[Senate Report 117-35]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 114
117th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 117-35
======================================================================
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES
APPROPRIATION BILL, 2022
_______
August 4, 2021.--Ordered to be printed
Mr. Heinrich, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
REPORT
[To accompany S. 2604]
The Committee on Appropriations reports the bill (S. 2604)
making appropriations for military construction, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2022, 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.................$308,177,759,000
Amount of 2021 appropriations........................... 272,757,216,000
Amount of 2022 budget estimate.......................... 307,065,976,000
Bill as recommended to Senate compared to--
2021 appropriations................................. +35,420,543,000
2022 budget estimate................................ +1,111,783,000
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
Other Matters........................................ 7
Military Construction Overview........................... 10
Military Construction Accounts--Program Description...... 10
Military Construction, Army.............................. 10
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps............. 12
Military Construction, Air Force......................... 14
Military Construction, Defense-Wide...................... 15
Military Construction, Army National Guard............... 18
Military Construction, Air National Guard................ 20
Military Construction, Army Reserve...................... 20
Military Construction, Navy Reserve...................... 21
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve................. 21
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment
Program................................................ 21
Department of Defense Base Closure Account............... 22
Family Housing Overview.................................. 23
Family Housing Accounts--Program Description............. 23
Family Housing Construction, Army........................ 23
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army........... 23
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps....... 24
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine
Corps.................................................. 24
Family Housing Construction, Air Force................... 24
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force...... 24
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide... 24
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund.... 25
Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing
Improvement Fund....................................... 25
Administrative Provisions................................ 25
Title II:
Department of Veterans Affairs:
Items of Special Interest:
Hearings............................................. 28
Summary of Committee Recommendations................. 28
Department Overview.................................. 28
Veterans Benefits Administration......................... 28
Compensation and Pensions............................ 28
Readjustment Benefits................................ 34
Veterans Insurance and Indemnities................... 35
Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund................ 35
Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account...... 36
Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account. 36
General Operating Expenses, Veteran Benefits
Administration..................................... 37
Veterans Health Administration........................... 39
Medical Services..................................... 44
Medical Community Care............................... 58
Medical Support and Compliance....................... 60
Medical Facilities................................... 61
Medical and Prosthetic Research...................... 62
Medical Care Cost Recovery Collections................... 65
Medical Care Collection Fund............................. 65
National Cemetery Administration......................... 65
Departmental Administration.............................. 66
General Administration............................... 67
Board of Veterans Appeals............................ 68
Information Technology Systems....................... 69
Veterans Electronic Health Record.................... 72
Office of Inspector General.......................... 73
Construction, Major Projects......................... 73
Construction, Minor Projects......................... 75
Grants for Construction of State Extended Care
Facilities......................................... 76
Grants for Construction of Veterans Cemeteries....... 76
Asset and Infrastructure Review...................... 77
Administrative Provisions................................ 77
Title III:
Related Agencies:
American Battle Monuments Commission:
Salaries and Expenses................................ 82
Foreign Currency Fluctuations........................ 83
United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims:
Salaries and Expenses.................................. 83
Department of Defense--Civil: Cemeterial Expenses, Army:
Salaries and Expenses................................ 84
Construction......................................... 84
Armed Forces Retirement Home: Trust Fund................. 85
Administrative Provision................................. 85
Title IV: General Provisions..................................... 86
Program, Project, and Activity................................... 87
Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI, of the Standing Rules of
the
Senate......................................................... 87
Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules
of the Senate.................................................. 89
Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate..................................................... 89
Budgetary Impact of Bill......................................... 90
Military Construction Project Listing by Location................ 91
Disclosure of Congressionally Directed Spending Items............ 106
Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................ 109
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
$309,128,759,000 for fiscal years 2022 and 2023 for military
construction, family housing, base closure, and veterans
healthcare and benefits, including fiscal year 2023 advance
appropriations for veterans medical care and appropriated
mandatories, and related agencies. This includes
$166,715,027,000 in mandatory funding and $142,413,732,000 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 2022
request. The following table shows total budget authority
available for fiscal year 2022.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate
Budget request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New budget authority........ $39,192,786,305 $41,255,569,305
Previous advances provided 94,183,260,000 94,183,260,000
for fiscal year 2022 for
medical care...............
Previous advances provided 145,311,218,000 145,311,218,000
for fiscal year 2022 for
appropriated mandatories...
Less advances provided for 111,287,000,000 111,287,000,000
fiscal year 2023 for
medical care...............
Less advances provided for 156,586,190,000 156,586,190,000
fiscal year 2023 for
appropriated mandatories...
-------------------------------------------
Total appropriations 110,814,074,305 112,876,857,305
for fiscal year 2022.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, such as command and control centers,
airfield improvements, and ranges, to key quality-of-life
facilities, including barracks, family housing, child care
centers, schools, and hospitals.
For America's 19.5 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, as well as 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.
TITLE I
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION
HEARING
The Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies held one hearing related to the
fiscal year 2022 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 2022 budget request for military
construction and family housing totals $9,847,031,000. The
Committee recommends $11,000,000,000, which is $1,152,969,000
above the President's budget request.
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 and new facilities 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. Therefore, the Committee
has recommended incremental funding for ten projects.
OTHER MATTERS
Military Construction Funding.--The fiscal year 2022 budget
request for military construction and family housing represents
a 26 percent increase over the fiscal year 2021 request, which
is a positive step overall. However, it is also still a 12
percent decrease from the fiscal year 2020 request. At the same
time, there are several significant major construction programs
that are ongoing, or expected to be programmed in future years
for which the Department will need to account and budget, in
addition to the significant recapitalization requirements for
aging facilities. Developing modern and resilient
infrastructure requires dedicated investment strategies and the
Committee continues to provide funding above the budget request
to support the Department's requirements. The Committee
encourages the Department to build on this budget request in
future years.
Strategic Construction in the Indo-Pacific Region.--The
Committee supports efforts to execute emergent requirements and
accelerate construction investments in the Indo-Pacific Command
[INDOPACOM] region and has provided $20,000,000 above the
President's budget request over the past 2 years for this
purpose. The Committee also believes there can be a significant
return on investment for small dollar, dual use infrastructure
that supports joint and multilateral exercises and enables
power projection, particularly in the Western Pacific, and
encourages INDOPACOM to continue to align these resources
accordingly. The Committee provides $39,254,000 in planning and
design for projects in INDOPACOM that support National Defense
Strategy objectives to sustain joint force military advantages,
enable allies and partners, and deter adversaries from
aggression against our national interest, and encourages the
Department to leverage existing authorities to enable rapid
execution of emergent requirements.
Pacific Deterrence Initiative.--The Committee is
disappointed that the Department did not include any military
construction investments in direct support of the Pacific
Deterrence Initiative [PDI]. While there are projects included
in the budget request that contribute to our posture and
partnerships in the region, they were not considered to be PDI,
or budgeted accordingly, by the Department. The fiscal year
2021 National Defense Authorization Act established PDI to
counter China's growing aggression and influence and the
Committee supports meaningful investments to prioritize
military posture and basing in the Indo-Pacific. The Committee
encourages the Department to prioritize major construction in
support of this important initiative in future budget requests.
Military Installation Resilience.--The Committee continues
to support efforts to improve the resilience of military
installations and the sustainability of individual facilities,
particularly those vulnerable to extreme weather and climate
events. The Committee believes that each of the services should
prioritize and commit funding to projects that improve the
climate resilience of military installations and their
missions, and notes the need to ensure that infrastructure and
facilities remain operational against natural and manmade
threats. The Committee believes such investments are critical
to installation readiness and therefore provides $10,000,000
for planning and design and unspecified minor construction for
the Army, $15,000,000 for planning and design and unspecified
minor construction for the Air Force, and $25,000,000 for
planning and design and unspecified minor construction for the
Navy and Marine Corps to continue to develop projects, conduct
studies and analyses, and update Unified Facilities Criteria
[UFC], that will directly enhance military installation
resilience. Not later than 90 days after enactment of this act,
the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to provide a
report with respect to the status of its future years planning
program and its efforts to commit funding to projects that
improve the resilience of military installations and their
missions; and to provide a comprehensive update on the status
of the efforts by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Naval
Facilities Engineering Command to incorporate military
installation resilience best practices and criteria into master
planning institute curriculum development.
Child Development Centers [CDCs].--The Committee recognizes
the importance that access to childcare plays in improving
quality of life for servicemembers and their families. In order
to help address the significant capacity shortfall, the bill
provides $85,000,000 above the President's request for CDCs, as
identified on unfunded requirements lists submitted to
Congress. The Committee encourages the Services to prioritize
funding in future budget requests for child development centers
to improve or replace aging facilities and construct new CDCs
at underserved installations.
Next Generation Data Transport Architecture.--The Committee
is aware of the need for enhanced data transport infrastructure
to meet emerging network performance requirements for
artificial intelligence and machine learning as well as
supporting advanced manufacturing, microelectronics and quantum
engineering. Each of these disruptive technologies requires
significant additional bandwidth for increased data loads. As
DoD undertakes large scale construction efforts, such as
rebuild efforts at NAWS China Lake, Camp Lejeune, and Tyndall
AFB, and continues to assess the applications for 5G and other
data transmission innovations required for the base of the
future, the Committee urges the study and certification of next
generation data architectures and updates to the UFC and other
policies to facilitate the use of new network architectures to
allow mission owners and engineers to meet emerging data
transmission requirements.
Military Construction Funding Initiatives.--The bill
includes funding to address important unfunded priorities
included in DoD's unfunded priority lists provided to Congress.
This includes an additional $27,000,000 for the Army,
$28,000,000 for the Navy and Marine Corps, $36,100,000 for
Defense-Wide, $11,000,000 for the Army National Guard, and
$19,200,000 for the Air National Guard. All additional funding
is reserved for projects that were included in the unfunded
priority lists submitted to Congress.
Support for Lab Infrastructure Planning and Design and
Construction.--The Committee is aware that Defense laboratory
construction struggles to compete through normal military
construction planning processes, resulting in negative impacts
on the ability of the military to develop new acquisition
programs or perform cutting edge research. As threats continue
to emerge and construction costs continue to rise, outdated
range and testing facilities lack the investment needed to
deliver next generation capability to the U.S. military. For
example, these laboratories enable research for Army long-range
precision fires and Air Force electromagnetic and hypersonic
systems. The Committee recognizes the importance of DoD science
and technology laboratories and test and evaluation facilities
and notes that the Services have reported over $3,000,000,000
in related unfunded military construction requirements. As
such, the Committee provides $60,000,000 for planning and
design and unspecified minor construction as well as up to
$15,000,000 for authorized major construction projects to
address priority laboratory requirements, as appropriated in
Section 130.
Congressionally Directed Spending.--The Committee includes
Congressionally Directed Spending for planning and design,
unspecified minor construction, and major construction in
accordance with Senate Rule XLIV. DoD is directed to carry out
funding for projects as identified in tables under each
relevant account header.
Rescission.--The Committee recommends an administrative
provision rescinding prior year Defense-Wide unobligated funds
that are excess to need.
Military Construction Overview
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,252,686,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 8,423,477,000
Committee recommendation................................ 9,065,646,000
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, 2021.................................... $628,900,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 834,692,000
Committee recommendation................................ 991,762,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $991,762,000 for the Army for
fiscal year 2022. This amount is $362,862,000 above the fiscal
year 2021 enacted level and $157,070,000 above the budget
request. Within the total for Military Construction, Army,
$147,070,000 is for the following projects in the following
amounts:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alaska.................................. Fort Wainwright........... ERDC-CRREL Permafrost Tunnel 5,400
Research Facility:
Unspecified Minor
Construction.
Georgia................................. Fort Gordon............... Cyber Center of Excellence 3,670
School Headquarters and
Classrooms: Planning and
Design.
Georgia................................. Fort Stewart.............. Barracks: Planning and Design 5,000
Hawaii.................................. Fort Shafter.............. Command and Control Facility: 55,500
Cost to Complete.
Kansas.................................. Fort Leavenworth.......... Child Development Center..... 34,000
Missouri................................ Fort Leonard Wood......... Advanced Individual Training 4,000
Battalion Complex: Planning
and Design.
New Mexico.............................. White Sands Missile Range. Missile Assembly Support 1,300
Facility: Planning and
Design.
New York................................ U.S. Military Academy..... Engineering Center: Cost to 17,200
Complete.
South Carolina.......................... Fort Jackson.............. Reception Barracks Complex, 21,000
Ph 1: Cost to Complete.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
Environmental Remediation for Army Construction.--The
Department is directed to work with interagency partners to
provide a plan for addressing environmental remediation
requirements resulting from construction activities conducted
under 10 U.S.C. 2808 along the Southern Border. This plan is
directed to be provided to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress no later than 270 days after enactment
of this act. The Department is further directed to provide
quarterly update briefings to the Committees on the progress of
such environmental remediation activity.
Arsenals.--The Committee is aware that many Army arsenals
operate out of WWII era structures that have received limited
upgrades and modernization. Arsenals perform sensitive missions
that require specialized safety and security features to
protect critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of the
surrounding community. Adequate gates, access control points,
and vehicle inspection facilities are critical for force
protection and safe and orderly traffic movements. Therefore,
the Committee directs the Secretary of the Army to submit a
report within 180 days of enactment of this act on the
condition and capacity of access control points at Army
arsenals, specifically identifying arsenals that may experience
an increase in traffic and personnel because of new production
requirements within the arsenal. The report should identify
risk assessments based off current security postures, cost
assessments to reduce the security risk at access control
points, and all existing military construction projects that
enhance the security posture of arsenals.
Army Pacific Infrastructure Readiness.--The Committee
remains concerned about the risks that the Army continues to
take with respect to funding infrastructure and the degradation
these risks have on long-term readiness. The Committee has
previously supported the Army's $2,600,000,000, 30-year
initiative to improve readiness in the Pacific by addressing
critical shortfalls in aviation, operations, training, and
munitions facilities at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army
Airfield, and the Pohakuloa Training Area, in Hawaii. The
Committee is concerned that this year's budget request does not
meet the planned investment to support this initiative as
reflected in previous future years defense programs submitted
to the Congress. The Committee is also concerned that the
Department's decision not to submit a future years defense
program hampers the ability of Congress to make informed
decisions about funding military infrastructure to avoid long-
term risks to readiness. Not later than 90 days after enactment
of this act, the Secretary of the Army is directed to provide a
report on the status of the Army's $2,600,000,000, 30-year
initiative to improve readiness in the Pacific and a detailed,
five-year budget plan for funding the facilities necessary to
resolve risks to aviation, operations, training, munitions
storage, and other infrastructure requirements in the Pacific.
Utility Infrastructure.--The Committee is concerned with
utility infrastructure at Army installations. Adequate utility
infrastructure contributes to the efficiency, reliability, and
resiliency of DoD installations and directly contributes to
mission readiness. The Committee is aware that some
installations require increased capacity and resilience and
therefore provides an additional $10,000,000 for unspecified
minor construction to provide increased capacity, resilience,
and redundancy for current and emerging power and natural gas
requirements at Army installations.
Railyards.--The Committee continues to highlight its
concern that installations with major deployment missions,
including Mobilization Force Generation Installations, lack
sufficient logistics infrastructure to support rapid deployment
requirements. Installations lacking railhead connection points
for deployment and redeployment activities hinder deployment
capabilities and the Committee urges the Army to prioritize
projects and funding to address deployment infrastructure
shortfalls in its fiscal year 2023-2027 future years defense
program.
Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facilities.--The Committee
remains concerned that existing tactical equipment maintenance
facilities are not sufficient to support maintenance and
readiness operations of a modern combined arms armored
battalion. Equipment readiness relies on an effective,
comprehensive maintenance program which, in turn, enhances and
facilitates training and warfighting. This is particularly
important for units that rely on armored vehicles as their
primary weapons system. Some installations, however, have
outdated vehicle maintenance facilities that were built for
different types of equipment and unit configurations, are
severely undersized, and lack needed electrical and
communication support. The Committee urges the Army to plan and
program sufficient funding to address maintenance facility
shortfalls in its fiscal year 2023-2027 future years defense
program.
Barracks.--The Committee recognizes the critical role that
barracks serve to support the warfighter. Some installations
lack high quality barracks while others do not have enough
barracks to accommodate all soldiers. For example, Fort Riley,
the home of the 1st Infantry Division, is strategically located
within the United States and is regularly recognized as one of
our Nation's premier military communities but it lacks the
existing housing infrastructure to accommodate new soldiers.
The Committee urges the Army to prioritize the construction of
military unaccompanied housing at such installations.
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,716,144,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 2,368,352,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,452,247,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $2,452,247,000 for Navy and Marine
Corps military construction for fiscal year 2022. This amount
is $736,103,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and
$83,895,000 above the budget request. Within the total for
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps, $469,145,000 is
for the following projects in the following amounts:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Arizona................................. MCAS Yuma................. Combat Training Tank Complex. 29,300
California.............................. NB Ventura County......... Combat Vehicle Maintenance 48,700
Facility.
California.............................. NB Coronado............... CMV-22B Aircraft Maintenance 63,600
Hangar.
Hawaii.................................. MCB Hawaii................ Electrical Distribution 64,500
Modernization.
Hawaii.................................. Marine Corps Training Area Perimeter Security Fence: 6,220
Bellows. Unspecified Minor
Construction.
Maine................................... NSA Cutler................ Firehouse: Planning and 2,500
Design.
North Carolina.......................... MCAS Cherry Point......... F-35 Joint Strike Fighter 9,300
Sustainment Center: Planning
and Design.
North Carolina.......................... MCAS New River............ Maintenance Hangar: Planning 13,300
and Design.
North Carolina.......................... MCAS Cherry Point......... ATC Tower and Airfield 18,700
Operations: Cost to Complete.
North Carolina.......................... Camp Lejeune.............. Water Treatment Plant 64,200
Replacement Hadnot Point:
Cost to Complete.
Rhode Island............................ NAVSTA Newport............ Next Generation Torpedo 1,200
Integration Lab: Planning
and Design.
Rhode Island............................ NAVSTA Newport............ Submarine Payloads 1,400
Integration Laboratory:
Planning and Design.
Rhode Island............................ NAVSTA Newport............ Consolidated RDT&E Systems 1,700
Facility: Planning and
Design.
Rhode Island............................ NAVSTA Newport............ Next Generation Secure 4,000
Submarine Platform Facility:
Planning and Design.
South Carolina.......................... MCAS Beaufort............. F-35 Operational Support 4,700
Facility: Unspecified Minor
Construction.
South Carolina.......................... MCAS Beaufort............. Instrument Landing System: 3,000
Unspecified Minor
Construction.
South Carolina.......................... MCRD Parris Island........ Entry Control Facility 6,000
Improvements: Unspecified
Minor Construction.
South Carolina.......................... MCAS Beaufort............. Aircraft Maintenance Hangar.. 121,825
South Carolina.......................... MCAS Beaufort............. Recycling/Hazardous Waste 5,000
Facility: Cost to Complete.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
Naval Shipyard Modernization.--The Committee supports the
Department's Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Plan and
believes the restoration of deferred maintenance availabilities
along with the public shipyard dry dock investments recommended
by the plan are critical. The Committee urges the Secretary of
the Navy to prioritize the timely funding of public shipyard
infrastructure, and in particular, the dry dock and shore
infrastructure necessary to support critical maintenance of
surface and submarine fleets by public shipyards.
Domestic Sourcing for Shipyard Infrastructure.--The
Committee notes that the Department of the Navy is undertaking
a multi-year major military construction program to revitalize
the four public shipyards. The Committee further notes that the
Federal Acquisition Regulation [FAR], in accordance with the
Buy American statute, restricts the purchase of construction
materials that are not domestic, with limited exceptions. These
requirements preserve the robust and capable domestic
industrial base needed to support the country's national
security requirements. In carrying out this public shipyard
modernization program, the Committee urges the Navy to
domestically source construction supplies and materials as
appropriate and viable, and in accordance with the FAR.
Military Construction, Air Force
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $616,156,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 2,102,690,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,106,750,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $2,106,750,000 for the Air Force
in fiscal year 2022. This amount is $1,490,594,000 above the
fiscal year 2021 enacted level and $4,060,000 above the budget
request. Within the total for Military Construction, Air Force,
$269,060,000 is for the following projects in the following
amounts:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorado................................ U.S. Air Force Academy.... High-Bay Vehicle Maintenance: 4,360
Unspecified Minor
Construction.
Colorado................................ U.S. Air Force Academy.... New Cadet Prep School 24,726
Dormitory.
Colorado................................ Schriever AFB............. Fitness Center............... 30,000
Georgia................................. Moody AFB................. 41 RQS HH-60W Apron.......... 12,500
Hawaii.................................. Kirtland AFB Remote Maui Secure Integration Support 8,800
Experimental Site. Lab: Planning and Design.
Lousiana................................ Barksdale AFB............. Entrance Road and Gate: Cost 36,000
to Complete.
Nevada.................................. Creech AFB................ Mission Support Facility: 1,900
Planning and Design.
Nevada.................................. Creech AFB................ Warrior Fitness Training 2,200
Center: Planning and Design.
New Mexico.............................. Kirtland AFB.............. Wyoming Gate Project: Cost to 5,600
Complete.
New Mexico.............................. Kirtland AFB.............. PJ/CRO Urban Training 810
Complex: Planning and Design.
New Mexico.............................. Holloman AFB.............. Indoor Target Flip Facility: 2,340
Planning and Design.
New Mexico.............................. Kirtland AFB.............. Dedicated Facility for the 5,280
Space Rapid Capabilities
Office: Planning and Design.
New Mexico.............................. Cannon AFB................ 192-Bed Dormitory: Planning 5,568
and Design.
New Mexico.............................. Cannon AFB................ Deployment Processing Center: 5,976
Planning and Design.
New Mexico.............................. Holloman AFB.............. MQ-9 Formal Training Unit 40,000
Operations Facility.
Ohio.................................... Wright-Patterson AFB...... Child Development Center..... 24,000
South Carolina.......................... Joint Base Charleston..... Flight Line Support Facility. 29,000
South Carolina.......................... Joint Base Charleston..... Fire and Rescue Station...... 30,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
AC-130J Training Infrastructure.--The Committee supports
the stand up of an AC-130J Formal Training Unit [FTU] at
Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico as part of a relocation
from Hurlburt Field, Florida. This action allows Air Force
Special Operations Command to realign its training mission
under Air Education and Training Command and consolidate AC-130
initial mission qualification training at Kirtland. The
Committee understands that the Air Force conducted a site visit
to Kirtland Air Force Base in May 2021 to determine the
facilities needs of the FTU. The Committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a report no later than 90
days after enactment of this act outlining the timeline for
developing facilities requirements and to prioritize the
beddown infrastructure needed for the AC-130J FTU within its
military construction program.
Kirtland Microgrid Demonstration Project.--The Committee is
encouraged by DoD's continued efforts to fund microgrid
demonstration projects and recognizes the operational benefits
microgrids provide in terms of increased installation energy
and cyber resilience. The committee is aware of one such
program on the grounds of Kirtland Air Force Base, the
BlockEnergy Microgrid Demonstration Project. Such projects have
demonstrated improved energy stability and reliability compared
to traditional Alternating Current systems while reducing
energy loss and improving efficiency and cyber protection. The
Committee supports the expansion of the Kirtland demonstration
project in order to increase energy and cyber resilience and
demonstrate the viability of similar projects at other CONUS
and OCONUS installations. Therefore, the Committee directs the
Secretary of the Air Force to provide a report no later than 90
days after enactment of this act outlining the energy
resilience requirements of Kirtland AFB, to include a cost
estimate for the expansion of the existing BlockEnergy
Microgrid project. The report shall include an evaluation of
the ability to integrate the existing BlockEnergy Microgrid
project, funded to date with Air Force Research, Development,
Test and Evaluation funding, with a future project funded with
Military Construction funding, as well as any statutory or
administrative barriers to such an effort, should such funding
become available in future fiscal years.
Weapons Generation Facilities.--The Committee continues to
recognize the importance of the Weapons Generation Facility
[WGF] modernization program but is concerned that execution
delays and cost overruns continue to impact the schedule of
future projects. The Committee directs the Department to
continue to provide quarterly updates on projects associated
with the WGF modernization program, including the status of
planning and estimated timelines for projects not yet in the
design phase.
Quality of Life Facilities.--The Committee continues to
highlight quality of life facilities and the integral role they
play in supporting Airmen and their families. It is widely
recognized that these facilities do not always compete well
against other mission critical requirements, and the Committee
encourages the Air Force to continue to identify and plan for
quality of life facilities, including child development
centers, fitness centers and dining facilities to meet the
needs of Air Force installations.
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $2,041,909,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,957,289,000
Committee recommendation................................ 2,082,663,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $2,082,663,000 for projects
considered within the Defense-Wide account in fiscal year 2022.
This amount is $40,754,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted
level and $125,374,000 above the budget request. Within the
total for Military Construction, Defense-Wide, $89,955,000 is
for the following projects in the following amounts:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hawaii.................................. HDR-H..................... Homeland Defense Radar- 19,000
Hawaii: Planning and Design.
Mississippi............................. Camp Shelby............... Electrical Distribution 11,155
Infrastructure
Undergrounding Hardening
Project.
Mississippi............................. Camp Shelby............... 10 MW Generation Plant and 34,500
Feeder Level Microgrid
System.
New York................................ Fort Drum................. Wellfield Expansion 25,300
Resilience Project.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program
[ERCIP].--The Committee supports DoD's investments in energy
efficiency, renewable energy systems, and energy resilience,
including through ERCIP. In particular, the Committee
appreciates the significant increase to ERCIP in the fiscal
year 2022 budget request. Recognizing the significant demand
for projects through this program, the Committee recommends an
increase of $125,120,000 above the request for ERCIP and
encourages the Department to prioritize funding for energy-
related projects, including renewable energy projects, to
mitigate risk to mission-critical assets and promote energy
security and efficiency at military installations.
Electric Vehicle Infrastructure.--The Committee is
encouraged by the administration's plan to transition Federal
vehicles, to include DoD's non-tactical vehicle fleet, to
electric vehicles [EVs] over the next several years. The
Committee supports funding in the administration's budget
request for ERCIP planning and design funds to better
understand the unique capacity and infrastructure requirements
of individual installations that are needed to support an
electric non-tactical vehicle fleet. The Committee further
notes this planning is necessary because the type of depot
facility and charging infrastructure needed to support this
transition across the DoD enterprise is inadequate. Therefore,
the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to submit a
report no later than 180 days after enactment of this act
outlining the military construction resources and authorities
needed to support a transition to EVs. This report should
include a strategy and implementation plan, to include the
electric charging and depot facility infrastructure
requirements, to transition the Department-wide non-tactical
vehicle fleet to EVs.
Missile Threat and Intelligence Infrastructure.--The
Committee is concerned that advances in missile technology and
continued proliferation of increasingly capable missiles
threaten U.S. bases and servicemembers around the globe.
Countering this threat will require continued investment in
cutting-edge research, development, testing, and evaluation to
ensure the U.S. retains its technological advantage. As such,
the bill includes Section 132 that provides $153,000,000 to
support properly sized and configured facilities to maintain
and expand U.S. dominance in the missile technology field.
Innovative HVAC Technologies.--The Committee recognizes
that innovative Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
[HVAC] technologies, including heat recovery and demand control
ventilation, have expanded opportunities for facilities to
reduce energy use and associated emissions, improve occupant
comfort, and lower life cycle costs. While DoD regularly
updates its UFC, current editions may not reflect many of these
innovative technologies, thus preventing them from being fully
utilized. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of
Defense to develop a plan to incorporate (1) commercially
available, energy efficient HVAC technologies that have not yet
been included in the UFC, including but not limited to gaseous
air cleaning technology like advanced filtration and (2) HVAC
building standards, including but not limited to the Indoor Air
Quality Procedure in ASHRAE Standard 62.1, that are not yet
included in the UFC and are expected to increase energy
efficiency. The Committee directs the Secretary to provide a
report no later than 180 days after the enactment of this act
on how the Department will implement the plan.
