[House Report 105-635]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 2d Session                                                     105-635
_______________________________________________________________________


 
  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 1999
                                _______
                                

 July 20, 1998.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

_______________________________________________________________________


    Mr. Porter, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            DISSENTING VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 4274]

    The Committee on Appropriations submits the following 
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making 
appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
Services (except the Food and Drug Administration and the 
Indian Health Service), and Education, Armed Forces Retirement 
Home, Corporation for National and Community Service, 
Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Federal Mediation and 
Conciliation Service, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review 
Commission, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Medicare 
Payment Advisory Commission, National Commission on Libraries 
and Information Science, National Council on Disability, 
National Education Goals Panel, National Labor Relations Board, 
National Mediation Board, Occupational Safety and Health Review 
Commission, Railroad Retirement Board, Social Security 
Administration, and the United States Institute of Peace for 
the fiscal year ending September 30, 1999, and for other 
purposes.

                        INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

_______________________________________________________________________


                                                            Page number

                                                            Bill Report
Title I--Department of Labor:
        Employment and Training Administration.............     2
                                                                     12
        Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration........    10
                                                                     21
        Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation...............    10
                                                                     21
        Employment Standards Administration................    11
                                                                     21
        Occupational Safety and Health Administration......    15
                                                                     24
        Mine Safety and Health Administration..............    18
                                                                     26
        Bureau of Labor Statistics.........................    19
                                                                     26
        Departmental Management............................    20
                                                                     27
        Assistant Secretary for Veterans Employment and 
            Training.......................................    21
                                                                     28
        Office of the Inspector General....................    21
                                                                     28
        General Provisions.................................    22

Title II--Department of Health and Human Services:
        Health Resources and Services Administration.......    25
                                                                     30
        Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.........    28
                                                                     48
        National Institutes of Health......................    29
                                                                     58
        Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
            Administration.................................    35
                                                                    106
        Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.........    36
                                                                    111
        Health Care Financing Administration...............    36
                                                                    113
        Administration for Children and Families...........    39
                                                                    117
        Administration on Aging............................    44
                                                                    129
        Office of the Secretary............................    45
                                                                    131
        General Provisions.................................    46

Title III--Department of Education:
        Education Reform...................................    53
                                                                    139
        Education for the Disadvantaged....................    54
                                                                    146
        Impact Aid.........................................    56
                                                                    152
        School Improvement Programs........................    56
                                                                    153
        Literacy...........................................

        Indian Education...................................    57
                                                                    163
        Bilingual and Immigrant Education..................    57
                                                                    164
        Special Education..................................    57
                                                                    167
        Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research....    57
                                                                    172
        Special Institutions for Persons with Disabilities.    58
                                                                    178
        Vocational and Adult Education.....................    58
                                                                    179
        Student Financial Assistance.......................    59
                                                                    183
        Federal Family Education Loans.....................    61
                                                                    186
        Higher Education...................................    61
                                                                    186
        Howard University..................................    61
                                                                    192
        College Housing and Academic Facilities Loans......    61
                                                                    192
        Historically Black College and University Capital 
            Financing......................................    62
                                                                    192
        Education Research, Statistics, and Improvement....    62
                                                                    193
        Departmental Management............................    63
                                                                    202
        Office for Civil Rights............................    63
                                                                    204
        Office of the Inspector General....................    63
                                                                    204
        General Provisions.................................    64

Title IV--Related Agencies:
        Armed Forces Retirement Home.......................    74
                                                                    205
        Corporation for National and Community Service.....    75
                                                                    206
        Corporation for Public Broadcasting................    75
                                                                    207
        Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.........    75
                                                                    207
        Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission...    77
                                                                    207
        Institute of Museum and Library Services...........    77
                                                                    208
        Medicare Payment Advisory Commission...............    77
                                                                    208
        National Commission on Libraries and Information 
            Science........................................    77
                                                                    208
        National Council on Disability.....................    78
                                                                    208
        National Education Goals Panel.....................    78
                                                                    209
        National Labor Relations Board.....................    78
                                                                    209
        National Mediation Board...........................    79
                                                                    209
        Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission...    79
                                                                    209
        Railroad Retirement Board..........................    80
                                                                    210
        Social Security Administration.....................    82
                                                                    211
        United States Institute of Peace...................    86
                                                                    215
Title V--General Provisions................................    86

Title VI--Child Protection Act of 1998.....................    95

Title VII--Miscellaneous Provisions........................    99

House of Representatives Report Requirements...............
                                                                    215

                Summary of Estimates and Appropriations

    The following table compares on a summary basis the 
appropriations including trust funds for fiscal year 1998, the 
budget estimate for fiscal year 1999 and the Committee 
recommendation for fiscal year 1999 in the accompanying bill.

                                 1999 LABOR, HHS, EDUCATION APPROPRIATIONS BILL                                 
                                            [In millions of dollars]                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Fiscal year--               1999 committee   
                                                        ----------------------------------     compared to--    
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                            1998        1999       1999       1998        1999  
                                                         comparable    budget   committee  comparable    budget 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor....................................     $12,659    $12,748    $11,262     -$1,397    -$1,486
                                                        ========================================================
Department of Health and Human Services:                                                                        
    Public Health Service:                                                                                      
        Health Resources and Services Admin............       3,662      3,826      3,948        +286       +122
        Centers for Disease Control....................       2,384      2,497      2,591        +207        +94
        National Institutes of Health..................      13,622     14,723     14,862      +1,240       +139
        Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services                                                              
         Administration................................       2,147      2,275      2,458        +311       +183
        Retirement Pay & Medical Benefits For                                                                   
         Commissioned Officers.........................         191        202        202         +11         +0
        Health Care Policy and Research................         147        171        171         +24         +0
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
          Subtotal, Public Health Service..............      22,096     23,663     24,161      +2,065       +498
                                                        ========================================================
    Health Care Financing Administration...............     128,773    139,489    139,489     +10,716         +0
    Administration for Children and Families...........      11,983     14,796     13,493      +1,510     -1,303
    Administration on Aging............................         871        871        861         -10        -10
    Office of the Secretary............................         243        282        236          -7        -46
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total, HHS current year..........................     163,965    179,088    178,284     +14,319       -804
      Advances.........................................      37,927     37,240     37,240        -687         +0
                                                        ========================================================
Department of Education................................      30,701     32,142     31,481        +780       -660
Related Agencies.......................................      21,999     27,416     27,264      +5,265       -152
    Social Security Administration.....................      29,827     36,024     35,959      +6,132        -65
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Grand Total, current year........................     229,364    251,394    248,285     +18,921     -3,109
      Advances.........................................      42,597     44,891     44,418      +1,821       -473
                                                        ========================================================
Current year total using 302(b) scorekeeping...........     278,270    298,844    296,407     +18,137     -2,437
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
    Mandatory..........................................     197,855    214,308    214,480     +16,625       +172
    Discretionary......................................      80,414     84,548     81,927      +1,513     -2,621
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                  DISCRETIONARY                                                 
                                            [In millions of dollars]                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Fiscal year--               1999 Committee   
                                                        ----------------------------------     compared to--    
                                                                                          ----------------------
                                                            1998        1999       1999       1998        1999  
                                                         comparable    Budget   Committee  comparable    Budget 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor....................................     $10,710    $11,120     $9,635     -$1,075    -$1,485
Department of Health and Human Services................      32,837     34,505     34,204      +1,367       -301
Department of Education................................      29,445     31,185     30,523      +1,078       -662
Related Agencies.......................................       7,719      7,813      7,680         -39       -133
Scorekeeping Adjustments...............................        -297        -75       -115        +182        -40
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total discretionary..............................      80,414     84,548     81,927      +1,513     -2,621
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Total Appropriations for Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
                     Education and Related Agencies

    In addition to the amount included in the bill, very large 
sums are automatically appropriated each year for labor, health 
and human services, social security and education programs 
without consideration by the Congress during the annual 
appropriation process. The principal items in this category are 
the unemployment compensation, social security, medicare and 
railroad retirement funds, federal payments for interest 
subsidy, default and servicing cost for the federal family 
assistance loan program and the full cost of loans made under 
the direct student loan program.

        TOTAL INCLUDING PERMANENT APPROPRIATIONS AND TRUST FUNDS        
                        [In millions of dollars]                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Fiscal year--            
                                  --------------------------------------
                                       1998         1999        Change  
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Annual appropriation bill,                                              
 current year....................     $229,364     $248,285      $18,921
Annual appropriation bill,                                              
 advances........................       42,597       44,418       +1,821
Permanent appropriations.........      666,715      695,758      +29,043
Deduct interfund payments........      -75,370      -77,634       -2,264
                                  --------------------------------------
      Total......................      863,306      910,827      +47,521
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Highlights of the Bill

    Funding levels in the fiscal year 1999 appropriation for 
the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education and related agencies reflect the Committee's attempt 
to establish priorities within the very stringent limitations 
set by the bipartisan budget agreement made last year between 
the President and the leadership of the Congress. As a result 
of the budget caps and spending decisions made in fiscal year 
1998, the allocation for this bill is $400 million below the 
freeze level as calculated by the Congressional Budget Office.
    The President, faced with a similar situation, assumed the 
enactment of user fees and taxes on tobacco in order to 
increase funding across a broad range of accounts within the 
Departments and agencies funded within this bill. The 
Committee, however, cannot simply ``assume'' revenues or fees 
that are outside of its jurisdiction and must fund programs 
within the parameters of current law.
    The Committee, therefore, has increased funding for 
programs that work for people and which represent a core 
Federal responsibility. It has attempted to maintain or 
increase funding for block grants that provide maximum 
flexibility for local officials. It has rejected the 
President's hastily formulated and thinly justified new program 
initiatives, favoring instead, to increase funding for existing 
programs that will more efficiently and effectively address 
identified needs. Finally, to meet Presidential and 
Congressional priorities and to offset the very tight 
allocation, programs have had to be cut or eliminated.
    Bill Total.--Total funding for the fiscal year 1999 
appropriation for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
Services and Education and Related Agencies is 
$296,407,261,000. For Discretionary accounts the bill provides 
$81,927,000,000. The bill is within its allocation as to both 
budget authority and outlays.
    Mandatory programs.--The bill provides $214,480,261,000 for 
entitlement programs in fiscal year 1999. Seventy-one percent 
of the funding in the bill is for these mandatory costs. 
Mandatory spending programs in the bill are increasing at a 
9.2% rate while discretionary spending remains essentially 
frozen.
    Funding requirements for entitlement programs are 
determined by the basic authorizing statutes. Mandatory 
programs include general fund support for the Medicare and 
Medicaid programs, Supplemental Security Income, Black Lung 
payments, and the Social Services Block Grant. The following 
chart indicates the funding levels for the major mandatory 
programs in fiscal years 1998 and 1999 and the growth in these 
programs.

                                                    MANDATORY                                                   
                                             [Dollars in thousands]                                             
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                          Fiscal year     Fiscal year                           
                        Program                              1998            1999           Change       Percent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor:                                                                                            
    Black Lung Disability Trust Fund..................      $1,007,000      $1,021,000         $14,000         1
Department of Health and Human Services:                                                                        
    Health Care Financing Administration:                                                                       
        Medicaid current law benefits.................      95,263,000     101,710,700       6,447,700         7
        Medicare Payments to Health Care Trust Fund...      60,904,000      62,953,000       2,049,000         3
    Administration for Children and Families:                                                                   
        Social Services Block Grant...................       2,299,000       2,299,000               0         0
Department of Education:                                                                                        
    Rehabilitation Services...........................       2,555,086       2,615,266          60,180         2
Related Agencies:                                                                                               
    Social Security Administration:                                                                             
        Special Benefits for Disabled Coal Miners.....         586,090         542,803         -43,287        -7
        Supplemental Security Income..................      25,850,000      30,175,000       4,325,000        17
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Department of Labor.--The bill appropriates $11,552,213,000 
for the Labor Department, a decrease of $1,106,831,000 below 
fiscal year 1998 and $1,485,480,000 below the amount requested 
by the President. This funding level includes $3,665,226,000 in 
Federal funds to carry out the provisions of the Job Training 
Partnership Act. The Committee recommends an increase in 
funding for the Job Corps of $61,402,000 over the fiscal year 
1998 level. The bill provides no funding for summer youth 
employment, but funds youth and adult training, and dislocated 
worker assistance at $2,435,475,000, the same as last year. 
Funding of $150,000,000 is provided for school-to-work 
activities in the Departments of Labor and Education
    Opportunity Areas for Out of School Youth.--The Committee 
provides no funding for this program. The Departments of Labor, 
Health and Human Services and Education and Related Agencies 
Appropriations Act of 1998 made $250,000,000 available for the 
program only if an authorization was enacted by July 1, 1998. 
Such an authorization was not enacted and the funds made 
available are no longer available and no additional funds are 
provided in this year's bill.
    Employment Standards Administration.--The Committee 
recommends $312,333,000 for ESA. This level is $11,313,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 level and $3,858,000 below the 
President's request. The bill includes a provision blocking the 
promulgation of black lung regulations until the Small Business 
Administration and the Office of Management and Budget's Office 
of Information and Regulatory Affairs certify to Congress that 
the regulations comply with the Regulatory Flexibility Act and 
the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.
    Occupational Safety and Health Administration.--The 
Committee recommends funding for OSHA at $336,678,000, 
$18,367,000 below the request and the same as last year's 
level. Within OSHA, state consultation grants are increased by 
16 percent while funding for Federal enforcement is reduced by 
4 percent. The bill includes language requiring peer review of 
new OSHA regulations except for ergonomics regulations.
    Department of Health and Human Services.--The bill 
appropriates $215,443,260,000 which is $150,040,000 below the 
President's request and $13,634,662,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 level. Funding for discretionary programs of 
$34,203,756,000 is $301,165,000 below the President's request 
and $1,367,076,000 above last year's level.
    Health Resources and Services Administration.--Funding for 
HRSA programs is $3,888,522,000, an increase of $283,097,000 
above last year and $121,554,000 above the President's request. 
Within HRSA, the consolidated health centers funding is at 
$924,000,000, an increase of $100,000,000, over the fiscal year 
1998 level, health professions training is funded at 
$303,818,000, an increase of $11,300,000 over last year's 
level, and Ryan White AIDS Care Act programs are funded at 
$1,330,600,000, $181,088,000 above last year and $17,618,000 
above the President's request.
    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.--Overall 
funding for CDC is $2,591,433,000, $207,795,000 above last year 
and $94,036,000 above the President's request. Increases are 
provided for high priority activities including the preventive 
health block grant, chronic and environmental disease 
prevention and breast and cervical cancer screening. Violence 
Against Women Act activities are funded at $51,000,000, $62,000 
above the President's request.
    National Institutes of Health.--The Committee proposes 
$14,862,023,000 for biomedical research activities at the 
National Institutes of Health. This funding level represents an 
increase of $98,710,000 over the President's request and 
$1,239,637,000, or 9.1 percent, over last year. This funding 
level indicates the very high priority that the Committee 
places on the activities of NIH and its expectation that, at 
this level, increased research activity can occur. The 
Committee has maintained its policy of resisting disease 
specific earmarks in the bill and report, believing that 
decisions as to appropriate levels of funding and appropriate 
avenues of research are best left to the scientific managers at 
NIH. NIH has indicated that its allocation will allow increases 
above the overall NIH level for research related to parkinson's 
disease, alzheimer's disease, diabetes and cardiovascular 
disease, among others.
    Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services 
Administration.--The bill provides $2,458,005,000 for the 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, an 
increase of $260,849,000 above fiscal year 1998 and 
$183,362,000 above the request level. The Committee has 
provided $1,585,000,000 for the Substance Abuse Block Grant 
which is $274,893,000 above the 1998 level and $79,893,000 
above the President's request.
    Agency for Health Care Policy and Research.--The bill 
provides $171,055,000 for the Agency for Health Care Policy and 
Research, an increase of $24,545,000 above last year and the 
same as the President's request.
    Medicare and Medicaid.--The bill provides $107,916,644,000 
for Medicaid and $62,953,000,000 in Federal funds for the 
Government's share of payments to Medicare. Funding of 
$1,269,700,000 is provided for Medicare contractor payments.
    Low Income Home Energy Assistance.--The Committee 
recommendation rescinds the fiscal year 1999 appropriation of 
$1,100,000,000 for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance 
Program. Funding of $1,100,000,000 is provided for the fiscal 
year 2000.
    Child Care and Development Block Grant.--The Committee 
recommends $1,000,000,000, the same as last year.
    Social Services Block Grant.--The Committee recommends 
$2,299,000,000, the same level as last year and $390,000,000 
above the President's request.
    Head Start.--The bill includes $4,500,000,000 for Head 
Start, $152,567,000 above last year's level.
    Community Services Block Grant.--Consistent with the 
Committee's policy of giving high priority to broad based block 
and state grants, the bill provides $500,000,000 for the 
community services block grant, an increase of $10,315,000 
above fiscal year 1998 and $10,900,000 above the President's 
request.
    Funding of Abortions.--The bill assures that the revised 
``Hyde'' language adopted last year applies to all trust fund 
programs funded in the bill.
    Medicare+Choice/abortion services.--The bill includes 
compromise language that assures that Medicare+Choice plans are 
not required to provide abortion services but that such 
services must be available to beneficiaries outside of the 
plan.
    Human Embryo Research.--The bill includes the same language 
included in the fiscal year 1998 bill to prohibit the use of 
funds for research involving human embryos. This language also 
has the effect of prohibiting human cloning.
    Needle Exchange.--The bill includes a prohibition on the 
use of Federal funds for needle exchange programs.
    Organ Transplantation.--The bill would prohibit 
implementation of HHS regulations that change the allocation 
methodology for human organs.
    Notification of Death for Organ Procurement.--The bill 
suspends regulations issued by the Health Care Financing 
Administration requiring, as a condition of participation in 
Medicare, that hospitals notify local organ procurement 
networks of all deaths occurring in the hospital.
    Ergonomics Study.--The bill includes funding within the 
Office of the Secretary of HHS for a National Academy of 
Sciences study of the scientific literature concerning 
ergonomics.
    Medicaid funding for Viagra.--The bill contains two 
provisions relating to Medicaid reimbursements for Viagra. The 
first would prohibit the use of funds to reimburse States for 
the cost of Viagra except for post-surgical procedures and 
would allocate the estimated $40,000,000 in savings as scored 
by the Congressional Budget Office to the federal Medicaid 
program to improve mental health services for children with 
emotional and behavioral disorders who are at-risk of violent 
behavior under the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Administration (SAMHSA). The second prohibits the Health Care 
Financing Administration from taking administrative action 
against States that do not cover Viagra.
    The Committee is concerned by the recent outbreaks of 
violence in our nation's schools and believes one important 
tool to address this problem is to improve children's mental 
health services. The additional funding for mental health 
knowledge development and applications under SAMHSA will assist 
schools in identifying and addressing the mental health needs 
of children and preventing aggressive behaviors. Schools are an 
ideal location for children's mental health activities because 
they facilitate peer-based programs, comprehensive approaches, 
and access to professionals in a familiar environment where 
many of the problem behaviors occur.
    Title X Compliance With State Laws and Requirements for 
Parental Consent.--The bill includes a provision requiring 
Title X clinics to comply with State laws relating to 
notification or reporting of child abuse, child molestation, 
sexual abuse, rape or incest. It also requires, with limited 
exceptions, that clinics must notify a parent or guardian prior 
to the provision of contraceptive drugs or devices to minors.
    Department of Education.--The bill funds programmatic and 
support activities in the Department of Education at 
$33,140,057,000, a decrease of $660,511,000 below the 
President's request and $1,140,341,000 above last year's level.
    Education Reform.--The bill reduces Goals 2000 to 
$245,500,000, a decrease of $245,500,000 below last year's 
level and $255,500,000 below the President's request. For 
School-to-Work, overall funding in both the Departments of 
Labor and Education is $150,000,000, a decrease of $250,000,000 
below fiscal year 1998 and $100,000,000 below the President's 
request. For Technology for Education, the bill provides 
$541,000,000, the same level as last year.
    Education for the Disadvantaged.--The bill provides 
$7,495,232,000, for grants to local education agencies. This 
level is the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount and 
$421,768,000 below the request level. However, funding within 
the bill is concentrated on the most disadvantaged districts 
through a $300,000,000 appropriation for Targeted Grants. The 
bill also provides $120,000,000, the same level as last year 
for Comprehensive School Reform.
    School Improvement Programs.--The bill funds title VI (the 
Education block Grant) at $400,000,000, an increase of 
$50,000,000 over fiscal year 1998. Included in the bill is 
language that allows States to use funding from Goals 2000 and 
Eisenhower Professional Development funding for any purpose 
authorized under the Education Block Grant. The bill also 
provides $285,000,000 for the Eisenhower Professional 
Development program.
    Safe and Drug Free Schools.--Safe and drug free schools is 
funded at $556,000,000, the same level as last year and 
$50,000,000 below the President's request.
    Literacy.--The Committee bill reflects a transfer of 
literacy funds to Special Education. The fiscal year 1998 bill 
appropriated $210,000,000 for literacy and included a provision 
transferring the funds to Special Education if no authorization 
was enacted by July 1, 1998. As a result, no funding is 
provided for this program as it remains unauthorized.
    Bilingual and Immigrant Education.--Bilingual and Immigrant 
Education programs are funded at $354,000,000, the same as the 
fiscal year 1998 amount and $33,000,000 below the President's 
request. The bill also includes language to:
    1. Delete the provision capping at 25% the amount of 
funding that can be used for programs that mainly provide 
instruction in English (including immersion type programs);
    2. Limit any student's participation in a federally funded 
bilingual education program to two years with two additional 
one year extensions;
    3. Preference for refunding is given to programs that are 
successful in transitioning students into regular classes 
within two years and assuring high academic performance.
    Special Education.--The Committee recommends overall 
funding for special education programs of $5,314,146,000, 
$503,500,000 above last year's level and $468,500,000 above the 
President's request. The bill also includes language amending 
the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to give local 
education agencies flexibility to move a child with 
disabilities to an alternative educational setting in 
situations where that child exhibits violent behavior. It also 
includes a provision prohibiting the Department of Education 
from penalizing states that decide not to provide services 
under IDEA for adult prisoners who otherwise qualify.
    Vocational and Adult Education.--Vocational education state 
grants are funded at $1,030,650,000 and adult education state 
grants are funded at $365,000,000. Tech Prep is funded at the 
President's request level. Overall, this account is funded at 
$1,532,247,000, $24,549,000 above the fiscal year 1998 level 
and $11,900,000 below the President's request.
    Student Financial Assistance and Higher Education.--The 
Committee places a high priority on direct assistance to 
students. The bill includes funding to allow the maximum Pell 
grant to rise to $3,150. Federal work-study grants and TRIO are 
increased as is institutional development for minority schools. 
TRIO is funded at $600,000,000, an increase of $70,333,000 
above fiscal year 1998 and $17,000,000 above the President's 
request.
    Education Research and Statistics.--The Committee proposes 
$447,667,000 for education research and statistics. This level 
is $16,229,000 above last year and $241,700,000 below the 
request level. The Committee has provided for $60,000,000 for 
after school learning centers, an increase of $20,000,000 over 
fiscal year 1998.
    National Testing.--The bill prohibits the use of funds for 
any national testing (except for TIMSS) unless specifically 
authorized.
    Social Security Administrative Costs.--Funding for the cost 
of administering the social security programs is 
$6,379,000,000, $30,040,000 below last year and $69,000,000 
below the President's request. Full funding is provided for 
continuing disability reviews.
    National Labor Relations Board.--Funding for the National 
Labor Relations Board is $174,661,000, the same as last year's 
level and $9,790,000 below the President's request. The bill 
includes a provision that effectively requires the NLRB to 
update for inflation the economic thresholds the agency uses to 
determine whether it has jurisdiction over a complaint. These 
thresholds have not been updated for inflation since the 1950s. 
The current threshold for many retail businesses of $50,000 in 
annual sales would be revised to approximately $262,000 
pursuant to the new provision.
    Corporation for Public Broadcasting.--CPB is an advance 
funded account with funds already appropriated through fiscal 
year 2000. Funding proposed by the Committee is $340,000,000 
for 2001, an increase of $40,000,000 over last year and the 
same as the President's request.
    Child Protection Act of 1998.--The bill includes the text 
of the Child Protection Act of 1998 which requires any school 
or library receiving federal funds for the purchase of 
computers or computer related equipment to install an obscenity 
filter on any computer to which minors have access.
    Allowing Obstetrician-Gynecologists To Be Primary Care 
Physicians in Managed Care Plans.--The bill provides that any 
group health plan or health insurer, including managed care 
plans, must allow obstetricians and gynecologists to be 
designated by a female enrollee as her primary care physician.
    Additional Cigarette Warning Labels.--The bill includes 
language requiring additional warning labels for cigarettes 
with respect to African-Americans.

                           Transfer Authority

    The Committee, again this year, has included a general 
transfer authority for the Departments and agencies funded 
under this bill. In doing so, it is providing the Executive 
with the ability to respond to emergencies or unanticipated 
needs. It is not the purpose of this authority to provide 
funding for new policy proposals that can, and should, be 
included in subsequent budget proposals.
    The Congress sets funding levels for programs, projects and 
activities through the annual appropriations act and the 
accompanying tables included in the conference report. Absent 
the need to respond to emergencies or unforeseen circumstances 
discussed above, this authority cannot be used simply to 
increase funding for programs, projects or activities because 
of disagreements over the funding level or the difficulty or 
inconvenience with operating levels set by the Congress.

                 Government Performance and Results Act

    The Committee believes that while the Departments and 
agencies under its jurisdiction have made good progress toward 
the establishment of goals of the Government Performance and 
Results Act, they are still a long way from meeting its overall 
intent. As noted in specific instances throughout this Report, 
the Committee feels that individual performance indicators need 
to be developed for each program. These indicators need to 
focus on the improvements in employment and income, worker 
safety, health status, biomedical discoveries, the quality of 
life of various populations, educational achievement, and the 
many other goals that are the primary purpose of the programs 
funded by this bill. Individual indicators need to be specific 
and measurable wherever possible, need to be consistent with 
other measures used in similar programs and need to be 
supported by systems that can provide annual information on the 
progress being made to achieving stated goals. Baselines need 
to be established. Annual statements of the level of 
improvement should be included with respect to the President's 
request. If differences between the request level and the 
actual appropriation change the level of programmatic 
improvement, such changes should be reflected in the operating 
plans required in this report.

                            Operating Plans

    The Committee directs the Departments and agencies 
identified in the report accompanying the fiscal year 1998 bill 
to continue to provide it with operating plans on the dates 
identified in that report. The Committee further directs that, 
in any account, other than state and formula grant accounts, in 
which the funding level appropriated is different from the 
President's request, the reporting agency provide information 
to the Committee at a level of detail, consistent with the 
budget request, on the programs, projects and activities to be 
funded during the fiscal year. Any significant change in the 
funding of programs, projects or activities in accounts funded 
at the President's request must be identified to the Committee 
as part of the normal committee notification process.
    The Committee is pleased that the Departments and agencies 
are making progress in upgrading their financial management 
systems to better determine the actual flow of appropriated 
dollars to individual programs and identifying obligation 
schedules. In addition to the account level estimates of 
outlays and obligations included in the fiscal year 1998 
reports, the Committee directs that estimates of obligations 
and outlays be included for those accounts appropriated in this 
bill and those specific appropriations made in other 
authorizing acts for the Department and agencies subject to 
this reporting requirement. Finally the Departments and 
agencies subject to this reporting requirement should include 
estimates of obligations and outlays of any program, project or 
activity newly funded in this bill and any program, project or 
activity with a funding level that changes by more than 20%. 
The Committee further directs that the Departments and agencies 
subject to this reporting requirement report within 30 days of 
the close of each quarter of the fiscal year on any account or 
program for which the obligations or outlays have varied by 
more that 20% from the estimates in the operating plans and 
provide an explanation for the variance. The Committee 
understands that some Departments and agencies are currently 
unable to provide all of the obligation and outlay data 
required by this report. While this inability is hard to 
understand given the funds that have been provided by this 
Committee to upgrade financial systems, agencies which find 
themselves in this situation are to submit such information as 
they can along with a timetable indicating their ability to 
meet all of the requirements of this section.

          Extended Availability of Salary and Expense Accounts

    The Committee has provided that salary and expense accounts 
funded in this bill remain available for obligation through 
December 31, 1999. This provision allows an additional, ``fifth 
quarter'' for the obligation of these funds. In making this 
provision available to the Executive, the Committee hopes to 
avoid the rush to obligate funds at the close of the fiscal 
year and the attendant lack of wisdom and forethought that 
often accompanies these last minute decisions. It is the 
Committee's intention to have this extended period of 
obligation used only sparingly for emergency or abnormal 
situations and it is specifically not the intention of the 
Committee to have the effective fiscal year for these accounts 
become January 1 to December 31.
    Therefore, the Committee directs the Departments and 
agencies funded under this bill to provide it with a report on 
September 15th of the funds it expects to obligate in the 
``fifth quarter'' made available in this bill and a report on 
January 15th of the funds actually obligated in this ``fifth 
quarter.''

                      TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

                 Employment and Training Administration

                    TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICES

    The Committee recommends $4,000,873,000 for this account 
which provides funding authorized primarily by the Job Training 
Partnership Act. The bill also includes a rescission of a 
$250,000,000 appropriation for fiscal year 1999 that was made 
in last year's appropriations bill. This is a reduction of 
$1,231,864,000 from the fiscal year 1998 level and a reduction 
of $1,322,500,000 from the budget request.
    The Training and Employment Services account is comprised 
of programs that enhance the employment and earnings of 
economically disadvantaged and dislocated workers, operated 
through a decentralized system of skill training and related 
services. As required by the Job Training Partnership Act, this 
appropriation is forward-funded on a July to June cycle. Funds 
provided for fiscal year 1999 will support the program from 
July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000.
    The account is comprised of two activities--Grants to 
States and Federally-administered programs. Grants to States 
give Governors the primary responsibility for the operation of 
training programs in their States. In partnership with the 
private sector and all levels of government, training programs 
attempt to emphasize increasing participant skills and private 
sector placement.
    Separate programs designed to meet the training and 
employment needs of specific population segments experiencing 
unique problems account for the bulk of funds provided for 
Federally-administered programs. These include such programs as 
Indians and Native Americans, migrant and seasonal farmworkers, 
veterans in need of training and employment assistance, the Job 
Corps, and a program to provide improved school-to-work 
transition for youth.
    The Committee notes that the Department is making progress 
in developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the 
goals of the various job training programs pursuant to the 
Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee 
encourages the Department to continue to refine the baseline 
data presented in the budget justification and believes that it 
is essential to develop specific, measurable standards for each 
and every one of these programs. There is a particular need in 
JTPA to develop more timely performance data. The annual 
performance plan should include the specific, measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all 
measures as a result of the proposed funding levels.

Adult training--Title II-A

    For adult training programs under title II-A of the Job 
Training Partnership Act, the bill provides $955,000,000, the 
same as the fiscal year 1998 level and a reduction of 
$45,000,000 from the budget request. This will provide a 
program level of about 386,000 adult participants. This program 
is designed to prepare adults for participation in the labor 
force by increasing their occupational and educational skills, 
resulting in improved long-term employability, increased 
employment and earnings, and reduced welfare dependency. It is 
operated at the local level through service delivery areas 
designated by the Governors. Each area has a private industry 
council to provide guidance and oversight with respect to 
activities under that area's job training plan, in partnership 
with the unit or units of general local government in the 
areas. The private industry council includes representatives of 
the private sector, educational agencies, organized labor, and 
other groups in the area. All funds are allocated to the States 
by statutory formula.

Youth training--Title II-C

    For youth training programs under title II-C of the Act, 
the bill provides $129,965,000. This is the same as the fiscal 
year 1998 level and the same as the budget request. This will 
provide a program level of about 163,000 youth participants. 
This program is intended to improve the long-term employability 
of youth, enhance their educational, occupational, and 
citizenship skills, and encourage their school completion. Like 
adult training, the program is administered by local service 
delivery areas, as directed by private industry councils. Funds 
are allocated to the States by statutory formula.

Summer youth employment--Title II-B

    The bill includes no funding for the summer youth 
employment program for the summer of 1999. The fiscal year 1998 
funding level was $871,000,000, and the budget request for 
fiscal year 1999 is the same. This program has not provided 
permanent skills training or education for young people. It has 
not done a good job of preparing young people for the real 
world of work.
    The Department's own reviews in the past have indicated 
that ``subsidized employment programs alone have not been 
successful in producing lasting gains in employment or earnings 
for youth participants once the program was over'' and that 
``temporary employment programs without additional services 
bring little or no post-program benefits to disadvantaged 
youth.'' The Department's reviews have also indicated that 
subsidized work experience ``. . . has generally not had long-
term positive effects on employment and earnings.''
    The Committee believes that this program is a lower-
priority Federal activity that we cannot afford this year 
because of the extremely tight budget caps under which we are 
operating. This program can be funded by States and localities 
if the need is great in their geographic areas and by the 
private sector. Private sector jobs would be much more useful 
and productive for these young people in any event.

Dislocated workers--Title III

    The bill provides $1,350,510,000 for dislocated worker 
programs. This is the same as the fiscal year 1998 level and 
$100,000,000 below the budget request. An estimated 654,000 
participants are expected to be served by this appropriation.
    The title III system provides for early identification of 
dislocated workers, the rapid provision of services to such 
workers, and job training. Among the program's components are 
universal rapid response capabilities, early intervention 
activities, the availability of needs-related payments to 
assist workers in training, and substate delivery systems. 
Funds are allocated to the States by statutory formula; 20 
percent is retained by the Secretary for discretionary 
purposes.
    The Committee urges the Department to continue to seek 
permanent cooperative relationships with private outplacement 
firms and to fully utilize the private, for-profit sector in 
service to workers through the title III program.

Job Corps--Title IV-B

    For the Job Corps, the bill provides $1,307,619,000 for 
program year 1999. This is an increase of $61,402,000 over the 
1998 level and the same as the budget request. The amount in 
the bill includes $1,157,047,000, an increase of $29,321,000 
over 1998, for center operations to support 69,700 participants 
at 118 centers. The Committee has provided sufficient funding 
to maintain the program and allow the opening of new centers 
that are currently in the pipeline. Small enhancements are 
provided to continue the process of modernizing the vocational 
training offerings and to continue the upgrading of furnishings 
and equipment in dormitories and classrooms. The bill also 
includes $150,572,000 for facility construction, 
rehabilitation, and acquisition, the same amount requested by 
the President and an increase of $32,081,000 over the 1998 
amount. This amount is primarily for repairs and rehabilitation 
at existing centers and to complete the facility expansion 
initiative begun in fiscal year 1998. The Committee encourages 
the Department to relocate centers that are in poor physical 
condition, particularly in those cases where the physical plant 
is a major deterrent to the center's performance. The bill 
includes an increase of $20,520,000 for this purpose.
    The Department should continue to examine low-cost options 
for serving more at-risk youth through Job Corps, such as 
expanding slots at existing high-performing centers or 
constructing satellite centers in proximity to existing high-
performing centers. The Committee recognizes that the 
Department is proceeding with the selection of five new sites 
using funds appropriated in fiscal year 1998.
    The Committee acknowledges the efforts being made by the 
Department to expedite the review process used to address the 
facility construction and rehabilitation needs of Job Corps 
centers and to investigate options such as design-build to meet 
these requirements. The Department should continue to make 
every effort to streamline this process to ensure each center's 
construction and rehabilitation needs are met in the most cost-
effective and expeditious manner.
    The Committee urges Job Corps to make every effort to 
establish effective working relationships with workforce 
development entities, employers and through community 
partnerships that will enhance services to students and 
increase their career opportunities. The Committee acknowledges 
the steps Job Corps has taken in this area, but believes 
considerably more can be done to ensure all centers work in 
partnership with their communities to provide better services 
through state and local resources.
    Historically, low income young people with children have 
been the most difficult to serve population in Job Corps. A 
collaborative partnership between Job Corps and Head Start 
would allow both programs to maximize the use of limited 
resources to serve this target population and to reach 
geographic and demographic areas not currently being served by 
existing programs. Expanding child care services on Job Corps 
campuses would enable more economically disadvantaged single 
parents to obtain the education, training and parenting skills 
needed to make a better life for their children and for 
themselves. Job Corps and Head Start would co-locate child care 
programs on Job Corps campuses, whereby Job Corps would provide 
facilities and Head Start would operate programs.
    The Committee acknowledges the need for expanded child care 
services on Job Corps campuses to help more single parents 
enroll and succeed in the program. The Committee applauds the 
Department of Labor's efforts to collaborate and combine 
resources with the appropriate programs within the Department 
of Health and Human Services, such as Head Start, and to 
establish cost-effective partnerships furthering the mission 
and purpose of both Job Corps and Head Start as requested in 
last year's report. The Committee urges the Department of Labor 
to work with Head Start to select locations with available 
space for construction or rehabilitation of child care centers 
and with a need for child care services in areas where a 
qualified, high quality Head Start program is available and 
willing to participate. The Committee urges the Department to 
construct or rehabilitate facilities on some Job Corps campuses 
to co-locate Head Start programs to serve residential and non-
residential Job Corps students and their children.
    The Committee urges the Department to continue to crack 
down on poor-performing Job Corps centers. A significant number 
of centers appears to be at the bottom of the performance 
rankings year after year. While recognizing that the Department 
has taken some steps to address this situation, the Committee 
believes that continued close attention is warranted. If 
changing the center operator and other management actions do 
not solve the problems, then the Department should consider 
closing some of the chronic poor-performers.
    The United States will host the 1999 Women's World Cup 
soccer tournament, the largest women's sporting event in 
history. The Committee encourages the Department to provide for 
materials needed to allow Job Corps trainees to participate in 
the preparations for the World Cup Games. This partnership 
would allow Job Corps trainees to apply their developing 
vocational skills in a professional setting as part of an 
international sporting event.

School-to-work

    The bill includes $75,000,000 for the school-to-work 
opportunities initiative under the School-to-Work Opportunities 
Act. This is a reduction of $125,000,000 below the fiscal year 
1998 appropriation and $50,000,000 below the budget request. 
This program is designed to provide a national framework within 
which all States can create statewide systems to help youth 
acquire the knowledge, skills, abilities, and labor market 
information they need to make an effective transition from 
school to work, or to further education or training. It is 
jointly administered by the Departments of Labor and Education. 
A like amount is included for the program in the Department of 
Education. Funds support grants to States to develop school-to-
work systems to ease the transition from school to work. 
Activities can include recruiting employers, obtaining in-depth 
information on local labor markets, designing school-based and 
work-based curricula, and training school-based and work-based 
staff.
    This program is on a phaseout schedule as was planned when 
it was started several years ago. The Committee recommendation 
will accelerate the phaseout.

Native Americans

    For Native American programs, the bill provides 
$53,815,000. This is the same as the President's budget request 
and the fiscal year 1998 level. These programs are designed to 
improve the economic well-being of disadvantaged Native 
Americans through vocational training, work experience, and 
other services aimed at getting participants into permanent 
unsubsidized jobs. About 19,000 participants would be served.

Migrant and seasonal farmworkers

    For Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker programs, the bill 
provides $71,017,000. This is the same as the President's 
budget request and the fiscal year 1998 level. This program is 
aimed at alleviating chronic unemployment and underemployment 
being experienced by farmworker families. Training and 
employability development services are supposed to prepare 
farmworkers for stable, year-round employment, both in and 
outside the agricultural industry. Supportive services such as 
health care, day care and housing are also provided. About 
38,000 participants would be served.
    The Department is encouraged to continue the farmworker 
housing program at the current year level.

Veterans' employment

    For veterans' employment, the bill provides $7,300,000. 
This is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1998 
level. These funds provide special employment and training 
programs designed to meet the unique needs of disabled, 
Vietnam-era, and recently separated veterans.

Other Federally-administered programs

    For other Federally-administered programs, $50,647,000 is 
provided for program year 1999. This is $47,266,000 below the 
fiscal year 1998 level and $6,500,000 below the budget request. 
The Committee allowance includes funding for research and 
evaluation ($10,000,000), the National Occupational Information 
Coordinating Committee ($5,000,000), pilots and demonstrations 
($25,000,000), women in apprenticeship ($647,000), homeless 
veterans ($3,000,000), and the National Skills Standards 
Advisory Board ($7,000,000).
    The Committee has concerns about the Administration's new 
initiatives with respect to child care apprenticeships and to 
creating alternatives to agricultural labor for dependents of 
migrant farmworkers. A total of $9,000,000 is proposed to be 
spent on these two initiatives. The Committee has reduced these 
requests because it believes that these proposals may not be 
well thought out. The Department needs to do more work on them 
before spending this amount of money.
    The Committee has not provided funding for an opportunity 
areas for out-of-school youth program proposed by the 
Administration. The budget request includes $250 million as an 
advance appropriation for fiscal year 2000. An appropriation of 
$250 million was made for this in last year's appropriations 
bill contingent upon enactment of a specific authorization for 
the program by July 1, 1998. Such an authorization has not yet 
been enacted. While the Committee recognizes the importance of 
helping out-of-school youth acquire the skills to obtain jobs 
and retain them to build better lives for themselves and their 
families, it believes that significant expansion of the current 
pilot projects should await action by the authorizing 
committees. The Committee will consider funding this request 
once authorizing legislation is enacted.
    The Committee has included sufficient demonstration funding 
to implement an innovative, comprehensive workforce reform 
effort addressing three key job components: employment 
retention, transitional community service, and construction 
jobs advancement.
    The Committee recognizes the need to provide effective 
employment services to poor, primarily single, adults who have 
significant multiple barriers to employment. The Committee 
urges the Department to provide funding to demonstrate how 
these individuals can be successfully integrated into the 
workforce.
    The Committee encourages the funding of a demonstration 
project to recruit and train displaced homemakers for jobs in 
information technology.
    The Committee is aware that employment-related skills 
development is an essential component of sustained recovery 
from addiction. Within the funds provided for pilots and 
demonstrations, the Committee urges the Secretary to provide a 
grant to an organization that has successfully infused 
employment-related skills services into its recovery programs. 
The purpose of this grant is to design and evaluate a 
curriculum that will prepare addicts to make the transition 
from addiction to employment.
    The Committee applauds the successful development of 
national skill standards for the metalworking industry and 
believes that this path breaking effort can provide guidance to 
other industries that are attempting to develop such skill 
standards in order to maintain their international 
competitiveness. The Committee understands that implementation 
of these new metalworking standards at the state level requires 
that numerous obstacles be overcome, including the cost to 
state agencies of updating their credentialing and testing 
processes, the burden that testing fees impose on low-income 
applicants, and the need to update curricula and retrain 
educators. Accordingly, the Committee believes that the 
Department should develop a pilot project aimed at identifying 
successful methods to promote adoption at the state level of 
the new metalworking skill standards and be prepared to testify 
on this proposal during next year's committee hearings.

            COMMUNITY SERVICE EMPLOYMENT FOR OLDER AMERICANS

    The bill includes $440,200,000 for community service 
employment for older Americans. This is the same as the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 level and the President's budget 
request. The Committee notes that this program again this year 
lacks an authorization for appropriations. The program, under 
title V of the Older Americans Act, provides part-time 
employment in community service activities for unemployed, low-
income persons aged 55 and over. Participants receive the 
minimum wage. It is forward-funded from July to June, and the 
fiscal year 1999 appropriation will support the effort from 
July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000. An estimated 61,500 job 
slots will be supported by the bill.
    The Committee is concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
activities funded in this program.

              FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES

    The bill includes $360,700,000, the same as the budget 
request and an increase of $11,700,000 over the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level. The fiscal year 1999 allowance provides 
funding for certain worker adjustment entitlement programs.
    For trade adjustment assistance benefits, as authorized by 
the Trade Act of 1974, as amended, the bill includes 
$218,000,000. This is an increase of $10,000,000 over the 
fiscal year 1998 level. The bill provides $94,300,000 for 
training, job search and job relocation allowances to workers 
adversely affected by imports. The funding for this activity is 
also authorized under the Trade Act of 1974, as amended. This 
is a reduction of $2,400,000 below the fiscal year 1998 level.
    For NAFTA transitional adjustment assistance benefits, also 
authorized by the Trade Act of 1974, as amended as a result of 
the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), 
the bill includes $26,000,000. This is an increase of 
$4,000,000 over the fiscal year 1998 level. The bill also 
includes $22,400,000 for NAFTA transitional adjustment 
assistance training for workers affected by imports from Mexico 
and Canada. This is an increase of $100,000 over the fiscal 
year 1998 level.

     STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS

    The bill includes $3,274,573,000 for this account, a 
reduction of $225,844,000 below the fiscal year 1998 level and 
$93,600,000 below the budget request. Included in the total 
availability is $3,122,476,000 authorized to be drawn from the 
Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment 
Trust Fund and $152,097,000 to be provided from the general 
fund of the Treasury. The funds in this account are used to 
provide administrative grants and assistance to State agencies 
which administer Federal and State unemployment compensation 
laws and operate the public employment service. In addition, 
funds are provided for the one-stop career center program.
    The Committee notes that the Department is making progress 
in developing objective, measurable standards for achieving the 
goals of these programs. The Committee encourages the 
Department to continue to refine the baseline data presented in 
the budget justification and believes that it is essential to 
develop specific, measurable standards for all activities. The 
annual performance plan must include the specific, measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all 
measures as a result of the proposed funding levels.
    For Unemployment Insurance Services, the bill provides 
$2,321,458,000. This total includes a regular contingency 
amount of $196,333,000, which may be drawn from the Employment 
Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. 
The recommendation is $83,600,000 below the budget request and 
$199,000,000 below the fiscal year 1998 level. The Committee 
has not provided the request for an additional $91,000,000 for 
State integrity activities. Although the Committee realizes 
that this is an important area that deserves attention, 
sufficient funds do not exist in this year's budget allocation 
to accommodate it. It is estimated by the Department that the 
States are already spending about $360,000,000 for these 
activities in the current fiscal year. An additional $8,000,000 
requested for coding conversion costs for States to update the 
old Standard Industrial Classification codes has also not been 
approved. The reduction below the FY 1998 amount is accounted 
for by a one-time appropriation of $200,000,000 in FY 1998 for 
Year 2000 computer conversion costs. For national UI 
activities, the bill includes $10,000,000; this is the same as 
the fiscal year 1998 level.
    For the Employment Service, the bill provides $816,615,000 
which includes $23,452,000 in general funds together with an 
authorization to spend $793,163,000 from the Employment 
Security Administration Account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. 
These amounts are the same as the fiscal year 1998 level and 
the budget request. Included in the bill for the Employment 
Service is $761,735,000 for State grants, available for the 
program year of July 1, 1999 through June 30, 2000. This is the 
same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1998 level.
    The Committee has provided $54,880,000 for ES national 
activities, the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 
1998 level. Over half of these funds are used for the alien 
labor certification program. The bill includes $20,000,000 
specifically for administration by the States of the Work 
Opportunities Tax Credit and the Welfare-to-Work Tax Credit.
    The Committee has provided $136,500,000 for States to 
establish one-stop career centers to integrate the provision of 
labor market and training services to unemployed workers and to 
employers through collaboration of local service providers. 
This is a reduction of $26,844,000 from the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and $10,000,000 below the budget 
request. This includes $65,700,000 for one-stop implementation 
grants to States and $70,800,000 for labor market information 
activities. One-stop implementation grants are declining in 
accordance with the original plan when the program was begun. 
The Committee has not approved a request for $10,000,000 for a 
new initiative to promote the use of technology in lifelong 
learning; this request was linked to a similar request in the 
Department of Education which the Committee has also not funded 
because it lacks a specific authorization.
    The Committee recognizes the importance of the O*NET data 
provided by the Department to public, private and not-for-
profit career information system providers and is concerned by 
reports that perhaps this critical data is not being 
distributed as openly or efficiently as had previously been the 
case. The Committee urges the Department to continue to provide 
O*NET data to traditional career information system providers 
in a timely and unrestrictive manner.

        ADVANCES TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND AND OTHER FUNDS

    The bill includes $357,000,000, the same as the budget 
request and a reduction of $35,000,000 below the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level. The appropriation is available to 
provide advances to several accounts for purposes authorized 
under various Federal and State unemployment compensation laws 
and the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund, whenever balances in 
such accounts prove insufficient. The bill anticipates that 
fiscal year 1999 advances will be made to the Black Lung 
Disability Trust Fund.
    The separate appropriations provided by the Committee for 
all other accounts eligible to borrow from this account in 
fiscal year 1999 are expected to be sufficient. Should the need 
arise, due to unanticipated changes in the economic situation, 
or for other legitimate reasons, advances will be made to the 
needy accounts to the extent funds are available. Funds 
advanced to the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund are repayable 
with interest to the general fund of the Treasury.

                         PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION

    The bill includes total funding for this account of 
$137,711,000. This is $5,749,000 below the request and 
$6,029,000 above the fiscal year 1998 level. This includes 
$93,995,000 in general funds and authority to expend 
$43,716,000 from the Employment Security Administration Account 
of the Unemployment Trust Fund. General funds in this account 
provide the Federal staff to administer employment and training 
programs under the Job Training Partnership Act, the Older 
Americans Act, the welfare-to-work program, the Trade Act of 
1974, and the National Apprenticeship Act. Trust funds provide 
for the Federal administration of employment security functions 
under title III of the Social Security Act and the Immigration 
and Nationality Act.

              Pension and Welfare Benefits Administration

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The bill provides $86,159,000 for this account, a reduction 
of $4,815,000 from the budget request and an increase of 
$4,103,000 over the fiscal year 1998 level. The Pension and 
Welfare Benefits Administration (PWBA) is responsible for the 
enforcement of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income 
Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) in both civil and criminal areas. 
This involves ERISA fiduciary and reporting/disclosure 
requirements. PWBA is also responsible for enforcement of 
sections 8477 and 8478 of the Federal Employees' Retirement 
Security Act of 1986 (FERSA). The agency was also given new 
responsibilities under the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996.

                  Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation

    The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation is a wholly-owned 
government corporation established by the Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974. The law places it within the 
Department of Labor and makes the Secretary of Labor the 
chairman of its board of directors. The Corporation receives 
its income from insurance premiums collected from covered 
pension plans, collections of employer liabilities imposed by 
the Act, and investment earnings. It is also authorized to 
borrow up to $100 million from the Treasury. The primary 
purpose of the Corporation is to guarantee the payment of 
pension plan benefits to participants if covered plans fail or 
go out of existence.
    The Corporation's budget for fiscal year 1999 includes 
benefit payments of $977,380,000, multi-employer financial 
assistance of $14,250,000, an administrative expenses 
limitation of $10,958,000, and administrative expenses that are 
exempt from limitation of $147,724,000. Only the administrative 
expenses limitation is subject to the appropriations process. 
The amount in the administrative expense limitation is the same 
as the request and $525,000 over the fiscal year 1998 amount.

                  Employment Standards Administration

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The bill includes $312,333,000 for this agency. This is a 
reduction of $3,858,000 below the budget request and an 
increase of $11,313,000 over the fiscal year 1998 level. The 
bill includes $310,409,000 in general funds for this account 
and also contains authority to expend $1,924,000 from the 
Special Fund established by the Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation Act. In addition, an amount of $30,191,000 is 
available by transfer from the Black Lung Disability Trust 
Fund. This is the same as the request and $4,044,000 over the 
fiscal year 1998 level.
    The Employment Standards Administration is involved in the 
administration of numerous laws, including the Fair Labor 
Standards Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, the Migrant 
and Seasonal Agricultural Workers' Protection Act, the Davis-
Bacon Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the Federal 
Employees' Compensation Act (FECA), the Longshore and Harbor 
Workers' Compensation Act, and the Federal Mine Safety and 
Health Act (black lung). The agency also administers Executive 
Order 11246 related to affirmative action by Federal 
contractors and the Labor-Management Reporting and Disclosure 
Act.
    With respect to the Government Performance and Results Act, 
the Committee notes that the agency's annual performance plan 
indicates that measurement systems and baseline data are not 
currently available for some of its performance goals. This 
concerns the Committee, and it urges the agency to take all 
necessary steps to correct the deficiencies soon. The 
performance plan needs to show the specific, measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all 
measures as a result of proposed funding levels.
    The Committee recommendation includes $1,500,000 to 
continue the development and implementation of the electronic 
filing of reports required to be filed under the Labor-
Management Reporting and Disclosure Act, and a computer 
database of the information for each submission that is indexed 
and easily searchable by the public via the Internet. The 
Committee has provided $1,000,000 over the budget request to 
accelerate this project.
    The Committee is concerned about the difficulty the public 
has obtaining full and complete information on these reports. 
Further, the Committee expects the Department to continue 
pursuing this project by including funding for it in future 
budget requests. The General Accounting Office is expected to 
review the Department's implementation plan and other 
activities to determine whether these efforts will achieve the 
goal of improving the timeliness, accuracy, and availability of 
the information contained in the reports filed under the Labor-
Management Reporting and Disclosure Act. The General Accounting 
Office shall report its findings to the Appropriations 
Committees after it has made its review.
    A process for verifying the accuracy of data submitted for 
Davis-Bacon wage surveys is important for improving public 
confidence in the integrity of the process and the accuracy of 
the resulting wage determinations. To address this concern, the 
Department should ensure that an appropriate portion of the 
funds appropriated for the Davis-Bacon wage survey program is 
expended to randomly sample all data submissions to verify 
their accuracy. In addition, a sample of all data submissions 
should be selected for on-site data verification against actual 
payroll records. The Committee expects the General Accounting 
Office to review the Department's activities to determine 
whether these efforts will achieve the goal of improving the 
timeliness, accuracy and reliability of Davis-Bacon wage 
determinations. The GAO shall report its findings to the 
Appropriations Committees after it has made its review.
    The Committee has included language in the bill to prohibit 
the Department from issuing the final revised black lung 
regulations until the Small Business Administration and the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs have certified to 
Congress that the regulations comply with the requirements of 
the Regulatory Flexibility Act and the Small Business 
Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act.

                            special benefits

    The bill includes $179,000,000, the same as the budget 
request and a decrease of $22,000,000 below the fiscal year 
1998 comparable appropriation. This appropriation primarily 
provides benefits under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act 
(FECA). The payments are required by law.
    The total amount to be available in fiscal year 1999, 
including anticipated reimbursements from Federal agencies of 
$1,846,000,000 and carryover funds from the prior year, is 
$3,070,292,000, an increase of $109,000,000 over the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level.
    The Committee recommends continuation of appropriation 
language to provide authority to deposit into the Special 
Benefits account those funds that the Postal Service, the 
Tennessee Valley Authority, and other entities are required to 
pay to cover their ``fair share'' of the costs of administering 
the claims filed by their employees under FECA. The Committee 
also recommends approval of appropriation language to provide 
that $20,250,000 of the funds transferred from the ``fair 
share'' agencies to pay the costs of administration will be 
available to the Secretary of Labor to finance capital 
improvements relating to upgrading and enhancing the Federal 
Employees' Compensation program computer system hardware and 
software and to finance staff costs related to the FECA 
periodic roll management project and improved medical bill 
screening. The remaining balance of the administrative costs 
paid by the ``fair share'' agencies will revert to Treasury as 
miscellaneous receipts.

                    black lung disability trust fund

    The bill includes authority to obligate $1,021,000,000 from 
the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund in fiscal year 1999. This 
is an increase of $14,000,000 over the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and the same as the budget request.
    The total amount available for fiscal year 1999 will 
provide $453,725,000 for benefit payments, and $50,919,000 and 
$356,000 for administrative expenses for the Departments of 
Labor and Treasury, respectively. Also included is $516,000,000 
for interest payments on advances from the general fund of the 
Treasury. In fiscal year 1998, comparable obligations for 
benefit payments are estimated to be $466,650,000, while 
administrative expenses for the Departments of Labor and 
Treasury respectively are $45,994,000 and $356,000. Interest 
payments on advances are estimated at $494,000,000 for fiscal 
year 1998.
    The Trust Fund pays all black lung compensation/medical and 
survivor benefit expenses when no responsible mine operator can 
be assigned liability for such benefits, or when coal mine 
employment ceased prior to 1970, as well as all administrative 
costs which are incurred in administering the benefits program 
and operating the Trust Fund.
    It is estimated that 68,500 people will be receiving black 
lung benefits financed from the Trust Fund in fiscal year 1999. 
This compares with an estimated 72,500 receiving benefits in 
fiscal year 1998.
    The basic financing for the Trust Fund comes from a coal 
excise tax for underground and surface-mined coal. Additional 
funds come from reimbursement payments from mine operators for 
benefit payments made by the Trust Fund before the mine 
operator is found liable, and advances from the general fund, 
estimated at $357,000,000 in fiscal year 1999. The advances to 
the Fund assure availability of necessary funds when 
liabilities may exceed other income. The Omnibus Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1987 continues the current tax structure 
until 2014.

              Occupation Safety and Health Administration

                         salaries and expenses

    The bill includes $336,678,000 for this agency. This is a 
reduction of $18,367,000 below the budget request and the same 
as the fiscal year 1998 level. This agency is responsible for 
enforcing the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 in the 
Nation's workplaces.
    The Committee has frozen this agency's budget overall, but 
it has reallocated funding within the total to place more 
emphasis on compliance assistance, in particular for State on-
site consultation grants. Federal enforcement funding has been 
reduced by 4 percent below last year, while compliance 
assistance has been increased by 7 percent. The Committee has 
provided $84,870,000 for compliance assistance, an increase of 
$5,570,000 over the fiscal year 1998 amount. Compliance 
assistance activities include on-site consultation programs by 
designated State agencies for which the bill includes 
$40,943,000, an increase of $5,570,000; conducting general 
outreach activities and providing technical assistance at the 
request of employers; training and education grants; fostering 
and promoting voluntary protection programs that give 
recognition and assistance to employers who establish exemplary 
occupational safety and health programs; and the OSHA training 
institute. The agency should continue the dual strategy of 
enforcement targeted to the most hazardous industries and 
employers and expand partnerships and compliance assistance 
activities to assist employers and workers in meeting their 
obligations to ensure workplace safety and health.
    With respect to the Government Performance and Results Act, 
the Committee notes that the agency's annual performance plan 
indicates that measurement systems and baseline data are not 
currently available for some of its performance goals. This 
concerns the Committee, and it urges the agency to take all 
necessary steps to correct the deficiencies soon. The 
performance plan needs to show the specific, measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur with respect to all 
measures as a result of proposed funding levels.
    The Committee supports OSHA's efforts to expand the 
Voluntary Protection Program and other voluntary cooperative 
programs. The Committee expects OSHA to continue to place high 
priority on the VPP, including increasing the number of small 
businesses enrolled in the program.
    The Committee urges OSHA to expand its safety training 
grants to include more small business organizations. The 
Committee believes the nationwide network of nearly 1,000 Small 
Business Development Centers could provide a unique setting for 
training small employers.
    The Committee encourages the agency to expand the number of 
non-governmental participants at the training institute.
    The Committee has provided not less than $300,000 under the 
safety and health standards activity for OSHA to convene 
independent peer review panels to consider the scientific basis 
for major rules. The Committee has excluded ergonomics from the 
peer review provision because it has provided funding for a 
comprehensive review of ergonomics data and science by the 
National Academy of Sciences. To require both peer reviews 
would be redundant. The Committee agrees with the recent 
Presidential/Congressional Commission on Risk Assessment and 
Risk Management that peer review is an important and effective 
mechanism for evaluating the accuracy or appropriateness of 
technical data, observations, interpretations, and the 
scientific and economic aspects of regulatory decisions. The 
Committee has given the Secretary the flexibility to determine 
the size and composition of the peer review panels and urges 
her to consider various perspectives when choosing panel 
members and to balance the members from various backgrounds, 
including industry and academia.
    The Committee is aware of the State of New Jersey's pending 
application for the Public Employees Occupational Safety and 
Health (PEOSH) program. The Committee encourages the 
Occupational Safety and Health Administration to include 
funding for this program in its FY 2000 budget request.
    The Committee has included language carried in the bill 
since 1976 in one instance and 1979 in the other that restricts 
the use of funds for certain purposes. First, the bill includes 
language that effectively exempts farms employing 10 or fewer 
people from the provisions of the Act except those farms having 
a temporary labor camp. Second, the bill includes language 
exempting businesses employing 10 or fewer in industry 
classifications having a lost workday injury rate less than the 
national average from general schedule safety inspections.

                 Mine Safety and Health Administration

                         salaries and expenses

    The bill includes $203,397,000 for this agency. This is 
$7,768,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal 
year 1998 level. This agency enforces the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Act in underground and surface coal and metal and 
non-metal mines.
    During the MSHA appropriations hearing, the Assistant 
Secretary for Mine Safety and Health was questioned as to the 
agency's announced intention to seek to have the Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Review Commission's decision in the National 
Gypsum case overturned. That decision defined ``significant and 
substantial'' violations of the Mine Act as violations that are 
``reasonably likely to result in a reasonably serious injury or 
illness.'' The Committee notes with approval that by Federal 
Register notice of April 23, 1998, MSHA announced that it would 
not pursue its activity with respect to the National Gypsum 
decision which in the Committee's view reflects Congressional 
intent. However, in cases before the Review Commission, there 
has been discussion of reversing or revising the 17 years of 
case law precedents. Some have stated that a new interpretation 
of the ``plain language, legislative history, and remedial 
purpose'' of the Mine Act supports rejecting this precedent or 
creating presumptions that avoid this precedent. The 
``reasonable likelihood'' standard best reflects Congressional 
intent and is consistent with the plain language, legislative 
history, and remedial purpose of the Mine Act. By focusing on 
serious hazards, the ``reasonable likelihood'' standard permits 
the Commission, the industry, the workforce and MSHA to focus 
on serious risks and prevent them.
    The Committee has continued language carried in the bill 
since 1979 prohibiting the use of funds to carry out the 
training provisions of the Act with respect to shell dredging 
or with respect to any sand, gravel, surface stone, surface 
clay, colloidal phosphate or surface limestone mine. Although 
the Committee recommends including this language for another 
year, the Committee hopes and intends that the agency and the 
affected industry groups will work together cooperatively over 
the coming year to see that the miner training regulations are 
revised so that they are acceptable to all parties. The 
Committee expects the agency to submit a report prior to its 
appropriations hearing on the fiscal year 2000 budget request 
outlining the progress that has been made by that time and 
explaining in detail any significant issues that remain 
unresolved.

                       Bureau of Labor Statistics

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The total funding recommended by the Committee for the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics is $398,870,000. This is an increase 
of $18,327,000 over the fiscal year 1998 level and the same as 
the budget request. The bill includes $344,724,000 in general 
funds for this account and authority to spend $54,146,000 from 
the Employment Security Administration Account of the 
Unemployment Trust Fund. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is the 
principal fact-finding agency in the Federal Government in the 
broad field of labor economics. Its principal surveys include 
the Consumer Price Index and the monthly unemployment series.
    The Committee has approved $11,159,000, the full amount 
requested by the Administration, for the Consumer Price Index 
revision. This revision is critical to the Nation's economy and 
to the Federal budget. The Committee directs the Bureau to give 
this matter the very highest priority. In addition, the bill 
includes a requested program increase of $9,068,000 to make 
further improvements in the CPI, including speeding up the 
process of updating the market basket, expanding the amount of 
information collected on certain goods and services for 
improving methods of adjusting for quality changes, and to 
enable the introduction of supplemental indexes that will 
reflect the ability of consumers to substitute among goods and 
services.

                        Departmental Management

                         SALARIES AND EXPENSES

    The bill includes $163,770,000 for Departmental Management 
activities. This is $25,290,000 below the budget request and an 
increase of $12,140,000 over the fiscal year 1998 level. The 
bill includes $163,471,000 in general funds for this account 
along with authority to transfer $299,000 from the Employment 
Security Administration account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. 
In addition, an amount of $20,422,000 is available by transfer 
from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. This is the same as 
the budget request and $871,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
level.
    The Departmental Management appropriation finances staff 
responsible for formulating and overseeing the implementation 
of Departmental policy and management activities. In addition, 
this appropriation includes a variety of operating programs and 
activities that are not involved in Departmental Management 
functions, but for which other salaries and expenses 
appropriations are not suitable.
    The Committee commends the Department for achieving a clean 
audit under the terms of the Government Management Reform Act 
of 1994. An audited financial statement is like a ``scorecard'' 
that reflects a department's progress in achieving the 
significant financial management reforms required by the CFO 
Act, and in providing effective stewardship and management of 
government funds.
    The bill includes an increase of $3,000,000 for the Bureau 
of International Labor Affairs for the purpose of providing 
funding to the ILO to support the International Program for the 
Elimination of Child Labor. The Committee realizes that this is 
a serious problem around the world, but it simply cannot afford 
to provide the requested increase of $27,000,000 for this 
purpose within its budgetary allocation. The amount provided 
doubles the amount available in fiscal year 1998. The Committee 
has not provided separate funding for a new commission on 
workers and economic change. This does not have a statutory 
basis. If the Secretary believes that this requires separate 
funding, she can utilize her reprogramming or transfer 
authorities to do so.
    The Committee urges the Women's Bureau to continue to 
support effective organizations that provide technical 
assistance and training on displaced homemaker programming.
    The Committee is encouraged by agency interest in 
interdepartmental coordination of programs within the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. 
The Committee continues to be concerned that the Departments 
have no forum in place for continuous interdepartmental 
collaboration. The Working Group on Comprehensive Early 
Childhood Family Centers, headed by the Department of 
Education, recommended that the Departments create such a 
forum, and this has yet to occur. Therefore, the Committee 
urges the Departments to institutionalize interdisciplinary 
collaboration at all levels, and requests a progress report on 
steps taken to accomplish such departmental collaboration and 
program coordination no later than March of 1999.
    The Committee recognizes that family literacy programs have 
proven effective in reaching some of the most difficult to 
serve populations. In an effort to ensure the quality of family 
literacy services provided through Federally funded programs, 
the Committee urges the Department of Labor to use available 
funds to secure technical assistance, dissemination of 
materials and information about best practices, program 
evaluation, and other activities. Such assistance should be 
secured through the National Institute for Literacy and should 
involve public or private nonprofit organizations with a record 
of providing effective services to family literacy providers.

        ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR VETERANS EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING

    The bill includes $182,719,000 to be expended from the 
Employment Security Administration Account of the Unemployment 
Trust Fund. This is the same as the budget request and $740,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 level.
    For State grants, the bill provides $80,040,000 for the 
Disabled Veterans Outreach program. This amount is sufficient 
to finance about 1,440 State staff. The bill also provides 
$77,078,000 for the Local Veterans Employment Representative 
program. This amount is sufficient to finance about 1,300 State 
staff.
    For Federal administration, the bill provides $25,601,000, 
an increase of $740,000. This includes $2,000,000 to operate 
the National Veterans Training Institute, the same amount 
requested by the Administration as a separate line item. 
Attendees at the Institute are primarily State employees who 
provide employment services to veterans. The Committee believes 
that the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies 
should pay the full cost of training for their employees that 
is provided by the NVTI.

                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

    The bill includes $46,272,000 for the Office of Inspector 
General. This is a reduction of $3,533,000 below the budget 
request and the same as the fiscal year 1998 level. This 
includes $42,627,000 in general funds for this account along 
with authority to transfer $3,645,000 from the Employment 
Security Administration account of the Unemployment Trust Fund. 
In addition, an amount of $306,000 is available by transfer 
from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.
    The Office of the Inspector General was created by law to 
protect the integrity of Departmental programs as well as the 
welfare of beneficiaries served by those programs. Through a 
program of audits, investigations, inspections, and program 
evaluations, the OIG attempts to reduce the incidence of fraud, 
waste, abuse, and mismanagement, and to promote economy, 
efficiency, and effectiveness throughout the Department.
    The Committee believes that all of the Inspectors General 
need to do a better job of accounting for and tracking the 
savings that they claim to generate by their efforts. More 
attention must be paid to how much money is actually collected 
each year and paid back to the Federal government. The 
Committee directs the Inspector General to continue to report 
to the Committee each quarter on:
          (1) the actual payments, as a result of fines, 
        restitutions or forfeitures, made to the United States 
        Government as a result of his activities; and
          (2) how ``funds put to better use'' were used; this 
        report must identify funds made available for use by 
        management and the programs, projects, and activities 
        that were increased as a result of these funds.
    The Committee continues to be concerned by the inability of 
the Inspector General to obtain the necessary data from the 
Department of Justice to inform the Committee about the amounts 
of money that are being recovered. It is not adequate to simply 
tell the Committee that the data are not available. Steps must 
be taken by the Inspector General and others in the Executive 
Branch to address this shortcoming.
    In order to better track the actual collections, offsets 
and funds put to better use achieved as a result of Inspector 
General activities, the Committee directs the Office of the 
Inspector General to begin reporting its results on a reporting 
period basis rather than a cumulative basis. For each 
semiannual report, the Committee directs the Office of 
Inspector General to provide, in tabular form, for audit 
findings: 1) total number and dollar value of new findings, 2) 
total number and dollar value of findings on which management 
concurs from this semiannual report, 3) total value of 
receivables booked by management from this semiannual report, 
and 4) total of funds offset or recovered from audit findings 
in this semiannual report. In each subsequent semi-annual 
report, the Inspector General is to update the information on 
management concurrence, receivables, and offsets and 
collections for each prior semiannual report. For each of these 
reportable actions, the Office of Inspector General shall 
include both the total management concurrence, receivables, and 
offsets and collections from all prior reports and new, 
management concurrence, receivables, and offsets and 
collections during the current reporting period.
    Finally, the Committee encourages the Office of the 
Inspector General to consolidate these reports in the 
semiannual reports required under the Inspector General Act.

           TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

              Health Resources and Services Administration

                     HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES

    The bill includes $3,888,522,000 for health resources and 
services programs. This is $283,097,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level for these activities and $121,554,000 
above the Administration request.
    The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) 
supports programs which provide health services to 
disadvantaged, medically underserved, and special populations; 
improve infant mortality rates; direct the education, supply, 
and distribution of a wide range of health professionals; and 
provide technical assistance regarding the utilization of 
health resources and facilities. A large number of the programs 
funded in this account are currently unauthorized, including 
all health professions activities.

Consolidated Health Centers-

    The Committee provides $924,883,000 for the consolidated 
health centers, which is $100,000,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $85,415,000 above the Administration 
request.
    The Committee repeats bill language from previous years 
limiting the amount of funds available for the payment of 
claims under the Federal Tort Claims Act to $5,000,000. Without 
such language, the Department of Justice could tap the 
consolidated health centers line item for $30,000,000 for 
claims payment, which is far in excess of historical levels.
    The Committee is committed to reducing health disparities 
among ethnic and minority populations and is supportive of the 
goals of the President's Health Disparities Initiative. 
However, the Committee believes that increasing programs that 
have already been proven effective in reducing health 
disparities by improving health outcomes and creating access to 
health care is a higher priority than creating new programs and 
more bureaucracies. Therefore, the Committee has provided an 
increase of $100,000,000 to consolidated health centers. These 
centers provide immediate access to high quality, cost-
effective, and culturally sensitive preventive and primary 
health care services to over 10 million individuals in 3,500 
underserved communities. The Committee requests HRSA to report 
back to it on how this additional funding will be used to 
reduce health disparities among ethnic and minority 
populations.
    In each of the fiscal years 1997 and 1998, the Committee 
made available up to $6,000,000 of the health centers 
appropriation for loan guarantees of loans made to health 
centers for the costs of developing and operating managed care 
networks or plans and for facility improvements. This funding 
will not be needed in fiscal year 1999, and is, therefore, 
available for other purposes. Of the total amount available for 
consolidated health centers, the Committee expects $10,000,000 
will be used for grants under section 330(c)(1)(B) of the 
Public Health Service Act to assist health centers in meeting 
the substantial start-up expenses for planning and organizing 
managed care networks and plans, which must be made before a 
health center can use the loan guarantee program. The Committee 
does not intend that the use of these funds for this purpose 
will result in the reduction of any other grant to an existing 
health center.
    The Committee understands the difficulties with which the 
loan guarantee program established under section 330(d) of the 
Public Health Service Act is being implemented and requests the 
Administrator to provide a report by December 31, 1998 on the 
status of this initiative including recommendations on how its 
implementation could be expedited.
    The Committee urges HRSA to demonstrate and evaluate the 
benefits of linking primary care services of community health 
centers with substance abuse treatment centers and provide a 
status report on this initiative prior to the fiscal year 2000 
appropriations hearing.
    Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of cirrhosis 
and liver cancer, is a major reason for liver transplants, and 
is the most common cause of non-A and non-B viral hepatitis in 
the world. An estimated 4.5 million Americans are infected with 
HCV, but only about 225,000 know they have this incurable and 
often deadly virus. The Secretary of HHS and the Surgeon 
General are implementing a plan to identify the remaining 4.3 
million infected individuals as well as develop educational 
programs for health care professionals and the public at large 
to support recognition, diagnosis, counseling, and testing of 
those at risk for hepatitis. As more individuals become aware 
they are infected with HCV it will be important to have a model 
care system in place that can be replicated across the country. 
Therefore, the Committee urges HRSA to establish a pilot 
demonstration program that will cover the Washington 
metropolitan area and surrounding States to develop a patient 
care system for those afflicted with this disease. It is 
expected that this pilot program will become self-sustaining 
and serve as a model for other areas of the country to use.
    The Committee commends HRSA for focusing its efforts on 
health services delivery to those most in need through the 
consolidated health centers programs. Specifically, the 
Committee is pleased with the success of the school-based 
health centers funded under the Healthy Schools, Healthy 
Communities initiative. Healthy Schools, Healthy Communities 
currently serves over 22,000 children and adolescents by 
working in areas with the greatest need to target young people 
who are at risk for poor health because they are homeless, 
members of minority populations, or from low-income families. 
The Committee encourages HRSA to expand the ``community 
school'' model developed under the Healthy Schools, Healthy 
Communities initiative to other sites who will replicate the 
model.
    The Committee is pleased with the collaborative work the 
agency has done with pediatric hospitals with extensive 
experience in administering community-based clinics to expand 
existing models for 24-hour, bilingual community-based 
pediatric health clinics for high-risk, minority children which 
are linked with full-service pediatric hospitals which have 
formed public and private partnerships with foundations and 
local organizations to areas designated by the Public Health 
Service as medically underserved. The Committee encourages HRSA 
to improve existing models in urban areas which provide 
clinical and supportive services to adolescents at risk for 
STDs, HIV infection, and early pregnancy, provide access to 
low-cost preventive and pediatric treatment services for 
chronic illness and provide outcomes research, parenting 
education, and child abuse and neglect prevention and 
education.

