[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Pages 22438-22463]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



   DEPARTMENTS OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 
                             APPROPRIATIONS

  Mr. CRAPO. The clerk will report the pending bill.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (H.R. 4635) making appropriations for the 
     Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and for sundry independent agencies, boards, 
     commissions, corporations, and offices for the fiscal year 
     ending September 30, 2001, and for other purposes.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill which had been reported 
from the Committee on Appropriations, with an amendment to strike out 
all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic.

                               DIVISION A

     That the following sums are appropriated, out of any money in 
     the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Departments 
     of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
     for sundry independent agencies, boards, commissions, 
     corporations, and offices for the fiscal year ending 
     September 30, 2001, and for other purposes, namely:

                TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

                    Veterans Benefits Administration


                       Compensation and Pensions

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the payment of compensation benefits to or on behalf of 
     veterans and a pilot program for disability examinations as 
     authorized by law (38 U.S.C. 107, chapters 11, 13, 18, 51, 
     53, 55, and 61); pension benefits to or on behalf of veterans 
     as authorized by law (38 U.S.C. chapters 15, 51, 53, 55, and 
     61; 92 Stat. 2508); and burial benefits, 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 Article 
     IV of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Civil Relief Act of 1940, as 
     amended, and for other benefits as authorized by law (38 
     U.S.C. 107, 1312, 1977, and 2106, chapters 23, 51, 53, 55, 
     and 61; 50 U.S.C. App. 540-548; 43 Stat. 122, 123; 45 Stat. 
     735; 76 Stat. 1198), $22,766,276,000, to remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That not to exceed $17,419,000 of 
     the amount appropriated shall be reimbursed to ``General 
     operating expenses'' and ``Medical care'' for necessary 
     expenses in implementing those provisions authorized in the 
     Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, and in the 
     Veterans' Benefits Act of 1992 (38 U.S.C. chapters 51, 53, 
     and 55), 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 facilities revolving 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 38 U.S.C. 
     chapters 21, 30, 31, 34, 35, 36, 39, 51, 53, 55, and 61, 
     $1,634,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That expenses for rehabilitation program services and 
     assistance which the Secretary is authorized to provide under 
     section 3104(a) of title 38, United States Code, other than 
     under subsection (a)(1), (2), (5) and (11) of that section, 
     shall be charged to the account: Provided further, That funds 
     shall be available to pay any court order, court award or any 
     compromise settlement arising from litigation involving the 
     vocational training program authorized by section 18 of 
     Public Law 98-77, as amended.


                   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 38 U.S.C. chapter 19; 70 Stat. 887; 72 Stat. 
     487, $19,850,000, to remain available until expended.


         Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct and guaranteed loans, such sums as 
     may be necessary to carry out the program, as authorized by 
     38 U.S.C. chapter 37, as amended: 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, as amended: Provided further, That during fiscal year 
     2001, within the resources available, not to exceed $300,000 
     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, $162,000,000, which may 
     be transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.

[[Page 22439]]




                  Education Loan Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $1,000, as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. 3698, as amended: 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, as 
     amended: Provided further, That these funds are available to 
     subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of 
     direct loans not to exceed $3,400.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $220,000, which may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


            Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of direct loans, $52,000, as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. chapter 31, as amended: 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, as amended: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans not to exceed $2,726,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the direct loan program, $432,000, which may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


          Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For administrative expenses to carry out the direct loan 
     program authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, subchapter V, as 
     amended, $532,000, which may be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.


  guaranteed transitional housing loans for homeless veterans program 
                                account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Not to exceed $750,000 of the amounts appropriated by this 
     Act for ``General operating expenses'' and ``Medical care'' 
     may be expended for the administrative expenses to carry out 
     the guaranteed loan program authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 
     37, subchapter VI.

                     Veterans Health Administration


                              Medical Care

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     hospitals, nursing homes, and domiciliary facilities; for 
     furnishing, as authorized by law, inpatient and outpatient 
     care and treatment to beneficiaries of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, including care and treatment in facilities 
     not under the jurisdiction of the department; and furnishing 
     recreational facilities, supplies, and equipment; funeral, 
     burial, and other expenses incidental thereto for 
     beneficiaries receiving care in the department; 
     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; 
     oversight, engineering and architectural activities not 
     charged to project cost; 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; uniforms or allowances therefor, 
     as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; aid to State homes as 
     authorized by 38 U.S.C. 1741; administrative and legal 
     expenses of the department for collecting and recovering 
     amounts owed the department as authorized under 38 U.S.C. 
     chapter 17, and the Federal Medical Care Recovery Act, 42 
     U.S.C. 2651 et seq., $20,281,587,000, plus reimbursements: 
     Provided, That of the funds made available under this 
     heading, $900,000,000 is for the equipment and land and 
     structures object classifications only, which amount shall 
     not become available for obligation until August 1, 2001, and 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2002: Provided 
     further, That of the funds made available under this heading, 
     not to exceed $500,000,000 shall be available until September 
     30, 2002: Provided further, That of the funds made available 
     under this heading, not to exceed $27,907,000 may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses'': Provided further, That the 
     department shall conduct by contract a program of recovery 
     audits for the fee basis and other medical services contracts 
     with respect to payments for hospital care; and, 
     notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302(b), amounts collected, by 
     setoff or otherwise, as the result of such audits shall be 
     available, without fiscal year limitation, for the purposes 
     for which funds are appropriated under this heading and the 
     purposes of paying a contractor a percent of the amount 
     collected as a result of an audit carried out by the 
     contractor: Provided further, That all amounts so collected 
     under the preceding proviso with respect to a designated 
     health care region (as that term is defined in 38 U.S.C. 
     1729A(d)(2)) shall be allocated, net of payments to the 
     contractor, to that region.
       In addition, in conformance with Public Law 105-33 
     establishing the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care 
     Collections Fund, such sums as may be deposited to such Fund 
     pursuant to 38 U.S.C. 1729A may be transferred to this 
     account, to remain available until expended for the purposes 
     of this account.


                    Medical and Prosthetic Research

       For necessary expenses in carrying out programs of medical 
     and prosthetic research and development as authorized by 38 
     U.S.C. chapter 73, to remain available until September 30, 
     2001, $331,000,000, plus reimbursements.


      Medical Administration and Miscellaneous Operating Expenses

       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, $62,000,000 plus reimbursements: Provided, That 
     technical and consulting services offered by the Facilities 
     Management Field Service, including project management and 
     real property administration (including leases, site 
     acquisition and disposal activities directly supporting 
     projects), shall be provided to Department of Veterans 
     Affairs components only on a reimbursable basis, and such 
     amounts will remain available until September 30, 2001.

                      Departmental Administration


                       General Operating Expenses

       For necessary operating expenses of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs, not otherwise provided for, including 
     uniforms or allowances therefor; not to exceed $25,000 for 
     official reception and representation expenses; hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles; and reimbursement of the General 
     Services Administration for security guard services, and the 
     Department of Defense for the cost of overseas employee mail, 
     $1,050,000,000: Provided, That expenses for services and 
     assistance authorized under 38 U.S.C. 3104(a)(1), (2), (5) 
     and (11) that the Secretary 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 $45,000,000 shall be available until September 30, 
     2002: Provided further, That funds under this heading shall 
     be available to administer the Service Members Occupational 
     Conversion and Training Act.


                    National Cemetery Administration

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the maintenance and operation of 
     the National Cemetery Administration, not otherwise provided 
     for, including uniforms or allowances therefor; cemeterial 
     expenses as authorized by law; purchase of two passenger 
     motor vehicles for use in cemeterial operations; and hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles, $109,889,000: Provided, That of the 
     amount made available under this heading, not to exceed 
     $117,000 may be transferred to and merged with the 
     appropriation for ``General operating expenses''.


                      Office of Inspector General

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $46,464,000: Provided, That of the amount made 
     available under this heading, not to exceed $30,000 may be 
     transferred to and merged with the appropriation for 
     ``General operating expenses''.


                      Construction, Major Projects

       For constructing, altering, extending and improving any of 
     the facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, or for any of the purposes 
     set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 8106, 
     8108, 8109, 8110, and 8122 of title 38, United States Code, 
     including planning, architectural and engineering services, 
     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 $4,000,000 or more 
     or where funds for a project were made available in a 
     previous major project appropriation, $48,540,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That except for advance 
     planning of projects (including market-based assessments of 
     health care needs which may or may not lead to capital 
     investments) funded through the advance planning fund and the 
     design of projects funded through the design fund, none of 
     these funds shall be used for any project which has not been 
     considered and approved by the Congress in the budgetary 
     process: Provided further, That funds provided in this 
     appropriation for fiscal year 2001, for each approved project 
     shall be obligated: (1) by the awarding of a construction 
     documents contract by September 30, 2001; and (2) by the 
     awarding of a construction contract by September 30, 2002: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall promptly report in 
     writing to the Committees on Appropriations any approved 
     major construction project in which obligations are not 
     incurred within the time limitations established above: 
     Provided further, That no funds from any other account except 
     the ``Parking revolving fund'', may be obligated for 
     constructing, altering, extending, or improving a project 
     which was approved in the budget process and funded in this 
     account until one year after substantial completion and 
     beneficial occupancy by the Department of Veterans Affairs of 
     the project or any part thereof with respect to that part 
     only.


                      Construction, Minor Projects

       For constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of 
     the facilities under the jurisdiction or for the use of the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs, including planning, 
     architectural and engineering services, maintenance or 
     guarantee period services costs associated with

[[Page 22440]]

     equipment guarantees provided under the project, services of 
     claims analysts, offsite utility and storm drainage system 
     construction costs, and site acquisition, or for any of the 
     purposes set forth in sections 316, 2404, 2406, 8102, 8103, 
     8106, 8108, 8109, 8110, 8122, and 8162 of title 38, United 
     States Code, where the estimated cost of a project is less 
     than $4,000,000, $162,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, along with unobligated balances of previous 
     ``Construction, minor projects'' appropriations which are 
     hereby made available for any project where the estimated 
     cost is less than $4,000,000: Provided, That funds in this 
     account shall be available 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.


                         Parking Revolving Fund

       For the parking revolving fund as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     8109, income from fees collected, to remain available until 
     expended, which shall be available for all authorized 
     expenses except operations and maintenance costs, which will 
     be funded from ``Medical care''.


       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 38 U.S.C. 8131-8137, $100,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended.


        Grants for the Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries

       For grants to aid States in establishing, expanding, or 
     improving State veteran cemeteries as authorized by 38 U.S.C. 
     2408, $25,000,000, to remain available until expended.


                       Administrative Provisions

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Sec. 101. Any appropriation for fiscal year 2001 for 
     ``Compensation and pensions'', ``Readjustment benefits'', and 
     ``Veterans insurance and indemnities'' may be transferred to 
     any other of the mentioned appropriations.
       Sec. 102. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2001 for salaries and 
     expenses shall be available for services authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109.
       Sec. 103. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs (except the appropriations for 
     ``Construction, major projects'', ``Construction, minor 
     projects'', and the ``Parking revolving fund'') shall be 
     available for the purchase of any site for or toward the 
     construction of any new hospital or home.
       Sec. 104. No appropriations in this Act for the Department 
     of Veterans Affairs shall be available for hospitalization or 
     examination of any persons (except beneficiaries entitled 
     under the laws bestowing such benefits to veterans, and 
     persons receiving such treatment under 5 U.S.C. 7901-7904 or 
     42 U.S.C. 5141-5204), unless reimbursement of cost is made to 
     the ``Medical care'' account at such rates as may be fixed by 
     the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
       Sec. 105. Appropriations available to the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2001 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 2000.
       Sec. 106. Appropriations accounts available to the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2001 shall be 
     available to pay prior year obligations of corresponding 
     prior year appropriations accounts resulting from title X of 
     the Competitive Equality Banking Act, Public Law 100-86, 
     except that if such obligations are from trust fund accounts 
     they shall be payable from ``Compensation and pensions''.
       Sec. 107. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     during fiscal year 2001, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
     shall, from the National Service Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1920), the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund (38 
     U.S.C. 1923), and the United States Government Life Insurance 
     Fund (38 U.S.C. 1955), reimburse the ``General operating 
     expenses'' account for the cost of administration of the 
     insurance programs financed through those accounts: Provided, 
     That reimbursement shall be made only from the surplus 
     earnings accumulated in an insurance program in fiscal year 
     2001, that are available for dividends in that program after 
     claims have been paid and actuarially determined reserves 
     have been set aside: Provided further, That if the cost of 
     administration of an insurance program exceeds the amount of 
     surplus earnings accumulated in that program, reimbursement 
     shall be made only to the extent of such surplus earnings: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary shall determine the cost 
     of administration for fiscal year 2001, which is properly 
     allocable to the provision of each insurance program and to 
     the provision of any total disability income insurance 
     included in such insurance program.
       Sec. 108. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act, 
     none of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available in 
     this Act for Medical Care appropriations of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs may be obligated for the realignment of the 
     health care delivery system in Veterans Integrated Service 
     Network 12 (VISN 12) until 60 days after the Secretary of 
     Veterans Affairs certifies that the Department has: (1) 
     consulted with veterans organizations, medical school 
     affiliates, employee representatives, State veterans and 
     health associations, and other interested parties with 
     respect to the realignment plan to be implemented; and (2) 
     made available to the Congress and the public information 
     from the consultations regarding possible impacts on the 
     accessibility of veterans health care services to affected 
     veterans.
       Sec. 109. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     collections authorized by the Veterans Millennium Health Care 
     and Benefits Act (Public Law 106-117) and credited to the 
     appropriate Department of Veterans Affairs accounts in fiscal 
     year 2001, shall not be available for obligation or 
     expenditure unless appropriation language making such funds 
     available is enacted.
       Sec. 110. Not to exceed $1,200,000 may be transferred from 
     the ``Medical care'' appropriation to the ``General operating 
     expenses'' appropriation to fund contracts and services in 
     support of the Veterans Benefits Administration's Benefits 
     Delivery Center, Systems Development Center, and Finance 
     Center, located at the Department of Veterans Affairs Medical 
     Center, Hines, Illinois.
       Sec. 111. Not to exceed $4,500,000 from the ``Construction, 
     minor projects'' appropriation and not to exceed $2,000,000 
     from the ``Medical care'' appropriation may be transferred 
     and merged with the Parking Revolving Fund for surface 
     parking lot projects.

         TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

                       Public and Indian Housing


                        Housing Certificate Fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For activities and assistance to prevent the involuntary 
     displacement of low-income families, the elderly and the 
     disabled because of the loss of affordable housing stock, 
     expiration of subsidy contracts (other than contracts for 
     which amounts are provided under another heading in this Act) 
     or expiration of use restrictions, or other changes in 
     housing assistance arrangements, and for other purposes, 
     $13,171,000,000 and amounts that are recaptured in this 
     account to remain available until expended: Provided, That of 
     the total amount provided under this heading, 
     $13,131,000,000, of which $8,931,000,000 shall be available 
     on October 1, 2000 and $4,200,000,000 shall be available on 
     October 1, 2001, shall be for assistance under the United 
     States Housing Act of 1937 (``the Act'' herein) (42 U.S.C. 
     1437): Provided further, That the foregoing amounts be for 
     use in connection with expiring or terminating section 8 
     subsidy contracts, for amendments to section 8 subsidy 
     contracts, for enhanced vouchers (including amendments and 
     renewals) under any provision of law authorizing such 
     assistance under section 8(t) of the United States Housing 
     Act of 1937 (47 U.S.C. 1437f(t)), and contracts entered into 
     pursuant to section 441 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
     Assistance Act: Provided further, That amounts available 
     under the first proviso under this heading may be available 
     for section 8 rental assistance under the Act: (1) pursuant 
     to section 24 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 or to 
     other authority for the revitalization of severely distressed 
     public housing, as set forth in the Appropriations Acts for 
     the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies for fiscal years 1993, 
     1994, 1995, and 1997, and in the Omnibus Consolidated 
     Rescissions and Appropriations Act of 1996; (2) for the 
     conversion of section 23 projects to assistance under section 
     8; (3) for funds to carry out the family unification program; 
     (4) for the relocation of witnesses in connection with 
     efforts to combat crime in public and assisted housing 
     pursuant to a request from a law enforcement or prosecution 
     agency; (5) for tenant protection assistance, including 
     replacement and relocation assistance; and (6) for the 1-year 
     renewal of section 8 contracts for units in a project that is 
     subject to an approved plan of action under the Emergency Low 
     Income Housing Preservation Act of 1987 or the Low-Income 
     Housing Preservation and Resident Homeownership Act of 1990: 
     Provided further, That of the total amount provided under 
     this heading, $40,000,000 shall be made available to 
     nonelderly disabled families affected by the designation of a 
     public housing development under section 7 of such Act, the 
     establishment of preferences in accordance with section 651 
     of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (42 
     U.S.C. 1361l), or the restriction of occupancy to elderly 
     families in accordance with section 658 of such Act, and to 
     the extent the Secretary determines that such amount is not 
     needed to fund applications for such affected families, to 
     other nonelderly disabled families: Provided further, That 
     any section 8 funds determined by the Secretary to be in 
     excess of amounts needed to maintain the normal operation and 
     level of assistance of a section 8 program, including 
     reasonable reserves, shall be recaptured and used to fund 
     title I of the Housing Needs Act of 2000: Provided further, 
     That amounts available under this heading may be made 
     available for administrative fees and other expenses to cover 
     the cost of administering rental assistance programs under 
     section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937: Provided 
     further, That the fee otherwise authorized under section 8(q) 
     of such Act shall be determined in accordance with section 
     8(q), as in effect immediately before the enactment of the 
     Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998: Provided 
     further, That of the balances remaining from funds 
     appropriated under this heading or the heading ``Annual

[[Page 22441]]

     Contributions for Assisted Housing'' during fiscal year 2001 
     and prior years, $275,000,000 is rescinded.


                      Public Housing Capital Fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the Public Housing Capital Fund Program to carry out 
     capital and management activities for public housing 
     agencies, as authorized under section 9 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1437), 
     $2,955,000,000, to remain available until expended, of which 
     up to $50,000,000 shall be for carrying out activities under 
     section 9(h) of such Act, and for lease adjustments to 
     section 23 projects: Provided further, That no funds may be 
     used under this heading for the purposes specified in section 
     9(k) of the United States Housing Act of 1937: Provided 
     further, That of the total amount, up to $75,000,000 shall be 
     available for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     to make grants to public housing agencies for emergency 
     capital needs resulting from emergencies and natural 
     disasters in fiscal year 2001.


                     Public Housing Operating Fund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For payments to public housing agencies for the operation 
     and management of public housing, as authorized by section 
     9(e) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended (42 
     U.S.C. 1437g), $3,192,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That no funds may be used under this 
     heading for the purposes specified in section 9(k) of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937.


             Drug Elimination Grants for Low-Income Housing

       For grants to public housing agencies and Indian tribes and 
     their tribally designated housing entities for use in 
     eliminating crime in public housing projects authorized by 42 
     U.S.C. 11901-11908, for grants for federally assisted low-
     income housing authorized by 42 U.S.C. 11909, and for drug 
     information clearinghouse services authorized by 42 U.S.C. 
     11921-11925, $310,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended: Provided, That of the total amount provided under 
     this heading, up to $5,000,000 shall be solely for technical 
     assistance, technical assistance grants, training, and 
     program assessment for or on behalf of public housing 
     agencies, resident organizations, and Indian tribes and their 
     tribally designated housing entities (including up to 
     $150,000 for the cost of necessary travel for participants in 
     such training) for oversight training and improved management 
     of this program, and $10,000,000 shall be used in connection 
     with efforts to combat violent crime in public and assisted 
     housing under the Operation Safe Home Program administered by 
     the Inspector General of the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development: Provided further, That of the amount under this 
     heading, $10,000,000 shall be provided to the Office of 
     Inspector General for Operation Safe Home: Provided further, 
     That of the amount under this heading, $20,000,000 shall be 
     available for a program named the New Approach Anti-Drug 
     program which will provide competitive grants to entities 
     managing or operating public housing developments, federally 
     assisted multifamily housing developments, or other 
     multifamily housing developments for low-income families 
     supported by non-Federal governmental entities or similar 
     housing developments supported by nonprofit private sources 
     in order to provide or augment security (including personnel 
     costs), to assist in the investigation and/or prosecution of 
     drug related criminal activity in and around such 
     developments, and to provide assistance for the development 
     of capital improvements at such developments directly 
     relating to the security of such developments: Provided 
     further, That grants for the New Approach Anti-Drug program 
     shall be made on a competitive basis as specified in section 
     102 of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform 
     Act of 1989.


     Revitalization of Severely Distressed Public Housing (Hope VI)

       For grants to public housing agencies for demolition, site 
     revitalization, replacement housing, and tenant-based 
     assistance grants to projects as authorized by section 24 of 
     the United States Housing Act of 1937, $575,000,000 to remain 
     available until expended of which the Secretary may use up to 
     $10,000,000 for technical assistance and contract expertise, 
     to be provided directly or indirectly by grants, contracts or 
     cooperative agreements, including training and cost of 
     necessary travel for participants in such training, by or to 
     officials and employees of the department and of public 
     housing agencies and to residents: Provided, That none of 
     such funds shall be used directly or indirectly by granting 
     competitive advantage in awards to settle litigation or pay 
     judgments, unless expressly permitted herein.


                  Native American Housing Block Grants

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the Native American Housing Block Grants program, as 
     authorized under title I of the Native American Housing 
     Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA) 
     (Public Law 104-330), $650,000,000, to remain available until 
     expended, of which $4,000,000 shall be contracted through the 
     Secretary as technical assistance and capacity building to be 
     used by the National American Indian Housing Council in 
     support of the implementation of NAHASDA and $2,000,000 shall 
     be to support the inspection of Indian housing units, 
     contract expertise, training, and technical assistance in the 
     training, oversight, and management of Indian housing and 
     tenant-based assistance, including up to $300,000 for related 
     travel: Provided, That none of the $2,000,000 for technical 
     assistance and other activities shall be made available to 
     the Secretary until all funds allocated to the National 
     American Indian Housing Council for fiscal years 2000 and 
     2001 are made available to such organization: Provided 
     further, That of the amount provided under this heading, 
     $6,000,000 shall be made available for the cost of guaranteed 
     notes and other obligations, as authorized by title VI of 
     NAHASDA: Provided further, That such costs, including the 
     costs of modifying such notes and other obligations, shall be 
     as defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974, as amended: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize the total principal amount of any 
     notes and other obligations, any part of which is to be 
     guaranteed, not to exceed $54,600,000: Provided further, That 
     for administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan 
     program, up to $200,000 from amounts in the first proviso, 
     which shall be transferred to and merged with the 
     appropriation for ``Salaries and expenses'', to be used only 
     for the administrative costs of these guarantees.


           Indian Housing Loan Guarantee Fund Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by section 
     184 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (106 
     Stat. 3739), $6,000,000, to remain available until expended: 
     Provided, That such costs, including the costs of modifying 
     such loans, shall be as defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended: Provided 
     further, That these funds are available to subsidize total 
     loan principal, any part of which is to be guaranteed, not to 
     exceed $71,956,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     guaranteed loan program, up to $150,000 from amounts in the 
     first paragraph, which shall be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for ``Salaries and expenses'', to be 
     used only for the administrative costs of these guarantees.

