[Senate Report 112-29] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office] Calendar No. 91 112th Congress } { Report SENATE 1st Session } { 112-29 ====================================================================== MILITARY CONSTRUCTION AND VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATION BILL, 2012 _______ June 30, 2011.--Ordered to be printed _______ Mr. Johnson, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the following REPORT [To accompany H.R. 2055] The Committee on Appropriations, to which was referred the bill (H.R. 2055) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes, reports the same to the Senate with an amendment, and recommends that the bill as amended do pass. Amounts in new budget authority Total of bill as reported to the Senate.................$142,029,599,000 Amount of 2011 appropriations........................... 138,679,076,000 Amount of 2012 budget estimate.......................... 143,285,006,000 Amount of House allowance............................... 142,032,269,000 Bill as recommended to Senate compared to-- Amount of 2011 appropriations....................... +3,350,523,000 Amount of 2012 budget estimate...................... -1,255,407,000 Amount of House allowance........................... -2,670,000 CONTENTS ---------- Page Background: Purpose of the Bill.......................................... 4 Committee Recommendation..................................... 4 Overview and Summary of the Bill............................. 4 Title I: Military Construction: Items of Special Interest: Hearings............................................. 5 Summary of Committee Recommendations................. 5 Reprogramming Guidelines............................. 5 Real Property Maintenance............................ 5 Incremental Funding.................................. 5 Global Challenges.................................... 5 Military Construction, Army.............................. 17 Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps............. 18 Military Construction, Air Force......................... 19 Military Construction, Defense-Wide...................... 20 Military Construction, Reserve Components................ 21 North Atlantic Treaty Organization....................... 22 Family Housing Overview.................................. 23 Family Housing Construction, Army........................ 24 Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army........... 25 Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps....... 25 Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps.................................................. 26 Family Housing Construction, Air Force................... 27 Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force...... 27 Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide... 28 Family Housing Improvement Fund.......................... 28 Homeowners Assistance Fund............................... 29 Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide..... 30 Base Closure Account 1990................................ 30 Base Closure Account 2005................................ 31 Administrative Provisions................................ 31 Title II: Department of Veterans Affairs: Items of Special Interest: Hearings............................................. 34 Summary of Committee Recommendations................. 34 Department Overview.................................. 34 Veterans Benefits Administration......................... 36 Compensation and Pensions............................ 36 Readjustment Benefits................................ 37 Veterans Insurance and Indemnities................... 38 Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund................ 38 Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account...... 39 Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account. 40 Veterans Health Administration........................... 40 Medical Services..................................... 44 Medical Support and Compliance....................... 48 Medical Facilities................................... 48 Medical and Prosthetic Research...................... 49 Medical Care Cost Recovery Collections............... 51 Medical Care Collection Fund--Revenues Applied....... 51 National Cemetery Administration......................... 51 Departmental Administration.............................. 52 General Operating Expenses........................... 52 General Administration............................... 52 General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration..................................... 55 Information Technology Systems....................... 57 Office of Inspector General.......................... 62 Construction, Major Projects......................... 62 Construction, Minor Projects......................... 62 Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities......................................... 65 Grants for Construction of State Veterans Cemeteries. 65 Administrative Provisions............................ 66 Title III: Related Agencies: American Battle Monuments Commission: Salaries and Expenses................................ 68 Foreign Currency Fluctuations........................ 68 U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims: Salaries and Expenses............................................... 69 Department of Defense--Civil: Cemeterial Expenses, Army: Salaries and Expenses.................................. 69 Armed Forces Retirement Home............................. 70 Title IV: General Provisions..................................... 71 Compliance With Paragraph 7, Rule XVI, of the Standing Rules of the Sen- ate............................................................ 72 Compliance With Paragraph 7(c), Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate.................................................. 73 Compliance With Paragraph 12, Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate..................................................... 73 Budgetary Impact of Bill......................................... 74 Military Construction Project Listing by Location................ 75 Comparative Statement of Budget Authority........................ 110 BACKGROUND Purpose of the Bill The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill provides necessary funding for the planning, design, construction, alteration, and improvement of military facilities worldwide, for both active and reserve forces. 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 to implement 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 Arlington National Cemetery; the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; and the Armed Forces Retirement Homes. Committee Recommendation The Committee recommends appropriations totaling $142,029,599,000 for fiscal year 2012 military construction, family housing, base closure, veterans healthcare and benefits, including fiscal year 2013 advance appropriations for veterans medical care, and related agencies. This includes $69,497,269,000 in mandatory funding and $72,532,330,000 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 2012 request. Overview and Summary of Bill The Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies appropriations bill funds an array of programs that are vital to America's military personnel and their families, and to the Nations' veterans. For U.S. military forces and their families worldwide, the bill funds critical infrastructure, ranging from mission essential operational and training facilities to key quality of life facilities, including barracks, family housing, child care centers, schools and hospitals. For America's 22,700,000 veterans, the bill provides the necessary funding for veterans benefits and healthcare, from prescription drugs and clinical services to the construction of hospitals and other medical facilities throughout the Nation. The bill also funds veterans cemeteries in the United States and provides funding for four independent Agencies--the American Battle Monuments Commission, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, the Armed Forces Retirement Homes, and Arlington National Cemetery. TITLE I MILITARY CONSTRUCTION Items of Special Interest HEARINGS The Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held two hearings related to the fiscal year 2012 military construction budget request. Witnesses included representatives of the Office of Secretary of Defense and of the active and reserve components of the Army, Navy and Air Force. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS The fiscal year 2012 budget request for military construction and family housing totals $14,766,047,000. The request reflects a decrease of $1,821,726,000 from the fiscal year 2011 enacted level, due primarily to reduced funding requirements for the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure program. For title I, the Committee recommends $13,717,382,000, $1,048,665,000 below the budget request for military construction and family housing. 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 to 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 DOD Financial Management Regulation 7000.14-R and relevant updates and policy memoranda. REAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE The Committee recommends a continuation of the following general rules for repairing a facility under ``Operation and Maintenance'' account funding: --Components of the facility may be repaired by replacement, and such replacement may be up to current standards or code. --Interior arrangements and restorations may be included as repair, but additions, new facilities, and functional conversions must be performed as military construction projects. --Such projects may be done concurrent with repair projects, as long as the final conjunctively funded project is a complete and usable facility. --The appropriate Service Secretary shall submit a 21-day notification prior to carrying out any repair project with an estimated cost in excess of $7,500,000. The Department is directed to continue to report on the real property maintenance backlog at all installations for which there is a requested construction project in future budget requests. This information is to be provided on the Form 1390. In addition, for all troop housing requests, the Form 1391 is to continue to show all real property maintenance conducted in the past 2 years and all future requirements for unaccompanied housing at that installation. INCREMENTAL FUNDING In general, the Committee supports full funding for military construction projects. However, it continues to be the practice of the Committee to provide incremental funding for certain large projects, despite administration policy to the contrary, to enable the services to more efficiently allocate military construction dollars among projects that can be executed in the year of appropriation. For fiscal year 2012, the Committee recommends incremental funding for the following projects: Aviation Task Force Complex, Fort Wainwright, Alaska; Mountainview Operations Facility, Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado; Guam Strike Fuel Systems Maintenance Hangar, Anderson Air Force Base, Guam; Ambulatory Care Center, Joint Base Andrews, Maryland; STRATCOM Replacement Facility, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska; Ambulatory Care Center, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas; Hospital Replacement, Fort Bliss, Texas; Data Center, Camp Williams, Utah. GLOBAL CHALLENGES The stationing of U.S. military forces overseas has long been viewed as a key component in strengthening international alliances in support of U.S. foreign policy objectives, deterring aggression against U.S. allies, and providing a forward presence of U.S. troops that can be quickly deployed to respond to conflicts. However, the strategic benefit of forward deployment comes with a steep price tag, and at a time of severe budgetary pressures, it is essential that all overseas basing decisions be carefully evaluated and subjected to stringent cost versus benefit analyses. The Committee has carefully scrutinized the Defense Department's [DOD] overseas basing plans and the associated request for military construction funding for fiscal year 2012 in support of those plans. While supportive of the Department's strategic objectives, the Committee has concerns over various aspects of the fiscal year 2012 military construction request in support of DOD's global defense posture, due largely to questions surrounding the assumptions on which some of the projects are based, the lack of comprehensive master plans for major military construction initiatives, and the paucity of verifiable cost and scope data for military construction projects associated with major basing or realignment initiatives. Following are discussions and Committee recommendations regarding several key DOD overseas basing initiatives. U.S. Pacific Command Transformation.--The Defense Department has embarked upon a massive restructuring of U.S. military forces in the Pacific Command [PACOM]. This effort represents the largest transformation of U.S. military presence in the Pacific region since World War II. Moreover, it carries with it an as-yet undetermined infrastructure price tag estimated to be in the tens of billions of dollars. The plan comprises two overarching realignments--one realigning the stationing of United States troops and instituting a new ``tour normalization'' program in the Republic of Korea, and the second redistributing United States forces in Japan and Okinawa and moving thousands of United States Marines and their families from Okinawa to Guam. The Committee is concerned about the practical implications of implementing such a sweeping and potentially costly restructuring of United States military forces at a time of severe budget restraints and, in the case of the Japan/Okinawa realignment, in the face of popular opposition to essential components of the plan from the citizens of Okinawa. A May 2011 report to the Committee by the Government Accountability Office [GAO], ``Defense Management: Comprehensive Cost Information and Analysis of Alternatives Needed to Assess Military Posture in Asia'' (GAO 11-316), found that DOD is transforming the facilities and infrastructure that support its posture in Asia without the benefit of comprehensive cost information or an analysis of alternatives that are essential to conducting affordability analyses. GAO identified potential costs for the PACOM transformation initiatives ranging as high as $46,700,000,000 through 2020, and $63,900,000,000 through 2050, but the report cautioned that the estimates are ``volatile and not comprehensive.'' In a time of soaring budget deficits that have resulted in the imposition of crippling budget cuts on non-defense programs, the committee questions the wisdom of embarking on long range, multi-billion dollar global defense initiatives based on military construction cost estimates that are found to be ``volatile and not comprehensive.'' Korea and Tour Normalization.--In South Korea, DOD is transforming its military posture through a series of four interrelated posture initiatives, which include moving United States forces south of Seoul and gradually moving from unaccompanied to lengthier accompanied tours. GAO obtained DOD cost estimates that total $17,600,000,000 through 2020 for initiatives in South Korea, but noted that the DOD cost estimates were incomplete. One initiative, to extend the tour length of military service members and move thousands of dependents to South Korea--called ``tour normalization''--could cost DOD $5,000,000,000 by 2020 and $22,000,000,000 or more through 2050, but GAO reported that this initiative was not supported by a business case analysis that would have considered alternative courses of action and their associated costs and benefits. This lack of a business case analysis also raises concerns about the investments being made in a $13,000,000,000 construction program at Camp Humphreys, Korea, to accommodate the relocation of United States troops south of Seoul and the first phase of tour normalization. Full tour normalization would require additional land, housing, schools and other facilities at Camp Humphreys, which would require a revised master plan for the base and would likely require changes to the current construction program. Given the extent of construction currently underway at Camp Humphreys, any substantive change in the plan could impact efficiency and drive up costs considerably. ``DOD is embarking on an initiative that involves moving thousands of U.S. civilians to South Korea and constructing schools, medical facilities, and other infrastructure to support them without fully understanding the costs involved or considering potential alternatives that might more efficiently achieve U.S. strategic objectives,'' GAO concluded in its report. According to information GAO obtained from the Department, tour normalization was driven by the United States Forces Korea Commander's strategic objectives to (1) obtain greater flexibility in deploying United States forces assigned to South Korea and (2) improve military families' quality of life by reducing the amount of time they were separated by deployments. However, DOD has not clearly demonstrated the extent to which tour normalization will actually achieve these objectives or the total costs involved relative to other alternatives. As a result, DOD is unable to demonstrate that tour normalization is the most cost-effective approach to meeting the strategic objectives that form the basis for the initiative. ``The financial risks of implementing tour normalization without a business case analysis to support the decision are high, given the magnitude of the resources that will be required and the impact on military construction plans,'' GAO noted. Japan/Okinawa/Guam.--In mainland Japan, Okinawa and Guam, DOD and the Government of Japan are moving forward with a complex troop realignment initiative that includes repositioning and consolidating United States forces among a number of bases within Okinawa and Japan, and relocating approximately 8,600 Marines and 9,000 dependents from Okinawa to Guam. The Marine relocation is one piece of a larger DOD effort to build up the United States military presence on Guam. Other elements of the plan include Air Force intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets; a new Navy pier and hospital, and, potentially, an Army missile defense component. The Committee is concerned that although DOD has requested more than $1,000,000,000 in funding since fiscal year 2010 for military construction projects to implement elements of the Marine Corps buildup in Guam, the Department has yet to produce a comprehensive master plan, realistic cost estimate, or construction timeline encompassing all elements of the plan. Moreover, several land use issues--including the availability of land on Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands for essential training range support for the Marines--remains unresolved. And the proposed United States military construction program does not begin to address the requisite civilian infrastructure improvements on Guam--including transportation, water, sewer and electrical upgrades--that will be needed to accommodate the projected population increase. The Committee is also concerned about the defense of the planned United States military assets and facilities on Guam. Although the original Guam plan included a potential Army air and missile defense system, there is no construction funding for the project in the Army's Future Years Defense Plan and no indication that DOD intends to proceed with this crucial project. Absent a robust defense system, United States military facilities on Guam will be vulnerable to potentially devastating attack by enemy forces. GAO reported that it had identified approximately $29,100,000,000--primarily construction costs--that is anticipated to be shared by the United States and Japan to implement initiatives in mainland Japan, Okinawa, and Guam. According to the GAO report, DOD officials stated that total cost estimates for its initiatives were not available because of the significant uncertainty surrounding initiative implementation schedules. Furthermore, while it is difficult to determine what, if any, impact the March 11, 2011, earthquake and tsunami in Japan will have on current agreements and initiative financing and construction plans, DOD officials have said that there is potential for increases in the cost of materials and labor in Asia. In assessing the overall DOD force posture realignment in the Pacific region, GAO pointed out that congressional defense committees ``have been presented with individual posture decisions and funding requests that are associated with specific construction programs or initiatives, but those requests lack comprehensive cost estimates and the financial context that such estimates would provide--including long-term costs to complete and annual operation and maintenance costs.'' ``Without that context,'' GAO warned, ``DOD is presenting Congress with near-term funding requests that will result in significant long-term financial requirements whose extent is unknown.'' Due to the lack of verifiable cost estimates for the Guam buildup, the failure of DOD to submit to the congressional defense committees a comprehensive master plan for the initiative, and continuing uncertainty over the ability of the Government of Japan to fulfill its commitment to relocate United States troops on Okinawa, the Committee has deferred funding for fiscal year 2012 military construction projects associated with the relocation of United States Marines to Guam. No funding was requested in the fiscal year 2012 budget for military construction related to tour normalization in Korea, but the Committee will expect detailed cost information and a completed business case analysis, approved by the Secretary of Defense, for the strategic objectives that to this point have driven the decision to implement tour normalization, before approving any funding requests in future years. This business case analysis should clearly articulate the strategic objectives, identify and evaluate alternative courses of action to achieve those objectives, and recommend the most cost- effective alternative. To ensure that DOD and Congress have comprehensive posture cost information that can be used to fully evaluate investment requirements and the affordability of posture initiatives, GAO recommended in its report that DOD take seven specific actions, including developing a business case analysis for the strategic objectives related to tour normalization, limiting investments and funding risks at Camp Humphreys, and developing annual posture cost estimates for initiatives in the Pacific region that can be used in future posture planning. Although DOD generally agreed with GAO's recommendations, it did not specify what corrective actions it would take or identify timeframes for completion. The Committee strongly supports the recommendations contained in GAO-11-316, and therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to provide the following information within the specified timelines: --Prepare initiative status reports as described in Senate Report 111-226, and include them in the annual DOD Global Defense Posture report as specified by the Committee in Senate Report 111-226. --Provide to the congressional defense committees and to the Comptroller General a detailed implementation report describing the results of the Department's efforts and specific timeframes for further actions needed to implement the recommendations contained in the GAO report 11-316. The corrective action implementation report shall include, but is not limited to, the following: --a completed business case analysis for the strategic objectives that to this point have driven the decision to implement tour normalization; --the selected alternative that has been approved by the Secretary of Defense to achieve the stated strategic objectives; --a full accounting of the funds applied and requested to construct new facilities and infrastructure at Camp Humphreys, Korea, with specific identification of all funds associated with implementing tour normalization; --steps DOD has taken to limit investments and other financial risks associated with construction programs at Camp Humphreys--funded either by direct appropriations or alternative financing methods that are affected by decisions related to tour normalization; and --a comprehensive cost estimate for DOD posture in the U.S. Pacific Command, including costs associated with operating and maintaining existing posture as well as costs associated with posture initiatives. This report shall be provided to the congressional defense committees no later than March 15, 2012. The Committee further directs the Comptroller General to assess the implementation report of the Secretary of Defense, and report the results of the GAO assessment to the congressional defense committees within 120 days of receipt of the report of the Secretary. The Committee also directs the Comptroller General to conduct a detailed assessment of posture initiatives in Japan, Okinawa, and Guam, focused on the planning, costs, long-term financial commitments, the status of the Futenma Replacement Facility and the transfer of Marine Corps forces to Guam, and the impact of the natural disasters that struck Japan in March 2011. GAO's assessment should include, but is not limited to, the extent to which DOD has: --developed specific plans for new facilities, infrastructure and housing units in mainland Japan, Okinawa, and Guam under existing or planned agreements with Japan, and the extent to which these requirements depend on establishing the Futenma Replacement Facility; --developed options or alternatives to the Futenma Replacement Facility and evaluated the potential impact on infrastructure, housing conditions, requirements, and estimated posture costs; --evaluated how changes in the specific Marine Corps units and forces that will remain in Okinawa or relocate to Guam affect infrastructure and housing costs on Okinawa and Guam; --developed an approach to identify and address any cost, funding, schedule, or construction capability shortfalls resulting from the natural disasters that struck Japan in March 2011; and --identified specific training deficiencies that form the justification for a new training range in the Northern Mariana Islands, and completed an analysis of alternatives to address these shortfalls. This assessment shall be provided to the congressional defense committees no later than May 25, 2012. U.S. Africa Command [AFRICOM].