[Senate Report 114-237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 424
114th Congress } { Report
SENATE
2d Session } { 114-237
======================================================================
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATION BILL, 2017
_______
April 18, 2016.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Kirk, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany S. 2806]
The Committee on Appropriation reports the bill (S. 2806)
making appropriations for military construction, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes, reports
favorably thereon and recommends that the bill do pass.
Amounts in new budget authority
Total of bill as reported to the Senate.................$190,096,633,000
Amount of 2016 appropriations........................... 278,249,736,000
Amount of 2017 budget estimate.......................... 189,937,038,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
2016 appropriations................................. -88,153,103,000
2017 budget estimate................................ +159,595,000
CONTENTS
----------
Page
Background:
Purpose of the Bill.......................................... 4
Committee Recommendation..................................... 4
Overview and Summary of Bill................................. 4
Title I:
Military Construction:
Items of Special Interest:
Hearings............................................. 6
Summary of Committee Recommendations................. 6
Reprogramming Guidelines............................. 6
Real Property Maintenance............................ 7
Incremental Funding.................................. 7
Missile Defense...................................... 7
Other Matters........................................ 8
Military Construction Overview........................... 12
Military Construction, Army.............................. 12
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps............. 13
Military Construction, Air Force......................... 13
Military Construction, Defense-Wide...................... 16
Military Construction, Army National Guard............... 17
Military Construction, Air National Guard................ 17
Military Construction, Army Reserve...................... 18
Military Construction, Navy Reserve...................... 18
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve................. 18
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment
Program................................................ 18
Department of Defense Base Closure Account............... 19
Family Housing Overview.................................. 19
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army........... 20
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine
Corps.................................................. 20
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force...... 20
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide... 20
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund.... 20
Family Housing Construction, Army........................ 21
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps....... 21
Family Housing Construction, Air Force................... 21
Administrative Provisions................................ 21
Title II:
Department of Veterans Affairs:
Items of Special Interest:
Hearings............................................. 24
Summary of Committee Recommendations................. 24
Department Overview.................................. 24
Veterans Benefits Administration......................... 29
Compensation and Pensions............................ 29
Readjustment Benefits................................ 30
Veterans Insurance and Indemnities................... 31
Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund................ 32
Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account...... 32
Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account. 33
General Operating Expenses, Veteran Benefits
Administration..................................... 33
Veterans Health Administration........................... 35
Medical Services..................................... 38
Medical Community Care............................... 55
Medical Support and Compliance....................... 55
Medical Facilities................................... 56
Medical and Prosthetic Research...................... 56
Medical Care Cost Recovery Collections............... 59
National Cemetery Administration......................... 60
Departmental Administration.............................. 60
General Administration............................... 61
Board of Veterans Appeals............................ 62
Information Technology Systems....................... 62
Office of Inspector General.......................... 65
Construction, Major Projects......................... 66
Construction, Minor Projects......................... 67
Grants for Construction of State Extended Care
Facilities......................................... 67
Grants for Construction of Veterans Cemeteries....... 68
Administrative Provisions................................ 68
Title III:
Related Agencies:
American Battle Monuments Commission:
Salaries and Expenses................................ 72
Foreign Currency Fluctuations........................ 72
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims:
Salaries and Expenses.................................. 73
Department of Defense--Civil: Cemeterial Expenses, Army:
Salaries and Expenses................................ 73
Armed Forces Retirement Home: Trust Fund................. 74
Administrative Provisions................................ 75
Title IV: General Provisions..................................... 76
Program, Project, and Activity................................... 77
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI, of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 77
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules
of the Senate.................................................. 78
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate..................................................... 79
Budgetary Impact of Bill......................................... 89
Military Construction Project Listing by Location................ 90
Overseas Contingency Operations.................................. 106
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................ 108
BACKGROUND
Purpose of the Bill
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies appropriations bill provides necessary funding for the
planning, design, construction, alteration, and improvement of
military facilities worldwide. It also finances the cost of
military family housing and the U.S. share of the NATO Security
Investment Program. In addition, the bill provides funding,
including environmental remediation, for base closures and
realignments authorized by law. The bill provides resources to
the Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans benefits and
healthcare and funding for U.S. cemeteries and battlefield
monuments both in the United States and abroad, including the
American Battle Monuments Commission and Arlington National
Cemetery. Additionally, the bill funds the U.S. Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims and the Armed Forces Retirement
Homes.
Committee Recommendation
The Committee recommends new budget authority totaling
$190,096,633,000 for fiscal year 2017 military construction,
family housing, base closure, veterans healthcare and benefits,
including fiscal year 2018 advance appropriations for veterans
medical care and appropriated mandatories, and related
agencies. This includes $103,952,601,000 in mandatory funding
and $86,144,032,000 in discretionary funding. The table at the
end of the report displays the Committee recommendation in
comparison with the current fiscal year and the President's
fiscal year 2017 request.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2017
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate
Budget request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New budget authority........ $189,937,038,000 $190,096,633,000
Previous advances provided 63,271,000,000 63,271,000,000
for fiscal year 2017 for
medical care...............
Previous advances provided 102,515,876,000 102,515,876,000
for fiscal year 2017 for
appropriated mandatories...
Less advances provided for -66,385,032,000 -66,385,032,000
fiscal year 2018 for
medical care...............
Less advances provided for -103,935,996,000 -103,935,996,000
fiscal year 2018 for
appropriated mandatories...
-------------------------------------------
Total appropriations 185,402,886,000 185,562,481,000
for fiscal year 2017.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Overview and Summary of Bill
The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies appropriations bill funds an array of programs that
are vital to America's military personnel and their families,
and to the Nations' veterans. For U.S. military forces and
their families worldwide, the bill funds critical
infrastructure, ranging from mission essential operational and
training facilities to key quality-of-life facilities,
including barracks, family housing, child care centers, schools
and hospitals.
For America's 21.7 million veterans, the bill provides the
necessary funding for veterans benefits and healthcare, from
prescription drugs and clinical services to the construction of
hospitals and other medical facilities throughout the Nation.
The bill also funds veterans cemeteries in the United
States and provides funding for four independent agencies--the
American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals
for Veterans Claims, Arlington National Cemetery, and the Armed
Forces Retirement Homes.
Printing Efficiency.--The Committee is concerned about the
millions of taxpayer dollars spent on wasteful printing
practices each year and the lack of clear printing policies
within each Agency. While progress has been made to better
utilize the cloud and digitize records, little progress has
been made to reform in-house printing practices. The Committee
directs each Agency to work with Office of Management and
Budget to reduce printing and reproduction by 34 percent and
report to the Committee within 60 days after enactment of this
act on what steps have been taken to reduce printing volume and
costs. The report should specifically identify how much money
each Agency will be saving.
TITLE I
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
Items of Special Interest
HEARINGS
The Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies held one hearing related to the
fiscal year 2017 military construction budget request.
Witnesses included representatives of the Army, Navy, Marine
Corps, Air Force, and the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The fiscal year 2017 budget request for military
construction and family housing totals $7,444,056,000. The
Committee recommends $7,930,000,000, which is $485,944,000
above the President's budget request. This includes
$172,449,000 requested by the President in a separate Overseas
Contingency Operations title.
REPROGRAMMING GUIDELINES
The following reprogramming guidelines apply for all
military construction and family housing projects. A project or
account (including the sub-elements of an account) which has
been specifically reduced by the Congress in acting on the
budget request is considered to be a congressional interest
item and as such, prior approval is required. Accordingly, no
reprogrammings to an item specifically reduced below the
threshold by the Congress are permitted.
The reprogramming criteria that apply to military
construction projects (25 percent of the funded amount or
$2,000,000, whichever is less) continue to apply to new housing
construction projects and to improvements over $2,000,000. To
provide the services the flexibility to proceed with
construction contracts without disruption or delay, the costs
associated with environmental hazard remediation such as
asbestos removal, radon abatement, lead-based paint removal or
abatement, and any other legislated environmental hazard
remediation may be excluded, provided that such remediation
requirements could not be reasonably anticipated at the time of
the budget submission. This exclusion applies to projects
authorized in this budget year, as well as projects authorized
in prior years for which construction has not been completed.
Furthermore, in instances where prior approval of a
reprogramming request for a project or account has been
received from the Committee, the adjusted amount approved
becomes the new base for any future increase or decrease via
below-threshold reprogrammings (provided that the project or
account is not a congressional interest item as defined above).
In addition to these guidelines, the services are directed
to adhere to the guidance for military construction
reprogrammings and notifications, including the pertinent
statutory authorities contained in Department of Defense [DOD]
Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R and relevant updates
and policy memoranda.
REAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
The Committee recommends a continuation of the following
general rules for repairing a facility under ``Operation and
Maintenance'' account funding:
--Components of the facility may be repaired by replacement,
and such replacement may be up to current standards or
code.
--Interior arrangements and restorations may be included as
repair, but additions, new facilities, and functional
conversions must be performed as military construction
projects.
--Such projects may be done concurrent with repair projects,
as long as the final conjunctively funded project is a
complete and usable facility.
--The appropriate Service Secretary shall submit a 21-day
notification prior to carrying out any repair project
with an estimated cost in excess of $7,500,000.
The Department is directed to continue to report on the
real property maintenance backlog at all installations for
which there is a requested construction project in future
budget requests. This information is to be provided on the form
1390. In addition, for all troop housing requests, the form
1391 is to continue to show all real property maintenance
conducted in the past 2 years and all future requirements for
unaccompanied housing at that installation.
INCREMENTAL FUNDING
In general, the Committee supports full funding for
military construction projects. However, it continues to be the
practice of the Committee to provide incremental funding for
certain large projects, despite administration policy to the
contrary, to enable the services to more efficiently allocate
military construction dollars among projects that can be
executed in the year of appropriation.
MISSILE DEFENSE
The Committee remains committed to rapidly implementing the
European Phased Adaptive Approach [EPAA]. Construction of the
first Aegis Ashore missile defense site in Deveselu, Romania is
complete and the site is operational. The Committee fully
funded construction of the second site at Redzikowo, Poland in
fiscal year 2016, and expects the Missile Defense Agency to
pursue an aggressive construction schedule to bring this
critical asset online. Additionally, the Committee fully funds
the request for the first phase of the Long Range
Discrimination Radar at Clear, Alaska. This radar will
dramatically improve our ability to effectively target
ballistic missile threats to the homeland coming from the
Pacific. As the missile threat continues to evolve, the
Committee remains strongly supportive of the expeditionary
deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery on
Guam. The Committee encourages the Department to consider
making this deployment permanent and requesting appropriate
military construction projects in support of this critical
mission.
OTHER MATTERS
Asia-Pacific Realignment and Infrastructure.--The Committee
remains interested in infrastructure requirements driven by
force structure changes in the Pacific Command [PACOM] Area of
Responsibility. The relocation of Marines from Okinawa,
recapitalization of bases on Guam, rotational deployments in
Australia, and the movement of forces in Korea are initiatives
that require significant military construction. In light of
these investments and the developing threat, the Committee
remains supportive of a strong U.S. strategic presence,
including missile defense capabilities, throughout the region.
Recent Chinese land reclamation projects in the South China
Sea, apparently military in nature, are indicative of the need
for properly located, forward deployed U.S. forces in the
region. The Committee is closely monitoring developments in the
South China Sea and is encouraged by progress with the Enhanced
Defense Cooperation Agreement with the Philippines, which will
expand access for U.S. forces at five locations throughout the
country. The Committee expects to be kept fully apprised of
military construction requirements resulting from this and
other enhanced partnerships in the region, including projects
utilizing foreign financing and cost-sharing agreements.
The Committee remains concerned about the status of the
Futenma Replacement Facility [FRF] in Okinawa. Continuous local
protests, current and anticipated lawsuits, local government
opposition, and repeated delays in construction paint a very
bleak picture for the future of this project. In testimony
before the Senate Armed Services Committee on February 23,
2016, PACOM Commander Admiral Harry Harris noted that these
factors have already led to a 2 year delay in completion of the
project, which will not be complete until 2025 under the best
of circumstances. The Committee continues to urge the
Department to consider potential alternatives to the FRF that
already exist on Okinawa, including facilities at Marine Corps
Air Station Futenma and Kadena Air Base.
The FRF delays combined with severely constrained military
construction budget requests leaves the Committee concerned
that the overall relocation of Marines under the Defense Policy
Review Initiative will be delayed as a result. At the
Committee's request, the Government Accountability Office [GAO]
is conducting a comprehensive review of force realignment and
posture in the Pacific. The Committee expects the Department to
take GAO's findings into consideration as it builds its future
budgets.
Energy Policy.--The Department of Defense [DOD] is the
largest consumer of energy in the Federal Government,
accounting for nearly 80 percent of the Government's total
energy consumption. The Committee commends the Department for
its efforts to improve the energy efficiency of its facilities
and installations, reduce its energy consumption, and invest in
renewable energy projects and energy security. The Committee
continues to support the Department's efforts to incorporate
green building technologies into new facility construction and
into the renovation of existing buildings, including leading-
edge technologies that can minimize life-cycle costs. The DOD
and the services should engage with government, industry, and
academia to identify and utilize innovative technologies to
reduce long-term energy costs, limit the constraints of energy
and water resources on military mission capabilities and
readiness, and meet congressional and DOD mandated goals for
renewable energy generation and energy and water efficiency.
Military installations in Hawaii are among those at the
forefront of the military's efforts to address these issues,
including the development of net-zero energy military housing
and installation facilities, upgrades and retrofits for
improved energy and water efficiency, and microgrid
demonstrations. The Committee supports the Department's
investments in microgrid energy security and encourages the
Department to continue to explore ways to mitigate the risk to
mission critical assets and promote energy independence at
military installations through the Energy Conservation
Investment Program [ECIP].
Al Udeid Air Base Mold Contamination.--The Committee is
concerned about reports that airmen serving at Al Udeid Air
Base in Qatar were living in dangerously contaminated barracks.
On social media and later in the press, reports detailed
collapsing ceilings, contaminated water, and toxic black mold
found throughout the facility. The Committee has raised
concerns in the past about low levels of funding for facility
sustainment, restoration and modernization, and if the black
mold issues at Al Udeid were a result of a lack of funding for
maintenance, that is unacceptable. Also, the Committee is aware
that the Department of Defense Inspector General released a
report in September, 2014 [DODIG-2014-121] that identified
1,057 deficiencies and code violations ``that could affect the
health, safety, and well-being of warfighters and their
families'' stationed in Japan. Included among the deficiencies
were elevated levels of radon and excessive mold growth. In
light of the Inspector General report and the reports from Al
Udeid, the Committee directs the Department to submit a report
not later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing
global military housing locations with mold contamination,
mitigation strategies implemented or expected to be in place,
and any new construction standards designed to prevent mold
contamination.
Water Conservation on Military Installations.--The
Committee recognizes that the Department of Defense [DOD] has
the opportunity to play a key role in advancing our Nation's
water security by implementing water conservation, reuse, and
recharge practices on military installations. This should
include efforts to incorporate water conservation technologies
into new infrastructure design, as well as to update existing
infrastructure to make it more water efficient.
The Committee also recognizes that many technologies that
increase water efficiency do not result in competitive returns
on investment. Therefore, the Department is encouraged to
implement water conservation projects that are not solely
contingent on cost savings performance, but also take into
account reduced water use. To assess the current status of
water demand and potential water conservation opportunities
across U.S. military installations, the Secretary of Defense is
directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress within 180 days of enactment of this act the
following: (1) the current water usage on military
installations; (2) the vulnerability of each military
installation to water scarcity; and, (3) the water conservation
potential according to (a) reduced water use and (b) cost
savings if current water conservation technologies and
efficient design were implemented at military installations.
Energy Conservation and Investment Program.--On January 29,
2016 the U.S. Government Accountability Office [GAO] released a
report (GAO-16-162) regarding the DOD's Energy Conservation
Investment Program (ECIP). GAO recommended that DOD improve
reporting on both expected and actual savings of selected
projects as well as update guidance on selecting projects to
receive program funding. Currently, ECIP is focused primarily
on energy conservation projects that yield returns on
investment. Recognizing that energy resiliency should also be a
strategic aim of the program, the Committee urges the
Department to consider ECIP project selection criteria that
also prioritizes installations' energy resiliency and security.
Defense Workplace Facilities Improvements.--The Committee
is concerned that continued constraints on the Defense budget
in the face of increasing operational requirements is taking a
serious toll on the Department's aging and structurally
deficient workplace facilities inventory. According to recent
facility condition assessment data, roughly one in four Defense
facilities are rated as being in poor or failing condition. In
testimony presented to the Committee on April 7, 2016, Mr. Pete
Potochney, performing the duties of Assistant Secretary of
Defense for Energy, Installations and Environment, noted that,
``Our limited MilCon budget for fiscal year 2017 leaves limited
room for projects that would improve aging workplaces, and
therefore, could adversely impact routine operations and the
quality of life for our personnel.''
A prime example of deteriorating infrastructure that is
adversely impacting Defense Department personnel is the parking
garage at the National Maritime Intelligence Center [NMIC] in
Suitland, MD, which has been certified as unsafe and
structurally deficient by professional engineers. The garage,
which serves a workforce of approximately 3,700 personnel, is
no longer fully operational due to structural concerns despite
the fact that $12,000,000 has already been spent on repairs in
an effort to maintain the facility. A Navy-commissioned
engineering analysis has validated that the repairs are only a
stopgap measure because of the severity of the structural
flaws, but due to competition for scarce military construction
dollars, an urgently needed replacement project has been
repeatedly delayed and is currently not projected to be
programmed for funding until fiscal year 2019. As the
engineering analysis noted, ``The longer it takes to replace
the parking structure the more severe the impact to NMIC
operations.''
In recognition of the fact that aging and structurally
deficient workplace and support facility infrastructure has a
significant impact on personnel safety and operational
readiness, the Committee urges the Department and the services
to prioritize needed workplace replacement projects, including
the NMIC parking structure, in the fiscal year 2018 and future
budget submissions.
Coastal Erosion.--Senate Report 114-67 accompanying the
fiscal year 2016 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and
Related Agencies appropriations bill included language
directing the Department of Defense [DOD] to include an
assessment of coastal erosion and potential flooding risks in
the siting of proposed military construction projects. In a
July 23, 2015, report to Congress regarding the security
implications of climate-related risks, the Department noted
that is has directed a global screening level assessment to
determine installation vulnerabilities to climate-related
security risks with the goal of identifying serious
vulnerabilities and developing necessary adaptation strategies.
The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to report to the
congressional defense committees not later than 120 days after
enactment of this act, describing the results or the status of
the vulnerability assessment, the adaptation strategies
developed for vulnerable installations, and the estimated costs
associated with implementing these strategies.
Utilization of the Alaska Workforce in Military
Construction.--The Committee encourages the Department of
Defense and the Armed Services to conduct proactive outreach to
contractors located in Alaska and experienced in Arctic
construction techniques and constraints in the execution of the
military construction program for Alaska provided in this bill.
The Committee urges the Department to conduct such outreach as
near to the construction location as possible to maximize local
participation. The Committee further encourages the Department
to coordinate its outreach with the Alaska Department of Labor
and Workforce Development, local colleges and universities,
vocational and technical training providers and other
organizations involved in Alaska workforce development to
ensure that an experienced workforce is available for the
execution of these critical national security projects.
Military Construction Funding Initiatives.--The bill
includes funding for military construction initiatives to
address important unfunded priorities included in the
Department of Defense's unfunded priority lists provided to
Congress. The Committee notes that in recent years the military
construction budget requests have been at historically low
levels. Amounts budgeted for facility sustainment, restoration,
and modernization are similarly low. The infrastructure
initiatives in unfunded priority lists would ordinarily appear
as part of the annual budget request, but were not included as
the military construction budget remains severely constrained.
For this reason, the Committee includes an additional
$40,500,000 for the Army, $143,000,000 for the Navy and Marine
Corps, $195,465,000 for the Air Force, $64,364,000 for Defense-
Wide, $16,500,000 for the Army National Guard, $34,200,000 for
the Army Reserve, and $14,400,000 for Family Housing
Construction, Army. All additional funding is reserved for
projects that were included in the unfunded priority lists
submitted to Congress.
Rescissions.--The Committee recommends an administrative
provision rescinding prior year unobligated funds due primarily
to project bid savings and the slow execution of projects.
Overseas Contingency Operations.--The Committee does not
include funds requested by the President designated as Overseas
Contingency Operations in title IV. Instead, the Committee
fully funds these requested projects in the base military
construction accounts in title I.
Military Construction Overview
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $6,916,539,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 6,124,204,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,294,542,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNTS--PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The military construction appropriation provides for
acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of
temporary or permanent public works, military installations,
facilities, and real property for the Department of Defense.
This appropriation also provides for facilities required as
well as funds for infrastructure projects and programs required
to support bases and installations around the world.
Military Construction, Army
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $663,245,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 503,459,000
Committee recommendation................................ 532,359,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $532,359,000 for the Army for
fiscal year 2017. This amount is $130,886,000 below the fiscal
year 2016 enacted level and $28,900,000 above the budget
request. Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
Defense Laboratory Enterprise Facilities and
Infrastructure.--The Committee notes that DOD investments in
Defense laboratories has been lacking, resulting in negative
impacts on the ability of the military to develop new
acquisition programs or perform cutting-edge research. At the
same time, the Nation's near-peer competitors are making
significant new investments in their research and development
capabilities as part of the effort to close the technology gap
with the U.S. military. Of additional concern, aging lab
infrastructure also creates a disincentive to attracting new
employees as DOD tries to rebuild its technical workforce.
One of the tools that Congress has provided to incentivize
DOD lab investment is the establishment of a higher threshold
for unspecified minor military construction [UMMC] for
laboratories to enable the services to keep up with a threat
that evolves faster than the normal planning process. However,
the Committee is concerned that the services are not
programming sufficient UMMC to take full advantage of the
laboratory revitalization initiative. For example, in fiscal
year 2016, the Army, which operates an extensive network of DOD
labs, did not allocate any minor military construction funding
for necessary laboratory revitalization projects, and the
request for UMMC in the Army has remained flat at $25,000,000.
Therefore, the Committee recommends an additional $10,000,000
to supplement unspecified minor construction, and the Army is
encouraged to pursue opportunities to use the additional
funding for lab revitalization.
Major Range and Test Facility Bases.--The Committee is
concerned about the lack of investment and sustainment of Major
Range and Test Facility Bases. In the past 5 years, only seven
military construction projects have been requested in direct
support of test and evaluation missions at these bases
nationwide. For example, White Sands Missile Range, which is
the Nation's largest overland testing facility, has not
received a military construction project in support of test and
evaluation missions in over a decade. As a result, support for
critical testing on missile systems such as the Standard
Missile-2, Patriot Missile system, Joint Air to Surface
Standoff Missile, Cruise Missile, and others may be adversely
impacted. The lack of military construction investment at these
test and evaluation facilities places future technology
development at risk and threatens the ability to counter
emerging threats. Therefore, the Committee directs the Defense
Department to submit a report within 90 days after enactment of
this act outlining its plan to address military construction
requirements at Major Range and Test facilities.
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $1,669,239,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 1,027,763,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,087,572,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $1,087,572,000 for Navy and Marine
Corps military construction for fiscal year 2017. This amount
is $581,667,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and
$59,809,000 above the budget request. Further detail of the
Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at
the end of this report.
Military Construction, Air Force
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $1,389,185,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 1,481,058,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,579,798,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $1,579,798,000 for the Air Force
in fiscal year 2017. This amount is $190,613,000 above the
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $98,740,000 above the budget
request. Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
Air Force Ballistic Missile Facilities.--The Committee is
aware that ground-based intercontinental ballistic missile
[ICBM] facilities at Malmstrom Air Force Base [AFB], Montana;
Minot AFB, North Dakota; and F. E. Warren AFB, Wyoming, are
aging and in urgent need of replacement. The Air Force has
developed a funding roadmap to replace the Weapons Storage
Facilities [WSFs] at each of the bases, beginning with the
construction of a prototype facility at F. E. Warren AFB, which
was funded in fiscal year 2016. A replacement WSF at Malmstrom,
programmed for fiscal year 2019, will be based on the F. E.
Warren prototype. A replacement facility for Minot AFB is also
planned but is not programmed for funding in the current Future
Years Defense Program [FYDP].
Given the failing condition of the weapons storage
facilities due to decades of wear-and-tear and a lack of
sufficient maintenance and sustainment funding, the Committee
urges the Air Force to prioritize replacement of not only the
WSFs but also other aging facilities at these installations,
which are the only Air Force bases in the Nation to have
Minuteman-III ICBM launch capability, and to accelerate funding
of both the Malmstrom and Minot WSFs within the current FYDP.
As an Air Force analysis of the WSFs at Malmstrom earlier this
year documented, continued deferral of replacing these
facilities carries risks far beyond bricks-and-mortar
deterioration, including the following impacts on operating
costs and operational readiness:
--Day-to-day operations, maintenance and labor costs have
increased 280 percent over the past 5 years while
engineers have executed patchwork repairs on existing
infrastructure.
--An additional 3,000 man-hours of human surveillance is
required annually due to security system inadequacies.
--Recent flooding and fire suppression issues cancelled
training and certification operations for 6 months
resulting in 4,000 lost man-hours.
--Munitions experts are required to work extra shifts, which
likely contributed to a drop in retention from 75
percent to 20 percent in the last 5 years.
As the Air Force analysis confirms, military construction
is a key component of readiness. Failure to invest in needed
military construction projects does not just impact the cost of
trying to maintain a deteriorating facility, which in itself is
substantial, but it also impacts training, readiness and
retention of personnel--the very areas that the Department of
Defense is focused on reinforcing in a time of severe budget
constraints. Nowhere is this more important than in the
Nation's nuclear deterrence efforts. As Secretary of the Air
Force Deborah Lee James noted in testimony presented to the
Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee on the fiscal year
2017 Air Force budget request, ``There is no mission more
critical than maintaining our Nation's nuclear capability.''
It is clear from the analysis of the weapons storage
facilities at Malmstrom AFB that adequate infrastructure is a
key component of maintaining nuclear capability. Unfortunately,
WSFs are not the only example of crumbling infrastructure at
the Air Force ballistic missile fields. The Missile Alert
Facilities at Malmstrom, which house the ICBM mission support
personnel, are also in an advanced state of disrepair. Like the
MSFs, the Missile Alert Facilities date to the early 1960s. The
power, communications and air supply systems for the Launch
Control Center are housed in unhardened rooms. The underground
utilities have deteriorated to the point that they require
extensive maintenance but remain subject to frequent water and
sewage disruptions. According to officials at Malmstrom, the
primary Missile Alert Facility structures are often infested
with rodents, rattlesnakes and mold due to gaps between the
foundation and wall structures as a result of the facilities
settling. Of extreme concern to the Committee is that a
military construction project for the first phase of
construction to replace the Missile Alert Facilities at
Malmstrom, which was programmed for fiscal year 2019 in the
fiscal year 2016 Air Force FYDP, was eliminated from the fiscal
year 2017-2021 FYDP due to budget constraints.
Strategic nuclear deterrence capabilities cannot be
sustained with third-rate support infrastructure. To assess the
impact of indefinitely deferring replacement of the Missile
Alert Facilities at Malmstrom and other ballistic missile
bases, the Committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to
undertake an analysis of the cost of maintaining the existing
Missile Alert Facilities at these bases including: (a) an
assessment of day-to-day operations, maintenance and labor cost
increases over the past 5 years; (b) annual personnel hours and
costs required to maintain human security surveillance; (c)
lost training and certification man-hours due to safety
hazards; (d) estimated impact of increased workloads and
substandard working conditions on personnel retention over the
past 5 years; and (e) other factors impacting operational costs
and readiness. The Secretary is directed to provide a report to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
within 90 days of enactment of this act on the findings of the
analysis and a projected cost and timeline for replacing the
Weapons Alert Facilities at each of these bases.
Air Force Facility Security Requirements.--The Committee is
concerned with the Department's funding recommendation for the
Air Force's unspecified minor construction account. An
additional $10,000,000 is provided to assist installations in
the continental U.S. with significant facility entry and exit
point concerns. Priority should be given to installations with
access control points that present safety, security and traffic
hazards.
Software Sustainment Infrastructure.--The Committee notes
the growing demand for software sustainment resulting from the
deployment of new, technologically advanced weapons systems.
For example, the F-35 has more than 8 million lines of code,
roughly four times as many as the F-22. As a result, the
existing software sustainment infrastructure is under
increasing stress. The Committee encourages the Air Force to
prioritize the capitalization of its software sustainment
infrastructure and to utilize all its authorities to ensure
mission critical software needs are met.