                   Community Planning and Development


              Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS

       For carrying out the Housing Opportunities for Persons with 
     AIDS program, as authorized by the AIDS Housing Opportunity 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 12901), $232,000,000, to remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That the Secretary shall renew all 
     expiring contracts that meet all program requirements before 
     awarding funds for new contracts and activities authorized 
     under this heading: Provided further, That the Secretary may 
     use up to 0.75 percent of the funds under this heading for 
     technical assistance.


                 Rural Housing and Economic Development

       For the Office of Rural Housing and Economic Development in 
     the Department of Housing and Urban Development, $27,000,000, 
     which amount shall be awarded by June 1, 2001 to Indian 
     tribes, State housing finance agencies, State community and/
     or economic development agencies, local rural nonprofits and 
     community development corporations to support innovative 
     housing and economic development activities in rural areas: 
     Provided further, That all grants shall be awarded on a 
     competitive basis as specified in section 102 of the HUD 
     Reform Act.


                   Community Development Block Grants

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For grants to States and units of general local government 
     and for related expenses, not otherwise provided for, to 
     carry out a community development grants program as 
     authorized by title I of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974, as amended (the ``Act'' herein) (42 
     U.S.C. 5301), $4,800,000,000, to remain available until 
     September 30, 2002: Provided, That $67,000,000 shall be for 
     grants to Indian tribes notwithstanding section 106(a)(1) of 
     such Act, $3,000,000 shall be available as a grant to the 
     Housing Assistance Council, $2,200,000 shall be available as 
     a grant to the National American Indian Housing Council, and 
     $41,500,000 shall be for grants pursuant to section 107 of 
     the Act including $3,000,000 to support Alaska Native serving 
     institutions and native Hawaiian serving institutions, as 
     defined under the Higher Education Act, as amended: Provided 
     further, That not to exceed 20 percent of any grant made with 
     funds appropriated herein (other than a grant made available 
     in this paragraph to the Housing Assistance Council or the 
     National American Indian Housing Council, or a grant using 
     funds under section 107(b)(3) of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974, as amended) shall be expended for 
     ``Planning and Management Development'' and 
     ``Administration'' as defined in regulations promulgated by 
     the department.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     $25,000,000 shall be made available for capacity building, of 
     which $20,000,000 shall be made available for ``Capacity 
     Building for Community Development and Affordable Housing'', 
     for LISC and the Enterprise Foundation for activities as 
     authorized by section 4 of the HUD Demonstration Act of 1993 
     (Public Law 103-120), as in effect immediately before June 
     12, 1997, with not less than $5,000,000 of the funding to be 
     used in rural areas, including tribal areas.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development may use up to 
     $55,000,000 for supportive services for public housing 
     residents, as authorized by section 34 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937, as amended, and for grants for service 
     coordinators and congregate services for the elderly and 
     disabled residents of public and assisted housing: Provided 
     further, That

[[Page 22442]]

     amounts made available for congregate services and service 
     coordinators for the elderly and disabled under this heading 
     and in prior fiscal years may be used by grantees to 
     reimburse themselves for costs incurred in connection with 
     providing service coordinators previously advanced by 
     grantees out of other funds due to delays in the granting by 
     or receipt of funds from the Secretary, and the funds so made 
     available to grantees for congregate services or service 
     coordinators under this heading or in prior years shall be 
     considered as expended by the grantees upon such 
     reimbursement. The Secretary shall not condition the 
     availability of funding made available under this heading or 
     in prior years for congregate services or service 
     coordinators upon any grantee's obligation or expenditure of 
     any prior funding.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, $60,000,000 shall 
     be available for YouthBuild program activities authorized by 
     subtitle D of title IV of the Cranston-Gonzalez National 
     Affordable Housing Act, as amended, and such activities shall 
     be an eligible activity with respect to any funds made 
     available under this heading: Provided, That local YouthBuild 
     programs that demonstrate an ability to leverage private and 
     nonprofit funding shall be given a priority for YouthBuild 
     funding: Provided further, That no more than ten percent of 
     any grant award may be used for administrative costs: 
     Provided further, That not less than $10,000,000 shall be 
     available for grants to establish YouthBuild programs in 
     underserved and rural areas: Provided further, That of the 
     amount provided under this paragraph, $4,000,000 shall be set 
     aside and made available for a grant to Youthbuild USA for 
     capacity building for community development and affordable 
     housing activities as specified in section 4 of the HUD 
     Demonstration Act of 1993, as amended.
       Of the amounts made available under this heading, 
     $2,000,000 shall be available to the Utah Housing Finance 
     Agency for the temporary use of relocatable housing during 
     the 2002 Winter Olympic Games provided such housing is 
     targeted to the housing needs of low-income families after 
     the Games.
       Of the amounts made available under this heading, 
     $3,000,000 shall be awarded to Tribal Colleges and 
     Universities to build, expand, renovate, and equip their 
     facilities.
       Of the amount made available under this heading, 
     $130,000,000 shall be available for grants for the Economic 
     Development Initiative (EDI) to finance a variety of economic 
     development efforts, including $123,000,000 for making 
     individual grants for targeted economic investments in 
     accordance with the terms and conditions specified for such 
     grants in Senate Report 106-410.
       For the cost of guaranteed loans, $29,000,000, as 
     authorized by section 108 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974: 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, as 
     amended: Provided further, That these funds are available to 
     subsidize total loan principal, any part of which is to be 
     guaranteed, not to exceed $1,261,000,000, notwithstanding any 
     aggregate limitation on outstanding obligations guaranteed in 
     section 108(k) of the Housing and Community Development Act 
     of 1974: Provided further, That in addition, for 
     administrative expenses to carry out the guaranteed loan 
     program, $1,000,000, which shall be transferred to and merged 
     with the appropriation for ``Salaries and expenses''.


                       Brownfields Redevelopment

       For Economic Development Grants, as authorized by section 
     108(q) of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, 
     as amended, for Brownfields redevelopment projects, 
     $25,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
     make these grants available on a competitive basis as 
     specified in section 102 of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development Reform Act of 1989.


                  HOME Investment Partnerships Program

       For the HOME investment partnerships program, as authorized 
     under title II of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable 
     Housing Act (Public Law 101-625), as amended, $1,600,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That up to 
     $20,000,000 of these funds shall be available for Housing 
     Counseling under section 106 of the Housing and Urban 
     Development Act of 1968.


                       Homeless Assistance Grants

       For the emergency shelter grants program (as authorized 
     under subtitle B of title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney 
     Homeless Assistance Act, as amended); the supportive housing 
     program (as authorized under subtitle C of title IV of such 
     Act); and the section 8 moderate rehabilitation single room 
     occupancy program (as authorized under the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937, as amended) to assist homeless 
     individuals pursuant to section 441 of the Stewart B. 
     McKinney Homeless Assistance Act, $1,020,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended: Provided, That not less than 30 
     percent of these funds shall be used for permanent housing, 
     and all funding for services must be matched by 25 percent in 
     funding by each grantee: Provided further, That up to 1 
     percent appropriated under this heading shall be used for 
     technical assistance for management information systems and 
     to develop an automated, client-level Annual Performance 
     Report System: Provided further, That $500,000 shall be made 
     available to the Interagency Council on the Homeless for 
     administrative needs.


                           SHELTER PLUS CARE

       For the Shelter Plus Care program, as authorized under 
     subtitle F of title IV of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
     Assistance Act, as amended, $105,000,000 to remain available 
     until expended: Provided, That the Secretary of Housing and 
     Urban Development shall award funds under this heading on a 
     nationwide competitive basis with any renewals funded on an 
     annual basis: Provided further, That each Shelter Plus Care 
     applicant shall coordinate its application in conjunction 
     with the applicable Continuum of Care.

                            Housing Programs


                    Housing for Special Populations

       For assistance for the purchase, construction, acquisition, 
     or development of additional public and subsidized housing 
     units for low income families not otherwise provided for, 
     $996,000,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That $783,000,000 shall be for capital advances, including 
     amendments to capital advance contracts, for housing for the 
     elderly, as authorized by section 202 of the Housing Act of 
     1959, as amended, and for project rental assistance, and 
     amendments to contracts for project rental assistance, for 
     the elderly under such section 202(c)(2), and for supportive 
     services associated with the housing of which amount 
     $50,000,000 shall be for service coordinators and 
     continuation of existing congregate services grants for 
     residents of assisted housing projects, of which amount 
     $50,000,000 shall be for grants for the new construction or 
     substantial rehabilitation of assisted living facilities, and 
     of which amount $50,000,000 shall be for grants for 
     conversion of existing section 202 projects, or portions 
     thereof, to assisted living or related use: Provided further, 
     That of the amount under this heading, $213,000,000 shall be 
     for capital advances, including amendments to capital advance 
     contracts, for supportive housing for persons with 
     disabilities, as authorized by section 811 of the Cranston-
     Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, for project rental 
     assistance, for amendments to contracts for project rental 
     assistance, and supportive services associated with the 
     housing for persons with disabilities as authorized by 
     section 811 of such Act: Provided further, That the Secretary 
     may designate up to 25 percent of the amounts earmarked under 
     this paragraph for section 811 of such Act for tenant-based 
     assistance, as authorized under that section, including such 
     authority as may be waived under the next proviso, which 
     assistance is 5 years in duration: Provided further, That the 
     Secretary may waive any provision of such section 202 and 
     such section 811 (including the provisions governing the 
     terms and conditions of project rental assistance and tenant-
     based assistance) that the Secretary determines is not 
     necessary to achieve the objectives of these programs, or 
     that otherwise impedes the ability to develop, operate or 
     administer projects assisted under these programs, and may 
     make provision for alternative conditions or terms where 
     appropriate.


                         Flexible Subsidy Fund

                          (transfer of funds)

       From the Rental Housing Assistance Fund, all uncommitted 
     balances of excess rental charges as of September 30, 2000, 
     and any collections made during fiscal year 2001, shall be 
     transferred to the Flexible Subsidy Fund, as authorized by 
     section 236(g) of the National Housing Act, as amended.

                     Federal Housing Administration


             FHA--Mutual Mortgage Insurance Program Account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       During fiscal year 2001, commitments to guarantee loans to 
     carry out the purposes of section 203(b) of the National 
     Housing Act, as amended, shall not exceed a loan principal of 
     $160,000,000,000.
       During fiscal year 2001, obligations to make direct loans 
     to carry out the purposes of section 204(g) of the National 
     Housing Act, as amended, shall not exceed $250,000,000: 
     Provided, That the foregoing amount shall be for loans to 
     nonprofit and governmental entities in connection with sales 
     of single family real properties owned by the Secretary and 
     formerly insured under the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund.
       For administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
     guaranteed and direct loan program, $330,888,000, of which 
     not to exceed $324,866,000 shall be transferred to the 
     appropriation for ``Salaries and expenses''; not to exceed 
     $4,022,000 shall be transferred to the appropriation for the 
     Office of Inspector General. In addition, for administrative 
     contract expenses, $160,000,000: Provided, That to the extent 
     guaranteed loan commitments exceed $65,500,000,000 on or 
     before April 1, 2001, an additional $1,400 for administrative 
     contract expenses shall be available for each $1,000,000 in 
     additional guaranteed loan commitments (including a pro rata 
     amount for any amount below $1,000,000), but in no case shall 
     funds made available by this proviso exceed $16,000,000.


             FHA--General and Special Risk Program Account

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For the cost of guaranteed loans, as authorized by sections 
     238 and 519 of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1715z-3 
     and 1735c), including the cost of loan guarantee 
     modifications (as that term is defined in section 502 of the 
     Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended), $101,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That these 
     funds are available to subsidize total loan principal, any 
     part of which is

[[Page 22443]]

     to be guaranteed, of up to $21,000,000,000: Provided further, 
     That any amounts made available in any prior appropriations 
     Act for the cost (as such term is defined in section 502 of 
     the Congressional Budget Act of 1974) of guaranteed loans 
     that are obligations of the funds established under section 
     238 or 519 of the National Housing Act that have not been 
     obligated or that are deobligated shall be available to the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in connection with 
     the making of such guarantees and shall remain available 
     until expended, notwithstanding the expiration of any period 
     of availability otherwise applicable to such amounts.
       Gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans, 
     as authorized by sections 204(g), 207(l), 238, and 519(a) of 
     the National Housing Act, shall not exceed $50,000,000; of 
     which not to exceed $30,000,000 shall be for bridge financing 
     in connection with the sale of multifamily real properties 
     owned by the Secretary and formerly insured under such Act; 
     and of which not to exceed $20,000,000 shall be for loans to 
     nonprofit and governmental entities in connection with the 
     sale of single-family real properties owned by the Secretary 
     and formerly insured under such Act.
       In addition, for administrative expenses necessary to carry 
     out the guaranteed and direct loan programs, $211,455,000, of 
     which $193,134,000, shall be transferred to the appropriation 
     for ``Salaries and expenses''; and of which $18,321,000 shall 
     be transferred to the appropriation for the Office of 
     Inspector General. In addition, for administrative contract 
     expenses necessary to carry out the guaranteed and direct 
     loan programs, $144,000,000: Provided, That to the extent 
     guaranteed loan commitments exceed $8,426,000,000 on or 
     before April 1, 2001, an additional $19,800,000 for 
     administrative contract expenses shall be available for each 
     $1,000,000 in additional guaranteed loan commitments over 
     $8,426,000,000 (including a pro rata amount for any increment 
     below $1,000,000), but in no case shall funds made available 
     by this proviso exceed $14,400,000.

                Government National Mortgage Association


Guarantees of Mortgage-Backed Securities Loan Guarantee Program Account

                     (including transfer of funds)

       New commitments to issue guarantees to carry out the 
     purposes of section 306 of the National Housing Act, as 
     amended (12 U.S.C. 1721(g)), shall not exceed 
     $200,000,000,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2002.
       For administrative expenses necessary to carry out the 
     guaranteed mortgage-backed securities program, $9,383,000 to 
     be derived from the GNMA guarantees of mortgage-backed 
     securities guaranteed loan receipt account, of which not to 
     exceed $9,383,000 shall be transferred to the appropriation 
     for departmental ``Salaries and expenses''.

                    Policy Development and Research


                        Research and Technology

       For contracts, grants, and necessary expenses of programs 
     of research and studies relating to housing and urban 
     problems, not otherwise provided for, as authorized by title 
     V of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970, as 
     amended (12 U.S.C. 1701z-1 et seq.), including carrying out 
     the functions of the Secretary under section 1(a)(1)(i) of 
     Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1968, $45,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2001: Provided, That of the 
     amount provided under this heading, $10,000,000 shall be for 
     the Partnership for Advancing Technology in Housing (PATH) 
     Initiative.

                   Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity


                        Fair Housing Activities

       For contracts, grants, and other assistance, not otherwise 
     provided for, as authorized by title VIII of the Civil Rights 
     Act of 1968, as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 
     1988, and section 561 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1987, as amended, $44,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2001, of which $22,000,000 
     shall be to carry out activities pursuant to such section 
     561: Provided, That no funds made available under this 
     heading shall be used to lobby the executive or legislative 
     branches of the Federal Government in connection with a 
     specific contract, grant or loan.

                     Office of Lead Hazard Control


                         Lead Hazard Reduction

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For the Lead Hazard Reduction Program, as authorized by 
     sections 1011 and 1053 of the Residential Lead-Based Hazard 
     Reduction Act of 1992, $100,000,000 to remain available until 
     expended, of which $5,000,000 shall be for a Healthy Homes 
     Initiative, which shall be a program pursuant to sections 501 
     and 502 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1970 that 
     shall include research, studies, testing, and demonstration 
     efforts, including education and outreach concerning lead-
     based paint poisoning and other housing-related environmental 
     diseases and hazards: Provided, That all balances for the 
     Lead Hazard Reduction Programs previously funded in the 
     Annual Contributions for Assisted Housing and Community 
     Development Block Grant accounts shall be transferred to this 
     account, to be available for the purposes for which they were 
     originally appropriated.

                     Management and Administration


                         Salaries and Expenses

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary administrative and non-administrative 
     expenses of the Department of Housing and Urban Development, 
     not otherwise provided for, including not to exceed $7,000 
     for official reception and representation expenses, 
     $1,002,233,000, of which $518,000,000 shall be provided from 
     the various funds of the Federal Housing Administration, 
     $9,383,000 shall be provided from funds of the Government 
     National Mortgage Association, $1,000,000 shall be provided 
     from the ``Community development block grants program'' 
     account, $150,000 shall be provided by transfer from the 
     ``Title VI Indian federal guarantees program'' account, and 
     $200,000 shall be provided by transfer from the ``Indian 
     housing loan guarantee fund program'' account: Provided, That 
     the Secretary is prohibited from using any funds under this 
     heading or any other heading in this Act from employing more 
     than 77 schedule C and 20 noncareer Senior Executive Service 
     employees: Provided further, That the Secretary is prohibited 
     from using funds under this heading or any other heading in 
     this Act to employ more than 9,100 employees: Provided 
     further, That the average cost per FTE cannot exceed $78,000 
     by December 31, 2000, including the cost of all contractors: 
     Provided further, That the Secretary is prohibited from using 
     funds under this heading or any other heading in this Act to 
     employ more than 14 employees in the Office of Public Affairs 
     or in any position in the Department where the employee 
     reports to an employee of the Office of Public Affairs.


                      Office of Inspector General

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $86,843,000, of which $22,343,000 shall be provided 
     from the various funds of the Federal Housing Administration 
     and $10,000,000 shall be provided from the amount earmarked 
     for Operation Safe Home in the appropriation for ``Drug 
     elimination grants for low-income housing'': Provided, That 
     the Inspector General shall have independent authority over 
     all personnel issues within the Office of Inspector General.

             Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight


                         salaries and expenses

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial 
     Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, including not to exceed 
     $500 for official reception and representation expenses, 
     $22,000,000, to remain available until expended, to be 
     derived from the Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight Fund: 
     Provided, That not to exceed such amount shall be available 
     from the General Fund of the Treasury to the extent necessary 
     to incur obligations and make expenditures pending the 
     receipt of collections to the Fund: Provided further, That 
     the General Fund amount shall be reduced as collections are 
     received during the fiscal year so as to result in a final 
     appropriation from the General Fund estimated at not more 
     than $0.


                       Administrative Provisions

                      Financing Adjustment Factors

       Sec. 201. Fifty percent of the amounts of budget authority, 
     or in lieu thereof 50 percent of the cash amounts associated 
     with such budget authority, that are recaptured from projects 
     described in section 1012(a) of the Stewart B. McKinney 
     Homeless Assistance Amendments Act of 1988 (Public Law 100-
     628; 102 Stat. 3224, 3268) shall be rescinded, or in the case 
     of cash, shall be remitted to the Treasury, and such amounts 
     of budget authority or cash recaptured and not rescinded or 
     remitted to the Treasury shall be used by State housing 
     finance agencies or local governments or local housing 
     agencies with projects approved by the Secretary of Housing 
     and Urban Development for which settlement occurred after 
     January 1, 1992, in accordance with such section. 
     Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the Secretary may 
     award up to 15 percent of the budget authority or cash 
     recaptured and not rescinded or remitted to the Treasury to 
     provide project owners with incentives to refinance their 
     project at a lower interest rate.


                      Fair Housing and Free Speech

       Sec. 202. None of the amounts made available under this Act 
     may be used during fiscal year 2001 to investigate or 
     prosecute under the Fair Housing Act any otherwise lawful 
     activity engaged in by one or more persons, including the 
     filing or maintaining of a nonfrivolous legal action, that is 
     engaged in solely for the purpose of achieving or preventing 
     action by a Government official or entity, or a court of 
     competent jurisdiction.


           Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS Grants

       Sec. 203. (a) Eligibility.--Notwithstanding section 
     854(c)(1)(A) of the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act (42 U.S.C. 
     12903(c)(1)(A)), from any amounts made available under this 
     title for fiscal year 2001 that are allocated under such 
     section, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall 
     allocate and make a grant, in the amount determined under 
     subsection (b), for any State that--
       (1) received an allocation in a prior fiscal year under 
     clause (ii) of such section; and
       (2) is not otherwise eligible for an allocation for fiscal 
     year 2001 under such clause (ii) because the areas in the 
     State outside of the metropolitan statistical areas that 
     qualify under clause (i) in fiscal year 2000 do not have the 
     number of cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome 
     required under such clause.
       (b) Amount.--The amount of the allocation and grant for any 
     State described in subsection (a) shall be an amount based on 
     the cumulative number of AIDS cases in the areas of that 
     State that are outside of metropolitan statistical areas that 
     qualify under clause (i) of such section

[[Page 22444]]

     845(c)(1)(A) in fiscal year 2000, in proportion to AIDS cases 
     among cities and States that qualify under clauses (i) and 
     (ii) of such section and States deemed eligible under 
     subsection (a).
       (c) Environmental Review.--Section 856 of the Act is 
     amended by adding the following new subsection at the end:
       ``(h) Environmental Review.--For purposes of environmental 
     review, a grant under this subtitle shall be treated as 
     assistance for a special project that is subject to section 
     305(c) of the Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform 
     Act of 1994, and shall be subject to the regulations issued 
     by the Secretary to implement such section.''.


                  Due Process for Homeless Assistance

       Sec. 204. None of the funds appropriated under this or any 
     other Act may be used by the Secretary of Housing and Urban 
     Development to prohibit or debar or in any way diminish the 
     responsibilities of any entity (and the individuals 
     comprising that entity) that is responsible for convening and 
     managing a continuum of care process (convenor) in a 
     community for purposes of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
     Assistance Act from participating in that capacity unless the 
     Secretary has published in the Federal Register a description 
     of all circumstances that would be grounds for prohibiting or 
     debarring a convenor from administering a continuum of care 
     process and the procedures for a prohibition or debarment: 
     Provided, That these procedures shall include a requirement 
     that a convenor shall be provided with timely notice of a 
     proposed prohibition or debarment, an identification of the 
     circumstances that could result in the prohibition or 
     debarment, an opportunity to respond to or remedy these 
     circumstances, and the right for judicial review of any 
     decision of the Secretary that results in a prohibition or 
     debarment.


                       HUD Reform Act Compliance

       Sec. 205. Except as explicitly provided in legislation, any 
     grant or assistance made pursuant to Title II of this Act 
     shall be made in accordance with section 102 of the 
     Department of Housing and Urban Development Reform Act of 
     1989 on a competitive basis.


Expansion of Environmental Assumption Authority for Homeless Assistance 
                                Programs

       Sec. 206. Section 443 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
     Assistance Act is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 443. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW.

       ``For purposes of environmental review, assistance and 
     projects under this title shall be treated as assistance for 
     special projects that are subject to section 305(c) of the 
     Multifamily Housing Property Disposition Reform Act of 1994, 
     and shall be subject to the regulations issued by the 
     Secretary to implement such section.''.


