[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 11]
[Senate]
[Pages 14834-14838]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




    DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS EXPIRING AUTHORITIES ACT OF 2015

  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate 
proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 2082, introduced earlier 
today.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will report the bill by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A bill (S. 2082) to amend title 38, United States Code, to 
     extend certain expiring provisions of law administered by the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the bill.

[[Page 14835]]


  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I thank the Chair for the opportunity to 
speak about this Senate bill, which will complete the job in Denver and 
finish the Denver-Aurora veterans hospital. This has been a longtime 
process. It has been a struggle. But I want to thank Senator McConnell, 
Senator Isakson, Senator Kirk, and Senator Blumenthal for their 
incredible efforts to bring us to this point.
  The hospital in Aurora will be a crown jewel in the VA system, and 
the veterans who have worked so hard to make this a reality deserve 
nothing but the best, and I believe we start the process of finally 
building this and finishing it and getting the job done here on the 
Senate floor today.
  I ask unanimous consent that the Lee amendment, which is at the desk, 
be agreed to; the bill, as amended, be read a third time and passed; 
and that the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The amendment (No. 2700) was agreed to, as follows:

(Purpose: To prohibit the transfer of amounts from the Veterans Choice 
Fund to fund the increase of the authorization to carry out the medical 
facility construction project of the Department of Veterans Affairs in 
                           Denver, Colorado)

       On page 18, between lines 2 and 3, insert the following:
       (c) Prohibition on Transfer of Certain Amounts.--The 
     Secretary may not transfer any amounts from the Veterans 
     Choice Fund established under section 802 of the Veterans 
     Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 
     113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) to fund the increase under 
     subsection (a) of the authorization to carry out the medical 
     facility construction project described in subsection (b).

  The bill (S. 2082), as amended, was ordered to be engrossed for a 
third reading, was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 2082

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

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Department 
     of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. References to title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 3. Scoring of budgetary effects.

        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

Sec. 101. Extension of authority for collection of copayments for 
              hospital care and nursing home care.
Sec. 102. Extension of requirement to provide nursing home care to 
              certain veterans with service-connected disabilities.
Sec. 103. Extension of authorization of appropriations for assistance 
              and support services for caregivers.
Sec. 104. Extension of authority for recovery from third parties of 
              cost of care and services furnished to veterans with 
              health-plan contracts for non-service-connected 
              disability.
Sec. 105. Extension of authority for pilot program on assistance for 
              child care for certain veterans receiving health care.
Sec. 106. Extension of authority to make grants to veterans service 
              organizations for transportation of highly rural 
              veterans.
Sec. 107. Extension of authority for DOD-VA Health Care Sharing 
              Incentive Fund.
Sec. 108. Extension of authority for joint Department of Defense-
              Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility 
              Demonstration Fund.
Sec. 109. Extension of authority for pilot program on counseling in 
              retreat settings for women veterans newly separated from 
              service.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

Sec. 201. Extension of authority for the Veterans' Advisory Committee 
              on Education.
Sec. 202. Extension of authority for calculating net value of real 
              property at time of foreclosure.
Sec. 203. Extension of authority relating to vendee loans.
Sec. 204. Extension of authority to provide rehabilitation and 
              vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces with 
              severe injuries or illnesses.

      TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

Sec. 301. Extension of authority for homeless veterans reintegration 
              programs.
Sec. 302. Extension of authority for homeless women veterans and 
              homeless veterans with children reintegration program.
Sec. 303. Extension of authority to provide housing assistance for 
              homeless veterans.
Sec. 304. Extension of authority to provide financial assistance for 
              supportive services for very low-income veteran families 
              in permanent housing.
Sec. 305. Extension of authority for grant program for homeless 
              veterans with special needs.
Sec. 306. Extension of authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless 
              Veterans.
Sec. 307. Extension of authority for treatment and rehabilitation 
              services for seriously mentally ill and homeless 
              veterans.
Sec. 308. Extension of authority to provide referral and counseling 
              services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness.

       TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY

Sec. 401. Extension of authority for transportation of individuals to 
              and from Department facilities.
Sec. 402. Extension of authority for monthly assistance allowances 
              under the Office of National Veterans Sports Programs and 
              Special Events.
Sec. 403. Extension of authority for operation of the Department of 
              Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic 
              of the Philippines.
Sec. 404. Extension of requirement to provide reports to Congress 
              regarding equitable relief in the case of administrative 
              error.
Sec. 405. Extension of authorization of appropriations for adaptive 
              sports programs for disabled veterans and members of the 
              Armed Forces.
Sec. 406. Extension of authority for Advisory Committee on Minority 
              Veterans.
Sec. 407. Extension of authority for temporary expansion of eligibility 
              for specially adapted housing assistance for certain 
              veterans with disabilities causing difficulty ambulating.
Sec. 408. Extension of authority to enter into agreement with the 
              National Academy of Sciences regarding associations 
              between diseases and exposure to dioxin and other 
              chemical compounds in herbicides.
Sec. 409. Extension of authority for performance of medical 
              disabilities examinations by contract physicians.
Sec. 410. Restoration of prior reporting fee multipliers.
Sec. 411. Extension of requirement for annual report on Department of 
              Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Interagency 
              Program Office.
Sec. 412. Modification of authorization of fiscal year 2008 major 
              medical facility project at Department medical center in 
              Tampa, Florida.
Sec. 413. Authorization of major medical facility projects.

    TITLE V--MATTERS RELATING TO MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT IN DENVER

Sec. 501. Increase in authorization for Department of Veterans Affairs 
              medical facility project previously authorized.
Sec. 502. Project management of super construction projects.

                        TITLE VI--OTHER MATTERS

Sec. 601. Technical and clerical amendments.

     SEC. 2. REFERENCES TO TITLE 38, UNITED STATES CODE.

       Except as otherwise expressly provided, whenever in this 
     Act an amendment or repeal is expressed in terms of an 
     amendment to, or repeal of, a section or other provision, the 
     reference shall be considered to be made to a section or 
     other provision of title 38, United States Code.

     SEC. 3. SCORING OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

[[Page 14836]]



        TITLE I--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HEALTH CARE

     SEC. 101. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR COLLECTION OF COPAYMENTS 
                   FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND NURSING HOME CARE.

       Section 1710(f)(2)(B) is amended by striking ``September 
     30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.
  


     SEC. 102. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE NURSING HOME 
                   CARE TO CERTAIN VETERANS WITH SERVICE-CONNECTED 
                   DISABILITIES.

       Section 1710A(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 103. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR CAREGIVERS.

       Section 1720G(e) is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and'';
       (2) in paragraph (2), by striking the period at the end and 
     inserting ``; and''; and
       (3) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
       ``(3) $625,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.''.

     SEC. 104. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR RECOVERY FROM THIRD 
                   PARTIES OF COST OF CARE AND SERVICES FURNISHED 
                   TO VETERANS WITH HEALTH-PLAN CONTRACTS FOR NON-
                   SERVICE-CONNECTED DISABILITY.

       Section 1729(a)(2)(E) is amended, in the matter preceding 
     clause (i), by striking ``October 1, 2015'' and inserting 
     ``October 1, 2016''.

     SEC. 105. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS 
                   RECEIVING HEALTH CARE.

       (a) Extension of Authority.--Subsection (e) of section 205 
     of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 
     2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1144; 38 U.S.C. 1710 
     note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and 
     inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (h) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``and 2015'' and 
     inserting ``, 2015, and 2016''.

     SEC. 106. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO MAKE GRANTS TO VETERANS 
                   SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FOR TRANSPORTATION OF 
                   HIGHLY RURAL VETERANS.

       Section 307(d) of the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus 
     Health Services Act of 2010 (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 
     1154; 38 U.S.C. 1710 note) is amended by striking ``2015'' 
     and inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 107. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR DOD-VA HEALTH CARE 
                   SHARING INCENTIVE FUND.