Physical Fitness Centers.--Physical fitness is a core
requirement of military readiness, and the Committee commends
the Air Force for programming the construction of multiple
physical fitness centers over the fiscal year 2017 Future Years
Defense Program [FYDP]. However, the Air Force program is still
small, with only eight physical fitness centers programmed over
the FYDP, and all but one--a fiscal year 2021 project for the
Niagara Falls, NY, Air Reserve Station--are active Air Force
projects. Physical fitness is equally important to members of
the Air Guard and Air Force Reserve, who regularly train and
serve alongside active duty airmen and women. Access to
physical fitness centers such as the one proposed for the
Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station will increase the readiness
of Guard and reserve personnel to ensure they are adequately
trained at the highest readiness level to be ready to deploy.
The Committee therefore urges the Air Force to prioritize
construction of the Niagara Falls facility within the FYDP and
to program additional Guard and reserve physical fitness
facilities in the fiscal year 2018 FYDP.
KC-46 Strategic Basing.--The Committee supports the Air
Force's long-term effort to recapitalize the United States'
aging Air Force aerial refueling tanker fleet and has supported
the beddown of the KC-46A with appropriations for Military
Construction at the KC-46A Formal Training Unit, Main Operating
Base 1, Main Operating Base 2, and Main Operating Base 3. The
Committee is aware that the Air Force is currently developing a
list of candidate installations through the strategic basing
process for KC-46A Main Operating Base 4. The Committee is also
aware that through this process, the Air Force is considering a
possible reduction in the number of Primary Assigned Aircraft
from 36 to 24 for this location. As the Air Force has proposed
Main Operating Base 4 as the second and final Active Component
KC-46A Main Operating Base in the continental United States, a
reduction of a full squadron of Primary Assigned Aircraft in
this laydown could have significant long-term impacts for the
operations, training, and readiness of the KC-46A fleet. The
KC-46A represents the future of the Air Force's aerial
refueling capability which is an integral component of all air
operations for the Air Force and the other services.
Understanding the gravity of this decision, the Committee
directs the Secretary of the Air Force to submit a report
within 60 days of enactment of this act detailing the
operational planning factors, operational risk, manpower
efficiencies, maintenance efficiencies, and implications for
National Guard and Reserve end strength.
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $2,242,867,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 2,056,091,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,038,980,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $2,038,980,000 for projects
considered within the Defense-Wide account in fiscal year 2017.
This amount is $203,887,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted
level and $17,111,000 below the budget request. Further detail
of the Committee's recommendation is provided in the State
table at the end of this report.
Medical Military Construction.--The Committee provides
funding for eight projects to renovate or build new medical
treatment facilities within the Department of Defense. Medical
military construction budget submissions remain at historically
low levels, forcing necessary projects to be deferred in the
Future Years Defense Program [FYDP]. For example, the General
Leonard Wood Army Community Hospital [GLWACH] replacement
originally planned for fiscal year 2016 is once again deferred,
now planned for fiscal year 2021. The Committee notes the
Surgeon General of the United States Army testified before the
Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense on March 9, 2016,
that this hospital replacement project remains the Army's top
medical military construction priority. The existing hospital
last underwent a major renovation nearly 40 years ago. The
Committee recognizes that the GLWACH serves a large population
with few alternatives military health system providers in the
surrounding area. Due to the quality of life importance of this
and other medical facilities like it, the Committee strongly
encourages the Department to prioritize and restore medical
military construction projects within the FYDP submitted for
fiscal year 2018. In addition, the Committee encourages the
Department to continue collaborating with the Department of
Veterans Affairs to pursue Joint DOD/VA medical facility
projects.
Military Construction, Army National Guard
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $197,237,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 232,930,000
Committee recommendation................................ 232,930,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $232,930,000 for Military
Construction, Army National Guard for fiscal year 2017. This
amount is $35,693,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level
and equal to the budget request. Further detail of the
Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at
the end of this report.
Army National Guard Readiness Center Transformation Plan.--
Army National Guard Readiness Centers are integral to the
Guard's mission. They provide critical operational training and
administrative space, sensitive equipment storage, family and
community support, and a base from which to stage emergency
responses. However, the Army National Guard's 2014 Readiness
Center Transformation Master Plan's findings report that the
inventory's condition is deteriorating, and facilities have
obsolete space configurations, insufficient emergency
communication infrastructure, and deficient storage space. The
report also outlined the staggering cost to address these
failing facilities and the consequences of allowing them to
continue to deteriorate. The Committee is concerned by the
current state of the portfolio, and supports increased
investments in National Guard Readiness Centers in accordance
with the Readiness Center Transformation Master Plan so that
they can better meet the needs of the Army Guard. Therefore,
the Committee encourages the Department to prioritize
investment in Readiness Center facilities with low readiness
ratings, and to examine where efficiencies and cost-sharing can
be achieved by co-locating Readiness Centers with other public
facilities. The Committee further directs the Army to provide a
report no later than 120 days after enactment of this Act on a
plan to implement, as a first step, the National Guard's
``Affordable Readiness'' Transformation Plan, including an
annual investment estimate based on the proposed 15-year
implementation timeline.
Military Construction, Air National Guard
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $138,738,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 143,957,000
Committee recommendation................................ 143,957,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $143,957,000 for Military
Construction, Air National Guard for fiscal year 2017. This
amount is $5,219,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level
and equal to the budget request. Further detail of the
Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at
the end of this report.
Military Construction, Army Reserve
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $113,595,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 68,230,000
Committee recommendation................................ 68,230,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $68,230,000 for Military
Construction, Army Reserve for fiscal year 2017. This amount is
$45,365,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal
to the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's
recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of
this report.
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $36,078,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 38,597,000
Committee recommendation................................ 38,597,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $38,597,000 for Military
Construction, Navy Reserve for fiscal year 2017. This amount is
$2,519,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal
to the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's
recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of
this report.
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $65,021,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 188,950,000
Committee recommendation................................ 188,950,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $188,950,000 for Military
Construction, Air Force Reserve for fiscal year 2017. This
amount is $123,929,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level
and equal to the budget request. Further detail of the
Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at
the end of this report.
North Atlantic Treaty Organization
SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $135,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 177,932,000
Committee recommendation................................ 177,932,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization [NATO] appropriation
provides for the U.S. cost share of the NATO Security
Investment Program for the acquisition and construction of
military facilities and installations (including international
military headquarters) and for related expenses for the
collective defense of the NATO Treaty area.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $177,932,000 for the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program [NSIP]
for fiscal year 2017 as requested. This amount is $42,932,000
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the
budget request.
Department of Defense Base Closure Account
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $266,334,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 205,237,000
Committee recommendation................................ 205,237,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Section 2711 of the National Defense Authorization Act for
Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 112-239) consolidated the Base
Closure Account 1990 and the Base Closure Account 2005 into a
single Department of Defense Base Closure Account. The Base
Closure Account provides for cleanup and disposal of property
consistent with the four closure rounds required by the base
closure acts of 1988 and 1990, and with the 2005 closure round
required by the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of
1990 (10 U.S.C. 2687 note).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends a total of $205,237,000 for the
Department of Defense Base Closure Account for fiscal year
2017. This amount is $61,097,000 below the fiscal year 2016
enacted level and equal to the budget request. Funds provided
for fiscal year 2017 are for environmental cleanup and ongoing
operations and maintenance.
Family Housing Overview
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $1,404,281,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 1,319,852,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,319,852,000
FAMILY HOUSING ACCOUNTS--PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Family Housing appropriation provides funds for
military family housing construction activities, operation and
maintenance, the Family Housing Improvement Fund, and the
Homeowners Assistance Program. Construction accounts provide
funding for new construction, improvements and the Federal
Government share of housing privatization. Operation and
maintenance accounts fund costs associated with the maintenance
and leasing of military family housing, including utilities,
services, management, and furnishings.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $1,319,852,000 for Family Housing
Construction, Operations and Maintenance, and the Department's
family housing improvement fund for fiscal year 2017. This
amount is $84,429,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level
and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $375,611,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 325,995,000
Committee recommendation................................ 325,995,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $325,995,000 for family housing
operation and maintenance, Army for fiscal year 2017. This
amount is $49,616,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level
and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $353,036,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 300,915,000
Committee recommendation................................ 300,915,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $300,915,000 for family housing
operation and maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps, in fiscal
year 2017. This amount is $52,121,000 below the fiscal year
2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $331,232,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 274,429,000
Committee recommendation................................ 274,429,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $274,429,000 for family housing
operation and maintenance, Air Force, in fiscal year 2017. This
amount is $56,803,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level
and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $58,668,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 59,157,000
Committee recommendation................................ 59,157,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $59,157,000 for family housing
operation and maintenance, Defense-Wide, for fiscal year 2017.
This amount is $489,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted
level and equal to the budget request.
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund
Appropriations, 2016....................................................
Budget estimate, 2017................................... $3,258,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,258,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Family Housing Improvement Fund appropriation provides
for the Department of Defense to undertake housing initiatives
and to provide an alternative means of acquiring and improving
military family housing and supporting facilities. This account
provides seed money for housing privatization initiatives.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $3,258,000 for the Family Housing
Improvement Fund in fiscal year 2017. This amount is equal to
the budget request.
Family Housing Construction, Army
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $108,695,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 200,735,000
Committee recommendation................................ 200,735,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $200,735,000 for Army Family
Housing Construction in fiscal year 2017. This amount is
$92,040,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal
to the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's
recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of
this report.
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $16,541,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 94,011,000
Committee recommendation................................ 94,011,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $94,011,000 for Family Housing
Construction, Navy and Marine Corps. This amount is $77,470,000
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the
budget request. Further detail of the Committee's
recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of
this report.
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $160,498,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 61,352,000
Committee recommendation................................ 61,352,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $61,352,000 for Family Housing
Construction, Air Force, in fiscal year 2017. This amount is
$99,146,000 below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal
to the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's
recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of
this report.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 101. The Committee includes a provision that restricts
payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for work,
except in cases of contracts for environmental restoration at
base closure sites.
Sec. 102. The Committee includes a provision that permits
the use of funds for the hire of passenger motor vehicles.
Sec. 103. The Committee includes a provision that permits
the use of funds for defense access roads.
Sec. 104. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
construction of new bases inside the continental United States
for which specific appropriations have not been made.
Sec. 105. The Committee includes a provision that limits
the use of funds for purchase of land or land easements.
Sec. 106. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
the use of funds to acquire land, prepare a site, or install
utilities for any family housing except housing for which funds
have been made available.
Sec. 107. The Committee includes a provision that limits
the use of minor construction funds to transfer or relocate
activities among installations.
Sec. 108. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
the procurement of steel unless American producers,
fabricators, and manufacturers have been allowed to compete.
Sec. 109. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
payments of real property taxes in foreign nations.
Sec. 110. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
construction of new bases overseas without prior notification.
Sec. 111. The Committee includes a provision that
establishes a threshold for American preference of $500,000
relating to architect and engineering services for overseas
projects.
Sec. 112. The Committee includes a provision that
establishes preference for American contractors for military
construction in the United States territories and possessions
in the Pacific, and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries
bordering the Arabian Gulf.
Sec. 113. The Committee includes a provision that requires
notification of military exercises involving construction in
excess of $100,000.
Sec. 115. The Committee includes a provision that permits
funds appropriated in prior years to be available for
construction authorized during the current session of Congress.
Sec. 116. The Committee includes a provision that permits
the use of expired or lapsed funds to pay the cost of
supervision for any project being completed with lapsed funds.
Sec. 117. The Committee includes a provision that permits
obligation of funds from more than 1 fiscal year to execute a
construction project, provided that the total obligation for
such project is consistent with the total amount appropriated
for the project.
Sec. 118. The Committee includes a provision that permits
the transfer of funds from Family Housing Construction accounts
to the DOD Family Housing Improvement Fund and from Military
Construction accounts to the DOD Military Unaccompanied Housing
Improvement Fund.
Sec. 119. The Committee includes a provision that provides
transfer authority to the Homeowners Assistance Fund.
Sec. 120. The Committee includes a provision that requires
all acts making appropriations for military construction be the
sole funding source of all operation and maintenance for family
housing, including flag and general officer quarters, and
limits the repair on flag and general officer quarters to
$35,000 per unit per year without prior notification to the
congressional defense committees.
Sec. 121. The Committee includes a provision that provides
authority to expend funds from the ``Ford Island Improvement''
account.
Sec. 122. The Committee includes a provision that allows
the transfer of expired funds to the Foreign Currency
Fluctuation, Construction, Defense Account.
Sec. 123. The Committee includes a provision that allows
the reprogramming of military construction and family housing
construction funds among projects and activities within the
account in which they are funded.
Sec. 124. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
the use of funds in this title for planning and design and
construction of projects at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sec. 125. The Committee includes a provision providing
additional funds for unfunded military construction priorities.
Sec. 126. The Committee includes a provision rescinding
unobligated balances from various military construction
accounts.
Sec. 127. The Committee includes a provision regarding the
consolidation or relocation of a U.S. Air Force RED HORSE
Squadron outside of the United States.
Sec. 128. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds in this title to close or realign Naval
Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The provision is intended to
prevent the closure or transfer of the installation out of the
possession of the United States, and maintain the Naval
Station's long-standing regional security and migrant
operations missions.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Items of Special Interest
HEARINGS
The Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies held two hearings related to the
fiscal year 2017 and 2018 Department of Veterans Affairs [VA]
budget request. The subcommittee heard testimony from the
Honorable David J. Shulkin, Under Secretary for Health, Mr.
Danny G. I. Pummill, Acting Under Secretary for Benefits, and
the Honorable Robert A. McDonald, Secretary of the Department
of Veterans Affairs.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommendation includes $177,391,336,000 for
the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2017,
including $102,532,481,000 in mandatory spending and
$74,858,855,000 in discretionary spending. The Committee also
recommends $66,385,032,000 in advance appropriations for
veterans medical care for fiscal year 2018 and $103,935,996,000
in advance appropriations for appropriated mandatories for
fiscal year 2018.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The Veterans Administration was established on July 21,
1930, as an independent agency by Executive Order 5398, in
accordance with the Act of July 3, 1930 (46 Stat. 1016). This
act authorized the President to consolidate and coordinate
Federal agencies specially created for or concerned with the
administration of laws providing benefits to veterans,
including the Veterans' Bureau, the Bureau of Pensions, and the
National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. On March 15,
1989, the Veterans Administration was elevated to Cabinet-level
status as the Department of Veterans Affairs.
VA's mission is to serve America's veterans and their
families as their principal advocate in ensuring they receive
the care, support, and recognition they have earned in service
to the Nation. As of September 30, 2015, there were an
estimated 21.7 million living veterans, with 21.6 million of
them residing in the United States and Puerto Rico. There were
an estimated 26.1 million dependents (spouses and dependent
children) of living veterans in the United States and Puerto
Rico, and there were 594,000 survivors of deceased veterans
receiving VA survivor benefits in the United States and Puerto
Rico. Thus, approximately 48.3 million people, or 14.8 percent
of the total estimated resident population of the United States
and Puerto Rico, were recipients or potential recipients of
veterans benefits from the Federal Government. VA's operating
units include the Veterans Benefits Administration, Veterans
Health Administration, National Cemetery Administration, and
staff support offices.
The Veterans Benefits Administration [VBA] provides an
integrated program of nonmedical veterans benefits. VBA
administers a broad range of benefits to veterans and other
eligible beneficiaries through 56 regional offices and a
records processing center in St. Louis, Missouri. The benefits
provided include: compensation for service-connected
disabilities; pensions for wartime, needy, and totally disabled
veterans; vocational rehabilitation assistance; educational and
training assistance; home buying assistance; estate protection
services for veterans under legal disability; information and
assistance through personalized contacts; and six life
insurance programs.
The Veterans Health Administration [VHA] develops,
maintains, and operates a national healthcare delivery system
for eligible veterans; carries out a program of education and
training of healthcare personnel; conducts medical research and
development; and furnishes health services to members of the
Armed Forces during periods of war or national emergency. A
system of 167 medical centers, 1,018 community-based outpatient
clinics, 300 vet centers, and 135 community living centers is
maintained to meet the VA's medical mission.
The National Cemetery Administration [NCA] provides for the
interment of the remains of eligible deceased servicemembers
and discharged veterans in any national cemetery with available
grave space; permanently maintains these graves; provides
headstones and markers for the graves of eligible persons in
national and private cemeteries; administers the grant program
for aid to States in establishing, expanding, or improving
State veterans cemeteries; and provides certificates to
families of deceased veterans recognizing their contributions
and service to the Nation. In 2017, cemetery activities will
encompass 133 national cemeteries, one national veterans'
burial ground, and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites.
Staff support offices include the Office of Inspector
General, Boards of Contract Appeals and Veterans Appeals, and
General Administration offices, which support the Secretary,
Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits, Under Secretary
for Health, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, and General
Counsel.
Whistleblower Protection.--The Committee remains concerned
about unacceptable retaliation against whistleblowers within
the Department across the Nation. The Department has made many
promises to foster a culture of openness by encouraging VA
employees to report cases of wrongdoing, yet the Committee
continues to hear reports that once reporting cases of
wrongdoing, the whistleblowers become subjects of retaliation.
For example, on February 25, 2016, the Office of Special
Counsel revealed OIG's actions regarding complaints filed by
whistleblowers in Illinois and Louisiana were ``incomplete''
and ``inadequate,'' and on September 17, 2015, OSC also
reported to the President documented instances of whistleblower
retaliation in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Missouri, Maryland, and
Puerto Rico. The Committee finds such actions reprehensible,
and the Committee continues to direct the Department to send a
clear and unequivocal message throughout the VA system that
retaliation against whistleblowers will not stand, and those in
leadership who condone or ignore such retaliation will be held
accountable. The Committee will continue to advocate on behalf
of those employees who receive unfair retribution for reporting
wrongdoing at VA facilities and will bring to the Department's
attention every instance of whistleblower retaliation brought
to its attention.
As such, the Committee directs VA to create a formal
process for whistleblowers to file complaints within VA that
begins a paper trail for management to be held accountable for
ignoring or mistreating whistleblowers. Specifically, the
Department is directed to establish a Central Whistleblower
Office that is not connected with VA General Counsel's office
to investigate all whistleblower complaints at VA. This office
will specialize in investigating whistleblower complaints, with
all resources being allocated to protecting the rights on VA
whistleblowers.
Further, the Secretary shall carry out specified adverse
actions against a supervisor who commits a prohibited personnel
action relating to a whistleblower complaint. A supervisor who
commits a prohibited personnel action shall not be paid any
award or bonus for a 1 year period, and any award or bonus paid
during that period shall be recouped. Retaliation includes, but
is not limited to, taking a prohibited personnel action against
a whistleblower for (1) filing a complaint, (2) providing
information or participating as a witness in a whistleblower
complaint investigation, (3) refusing to perform an action that
is unlawful, and/or (4) engaging in protected communications
that are related to the employee's duties. The Committee
directs the Department to produce an annual report to Congress
on how many whistleblower complaints were filed with VA, the
location at which the alleged misconduct occurred, and the
outcome of VA's investigation, including the length of time
needed to reach a resolution, and a list of any personnel
disciplinary actions taken.
For purposes of testifying in an official capacity in front
of either House of Congress, a Committee of either House of
Congress, or a joint or select Committee of Congress regarding
whistleblower complaints, an employee of the Department should
be considered as performing an official duty, and as such, the
Department shall provide travel expenses, including per diem in
lieu of subsistence, to any such VA employee.
The Committee is also concerned there is no proper
mechanism at the Department to inform employees of their rights
under the law with regards to reporting wrongdoing and
whistleblower protection. The Committee is aware there is no
whistleblower protection training for employees mandated within
the Department, and there is not an official handbook or
orientation outlining and explaining employee rights and
responsibilities in this area, to include management and their
role and responsibilities either when reporting wrongdoing
themselves or supervising someone who has blown the whistle on
misconduct, waste, fraud, or poor patient care. Therefore, the
Department is directed to ensure all employees are educated on:
their rights from retaliation, existing whistleblower
protections, and resources available to them, to include the VA
Office of the Inspector General [OIG], Office of Special
Counsel, and the Merit System Protection Board and the location
of such resources on the OIG Web site. The Department is
directed to implement education for all employees on these
issues through employee orientation, employee manuals, and
periodic briefings. Additionally, employees must be educated on
exemptions from privacy laws, specifically that healthcare
providers are exempted from the Health Insurance Portability
and Accountability Act [HIPAA] privacy rules when disclosing to
OIG allegations of problems with patient care. Further, any VA
employee who discloses HIPAA and Privacy Act information to OIG
for purposes of providing such information for an OIG
investigation is not in violation of these laws. The law shall
be clearly communicated by the investigator prior to any
investigative interview with a VA employee. Currently, the law
is not clearly stated on the OIG Web site nor regularly
communicated to VA employees. It is critical all employees
understand their protections under the law and are encouraged
to report misconduct, waste, fraud, and poor patient care so
those engaging in wrongdoing may be held accountable. The
Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 90 days
after enactment of this act detailing how VA is complying with
the directives listed above.
Electronic Health Record.--Achieving interoperability
between the health records of the Department of Veterans
Affairs and the Department of Defense remains one of the
highest priorities of the Committee. The Committee believes
from a servicemember's initial military entrance physical to
their final interaction with VA, a seamless health record
should follow the individual. VA's current VistA Evolution
program and DOD's acquisition of an electronic health record
are two separate and distinct programs, yet the Departments
have a mandate from Congress to ensure the records are able to
transmit computable data that can be used by clinicians on
either side. The Committee also notes the increased utilization
of medical care in the community by enrolled veterans makes it
incumbent upon the Department to ensure medical information
from outside VA can be easily brought into the VA's health
record system. The Committee continues to expect the electronic
health record [EHR] will be developed with an open architecture
to best leverage the innovation of the private sector.
Although the Committee was under the impression the
decision to evolve VistA was final, in 2015, VA began a
business case analysis to review the options available to the
Department regarding purchasing a commercial-off-the-shelf
product. The business case is also reviewing the current plan
to evolve VistA. While the Committee supports this prudent
decision to proceed forward with all available information, the
Department is directed to make a decision about the future of
the EHR as soon as possible. The development of other
Information systems technology programs hinge on the decision
regarding the EHR platform, including the replacement of the
legacy scheduling system, and the Committee expects a decision
from the Chief Information Officer of the Department no later
than the end of the summer 2016.
In fiscal years 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016, Congress
required the Department to provide information on the cost,
timeline, performance benchmarks, and interoperability capacity
of VistA Evolution before releasing 75 percent of the funds
appropriated. Even though the future of VistA is uncertain, the
Committee maintains in this act its oversight authority by
placing similar constraints on the obligation or expenditure of
funding for the development of VistA Evolution until certain
conditions are met. As the decision over the EHR progresses
this year, the Committee will inform VA of any changes to this
constraint. Further explanation of the Committee's intent is
included in the appropriate section of the report.
Disability Claims Backlog.--The Committee commends the
Department on its efforts to reduce the disability claims
backlog and increase the accuracy of claims decisions, yet the
processing of disability claims remains a major concern of the
Committee. The Committee is committed to ensuring the
Department maintains its goal of processing all claims over 125
days with 98 percent accuracy.
The Committee has not only fully funded the request for
claims processing in recent years, but has provided increases
above the budget requests for hiring and training claims
processors, bolstering the migration to electronic claims
processing systems, and addressing the increasing backlog of
appeals at the Board of Veterans Appeals. As a result of these
funding levels and the specific measures intended to bring the
backlog down included in the fiscal year 2014 and 2015 Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies
appropriations bill and report, VBA has made significant and
notable progress in reducing the number of backlogged claims
from a high of 611,000 in March 2013 to fewer than 77,483 as of
April 2, 2016.
The Committee is also committed to ensuring there is not a
recurrence of any sizeable backlog or a reduction in accuracy.
To that end, the Committee will continue to host reoccurring
meeting of the disability claims interagency working group that
began in May 2013. This group includes the Under Secretary of
Benefits and representatives from the Department of Defense,
the Social Security Administration, and the Internal Revenue
Service. The Committee will continue to assert its oversight
ability by monitoring these agencies as they work to better
expedite the flow of interagency information needed to process
claims in a timely manner. The Committee will continue to
require the Department provide monthly updates on performance
measures for each Regional Office.
The Committee will continue to monitor VBA as it is making
the shift from crisis-mode to maintenance-mode in the area of
claims processing. Given the goal of ending the backlog at the
end of 2016 was not met, the Committee directs VBA to continue
working towards that goal. The Department must consider
processing all claims within 125 days with 98 percent accuracy
a mandate of VBA, and the Department should fund and staff this
agency accordingly. The Committee is also focused on the next
assumed issue for disability claims: the backlog at the
appellate level.
The fiscal year 2017 justification accompanying the budget
request states appeals received by the Board of Veterans
Appeals are projected to increase 57 percent, from 66,778 in
2014 to 105,012 by the end of 2016. The Committee notes the
Department is aware the appeals process needs reform and
resources, and to that end, the Department is directed to
submit a report no later than 180 days after enactment of this
act on the actions VBA is taking to reduce the backlog of
appeals and streamline the appeals process.
Veterans Benefits Administration
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $94,129,886,000
Advance Appropriations, 2017............................ 102,515,876,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 3,043,209,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 3,073,209,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018........... 103,935,996,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018.. 103,935,996,000
*The Committee notes the totals above reflect the shift of GOE, VBA from
Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits Administration.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
The Veterans Benefits Administration [VBA] is responsible
for the payment of compensation and pension benefits to
eligible service-connected disabled veterans, as well as
education benefits and housing loan guarantees.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided
$102,515,876,000 in advance for the Veterans Benefits
Administration for fiscal year 2017. This included
$86,083,128,000 for Compensation and pensions; $16,340,828,000
for Readjustment benefits; and $91,920,000 for Veterans
insurance and indemnities. For fiscal year 2017, the Committee
recommends an additional $16,605,000 for Veterans insurance and
indemnities. Additionally, the Committee recommendation
includes $198,856,000 for the Veterans Housing Benefit Program
Fund administrative expenses; $36,000 for the Vocational
Rehabilitation Loans Program account, with $389,000 for
administrative expenses; $1,163,000 for the Native American
Veteran Housing Loan Program account; $2,856,160,000 for
General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration
account; and an advance appropriation of $103,935,996,000 for
fiscal year 2018.
The Committee also notes the move of the General Operating
Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account from
Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits
Administration with the fiscal year 2017 recommendation. This
move puts GOE,VBA back under its appropriate section within the
act, and the Committee instructs the Department to place
GOE,VBA in this location with the fiscal year 2018 request.
COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $76,865,545,000
Advance Appropriations, 2017............................ 86,083,128,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 86,083,128,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 86,083,128,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018........... 90,119,449,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018.. 90,119,449,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Compensation is payable to living veterans who have
suffered impairment of earning power from service-connected
disabilities. The amount of compensation is based upon the
impact of disabilities on a veteran's earning capacity. Death
compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation is
payable to the surviving spouses and dependents of veterans
whose deaths occur while on active duty or result from service-
connected disabilities. A clothing allowance may also be
provided for service-connected veterans who use a prosthetic or
orthopedic device. In fiscal year 2017, the Department
estimates it will obligate $79,677,123,000 for payments to
4,427,225 veterans, 405,014 survivors, and 1,140 dependents
receiving special benefits.
Pensions are an income security benefit payable to needy
wartime veterans who are precluded from gainful employment due
to nonservice-connected disabilities which render them
permanently and totally disabled. Public Law 107-103, the
Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, restored
the automatic presumption of permanent and total nonservice
connected disability for purposes of awarding a pension to
veterans age 65 and older, subject to the income limitations
that apply to all pensioners. Death pensions are payable to
needy surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime
veterans. The rate payable for both disability and death
pensions is determined on the basis of the annual income of the
veteran or their survivors. In fiscal year 2017, the Department
estimates that the Pensions program will provide benefits to
297,093 veterans and 209,606 survivors totaling $6,087,586,000.
The Compensation and Pensions program funds certain burial
benefits on behalf of eligible deceased veterans. These
benefits provide the purchase and transportation costs for
headstones and markers, graveliners, and pre-placed crypts; and
provide partial reimbursement for privately purchased outer
burial receptacles. In fiscal year 2017, the Department
estimates the Compensation and Pensions program will obligate
$225,525,000 providing burial benefits. This funding will
provide 45,065 burial allowances, 23,138 burial plot
allowances, 24,810 service-connected death awards, 497,644
burial flags, 368,059 headstones or markers, 44,063 graveliners
or reimbursement for privately purchased outer burial
receptacles, and 635 caskets and urns for the internment of the
remains of veterans without next of kin.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $86,083,128,000 for fiscal year 2017. The
Committee recommendation includes an advance appropriation of
$90,119,449,000 for Compensation and pensions for fiscal year
2018. This is $4,036,321,000 above the fiscal 2017 request and
equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget request.