--Given the strategic importance of the Horn of Africa in the war against terrorism, the Committee remains supportive of the AFRICOM mission at Camp Lemonier in Djibouti. Economic and political instability among African nations; the infiltration of al Qaeda and other terrorist organizations into East Africa, particularly Somalia, and the rise of piracy off the coast of Somalia underscore the importance of maintaining a United States military presence in the Horn of Africa. However, the Committee remains concerned about the long range mission of AFRICOM at Camp Lemonier and the planned development and security of the installation. A May 2011 update of the Camp Lemonier master plan revealed a host of planning deficiencies, ranging from the lack of a prioritized list of construction requirements beyond the current 5-year planning cycle to the absence of any high-level effort among DOD officials to pursue the expansion of the U.S. base at Camp Lemonier to adjacent land that is soon to be vacated. The latter is of particular importance given the size and logistical constraints of the current U.S. footprint at Camp Lemonier. Security and anti-terrorism measures also remain major concerns of the Committee due to the proximity of Camp Lemonier to the commercial airport and the dense concentration of facilities on the base driven by size constraints. The master plan was also notably lacking in reliable cost estimates for a large number of proposed military construction projects, making it impossible for the Committee to determine the long-range investment of U.S. tax dollars that will be required to execute the Camp Lemonier master plan. The Committee also remains concerned about the long range mission of Camp Lemonier. Although it is a Navy installation, its primary mission is to support the Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa [CJTF-HOA], which is focused on anti- terrorism and capacity building in East Africa. DOD has designated Camp Lemonier as an enduring location, but by DOD definition, joint task forces are temporary in nature, designed to address specific, limited objectives, and are normally dissolved when their mission has been achieved or is no longer required. In an April 10, 2010, GAO report, ``DOD Needs to Determine the Future of its Horn of Africa Task Force,'' (GAO-10-504), GAO noted that AFRICOM ``has not yet made decisions on the future of the task force--including whether CJTF-HOA should continue to exist as a joint task force'' and is continuing to evaluate whether changes are necessary to its mission, structure, or resources to support AFRICOM's mission of sustained security engagement in Africa. GAO also noted a number of challenges facing CJTF-HOA, including sustainable funding for its activities, African cultural issues, and interagency collaboration. According to the report, ``the task force's sustainability is uncertain because AFRICOM, in concert with the Department of Defense and the Navy, has not developed options for funding the task force over the long term.'' GAO concluded that, ``Until AFRICOM takes steps to examine feasible long-term funding options and develops a solution to increase the effectiveness and continuity of efforts among CJTF-HOA's frequently rotating staff, the command cannot ensure that its task force is supporting U.S. efforts in Africa with the appropriate resources and trained personnel.'' Given the shortfalls in the Navy's current master plan for Camp Lemonier, including limited construction timelines and cost estimates for projects in the out years, the Committee remains concerned about the long term funding options for CJTF- HOA. The Committee therefore directs the Secretary of the Navy to submit a comprehensive master plan for Camp Lemonier that can serve as a baseline to measure progress, total costs, and total funding requirements for all current and future projects associated with Camp Lemonier. The Secretary is directed to update the plan annually and provide it to the congressional defense committees with each budget submission. The comprehensive Camp Lemonier master plan shall include, but is not limited to, the following information: --Identification of the specific DOD strategic goals and objectives which provide the basis for the improvements required at Camp Lemonier, including the long-range mission of AFRICOM at Camp Lemonier, and the mission and activities of CJTF-HOA. --A prioritized list of all anticipated construction projects, an estimated total cost to complete each project, and expected start and completion dates. --Current estimated costs by appropriation, addressing all costs associated with establishing, modifying, and sustaining DOD's posture at Camp Lemonier. --A long-term funding plan for Camp Lemonier, identifying the military service that will be responsible for providing funding and the source of those funds for construction of new facilities, sustainment and restoration of existing facilities, and operations and maintenance costs. --A long-term funding plan for CJTF-HOA that would improve its future funding sustainability. The funding plan should identify the projected costs for the task force to conduct its assigned mission, and the military service that will be responsible for providing the necessary funding and the source of those funds. --Initiative estimate assumptions, including: --Population, including the number of military, civilian, and non-DOD personnel. --Medical, including the services provided (medical, dental, vision), dates new facilities will be available for use, ratio of primary care providers to population, and any other element that drives the number of medical treatment facilities and associated infrastructure or personnel required to support the population. --Support services, including capacities of commissaries, exchanges, or other support services, necessary modifications to their existing facilities, and sources of funding necessary to pay for any needed improvements or new construction. --Host nation agreements and leases, including terms and status of lease agreements, any other specific agreements with host nations, or legal issues that establish or drive specific timeframes for completion of the initiative or major components of the initiatives. Subsequent annual updates to the master plan should also include: --Schedule Status.--A comparison of the current estimated timeframe to complete the overall initiative with original baseline estimates. An explanation of changes in the estimated completion date or changes in the approved schedule should be provided. --Facilities Requirements.--A comparison of the baseline and current projected number, type and size of facilities required to provide appropriate work space, housing, and support services to the population DOD anticipates it will be supporting. An explanation of changes in the estimated number or composition of required facilities should be provided. --Cost Status.--A comparison of the baseline, approved program, and current estimated costs by appropriation, addressing all costs associated with establishing, modifying, and sustaining DOD's posture under this initiative. An explanation of any changes in the estimated costs should be provided. --Funding Status.--A comparison of the baseline, approved program, and current expected funding requirements, by appropriation. All funding requirements associated with the initiative should be addressed, including, but not limited to military construction, operations, and support. An explanation of any changes in the total estimated funding requirements or annual requirements should be provided. U.S. European Command [EUCOM].--The Committee remains concerned with the United States Army transformation and realignment plans in Europe. This year, DOD announced the restructuring of headquarters commands in Europe from four-star to three-star staff billets to reduce overhead as part of the Secretary of Defense's efficiency initiative. Subsequently, the Army announced its decision to reduce Army Brigade Combat Teams [BCTs] in Europe from four to three after 2015. In light of these developments, the Army continues to have challenges articulating its long term plans and justification for its forces and installations in Europe. In addition, the Army continues to consolidate operations to Wiesbaden and close ancillary facilities within Germany. The withdrawal of another BCT from Europe is expected to result in the additional closure of either Bamberg or Schweinfurt. Significant infrastructure investment in both locations has been on hold pending the BCT decision, which means that there is likely to be a costly backlog of military construction requirements at whichever installation remains open. In order to better understand future requirements for military construction in Germany, the Committee directs that no later than 90 days after enactment of this act, the Army and European Command provide a report on installations and properties in Germany that they intend to return to the host nation. This report should include intended timelines for closures along with the list of military construction projects required at other installations to facilitate the downsizing and consolidation of Army forces in Germany. The following requirements shall also be included to the report: (1) an identification of the brigade combat team that will be withdrawn from Germany; (2) an estimate of costs (including operation and maintenance costs and military construction costs) to be incurred during fiscal years 2012 through 2015 in connection with keeping the brigade identified in Germany through September 30, 2015 versus stationing a similar brigade in the United States; and (3) an identification of the best installations in the United States to locate a brigade similar to the one referenced above, including installations with the existing infrastructure to support a brigade combat team and can provide the most current training facilities in an environment that provides the conditions needed to prepare the brigade for future combat deployments. Kaiserslautern Medical Center.--The reduction of personnel in Europe, the future withdrawal of the additional BCT from Germany, and the planned drawdown of forces in Afghanistan raise questions as to the size, scope and nature of services to be provided at the proposed replacement hospital for the Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany. The fiscal year 2012 budget request includes $70,500,000 for the first of four increments of funding for the replacement hospital, the Kaiserslautern Medical Center [KMC], with a total projected cost of $1,100,000,000. The Committee has been a strong advocate for a new facility as the current hospital is outdated, inefficient, and costly to maintain. However, current fiscal constraints require a careful scrutiny of all military construction requests. The Committee is committed to ensuring that large projects such as KMC are adequately sized and scoped for both current and future missions. DOD briefings to the Committee on plans for the Kaiserslautern Medical Center have raised questions regarding the proposed size and scope of the new facility and the projected population expected to use the hospital. It remains unclear as to whether the new facility is appropriately sized for long term, post-war, usage, or whether the proposed size and scope are being influenced by the current usage of the facility, which is operating at a surge capacity to support wounded warriors coming from Iraq and Afghanistan. It is also unclear whether the projected patient population includes the current surge as part of the hospital's baseline patient load. With the withdrawal of forces from Iraq and Afghanistan and the announced drawdown of forces from Europe, the primary population to be served by the new hospital should diminish. Given the changing dynamics surrounding United States force posture in Europe and the planned drawdown of United States surge forces from Afghanistan, the Committee remains concerned over whether the proposed KMC facility is appropriately sized for the future United States military population in Germany and Europe. The Committee has asked the Government Accountability Office [GAO] to examine DOD's plans, assumptions, and estimated costs for the Kaiserslautern Medical Center, and will continue to closely monitor this project. Charter Schools.--The Committee is aware of the wide disparity in standards among public K-12 education systems in school districts that encompass military installations. Unfortunately, children of military families in underperforming school districts generally have few alternatives to public education. The Committee notes the proven effectiveness in raising student achievement and addressing certain unique needs of students that charter schools have played across the country including on some military installations. The Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to conduct a study of charter schools located on domestic military installations and report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on domestic locations where charter schools could substantially improve the quality of education for children of military families while meeting the unique needs of this mostly transient population. General/Flag Officer Quarters [GFOQ].--The Committee is concerned that the Department of Defense is spending an inordinate amount of taxpayer funds on leases, maintenance and upgrades to general and flag officer quarters [GFOQs]. This year, the report on expenditures of GFOQs exceeding the $35,000 statutory limit for maintenance cited 81 instances where the quarters exceeded this amount. Of the 81 cited, 71 were assigned to the Army as the executive agent, 1 to the Air Force, and 9 to the Navy. At a time when agencies throughout the Federal Government are making sacrifices to save valuable tax dollars, the Committee is concerned that the Department of Defense is not scrutinizing its GFOQ leasing program as carefully as it should. For example, the Army has committed to pay $66,000 per year to lease a house in the Miami, Florida, area where current real estate market conditions do not warrant such an expense. In addition to the cost of the lease, the Army plans to spend $190,000 in 2012 for operations, utilities and security, of which $31,000 is for routine maintenance, for a house owned by the city. Additionally, the Committee has been notified that the Army plans to spend $300,000 to ``adequately size the official entertainment space within the home.'' The Committee questions the requirement for this particular expenditure, particularly in the current fiscal environment, and directs the Army to defer funding for this proposal until the Committee has been briefed on the requirement and has approved the proposed project. The Committee further directs the Army to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, no later than December 1, 2011, on all expenditures for this residence, from all accounts, since signing the lease. In addition, the report should include a business case analysis detailing why this lease option is advantageous to the Government and the planned timeframe for occupying this residence. While overseas leases are more complicated, the Army's request to spend $1,400,000 on renovation of the grounds for the GFOQ in Stuttgart, Germany, and $15,421 per month to lease GFOQ quarters in Belgium are other examples of questionable expenditures. The Committee, therefore, directs the Secretary of Defense to reevaluate the cost of all leased GFOQs and to submit a report no later than December 30, 2011, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on the cost benefit of maintaining each lease. Defense Access Roads.--As a result of the massive buildup of various military installations throughout the Nation due to BRAC 2005 realignments, force structure increases, and force transformation initiatives, the issue of traffic congestion in and around growth installations, particularly in densely populated urban areas, has become a major problem for both DOD and local communities. The only funding mechanism for DOD to build or improve public roads outside of military installations is the Defense Access Road [DAR] program. Unfortunately, the DAR program is constrained by stringent eligibility requirements, such as the doubling of existing traffic, which make it virtually impossible for highly congested urban areas to qualify. Two recent studies--the Government Accountability Office [GAO] report ``Defense Infrastructure: High-level Federal Interagency Coordination is Warranted to Address Transportation Needs beyond the Scope of the Defense Access Roads Program'' (GAO-11-165) and the Committee-directed study by the National Academies of Sciences Transportation Research Board, ``Federal Funding of Transportation Improvements in BRAC Cases''-- identified serious shortcomings in the existing DAR criteria that limit the DAR program's ability to meet the traffic mitigation needs of communities surrounding growth installations, especially urban communities. For example, DAR certification, which is required before a road project can be considered for military construction funding, is a cumbersome process and does not guarantee funding. Each road project is funded individually and must compete with all other worthy and needed military construction projects. Often, installation commanders are unaware of the DAR program or its requirements. Additionally, DOD leadership and installation commanders frequently do not coordinate or effectively communicate the impacts of major basing decisions on traffic patterns with local community planning entities. For major metropolitan areas, the most serious problem with the DAR program is that the eligibility criteria, including the requirement that existing road traffic must double, are impossible to demonstrate when traffic is already at a maximum volume. Both GAO and the Transportation Research Board provided recommendations to address these issues. The Committee directs the Department to utilize the findings of both reports and develop a plan to improve the DAR program, with specific focus on modifying the DAR criteria. The Committee also encourages the Department to develop a plan to eliminate the backlog of road projects needed to mitigate traffic impacts on local communities that have experienced significant growth as a result of the most recent round of base closures. In addition, the Committee urges the Department to incorporate public road and transportation infrastructure requirements into future basing decisions. Military Construction, Army Appropriations, 2011.................................... $3,517,023,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 3,235,991,000 House allowance (including rescission).................. 3,041,491,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,066,891,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The military construction appropriation for the Army provides for acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Army. 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. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $3,066,891,000 for the Army for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $450,132,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level, and $169,100,000 below the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. Water Infrastructure.--The Committee is concerned about the level of investment in Army water infrastructure projects. Army bases, especially those in areas with growing populations and sensitive environments, would benefit economically and environmentally from sustained investment in upgraded water infrastructure. While the Committee is encouraged by Army advances in water conservation represented by the Net Zero Water pilot program, gains from this program can only be sustained by consistent investment in upgraded water infrastructure. As the Army looks at its ability to reduce pollution and limit effluent, the Army needs to look at prioritizing drinking water and waste water improvements within the military construction program. Army Medical Centers and Family Pavilions.--The Committee is aware that health facilities on many Army installations that have experienced rapid growth are inadequate to meet the needs of the increased number of soldiers and their families seeking medical resources on base. The Army needs to be able to address this shortfall in services by matching bases with increasing population with the requisite expansion of medical care facilities, especially for families and children. The Army Surgeon General should work with the Army Installation Management Command to ensure that the appropriate family and maternal and infant healthcare facilities are incorporated into and prioritized in the overall construction budget of growth bases to accommodate the additional capacity needed to provide medical care for service members, their families and their children. Military Construction, Navy and Marine Corps Appropriations, 2011.................................... $3,235,954,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 2,461,547,000 House allowance (including rescission).................. 2,436,547,000 Committee recommendation................................ 2,187,622,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The military construction appropriation for the Navy and Marine Corps provides for acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, naval installations, facilities, and real property for the Navy and the Marine Corps. 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. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $2,187,622,000 for Navy and Marine Corps military construction for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $1,048,332,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level, and $273,925,000 below the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. Public Shipyards Under Navy Jurisdiction.--The Committee is concerned with the current level of military construction investments programmed by the Navy in the Nation's public shipyards. Infrastructure investment in Navy-operated public shipyards is essential to provide a safe and efficient work environment, enabling shipyard workers to return ships to the fleet more quickly. Given the current state of fleet readiness, support for effective and efficient depot maintenance in the public shipyards is a top priority. In November 2010, the Government Accountability Office found that the Navy's estimate of a backlog of $3,000,000,000 for sustainment, restoration, and modernization funding at the public shipyards may have been underestimated. The Navy has begun to address this shortfall; however, the Committee notes that new military construction projects may more effectively improve the safety and efficiency of work conducted at the shipyards. Therefore, the Committee urges the Navy to evaluate and accelerate military construction projects in the Future Years Defense Plan that can improve the safety, effectiveness, or efficiency of the work performed at the Navy's public shipyards in support of improving fleet readiness. Military Construction, Air Force Appropriations, 2011.................................... $983,081,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 1,364,858,000 House allowance (including rescission).................. 1,247,358,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,227,058,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The military construction appropriation for the Air Force provides for acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property for the Air Force. 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. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $1,227,058,000 for the Air Force in fiscal year 2012. This amount is $243,977,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level, and $137,800,000 below the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. Evaluation of Operational Costs in Air Force Strategic Basing Process.--The Committee commends the Air Force for its commitment to developing and maintaining a transparent, repeatable, and effective strategic basing process. The Committee is concerned that the cost criteria for the Air Force strategic basing process do not include evaluation of the relative operational costs that may vary from each candidate base. Given the high cost of operating aircraft, the recurring nature of these costs, and the significant improvements in modeling and simulation to evaluate alternative bed-down scenarios, the Committee believes these costs warrant examination in the strategic basing process. These operational costs include the cost associated with the flight time resulting from a candidate base's relative distance to military operating areas for tactical fighter aircraft, training ranges for trainer aircraft, logistic centers for airlift aircraft, and operational refueling tracks for tankers. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of the Air Force to capture and evaluate these operational costs when evaluating candidate bases in the strategic basing process. Access Control Construction.--The Committee encourages the Air Force to accelerate the construction of base access gates in military family housing areas where traffic congestion results in school commutes of more than 30 minutes for on-base families. Consolidated Communication Facilities.--The Committee urges the Air Force to accelerate the planned construction of secure consolidated communications facilities that directly support Major Commands and that do not currently meet anti-terrorism/ force protection requirements. This may include previously used facilities that do not meet current conversion standards. Military Construction, Defense-Wide (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) Appropriations, 2011.................................... $2,718,816,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 3,848,757,000 House allowance (including rescission).................. 3,533,757,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,380,917,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The military construction appropriation for the Department of Defense provides for acquisition, construction, installation, and equipment of temporary or permanent public works, military installations, facilities, and real property Defense-Wide. 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. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $3,380,917,000 for projects considered within the ``Defense-Wide'' account in fiscal year 2012. This amount is $662,101,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $467,840,000 below the budget request. Further detail of the Committee's recommendation is provided in the State table at the end of this report. Fort Gordon, Georgia, National Security Agency [NSA] Project Adjustment.--The President's budget submission included $11,340,000 for the NSA Whitelaw Wedge building addition at Fort Gordon, Georgia. Subsequent to the budget submission, NSA determined that the cost of the project had increased to $17,705,000 and requested a $6,365,000 funding adjustment for the project, to be offset by transferring $6,365,000 from NSA's minor construction account. The director of the NSA transmitted a formal request for this adjustment to the Committee on June 2, 2011. The State table at the end of the report reflects the $6,365,000 increase to the Whitelaw Wedge project requested by the NSA and the corresponding $6,365,000 decrement to the NSA minor construction account. CONTINGENCY CONSTRUCTION The Committee has provided $10,000,000 for the Secretary of Defense ``Contingency Construction'' account, equal to the request. This account provides funds which may be used by the Secretary of Defense for unforeseen facility requirements and military exercises, including those related to overseas contingency operations. ENERGY CONSERVATION INVESTMENT PROGRAM The Committee recommends the requested level of $135,000,000 for the Energy Conservation Investment Program [ECIP], plus an additional $10,000,000 for planning and design. ECIP is the only dedicated stream of funding for energy projects within DOD. Historically, ECIP has funded small projects with rapid payback. As DOD moves more aggressively to develop renewable energy resources and improve energy security, ECIP is emerging as a major tool to leverage investment in larger projects, such as net-zero energy facilities or smart grid technologies, that are intended to produce significant improvements in energy consumption, costs or security at single or multiple installations. The Committee encourages the Department to continue using ECIP funds to leverage investments in major energy projects, particularly renewable energy initiatives. Green Building Technologies.--The Committee strongly supports the Department's efforts to incorporate green building technologies, such as solar, photovoltaic, and green roofs, into both its new construction program and in the renovation of existing buildings. DOD currently requires new construction to meet LEED Silver standards and/or the five principles of High Performance Sustainable buildings. To ensure that all U.S. products can be utilized in DOD building construction and major renovations, the Committee urges the Department to evaluate commercial energy-efficient technologies for applicability to DOD construction and to allow and encourage the use of all green building ratings or certification systems which have been developed in accordance with rules accredited by the American National Standards Institute [ANSI] and approved as an ANSI standard. The Committee also encourages the use of green building rating or certification systems that incorporate and document the use of Life Cycle Assessment in the evaluation of building materials. Military Construction, Reserve Components Appropriations, 2011.................................... $1,453,302,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 1,230,306,000 House allowance......................................... 1,255,306,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,230,306,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The military construction appropriation for Reserve components provides for acquisition, construction, expansion, rehabilitation, and conversion of facilities for the training and administration of the Reserve components. This appropriation also provides for facilities required as well as funds for infrastructure projects and programs required to support bases and installations. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $1,230,306,000 for military construction projects for the Guard and Reserve components for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $222,996,000 below the fiscal year 2011 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. The Committee recommends approval of military construction, Reserve components, as outlined in the following table: RESERVE COMPONENTS ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Component Budget request recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Army National Guard................... $773,592,000 $773,592,000 Air National Guard.................... 116,246,000 116,246,000 Army Reserve.......................... 