       Section 8111(d)(3) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

     SEC. 108. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR JOINT DEPARTMENT OF 
                   DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL 
                   FACILITY DEMONSTRATION FUND.

       Section 1704(e) of the National Defense Authorization Act 
     for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84; 123 Stat. 2573), as 
     amended by section 722 of the Carl Levin and Howard P. 
     ``Buck'' McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2015 (Public Law 113-291;128 Stat. 3417), is amended by 
     striking ``September 30, 2016'' and inserting ``September 30, 
     2017''.

     SEC. 109. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PILOT PROGRAM ON 
                   COUNSELING IN RETREAT SETTINGS FOR WOMEN 
                   VETERANS NEWLY SEPARATED FROM SERVICE.

       (a) Extension.--Subsection (d) of section 203 of the 
     Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 
     (Public Law 111-163; 124 Stat. 1143) is amended by striking 
     ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--Subsection (f) of 
     such section is amended by striking ``and 2015'' and 
     inserting ``2015, and 2016''.

         TITLE II--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO BENEFITS

     SEC. 201. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE VETERANS' ADVISORY 
                   COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION.

       Section 3692(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 202. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR CALCULATING NET VALUE OF 
                   REAL PROPERTY AT TIME OF FORECLOSURE.

       Section 3732(c)(11) is amended by striking ``October 1, 
     2015'' and inserting ``October 1, 2016''.

     SEC. 203. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO VENDEE LOANS.

       Section 3733(a)(7) is amended--
       (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking 
     ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''; 
     and
       (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``September 30, 
     2015,'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016,''.

     SEC. 204. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REHABILITATION 
                   AND VOCATIONAL BENEFITS TO MEMBERS OF THE ARMED 
                   FORCES WITH SEVERE INJURIES OR ILLNESSES.

       Section 1631(b)(2) of the Wounded Warrior Act (title XVI of 
     Public Law 110-181; 122 Stat. 458; 10 U.S.C. 1071 note) is 
     amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and inserting 
     ``December 31, 2016''.

      TITLE III--EXTENSIONS OF AUTHORITY RELATING TO HOMELESSNESS

     SEC. 301. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS VETERANS 
                   REINTEGRATION PROGRAMS.

       Section 2021(e)(1)(F) is amended by striking ``2015'' and 
     inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 302. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR HOMELESS WOMEN VETERANS 
                   AND HOMELESS VETERANS WITH CHILDREN 
                   REINTEGRATION PROGRAM.

       Section 2021A(f)(1) is amended by striking ``2015'' and 
     inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 303. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2041(c) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

     SEC. 304. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR SUPPORTIVE SERVICES FOR VERY 
                   LOW-INCOME VETERAN FAMILIES IN PERMANENT 
                   HOUSING.

       Section 2044(e)(1)(E) is amended by striking ``fiscal years 
     2013 through 2015'' and inserting ``fiscal years 2015 through 
     2016''.

     SEC. 305. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR GRANT PROGRAM FOR 
                   HOMELESS VETERANS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS.

       Section 2061(d)(1) is amended by striking ``2015'' and 
     inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 306. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE 
                   ON HOMELESS VETERANS.

       Section 2066(d) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 307. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TREATMENT AND 
                   REHABILITATION SERVICES FOR SERIOUSLY MENTALLY 
                   ILL AND HOMELESS VETERANS.

       (a) General Treatment.--Section 2031(b) is amended by 
     striking ``September 30, 2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 
     2016''.
       (b) Additional Services at Certain Locations.--Section 
     2033(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2015'' and 
     inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

     SEC. 308. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE REFERRAL AND 
                   COUNSELING SERVICES FOR CERTAIN VETERANS AT 
                   RISK OF HOMELESSNESS.

       Section 2023(d) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

       TITLE IV--OTHER EXTENSIONS AND MODIFICATIONS OF AUTHORITY

     SEC. 401. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TRANSPORTATION OF 
                   INDIVIDUALS TO AND FROM DEPARTMENT FACILITIES.