READJUSTMENT BENEFITS
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $14,313,357,000
Advance Appropriations, 2017............................ 16,340,828,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 16,340,828,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 16,340,828,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018........... 13,708,648,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018.. 13,708,648,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Readjustment benefits appropriation finances the
education and training of veterans and servicemembers under
chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 42 and 43 of
title 38, United States Code. These benefits include the All-
Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (Montgomery GI
bill) and the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program. Basic
benefits are funded through appropriations made to the
readjustment benefits appropriation and by transfers from the
Department of Defense. This account also finances vocational
rehabilitation, specially adapted housing grants, specially
adapted automobile grants for certain disabled veterans, and
educational assistance allowances for eligible dependents of
those veterans who died from service-connected causes or who
have a total permanent service-connected disability, as well as
dependents of servicemembers who were captured or missing in
action.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $16,340,828,000 for Readjustment benefits
fiscal year 2017. The Committee recommendation includes an
advance appropriation of $13,708,648,000 for Readjustment
benefits for fiscal year 2018. This is $2,632,180,000 below the
fiscal year 2017 request and equal to the fiscal year 2018
budget request.
VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $77,160,000
Advance Appropriations, 2017............................ 91,920,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 16,605,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 16,605,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018........... 107,899,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018.. 107,899,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Veterans insurance and indemnities appropriation
consists of the former appropriations for military and naval
insurance, applicable to World War I veterans; National Service
Life Insurance, applicable to certain World War II veterans;
servicemen's indemnities, applicable to Korean conflict
veterans; and veterans mortgage life insurance to individuals
who have received a grant for specially adapted housing.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $91,920,000 for Veterans insurance and
indemnities for fiscal year 2017. The Committee recommendation
includes an advance appropriation of $107,899,000 for Veterans
insurance and indemnities for fiscal year 2018. This is
$15,979,000 above the fiscal year 2017 advanced request and
equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget request.
VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative
Program account expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016................ ................ $164,558,000
Budget estimate, 2017............... ................ 198,856,000
Committee recommendation............ ................ 198,856,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Veterans housing benefit program fund provides for all
costs associated with VA's direct and guaranteed housing loan
programs, with the exception of the Native American veteran
housing loan program.
VA loan guaranties are made to servicemembers, veterans,
reservists, and unremarried surviving spouses for the purchase
of homes, condominiums, and manufactured homes, and for
refinancing loans. VA guarantees part of the total loan,
permitting the purchaser to obtain a mortgage with a
competitive interest rate, even without a downpayment, if the
lender agrees. VA requires a downpayment be made for a
manufactured home. With a VA guaranty, the lender is protected
against loss up to the amount of the guaranty if the borrower
fails to repay the loan.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends such sums as may be necessary for
funding subsidy payments, and $198,856,000 for administrative
expenses for fiscal year 2017. Bill language limits gross
obligations for direct loans for specially adapted housing to
$500,000.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative
Program account expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2016................ $31,000 $367,000
Budget estimate, 2017............... 36,000 389,000
Committee recommendation............ 36,000 389,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program account covers
the cost of direct loans for vocational rehabilitation of
eligible veterans and, in addition, includes administrative
expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan program. Loans
of up to $2,517,000 (based on the indexed chapter 31
subsistence allowance rate) are currently available to service-
connected disabled veterans enrolled in vocational
rehabilitation programs, as provided under 38 U.S.C. chapter
31, when the veteran is temporarily in need of additional
assistance. Repayment is made in monthly installments, without
interest, through deductions from future payments of
compensation, pension, subsistence allowance, educational
assistance allowance, or retirement pay. Virtually all loans
are repaid in full and most in less than one year.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $36,000 for program costs and
$389,000 for administrative expenses for the Vocational
Rehabilitation Loans Program account. The administrative
expenses may be paid to the General Operating Expenses,
Veterans Benefits Administration account. Bill language is
included limiting program direct loans to $2,517,000. It is
estimated VA will make 2,618 loans in fiscal year 2017, with an
average amount of $962.
NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $1,134,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 1,163,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,163,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Native American veteran housing loan program is
authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, section 3761 to provide
direct loans to Native American veterans living on trust lands.
The loans are available to purchase, construct, or improve
homes to be occupied as veteran residences or to refinance a
loan previously made under this program in order to lower the
interest rate. The principal amount of a loan under this
authority generally may not exceed $417,000 however, in some
locations this limit may be higher depending on median area
home prices. Veterans pay a funding fee of 1.25 percent of the
loan amount, although veterans with a service-connected
disability are exempt from paying the fee. Before a direct loan
can be made, the veteran's tribal organization must sign a
memorandum of understanding with VA regarding the terms and
conditions of the loan. The Native American Veteran Housing
Loan Program began as a pilot program in 1993 and was made
permanent by Public Law 109-233, the Veterans Housing
Opportunity and Benefits Act of 2006.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $1,163,000 for administrative
expenses associated with this program. This is $29,000 below
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget
request.
GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $2,707,734,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 2,826,160,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,856,160,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits
Administration account provides funding for the Veterans
Benefits Administration to administer entitlement programs such
as service-connected disability compensation, education
benefits, and vocational rehabilitation services.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $2,856,160,000 for the General
Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account,
which is $148,426,000 above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level
and $30,000,000 above the budget request. The Committee has
included bill language to make available through September 30,
2018, up to 5 percent of the General Operating Expenses,
Veterans Benefits Administration account.
Disability Claims Processing.--The Committee remains
concerned over the growing backlog of disability claims at all
stages of the appeals process. The fiscal year 2017
justification accompanying the Department's budget submission
notes the number of cases received by the Board of Veterans
[BVA] appeals increased 57 percent, from 66,778 in 2014 to
105,012 in 2016. Each year since 1996, the volume of appeals
received by VBA equated to 9 to 15 percent of the total claims
completed in those years. The Board notes that it expects the
backlog to increase dramatically over the coming years without
additional resources and legislative reform. The Committee has
repeatedly expressed its concern over the backlog and provided
additional resources beyond the President's request to help
address the issue. To date, funding has largely been directed
at increasing capacity at Board of Veterans Appeals, including
hiring an additional 242 full-time employees since 2015.
The Committee recommends the Department consider a more
comprehensive approach to increasing capacity in the appeals
process, specifically hiring additional BVA Members as well as
Decision Review Officers. Since 2011, the Board of Veterans
Appeals has added more than 250 new staff; however, the number
of Board Members has increased only slightly from 60 to 64.
Given the dramatic increase in workload, additional Board
Members may be necessary. In addition, despite pending appeals
exceeding several years, some Regional Offices employ two or
fewer Decision Review Officers. To begin to fully address the
rapidly expanding backlog of appeals claims, VA should consider
increasing its capacity at all stages of the appeals process.
VBA Staffing Levels.--The Committee remains concerned about
the Department's staffing and production model and directs VA
to conduct an assessment of the VBA staffing and production
models, including its resource allocation model. This
assessment shall include discussion on efforts by the VBA
Office of Strategic Planning to develop a workforce capacity
model and a discussion of how the National Work Queue
initiative will impact staffing throughout VBA. The Department
is directed to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180
days after enactment of this act detailing its findings.
Women Veteran Participation Rates.--The Committee directs
the Department to include an analysis of trends and
satisfaction rates among women veterans participating in the
Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment program in the annual
report to Congress to ensure these services are adapting to the
changing demographics of veterans and the needs of women
veterans with disabilities.
Gulf War Veterans Claims for Service-Connected Disability
Compensation.--The Committee is concerned by the Department's
rates of denial of Gulf War veterans' claims for undiagnosed
illnesses and chronic multi-symptom illnesses. The Department
is directed to provide the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress with a finalized Disability Benefits
Questionnaire [DBQ] within 180 days of the enactment of this
act for each of these types of claims for which a DBQ does not
currently exist. The Committee urges the Department to make
permanent the period for filing Gulf War presumptive claims
under 38 CFR 3.317. While the Committee commends VA on its
efforts to revise the Compensation and Pension manual for
``Service Connection for Certain Disabilities Associated with
Gulf War Service,'' concern remains that VA claims adjudicators
are not consistently following these changes.
Work-Study Program.--The VA work-study program allows
veterans and eligible dependents who are in school to be paid
for working up to 20 hours a week on a job that is directly
related to Department activities. These activities could be
part-time work at a local VA hospital, benefits office, Vet
Center, or at the school handling VA-related work. The program
not only helps the student cover school-related expenses, it
also gives them work experience that can help bolster their
resume as they search for employment after graduation. The
Committee supports this program and is very concerned about
recent reports of delays in the VA processing of work-study
participants pay. The Committee is aware that in some locations
it is taking as long as 40 days for the pay to be processed.
This is unacceptable, and the Department is directed to report
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
within 60 days on steps it is taking to better monitor the time
it takes to process pay for work-study participants and to
address any identified delays in the process.
Veterans Health Administration
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $61,767,227,000
Advance appropriations, 2017............................ 63,271,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 2,391,359,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 2,249,459,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018........... 66,385,032,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018.. 66,385,032,000
ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
The Veterans Health Administration [VHA] is home to the
United States' largest integrated healthcare system consisting
of 167 medical centers, 1,018 community-based outpatient
clinic, 300 vet centers, and 135 community living centers.
The Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Care Collections
Fund [MCCF] was established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997
(Public Law 105-33). In fiscal year 2004, Public Law 108-199
allowed the Department to deposit first-party and
pharmaceutical co-payments, third-party insurance payments and
enhanced-use collections, long-term care co-payments,
Compensated Work Therapy Program collections, Compensation and
Pension Living Expenses Program collections, and Parking
Program fees into the MCCF.
The Parking Program provides funds for the construction,
alteration, and acquisition (by purchase or lease) of parking
garages at VA medical facilities authorized by 38 U.S.C. 8109.
The Secretary is required under certain circumstances to
establish and collect fees for the use of such garages and
parking facilities. Receipts from the parking fees are to be
deposited into the MCCF and are used for medical services
activities.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided $63,271,000,000
in advance appropriations for VA's medical care accounts for
fiscal year 2017. This included $51,673,000,000 for Medical
services, $6,524,000,000 for Medical support and compliance,
and $5,074,000,000 for Medical facilities. The Committee also
includes an Administrative Provision allowing the Department to
carry forward into fiscal year 2017 certain amounts provided as
an advance for fiscal year 2016. For fiscal year 2017, the
Committee recommends an additional $1,078,993,000 for Medical
services. Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes
$663,366,000 for Medical and prosthetic research. Medical care
collections are expected to be $2,637,000. The Committee
recommendation also includes an advance appropriation of
$63,499,914,000 for veterans medical care for fiscal year 2018.
Vet Centers.--The Committee recommendation includes the
full budget request for readjustment counseling at Vet Centers.
Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide
a wide range of social and psychological services. These
services include: professional readjustment counseling to
veterans and active duty servicemembers, counseling for the
victims of military sexual trauma, bereavement counseling for
families who experience an active duty death, substance abuse
assessments and referrals, VBA benefit information and
referrals to Regional Offices, and employment counseling.
Certain services also extend to the family members as a means
to assist in the readjustment for veterans and active duty
servicemembers. The Department is directed to continue to build
the necessary readjustment counseling capacity across the
country in order to address the continued growth in workload.
Female Veterans.--The Committee continues to believe that
VA must be poised to address the changing demographic of
today's and tomorrow's veterans in order to fulfill its
mission. Toward this end, the Committee recommendation includes
$535,400,000 for gender-specific healthcare. This is
$20,000,000 over the budget estimate for fiscal year 2017. The
Committee also encourages the Department to consider a mobile
healthcare pilot program to provide gender specific services,
awareness of benefits, and outreach to women veterans utilizing
mobile healthcare infrastructure. This innovative model is
designed to fill the current gap in VA gender-specific services
as VA works to expand infrastructure and hire the needed staff
for specialty care. Additionally, the Committee is concerned
with the Department's research, testing, development, and
treatment capabilities with regards to women veterans and their
specific prosthetic needs; including medically prescribed
prosthetic and sensory aids, medical devices, assistive aids,
repairs, and services which maximize independence and enhance
quality of life. The Committee urges an aggressive and targeted
women veterans' prosthetic program. In order to ensure proper
care and to better meet the needs of women veterans, the
Department is directed to prioritize the acquisition of gender
specific prosthetics with the funds appropriated to ensure
every eligible woman veteran receives high-quality
comprehensive care including specific treatment and long-term
services. Furthermore, the Committee directs VA to meet all of
its commitments to treat and provide continuum care for women
veterans of Operation Enduring Freedom [OEF], Operating Iraqi
Freedom [OIF], and Operation New Dawn [OND] and servicemembers
in 2016 and 2017. The Department is directed to submit the
specific funding amounts allocated for women veterans
prosthetics in fiscal year 2017 to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180
days after enactment of this act.
Domiciliary Program.--The Committee notes recent reports of
safety gaps in the VA domiciliary program. Therefore, the
Committee directs the Department to address security concerns
and assess whether the current program can meet the needs of
veterans who are at heightened risk for overdose or suicide.
The Department's assessment should include alternatives to the
domiciliary program if it finds the current program cannot meet
the needs of these veterans.
Capacity Need.--In order for the Committee to better
understand capacity needs across the Veterans Health
Administration, particularly for those critical services that
have no private or community sector alternatives, the
Department is directed to submit a report annually to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on
bedding and staffing capacities in mental health, amputations,
spinal cord injury, and blinded rehabilitation. The first
report shall be delivered to the Committees no later than 1
year after enactment of this act.
Education Debt Reduction Program.--The Department is
directed provide a breakdown of spending by VA in connection
with the education debt reduction program of the Department
under subchapter VII of chapter 76 of title 38, United States
Code. The breakout shall include the following elements: (1)
the amount spent by the Department in debt reduction payments
during the three year period preceding the submittal of the
report disaggregated by the medical profession of the
individual receiving the payments; (2) a description of how the
Department prioritizes such spending by medical profession,
including an assessment of whether such priority reflects the
five occupations identified in the most recent determination by
VA OIG as having the largest staffing shortages in VHA; and (3)
a description of the actions taken by the Secretary to increase
the effectiveness of such spending for purposes of recruitment
of healthcare providers to the Department, including efforts to
more consistently include eligibility for the education debt
reduction program in vacancy announcements of positions for
healthcare providers at VA.
Promotion of Federal Burn Pits Registry.--The Committee
directs the Department to work with State Governors and State
veterans affairs agencies to promote and educate State
officials about the Federal Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit
Registry. The Committee is concerned that efforts by the States
have led to confusion among veterans about which registry is
the official registry of the U.S. Department of Veterans
Affairs. The Committee urges the Department to increase
outreach to veterans and State governments to communicate the
existence and purpose of the Airborne Hazards and Open Burn Pit
Registry.
MEDICAL SERVICES
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $49,972,360,000
Advance appropriations, 2017............................ 51,673,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 1,078,993,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 1,078,993,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018........... 44,886,554,000
Committee recommendations, advance appropriations, 2018. 44,886,554,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Medical Services account provides for medical services
for eligible enrolled veterans and other beneficiaries in VA
healthcare facilities, including VA medical centers and VA
outpatient clinics.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $51,673,000,000 for fiscal year 2017. The
recommendation for fiscal year 2017 includes an additional
$1,078,993,000 as included in the budget request. In addition,
VA has the authority to retain co-payments and third-party
collections, estimated to total $2,637,000,000 in fiscal year
2017.
The Committee recommendation also includes an advance
appropriation of $44,886,554,000 for Medical services for
fiscal year 2018. This is $6,786,446,000 below the level for
fiscal year 2017 and equal to the fiscal year 2018 budget
request.
Stroke Telemedicine.--Stroke is a leading cause of serious,
long-term disability and dementia in the U.S. More than half of
veterans are over age 65 putting them at an increased risk of
stroke. Fast care is critical in treating stroke. Research
shows for every 15 minute reduction in the time from symptom
onset to treatment, 5.1 percent more patients are able to
return home. The Committee is aware stroke telemedicine, or
telestroke, has proven to be tremendously beneficial in
improving access to high quality stroke care in rural and
neurologically-underserved areas and in reducing disability and
the need for long-term care following a stroke. The Committee
urges the Department to consider the significant potential
benefits of implementing a telestroke program for both veterans
and their families as well as to the VA healthcare system and
taxpayers. The Department is directed to submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 90 days after enactment of this act detailing the
status of its plans to implement telestroke within VA medical
centers that do not currently have around-the-clock
neurological expertise available to veterans who suffer a
stroke.
Manipulation of Appointment Scheduling.--In the wake of the
high-profile scandal involving manipulation of veterans'
healthcare appointment scheduling, which served to artificially
suppress excessive wait times for veterans to receive health
services, the Committee remains concerned about VA's handling
of allegations made by whistleblowers that VA officials
manipulated scheduling processes, in violation of the
Department's own directive. In fact, when reviewing a summary
of an investigation into allegations of scheduling protocol
violations conducted by the VA OIG, the Office of Special
Counsel [OSC] found the ``focus and tone of the OIG
investigations appear to be intended to discredit the
whistleblowers by focusing on the word `secret' rather than
reviewing the access to care issues identified by the
whistleblowers and in the OSC referrals.'' Moreover, while OIG
has uncovered indications of access to care challenges at
several VA facilities, according to OSC, OIG did not analyze
the wait-time information or provide recommendations for
improvement. In the case of the Edward J. Hines, Jr. VA Medical
Center in Chicago, IL, OSC found whistleblower allegations
regarding improper scheduling protocols that created the false
appearance of acceptable wait times while masking significant
delays in veterans' access to care have never been sufficiently
investigated. As a result, by OIG's own admission, scheduling
protocol violations occurred at VA facilities in at least seven
States (Arkansas, California, Delaware, Illinois, New York,
Texas, and Vermont). As such, the Department is directed to
submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of
this act detailing the administrative actions taken in response
to substantiated claims of scheduling protocol violations by VA
employees, including specific employee disciplinary actions, as
well as a description of corrective actions VA has implemented
or plans to implement, to ensure veterans receive quality,
timely access to health services.
Compliance with Reviews of Healthcare Providers.--The
Committee is concerned VHA employees accused of wrongdoing are
routinely transferred to other VA facilities or leave the
Department while accusations of misconduct against them remain
unresolved. In the case of the VA Illiana Health System in
Danville, IL, as recently as April 2015, a physician whose
medical license had previously been suspended, and against whom
criminal charges were later filed, was hired as a result of
insufficient screening processes at VA. The Department is
directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after
enactment of this act on the compliance by the Department with
its policy to conduct a review of each VA healthcare provider
who transfers to another medical facility within VHA or leaves
the Department to determine whether there are any concerns,
complaints, or allegations of violations relating to the
medical practice of the healthcare provider in order to combat
the trend within VA of simply transferring poor performing
providers to other facilities where they may continue to
jeopardize patient health.
Curing Hepatitis C Within the Veteran Population.--Last
year, the Committee included language in the act that funds the
treatment of Hepatitis C within the VA system at no less than
$1.5 billion in fiscal year 2017. Given the fluidity of drug
availability and drug pricing, the Committee directs VA to keep
it apprised of changes in this area, including changes related
to funding needs. The Committee directs VA to continue funding
the treatment of Hepatitis C aggressively with the objective of
treating and curing as many veterans as possible in the
shortest amount of time. The Department is directed to continue
its quarterly updates to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress detailing the expenditures and
obligations of funding Hepatitis C treatment, the number of
veterans treated, the number of veterans deemed cured, and the
projection of spending, new starts for drug treatment, and
number of veterans who will be cured in the next quarter.
Service Dogs for Veterans.--The Committee is concerned by
the significant delays with VA research efforts associated with
service dogs, and the resulting impact on VA policy decisions
with respect to the placement of service dogs for psychological
injuries, including PTSD. The Committee authorized VA to
provide service dogs for veterans with mental illnesses in
Section 229 of the 2010 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs
& Related Agencies Appropriations Act (Public Law 111-117).
However, VA maintains it will not support the provision of
service dogs for psychological injuries until the VA research
study is complete and provides scientific evidence of the
benefits of such placement. With the high suicide rate among
veterans and almost daily reports from veterans that service
dogs are saving their lives, it is concerning VA continues to
indicate its research results are still years away, and there
will be no revision of its policy with respect to service dogs
for psychological illnesses. To help in the research effort, VA
is encouraged to create a VA-Department of Defense working
group to collaborate on the use of service dogs for
psychological injuries, align related research efforts,
identify best practices, and develop a strategy and process to
provide service dogs to veterans who need them. This working
group may include representatives from the VA Office of
Prosthetics and Sensory Aids, VA Mental Health Services, the VA
Office of Patient Centered Care and Cultural Transformation,
Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the Uniformed
Services University of the Health Sciences, and Assistance Dog
International service dog organizations with significant
experience in working with and placing service dogs with
veterans.
VEO Reimbursements.--Within the General Administration
account, the budget request includes an appropriation of
$72,600,000 for the Veterans Experience Office [VEO]. VEO is a
cornerstone element of the Secretary's reform initiatives.
VEO's mission is ``building trusted, lifelong relationships
with Veterans, their families, and supporters.'' VEO was
established in 2016 as part of the MyVA Taskforce and was
funded through reimbursements from VA's three administrations
and various staff offices. Fiscal Year 2017 is the first year
appropriated funds were requested directly for VEO. In fiscal
year 2016, the Medical Care accounts provided an estimate of
$68,700,000 to fund VEO through a reimbursable arrangement
(other accounts provided $7,600,000, for a total of $76,300,000
for VEO). Typically, when an office or function moves from
reimbursable authority to budget authority through a direct
appropriation, the funding is reduced in the offices providing
the reimbursable funding. This avoids double budgeting for the
same office or function. VA's 2017 budget justifications do not
show where a $72,600,000 reduction was taken to offset the
direct appropriation to VEO. The Committee considered reducing
VA's request by $72,600,000 to correct for this double
budgeting. Instead, the Committee has taken and reapplied these
resources to high priority programs funded in the Medical
Services account, as follows:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Program Requested Additional Total
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Womens Veterans (gender $515,000,000 $20,000,000 $535,000,000
specific health care)........
Caregivers.................... 725,000,000 10,000,000 735,000,000
Homelessness: Grand & Per Diem 216,068,000 10,000,000 226,068,000
Program [GPD]................
Homelessness: Supportive 300,000,000 20,000,000 320,000,000
Services for Veterans and
Families.....................
Veterans Crisis Line.......... 38,645,000 8,700,000 47,345,000
--------------
............ 68,700,000 ............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Therapeutic Benefits of Farming.--The Committee notes over
800,000 servicemembers will transition out of the military in
the next decade and a half, and the Department has a
responsibility to provide healthcare, educational benefits, and
transition assistance as servicemembers transition into
civilian life. The Committee recognizes 40 percent of the
Nation's farms are operated and owned by farmers over the age
of 65, and there will be a demand for 1 million new farmers
over the next 15 years. The Committee encourages the Department
to provide opportunities for veterans and transitioning
servicemembers in vocational agriculture programs to fill this
growing gap. In addition, veterans face obstacles accessing
behavioral healthcare in rural and highly rural areas. The
Committee encourages the Department to assess the therapeutic
benefits of farming and agricultural work to treat the
behavioral health conditions of veterans and the ability to
partner with programs that provide training in agriculture. The
Committee urges the Department to coordinate with the
Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense in
identifying and promoting vocational programs that provide the
following: educational or vocational training in agriculture
related fields, behavioral health services on site through
licensed providers, and a pathway to employment in agriculture
related fields.
Agritherapy.--An increasing number of States now have
programs that assist veterans in starting farms, and many
veterans turning to farming also suffer from Post-Traumatic
Stress Disorder [PTSD]. The benefits of agritherapy have been
reported in the news media; however, no research has yet been
conducted to confirm the benefits of agritherapy to those
suffering from PTSD. Therefore, the Department is urged to
consider agritherapy for inclusion among VA's Complementary and
Alternative Medicine therapies. The Department is urged to
establish a pilot study through the National Center for PTSD no
later than 180 days after enactment of this act to determine if
research supports the benefits of agritherapy as it relates to
PTSD.
Access to Care in Alaska.--The Committee continues to be
concerned about the access of Alaska veterans to the full
spectrum of medical and surgical services available to veterans
living in the 48 contiguous States. The Committee has
championed VA's efforts to provide care to Alaska veterans
residing in rural and roadless areas of the State through
partnerships with the Alaska Native Healthcare System. It has
also criticized VA's practice of requiring veterans travel
thousands of miles outside of Alaska to receive care VA could
not provide in its Alaska facilities even when the care was
available in the veteran's community or elsewhere in the State
of Alaska. In response, the Alaska VA Healthcare System
developed a model system of integrated care partnering for the
first time with the Alaska Native Healthcare System and
Community Health Centers to fill coverage gaps in urban Alaska
and rural Alaska. It also implemented the ``Care Closer to Home
Program'' to ensure Alaska veterans requiring medical specialty
and surgical services not available directly from VA could
receive those services from community providers in the State of
Alaska. This system seems to have broken down following
enactment of the Veterans Access Choice and Accountability Act
[VACAA]. Implementation of VACAA in Alaska was flawed from the
start and remains severely problematic. VACAA did not prohibit
VA from continuing to operate the system of integrated care
that existed in Alaska prior to its enactment. The Committee
remains committed to ensuring Alaska's veterans enjoy their
earned healthcare benefits on a par with veterans residing in
the 48 contiguous States. It continues to believe no veteran
should be required to travel to a VA facility outside of Alaska
for care that can be purchased by VA from a community provider
in Alaska. The Committee urges VA to execute funds made
available under this act for the delivery of healthcare
services in Alaska in accordance with these principles.
Staffing of the Alaska VA Healthcare System.--For the past
2 years, the Committee has called attention to VA's failure to
address a longstanding physician vacancy in the Wasilla
Community Based Outpatient Clinic. That physician vacancy still
exists. Over the past year the Committee has become aware of
reports that inaccurate information about relocation benefits
may be driving providers who are willing to relocate to abandon
their interest in serving VA. The Department is directed to
investigate the failure to meet its recruiting objectives for
the Alaska VA Healthcare System, to include an assessment of
whether misinformation about compensation and benefits has
resulted in the loss of qualified candidates, and report back
to the Committee on its plans to remedy this issue. The
Department is further directed to inform the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress 90 days in advance of
a decision by the Alaska VA Healthcare System to discontinue
utilizing VA staff providers to deliver any of its medical or
surgical services.
Access Received Closer to Home.--Funding for the Rural
Health Initiative includes support for the Access Received
Closer to Home program [ARCH]. The Committee notes ARCH has
been highly successful in providing healthcare services to
veterans who live in the rural and highly rural States in which
it operates. Current VISN analysis demonstrates that more than
90 percent of veterans who received medical care through ARCH
were ``completely satisfied'' with their care and cited
significantly shortened travel and wait times to receive care.
Given ARCH's proven track record, the Committee supports the
extension of this program to sustain continuity of care for
veterans served by ARCH until VAs community care programs are
consolidated.
Anchorage VA Outpatient Clinic.--The Anchorage VA
Outpatient Clinic and Regional Office Building opened in May
2010 at an expense of $76,000,000. In May 2015, VA acknowledged
it was required to shutter two operating rooms in the facility
due to dust and ventilation issues. These operating rooms
remained shuttered as VA has shifted procedures to the Joint
Venture Hospital on Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson. The
Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 90 days
after enactment of this act detailing its reasons for not
placing the operating rooms back in service, including the
advantages and disadvantages of moving surgical services to the
Joint Venture Hospital, and whether VA intends to repair the
operating room in fiscal year 2017 or subsequent years.
Natural Resource Conservation Management.--The Committee
includes language giving the Department the authority to
administer financial assistance grants and enter into
cooperative agreements in fiscal year 2017. The Committee is
aware there are a number of non-profit, local, and State-based
organizations capable of providing veterans with job training
and employment opportunities in the area of natural resource
conservation management. The Committee is further aware there
has been broad support to end veterans homelessness and
encourages VA to utilize the authority provided in this section
in a way that combines job training and employment
opportunities with the Department's continued commitment to
mitigate homelessness among at-risk veterans. Before entering
into any agreement, the Department is directed to create
metrics for the program to ensure success can be clearly
demonstrated and provide a report to the Committees of
jurisdiction of both Houses of Congress detailing this program.