280,549,000 280,549,000 Navy Reserve.......................... 26,299,000 26,299,000 Air Force Reserve..................... 33,620,000 33,620,000 --------------------------------- Total........................... 1,230,306,000 1,230,306,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Army Guard Training Facilities.--The need to reduce the Army-wide backlog of 128,000 soldiers currently on the waiting list in the Non-Commissioned Officer Education System [NCOES] is crucial. Therefore, the Committee requests that the Department of the Army continue expansion and development of National Guard training facilities that service both active duty, guard and reserve members. Priority should be give to schools considered Centers of Excellence for critical military occupational specialties. Army Guard Readiness Centers.--The Committee is aware that approximately 40 percent of Army National Guard readiness centers are more than 50 years old. These facilities require renovation or replacement in order to meet the needs of training and maintaining a 21st century operational force. Unfortunately, DOD investment in Army Guard construction projects lags far behind the requirement. The Committee urges the Army to re-evaluate its investment plan for Army National Guard construction projects to ensure that all projects included in the Infrastructure Requirements Plan are maintained in the Future Years Defense Program. North Atlantic Treaty Organization SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM Appropriations, 2011.................................... $258,366,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 272,611,000 House allowance......................................... 247,611,000 Committee recommendation................................ 272,611,000 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 $272,611,000 for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program [NSIP] for fiscal year 2012 as requested. This amount is $14,245,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee recognizes the importance and multiplier effect of NATO common funding for joint-use military construction projects in Europe and the United States as well as in support of the war in Afghanistan. It is noteworthy that approximately one-half of the current NSIP budget is directed toward investments to support NATO military operations in Afghanistan. However, the Committee is concerned about the growing proportion of the annual NSIP budget that is being devoted to nonconstruction items, such as communications equipment, information technology systems, and mobile tracking systems. The primary purpose of NSIP is to provide a common funding source to share the burden of costly construction projects that contribute to the security of the Alliance. According to current NSIP expenditure documents, however, approximately 50 percent of annual NSIP funding is being used for nonconstruction purposes. Although NSIP funds may be used for a wide array of NATO support functions, the Committee is concerned that the current trend may allow scarce construction funds to be siphoned off for other activities, thus delaying funding for needed military construction projects. In addition, this Committee does not have oversight over nonconstruction expenditures or requirements, and therefore cannot determine if the NSIP funding being used for these activities is a validated common funding requirement or is duplicative of other investments. The Committee believes that it may be more transparent and appropriate to provide funding for NSIP construction and nonconstruction activities in separate accounts under the jurisdiction of the appropriate subcommittees. The Committee therefore directs the Secretary of Defense to submit to the congressional defense committees a report to accompany the fiscal year 2013 budget request on the proportion of construction vs. nonconstruction funding in the fiscal year 2013 NSIP budget request and a recommendation for funding nonconstruction activities that ensures both transparency and accountability. Family Housing Overview Appropriations, 2011.................................... $1,819,544,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 1,694,346,000 House allowance......................................... 1,694,346,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,694,346,000 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 $1,694,346,000 for family housing construction, operations and maintenance, and the Department's family housing improvement and homeowners assistance funds for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $125,198,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Family Housing Construction, Army Appropriations, 2011.................................... $92,184,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 186,897,000 House allowance......................................... 186,897,000 Committee recommendation................................ 186,897,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing appropriation for the Army provides for expenses of family housing for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration. This appropriation provides for the financing of all costs for construction, improvements and leasing of all Army housing. In addition to quality of life enhancements, the program contains initiatives to reduce operating costs and conserve energy by upgrading or replacing facilities which can be made more efficient through relatively modest investments in improvements. The Department of Defense is authorized to use limited partnerships, make direct and guaranteed loans, and convey Department-owned property to stimulate the private sector to increase the availability of affordable, quality housing for the Army. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $186,897,000 for family housing construction, Army, including construction improvements, in fiscal year 2012. This amount is $94,713,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. CONSTRUCTION The Committee recommends $83,897,000 for new construction, as shown below: ARMY FAMILY HOUSING CONSTRUCTION [In thousands of dollars] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Committee Location Installation Project title Budget request recommendation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Belgium................................. Brussels................... Land Acquisition for GFOQs....................... 10,000 10,000 Germany................................. Grafenwoehr................ Family Housing Construction...................... 13,000 13,000 Germany................................. South Camp Vil- seck...... Family Housing Construction...................... 12,000 12,000 Germany................................. Illesheim (Storck Barracks) Family Housing Construction...................... 41,000 41,000 Worldwide............................... Various Locations.......... Planning and Design.............................. 7,897 7,897 ------------------------------- Total............................. ........................... ................................................. 83,897 83,897 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS The following projects are to be accomplished within the amounts provided for construction improvements: ARMY CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS [In thousands of dollars] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Committee Location Installation Project title Budget request recommendation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Germany................................. Baumholder................. Family Housing Improvements...................... 22,000 22,000 Germany................................. Illesheim (Storck Barracks) Family Housing Improvements...................... 41,000 41,000 Illesheim (Storck Barracks) Family Housing Improvements...................... 40,000 40,000 ------------------------------- Total............................. ........................... ................................................. 103,000 103,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army Appropriations, 2011.................................... $517,104,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 494,858,000 House allowance......................................... 494,858,000 Committee recommendation................................ 494,858,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing operation and maintenance appropriation for the Army provides for the operation and maintenance of family housing. This includes debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums of Army family housing. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $494,858,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Army for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $22,246,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps Appropriations, 2011.................................... $186,071,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 100,972,000 House allowance......................................... 100,972,000 Committee recommendation................................ 100,972,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing appropriation for the Navy and Marine Corps provides for expenses of family housing for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration. This appropriation provides for the financing of all costs for construction, improvements, and leasing of all Navy and Marine Corps housing. In addition to quality of life enhancements, the program contains initiatives to reduce operating costs and conserve energy by upgrading or replacing facilities which can be made more efficient through relatively modest investments in improvements. The Department of Defense is authorized to use limited partnerships, make direct and guaranteed loans, and convey Department-owned property to stimulate the private sector to increase the availability of affordable, quality housing for the Navy and Marine Corps. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $100,972,000 for family housing construction, Navy and Marine Corps, including construction improvements, in fiscal year 2012. This amount is $85,099,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. CONSTRUCTION The Committee recommends $3,199,000 for planning and design for new construction. CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS The following projects are to be accomplished within the amounts provided for construction improvements: NAVY AND MARINE CORPS CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS [In thousands of dollars] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Committee Location Installation Project title Budget request recommendation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cuba.................................... Guantanamo Bay............. Revitalize Family Housing........................ 5,146 5,146 Japan................................... NAF Atsugi................. Convert Highrise Tower........................... 6,971 6,971 Japan................................... NAF Atsugi................. Revitalize Family Housing........................ 16,073 16,073 Japan................................... CAF Yokosuka............... Revitalize Family Housing--Enlisted.............. 20,968 20,968 Japan................................... CFA Yokosuka............... Revitalize Family Housing--Officer............... 10,339 10,339 Japan................................... MCAS Iwakuni............... Revitalize Family Housing--Enlisted.............. 13,828 13,828 Japan................................... MCAS Iwakuni............... Revitalize Family Housing--Officer............... 11,796 11,796 Spain................................... Rota....................... Revitalize Family Housing--Officer............... 12,652 12,652 ------------------------------- Total............................. ........................... ................................................. 97,773 97,773 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps Appropriations, 2011.................................... $365,613,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 367,863,000 House allowance......................................... 367,863,000 Committee recommendation................................ 367,863,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing operation and maintenance appropriation for the Navy and Marine Corps provides for the operation and maintenance of family housing. This includes debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums of Navy and Marine Corps family housing. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $367,863,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps, in fiscal year 2012. This amount is $2,250,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Family Housing Construction, Air Force Appropriations, 2011.................................... $77,869,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 84,804,000 House allowance......................................... 84,804,000 Committee recommendation................................ 84,804,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing appropriation for the Air Force provides for expenses of family housing for construction, including acquisition, replacement, addition, expansion, extension, and alteration. This appropriation provides for the financing of all costs for construction, improvements and leasing of all Air Force housing. In addition to quality of life enhancements, the program contains initiatives to reduce operating costs and conserve energy by upgrading or replacing facilities which can be made more efficient through relatively modest investments in improvements. The Department of Defense is authorized to use limited partnerships, make direct and guaranteed loans, and convey Department-owned property to stimulate the private sector to increase the availability of affordable, quality housing for the Air Force. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $84,804,000 for family housing construction, Air Force, in fiscal year 2012. This amount is $6,935,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. CONSTRUCTION The Committee recommends $4,208,000 for planning and design for new construction. CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS The following projects are to be accomplished within the amounts provided for construction improvements: AIR FORCE CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS [In thousands of dollars] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Committee Location Installation Project title Budget request recommendation -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Japan................................... Kadena AB....................... Improve Family Housing, Ph 1................ 25,830 25,830 Japan................................... Misawa AB....................... Improve Family Housing Infrastructure, Ph 1. 29,954 29,954 Japan................................... Misawa AB....................... Improve Family Housing, Ph 1................ 24,762 24,762 United Kingdom.......................... RAF Menwith Hill................ Improve Family Housing...................... 50 50 ------------------------------- Total............................. ................................ ............................................ 80,596 80,596 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Appropriations, 2011.................................... $512,764,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 404,761,000 House allowance......................................... 404,761,000 Committee recommendation................................ 404,761,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing operation and maintenance appropriation for the Air Force provides for the operation and maintenance of family housing. This includes debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums of Air Force family housing. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $404,761,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Air Force, in fiscal year 2012. This amount is $108,003,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level, and equal to the budget request. Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide Appropriations, 2011.................................... $50,363,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 50,723,000 House allowance......................................... 50,723,000 Committee recommendation................................ 50,723,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing operation and maintenance appropriation for Defense-Wide provides for the operation and maintenance of family housing. This includes debt payment, leasing, minor construction, principal and interest charges, and insurance premiums of Defense family housing. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $50,723,000 for family housing operation and maintenance, Defense-Wide for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $360,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Family Housing Improvement Fund Appropriations, 2011.................................... $1,094,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 2,184,000 House allowance......................................... 2,184,000 Committee recommendation................................ 2,184,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The family housing improvement 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 $2,184,000 for the Family Housing Improvement Fund for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $1,090,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Homeowners Assistance Fund Appropriations, 2011.................................... $16,482,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 1,284,000 House allowance......................................... 1,284,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,284,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Homeowners Assistance Program [HAP] provides funds to assist eligible military personnel and civilian Federal employee homeowners who sustain a loss on the sale of their primary residence due to a declining residential real estate market attributable to the closure or realignment of a military installation. In Public Law 111-5, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, the HAP was expanded to provide mortgage relief to wounded warriors and spouses of fallen warriors, and to provide temporary mortgage relief to all military and qualified civilian personnel required by the Department to relocate who sustained losses on the sale of their homes due to the mortgage crisis. Program expenses include payments to homeowners for losses on private sales; cost of judicial foreclosure; property acquisition by liquidating and/or assuming outstanding mortgages; partial payment of homeowners' lost equity on Government acquisitions; retirement of debt after sale of properties when the Government assumes mortgages; and administrative expenses. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $1,284,000 for the Homeowners Assistance Program for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $15,198,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee notes that to date, Congress has provided $855,000,000 to fund the expanded HAP in addition to funding requested by the Department for the base HAP program. The Committee understands that the depth and duration of the nationwide housing slump has created a prolonged and greater than expected demand on the expanded Housing Assistance Program. This is compounded by the fact that the Department has found that the anticipated cost per claim on average is much higher than projected. The Department assumed an average 20 percent decline in home value in estimating the requirement for the expanded HAP, but has found that the actual decline in home values is as high as 50 percent in some markets. According to the Department, the current estimated shortfall in funding to compensate service members who suffer losses in the housing market and qualify for HAP relief is $305,600,000. Military personnel do not have the luxury to move at their own convenience. Regardless of the economic climate, military families must relocate upon the receipt of orders. This Committee recognized the implications of that fact in a declining economy in expanding HAP in 2009. At a time of war and economic uncertainty, the added stress of possible foreclosure or bankruptcy due to the mortgage crisis is a burden our Nation's military families should not have to bear. This is especially true for the families of wounded warriors and the surviving spouses of fallen warriors, which is why these two groups have priority consideration for compensation under the program. The Committee notes that the Department has the authority to transfer funds from the base closure and realignment accounts into the Homeowners Assistance Program and urges the Department to reprogram available funds from sources such as bid savings to meet the unfunded requirements of the Homeowners Assistance Program. Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide Appropriations, 2011.................................... $124,721,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 75,312,000 House allowance......................................... 75,312,000 Committee recommendation................................ 75,312,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This account provides funding for design and construction of full-scale chemical disposal facilities and associated projects to upgrade installation support facilities and infrastructure required to support the Chemical Demilitarization Program. This account was established starting in fiscal year 2005 to comply with section 141(b) of the fiscal year 2003 National Defense Authorization Act. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $75,312,000 for chemical demilitarization construction projects for fiscal year 2012, a decrease of $49,404,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee continues to urge the Department to take all necessary and appropriate steps to dispose of the U.S. chemical weapons stockpile by the 2012 Chemical Weapons Convention deadline and, under no circumstances, later than 2017 consistent with section 8119 of Public Law 110-116. In light of the need for the Department to carry out its mission promptly and safely it will need to provide close oversight over the execution of contracts at the chemical demilitarization sites to ensure funds are spent prudently and efficiently. The Committee will continue to monitor closely the Department's compliance with both deadlines. Base Closure Account 1990 Appropriations, 2011.................................... $359,753,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 323,543,000 House allowance......................................... 373,543,000 Committee recommendation................................ 323,543,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The base closure appropriation (1990) provides for clean up and disposal of property consistent with the four closure rounds required by the base closure acts of 1988 and 1990. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends a total of $323,543,000 for the Base Closure Account 1990 for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $36,210,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the President's budget request. BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT 1990 ENVIRONMENTAL OVERVIEW From fiscal year 1990 through fiscal year 2011, a total of $25,331,420,000 has been appropriated for the environmental clean up of military installations closed or realigned under prior BRAC rounds. The cumulative amount appropriated for BRAC 1990, combined with the Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2012, is $25,654,963,000. In appropriating these funds, the Committee continues to provide the Department with broad flexibility to allocate funds by service, function, and installation. The following table displays the total amount appropriated for each round of prior base closures, including amounts recommended for fiscal year 2012 for BRAC 1990. BASE CLOSURE ACCOUNT 1990 [Total funding, fiscal year 1990 through fiscal year 2012] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year -------------------------------------- 1990-2010 2012 Committee Total 2011 enacted recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Part I.............................. $2,684,577,000 (\1\) (\1\) $2,684,577,000 Part II............................. 4,915,636,000 (\1\) (\1\) 4,915,636,000 Part III............................ 7,269,267,000 (\1\) (\1\) 7,269,267,000 Part IV............................. 10,102,187,000 $359,753,000 $323,543,000 10,785,483,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total......................... 24,971,667,000 359,753,000 323,543,000 25,654,963,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\Not applicable. Base Closure Account 2005 Appropriations, 2011.................................... $2,117,213,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 258,776,000 House allowance (including rescission).................. 208,776,000 Committee recommendation................................ 258,776,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The base realignment and closure appropriation for 2005 provides for clean up and disposal of property consistent 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 $258,776,000 for the Department of Defense Base Closure Account 2005 for fiscal year 2012. This amount is $1,858,437,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The large reduction in funding is due primarily to the completion of funding for the construction phase of the BRAC 2005 program in the current fiscal year. Funds provided for fiscal year 2012 are for environmental cleanup and ongoing operations and maintenance. 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 use of funds for hire of passenger motor vehicles. Sec. 103. The Committee includes a provision that permits 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 Sea. 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 limits obligations during the last 2 months of the fiscal year. Sec. 115. The Committee includes a provision that permits funds appropriated in prior years to be available for construction authorized during the current session of Congress. Sec. 116. The Committee includes a provision that permits the use of expired or lapsed funds to pay the cost of supervision for any project being completed with lapsed funds. Sec. 117. The Committee includes a provision that permits obligation of funds from more than 1 fiscal year to execute a construction project, provided that the total obligation for such project is consistent with the total amount appropriated for the project. Sec. 118. The Committee includes a provision that allows transfer of proceeds from earlier base closure accounts to the continuing base closure account (1990, parts I-IV). Sec. 119. 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. 120. The Committee includes a provision that requires the service secretaries to notify the congressional defense committees of all family housing privatization solicitations and agreements which contain any clause providing consideration for base realignment and closure, force reductions and extended deployments. Sec. 121. The Committee includes a provision that provides transfer authority to the Homeowners Assistance Fund. Sec. 122. The Committee includes a provision that requires that 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. 123. The Committee includes a provision that provides authority to expend funds from the ``Ford Island Improvement'' account. Sec. 124. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits the expenditure of funds at installations or for projects no longer necessary as a result of BRAC 2005. Sec. 125. The Committee includes a provision that allows the transfer of expired funds to the Foreign Currency Fluctuation, Construction, Defense Account. Sec. 126. 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. TITLE II DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Items of Special Interest HEARINGS The Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies held one hearing related to the fiscal year 2012 Department of Veterans Affairs [VA] budget request on March 31, 2011. The subcommittee heard testimony from the Honorable Eric Shinseki, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS The Committee recommendation includes $128,090,847,000 for the Department of Veterans Affairs for fiscal year 2012, including $69,497,269,000 in mandatory spending and $58,593,578,000 in discretionary spending. The Committee also recommends $52,541,000,000 in advance appropriations for veterans medical care for fiscal year 2013. 