    Technical Amendments and Corrections to the National Housing Act

       Sec. 207. (a) Section 203 Subsection Designations.--Section 
     203 of the National Housing Act is amended by--
       (1) redesignating subsection (t) as subsection (u);
       (2) redesignating subsection (s), as added by section 329 
     of the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act, as 
     subsection (t); and
       (3) redesignating subsection (v), as added by section 504 
     of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992, as 
     subsection (w).
       (b) Mortgage Auctions.--The first sentence of section 
     221(g)(4)(C)(viii) of the National Housing Act is amended by 
     inserting after ``December 31, 2002'' the following: ``, 
     except that this subparagraph shall continue to apply if the 
     Secretary receives a mortgagee's written notice of intent to 
     assign its mortgage to the Secretary on or before such 
     date''.
       (c) Mortgagee Review Board.--Section 202(c)(2) of the 
     National Housing Act is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (E), by striking ``and'';
       (2) in subparagraph (F), by striking ``or their 
     designees.'' and inserting ``and'';
       (3) by adding the following new subparagraph at the end:
       ``(G) the Director of the Enforcement Center; or their 
     designees.''.


                   indian housing block grant program

       Sec. 208. Defines Certain Law Enforcement Officers as 
     Eligible Families for Housing Assistance Under the Indian 
     Housing Block Grant Program. Section 201(b) of the Native 
     American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 
     1996 is amended--
       (1) by redesignating paragraphs (4) and (5) as paragraphs 
     (5) and (6) respectively; and
       (2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(4) Law enforcement officers.--Notwithstanding paragraph 
     (1), a recipient may provide housing or housing assistance 
     provided through affordable housing activities assisted with 
     grant amounts under this Act to a law enforcement officer on 
     the reservation or other Indian area, who is employed full-
     time by a Federal, state, county or tribal government, and in 
     implementing such full-time employment is sworn to uphold, 
     and make arrests for violations of Federal, state, county or 
     tribal law, if the recipient determines that the presence of 
     the law enforcement officer on the Indian reservation or 
     other Indian area may deter crime.''.


PROHIBITION ON THE USE OF FEDERAL ASSISTANCE IN SUPPORT OF THE SALE OF 
                            TOBACCO PRODUCTS

       Sec. 209. None of the funds appropriated in Public Law 106-
     74 or any other Act may be used by the Secretary of Housing 
     and Urban Development to provide any grant or other 
     assistance to construct, operate, or otherwise benefit a 
     facility, or facility with a designated portion of that 
     facility, which sells, or intends to sell, predominantly 
     cigarettes or other tobacco products. For the purposes of 
     this provision, predominant sale of cigarettes or other 
     tobacco products means cigarette or tobacco sales 
     representing more than 35 percent of the annual total in-
     store, non-fuel, sales.


      PROHIBITION ON IMPLEMENTATION OF PUERTO RICO PUBLIC HOUSING 
                  ADMINISTRATION Settlement Agreement

       Sec. 210. No funds may be used to implement the agreement 
     between the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico 
     Public Housing Administration, and the Department of Housing 
     and Urban Development, dated June 7, 2000, related to the 
     allocation of operating subsidies for the Puerto Rico Public 
     Housing Administration until the Puerto Rico Public Housing 
     Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development submits a schedule of benchmarks and measurable 
     goals to the Committee on Appropriations designed to address 
     issues of mismanagement and safeguard against fraud and 
     abuse.


                   HOPE VI Grant for Hollander Ridge

       Sec. 211. The Housing Authority of Baltimore City may use 
     the grant award of $20,000,000 made to such authority for 
     development efforts at Hollander Ridge in Baltimore, Maryland 
     with funds appropriated for fiscal year 1996 under the 
     heading ``Public Housing Demolition, Site Revitalization, and 
     Replacement Housing Grants'' for use, as approved by the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development--
       (1) for the revitalization of other severely distressed 
     public housing within its jurisdiction; and
       (2) in accordance with section 24 of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937.


 Reduced Downpayment Requirements for Loans for Teachers and Uniformed 
                          Municipal Employees

       Sec. 212. (a) In General.--Section 203(b) of the National 
     Housing Act is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(11) Reduced downpayment requirements for teachers and 
     uniformed municipal employees--
       ``(A) In general.--Notwithstanding the downpayment 
     requirements contained in paragraph (2), in the case of a 
     mortgage described in subparagraph (B)--
       ``(i) the mortgage shall involve a principal obligation in 
     an amount that does not exceed the sum of 99 percent of the 
     appraised value of the property and the total amount of 
     initial service charges, appraisal, inspection, and other 
     fees (as the Secretary shall approve) paid in connection with 
     the mortgage;
       ``(ii) no other provision of this subsection limiting the 
     principal obligation of the mortgage based upon a percentage 
     of the appraised value of the property subject to the 
     mortgage shall apply; and
       ``(iii) the matter in paragraph (9) that precedes the first 
     proviso shall not apply and the mortgage shall be executed by 
     a mortgagor who shall have paid on account of the property at 
     least 1 percent of the cost of acquisition (as determined by 
     the Secretary) in cash or its equivalent.
       ``(B) Mortgages covered.--A mortgage described in this 
     subparagraph is a mortgage--
       ``(i) under which the mortgagor is an individual who--

       ``(I) is employed on a full-time basis as: (aa) a teacher 
     or administrator in a public or private school that provides 
     elementary or secondary education, as determined under State 
     law, except that elementary education shall include pre-
     Kindergarten education, and except that secondary education 
     shall not include any education beyond grade 12; or (bb) a 
     public safety officer (as such term is defined in section 
     1204 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 
     1968, except that such term shall not include any officer 
     serving a public agency of the Federal Government); and
       ``(II) has not, during the 12-month period ending upon the 
     insurance of the mortgage, had any present ownership interest 
     in a principal residence located in the jurisdiction 
     described in clause (ii); and

       ``(ii) made for a property that is located within the 
     jurisdiction of--

       ``(I) in the case of a mortgage of a mortgagor described in 
     clause (i)(I)(aa), the local educational agency (as such term 
     is defined in section 14101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
     Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 8801)) for the school in 
     which the mortgagor is employed (or, in the case of a 
     mortgagor employed in a private school, the local educational 
     agency having jurisdiction for the area in which the private 
     school is located); or
       ``(II) in the case of a mortgage of a mortgagor described 
     in clause (i)(I)(bb), the jurisdiction served by the public 
     law enforcement agency, firefighting agency, or rescue or 
     ambulance agency that employs the mortgagor.''.

       (b) Deferral and Reduction of Up-front premium.--Section 
     203(c) of the National Housing Act is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), in the matter preceding subparagraph 
     (A), by striking ``Notwithstanding'' and inserting ``Except 
     as provided in paragraph (3) and notwithstanding''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) Deferral and reduction of up-front premium.--In the 
     case of any mortgage described in subsection (b)(10)(B):
       ``(A) Paragraph (2)(A) of this subsection (relating to 
     collection of up-front premium payments) shall not apply.

[[Page 22445]]

       ``(B) If, at any time during the 5-year period beginning on 
     the date of the insurance of the mortgage, the mortgagor 
     ceases to be employed as described in subsection 
     (b)(10)(B)(i)(I) or pays the principal obligation of the 
     mortgage in full, the Secretary shall at such time collect a 
     single premium payment in an amount equal to the amount of 
     the single premium payment that, but for this paragraph, 
     would have been required under paragraph (2)(A) of this 
     subsection with respect to the mortgage, as reduced by 20 
     percent of such amount for each successive 12-month period 
     completed during such 5-year period before such cessation or 
     prepayment occurs.''.


              Computer Access for Public Housing Residents

       Sec. 213. (a) Use of Public Housing Capital and Operating 
     Funds.--Section 9 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 is 
     amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)(1)(E), by inserting before the 
     semicolon the following: ``, including the establishment and 
     initial operation of computer centers in and around public 
     housing through a Neighborhood Networks initiative, for the 
     purpose of enhancing the self-sufficiency, employability, and 
     economic self-reliance of public housing residents by 
     providing them with onsite computer access and training 
     resources'';
       (2) in subsection (e)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking the word ``and'' at 
     the end;
       (B) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (C) by adding after subparagraph (J) the following:
       ``(K) the costs of operating computer centers in public 
     housing through a Neighborhood Networks initiative described 
     in subsection (d)(1)(E), and of activities related to that 
     initiative.''; and
       (3) in subsection (h)--
       (A) in paragraph (6), by striking the word ``and'' at the 
     end;
       (B) in paragraph (7), by striking the period and inserting 
     ``; and''; and
       (C) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
       ``(8) assistance in connection with the establishment and 
     operation of computer centers in public housing through a 
     Neighborhood Networks initiative described in subsection 
     (d)(1)(E).''.
       (b) Demolition, Site Revitalization, Replacement Housing, 
     and Tenant-Based Assistance Grants for Projects.--Section 24 
     of the United States Housing Act of 1937 is amended--
       (1) in subsection (d)(1)(G), by inserting before the 
     semicolon the following: ``, including a Neighborhood 
     Networks initiative for the establishment and operation of 
     computer centers in public housing for the purpose of 
     enhancing the self-sufficiency, employability, an economic 
     self-reliance of public housing residents by providing them 
     with onsite computer access and training resources''; and
       (2) in subsection (m)(2), in the first sentence, by 
     inserting before the period the following ``, including 
     assistance in connection with the establishment and operation 
     of computer centers in public housing through the 
     Neighborhoods Networks initiative described in subsection 
     (d)(1)(G)''.


                         Mark-to-Market Reform

       Sec. 214. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     properties known as the Hawthornes in Independence, Missouri 
     shall be considered eligible multifamily housing projects for 
     purposes of participating in the multifamily housing 
     restructuring program pursuant to title V of the Departments 
     of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and 
     Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 (Public Law 
     105-65).


                       Section 236 Excess Income

       Sec. 215. Section 236(g)(3)(A) of the National Housing Act 
     is amended by striking out ``2000'' and inserting in lieu 
     thereof ``2001''.


                            CDBG Eligibility

       Sec. 216. Section 102(a)(6) of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1974 is amended by adding at the end the 
     following subparagraph:
       ``(F) Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
     paragraph, any county that was classified as an urban county 
     pursuant to subparagraph (A) for fiscal year 1999, at the 
     option of the county, may hereafter remain classified as an 
     urban county for purposes of this Act.''.


     Low-Income Multifamily Risk-sharing Mortgage Insurance Program

       Sec. 217. (a) The Secretary shall carry out a mortgage 
     insurance program through the Federal Housing Administration 
     in conjunction with State housing finance agencies to insure 
     multifamily mortgages for housing that qualifies under this 
     Title. This program shall be consistent with the requirements 
     established under section 542 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1992, except that housing that meet the 
     requirements of this Title shall be eligible for mortgage 
     insurance.
       (b) Housing shall qualify for insurance under this section 
     only if the housing--
       (1) has not less than 25 percent of the units assisted 
     under this title occupied by very low-income families who pay 
     as a contribution towards rent (not including any Federal or 
     State rental subsidy provided on behalf of the family) not 
     more than 20 percent of the adjusted income of a family whose 
     income equals 50 percent of the median income for the area, 
     as determined by the Secretary, with adjustments for the 
     number of bedrooms in the unit, except that the Secretary may 
     establish income ceilings higher or lower than 50 percent of 
     the median income for the area on the basis of the 
     Secretary's findings that variations are necessary because of 
     the prevailing levels of construction costs or fair market 
     rents, or unusually high or low family incomes; and
       (2) will remain affordable under the requirements provided 
     in paragraphs (1) and (2), according to legally binding 
     commitments satisfactory to the Secretary, for not less than 
     40 years, without regard to the term of the mortgage or to 
     the transfer of ownership, or for such period that the 
     Secretary determines is the longest feasible period of time 
     consistent with sound economics and the purposes of this Act, 
     including foreclosure where the responsibility for 
     maintaining the low-income character of the property will be 
     the responsibility of the State housing finance agency.
       (c) Not less than $50,000,000 of the funds made available 
     under the cost of loan guarantee modifications under the 
     heading ``FHA--General and special risk program account'' 
     shall be used to support the cost of mortgages insured under 
     this section.


 EXEMPTION FOR ALASKA AND MISSISSIPPI FROM REQUIREMENT OF RESIDENT ON 
                              BOARD OF PHA

       Sec. 218. Public housing agencies in the State of Alaska 
     and Mississippi shall not be required to comply with section 
     2(b) of the United States Housing Act of 1937, as amended, 
     during fiscal year 2001.

                    TITLE III--INDEPENDENT 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 replacement only) and 
     hire of passenger motor vehicles; and insurance of official 
     motor vehicles in foreign countries, when required by law of 
     such countries, $26,196,000, to remain available until 
     expended.

             Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board


                         salaries and expenses

       For necessary expenses in carrying out activities pursuant 
     to section 112(r)(6) of the Clean Air Act, including hire of 
     passenger vehicles, and for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 
     3109, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem 
     equivalent to the maximum rate payable for senior level 
     positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376, $7,000,000: Provided, That the 
     Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board shall have not 
     more than three career Senior Executive Service positions: 
     Provided further, That there shall be an Inspector General at 
     the Board who shall have the duties, responsibilities, and 
     authorities specified in the Inspector General Act of 1978, 
     as amended: Provided further, That an individual appointed to 
     the position of Inspector General of the Federal Emergency 
     Management Agency (FEMA) shall, by virtue of such 
     appointment, also hold the position of Inspector General of 
     the Board: Provided further, That the Inspector General of 
     the Board shall utilize personnel of the Office of Inspector 
     General of FEMA in performing the duties of the Inspector 
     General of the Board, and shall not appoint any individuals 
     to positions within the Board.

                       Department of the Treasury

              Community Development Financial Institutions

              community development financial institutions

                          fund program account

       For grants, loans, and technical assistance to qualifying 
     community development lenders, and administrative expenses of 
     the Fund, including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but 
     at rates for individuals not to exceed the per diem rate 
     equivalent to the rate for ES-3, $95,000,000, to remain 
     available until September 30, 2002, of which $5,000,000 shall 
     be for grants, loans, and technical assistance to qualifying 
     community development lenders, organizations that have 
     experience and expertise in banking and lending in Indian 
     country, and other appropriate organizations to benefit 
     Native American Communities, of which up to $8,000,000 may be 
     used for administrative expenses, up to $16,500,000 may be 
     used for the cost of direct loans, and up to $1,000,000 may 
     be used for administrative expenses to carry out the direct 
     loan program: Provided, That the cost of direct loans, 
     including the cost of modifying such loans, shall be as 
     defined in section 502 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
     1974: Provided further, That these funds are available to 
     subsidize gross obligations for the principal amount of 
     direct loans not to exceed $53,000,000: Provided further, 
     That not more than $30,000,000 of the funds made available 
     under this heading may be used for programs and activities 
     authorized in section 114 of the Community Development 
     Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994.

                   Consumer Product Safety Commission


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Consumer Product Safety 
     Commission, including hire of passenger motor vehicles, 
     services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for 
     individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the 
     maximum rate payable under 5 U.S.C. 5376, purchase of nominal 
     awards to recognize non-Federal officials' contributions to 
     Commission activities, and not to exceed $500 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $52,500,000.

[[Page 22446]]



             Corporation for National and Community Service


                National and Community Service Programs

                           Operating Expenses

              (including transfer and rescission of funds)

       For necessary expenses for the Corporation for National and 
     Community Service (referred to in the matter under this 
     heading as the ``Corporation'') in carrying out programs, 
     activities, and initiatives under the National and Community 
     Service Act of 1990 (referred to in the matter under this 
     heading as the ``Act'') (42 U.S.C. 12501 et seq.), 
     $433,500,000, to remain available until September 30, 2002: 
     Provided, That not more than $29,000,000 shall be available 
     for administrative expenses authorized under section 
     501(a)(4) of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12671(a)(4)) with not less 
     than $2,000,000 targeted for the acquisition of a cost 
     accounting system for the Corporation's financial management 
     system, an integrated grants management system that provides 
     comprehensive financial management information for all 
     Corporation grants and cooperative agreements, and the 
     establishment, operation and maintenance of a central 
     archives serving as the repository for all grant, cooperative 
     agreement, and related documents, without regard to the 
     provisions of section 501(a)(4)(B) of the Act: Provided 
     further, That not more than $2,500 shall be for official 
     reception and representation expenses: Provided further, That 
     not more than $75,000,000, to remain available without fiscal 
     year limitation, shall be transferred to the National Service 
     Trust account for educational awards authorized under 
     subtitle D of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12601 et seq.), 
     of which not to exceed $5,000,000 shall be available for 
     national service scholarships for high school students 
     performing community service: Provided further, That not more 
     than $207,500,000 of the amount provided under this heading 
     shall be available for grants under the National Service 
     Trust program authorized under subtitle C of title I of the 
     Act (42 U.S.C. 12571 et seq.) (relating to activities 
     including the AmeriCorps program), of which not more than 
     $45,000,000 may be used to administer, reimburse, or support 
     any national service program authorized under section 
     121(d)(2) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12581(d)(2)); and not more 
     than $25,000,000 may be made available to activities 
     dedicated to developing computer and information technology 
     skills for students and teachers in low-income communities: 
     Provided further, That not more than $10,000,000 of the funds 
     made available under this heading shall be made available for 
     the Points of Light Foundation for activities authorized 
     under title III of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12661 et seq.): 
     Provided further, That no funds shall be available for 
     national service programs run by Federal agencies authorized 
     under section 121(b) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 12571(b)): 
     Provided further, That to the maximum extent feasible, funds 
     appropriated under subtitle C of title I of the Act shall be 
     provided in a manner that is consistent with the 
     recommendations of peer review panels in order to ensure that 
     priority is given to programs that demonstrate quality, 
     innovation, replicability, and sustainability: Provided 
     further, That not more than $18,000,000 of the funds made 
     available under this heading shall be available for the 
     Civilian Community Corps authorized under subtitle E of title 
     I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 12611 et seq.): Provided further, 
     That not more than $43,000,000 shall be available for school-
     based and community-based service-learning programs 
     authorized under subtitle B of title I of the Act (42 U.S.C. 
     12521 et seq.): Provided further, That not more than 
     $28,500,000 shall be available for quality and innovation 
     activities authorized under subtitle H of title I of the Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 12853 et seq.): Provided further, That not more 
     than $5,000,000 shall be available for audits and other 
     evaluations authorized under section 179 of the Act (42 
     U.S.C. 12639): Provided further, That to the maximum extent 
     practicable, the Corporation shall increase significantly the 
     level of matching funds and in-kind contributions provided by 
     the private sector, shall expand significantly the number of 
     educational awards provided under subtitle D of title I, and 
     shall reduce the total Federal costs per participant in all 
     programs: Provided further, That of amounts available in the 
     National Service Trust account from previous appropriations 
     Acts, $50,000,000 shall be rescinded: Provided further, That 
     not more than $7,500,000 of the funds made available under 
     this heading shall be made available to America's Promise--
     The Alliance for Youth, Inc. only to support efforts to 
     mobilize individuals, groups, and organizations to build and 
     strengthen the character and competence of the Nation's 
     youth: Provided further, That not more than $5,000,000 of the 
     funds made available under this heading shall be made 
     available to the Communities In Schools, Inc. to support 
     dropout prevention activities: Provided further, That not 
     more than $2,500,000 of the funds made available under this 
     heading shall be made available to the Parents as Teachers 
     National Center, Inc. to support childhood parent education 
     and family support activities: Provided further, That not 
     more than $2,500,000 of the funds made available under this 
     heading shall be made available to the Boys and Girls Clubs 
     of America to establish an innovative outreach program 
     designed to meet the special needs of youth in public and 
     Native American housing communities.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $5,000,000, which shall be available for obligation 
     through September 30, 2002.


                        administrative provision

       The Department of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban 
     Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 
     2000 (Public Law 106-74) is amended under the heading 
     ``Corporation for National and Community Service, National 
     and Community Service Programs Operating Expenses'' in title 
     III by reducing to $229,000,000 the amount available for 
     grants under the National Service Trust program authorized 
     under subtitle C of title I of the Act (with a corresponding 
     reduction to $40,000,000 in the amount that may be used to 
     administer, reimburse, or support any national service 
     program authorized under section 121(d)(2) of the Act), and 
     by increasing to $33,500,000 the amount available for quality 
     and innovation activities authorized under subtitle H of 
     title I of the Act, with the increase in subtitle H funds 
     made available to provide a grant covering a period of three 
     years to support the ``P.A.V.E. the Way'' project described 
     in House Report 106-379.

                  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 
     38 U.S.C. 7251-7298, $12,445,000, of which $895,000 shall be 
     available for the purpose of providing financial assistance 
     as described, and in accordance with the process and 
     reporting procedures set forth, under this heading in Public 
     Law 102-229.

                      Department of Defense--Civil

                       Cemeterial Expenses, Army


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses, as authorized by law, for 
     maintenance, operation, and improvement of Arlington National 
     Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, 
     including the purchase of one passenger motor vehicle for 
     replacement only, and not to exceed $1,000 for official 
     reception and representation expenses, $15,949,000, to remain 
     available until expended.

                    Environmental Protection Agency


                         Science and Technology

       For science and technology, including research and 
     development activities, which shall include research and 
     development activities under the Comprehensive Environmental 
     Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA), 
     as amended; necessary expenses for personnel and related 
     costs and travel expenses, including uniforms, or allowances 
     therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals not 
     to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the maximum rate 
     payable for senior level positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376; 
     procurement of laboratory equipment and supplies; other 
     operating expenses in support of research and development; 
     construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project, 
     $670,000,000, which shall remain available until September 
     30, 2002.


                 Environmental Programs and Management

       For environmental programs and management, including 
     necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, for personnel 
     and related costs and travel expenses, including uniforms, or 
     allowances therefore, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; 
     services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for 
     individuals not to exceed the per diem rate equivalent to the 
     maximum rate payable for senior level positions under 5 
     U.S.C. 5376; hire of passenger motor vehicles; hire, 
     maintenance, and operation of aircraft; purchase of reprints; 
     library memberships in societies or associations which issue 
     publications to members only or at a price to members lower 
     than to subscribers who are not members; construction, 
     alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of 
     facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project; and not to 
     exceed $6,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses, $2,000,000,000, which shall remain available until 
     September 30, 2002: Provided, That none of the funds 
     appropriated by this Act shall be used to propose or issue 
     rules, regulations, decrees, or orders for the purpose of 
     implementation, or in preparation for implementation, of the 
     Kyoto Protocol which was adopted on December 11, 1997, in 
     Kyoto, Japan at the Third Conference of the Parties to the 
     United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which 
     has not been submitted to the Senate for advice and consent 
     to ratification pursuant to article II, section 2, clause 2, 
     of the United States Constitution, and which has not entered 
     into force pursuant to article 25 of the Protocol.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978, as amended, and for construction, alteration, 
     repair, rehabilitation, and renovation of facilities, not to 
     exceed $75,000 per project, $34,094,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2002.


                        Buildings and Facilities

       For construction, repair, improvement, extension, 
     alteration, and purchase of fixed equipment or facilities of, 
     or for use by, the Environmental Protection Agency, 
     $23,000,000, to remain available until expended.