       Section 111A(a)(2) is amended by striking ``December 31, 
     2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 402. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR MONTHLY ASSISTANCE 
                   ALLOWANCES UNDER THE OFFICE OF NATIONAL 
                   VETERANS SPORTS PROGRAMS AND SPECIAL EVENTS.

       Section 322(d)(4) is amended by striking ``2015'' and 
     inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 403. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR OPERATION OF THE 
                   DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS REGIONAL OFFICE 
                   IN MANILA, THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES.

       Section 315(b) is amended by striking ``September 30, 
     2015'' and inserting ``September 30, 2016''.

     SEC. 404. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE REPORTS TO 
                   CONGRESS REGARDING EQUITABLE RELIEF IN THE CASE 
                   OF ADMINISTRATIVE ERROR.

       Section 503(c) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 405. EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS FOR 
                   ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS FOR DISABLED VETERANS 
                   AND MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES.

       Section 521A(g)(1) is amended by striking ``2015'' and 
     inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 406. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   MINORITY VETERANS.

       Section 544(e) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' 
     and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 407. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR TEMPORARY EXPANSION OF 
                   ELIGIBILITY FOR SPECIALLY ADAPTED HOUSING 
                   ASSISTANCE FOR CERTAIN VETERANS WITH 
                   DISABILITIES CAUSING DIFFICULTY AMBULATING.

       Section 2101(a)(4) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``September 30, 2015'' 
     and inserting ``September 30, 2016''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``each of fiscal years 
     2014 and 2015'' and inserting ``each of fiscal years 2014 
     through 2016''.

     SEC. 408. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY TO ENTER INTO AGREEMENT WITH 
                   THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES REGARDING 
                   ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN DISEASES AND EXPOSURE TO 
                   DIOXIN AND OTHER CHEMICAL COMPOUNDS IN 
                   HERBICIDES.

       Section 3(i) of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 (Public Law 
     102-4; 38 U.S.C. 1116 note) is amended by striking ``December 
     31, 2015'' and inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 409. EXTENSION OF AUTHORITY FOR PERFORMANCE OF MEDICAL 
                   DISABILITIES EXAMINATIONS BY CONTRACT 
                   PHYSICIANS.

       Subsection (c) of section 704 of the Veterans Benefits Act 
     of 2003 (38 U.S.C. 5101

[[Page 14837]]

     note) is amended by striking ``December 31, 2015'' and 
     inserting ``December 31, 2016''.

     SEC. 410. RESTORATION OF PRIOR REPORTING FEE MULTIPLIERS.

       Section 406 of the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring 
     Authorities Act of 2014 (Public Law 113-175; 38 U.S.C. 3684 
     note) is amended by striking ``one-year'' and inserting 
     ``two-year''.
  


     SEC. 411. EXTENSION OF REQUIREMENT FOR ANNUAL REPORT ON 
                   DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE-DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS INTERAGENCY PROGRAM OFFICE.

       Section 1635(h)(1) of the National Defense Authorization 
     Act for Fiscal Year 2008 (Public Law 110-181; 10 U.S.C. 1071 
     note) is amended by striking ``2015'' and inserting ``2016''.

     SEC. 412. MODIFICATION OF AUTHORIZATION OF FISCAL YEAR 2008 
                   MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT AT DEPARTMENT 
                   MEDICAL CENTER IN TAMPA, FLORIDA.

       (a) Modification of Authorization.--In chapter 3 of the 
     Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 
     122 Stat. 2326), in the matter under the heading ``Department 
     of Veterans Affairs-Departmental Administration-Construction, 
     Major Projects'', after ``Five Year Capital Plan'' insert the 
     following: ``and for constructing a new bed tower at the 
     Department of Veterans Affairs medical center in Tampa, 
     Florida, in lieu of providing bed tower upgrades at such 
     medical center''.
       (b) Emergency Designation.--
       (1) In general.--Subsection (a) is designated as an 
     emergency requirement pursuant to section 4(g) of the 
     Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C. 933(g)).
       (2) Designation in senate.--In the Senate, subsection (a) 
     is designated as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 
     403(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Congress), the concurrent 
     resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2010.