National Health Service Corps: Field Placements-

    The Committee provides $37,244,000 for field placement 
activities, which is $31,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $69,000 above the Administration request. 
These funds are used to support the activities of National 
Health Service Corps (NHSC) obligors and volunteers in the 
field, including travel and transportation costs of assignees, 
training and education, recruitment of volunteers, and 
retention activities. Salary costs of most new assignees are 
paid by the employing entity.

National Health Service Corps: Recruitment-

    The Committee provides $78,166,000 for recruitment 
activities, which is $309,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $144,000 above the Administration request. 
The program awards scholarships to health professions students 
and assists graduates in repaying their student loans. In 
return for every year of support, these students are obligated 
to provide a year of service in health professional shortage 
areas usually located in inner cities or rural areas, with a 
two-year minimum obligation. The Committee reiterates its 
intent that funds provided be used to support multi-year, 
rather than single-year commitments.
    The Committee is concerned with the limited progress of 
NHSC's oral health initiative. There continues to be problems 
in addressing oral diseases in underserved areas that could be 
remedied with more aggressive action by NHSC. The Committee 
request HRSA to evaluate this situation and provide it with a 
status report including recommendations to address this 
problem. The evaluation should include, but not be limited to, 
the possibility of reactivating the scholarship awards program 
for dentists and increasing the number of dental awards under 
the loan repayment program to accommodate all qualified 
applicants.
    The Committee is pleased that the NHSC has continued its 
special site development initiative to place behavioral and 
mental health care providers in underserved areas. The 
Committee expects the Corps to continue to take the steps 
necessary to address the disproportionate shortage of 
behavioral and mental health care providers in the programs 
supported by HRSA.

Health Professions

    The Committee provides $303,818,000 for all health 
professions training programs, which is $11,300,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $13,223,000 above the 
Administration request. The Bureau of Health Professions 
provides both policy leadership and support for health 
professions workforce enhancement and educational 
infrastructure development.
    The Committee recognizes the Nationwide shortage of 
behavioral and mental health professionals, particularly among 
minorities and in underserved areas. The Committee urges the 
Bureau of Health Professions to increase its efforts to meet 
the behavioral and mental health needs of underserved 
populations.
    The Committee continues to encourage collaboration between 
the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
and HRSA to conduct interdisciplinary health professions 
training projects, including training of mental health 
professionals, for practice in managed care settings and other 
primary care health settings. The Committee encourages HRSA to 
assess and disseminate exemplary interdisciplinary models of 
practice that integrate health care, mental health, and 
addictions services in primary care. The Committee requests 
that HRSA be prepared to report on the status of such efforts 
at the fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.

Grants to communities for scholarships

    The Committee provides $553,000 for grants to communities 
for scholarships, which is $22,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level. The Administration did not request funding 
for this program. The program provides grants to States to 
provide financing for community organizations located in health 
professions shortage areas to make scholarship awards to health 
professions students in exchange for a service obligation in 
the community. Sixty percent of the costs of scholarships are 
paid by the State and sponsoring community organizations.

Health professions data systems

    The Committee provides $246,000 for the health professions 
data systems, which is $10,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $9,000 above the Administration request. 
The program supports the collection and analysis of data on the 
labor supply in various health professions and on future 
workforce configurations.

Research on health professions issues

    The Committee provides $468,000 for research on health 
professions issues, which is $18,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $17,000 above the Administration request. 
The program supports research on issues such as the extent to 
which debt has a detrimental effect on students entering 
primary care and the effects that Federally-funded educational 
programs for minorities have on the number of such individuals 
attending health professions schools.

Nurse loan repayment for shortage area service

    The Committee provides $2,279,000 for nurse loan repayment 
for shortage area service, which is $80,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level. The Administration did not request 
funding for this program. This program offers student loan 
repayment to nurses in exchange for an agreement to serve not 
less than two years in an Indian Health Service health center, 
Native Hawaiian health center, public hospital, community or 
migrant health center, or rural health clinic.

Centers of excellence

    The Committee provides $25,642,000 for centers of 
excellence, which is $963,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $885,000 above the Administration request. 
The program is designed to strengthen the national capacity to 
educate minority students in the health professions by offering 
special support to those institutions which train a significant 
number of minority health professionals, including African-
Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans. Funds are used for 
the recruitment and retention of students and faculty, 
information resources and curricula, faculty and student 
research, and the development of plans to achieve institutional 
improvements. The Committee is pleased that HRSA has re-focused 
the minority centers of excellence program on providing support 
to historically minority health professions institutions.

Health careers opportunity program

    The Committee provides $27,799,000 for the health careers 
opportunity program, which is $1,057,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $974,000 above the Administration 
request. This program provides funds to medical and other 
health professions schools for recruitment of disadvantaged 
students and pre-professional school preparation.
    The Committee is pleased that HRSA has given priority 
consideration for health careers opportunity program (H-COP) 
grants to minority health professions institutions and 
recommends that grant review committees have proportionate 
representation from these institutions.

Exceptional financial need scholarships

    The Committee provides $11,758,000 for exceptional 
financial need scholarships, which is $387,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $406,000 above the 
Administration request. This program provides scholarship aid 
to exceptionally needy students enrolled in medicine, 
osteopathic medicine, or dentistry who agree to practice 
primary care for five years after completing training.

Faculty loan repayment

    The Committee provides $1,100,000 for faculty loan 
repayment, which is $40,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $37,000 above the Administration request. 
The loan repayment for faculty services program provides for 
the repayment of educational loans for individuals from 
disadvantaged backgrounds who are health professions students 
or graduates, and who have agreed to serve for at least two 
years as a faculty member of a health professions school. The 
school matches the Federal contribution toward loan repayment. 
The program also supports fellowships for minority faculty 
members.

Financial assistance for disadvantaged health professions students

    The Committee provides $6,957,000 for financial assistance 
for disadvantaged health professions students, which is 
$216,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$227,000 above the Administration request. This program 
provides financial assistance to disadvantaged students at 
medical, osteopathic or dental schools who agree to practice 
primary health care for five years after completing training.

Scholarships for disadvantaged students

    The Committee provides $19,384,000 for scholarships for 
disadvantaged students, which is $737,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level. The Administration did not request 
funding for a scholarship program for disadvantaged students, 
but instead proposed funding for a new loan program for 
disadvantaged students. The scholarship program provides grants 
to selected health professions schools to provide scholarships 
to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. By statute, 30 
percent of the funds must go to schools of nursing. Up to 25 
percent of a school's grant may be used to provide financial 
assistance to undergraduates. The Committee continues to intend 
that all health professions disciplines made eligible by 
statute be able to participate in the scholarships program.

Family medicine training and departments

    The Committee provides $51,102,000 for family medicine 
training and departments, which is $1,908,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $1,760,000 above the 
Administration request. The program has four components: (1) 
grants to medical schools to promote the predoctoral training 
of medical students; (2) grants to support family medicine 
residency programs and their trainees; (3) grants to programs 
that train physicians who plan to teach in family medicine 
programs; and (4) grants to assist medical schools in 
establishing or improving family medicine academic 
administrative units.

General internal medicine and pediatrics

    The Committee provides $18,290,000 for general internal 
medicine and pediatrics, which is $693,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $641,000 above the 
Administration request. The program is comprised of three 
different activities: (1) grants to medical schools and 
hospitals to plan and operate residency programs and to provide 
financial assistance for residents; (2) grants to institutions 
to meet the costs of training programs for physicians who plan 
to teach in general internal medicine and pediatrics, as well 
as to support the faculty trainees; and (3) grants to develop 
programs to support predoctoral activities, including 
ambulatory care experiences, curriculum development and student 
assistantships.

Physician assistants

    The Committee provides $6,623,000 for physician assistants, 
which is $255,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level 
and $236,000 above the Administration request. The program 
provides grants for the training of physician assistants and 
for the training of faculty who will teach in physician 
assistants programs. By law, no more than 10 percent of the 
funding may be used for faculty development.

Public health and preventive medicine

    The Committee provides $8,294,000 for public health and 
preventive medicine, which is $308,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $282,000 above the Administration 
request. The program is comprised of three elements: (1) public 
health special projects; (2) public health traineeships; and 
(3) preventive medicine residencies. Public health special 
projects provide grants to schools of public health for 
developing projects in the areas of preventive medicine, health 
promotion and disease prevention, improving access to and the 
quality of health services in medically underserved 
communities, and reducing the incidence of domestic violence. 
Public health traineeship grants provide graduate training to 
individuals in the fields of epidemiology, environmental 
health, biostatistics, toxicology, and public health nutrition. 
Preventive medicine residency grants assist schools in 
developing new residency training programs or improving 
existing programs and in providing financial assistance to 
residency trainees. The Committee urges HRSA to increase the 
number of preventive medicine residents.

Health administration traineeships and special projects

    The Committee provides $1,136,000 for health administration 
traineeships and special projects, which is $42,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $39,000 above the 
Administration request. This program provides grants to 
graduate degree programs in health administration, hospital 
administration and health policy analysis for traineeships for 
students and for special projects to prepare students for 
employment with public or nonprofit private agencies.

Area health education centers

    The Committee provides $29,561,000 for area health 
education centers, which is $1,110,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $1,022,000 above the Administration 
request. The area health education centers (AHEC) program links 
university health science centers with community health service 
delivery systems to provide training sites for students, 
faculty and practitioners. The program supports three types of 
projects: (1) core grants to plan and implement programs; (2) 
special initiative funding for schools that have previously 
received AHEC grants; and (3) model programs to extend AHEC 
grants with 50 percent Federal funding.
    The Committee urges HRSA to develop a training curriculum 
for health care providers in practice and providers in training 
through the AHEC program, especially programs directed toward 
educating primary care providers to improve the detection, 
diagnosis, treatment, and management of CFIDS patients.

Border health training centers

    The Committee provides $3,889,000 for border health 
training centers, which is $142,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $130,000 above the Administration request. 
The program funds schools of medicine and osteopathy to support 
health education and training centers to improve the supply, 
distribution and quality of health personnel along the border 
between the United States and Mexico and in other urban and 
rural areas with populations with serious unmet health care 
needs.

General dentistry residencies

    The Committee provides $3,919,000 for general dentistry 
residencies, which is $139,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $127,000 above the Administration request. 
The program provides grants to dental schools to support 
residency programs and provide financial assistance to their 
students. In the primary care residency program, dentists learn 
to provide a broad range of services for patients requiring 
complex care, such as the developmentally disabled, high risk 
medical patients and those with infectious diseases. All 
grantees include community-based rotations, where residents 
provide oral health care to underserved populations and 
communities. Graduates of these programs have greater clinical 
expertise and consequently refer fewer patients to specialists.
    The Committee is pleased with the work of the general 
dentistry program and encourages the program's expansion to 
serve more oral health care patients, particularly in rural and 
underserved populations.
    The Committee recognizes that primary care dental services 
are provided to children by both general dentists and pediatric 
dentists and encourages HRSA to support training for both 
general and pediatric dentists.

Allied health special projects

    The Committee provides $3,980,000 for allied health special 
projects, which is $475,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $141,000 above the Administration request. 
The program provides funding for allied health professions 
schools for establishing community-based programs, expanding 
enrollment, developing curricula in areas such as geriatrics, 
and establishing interdisciplinary training.
    The Committee continues to encourage HRSA to give priority 
consideration to those projects for schools training allied 
health professionals experiencing shortages, such as medical 
technologists and cytotechnologists.
    The Committee supports the efforts to reach underserved and 
vulnerable populations through telemedicine and expects that 
projects will be supported in both rural and urban communities 
to meet the health care needs of underserved and minority 
populations.

Geriatric education centers and training

    The Committee provides $9,206,000 for geriatric education 
centers and training, which is $337,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $310,000 above the Administration 
request. The program supports grants to health professions 
schools to establish geriatric education centers to provide 
training for faculty who teach geriatrics and health care 
professionals who provide treatment. It also provides grants to 
medical schools and hospitals for geriatric training 
fellowships for physicians and dentists who plan to teach 
geriatrics.

Rural interdisciplinary traineeships

    The Committee provides $4,314,000 for rural 
interdisciplinary traineeships, which is $156,000 below the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $154,000 above the 
Administration request. The program provides grants to health 
departments, academic institutions, and health professions 
schools to train practitioners to provide services in rural 
areas, to demonstrate models to improve access to health care, 
to deliver health care services to rural residents, and to 
increase the recruitment and retention of health professionals 
in rural areas.

Podiatric medicine

    The Committee provides $702,000 for podiatric medicine, 
which is $27,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level 
and $24,000 above the Administration request. The program 
supports grants to hospitals and schools of podiatric medicine 
for primary care residency programs that provide traineeships 
to residents.

Chiropractic demonstration grants

    The Committee provides $1,040,000 for chiropractic 
demonstration grants, which is $16,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $13,000 above the Administration 
request. The program provides grants to colleges and 
universities of chiropractic to carry out demonstration 
projects in which chiropractors and physicians collaborate to 
identify and provide effective treatment of spinal and lower 
back conditions.

Advanced nurse education

    The Committee provides $12,943,000 for advanced nurse 
education, which is $493,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $454,000 above the Administration request. 
The program provides institutional support to nursing schools 
to plan and operate or significantly expand masters or doctoral 
level programs for nurse educators, public health nurses, or 
other clinical nurse specialties.

Nurse practitioners/nurse midwives

    The Committee provides $18,259,000 for nurse practitioners/
nurse midwives, which $695,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $642,000 above the Administration request. 
The program provides grants to public or nonprofit hospitals 
and schools of nursing, public health, and medicine to develop 
or significantly expand programs to train nurse practitioners 
and nurse midwives to provide primary health care.

Special projects

    The Committee provides $10,968,000 for special projects, 
which is $419,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level 
and $386,000 above the Administration request. The program 
provides grants to nursing schools and public and nonprofit 
private entities to expand enrollment in nursing programs; to 
provide nursing practice arrangements in non-institutional 
settings; to support continuing education for nurses in 
medically underserved communities; to provide fellowships to 
individuals who are employed in long-term care as 
paraprofessionals; and to demonstrate innovative nursing 
practices.

Nurse disadvantaged assistance

    The Committee provides $4,010,000 for nurse disadvantaged 
assistance, which is $150,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $138,000 above the Administration request. 
The program provides grants to nursing schools and other 
entities to recruit individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, 
to provide counseling and preliminary education for them, to 
support stipends and to train school faculty.

Professional nurse traineeships

    The Committee provides $16,528,000 for professional nurse 
traineeships, which is $610,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $560,000 above the Administration request. 
The program provides individual support to nurses receiving 
masters and doctoral degrees as nurse practitioners, midwives, 
educators, public health nurses, and other clinical nursing 
specialties.

Nurse anesthetists

    The Committee provides $2,868,000 for nurse anesthetists, 
which is $107,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level 
and $99,000 above the Administration request. The program funds 
grants to public or private nonprofit institutions to support 
the costs of traineeships for licensed registered nurses to 
become nurse anesthetists. The program also funds grants to 
institutions to develop or expand programs to train nurse 
anesthetists. In addition, the program supports faculty 
fellowships to permit instructors to obtain relevant advanced 
education.

Hansen's Disease Services

    The Committee provides $18,670,000 to support the operation 
of the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center in Carville, 
Louisiana, research in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and the regional 
ambulatory care program for Hansen's disease patients. This is 
$1,576,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$1,650,000 above the Administration request. The Gillis W. Long 
Center operates as a research and treatment center for persons 
with Hansen's disease (leprosy). The Federal government is 
required to provide care for anyone presenting themselves at 
the facility for care of Hansen's disease. The facility is 
expected to begin fiscal year 1999 with an inpatient census of 
approximately 115 patients. The regional ambulatory care 
program provides secondary and tertiary care in support of 
direct care at the Center and regionalized care of patients on 
an outpatient basis. It is expected to serve 3,000 patients in 
11 locations.
    The Committee authorized the transfer of the Carville 
facility to the state of Louisiana in the fiscal year 1998 
bill. The transfer and the shift of residents would take place 
over a three-year period. Patients who desired could accept a 
lifelong stipend to live privately in the community; those who 
wished could remain with other patients in a long-term care 
facility in the Baton Rouge area. The Committee has provided an 
increase of $1,650,000 to cover the anticipated costs in fiscal 
year 1999 associated with paying the assisted living allowances 
as specified by the Act.

Maternal and Child Health Block Grant

    The Committee provides $700,000,000 for the Maternal and 
Child Health (MCH) Block Grant, which is $18,921,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $18,260,000 above the 
Administration request. The MCH block grant provides funds to 
States to meet a broad range of enhanced and wraparound health 
services, including personal health services; general, 
population-wide health services, such as screening; family 
support services; and integrated systems of care. About 17 
million women, infants, children, adolescents and children with 
special health care needs will be served in fiscal year 1999. 
The authorizing statute provides that, up to a funding level of 
$600,000,000, 85 percent of the funds are distributed to the 
States, with 15 percent of the funds set-aside by the Secretary 
for special projects of regional and national significance 
(SPRANS). When the appropriation exceeds $600,000,000, 12.75 
percent of the amount over $600,000,000 is directed to the 
Community Integrated Service Systems set-aside program. The 
remaining 87.25 percent is distributed by the same 85/15 
percent allocation as in the basic block grant formula.
    The Committee requests that HRSA provide a report prior to 
the fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing outlining the 
relationship between the MCH block grant and the Children's 
Health Initiative, including funding levels, goals and outcome 
measurements, and a proposal to consolidate these efforts.
    The Committee is pleased with the Bureau's efforts in 
responding to the joint effort with the National Institute of 
Child Health and Human Development in the ``Back to Sleep 
Campaign'' for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and by 
continuing to focus on outreach to underserved populations. The 
Committee also commends the Bureau for establishing the SIDS 
program support center as recommended by the Nationwide survey 
of Sudden Infant Death Services in conjunction with the Sudden 
Infant Death Syndrome Alliance and encourages the Bureau to 
continue the research and data collection this center has 
begun.
    The Committee expects the agency to allocate $500,000 of 
the SPRANS set-aside for the third and final year of the 
fluoridation program in States with fluoridation levels below 
25 percent to allow them to develop implementation plans for 
increased fluoridation.
    In addition, the Committee provides $3,500,000 more for 
SPRANS activities than would otherwise be the case under the 
statutory formula to continue the traumatic brain injury health 
services demonstration projects initiated in fiscal year 1997 
under this authority.
    The Committee encourages HRSA to expand the availability 
and accessibility of newborn screening services to apply public 
health recommendations for expansion of effective strategies. 
HRSA, in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, is encouraged 
to develop and implement a strategy for evaluating and 
expanding newborn screening programs, such as those for cystic 
fibrosis and Fragile X, pilot demonstration projects, and the 
use of public health recommendations on specific conditions. In 
designing and implementing an expanded program, the Committee 
expects HRSA to include protections against genetic 
discrimination that may result from these screenings.
    The Committee recognizes the important role of the 140 
hemophilia centers in the treatment and prevention of the 
complications of hemophilia. The Committee expects HRSA to 
maintain support for these centers in order to sustain their 
treatment outreach to persons with hemophilia and ensure their 
participation with CDC and FDA on blood safety surveillance and 
patient notification efforts.
    The Committee is concerned about the high rate of sexually 
transmitted diseases among young people and requests that HRSA 
report on efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of abstinence 
only programs funded through the Agency, particularly the 
behavioral impacts of these programs.
    There is a concern that some hemophiliac treatment centers 
(HTCs) that participate in the PHS Drug Discount Pricing 
Program are purchasing drugs for hemophilia patients at a 
substantial discount and marking up the drugs to private or 
public insurers as well as the patients. The program, 
authorized in 1992 as part of the Veterans' Health Care Act, 
was intended to reduce the cost of providing pharmaceuticals 
for indigent populations or in the case of hemophilia, to serve 
insured patients with high drug costs, whose care is provided 
under Federally-funded health care entities or programs. It was 
not intended to be a subsidy program for health care entities. 
In addition, the Committee understands that HRSA is considering 
making participation in the Drug Pricing Discount Program a 
requirement for HTCs to receive grants from the Maternal and 
Child Health Bureau. The Committee notes there is no statutory 
requirement for these centers to participate in the program as 
a condition of receiving grants. In light of these concerns and 
the fact that the program has been in existence for five years, 
the Committee requests the Secretary to provide a report, by 
February 15, 1999, which would provide an assessment of the 
programs operation and discuss any future plans the Department 
has for it.

Healthy Start

    The Committee provides $95,526,000 for the Healthy Start 
infant mortality initiative, which is the same as the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $279,000 below the 
Administration request. Healthy Start began as a five-year 
demonstration program to reduce infant mortality in 22 urban 
and rural communities. It has never been authorized as a 
separate program and operates under section 301 of the Public 
Health Service Act demonstration authority.
    The Committee is concerned by the lack of information and 
data on the effectiveness of the Healthy Start demonstration 
programs. It is the Committee's understanding that such data 
will become available before the conference on the fiscal year 
1999 bill. More importantly, the Committee expects the 
Secretary to provide baseline data on access to care, infant 
mortality, and other indicators of health status for 
communities served; develop annual reporting systems for 
improvements in these indicators; and establish specific 
targets for improvement in health status measures to accompany 
the budget request.
    As a demonstration program, Healthy Start also must be able 
to show that the techniques and models developed, and 
demonstrated as effective, by grantees are being adopted by 
other providers of care. Particular focus should be on other 
Maternal and Child Health grant recipients and state programs 
under the Children's Health Insurance Act (title XXI of the 
Social Security Act). The Committee expects the Secretary to 
include such indicators in the fiscal year 2000 budget request.

Organ Transplantation

    The Committee provides $4,116,000 for organ transplantation 
activities, which is $1,338,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $5,000 above the Administration request. 
The program supports a scientific registry of organ transplant 
recipients; the National Organ Procurement and Transplantation 
Network, which matches organ donors with potential recipients; 
and grants and contracts with public and private non-profit 
organizations to promote and improve organ donations.

Health Teaching Facilities Interest Subsidies

    The Committee provides $150,000 for facilities interest 
subsidies, which is $74,000 below the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and the same as the Administration request. 
The program continues support of interest subsidies and loan 
guarantees for three loans for construction of health 
professions teaching facilities under a now discontinued Public 
Health Service Act authority. The remaining Federal commitment 
on these loans will expire in the year 2004.

Bone Marrow Program

    The Committee provides $18,000,000 for the bone marrow 
program, which is $2,730,000 above both the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and the Administration request. In addition to 
funding from HRSA in fiscal year 1999, the National Marrow 
Donor Program is expected to receive $19,000,000 from the U.S. 
Navy. Funds are used for donor medical costs, donor centers, 
tissue typing, research, minority recruitment, and program 
administration. The registry is run by contract.
    The Committee is pleased with the ongoing progress made by 
the National Marrow Donor program, under the direction of HRSA, 
to increase the chances of all the patients it serves to find a 
matched unrelated marrow donor, particularly for minority 
patients. The Committee directs HRSA to provide this increase 
to fully type the antigens of prospective new donors and 
potential donors whose blood samples have been partially typed 
in the past. A recent analysis by the national registry found 
that more than 90 percent of the donors for patients who 
received transplants through the program were fully typed at 
the times of the patient's preliminary searches. This increase 
will further reduce search times and costs for patients, thus 
increasing the likelihood that patients who need transplants 
will receive them in a timely manner.

Rural Outreach Grants

    The Committee provides $32,592,000 for rural outreach 
grants, which is $156,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable 
level and $60,000 above the Administration request. The program 
supports projects that provide health services to rural 
populations not currently receiving them and that enhance 
access to existing services.
    The Committee encourages HRSA to give priority 
consideration to demonstration programs that create model 
health access programs and health-related jobs in rural and 
urban communities with the assistance of both a rural and an 
urban university that have the ability to provide options of 
policy models and technical assistance in health policy, job 
creation, and sustainability of community-based providers of 
health services.

Emergency Medical Services for Children

    The Committee provides $13,000,000 for emergency medical 
services for children, which is $59,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $2,024,000 above the Administration 
request. The program supports demonstration grants for the 
delivery of emergency medical services to acutely ill and 
seriously injured children.

Black Lung Clinics

    The Committee provides $5,000,000 for black lung clinics, 
which is $24,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level 
and the same as the Administration request. The program 
supports 14 grantees which treat a declining population of coal 
miners with respiratory and pulmonary impairments. The clinics 
presently receive more than one-third of their funding from 
other sources, such as Medicaid and Medicare. Of the 14 
grantees, three actually receive community health center 
funding as well as black lung grants.

Payment to Hawaii for Treatment of Hansen's Disease

    The Committee provides $2,045,000 for the treatment of 
persons with Hansen's Disease in the State of Hawaii, which is 
the same as both the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the 
Administration request. The program, which provides a partial 
matching payment to the State of Hawaii, dates to the period of 
Father Damien's facility for sufferers of Hansen's disease 
(leprosy). That facility now has only 67 residents who live 
there by choice, and the grounds have been converted to a 
historical site. Most patients diagnosed with Hansen's disease 
in Hawaii are now treated in the same manner as new patients on 
the mainland; their care is handled on an out-patient basis, 
with the program paying for about 5,300 outpatient visits per 
year.

Ryan White AIDS Programs

    The Committee provides $1,330,600,000 for Ryan White AIDS 
programs, which is $181,088,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $17,618,000 above the Administration 
request. The Committee recognizes that each Part of the Ryan 
White CARE Act provides services, which enable individuals to 
adhere to HIV drug treatments and access needed medical care.
    The Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 1996 requires States 
to comply with certain requirements in order to receive Federal 
funding for Ryan White activities. There is some concern that 
the Department is certifying States as being in compliance with 
these requirements when, in fact, they are not. Therefore, the 
Committee requests that the Secretary submit, by October 15, 
1998, the following information: (1) a copy of the guidelines 
that were provided to State's to comply with section 300ff-21 
et. seq. and section 300ff-47 of the Act; (2) a copy of the 
criteria used by the Department to evaluate and certify a 
State's compliance with these sections; (3) a copy of what each 
State submitted to the Department for its compliance 
evaluation; and (4) a copy of each State's final evaluation and 
certification approval document by the Department.
    The Committee is concerned about the continued disparity in 
health outcomes for people with HIV and AIDS in communities of 
color and recognizes the need to provide additional services 
specifically targeted to HIV infected individuals in these 
communities. The Committee encourages HRSA to give priority 
consideration to allocating grants to grantees serving 
primarily minority populations.

Emergency assistance

    The Committee provides $500,200,000 for the Part A, 
emergency assistance program, which is $35,464,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $11,226,000 above the 
Administration request. These funds provide grants to 
metropolitan areas with very high numbers of AIDS cases for 
outpatient and ambulatory health and social support services. 
Half of the amount appropriated is allocated by formula and 
half is allocated to eligible areas demonstrating additional 
need through a competitive grant process.

Comprehensive care programs

    The Committee provides $670,000,000 for Part B, 
comprehensive care programs, which is $127,217,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $1,130,000 above the 
Administration request. The funds provided support formula 
grants to States for the operation of HIV service delivery 
consortia in the localities most heavily affected, for the 
provision of home and community-based care, for continuation of 
health insurance coverage for infected persons, and for 
purchase of therapeutic drugs.
    The Committee is encouraged by the success of new drugs and 
combination therapies for HIV and AIDS, whose purchase is 
principally financed under Part B, and has included bill 
language identifying $385,500,000 specifically for the purchase 
of AIDS drugs. The fiscal year 1998 bill designated 
$285,500,000 for this purpose.
    The Committee is concerned about the wide variation in 
State ADAP and Medicaid policies regarding eligibility, 
benefits, and formularies. The Committee is also concerned 
about the wide variation in State contributions to funding of 
ADAP and urges States that receive more than $1,000,000 under 
the targeted formula to match no less than twenty percent of 
the Federal contribution. The Committee directs the program to 
use all means necessary to reduce the purchase price of AIDS 
drugs.
    The Committee expects HRSA to encourage States to utilize 
Federal ADAP funding in the most cost effective manner possible 
to maximize access to and use of HIV drug therapies. States 
should be allowed, with ADAP funding, the flexibility to 
purchase and maintain insurance policies for eligible clients, 
including covering any costs associated with these policies, 
which provide a full range of HIV treatments and access to 
comprehensive primary care services as determined by the State. 
Funds should not be used to purchase insurance which provides 
inadequate access to HIV treatments or primary care as 
determined by the State.

Early intervention program

    The Committee provides $91,300,000 for Part C, the early 
intervention program, which is $15,089,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $5,146,000 above the 
Administration request. Funds are used for discretionary grants 
to migrant and community health centers, health care for the 
homeless grantees, family planning grantees, hemophilia centers 
and other private non-profit entities that provide 
comprehensive primary care services to populations with or at 
risk for HIV disease. The grantees provide testing, risk 
reduction counseling, transmission prevention, and clinical 
care; case management, outreach, and eligibility assistance are 
optional services. Approximately 79,000 HIV positive persons or 
persons at high risk for HIV infection are expected to be 
served in fiscal year 1999.

Pediatric demonstrations

    The Committee provides $44,000,000 for Part D, the 
pediatric AIDS demonstrations, which is $3,197,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $74,000 above the 
Administration request. The program supports demonstration 
grants to foster collaboration between clinical research 
institutions and primary community-based medical and social 
service providers for the target population of HIV-infected 
children, pregnant women and their families. The projects are 
intended to increase access to comprehensive care, as well as 
to voluntary participation in NIH and other clinical trials.

AIDS dental services

    The Committee provides $7,800,000 for AIDS dental services, 
which is $37,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level 
and $13,000 above the Administration request. The program 
provides grants to dental schools and postdoctoral dental 
education programs to assist with the cost of providing 
unreimbursed oral health care to an estimated 73,000 patients 
with human immunodeficiency virus disease. Over one hundred 
dental schools and hospitals are expected to receive awards in 
fiscal year 1999. Dental students and residents participating 
in this program receive extensive training in the management of 
oral care of people living with AIDS.
    The Committee notes that the program funding formula and 
reporting requirements have been revised in fiscal year 1998, 
and therefore, requests that the agency provide adequate time 
and technical assistance so that grantees can comply with these 
revisions and any future program changes allowing for their 
continued participation in the program.

Education and training centers

    The Committee provides $17,300,000 for AIDS education and 
training centers, which is $84,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $29,000 above the Administration request. 
The centers train health care personnel who care for AIDS 
patients and develop model education programs.

Family Planning

    The Committee provides $202,903,000 for the family planning 
program, which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 comparable 
level and $15,174,000 below the Administration request. The 
program provides grants to public and private non-profit 
agencies to support projects which provide a range of family 
planning and reproductive services, as well as screening for 
ancillary health problems such as hypertension and diabetes. 
The program also supports training for providers, an 
information and education program, and a research program which 
focuses on family planning service delivery improvements. 
During fiscal year 1999, an estimated 4.6 million clients are 
expected to be served.
    The bill repeats language from the 1998 appropriations bill 
making clear that these funds shall not be expended for 
abortions, that all pregnancy counseling shall be nondirective, 
and that these funds shall not be used to promote public 
opposition to or support of any legislative proposal or 
candidate for public office.

Rural Health Research

    The Committee provides $7,500,000 for rural health 
research, which is $4,156,000 below the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $4,191,000 below the Administration 
request. The activity supports several rural health research 
centers and the Office for Rural Health Policy's advisory 
committee.

Health Care Facilities

    The Committee has not included funding for health care 
facilities. $28,000,000 was provided for this purpose in fiscal 
year 1998; no funding was included in the Administration 
request. This expired authority provides funds to public and 
private nonprofit entities for construction or modernization of 
outpatient medical facilities. This activity has not been 
funded by the Committee on a regular annual basis.

Buildings and Facilities

    The Committee provides $250,000 for buildings and 
facilities, which is $2,248,000 below the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and the same as the Administration request. 
These funds are used to finance the repair and upkeep of 
buildings at the Gillis W. Long Hansen's Disease Center at 
Carville, Louisiana.

National Practitioner Data Bank

    The Committee does not provide funding for the national 
practitioner data bank for fiscal year 1999, which is the same 
as both the fiscal year 1998 action on appropriations and the 
Administration request. The Committee recommendation and the 
Administration request assume that the data bank will be self-
supporting, with collections of $12,000,000 in user fees.
    The national data bank receives, stores and disseminates 
information on paid medical malpractice judgments and 
settlements, sanctions taken by professional societies, and 
certain professional review actions. Insurance companies, State 
license boards and professional societies are required to 
report information to the data bank within 30 days of each 
action. The coverage of the data bank includes dentists and 
physicians, and, with respect to malpractice settlements, other 
categories of licensed health professionals. Hospitals are 
required to search the data bank when a health care provider 
applies for employment and once every two years thereafter. 
State licensing boards and other health care entities also have 
access to the data bank. Traditional bill language is included 
to ensure that user fees are collected to cover all costs of 
processing requests and providing such information to data bank 
users.

Program Management

    The Committee provides $114,059,000 for the cost of Federal 
staff and related activities to coordinate, direct and manage 
the programs of the Health Resources and Services 
Administration. This amount is the same as both the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and the Administration request.
    The Committee believes that the Department has not 
developed adequate measures of the quality of health care 
services, the maintenance or improvement in health status and 
cost, and other administrative measures that are called for by 
the Government Performance and Results Act. These measures need 
to be developed in consultation with the Committee and be 
consistent with indicators used for other Federal health 
service programs. They should also be consistent with evolving 
measures of health quality in the non-Federal health care 
sector. Subsequent submissions should include baseline data and 
systems to provide annual data on progress toward programmatic 
goals. The President's budget should include information on the 
improvements in indicators expected as a result of proposed 
funding levels.

               Medical Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund

           federal interest subsidies for medical facilities

    The Committee provides $1,000,000 for the Medical 
Facilities Guarantee and Loan Fund, which is $5,000,000 below 
the fiscal year 1998 level and the same as the Administration 
request. Appropriations are used to pay interest subsidies on 
loans made or guaranteed prior to fiscal year 1977 for hospital 
construction. The bill includes language, as in prior years, 
which prohibits commitments for new loans or loan guarantees in 
fiscal year 1999.

               health education assistance loans program

    The Health Education Assistance Loans (HEAL) program 
insured loans provided by non-Federal lenders to students in 
health professions schools. Under the accounting rules 
established in the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990, one account 
is maintained to pay the obligations arising from loans 
guaranteed prior to fiscal year 1992. A second account pays 
obligations and collects income from premiums on loans 
guaranteed in fiscal year 1992 and beyond. Each annual cohort 
of loans is independently tracked in this account. This program 
expired in fiscal year 1996. Fiscal year 1998 was the last year 
in which loans were obligated to previous borrowers under the 
HEAL authority.
    The Committee provides $37,000,000 to liquidate obligations 
from loans guaranteed prior to 1992, which is $7,434,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 level and the same as the Administration 
request.
    The Committee provides $3,688,000 for HEAL program 
management, which is $13,000 above the fiscal year 1998 level 
and the same as the Administration request.

             vaccine injury compensation program trust fund

    The Committee makes available the release of $54,600,000 
from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund in fiscal year 
1999, which is $9,000,000 above the fiscal year 1998 level and 
the same as the Administration request.
    The National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program provides a 
system of compensation for individuals with vaccine-associated 
injuries or deaths. Funds for claims from vaccines administered 
on or after October 1, 1988 are generated by a per-dose excise 
tax on the sale of selected prescribed vaccines. Revenues 
raised by this tax are maintained in a Vaccine Injury 
Compensation Trust Fund.
    Trust funds made available in the bill will support the 
liability costs of vaccines administered after September 30, 
1988. They will also support the $3,000,000 in costs incurred 
by the agency in the operation of the program, which is the 
same as both the fiscal year 1998 level and the Administration 
request.

               Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

                 disease control, research and training

    The Committee recommends $2,591,433,000 for the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, an increase of $207,795,000 
above the comparable fiscal year 1998 level and $94,036,000 
above the President's request. The Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention (CDC) assists State and local health authorities 
and other health-related organizations to control and reduce 
disease and other health problems.
    The Committee remains extremely concerned about the growth 
in administrative expenditures at the CDC and the manner in 
which these expenditures are summarized and reported to the 
Committee. Previous directives regarding these matters have 
been disregarded by the agency. Consequently, the Committee has 
reluctantly decided to display on the table accompanying this 
report administrative amounts associated with programmatic 
activities. In addition, the Committee has created a new line 
item that limits funding for the Office of the Director.
    Administrative activities encompass all non-extramural 
activities with the exception of program support services, 
centrally managed services, buildings and facilities, and the 
Office of the Director. The Committee intends that designated 
amounts for administrative activities are ceilings. The agency 
may allocate administrative funds for extramural program 
activities according to its judgment.
    The Committee considers the table accompanying this report 
to be determinative of the CDC budget. Funds should be 
apportioned and allocated consistent with the table, and any 
changes in funding are subject to the normal notification 
procedures.
    The Committee directs the CDC to develop as quickly as 
possible cost allocation systems for program support services 
and centrally managed services that more accurately reflect 
actual utilization of resources. The Committee intends that 
these systems be developed subject to the approval of the 
Departmental budget office and directs that they be implemented 
as soon as feasible but no later than the end of fiscal year 
1999.
    The Committee commends the CDC for certain elements of its 
Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) plan. As noted 
during the fiscal year 1999 budget hearings, for many of its 
activities, the CDC has chosen excellent baselines, targets, 
and goals. The Committee is particularly impressed with the 
GPRA plan for the HIV division. However, for many of its 
activities, including many newly proposed programs, the CDC has 
not completed an acceptable GPRA plan. The Committee is 
particularly disappointed that the President proposed new 
programs that were not accompanied by GPRA measures. The 
Committee directs the CDC to continue to work cooperatively 
with the Committee to improve the agency's comprehensive GPRA 
plan so that it will provide meaningful and timely information 
for management and budget officials at the agency and in 
Congress.

Preventive health services block grant

    The Committee recommends $154,379,000 for the preventive 
health services block grant, an increase of $5,287,000 above 
the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $5,566,000 above the 
President's request. This program provides grants to States for 
a wide range of public and preventive health activities. The 
authorizing statute designates the first $7,000,000 
appropriated for the block grant for rape services and 
prevention. The Committee has increased funding for this 
program consistent with the bill-wide policy of shifting 
resources from Federally-managed categorical programs to 
flexible block grants to allow States and communities to 
allocate funds to activities that serve their highest 
priorities.

 Prevention centers

    The Committee recommends $12,000,000 for prevention 
centers, an increase of $3,949,000 over the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 amount and $3,964,000 above the President's request. 
This program awards grants to academic institutions for centers 
that conduct applied research to promote disease prevention and 
better health.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to continue existing 
centers and to expand the number of centers as resources 
permit. The Committee encourages the CDC to establish a center 
focusing on prevention marketing and behavior change strategies 
to enhance health in disadvantaged communities. The Committee 
encourages the CDC in awarding funds for prevention centers to 
give special consideration to universities and health 
departments capable of serving high-risk, rural, and minority 
populations.

Childhood immunization

    The Committee recommends $421,477,000 for the childhood 
immunization program, an increase of $11,319,000 over the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $21,909,000 above the 
President's request. This program is not authorized in law for 
fiscal year 1999. In addition, the Vaccines for Children (VFC) 
program funded through the Medicaid program is expected to 
provide $566,278,000 in vaccine purchases and distribution 
support in 1999, an increase of $129,174,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount.
    The Committee is extremely concerned about the substantial 
inaccuracy of vaccine purchase estimates provided to the 
Congress by the CDC. In recent years, the CDC has greatly 
overestimated actual vaccine purchases. The Committee has now 
received information indicating, contrary to previous years, 
that the current President's budget request greatly understates 
the amount needed by States for vaccine purchase in fiscal year 
1999. The Committee will consider additional funds for vaccine 
activities when it receives a budget amendment from the 
Administration outlining the reasons for the increase in the 
estimates and indicating improvements in the estimating 
methodology to ensure that the new estimates are more accurate 
than past estimates provided to the Congress.
    Immunization project grants are awarded to States and local 
agencies for planning, developing, and conducting childhood 
immunization programs including enhancement of the vaccine 
delivery infrastructure. The CDC directly maintains a stockpile 
of vaccines, supports consolidated purchase of vaccines for 
state and local health agencies, and conducts surveillance, 
investigations, and research into the safety and efficacy of 
new and presently used vaccines.
    The bill includes a provision from the fiscal year 1998 
Appropriations Act authorizing the CDC to transfer funds 
available from the sale of surplus vaccine from the vaccine 
stockpile to other activities within the jurisdiction of CDC.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to allocate funds for 
immunization of inmates of state prisons in compliance with the 
recommendations of the Advisory Council on Immunization 
Practices.
    Reductions in reported polio incidence have occurred in all 
regions of the world, but progress in Africa, where half the 
cases of polio are reported, has not kept pace with progress in 
other regions. The Committee believes that a greater effort is 
necessary to ensure that African countries meet the goal of 
polio eradication by the year 2000. The Committee further 
recognizes that achieving the goal of eradication will mean 
savings in human and financial costs. The Committee strongly 
supports the global polio eradication program and encourages 
the CDC to expand the program within available resources.

Bioterrorism stockpile

    The Committee recommends $51,000,000 to develop a civilian 
stockpile of antidotes, antibiotics and vaccines necessary to 
respond to acts of bioterrorism. This amount is the same as the 
President's request as communicated in the budget amendment of 
June 8, 1998. Prior to the markup of the bill, the Department 
of Health and Human Services declined to provide adequate 
detail regarding other aspects of the budget amendment 
including additional spending requests and offsets. In 
addition, as transmitted to Congress by the President and as 
described by the Department, the budget amendment offsets 
increases in fiscal year 1999 spending with reductions in 
fiscal year 2000 spending and thereby proposes a net increase 
in the President's budget request for fiscal year 1999. The 
Committee has therefore deferred consideration of the remainder 
of the request until the House-Senate conference on this bill.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

    The Committee recommends $625,486,000 for human 
immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activities, an increase of 
$542,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and 
$3,262,000 above the President's request. The CDC HIV programs 
support HIV research, surveillance, epidemiologic and 
laboratory studies, and prevention activities. The CDC provides 
funds to state and local health departments to develop and 
implement integrated community prevention plans.
    The Committee is concerned that the CDC has allocated a 
disproportionate share of available funds to administrative 
activities thereby limiting the amount of funding available to 
state and local service providers. Annual fluctuations in 
administrative costs and delays in the release of HIV 
prevention funding have adversely affected community HIV 
prevention planning. The Committee directs the CDC to the 
greatest extent possible to minimize administrative overhead 
and to expedite the release of community prevention grants.
    The Committee is concerned that racial minorities be more 
fully targeted and included in HIV prevention efforts. The 
Committee directs the CDC to consider allocating increased 
resources to address the HIV-related health disparities in 
ethnic and racial minority populations. In particular, the CDC 
should consider increased support of minority community-based 
organizations and minority regional and national organizations 
including education, technical assistance, infrastructure, 
capacity building, community development, and public health 
initiatives.
    The Committee is concerned about the level of formal 
coordination of Federal global HIV/AIDS control efforts. The 
Committee intends that the CDC report on its efforts to 
coordinate such activities with other Federal agencies in the 
fiscal year 2000 budget justification.

Tuberculosis

    The Committee recommends $119,962,000 for the tuberculosis 
(TB) program, an increase of $1,991,000 over the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 amount and $2,312,000 above the President's 
request. In addition to funding provided in this line item, CDC 
AIDS activities support HIV-related tuberculosis control 
efforts. The tuberculosis program provides grants to States and 
large cities for a broad range of tuberculosis control 
activities. In addition, the CDC supports state and local 
laboratories and conducts research, epidemiological 
investigations, and education and training seminars.
    The Committee is pleased to learn that the CDC intends to 
update its strategic plan for the elimination of tuberculosis.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to increase the scope and 
support of its global tuberculosis activities.

Sexually transmitted diseases

    The Committee recommends $123,753,000 for the sexually 
transmitted diseases (STDs) program, an increase of $11,636,000 
over the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $2,172,000 
above the President's request. This program awards grants to 
state and local health departments and other nonprofit entities 
to support a wide variety of public health activities to 
prevent and treat STDs. The CDC directly conducts special 
investigations, surveillance and epidemiologic research.
    The Committee notes that the CDC did not timely provide the 
syphilis report requested in both the House and Senate reports 
accompanying the fiscal year 1998 Appropriations Act. While the 
Committee has not reduced the administrative funding 
accompanying this line item for fiscal year 1999, it will 
consider such adjustments in the future when the agency fails 
to comply with congressional directives or requests for 
information.
    The Committee urges the CDC to continue to work with 
community based organizations to control the spread of HIV 
through the treatment of other STDs.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to consider allocating 
increased resources to the syphilis program to implement the 
recommendations of the syphilis report provided to the Congress 
earlier this year.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to increase its support 
for States that are in the early stages of implementing 
chlamydia reduction programs.

Chronic and environmental disease prevention

    The Committee recommends $282,379,000 for chronic and 
environmental disease prevention, an increase of $70,402,000 
above the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $18,811,000 
above the President's request. The chronic and environmental 
disease program supports a wide variety of chronic and 
environmental disease research and prevention activities.
    The Committee has provided an increase for the chronic and 
environmental disease prevention program above the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 level to permit increased funding for several 
initiatives including those on cardiovascular disease, tobacco, 
health disparities, oral health, asthma, chronic fatigue 
syndrome, sudden infant death syndrome, pfiesteria, and 
arthritis. The increase in funding above the request does not 
imply the Committee's endorsement of full funding of the budget 
request. Rather, the Committee directs the CDC to develop a 
balanced allocation of funding for the priorities outlined in 
this report.
    The Committee notes with approval the CDC's efforts to 
develop a national cardiovascular disease program. The 
Committee encourages the CDC to expand its current activities 
to additional states giving priority to those states with the 
highest age-adjusted cardiovascular disease mortality.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to aggressively implement 
the initial phase of the National Arthritis Plan.
    The Committee encourages the National Center for 
Environmental Health and the National Center for Chronic 
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion to cooperate with the 
National Center for Health Statistics to develop 
epidemiological data regarding limb loss including numbers of 
people with limb loss by anatomic description, cause, use of 
adaptive and prosthetic devices, and behavioral risk factors 
associated with amputation.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to implement a community-
based asthma intervention program and to work with state and 
local health departments to collect regional, state, and local 
data on the prevalence of pediatric and adult asthma. The 
Committee urges the National Center for Chronic Disease 
Prevention and Health Promotion and the National Center for 
Environmental Health to cooperatively develop an initiative to 
improve communication between physicians and consumers 
regarding asthma prevention and treatment.
    The Committee commends the CDC for developing a model death 
scene protocol for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) in 
collaboration with the National Institute of Child Health and 
Human Development and the Health Resources and Services 
Administration. The Committee encourages the CDC to support 
demonstration projects in urban, suburban and rural settings to 
evaluate the effectiveness of the protocol.
    The Committee approves the transfer of the American Stop 
Smoking Intervention Study (ASSIST) from the National Cancer 
Institute to the CDC in fiscal year 1999. The Committee 
encourages the CDC to increase funding for the current IMPACT 
states over the next several years to a level comparable to 
that of the ASSIST states. The Committee strongly urges the CDC 
to ensure that tobacco control funding is awarded to public 
health entities directly responsible for tobacco control. The 
Committee further encourages the CDC to ensure that minorities 
are appropriately targeted for smoking reduction. The increase 
in funding above the request for the chronic and environmental 
disease program does not imply the Committee's endorsement of 
full funding of the budget request. Rather, the Committee 
directs the CDC to develop a balanced allocation of funding for 
the priorities outlined in this report.
    The Committee remains concerned about the disproportionate 
impact of prostate cancer on minorities. The Committee 
encourages the CDC to expand the prostate cancer awareness and 
outreach program targeted to high-risk populations through 
collaborations with public and non-profit cancer education 
organizations.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to develop a comprehensive 
cancer control program to integrate existing categorical 
grantees. The Committee encourages the CDC to expand its 
support of state health departments to reduce colorectal cancer 
morbidity and mortality.
    The Committee strongly urges the CDC to expand community 
fluoridation, sealant programs, and oral health surveillance.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to continue implementation 
of the Pfiesteria surveillance system, to initiate case-control 
studies of new outbreaks of Pfiesteria-related illness, and to 
develop a biological test of human exposure to the toxin. The 
Committee expects the CDC to provide timely information on its 
Pfiesteria activities upon the request of individual Members of 
Congress.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to enhance its chronic 
fatigue syndrome (CFS) laboratory studies and surveillance 
projects including outreach to minorities, children and 
adolescents. The Committee is concerned about the delay in 
appointing a neuroendocrinologist to the CFS research group as 
recommended by the Committee in the fiscal year 1998 report.
    The Committee urges the CDC to continue to work with lay 
and professional epilepsy organizations to develop a national 
outreach and education program directed to children and at-risk 
populations and to promote patient-centered treatment and 
management of epilepsy under managed care and Medicaid health 
plans.
    The Committee urges the CDC to collaborate with the 
National Institute of Child Health and Human Development to 
educate physicians, other health professionals, and parents 
about the detection and management of primary immune deficiency 
diseases.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to implement a national 
public and professional awareness campaign regarding folic acid 
and birth defects. The Committee urges the CDC to assist the 
States to develop and implement programs to increase 
consumption of folic acid among women.
    Based on the external evaluation of the C. Everett Koop 
Community Health Information Center, the Committee encourages 
the CDC to implement the recommendations of the evaluation, 
enhance the Center, and disseminate the results of the 
evaluation to professional medical societies in the U.S.
    The Committee commends the CDC for its current research 
into the potential environmental factors associated with 
lymphoma and encourages continued and expanded collaboration 
with the National Institutes of Health on this matter.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to expand its support of 
coordinated health education programs in schools.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to establish a competitive 
program for collaborative centers for research in autism 
epidemiology.

Breast and cervical cancer screening

    The Committee recommends $159,071,000 for the breast and 
cervical cancer screening program, an increase of $16,292,000 
above the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $15,586,000 
above the President's request. The breast and cervical cancer 
screening program supports screening, education, and follow-up 
services for low-income women, training for health care 
providers, quality assurance activities, national technical 
assistance and support, surveillance and program evaluation.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to expand screening 
activities in the current WISEWOMAN States and to increase the 
number of States participating in the WISEWOMAN program if such 
increases are authorized in the law.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to consider using case 
managers to work with clients and providers to help clients 
obtain screening, diagnostic and treatment services and to help 
clients overcome barriers to receiving services.

Infectious diseases

    The Committee recommends $137,636,000 for the infectious 
diseases program, an increase of $24,779,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $24,879,000 below the 
Administration request. The program supports national 
surveillance of infectious diseases, the development of new or 
improved prevention and control methods and techniques, the 
acceleration of the general application of accepted prevention 
technologies, and strengthening of the capability to respond to 
outbreaks of new and re-emerging infectious diseases.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to require reporting of 
chronic Hepatitis C to generate information on populations at 
risk of infection and modes of transmission. The Committee 
directs the CDC to be prepared to testify regarding a national 
plan to control Hepatitis C during the fiscal year 2000 budget 
hearings. The Committee encourages the CDC to implement the 
plan to notify blood and blood product recipients of their 
potential exposure to Hepatitis C.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to develop better 
epidemiological data regarding chronic liver disease.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to expand the multi-site 
program of surveillance, prevention and control of hospital-
acquired infections.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to consider establishing a 
national clearinghouse for correctional health care research 
and information as a resource for correctional and public 
health officials.

Lead poisoning prevention

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $37,898,000 
for the childhood lead poisoning prevention program, an 
increase of $34,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 
amount and the same as the Administration request. The program 
provides grants to States and communities for screening, 
surveillance, epidemiology, education, laboratory activities 
and development of better lead screening devices.
    The Committee is pleased to learn that the Food and Drug 
Administration has given final approval to a portable lead 
screening device. The Committee believes that this device will 
increase childhood screening rates in many underserved 
communities worldwide.

Injury control

    The Committee recommends $64,397,000 for the injury control 
program, an increase of $14,633,000 above the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 amount and $15,061,000 above the President's request. 
The injury control program supports intramural research, injury 
control research centers, extramural research grants, and 
technical assistance to state and local health departments.
    The bill contains a limitation included in the fiscal year 
1998 Appropriations Act to prohibit the National Center for 
Injury Prevention and Control from engaging in any activities 
to advocate or promote gun control. The Committee does not 
believe that CDC should advocate or promote policies to advance 
gun control initiatives, or discourage responsible private gun 
ownership. The Committee expects research on gun violence to be 
objective and grants to be awarded through an impartial peer 
review process.
    The Committee has provided substantial additional funds for 
CDC youth violence prevention activities and commends the 
agency for developing a ``best practices'' project to gather 
and disseminate information regarding effective violence 
prevention strategies, especially among minorities. The 
Committee expects the CDC to continue its collaboration with 
public and private organizations dedicated to reducing youth 
violence by educating individuals who have not been reached 
through traditional violence prevention activities.
    The Committee urges the CDC to coordinate its youth 
violence activities with the Office of Juvenile Justice and 
Delinquency Prevention and the Department of Education. The 
Committee urges the CDC to consider hosting a conference 
including law enforcement, health, and education agencies and 
professionals to consider youth violence research and 
evaluations.
    The Committee recommends that CDC collaborate with national 
and academic organizations, including schools of social work, 
to initiate a program on physical and emotional injuries 
associated with child maltreatment and neglect.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to support a study to 
determine the cost-effectiveness of trauma care by comparing 
the functional outcomes of patients served by trauma center and 
non-trauma center facilities.

Occupational safety and health

    The Committee recommends $185,792,000 for the National 
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), an 
increase of $228,000 over the President's request and 
$1,421,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount. NIOSH 
conducts applied research, develops criteria for occupational 
safety and health standards, and provides technical services to 
government, labor and industry, including training for the 
prevention of work-related diseases and injuries. This 
appropriation supports surveillance, health hazard evaluations, 
intramural and extramural research, instrument and methods 
development, dissemination, and training grants.

Epidemic services

    The Committee recommends $85,916,000 for epidemic services, 
an increase of $18,571,000 above the comparable fiscal year 
1998 amount and $9,000,000 below the request. The objectives of 
the program include the prevention and control of epidemics, 
the maintenance of surveillance systems, the training of public 
health epidemiologists, and the operation of the quarantine 
program. The program supports the Epidemic Intelligence Service 
program, the publication of the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly 
Report, and a variety of infant and minority health programs.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to support the development 
of a rapid toxic screen to measure human exposure to a wide 
variety of toxic substances.

Office of the Director

    The Committee recommends $31,146,000 for the activities of 
the Office of the Director, a decrease of $2,515,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and an increase of $126,000 
above the request. The Committee intends this amount to be a 
ceiling. The Director may transfer these funds to non-
administrative, programmatic activities at her discretion. This 
line item includes amounts previously identified in the report 
for program management activities.
    The Committee is pleased with CDC's commitment to improving 
the health status of minority and disadvantaged individuals and 
urges expansion of these efforts including the coordination of 
preventive health care with substance abuse treatment.
    The Committee requests that the CDC report to it prior to 
the fiscal year 2000 budget hearings regarding current CDC 
cerebral palsy activities, development of a cerebral palsy 
prevention research plan, and the cost of implementing such a 
plan.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to consider developing a 
national clearinghouse for correctional health care research, 
policy and guidelines.

National Center for Health Statistics

    The Committee recommends a total of $84,573,000 for the 
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), the same as the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and the request. Of this 
amount, $57,793,000 is derived from the one percent evaluation 
set-aside. The Center is responsible for collecting, 
interpreting, and disseminating data on the health status of 
the U.S. population and the use of health services. NCHS 
surveys include the National Vital Statistics System, the 
National Health Interview Survey, the National Survey of Family 
Growth, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 
and the National Health Care Survey.
    The Committee encourages the Center to collect data on the 
prevalence of sarcoidosis by establishing it as a reportable 
disease and initiating a sarcoidosis patient registry in 
collaboration with the NHLBI, the NIAID and relevant national 
organizations.

Buildings and facilities

    The Committee recommends $12,800,000 for buildings and 
facilities, an increase of $6,008,000 above the President's 
request and $28,704,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation which included a one-time reprogramming of 
$20,000,000 for a laboratory project. This line item supports 
ongoing maintenance projects, as well as safety repairs and 
equipment purchases. The Committee has included funding above 
the President's request for the infectious disease laboratory.

Prevention research

    The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for the new prevention 
research program, an increase of $10,000,000 over the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $14,969,000 below the 
request. This program supports extramural research programs. 
The Committee has not approved funding for administrative or 
laboratory activities for this program.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to consider awarding funds 
for non-traditional tobacco control activities conducted by 
institutions of higher education serving primarily minority 
individuals with the capacity to provide innovative education/
media campaigns.

Health disparities demonstration

    The Committee does not recommend separate line-item funding 
for the new health disparities demonstration program, the same 
as the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and $29,963,000 below 
the request. The Committee has provided funding for health 
disparities activities where they have been requested within 
existing programs and are accompanied by outcome performance 
measures. The Committee has not, however, provided funding for 
this program for which the CDC has not developed appropriate 
program goals or outcome measures.

Crime bill activities

    The Committee recommends $51,000,000 for crime bill 
activities, an increase of $62,000 above the President's 
request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount. 
Of the total, the President requested that $8,000,000 be 
derived from general revenues. The Committee has not approved 
this request. All activities in the bill are funded through the 
crime bill trust fund.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to support development of 
community plans to prevent violence and implementation of 
coordinated community violence intervention and prevention 
activities. The Committee encourages the CDC to collaborate 
with community organizations with established programs for 
families and communities in urban, low-income settings.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to expand family violence 
intervention and prevention programs coordinated with substance 
abuse treatment centers serving female clients.
    The Committee encourages the CDC to support violence 
intervention and prevention programs that are developed within 
the communities they are designed to serve.

                     National Institutes of Health

    The Committee provides $14,862,023,000 for the 23 
appropriations which together fund the programs of the National 
Institutes of Health (NIH). These include appropriations for 
the 18 research Institutes, the National Center for Research 
Resources, the John E. Fogarty International Center, the 
National Library of Medicine, the Office of the Director, and 
Buildings and Facilities. The total in the bill is 
$1,239,637,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$98,710,000 above the Administration request. This funding 
level provides a 9.1 percent increase in total for the research 
components of NIH. The buildings and facilities account 
includes $90,000,000 for the fourth year costs of constructing 
the new clinical research center and $9,143,000 for completion 
of the new vaccine facility. Programs funded in this account 
are not authorized for fiscal year 1999.
    Committee priorities.--The Committee views NIH as one of 
its very highest priorities and has made difficult resource 
allocation decisions throughout the bill to provide what it 
believes is the necessary funding level for NIH. NIH is the 
world's leading biomedical research institution; its 
investments in research save lives and reduce health care costs 
while creating jobs and economic growth in a global economy. 
This research has produced major advances in the treatment of 
cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and mental illness that have 
helped thousands of American families. With the funding level 
provided, NIH will be able to support over 30,000 research 
project grants at 1,700 universities and research institutes 
across the U.S. NIH research has spawned the biotechnology 
revolution, whose products are projected to grow into a $50 
billion industry by the turn of the century. The U.S.'s ability 
to translate scientific discoveries into new product 
development has resulted in its lead over Europe and Japan in 
pharmaceutical and biotechnology patents. While the Committee 
is firm in its commitment to budget restraints, it believes 
that funding of biomedical research is an important investment 
in the future health and economic well-being of our nation.
    Balance in the research portfolio.--The Committee believes 
that NIH should distribute funding on the basis of scientific 
opportunity. As a result, the Committee has allocated the 
Institute appropriations consistent with the distribution 
recommended by NIH and reflecting the Director's judgment of 
scientific opportunity. If NIH believes that adjustments to 
this allocation are necessary as the fiscal year 1999 
appropriations bill moves through the legislative cycle, the 
Committee would be pleased to consider them in later action on 
the bill.
    To enhance NIH's flexibility to allocate funding based on 
scientific opportunity, the Committee has attempted to minimize 
the amount of direction provided in the report accompanying the 
bill. For example, there are no directives to fund particular 
research mechanisms, such as centers or requests for 
applications, or specific amounts of funding for particular 
diseases.
    In stating that scientific opportunity should be the basis 
for allocating research funding, the Committee understands that 
other factors also are relevant to NIH's decisions, including 
such considerations as the infectious nature of a disease, the 
number of cases and deaths associated with a particular 
disease, the Federal and other costs of treating a disease, the 
years of productive life lost due to a particular disease, and 
the estimated proximity to research breakthroughs. The 
Committee does not presume to judge which criteria should take 
precedence or carry the greatest weight in individual funding 
decisions, but urges NIH to consider the full array of relevant 
criteria as it constructs its research portfolio.
    AIDS funding.--Consistent with the philosophy outlined 
above, the Committee has again chosen not to earmark a specific 
dollar amount for AIDS research. In relying on NIH's 
recommendations for the allocation of the total funding 
provided by the Committee, the Committee understands that it 
would be NIH's intent to allocate AIDS funding consistent with 
the distribution outlined in the budget justification. The 
Committee understands that this allocation may change before 
the beginning of the fiscal year.
    The Committee intends that the funds allocated for AIDS 
should be spent in a manner fully consistent with the AIDS 
research plan developed by the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) 
and expects the Director of NIH to use the full authority of 
his office to ensure that this occurs. The Committee has 
provided the Director of OAR, jointly with the Director of NIH, 
transfer authority to reallocate up to three percent of funds 
designated for AIDS research among Institutes, subject to 
normal reprogramming procedures. The Committee encourages NIH 
to use this authority whenever it believes that an adjustment 
in the allocation of AIDS funding between Institutes is 
appropriate to achieve scientific objectives or to facilitate 
promising research efforts.
    The Committee continues to support OAR, its leadership, and 
its coordinated budget planning process and expects the 
individual institutes, centers and divisions to fully cooperate 
with OAR's work. The Committee has provided funding for the OAR 
within the Office of the Director and intends that the OAR will 
maintain its current structure and responsibilities, including 
the allocation of an emergency discretionary fund.
    Government Performance and Results Act.--The Committee 
recognizes that the development of programmatic indicators for 
NIH under the Government Performance and Results Act is one of 
the most difficult conceptual and methodological problems in 
the Act's implementation. NIH should continue to work with the 
National Academy of Sciences and the other science agencies to 
develop a better conceptual and theoretical framework for such 
measures. The Committee believes that NIH should begin to 
implement the Act where it can. Measures of administrative 
efficiency and effectiveness can and should be adopted and 
tracked. Similarly, indicators of the ability of systems to 
support the research enterprise exist, and should be included. 
Presentation of these measures, including goals for 
improvements, baselines and reporting systems are an initial 
step. Information presented with the President's budget should 
include improvements in these indicators resulting from 
proposed funding levels. In addition, the Committee will expect 
the Director to include a report in his testimony next spring 
on the progress toward indicators relating directly to research 
and the translation of basic research findings to medical and 
other applications.

                       national cancer institute

    The Committee provides $2,787,830,000 for the National 
Cancer Institute (NCI), which is $245,271,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $19,616,000 above the 
Administration request. The Committee was pleased to learn that 
the first sustained, significant decrease in cancer mortality 
rates since such statistics were first collected in the 1930s 
continues to be the case. However, the Committee also 
understands that for many cancers, incidence continues to rise 
and that the decline in mortality rates does not translate to 
all populations such as African-Americans. In light of this and 
the fact that the ``baby boomer'' population is approaching the 
age where 65 percent of cancer occurs, the Committee does not 
believe that this positive news is cause for complacency. 
Cancer continues to pose a major health threat to the American 
public and the costs, both human and economic, are 
catastrophic. Therefore, the Committee continues to support 
cancer research as a national priority.
    Mission.--The NCI conducts and supports basic and applied 
cancer research in early detection, diagnosis, prevention, 
treatment and rehabilitation. NCI provides training support for 
research scientists, clinicians and educators, and maintains a 
national network of cancer centers, clinical cooperative 
groups, and community clinical oncology programs, along with 
cancer prevention and control initiatives and outreach programs 
to rapidly translate basic research findings into clinical 
practice.
    Cancer coordination.--The Committee encourages NCI to 
continue its leadership role as coordinator of the National 
Cancer Program. As the facilitator of the Nation's fight 
against cancer, the Committee encourages NCI to continue to 
work in collaboration with private and voluntary sector 
organizations, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 
and other Federal agencies to address the coordination 
challenges outlined in the National Cancer Advisory Board's 
report entitled ``Cancer at a Crossroads''.
    Cancer Centers Program.--The Committee commends NCI for the 
high quality work conducted through the Cancer Centers program 
and encourages NCI to expand the program as outlined in the 
fiscal year 1999 budget justification. The Committee urges the 
Institute to consider including a new competitively selected, 
peer-reviewed clinical cancer center at an academic health 
institution specializing in immunotherapy research using heat 
shock proteins as immunogens.
    Childhood cancer.--The next decade promises to unlock 
several of the key genetic causes of childhood cancer and a 
greater research effort will be needed in order to translate 
these advances from the laboratory into the clinic. In 
addition, while the treatment outcome of childhood cancer has 
improved, the treatments themselves are often toxic and can 
harbor serious consequences in later life. Research into more 
specific and less toxic anti-cancer treatment is needed. The 
Committee continues to support research into childhood cancers.
    Hepatitis C virus.--The NIH sponsored Consensus Development 
Conference recommended that studies are needed regarding the 
mechanisms of development of hepatocellular carcinoma in 
patients with Hepatitis C virus. The Committee urges NCI to 
support research in this area.
    Human papillomavirus and cervical cancer.--The NCI has made 
significant progress in understanding the link between the 
sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical 
cancer. It is estimated that more than 90 percent of cervical 
cancer cases result from HPV infection. The Committee urges the 
NCI to continue its support for research into the development 
of a vaccine against HPV infection. The Committee also 
encourages the NCI to continue its collaboration with the NIAID 
in sponsoring basic and clinical research on HPV diagnosis and 
prevention as a risk for cervical cancer, and as applicable, 
develop screening techniques.
    Lymphoma.--Lymphoma is one of the fastest growing cancers, 
striking upwards of 85,000 Americans each year with a 50 
percent mortality rate. Approximately 600,000 Americans today 
are living with lymphoid malignancies. The Committee encourages 
NCI to: (1) enhance lymphoma research through the use of all 
available mechanisms, as appropriate, including program 
announcements and requests for applications; (2) convene a 
scientific workshop to examine the current state of lymphoma 
research and identify opportunities for further study; and (3) 
expand its current research into potential environmental 
factors responsible for lymphoma.
    Minority populations.--The Committee continues to be 
concerned about the high rates of incidence and mortality 
related to breast and prostate cancer, particularly among 
African-Americans. The Committee is encouraged by NCI's 
collaboration with the Department of Defense in fighting these 
devastating cancer diseases and urges the Institute to continue 
to strengthen and expand its breast and prostate cancer 
research portfolio.
    Neurofibromatosis.--Enormous advances continue to be made 
in research on neurofibromatosis (NF) since the discovery of 
the NF1 and NF2 gene, including the recent discovery that NF is 
involved with the c-AMP pathway affecting learning disabilities 
in addition to its cancer-fighting tumor suppressor functions. 
The Committee encourages NCI to strengthen its NF research 
portfolio in such areas as further development of animal 
models, natural history studies, and therapeutic 
experimentation and clinical trials. The Committee encourages 
NCI to use of all available mechanisms, as appropriate, 
including requests for applications, program announcements, the 
national cooperative drug discovery group program, and small 
business innovation research grants. Progress in developing new 
technologies and enhancing the understanding of the fundamental 
process of cancer will also benefit specific diseases such as 
NF. The Committee urges NCI to continue to coordinate its 
efforts with NINDS and be prepared to report on the status of 
the NF research grant program at its fiscal year 2000 
appropriations hearing.
    Ovarian cancer.--Ovarian cancer ranks fifth as a cause of 
cancer deaths among women and causes more deaths than any other 
cancer of the female reproductive tract. Because there is no 
simple diagnostic test to detect ovarian cancer, more than 70 
percent of women are not diagnosed until the later stages of 
the disease. The five-year survival rate for these women is 
only fifteen to twenty percent. The Committee urges the NCI to 
fund clinical trials to evaluate the utility of current tumor 
markers and diagnostic imaging modalities in an effort to find 
an early detection tool for ovarian cancer. In addition, the 
Committee encourages NCI support for the identification of all 
genes expressed in ovarian cancer tumors at all stages of the 
disease in order to facilitate the identification of tools for 
early diagnosis.
    Primary immune deficiency diseases.--These genetic 
disorders, which affect as many as one million people, mostly 
children, are characterized by unusually high incidences of 
several forms of cancer. The relationship between the genetics 
of the immune system and the genetics of cancer is an area ripe 
for scientific endeavor. For this reason, the Committee urges 
NCI to establish a trans-institute initiative with NIAID, 
NICHD, and NHGRI in sponsoring a symposium of leading experts 
in cancer, immunodeficiencies, pediatrics, and genetics to 
explore the most promising areas of research and develop a 
comprehensive agenda for future research initiatives.
    Proton beam therapy.--The Committee heard testimony on the 
use of proton beam therapy as a treatment for inoperable and 
inaccessible brain tumors as well as cancers and certain 
vascular diseases. There are currently two proton beam therapy 
centers, one in the Northeast and one on the West Coast. The 
Committee encourages NCI to assist in efforts to convert an 
existing online accelerator into a proton beam therapy center 
to serve populations which do not have access to this therapy.
    Translational research.--There has been an extraordinary 
explosion of scientific advances in cancer biology, immunology, 
molecular biology, and genetics that have occurred in the past 
few years as a result of previous investments in basic 
research. These advances provide unprecedented opportunities to 
develop new therapies, early detection technologies, and 
strategies to prevent cancer. The Committee is concerned that 
the translation of these promising discoveries into cancer 
patients is not keeping pace with the opportunities that exist 
due to changes in the healthcare marketplace and lack of 
current capabilities and infrastructure for translational 
research. The Committee urges NCI to evaluate the barriers and 
impediments that inhibit early-state clinical testing of new 
technologies such as vaccines, gene therapies, and monoclonal 
antibodies including the steps needed to remove these barriers.
    Urological cancers.--Urological cancers like kidney, 
bladder, and prostate afflict thousands each year, with 
prostate cancer the second leading cause of cancer deaths among 
American men. The Committee urges NCI to significantly expand 
its research programs for these urological cancers. The 
Committee requests the Director of NIH together with the 
Director of NCI to submit a report, by January 1, 1999, 
outlining the activities the NIH is undertaking to enhance 
prostate cancer research.