                     Hazardous Substance Superfund

                     (including transfers of funds)

       For necessary expenses to carry out the Comprehensive 
     Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 
     1980 (CERCLA), as amended, including sections 111(c)(3), 
     (c)(5), (c)(6), and (e)(4) (42 U.S.C. 9611), and for 
     construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per

[[Page 22447]]

     project; $1,400,000,000 (of which $100,000,000 shall not 
     become available until September 1, 2001), to remain 
     available until expended, consisting of $700,000,000, as 
     authorized by section 517(a) of the Superfund Amendments and 
     Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA), as amended by Public Law 
     101-508, and $700,000,000 as a payment from general revenues 
     to the Hazardous Substance Superfund for purposes as 
     authorized by section 517(b) of SARA, as amended by Public 
     Law 101-508: Provided, That funds appropriated under this 
     heading may be allocated to other Federal agencies in 
     accordance with section 111(a) of CERCLA: Provided further, 
     That $11,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading 
     shall be transferred to the ``Office of Inspector General'' 
     appropriation to remain available until September 30, 2001: 
     Provided further, That $38,000,000 of the funds appropriated 
     under this heading shall be transferred to the ``Science and 
     technology'' appropriation to remain available until 
     September 30, 2001: Provided further, That notwithstanding 
     section 111(m) of CERCLA or any other provision of law, 
     $75,000,000 of the funds appropriated under this heading 
     shall be available to the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
     Disease Registry (ATSDR) to carry out activities described in 
     sections 104(i), 111(c)(4), and 111(c)(14) of CERCLA and 
     section 118(f) of SARA: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding any other provision of law, in lieu of 
     performing a health assessment under section 104(i)(6) of 
     CERCLA, the Administrator of ATSDR may conduct other 
     appropriate health studies, evaluations or activities, 
     including, without limitation, biomedical testing, clinical 
     evaluations, medical monitoring, and referral to accredited 
     health care providers: Provided further, That in performing 
     any such health assessment or health study, evaluation, or 
     activity, the Administrator of ATSDR shall not be bound by 
     the deadlines in section 104(i)(6)(A): Provided further, That 
     none of the funds appropriated under this heading shall be 
     available for ATSDR to issue in excess of 40 toxicological 
     profiles pursuant to section 104(i) of CERCLA during fiscal 
     year 2000.


                Leaking Underground Storage Tank program

       For necessary expenses to carry out leaking underground 
     storage tank cleanup activities authorized by section 205 of 
     the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, and 
     for construction, alteration, repair, rehabilitation, and 
     renovation of facilities, not to exceed $75,000 per project, 
     $72,096,000, to remain available until expended.


                           oil spill response

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For expenses necessary to carry out the Environmental 
     Protection Agency's responsibilities under the Oil Pollution 
     Act of 1990, $15,000,000, to be derived from the Oil Spill 
     Liability trust fund, to remain available until expended.


                   State and Tribal Assistance Grants

       For environmental programs and infrastructure assistance, 
     including capitalization grants for State revolving funds and 
     performance partnership grants, $3,320,000,000, to remain 
     available until expended, of which $1,350,000,000 shall be 
     for making capitalization grants for the Clean Water State 
     Revolving Funds under title VI of the Federal Water Pollution 
     Control Act, as amended; $820,000,000 shall be for 
     capitalization grants for the Drinking Water State Revolving 
     Funds under section 1452 of the Safe Drinking Water Act, as 
     amended, except that, notwithstanding section 1452(n) of the 
     Safe Drinking Water Act, as amended, none of the funds made 
     available under this heading in this Act, or in previous 
     appropriations Acts, shall be reserved by the Administrator 
     for health effects studies on drinking water contaminants; 
     $50,000,000 shall be for architectural, engineering, 
     planning, design, construction and related activities in 
     connection with the construction of high priority water and 
     wastewater facilities in the area of the United States-Mexico 
     Border, after consultation with the appropriate border 
     commission; $35,000,000 shall be for grants to the State of 
     Alaska to address drinking water and wastewater 
     infrastructure needs of rural and Alaska Native Villages; 
     $110,000,000 shall be for making grants for the construction 
     of wastewater and water treatment facilities and groundwater 
     protection infrastructure in accordance with the terms and 
     conditions specified for such grants in the Senate Report 
     (106-410) accompanying this Act (H.R. 4635); and $955,000,000 
     shall be for grants, including associated program support 
     costs, to States, federally recognized tribes, interstate 
     agencies, tribal consortia, and air pollution control 
     agencies for multi-media or single media pollution 
     prevention, control and abatement and related activities, 
     including activities pursuant to the provisions set forth 
     under this heading in Public Law 104-134, and for making 
     grants under section 103 of the Clean Air Act for particulate 
     matter monitoring and data collection activities: Provided, 
     That notwithstanding section 603(d)(7) of the Federal Water 
     Pollution Control Act, as amended, the limitation on the 
     amounts in a State water pollution control revolving fund 
     that may be used by a State to administer the fund shall not 
     apply to amounts included as principal in loans made by such 
     fund in fiscal year 2001 and prior years where such amounts 
     represent costs of administering the fund to the extent that 
     such amounts are or were deemed reasonable by the 
     Administrator, accounted for separately from other assets in 
     the fund, and used for eligible purposes of the fund, 
     including administration: Provided further, That for fiscal 
     year 2001 and thereafter, and notwithstanding section 518(f) 
     of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, the Administrator 
     is authorized to use the amounts appropriated for any fiscal 
     year under section 319 of that Act to make grants to Indian 
     tribes pursuant to section 319(h) and 518(e) of that Act: 
     Provided further, That beginning in fiscal year 2001 and 
     thereafter, notwithstanding the limitation on amounts in 
     section 518(c) of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act, as 
     amended, up to a total of 1\1/2\ percent of the funds 
     appropriated for State Revolving Funds under Title VI of that 
     Act may be reserved by the Administrator for grants under 
     section 518(c) of such Act: Provided further, That no funds 
     provided by this legislation to address the water, wastewater 
     and other critical infrastructure needs of the colonias along 
     the United States-Mexico border shall be made available to a 
     county or municipal government unless that government has 
     established an enforceable local ordinance, or other zoning 
     rule, which prevents in that jurisdiction the development or 
     construction of any additional colonia areas, or the 
     development within an existing colonia the construction of 
     any new home, business, or other structure which lacks water, 
     wastewater, or other necessary infrastructure.


                       administrative provisions

       For fiscal year 2001 and thereafter, the obligated balances 
     of sums available in multiple-year appropriations accounts 
     shall remain available through the seventh fiscal year after 
     their period of availability has expired for liquidating 
     obligations made during the period of availability.
       Beginning in fiscal year 2001 and thereafter, 
     notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 6303(1) and 6305(1), the 
     Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, in 
     carrying out the Agency's function to directly implement 
     Federal environmental programs required or authorized by law 
     in the absence of an acceptable tribal program, may award 
     cooperative agreements to federally-recognized Indian Tribes 
     or Intertribal consortia, if authorized by their member 
     Tribes, to assist the Administrator in implementing Federal 
     environmental programs for Indian Tribes required or 
     authorized by law, except that no such cooperative agreements 
     may be awarded from funds designated for State financial 
     assistance agreements.
       Section 176(c) of the Clean Air Act is amended by adding at 
     the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(6) Notwithstanding paragraph 5, this subsection shall 
     not apply with respect to an area designated nonattainment 
     under section 107(d)(1) until one year after that area is 
     first designated nonattainment for a specific national 
     ambient air quality standard. This paragraph only applies 
     with respect to the national ambient air quality standard for 
     which an area is newly designated nonattainment and does not 
     affect the area's requirements with respect to all other 
     national ambient air quality standards for which the area is 
     designated nonattainment or has been redesignated from 
     nonattainment to attainment with a maintenance plan pursuant 
     to section 175(A) (including any pre-existing national 
     ambient air quality standard for a pollutant for which a new 
     or revised standard has been issued).''.

                   Executive Office of the President


                Office of Science and Technology Policy

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Science and 
     Technology Policy, in carrying out the purposes of the 
     National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and 
     Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6601 and 6671), hire of 
     passenger motor vehicles, and services as authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, not to exceed $2,500 for official reception and 
     representation expenses, and rental of conference rooms in 
     the District of Columbia, $5,201,000.


  Council on Environmental Quality and Office of Environmental Quality

       For necessary expenses to continue functions assigned to 
     the Council on Environmental Quality and Office of 
     Environmental Quality pursuant to the National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1969, the Environmental Quality Improvement Act 
     of 1970, and Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1977, $2,900,000: 
     Provided, That, notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
     no funds other than those appropriated under this heading 
     shall be used for or by the Council on Environmental Quality 
     and Office of Environmental Quality: Provided further, That 
     notwithstanding section 202 of the National Environmental 
     Policy Act of 1970, the Council shall consist of one member, 
     appointed by the President, by and with the advice and 
     consent of the Senate, serving as chairman and exercising all 
     powers, functions, and duties of the Council.

                 Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

                      office of inspector general


                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the provisions of the Inspector General Act 
     of 1978, as amended, $33,660,000, to be derived from the Bank 
     Insurance Fund, the Savings Association Insurance Fund, and 
     the FSLIC Resolution Fund.

                  Federal Emergency Management Agency


                            Disaster Relief

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses in carrying out the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), $300,000,000, and, notwithstanding 42 
     U.S.C. 5203, to remain available until expended, of which not 
     to exceed $2,900,000 may be transferred to ``Emergency 
     management planning and assistance'' for the consolidated 
     emergency management performance grant program; and

[[Page 22448]]

     up to $15,000,000 may be obligated for flood map 
     modernization activities following disaster declarations.
       For an additional amount for ``Disaster relief'', 
     $2,609,220,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, 
     That the entire amount is designated by the Congress as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the 
     Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as 
     amended: Provided further, That the entire amount shall be 
     available only to the extent that an official budget request 
     for a specific dollar amount, that includes designation of 
     the entire amount of the request as an emergency requirement 
     as defined in the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit 
     Control Act of 1985, as amended, is transmitted by the 
     President to the Congress.


            Disaster Assistance Direct Loan Program Account

       For the cost of direct loans, $1,678,000, as authorized by 
     section 319 of the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and 
     Emergency Assistance Act: 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, as amended: Provided further, That these funds are 
     available to subsidize gross obligations for the principal 
     amount of direct loans not to exceed $25,000,000.
       In addition, for administrative expenses to carry out the 
     direct loan program, $427,000.


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, 
     including hire and purchase of motor vehicles as authorized 
     by 31 U.S.C. 1343; uniforms, or allowances therefor, as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; services as authorized by 5 
     U.S.C. 3109, but at rates for individuals not to exceed the 
     per diem rate equivalent to the maximum rate payable for 
     senior level positions under 5 U.S.C. 5376; expenses of 
     attendance of cooperating officials and individuals at 
     meetings concerned with the work of emergency preparedness; 
     transportation in connection with the continuity of 
     Government programs to the same extent and in the same manner 
     as permitted the Secretary of a Military Department under 10 
     U.S.C. 2632; and not to exceed $2,500 for official reception 
     and representation expenses, $215,000,000.


                    Office of the Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $10,000,000: Provided, That notwithstanding any 
     other provision of law, the Inspector General of the Federal 
     Emergency Management Agency shall also serve as the Inspector 
     General of the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation 
     Board.


              Emergency Management Planning and Assistance

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, to 
     carry out activities under the National Flood Insurance Act 
     of 1968, as amended, and the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 
     1973, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4001 et seq.), the Robert T. 
     Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 5121 et seq.), the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 
     1977, as amended (42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.), the Federal Fire 
     Prevention and Control Act of 1974, as amended (15 U.S.C. 
     2201 et seq.), the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended 
     (50 U.S.C. App. 2061 et seq.), sections 107 and 303 of the 
     National Security Act of 1947, as amended (50 U.S.C. 404-
     405), and Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978, $269,652,000: 
     Provided, That for purposes of pre-disaster mitigation 
     pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5131(b) and (c) and 42 U.S.C. 5196(e) 
     and (i), $25,000,000 of the funds made available under this 
     heading shall be available until expended for project grants.


                Radiological Emergency Preparedness Fund

       The aggregate charges assessed during fiscal year 2001, as 
     authorized by Public Law 106-74, shall not be less than 100 
     percent of the amounts anticipated by FEMA necessary for its 
     radiological emergency preparedness program for the next 
     fiscal year. The methodology for assessment and collection of 
     fees shall be fair and equitable; and shall reflect costs of 
     providing such services, including administrative costs of 
     collecting such fees. Fees received pursuant to this section 
     shall be deposited in the Fund as offsetting collections and 
     will become available for authorized purposes on October 1, 
     2001, and remain available until expended.


                   Emergency Food and Shelter Program

       To carry out an emergency food and shelter program pursuant 
     to title III of Public Law 100-77, as amended, $110,000,000, 
     to remain available until expended: Provided, That total 
     administrative costs shall not exceed 3\1/2\ percent of the 
     total appropriation.


                     National Flood Insurance Fund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       For activities under the National Flood Insurance Act of 
     1968, the Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973, as amended, 
     not to exceed $25,736,000 for salaries and expenses 
     associated with flood mitigation and flood insurance 
     operations, and not to exceed $77,307,000 for flood 
     mitigation, including up to $20,000,000 for expenses under 
     section 1366 of the National Flood Insurance Act, which 
     amount shall be available for transfer to the National Flood 
     Mitigation Fund until September 30, 2002. In fiscal year 
     2001, no funds in excess of: (1) $55,000,000 for operating 
     expenses; (2) $455,627,000 for agents' commissions and taxes; 
     and (3) $40,000,000 for interest on Treasury borrowings shall 
     be available from the National Flood Insurance Fund without 
     prior notice to the Committees on Appropriations. For fiscal 
     year 2001, flood insurance rates shall not exceed the level 
     authorized by the National Flood Insurance Reform Act of 
     1994.
       Section 1309(a)(2) of the National Flood Insurance Act (42 
     U.S.C. 4016(a)(2)), as amended by Public Law 104-208, is 
     further amended by striking ``2000'' and inserting ``2001''.
       The first sentence of section 1376(c) of the National Flood 
     Insurance Act of 1968, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4127(c)), is 
     amended by striking ``September 30, 2000'' and inserting 
     ``September 30, 2001''.


                     national flood mitigation fund

                     (including transfer of funds)

       Notwithstanding sections 1366(b)(3)(B)-(C) and 1366(f) of 
     the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968, as amended, 
     $20,000,000 to remain available until September 30, 2002, for 
     activities designed to reduce the risk of flood damage to 
     structures pursuant to such Act, of which $20,000,000 shall 
     be derived from the National Flood Insurance Fund.

                    General Services Administration


                Federal Consumer Information Center Fund

       For necessary expenses of the Federal Consumer Information 
     Center, including services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, 
     $7,122,000, to be deposited into the Federal Consumer 
     Information Center Fund: Provided, That the appropriations, 
     revenues, and collections deposited into the fund shall be 
     available for necessary expenses of Federal Consumer 
     Information Center activities in the aggregate amount of 
     $12,000,000. Appropriations, revenues, and collections 
     accruing to this fund during fiscal year 2001 in excess of 
     $12,000,000 shall remain in the fund and shall not be 
     available for expenditure except as authorized in 
     appropriations Acts.

             National Aeronautics and Space Administration


                           Human Space Flight

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of human space flight research and 
     development activities, including research, development, 
     operations, and services; maintenance; construction of 
     facilities including repair, rehabilitation, and modification 
     of real and personal property, and acquisition or 
     condemnation of real property, as authorized by law; space 
     flight, spacecraft control and communications activities 
     including operations, production, and services; and purchase, 
     lease, charter, maintenance and operation of mission and 
     administrative aircraft, $5,400,000,000, to remain available 
     until September 30, 2002.


                  Science, Aeronautics and Technology

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in the 
     conduct and support of science, aeronautics and technology 
     research and development activities, including research, 
     development, operations, and services; maintenance; 
     construction of facilities including repair, rehabilitation, 
     and modification of real and personal property, and 
     acquisition or condemnation of real property, as authorized 
     by law; space flight, spacecraft control and communications 
     activities including operations, production, and services; 
     and purchase, lease, charter, maintenance and operation of 
     mission and administrative aircraft, $5,837,000,000, to 
     remain available until September 30, 2002.


                            Mission Support

       For necessary expenses, not otherwise provided for, in 
     carrying out mission support for human space flight programs 
     and science, aeronautical, and technology programs, including 
     research operations and support; space communications 
     activities including operations, production and services; 
     maintenance; construction of facilities including repair, 
     rehabilitation, and modification of facilities, minor 
     construction of new facilities and additions to existing 
     facilities, facility planning and design, environmental 
     compliance and restoration, and acquisition or condemnation 
     of real property, as authorized by law; program management; 
     personnel and related costs, including uniforms or allowances 
     therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; travel 
     expenses; purchase, lease, charter, maintenance, and 
     operation of mission and administrative aircraft; not to 
     exceed $40,000 for official reception and representation 
     expenses; and purchase (not to exceed 33 for replacement 
     only) and hire of passenger motor vehicles, $2,584,000,000, 
     to remain available until September 30, 2002.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     in carrying out the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $23,000,000.


                       Administrative Provisions

       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Human space flight'', ``Science, 
     aeronautics and technology'', or ``Mission support'' by this 
     appropriations Act, when any activity has been initiated by 
     the incurrence of obligations for construction of facilities 
     as authorized by law, such amount available for such activity 
     shall remain available until expended. This provision does 
     not apply to the amounts appropriated in ``Mission support'' 
     pursuant to the authorization for repair, rehabilitation and 
     modification of facilities, minor construction of new 
     facilities and additions to existing facilities, and facility 
     planning and design.
       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Human space flight'', ``Science, 
     aeronautics and technology'', or ``Mission support'' by this 
     appropriations

[[Page 22449]]

     Act, the amounts appropriated for construction of facilities 
     shall remain available until September 30, 2003.
       Notwithstanding the limitation on the availability of funds 
     appropriated for ``Mission support'' and ``Office of 
     Inspector General'', amounts made available by this Act for 
     personnel and related costs and travel expenses of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Administration shall remain 
     available until September 30, 2000 and may be used to enter 
     into contracts for training, investigations, costs associated 
     with personnel relocation, and for other services, to be 
     provided during the next fiscal year.
       Unless otherwise provided for in this Act or in the joint 
     explanatory statement of the committee of conference 
     accompanying this Act, no part of the funds appropriated for 
     ``Human space flight'' may be used for the development of the 
     International Space Station in excess of the amounts set 
     forth in the budget estimates submitted as part of the budget 
     request for fiscal year 2001.
       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all amounts 
     made available for missions, programs and individual 
     activities and research under ``Human space flight'', 
     ``Science, aeronautics and technology'', or ``Mission 
     support'' by this appropriations Act shall be funded in 
     accordance with the terms and conditions specified in Senate 
     Report 106-410, with any changes subject to the approval of 
     the Committees on Appropriations pursuant to a reprogramming 
     request by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

                  National Credit Union Administration


                       Central Liquidity Facility

       During fiscal year 2001, gross obligations of the Central 
     Liquidity Facility for the principal amount of new direct 
     loans to member credit unions, as authorized by the National 
     Credit Union Central Liquidity Facility Act (12 U.S.C. 1795), 
     shall not exceed $600,000,000: Provided, That administrative 
     expenses of the Central Liquidity Facility in fiscal year 
     2001 shall not exceed $296,303.

                      National Science Foundation


                    research and related activities

       For necessary expenses in carrying out the National Science 
     Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), and 
     the Act to establish a National Medal of Science (42 U.S.C. 
     1880-1881); services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; 
     authorized travel; maintenance and operation of aircraft and 
     purchase of flight services for research support; acquisition 
     of aircraft; $3,245,562,000, of which not to exceed 
     $285,410,000 shall remain available until expended for Polar 
     research and operations support, and for reimbursement to 
     other Federal agencies for operational and science support 
     and logistical and other related activities for the United 
     States Antarctic program; the balance to remain available 
     until September 30, 2002: Provided, That receipts for 
     scientific support services and materials furnished by the 
     National Research Centers and other National Science 
     Foundation supported research facilities may be credited to 
     this appropriation: Provided further, That to the extent that 
     the amount appropriated is less than the total amount 
     authorized to be appropriated for included program 
     activities, all amounts, including floors and ceilings, 
     specified in the authorizing Act for those program activities 
     or their subactivities shall be reduced proportionally: 
     Provided further, That $65,000,000 of the funds available 
     under this heading shall be made available for a 
     comprehensive research initiative on plant genomes for 
     economically significant crop: Provided further, That no 
     funds in this or any other Act shall be used to acquire or 
     lease a research vessel with ice-breaking capability built or 
     retrofitted by a shipyard located in a foreign country if 
     such a vessel of United States origin can be obtained at a 
     cost no more than 50 per centum above that of the least 
     expensive technically acceptable foreign vessel bid: Provided 
     further, That, in determining the cost of such a vessel, such 
     cost be increased by the amount of any subsidies or financing 
     provided by a foreign government (or instrumentality thereof 
     ) to such vessel's construction: Provided further, That if 
     the vessel contracted for pursuant to the foregoing is not 
     available for the 2002-2003 austral summer Antarctic season, 
     a vessel of any origin may be leased for a period of not to 
     exceed 120 days for that season and each season thereafter 
     until delivery of the new vessel.


                        Major Research Equipment

       For necessary expenses of major construction projects 
     pursuant to the National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as 
     amended, including authorized travel, $109,100,000, to remain 
     available until expended.


                     Education and Human Resources

       For necessary expenses in carrying out science and 
     engineering education and human resources programs and 
     activities pursuant to the National Science Foundation Act of 
     1950, as amended (42 U.S.C. 1861-1875), including services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, authorized travel, and rental of 
     conference rooms in the District of Columbia, $765,352,000, 
     to remain available until September 30, 2002: Provided, That 
     to the extent that the amount of this appropriation is less 
     than the total amount authorized to be appropriated for 
     included program activities, all amounts, including floors 
     and ceilings, specified in the authorizing Act for those 
     program activities or their subactivities shall be reduced 
     proportionally: Provided further, That $10,000,000 shall be 
     available for the Office of Innovation Partnerships.


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For salaries and expenses necessary in carrying out the 
     National Science Foundation Act of 1950, as amended (42 
     U.S.C. 1861-1875); services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; hire 
     of passenger motor vehicles; not to exceed $9,000 for 
     official reception and representation expenses; uniforms or 
     allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901-5902; 
     rental of conference rooms in the District of Columbia; 
     reimbursement of the General Services Administration for 
     security guard services; $170,890,000: Provided, That 
     contracts may be entered into under ``Salaries and expenses'' 
     in fiscal year 2001 for maintenance and operation of 
     facilities, and for other services, to be provided during the 
     next fiscal year.


                      Office of Inspector General

       For necessary expenses of the Office of Inspector General 
     as authorized by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as 
     amended, $6,280,000, to remain available until September 30, 
     2002.

                 Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation


          Payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation

       For payment to the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation 
     for use in neighborhood reinvestment activities, as 
     authorized by the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation Act 
     (42 U.S.C. 8101-8107), $80,000,000.

                        Selective Service System


                         Salaries and Expenses

       For necessary expenses of the Selective Service System, 
     including expenses of attendance at meetings and of training 
     for uniformed personnel assigned to the Selective Service 
     System, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 4101-4118 for civilian 
     employees; and not to exceed $1,000 for official reception 
     and representation expenses; $24,480,000: Provided, That 
     during the current fiscal year, the President may exempt this 
     appropriation from the provisions of 31 U.S.C. 1341, whenever 
     he deems such action to be necessary in the interest of 
     national defense: Provided further, That none of the funds 
     appropriated by this Act may be expended for or in connection 
     with the induction of any person into the Armed Forces of the 
     United States.