     SEC. 413. AUTHORIZATION OF MAJOR MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECTS.

       (a) Authorization.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     carry out the following major medical facility projects, with 
     each project to be carried out in an amount not to exceed the 
     amount specified for that project:
       (1) Construction of a community living center, outpatient 
     clinic, renovated domiciliary, and renovation of existing 
     buildings in Canandaigua, New York, in an amount not to 
     exceed $158,980,000.
       (2) Seismic corrections to the mental health and community 
     living center in Long Beach, California, in an amount not to 
     exceed $126,100,000.
       (3) Seismic correction of 12 buildings in West Los Angeles, 
     California, in an amount not to exceed $70,500,000.
       (4) Construction of a spinal cord injury building and 
     seismic corrections in San Diego, California, in an amount 
     not to exceed $205,840,000.
       (b) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized 
     to be appropriated to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs for 
     fiscal year 2015 or the year in which funds are appropriated 
     for the Construction, Major Projects, account, a total of 
     $561,420,000 for the projects authorized in subsection (a).
       (c) Limitation.--The projects authorized under this section 
     may only be carried out using--
       (1) funds appropriated for fiscal year 2015 pursuant to the 
     authorization of appropriations in subsection (b);
       (2) funds available for Construction, Major Projects for a 
     fiscal year before fiscal year 2015 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (3) funds available for Construction, Major Projects, for a 
     fiscal year after fiscal year 2015 that remain available for 
     obligation;
       (4) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for fiscal year 2015 for a category of activity not specific 
     to a project;
       (5) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year before 2015 for a category of activity not 
     specific to a project; and
       (6) funds appropriated for Construction, Major Projects, 
     for a fiscal year after 2015 for a category of activity not 
     specific to a project.

    TITLE V--MATTERS RELATING TO MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT IN DENVER

     SEC. 501. INCREASE IN AUTHORIZATION FOR DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS MEDICAL FACILITY PROJECT 
                   PREVIOUSLY AUTHORIZED.

       (a) In General.--Section 2(a) of the Construction 
     Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114-19; 
     129 Stat. 215), as amended by section 1 of Public Law 114-25, 
     is further amended by striking ``$1,050,000,000'' and 
     inserting ``$1,675,000,000''.
       (b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2016 authorizes the 
     Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transfer discretionary 
     unobligated balances appropriated for fiscal year 2015 and 
     discretionary advance appropriations for fiscal year 2016 to 
     fund the increase under subsection (a) of the authorization 
     to carry out the medical facility construction project in 
     Denver, Colorado, specified in section 2 of the Construction 
     Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114-19; 
     129 Stat. 215).
       (c) Prohibition on Transfer of Certain Amounts.--The 
     Secretary may not transfer any amounts from the Veterans 
     Choice Fund established under section 802 of the Veterans 
     Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014 (Public Law 
     113-146; 38 U.S.C. 1701 note) to fund the increase under 
     subsection (a) of the authorization to carry out the medical 
     facility construction project described in subsection (b).

     SEC. 502. PROJECT MANAGEMENT OF SUPER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

       (a) In General.--Section 8103 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(e)(1) In the case of any super construction project, the 
     Secretary shall enter into an agreement with an appropriate 
     non-Department Federal entity to provide full project 
     management services for the super construction project, 
     including management over the project design, acquisition, 
     construction, and contract changes.
       ``(2) An agreement entered into under paragraph (1) with a 
     Federal entity shall provide that the Secretary shall 
     reimburse the Federal entity for all costs associated with 
     the provision of project management services under the 
     agreement.
       ``(3) In this subsection, the term `super construction 
     project' means a project for the construction, alteration, or 
     acquisition of a medical facility involving a total 
     expenditure of more than $100,000,000.''.
       (b) Application.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply with respect to the following:
       (1) The medical facility construction project in Denver, 
     Colorado, specified in section 2 of the Construction 
     Authorization and Choice Improvement Act (Public Law 114-19; 
     129 Stat. 215).
       (2) Any super construction project (as defined in section 
     8103(e)(3) of title 38, United States Code, as added by 
     subsection (a)) that is authorized on or after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act.