               national heart, lung, and blood institute

    The Committee provides $1,720,344,000 for the Heart Lung 
and Blood Institute (NHLBI), which is $137,420,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $11,016,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 
provides leadership for a national research program in diseases 
of the heart, blood vessels, lungs, and blood, in transfusion 
medicine, and in sleep disorders through support of basic, 
clinical, and population-based and health education research. 
The Women's Health Initiative (WHI) was transferred from the 
Office of the Director to NHLBI. WHI is a large cross-Institute 
initiative to study prevention of conditions responsible for 
deaths, disability and frailty in older women--breast and 
colorectal cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis. There are 
three components of the study: a randomized clinical trial; an 
observational study; and a community prevention study. The 
clinical trial is being conducted at 40 centers with 46,000 
women participating. It is scheduled for completion in 2004.
    Acute respiratory distress syndrome.--Acute Respiratory 
Distress Syndrome (ARDS) affects approximately 150,000 
Americans each year. The mortality rate is very high and there 
is urgent need to identify new treatments. The NHLBI Acute 
Respiratory Distress Clinical Network, established in 1994, is 
testing three protocols including a recently initiated study to 
determine whether administration of lisofylline soon after 
onset of acute lung injury or ARDS will reduce morbidity or 
mortality. Lisofylline has been shown to protect against tissue 
injury mediated by oxidants and to suppress production of a 
number of cytokine mediators that amplify the inflammatory 
process. Another protocol to address the use of pulmonary 
artery catheters in patients at risk for ARDS currently is in 
the planning stages. The NHLBI also plans to award several 
Specialized Centers of Research in Acute Lung Injury to focus 
on basic and clinical research in ARDS as a continuation of an 
extremely effective ongoing program.
    The ARDS Network, consisting of 10 Critical Care Treatment 
Groups, has been established by NHLBI to identify effective 
therapies through prospective, randomized multi-centered 
clinical trials. The Committee is pleased to learn that the 
ARDS Network will be evaluating a promising investigational 
toxicity modifier. This product shows promise in preclinical 
investigations and may offer the first real innovation in the 
management of this disease over the past decade. The Committee 
believes that these types of innovative collaborations, 
supported by the public and private sectors, will serve to 
rapidly translate research progress from discovery to patients. 
The Committee looks forward to hearing about this initiative at 
the fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    Asthma.--The Committee recognizes the strong commitment of 
the NHLBI to research asthma in minority populations and is 
pleased at recent efforts by the Institute to extend its 
educational programs for these populations. In particular, the 
Committee has learned that the Institute plans to modify 
existing educational materials on asthma management to include 
documents, audiovisual materials, and information packages for 
general dissemination and for target groups of patients, 
families, and health care providers at the community level 
based on sociodemographic and cultural considerations.
    The Committee is pleased with the early efforts of the 
Asthma Clinical Network to determine the effectiveness of 
asthma drugs and to identify better asthma management 
practices. During its first four years, the Network has 
completed and published two clinical trials of medication usage 
in patients with mild and moderate asthma. Two ongoing studies 
are evaluating the effects of asthma medications in altering 
clinical outcomes and airway inflammation in moderate and 
severe asthma patients. Another study to establish doses of 
different inhaled corticosteroids is expected to be complete in 
the near future.
    The Committee was pleased to learn that the National Asthma 
Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) has published updated 
asthma management guidelines and that NAEPP is working with 
national and local organizations to increase their use. The 
NAEPP has prepared a summary of asthma management approaches 
and published it for use by local asthma coalitions in programs 
for patients. Professionals will be encouraged to use the 
materials to support patient education efforts. The NAEPP 
Coordinating Committee should be utilized more by Congress and 
Federal agencies. The Committee urges the NAEPP Coordinating 
Council to report to Congress on the various Federal asthma 
initiatives currently underway and to make recommendations for 
future policy directions.
    Atherosclerosis.--Atherosclerosis causing blockage of blood 
vessels underlies much of heart disease and stroke. The 
Committee encourages expansion of research using techniques of 
vascular biology, gene therapy, and non-invasive and non-
radioactive imaging that could lead to the identification and 
treatment of high risk individuals before heart attack or 
stroke strikes. The Committee also encourages expanded research 
into the possible role of bacteria and viruses on inflammation 
of the walls of blood vessels in the development of heart 
attack and stroke. Research findings could lead to more 
effective strategies or antibiotic or vaccine therapies to help 
prevent heart attack or stroke.
    Cardiovascular diseases.--The Committee recognizes the 
seriousness of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular 
diseases and is concerned that cardiovascular diseases have 
remained America's leading killer of men and women since 1919 
and a major cause of disability. While advances have been made 
in the identification and treatment of risk factors for these 
diseases, over 58 million Americans continue to suffer from 
cardiovascular diseases with African-Americans suffering a 
disproportionately higher rate than the general population. The 
Committee encourages NHLBI to convene a trans-agency conference 
on cardiovascular diseases and stroke to assess progress and 
opportunities and develop a comprehensive research and 
prevention agenda for the 21st Century, including a focus on 
cardiovascular diseases in minority populations that are at a 
high risk. The Committee also encourages the Institute to 
support existing heart and stroke-related research programs and 
to invest in promising heart and stroke-related research 
initiatives.
    Congenital heart defects.--Heart defects remain America's 
most common birth defect. They are the major cause of birth 
defect-related infant deaths and a significant cause of 
childhood disability that progresses into adulthood. 
Approximately one million Americans live with the effects of 
congenital heart defects. The Committee encourages NHLBI to 
expand research in pediatric cardiovascular diseases and 
continue research in emerging areas such as the use of new 
genetic tools to identify genes that control heart development. 
Continued progress against pediatric cardiovascular diseases 
will lead to better diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of 
congenital heart defects.
    Congestive heart failure.--The result of a damaged heart 
muscle from diseases such as heart attack, high blood pressure, 
and congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure affects 
about five million Americans. It is the leading cause of 
hospitalization for Americans age 65 and older. The Committee 
encourages NHLBI to study promising areas such as removal of 
non-functioning heart muscle, mechanical assist devices, animal 
hearts for transplant, transplantation of healthy heart cells, 
and the role of programmed cell death in the development of 
congestive heart failure.
    Cooley's anemia.--The Committee is pleased that NHLBI has 
followed the recommendation of several special emphasis panels 
and is developing a network of collaborative clinical centers 
that will facilitate research into Cooley's anemia and possibly 
other diseases such as sickle cell anemia. The Institute should 
keep the Committee informed as to the status of this network 
and the expected areas of research on which it will 
concentrate.
    End stage renal disease.--Hypertension is the second 
leading cause of End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in this 
country. Past NIH-supported research established the role of 
increased blood pressure in the kidney itself as an important 
cause of the loss of kidney function. This basic research 
stimulated a clinical trial that took this finding to the 
patient and is regarded as a research success in regard to 
process and increased therapies for people with ESRD. The 
Committee encourages NHLBI to study additional therapies for 
the treatment of hypertension that will slow the progression of 
chronic renal disease.
    Gene therapy.--The Committee encourages NHLBI, in 
collaboration with NIDDK, to continue to support the innovative 
research directed at developing gene therapy for cystic 
fibrosis through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, 
including the program project and specialized center 
mechanisms. The increased understanding of delivery systems and 
the bodies immune response to vectors developed from the 
initial support of these is helping to pave the way not only 
for cystic fibrosis, but for cancer, cardiovascular disease, 
and the molecular medicine of the 21st Century.
    Healthy lifestyles.--Success in translating awareness of 
heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular disease risk 
factors into behavior modification has been limited. For 
example, the role of diet as a risk factor for cardiovascular 
disease is well known yet, 30 to 40 percent of coronary heart 
disease deaths are attributed to obesity and high blood 
cholesterol and one-half of adult Americans have cholesterol 
levels above the desired level. The Committee urges NHLBI to 
expand research into behavior modification in order to create 
public health interventions that help people develop and 
maintain healthy behaviors. A focus should be placed on the 
causes of and treatment for obesity, which is increasing at an 
alarming rate. Additional emphasis also should be placed on the 
disproportionate occurrence of cardiovascular diseases in 
minority and other underserved communities. Studies on 
effective application of current research findings will yield 
recommendations benefiting all Americans.
    Hemophilia.--The Committee remains supportive of NHLBI's 
hemophilia gene therapy research program and urges renewal and 
expanded research emphasis in this critical area. In light of 
the research opportunities in hemophilia gene therapy, the 
Committee urges the Institute to develop a research action 
plan, working with NIAID and the hemophilia scientific and 
medical community, that fully addresses the complications of 
hemophilia and other bleeding disorders. In developing such a 
plan, NHLBI also should work collaboratively with NIDDK on how 
to improve hepatitis treatment options for persons with 
hemophilia. The Committee requests a report by March 31, 1999 
on the status of these efforts.
    Hypercholesterolemia.--The Committee encourages NHLBI to 
continue its efforts to persuade the National Committee for 
Quality Assurance to accredit health plans based on their 
ability to reach treatment goals established by the National 
Cholesterol Education Program in treating patients with 
hypercolesterolemia.
    Langerhans cell histiocytosis.--Langerhans Cell 
Histiocytosis is a rare disorder that primarily affects 
children. Seventy-six percent of the cases occur before the age 
of 10, but also can be seen in adults. The disease causes an 
abnormal buildup of tissue cells most often in the bones, skin, 
liver, spleen, lungs, and brain where their size can cause 
severe damage. The Committee encourages NHLBI to continue 
ongoing basic research in this field and to pursue advancements 
in the treatment of histiocytosis.
    Nutrition and obesity.--The role of diet as a risk factor 
for cardiovascular disease is well known. Thirty to forty 
percent of coronary heart disease deaths are attributed to 
obesity and high blood cholesterol and 50 percent of adults 
have cholesterol levels above the desired level. The Committee 
continues to support the initiatives taken by NHLBI in the 
nutrition and obesity area and urges the development of more 
focused research using all available mechanisms, as 
appropriate, including clinical research centers.
    Primary pulmonary hypertension.--Primary Pulmonary 
Hypertension (PPH) is a rare, progressive, and fatal disease 
affecting predominantly women of all races and ages. This 
disease involves deadly deterioration of the heart and lungs 
and treatment is often exorbitantly expensive. The Committee 
urges NHLBI to continue basic research in this area, including 
gene therapy and clinical trials of promising pharmaceuticals. 
The Committee also encourages the Institute to take the 
necessary steps to ensure the submission of high quality 
proposals and qualified experts in the field to evaluate these 
proposals. The Committee recognizes and is pleased with NHLBI's 
work in the 1980s in PPH and with the recent program 
announcement and is hopeful that this announcement will lead to 
the funding of multiple research studies.
    Sarcoidosis.--Ongoing NHBLI sarcoidosis research includes 
studies to: (1) identify the causes of the disease; (2) 
determine the pattern of inheritance in blacks and the role for 
major and minor genes in disease development; and (3) examine 
the immunological and inflammatory processes that occur in 
pulmonary sarcoidosis. Research findings are expected to 
improve understanding of sarcoidosis and lead to better 
treatment and perhaps, eventually, to a cure.
    Sickle cell disease.--The Committee recognizes the terrible 
toll that sickle cell disease continues to have on African-
Americans and encourages NIH to use all available mechanisms, 
as appropriate, including increasing the number of 
Comprehensive Sickle Cell Centers, to accelerate the search for 
a cure for this devastating disease. The Committee also urges 
NHLBI to apply the latest biomedical research advances and 
findings in this effort for a search for a cure.

         national institute of dental and craniofacial research

    The Committee provides $228,961,000 for the National 
Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), which is 
$19,935,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$94,000 above the Administration request. The Committee has 
included bill language to officially change the name of 
Institute to more accurately reflect the nature and scope of 
the work the Institute conducts.
    Mission.--The NIDCR conducts and supports research and 
research training to improve craniofacial, oral and dental 
health. The Institute's programs reflect the genetic, 
behavioral and environmental factors that result in complex 
human disease and are clustered into the following areas: 
inherited disorders; infection and immunity; oral, pharyngeal 
and laryngeal cancers; chronic and disabling conditions such as 
bone and joint diseases and chronic pain; behavioral science, 
epidemiology and health promotion; and tissue engineering and 
biomimetics research to improve diagnostics and tissue repair 
and regeneration.
    Early childhood caries.--The Committee is aware of the 
findings of the Early Childhood Caries Conference that dental 
caries is of epidemic proportions in many low socioeconomic 
preschool children in the United States. The Committee urges 
NIDCR to expand its research on this problem and, to the extent 
possible, collaborate with the Agency for Health Care Policy 
and Research to identify effective means of preventing and 
treating early childhood caries.
    Minority oral health.--The Committee urges NIDCR to further 
its research efforts on minority oral health and work to 
strengthen its activities that are designed to increase the 
direct participation of minorities in dental research.
    Temporomandibular disorders.--Temporomandibular disorders 
refer to a collection of medical and dental conditions 
affecting the joint between the lower jaw and the skull, and/or 
the muscles used for chewing as well as adjacent tissues. Over 
10 million Americans, 90 percent being women of child-bearing 
age, are afflicted. The Committee urges NIDCR to expand 
research on the management of temporomandibular disorders as 
well as the study of patients who have been implant recipients 
and are now suffering craniofacial and systemic problems. In 
last year's report, the Committee encouraged NIDCR to consider 
forming a committee of representatives of Institutes with 
scientific resources which can be applied to study many facets 
of these disorders in order to develop a research plan. The 
Committee looks forward to hearing about the status of this 
effort at the fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.

    national institute of diabetes and digestive and kidney diseases

    The Committee provides $951,203,000 for the National 
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases 
(NIDDK), which is $78,972,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $9,709,000 above the Administration 
request.
    Mission.--The NIDDK supports research in three major 
disease categories: diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic 
diseases; digestive diseases and nutrition; and kidney, 
urologic, and hematologic diseases. The NIDDK supports a 
coordinated program of fundamental and clinical research and 
demonstration projects relating to the causes, prevention, 
diagnosis, and treatment of diseases within these categories. 
The Institute also supports efforts to transfer the knowledge 
gained from its research program to health professionals, 
patients, and the general public.
    Cooley's anemia.--The Committee has long supported research 
in the area of Cooley's anemia and remains committed to 
research efforts by the Institute that will establish non-
invasive methods of measuring the accumulation of iron in the 
organs of patients, particularly the heart and liver, and the 
development of methods of iron removal that are more conducive 
to compliance than current methods. The Committee urges NIDDK 
to support new initiatives in order to enhance efforts in this 
area.
    Diabetes.--Diabetes affects approximately 16 million 
Americans and is the leading cause of new adult blindness, 
kidney failure, and amputation as well as a major risk factor 
for heart disease and stroke. The Director of NIH has 
identified diabetes as an area of special emphasis in the 
budget request. The Committee is pleased that NIH has increased 
its focus on diabetes and expects diabetes research to remain a 
top priority. As recommended by the Committee, a scientific 
Diabetes Research Working Group has been established to develop 
for the Congress a comprehensive research plan for all NIH-
funded diabetes research. The Committee is pleased that the 
Working Group has already reviewed the NIH diabetes research 
portfolio; heard public commentary and presentations from the 
diabetes voluntary community; and drafted preliminary subgroup 
reports. While the Committee awaits the full Working Group's 
final research plan, it notes that the Group has identified a 
number of ``extraordinary research opportunities.'' Therefore 
the Committee urges all NIH institutes and centers to consider 
implementing the recommendations in a timely fashion so that no 
time is lost in bringing potential research benefits to 
diabetic patients and their families. The Committee also 
encourages the Working Group to include overall cost estimates 
to accomplish its recommendations in the final research plan.
    Digestive Diseases.--Diseases of the digestive system 
continue to affect more than one-half of all Americans at some 
time in their lives. Serious disorders such as colon cancer, 
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome 
(IBS), and viral hepatitis take a significant toll in terms of 
human suffering, mortality, and economic burden. The Committee 
encourages the NIDDK to enhance its efforts to strike an 
appropriate balance between conducting basic studies on 
digestive diseases and bringing those research findings to the 
bedside in the form of improved patient care.
    The Committee is encouraged by recent discoveries related 
to IBD, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. These 
extremely complex disorders represent the major cause of 
morbidity and mortality from intestinal illness. The Committee 
encourages NIDDK to give priority consideration to the 
following areas of IBD research: (1) investigation into the 
cellular, molecular, and genetic structure of IBD; (2) 
identification of the genes that determine susceptibility or 
resistance to IBD in various patient subgroups; and (3) 
coordination and integration of basic investigations designed 
to clarify mechanisms of action and disease pathogenesis into 
clinical trials, as described in the recent research agenda 
developed by the scientific community entitled ``Challenges in 
Inflammatory Bowel Disease''.
    The Committee also remains concerned about the increasing 
frequency of IBS, a chronic complex of disorders that malign 
the digestive system. These common dysfunctions strike people 
from all walks of life and result in tremendous human suffering 
and disability. The Committee urges NIDDK to provide adequate 
funding for IBS functional bowel disorders research and give 
priority consideration to funding IBS education/scientific 
symposiums.
    The Digestive Disease Centers program has been successful 
in addressing a wide range of maladies that result in enormous 
cost to the economy. Nevertheless, there remain many areas that 
could benefit from additional attention through this program, 
including pancreatic diseases, genetic disease and gene 
therapy, pediatric GI disease, hepatitis C, IBS and IBD, H. 
pylori, inflammatory cykotines, and food safety. The Committee 
encourages NIDDK to expand this program.
    End stage renal disease.--End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) 
will affect over 300,000 Americans this year with the incidence 
of the disease increasing at a rate of eight percent a year. 
Given the enormous human and economic costs of ESRD, the 
Committee urges NIDDK to work closely with the Office of the 
Director, NHLBI, and NIAID to establish an ESRD Working Group 
to develop and implement a comprehensive action plan for all 
NIH-funded kidney disease research. This Working Group should 
include NIH Institute representatives as well as leading kidney 
disease researchers, representatives from industry, and leaders 
in national organizations that represent people living with 
ESRD.
    Endoscopic research.--The Committee recognizes the 
potential benefits of research of endoscopic technology and 
procedures to improve diagnosis and outcomes for persons with 
gastrointestinal diseases, including cancer and chronic 
digestive disorders. The Committee encourages NIDDK to work 
with the gastroenterology community to expand support of 
research for the development, testing, and application of new 
endoscopic technology and techniques.
    Hemophilia.--The Committee encourages NIDDK to work with 
NIAID, NHLBI, and NHGRI to expand research on effective 
hepatitis treatments for persons with hemophilia and to advance 
research on gene therapy technologies for hemophilia and other 
genetic disorders.
    Hepatitis C virus.--The NIH sponsored Hepatitis C Virus 
(HCV) Consensus Conference Development Conference made several 
recommendations, including large-scale, long-term studies to 
better define the natural history of hepatitis, especially to 
identify factors associated with disease progression to 
cirrhosis, studies of the pathogensis and mechanism of liver 
cell injury by HCV, and the development of a hepatitis clinical 
trial group to identify optimal treatment regimens. The 
Committee encourages NIDDK to enhance research in this area and 
to collaborate its efforts with NIAID.
    Interstitial cystitis.--The Committee supports a strong 
interstitial cystitis (IC) research program. IC is a serious 
and debilitating bladder disorder which primarily affects 
women. The Committee is pleased that in fiscal year 1998, NIDDK 
continued to fund IC clinical research and initiated a second 
phase of the IC Database consisting of clinical centers which 
will develop and test treatment protocols. The Committee 
encourages NIDDK to expand the IC research effort both to new 
investigators and new ideas utilizing available mechanisms, as 
appropriate, including request for applications to examine new 
strategies for IC symptom relief, epidemiology, and to further 
understand the basic science of IC. The Committee requests 
NIDDK prepare a report of ongoing research studies and new 
areas for research and solicitations demonstrating where 
advances can be made in the effective treatment and prevention 
of IC.
    Liver diseases.--Twenty-five million Americans are or have 
been afflicted with liver, bile duct, or gallbladder diseases. 
Many of these diseases lead to chronic or end stage liver 
disease where liver transplantation becomes the only 
therapeutic option. The Committee is pleased with the 
development of the Liver and Biliary Disease strategic plan and 
urges NIDDK to enhance its liver disease research efforts and 
coordinate these efforts with the other Institutes identified 
in the strategic plan.
    Nutrition.--Dialysis patients experience significant co-
morbidities that affect their quality of life and make their 
care more challenging. One of these complications, 
malnutrition, occurs in approximately 40 percent of dialysis 
patients and is a predictor of mortality in individuals with 
end stage renal disease (ESRD). ESRD patients who are 
malnourished have an increased susceptibility to many illnesses 
and are more likely to be hospitalized than other ESRD 
patients. However, the relationship between the nutritional 
health of dialysis patients and the optimal treatment of this 
condition are not well understood. The Committee encourages 
NIDDK to support clinical research on the pathogenesis and 
pathophysiology of malnutrition in ESRD patients, particularly 
to evaluate the clinical and cost effectiveness of the various 
modalities of nutritional support for the treatment of 
malnutrition in chronic dialysis patients.
    The Committee received testimony about the progress in 
basic science related to nutrition and disease prevention and 
the need to more fully integrate basic and clinical nutrition 
science. Although NIH spends the majority of the Federal funds 
that are devoted to human nutrition research and training, it 
is the Department of Agriculture that is designated as the lead 
agency of the Federal government for human nutrition research. 
The Department of Agriculture conducts nutrition research at 
six nutrition research centers across the United States. 
Therefore, the Committee expects NIDDK to collaborate its 
nutrition research efforts with the efforts of the Department 
of Agriculture. The Committee also urges NIDDK to expand 
clinical nutrition research programs to assure the translation 
of research results into practice through training of 
professionals. The Committee has a particular interest in a 
focus on nutrition and obesity.
    Oxalosis and hyperoxaluria.--The Committee is pleased to 
learn that NIDDK will hold a workshop to identify research 
opportunities related to oxalosis and hyperoxaluria and looks 
forward to hearing about activities in this area during the 
fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    Pediatric kidney disease.--While kidney disease research 
has led to advances in the care and treatment of children and 
adolescents, these diseases persist as a major cause of illness 
and death among the most vulnerable population. In last year's 
report, the Committee encouraged NIDDK to develop and implement 
an interagency action plan for adult and pediatric kidney 
disease research. The Committee specifically made the 
distinction between adult and pediatric research because of the 
unique problems encountered by infants, children, and 
adolescents. The Committee therefore urges NIDDK to submit a 
status report prior to the fiscal year 2000 appropriations 
hearing outlining specific actions taken to address the special 
research needs of children and adolescents suffering from 
kidney disease.
    Pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence in women.--The 
Committee understands that the NICHD is moving forward with 
plans to hold a workshop in the area of pelvic floor 
dysfunction, including prolapse, and incontinence in women to 
determine future directions for research. The Committee is 
pleased with these efforts and encourages NIDDK to continue 
collaborating with NICHD, NIA, and the Office of Research on 
Women's Health on this workshop and the subsequent basic and 
clinical research activities that are identified during the 
workshop.
    Polycystic kidney disease.--The Committee is concerned that 
NIDDK did not take advantage of scientific momentum and 
redouble its efforts to find a treatment and cure for 
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). The Committee understands that 
science has progressed so that new PKD therapies are being 
predicted for the near future. Therefore, the Committee urges 
the Institute to substantially enhance its research effort on 
PKD through all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including 
establishing inter-disciplinary centers, to develop therapies 
for the 600,000 Americans afflicted with this disease.
    Proteinuria.--Proteinuria, or excess protein in the urine, 
is an early indication of kidney disease and appears long 
before the presence of any other clinical evidence of the 
problem. Individuals with a detectable level of protein in the 
urine are much more likely to develop renal failure. 
Furthermore, proteinuria also is a risk factor for 
cardiovascular morbidity and mortality especially in special 
populations including the elderly, African-Americans, 
Hispanics, individuals with diabetes mellitus, and individuals 
with hypertension. In order to determine the significant public 
health consequences of proteinuria, more information is needed 
about its incidence and prevalence, the actual magnitude of the 
associated risks, and its relationship to other cardiovascular 
risk factors. The Committee encourages NIDDK to expand its 
epidemiological research to delineate the risks associated with 
proteinuria.
    Urological diseases.--The Committee has previously 
encouraged NIDDK to enhance its research on the prevention, 
diagnosis, and treatment of urological diseases. Because of the 
significant impact of urological diseases on men and women in 
this country, the Committee emphasizes its support of enhancing 
research efforts in this area.
    Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) affects more than 12 
million men over the age of 50. The Committee urges NIDDK to 
increase its research into prostate growth factors and related 
issues. The Committee also encourages a collaborative program 
with the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research to better 
define the clinical and pathological spectrum of BPH and to 
determine the most effective medical and surgical treatments 
for the various categories and stages of this disease.
    The Committee is pleased that NIDDK has responded to the 
request for a women's urological health initiative by hosting a 
conference to identify research issues. The Committee 
encourages the Institute to implement the conference 
recommendations.
    The Committee is concerned that no research support is 
targeted to several critical areas of urology including male 
infertility and impotence, congenital anomalies of the 
genitourinary tract, and kidney stone disease and requests a 
report on the state of urology research including 
recommendations for new programmatic activities.

        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF NEUROLOGICAL DISORDERS AND STROKE

    The Committee provides $851,066,000 for the National 
Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), which 
is $71,809,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$9,327,000 above the Administration request.
    Mission.--The NINDS supports and conducts basic and 
clinical neurological research and research training to 
increase understanding of the brain and improve the prevention 
and treatment of neurological and neuromuscular disorders. The 
NINDS mission encompasses over 600 disorders, including stroke; 
head and spinal cord injury; epilepsy; multiple sclerosis; and 
neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson's disease.
    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.--Recent advances in 
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) research have produced 
promising leads, many related to shared disease processes that 
appear to operate in many neurodegenerative diseases. The 
Committee encourages NINDS to enhance its research activities 
to seek greater understanding of how ALS progresses, possible 
new drugs and other treatments, and eventually a cure for the 
disease. The Committee also encourages NINDS to maintain ALS 
research as a high priority.
    Batten's disease.--The Committee is pleased with the 
progress that has been made with regards to both the infantile 
and juvenile forms of Batten's Disease, specifically that the 
genes for the late infantile form have been found and that the 
research is focusing on developing a model to impact the 
disease. The Committee encourages NINDS to continue to focus on 
Batten's Disease research and to take advantage of promising 
opportunities in this area.
    Dystonia.--The Committee continues to be pleased with NINDS 
efforts to encourage extramural initiatives in dystonia 
specific research. The Committee urges NINDS to work closely 
with other organizations having an interest in dystonia 
research to collaborate joint research programs encouraging 
investigators to study dystonia, particularly in light of the 
recent discovery of the DYT1 gene for early on-set dystonia 
which has prompted many new dystonia related research options.
    Epilepsy.--The Committee encourages NINDS to expand efforts 
to create breakthroughs in the prevention and treatment of 
epilepsy. The Committee urges the Institute to maintain the 
crucial anti-epileptic drug development program which has led 
to the discovery of many important anti-epileptic medications. 
The Committee also urges NINDS to expand support directed to 
uncontrolled epilepsy in order to make progress in treating 
this disorder. The Committee is interested in the progress 
being made in understanding the critical issues impacting women 
with epilepsy, in particular the relationship between women's 
seizures and the hormonal cycle and expects the Institute to 
update the Committee on its plans to advance these areas at the 
fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    Learning disabilities.--The Committee commends NINDS for 
collaborating with NICHD in the area of learning disabilities 
research and encourages NINDS to continue this productive 
relationship to explore these neurological disorders.
    Neurodegenerative diseases.--The Committee is encouraged by 
the increased emphasis placed on the study of neurodegenerative 
diseases within NINDS and across NIH. The Committee continues 
to support research investigating the role of neurotransmitters 
in neurodegenerative disorders.
    The Committee received testimony regarding the high 
incidence of genetic, neurodegenerative disorders, such as 
Friedreich's ataxia and Usher syndrome, in the rural, medically 
underserved, Acadian population of Louisiana. The Committee 
urges NINDS to support research in this area through all 
available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the 
establishment of a Center for Acadiana Genetics and Hereditary 
Heath Care.
    Neurofibromatosis (NF).--Recent advances in NF research 
have linked NF to cancer, brain tumors, and learning 
disabilities. Because of the enormous promise of NF research, 
the Committee encourages NINDS to strengthen its NF basic and 
clinical research portfolio through all available mechanisms, 
as appropriate, including requests for applications, program 
announcements, the national cooperative drug discovery group 
program, and small business innovation research grants. The 
Committee urges the Institute to continue to coordinate its 
efforts with NCI and be prepared to report on the status of the 
NF research grant program at its fiscal year 2000 
appropriations hearing. The Committee also encourages the 
Institute to continue to work with NCI and the NF research 
community, including patient advocacy groups, in identifying 
and pursuing scientific opportunities that will ultimately 
allow for the development of effective treatments for NF.
    Parkinson's disease.--The Committee recognizes the personal 
and economic costs resulting from Parkinson's disease and 
considers research in this area a high priority. The Committee 
is very encouraged by promising developments in understanding 
the disorder's cause and pathophysiology and in developing 
effective treatments and recognizes the benefit of 
breakthroughs in such areas on other disorders within and 
outside the Institute's scope. The Committee urges the 
Institute to intensify its investment in Parkinson's focused 
research, including its coordination with NIA, NIEHS, and other 
Institutes. The Committee is encouraged by the initiation of a 
core center program and urges NINDS to expand the program. In 
addition, the Institute is urged to utilize all other available 
mechanisms, as appropriate, including requests for 
applications, program announcements, and extended funding of 
selected investigators now working in the field, to further 
implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act. 
The Committee requests NINDS to report on its progress in 
implementing the Act at its fiscal year 2000 appropriations 
hearing.
    Post-polio syndrome.--The Committee encourages NINDS to 
continue research into post-polio syndrome. The study of post-
polio syndrome provides a useful model by which weakness-
overuse-injury cycles can be studied and applied to tendinitis, 
carpel tunnel syndrome, and other strain/sprain injuries. The 
Committee also encourages NINDS to collaborate its research 
efforts in this area with those of the Department of Defense.
    Restless legs syndrome.--The Committee encourages NINDS to 
follow up on recent scientific publications highlighting the 
public health significance of Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) and 
Periodic Limb Movement Disorder (PLMD). Any research conducted 
should include studies which investigate the relation of RLS 
and PLMD to other conditions such as pregnancy, diabetes, renal 
disease, fibromyalgia, spinal cord injuries, neuropathies, and 
attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and should be 
coordinated with the appropriate Institutes.
    Rett syndrome.--The Committee continues to be concerned 
about Rett syndrome, a crippling brain disorder that strikes 
baby girls after early normal development. Recent research has 
shown that brain cells are not dying, as previously thought, 
but are inactive. Recent advances in genetics have led 
researchers to narrow the search for the gene responsible for 
Rett Syndrome. It is important that NINDS keep momentum with 
this new discovery, which may soon lead to knowledge of the 
cause, treatment, and cure. The Committee urges the Institute 
to continue to support further research on the causes of, 
biological markers for, and treatment and cure for Rett 
syndrome.
    Spinal muscular atrophy.--The Committee recognizes the 
personal hardship and economic costs resulting from the 
diseases known as Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type I, II, and 
III. The Committee is encouraged that in 1995, the SMA gene was 
discovered and in 1996, the missing protein was identified. The 
Committee urges NINDS to intensify its efforts to develop 
methods of treatment and ultimately to discover a cure for 
these devastating diseases. The Committee encourages NINDS to 
utilize all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including 
Requests for Applications and extended funding of selected 
investigators in the field. The Committee also encourages the 
Institute to explore areas of promising research identified in 
the 1998 International Workshop, which was sponsored by 
Families of SMA.
    Stroke.--The Committee is aware of the enormous economic 
cost and toll in human suffering resulting from strokes and 
encourages NINDS to place a high priority on stroke research. 
The Committee also encourages NINDS to expand its stroke 
education program and to initiate and continue innovative 
approaches to improve stroke diagnosis, treatment, 
rehabilitation, and prevention.

         NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES

    The Committee provides $1,470,460,000 for the National 
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), which is 
$121,325,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$520,000 above the Administration request. The Committee 
believes it is essential that the national strategy to address 
the threat of new and reemerging diseases be broad-based, 
incorporating research as well as surveillance activities. 
Biomedical research supported by NIH forms the foundation upon 
which surveillance and response are ultimately based, providing 
the basic research tools necessary to detect and limit the 
impact of new and reemerging infections. Ongoing research 
support also contributes to the scientific training 
infrastructure required to maintain the capability to identify 
and control new diseases, both nationally and internationally.
    Mission.--The NIAID supports and conducts basic and 
clinical research and research training programs in infectious 
diseases caused by, or associated with, disorders of the immune 
system. NIAID supported research includes research on acquired 
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), asthma and allergies, 
tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, tropical diseases, 
and emerging microbes. The goals of NIAID research are to 
better understand disease pathogenesis, to improve disease 
diagnosis, to develop new and improved drugs to treat diseases, 
and to develop new and improved vaccines to prevent disease, 
many of which significantly affect public health.
    Allergic diseases.--Allergic diseases afflict 20 percent of 
Americans and describes a myriad of medical conditions such as 
asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergies, 
and anaphylaxis. The Committee believes that Asthma, Allergic 
and Immunologic Diseases Cooperative Research Centers, which 
provide an infrastructure and collaborative environment to 
study the complex problems associated with asthma, allergic, 
and immunologic diseases, are an effective research mechanism. 
The integration of basic and clinical research initiatives 
through these centers to improve the diagnosis, prevention, and 
treatment of these diseases are key to finding effective long-
term solutions.
    Asthma.--The Committee notes the number of asthma patients 
and asthma related deaths have increased dramatically in the 
past decade. The morbidity and mortality among minority 
populations continue to be disproportionately high. The 
prevalence of asthma is 24 percent higher in African American 
children than in white children. Inner city residents suffer 
disproportionately from asthma. The Committee urges NIAID to 
strengthen research in this area.
    The Committee recognizes the leadership role the Institute 
has played in the Inner City Asthma Study. Results of the study 
have shown that home based interventions coupled with a 
counselor-based intervention program has lead to a reduction in 
asthma symptoms for children with severe asthma. Interventions 
studied in the Inner City Asthma Study led to an additional six 
weeks of symptom free days for children. The Committee commends 
the Institute for their research into these community based 
intervention strategies for treating and managing asthma and 
urges that this effort be enhanced.
    Cervical cancer.--Significant progress has been made in 
understanding the link between the sexually transmitted human 
papillomavirus (HPV) and cervical cancer. It is estimated that 
more than 90 percent of cervical cancer cases result from HPV 
infection. The Committee urges the NIAID to continue its 
collaboration with NCI in sponsoring basic and clinical 
research on HPV diagnosis and prevention, including possible 
vaccines, as a risk for cervical cancer, and as applicable, 
develop screening techniques.
    Hemophilia.--Last year the Committee encouraged NIAID, 
working with the national hemophilia leadership, to determine 
further research steps to address the complications of 
hemophilia, including treatment for HIV/AIDS and viral 
hepatitis. The Committee urges NIAID to develop a research 
action plan, working with the hemophilia scientific and medical 
community that fully addresses the complications of hemophilia 
and other bleeding disorders. In developing such a plan, NIAID 
should work collaboratively with NIDDK on how to improve 
hepatitis treatment options for persons with hemophilia.
    Hepatitis C virus.--The NIH sponsored Hepatitis C Virus 
(HCV) Consensus Conference Development Conference made several 
recommendations, including additional studies on the recovery 
from and persistence of viral infections, the development of 
tissue cultures and small animal models including the use of 
chimpanzees, and the development of better diagnostic tests as 
well as a vaccine for HCV. The Committee encourages NIAID to 
enhance research in this area and to collaborate its efforts 
with NIDDK.
    HIV and women.--The rate of HIV infection in women is 
rapidly rising and AIDS is the leading cause of death in 
minority women. The Committee encourages NIAID to make HIV-
related prevention, treatment, and care needs of women, 
particularly minority women, a top priority. The Institute is 
also encouraged to continue its collaboration with NICHD, 
particularly on the development and utilization of female-
controlled barrier methods for HIV prevention.
    The Committee commends the continued support for the 
Women's Interagency HIV Study so that women can be followed 
prospectively to obtain the information critical to treatment 
and prevention efforts. The Committee believes that it is 
important to maintain geographical representation and to 
continue the study's broad scope in addressing a variety of 
women's health issues.
    Inflammatory bowel disease.--The Committee is aware of a 
recent scientific research agenda entitled ``Challenges in 
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)'' that identifies linkages 
between the immune system and IBD. The Committee encourages 
NIAID to support research in this area.
    Malaria.--The Committee is concerned about recent outbreaks 
of malaria, both in the United States and abroad. The World 
Health Organization estimates that approximately 300 to 500 
million new cases of malaria occur worldwide each year. The 
Committee commends NIH and NIAID for their leadership at home 
and abroad in advancing the international collaborative 
research project, the Multilateral Initiative on Malaria, and 
for implementing NIAID's Research Plan for Malaria Vaccine 
Development. Malaria is a complex disease and its control will 
require a significant research effort in vaccine development 
and other research areas. The Committee urges NIAID to continue 
an aggressive malaria research program through all available 
mechanisms, as appropriate, including establishing tropical 
disease research units that focus on multidisciplinary 
approaches to the study of the disease.
    Microbicides.--The Committee appreciates the leadership 
role that NIAID has taken in the development of topical 
microbicides to prevent STDs and HIV infection and encourages 
the Institute to enhance the microbicides research program. The 
Committee urges NIAID to continue efforts to develop rapid, 
inexpensive, easy-to-use STD diagnostic tests, which are 
critical to the prevention and control of STDs as well as STD 
control programs aimed at preventing HIV infection.
    Organ transplant research.--The Committee commends NIAID 
for their efforts in the areas of immunologic intolerance and 
urges the Institute to further research efforts in the area of 
basic and clinical transplantation immunology. The Committee 
hopes that this research will further our understanding of the 
immunologic mechanisms of transplantation tolerance, acute and 
chronic transplant rejection, and the mechanism of action of 
immunosuppression in experimental and clinical transplantation. 
The Committee encourages NIAID to continue to sponsor workshops 
for the development of research questions in these areas, and 
focused approaches to these questions. In addition, the 
Committee commends NIAID for their continued leadership in 
facilitating cooperative clinical trials in pediatric renal 
transplantation and for their efforts to promote industry and 
academic cooperation in basic research and clinical trials.
    Primary immune deficiency diseases.--More than 70 primary 
immune deficiency diseases have been identified to date, with 
500,000 cases diagnosed and estimates of another 500,000 
undiagnosed. These diseases, which impair the body's immune 
system, strike most severely at children, many of whom do not 
survive beyond their teens or early 20s. The Committee 
encourages NIAID to maintain its focus on these devastating 
disorders and is pleased that NIAID recently expanded its 
clinical research registry for primary immune deficiencies. In 
addition, the Committee believes that the Centers of Excellence 
in Immunology that the Institute plans to launch in fiscal year 
1999 represent an ideal vehicle for high-quality, peer-reviewed 
research into these genetic diseases. The Committee also 
believes that collaboration with existing immunodeficiency 
research centers provides the most rapid means of addressing 
these needs. The Committee encourages NIAID to expand its role 
in educating physicians, raising public awareness, and rapidly 
translating basic research findings into clinical practice.
    Sarcoidosis.--The Committee recognizes NIAID's past support 
of the Sarcoidosis National Network, a national network of 
sarcoidosis patients, their family members, and the public 
health community and encourages its continued support of this 
effort. The Committee also encourages NIAID to continue its 
examination of the infectious disease component of sarcoidosis.
    Tropical disease research.--NIAID's support for 
international tropical disease research is critical for the 
advancement of the understanding of emerging, reemerging and 
other tropical diseases. Through these programs, United States 
researchers are able to collaborate with their colleagues 
worldwide in efforts that are necessary to gain research 
expertise in areas endemic for tropical infectious diseases. 
The Committee supports important research programs on global 
health including International Collaborations in Infectious 
Disease Research, Tropical Disease Research Units, and Tropical 
Medicine Research Centers.
    Tuberculosis.--Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for more 
deaths worldwide than any other single infectious disease and 
NIAID's support for TB research is critical in developing 
improved diagnostic tests and treatments in response to the re-
emergence of TB in the United States. The Committee is 
concerned that the widespread use of antibiotics has caused 
some strains of the TB microbe to evolve and develop resistance 
to the full battery of drugs currently relied on for treatment. 
The Committee is encouraged that NIAID-supported researchers 
have begun to understand multi-drug resistant TB (MDR TB) and 
hope to develop methods to quickly determine which drug therapy 
is appropriate for MDR TB strains so patients can begin an 
appropriate treatment therapy immediately, thus reducing the 
risk of transmitting the disease to others.
    The Committee recognizes NIAID's cooperation with the 
Fogarty International Center (FIC) and the U.S. Agency for 
International Development (USAID) in coordinating domestic and 
international TB control efforts and encourages continued 
cooperation between the Institute, FIC, and USAID.

             NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF GENERAL MEDICAL SCIENCES

    The Committee provides $1,150,840,000 for the National 
Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), which is 
$86,881,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$8,754,000 above the Administration request.
    Mission.--The NIGMS supports research and research training 
in the basic biomedical sciences. Institute grantees, working 
in such fields as cell biology, biophysics, genetics, 
developmental biology, pharmacology, physiology, and biological 
chemistry, study normal biological processes to better 
understand what goes wrong when disease occurs. In this way, 
NIGMS supports the new knowledge, theories, and technologies 
that can then be applied to the disease-targeted studies 
supported by other NIH components. NIGMS-supported basic 
research advances also find applications in the biotechnology 
and pharmaceutical industries. The Institute's training 
programs help provide the scientists needed by industry and 
academia and have a special focus on increasing the number of 
minority scientists through programs such as Minority Access to 
Research Careers (MARC) and Minority Biomedical Research 
Support (MBRS). The Committee expects NIGMS to continue to 
support these training programs.

        NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF CHILD HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT

    The Committee provides $728,817,000 for the National 
Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), which 
is $55,308,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$2,527,000 above the Administration request.
    Mission.--The NICHD conducts and supports laboratory and 
clinical research on the reproductive, developmental, and 
behavioral processes that determine and maintain the health and 
well-being of children, adults, families and populations. In 
addition, research in medical rehabilitation is supported.
    Behavioral science.--The Committee supports behavioral 
research on child development and behavior, including new 
initiatives to identify how behavioral roots of chronic 
diseases are established and to help mediate critical behaviors 
that can lead to life threatening events such as automobile 
accidents, AIDS, and lung cancer. These include initiatives to 
prevent health risk behaviors and promote health behaviors in 
middle childhood.
    Childhood development and degenerative brain disorders.--
The Committee urges NICHD to enhance its efforts in functional 
imaging of the child's brain and research efforts directed 
toward the study of development and degenerative disorders of 
childhood. The Committee urges the Institute to support an 
established program, which will provide a national resource for 
training scientists and technical support staff and serve as a 
unique training and research collaboration site for other 
research institutions in childhood development brain disorders 
throughout the country.
    Childhood violence.--The Committee is concerned about the 
increasing number of acts of violence committed by children and 
encourages the Institute to work with the NIMH along with the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department 
of Justice to research the root causes of violent behavior on 
the part of children and how to prevent it.
    Chromosome abnormalities.--The Committee urges NICHD to 
expand and intensify research into the treatment of mental 
retardation caused by chromosome abnormalities, especially the 
syndromes of chromosome 18.
    Contraceptive research.--The Committee is committed to 
basic, investigator-initiated research and recognizes that in 
some fields, such as contraceptive/infertility research, 
additional mechanisms to attract young professionals into the 
field may be beneficial. Accordingly, the Committee urges NICHD 
to use all available mechanisms, as appropriate, including 
educational loan repayments, to expand research in this area.
    Demographic research.--The Committee commends NICHD for its 
continued support of demographic research which provides 
objective, policy-relevent scientific information about our 
population trends. The Committee supports NICHD's initiative to 
conduct important demographic studies such as those of poor 
families and neighborhoods, adolescent health, welfare-to-work 
transitions, and child care. The Institute's leadership in 
developing new data and research on fatherhood will help to 
fill a serious gap in our understanding of family formation, 
family strengths, and the development and well-being of 
children. The Committee applauds NICHD's successful 
coordination with other Federal units in developing and 
supporting these studies. It encourages the Institute to 
provide for training the next generation of demographic 
scientists to carry on this important research.
    Fragile X.--Fragile X is the most common inherited cause of 
mental retardation and results from the failure of a single 
gene to produce a specific protein. The Committee urges NICHD 
to enhance its efforts to find a cure and expand the 
understanding of the role of the Fragile X protein in brain 
function. The Committee is pleased that NICHD has added Fragile 
X patients to its expanded program of autism research and urges 
the Institute to consider including Fragile X patients in the 
pediatric psychopharmacology clinical trials as an effort to 
develop safe and effective medication for individuals with 
Fragile X.
    Learning disabilities.--The Committee is pleased that NICHD 
has placed a high priority on learning disabilities research. 
The Committee has been impressed with the recent 
accomplishments reported from the research program on reading 
development and disability, and looks forward to learning the 
results of the new research program on mathematics. In 
addition, the Committee encourages NICHD to take the lead in 
coordinating this research effort with the other Institutes 
that have jurisdiction over learning disabilities research, 
namely NINDS, NIMH, and NIDCD.
    Microbicides.--The Committee appreciates the leadership 
role that NICHD has taken in the evaluation and development of 
physical and chemical contraceptive methods that are also 
effective in preventing STDs and HIV infection. The Committee 
encourages further efforts in this area as well as research on 
hormonal methods of contraception that may influence 
susceptibility to STDs and HIV infection.
    National Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research.--The 
Committee is encouraged by the research activity of National 
Center for Medical Rehabilitation Research (NCMRR) especially 
since the Center is still relatively new. The Committee 
encourages the NCMRR to implement the recommendation of the NIH 
Advisory Board on Medical Rehabilitation Research, including 
the establishment of a research centers program. The centers 
program should include both research centers of excellence 
involving basic and clinical scientists and a clinical research 
network to test improved methods of care for persons with 
disabilities. An area of interest that would be an appropriate 
focus for centers research is brain injury.
    Pelvic floor dysfunction and incontinence in women.--The 
Committee understands that the NICHD is moving forward with 
plans to hold a workshop in the area of pelvic floor 
dysfunction, including prolapse, and incontinence in women to 
determine future directions for research. The Committee is 
pleased with these efforts and encourages continued 
collaboration with NIDDK, NIA, and the Office of Research on 
Women's Health on this workshop and the subsequent basic and 
clinical research activities that are identified during the 
workshop.
    Primary immune deficiency diseases.--The Committee is 
pleased with the establishment of peer-reviewed, collaborative 
research projects between the Institute and the Jeffrey Modell 
Foundation and urges NICHD to continue these efforts. In 
addition, the Committee notes that NICHD has played the leading 
governmental role in supporting efforts to educate physicians 
and initiate national awareness campaigns concerning the early 
diagnosis and effective treatment of these diseases. The 
Institute is urged to build on its past success in translating 
basic research to clinical research and then to clinical 
application through education and awareness programs, in 
conjunction with nonprofit foundations.
    Reading disabilities.--The Committee commends the NICHD for 
its outstanding programmatic research efforts to better 
understand reading development and reading disabilities. The 
Committee also commends the Institute for the leadership role 
it has played in planning and convening, in consultation with 
the Secretary of Education, the National Reading Panel, which 
is now engaged in assessing the status and quality of research 
based knowledge on reading development and reading instruction.
    The Committee is pleased with NICHD for its research 
contributions in understanding how children whose primary 
language is English develop reading skills, the factors that 
contribute to reading difficulties, and how specific types of 
reading instruction can help to prevent and remediate reading 
problems among children whose first language is English. The 
Committee urges the Institute and the Department of Education 
to develop research programs that address reading development, 
reading difficulties, and reading instruction with children 
whose first language is Spanish, and to identify and/or develop 
the most optimal instructional programs to improve their early 
reading achievement.
    The Committee is encouraged by the accomplishments reported 
from the NICHD research program on early childhood development, 
reading development and disorders, and other topics related to 
education. The Committee encourages NICHD to take the lead to 
work collaboratively with the Office of Educational Research, 
Statistics, and Improvement within the Department of Education 
to develop a coordinated approach for Federal peer-reviewed 
research on early childhood development, reading development 
and disorders, and other topics related to education. This will 
ensure that the research of each agency complements the other.
    Rett syndrome.--The Committee continues to be concerned 
about Rett syndrome, a crippling brain disorder that strikes 
baby girls after early normal development. Exciting recent 
research has shown that brain cells are not dying, as 
previously thought, but are inactive. Recent advances in 
genetics have led researchers to narrow the search for the gene 
responsible for Rett Syndrome. It is important that NICHD keep 
momentum with this new discovery, which may soon lead to 
knowledge of the cause, treatment, and cure. The Committee 
urges the Institute to continue to support further research on 
the causes of, biological markers for, and treatment and cure 
for Rett syndrome.
    Sudden infant death syndrome.--NICHD is to be commended for 
its aggressive efforts to reduce sudden infant death syndrome 
(SIDS) deaths through the national collaborative ``Back to 
Sleep'' campaign. This campaign has been responsible for a 30 
percent reduction in SIDS rates, the highest reduction in 
infant mortality rates in 20 years. To continue this progress, 
the Committee expects that the NICHD will continue the second 
SIDS five-year research plan through this, its fifth year. 
These plans, developed in collaboration with the SIDS 
scientific and advocacy community, has provided guidance, 
structure, and support to the NICHD SIDS research program. The 
Committee encourages NICHD to review the progress of the last 
two five year plans to determine if a third plan is needed. The 
Committee also encourages NICHD to continue to provide outreach 
to underserved populations, minorities, and to day-care 
providers, all of whom have not responded in large numbers to 
the ``Back to Sleep'' campaign thus far.

                         NATIONAL EYE INSTITUTE

    The Committee provides $383,447,000 for the National Eye 
Institute (NEI), which is $28,421,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and $304,000 above the Administration 
request.
    Mission.--The NEI conducts and supports basic and clinical 
research, research training, and other programs with respect to 
blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, mechanisms of visual 
function, preservation of sight, and the special health 
problems and needs of individuals who are visually-impaired or 
blind. In addition, the NEI is responsible for the 
dissemination of information, specifically public and 
professional education programs aimed at the prevention of 
blindness.
    Diabetes.--NEI is one of the major supporters of diabetes 
research. Ocular complications of diabetes are significant 
problems for diabetics. The Committee encourages NEI to 
continue its efforts in this area, especially the work of the 
vision researchers on the new Diabetes Research Working Group.
    Low vision.--The Committee encourages NEI to address the 
problem of low vision in the elderly resulting from age-related 
macular degeneration. The Committee also encourages NEI to 
support a new eye-health education effort concerning low 
vision. The Committee is interested in hearing about reports in 
the scientific literature linking smoking to age-related 
macular degeneration and cataracts.
    Macular degeneration.--Age-related macular degeneration 
(AMD) is the leading cause of blindness in older Americans and 
will almost quadruple in the next 25 to 30 years. The Committee 
commends NEI for its work in this area, particularly its 
genetics research and clinical trials of new preventive and 
treatment strategies and encourages NEI to continue research in 
this area.
    National program plan.--NEI has recently completed its 
sixth National Program Plan. The Committee is pleased that a 
wide range of groups, including patient advocates, researchers, 
industry, and others all had input into this planning process. 
This articulation of goals, objectives, and research priorities 
should serve the Institute well in managing its program of 
vision research.

          national institute of environmental health sciences

    The Committee provides $356,047,000 for the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Science (NIEHS), which is 
$26,555,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$277,000 above the Administration request.
    Mission.--The NIEHS mission is to reduce the burden of 
environmentally related illness and dysfunction by 
understanding how environmental exposures affect health, how 
individuals differ in their susceptibility to these effects, 
and how these susceptibilities change over time. This mission 
is achieved through multidisciplinary biomedical research 
programs, prevention and intervention efforts, and 
communication strategies that encompass training, education, 
technology transfer, and community outreach.
    Acute pulmonary hemorrhage.--The Committee urges NIEHS to 
further its acute pulmonary hemorrhage research on the 
development of tests to detect recent exposure to toxic fungi, 
to identify the role of fungal toxins in producing human 
disease, to determine why exposed infants continue to have low 
grade lung bleeding even after removal from their toxic 
environments, and to determine the relationship between 
pulmonary hemorrhage and the fatal mechanisms of SIDS.
    Asthma.--The collaborative effort between NIEHS and NIAID 
led to the identification of cockroach allergens as a major 
cause of asthma in inner city children. The Committee urges 
NIEHS and NIAID to continue this excellent example of 
cooperation by supporting the prevention/intervention phase of 
the project designed to reduce exposure to these allergens. The 
study will determine how reducing exposures to cockroaches, 
dust mites, and animal dander will decrease morbidity 
associated with this chronic inflammatory disease.
    The Committee commends NIEHS for its continuing commitment 
to conduct and support research on asthma and its studies on 
environmental interventions and prevention of this disease, 
which disproportionately affects children, minorities, and 
disadvantaged populations. In view of the importance of indoor 
allergens in the development and exacerbation of asthma, the 
Committee supports the partnership between NIEHS and the 
Department of Housing and Urban Development to assess allergen 
levels in housing. The Committee encourages the Institute to 
also continue its collaboration with NIAID, NHLBI, and EPA to 
study environmental prevention and intervention strategies for 
asthma and to expand its research to understand the role of air 
quality in conjunction with allergens in asthma development.
    Biomarkers.--The Committee encourages NIEHS to extend its 
research program on biomarkers to the Children's Environmental 
Health Research Initiative. The Committee also encourages NIEHS 
to support research on the development of biomarkers that can 
be used for screening exposure in children through approaches 
that allow mass screening in a cost-effective manner such as 
immunoassays.
    Children's health.--The Committee encourages NIEHS to 
enhance its research to understand the effects of environmental 
exposures on children's developing systems. The Committee notes 
with approval the collaboration between NIEHS, the 
Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention to develop Research and Prevention 
Centers for children's environmental health.
    Endocrine disruptors.--Endocrine disruptors are compounds 
in the environment, which may have an effect on thyroid and 
reproductive function and development. Research to determine 
the nature and extent to which this is a human health problem 
is needed and the Committee urges NIEHS to continue to support 
research in this area.
    Genetics.--The Committee is pleased that NIEHS is 
undertaking a large scale project to understand the genetic 
basis for individual differences in susceptibility to health 
effects from environmental exposures. This information will 
allow better prediction of health risks and development of more 
cost-effective strategies to protect the most vulnerable. The 
Committee encourages NIEHS to work with other appropriate NIH 
Institutes and Federal agencies to ensure the rapid and 
successful mounting of this project.
    Health disparity outcomes.--Many of the populations 
disproportionately exposed to the impact of environmental 
factors are minority and disadvantaged groups. This exposure 
manifests itself into a variety of health problems such as 
asthma. The Committee urges NIEHS to continue the environmental 
justice program and encourages the Institute to work closely 
with minority communities and organizations to enhance the 
participation of special populations in biomedical research.
    Lymphoma.--Lymphoma is one of the fastest growing cancers, 
striking upwards of 85,000 Americans each year with a 50 
percent mortality rate. The Committee understands that 
environmental factors may contribute to the growing incidence 
of lymphoma. The Committee encourages NIEHS to enhance its 
current research into potential environmental factors 
responsible for lymphoma and to expand its collaboration with 
NCI in exploring this issue.
    Marine and freshwater biomedical science centers.--The 
Committee commends the research NIEHS is supporting relating to 
the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of human diseases and 
disorders caused by environmental chemicals and other factors. 
The Committee encourages NIEHS to support research in the field 
of ecotoxicology to develop early warning systems to prevent 
the collapse of ecosystems. Much of the research in this area 
is being conducted in the developed areas of the world and 
NIEHS is encouraged to support this research.
    Medical research and the environment.--The Committee 
understands that NIEHS is working with its laboratories and 
offices to help make it more environmentally sound. The 
Committee commends NIEHS for its efforts and hopes that other 
medical and scientific research facilities will also take the 
necessary steps to become more environmentally sound.
    Parkinson's disease.--The Committee recognizes the personal 
and economic costs resulting from Parkinson's disease and 
considers research in this area a high priority. The Committee 
is very encouraged by promising developments in understanding 
the disorder's cause and pathophysiology, including the 
relationship between genetic and environmental factors, and 
that such information is also assisting the development of more 
effective treatments. The Committee also recognizes the benefit 
of breakthroughs in such areas on other disorders within and 
outside the Institute's scope. The Committee encourages the 
Institute to intensify its investment in Parkinson's focused 
research, including its coordination with NIA and NINDS. The 
Committee also encourages NIEHS to coordinate its research 
program in collaboration with the U.S. Army Neurotoxin Exposure 
Treatment Program. The Committee urges the Institute to 
continue with efforts such as its 1995 workshop on Parkinson's 
as well as utilize other available mechanisms, as appropriate, 
including requests for applications, program annoucements, and 
extended funding of selected investigators now working in the 
field, to further implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall 
Parkinson's Research Act. The Committee requests NIEHS to 
report on its collaborative efforts to implement the Act at its 
fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    Pesticides.--The Committee encourages NIEHS to cooperate 
with the Environmental Protection Agency to support provisions 
in the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, as 
amended, relating to registration and re-registration of public 
health pesticides.
    Pfiesteria.--The Committee recognizes the importance to 
NIEHS' efforts to understand the health effects associated with 
exposure to Pfiesteria piscicida and encourages the Institute 
to continue to conduct research on the Pfiesteria organism and 
its toxicologic effects. The Committee also encourages NIEHS to 
continue to support efforts aimed at improving the 
understanding of the causes and mechanisms of disorders related 
to harmful algal bloom exposure.

                      national institute on aging

    The Committee provides $565,574,000 for the National 
Institute on Aging (NIA), which is $47,262,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $9,216,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The NIA conducts biomedical, behavioral, and 
social research related to the aging process to prevent disease 
and other problems of the aged, and to maintain the health and 
independence of older Americans.
    Demographic research.--The Committee continues its support 
for the demographic research being carried out at NIA. Of 
particular interest is the research being done on the reasons 
for and economic consequences of disability decline as well as 
on the implications for Medicare and Social Security of 
findings from the Health and Retirement Study and its companion 
study, the Asset and Health Dynamics of the Oldest-Old. NIA is 
encouraged to develop NIH-wide activities on population models 
of disease processes. Special attention should be placed on 
training and career development as well as on the aging centers 
program so that such research can continue to flourish.
    Parkinson's disease.--The Committee recognizes the personal 
and economic costs resulting from Parkinson's disease. Given 
the average age of diagnosis of 57 years, the aging ``baby 
boomer'' generation will have an impact on the number of 
individuals with the disease. The Committee is very encouraged 
by promising developments in understanding the disorder's cause 
and pathophysiology and in developing effective treatments. The 
Committee also recognizes the benefit of breakthroughs in such 
areas on other disorders within and outside the Institute's 
scope. The Committee urges the Institute to intensify its 
investment in Parkinson's focused research, including its 
coordination with NINDS, NIEHS, and other Institutes. The 
Committee requests NIA to report on its collaborative efforts 
to implement the 1997 Morris K. Udall Parkinson's Research Act 
at its fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.

 national institute of arthritis and musculoskeletal and skin diseases

    The Committee provides $296,668,000 for the National 
Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases 
(NIAMS), which is $22,420,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $1,983,000 above the Administration 
request.
    Mission.--The NIAMS conducts and supports basic and 
clinical research and research training, and the dissemination 
of health information on the more than 100 forms of arthritis; 
osteoporosis and other bone diseases; muscle biology and muscle 
diseases; orthopaedic disorders, such as back pain and sports 
injuries; and numerous skin diseases.
    Alopecia areata.--The Committee notes the private/public 
partnership between NIAMS and the National Alopecia Areata 
Foundation in co-sponsoring the Third International Research 
Workshop on Alopecia Areata. The Committee urges the Institute 
to follow-up on the new directions outlined in the workshop.
    Childhood musculoskeletal conditions.--The Committee is 
pleased that the coordinated efforts of NIAMS and NICHD 
resulted in a workshop identifying future research directions 
in the area of growth and development and growth plate injuries 
in children. The Committee encourages NIAMS to continue its 
joint efforts with NICHD to stimulate research opportunities to 
find cures and treatments for conditions involving damage to 
the muscles, nerves, and bones in children. The Committee also 
encourages the Institute to ensure the dissemination of the 
outcomes to physicians and parents.
    Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.--The Committee urges NIAMS to 
enhance research on Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, which is a group of 
heritable disorders of connective tissue.
    Fibromyalgia.--Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a clinically 
diagnosed disorder which is poorly understood and difficult to 
treat. The Committee has encouraged NIAMS and NINDS 
specifically, and NIH in general, to coordinate their efforts 
to understand the pain mechanisms involved, develop effective 
therapies, and identify diagnostic markers for this disorder. 
Even though the NIH has published a multi-Institute request for 
applications, the Committee urges NIH to consider additional 
appropriate steps, such as a program annoucement, to further 
promote ongoing FMS research and bring new investigators into 
this field of study.
    Lupus.--Lupus is a serious autoimmune disease that mainly 
affects women of child bearing age. Lupus can lead to severe 
organ injury and the treatment is often as devastating as the 
disease itself. African-American women are three times more 
likely to have the disease than Caucasian women. The Committee 
is encouraged by recent NIAMS research success in identifying 
genes and mechanisms which lead to the onset of lupus and urges 
enhanced research to continue this work, recognizing that lupus 
is a prototype for autoimmune diseases and for chronic disease 
management. The Committee also commends the NIH for its 
historic scientific conference on lupus in November, 1997. 
Gaining an understanding of the factors associated with the 
high prevalence of lupus in women and minorities and the 
development of new and innovative treatments is a priority for 
the Committee.
    Skin diseases.--In recent years, an increased understanding 
of the genetic and cellular mechanisms underlying many skin 
disorders has lead to the view that the skin is a complex organ 
that is intimately responsive to the body's immune system. 
Identifying the genetic makeup of these and other genetic 
disorders have great potential to improve the lives of many 
patients, particularly children who live with these disorders. 
The Committee is pleased with NIAMS research on Ichthyosis and 
other rare skin diseases and encourages the Institute to 
continue to work with other Institutes to research the genetics 
of skin diseases. The Committee also urges NIAMS to collaborate 
with the Department of Defense on research relating to 
epidermolysis bullosa.
    The Committee has learned of the efforts by the skin 
diseases researchers and patient advocate organizations to 
develop a comprehensive analysis of research opportunities and 
a research plan for further progress in finding cures and 
improving care for patients with skin diseases. The Committee 
is encouraged by this initiative and urges NIAMS to support 
widespread use of this material.
    Women and sports injuries.--The Committee is concerned with 
the increasing number of knee injuries being sustained by women 
participating in sports. It appears that such injuries are more 
prevalent in women athletes than men, but the cause remains 
unknown. As the opportunities for women athletes in high 
schools and colleges continue to increase the cause of this and 
other commonly occurring musculoskeletal injuries in women need 
to be identified. The Committee encourages NIAMS to work in 
conjunction with the Office of Research on Women's Health to 
advance investigations into the causes, treatment, and 
prevention of these injuries.

    national institute on deafness and other communication disorders

    The Committee provides $216,995,000 for the National 
Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders 
(NIDCD), which is $16,674,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $1,918,000 above the Administration 
request.
    Mission.--The NIDCD funds and conducts research in human 
communication. Included in its program areas are research and 
research training in the normal and disordered mechanisms of 
hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech and language. The 
Institute addresses special biomedical and behavioral problems 
associated with people who have communication impairments or 
disorders. In addition, the NIDCD is actively involved in 
health promotion and disease prevention, dissemination of 
research results, and supports efforts to create devices that 
substitute for lost and impaired sensory and communication 
functions.
    Dysphonia.--Spasmodic dysphonia is a voice disorder that 
affects women predominately, and usually renders a person 
difficult to understand because of uncontrolled voice and pitch 
breaks. The Committee is pleased with NIDCD intramural and 
extramural study into spasmodic dysphonia and encourages 
continued aggressive effort in this promising scientific area.
    Hair cell regeneration.--Regeneration of hair cells of the 
inner ear has the potential to help 80 percent of individuals 
with the most common form of hearing loss. The Committee 
encourages NIDCD to continue to support research into possible 
methods to enhance hair cell regeneration in mammals.
    Imaging.--The Committee is pleased that NIDCD has supported 
the use of imaging in communication disorders and urges the 
Institute to continue studies in imaging.
    Learning disabilities.--The Committee is pleased to learn 
of the Institute's work with sensory imaging to study human 
communication, specifically the manipulation and production of 
language. The Committee looks forward to learning what these 
powerful imaging tools will tell us about learning disabilities 
which affect one's ability to speak.
    Newborn hearing screening.--As universal newborn hearing 
screening is implemented throughout the Nation, intervention 
services for varying degrees of hearing impairment are needed 
for infants in the earliest stages of life. NIDCD is encouraged 
to pursue research on these intervention strategies.

                 national institute of nursing research

    The Committee provides $68,198,000 for the National 
Institute of Nursing Research (NINR), which is $4,720,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $66,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The NINR supports and conducts scientific 
research and research training to reduce the burden of illness 
and disability; improve health-related quality of life; and 
establish better approaches to promote health and prevent 
disease.
    Community-based interventions for underserved 
populations.--The Committee commends NINR for its strong 
commitment to community-based interventions aimed at reducing 
health risks and at targeting health issues of rural residents 
and underserved minority groups. The Committee is pleased to 
learn of research that promotes cardiovascular health in rural 
elementary and middle schools, before risky behaviors that 
compromise health later in life can be established. In 
addition, the Institute is to be commended for its strong 
emphasis on prevention of low-birthweight deliveries, however 
the Committee remains concerned with the increased rate of low-
birthweight deliveries, especially among African American 
women.
    End of life care.--The Committee also commends NINR for 
focusing on end-of-life issues as an area of major program 
emphasis. The final phase of life is concerned with managing 
symptoms to maintain quality of life during the dying process. 
A recent Institute of Medicine report called for more research 
in palliative care and end-of-life care. The Committee is 
pleased that NINR is the lead Institute at NIH for end-of-life 
care research. NINR's extensive portfolio in the management of 
pain and other symptoms, family decision making for patients 
who are incapacitated, end-of-life caregiving practices, and 
the environment of critically ill patients provides an 
important base of knowledge for this research.

           national institute on alcohol abuse and alcoholism

    The Committee provides $248,778,000 for the National 
Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), which is 
$22,026,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$3,787,000 above the Administration request.
    Mission.--The NIAAA supports research to generate new 
knowledge to answer crucial questions about why people drink; 
why some individuals are vulnerable to alcohol dependence or 
alcohol-related diseases and others are not; the relationship 
of genetic and environmental factors involved in alcoholism; 
the mechanisms whereby alcohol produces its disabling effects, 
including organ damage; how to prevent alcohol misuse and 
associated damage and how alcoholism treatment can be improved. 
NIAAA addresses these questions through a program of 
biomedical, behavioral, and epidemiologic research on 
alcoholism, alcohol abuse, and related problems. This program 
includes various areas of special emphasis such as medications 
development, fetal alcohol syndrome, genetics, and moderate 
drinking.
    Epidemiology.--The Committee acknowledges the importance of 
studying the epidemiology of alcohol use and abuse in the 
general population and applauds the recent findings that 
confirm that early initiation of drinking is a predictor of 
later alcohol problems. These data came from a national survey 
conducted by NIAAA in 1992. Additional understanding of the 
factors that affect the incidence and prevalence of drinking 
and the distribution of drinking problems by gender, race, and 
socioeconomic status are important to understand both the 
causes and the means of prevention of alcohol abuse and 
dependence.
    Moderate drinking.--The Committee is pleased that NIAAA has 
expanded its funding to study the benefits and risks of 
moderate drinking, especially research on the health effects of 
alcohol on atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, cerebrovascular 
diseases, women's health, and those taking medications. The 
Committee supports the continued exploration of these important 
scientific areas and encourages NIAAA to expand its 
investigations to include research into alcohol's effect on 
insulin metabolism and the role of organic components in 
beverages, including antioxidant effects of phenolic compounds, 
on overall health.
    Neuroscience.--The Committee understands that, unlike other 
drugs of abuse, alcohol interacts with a variety of different 
brain receptors to produce its effects. These diverse molecular 
interactions greatly complicate efforts to learn how alcohol 
produces intoxication, tolerance, and dependence. The Committee 
commends the advances by NIAAA investigators in defining 
several specific molecular targets of alcohol. Moreover, NIAAA 
funded studies have employed cutting edge molecular biological 
techniques to learn how alcohol interacts with specific regions 
of these brain receptors. New methods permitting the 
simultaneous examination of neural activity in many brain cells 
at once will shed light on neural circuits that underlie 
craving, appetite, memory, and affect. These advances may 
hasten the development of medications that block specific 
effects of alcohol.

                    national institute on drug abuse

    The Committee provides $575,426,000 for the National 
Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), which is $49,234,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $859,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--NIDA-supported science addresses questions about 
drug abuse and addiction, which range from its causes and 
consequences to its prevention and treatment. NIDA research 
explores how drugs of abuse affect the brain and behavior and 
develops effective prevention and treatment strategies; the 
Institute works to ensure the transfer of scientific data to 
policy makers, practitioners, and the public.
    Children and adolescents.--Drug abuse affects the children 
of this country in devastating ways, through prenatal exposure, 
through growing up in drug abusing households, and through drug 
abuse by young people themselves. The Committee urges NIDA to 
continue research on preventing or diminishing the health and 
developmental consequences associated with drug abuse and 
addiction, particularly on prenatally exposed children to find 
out what the long-term consequences of prenatal drug exposure 
are in later childhood and adolescence. The Committee is 
particularly interested in the differential effects of drugs on 
the brain and the behavior of children at different ages.
    Clinical trials.--The Committee commends NIDA's extensive 
progress in developing drug abuse treatments, both behavioral 
and psychological. NIDA's investment in behavioral and 
neuroscience research has brought the science of addiction 
treatment to a point of broad practical application. The 
Committee encourages NIDA to continue to move forward by 
supporting research to clarify more specifically what works for 
which patients, under what circumstances, and for how long. The 
Committee also encourages NIDA to examine behavioral and 
pharmacological therapies that are shown to be effective in 
small scale studies and evaluate them in large multi-site 
clinical trials.
    Coordinating efforts.--The Committee urges NIDA to take the 
lead in coordinating its research efforts with those of the 
Knowledge and Development Application programs of the Substance 
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. The Committee 
requests that NIDA be prepared to give the Committee a progress 
report on this effort, including recommendations on how to 
improve the outcomes of this research, at its fiscal year 2000 
appropriations hearing.
    Drug abuse treatment.--The Committee commends the progress 
NIDA has made in neuroscience research and encourages NIDA to 
continue its efforts to develop pharmacological and behavioral 
drug abuse treatments.
    Methamphetamine.--NIDA research has shown that 
methamphetamine is a powerfully addictive stimulant associated 
with many physical and behavioral changes. Recognizing that 
there continues to be a significant problem in methamphetamine 
use in specific areas of the country, the Committee encourages 
NIDA to study the development of an anti-methamphetamine 
medication, to clarify the long-term neurological and 
behavioral consequences of the use of this drug, and to 
continue to study the epidemiological trends of methamphetamine 
use. The Committee also encourages NIDA to support research to 
develop prevention programs specifically geared toward the 
unique characteristics of the methamphetamine user as well as 
research on treatment approaches specifically tailored for 
poly-drug addiction to methamphetamine and other substances.
    Nicotine research.--The health consequences of tobacco/
nicotine use in this country will not be eliminated until the 
addiction to nicotine itself is effectively prevented and those 
currently addicted are effectively treated. The Committee 
encourages NIDA to: (1) expand its support for basic research 
on the biological, behavioral, and pharmacological bases of 
nicotine addiction; (2) conduct basic and applied behavioral 
research targeting children and adolescents to improve 
strategies to prevent smoking initiation; and (3) increase 
support for research that will lead to more effective long-term 
smoking cessation by developing both nicotine and non-nicotine 
replacement medications in combination with behavioral 
strategies. The Committee encourages NIDA to support behavioral 
research on nicotine and smoking and epidemiological studies 
that monitor patterns of drug use, including nicotine.
    Prevention.--NIDA has demonstrated the usefulness of its 
research to prevention of drug use by developing and 
distributing over 100,000 copies of the first ever research-
based prevention guide, ``Preventing Drug Use Among Children 
and Adolescents''. This booklet is the first research-based 
guide which articulates the principles learned from 20 years of 
NIDA supported prevention research. It gives practical guidance 
on how communities can apply these principles to address local 
drug problems. The Committee urges NIDA to continue to support 
this useful research and to produce more tools translating 
research findings into useful guides for parents, educators, 
treatment providers, and policy makers.
    Social work research.--The Committee commends NIDA's 
support for social work research and dissemination on 
behavioral and psychological treatment and prevention related 
to drug abuse, addictions, and HIV/AIDS. The Committee also 
commends NIDA's efforts to support the development of drug 
abuse treatment and health services research within graduate 
schools of social work.

                  NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

    The Committee provides $815,707,000 for the National 
Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), which is $66,866,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $8,449,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The NIMH is responsible for research activities 
that seek to improve diagnosis, treatments, and overall quality 
of care for persons with mental illnesses. Disorders of high 
priority to NIMH include schizophrenia, depression and manic 
depressive illness, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety 
disorders and other mental and behavioral disorders that occur 
across the lifespan; these include childhood mental disorders 
such as autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; 
eating disorders; Alzheimer's disease; and other illnesses. 
NIMH supports and conducts fundamental research in 
neuroscience, genetics, and behavioral science. In addition to 
laboratory and controlled clinical studies, the NIMH supports 
research on the mental health needs of special populations and 
health services research.
    Childhood violence.--The Committee is concerned about the 
increasing number of acts of violence committed by children and 
encourages the Institute to work with NICHD, CDC, and the 
Department of Justice to research the root causes of violent 
behavior on the part of children and how to prevent it.
    Clinical research.--The Committee recognizes that clinical 
research is critical to making advancements in the treatment of 
mental illness and encourages NIMH to strengthen its clinical 
research activities in order to improve the understanding and 
treatment of severe mental illnesses.
    Eating disorders.--The Committee is concerned about the 
prevalence and consequences of eating disorders, particularly 
in adolescent girls. The Committee encourages NIMH to 
investigate the behavioral, social, and developmental factors 
that contribute to the onset of eating disorders, including but 
not limited to anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating 
disorder, with the goal of learning how to prevent them.
    Global burden of disease.--Data from a recent study 
conducted by the World Bank, the World Health Organization, and 
Harvard University entitled, ``The Global Burden of Disease,'' 
has shown that depression is the leading cause of disability 
among individuals over the age of five in the United States and 
the second leading cause of disease burden, which includes 
disability and premature mortality. In fact, mental disorders 
account for four of the ten leading causes of disability 
throughout the developed world. The Committee is pleased with 
NIMH's commitment to understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, 
treatment, and prevention of depression, bipolar disorder, and 
schizophrenia and encourages NIMH to expand research in these 
areas.
    Hate crimes.--The Committee is concerned about the 
prevalence, causes, and consequences of hate crimes and 
encourages the Institute to make hate crimes a research 
priority by investigating the behavioral, social, and cultural 
factors that contribute to hate crime perpetration; and the 
psychological consequences and characteristics of hate crime 
victimization.
    Homelessness and mental illness.--More needs to be done to 
provide effective support for communities seeking to develop 
creative solutions to the problem of care and treatment for 
homeless individuals with severe mental illnesses. The 
Committee encourages NIMH to support the Interagency Council on 
the Homeless and other Federal agencies to address this issue.
    Learning disabilities.--The Committee commends NIMH for 
collaborating with NICHD in the area of learning disabilities 
research and encourages NIMH to continue this productive 
relationship to further explore these neurological disorders.
    Manic-depressive illness.--The Committee is pleased that 
NIMH is moving forward to fund research on the treatment of 
manic-depressive disorder, also known as bipolar disorder, and 
urges the Institute to continue to work to enhance relevant 
basic, clinical, and services research to promote significant 
advances in the knowledge of this disorder.
    Schizophrenia.--Schizophrenia is the most severely 
disabling mental disorder and while there have been important 
treatment advances in this decade, much remains to be learned 
about this disease. Scientists still do not understand what 
causes this illness, there are no diagnostic markers for 
schizophrenia, and treatments are palliatives, not cures. The 
Committee urges NIMH to pursue basic and clinical research 
opportunities that will improve the understanding and treatment 
of this most disabling of mental illnesses.
    Science of emotion.--NIMH, the Library of Congress, and the 
Dana Foundation recently held a conference on what is known 
about brain circuitry and emotions. Leading scientists at the 
conference described exciting research progress in 
understanding the brain circuits responsible for our emotional 
reaction and the critical interplay between the emotions and 
the environment in making us who we are.
    Serious emotional disturbances in children.--The Committee 
is concerned that not enough is known about severe mental 
illnesses that afflict children and adolescents. An estimated 
three to four million children have a diagnosable mental or 
emotional disorder which is classified as severe. Much work 
needs to be done to develop the most appropriate treatments and 
to understand the underlying biological mechanisms. The 
Committee urges NIMH to advance the scientific treatment of 
these diseases.
    Social work research.--The Committee commends NIMH for 
funding its seventh social work research development center and 
urges NIMH to give consideration to expanding the number of 
centers.
    Violence against women.--The Committee encourages NIMH to 
focus attention on prevention, treatment, and intervention of 
violence against women, including behavioral and psychological 
factors.