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. The 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, 2010, there were an estimated 22.7 million living veterans, with 22.6 million of them residing in the United States and Puerto Rico. There were an estimated 34.6 million dependents (spouses and dependent children) of living veterans in the United States and Puerto Rico, and there were over 530,000 survivors of deceased veterans receiving VA survivor benefits in the United States and Puerto Rico. Thus, more than 57.7 million people, or 18.4 percent of the total estimated resident population of the United States and Puerto Rico, were recipients or potential recipients of veterans benefits from the Federal Government. The 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. The VBA administers a broad range of benefits to veterans and other eligible beneficiaries through 57 regional offices and a records processing center in St. Louis, Missouri. The benefits provided include: compensation for service-connected disabilities; pensions for wartime, needy, and totally disabled veterans; vocational rehabilitation assistance; educational and training assistance; home buying assistance; estate protection services for veterans under legal disability; information and assistance through personalized contacts; and six life insurance programs. The Veterans Health Administration [VHA] develops, maintains, and operates a national healthcare delivery system for eligible veterans; carries out a program of education and training of healthcare personnel; conducts medical research and development; and furnishes health services to members of the Armed Forces during periods of war or national emergency. A system of 152 hospitals, 929 outpatient clinics, 133 nursing homes, and 109 VA residential rehabilitation treatment programs is maintained to meet the VA's medical mission. The National Cemetery Administration [NCA] provides for the interment of the remains of eligible deceased servicemembers and discharged veterans in any national cemetery with available grave space; permanently maintains these graves; provides headstones and markers for the graves of eligible persons in national and private cemeteries; administers the grant program for aid to States in establishing, expanding, or improving State veterans cemeteries; and provides certificates to families of deceased veterans recognizing their contributions and service to the Nation. The National Cemetery Administration includes 164 cemeterial installations and activities. Staff support offices include the Office of Inspector General, Boards of Contract Appeals and Veterans Appeals, and General Administration offices, which support the Secretary, Deputy Secretary, Under Secretary for Benefits, Under Secretary for Health, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, and General Counsel. Life-cycle Costs in VA Purchasing.--The Committee is concerned that the VA is not adequately considering life-cycle costs when making purchasing decisions. Evaluating unit cost without considering differences in the useful life of the item to be purchased may be causing the VA to spend more than necessary over time due to increased maintenance and replacement costs. The Committee directs the VA to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than December 30, 2011, areas in which life-cycle costs are not evaluated as part of the competitive bidding process and an explanation as to why these costs are not considered. Federal Recovery Coordination Program.--The Committee urges the Department to ensure sufficient staffing is provided for the Federal Recovery Coordination Program. The Committee further urges the Department in conjunction with the Department of Defense to jointly reexamine the Federal Recovery Coordination Program to make such changes necessary to ensure the Federal Recovery Coordinators have full access and authority needed to coordinate care and benefits across both Departments. Veterans Benefits Administration Appropriations, 2011.................................... $64,471,683,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 69,653,445,000 House allowance......................................... 69,653,445,000 Committee recommendation................................ 69,653,445,000 ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW The Veterans Benefits Administration [VBA] is responsible for the payment of compensation and pension benefits to eligible service-connected disabled veterans, as well as education benefits and housing loan guarantees. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $69,653,445,000 for the Veterans Benefits Administration. This amount is composed of $58,067,319,000 for Compensation and pensions; $11,011,086,000 for Readjustment benefits; $100,252,000 for Veterans insurance and indemnities; $318,612,000 for the Veterans housing benefit program fund, with $154,698,000 for administrative expenses; $19,000 for the Vocational rehabilitation loans program account, with $343,000 for administrative expenses; and $1,116,000 for the Native American veteran housing loan program account. COMPENSATION AND PENSIONS (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) Appropriations, 2011.................................... $53,978,000,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 58,067,319,000 House allowance......................................... 58,067,319,000 Committee recommendation................................ 58,067,319,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Compensation is payable to living veterans who have suffered impairment of earning power from service-connected disabilities. The amount of compensation is based upon the impact of disabilities on a veteran's earning capacity. Death compensation or dependency and indemnity compensation is payable to the surviving spouses and dependents of veterans whose deaths occur while on active duty or result from service- connected disabilities. A clothing allowance may also be provided for service-connected veterans who use a prosthetic or orthopedic device. In fiscal year 2012, the Department estimates it will obligate $52,911,619,000 for payments to 3,588,315 veterans, 388,214 survivors, and 1,186 dependents 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. Public Law 107-103, the Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of 2001, restored the automatic presumption of permanent and total nonservice connected disability for purposes of awarding a pension to veterans age 65 and older, subject to the income limitations that apply to all pensioners. Death pensions are payable to needy surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. The rate payable for both disability and death pensions is determined on the basis of the annual income of the veteran or their survivors. In fiscal year 2012, the Department estimates that the Pensions program will provide benefits to 303,783 veterans and 203,178 survivors totaling $4,945,282,000. The Compensation and Pension appropriation also funds certain burial benefits on behalf of eligible deceased veterans. These benefits include the purchase and transportation costs for headstones and markers; graveliners; pre-placed crypts; and partial reimbursement for privately purchased outer burial receptacles. In fiscal year 2012, the Department estimates the Compensation and Pensions program will obligate $210,418,000 providing burial benefits. This funding will provide 59,731 burial allowances, 33,152 burial plot allowances, 17,495 service-connected death awards, 500,002 burial flags, 347,983 headstones or markers, and 52,895 graveliners or reimbursement for privately purchased outer burial receptacles. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $58,067,319,000 for Compensation and pensions. This is an increase of $4,089,319,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The appropriation includes $32,187,000 in payments to the General operating expenses, veterans benefits administration; Medical support and compliance; and Information technology systems accounts for expenses related to implementing provisions of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990, the Veterans' Benefits Act of 1992, the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1994, and the Veterans' Benefits Improvements Act of 1996. READJUSTMENT BENEFITS Appropriations, 2011.................................... $10,396,245,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 11,011,086,000 House allowance......................................... 11,011,086,000 Committee recommendation................................ 11,011,086,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Readjustment benefits appropriation finances the education and training of veterans and servicemembers under chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 39, 41, 42 and 43 of title 38, United States Code. These benefits include the All- Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program (Montgomery GI bill) and the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program. Basic benefits are funded through appropriations made to the readjustment benefits appropriation and by transfers from the Department of Defense. This account also finances vocational rehabilitation, specially adapted housing grants, specially adapted automobile grants for certain disabled veterans, and educational assistance allowances for eligible dependents of those veterans who died from service-connected causes or who have a total permanent service-connected disability, as well as dependents of servicemembers who were captured or missing in action. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $11,011,086,000 for Readjustment benefits. This is an increase of $614,841,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Cybersecurity Accredited Programs.--In light of the need to promote education and job growth in fields critical to the security of our Nation and its infrastructure, specifically in the area of cybersecurity and defense, the Committee encourages the Department's Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment Service to identify or create programs which provide cybersecurity training and certifications for veterans. Where appropriate, these programs should integrate efforts with Veterans Business Outreach Centers, Fusion Centers/Watch Centers within the Federal, State, and local government, all local educational institutions, and other community partners. The Committee directs the Department to report back to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than February 1, 2012, on the feasibility of establishing such a program, the estimated costs associated with it, and how integration with Federal, State, local and community partners would play a role. VETERANS INSURANCE AND INDEMNITIES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $77,589,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 100,252,000 House allowance......................................... 100,252,000 Committee recommendation................................ 100,252,000 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 The Committee recommends $100,252,000 for Veterans insurance and indemnities. This is an increase of $22,663,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Department estimates there will be 7,128,270 policies in force in fiscal year 2012 with a value of $1,352,685,500,000. VETERANS HOUSING BENEFIT PROGRAM FUND ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Administrative Program account expenses ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Appropriations, 2011................ $19,078,000 $164,752,000 Budget estimate, 2012............... 318,612,000 154,698,000 House allowance..................... 318,612,000 154,698,000 Committee recommendation............ 318,612,000 154,698,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Veterans housing benefit program fund provides for all costs associated with the 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. The VA requires that a downpayment be made for a manufactured home. With a VA guaranty, the lender is protected against loss up to the amount of the guaranty if the borrower fails to repay the loan. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends such sums as may be necessary for funding subsidy payments, estimated to total $318,612,000; and $154,698,000 for administrative expenses for fiscal year 2012. Bill language limits gross obligations for direct loans for specially-adapted housing to $500,000. VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Administrative Program account expenses ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Appropriations, 2011................ $29,000 $328,000 Budget estimate, 2012............... 19,000 343,000 House allowance..................... 19,000 343,000 Committee recommendation............ 19,000 343,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Vocational rehabilitation loans program account covers the cost of direct loans for vocational rehabilitation of eligible veterans and, in addition, includes administrative expenses necessary to carry out the direct loan program. Loans of up to $1,108 (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 10 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 $19,000 for program costs and $343,000 for administrative expenses for the Vocational rehabilitation loans program account. The administrative expenses may be transferred to and merged with the General operating expenses, veterans benefits administration account. Bill language is included limiting program direct loans to $3,019,000. It is estimated that the VA will make 3,215 loans in fiscal year 2012, with an average amount of $939. NATIVE AMERICAN VETERAN HOUSING LOAN PROGRAM ACCOUNT Appropriations, 2011.................................... $662,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 1,116,000 House allowance......................................... 1,116,000 Committee recommendation................................ 1,116,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program is authorized by 38 U.S.C. chapter 37, section 3761 to provide direct loans to Native American veterans living on trust lands. The loans are available to purchase, construct, or improve homes to be occupied as veteran residences, or to refinance a loan previously made under this program in order to lower the interest rate. The potential maximum loan amount under this authority ranges from $417,000 in standard areas up to $1,641,937.50 in high-cost areas. 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 the VA regarding the terms and conditions of the loan. The Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program began as a pilot program in 1993 and was made permanent by Public Law 109-233, the Veterans Housing Opportunity and Benefits Act of 2006. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $1,116,000 for administrative expenses associated with this program. This is $454,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Veterans Health Administration Appropriations, 2011.................................... $48,617,570,000 Appropriations, 2012.................................... 50,610,985,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 748,774,000 House allowance, 2012................................... 530,774,000 Committee recommendation, 2012.......................... 581,000,000 Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2013............ 52,541,000,000 House allowance, advance appropriation, 2013............ 52,541,000,000 Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2013... 52,541,000,000 ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW The Veterans Health Administration [VHA] operates the largest Federal medical care delivery system in the country, with 152 hospitals, 109 VA residential rehabilitation treatment programs, 133 nursing homes, and 992 outpatient clinics, which include independent, satellite, community-based, and rural outreach clinics. 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 The Committee recommends $581,000,000 for the Veterans Health Administration for medical and prosthetic research for fiscal year 2012, without collections. This is an increase of $72,226,000 above the Administration's request. Medical care collections are expected to be $3,326,000,000. Additionally, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $50,610,985,000 for veterans medical care for fiscal year 2012 in Public Law 112-10, the Department of Defense and Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011. Therefore, VHA will have total resources of $54,517,985,000, plus any carryover from fiscal year 2011, available in fiscal year 2012. In addition, the Committee recommendation also includes an advance appropriation of $52,541,000,000 for veterans medical care for fiscal year 2013. In addition to funding for VHA's regular Medical services programs, the Administration's budget submission requested a separate $953,000,000 contingency fund within the Medical services account in the event that the current economic climate results in a spike in veterans turning to the VA for their medical care. The request was partially offset by a rescission of $713,000,000 which was the cumulative 2011 and 2012 pay freeze. The balance, $240,000,000, was requested above the advance appropriation provided to the Department for fiscal year 2012. Under the proposal, the contingency funds would become available for obligation only if the Administration determined that additional funds were required due to unanticipated demand for VA medical services, and only if the Office of Management and Budget [OMB] approved the request. The Committee remains committed to providing the Department with every resource it requires to meet the needs of veterans, but it does not believe that the creation of a contingency fund, which takes control of medical resources out of the hands of the Department and places it within the jurisdiction of OMB, is prudent policy. Further, the Department's fiscal year 2013 request assumes that the VA will carry $500,000,000 over from fiscal year 2012. The Committee believes that before requesting a contingency fund the VA should utilize funding that is available to the Department. Toward this end, the Committee recommendation does not rescind $664,000,000 which remains in the medical care accounts from the cancelled pay raises, and rather leaves the funding within the Medical services account for use by the Department to address unanticipated demand, should it materialize. AREAS OF INTEREST VA Nursing Academy.--The Committee commends the VA for addressing the nursing shortage through the Veterans Affairs Nursing Academy. This 5-year pilot program is designed to establish partnerships with competitively selected nursing schools to expand the number of teaching faculty in VA facilities and affiliated nursing schools in order to increase student enrollment in baccalaureate nursing programs. The Committee also urges the VA to continue its collaboration with the Department of Defense through the Uniformed Services University of the Health Services by providing nursing faculty and nursing students in graduate nursing education programs. Advanced Nursing Education.--The Committee urges the VA, in conjunction with accredited schools of nursing, to explore the development of a fast-track doctoral training program which would facilitate completion of a doctorate in nursing by qualified nurses employed within the VA network who possess a bachelor of science in nursing. Licensing Requirements at DOD/VA Collocated Facilities.-- The Committee supports efforts to eliminate the burden placed on healthcare providers which requires two different licensing processes at collocated facilities for the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs. Providing the highest quality of healthcare for service men and women, and veterans is the Committee's number one priority. In an effort to ensure that providers are able to efficiently and effectively care for their patients without imposing additional burdens on health providers, the Committee directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to examine ways in which duplicative licensing requirements may be eliminated at collocated facilities and to report these findings to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than March 15, 2012. Infrastructure Improvements.--In May 2010, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced the Surgical Complexity Initiative to ensure that VA medical centers with inpatient surgical programs have the best available infrastructure in relation to the complexity of the surgical procedures being performed. While the Committee is pleased with this initiative to enhance patient safety, the Department must ensure that this initiative does not result in limitations on specialty of care or quality of care. The Committee is concerned that campus- style facilities in small and mid-sized cities have not received necessary infrastructure improvements critical to the care of their patient populations. Not later than 90 days after enactment of this act, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress ways in which infrastructure improvements at small and mid-sized medical centers may be used to expand access for rural veterans to specialty care and improve overall quality of care. Rural Telehealth/Electronic Health Records.--The Committee is aware that the Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA] within the Department of Health and Human Services has begun an initiative to provide rural healthcare providers with telehealth equipment and electronic health record systems that will complement the VA's Rural Health Initiative. The Committee urges the VA to collaborate with HRSA to ensure that both initiatives succeed in improving the health of veterans in remote and rural areas. Centers of Excellence.--The Committee directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study and issue a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by January 27, 2012, identifying the top five ways to increase efficiencies and improve outcomes of the DOD/VA Centers of Excellence. This report shall include a detailed assessment of the services provided at each of the centers, the current staffing provided by both the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans served at each center, and an estimated number of veterans in the surrounding region who are eligible to use each center of excellence. Additionally, the report shall include the necessary steps to increase awareness among veterans of the services offered at these centers. Cost-saving Initiative.--Over the past decade, the Department has undertaken an effort to modernize its medical facilities through new construction and renovation. This recapitalization effort is imperative to the delivery of high- quality medical care. Often when a new surgical ward or other treatment facility undergoes construction, the VA has to find alternative areas for treatment or contract care to non-VA medical providers. The Committee believes that the VA could achieve cost savings during renovation or construction by either leasing or purchasing mobile units. The Committee encourages the Department to launch pilot projects in selected VISNs that have renovation or construction projects underway, to lease or purchase mobile surgical units through a full and open competition while construction is underway. Additionally, the VA should develop metrics for a cost benefit analysis to determine whether this approach has achieved savings versus contracting care through local medical providers. Women Veterans.--The percentage of women veterans is expected to rise significantly over the next two decades. While VA is an institution originally designed and focused toward serving male veterans, there is an urgent need to adapt older facilities to these changing demographics. Women veterans seeking VA care have unique needs that VA facilities must be better adapted to meet. The Committee urges VA to continue to upgrade facilities to address the needs of women veterans and veterans with children. Additionally, the Committee urges VA to ensure the provisions of title II of Public Law 111-163 are fully implemented, especially section 205 of that law. Prosthetics.--The VA has long been a leader in the development of new prosthetics. Over the past several years, prosthetic development has revolutionized the way in which prosthetics work. Unlike the hook-and-cable prosthetics, many of the next-generation prosthetics utilize a host of new technologies, including microprocessors and sensors. With these new prosthetics come new challenges for the VA, including ensuring that prosthetists, both inside the VA and those with whom the Department contracts, have the skills and proper training to service these new devices. The Committee directs the Department to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by January 6, 2012, on all programs that are currently in place to educate and train prosthetists on the next generation of prosthetics. MEDICAL SERVICES (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) Appropriations, 2011.................................... $37,061,728,000 Appropriations, 2012.................................... 39,649,985,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 240,000,000 House allowance, 2012................................................... Committee recommendation, 2012.......................................... Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2013............ 41,354,000,000 House allowance, advance appropriation, 2013............ 41,354,000,000 Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2013... 41,354,000,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Medical services account provides for medical services of enrolled eligible veterans and certain dependent beneficiaries in VA medical centers, VA outpatient clinics, contract hospitals, State homes, and outpatient programs on a fee basis. Hospital and outpatient care is also provided by the private sector for certain dependents and survivors of veterans under the civilian health and medical programs for the VA. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION In fiscal year 2011, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $39,649,985,000 for fiscal year 2012. In addition, the VA has the authority to retain co-payments and third-party collections, estimated to total $3,326,000,000 in fiscal year 2012. The Committee recommendation also includes an advance appropriation of $41,354,000,000 for Medical Services for fiscal year 2013. This is $1,704,015,000 above the level for fiscal year 2012 and equal to the fiscal year 2013 budget request. The fiscal year 2012 appropriation includes $6,153,000,000 for mental healthcare; $2,991,487,000 to provide medical care to Afghanistan and Iraq war veterans; $189,000,000 for readjustment counseling services at Vet Centers; $2,546,000,000 for prosthetics; and $938,575,000 for specific homeless veterans programs. Homeless Veterans.--The Committee commends the Department on the emphasis that has been placed on ending homelessness among the veteran population. Over the past 6 years tremendous progress has been made in reducing the number of veterans that experience homelessness on any given night, from an estimated 195,000 in 2005, to an estimated 75,600 this year. The 2012 budget includes $938,575,000 for specific programs to prevent and reduce homelessness among veterans. This is an increase of 17.4 percent, or $139,290,000 over the 2011 level of $799,210,000. This increase includes an additional $50,431,000 to enhance case management for permanent housing solutions offered through the Housing and Urban Development-VA Supported Housing [HUD-VASH] program. The Department is directed to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 180 days after enactment on this act, a report outlining the needs of homeless veterans in States with rural and highly rural areas as well as those with the highest number of veterans per capita, and the VA's plans to meet those needs. Additionally, the Committee encourages the Department to develop a pilot program specifically targeted at homeless veterans in rural States and States with the highest number of veterans per capita. The Committee remains concerned that the nutritional, housing, medical, and social work needs of homeless veterans living in rural areas are not adequately being addressed by current VA programs, especially in areas where the VA lacks services, potentially leading to an underestimation of the number of homeless veterans requiring care and services. The Committee directs the Secretary to conduct an assessment of the needs of homeless veterans living in these areas and to submit a plan to address those needs to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress within 180 days of enactment of this act. The plan should address alternative means of service delivery, if appropriate, in areas where VA services are unavailable, such as reimbursing local providers for these services. Rural Healthcare.