Nursing Handbook.--The Committee is aware the VHA Nursing
Handbook is under review at OMB as part of a VHA proposed rule.
The Committee understands this proposed rule will directly
conflict with the anesthesia team-based care language as set
forth in the current VHA Anesthesia Service Handbook. The
Committee strongly encourages VHA to carefully and thoughtfully
seek additional input from internal and external stakeholders
prior to any VHA final rule that would seek to dismantle team-
based anesthesia care. The Committee believes all possible
outreach efforts should be used to communicate the changes
contained in the proposed rule, gather public comment, and
collaborate with Congress, affected stakeholders, VA physician
and nursing staffs, and external organizations. The VA should
also consider the benefits to veterans of having more VA
healthcare staff able to provide services at the full scope of
their training and how this will affect veterans, particularly
in rural communities. The Committee also requests VHA ensure
any VHA handbooks and policies adopted by rule not conflict
with other handbooks and policies already in place within VHA.
DOD/VA Joint Formulary.--The Committee remains committed to
ensuring VA has the resources it needs to support transitioning
veterans as they leave military service. The Committee notes
the Department's statutorily-required report, due July 1, 2016,
regarding ongoing efforts to develop a strategic joint uniform
formulary between the Department of Defense and VA, with
particular focus on medications to treat psychiatric
conditions, sleep disorders, and pain management. The
Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180
days after enactment of this act assessing costs and savings
associated with such a strategic joint uniform formulary.
Orthotics and Prosthetics Workforce.--The Committee is
concerned about the sustainability of the orthotics and
prosthetics workforce treating veterans, particularly given an
aging workforce with imminent retirements as well as a lack of
availability of advanced degree programs necessary to train new
professionals. Reports indicate up to 20 percent of the 7,100
clinicians nationwide are either past retirement age or within
5 years of retiring. The Committee recognizes the contributions
made by the VHA's Orthotic and Prosthetic Residency Program to
provide rotation opportunities through the VA system but
acknowledges this program alone is inadequate to ensure a
sustainable workforce for the future, especially in light of
the skill set necessary to provide the increasingly complex,
state-of-the-art orthotics and prosthetics care for OEF/OIF
veterans. The Department is directed to explore cost effective
opportunities to grow the workforce pipeline in order to ensure
the future orthotic and prosthetic workforce required by the
Nation's new generation of veterans. The Department is directed
to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of
this act detailing the findings.
Home and Community Based Services.--The Committee supports
the Department's efforts to broaden veterans' options regarding
long-term care support and services. As the Department realigns
these programs under the medical community care account, the
Committee encourages VA to continue to prioritize veterans'
preferences in receiving home based services. The Committee
notes the positive results of pilot programs such as the
Veterans Independence Program, a veterans-directed Home and
Community Based Services [HCBS] grant program originally
created as a pilot administered jointly by VA and the
Department of Health and Human Services [HHS]. The Committee
encourages enhanced cooperation with HHS to expand and grow
these programs. The Department is directed to submit a report
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
no later than 180 days after enactment of this act on the cost
avoidance associated with various non-institutional care
programs. The report should include information on the demand
for HCBS among the veteran population, the number of veterans
currently being served by each program under HCBS, and the
Department's plans to expand the size and scope of HCBS. Given
the success of current HCBS pilot programs, the Department
should include a cost analysis of growing the existing pilot
programs prior to national expansion to leverage coordination
with HHS, in addition to detail regarding the Department's
efforts to coordinate with HHS on HCBS in future years. Given
that mandatory eligibility for certain types of care is
associated with disability levels adjudicated by VBA, this
report should also include recommendations for modernizing the
claims process for veterans requiring long-term care.
Veteran Suicide.--According to data compiled by VA in 2015,
veterans experience a suicide rate 50 percent higher than the
general population, and female veterans commit suicide at a
rate 6 times that of their civilian counterparts. The Committee
notes 20 percent of veterans with PTSD have a substance abuse
disorder, and substance abuse is proven to lead to increased
suicidal tendencies. The Committee encourages the
prioritization of funding for substance abuse counseling based
treatment for veterans in order to decrease suicide rates among
veterans suffering from PTSD. The Committee remains concerned
about the alarming prevalence of suicide among rural veterans
as they are more likely than urban veterans to commit suicide.
The Committee urges VA to prioritize suicide prevention within
rural communities and increase the availability of mental
health resources available within States with great geographic
barriers. The Department is directed to conduct a new study on
the prevalence of suicide among veterans, which shall include
an assessment of the data provided by each State and an
identification of which States should increase or improve data
reporting to the Department and submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing its
findings.
Veterans Crisis Line.--One tool VA has to combat high
suicide rates and help those who are considering suicide is the
Veterans Crisis Line [VCL], a 24-hour, toll-free hotline that
veterans across the United States can call to connect to a
responder trained in crisis management. VCL is invaluable, but
it is not without shortcomings. An OIG investigation was
initiated in 2015 after complaints that phone calls to the
center were routed to voicemails and left unanswered. The OIG
published its final report February 11, 2016, which
substantiated the allegation that some calls were not answered
in an appropriate amount of time. One potential reason for
these unanswered calls was inadequate staffing levels. The
Committee is aware changes were implemented to VCL before
publication of the OIG report, including hiring a new director
of the facility and improving tracking of quality assurance
indicators. The Committee notes plans are underway to move VCL
to a new state-of-the-art facility, and VA hopes to hire 100
additional employees at the call center, plus an additional 40
employees for quality assurance purposes. To ensure veterans
receive the care they need and deserve, especially in times of
crisis, the Committee provides $8,700,000 above the budget
request for VCL so the Department can hire, train, and staff
the call center to an appropriate level and ensure its
facilities and technologies remain up-to-date.
Infectious Disease Screening.--The Committee remains
concerned about the high rates of HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis
among veterans. The Department is directed to submit a report
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
no later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing
its efforts to improve HIV/AIDS and hepatitis screening rates
in traditional and non-traditional settings and the utilization
of innovative strategies like point-of-care testing and public
health outreach.
Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders and Gulf War
Illness.--The Committee continues to monitor the Department's
plan to address Gulf War Illness and encourages the Department
to include research on early intervention for functional
gastrointestinal disorders related to Gulf War Illness in
veterans and military personnel.
Opioid Safety Initiative Update.--The Committee fully
supports VA's efforts to reduce the misuse and abuse of
prescription opioids and notes the progress being made by
individual facilities, including the Tomah VA Medical Center in
Wisconsin, where VA's dangerous opioid prescription practices
led to the tragic death of Marine veteran Jason Simcakoski in
2014. But more must be done to address VA's prescription drug
abuse epidemic and to improve appropriate pain care for
veterans who have a higher risk of opioid-related overdose than
the general population. As such, the Department is directed to
continue to comply with the instructions included under the
paragraph titled Opioid Safety Initiative in last year's
Committee report and includes a number of provisions in this
year's bill, including the elimination of copayments for opioid
antagonists like naloxone and related education.
Furthermore, to ensure transparency and accountability, the
Department is directed to make public the findings of the
Office of Accountability Review's investigation of accusations
of widespread retaliation against whistleblowers and the
culture of fear at the Tomah VA Medical Center as well as the
outside clinical review, which is being done in follow-up to
VA's initial review of the incidents at the facility. The
Committee is disappointed with the pace of these reviews and
expects VA to make the findings public without further delay.
Medication-Assisted Opioid Dependence Treatment.--The
Committee is pleased the Department has established and is
implementing the VA Opioid Safety Initiative and the results it
is producing in reducing the dependence of veterans on
prescription opioids. However, the Committee is concerned VA is
not utilizing the full spectrum of treatment options for
dealing with opioid addiction recommended by the Substance
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA]. The
Committee encourages VA to expand the use of medication-
assisted treatment and other clinically appropriate services to
achieve and maintain abstinence from all opioids and heroin and
prioritize treatment regimens that are less susceptible to
diversion for illicit purposes.
Participation in Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs.--
Abuse of prescription opioids is a critical issue that affects
all demographics in the United States, including veterans. As
such, the Committee believes it is critical to the health and
wellbeing of America's veterans for VA to report necessary
information to State-run prescription drug monitoring programs
[PDMPs] about the prescribing of controlled substances. Full
participation by VA in State-run PDMPs will ensure VA providers
have the tools they need to better identify patients at-risk of
accidentally or intentionally misuse prescription drugs.
Caregivers.--The Committee notes the robust usage of the
post-9/11 Caregiver program with its more than 23,000 approved
applications, as well as the consistent reviews by caregiver
families noting the program's stipend, respite care, formal
training, and support structure are critical components to its
success. Given the demonstrated success of the program, the
Committee encourages VA to ensure the caregiver coordinators at
each medical center are fully resourced and, to the maximum
extent possible, assigned designated caregiver duties as their
chief and only responsibility. To that end, the Committee
provides $10,000,000 above the budget request for fiscal year
2017, bringing the total amount available to $734,628,000. The
funding will support stipends paid directly to family
caregivers of post-9/11 veterans seriously injured in the line
of duty, as well as the national caregiver support line and
increased support for caregiver support coordinators. In
addition, the Committee encourages VA to examine expansion of
the program beyond the post-9/11 population. The Committee also
encourages VA to work with the Department of Defense in order
to develop and share best practices. The Committee recognizes
many caregivers for severely wounded veterans are working
dramatically reduced hours outside the home or have left the
workforce completely leading to financial hardship. This
reduction in outside earnings results in difficulties meeting
financial obligations including student loan debt held by the
caregiver. VA is directed to survey all caregivers currently in
the program to identify the number possessing outstanding
student loan debt, develop a plan to monitor this issue,
including future data collection and regular reports, and
submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of
this act detailing the report survey findings and details of
the plan.
Vehicle Transportation Drivers.--The Committee is concerned
with the Department's prioritization of effort to recruit
vehicle transportation drivers for purposes of transporting
veterans to and from medical appointments. The Committee notes
veterans in large States with geographic barriers and veterans
living in rural tribal communities have decreased access to
public transportation. VA should prioritize funding for
recruitment of vehicle transportation drivers for veterans in
rural and tribal areas in order to ensure positions are not
left vacant.
Community Care Provider Payment.--The Committee remains
committed to helping VA in its efforts to ensure timely
reimbursement for non-VA care providers and care facilities who
participate in providing necessary care for our veterans. The
Committee is encouraged VA announced the elimination of
burdensome administrative requirements to facilitate timely
payments for medical care and to use additional contracted
resources, when necessary, to accomplish this goal.
Homeless Veterans.--According to data collected during the
annual Point in Time Count, there were 48,000 homeless veterans
on a single night in January 2015, a decline of more than
26,360 veterans since 2010. This includes a nearly 50 percent
drop in the number of unsheltered veterans sleeping on the
street. While the Point in Time Count is a snapshot of
homelessness on a specific date and provides a measure of
progress on the overall direction of homelessness, it does not
reflect the effort and number of veterans prevented from
becoming homeless or veterans who have found permanent housing.
As a direct result of VA's homeless programs, more than 365,000
veterans and their family members have been permanently housed,
rapidly rehoused, or prevented from falling into homelessness.
In 2015, through the Supportive Services for Veteran Families
[SSVF] program alone, more than 36,000 veterans and their
family members were prevented from becoming homeless, including
6,555 children. The Committee strongly supports VA's homeless
prevention programs; two of the most effective are the SSVF
program and the Grant and Per Diem program. These two unique
programs support community-based organizations to provide
critical services and transitional housing for veterans and
their families. These programs provide important lifelines to
veterans in need and their families. Therefore, the Committee
recommendation includes increases for both of these programs
above the request.
Office of Rural Health.--The Committee recommendation
includes the full budget request of $250,000,000 for the Office
Rural Health [ORH] and the Rural Health Initiative. When
established by the Committee in 2009, the intent of the Rural
Health Initiative was to give the VA flexibility to develop
unique and innovative programs to help close gaps in services
which face veterans who reside in rural and highly rural areas.
Through collaborations with other VA program offices, Federal
partners, State partners, and rural communities, ORH works to
optimize the use of available and emerging technologies,
establish new access points to care, and employ strategies to
increase healthcare options for all rural veterans. Currently,
ORH identifies and implements initiatives that support rural
clinics and rural home-based primary care, address barriers to
access and quality of healthcare delivery in rural areas,
develop workforce recruitment and retention initiatives, and
accelerate and expand telehealth. ORH also operates Rural
Health Resource Centers and works with Federal and non-Federal
community partners to share resources and expand access to care
for rural veterans. The Committee commends this effort and
encourages ORH to establish relationships with institutions of
higher education in rural States in order to develop best
practices in the delivery of healthcare in rural areas.
Homeless Veterans in Rural Areas.--Concern remains about
the Department's efforts to combat homelessness among rural
veterans. The Committee directs VA to identify ways to obtain
more accurate data on homeless and at-risk veterans in rural
areas, especially by determining whether changes to the
universal homeless screening clinical reminder would result in
more accurate identification of these veterans, and report
actions VA is taking to reduce homelessness among the rural
veteran population.
Rural Veterans Health.--The Committee notes persistent
issues for VA health facilities in rural areas to recruit and
retain health providers in the face of national provider
shortages and a highly competitive environment. The Committee
encourages the Department to consider the expanded use of
doctors of osteopathic medicine [DOs] and physician assistants
[PAs] through physical facilities and expanded access to
telehealth services to address the rural health provider gap.
The Department is directed to review and report to Congress a
plan to improve recruitment and retention initiatives for
healthcare providers in rural and highly rural areas, including
expansion of the Locality Pay System, implementing recruitment
and retention tools targeting the Education Debt Reduction
Program and the Employee Incentive Scholarship Program for
medical doctors, DOs, and PAs. Furthermore, the Committee is
concerned about lack of mental healthcare providers,
counselors, and caseworkers in rural areas. The criteria used
by the Department in establishing the priority of hiring and
placement of mental healthcare providers, counselors, and
caseworkers should take into consideration the higher rate of
facility-use in rural States due to lower numbers of facilities
and the increased amount of outreach they must do with
geographical barriers.
Fee Basis Claims System.--The Committee recognizes the
critical importance of veterans and their community care
providers having access to the accurate and timely processing
of veterans and vendor claims for medical services. The
Committee is aware the current Fee Basis Claims System [FBCS]
has processed more than 72 million claims to date, and industry
standard modernization upgrades, including centralization of
claims processing and auto-adjudication, could enable an even
more efficient processing of claims. The Committee is concerned
this system is scheduled to cease operation on November 30,
2016, with no other system scheduled to come on line to
continue processing claims. The Committee directs the
Department, if it plans to continue the use of FBCS, to upgrade
the system to provide the latest software advancements to
facilitate the submission of electronic claims, the auto
adjudication of claims, and a centralized claims intake
capability for veterans and their providers. The Department is
directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress no later than 30 days after
enactment of this act detailing the status of this system, the
potential of a gap in service, and the plans to upgrade the
system.
Medical School Affiliations with VA Health Care
Facilities.--For many years, the Committee has encouraged
improved collaboration between VA healthcare facilities and
historically black health professions schools. The Committee
acknowledges the progress made but recognizes almost all
improvements have been with smaller community-based outpatient
clinics, not larger, urban VA hospitals. The Committee
encourages the Department to convene national and VISN VA
health leaders and leaders of the historically black health
professions schools to discuss and address minority
collaboration concerns. The Department is directed to report to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 180 after enactment of this act on the relationship
VA has with historically black health professions schools and
its plan to convene national and VISN VA health leaders and
leaders of the historically black health professions schools.
Partnerships with Academic Medical Institutions.--Last
year, the Committee included report language encouraging the
Department to seek out public-private partnerships,
particularly with research universities, those with and without
medical schools, to expand its efforts related to suicide
prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain
injury, and substance abuse disorders. The Committee continues
to believe the Department should make broader use of existing
partnering authority to collaborate with academic institutions,
and further encourages VA to enter into partnerships with
accredited medical schools and teaching hospitals for the
mutually beneficial coordination, use, or exchange of health-
care resources with the goal of improving access to and quality
of the hospital care and medical services furnished by the
Department.
Encouraging Public-Private Partnerships.--The Committee is
aware of private-sector solutions that can effectively and
efficiently leverage innovations in healthcare delivery,
information technology, and data interoperability capabilities
to eliminate existing silos and better coordinate and integrate
health services for our Nation's veterans across care settings.
These solutions hold particular potential to improve care for
veterans residing in rural areas and veterans served by
community providers under the Choice program. The Committee
directs VA to implement public-private pilot projects within
one or more VISNs to adopt a delivery model that fosters a
culture of patient-centered care and utilizes a collaborative,
integrated team approach to focus on care planning and
coordination; patient education, management, and self-
compliance; service integration and data sharing; monitoring
protocols; performance metrics and trend analysis; predictive
analytics; and systems improvement. The pilots should employ
effective models of care that hold the promise of improving
patient outcomes and reducing costs by avoiding re-
hospitalizations and by enabling clinicians to: (1) use data to
develop personalized care plans for medical and behavioral
health services, reduce missed visits, avoid delayed services
and long waits, and identify medical trends; (2) access systems
that standardize clinical workflow and provide real-time
transparency for care management; and (3) monitor patients
outside of the clinical care setting. The Department is
directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after
enactment of this act evaluating the effectiveness of the
pilots and providing an assessment regarding the potential for
broader adoption of the solutions within VA's healthcare
programs.
Agent Orange Registry.--VA maintains an Agent Orange
Registry for veterans who served in Vietnam. The Committee is
aware, however, of a number of instances where U.S. veterans
may have been exposed to chemicals including Agent Orange
during training activities and missions outside of Vietnam. The
Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180
days after enactment of this act on the feasibility of
establishing a registry of U.S. veterans who served or trained
outside of Vietnam and have subsequently experienced health
issues, which may have resulted from exposure to these
chemicals.
Sleep Disorders.--The Committee recommends the Department
assign a program manager for sleep disorders, including sleep
apnea, which affects at least 200,000 veterans of the Persian
Gulf War and Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Magnetic EEG/EKG-guided Resonance Therapy.--The Committee
understands Magnetic EEG/EKG-guided Resonance Therapy [MERT]
has successfully treated veterans with Post Traumatic Stress
Disorder [PTSD], Traumatic Brain Injuries [TBI], chronic pain,
and opiate addiction. Recent non-significant risk and non-
invasive clinical trials and pilot studies have produced
promising results in the evolution of MERT treatment. The
Committee encourages VA to undertake MERT pilot programs at up
to five VA facilities of its determining to create access to
MERT in treating larger populations of veterans suffering from
PTSD/TBI, chronic pain, and addiction.
Healthcare Providers.--The Committee encourages VA to
establish relationships with the appropriate personnel
divisions dealing with departing military personnel at the
Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security (for
the U.S. Coast Guard), as well as establish a formal system for
receiving advanced notice of separating members of the Armed
Forces who served in the healthcare field in order to actively
recruit such individuals directly into the VA workforce.
Additionally, the Committee directs VHA to conduct an internal
audit of its procedures for the re-credentialing of providers
when transferring within the VHA system and to institute such
policies and procedures to ensure the speedy and timely
transfer of licensed personnel between facilities.
Prosthetic Digital Health Technology.--Advanced, proven
lower limb prosthetic digital health technology can provide
real-world data documenting activity and function for veterans
with lower limb prostheses. Accurate activity data which
documents how veterans function with their prosthetic devices
offers new opportunities to improve outcomes, increase
activity, and improve the quality of life for veterans who have
lost limbs. To better understand the degree to which this
technology is utilized by VA, the VA's Prosthetics and Sensory
Aids Service is directed to submit a report to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180
days after enactment of this act detailing where within VHA
this technology is available, the number of veterans utilizing
this technology, and any plans for increasing the availability
of this technology, as well as making this outcomes-based data
collection standard throughout VHA.
Continuous Health Monitoring Technology.--Increased
accuracy and reliability in patient health monitoring can
improve VHA patient outcomes, prevent required return visits,
and reduce costs. Continuous monitoring technology provides
constant feedback to doctors, nurses, and health professionals
on patient status. This allows professionals to make treatment
decisions based on comprehensive data and assists in detecting
patient crises quicker, including crises that may not have been
detected altogether. In order to ensure the entire VHA is
benefitting from the outcomes achieved at VHA facilities and
civilian facilities where continuous monitoring technology is
deployed, the Committee urges VA to expeditiously proceed with
research surrounding continuous monitoring technologies. The
Department is directed to report back to the Committee on any
recommendation for fuller deployment within VHA, including a
proposed timeline for adoption of proven continuous monitoring
technologies.
Three Dimensional Printing and Prosthetics.--Additive
manufacturing, also known as three dimensional printing,
continues to revolutionize the development of new procedures
and therapies for patients suffering from a variety of ailments
requiring surgery or replacement of lost limbs. In addition to
prosthetics, three dimensional printing may aid burn victims,
veterans requiring coronary surgery, and others in need of
hearing restoration. Three dimensional printing is also a cost
effective solution which increases precision and can allow VA
to tailor its manufacturing for veterans. The Committee
encourages the Department to expand additive manufacturing
capabilities to Veterans Affairs Medical Centers which lack
access to tradition manufacturing capabilities in order to
provide veterans with a cost effective option for treatment of
a multitude of medical problems. Furthermore, VA is encouraged
to conduct such research, including medical trials, into three
dimensional printing of prosthetics for veterans, as well as
emerging research to print organs such as livers, kidneys, and
lungs.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Consultation Program.--The
Committee recommendation includes the full budget estimate of
$19,107,000 for the National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress
Disorder [NCPTSD] and its mission. The Committee supports the
NCPTSD's Consultation Program's dissemination of expert,
evidence-based resources to private providers. With the
expansion of community-based provider options under the
Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act, the Department
is directed to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 90 days
after enactment of this act assessing the program's performance
in terms of consultations both within the Department and with
community-based providers, including recommendations for
additional policy, resource, or staff changes that can be made
in order to increase the scale of the program.
Mental Health.--The Committee is concerned by the continued
high rate of suicide and the growing mental health needs among
veterans. In particular, the results of the VA Inspector
General report Veterans Crisis Line Caller Response and Quality
Assurance Concerns, Canandaigua, NY (14-03540-123) and the
Comptroller General report VA Mental Health: Clearer Guidance
on Access Policies and Wait-Time Data Needed [GAO-16-24) are
deeply troubling. The Committee directs the Department to
implement the recommendations of the Comptroller General and
the Inspector General not later than 180 days after the
enactment of this act. The Committee recognizes the
Department's efforts to significantly expand mental health
treatment capacity. In light of projected future growth in
demand for mental health services among veterans and nationwide
mental health provider shortages, the Committee urges VHA to
consider the expanded use of nurse practitioners, physician
assistants, marriage and family therapists, mental health
counselors, and peer specialists to close gaps in service and
reduce wait times. The Committee is aware the Department of
Defense [DOD] is currently developing a designation system for
non-Department mental healthcare providers that demonstrate,
through training or past experience, knowledge and
understanding of military culture and of evidence-based mental
health treatments. DOD will also establish and update a
publicly available list of providers so-designated. The
Committee notes the potential for shared benefits of such a
system to veterans seeking non-VA care in their communities.
Therefore, the Department is directed to coordinate with DOD to
ensure access to and awareness of the provider list described
above for veterans. The Committee also encourages the
Department to consider establishing a veteran's workforce
training program in which veterans with PTSD or service-related
mental health conditions learn how to train service dogs for
use by veterans with physical disabilities.
Certified Surgical Assistants.--The Committee has become
aware of data suggesting that wider utilization of full-time
Certified Surgical Assistants [CSA] at VHA Medical centers
could reduce surgical operation procedure durations thereby
reducing costs and recovery times and making possible shorter
post-operation hospital stays, fewer complications, and fewer
post-operation admissions. The Committee urges VA to review the
use of CSAs in surgery where surgical assistants are called for
to determine whether routine use of CSAs in surgery can achieve
significant savings throughout the VA healthcare system.
Health Professional Scholarship Program.--The Health
Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) provides scholarships
to students receiving education or training in a direct or
indirect healthcare services discipline. Awards are offered on
a competitive basis and are exempt from Federal taxation. In
exchange for the award, scholarship program participants agree
to a service obligation in a VA health care facility. The
Committee continues to support this program and is concerned VA
is limiting HPSP awards to only nursing students in fiscal year
2016. The Committee believes strongly that ample resources
exist within the Department to ensure hard to fill specialties
are not excluded from participation. Aside from the Committee
providing additional funding above what was requested in
previous years, including over $1,200,000,000 more than the
requested level for Medical services in fiscal year 2016,
Congress also gave the Department increased tools to close gaps
in care and build a strong professional healthcare workforce
through the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of
2014. In spite of this, the Committee continues to hear VA is
not utilizing these tools in the most judicious and efficient
manner. The Department is directed to report to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than
October 30, 2016, each profession eligible to receive HPSP
scholarship and any limitation VA is placing on awards. In
addition, VHA is also directed to submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 90 days
after enactment of this act a strategic plan which identifies
difficult to recruit occupations and outlines specific actions
being taken to address those shortages.
Medical Facilities Realignment.--Concern remains that VA
medical care realignments are being approached in an ad hoc
manner by each individual VISN rather than on a comprehensive
basis by VA Central Office. Moreover, such an approach may lead
to inequitable and inefficient distribution of medical
resources throughout the Nation. Before VA makes any decision
to relocate, close, or diminish services at an existing
facility, or proceeds with any such realignment already
underway, consideration must be given to the impact such action
would have on veterans, especially tribal veterans or veterans
in rural or highly rural areas, PTSD programs, and other
Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs [RRTP]. VA must
adhere to a clear and transparent process that engages all
parties from the onset and is consistent with a national
realignment strategy. In title II of division I of the
Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
(Public Law 113-235), the Committees suspended the proposed
realignment of services in VISN 23 until a report was
transmitted to the Committees. To date that report has not been
received. The Department is again directed to comply with the
request for the report and meanwhile suspend the proposed
realignment of services in VISN 23 until such time as the
Department transmits to the Committee the report as outlined in
Public Law 113-235.
Medical Consults.--The Committee remains very concerned
about confirmed reports of large numbers of open consults
across the country. To date, the Committee is aware of at least
one specific review underway by OIG regarding consults and the
length these consults have remained opened. The Committee is
aware that over the past year VA has instituted a number of
quality controls to ensure referrals are handled in a timely
manner and that there is better visibility both at the local
level and at the national level to ensure consults are
monitored appropriately. To ensure better accountability and
transparency, the Department is directed to report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 30 days after enactment of this act on specific
quality controls that have been implemented and new practices
that have made this process less cumbersome for healthcare
providers and ensures there are no delays in the delivery of
care to veterans.
Mileage Reimbursement.--The Beneficiary Travel program
provides eligible veterans and other beneficiaries mileage
reimbursement, common carrier (plane, train, bus, taxi, light
rail etc.), or when medically indicated, ``special mode''
(ambulance, wheelchair van) transport for travel to and from VA
healthcare, or VA authorized non-VA healthcare for which the
veteran is eligible. The Committee understands VA has switched
the reimbursement payment to an electronic funds transfer [EFT]
and no longer provides reimbursement through check or cash.
While the Committee understands EFT can be more efficient and
may help streamline the process, there is concern about the
length of time it is taking for the transfer to occur. The
Department is directed to take additional steps to ensure
veterans are reimbursed in a timelier manner.
Choice Program.--The Committee directs the Department to
carry out a survey of VA and private sector medical providers
to assess the experiences of such providers in using the Choice
Program, particularly in rural areas. At a minimum, the survey
should address barriers and obstacles faced by providers in
using the Choice Program, barriers and obstacles faced by
veterans in using the Choice Program, whether Department staff
is sufficiently trained and proficient in administering the
Choice Program, the role and effectiveness of the third-party
administrators, and appropriate recommendations for
improvement. The Department is directed to submit a report to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing the
findings of the survey.
Therapeutic Listening Devices.--Therapeutic listening
devices could vastly improve patient outcomes for veterans with
PTSD or Traumatic Brain Injury, as well as relieve symptoms
that are integral to a veteran's recovery. The Committee
encourages the Department to consider returning to its pre-
fiscal year 2013 policy of providing handheld therapeutic
listening devices to assist veterans suffering from mental
health related problems or Traumatic Brain Injury.
MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE
Budget estimate, 2017................................... $7,246,181,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 7,246,181,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2018........... 9,409,118,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2018.. 9,409,118,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Medical Community Care account provides for medical
services for eligible enrolled veterans and other beneficiaries
that is purchased from and provided by non-Department of
Veterans Affairs facilities and providers, including contract
hospitals, State homes, and outpatient services.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
For fiscal year 2017, the Committee provides $7,246,181,000
for the Medical Community Care appropriation. The amount is as
requested in the President's budget. The Committee
recommendation includes an advance appropriation of
$9,409,118,000 for Medical community care in fiscal year 2018.