                      TITLE IV--GENERAL PROVISIONS

       Sec. 401. Where appropriations in titles I, II, and III of 
     this Act are expendable for travel expenses and no specific 
     limitation has been placed thereon, the expenditures for such 
     travel expenses may not exceed the amounts set forth 
     therefore in the budget estimates submitted for the 
     appropriations: Provided, That this provision does not apply 
     to accounts that do not contain an object classification for 
     travel: Provided further, That this section shall not apply 
     to travel performed by uncompensated officials of local 
     boards and appeal boards of the Selective Service System; to 
     travel performed directly in connection with care and 
     treatment of medical beneficiaries of the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs; to travel performed in connection with 
     major disasters or emergencies declared or determined by the 
     President under the provisions of the Robert T. Stafford 
     Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; to travel 
     performed by the Offices of Inspector General in connection 
     with audits and investigations; or to payments to interagency 
     motor pools where separately set forth in the budget 
     schedules: Provided further, That if appropriations in titles 
     I, II, and III exceed the amounts set forth in budget 
     estimates initially submitted for such appropriations, the 
     expenditures for travel may correspondingly exceed the 
     amounts therefore set forth in the estimates in the same 
     proportion.
       Sec. 402. Appropriations and funds available for the 
     administrative expenses of the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development and the Selective Service System shall be 
     available in the current fiscal year for purchase of 
     uniforms, or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 
     5901-5902; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and services as 
     authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109.
       Sec. 403. Funds of the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development subject to the Government Corporation Control Act 
     or section 402 of the Housing Act of 1950 shall be available, 
     without regard to the limitations on administrative expenses, 
     for legal services on a contract or fee basis, and for 
     utilizing and making payment for services and facilities of 
     Federal National Mortgage Association, Government National 
     Mortgage Association, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, 
     Federal Financing Bank, Federal Reserve banks or any member 
     thereof, Federal Home Loan banks, and any insured bank within 
     the meaning of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, 
     as amended (12 U.S.C. 1811-1831).
       Sec. 404. 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. 405. No funds appropriated by this Act may be 
     expended--
       (1) pursuant to a certification of an officer or employee 
     of the United States unless--
       (A) such certification is accompanied by, or is part of, a 
     voucher or abstract which describes the payee or payees and 
     the items or services for which such expenditure is being 
     made; or
       (B) the expenditure of funds pursuant to such 
     certification, and without such a voucher or abstract, is 
     specifically authorized by law; and
       (2) unless such expenditure is subject to audit by the 
     General Accounting Office or is specifically exempt by law 
     from such audit.
       Sec. 406. None of the funds provided in this Act to any 
     department or agency may be expended for the transportation 
     of any officer or employee of such department or agency 
     between their domicile and their place of employment,

[[Page 22450]]

     with the exception of any officer or employee authorized such 
     transportation under 31 U.S.C. 1344 or 5 U.S.C. 7905.
       Sec. 407. None of the funds provided in this Act may be 
     used for payment, through grants or contracts, to recipients 
     that do not share in the cost of conducting research 
     resulting from proposals not specifically solicited by the 
     Government: Provided, That the extent of cost sharing by the 
     recipient shall reflect the mutuality of interest of the 
     grantee or contractor and the Government in the research.
       Sec. 408. None of the funds in this Act may be used, 
     directly or through grants, to pay or to provide 
     reimbursement for payment of the salary of a consultant 
     (whether retained by the Federal Government or a grantee) at 
     more than the daily equivalent of the rate paid for level IV 
     of the Executive Schedule, unless specifically authorized by 
     law.
       Sec. 409. None of the funds provided in this Act shall be 
     used to pay the expenses of, or otherwise compensate, non-
     Federal parties intervening in regulatory or adjudicatory 
     proceedings. Nothing herein affects the authority of the 
     Consumer Product Safety Commission pursuant to section 7 of 
     the Consumer Product Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 2056 et seq.).
       Sec. 410. Except as otherwise provided under existing law, 
     or under an existing Executive order issued pursuant to an 
     existing law, the obligation or expenditure of any 
     appropriation under this Act for contracts for any consulting 
     service shall be limited to contracts which are: (1) a matter 
     of public record and available for public inspection; and (2) 
     thereafter included in a publicly available list of all 
     contracts entered into within 24 months prior to the date on 
     which the list is made available to the public and of all 
     contracts on which performance has not been completed by such 
     date. The list required by the preceding sentence shall be 
     updated quarterly and shall include a narrative description 
     of the work to be performed under each such contract.
       Sec. 411. Except as otherwise provided by law, no part of 
     any appropriation contained in this Act shall be obligated or 
     expended by any executive agency, as referred to in the 
     Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 401 et 
     seq.), for a contract for services unless such executive 
     agency: (1) has awarded and entered into such contract in 
     full compliance with such Act and the regulations promulgated 
     thereunder; and (2) requires any report prepared pursuant to 
     such contract, including plans, evaluations, studies, 
     analyses and manuals, and any report prepared by the agency 
     which is substantially derived from or substantially includes 
     any report prepared pursuant to such contract, to contain 
     information concerning: (A) the contract pursuant to which 
     the report was prepared; and (B) the contractor who prepared 
     the report pursuant to such contract.
       Sec. 412. Except as otherwise provided in section 406, none 
     of the funds provided in this Act to any department or agency 
     shall be obligated or expended to provide a personal cook, 
     chauffeur, or other personal servants to any officer or 
     employee of such department or agency.
       Sec. 413. None of the funds provided in this Act to any 
     department or agency shall be obligated or expended to 
     procure passenger automobiles as defined in 15 U.S.C. 2001 
     with an EPA estimated miles per gallon average of less than 
     22 miles per gallon.
       Sec. 414. None of the funds appropriated in title I of this 
     Act shall be used to enter into any new lease of real 
     property if the estimated annual rental is more than $300,000 
     unless the Secretary submits, in writing, a report to the 
     Committees on Appropriations of the Congress and a period of 
     30 days has expired following the date on which the report is 
     received by the Committees on Appropriations.
       Sec. 415. (a) It is the sense of the Congress that, to the 
     greatest extent practicable, all equipment and products 
     purchased with funds made available in this Act should be 
     American-made.
       (b) In providing financial assistance to, or entering into 
     any contract with, any entity using funds made available in 
     this Act, the head of each Federal agency, to the greatest 
     extent practicable, shall provide to such entity a notice 
     describing the statement made in subsection (a) by the 
     Congress.
       Sec. 416. None of the funds appropriated in this Act may be 
     used to implement any cap on reimbursements to grantees for 
     indirect costs, except as published in Office of Management 
     and Budget Circular A-21.
       Sec. 417. Such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 
     2001 pay raises for programs funded by this Act shall be 
     absorbed within the levels appropriated in this Act.
       Sec. 418. 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. 419. Corporations and agencies of the Department of 
     Housing and Urban Development which are subject to the 
     Government Corporation Control Act, as amended, are hereby 
     authorized to make such expenditures, within the limits of 
     funds and borrowing authority available to each such 
     corporation or agency and in accord with law, and to make 
     such contracts and commitments without regard to fiscal year 
     limitations as provided by section 104 of the Act as may be 
     necessary in carrying out the programs set forth in the 
     budget for 2001 for such corporation or agency except as 
     hereinafter provided: Provided, That collections of these 
     corporations and agencies may be used for new loan or 
     mortgage purchase commitments only to the extent expressly 
     provided for in this Act (unless such loans are in support of 
     other forms of assistance provided for in this or prior 
     appropriations Acts), except that this proviso shall not 
     apply to the mortgage insurance or guaranty operations of 
     these corporations, or where loans or mortgage purchases are 
     necessary to protect the financial interest of the United 
     States Government.
       Sec. 420. Notwithstanding section 320(g) of the Federal 
     Water Pollution Control Act (33 U.S.C. 1330(g)), funds made 
     available pursuant to authorization under such section for 
     fiscal year 2001 may be used for implementing comprehensive 
     conservation and management plans.
       Sec. 421. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     term ``qualified student loan'' with respect to national 
     service education awards shall mean any loan made directly to 
     a student by the Alaska Commission on Postsecondary 
     Education, in addition to other meanings under section 
     148(b)(7) of the National and Community Service Act.
       Sec. 422. None of the funds made available in this Act may 
     be used to carry out Executive Order No. 13083.
       Sec. 423. Unless otherwise provided for in this Act, no 
     part of any appropriation for the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development shall be available for any activity in 
     excess of amounts set forth in the budget estimates submitted 
     for the appropriations.
       Sec. 424. Except in the case of entities that are funded 
     solely with Federal funds or any natural persons that are 
     funded under this Act, none of the funds in this Act shall be 
     used for the planning or execution of any program to pay the 
     expenses of, or otherwise compensate, non-Federal parties to 
     lobby or litigate in respect to adjudicatory proceedings 
     funded in this Act. A chief executive officer of any entity 
     receiving funds under this Act shall certify that none of 
     these funds have been used to engage in the lobbying of the 
     Federal Government or in litigation against the United States 
     unless authorized under existing law.
       Sec. 425. No part of any funds appropriated in this Act 
     shall be used by an agency of the executive branch, other 
     than for normal and recognized executive-legislative 
     relationships, for publicity or propaganda purposes, and for 
     the preparation, distribution or use of any kit, pamphlet, 
     booklet, publication, radio, television or film presentation 
     designed to support or defeat legislation pending before the 
     Congress, except in presentation to the Congress itself.
       Sec. 426. NASA Full Cost Accounting. Title III of the 
     National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958, Public Law 85-
     568, is amended by adding the following new section at the 
     end:
       ``Sec. 312. (a) Appropriations for the Administration for 
     fiscal year 2002 and thereafter shall be made in accounts, 
     ``Human space flight'', ``International space station'', 
     ``Science, aeronautics and technology'', and an account for 
     amounts appropriated for the necessary expenses of the Office 
     of Inspector General. Appropriations shall remain available 
     for two fiscal years. Each account shall include the planned 
     full costs of the Administration's related activities.
       ``(b) The Administrator shall notify the Committees on 
     Appropriations whenever any program or activity exceeds 
     fifteen percent of the annual or total budget of such program 
     or activity.''.

                               DIVISION B

                       HOUSING NEEDS ACT OF 2000

       Section 1. Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the 
     ``Housing Needs Act of 2000''.
       Sec. 2. Table of Contents.--The table of Contents for this 
     Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of Contents.
Sec. 3. Findings and Purpose.
Sec. 4. Definitions.

TITLE I--PRODUCTION OF NEW HOUSING FOR LOW AND VERY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

Sec. 101. Authority.
Sec. 102. Allocation of Resources.
Sec. 103. Affordable Housing Expansion Plan.
Sec. 104. Eligible Use of Funds.
Sec. 105. Matching Requirements.
Sec. 106. Distribution of Assistance.
Sec. 107. Eligible Affordable Housing.
Sec. 108. Tenant Selection.
Sec. 109. Prohibition on Use of Funds for Service Coordinators or 
              Supportive Services.
Sec. 110. Penalties for Misuse of Funds.
Sec. 111. Subsidy Layering Requirements.
Sec. 112. Multifamily Risk-sharing Mortgage Insurance Program.
Sec. 113. Regulations.
Sec. 114. Sunset.

           TITLE II--SECTION 8 VOUCHER SUCCESS DEMONSTRATION

Sec. 201. Authority.
Sec. 202. Eligibility.
Sec. 203. Limitation on Funding.

    TITLE III--PRESERVATION OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING AND MISCELLANEOUS 
                               PROVISIONS

Sec. 301. Section 8 Project-based Flexibility.
Sec. 302. Disposition of HUD-held and HUD-owned Multifamily Projects.
Sec. 303. Family Unification Program.
Sec. 304. Permanent Extension of FHA Multifamily Mortgage Credit 
              Demonstrations.

[[Page 22451]]

       Sec. 3. Findings and Purpose.--
       (a) Findings.--The Congress finds that--
       (1) the Nation has not made adequate progress in 
     maintaining and expanding the inventory of affordable housing 
     for low and very low-income families, including persons with 
     disabilities and seniors;
       (2) despite continued economic expansion, worst case 
     housing needs have reached an all-time high of 5.4 million 
     families, increasing by 4 percent between 1995 and 1997;
       (3) the number of rental units which are affordable to 
     extremely low-income families has decreased by 5 percent 
     since 1991, a loss of over 37,000 units;
       (4) the Administration and the Department of Housing and 
     Urban Development has proposed increased funding for 
     incremental rental vouchers as the primary solution to making 
     additional housing available for low-income and very low-
     income families;
       (5) while section 8 vouchers represent housing choice as a 
     matter of philosophy, in many cases families using vouchers 
     have difficult time finding housing, especially in low 
     vacancy market areas;
       (6) in many cases, where section 8 vouchers are used, the 
     result is de facto redlining where low-income families are 
     relegated to the poorest and most distressed neighborhoods 
     with limited opportunities for transportation, employment and 
     quality schools;
       (7) section 8 vouchers do not produce additional new units 
     of affordable low-income housing since banks will not finance 
     new construction with one year termed portable assistance;
       (8) the Department of Housing and Urban Development has not 
     provided the necessary leadership to assist in the 
     development of needed affordable housing;
       (9) a large number of States and local government have been 
     successful in developing new tools and opportunities for the 
     development of additional affordable housing for low-income 
     families, including the development of affordable mixed 
     income housing as part of State and local redevelopment 
     strategies for distressed communities; and
       (10) State housing finance agencies have the local 
     experience and knowledge to maximize the development of 
     additional units of affordable low-income housing and to 
     preserve the existing stock of low-income affordable housing.
       (b) The purpose of this Act is to redirect the primary 
     responsibility for the preservation of existing affordable 
     low-income housing and the expansion of the inventory of 
     affordable rental housing for very low-income and low-income 
     families from the Federal Government to State and local 
     governments through State housing finance agencies.
       Sec. 4. Definitions.--For purposes of this Act, the 
     following definitions shall apply:
       (1) The term ``low-income families'' shall have the same 
     meaning as provided under section 3(b)(2) of the United 
     States Housing Act of 1937.
       (2) The term ``project-based assistance'' shall have the 
     meaning given such term in section 16(c)(6) of the United 
     States Housing Act of 1937, except that such term includes 
     assistance under any successor programs to the programs 
     referred to in such section.
       (3) The term ``public housing agency'' shall have the 
     meaning given such term in section 3(b) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937.
       (4) The term ``Secretary'' shall mean the Secretary of 
     Housing and Urban Development.
       (5) The term ``section 8 assistance'' or ``voucher'' shall 
     have the meaning given such term in section 8(f) of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937.
       (6) The term ``State'' shall mean the United States of the 
     United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of 
     Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana 
     Islands, Guam, the Virgin Islands, America Samoa, and any 
     other territory of possession of the United States.
       (7) The term ``State housing finance agency'' shall mean 
     any State or local housing finance agency that has been 
     designated by a State to administer this program.
       (8) The term ``very low-income families'' shall have the 
     same meaning as provided under section 3(b) of the United 
     States Housing Act of 1937.

TITLE I--PRODUCTION OF NEW HOUSING FOR LOW AND VERY LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

       Sec. 101. The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     shall make funds available to State housing finance agencies 
     as provided under section 102 for the rehabilitation of 
     existing low-income housing, for the development of new 
     affordable low-income housing units, and for the preservation 
     of existing low-income housing units that are at risk of 
     becoming unavailable for low-income families.
       Sec. 102. Allocation of Resources.--
       (a) In general.--The Secretary shall allocate funds 
     approved in appropriations Acts to State housing finance 
     agencies to carry out this Title. Subject to the requirements 
     of subsection (b) and as otherwise provided in this 
     subsection, each State housing finance agency shall be 
     eligible to receive an amount of funds equal to the 
     proportion of the per capita population of the State in 
     relation to the population of the United States which shall 
     be determined on the basis of the most recent decennial 
     census for which data are available. For each fiscal year, 
     the Secretary shall reserve for grants to Indian tribes 1 
     percent of the amount appropriated under the applicable 
     appropriations Act. The Secretary shall provide for 
     distribution of amounts under this subsection to Indian 
     tribes on the basis of a competition conducted pursuant to 
     specific criteria developed after notice and public comment.
       (b) Minimum state allocation.--If the allocation under 
     subsection (a), when applied to the funds approved under this 
     section in appropriations Acts for a fiscal year, would 
     result in funding of less than $10,000,000 to any State 
     housing finance agency, the allocation for such State housing 
     finance agency shall be $10,000,000 and the increase shall be 
     deducted pro rata from the allocation of all other State 
     housing finance agencies.
       (c) Criteria for reallocation.--The Secretary shall 
     reallocate any funds previously allocated to a State housing 
     finance agency for any fiscal year in which the State housing 
     finance agency fails to provide its match requirements or 
     fails to submit an affordable housing expansion plan that is 
     approved by the Secretary. All such funds shall be 
     reallocated pursuant to the formula provided under subsection 
     (a).
       Sec. 103. Affordable Housing Expansion Plan.--
       (a) Submission of affordable housing expansion plan.--The 
     Secretary shall allocate funds under section 102 to a State 
     housing finance agency only if the State housing finance 
     agency has submitted an affordable housing expansion plan, 
     with annual updates, approved by the Secretary and designed 
     to meet the overall very low- and low-income housing needs of 
     both the rural and urban areas of the State in which the 
     State housing finance agency is located. This plan shall be 
     developed in conjunction with the housing strategies 
     developed for the applicable States and localities under 
     section 105 of Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing 
     Act.
       (b) Citizen participation.--Before submitting an affordable 
     housing expansion plan to the Secretary, a State housing 
     finance agency shall--
       (1) make available to citizens of the State, public 
     agencies and other interested parties information regarding 
     the amount of assistance expected to be made available under 
     this Title and the range of investment or other uses of such 
     assistance that the State housing finance agency may 
     undertake;
       (2) publish the proposed plan in a manner that, in the 
     determination of the Secretary, affords affected citizens, 
     public agencies, and other interested parties a reasonable 
     opportunity to review its contents and to submit comments on 
     the proposed plan;
       (3) hold one or more public hearings to obtain the views of 
     citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties on 
     the housing needs of the State; and
       (4) provide citizens, public agencies, and other interested 
     parties with reasonable access to records regarding the uses 
     of any assistance that the State housing finance agency may 
     have received under this Title during the preceding 5 years.
       Sec. 104. Eligible Use of Funds.--Funds made available 
     under this title shall be used for--
       (1) the acquisition, new construction, reconstruction, or 
     moderate or substantial rehabilitation of affordable housing 
     for mixed income rental housing where the assistance provided 
     under section 102 shall be used to assist units targeted to 
     low and very low-income families, including the elderly and 
     persons with disabilities;
       (2) the moderate and substantial rehabilitation of rental 
     housing units that are currently assisted under State or 
     Federal low-income housing programs;
       (3) the preservation of Federal and State low-income 
     housing units that are at risk of being no longer affordable 
     to low-income families;
       (4) the purchase and creation of land trusts to allow low- 
     and moderate-income families an opportunity to rent homes in 
     areas of low-vacancy;
       (5) conversion of public housing to assisted living 
     facilities for the elderly;
       (6) conversion of section 202 elderly housing to assisted 
     living facilities for the elderly;
       (7) conversion of HUD-owned or HUD-held multifamily 
     properties upon disposition to housing for the elderly, 
     housing for persons with disabilities and to assisted living 
     facilities for the elderly;
       (8) creation of sinking funds to maintain reserves held by 
     State housing finance agencies to preserve the low-income 
     character of the housing; and
       (9) the creation of public/private partnerships in which 
     corporations and nonprofits are encouraged to develop 
     partnerships for the creation of affordable low-income 
     housing.
       Sec. 105. Matching Requirements.--
       (a) In general.--Each State housing finance agency shall 
     make contributions for activities under this title that 
     total, throughout a fiscal year, not less than 75 percent of 
     the funds made available under this title.
       (b) Allowable amounts.--
       (1) Application to housing.--A contribution shall be 
     recognized for purposes of a match under subsection (a) only 
     if--
       (A) is made with respect to housing that qualifies as 
     affordable housing under section 107; or
       (B) is made with respect to any portion of a project for 
     which not less than 50 percent of the units qualify as 
     affordable housing under section 107.
       (2) Form.--A contribution may be in the form of--
       (A) cash contributions from non-Federal sources, which may 
     not include funds from a grant under section 106(b) or 
     section 106(d) of

[[Page 22452]]

     the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 or from the 
     value of low income tax credits allocated pursuant to the 
     Internal Revenue Code;
       (B) the value of taxes, fees or other charges that are 
     normally and customarily imposed but are waived, forgone, or 
     deferred in a manner that achieves affordability of housing 
     assisted under this title;
       (C) the value of land or other real property as appraised 
     according to procedures acceptable to the Secretary;
       (D) the value of investment in on-site and off-site 
     infrastructure directly required for affordable housing 
     assisted under this title;
       (E) the reasonable value of any site-preparation and 
     construction materials and any donated or voluntary labor in 
     connection with the site-preparation for, construction or 
     rehabilitation of affordable housing; and
       (F) such other contributions to affordable housing as the 
     Secretary considers appropriate.
       (3) Administrative expenses.--Contributions for 
     administrative expenses may not be recognized for purposes of 
     this section.
       Sec. 106. Distribution of Assistance.--Each State housing 
     finance agency shall ensure that the development of new 
     housing under this section is designed to meet both urban and 
     rural needs, and prioritize funding, to the extent 
     practicable, in conjunction with the economic redevelopment 
     of an area.
       Sec. 107. Eligible Affordable Housing.--
       (a) Production of affordable housing.--In the case of new 
     construction, housing shall qualify for assistance under this 
     title only if the housing--
       (1) has not less than 30 percent of the units assisted 
     under this title occupied by very low-income families who pay 
     as a contribution towards rent (not including any Federal or 
     State rental subsidy provided on behalf of the family) not 
     more than 20 percent of the adjusted income of a family whose 
     income equals 50 percent of the median income for the area, 
     as determined by the Secretary, with adjustments for the 
     number of bedrooms in the unit, except that the Secretary may 
     establish income ceilings higher or lower than 50 percent of 
     the median income for the area on the basis of the 
     Secretary's findings that variations are necessary because of 
     the prevailing levels of construction costs or fair market 
     rents, or unusually high or low family incomes;
       (2) except as provided under paragraph (1), requires all 
     units assisted under this title to be occupied by households 
     that are low-income families and who pay no more than 30 
     percent of 100 percent of the median income for an area; and
       (3) will remain affordable under the requirements provided 
     in paragraphs (1) and (2), according to legally binding 
     commitments satisfactory to the Secretary, for not less than 
     40 years, without regard to the term of the mortgage or to 
     the transfer of ownership, or for such period that the 
     Secretary determines is the longest feasible period of time 
     consistent with sound economics and the purposes of this Act, 
     including foreclosure where the responsibility for 
     maintaining the low-income character of the property will be 
     the responsibility of the State housing finance agency.
       Sec. 108. Tenant Selection.--An owner of any housing 
     assisted under this Title shall establish tenant selection 
     procedures consistent with the affordable housing expansion 
     plan of the State housing finance agency.
       Sec. 109. Prohibition on Use of Funds for Service 
     Coordinators or Supportive Services.--No funds under this Act 
     may be used for service coordinators or supportive services.
       Sec. 110. Penalties for Misuse of Funds.--The Secretary 
     shall recapture any assistance awarded under this Title to 
     the extent the assistance has been used for impermissible 
     purposes. To the extent the Secretary identifies a pattern 
     and practice regarding the misuse of funds awarded under this 
     Title, the Secretary shall deny assistance to that State for 
     up to 5 years, subject to notice and an opportunity for 
     judicial review.
       Sec. 111. Subsidy Layering Requirements.--The requirements 
     of section 102(d) of the Department of Housing and Urban 
     Development Reform Act of 1989 may be satisfied in connection 
     with assistance, including a commitment to insure a mortgage, 
     provided under this Title by a certification of a State 
     housing finance agency to the Secretary that the combination 
     of assistance within the jurisdiction of the Secretary and 
     other government assistance provided in connection with a 
     property assisted under this Title shall not be any greater 
     than is necessary to provide affordable housing.
       Sec. 112. Multifamily Risk-sharing Mortgage Insurance 
     Program.--The Secretary shall carry out a mortgage insurance 
     program through the Federal Housing Administration in 
     conjunction with State housing finance agencies to insure 
     multifamily mortgages for housing that qualifies under this 
     Title. This program shall be consistent with the requirements 
     established under section 542 of the Housing and Community 
     Development Act of 1992, except that housing that meet the 
     requirements of this Title shall be eligible for mortgage 
     insurance.
       Sec. 113. Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue notice 
     and comment rulemaking with final regulations issued no later 
     than 6 months after the date of enactment of this Act.
       Sec. 114. Sunset.--Title I shall expire on October 1, 2001, 
     except that all funds shall remain available until expended.