--The fiscal year 2012 appropriation includes $250,000,000 to improve access and quality of care for enrolled veterans residing in rural and highly rural areas. The Committee is highly supportive of these efforts, but is concerned over an April 2011 Inspector General [IG] report which found management and procedural inadequacies in the Office of Rural Health [OHR]. The IG recommended that the Under Secretary for Health implement new and stricter financial controls; develop new policies and procedures that are more focused on project monitoring and performance measures; implement an effective communication plan to ensure stakeholders are adequately informed of ORH policies; and reassess the rural health initiatives requested in the fiscal year 2012 budget to align planned use of resources to the greatest rural health needs. The Committee directs the Department to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than October 14, 2011, on the steps taken to comply with the IG recommendations. The report should include a detailed strategic plan for fiscal year 2012 for all rural health activities. Additionally, the Committee recommends that the VA's reassessment take into consideration both geographic and specific health needs and encourages the Department to compile veterans' records from multiple systems to create a single view of the veteran and the geographic area in which they live. This composite profile of rural veterans will help the VA target funding to programs that address the greatest number of veterans, with a precise understanding of their specific healthcare needs. Far too many of these veterans continue to encounter significant barriers that hinder access to the care they need. Therefore, the Committee strongly urges the Department of Veterans Affairs to improve the accessibility, efficiency and effectiveness of care for rural veterans by partnering with State and local organizations to identify and support veterans in rural and highly rural areas; more aggressively focusing attention and resources on contracting with local private providers when appropriate, particularly in the area of mental health; improving accessibility to Vet Centers and the critical readjustment counseling and care they provide; and expanding the Veterans Health Administration telemedicine program, which would allow services to be brought to more veterans' homes or local clinics while providing a savings through a reduction in transportation costs. Additionally, not later than 180 days after enactment, the Secretary shall submit a report detailing options to increase access to care for rural veterans, including ``split campus'' models where outpatient care and specialty services are not collocated, and minor construction projects. Veteran Transportation System.--The Committee recognizes that Public Law 111-163 took a number of meaningful steps to enhance care for veterans. Among the provisions included in this law is a grant program that will allow State veteran service agencies and veteran service organizations to provide better transportation options for rural veterans seeking care at a Department of Veterans Affairs facility. The Committee has concerns that the regulations governing the implementation of this grant program have yet to be released by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the delay is impeding the critical services provided by the program from reaching rural veterans in a timely manner. The Committee expects the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of General Counsel to move expeditiously in the formulation, evaluation and publication of these regulations. National Center for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.-- Without doubt, one of the most pressing concerns facing our country's veterans is the increasing prevalence and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]. Not only does PTSD continue to adversely affect Vietnam veterans, but a new generation of veterans who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan are now returning home suffering from what some have called ``the invisible wounds of war.'' Given the rising incidence of this problem and the great strides in PTSD research made by the VA's National Center for PTSD, the Committee notes with concern the $7,363,000 or almost a 33 percent decrease in the President's budget request for this essential program in fiscal year 2012 compared with fiscal year 2011. In order to ensure that VA research on PTSD care continues without delay, the Committee urges the VA to accelerate funding for PTSD programs in the coming fiscal years. Integrated Mental Health Strategy.--The frequency of individual deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, and exposure to the risks and stresses of combat have contributed to a higher than expected prevalence of mental health conditions among those who have deployed. Without question the VA has made earnest efforts to identify and treat mental health issues by instituting system-wide mental health screenings, increasing levels of mental health staffing, conducting training on clinical techniques, and increasing the focus on integrating primary care and mental health treatment. In a groundbreaking joint effort, VA and DOD have agreed on an integrated mental health strategy that will standardize treatment across the Departments. As one measure of the need for these services, in April 2011 the Veterans Crisis Line received its highest call volume since its inception. Over 14,000 calls were received, which is an average of more than 400 calls per day. This increase is evidence that the service is being utilized by servicemembers and veterans. Given the critically important nature of this service, it is imperative that the VA remain vigilant in its efforts to ensure all aspects of these programs are fully resourced. The Committee urges the Department and the Department of Defense to continue implementation of the Integrated Mental Health Strategy. Caregivers.--With the recent publication of regulations instituting the Department's new caregivers program, the VA must continue to remain diligent in its efforts to ensure there are sufficient resources for all aspects of the program, such as stipends, mental health services, and access to healthcare insurance. The fiscal year 2012 appropriation provides $204,000,000, the fully requested level, for implementation of the caregivers program. Additionally, the fiscal year 2013 advance appropriation provided in this bill for Medical services provides the requested $248,000,000 to continue the program in fiscal year 2013. The Committee notes that caregivers in a home environment dramatically enhance the health and well-being of severely injured veterans and urges VA to ensure the caregivers program including home healthcare remains a top priority. Access to Care.--The Committee is concerned with the VA's policy of referring veterans in Alaska to facilities in the lower 48 States for treatment when adequate healthcare treatment is available within Alaska outside the VA system. This extensive travel requirement, coupled with the lengthy delay scheduling this travel, creates an unusual hardship on Alaska veterans and often prevents them from obtaining treatment or forces them to pay for the travel on their own. The VA has publicly stated that it has not made sufficient progress in addressing this unique problem. Therefore, no later than December 1, 2011, the Department is directed to provide the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a report on the number of Alaska veterans who were directed to travel to a VA facility in another State for medical care in fiscal year 2011; the number of veterans who actually traveled to that facility; and the Department's plans and goals for reducing the number of Alaska veterans directed to travel to another state for medical care in fiscal year 2012. In addition, the report should describe the criteria used in determining whether to purchase medical care for an Alaska veteran within Alaska or require the veteran to travel to a VA facility in another State to receive that care; a description of the medical conditions for which Alaska veterans were required to travel out of Alaska; and an explanation for why care such veterans was not purchased in Alaska. Public/Private Partnerships.--The Committee recommends expanding public-private partnerships with hospitals nationwide that can offer the VA expertise, specialized recovery services, and additional capacity to better serve the needs of veterans recovering from serious brain injuries and aid in their full reintegration into their communities. The Committee urges the Department to fully utilize its authority under 38 U.S.C. Section 1710E to enter into partnerships with appropriate public or private entities that have established rehabilitation and recovery programs. Toxic Exposures.--The Committee directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to take all necessary and appropriate steps in coordination with the Department of Defense to identify and treat veterans suffering ill effects from potential exposure to dangerous chemical agents during their military service. The Department must ensure that healthcare providers at all levels are knowledgeable of occupational and environmental health threats in locations in which their patients have served. The Committee encourages the Department of Veterans Affairs to systematically update providers on specific issues developing in deployed areas and ensure that providers document confirmed and possible exposures in individual medical records and make use of registry programs for long-term medical follow-up and surveillance. MEDICAL SUPPORT AND COMPLIANCE Appropriations, 2011.................................... $5,262,454,000 Appropriations, 2012.................................... 5,535,000,000 Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2013............ 5,746,000,000 House allowance, advance appropriation, 2013............ 5,746,000,000 Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2013... 5,746,000,000 The Medical support and compliance account provides funds for management, security, and administrative expenses within the VA healthcare system, in addition to providing costs associated with the operation of VA medical centers and clinics, VISN offices, and the VHA Central Office in Washington, DC. This appropriation also covers Chief of Staff and Facility Director operations, quality of care oversight, legal services, billing and coding activities, procurement, financial management, security, and human resource management. The President's 2012 and 2013 submission for Medical Support and Compliance is based on an actuarial analysis founded on the current and projected veteran population, enrollment projections of demand, and case mix changes associated with current veteran patients. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION In fiscal year 2011, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $5,535,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 for the Medical support and compliance account. This is $272,546,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level. Additionally, the Committee recommendation includes an advance appropriation of $5,746,000,000 for Medical support and compliance for fiscal year 2013, which is $211,000,000 above the level for fiscal year 2012 and equal to the budget request. MEDICAL FACILITIES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $5,713,550,000 Appropriations, 2012.................................... 5,426,000,000 Budget estimate, advance appropriation, 2013............ 5,441,000,000 House allowance, advance appropriation, 2013............ 5,441,000,000 Committee recommendation, advance appropriation, 2013... 5,441,000,000 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 2011, the Committee provided an advance appropriation of $5,426,000,000 for fiscal year 2012 for the Medical facilities account. The Committee recommendation includes an advance appropriation of $5,441,000,000 for Medical facilities for fiscal year 2013. This is $15,000,000 above the level for fiscal year 2012 and equal to the budget request. Nonrecurring Maintenance.--The Committee is very concerned regarding the administration's fiscal year 2013 budget request for nonrecurring maintenance. The Department uses nonrecurring maintenance funding to address its most immediate infrastructure needs as identified by the most recent Facility Condition Assessment [FCA]. These assessments are performed at each facility every 3 years and highlight a building's most pressing and mission critical repair and maintenance needs, including code violations. According to the Government Accountability Office [GAO], the latest FCA identifies almost $10,000,000,000 in deficiencies at existing medical facilities throughout the VHA system. The VA's advance appropriation request for fiscal year 2013 includes $600,200,000, a $510,000,000 decrease from what is being spent in fiscal year 2011. The Committee understands that the Department has reprogramming authority and flexibility within the Medical facilities account to shift funding during the fiscal year to address needs. However, given the average age of VA hospitals and a significant number of identified deficiencies within the system, a funding reduction of this magnitude is troubling. Moreover, in a June 2011 report, GAO found that VA significantly lowered its budget estimates for nonrecurring maintenance in fiscal years 2012 and 2013 from what was estimated using the Enrollee Health Care Projection Model. The Committee urges the Department to submit an additional fiscal year 2013 appropriation request for Medical facilities with submission of the fiscal year 2013 budget. MEDICAL AND PROSTHETIC RESEARCH Appropriations, 2011.................................... $579,838,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 508,774,000 House allowance......................................... 530,774,000 Committee recommendation................................ 581,000,000 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 $581,000,000 for Medical and prosthetic research. This is $1,162,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $72,226,000 above the budget request. The Committee remains highly supportive of this program, and recognizes its importance both in improving healthcare services to veterans and recruiting and retaining high-quality medical professionals in the Veterans Health Administration. The Committee does not believe that reducing funding for medical research is wise given the number of wounded soldiers returning home for Iraq and Afghanistan. The Department will need every resource available if it is to develop new treatments for diseases and conditions that are unique to the veterans' community. Therefore the Committee has increased funding by $72,226,000 above the request. Through the Department's research and development program, the 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. Nursing Research Program.--The Committee supports the Veterans Affairs Nursing Research Program, which facilitates research on the specific nursing needs of combat veterans and aging veterans. The Committee strongly supports continuation of this program. The Committee also encourages collaboration between VA nurses and recipients of Tri-Service Nursing Research Program awards in the exploration of research proposals that improve the health and well-being of their shared beneficiary population. Gulf War Illness.--The Committee directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress not later than 90 days after enactment of this act on specific research efforts related to gulf war illness and the ways in which the Department's research efforts are coordinated with similar programs at the Department of Defense, the Institute of Medicine and other Federal agencies. Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study.--On September 14, 2009, the Secretary announced that the VA would fulfill the mandate carried in section 212 of Public Law 106-419, the Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2000, by soliciting bids for the National Vietnam Veterans Longitudinal Study. The Committee understands that a contract to fulfill this mandate has been awarded. The Committee urges the Department to proceed as quickly as possible with the study, as the longer it takes, the harder it becomes to locate the original participants and develop sample populations. The Committee directs the VA to submit a report by January 6, 2012, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress detailing the progress made with identification of sample populations; development of study protocol and research questions; and timeframes for completion of research, data analysis, and publication of results. In addition, the Secretary is urged to conduct epidemiological studies of existing VA medical data to determine if there are anomalies and differences that become apparent based on location of different duty stations or periods of service. Results of these studies shall be made public by means of submission of articles to recognized, peer-reviewed scientific and medical publications. MEDICAL CARE COST RECOVERY COLLECTIONS MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND Appropriations, 2011.................................... $3,393,000,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 3,326,000,000 House allowance......................................... 3,326,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,326,000,000 MEDICAL CARE COLLECTION FUND--REVENUES APPLIED Appropriations, 2011.................................... -$3,393,000,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... -3,326,000,000 House allowance......................................... -3,326,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ -3,326,000,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Medical Care Collection Fund [MCCF] was established by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (Public Law 105-33). In fiscal year 2004, Public Law 108-199 allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs to deposit first-party and pharmacy co- payments; third-party insurance payments and enhanced-use collections; long-term care co-payments; Compensated Work Therapy Program collections; and Parking Program fees into the MCCF. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs has the authority to transfer funds from the MCCF to the Medical services account. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommendation includes the authority to retain co-payments and third-party collections, estimated to total $3,326,000,000 in fiscal year 2012. National Cemetery Administration Appropriations, 2011.................................... $249,500,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 250,934,000 House allowance......................................... 250,934,000 Committee recommendation................................ 250,934,000 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 to 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. In 2010, cemeterial activities will encompass a total of 164 cemeterial installations in 39 States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. The Committee's recommendation for NCA provides funds for all of these cemeterial installations. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $250,934,000 for the National Cemetery Administration. This is an increase of $1,434,000 from the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 2013, up to $25,100,000 of the National Cemetery Administration appropriation. Population Threshold for National Cemeteries.--The Committee appreciates the Department of Veterans Affairs efforts to reduce the population threshold requirement for establishing VA national cemeteries. However, it has concerns that the current threshold continues to preclude thousands of veterans in rural States who have faithfully served their country and seek the honor of a final resting place in a VA national cemetery in their home State. Therefore, the Committee supports further efforts by the VA to provide waivers to this policy on a case by case basis and allow more rural veterans the dignity of being buried in a VA national cemetery nearer to their homes and their families. Departmental Administration Appropriations, 2011.................................... $7,302,830,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 7,008,451,000 House allowance......................................... 6,750,714,000 Committee recommendation................................ 6,994,483,000 ADMINISTRATION OVERVIEW Departmental Administration provides for the administration of veterans benefits through the Veterans Benefits Administration [VBA], the executive direction of the Department, several top level supporting offices, the Board of Contract Appeals, and the Board of Veterans' Appeals. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $6,994,483,000 for Departmental administration. The amount is composed of $431,257,000 for General administration; $2,018,764,000 for General operating expenses, veterans benefits administration; $3,161,376,000 for Information technology systems; $112,391,000 for the Office of the Inspector General; $589,604,000 for Construction, major projects; $550,091,000 for Construction, minor projects; $85,000,000 for Grants for construction of State extended care facilities; and $46,000,000 for Grants for the construction of State veterans cemeteries. GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $2,529,207,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 2,466,989,000 House allowance\1\...................................................... Committee recommendation\1\............................................. \1\Funding for General Operating Expenses is provided for in the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration; and General Administration accounts. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The administration's budget request proposes that funding for the administrative expenses associated with the Veterans Benefits Administration and all Department-wide offices be included within a single appropriation account. The Committee recommendation includes funding for these functions in two separate accounts: General operating expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration and General administration. The Committee believes that differences in the mission and purpose of the Department's executive offices and the Veterans Benefits Administration justify providing funding in two separate accounts. Further, separating these two broad categories will provide the Congress with greater visibility of budgetary resources and oversight of expenditures for these two vital missions. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION (INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS) Appropriations, 2011\1\................................. ($396,705,000) Budget estimate, 2012\2\................................ (448,225,000) House allowance......................................... 400,500,000 Committee recommendation................................ 431,257,000 \1\$396,705,000 was provided for General administration under the General Operating Expenses account in fiscal year 2011. \2\The budget request includes $448,225,000 for General administration within the General Operating Expenses account. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The General administration account provides funding for the Office of the Secretary, six Assistant Secretaries and three independent staff offices. The budget request proposes funding these operations within the General operating expenses account, which includes funding for the administrative functions of the Veterans Benefits Administration. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $431,257,000 for General administration. This amount is $34,552,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $16,968,000 below the budget request. To provide the Secretary with the flexibility to address emerging needs, the recommendation includes transfer authority to General operating expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration. The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 2013, up to $21,562,000 for General administration. The funding recommendation for each line office is provided in the table below. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION [In thousands of dollars] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fiscal year Fiscal year Department 2011 enacted 2012 budget Committee level request recommendation ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of the Secretary......................................... 9,251 10,104 10,104 Office of Veterans Appeals...................................... 73,126 78,006 78,006 Office of General Counsel....................................... 80,616 84,073 84,073 Office of Management............................................ 43,868 46,222 45,686 Office of Human Resources....................................... 68,453 74,343 70,516 Office of Policy and Planning................................... 25,963 28,647 26,127 Office of Operations Security and Preparedness.................. 16,713 19,873 19,543 Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs.................. 22,035 23,981 23,330 Office of Congressional Affairs and Legislative Affairs......... 6,053 6,585 6,065 Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction.............. 50,627 76,391 67,807 ----------------------------------------------- Total..................................................... 396,705 448,225 431,257 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to provide the Department with the resources it needs to process the increasing number of benefit claims appeals, the Committee provides the full budget request for the Board of Veterans Appeals. The recommendation also includes the full budget request for the Office of the General Counsel, which will allow the office to speed up the appeals process and the formulation of regulations. Under the Secretary's direction, personnel which had in previous administrations been detailed to support the Office of the Secretary have been realigned and budgeted for under the umbrella of the Secretary's office. The recommendation reflects this shift. All other General administration offices are provided non-pay inflation and rent increases plus the following requested initiatives: $1,600,000 for the Office of Management to conduct audits of the VHA Fee Care program; $705,000 for the Office of Operations, Security and Preparedness to activate the Integrated Operations Center and the Capital Region Readiness Center, as well as $2,900,000 to implement the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 mandate; $1,150,000 for the newly created Tribal Government Outreach Office and to continue to expand the VA's veteran outreach efforts through new social media; $15,000,000 for the Office of Acquisition, Logistics, and Construction to implement the Government-wide Acquisition initiative. Non-VA Fee Care Program.--The recommendation includes $1,600,000 for the Office of Management to increase its audit capacity of fee care offices. With these funds, the Department anticipates conducting comprehensive audits of approximately seven sites, or 10 to 12 fee offices. Additionally, the Committee directs the Department to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress annually the sites reviewed during the year; the number of transactions reviewed; the dollar value and percent of dollars reviewed that were determined to be improper payments per site; and the planned course of action to recoup those payments. The Committee also directs the VA to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by November 15, 2011, on what steps the Department has undertaken to strengthen its internal controls over the Fee Care program. Report Requirement.--On March 20, 2010, the President issued a memorandum directing agency heads to expand Payment Recapture Audits to the extent permitted by law and where cost effective. A Payment Recapture Audit, as defined in the memorandum, is a type of recovery audit whereby accountants identify improper payments made to contractors or other entities to uncover such problems as duplicate payments, payments for services not rendered, overpayments, and fictitious vendors. The memorandum references one approach that has worked effectively to identify and reduce improper payments in Government programs: having highly skilled accounting specialists and fraud examiners use new technology to recover improper payments, with their compensation tied to the identification of misspent funds. The Committee directs the Department to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by November 4, 2011, on what steps have been taken to adopt Payment Recapture Audits as a means of reducing and recovering improper payments. Franchise Fund.