This is equal to the budget request. The recommendation creates
the new Medical Community Care account as required by the
Surface Transportation and Veterans Health Care Choice
Improvement Act of 2015 (Public Law 114-41). This new account
will provide the Committee with better oversight of how non-VA
care funding is budgeted and executed.
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $6,144,000,000
Advance appropriations, 2017............................ 6,524,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................................
Committee recommendation, 2017..........................................
Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2018............ 6,654,480,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2018... 6,654,480,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Medical Support and Compliance account provides funds
for management, security, and administrative expenses within
the VA healthcare system, in addition to providing costs
associated with the operation of VA medical centers and
clinics, VISN offices, and the VHA Central Office in
Washington, DC. This appropriation also covers Chief of Staff
and Facility Director operations, quality of care oversight,
legal services, billing and coding activities, procurement,
financial management, security, and human resource management.
The President's 2017 and 2018 submission for Medical
support and compliance is based on an actuarial analysis
founded on the current and projected veteran population,
enrollment projections of demand, and case mix changes
associated with current veteran patients.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $6,524,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 for the
Medical Support and Compliance account. The Committee
recommendation includes an advance appropriation of
$6,654,480,000 for Medical support and compliance for fiscal
year 2018.
VHA Security.--In each of the past two fiscal years, the
VA's Office of Security and Law Enforcement has been directed
to provide to the Committee a physical security assessment of
VA hospitals nationwide, to include recommendations for
strengthening security and safety protocols across VHA
facilities. The Committee understands an assessment of this
magnitude may take time, but encourages the Department to move
as expeditiously as possible with the review. In the meantime,
the Committee encourages VHA after consulting with local VA
police chiefs to utilize at least $1,000,000 to acquire
intelligent policing solutions or other technology that is
readily available to enhance safety across the system.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $5,020,132,000
Advance appropriations, 2017............................ 5,074,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 649,000,000
Committee recommendation, 2017.......................... 495,100,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2018............ 5,434,880,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2018... 5,434,880,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Medical Facilities account provides funds for the
operation and maintenance of the VA healthcare system's vast
capital infrastructure. This appropriation provides for costs
associated with utilities, engineering, capital planning,
leases, laundry, groundskeeping, housekeeping, facility repair,
and property disposition and acquisition.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2016, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $5,074,000,000 for fiscal year 2017 for the
Medical Facilities account. The Committee recommendation for
fiscal year 2017 includes an additional $495,100,000 and an
advance appropriation of $5,434,880,000 for Medical facilities
for fiscal year 2018.
MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $630,735,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 663,366,000
Committee recommendation................................ 675,366,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Medical and Prosthetic Research account provides funds
for medical, rehabilitative, and health services research.
Medical research supports basic and clinical studies that
advance knowledge leading to improvements in the prevention,
diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disabilities.
Rehabilitation research focuses on rehabilitation engineering
problems in the fields of prosthetics, orthotics, adaptive
equipment for vehicles, sensory aids and related areas. Health
services research focuses on improving the effectiveness and
economy of the delivery of health services.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $675,366,000 for the Medical and
Prosthetic Research account. This is $44,631,000 above the
fiscal year 2016 enacted level and $12,000,000 above the budget
request.
The Committee remains highly supportive of this program,
and recognizes its importance both in improving healthcare
services to veterans and recruiting and retaining high quality
medical professionals in the Veterans Health Administration.
Through the Department's research and development program,
VA has implemented a comprehensive research agenda to develop
new treatments and tools for clinicians to ease the physical
and psychological pain of men and women returning from war
zones, to improve access to VA healthcare services, and to
accelerate discoveries and applications, especially for
neurotrauma, sensory loss, amputation, polytrauma, and related
prosthetic needs. The Committee encourages VA to continue its
research into developing novel approaches to restoring veterans
with amputation, central nervous system injuries, loss of sight
or hearing, or other physical and cognitive impairments to full
and productive lives.
Toxic Exposures.--The Committee wants to ensure VA is
actively researching the residual impact to veterans of Agent
Orange and other toxic exposures such as oil well fires and
burn pits. The Department is directed to submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 180 days after enactment of this act detailing
ongoing activities and future plans for research into residual
exposure to Agent Orange and other toxins.
National Academy of Medicine Study on Toxic Exposures.--
Veterans have expressed growing concern that toxic exposure
during their military service is related to adverse health
conditions in their children and grandchildren. According to
the National Academy of Medicine [NAM], scientific data and
research is extremely limited to determine what exposures may
cause harm to future generations. The report, ``Veterans and
Agent Orange: Update 2014'', recommended VA pursue further
laboratory research to identify toxins and dioxins that may
cause epigenetic modifications and invest in epidemiologic
protocols that address the challenges of connecting adverse
conditions in the children of members of the military with
toxic exposure. The Committee directs the Department to
contract with NAM on an assessment that will include a review
of the scientific literature regarding toxicological and
epidemiological research on descendants of individuals with
toxic exposure; an assessment of areas requiring further
scientific study relating to the descendants of veterans with
toxic exposure; an assessment of the scope and methodology
required to conduct adequate scientific research relating to
the descendants of individuals with toxic exposure; will
establish categories and provide definitions for categories
that assess the evidence that a particular health condition is
related to toxic exposure; an analysis of the feasibility,
value and relevance, and need for access to additional
information held by a Federal agency of conducting further
scientific research; and identification of a research entity or
entities with expertise and ability to conduct the relevant
scientific research.
National Academy of Sciences Study on Gulf War Illness.--
The Committee recommends the Department continue to conduct and
publish epidemiological studies regarding the prevalence of
Gulf War illness and disease-specific morbidity and mortality
in Gulf War veterans and the development of effective
treatments, preventions, and cures. The Department is directed,
within 60 days of the enactment of this act, to contract with
the National Academy of Sciences [NAS] for a study with the NAS
collecting new data to determine the prevalence of ``diagnosed
neurological diseases, including multiple sclerosis,
Parkinson's disease, and brain cancers,'' in Gulf War veterans,
as directed by Public Law 110-389, section 804 and advised in
the IOM's 2015 report on the study's design. The Committee is
concerned by VA's ever-evolving terminology for the signature
adverse health outcome of the Persian Gulf War as recognized by
the Institute of Medicine [IOM]--Gulf War illness--and
encourages the Department to utilize the term, ``Gulf War
illness,'' as IOM has recommended. The Committee urges the
Secretary to consider revising and updating the Clinical
Practice Guideline for Chronic Multisymptom Illness [CMI]
consistent with the July 2011 Veterans Health Initiative,
``Caring for Gulf War Veterans,'' that it, ``cannot be reliably
ascribed to any known psychiatric disorder,'' and to focus on
recent Gulf War illness treatment research findings and ongoing
Gulf War illness treatment research direction. Furthermore, the
Committee encourages VA to strengthen the training of primary,
specialty, and mental healthcare providers on the Gulf War
illness case definitions recommended by the IOM. The role of
the Research Advisory Committee on Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses
[RAC] was intended to provide a meaningful consultative role in
helping shape the Persian Gulf War research agenda, strengthen
the process by which the government sets its Persian Gulf War
research agenda, and lend credibility to future research
activities. However, concern has been raised that this role has
been degraded and compromised. The RAC charter no longer
requires it to assess the effectiveness of Federal Gulf War
research, no longer contains a requirement for its own staff,
and its purview is presently limited solely to research
conducted by the Department. Determinations by the RAC and IOM
that Gulf War illness is physiological and not psychological
should be the basis in determining the type of medical
practitioners and scientific researchers needed to create a
well-qualified membership. The Committee notes the RAC has
provided no new recommendations since September 2014 and
encourages the RAC renew its efforts in studying Gulf War
Illness. Finally, the Committee urges the Department to restore
regular reporting throughout the year of healthcare and
benefits utilization by Gulf War and post-9/11 veterans, to
publish these reports on the Department's Web site, and to
consider for adoption the ``Recommendations for New VA Gulf
War-Era Data Report,'' adopted by the RAC on February 1, 2012.
Research Reports.--The Committee is aware VA publicly
reports all of its completed and ongoing VA funded research
projects through the NIH Research Portfolio Online Reporting
Tools
[RePORT]. However, funding information for each project is not
provided on the site by VA. The Committee directs VA to report
the total cost of each ongoing project and going forward,
provide funding information for any new projects, in addition
to the information which is already publicly reported.
Additionally, the Committee directs VA to prominently place a
description and a link to the NIH RePORT Web site on the VA
Office Research and Development main Web page so that any
veteran may access this information easily.
Burn Pits.--The Committee recommends VA continue conducting
medical trials, using available treatments for pulmonary,
cardiovascular, and other diseases and conditions related to
the exposure to open air burn pits. The Department is directed
to provide an update to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment
of this act on the status and progress of such medical trials.
Furthermore, where appropriate, VA is encouraged to work with
private and public institutions which have already begun to
research the chronic impacts of exposure to burn pits in order
to develop treatments for veterans exposed to burn pits. The
Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 90 days
after enactment of this act regarding the feasibility of
entering into cooperative agreements with institutions engaged
in the aforementioned research and whether additional
authorities and funding are needed to pursue such research.
MEDICAL CARE COST RECOVERY COLLECTIONS
MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $2,445,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 2,637,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,637,000,000
MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND--REVENUES APPLIED
Appropriations, 2016.................................... -$2,445,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... -2,637,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ -2,637,000,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Medical Care Collection Fund [MCCF] was established by
the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-33). In fiscal
year 2004, Public Law 108-199 allowed the Department of
Veterans Affairs to deposit first-party and pharmacy co-
payments; third-party insurance payments and enhanced-use
collections; long-term care co-payments; Compensated Work
Therapy Program collections; and Parking Program fees into the
MCCF. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has the authority to
transfer funds from the MCCF to the Medical Services account.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommendation includes the authority to
retain co-payments and third-party collections, estimated to
total $2,637,000,000 in fiscal year 2017.
National Cemetery Administration
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $271,220,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 286,193,000
Committee recommendation................................ 286,193,000
ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
The National Cemetery Administration [NCA] was established
in accordance with Public Law 93-94, the National Cemeteries
Act of 1973. It has a four-fold mission: to provide for the
interment in any national cemetery of the remains of eligible
deceased servicemembers and discharged veterans, together with
their spouses and certain dependents, and permanently maintain
their graves; to provide headstones for, and to mark graves of,
eligible persons in national, State, and private cemeteries; to
administer the grant program for aid to States in establishing,
expanding, or improving State veterans cemeteries; and to
administer the Presidential Memorial Certificate Program.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $286,193,000 for the National
Cemetery Administration. This is an increase of $14,973,000
above the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the
budget request.
The Committee has included bill language to make available
through September 30, 2018, up to 10 percent of the National
Cemetery Administration appropriation.
Departmental Administration
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $6,532,672,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 6,037,599,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,047,599,000
*The Committee notes the totals above reflect the shift of GOE,VBA from
Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits Administration.
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ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
Departmental Administration provides for the administration
of veterans benefits through the Veterans Benefits
Administration [VBA], the executive direction of the
Department, several top level supporting offices, the Board of
Contract Appeals, and the Board of Veterans Appeals.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $6,047,599,000 for Departmental
Administration. The amount is composed of $417,959,000 for
General administration; $156,096,000 for the Board of Veterans
Appeals; $4,278,259,000 for Information technology systems;
$160,106,000 for the Office of the Inspector General;
$528,110,000 for Construction, major projects; $372,069,000 for
Construction, minor projects; $90,000,000 for Grants for
construction of State extended care facilities; and $45,000,000
for Grants for the construction of State veterans cemeteries.
The Committee also notes the move of the General Operating
Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account from
Departmental Administration to the Veterans Benefits
Administration with the fiscal year 2017 recommendation. This
move puts GOE,VBA back under its appropriate section within the
act, and the Committee instructs the Department to place
GOE,VBA in this location with the fiscal year 2018 request.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $336,659,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 417,959,000
Committee recommendation................................ 417,959,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The General Administration account provides funding for the
Office of the Secretary, six assistant secretaries, and three
independent staff offices.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $417,959,000 for General
Administration. This amount is $81,300,000 above the fiscal
year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
Committee has included bill language to make available through
September 30, 2018, up to 5 percent of the General
Administration appropriation.
The Committee recommends $9,208,000 for the Office of
Government Relations, to include $3,246,000 for functions
previously conducted by the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
and $5,962,000 for functions previously conducted by the Office
of Congressional and Legislative Affairs [OCLA], and
$10,593,000 is for the Office of the Secretary, to include
$7,348,000 for the immediate Office of the Secretary to support
not more than 45 FTE. The recommendation fully supports and
provides the requested amounts in fiscal year 2017 for the
Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the
Center for Minority Veterans, the Center for Women Veterans,
and the Office of Survivors Assistance. In addition, the
recommendation includes $3,532,000 in reimbursable authority
for the Office of the Secretary to be used solely for the
Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication.
The Committee notes approximately 40 percent of the VA's
VISN director positions remain unfilled as of the writing of
this report. Within available balances for OCLA and for the
immediate Office of the Secretary, including any prior-year
carryover available to their respective offices, the Committee
directs $1,500,000 be transferred to VHA and be used
exclusively to accelerate the hiring of these positions. These
amounts shall supplement and not supplant any amounts
previously dedicated for this purpose in the fiscal year 2017
budget request for VHA.
The Committee's concern remains high regarding the number
of vacancies within VHA. The Secretary is directed to develop
and implement succession planning policies to address the
prevalence of vacancies in positions in VHA of more than 180
days, including the development of an enterprise position
management system to more effectively identify, track, and
resolve such vacancies and submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180
days after enactment of this act detailing its findings.
BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $109,884,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 156,096,000
Committee recommendation................................ 156,096,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
As set forth in section 7101(a) of title 38 United States
Code, the Board of Veterans Appeals is responsible for making
final decisions on claims for veterans benefits presented to
the Board for appellate review. The vast majority of the
Board's workload derives from benefit claims initiated by the
Veterans Benefits Administration's Regional Offices. The
appellate process has multiple steps, most of which occur at
the local Regional Office level. If a veteran is not satisfied
with the Regional Office determination, he or she may appeal to
the Board for a final agency decision. The Board adjudicates
appeals covering all areas of veterans benefits, including:
service connection, increased disability ratings, total
disability ratings, pensions, insurance benefits, educational
benefits, home loan guaranties, vocational rehabilitation,
waivers of indebtedness, fee basis medical care, and dependency
and indemnity compensation.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $156,096,000 for the Board of
Veterans Appeals, which is $46,212,000 above fiscal year 2016
enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee
has included bill language to make available through September
30, 2018, up to 10 percent of the Board of Veterans Appeals
appropriation.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $4,133,363,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 4,278,259,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,278,259,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Information Technology [IT] Systems appropriation,
along with reimbursements, funds the costs of all IT staff
salaries and expenses, the operations and maintenance of all
existing information technology systems, and the development of
new projects and programs designed to improve the delivery of
service to veterans. This appropriation also funds the costs
associated with the Office of Information and Technology which
oversees the functions highlighted above.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $4,278,259,000 for the Information
Technology Systems account. This amount is $144,896,000 above
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget
request. The Committee recommendation includes $1,272,548,000
for staff salaries and expenses, $2,534,442,000 for operation
and maintenance of existing programs, and $471,269,000 for
program development.
The Committee has appropriated the Information Technology
Systems account as three subaccounts. This funding structure
enhances the Committee's ability to ensure funds are executed
in a manner consistent with the Department's budget submission.
The Committee has provided sufficient flexibility within the
subaccounts by way of authorized carryover amounts and
reprogramming authority to give the Office of Information
Technology as much flexibility as possible to accomplish its
mission and goals, while ensuring proper accountability and
oversight. The Committee will continue to work with the
Department to ensure the IT projects currently underway, as
well as the projects planned for the future, have the resources
needed for success.
The Committee has included bill language restricting the
obligation of development funds until the Secretary of Veterans
Affairs or the Chief Information Officer submits to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a
certification of the amounts, in parts or in full, that will be
obligated and expended for each development project. Further,
the Office of Information Technology is directed to provide an
IT expenditure report, by project, to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on a monthly basis.
The chart below reflects the Administration's budget
request for development projects and includes the Committee
recommendation for each. This chart will serve as the
Department's approved list of development projects, and all
requested changes are subject to the reprogramming guidelines
as outlined in the accompanying act.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2017 Committee
Project budget request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronic Health Record [EHR] 17,322 17,322
Interoperability and VLER Health...
VistA Evolution..................... 63,339 63,339
Veterans Benefits Management System 85,288 85,288
[VBMS].............................
Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record 17,857 17,857
[VLER].............................
Veterans Customer Experience........ 73,624 73,624
VHA Research IT Support Development. 15,066 15,066
Other IT Systems Development........ 198,773 198,773
-----------------------------------
Total Development............. 471,269 471,269
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Electronic Health Records.--As mentioned previously in the
report, the Committee remains concerned about the development
of VA's electronic health record [EHR] and believes it
necessary to monitor VA's progress, including its obligations
and expenditures, as it pursues its EHR program. The Committee
again includes language in the act limiting obligation or
expenditure of information technology development funding for
the EHR program to 25 percent of funds provided until the
Department:
(1) certifies in writing to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress that VA has met the
requirements contained in the National Defense Authorization
Act of Fiscal Year 2014 (Public Law 113-66) which require that
electronic health record systems of DOD and VA have reached
interoperability, comply with national standards and
architectural requirements identified by the DOD/VA Interagency
Program Office in collaboration with the Office of National
Coordinator for Health Information Technology;
(2) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress the VistA Evolution Business Case and
supporting documents regarding continuation of VistA Evolution
or alternatives to VistA Evolution, including an analysis of
necessary or desired capabilities, technical and security
requirements, the plan for modernizing the platform framework,
and all associated costs;
(3) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress, and such Committees approve, the following:
a report that describes a strategic plan for VistA Evolution,
or any successor program, and the associated implementation
plan including metrics and timelines; a master schedule and
lifecycle cost estimate for VistA Evolution or any successor;
and an implementation plan for the transition from the Project
Management Accountability System to a new project delivery
framework, the Veteran-focused Integration Process, that
includes the methodology by which projects will be tracked,
progress measured, and deliverables evaluated;
(4) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress a report outlining the strategic plan to
reach interoperability with private sector healthcare
providers, the timeline for reaching ``meaningful use'' as
defined by the Office of National Coordinator for Health
Information Technology for each data domain covered under the
VistA Evolution program, and the extent to which the Department
leverages the State Health Information Exchanges to share
health data with private sector providers; and
(5) submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress, and such Committees approve, the following:
a report that describes the extent to which VistA Evolution, or
any successor program, maximizes the use of commercially
available software used by DOD and the private sector, requires
an open architecture that leverages best practices and rapidly
adapts to technologies produced by the private sector, enhances
full interoperability between VA and DOD and between VA and the
private sector, and ensures the security of personally
identifiable information of veterans and beneficiaries.
Additionally, the Department is directed to continue to
provide quarterly briefings to the Committees on Appropriations
of both Houses of Congress regarding schedule, milestones, and
obligations. The DOD/VA Interagency Program Office is directed
to continue to provide briefings to the Committees on a
quarterly basis regarding standards development and how those
standards are being incorporated by both Departments. In an
effort to ensure government-wide accountability, the Committee
also directs VA, in coordination with DOD, to provide the
Federal Chief Information Officer of the United States with
monthly updates on progress made by the two Departments to
reach interoperability and modernize their respective
electronic health records.
Cybersecurity.--The Committee recommends the full budget
request of $370,067,000 for the VA's information security
program. This amount includes $125,000,000 for VA's
Cybersecurity Strategy Implementation program. In fiscal year
2017, the Department will execute an enterprise-wide
cybersecurity strategy, which will define a comprehensive set
of actions, processes, and emerging security technologies that
will further enhance the cybersecurity of VA's information and
assets and improve the resilience of VA networks. This effort
is aligned with the Federal Government-wide cybersecurity
strategy efforts and was developed to identify and address
critical cybersecurity gaps and emerging priorities, with
specific recommendations to address those gaps and priorities.
The Committee supports the Department's efforts to strengthen
IT security and directs VA to provide quarterly briefings to
the Committee on these efforts.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $136,766,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 160,106,000
Committee recommendation................................ 160,106,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Office of Inspector General [OIG] was established by
the Inspector General Act of 1978 and is responsible for the
audit, investigation, and inspection of all Department of
Veterans Affairs programs and operations.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $160,106,000 for the Office of
Inspector General. This is $23,340,000 above the fiscal year
2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
Committee has included bill language to make available through
September 30, 2018, up to 10 percent of the Office of the
Inspector General appropriation.
Transparency and Communication.--The Committee recognizes
the critical role OIG plays in overseeing the fulfillment of
the Department's mission to care for our Nation's veterans.
Public Law 114-113, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016,
included language intended to increase OIG's transparency and
communication with Congress. The Committee is concerned by
OIG's interpretation of that language, which at times has been
overly technical and inconsistent with the spirit of the law.
The Committee strongly believes OIG must make its work products
available to Congress, and in fact, OIG's default position
should be to share all work with Congress, unless otherwise
explicitly prohibited by law. While redaction of information
protected by law should be applied, it should not preclude the
sharing of the work in which such protected information is
located. Specifically, not later than 3 days after any report
or audit (or portion of any report of audit) is submitted in
final form to the Secretary, OIG should post that report or
audit (or portion of that report or audit) on the OIG Web site
excluding the public disclosure of information prohibited from
disclosure by law. As OIG executes its oversight
responsibility, it should make considerable efforts to increase
its transparency, accountability, and collaboration with key
stakeholders including Congress, other Federal agencies, and
the veteran community.
CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $1,243,800,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 528,110,000
Committee recommendation................................ 528,110,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Construction, Major Projects account provides for
constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the
facilities (including parking projects) under the jurisdiction
or for the use of VA, including planning, architectural and
engineering services, needs assessment, and site acquisition
where the estimated cost of a project is more than the amount
set forth in 38 U.S.C. 8104(a)(3)(A). Proceeds realized from
Enhanced Use Lease activities may be deposited into the
Construction, Major Projects and Construction, Minor Projects
accounts.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $528,110,000
for the construction of major projects. This is $715,690,000
below the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal the budget
request.
The following table reflects the President's budget request
for major construction projects and the corresponding Committee
recommendations.
MAJOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year
Location and description 2017 budget Committee
request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans Health Administration [VHA]:
Long Beach, California: Seismic 30,200 30,200
Corrections--Mental Health and
Community Living Center............
Reno, Nevada: Upgrade B1 Seismic, 192,420 192,420
Life Safety, Utility Correction and
Expand Clinical Services...........
Advance Planning and Design Fund: 65,000 65,000
Various Locations..................
Major Construction Staff: Various 24,000 24,000
Locations..........................
Claims Analysis: Various Locations.. 5,000 5,000
Hazardous Waste: Various Locations.. 10,000 10,000
Judgement Fund...................... 9,000 9,000
Non-Departmental Federal Entity 49,490 49,490
Project Management Support.........
-------------------------------
Total, VHA........................ 385,110 385,110
===============================
National Cemetery Administration [NCA]:
Elmira, New York: New York National 36,000 36,000
Cemetery--Western New York.........
Las Animas, Colorado: New National 36,000 36,000
Cemetery--Southern Colorado........
Jacksonville, Florida: Gravesite 24,000 24,000
Expansion..........................
South Florida: Gravesite Expansion.. 31,000 31,000
Advance Planning and Design Fund.... 10,000 10,000
-------------------------------
Total, NCA........................ 137,000 137,000
===============================
General Administration--Staff Offices, 6,000 6,000
Advance Planning Fund..................
===============================
Total Construction, Major Projects 528,110 528,110
------------------------------------------------------------------------
VA/Army Corps of Engineers.--The Committee directs the
Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers to ensure there are no unnecessary delays in
completing major Veterans Heath Administration [VHA]
construction projects. The Committee is particularly concerned
about delays affecting VHA projects to retrofit or replace
seismically deficient buildings, which put veterans, Federal
employees, and the public at significant risk. The Department
in conjunction with the Corps is directed to provide quarterly
updates to the Committee on all major VHA construction projects
managed by the Corps.
CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $406,200,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 372,069,000
Committee recommendation................................ 372,069,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Construction, Minor Projects account provides for
constructing, altering, extending, and improving any of the
facilities (including parking) under the jurisdiction or for
the use of VA, including planning, assessment of needs,
architectural and engineering services, and site acquisition,
where the estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than
$10,000,000. Public Law 106-117, the Veterans Millennium Health
Care and Benefits Act of 1999, gave VA authority to make
capital contributions from minor construction in enhanced-use
leases. Proceeds realized from enhanced-use lease activities
may be deposited into the Construction, Major Projects and
Construction, Minor Projects accounts.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $372,069,000 for minor
construction. This is $34,131,000 below the fiscal year 2016
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
The recommendation includes $285,000 for the Veterans
Health Administration, $56,890 for the National Cemetery
Administration, and $20,000 for the Veterans Benefits
Administration. The Department is directed to provide an
expenditure plan to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than 30 days after enactment of
this act for the amount appropriated for minor construction.
GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $120,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 80,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 90,000,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This account is used to provide grants to assist States in
acquiring or constructing State home facilities for furnishing
domiciliary or nursing home care to veterans, and to expand,
remodel, or alter existing buildings for furnishing
domiciliary, nursing home, or hospital care to veterans in
State homes. The grant may not exceed 65 percent of the total
cost of the project. Public Law 102-585 granted permanent
authority for this program, and Public Law 106-117 provided
greater specificity in directing VA to prescribe regulations
for the number of beds for which grant assistance may be
furnished. This program has been a successful partnership
between States and VA in meeting the long-term care needs of
elderly veterans for decades.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $90,000,000 for Grants for
construction of State extended care facilities. This is
$10,000,000 above the budget request.
Funding Prioritization.--The Committee is concerned about
the prioritization of funding for new State veterans homes. The
criteria used by the Department when making funding decisions
for new facilities should take into account the profound
geographical barriers facing large rural States.
In addition, it should also consider the unique needs of
geographically small States and should reflect that many do not
have alternative facilities to care for veterans while their
projects are pending.
GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $46,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 45,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 45,000,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Public Law 105-368 amended title 38 U.S.C. 2408 and
established authority to provide aid to States for
establishment, expansion, and improvement of State veterans
cemeteries, which are operated and permanently maintained by
the States. This statutory change increased the maximum Federal
share from 50 percent to 100 percent in order to fund
construction costs and initial equipment expenses when the
cemetery is established. States remain responsible for
providing the land and for paying all costs related to
operation and maintenance of the cemeteries, including the
costs for subsequent equipment purchases.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $45,000,000 for Grants for
construction of State veterans cemeteries. This is equal to the
budget request.
Administrative Provisions
(INCLUDING TRANSFERS AND RESCISSIONS OF FUNDS)
Sec. 201. The Committee includes a provision which outlines
transfer authority and responsibilities for the Veterans
Benefits Administration.
Sec. 202. The Committee includes a provision which outlines
transfer authority and responsibilities for the Veterans Health
Administration.
Sec. 203. The Committee includes a provision which outlines
the use of funds appropriated for salaries and expenses.
Sec. 204. The Committee includes a provision mandating that
only construction funds may be used for land procurement or the
construction of any new hospital or home.
Sec. 205. The Committee includes a provision allowing for
reimbursements to the Medical Services account.
Sec. 206. The Committee includes a provision allowing for
payments of prior year obligations.
Sec. 207. The Committee includes a provision which allows
for the use of funds for prior year obligations.
Sec. 208. The Committee includes a provision which allows
for payments from the National Service Life Insurance Fund.
Sec. 209. The Committee includes a provision which outlines
the use of funds from enhanced-use lease proceeds.
Sec. 210. The Committee includes a provision which provides
for funds for the Office of Resolution Management and the
Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication.
Sec. 211. The Committee includes a provision restricting
funds from being used to close certain medical facilities in
the absence of a national realignment strategy.
Sec. 212. The Committee includes a provision which requires
disclosure of third-party reimbursement information.
Sec. 213. The Committee includes a provision which allows
for the transfer of revenue derived from enhanced-use leases
into the construction accounts.
Sec. 214. The Committee includes a provision which outlines
authorized uses for medical services funds.
Sec. 215. The Committee includes a provision which allows
funds in the Medical Care Collection Fund to be transferred
into the Medical Services and Medical Community Care accounts.
Sec. 216. The Committee includes a provision which allows
eligible veterans in the State of Alaska to obtain medical care
services.