Batteryless Technology.--The Committee recognizes that
innovative technologies for industrial monitoring, including
those that are batteryless, exist and can reduce energy
consumption and carbon emissions and enhance their operational
readiness. The Committee encourages the Department to consider
these technologies when updating UFC requirements and
standards.
Joint Spectrum Center Relocation.--The Committee recognizes
the need to move the Joint Spectrum Center [JSC] from the
closed David Taylor Research Center site in Annapolis, Maryland
due to significant infrastructure problems and JSC's inability
to meet Anti-Terrorism Force Protection [AT/FP] security
standards in its existing leased location. Failure to meet
these security standards requires ongoing security waivers by
JSC's parent organization, the Defense Information Systems
Agency, for its remaining lease term. JSC's relocation and
existing lease termination were authorized in the Fiscal Year
2008 National Defense Authorization Act and were intended to
ensure personnel are performing JSC's mission in a building
that meets all required security, environmental protection, and
building safety requirements. Therefore, the Committee directs
the Secretary of Defense to provide an update on the JSC
relocation and execution timeline no later than 120 days after
enactment of this act.
Special Operations Command East Coast Training
Facilities.--The Committee recognizes the value that regional
training facilities provide for unique Special Operations
Command [SOCOM] requirements, as well as the mutual benefits of
partnerships leveraging under-utilized National Guard training
infrastructure. In order to provide greater variety and
diversity in training venues, the Committee directs the
Secretary of Defense to provide a report within 180 days of
enactment of this act that outlines any training capability
shortfalls of East Coast based sites and the feasibility of
developing an East Coast joint training center with a focus on
enabling all-domains of warfare. This report should also
analyze the value provided to SOCOM of National Guard training
facilities.
Stormwater Best Management Practices.--The Committee
encourages the Department to continue to take steps to address
water and flood resilience. Through updates to Unified
Facilities Criteria, development of Installation Master Plans,
and design and construction of projects funded through ERCIP,
the Committee supports investment in implementing and
maintaining stormwater Best Management Practices that enhance
water resilience and quality on military installations. In
addition to meeting force protection requirements and
contributing to climate change adaptation, implementing and
maintaining Best Management Practices will help military
installations reduce pollution runoff and improve water
quality. In undertaking this work, the Committee recommends
that the Secretary consider and utilize natural infrastructure
approaches, alone or in conjunction with grey infrastructure,
to increase flood resilience. Natural infrastructure approaches
(including restored wetlands, floodplains, living shorelines,
and use of soil or plant systems and permeable surfaces for
stormwater management) are proven techniques to provide
significant and measurable risk reduction for inland and
coastal flood hazards.
Military Construction, Army National Guard
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $349,437,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 257,103,000
Committee recommendation................................ 315,893,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $315,893,000 for Military
Construction, Army National Guard for fiscal year 2022. This
amount is $33,544,000 below the fiscal year 2021 enacted level
and $58,790,000 above the budget request. Within the total for
Military Construction, Army National Guard, $49,790,000 is for
the following projects in the following amounts:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kansas.................................. Topeka.................... National Guard/Reserve Center 420
Building SCIF: Planning and
Design.
Mississippi............................. Camp Shelby............... Maneuver Area Training 15,500
Equipment Site (MATES).
Missouri................................ Aviation Classification AVCRAD Aircraft Maintenance 3,800
Repair Activity Depot. Hangar Addition: Planning
and Design.
North Carolina.......................... Salisbury................. Aircraft Maintenance Hangar 2,700
Addition/Alteration:
Planning and Design.
Vermont................................. Bennington................ Readiness Center............. 16,900
Vermont................................. Ethan Allen AFB........... Family Readiness Center: 4,665
Unspecified Minor
Construction.
Virginia................................ Sandston.................. Aircraft Maintenance Hangar: 5,805
Planning and Design.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
National Guard Biathlon Programs.--Since 1973, the National
Guard has administered the U.S. military's biathlon program,
providing continuous international engagement, especially with
NATO allies for whom biathlon is a major sport, training and
retention for servicemembers with specialties in mountain
maneuver and action, and supplying U.S. Olympians. In
recognition of evolving standards for international biathlon
competition, the Committee includes $6,000,000 above the
President's budget request in minor military construction for
the update of biathlon facilities to continue engagement and
training. The Director of the Army National Guard is directed
to provide a spend plan for the use of these funds within 30
days of enactment of this act.
Vehicle Maintenance Facilities.--The Committee recognizes
that vehicle maintenance facilities play an important role in
overall Army National Guard [ARNG] unit readiness. Maintenance
is particularly critical for National Guard assets that are
frequently older and in need of greater repair than assets
utilized by Active Duty counterparts. The Committee notes that
the ARNG military construction program has appropriately
prioritized Readiness Centers, however, with variable top line
budget requests, this has come at the expense of other critical
infrastructure, such as vehicle maintenance facilities. The
Committee includes $2,000,000 in Planning and Design for these
facilities and encourages the Army National Guard to ensure
maintenance infrastructure is adequately addressed in future
budget requests.
Repair Depot.--The Committee is concerned with the
significant shortfall of maintenance space of the Missouri
Aviation Classification and Repair Activity Depot [AVCRAD], one
of four National Guard rotary-wing aviation depot repair
facilities in the continental United States. The current
facility lacks adequate space, hangar bays, and shops, and
existing operations are spread throughout multiple buildings
that are undersized and result in inefficiencies, taxing
maintenance space, manpower, and utilities infrastructure.
Therefore, the Committee provides $3,800,000 for the planning
and design of an AVCRAD Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition to
provide adequate workspace that will allow for increased
production and support a more orderly, methodical and efficient
overhaul of aircraft. Further, the Committee encourages the
ARNG to prioritize other such depot projects that support the
increase of work force capacity, production capacity, and rate
of aircraft repair in future budget submissions.
Federal, State and Local Intelligence Collaboration.--The
Committee is aware that several states utilize National Guard
facilities for intelligence fusion centers. These centers allow
Federal, State, local, and tribal law enforcement officials to
collaborate and share intelligence and threat information, and
co-locating them with National Guard facilities offers
opportunities for cost savings. The Committee remains
supportive of such collaborative co-location projects and as
such provides $420,000 for planning and design of a Joint
Analysis Center in the Kansas National Guard Joint Forces
Headquarters Building in Topeka, Kansas.
Line of Communications Bridge.--The Committee recognizes
the important role that the Line of Communication Bridge [LOCB]
provides to the warfighter by facilitating the uninterrupted
flow of forces, equipment, personnel and supplies for sustained
ground operations. The Committee believes that the Army
National Guard should have the ability to provide soldiers with
initial and sustainment training on the LOCB and urges the Army
National Guard to prioritize unspecified minor military
construction funds to establish facilities for this purpose.
Military Construction, Air National Guard
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $64,214,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 197,770,000
Committee recommendation................................ 298,550,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $298,550,000 for Military
Construction, Air National Guard for fiscal year 2022. This
amount is $234,336,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level
and $100,780,000 above the budget request. Within the total for
Military Construction, Air National Guard, $97,780,000 is for
the following projects in the following amounts:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Connecticut............................. Bradley ANGB.............. Composite ASE Vehicle 17,000
Maintenance Facility.
Delaware................................ New Castle County Airport. Fuel Cell and Corrosion 17,500
Control Hangar.
Illinois................................ Abraham Lincoln Capital Base Civil Engineer Complex.. 10,200
Airport.
New York................................ Gabreski ANGB............. Base Civil Engineer Complex.. 14,800
South Carolina.......................... McEntire JNGB............. Hazardous Cargo Pad.......... 9,000
Washington.............................. Camp Murray ANGS.......... Air Support Operations Group 27,000
Complex.
Wisconsin............................... Volk Combat Readiness Replace Aircraft Maintenance 2,280
Training Center. Hangar/Shops: Planning and
Design.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
Corrosion Prevention Facilities.--The Committee remains
concerned about the prevalence of aviation mishaps,
specifically as it relates to failures in aviation corrosion
prevention. Recognizing the state of aging corrosion prevention
infrastructure, much of which exists at Air National Guard
installations, such as that supporting the 167th Airlift Wing
at Martinsburg, West Virginia, the Committee directs the
Director of the Air National Guard, in consultation with the
Secretary of the Air Force, to submit a report no later than 90
days after enactment of this act outlining the current state of
indoor corrosion prevention infrastructure. In particular, the
report should include the location and facility condition index
of all indoor corrosion prevention facilities or ``wash racks''
specifically designed and constructed for the primary purpose
of corrosion prevention maintenance. Further, the Committee
encourages the Air Force and Air National Guard to adequately
prioritize design and construction funds for corrosion
prevention facilities.
Military Construction, Army Reserve
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $88,337,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 64,911,000
Committee recommendation................................ 94,111,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $94,111,000 for Military
Construction, Army Reserve for fiscal year 2022. This amount is
$5,774,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and
$29,200,000 above the budget request. Within the total for
Military Construction, Army Reserve, $29,200,000 is for the
following project in the following amount:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY RESERVE
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wisconsin............................... Fort McCoy................ Transient Training Enlisted 29,200
Barracks.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is
provided in the State table at the end of this report.
Military Construction, Navy Reserve
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $70,995,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 71,804,000
Committee recommendation................................ 71,804,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $71,804,000 for Military
Construction, Navy Reserve for fiscal year 2022. This amount is
$809,000 above the fiscal year 2021 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, 2021.................................... $23,117,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 78,374,000
Committee recommendation................................ 111,374,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $111,374,000 for Military
Construction, Air Force Reserve for fiscal year 2022. This
amount is $88,257,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level
and $33,000,000 above the budget request. Within the total for
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve, $33,000,000 is for
the following project in the following amount:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR FORCE RESERVE
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
State Location Project Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
California.............................. Beale AFB................. 940 ARW SQ OPS & AMU Complex. 33,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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, 2021.................................... $173,030,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 205,853,000
Committee recommendation................................ 205,853,000
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 $205,853,000 for the NATO Security
Investment Program for fiscal year 2022. This amount is
$32,823,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and equal
to the budget request.
Department of Defense Base Closure Account
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $480,447,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 284,639,000
Committee recommendation................................ 334,639,000
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 $334,639,000 for the
Department of Defense Base Closure Account for fiscal year
2022. This amount is $145,808,000 below the fiscal year 2021
enacted level and $50,000,000 above the budget request. Funds
provided for fiscal year 2022 are for environmental cleanup and
ongoing operations and maintenance.
Perfluorooctane Sulfonate [PFOS] and Perfluorooctanoic Acid
[PFOA].--The Committee provides $40,000,000 in additional funds
for identification, mitigation, and clean-up costs across DoD
for PFOS and PFOA. DoD is directed to provide a spend plan for
these additional funds to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress no later than 30 days after enactment
of this act.
Additional Support for Remedial Activities.--The Committee
recognizes that the services have active costs associated with
ordnance disposal, environmental clean-up, property management,
and other ongoing remedial actions at dozens of realigned or
closed installations. Understanding that funding requested in
fiscal year 2022 does not fully cover the known requirements
and that limited prior-year carryover, particularly for the
Army, has reduced flexibility in recent years, the Committee
provides $10,000,000 to carry out additional activities under
the services' Base Closure Accounts. The Committee directs the
Secretary of Defense, in coordination with the Service
Secretaries, to provide a spend plan for these additional funds
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
no later than 30 days after enactment of this act.
Family Housing Overview
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,336,592,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,423,554,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,423,554,000
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 $1,423,554,000 for Family Housing
Construction, Operations and Maintenance, and the Department's
family housing improvement fund for fiscal year 2022. This
amount is $86,962,0000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level
and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Construction, Army
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $119,400,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 99,849,000
Committee recommendation................................ 99,849,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $99,849,000 for Army Family
Housing Construction in fiscal year 2022. This amount is
$19,551,000 below the fiscal year 2021 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 Operation and Maintenance, Army
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $352,342,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 391,227,000
Committee recommendation................................ 391,227,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $391,227,000 for Family Housing
Operation and Maintenance, Army, for fiscal year 2022. This
amount is $38,885,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level
and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Construction, Navy And Marine Corps
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $42,897,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 77,616,000
Committee recommendation................................ 77,616,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $77,616,000 for Family Housing
Construction, Navy and Marine Corps. This amount is $34,719,000
above the fiscal year 2021 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 Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $346,493,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 357,341,000
Committee recommendation................................ 357,341,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $357,341,000 for Family Housing
Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps, in fiscal
year 2022. This amount is $10,848,000 above the fiscal year
2021 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $97,214,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 115,716,000
Committee recommendation................................ 115,716,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $115,716,000 for Family Housing
Construction, Air Force, in fiscal year 2022. This amount is
$18,502,000 above the fiscal year 2021 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 Operation and Maintenance, Air Force
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $317,021,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 325,445,000
Committee recommendation................................ 325,445,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $325,445,000 for Family Housing
Operation and Maintenance, Air Force, in fiscal year 2022. This
amount is $8,424,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level
and equal to the budget request.
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-wide
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $54,728,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 49,785,000
Committee recommendation................................ 49,785,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $49,785,000 for Family Housing
Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide, for fiscal year 2022.
This amount is $4,943,000 below the fiscal year 2021 enacted
level and equal to the budget request.
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $5,897,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 6,081,000
Committee recommendation................................ 6,081,000
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 $6,081,000 for the Family Housing
Improvement Fund in fiscal year 2022. This amount is $184,000
above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and equal to the
budget request.
Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $600,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 494,000
Committee recommendation................................ 494,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Military Unaccompanied 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 unaccompanied housing
and supporting facilities. This account provides seed money for
housing privatization initiatives.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $494,000 for the Military
Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund in fiscal year 2022.
This amount is $106,000 below the fiscal year 2021 enacted
level and equal to the budget request.
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. 114. 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. 115. 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. 116. The Committee includes a provision that permits
obligation of funds from more than one 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. 117. 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. 118. The Committee includes a provision that provides
transfer authority to the Homeowners Assistance Fund.
Sec. 119. 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. 120. The Committee includes a provision that provides
authority to expend funds from the ``Ford Island Improvement''
account.
Sec. 121. The Committee includes a provision that allows
the transfer of expired funds to the Foreign Currency
Fluctuation, Construction, Defense Account.
Sec. 122. 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. 123. 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. 124. The Committee includes a provision providing
additional funds for unfunded military construction priorities.
Sec. 125. The Committee includes a provision directing all
amounts appropriated to military construction accounts be
immediately available and allotted for the full scope of
authorized projects.
Sec. 126. The Committee includes a provision permitting the
obligation of funds for fiscal year 2017 projects for which the
project authorization has not lapsed or has been extended.
Sec. 127. The Committee includes a provision rescinding
unobligated balances from the Military Construction, Defense-
Wide account.
Sec. 128. The Committee includes a provision defining the
congressional defense committees.
Sec. 129. The Committee includes a provision providing
additional funds for Family Housing cost to complete projects
identified by the Army.
Sec. 130. The Committee includes a provision providing
additional funding for science and technology and testing and
evaluation laboratory infrastructure.
Sec. 131. The Committee includes a provision providing
funding to support the Department of Navy Shipyard
Infrastructure Optimization Plan.
Sec. 132. The Committee includes a provision providing
funding for military construction in support of missile and
space intelligence missions.
Sec. 133. The Committee includes a provision providing
additional funding for Military Installation Resilience.
TITLE II
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
HEARING
The Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans
Affairs, and Related Agencies held one hearing related to the
budget request for fiscal year 2022 and fiscal year 2023
advance appropriations. The subcommittee heard testimony from
the Honorable Denis R. McDonough, Secretary of the Department
of Veterans Affairs and the Honorable Jon J. Rychalski,
Assistant Secretary for Management and Chief Financial Officer.
SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
The Committee recommendation includes $268,365,547,305 for
the Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] for fiscal year 2022,
including $155,440,055,000 in mandatory spending and
$112,925,492,305 in discretionary spending. The Committee also
recommends $111,287,000,000 in advance appropriations for
veterans medical care for fiscal year 2023 and $156,586,190,000
in advance appropriations for appropriated mandatories for
fiscal year 2023.
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, 2020, there were an
estimated 19.5 million living veterans residing in the United
States, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands,
Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. There were an
estimated 23.1 million dependents (spouses and dependent
children) of living veterans, and there were about 606,000
survivors of deceased veterans receiving VA survivor benefits.
Thus, approximately 43.2 million people, or 13.0 percent of the
total estimated resident population of the United States,
Puerto Rico, U.S. Island Areas and U.S. citizens living abroad
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; 3 Pension
Management Centers; 6 Fiduciary Hubs; 2 Regional Education
Processing Offices; 8 Regional Loan Centers; 1 Insurance
Center; 8 National Call Centers; 3 Decision Review Operations
Centers; 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 6 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 consisting of 146 VA Hospitals; 13 Health Care Centers;
222 Multi-Specialty Community-Based outpatient clinics; 550
Primary Care Community-Based outpatient clinics; 321 Outpatient
Services Sites; 134 community living centers; 118 mental health
residential rehabilitation treatment programs; 300 readjustment
counseling Vet Centers; and 83 Mobile Vet Centers is maintained
to meet 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 2022, cemetery activities will
encompass 158 national cemeteries and 34 soldiers' lots and
monuments and their maintenance as national shrines.
Staff support offices include the Office of Inspector
General, Board of 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.
In fiscal years 2020 and 2021, the Department received
supplemental appropriations to assist them to prepare for,
prevent, and respond to the pandemic and related costs. In
fiscal year 2020, the Department received $60,000,000 from the
Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Public Law 116-127)
and $19,569,500,000 from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and
Economic Assistance [CARES] Act (Public Law 116-136). The
American Rescue Plan [ARP] (Public Law 117-2) provided the
Department with $17,080,000,000 in mandatory funding to sustain
the pandemic response beyond the availability of the CARES Act
funding. Among the purposes of this funding was to address the
costs of deferred care, backlog of veteran benefits claims and
appeals, improve supply chain management capabilities, address
needed construction to State extended care facilities, and
train veterans unemployed due to the pandemic for high demand
occupations. These funds were considered as part of the
administration's fiscal years 2022 and 2023 requests.
Toxic Exposures.--The Committee is aware of a long, painful
history of servicemembers being exposed to toxic substances. VA
has increasingly recognized illnesses associated with toxic
exposure during service, and the Secretary announced a
rulemaking effort to expand benefits for disability claims for
conditions related to certain toxic exposures, and the
Committee urges the Department to appropriately fund these
efforts. In addition, the Congress is considering legislation
related to benefits and care for veterans with toxic exposures.
The Committee requests the Department be transparent with its
analysis and actions, including cost estimates, as this
important issue is addressed.
Transition from Active Duty to Civilian Life.--The ability
of communities to build networks, including through public-
private partnerships, to provide resources to servicemembers,
veterans, and their families is critical to ensure
transitioning servicemembers and veterans have the support they
need in their civilian lives. The Committee encourages the
Department to provide support for such networked approaches
including through public-private partnerships.
Security Infrastructure.--The Committee recommends that
security and communications technology and policy upgrades at
VA facilities be addressed at the Department in fiscal year
2022. The Committee recommends that security upgrades take a
holistic approach and deploy proven technologies, including
real-time video surveillance, situational awareness technology,
and license plate reader technology, in conjunction with
improved communications capabilities. The Committee notes
instances when the Office of Inspector General [OIG] was unable
to review surveillance video from the day of a veteran's death
or a sentinel event because 30 days elapsed, the tapes were in
the possession of VA or local police, or were deleted, lost or
missing. The Committee urges the Department to store tapes for
a minimum of 120 days and that upon request or after a sentinel
event, grant the OIG access to a copy of these tapes. The
Department is directed to provide a report to the Committees on
both Houses of Appropriations within 180 days of enactment of
this act describing efforts being taken to increase security at
VA facilities, in particular, related to veteran safety.
Supply Chain Modernization.--In 2019, GAO placed VA
Acquisition Management on its High-Risk List due, in part, to
VA's medical supply chain challenges. Further, as outlined in
the June 15, 2021 report ``VA COVID-19 Procurements: Pandemic
Underscores Urgent Need to Modernize Supply Chain'' [GAO-21-
280], VA is carrying out several supply chain modernization
efforts, including Medical-Surgical Prime Vendor, Defense
Medical Logistics Standard Support, LogiCole, Regional
Readiness Centers, and potentially VA's use of the Defense
Logistics Agency's Warstopper Program. On June 22, 2021, the
United States Court of Federal Claims issued an order which may
require VA to completely re-think major portions of its
efforts. In addition, in response to requests from Congress and
GAO, VA committed to creating a Supply Chain Management
Strategy to outline how its various supply chain initiatives
relate to each other. The Secretary is directed, within 30 days
of enactment of this act, to provide the Committees with an
update or the final version of its Supply Chain Management
Strategy, to include any changes to the fiscal year 2022 Supply
Chain Modernization spend plan required based on the challenges
VA has experienced, including court rulings.
Veteran Pro-Bono Legal Services.--The Committee recognizes
an unmet need for holistic programs that offer pro-bono legal
services to veterans and their dependents. The Committee
acknowledges existing Department initiatives that guide
veterans during benefit-related interactions with
administrative agencies and believes that accredited university
law schools, particularly those partnering with faculty skilled
and trained in social work, may be suited to complement
existing agency efforts in underserved areas. The Committee
also recognizes that a veteran's lack of access to legal
services to access benefits that they would otherwise use for
their livelihood, may cause difficulty for the veteran to
provide for their essential needs. Accordingly, the Committee
urges VA to support programs that permit accredited university
law schools to expand its veterans legal clinic offerings, in
which social work services are also provided, to serve veterans
facing unique legal challenges.
Center for Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander and U.S.-
Affiliated Pacific Islander Health.--The Committee continues to
recognize the significant contributions of Native Hawaiian
[NH], Pacific Islander [PI], and U.S.-Affiliated Pacific
Islander [USAPI] servicemembers in the U.S. military and the
disproportionate number of NH, PI, and USAPI veterans.
Additionally, the Committee recognizes that VA has centers
dedicated to health policy, innovation, health economics, and
more, as well as programs that provide special attention to
rural populations and American Indian/Alaska Natives, but that
there are no known VA centers specifically dedicated to the
population of NH, PI, and USAPI veterans. The Committee
acknowledges report language included in the fiscal year 2021
agreement regarding a feasibility study and considerations for
the establishment of a Center for NH, PI, and USAPI Health to
focus on research, service, and education to improve the lives
of NH, PI, and USAPI veterans, and looks forward to reviewing
this feasibility study.
National VA History Center.--The Committee appreciates the
steps that the Department has taken to establish the National
VA History Center to fill a long-standing need for a
comprehensive program to collect, preserve and provide access
to VA's relevant historical records and artifacts and to share
with the public the story of VA and its predecessor
organizations. The Committee understands fundraising delays
occurred due to the pandemic. The Department is directed to
provide an update on fundraising efforts and a plan, including
a cost estimate, for the remainder of the project to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 90 days after enactment of this act.
Unobligated Balances of Expired Discretionary Funds.--The
Committee directs the Secretary to submit to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress quarterly reports
detailing all unobligated balances of expired discretionary
funds by fiscal year.
VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2021
$142,116,608,000
Advance Appropriations, 2022
145,311,218,000
Budget estimate, 2022
13,782,955,305
Committee recommendation, 2022
13,846,069,305
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023
156,586,190,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2023
156,586,190,000
ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
The Veterans Benefits Administration 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 2021, the Committee provided
$145,311,218,000 in advance appropriations for VBA for fiscal
year 2022. This included $130,227,650,000 for Compensation and
Pensions; $14,946,618,000 for Readjustment Benefits; and
$136,950,000 for Veterans Insurance and Indemnities.
For fiscal year 2022, the Committee recommends an
additional $7,347,837,000 for Compensation and Pensions, as
requested by the administration, as well as an estimated
$2,781,000,000 for the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund.
Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes
$229,500,000 for the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund
administrative expenses; $2,838 for the Vocational
Rehabilitation Loans Program account, with $429,467 for
administrative expenses; $1,300,000 for the Native American
Veteran Housing Loan Program account; and $3,486,000,000 for
the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits
Administration account.
The Committee recommendation also provides $156,586,190,000
in advance appropriations for the Veterans Benefits
Administration's mandatory accounts for fiscal year 2023. This
level may be adjusted based on the results of the
administration's mid-session review.
COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021
$124,357,226,552
Advance Appropriations, 2022
130,227,650,000
Budget estimate, 2022
7,347,837,000
Committee recommendation, 2022
7,347,837,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023
147,569,474,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2023
147,569,474,000
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 veterans with a service-connected disability who
use a prosthetic or orthopedic device. In fiscal year 2022, the
Department estimates it will obligate $133,794,514,000 for
payments to 5,503,550 veterans, 475,146 survivors, and 1,281
children receiving special benefits.
Pensions are an income security benefit payable to needy
wartime veterans who are precluded from gainful employment due
to non-service-connected disabilities which render them
permanently and totally disabled. The Veterans Education and
Benefits Expansion Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-103), restored
the automatic presumption of permanent and total non-service-
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 2022, the Department
estimates that the Pensions program will provide benefits to
209,355 veterans and 147,472 survivors totaling $4,772,559,000.
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 2022, the Department
estimates the Compensation and Pensions program will obligate
$418,008,000 providing burial benefits. This funding will
provide 64,111 burial allowances, 58,320 burial plot
allowances, 56,099 service-connected death awards, 439,056
burial flags, 341,693 headstones or markers, 105,724
graveliners or reimbursement for privately purchased outer
burial receptacles, and 293 caskets and urns for the internment
of the remains of veterans without next of kin.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2021, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $130,227,650,000 for fiscal year 2022 for the
Compensation and Pensions account. The Committee recommendation
includes an additional $7,347,837,000 for Compensation and
Pensions for fiscal year 2022. The additional appropriation
coupled with the advance appropriation provided for fiscal year
2022 provides the Department with total budget authority of
$137,575,487,000.
The Committee recommendation includes an advance
appropriation of $147,569,474,000 for the Compensation and
Pension account for fiscal year 2023, as requested.
The increased appropriation for fiscal years 2022 and 2023
reflects program trends, including increased disability rating
and corresponding average payments for veteran compensation. It
also reflects implementation of new laws and interpretations,
including three new Agent Orange presumptive conditions
(Parkinson-like symptoms, bladder cancer, and hyperthyroidism)
enacted in the National Defense Authorization Act, 2021 (Public
Law 116-283, section 9109), and a requirement to readjudicate
disability compensation claims for Blue Water Navy Veterans
(Nehmer, et. al. v. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, No. C
86-06160 WHA).
READJUSTMENT BENEFITS
Appropriations, 2021
$12,578,965,000
Advance Appropriations, 2022
14,946,618,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023
8,906,851,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2023
8,906,851,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Readjustment Benefits appropriation finances the
education and training of veterans and servicemembers under
chapters 21, 30, 31, 33, 34, 35, 36, 39, 41, 51, 53, 55, and 61
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, including changes through
the Forever GI bill. Basic benefits are funded through
appropriations made to the readjustment benefits account and by
transfers from the Department of Defense [DoD]. 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 2021, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $14,946,618 for the Readjustment Benefits
account for fiscal year 2022.
The Committee recommendation includes an advance
appropriation of $8,906,851,000 for Readjustment Benefits for
fiscal year 2023, as requested.
Veteran Employment Through Technology Education Courses
[VET TEC].--The VET TEC program provides veterans with training
to start or advance a career in the high-technology industry.
The Committee strongly supports this initiative and encourages
the Department to expand the program to address increased
demand.
VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $131,372,000
Advance Appropriations, 2022............................ 136,950,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023........... 109,865,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2023.. 109,865,000
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 2021, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $136,950,000 for fiscal year 2022 for the
Veterans Insurance and Indemnities account.
The Committee recommendation includes an advance
appropriation of $109,865,000 for Veterans Insurance and
Indemnities for fiscal year 2023, as requested.
VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative
Program account expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2021................ $1,663,000,000 $204,400,000
Budget estimate, 2022............... 2,781,000,000 229,500,000
Committee recommendation............ 2,781,000,000 229,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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,
estimated to be $2,781,000,000, for funding subsidy payments,
and $229,500,000 for administrative expenses for fiscal year
2022. Bill language limits gross obligations for direct loans
for specially adapted housing to $500,000.
VA Home Loans.--The Committee is concerned that some
veterans using a VA home loan to purchase a home may be at a
disadvantage in a competitive housing market due to strict
appraisal and inspection requirements associated with a home
loan. The Committee directs the Secretary to review the current
requirements for a VA home loan to ensure that veterans are not
unnecessarily disadvantaged when seeking to buy a home in a
competitive housing market, and provide a report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within
90 days of the enactment of this act on the results of such
review.
VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative
Program account expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriations, 2021................ $33,826 $424,272
Budget estimate, 2022............... 2,838 429,467
Committee recommendation............ 2,838 429,467
------------------------------------------------------------------------
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 $1,300 (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 1 year.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $2,838 for program costs and
$429,467 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 $1,662,758. It is
estimated VA will make 1,570 loans in fiscal year 2022, with an
average amount of $1,059.
NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,186,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,186,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,300,000
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.
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 the
Veterans Housing Opportunity and Benefits Act of 2006 (Public
Law 109-233).
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $1,300,000 for administrative
expenses associated with this program. This is $114,000 greater
than the budget request.
GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $3,180,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 3,423,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,486,000,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The General Operating Expenses [GOE], VBA account provides
funding for VBA to administer entitlement programs such as
service-connected disability compensation, education benefits,
and vocational rehabilitation services.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $3,486,000,000 for the GOE, VBA
account, which is $306,000,000 above the fiscal year 2021
enacted level and $63,000,000 above the budget request. The
Committee has included bill language to make available through
September 30, 2023, up to 10 percent of the GOE, VBA account.
Compensation and Pension Exams.--The Committee is concerned
about the Veterans Benefits Administration's increased reliance
on outside providers to conduct compensation and pension or
medical disability exams [MDE]. These exams are necessary for
veterans to receive the benefits that they have earned through
their military service. Therefore, the Committee urges VA to
ensure that compensation and pension exams are available at VA
facilities with the capability to conduct them in a safe and
thorough manner. Moreover, the Committee directs VA to provide
a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress within 90 days of enactment of this act on how it
plans to use both VHA employees and VBA-contracted examiners
over the next five fiscal years. This report shall identify
goals and establish a unified, department-wide strategy, to
include: (1) the extent to which a core capability of
conducting MDE at VHA medical centers by VHA employees is
needed; (2) the extent to which additional contractors are
needed to meet assessed demand; (3) a plan to standardize MDE
capacity assessment and reporting across all VHA facilities;
(4) specific activities and associated timelines needed to
execute VA's MDE strategy; (5) stakeholder outreach plans; (6)
plans to standardize how VA assesses the quality of MDE
conducted by VHA personnel and VBA contractors; (7) the extent
to which current resourcing and procedures are sufficient to
coordinate and execute a department-wide MDE strategy between
VHA and VBA; (8) a risk assessment of VA's current reliance on
VBA contracts for MDE; and (9) a cost analysis between exams
provided by VA employees and exams provided by contractors.
Digitization of Military Records.--No later than 90 days
after the date of enactment of this act, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Archivist of the United States, shall
report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress on measurable progress made by the Department and the
National Personnel Records Center at the National Archives and
Records Administration to improve veterans' access to their
military records and to digitize outstanding personnel records
dating to the year 1990 and earlier. Elements of such a report
should include data on the number of personnel records that
remain to be digitized, a digitization timeline with numerical
targets, and a cost estimate to develop records management
systems to absorb the influx of electronic records.
Legal Assistance for the Disability Claims Process.--The VA
disability compensation system is both complex and fraught with
delays, and requires both paperwork from doctors and legal
advice for many veterans who apply. The Department is urged to
assess the feasibility, advisability, and cost of an initiative
to provide innovative disability claim services for veterans
that combines the expertise of law clinics with academic
medical centers. The Department is directed to provide this
assessment to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses
of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of this act.
Laos Operation Ranch Hand.--Not later than 120 days after
the date of enactment of this act, the Department shall report
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
on VA's efforts to assist veterans who served in Laos during
Operation Ranch Hand from December 1965 to September 1969 in
proving their direct-service connection to Agent Orange
exposure. Elements of such a report should identify the
Department's efforts to address gaps in the military records of
veterans who served in Laos during Operation Ranch Hand as well
as data on the number of Operation Ranch Hand veterans who are
eligible for a direct-service connection and percentage of
disability claims that have been denied among those who are
eligible.
Karshi Khanabad Air Base.--The Committee recognizes that
servicemembers may have been exposed to various hazards at
Karshi Khanabad Air Base, Uzbekistan and urges the Department
to work with the appropriate military departments to make an
assessment as soon as feasible regarding the conditions of the
Air Base, including toxic substance contamination, during the
period beginning October 1, 2001, and ending December 31, 2005.
National Training Curriculum.--The Committee is aware that
in December 2020, the VA Office of Inspector General found that
in fiscal year 2019, an estimated 18,300 of 118,000 post-
traumatic stress disorder [PTSD] claims were inaccurately
completed. The Department is encouraged to improve the training
of VA personnel who are responsible for processing disability
claims to help ensure benefits are being correctly determined
so veterans experiencing PTSD have access to the healthcare,
treatment, and compensation to which they are entitled.
GI Bill Apprenticeships and On-the-Job-Training.--The
Committee directs VA to take additional actions to promote
awareness and increased utilization of apprenticeships and on-
the-job training [OJT] programs, including continued
coordination and support to State Approving Agencies [SAAs] and
programs which may incentivize increased participation by
employers. The Committee recommends additional support and
resources be provided to SAAs for the purpose of increasing
awareness and utilization of apprenticeships and OJT. The
Department is encouraged to explore options to expand the
program in the future, while ensuring proper oversight of SAA
contracts.
Call Center Modernization.--The Committee is concerned
about the multitude of systems call center employees must
navigate to perform their jobs. Therefore, the Committee urges
the Department to streamline its call center systems and submit
a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress no later than 180 days of enactment of this act
detailing planned and future modernization efforts to update
call center, payment, and processing systems.
Veterans Health Administration
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $90,779,918,000
Advance appropriations, 2022............................ 94,183,260,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 4,151,000,000
Committee recommendation, 2022.......................... 4,151,000,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023........... 111,287,000,000
Committee recommendation, advance appropriations, 2023.. 111,287,000,000
ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
The Veterans Health Administration [VHA] is home to the
United States' largest integrated healthcare system consisting
of 148 VA Hospitals; 11 Health Care Centers; 219 Multi-
Specialty Community-Based outpatient clinics; 536 Primary Care
Community-Based outpatient clinics; 322 Outpatient Services
Sites; 134 community living centers; 114 mental health
residential rehabilitation treatment programs; 300 readjustment
counseling Vet Centers; and 80 Mobile Vet 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 2021, the Committee provided $94,183,260,000
in advance appropriations for VA's medical care accounts for
fiscal year 2022. This included $58,897,219,000 for Medical
Services, $20,148,244,000 for Medical Community Care,
$8,403,117,000 for Medical Support and Compliance, and
$6,734,680,000 for Medical Facilities.
For fiscal year 2022, the Committee recommends an
additional $3,269,000,000 for Medical Community Care.
Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes
$882,000,000 for Medical and Prosthetic Research. Medical Care
Collections are estimated to be $3,386,000,000 in fiscal year
2022. The Committee recommendation also provides
$111,287,000,000 in advance appropriations for VA's medical
care accounts for fiscal year 2023.
The Committee recognizes the invaluable role of the
Department of Veterans Affairs, the Nation's largest integrated
healthcare system, in serving the unique needs of veterans. The
Committee believes that a strong and fully resourced Veterans
Health Administration is necessary to effectively serve our
Nation's veterans. Veterans overwhelmingly report they are
satisfied with the care they receive at VA medical centers,
community-based outpatient clinics, and Vet Centers. Research
has consistently shown that VA produces as good or better
health outcomes for its patients than private sector
healthcare. Furthermore, VA healthcare facilities play a
critical role in training our Nation's healthcare workforce,
conducting lifesaving medical research, providing nationwide
emergency preparedness support, and innovating many best
practices in healthcare delivery. The Department is reminded of
the report requirement regarding total cost of care to all
eligible veterans that was included in the Joint Explanatory
Statement supporting Public Law 116-260.
The total planned obligations in fiscal year 2022 and the
advance appropriations request for fiscal year 2023 show that
the Department anticipates the cost of providing healthcare to
veterans will continue to increase. The Committee is committed
to providing veterans with the care and supports they need, and
requests the Department improve its transparency in projecting
estimates of needed care in the future. The Department is
further directed to provide a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 180 days on
the use of geographic income eligibility thresholds across the
Nation; the challenges for VA and veterans of having so many
thresholds; and options for simplifying, including the
feasibility of implementing a single standard nationwide
adjusted for household size, or single income eligibility
thresholds for each State equal to 100 percent of the most
generous threshold in such State adjusted for household size.
Negligence of Veterans Affairs Employees and Patient
Safety.--The Committee remains concerned about the failure of
patient safety standards at multiple VAMCs and CBOCs, many of
which have resulted in death or serious injury and criminal
sentences for the perpetrators. The Department must do more to
address the culture that hampered employees from identifying
and reporting behaviors that cost lives. In addition, the
Department should pursue administrative discipline of any
employee found negligent in either a criminal, civil, or
inspector general filing, and take appropriate action related
to accountable employees ability to retire or resign. The
Department is directed to provide to the Committees on
Appropriations and Veterans' Affairs of both Houses of Congress
within 90 days of enactment of this act a report on necessary
criteria for inclusion in an acceptable safety standards
policy, a plan for VHA to confirm all facilities have adequate
safety standards in place, the process for verifying employees
are following the safety standards, and the proposed schedule
for periodically reviewing and updating the standards. This
review should directly assess the role of third-party
accreditation providers, such as The Joint Commission, and the
potential failures to identify whether or not patient safety
standards were verified in the accreditation process.
Furthermore, the Committee encourages additional transparency
with Congress related to third party accreditation, and directs
the Department to provide a briefing to the Committees on
Appropriations and Veterans' Affairs of both Houses of Congress
in support of the directed report.
Clinical Mistakes.--In Public Law 116-260, the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021, VA was directed to develop a plan to
reduce the number of clinical mistakes that require
institutional or clinical disclosures. The Committee is in
receipt of the plan and is encouraged by some of the actions VA
is taking to encourage employees to report adverse events and
unsafe conditions to the Patient Safety Manager. In the report,
VA notes ``a successful VHA High Reliability culture is one
where every staff member feels empowered to influence
decisions, where our actions demonstrate a solid commitment to
Zero Harm. VHA seeks to report and study harm and near miss
events in order to understand weaknesses within our system to
proactively reduce risk.'' The Committee agrees and encourages
VA to continue its efforts to develop a culture where all
employees are empowered to report events and conditions that
put patient safety at risk. VA is directed to provide the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress an
update on any elements of the plan that may have changed or
been updated no later than 180 days of enactment of this act.
Research Facilities.--For more than half a century, VA, in
conjunction with its academic affiliates has conducted the
largest education and training program for health professionals
in the United States. While this has led to a number of
clinical benefits, there are areas where the affiliation could
be better leveraged, including shared research space. The
ability for VA to utilize research space on the campuses of its
academic affiliates would not only lift some of the fiscal
burden of recapitalization efforts, but could also prove to be
more efficient for principal investigators who are both VA
clinicians and on faculty at the respective affiliate. The
Committee understands VA's Office of Academic Affiliation is
developing models of strategic partnership to acquire clinical
and research spaces from academic affiliates. Therefore, the
Committee encourages the Department, where appropriate, to
enter into these types of arrangements. The Department is
directed to provide a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 30 days
after enactment of this act, on locations where it would be
feasible and appropriate to employ funding arrangements that
would allow for sharing agreements between local VA Medical
Centers to utilize existing research space of its academic
affiliate. The report should also outline the extent barriers
to these agreements exist, including legislative and regulatory
prohibitions.
Women's Health Care Facilities Improvements.--The Committee
reminds VA of the annual reporting requirement included in the
Joint Explanatory Statement accompanying Public Law 116-94.
Alternative Treatments.--The Committee recognizes that the
United States is in the midst of a drug epidemic fueled by
prescription opioids, which has been exacerbated by the
pandemic. The veteran population is particularly susceptible to
substance abuse given high rates of chronic pain and service-
related injuries. Alternative treatments for pain management
have been shown to be effective in reducing pain and reliance
on prescription opioids. The Committee encourages VA to expand
the use of alternative treatments to pain management in its
delivery of healthcare services. The Committee also urges VA to
integrate treatments such as acupuncture into VA medical
centers and clinics.
Acute Post-Surgical Pain Management.--The Committee
recognizes the notable reduction in prescription opioids for
veterans who utilize the VA healthcare system. The Committee
credits this to VA's focus on transforming chronic pain
management with alternative therapies and an aggressive
educational effort on safe and responsible use of prescription
opioids, but recognizes additional non-opioid alternatives may
be necessary for veterans with unique health needs such as
liver problems, where alternatives such as acetaminophen may
not be the best option. Therefore, the Committee encourages VA
to consider revising its acute pain management guidance to
include options such as non-opioid local anesthetics delivered
via elastomeric pain pumps and transcendental meditation as
alternatives.
Transcendental Meditation.--The Committee is aware of VA's
ongoing research evaluating transcendental meditation [TM] as a
first-line treatment for PTSD and suicidality. The Committee is
interested in TM's potential as an evidence-based non-invasive
treatment for veterans of all backgrounds in treating acute
mental health needs. No later than 180 days of enactment of
this act, VA is directed to submit a report to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the outcomes
derived from TM and the resources required to offer TM across
the VA system.
Pharmacogenomics Testing.--The Committee recognizes that
training healthcare professionals on the use of pharmacogenomic
testing, analysis, alerting and entry into electronic health
records can save lives, improve outcomes and lower
expenditures. Therefore, the Department is directed to provide
a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress 180 days after enactment of this act on their use of
clinically validated, evidence-based pharmacogenomic analysis,
testing and clinical decision support tools to assess those
veterans, especially polypharmacy patients, and those at higher
risk for adverse drug events to improve care.
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.--The
National Center for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder [NCPTSD] is
the Federal Government's foremost center of expertise on
evidence-based treatment of post-traumatic stress. The
Committee continues to support the mission and work of the
NCPTSD and provides $40,000,000 to continue the center's
advancement of the clinical care and social welfare of
America's veterans who have experienced trauma or suffer from
PTSD through research, education, and training in the science,
diagnosis, and treatment of PTSD and stress-related disorders.
The Committee supports the priorities for NCPTSD as described
in the Congressional budget submission, and urges it to
consider academic and interagency collaborations to investigate
novel combinatorial forms of intervention for PTSD, including
multifactor approaches.
Cancer Screenings and Treatment.--The coronavirus disease
of 2019 [COVID-19] pandemic has led to a decrease in the number
of routine cancer screenings, which could contribute to an
increase in later stage cancer diagnoses and more complex
cancer treatments. VHA should take all steps necessary to
return to pre-pandemic levels of cancer screenings and
diagnoses. Accordingly, the Committee encourages VHA to
increase availability of devices related to imaging, dosimetry,
and medical physics services to improve treatment planning
quality and treatment safety. Additionally, the Committee urges
VHA to conduct outreach and education to encourage all patients
to receive timely routine screenings, ensuring that those
diagnosed with cancer are treated as early as possible.
Non-Invasive Test for Bladder Cancer.--The Committee
recognizes that VA performs roughly 40,000 cystoscopies
annually and diagnoses approximately 3,100 new cases of bladder
cancer each year. Non-invasive forms of testing for bladder
cancer may decrease the burden of surveillance and long-term
management of this condition. Accordingly, the Department is
directed to conduct a report on the feasibility of expanding
the use of non-invasive tests for bladder cancer, incorporating
feedback from key stakeholders, including veteran bladder
cancer patients, Veteran Service Organizations and VA medical
professionals. The report should be provided to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 180 days of
enactment of this act.
Precision Oncology.--Molecular diagnostics and precision
oncology, including microarray and next generation sequencing,
performed at the first occurrence of cancer can provide vital
information regarding the specific tumor type and its drivers,
which can lead to the most accurate precision medicine for
patients. The Committee commends the Department's Precision
Oncology Program and directs the Department to issue a report
to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
no later than 60 days after the enactment of this act
describing the specific types of molecular diagnostics, such as
microarray, whole exome, whole genome, and RNA-Seq, which the
Department is providing to cancer patients and their frequency
of use, as well as detailed policy for data-sharing practices
for cancer cell lines and models with the external research
community. The Department is urged to accelerate the adoption
of molecular diagnostics for numerous cancers, including rare
cancers, and as appropriate, to engage in interagency or
public-private partnerships to use a next-generation,
precision-oncology platform that integrates bioinformatics,
machine learning, and mathematics to identify complex and
interconnected mechanisms responsible for drug response and
resistance to determine the best treatments.
Precision Medicine Data Storage.--The Committee supports VA
efforts authorized under section 305 of the Commander John
Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Improvement Act (Public Law
116-171) to utilize precision medicine to identify and validate
brain and mental health biomarkers in coordination with the
Million Veteran Program. The Committee is concerned that VA's
Information Technology Systems budget request does not include
the necessary investments to process, analyze, and store all
relevant data that is required to undertake the
Congressionally-directed research required under the Hannon
Act. Therefore, the Committee directs VA to allocate sufficient
resources for data processing, analysis, and storage to fully
implement the Hannon Act. Additionally, the Committee urges the
Department to seek opportunities to coordinate the research
directed under the Hannon Act with the Long-Term Impact of
Military-Relevant Brain Injury Consortium Chronic Effects of
Neurotrauma Consortium.
Access to Care.--The Department is directed to provide to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this act
a report on: (1) the number of veterans who live more than 100
miles from a VA facility that offers inpatient care; (2) a list
of counties in the United States where there are more than
3,000 veterans who live more than 100 miles from a VA facility
that offers inpatient care; and (3) a strategy for VA to
provide better inpatient capacity for veterans who live in the
counties listed under (2).
MEDICAL SERVICES
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $56,655,483,000
Advance appropriations, 2022............................ 58,897,219,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023........... 70,323,116,000
Committee recommendations, advance appropriations, 2023. 70,323,116,000
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 2021, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $58,897,219,000 for fiscal year 2022 for the
Medical Services account. In addition, VA has the authority to
retain co-payments and third-party collections.
The Committee recommendation also includes an advance
appropriation of $70,323,116,000 for Medical Services for
fiscal year 2023, equal to the budget request.
PREVENTING VETERAN HOMELESSNESS
The Committee remains strongly supportive of VA's homeless
prevention programs. As such the recommendation includes
$2,154,450,000 to support these programs, consistent with the
request. This total includes $395,352,000 for the Supportive
Services for Veterans Families [SSVF] Program; $483,900,000 for
the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive
Housing [HUD-VASH] Program case management, $270,442,000 for
the Grant and Per Diem Program [GPD]; and $70,103,000 for the
Veterans Justice Outreach [VJO] Program. In addition, the
Department plans to allocate $486,000,000 from the American
Response Plan (Public Law 117-2) for veteran homelessness
programs in fiscal year 2022. These programs support
communities across the Nation providing critical services and
housing for veterans and their families.
Homelessness Assistance.--The Committee recognizes the
Department's efforts to reduce the number of veterans
experiencing homelessness, with some estimates showing a 50
percent reduction nationwide since 2009. While VA increased
supports to veterans at risk of homelessness during the
pandemic, the Committee is concerned the number of veterans
experiencing homelessness will increase as homelessness
assistance, including debt relief programs, enacted at the
Federal, State, and local levels during the pandemic end.
Within 120 days of enactment of this act, VA shall provide to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a
report describing lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic
to support veterans experiencing homelessness, to include the
use of motels and hotels, and outline measures VA has made to
prepare for a potential increase in veterans experiencing
homelessness once the COVID-19 debt relief programs expire. It
is critical that grant recipients and veterans will not face an
abrupt reduction in support from VA as pandemic-specific
funding runs out.
Unnecessary Penalization of Organizations Providing
Services to Homeless Veterans.--The Committee directs VA to
conduct an assessment of negative discharges from Homeless
Program Office [HPO], GPD, SSVF, and HUD-VASH programs over the
past 5 years, including why the veteran was discharged, broken
down by veteran service discharge status, age, race, and
ethnicity, eligibility for VA care, gender, and geographic
location. This assessment shall be provided to the Committees
on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 90 days of
enactment of this act, and should also include if the veteran
had a diagnosed mental illness or substance use disorder, had
received VA medical care within a year prior to discharge from
the HPO program, or died by suicide within a year of discharge
from the program.
Supportive Services for Veterans Families.--Through grants
to private non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives,
SSVF is designed to rapidly re-house homeless veteran families
and prevent homelessness for those at imminent risk due to a
housing crisis. VA provides grants to all 50 States, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin
Islands. The Committee provides $420,000,000 for grant awards
in fiscal year 2023 and expects the Department to expand to
other locations to address gaps in services, as appropriate.
HUD-VASH.--The Committee remains concerned about the high
number of HUD-VASH staffing vacancies at VA Medical Centers
nationwide. Due to the integrated nature of HUD-VASH funding
and services of rental assistance vouchers paired with case
management, the Committee recommends that VA's budget for case
managers be increased commensurate with any increases in
availability of new housing vouchers, with an established and
appropriate funding level to support at least one case manager
for each 25 veterans served.
The Department is reminded of the report requirement
regarding the HUD-VASH program that was included in the Joint
Explanatory Statement supporting Public Law 116-260.
HUD-VASH Caseworkers.--The Committee urges the Department
to increase the number of caseworkers with strong cultural
competency skills to assist veterans at risk of homelessness.
The Committee directs the Department to report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not
later than 1 year after enactment of this act on the
effectiveness of using contracted caseworkers in comparison to
Department caseworkers.
Homeless Providers GPD Program.--The Committee agrees with
the goal of ending veteran homelessness by ensuring veterans
access to permanent, affordable housing of their choice.
However, the Committee recognizes that service-intensive
transitional housing provided through VA's GPD Program is an
important programmatic option, particularly in areas with low
vacancy rates, limited housing stock, and high market rates,
and that substance-free and service-intensive housing may be a
critical step for veterans at risk of relapse into substance
abuse. The most appropriate mix of housing services for
veterans should be determined locally through a collaborative
process including local housing partners, service providers,
and VA. The Department should continue to make funding
available for GPD beds based on a collaborative process with
local housing partners, the local VA Medical Centers and the
Continuums of Care. 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 contingency and remediation plan for veterans impacted by
changes in availability or losses of awards of Grant Per Diem
Program funds for current providers that serve rural or highly
rural areas that would result in the loss of veterans' access
to transitional housing assistance.
Supportive Housing Assistance.--The Committee recognizes
that our Nation's veterans are continuing to become more
diverse and have unique needs. The Committee directs VA to
report to Congress how the Department is ensuring support
through its rental assistance for diverse veteran groups,
including but not limited to: veterans who are survivors of
military sexual trauma, LGBTQIA veterans, elderly veterans,
veterans with dependents, tribal veterans, and veterans re-
entering communities after incarceration or participation in
residential treatment programs. The Department is directed to
submit this report to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment of
this act.
TELEHEALTH SERVICES
The Committee recommendation includes $2,435,182,000, equal
to the request, to sustain and increase telehealth capacity,
including in rural and highly rural areas. VA and DoD have long
been leaders in the field of emerging technology and medicine.
For VA, telehealth creates a bridge between rural and urban
centers, allowing the Department to expand access to care in
areas where services are limited. Telehealth also allows care
to be provided more effectively and efficiently for veterans
closer to home and through direct in-home access to providers.
While VA continues to lead the healthcare industry in the
expansion of in-home telehealth and remote patient monitoring
services, these services are often limited by the lack of
broadband service in remote and rural areas.
Telehealth Briefing.--The Committee recognizes the role
that virtual health, or ``telemedicine'' has played in
advancing health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic and
acknowledges that such services are increasingly relevant to
veterans and their families, particularly in rural areas. The
Committee further supports the expansion of these services in
order to promote safe, convenient and quality medical care to
all veterans and their families. Therefore, VHA is directed to
provide a briefing to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than December 1, 2021, on efforts
to increase telemedicine services to veterans and families and
the resources needed to make such services more readily
available. These resources should include, but not be limited
to broadband Internet access, personal computers, and basic
computer skills training. The briefing should include lessons
learned and best practices captured from the private sector
during the global pandemic as it relates to telemedicine.
VA-Academic Telehealth Partnerships.--The Committee
recognizes the potential of telehealth to build capacity for VA
to provide healthcare services to the increasing number of
female veterans, including services that VA has not typically
provided. The Committee also recognizes that telehealth
partnerships between VA and academic institutions with
telehealth and clinical expertise may be beneficial to serve
veterans, their families, and communities, particularly in
geographically isolated regions with large numbers of veterans.
The Committee encourages the Department to support such VA-
academic telehealth partnerships.
Remote Patient Diabetes Foot Ulcer Monitoring.--The
Committee recognizes that expanding access to remote patient
diabetes monitoring will provide more opportunities for
continual veteran monitoring and improving care outcomes at a
fraction of the cost of traditional methods and appreciates the
Department's efforts in this area through programs including
Preservation Amputation for Veterans Everywhere and The
Initiative to End Diabetic Limb Loss at VA. However, only a
small percentage of veterans with diabetic foot ulcers are able
to benefit from these programs. The Committee encourages the
Department to continue and expand efforts to monitor diabetes
patients remotely. The Department is directed to provide a
report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress within 120 days of enactment of this act on the
feasibility, including cost estimates, of expanding these
programs to reach an additional 20,000 veterans.
MENTAL HEALTH/PREVENTING VETERANS SUICIDE
The Committee provides $13,176,661,000 for mental health
programs, equal to the request, including $2,266,041,000 for
suicide prevention outreach and treatment programs, of which
$597,997,000 is for suicide prevention outreach.
Treatment of Depression.--The Committee recognizes that
depression is one of the most common conditions associated with
military service and combat service. Further, the risk of
suicide increases with this diagnosis each time a veteran tries
and fails a medication. The Committee is encouraged by ongoing
VA-sponsored genetic testing research to aid in depression
treatment selection; however, veterans still have less access
than Medicare beneficiaries to precision medicine tools. The
Committee encourages VHA to ensure the procurement of
pharmacogenomic tests for use in the treatment of depression if
they have been shown to improve health outcomes of veterans in
clinical trials.
Inpatient Mental Health Care for Military Sexual Trauma
Survivors.--Within 1 year of enactment of this act, the
Committee directs VA to conduct a study, and report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, of the
availability of inpatient mental health treatment for military
sexual trauma [MST] survivors, including wait times, geographic
disparities, and access to MST-specific tracks at VA
Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Programs. The study should
also include an analysis of access to gender-specific inpatient
care for MST survivors (e.g. women veterans only, male veterans
only). The report shall also include recommendations for
reducing wait times for inpatient mental healthcare for MST
survivors, improving access to gender-specific inpatient care,
and any changes to the number of MST-specific tracks available
within VA inpatient care.
Suicide Prevention Technology.--The Committee recognizes
the importance of consistent and timely follow-up engagement
with veterans identified as at-high-risk for suicide. Based on
a number of Office of Inspector General investigations
conducted throughout the country last year, there is a
concerning trend that critical follow-up coordination and
treatment steps are being missed which can be the result of
heavy caseloads assigned to Suicide Prevention Coordinators.
Although VA has been an innovator in implementing an
enterprise-wide suicide screening initiative, the Department is
urged to utilize the latest in technology to provide real-time
case monitoring and management. The Department should consider
a solution which can provide real-time, interactive
notifications and data visualization tools to help the Suicide
Prevention Coordinators manage and identify opportunities to
improve performance in real-time.