--The Franchise Fund was established in 1997 as a pilot program and made permanent in fiscal year 2006 under Public Law 109-114. The Committee directs the Department to provide a report on the Franchise Fund's business plan for fiscal year 2012. This plan should include a list of services, customers, overhead expenses, funds collected for services, and the unobligated balance from the previous fiscal year. The VA shall submit this report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress no later than 60 days following enactment of this act. GENERAL OPERATING EXPENSES, VETERANS BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION Appropriations, 2011\1\.................................($2,132,502,000) Budget estimate, 2012\2\................................ (2,018,764,000) House allowance......................................... 2,020,128,000 Committee recommendation................................ 2,018,764,000 \1\$2,132,502,000 was provided for the Veterans Benefits Administration's administrative expenses under the General Operating Expenses account in fiscal year 2011. \2\The budget request includes $2,018,764,000 for the Veterans Benefits Administration's administrative expenses within the General Operating Expenses account. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration account provides funding for the Veterans Benefits Administration to administer entitlement programs such as service-connected disability compensation, education benefits, and vocational rehabilitation services. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $2,018,764,000 for General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration, equal to the budget request. The Committee has proposed creating this new account to provide increased visibility and oversight of expenditures associated with VBA. The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 2013, up to $105,000,000 for General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administration. Claims Processing.--The Committee finds it disheartening that once again it must note the unacceptable time veterans must wait to have their disability claims processed. The Department estimates that in 2012, the average wait time will grow to 230 days, or approximately 8 months. In fiscal year 2011, the Committee provided an additional $447,569,000 in Public Law 112-10, the Department of Defense and Full Year Continuing Appropriations Act of 2011, for VBA claims processing. VA's original expenditure plan for this funding was to hire 4,000 permanent claims processors to address the backlog of claims, which has been exacerbated by the surge in claims relating to the new Agent Orange presumptive conditions and VA's need to focus significant levels of resources for readjudication of these complex claims. However, the Committee understands that VA has made a policy decision to change its tactic in dealing with the claims wait time and backlog. The Department has decided to hire fewer permanent employees and will instead utilize approximately $75,000,000 of the funding provided in fiscal year 2011 to engage external vendors in specific elements of collecting materials for claims processing, allowing VA employees to focus on decisionmaking. This contracting effort is expected to improve efficiency and reduce VBA's fiscal year 2012 budget requirement for operating expenses related to claims processing. The Committee directs the Department to develop metrics for evaluating the success of this effort by the speed in which the backlog of claims and the average adjudication time has been reduced. Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment [VR&E].--The Committee believes the VR&E program is a critical component in the Department's efforts to help veterans who have service- connected disabilities obtain employment or live independently in their homes and in their communities if employment is not currently feasible for them. The VR&E program has experienced a substantial increase in workload over the last several years, growing from 87,845 in 2007 to a projected 119,905 in 2012. For the first time since 2007, the Department has requested to substantially increase its staffing within the program, from 1,155 in 2011 to 1,286 in 2012, and the Committee is pleased to approve funding for this request. Staff and skill shortages in the VR&E workforce, as well as organizational weaknesses in the program as a whole, were last documented by the Government Accountability Office in a January 2009 report. The Committee therefore directs the Department by November 1, 2011, to submit to the Committees of Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a strategic workforce plan for the VR&E program, which should include the following: (1) using relevant data, determine what the workforce's target caseload should be over the next 5 years; (2) using relevant data, identify current and future human capital needs, such as the appropriate number of employees to handle the estimated workload, how they are to be deployed across the organization, and what percentage of cases are likely to require extended evaluations and thus more manpower; and (3) identify the critical skills and competencies staff will need to achieve the organization's mission and goals. Outreach Efforts in Rural Areas.--It is imperative that the Department provide widespread outreach efforts to inform veterans of their benefits, particularly education benefits to which they may be entitled. The Committee remains concerned that in rural and highly rural areas and on Native American reservations, outreach efforts are lacking. The Committee directs the Department to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress by January 20, 2012, detailing outreach efforts underway to promote the Post 9/11 Educational Assistance Program on Native American reservations and highly rural areas, such as Alaska and Hawaii. Where appropriate the report should include what cultural sensitivity training the VA is providing to its personnel as part of these efforts. Decision Review Officers [DROs].--The Committee is concerned that some VBA Regional Offices are inadequately staffed with DROs, and that in some locations there is only one DRO in the Regional Office. With the Board of Veterans Appeals estimating an increase of 63 percent in case receipts from 2008 to 2012 and a record number of appeals before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, it is inexplicable why some Regional Offices would only have one DRO on staff. To avoid needless delays in providing final case decisions to veterans, the Committee directs the Veterans Benefits Administration to ensure that every Service Center has at least two Decision Review Officers. Additionally, the Committee directs the Veterans Benefits Administration to establish new positions where needed instead of converting other, less-senior rating positions into DRO positions. Those Service Centers which currently have only one Decision Review Officer must not lose rating capacity at lower levels of the rating and review process in order to achieve the needed staffing levels among its Decision Review Officers. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS Appropriations, 2011.................................... $2,993,604,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 3,161,376,000 House allowance......................................... 3,025,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 3,161,376,000 PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Information Technology [IT] 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 $3,161,376,000 for the Information Technology Systems account. This amount is $167,772,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee recommendation includes $915,000,000 for staff salaries and expenses, $1,709,953,000 for operation and maintenance of existing programs, and $536,423,000 for program development, all according to the Department's fiscal year 2012 budget submission. The Committee has appropriated the Information Technology Systems account as three subaccounts, with funding levels consistent with the Department's budget submission. This funding structure will enhance the Committee's ability to ensure that funds are executed in a manner consistent with the Department's budget submission. The Committee has provided sufficient flexibility within the subaccounts in the way of authorized carryover amounts and reprogramming authority to give the Office of Information Technology as much flexibility as possible to accomplish its mission and goals, while ensuring proper accountability and oversight. The Committee will continue to work with the Department to ensure that the Information Technology projects currently underway, as well as the projects planned for the future, have the resources the VA needs to make them successful. The Committee has included bill language that restricts the obligation of development funds until the Secretary of Veterans Affairs or the Chief Information Officer submits to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a certification of the amounts, in parts or in full, that will be obligated and expended for each development project. Further, the Office of Information Technology is directed to provide an IT expenditure report, by project, to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress on a monthly basis. The chart below reflects the Administration's budget request for development projects and includes the Committee recommendation for each. This chart will serve as the Department's approved list of development projects, and all requested changes are subject the reprogramming guidelines as outlined in the accompanying act. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS [In thousands of dollars] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Committee Project Budget estimate recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Veterans Benefits Management System [VBMS]: VBMS............................ 84,902 84,902 Veterans Service Network 17,843 17,843 [VETSNET]...................... ----------------------------------- Total, VBMS Development....... 102,745 102,745 =================================== Virtual Lifetime Electronic Record [VLER]: Memorial/Cemeterial Legacy 4,457 4,457 Development.................... VLER--Laboratory Data Sharing 1,530 1,530 Initiative..................... VLER Executive Program 1,648 1,648 Management Office.............. e-Gov........................... 2,091 2,091 Bidirectional Health Information 1,000 1,000 Exchange....................... Clinical Health Data Repository. 1,000 1,000 HHS Connect Gateway Development. 3,251 3,251 NHIN Gateway and Adaptor 13,866 13,866 Development.................... Veteran Authorization and 846 846 Policies Development........... VLER Services................... 3,990 3,990 Warrior Support/Information 6,000 6,000 Sharing Initiative Development. Warrior Support/Military Service 3,200 3,200 Data Sharing Development....... Warrior Support/VA-DOD Identity 5,200 5,200 Repository Development......... Warrior Support/Veteran Tracking 4,300 4,300 Application Development........ ----------------------------------- Total, VLER Development....... 52,379 52,379 =================================== Access to Healthcare: Access IT--Program Management 1,000 1,000 Office......................... Emergency Department Information 7,900 7,900 System Development............. Patient Advocate Database 1,250 1,250 Development.................... Public Quality and Safety 1,250 1,250 Website Development............ Surgical Quality and Workflow 21,325 21,325 Management Development......... Veterans Benefits Handbook 5,000 5,000 Development.................... Veterans Implant Tracking System 1,500 1,500 Development.................... Veterans Transportation System 3,500 3,500 Development.................... TeleHealth...................... 4,437 4,437 Bed Hold Development............ 3,150 3,150 Bed Management Solution 12,300 12,300 Development.................... National Utilization Management 2,180 2,180 Integration Development........ Surgery Development............. 630 630 VPS Kiosk Development........... 2,500 2,500 ----------------------------------- Total, Access to Healthcare... 67,922 67,922 =================================== New Models of Care: Patient Centered Medical Home 750 750 Proposed Initiatives Development.................... Primary Care Management Module 2,000 2,000 Reengineering Development...... MyHealtheVet/Lifetime Health 1,000 1,000 Monitoring Development......... MyHealtheVet/Social Networking 1,550 1,550 Tools Development.............. MyHealtheVet/Veterans Health 1,065 1,065 Library Development............ TeleHealth...................... 11,880 11,880 Program Management Office....... 900 900 VISTA Imaging--Telemedicine 13,005 13,005 Development.................... Woman's Health Proposed Projects 2,000 2,000 Development.................... ----------------------------------- Total, New Models of Care..... 34,150 34,150 =================================== Homelessness: Homelessness--At-Risk Tracking.. 550 550 Homelessness Registries......... 1,950 1,950 Homelessness Case Management 1,500 1,500 Development.................... ----------------------------------- Total, Homelessness IT 4,000 4,000 Development.................. =================================== Healthcare Efficiency: Beneficiary Travel Development.. 2,000 2,000 Facility Automation Development. 5,000 5,000 Non-VA Fee Care Development..... 1,000 1,000 ----------------------------------- Total, Healthcare Efficiency.. 8,000 8,000 =================================== Mental Health: MyHealtheVet/Mental Health 2,000 2,000 Program Development............ Behavioral Health Lab Software 1,000 1,000 Development.................... Mental Health Systems 1,588 1,588 Development.................... Pharmacy Legacy Development..... 2,796 2,796 ----------------------------------- Total, Mental Health IT 7,384 7,384 Development.................. =================================== Benefits Legacy Systems 727 727 Development.................... Health Management Platform 8,000 8,000 Development.................... Laboratory Software Development. 10,136 10,136 Pharmacy Reengineering Software 4,099 4,099 Development.................... Revenue Improvements System 1,091 1,091 Enhancements Development....... Compensation and Pension Records 1,091 1,091 Interface Development.......... Development of Barcode Expansion 4,733 4,733 Software....................... Caregivers Development.......... 8,000 8,000 International Classification of 8,667 8,667 Diseases--10 Development....... Decision Support Systems 3,500 3,500 Extracts / Event Capture Project Development............ Health Provider Systems 4,000 4,000 Development.................... VHA Research IT Support 20,000 20,000 Development.................... Human Capital Development....... 6,550 6,550 Innovations..................... 20,000 20,000 Integrated Operating Model...... 10,000 10,000 Strategic Capital Investment 3,000 3,000 Planning Database Development.. Business Intelligence Dashboard 2,100 2,100 Development.................... VA Learning Management Systems 4,650 4,650 Development.................... Strategic Asset Management...... 9,000 9,000 Development of Financial 130 130 Management System Software..... Enterprise IT Support 1,180 1,180 Development.................... Customer Service [Survey and SLA 4,000 4,000 Programs] Development.......... Corporate IT Support 375 375 Architecture, Strategy, and Design......................... Repositories Development........ 3,273 3,273 Standards and Terminology 1,001 1,001 Services....................... Safety and Security Initiative.. 18,030 18,030 Enrollment System Modernization. 3,323 3,323 Veterans Relationship Management 99,187 99,187 Development.................... ----------------------------------- Total, All Development........ 536,423 536,423 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Integrated Electronic Health Record [iEHR].--The Committee commends the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense for the strong leadership they have shown over the past year in agreeing to develop an integrated electronic health record. The Committee understands that the Departments have agreed to pursue a number of integrated development approaches including the decision to share common data centers and utilize open source software development. It is essential that service members transition seamlessly from active duty into the Department of Veterans Affairs, and a very large part of that transition is the service member's medical records. Not only will an integrated electronic health record allow physicians to provide more effective and efficient medical care, it will also assist in the administration's goal to have a virtual lifetime electronic record which will aid the Veterans Benefits Administration in processing disability claims, thus reducing the time a veteran must wait for a resolution of a disability claim. The Committee is aware that meetings between the two Secretaries have been occurring regularly to ensure that system development is agreed upon and driven by the senior leadership of each Department. The Committee strongly encourages these meetings to continue to ensure that an unambiguous and unified message is clearly articulated to both Departments. It is imperative that a coordinated and clearly defined path is laid out to protect the taxpayers from system development that wastes money and produces little in terms of success. At the time of the budget submission, the Department was not in a position of knowing the financial requirements for this project, and therefore the current budget request does not contain a line item request for iEHR. As a result, the committee recommendation fully funds the request for the Information Technology Systems account and includes sufficient flexibility to the Department in the way of reprogramming authority to devote adequate resources to this effort. Consequently, the Committee directs the Office of Information Technology to provide quarterly updates on the progress of this project to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress. Graphical User Interface.--As work on the iEHR continues, an integral component to the successful integration and deployment is a functioning presentation layer Graphical User Interface [GUI]. The Committee notes the successful VA pilot of GUI powered off the JANUS framework which was developed by the VA and focuses on clinician and patient centric data and is customizable by the user. As the Departments move forward on developing an iEHR, the Committee encourages the Departments to consider this as an enterprise-wide solution. DOD/VA Information Technology Interoperability.--The Committee supports the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs and Department of Defense to integrate services and medical record systems at the Captain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Center, the first totally integrated Federal healthcare facility in the country. The Committee recognizes the significant challenges facing the Departments in their efforts to fully integrate all information management/ information technology systems, especially with orders portability, and urges the Departments to take all necessary and appropriate steps to rapidly develop and deploy capacity to integrate information management/information technology systems. Innovation Initiative.--Within the funds requested and provided to the Information Technology Systems account for Innovation Initiatives, the Committee encourages the Department to utilize a portion of these funds for an open competition to utilize commercial off the shelf technology to develop a decision support system and automate the VBA's Veterans Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The Committee further urges that upon award of a contract and development of this automated tool that it be piloted in at least one regional office and that metrics for evaluating its success be implemented. Veterans Benefits Management System.--The VA has made it a priority to implement a paperless claims processing system to eliminate the disability claims backlog and reduce the average adjudication time for a disability claim to 125 days. The Veterans Benefits Management System [VBMS] is the Department's key information technology initiative to transform its paper- centric claims environment into one that processes claims electronically, with national deployment of the project scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2012. The Committee supports the VA's effort to leverage technology to transform the disability claims process into a 21st century function, in order to eliminate the disability claims backlog and reduce the average adjudication time to manageable levels. However, the Committee is concerned that the Department has not developed an evaluation plan with clear criteria for determining whether the VBMS pilot has sufficiently met its stated goals in preparation of a nationwide rollout. According to the Government Accountability Office [GAO] without clear criteria to use in determining success, such as minimum improvement expected against a specific baseline measure, it will be unclear the extent to which the goals of the project have been met. The Committee directs the Department to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress a detailed report no later than November 30, 2011, outlining metrics for evaluating the VBMS pilot. OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL Appropriations, 2011.................................... $108,782,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 109,391,000 House allowance......................................... 109,391,000 Committee recommendation................................ 112,391,000 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 $112,391,000 for the Office of Inspector General. This is $3,609,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $3,000,000 above the budget request. The Committee has included bill language to make available through September 30, 2013, up to $6,600,000 for the Office of the Inspector General. CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS Appropriations, 2011.................................... $1,073,734,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 589,604,000 House allowance......................................... 589,604,000 Committee recommendation................................ 589,604,000 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 the 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 $589,604,000 for the construction of major projects. This is $484,130,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The following table reflects the President's budget request for major construction projects and activities, and the corresponding Committee recommendations. CONSTRUCTION, MAJOR PROJECTS [In thousands of dollars] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Fiscal year 2011 Committee Location and description request recommendation ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Veterans Health Administration [VHA]: New Orleans, Louisiana--New 60,000 60,000 Medical Facility............... Denver, Colorado--New Medical 42,000 42,000 Facility....................... San Juan, Puerto Rico--Seismic 100,720 100,720 Corrections--Building 1........ St. Louis, Missouri--Jefferson 80,000 80,000 Barracks, Medical Facility Improvements & Cemetery Expansion...................... Palo Alto, California--Centers 75,900 75,900 for Ambulatory Care, Polytrauma, Blind Rehabilitation & Research...... Bay Pines, Florida--Inpatient/ 43,970 43,970 Outpatient Improvements........ Seattle, Washington--Seismic 47,500 47,500 Corrections to Nursing Tower and Community Living Center.... Reno, Nevada--Correct Seismic 21,380 21,380 Deficiencies and Expand Clinical Services.............. West Los Angeles, California-- 50,790 50,790 Construct Essential Care Tower and Correct Seismic Deficiencies................... San Francisco, California-- 22,480 22,480 Correct Seismic Deficiencies... Advance Planning Fund........... 59,145 59,145 Asbestos........................ 40,000 40,000 Facility Security............... 8,000 8,000 Construction and Facilities 24,200 24,200 Management Resident Engineers.. Judgment Fund................... 5,000 5,000 ----------------------------------- Total, VHA.................... 681,085 681,085 =================================== National Cemetery Administration [NCA]: National Memorial Cemetery of 23,700 23,700 the Pacific--Expand Columbarium and Replace Administration Building....................... Advance Planning Fund........... 4,500 4,500 NCA Land Acquisition Fund....... 10,000 10,000 ----------------------------------- Total, NCA.................... 38,200 38,200 =================================== General Administration--Staff 6,000 6,000 Offices, Advance Planning Fund..... Available from existing projects.... -135,681 -135,681 =================================== Total Construction, Major 589,604 589,604 Projects..................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Strategic Capital Investment Planning.--The Veterans Affairs new Strategic Capital Investment Plan [SCIP] has identified 4,808 capital projects valued between $53,000,000,000 and $65,000,000,000 that should be made over the next decade to address critical infrastructure needs. In considering the enormity of the SCIP list and the average level of funding that has been available for VA construction, as well as the ability that the VA has to annually reassess and reprioritize projects, the Committee is concerned that thousands of meritorious capital projects will be left to languish in this process. The VA Secretary, in partnership with the Administrator of the General Services Administration, shall submit a report within 90 days of enactment of this act identifying possible innovative and cost-effective approaches such as public-private partnerships, lease-build arrangements, and other non- traditional concepts that the VA could undertake to address its physical infrastructure needs in a more timely and cost- effective basis. The agencies shall include a recommendation of potential pilot projects that could be undertaken to investigate such approaches. Further, given the aging demographics of our veterans population and the needs of severely wounded veterans, nursing and adult day care facilities should be considered as part of this effort. Energy Efficiency.--The Committee recognizes VA's initiative and accomplishments to date in greening the agency, and encourages the VA to continue these efforts at a level that will allow both short- and long-term sustainability goals to be achieved. The recommendation includes $144,565,000 in resources for the Green Management Program in fiscal year 2012. The Committee directs the VA to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, within 60 days of enactment of this act, a ``Greening VA'' operating plan that addresses all program components. The plan should include resource levels for all agency components and administrations for fiscal year 2012. Assessment of Real Estate Inventory.--The Committee endorses the administration's recently announced effort to dispose of unneeded Federal real estate. The Committee wants to ensure that VA has a comprehensive plan and effort to manage its portfolio of real estate at an optimal level in support of serving veterans. VA should use all available tools, including public-private ventures, to reduce the amount of unneeded assets. The Committee wants to ensure that all VA mission requirements, including efforts to provide supportive services and housing options for homeless veterans, are fully addressed in VA's plan to reduce unneeded assets. The Committee directs the Department to provide a report within 60 days of enactment of this act to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of Congress, detailing all surplus and underutilized buildings within the VA real estate portfolio. The report should include any recommendation for future use consistent with the VA's mission, and if appropriate, any plans for disposal of the facility. Joint Facilities.--The Department of Defense [DOD] and Department of Veterans Affairs are currently undertaking a joint venture in North Chicago, where VA and DOD are consolidating their medical missions into one integrated hospital. The Committee has been supportive of this effort and has provided bill language to allow the VA to transfer money into a joint account with DOD. Both Departments believe significant cost savings can be achieved through this effort. The Committee believes that the VA should develop a strategic capital plan that addresses future joint ventures with DOD, as well with other Federal healthcare providers and academic affiliates. The Committee directs the Department to submit with the fiscal year 2013 budget submission a joint venture strategic capital plan, outlining what future collaborative efforts with DOD, other Federal providers and academic affiliates are planned. This plan should include capital cost estimates, the degree to which integration will occur, and potential cost savings. West Los Angeles Veterans Affairs Medical Center.