Sec. 217. The Committee includes a provision which allows
for the transfer of funds into the construction accounts.
Sec. 218. The Committee includes a provision rescinding
funds from Medical services to enable the establishment of the
Medical Community Care account.
Sec. 219. The Committee includes a provision requiring the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit quarterly financial
reports on the Veterans Health Administration.
Sec. 220. The Committee includes a provision outlining
transfer authority for the Information Technology Systems
account.
Sec. 221. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
any funds to be used to contract out any functions performed by
more than 10 employees without a fair competition process.
Sec. 222. The Committee includes a provision allowing for
the transfer of funds from certain accounts to the Joint
Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Facility Demonstration Fund, as authorized by Public Law 111-
84.
Sec. 223. The Committee includes a provision allowing for
the transfer of funds from certain advance appropriation
accounts to the Joint Department of Defense/Department of
Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, as
authorized by Public Law 111-84.
Sec. 224. The Committee includes a provision allowing for
the transfer of certain funds deposited in the Medical Care
Collections Fund to the Joint Department of Defense/Department
of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund, as
authorized by Public Law 111-84.
Sec. 225. The Committee includes a provision directing a
minimum of $15,000,000 be transferred from Medical Services,
Medical Support and Compliance, and Medical Facilities to the
Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Health
Care Sharing Incentive Fund, as authorized by section 8111 of
title 38, United States Code.
Sec. 226. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the Department from replacing the current system by which
diabetes monitoring equipment and supplies are contracted.
Sec. 227. The Committee includes a provision requiring
notification of all bid savings for major construction
projects.
Sec. 228. The Committee includes a provision restricting
scope increases for major construction projects above that
specified in the original project justification.
Sec. 229. The Committee includes a provision requiring the
Department to submit reports relating to the Veterans Benefits
Administration on claims processing at Regional Offices.
Sec. 230. The Committee includes a provision limiting the
funding from the Medical Support and Compliance account for the
VistA Evolution and electronic health record interoperability
projects.
Sec. 231. The Committee includes a provision requiring VA
to notify the Committee 15 days prior to any organizational
changes within VA of 25 or more FTE.
Sec. 232. The Committee includes a provision permitting the
transfer of funds between GOE,VBA and BVA.
Sec. 233. The Committee includes a provision rescinding
unobligated balances from the DOD-VA Health Care Sharing
Incentive Fund.
Sec. 234. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the reprogramming of funds in excess of $5,000,000 among major
construction projects or programs.
Sec. 235. The Committee includes a provision prohibitions
the transfer of funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity
Compensation Fund to any other VA account.
Sec. 236. The Committee includes a provision providing for
the extension of a purchased care program.
Sec. 237. The Committee includes a provision regarding
copayments for opioid antagonists and education on the use of
opioid antagonists.
Sec. 238. The Committee includes a provision regarding
access to Office of Inspector General reports.
Sec. 239. The Committee includes a provision allowing for
grants to train and employ at-risk veterans.
Sec. 240. The Committee includes a provision regarding a
study on toxic exposure.
Sec. 241. The Committee includes a provision regarding a
childcare program.
Sec. 242. The Committee includes a provision requiring the
reporting to State prescription drug monitoring programs.
Sec. 243. The Committee includes a provision regarding the
hiring of medical providers.
Sec. 244. The Committee includes a provision regarding the
reporting of information to State medical boards.
Sec. 245. The Committee includes a provision granting the
Secretary transfer authority between any discretionary
appropriations accounts and limiting the total transfer to 2
percent of the total discretionary appropriations made
available to the Department in this act.
Sec. 246. The Committee includes a provision protecting
whistleblowers from retaliation.
Sec. 247. The Committee includes a provision on fertility
treatment and counseling for service-connected disabled
veterans.
Sec. 248. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the Appraisal Value Offer Program or the Home Marketing
Incentive Program with a waiver.
Sec. 249. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds to interfere with the ability of veterans to
participate in State-approved medicinal marijuana programs or
deny services to such veterans.
Sec. 250. The Committee includes a provision on coastwise
merchant seamen.
TITLE III
RELATED AGENCIES
American Battle Monuments Commission
OVERVIEW
The American Battle Monuments Commission was established by
Congress in 1923 and is responsible for the following:
designing, constructing, operating, and maintaining permanent
American cemeteries in foreign countries; establishing and
maintaining U.S. military memorials, monuments, and markers
where American Armed Forces have served overseas since April 6,
1917, the date of the United States entry into World War I, and
within the United States when directed by public law; and
controlling the design and construction of permanent U.S.
military monuments and markers by other U.S. citizens and
organizations, both public and private, and encouraging their
maintenance. ABMC administers, operates, and maintains 25
permanent American military cemeteries, 27 Federal memorial,
monuments, and markers, and 8 non-Federal memorials located in
15 foreign countries, the U.S. Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands, the British Dependency of Gibraltar, and the
United States of America.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $105,100,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 75,100,000
Committee recommendation................................ 75,100,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $75,100,000 for the Salaries and
Expenses account. This amount is $32,000,000 below the fiscal
year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $2,000,000
Budget estimate, 2017...................................................
Committee recommendation................................................
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee includes in the accompanying act, as proposed
by the administration, such sums as necessary for the Foreign
Currency Fluctuations account. Funding the account in this
manner allows the Commission to maintain cemeteries regardless
of the volatility of foreign currency fluctuations.
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
OVERVIEW
The United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims was
established by the Veterans' Judicial Review Act of 1988. The
Court is an independent judicial tribunal with exclusive
jurisdiction to review decisions of the Board of Veterans
Appeals. It has the authority to decide all relevant questions
of law; interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory
provisions; and determine the meaning or applicability of the
terms of an action by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. It is
authorized to compel action by the Secretary. It is authorized
to hold unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful and set aside
decisions, findings, conclusions, rules, and regulations issued
or adopted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Board of
Veterans Appeals, or the Chairman of the Board that are found
to be arbitrary or capricious. The Court's principal office
location is Washington, DC; however, it is a national court,
empowered to sit anywhere in the United States.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $32,141,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 30,945,100
Committee recommendation................................ 30,945,100
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $30,945,100 for the U.S. Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims. This amount is $1,195,900 below
the fiscal year 2016 enacted level and equal to the budget
request.
Department of Defense--Civil
Cemeterial Expenses, Army
OVERVIEW
The Secretary of the Army is responsible for the
administration, operation, and maintenance of Arlington
National Cemetery and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National
Cemetery. In addition to its principal function as a national
cemetery, Arlington is the site of approximately 3,000
nonfuneral ceremonies each year and has approximately four
million visitors annually.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $79,516,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 70,800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 70,800,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $70,800,000 for Salaries and
expenses. This amount is $8,716,000 below the fiscal year 2016
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
Land Exchange.--The Committee recognizes the future burial
capacity of Arlington National Cemetery would be dramatically
increased through a land exchange in the area of the former
Navy Annex site with Arlington County and the Commonwealth of
Virginia. The Committee strongly supports this effort and
understands the Secretary of the Army is working with Arlington
County and the Virginia Department of Transportation to
finalize the land exchange agreement. The closure and
relocation of current State and local roadways in this area
would facilitate such an exchange. The Committee urges the
Secretary of the Army to continue to work closely with the
Virginia Department of Transportation and Arlington County to
finalize details of the proposed land exchange so that the
cemetery expansion plans, including the relocation of
utilities, can move forward as expeditiously as possible.
Armed Forces Retirement Home
TRUST FUND
OVERVIEW
Appropriations, 2016.................................... $64,300,000
Budget estimate, 2017................................... 64,300,000
Committee recommendation................................ 64,300,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends authority to expend $64,300,000
from the Armed Forces Retirement Home [AFRH] Trust Fund to
operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home--
Washington, DC, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport,
Mississippi.
Trust Fund Solvency.--The Committee is concerned by the
continued reliance on the General Fund, which the Committee
views as an emergency measure, to supplement the AFRH Trust
Fund. The Committee understands AFRH and the Department of
Defense have undertaken an in-depth study to develop mid-term
and long-term plans to improve Trust Fund solvency; however,
the Committee is troubled that the study's statement of work
seems to be focused on cuts to core AFRH operations as a means
of achieving solvency within the Trust Fund. The Committee
reminds the executive branch that reductions in appropriations
to AFRH, which support certain former members of our Nation's
Armed Forces, is the sole prerogative of the legislative branch
and directs AFRH and the Department of Defense to submit by
September 30, 2016, a proposal that ensures the long-term
sustainability of the Trust Fund by replenishing the Trust
Fund's revenues, not by cutting core AFRH operations.
The Committee is disappointed the Department of Defense did
not include with the budget request a combination of
legislative proposals and administrative actions that can be
taken under current law in order to achieve Trust Fund solvency
in spite of clear Committee direction to do so in the
Explanatory Statement accompanying H.R. 2029, the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2016. Instead, the Department of Defense
proposed a complicated transfer from operation and maintenance
for Defense-wide activities, which is nothing more than a
thinly disguised appropriation from the General Fund. Both
legislative and administrative actions are necessary to improve
Trust Fund solvency, eliminate AFRH's reliance on the General
Fund, and maintain the high-quality services provided to AFRH
residents. The Committee again directs the Department of
Defense, working with AFRH, to take appropriate administrative
action and to develop and submit proposed authorizing language
with the fiscal year 2018 budget request in order to fully
address the issue of Trust Fund solvency.
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 301. The Committee includes a provision allowing the
relocation of a federally owned water main.
Sec. 302. The Committee includes a provision making
available funds as authorized by 10 U.S.C. 4727.
TITLE IV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 401. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
the obligation of funds beyond the current fiscal year unless
expressly so provided.
Sec. 402. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits
the use of funds for programs, projects, or activities not in
compliance with Federal law relating to risk assessment, the
protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates.
Sec. 403. The Committee includes a provision that
encourages the expansion of E-commerce technologies and
procedures.
Sec. 404. The Committee includes a provision that specifies
the congressional committees that are to receive all reports
and notifications.
Sec. 405. The Committee includes a provision that limits
funds from being transferred from this appropriations measure
to any instrumentality of the United States Government without
authority from an appropriations act.
Sec. 406. The Committee includes a provision regarding the
posting of congressional reports on agency Web sites.
Sec. 407. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds to establish or maintain a computer network
unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and
exchanging of pornography, except for law enforcement
investigation, prosecution, or adjudication activities.
Sec. 408. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds for the payment of first-class travel by an
employee of the executive branch.
Sec. 409. The Committee includes a provision limiting the
construction of facilities for the purposes of housing
individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY
In fiscal year 2017, for purposes of the Balanced Budget
and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Public Law 99-177)
or the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control
Reaffirmation Act of 1987 (Public Law 100-119), the following
information provides the definition of the term ``program,
project, and activity'' for departments, agencies and programs
under the jurisdiction of the Military Construction and
Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies subcommittee. The term
``program, project, and activity'' shall include the most
specific level of budget items identified in the Military
Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2017, the House and Senate Committee
reports, and the conference report and accompanying joint
explanatory statement of managers of the committee of
conference.
If a sequestration order is necessary, in implementing the
Presidential order, departments, and agencies shall apply any
percentage reduction required for fiscal year 2017 pursuant to
the provisions of Public Law 99-177 or Public Law 100-119 to
all items specified in the justifications submitted to the
Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of
Representatives in support of the fiscal year 2017 budget
estimates, as amended, for such departments and agencies, as
modified by congressional action, and in addition, for the
Department of Defense, Military Construction, the definition
shall include specific construction locations as identified in
the explanatory notes.
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7, RULE XVI, OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 7 of rule XVI requires that Committee reports
accompanying general appropriations bills identify each
recommended amendment which proposes an item of appropriation
which is not made to carry out the provisions of an existing
law, a treaty stipulation, or an act or resolution previously
passed by the Senate during that session.
The Committee recommends funding for the following programs
which currently lack authorization:
Title I: Department of Defense
Military Construction, Army
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
Military Construction, Air Force
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
Military Construction, Army National Guard
Military Construction, Air National Guard
Military Construction, Army Reserve
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment
Program
Department of Defense Base Closure Account
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine
Corps
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund
Family Housing Construction, Army
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
Title II: Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans Benefits Administration
Veterans Health Administration
National Cemetery Administration
Departmental Administration
Title III: Related Agencies
American Battle Monuments Commission
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Cemeterial Expenses, Army
Armed Forces Retirement Home
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 7(c), RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Pursuant to paragraph 7(c) of rule XXVI, on April 14, 2016,
the Committee ordered favorably reported a bill (S. 2806)
making appropriations for military construction, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2017, and for other purposes, provided,
that the bill be subject to amendment and that the bill be
consistent with its budget allocation, by a recorded vote of
30-0, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows:
Yeas Nays
Chairman Cochran
Mr. McConnell
Mr. Shelby
Mr. Alexander
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Kirk
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mr. Cassidy
Mr. Lankford
Mr. Daines
Ms. Mikulski
Mr. Leahy
Mrs. Murray
Mrs. Feinstein
Mr. Durbin
Mr. Reed
Mr. Tester
Mr. Udall
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy
COMPLIANCE WITH PARAGRAPH 12, RULE XXVI OF THE STANDING RULES OF THE
SENATE
Paragraph 12 of rule XXVI requires that Committee reports
on a bill or joint resolution repealing or amending any statute
or part of any statute include ``(a) the text of the statute or
part thereof which is proposed to be repealed; and (b) a
comparative print of that part of the bill or joint resolution
making the amendment and of the statute or part thereof
proposed to be amended, showing by stricken-through type and
italics, parallel columns, or other appropriate typographical
devices the omissions and insertions which would be made by the
bill or joint resolution if enacted in the form recommended by
the committee.''
In compliance with this rule, changes in existing law
proposed to be made by the bill are shown as follows: existing
law to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets; new matter is
printed in italic; and existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman.
TITLE 38--VETERANS' BENEFITS
PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Chapter 3--Department of Veterans Affairs
Sec. 312. Inspector General
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c)(1) Whenever the Inspector General, in carrying out the
duties and responsibilities established under the Inspector
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), issues a work product
[that makes a recommendation or otherwise suggests corrective
action,] the Inspector General shall--
------
Chapter 7--Employees
subchapter i--general employee matters
Sec.
701. Placement of employees in military installations.
* * * * * * *
713. Senior executives: removal based on performance or misconduct.
715. Congressional testimony by employees: treatment as official duty.
subchapter ii--whistleblower complaints
731. Whistleblower complaint defined.
732. Treatment of whistleblower complaints.
733. Adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit prohibited
personnel actions relating to whistleblower complaints.
734. Evaluation criteria of supervisors and treatment of bonuses.
735. Training regarding whistleblower complaints.
736. Reports to Congress.
Subchapter I--General Employee Matters
Sec. 701. Placement of employees in military installations
* * * * * * *
Sec. 713. Senior executives: removal based on performance or misconduct
(a) In General.--
* * * * * * *
(g) Definitions.--
(1)* * *
* * * * * * *
(3)* * *
(A)* * *
(B) with respect to an individual appointed
under section 7306(a) or section 7401(1) of
this title, an administrative or executive
position.
Sec. 715. Congressional testimony by employees: treatment as official
duty
(a) Congressional Testimony.--An employee of the Department
is performing official duty during the period with respect to
which the employee is testifying in an official capacity in
front of either chamber of Congress, a committee of either
chamber of Congress, or a joint or select committee of
Congress.
(b) Travel Expenses.--The Secretary shall provide travel
expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in
accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of
chapter 57 of title 5, to any employee of the Department of
Veterans Affairs performing official duty described under
subsection (a).
Subchapter II--Whistleblower Complaints
Sec. 731. Whistleblower complaint defined
In this subchapter, the term ``whistleblower complaint''
means a complaint by an employee of the Department disclosing,
or assisting another employee to disclose, a potential
violation of any law, rule, or regulation, or gross
mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or
substantial and specific danger to public health and safety.
Sec. 732. Treatment of whistleblower complaints
(a) Filing.--(1) In addition to any other method
established by law in which an employee may file a
whistleblower complaint, an employee of the Department may file
a whistleblower complaint in accordance with subsection (g)
with a supervisor of the employee.
(2) Except as provided by subsection (d)(1), in making a
whistleblower complaint under paragraph (1), an employee shall
file the initial complaint with the immediate supervisor of the
employee.
(b) Notification.--(1)(A) Not later than four business days
after the date on which a supervisor receives a whistleblower
complaint by an employee under this section, the supervisor
shall notify, in writing, the employee of whether the
supervisor determines that there is a reasonable likelihood
that the complaint discloses a violation of any law, rule, or
regulation, or gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse
of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public
health and safety.
(B) The supervisor shall retain written documentation
regarding the whistleblower complaint and shall submit to the
next-level supervisor and the central whistleblower office
described in subsection (h) a written report on the complaint.
(2)(A) On a monthly basis, the supervisor shall submit to
the appropriate director or other official who is superior to
the supervisor a written report that includes the number of
whistleblower complaints received by the supervisor under this
section during the month covered by the report, the disposition
of such complaints, and any actions taken because of such
complaints pursuant to subsection (c).
(B) In the case in which such a director or official
carries out this paragraph, the director or official shall
submit such monthly report to the supervisor of the director or
official and to the central whistleblower office described in
subsection (h).
(c) Positive Determination.--If a supervisor makes a
positive determination under subsection (b)(1) regarding a
whistleblower complaint of an employee, the supervisor shall
include in the notification to the employee under such
subsection the specific actions that the supervisor will take
to address the complaint.
(d) Filing Complaint With Next-Level Supervisors.--(1) If
any circumstance described in paragraph (3) is met, an employee
may file a whistleblower complaint in accordance with
subsection (g) with the next-level supervisor who shall treat
such complaint in accordance with this section.
(2) An employee may file a whistleblower complaint with the
Secretary if the employee has filed the whistleblower complaint
to each level of supervisors between the employee and the
Secretary in accordance with paragraph (1).
(3) A circumstance described in this paragraph is any of
the following circumstances:
(A) A supervisor does not make a timely
determination under subsection (b)(1) regarding a
whistleblower complaint.
(B) The employee who made a whistleblower complaint
determines that the supervisor did not adequately
address the complaint pursuant to subsection (c).
(C) The immediate supervisor of the employee is the
basis of the whistleblower complaint.
(e) Transfer of Employee Who Files Whistleblower
Complaint.--If a supervisor makes a positive determination
under subsection (b)(1) regarding a whistleblower complaint
filed by an employee, the Secretary shall--
(1) inform the employee of the ability to volunteer
for a transfer in accordance with section 3352 of title
5; and
(2) give preference to the employee for such a
transfer in accordance with such section.
(f) Prohibition on Exemption.--The Secretary may not exempt
any employee of the Department from being covered by this
section.
(g) Whistleblower Complaint Form.--(1) A whistleblower
complaint filed by an employee under subsection (a) or (d)
shall consist of the form described in paragraph (2) and any
supporting materials or documentation the employee determines
necessary.
(2) The form described in this paragraph is a form
developed by the Secretary, in consultation with the Special
Counsel, that includes the following:
(A) An explanation of the purpose of the
whistleblower complaint form.
(B) Instructions for filing a whistleblower
complaint as described in this section.
(C) An explanation that filing a whistleblower
complaint under this section does not preclude the
employee from any other method established by law in
which an employee may file a whistleblower complaint.
(D) A statement directing the employee to
information accessible on the Internet website of the
Department as described in section 735(d).
(E) Fields for the employee to provide--
(i) the date that the form is submitted;
(ii) the name of the employee;
(iii) the contact information of the
employee;
(iv) a summary of the whistleblower
complaint (including the option to append
supporting documents pursuant to paragraph
(1)); and
(v) proposed solutions to the complaint.
(F) Any other information or fields that the
Secretary determines appropriate.
(3) The Secretary, in consultation with the Special
Counsel, shall develop the form described in paragraph (2) by
not later than 60 days after the date of the enactment of this
section.
(h) Central Whistleblower Office.--(1) The Secretary shall
ensure that the central whistleblower office--
(A) is not an element of the Office of the General
Counsel;
(B) is not headed by an official who reports to the
General Counsel;
(C) does not provide, or receive from, the General
Counsel any information regarding a whistleblower
complaint except pursuant to an action regarding the
complaint before an administrative body or court; and
(D) does not provide advice to the General Counsel.
(2) The central whistleblower office shall be responsible
for investigating all whistleblower complaints of the
Department, regardless of whether such complaints are made by
or against an employee who is not a member of the Senior
Executive Service.
(3) The Secretary shall ensure that the central
whistleblower office maintains a toll-free hotline to
anonymously receive whistleblower complaints.
(4) The Secretary shall ensure that the central
whistleblower office has such staff and resources as the
Secretary considers necessary to carry out the functions of the
central whistleblower office.
(5) In this subsection, the term `central whistleblower
office' means the Office of Accountability Review or a
successor office that is established or designated by the
Secretary to investigate whistleblower complaints filed under
this section or any other method established by law.
Sec. 733. Adverse actions against supervisory employees who commit
prohibited personnel actions relating to
whistleblower complaints
(a) In General.--(1) In accordance with paragraph (2), the
Secretary shall carry out the following adverse actions against
supervisory employees (as defined in section 7103(a) of title
5) whom the Secretary, an administrative judge, the Merit
Systems Protection Board, the Office of Special Counsel, an
adjudicating body provided under a union contract, a Federal
judge, or the Inspector General of the Department determines
committed a prohibited personnel action described in subsection
(c):
(A) With respect to the first offense, an adverse
action that is not less than a 12-day suspension and
not more than removal.
(B) With respect to the second offense, removal.
(2)(A) An employee against whom an adverse action under
paragraph (1) is proposed is entitled to written notice.
(B)(i) An employee who is notified under subparagraph (A)
of being the subject of a proposed adverse action under
paragraph (1) is entitled to 14 days following such
notification to answer and furnish evidence in support of the
answer.
(ii) If the employee does not furnish any such evidence as
described in clause (i) or if the Secretary determines that
such evidence is not sufficient to reverse the determination to
propose the adverse action, the Secretary shall carry out the
adverse action following such 14-day period.
(C) Paragraphs (1) and (2) of subsection (b) of section
7513 of title 5, subsection (c) of such section, paragraphs (1)
and (2) of subsection (b) of section 7543 of such title, and
subsection (c) of such section shall not apply with respect to
an adverse action carried out under paragraph (1).
(b) Limitation on Other Adverse Actions.--With respect to a
prohibited personnel action described in subsection (c), if the
Secretary carries out an adverse action against a supervisory
employee, the Secretary may carry out an additional adverse
action under this section based on the same prohibited
personnel action if the total severity of the adverse actions
do not exceed the level specified in subsection (a).
(c) Prohibited Personnel Action Described.--A prohibited
personnel action described in this subsection is any of the
following actions:
(1) Taking or failing to take a personnel action in
violation of section 2302 of title 5 against an
employee relating to the employee--
(A) filing a whistleblower complaint in
accordance with section 732 of this title;
(B) filing a whistleblower complaint with
the Inspector General of the Department, the
Special Counsel, or Congress;
(C) providing information or participating
as a witness in an investigation of a
whistleblower complaint in accordance with
section 732 or with the Inspector General of
the Department, the Special Counsel, or
Congress;
(D) participating in an audit or
investigation by the Comptroller General of the
United States;
(E) refusing to perform an action that is
unlawful or prohibited by the Department; or
(F) engaging in communications that are
related to the duties of the position or are
otherwise protected.
(2) Preventing or restricting an employee from
making an action described in any of subparagraphs (A)
through (F) of paragraph (1).
(3) Conducting a negative peer review or opening a
retaliatory investigation because of an activity of an
employee that is protected by section 2302 of title 5.
(4) Requesting a contractor to carry out an action
that is prohibited by section 4705(b) or section
4712(a)(1) of title 41, as the case may be.
Sec. 734. Evaluation criteria of supervisors and treatment of bonuses
(a) Evaluation Criteria.--(1) In evaluating the performance
of supervisors of the Department, the Secretary shall include
the criteria described in paragraph (2).
(2) The criteria described in this subsection are the
following:
(A) Whether the supervisor treats whistleblower
complaints in accordance with section 732 of this
title.
(B) Whether the appropriate deciding official,
performance review board, or performance review
committee determines that the supervisor was found to
have committed a prohibited personnel action described
in section 733(b) of this title by an administrative
judge, the Merit Systems Protection Board, the Office
of Special Counsel, an adjudicating body provided under
a union contract, a Federal judge, or, in the case of a
settlement of a whistleblower complaint (regardless of
whether any fault was assigned under such settlement),
the Secretary.
(b) Bonuses.--(1) The Secretary may not pay to a supervisor
described in subsection (a)(2)(B) an award or bonus under this
title or title 5, including under chapter 45 or 53 of such
title, during the one-year period beginning on the date on
which the determination was made under such subsection.
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the
Secretary shall issue an order directing a supervisor described
in subsection (a)(2)(B) to repay the amount of any award or
bonus paid under this title or title 5, including under chapter
45 or 53 of such title, if--
(A) such award or bonus was paid for performance
during a period in which the supervisor committed a
prohibited personnel action as determined pursuant to
such subsection (a)(2)(B);
(B) the Secretary determines such repayment
appropriate pursuant to regulations prescribed by the
Secretary to carry out this section; and
(C) the supervisor is afforded notice and an
opportunity for a hearing before making such repayment.
Sec. 735. Training regarding whistleblower complaints
(a) Training.--Not less frequently than once each year, the
Secretary, in coordination with the Whistleblower Protection
Ombudsman designated under section 3(d)(1)(C) of the Inspector
General Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C. App.), shall provide to each
employee of the Department training regarding whistleblower
complaints, including--
(1) an explanation of each method established by
law in which an employee may file a whistleblower
complaint;
(2) an explanation of prohibited personnel actions
described by section 733(c) of this title;
(3) with respect to supervisors, how to treat
whistleblower complaints in accordance with section 732
of this title;
(4) the right of the employee to petition Congress
regarding a whistleblower complaint in accordance with
section 7211 of title 5;
(5) an explanation that the employee may not be
prosecuted or reprised against for disclosing
information to Congress, the Inspector General, or
another investigatory agency in instances where such
disclosure is permitted by law, including under
sections 5701, 5705, and 7732 of this title, under
section 552a of title 5 (commonly referred to as the
Privacy Act), under chapter 93 of title 18, and
pursuant to regulations promulgated under section
264(c) of the Health Insurance Portability and
Accountability Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-191);
(6) an explanation of the language that is required
to be included in all nondisclosure policies, forms,
and agreements pursuant to section 115(a)(1) of the
Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act of 2012 (5
U.S.C. 2302 note); and
(7) the right of contractors to be protected from
reprisal for the disclosure of certain information
under section 4705 or 4712 of title 41.
(b) Manner Training Is Provided.--The Secretary shall
ensure that training provided under subsection (a) is provided
in person.
(c) Certification.--Not less frequently than once each
year, the Secretary shall provide training on merit system
protection in a manner that the Special Counsel certifies as
being satisfactory.
(d) Publication.--(1) The Secretary shall publish on the
Internet website of the Department, and display prominently at
each facility of the Department, the rights of an employee to
file a whistleblower complaint, including the information
described in paragraphs (1) through (7) of subsection (a).
(2) The Secretary shall publish on the Internet website of
the Department, the whistleblower complaint form described in
section 732(g)(2).
Sec. 736. Reports to Congress
(a) Annual Reports.--Not less frequently than once each
year, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees
of Congress a report that includes--
(1) with respect to whistleblower complaints filed
under section 732 of this title during the year covered
by the report--
(A) the number of such complaints filed;
(B) the disposition of such complaints; and
(C) the ways in which the Secretary
addressed such complaints in which a positive
determination was made by a supervisor under
subsection (b)(1) of such section;
(2) the number of whistleblower complaints filed
during the year covered by the report that are not
included under paragraph (1), including--
(A) the method in which such complaints
were filed;
(B) the disposition of such complaints; and
(C) the ways in which the Secretary
addressed such complaints; and
(3) with respect to disclosures made by a
contractor under section 4705 or 4712 of title 41--
(A) the number of complaints relating to
such disclosures that were investigated by the
Inspector General of the Department of Veterans
Affairs during the year covered by the report;
(B) the disposition of such complaints; and
(C) the ways in which the Secretary
addressed such complaints.
(b) Notice of Office of Special Counsel Determinations.--
Not later than 30 days after the date on which the Secretary
receives from the Special Counsel information relating to a
whistleblower complaint pursuant to section 1213 of title 5,
the Secretary shall notify the appropriate committees of
Congress of such information, including the determination made
by the Special Counsel.
(c) Appropriate Committees of Congress.--In this section,
the term `appropriate committees of Congress' means--
(1) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
of the Senate; and
(2) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the
House of Representatives.