                NATIONAL HUMAN GENOME RESEARCH INSTITUTE

    The Committee provides $246,111,000 for the National Human 
Genome Research Institute (NHGRI), which is $28,814,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $6,698,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The NHGRI coordinates extramural research and 
research training for the NIH component of the Human Genome 
Project, an effort to determine the location and sequence of 
the estimated 100,000 genes which constitute the human genome. 
The Division of Extramural Research supports research in 
genetic and physical mapping, DNA sequencing and technology 
development, database management and analysis, and studies of 
the ethical, legal, and social implications of human genome 
research. The Division of Intramural Research focuses on 
applying the tools and technologies of the Human Genome Project 
to understanding the genetic basis of disease and developing 
DNA-based diagnostics and gene therapies.
    Genetic Defects.--Genetic defects during fetal and neonatal 
development are the source of the majority of young children's 
diseases. As the Institute considers its future goals, the 
Committee urges it to give consideration to the genetic defects 
that cause changes in children's normal human development 
giving special emphasis to developmental biology of pediatric 
diseases and addressing issues in mammalian developmental 
molecular biology research. It is expected that these areas 
would provide an effective means to test whether a gene will 
cause a disease and to identify those genes that are critical 
in human development and disease.
    Hemophilia.--The Committee encourages NHGRI to explore 
collaborative ties with other NIH Institutes to encourage the 
development of promising gene therapy technologies for persons 
with hemophilia and other bleeding disorders.

                 national center for research resources

    The Committee provides $513,948,000 for the National Center 
for Research Resources (NCRR), which is $60,913,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $655,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The NCRR develops and supports critical research 
technologies and shared resources that underpin biomedical 
research. The NCRR programs develop a variety of research 
resources; provide resources for complex biotechnologies, 
clinical research and specialized primate research; develop 
research capacity in minority institutions; and enhance the 
science education of pre-college students and the general 
public. The Committee places a special emphasis on programs 
such as the Research Centers in Minority Institutions and urges 
their continued support at levels commensurate with the 
importance of their mission.
    Extramural facilities.--The Committee has included bill 
language identifying $20,000,000 in extramural biomedical 
facility renovation and construction, which is the same as both 
the fiscal year 1998 level and the Administration request. 
These funds are to be awarded competitively, consistent with 
the requirements of section 481A of the Public Health Service 
Act, which allocates 25 percent of the total funding to 
institutions of emerging excellence. The Committee commends 
NCRR for taking a more proactive role in fulfilling this 
requirement.
    General clinical research center grants.--As the Nation's 
academic medical centers have come under financial pressure 
from managed care, they have become increasingly dependent upon 
NCRR General Clinical Research Center (GCRC) grants to provide 
the facilities essential to the conduct of clinical research. 
The Committee is concerned about the ability of academic 
centers to fund clinical research facilities and urges NIH to 
take into account the essential role that GCRC's play in 
providing this funding.
    Institutional development awards.--The Institutional 
Development Awards (IDeA) program provides capacity building 
assistance for biomedical research efforts in States which have 
not previously participated fully in the research programs of 
the NIH. The Committee is concerned about geographic 
concentration of research funds and urges the NCRR to enhance 
its efforts in this area so that States can more fully exploit 
the opportunities to develop a competitive biomedical research 
base.
    Primate centers.--A recent study, requested by NIH, 
concluded that NCRR needed to take action to strengthen its 
Regional Primate Research Centers and increase its focus on 
funding regional centers to meet the growing demand for these 
increasingly important partners in biomedical research on human 
diseases. The Committee understands there may be a need for an 
additional center that could further advance biomedical 
research in the areas of chronic diseases such as 
atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, and endocrine disorders. NCRR is 
encouraged to give priority to funding an additional, 
competitively awarded and peer-reviewed center able to address 
these needs.

                  john e. fogarty international center

    The Committee provides $30,367,000 for the Fogarty 
International Center (FIC), which is $2,131,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $51,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The FIC was established to improve the health of 
the people of the United States and other nations through 
international cooperation in the biomedical sciences. In 
support of this mission, the FIC pursues the following four 
goals: mobilize international research efforts against global 
health threats; advance science through international 
cooperation; develop human resources to meet global research 
challenges; and provide leadership in international science 
policy and research strategies.

                      national library of medicine

    The Committee provides $176,492,000 for the National 
Library of Medicine (NLM), which is $15,607,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $2,292,000 above the 
Administration request.
    Mission.--The National Library of Medicine collects, 
organizes, disseminates, and preserves biomedical literature in 
all forms, regardless of country of origin, language, or 
historical period. The Library's collection is widely 
available; it may be consulted at the NLM facility on the NIH 
campus; items may be requested on interlibrary loan; and the 
extensive NLM bibliographic databases may be searched online by 
health professionals around the world. NLM has a program of 
outreach to acquaint health professions with available NLM 
services. The Library also is mandated to conduct research into 
biomedical communications and biotechnology; to award grants in 
support of health science libraries and medical informatics 
research and training; and to create specialized information 
services in such areas as health services research, 
environmental health, AIDS, hazardous substances, and 
toxicology.
    Genome information.--The continuing voyage of discovery 
into human DNA is one of science's great adventures and one 
that holds great promise for the conquest of many diseases. The 
Committee commends NLM for the successes of the Library's 
National Center for Biotechnology Information in coping with 
the flood of information generated by the Human Genome Project 
and its ability to develop unique analytical tools for 
supporting genetic research. The Committee also commends NLM 
for its collaboration with NCI in the development of the 
communications aspect of the Cancer Genome Anatomy Project. 
This initiative is giving scientists the ability to 
characterize normal, precancerous, and malignant cells at the 
molecular level. The Committee urges NLM to enhance support of 
these important areas of science.
    Next generation internet.--The Committee encourages NLM to 
continue its ground-breaking efforts related to the medical 
applications of Next Generation Internet (NGI). The Committee 
commends NLM for assuring that, as NGI evolves, proper 
attention is given to those unique requirements specific to 
medicine such as telehealth, telemedicine, medical imaging, 
digital libraries, and distance learning. The Committee 
believes that health care be a significant part of these 
efforts. It is essential that the transfer of medical data be 
highly reliable and its integrity maintained.
    Outreach.--The Committee is pleased that NLM has made its 
MEDLINE database available free of charge via the World Wide 
Web. The Committee encourages NLM to continue its outreach 
activities aimed at educating health care professionals, health 
information specialists, and the general public about the 
Library's products and services. To continue its success in 
this area, the Committee encourages NLM to coordinate its 
outreach efforts with medical librarians and other health care 
professionals.
    Telemedicine.--The Committee is pleased with the success of 
NLM's numerous telemedicine sites throughout the country and 
recognizes the positive impact that these programs are having 
on the delivery of health care in underserved communities. The 
Committee encourages NLM to continue to expand its research and 
development efforts in the area of telemedicine.

                         office of the director

    The Committee provides $254,145,000 for the Office of the 
Director (OD), which is $13,044,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $210,000 above the Administration request. 
The bill includes language proposed by the Administration and 
included in the 1998 appropriations bill authorizing the 
collection of third party payments for the cost of clinical 
services.
    Mission.--The Office of the Director provides leadership to 
the NIH research enterprise and coordinates and directs 
initiatives which cross-cut the NIH. The OD is responsible for 
the development and management of intramural and extramural 
research and research training policy, the review of program 
quality and effectiveness, the coordination of selected NIH-
wide program activities, and the administration of centralized 
support activities essential to operations of the NIH.
    Minority health initiative.--The Minority Health Initiative 
(MHI) is a coordinated set of programs designed to address the 
health needs of minorities across the lifespan and to expand 
the participation of minorities in all phases of biomedical and 
biobehavioral research. The MHI comprises a portfolio of multi-
year research projects as collaborative efforts with NIH 
Institutes, centers and divisions (ICDs) as well as new 
components developed to confront emerging and unaddressed 
health research areas.
    Office of research on minority health.--The Office of 
Research on Minority Health (ORMH) serves as the coordinating 
office for minority health research and research training 
activities at NIH. Through partnerships with the ICDs, and 
other federal agencies and outside organizations, the ORMH 
strives to improve the health status of all minorities and 
increase the numbers of minority scientists. The ORMH provides 
supplemental support to ICD projects, develops programs to 
increase minority participation in clinical trials, and 
initiates and develops programs to increase the competitiveness 
of grant applications submitted by minority researchers.
    Consolidated health centers treat patients with a variety 
of diseases that disproportionately affect minorities. The 
Committee requests ORMH to report to the Committee by March 31, 
1999, on the feasibility of establishing a plan for working 
collaboratively with these centers on research projects 
relating to diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, 
and AIDS.
    Given the disproportionately high incidence of diabetes 
among minority populations, the Committee continues to 
encourage ORMH to work closely with NIDDK to address this need.
    The Committee is pleased that ORMH has taken a leadership 
role in conducting and coordinating a study on managed care 
with historically minority health professions schools and 
encourages its continued support.
    The Committee continues to support the cooperative 
agreement to positively impact the increasing incidences of 
violence and abusive behavior in low-income, at-risk 
communities.
    Office of Research on Women's Health.--The Office of 
Research on Women's Health (ORWH) works in collaboration with 
the ICDs of the NIH to promote and foster efforts to address 
gaps in knowledge related to women's health through the 
enhancement and expansion of funded research and/or the 
initiation of new investigative studies. The ORWH is 
responsible for ensuring the inclusion of women in clinical 
research funded by the ICDs, including the development of a 
computerized tracking system and the implementation of new 
guidelines on such inclusion. This Office is also involved in 
promoting programs to increase the number of women in 
biomedical science, and in the development of women's health as 
a focus of medical/scientific research.
    The Committee is pleased with the collaborative efforts 
underway between ORWH and NIDDK to jointly fund research 
focusing on cardiovascular disease in women with diabetes. 
Diabetes is one of the leading risk factors for coronary artery 
disease among women between the ages of 30 and 55 who have Type 
I diabetes. The cumulative risk for fatal and non-fatal 
coronary artery disease by age 55 is 50 percent among these 
women. The Committee encourages ORWH and NIDDK to continue to 
work together to develop and pursue projects that could lead to 
the prevention and control of diabetes and its potentially 
devastating consequences in women.
    Office of AIDS Research.--The Office of AIDS Research (OAR) 
is responsible for coordination of the scientific, budgetary, 
legislative, and policy elements of the NIH AIDS research 
program. The OAR develops a comprehensive plan for NIH AIDS-
related research activities which is updated annually. The plan 
is the basis for the President's budget distribution of AIDS-
related funds to the Institutes, centers and divisions within 
NIH. The Committee expects the Director of NIH to use this plan 
and the budget developed by OAR to guide his decisions on the 
allocation of AIDS funding among the Institutes. The Director 
of NIH also should use the full authority of his office to 
ensure that the ICDs spend their AIDS research dollars in a 
manner consistent with the plan. In addition, the OAR allocates 
an emergency AIDS discretionary fund to support research that 
was not anticipated when budget allocations were made.
    The Committee has included the same general provision in 
bill language that was contained in the 1998 appropriations 
bill. This language permits the Director of OAR, jointly with 
the Director of NIH, to transfer between ICDs up to three 
percent of the funding determined by NIH to be related to AIDS 
research. This authority could be exercised throughout the 
fiscal year subject to normal reprogramming procedures, and is 
intended to give NIH flexibility to adjust the AIDS allocations 
among Institutes if research opportunities and needs should 
change.
    The Committee also repeats language from last year's bill 
making the research funds identified by NIH as being AIDS 
related available to the OAR account for transfer to the 
Institutes. This provision permits the flow of funds through 
the OAR in the spirit of the authorization legislation without 
requiring the Congress to earmark a specific dollar amount for 
AIDS research.
    Office of Alternative Medicine.--The Office of Alternative 
Medicine (OAM) provides a central NIH focus for a research area 
germane to all NIH components. Alternative medicine is becoming 
increasingly popular in the industrialized world and research 
may help in identifying new effective approaches to the 
prevention and cure of disease. In the U.S., one out of every 
three Americans visited alternative health care practitioners 
in 1990, paying over $13 billion for these services. The OAM is 
charged with evaluating alternative medical treatment 
modalities; investigating and evaluating the efficacy of 
alternative treatments; establishing an information 
clearinghouse for the public; and supporting research training 
in alternative and complementary medical practices.
    The Committee understands that OAM has existing authority 
to issue program announcements and requests for proposals. The 
Committee expects the Director to use these mechanisms to 
solicit and support peer reviewed complementary and alternative 
medicine research grants and contracts as well as clinical 
trials that will validate promising alternative and 
complementary medicine therapies.
    Office of Dietary Supplements.--The Office of Dietary 
Supplements (ODS) was established in recognition that dietary 
supplements can have an important impact on the prevention and 
management of disease and on the maintenance of health. ODS is 
charged with promoting, conducting, and coordinating scientific 
research within NIH relating to dietary supplements.
    The Committee is supportive of the work of OAM and ODS in 
examining the beneficial nature of certain vitamins and 
supplements. While many Americans ``self-prescribe'' 
supplements and vitamins to prevent disease, no studies have 
been done to determine the effects of supplements on users that 
are healthy. The Committee encourages OAM and ODS to include 
this examination, either within current research or through 
additional studies, to better address this issue.
    Diabetes affects over 16 million Americans and is a major 
contributor to heart disease, strokes, liver diseases, and 
kidney disorders. There is evidence that chromium 
supplementation may play an effective role in mitigating the 
effects or reversing the disease. The United States Department 
of Agriculture has conducted research on chromium 
supplementation and diabetes in China and European medical 
journals have reported a correlation between chromium 
deficiency and diabetes. Given the enormous human and economic 
costs of this disease, the Committee urges the Director to 
enhance research efforts in this area and use ODS as the 
coordinating office. The Committee urges ODS to use all 
available mechanisms, as appropriate. Research should include 
representatives from ethnic and minority populations, including 
Native Americans, and should be coordinated with the Department 
of Agriculture and a University affiliated College of Public 
Health experienced in working with these populations.
    Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research.--The 
Office of Behavioral and Social Sciences Research (OBSSR) 
provides leadership and direction for the development of a 
trans-NIH plan to increase the scope of and support for 
behavioral and social science research and in defining an 
overall strategy for the integration of these disciplines 
across NIH institutes and centers; develops initiatives to 
stimulate research in the behavioral and social sciences arena 
and integrate a biobehavioral perspective across the research 
areas of NIH; and promotes studies to evaluate the 
contributions of behavioral, social and lifestyle determinants 
in the development, course, treatment, and prevention of 
illness and related public health problems.
    Stress contributes to a host of medical conditions 
confronted by health care practitioners and current 
pharmaceutical and surgical approaches can not adequately treat 
stress-related illnesses. Mind/body approaches such as the 
relaxation response and those related to utilizing the beliefs 
of the patients have been used to successfully treat these 
disorders. The Committee encourages OBSSR to use all available 
mechanisms, as appropriate, including establishing pilot mind/
body medical centers, to make more visible the benefits of 
mind/body medicine, expand its scientific base, and teach and 
train health care professionals in these approaches.
    The Committee commends OBSSR for its diligent efforts to 
promote the philosophy at NIH that behavior, social, and 
environmental factors as well as genetic and physiological 
factors all interact to determine health outcomes and 
ultimately overall health status. The Committee believes that 
these interactions represent unprecedented scientific 
opportunities for the NIH, and as such, the Committee is 
pleased that the OBSSR continues to facilitate 
interdisciplinary research collaborations. NIH is encouraged to 
expand its research activities in these areas.
    The Committee is concerned that African-Americans, 
Hispanics, and Native Americans continue to be under-
represented in the biomedical and behavior sciences and 
therefore urges OBSSR to enhance its activities related to 
behavioral and social science training opportunities, 
especially for under-represented minorities.
    The Committee is pleased that OBSSR plans to initiate, in 
collaboration with several Institutes, a request for 
applications to stimulate investigations into socioeconomic 
influences on health. Disparities in health at each level of 
income continue to exist and it appears that very little is 
known to answer this critical public health issue. The 
Committee is also pleased that OBSSR will propose an initiative 
to advance the understanding and resolution of the problem of 
non-adherence to medical regimens.
    Office of Rare Disease Research.--The Office of Rare 
Disease Research (ORDR) was established in recognition of the 
need to provide a focal point of attention and coordination at 
NIH for research on rare diseases. ORDR works with Federal and 
non-Federal national and international organizations concerned 
with rare disease research and orphan products development; 
develops a centralized database on rare diseases research; and 
stimulates rare diseases research by supporting scientific 
workshops and symposia to identify research opportunities.
    Administrative structure and costs report.--The Committee 
commends NIH for contracting with Arthur Andersen to perform a 
detailed analysis of the agency's administrative structure and 
costs. The final report included over 80 recommendations to 
enhance the performance and stature of NIH administration and 
make it more efficient. The Committee expects NIH to use 
contractor assistance in the implementation of the Andersen 
report. The Committee expects to be kept abreast of the status 
of implementation efforts and outcomes.
    The Committee understands that NIH does not agree with the 
recommendation in the report to develop and use a new process 
model to identify and track administrative costs by core 
function. It is expected that this would better enable the 
agency to assess the cost of its basic functions and better 
portray to Congress the full range of NIH administrative 
activities. The Committee requests the Director to submit a 
report of why this recommendation should not be implemented. 
The report should set forth the impact this recommendation 
would have on agency operations as well as any alternatives to 
the Andersen proposal that could be used to achieve similar 
goals. The Committee expects to receive this report by October 
31, 1998.
    Alzheimer's disease.--An estimated four million Americans 
now suffer with Alzheimer's disease and by the time the ``baby 
boomer'' generation reaches the age of greatest risk, as many 
as 14 million persons will be afflicted. The disease has a 
significant impact on the Nation's health care system, which 
will only be exacerbated as the population ages. Given the 
serious threats this disease poses for the future of health 
care costs, the Committee urges research to continue on 
understanding the basic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. The 
Committee also urges NIH to conduct research to find a way to 
stop the disease in those who will not exhibit symptoms for 
another decade or more. One possible way to accomplish this is 
through a disease prevention initiative. The Committee believes 
that support for this work should not be borne entirely by NIH 
and therefore urges the Director to collaborate and coordinate 
its efforts with other Federal agencies, such as the Health 
Care Financing Administration, as well as the private sector, 
such as pharmaceutical manufacturers. The Committee requests 
that NIH present a plan for undertaking such a collaborative 
effort prior to the fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    Autism.--Autism is a serious neurological disorder that 
affects hundreds of thousands of Americans for which there is 
currently no prevention, treatment, or cure. The Committee 
commends NIH for holding a conference on autism last summer and 
encourages NIH to enhance research into the genetic, 
biochemical, physiological, and psychological aspects of this 
disorder. The Committee also urges NICHD, NIMH, NINDS, and 
NIDCD to continue to work together to aggressively pursue 
research opportunities and make finding a cure for autism a 
high priority for NIH.
    Biomaterials.--The Committee is aware of the emerging 
importance of biomaterials in the treatment of disease and the 
development of new medical implant devices. The Committee also 
notes that over the last several years there has been growing 
concern about the risk to United States leadership in this area 
due to the fragmented nature of our research, particularly in 
failure to appropriately integrate complementary work in the 
biological, health, and materials sciences. The Committee 
encourages NIH to enhance research in this area through all 
available mechanisms, as appropriate, including the 
establishment of biomaterials centers. The Committee requests 
the Director to submit a report, by February 15, 1999, that 
includes an outline of how NIH can better integrate its 
biomaterials initiative with complimentary research at the 
National Science Foundation and the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology.
    Child abuse and neglect research.--The Committee recognizes 
the magnitude and significance of the problem of child abuse 
and neglect. The Committee commends NIH, under the leadership 
of NIMH, for convening a working group of its component 
organizations to facilitate collaborative efforts on child 
abuse and neglect research and for issuing the April 1997 
report outlining current research efforts in this critical area 
and future actions. The Committee urges the continuation of the 
working group and implementation of the report's 
recommendations. The Committee encourages the working group to 
hold a conference with other Federal agencies, relevant outside 
organizations, and experts in the field on child abuse and 
neglect to assess the state-of-the-art science and make 
recommendations for a research agenda in this field. The 
Committee requests NIH be prepared to report on the status of 
current and proposed efforts in this area at its fiscal year 
2000 appropriations hearing.
    Chronic fatigue and immune dysfunction syndrome.--The 
Committee urges the Director to enhance efforts to focus on 
promising areas of Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction 
Syndrome (CFIDS) research, particularly those investigations 
which will define the pathophysiology of the illness and 
identify diagnostic markers. The Committee urges NIH to use all 
available mechanisms, as appropriate, including program 
announcements, to study all facets of pediatric CFIDS. The 
Committee also urges NIH officials to identify appropriate NIH 
advisory committees for CFIDS representation and ensure 
appointment of qualified persons thereon.
    Clinical research.--The Committee is pleased that the NIH 
Director has moved forward with initial efforts to address the 
training and career development of clinical investigators. 
However, the Committee urges NIH to fund a greater number of 
the Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development 
Awards and the Mid-Career Investigator Patient-Oriented 
Research Awards than proposed in fiscal year 1999. Further, NIH 
is encouraged to move forward with grants to fund advanced 
degree training in clinical investigation. In addition, the 
Committee requests a report by January 15, 1999, on the 
feasibility of providing bonus supplemental support for 
investigators who add a patient-oriented or translational 
research component to their research grants. Finally, the 
Committee commends the diligence of the NIH Director's Advisory 
Panel on Clinical Research and urges the Director to actively 
involve the Panel in the implementation of its recommendations.
    Clinical trials database.--The Clinical Trials Database is 
designed to collect in one location all Federally and privately 
supported clinical trials. The Committee encourages NIH to 
support the establishment of a central search engine for this 
database.
    End stage renal disease.--End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) 
will affect over 300,000 Americans this year and the life 
expectancy of those with the disease is significantly reduced. 
The Committee urges the Director to have NIDDK, NIAID, NHLBI, 
and any other Institute deemed appropriate work closely to 
establish an ESRD working group to develop and implement a 
comprehensive action plan for all NIH-funded kidney disease 
research efforts.
    Facioscapulohumeral disease.--The Committee appreciates 
NIH's response to last year's report language encouraging NIH 
to take steps to stimulate research in the area of 
facioscapulohumeral disease (FSHD) which was done through a 
program announcement covering FSHD as well as other muscular 
dystrophies. However, the Committee notes that NIH has not 
responded in developing a plan for enhancing research into 
FSHD, including an assessment of whether an intramural research 
program in this area would be beneficial. Therefore, the 
Committee urges NIH to conduct a research planning conference 
in the near future in order to explore scientific opportunities 
in FSHD research, both intramurally and extramurally.
    Hepatitis C.--The Committee encourages NIH to strengthen 
its research, public education, and outreach activities with 
respect to Hepatitis C, which disproportionately affects 
minorities. It is expected that the latest advances in 
biomedical research will be applied to the study, treatment, 
and prevention of this disease. The Committee requests that it 
be kept abreast of the implementation of the recommendations 
stemming from the agency's joint workshop that was held to 
develop a common agenda for research on interactions of HCV and 
the effect of alcohol on the liver.
    Indirect costs.--The Committee requests the Director to 
provide a report on indirect costs for fiscal year 1998. The 
report should include a list of all grantees, the amount of 
grant funds they received, and what percentage was for overhead 
costs. It should also discuss regional differences. This 
information should be provided to the Committee electronically 
in DBF or ASCII Delimited format.
    Institute of Medicine Report.--The Institute of Medicine 
(IOM) recently released its report on Improving Priority 
Setting and Public Input at the National Institutes of Health. 
The study was conducted to examine how NIH decides what to 
fund, what mechanisms exist for public input into the process, 
and the role of Congress in directing the allocation of funding 
among areas of research. The report includes 12 
recommendations, many of which could be implemented through 
administrative action. The Committee urges the Director to 
begin the process of implementing those recommendations that do 
not take legislative action as soon as possible. In addition, 
the Committee requests a report on the status of implementing 
all the recommendations by December 31, 1998.
    Lupus.--Lupus is a serious autoimmune disease that mainly 
affects women of child bearing age. African-American women are 
three times more likely to have the disease than Caucasian 
women. While progress remains encouraging, the Committee urges 
NIH to apply the latest advances in biomedical research to 
further accelerate the search for a cure for Lupus.
    Minority programs.--The Committee has provided adequate 
funding for the continuation of a variety of competitive 
programs at NIH that emphasize improving the health status of 
disadvantaged populations, including racial and ethnic 
minorities. The Committee places a special emphasis on the 
Minority Access to Research Careers, the Minority Biomedical 
Research Support, the Research Centers in Minority 
Institutions, and the Office of Research on Minority Health 
programs, and expects these programs to continue to be 
supported at a level commensurate with their importance.
    Nutrition and obesity.--The Committee notes the important 
link between nutrition science and obesity research. Several 
Institutes, including NIDDK, NCI, NHLBI, and NICHD as well as 
other Federal agencies, such as the Agricultural Research 
Service of the Department of Agriculture, are actively involved 
in this research effort. The Committee urges NIH to enhance 
research in this area using all available mechanisms, as 
appropriate, including the development of a collaborative 
program between existing clinical nutrition and obesity 
research centers and the general clinical research centers 
program.
    Nutrition science.--The Committee urges NIH to continue to 
support nutrition science as a major cross-cutting research 
priority, which enables understanding of the relationship of 
diet to cancer, diabetes, child development, heart disease, and 
hypertension. The Committee is particularly concerned with the 
integration of basic science, such as molecular genetics, and 
clinical science and believes that clinical nutrition research 
units, obesity centers, and similar programs are an important 
method of advancing nutrition science through the integration 
of basic and clinical science and through training programs 
which permit nutritional scholars to develop training in 
molecular genetics and clinical science.
    Pediatric research.--NIH is to be commended for its support 
of research into the causes, opportunities for prevention, and 
more effective treatments and cures for illnesses that are the 
principal causes of death and disability among infants and 
children. The Committee urges the Director to strengthen and 
expand on the pediatric research initiative through the areas 
of special emphasis. The Committee also urges the Director to 
ensure that the priorities of each of the Institutes in this 
area are recognized and appropriately pursued and to ensure 
that these activities are appropriately coordinated. NIH is 
encouraged to further investigate the differences between 
children and adults in the causes, mechanisms, and treatments 
for these diseases, in order to identify the unique features of 
these diseases as they occur in children. The Committee 
requests the Director to report to the Committee prior to the 
fiscal year 2000 appropriation hearings on the status of this 
initiative, including the level of funding for extramural 
grants in pediatric research NIH-wide.
    The Committee is pleased to learn that NIH will implement 
its new policy to increase the participation of children in NIH 
supported clinical research trials in fiscal year 1999. The 
Committee requests an initial progress report on the effect of 
the first year's implementation of this new policy at its 
fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    Personnel practices.--The Committee notes that NIH has had 
a continuing discrimination problem with regard to minorities 
and women, ranging from hiring to participation in research. 
The Committee expects NIH to continue to address this problem 
and to provide the Committee with a progress report at the 
fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    Population-based prevention research.--The Director has 
identified prevention research as a primary focus of NIH in the 
coming year. The Committee believes that population-based 
prevention research that develops and tests community-based 
public health interventions should be included as part of this 
focus. Population-based research strategies would be targeted 
at precluding the development of disease or postponing its 
symptomatic onset through changes in personal habits and 
factors in the social and physical environment. The Committee 
requests the Director to report on the progress of this 
initiative and be prepared to testify on population-based 
prevention research at the fiscal year 2000 appropriations 
hearing.
    Urological diseases.--The Committee remains concerned with 
the peer review system for reviewing urological research grant 
applications. While NIH has responded by creating a special 
emphasis panel to review these applications, the Committee 
believes the NIH Director should consider further steps by 
seeking input from the urological research committee. The 
Committee requests a report from the Director on what further 
steps should be taken to rectify this situation.

                        buildings and facilities

    The Committee provides $224,599,000 for buildings and 
facilities, which is $18,029,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $6,372,000 above the Administration 
request. Of the amount provided, $90,000,000 is for the fourth 
year costs of constructing the new clinical research center and 
$9,143,000 is for completion of the new vaccine facility. The 
Committee has not provided an advance appropriation of 
$40,000,000 for the clinical research center.
    Mission.--The Buildings and Facilities appropriation 
provides for the design, construction, improvement, and major 
repair of clinical, laboratory, and office buildings and 
supporting facilities essential to the mission of the National 
Institutes of Health. The funds in this appropriation support 
the 77 buildings on the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland; 
the Animal Center in Poolesville, Maryland; the National 
Institute of Environmental Health Sciences facility in Research 
Triangle Park, North Carolina; and other smaller facilities 
throughout the United States.
    Essential safety and health improvement.--This account 
supports continued essential safety and health improvements to 
maintain the clinical center; the continuation of the campus 
infrastructure modernization program as well as programs for 
power plant safety, asbestos abatement, fire protection and 
life safety, the elimination of barriers to persons with 
disabilities, safety and reliability upgrades at the Rocky 
Mountain Laboratory, and indoor air quality improvement.
    Repairs and improvements.--Support is also provided for the 
continuing program of repairs and improvements required to 
maintain existing buildings and facilities.

       Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

               substance abuse and mental health services

    The bill provides a program level of $2,458,005,000 for the 
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration 
(SAMHSA), which is $260,849,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $183,362,000 above the Administration 
request. Many programs funded in this account are not 
authorized for fiscal year 1999.
    SAMHSA is responsible for supporting mental health, 
alcoholism, and other drug abuse prevention and treatment 
services nationwide through discretionary knowledge development 
and applied research grants and formula block grants to the 
States. The agency consists of three principal centers: the 
Center for Mental Health Services, the Center for Substance 
Abuse Treatment, and the Center for Substance Abuse Prevention. 
The Office of the Administrator is responsible for overall 
agency management.
    In general, the Committee commends SAMHSA for implementing 
the Knowledge Development and Application (KDA) programs at 
each of the three operating centers. However, the Committee 
reinforces its belief that the KDAs be structured so that the 
results of these grants are readily integrated into the 
practice of mental health treatment and substance abuse 
treatment and prevention on a nationwide basis including 
services funded through the substance abuse and mental health 
block grants. KDAs need to be relevant to the current practice 
of treatment and prevention and the results need to be 
disseminated and adopted on the widest possible scale. The 
Committee believes the best way to achieve success is through a 
strong collaboration with the scientific researchers and the 
local communities providing the actual services.

Center for Mental Health Services

    The bill provides a total of $512,737,000 for the Center 
for Mental Health Services (CMHS), which is $61,469,000 above 
both the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the 
Administration request.
            Knowledge development and application
    The bill provides $97,964,000 for the mental health 
knowledge development and application (KDA) program, 
$40,000,000 over both the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
the Administration request. Included in this amount is 
$40,000,000 to improve mental health services for children with 
emotional and behavioral disorders who are at-risk of violent 
behavior. The Committee is concerned by the recent outbreaks of 
violence in our Nation's schools and believes one important 
tool to address this problem is to improve children's mental 
health services. The additional funding for mental health 
knowledge development and applications will assist schools in 
identifying and addressing the mental health needs of children 
and preventing aggressive behaviors. Schools are an ideal 
location for children's mental health activities because they 
facilitate peer-based programs, comprehensive approaches, and 
access to professionals in a familiar environment where many of 
the problem behaviors occur.
    The Committee is aware of the need for more trained health 
providers, including social workers, to work with people 
suffering from HIV/AIDS. The Committee encourages CMHS to 
consider continued funding for existing grants and contracts 
previously approved under the current AIDS training program.
    The Committee commends CMHS for its commitment in 
disseminating knowledge gained from the HIV/AIDS Mental Health 
Services Demonstration projects. The Committee urges CMHS to 
maintain its support for projects that provide direct mental 
health services while at the same time using the findings from 
previous projects to develop new knowledge in this area.
    The Committee is concerned about the impact of managed care 
on the availability of mental health services to underserved 
communities. The Committee urges the Administrator to develop 
standards and guidelines for the delivery of mental health 
services in managed care entities, including guidelines for 
cultural competencies, workforce diversity, and collaboration 
among primary care disciplines. In addition, the Committee 
believes that the design of curricula and training models to 
prepare mental health professionals for managed care and other 
interdisciplinary health care settings merits consideration for 
standards and guidelines funding. Finally, the Committee 
encourages CMHS to collaborate with the Health Resources and 
Services Administration on the development of training 
protocols for mental health professionals in primary care 
settings including the linking of health-related agencies with 
graduate schools for pre-service and continuing education. The 
Committee requests that SAMHSA report on the status of such 
efforts at its fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    More needs to be done to provide effective support for 
communities seeking to develop creative solutions to the 
problem of care and treatment for homeless individuals with 
severe mental illnesses. The Committee encourages CMHS to 
support the Interagency Council on the Homeless and other 
Federal agencies to address this issue.
    The Committee recognizes the role that the minority 
fellowship program plays in providing mental health services. 
The Committee encourages SAMHSA to continue this program 
through its different centers.
            Mental health performance partnerships
    The bill provides $288,816,000 for the mental health 
performance partnership grants, which is $13,396,000 above both 
the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the Administration 
request. The performance partnerships provide funds to States 
to support mental health prevention, treatment, and 
rehabilitation services. Funds are allocated according to 
statutory formula among the States that have submitted approved 
annual plans. The Committee notes that the mental health 
performance partnerships grant funding represents less than 2% 
of total State mental health funding and less than 5% of State 
community-based mental health services.
    SAMHSA proposes to change State allotments in fiscal year 
1999 based on using the non-manufacturing wage proxy in 
calculating the cost of service factor pending the 
implementation of a consensus policy. The Agency's 
reauthorization is pending in the House and Senate and the 
Committee understands that changing the funding formula to use 
the non-manufacturing wage proxy is being considered. 
Therefore, the Committee has provided sufficient funds to hold 
all States harmless if this new formula is enacted. The 
Committee will follow the reauthorization bills as they work 
their way through the process and will revisit the need to 
adjust this account accordingly when the bill gets to 
conference.
            Children's mental health
    The bill provides $78,000,000 for the seventh year of 
funding for the grant program for comprehensive community 
mental health services for children with serious emotional 
disturbance, which is $5,073,000 above both the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and the Administration request. Funding 
for this program supports grants and technical assistance for 
community-based services for children and adolescents up to age 
22 with serious emotional, behavioral, or mental disorders. The 
program assists States and local jurisdictions in developing 
integrated systems of community care. Each individual served 
receives an individual service plan developed with the 
participation of the family and the child. Grantees are 
required to provide increasing levels of matching funds over 
the five year grant period.
            Grants to States for the homeless (PATH)
    The bill provides $26,000,000 for the grants to States for 
the homeless (PATH) program, which is $3,000,000 above both the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the Administration 
request. PATH grants to States provide assistance to 
individuals suffering from severe mental illness and/or 
substance abuse disorders and who are homeless or at imminent 
risk of becoming homeless. Grants may be used for outreach, 
screening and diagnostic treatment services, rehabilitation 
services, community mental health services, alcohol or drug 
treatment services, training, case management services, 
supportive and supervisory services in residential settings, 
and a limited set of housing services.
            Protection and advocacy
    The bill provides $21,957,000 for the protection and 
advocacy program, the same as both the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and the Administration request. This funding 
is distributed to States according to a formula based on 
population and income to assist State-designated independent 
advocates to provide legal assistance to mentally ill 
individuals during their residence in State-operated facilities 
and for 90 days following their discharge.

Center for Substance Abuse Treatment

    The bill provides a total of $1,740,868,000 for the Center 
for Substance Abuse Treatment (CSAT), which is $274,893,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $120,334,000 
above the Administration request.
            Knowledge development and application
    The bill provides $155,868,000 for the substance abuse 
treatment knowledge development and application (KDA) program, 
which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$40,441,000 above the Administration request.
    The Committee encourages CSAT to continue the supplemental 
demonstration and evaluation of enhanced children's services as 
part of the Residential Women and Children and Pregnant and 
Postpartum Women programs.
    Funding was provided in fiscal year 1998 for planning, 
implementation, and evaluation of a model initiative in San 
Francisco for comprehensive and community-based treatment on 
demand and substance abuse prevention. The Committee encourages 
SAMHSA to continue this initiative in fiscal year 1999. The 
Committee requests that SAMHSA provide a report, by March 31, 
1999, on the progress that has been made to date.
            Substance abuse performance partnerships
    The bill provides $1,585,000,000 for the substance abuse 
performance partnership grants, which is $274,893,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $79,893,000 above the 
Administration request. The substance abuse performance 
partnerships provide funds to States to support alcohol and 
drug abuse prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation services. 
Funds are allocated among the States according to a statutory 
formula. State applications including comprehensive state plans 
must be approved annually by SAMHSA as a condition of receiving 
funds.
    SAMHSA proposes to change State allotments in fiscal year 
1999 based on using the non-manufacturing wage proxy in 
calculating the cost of service factor pending the 
implementation of a consensus policy. The Agency's 
reauthorization is pending in the House and Senate and the 
Committee understands that changing the funding formula to use 
the non-manufacturing wage proxy is being considered. 
Therefore, the Committee has provided sufficient funds to hold 
all States harmless if this new formula is enacted. The 
Committee will follow the reauthorization bills as they work 
their way through the process and will revisit the need to 
adjust this account accordingly when the bill gets to 
conference.

Center for Substance Abuse Prevention

    The bill provides a total of $151,000,000 for the Center 
for Substance Abuse Prevention, which is $6,000,000 below the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and $23,559,000 above the 
Administration request. The Committee does not provide funding 
for high-risk youth grants.
            Knowledge development and application
    The bill provides $151,000,000 for the substance abuse 
prevention knowledge development and application (KDA) program, 
which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$33,559,000 above the Administration request.

Program Management

    The bill provides $53,400,000 for program management 
activities, which is $1,513,000 below the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and the same as the Administration request. 
The appropriation provides funding to coordinate, direct, and 
manage the agency's programs. Funds are used for salaries, 
benefits, space, supplies, equipment, travel and overhead.
    While the Department has made some progress, it has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
SAMHSA. It has not developed adequate measures of the quality 
of care services, the outcomes of research initiatives and 
block grant funding, and other administrative measures that are 
called for by the Act. These measures need to be developed in 
consultation with the Committee and be consistent with 
indicators used for other Federal programs. Subsequent 
submissions should include baseline data and systems to provide 
annual data on progress toward programmatic goals. The 
President's budget should include information on the 
improvements in indicators expected as a result of proposed 
funding levels.

Data Collection Initiative

    The Committee does not provide a specific appropriation for 
the data collection initiative. Consistent with the fiscal year 
1998 conference agreement, the Committee expects that all 
future funding for this initiative will be provided through the 
five percent administrative set-aside within the substance 
abuse block grant.
    The Committee is supportive of SAMHSA's interest in 
insuring that individuals with mental and addictive disorders 
receive treatment that is the most effective for their 
condition. However, the Committee is concerned that in order to 
monitor the quality of care that patients receive, a 
methodology is needed that will use information from patients 
and providers to assess the quality of care, while reflecting 
the full range of clinical complexity, setting and financing 
and delivery systems that may influence care. Therefore, the 
Committee expects that SAMHSA will fund data collection, 
analysis, and reporting systems in order to develop performance 
measures. These performance measures should use an evidence-
based methodology such as those developed by a national medical 
organization in a scientifically-rigorous manner that will 
ensure the reliability and validity of the resulting data. The 
Committee believes that such indicators will also help fulfill 
the Results Act requirements for assessing outcomes.

     retirement pay and medical benefits for commissioned officers

    The bill provides an estimated $201,635,000 for retirement 
pay and medical benefits for commissioned officers, the same as 
the budget estimate and an increase of $10,896,000 over the 
estimated comparable payments for fiscal year 1998. This 
activity provides mandatory payments to Public Health Service 
commissioned officers who have retired for age, disability, or 
specified period of service. This appropriation also provides 
for the cost of medical care in non-Public Health Service 
facilities to dependents of the Public Health Service 
Commissioned Corps and for payments to the Social Security 
trust funds for the costs to them of granting credits for 
military service.

               Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

                    health care policy and research

    The bill provides $100,408,000 in general funds for the 
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR), which is 
$10,104,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the 
same as the Administration request. In addition, the Committee 
provides $70,647,000 in one percent evaluation funding, which 
is $14,441,000 above the 1998 level and the same as the 
Administration request. The Committee is supportive of high 
quality, peer-reviewed research and supports appropriate 
funding for investigator-initiated research within the funding 
levels provided. Programs funded in this account are not 
authorized for fiscal year 1999.
    The mission of the Agency is to generate and disseminate 
information that improves the delivery of health care. Its 
research goals are to determine what works best in clinical 
practice; improve the cost-effective use of health care 
resources; help consumers make more informed choices; and 
measure and improve the quality of care.
    For Research on Health Costs, Quality, and Outcomes, the 
Committee provides $140,914,000, which is $32,934,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the same as the 
Administration request. The Research on Health Costs, Quality, 
and Outcomes program identifies the most effective and 
efficient approaches to organize, deliver, finance, and 
reimburse health care services; determines how the structure of 
the delivery system, financial incentives, market forces, and 
better information affects the use, quality, and cost of health 
services; and facilitates the translation of research findings 
for providers, patients/consumers, plans, purchasers, and 
policymakers. It also funds research that determines what works 
best in medical care by increasing the cost effectiveness and 
appropriateness of clinical practice; supports the development 
of tools to measure and evaluate health outcomes, quality of 
care, and consumer satisfaction with health care system 
performance; and facilitates the translation of information 
into practical uses through the development and dissemination 
of research databases.
    For Health Insurance and Expenditure Surveys, the Committee 
provides $27,800,000, which is $8,500,000 below the fiscal year 
1998 comparable level and the same as the Administration 
request. The entire amount provided is derived through the one 
percent evaluation set-aside. The Medical Expenditure Panel 
Surveys provide timely national estimates of health care use 
and expenditures, private and public health insurance coverage, 
and the availability, costs, and scope of private health 
insurance benefits. This activity also provides analysis of 
changes in behavior as a result of market forces or policy 
changes on health care use, expenditures, and insurance 
coverage; develops cost/savings estimates of proposed changes 
in policy; and identifies the impact of changes in policy for 
subgroups of the population. These objectives are accomplished 
through the fielding of the Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys 
(MEPS), an interrelated series of surveys that replaced the 
National Medical Expenditure Survey (NMES).
    For program support, the Committee provides $2,341,000, 
which is $111,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level 
and the same as the Administration request. This activity 
supports the overall direction and management of the agency.
    While the Department has made some progress, it has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
AHCPR. The Committee understands the difficulty in developing 
outcome measurements that are more in depth than just answering 
the questions of whether the research took place or was the 
intended result achieved. The Committee believes that it is 
essential to develop specific, measurable standards for quality 
of the research or data and the degree to which the research 
and data are employed in improving health care quality or in 
setting standards for quality.
    Diagnostic errors by health care providers can result in 
unnecessary treatments, delays in diagnosis, and sometimes 
death. The Committee is concerned that little research has been 
done to identify the specific health care processes, practices, 
systems, and other factors that influence clinical decision 
making and that may contribute to missed diagnosis. The 
Committee urges AHCPR to support research that looks at missed 
diagnoses, such as those involving cancer and myocardial 
infarctions, in order to attempt to identify ways to improve 
diagnostic accuracy.
    The health care system has invested heavily in recent years 
in implementing a wide variety of models to manage the risk 
associated with the delivery of services resulting in an 
immense variety of risk management structures and systems in 
place across the Nation. The Committee urges AHCPR to support 
research that would examine a national cross section of risk 
management models and analyze the effects of these models on 
patient safety and clinical outcomes.
    The past three decades have seen the introduction of highly 
effective drugs to prevent or treat a wide array of diseases 
and disorders. However, there is a growing concern about the 
extent to which drugs and devices are used inappropriately. To 
address this problem, the Congress authorized Centers for 
Education and Research in Therapeutics. These Centers will fund 
research and education on the use of approved drugs, the 
prevention of adverse drug reactions, and the appropriate use 
and dosage of specific drugs in special populations such as 
women, children, minorities, and the elderly. The Committee has 
provided funding to initiate the establishment of these Centers 
in fiscal year 1999.
    The Committee is aware that the Early Childhood Caries 
Conference, which was held at NIH in October, 1997, found that 
the prevalence, seriousness, and societal costs of early 
childhood caries have not diminished despite the worldwide 
declining rates of caries among school aged children. Early 
detection and appropriate referral of at-risk children appear 
to be important, unresolved issues. The Committee requests that 
AHCPR report on the extent of dental health services research 
currently being supported and on the general state of the field 
of dental health services research.

                  Health Care Financing Administration

                     grants to states for medicaid

    The bill provides $74,593,733,000 for the Federal share of 
current law State Medicaid costs, which is $8,513,526,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the same as the 
Administration request. This amount does not include 
$27,800,689,000 which was advance funded in the fiscal year 
1998 appropriation. In addition, $5,522,222,000 of unobligated 
balances are expected to be available to the program in fiscal 
year 1999, thereby reducing budget authority needs. In 
addition, the bill provides an advance appropriation of 
$28,733,605,000 for program costs in the first quarter of 
fiscal year 2000. The bill also includes indefinite budget 
authority for unanticipated costs in fiscal year 1999.
    Federal Medicaid grants reimburse States for 50 to 83 
percent (depending on per capita income) of their expenditures 
in providing health care for individuals whose income and 
resources fall below specified levels. Subject to certain 
minimum requirements, States have broad authority within the 
law to set eligibility, coverage, and payment levels. It is 
estimated that 37.5 million low-income individuals will receive 
health care services in 1999 under the Medicaid program. State 
costs of administering the program are matched at rates that 
generally range from 50 to 90 percent, depending upon the type 
of cost. Total funding for Medicaid includes $566,278,000 for 
the entitlement Vaccines for Children program. These funds, 
which are transferred to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention for administration, support the costs of 
immunization for children who are on Medicaid, uninsured or 
underinsured and receiving immunizations at Federally qualified 
health centers or rural health clinics. Indefinite authority is 
provided by statute for the Vaccines for Children program in 
the event that the current estimate is inadequate.

                  payments to health care trust funds

    The bill includes $62,953,000,000 for the Payments to the 
Health Care Trust Funds account, which is $2,049,000,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and the same as the 
Administration request.
    This entitlement account includes the general fund subsidy 
to the Medicare Part B trust fund as well as other 
reimbursements to the Part A trust fund for benefits and 
related administrative costs which have not been financed by 
payroll taxes or premium contributions. The amount provided 
includes $130,000,000 for program management administrative 
expenditures, which is the fiscal year 1999 estimate of the 
general fund share of HCFA program management expenses. This 
general fund share will be transferred to the Federal Hospital 
Insurance Trust Fund to reimburse for the funds drawn down in 
fiscal year 1999 from the trust fund to finance program 
management.

                           PROGRAM MANAGEMENT

    The bill makes available $1,942,500,000 in trust funds for 
Federal administration of the Medicare and Medicaid programs, 
which is $153,593,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable 
level and the same as the Administration request.

Research, demonstration, and evaluation

    The bill provides $50,000,000 for research, demonstration 
and evaluation, which is $1,500,000 below the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and the same as the Administration request. 
These funds support a variety of studies and demonstrations in 
such areas as monitoring and evaluating health system 
performance; improving health care financing and delivery 
mechanisms; modernization of the Medicare program; the needs of 
vulnerable populations in the areas of health care access, 
delivery systems, and financing; and information to improve 
consumer choice and health status.
    The Committee is aware of the need to create a long-term 
care system that recognizes the importance of the role of the 
family in caring for elder relatives. The Committee encourages 
HCFA to support research to demonstrate and evaluate family and 
community responses to the care of the elderly. The Committee 
urges HCFA to collaborate this initiative with comprehensive, 
non-profit community and family service organizations.
    Malnutrition can lead to an increased susceptibility to 
many illnesses. Elderly Americans are at a higher risk of 
malnutrition due to many physiological and environmental 
changes associated with aging. Studies have indicated that 
medical nutrition therapy by registered dietitians may improve 
health and lower treatment costs for patients with diabetes, 
cancer, pressure ulcers, cardiovascular disease, kidney 
disease, and other health problems that disproportionately 
afflict the elderly. Last year the Committee encouraged HCFA to 
conduct a demonstration project on coverage of medical 
nutrition therapy by registered dietitians and other licensed 
or nationally certified medical practitioners under Part B of 
Medicare to investigate its impact on program costs and 
beneficiary health and quality of life. The Committee is 
concerned that no progress has been made on this demonstration 
and urges HCFA to proceed with this project and provide a 
report on its status by December 31, 1998.
    The Committee notes that congestive heart failure (CHF) has 
been identified as the leading condition regarding readmission, 
with the majority of those readmissions occurring through 
emergency rooms. This problem is particularly acute in the 
``stroke belt'' region, which encompasses several Southern and 
Midwestern states. The Committee encourages HCFA to undertake 
research to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of a CHF clinic 
in reducing hospital admissions and improving compliance and 
quality of life.
    Treatment guidelines issued by the Department in 1997 
recognize the need to provide early treatment for HIV disease. 
Several States are considering applications for Medicaid 
waivers for demonstration projects that would extend Medicaid 
eligibility to HIV positive individuals who meet State Medicaid 
income eligibility requirements, but are not diagnosed with 
AIDS. The Committee encourages HCFA to evaluate and provide 
technical assistance to states which are preparing waiver 
applications for these demonstration projects.
    Recent evidence from the states indicates that many 
Medicaid recipients with the most severe and disabling mental 
illnesses can achieve higher levels of recovery if the 
appropriate treatment and supports are available in the 
community. While a model of intensive case management known as 
the Program for Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) has been 
successful as part of Medicaid programs in many states, there 
is little information about how many states are funding PACT 
services. The Committee encourages HCFA to undertake a survey 
of which states are funding PACT services for adult Medicaid 
beneficiaries with severe mental illnesses and develop a model 
on how states can successfully integrate PACT into managed care 
programs.

Medicare contractors

    The bill includes $1,269,700,000 to support Medicare claims 
processing contracts, which is $53,559,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 comparable level and $165,300,000 above the 
Administration request. The Committee does not concur with the 
Administration's new user fee proposal.
    Medicare contractors are responsible for paying Medicare 
providers promptly and accurately. In addition to processing 
claims, contractors also identify and recover Medicare 
overpayments, as well as review claims for questionable 
utilization patterns and medical necessity. Contractors also 
provide information and technical support both to providers and 
beneficiaries regarding the administration of the Medicare 
program. In 1999, contractors are expected to process 935.3 
million claims.
    The Committee expects HCFA to continue the semi-annual 
reporting required in the 1997 and 1998 House reports related 
to documentation of additional savings achieved through the 
permanent appropriation for Medicare payment safeguards 
provided in the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability 
Act of 1996.

State survey and certification

    The bill includes $167,000,000 for State inspection of 
facilities serving Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, which 
is $13,000,000 above the fiscal year 1998 comparable level and 
$62,300,000 above the Administration request. The Committee 
does not concur with the Administration's new user fee 
proposal.
    Survey and certification activities ensure that 
institutions and agencies providing care to Medicare and 
Medicaid beneficiaries meet Federal health, safety and program 
standards. On-site surveys are conducted by State survey 
agencies, with a pool of Federal surveyors performing random 
monitoring surveys. Over 28,000 facilities are expected to be 
reviewed in 1999.

Federal administration

    The bill includes $457,784,000 to support Federal 
administrative activities related to the Medicare and Medicaid 
programs, which is $88,584,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
comparable level and $36,700,000 above the Administration 
request. The Committee does not concur with the 
Administration's new user fee proposal. The Medicare, Medicaid, 
and Children's Health Insurance programs ensure the health care 
security of over 73 million beneficiaries. The Federal 
Administration costs budget provides funds for the staff and 
operations of HCFA to administer these programs.
    The Committee understands that the General Accounting 
Office (GAO) is conducting an audit of the collections and 
expenditures relating to the Medicare+Choice program. The 
Committee believes this activity will provide assurances that 
these resources are being spent in an effective and efficient 
manner and expects GAO to provide it with a status report prior 
to the fiscal year 2000 appropriations hearing.
    The Committee encourages HCFA to work with representatives 
from health care plans that treat cholesterol patients enrolled 
in Medicaid and Medicare programs to ensure that the plans 
pursue vigorous management of the disease and attain the 
treatment goals established by the National Cholesterol 
Education Program.
    The Committee understands that many home health care 
providers are experiencing difficulties with HCFA's 
implementation of the Interim Payment System mandated by the 
Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The Committee expects HCFA to work 
cooperatively with affected providers to address concerns with 
issues such as implementation of the surety bond requirement 
and the need for maximum flexibility in the application of new 
per beneficiary limits.
    The Committee urges HCFA to recognize the integral role 
that Laguna Honda Hospital serves in meeting the needs of the 
elderly and disabled in San Francisco, and suggests that HCFA 
continue to allow the hospital to participate in Federally 
funded health programs as allowed under previous waivers. The 
Committee also urges officials from HCFA and other appropriate 
officials at the Department to work with the City and County of 
San Francisco to explore and develop alternatives to finance 
the construction of a replacement facility.
    It is the sense of this Committee that in the final PPS 
Rule, consistent with the recommendation contained in its own 
fiscal year 1995 final rule, HCFA should correct distortions in 
the hospital wage-index adjustment for fiscal year 1999. The 
wage-index is used to adjust the labor portion of the standard 
prospective payment under Medicare DRG payment system. It is 
also used to adjust payments to nursing homes, outpatient 
departments, and home health agencies. The Committee is 
concerned that left unchanged, the hospital wage-index would 
remain severely distorted because it includes elements such as 
teaching physician salaries and resident and intern salaries 
that are already paid for separately via a Graduate Medical 
Education pool of funds for their teaching related costs. 
Because the wage-index is a budget neutral adjustment to each 
payment, this distortion results in significant overpayments to 
hospitals in regions with a high concentration of teaching 
hospitals at the expense of regions with more non-teaching 
hospitals. The Committee urges HCFA to correct these policy 
flaws in its fiscal year 1999 final rule.
    The Committee is aware that significant changes in policies 
related to the administration of laboratory services provided 
under Medicare part B were included in the Balanced Budget Act 
of 1997 (Section 4554(a): ``Improvements in Administration of 
Laboratory Test Benefit-Selection of Regional Carriers,'' and 
requests the Health Care Financing Administration to recognize 
such requirements as a priority in carrying out the use of 
these funds.

                Administration for Children and Families

                   FAMILY SUPPORT PAYMENTS TO STATES

    The Committee recommends $1,989,000,000 for the Child 
Support Enforcement program, the same as the request. The bill 
also provides $750,000,000 in advance funding for the first 
quarter of fiscal year 2000 to ensure timely payments for the 
child support enforcement program.
    The bill does not include a provision requested by the 
Administration to reimburse States for expenses incurred under 
the Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC) program 
prior to the transition to the Temporary Assistance for Needy 
Families (TANF) program. August 1998 is the last month in which 
States may submit AFDC claims to the Department for services 
provided in calendar year 1997. The Committee believes that the 
Department ought to process these claims in a timely manner so 
that all payments for fiscal year 1997 are completed by the end 
of fiscal year 1998. Additional authority to pay AFDC claims 
should not be necessary for fiscal year 1999.
    The bill continues to provide estimated funding of 
$21,000,000 for Payments to Territories, the same as the 
comparable amount for fiscal year 1998 and the budget estimate. 
The bill provides $1,000,000 for the repatriation program, the 
same as the request and the comparable amount provided for 
fiscal year 1998.

                   low-income home energy assistance

    The Committee recommends a rescission of the $1,100,000,000 
previously appropriated for the low-income home energy 
assistance program (LIHEAP) for fiscal year 1999, a reduction 
of $1,100,000,000 below the request and $1,000,000,000 below 
the comparable appropriation for fiscal year 1998. The bill 
does not provide $300,000,000 as requested for LIHEAP for 
fiscal year 1999 subject to Presidential submission to Congress 
of a budget request designating the amount of the request as an 
emergency for the purposes of the Budget Act.
    The Committee recommends an advance appropriation of 
$1,100,000,000 for the fiscal year 2000 for the LIHEAP program, 
an increase of $13,000,000 above the President's request.
    The LIHEAP program provides assistance to low income 
households to help pay the costs of home energy. Funds are 
provided through grants to States, Indian Tribes and 
territories, and are used for summer cooling and winter 
heating/crisis assistance programs.
    The Committee has taken the difficult decision to rescind 
fiscal year 1999 funding for the LIHEAP program in order to 
comply with the budget agreement between the President and 
Congress. Under the budget agreement, the Committee's outlay 
cap requires reductions of over $400 million below the CBO 
freeze level for this bill. While the Committee is unable to 
provide funding for the LIHEAP program in fiscal year 1999, it 
has provided the full appropriation of $1,100,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2000 as authorized by law.
    The Committee notes that energy prices have dropped to 
historically low levels and are currently well below the levels 
at the time Congress created the program. In addition, most 
States do not expend all of their LIHEAP funds and carry 
forward substantial balances from year to year. Given the 
exceptionally mild winter in 1997-1998, balances carried 
forward into fiscal year 1999 will likely increase for most 
States. Finally, according to the Congressional Research 
Service, most States are currently experiencing substantial 
budget surpluses and could assume responsibility for the LIHEAP 
program during this temporary reduction in Federal funding.

                     refugee and entrant assistance

    The bill provides $415,165,000 for refugee assistance 
programs, an increase of $165,000 above the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 amount and the President's request. In addition, the 
bill provides the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) the 
authority to carry over unexpended funds from the fiscal year 
1997 appropriation to reimburse the cost of services provided 
in fiscal years 1998 and 1999.

Transitional and medical services

    The bill provides $230,698,000 for transitional and medical 
services, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount 
and the request. The bill continues the policy of providing 
eight months of assistance to new arrivals. The transitional 
and medical services program provides funding for the State-
administered cash and medical assistance program that assists 
refugees who are not categorically eligible for AFDC or 
Medicaid, the unaccompanied minors program that reimburses 
States for the cost of foster care, and the voluntary agency 
grant program in which participating national refugee 
resettlement agencies provide resettlement assistance with a 
combination of Federal and matched funds.

Social services

    The bill provides $134,990,000 for social services, an 
increase of $5,000,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and the budget request. Funds are distributed by 
formula as well as through the discretionary grant making 
process for special projects. The Committee agrees that 
$19,000,000 is available for assistance to serve communities 
affected by the Cuban and Haitian entrants and refugees whose 
arrivals in recent years have increased. The Committee has set-
aside $16,000,000 for increased support to communities with 
large concentrations of refugees whose cultural differences 
make assimilation especially difficult justifying a more 
intense level and longer duration of Federal assistance. 
Finally, the Committee has set aside $14,000,000 to address the 
needs of refugees and communities impacted by recent changes in 
Federal assistance programs relating to welfare reform. The 
Committee urges ORR to assist refugees at risk of losing, or 
who have lost, benefits including SSI, TANF and Medicaid, in 
obtaining citizenship. In addition, ORR may initiate planning 
grants to create alternative cash and medical assistance 
programs for refugees. The Committee has included funding for 
health screening of new arrivals.
    The Committee encourages ORR to award grants for mental 
health and other health services for victims of torture if such 
activities are authorized in law.
    The Committee encourages ORR to consider supporting 
education and outreach activities related to female genital 
mutilation if such activities are authorized in law.

Preventive health

    The bill does not provide separate line-item funding for 
preventive health services, a decrease of $4,835,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the request. 
These activities may be conducted under the social services 
program in accord with the ORR protocol on domestic preventive 
health activities for refugees.

Targeted assistance

    The bill provides $49,477,000 for the targeted assistance 
program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and 
the request. These grants provide assistance to areas with high 
concentrations of refugees.

                 child care and development block grant

    The bill includes $1,000,000,000 for the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant program for fiscal year 2000, which is 
the same as the fiscal year 1999 appropriation and the same as 
the budget request. Appropriations for this program are now 
provided one year in advance. The Committee has not provided an 
additional $2,672,000 requested by the Administration to 
supplement the fiscal year 1999 appropriation because the 
additional amount is in excess of the authorized appropriation 
amount for the program.
    The Committee intends that $19,120,000 of the amount 
appropriated shall be for the purposes of supporting resource 
and referral programs and school age care. Child care resource 
and referral is uniquely positioned to gather accurate data 
essential to documenting the national shortage of child care, 
recruit new providers, collaborate with welfare-to-work 
entities to identify and understand the child care needs of 
public assistance recipients, provide training and technical 
assistance to programs and providers and implement strategies 
that promote quality in informal care and care provided by 
relatives. This funding shall be in addition to the activities 
included in the four percent quality set-aside and shall not 
supplant other State funding activities in these categories.
    The Child Care and Development Block Grant program was 
originally enacted in the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 
1990 to increase the availability, affordability and quality of 
child care by providing funds to States, Territories and Indian 
Tribes for child care services for low-income families. In the 
1996 Welfare Reform Act, the block grant was reauthorized 
through 2002 at a level of $1 billion per year. In addition, 
that Act contains additional mandatory appropriations for child 
care in the amounts of $2.167 billion for fiscal year 2000 and 
increasing amounts for each year through 2002.
    The Committee is concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable performance standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for the Child Care Block Grant. The Committee 
believes that it is essential for the Department to develop 
specific, measurable outcomes for this program. Such data 
should include meaningful baseline data and specific, 
measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result 
of proposed increased funding.

                      social services block grant

    The bill provides $2,299,000,000 for the social services 
block grant (SSBG), an increase of $390,000,000 above the 
President's request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 
1998 appropriation. The bill includes language that reduces the 
statutory limit on appropriations to the amount provided. The 
Committee has not approved the President's request to 
dramatically decrease funding for this program that serves the 
most disadvantaged populations in recipient communities.
    The Committee has included a provision in the bill under 
the HHS general provisions amending title XX of the Social 
Security Act to clarify that the amount available for 
allocation in fiscal year 1998 is $2,299,000,000. This is 
necessary because of a change that was made in the recently-
enacted transportation authorization bill.
    SSBGs are designed to encourage States to furnish a variety 
of social services to needy individuals to prevent and reduce 
dependency, help individuals achieve and maintain self-
sufficiency, prevent or reduce inappropriate institutional 
care, secure admission or referral for institutional care when 
other forms of care are not appropriate, and prevent neglect, 
abuse and exploitation of children and adults.
    Funds are distributed to the territories in the same ratio 
such funds were allocated in fiscal year 1981. The remainder of 
the appropriation is distributed to the States and the District 
of Columbia according to population.

                children and families services programs

    The bill includes $5,925,820,000, an increase of 
$177,930,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and 
$121,360,000 under the budget request. This includes amounts 
provided under the Violent Crime Trust Fund, as well as a 
rescission of $21,000,000 from permanent appropriations. This 
account finances a number of programs aimed at enhancing the 
well-being of the Nation's children and families, particularly 
those who are disadvantaged or troubled.

Head Start

    The bill includes $4,500,000,000 for the Head Start program 
for fiscal year 1999, an increase of $152,567,000 over the 
fiscal year 1998 amount and a reduction of $160,000,000 from 
the budget request. The Committee notes that this program has 
been increased by $3.3 billion from fiscal year 1989 to fiscal 
year 1999, or 275 percent.
    The Committee is disappointed that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable performance standards for Head 
Start consistent with the requirements of the Government 
Performance and Results Act. The Committee believes that it is 
essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable 
achievement measures for this program. Such data should include 
meaningful baseline data and specific, measurable improvements 
that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased 
funding.
    Despite the fact that the program is over 30 years old, 
rigorous evaluation of it has been minimal. The Committee 
believes the Department should establish and maintain a 
rigorous evaluation component for Head Start. We need to have 
hard evidence that the program is doing what it is supposed to 
be doing.
    The Committee commends the Head Start program for 
undertaking the Family and Child Experience Survey (FACES) in 
an effort to determine the effectiveness of the program. 
However, the Committee is concerned that the FACES initiative 
does not correctly utilize the recommendations put forth by a 
recent General Accounting Office report on how to conduct 
effective evaluations. Therefore, the Committee strongly 
recommends comparing the group of Head Start participants with 
an equivalent group of nonparticipants, following the 
recommendations set forth by GAO in its April 1997 study: 
``Head Start: Research Provides Little Information on Impact of 
Current Program'' (GAO/HEHS-97-59, April 15, 1997.)
    Head Start provides comprehensive development services for 
children and their families. Intended for preschoolers from 
low-income families, the program seeks to foster the 
development of children and enable them to deal more 
effectively with both their present environment and later 
responsibilities in school and community life. Head Start 
programs emphasize cognitive and language development, 
emotional development, physical and mental health, and parent 
involvement to enable each child to develop and function at his 
or her highest potential. At least ten percent of enrollment 
opportunities in each State are made available to handicapped 
children.
    Grants to carry out Head Start programs are awarded to 
public and private non-profit agencies. Grantees must 
contribute 20 percent of the total cost of the program; this is 
usually an in-kind contribution. The Head Start Act does not 
include a formula for the allotment of funds to local grantees; 
however, it does require that 87 percent of the appropriation 
be distributed among States based on a statutory formula. In 
addition, grants, cooperative agreements and contracts are 
awarded in the areas of research, demonstration, technical 
assistance and evaluation from the remaining 13 percent.
    A collaborative partnership between Job Corps and Head 
Start would allow both programs to maximize the use of limited 
resources to serve their target populations and to reach 
geographic and demographic areas not currently being served by 
existing programs. The Committee believes there is a need for 
locating Head Start programs on Job Corps campuses to help more 
low-income single parents and their children. The Committee 
recognizes the Administration on Children and Families' efforts 
to collaborate with the Department of Labor's programs, such as 
Job Corps, and to develop cost-effective partnerships 
furthering the mission of both programs as requested in last 
year's report. The Committee urges the Department to work with 
Job Corps to select campuses with available space for 
construction or rehabilitation of child care centers and with a 
need for child care services in areas where a qualified Head 
Start program is available and willing to participate.
    The Committee acknowledges recent research reflecting the 
need for early intervention to reach a challenged reader and 
the need for Federal programs like Head Start to identify and 
address these difficulties early. Noting that family literacy 
services are to be implemented in all Head Start programs, the 
Committee encourages the Administration for Children and 
Families to seek the assistance of a national organization with 
a record of providing effective services to family literacy 
providers to assist Head Start programs seeking to implement 
family literacy services.
    The Committee recognizes that reading skills are supported 
when children receive early literacy in experiences in home and 
preschool. However, there are concerns that some Head Start 
programs may not be emphasizing these skills which are so 
important for development. The Committee encourages the 
Administration for Children and Families to closely collaborate 
with the National Institute of Child Health and Human 
Development to ensure that the emerging research is quickly and 
accurately incorporated into the training and technical 
assistance functions in the Head Start program. ACF should also 
modify its quality standards to reflect this research and make 
recommendations to Congress about any statutory changes 
necessary to effectively incorporate this research into program 
implementation.

Runaway and homeless youth

    The bill includes $58,496,000 for runaway and homeless 
youth activities, the same as the amount available for fiscal 
year 1998 and $106,000 less than the budget request. The basic 
program, for which the bill includes $43,574,000, the same as 
the fiscal year 1998 amount, is intended to help address the 
needs of runaway and homeless youth and their families through 
support of activities sponsored by State and local governments 
and private nonprofit agencies. Grants are used to develop and 
strengthen community-based facilities which are outside the law 
enforcement structure and the juvenile justice system. The 
Runaway and Homeless Youth Act mandates that funds for this 
program be allocated to each State on the basis of its youth 
population under 18 years of age in proportion to the national 
total. Runaway youth programs have been very successful in 
reuniting runaway children with their families and preventing 
runaways which, in turn, decreases the number of high school 
dropouts, incidents of juvenile drug abuse, crime and 
incarceration.
    The Committee has provided $14,922,000 for the transitional 
living program for homeless youth, the same as the fiscal year 
1998 amount. The program was created to serve those young 
people who cannot return home. Funds are used to provide 
appropriate shelter and services for up to 18 months for youths 
ages 16-20 who have no safe available living arrangements. 
Services are designed to help youth move towards self-
sufficient and independent living, and to prevent long-term 
dependency on social services. In addition to shelter, such 
services may include education, vocational training, basic life 
skills, interpersonal skills building, and mental and physical 
health care. Grants are available to public and private 
programs.

Child abuse

    For child abuse prevention and treatment State grants, the 
Committee recommends $25,000,000, an increase of $4,012,000 
over the fiscal year 1998 level and $3,974,000 over the budget 
request. No funding is provided for discretionary activities; 
these were funded at $14,128,000 in fiscal year 1998. The 
Committee believes that it makes more sense to put additional 
resources into State grants; the funding level has not been 
increased for some time. Discretionary activities are clearly a 
lesser priority, especially in times of fiscal constraints. 
Many of the discretionary activities carried out can also be 
accomplished through the State grant funds.

Abandoned infants assistance

    The Committee recommends $12,229,000 for the Abandoned 
Infants Assistance Act, the same as the fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and $22,000 less than the budget request. The 
purpose of this program is to provide financial support to 
public and non-profit private entities to develop, implement, 
and operate demonstration projects that will prevent the 
abandonment of infants and young children; identify and address 
their needs, especially those infected with HIV; assist such 
children to reside with their natural families or in foster 
care, as appropriate; provide respite care for families and 
caregivers; and recruit and train caregivers. Grantees must 
establish a care plan and case review system for each child.

Child welfare services

    The bill includes $291,458,000 for child welfare services, 
the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount and $531,000 below the 
budget request. This program authorized by title IV-B of the 
Social Security Act provides grants to States to assist public 
welfare agencies establish, extend, and strengthen child 
welfare services in order to enable children to remain in their 
homes under the care of their parents, or, where that is not 
possible, to provide alternative permanent homes for them.
    The bill includes $5,989,000 for child welfare training, 
the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount and $11,000 below the 
budget request. The Committee recognizes the need for trained, 
skilled and qualified child welfare protection personnel. This 
program provides teaching and traineeship grants to schools of 
social work to train social workers in the specialty of child 
welfare. The Committee strongly encourages the schools of 
social work to provide in-service training to those public 
child welfare staff not eligible for the graduate IV-E program.

Adoption opportunities

    The Committee recommends $27,363,000 for adoption 
opportunities, the same as the budget request and an increase 
of $4,405,000 over the fiscal year 1998 amount. The Adoption 
Opportunities Program provides funding specifically targeted to 
improving the adoption of children with special needs and 
minority children and for providing for innovative services 
that support families involved in adoption. The Committee 
believes that the activities funded by this program should 
provide the direction, leadership, and innovation which are 
needed to achieve the goals and reforms of the Adoption and 
Safe Families Act passed by Congress last year.
    Toward that end, the Committee intends that funds available 
for Adoption Opportunities be broadly directed toward 
supporting innovative strategies which can improve practices 
and establish model procedures for organizations and agencies 
serving children and families in every State, including: model 
services that demonstrate reasonable efforts to place children 
for adoption; public education on the adoption of children with 
special needs; the development of models for the removal of 
geographic barriers to adoption; recruiting adoptive parents; 
post-adoption services to families; and the increased use of 
electronic exchange systems to facilitate adoptive placements.

Adoption incentives

    The bill includes $20,000,000 for a new adoption incentives 
program, the same as the budget request. This program was 
authorized last fall in the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 
1997. These funds will be used to pay bonuses to States that 
increase their number of adoptions; the goal is to double the 
number of children adopted or permanently placed out of public 
child welfare systems by 2002. This should make adoption a 
higher priority at the State level.

Social services and income maintenance research

    The bill includes $26,000,000 for social services and 
income maintenance research, the same as the fiscal year 1998 
amount and $5,000,000 below the budget request. These funds 
support research, demonstration, evaluation and dissemination 
activities. Areas covered include such things as welfare 
reform, child care, and child welfare.
    The Committee is encouraged by the commitment made by local 
governmental entities to expand child care and afterschool care 
options to meet increasing demands in their communities due to 
welfare reform. Joint funding partnerships between local 
governments and the local philanthropic and business 
communities can be effective in doing this. The Committee urges 
ACF to participate in these local efforts with matching funding 
support aimed at expanding needed child care facilities.
    The Committee is concerned about the potential impacts 
major changes in welfare policy may have on children and adults 
in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. The 
Committee expects the Department to be able to provide a 
detailed appraisal of the impact of welfare reform legislation 
on the wellbeing of children and families.
    The Committee heard testimony from the National Institute 
of Responsible Fatherhood and Family Revitalization regarding 
the need for innovative approaches that work to strengthen the 
Department's responsible fatherhood activities. Within the 
funds provided, the Department is expected to increase funding 
for this. High priority should be given to the award of grants 
to program applications that focus on comprehensive counseling, 
linking fathers to their children, job placement, parenting, 
and family revitalization.

Community-based resource centers

    The bill includes $32,775,000 for this program for fiscal 
year 1999. The fiscal year 1998 amount was the same. The 
President's budget requested $32,835,000 for fiscal year 1999. 
According to the Department, the purpose of the program is ``to 
assist each State in developing and operating a network of 
community-based, prevention-focused family resource and support 
programs that coordinate resources among a broad range of human 
service organizations * * *''.

Developmental disabilities

    For programs authorized by the Developmental Disabilities 
Assistance Act, the Committee recommends $114,024,000, the same 
as the amount available for fiscal year 1998 and $4,788,000 
below the budget request. The total includes $64,803,000 for 
allotments to the States to fund State Councils, the same as 
fiscal year 1998. These Councils engage in such activities as 
planning, policy analysis, demonstrations, training, outreach, 
interagency coordination, and public education. They do not 
provide direct services to the developmentally-disabled 
population.
    In addition, $26,718,000 will be available to the States to 
be used for operating an advocacy program to protect the rights 
of the developmentally disabled. This is the same as the fiscal 
year 1998 level. The bill includes $5,042,000 for special 
discretionary projects for training, technical assistance and 
demonstration. The fiscal year 1998 funding level was the same.
    The Committee approves a total of $17,461,000 for grants to 
university affiliated facilities and satellite centers to 
support the cost of administering and operating demonstration 
facilities and interdisciplinary training programs. This is the 
same as the fiscal year 1998 level. These are discretionary 
grants to public and private non-profit agencies affiliated 
with a university. These grants provide basic operational and 
administrative core support for these agencies. In addition, 
these funds support interdisciplinary training, community 
services, technical assistance to State agencies and 
information dissemination.
    The Committee has not included $4,982,000 requested for a 
proposed new activity authorized under the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act. This would be a ``system change 
grant program'' together with certain discretionary activities. 
Most of it would be used for demonstration grants. The 
resources are simply not available this year to start this new 
program activity.

Native American programs

    The bill includes $34,869,000, the same as the fiscal year 
1998 level and $64,000 below the amount requested in the 
budget. The Administration for Native Americans assists Indian 
Tribes and Native American organizations in planning and 
implementing their own long-term strategies for social and 
economic development. In promoting social and economic self-
sufficiency, this organization provides financial assistance 
through direct grants for individual projects, training and 
technical assistance, and research and demonstration programs.

Community Services

    The bill includes $548,502,000 for Community Services 
activities, which is $7,322,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
level and $59,402,000 over the budget request.

State block grant

    For the State Block Grant, the bill includes $500,000,000, 
which is an increase of $10,900,000 over the President's 
request and $10,315,000 over the fiscal year 1998 level. This 
program provides grants to States for services to meet 
employment, housing, nutrition, energy, emergency services, and 
health needs of low-income people. By law, 90% of these funds 
are passed directly through to local community action agencies 
which have previously received block grant funds. The Committee 
has become convinced that this program provides the kind of 
flexibility at the local level necessary to assist people who 
are in temporary need of government assistance to get back on 
their feet.