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.--The Commander John
Scott Hannon Veterans Mental Health Care Improvement Act
(Public Law 116-171), requires the hiring of additional mental
healthcare providers, expanding telehealth and transition
assistance programs, and prioritizing increased access to
mental healthcare for veterans in rural areas. Not later than
90 days after the date of enactment of this act, the Secretary
is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress on the Department's efforts to expand
the enrollment of eligible, separating servicemembers in VA
healthcare, screen transitioning servicemembers for mental
health risks, and conduct referrals for VA healthcare
registration, where appropriate. Elements of such a report
should include data on the number of newly-separated service
members enrolled in VA healthcare as well as targets and an
implementation timeline for increasing enrollment.
Veterans Crisis Line.--The Committee supports the request
of $255,968,000 for the Veterans Crisis Line [VCL]. VCL
provides 24-hours per day suicide prevention and crisis
intervention services for veterans in crisis and their families
and friends. The Committee supports the Department's efforts to
strengthen its operational readiness as the Federal
Communications Commission designates 9-8-8 as the universal
telephone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
and VCL, which will be implemented by July 2022. The Department
should ensure VCL is able to utilize geolocation capabilities
in order to ensure accurate emergency dispatch to persons at
risk of imminent harm to self or others, similar to those of
911 call centers.
Use of Machine Learning Software to Prevent Veteran
Suicide.--The Committee appreciates the Department's renewed
focus on preventing veteran suicide and strongly encourages VA,
in coordination with the Office of Mental Health and the Office
of Suicide Prevention, to utilize cloud agnostic automated
machine learning capabilities to rapidly provide predictive
analysis to stop suicides before they occur. The Department
should consult with data analytical firms, research
institutions, and other government agencies that use predictive
analytics on how best to apply them to prevent suicide.
Hard-to-Reach Veterans.--The Department is directed to
submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress a report providing an analysis of the hardest-to-reach
rural veterans, the barriers to accessing these veterans, and
next steps to address the mental health needs of these
veterans, no later than 120 days after enactment of this act.
OPIOID SAFETY INITIATIVES AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER CARE
To continue to build upon opioid reduction efforts and
safety initiatives, the Committee recommendation includes
$621,334,000 for Opioid Prevention and Treatment programs at
VA, equal to the budget request. This includes $375,668,000 for
treatment programs and $245,666,000 to continue implementation
of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016 (Public
Law 114-198).
Office of Patient Advocacy.--The Committee urges the
Department to prioritize continued implementation of the
reforms made to the patient advocacy program as required by the
Jason Simcakoski Memorial and Promise Act (Title IX, Public Law
114-198). The Committee believes that the law's establishment
of the Office of Patient Advocacy will ensure that patient
advocates put the interests of the veterans they serve first,
not the interests of the facility. Accordingly, within 90 days
of enactment of this act, the Committee directs VA to provide
an updated report to the Committees on Appropriations and
Veterans' Affairs of both Houses of Congress on its progress
implementing the relevant sections of Public Law 114-198, and
the specific training and instructions Patient Advocates are
given on how to escalate a concern outside of a VA facility
when they believe a VA facility is not acting in the best
interest of the veteran.
Alcohol Use Disorder Medication Assisted Treatment.--The
Committee encourages VA to increase education among its primary
care practitioners on the diagnosis and treatment of alcohol
use disorders with FDA-approved medication assisted treatments.
LONG-TERM CARE
Long-Term Care.--The Committee provides $11,772,077,000 as
requested by the Department for long-term care. This includes
$8,095,395,000 for institutional care and $3,676,682,000 for
non-institutional care. The Committee is aware of the aging
veteran population and supports long-term care that focuses on
facilitating veteran independence, enhancing quality of life,
and supporting the family members of veterans. As such, the
Committee supports the Department's efforts to broaden
veterans' options regarding non-institutional long-term care
support and services, and to accommodate veterans' preferences
in receiving home-based services, as well as community-based
care, residential settings, nursing homes, and other services.
The Committee acknowledges that the veteran population faces
unique health risks and that each veteran requires an
individualized approach to care, and VA is encouraged to
continue cooperation with community, State, and Federal
partners to expand and grow these programs.
Veterans Care Agreements.--The Committee is concerned that
if the Department does not utilize its authority to enter into
Veterans Care Agreements, as established by section 102 of the
MISSION Act, veterans may lose access to long-term care
services. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary to
quickly finalize the template for Veterans Care Agreements and
to utilize these agreements in conjunction with Community Care
Network [CCN] contracts, particularly in areas where local
contracts have not worked in the past. The Committee also urges
the Department to coordinate with the Departments of Labor and
Health and Human Services to streamline to the greatest extent
possible Federal requirements as they pertain to veterans and
skilled nursing facilities and remove any unnecessary or
duplicative requirements.
Domiciliary Care Claims for Veterans with Early-Stage
Dementia.--Changes to VA's processing and treatment of
domiciliary care claims have led to some veterans with early-
stage dementia who were earlier ruled eligible for VA
domiciliary care to now be deemed ineligible. In response,
Congress passed legislation (Public Law 116-315; section 3007)
to ensure VA has flexibility to waive certain eligibility
requirements for domiciliary care for veterans with early-stage
dementia when in the veteran's best interest. The Committee
directs the Secretary to expeditiously implement this
legislation and delegate this waiver authority to Veterans
Integrated Service Networks [VISNs] and local VA hospital
systems so that newly eligible veterans may begin to receive
this crucial support.
Hospice Care for Veterans.--The Committee supports the
implementation of hospice care protocols tailored to the unique
end-of-life care needs of combat veterans, including Vietnam-
era veterans, as well as for Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria
veterans. The Committee recognizes there are non-profit
community-based hospice care providers well-positioned to
provide specialized care to veterans and their families and
address issues related to mental health, moral injury,
substance use disorder and suicide prevention, anticipatory
grief and bereavement, and guidance on advance care planning.
Specialized, veteran-centric programs by expert providers in
the community can address the unique end-of-life needs of
veterans and their families. The Committee encourages the
Department to continue and expand its work with community-based
hospice care providers.
RURAL HEALTHCARE
Veterans residing in rural and remote areas face unique
barriers to receiving high-quality mental health, primary
healthcare, and specialty care services. While enhanced
community care programs offer veterans increased flexibility to
obtain care close to home, there are often gaps in services in
rural and remote communities even among private providers. The
Office of Rural Health [ORH] and its Rural Health Initiative
has played a critical role in assisting VA in its efforts to
increase access to care. Therefore the Committee recommendation
includes $327,455,000 for ORH and the Rural Health Initiative.
This is $27,455,000 greater than fiscal year 2021 enacted and
$20,000,000 above the budget request.
Highly Rural Transportation Grant Program.--The Committee
recognizes the need to address the care needs of veterans
living in rural communities across the United States. Such
veterans frequently lack access to the type of medical
facilities and medical care found in urban areas which may lead
to disparities in health outcomes in the long term. Therefore,
the Committee recommends up to $10,000,000 in funding for the
Office of Rural Health be dedicated to the Highly Rural
Transportation Grants Program that helps veterans in rural
areas travel to VA or VA-authorized care facilities. The
Department is directed to provide a plan to expand the program
to the Committees on Appropriation of both Houses of Congress
within 90 days of enactment of this act.
Supporting Rural Care Facilities.--The Committee is aware
of a growing shortage of healthcare and support professionals
in rural and highly rural areas. To improve recruitment and
retention initiatives for healthcare providers and support
personnel in rural and highly rural areas the Committee urges
the Department to prioritize the hiring of positions that the
Office of Inspector General has designated as having critical
occupational staffing shortages, including specialty care
providers, human resource professionals, police officers and
security personnel, housekeepers, and clinical support
personnel. The Committee is also aware of additional challenges
identified by the VA Office of Inspector General in offering
telehealth consults for specialty care in rural and highly
rural CBOCs and urges the Department to address ongoing
deficiencies in access to telehealth equipment, training, and
adequate bandwidth to operate the equipment at rural and highly
rural CBOCs.
Additional Transportation Barriers.--Transportation is a
social determinant of health, particularly for the veteran
population, which is disproportionally rural and mobility
challenged when compared to the general public. The Department
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 efforts to improve transportation at
VA facilities, particularly in rural areas, including
accessibility with ramps, automated forward facing wheelchair
securements (not manual rear facing), and hailing systems that
support persons with visual, hearing, and cognitive
disabilities. The report should also include a feasibility
study and cost estimate for adapting and testing the use of
accessible and autonomous electric vehicles at rural VA medical
facilities.
CAREGIVERS
The Committee recommendation includes $1,403,133,000 for
VA's Caregivers Program, which is $50,000,000 more than the
budget request. The Committee expects VA to dedicate this
funding to the program and not to divert the resources to other
areas, and notes that notification should be provided to the
Committee of any reprogramming of this funding. In order to
ensure proper budgetary oversight, the Department is directed
to report to the Committees on Appropriations quarterly
obligations (actuals and projections) for the Caregivers
Program, and highlight any changes to the implementation
schedule due to the Department's troubling delays to expand the
program, as well as the timing of information technology
requirements. The reports should also include information about
program expansion, including the number of downgrades,
terminations, and denials of eligibility under the Department's
new regulations.
Caregivers Program.--The Caregivers Program was enhanced as
part of the John S. McCain III, Daniel K. Akaka, and Samuel R.
Johnson VA Maintaining Internal Systems and Strengthening
Integrated Outside Networks [MISSION] Act of 2018 (Public Law
115-182), and the Department is expected to carry out this
expansion according to the statutory timeline, and to fully
staff the program, including ensuring that 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. Though already
significantly behind schedule, expansion of the comprehensive
caregiver program to veterans of all eras must proceed
expeditiously, including the hiring and training of sufficient
staff to manage the workload and ensuring the program receives
the highest quality leadership in the Department's capacity.
Since the implementation of the expanded program on October
1, 2020, VA has reported receiving more than 70,000
applications for the Caregivers Program. Excluding the 30,000
pending applications, and those that were withdrawn or not
completed, VA has denied 27,000 applications for an estimated
67.5 percent denial rate. The data shows that the highest
percentage of denials were due to the new activities of daily
living requirement and the 70 percent service-connection
requirement. These restrictive measures, and others, may be
causing hardship for veteran families. The Committee directs
the Secretary to review the regulations, and report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within
90 days of enactment of this act on whether the current
regulations are appropriate and best serve the most severely
wounded veterans.
WOMEN VETERANS HEALTHCARE
Women represent 16.5 percent of today's active duty force
and 19 percent of National Guard and Reserves. Accordingly,
women veterans are enrolling in VA healthcare at record levels,
with women accounting for over 30 percent of the increase in
veterans enrolled over the past 5 years and the number of women
veterans using VA healthcare more than tripling since 2001.
With the upward trend of women serving in all branches of the
Armed Forces, VA must continue to aggressively expand efforts
that address the current barriers to gender-specific healthcare
services and plan accordingly for the type and length of the
treatment needs of women veterans. The Committee continues to
believe 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
$820,446,000 for fiscal year 2022, which is $10,000,000 above
the request, to support gender-specific healthcare services, as
well as the program office and initiatives. The Department is
directed to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than 90 days after enactment of
this act a spend plan detailing planned activities related to
care for women veterans.
Women's Health Care Programs.--The Committee supports an
expansion of health programs specific to women veterans to
correct for gender-related gaps in provisions of VA medical
care. The recommendation includes funding for the Women
Veterans Health Care Mini Residency Program in order to train
clinicians to provide primary and emergency healthcare to women
veterans and to ensure that all female veterans have access to
healthcare professionals with specialized women's healthcare
training. The Committee also supports expanding the number of
full-time or part-time women's healthcare providers at each VA
medical facility to provide training on the needs of women
veterans. Further, the Committee supports funding for the
Office of Women's Health within VHA to develop and implement
standards of care for women veterans; monitor, identify, and
rectify deficiencies in care provision; and oversee the
distribution of resources related to women veterans' health
programming.
Office of Women's Health.--The Committee believes with the
growing number of women veterans, VA needs to continue to
invest in women's health healthcare at a rate consistent with
their demand for services. The Committee strongly supports the
implementation efforts of the new Office of Women's Health
created with the passage of the Deborah Sampson Act and the
Women's Health Innovation and Staffing Enhancement Initiative.
The Committee urges VA to continue its planning and work to
redesign its women's healthcare delivery system and ensure all
women veterans have the option to be assigned to Women Health
Primary Care Providers.
CLINICAL WORKFORCE
The Committee appreciates the Department's efforts to
address challenges in recruiting and retaining physicians,
physician assistants, nurses, mental health providers, other
healthcare professionals, and related support staff. The
Committee reminds the Department of the annual requirement for
a report on workforce issues outlined in the Joint Explanatory
Statement accompanying Public Law 116-260.
Health Professions.--The Committee recognizes that
understaffing, especially in medical and nursing positions, is
a principal obstacle to timely access to care for veterans and
encourages the Department to investigate the use of
commercially available hospital management information
technologies to reduce nursing administrative workloads while
simultaneously improving patient flow and access to care.
Medical School Affiliations with VA Health Care
Facilities.--The Committee is pleased VA improved its academic
affiliation activities with minority medical schools. For the
purposes of enhancing training initiatives, improving patient
care, and providing educational opportunities for our Nation's
veterans, the Committee urges VHA and the Office of Academic
Affiliations to maintain this ongoing commitment to minority
health professions schools.
Rural Health Providers.--The Committee notes persistent
issues for VA health facilities in rural areas in recruiting
and retaining health providers in the face of national provider
shortages and a highly competitive environment. The Committee
encourages VA to continue to consider expanded use of physician
assistants, through both physical facilities and expanded
access to telehealth services, to address the rural health
provider gap. VA is directed to submit a report, no later than
90 days after enactment of this act, to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, providing an update
on VA hiring needs in rural areas and VA plans to address the
provider gap in rural areas.
OTHER ITEMS OF INTEREST
Headache Disorders Centers of Excellence.--The Committee
understands that during the Global War on Terror, many
thousands of veterans sustained traumatic brain injuries or
were exposed to burn pits, and that chronic headache disorders
are common consequences of these injuries. In 2020, more than
408,000 veterans sought specialized healthcare for headache
disorders within VHA. Currently, VHA maintains 14 active
Headache Disorders Centers of Excellence [HCoE] sites, and
plans to establish 6 HCoE consortium sites, 1 in each of the 6
Veteran Integrated Service Networks that do not have a
designated center. The Committee encourages the Department to
expand the HCoE system to include at least 28 sites nationally
that will provide equitable access to specialty consultation,
direct healthcare delivery, education of VHA healthcare
providers, and research to improve the care and clinical
outcomes of veterans. The Committee expects VHA to provide
sustained support for the HCoE system to ensure the successful
recruitment and retention of healthcare providers with
specialty training in Headache Medicine. Finally, VHA is
directed to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress, no later than 60 days after enactment of
this act, a report that details potential associations between
open burn pit exposures, chronic headache disorders, and
healthcare utilization rates, and a plan to expand the number
of HCoEs.
Neurology-Related Centers of Excellence.--The Committee
recognizes the increasing number of veterans affected by
neurologic conditions, including epilepsy, headaches, multiple
sclerosis, and Parkinson's disease. The Department is
encouraged to increase its investment to maintain and expand
existing centers of excellence within VA dedicated to these
conditions in order to enhance their value in coordinating
innovative clinical care, education, and research efforts.
Finally, the Under Secretary for Health is directed to provide
a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress no later than 1 year after enactment of this act
providing details on opportunities to enhance care for veterans
with neurologic conditions.
Intimate Partner Violence Program.--The VA Intimate Partner
Violence Program [IPV] has made important progress in
implementing programs to combat domestic violence, including
the expansion of vital services for veterans, their partners,
caregivers, and VA staff impacted by intimate partner violence.
The Committee recognizes that high visibility of the program
must be continued in order to assist as many veterans as
possible. The Committee supports the funding request,
encourages increasing the staffing at the national level, and
supports maintaining IPV Coordinator positions at each VA
medical facility. The Committee directs the Department to fully
resource the Intimate Partner Violence Program and to continue
to include it as a program of interest with budget detail in
the justifications accompanying the fiscal year 2023 budget
submissions.
Veterans Exposed to Open Burn Pits and Airborne Hazards.--
The Committee is supportive of the efforts of VA to research
and study the health effects of open-air burn pits on veterans.
In order to provide full and effective medical care, it is
essential for the Department to better understand the impacts
exposure during service has had on the health of veterans.
Therefore the Committee directs not less than $8,000,000 be
utilized to carry out responsibilities and activities of the
Airborne Hazards and Burn Pits Center of Excellence.
Assessment of the Beneficiary Travel Mileage Reimbursement
Program.--The Committee directs VA to conduct an analysis of
the costs associated with the rollout of the new Beneficiary
Travel Self Service system, the impact of the new program on
utilization of Beneficiary Travel mileage reimbursement
requests and turnaround times, the efficacy of the current
mileage reimbursement rate in mitigating the financial burden
of transportation costs for veterans to medical appointments,
and the impact of the deductible on mitigating financial burden
on veterans of transportation to medical appointments and on
costs associated with the program. The result of this analysis
shall be provided to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress within 180 days of enactment of this act.
Travel Costs for Veterans.--The Committee understands the
need for certain veterans to receive a transportation stipend
to visit their closest VA facility. The Department is directed
to provide a detailed report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 90 days of
enactment of this act explaining the criteria for
transportation stipends provided to veterans seeking care at a
VA facility and insights on how that might be affecting
community care.
Mammography and Breast Imaging Strategic Plan.--Within 1
year of enactment, the Committee directs VA to develop a
national strategic plan for breast imaging services (i.e.
mammography). The plan must cover the evolving needs of women
veterans, address geographical disparities of in-house imaging
and the use of community imaging, the use of digital breast
tomosynthesis (DBT--3D breast imaging), and address the needs
of male veterans who require breast cancer screening services.
The plan should address any infrastructure needs, staffing
concerns, and the needs of veterans with spinal cord injuries
and disorders.
Continued Support and Expansion for Whole Health.--Recent
data about the Whole Health System reveals increased interest
and participation by veterans, and a resulting drop in
healthcare costs. The Committee is extremely pleased with the
Whole Health model of care and includes $83,600,000 in the
bill, which is $10,000,000 above the request, to continue to
implement and expand Whole Health to all VA facilities.
Adaptive Sports.--The Committee includes $16,000,000 for
the adaptive sports programs. Veterans have shown marked
improvements in mental and physical health from participating
in adaptive sports and recreational therapy and veterans have
expressed the need for these activities to be included in the
healthcare services VA offers. The Committee also recognizes
that adaptive sports and recreational therapy provide a low-
cost alternative to other healthcare services that produce
similar health outcomes, and applauds the efforts of community
providers of these grants, especially in rural areas, who have
been able to utilize this key program in successfully
reintegrating veterans back into their communities.
Dental Services.--The Committee applauds the excellent
quality of care provided by VA for all enrolled veterans but
recognizes that the lack of statutory authority for the
provision of oral healthcare has hampered the ability of the
Department to meet its mission of providing comprehensive care
for enrolled veterans. The Committee understands that the
provision of such services may improve veterans' lives, their
overall health, and could serve as a cost-effective method for
reducing expensive, complex health conditions.
Child Care Pilot Program.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of ensuring veterans who are seeking medical care
and services through VA have access to child care. Too often,
lack of child care is a barrier to women veterans and younger
veterans accessing services from the Department. With the women
veteran population continuing to rise, ensuring access to child
care is more critical than ever in order to remove barriers to
veterans accessing care from the Department. The Committee
directs the Secretary to submit a report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 90
days after enactment of this act detailing the locations at
which child care is available through a program of the
Department pursuant to section 1709C of title 38, United States
Code, and describing the Department's plan to expand
availability of such programs across the VA system.
Surgical Bleed Management.--Last year, the Committee asked
VHA to consider implementing an intraoperative bleed management
program that utilizes a bleed scale. The Committee requests
that VHA report back to the Committees on Appropriations of
both Houses of Congress within 120 days of enactment of this
act on the status of implementing a system-wide intraoperative
bleed management program that utilizes a bleed scale.
Lovell Federal Health Care Center.--The Committee
recognizes the innovative collaboration between the Departments
of Veterans Affairs and Defense at the Captain James A. Lovell
Federal Health Care Center Demonstration Project, established
in 2010 under Public Law 111-84. Given the unique nature of
this joint facility, the Committee notes that the Lovell
Federal Health Care Center has significant potential to improve
access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of healthcare delivery
to veterans, servicemembers, and their families, and already
serves as a valuable site demonstrating comprehensive
cooperation and interoperability between VA and DoD. The
important work of this integration effort must continue as the
two Departments continue to roll out their respective
electronic health record programs.
Pressure Injury Standards.--The Committee commends the
Department for the March 2019 guidance (VHA Directive 1352) on
Prevention and Management of Pressure Injuries. As the
Department indicated to the Committee, it should continue to
update VHA Directive 1352 to ensure staff have timely access to
relevant guidelines, research and practice standards on topics
related to pressure injury risk, prevention and management.
Furthermore, within 60 days of enactment of this act, the
Department is directed to provide to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a timeline to
implement the Standardized Pressure Injury Prevention Protocol
Checklist to improve pressure injury prevention and support the
development of best practices through the VHA medical system.
Support for Vet Centers.--The Committee continues to
believe Vet Centers are critical to veterans in every State and
it is critical that veterans continue to have access to the
resources and services they need. The Department should
expeditiously implement the recommendations made in the GAO
Report--VA Vet Centers: Evaluations Needed of Expectations for
Counselor Productivity and Centers' Staffing (GAO-20-652).
Sleep Apnea.--The Committee directs VA to submit a report
no later than 180 days of enactment of this act detailing
efforts to address sleep apnea issues facing veterans,
including a description and assessment of the feasibility of
expanding initiatives to provide home sleep tests, equipment
and home therapy to service patients with various respiratory
diseases across the country.
Safe Syringes for VA Health Workers.--The Committee
recognizes the Nation's increased reliance on VA health workers
providing FDA-approved COVID-19 vaccines for veterans. The
Committee is concerned that inconsistent procurement standards
of syringes could become a significant risk to VA health
workers providing intravenous medicines and vaccines to
veterans. Therefore, the Secretary shall submit a report not
later than 180 days of enactment of this act detailing the VA
syringe procurement standards and strategies to purchase more
syringes from domestic producers.
Pilot Programs for Agritherapy.--The Committee directs
$5,000,000 to continue a pilot program to train veterans in
agricultural vocations, while also tending to behavioral and
mental health needs with behavioral healthcare services and
treatments by licensed providers at no fewer than three
locations.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.--The Committee continues to be
supportive of alternative treatment options for veterans with
PTSD or TBI. The Committee continues to be concerned about the
lack of participation in VA's hyperbaric oxygen therapy [HBOT]
demonstration project. The Committee recommends that the
demonstration project continue until at least September 30,
2022, and encourages VA to examine altering the scope of the
project to better research the efficacy of HBOT as a treatment
for PTSD and TBI.
Coverage of Continuous Glucose Monitors.--The Committee is
aware that veterans suffer from diabetes at a greater rate than
the general population. Left untreated, diabetics face higher
risks of heart disease, kidney failure, limb amputations, and
blindness. The Committee is encouraged by innovations in
diabetes treatment options, including recent technological
advancements in continuous glucose monitoring systems [CGMs]
and applauds VA's decision to facilitate access to CGMs during
the public health emergency by suspending certain coverage
criteria. In June 2021, Medicare eliminated the requirement for
patients to perform frequent (e.g., four or more times per day)
blood glucose testing from their coverage criteria. The
Secretary is directed to provide the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress with a report
detailing the clinical rationale for maintaining frequent
testing criterion no later than 90 days after enactment of this
act.
MEDICAL COMMUNITY CARE
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $18,511,979,000
Advance appropriations, 2022............................ 20,148,244,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 3,269,000,000
Committee recommendation, 2022.......................... 3,269,000,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023........... 24,156,659,000
Committee recommendations, advance appropriations, 2023. 24,156,659,000
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
In fiscal year 2021, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $20,148,244,000 for fiscal year 2022 for the
Medical Community Care account. The recommendation for fiscal
year 2022 includes an additional $3,269,000,000, coupled with
the advance appropriation provided for fiscal year 2022
provides the Department with total budget authority of
$23,417,244,000, which is equal to the request.
The Committee recommendation also includes an advance
appropriation of $24,156,659,000 for Medical Community Care for
fiscal year 2023.
Community Care Modeling.--The Committee remains concerned
that the Department consistently makes inaccurate projections
related to utilization of community care, which impacts their
annual budget requests. Due to these inaccuracies, it has been
necessary for Congress to repeatedly provide additional dollars
outside the annual budget process, or to approve reprogramming
requests for significant amounts of funding, shortchanging
Congressional priorities in other areas. Therefore, within 30
days of enactment of this act, the Department is directed to
report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress when and how they complied with the recommendations in
GAO's report entitled ``Additional Steps Could Help Improve
Community Care Budget Estimates'' (GAO-20-669).
MISSION Act Reporting.--The Department is directed to
continue to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress quarterly reports on the expenditures
related to the MISSION Act for the prior fiscal year and the
current fiscal year, and estimates for expenditures related to
the MISSION Act for the next five fiscal years. These reports
should include costs broken out by account, with categories for
costs of MISSION Act-affected community care, caregiver
expansion, urgent care, and other efforts. These reports should
also include: (1) the number of veterans served by each
authority for care outlined in section 1703(d) of title 38,
United States Code (the Department does not offer the care, the
Department does not operate a full-service medical facility in
the State in which the covered veteran resides, etc.); (2) the
cost of such care broken out by the authorities in section
1703(d); and (3) the timeliness of care, on average.
In addition, the Department is directed to submit monthly
reports to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Congress identifying available resources, obligations,
authorizations, and anticipated funding needs for the remainder
of the fiscal year. This should include detail on the timing of
authorization of care and the obligation of funds. The report
should also provide data broken out by VISN on the number of
referrals and completed appointments in-house and in the
community, including timeliness.
Improved Oversight of the Community Care Networks'
Compliance with Access Standards.--The Committee requests
further information comparing access to VA in-house care and
care provided in the private sector based on timeliness. While
the Committee recognizes the contractual obligations of the
network administrators are different than the requirements
placed on the Department, the MISSION Act clearly states VA was
to report on compliance with standards established as a result
of the law. The Department is reminded of this requirement to
report according to the timelines in the MISSION Act, and is
further directed to include a breakdown of this data for
primary and specialty care in these reports.
Improved Oversight of the Community Care Networks' Dental
Networks.--The Committee is concerned VA is not providing
appropriate oversight of the adequacy of the CCN dental
networks. In particular, VA does not routinely confirm whether
network providers are willing to accept veterans. Culling the
network provider lists would help alleviate scheduler and
veteran frustration when appointments cannot be made with
providers who are not accepting VA patients or are no longer
practicing at the network location. It would also ensure CCN
contractors are accountable for building and maintaining a
truly adequate dental network. Therefore, the Department is
directed to undertake a nationwide review, to be completed
within 6 months of enactment of this act, of the discrepancies
between the number of network providers showing as active in
the CCN dental networks as of enactment of this act, and when
the review takes place, and report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on its findings.
Rural Health Continuity of Care.--The Committee encourages
the Department to sustain continuity of care for rural veterans
through provider agreements, based on previous models, such as
the Access Received Closer to Home program, to ensure veterans
do not experience a lapse in existing healthcare access during
the transition to the Veterans Community Care Program and
Community Care Networks. The Committee continues to support
enabling the Department to enter into provider agreements with
non-VA long-term care providers, including skilled nursing
facilities, as appropriate.