           TITLE II--SECTION 8 VOUCHER SUCCESS DEMONSTRATION

       Sec. 201. Authority.--The Secretary shall establish a 
     voucher success demonstration to permit public housing 
     agencies to increase the payment standard for section 8 
     vouchers for an area in excess of the payment standard 
     established under section 8(o)(B) of the United States 
     Housing Act of 1937 to assist in helping low-income and very 
     low-income families obtain housing in tight rental markets. 
     Except as otherwise provided herein, all assistance provided 
     under this Title shall be subject to the requirements of the 
     United States Housing Act of 1937.
       Sec. 202. Eligibility.--
       (a) Voucher success plan.--Not less than annually, each 
     public housing agency that seeks to participate in the 
     voucher success demonstration under section 201 shall submit 
     to the Secretary a voucher success plan that--
       (1) demonstrates that the market area for which the public 
     housing agency is responsible is an area, based on housing 
     market indicators, such as low vacancy rates or high 
     absorption rates, where there is not adequate available and 
     affordable housing or where families with vouchers will not 
     be able to locate suitable units or use tenant-based 
     assistance successfully;
       (2) identifies a payment standard in excess of the payment 
     standard established under section 8(o)(B) that will ensure 
     that not less than 97 percent of families with vouchers will 
     be able to obtain suitable housing in that market area within 
     120 days;
       (3) describes actions that the public housing agency will 
     take that will assist families with vouchers, including 
     seniors and persons with disabilities, to identify and obtain 
     suitable and available affordable housing that is close to 
     transportation, employment opportunities, quality schools and 
     appropriate services; and
       (4) shall include such other information and commitments as 
     deemed appropriate by the Secretary.
       (b) Increased payment standard.--The Secretary shall 
     approve a payment standard for a market area under this 
     demonstration to no more than 150 percent of the payment 
     standard established under section 8(o)(B) of the United 
     States Housing Act of 1937. This payment standard shall be 
     published annually in the Federal Register and adjusted 
     annually to reflect changes in each market area.
       (c) Procedures.--The Secretary shall establish requirements 
     and procedures for the submission and review of voucher 
     success plans, including requirements for timing and form of 
     submission, and for the contents and approval of such plans.
       (d) Regulations.--The Secretary shall issue interim 
     regulations no later than 3 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act with final notice and public comment 
     regulations issued no later than 12 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act.
       (e) Savings clause.--A family using a voucher approved as 
     part of a demonstration under this Title shall be eligible 
     for an approved payment standard in excess of the payment 
     standard established under section 8(o)(d) of the United 
     States Housing Act of 1937 to the extent the assisted family 
     continues to reside in the same housing in which the family 
     was residing on the date in which the housing was determined 
     eligible for the increased payment standard under this Title.
       Sec. 203. Limitation on Funding.--Except to the extent 
     additional incremental vouchers are provided in 
     appropriations Acts, for purposes of this section, each 
     public housing agency shall be limited to the section 8 funds 
     allocated to that public housing agency as of October 1, 
     2000, including appropriate amounts for reserves, for 
     purposes of implementing the voucher success plan.

    TITLE III--PRESERVATION OF LOW-INCOME HOUSING AND MISCELLANEOUS 
                               PROVISIONS

       Sec. 301. Section 8 Project-based Flexibility.--Section 
     8(o)(13) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 is amended 
     by--
       (1) in paragraph (A)(ii), striking ``15 percent'' and 
     inserting in lieu thereof ``25 percent''; and
       (2) adding the following new paragraph (E) to the end:
       ``(E) The Secretary shall establish expedited procedures to 
     allow public housing agencies to enter into housing 
     assistance payment contracts with respect to existing 
     structures.''.
       Sec. 302. Disposition of HUD-held and HUD-owned Multifamily 
     Projects.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Secretary of Housing and Urban Development shall maintain any 
     rental assistance payments attached to any dwelling units 
     under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 for 
     all multifamily properties owned by the Secretary and 
     multifamily properties held by the Secretary for purposes of 
     management and disposition of such properties. To the extent, 
     the Secretary determines that a multifamily property owned by 
     the Secretary or held by the Secretary is not feasible for 
     continued rental assistance payments under section 8, the 
     Secretary may, in consultation with the tenants of that 
     property, contract for project-based rental assistance 
     payments with an owner or owners of other existing housing 
     properties.
       Sec. 303. Family Unification Program.--Section 8(x)(2) of 
     the United States Housing Act of 1937 is amended by--
       (a) striking ``any family (A) who is otherwise eligible for 
     such assistance, and (B)'' and inserting in lieu thereof: 
     ``(A) any family (i) who is otherwise eligible for such 
     assistance, and (ii)''; and
       (b) inserting before the period at the end: ``(B) for a 
     period not to exceed 18 months, youths

[[Page 22453]]

     who have attained at least 18 years of age and not more than 
     21 years of age and who have left foster care at age 16 or 
     older''.
       Sec. 304. Permanent Extension of FHA Multifamily Mortgage 
     Credit Demonstrations.--Section 542 of the Housing and 
     Community Development Act of 1992 is amended--
       (1) by revising subsection (b)(5) to read as follows:
       ``(5) Insurance authority.--Using any authority provided in 
     appropriation Acts to insure mortgages under the National 
     Housing Act, the Secretary may enter into commitments under 
     this subsection for risk-sharing units.'';
       (2) by revising subsection (c)(4) to read as follows:
       ``(4) Insurance authority.--Using any authority provided in 
     appropriation Acts to insure mortgages under the National 
     Housing Act, the Secretary may enter into commitments under 
     this subsection for risk-sharing units.'';
       (3) in the heading, by striking ``Demonstrations'' and 
     inserting ``Programs'';
       (4) in the first sentence of subsection (a), by striking 
     ``demonstrate the effectiveness of providing'' and inserting 
     ``provide'';
       (5) in the second sentence of subsection (a), by striking 
     ``demonstration'';
       (6) in subsection (b)(1), by striking ``determine the 
     effectiveness of'' and inserting ``provide'';
       (7) in subsection (c)(1), by striking ``test the 
     effectiveness of'' and inserting ``provide'';
       (8) by striking subsection (d); and
       (9) by striking ``pilot'' and ``PILOT'' each place it 
     appears.
       This Act may be cited as the ``Departments of Veterans 
     Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent 
     Agencies Appropriations Act, 2001''.

  The Senate proceeded to consider the bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The committee substitute is agreed to. The 
Bond-Mikulski amendment is agreed to.
  The committee amendment in the nature of a substitute was agreed to.
  The amendment (No. 4306) was agreed to, as follows: (The text of the 
amendment is printed in today's Record under ``Amendments Submitted.'')
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, as comanager, I am pleased to present to the 
Senate, H.R. 4635, the VA-HUD appropriations bill for fiscal year 2001, 
as reported from the Committee on Appropriations.
  This is an unusual year. We have offered, and it has been accepted, a 
managers' amendment that I have offered with my distinguished 
colleague, Senator Mikulski, which will replace the Senate committee-
reported text of H.R. 4635.
  This compromise amendment was worked out in agreement with Senator 
Mikulski, Congressman Walsh, Congressman Mollohan, and me in 
consultation with the administration. This is an unusual and far from 
perfect situation. It is not the way I would normally prefer to proceed 
with the passage of the VA-HUD appropriations bill. Nevertheless, we 
have worked hard to develop a comprehensive package that considers the 
concerns of all colleagues in both the House and Senate. It also met 
the test for approval by the administration. I strongly believe that 
the proposed compromise language strikes the right balance in funding 
the programs under the jurisdiction of the VA/HUD Appropriations 
Subcommittee.
  The managers amendment/compromise agreement totals some $105.8 
billion, including some $24.6 billion in mandatory veterans benefits. 
This represents some $1.1 billion over the Senate committee-reported 
bill and almost $1 billion less than the budget request. Outlays are 
funded at some $110.7 billion for fiscal year 2001, $540 million over 
the Senate committee-reported bill of $110.2 billion. The bill meets 
our current funding allocation, per the Budget Committee.
  We also did our best to satisfy priorities of Senators who made 
special requests for such items as economic development grants, water 
infrastructure improvements and the like. Such requests numbered 
several thousand, illustrating the level of interest and demand for 
assistance provided in this bill.
  We also attempted to address the administration's top concerns, 
including funding for 79,000 new housing vouchers, as well as record 
funding for EPA at $7.8 billion.
  Before going into the details of the compromise agreement, I would 
like to commend my ranking members, Senator Mikulski, and her staff for 
their cooperation and support throughout this process. We would not 
have reached agreement as quickly, nor attained as good a result, 
without her active help. She is a vitally important part of this 
operation. I am deeply grateful for her help, guidance, and counsel.
  To turn to the elements of the bill: For Veterans Affairs, the 
proposed compromise language to VA/HUD FY 2001 appropriations bill 
includes funding for VA that totals $47 billion, including $22.4 
billion in discretionary spending. Veterans needs remain the highest 
priority for this bill, and compared to the President's request, this 
bill has an additional $54.7 million.
  The compromise includes $20.28 billion for VA medical care, $1.4 
billion more than the current level, and $351 million for research, an 
increase of $30 million above the budget request level for this key 
program which helps ensure the best quality of care to our veterans and 
keeps the best doctors in the VA system.
  The VA/HUD fiscal year 2001 appropriations compromise also includes 
about $180 million more than the President's request for VA medical 
care by including a provision that will ensure VA will not be penalized 
from collecting less in new receipts authorized under the 1999 
Millennium Act.
  In addition, the compromise includes a new Title V, Filipino Veterans 
Benefits Improvements, which provides benefits to Filipino veterans who 
fought alongside American soldiers in World War II and who live in the 
United States, equal to those benefits provided to U.S. veterans of 
World War II. This is a long overdue remedy of inequitable treatment of 
Filipino veterans. We thank our colleagues on the Veterans' Affairs 
Committee for their agreement and assistance in including this 
provision.
  For HUD, the VA/HUD fiscal year 2001 appropriations compromise 
appropriates some $30.6 billion, approximately the same as the budget 
request. This includes a section 8 rescission of some $1.8 billion in 
excess section 8 funds. This funding includes all the funding needed to 
renew all expiring section 8 contracts and also provides funds for 
79,000 incremental vouchers, an administration priority.
  The public housing capital funding is increased by $45 million above 
the budget request in fiscal year 2001 to $3 billion. Similarly, the 
public housing operating funding has been increased by $50 million 
above the budget request in fiscal year 2001 to $3.242 billion.
  In addition, CDBG and HOME funds have been increased by $150 million 
each in fiscal year 2001 with CDBG at $5.057 billion and HOME at $1.8 
billion, respectively. These are important block grant programs which 
rely on decisionmaking guided by local choice and need. I also hope 
these funds are used as an investment in housing production to meet the 
increasing affordable housing needs of low-income families. Staff work 
in this subcommittee has shown one of the serious problems facing us is 
lack of affordable housing.
  In addition, the VA/HUD appropriations bill for fiscal year 2001 
funds section 202 elderly housing at $779 million, the budget request, 
and section 811 housing for disabled persons at $217 million, $7 
million over the budget request. A separate account has been created at 
$100 million for the renewal of expiring shelter plus care contracts.
  This bill includes a number of noncontroversial HUD administrative 
provisions, whereas we have dropped, at the request of the Senate 
Banking Committee, a new housing production program for extremely low-
income families and a provision that would have provided favorable 
treatment under FHA for municipal workers such as teachers, firemen, 
and police.
  We also have maintained a provision that would increase the amount of 
section 8 assistance available to PHAs for project-based assistance 
from 15 percent to 20 percent with a limitation that no more than 25 
percent of the units in a building can be project-based, except in the 
case of seniors, disabled persons and scattered site housing as well as 
a provision that would require HUD to maintain section 8 projected-
based assistance on a HUD-held

[[Page 22454]]

or HUD-owned multifamily housing projects where the project is elderly 
or disabled housing unless that housing is not viable. These are 
important provisions that focus on local decisionmaking and local 
housing needs.
  For EPA, the VA/HUD fiscal year 2001 appropriations compromise 
includes a record $7.8 billion for EPA, plus an additional $138 million 
for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, and the 
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences which traditionally 
have been funded under EPA's appropriation and are funded separately in 
this bill. Thus, compared to the budget request, the compromise will 
provide an additional $686 million more than the President and about 
$400 million more than fiscal year 2000.
  Additional funds of $550 million above the budget request have been 
provided for clean water state revolving funds as well as additional 
funds of $12 million for section 106 water quality grants--$57 million 
above the fiscal year 2000 level to help states meet future total 
maximum daily load requirements.
  Compared to last year, the compromise increases operating programs by 
$246 million including an additional $20 million for the climate change 
technology initiative voluntary programs and protection of all core 
programs.
  The compromise does not fund new, unauthorized programs such as clean 
air partnerships or Great Lakes grants which would detract from EPA 
core responsibilities.
  With respect to legislative issues, the compromise bill includes the 
fiscal year 1999 bill with report language relative to the Kyoto 
Protocol. The proposed report would provide up to an additional 6 
months for finalizing the arsenic-in-drinking water rule, and the bill 
modifies the so-called Collins-Linder provision on ozone nonattainment 
designations which would allow EPA to make designations once the 
Supreme Court decides this case but not later than June 2001.
  These so-called EPA riders are primarily report language which we 
believe are fair and reasonable compromises on issues where there are 
broad questions and we need to bring some resolution. While everyone 
may not agree with these decisions, we have worked hard to balance the 
decisions associated with this account to the overall benefit of EPA 
policy and funding needs in consultation with and agreement with the 
administration.
  For FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the VA-HUD 
appropriations bill for 2001 appropriates a total of $936.8 million for 
FEMA and includes an additional $1.3 billion in disaster relief 
contingency funds. With the disaster relief funds provided here, 
coupled with contingency funds already on hand, funding will be 
sufficient to meet fiscal year 2001 disaster relief operations.
  Most notable in FEMA funding is the addition of $30 million above the 
Senate- or House-appropriated levels for emergency food and shelter, 
for a total of $140 million. This popular program results in temporary 
housing and food assistance to thousands of needy individuals with very 
little overhead costs.
  For the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the VA-HUD 
appropriations compromise funds NASA at $14.285 billion instead of 
$14.035 billion, for an increase of $250 million. This account includes 
$5.46 billion for human space flight, which is $37 million below the 
administration request for fiscal year 2001. This reduction reflects a 
NASA request for a reduction in this account in order to provide full 
funding for the Mars 2003 lander program.
  The funding includes $6.19 billion in fiscal year 2001 for science, 
aeronautics, and technology, instead of $5.93 billion as requested by 
the administration, an increase of $261 million above the budget 
request. Included in this is $20 million for Living with a Star and 
$290 million for the space launch initiative, including $40 million for 
alternative access to the space station initiative. In addition, 
mission support is funded for fiscal year 2001 at $2.6 billion, instead 
of $2.58 billion, an increase of $24.7 million over the budget request.
  For the National Science Foundation--and this is a very important 
area for the ranking member and me--the VA-HUD compromise funds NSF at 
$4.43 billion, a $529 million increase over the fiscal year 2000 
enacted level and $146 million below the President's request. Funding 
highlights include $215 million for information technology research, 
$150 million for nanotechnology, and $65 million for plant genome 
research. Lastly, to assist smaller research institutions, $75 million 
was included for EPSCoR, a $20 million increase over last year's level, 
and $10 million for the Office of Innovation Partnerships.
  We believe very strongly the scientific exploration in space needs to 
be spread broadly throughout the land to ensure we achieve inclusion of 
knowledgeable and dedicated scientists at institutions which may not 
traditionally have received funding in the past.
  I consider NSF a priority account that needs additional funding in 
order to pace U.S. leadership in science and technology. Senator 
Mikulski and I have heard from leading scientists in this country who 
say that we are falling behind because we are not providing enough 
funding for the National Science Foundation. Medical doctors who depend 
directly upon the research work done at the National Institutes of 
Health have come to us and said that we must bring NSF funding up to 
NIH funding because so many of the health breakthroughs on which NIH is 
working depend upon the support the National Science Foundation 
provides.
  Senator Mikulski and I have launched an effort to double the NSF 
budget. We have circulated a letter and have a significant number of 
colleagues who have joined with us. We will be back. We will be asking 
the full Senate to recognize a priority in the National Science 
Foundation and help get us on that path for the next year.
  Finally, for the National Service Corporation, the VA-HUD fiscal year 
2001 appropriations compromise appropriates $458 million, a $25 million 
increase over last year's level and $75 million below the budget 
request. Further, $30 million will be rescinded from excess funds in 
the National Service Trust.
  The compromise also funds the Community Development Financial 
Institutions Fund at $118 million, a $23 million increase over last 
year's level and $7 million below the request.
  I thank the Chair. I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Maryland.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I begin by thanking my colleague, 
Senator Bond, as well as our colleagues Senator Byrd and Senator 
Stevens, for enabling us to move our bill forward. I particularly 
express my appreciation to Senator Bond for his collegial and civil way 
of including me in all discussions related to both the funding and 
policy that we developed in this bill. His courtesy and collegiality 
are very much appreciated.
  I believe today the bill we present takes care of national needs and 
national interests. I am also confident that it will be signed by 
President Bill Clinton because it takes care of the day-to-day needs of 
the American people and at the same time looks forward to helping with 
the long-range needs of our country to remain competitive and on the 
cutting edge of science.
  This bill has always been to me about five things: meeting our 
obligations to our veterans--promises made, promises kept; investing in 
our neighborhoods and our communities promoting self-help; creating 
real opportunities for people to move from welfare to work, to make 
sure that public housing is not a way of life but a way to a better 
life; and, of course, advancing science and technology, the new ideas 
that lead to the new jobs and the new products. It is also about 
protecting consumers from fraud and scams and communities from floods 
and disasters.
  I believe we meet the goals in this bill, and we have done it in a 
fiscally prudent way. While I support the bill, the process has left 
much to be desired; again no fault of Chairman Bond but really the 
Senate has placed us in a very awkward situation.

[[Page 22455]]

  The bill before the Senate today is a managers' substitute for the 
Senate bill. This is effectively our conference report. We did not have 
a conference report, though we met. We had kind of a chatroom where we 
would meet and try to iron out our differences. We did. It also 
involved OMB and the White House for consultation. We wanted to be sure 
both sides of the aisle would support the bill. We also wanted to be 
sure that the President would sign the bill. I believe we achieved 
this.
  I say to my colleagues, it will be absolutely crucial, in order to 
move this bill with this unique parliamentary situation, to have no 
amendments to this legislation. My colleague from California, Senator 
Boxer, will offer two amendments. I am going to oppose them. I am going 
to oppose them both on procedural and substantive grounds. On 
procedure, if the Boxer amendments prevail, we will have enormous 
difficulty reconvening and working with the House to pass this bill. I 
just put that out.
  Though we had an unofficial conference, I do believe we were able to 
move forward. Senator Bond has outlined in detail what we were able to 
do financially. I am so glad we worked together on a bipartisan basis, 
particularly in the area of veterans health care, joining hands, 
scrutinizing the budget and then the appropriations to make sure that 
veterans health care will be funded $1.4 billion over last year's 
level.
  We also want to look ahead to be sure, while we are taking care of 
the men and women who bear the permanent wounds of war, we do the 
medical research, to find the cures for those things affecting our 
veterans population. This legislation provides $350 million for medical 
and prosthetic research, $30 million over last year. I have seen the 
work at my own University of Maryland and know that people will live 
longer, live better, and recover more quickly because of the funding 
for veterans health care research which also goes into the civilian 
population.
  Also, we have added more money, $100 million, for State veterans 
homes. This is to provide long-term care and rehabilitation, which is 
very crucial. It means the Federal Government does not bear the sole 
burden, the State governments do not bear the sole burden, and, most of 
all, our veterans do not bear the sole burden. This unique Federal-
State partnership will meet the long term and rehab needs of our 
veterans.
  In addition, we have paid attention to the day-to-day needs of our 
constituents in Housing and Urban Development.
  We want to make sure the people of the United States of America, who 
are out there working every day but who are also part of the working 
poor, have help with housing. We have been able to create 79,000 new 
vouchers to help working families find affordable housing. 
Unfortunately, we do not have enough housing to meet their needs.
  Senator Bond led a very vigorous effort, which I supported, as did 
the authorizers on my side, to start a production program. We were 
derailed from that, but we did not want to be detoured from the bill, 
so we put that aside for another year. But we really call out to our 
authorizers, please, pass a production bill that will generate jobs in 
construction and meet the needs of our citizens.
  Where I think we also worked very closely together is in helping the 
elderly and disabled. We have provided $780 million for housing for the 
elderly. It is more than last year. It also helps with assisted living 
and service coordinators to be able to help people keep as independent 
as long as they can, and to even develop new models of care.
  At the same time, we looked out for those who are disabled and the 
special AIDS population. But we wanted to also remember not only the 
``H,'' which is housing, we wanted the part called urban development. 
But we also know so many of our constituents live in rural areas. So we 
looked to see how we could increase the ability for local 
decisionmaking. That is why we funded community development block grant 
money and a program called HOME at much more than last year, because it 
goes right to cities, communities, and neighborhoods. Whether you are 
in a small rural town in Missouri or a big city such as Baltimore, 
community development block grant money and HOME will be of great help 
to you.
  But we are about promoting self-help. That is why we continued to 
stay the course in providing funds for empowerment zones, again 
recognizing rural needs and also promoting home ownership. That is why 
we help the homeowners by extending the FHA downpayment simplification 
program for another 25 months. So we looked at how we could create 
opportunities at the local level.
  Another area where we have strong bipartisan support within the 
committee and by its chairman and ranking member is to make sure that 
America continues to lead the way in science and technology. Therefore, 
I am so pleased that we are funding the National Space Agency at $14.3 
billion, $250 million above the President's request. Quite frankly, I 
think NASA needs a lot more because they have been severely cut over 
the years, but fiscal prudence won. At the same time, we wanted to make 
sure that we were fiscally prudent, that our shuttle will be safe, our 
space station will be ready, and that we will move ahead on a vigorous 
space science program, such as the Living With A Star Program that will 
be done at Goddard Space Flight Center in my own community.
  The National Science Foundation is also a very important, crucial 
program. The national science program, as Senator Bond has said, really 
does promote the basic research that goes into our country. It has been 
a star. It has been almost flat-lined for several years while we tried 
to balance the budget. This is why this year they will receive a $520 
million increase over last year's enacted level.
  One of the areas which we will be also advocating is a field called 
nanotechnology. You have heard of a nanosecond. It is because it is 
small. But let me tell you, the nanotechnology is the next generation 
past this infotechnology. You have seen the biotech revolution and the 
infotech revolution, but wait until the nanotech research gets 
underway. We are going to have new products, new materials. We are 
going to be able to have a supercomputer the size of my ring.
  We will be able to take little pills, that will literally have 
diagnostic equipment, that will be able to go through our bodies, 
giving immediate responses to our physicians. This is going to be 
extraordinary. I am so pleased to be part of what we are doing.
  At the same time, we want to call forth young people to continue the 
call for service. That is why I am so pleased we continued to stay the 
course on national service, with a modest increase.
  One of the things we have done in national service is add something 
called E-Corps. As many of my colleagues know, I have been a strong 
proponent to make sure we do not have a digital divide in this country, 
meaning that young people have access to technology and access to know 
how to use technology. What we are creating in this legislation is 
having E-Corps volunteers to train and mentor not only the children but 
community leaders and librarians and others who will be teaching our 
children.
  Last, but not at all least, we joined hands to protect the 
environment. We have increased funds for the environment, whether it is 
the clean water revolving fund, small watershed programs to restore 
rivers and streams, or having full funding of the Chesapeake Bay 
program. I believe the environment will be stronger and better 
protected by the resources that we have put in this bill.
  Now, yes, there are riders. I don't go for riders. None of us go for 
riders. But we were in a very difficult situation with the bill. We 
took the language that was being proposed by the House, working with 
the office of OMB--the President's own--and the Council on 
Environmental Quality that advises the President on the environment. 
They were in the room to help us really identify the appropriate 
language that could meet the policy objectives of those who advocated 
it without shackling EPA or hurting communities.

