solution all across our country to spent nuclear fuel 
stored on dozens and dozens of sites across our country.
  We thought we had a solution. $14 billion has been invested in the 
Yucca Mountain facility, and yet because of opposition from those who 
were not consulted in Nevada before that site was constructed, our 
Nation has been at a standstill. So I want to compliment the gentleman 
from Massachusetts for bringing up this issue.
  Northern Ohio, a vast region that I and other Ohio Members represent, 
has more than one nuclear power plant that is faced with spent nuclear 
fuel onsite.
  We know that the Department of Energy is doing tremendous work in 
this arena, very fine work, but we simply can't continue to just keep 
talking about this. We actually have to begin to store fuel in a much 
safer way.
  This amendment would build on the work that DOE has been doing to 
continue to invest in such a critically important area as spent nuclear 
fuel and its permanent storage.
  Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to support the Keating amendment, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Massachusetts (Mr. Keating).
  The amendment was agreed to.
  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 21 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.


                Amendment No. 22 Offered by Mr. Langevin

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 22 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 27, line 11, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $3,000,000) (increased by $3,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin) and a Member opposed each will control 
5 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Rhode Island.
  Mr. LANGEVIN. Mr. Chairman, I offer this amendment today to direct $3 
million to the Office of Science within the Department of Energy for 
important nuclear fusion science work being done across the country.
  Specifically, these funds would support divertor test tokamak 
research and development. The fusion community has identified the need 
for a tokamak specifically designed for divertor testing as a necessary 
research facility to drive divertor innovation.
  Fusion science, Mr. Chairman, is the future of energy production, 
offering unique and substantial advantages compared to other 
approaches. Fusion power is a safe, clean, and sustainable energy 
source that could provide the United States with energy independence 
and a nearly limitless energy supply. The future is closer than we 
think. Sustainable fusion energy production is a very real possibility 
within the next 10 years.
  However, there are outstanding technical issues that must be solved 
before we can harness fusion as a practical energy source. Among them 
is dealing with extreme temperatures generated through the process, 
over a million degrees. A tokamak designed with divertor tests in mind 
could test potential solutions to this problem.
  These funds support the immediate need of design conceptualization, 
which will help keep the United States as a world leader in this area. 
We must seize this opportunity and vigorously pursue this research and 
development work.
  This work may also have critical national security implications. The 
House Report accompanying H.R. 5515, the fiscal year 2019 National 
Defense Authorization Act that recently passed the House, contains 
language asking the Department of Defense to explore this technology 
and its potential use towards our national security objectives.
  History has shown, Mr. Chairman, that research funding fosters 
innovative ideas and new technologies that can produce order-of-
magnitude improvements over those presently employed. The current 
fusion science research program suggests promising advancements in 
plasma and material science, which could readily support defense 
initiatives. To ensure this critical work continues and that we 
capitalize on its findings, Congress must act to fund this important 
work.
  Mr. Chair, I thank Chairman Simpson and Ranking Member Kaptur for 
taking my request into consideration. This investment is critical in 
providing for our collective national and energy security, and I 
respectfully urge its adoption.
  Mr. Chair, I thank my colleagues for the consideration of this 
amendment. I think it is important to try and meet the future energy 
needs and national security needs of our country, and I again urge its 
adoption.
  Mr. Chair, I yield back of balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Rhode Island (Mr. Langevin).
  The amendment was agreed to.


                 Amendment No. 23 Offered by Mr. Kihuen

  The Acting CHAIR. It is now in order to consider amendment No. 23 
printed in part B of House Report 115-711.
  Mr. KIHUEN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment.
  The text of the amendment is as follows:

       Page 27, line 21, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(reduced by $190,000,000)''.
       Page 64, line 6, after the dollar amount, insert 
     ``(increased by $190,000,000)''.

  The Acting CHAIR. Pursuant to House Resolution 918, the gentleman 
from Nevada (Mr. Kihuen) and a Member opposed each will control 5 
minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Nevada.
  Mr. KIHUEN. Mr. Chairman, I come to the floor to discuss the State of 
Nevada's fierce opposition to using Yucca Mountain as a nuclear waste 
dump.
  While I appreciate having the opportunity to speak to you today, I am 
extremely frustrated with the recent actions Congress has taken to 
revive this project.
  Mr. Chairman, Yucca Mountain lies in my congressional district. In 
the 30 years since Congress passed the ``Screw Nevada'' bill, Congress 
has wasted $3.7 billion of taxpayers' money on a project that Nevada 
has repeatedly said will not happen.