Community economic development/rural facilities

    The bill includes $30,009,000 for community economic 
development grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 
level. The President proposed not to fund this. These 
activities provide assistance to private, locally-initiated 
community development corporations which sponsor enterprises 
providing employment, training and business development 
opportunities for low-income residents in poor communities. In 
certain instances, projects which have been awarded funding may 
not be able to go forward because of changed circumstances. The 
Secretary may approve the use of the funds for another project 
sponsored by the same community development corporation if the 
project meets the requirements of the law and the goals and 
objectives of the original project for which the grant was 
made. The bill also includes $3,493,000 for rural community 
facilities, the same as the fiscal year 1998 level. The 
President proposed no funding for this. These grants are 
provided to multi-state, private nonprofit organizations to 
provide training and technical assistance to small, rural 
communities in meeting their community facilities needs. The 
Committee believes that these two activities could not be done 
by local community action agencies.

National youth sports program

    The bill includes $15,000,000 for the National Youth Sports 
Program, which is $1,000,000 more than the fiscal year 1998 
level. The President proposed no funding for this program. 
These funds are made available to a private, non-profit 
organization to provide recreational activities for low-income 
youth, primarily in the summer months. College and university 
athletic facilities are employed in the program. The Committee 
is aware of the many ways in which this program has had a 
positive impact on low-income youth. In addition to giving 
students a chance to spend time on a college campus, the 
program also provides them with math and science instruction, 
drug and substance abuse programs, and health and nutrition 
services. The Committee encourages the program to continue its 
outstanding work in these areas and to provide direction to 
youth on educational and career opportunities and violence 
prevention.

Community food and nutrition

    The bill provides no funding for the Community Food and 
Nutrition program, which was funded at $3,993,000 in fiscal 
year 1998. There is no budget request for it. The program does 
not provide any direct feeding services. It provides grants to 
public and private agencies to coordinate existing food 
assistance programs, to identify sponsors of child nutrition 
programs and attempt to initiate new programs and to do 
advocacy work at the State and local levels. These are 
activities that could just as easily and probably more 
appropriately be funded by the States and local governments.

Violent Crime Trust Fund

    The bill includes $105,000,000 for programs funded from the 
Violent Crime Trust Fund. That is an increase of $2,187,000 
over the comparable amount for fiscal year 1998. The President 
requested $101,000,000 from the Trust Fund and an additional 
$4,000,000 in regular discretionary funding. Included is 
$15,000,000 for a program which is designed to reduce the 
sexual abuse of runaway youth. The fiscal year 1998 amount was 
about the same. The Committee recommends $88,800,000 for family 
violence prevention and services and battered women's shelters, 
which is an increase of $2,158,000 over the fiscal year 1998 
level. This program is designed to assist States in efforts to 
prevent family violence and to provide immediate shelter and 
related assistance for victims of family violence and their 
dependents, and to provide for technical assistance and 
training relating to family violence programs to State and 
local public agencies (including law enforcement agencies), 
nonprofit private organizations, and persons seeking such 
assistance. The bill also includes $1,200,000 to continue 
funding the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

Program direction

    The Committee has approved $145,115,000 for program 
direction expenses of the Administration for Children and 
Families, an increase of $1,518,000 over the fiscal year 1998 
level and the same as the budget request. Most of the increase 
is for mandatory pay and cost increases.

                    FAMILY PRESERVATION AND SUPPORT

    The Committee recommends $275,000,000 for the family 
preservation and support account, an increase of $20,000,000 
over the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the same 
as the budget request. This capped entitlement program provides 
grants to States to develop and expand child welfare services 
including family preservation, family reunification, and 
community-based family support services for families at-risk or 
in crisis. The fiscal year 1999 funding will provide the fifth 
and final year of funding to States and Indian Tribes to 
provide family preservation and support services based on State 
and Tribal plans developed with fiscal year 1994 funding.

       PAYMENTS TO STATES FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION ASSISTANCE

    The bill provides $3,764,000,000 for payments to States for 
foster care and adoption assistance, that in combination with 
$1,157,500,000 in advance fiscal year 1999 appropriations 
provided in the fiscal year 1998 Appropriations Act, makes 
available $4,921,500,000 for foster care and adoption 
activities, a reduction of $220,000,000 below the budget 
request and $610,500,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 
amount. The bill also includes an advance appropriation of 
$1,355,000,000 for the first quarter of fiscal year 2000 to 
ensure timely completion of first quarter grant awards.
    The Committee has reduced funding below the request for two 
reasons. First, the request includes $200,000,000 for 
unauthorized activities that are not included in the bill. 
Second, the request includes $20,000,000 for which the budget 
justification does not account. The Departmental budget office 
indicates that the unaccounted $20,000,000 was included in the 
President's request in error. The Committee has not received a 
budget amendment to correct the error. Nevertheless, the 
Committee declines to provide the requested funding pending 
explanation or justification of the full amount.
    Of the total appropriation, the bill provides 
$3,982,700,000 for the foster care program to provide 
maintenance payments to States on behalf of children who must 
live outside their homes, the same as the request and 
$442,400,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount.
    Within the total appropriation the bill provides 
$868,800,000 for adoption assistance, the same as the budget 
request and an increase of $168,100,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 appropriation. This program provides training for parents 
and State administrative staff as well as payments on behalf of 
categorically eligible children considered difficult to adopt. 
This annually appropriated entitlement is designed to provide 
alternatives to long, inappropriate stays in foster care by 
developing permanent placements with families. The budget 
request reflects an estimate of 197,100 children served per 
month, an increase of 27,200 over the monthly estimate for 
fiscal year 1998.
    Within the total appropriation for this account, the bill 
provides $70,000,000 for the independent living program, the 
same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the 
budget request. The program is designed to assist foster 
children age 16 or older to make successful transitions to 
independence. Funds assist children to earn high school 
diplomas, receive vocational training, and obtain training in 
daily living skills. Funds are awarded to States on the basis 
of the number of children on behalf of whom Federal foster care 
payments are received.

                        Administration on Aging

                        AGING SERVICES PROGRAMS

    For programs administered by the Administration on Aging, 
the Committee recommends a total of $861,020,000, which is 
$10,000,000 below the fiscal year 1998 level and $10,030,000 
below the budget request. This account finances all programs 
under the Older Americans Act in this bill, with the exception 
of the Community Services Employment Program under title V, 
which is appropriated to the Department of Labor. The Committee 
notes that the older Americans programs again this year lack an 
authorization for appropriations.
    The Committee is disappointed that the Department has not 
identified better and more ambitious performance standards for 
the Older Americans Act programs consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. The 
Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to 
develop meaningful outcomes measures for these programs.

Supportive services and centers

    The Committee has included $300,319,000 for supportive 
services and centers. The amount provided is the same as the 
fiscal year 1998 level and the budget request. Funds for this 
program are awarded to each State with an approved State plan. 
The formula under title III of the Older Americans Act mandates 
that no State be allotted less than the total amount allotted 
to it in fiscal year 1987. The statute also requires that 
additional funds be distributed on the basis of each State's 
proportionate share of the total age 60 and over population, 
with no State receiving less than one-half of one percent of 
the funds awarded. The funds contained in the bill will support 
coordinated, comprehensive service delivery systems at the 
local level.
    The States have the ability under the basic law to transfer 
up to 20% of funds appropriated between the senior centers 
program and the nutrition programs; this allows the State to 
concentrate its resources in the program it deems most 
critical. Many States do transfer funds into this program from 
the congregate meals program.

Ombudsman/elder abuse

    The bill includes $9,181,000 for the State long-term care 
ombudsman activities, the elder abuse prevention program, State 
elder rights and outreach and counseling authorized by title 
VII of the Older Americans Act. The amount provided is the same 
as the fiscal year 1998 level and the budget request. This 
program provides the assistance needed by vulnerable older 
Americans to protect themselves from abuse and exploitation, to 
exercise control over their environment, and to locate the 
resources they need for care and daily living.
    State and local long-term care ombudsmen protect the rights 
of, and advocate for, quality care for one of the most 
vulnerable senior citizen groups, older citizens living in 
long-term care facilities. The agency is encouraged to 
designate increased funding for ombudsman activities, given the 
growth in numbers of older people requiring long-term care beds 
nationwide.

Preventive health

    The bill includes $16,123,000 for preventive health 
services authorized under part F of title III of the Act. This 
is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 1998 
funding level. These funds are awarded to States by formula to 
allow States and communities the flexibility to meet the health 
promotion and disease prevention needs of older people.

Nutrition programs

    For congregate nutrition services, the Committee includes 
$374,412,000, the same as the budget request and the fiscal 
year 1998 level. For home-delivered nutrition services, the 
Committee provides $112,000,000, the same as the budget request 
and the fiscal year 1998 amount. These programs are intended to 
address some of the difficulties confronting older individuals, 
namely nutrition deficiencies due to inadequate income, lack of 
adequate facilities to prepare food, and social isolation. The 
States have the ability under the basic law to transfer up to 
20% of funds appropriated between the senior centers program 
and the nutrition programs; this allows the State to 
concentrate its resources in the program it deems most 
critical.
    The nutrition programs also collect substantial sums each 
year in voluntary contributions from participants; private 
sector funds are also contributed. Volunteers also make a 
significant contribution to these programs.

Frail elderly services

    The bill includes $9,763,000 for frail elderly in-home 
services. This is the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount and 
the budget request. This program provides in-home services for 
frail elderly persons who are at risk of losing their self-
sufficiency due to physical or mental impairments.

Grants to Indian tribes

    The bill provides $18,457,000 for grants to Indian tribes. 
This is the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount and the budget 
request. Funds under this program are awarded to tribal 
organizations to be used to promote opportunities for older 
Indians, to secure and maintain independence and self-
sufficiency, and to provide transportation, nutrition, health 
screening and other services to help meet the needs of this 
population.

Research, training and special projects

    The bill provides no funding for research, training and 
special projects under title IV of the Older Americans Act. The 
fiscal year 1998 funding level was $10,000,000. The President 
requested the same amount for fiscal year 1999. Funds under 
this program were used to support education and training 
activities for personnel working in the field of aging and to 
finance research, development, and demonstration projects. 
Although the Committee agrees that some of these activities are 
important to older Americans, it simply does not have the 
discretionary funding resources to fund them this year.

Alzheimer's demonstration grants

    The Committee provides $5,970,000 for Alzheimer's 
demonstration grants, which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 
level. This activity was funded last year in the Health 
Resources and Services Administration. The program provides 
grants to States to help them plan and establish programs to 
provide health care services to individuals with Alzheimer's 
disease. Funds are used for respite care and supportive 
services, clearinghouses, training, and administrative costs 
for State offices. By law, States are required to match the 
Federal funding--45 percent of the cost of the program by the 
third year of the grant.

Program administration

    The bill includes $14,795,000 for program administration 
expenses of the Administration on Aging. This is the same as 
the fiscal year 1998 amount and the budget request. This 
activity provides administrative and management support for all 
Older Americans Act programs administered by the Department. No 
funding is provided for the Federal Council on Aging.

                        Office of the Secretary

                    GENERAL DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

    The bill includes $172,513,000 for general departmental 
management, a decrease of $4,606,000 from the fiscal year 1998 
amount and $45,430,000 from the budget request. Included in 
this amount is authority to spend $5,851,000 from the Medicare 
trust funds.
    This appropriation supports those activities that are 
associated with the Secretary's roles as policy officer and 
general manager of the Department. The Office of the Secretary 
also implements Administration and Congressional directives, 
and provides assistance, direction and coordination to the 
headquarters, regions and field organizations of the 
Department. It also supports several small health activities 
that need to be centrally administered.
    National Academy of Sciences Study.--The Committee has 
provided $890,000 for a contract with the National Academy of 
Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study of all the available 
scientific literature examining the cause-and-effect 
relationship between repetitive tasks in the workplace and 
musculoskeletal disorders. The NAS study should address the 
following questions: (1) what are the conditions affecting 
humans that are considered to be work-related musculoskeletal 
disorders; (2) what is the status of medical science with 
respect to the diagnosis and classification of such conditions; 
(3) what is the state of knowledge, characterized by the degree 
of certainty or lack thereof, with regard to occupational and 
non-occupational activities causing such conditions; (4) what 
is the relative contribution of any causal factors identified 
in the literature to the development of such conditions in the 
general population, specific industries, and specific 
occupational groups; (5) what is the incidence of such 
conditions in the general population, specific industries, and 
specific occupational groups; (6) does the literature reveal 
any specific guidance to prevent the development of such 
conditions in the general population, specific industries, and 
specific occupational groups; and (7) what scientific questions 
remain unanswered, and may require further research, to 
determine which occupational activities in which specific 
industries cause or contribute to work-related musculoskeletal 
disorders.
    Each of the departments under the Committee's jurisdiction 
is statutorily required to have audited financial statements 
covering all the department's accounts and activities. Congress 
enacted this requirement in the Government Management Reform 
Act of 1994 after having observed the benefits of the pilot 
program of audited financial statements that had been required 
by the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990. An audited 
financial statement is like a ``scorecard'' that reflects a 
department's progress in achieving the significant financial 
management reforms required by the CFO Act, and in providing 
effective stewardship and management of government funds. 
Accordingly, the Committee expects the Department to work 
vigorously towards obtaining a clean opinion on its financial 
statements. The transfer and reprogramming authority the 
Committee has granted provides substantial flexibility to the 
Department and is particularly valuable during periods of 
increasing fiscal constraints. However, the Committee questions 
the extent to which agencies can properly exercise such 
authority and accurately account for affected funds if they 
have not made substantial progress towards achieving the CFO 
Act's financial management reforms. Accordingly, in subsequent 
years, the Committee will consider the Department's progress in 
making such reforms and in obtaining a clean opinion on its 
financial statements when scrutinizing requests for current 
appropriations and in deciding whether to continue, expand or 
limit transfer and reprogramming authority.
    The Committee requests that the Secretary continue the 
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Interagency Coordinating Committee 
(CFSCC) beyond its expiration in 1998. The Committee urges the 
CFSCC to coordinate CFIDS research across the Public Health 
Service by defining priorities and creating a yearly action 
plan.
    The Committee is pleased with the progress of the 
Department's Advisory Committee on Blood Safety and 
Availability. Persons with primary immune deficiency disorders 
represent a significant patient population dependent on safe 
blood products to maintain their health. As opportunities to do 
so permit, the Committee encourages the Department to consider 
appointing a representative to the committee who has expertise 
in primary immune deficiency diseases.
    The Committee is concerned that Federal education and 
prevention efforts may be inadequate to address the threat 
posed by colorectal cancer, the number two cancer killer of all 
Americans. Few Americans seem to be aware of the need for 
regular screening, the ways to prevent this disease, or the 
success rate of treatment for cases caught at an early stage. 
The Committee urges the Secretary to establish a national 
public awareness campaign to educate American men and women 
about their risk for colorectal cancer, preventive screening 
options, and the importance of early detection for this 
disease. Further, the Secretary is encouraged to work closely 
with groups that have expertise in various aspects of 
colorectal cancer in designing and carrying out this campaign.
    The Committee urges the Department to continue to consider 
the establishment of an Office of Reserve Coordination for the 
PHS Commissioned Corps in order to make better use of the 
inactive reserve of the Corps. The Department should be 
prepared to discuss progress made on this matter at next year's 
appropriations hearings.
    The Committee recognizes that family literacy programs have 
proven effective in reaching some of the most difficult to 
serve populations. In an effort to ensure the quality of family 
literacy services provided through Federally funded programs, 
the Committee urges the Department of Health and Human Services 
to use available funds to secure technical assistance, 
dissemination of materials and information about best 
practices, program evaluation, and other activities. Such 
assistance should be secured through the National Institute for 
Literacy and should involve public or private nonprofit 
organizations with a record of providing effective services to 
family literacy providers.
    Collecting high quality and reliable data on people of 
color is critical to the development of effective research and 
treatment responses. The Committee directs the Department to 
perform a review of its data collection methods by agency on 
African American, Native American, Hispanic American, Asian/
Pacific Islander Americans and language-specific ethnic 
subgroup populations. The review should include types of data 
the agencies collect on the health of members of racial/ethnic 
minority groups, including life expectancy, morbidity, 
mortality and health behavior among language-specific ethnic 
subgroups.
    Several educational studies have stressed the importance of 
sports and the role they play in development of girls and 
women. High school girls who play sports are more likely to 
earn better grades and graduate from high school and less 
likely to experience an unintended pregnancy. Therefore, the 
Committee encourages the Secretary to support the efforts of 
the Women's Global Challenge, which will provide a forum to 
educate girls about and encourage girls to play sports.
    The Committee is concerned that coordination between the 
Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human 
Services regarding Federal efforts to address the pediatric 
asthma epidemic needs to be strengthened. The Committee urges 
the two departments to work more closely together to improve 
coordination of Federal efforts to help local schools implement 
asthma management strategies. In particular, the Committee 
directs the National Asthma Education and Prevention Program to 
add one or more representatives from the Department of 
Education to its Coordinating Committee.
    The Committee is encouraged by agency interest in 
interdepartmental coordination of programs within the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. 
The Committee continues to be concerned that the Departments 
have no forum in place for continuous interdepartmental 
collaboration. The Working Group on Comprehensive Early 
Childhood Family Centers, headed by the Department of 
Education, recommended that the Departments create such a 
forum, and this has yet to occur. Therefore, the Committee 
urges the Departments to institutionalize interdisciplinary 
collaboration at all levels, and requests a progress report on 
steps taken to accomplish such departmental collaboration and 
program coordination no later than March of 1999.
    The Committee is aware that many preventive or other 
benefits not currently provided to Medicare beneficiaries under 
title XVIII of the Social Security Act may, in fact, provide 
cost savings to the Medicare program. Section 4108 of the 
Balanced Budget Act of 1997 requires the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services to request the National Academy of Sciences 
to analyze the expansion of preventive benefits, including 
nutrition therapy services, skin cancer screening, medically 
necessary dental care, routine patient care costs for 
beneficiaries enrolled in approved clinical trial programs and 
the elimination of time limitation for coverage of 
immunosuppressive drugs for transplant patients. The Committee 
looks forward to receiving the report on this study which is to 
be submitted to Congress not later than August of 1999.
    Within the funds provided, the Secretary of Health and 
Human Services is urged to fund outreach, research and 
demonstration projects that demonstrate culturally-sensitive 
and culturally-appropriate strategies to inform and educate 
Medicaid beneficiaries on how to participate in managed care 
plans. Funds could be made available to organizations with 
community-based affiliates on a grant or contract basis.
    It is the intention of the Committee that health 
disparities among racial and ethnic groups be eliminated as 
soon as possible and that Federal programs be implemented in a 
nondiscriminatory manner, as required by title VI of the Civil 
Rights Act. Accordingly, the Secretary shall compile annual 
reports on the implementation by States of Medicaid managed 
care provisions of the Balanced Budget Act and the Children's 
Health Insurance Program. These reports shall describe 
demographic patterns of utilization and health outcomes, 
including the presentation of data by sex, race and ethnicity.
    The Committee has provided adequate funding for the 
continuation and growth of a variety of competitive programs 
throughout the Public Health Service that emphasize improving 
the health status of disadvantaged populations, including 
racial and ethnic minorities. The need for strong support and 
continued emphasis on these programs is embodied in the mission 
of the Department of Health and Human Services.
    Currently, less than one-third of all children enrolled in 
Medicaid are being tested for lead poisoning. The combination 
of the CDC's new screening guidelines and portable testing 
devices offers a unique opportunity to reverse this negative 
trend. The Committee urges the Secretary of the Department of 
Health and Human Services to ensure that HCFA's policy revision 
clearly states that all children served by Medicaid should be 
screened for lead poisoning.
    The Committee was pleased to learn that, with CDC's support 
and participation, the Food and Drug Administration had given 
final approval to a portable lead screening device. The 
Committee believes that this device holds great promise for 
increasing childhood screening rates in many underserved urban 
communities in the United States and throughout the world.
    Diabetes continues to devastate the lives of over 16 
million Americans, 8 million of whom are not even aware that 
they have the disease. The Committee continues to be concerned 
about the disproportionately high rate of diabetes in people of 
color, especially among African Americans and Hispanics. The 
Committee is also extremely concerned about the excessive 
amputations that both populations have suffered from the 
disease. The Committee expects the Secretary to strengthen 
diabetes efforts across the CDC, NIH, AHCPR, and other 
appropriate components of the Department.
    The Committee strongly believes that prevention is the key 
to maintaining and improving the health of the American people, 
and that to be most effective outreach and public education 
must start at the earliest level possible. Our nation's school 
children are critical to this effort. The Committee encourages 
the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary of 
Education to work in a collaborative effort to establish and 
fund a program of health promotion and disease prevention in 
our nation's schools that is especially designed to teach 
children health promotion and disease prevention strategies and 
techniques. The Departments are expected to report to the 
Committee on the status of this effort during next year's 
appropriations hearings.
    The Committee supports the work of the Interagency 
Coordinating Committee on Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (ICCFAS) which 
includes AHCPR, HRSA, IHS, CDC, NIAAA, NINR, and NICHD. The 
Committee directs the Assistant Secretary for Health to have 
ICCFAS develop a report within 120 days of the bills' enactment 
on spending planned for the upcoming fiscal year, compared with 
previous years' recommended priorities. The report should also 
include the additional opportunities for partnerships with 
national patients groups, States, health care providers and 
academic groups to disseminate materials to assist in 
educational activities and the prevention of FAS.
    The HHS Supply Service Center's Perry Point facility 
provides pharmaceutical, medical and dental supplies for health 
care facilities of the Department and other Federal civilian 
agencies. There is some concern that the Center may be in 
direct competition with the private sector. The Committee 
requests that the Secretary submit within 30 days of enactment 
of this Act a report detailing the Center's operation in 1998, 
including compliance with A-76 procedures.

Adolescent family life

    The bill provides $16,671,000 for the adolescent family 
life abstinence counseling program, an increase of $11,962,000 
over the President's request and the same as the fiscal year 
1998 appropriation. This program is designed to promote 
activities to delay premature sexual activity and promote 
abstinence. The Committee can see no reason to substantially 
reduce this program as the President has proposed.

Physical fitness and sports

    The bill includes $1,005,000 to continue operation of the 
President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports, about the 
same as the fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the same as the 
Administration request for fiscal year 1999. While the 
Committee believes the Council provides valuable service to the 
country, some of its activities are widely duplicated 
throughout the economy and could be provided with non-federal 
support.
    The Council seeks to improve the level of physical fitness 
nationwide through professional consultation, technical 
assistance, public information, program evaluation and program 
development which is provided to school systems, government 
agencies, employee organizations, private business and 
industry, and professional organizations.

Minority health

    The bill includes $29,100,000 for the Office of Minority 
Health, about the same as the fiscal year 1998 appropriation 
and an increase of $6,000,000 over the President's budget 
request. According to the budget request, the Office of 
Minority Health works with Public Health Service agencies and 
other agencies of the Department in a ``catalytic, 
coordinative, advocacy and policy development role'' to 
establish goals and coordinate other activities in the 
Department regarding disease prevention, health promotion, 
service delivery and research relating to disadvantaged and 
minority individuals; concludes interagency agreements to 
stimulate and undertake innovative projects; supports research, 
demonstration, and evaluation projects; and coordinates efforts 
to promote minority health programs and policies in the 
voluntary and corporate sectors.
    The Committee is pleased that the Office of Minority Health 
has taken a leadership role in conducting and coordinating a 
study on managed care and historically minority health 
professions schools, and encourages continued support.
    The Committee continues to support funding for the 
cooperative agreement to positively impact the increasing 
incidence of violence and abusive behavior in low income, at-
risk communities. Within the funds provided for the Office of 
Minority Health, the bill provides $6,400,000 for the minority 
male initiative, an increase of $1,500,000 over last year.
    The Committee understands that the Department intends to 
continue the funding for an integrated health care delivery 
system demonstration project at Meharry Medical College in 
fiscal year 1999 at the current rate of $4,000,000. Of that 
amount, $1,000,000 will come from the Office of Minority Health 
and the remainder from agencies in the Public Health Service. 
The Committee fully supports this funding.

Office on Women's Health

    The bill includes $12,467,000 for the Office on Women's 
Health, which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 funding level 
and about the same as the Administration request. The Committee 
notes that each of the Public Health Service agencies under its 
jurisdiction supports an office or program which focuses on 
women's health. The Office on Women's Health advises the 
Secretary and provides Department-wide coordination of programs 
focusing specifically on women's health.
    The Committee has included $350,000 for the Office on 
Women's Health to enter into a contract with the Institute of 
Medicine to conduct a study to validate the concept of needed 
gender-based research. The study should identify, review and 
assess the available research that examines the basic biologic 
and physiologic differences between men and women and 
supportive basic research with animal models; review current 
initiatives and programs of research; and make recommendations 
for advancing and implementing the research agenda, including 
the identification of research priorities and the programmatic 
implications of exploring these research opportunities. The 
study has implications not only for research, but also for 
clinical practice, disease prevention, medical education, 
health services research and health policy. The study should 
use the findings of the Office of Research on Women's Health 
``Beyond Hunt Valley'' meetings as a springboard and integrate 
them as appropriate. The study should examine the entire 
federal research establishment as well as all private sector 
research, and thus, its findings should have implications for 
both.
    Within the funds provided, the Committee expects the Office 
on Women's Health to fund an osteoporosis outreach and public 
education program. The first stage of the campaign should focus 
on young girls, teenagers, and women to help them develop 
positive health behaviors, including diet and exercise, that 
can have a significant effect on bone strength and can last a 
lifetime.

Emergency preparedness

    The Committee has approved $7,000,000 to fund emergency 
preparedness activities carried out through the Office of the 
Secretary. This is $63,000,000 less than the budget request and 
$2,977,000 less than fiscal year 1998. Included in the budget 
request is $51,000,000 to develop a civilian stockpile of 
antidotes, antibiotics, and vaccines to respond to acts of 
biological and chemical terrorism. The Committee has decided to 
provide these funds to the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention instead of providing them in the Office of the 
Secretary. The additional funds requested for medical response 
systems have not been provided because of the Committee's 
extremely tight discretionary funding allocation for fiscal 
year 1999.

                    OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

    The bill includes $29,000,000 for the Office of the 
Inspector General, which is a reduction of $2,855,000 below the 
fiscal year 1998 level and the same as the budget request. A 
large permanent appropriation for this office is contained in 
the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 
1996. Total funds provided between this bill and the permanent 
appropriation would be an estimated $126,350,000 in fiscal year 
1999 and could be as high as $129,000,000. The fiscal year 1998 
funding level was $116,571,000.
    The Office of the Inspector General was created by law to 
protect the integrity of Departmental programs as well as the 
health and welfare of beneficiaries served by those programs. 
Through a comprehensive program of audits, investigations, 
inspections and program evaluations, the OIG attempts to reduce 
the incidence of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement, and to 
promote economy, efficiency and effectiveness throughout the 
Department.
    The Committee instructs the Inspector General of the 
Department of Health and Human Services to continue to provide 
the Committee with semi-annual reports on the actual deficit 
reduction impact of the Health Insurance Portability and 
Accountability Act of 1996.
    The Committee believes that all of the Inspectors General 
need to do a better job of accounting for and tracking the 
savings that they claim to generate by their efforts. More 
attention must be paid to how much money is actually collected 
each year and paid back to the Federal government. The 
Committee directs the Inspector General to continue to report 
to the Committee each quarter on:
          (1) the actual payments, as a result of fines, 
        restitutions or forfeitures, made to the United States 
        Government as a result of her activities; and
          (2) how ``funds put to better use'' were used; this 
        report must identify funds made available for use by 
        management and the programs, projects, and activities 
        that were increased as a result of these funds.
    In order to better track the actual collections, offsets 
and funds put to better use achieved as a result of Inspector 
General activities, the Committee directs the Office of the 
Inspector General to begin reporting its results on a reporting 
period basis rather than a cumulative basis. For each 
semiannual report, the Committee directs the Office of 
Inspector General to provide, in tabular form, for audit 
findings: 1) total number and dollar value of new findings, 2) 
total number and dollar value of findings on which management 
concurs from this semiannual report, 3) total value of 
receivables booked by management from this semiannual report, 
and 4) total of funds offset or recovered from audit findings 
in this semiannual report. In each subsequent semi-annual 
report, the Inspector General is to update the information on 
management concurrence, receivables, and offsets and 
collections for each prior semiannual report. For each of these 
reportable actions, the Office of Inspector General shall 
include both the total management concurrence, receivables, and 
offsets and collections from all prior reports and new, 
management concurrence, receivables, and offsets and 
collections during the current reporting period.
    The Office of Inspector General should provide a similar 
report on funds put to better use. Such a report should include 
total reports and findings by the Inspector General 
recommending funds put to better use, management concurrence 
and the actual purposes to which the funds were put. Again, 
each semiannual report should update prior semiannual reports.
    Finally, the Committee encourages the Office of the 
Inspector General to consolidate these reports in the 
semiannual reports required under the Inspector General Act.

                        OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS

    The bill includes $20,659,000, an increase of $1,000,000 
over the fiscal year 1998 level and the same as the budget 
request. This includes authority to transfer $3,314,000 from 
the Medicare trust funds.
    The Office for Civil Rights is responsible for enforcing 
civil rights statutes that prohibit discrimination in health 
and human services programs. OCR implements the civil rights 
laws through a compliance program designed to generate 
voluntary compliance among all HHS recipients.

                            POLICY RESEARCH

    The bill includes $14,000,000, about the same as the amount 
available in fiscal year 1998 and the budget request. The 
Policy Research account, authorized by section 1110 of the 
Social Security Act, is the Department's principal source of 
policy-relevant data and research on the income sources of low-
income populations; the impact, effectiveness, and distribution 
of benefits under existing and proposed programs; and other 
issues that cut across agency lines.

                   TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

    The Committee, in its recommendations for this bill 
continues its concern for the multiple, fragmented programs in 
the Department of Education. The President's budget request 
exacerbates this problem by requesting 13 additional new 
programs at funding levels of just under $2,000,000,000. Most, 
if not all of these initiatives are activities that currently 
can be carried out under existing authorities. The Committee 
has not funded these duplicative activities. Rather it has 
chosen to fund those programs that work, such as Pell Grants, 
and programs that represent a clear federal responsibility, 
such as impact aid.
    The bill includes a total of $33,172,832,000 for programs 
in the Department of Education. However, there are many 
education programs funded elsewhere in the bill. The following 
chart indicates the major funding sources for education in the 
bill.

                            EDUCATION FUNDING                           
                          [Dollars in millions]                         
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                         Fiscal year--       1999, above
                                  --------------------------  (+), below
                                                1999 (Comm.   (-) fiscal
                                       1998       action)     year 1998 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary:                                                          
    Department of Education......      $28,146      $28,898         $752
    Head Start...................        4,347        4,500          153
    NIH training grants..........          430          511           81
    Health professions training..          293          304           11
                                  --------------------------------------
      Total discretionary........       33,216       34,213          997
                                  ======================================
Mandatory:                                                              
    Department of Education......        2,555        2,617           62
    Medicare direct/indirect                                            
     costs of medical education..        7,860        7,870           10
      Total mandatory............       10,415       10,487           72
                                  ======================================
``Off budget'' spending:                                                
    Direct loan obligations......       11,204       12,002          798
                                  --------------------------------------
      Total education spending...       65,250       67,189        1,939
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            EDUCATION REFORM

    The bill includes $861,500,000 for Education Reform 
programs. This amount is $485,500,000 less than the 
Administration's fiscal year 1999 budget request and 
$413,535,000 less than the 1998 amount. This appropriation 
account includes Goals 2000 under the Goals 2000: Educate 
America Act, School-to-Work opportunities under the School-To-
Work Opportunities Act and technology programs under the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Goals 2000: Educate America Act: State and local education systematic 
        improvement grants

    The bill includes $245,500,000 for carrying out the State 
and local education systemic reform grant program authorized by 
title III of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. This amount 
is $255,500,000 below the budget request and $245,500,000 below 
the fiscal year 1998 appropriation level for this activity. 
This formula grant program supports State and local efforts to 
engage in systemic education reform.
    The Committee has included language that would allow 
States, upon notification to the Secretary, to convert Goals 
2000 State Grant Funding to activities authorized under the 
title VI block grant and to expend funds for any purpose 
authorized under that program. In the case of a State that 
chooses to distribute funds directly to local school districts, 
the local district may choose to use the funds for any purpose 
authorized under the title VI block grant.

Goals 2000: Educate America Act: parental assistance

    The bill includes $25,000,000 for parental assistance under 
Goals 2000. This amount is the same as both the request level 
and the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This program supports 
``parent information and resource centers.'' These centers (1) 
coordinate with existing programs that support parents in 
helping their children get ready for school and reach high 
standards, (2) develop resource materials and provide 
information about high quality family involvement programs to 
families, schools, school districts and others through 
conferences, workshops and dissemination of materials and (3) 
support a variety of promising models of family involvement 
programs.

School-to-work opportunities

    The bill includes $75,000,000 for State grants and local 
partnerships under the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. An 
additional $75,000,000 is provided for School-to-Work 
activities in the Department of Labor. The amount provided in 
the Department of Education is $50,000,000 below the budget 
request and $125,000,000 below the fiscal year 1998 level. 
Funds support grants to States to plan school-to-work systems 
to ease the transition from school to work. Activities funded 
through this program include recruiting employers, obtaining 
in-depth information on local labor markets, designing school-
based and work-based curricula, and training school-based and 
work-based staff.
    Public witness testimony before the Committee indicated 
that:
          Instead of targeting students in vocational education 
        * * * school-to-work programs, by law, include all 
        students * * * . A central thesis of school-to-work is 
        that eighth graders should choose careers [and] * * * 
        schools administer interest and personality assessments 
        that direct students toward specific occupations, often 
        ones that have little to do with their own ambitions * 
        * * . School-to-Work programs not only direct job 
        choices, they seek to inculcate attitudes * * * such as 
        the belief that individual striving should be put aside 
        in the name of group achievement.
    The Committee, as a result of this testimony, has reduced 
the funding for this program below the President's request in 
the anticipation of a more rapid phase-out of the program than 
contemplated in the School-to-Work Opportunities Act.

Education technology

    The bill includes $541,000,000 for Education Technology. 
This amount is $137,000,000 below the Administration's fiscal 
year 1999 request and the same as the fiscal year 1998 
appropriation. Included in this account are the technology 
literacy challenge fund, technology innovation challenge grants 
and regional technology in education consortia. Three new 
National Activities, which were proposed for funding by the 
President, are not recommended for funding. Finally, three 
demonstration programs (star schools, ready to learn TV, and 
telecommunications demonstration projects for mathematics) are 
not recommended for funding.
    The Committee remains concerned by the rapid increase in 
funding in this program in addition to other funding provided 
in title I, title VI, Special Education, and other programs of 
the Department of Education as well as funding made available 
to elementary and secondary schools from the Telecommunications 
Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104). This concern is enhanced by the 
fact that the Department still cannot provide the Committee 
with a statement of the amounts of Departmental funds spent on 
technology. More importantly, as of the most recent reporting 
period, of the $625,000,000 in Technology Literacy Challenge 
Funds provided by this Committee in fiscal years 1997 and 1998 
at the administration's request, almost $525,000,000 remain 
unspent in the Treasury. This slow draw-down of funds is 
particularly troubling since in fiscal year 1998, the Assistant 
Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education testified that 
70% of the funds would actually be spent in the first year. In 
actuality, the amount is closer to 20%. As a result, the 
Committee expects that the Department will continue to abide 
by, and supply the data required by, the conference report on 
P.L. 104-208. In addition, the Committee expects the Department 
to begin providing such data for all programs funded in this 
account under the heading ``Education Technology'' and for 
funding made available through the ``E-Rate'' program as part 
of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-104).
    In the report on H.R. 2264 (105-205) the Committee directed 
the Department to provide it with an ``overall plan for 
education technology, including all funds for technology 
available from the Department and giving recognition to other 
funds and funding discounts available under the 
Telecommunications Act.'' It has been almost a year since the 
Committee requested this plan and it has yet to appear. It is 
difficult for the Committee to understand how such large sums 
can be requested and spent without any clear understanding as 
to the amounts of federal funding involved and any clear policy 
as to the role of federal funding vis-a-vis on-going local 
funding in increasing the use of technology in the classroom.
    The Committee, therefore, has recommended no new funding 
for the large grant components of education technology. The 
Committee further recommends that no additional funds be 
provided until the Department can provide the Congress with a 
better understanding as to why obligated funds are languishing 
in the Treasury rather than being spent by LEA's and SEA's and 
what the role of federal funding is in the inclusion of 
technology in the classroom and curriculum.

Education technology: technology literacy challenge fund

    The Committee recommends $425,000,000 for the technology 
literacy challenge fund, $50,000,000 below the President's 
request and the same as the fiscal year 1998 level. The fund 
assists States in integrating technology into curriculum. The 
goal of this program is to assure that students become 
technologically literate and possess the academic, 
communications and critical thinking skills essential for 
success in the information age.
    Each State receives a share of funding based on its share 
of funds under part A of title I of the elementary and 
secondary education act. Funds are distributed to local 
education agencies on the basis of competitive sub-grants. 
States receive funding on the basis of a State plan describing 
its long-term strategies for financing technology education in 
the State, involving the private sector and assisting school 
districts with the greatest needs.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for the technology literacy challenge fund. The 
Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to 
develop specific, measurable student academic achievement 
measures for this program. Such data should include baseline 
data on the academic improvements and specific, measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed 
funding levels.

Education technology: technology innovation challenge grants

    The Committee recommends $106,000,000 for technology 
innovation challenge grants, the same level as the fiscal year 
1998 level and the amount requested by the President.
    The technology innovation challenge grants program is 
designed to support partnerships among educators, business, and 
industry, and other community organizations to develop 
innovative applications of technology and plans for fully 
integrating technology into schools. The program provided 80 
new and continuing competitive grants in fiscal year 1998 to 
consortia that include at least one local educational agency 
with a high percentage or number of children living in poverty.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for technology innovation challenge grants. The 
Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to 
develop specific, measurable student academic achievement 
measures for this grantees participating in this program and 
specific, measurable standards for the adoption of techniques, 
methods, software and other innovations developed by grantees 
by other SEA's and LEA's. Such data should include baseline 
data on the academic improvements and transfer of programmatic 
innovations and specific, measurable changes that are expected 
to occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
    The Committee recognizes that, with the high cost of 
bringing computers into the classroom and constant changes in 
software and hardware, the lack of access to quality technology 
hinders computer based instruction, and schools lack funds and 
resources to increase this quality.
    The Committee urges the Secretary to support public-private 
initiatives in which school districts receive matching funding 
support from the private sector to install multi-platform 
compatible software and browser-based computer servers with 
off-site backup into public elementary schools and improve 
computer based instruction.
    The Committee encourages the Department to fund at least 
one proposal from the funds provided that addresses urban 
education issues and that uses education technology to educate 
and train students in middle and high school and parents who 
are moving from welfare to work as well as teacher training.

Education technology: regional technology in education consortia

    The Committee recommends $10,000,000 for regional 
technology in education consortia, the same level as both the 
President's request and the fiscal year 1998 level. The 
regional technology in education consortia supports 6 regional 
programs of information and resource dissemination, 
professional development, and technical assistance.
    Consortia provide professional development designed to 
prepare teachers to help all students learn through the use of 
technology. Consortia may also develop training resources for 
elementary and secondary and adult education, provide referrals 
to other sources of technical assistance and professional 
development, and help institutions of higher education 
establish pre-service programs that prepare teachers to use 
educational technology in their classrooms.
    The Committee believes that the Department must identify 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for regional 
technology in education consortia. It is essential for the 
Department to develop specific, measurable standards for the 
use of the services provided RTEC and improvements or 
innovation in teaching methodologies. There should also be 
specific measurements as to how these new or innovative 
techniques have contributed to improved student academic 
achievement. Such data should include baseline data on the 
academic improvements and transfer of programmatic innovations 
and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as 
a result of proposed funding levels.

Education technology: national activities

    The Committee recommends no funding for the three new 
activities proposed by the President as part of the Education 
technology national activities: Teacher training in technology, 
community based technology, and technology leadership 
activities. The President requested $87,000,000 for these 
activities.

Teacher training in technology

    The Committee recommends no funding for teacher training in 
technology, which is the same level as in fiscal year 1998 and 
$75,000,000 below the President's request. This initiative is 
proposed to provide targeted funds to reach new teachers and 
teacher education faculty to help insure that all new teachers 
can teach effectively with technology. Competitive grants would 
be available to consortia of States, colleges of education, 
school districts, and others to develop strategies, such as 
summer institutes, that focus on using technology to enhance 
student learning and are connected to ongoing reform efforts.
    In 1995 the General Accounting Office issued a report 
indicating that there were 86 teacher training programs that 
trained over a million teachers. Most of the education 
technology programs funded in this bill have a professional 
development component and Eisenhower professional development 
and the title VI block grant funds can be, and are, used for 
teacher training. In testimony before the Committee, the 
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education 
emphasized the in-service training component of the Eisenhower 
professional development program. However, the budget 
justification submitted to support the President's budget 
request indicates that Eisenhower professional development 
funds can be used for both pre-service and in-service training 
of teachers, that use of technology in the classroom is one of 
the specific activities for which funds can be expended and 
that institutions of higher education can use Eisenhower 
professional development funding to ``. . . improve [their] own 
teacher education programs.''
    The Committee is unwilling to recommend increased funding 
for the fragmented, overlapping and duplicative teacher 
training programs which currently exists. In addition, the 
Administration in its request has offered no specific, 
measurable output measures, including student academic 
achievement measures, for this program. This requirement is 
consistent with the intent of the Government Performance and 
Results Act.
    The administration's request also provided no financial 
information, including cash flow information indicating the 
level of obligated funds that will be actually spent by the 
grantees in the first and subsequent years of the program. 
Since overall technology funding is being spent very slowly by 
grantees, such data on projected cash flow is particularly 
important.

Community-based technology centers

    The Committee recommends no funding for community-based 
technology centers, which is the same level as in fiscal year 
1998 and $10,000,000 below the President's request. In the 
budget justification submitted to the Committee the Department 
provided neither the purpose of the program, other than to 
establish ``computer learning centers'' to provide access to 
technology for disadvantaged students and adults. There was no 
information on who would receive the grants, the number of 
grants, whether these grants would be to establish the centers 
only or represented an on-going commitment to funding these 
centers, the estimates of the number of users, etc.
    The Committee is unwilling to recommend funding for new 
programs with so little justification or explanation of the 
ongoing commitments. In addition, the Administration in its 
request has offered no specific, measurable output standards, 
including student academic achievement indicators for this 
program consistent with the intent of the Government 
Performance and Results Act.
    As with the President's other proposals, the administration 
also provided no financial information, including cash flow 
information indicating the level of obligated funds that will 
be actually spent by the grantees in the first and subsequent 
years of the program.

Technology leadership activities

    The Committee recommends no funding for community-based 
technology centers, which is the same level as in fiscal year 
1998 and $2,000,000 below the President's request. According to 
the budget justification submitted to the Committee to support 
the request:
          * * * funds may be used for leadership activities 
        such as ``think tanks'' with experts who can help 
        develop a vision for teaching and learning in the 21st 
        century; commissioned papers and monograph series with 
        the most current information about the impact of new 
        technologies in schools, communities centers and other 
        learning environments; and conferences focused on 
        specific themes and issues such as better strategies in 
        higher education and professional development for 
        preparing teachers to use advanced technologies in the 
        classroom.

    The Committee believes that, if these activities are worth 
carrying out at all with taxpayer monies, there are a number of 
existing authorities which can be used to fund them. As with 
the other Presidential initiatives, there is no information on 
the measures of success, particularly in terms of improved 
student academic achievement, that would occur if this 
initiative were funded.

Educational technology: star schools

    The bill includes no funding for the star schools program, 
$34,000,000 less than both the budget request and the fiscal 
year 1998 amount. This program supports the development of 
statewide or multi-state telecommunications partnerships. Among 
other activities, these partnerships have sought to increase 
the availability of courses in mathematics, science, and 
foreign languages; serve educationally disadvantaged students; 
and train teachers in the use of telecommunications equipment.
    The Committee is unwilling to recommend continued funding 
for programs for which the Department has not identified 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act. The Committee 
believes that it is essential for the Department to develop 
specific, measurable student academic achievement measures for 
this grantees and specific, measurable standards for the 
adoption of techniques, methods, software and other innovations 
developed by grantees by other technology programs. Such data 
should include baseline data on the academic improvements and 
transfer of programmatic innovations and specific, measurable 
changes that are expected to occur as a result of the proposed 
funding level.

Educational technology: ready to learn television

    The bill includes no funding for ready to learn television, 
$7,000,000 less than both the budget request and the 1998 
amount. Program objectives include the development and 
distribution of educational and instructional video programming 
for preschool and elementary school children and their parents.
    The Committee believes that this activity can be carried 
out by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with the Federal 
payment it receives in this bill.
    The Committee is unwilling to recommend continued funding 
for programs for which the Department has not identified 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act.

Telecommunications demonstration projects for mathematics

    The Committee has provided no funding for this 
demonstration program. This amount is $2,035,000 below the 
fiscal year 1998 amount and $2,000,000 below the budget 
request.
    The budget justification submitted by the Department in 
support of the President's budget requests indicates that ``The 
program's single objective is to promote excellent teaching in 
mathematics through sustained professional development and 
teacher networks.''
    Yet the sole measures of effectiveness offered by the 
Department were the number of teachers trained, the estimated 
number of students taught by trained teachers and the fact that 
teachers thought the program better than other professional 
development programs. The Committee is unwilling to recommend 
funding for programs with no specific, measurable output 
standards, including student academic achievement measures, for 
this grantees participating in this program consistent with the 
intent of the Government Performance and Results Act.

                    EDUCATION FOR THE DISADVANTAGED

    The bill includes $8,056,132,000 for the disadvantaged 
programs. This amount is $439,760,000 less that the 
administration's fiscal year 1999 budget request and 
$34,305,000 above the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This 
appropriation account includes compensatory education programs 
authorized under title I of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act of 1965.

Grants to local educational agencies

    Of the amounts provided for Title I programs, 
$5,949,980,000 is available for basic grants to local education 
agencies and State administration. This is $173,232,000 less 
than the amount for the 1998-99 school year and $324,020,000 
below the request. Funding for concentration grants, which 
targets funds to Local Education Agencies in counties with high 
levels of disadvantaged children, is $1,125,252,000, 
$23,232,000 above last year and $74,748,000 below the request 
level. The Committee provided $300,000,000 under Targeted 
Grants which focuses funding on the most disadvantaged local 
educational agencies. This level is $7,000,000 above the 
request level and $300,000,000 above last year.
    Of the total of $5,949,980,000 made available for school 
year 1999-2000 for basic grants, $4,498,094,000 is appropriated 
for fiscal year 1999 for obligation after July 1, 1999 and 
$1,448,386,000 is appropriated for fiscal year 2000 for 
obligation on, or after, October 1, 1999. A remaining 
$3,500,000 for title I evaluations is made available for 
obligation on October 1, 1998.
    Financial assistance flows to school districts by formula, 
based in part on the number of school-aged children from low-
income families. Within districts, local school officials 
target funds on school attendance areas with the greatest 
number or percentage of children from poor families. Local 
school districts develop and implement their own programs to 
meet the needs of disadvantaged students. About 14,000 local 
school districts participate in the program, which served an 
estimated 6.2 to 6.5 million pupils in 1995.
    Funds under this account will also be used to pay the 
Federal share of State administrative costs for title I 
programs. The maximum State administration grant is equal to 1 
percent of title I local educational agency plus State agency 
grants to the State, or $400,000, whichever is greater. These 
funds are included in the grants to local educational agencies 
account, rather than being a separate line item.
    The Committee believes that the Department must provide 
specific, measurable standards for improvement in student 
academic achievement consistent with the requirements of the 
Government Performance and Results Act for education for the 
disadvantaged. The indicators submitted with the budget request 
do not contain the specific baseline data or expected 
improvement resulting from the funding request needed to 
adequately meet the requirements of GPRA. While data collection 
for this program is particularly difficult, the Committee 
expects the Department to make significant progress toward 
defining specific, numerical goals for the programs 
particularly relating to academic achievement, to develop 
baseline data and to provide specific improvements that are to 
be achieved with any increased funding.
    The Committee recognizes that asthma is one of the leading 
causes of student absenteeism from school, and thus undermines 
student learning. The Committee recognizes that the problem is 
particularly severe in minority and low-income urban 
communities. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act permits 
the use of title I funds to address health matters that hamper 
student achievement. The Committee encourages the Department to 
include, as part of the information they provide to LEAs on the 
implementation of this provision, that title I funds may be 
used for asthma-related activities, such as identifying the 
scope of the asthma epidemic among their students, and 
assessing and improving their asthma management practices. 
Schools taking such actions are urged to follow the guidelines 
and recommendations of the National Asthma Education and 
Prevention Program, and the EPA's Indoor Air Quality Tools for 
Schools.

Demonstrations of innovative practices

    The bill includes $120,000,000 for demonstrations of 
innovative practices; this is the same as provided in 1998 and 
$30,000,000 below the budget request. The Committee expects 
that the Department will continue to follow the directives in 
the Conference Report accompanying the fiscal year 1998 bill 
(House Report 105-390). The Committee provides these funds to 
continue the wide-scale application of effective approaches to 
comprehensive school reform in title I schools.
    The Committee is encouraged and pleased by the tremendous 
amount of interest shown by school districts across the country 
in the Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Program, 
initiated in the fiscal year 1998 Labor-HHS-Education 
Appropriations Act. The Committee is hopeful that comprehensive 
school reform will enable schools to participate fully in 
determining the best type of reform for their students, and 
commends the Department of Education for its efforts in moving 
quickly to release nonregulatory guidance on the initiative to 
assist states and school districts in their planning efforts. 
The guidelines allow states to give ``a competitive preference 
for programs that incorporate certain models that the SEA 
determines are particularly effective,'' since states have a 
statutory obligation under this initiative to ensure that only 
high-quality, research-based reforms are funded. However, it is 
the Committee's intent that states should not restrict funding 
to only those schools which have selected the SEA's preferred 
approaches to ensure that schools still have sufficient 
flexibility to adopt a research-based program that best meets 
the needs of individual schools and students based on a 
comprehensive needs assessment. The Committee urges the 
Department to make such clarification to states when reviewing 
their state applications.
    The Committee is pleased that the Department has begun 
initial planning for a national evaluation of Comprehensive 
School Reform. This evaluation, to be conducted after 
participating schools have had 3 years to implement reforms, 
will include the collection of baseline information, case 
studies of implementation and program impact, and student 
achievement data from schools implementing comprehensive school 
reforms. The Committee looks forward to hearing, during 
hearings on the FY2000 budget, about the steps taken by the 
Department to develop a strong evaluation plan, consistent with 
the Government Performance and Results Act that will provide 
the Committee with solid information (including baseline data, 
systems to gather annual data and projected improvements) about 
the implementation and outcomes of the Comprehensive School 
Reform initiative.

Capital expenses for private school students

    The Committee provides $10,000,000 for capital expenses 
grants for private schools. This amount is the same as the 
Administration's request and $31,119,000 below the fiscal year 
1998 amount.
    Capital expenses grants are authorized to pay some of the 
additional costs of providing title I services to children who 
attend nonpublic schools. As a result of a decision of the U.S. 
Supreme Court in 1985, in the case of Aguilar v. Felton, public 
school teachers or other employees cannot be sent to sectarian 
nonpublic schools for the purpose of providing title I 
services. The capital expenses grants are allocated to States 
in proportion to the number of nonpublic school pupils they 
serve. Purposes for which these funds may be used include 
rental of classroom space in neutral sites (i.e., locations 
other than private or public schools), rental of mobile vans 
used for title I instruction, or transportation of nonpublic 
pupils to public schools or neutral sites.
    The United States Supreme Court recently reconsidered, and 
reversed, its decision in the Aguilar case and both the 
President's request and the Committee's recommendation 
implement a policy of phasing down the program.

Even Start

    The Committee provides $135,000,000 for Even Start, 
$20,008,000 above last year and $11,000,000 above the request. 
Even Start provides demonstration grants for model programs of 
joint education of disadvantaged children, aged 1-7 years, who 
live in title I target school attendance areas, plus their 
parents who are eligible to be served under the Adult Education 
Act. These parents are not in school, are above the State's 
compulsory school attendance age limit, and have not earned a 
high school diploma (or equivalent). At appropriations levels 
above $50,000,000, Even Start funds are allocated to the 
States, generally in proportion to title I basic grants.
    The Department has set forth several indicators relating to 
literacy, retention of families in the program and the quality 
of services to be offered for Even Start. The Committee feels 
that each of these objectives must be expressed in far more 
specific terms, that baselines need to be established and 
specific numerical levels of achievement at the funding level 
requested be included for each of these objectives. More 
importantly, as a demonstration program, the Department must 
establish objectives and set programmatic indicators for the 
successful adoption of the innovative techniques and curricula 
that are being developed and demonstrated by Even Start. The 
indicators should include how these new techniques and 
materials are improving the success of the existing programs 
which adopt them.

State agency programs: migrant

    The bill includes $354,689,000 for the migrant education 
program, the same as the budget request and $49,216,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This program supports 
formula grants to State agencies for the support of special 
educational and related services to children of migratory 
agricultural workers and fishermen. The purpose of this program 
is to provide supplementary academic education, remedial or 
compensatory instruction, English for limited English 
proficient students, testing, plus guidance and counseling.
    The Committee believes that the Department must provide 
specific, measurable standards for improvement in student 
academic achievement consistent with the requirements of the 
Government Performance and Results Act for the State agency 
program for migrants. In spite of the fact that the Elementary 
and Secondary Education Act indicates that the program is to 
``support high quality and comprehensive educational services 
for migratory children.'' The Department included no indicators 
in its budget justification relating to student academic 
achievement. The Committee believes that these indicators do 
not contain the specific baseline data or expected improvement 
resulting from the funding request needed to adequately meet 
the requirements of GPRA. The Committee expects the Department 
to include specific indicators of the academic progress made by 
students in this programs. Overall, the Department needs to 
include more specific, numerical goals, including goals 
relating to academic achievement, along with baseline data and 
improvements expected to be achieved at the funding request 
levels.

State agency programs: neglected and delinquent

    For the State agency program for neglected and delinquent 
children, the bill includes $40,311,000; this level is the same 
as the budget request and $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
appropriation. This formula grant program provides services to 
participants in institutions for juvenile delinquents, adult 
correctional institutions, or institutions for the neglected.
    In spite of the fact that the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act states that the purpose of the State agency 
program for neglected and delinquent children is to ``Improve 
educational services to children in local and State 
institutions . . .'' the Department has proposed no specific, 
numerical indicators of student academic achievement as part of 
its Government Performance and Results Act submission nor does 
it include indicators on reduced drop-out rates or reduced 
recidivism--all of which are purposes of the program. The 
Committee believes that the Department must include specific, 
numerical indicators for these program objectives as well as 
baseline data and improvements expected to occur as a result of 
funding levels proposed.

Evaluation

    The Committee provides $8,900,000 for evaluation, the same 
as the budget request and $1,923,000 above the 1998 
appropriation. Title I evaluation supports large scale national 
evaluations that examine how title I is contributing to 
improved student performance at the State, local education 
agency, and school levels. It also supports short-term studies 
that document promising models and other activities to help 
States and local education agencies implement requirements in 
the title I statute.
    The Committee believes that the Department should allocate 
resources for evaluations such that sufficient funding is 
provided to assure the implementation of the changes in GPRA 
measures discussed above.

Transition to school demonstrations

    The bill includes no funding for this new initiative. This 
level is the same as in fiscal year 1998 and $35,000,000 below 
the President's request.
    This proposal by the President would enable local education 
agencies, in collaboration with Head Start and other childhood 
programs, and other community organizations and agencies, to 
improve school readiness and learning outcomes for young 
children from preschool to kindergarten and into the early 
elementary grades.
    In a recent report to the Committee, the Department of 
Education reported that it operated over 30 demonstration, 
dissemination and technical assistance projects funded at $885 
million dollars. The Committee believes that there are 
sufficient funds within these many programs to fund this 
initiative if the administration feels it appropriate. In 
addition the Committee is unwilling to recommend continued 
funding for programs for which the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act.

Migrant education, high school equivalency program

    The bill includes $9,000,000 for the high school 
equivalency program. This amount is $1,366,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 amount and $1,000,000 below the request.
    The Department has done a good job in developing indicators 
of success for the high school equivalency program. They 
presented baseline data on receipt of GED's and the number of 
participants that receive GED's. The Department should begin to 
provide projections of increases in GED acquisitions as a 
result of increased funding. Information should also be 
provided that assures that this small program is enrolling 
participants that would not otherwise achieve a GED.

College assistance migrant programs

    The bill includes $3,000,000 for the college assistance 
migrant programs. This amount is $919,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 amount and $2,000,000 below the request.
    The Department also has done a good job in developing 
indicators of success for the college migrant assistance 
program. They presented baseline data on attendance and 
completion of college and the number of participants that 
attend and complete college. The Department should begin to 
provide projections of the increase in attendance and 
completion of college as a result of increased funding. 
Information should also be provided that assures that this 
small program is enrolling participants who would not otherwise 
go to college and complete their degrees.

                               impact aid

    The bill provides $848,000,000 for Federal impact aid 
programs in fiscal year 1999, an increase of $40,000,000 above 
the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $152,000,000 
above the President's request. This account supports payments 
to school districts affected by Federal activities and is 
authorized under title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary 
Education Act. During the most recent school year, payments 
were made to approximately 1,700 school districts on behalf of 
1,500,000 children.
    The bill does not adopt the President's proposal to amend 
the authorizing statute to reduce by 800 the number of school 
districts receiving payments and to reduce by 1,100,000 the 
number of children on behalf of whom payments are made. The 
Committee regards impact aid as an obligation of the Federal 
Government and has included funds sufficient to adequately 
reimburse school districts adversely impacted by Federal 
activities.
    The Committee notes that the President proposes to 
substantially increase funding for general Federal assistance 
to school districts at the same time it proposes to 
dramatically reduce impact aid payments which represent an 
obligation of the Federal government to mitigate the adverse 
effects of its activities on local school districts.
    The Committee notes that in addition to the funding 
provided in this bill, the House version of the National 
Security Appropriations bill includes $35,000,000 for payments 
to school districts experiencing heavy military impact.

Basic support payments

    The bill includes $704,000,000 for basic support payments 
to local educational agencies, an increase of $42,000,000 over 
the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $78,000,000 
over the President's request. This amount is estimated to be 
sufficient to fully fund learning opportunity threshold 
payments. The Committee rejects the President's proposal to 
eliminate over 1,100,000 children and 800 school districts from 
the impact aid program. Basic support payments compensate 
school districts for lost tax revenue and are made on behalf of 
Federally-connected children such as children of members of the 
uniformed services who live on Federal property.

Payments for children with disabilities

    The Committee recommends $50,000,000 for payments on behalf 
of Federally-connected children with disabilities, an increase 
of $10,000,000 above the President's request and the same as 
the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. These payments 
compensate school districts for the increased costs of serving 
Federally-connected children with disabilities.
    The Committee rejects the President's proposal to reduce 
the number of children with disabilities on behalf of whom 
payments are made by 21,000 from 53,000 to 32,000.

Payments for heavily impacted districts

    The bill includes $70,000,000 for payments to heavily 
impacted districts, an increase of $8,000,000 over the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 level and $50,000,000 above the 
President's request. These payments assist especially heavily 
impacted school districts to raise their per-pupil spending to 
levels comparable to other school districts in their States.
    The Committee rejects the Administration proposal to amend 
the impact aid law to reduce the number of heavily impacted 
districts that would receive assistance by 50% and to reduce 
the average payment per district by 35%.

Facilities maintenance

    The Committee does not recommend funding for facilities 
maintenance, a decrease of $3,000,000 below the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 amount. The budget requests $10,000,000 for 
this activity. These capital payments are authorized for 
maintenance of certain facilities owned by the Department of 
Education.
    The Committee notes that the only activity for which the 
Administration requested increased impact aid appropriations is 
renovation of schools owned by the Department of Education. The 
Committee does not intend to entertain requests to increase 
funding for Federally-owned facilities at the same time the 
President proposes to eliminate 1,100,000 locally-supported 
students and 800 locally-administered school districts from the 
impact aid program.

Construction

    The Committee does not recommend funding for the 
construction program, a decrease of $7,000,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the same as the 
request. This program provides formula grants to eligible 
locally owned school districts for building and renovating 
school facilities. Given the current funding constraints, the 
Committee believes that the highest priority must be restoring 
the President's proposed cuts in the regular impact aid program 
for operating assistance to schools adversely impacted by 
Federal activities. The Committee will consider funding the 
construction program as additional resources become available.

Payments for Federal property

    The bill provides $24,000,000 for payments related to 
Federal property, an increase of $24,000,000 above the 
President's request and the same as the comparable fiscal year 
1998 appropriation. The Committee does not concur in the 
President's proposal to terminate assistance to all 223 school 
districts currently receiving assistance under this program. 
Funds are awarded to school districts to compensate for lost 
tax revenue as the result of Federal acquisition of real 
property since 1938.

                      school improvement programs

    The bill includes $1,542,334,000 for school improvement 
programs. This amount is $66,534,000 more than the 
Administration's 1999 budget request and $1,146,000 more than 
the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This appropriation account 
includes programs authorized under titles II, IV, V, VI, X, and 
XIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act; title VII 
of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act; and title 
IV-A of the Civil Rights Act.

Professional development and program innovation: Eisenhower 
        professional development State grants

    The Committee provides $285,000,000 under the Eisenhower 
professional development state grants, $50,000,000 below both 
the budget request and the fiscal year 1998 level. The 
Committee is unwilling to recommend even level funding for the 
fragmented, overlapping and duplicative teacher training 
programs which currently exist. In 1995 the General Accounting 
Office issued a report indicating that there were 86 teacher 
training programs that trained over a million teachers.
    The Committee has included language that would allow 
States, upon notification to the Secretary, to convert 
Eisenhower professional development State grants to activities 
authorized under the title VI block grant and to expend funds 
for any purpose authorized under that program.
    The Administration in its request has offered several 
measures relating to the curriculum of professional development 
activities and improved skills by classroom teachers. However, 
it has not provided specific, measurable standards for student 
academic achievement resulting from improved teacher training 
consistent with the intent of the Government Performance and 
Results Act. The Committee believes that the Department should 
include such data including baseline data on the measures, 
academic improvements, and specific, measurable changes that 
are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased 
funding.

Professional development and program innovation: Innovative Education 
        Program Strategies State Grants. (The title VI education block 
        grant)

    The Committee recommends $400,000,000 for State grants 
under Innovative Education Program Strategies, $50,000,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 level and $400,000,000 above the 
Request. The Committee strongly supports this program, which 
provides funding, without bureaucratic strings, to State and 
local educational agencies that, according to the 
administration, can be used for:
          (1) obtaining technology and training in technology 
        related to the implementation of school based reform;
          (2) acquiring and using educational materials;
          (3) educational reform projects such as ``effective 
        schools'' and magnet schools;
          (4) improving educational services for disadvantaged 
        students;
          (5) combating illiteracy among children and adults;
          (6) addressing the educational needs of gifted and 
        talented children;
          (7) implementing school reform activities consistent 
        with Goals 2000; and
          (8) implementing school improvement and parental 
        involvement activities under ESEA Title I.
    The Committee has also included language to permit States, 
and in some cases, local education agencies, to convert formula 
grant funding from goals 2000 and Eisenhower professional 
development to innovative education program strategies and to 
expend funds for any purpose authorized under this program. 
This provision would provide the States with over $900,000,000 
to meet their education priorities.

Safe and drug-free schools and communities

    The Committee recommends $556,000,000 for the Safe and Drug 
Free Schools and Communities Act. This funding level is the 
same as fiscal year 1998 and $50,000,000 below the President's 
request.
    The Committee believes that the Department must identify 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for safe and drug 
free schools and communities. It is essential for the 
Department to develop specific, measurable standards for the 
decline in substance abuse or the precursors of substance abuse 
and the reduction of violence. New program proposals must be 
accompanied by projections of the reduction of substance abuse 
and violence. National programs will have to be justified based 
on the usefulness of the information and technical assistance 
provided and the degree to which programs and techniques 
demonstrated in national programs are adopted at the State and 
local levels and are effective in reducing substance abuse and 
violence. Systems should be developed to assure that there is 
annual data on the success of programs. Baseline data will have 
to continue to be refined. Specific, measurable changes that 
are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding levels 
should be included in the President's budget request.

Safe and drug-free schools and communities: State grants

    The Committee bill includes $531,000,000 for the State 
grants program of the safe and drug-free schools and 
communities act. This level is $5,000,000 more than the budget 
request and the same as the fiscal year 1998 level. The program 
supports State formula grants for comprehensive, integrated 
approaches to drug and violence prevention. Local educational 
agencies must use their funds to implement a drug and violence 
prevention program for students and employees.
    The Committee in its report on the fiscal year 1998 bill 
expressed its concern over the general lack of evidence of the 
effectiveness of the Safe and Drug Free Schools Program. These 
concerns were confirmed by the recently released Departmental 
report: ``School-Based Drug Prevention Programs: A Longitudinal 
Study in Selected School Districts.'' The study's findings 
include:
          Some drug abuse prevention programs improved student 
        outcomes, but effects were small;
          Few schools employed program approaches that have 
        been found to be effective in previous research; and
          Program delivery was variable and inconsistent, even 
        within schools.
          The Longitudinal Study was ``* * * not able to 
        determine what features of classroom instruction * * * 
        or which student support services/activities were most 
        effective * * *''
    The Longitudinal Study found that there was ``tremendous 
variability'' between schools within districts and by classroom 
teachers within individual schools. These variations occurred 
even in districts where administrators had mandated aspects of 
an overall program. Therefore the Department's report, itself, 
casts very real doubts on the ability of LEA's and individual 
school administrators to assure compliance with the 
``Principles'' proposed by the Administration.
    Overall, the Federal Government is estimated to have spent 
$15.4 billion dollars in fiscal year 1996 for prevention and 
supply interdiction. Of that amount, the Department of Health 
and Human Services spends $3.6 billion on prevention and 
treatment, the Department of Education $618 million and the 
Department of Labor $60 million. According to a study done for 
the Committee by the General Accounting Office:
          From fiscal year 1990 through 1994, the number of 
        Federal departments and agencies funding substance 
        abuse treatment and prevention activities increased 
        from 12 to 16, according to the Office of National Drug 
        Control Policy (ONDCP). For the same years, Federal 
        agencies budget authorizations increased more than 59% 
        * * *

Proposed discretionary grants

    The Committee has not recommended changes that would create 
a $125,000,000 pilot program to determine whether more 
concentrated funding on high need districts proposing high 
quality programs to fight drug abuse among students is needed. 
The safe and drug free schools and communities act is scheduled 
for reauthorization in fiscal year 1999 and it is in this 
context that the Administration's proposal should be 
considered. More importantly, the Administration has provided 
the Committee with no information on the impact such a change 
in program structure would have on drug abuse and violence in 
schools receiving funding. In order to give such a proposal 
serious consideration, specific, measurable output standards, 
including the proposed reduction in drug abuse and violence, 
for the grantees participating in the program will have to be 
provided. These measures are consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act. Such data should 
include baseline data on the measures, including specific drug 
abuse and violence indicators, and specific, measurable changes 
that are expected to occur as a result of the proposed 
programmatic changes.

Safe and drug-free schools and communities: national programs

    For the national programs under the Safe and Drug-Free 
Schools and Communities Act, the bill provides $25,000,000 
which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount and $5,000,000 
below the budget request. Under this program, the Secretary of 
Education administers a variety of activities to prevent the 
illegal use of drugs and violence among, and promote safety and 
discipline for, students at all educational levels, preschool 
through postsecondary.
    Alcohol is one of the leading causes of death for people 
between the ages of 15-24. The recent rash of alcohol-induced 
deaths on college campuses has focused national attention on 
this problem. It is estimated that 44% of all undergraduates in 
the U.S. binge drink. Binge drinking takes its toll in poor 
grades, violence, sexual assault and property damage. The 
Committee notes that the Administration has given this problem 
little attention in its budget justification and urges the 
Department to give this problem a far higher priority than 
evidenced in the budget submission.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
activities funded under the safe and drug free schools and 
communities act national programs. The Committee believes that 
it is essential for the Department to develop specific, 
measurable standards for the effectiveness of national programs 
as well as developmental and dissemination activities, and 
postsecondary prevention programs. These measures should focus 
on the effectiveness of the various funded programs and the 
degree to which they are being integrated into broader 
substance abuse and violence prevention strategies sponsored by 
the Department of Education, other federal departments, State 
or local governments or other non-governmental agencies. Such 
data should include baseline data on the substance abuse and 
violence as well as the transfer of programmatic innovations 
and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as 
a result of the proposed funding levels.

Safe and drug free schools and communities: coordinator initiative

    The Committee recommends no funding for the new safe and 
drug free schools and communities: coordinator initiative. This 
recommendation would result in the same funding level as last 
year and is $50,000,000 below the President's request.
    This initiative would be funded under a grant competition 
under the safe and drug free schools national programs and 
funds would be targeted to the middle schools with the worst 
drug and violence problems.
    The safe and drug free schools and communities act is 
scheduled for reauthorization in fiscal year 1999 and it is in 
this context that the Administration's proposal should be 
considered. More importantly, the Administration has provided 
the Committee with no information on the impact such a change 
in program structure would have on drug abuse and violence in 
schools receiving funding. In order to give such a proposal 
serious consideration, specific, measurable output indicators, 
including the proposed reduction in substance abuse and 
violence, will have to be provided for this program. These 
measures are consistent with the requirements of the Government 
Performance and Results Act. Such data should include baseline 
data on the measures, including specific drug abuse and 
violence indicators, and specific, measurable changes that are 
expected to occur as a result of the proposed programmatic 
changes.

Inexpensive book distribution (reading is fundamental)

    The bill provides $18,000,000 for the inexpensive book 
distribution program. This is $6,000,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 appropriation and $5,000,000 above the President's 
request. This program makes an award to Reading is Fundamental, 
Inc., to buy inexpensive books, offer them through local 
community programs to children from low-income families, and 
motivate children to read. Federal funds provide for up to 75 
percent of the costs of the books. This program annually 
provides an estimated 7.6 million books to 2.4 million children 
nationwide.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards, 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act, for inexpensive book distribution. The 
Committee is pleased that the Department has proposed standards 
relating to financial self sufficiency and increased service to 
children with special needs. It is also essential for the 
Department to develop specific, measurable student academic 
achievement indicators for this program. Such data should 
include baseline data on the academic improvements as well as 
self sufficiency and service to special populations and 
specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as 
a result of proposed increased funding.

Arts in education

    The bill provides $10,500,000 for the arts in education 
program. This the same as the budget request and the fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation. This program supports arts programs in 
elementary and secondary education and supports demonstration 
programs for the involvement of disabled persons in the arts.
    The Committee is pleased that the Department is developing 
a performance plan for the arts in education programs and 
believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable 
standards for both student academic achievement and the 
adoption of curriculum and teaching methodologies. Such data 
should include baseline data on the academic improvements and 
dissemination of curricula and techniques and specific, 
measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result 
of proposed increased funding levels.

Magnet schools assistance

    The bill includes $101,000,000 for the magnet schools 
assistance program, the same as the budget request and the 
fiscal year 1998 level. The magnet schools assistance program 
awards competitive grants to local educational agencies for use 
in establishing or operating magnet schools that are part of a 
desegregation plan approved by a court or by the Department of 
Education's Office for Civil Rights. A magnet school is defined 
by the statute as ``a school or education center that offers a 
special curriculum capable of attracting substantial numbers of 
students of different racial backgrounds.'' A funding priority 
is given to local educational agencies that have not 
participated during the most recent funding cycle.
    The Committee commends the Magnet Schools programs for its 
steadfast commitment to helping to ensure equitable access to a 
quality education. The Magnet Schools Program has helped to 
ensure and accelerate the academic achievement of many of the 
nation's students in science, math, engineering and other areas 
of concentration and long-term national need.
    The Committee is pleased that the Department is making good 
progress in developing objective, measurable standards for 
achieving the desegregation goals of the programs. The 
Committee encourages the Department to continue to refine the 
baseline data presented in the budget justification and 
believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable 
standards for both student academic achievement and reduction 
in minority isolation. Such data should include baseline data 
on the academic improvements and minority isolation and methods 
and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to 
occur with respect to all measures as a result of proposed 
funding levels.

Education for homeless children and youth

    For the education of homeless children and youth program, 
authorized by section 722 of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless 
Assistance Act, the Committee recommends $30,000,000. This 
level is the same as the budget request and $1,200,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. Grants are allocated to 
States in proportion to the total that each State receives 
under the title I program. For local grants, at least 50 
percent must be used for direct services to homeless children 
and youth, including tutoring or remedial or other educational 
services.
    The Department has not identified specific, measurable 
student achievement standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for education for 
homeless children and youth. While the Committee understands 
that data is scarce and that the current activities focus on 
developing baseline data, it also believes that it is essential 
for the Department to develop specific, measurable student 
academic achievement indicators for this program. Such data 
should include baseline data on the academic improvements, 
access and specific, measurable improvements that are expected 
to occur as a result of proposed increased funding. Such data 
is particularly important since the increase proposed by the 
President and recommended by this Committee is part of an 
initiative to reduce the cycle of homelessness.

Women's educational equity

    The bill includes $3,000,000 for Women's Educational 
Equity, the same funding level as in fiscal year 1998 and the 
request level. This program supports projects, technical 
assistance and dissemination activities to promote educational 
equity for girls and women including those who suffer multiple 
discrimination based on gender and race, ethnicity, national 
origin, disability, or age. It also provides funds to help 
educational agencies and institutions meet the requirements of 
title IX of the Education amendments of 1972.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for Women's Educational Equity. The Committee 
believes that it is essential for the Department to focus its 
primary, if not exclusive, efforts on the development of 
indicators of specific, measurable student academic achievement 
for this program. Such data should include baseline data on the 
academic improvements and specific, measurable improvements 
that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding 
levels.

Training and advisory services

    The bill includes $7,334,000 for training and advisory 
services authorized by title IV-A of the Civil Rights Act. This 
amount is $966,000 below the budget request and the same as the 
fiscal year 1998 amount. Title IV-A authorizes technical 
assistance and training services for local educational agencies 
to address problems associated with desegregation on the basis 
of race, sex, or national origin. Competitive awards are made 
to civil rights units within State educational agencies and to 
regional desegregation assistance centers. The Department 
awards 3-year grants to regional equity assistance centers 
(EACs) (formerly known as desegregation assistance centers or 
DACs) located in each of the 10 Department of Education 
regions. The EACs provide services to school districts upon 
request. Typical activities include disseminating information 
on successful education practices and legal requirements 
related to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, and 
national origin in educational programs; training designed to 
develop educators' skills in specific areas, such as the 
identification of race and sex bias in instructional materials; 
increasing the skills of educational personnel in dealing with 
race-based confrontations such as hate crimes; and providing 
technical assistance in the identification and selection of 
appropriate educational programs to meet the needs of limited 
English proficient students.
    The Department, in the Committee's view, has not identified 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for training and 
advisory services. The Department must develop specific, 
measurable indicators of the degree to which local education 
agencies and teachers are accessing training and technical 
assistance services, the degree to which these new techniques 
are integrated into school or classroom practices and the 
degree to which the techniques are successful in addressing 
``problems associated with desegregation.'' Such data should 
include baseline data on the problems and specific, measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed 
funding levels.