[[Page 22456]]

  I will say more about that during the debate. But I will tell you, 
regardless of how you feel about the riders, they were acceptable to 
the President's Council on Environmental Quality.
  To be more specific, Mr. President, I am especially pleased that we 
were able to provide a significant increase in funding for veterans 
health care. We met the President's request of $20.2 billion and are 
$1.4 billion above last year's level. This will help us ensure that 
promises made to our veterans are promises kept, and that our veterans 
get the health care to which they are entitled.
  We were also able to provide $351 million for medical and prosthetic 
research. This is $30 million above the budget request and last year's 
level.
  The VA plays a major role in medical research for the special needs 
of our veterans, such as: geriatrics, Alzheimers, Parkinson's, and 
orthopedic research. Our veterans are not the only ones who benefit 
from this research--our entire nation does, especially as America's 
population continues to age.
  We are also providing $100 million in funding for state veterans 
homes. This is $40 million above the budget request and $10 million 
above last year's level. The state homes serve as long-term care and 
rehabilitation facilities for our veterans.
  We were also able to provide over $1.6 billion for the Veterans 
Benefits Administration, which will help them administer benefits to 
our veterans more quickly.
  I am also very pleased that we were able to include a new title in 
our bill that will provide benefits to Filipino veterans who fought 
alongside Americans in World War II and who live in the United States.
  Finally, our Filipino-American veterans will receive equal benefits 
for equal valor.
  We were able to take care of America's working families in this bill 
as well, by funding housing programs that millions of Americans depend 
upon.
  Our bill provides almost $13 billion to review all expiring section 8 
housing vouchers. And we have included $453 million in funding to issue 
79,000 new vouchers, to help working families find affordable housing. 
This is 19,000 more than we were able to fund last year.
  We included provisions to make it easier for public housing 
authorities to provide more project-based assistance to increase the 
stock of affordable housing, instead of just vouchers.
  As many of my colleagues were aware, a production bill was under 
serious consideration during the conference. It was a modified version 
of Senator Bond's housing production bill that was included in the 
original Senate bill. Unfortunately, we were forced to drop this 
provision due to objections from the authorizing committee, but I hope 
we will re-visit the issue next year. We were also able to maintain 
level funding for other critical core HUD programs.
  We provided $779 million for housing for the elderly, which meets the 
President's request and is $69 million more than last year. This 
includes funds for assisted living and service coordinators. We also 
provided $217 million in funding for housing for disabled Americans, 
which is $7 million above the President's request and $23 million over 
last year's level.
  Homeless assistance grants received a $5 million increase and are 
funded at $1.025 billion.
  We were able to provide both the Community Development Block Grant 
Program and the HOME Program with $150 million increases. CDBG is 
funded at more than $5 billion, and HOME is funded at $1.8 billion. The 
CDBG Program is one of the most important programs for rebuilding our 
cities and neighborhoods.
  We also provided increased funding to help our neighborhoods and 
communities through the HOPE VI Program, which helps demolish and then 
revitalize distressed public housing sites. This year, we provided $575 
million for HOPE VI, the same as last year's level.
  I am pleased that we were able to provide funding for other programs 
that help America's communities. We increased funding for empowerment 
zones by providing $90 million in this bill and increased funding for 
CDFI--Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
  Funding for empowerment zones will help designated areas with 
economic development and social services. Community involvement in the 
empowerment zone initiative will prove especially beneficial.
  We also help homeowners by extending the FHA downpayment 
simplification program for 25 months.
  As I said, I am extremely pleased that our bill fully funds NASA at 
$14.3 billion, an increase of $250 million. This funding exceeds the 
President's request for NASA. All of NASA's core programs are fully 
funded and all of our centers are fully funded, including the Goddard 
Space Flight Center in my home State of Maryland.
  The VA-HUD bill includes $1.5 billion for Earth science, more than 
$2.5 billion for space science, including funding for the Mars polar 
lander, and $20 million to start an exciting new program called 
``Living With A Star,'' which will study the relationship between the 
sun and the Earth and its impact on our environment and our climate. It 
will help us predict and protect against solar storms that can disrupt 
our energy and communications systems.
  I am especially proud that this program will be headquartered at the 
Goddard Space Flight Center.
  NASA science programs are critical not just for science, but for 
technology. With NASA technology, we can create new jobs and literally 
save lives, while developing a greater understanding of how our 
universe works.
  I fought hard to make sure that this funding was included in this 
manager's amendment.
  And, of course, in the area of human space flight, we fully fund the 
space shuttle upgrades, space station construction, and fully fund the 
new ``Space Launch Initiative'' to find new, low-cost launch vehicles 
that will reduce the cost of getting to space.
  The VA-HUD manager's amendment also increases funding for the 
Corporation for National Service.
  The House bill cut funding for the Corporation for National Service, 
but I made it a priority to restore it in the Senate bill and in 
conference.
  The corporation is funded at $458 million, a $25 million increase 
over last year's level.
  The Corporation for National Service has enrolled over 100,000 
members and participants across the country, in a wide array of 
community service programs, including: AmeriCorps, a national service 
program that helps communities, learn and serve America, which supports 
service-learning programs across the country by providing funding and 
training, and the National Senior Service Corps, which helps seniors 
get involved in their communities.
  As many of my colleagues know, I have been very concerned about the 
digital divide in this country.
  I introduced legislation called the Digital Empowerment Act to 
provide a one-stop shop and increased funds to local communities trying 
to cross the digital divide.
  I am pleased that this bill contains $25 million within the national 
service budget to create an ``E-Corps'' of volunteers who will bring 
technology skills to people who have been left out or left behind in 
the digital economy, by training and mentoring children, teachers, and 
non-profit and community center staff on how to use computers and 
information technology.
  With regard to the EPA, our bill provides $7.8 billion in funding, 
plus an additional $138 million for the Agency for Toxic Substances and 
Disease Registry, ATSDR, and the National Institute of Environmental 
Health Sciences, NIEHS.
  All together, this is an increase of $400 million over last year's 
level, and $686 million more than the President's request.
  We increased funding by $246 million for EPA's core environmental 
programs, including a $38 million increase for nonpoint source 
pollution control grants, and a $20 million increase for the climate 
change technology initiative.
  We also provided an additional $550 million for the clean water state 
revolving fund. Taking care of the infrastructure needs of local 
communities

[[Page 22457]]

has always been a priority for the VA-HUD Subcommittee.
  We have fully funded the Chesapeake Bay, Great Lakes, and Long Island 
Sound Programs, and provided $1.25 million for the Chesapeake by small 
watershed grants program, a $500,000 increase over last year's level, 
that will help our small communities around the Bay watershed prevent 
runoff and pollution.
  Legislatively, the bill includes the FY 1999 bill and report language 
regarding the Kyoto Protocol, provides up to an additional 6 months for 
finalizing the arsenic-in-drinking-water rule, and includes a weaker 
version of the Collins-Linder provision on ozone.
  There is no language on the diesel sulfur rule. However modified 
report language has been included regarding dredging and invasive 
remediation.
  I am a strong supporter of FEMA, and am proud that we have provided 
$937 million in funding for FEMA, plus an additional $1.3 billion in 
emergency disaster relief funding.
  The National Science Foundation is funded at $4.43 billion, a $529 
million increase over last year's enacted level, and one of the largest 
increases in NSF's history.
  This funding level will keep America at the forefront of science and 
technology into the next century in info-tech and bio-tech, and is an 
important step towards holding onto America's science and technology 
base.
  This is a downpayment toward our goal of doubling the NSF budget over 
the next five years.
  I am especially pleased that we were able to provide $150 million for 
the new nanotechnology initiative. We were also able to provide $215 
million for information technology, and well-deserved increases for 
several of NSF's education and human resources accounts. These include 
a $10 million increase over the budget request for informal science 
education, nearly $20 million for graduate fellowships in K-12 
education, and over $55 million for graduate research fellowships.
  Mr. President, I once again appreciate the cooperation of my 
colleagues throughout this process. While I regret that this year's 
process was highly irregular, I am pleased that we worked together to 
bring a conference agreement to the Senate floor. I believe this year's 
VA/HUD bill is good for our country, our veterans, and our communities.
  Mr. President, before I conclude my statement, I really want to thank 
Senator Bond and his staff, Jon Kamarck, Cheh Kim, and Carolyn 
Apostolou, for all the work they did, and also my own staff, Paul 
Carliner, Sean Smith, and Alexa Mitrakos, for helping us really move 
this bill, and, most of all, to move America forward.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Bunning). The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.


                           Amendment No. 4307

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, on behalf of the Democratic leader, I 
call up amendment No. 4307 and ask for its consideration.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The assistant legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from Maryland [Ms. Mikulski], for Mr. Daschle, 
     proposes an amendment numbered 4307.

  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that reading of 
the amendment be dispensed with.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  (The text of the amendment is printed in today's Record under 
``Amendments Submitted.'')
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I yield back all time on the amendment.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I heard the number, but what is the bill? 
What does it do?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is the language of S. 2900 as reported.
  Mr. BYRD. Is this the language of the Senate, of the bill that was 
reported from the committee?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct.
  Mr. BYRD. So it is the Senate-reported bill and carries the Senate 
title?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. It is the language, but it doesn't carry the 
title.
  Mr. BYRD. It carries the Senate number.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. That is correct.
  Mr. BYRD. I thank the Chair.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, if the Senator will withhold, I just 
asked unanimous consent that this amendment be called up and yielded 
back time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator is correct. The Senator from 
Arizona does have the time. He also has time on the bill.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. I know the Senator has time.
  Mr. McCAIN. I am glad to yield to the Senator from Maryland until she 
completes this business.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. I thank the Senator from Arizona.
  Does Senator Byrd intend to speak?
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I do not intend to take the time of the 
Senate at this point.
  I thank the distinguished Senator from Arizona.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. I thank the Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. President, I urge that the amendment be adopted.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Does the Senator from Arizona wish to speak 
before the amendment is adopted?
  Mr. McCAIN. Since the Senator from Maryland had already embarked on 
this parliamentary movement, I will yield until that is completed and 
then speak after that.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to amendment No. 
4307.
  The amendment (No. 4307) was agreed to.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on the motion to reconsider.
  The motion was agreed to.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question recurs on the amendment.
  Mr. BYRD. Mr. President, I ask for a division.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from West Virginia asks for a 
division. As many as are in favor of the amendment will rise and remain 
standing until they are counted. (After a pause.) Those opposed will 
rise and stand until counted.
  On a division, the amendment was rejected.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I move to reconsider the vote.
  Mr. BYRD. I move to lay that motion on the table.
  The motion to lay on the table was agreed to.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I yield to the Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. McCAIN. Mr. President, I thank both Senator Bond and Senator 
Mikulski for their hard work on this important legislation which 
provides federal funding for the Departments of Veterans Affairs (VA) 
and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and Independent Agencies. Once 
again, though, I find myself in the unpleasant position of commenting 
on the process of bringing these spending bills to the Senate floor and 
on the spending items that have not been appropriately reviewed.
  This task is even more necessary for this bill because of the truly 
unique process by which it arrived on the Senate floor--a process that 
increasingly empowers appropriators while disenfranchising many of my 
colleagues.
  Let me comment on the process that has brought us to the point in 
time where we are about to vote on final passage of this bill. First, 
let me explain how the appropriations process is supposed to work. In 
the normal process of passing appropriations bills, an appropriations 
bill is first passed in the House of Representatives, then the Senate 
passes its own version. A conference committee is formed to iron

[[Page 22458]]

out the differences between the two different bills, resulting in a 
conference report. Then the conference report is passed by both the 
House and the Senate, and sent to the President for his signature in 
order to become law. That sounds fairly straightforward.
  In the case of this bill, we have decided to substitute the normal 
process of considering appropriations bills for a highly questionable 
approach to passing legislation.
  The process we have decided to undertake avoids substantive debate on 
the merits of this bill and to the larger question of whether we are 
spending taxpayers' hard-earned money wisely and responsibly. Just 
because it is late in the game does not give us the right to avoid the 
normal process of appropriations. The Senate is being asked to pass the 
bill despite the fact that there was only one copy made available to 
each side and many Senators did not have adequate time to review its 
contents. How can we make sound policy and budget decisions with this 
type of budget steam-rolling?
  Let me be clear about what is occurring today. This VA-HUD bill that 
we are voting on is a so-called ``composite compromise,'' cloaking the 
reality that we would normally be calling a VA-HUD conference report. 
The Appropriations leadership intends to take up the House-passed 
version of this year's VA-HUD Appropriations bill, substitute a Senate 
managers' amendment written by the House and Senate Appropriations 
Committees which for all practical purposes is a conference agreement--
a conference agreement, not open to public inspection, not done through 
the normal legislative process, such as appointing conferees or 
allowing full disclosure of the issues being discussed. This process 
will allow the Appropriators to simply insert a ``Committee Statement'' 
into the record outlining certain questionable spending priorities that 
will ultimately be paid for by the American taxpayer. This ``composite 
compromise'' will then go to the House so that they can quickly pass 
the amended bill and then send it to the President for his signature.
  Is that the way to pass legislation? As legislators, we have been 
entrusted by the American taxpayers to represent the fiscal interests 
of them and their nation. The American taxpayer is counting on us to 
use their hard-earned money wisely and here we are, manipulating the 
budget process so that we can say we did something and go back home to 
campaign.
  Unfortunately, Mr. President, the budget process games began long 
before this bill.
  When the conference report on Legislative Branch Appropriations bill 
first came to the floor for debate and a vote last month, the 
appropriators decided to insert the Treasury and General Government 
appropriations bill into it. Rather than having the Treasury and 
General Government Appropriations bill considered separately as it is 
usually done, to be debated on its own merits, the appropriators' 
actions decided to circumvent the normal budget process. This so-called 
``minibus'' was soundly defeated and rightly so.
  When the conference report on the Transportation Appropriations bill 
was brought to the Senate floor for a vote, the appropriators did not 
even provide a copy of the report for others to read and examine before 
voting on the nearly $60 billion bill. The transportation bill itself 
was only two pages long with the barest of detail--with actual text of 
the report to come later.
  And yet, the appropriators were expecting Senators to vote yes on 
legislation that could not even be read, deciphered, and debated 
intelligently? How is this type of action accountable to all the hard-
working Americans who demand that all their tax dollars are wisely 
spent? I worry that these budget games we play serve to reinforce their 
cynicism about politics.
  Mr. President, the budget process can be summed up simply: no debate, 
no deliberation, and very few votes. Mr. President, this is no way to 
run the United States Senate.
  To date, only two of the thirteen appropriations bills have become 
law. Of those remaining, three bills--Labor, HHS, Education, VA-HUD, 
and Treasury-Postal--were never brought to the Senate floor for debate 
as part of a deliberate strategy to prevent votes on any controversial 
amendments that my colleagues may have offered. Extraordinary measures 
are being employed to drive these spending bills through Congress. The 
only winners in such an arrangement are the appropriators. The rest of 
us, including our constituents, are, for all intents and purposes, 
shut-out of the process.
  Mr. President, by adopting this budget strategy, we do a disservice 
to our constituents by not squarely facing tough issues, whether it's 
school choice, gun control, campaign finance, minimum wage, gambling, 
or HMO reform, and engaging in debate--even in the heat of an election 
season where both sides of the aisle are maneuvering for maximum 
political advantage. These are important issues. They deserve to be 
debated and each deserves an up or down vote.
  Moreover, we have an obligation to ensure that Congress spends the 
taxpayer's hard-earned dollars prudently to protect the projected 
budget surpluses. The American public cannot understand why we engage 
in a process that continues to spend huge amounts of money without 
adequately balancing this spending against our nation's most urgent 
present and future needs. Spending from this budget process has been on 
automatic pilot. We have already exceeded the budget caps by over $30 
billion, consuming, so far, about one-third of the on-budget surplus 
for FY2001--and we have yet to pass all of the appropriations bills. 
This byzantine budget process precludes serious discussion about how 
our projected budget surpluses should be devoted to national priorities 
such as saving Social Security, providing much needed tax relief, 
paying down the national debt, or addressing other major priorities.
  But more is lost beyond the throttling of debate, the profligate 
spending of taxpayers' dollars, and the broken budget process.
  Since 1960, the percentage of voters participating in the general 
presidential election has dropped nearly 15 percent, reaching below the 
50 percent mark four years ago. Today, voter apathy, especially among 
the youth of America, is widespread. Even more disheartening is the 
fact that too many Americans, when asked to rank the people in the 
different fields from highest regard to lowest, consistently rank our 
profession near the bottom. Poll after poll continues to show an 
undercurrent of cynicism toward our governmental institution. As I 
previously mentioned, budget games like the one we have witnessed in 
the last few weeks contribute to this cynicism.
  We can still seize the reform mantle and learn from this budget 
morass when the doors of the new Congress open in January. We need new 
reforms in the way we address the budget process. Perhaps we should 
even consider the radical step of abolishing the Appropriations 
Committees. Too many programs are without authorization. We also should 
study whether the authorizers should also be the appropriators, to 
build more accountability into the process.
  There are many other reforms we should consider next Congress if we 
are to spare Congress' reputation from further damage and begin to 
repair the people's respect for this Government.
  The Washington Post yesterday had an article by Dan Morgan, ``As Last 
Bills Leave Station, Lobbyists Grab Tickets.''

       With only a handful of bills remaining to be signed into 
     law before Congress adjourns, well tailored business 
     lobbyists for elite corporations have descended on Capitol 
     Hill to plead for dozens of special provisions in a 
     Washington ritual with billions of dollars at stake.

  Mr. President, on October 6, the Senate passed the conference report 
on the bill H.R. 4475, which funds the Department of Transportation and 
related agencies. At the time, I included for the Record a list of 
examples of pork barrel spending contained in the Transportation 
conference report. But because the list of pork barrel was so long and 
so extensive I was unable to publish the full list in the Congressional 
Record. For those who wish to view the list in its entirety, please

[[Page 22459]]

visit my website: http://mccain.senate.gov and click the ``pork 
barreling'' logo at the bottom.
  We are also legislating on these appropriations bills. Huge and vital 
interests are being legislated in smoke-filled rooms in the darkest 
corners of this Capitol. These lobbyists are out there and they are 
doing damage to the national interest by getting their special 
interests represented in appropriations bills which have never been 
debated or discussed on the floor of either House.
  That is wrong, Mr. President. Nobody knows how much overspending 
there will be. Some say as much as $45 or $60 billion.
  There is an article today, I believe in the USA Today, that shows we 
are spending the surplus. We are all talking about how we will use the 
surplus. Yet we are spending it now. We are spending the surplus. We 
are putting into law entitlement programs that will spend even more.
  There are some very interesting CBO studies and others by outside 
watchdog organizations that indicate this much ballyhooed and very 
optimistic view of our budget surplus is being eroded as we speak by 
this appropriations process.
  I urge my colleagues to look at these bills, to look at the spending 
in it, to look at the legislation that is going on. We are abrogating 
our responsibilities to the taxpayers by voting on bills that we have 
neither seen nor read.
  I hope we can make some sense out of this. The train wreck that is 
about to occur is the worst that I have seen in all the years I have 
been in the Congress. I don't think it helps us in the eyes of the 
American citizens, to say the least.
  I yield back the remainder of my time.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Arizona.
  Mr. KYL. Mr. President, with respect to this bill, it is a very 
frustrating exercise, as Senator McCain said. One of the problems is we 
have a practice around here of combining bills in such a way that while 
you want to vote for part of it, you want to oppose the other part. It 
makes it very difficult to make your decision about whether you will 
vote yes or no.
  I wrote to the Appropriations Committee chairman when I first came to 
the Senate and asked to ``de-attach'' some of the bills. The bill 
before the Senate is the VA-HUD bill. Everybody wants to vote for the 
veterans programs, and because of the way those programs are structured 
this year, I support those programs. I want to be able to vote for 
those programs.
  As usual, when it is combined with the runaway spending in the HUD 
part of the bill, it makes it impossible to do so. It is exacerbated 
this year as a result of the tactics of the minority. We have not been 
able to bring bills to the floor, and we have not been able to send 
them to the President. The result is we have had to combine a bunch of 
bills at the end of the session, and we find we have to combine the 
energy and water appropriations bill with the VA-HUD appropriations 
bill.
  The problem, as bad as it is in the first instance, is exacerbated. I 
voted for the energy and water appropriations bill. While there are 
programs in that bill that I don't support overall, it was an important 
and good bill. I supported what Senator Domenici was trying to do in 
that legislation, by and large, so I voted for it.
  The question is what to do now in a bill, the VA-HUD bill, which is 
increasing at a huge rate, and which now has the energy and water bill 
attached to it. I can't pick and choose. I can't take the veterans part 
out and say I support that, but I don't support the rest of it. I can't 
take the energy and water part out and say, I support it but I don't 
support the rest of it. It is not a good way to legislate, as Senator 
McCain said.
  I point out, there are good things in the bill. Veterans health care 
is increased by 6.5 percent, from $19 billion to $20.3 billion. The 
account for prosthetic and medical research, a relatively small account 
but very important, will receive a modest increase. There are some 
important projects in the NASA account that will receive necessary 
funding. I support that part of the bill.
  How can I support a bill which has exploded funding in the HUD part 
of it? The VA part of this bill increases spending by 7 percent. Now, 
that is an important and significant increase. But the social programs 
under the HUD part of this bill have increased by 18 percent.
  I have heard it said when we add up all the spending bills this year, 
it will be more than any other year in modern history, including the 
Great Society. We are increasing these social programs in the HUD part 
of the bill by 18 percent. The earmarking has exploded. We have not 
seen the final list, but we know it is up to at least $292 million, up 
from $123 million in the committee-passed bill, and $240 million from 
last year. That is too much. We have funding in here for everything 
from renovating theaters to restoring carousels. This is not something 
the Federal Government needs to be doing.
  Finally, there is language in the Senate report that suggests that 
some of my colleagues are wavering from a commitment that has been made 
by the Senate and the House to ensure that the allocation of veterans 
health care funds reflects the reality of where veterans live.
  Four years ago, under the leadership of Senator McCain, Congress 
implemented the Veterans Equitable Resource Allocation System. This was 
done at the request of the Veterans' Administration. Up until then, the 
formula that VA used did not take into account shifts in population 
that are relevant in assessing where resources are needed. In 
particular, we found in Arizona a lot of so-called snow birds, those 
great folks who live in the cold States and come down to visit Arizona 
in the wintertime because it is warmer in Arizona. We didn't have the 
facilities to take care of all of those people because the dollars 
associated with their care were allocated to the Northeast primarily, 
or to the North.
  The Senate, therefore, voted overwhelmingly to implement this new 
system that let the dollars follow the patients, so to speak. That vote 
was 79-18. Yet some who benefited from the earlier faulty formula 
complained, and as a result we find language in here that will require 
a study. The money for this study is going to have to come from the 
health care that otherwise would be provided to veterans.
  I don't believe the way the language in the report is written the 
investigators are going to have a fair approach to this because of the 
one-sided list of items they are to explore.
  I want to be able to support the veterans part of this bill. I want 
to support the energy and water component of this legislation, but it 
will be very difficult considering the explosive growth in the HUD part 
of the bill.
  I commend the chairman of the committee, Senator Bond, and Senator 
Mikulski. They have an impossible task. Everybody comes to them with 
requests. The bottom line is we have to draw the line at some point. It 
seems to me this is the point at which the American taxpayers deserve 
to be represented.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California is recognized to 
offer an amendment.
  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent I be allowed 2 
minutes of additional time to talk about the situation in the Middle 
East.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mrs. BOXER. I thank Senators Mikulski and Bond for their 
graciousness. I know they are anxious to move their bill forward. I 
also thank them and Senator Daschle and Senator Lott for receiving an 
agreement with me, whereby I could offer these very important 
amendments to this appropriations bill.
  (The remarks of Mrs. Boxer are located in today's Record under 
``Morning Business.'')