------
PART II--GENERAL BENEFITS
Chapter 17--Hospital, Nursing Home, Domiciliary, and Medical Care
Subchapter II--Hospital, Nursing Home, or Domiciliary Care and Medical
Treatment
Sec. 1710. Eligibility for hospital, nursing home, and domiciliary care
(a)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(g)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(3) This subsection does not apply [with respect to home
health services] with respect to the following:
(A) Home health services under section 1717 of this
title to the extent that such services are for
improvements and structural alterations.
(B) Education on the use of opioid antagonists to
reverse the effects of overdoses of specific
medications or substances.
------
Subchapter III--Miscellaneous Provisions Relating to Hospital and
Nursing Home Care and Medical Treatment of Veterans
Sec. 1722A. Copayment for medications
(a)(1) * * *
(3) Paragraph (1) does not apply--
(A)* * *
* * * * * * *
(C) to a veteran whose annual income (as determined
under section 1503 of this title) does not exceed the
maximum annual rate of pension which would be payable
to such veteran if such veteran were eligible for
pension under section 1521 of this title.
(4) Paragraph (1) does not apply to opioid antagonists
furnished under this chapter to a veteran who is at high risk
for overdose of a specific medication or substance in order to
reverse the effect of such an overdose.
------
PART IV--GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Chapter 57--Records and Investigations
Subchapter I--Records
Sec. 5701. Confidential nature of claims
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(l) Under regulations the Secretary shall prescribe, the
Secretary [may] shall disclose information about a veteran or
the dependent of a veteran to a State controlled substance
monitoring program, including a program approved by the
Secretary of Health and Human Services under section 399O of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 280g-3), to the extent
necessary to prevent misuse and diversion of prescription
medicines.
------
VETERANS' MENTAL HEALTH AND OTHER CARE IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2008, PUBLIC
LAW 110-387
TITLE IV
HEALTH CARE MATTERS
* * * * * * *
SEC. 403. PILOT PROGRAM OF ENHANCED CONTRACT CARE AUTHORITY FOR HEALTH
CARE NEEDS OF VETERANS IN HIGHLY RURAL AREAS.
(a) Pilot Program Required.--
(1) In general.--* * *
* * * * * * *
[(3) Termination.--A veteran may receive health
services under the pilot program only during the three-
year period beginning on the date of the commencement
of the pilot program under paragraph (2).]
(3) Duration.--A veteran may receive health
services under this section during the period beginning
on the date specified in paragraph (2) and ending on
September 30, 2018.
------
CONSOLIDATED APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016,
PUBLIC LAW 114-113
DIVISION J--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED
AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2016
* * * * * * *
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
* * * * * * *
[(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Sec. 223. Of the amounts appropriated to the Department of
Veterans Affairs which become available on October 1, 2016, for
``Medical Services'', ``Medical Support and Compliance'', and
``Medical Facilities'', up to $265,675,000, plus
reimbursements, may be transferred to the Joint Department of
Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility
Demonstration Fund, established by section 1704 of the National
Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-
84; 123 Stat. 3571) and may be used for operation of the
facilities designated as combined Federal medical facilities as
described by section 706 of the Duncan Hunter National Defense
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417; 122
Stat. 4500): Provided, That additional funds may be transferred
from accounts designated in this section to the Joint
Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Facility Demonstration Fund upon written notification by the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress.] Repealed.
------
BUDGETARY IMPACT OF BILL
PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE PURSUANT TO SEC. 308(a), PUBLIC LAW 93-344, AS
AMENDED
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget authority Outlays
-------------------------------------------------------
Committee Amount in Committee Amount in
allocation bill allocation bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the subcommittee
allocation for 2017: Subcommittee on Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies:
Mandatory........................................... 101,868 101,868 101,470 \1\101,470
Discretionary....................................... 83,030 83,030 83,151 \1\83,141
Security........................................ 7,930 7,930 NA NA
Nonsecurity..................................... 75,100 75,100 NA NA
Projections of outlays associated with the
recommendation:
2017................................................ ............ ............ ............ \2\109,898
2018................................................ ............ ............ ............ 5,246
2019................................................ ............ ............ ............ 3,686
2020................................................ ............ ............ ............ 2,260
2021 and future years............................... ............ ............ ............ 1,469
Financial assistance to State and local governments forP NA 201 NA \2\37
2017...................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
NA: Not applicable.
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION PROJECT LISTING BY LOCATION
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
Installation and project Budget Committee compared to
estimate recommendation budget
estimate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALASKA
ARMY:
FORT WAINWRIGHT:
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE HANGAR.......................... 47,000 47,000 ..............
AIR FORCE:
CLEAR AFS:
FIRE STATION............................................ 20,000 20,000 ..............
EIELSON AFB:
F-35A ADAL FIELD TRAINING DETACHMENT FAC................ 22,100 22,100 ..............
F-35A AIRCRAFT WEATHER SHELTER (SQD 2).................. 82,300 82,300 ..............
F-35A AIRCRAFT WEATHER SHELTERS (SQD 1)................. 79,500 79,500 ..............
F-35A EARTH COVERED MAGAZINES........................... 11,300 11,300 ..............
F-35A HANGAR/PROPULSION MX/DISPATCH..................... 44,900 44,900 ..............
F-35A HANGAR/SQUAD OPS/AMU SQ #2........................ 42,700 42,700 ..............
F-35A MISSILE MAINTENANCE FACILITY...................... 12,800 12,800 ..............
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON:
ADD/ALTER AWACS ALERT HANGAR............................ 29,000 29,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CLEAR AFS:
LONG RANGE DISCRIM RADAR SYS COMPLEX PH1................ 155,000 155,000 ..............
FORT GREELY:
MISSILE DEFENSE COMPLEX SWITCHGEAR FACILITY............. 9,560 9,560 ..............
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON:
CONSTRUCT TRUCK OFFLOAD FACILITY........................ 4,900 4,900 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ALASKA............................................. 561,060 561,060 ..............
ARIZONA
NAVY:
YUMA:
VMX-22 MAINTENANCE HANGAR............................... 48,355 48,355 ..............
AIR FORCE:
LUKE AFB:
F-35A SQUAD OPS/AIRCRAFT MAINT UNIT #5.................. 20,000 20,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
FORT HUACHUCA:
JITC BUILDING 52110 RENOVATION.......................... 4,493 4,493 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ARIZONA............................................ 72,848 72,848 ..............
CALIFORNIA
ARMY:
CONCORD:
ACCESS CONTROL POINT.................................... 12,600 12,600 ..............
NAVY:
CORONADO:
COASTAL CAMPUS ENTRY CONTROL POINT...................... 13,044 13,044 ..............
COASTAL CAMPUS UTILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE................. 81,104 81,104 ..............
GRACE HOPPER DATA CENTER POWER UPGRADES................. 10,353 10,353 ..............
LEMOORE:
F-35C ENGINE REPAIR FACILITY............................ 26,723 26,723 ..............
SAN DIEGO:
ENERGY SECURITY HOSPITAL MICROGRID...................... 6,183 6,183 ..............
SEAL BEACH:
MISSILE MAGAZINES....................................... 21,007 21,007 ..............
AIR FORCE:
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE:
FLIGHTLINE FIRE STATION................................. 24,000 24,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CORONADO:
SOF HUMAN PERFORMANCE TRAINING CENTER................... 15,578 15,578 ..............
SOF SEAL TEAM OPS FACILITY.............................. 47,290 47,290 ..............
SOF SEAL TEAM OPS FACILITY.............................. 47,290 47,290 ..............
SOF SPECIAL RECON TEAM ONE OPERATIONS FAC............... 20,949 20,949 ..............
SOF TRAINING DETACHMENT ONE OPS FACILITY................ 44,305 44,305 ..............
TRAVIS AFB REPLACE HYDRANT FUEL SYSTEM.................. 26,500 26,500 ..............
ARMY RESERVE:
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT:
EMERGENCY SERVICES CENTER............................... 21,500 21,500 ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE........................ .............. .............. ..............
TRANSIENT TRAINING BARRACKS............................. 19,000 19,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, CALIFORNIA......................................... 437,426 437,426 ..............
COLORADO
ARMY:
FORT CARSON:
AUTOMATED INFANTRY PLATOON BATTLE COURSE................ 8,100 8,100 ..............
UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE HANGAR.......................... 5,000 5,000 ..............
AIR FORCE:
BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE:
SMALL ARMS RANGE COMPLEX................................ 13,500 13,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, COLORADO........................................... 26,600 26,600 ..............
CONNECTICUT
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
BRADLEY IAP:
CONSTRUCT SMALL AIR TERMINAL............................ 6,300 6,300 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, CONNECTICUT........................................ 6,300 6,300 ..............
DELAWARE
AIR FORCE:
DOVER AFB:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR............................. 39,000 39,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
DOVER AFB:
WELCH ES/DOVER MS REPLACEMENT........................... 44,115 44,115 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, DELAWARE........................................... 83,115 83,115 ..............
FLORIDA
NAVY:
EGLIN AFB:
WMD FIELD TRAINING FACILITIES........................... 20,489 20,489 ..............
AIR FORCE:
EGLIN AFB:
ADVANCED MUNITIONS TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX................... 75,000 75,000 ..............
FLIGHTLINE FIRE STATION................................. 13,600 13,600 ..............
PATRICK AFB
FIRE/CRASH RESCUE STATION............................... 13,500 13,500 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
PATRICK AFB:
REPLACE FUEL TANKS...................................... 10,100 10,100 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
JACKSONVILLE IAP:
REPLACE FIRE CRASH/RESCUE STATION....................... 9,000 9,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, FLORIDA............................................ 141,689 141,689 ..............
GEORGIA
ARMY:
FORT GORDON:
CYBER PROTECTION TEAM OPS FACILITY...................... 90,000 90,000 ..............
FORT STEWART
AUTOMATED QUALIFICATION/TRAINING RANGE.................. 14,800 14,800 ..............
AIR FORCE:
MOODY AFB:
PERSONNEL RECOVERY 4-BAY HANGAR/HELO MX UNIT............ 30,900 30,900 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
FORT BENNING:
SOF TACTICAL UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE HANGAR............. 4,820 4,820 ..............
FORT GORDON
MEDICAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT.............................. 25,000 25,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, GEORGIA............................................ 165,520 165,520 ..............
HAWAII
ARMY:
FORT SHAFTER:
COMMAND AND CONTROL FACILITY, INCR 2.................... 40,000 40,000 ..............
NAVY:
BARKING SANDS:
UPGRADE POWER PLANT & ELECTRICAL DISTRIB SYS............ 43,384 43,384 ..............
KANEOHE BAY
REGIMENTAL CONSOLIDATED COMM/ELEC FACILITY.............. 72,565 72,565 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
HILO:
COMBINED SUPPORT MAINTENANCE SHOP....................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM:
F-22 COMPOSITE REPAIR FACILITY.......................... 11,000 11,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, HAWAII............................................. 197,949 197,949 ..............
IOWA
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
DAVENPORT:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 23,000 23,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
SIOUX GATEWAY AIRPORT:
CONSTRUCT CONSOLIDATED SUPPORT FUNCTIONS................ 12,600 12,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, IOWA............................................... 35,600 35,600 ..............
KANSAS
AIR FORCE:
MCCONNELL AFB:
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER............................... 11,200 11,200 ..............
KC-46A ADAL TAXIWAY DELTA............................... 5,600 5,600 ..............
KC-46A ALTER FLIGHT SIMULATOR BLDGS..................... 3,000 3,000 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
FORT LEAVENWORTH:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 29,000 29,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, KANSAS............................................. 48,800 48,800 ..............
LOUISIANA
AIR FORCE:
BARKSDALE AFB:
CONSOLIDATED COMMUNICATION FACILITY..................... 21,000 21,000 ..............
NAVY RESERVE:
NEW ORLEANS:
JOINT RESERVE INTELLIGENCE CENTER....................... 11,207 11,207 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, LOUISIANA.......................................... 32,207 32,207 ..............
MAINE
NAVY:
KITTERY:
UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING................................... 17,773 17,773 ..............
UTILITY IMPROVEMENTS FOR NUCLEAR PLATFORMS.............. 30,119 30,119 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
KITTERY:
MEDICAL/DENTAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT....................... 27,100 27,100 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MAINE.............................................. 74,992 74,992 ..............
MARYLAND
NAVY:
PATUXENT RIVER:
CBARS RDT&E HANGAR...................................... 40,576 40,576 ..............
AIR FORCE:
JOINT BASE ANDREWS:
21 POINTS ENCLOSED FIRING RANGE......................... 13,000 13,000 ..............
PAR RELOCATE JADOC SATELLITE SITE....................... 3,500 3,500 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL:
MEDCEN ADDITION/ALTERATION INCR 1....................... 50,000 50,000 ..............
FORT MEADE
ACCESS CONTROL FACILITY................................. 21,000 21,000 ..............
NSAW CAMPUS FEEDERS PHASE 3............................. 17,000 17,000 ..............
NSAW RECAPITALIZE BUILDING #2 INCR 2.................... 195,000 195,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MARYLAND........................................... 340,076 340,076 ..............
MASSACHUSETTS
AIR FORCE:
HANSCOM AFB:
SYSTEM MANAGEMENT ENGINEERING FACILITY.................. 20,000 20,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MASSACHUSETTS...................................... 20,000 20,000 ..............
MINNESOTA
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
DULUTH IAP:
LOAD CREW TRAINING/WEAPON SHOPS......................... 7,600 7,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MINNESOTA.......................................... 7,600 7,600 ..............
MISSOURI
DEFENSE-WIDE:
ST LOUIS:
LAND ACQUISITION-NEXT NGA WEST (N2W) CAMPUS............. 801 801 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MISSOURI........................................... 801 801 ..............
MONTANA
AIR FORCE:
MALMSTROM AFB:
MISSILE MAINTENANCE FACILITY............................ 14,600 14,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MONTANA............................................ 14,600 14,600 ..............
NEVADA
NAVY:
FALLON:
AIR WING SIMULATOR FACILITY............................. 13,523 13,523 ..............
AIR FORCE:
NELLIS AFB:
F-35A POL FILL STAND ADDITION........................... 10,600 10,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NEVADA............................................. 24,123 24,123 ..............
NEW HAMPSHIRE
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
HOOKSETT:
NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SHOP................. 11,000 11,000 ..............
ROCHESTER
NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SHOP................. 8,900 8,900 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
PEASE INTERNATIONAL TRADE PORT:
KC-46A INSTALL FUSELAGE TRAINER BLDG 251................ 1,500 1,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NEW HAMPSHIRE...................................... 21,400 21,400 ..............
NEW MEXICO
AIR FORCE:
CANNON AFB:
NORTH FITNESS CENTER.................................... 21,000 21,000 ..............
HOLLOMAN AFB
HAZARDOUS CARGO PAD AND TAXIWAY......................... 10,600 10,600 ..............
KIRTLAND AFB
COMBAT RESCUE HELICOPTER (CRH) SIMULATOR................ 7,300 7,300 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NEW MEXICO......................................... 38,900 38,900 ..............
NEW YORK
NAVY RESERVE:
BROOKLYN:
ELECTRIC FEEDER DUCTBANK................................ 1,964 1,964 ..............
SYRACUSE
MARINE CORPS RESERVE CENTER............................. 13,229 13,229 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NEW YORK........................................... 15,193 15,193 ..............
NORTH CAROLINA
NAVY:
CAMP LEJEUNE:
RANGE FACILITIES SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS.................... 18,482 18,482 ..............
CHERRY POINT MARINE CORPS AIR STATION CENTRAL HEATING 12,515 12,515 ..............
PLANT CONVERSION.......................................
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CAMP LEJEUNE:
DENTAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT............................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
FORT BRAGG SOF COMBAT MEDIC TRAINING FACILITY........... 10,905 10,905 ..............
SOF PARACHUTE RIGGING FACILITY.......................... 21,420 21,420 ..............
SOF SPECIAL TACTICS FACILITY (PH3)...................... 30,670 30,670 ..............
SOF TACTICAL EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE FACILITY............. 23,598 23,598 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS IAP:
C-17 CORROSION CONTROL/FUEL CELL HANGAR................. 29,600 29,600 ..............
C-17 TYPE III HYDRANT REFUELING SYSTEM.................. 21,000 21,000 ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AFB:
KC-46A ADAL BLDG FOR AGE/FUSELAGE TRAINING.............. 5,700 5,700 ..............
KC-46A ADAL SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITIES.............. 2,250 2,250 ..............
KC-46A TWO BAY CORROSION/FUEL CELL HANGAR............... 90,000 90,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NORTH CAROLINA..................................... 297,140 297,140 ..............
OHIO
AIR FORCE:
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB:
RELOCATED ENTRY CONTROL FACILITY 26A.................... 12,600 12,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, OHIO............................................... 12,600 12,600 ..............
OKLAHOMA
AIR FORCE:
ALTUS AFB:
KC-46A FTU/FTC SIMULATOR FACILITY PH 2.................. 11,600 11,600 ..............
TINKER AFB:
KC-46A DEPOT SYSTEM INTEGRATION LABORATORY.............. 17,000 17,000 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
ARDMORE
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 22,000 22,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, OKLAHOMA........................................... 50,600 50,600 ..............
PENNSYLVANIA
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
YORK:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 9,300 9,300 ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
PITTSBURGH IAP:
C-17 ADAL FUEL HYDRANT SYSTEM........................... 22,800 22,800 ..............
C-17 CONST/OVERLAYTAXIWAY AND APRON..................... 8,200 8,200 ..............
C-17 CONSTRUCT TWO BAY CORROSION/FUEL HANGAR............ 54,000 54,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, PENNSYLVANIA....................................... 94,300 94,300 ..............
RHODE ISLAND
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
EAST GREENWICH:
NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE CENTER BUILDING (JFHQ)........... 20,000 20,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, RHODE ISLAND....................................... 20,000 20,000 ..............
SOUTH CAROLINA
NAVY:
BEAUFORT:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR............................. 83,490 83,490 ..............
PARRIS ISLAND:
RECRUIT RECONDITIONING CENTER & BARRACKS................ 29,882 29,882 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON:
CONSTRUCT HYDRANT FUEL SYSTEM........................... 17,000 17,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
MCENTIRE ANGS:
REPLACE OPERATIONS AND TRAINING FACILITY................ 8,400 8,400 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, SOUTH CAROLINA..................................... 138,772 138,772 ..............
TEXAS
ARMY:
FORT HOOD:
AUTOMATED INFANTRY PLATOON BATTLE COURSE................ 7,600 7,600 ..............
AIR FORCE:
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO:
BMT RECRUIT DORMITORY 6................................. 67,300 67,300 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
RED RIVER ARMY DEPOT:
CONSTRUCT WAREHOUSE & OPEN STORAGE...................... 44,700 44,700 ..............
SHEPPARD AFB:
MEDICAL/DENTAL CLINIC REPLACEMENT....................... 91,910 91,910 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
ELLINGTON FIELD:
CONSOLIDATE CREW READINESS FACILITY..................... 4,500 4,500 ..............
NAVY RESERVE:
GALVESTON:
RESERVE CENTER ANNEX.................................... 8,414 8,414 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, TEXAS.............................................. 224,424 224,424 ..............
UTAH
ARMY:
CAMP WILLIAMS:
LIVE FIRE EXERCISE SHOOTHOUSE........................... 7,400 7,400 ..............
AIR FORCE:
HILL AFB:
649 MUNS MUNITIONS STORAGE MAGAZINES.................... 6,600 6,600 ..............
649 MUNS PRECISION GUIDED MISSILE MX FACILITY........... 8,700 8,700 ..............
649 MUNS STAMP/MAINT & INSPECTION FACILITY.............. 12,000 12,000 ..............
COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT ANTENNA CALIBRATION FAC.............. 7,100 7,100 ..............
F-35A MUNITIONS MAINTENANCE COMPLEX..................... 10,100 10,100 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
CAMP WILLIAMS:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 37,000 37,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, UTAH............................................... 88,900 88,900 ..............
VERMONT
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
BURLINGTON IAP:
F-35 BEDDOWN 4-BAY FLIGHT SIMULATOR..................... 4,500 4,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, VERMONT............................................ 4,500 4,500 ..............
VIRGINIA
ARMY:
FORT BELVOIR:
SECURE ADMIN/OPERATIONS FACILITY, INCR 2................ 64,000 64,000 ..............
AIR FORCE:
JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS:
AIR FORCE TARGETING CENTER.............................. 45,000 45,000 ..............
FUEL SYSTEM MAINTENANCE DOCK............................ 14,200 14,200 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
PENTAGON:
PENTAGON METRO ENTRANCE FACILITY........................ 12,111 .............. -12,111
UPGRADE IT FACILITIES INFRASTRUCTURE-RRMC............... 8,105 8,105 ..............
ARMY RESERVE:
DUBLIN:
ORGANIZATIONAL MAINTENANCE SHOP/AMSA.................... 6,000 6,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, VIRGINIA........................................... 149,416 137,305 -12,111
WASHINGTON
NAVY:
BANGOR:
SERVICE PIER ELECTRICAL UPGRADES........................ 18,939 18,939 ..............
SUBMARINE REFIT MAINT SUPPORT FACILITY.................. 21,476 21,476 ..............
BREMERTON:
NUCLEAR REPAIR FACILITY................................. 6,704 6,704 ..............
WHIDBEY ISLAND:
EA-18G MAINTENANCE HANGAR............................... 45,501 45,501 ..............
TRITON MISSION CONTROL FACILITY......................... 30,475 30,475 ..............
AIR FORCE:
FAIRCHILD AFB:
PIPELINE DORM, USAF SERE SCHOOL (150 RM)................ 27,000 27,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WASHINGTON......................................... 150,095 150,095 ..............
WISCONSIN
ARMY RESERVE:
FORT MCCOY:
AT/MOB DINING FACILITY.................................. 11,400 11,400 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WISCONSIN.......................................... 11,400 11,400 ..............
WYOMING
AIR FORCE:
F. E. WARREN AFB:
MISSILE TRANSFER FACILITY BLDG 4331..................... 5,550 5,550 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
LARAMIE:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 21,000 21,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WYOMING............................................ 26,550 26,550 ..............
AUSTRALIA
AIR FORCE:
DARWIN:
APR--AIRCRAFT MX SUPPORT FACILITY....................... 1,800 1,800 ..............
APR--EXPAND PARKING APRON............................... 28,600 28,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, AUSTRALIA.......................................... 30,400 30,400 ..............
BULGARIA
AIR FORCE:
GRAF IGNATIEVO:
SQUADRON OPERATIONS/OPERATION ALERT FACILITY............ .............. 3,800 +3,800
FIGHTER RAMP EXTENSION.................................. .............. 7,000 +7,000
UPGRADE MUNITIONS STORAGE............................... .............. 2,600 +2,600
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, BULGARIA........................................... .............. 13,400 +13,400
CUBA
ARMY:
GUANTANAMO BAY:
MASS MIGRATION COMPLEX.................................. 33,000 33,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, CUBA............................................... 33,000 33,000 ..............
DIEGO GARCIA
DEFENSE-WIDE:
DIEGO GARCIA:
IMPROVE WHARF REFUELING CAPABILITY...................... 30,000 30,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, DIEGO GARCIA....................................... 30,000 30,000 ..............
DJIBOUTI
NAVY:
CAMP LEMONNIER:
MEDICAL/DENTAL FACILITY................................. .............. 37,409 +37,409
AIR FORCE:
CHABELLEY AIRFIELD:
ACCESS ROAD............................................. .............. 3,600 +3,600
PARKING APRON AND TAXIWAY............................... .............. 6,900 +6,900
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, DJIBOUTI........................................... .............. 47,909 +47,909
ESTONIA
AIR FORCE:
AMARI AB:
BULK FUEL STORAGE....................................... .............. 6,500 +6,500
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ESTONIA............................................ .............. 6,500 +6,500
GERMANY
ARMY:
EAST CAMP GRAFENWOEHR:
TRAINING SUPPORT CENTER................................. 22,000 22,000 ..............
GARMISCH:
DINING FACILITY......................................... 9,600 9,600 ..............
WIESBADEN ARMY AIRFIELD:
CONTROLLED HUMIDITY WAREHOUSE........................... 16,500 16,500 ..............
HAZARDOUS MATERIAL STORAGE BUILDING..................... 2,700 2,700 ..............
AIR FORCE:
RAMSTEIN AB:
37 AS SQUADRON OPERATIONS/AIRCRAFT MAINT UNIT........... 13,437 13,437 ..............
SPANGDAHLEM AB:
EIC--SITE DEVELOPMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE................ 43,465 43,465 ..............
HIGH CAPACITY TRIM PAD AND HUSH HOUSE................... .............. 1,000 +1,000
F/A-22 LOW OBSERVABLE/COMPOSITE REPAIR FACILITY......... .............. 12,000 +12,000
F/A-22 UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE/COMMUNICATIONS/UTILITIES.. .............. 1,600 +1,600
UPGRADE HARDENED AIRCRAFT SHELTERS FOR F/A-22........... .............. 2,700 +2,700
UPGRADE MUNITION STORAGE DOORS.......................... .............. 1,400 +1,400
DEFENSE-WIDE:
KAISERLAUTERN AB:
SEMBACH ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL REPLACEMENT............ 45,221 45,221 ..............
RHINE ORDNANCE BARRACKS:
MEDICAL CENTER REPLACEMENT INCR 6....................... 58,063 58,063 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, GERMANY............................................ 210,986 229,686 +18,700
GUAM
NAVY:
JOINT REGION MARIANAS:
HARDENING OF GUAM POL INFRASTRUCTURE.................... 26,975 26,975 ..............
POWER UPGRADE--HARMON................................... 62,210 62,210 ..............
AIR FORCE:
JOINT REGION MARIANAS:
APR--MUNITIONS STORAGE IGLOOS, PH 2..................... 35,300 35,300 ..............
APR--SATCOM C4I FACILITY................................ 14,200 14,200 ..............
BLOCK 40 MAINTENANCE HANGAR............................. 31,158 31,158 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, GUAM............................................... 169,843 169,843 ..............
ICELAND
NAVY:
KEFLAVIK:
P-8A AIRCRAFT RINSE FACILITY............................ .............. 5,000 +5,000
P-8A HANGAR UPGRADE..................................... .............. 14,600 +14,600
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ICELAND............................................ .............. 19,600 +19,600
JAPAN
NAVY:
KADENA AB:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE COMPLEX............................ 26,489 26,489 ..............
SASEBO:
SHORE POWER (JULIET PIER)............................... 16,420 16,420 ..............
AIR FORCE:
KADENA AB:
APR--REPLACE MUNITIONS STRUCTURES....................... 19,815 19,815 ..............
YOKOTA AB:
C-130J CORROSION CONTROL HANGAR......................... 23,777 23,777 ..............
CONSTRUCT COMBAT ARMS TRAINING & MAINT FAC.............. 8,243 8,243 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
IWAKUNI:
CONSTRUCT TRUCK OFFLOAD & LOADING FACILITIES............ 6,664 6,664 ..............
KADENA AB:
KADENA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL REPLACEMENT.................... 84,918 84,918 ..............
MEDICAL MATERIEL WAREHOUSE.............................. 20,881 20,881 ..............
SOF MAINTENANCE HANGAR.................................. 42,823 42,823 ..............
SOF SIMULATOR FACILITY (MC-130)......................... 12,602 12,602 ..............
YOKOTA AB:
AIRFIELD APRON.......................................... 41,294 41,294 ..............
HANGAR/AMU.............................................. 39,466 39,466 ..............
OPERATIONS AND WAREHOUSE FACILITIES..................... 26,710 26,710 ..............
SIMULATOR FACILITY...................................... 6,261 6,261 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, JAPAN.............................................. 376,363 376,363 ..............
KWAJALEIN
DEFENSE-WIDE:
KWAJALEIN ATOLL:
REPLACE FUEL STORAGE TANKS.............................. 85,500 85,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, KWAJALEIN.......................................... 85,500 85,500 ..............
LITHUANIA
AIR FORCE:
SIAULIAI:
MUNITIONS STORAGE....................................... .............. 3,000 +3,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, LITHUANIA.......................................... .............. 3,000 +3,000
MARIANA ISLANDS
AIR FORCE:
UNSPECIFIED LOCATION:
APR--LAND ACQUISITION................................... 9,000 9,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MARIANA ISLANDS.................................... 9,000 9,000 ..............