Ellender fellowships/Close-Up

    The bill provides $1,500,000 for Ellender fellowships, the 
same as the fiscal year 1998 level and $1,500,000 above the 
budget request. The Ellender fellowship program makes an award 
to the Close-Up Foundation of Washington D.C. This organization 
provides fellowships to students from low income families and 
their teachers to enable them to participate with other 
students and teachers for a week of seminars on government and 
meetings with representatives of the three branches of the 
Federal government.
    The Department has not identified specific, measurable 
student achievement and financial self-sufficiency indicators 
consistent with the requirements of the Government, Performance 
and Results Act for the Ellender fellowship program. Such data 
should include baseline data on the understanding of the 
federal government and non-federal financial support and 
specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as 
a result of proposed funding levels.

Education for native Hawaiians

    The bill includes no funding for education for Native 
Hawaiians, $18,000,000 below the budget request and the fiscal 
year 1998 amount. A number of programs limited to Native 
Hawaiians are supported with these funds, including a model 
curriculum project, family-based education centers, 
postsecondary education fellowships, gifted and talented 
education projects, and special education projects for disabled 
pupils.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for the education for native Hawaiians program. 
The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department 
to develop broader indicators of effectiveness addressing 
native Hawaiian students' performance on national tests, high 
school graduation rates, postsecondary school attendance, over-
representation in special education and substance abuse 
problems identified in the Department's justification of its 
budget. Such data should include baseline data relating to 
these and other disparities facing native Hawaiians and 
specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as 
a result of proposed funding levels.

Alaska native education equity

    The bill includes no funding for the Alaska native 
education equity program, $8,000,000 below both the President's 
request and the fiscal year 1998 amount. These funds are used 
to develop supplemental educational programs to benefit Alaska 
natives.
    The Committee is concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for the Alaska native education equity program. 
The Committee believes that it is essential for the Department 
to develop broader indicators of effectiveness addressing the 
performance of Alaska native students on test scores, high 
school graduation rates, and numbers of students performing at 
grade level as identified in the Department's justification of 
its budget. Such indicators should include baseline data 
relating to these and other disparities facing Alaska natives 
and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to 
occur as a result of proposed funding levels.

Charter schools

    The Committee recommends $100,000,000 for support of 
charter schools, the same as the budget request and $20,000,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 amount. Charter schools are 
developed and administered by individuals or groups of 
individuals, which may include teachers, administrators, and 
parents. These groups enter into charters for operation of 
their schools, which must be granted exemptions from State and 
local rules that limit flexibility in school operation and 
management. Under this program, grants are made to State 
educational agencies in States that have charter school laws; 
the State educational agencies will in turn make sub-grants to 
authorized public chartering agencies in partnerships with 
developers of charter schools.
    The Committee believes that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for charter schools. It is essential for the 
Department to develop specific, measurable student academic 
achievement indicators for this program. Such data should 
include baseline data on the academic improvements and 
specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as 
a result of proposed funding levels.

Technical assistance for improving ESEA programs: comprehensive 
        regional assistance centers

    The Committee recommends $30,000,000 for comprehensive 
regional assistance centers, $10,000,000 below the budget 
request and $2,946,000 above the fiscal year 1998 amount. This 
program supports the consolidation of 7 former technical 
assistance programs that funded 48 technical assistance centers 
into a program of 15 comprehensive regional technical 
assistance centers for improving ESEA programs. The Committee 
instructs the Department to continue the policy of informing it 
of any directives or funding earmarks that would require the 
Centers to carry out work not directly in response to local or 
State requests for assistance.
    The Department has not identified specific, measurable 
output standards consistent with the requirements of the 
Government Performance and Results Act for the comprehensive 
regional assistance centers. These standards should include an 
assessment of the value of the assistance to those using the 
centers, increases in use by former non-users and the degree to 
which assistance is translated to successful changes in 
classroom activities or other activities directly related to 
the students and their achievements. Such indicators should 
include baseline data and specific, measurable improvements 
that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding 
levels.

Advanced placement test fee program

    The Committee recommendation provides no funding for 
advanced placement fees. This recommendation is $3,000,000 
below both the President's request and the fiscal year 1998 
amount. The advanced placement test fee program awards grants 
to States to enable them to cover part or all of the cost of 
advanced placement test fees of low-income students who are 
enrolled in advanced placement classes and plan to take the 
advanced placement test.
    While the Department has provided information on the number 
of students taking the advanced placement test, it provides no 
information on low-income students. This failure is 
particularly difficult to understand since the purpose of the 
program as stated in the budget justification accompanying the 
President's fiscal year 1999 budget request is to ``* * * to 
award grants to States to enable them to cover part or all of 
the cost of the advanced placement test fees of low-income 
students. * * *'' [Emphasis added]
    The Committee is unwilling to fund this program without a 
better understanding of the impact of the program. How many 
low-income students take the tests now and what is their 
success rate? How many will take the test even if no funding is 
provided and what will be their success rate? How many will 
take the test and what will be their comparable success rate if 
the President's proposed funding level is adopted?

Education opportunity zones

    The Committee recommendation includes no funding for 
education opportunity zones. This recommendation is 
$200,000,000 below the President's request. This initiative has 
not been authorized.

                        AMERICA READS CHALLENGE

    The funding level recommended in the bill is $260,000,000 
below the President's assumed funding level.
    The Committee recommendation includes no additional funding 
for the President's America Reads Challenge. In addition the 
Committee's recommendation recognizes that no authorization was 
enacted by July 1, 1998. As a result, the funds for this 
activity which were appropriated last year have been assumed as 
part of the funding level for Special Education as specified in 
the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and 
Education and Related Agencies Act of 1998 (P.L. 105-78).
    The Committee will not consider funding this initiative 
without an authorization.

                            INDIAN EDUCATION

    The bill includes $66,000,000 for Indian education. This 
amount is the same as the Administration's fiscal year 1999 
request and $6,250,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
appropriation. This account supports programs authorized by 
part A of Title IX of the Elementary and Secondary Education 
Act and section 215 of the Department of Education Organization 
Act. Beginning in fiscal year 1998, Indian education was funded 
under this act and not the Department of Interior and Related 
Agencies Appropriations Act.
    According to the Department of Education, in fiscal year 
1998 the federal government provided $532,700,000 in funds 
specifically earmarked for Indian Education and $846,500,000 in 
support for Indian education that is received by formula (such 
as title I LEA grants). The total funding, therefore, is 
$1,379,000,000. This level represents an increase of 60% over 
the $861,900,000 reported for fiscal year 1997.

Grants to local education agencies

    The bill provides $62,000,000 for grants to local education 
agencies, the same as the budget request and $2,250,000 above 
the fiscal year 1998 amount. This program provides assistance 
through formula grants to school districts and schools 
supported or operated by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The 
purpose of this program is to reform elementary and secondary 
school programs that serve Indian students, including preschool 
children. Grantees must develop a comprehensive plan and assure 
that the programs they carry out will help Indian students 
reach the same challenging standards that apply to all 
students. This program supplements the regular school program 
to help Indian children sharpen their academic skills, bolster 
their self-confidence, and participate in enrichment activities 
that would otherwise be unavailable.
    The Department has not identified specific, measurable 
student achievement standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for Indian 
education grants to local education agencies. The Committee 
believes that it is essential for the Department to develop 
specific, measurable student academic achievement measures for 
this program. Such indicators should include baseline data on 
the academic improvements and specific, measurable improvements 
that are expected to occur as a result of proposed funding 
levels.

Federal administration

    The bill provides $4,000,000 for Federal administration, 
the same as the budget request. Funds provided pay the salaries 
and expenses of the Office of Indian Education and the National 
Advisory Council on Indian Education and support the White 
House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities. The 
Office of Indian Education administers part A of Title IX of 
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The Office seeks to 
ensure that its programs are integrated with other programs for 
maximum benefit for Indian students. The National Advisory 
Council on Indian Education monitors Federal activities 
connected to Indian education and prepares an annual report to 
Congress on findings and recommendations. The Council, 
comprised of Indian and Alaska Natives, serves as a connection 
between the Indian community and the Secretary on Indian 
education affairs. The White House Initiative on Tribal 
Colleges and Universities is a new effort to promote self-
determination among Indians in higher education. Twenty-nine 
tribal colleges and universities across the country serve 
25,000 Indian students.

                   BILINGUAL AND IMMIGRANT EDUCATION

    The bill includes $354,000,000 for bilingual and immigrant 
education programs. This amount is $33,000,000 below the 
Administration's fiscal year 1999 budget request and the same 
as the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This account supports 
programs authorized by parts A, B, and C of title VII of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Bilingual education: instructional services

    The bill provides $160,000,000 for instructional services, 
$8,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal 
year 1998 amount. Instructional Services programs assist local 
educational agencies (LEAs) in implementing programs for 
limited English proficient (LEP) students.
    There are four types of grants, primarily to LEAs, for 
instructional services to limited English proficient students:
          Three-year Program Development and Implementation 
        Grants for school districts to develop and implement 
        new programs for LEP students;
          Two-year Program Enhancement Grants to enhance or 
        expand existing programs for LEP students;
          Five-year Comprehensive School Grants for school-wide 
        programs for LEP students that reform, restructure, and 
        upgrade all relevant programs and operations within an 
        individual school; and
          Five-year Systemwide Improvement Grants for district-
        wide projects for LEP students to improve, reform, and 
        upgrade relevant programs and operations within an 
        entire LEA.
    Funding for projects that primarily instruct in English and 
emphasize the rapid transition to regular classes (``special 
alternative instruction projects''), is limited to 25 percent 
of the appropriation.
    Approximately 670 grants are made annually through this 
discretionary grant program administered by the Secretary.
    In prior years, the Congress has included language in the 
bill indicating that ``* * * the Department of Education should 
only support instructional programs which insure that students 
completely master English in a timely fashion (a period of 
three to five years) while meeting rigorous achievement 
standards in the academic content area.'' The Director of the 
Office of Bilingual Education and Minority Languages Affairs 
provided testimony to the Committee on the effectiveness of 
bilingual programs. She used as an example of the effectiveness 
data from California that ``* * * on average students in well 
implemented bilingual programs are exiting these programs 
within an average of four to five years.'' [Emphasis added] The 
Committee is concerned that these grantees are not achieving 
the rapid transition to English classes and the existing 
language included by the Congress seems to be having little 
effect. The Committee has, therefore, included the following 
additional provisions in its recommendations:
          1. Delete the provision capping at 25% the amount of 
        funding that can be used for programs that mainly 
        provide instruction in English (including immersion 
        type programs). As a result, the Department can, and 
        should, use more funding for these programs that 
        emphasize the rapid transition to English fluency and 
        regular classroom instruction;
          2. Limit any student's participation in a federally 
        funded bilingual education program to two years. Two 
        additional one year extensions are permissible based 
        upon a student-by-student waiver by the Secretary;
          3. Preference for refunding is given to programs that 
        are successful in transitioning students with limited 
        English proficiency into regular classes within two 
        years and which can demonstrate that students that have 
        made the transition are functioning at the same levels 
        of academic achievement as native English speakers.
    The Committee also believes that the Department must focus 
its Government Performance and Results Act indicators on the 
speed of transition to regular classes by limited English 
proficient students and the levels of academic achievement of 
these students while still in bilingual classes and after the 
transition to regular classes. The current objectives 
indicating only that English proficiency and academic 
achievement will ``improve'' are insufficient. The objective 
should be that limited English proficient students move rapidly 
to regular classes and achieve at levels that equal or exceed 
that of English speakers in challenging classes meeting high 
academic standards.
    The Committee also believes that the Department, after 
having administered the bilingual education program for 30 
years, should be able to provide the Committee as part of its 
GPRA submissions baseline data on the time needed for LEP 
students to transition to regular classes and their academic 
achievement after transition.

Bilingual education: support services

    The bill provides $14,000,000 for support services. This 
amount is the same as the budget request and the fiscal year 
1998 amount. This program provides discretionary grants and 
contracts in four specific areas: research and evaluation; 
dissemination of effective instructional models; data 
collection and technical assistance; and a national 
clearinghouse to support the collection, analysis, and 
dissemination of information about programs for limited-English 
proficient students.
    The Committee believes that the Department has not 
identified appropriate specific, measurable standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for bilingual education support services. It is 
essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable 
indicators of the degree to which local education agencies and 
teachers are accessing training and technical assistance 
services, the degree to which these new techniques are 
integrated into school or classroom practices and the degree to 
which the techniques are successful in improving the rapid 
transition to regular classes by limited English proficient 
students and how these techniques have improved the success of 
students that have made the transition to regular classes. Such 
data should include baseline data on the problems and specific, 
measurable improvements are expected to occur as a result of 
proposed funding levels.

Bilingual education: professional development

    The bill provides $25,000,000 for professional development 
services. This amount is $25,000,000 below the President's 
request and the same as the amounts currently available for 
this activity.
    The purpose of Professional Development grants is to 
increase the pool of trained teachers and strengthen the skills 
of teachers providing instruction to limited English proficient 
students. Funds are available to support the training and 
retraining of bilingual education teachers and teacher's aides, 
graduate fellowships related to fields of bilingual education, 
and grants to institutions of higher education to improve 
bilingual teacher training programs.
    The Department has proposed specific, measurable standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for bilingual education professional 
development. These standards relate to the number of teachers 
placed each year and the percentage of teachers trained which 
actually are placed in an instructional setting with LEP 
students. It is essential that the Department also develop 
indicators relating to the graduate program and the impact of 
training graduate students on the expansion of capacity of 
institutions to train bilingual teachers. The Committee also 
believes that the Department should provide better baseline 
data on each of its indicators.

Immigrant education

    The bill includes $150,000,000 for immigrant education, the 
same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1998 level.
    The Immigrant Education program provides Federal assistance 
to local educational agencies (LEAs) that have large numbers of 
recently arrived immigrant students. LEAs then use those funds 
to enhance instruction for immigrant children and youth or for 
the costs of basic instructional services directly attributable 
to the presence of immigrant children. Eligible LEAs are those 
that enroll at least 500 recent immigrant students or where 
those students represent at least 3 percent of the total 
enrollment. Immigrant students may be counted only if they have 
been enrolled in U.S. schools for less than three complete 
academic years.
    The Department makes grants to State educational agencies, 
which then make subgrants to eligible LEAs within the State. A 
1991 GAO study found that most LEAs use their Immigrant 
Education funds to provide special instruction to limited 
English proficient students.
    The Department has included measures required under the 
Government Performance and Results Act relating to the amount 
of immigrant education funds going directly to the classroom. 
However, in this program, as in most others, the Committee 
feels that indicators of academic achievement must be 
developed. Baselines and annual reporting systems need to be 
developed and projections of improvements in various program 
indicators as a result of proposed funding levels need to be 
included in the President's budget.

Foreign language assistance

    The bill provides $5,000,000 for the foreign language 
assistance program, the same as both the request and fiscal 
year 1998 amount. This program provides competitive grants to 
State educational agencies (SEAs) and local educational 
agencies (LEAs) to increase the quantity and improve the 
quality of instruction in foreign languages deemed critical to 
the economic and security interests of the United States. Under 
this program, 3-year grants are awarded to SEAs to promote 
systemic improvement of foreign language instruction and to 
LEAs to support model programs of instruction that exhibit the 
capability for continuing beyond the 3-year grant period. LEA 
grants may include a professional development component. At 
least three-quarters of the appropriation must be used for the 
expansion of foreign language education in the elementary 
grades.
    The Department has included measures required under the 
Government Performance and Results Act relating to the 
improvement in foreign language fluency and the continuation of 
foreign language in the curriculum after the period of federal 
funding ceases. However, in addition to the identification of 
goals, baselines, and annual reporting systems need to be 
developed and projections of improvements in various program 
indicators as a result of proposed funding levels need to be 
included in the President's budget.

                           SPECIAL EDUCATION

    The bill includes $5,104,146,000 for programs for children 
with disabilities authorized under the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act. This funding level is $258,500,000 
above the Administration's fiscal year 1999 budget request and 
$293,500,000 above the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. With the 
inclusion of $210,000,000 which was transferred to special 
education in the Departments of Labor, Health and Human 
Services and Education and Related Agencies Act of 1998 (P.L. 
105-78), total funding for special education available in 
fiscal year 1999 is $5,314,146,000. State grant funding, as a 
result of these provisions, has increased by almost $2 billion 
since fiscal year 1995.
    The Committee continues to express its concern by the 
implications of findings by the General Accounting Office which 
indicated that, for grant programs generally, as much as 74 
cents of each increased Federal dollar substitutes for local 
dollars, rather than supplements them. It therefore continues 
its request for information on:
          1. Total Federal funds being used by SEAs and LEAs to 
        fund the education of children with disabilities;
          2. The amount of fiscal year 1997 increased funding 
        that was offset through States and local districts 
        reducing planned increases in special education 
        funding; and
          3. The expected offset of funding now that the 
        amounts appropriated for State grants exceed $4.1 
        billion.
    While the Committee agrees with the Department that it is 
important to develop broad objectives for program improvement 
in Special Education, it also believes that the Department must 
develop individual programmatic indicators for the programs 
within the Special Education account.

State Grants: State grants for special education

    The bill provides $4,100,700,000 for grants to States, 
which is $290,000,000 above the budget request and $299,700,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 level. The Committee recommendation 
also reflects the provisions in the fiscal year 1998 bill 
transferring $210,000,000 to this account since the President's 
literacy initiative was not authorized by July 1, 1998. As a 
result, a total of $4,310,700,000 is available for State grants 
for special education in fiscal year 1999. This program 
provides formula grants to assist the States in meeting the 
excess costs of providing special education and related 
services to children with disabilities. In order to be eligible 
for funds, States must make free appropriate public education 
available to all children with disabilities. Funds are 
currently distributed based on the number of children with 
disabilities to whom the States provide a free appropriate 
education.
    Under Section 613 of the Individuals With Disabilities 
Education Act Amendments of 1997 (P.L. 105-17), when funding 
for State grants reaches $4,100,000,000, the local education 
agency maintenance of effort requirements are reduced by 20% of 
the increase over the prior year.
    This activity also includes a new program, Studies and 
Evaluations (Part D, Subpart 2, Chapter 1, section 674) which 
supports studies and evaluations to assess progress in 
implementing IDEA, including a national assessment to determine 
the effectiveness of the Act in achieving its purposes and to 
provide information on how to improve the Act and its 
implementation.
    The Committee believes that the Department must continue to 
focus on specific, measurable standards of academic achievement 
and postsecondary attendance or employment consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
special education State grants. While the Committee understands 
that data on academic achievement, postsecondary attendance and 
employment of individuals with disabilities is not readily 
available, the Department must continue to develop such data 
and should include measurable improvements that are expected to 
occur as a result of proposed funding levels.
    The bill includes language amending the Individuals with 
Disabilities Education Act to give local education agencies 
flexibility to move a child with disabilities to an alternative 
educational setting in situations where that child exhibits 
violent behavior. The behavior covered by this provision is 
limited to that which occurs at school or a school function. 
The forty-five day limit does not apply to Sections 
615(k)(1)(A)(ii)(I), 615(k)(1)(A)(ii)(II), and 
615(k)(1)(A)(ii)(III). An example of a situation covered would 
be where a child with a disability strikes, with the intent to 
harm, his or her teacher. The provision is not intended to 
cover situations such as where a child with epilepsy strikes 
his or her teacher while experiencing a seizure.

State grants: Preschool grants

    The bill provides $373,985,000 for preschool grants, the 
same as both the budget request and the fiscal year 1998 level. 
This program provides grants to States on the basis of their 
proportionate share of the total number of children in the 3 
through 5 age range. These funds are provided in order to 
assist States to make a free appropriate education available to 
all children with disabilities in the 3 through 5 age range.
    The Committee believes that while the Department has 
proposed several worthwhile indicators of programmatic success, 
it must develop specific, measurable standards of academic 
achievement consistent with the requirements of the Government 
Performance and Results Act for special education preschool 
grants. While the Committee understands that data on academic 
achievement, for children with disabilities is not readily 
available, the Department must continue to develop such data 
and should include measurable improvements that are expected to 
occur as a result of proposed funding levels.

State Grants: Grants for infants and families

    The bill provides $350,000,000 for grants for infants and 
families, $20,000,000 below the budget request and the same as 
the fiscal year 1998 level. This formula grant assists States 
in developing and implementing statewide systems of 
coordinated, comprehensive, multidisciplinary, interagency 
programs to make available early intervention services to all 
children with disabilities, aged birth through 2, and their 
families.
    The Committee also is pleased that the Department has 
proposed several worthwhile indicators of programmatic success 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for special education grants for infants and 
families. It is particularly pleased with the data provided for 
the identification of children and families qualifying for 
services. Similar data should be provided for other indicators 
proposed by the Department and the Department must, in future 
years, provide measurable improvements that are expected to 
occur as a result of proposed funding levels.

IDEA National Program: State improvement

    The bill includes $35,200,000 for State improvement, which 
is $10,000,000 below the budget request and the same as the 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This program supports 
competitive grants to State educational agencies to assist 
them, in partnership with parents, teachers, institutions of 
higher education, interest groups, and others, to improve 
results for children with disabilities by reforming and 
improving their educational, early intervention, and 
transitional service systems. Among these systems are those for 
professional development, technical assistance, and 
dissemination of knowledge about best practices. Awards are 
based on State improvement plans developed by the States.
    The Committee believes that the Department has not 
identified appropriate specific, measurable standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for special education national programs-state 
improvement grants. The Committee believes that it is essential 
for the Department to develop specific, measurable indicators 
of the degree to which local education agencies and teachers 
are accessing training and technical assistance services, the 
degree to which these new techniques are integrated into school 
or classroom practices and the degree to which the techniques 
are successful in improving the academic achievement and 
successful transition to postsecondary education and 
employment. Such data should include baseline data and 
specific, measurable improvements that are expected to occur as 
a result of proposed funding levels.

IDEA National Program: Research and innovation

    The bill includes $64,508,000 for research and innovation, 
which is the same as both the budget request and the fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation. This program supports competitive 
awards to produce and advance the use of knowledge to improve 
services and results for children with disabilities. The 
program focuses on producing new knowledge, integrating 
research and practice and improving the use of knowledge.
    The Committee also believes that the Department has not 
identified appropriate specific, measurable standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for special education national programs-
research and innovation. The Department must develop specific, 
measurable indicators which measure the utility of the research 
and demonstration programs supported within this account. 
Measures should relate to the degree to which research and 
demonstration programs are translated into change and 
improvement in programs serving individuals with disabilities. 
Such data should include baseline data and measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed 
funding levels.
    The Committee earmarked funding for the first year of the 
National Easter Seal sponsored program ``Early Childhood 
Development Project for the Mississippi Delta Region'' in the 
1998 Supplemental Appropriations and Rescissions Act (P.L. 105-
174). The Committee expects the Secretary to develop and 
implement a plan for the multi-year funding for this project 
prior to the completion of the Conference Report on the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services and Education 
and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 1999.

IDEA National Program: Technical assistance and dissemination

    The bill includes $44,556,000 for technical assistance and 
dissemination. This funding level is the same as the budget 
request and the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This program 
provides technical assistance and information through 
competitive awards that support institutes, regional resource 
centers, clearinghouses, and efforts to build State and local 
capacity to make systemic changes and improve results for 
children with disabilities.
    The Committee is also concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable output standards consistent 
with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results 
Act for the IDEA national programs-technical assistance and 
dissemination. These standards should include an assessment of 
the value of the assistance and information, increases in use 
by former non-users and the degree to which assistance and 
information is translated to successful changes in classroom 
activities or other activities directly related to the students 
and their achievements. Such indicators should include baseline 
data and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to 
occur as a result of proposed increased funding.

IDEA National Program: Personnel preparation

    The bill includes $82,139,000 for personnel preparation, 
which is the same as level as the budget request and the fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation. This program supports competitive 
awards to help address State-identified needs for qualified 
personnel to work with children with disabilities, and to 
ensure that those personnel have the skills and knowledge they 
need to serve those children. Awards focus on addressing the 
need for personnel to serve low incidence populations and high 
incidence populations, leadership personnel, and projects of 
national significance.
    Given the persistent shortage of qualified teachers for 
individuals with disabilities, the Committee is particularly 
concerned that the Department has not identified specific, 
measurable standards consistent with the requirements of the 
Government Performance and Results Act for IDEA national 
programs-professional development. The Committee believes that 
it is essential for the Department to develop specific, 
measurable indicators of how this program, along with other 
professional development funding within Special Education, is 
improving the quality and number of teachers for individuals 
with disabilities. Such data should include information on the 
increase in the preparation of teachers, the numbers of 
teachers and percentage of teachers trained who actually teach 
disabled children. Information on how the program is increasing 
the ability of institutions of higher education to assure that 
increasing numbers of teachers are entering the field is also 
critical. Baseline data on these indicators and specific, 
measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of 
proposed funding levels should be included in the future.
    The Committee urges the Department of Education to take a 
balanced approach toward allocating funds for Professional 
Preparation, specifically between high incidence and low 
incidence disabilities.

IDEA National Program: Parent information centers

    The bill includes $18,535,000 for parent information 
centers which, is $2,000,000 below the budget request and the 
same as the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This program makes 
awards to parent organizations to support parent training and 
information centers, including community parent resource 
centers. These centers provide training and information to meet 
the needs of parents of children with disabilities living in 
the areas served by the centers, particularly underserved 
parents and parents of children who may be inappropriately 
identified. Technical assistance is also provided under this 
program for developing, assisting and coordinating centers 
receiving assistance under this program.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable output standards consistent 
with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results 
Act for the IDEA national programs-parent assistance centers. 
These standards should include an assessment of the value of 
the assistance, information and training and increases in use 
by former non-users. Such indicators should include baseline 
data and specific, measurable improvements that are expected to 
occur as a result of proposed funding levels.

IDEA National Program: Technology and media services

    The bill includes $33,023,000 for technology and media 
services, which is an increase of $500,000 over the budget 
request and the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This program 
makes competitive awards to support the development, 
demonstration, and use of technology and educational media 
activities of educational value to children with disabilities.
    The bill includes $6,500,000 for Recordings for the Blind 
and Dyslexic, an increase of $500,000 over both the amounts 
requested by the President and the fiscal year 1998 amount. The 
fiscal year 1999 amount is to be awarded in a single grant to 
continue and expand activities of RFB&D approved in fiscal year 
1998. These activities include production and circulation of 
recorded textbooks, increased outreach activities to print 
disabled students and their teachers, and accelerated use of 
digital technology for RFB&D products and services. This 
investment will allow the organization to continue efforts to 
expand the number of students served and to provide materials 
based on the latest ``user friendly'' technologies.

            REHABILITATION SERVICES AND DISABILITY RESEARCH

    The bill includes $2,646,640,000 for rehabilitation 
services and disability research. This amount is $1,374,000 
more than the Administration's fiscal year 1999 budget request 
and $55,445,000 above the fiscal year 1998 appropriation. The 
programs in this account are authorized by the Rehabilitation 
Act of 1973, the Helen Keller National Center Act, and the 
Technology-Related Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities 
Act of 1988. All funding for programs under this account are 
mandatory, except for assistive technology.

Vocational rehabilitation grants to States

    For vocational rehabilitation State grants, the bill 
includes $2,304,411,000, $57,523,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
amount and the same as the budget request. This program 
supports basic vocational rehabilitation services through 
formula grants to the States. These grants support a wide range 
of services designed to help persons with physical and mental 
disabilities prepare for and engage in gainful employment to 
the extent of their capabilities. Emphasis is placed on 
providing vocational rehabilitation services to persons with 
the most severe disabilities.
    The Committee is concerned that, while the Department seems 
to have a great deal of information on the employment and other 
outcomes of individuals with disabilities, it has not included 
specific programmatic indicators in the budget justification 
submitted with the President's budget. These indicators should 
focus primarily on employment and earnings and include both 
baseline data and expected improvements as a result of funding 
increases. Other indicators involving consumer satisfaction and 
programmatic quality, as set forth by the Department, are also 
important.

Client assistance

    The bill includes $10,928,000 for the client assistance 
program, $214,000 above the fiscal year 1998 amount and the 
same as the budget request. A client assistance program is 
required in each State as a condition of receipt of a basic 
State grant. State formula grants are used to help persons with 
disabilities overcome problems with the service delivery system 
and improve their understanding of services available to them 
under the Rehabilitation Act.
    The Committee understands that there is little data on the 
performance of this program and appreciates the need to develop 
evaluations and data gathering instruments for it. 
Nevertheless, specific indicators for this program are 
essential. They should focus on the success in providing 
information and the success in assisting clients in 
understanding their rights.

Training

    For training personnel to provide rehabilitation services 
to persons with disabilities, the bill includes $33,685,000, 
the same as budget request and $5,944,000 below fiscal year 
1998 amount. The program supports long-term and short-term 
training, in-service personnel training, and training of 
interpreters for deaf persons. Projects in a broad array of 
disciplines are funded to ensure that skilled personnel are 
available to serve the vocational needs of persons with 
disabilities.
    The Committee believes that the Department must continue to 
develop information on the efficacy of the training programs 
funded under this account. Indicators should include the number 
of scholars supported and the number of these scholars who go 
into the direct service to individuals with disabilities or who 
are training additional service providers. It is also important 
to provide information on the degree to which skill training to 
upgrade existing providers of service is, in fact, assisting in 
providing better, more up-to-date service to the disabled.

Special demonstration programs

    The bill combines the special demonstration program with 
the supported employment demonstration program and includes 
$18,942,000 for the consolidated program, $3,000,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 level and the same as the budget request. 
These programs authorize discretionary awards on a competitive 
basis to public and private organizations to support 
demonstrations, direct services, and related activities for 
persons with severe disabilities.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable output standards consistent 
with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results 
Act for the special demonstration programs. These standards 
should include an assessment of the value of the assistance by 
those accessing the information and the degree to which 
successful techniques demonstrated in programs funded within 
this account are integrated into broader programs. Such 
indicators should include baseline data and specific, 
measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result 
of proposed increased funding.

Migratory workers

    For programs serving migratory workers, the bill provides 
$2,350,000, which is the same as both the fiscal year 1998 
amount and the budget request. This program provides 
discretionary grants to make comprehensive vocational 
rehabilitation services available to migrant or seasonal 
farmworkers with vocational disabilities. Projects emphasize 
outreach activities, specialized bilingual rehabilitation 
counseling, and coordination of vocational rehabilitation 
services with services from other sources.
    The Committee concurs with the Department's emphasis on the 
accessibility of disability services for qualified individuals 
with disabilities and their employment and income after 
receiving vocational rehabilitation services. The Department 
should move as expeditiously as possible to developing baseline 
data and annual reporting systems. Each year's annual budget 
justification should include the expected improvements that 
will occur as a result of proposed funding levels.

Recreational programs

    For recreational programs, the bill provides $2,596,000, 
the same as both the fiscal year 1998 amount and the budget 
request. This program provides individuals with recreation and 
related activities to aid in their employment, mobility, 
independence, socialization, and community integration. 
Discretionary grants are made on a competitive basis to States, 
public agencies, and nonprofit private organizations, including 
institutions of higher education.
    The Committee believes that the performance indicators 
relating to the continuation of programs after the period of 
federal funding ceases are particularly important. However, as 
the Department has indicated in its budget justification, the 
program is also supposed to improve the employability of 
individuals with disability. Programmatic indicators relating 
to this objective should be developed and in all cases, 
baseline data, and annual reporting systems should be developed 
and specific information on the improvement in outcomes 
expected as a result of requested funding levels should be 
included in the Department's budget justification.

Protection and advocacy of individual rights

    For protection and advocacy for persons with severe 
disabilities, the bill provides $10,894,000, which is 
$1,000,000 above both the fiscal year 1998 amount and the 
budget request. Grants are awarded to entities that have the 
authority to pursue legal, administrative, and other 
appropriate remedies needed to protect and advocate the rights 
of persons with severe disabilities.
    The Committee believes that the Department should develop 
additional specific indicators of the effectiveness of this 
program as contemplated in the Government Performance and 
Results Act. Data with respect to information provided and case 
processing should be available quickly. Other measures of the 
value of the information provided should also be included.

Projects with industry

    For projects with industry, the bill provides $22,071,000, 
the same as both the fiscal year 1998 amount and the budget 
request. This program is the primary Federal vehicle for 
promoting greater participation of business and industry in the 
rehabilitation process. The program provides training and 
experience in realistic work settings to persons with 
disabilities to prepare them for employment in the competitive 
labor market. Awards are made to a variety of agencies and 
organizations, including business and industrial corporations, 
rehabilitation facilities, labor organizations, trade 
associations, and foundations.
    The Committee is pleased that the Department has developed 
performance indicators that focus specifically on employment, 
wages and job retention for participants of projects with 
industry. The Department should continue to develop baseline 
data and systems to provide annual data on the progress of the 
program in meeting its performance goals. Information should 
also be provided on how funding levels proposed will increase 
performance.

Supported employment State grants

    For supported employment State grants, the bill includes 
$38,152,000, which is the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount 
and the budget request. These formula grants assist States in 
developing collaborative programs with public agencies and 
nonprofit agencies for training and post-employment services 
leading to supported employment. In supported employment 
programs, persons with severe disabilities are given special 
supervision and assistance to enable them to perform a job.
    In its budget justification, which accompanied the fiscal 
year 1999 budget request, the Department indicated that:

          The major premise of the SE program is that 
        individuals with the most severe disabilities who would 
        otherwise be unemployed or employed in segregated 
        settings (e.g., sheltered workshops) can work in the 
        community in integrated settings as long as they 
        receive adequate on-going support. However, the 
        Department does not have data to evaluate the long-term 
        success of the Supported Employment program. 
        Specifically, we do not know whether individuals 
        continue to receive needed supports (extended services) 
        over time and whether, as a result of these supports, 
        these individuals maintain employment. [Emphasis added]

    The Committee believes that the Department should continue 
to pursue data collection with respect to the program's focus 
on the most severely disabled individuals and their employment 
and income achievements. In addition, the Department must begin 
to rectify the lack of information it has identified and 
provide the Committee with baseline data, develop systems to 
provide annual data on progress toward program objectives and 
submit information on improvement in performance to be expected 
as a result of proposed funding levels.

Independent living: State grants

    For State grants for independent living, the bill includes 
$22,296,000. This amount is $437,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
amount and is the same as the budget request. This program 
supports formula grants to the States to provide services 
designed to meet the current and future needs of persons whose 
disabilities are so severe that they do not presently have the 
potential for employment, but who may benefit from services to 
enable them to live and function independently.

Independent living: centers

    For centers for independent living, the bill provides 
$46,109,000, which is $904,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
amount, and the same as the budget request. Discretionary 
grants support a network of consumer-controlled, 
nonresidential, community-based private nonprofit centers that 
provide a wide range of services to help persons with severe 
disabilities live more independently in family and community 
settings. Centers provide information and referral services, 
independent living skills training, peer counseling, and 
individual and systems advocacy. Discretionary grants are made 
to State vocational rehabilitation agencies or other public 
agencies or private nonprofit organizations.

Independent living: services for older blind persons

    For independent living services for older blind 
individuals, the bill provides $11,169,000. This amount is 
$219,000 above the fiscal year 1998 amount and the same as the 
budget request. Discretionary grants support services for 
persons 55 years old or over whose severe visual impairment 
makes gainful employment extremely difficult to obtain, but for 
whom independent living goals are feasible.
    The Department has provided a consolidated set of 
objectives for these three independent living programs. The 
Committee is supportive of these objectives in that they focus 
on the quality of life of individuals with severe disabilities. 
The Department should focus increased attention on providing 
indicators of these quality of life issues. For both these 
quality of life measures as well as the access and program 
quality objectives set forth by the Department, the Committee 
expects baseline information and systems for the annual 
collection of data to be developed. The annual budget 
justification should include information on the improvements in 
programmatic indicators to be expected as a result of proposed 
funding levels.

Program improvement

    For program improvement activities, the bill provides 
$1,900,000, which is $1,000,000 below the fiscal year 1998 
level and the same as the budget request. The program: (1) 
provides technical assistance and consultative services to 
public and non-profit private agencies and organizations; (2) 
provides short-term training and technical instruction; (3) 
conducts special demonstrations; (4) collects, prepares, 
publishes and disseminates educational or informational 
materials, and; (5) carries out monitoring and conducts 
evaluations.
    The Committee believes that the Department must identify 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for program 
improvement. Unfortunately, none were included in the budget 
justification accompanying the President's fiscal year 1999 
budget request. The Committee believes that it is essential 
that standards be developed relating to the degree to which 
practices identified and technical assistance provided by the 
program are actually adopted and prove successful in improving 
the employment status, income and quality of life of 
individuals with disabilities. Such data should include 
baseline indicators on the adoption of new practices and 
techniques and specific, measurable changes that are expected 
to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.

Evaluation

    The bill includes $1,587,000 for program evaluation, the 
same as the fiscal year 1998 amount and the budget request. 
These funds are used to evaluate the impact and effectiveness 
of individual programs authorized under the Rehabilitation Act. 
Contracts are awarded on an annual basis for studies to be 
conducted by persons not immediately involved in the 
administration of the programs authorized by the Act.

Helen Keller National Center

    For the Helen Keller National Center for Deaf-Blind Youth 
and Adults, the bill includes $8,550,000, which is $1,001,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 amount and the $374,000 above the 
budget request. These funds are used for the operation of the 
national center for intensive services for deaf-blind 
individuals and their families at Sands Point, New York and a 
network of 10 regional offices for referral and counseling. In 
addition to support for the national and regional staff, the 
Helen Keller Center provides seed money to State and private 
nonprofit affiliate agencies to assist them in initiating 
programs for deaf-blind persons.
    The Department has provided the Committee with several 
objectives for this program consistent with the requirements of 
the Government Performance and Results Act. They relate to 
developing self-sufficiency, enabling family members to provide 
and obtain services and system improvement. While there is 
substantial information on accomplishments, there is little 
information yet on projected improvements as a result of 
funding proposed in the request. The Department should provide 
this information, along with baseline data, in future 
submissions.

National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

    The bill includes $81,000,000 for the National Institute on 
Disability and Rehabilitation Research, $4,200,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 amount and the same as the budget request. The 
Institute supports research, demonstration and training 
activities that are designed to maximize the employment and 
integration into society of individuals with disabilities of 
all ages.
    The Committee believes that the Department has put forward 
goals that focus on the utility of the research and 
effectiveness of information dissemination. These goals must be 
expressed in numerical form and have baselines established. The 
Department should also include specific improvements to be 
achieved within the funding requested.
    The Committee believes that the NIDRR should focus 
increased attention on the research on post polio syndrome 
including improved symptom assessment and identification of 
rehabilitation alternatives. The Institute should also focus on 
the application of this research to other muscular disorders.

Assistive technology

    For assistive technology activities, the bill provides 
$30,000,000, the same as the budget request and $6,109,000 
below the fiscal year 1998 amount. Technology assistance 
activities are authorized under the Technology-Related 
Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act of 1988, which 
was reauthorized in 1994. This program provides discretionary 
grants to the States to assist them in developing statewide 
programs to facilitate the provision of devices for, and 
services to, persons with disabilities.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
assistive technology. The Committee believes that it is 
essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable 
standards for the use of the services provided by grantees. 
There should also be specific measurements as to how these new 
or innovative techniques have contributed to improved academic 
achievement, employment, earnings, or lifestyles. Such data 
should include baseline data and specific, measurable changes 
that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased 
funding.

           Special Institutions for Persons With Disabilities

                 AMERICAN PRINTING HOUSE FOR THE BLIND

    The bill provides $8,661,000 for the American Printing 
House for the Blind, an increase of $475,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $405,000 above 
the President's request. This appropriation subsidizes the 
production of educational materials for legally blind persons 
enrolled in pre-college programs. The Printing House, which is 
chartered by the State of Kentucky, manufactures and maintains 
an inventory of special materials that is distributed free of 
charge to schools and States based on the number of blind 
students in each State. The Printing House also conducts 
research and field activities to inform educators about the 
availability of materials and how to use them.

               NATIONAL TECHNICAL INSTITUTE FOR THE DEAF

    The bill provides $44,791,000 for the National Technical 
Institute for the Deaf (NTID), an increase of $650,000 above 
the comparable fiscal year 1998 amount and the same as the 
request. The bill allows the NTID to transfer a portion of its 
appropriation to the endowment at its discretion. The Committee 
directs the NTID to report to it within 15 days of executing 
such a transfer.
    The Committee continues to emphasize the importance of 
student retention and improving the institutional graduation 
rate and directs the NTID to report in its fiscal year 2000 
budget justification on progress in these areas.
    The NTID was established by Congress in 1965 to provide a 
residential facility for postsecondary technical training and 
education for deaf persons with the purpose of promoting the 
employment of deaf individuals. The Institute also conducts 
applied research and provides training in various aspects of 
deafness. The Secretary of Education administers these 
activities through a contract with the Rochester Institute of 
Technology in Rochester, New York.

                          GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY

    The bill provides $83,480,000 for Gallaudet University, an 
increase of $2,480,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and the same as the budget request. The bill 
includes a provision that allows Gallaudet to transfer a 
portion of its appropriation to the endowment at its 
discretion. The Committee directs Gallaudet to report to it 
within 15 days of executing such a transfer.
    Gallaudet is a private, non-profit educational institution 
Federally-chartered in 1864 providing elementary, secondary, 
college preparatory, undergraduate, and continuing education 
for deaf persons. In addition, the University offers graduate 
programs in fields related to deafness for deaf and hearing 
students, conducts various deafness research, and provides 
public service programs for deaf persons.

                     VOCATIONAL AND ADULT EDUCATION

    The bill includes $1,532,247,000 for vocational and adult 
education programs. This amount is $24,549,000 above the fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and $11,900,000 below the 1999 budget 
request. This appropriation account includes vocational 
education programs authorized by the Carl D. Perkins Vocational 
and Applied Technology Education Act and adult education 
programs authorized by the Adult Education Act.

Vocational education basic grants

    This bill includes $1,030,650,000 for basic grants to 
States under the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 
Technology Education Act, which is a $3,100,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 amount and the same as the budget request. 
State grants support a variety of vocational education programs 
developed in accordance with the State plan. The Act 
concentrates federal resources on institutions with high 
concentrations of low-income students. The populations assisted 
by Basic Grants range from secondary students in pre-vocational 
courses to adults who need retraining to adapt to changing 
technological and labor markets.
    The Committee believes that the Department must go beyond 
the baseline data it has provided with this year's budget and 
provide annual data on progress in meeting program indicators. 
The Committee is particularly concerned that the Department has 
not identified, nor begun collection of data on, the academic 
achievement or the success in achieving employment gains as a 
result of vocational education. Such data should include 
baseline data on the academic improvements and transfer of 
programmatic innovations and specific, measurable changes that 
are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased 
funding.

Tech-prep

    The bill includes $106,000,000 for tech-prep, which is 
$3,000,000 over fiscal year 1998 and the same as the budget 
request. This appropriation includes activities under title 
III, part E of the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied 
Technology Education Act. The tech-prep education program 
provides planning and demonstration grants to consortia of 
local educational agencies and postsecondary institutions to 
develop and operate model technical education programs. These 
programs begin in high school and provide students with the 
mathematical, science, communications and technological skills 
needed to enter a 2-year associate degree or 2-year certificate 
program in a given occupational field, and to make a successful 
transition into further postsecondary education or begin their 
careers. The purpose of tech-prep is to develop structural 
links between secondary and postsecondary institutions that 
integrate academic and vocational education and better prepares 
students to make the transition from school to careers.
    While the Department has developed objectives for tech 
prep, the Committee believes that they must go beyond these 
objectives to develop the baseline data and annual data on 
progress in meeting program indicators.

Tribally controlled postsecondary vocational institutions

    The bill includes $4,100,000 for grants for tribally 
controlled postsecondary vocational institutions, $4,100,000 
above the budget request and $1,000,000 over the fiscal year 
1998 amount. This program provides grants for the operation and 
improvement of training programs to ensure continuation and 
expansion of vocational training opportunities for Indian 
youth.
    The Committee has funded this account in spite of the 
Administration's proposal to fund tribally controlled 
postsecondary vocational institutions under the basic grant 
Indian set-aside as described in their proposed 
reauthorization.
    The Committee is concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable student achievement standards, 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act, for the tribally controlled postsecondary 
vocational institutions. The Committee believes that such 
standards should include specific, measurable student academic 
achievement indicators as well as measures of success in the 
job market for graduates of these institutions. Such data 
should include baseline data as well as measurable improvements 
that are expected to occur as a result of proposed increased 
funding.

National programs

    For national research programs, the Committee provides 
$13,497,000, which is the same as both the 1998 amount and the 
President's fiscal year 1999 request. This authority supports 
the conduct and dissemination of research in vocational 
education, and includes support for the National Center for 
Research in Vocational Education, six regional curriculum 
coordination centers, and other discretionary research.
    The Department has not identified specific, measurable 
indicators of the effectiveness or utility of research 
conducted under the authorities of the national programs 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act. Such data should include baseline data on the 
degree to which research produced under this account is 
translated into educational practices in the classroom and the 
improvements in achievement resulting from the adoption of 
these practices. It should also include specific, measurable 
improvements that are expected to occur as a result of proposed 
funding levels.

State programs for adult education

    For State programs authorized by the Adult Education Act, 
the Committee recommends $365,000,000, which is $19,661,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 amount, and $4,000,000 above the 
budget request. State formula grants support programs to enable 
all adults to acquire basic literacy skills, to enable those 
who so desire to complete a secondary education, and to make 
available to adults the means to become more employable, 
productive, and responsible citizens.
    Adult education grants to the States and Outlying Areas 
support programs that assist educationally disadvantaged adults 
in developing basic skills, including literacy, achieving 
certification of high school equivalency, and learning English. 
In distributing funds, States must give equitable access to all 
types of agencies and institutions that have the ability to 
provide adult education programs. In addition, the States are 
required to provide 2-year ``Gateway Grants'' to public housing 
authorities for literacy programs, and to develop a system of 
indicators to determine program quality and improve the 
accuracy of evaluations.
    No more than 20 percent of a State's allotment may be used 
for high school equivalency programs. In addition, a State must 
use at least 10 percent of its funds to educate incarcerated 
and other institutionalized individuals and set aside at least 
15 percent for experimental demonstrations and teacher training 
projects. Of the funds provided by the State agency to the 
eligible institutions, at least 95 percent must be used for 
instructional activities. In addition, the Secretary may 
reserve up to $3 million from State Grants for National 
Programs if the overall appropriation exceeds $108 million.
    The Committee is very pleased with indicators of 
effectiveness, baseline data and goals to be achieved set forth 
by the Department pursuant to the Government Performance and 
Results Act for adult education State grants.

National Programs--Evaluations and technical assistance

    The Committee provides $7,000,000 for the proposed national 
programs--evaluations and technical assistance. This amount is 
$2,002,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 1998 and 
$20,000,000 below the President's request.
    Through applied research, development, dissemination, 
evaluation, and program improvement activities, this program 
assists State efforts to improve the quality of adult 
education. The funds support such projects as evaluations on 
the status and effectiveness of adult education programs, 
national and international adult literacy surveys, and 
technical assistance on using technology to improve instruction 
and administration that show promise of contributing to the 
improvement and expansion of adult education.
    The Committee has provided no funding for the President's 
initiative to support separate programs to demonstrate 
effective English as a second language programs.'' In his 
request, he indicates that ``* * * the Department would fund 
between 10 and 15 ESL programs that demonstrate at least some 
of the elements that anecdotal evidence tells us are common to 
successful ESL programs.'' The National Evaluation of Adult 
Education Programs found that ESL accounts for 51% of the 
adults receiving services and 76% of the hours of instruction 
received. More important for the consideration of this request, 
the National Evaluation found that the greatest benefits--i.e. 
the program was most effective--in English Language.
    In the fiscal year 1998 budget justification, the 
Department indicated that it was engaged in ``two large-scale 
``what works'' studies on low-level adult basic education and 
programs for low-literate English as a second language 
students. Begun with fiscal year 1994 funds, these multi-year 
studies have three objectives: (1) identification of promising 
models through a review of the research literature; (2) 
assessment, through case studies, of the feasibility of wide 
implementation of those models; and (3) evaluation of the 
effectiveness of the models to set benchmarks for performance 
measures.'' [Emphasis added]
    The Committee believes that funding provided through the 
basic national programs account and through the national 
education research institutes should be allocated to support 
these demonstration programs if the Secretary feels that they 
are of high enough priority.

National Institute for Literacy

    For the National Institute for Literacy, the bill provides 
$6,000,000, which is $509,000 above the fiscal year 1998 amount 
and the same as the budget request. The Institute supports 
research and development projects, tracks progress made toward 
national literacy goals, supports research fellowships, 
disseminates information through a national clearinghouse, and 
coordinates literacy information data from national and State 
sources.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable programmatic indicators 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for the National Institute for Literacy. The 
Committee believes that it is essential for the Department to 
develop specific, measurable standards relating to the utility 
of information and technical assistance provided and the degree 
to which such information and assistance has improved the 
teaching of literacy. Such data should include baseline data on 
the transfer of programmatic innovations and specific, 
measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of 
proposed increased funding.

Literacy programs for prisoners

    The Committee recommends no funding for literacy programs 
for prisoners which is the same as the budget request and 
$4,723,000 below the fiscal year 1998 amount.

                      STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

    The bill provides $9,672,654,000 for student financial 
assistance programs, an increase of $693,720,000 over the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $469,654,000 
above the President's budget request. The Committee considers 
student financial assistance to be among the highest priorities 
within its jurisdiction. These programs are not authorized in 
law for the fiscal year 1999.
    The Committee urges the Department to expand its outreach 
activities to inform the general public regarding the cost of 
college and the many Federal loans and awards available to 
students, especially low-income and first-generation students.

Pell grants

    The bill raises the maximum Pell Grant to $3,150, an 
increase of $50 over the President's request and $150 over the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount, providing the highest 
maximum grant ever awarded. This raise in the maximum grant 
will increase the number of students who qualify for Pell 
Grants to 3,915,000.
    The bill provides $8,178,654,000 in new budget authority 
for the Pell Grant program, an increase of $584,654,000 above 
the President's request and $833,720,000 above the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 amount. The Committee considers this program 
to be among the highest priorities under its jurisdiction and 
has limited funds for other lower priority programs elsewhere 
in the bill in order to increase the maximum Pell grant. Pell 
Grants provide portable education vouchers to postsecondary 
students who may use them at any of over 6,000 eligible 
schools.
    The bill includes a provision from the fiscal year 1998 
Appropriations Act establishing income protection allowances 
for students.
    The bill includes a provision enacted in each of the last 
four annual Appropriations Acts requiring the Department to 
adjust grant awards at the time of publication of the payment 
schedule for award year 1999-2000 if the estimates of the 
budget authority necessary to support a $3,150 maximum grant 
have increased substantially.
    The bill does not include provisions proposed by the 
President to limit the time period during which students may 
receive Pell Grants and to terminate certain schools 
participating in the Pell Grant program. The Committee has 
taken this decision without prejudice and believes that these 
matters are properly within the jurisdiction of the authorizing 
committees of Congress.

Supplemental education opportunity grants

    The bill provides $614,000,000 for supplemental educational 
opportunity grants (SEOGs), the same as the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and $5,000,000 below the request. The 
SEOG program provides grants through postsecondary institutions 
to qualified students who demonstrate exceptional financial 
need. Institutions have broad flexibility within the 
eligibility criteria for awarding these grants with the 
exception that priority must be given to Pell Grant recipients.

Work-study

    The bill provides $850,000,000 for the work-study program, 
an increase of $20,000,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and $50,000,000 below the budget request. The 
Committee considers this program to be among the highest 
priorities under its jurisdiction and has limited funds for 
lower priority programs elsewhere in the bill in order to 
increase funding above the fiscal year 1998 amount.
    Funding for this program is provided through institutions 
to students who work part-time to meet the cost of education. 
Institutions receive funding according to a statutory formula 
and may allocate it for job location and job development 
centers.
    The Committee notes that the President's decision to waive 
the institutional matching requirement associated with certain 
students is estimated by the Department to result in a 
reduction of 18,500 students served during the 1998-1999 school 
year and a reduction of 25,000 students served during the 1999-
2000 school year.

Perkins loans capital contributions

    The Committee does not recommend funding for new capital 
contributions to Federal Perkins revolving loan funds, a 
decrease of $60,000,000 below the budget request and 
$135,000,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation. The Committee has transferred this funding to 
the Pell Grant program to increase the maximum Pell Grant to 
$3,150, the highest level in the history of the program.
    The Committee believes the Perkins program provides a 
valuable service to students and will continue to do so with 
the $6,000,000,000 already available through institutional 
revolving loan funds. However, the Committee believes that the 
Perkins program duplicates the other two much larger Federal 
loan programs. Accordingly, the Committee has transferred 
funding that would otherwise be allocated for new Perkins 
capital contributions to the Pell Grant program. The Committee 
notes that during the last three school years, participating 
schools have not used all of the funds Congress appropriated 
for the Perkins loan programs, preferring to transfer funding 
to higher priority programs as permitted under the law. In 
addition, according to the Department of Education, over 250 
schools with at least three consecutive years of extremely high 
default rates continue to participate in the Perkins program. 
The Committee notes that these schools, by virtue of high 
default rates, would be ineligible to participate in either of 
the other two Federal student loan programs.
    Finally, the Committee notes that no student will lose 
Federal assistance under this appropriation. The small minority 
of students who would be eligible for Perkins loans under the 
President's request that will not be eligible for such loans 
under this appropriation can receive subsidized FFEL and FDSL 
loans as an alternative.
    The Perkins loan program provides low-interest loans to 
students through individual institutional revolving funds that 
now total over $6,000,000,000. Institutions are required to 
match one-third of the Federal capital contribution.

Perkins loans cancellations

    The bill provides $30,000,000 for Federal Perkins loans 
cancellations, the same as the budget request and the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount. The Federal Government 
reimburses institutional Perkins revolving loan funds for loan 
cancellations permitted under Federal law. Loans may be 
canceled when the borrower pursues a career in one of 12 
statutorily-designated professions including corrections, 
medical technical work, and Peace Corps or VISTA service.

State student incentive grants

    The bill does not provide funding for the state student 
incentive grant (SSIG) program consistent with the budget 
request and the recommendations of the National Performance 
Review that indicated that the program has accomplished its 
purpose. The fiscal year 1998 Appropriations Act provided 
$25,000,000 for this program. The Committee has transferred 
funding that would otherwise be allocated for SSIGs to the Pell 
Grant program to increase the maximum grant to $3,150, the 
highest level in the history of the program.
    The SSIG program was established in 1972 to encourage and 
expand State scholarship assistance to postsecondary students 
with substantial financial need. At that time, 26 states 
provided such need-based grants. Today, all 50 states and the 
District of Columbia provide such assistance. In addition, 46 
states over-match the SSIG requirement, 42 states award need-
based aid in addition to SSIG, 33 states award non-need-based 
aid, 23 states support part-time students, and 21 states assist 
graduate as well as undergraduate students. SSIGs now account 
for only 2 percent of grants awarded by States. All States have 
participated in the SSIG program since 1978.
    The Committee concurs with the findings of the National 
Performance Review that indicated that 26 years of Federal 
support have been more than sufficient to encourage States to 
develop their own student financial assistance programs. State 
grant programs have been aware for several years of 
Congressional and Administration proposals to phase out or 
terminate Federal funding for this program. Each of the States 
should be well prepared to maintain state student assistance 
during the phase out of Federal funding.
    The Committee notes that the Administration testified 
during the fiscal year 1997 hearings that studies indicated 
that in the twenty-five largest States that provide 80 percent 
of all State student aid, Federal SSIG appropriations 
historically have had no effect on State expenditures.

                 federal family education loan program

    The bill provides $48,482,000 for administration of the 
Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) program, the same as the 
budget request and an increase of $2,000,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This discretionary 
administrative funding is provided in the FFEL appropriation 
account rather than under the Department's Salaries and 
Expenses account pursuant to a requirement of the Federal 
Credit Reform Act of 1990. These funds support Federal 
administrative activities including processing payments and 
claims, reducing loan default costs, and program monitoring. 
FFEL loans are financed with private capital and reinsured by 
the Federal Government against borrower default, death, 
disability and bankruptcy. Federal costs include payments for 
such insurance claims as well as support for borrower interest 
benefits. FFEL loans have supported over $150,000,000,000 in 
loans to student and parent borrowers since their inception. 
This account includes discretionary Federal administrative 
costs only. Additional amounts for new FFEL subsidies and 
mandatory administrative expenses for fiscal year 1999 are 
provided under permanent legislative authority.

                            higher education

    The bill provides $944,198,000 for higher education 
programs, an increase of $460,000 above the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and $344,207,000 below the budget 
request. These programs are not authorized in law for fiscal 
year 1999.
    The Committee notes that the performance measurements 
chosen by the Department for many higher education programs do 
not directly measure program goal outcomes. In the cases where 
the Department does propose to measure outcomes, most data will 
not be available until after the turn of the century. The 
Committee notes its displeasure with the GPRA plan for higher 
education and encourages the Department to modify it to measure 
outcomes in a timely manner.

Strengthening institutions

    The bill provides $55,450,000 for the regular strengthening 
institutions program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 
1998 appropriation and $4,550,000 below the budget request. 
This program provides general operating subsidies to 
institutions with low average educational and general 
expenditures per student and significant percentages of low-
income students. Awards may be used for faculty and academic 
program development, management, joint use of libraries and 
laboratories, acquisition of equipment, and student services.

Hispanic serving institutions

    The bill provides $16,000,000 for the Hispanic serving 
institutions (HSIs) program, an increase of $4,000,000 above 
the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $12,000,000 
below the budget request. The bill includes a provision enacted 
in the 1998 Appropriations Act to override the current law 
requirement that funds be appropriated for the HSI program only 
when appropriations for the regular strengthening institutions 
program equal or exceed $80,000,000.
    The HSI program provides operating subsidies to schools 
that serve at least 25 percent Hispanic students of whom at 
least half are low-income, first-generation students and at 
least a quarter of whom are either low-income or first-
generation students.

Strengthening historically black colleges and universities

    The bill provides $130,000,000 for strengthening 
historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), an 
increase of $11,505,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and $4,500,000 below the budget request.
    This program provides operating subsidies to accredited, 
legally authorized HBCUs established prior to 1964 whose 
principal mission is the education of black Americans. Funds 
may be used to support both programs and management and are 
distributed through a formula grant based on the enrollment of 
Pell Grant recipients, number of graduates, and the number of 
graduates entering graduate or professional schools in which 
blacks are underrepresented. The minimum grant is $500,000.

Strengthening historically black graduate institutions

    The bill provides $30,000,000 for the strengthening 
historically black graduate institutions program, an increase 
of $5,000,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and the budget request. The Committee continues 
to be concerned about the distribution of funding for this 
program among eligible schools and encourages the Department to 
restore funding to institutions that incurred funding 
reductions in fiscal year 1997 before allocating remaining 
resources to all eligible schools.
    The program provides 5-year grants to the following 16 
post-secondary institutions that are specified in section 
326(e)(1) of the Higher Education Act: Morehouse School of 
Medicine, Meharry Medical School, Charles R. Drew Postgraduate 
Medical School, Clark-Atlanta University, Tuskegee University 
School of Veterinary Medicine, Xavier University School of 
Pharmacy, Southern University School of Law, Texas Southern 
University Schools of Law and Pharmacy, Florida A&M University 
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, North Carolina Central 
University School of Law, Morgan State University qualified 
graduate program, Hampton University qualified graduate 
program, Alabama A&M qualified graduate program, University of 
Maryland Eastern Shore qualified graduate program, and Jackson 
State qualified graduate program. No grants may be made to the 
last 11 institutions until the first 5 institutions have 
received at least $12 million. Grants are limited to $500,000 
unless the institution agrees to match the entire grant with 
the exception of a minimum $3,000,000 set-aside for the 
Morehouse School of Medicine. Awards may be used for building 
endowments as well as the same purposes for which the 
strengthening HBCU grants may be used.

Unauthorized institutional development program

    The Committee does not recommend funding for the proposed 
strengthening tribal colleges program. This program is not 
authorized in law. The request includes $5,000,000 for this new 
program. The Committee continues to fund tribal colleges 
through the currently-authorized vocational education tribal 
support program and will consider funding for this new program 
if it is subsequently authorized in law.

Fund for the improvement of postsecondary education

    The Committee recommends $22,500,000 for the fund for the 
improvement of postsecondary education (FIPSE), the same as the 
budget request and $2,700,000 below the comparable fiscal year 
1998 amount. FIPSE awards grants and contracts to a variety of 
postsecondary institutions and other organizations to improve 
the quality and delivery of postsecondary education. The 
Committee encourages FIPSE to consider additional assistance 
necessary to complete the Empire State initiative included in 
the fiscal year 1998 Appropriations Act. The Committee 
encourages FIPSE to consider applications for conversion of 
library catalogs to electronic format.

Minority teacher recruitment and unauthorized teacher recruitment 
        program

    The bill provides $2,212,000 for the minority teacher 
recruitment program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 
1998 appropriation and $64,788,000 below the budget request. 
The Committee has provided funding for this program because it 
believes the recruitment of minority teachers to support a 
racially balanced teaching population is a high priority for 
the country. The Committee has not approved the request to fund 
a new, unauthorized program to recruit teachers of any race to 
teach in economically-disadvantaged schools. The Committee 
notes that this new program does not reflect the purposes of 
the existing program, namely increasing the number of minority 
teachers. The Committee will consider funding this request if 
it is subsequently authorized in law.
    The minority teacher recruitment program awards two types 
of grants. Partnership grants support institutions of higher 
education in developing partnerships with local educational 
agencies and community-based organizations to recruit and train 
minorities for teaching careers. Teacher placement grants 
support departments of education in developing and implementing 
programs to prepare students to become elementary and secondary 
school teachers and to place them in jobs with schools that 
have substantial minority populations.

Minority science improvement

    The bill provides $7,500,000 for the minority science 
improvement program (MSIP), an increase of $2,245,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the same as the 
budget request.
    The MSIP program awards grants to improve mathematics, 
science, and engineering programs at institutions serving 
primarily minority students and to increase the number of 
minority students who pursue advanced degrees and careers in 
those fields.

International education and foreign languages studies

            Domestic programs
    The bill provides $60,000,000 for the domestic activities 
of the international education and foreign languages studies 
programs, an increase of $6,419,000 over the President's 
request and the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. The 
program assists graduate and undergraduate foreign language and 
area studies programs and students at institutions of 
postsecondary education. Programs include national resource 
centers, foreign language and area studies fellowships, 
undergraduate international studies and foreign language 
programs, international research and studies projects, business 
and international education projects, international business 
education centers, language resource centers, and American 
overseas research centers. In general, the Secretary has 
discretion to allocate funding among these various activities.
            Overseas programs
    The bill provides $6,536,000 for the overseas programs in 
international education and foreign language studies authorized 
under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 
popularly known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The appropriation is 
the same as the budget request and $766,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. Funding for these 
programs supports group projects abroad, faculty research 
abroad, special bilateral projects, and doctoral research 
abroad.
            Institute for International Public Policy
    The bill provides $1,000,000 for the Institute for 
International Public Policy, the same as the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and the budget request. This program 
provides a grant to the United Negro College Fund to operate 
the Institute through sub-grantees chosen among minority 
serving institutions.
            Urban community service
    The bill does not provide funding for the urban community 
service program, nor does the budget request funding for it. 
The comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation was $4,900,000. 
The Committee concurs with the Reinventing Government proposal 
that concluded that urban community services are not a primary 
responsibility of the Department of Education. In addition, the 
Federal Government operates many programs that directly address 
the purposes of this program in a more focused manner with 
national scope.
    Funds are allocated for 5-year urban community service 
grants to universities for projects that address urban problems 
and needs such as job training, poverty, health care, 
substandard schools, problems of families and children, 
environmental concerns, economic development, crime prevention, 
and urban infrastructure.
            Interest subsidy grants
    The bill provides $13,000,000 for interest subsidy grants 
authorized under section 702 of the Higher Education Act, the 
same amount requested in the budget and $700,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. This program 
provides loan subsidies to higher education institutions for 
facilities acquisition, construction and renovation loans taken 
prior to 1974. All loans will terminate by the fiscal year 
2013. The authority to initiate new loan subsidy commitments 
was repealed in the 1992 amendments to the Higher Education 
Act. Interest subsidies provide institutions the difference 
between the interest they pay on commercially-obtained loans 
and 3 percent of the loan balance. The bill provides funding 
sufficient to meet the Federal Government's commitments on the 
241 loans expected to be in repayment status in fiscal year 
1999.
            TRIO
    The bill provides $600,000,000 for the six TRIO programs, 
an increase of $17,000,000 over the President's request and 
$70,333,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. 
The Committee recommends this substantial investment in TRIO 
because it believes that the recruitment and retention of an 
economically and racially balanced postsecondary student 
population is a high priority for the country. The Committee 
notes that funding for the TRIO programs has increased by 147% 
since fiscal year 1990.
    The TRIO programs provide a variety of outreach and support 
services to encourage low-income, potential first-generation 
college students to enter and complete college. The Committee 
is concerned that TRIO be fully evaluated against its 
performance goals to ensure that students receive the maximum 
benefit possible from the Federal investment in their education 
and to justify this substantial level of support.
            Early intervention scholarships and partnerships
    The bill does not provide funding for the early 
intervention scholarships and partnerships program consistent 
with the budget request. The comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation is $3,600,000. This program supports grants to 
nine states to provide support services to students at risk of 
dropping out of school. States must also guarantee some level 
of tuition assistance for participating students who meet 
State-specified academic goals.
    The Committee concurs with the budget request that states 
that the program ``* * * is overly complex and would require a 
significant investment of Federal funds to operate at a level 
that would have a national impact. In view of the significant 
level of Federal student aid and TRIO program services 
available to postsecondary students, the Administration does 
not recommend funding * * *'' The early intervention 
scholarships and partnerships duplicate the purposes of state 
student financial assistance programs, the TRIO program, and 
Federal student financial assistance programs.
            Byrd scholarships
    The Committee does not recommend funding for the Byrd 
scholarships program, a decrease of $39,288,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the request. The 
Committee believes that given current constraints, funds should 
be allocated to those programs that provide direct assistance 
to students based on need. The Committee will consider funding 
for this merit-based program as additional funds become 
available.
    The Byrd scholarship program provides formula grants to 
States to award four-year, $1,500 scholarships to students who 
demonstrate academic excellence in high school. The program was 
initiated as a one-year scholarship program and was later 
expanded to a four-year program.
            Unauthorized college-school partnership program
    The Committee does not recommend funding to re-establish 
the college-school partnership program. Congress terminated 
this program in fiscal year 1996 at the recommendation of the 
President. The Committee concurs with the Administration's 
prior analysis that this program directly duplicates the 
purposes of the TRIO program. The request includes $140,000,000 
for this program.
            Javits fellowships and graduate assistance in areas of 
                    national need program
    The Committee does not recommend funding for the Javits 
fellowships or the graduate assistance in areas of national 
need (GAANN) program, a decrease of $30,000,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $37,000,000 below 
the request. The Committee believes that given current 
constraints, highest priority must be given to programs that 
provide direct assistance to students. The Committee will 
consider funding for these institutional aid programs as 
additional resources become available.
    Under the Javits program, institutions receive Federal 
support to make fellowship awards of up to $14,400 to students 
pursuing doctoral study in the arts, humanities, and social 
sciences. The GAANN program awards grants to institutions of 
higher education to provide fellowships of up to five years and 
$14,400 to economically disadvantaged students who have 
demonstrated academic excellence and who are pursuing graduate 
education in designated areas of national need.
            Proposed legislation
    The Committee does not recommend funding for the proposed 
new unauthorized programs. The request includes $65,000,000 for 
the learning on demand, early awareness information, and access 
and retention studies programs. The Committee will consider 
funding for these programs if they are subsequently authorized 
in law. Pending such authorization, the Committee notes that 
the private sector already provides virtually all of the 
services that would be authorized under the learning on demand 
program. These services are available to students through the 
Federal student financial aid programs. The early awareness 
information program directly duplicates the purposes of the 
TRIO programs. The access and retention studies program is a 
research initiative that should properly be proposed, 
authorized, and funded within the Department's research agency, 
not the Office of Postsecondary Education. The bill provides 
over $72,000,000 within the Office of Education Research and 
Improvement for the Department's discretionary research 
activities. The Department may conduct any of the proposed 
access and retention studies with this research funding.

                           HOWARD UNIVERSITY

    The bill provides $214,489,000 for Howard University, an 
increase of $4,489,000 over the President's request and the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. Howard University is 
a ``Research I'' university located in the District of 
Columbia. Direct appropriations for Howard University are 
authorized by 20 U.S.C. 123, originally enacted in 1867.
    The bill includes a provision that allows the University to 
dedicate a portion of its appropriation to the endowment at its 
discretion. The Committee directs that Howard notify the 
Congress of any transfer from the regular appropriation to the 
endowment at least 15 days prior to execution of the transfer. 
The budget request earmarks a minimum of $3,530,000 for the 
endowment.
    Howard University provides undergraduate liberal arts, 
graduate and professional instruction to 10,400 students from 
all 50 States. Masters degrees are offered in over 85 fields 
and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in 24 fields.
    The Committee notes that according to Howard University, 
the direct appropriation represents 47% of University revenue. 
Funding from all Federal sources, including student aid, 
comprises 59% of University revenue.

         COLLEGE HOUSING AND ACADEMIC FACILITIES LOANS PROGRAM

    The bill provides $698,000 for the Federal administration 
of the college housing and academic facilities loan (CHAFL) 
program, the Higher Educational Facilities Loans program and 
the College Housing Loans program, the same as the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the budget request.

HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY CAPITAL AND FINANCING PROGRAM

Federal administration

    The bill provides $196,000 for the administration of the 
historically black college and university capital financing 
program authorized under part B of title VII of the Higher 
Education Act, an increase of $92,000 over the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $100,000 above the 
President's request. The program is intended to make capital 
available for repair and renovation of facilities at 
historically black colleges and universities. In exceptional 
circumstances, capital provided under the program can be used 
for construction or acquisition of facilities.

Bond subsidies

    Under the HBCU capital program, a private, for-profit 
``designated bonding authority'' issues construction bonds to 
raise capital for loans to historically black colleges and 
universities for construction projects. The Department provides 
insurance for these bonds, guaranteeing full payment of 
principal and interest to bond holders. Federally insured bonds 
and unpaid interest are limited by statute to $357,000,000. The 
letter of credit limitation establishes the total amount of 
bonds which can be issued by the designated bonding authority. 
The credit limitation must be explicitly stated in an 
appropriation Act according to the authorizing legislation.

            EDUCATION RESEARCH, STATISTICS, AND IMPROVEMENT

    The bill includes $447,667,000 for education research, 
statistics, and improvement programs. This amount is 
$241,700,000 less than the budget request, and $16,229,000 
above the fiscal year 1998 level. This account supports 
education research authorized under the Educational Research, 
Development, Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994; title 
VI of P.L. 103-227; the National Center for Education 
Statistics and the National Assessment of Educational Progress 
authorized by the National Education Statistics Act of 1994, 
title VI of P.L. 103-382; and titles II, X, and XIII of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
    While the Department has made some progress, it has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
educational research, assessment and statistics. The Committee 
believes that it is essential to develop specific, measurable 
standards for quality of the research or data and the degree to 
which the research and data are employed in the improvement or 
innovation in teaching methodologies. There should also be 
specific measurements as to how these new or innovative 
techniques have contributed to improved student academic 
achievement. Such data should include baseline data on the 
academic improvements and transfer of programmatic innovations 
and specific, measurable changes that are expected to occur as 
a result of proposed funding levels.
    The Committee believes that the most reliable and valid 
research is that which has undergone objective and rigorous 
peer review to evaluate the quality, relevance, and 
applicability of the proposed investigation(s) by a committee 
of researchers with significant expertise in the topic under 
review. Members of this type of committee are primarily non-
federal researchers selected for their training, experience, 
and expertise in the particular scientific areas for which the 
pertinent group has review responsibilities. A requirement for 
serving on this type of committee is competence as an 
independent investigator in a scientific or clinical discipline 
or research specialty. Assessment of competence is based upon 
the quality of the individual's research accomplishments, 
quality of peer-reviewed publications, and other significant 
scientific activities, achievements and honors. Members serve 
on the review committee for a minimum period of four years to 
ensure continuity of the review process.
    This type of peer review system is currently used by the 
National Institutes of Health. The Committee believes that OERI 
can strengthen its research programs by including these 
components of peer review in an effort to ensure the OERI 
research efforts meet the highest scientific standards and that 
the data derived from OERI supported research are reliable and 
valid. Further, the Committee believes that OERI should work 
with the National Institute of Child Health and Human 
Development to develop a coordinated approach for federal peer-
reviewed research on early childhood development, reading 
development and disorders, and other critical educational 
topics, ensuring that the work of each agency complements the 
research of the other agency.
    The Committee is supportive of the collaborative efforts of 
the Department of Education and the National Institute of Child 
Health and Human Development. The Committee urges the 
Department of Education and NICHD to develop research programs 
that address reading development, reading difficulties, and 
reading instruction with children whose first language is 
Spanish, and to identify and/or develop the most optimal 
instructional programs to improve their early reading 
achievement.
    The Department seems to have done nothing to remedy the 
multiple, fragmented and isolated programs providing research, 
demonstration programs, dissemination and technical assistance. 
In fact, the President's request adds several more programs to 
the 28 programs that the Department admits exist today. The 
Committee, therefore directs the Department to provide it with 
an overall research, demonstration, dissemination, technical 
assistance and evaluation plan by March 31, 1999. This plan 
should include the Departmental priorities for these 
activities, coordination mechanisms that are, or will be, in 
place for the activities, and the single official responsible 
for the quality and relevance of each of these activities. The 
plan should provide assurance that Government Performance and 
Results Act programmatic indicators have been developed and 
focus on the quality, utility and acceptance of the information 
or techniques developed. Finally, the plan should indicate how 
the research and other activities funded by OERI are 
coordinated with other research institutions such as NIH.