                        TITLE VI--OTHER MATTERS

     SEC. 601. TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL AMENDMENTS.

       Title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in section 111(b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``subsection (g)(2)(A)'' 
     and inserting ``subsection (g)(2)''; and
       (B) in paragraph (3)(C), by striking ``(42 U.S.C. 
     1395(l))'' and inserting ``(42 U.S.C. 1395m(l))'';
       (2) in the table of sections at the beginning of chapter 5 
     of such title, by striking the item relating to section 521A 
     and inserting the following:

``521A. Adaptive sports programs for disabled veterans and members of 
              the Armed Forces.'';
       (3) in section 1503(a)(5), by striking ``subclause'' and 
     inserting ``subparagraph'' each place it appears;
       (4) in section 1710(e)(1)--
       (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``(as defined in 
     section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title)''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (F)(viii), by striking 
     ``Myleodysplasic'' and inserting ``Myelodysplastic'';
       (5) in section 1710D(c)(1), by striking ``(as defined in 
     section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title)'';
       (6) in section 1720G(a)(7)(B)(iii), by striking ``has'' and 
     inserting ``have'';
       (7) in section 1781(a)(4), by striking the semicolon and 
     inserting a comma;
       (8) in section 1832(b)(2), by striking ``(b)(2)'' and 
     inserting ``(b)(3)'';
       (9) in section 2044(b)(1)(D), by striking ``federal'' and 
     inserting ``Federal'';
       (10) in section 2101(a), by moving the margins of paragraph 
     (2), and of the subparagraphs, clauses, and subclauses 
     therein, 2 ems to the left;
       (11) in section 2101(a)(2)(B) by striking clause (ii) and 
     inserting the following new clause (ii):
       ``(ii) The disability is due to--
       ``(I) blindness in both eyes, having only light perception, 
     plus
       ``(II) loss or loss of use of one lower extremity.''.
       (12) in section 2109(a) by striking ``provisions of 
     section'' and inserting ``provisions of sections'';
       (13) in section 2303(c), by striking ``internment'' and 
     inserting ``interment'';
       (14) in section 2411(e)(1), by striking ``federal 
     official'' and inserting ``Federal official'';
       (15) in section 3108(b)(4), by inserting ``the'' before 
     ``rehabilitation program concerned'';
       (16) in section 3313, by striking ``1070a'' each place it 
     appears and inserting ``1070a(b)'';
       (17) in section 3313(e)(2)(A)(iii), by striking the second 
     period;
       (18) in section 3313(g)(3)(A)(iii), by inserting a comma 
     after ``books'';
       (19) in section 3319, by striking ``armed forces'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``Armed Forces'';
       (20) in section 4102A(c)(9)(A)(ii)(III), by striking the 
     quotation mark at the end;
       (21) in section 5302A--
       (A) by amending the enumerator and section heading to read 
     as follows:

[[Page 14838]]



     ``Sec. 5302A. Collection of indebtedness: certain debts of 
       members of the Armed Forces and veterans who die of injury 
       incurred or aggravated in the line of duty in a combat 
       zone''; and

       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``(as that term is 
     defined in section 1712A(a)(2)(B) of this title)'';
       (22) in section 7309(c)(1), by inserting ``the'' before 
     ``Veterans Health Administration'';
       (23) in section 7401(3)(A)(ii), by striking ``that'';
       (24) in section 7683(d), by inserting a period at the end; 
     and
       (25) in section 8162(a)(2), by inserting ``if'' after 
     ``housing and''.

  Mr. GARDNER. Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.

                          ____________________