POLAND
AIR FORCE:
LASK AIR BASE:
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ .............. 4,100 +4,100
POWIDZ:
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ .............. 4,100 +4,100
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, POLAND............................................. .............. 8,200 +8,200
ROMANIA
AIR FORCE:
CAMP TURZII:
MUNITIONS STORAGE AREA.................................. .............. 3,000 +3,000
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ .............. 3,400 +3,400
TWO-BAY HANGAR.......................................... .............. 6,100 +6,100
EXTEND PARKING APRONS................................... .............. 6,000 +6,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ROMANIA............................................ .............. 18,500 +18,500
SPAIN
NAVY:
ROTA:
COMMUNICATION STATION................................... 23,607 23,607 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, SPAIN.............................................. 23,607 23,607 ..............
TURKEY
AIR FORCE:
INCIRLIK AB:
AIRFIELD FIRE/CRASH RESCUE STATION...................... 13,449 13,449 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, TURKEY............................................. 13,449 13,449 ..............
UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
AIR FORCE:
AL DHAFRA:
LARGE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR....................... 35,400 35,400 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES............................... 35,400 35,400 ..............
UNITED KINGDOM
AIR FORCE:
CROUGHTON RAF:
JIAC CONSOLIDATION--PH 3................................ 53,082 53,082 ..............
MAIN GATE COMPLEX....................................... 16,500 16,500 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CROUGHTON RAF:
CROUGHTON ELEM/MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL REPLACEMENT........... 71,424 71,424 ..............
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH:
CONSTRUCT HYDRANT FUEL SYSTEM........................... 13,500 13,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, UNITED KINGDOM..................................... 154,506 154,506 ..............
WAKE ISLAND
DEFENSE-WIDE:
WAKE ISLAND:
TEST SUPPORT FACILITY................................... 11,670 11,670 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WAKE ISLAND........................................ 11,670 11,670 ..............
VARIOUS WORLDWIDE LOCATIONS
NAVY:
TRITON FORWARD OPERATING BASE HANGAR........................ 41,380 41,380 ..............
NATO SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM........................ 177,932 177,932 ..............
WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED
ARMY:
HOST NATION SUPPORT......................................... 18,000 18,000 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 25,000 35,000 +10,000
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 80,159 99,059 +18,900
NAVY:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 88,230 91,030 +2,800
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 29,790 29,790 ..............
AIR FORCE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 84,862 94,802 +9,940
PLANNING AND DESIGN--ANDREWS AFB............................ 18,720 18,720 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN--HANSCOM AFB............................ 40,000 40,000 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 30,000 40,000 +10,000
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CONTINGENCY CONSTRUCTION.................................... 10,000 .............. -10,000
ENERGY CONSERVATION INVESTMENT PROGRAM...................... 150,000 150,000 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN:
DEFENSE WIDE............................................ 23,450 23,450 ..............
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPENDENT EDUCATION............... 23,585 23,585 ..............
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY................................ 27,660 27,660 ..............
MDA..................................................... .............. .............. ..............
NATIONAL GEOSPATIAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY................. 71,647 71,647 ..............
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY................................ 24,000 24,000 ..............
SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND.............................. 27,653 27,653 ..............
WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICE......................... 3,427 3,427 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, PLANNING AND DESIGN............................. 201,422 201,422 ..............
UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION:
DEFENSE-WIDE................................................ 3,000 3,000 ..............
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPENDENT EDUCTION.................... 3,000 3,000 ..............
DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY....................................... 8,500 8,500 ..............
JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF....................................... 8,631 13,631 +5,000
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY...................................... 2,414 2,414 ..............
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY.................................... 3,913 3,913 ..............
SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND.................................. 5,994 5,994 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION.................. 35,452 40,452 +5,000
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 8,729 8,729 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 12,001 12,001 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 10,462 10,462 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 17,495 17,495 ..............
ARMY RESERVE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 7,500 7,500 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 2,830 2,830 ..............
NAVY RESERVE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 3,783 3,783 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... .............. .............. ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 4,500 4,500 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 1,500 1,500 ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY
KOREA:
CAMP WALKER (DAEGU):
FAMILY HOUSING NEW CONSTRUCTION (90 UNITS).............. 54,554 54,554 ..............
CAMP HUMPHRIES:
FAMILY HOUSING NEW CONSTRUCTION (216 UNITS)............. 143,563 143,563 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN............................................. 2,618 2,618 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.................................... 200,735 200,735 ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT........................................... 55,428 55,428 ..............
SERVICES ACCOUNT............................................ 7,993 7,993 ..............
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......................................... 40,344 40,344 ..............
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....................................... 400 400 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......................................... 10,178 10,178 ..............
LEASING..................................................... 131,761 131,761 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY................................ 60,745 60,745 ..............
PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS................................. 19,146 19,146 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE....................... 325,995 325,995 ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
GUAM:
NSA ANDERSON:
REPLACEMENT HOUSING PHASE I............................. 78,815 78,815 ..............
JAPAN:
IWAKUNI:
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (36 UNITS).................... 11,047 11,047 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN............................................. 4,149 4,149 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.................................... 94,011 94,011 ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT........................................... 56,685 56,685 ..............
SERVICES ACCOUNT............................................ 12,855 12,855 ..............
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......................................... 51,291 51,291 ..............
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....................................... 364 364 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......................................... 17,457 17,457 ..............
LEASING..................................................... 54,689 54,689 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY................................ 81,254 81,254 ..............
PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS................................. 26,320 26,320 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE....................... 300,915 300,915 ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE
JAPAN:
KADENA (CAMP FOSTER):
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (NORTH TOWERS)................ 52,307 52,307 ..............
KADENA:
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (KADENA HEIGHTS).............. 4,179 4,179 ..............
SPAIN:
MORON AB:
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (UNITS 650 AND 658)........... 498 498 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN............................................. 4,368 4,368 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.................................... 61,352 61,352 ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT........................................... 37,241 37,241 ..............
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......................................... 42,919 42,919 ..............
SERVICES ACCOUNT............................................ 13,026 13,026 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......................................... 31,690 31,690 ..............
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....................................... 1,745 1,745 ..............
LEASING..................................................... 20,530 20,530 ..............
MAINTENANCE................................................. 85,469 85,469 ..............
PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS................................. 41,809 41,809 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE....................... 274,429 274,429 ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY:
UTILITIES............................................... 367 367 ..............
FURNISHING.............................................. 399 399 ..............
LEASING................................................. 11,044 11,044 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY............................ 800 800 ..............
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY:
UTILITIES............................................... 4,100 4,100 ..............
FURNISHINGS............................................. 500 500 ..............
LEASING................................................. 40,984 40,984 ..............
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY:
UTILITIES............................................... 174 174 ..............
FURNISHINGS............................................. 20 20 ..............
SERVICES................................................ 32 32 ..............
MANAGEMENT.............................................. 388 388 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY............................ 349 349 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE....................... 59,157 59,157 ..............
DOD FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND............................. 3,258 3,258 ..............
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT...................... 205,237 205,237 ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY..................................... .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS.................... .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE................................ .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD...................... .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD....................... .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE............................. .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE........................ .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (SEC. 125).......................... .............. 40,500 +40,500
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS (SEC. 125)......... .............. 143,000 +143,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE (SECTION 125.)................. .............. 195,465 +195,465
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE (SEC. 125).................. .............. 64,364 +64,364
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (SEC. 125)........... .............. 16,500 +16,500
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD (SEC. 125)............ .............. 11,000 +11,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE (SEC.125)................... .............. 30,000 +30,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE (SEC. 125)............. .............. .............. ..............
FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (SEC. 125).................... .............. 14,400 +14,400
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL.................................................. .............. 515,229 +515,229
RESCISSIONS FROM PRIOR YEAR UNOBLIGATED BALANCES
ARMY............................................................ .............. .............. ..............
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS........................................... .............. .............. ..............
AIR FORCE....................................................... .............. .............. ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE.................................................... .............. .............. ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
42 USC 3374 (SEC. 135).......................................... .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION)............. .............. -30,000 -30,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS (SEC. 126) .............. .............. ..............
(RESCISSION)...................................................
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION)........ .............. -22,340 -22,340
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION)..... .............. -132,283 -132,283
NATO SIP (SEC. 126) (RESCISSION)................................ .............. -15,000 -15,000
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL.................................................. .............. -199,623 -199,623
RECAP
ARMY............................................................ 503,459 532,359 +28,900
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. -30,000 -30,000
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS........................................... 1,027,763 1,087,572 +59,809
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
AIR FORCE....................................................... 1,481,058 1,579,798 +98,740
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. -22,340 -22,340
DEFENSE-WIDE.................................................... 2,056,091 2,038,980 -17,111
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. -132,283 -132,283
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD............................................. 232,930 232,930 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD.............................................. 143,957 143,957 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
ARMY RESERVE.................................................... 68,230 68,230 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
NAVY RESERVE.................................................... 38,597 38,597 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE............................................... 188,950 188,950 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
NATO SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM................................ 177,932 177,932 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. -15,000 -15,000
DOD FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND............................. 3,258 3,258 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM................................... .............. .............. ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY............................................ 526,730 526,730 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ (200,735) (200,735) ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (325,995) (325,995) ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS........................... 394,926 394,926 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ (94,011) (94,011) ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (300,915) (300,915) ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE....................................... 335,781 335,781 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ (61,352) (61,352) ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (274,429) (274,429) ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE.................................... 59,157 59,157 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ .............. .............. ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (59,157) (59,157) ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT...................... 205,237 205,237 ..............
RESCISSION.............................................. .............. .............. ..............
42 USC 3374 (Sec. 135).......................................... .............. .............. ..............
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION........................................... .............. 515,229 +515,229
===============================================
GRAND TOTAL............................................... 7,444,056 7,930,000 +485,944
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
recommendation
Budget Committee compared to
estimate recommendation budget
estimate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED
NAVY:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 1,000 .............. -1,000
AIR FORCE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 940 .............. -940
DJIBOUTI
NAVY:
CAMP LEMONIER:
MEDICAL/DENTAL FACILITY................................. 37,409 .............. -37,409
AIR FORCE:
CHABELLEY AIRFIELD:
ACCESS ROAD............................................. 3,600 .............. -3,600
PARKING APRON AND TAXIWAY............................... 6,900 .............. -6,900
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS.................... 49,849 .............. -49,849
NAVY.................................................. 38,409 .............. -38,409
AIR FORCE............................................. 11,440 .............. -11,440
===============================================
EUROPEAN REASSURANCE INITIATIVE
BULGARIA
AIR FORCE:
GRAF IGNATIEVO:
SQUADRON OPERATIONS/OPERATION ALERT FACILITY............ 3,800 .............. -3,800
FIGHTER RAMP EXTENSION.................................. 7,000 .............. -7,000
UPGRADE MUNITIONS STORAGE............................... 2,600 .............. -2,600
ESTONIA
AIR FORCE:
AMARI AB:
BULK FUEL STORAGE....................................... 6,500 .............. -6,500
GERMANY
AIR FORCE:
SPANGDAHLEM AB:
HIGH CAPACITY TRIM PAD AND HUSH HOUSE................... 1,000 .............. -1,000
F/A-22 LOW OBSERVABLE/COMPOSITE REPAIR FACILITY......... 12,000 .............. -12,000
F/A-22 UPGRADE INFRASTRUCTURE/COMMUNICATIONS/UTILITIES.. 1,600 .............. -1,600
UPGRADE HARDENED AIRCRAFT SHELTERS FOR F/A-22............... 2,700 .............. -2,700
UPGRADE MUNITION STORAGE DOORS.............................. 1,400 .............. -1,400
ICELAND
NAVY:
KEFLAVIK:
P-8A AIRCRAFT RINSE FACILITY............................ 5,000 .............. -5,000
P-8A HANGAR UPGRADE..................................... 14,600 .............. -14,600
LITHUANIA
AIR FORCE:
SIAULIAI:
MUNITIONS STORAGE....................................... 3,000 .............. -3,000
POLAND
AIR FORCE:
LASK AIR BASE:
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ 4,100 .............. -4,100
POWIDZ:
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ 4,100 .............. -4,100
ROMANIA
AIR FORCE:
CAMP TURZII:
MUNITIONS STORAGE AREA.................................. 3,000 .............. -3,000
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ 3,400 .............. -3,400
TWO-BAY HANGAR.......................................... 6,100 .............. -6,100
EXTEND PARKING APRONS................................... 6,000 .............. -6,000
WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED
ARMY:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 18,900 .............. -18,900
NAVY:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 1,800 .............. -1,800
DEFENSE-WIDE:
UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION:
THE JOINT STAFF......................................... 5,000 .............. -5,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, EUROPEAN REASSURANCE INITIATIVE.................... 113,600 .............. -113,600
ARMY.................................................. 18,900 .............. -18,900
NAVY.................................................. 21,400 .............. -21,400
AIR FORCE............................................. 68,300 .............. -68,300
DEFENSE-WIDE.......................................... 5,000 .............. -5,000
===============================================
COUNTER-TERRORISM SUPPORT
WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED
AIR FORCE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 9,000 .............. -9,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, COUNTER-TERRORISM SUPPORT.......................... 9,000 .............. -9,000
AIR FORCE............................................. 9,000 .............. -9,000
===============================================
TOTAL, FY2017 OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS............. 172,449 .............. -172,449
ARMY.................................................. 18,900 .............. -18,900
NAVY.................................................. 59,809 .............. -59,809
AIR FORCE............................................. 88,740 .............. -88,740
DEFENSE-WIDE.......................................... 5,000 .............. -5,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE.--Funding for these projects was requested in Title IV. The bill provides the requested level of funding
for these projects in Title I.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2016 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2017
[In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation
compared with (+ or -)
Item 2016 Budget estimate Committee ---------------------------------
appropriation recommendation 2016
appropriation Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military construction, Army........................................ 663,245 503,459 532,359 -130,886 +28,900
Military construction, Navy and Marine Corps....................... 1,669,239 1,027,763 1,087,572 -581,667 +59,809
Military construction, Air Force................................... 1,389,185 1,481,058 1,579,798 +190,613 +98,740
Military construction, Defense-Wide................................ 2,242,867 2,056,091 2,038,980 -203,887 -17,111
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Active components..................................... 5,964,536 5,068,371 5,238,709 -725,827 +170,338
====================================================================================
Military construction, Army National Guard......................... 197,237 232,930 232,930 +35,693 ...............
Military construction, Air National Guard.......................... 138,738 143,957 143,957 +5,219 ...............
Military construction, Army Reserve................................ 113,595 68,230 68,230 -45,365 ...............
Military construction, Navy Reserve................................ 36,078 38,597 38,597 +2,519 ...............
Military construction, Air Force Reserve........................... 65,021 188,950 188,950 +123,929 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Reserve components.................................... 550,669 672,664 672,664 +121,995 ...............
====================================================================================
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program 135,000 177,932 177,932 +42,932 ...............
(NSIP)............................................................
Department of Defense Base Closure Account......................... 266,334 205,237 205,237 -61,097 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Military construction................................. 6,916,539 6,124,204 6,294,542 -621,997 +170,338
====================================================================================
Family housing operation and maintenance, Army..................... 375,611 325,995 325,995 -49,616 ...............
Family housing operation and maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps.... 353,036 300,915 300,915 -52,121 ...............
Family housing operation and maintenance, Air Force................ 331,232 274,429 274,429 -56,803 ...............
Family housing operation and maintenance, Defense-Wide............. 58,668 59,157 59,157 +489 ...............
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund.............. ............... 3,258 3,258 +3,258 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Family Housing operation and maintenance.............. 1,118,547 963,754 963,754 -154,793 ...............
====================================================================================
Family housing construction, Army.................................. 108,695 200,735 200,735 +92,040 ...............
Family housing construction, Navy and Marine Corps................. 16,541 94,011 94,011 +77,470 ...............
Family housing construction, Air Force............................. 160,498 61,352 61,352 -99,146 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Family Housing construction........................... 285,734 356,098 356,098 +70,364 ...............
====================================================================================
Total, Family Housing........................................ 1,404,281 1,319,852 1,319,852 -84,429 ...............
====================================================================================
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Military construction, Army (Sec. 125)............................. -86,420 ............... ............... +86,420 ...............
Defense Access Roads (Sec. 132).................................... 30,000 ............... ............... -30,000 ...............
Military construction, Defense-Wide (Sec. 127)..................... -134,000 ............... ............... +134,000 ...............
Military construction, Army (Sec. 128)............................. 34,500 ............... ............... -34,500 ...............
Military construction, Navy and Marine Corps (Sec. 129)............ 34,500 ............... ............... -34,500 ...............
Military construction, Army National Guard (Sec. 130).............. 51,300 ............... ............... -51,300 ...............
Military construction, Army Reserve (Sec. 131)..................... 34,200 ............... ............... -34,200 ...............
Military construction, Air Force (rescission)...................... -46,400 ............... ............... +46,400 ...............
Military construction, Defense-Wide (rescission)................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
42 USC 3374........................................................ -105,000 ............... ............... +105,000 ...............
Military construction, Air Force (Sec. 132)........................ 21,000 ............... ............... -21,000 ...............
Military construction, Air National Guard (Sec. 133)............... 6,100 ............... ............... -6,100 ...............
Military construction, Air Force Reserve (Sec. 135)................ 10,400 ............... ............... -10,400 ...............
Military construction, Army (Sec. 125)............................. ............... ............... 40,500 +40,500 +40,500
Military construction, Navy and Marine Corps (Sec. 125)............ ............... ............... 143,000 +143,000 +143,000
Military construction, Air Force (Sec. 125)........................ ............... ............... 195,465 +195,465 +195,465
Military construction, Defense-Wide (Sec. 125)..................... ............... ............... 64,364 +64,364 +64,364
Military construction, Army National Guard (Sec. 125).............. ............... ............... 16,500 +16,500 +16,500
Military construction, Air National Guard (Sec. 125)............... ............... ............... 11,000 +11,000 +11,000
Military construction, Army Reserve (Sec. 125)..................... ............... ............... 30,000 +30,000 +30,000
Family Housing construction , Army (Sec. 125)...................... ............... ............... 14,400 +14,400 +14,400
Military construction, Army (Sec. 126) (rescission)................ ............... ............... -30,000 -30,000 -30,000
Military construction, Air Force (Sec. 126) (rescission)........... ............... ............... -22,340 -22,340 -22,340
Military construction, Defense-Wide (Sec. 126) (rescission)........ ............... ............... -132,283 -132,283 -132,283
NATO SIP (Sec. 126) (rescission)................................... ............... ............... -15,000 -15,000 -15,000
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Total, Administrative Provisions............................. -149,820 ............... 315,606 +465,426 +315,606
Appropriations............................................. (222,000) ............... (515,229) (+293,229) (+515,229)
Rescissions................................................ (-371,820) ............... (-199,623) (+172,197) (-199,623)
====================================================================================
Total, title I, Department of Defense........................ 8,171,000 7,444,056 7,930,000 -241,000 +485,944
Appropriations............................................. (8,542,820) (7,444,056) (8,129,623) (-413,197) (+685,567)
Rescissions................................................ (-371,820) ............... (-199,623) (+172,197) (-199,623)
====================================================================================
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Benefits Administration
Compensation and pensions:
Advance from prior year........................................ ............... (86,083,128) (86,083,128) (+86,083,128) ...............
Current year request........................................... 76,865,545 ............... ............... -76,865,545 ...............
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Subtotal, current year....................................... 76,865,545 86,083,128 86,083,128 +9,217,583 ...............
Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018........................ 86,083,128 90,119,449 90,119,449 +4,036,321 ...............
Readjustment benefits:
Advance from prior year........................................ ............... (16,340,828) (16,340,828) (+16,340,828) ...............
Current year request........................................... 14,313,357 ............... ............... -14,313,357 ...............
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Subtotal..................................................... 14,313,357 16,340,828 16,340,828 +2,027,471 ...............
Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018........................ 16,340,828 13,708,648 13,708,648 -2,632,180 ...............
Veterans insurance and indemnities:
Advance from prior year........................................ ............... (91,920) (91,920) (+91,920) ...............
Current year request........................................... 77,160 16,605 16,605 -60,555 ...............
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Subtotal..................................................... 77,160 108,525 108,525 +31,365 ...............
Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018........................ 91,920 107,899 107,899 +15,979 ...............
Veterans housing benefit program fund:
(Limitation on direct loans)................................... (500) (500) (500) ............... ...............
Administrative expenses........................................ 164,558 198,856 198,856 +34,298 ...............
Vocational rehabilitation loans program account.................... 31 36 36 +5 ...............
(Limitation on direct loans)................................... (2,952) (2,517) (2,517) (-435) ...............
Administrative expenses........................................ 367 389 389 +22 ...............
Native American veteran housing loan program account............... 1,134 1,163 1,163 +29 ...............
General operating expenses, VBA.................................... 2,707,734 2,826,160 2,856,160 +148,426 +30,000
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Total, Veterans Benefits Administration...................... 196,645,762 106,979,205 107,009,205 -89,636,557 +30,000
Appropriations........................................... (94,129,886) (3,043,209) (3,073,209) (-91,056,677) (+30,000)
Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2018................. (102,515,876) (103,935,996) (103,935,996) (+1,420,120) ...............
Advances from prior year appropriations.................. ............... (102,515,876) (102,515,876) (+102,515,876) ...............
====================================================================================
Veterans Health Administration
Medical services:
Advance from prior year........................................ (47,603,202) (51,673,000) (51,673,000) (+4,069,798) ...............
Current year request........................................... 2,369,158 1,078,993 1,078,993 -1,290,165 ...............
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Subtotal..................................................... 49,972,360 52,751,993 52,751,993 +2,779,633 ...............
Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018........................ 51,673,000 44,886,554 44,886,554 -6,786,446 ...............
Medical community care:
Advance from prior year........................................ ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Current year request........................................... ............... ............... 7,246,181 +7,246,181 +7,246,181
Transfer from medical care accounts............................ ............... (7,246,181) ............... ............... (-7,246,181)
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Subtotal..................................................... ............... 7,246,181 7,246,181 +7,246,181 ...............
Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018........................ ............... 9,409,118 9,409,118 +9,409,118 ...............
Medical support and compliance:
Advance from prior year........................................ (6,144,000) (6,524,000) (6,524,000) (+380,000) ...............
Current year request........................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
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Subtotal..................................................... 6,144,000 6,524,000 6,524,000 +380,000 ...............
Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018........................ 6,524,000 6,654,480 6,654,480 +130,480 ...............
Medical facilities:
Advance from prior year........................................ (4,915,000) (5,074,000) (5,074,000) (+159,000) ...............
Current year request........................................... 105,132 649,000 495,100 +389,968 -153,900
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Subtotal..................................................... 5,020,132 5,723,000 5,569,100 +548,968 -153,900
Advance appropriation, fiscal year 2018........................ 5,074,000 5,434,880 5,434,880 +360,880 ...............
Medical and prosthetic research.................................... 630,735 663,366 675,366 +44,631 +12,000
Medical care cost recovery collections:
Offsetting collections......................................... -2,445,000 -2,637,000 -2,637,000 -192,000 ...............
Appropriations (indefinite).................................... 2,445,000 2,637,000 2,637,000 +192,000 ...............
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Subtotal..................................................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
DOD-VA Joint Medical Funds (by transfer)........................... (286,000) (274,731) (274,731) (-11,269) ...............
DOD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund (by transfer)............ (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ............... ...............
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Total, Veterans Health Administration........................ 66,376,025 68,776,391 75,880,672 +9,504,647 +7,104,281
Appropriations........................................... (3,105,025) (2,391,359) (9,495,640) (+6,390,615) (+7,104,281)
(By transfer)............................................ (301,000) (7,535,912) (289,731) (-11,269) (-7,246,181)
Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2018................. (63,271,000) (66,385,032) (66,385,032) (+3,114,032) ...............
Advances from prior year appropriations...................... (58,662,202) (63,271,000) (63,271,000) (+4,608,798) ...............
====================================================================================
National Cemetery Administration
National Cemetery Administration................................... 271,220 286,193 286,193 +14,973 ...............
Departmental Administration
General administration............................................. 336,659 417,959 417,959 +81,300 ...............
Board of Veterans Appeals.......................................... 109,884 156,096 156,096 +46,212 ...............
Information technology systems..................................... 4,133,363 4,278,259 4,278,259 +144,896 ...............
Office of Inspector General........................................ 136,766 160,106 160,106 +23,340 ...............
Construction, major projects....................................... 1,243,800 528,110 528,110 -715,690 ...............
Construction, minor projects....................................... 406,200 372,069 372,069 -34,131 ...............
Grants for construction of State extended care facilities.......... 120,000 80,000 90,000 -30,000 +10,000
Grants for the construction of veterans cemeteries................. 46,000 45,000 45,000 -1,000 ...............
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Total, Departmental Administration........................... 6,532,672 6,037,599 6,047,599 -485,073 +10,000
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Administrative Provisions
Section 226 (FY16)
Medical services................................................... 1,400,000 ............... ............... -1,400,000 ...............
(Rescission)................................................... -1,400,000 ............... ............... +1,400,000 ...............
Medical support and compliance..................................... 100,000 ............... ............... -100,000 ...............
(Rescission)................................................... -100,000 ............... ............... +100,000 ...............
Medical facilities................................................. 250,000 ............... ............... -250,000 ...............
(Rescission)................................................... -250,000 ............... ............... +250,000 ...............
Transfer authority to Medical Services............................. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
JIF (Sec. 233) (rescission)........................................ -30,000 ............... -52,000 -22,000 -52,000
Medical Services (Sec. 218) (rescission)........................... ............... ............... -7,246,181 -7,246,181 -7,246,181
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Total. Administrative Provisions............................. -30,000 ............... -7,298,181 -7,268,181 -7,298,181
====================================================================================
Total, title II.............................................. 269,795,679 182,079,388 181,925,488 -87,870,191 -153,900
Appropriations........................................... (105,788,803) (11,758,360) (18,902,641) (-86,886,162) (+7,144,281)
Rescissions.............................................. (-1,780,000) ............... (-7,298,181) (-5,518,181) (-7,298,181)
(By transfer)............................................ (301,000) (7,535,912) (289,731) (-11,269) (-7,246,181)
TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES
American Battle Monuments Commission
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 105,100 75,100 75,100 -30,000 ...............
Foreign currency fluctuations account.............................. 2,000 ............... ............... -2,000 ...............
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Total, American Battle Monuments Commission.................. 107,100 75,100 75,100 -32,000 ...............
====================================================================================
U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 32,141 30,945 30,945 -1,196 ...............
Department of Defense--Civil
Cemeterial Expenses, Army
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 79,516 70,800 70,800 -8,716 ...............
Armed Forces Retirement Home--Trust Fund
Operation and maintenance.......................................... 43,300 63,300 41,300 -2,000 -22,000
Capital program.................................................... 1,000 1,000 1,000 ............... ...............
Payment from General Fund.......................................... 20,000 ............... 22,000 +2,000 +22,000
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Total, Armed Forces Retirement Home.......................... 64,300 64,300 64,300 ............... ...............
====================================================================================
Total, title III............................................. 283,057 241,145 241,145 -41,912 ...............
====================================================================================
TITLE IV--OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
Overseas Contingency Operations
Navy............................................................... ............... 38,409 ............... ............... -38,409
Air Force.......................................................... ............... 11,440 ............... ............... -11,440
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Subtotal..................................................... ............... 49,849 ............... ............... -49,849
European Reassurance Initiative
Army............................................................... ............... 18,900 ............... ............... -18,900
Navy............................................................... ............... 21,400 ............... ............... -21,400
Air Force.......................................................... ............... 68,300 ............... ............... -68,300
Defense-Wide....................................................... ............... 5,000 ............... ............... -5,000
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Subtotal..................................................... ............... 113,600 ............... ............... -113,600
Counter Terrorism Support
Air Force.......................................................... ............... 9,000 ............... ............... -9,000
====================================================================================
Total, title IV.............................................. ............... 172,449 ............... ............... -172,449
====================================================================================
Grand total.................................................. 278,249,736 189,937,038 190,096,633 -88,153,103 +159,595
Appropriations........................................... (114,614,680) (19,443,561) (27,273,409) (-87,341,271) (+7,829,848)
Rescissions.............................................. (-2,151,820) ............... (-7,497,804) (-5,345,984) (-7,497,804)
Advance appropriations, fiscal year 2018................. (165,786,876) (170,321,028) (170,321,028) (+4,534,152) ...............
Overseas contingency operations.......................... ............... (172,449) ............... ............... (-172,449)
Advances from prior year appropriations...................... (58,662,202) (165,786,876) (165,786,876) (+107,124,674) ...............
(By transfer)................................................ (301,000) (7,535,912) (289,731) (-11,269) (-7,246,181)
(Limitation on direct loans)................................. (3,452) (3,017) (3,017) (-435) ...............
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