Dialysis Services.--The Committee understands that VA has a
long history of providing dialysis services through community
dialysis providers under the Nationwide Dialysis Services
contracts when VA is unable to directly provide such care. The
Committee expects VA will ensure that care is not disrupted or
diminished for the veterans who receive treatment through
experienced providers under the Nationwide Dialysis Services
contracts. In addition, VA is directed to provide the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress with a
report on the feasibility, advisability, and cost estimates for
a value-based care model which ties reimbursement to quality of
care. The report shall be provided no later than 270 days after
enactment of this act.
MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $8,214,191,000
Advance appropriations, 2022............................ 8,403,117,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023........... 9,673,409,000
Committee recommendations, advance appropriations, 2023. 9,673,409,000
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.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
In fiscal year 2021, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $8,403,117,000 for fiscal year 2022 for the
Medical Support and Compliance account.
The Committee recommendation also includes an advance
appropriation of $9,673,409,000 for Medical Support and
Compliance for fiscal year 2023.
MEDICAL FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $6,583,265,000
Advance appropriations, 2022............................ 6,734,680,000
Budget estimate, advance appropriations, 2023........... 7,133,816,000
Committee recommendations, advance appropriations, 2023. 7,133,816,000
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 2021, the Committee provided an advance
appropriation of $6,734,680,000 for fiscal year 2022 for the
Medical Facilities account.
The Committee recommendation also includes an advance
appropriation of $7,133,816,000 for Medical Facilities for
fiscal year 2023.
Energy-Efficient Sensor Technology.--The Committee is
concerned with the Department's growing maintenance backlog and
energy consumption at its facilities. The Committee is aware of
newly developed sensor technology for industrial monitoring,
including technologies that are batteryless. Advanced sensor
networks, such as these, can dramatically reduce energy
consumption and carbon emissions, enhance their operational
readiness, and equip operations and maintenance personnel with
tools to monitor and manage their energy resources more
effectively. Therefore, the Committee recommends the Department
consider investing in new technologies, including batteryless
sensor technology for industrial monitoring, to reduce energy
consumption and carbon emissions and deliver a more resilient
and sustainable infrastructure.
Gender-Specific Care Facilities for Women.--The Committee
directs VA to continue redesigning its healthcare facilities to
ensure women receive equitable, timely, and high-quality
healthcare. The Committee encourages the Department to identify
and appropriately prioritize construction projects which ensure
facilities consider the gender-specific care needs of women
veterans.
Prohibition on Smoking.--The Committee supports the
Department's efforts for VA facilities to be smoke-free and
encourages full implementation and enforcement of VHA
Directives 1085 and 1085.1, which prohibit the use of
cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and any other combustion or heating
of tobacco, and the use of any electronic nicotine delivery
system, including electronic or e-cigarettes, vape pens, and e-
cigars by any person on the premises of any facility of the
Veterans Health Administration.
Negative Air Pressure Containment Systems.--The Committee
is concerned VA has not adequately addressed the scalability
and surge capacity of commercial-off-the-shelf [COTS] negative
air pressure containment systems to ensure readiness at its
medical facilities nationwide. Therefore, the Committee
encourages the Secretary to explore COTS portable and modular
negative air room containment systems to increase readiness and
capacity to respond to surges during pandemics and other
infectious disease events at VA hospitals and clinics.
Scoring Process for Leases.--The Committee expresses
frustration with the delays in funding for leased facilities
exacerbated by the Congressional Budget Office's scoring
process for leased facilities.
MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $815,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 882,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 882,000,000
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 $882,000,000 for the Medical and
Prosthetic Research account. This is $67,000,000 above the
fiscal year 2021 enacted level and equal to 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.
Per- and Polyflouroalkyl Substance Exposure.--The Committee
is concerned about the exposure of veterans to per- and
polyfluoroalkyl substances [PFAS] during their military service
and how these chemicals may have affected their health and what
resources are available to them. PFAS chemicals have been found
in the drinking water at more than 600 military installations
nationwide. A byproduct of aqueous firefighting foam [AFFF]
used by the military, PFAS materials are classified as
``emerging contaminants'' as their long-term cumulative effects
on human health is not yet known. However, initial analyses
have linked PFAS materials with birth defects, various forms of
cancer and immune system dysfunction, causing great public
concern for members of the military and veterans who have
served at the dozens of bases found to be contaminated with
these materials. At the direction of Congress, VA has
established a number of registries for veterans who may have
been exposed to various environmental contaminants, including
Agent Orange and emissions from open burn pits in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Therefore, the Committee encourages VA to
establish and maintain a registry for veterans who may have
been exposed to PFAS due to exposure to AFFF during their
military service and develop a public information campaign to
inform eligible individuals about the registry. The Committee
also directs VA to provide a plan to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 120 days of
enactment of this act, to provide blood testing for this
chemical to veterans eligible and enrolled for VA healthcare
who served as military firefighters.
VA Cancer Moonshot.--The Committee supports the
Department's contribution to this effort by utilizing advances
in genomic science to provide targeted treatment to veterans.
The Department has identified prostate cancer, triple-negative
breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and rare cancers as areas of
priority. Due to the prevalence of various skin cancers among
servicemembers, the Committee directs that skin cancer be
included as well.
Advanced Platform Technology [APT] Center.--The Committee
applauds VHA for the progress being made to provide our
Nation's veterans with new assistive and restorative
technologies that address sensory, motor, or cognitive
deficits, as well as limb loss. The APT Center has effectively
utilized a partnership model to leverage local and national
research expertise to drive dramatic progress in diverse areas
including artificial lung development, wound healing, and
neurally-connected sensory prosthesis. The Committee provides
continued support for these commendable efforts.
Next-Generation Nonsurgical Neurotechnology.--The Committee
sees great benefit in collaboration between the Defense
Advanced Research Projects Agency's [DARPA's] Next Generation
Nonsurgical Neurotechnology program and VA in developing and
testing neurotechnology for veteran movement rehabilitation.
The Committee encourages DARPA and VA to work together to
include disabled veteran candidates in DARPA's human clinical
trials of the nanoscale minimally invasive brain computer
interface and demonstrate the potential benefits of this
emerging neurotechnology in restoring movement and offering
independence without invasive surgical procedures.
Severe Depression and Suicide Prevention.--Studies by the
National Institutes of Mental Health investigating the use of
Scopolamine in treating depression and suicide prevention have
shown promising initial results in rapidly decreasing patients'
Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale scores, with over 50
percent of patients achieving remission. Therefore, the
Committee directs the Department to review these findings and
determine whether the methods may be effective in treating
veterans.
Dystonia.--The Committee continues to urge VA to pursue
collaborative efforts with the dystonia stakeholder community
and related Federal agencies. The Department is directed to
provide an update on relevant research projects that examine
the connection between traumatic brain injury and dystonia to
the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress
within 90 days of enactment of this act.
Prosthetic Materials.--The Committee is aware of novel
applications of additive manufactured highly porous foam
materials, which may have significant benefits for veterans
receiving prosthetic bone implants. The Committee encourages VA
to consider conducting research in this area of prosthetics to
determine if veterans with amputations may benefit from the use
of the technology and procedure.
Advanced Prosthetic Socket Systems.--The Committee
appreciates the innovative program of prosthetics research the
Department has undertaken to support veterans with limb loss,
ranging from limb loss prevention and tools to support
amputation decisions to efforts to support the use,
optimization and development of new prosthetic devices.
Additional research is needed for design improvements to
prosthetic socket system technologies to help alleviate pain,
tissue breakdown, infections, revision surgeries, and other
morbidities of poorly fitting sockets. The Department is
encouraged to continue and expand research related to
prosthetic socket systems, including options to improve
customization. The Department is further encouraged to
collaborate, as appropriate, with industry, academia, and DoD.
Spinal Cord Research.--The Committee recognizes the
severity of spinal cord injuries sustained by servicemembers in
combat and supports additional research in this area. The
Department is encouraged to work with outside organizations on
spinal cord injury research to find a cure and improve the
quality of life for impaired and disabled veterans. Additional
investment in spinal cord research could yield a long-term cost
savings to VA through reduced healthcare costs and restore
functional recovery to paralyzed veterans.
Veteran Access to State of the Art Clinical Trials.--The
Committee remains supportive of funding efforts to provide
access to clinical trials that offer effective, cutting-edge
treatments for cancers such as prostate, lung and melanoma that
occur at high rates in the veteran population. VA is currently
working to establish new clinical research partnerships between
National Cancer Institute [NCI]-designated cancer centers and
VA medical centers focused on the states with the largest
veteran populations. The Committee appreciates that VA has
begun to implement this initiative and looks forward to being
apprised of further progress. The Committee urges VA to support
the establishment of partnerships between VA hospitals and NCI-
designated facilities consistent with the guidance provided in
the prior two fiscal years.
MEDICAL CARE COST RECOVERY COLLECTIONS
MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $4,403,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 3,386,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 3,386,000,000
MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND--REVENUES APPLIED
Appropriations, 2021.................................... -$4,403,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... -3,386,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ -3,386,000,000
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 and
Medical Community Care accounts.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommendation includes the authority to
retain co-payments and third-party collections, estimated to
total $3,386,000,000 in fiscal year 2022.
National Cemetery Administration
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $352,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 394,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 394,000,000
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 $394,000,000 for the National
Cemetery Administration. This is an increase of $42,000,000
above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and equal to the
budget request. The appropriated funding for NCA should be used
to maintain existing cemeteries and to activate newly completed
cemeteries.
The Committee has included bill language to make available
through September 30, 2023, up to 10 percent of the National
Cemetery Administration appropriation.
Committal Service Shelters.--The Committee reiterates its
support for committal service shelters and directs the
Department to carry out a pilot program with at least three
sites to enclose or partially enclose committal shelters at
national cemeteries located in areas with a drastic temperature
differential. The Department is directed to report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 180 days after enactment of this act on the status
of this effort, including locations chosen.
Western New York Cemetery.--The Committee is pleased that
the Department intends to complete delivery of the full scope
of the Western New York National Cemetery as described in the
fiscal year 2017 budget proposal by the conclusion of Phase 1B
construction. The Department is directed to provide a plan and
timeline for completing the project to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 60 days
after enactment of this act.
Rural Initiative.--The Committee supports NCA's decision to
add additional infrastructure--such as wind walls, restrooms,
and storage sheds--to its Rural Initiative National Cemeteries
so that veterans and their families are better served. As the
Department finalizes the designs for these projects, the
Committee recommends that the agency consider any necessary
water, sewage, and electric utilities that would support these
upcoming projects. The Committee also encourages VA to enter
into public-private partnerships to help fund these
improvements where appropriate. Further, the Committee
encourages VA to consult and engage with local communities and
stakeholders as it makes plans and undertakes construction of
additional infrastructure at Rural Initiative National
Cemeteries.
Departmental Administration
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $10,169,911,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 10,588,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 10,480,000,000
ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW
Departmental Administration provides for the administration
of veterans benefits through VBA, the executive direction of
the Department, several top level supporting offices, and the
Board of Veterans Appeals.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $10,480,000,000 for Departmental
Administration. The amount is composed of $401,200,000 for
General Administration; $228,000,000 for the Board of Veterans
Appeals; $4,842,800,000 for Information Technology Systems;
$2,500,000,000 for the Veterans Electronic Health Record;
$239,000,000 for the Office of Inspector General;
$1,611,000,000 for Construction, Major Projects; $553,000,000
for Construction, Minor Projects; $50,000,000 for Grants for
Construction of State Extended Care Facilities; $50,000,000 for
Grants for the Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries; and
$5,000,000 for Asset and Infrastructure Review.
In addition, fiscal year 2022 is the first year funds are
available from the Recurring Expenses Transformational Fund
[Transformational Fund]. Established in the Consolidated
Appropriations Act of 2016 (Public Law 114-113), the
Transformational Fund consists of unobligated balances of
expired discretionary appropriations, following the fifth
fiscal year after the last fiscal year funds were originally
available. These funds shall be available until expended for
facilities infrastructure improvements, including nonrecurring
maintenance, at existing VA hospitals and clinics, and for
information technology systems improvements and sustainment.
The fiscal year 2022 Transformational Fund balance is
approximately $842,000,000, of which VA proposed to allocate
$820,000,000, with approximately $670,000,000 for minor
construction projects and the remainder for information
technology systems.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $365,911,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 401,200,000
Committee recommendation................................ 401,200,000
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 $401,200,000 for General
Administration. This amount is $35,289,000 above the fiscal
year 2021 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
Committee has included bill language to make available through
September 30, 2023, up to 10 percent of the General
Administration appropriation.
The Committee provides funding for General Administration
in the amounts specified below:
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2022 Committee
Office\1\ budget request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office of the Secretary............. 16,265 16,265
Office of General Counsel........... 125,510 125,510
Office of Management................ 73,726 73,726
Office of Human Resources & 103,646 103,646
Administration/Office of
Operations, Security & Preparedness
Office of Enterprise Integration.... 33,636 33,636
Office of Public and 14,435 14,435
Intergovernmental Affairs..........
Office of Congressional & 7,480 7,480
Legislative Affairs................
Office of Accountability & 26,502 26,502
Whistleblower Protection...........
-----------------------------------
Total........................... 401,200 401,200
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\The Office of Acquisition, Logistics & Construction and the Veterans
Experience Office are funded solely with reimbursable authority.
The Secretary may alter these allocations if the Committees
have been notified and written approval is provided.
Improving Personal Cybersecurity for Veterans.--The
Department is encouraged to help improve personal cybersecurity
among veterans by increasing digital and media literacy through
education and resources, including protection against cyber
threats and influence campaigns.
Update on ABLE Act Awareness Efforts.--The Achieving a
Better Life Experience Act of 2014 or ABLE Act (Public Law 113-
295, Division B) allows individuals and families to save for
the purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities in
maintaining their health, independence and quality of life. The
Committee strongly encourages the Department to raise awareness
of the eligibility and benefits of these accounts. The
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress request
an update on this effort within 90 days of enactment of this
act.
Data Governance and Analytics.--The Committee is supportive
of the work carried out by VA's Office of Enterprise
Integration [OEI] for the continuous improvement of veterans'
access and outcomes throughout their lifetimes. OEI uses data
and analytics to develop deep population insights that enable
VA programs to better connect with veterans, as outlined in the
VA Data Strategy. VA, as a learning enterprise, should manage,
integrate, and consolidate its various data sources to ensure
its data is of highest quality and is used to support
operational decisionmaking. As such, the Committee encourages
OEI to further coordinate enterprise-wide efforts to manage VA
data as a strategic asset, in order to enhance veterans'
insights and to strengthen VA's delivery of services and
benefits to veterans, their families, survivors, and
caregivers.
Data Sharing.--The Committee supports the Department's
recent efforts through OEI and VHA to become more data driven
in their approach to how they make Department-wide decisions.
The Committee urges VA to create a plan within 12 months of
enactment of this act that enables better sharing of data
across the different Administrations. The plan should explore
existing governmental models such as DoD's Cost Assessment and
Program Evaluation office and make determinations on their
effectiveness within VA.
BOARD OF VETERANS APPEALS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $196,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 228,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 228,000,000
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 $228,000,000 for the Board of
Veterans Appeals, which is $32,000,000 above the fiscal year
2021 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The
Committee has included bill language to make available through
September 30, 2023, up to 10 percent of the Board of Veterans
Appeals appropriation.
Appeals Backlog.--The Department is currently experiencing
a backlog of disability claims, which has only been exacerbated
by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Committee recognizes veterans'
expectations regarding timely and accurate appeals processing,
and supports full funding of the Board of Veterans' Appeals to
increase personnel, reduce the backlog of claims and get
veterans the timely answers they deserve.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $4,912,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 4,842,800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 4,842,800,000
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 $4,842,800,000 for the Information
Technology Systems account. This amount is equal to the budget
request. The Committee recommendation includes $1,414,215,000
for staff salaries and expenses, $3,131,585,000 for operation
and maintenance of existing programs, and $297,000,000 for
program development. In addition, the Committee supports the
Department's allocation of funds from the Transformational Fund
to support Information Technology.
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 is aware that an aging IT infrastructure and
antiquated systems have contributed to issues affecting
veterans, their families, and third parties with whom VA has
agreements; and that the Department continues to identify
significant costs to support new and critical initiatives.
Additionally, the Department has reported its inability to
comply with requirements that have been passed into law due to
lack of appropriate IT systems. While the Committee will
continue to work with the Department to ensure current IT
projects are appropriately resourced, the Committee believes
the Department's Information Technology Programs budget
submission document is in need of significant improvement.
The Committee is disappointed that the Department made
little to no effort to comply with fiscal year 2021 Committee
direction regarding improvements to the IT budget submission in
Volume II. The Committee reaffirms its belief that the
Department's IT budget submission document is in need of
significant improvement. Similar to efforts the Committee
directed for improvements to Volume IV, Construction and Long
Range Plan, the Committee directs the Department to improve the
type, quality, and organization of information in the IT budget
submission starting in the fiscal year 2023 submission. This
should include a section detailing every existing funded IT
project. The Department's approach in reforming its IT
submission should draw lessons from the detail of the
Construction and Long Range Plan submission.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal year 2022 Committee
Project budget request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clinical Applications
Supply Chain Management......... 76,105 76,105
Healthcare Administration 20,710 20,710
Systems........................
Health Data Interoperability.... 2,125 2,125
My HealtheVet................... 4,684 4,684
-----------------------------------
Subtotal Clinical 103,624 103,624
Applications...............
Health Management Platform
Community Care.................. 34,853 34,853
Digital Health Platform......... 11,807 11,807
Patient Record Systems.......... 9,000 9,000
Purchased Care.................. 6,836 6,836
Telehealth Services............. 6,600 6,600
-----------------------------------
Subtotal Health Management 69,096 69,096
Platform...................
Health Research and Development
Research........................ 8,660 8,660
-----------------------------------
Subtotal Health Research and 8,660 8,660
Development................
Benefits Systems
Education Benefits.............. 50,000 50,000
Veterans Customer Experience.... 9,880 9,880
Veterans Benefits Management.... 14,285 14,285
Benefits Systems................ 9,825 9,825
Benefits Appeals................ 3,400 3,400
-----------------------------------
Subtotal Benefits Systems... 87,390 87,390
Memorial Affairs
Memorials Automation............ 9,030 9,030
-----------------------------------
Subtotal Memorial Affairs... 9,030 9,030
Cyber Security
Cyber Security.................. 11,200 11,200
-----------------------------------
Subtotal Cyber Security..... 11,200 11,200
Information/Infrastructure
Management
Data Integration and Management. 8,000 8,000
-----------------------------------
Subtotal Information/ 8,000 8,000
Infrastructure Management..
-----------------------------------
Total IT Development............ 297,000 297,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prioritizing IT Modernization and Managing Cybersecurity
Risk.--The Committee is aware of the continued need to
modernize VA IT systems, and ongoing efforts to do so. In
addition, VA continues to dedicate more than 80 percent of its
IT operations and maintenance funding to managing legacy
systems that may be outdated and pose security risks. These
aged and disparate systems put VA at an increased cybersecurity
risk and impede the ability of VA to efficiently deliver
benefits and care to the veterans who have earned it. To
improve VA services and protect against growing cyber
vulnerabilities, VA must take an enterprise-wide approach to
securing its IT systems. This may include, but is not limited
to, developing and executing a plan to retire its legacy IT
systems and fully integrating cybersecurity risk management
into its IT modernization efforts.
Zero Trust Network Concept.--As the Department continues to
modernize its cyber networks across VISNs, the Committee
instructs the Department to review and consider DoD's success
implementing a Zero Trust concept of operations on all VA-owned
networks.
Accessibility.--The Committee recognizes a need to ensure
that the Department meets the accessibility needs of employees
with disabilities. The Department is directed to conduct a
study on the accessibility of SharePoint for Department
employees, including those with limited vision or blindness,
and submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both
Houses of Congress no later than 1 year after passage of this
act. The report should take into account feedback from key
stakeholders, including labor unions and VA employees with
limited vision or blindness; assess potential solutions for
making SharePoint accessible; and identify barriers to
implementing those solutions. Additionally, the Department is
directed to identify a Department-wide remediation team to
handle all accessibility concerns, including those related to
document remediation, website and app compliance, and audio
description and captioning.
VETERANS ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $2,627,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 2,663,000,000
Committee recommendation, 2022.......................... 2,500,000,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Veterans Electronic Health Record [EHR] account funds
all activities related to the acquisition, implementation,
preparation, development, interface, management, rollout, and
maintenance of a new EHR. The EHR solution and implementation
will include program management; an enterprise-wide EHR system;
change management; training; testing; deployment services;
sustainment; and other solutions encompassing the entire range
of EHR requirements.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $2,500,000,000 for the Veterans
EHR. This is $127,000,000 below the fiscal year 2021 enacted
level and $163,000,000 below the budget request. While the
Committee remains supportive of replacing VA's current EHR with
the same system being acquired by DoD, frustrations continue
with the delays in execution, as well as with the Department's
poor communication. The Committee appreciates the Secretary
undertaking a strategic review following concerns raised from
the rollout of the new system at the Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical
Center in Spokane, Washington, which resulted in decreased
productivity beyond what was projected in the short run. The
Committee looks forward to receiving more information on the
Department's recommended changes to improve functions such as
governance, infrastructure, training, and budgeting. VA is
encouraged to adopt an enterprise-wide approach for the
remaining implementation process.
Given the schedules and costs associated with any
acquisition of this size and magnitude, it is important for the
Department to provide regular implementation updates.
Therefore, the bill continues strict quarterly reporting of
obligations, expenditures, and deployment schedule by facility.
The Department is directed to continue quarterly briefings to
review timelines, performance milestones, costs,
implementation, and change management progress. In addition,
the Committee included a statutory proviso that makes 25
percent of funding contingent upon the Secretary providing a
plan with benchmarks and measurable metrics for deployment, and
a plan for addressing all required infrastructure updates, no
later than 30 days prior to July 1, 2022.
The Committee continues to direct GAO to perform quarterly
performance reviews of the VA EHR deployment to keep the
Committees on Appropriations and Veteran's Affairs of both
Houses of Congress apprised of VA's progress.
Tribal Veteran Electronic Health Record.--The Committee
urges the Department to consult with the Indian Health Service
on their new electronic health records system currently under
development to ensure the interoperability between the agencies
systems. VA is directed to report to the Committees on
Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 90 days of
enactment of this act on the steps they are taking to ensure a
seamless transition of electronic health records for our
Nation's tribal veterans.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $228,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 239,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 239,000,000
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 $239,000,000 for OIG. This is
$11,000,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and equal
to the budget request. The Committee has included bill language
to make available through September 30, 2023, up to 10 percent
of the OIG appropriation.
The Committee continues to support OIG's essential
oversight of VA's programs and operations, and maintains a
provision to support timely access to any records, documents,
or other materials available to the Department. Similarly, the
Committee strongly encourages OIG to undertake and complete
investigations in a timely manner, including sharing
information with the Department, the Department of Justice, or
other entities as appropriate.
CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $1,316,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 1,611,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 1,611,000,000
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 $1,611,000,000
for the construction of major projects. This is $295,000,000
above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level and equal to 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 2022 Committee
Location and description budget request recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Veterans Health Administration
[VHA]:
Biloxi, MS: Restoration of 22,500 22,500
Hospital/Consolidation of
Gulfport.......................
Portland, OR: Upgrade Portland 20,000 20,000
Bldg 100/101 for Seismic
Retrofit and Renovation........
Louisville, KY: New Medical 93,000 93,000
Center.........................
San Francisco, CA: New Research 74,400 74,400
Facility.......................
West Los Angeles, CA: Build New 40,000 40,000
Critical Care Center...........
Long Beach, CA: Mental Health & 20,000 20,000
Community Living Center........
Canandaigua, NY: Construction 60,159 60,159
and Renovation.................
San Diego, CA: SCI & Seismic 10,000 10,000
Bldg 11........................
Dallas, TX: Spinal Cord Injury.. 43,239 43,239
Oklahoma City, OK: Construct 18,103 18,103
Surgical Intensive Care Unit
and Renovate Operating Rooms...
St. Louis [JC], MO: Replace Bed 92,000 92,000
Tower, Clinical Bldg Expansion
& Parking Garage...............
El Paso, TX: Construct New 150,000 150,000
Health Care Center.............
Advance Planning and Design 417,699 417,699
Fund: Various Stations.........
Asbestos--Various Stations...... 12,000 12,000
Construction & Facilities 124,600 124,600
Management Staff--Various
Stations.......................
Hazardous Waste--Various 4,000 4,000
Stations.......................
Judgment Fund--Various Stations. 35,000 35,000
Non-Departmental Federal Entity 132,000 132,000
Project Management Support--
Various Stations...............
Seismic Corrections--Various 100,000 100,000
Stations.......................
-----------------------------------
Total, VHA.................. 1,468,700 1,468,700
National Cemetery Administration
[NCA]:
Fort Logan, CO: Phase 1 50,000 50,000
Gravesite Expansion............
Indiantown Gap, PA: Phase 5 44,500 44,500
Gravesite Expansion............
Advance Planning and Design 35,000 35,000
Fund: Various Stations.........
NCA Land Acquisiion Fund: 1,000 1,000
Various Stations...............
-----------------------------------
Total, NCA.................. 130,500 130,500
General Administration/Staff Offices ................ ................
Department Advance Planning and 11,800 11,800
Design Fund for Major Construction.
-----------------------------------
Total Construction, Major 1,611,000 1,611,000
Projects...................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Construction Program.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of VA's construction program, and encourages the
Department to take into account whether states have a full-
service VA medical facility when determining which projects to
fund.
CHIP-IN Program.--The Committee strongly encourages the
Department to expeditiously review and approve proposals for
projects under the Communities Helping Invest through Property
and Improvements Needed [CHIP-IN] for Veterans Act of 2016,
that address gaps in required services for veterans.
Recognizing the importance and impact CHIP-IN facilities will
have on our veteran population and the potential for project
disruption due to cost containment concerns, the Committee
directs the Department to provide quarterly updates to the
Committees on Appropriations and Veterans Affairs of both
Houses of Congress on the status of all active CHIP-IN
projects. Additionally, the Committee recognizes the need to
modernize facilities and provide state of the art behavioral
health facilities to continue to provide best in class health
services for veterans. The Committee encourages the Department
to proceed with efforts to modernize VA facilities and provide
an update on planning for this effort no later than 60 days
after enactment of this act.
Seismic Retrofits at the West Los Angeles VA.--The
Committee directs VA to develop a plan for seismic retrofits
and construction on Buildings 156, 157, 257, 258 and 300 at the
West Los Angeles VA Medical Center, including the possibility
of allocating funding as a Capital Contribution. These
improvements will help operationalize the Greater Los Angeles
Healthcare System's Master Plan, which calls for the delivery
of more than 1,200 units of housing for more than 4,000
veterans experiencing homelessness.
CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $390,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 553,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 553,000,000
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
$20,000,000. 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 $553,000,000 for minor
construction. This is $163,000,000 above the fiscal year 2021
enacted level and equal to the budget request.
The recommendation includes $359,210,000 for the Veterans
Health Administration, $106,990,000 for the National Cemetery
Administration, $22,100,000 for the Veterans Benefits
Administration, and $64,700,000 for staff offices and the
Office of Information and Technology. 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. In addition, the Committee supports the
Department's allocation from the Transformational Fund to
support minor construction.
Permanent Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Unit.--The
Committee recognizes the importance of long-term beds for
veterans suffering from substance use disorders, particularly
in rural areas. The Committee is concerned that VA does not
appear to have prioritized these projects in its construction
planning and budgeting, and is encouraged to include necessary
projects in future budget requests to ensure veterans are able
to receive adequate mental health and substance use treatment.
GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $90,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022...................................................
Committee recommendation................................ 50,000,000
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 $50,000,000 for Grants for
Construction of State Extended Care Facilities. This is
$50,000,000 above the budget request.
The Committee recognizes the important role that State
Veterans Homes play in providing nursing home, domiciliary or
adult day care to veterans around the country. The Committee
notes that the administration's budget did not request funding
for the Grants for Construction of State Extended Care
Facilities program in fiscal year 2022 after significant
funding was provided through the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136)
and the American Rescue Plan (Public Law 117-2) that enabled VA
to fund all existing Priority 1 projects. The Committee notes
that additional projects are needed around the country to
support the needs of our Nation's veterans, and VA receives new
applications each year. Therefore, the Committee recommends
funding in fiscal year 2022 to address applications for
additional Priority 1 projects.
GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $45,000,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 45,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 50,000,000
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 $50,000,000 for Grants for
Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries. This is $5,000,000
above the fiscal year 2021 enacted and the budget request.
ASSET AND INFRASTRUCTURE REVIEW
Appropriations, 2021....................................................
Budget estimate, 2022................................... $5,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 5,000,000
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The Asset and Infrastructure Review account will fund
implementation of the Asset and Infrastructure Review Act,
under the VA MISSION Act of 2018 (Public Law 115-182), Title
II. For fiscal years 2022 and 2023, it will support the Asset
and Infrastructure Review Commission [the Commission], which
will review VA's recommendations to modernize or realign
Veterans Health Administration facilities, including leased
facilities. By January 31, 2023, the Commission shall provide a
report to the President on VA's plan along with the
Commission's recommendations. Support staff will conduct in-
depth field hearings and receive input from veterans, Veterans
Service Organizations, local VA providers, local governments,
and the public. Fiscal year 2022 is the first year this account
will be funded.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $5,000,000 for the Asset and
Infrastructure Review [AIR] account, which is equal to the
request. This is a new account for fiscal year 2022.
Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission.--The Committee
is concerned that the recommendations of the AIR Commission
could greatly impact the healthcare access of veterans. The
Department is directed to consult with the Health Resources and
Services Administration and the Rural Health Council within the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding designations
including Health Professional Shortage Area and Medically
Underserved Area/Population designations in determining the
impact of moving or closing a VA facility on the ability of
veterans to access healthcare in their community.
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
funds for the Office of Resolution Management, Diversity and
Inclusion, the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint
Adjudication, and the Alternate Dispute Resolution function
within the Office of Human Resources and Administration.
Sec. 211. The Committee includes a provision which requires
disclosure of third-party reimbursement information.
Sec. 212. The Committee includes a provision which allows
for the transfer of revenue derived from enhanced-use leases
into the construction accounts.
Sec. 213. The Committee includes a provision which outlines
authorized uses for Medical Services account funds.
Sec. 214. 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. 215. The Committee includes a provision which allows
eligible veterans in the State of Alaska to obtain medical care
services.
Sec. 216. The Committee includes a provision which allows
for the transfer of funds into the construction accounts.
Sec. 217. The Committee includes a provision requiring the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit quarterly financial
reports.
Sec. 218. The Committee includes a provision outlining
transfer authority for the Information Technology Systems
account.
Sec. 219. 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. 220. 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. 221. 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. 222. 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. 223. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
funds available to the Department in this or any other act from
being used to replace the current system by which VISNs select
and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment.
Sec. 224. The Committee includes a provision requiring
notification of all bid savings for major construction
projects.
Sec. 225. The Committee includes a provision restricting
scope increases for major construction projects above that
specified in the original project justification.
Sec. 226. The Committee includes a provision requiring the
Department to submit reports relating to the Veterans Benefits
Administration on claims processing at Regional Offices.
Sec. 227. 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. 228. The Committee includes a provision requiring the
Secretary to report to the Committees each quarter about any
single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign
exceeding $1,000,000.
Sec. 229. The Committee includes a provision permitting the
transfer to the Medical Services account of fiscal year
discretionary 2022 appropriated funds.
Sec. 230. The Committee includes a provision permitting the
transfer of funds between GOE, VBA and BVA.
Sec. 231. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the reprogramming of funds in excess of $7,000,000 among major
construction projects or programs.
Sec. 232. The Committee includes a provision mandating
certain professional standards for the veterans crisis hotline.
Sec. 233. The Committee includes a provision requiring VA
to use the mammography screening guidelines announced by the
Secretary on May 10, 2017.
Sec. 234. The Committee includes a provision allowing the
use of Medical Services funding for assisted reproductive
technology treatment and adoption reimbursement for veterans
and their spouses if the veteran has a service-connected
disability that results in being unable to procreate without
such fertility treatment.
Sec. 235. 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. 236. The Committee includes a provision pertaining to
Native Hawaiian small businesses.
Sec. 237. The Committee includes a provision directing the
discontinuation of the usage of Social Security numbers within
VA.
Sec. 238. The Committee includes a provision pertaining to
the certification of marriage and family therapists.
Sec. 239. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the transfer of funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity
Compensation Fund to any other VA account.
Sec. 240. The Committee includes a provision regarding a
childcare program.
Sec. 241. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
funds to be used to restrict an individual's ability to speak
with a Member of Congress or his or her staff.
Sec. 242. The Committee includes a provision requiring
certain data to be included in the budget justifications for
the Construction, Major account.
Sec. 243. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds to deny the Inspector General timely access to
information, unless a provision of law expressly refers to the
Inspector General and expressly limits such access.
Sec. 244. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
funding from being used in a manner that would increase wait
times for veterans at medical facilities.
Sec. 245. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds in fiscal year 2022 to convert any program
which received specific purpose funds in fiscal year 2021 to a
general purpose-funded program without the approval of the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress at
least 30 days prior to any such action.
Sec. 246. The Committee includes a reference to a provision
in the 2017 appropriations act identifying information which
may be used to verify the status of coastwise merchant seamen
who served during World War II for the purposes of eligibility
for medals, ribbons, or other military decorations.
Sec. 247. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of canines in VA research unless: the scientific
objectives of the study can only be met by using canines; the
study has been directly approved by the Secretary; and the
study is consistent with the revised VA canine research policy
document released in December, 2017.
Sec. 248. The Committee includes a provision ensuring
particular ratios of veterans to FTE position within any VA
program of rehabilitation.
Sec. 249. The Committee includes a provision to allow
fiscal year 2022 and 2023 ``Medical Community Care'' funds to
be used to cover obligations that otherwise would be paid by
the Veterans Choice Fund, if necessary.
Sec. 250. The Committee includes a provision to allow
obligations and expenditures applicable to the ``Medical
Services'' account in fiscal years 2017 through 2019 for aid to
State homes to remain in the ``Medical Community Care''
account.
Sec. 251. The Committee includes a provision specifying an
amount from the four medical care accounts for gender-specific
care and programmatic efforts to deliver care for women
veterans.
Sec. 252. The Committee includes a provision to address
contributions from other Federal agencies to VA Non-Profit
Corporations for research.
Sec. 253. The Committee includes a provision which outlines
transfer authority and responsibilities for the ``Asset and
Infrastructure Review'' account.
Sec. 254. The Committee includes a provision rescinding and
re-appropriating funds from the ``Recurring Expenses
Transformational Fund''.
Sec. 255. The Committee includes a provision requiring
quarterly reports on the status of the ``Veterans Medical Care
and Health Fund''.
Sec. 256. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds to interfere with the ability of veterans to
participate in State-approved medicinal cannabis programs or
deny service to such veterans.
TITLE III
RELATED AGENCIES
American Battle Monuments Commission
OVERVIEW
The American Battle Monuments Commission [ABMC] 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 26 permanent American military
cemeteries, 32 Federal memorials, monuments, and markers, and 8
non-Federal memorials located in 17 foreign countries, the U.S.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Midway Atoll,
the British Dependency of Gibraltar, and the United States of
America.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $84,100,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 84,800,000
Committee recommendation................................ 87,500,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $87,500,000 for the Salaries and
Expenses account. This amount is $3,400,000 above the fiscal
year 2021 enacted level and $2,700,000 above the budget
request. The recommendation includes funding to bolster the
Commission's maintenance and infrastructure program and to
execute deferred maintenance and capital projects, not only to
maintain the cemeteries and monuments honoring America's war
dead, but also to preserve and communicate these veterans'
stories of courage and sacrifice.
Yankee Division Memorial Church.--The Yankee Division
Memorial Church, also known as the Belleau Village Church,
serves as a memorial to the 2,281 soldiers of the 26th Infantry
(Yankee) Division who perished during World War I. While the
Church has previously been restored and maintained by a private
organization, the Committee believes it may be appropriate for
this sacred testament to the service of the Yankee Division to
be transferred to the possession of ABMC. The Committee
understands that there are several unknown factors at this
stage that must be first understood prior to transfer of the
memorial. Therefore, the Secretary is directed to complete a
facility inspection and analysis, and submit a report to the
Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no
later than 180 days after enactment of this act that provides a
cost estimate, to include one-time and recurring restoration
and maintenance requirements, a determination of the viability
of transfer from local landowner to the agency, and to identify
any other barriers to acceptance that may exist.
Battle Monuments Educational Program.--The Committee
encourages ABMC to continue to develop educational and virtual
web-based programming to inform the public about the important
history tied to the Commission's battle monuments and
cemeteries, and their related historical events, and to share
the stories of service and sacrifice represented by these
monuments and cemeteries. This programming may include live,
video, and web-based productions with the potential to reach
broad audiences. Furthermore, the Commission may collaborate
with other Federal agencies, State entities, or non-profits as
it deems appropriate in developing and distributing this
educational programming. The Committee directs the Secretary to
provide a report no later than 90 days after enactment of this
act on how ABMC carries out educational programming, including
any new proposed content to be covered.
FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS
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
(Public Law 100-687). 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, 2021.................................... $37,100,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 41,700,000
Committee recommendation................................ 41,700,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $41,700,000 for the U.S. Court of
Appeals for Veterans Claims. This amount is $4,600,000 above
the fiscal year 2021 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 [ANC] and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home
National Cemetery. In addition to its principal function as a
national cemetery, Arlington hosts more than 3,000 public
wreath laying ceremonies, and approximately 3.5 million
visitors annually.
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $81,815,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 87,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 87,000,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends $87,000,000 for the Salaries and
Expenses account. This amount is $5,185,000 above the fiscal
year 2021 enacted level and equal to the budget request.
ANC historically performs over 7,000 burial services each
year for veterans and family members and an average of 27-30
each weekday. The Committee is encouraged that after years of
relying on Congressional increases, the base requirements for
Arlington National Cemetery were met in the fiscal year 2022
budget request.
This Committee remains unwavering in its support for the
Cemetery and the successful completion of the Cemetery's truly
unique and honored mission.
CONSTRUCTION
Appropriations, 2021....................................................
Budget estimate, 2022................................... $141,000,000
Committee recommendation................................ 141,000,000
The Committee recommends $141,000,000 for the Construction
account. This amount is $141,000,000 above the fiscal year 2021
enacted level and equal to the budget request. In addition to
the $219,000,000 previously appropriated, this funding will
enable Arlington National Cemetery to complete planning and
design and construction for its Southern Expansion project.
This project will provide approximately 80,000 additional
burial opportunities across 38 acres and extend the service
life of the cemetery into the 2060s.
Armed Forces Retirement Home
Trust Fund
OVERVIEW
The Armed Forces Retirement Home [AFRH] is an independent
agency that was created in 1991 by the merging of the United
States Soldiers' and Airmen's Home in Washington D.C. and the
United States Naval Home in Gulfport, Mississippi. AFRH
operates and maintains the two communities to provide
affordable resident services and care to retired and former
enlisted servicemembers and their spouses.
TRUST FUND
Appropriations, 2021.................................... $75,300,000
Budget estimate, 2022................................... 75,300,000
Committee recommendation................................ 76,300,000
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends authority to expend $76,300,000
from the Armed Forces Retirement Home Trust Fund to operate and
maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Washington, DC, and
the Armed Forces Retirement Home-Gulfport, Mississippi. This
amount is $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2021 enacted level
and the budget request, and includes funding to complete high
priority capital projects currently under design.
The Committee recognizes the critical role of AFRH
operations and the importance of delivering uninterrupted
healthcare to its residents. Therefore, the Committee supports
the request for 2-year availability of funds.
Administrative Provision
Sec. 301. 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 prohibiting
the use of funds in this act for any contract where the
contractor has not complied with E-Verify requirements.
Sec. 410. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting
the use of funds in this act to construct facilities on
military installations that do not meet resiliency standards.
PROGRAM, PROJECT, AND ACTIVITY
In fiscal year 2021, 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, 2021, 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 2021 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 2021 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
Family Housing Construction, Army
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps
Family Housing Construction, Air Force
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund
Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing
Improvement Fund
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 August 4, 2021,
the Committee ordered favorably reported a bill (S. 2604)
making appropriations for military construction, the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2022, and for other purposes, provided,
that the bill be subject to amendment and that any amendment
increasing budget authority be offset by a reduction of equal
or greater budget authority, by a recorded vote of 25-5, a
quorum being present. The vote was as follows:
Yeas Nays
Chairman Leahy Mr. McConnell
Ms. Murray Mr. Kennedy
Mrs. Feinstein Mr. Braun
Mr. Durbin Mr. Hagerty
Mr. Reed Mr. Rubio
Mr. Tester
Mrs. Shaheen
Mr. Merkley
Mr. Coons
Mr. Schatz
Ms. Baldwin
Mr. Murphy
Mr. Manchin
Mr. Van Hollen
Mr. Heinrich
Mr. Shelby
Ms. Collins
Ms. Murkowski
Mr. Graham
Mr. Blunt
Mr. Moran
Mr. Hoeven
Mr. Boozman
Mrs. Capito
Mrs. Hyde-Smith
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.''
The Committee bill as recommended contains no such
provisions.
------
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\1\ bill allocation\1\ bill
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with the
subcommittee allocation for 2022: Military
Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related
Agencies:
Mandatory......................................... .............. 142,457 .............. \2\153,749
Discretionary..................................... .............. 124,359 .............. \2\128,848
Defense....................................... .............. 11,000 NA NA
Non-defense................................... .............. 113,359 NA NA
Projection of outlays associated with the
recommendation:
2022.............................................. .............. ........... .............. \3\163,969
2023.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 106,103
2024.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 15,269
2025.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 4,089
2026 and future years............................. .............. ........... .............. 3,339
Financial assistance to State and local governments NA 152 NA \3\26
for 2022............................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\As of the date that this bill was reported, there is no section 302(a) allocation to the Committee on
Appropriations for fiscal year 2022.
\2\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
\3\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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ALABAMA
ARMY:
REDSTONE ARSENAL:
PROPULSION SYSTEMS LAB.................................. 55,000 55,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL ALABAMA....................................... 55,000 55,000 ..............
ALASKA
ARMY:
FORT WAINWRIGHT:
ERDC-CRREL PERMAFROST TUNNEL RESEARCH FACILITY.......... .............. 5,400 +5,400
AIR FORCE:
JB ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON:
EXTEND RUNWAY 16/34, (INC 1)............................ 79,000 79,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ALASKA....................................... 79,000 84,400 +5,400
ARIZONA
NAVY:
MCAS YUMA:
COMBAT TRAINING TANK COMPLEX............................ .............. 29,300 +29,300
AIR FORCE:
DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB:
SOUTH WILMOT GATE....................................... 13,400 13,400 ..............
LUKE AFB:
F-35A ADAL AMU FACILITY SQUADRON #6..................... 28,000 28,000 ..............
F-35A SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY #6................... 21,000 21,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ARIZONA...................................... 62,400 91,700 +29,300
CALIFORNIA
ARMY:
FORT IRWIN:
SIMULATIONS CENTER...................................... 52,000 52,000 ..............
NAVY:
CAMP PENDLETON:
I MEF CONSOLIDATED INFORMATION CENTER (INC 3)........... 19,869 19,869 ..............
CORONADO:
CMV-22B AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR..................... .............. 63,600 +63,600
LEMOORE:
F-35C HANGAR 6 PHASE 2 (MOD 3/4) (INC 2)................ 75,070 75,070 ..............
SAN DIEGO:
PIER 6 REPLACEMENT (INC 2).............................. 50,000 50,000 ..............
SEAL BEACH:
MISSILE MAGAZINES (INC 2)............................... 10,840 10,840 ..............
SAN NICHOLAS ISLAND:
DIRECTED ENERGY WEAPONS TEST FACILITIES................. 19,907 19,907 ..............
VENTURA COUNTY:
COMBAT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY..................... .............. 48,700 +48,700
AIR FORCE:
EDWARDS AFB:
FLIGHT TEST ENGINEERING LAB COMPLEX..................... 4,000 4,000 ..............
VANDENBERG AFB:
GBSD RE-ENTRY VEHICLE FACILITY.......................... 48,000 48,000 ..............
GBSD STAGE PROCESSING FACILITY.......................... 19,000 19,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CAMP PENDLETON:
VETERINARY TREATMENT FACILITY REPLACEMENT............... 13,600 13,600 ..............
CORONADO
SOF ATC OPERATIONS SUPPORT FACILITY..................... 21,700 21,700 ..............
SOF NSWG11 OPERATIONS SUPPORT FACILITY.................. 12,000 12,000 ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
BEALE AFB:
940 ARW SQ OPS & AMU COMPLEX............................ .............. 33,000 +33,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, CALIFORNIA................................... 345,986 491,286 +145,300
COLORADO
AIR FORCE:
SCHRIEVER AFB:
FITNESS CENTER.......................................... .............. 30,000 +30,000
US AIR FORCE ACADEMY:
HIGH-BAY VEHICLE MAINTENANCE: UNSPECIFIED MINOR .............. 4,360 +4,360
CONSTRUCTION...........................................
NEW CADET PREP SCHOOL DORMITORY......................... .............. 24,726 +24,726
DEFENSE-WIDE:
BUCKLEY AFB:
JCC EXPANSION........................................... 20,000 20,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, COLORADO..................................... 20,000 79,086 +59,086
CONNECTICUT
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
PUTNAM:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 17,500 17,500 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
BRADLEY IAP:
COMPOSITE ASE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY.............. .............. 17,000 +17,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, CONNECTICUT.................................. 17,500 34,500 +17,000
DELAWARE
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
NEW CASTLE COUNTY AIRPORT:
FUEL CELL AND CORROSION CONTROL HANGAR.................. .............. 17,500 +17,500
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, DELAWARE..................................... .............. 17,500 +17,500
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
AIR FORCE:
JB ANACOSTIA BOLLING:
JOINT AIR DEFENSE OPERATIONS CENTER PHASE II............ 24,000 24,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA............................... 24,000 24,000 ..............
FLORIDA
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
HOMESTEAD AFS:
CORROSION CONTROL FACILITY.............................. 14,000 14,000 ..............
PATRICK AFB:
SIMULATOR C-130J........................................ 18,500 18,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, FLORIDA............................................ 32,500 32,500 ..............
GEORGIA
ARMY:
FORT GORDON:
CYBER INSTRUCTIONAL FAC (ADMIN/CMD), (INC 2)............ 69,000 69,000 ..............
CYBER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE SCHOOL HEADQUARTERS AND .............. 3,670 +3,670
CLASSROOMS: PLANNING AND DESIGN........................
FORT STEWART:
BARRACKS: PLANNING AND DESIGN........................... .............. 5,000 +5,000
AIR FORCE:
MOODY AFB:
41 RQS HH-60W APRON..................................... .............. 12,500 +12,500
DEFENSE-WIDE:
FORT BENNING:
SOF BATTALION HEADQUARTERS FACILITY..................... 62,000 62,000 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
FORT BENNING:
POST-INITIAL MIL TRAINING UNACCOMP HOUSING.............. 13,200 13,200 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, GEORGIA............................................ 144,200 165,370 +21,170
HAWAII
ARMY
FORT SHAFTER:
COMMAND AND CONTROL FACILITY: COST TO COMPLETE.......... .............. 55,500 +55,500
WEST LOCH NAV MAG ANNEX:
AMMUNITION STORAGE...................................... 51,000 51,000 ..............
NAVY:
MARINE CORPS TRAINING AREA BELLOWS:
PERIMETER SECURITY FENCE: UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION .............. 6,220 +6,220
MCB HAWAII:
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION MODERNIZATION................... .............. 64,500 +64,500
AIR FORCE:
KIRTLAND AFB REMOTE MAUI EXPERIMENTAL SITE:
SECURE INTEGRATION SUPPORT LAB: PLANNING AND DESIGN..... .............. 8,800 +8,800
DEFENSE-WIDE:
HDR-HAWAII:
HOMELAND DEFENSE RADAR: PLANNING AND DESIGN............. .............. 19,000 +19,000
JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM:
VETERINARY TREATMENT FACILITY REPLACEMENT............... 29,800 29,800 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, HAWAII............................................. 80,800 234,820 +154,020
IDAHO
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
JEROME:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 15,000 15,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, IDAHO.............................................. 15,000 15,000 ..............
ILLINOIS
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
BLOOMINGTON:
NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SHOP................. 15,000 15,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
ABRAHAM LINCOLN CAPITAL AIRPORT:
BASE CIVIL ENGINEER COMPLEX............................. .............. 10,200 +10,200
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, ILLINOIS........................................... 15,000 25,200 +10,200
KANSAS
ARMY:
FORT LEAVENWORTH:
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER................................ .............. 34,000 +34,000
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
TOPEKA:
NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE CENTER BUILDING.................. 16,732 16,732 ..............
NATIONAL GUARD/RESERVE CENTER BUILDING SCIF: PLANNING .............. 420 +420
AND DESIGN.............................................
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, KANSAS....................................... 16,732 51,152 +34,420
LOUISIANA
ARMY:
FORT POLK:
JOINT OPERATIONS CENTER................................. 55,000 55,000 ..............
AIR FORCE:
BARKSDALE AFB:
WEAPONS GENERATION FACILITY, (INC1)..................... 40,000 40,000 ..............
ENTRANCE ROAD AND GATE: COST TO COMPLETE................ .............. 36,000 +36,000
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
LAKE CHARLES:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 18,500 18,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, LOUISIANA.......................................... 113,500 149,500 +36,000
MAINE
NAVY:
NSA CUTLER:
FIREHOUSE: PLANNING AND DESIGN...................... .............. 2,500 +2,500
KITTERY:
MULTI-MISSION DRYDOCK #1 EXTENSION (INC 2).............. 250,000 250,000 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
SACO:
NATIONAL GUARD VEHICLE MAINTENANCE SHOP................. 21,200 21,200 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MAINE........................................ 271,200 273,700 +2,500
MARYLAND
ARMY:
FORT MEADE:
BARRACKS................................................ 81,000 81,000 ..............
AIR FORCE:
JOINT BASE ANDREWS:
FIRE CRASH RESCUE STATION............................... 26,000 26,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL:
MEDCEN ADDITION/ALTERATION, (INC 5)..................... 153,233 153,233 ..............
FORT MEADE:
NSAW RECAP BUILDNG 4, (INC 1)........................... 104,100 104,100 ..............
NSAW MISSION OPS AND RECORDS CENTER (INC 1)............. 94,000 94,000 ..............
SOF OPERATIONS FACILITY................................. 100,000 100,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MARYLAND..................................... 558,333 558,333 ..............
MASSACHUSETTS
AIR FORCE:
HANSCOM AFB:
NC3 ACQUISITIONS MANAGEMENT FACILITY.................... 66,000 66,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
BARNES MAP:
COMBINED ENGINE/ASE/NDI SHOP............................ 12,200 12,200 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MASSACHUSETTS................................ 78,200 78,200 ..............
MICHIGAN
ARMY RESERVE:
SOUTHFIELD:
AREA MAINTENANCE SUPPORT ACTIVITY....................... 12,000 12,000 ..............
NAVY RESERVE:
BATTLE CREEK:
RESERVE CENTER & VEHICLE MAINTENANCE FACILITY........... 49,090 49,090 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
ALPENA COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR/SHOPS....................... 23,000 23,000 ..............
WK KELLOG REGIONAL AIRPORT:
CONSTRUCT MAIN BASE ENTRANCE............................ 10,000 10,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MICHIGAN..................................... 94,090 94,090 ..............
MINNESOTA
NAVY RESERVE:
MINNEAPOLIS:
JOINT RESERVE INTELLIGENCE CENTER....................... 14,350 14,350 ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL IAP:
MISSION SUPPORT GROUP FACILITY.......................... 14,000 14,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MINNESOTA.................................... 28,350 28,350 ..............
MISSISSIPPI
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CAMP SHELBY:
10 MW GENERATION PLANT AND FEEDER LEVEL MICROGRID SYSTEM .............. 34,500 +34,500
ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION INFRASTRUCTURE UNDERGROUNDING .............. 11,155 +11,155
HARDENING PROJECT......................................
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
CAMP SHELBY:
MANEUVER AREA TRAINING EQUIPMENT SITE................... .............. 15,500 +15,500
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
JACKSON IAP:
FIRE CRASH AND RESCUE STATION........................... 9,300 9,300 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MISSISSIPPI.................................. 9,300 70,455 +61,155
MISSOURI
ARMY:
FORT LEONARD WOOD:
ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL TRAINING BATTALION COMPLEX: PLANNING .............. 4,000 +4,000
AND DESIGN.............................................
DEFENSE-WIDE:
FORT LEONARD WOOD:
HOSPITAL REPLACEMENT (INC 4)............................ 160,000 160,000 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
AVIATION CLASSIFICATION REPAIR ACTIVITY DEPOT:
AVCRAD AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR ADDITION: PLANNING .............. 3,800 +3,800
AND DESIGN.............................................
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MISSOURI..................................... 160,000 167,800 +7,800
MONTANA
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
BUTTE:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER..................... 16,000 16,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, MONTANA............................................ 16,000 16,000 ..............
NEVADA
NAVY:
FALLON:
TRAINING RANGE LAND ACQUISITION--PHASE 2................ 48,250 .............. -48,250
AIR FORCE:
CREECH AFB:
MISSION SUPPORT FACILITY: PLANNING AND DESIGN........... .............. 1,900 +1,900
WARRIOR FITNESS TRAINING CENTER: PLANNING AND DESIGN.... .............. 2,200 +2,200
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NEVADA....................................... 48,250 4,100 -44,150
NEW MEXICO
ARMY:
WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE:
MISSILE ASSEMBLY SUPPORT FACILITY: PLANNING AND DESIGN.. .............. 1,300 +1,300
AIR FORCE:
CANNON AFB:
192-BED DORMITORY: PLANNING AND DESIGN.................. .............. 5,568 +5,568
DEPLOYMENT PROCESSING CENTER: PLANNING AND DESIGN....... .............. 5,976 +5,976
HOLLOMAN AFB:
INDOOR TARGET FLIP FACILITY: PLANNING AND DESIGN........ .............. 2,340 +2,340
MQ-9 FORMAL TRAINING UNIT OPERATIONS FACILITY........... .............. 40,000 +40,000
KIRTLAND AFB:
DEDICATED FACILITY FOR THE SPACE RAPID CAPABILITIES .............. 5,280 +5,280
OFFICE: PLANNING AND DESIGN............................
PJ/CRO URBAN TRAINING COMPLEX: PLANNING AND DESIGN...... .............. 810 +810
WYOMING GATE PROJECT: COST TO COMPLETE.................. .............. 5,600 +5,600
DEFENSE-WIDE:
KIRTLAND AFB:
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH FACILITY REPLACEMENT............... 8,600 8,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NEW MEXICO................................... 8,600 75,474 +66,874
NEW YORK
ARMY:
FORT HAMILTON:
INFORMATION SYSTEMS FACILITY............................ 26,000 26,000 ..............
WATERVLIET ARSENAL:
ACCESS CONTROL POINT.................................... 20,000 20,000 ..............
US MILITARY ACADEMY:
ENGINEERING CENTER: COST TO COMPLETE.................... .............. 17,200 +17,200
DEFENSE-WIDE:
FORT DRUM:
WELLFIELD EXPANSION RESILIENCE PROJECT.................. .............. 25,300 +25,300
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
GABRESKI ANGB:
BASE CIVIL ENGINEER COMPLEX............................. .............. 14,800 +14,800
SCHENECTADY MUNICIPAL AIRPORT:
C-130 FLIGHT SIMULATOR FACILITY......................... 10,800 10,800 ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
NIAGARA FALLS IAP:
MAIN GATE............................................... 10,600 10,600 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NEW YORK..................................... 67,400 124,700 +57,300
NORTH CAROLINA
NAVY:
CAMP LEJEUNE:
II MEF OPERATIONS CENTER REPLACEMENT (INC 2)............ 42,200 42,200 ..............