Research

    This bill includes $72,567,000 for educational research, 
the same level as both the budget request and the fiscal year 
1998 amount. The Office of Educational Research and Improvement 
conducts research and development activities, which are 
authorized under the Educational Research, Development, 
Dissemination, and Improvement Act of 1994, title IX of P.L. 
103-227. The 1994 Act established a National Educational 
Research Policy and Priorities Board within the Office of 
Educational Research and Improvement, and authorizes five new 
national research institutes for the following subject areas: 
(1) student achievement, curriculum, and assessment; (2) 
education of at-risk students; (3) educational governance, 
finance, policymaking, and management; (4) early childhood 
development and education; and (5) postsecondary education, 
libraries, and lifelong learning. The Assistant Secretary is 
authorized to support activities to increase the participation 
of minority researchers and institutions as well as research 
and development centers, in order to support the objectives of 
the national research institutes.

Regional educational laboratories

    The Committee has included $56,000,000 for the regional 
educational laboratories. This amount is the same as both the 
1998 level and the budget request.
    The Committee reiterates its intent, expressed in the 
Conference Report on the fiscal year 1996 bill (Report No. 104-
537) that all work of the Regional Education Laboratories be 
based on the priorities established by their regional governing 
boards.
    The Committee is also concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable output standards consistent 
with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results 
Act for the regional educational laboratories. These standards 
should include an assessment of the value of the assistance and 
information, increases in use by former non-users and the 
degree to which assistance and information is translated to 
successful changes in classroom activities or other activities 
directly related to the students and their achievements. Such 
indicators should include baseline data and specific, 
measurable improvements that are expected to occur as a result 
of proposed funding levels.

Statistics

    This bill includes $68,000,000 for the activities of the 
National Center for Education Statistics, exclusive of the 
National Assessment of Educational Progress. This amount is the 
same as the budget request and $9,000,000 above the fiscal year 
1998 amount. Statistics activities are authorized under the 
National Education Statistics Act of 1994, title VI of P.L. 
103-382. The Center collects, analyzes, and reports statistics 
on all levels of education in the United States. Activities are 
carried out directly and through grants and contracts. Major 
publications include ``The Condition of Education'' and 
``Digest of Education Statistics.'' Other products include 
projections of enrollments, teacher supply and demand, and 
educational expenditures. Technical assistance to state and 
local education agencies and postsecondary institutions is 
provided. International comparisons are authorized.

Interagency research initiative

    The Committee recommends no funding for the President's 
proposed interagency research initiative. This level is 
$50,000,000 below the President's request. The Committee 
believes that coordination and cooperation among research 
agencies should be an integral part of all research and 
believes that such coordination should be at the core of 
education research.
    In 1995, the Department of Education provided us with a 
list of education research, demonstration, dissemination and 
evaluation programs. Funding for those programs was 
$500,000,000. This year, they have provided an updated list. 
This year funding is $870,000,000-a 74% increase. The Committee 
believes that with such increases, funds can, and should be, 
allocated to research and specifically toward interagency 
cooperative activities.

Assessment

    This bill includes $40,000,000 for the National Assessment 
of Educational Progress, $4,529,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
amount, and the same as the budget request. The Assessment is 
authorized under section 411 of the National Education 
Statistics Act of 1994, and is the only nationally 
representative survey of educational ability and achievement of 
American students. The primary goal of the Assessment is to 
determine and report the status and trends of the knowledge and 
skills of students, subject by subject. Subject areas assessed 
in the past have included reading, writing, mathematics, 
science, and social studies, as well as citizenship, 
literature, art, and music. The Assessment is operated by 
contractors through competitive awards made by the National 
Center for Education Statistics; a National Assessment 
Governing Board formulates the policy guidelines for the 
program. Within the amounts provided, $4,000,000 is for the 
National Assessment Governing Board.

Fund for the improvement of education

    The bill includes $90,000,000 for the fund for the 
improvement of education which is $15,000,000 below the budget 
request and $18,100,000 below the fiscal year 1998 amount. The 
fund for the improvement of education has a broad portfolio of 
activities related to the national education goals and systemic 
education reform. Under the fund, the Secretary of Education 
supports activities that identify and disseminate innovative 
educational approaches.
    The Committee has not provided funding for the following 
activities identified in the President's budget request.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Fiscal Year--        
                 Program                 -------------------------------
                                               1998            1999     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Voluntary National Tests................       4,899,099      13,500,000
District of Columbia School Reform......      10,000,000      10,000,000
Recognition Programs....................       3,582,720       4,335,146
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The Committee is very concerned that major initiatives are 
being established within the fund for the improvement of 
education with no Congressional involvement. It is particularly 
concerned that these major initiatives are not being disclosed 
in the Congressional justifications submitted by the Department 
as part of the President's budget submission. In addition, the 
Committee is concerned that funding levels displayed in the 
Justifications and other submissions to the Committee during 
the consideration of the President's request are unilaterally 
changed by the Department without notification of the 
Committee.
    The Committee therefore directs the Department to treat 
these changes as reprogrammings and to employ the usual 
reprogramming rules, for any significant change in funding for 
programs or activities within FIE from the levels provided to 
the Committee during the appropriations process. The Committee 
also directs the Department to consider any new activities, not 
mandated by Congress, to be reprogrammings and to follow the 
usual reprogramming rules prior to any public notification or 
obligation of funds for these new activities. The Committee 
further directs the Department to provide a complete and final 
listing of activities within FIE in the annual operating plan 
required by this bill.
    The Committee has included funding for Comprehensive School 
Reform in this account. The Committee expects that the 
Department will continue to follow the directives in the 
Conference Report accompanying the fiscal year 1998 bill (House 
Report 105-390).
    The Committee is pleased with the Department's commitment 
to the Mentoring for School-Age Children study, designed to 
identify the different types of mentoring programs available to 
school-age children and quantify the effectiveness of each type 
of program in establishing meaningful mentoring relationships. 
The Committee believes that a follow-up assessment of the 
impact of these programs on the youth's academic performance 
should be a high priority for the Department.
    The Committee encourages the Department to give careful 
consideration to any applications from the Young Performance 
Series to allow it to begin its first national season of 
broadcasts and educational programs. The funds would be used to 
produce and broadcast the accompanying radio programs on public 
radio stations and to further develop and expand the associated 
web site/internet presence and to develop educational products 
and tools.
    The Committee also encourages the Department to give 
careful consideration to any arts-in-education applications 
that use the visual arts to spark learning in the classroom.
    The Committee is concerned by dramatic increases in the 
incidence of violent acts committed by children. Research 
conducted by the Yale Child Study Center in cooperation with 
the New Haven Police Department has determined that children 
who are exposed to violence are at significantly higher risk of 
perpetrating violence against others later in life. The 
Committee urges the Department of Education to work with the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department 
of Justice Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency 
Prevention to coordinate research, outreach and intervention 
efforts in this area. In particular, the Committee urges the 
agencies to consider hosting a conference at which members of 
the justice, law enforcement, health, and education professions 
can share their research, findings, and recommendations.
    The Committee recognizes that many children and families 
throughout the Nation have difficulty accessing services that 
agencies provide to children and families in need. In many 
instances, those eligible for these services neither have 
transportation to the location of the services nor do they have 
the time or ability to fill out the separate forms they need to 
apply for each individual program. Additionally, schools are 
having difficulty overcoming barriers to learning among 
disadvantaged children and their families. The Committee, 
therefore, believes that the Department should explore the 
``full service'' model of a community school where, based on 
the needs of the community, health and social service programs 
are co-located within the local public school and are 
integrated with the school program to enhance the educational 
outcomes.
    The Committee believes that the Department should provide 
funds through this account to establish an intensive regional 
model in the Northeast for the purpose of developing a literacy 
program focusing on the distribution of new books to 
disadvantaged children and families.
    The Committee also believes that the Department should 
continue to fund the Parent-Teacher Mock election program from 
funds made available in this account.
    The Committee is concerned about the difficulty many 
students have learning reading, math, and science. Recently, 
American high school seniors came in third to last in an 
international test assessing math skills. Studies by the 
National Institutes of Child Health and Human Development and 
the National Science Foundation have been completed indicating 
the best way to teach these subjects. The Committee believes 
that the Department of Education should use this research as an 
integral part of the activities which promote long-term 
improvement in professional development such as the Eisenhower 
Professional Development National Activities program and the 
Eisenhower Professional Development State Grants.
    The Committee commends the Department of Education for its 
leadership and participation in the National Reading Panel in 
an effort to better understand reading development and reading 
disabilities. The Committee encourages the Department to 
continue its role in examining the best way to teach children.

International education exchange

    The Committee includes $5,000,000 for the international 
education exchange program which is the same as both the 
President's request and the fiscal year 1998 amount. 
International education exchange is authorized under title VI 
of the Goals 2000: Educate America Act. The International 
Education Exchange program provides support for education 
exchange activities in civics and government education and 
economic education between the United States and eligible 
countries in Central and Eastern Europe, the Commonwealth of 
Independent States, and any country that was formerly a 
republic of the Soviet Union. Grantees provide for the exchange 
of ideas and experiences among educators and leaders through 
seminars on the basic principles of U.S. constitutional 
democracy and economics, and through visits to school systems, 
institutions of higher education, and nonprofit organizations 
which are conducting exemplary programs in civics and economic 
education.
    The program is designed and implemented in collaboration 
with the United States Information Agency, which is charged 
with ensuring that the assistance provided is not duplicative 
of other efforts. The authorizing statute requires that 50 
percent of the funds be reserved for activities in civics and 
government education activities, and 50 percent for economic 
education.

21st century community learning centers

    The bill provides $60,000,000 for 21st century community 
learning centers, $140,000,000 below the budget request and 
$20,000,000 above the fiscal year 1998 level.
    The 21st Century Community Learning Centers program 
supports grants to rural and inner-city public elementary or 
secondary schools, or consortia of such schools, to enable them 
to plan, implement, or expand projects that benefit the 
educational, health, social service, cultural, and recreational 
needs of a rural or inner-city community. Assistance must be 
equitably distributed among the States, among urban and rural 
areas of the United States, and among urban and rural areas of 
a State. Grants must be made for at least $35,000, and priority 
must be given to applications offering a broad selection of 
services that address the needs of the community. Each grantee 
must provide at least four services listed in the authorizing 
legislation. These include: literacy education programs; 
children's day care services; summer and weekend school 
programs in conjunction with recreation programs; expanded 
library service hours to serve community needs; 
telecommunications and technology education programs for 
individuals of all ages; parenting skills education programs; 
employment counseling, training, and placement; services for 
individuals who leave school before graduating from secondary 
school, regardless of the age of such individual; and services 
for individuals with disabilities.
    The Committee provides funding to the 21st Century 
Community Learning Centers for after-school activities. These 
funds are to support, not supplant, existing programs which are 
being offered by nonprofit organizations in communities of 
need.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
21st century community learning centers. It is essential for 
the Department to develop specific, measurable standards 
relating to the core services listed in the authorizing 
legislation and particularly focusing on academic and social 
preparation for school. Such data should include baseline data 
on the academic improvements and transfer of programmatic 
innovations and specific, measurable changes that are expected 
to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.

Civic education

    This bill includes $6,300,000 for the civic education 
program, the same as the budget request and $800,000 above the 
fiscal year 1998 level. The Civic Education program funds the 
Center for Civic Education to educate students about the 
history and principles of the Constitution of the United States 
and foster civic competence and responsibility. This purpose is 
accomplished primarily through the Center's program We the 
People . . . The Citizen and the Constitution. In addition to a 
course of instruction made available to public and private 
elementary and secondary schools, the program provides, at 
local request, simulated congressional hearings, and sponsors a 
national competition of such hearings for secondary school 
students. We the People is made available in all 435 
Congressional districts. Funds may also be used for training 
teachers about the Constitution and the political system of the 
United States, and to provide instruction for middle school 
students on the roles of State and local governments in the 
Federal system established by the Constitution.
    The Committee remains concerned that the Department has not 
identified specific, measurable standards consistent with the 
requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act for 
civics education. It is essential for the Department to develop 
specific, measurable standards relating to the knowledge of the 
Constitution and the bill of rights and their unique role in 
forming the social values and governmental structures in 
America. Such data should include baseline data on the 
understanding of these documents and principles and specific, 
measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of 
proposed increased funding.

Eisenhower professional development national activities

    This bill includes $23,300,000 for the Eisenhower 
professional development national activities, which is 
$26,700,000 below the budget request and the same as the fiscal 
year 1998 amount This program supports activities of national 
significance contributing to the development and implementation 
of high-quality professional development in the core subject 
areas. Examples of authorized activities include: providing 
seed money to agencies and organizations to develop their 
capacity to provide professional development; supporting 
professional development with strong academic and pedagogical 
content for teams of teachers and other educators from 
individual schools; encouraging the development of professional 
networks to allow for interaction among teachers of the core 
academic subjects; encouraging development of models for 
recruiting and retaining new, highly qualified teachers; 
promoting the transferability of certification; and 
disseminating information about emerging academic standards and 
related professional development.
    Support for the National Board for Professional Teaching 
Standards (NBPTS), which has implemented a voluntary system of 
challenging professional certification for teachers, is 
specifically authorized. Funding is also authorized for the 
National Clearinghouse for Mathematics and Science Education. 
Evaluation of activities carried out under both the Federal and 
State Eisenhower programs is also authorized.
    The Department has not identified specific, measurable 
standards consistent with the requirements of the Government 
Performance and Results Act for Eisenhower professional 
development national activities. The Committee believes that it 
is essential for the Department to develop specific, measurable 
indicators of the effectiveness of professional development 
activities in this account including the degree to which 
training and certification results in better student 
achievement. It also should include indicators on the degree to 
which the dissemination activities are serving the needs of 
users, attracting new users and are providing information that 
changes the techniques and curricula in the classroom resulting 
in better student outcomes. Such data should include baseline 
data and specific, measurable changes that are expected to 
occur as a result of proposed funding levels.

Eisenhower regional mathematics and science education consortia

    This bill includes $15,000,000 for the Eisenhower regional 
mathematics and science education consortia, $10,000,000 below 
the budget request and the same as the fiscal year 1998 amount. 
Regional mathematics and science education consortia (at least 
one in each of the ten regions served by the regional 
educational laboratories) disseminate exemplary mathematics and 
science instructional materials and provide technical 
assistance in the use of improved teaching methods and 
assessment tools. Awards are for up to 5 years. Matching is 
required, with the Federal share set at 80 percent and at least 
10 percent of the 20 percent non-Federal share required to come 
from sources other than State or local government. Eligible 
recipients--State and local educational agencies, elementary or 
secondary schools, institutions of higher education, nonprofit 
organizations, regional educational laboratories, or 
combinations of these entities--must demonstrate their 
expertise in mathematics and science education. Each recipient 
must establish a regional board, representative of 
participating organizations, to oversee administration of the 
project and establish program priorities.
    The Committee believes that the Department must identify 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for the 
Eisenhower Regional Math and Science Consortia. The Committee 
believes that it is essential that standards be developed 
relating to the degree to which practices identified and 
technical assistance provided by the Consortia are actually 
adopted and prove successful in improving academic achievement. 
Such data should include baseline indicators on the adoption of 
new practices and techniques and improved student academic 
achievement and specific, measurable changes that are expected 
to occur as a result of proposed increased funding.

Javits gifted and talented education

    This bill includes $6,500,000 for the Jacob K. Javits 
Gifted and Talented Students Education Act, the same as both 
the budget request and the fiscal year 1998 amount. The purpose 
of this program is to build nationwide capability to meet the 
special educational needs of gifted and talented students. The 
program functions through support for research, demonstration 
projects, teacher training, and other activities. Competitive 
grants are awarded to State and local educational agencies, 
institutions of higher education, and other public and private 
agencies and organizations. Not more than 30 percent of 
available funds may be used for research, evaluation, and the 
collection and analysis of information related to program 
purposes. These funds include support for a National Center for 
Research and Development in the Education of Gifted and 
Talented Children and Youth.
    Priority must be given to projects identifying and serving 
gifted and talented students who may not be identified and 
served through traditional assessment methods, and to those 
developing or improving the capacity of schools in an entire 
State or region of the Nation to identify and serve gifted and 
talented students. At least half of the applications approved 
for funding each year must address the priority of serving 
students not identified through traditional means.
    The Committee believes that the Department must identify 
specific, measurable standards consistent with the requirements 
of the Government Performance and Results Act for Javits gifted 
and talented education. It is essential that standards be 
developed relating to the development of teaching techniques 
for the gifted and talented and identifying such students who 
would not normally be identified by traditional assessment 
methods. Indicators should also be developed to demonstrate the 
degree to which such developmental activity is actually 
integrated into existing and new gifted and talented programs 
and specific goals for improved academic achievement of 
students. Such data should include baseline indicators as well 
as measurable changes that are expected to occur as a result of 
proposed funding.

National writing project

    The bill provides $5,000,000 for the National Writing 
Project which is the same as both the budget request and the 
fiscal year 1998 level. Funds are provided to the National 
Writing Project (NWP), a nonprofit educational organization 
that supports teacher training programs in the effective 
teaching of writing, and supports classroom-level research on 
teaching writing that documents effectiveness in terms of 
student performance. To provide these services, the National 
Writing Project contracts with numerous institutions of higher 
education and nonprofit education providers to operate small 
($40,000 or less) teacher training programs. Federal funds 
support 50 percent of the costs of these programs, and 
recipients must contribute an equal amount. A National Advisory 
Board provides advice and support and reviews the Project's 
programs and activities.
    The Department must identify specific, measurable standards 
consistent with the requirements of the Government Performance 
and Results Act for the national writing project. The Committee 
believes that it is essential that indicators be developed 
relating to the degree to which practices identified and 
technical assistance provided by the project are actually 
adopted and prove successful in improving academic achievement. 
Such data should include baseline indicators on the adoption of 
new practices and techniques and improved student academic 
achievement and specific, measurable changes that are expected 
to occur as a result of the proposed funding level.

                        DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT

    The bill includes $453,742,000 for departmental management 
(salaries and expenses) at the Department of Education. This 
amount is $18,086,000 above the fiscal year 1998 appropriation 
and $7,500,000 less than the Administration's 1999 budget 
request. These activities are authorized by the Department of 
Education Organization Act, P.L. 96-88, and include costs 
associated with the management and operations of the Department 
as well as separate costs associated with the Office for Civil 
Rights and the Office of the Inspector General.

Program administration

    The bill includes $362,000,000 for program administration. 
This amount is $18,086,000 above the fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and the same as the 1999 budget request. These 
funds support the staff and other costs of administering 
programs and activities at the Department. Items include 
personnel compensation and health, retirement and other 
benefits as well as travel, rent, telephones, utilities, 
postage fees, data processing, printing, equipment, supplies, 
technology training, consultants and other contractual 
services.
    The Department is instructed to continue to provide 
information on revenues resulting from the actions of the 
inspector general as required in last year's House report.
    The Committee commends the Department for having achieved a 
clean audit under the terms of the Government Management Reform 
Act of 1994. An audited financial statement is like a 
``scorecard'' that reflects a Department's progress in 
achieving the significant financial management reforms required 
by the CFO Act, and in providing effective stewardship and 
management of government funds.
    The Committee, however, also believes that the program 
administration account must also be subject to the requirements 
of programmatic indicators as mandated by the Government 
Performance and Results Act. The Department should develop 
various measures of effectiveness, timeliness, accuracy and 
customer satisfaction for the central services funded within 
this account. Baselines and projected improvements as a result 
of proposed funding levels should also be included.
    The Committee is pleased with the work that the Federal 
Interagency Coordinating Council (FICC) is doing to ensure the 
effective coordination of federal early intervention and 
preschool programs and policies across federal agencies. The 
Committee looks forward to receiving recommendations from the 
FICC concerning effective interagency collaboration and the 
elimination of barriers to interagency programs and activities. 
The Committee urges the Department to continue to oversee and 
fund the FICC.
    The Committee is encouraged by agency interest in 
intradepartmental coordination of programs within the 
Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. 
The Committee continues to be concerned that the Departments 
have no forum in place for continuous interdepartmental 
collaboration. The Working Group on Comprehensive Early 
Childhood Family Centers, headed by the Department of 
Education, recommended that the Departments create such a 
forum, and this has yet to occur. Therefore, the Committee 
urges the Departments to institutionalize interdisciplinary 
collaboration at all levels, and requests a progress report on 
steps taken to accomplish such Departmental collaboration and 
program coordination no later than March of 1999.
    The Committee is concerned that coordination between the 
Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human 
Services has not been adequate regarding federal efforts to 
address the pediatric asthma epidemic needs to be strengthened. 
The Committee urges the two departments to work more closely 
together to improve coordination of federal efforts to help 
local schools implement asthma management strategies. In 
particular, the Committee feels that there should be more 
adequate representation of the Department of Education on the 
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program.
    The Committee recognizes that family literacy programs have 
proven effective in reaching some of the most difficult to 
serve populations. In an effort to ensure the quality of family 
literacy services provided through federally funded programs, 
the Committee urges the Department of Education to use 
available funds to secure technical assistance, dissemination 
of materials and information about best practices, program 
evaluation, and other activities. Such assistance should be 
secured through the National Institute of Literacy and should 
involve public or private nonprofit organizations with a record 
of providing effective services to family literacy providers.

Office for Civil Rights

    The bill includes $61,500,000 for the salaries and expenses 
of the Office for Civil Rights. This amount is the same as the 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $6,500,000 below the budget 
request. This Office is responsible for enforcing laws that 
prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national 
origin, sex, handicap, and age in all programs and institutions 
that receive funds from the Department. These laws extend to 50 
State educational agencies, 16,000 local educational agencies, 
3,500 institutions of higher education, as well as to 
proprietary schools, State rehabilitation agencies, libraries, 
and other institutions receiving Federal funds.

Office of the Inspector General

    The bill includes $30,242,000 for the Office of the 
Inspector General. This amount is equal to the fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and $1,000,000 less than the fiscal year 1998 
budget request. This Office has authority to inquire into all 
program and administrative activities of the Departments as 
well as into related activities of grant and contract 
recipients. It conducts audits and investigations to determine 
compliance with applicable laws and regulations, to check 
alleged fraud and abuse, efficiency of operations, and 
effectiveness of results.
    The Committee instructs the Inspector General to continue 
reporting to the Committee on actual collections, offsets and 
funds put to better use as a result of the Office's actions and 
investigations and the specific uses to which ``funds put to 
better use'' were put.
    The Committee is concerned that the Inspector General for 
the Department of Education seems unable to provide complete 
reports on the actual payments made to the federal government 
or offsets to future payments made by the federal government. 
This inability is particularly troubling since other IG offices 
under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee seem to be having 
little difficulty in obtaining data to make such reports.
    In order to better track the actual collections, offsets 
and funds put to better use achieved as a result of Inspector 
General activities, the Committee directs the Office of the 
Inspector General to begin reporting its results on a reporting 
period basis rather than a cumulative basis. For each semi 
annual report, the Committee directs the Office of Inspector 
General to provide, in tabular form, for audit findings: (1) 
Total number and dollar value of new findings, (2) Total number 
and dollar value of findings on which management concurs from 
this semiannual report, (3) Total value of receivables booked 
by management from this semiannual report, and (4) Total of 
funds offset or recovered from audit findings in this 
semiannual report. In each subsequent semiannual report, the 
Inspector General is to update the information on management 
concurrence, receivables, and offsets and collections for each 
prior semiannual report. For each of these reportable actions, 
the Office of Inspector General shall include both the total 
management concurrence, receivables, and offsets and 
collections from all prior reports and new, management 
concurrence, receivables, and offsets and collections during 
the current reporting period.
    The Office of Inspector General should provide a similar 
report on funds put to better use. Such a report should include 
total reports and findings by the Inspector General 
recommending funds put to better use, management concurrence 
and the actual purposes to which the fund were put. Again, each 
semiannual report should update prior semiannual reports.
    Finally, the Committee encourages the Office of the 
Inspector General to consolidate these reports in the 
semiannual reports required under the Inspector General Act.

                       TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES

                      Armed Forces Retirement Home

    The bill provides authority to expend $70,745,000 from the 
Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for operations and 
capital activities at the United States Soldiers' and Airmen's 
Home and the United States Naval Home, an increase of 
$2,076,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 authority and 
the same as the budget request.

Operations

    The bill provides authority to expend $55,028,000 from the 
Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for operations of the 
United States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home and the United States 
Naval Home, a reduction of $424,000 below the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 authority and the same as the budget request.

Capital outlay

    The bill provides authority to expend $15,717,000 from the 
Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund for capital activities 
at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home and the United States Naval 
Home, an increase of $2,500,000 above the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 authority and the same as the budget request. The 
Committee supports the capital proposal submitted by the AFRH, 
the primary component of which is the renovation of the 
Sheridan building at the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home. The 
Committee has not provided capital funding for the fiscal year 
2000 as requested in the budget.

             Corporation for National and Community Service

                  DOMESTIC VOLUNTEER SERVICE PROGRAMS

    The bill provides $251,369,000 for the Domestic Volunteer 
Service Programs that are administered by the Corporation for 
National and Community Service. The recommended amount 
represents a decrease of $5,235,000 below the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and $27,053,000 below the budget 
request. Appropriations for these programs are not authorized 
in law for fiscal year 1999. Funding for the Americorps program 
that is also administered by the Corporation for National and 
Community Service is provided in the VA/HUD and Independent 
Agencies appropriations bill.
    The Committee directs the Corporation not to reduce funding 
for traditional VISTA and senior volunteer programs below the 
amounts allocated for fiscal year 1998. In addition, the 
Committee directs the Corporation not to reduce the number of 
traditional VISTAs or senior volunteers below fiscal year 1998 
levels.

VISTA

    The bill provides $60,000,000 for the Volunteers in Service 
to America (VISTA) program, a reduction of $5,235,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $13,000,000 below 
the budget request. The VISTA program supports individuals who 
recruit volunteers and organize community volunteer activities 
but who do not provide direct volunteer services.

National Senior Volunteer Corps

    The bill provides a total of $163,240,000 for the National 
Senior Volunteer Corps, the same as the comparable fiscal year 
1998 appropriation and $10,670,000 below the budget request.
    The bill provides $87,593,000 for the Foster Grandparents 
program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and $6,569,000 below the budget request. This 
program provides volunteer service opportunities for low-income 
people aged 60 and over.
    The bill provides $35,368,000 for the Senior Companion 
program, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and the budget request. The program provides 
project grants to private, non-profit organizations and State 
and local public agencies to offer volunteer service 
opportunities to low-income individuals aged 60 and over. These 
volunteers assist older adults with physical, mental or 
emotional impairments that put them at risk for 
institutionalization.
    The bill provides $40,279,000 for the Retired Senior 
Volunteer Program (RSVP), the same as the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and $3,021,000 below the budget 
request. This program provides part-time volunteer service 
opportunities for low-income individuals aged 55 and over to 
recruit volunteers and organize volunteer activities relating 
to a variety of social needs.
    The Committee does not recommend separate line item funding 
for the senior demonstration program. The request includes 
$1,080,000 for this purpose. The Committee intends that regular 
program funding be available for authorized demonstration 
activities on the same basis as in fiscal year 1998.

Program administration

    The bill provides $28,129,000 for program administration, 
the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and 
$3,383,000 below the budget request.

                  Corporation for Public Broadcasting

    The bill provides $340,000,000 in advance funding for 
fiscal year 2001 for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting 
(CPB), an increase of $40,000,000 above the comparable 
appropriation for fiscal year 2000 and the same as the budget 
request. Appropriations for the CPB are not authorized in law 
for fiscal year 2001.
    The Committee does not include funding for the $50,000,000 
digital conversion initiative in the request. This activity has 
never been authorized in law, and the bill does not include the 
requested bill language to authorize such a program.
    The Committee recognizes the importance of developing 
multi-cultural programming through the National Minority Public 
Broadcasting Consortium.
    The Committee is aware that public television broadcasters 
are required by the FCC to convert to digital broadcast 
technology by the year 2003. The FCC may require public radio 
stations to convert to digital transmission in the near future. 
The conversion to digital transmission imposes significant 
capital requirements on public broadcasters. The Committee 
believes that these costs may be too large for many stations, 
and some Federal assistance may be appropriate for these 
broadcasters.

               Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

    The bill provides $34,620,000 for the Federal Mediation and 
Conciliation Service (FMCS), the same as the budget request and 
an increase of $1,139,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation. The Committee commends the Service on 
implementation of its strategic plan to improve long-term 
efficiency and reduce administrative overhead.
    The FMCS attempts to prevent and minimize labor-management 
disputes having a significant impact on interstate commerce or 
national defense, except in the railroad and airline 
industries. The agency convenes boards of inquiry appointed by 
the President in emergency disputes and conducts dispute 
mediation, preventive mediation, and arbitration. In addition, 
the Service offers alternative dispute resolution services and 
training to other Federal agencies to reduce litigation costs 
and speed Federal administrative proceedings.
    The bill also includes provisions first enacted in the 
fiscal year 1996 Appropriations Act granting the agency the 
authority to accept gifts and to charge fees for certain 
services.

            Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission

    The bill provides $6,060,000 for the Federal Mine Safety 
and Health Review Commission, the same as the budget request 
and the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. The 
Commission is responsible for reviewing the enforcement 
activities of the Secretary of Labor under the Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Act. The Commission's administrative law 
judges hear and decide cases initiated by the Secretary of 
Labor, mine operators, or miners. The five-member Commission 
hears appeals from administrative law judge decisions, rules on 
petitions for discretionary review, and may direct, of its own 
initiative, review of cases that present unusual questions of 
law.

                Institute of Museum and Library Services

    The Committee recommends $146,340,000 for the Institute of 
Museum and Library Services, the same as the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and the budget request. The Institute 
makes state formula grants for library services and 
discretionary national grants for joint library and museum 
projects.

                  Medicare Payment Advisory Commission

    The Committee recommends $7,015,000 for the Medicare 
Payment Advisory Commission, the same as the comparable fiscal 
year 1998 appropriation and the budget request. The Prospective 
Payment Assessment Commission and the Physician Review 
Commission were consolidated into the Medicare Payment Advisory 
Commission pursuant to section 1805 of P.L. 105-33, the Budget 
Reconciliation Act of 1997. The consolidated commission advises 
Congress on matters of physician and hospital reimbursement 
under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

        National Commission on Libraries and Information Science

    The bill provides $1,000,000 for the National Commission on 
Libraries and Information Science, the same as the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the request. The Commission 
advises the President and Congress on national policy in the 
library and information fields, developing overall plans for 
meeting national library and information needs, and 
coordinating activities at the Federal, State and local levels. 
Pursuant to the 1996 reauthorization of Federal library 
programs, the Commission advises the Institute on Museum and 
Library Services regarding implementation of the new library 
legislation.

                     National Council on Disability

    The bill provides $2,344,000 for the National Council on 
Disability (NCD), the same as the request and an increase of 
$551,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. 
The Council monitors implementation of the Americans with 
Disabilities Act and makes recommendations to the President, 
the Congress, the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and 
the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation 
Research on public policy issues of concern to individuals with 
disabilities.
    The Committee continues to encourage NCD to augment its 
appropriation with other sources of Federal and non-Federal 
revenues including grants and contracts.

                     National Education Goals Panel

    The bill provides $2,100,000 for the National Education 
Goals Panel (NEGP), the same as the budget request and $100,000 
above the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. The NEGP 
was established in 1990 following the National Education Summit 
held in September 1989. The Panel reports on National and State 
progress toward achieving the National education goals, works 
with states to develop high academic standards and assessments, 
identifies promising and effective practices at the local 
level, assists states and communities with their progress 
reports, and helps build a bipartisan consensus for education 
improvement.

                     National Labor Relations Board

    The bill provides $174,661,000 for the National Labor 
Relations Board, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and $9,790,000 below the budget request. The bill 
designates $10,046,000 for information technology activities 
including implementation of the case activity tracking system 
that is an important component of the Year 2000 compliance 
initiative.
    The NLRB receives, investigates, and prosecutes unfair 
labor practice charges filed by businesses, labor unions, and 
individuals. It also schedules and conducts representation 
elections. The five-member Board considers cases in which 
administrative law judge decisions are appealed.
    The Committee is encouraged that the NLRB has withdrawn its 
proposed regulation regarding the appropriateness of single 
location bargaining units. In light of this action, the 
Committee believes the Board should apply the full range of 
factors identified in the case law as relevant to making 
bargaining unit determinations and not limit itself to applying 
the restricted factors and methodology identified in the 
withdrawn rule.

                        National Mediation Board

    The bill provides $8,400,000 for the National Mediation 
Board (NMB), the same as the budget request and $200,000 below 
the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. The NMB mediates 
labor disputes between employees and railroad and airline 
carriers subject to the Railway Labor Act. The Board also 
resolves representation disputes involving labor organizations 
seeking to represent railroad or airline employees.

            Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission

    The bill provides $8,100,000 for the Occupational Safety 
and Health Review Commission (OSHRC), an increase of $200,000 
above the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and $50,000 
above the request. The Commission adjudicates contested 
citations issued by the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration (OSHA) against employers for violations of 
safety and health standards. The Commission's administrative 
law judges settle and decide cases at the initial level of 
review. The agency's three appointed Commissioners also review 
cases, issue rulings on complicated issues, and may direct 
review of any decision by an administrative law judge.
    The Committee continues to be impressed with the 
Commission's implementation of its strategic plan and cost 
cutting initiatives and commends OSHRC for taking very 
difficult decisions to improve its long term efficiency and 
productivity.

                       Railroad Retirement Board

                         dual benefits account

    The bill provides $191,000,000 for dual benefits, the same 
as the request and a reduction of $14,500,000 below the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. These funds are used 
to pay dual benefits to those retirees receiving both railroad 
retirement and social security benefits. The bill includes a 
provision permitting a portion of these funds to be derived 
from income tax receipts on dual benefits as authorized by law. 
The Railroad Retirement Board estimates that approximately 
$11,000,000 may be derived in this manner.

           federal payment to the railroad retirement account

    The bill provides $150,000 for the interest earned on 
unnegotiated checks, the same as the budget request and 
$100,000 above the comparable amount provided for fiscal year 
1998.

                      limitation on administration

    The bill provides a consolidated limitation of $86,000,000 
on the expenditure of railroad retirement and railroad 
unemployment trust funds for administrative expenses of the 
Railroad Retirement Board, the same as the budget request and 
$1,228,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1998 limitation. 
The bill includes a provision from the fiscal year 1998 
Appropriations Act prohibiting the transfer of resources 
formerly identified in a Memorandum of Understanding from the 
RRB to the Inspector General.
    The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) administers 
comprehensive retirement-survivor and unemployment-sickness 
insurance benefit programs for railroad workers and their 
families. This account limits the amount of funds in the 
railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance trust 
funds that may be used by the RRB for administrative expenses.
    The Committee is pleased with the management of the Board 
and reiterates its interest in quickly and comprehensively 
implementing the Government Performance and Results Act.

             limitation on the office of inspector general

    The bill provides authority to expend $5,400,000 from the 
railroad retirement and railroad unemployment insurance trust 
funds for the Office of Inspector General, the same as the 
budget request and $394,000 below the comparable fiscal year 
1998 limitation. This account provides funding for the 
Inspector General to conduct and supervise audits and 
investigations of programs and operations of the Board.
    The bill includes provisions enacted in the fiscal year 
1998 Appropriations Act prohibiting the transfer of funds from 
the Department of Health and Human Services to the Railroad 
Retirement Board (RRB) Inspector General (IG) and prohibiting 
the audit, investigation or review of the Medicare program by 
the RRB IG. The Committee believes that responsibility for 
maintaining the integrity of the Medicare trust funds rests 
with the Health Care Financing Administration and the HHS 
Inspector General. The Committee directs the Railroad 
Retirement Board Office of Inspector General to focus its 
activities on improving management of the RRB and safeguarding 
the Railroad Retirement trust funds.
    The Committee instructs the Inspector General to continue 
reporting to the Committee on actual collections, offsets and 
funds put to better use as a result of the Office's actions and 
investigations and the specific uses to which ``funds put to 
better use'' were put.
    The Committee is concerned that the Inspector General has 
been unable to provide complete reports on the actual payments 
made to the Federal Government or offsets to future payments 
made by the Federal Government. This inability is particularly 
troubling since other IG offices under the jurisdiction of the 
Subcommittee have provided this information as requested.
    In order to better track the actual collections, offsets 
and funds put to better use achieved as a result of Inspector 
General activities, the Committee directs the Office of the 
Inspector General to begin reporting its results on a reporting 
period basis rather than a cumulative basis. For each semi-
annual report, the Committee directs the Office of Inspector 
General to provide, in tabular form, for audit findings: (1) 
total number and dollar value of new findings, (2) total number 
and dollar value of findings on which management concurs from 
this semi-annual report, (3) total value of receivables booked 
by management from this semi-annual report, and (4) total of 
funds offset or recovered from audit findings in this semi-
annual report. In each subsequent semi-annual report, the 
Inspector General is to update the information on management 
concurrence, receivables, and offsets and collections for each 
prior semi-annual report. For each of these reportable actions, 
the Office of Inspector General shall include both the total 
management concurrence, receivables, and offsets and 
collections from all prior reports and new management 
concurrence, receivables, and offsets and collections during 
the current reporting period.
    The Office of Inspector General should provide a similar 
report on funds put to better use. Such a report should include 
total reports and findings by the Inspector General 
recommending funds put to better use, management concurrence 
and the actual purposes to which the fund were put. Each semi-
annual report should update prior semi-annual reports.
    Finally, the Committee encourages the Office of the 
Inspector General to consolidate these reports in the semi-
annual reports required under the Inspector General Act.

                     SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

                PAYMENTS TO SOCIAL SECURITY TRUST FUNDS

    The bill provides $19,689,000 for mandatory payments 
necessary to compensate the Social Security system for cash 
benefits paid out but for which no payroll tax is received. 
This amount is the same as the budget request and $619,000 
below the comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation. These 
funds reimburse the Old Age and Survivors Insurance (OASI) and 
Disability Insurance (DI) Trust Funds for special payments to 
certain uninsured persons, costs incurred for administration of 
pension reform activities and interest lost on the value of 
benefit checks issued but not negotiated. This appropriation 
restores the trust funds to the position they would have been 
had they not borne these costs properly charged to the general 
funds.
    The amount provided includes $689,000 for the cost of 
special payments to a declining population of uninsured persons 
who were at least 72 years of age in 1968 and attained 
retirement age before they could accumulate sufficient wage 
credits to qualify for benefits under the normal retirement 
formulas. This account also includes $2,000,000 for 
reimbursements to the trust funds for administrative costs 
incurred in providing private pension plan information to 
individuals and $17,000,000 to reimburse the trust funds for 
the value of the interest for benefit checks issued but not 
negotiated.

               SPECIAL BENEFITS FOR DISABLED COAL MINERS

    The bill provides $382,803,000 for special benefits for 
disabled coal miners, the same as the budget request and 
$43,287,000 below the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation. This amount does not include $141,000,000 in 
advance funding provided in this bill for the first quarter of 
fiscal year 2000 or $160,000,000 in advance funding for fiscal 
year 1999 which was provided in the fiscal year 1998 
Appropriations Act.
    The appropriation provides cash benefits to miners who are 
disabled because of black lung disease and to widows and 
children of such miners. The Social Security Administration was 
responsible for taking, processing, and paying claims for 
miners' benefits filed from December 30, 1969 through June 30, 
1973. Since that time, SSA has continued to take claims but 
forwards most to the Department of Labor for adjudication and 
payment. The SSA will continue to pay benefits and maintain the 
beneficiary roll for the lifetime of all persons who filed 
during its jurisdiction. During fiscal year 1999, SSA expects 
to provide benefits to 105,000 miners, widows, and dependents 
who will receive a basic benefit rate of $469.10.

                  SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME PROGRAM

    The bill provides $21,495,000,000 for the Supplemental 
Security Income (SSI) program, not including $8,680,000,000 in 
fiscal year 1999 funding provided in the fiscal year 1998 
Appropriations Act and not including $9,550,000,000 in advance 
funding provided in the bill for the first quarter of fiscal 
year 2000. The appropriation is the same as the budget request 
and represents an increase of $5,335,000,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation.
    These funds are used to pay Federal cash benefits to 
approximately 6,285,000 aged, blind, and disabled persons with 
little or no income. The maximum monthly Federal benefit in 
fiscal year 1999 is expected to be $505 for an individual and 
$757 for an eligible couple. In addition to Federal benefits, 
the SSA administers a program of supplementary State benefits 
for those States that choose to participate. The funds are also 
used to reimburse the trust funds for the administrative costs 
of the program.
    The SSI appropriation includes $61,000,000 for beneficiary 
services, an increase of $15,000,000 above the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation and the same as the budget 
request. This funding reimburses State vocational 
rehabilitation services agencies for successful rehabilitation 
of SSI recipients.
    Within the appropriation for SSI, the Committee provides 
$30,000,000 for research and demonstration activities conducted 
under section 1110 of the Social Security Act, the same as the 
request and an increase of $13,300,000 over the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation.
    The bill provides an additional $177,000,000 to process 
continuing disability reviews (CDRs) related to the SSI 
caseload as authorized by P.L. 104-121, the same as the budget 
request and an increase of $102,000,000 above the comparable 
fiscal year 1998 appropriation.
    The bill provides $75,000,000 for administrative activities 
funded from user fees that were authorized in the fiscal year 
1998 Appropriations Act, the same as the request and an 
increase of $40,000,000 over the comparable fiscal year 1998 
amount.

                 LIMITATION ON ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES

    The bill provides a limitation on administrative expenses 
for the Social Security Administration (SSA) of $5,949,000,000 
to be funded from the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, 
an increase of $54,960,000 above the comparable fiscal year 
1998 limitation and the same as the budget request.
    The Committee believes the amount provided in the bill is 
sufficient to enable the Agency to fully meet defined 
performance targets for the improvement of service in 14 
specific areas as submitted to the Committee during the fiscal 
year 1999 budget hearings. This increase in funding will 
support continuing initiatives to streamline the disability 
determination process and fully automate agency administrative 
functions.
    While the Agency has made substantial progress in improving 
its performance, the Committee remains concerned that it has 
not met its performance commitments in several areas, most 
notably regarding hearings and appeals. The Committee continues 
to be concerned that the recent multi-billion dollar investment 
in the reengineering process has not been adequately linked to 
direct improvements in service, productivity and efficiency and 
has not resulted in attainment of performance goals. The 
Committee will continue to monitor the Agency's progress in 
meeting these goals, and future funding will be conditioned on 
the Agency's ability to produce measurable improvements in 
service and productivity.
    The bill provides that not less than $1,600,000 within the 
limitation on administration shall be available for the Social 
Security Advisory Board, the same as the budget request and the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount.

User fees

    In addition to other amounts provided in the bill, the 
Committee recommends an additional limitation of $75,000,000 
for administrative activities funded from user fees that were 
authorized in the fiscal year 1998 Appropriations Act, the same 
as the request and an increase of $40,000,000 over the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 amount.

Continuing disability reviews

    The bill provides an additional $355,000,000 for continuing 
disability reviews (CDRs) above the base amount of $200,000,000 
provided in the regular limitation on administration. This 
amount represents an increase of $165,000,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 appropriation and is the same as 
the budget request. The Committee has provided this funding 
with the expectation that processing of additional CDRs will 
reduce trust fund liabilities far in excess of the cost of such 
processing.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

    The Committee remains extremely concerned that individuals 
with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) regularly encounter SSA 
employees who are unfamiliar with or misinformed about CFS, its 
diagnosis and the functional limitations the illness imposes. 
The Committee reiterates its intention that SSA develop and 
implement appropriate training agendas and materials for SSA 
and Disability Determination Service employees and that SSA 
establish an internal CFS advisory committee. The Committee 
directs SSA to expedite efforts to investigate obstacles to 
benefit eligibility for persons with CFS and to maintain 
updated medical information throughout all levels of the 
application and review process.

                      OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

    The bill provides $12,000,000 for the Office of the 
Inspector General, the same as the budget request and an 
increase of $1,836,000 above the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation. The bill also provides authority to expend 
$44,000,000 from the Social Security trust funds for activities 
conducted by the Inspector General, an increase of $4,000,000 
above the President's request and $5,740,000 above the 
comparable fiscal year 1998 limitation.
    The Committee instructs the Inspector General to continue 
reporting to the Committee on actual collections, offsets and 
funds put to better use as a result of the Office's actions and 
investigations and the specific uses to which ``funds put to 
better use'' were put.
    The Committee is concerned that the Inspector General has 
been unable to provide complete reports on the actual payments 
made to the Federal Government or offsets to future payments 
made by the Federal Government. This inability is particularly 
troubling since other IG offices under the jurisdiction of the 
Subcommittee have provided such reports as requested.
    In order to better track the actual collections, offsets 
and funds put to better use achieved as a result of Inspector 
General activities, the Committee directs the Office of the 
Inspector General to begin reporting its results on a reporting 
period basis rather than a cumulative basis. For each semi-
annual report, the Committee directs the Office of Inspector 
General to provide, in tabular form, for audit findings: (1) 
total number and dollar value of new findings, (2) total number 
and dollar value of findings on which management concurs from 
this semi-annual report, (3) total value of receivables booked 
by management from this semi-annual report, and (4) total of 
funds offset or recovered from audit findings in this semi-
annual report. In each subsequent semi-annual report, the 
Inspector General should update the information on management 
concurrence, receivables, and offsets and collections for each 
prior semi-annual report. For each of these reportable actions, 
the Office of Inspector General shall include both the total 
management concurrence, receivables, and offsets and 
collections from all prior reports and new management 
concurrence, receivables, and offsets and collections during 
the current reporting period.
    The Office of Inspector General should provide a similar 
report on funds put to better use. Such a report should include 
total reports and findings by the Inspector General 
recommending funds put to better use, management concurrence 
and the actual purposes to which the fund were put. Each semi-
annual report should update prior semi-annual reports.
    Finally, the Committee encourages the Office of the 
Inspector General to consolidate these reports in the semi-
annual reports required under the Inspector General Act.

                    United States Institute of Peace

    The bill provides $11,160,000 for the United States 
Institute of Peace, the same as the comparable fiscal year 1998 
appropriation and $335,000 below the President's request. The 
Institute was created in 1984 to provide education and 
training, basic and applied research, and information services 
to promote conflict resolution.

              House of Representatives Report Requirements

    The following items are included in accordance with various 
requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives:

                        CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

    Clause 2(l)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives states that:

          Each report of a committee on a bill or joint 
        resolution of a public character, shall include a 
        statement citing the specific powers granted to the 
        Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed 
        by the bill or joint resolution.

    The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to 
report this legislation on Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I 
of the Constitution of the United States of America which 
states:

          No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in 
        consequence of Appropriations made by law * * *.

    Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to 
this specific power granted by the Constitution.

                   COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

    Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974 (Public Law 93-344), as amended, requires that the report 
accompanying a bill providing new budget authority contain a 
statement detailing how the authority compares with the report 
submitted under section 302 of the Act for the most recently 
agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the fiscal 
year. This information follows:

                                            [In millions of dollars]                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Sec. 302(b)                This bill       
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Budget                    Budget               
                                                               authority     Outlays     authority     Outlays  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary...............................................       81,552       80,300       81,927       80,347
Mandatory...................................................      220,433      221,446      220,433      221,446
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note.--The amounts in this bill are technically in excess of the subcommittee section 302(b) subdivision.       
  However, pursuant to section 314 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, increases to the        
  Committee's section 302(a) allocation are authorized for funding in the reported bill for continuing          
  disability reviews and other administrative activities funded with authorized user fees under the heading     
  ``Limitation on Administrative Expenses'' for the Social Security Administration and for adoption incentive   
  payments under the heading ``Children and Families Services Programs'' in the Administration for Children and 
  Families. After the bill is reported to the House, the Chairman of the Committee on the Budget will provide an
  increased section 302(a) allocation consistent with the funding provided in the bill. That new allocation will
  eliminate the technical difference prior to floor consideration.                                              

    In accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
(Public Law 93-344), as amended, the following information was 
provided to the Committee by the Congressional Budget Office:

                         Five-Year Projections

    In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as 
amended, the following table contains five-year projections 
associated with the budget authority provided in the 
accompanying bill:
                                                [In millions of dollars]
Budget authority in the bill..................................   260,607
Outlays:
    1999......................................................    40,350
    2000......................................................     9,939
    2001......................................................     2,211
    2002......................................................       297
    2003......................................................

          financial assistance to state and local governments

    In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as 
amended, the financial assistance to State and local 
governments is as follows:
                                                (In millions of dollars)
Budget authority..............................................   124,878
Fiscal year 1999 outlays resulting therefrom..................    31,141

                           transfer of funds

    Pursuant to clause 1(b), rule X of the House of 
Representatives, the following table is submitted describing 
the transfers of funds provided in the accompanying bill.
    The table shows, by Department and agency, the 
appropriations affected by such transfers.

                                 APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Account from which transfer is                 
    Account to which transfer is to be made         Amount                 to be made                 Amount    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Department of Labor: Employment Standards                       U.S. Postal Service:                            
 Administration:                                                                                                
  Special Benefits............................             (1)    Postal Service fund...........             (1)
  Salaries and expenses.......................     $30,191,000    Black lung disability trust        $30,191,000
                                                                 fund.                                          
Departmental management:                                                                                        
  Salaries and expenses.......................      20,422,000    Black lung disability trust         20,422,000
                                                                 fund.                                          
  Office of Inspector General.................         306,000    Black lung disability trust            306,000
                                                                 fund.                                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Indefinite.                                                                                                 

                              rescissions

    Pursuant to clause 1(b), rule X of the House of 
Representatives, the following table is submitted describing 
the rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill.

                  rescissions recommended in the bill

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
Department of Labor: Training and Employment Services       $250,000,000
Department of Health and Human Services: Low Income                     
 Home Energy Assistance Program                           $1,100,000,000
Department of Health and Human Services: Children and                   
 Families Services Programs                                 $21,000,000.
                                                                        

            Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3 (Ramseyer Rule)

  In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the 
bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed 
to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is 
printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed 
is shown in roman):

              SECTION 401 OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT

  Sec. 401. (a) The National Institutes of Health is an agency 
of the Service.
  (b)(1) The following national research institutes are 
agencies of the National Institutes of Health:
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (H) The [National Institute of Dental Research] 
        National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


GENERAL EDUCATION PROVISIONS ACT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


 Part C--General Requirements and Conditions Concerning the Operation 
  and Administration of Education Programs; General Authority of the 
Secretary

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subpart 4--Records; Privacy; Limitation on Withholding Federal Funds

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 447. PROHIBITION ON FEDERALLY SPONSORED TESTING.

  (a) General Prohibition.--Notwithstanding any other provision 
of Federal law, funds provided to the Department of Education 
or to an applicable program, may not be used to develop, plan, 
implement (including pilot testing or field testing), or 
administer any federally sponsored national test in reading, 
mathematics, or any other subject that is not specifically and 
explicitly provided for in authorizing legislation enacted into 
law.
  (b) Exceptions.--Subsection (a) shall not apply to the Third 
International Mathematics and Science Study or other 
international comparative assessments developed under the 
authority of section 404(a)(6) of the National Education 
Statistics Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. 9003(a)(6) et seq.), and 
administered to only a representative sample of pupils in the 
United States and in foreign nations.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                SECTION 2003 OF THE SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

                               ALLOTMENTS

  Sec. 2003. (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) The amount specified for purposes of subsections (a) and 
(b) shall be--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          [(8) $2,380,000,000 for the fiscal year 1998;]
          (8) $2,299,000,000 for the fiscal year 1998;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


              INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES EDUCATION ACT

                 TITLE VI--EDUCATION OF THE HANDICAPPED

                       PART A--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS; FINDINGS; PURPOSES.

  (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Individuals 
with Disabilities Education Act''.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 615. PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS.

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (k) Placement in Alternative Educational Setting.--
          (1) Authority of school personnel.--
                  (A) School personnel under this section may 
                order a change in the placement of a child with 
                a disability--
                          (i) * * *
                          (ii) to an appropriate interim 
                        alternative educational setting for the 
                        same amount of time that a child 
                        without a disability would be subject 
                        to discipline[, but for not more than 
                        45 days] if--
                                  (I) the child carries a 
                                weapon to school or to a school 
                                function under the jurisdiction 
                                of a State or a local 
                                educational agency; [or]
                                  (II) the child knowingly 
                                possesses or uses illegal drugs 
                                or sells or solicits the sale 
                                of a controlled substance while 
                                at school or a school function 
                                under the jurisdiction of a 
                                State or local educational 
                                agency[.]; or
                                  (III) the child intentionally 
                                exhibits violent behavior that 
                                has resulted in, or could have 
                                resulted in, physical injury to 
                                the child or to others while at 
                                school or at a school function 
                                under the jurisdiction of a 
                                State or local agency.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 616. WITHHOLDING AND JUDICIAL REVIEW.

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) Divided State Agency Responsibility.--[For purposes of 
this section] (1) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), 
where responsibility for ensuring that the requirements of this 
part are met with respect to children with disabilities who are 
convicted as adults under State law and incarcerated in adult 
prisons is assigned to a public agency other than the State 
educational agency pursuant to section 612(a)(11)(C), [the 
Secretary, in instances where the Secretary finds that the 
failure to comply substantially with the provisions of this 
part are related to a failure by the public agency, shall take 
appropriate corrective action to ensure compliance with this 
part, except--
          [(1) any reduction or withholding of payments to the 
        State is proportionate to the total funds allotted 
        under section 611 to the State as the number of 
        eligible children with disabilities in adult prisons 
        under the supervision of the other public agency is 
        proportionate to the number of eligible individuals 
        with disabilities in the State under the supervision of 
        the State educational agency; and
          [(2) any withholding of funds under paragraph (1) 
        shall be limited to the specific agency responsible for 
        the failure to comply with this part.]

the Secretary, in instances where the Secretary finds that the 
failure to comply substantially with the provisions of this 
part are related to a failure by the public agency during a 
fiscal year to provide special education and related services 
to individuals who are 18 years of age or older, and the 
Secretary decides to take corrective action to ensure 
compliance with this part, may take only the following such 
corrective action (and such corrective action may only be taken 
with respect to payments for that fiscal year):
          (A) Reduce or withhold payments to the State in an 
        amount that is proportionate to the total funds 
        allotted under section 611 to the State as the number 
        of such individuals who are 18 years of age or older is 
        proportionate to the number of eligible individuals 
        with disabilities in the State under the supervision of 
        the State educational agency.
          (B) Ensure that any withholding of funds under 
        paragraph (1) shall be limited to the specific agency 
        responsible for the failure to comply with this part.
  (2) Upon reduction or withholding of payments to a State for 
a fiscal year under paragraph (1)--
          (A) with respect to children with disabilities who 
        are convicted as adults under State law and 
        incarcerated in adult prisons, the State shall be 
        deemed to be in compliance with this part for that 
        fiscal year; and
          (B) no additional corrective action may be taken 
        against the State with respect to the failure by the 
        public agency described in paragraph (1).
  (3) For purposes of paragraph (1)(A), the number of eligible 
children with disabilities in adult prisons under the 
supervision of the other public agency and the number of 
eligible individuals with disabilities in the State under the 
supervision of the State educational agency shall be determined 
by the Secretary on the basis of the most recent satisfactory 
data available to the Secretary.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION ACT OF 1965

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


  TITLE VII--BILINGUAL EDUCATION, LANGUAGE ENHANCEMENT, AND LANGUAGE 
                          ACQUISITION PROGRAMS

PART A--BILINGUAL EDUCATION

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subpart 1--Bilingual Education Capacity and Demonstration Grants

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 7116. APPLICATIONS.

  (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (i) Priorities and Special Rules.--
          [(1) Priority.--The Secretary shall give priority to 
        applications which provide for the development of 
        bilingual proficiency both in English and another 
        language for all participating students.
          [(2) Special alternative instructional program.--
        Grants for special alternative instructional programs 
        under this subpart shall not exceed 25 percent of the 
        funds provided for any type of grant under any section, 
        or of the total funds provided, under this subpart for 
        any fiscal year.
          [(3) Special rule.--Notwithstanding paragraph (2), 
        the Secretary may award grants under this subpart for 
        special alternative instructional programs if an 
        applicant has demonstrated that the applicant cannot 
        develop and implement a bilingual education program for 
        the following reasons:
                  [(A) Where the diversity of the limited 
                English proficient students' native languages 
                and the small number of students speaking each 
                respective language makes bilingual education 
                impractical.
                  [(B) Where, despite documented efforts, the 
                applicant has not been able to hire qualified 
                instructional personnel who are able to 
                communicate in the students' native language.]
          [(4)] (1) Consideration.--In approving applications 
        under this subpart, the Secretary shall give 
        consideration to the degree to which the program for 
        which assistance is sought involves the collaborative 
        efforts of institutions of higher education, community-
        based organizations, the appropriate local and State 
        educational agency, or businesses.
          [(5)] (2) Due consideration.--The Secretary shall 
        give due consideration to applications providing 
        training for personnel participating in or preparing to 
        participate in the program which will assist such 
        personnel in meeting State and local certification 
        requirements and that, to the extent possible, describe 
        how college or university credit will be awarded for 
        such training.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 7120. PRIORITY ON FUNDING.

  The Secretary shall give priority to applications under this 
subpart that describe a program that--
          (1) enrolls a large percentage or large number of 
        limited English proficient students;
          (2) assists students enrolled in the program or 
        activity to move into a classroom where instruction is 
        not tailored for students of limited English 
        proficiency--
                  (A) by the end of the first grade, in the 
                case of students enrolling when they are in 
                kindergarten; or
                  (B) by the end of their second academic year 
                of enrollment, in the case of other students;
          (3) demonstrates that students of limited English 
        proficiency meet the same challenging State content 
        standards and challenging student performance standards 
        during and after the period in which students are 
        enrolled in a bilingual education program or a special 
        alternative instructional program expected for all 
        children and youth as required by section 1111(b);
          [(2)] (4) takes into account significant increases in 
        limited English proficient children and youth, 
        including such children and youth in areas with low 
        concentrations of such children and youth; and
          [(3)] (5) ensures that activities assisted under this 
        subpart address the needs of school systems of all 
        sizes and geographic areas, including rural and urban 
        schools.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 7125. MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT PERIOD.

  (a) Limitation.--Except as provided in this section, no 
student may be enrolled in a bilingual education program or a 
special alternative instructional program under this subpart 
for a period of more than 2 years, except where the school in 
which the student is enrolled--
          (1) conducts a comprehensive evaluation of the 
        overall academic progress of the student; and
          (2) the results of the evaluation indicate that lack 
        of English proficiency is impeding the academic 
        progress of the student in meeting grade promotion and 
        graduation standards and, in the case of a child with a 
        disability attainment of the objective in the child's 
        individualized education program under the Individuals 
        with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et 
        seq.).
Any student with respect to whom the requirements of this 
subsection are met, may remain in the program for a third year, 
except as provided in subsection (b)(2).
  (b) Evaluation.--
          (1) In general.--The evaluation required by 
        subsection (a) shall involve teachers and school 
        personnel familiar with the student's overall academic 
        progress. The results of such an evaluation shall be 
        made available to the parents of the student.
          (2) Schedule.--An evaluation shall be carried out at 
        the end of the third year the student is in the program 
        described in subsection (a) if the student is to 
        continue in the program for a fourth year and shall be 
        conducted in accordance with paragraph (1).
          (3) Language development.--Each evaluation shall 
        indicate how the student's English language development 
        will be addressed during the period a student is 
        retained in the program. The student's academic program 
        during that period shall emphasize mastery of English.
  (c) Final Extension.--No student shall remain in a bilingual 
education program or special alternative instructional program 
described in subsection (a) for more than 4 years.

SEC. 7126. ANNUAL REPORT.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary shall submit a report each 
year, beginning in fiscal year 2001, to the Committees on 
Appropriations and Education and the Workforce of the House of 
Representatives and the Committees on Appropriations and Labor 
and Human Resources of the Senate in accordance with subsection 
(b).
  (b) Contents.--
          (1) Effectiveness of programs.--Such report shall 
        identify the 10 percent of eligible entities receiving 
        funds under this subpart that have been the least 
        successful in assisting students in attaining English 
        proficiency by the end of their second academic year of 
        enrollment in a bilingual education program or special 
        alternative instructional program.
          (2) Continuance.--Such report shall also explain if 
        and why funding will be continued for a program 
        described under paragraph (1).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                       PART E--GENERAL PROVISIONS

SEC. 7501. DEFINITIONS; REGULATIONS.

  Except as otherwise provided, for purposes of this title--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (15) Special alternative instructional program.--The 
        term ``special alternative instructional program'' 
        means an educational program for limited English 
        proficient students that--
                  (A) utilizes specially designed English 
                language curricula and services but does not 
                use the student's native language for 
                instructional purposes; and
                  (B) enables limited English proficient 
                students to achieve English proficiency and 
                academic mastery of subject matter content and 
                higher order skills, including critical 
                thinking so as to meet age-appropriate grade-
                promotion and graduation standards in concert 
                with the National Education Goals[; and].
                  [(C) is particularly appropriate for schools 
                where the diversity of the limited English 
                proficient students' native languages and the 
                small number of students speaking each 
                respective language makes bilingual education 
                impractical and where there is a critical 
                shortage of bilingual education teachers.]

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


             SECTION 14 OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT

  Sec. 14. (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(c)(1) The Board, in its discretion, may, by rule of 
decision or by published rules abopted pursuant to the 
Administrative Procedure Act, decline to assert jurisdiction 
over any labor dispute involving any class or category of 
employers, where, in the opinion of the Board, the effect of 
such labor dispute on commerce is not sufficiently substantial 
to warrant the exercise of its jurisdiction: Provided, That the 
Board shall not decline to assert jurisdiction over any labor 
dispute over which it would assert jurisdiction under the 
standards prevailing upon August 1, 1959.]
  (c)(1)(A) Mandatory Jurisdiction.--The Board shall assert 
jurisdiction over any labor dispute involving any class or 
category of employers over which it would assert jurisdiction 
under the standards prevailing on August 1, 1959, with the 
financial threshold amounts adjusted for inflation under 
subparagraph (B).
  (B) Inflation Adjustments.--The Board, beginning on October 
1, 1998, and not less often than every 5 years thereafter, 
shall adjust each of the financial threshold amounts referred 
to in subparagraph (A) for inflation, using as the base period 
the later of (i) the most recent calendar quarter ending before 
the financial threshold amount was established, or (ii) the 
calendar quarter ending June 30, 1959. The inflation 
adjustments shall be determined using changes in the Consumer 
Price Index for all urban consumers published by the Department 
of Labor and shall be rounded to the nearest $10,000. The Board 
shall prescribe any regulations necessary for making the 
inflation adjustments.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ACT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


    TITLE XXVII--REQUIREMENTS RELATING TO HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE

Part A--Group Market Reforms

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subpart 2--Other Requirements

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 2706. STANDARDS RELATING TO ACCESS TO ROUTINE AND PREVENTIVE 
                    OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SERVICES.

  (a) In General.--If a group health plan or health insurance 
issuer, in the provision of health insurance coverage in 
connection with a group health plan, requires or provides for 
an enrollee to designate a participating primary care 
provider--
          (1) the plan or issuer shall permit a female enrollee 
        to designate an obstetrician-gynecologist who has 
        agreed to be designated as such, as the enrollee's 
        primary care provider; and
          (2) if such an enrollee has not designated such a 
        provider as a primary care provider, the plan or 
        issuer--
                  (A) may not require prior authorization by 
                the enrollee's primary care provider or 
                otherwise for coverage of routine and 
                preventive obstetric and gynecologic care 
                provided by a participating obstetrician-
                gynecologist, or a participating health care 
                professional practicing in collaboration with 
                the obstetrician-gynecologist and in accordance 
                with State law, to the extent such care is 
                otherwise covered, and
                  (B) may treat the ordering of other 
                gynecologic care by such a participating 
                physician as the prior authorization of the 
                primary care provider with respect to such care 
                under the coverage.
  (b) Construction.--Nothing in subsection (a)(2)(B) shall 
waive any requirements of coverage relating to medical 
necessity or appropriateness with respect to coverage of 
gynecologic care so ordered.
  (c) Prohibitions.--The provisions of paragraphs (1) through 
(3) of section 2704(b) shall apply to a woman under this 
section in the same manner as they apply to a mother under 
section 2704.
  (d) Notice.--A group health plan under this part shall comply 
with the notice requirement under section 713(b) of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 with respect to 
the requirements of this section as if such section applied to 
such plan.
  (e) Level and Type of Reimbursements.--Nothing in this 
section shall be construed to prevent a group health plan or a 
health insurance issuer offering group health insurance 
coverage from negotiating the level and type of reimbursement 
with a provider for care provided in accordance with this 
section.
  (f) Non-Preemption of More Protective State Law With Respect 
to Health Insurance Issuers.--Notwithstanding section 
2723(a)(1) but subject to section 2723(a)(2), this section 
shall not be construed to supersede any provision of State law 
which establishes, implements, or continues in effect any 
standard or requirement solely relating to health insurance 
issuers in connection with group health insurance coverage that 
provides greater protections to enrollees than the protections 
provided under this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subpart 4--Exclusion of Plans; Enforcement; Preemption

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 2723.  PREEMPTION; STATE FLEXIBILITY; CONSTRUCTION.

  (a) Continued Applicability of State Law With Respect to 
Health Insurance Issuers.--
          (1) In General.--Subject to paragraph (2) and section 
        2706(f) and except as provided in subsection (b), this 
        part and part C insofar as it relates to this part 
        shall not be construed to supersede any provision of 
        State law which establishes, implements, or continues 
        in effect any standard or requirement solely relating 
        to health insurance issuers in connection with group 
        health insurance coverage except to the extent that 
        such standard or requirement prevents the application 
        of a requirement of this part.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) Rules of Construction.--Nothing in this part (other than 
[section 2704] sections 2704 and 2706) shall be construed as 
requiring a group health plan or health insurance coverage to 
provide specific benefits under the terms of such plan or 
coverage.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Part B--Individual Market Rules

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subpart 3--Other Requirements

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 2752. STANDARDS RELATING TO ACCESS TO ROUTINE AND PREVENTIVE 
                    OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SERVICES.

  (a) In General.--The provisions of section 2706 (other than 
subsections (d) and (f)) shall apply to health insurance 
coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in the individual 
market in the same manner as it applies to health insurance 
coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in connection 
with a group health plan in the small or large group market.
  (b) Notice.--A health insurance issuer under this part shall 
comply with the notice requirement under section 713(b) of the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 with respect to 
the requirements referred to in subsection (a) as if such 
section applied to such issuer and such issuer were a group 
health plan.
  (c) Non-Preemption of More Protective State Law With Respect 
to Health Insurance Issuers.--Notwithstanding section 2762(a) 
but subject to section 2762(b)(1), this section shall not be 
construed to supersede any provision of State law which 
establishes, implements, or continues in effect any standard or 
requirement solely relating to health insurance issuers in 
connection with group health insurance coverage that provides 
greater protections to enrollees than the protections provided 
under this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subpart 3--General Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 2762. PREEMPTION.

  (a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b) and section 
2752(c), nothing in this part (or part C insofar as it applies 
to this part) shall be construed to prevent a State from 
establishing, implementing, or continuing in effect standards 
and requirements unless such standards and requirements prevent 
the application of a requirement of this part.
  (b) Rules of Construction.--(1) * * *
  (2) Nothing in this part (other than [section 2751] sections 
2751 and 2752) shall be construed as requiring health insurance 
coverage offered in the individual market to provide specific 
benefits under the terms of such coverage.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


            EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT OF 1974

                   SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS

  Section 1. This Act may be cited as the ``Employee Retirement 
Income Security Act of 1974''.

                            TABLE OF CONTENTS

Sec. 1. Short title and table of contents.
     * * * * * * *

                 Part 7--Group Health Plan Requirements

     * * * * * * *

                      Subpart B--Other Requirements

     * * * * * * *
Sec. 713. Standards relating to access to routine and preventive 
          obstetrical and gynecological services.
     * * * * * * *

TITLE I--PROTECTION OF EMPLOYEE BENEFIT RIGHTS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subtitle B--Regulatory Provisions 

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Part 7--Group Health Plan Requirements

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Subpart B--Other Requirements

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 713. STANDARDS RELATING TO ACCESS TO ROUTINE AND PREVENTIVE 
                    OBSTETRICAL AND GYNECOLOGICAL SERVICES.

  (a) In General.--The provisions of section 2706 (other than 
subsections (d) and (f)) of the Public Health Service Act shall 
apply to group health plans and health insurance coverage 
offered by a health insurance issuer in connection with a group 
health plan in the same manner as it applies to health 
insurance coverage offered by a health insurance issuer in 
connection with a group health plan in the small or large group 
market.
  (b) Notice.--The imposition of the requirements of this 
section shall be treated as a material modification in the 
terms of the plan described in section 102(a)(1), for purposes 
of assuring notice of such requirements under the plan; except 
that the summary description required to be provided under the 
last sentence of section 104(b)(1) with respect to such 
modification shall be provided by not later than 60 days after 
the first day of the first plan year in which such requirements 
apply.
  (c) Non-Preemption of More Protective State Law With Respect 
to Health Insurance Issuers.--Notwithstanding section 731(a)(1) 
but subject to section 731(a)(2), this section shall not be 
construed to supersede any provision of State law which 
establishes, implements, or continues in effect any standard or 
requirement solely relating to health insurance issuers in 
connection with group health insurance coverage that provides 
greater protections to enrollees than the protections provided 
under this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                     Subpart C--General Provisions

SEC. 731. PREEMPTION; STATE FLEXIBILITY; CONSTRUCTION.

  (a) Continued Applicability of State Law With Respect to 
Health Insurance Issuers.--
          (1) In General.--Subject to paragraph (2) and section 
        713(c) and except as provided in subsection (b), this 
        part shall not be construed to supersede any provision 
        of State law which establishes, implements, or 
        continues in effect any standard or requirement solely 
        relating to health insurance issuers in connection with 
        group health insurance coverage except to the extent 
        that such standard or requirement prevents the 
        application of a requirement of this part.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (c) Rules of Construction.--Except as provided in [section 
711] sections 711 and 713, nothing in this part shall be 
construed as requiring a group health plan or health insurance 
coverage to provide specific benefits under the terms of such 
plan or coverage.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 732. SPECIAL RULES RELATING TO GROUP HEALTH PLANS.

  (a) General Exception for Certain Small Group Health Plans.--
The requirements of this part (other than [section 711] 
sections 711 and 713) shall not apply to any group health plan 
(and group health insurance coverage offered in connection with 
a group health plan) for any plan year if, on the first day of 
such plan year, such plan has less than 2 participants who are 
current employees.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


SOCIAL SECURITY ACT

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE XVIII--HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE AGED AND DISABLED

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Part C--Medicare+Choice Program

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                  benefits and beneficiary protections

  Sec. 1852. (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (d) Access to Services.--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (5) Access to routine and preventive obstetrical and 
        gynecological services.--A Medicare+Choice organization 
        shall meet the requirements of section 2706 of the 
        Public Health Service Act with respect to individuals 
        enrolled with the organization under this part.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Part D--Miscellaneous Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


 payments to health maintenance organizations and competitive medical 
                                 plans

  Sec. 1876. (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (k)(1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (4) The following requirements shall apply to eligible 
organizations with risk-sharing contracts under this section in 
the same manner as they apply to Medicare+Choice organizations 
under part C:
          (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (E) The requirement to provide access to routine and 
        preventive obstetrical and gynecological services under 
        section 1852(d)(5).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


TITLE XIX--GRANTS TO STATES FOR MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                  provisions relating to managed care

  Sec. 1932. (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  (b) Beneficiary Protections.--
          (1)  * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (9) Access to routine and preventive obstetrical and 
        gynecological services.--
                  (A) In general.--Each contract with a managed 
                care entity under section 1903(m) or under 
                section 1905(t)(3) shall require the entity to 
                meet the requirements of section 2706 of the 
                Public Health Service Act with respect to 
                individuals enrolled with the organization 
                under this title.
                  (B) Cost sharing.--Nothing in this paragraph 
                or section 2706(c) of the Public Health Service 
                Act shall be construed as authorizing a health 
                insurance issuer to impose cost sharing with 
                respect to the coverage described in 
                subparagraph (A) that is inconsistent with the 
                cost sharing that is otherwise permitted under 
                this title.
                  (C) Waivers prohibited.--The requirement of 
                subparagraph (A) may not be waived under 
                section 1115 or section 1915(b).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


    SECTION 4 OF THE FEDERAL CIGARETTE LABELING AND ADVERTISING ACT

                                labeling

  Sec. 4. (a)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to 
manufacture, package, or import for sale or distribution within 
the United States any cigarettes the package of which fails to 
bear, in accordance with the requirements of this section, one 
of the following labels:
        SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, 
        Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

        SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: African Americans suffer the 
        highest death rates from several diseases caused by 
        smoking.
  (2) It shall be unlawful for any manufacturer or importer of 
cigarettes to advertise or cause to be advertised (other than 
through the use of outdoor billboards) within the United States 
any cigarette unless the advertising bears, in accordance with 
the requirements of this section, one of the following labels:
        SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, 
        Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

        SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: African Americans suffer the 
        highest death rates from several diseases caused by 
        smoking.
  (3) It shall be unlawful for any manufacturer or importer of 
cigarettes to advertise or cause to be advertised within the 
United States through the use of outdoor billboards any 
cigarette unless the advertising bears, in accordance with the 
requirements of this section, one of the following labels:
        SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, 
        Heart Disease, And Emphysema.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

        SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: African Americans suffer the 
        highest death rates from several diseases caused by 
        smoking.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                 Changes in Application of Existing Law

    Pursuant to clause 3, rule XXI of the House of 
Representatives, the following statements are submitted 
describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill 
which may directly or indirectly change the application of 
existing law.
    In some instances the bill includes appropriations for 
certain ongoing programs which are not yet authorized for 
fiscal year 1999.
    The bill provides that appropriations shall remain 
available for more than one year for some programs for which 
the basic authorizing legislation does not presently authorize 
such extended availability.
    In various places in the bill, the Committee has earmarked 
funds within appropriation accounts in order to fund specific 
sections of a law. Whether these actions constitute a change in 
the application of existing law is subject to individual 
interpretation, but the Committee felt that this fact should be 
mentioned.