[[Page H4938]]

  And now, this Congress wants to continue to egregiously spend money 
on this failed project in fiscal year 2019 appropriations.
  So once again, I am here to fight to prevent nuclear waste from ever 
coming to my home State of Nevada. That is why I have introduced an 
amendment to H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water Development and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act of 2019.
  My amendment, Mr. Chairman, would strike $190 million for the 
licensing of the nuclear waste depository at Yucca Mountain.
  I routinely hear from my Republican colleagues on the need to reduce 
our deficit and debt. I fully agree with the sentiment. Congress should 
not waste another $190 million of taxpayer money on a project that will 
not come to fruition.
  But you should support my amendment not just on the fiscal basis. Mr. 
Chairman, my home State of Nevada, which has no nuclear energy-
producing facilities, should not be the dumping ground for the rest of 
the country's nuclear waste.
  And this is not just an issue facing Nevadans. It is an issue that 
impacts constituents from 329 congressional districts in 44 States and 
Washington, D.C.
  Putting a nuclear repository in Nevada's backyard means that this 
high level nuclear waste must travel through your backyards first as 
well.
  Your constituents will see high level nuclear waste transported 
through their communities on rail and by truck. A simple car crash or 
train derailment will leave your constituents at risk and cost our 
taxpayers more money to clean up the mess.
  It is clear that reopening Yucca Mountain is fiscally unsound, 
presents threats to people across the country, and is unwanted by the 
people of Nevada. That is why I encourage you to support my amendment 
to prevent nuclear waste from ever coming to Nevada.
  Mr. Chair, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. 
Rosen), my colleague.

                              {time}  1815

  Ms. ROSEN. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of our amendment, which 
would strike funding for the Yucca Mountain project.
  Like the vast majority of Nevadans, I firmly oppose any attempt to 
turn my State into the Nation's nuclear waste dump. Dumping nuclear 
waste at Yucca Mountain wouldn't only endanger the health and safety of 
my constituents, who live just 90 miles away in the Las Vegas Valley, 
it would threaten millions of Americans in 44 States.
  This ill-conceived plan would mean transporting tens of thousands of 
metric tons of radioactive waste across this country. Those shipments 
of hazardous material would travel on our highways and railways to 
Nevada through over 329 congressional districts on a weekly basis for 
more than 50 years.
  Finally, reviving Yucca Mountain would jeopardize military testing 
and training at our defense facilities.
  Our amendment would strike $190 million for the licensing for this 
administration's plan to turn Nevada into a dumping ground. That is the 
bulk of the funding for this dangerous failure of a project. We 
shouldn't waste another dime of taxpayer money on failed efforts to try 
to send nuclear waste to Yucca Mountain.
  It is time to move on from this reckless and costly project, so I 
urge my colleagues to support our amendment to remove this licensing 
funding and, instead, work with us on alternative solutions that 
repurpose Yucca Mountain into something that can create jobs and keep 
our families safe.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I claim the time in opposition to the 
amendment.
  The Acting CHAIR. The gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, let me be clear what this amendment does.
  This is 1,000 pages of the safety and evaluation report by the 
Nuclear Regulatory Commission--5 volumes. The Nuclear Regulatory 
Commission is our independent safety agency on all things nuclear.
  What my colleague from Nevada's amendment does is strip the money for 
what they keep telling me they want. They want to prove the science. 
They want to say it is not safe. The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says 
it is safe for a million years.
  Now, if my colleagues from Nevada want to debate the science, then 
they can do that, per the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, through the 
licensing project. But, no, they don't want to put their science up 
against our independent nuclear safety agency. They want to adjudicate 
this in the court of public opinion and deprive the money to have that 
final science debate.
  So this amendment is really an anti-science amendment to not debate 
the NRC's finding, because we know that in their conclusion they say 
storing nuclear waste in a long-term geological repository--and this is 
the world consensus--in a deep geological repository is what the 
world's scientists say is the safest way to store spent nuclear fuel 
and defense waste.
  That is not just the United States. That is France. That is Norway. 
That is Great Britain. That is many of our allies and friends and their 
scientists. Again, 1,000 pages, 5 volumes, public record.
  This amendment takes that money away so we don't have a debate on the 
science. It is either in the desert underneath a mountain, 1,000 feet 
above the ground table, 1,000 feet below the top of the mountain, or it 
is on the Pacific Ocean. Those are the choices that we had debated in 
H.R. 3053.
  And not only that, the Chamber as a whole, in a bipartisan manner, 
said--340 Members--actually, more Democrats supported H.R. 3053 than 
opposed it--340-72. Why? Because we have a national problem which 
requires a national solution. We have to keep our promises.
  These are the operating commercial and nuclear reactors. This doesn't 
even talk about the defense issue. The national media from around the 
country is on our side as far as moving forward if the science is found 
to be reliable.
  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission says a million years. The State of 
Nevada says: Not so. Let's have the debate. Let's not strip the money 
away to have that final debate. That is why I ask my colleagues to 
reject this amendment.
  Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIHUEN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. SHIMKUS. Mr. Chairman, I am glad this amendment came, because our 
job now is to educate, not only the State of Nevada, but it is also to 
educate our colleagues from across the country that the science debate, 
the final decision needs to be through the licensing.
  The Nuclear Regulatory Commission, our independent Federal nuclear 
safety agency, says it will be safe for a million years. Nevada says: 
Not so. Let's have the debate. Let's not strip the money.
  Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. KIHUEN. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The Acting CHAIR. The question is on the amendment offered by the 
gentleman from Nevada (Mr. Kihuen).
  The amendment was rejected.
  The Acting CHAIR. The Committee will rise informally.
  The Speaker pro tempore (Mr. Shimkus) assumed the chair.

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