WATER TREATMENT PLANT REPLACEMENT HADNOT POINT: COST TO .............. 64,200 +64,200
COMPLETE...............................................
MCAS CHERRY POINT:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR............................. 207,897 97,897 -110,000
ATC TOWER AND AIRFIELD OPERATIONS: COST TO COMPLETE..... .............. 18,700 +18,700
F-35 FLIGHTLINE UTILITES MODERNIZATION PH 2............. 113,520 57,520 -56,000
F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER SUSTAINMENT CENTER: PLANNING .............. 9,300 +9,300
AND DESIGN.............................................
MCAS NEW RIVER:
MAINTENANCE HANGAR: PLANNING AND DESIGN................. .............. 13,300 +13,300
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
SALISBURY:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR ADDITION/ALTERATION: .............. 2,700 +2,700
PLANNING AND DESIGN....................................
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NORTH CAROLINA............................... 363,617 305,817 -57,800
NORTH DAKOTA
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
DICKINSON:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER......................... 15,500 15,500 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, NORTH DAKOTA................................. 15,500 15,500 ..............
OHIO
AIR FORCE:
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB:
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER................................ .............. 24,000 +24,000
ARMY RESERVE:
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AFB:
AR CENTER TRAINING BUILDING/UHS......................... 19,000 19,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
CAMP PERRY:
RED HORSE LOGISTICS COMPLEX............................. 7,800 7,800 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, OHIO............................................... 26,800 50,800 +24,000
OKLAHOMA
AIR FORCE:
TINKER AFB:
KC-46A 3-BAY DEPOT MAINTENANCE HANGAR................... 160,000 80,000 -80,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, OKLAHOMA..................................... 160,000 80,000 -80,000
PENNSYLVANIA
ARMY:
LETTERKENNY ARMY DEPOT:
FIRE STATION............................................ 21,000 21,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, PENNSYLVANIA................................. 21,000 21,000 ..............
RHODE ISLAND
NAVY:
NEWPORT:
CONSOLIDATED RDT&E SYSTEMS FACILITY: PLANNING AND DESIGN .............. 1,700 +1,700
NEXT GENERATION SECURE SUBMARINE PLATFORM FACILITY: .............. 4,000 +4,000
PLANNING AND DESIGN....................................
NEXT GENERATION TORPEDO INTEGRATION LAB: PLANNING AND .............. 1,200 +1,200
DESIGN.................................................
SUBMARINE PAYLOADS INTEGRATION LABORATORY: PLANNING AND .............. 1,400 +1,400
DESIGN.................................................
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, RHODE ISLAND................................. .............. 8,300 +8,300
SOUTH CAROLINA
ARMY:
FORT JACKSON:
RECEPTION BARRACKS COMPLEX, PH1: COST TO COMPLETE....... .............. 21,000 +21,000
RECEPTION BARRACKS COMPLEX, PH2, (INC 2)............ 34,000 34,000 ..............
NAVY:
MCAS BEAUFORT:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR............................. .............. 121,825 +121,825
F-35 OPERATIONAL SUPPORT FACILITY: UNSPECIFIED MINOR .............. 4,700 +4,700
CONSTRUCTION...........................................
INSTRUMENT LANDING SYSTEM: UNSPECIFIED MINOR .............. 3,000 +3,000
CONSTRUCTION...........................................
RECYCLING/HAZARDOUS WASTE FACILITY: COST TO COMPLETE.... .............. 5,000 +5,000
MCRD PARRIS ISLAND:
ENTRY CONTROL FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS: UNSPECIFIED MINOR .............. 6,000 +6,000
CONSTRUCTION...........................................
AIR FORCE:
JB CHARLESTON:
FIRE AND RESCUE STATION................................. .............. 30,000 +30,000
FLIGHT LINE SUPPORT FACILITY............................ .............. 29,000 +29,000
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
MCENTIRE ANGS:
F-16 MISSION TRAINING CENTER............................ 9,800 9,800 ..............
HAZARDOUS CARGO PAD..................................... .............. 9,000 +9,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, SOUTH CAROLINA............................... 43,800 273,325 +229,525
SOUTH DAKOTA
AIR FORCE:
ELLSWORTH AFB:
B-21 2-BAY LO RESTORATION FACILITY, (INC 2)............. 91,000 91,000 ..............
B-21 ADAL FLIGHT SIMULATOR.............................. 24,000 24,000 ..............
B-21 FIELD TRAINING DETACHMENT FACILITY................. 47,000 47,000 ..............
B-21 FORMAL TRAINING UNIT/AMU........................... 70,000 70,000 ..............
B-21 MISSION OPERATIONS PLANNING FACILITY............... 36,000 36,000 ..............
B-21 WASHRACK & MAINTENANCE HANGAR...................... 65,000 65,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
JOE FOSS FIELD:
F-16 MISSION TRAINING CENTER............................ 9,800 9,800 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, SOUTH DAKOTA................................. 342,800 342,800 ..............
TEXAS
AIR FORCE:
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO:
BMT RECRUIT DORMITORY 7................................. 141,000 100,000 -41,000
BMT RECRUIT DORMITORY 8 (INC 3)......................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
SHEPPARD AFB:
CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER................................ 20,000 20,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO:
AMBULATORY CARE CENTER PHASE 4.......................... 35,000 35,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, TEXAS........................................ 227,000 186,000 -41,000
UTAH
AIR FORCE:
HILL AFB:
GBSD ORGANIC SOFTWARE SUSTAIN CENTER (INC 2)............ 31,000 31,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, UTAH......................................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
VERMONT
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
BENNINGTON:
READINESS CENTER........................................ .............. 16,900 +16,900
ETHAN ALLEN AFB:
FAMILY READINESS CENTER: UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION. .............. 4,665 +4,665
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, VERMONT...................................... .............. 21,565 +21,565
VIRGINIA
NAVY:
NORFOLK:
SUBMARINE PIER 3 (INC 2)................................ 88,923 88,923 ..............
PORTSMOUTH:
DRY DOCK SALTWATER SYSTEM FOR CVN-78.................... 156,380 56,380 -100,000
QUANTICO:
VEHICLE INSPECTION AND VISITOR CONTROL CENTER........... 42,850 42,850 ..............
WARGAMING CENTER (INC 2)................................ 30,500 30,500 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
FORT BELVOIR:
VETERINARY TREATMENT FACILITY REPLACEMENT............... 29,800 29,800 ..............
PENTAGON:
CONSOLIDATED MAINTENANCE COMPLEX (RRMC)................. 20,000 20,000 ..............
FORCE PROTECTION PERIMETER ENHANCEMENTS................. 8,608 8,608 ..............
PUBLIC WORKS SUPPORT FACILITY........................... 21,935 21,935 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
SANDSTON:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR: PLANNING AND DESIGN........ .............. 5,805 +5,805
TROUTVILLE
COMBINED SUPPORT MAINTENANCE SHOP ADDITION.............. 6,900 6,900 ..............
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER ADDITION................ 6,100 6,100 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, VIRGINIA..................................... 411,996 317,801 -94,195
WASHINGTON
DEFENSE-WIDE:
OAK HARBOR:
ACC/DENTAL CLINIC....................................... 59,000 59,000 ..............
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
CAMP MURRAY ANGS:
AIR SUPPORT OPERATIONS GROUP COMPLEX.................... .............. 27,000 +27,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WASHINGTON................................... 59,000 86,000 +27,000
WISCONSIN
ARMY RESERVE:
FORT MCCOY:
TRANSIENT TRAINING BN HQ................................ 12,200 12,200 ..............
TRANSIENT TRAINING ENLISTED BARRACKS.................... .............. 29,200 +29,200
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
TRUAX FIELD:
F-35 3-BAY SPECIALIZED HANGAR........................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
MEDICAL READINESS FACILITY:............................. 13,200 13,200 ..............
VOLK COMBAT READINESS TRAINING CENTER:
REPLACE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE HANGAR/SHOPS: PLANNING AND .............. 2,280 +2,280
DESIGN.................................................
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WISCONSIN.................................... 56,400 87,880 +31,480
WYOMING
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
CHEYENNE MAP:
COMBINED VEHICLE MAINTENANCE & ASE COMPLEX.............. 13,400 13,400 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WYOMING...................................... 13,400 13,400 ..............
AUSTRALIA
AIR FORCE:
DARWIN:
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ 7,400 7,400 ..............
TINDAL:
AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE SUPPORT FACILITY................... 6,200 6,200 ..............
SQUADRON OPERATIONS FACILITY............................ 8,200 8,200 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, AUSTRALIA.................................... 21,800 21,800 ..............
BELGIUM
ARMY:
SHAPE HQ:
COMMAND AND CONTROL FACILITY............................ 16,000 16,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
CHIEVRES AB:
EUROPE WEST DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE............ 15,000 15,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, BELGIUM...................................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
GERMANY
ARMY:
EAST CAMP GRAFENWOEHR:
EDI: BARRACKS AND DINING FACILITY....................... 103,000 103,000 ..............
SMITH BARRACKS:
INDOOR SMALL ARMS RANGE................................. 17,500 17,500 ..............
LIVE FIRE EXERCISE SHOOTHOUSE........................... 16,000 16,000 ..............
AIR FORCE:
SPANGDAHLEM AB:
F/A-22 LO/COMPOSITE REPAIR FACILITY..................... 22,625 22,625 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
RAMSTEIN AB:
RAMSTEIN MIDDLE SCHOOL.................................. 93,000 93,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, GERMANY...................................... 252,125 252,125 ..............
GREECE
NAVY:
SOUDA BAY:
EDI: JOINT MOBILITY PROCESSING CENTER................... 41,650 41,650 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, GREECE....................................... 41,650 41,650 ..............
GUAM
NAVY:
ANDERSEN AFB:
AVIATION ADMIN BUILDING................................. 50,890 50,890 ..............
JOINT REGION MARIANAS:
BACHELOR ENLISTED QUARTERS H (INC 2).................... 43,200 43,200 ..............
4TH MARINES REGIMENT FACILITIES......................... 109,507 78,507 -31,000
COMBAT LOGISTICS BATALLION-4 FACILITY................... 92,710 92,710 ..............
CONSOLIDATED ARMORY..................................... 43,470 43,470 ..............
INFANTRY BATTALION COMPANY HQ........................... 44,100 44,100 ..............
MARINE EXPEDITIONARY BRIGADE ENABLERS................... 66,830 66,830 ..............
PRINCIPAL END ITEM (PEI) WAREHOUSE...................... 47,110 47,110 ..............
X-RAY WHARF BERTH 2..................................... 103,800 63,800 -40,000
JOINT COMMUNICATION UPGRADE (INC 2)..................... 84,000 84,000 ..............
AIR FORCE:
JOINT REGION MARIANAS:
AIRFIELD DAMAGE REPAIR WAREHOUSE........................ 30,000 30,000 ..............
HAYMAN MUNITIONS STORAGE IGLOOS, MSA2................... 9,824 9,824 ..............
MUNITIONS STORAGE IGLOOS IV............................. 55,000 55,000 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
BARRIGADA:
NATIONAL GUARD READINESS CENTER ADDITION................ 34,000 34,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, GUAM......................................... 814,441 743,441 -71,000
HUNGARY
AIR FORCE:
KECSKEMET AIR BASE:
ERI: CONSTRUCT PARALLEL TAXIWAY......................... 38,650 38,650 ..............
ERI: CONSTRUCT AIRFIELD UPGRADES........................ 20,564 20,564 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, HUNGARY...................................... 59,214 59,214 ..............
JAPAN
NAVY:
YOKOSUKA:
PIER 5 (BERTHS 2 AND 3) (INC 3)......................... 15,292 15,292 ..............
SHIP HANDLING & COMBAT TRAINING FACILITIES.............. 49,900 49,900 ..............
AIR FORCE:
KADENA AIR BASE:
AIRFIELD DAMAGE REPAIR FACILITY......................... 38,000 38,000 ..............
HELICOPTER RESCUE OPS MAINTENANCE HANGAR................ 168,000 68,000 -100,000
REPLACE MUNITIONS STRUCTURES............................ 26,100 26,100 ..............
MISAWA AIR BASE:
AIRFIELD DAMAGE REPAIR FACILITY......................... 25,000 25,000 ..............
YOKOTA AB:
CONSTRUCT CATM FACILITY................................. 25,000 25,000 ..............
C-130J CORROSION CONTROL HANGAR......................... 67,000 67,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
IWAKUNI:
FUEL PIER............................................... 57,700 57,700 ..............
KADENA AIR BASE:
TRUCK UNLOAD FACILITIES................................. 22,300 22,300 ..............
OPERATIONS SUPPORT FACILITY............................. 24,000 24,000 ..............
MISAWA AIR BASE:
ADDITIVE INJECTION PUMP AND STORAGE SYSTEM.............. 6,000 6,000 ..............
YOKOTA AB:
HANGAR/AMU.............................................. 108,253 50,253 -58,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, JAPAN........................................ 632,545 474,545 -158,000
PUERTO RICO
DEFENSE-WIDE:
PUNTA BORINQUEN:
RAMEY UNIT SCHOOL REPLACEMENT........................... 84,000 84,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, PUERTO RICO.................................. 84,000 84,000 ..............
SPAIN
AIR FORCE:
MORON:
EDI: HOT CARGO PAD...................................... 8,542 8,542 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, SPAIN........................................ 8,542 8,542 ..............
UNITED KINGDOM
AIR FORCE:
RAF FAIRFORD:
EDI: CONSTRUCT DABS-FEV STORAGE......................... 94,000 50,000 -44,000
RAF LAKENHEATH:
F-35A MUNITION INSPECTION FACILITY...................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
F-35A WEAPONS LOAD TRAINING FACILITY.................... 49,000 49,000 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
RAF LAKENHEATH:
HOSPITAL REPLACEMENT-TEMPORARY FACILITIES............... 19,283 19,283 ..............
MENWITH HILL STATION:
RAFMH MAIN GATE REHABILITATION.......................... 20,000 20,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, UNITED KINGDOM............................... 213,283 169,283 -44,000
WORLDWIDE CLASSIFED
ARMY:
FORWARD OPERATING SITE...................................... 31,000 31,000 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, WORLDWIDE CLASSIFIED............................. 31,000 31,000 ..............
NATO SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM................................ 205,853 205,853 ..............
WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED
ARMY:
HOST NATION SUPPORT......................................... 27,000 27,000 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 124,649 124,649 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 35,543 45,543 +10,000
CDS: PLANNING AND DESIGN / UMC.............................. .............. (19,370) (+19,370)
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, ARMY.......................................... 187,192 197,192 +10,000
NAVY:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 363,252 363,252 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 56,435 56,435 ..............
CDS: PLANNING AND DESIGN / UMC.............................. .............. (53,320) (+53,320)
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, NAVY.......................................... 419,687 419,687 ..............
===============================================
AIR FORCE
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 229,301 229,301 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 58,884 58,884 ..............
CDS: PLANNING AND DESIGN / UMC.............................. .............. (37,234) (+37,234)
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, AIR FORCE..................................... 288,185 288,185 ..............
DEFENSE-WIDE:
ENERGY RESILIENCE AND CONSERVATION INVESTMENT PROGRAM 246,600 293,700 +47,100
(ERCIP)....................................................
CDS: ERCIP / PLANNING AND DESIGN............................ .............. (70,955) (+70,955)
PLANNING AND DESIGN:
DEFENSE-WIDE............................................ 14,194 53,448 +39,254
DEFENSE-WIDE ERCIP...................................... 40,150 47,215 +7,065
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY............................. 11,000 11,000 ..............
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY................................ 20,862 20,862 ..............
DEFENSE HEALTH AGENCY................................... 35,099 35,099 ..............
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION AGENCY.................. 13,317 13,317 ..............
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY................................ 83,840 83,840 ..............
SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND.............................. 20,576 20,576 ..............
THE JOINT STAFF......................................... 2,000 2,000 ..............
WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES........................ 5,275 5,275 ..............
INDOPACOM............................................... .............. .............. ..............
CDS: PLANNING AND DESIGN/UMC................................ .............. (19,000) (+19,000)
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, DEFENSE-WIDE.................................. 492,913 586,332 +93,419
UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION
DEFENSE-WIDE:
DEFENSE-WIDE................................................ 3,000 3,000 ..............
DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY.................................... 6,668 6,668 ..............
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EDUCATION AGENCY...................... 8,000 8,000 ..............
MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY...................................... 4,435 4,435 ..............
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY.................................... 12,000 12,000 ..............
SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND.................................. 21,746 21,746 ..............
THE JOINT STAFF............................................. 5,615 5,615 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION................ 61,464 61,464 ..............
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 22,000 25,000 +3,000
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 39,471 45,471 +6,000
CDS: PLANNING AND DESIGN/UMC................................ .............. (17,390) (+17,390)
AIR NATIONAL GUARD:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 18,402 21,402 +3,000
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 29,068 29,068 ..............
CDS: PLANNING AND DESIGN.................................... .............. (2,280) (+2,280)
ARMY RESERVE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 7,167 7,167 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 14,544 14,544 ..............
NAVY RESERVE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 6,005 6,005 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 2,359 2,359 ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE:
PLANNING AND DESIGN......................................... 5,830 5,830 ..............
MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......................................... 15,444 15,444 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED......................... 2,131,223 2,296,642 +165,419
FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY
ITALY:
VICENZA:
FAMILY HOUSING NEW CONSTRUCTION......................... 92,304 92,304 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN............................................. 7,545 7,545 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.................................. 99,849 99,849 ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT........................................... 43,772 43,772 ..............
SERVICES ACCOUNT............................................ 8,277 8,277 ..............
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......................................... 42,850 42,850 ..............
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....................................... 556 556 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......................................... 18,077 18,077 ..............
LEASING..................................................... 128,110 128,110 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY................................ 111,181 111,181 ..............
PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS................................. 38,404 38,404 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE.................... 391,227 391,227 ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS
JAPAN
YOKOSUKA:
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS............................... 61,469 61,469 ..............
WASHINGTON, DC:
MARINE BARRACKS:
WHOLE HOUSE REVITALIZATION QUARTERS #6.................. 10,415 10,415 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN............................................. 3,634 3,634 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN FOR USMC/DPRI............................... 2,098 2,098 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.................................. 77,616 77,616 ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT........................................... 56,271 56,271 ..............
SERVICES ACCOUNT............................................ 17,637 17,637 ..............
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......................................... 54,083 54,083 ..............
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....................................... 285 285 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......................................... 16,537 16,537 ..............
LEASING..................................................... 62,567 62,567 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY................................ 95,417 95,417 ..............
PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS................................. 54,544 54,544 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE..................... 357,341 357,341 ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE
JAPAN:
YOKOTA AB:
CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (45 UNITS).................... 49,258 49,258 ..............
WARNER ROBBINS AFB:
MHPI PROJECT RESTRUCTURE................................ 6,000 6,000 ..............
OFFUTT AFB:
MHPI PROJECT RESTRUCTURE................................ 50,000 50,000 ..............
PLANNING AND DESIGN............................................. 10,458 10,458 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.................................. 115,716 115,716 ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT........................................... 43,668 43,668 ..............
MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......................................... 70,062 70,062 ..............
SERVICES ACCOUNT............................................ 8,124 8,124 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......................................... 26,842 26,842 ..............
MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....................................... 2,200 2,200 ..............
LEASING..................................................... 9,520 9,520 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY................................ 141,754 141,754 ..............
PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS................................. 23,275 23,275 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE..................... 325,445 325,445 ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE:
NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT....................................... 14 14 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT..................................... 83 83 ..............
LEASING................................................. 13,387 13,387 ..............
MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY............................ 49 49 ..............
DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY:
UTILITIES ACCOUNT....................................... 4,166 4,166 ..............
FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT..................................... 656 656 ..............
LEASING................................................. 31,430 31,430 ..............
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE..................... 49,785 49,785 ..............
DOD FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND............................. 6,081 6,081 ..............
DOD MILITARY UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND............. 494 494 ..............
BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE
BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE ACCOUNT............................ 284,639 334,639 +50,000
-----------------------------------------------
TOTAL, BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE..................... 284,639 334,639 +50,000
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
UNFUNDED REQUIREMENTS:
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (Sec 124)........................... .............. 27,000 +27,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS (Sec 124).......... .............. 28,000 +28,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, DEFENSE-WIDE (Sec 124)................... .............. 36,100 +36,100
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, ARMY NATIONAL GUARD (Sec 124)............ .............. 11,000 +11,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, AIR NATIONAL GUARD (Sec 124)............. .............. 19,200 +19,200
MIR, Army (Sec 133)............................................. .............. 10,000 +10,000
MIR, Navy and Marine Corps (Sec 133)............................ .............. 25,000 +25,000
MIR, Air Force (Sec 133)........................................ .............. 15,000 +15,000
MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS--SIOP UNSPECIFIED .............. 225,000 +225,000
WORLDWIDE (Sec 131)............................................
COST TO COMPLETE PROJECTS--SERVICES:
FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION, ARMY (Sec 129)..................... .............. 17,500 +17,500
-----------------------------------------------
SUBTOTAL, COST TO COMPLETE PROJECT...................... .............. 17,500 +17,500
Lab Infrastructure--Army (Sec 130).............................. .............. 30,000 +30,000
Lab Infrastructure--Navy (Sec 130).............................. .............. 15,000 +15,000
Lab Infrastructure--Air Force (Sec 130)......................... .............. 30,000 +30,000
Military Construction, Defense-Wide (Sec 132)................... .............. 153,000 +153,000
Military Construction, Defense-Wide rescission (Sec 127)........ .............. (-131,000) (-131,000)
-----------------------------------------------
ADMINISTRATIVE TOTAL...................................... .............. 510,800 +510,800
RECAP
ARMY............................................................ 834,692 991,762 +157,070
NAVY AND MARINE CORPS........................................... 2,368,352 2,452,247 +83,895
AIR FORCE....................................................... 2,102,690 2,106,750 +4,060
DEFENSE-WIDE.................................................... 1,957,289 2,082,663 +125,374
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD............................................. 257,103 315,893 +58,790
AIR NATIONAL GUARD.............................................. 197,770 298,550 +100,780
ARMY RESERVE.................................................... 64,911 94,111 +29,200
NAVY RESERVE.................................................... 71,804 71,804 ..............
AIR FORCE RESERVE............................................... 78,374 111,374 +33,000
NATO............................................................ 205,853 205,853 ..............
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT (BRAC)............... 284,639 334,639 +50,000
FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY............................................ 491,076 491,076 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ (99,849) (99,849) ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (391,227) (391,227) ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS........................... 434,957 434,957 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ (77,616) (77,616) ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (357,341) (357,341) ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE....................................... 441,161 441,161 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ (115,716) (115,716) ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (325,445) (325,445) ..............
FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE.................................... 49,785 49,785 ..............
CONSTRUCTION................................................ .............. .............. ..............
OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE................................... (49,785) (49,785) ..............
DOD FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND............................. 6,081 6,081 ..............
DOD UNACCOMPANIED HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND...................... 494 494 ..............
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS....................................... .............. 641,800 +641,800
RESCISSION.................................................. .............. -131,000 -131,000
-----------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTAL............................................. 9,847,031 11,000,000 +1,152,969
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DISCLOSURE OF CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS
The Constitution vests in the Congress the power of the
purse. The Committee believes strongly that Congress should
make the decisions on how to allocate the people's money.
As defined in Rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the
Senate, the term ``congressionally directed spending item''
means a provision or report language included primarily at the
request of a Senator, providing, authorizing, or recommending a
specific amount of discretionary budget authority, credit
authority, or other spending authority for a contract, loan,
loan guarantee, grant, loan authority, or other expenditure
with or to an entity, or targeted to a specific State, locality
or congressional district, other than through a statutory or
administrative, formula-driven, or competitive award process.
For each item, a Member is required to provide a
certification that neither the Member nor the Member's
immediate family has a pecuniary interest in such
congressionally directed spending item. Such certifications are
available to the public on the website of the Senate Committee
on Appropriations (https://www.appropriations.senate.gov/
congressionally-directed-spending-requests).
Following is a list of congressionally directed spending
items included in the Senate recommendation discussed in this
report, along with the name of each Senator who submitted a
request to the Committee of jurisdiction for each item so
identified. Neither the Committee recommendation nor this
report contains any limited tax benefits or limited tariff
benefits as defined in rule XLIV.
CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING ITEMS
[In thousands of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account Project Funding Requestor(s)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Air Force: U.S. Air Force Academy...... Colorado: High-Bay Vehicle Maintenance: Unspecified Minor Construction........................ 4,360 Bennet
Air Force: U.S. Air Force Academy...... Colorado: New Cadet Prep School Dormitory..................................................... 24,726 Hickenlooper
Air Force: Schriever AFB............... Colorado: Fitness Center...................................................................... 30,000 Bennet
Air Force: Moody AFB................... Georgia: 41 RQS HH-60W Apron.................................................................. 12,500 Ossoff, Warnock
Air Force: Kirtland AFB Remote Maui Hawaii: Secure Integration Support Lab: Planning and Design................................... 8,800 Hirono, Schatz
Experimental Site.
Air Force: Barksdale AFB............... Louisiana: Entrance Road and Gate: Cost to Complete........................................... 36,000 Cassidy
Air Force: Creech AFB.................. Nevada: Mission Support Facility: Planning and Design......................................... 1,900 Cortez Masto, Rosen
Air Force: Creech AFB.................. Nevada: Warrior Fitness Training Center: Planning and Design.................................. 2,200 Cortez Masto, Rosen
Air Force: Kirtland AFB................ New Mexico: Wyoming Gate Project: Cost to Complete............................................ 5,600 Heinrich, Lujan
Air Force: Kirtland AFB................ New Mexico: PJ/CRO Urban Training Complex: Planning and Design................................ 810 Heinrich, Lujan
Air Force: Holloman AFB................ New Mexico: Indoor Target Flip Facility: Planning and Design.................................. 2,340 Heinrich, Lujan
Air Force: Kirtland AFB................ New Mexico: Dedicated Facility for the Space Rapid Capabilities Office: Planning and Design... 5,280 Heinrich, Lujan
Air Force: Cannon AFB.................. New Mexico: 192-Bed Dormitory: Planning and Design............................................ 5,568 Heinrich, Lujan
Air Force: Cannon AFB.................. New Mexico: Deployment Processing Center: Planning and Design................................. 5,976 Heinrich, Lujan
Air Force: Holloman AFB................ New Mexico: MQ-9 Formal Training Unit Operations Facility..................................... 40,000 Heinrich, Lujan
Air Force: Wright-Patterson AFB........ Ohio: Child Development Center................................................................ 24,000 Brown
Air Force: Joint Base Charleston....... South Carolina: Flight Line Support Facility.................................................. 29,000 Graham
Air Force: Joint Base Charleston....... South Carolina: Fire and Rescue Station....................................................... 30,000 Graham
Air Force Reserve: Beale AFB........... California: 940 ARW SQ OPS & AMU Complex...................................................... 33,000 Feinstein, Padilla
Air NG: Bradley ANGB................... Connecticut: Composite ASE Vehicle Maintenance Facility....................................... 17,000 Blumenthal, Murphy
Air NG: New Castle County Airport...... Delaware: Fuel Cell and Corrosion Control Hangar.............................................. 17,500 Carper, Coons
Air NG: Base Civil Engineer Complex.... Illinois: Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport..................................................... 10,200 Durbin
Air NG: Base Civil Engineer Complex.... New York: Gabreski ANGB....................................................................... 14,800 Gillibrand, Schumer
Air NG: McEntire JNGB.................. South Carolina: Hazardous Cargo Pad........................................................... 9,000 Graham
Air NG: Camp Murray ANGS............... Washington: Air Support Operations Group Complex.............................................. 27,000 Murray
Air NG: Volk Combat Readiness Training Wisconsin: Replace Aircraft Maintenance Hangar/Shops: Planning and Design..................... 2,280 Baldwin
Center.