                      TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

                    Training and Employment Services

    Language waiving certain provisions of sections 314 and 315 
of the Job Training Partnership Act; language permitting local 
service delivery areas to transfer funds between certain titles 
of the Job Training Partnership Act, with approval of the 
Governor; language providing that proceeds from the sale of Job 
Corps center facilities shall be retained by the Secretary of 
Labor to carry out the Job Corps program; provisions 
authorizing the Secretary to grant waivers of titles I-III of 
the Job Training Partnership Act and sections 8-10 of the 
Wagner-Peyser Act, with certain exceptions, pursuant to a 
request submitted by a State; and language authorizing the 
National Occupational Information Coordinating Committee to 
charge fees for publications, training and technical assistance 
developed by the Committee and to retain the revenues received, 
notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302.

     State Unemployment Insurance and Employment Service Operations

    Language allowing the use of funds for amortization 
payments to States which had independent retirement plans in 
their State employment service agencies prior to 1980.
    Language allowing the Labor Department to withhold from 
State allotments funds available for penalty mail under the 
Wagner-Peyser Act.
    Language providing that funds in this Act for one-stop 
career centers may be used for contracts, grants or agreements 
with non-State entities.
    Language providing that funds in this Act may be used by 
the States for integrated Employment Service and Unemployment 
Insurance automation efforts.

                  Employment Standards Administration

                         salaries and expenses

    Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to accept and 
spend all sums of money ordered to be paid to the Secretary, in 
accordance with the terms of a Consent Judgment in U.S. 
District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands.
    Language authorizing the Secretary of Labor to collect user 
fees for processing certain applications and issuing certain 
certificates and registrations under the Fair Labor Standards 
Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection 
Act.

                            special benefits

    Language providing funds may be used under the Federal 
Employees' Compensation Act in which the Secretary of Labor may 
reimburse an employer, who is not the employer at the time of 
injury, for portions of the salary of a reemployed, disabled 
beneficiary.
    Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to transfer 
certain administrative funds from the Postal Service fund and 
certain other government corporations and agencies related to 
the administration of the Federal Employees' Compensation Act.
    Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to require any 
person filing a claim for benefits under the Federal Employees' 
Compensation Act or the Longshore and Harbor Workers' 
Compensation Act to provide such identifying information as the 
Secretary may require, including a Social Security number.

             Occupational Safety and Health Administration

                         salaries and expenses

    Language establishing a maximum amount available for grants 
to States under the Occupational Safety and Health Act, which 
grants shall be no less than 50 percent of the costs of State 
programs required to be incurred under plans approved by the 
Secretary under section 18 of the Act.
    Language authorizing the Occupational Safety and Health 
Administration to retain and spend up to $750,000 of training 
institute course tuition fees for training and education 
grants.
    Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to collect and 
retain fees for services provided to Nationally Recognized 
Testing Laboratories.

                 Mine Safety and Health Administration

                         salaries and expenses

    Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration 
to collect up to $750,000 at the National Mine Health and 
Safety Academy for room, board, tuition, and the sale of 
training materials, otherwise authorized by law to be 
collected, to be available for mine safety and heath education 
and training activities, notwithstanding 31 U.S.C. 3302.
    Language allowing the Mine Safety and Health Administration 
to purchase and bestow certificates and trophies in connection 
with mine rescue and first-aid work; to accept land, buildings, 
equipment, and other contributions from public and private 
sources; to prosecute projects in cooperation with other 
agencies, Federal, State, or private; and to promote health and 
safety education and training in the mining community through 
cooperative programs with States, industry, and safety 
associations.
    Language allowing the Secretary of Labor to use any funds 
available to the Department to provide for the costs of mine 
rescue and survival operations in the event of major disasters.

                        Departmental Management

                         salaries and expenses

    Language providing that any decision under the Longshore 
Act pending before the Benefits Review Board for more than one 
year shall be considered affirmed by the Board and shall be 
considered the final order of the Board.

           TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

              Health Resources and Services Administration

                     health resources and services

    Language providing that the Division of Federal 
Occupational Health may utilize personal services contracting 
in certain instances.
    Language providing that in addition to fees authorized by 
section 427(b) of the Health Care Quality Improvement Act of 
1986, fees shall be collected for the full disclosure of 
information under the Act sufficient to recover the full costs 
of operating the National Practitioner Data Bank, and shall 
remain available until expended to carry out that Act.
    Language providing that all pregnancy counseling under the 
family planning program shall be nondirective.
    Language authorizing use of funds to continue operating the 
Council on Graduate Medical Education.
    Language identifying a specific amount for maternal and 
child health SPRANS activities, notwithstanding current law.

               Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

    Language permitting the Centers for Disease Control and 
Prevention to insure official motor vehicles in foreign 
countries.
    Language providing that collections from user fees may be 
credited to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
appropriation.
    Language making amounts under section 241 of the Public 
Health Service Act available to carry out the National Center 
for Health Statistics surveys.
    Language allowing the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention to redirect certain funds appropriated 
under Public Law 101-502.

                     National Institutes of Health

                      national library of medicine

    Language providing that the National Library of Medicine 
may enter into certain personal services contracts.

                         office of the director

    Language providing that the National Institutes of Health 
is authorized to collect third party payments for the cost of 
the clinical services that are incurred in NIH research 
facilities and that such payments shall be credited to the NIH 
Management Fund and shall remain available for one fiscal year 
after they are deposited.
    Language providing the Director of NIH authority to 
transfer funds between appropriation accounts in this or any 
other Act.
    Language permitting funds to be transferred from the 
National Foundation for Biomedical Research to the National 
Institutes of Health, notwithstanding current law.

                        buildings and facilities

    Language providing that a single contract or related 
contracts for the development and construction of the NIH 
clinical research center may be employed which collectively 
include the full scope of the project and that the solicitation 
and contract shall contain the clause ``availability of funds'' 
found at 48 CFR 52.232-18.

               Agency for Health Care Policy and Research

    Language is included to permit the Agency for Health Care 
Policy and Research to retain and expend amounts received from 
Freedom of Information Act fees, reimbursable and interagency 
agreements and the sale of data tapes.

                  Health Care Financing Administration

                     Grants to States for Medicaid

    A provision that in the administration of title XIX of the 
Social Security Act, payments to a state for any quarter may be 
made with respect to a State plan or plan amendment in effect 
during any such quarter, if submitted in, or prior to, such 
quarter and approved in that or any such subsequent quarter.

                           Program Management

    A provision that all funds collected in accordance with 
section 353 of the Public Health Service Act, together with 
such sums as may be collected from authorized user fees, 
administrative fees collected relative to Medicare overpayment 
recovery activities, and the sale of data, shall be available 
for expenditure by the Health Care Financing Administration.
    Language allowing fees charged in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 
9701 to be credited to the Health Care Financing Administration 
administrative account.
    Language providing that in carrying out its legislative 
mandate, the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of 
Medicare shall examine the impact of increased investments in 
health research on future Medicare costs, and the potential for 
coordinating Medicare with cost-effective long-term care 
services.
    Language providing that funds appropriated in this account 
may be obligated to increase Medicare provider audits and 
implement the Department's corrective action plan to the Chief 
Financial Officer's audit of the Health Care Financing 
Administration's oversight of Medicare.

                Administration for Children and Families

                     Refugee and Entrant Assistance

    Language providing that funds appropriated pursuant to 
section 414(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act for 
fiscal year 1997 shall be available for the costs of assistance 
provided and other activities conducted in such year and in 
fiscal years 1998 and 1999.

                      social services block grant

    Language providing that notwithstanding section 2003(c) of 
the Social Security Act, the amount specified for allocation 
under such section for fiscal year 1999 shall be 
$2,299,000,000.
    Language specifying that notwithstanding subparagraph (B) 
of section 404(d)(2) of the Social Security Act, the applicable 
percent specified under such subparagraph for a State for 
fiscal year 1999 shall be the percent of the State grant under 
section 403(a) of such Act for fiscal year 1998 transferred in 
fiscal year 1998 to the State program under title XX of such 
Act.

                children and families services programs

    Language providing that, notwithstanding section 640(a)(6) 
of the Head Start Act, $337,500,000 shall be set aside for the 
Head Start Program for Families with Infants and Toddlers 
(Early Head Start).
    Language providing that unexpended Community Services Block 
Grant funds may be carried over to the next fiscal year by 
local grantees.

                        Administration on Aging

                        Aging Services Programs

    Language providing that State administrative costs under 
title III of the Older Americans Act shall not be reduced more 
than 5 percent below the amount that was available to each 
State in fiscal year 1995.
    Language providing that in considering grant applications 
for nutrition services for elder Indian recipients, the 
Assistant Secretary for Aging shall provide maximum flexibility 
to applicants who seek to take into account subsistence, local 
customs, and other characteristics that are appropriate to the 
unique cultural, regional, and geographic needs of the American 
Indian, Alaska and Hawaiian Native communities to be served.

                   TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

                            education reform

    Language stating that section 315(a)(2) of the Goals 2000 
Act shall not apply; language setting aside up to one-half of 
one percent of certain technology funds for the outlying areas 
to be distributed by the Secretary; and language stating that 
if a State does not apply for a grant under section 3132 of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act, the Secretary shall use 
the State's share for grants directly to local educational 
agencies in that State that apply directly for the funds.

                    Education for the Disadvantaged

    The bill includes language providing that funds may be used 
by the Department of Education to obtain certain data from the 
Census Bureau.
    Language providing that certain amounts shall be reserved 
for section 1308 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
    Language providing that funds shall be available to 
demonstrate effective approaches to comprehensive school reform 
to be allocated and expended in accordance with the 
instructions relating to this activity in the statement of the 
managers on the conference report accompanying Public Law 105-
78 and that in carrying out this initiative, the Secretary and 
the States shall support only approaches that show the most 
promise of enabling children served by title I to meet 
challenging State content standards and challenging State 
student performance standards based on reliable research and 
effective practices, and include an emphasis on basic academics 
and parental involvement.

                   Bilingual and Immigrant Education

    The bill includes language providing that immigrant 
education funds may be allocated by States for competitive 
grants to local school districts.

               national technical institute for the deaf

                          Gallaudet University

    The bill includes language providing that the National 
Technical Institute for the Deaf and Gallaudet University may 
use funds for their endowment programs at their discretion.

                     vocational and adult education

    Language authorizing the Secretary to use a certain amount 
for national programs under title IV of the Vocational 
Education Act without regard to section 451 of the Act.
    Language authorizing the Secretary to use a certain amount 
of funds for national programs under part D of the Adult 
Education Act.
    The bill includes language providing that no State shall be 
required to operate a State Council under section 112(f) of the 
Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Education 
Act.

                      Student Financial Assistance

    The bill includes language providing that the maximum Pell 
grant a student may receive in the 1999-2000 academic year 
shall be $3,150.
    The bill includes language providing that notwithstanding 
section 401(g) of the Higher Education Act of 1965, if the 
Secretary determines, prior to publication of the payment 
schedule for award year 1999-2000, that the funds included 
within this appropriation for Pell Grant awards for award year 
1999-2000, and any funds available from the FY 1998 
appropriation for Pell Grant awards, are insufficient to 
satisfy fully all such awards for which students are eligible, 
as calculated under section 401(b) of the Act, the amount paid 
for each such award shall be reduced by either a fixed or 
variable percentage, or by a fixed dollar amount, as determined 
in accordance with a schedule of reductions established by the 
Secretary for this purpose.
    Language is included providing that if the Secretary 
determines that the funds available to fund Pell Grants for 
award year 1999-2000 exceed the amount needed to fund Pell 
Grants at a maximum award of $3,150 for that award year, the 
Secretary may increase the income protection allowances in 
sections 475(g)(2)(D), and 476(b)(1)(A)(iv)(I), (II) and (III) 
up to the amounts at which Pell Grant awards calculated using 
the increased income protection allowances equal the funds 
available to make Pell Grants in award year 1999-2000 with a 
$3,150 maximum award, except that the income protection 
allowance in section 475(g)(2)(D) may not exceed $2,200, the 
income protection allowance in sections 476(b)(1)(A)(iv)(I) and 
(II) may not exceed $4,250, and the income protection allowance 
in section 476(b)(1)(A)(iv)(III) may not exceed $7,250.

                            Higher Education

    The bill includes language providing that funds provided 
herein for carrying out title III of the Higher Education Act 
of 1965 shall be available without regard to section 
360(a)(1)(B)(ii).

                           Howard University

    The bill includes language providing that Howard University 
may at its discretion use funds for the endowment program as 
authorized by the Howard University Endowment Act.

            Education Research, Statistics, and Improvement

    The bill includes language providing that a certain amount 
shall be available to demonstrate effective approaches to 
comprehensive school reform to be allocated and expended in 
accordance with the instructions relating to this activity in 
the statement of managers on the conference report accompanying 
Public Law 105-78 and that in carrying out this initiative, the 
Secretary and the States shall support only approaches that 
show the most promise of enabling children to meet challenging 
State content standards and challenging State student 
performance standards based on reliable research and effective 
practices, and include an emphasis on basic academics and 
parental involvement.

                       TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES

               Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service

                         Salaries and Expenses

    The bill includes language specifying that notwithstanding 
31 U.S.C. 3302, fees charged by the Federal Mediation and 
Conciliation Service, up to full-cost recovery, for special 
training activities and for arbitration services shall be 
credited to and merged with its administrative account, and 
shall remain available until expended; that fees for 
arbitration services shall be available only for education, 
training, and professional development of the agency workforce; 
and that the Director of the Service is authorized to accept on 
behalf of the United States gifts of services and real, 
personal, or other property in the aid of any projects or 
functions within the Director's jurisdiction.

                     National Labor Relations Board

                         Salaries and Expenses

    The bill includes a provision requiring that appropriations 
to the NLRB shall not be available to organize or assist in 
organizing agricultural laborers or used in connection with 
investigations, hearings, directives, or orders concerning 
bargaining units composed of agricultural laborers as referred 
to in section 2(3) of the Act of July 5, 1935 (29 U.S.C. 152), 
and as amended by the Labor-Management Relations Act, 1947, as 
amended, and as defined in section 3(f) of the Act of June 25, 
1938 (29 U.S.C. 203), and including in said definition 
employees engaged in the maintenance and operation of ditches, 
canals, reservoirs, and waterways, when maintained or operated 
on a mutual non-profit basis and at least 95 per centum of the 
water stored or supplied thereby is used for farming purposes.

                        National Mediation Board

                         Salaries and Expenses

    Language providing that funds remaining unobligated at the 
end of the year that are not needed for emergency boards shall 
remain available for other statutory purposes for an additional 
year.

                       Railroad Retirement Board

                     Dual Benefits Payments Account

    The bill includes language providing that the total amount 
provided for railroad retirement dual benefits shall be 
credited to the Dual Benefits Payments Account in 12 
approximately equal amounts on the first day of each month in 
the fiscal year.

                      Limitation on Administration

    The bill includes language providing that the Railroad 
Retirement Board shall determine the allocation of its 
administrative budget between the railroad retirement accounts 
and the railroad unemployment insurance administration fund.

                     Social Security Administration

                 Limitation on Administrative Expenses

    Language providing that unobligated balances at the end of 
fiscal year 1999 shall remain available until expended for the 
agency's computing network, including related equipment and 
non-payroll administrative expenses associated solely with this 
network; language authorizing the use of up to $10,000 for 
official reception and representation expenses; and language 
providing that reimbursement to the trust funds under this 
heading for expenditures for official time for employees of the 
Social Security Administration pursuant to section 7131 of 
title 5, United States Code, and for facilities or support 
services for labor organizations pursuant to policies, 
regulations, or procedures referred to in section 7135(b) of 
such title shall be made by the Secretary of the Treasury, with 
interest, from amounts in the general fund not otherwise 
appropriated, as soon as possible after such expenditures are 
made.
    Language providing that funds may be derived from 
administration fees collected pursuant to section 1616(d) of 
the Social Security Act or section 212(b)(3) of Public Law 93-
66 and that, to the extent that the amounts collected pursuant 
to such sections in fiscal year 1999 exceed $75,000,000, the 
amounts shall be available in fiscal year 2000 only to the 
extent provided in advance in appropriations Acts.

                      office of inspector general

    Language permitting the transfer of a certain amount of 
funds into this account from the SSA administrative account 
provided that the Appropriations Committees are promptly 
notified.

                           General Provisions

    Sections 102, 103, 105, 201, 202, 205, 207, 208, 209, 210, 
211, 213, 216, 218, 219 301, 302, 304, 307 and 501, 504, 506, 
507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512 and 513 of the bill are general 
provisions, most of which have been carried in previous 
appropriations acts, which place limitations on the use of 
funds in the bill or authorize or require certain activities, 
and which might, under some circumstances, be construed as 
changing the application of existing law.
    Section 104 is a general provision requiring the Secretary 
of Labor to appoint a peer review panel whenever a new standard 
is to be promulgated under the Occupational Safety and Health 
Act.
    Section 217 is a general provision stating that none of the 
funds appropriated by this Act (including funds appropriated to 
any trust fund) may be used to carry out the Medicare + Choice 
program if the Secretary of HHS denies participation in such 
program to an otherwise eligible entity (including a Provider 
Sponsored Organization) because the entity informs the 
Secretary that it will not provide, pay for, provide coverage 
of, or provide referrals for abortions.
    Section 220 of the bill is a general provision requiring 
family planning projects funded under title X of the Public 
Health Service Act to provide written notice to a parent or 
legal guardian of a minor before providing contraceptive drugs 
or devices to the minor. Further, it provides that no title X 
project shall be exempt from any State law requiring 
notification or the reporting of child abuse, child 
molestation, sexual abuse, rape or incest.
    Section 306 is a provision allowing any institution of 
higher education which receives funds under title III of the 
Higher Education Act, except for grants made under section 326, 
to use up to twenty percent of its award under part A or part B 
of the Act for endowment building purposes authorized under 
section 331.
    Section 308 is a provision allowing States to use funds 
under the Goals 2000 and the Eisenhower professional 
development programs for activities under title VI of the 
Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
    Section 515 is a provision allowing agencies funded in the 
bill to utilize unobligated balances remaining available at the 
end of fiscal year 1999, from appropriations made available for 
salaries and expenses, through December 31, 1999, for each such 
account for the purposes authorized, provided that the House 
and Senate Committees on Appropriations are notified at least 
fifteen days prior to the obligation of such funds.
    Title VI of the bill contains the Child Protection Act of 
1998. This requires any school or library receiving Federal 
funds for the acquisition of computers to install software on 
them that prevents minors from obtaining access to any obscene 
information on the Internet.
    Title VII of the bill contains two legislative provisions. 
The first provision amends the Public Health Service Act, the 
Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Social Security 
Act with respect to assuring access to routine and preventive 
obstetrical and gynecological services under group health 
plans, group and individual health insurance coverage, Medicare 
and Medicaid. The second provision amends the Federal Cigarette 
Labeling and Advertising Act to require a new Surgeon General's 
warning with respect to African Americans.

Definition of program, project, and activity

    During fiscal year 1999 for purposes of the Balanced Budget 
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-177), 
as amended, the following information provides the definition 
of the term ``program, project, and activity'' for departments 
and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Labor, Health and 
Human Services, and Education and Related Agencies 
Subcommittee. The term ``program, project, and activity'' shall 
include the most specific level of budget items identified in 
the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and 
Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999, the 
accompanying House and Senate Committee reports, the conference 
report and accompanying joint explanatory statement of the 
managers of the committee of conference.

                  Appropriations Not Authorized by Law

    Pursuant to clause 3 of rule XXI of the House of 
Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations 
in the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law:

                      TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Community Service Employment for Older Americans
Trade Adjustment Assistance/NAFTA Transitional Adjustment 
Assistance
Work Opportunity Tax Credit

           TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Health Resources and Services Administration:
Health Professions--titles VII and VIII of the Public Health 
Service Act
Organ Transplantation
Health Teaching Facilities Interest Subsidies
Bone Marrow Donor Registry Program
Emergency Medical Services for Children
Family Planning
Vaccine Injury Compensation Program: HRSA Administration
Centers for Disease Control:
Childhood Immunization
National Institutes of Health
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:
          Mental Health Performance Partnership
          Children's Mental Health
          Grants to States for the Homeless
          Substance Abuse Performance Partnership
Agency for Health Care Policy and Research
Administration for Children and Families:
Runaway and Homeless Youth
Runaway Youth--Transitional Living
Native American Programs
Administration on Aging
Office of the Secretary:
Adolescent Family Life
Minority Health

                   TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

High School Equivalency Program/College Assistance Migrant 
Program
Rehabilitation Services and Disability Research
Vocational and Adult Education
Student Financial Assistance
Higher Education

                       TITLE IV--RELATED AGENCIES

Corporation for National and Community Service
Corporation for Public Broadcasting (FY 2001)
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 1

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Ms. DeLauro.
    Description of motion: To strike prohibition of use of 
funds to carry out section 115 of the Federal Mine Safety and 
Health Act of 1977 with regard to training regulations:
    Results: Rejected 19 yeas to 33 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Cramer                          Mr. Aderholt
Ms. DeLauro                         Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Dixon                           Mr. Callahan
Mr. Edwards                         Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Fazio                           Mr. Dickey
Mr. Hefner                          Mr. Forbes
Ms. Kaptur                          Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mrs. Lowey                          Mr. Hobson
Mrs. Meek                           Mr. Hoyer
Mr. Moran                           Mr. Istook
Mr. Obey                            Mr. Kingston
Mr. Pastor                          Mr. Knollenberg
Ms. Pelosi                          Mr. Kolbe
Mr. Sabo                            Mr. Latham
Mr. Serrano                         Mr. Livingston
Mr. Skaggs                          Mr. Miller
Mr. Stokes                          Mr. Mollohan
Mr. Visclosky                       Mr. Nethercutt
Mr. Yates                           Mr. Neumann
                                    Mrs. Northup
                                    Mr. Packard
                                    Mr. Parker
                                    Mr. Porter
                                    Mr. Regula
                                    Mr. Rogers
                                    Mr. Skeen
                                    Mr. Taylor
                                    Mr. Tiahrt
                                    Mr. Walsh
                                    Mr. Wamp
                                    Mr. Wicker
                                    Mr. Wolfe
                                    Mr. Young
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 2

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Mr. Porter.
    Description of motion: Substitute (to the amendment offered 
by Mr. Istook) to ensure no provider of services under Title X 
of the Public Health Service Act is exempt from state law 
pertaining to reporting of child abuse, child molestation, 
sexual abuse, rape, or incest.
    Results: Rejected 25 yeas to 31 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Ms. DeLauro                         Mr. Aderholt
Mr. Dixon                           Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Edwards                         Mr. Callahan
Mr. Fazio                           Mr. Cramer
Mr. Frelinghuysen                   Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Hefner                          Mr. Delay
Mr. Hobson                          Mr. Dickey
Mr. Hoyer                           Mr. Forbes
Ms. Kaptur                          Mr. Istook
Mr. Kolbe                           Mr. Kingston
Mrs. Lowey                          Mr. Knollenberg
Mrs. Meek                           Mr. Latham
Mr. Moran                           Mr. Livingston
Mr. Obey                            Mr. Miller
Mr. Pastor                          Mr. Mollohan
Ms. Pelosi                          Mr. Murtha
Mr. Porter                          Mr. Nethercutt
Mr. Price                           Mr. Neumann
Mr. Regula                          Mrs. Northup
Mr. Sabo                            Mr. Packard
Mr. Serrano                         Mr. Parker
Mr. Skaggs                          Mr. Rogers
Mr. Stokes                          Mr. Skeen
Mr. Torres                          Mr. Taylor
Mr. Yates                           Mr. Tiahrt
                                    Mr. Visclosky
                                    Mr. Walsh
                                    Mr. Wamp
                                    Mr. Wicker
                                    Mr. Wolf
                                    Mr. Young
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 3

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Mr. Istook.
    Description of motion: To require providers of services 
under Title X of the Public Health Service Act are not exempt 
from state laws requiring notification of child abuse, 
molestation, sexual abuse, rape, or incest.
    Results: Adopted 56 yeas to 0 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Aderholt
Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Callahan
Mr. Cramer
Mr. Cunningham
Ms. DeLauro
Mr. DeLay
Mr. Dickey
Mr. Dixon
Mr. Edwards
Mr. Fazio
Mr. Forbes
Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. Hefner
Mr. Hobson
Mr. Hoyer
Mr. Istook
Ms. Kaptur
Mr. Kingston
Mr. Knollenberg
Mr. Kolbe
Mr. Latham
Mr. Livingston
Mrs. Lowey
Mrs. Meek
Mr. Miller
Mr. Mollohan
Mr. Moran
Mr. Murtha
Mr. Nethercutt
Mr. Neumann
Mrs. Northup
Mr. Obey
Mr. Packard
Mr. Parker
Mr. Pastor
Ms. Pelosi
Mr. Porter
Mr. Price
Mr. Regula
Mr. Rogers
Mr. Sabo
Mr. Serrano
Mr. Skaggs
Mr. Skeen
Mr. Stokes
Mr. Taylor
Mr. Tiahrt
Mr. Torres
Mr. Visclosky
Mr. Walsh
Mr. Wamp
Mr. Wicker
Mr. Wolf
Mr. Yates
Mr. Young
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 4

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Mr. Istook.
    Description of motion: To require Title X clinic staff to 
give parents notice before giving a minor contraceptive drugs 
or devices.
    Results: Adopted 32 yeas to 24 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Aderholt                        Ms. DeLauro
Mr. Bonilla                         Mr. Dixon
Mr. Callahan                        Mr. Edwards
Mr. Cramer                          Mr. Fazio
Mr. Cunningham                      Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. DeLay                           Mr. Hefner
Mr. Dickey                          Mr. Hobson
Mr. Forbes                          Mr. Hoyer
Mr. Istook                          Ms. Kaptur
Mr. Kingston                        Mr. Kolbe
Mr. Knollenberg                     Mrs. Lowey
Mr. Latham                          Mrs. Meek
Mr. Livingston                      Mr. Moran
Mr. Miller                          Mr. Obey
Mr. Mollohan                        Mr. Pastor
Mr. Murtha                          Ms. Pelosi
Mr. Nethercutt                      Mr. Porter
Mr. Neumann                         Mr. Price
Mrs. Northup                        Mr. Sabo
Mr. Packard                         Mr. Serrano
Mr. Parker                          Mr. Skaggs
Mr. Regula                          Mr. Stokes
Mr. Rogers                          Mr. Torres
Mr. Skeen                           Mr. Yates
Mr. Taylor
Mr. Tiahrt
Mr. Visclosky
Mr. Walsh
Mr. Wamp
Mr. Wicker
Mr. Wolf
Mr. Young
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 5

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Mr. Tiahrt.
    Description of motion: To require Title X clinics to 
provide separate records and accounting of abortion and family 
planning functions.
    Results: Rejected 26 yeas to 26 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Aderholt                        Mr. Cramer
Mr. Bonilla                         Ms. DeLauro
Mr. Cunningham                      Mr. Edwards
Mr. DeLay                           Mr. Fazio
Mr. Dickey                          Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. Forbes                          Mr. Hefner
Mr. Hobson                          Mr. Hoyer
Mr. Istook                          Ms. Kaptur
Mr. Kingston                        Mr. Kolbe
Mr. Knollenberg                     Mrs. Lowey
Mr. Latham                          Mrs. Meek
Mr. Livingston                      Mr. Miller
Mr. Mollohan                        Mr. Murtha
Mr. Neumann                         Mr. Nethercutt
Mrs. Northup                        Mr. Obey
Mr. Packard                         Mr. Pastor
Mr. Parker                          Ms. Pelosi
Mr. Regula                          Mr. Porter
Mr. Rogers                          Mr. Price
Mr. Taylor                          Mr. Sabo
Mr. Tiahrt                          Mr. Serrano
Mr. Walsh                           Mr. Skaggs
Mr. Wamp                            Mr. Skeen
Mr. Wicker                          Mr. Torres
Mr. Wolf                            Mr. Visclosky
Mr. Young                           Mr. Yates
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 6

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Mrs. Lowey.
    Description of motion: To require that health plans allow 
obstetrical and gynecological providers to be designated as 
primary health providers.
    Results: Adopted 29 yeas to 25 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Cramer                          Mr. Aderholt
Ms. DeLauro                         Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Dickey                          Mr. Callahan
Mr. Edwards                         Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Fazio                           Mr. DeLay
Mr. Forbes                          Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. Hefner                          Mr. Hobson
Mr. Hover                           Mr. Istook
Ms. Kaptur                          Mr. Kingston
Mr. Lewis                           Mr. Knollenberg
Mrs. Lowey                          Mr. Kolbe
Mrs. Meek                           Mr. Latham
Mr. Mollohan                        Mr. Livingston
Mr. Murtha                          Mr. Miller
Mr. Nethercutt                      Mrs. Northup
Mr. Neumann                         Mr. Packard
Mr. Obey                            Mr. Parker
Mr. Pastor                          Mr. Porter
Ms. Pelosi                          Mr. Rogers
Mr. Price                           Mr. Skaggs
Mr. Regula                          Mr. Skeen
Mr. Sabo                            Mr. Taylor
Mr. Serrano                         Mr. Tiahrt
Mr. Stokes                          Mr. Walsh
Mr. Torres                          Mr. Wicker
Mr. Visclosky
Mr. Wamp
Mr. Wolf
Mr. Yates
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 7

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Mr. Hoyer.
    Description of motion: To strike section 308 which allows 
states to use funds under the Goals 2000 and Eisenhower 
Professional Development Programs and prioritize purposes 
designated by individual administrators.
    Results: Rejected 24 yeas to 29 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Cramer                          Mr. Aderholt
Ms. DeLauro                         Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Dixon                           Mr. Callahan
Mr. Edwards                         Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Fazio                           Mr. DeLay
Mr. Forbes                          Mr. Dickey
Mr. Hefner                          Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. Hoyer                           Mr. Hobson
Ms. Kaptur                          Mr. Istook
Mrs. Lowey                          Mr. Kingston
Mrs. Meek                           Mr. Knollenberg
Mr. Mollohan                        Mr. Latham
Mr. Murtha                          Mr. Lewis
Mr. Obey                            Mr. Livingston
Mr. Pastor                          Mr. Miller
Ms. Pelosi                          Mr. Neumann
Mr. Price                           Mrs. Northup
Mr. Sabo                            Mr. Packard
Mr. Serrano                         Mr. Parker
Mr. Skaggs                          Mr. Porter
Mr. Stokes                          Mr. Regula
Mr. Torres                          Mr. Rogers
Mr. Visclosky                       Mr. Skeen
Mr. Yates                           Mr. Taylor
                                    Mr. Tiahrt
                                    Mr. Walsh
                                    Mr. Wamp
                                    Mr. Wicker
                                    Mr. Wolf
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 8

    Date: July 14, 1998.
    Measure: Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Bill, FY 1999.
    Motion by: Mr. Regula.
    Description of motion: To report the bill, authorized the 
Chairman to seek a rule, and move to go to conference.
    Results: Adopted 32 yeas to 23 nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Aderholt                        Mr. Cramer
Mr. Bonilla                         Ms. DeLauro
Mr. Callahan                        Mr. Dixon
Mr. Cunningham                      Mr. Edwards
Mr. DeLay                           Mr. Fazio
Mr. Dickey                          Mr. Hefner
Mr. Frelinghuysen                   Mr. Hoyer
Mr. Hobson                           Ms. Kaptur
Mr. Istook                          Mrs. Lowey
Mr. Kingston                        Mrs. Meek
Mr. Knollenberg                     Mr. Mollohan
Mr. Kolbe                           Mr. Murtha
Mr. Latham                          Mr. Obey
Mr. Lewis                           Mr. Pastor
Mr. Livingston                      Ms. Pelosi
Mr. Miller                          Mr. Price
Mr. Nethercutt                      Mr. Sabo
Mr. Neumann                         Mr. Serrano
Mrs. Northup                        Mr. Skaggs
Mr. Packard                         Mr. Stokes
Mr. Parker                          Mr. Torres
Mr. Porter                          Mr. Visclosky
Mr. Regula                          Mr. Yates
Mr. Rogers
Mr. Skeen
Mr. Taylor
Mr. Tiahrt
Mr. Walsh
Mr. Wamp
Mr. Wicker
Mr. Wolf
Mr. Young





  DISSENTING VIEWS OF HON. DAVID OBEY, HON. LOUIS STOKES, HON. STENY 
    HOYER, HON. NANCY PELOSI, HON. NITA LOWEY, AND HON. ROSA DeLAURO

    We all know that there are going to be significant limits 
on how we deal with the country's problems because of last 
year's budget deal. We all know that the budget deal squeezes 
resources for domestic priorities, and we can't attack the 
committee for recognizing the budget realities. But, this bill 
is in the shape that it is in--not because of the budget deal--
but because of two other factors.
    First, is the tobacco legislation. It is apparent that the 
Republican majority has concluded that the economy is so 
healthy that the American people are simply not paying any 
attention to what is happening in Congress. Given a healthy 
economy, Republicans think they can do almost anything they 
want without having to answer to the public for it. That's why 
they killed the tobacco bill and this bill is a direct result 
of that action.
    Because Republicans killed the tobacco bill, they have made 
it much harder to fund the President's health initiatives, 
including a $1.2 billion increase for NIH. It is clear that the 
Republicans have determined that it is too dangerous to be 
hanging out there without the additional funds that the tobacco 
legislation would have provided. Republicans do not want to 
anger the tobacco companies, so they have decided to find the 
funds somewhere else. What the Republicans have done in this 
bill is take the funding out of the hides of the weakest and 
most vulnerable people in our society.
    The Majority has eliminated the Low Income Home Energy 
Assistance Program (LIHEAP) that provides help to 4.4 million 
of the most vulnerable households in this country to pay their 
heating and cooling bills. Approximately 1.5 million of these 
households contain elderly members, 1.3 million have disabled 
individuals, and 2.1 million are struggling to raise children 
in poverty. Overall, two-thirds of LIHEAP recipients earn less 
than $8,000 a year. The lack of LIHEAP assistance will likely 
increase the number of households losing heat in the winter due 
to an inability to pay; and the many who will struggle to keep 
up with their utility bills will obviously have to cut back on 
other essential expenditures such as food, medicine, and 
payments for housing.
    It should be noted that LIHEAP was already slashed by $419 
million in 1996, a reduction of one-third, and over 1 million 
households lost assistance as a result. From 1981 to 1996, the 
low income population eligible for LIHEAP has grown from 19.7 
million to 27.8 million. However the percentage of eligible 
households served has dropped from 36% in 1981 to 19% in 1995--
and that is the year prior to the additional one-third cut.
    In this report, the majority made three points relating to 
LIHEAP which must be rebutted: that energy prices are at 
historically low levels; that states have LIHEAP carryover 
funds; and that States in general are running budget surpluses 
and can assume the responsibility for LIHEAP.
    States are allowed to carryover a maximum of 10% of their 
funds, and on average have carried over about only about 2-3% 
in the last two years. Clearly there are not enough carryover 
funds to run a full year program even though we did have a warm 
winter last year.
    While the trends in energy prices have declined in recent 
years, they are still about the same as the levels when LIHEAP 
was created, and still constitute a significant expense for low 
income households. According to data from the Department of 
Energy, the composite average of electricity, gas and fuel oil 
in 1997 was $13.26 per million of British Thermal Units 
(mmbtu). That average in 1979 was $5.96 mmbtu in current 
dollars and $13.13 in constant 1997 dollars adjusted for 
inflation. In 1979, 7.1 million households used 15% of their 
income for residential energy, and by 1995 that number dropped 
only slightly to 6.7 million households.
    While it is true that according to the National Association 
of State Budget Officers estimates, States have a collective 
1998 budget surplus estimated to be about $25 billion in 1998, 
the Federal government surplus that is now estimated by CBO to 
be $63 billion is over twice as large as all the state budgets 
combined, and it is expected to reach $80 billion in FY 1999. 
There is no indication that the Republican governors are any 
more compassionate and willing to pick up this Federal 
responsibility of $1.1 billion in assistance to low income 
households than are the Republicans in Congress--especially 
given the number of worthy state programs needing additional 
funds and the need to plan for potential future state deficits.
     The bottom line is that there is no programmatic or 
economic rationale to justify the elimination of LIHEAP, and 
millions of the most vulnerable households in this country will 
experience significant, additional hardships if this cut is 
enacted.
    This bill also dismantles the common sense investments in 
programs that help young people prepare for the world of work 
by cutting $1.5 billion from the President's budget request for 
these programs. These critical investments ensure that even our 
most disadvantaged youth have the skills they need to succeed 
and avoid perpetual cycles of crime, welfare, and permanent 
poverty. But the Majority has decided that since the weakest 
and most vulnerable in oursociety don't vote for them--in fact, 
in many cases they don't vote at all--they can eliminate these 
opportunities.
    The Majority has decided to wipe out the $871 million 
summer jobs program for 530,000 of our most disadvantaged 
youth. For some of these kids, a summer job may literally be 
the lifeline for a teenager headed for trouble. While the 
nation has been enjoying low unemployment rates, unemployment 
for African-American teens was 32 percent last summer. This 
program provided 20 percent of all jobs in the country held by 
African American youth age 16-17 in the summer of 1996, and 13 
percent for Hispanic youth. For the 14-15 year old cohort, this 
program provided 25 percent of all African American summer jobs 
and 16 percent of Hispanic jobs. A 1995 report concluded that 
over three-quarters of the young people enrolled in this 
program would have been jobless without it, especially the 14-
15 year olds.
    It should be noted that in an apparent justification for 
their action to eliminate this program, the Majority has cited 
findings from a Department of Labor evaluation that work 
experience alone is not an effective form of training. That 
finding was associated with a program serving school dropouts 
and is not particularly relevant to the summer jobs program. 
Almost, 85% of the Summer Jobs program participants are either 
in school or are recent graduates, and many Summer Jobs sites 
even provide classroom education together with work experience. 
The summer jobs program is work experience that supplements, 
not replaces, the education of young people still in school. 
Research and evaluation of the summer jobs program by Westat 
and the Department of Labor's Office of the Inspector general 
has shown the program to be successful and supports 
continuation.
    The bill also rescinds the entire $250 million already 
appropriated for Out-of-School Youth Opportunities in FY 1999, 
and zeroes out the President's request for an additional $250 
million in FY 2000. This initiative is a community-based 
approach to help young people in high poverty areas find jobs. 
This cut will deny critical support for up to 50,000 of the 
most disadvantaged young people in central cities and rural 
communities across the country. Widespread joblessness among 
young males is the principal underlying cause of a variety of 
of our inner cities' worst problems, including poverty, crime, 
youth gangs, welfare depedency, illegal drugs, and the 
breakdown of the two-parent family. One-half of black male high 
school dropouts under the age of 25 and three-quarters of black 
male high school dropouts ages 25-34 are under some form of 
criminal justice supervision. If the Majority is sincere about 
addressing the problems of welfare, crime and drugs in our 
society, it makes no sense to eliminate the funding for this 
innovative program when the authorization bill is currently in 
conference. Yet, the Majority has done exactly that and has 
turned its back on these problems.
    The bill slashes $100 million from school-to-work 
initiatives, undermining state and local efforts to provide 
career-related coursework and work-based learning experiences 
that are relevant to good jobs in the community, and which 
create pathways to future careers for more than 1 million 
students in over 3,000 high schools.
    The bill also has failed to include $30 million requested 
for CDC demonstration projects to address racial and ethnic 
health disparities in infant mortality, cancer, diabetes, heart 
disease and stroke, HIV/AIDS, and immunizations. For example, 
the rate of AIDS is more than seven times higher for African-
Americans than for white Americans, and more than three times 
higher for Hispanics than for whites. This comprehensive 
strategy would have attempted to help eliminate the excess 
deaths among minorities and to identify new knowledge about the 
causes of these persistent disparities in the health status of 
minority populations.
    In summary, since the weakest in our society don't vote for 
Republicans, the Majority decided to pay for NIH and other 
increases out of the hides of the most defenseless and 
vulnerable, minority youth, and out of children, families and 
seniors in poverty.
    The second decision that the Majority has made is that 
since the public is not paying attention, they have chosen to 
revert to the politics of confrontation. Two years ago when 
they tried to shut down the government in order to force the 
President to do their bidding, they paid a big price and a loss 
of public support. They learned that that approach didn't work. 
That is why we had an enjoyable and productive session last 
year, when we produced a bipartisan approach to the FY 1998 
Labor-HHS appropriations bill. Now, because they have concluded 
that the public is not paying attention, they have reverted 
back to their original approach--the politics of confrontation.
    They have virtually eliminated the President's entire 
education agenda. They are betting that the public isn't 
watching, and are willing to scuttle:
    School construction and modernization for our nation's 
schools--$22 billion in new bond authority is needed to build 
1,000 new schools and renovate 5,000 existing schools to make 
them safer and less crowded.
    Hiring 100,000 new teachers to create smaller class sizes 
in grades 1-3 to help ensure that every child receives personal 
attention and has a solid foundation for further learning.
    $2 billion in priority education initiatives to improve and 
strengthen public education--to install modern technology in 
classrooms, to improve teacher training, enhance anti-drug and 
anti-violence programs, and provide college opportunities for 
at-risk youth.
    The bill cuts reading and math help for an additional 
520,000 of our most disadvantaged children under the Title 1 
program.
    The bill singles out Democratic priorities, such as 
Eisenhower teacher training and Goals 2000 grants for $300 
million in severe cuts below last year's level, and section 308 
of this bill rolls them into a block grant. An amendment to 
delete section 308 failed in Committee on a party line vote.
    The bill cuts $50 million in funds for new drug and 
violence prevention coordinators to help 6,500 middle schools 
with the worst drug and violence problems plan, design and 
implement successful drug and violence prevention programs.
    The bill denies 3,000 communities the opportunity to 
provide ``safe haven'' learning centers for 400,000 children, 
by cutting $140 million in new funds for After School Centers. 
We know that 5 million kids are without adult supervision after 
school--a time when they are most likely to get into trouble. 
Currently, the Department of Education can fund only 5% of 
2,000 applications from communities for federal assistance.
    The bill cuts $160 million in new funds for Head Start, 
providing only one-quarter of the additional 30,000 slots 
requested.
    The bill cuts $137 million in new funds for low-income 
children whose schools and families cannot afford modern, 
state-of-the-art technology. Approximately 400 school districts 
would not receive funding for classroom computers, the latest 
educational software, and training to improve teaching and 
learning in core subjects.
    The bill zeroes out $140 million in new funds requested for 
mentoring, tutoring, and college awareness assistance to 
175,000 at-risk students at high-poverty middle schools.
    The bill eliminates college loans and scholarships for 
120,000 college students under the Perkins loan and Byrd 
scholarship programs.
    The bill cuts $50 million in new funds for College Work 
Study, denying assistance to 57,000 students.
    Section 311 of this bill establishes arbitrary time limits 
for federally-funded bilingual education programs when there is 
no research that supports capping the amount of time a child 
can receive bilingual instruction as an effective method of 
ensuring English language acquisition.
    This bill breaks last year's bipartisan budget agreement 
that protected the America Reads program by rescinding the $210 
million we agreed to last year, eliminating reading tutors for 
450,000 at-risk first, second and third graders. Four out of 
ten 4th graders cannot read at grade level.
    This bill also breaks a bipartisan deal on IDEA--which took 
2 years to negotiate--that Congress overwhelmingly adopted last 
year by including riders in sections 309 and 310 that could 
deprive some youth with disabilities of their right to a free 
appropriate public education.
    Section 305 of this bill blocks the President's voluntary 
national testing plan even though the nation's leading testing 
experts at the National Academy of Sciences have indicated that 
it is not technically feasible to compare student achievement 
scores from existing state and commercial tests.
    When you look at the result, it is clear that this bill is 
not an effort to continue the constructive bipartisanship that 
we had last year. It is not a bill to meet the country's 
problems. It is a bill to meet the Republican leadership's 
political problems. A year ago, the Republican leadership was 
in big trouble. The Speaker had just been forced to pay a 
$300,000 fine for his financial dealings. A rebellion was going 
on against the leadership in the Republican caucus. The 
Republican caucus was trying to hold on to their public image 
with the country, so they soft-peddled confrontation.
    This year, the hard right wing of the Republican conference 
is demanding a renewed sense of confrontation. This bill, in a 
response to their demands, represents much more of a blue print 
for the reelection of the House Republican leadership, than it 
is for healing the economic and social divisions within our 
society.
     We all know that one of the ways that the hard right 
philosophy manifests itself in the Republican conference is in 
its antagonism toward any programs thatlimit the ability of the 
most reactionary businesses within this society from dealing with their 
workers any way they choose. Many Republican members of the hard right 
are libertarians who feel that there should be no limitations on how 
managers treat their workers. Thankfully, many of the corporations in 
this society have a moral conscience and try treat their workers with 
decency and dignity, but a good many do not.
    We don't need a strong NLRB and a strong OSHA to protect 
workers from good employers. We need NLRB and OSHA to protect 
workers from unscrupulous ones. The bill represents a cave-in 
to the anti-worker, anti-union instincts of the libertarians 
within the Republican caucus. Some examples are:
    The bill cuts OSHA workplace safety enforcement by 9% below 
the budget request. Workplace hazards remain a problem in many 
businesses throughout the country, and OSHA has been effective 
in making these sites safer. Since OSHA was created, fatality 
rates in manufacturing have declined 67% and in construction by 
80%. A study has shown that injuries declined an average of 22% 
over the next three years in workplaces where OSHA inspected 
and issued penalties for violations. Yet each year there are 
still over 6 million injuries and 6,000 fatalities in 
workplaces across the country, and an additional 50,000 workers 
die from occupational diseases. OSHA is legally mandated to 
conduct inspections in response to employee complaints, and 
inspects most fatalities and catastrophes. Its resources are 
already stretched dangerously thin in states under Federal 
jurisdiction. OSHA has less than 1400 inspectors to cover more 
than 4 million workplaces. On average, OSHA can inspect 
workplaces only once every 109 years, and in some states it is 
double that estimate. The cut in this bill will mean 4,000 
fewer inspections in 1999, and as a result, there are likely to 
be more workers injured or killed on the job.
    This bill underfunds the President's request to protect 
workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively by cutting 
the budget for the National Labor Relations Board by $9.8 
million. When a worker is fired for trying to improve working 
conditions, it is the NLRB that gets that worker's job back 
with backpay. When unions step out of line, by interfering with 
neutral employers, or by harassing nonstrikers on a picket 
line, or by improperly collecting dues, it is the NLRB that 
steps in. Agency staffing has already been reduced by one-third 
since 1980. The funding level in this bill will require the 
reduction of 100 staff, and case backlogs are projected to 
increase by one third. This means workers who are fired 
unfairly, will wait longer to get their jobs back.
    The bill also includes a rider in section 516 that amends 
the National Labor Relations Act to exempt many small 
businesses from the Act. This rider will create uncertainty as 
to which government agency--state or federal--has jurisdiction, 
and will potentially exempt millions of workers from the 
protections of our nation's basic labor law. It will also 
subject small businesses to picketing and other illegal union 
tactics from which they are now protected, and small employers 
could be subject to investigation and litigation involving 
detailed examination of confidential business records.
    This bill provides only $5 million of the $37 million 
requested increase to reduce the incidence of domestic and 
international child labor. The International Labor Organization 
(ILO) estimates that there are 250 million working children 
between the ages of 5 and 14. Nearly half of them work full-
time. These children are often exposed to dangerous and slave-
like conditions, working long hours in mines and manufacturing 
plants, exposed to hazardous chemicals and many even end up in 
prostitution. Obviously these working children are usually not 
getting the education that can help them escape the poverty 
that surrounds them. But not only are there devastating 
consequences on the lives of these children, their wages 
undercut and keep unemployed adult workers in their respective 
countries. Moreover, the practice of using child labor 
contributes to a race to the bottom on labor standards by 
countries that are trying to compete for foreign investment. No 
American should have to fight for his or her job because of 
exploitative labor practices abroad, and no employer should get 
a competitive advantage on the backs on children--it is illegal 
and its morally reprehensible.
    This bill underfunds the President's request for protecting 
workers' rights to fair pay, overtime, Family and Medical Leave 
Act benefits, and job discrimination protection by cutting the 
budget for the Employment Standards Administration by $3.9 
million below the President's budget.
    This bill underfunds the President's request for protecting 
pension benefits and rights such as health insurance 
portability by cutting the budget for the Pension and Welfare 
Benefits Administration by $4.8 million below the President's 
budget.
    The bill ignores the need for a highly-skilled workforce 
for the 21st century by cutting by more than half the number of 
people who can participate in employment and training programs. 
It provides no increase in funding for the dislocated worker 
and low-income adult job training programs. This means that 
67,000 workers in need of assistance won't be helped compared 
to the President's request.
    Section 104 of this bill throws roadblocks in the way of 
new OSHA workplace safety regulations by subjecting regulations 
to unnecessary peer review requirements. This provision adds 
delay to an already cumbersome process while creating no 
``value-added''. OSHA already has a number of mechanisms in 
place to conduct peer review of its rules as appropriate, 
andhas rigorous trial-type public rulemaking hearings, where all 
scientific experts, not just those appointed to a closed door panel, 
have ample opportunity to cross-examine OSHA and enter critical 
comments to which OSHA must respond in writing. The peer review process 
required by Section 104 does not set up an independent expert review, 
but rather allows individuals with conflicts of interest to review the 
rules. Peer reviews that allow participation by an individual with a 
vested interest in the standard will provide those who oppose rules 
another forum to block rules behind the closed doors of a peer review 
panel, and will only create more controversy in the rulemaking process.
    The Majority cites Presidential/Congressional Commission on 
Risk Assessment and Risk Management as supporting peer review 
of regulatory decisions. However, they fail to mention that 
this Commission's report explicitly states that OSHA's current 
combined use of peer review and extensive hearings should be 
evaluated as an alternative to relying solely on peer review, 
and that ``peer review is unlikely to be needed for every 
regulatory decision * * * this would lead to substantial delay 
and require excessive resources''. The report also recommends 
disqualifying individuals with conflict of interest from peer 
review panels--unlike section 104 which allows them to 
participate. Rather than improving OSHA rulemaking, this 
proposal will only cause further unnecessary delays, and will 
ultimately undermine worker safety protections. An amendment to 
delete this rider failed in subcommittee on a party line vote.
    The bill requires the Secretary of HHS to fund a wasteful, 
duplicative study on ergonomics through the National Academy of 
Sciences. In July 1997, the National Institute for Occupational 
Safety and Health published a detailed review of more than 
6,000 scientific studies dealing with the epidemiology of 
musculoskeletal disorders. The study, which cost nearly one 
million dollars to complete, found strong correlations between 
risk factors at work, such as high levels of repetition, 
forceful exertion, and awkward postures, and musculoskeletal 
disorders. Based on a request from the Majority, the NIH has 
already entered into a contract with the National Academy of 
Sciences to review this issue with a letter report to be 
completed by September 30, 1998, and a workshop summary by 
December 1998. While even the current NAS review is 
unwarranted, in light of the NIOSH study which was peer 
reviewed by a broad group of experts, the Majority wants to 
draw out this additional study for two more years. This will 
only delay protections for a class of injury that accounted for 
62% of all workplace illnesses in 1995, and which costs 
employers $20 billion a year in worker's compensation. An 
amendment to delete this study failed in subcommittee on a 
party line vote.
    The bill continues a rider that the Mine Safety and Health 
Administration requested be dropped in order to allow 
enforcement of statutory worker safety training requirements in 
nonmetal mining operations. Over 600 deaths have occurred in 
these surface mining operations since this rider went into 
place years ago. A recent surge in sand and gravel surface 
mining fatalities attributable in significant part to the lack 
of training makes it imperative that minimum worker safety 
training requirements be put in place immediately. The industry 
wants MSHA to customize new regulations for their type of 
mining activities, and MSHA is willing to do so, but according 
to the Department of Labor Solicitor, a new regulation cannot 
be promulgated until this longstanding rider is dropped. An 
amendment to delete the rider was defeated in Committee.
    In addition to the above rider to prohibit enforcement of 
safety training requirements, the bill cuts the budget for the 
Mine Safety and Health Administration by $7.8 million below the 
President's request. These cuts put miners' health and safety 
at risk as coal production is increasing and as a result of the 
recently enacted transportation reauthorization, sand and 
gravel production is going to soar. The cuts will impair MSHA's 
ability to increase hazard targeting, and to increase dust 
sampling by MSHA inspectors. The need for an increased effort 
on dust sampling was a unanimous recommendation of a federal 
advisory committee, and dust sampling is an important step in 
the campaign to end black lung.
    In order to minimize the cost to mine operators, section 
105 of the bill delays regulations that are intended to give 
black lung benefits to more injured workers faster. The 
Department of Labor is properly complying with the requirements 
of the rulemaking process, yet this rider gives more authority 
to the Small Business Administration for this particular rule 
than the Republican Congress provided SBA just two years ago 
when it enacted the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996. This appears to be an attempt to give 
more consideration to the economic impact on mine operators who 
must pay the black lung benefits, over the interests of the 
injured miners. This effort will only delay the disability 
payments to miners which they worked for and which they 
deserve. An amendment to delete this rider failed in 
subcommittee on a party line vote.
    Section 514 of the bill prohibits funds to supervise the 
Teamster's election, despite a recent Court ruling requiring 
the Government to pay. Under a 1989 consent decree that the 
Teamsters signed to settle a racketeering lawsuit, the union 
agreed to hold elections every five years and to allow 
Government supervision of the election at Government expense. 
On June 19, 1998, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second 
Circuit reaffirmed that under the terms of the consent decree, 
the Federal government must pay if there is to be supervision 
of the rerun of the 1996 election. Due to the bullheadedness of 
the Republicans in Congress to refuse to allow the use of 
federal funds for this purpose, a federal judge is now 
considering whether to allow the electionto occur without 
supervision, and potentially waste decades of Federal efforts to clean 
up this union.
    It was never going to be easy for this bill this year 
because of the budget squeeze. But it would have been possible 
to produce one that was a fair balance between competing 
national priorities. Unfortunately a political decision was 
made not to produce such a bill. That is why even the 
allocation of funding between subcommittees made it impossible 
to produce such a bill in order to reflect an extremist agenda. 
That is why the Republican Leadership moved resources out of 
this bill and into other bills that are less controversial such 
as Energy and Water.
    The defense bill shows that if Republicans want to find 
ways to accommodate additional spending, they are able to do 
so. That bill provides more room by requiring CBO--the numbers 
umpire--to simply put out estimates that the bill cost $3.5 
billion less than it actually cost. The Republican leadership 
used this ``invisible ink'' technique to add billions in extra 
spending.
    The DOD bill also invents a new legislative sleight of hand 
by shifting the accounting for the sale of $637 million worth 
of surplus Navy ships so that the proceeds can be spent again, 
instead of being used to pay down the national debt. The DOD 
bill also contains a large, $1.6 billion emergency 
appropriation for DOD Y2K activities. These funds to ensure 
computers are Year 2000 compliant is truly a national security 
priority, and we support this appropriation. But, our point is 
that the Republican leadership has chosen to selectively 
abandon its budget principles by not paying for the emergency 
spending with other reductions in this particular bill.
    In contrast, the message in the Labor-HHS bill is quite the 
opposite. The message that the Republican leadership is sending 
with this bill is intended to foster conflict, and generate 
opposition to moderate priorities. The message is: Do not 
accommodate; do not work things out to compromise or 
accommodate various needs; instead, build a coalition with the 
hard right.
    More than any other appropriations bill, this bill is 
supposed to be about the country's future. Education means 
opportunity. We are delighted that they have increased funds 
for health programs and NIH and for educating kids with 
disabilities. That is popular. Democrats want more money for 
these priorities, too.
    But, when you cut out LIHEAP and Summer Jobs and the new 
Youth Opportunities Program, you are declaring war on the 
weakest and most vulnerable Americans and our ability to 
channel disadvantaged young people in troubled neighborhoods 
into productive activities. Republicans are willing to invest 
in prisons on the back end, but not on job opportunities on the 
front end. That is why more than any other appropriations bill 
this year, this bill defines the differences between the 
parties.
    When you savage the President's education agenda and deep-
six school construction, smaller class sizes, and $2 billion in 
priority education investments, this bill will never be signed 
and it shouldn't. The President has already issued an 
unequivocal statement that the bill is fundamentally flawed and 
that he will veto it in its current form. This bill does not 
deserve the support of the House, and it is in such shambles 
that it cannot be fixed by amendment. We urge all our 
colleagues to reject this legislation and vote NO on final 
passage.

                  Why Is the Federal Budget Balanced?

    Fiscal Year 1998 will mark the first balanced budget in 29 
years. On July 15, 1998 the Congressional Budget Office revised 
its surplus estimate once again predicting that the 1998 
surplus will be $63 billion, and if the current policies remain 
unchanged, the surplus is expected to rise to $80 billion in 
1999. The OMB's Mid-Session Review issued on May 26, 1998 
predicts a 1998 surplus of $39 billion. This is a remarkable 
turnabout given that as recently as FY 1992, the federal 
deficit was $290 billion. This surplus--
          is the culmination of six years in a row of 
        successively improved fiscal balances, the longest such 
        period of improvement in history;
          will cause the debt burden to shrink for the fourth 
        year in a row (i.e., debt held by the public as a share 
        of GDP); and
          will cause mandatory net interest payments to start 
        shrinking as a share of the budget and as a share of 
        the economy--leaving more room in the budget for 
        productive activities.
    Soon after May surplus projections were released, the 
Majority Party issued a flurry of press releases making the 
claim that so-called ``Balanced Budget'' legislation and other 
bills enacted by Congress last year are responsible for this 
turnabout. Such claims are simply not credible. Just as it took 
years of fiscal imprudence in the 1980's and early 1990's to 
build up a $290 billion deficit by 1992, it took years of 
adhering to disciplined and responsible fiscal and monetary 
policies since 1992 to dig out of this deficit position.

What Caused the 1998 surplus?--CBO's explanation

    So what are the precise reasons for this dramatic 
turnaround since President Bush left office with a $290 billion 
deficit? The CBO has issued data that answers this question 
objectively and decisively.
    According to the CBO data, the remarkable fiscal turnabout 
has been due to three primary factors:
          An improved economy with six years of sustained 
        growth;
          Legislation passed by the 103rd Democratic Congress 
        in 1993 and 1994;
          A slower rise in the cost of medical care (e.g., 
        Medicare/Medicaid) than projected.
    Conspicuously absent from CBO's analysis of reasons for the 
1998 surplus is the fiscal effect of laws enacted by Republican 
congresses between 1995 and the present date. The reason for 
this is that the CBO actually totes up legislation enacted in 
the period that Republicans have been in control of Congress as 
raising the deficit by more than it cut in 1998. The sum total 
of laws passed by the 104th and 105th Republican congresses 
will cost the Treasury roughly $11,000,000,000 more in FY 1998 
than they saved.
    In January 1993 when President Clinton took office, CBO 
made the alarming prediction that the federal deficit for the 
next five years would go through the roof--to $357 billion by 
fiscal 1998. This was despite the fact that the economy was 
expected to improve over that five-year timeframe. Since then, 
we have been able to wipe out this $357 billion deficit and 
build a surplus of $43 billion--a net change of $400 billion.
    The CBO attributes this astounding turnaround to the 
following major reasons:

Major reasons for the FY 1998 surplus

                        [In billions of dollars]

                                                            CBO estimate
Projected FY 1998 Deficit (Jan.1993 CBO forecast).............      $357
Major Factors for Fiscal Change Since 1992:
    Improved economy (revenues higher/.entitlement costs lower 
      than 1993 forecast) (min)...............................      -210
    Democratic Congress (budgetary effect of legislation 
      passed in 1993 & 1994)..................................      -141
    Health care costs (lower cost increases for Medicare/other 
      health care programs than 1993 forecast)................       -60
      Total Deficit Reduction.................................      -411
Republican Congresses (budgetary effect of legislation passed 
    1995-present).............................................       +11
                    --------------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________

    Total Fiscal Change.......................................      -400

    Despite claims to the contrary, CBO data show that the 
combined fiscal effect of the laws enacted by the 104th and 
105th Republican Congresses is to add $11,000,000,000 more to 
the deficit than it cut in Fiscal Year 1998.
    Clearly the CBO numbers confirm that the major credit for 
creating the 1998 surplus must go to actions of the 103rd 
Democratic Congress, which not only produced real net savings 
of $141 billion, but created the conditions necessary to adopt 
pro-growth monetary policies that have been very successful. 
The centerpiece of this effort, the deficit reduction bill 
passed in 1993, was described as follows by Federal Reserve 
Chairman Greenspan:
    There's no question that the impact of bringing the deficit 
down [through the 1993 budget bill] set in place a series of 
events--a virtuous cycle, if I may put it that way--which has 
led us to where we are. (In testimony before the House Budget 
Committee, March 4, 1998.)
    The facts show that the 1998 budget is balanced despite 
Republican legislative efforts, not because of them.

                                   David Obey.
                                   Louis Stokes.
                                   Steny Hoyer.
                                   Nancy Pelosi.
                                   Nita Lowey.
                                   Rosa DeLauro.

  SELECTED CUTS IN THE LABOR-HHS-ED BILL COMPARED TO THE PRESIDENT'S FY 
                              1999 REQUEST                              
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Program                 Nationwide cut       State cut   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               ALABAMA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        $9,209,344
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           770,470
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        13,258,250
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,281,812
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         4,076,975
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         2,800,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           820,883
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         3,233,219
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           786,315
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           846,485
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           323,983
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        38,407,736
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               ALASKA                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         5,878,530
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           412,422
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         3,208,610
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           316,409
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           930,463
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           260,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           892,426
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000            49,830
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000            28,972
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        12,475,162
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               ARIZONA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         4,453,748
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           998,229
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        15,074,802
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,443,187
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         3,927,776
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           720,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           740,086
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         6,822,630
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           758,184
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           578,152
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           685,520
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        37,202,314
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              ARKANSAS                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         7,027,165
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           690,943
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         8,240,139
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,406,966
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         2,483,109
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,866,667
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           491,496
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,800,591
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           479,017
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           407,466
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           451,733
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        25,345,291
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             CALIFORNIA                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        49,405,447
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000        16,915,985
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000       140,130,051
Head Start..........................       160,000,000        21,492,393
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        29,260,612
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         9,855,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         5,404,987
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        62,075,150
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         5,649,592
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         5,000,091
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         6,002,355
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       351,191,663
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              COLORADO                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        17,226,140
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           515,755
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         4,290,971
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,485,392
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         2,985,652
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           800,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           457,935
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         2,570,697
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           577,654
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           670,210
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           970,063
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        34,550,470
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             CONNECTICUT                                                
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        22,472,107
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,034,601
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         8,257,782
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,282,802
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         2,583,882
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,485,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           446,585
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         5,559,923
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           499,282
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           581,414
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           736,915
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        44,940,293
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              DELAWARE                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         2,982,740
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           145,350
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,134,275
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           251,111
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           946,669
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,066,667
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           963,994
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000            87,527
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           121,419
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000         9,197,252
------------------------------------------------------------------------
        DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA                                            
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         3,489,955
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           422,871
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         3,260,844
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           519,344
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,003,108
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,066,667
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,756,297
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           509,194
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           547,090
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        13,072,870
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               FLORIDA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        14,571,931
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         3,190,529
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        34,961,391
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         6,395,627
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        11,784,905
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,820,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         2,178,755
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        24,717,295
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         2,275,387
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         1,674,015
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,365,928
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       104,935,763
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               GEORGIA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        11,521,346
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,217,118
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        17,864,407
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         4,080,358
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         6,768,018
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         3,933,334
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         1,266,222
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        10,981,659
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         1,306,555
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         1,054,964
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           755,125
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        60,749,106
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               HAWAII                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         1,160,263
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           537,509
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         4,262,082
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           521,484
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           979,094
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           340,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,222,569
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           127,814
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           184,029
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000         9,822,344
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                IDAHO                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         6,719,342
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           312,330
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         3,296,810
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           482,074
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,009,439
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           390,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           296,028
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           147,696
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           245,489
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        13,396,708
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              ILLINOIS                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        62,198,911
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         2,825,767
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        35,142,659
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         6,563,168
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        11,079,286
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         6,000,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         2,119,890
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        17,016,210
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         2,138,239
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         2,119,231
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         2,644,006
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       149,847,367
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               INDIANA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        28,161,920
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           806,210
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        11,811,742
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,217,879
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         4,622,828
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,060,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           743,665
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         7,193,612
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           893,970
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           937,895
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,545,750
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        59,995,471
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                IOWA                                                    
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        19,958,730
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           384,527
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         3,495,866
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,161,434
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         2,205,534
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           750,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           338,471
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,809,966
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           426,717
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           660,703
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,045,706
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        32,237,654
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               KANSAS                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         9,165,944
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           373,705
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         3,689,930
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,050,528
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         2,180,942
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,866,667
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           357,094
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         3,081,729
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           421,675
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           466,731
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           754,298
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        23,409,243
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              KENTUCKY                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        14,655,368
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,219,184
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        14,861,254
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,426,914
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         3,931,747
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           830,531
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         4,789,407
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           757,810
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           652,616
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           703,965
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        44,828,796
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              LOUISIANA                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         9,415,140
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,811,728
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        19,059,992
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         3,709,421
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         5,510,928
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,935,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         1,246,152
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         3,025,881
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         1,061,141
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           870,726
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           972,553
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        48,518,662
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                MAINE                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        14,558,343
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           282,289
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         3,330,317
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           539,587
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,131,478
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         2,252,406
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           457,731
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           592,537
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        23,642,188
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              MARYLAND                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        17,206,608
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,076,294
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        10,742,600
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,810,405
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         3,967,270
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           840,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           645,434
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         7,437,442
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           767,105
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           711,233
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           970,295
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        46,174,686
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            MASSACHUSETTS                                               
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        44,951,656
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,040,231
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        13,896,999
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,333,747
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         5,030,551
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           950,175
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        11,315,379
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           971,025
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         2,641,293
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         2,897,358
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        86,028,414
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              MICHIGAN                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        59,052,415
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,536,743
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        25,850,333
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         5,766,801
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        10,180,583
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         2,125,825
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        23,946,062
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         1,962,533
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         1,590,047
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         2,485,935
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       134,497,277
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              MINNESOTA                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        42,543,924
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           640,916
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         8,631,285
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,914,198
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         3,763,069
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,710,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           564,887
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         5,633,353
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           728,223
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         1,079,281
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,440,250
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        68,649,386
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             MISSISSIPPI                                                
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         7,895,582
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           877,580
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        10,855,895
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,278,668
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         3,498,666
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         2,133,333
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           812,199
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,825,222
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           673,408
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           673,680
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           804,264
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        32,328,497
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              MISSOURI                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        24,844,674
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           909,940
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        12,952,118
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,765,553
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         4,676,792
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         2,070,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           820,278
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         7,765,865
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           903,542
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           990,891
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,418,051
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        60,117,704
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               MONTANA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         7,881,361
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           214,200
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,749,993
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           469,411
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,071,643
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,066,667
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           361,884
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           197,644
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           316,794
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        14,827,097
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              NEBRASKA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         9,870,358
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           145,536
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,134,275
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           665,597
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,348,418
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           500,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           961,453
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           260,889
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           346,470
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           636,086
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        17,119,082
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               NEVADA                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         2,091,793
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           344,208
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         3,926,495
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           481,871
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,094,984
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           855,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,652,801
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000            80,587
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000            94,819
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        11,120,058
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            NEW HAMPSHIRE                                               
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         8,508,431
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           168,256
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,235,573
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           265,386
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           939,128
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           425,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           902,674
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           347,738
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           512,320
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        14,802,006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             NEW JERSEY                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        41,730,621
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         3,203,370
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        25,414,749
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,633,399
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         6,230,677
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         1,050,546
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        12,576,257
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         1,204,285
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           898,950
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,225,797
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        96,168,651
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             NEW MEXICO                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         5,575,784
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           901,423
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         9,004,072
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,319,599
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,968,942
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           990,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           406,903
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         2,382,671
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           379,611
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           382,278
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           335,083
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        23,646,366
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              NEW YORK                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000       136,256,790
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         8,419,611
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        67,934,185
Head Start..........................       160,000,000        10,726,017
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        19,565,603
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         4,421,215
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        51,961,431
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         3,767,436
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         4,853,879
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         5,288,885
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       313,195,052
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           NORTH CAROLINA                                               
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        20,306,397
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           985,839
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        13,833,737
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         3,230,867
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         5,618,170
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,000,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           905,998
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         6,501,062
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         1,086,423
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         1,146,781
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,471,143
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        56,086,417
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            NORTH DAKOTA                                                
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         8,561,543
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000            60,185
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,134,275
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           286,444
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           938,965
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,066,667
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           905,885
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           188,588
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           116,018
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        14,756,070
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                OHIO                                                    
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        55,024,234
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         2,232,006
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        34,457,236
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         6,283,199
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        10,257,506
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,800,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         1,950,211
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        16,853,934
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         1,979,799
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         2,100,896
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         2,508,110
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       135,447,131
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              OKLAHOMA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         8,465,278
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           409,574
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         7,020,911
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,802,283
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         3,089,728
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           640,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           565,443
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         3,863,993
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           596,627
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           598,664
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           931,600
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        27,984,101
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               OREGON                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        13,350,986
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,118,118
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        10,646,254
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,262,381
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         2,630,027
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           443,976
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         3,927,660
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           508,334
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           711,669
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,075,646
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        35,675,051
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            PENNSYLVANIA                                                
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        73,189,998
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         3,332,296
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        33,123,606
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         5,494,535
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        10,912,565
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,300,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         2,156,007
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        23,346,579
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         2,105,198
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         2,737,264
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         3,267,769
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       160,965,817
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             PUERTO RICO                                                
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         1,307,342
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         3,667,836
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        40,761,613
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         5,794,044
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         6,612,317
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         2,733,334
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         1,709,983
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,252,592
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         1,270,486
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           959,641
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           671,620
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        66,740,808
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            RHODE ISLAND                                                
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         7,399,299
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           265,738
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,671,035
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           493,499
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,055,001
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           855,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,966,154
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           408,984
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           444,702
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        16,056,912
------------------------------------------------------------------------
           SOUTH CAROLINA                                               
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         7,314,096
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,238,296
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        12,966,684
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,917,579
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         3,290,744
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         2,533,334
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           612,912
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         3,504,236
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           635,308
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           651,679
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           647,882
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        35,312,750
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            SOUTH DAKOTA                                                
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...     1,100,000,000         6,953,472
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000            65,952
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,134,275
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           390,202
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           966,637
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         1,066,667
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           728,034
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           243,722
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           325,107
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        13,371,568
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              TENNESSEE                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...     1,100,000,000        14,845,574
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,375,872
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        16,918,943
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,920,730
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         4,555,299
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         2,115,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           838,061
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         6,890,556
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           879,573
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           901,355
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,057,901
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        53,298,844
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                TEXAS                                                   
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...     1,100,000,000        24,242,832
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         5,998,464
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        72,501,450
Head Start..........................       160,000,000        11,519,771
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000        20,325,024
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         4,616,550
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000         4,111,139
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000        29,856,202
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000         3,919,788
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         2,616,257
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         2,672,926
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000       182,380,403
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                UTAH                                                    
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...     1,100,000,000         8,005,028
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           181,179
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,623,826
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           814,883
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         1,764,518
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           480,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         1,099,110
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           342,097
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           272,680
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           703,871
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        16,537,192
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               VERMONT                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...     1,100,000,000         6,377,372
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000            96,119
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,134,275
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           228,362
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           934,562
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           350,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           871,314
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           329,776
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           415,282
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        12,234,562
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              VIRGINIA                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...     1,100,000,000        20,959,573
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,075,672
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        14,354,723
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,204,721
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         4,765,234
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000         3,733,334
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           716,475
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         6,930,898
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           922,146
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000         1,069,490
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,023,129
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        57,755,395
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             WASHINGTON                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        21,900,533
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000         1,831,061
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000        18,972,912
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,557,664
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         4,430,230
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           860,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           705,804
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         6,781,110
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           856,613
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           892,496
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,149,072
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        60,997,695
------------------------------------------------------------------------
            WEST VIRGINIA                                               
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         9,698,570
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           965,250
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         8,636,383
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         1,183,120
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         2,035,491
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           460,000
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           478,022
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         3,202,495
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           391,713
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           369,510
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           554,672
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        27,975,226
------------------------------------------------------------------------
              WISCONSIN                                                 
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000        38,295,640
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000           668,493
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         7,722,862
Head Start..........................       160,000,000         2,213,099
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000         4,612,831
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000                 0
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           815,760
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000         4,627,677
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           891,100
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000           990,239
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000         1,841,119
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000        62,678,820
------------------------------------------------------------------------
               WYOMING                                                  
                                                                        
Low Income Home Energy Assistance...    $1,100,000,000         2,205,037
Dislocated Workers Assistance.......       100,000,000            96,220
Summer Youth........................       871,000,000         2,134,275
Head Start..........................       160,000,000           206,072
Goals 2000..........................       255,500,000           911,380
School to Work (Labor and Education)       100,000,000           933,334
Technology Literacy Challenge Fund..        50,000,000           250,000
Title I ESEA LEA Grants.............       421,768,000           790,546
Eisenhower Professional Development.        50,000,000           247,500
College Work-Study..................        50,000,000            58,824
Perkins Loans.......................        60,000,000           119,059
                                     -----------------------------------
      Total.........................     3,218,268,000         8,952,247
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                   The White House,
                             Office of the Press Secretary,
                                                     July 14, 1998.

                       Statement by the President

    Making strategic investments in our people, especially our 
children, has been a critical component of my economic strategy 
from the start. Last year, we worked together on a bipartisan 
basis to open the doors of college, expanding Pell Grants and 
creating $1,500 Hope scholarships to advance the critical goal 
of making college universally available. This year, I have 
proposed strategic investments to improve and reform K-12 
education by putting standards, accountability, and choice back 
into our public schools. My agenda reduces class size, 
modernizes schools, invests in technology, and puts an end to 
social promotion. These initiatives would help ensure that 
every eight-year-old can read, every 12-year-old can sign onto 
the Internet, and every 18-year-old can be ready for college.
    That is why I am deeply concerned with the Labor/HHS 
appropriations bill that Congress is considering today. This 
legislation denies essential educational opportunities to young 
people across the country, and important training and job 
opportunities for all Americans.
    On balance, this bill fails to provide young Americans with 
the schooling and training that will be essential to their 
success as working adults, and to our success as a nation. The 
bill is fundamentally flawed. Overall, it cuts $2 billion from 
our request for education investment, short-changing 
initiatives on education reform, on raising educational 
achievement for our children, and on providing focused help for 
students who need it most. In addition, the bill fails to fund 
my childcare initiatives, eliminates current job training and 
other programs for low-income Americans, and has many other 
problems as well.
    By turning their backs on America's young in this bill, the 
House Republicans are taking a step backward. I urge the 
Committee to provide the funds necessary for this bill to move 
America into the future, not backward. This bill shortchanges 
investments in education, and if it were sent to me in its 
current form, I would have no choice but to veto it.





                                