                           Amendment No. 4308

  Mrs. BOXER. Mr. President, I send an amendment to the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       The Senator from California (Mrs. Boxer), for herself and 
     Mr. Baucus, proposes an amendment numbered 4308.

[[Page 22460]]



(Purpose: To strike the riders that delay the Environmental Protection 
 Agency's new standard on arsenic in drinking water and that prohibit 
    the designation of nonattainment areas under the Clear Air Act)

       On page 103, strike the first three lines.
       On page 138, strike section 427.

  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, may I ask if we can have a copy of the 
amendment?
  Mrs. BOXER. Certainly. I say to my friend that it is a very simple 
amendment. It strikes two riders. We will send it over to the Senator 
at this time. It doesn't have any language. It simply strikes two of 
the riders.
  Mr. President, will you please tell me when I have 5 minutes 
remaining of my time?
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
  Mrs. BOXER. I thank the Chair.
  Mr. President, my amendment strikes two egregious anti-environment 
riders that have been attached to this appropriations bill. These 
riders are opposed by 21 environmental groups.
  There is a letter on everyone's desk from the League of Conservation 
Voters. They consider this to be extremely important.
  We also have another letter that came in this morning signed by the 
most respected environmental groups in the country supporting both of 
my amendments.
  We will try to put these on the desks. I will go through the groups 
in a moment.
  Twenty-one environmental groups oppose these riders. They say they 
believe these riders would ``jeopardize public health or the 
environment.''
  The first rider deals with arsenic in drinking water. Let me take a 
moment to explain why I think this rider should be stricken. In the 
Safe Drinking Water Act Amendment of 1996, which the Senate approved 
unanimously, we told the EPA to update its drinking water standard for 
arsenic by January 1, 2001. We included this provision in the law 
because we learned from public health experts that the current standard 
for arsenic is severely dangerous and outdated. The standard was set in 
1975, but it was based on public health data from 1942.
  What do scientists and health experts say about the dangers of 
arsenic? According to a National Academy of Sciences report, arsenic in 
water is known to cause cancer of the lungs, skin, and bladder. The 
National Academy of Sciences study and other studies also found that 
arsenic in drinking water may cause kidney and liver cancer. Arsenic is 
also known to cause other severe problems, including toxicity to the 
central and peripheral nervous system, hypertension, cardiovascular 
disease, skin lesions, and could cause birth defects and reproductive 
problems.
  Here is the national shocker. The National Academy of Sciences 
estimates that 1 in every 100 people who drink water containing arsenic 
at the current standard may well develop cancer caused by arsenic. This 
is a cancer risk that is 10,000 times higher than the cancer risk EPA 
allows in food.
  The National Resources Defense Council analyzed EPA's base data, and 
they looked at 25 States serving approximately 100 million Americans. 
They found that approximately half of those Americans are drinking 
water with arsenic levels that could cause 1 in 100 of them to develop 
cancer.
  The arsenic levels in those systems meet the EPA's outdated 50 parts 
per billion standard. As the NAS has said, the outdated standard ``does 
not achieve EPA's goal for public health protection and requires 
revision as promptly as possible.''
  Let me repeat that. This is science. They base these rules on 
science. The sciences say set the standard at a lower level as soon as 
possible.
  In this rider we push the date back. It is a delay. I think it is a 
dangerous delay.
  The EPA has been working on this new standard for a long time. They 
have held numerous public hearings. Actually, they have been working on 
updating the standard since the early 1980s.
  It is time to do this. The EPA was told by Congress to move forward 
by January 1, and now this rider was slipped into this bill.
  I know my friends believed at the time that these riders were not 
that much of a problem. Whoever told them that--and I was not in the 
room--I believe was wrong. They are proven wrong by science. They have 
been proven wrong.
  Call me old fashioned, but I think when you play around with the 
arsenic levels in drinking water, it deserves to have the light of day. 
It should not be attached to some rider. I am the ranking member on the 
subcommittee on the Environment. My chairman of the full committee is 
here, Senator Baucus. We are working hard to make sure that drinking 
water is safe. Yet we push back the date. That is not the right thing 
to do.
  I appreciate my friends giving me 15 minutes of time, and I am going 
to give Senator Baucus about 5 minutes of that time when he is ready. I 
have saved 5 minutes.
  This is no way to legislate on an issue such as arsenic.
  In closing, before I yield my time to my friend, I want to talk about 
the other part of this amendment which deals with another egregious 
rider that has to do with clean air. The clean air rider is very 
important. It essentially would prohibit EPA from designating new 
regions of the country as being in violation of smog standards. In 
other words, it is a gag order on EPA, telling them they cannot, in 
fact, tell communities their air is dirty. This is a fact.
  I do not understand, again, why we would be doing this. There is a 
court case pending on the power of the EPA. It specifically says in 
that court case that EPA has the right to designate these areas and to 
tell people in these areas they are not meeting the smog standard. 
Administrator Browner made a very strong comment about this rider in 
the past.
  I ask how much time I have remaining.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator has 8 minutes remaining.
  Mrs. BOXER. What I would like to do at this time is yield 3 minutes 
to my friend, Senator Baucus, and 2 minutes following to my friend, 
Senator Lautenberg. Then I would have 3 minutes remaining, which I 
would retain.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator would have 3 minutes.
  The Senator from Montana.
  Mr. BAUCUS. Mr. President, I thank my good friend from Maryland, 
Senator Mikulski--I worked with her on this bill--and also Senator 
Boxer for offering these amendments.
  I strongly support Senator Boxer in her efforts to delete these 
provisions. Not only do they intrude upon the jurisdiction of the 
Environment and Public Works Committee, they are clearly legislation. 
Our committee was not consulted. The Appropriations Committee is now 
writing legislative language in an appropriations bill. It also is very 
unsound public policy.
  One of these riders, the so-called Linder-Collins provision, is 
really an attack on the public's right to know. The provision prohibits 
the Environmental Protection Agency from identifying those areas which 
do not the meet the 8-hour standard ozone pollution provision until 
next June. In other words, even if the EPA knew an area had unhealthy 
air, it could not tell citizens or their government.
  Since my time is so limited, I will not speak more on that issue. 
Senator Boxer will, and I believe other Senators will, too.
  I also want to speak a bit on the other one, and that is the arsenic 
provision. The other rider postpones EPA's final rules on arsenic 
standards for drinking water for 6 months. This is very important. This 
is yet another unhealthy delay that could expose Americans to 
unnecessary danger. Why do I say that? First, arsenic is a poison. We 
now know it is also a carcinogen. So it is an especially serious 
contaminant in drinking water.
  Get this. The current standard for arsenic was written in 1942, 
before we knew that arsenic causes cancer. Then, in 1996, Congress 
completed a comprehensive rewrite of the Safe Drinking Water Act. We 
put some common sense into the act, some risk assessment, some 
additional funding for the States. We also put in place a plan to 
resolve the remaining scientific issues.

[[Page 22461]]

  As a result of the scientific study done by the National Academy of 
Sciences, we learned that arsenic is even more deadly than previously 
thought. NAS found:

       There is sufficient evidence from human epidemiological 
     studies . . . that chronic ingestion of inorganic arsenic 
     causes bladder and lung cancer as well as skin cancer.

  The study also said the current standard should be revised downward 
``as promptly as possible.''
  Furthermore, when the Environment and Public Works Committee had a 
hearing on the matter, in response to a question, Dr. Michael Cossett, 
a member of the NAS group who studied the arsenic issue, said:

       Our committee specifically in its conclusions felt that the 
     standards should be lowered as promptly as possible.

  He went on to say that the current standard certainly was not 
protective of public health.
  Yet we have this anti-environmental rider. It is further delay in 
protecting the American public from better arsenic standards. I cannot 
understand it. I think it is very bad public policy, and I strongly 
urge Congress to delete these provisions which, if not deleted, are 
going to cause serious harm to the American public.
  Mr. President, earlier today we had a discussion about the arsenic 
rider. I want to assure Mr. Bond and Ms. Mikulski that although the 
minority committee staff was notified about the intention to pursue 
this rider, they objected to its inclusion. I just want to be sure the 
Record accurately reflects what occurred.
  I yield the remainder of my time to my friend from California.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Jersey.
  Mr. LAUTENBERG. Mr. President, time is short. I will try to get to 
the point very quickly.
  I support Senator Boxer's amendments to this VA-HUD appropriations 
bill. I want to point out one thing. Under the leadership of Senators 
Bond and Mikulski, the bill our subcommittee reported last month was 
far better than the one before us today.
  What we see today with these riders that have come over from the 
House side of the Capitol is delayed corporate responsibility. That is 
what these amendments ought to be called: Just take care of the 
corporations and forget about our obligation to our people to protect 
us from contaminated, polluted environments.
  One of these amendments is there because it is strongly supported by 
General Electric, an extremely powerful corporation. I like General 
Electric. I know a lot of the people who run that company. But they 
have, according to the League of Conservation Voters, polluted 200 
miles of New York and Connecticut coastline with a million pounds of 
PCBs. Their slogan is: ``Bring Good Things To Life.'' We have heard it. 
I would rather have them say: ``Bring Good Life To Things,'' like fish 
and birds and people. That is where they ought to be.
  I commend Senator Boxer for bringing up this amendment. I hope our 
colleagues are going to support it.
  This is a good bill, other than this part. Again, I commend Senators 
Bond and Mikulski for a very tough job well done. But we ought not let 
the corporations escape getting on with their responsibilities.
  I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from California.
  Mrs. BOXER. I would like to retain my 3 minutes if I might, Mr. 
President.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri now has 15 minutes.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I yield myself 2 minutes.
  Very briefly, this bill includes the provision that provides up to an 
additional 6 months for EPA to finalize the arsenic in drinking water 
rule. They can finalize it before June 2001 but will not be held to the 
statutory deadline. And EPA does not anticipate finalizing the rule 
until April or May, despite the act's requirements. The practical 
effect of knocking this out would be to force EPA to spend its 
resources fighting in court to do what it cannot otherwise do, and that 
is take the time necessary to do the job right.
  The Safe Drinking Water Act called for a full year of comment. The 
full year would be up June 2001. The most conservative estimates of 
compliance, including EPA's, for the smallest communities show water 
rates increasing by hundreds of dollars per family.
  The State of Utah Department of Environmental Quality says the rate 
increase to remove arsenic from the Heartland Mobile Home Park would be 
$230 per month per customer. Even the EPA said it would be $70 per 
month per customer.
  Do you know what is going to happen? No system. They are going to be 
off the system. There will be no water. They will get it from sources 
that are not protected at all.
  This is a very important rule that needs to be worked out 
scientifically. EPA has not identified the specific level in drinking 
water below which there is not a significant risk to public health.
  On the ozone nonattainment designation, it seems to me completely 
unreasonable that EPA should be making designations when that standard 
is before the U.S. Supreme Court. Why do the EPA and the State expend 
resources giving communities a black eye by designating them 
nonattainment areas when the entire ability to designate may be 
repealed by the Supreme Court? The EPA would be allowed, under this 
legislation, to move forward when the Supreme Court acts but no later 
than June 2001.
  Do not blacklist communities before there is a statutory 
authorization. The National Association of Counties has said this 
process will brand hundreds of new counties across the country clean 
air violators resulting in lost jobs and lost economic opportunity.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Mr. Allard). The time of the Senator has 
expired.
  Mr. BOND. I yield 5 minutes to my distinguished colleague from 
Maryland.
  Ms. MIKULSKI. Mr. President, I oppose the Boxer amendment on arsenic 
in drinking water, and I urge my colleagues to vote against it.
  This amendment is not needed, and its adoption will effectively kill 
this bill.
  Let me be clear about what we did.
  In our negotiations with the House, bill language was added that 
allows EPA to take until June 22, 2001 to issue a final rule setting 
the allowable level of arsenic in drinking water.
  EPA remains free to issue the final rule anytime up to June 22, 2001.
  This provision was carefully negotiated with the administration.
  It does not prevent, prohibit or restrict EPA's ability to issue a 
final rule for arsenic in drinking water.
  Since EPA missed the deadline for proposal of this rule, this 
extension from the current January 1, 2001 statutory deadline would 
allow EPA the same length of time--12 months--to consider public 
comments as contemplated in the Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 
1996.
  This provision is fully consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
  Our provision maintains all of the protections for public health and 
safety.
  If it didn't, I would not support it.
  This is not a debate about arsenic in drinking water.
  We all agree that arsenic in drinking water should be reduced or 
eliminated consistent with science based public health standards.
  This is a disagreement over process, not substance.
  Let me be very clear, the language contained in the VA/HUD bill is 
permissive and does not prevent EPA from issuing the regulation earlier 
than June 2001 if EPA is prepared to promulgate the final rule.
  Also, public interest groups would still be allowed to file suit next 
June if EPA misses the revised deadline--just as they can now.
  No one's rights or privileges have been taken away.
  Our provision on arsenic simply moves a date. It poses no threat to 
public health or the environment.
  It is fully consistent with the Safe Drinking Water Act, and it 
maintains EPA's full authority.
  I point out to my colleagues that this bill contains $825 million for 
the safe drinking water revolving loan program.

[[Page 22462]]

  This is EPA's main program to upgrade and improve our Nation's public 
drinking water systems.
  Overall, our bill provides $3.6 billion for all clean water 
programs--a $200 million increase over last year and, over $700 million 
more than the President's request.
  If the Boxer amendment is adopted, it will kill this bill and 
jeopardize the funding increases for our clean water programs.
  If this bill dies, there is no guarantee that we will be able to 
maintain our current level of funding.
  The administration supports our provision, and I urge my colleagues 
to vote against the Boxer amendment.
  Mr. President, I oppose the Boxer amendment on ozone nonattainment 
and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.
  This amendment is not needed and should it pass, it will effectively 
kill this bill.
  The administration supports the provision in our bill, and I urge my 
colleagues to support it and vote against this amendment.
  Let me be clear about what the ozone nonattainment provision in the 
VA/HUD bill does.
  The provision prohibits EPA from issuing new ozone nonattainment 
designations until June 15, 2001, or until the Supreme Court issues its 
ruling in this matter, whichever comes first.
  The administration was involved in the negotiations over this 
provision and they support it.
  I believe this provision is a matter of common sense. It makes no 
sense to issue new nonattainment designations, just to have the Supreme 
Court invalidate them.
  That will do nothing more than confuse State and local governments 
and undercut EPA's authority and credibility.
  I want to point out to my colleagues, that during our negotiations 
with the House, the language was modified to allow final designations 
to occur as soon as the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the ozone standard 
case, rather than waiting until June 15, 2001.
  Depending on the Supreme Court's decision, this would potentially 
allow EPA to proceed with final designations several months earlier 
than under the original language.
  This provision does not weaken the Clean Air Act, it does not 
threaten the Clean Air Act and, it does not undercut EPA's authority.
  Our bill language does not preclude EPA from taking preparatory steps 
leading up to the final designations.
  After the final designations are made, States have 3 years before 
they have to begin implementing their plans for achieving the new 
standard.
  The additional time provided by this bill language, being tied to the 
Supreme Court process, minimizes any delay in moving forward with any 
clean air plans and acknowledges the uncertainty created by the ongoing 
litigation.
  Our bill provides $209 million for State air assistance grants to 
help states meet Clean Air Act requirements.
  If the Boxer amendment passes, the VA/HUD bill will be killed and 
funding levels that it contains will be in jeopardy.
  I urge my colleagues to vote against the Boxer amendment and support 
the administration.
  Mr. President, in summary, I oppose the Boxer amendments both on the 
issue of substance and procedure. No. 1, everybody complains about the 
process. Nobody complained about it more than Bond and Mikulski. We 
wanted to bring our bill to the floor, have a vote by the Senate, and 
go into a conference that was open and public. We were denied that.
  Because we were worried about the homeless, because we were worried 
about veterans, because we were worried about the environment, we 
pressed on in a quasi-conference. Bond and Mikulski were united to 
delete the riders, but we lost. The House would not yield.
  We then went to a fallback position because, again, we are worried 
about the homeless; we are worried about the veterans; we are worried 
about the environment and the National Service Corps, and all that is 
in this bill. When we negotiated, I invited into the room OMB--with the 
concurrence of my Republican colleagues--who brought in the Council on 
Environmental Quality. The President's chief adviser on the environment 
was on the phone with the legal counsel at EPA. We did not make this 
up.
  I thought I was proceeding on safe grounds because of the advice I 
received from the Council on Environmental Quality. I say to my 
Democratic colleagues: Do you believe in a letter from 21 groups or do 
you believe in President Clinton's Council on Environmental Quality? 
The choice is there. Do you believe the advocacy analysis or President 
Clinton's analysis? I go with President Clinton because I believe there 
is a track record on protecting the environment.
  What about arsenic? It does not shackle anybody. It delays it by 6 
months. Under the current law, EPA must give the regs by January 2001. 
They can issue them at any time up to 2001. EPA retains its authority 
and its flexibility to issue the regs any time, but it removes the old 
deadline. Why do we do this? So small rural communities can have time 
to get EPA information, cost, and other things they are going to need 
to comply.
  Let's go to the ozone. That court case is before the Supreme Court of 
the United States. It is not going through some small court. It is in 
the Supreme Court. They are going to decide it in June. The Court term 
ends in June. This language will no longer apply once the Court issues 
its ruling. Also, the language becomes moot in 2001.
  Why was this language added? To prevent EPA from making new 
attainment designations and then have the Supreme Court invalidate 
them. We are saying, let the Court act and move on. At the same time, 
EPA is allowed to go on with its own planning process. Once the Supreme 
Court acts, EPA is good to go.
  We are not shackling anybody. We are not stymying anybody. I believe 
in each of these instances there is flexibility to meet the compelling 
needs of public health. If they did not have that, I would not have 
supported it. If President Clinton's own team did not tell me it was OK 
to do this, I would not have done it.
  I stand on the advice we were given, and I believe the advice is 
accurate, responsible, and reliable. I urge my colleagues to defeat the 
Boxer amendments.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I thank my colleague from Maryland. I yield 
3 minutes to the junior Senator from Idaho.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The junior Senator from Idaho.
  Mr. CRAPO. Mr. President, I thank Senator Bond and Senator Mikulski. 
As chairman of the Fisheries, Wildlife and Drinking Water Subcommittee, 
I rise today in strong opposition to the amendment to prevent the EPA 
from having the time necessary to produce a proper arsenic drinking 
water rule based on the available science. It is important to note that 
in 1996 this Congress directed the EPA to adopt a specific schedule to 
propose an arsenic standard to allow for a full year of public review 
and comments by scientific experts and then to implement a rule after 
taking into consideration those comments.
  That is what is at stake. It is important to follow up on what 
Senators Bond and Mikulski have said about what this amendment really 
does. It has been characterized as stopping the EPA from protecting us 
from arsenic problems.
  The reality is that all this amendment does is give the EPA up to an 
additional 6 months to complete its work. In fact, I am quite surprised 
to see this amendment today because the administration itself has said 
they do not have the ability to meet the statutory deadline, and they 
need this extra time to make sure the rule they adopt is scientifically 
justified and does not cause the immense damage to local small 
communities in rural areas that is of concern.
  We have held hearings on this issue in our subcommittee, and witness 
after witness has raised questions about whether the science is there 
to justify the direction in which the EPA is going. The EPA has 
acknowledged

[[Page 22463]]

these questions. The EPA has said it needs time to further review the 
science, and the EPA has said it will take that time if we give it to 
them to do a good rule that will protect the country and yet not do 
damage to small communities in rural areas.
  It is also important to note that this amendment does not stop the 
EPA from acting at any time the EPA deems it is ready to act. If the 
EPA says it has the process finalized, it has the science understood 
and is ready to proceed, they can proceed tomorrow, they can proceed in 
November or December or January when the statutory deadline exists. 
Again, the EPA has told us they are not ready to do so and that they 
need this extra time. We believe they need the extra time because of 
the impending damage that could be caused to local communities across 
this country.
  As Senator Bond has said, there are communities and individual 
families who will see their water bills go up by hundreds of dollars. 
There are communities that probably will have to go off their systems 
because of this. The potential damage if we do not give the EPA the 
time to act properly and to review the comments is immense, and that is 
why I must oppose this amendment. I yield back the remainder of my 
time.
  Mr. BOND. Mr. President, I reserve the time that has been allocated 
to various Members. I now allocate 3 minutes to the distinguished 
senior Senator from Idaho.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The senior Senator from Idaho is recognized.

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