Army: Fort Wainwright.................. Alaska: ERDC-CRREL Permafrost Tunnel Research Facility: Unspecified Minor Construction........ 5,400 Murkowski
Army: Fort Gordon...................... Georgia: Cyber Center of Excellence School Headquarters and Classrooms: Planning and Design... 3,670 Warnock
Army: Fort Stewart..................... Georgia: Barracks: Planning and Design........................................................ 5,000 Ossoff, Warnock
Army: Fort Shafter..................... Hawaii: Command and Control Facility: Cost to Complete........................................ 55,500 Hirono, Schatz
Army: Fort Leavenworth................. Kansas: Child Development Center.............................................................. 34,000 Moran
Army: Fort Leonard Wood................ Missouri: Advanced Individual Training Battalion Complex: Planning and Design................. 4,000 Blunt
Army: White Sands Missile Range........ New Mexico: Missile Assembly Support Facility: Planning and Design............................ 1,300 Heinrich, Lujan
Army: U.S. Military Academy............ New York: Engineering Center: Cost to Complete................................................ 17,200 Gillibrand, Schumer
Army: Fort Jackson..................... South Carolina: Reception Barracks Complex, Ph 1: Cost to Complete............................ 21,000 Graham
Army Reserve: Fort McCoy............... Wisconsin: Transient Training Enlisted Barracks............................................... 29,200 Baldwin
Army NG: Topeka........................ Kansas: National Guard/Reserve Center Building SCIF: Planning and Design...................... 420 Moran
Army NG: Camp Shelby................... Mississippi: Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES).................................... 15,500 Hyde-Smith, Wicker
Army NG; Aviation Classification Repair Missouri: AVCRAD Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition: Planning and Design.................... 3,800 Blunt
Activity Depot.
Army NG: Salisbury..................... North Carolina: Aircraft Maintenance Hangar Addition/Alteration: Planning and Design.......... 2,700 Tillis
Army NG: Bennington.................... Vermont: Readiness Center..................................................................... 16,900 Leahy
Army NG: Ethan Allen AFB............... Vermont: Family Readiness Center: Unspecified Minor Construction.............................. 4,665 Leahy, Sanders
Army NG: Sandston...................... Virginia: Aircraft Maintenance Hangar: Planning and Design.................................... 5,805 Warner
Defense-Wide: HDR-H.................... Hawaii: Homeland Defense Radar-Hawaii: Planning and Design.................................... 19,000 Hirono, Schatz
Defense-Wide: Camp Shelby.............. Mississippi: Electrical Distribution Infrastructure Undergrounding Hardening Project.......... 11,155 Hyde-Smith, Wicker
Defense-Wide: Camp Shelby.............. Mississippi: MW Generation Plant and Feeder Level Microgrid System............................ 34,500 Hyde-Smith, Wicker
Defense-Wide: Fort Drum................ New York: Wellfield Expansion Resilience Project.............................................. 25,300 Gillibrand, Schumer
Navy: MCAS Yuma........................ Arizona: Combat Training Tank Complex......................................................... 29,300 Kelly, Sinema
Navy: NB Ventura County................ California: Combat Vehicle Maintenance Facility............................................... 48,700 Feinstein
Navy: NB Coronado...................... California: CMV-22B Aircraft Maintenance Hangar............................................... 63,600 Feinstein
Navy: MCB Hawaii....................... Hawaii: Electrical Distribution Modernization................................................. 64,500 Hirono, Schatz
Navy: Marine Corps Training Area Hawaii: Perimeter Security Fence: Unspecified Minor Construction.............................. 6,220 Hirono
Bellows.
Navy: NSA Cutler....................... Maine: Firehouse: Planning and Design......................................................... 2,500 Collins
Navy: MCAS Cherry Point................ North Carolina: F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Sustainment Center: Planning and Design............. 9,300 Burr, Tillis
Navy: MCAS New River................... North Carolina: Maintenance Hangar: Planning and Design....................................... 13,300 Tillis
Navy: MCAS Cherry Point................ North Carolina: ATC Tower and Airfield Operations............................................. 18,700 Burr
Navy: Camp Lejeune..................... North Carolina: Water Treatment Plant Replacement Hadnot Point: Cost to Complete.............. 64,200 Burr
Navy: NAVSTA Newport................... Rhode Island: Next Generation Torpedo Integration Lab: Planning and Design.................... 1,200 Reed
Navy: NAVSTA Newport................... Rhode Island: Submarine Payloads Integration Laboratory: Planning and Design.................. 1,400 Reed
Navy: NAVSTA Newport................... Rhode Island: Consolidated RDT&E Systems Facility: Planning and Design........................ 1,700 Reed
Navy: NAVSTA Newport................... Rhode Island: Next Generation Secure Submarine Platform Facility: Planning and Design......... 4,000 Reed
Navy: MCAS Beaufort.................... South Carolina: F-35 Operational Support Facility: Unspecified Minor Construction............. 4,700 Graham
Navy: MCAS Beaufort.................... South Carolina: Instrument Landing System: Unspecified Minor Construction..................... 3,000 Graham
Navy: MCRD Parris Island............... South Carolina: Entry Control Facility Improvements: Unspecified Minor Construction........... 6,000 Graham
Navy: MCAS Beaufort.................... South Carolina: Aircraft Maintenance Hangar................................................... 121,825 Graham
Navy: MCAS Beaufort.................... South Carolina: Recycling/Hazardous Waste Facility: Cost to Complete.......................... 5,000 Graham
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2021 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL
YEAR 2022
[In thousands of dollars]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senate Committee recommendation
compared with (+ or -)
Item 2021 Budget estimate Committee ---------------------------------
appropriation recommendation 2022
appropriation Budget estimate
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Military Construction, Army........................................ 628,900 834,692 991,762 +362,862 +157,070
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps....................... 1,716,144 2,368,352 2,452,247 +736,103 +83,895
Military Construction, Air Force................................... 616,156 2,102,690 2,106,750 +1,490,594 +4,060
Military Construction, Defense-Wide................................ 2,041,909 1,957,289 2,082,663 +40,754 +125,374
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Active components..................................... 5,003,109 7,263,023 7,633,422 +2,630,313 +370,399
====================================================================================
Military Construction, Army National Guard......................... 349,437 257,103 315,893 -33,544 +58,790
Military Construction, Air National Guard.......................... 64,214 197,770 298,550 +234,336 +100,780
Military Construction, Army Reserve................................ 88,337 64,911 94,111 +5,774 +29,200
Military Construction, Navy Reserve................................ 70,995 71,804 71,804 +809 ...............
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve........................... 23,117 78,374 111,374 +88,257 +33,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Reserve components.................................... 596,100 669,962 891,732 +295,632 +221,770
====================================================================================
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program..... 173,030 205,853 205,853 +32,823 ...............
Department of Defense Base Closure Account......................... 480,447 284,639 334,639 -145,808 +50,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Military Construction................................. 6,252,686 8,423,477 9,065,646 +2,812,960 +642,169
====================================================================================
Family Housing Construction, Army.................................. 119,400 99,849 99,849 -19,551 ...............
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army..................... 352,342 391,227 391,227 +38,885 ...............
Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps................. 42,897 77,616 77,616 +34,719 ...............
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps.... 346,493 357,341 357,341 +10,848 ...............
Family Housing Construction, Air Force............................. 97,214 115,716 115,716 +18,502 ...............
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force................ 317,021 325,445 325,445 +8,424 ...............
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide............. 54,728 49,785 49,785 -4,943 ...............
Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund.............. 5,897 6,081 6,081 +184 ...............
Department of Defense Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement 600 494 494 -106 ...............
Fund..............................................................
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Family Housing........................................ 1,336,592 1,423,554 1,423,554 +86,962 ...............
====================================================================================
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
Unfunded Requirements:
Military Construction, Army (Sec 124).............................. 233,000 ............... 27,000 -206,000 +27,000
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps (Sec 124)............. 73,100 ............... 28,000 -45,100 +28,000
Military Construction, Air Force (Sec 124)......................... 60,000 ............... ............... -60,000 ...............
Military Construction, Army National Guard (Sec 124)............... 49,835 ............... 11,000 -38,835 +11,000
Military Construction, Air National Guard ( Sec 124)............... 29,500 ............... 19,200 -10,300 +19,200
Military Construction, Army Reserve (Sec 130)...................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Military Construction, Air Force Reserve (Sec 124)................. 25,000 ............... ............... -25,000 ...............
Military Construction, Air Force ( Sec 126) (rescission)........... -9,975 ............... ............... +9,975 ...............
Military Construction, Defense-Wide (Sec 124)...................... ............... ............... 36,100 +36,100 +36,100
Military Construction Defense-Wide (Sec 126) (rescission).......... -29,838 ............... ............... +29,838 ...............
Family Housing Support and Management Costs (Sec129)............... 60,000 ............... ............... -60,000 ...............
Military Construction, Military Installation Resilience (Sec 130):
Military Installation Resilience, Army (Sec 133)............... 4,000 ............... 10,000 +6,000 +10,000
Military Installation Resilience, Navy and Marine Corps (Sec 7,000 ............... 25,000 +18,000 +25,000
133)..........................................................
Military Installation Resilience, Air Force (Sec 133).......... 4,000 ............... 15,000 +11,000 +15,000
Military Installation Resilience, Defense-Wide (Sec 133):
Child Development Centers (Sec 129)................................ 32,200 ............... ............... -32,200 ...............
Child Development Centers, Army (H Sec 128) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Child Development Centers, Navy and Marine Corps (H Sec 128) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Child Development Centers, Air Force (H Sec 128) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Barracks, Army (H Sec 129) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Barracks, Army National Guard (H Sec 129) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Barracks, Army Reserve (H Sec 129) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Military Construction, Defense-Wide (Sec 127) (rescission)......... -131,000 ............... -131,000 ............... -131,000
Military Construction, Army National Guard A Transformation Plan (H ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Sec 131)..........................................................
Military Construction, Natural Disaster (Sec 133).................. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Department of Defense Base Closure Account......................... -50,000 ............... ............... +50,000 ...............
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps--SIOP Unspecified -48,000 ............... ............... +48,000 ...............
Worldwide (rescission)............................................
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps--SIOP Unspecified ............... ............... 225,000 +225,000 +225,000
Worldwide (Sec 131)...............................................
Lab Infrastructure (Sec 130)....................................... ............... ............... 75,000 +75,000 +75,000
Military Construction, Defense-Wide (Sec 132)...................... ............... ............... 153,000 +153,000 +153,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Unfunded Requirements--Services.................... 308,822 ............... 493,300 +184,478 +493,300
Cost to Complete Projects--Services:
Military Construction, Army (H Sec 125)............................ 48,000 ............... ............... -48,000 ...............
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps (H Sec 125)........... 37,700 ............... ............... -37,700 ...............
Military Construction, Air Force (H Sec 125)....................... 75,700 ............... ............... -75,700 ...............
Military Construction, Army Reserve (H Sec 125) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Family Housing Construction, Army (H Sec 125; S Sec 129)........... 4,500 ............... 17,500 +13,000 +17,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Cost to Complete Projects--Services................ 165,900 ............... 17,500 -148,400 +17,500
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Administrative Provisions............................. 474,722 ............... 510,800 +36,078 +510,800
====================================================================================
Total, title I, Department of Defense........................ 8,064,000 9,847,031 11,000,000 +2,936,000 +1,152,969
Appropriations........................................... (8,332,813) (9,847,031) (11,131,000) (+2,798,187) (+1,283,969)
Rescissions.............................................. (-268,813) ............... (-131,000) (+137,813) (-131,000)
====================================================================================
TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Veterans Benefits Administration
Compensation and pensions:
Budget year appropriations..................................... 6,110,252 7,347,837 7,347,837 +1,237,585 ...............
Advance from prior year appropriations......................... 118,246,975 130,227,650 130,227,650 +11,980,675 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Compensation and pensions available in fiscal 124,357,227 137,575,487 137,575,487 +13,218,260 ...............
year....................................................
Advance appropriations, FY 2023................................ 130,227,650 147,569,474 147,569,474 +17,341,824 ...............
Less appropriations from prior year advances................... -118,246,975 -130,227,650 -130,227,650 -11,980,675 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Compensation and pensions appropriated in this bill... 136,337,902 154,917,311 154,917,311 +18,579,409 ...............
====================================================================================
Readjustment benefits:
Advance from prior year appropriations......................... 12,578,965 14,946,618 14,946,618 +2,367,653 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Readjustment benefits available in fiscal year. 12,578,965 14,946,618 14,946,618 +2,367,653 ...............
Advance appropriations, FY 2023................................ 14,946,618 8,906,851 8,906,851 -6,039,767 ...............
Less appropriations from prior year advances................... -12,578,965 -14,946,618 -14,946,618 -2,367,653 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Readjustment benefits appropriated in this bill....... 14,946,618 8,906,851 8,906,851 -6,039,767 ...............
====================================================================================
Veterans insurance and indemnities:
Budget year appropriations..................................... 2,148 ............... ............... -2,148 ...............
Advance from prior year appropriations......................... 129,224 136,950 136,950 +7,726 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, Veterans insurance and indemnities available in 131,372 136,950 136,950 +5,578 ...............
fiscal year.............................................
Advance appropriations, FY 2023................................ 136,950 109,865 109,865 -27,085 ...............
Less appropriations from prior year advances................... -129,224 -136,950 -136,950 -7,726 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Veterans insurance and indemnities appropriated in 139,098 109,865 109,865 -29,233 ...............
this bill...................................................
====================================================================================
Veterans housing benefit program fund:
Credit subsidy:
Direct..................................................... -18,000 -41,000 -41,000 -23,000 ...............
Guaranteed................................................. 1,681,000 2,822,000 2,822,000 +1,141,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal (Credit subsidy)................................ 1,663,000 2,781,000 2,781,000 +1,118,000 ...............
(Limitation on direct loans)................................... (500) (500) (500) ............... ...............
Administrative expenses........................................ 204,400 229,500 229,500 +25,100 ...............
Vocational rehabilitation loans program account.................... 34 3 3 -31 ...............
(Limitation on direct loans)................................... (2,470) (1,663) (1,663) (-807) ...............
Administrative expenses........................................ 424 429 429 +5 ...............
Native American veteran housing loan program account............... 1,186 1,186 1,300 +114 +114
General operating expenses, VBA.................................... 3,180,000 3,423,000 3,486,000 +306,000 +63,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Veterans Benefits Administration...................... 156,472,662 170,369,145 170,432,259 +13,959,597 +63,114
Budget year appropriations................................. (11,161,444) (13,782,955) (13,846,069) (+2,684,625) (+63,114)
Advance appropriations, FY 2023............................ (145,311,218) (156,586,190) (156,586,190) (+11,274,972) ...............
Advances from prior year appropriations.................... (130,955,164) (145,311,218) (145,311,218) (+14,356,054) ...............
====================================================================================
Veterans Health Administration
Medical services (MS):
Budget year appropriations..................................... 497,468 ............... ............... -497,468 ...............
Advance from prior year appropriations......................... 56,158,015 58,897,219 58,897,219 +2,739,204 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, MS available in fiscal year.................... 56,655,483 58,897,219 58,897,219 +2,241,736 ...............
Advance appropriations, FY 2023................................ 58,897,219 70,323,116 70,323,116 +11,425,897 ...............
Less appropriations from prior years........................... -56,158,015 -58,897,219 -58,897,219 -2,739,204 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, MS appropriated in this bill.......................... 59,394,687 70,323,116 70,323,116 +10,928,429 ...............
====================================================================================
Medical community care (MCC):
Budget year appropriations..................................... 1,380,800 3,269,000 3,269,000 +1,888,200 ...............
Advance from prior year appropriations......................... 17,131,179 20,148,244 20,148,244 +3,017,065 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, MCC available in fiscal year................... 18,511,979 23,417,244 23,417,244 +4,905,265 ...............
Advance appropriations, FY 2023................................ 20,148,244 24,156,659 24,156,659 +4,008,415 ...............
Less appropriations from prior years........................... -17,131,179 -20,148,244 -20,148,244 -3,017,065 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, MCC appropriated in this bill......................... 21,529,044 27,425,659 27,425,659 +5,896,615 ...............
====================================================================================
Medical support and compliance (MSC):
Budget year appropriations..................................... 300,000 ............... ............... -300,000 ...............
Advance from prior year appropriations......................... 7,914,191 8,403,117 8,403,117 +488,926 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, MSC available in fiscal year....................... 8,214,191 8,403,117 8,403,117 +188,926 ...............
Advance appropriations, FY 2023................................ 8,403,117 9,673,409 9,673,409 +1,270,292 ...............
Less appropriations from prior years........................... -7,914,191 -8,403,117 -8,403,117 -488,926 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, MSC appropriated in this bill......................... 8,703,117 9,673,409 9,673,409 +970,292 ...............
====================================================================================
Medical facilities (MF):
Budget year appropriations..................................... 150,000 ............... ............... -150,000 ...............
Advance from prior year appropriations......................... 6,433,265 6,734,680 6,734,680 +301,415 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, MF available in fiscal year.................... 6,583,265 6,734,680 6,734,680 +151,415 ...............
Advance appropriations, FY 2023................................ 6,734,680 7,133,816 7,133,816 +399,136 ...............
Less appropriations from prior years............... -6,433,265 -6,734,680 -6,734,680 -301,415 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, MF appropriated in this bill.......................... 6,884,680 7,133,816 7,133,816 +249,136 ...............
====================================================================================
Medical and prosthetic research.................................... 815,000 882,000 882,000 +67,000 ...............
Medical care cost recovery collections:
Offsetting collections......................................... -4,403,000 -3,386,000 -3,386,000 +1,017,000 ...............
Appropriations (indefinite).................................... 4,403,000 3,386,000 3,386,000 -1,017,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal................................................. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Medical Care Collections Fund (MCCF) (transfer out) (Sec 214)...... (-784,000) (-623,000) (-623,000) (+161,000) ...............
Medical Community Care and Medical Services (by transfer) (Sec 214) (784,000) (623,000) (623,000) (-161,000) ...............
VA medical funds (transfer out) (Sec 219).......................... (-322,932) (-379,009) (-379,009) (-56,077) ...............
DoD-VA Joint Medical Facility Demonstration Fund (by transfer) (Sec (322,932) (379,009) (379,009) (+56,077) ...............
219)..............................................................
MCCF to DoD-VA Joint Medical Facility Demonstration Fund (transfer (-18,000) (-17,000) (-17,000) (+1,000) ...............
out) (Sec 221)....................................................
DoD-VA Joint Medical Facility Demonstration Fund (by transfer) (Sec (18,000) (17,000) (17,000) (-1,000) ...............
221)..............................................................
VA Medical Care Funds (transfer out) (Sec 222)..................... (-15,000) (-15,000) (-15,000) ............... ...............
DoD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund (by transfer) (Sec 222).. (15,000) (15,000) (15,000) ............... ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Veterans Health Administration........................ 97,326,528 115,438,000 115,438,000 +18,111,472 ...............
Budget year appropriations............................... (3,143,268) (4,151,000) (4,151,000) (+1,007,732) ...............
Advance appropriations (FY 2023)......................... (94,183,260) (111,287,000) (111,287,000) (+17,103,740) ...............
Advances from prior year appropriations........................ (87,636,650) (94,183,260) (94,183,260) (+6,546,610) ...............
(By transfer).................................................. (1,139,932) (1,034,009) (1,034,009) (-105,923) ...............
(Transfer out)................................................. (-1,139,932) (-1,034,009) (-1,034,009) (+105,923) ...............
====================================================================================
National Cemetery Administration
National Cemetery Administration................................... 352,000 394,000 394,000 +42,000 ...............
Departmental Administration
General administration............................................. 365,911 401,200 401,200 +35,289 ...............
Board of Veterans Appeals.......................................... 196,000 228,000 228,000 +32,000 ...............
Information Technology Systems (IT Systems)........................ 4,912,000 4,842,800 4,842,800 -69,200 ...............
Veterans Electronic Health Record (EHR)............................ 2,627,000 2,663,000 2,500,000 -127,000 -163,000
Office of Inspector General........................................ 228,000 239,000 239,000 +11,000 ...............
Construction, major projects....................................... 1,316,000 1,611,000 1,611,000 +295,000 ...............
Construction, minor projects....................................... 390,000 553,000 553,000 +163,000 ...............
Grants for construction of State extended care facilities.......... 90,000 ............... 50,000 -40,000 +50,000
Grants for the construction of Veterans cemeteries................. 45,000 45,000 50,000 +5,000 +5,000
Asset Infrastructure Review Commission............................. ............... 5,000 5,000 +5,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Departmental Administration........................... 10,169,911 10,588,000 10,480,000 +310,089 -108,000
====================================================================================
Administrative Provisions
Recurring Expenses Transformational Fund (Sec 255) (rescission).... ............... ............... -820,000 -820,000 -820,000
Information Technology Systems (Sec 255) (appropriations).......... ............... ............... 670,000 +670,000 +670,000
Construction, Minor Projects (Sec 255) (appropriations)............ ............... ............... 150,000 +150,000 +150,000
Medical Support and Compliance (rescission) (Sec 254).............. -15,000 ............... ............... +15,000 ...............
DOD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund (Sec 253) (rescission) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Veterans Electronic Health Record (Sec 254) (rescission)........... -20,000 ............... ............... +20,000 ...............
Medical and Prosthetic Research (Sec 254) (rescission)............. -20,000 ............... ............... +20,000 ...............
Board of Veterans Appeals (Sec 253) (rescission)................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
National Cemetery Administration (Sec 253) (rescission) ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Medical Services (Sec 254) (rescission)............................ -100,000 ............... ............... +100,000 ...............
Information Technology Systems (Sec 254) (rescission).............. -37,500 ............... ............... +37,500 ...............
General Administration (Sec 254) (rescission)...................... -12,000 ............... ............... +12,000 ...............
General Operating Expenses, VBA (Sec 254) (rescission)............. -16,000 ............... ............... +16,000 ...............
Construction, Minor Projects (Sec 254) (rescission)................ -35,700 ............... ............... +35,700 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Administrative Provisions............................. -256,200 ............... ............... +256,200 ...............
====================================================================================
Total, title II, Department of Veterans Affairs.............. 264,064,901 296,789,145 296,744,259 +32,679,358 -44,886
Budget year appropriations............................... (24,826,623) (28,915,955) (29,691,069) (+4,864,446) (+775,114)
Rescissions.............................................. (-256,200) ............... (-820,000) (-563,800) (-820,000)
Advance Appropriations, FY23:
(Mandatory)................................................ (145,311,218) (156,586,190) (156,586,190) (+11,274,972) ...............
(Discretionary)............................................ (94,183,260) (111,287,000) (111,287,000) (+17,103,740) ...............
(By transfer).................................................. (1,139,932) (1,034,009) (1,034,009) (-105,923) ...............
(Transfer out)................................................. (-1,139,932) (-1,034,009) (-1,034,009) (+105,923) ...............
(Limitation on direct loans)................................... (2,970) (2,163) (2,163) (-807) ...............
Advances from prior year appropriations:
(Mandatory)................................................ (130,955,164) (145,311,218) (145,311,218) (+14,356,054) ...............
(Discretionary)............................................ (87,636,650) (94,183,260) (94,183,260) (+6,546,610) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, available this fiscal year............................ 243,162,237 268,410,433 268,365,547 +25,203,310 -44,886
(Mandatory).................................................. (138,730,564) (155,440,055) (155,440,055) (+16,709,491) ...............
(Discretionary).............................................. (104,431,673) (112,970,378) (112,925,492) (+8,493,819) (-44,886)
====================================================================================
TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES
American Battle Monuments Commission
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 84,100 84,800 87,500 +3,400 +2,700
US Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 37,100 41,700 41,700 +4,600 ...............
Department of Defense--Civil
Cemeterial Expenses, Army
Salaries and expenses.............................................. 81,815 87,000 87,000 +5,185 ...............
Construction....................................................... ............... 141,000 141,000 +141,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Cemeterial Expenses, Army............................. 81,815 228,000 228,000 +146,185 ...............
====================================================================================
Armed Forces Retirement Home--Trust Fund
Operation and maintenance.......................................... 44,300 43,000 43,000 -1,300 ...............
Capital program.................................................... 9,000 7,300 8,300 -700 +1,000
Payment from General Fund.......................................... 22,000 25,000 25,000 +3,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Armed Forces Retirement Home.......................... 75,300 75,300 76,300 +1,000 +1,000
====================================================================================
Total, title III, Related Agencies........................... 278,315 429,800 433,500 +155,185 +3,700
====================================================================================
TITLE IV--OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS
Overseas Contingency Operations
European Deterrence / Reassurance Initiative:
Military Construction, Army........................................ 16,111 ............... ............... -16,111 ...............
Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps....................... 70,020 ............... ............... -70,020 ...............
Military Construction, Air Force................................... 263,869 ............... ............... -263,869 ...............
Military Construction, Defense-Wide
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subtotal, European Deterrence/Reassurance Initiative......... 350,000 ............... ............... -350,000 ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Overseas Contingency Operations....................... 350,000 ............... ............... -350,000 ...............
====================================================================================
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Medical Services (Sec 514) (transfer out) (emergency).............. (-167,000) ............... ............... (+167,000) ...............
Veterans Benefits Administration, General Operating Expenses (Sec (140,000) ............... ............... (-140,000) ...............
514) (by transfer) (emergency)....................................
National Cemetery Administration (Sec 514) (by transfer) (26,000) ............... ............... (-26,000) ...............
(emergency).......................................................
Board of Veterans Appeals (Sec 514) (by transfer) (emergency)...... (1,000) ............... ............... (-1,000) ...............
Medical Services transfer out (Sec515) (emergency)................. (-243,000) ............... ............... (+243,000) ...............
Veterans Benefits Administration, General Operating Expenses (Sec (198,000) ............... ............... (-198,000) ...............
515) (by transfer) (emergency)....................................
Information Technology Systems (Sec515) (by transfer) (emergency).. (45,000) ............... ............... (-45,000) ...............
Medical Services transfer out (Sec 517) (emergency)................ (-100,000) ............... ............... (+100,000) ...............
Medical Community Care (Sec 517) (by transfer) (emergency)......... (100,000) ............... ............... (-100,000) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title V, General Provisions........................... ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
====================================================================================
OTHER APPROPRIATIONS
CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2021 AND OTHER EXTENSIONS ACT (PL
116-159 DIV A)
Medical Services transfer to Canteen Service Revolving Fund (-140,000) ............... ............... (+140,000) ...............
(transfer out) (emergency)........................................
Canteen Service Revolving Fund (by transfer) (emergency)........... (140,000) ............... ............... (-140,000) ...............
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2021 and Other ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
Extensions..................................................
====================================================================================
Total, Other Appropriations.................................. ............... ............... ............... ............... ...............
====================================================================================
Grand total.................................................. 272,757,216 307,065,976 308,177,759 +35,420,543 +1,111,783
Budget year appropriations............................... (33,437,751) (39,192,786) (41,255,569) (+7,817,818) (+2,062,783)
Rescissions.............................................. (-525,013) ............... (-951,000) (-425,987) (-951,000)
Advance appropriations, FY23............................. (239,494,478) (267,873,190) (267,873,190) (+28,378,712) ...............
Overseas contingency operations.......................... (350,000) ............... ............... (-350,000) ...............
Advances from prior year appropriations...................... (218,591,814) (239,494,478) (239,494,478) (+20,902,664) ...............
(By transfer)................................................ (1,139,932) (1,034,009) (1,034,009) (-105,923) ...............
(Transfer out)............................................... (-1,139,932) (-1,034,009) (-1,034,009) (+105,923) ...............
(By transfer) (emergency).................................... (650,000) ............... ............... (-650,000) ...............
(Transfer out) (emergency)................................... (-650,000) ............... ............... (+650,000) ...............
(Limitation on direct loans)................................. (2,970) (2,163) (2,163) (-807) ...............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[all]