--The Committee continues to be concerned about the urgent need to provide adequate housing for our Nation's homeless veterans. The need is particularly acute in the greater Los Angeles area where an estimated 8,000 homeless veterans live, more than 10 percent of the Nation's total homeless veteran population. The Committee understands that the Department of Veterans Affairs has identified funding to begin renovating a building on the West Los Angeles VA campus, but requires authorization from Congress to begin work on this major construction project. On June 21, 2011, this project was transmitted to Congress by the administration as part of the annual construction authorization request. The Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee marked up the bill on June 29, 2011, and included the authorization. The Committee is encouraged by this swift action and supports the effort to complete action on this matter. CONSTRUCTION, MINOR PROJECTS Appropriations, 2011.................................... $466,765,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 550,091,000 House allowance......................................... 475,091,000 Committee recommendation................................ 550,091,000 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 the VA, including planning, assessment of needs, architectural and engineering services, and site acquisition, where the estimated cost of a project is equal to or less than $10,000,000. Public Law 106-117, the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act of 1999, gave the VA the 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 $550,091,000 for minor construction. This is $83,326,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The recommendation includes $461,868,000 for the Veterans Health Administration, $41,628,000 for the National Cemetery Administration, $22,950,000 for General Administration--Staff Offices, and $23,645,000 for the Veterans Benefits Administration. The Committee directs the Department to provide an expenditure plan within 30 days of enactment of this act for the amount appropriated for minor construction. GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF STATE EXTENDED CARE FACILITIES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $84,830,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 85,000,000 House allowance......................................... 85,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 85,000,000 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 the States and the VA in meeting the long-term care needs of elderly veterans for decades. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $85,000,000 for grants for the construction of State extended care facilities. This is $170,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. GRANTS FOR CONSTRUCTION OF VETERANS CEMETERIES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $45,908,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 46,000,000 House allowance......................................... 46,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 46,000,000 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 the initial equipment expenses when the cemetery is established. The States remain responsible for providing the land and for paying all costs related to the operation and maintenance of the State cemeteries, including the costs for subsequent equipment purchases. COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $46,000,000 for grants for the construction of State veterans cemeteries. This is $92,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. Administrative Provisions Sec. 201. The Committee includes a provision which outlines reprogramming authority and responsibilities for the Veterans Benefits Administration. Sec. 202. The Committee includes a provision which outlines reprogramming authority and responsibilities for the Veterans Health Administration. Sec. 203. The Committee includes a provision which outlines the use of the Salaries and expenses account. Sec. 204. The Committee includes a provision mandating that only construction funds may be used for land procurement. 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 fiscal year 2012 funds for prior year obligations. Sec. 208. The Committee includes a provision which allows for payments from the National Service Life Insurance Fund. Sec. 209. The Committee includes a provision which outlines the use of funds from enhanced-use lease proceeds. Sec. 210. The Committee includes a provision which provides for funds for the Office of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication. Sec. 211. The Committee includes a provision which sets a limit on new leases without congressional approval. Sec. 212. The Committee includes a provision which requires disclosure of third-party reimbursement information. Sec. 213. The Committee includes a provision which allows for the transfer of revenue derived from enhanced-use leases into the construction accounts. Sec. 214. The Committee includes a provision which outlines authorized uses for medical services funds. Sec. 215. The Committee includes a provision which allows funds in the Medical Care Collection Fund to be transferred into the Medical services account. Sec. 216. The Committee includes a provision which allows eligible veterans in the State of Alaska to obtain medical care services. Sec. 217. The Committee includes a provision which allows for the transfer of funds into the construction accounts. Sec. 218. The Committee includes a provision which allows for outreach and marketing to enroll new veterans. Sec. 219. The Committee includes a provision requiring the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit quarterly financial reports on the Veterans Health Administration. Sec. 220. The Committee includes a provision outlining transfer authority for the Information technology systems account. Sec. 221. The Committee includes a provision outlining limits on transfers within the Information technology systems account. Sec. 222. 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. 223. The Committee includes a provision limiting the amount of non-recurring maintenance funds that can be obligated during the last 2 months of the fiscal year. Sec. 224. 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. 225. 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. 226. The Committee includes a provision allowing a minimum of $15,000,000 to 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. 227. The Committee includes a provision rescinding funds from certain accounts and appropriating additional amounts with 2-year authority. Sec. 228. The Committee includes a provision requiring notification of all bid savings for major construction projects. Sec. 229. The Committee includes a provision restricting scope increases for major construction projects above that specified in the original project justification. TITLE III RELATED AGENCIES American Battle Monuments Commission PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The American Battle Monuments Commission [ABMC] is responsible for the following: the maintenance and construction of U.S. monuments and memorials commemorating the achievements in battle of our Armed Forces since April 1917 (the date of the United States entry into World War I); the erection of monuments and markers by U.S. citizens and organizations in foreign countries; and the design, construction, and maintenance of permanent military cemetery memorials in foreign countries. The Commission maintains 24 military memorial cemeteries and 31 monuments, memorials, and markers in 15 countries around the world, including three memorials on U.S. soil. SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $64,072,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 61,100,000 House allowance......................................... 61,100,000 Committee recommendation................................ 61,100,000 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $61,100,000 for the Salaries and expenses account. This amount is $2,972,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. FOREIGN CURRENCY FLUCTUATIONS Appropriations, 2011.................................... $20,168,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 16,000,000 House allowance......................................... 16,000,000 Committee recommendation................................ 16,000,000 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends an estimated $16,000,000 for the Foreign currency fluctuation account. This amount is $4,168,000 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee has again included language in the accompanying bill, as proposed by the administration, that would allow funding for this account on a ``such sums as necessary'' basis. Funding the account in this manner allows the Commission to maintain cemeteries regardless of the volatility of foreign currency fluctuations. U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims OVERVIEW The U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims was established by the Veterans' Judicial Review Act of 1988. The Court is an independent judicial tribunal with exclusive jurisdiction to review decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals. It has the authority to decide all relevant questions of law; interpret constitutional, statutory, and regulatory provisions; and determine the meaning or applicability of the terms of an action by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. It is authorized to compel action by the Secretary. It is authorized to hold unconstitutional or otherwise unlawful and set aside decisions, findings, conclusions, rules and regulations issued or adopted by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Board of Veterans' Appeals, or the Chairman of the Board that are found to be arbitrary or capricious. The Court's principal office location is Washington, DC; however, it is a national court, empowered to sit anywhere in the United States. SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $27,560,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 55,770,000 House allowance......................................... 30,770,000 Committee recommendation................................ 30,770,000 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $30,770,000 for the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims. The administration's budget request included $25,000,000, to be transferred to the General Services Administration [GSA] for the construction of a new courthouse. The Committee understands that negotiations between the Federal Government and the government of the District of Columbia are still underway and that current estimates for construction have more than doubled from the original estimate. Due to these circumstances, the Committee defers without prejudice funding for this project. Department of Defense--Civil Cemeterial Expenses, Army OVERVIEW The Secretary of the Army is responsible for the administration, operation and maintenance of Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery. In addition to its principal function as a national cemetery, Arlington is the site of approximately 3,200 nonfuneral ceremonies each year and has approximately 4,000,000 visitors annually. SALARIES AND EXPENSES Appropriations, 2011.................................... $45,010,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 45,800,000 House allowance......................................... 45,800,000 Committee recommendation................................ 45,800,000 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends $45,800,000 for the Cemeterial expenses, Army account. This amount is $790,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and equal to the budget request. The Committee continues to support the mission of Arlington National Cemetery [ANC]. While recent events have revealed serious mismanagement of past business and burial practices at Arlington, the Committee believes that the new leadership team is making strides to improve operations and accountability at the Nation's premier cemetery. Unfortunately, new revelations of past mismanagement continue to arise and cast a shadow on the work being done on behalf of our country's departed warriors. The Committee will continue to work closely with cemetery officials in an effort to reinstate confidence in the management of Arlington National Cemetery and resolve any remaining issues identified in the 2010 Army Inspector General's Report. The Committee directs the Executive Director of Arlington National Cemetery to continue the office's audits of past contracts and outstanding financial obligations, and update the Committee on its findings along with quarterly reports on unexpended prior year funding, status updates on the upgrading of the information technology systems, and reports on ANC's expansion plans. The Committee encourages cemetery officials and the Department of the Army to work with the Department of Veterans Affairs in the development of a common architecture software for the information technology system for Arlington National Cemetery. In light of the recent problems at Arlington, the Committee believes that the current funding line for ANC is insufficient for proper oversight and lacks transparency. For future budget submissions, the Committee requests that ANC provide a detailed breakout of funding accounts to include subaccounts for personnel, operations and maintenance, and construction, along with detailed budget justification materials for such accounts. The Committee believes that providing more defined budget documentation will provide better oversight and accountability to the taxpayer on ANC's use of public funds. Armed Forces Retirement Home TRUST FUND Appropriations, 2011.................................... $71,058,000 Budget estimate, 2012................................... 67,700,000 House allowance......................................... 67,700,000 Committee recommendation................................ 67,700,000 COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION The Committee recommends authority to expend $67,700,000 from the Armed Forces Retirement Home [AFRH] Trust Fund to operate and maintain the Armed Forces Retirement Home-- Washington, DC, and the Armed Forces Retirement Home--Gulfport, Mississippi. 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 requires pay raises to be absorbed within the levels appropriated. Sec. 403. 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. 404. The Committee includes a provision that prohibits the use of funds to support or defeat legislation pending before Congress. Sec. 405. The Committee includes a provision that encourages the expansion of E-commerce technologies and procedures. Sec. 406. 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. 407. The Committee includes a provision that specifies the congressional committees that are to receive all reports and notifications. Sec. 408. The Committee includes a provision regarding the posting of congressional reports on agency Web sites. Sec. 409. The Committee includes a provision limiting the construction of facilities for the purposes of housing individuals detained at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 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 Family Housing Construction, Army Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army Family Housing Construction, Navy and Marine Corps Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps Family Housing Construction, Air Force Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Air Force Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide Department of Defense, Family Housing Improvement Fund Homeowners Assistance Fund Chemical Demilitarization Construction, Defense-Wide Base Realignment and Closure Account, 1990 Base Realignment and Closure Account, 2005 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 June 30, 2011, the Committee ordered favorably reported the bill (H.R. 2055), making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, subject to further amendment, by a recorded vote of 30-0, a quorum being present. The vote was as follows: Yeas Nays Chairman Inouye Mr. Leahy Mr. Harkin Ms. Mikulski Mr. Kohl Mrs. Murray Mrs. Feinstein Mr. Durbin Mr. Johnson Ms. Landrieu Mr. Reed Mr. Lautenberg Mr. Nelson Mr. Pryor Mr. Tester Mr. Brown Mr. Cochran Mr. McConnell Mr. Shelby Mrs. Hutchison Mr. Alexander Ms. Collins Ms. Murkowski Mr. Graham Mr. Kirk Mr. Coats Mr. Blunt Mr. Moran Mr. Hoeven Mr. Johnson 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 --------------------------------------------------------- Amount of Amount of Allocation\1\ bill Allocation\1\ bill ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Comparison of amounts in the bill with subcommittee allocation for 2012: Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies: Mandatory......................................... NA 72,532 NA \2\78,555 Discretionary..................................... NA 68,448 NA \2\68,201 Projection of outlays associated with the recommendation: 2012.............................................. .............. ........... .............. \3\76,478 2013.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 7,378 2014.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 5,429 2015.............................................. .............. ........... .............. 1,977 2016 and future years............................. .............. ........... .............. 1,495 Financial assistance to State and local governments NA 170 NA 25 for 2012............................................ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- \1\There is no section 302(a) allocation to the Committee for fiscal year 2012. \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 compared with (+ or -) Installation and project Budget House Committee ------------------------------- estimate allowance recommendation Budget House estimate allowance ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ALABAMA ARMY: FORT RUCKER: COMBAT READINESS CENTER. 11,600 11,600 11,600 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: REDSTONE ARSENAL: VON BRAUN COMPLEX, PHASE 58,800 58,800 58,800 .............. .............. IV..................... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: FORT MC CLELLAN: READINESS CENTER, PHASE 16,500 16,500 16,500 .............. .............. 2...................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, ALABAMA........ 86,900 86,900 86,900 .............. .............. ALASKA ARMY: FORT WAINWRIGHT: AVIATION COMPLEX, PHASE 114,000 57,000 57,000 -57,000 .............. 3A..................... JB ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON: BRIGADE COMPLEX, PHASE 2 74,000 74,000 74,000 .............. .............. ORGANIZATIONAL PARKING.. 3,600 3,600 3,600 .............. .............. PHYSICAL FITNESS 26,000 26,000 26,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... AIR FORCE: EIELSON AFB: DORMITORY (168 RM)...... 45,000 45,000 45,000 .............. .............. JB ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON: BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM 97,000 97,000 97,000 .............. .............. (LIGHT) COMPLEX, (480 RM).................... DEFENSE-WIDE: ANCHORAGE: SOF COLD WEATHER 18,400 18,400 18,400 .............. .............. MARITIME TRAINING FACILITY............... EIELSON AFB: UPGRADE RAIL LINE....... 14,800 14,800 14,800 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, ALASKA......... 392,800 335,800 335,800 -57,000 .............. ARIZONA NAVY: YUMA: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 39,515 39,515 39,515 .............. .............. HANGAR................. DOUBLE AIRCRAFT 81,897 81,897 81,897 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE HANGAR..... JSF AUXILIARY LANDING 41,373 41,373 41,373 .............. .............. FIELD.................. AIR FORCE: DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB: EC-130H SIMULATOR/ 20,500 20,500 20,500 .............. .............. TRAINING OPERATIONS.... HC-130J JOINT USE FUEL 12,500 12,500 12,500 .............. .............. CELL................... LUKE AFB: F-35 ADAL AIRCRAFT 6,000 6,000 6,000 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE UNIT....... F-35 SQUAD OPS/AMU 2.... 18,000 18,000 18,000 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: DAVIS-MONTHAN AFB: REPLACE HYDRANT FUEL 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. SYSTEM................. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: PAPAGO MILITARY RESERVATION: READINESS CENTER........ 17,800 17,800 17,800 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, ARIZONA........ 260,585 260,585 260,585 .............. .............. ARKANSAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: FORT CHAFFEE: CONVOY LIVE FIRE/ENTRY 3,500 3,500 3,500 .............. .............. CONTROL POINT RANGE.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, ARKANSAS....... 3,500 3,500 3,500 .............. .............. CALIFORNIA ARMY: FORT IRWIN: INFANTRY SQUAD BATTLE 7,500 7,500 7,500 .............. .............. COURSE................. QUALIFICATION TRAINING 15,500 15,500 15,500 .............. .............. RANGE.................. PRESIDIO MONTEREY: GENERAL INSTRUCTION 3,000 3,000 3,000 .............. .............. BUILDING............... NAVY: BARSTOW: DIP TANK CLEANING 8,590 8,590 8,590 .............. .............. FACILITY............... BRIDGEPORT: MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING-- 19,238 19,238 16,138 -3,100 -3,100 ADDITION............... CAMP PENDLETON: ARMORY, 1ST MARINE 12,606 12,606 12,606 .............. .............. DIVISION............... INDIVIDUAL EQUIPMENT 16,411 16,411 16,411 .............. .............. ISSUE WAREHOUSE........ INFANTRY SQUAD DEFENSE 29,187 29,187 29,187 .............. .............. RANGE.................. INTERSECTION BRIDGE AND 12,476 12,476 12,476 .............. .............. IMPROVEMENTS........... MV-22 AVIATION FUEL 6,163 6,163 6,163 .............. .............. STORAGE................ MV-22 AVIATION PAVEMENT. 18,530 18,530 18,530 .............. .............. MV-22 DOUBLE HANGAR 48,345 48,345 48,345 .............. .............. REPLACEMENT............ NEW POTABLE WATER 113,091 113,091 113,091 .............. .............. CONVEYANCE............. NORTH AREA WASTE WATER 78,271 78,271 78,271 .............. .............. CONVEYANCE............. CORONADO: FITNESS CENTER NORTH 46,763 46,763 32,063 -14,700 -14,700 ISLAND................. ROTARY AIRCRAFT DEPOT 61,672 61,672 61,672 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE FACILITY (NORTH ISLAND)......... POINT MUGU: E-2D AIRCREW TRAINING 15,377 15,377 15,377 .............. .............. FACILITY............... TWENTYNINE PALMS: CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 23,743 23,743 23,743 .............. .............. LAND EXPANSION.......... 8,665 8,665 8,665 .............. .............. MULTIUSE OPERATIONAL 18,819 18,819 18,819 .............. .............. FITNESS AREA........... TRACKED VEHICLE 15,882 15,882 15,882 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE COVER...... AIR FORCE: TRAVIS AFB: DORMITORY (144 RM)...... 22,000 22,000 22,000 .............. .............. VANDENBERG AFB: EDUCATION CENTER........ 14,200 14,200 14,200 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: CAMP PENDLETON: SOF MILITARY WORKING DOG 3,500 3,500 3,500 .............. .............. FACILITY............... SOF RANGE 130 SUPPORT 8,641 8,641 8,641 .............. .............. PROJECTS............... CORONADO: SOF SUPPORT ACTIVITY 42,000 42,000 42,000 .............. .............. OPERATIONS FACILITY.... DEFENSE DISTRIBUTION DEPOT-- TRACY: REPLACE PUBLIC SAFETY 15,500 15,500 15,500 .............. .............. CENTER................. POINT LOMA ANNEX: REPLACE FUEL STORAGE 27,000 27,000 27,000 .............. .............. FACILITIES INCR 4...... SAN CLEMENTE: REPLACE FUEL STORAGE 21,800 21,800 21,800 .............. .............. TANKS AND PIPELINE..... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP ROBERTS: TACTICAL UNMANNED 6,160 6,160 6,160 .............. .............. AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FACILITY............... UTILITIES REPLACEMENT, 32,000 32,000 32,000 .............. .............. PHASE 1................ CAMP SAN LUIS OBISPO: FIELD MAINTENANCE SHOP.. 8,000 8,000 8,000 .............. .............. AIR NATIONAL GUARD: BEALE AFB: WING OPERATIONS AND 6,100 6,100 6,100 .............. .............. TRAINING FACILITY...... MOFFETT FIELD: REPLACE PARARESCUE 26,000 26,000 26,000 .............. .............. TRAINING FACILITY...... ARMY RESERVE: FORT HUNTER LIGGETT: AUTOMATED MULTIPURPOSE 5,200 5,200 5,200 .............. .............. MACHINE GUN [MPMG]..... AIR FORCE RESERVE: MARCH AFB: AIRFIELD CONTROL TOWER/ 16,393 16,393 16,393 .............. .............. BASE OPS............... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, CALIFORNIA..... 834,323 834,323 816,523 -17,800 -17,800 COLORADO ARMY: FORT CARSON: AIRCRAFT LOADING AREA... 34,000 34,000 34,000 .............. .............. AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 63,000 63,000 63,000 .............. .............. HANGAR................. BARRACKS................ 67,000 67,000 67,000 .............. .............. BARRACKS................ 46,000 46,000 46,000 .............. .............. BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS.... 14,400 14,400 14,400 .............. .............. CONTROL TOWER........... 14,200 14,200 14,200 .............. .............. AIR FORCE: U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY: CONSTRUCT LARGE VEHICLE 13,400 13,400 13,400 .............. .............. INSPECTION FACILITY.... DEFENSE-WIDE: BUCKLEY AIR FORCE BASE: MOUNTAINVIEW OPERATIONS 140,932 70,932 70,432 -70,500 -500 FACILITY............... CHEMICAL DEMILITARIZATION CONSTRUCTION, ARMY: PUEBLO DEPOT: AMMUNITION 15,338 15,338 15,338 .............. .............. DEMILITARIZATION FACILITY, PHASE XIII... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: ALAMOSA: READINESS CENTER........ 6,400 6,400 6,400 .............. .............. AURORA: TACTICAL UNMANNED 3,600 3,600 3,600 .............. .............. AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FACILITY............... FORT CARSON: BARRACKS COMPLEX [ORTC]. 43,000 43,000 43,000 .............. .............. ARMY RESERVE: FORT COLLINS: ARMY RESERVE CENTER..... 13,600 13,600 13,600 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, COLORADO....... 474,870 404,870 404,370 -70,500 -500 DELAWARE AIR FORCE: DOVER AFB: C-5M FORMAL TRAINING 2,800 2,800 2,800 .............. .............. UNIT FACILITY.......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, DELAWARE....... 2,800 2,800 2,800 .............. .............. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEFENSE-WIDE: BOLLING AFB: COOLING TOWER EXPANSION. 2,070 2,070 2,070 .............. .............. DIAC PARKING GARAGE..... 13,586 13,586 13,586 .............. .............. ELECTRICAL UPGRADES..... 1,080 1,080 1,080 .............. .............. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: ANACOSTIA: U.S. PROPERTY AND FISCAL 5,300 5,300 5,300 .............. .............. OFFICE ADDITION/ ALTERATION............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, DISTRICT OF 22,036 22,036 22,036 .............. .............. COLUMBIA............. FLORIDA NAVY: JACKSONVILLE: BAMS UAS OPERATOR 4,482 4,482 4,482 .............. .............. TRAINING FACILITY...... P-8A HANGAR UPGRADES.... 6,085 6,085 6,085 .............. .............. P-8A TRAINING FACILITY.. 25,985 25,985 25,985 .............. .............. MAYPORT: MASSEY AVENUE CORRIDOR 14,998 14,998 14,998 .............. .............. IMPROVEMENTS........... WHITING FIELD: APPLIED INSTRUCTION 20,620 20,620 20,620 .............. .............. FACILITIES, EOD COURSE. AIR FORCE: PATRICK AFB: AIR FORCE TECHNICAL 79,000 79,000 79,000 .............. .............. APPLICATIONS CTR--INCR 2...................... DEFENSE-WIDE: EGLIN AFB: MEDICAL CLINIC.......... 11,600 11,600 11,600 .............. .............. SOF COMPANY OPERATIONS 21,000 21,000 21,000 .............. .............. FACILITY [GSTB]........ SOF COMPANY OPERATIONS 19,000 19,000 19,000 .............. .............. FACILITY [GSTB]........ EGLIN AUX 9: SOF ENCLOSED ENGINE 3,200 3,200 3,200 .............. .............. NOISE SUPPRESSORS...... SOF SIMULATOR FACILITY.. 6,300 6,300 6,300 .............. .............. MACDILL AFB: SOF ACQUISITION CENTER, 15,200 15,200 15,200 .............. .............. PHASE II).............. WHITING FIELD: TRUCK LOAD/UNLOAD 3,800 3,800 3,800 .............. .............. FACILITY............... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP BLANDING: CONVOY LIVE FIRE/ENTRY 2,400 2,400 2,400 .............. .............. CONTROL POINT RANGE.... LIVE FIRE SHOOT HOUSE... 3,100 3,100 3,100 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, FLORIDA........ 236,770 236,770 236,770 .............. .............. GEORGIA ARMY: FORT BENNING: LAND ACQUISITION........ 5,100 5,100 5,100 .............. .............. LAND ACQUISITION........ 25,000 25,000 25,000 .............. .............. RAIL LOADING FACILITY... 13,600 13,600 13,600 .............. .............. TRAINEE BARRACKS 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. COMPLEX, PHASE 3....... FORT GORDON: HAND GRENADE 1,450 1,450 1,450 .............. .............. FAMILIARIZATION RANGE.. FORT STEWART: DOG KENNEL.............. 2,600 2,600 2,600 .............. .............. NAVY: KINGS BAY: CRAB ISLAND SECURITY 52,913 52,913 52,913 .............. .............. ENCLAVE................ WRA LAND/WATER INTERFACE 33,150 33,150 33,150 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: FORT BENNING: REPLACE MCBRIDE 37,205 37,205 37,205 .............. .............. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...... FORT GORDON: WHITELAW WEDGE BUILDING 11,340 11,340 17,705 +6,365 +6,365 ADDITION............... FORT STEWART: HOSPITAL ADDITION/ 72,300 72,300 72,300 .............. .............. ALTERATION, PHASE 2.... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: ATLANTA: READINESS CENTER........ 11,000 11,000 11,000 .............. .............. HINESVILLE: MANEUVER AREA TRAINING 17,500 17,500 17,500 .............. .............. AND EQUIPMENT SITE, PHASE 1................ MACON: READINESS CENTER, PHASE 14,500 14,500 14,500 .............. .............. 1...................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, GEORGIA........ 320,658 320,658 327,023 +6,365 +6,365 HAWAII ARMY: FORT SHAFTER: CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 17,500 17,500 17,500 .............. .............. SCHOFIELD BARRACKS: CENTRALIZED WASH 32,000 32,000 32,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... COMBAT AVIATION BRIGADE 73,000 73,000 73,000 .............. .............. COMPLEX, PHASE 1....... NAVY: BARKING SANDS: NORTH LOOP ELECTRICAL 9,679 9,679 9,679 .............. .............. REPLACEMENT............ JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR- HICKAM: NAVY INFORMATION 7,492 7,492 7,492 .............. .............. OPERATIONS COMMAND FES FACILITY............... KANEOHE BAY: MCAS OPERATIONS COMPLEX. 57,704 57,704 57,704 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR- HICKAM: ALTER WAREHOUSE SPACE... 9,200 9,200 9,200 .............. .............. UPGRADE REFUELER TRUCK 5,200 5,200 5,200 .............. .............. PARKING AREA........... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: KALAELOA: READINESS CENTER, PHASE 33,000 33,000 33,000 .............. .............. 1...................... AIR NATIONAL GUARD: JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR- HICKAM: TFI--F-22 COMBAT 12,721 12,721 12,721 .............. .............. AIRCRAFT PARKING APRON. TFI--F-22 FLIGHT 19,800 19,800 19,800 .............. .............. SIMULATOR FACILITY..... TFI--F-22 WEAPONS LOAD 7,000 7,000 7,000 .............. .............. CREW TRAINING FACILITY. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, HAWAII......... 284,296 284,296 284,296 .............. .............. ILLINOIS NAVY: GREAT LAKES: DECENTRALIZE STEAM 91,042 91,042 91,042 .............. .............. SYSTEM................. DEFENSE-WIDE: GREAT LAKES: HEALTH CLINIC DEMOLITION 16,900 16,900 16,900 .............. .............. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: NORMAL: READINESS CENTER........ 10,000 10,000 10,000 .............. .............. ARMY RESERVE: HOMEWOOD: ARMY RESERVE CENTER..... 16,000 16,000 16,000 .............. .............. ROCKFORD: ARMY RESERVE CENTER/LAND 12,800 12,800 12,800 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, ILLINOIS....... 146,742 146,742 146,742 .............. .............. INDIANA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP ATTERBURY: DEPLOYMENT PROCESSING 8,900 8,900 8,900 .............. .............. FACILITY............... OPERATIONS READINESS 27,000 27,000 27,000 .............. .............. TRAINING COMPLEX 2..... OPERATIONS READINESS 25,000 25,000 25,000 .............. .............. TRAINING COMPLEX 1..... RAILHEAD EXPANSION AND 21,000 21,000 21,000 .............. .............. CONTAINER FACILITY..... INDIANAPOLIS: JFHQ ADDITION/ALTERATION 25,700 25,700 25,700 .............. .............. AIR NATIONAL GUARD: FORT WAYNE IAP: A-10 FACILITY 4,000 4,000 4,000 .............. .............. CONVERSION--MUNITIONS.. ARMY RESERVE: LAWRENCE: ARMY RESERVE CENTER..... 57,000 57,000 57,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, INDIANA........ 168,600 168,600 168,600 .............. .............. KANSAS ARMY: FORBES AIR FIELD: DEPLOYMENT SUPPORT 5,300 5,300 5,300 .............. .............. FACILITY............... FORT RILEY: CHAPEL.................. 10,400 10,400 10,400 .............. .............. PHYSICAL FITNESS 13,000 13,000 13,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE 60,000 60,000 60,000 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE HANGAR..... AIR FORCE: FORT RILEY: AIR SUPPORT OPERATIONS 7,600 7,600 7,600 .............. .............. CENTER................. ARMY RESERVE: KANSAS CITY: ARMY RESERVE CENTER/LAND 13,000 13,000 13,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, KANSAS......... 109,300 109,300 109,300 .............. .............. KENTUCKY ARMY: FORT CAMPBELL: BARRACKS................ 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. BARRACKS COMPLEX........ 65,000 65,000 65,000 .............. .............. PHYSICAL FITNESS 18,500 18,500 18,500 .............. .............. FACILITY............... SCOUT/RECCE GUNNERY 18,000 18,000 18,000 .............. .............. RANGE.................. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE 67,000 67,000 67,000 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE HANGAR..... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 16,000 16,000 16,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 40,000 40,000 40,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... FORT KNOX: AUTOMATED INFANTRY 7,000 7,000 7,000 .............. .............. PLATOON BATTLE COURSE.. BATTALION COMPLEX....... 48,000 48,000 48,000 .............. .............. CHEMICAL DEMILITARIZATION CONSTRUCTION, ARMY: BLUE GRASS ARMY DEPOT: AMMUNITION 59,974 59,974 59,974 .............. .............. DEMILITARIZATION, PHASE XII.................... FORT CAMPBELL: HOSPITAL ADDITION/ 56,600 56,600 56,600 .............. .............. ALTERATION............. SOF MH47 AVIATION 43,000 43,000 43,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... SOF ROTARY WING HANGAR.. 38,900 38,900 38,900 .............. .............. FORT KNOX: REPLACE KINGSOLVER- 38,845 38,845 38,845 .............. .............. PIERCE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS................ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, KENTUCKY....... 539,819 539,819 539,819 .............. .............. LOUISIANA ARMY: FORT POLK: BRIGADE COMPLEX......... 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. FIRE STATION............ 9,200 9,200 9,200 .............. .............. LAND ACQUISITION........ 27,000 27,000 27,000 .............. .............. MILITARY WORKING DOG 2,600 2,600 2,600 .............. .............. FACILITY............... MULTIPURPOSE MACHINE GUN 8,300 8,300 8,300 .............. .............. RANGE.................. AIR FORCE: BARKSDALE AFB: MISSION SUPPORT GROUP 23,500 23,500 23,500 .............. .............. COMPLEX................ DEFENSE-WIDE: BARKSDALE AFB: HYDRANT FUEL SYSTEM..... 6,200 6,200 6,200 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, LOUISIANA...... 99,800 99,800 99,800 .............. .............. MAINE ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: BANGOR: READINESS CENTER........ 15,600 15,600 15,600 .............. .............. BRUNSWICK: ARMED FORCES RESERVE 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. CENTER................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, MAINE.......... 38,600 38,600 38,600 .............. .............. MARYLAND ARMY: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND: AUTO TECHNOLOGY 15,500 15,500 15,500 .............. .............. EVALUATION FACILITY, PHASE 3................ COMMAND AND CONTROL 63,000 63,000 63,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... FORT MEADE: APPLIED INSTRUCTION 43,000 43,000 43,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... BRIGADE COMPLEX......... 36,000 36,000 36,000 .............. .............. NAVY: INDIAN HEAD: DECENTRALIZE STEAM 67,779 67,779 67,779 .............. .............. SYSTEM................. PATUXENT RIVER: AIRCRAFT PROTOTYPE 45,844 45,844 45,844 .............. .............. FACILITY, PHASE 2...... DEFENSE-WIDE: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND: USAMRICD REPLACEMENT, 22,850 22,850 22,850 .............. .............. INC 4.................. BETHESDA NAVAL HOSPITAL: CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 18,000 18,000 18,000 .............. .............. ADDITION/ALTERATION.... FORT DETRICK: USAMRIID STAGE I, INC 6. 137,600 137,600 137,600 .............. .............. FORT MEADE: HIGH PERFORMANCE 29,640 29,640 .............. -29,640 -29,640 COMPUTING CAPACITY INC 1...................... JOINT BASE ANDREWS: AMBULATORY CARE CENTER.. 242,900 179,300 121,400 -121,500 -57,900 DENTAL CLINIC 22,800 22,800 22,800 .............. .............. REPLACEMENT............ ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: DUNDALK: READINESS CENTER 16,000 16,000 16,000 .............. .............. ADDITION/ALTERATION.... LA PLATA: READINESS CENTER........ 9,000 9,000 9,000 .............. .............. WESTMINSTER: READINESS CENTER 10,400 10,400 10,400 .............. .............. ADDITION/ALTERATION.... AIR NATIONAL GUARD: MARTIN STATE AIRPORT: TFI--C-27 CONVERSION-- 4,900 4,900 4,900 .............. .............. SQUADRON OPERATIONS.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, MARYLAND....... 785,213 721,613 634,073 -151,140 -87,540 MASSACHUSETTS DEFENSE-WIDE: HANSCOM AFB: REPLACE HANSCOM MIDDLE 34,040 34,040 34,040 .............. .............. SCHOOL................. WESTOVER ARB: REPLACE HYDRANT FUEL 23,300 23,300 23,300 .............. .............. SYSTEM................. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: NATICK: READINESS CENTER........ 9,000 9,000 9,000 .............. .............. AIR NATIONAL GUARD: OTIS ANGB: TFI--CNAF BEDDOWN-- 7,800 7,800 7,800 .............. .............. UPGRADE FACILITY....... ARMY RESERVE: ATTLEBORO: ARMY RESERVE CENTER/LAND 22,000 22,000 22,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, MASSACHUSETTS.. 96,140 96,140 96,140 .............. .............. MINNESOTA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP RIPLEY: MULTIPURPOSE MACHINE GUN 8,400 8,400 8,400 .............. .............. RANGE.................. ARMY RESERVE: SAINT JOSEPH: ARMY RESERVE CENTER..... 11,800 11,800 11,800 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, MINNESOTA...... 20,200 20,200 20,200 .............. .............. MISSISSIPPI DEFENSE-WIDE: COLUMBUS AFB: REPLACE REFUELER PARKING 2,600 2,600 2,600 .............. .............. FACILITY............... GULFPORT: MEDICAL CLINIC 34,700 34,700 34,700 .............. .............. REPLACEMENT............ ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP SHELBY: DEPLOYMENT PROCESSING 12,600 12,600 12,600 .............. .............. FACILITY............... OPERATIONAL READINESS 27,000 27,000 27,000 .............. .............. TRAINING COMPLEX, PHASE 1...................... TROOP HOUSING [ORTC], 25,000 25,000 25,000 .............. .............. PHASE 1................ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, MISSISSIPPI.... 101,900 101,900 101,900 .............. .............. MISSOURI ARMY: FORT LEONARD WOOD: VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 49,000 49,000 49,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... AIR FORCE: WHITEMAN AFB: WSA SECURITY CONTROL 4,800 4,800 4,800 .............. .............. FACILITY............... DEFENSE-WIDE: ARNOLD: DATA CENTER WEST #1 9,253 9,253 9,253 .............. .............. POWER AND COOLING UPGRADE................ ARMY RESERVE: WELDON SPRINGS: ARMY RESERVE CENTER..... 19,000 19,000 19,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, MISSOURI....... 82,053 82,053 82,053 .............. .............. NEBRASKA AIR FORCE: OFFUTT AFB: STRATCOM REPLACEMENT 150,000 150,000 120,000 -30,000 -30,000 FACILITY INCR 1........ ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: GRAND ISLAND: READINESS CENTER........ 22,000 22,000 22,000 .............. .............. MEAD: READINESS CENTER........ 9,100 9,100 9,100 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, NEBRASKA....... 181,100 181,100 151,100 -30,000 -30,000 NEVADA AIR FORCE: NELLIS AFB: COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK 11,600 11,600 11,600 .............. .............. CONTROL CENTER......... F-35 ADDITION/ALTERATION 2,750 2,750 2,750 .............. .............. ENGINE SHOP............ F-35A AGE FACILITY...... 21,500 .............. 21,500 .............. +21,500 ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: LAS VEGAS: FIELD MAINTENANCE SHOP.. 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, NEVADA......... 58,850 37,350 58,850 .............. +21,500 NEW JERSEY ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: LAKEHURST: ARMY AVIATION SUPORT 49,000 49,000 49,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, NEW JERSEY..... 49,000 49,000 49,000 .............. .............. NEW MEXICO AIR FORCE: CANNON AFB: ADAL WASTEWATER 7,598 7,598 7,598 .............. .............. TREATMENT PLANT........ DORMITORY (96 RM)....... 15,000 15,000 15,000 .............. .............. HOLLOMAN AFB: CHILD DEVELOPMENT CENTER 11,200 11,200 11,200 .............. .............. F-16 ACADEMIC FACILITY.. 5,800 5,800 5,800 .............. .............. F-16 SEAD TRAINING 4,200 4,200 4,200 .............. .............. FACILITY............... PARALLEL TAXIWAY 07/25.. 8,000 8,000 8,000 .............. .............. KIRTLAND AFB: AFNWC SUSTAINMENT CENTER 25,000 25,000 25,000 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: CANNON AFB: SOF ADAL SIMULATOR 9,600 9,600 9,600 .............. .............. FACILITY............... SOF AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 15,000 15,000 15,000 .............. .............. SQUADRON FACILITY...... SOF APRON AND TAXIWAY... 28,100 28,100 28,100 .............. .............. SOF C-130 SQUADRON 10,941 10,941 10,941 .............. .............. OPERATIONS FACILITY.... SOF C-130 WASH RACK 10,856 10,856 10,856 .............. .............. HANGAR................. SOF HANGAR AIRCRAFT 41,200 41,200 41,200 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE UNIT....... SOF SQUADRON OPERATIONS 17,300 17,300 17,300 .............. .............. FACILITY............... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: SANTA FE: READINESS CENTER 5,200 5,200 5,200 .............. .............. ADDITION/ALTERATION.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, NEW MEXICO..... 214,995 214,995 214,995 .............. .............. NEW YORK ARMY: FORT DRUM: AMMUNITION SUPPLY POINT. 5,700 5,700 5,700 .............. .............. CHAPEL.................. 7,600 7,600 7,600 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: FORT DRUM: DENTAL CLINIC ADDITION/ 4,700 4,700 4,700 .............. .............. ALTERATION............. MEDICAL CLINIC.......... 15,700 15,700 15,700 .............. .............. ARMY RESERVE: SCHENECTADY: ARMY RESERVE CENTER..... 20,000 20,000 20,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, NEW YORK....... 53,700 53,700 53,700 .............. .............. NORTH CAROLINA ARMY: FORT BRAGG: ACCESS ROADS, PHASE 2... 18,000 18,000 18,000 .............. .............. BATTLE COMMAND TRAINING 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. CENTER................. BRIGADE COMPLEX 49,000 49,000 49,000 .............. .............. FACILITIES............. NCO ACADEMY............. 42,000 42,000 42,000 .............. .............. UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE 54,000 54,000 54,000 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE HANGAR..... NAVY: CAMP LEJEUNE: 2ND COMBAT ENGINEER 75,214 75,214 75,214 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE/OPS COMPLEX BACHELOR ENLISTED 27,439 27,439 27,439 .............. .............. QUARTERS--WALLACE CREEK BASE ENTRY POINT AND 81,008 81,008 81,008 .............. .............. ROAD................... SQUAD BATTLE COURSE..... 16,821 16,821 16,821 .............. .............. CHERRY POINT MARINE CORPS AIR STATION: H-1 HELICOPTER GEARBOX 17,760 17,760 17,760 .............. .............. REPAIR AND TEST FACILITY............... NEW RIVER: AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE 69,511 69,511 69,511 .............. .............. HANGAR AND APRON....... ORDNANCE LOADING AREA 9,419 9,419 9,419 .............. .............. ADDITIION.............. AIR FORCE: POPE AFB: C-130 FLIGHT SIMULATOR.. 6,000 6,000 6,000 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: CAMP LEJEUNE: SOF ARMORY FACILITY 6,670 6,670 6,670 .............. .............. EXPANSION.............. FORT BRAGG: HOSPITAL ALTERATION..... 57,600 57,600 57,600 .............. .............. REPLACE DISTRICT 3,138 3,138 3,138 .............. .............. SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE SOF ADMINISTRATIVE ANNEX 12,000 12,000 12,000 .............. .............. SOF BATTALION OPERATIONS 23,478 23,478 23,478 .............. .............. COMPLEX................ SOF BATTALION OPERATIONS 41,000 41,000 41,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... SOF BRIGADE HEADQUARTERS 19,000 19,000 19,000 .............. .............. SOF COMMUNICATIONS 10,758 10,758 10,758 .............. .............. TRAINING COMPLEX....... SOF ENTRY CONTROL POINT. 2,300 2,300 2,300 .............. .............. SOF GROUP HEADQUARTERS.. 26,000 26,000 26,000 .............. .............. SOF SQUADRON HQ ADDITION 11,000 11,000 11,000 .............. .............. NEW RIVER: REPLACE DELALIO 22,687 22,687 22,687 .............. .............. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...... POPE AFB: SOF TRAINING FACILITY... 5,400 5,400 5,400 .............. .............. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: GREENSBORO: READINESS CENTER 3,700 3,700 3,700 .............. .............. ADDITION/ALTERATION.... ARMY RESERVE: GREENSBORO: ARMY RESERVE CENTER/LAND 19,000 19,000 19,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, NORTH CAROLINA. 752,903 752,903 752,903 .............. .............. NORTH DAKOTA AIR FORCE: MINOT AFB: B-52 3-BAY CONVENTIONAL 11,800 11,800 11,800 .............. .............. MUNITIONS MAINTENANCE.. B-52 TWO-BAY PHASE 34,000 34,000 34,000 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE DOCK....... DORMITORY (168 RM)...... 22,000 22,000 22,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, NORTH DAKOTA... 67,800 67,800 67,800 .............. .............. OHIO DEFENSE-WIDE: COLUMBUS: SECURITY ENHANCEMENTS... 10,000 10,000 10,000 .............. .............. AIR NATIONAL GUARD: SPRINGFIELD BECKLEY--MAP: ALTER PREDATOR 6,700 6,700 6,700 .............. .............. OPERATIONS CENTER...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, OHIO........... 16,700 16,700 16,700 .............. .............. OKLAHOMA ARMY: FORT SILL: BATTLE COMMAND TRAINING 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. CENTER................. CHAPEL.................. 13,200 13,200 13,200 .............. .............. PHYSICAL FITNESS 25,000 25,000 25,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... RAIL DEPLOYMENT FACILITY 3,400 3,400 3,400 .............. .............. RECEPTION STATION, PHASE 36,000 36,000 36,000 .............. .............. 1...................... THAAD INSTRUCTION 33,000 33,000 33,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 51,000 51,000 51,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... MCALESTER: AMMUNITION LOADING PADS. 1,700 1,700 1,700 .............. .............. RAILROAD TRACKS......... 6,300 6,300 6,300 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: ALTUS AFB: REPLACE FUEL TRANSFER 8,200 8,200 8,200 .............. .............. PIPELINE............... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP GRUBER: LIVE FIRE SHOOT HOUSE... 3,000 3,000 3,000 .............. .............. UPGRADE--COMBINED ARMS 10,361 10,361 10,361 .............. .............. COLLECTIVE TRAINING FACILITY............... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, OKLAHOMA....... 214,161 214,161 214,161 .............. .............. OREGON ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: THE DALLES: READINESS CENTER........ 13,800 13,800 13,800 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, OREGON......... 13,800 13,800 13,800 .............. .............. PENNSYLVANIA DEFENSE-WIDE: DEF DISTRIBUTION DEPOT NEW CUMBERLAND: ENCLOSE OPEN-SIDED SHED. 3,000 3,000 3,000 .............. .............. REPLACE GENERAL PURPOSE 25,500 25,500 25,500 .............. .............. WAREHOUSE.............. UPGRADE ACCESS CONTROL 17,500 17,500 17,500 .............. .............. POINTS................. PHILADELPHIA: UPGRADE HVAC SYSTEM..... 8,000 8,000 8,000 .............. .............. NAVY RESERVE: PITTSBURGH: ARMED FORCES RESERVE 13,759 13,759 13,759 .............. .............. CENTER................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, PENNSYLVANIA... 67,759 67,759 67,759 .............. .............. SOUTH CAROLINA ARMY: FORT JACKSON: MODIFIED RECORD FIRE 4,900 4,900 4,900 .............. .............. RANGE.................. TRAINEE BARRACKS 59,000 59,000 59,000 .............. .............. COMPLEX, PHASE 2....... NAVY: BEAUFORT: VERTICAL LANDING PADS... 21,096 21,096 21,096 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: JOINT BASE CHARLESTON: REPLACE FUEL STORAGE AND 24,868 24,868 24,868 .............. .............. DISTRIBUTION FACILITY.. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: ALLENDALE: READINESS CENTER 4,300 4,300 4,300 .............. .............. ADDITION/ALTERATION.... ARMY RESERVE: ORANGEBURG: ARMY RESERVE CENTER/LAND 12,000 12,000 12,000 .............. .............. AIR FORCE RESERVE: CHARLESTON AFB: TFI RED HORSE READINESS 9,593 9,593 9,593 .............. .............. AND TRAINING CENTER.... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, SOUTH CAROLINA. 135,757 135,757 135,757 .............. .............. TENNESSEE NAVY RESERVE: MEMPHIS: RESERVE TRAINING CENTER. 7,949 7,949 7,949 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, TENNESSEE...... 7,949 7,949 7,949 .............. .............. TEXAS ARMY: FORT BLISS: APPLIED INSTRUCTION 8,300 8,300 8,300 .............. .............. BUILDING............... BARRACKS COMPLEX........ 13,000 13,000 13,000 .............. .............. ELECTRONICS MAINTENANCE 14,600 14,600 14,600 .............. .............. FACILITY............... INFRASTRUCTURE.......... 14,600 14,600 .............. -14,600 -14,600 JLENS TACTICAL TRAINING 39,000 39,000 39,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 24,000 24,000 .............. -24,000 -24,000 FACILITY............... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 14,600 14,600 14,600 .............. .............. FACILITY............... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 19,000 19,000 19,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... WATER WELL, POTABLE..... 2,400 2,400 2,400 .............. .............. FORT HOOD: OPERATIONAL READINESS 51,000 51,000 51,000 .............. .............. TRAINING COMPLEX....... UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE 47,000 47,000 47,000 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE HANGAR..... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 15,500 15,500 15,500 .............. .............. FACILITY............... VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 18,500 18,500 18,500 .............. .............. FACILITY............... JB SAN ANTONIO: VEHICLE MAINTENANCE 10,400 10,400 10,400 .............. .............. FACILITY............... RED RIVER ARMY DEPOT: MANEUVER SYSTEMS 44,000 44,000 44,000 .............. .............. SUSTAINMENT CENTER, PHASE 3................ AIR FORCE: JB SAN ANTONIO: BMT RECRUIT DORMITORY 4, 64,000 64,000 64,000 .............. .............. PHASE IV............... JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO: ADVANCED INDIVIDUAL 46,000 46,000 46,000 .............. .............. TRAINING [AIT] BARRACKS (300 RM)............... DEFENSE-WIDE: FORT BLISS: HOSPITAL REPLACEMENT 136,700 86,700 109,400 -27,300 +22,700 INCR 3................. JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO: AMBULATORY CARE CENTER, 161,300 161,300 80,600 -80,700 -80,700 PHASE 3................ HOSPITAL NUTRITION CARE 33,000 33,000 33,000 .............. .............. DEPARTMENT ADDITION/ ALTERATION............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, TEXAS.......... 776,900 726,900 630,300 -146,600 -96,600 UTAH ARMY: DUGWAY PROVING GROUND: LIFE SCIENCES TEST 32,000 32,000 32,000 .............. .............. FACILITY ADDITION...... AIR FORCE: HILL AFB: F-22 SYSTEM SUPPORT 16,500 16,500 16,500 .............. .............. FACILITY............... F-35 ADAL HANGAR 45E/AMU 6,800 6,800 .............. -6,800 -6,800 DEFENSE-WIDE: CAMP WILLIAMS: IC CNCI DATA CENTER 1 246,401 246,401 123,201 -123,200 -123,200 INC 3.................. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP WILLIAMS: MULTIPURPOSE MACHINE GUN 6,500 6,500 6,500 .............. .............. RANGE.................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, UTAH........... 308,201 308,201 178,201 -130,000 -130,000 VIRGINIA ARMY: FORT BELVOIR: INFORMATION DOMINANCE 52,000 52,000 52,000 .............. .............. CENTER, PHASE 1........ ROAD AND INFRASTUCTURE 31,000 31,000 .............. -31,000 -31,000 IMPROVEMENTS........... JB LANGLEY EUSTIS: AVIATION TRAINING 26,000 26,000 26,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... NAVY: NORFOLK: BACHELOR QUARTERS, 81,304 81,304 81,304 .............. .............. HOMEPORT ASHORE........ DECENTRALIZE STEAM 26,924 26,924 26,924 .............. .............. SYSTEM................. PORTSMOUTH: CONTROLLED INDUSTRIAL 74,864 74,864 74,864 .............. .............. FACILITY............... QUANTICO: ACADEMIC INSTRUCTION 75,304 75,304 75,304 .............. .............. FACILITY............... BACHELOR ENLISTED 31,374 31,374 31,374 .............. .............. QUARTERS............... EMBASSY SECURITY GROUP 27,079 27,079 27,079 .............. .............. FACILITIES............. ENLISTED DINING FACILITY 5,034 5,034 5,034 .............. .............. REALIGN PURVIS RD/ 6,442 6,442 6,442 .............. .............. RUSSELL ROAD INTERSECTION........... THE BASIC SCHOOL STUDENT 28,488 28,488 28,488 .............. .............. QUARTERS, PHASE 6...... WASTE WATER TREATMENT 9,969 9,969 9,969 .............. .............. PLANT--UPSHUR.......... AIR FORCE: JB LANGLEY EUSTIS: AIT BARRACKS COMPLEX, 50,000 50,000 50,000 .............. .............. PHASE 2................ DEFENSE-WIDE: CHARLOTTESVILLE: REMOTE DELIVERY FACILITY 10,805 10,805 10,805 .............. .............. DAHLGREN: DAHLGREN E/MS SCHOOL 1,988 1,988 1,988 .............. .............. ADDITION............... DAM NECK: SOF BUILDING RENOVATION. 3,814 3,814 3,814 .............. .............. SOF LOGISTIC SUPPORT 14,402 14,402 14,402 .............. .............. FACILITY............... SOF MILITARY WORKING DOG 4,900 4,900 4,900 .............. .............. FACILITY............... FORT BELVOIR: TECHNOLOGY CENTER THIRD 54,625 54,625 54,625 .............. .............. FLOOR FIT--OUT......... JOINT EXPEDITIONARY BASE LITTLE CREEK--STORY: SOF SEAL TEAM OPERATIONS 37,000 37,000 37,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... PENTAGON: HELIPORT CONTROL TOWER/ 6,457 6,457 6,457 .............. .............. FIRE STATION........... PENTAGON MEMORIAL 2,285 2,285 2,285 .............. .............. PEDESTRIAN PLAZA....... QUANTICO: DEFENSE ACCESS ROAD 4,000 4,000 4,000 .............. .............. IMPROVEMENTS--TELEGRAPH ROAD................... DSS HEADQUARTERS 42,727 42,727 42,727 .............. .............. ADDITION............... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: FORT PICKETT: COMBINED ARMS COLLECTIVE 11,000 11,000 11,000 .............. .............. TRAINING FACILITY...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, VIRGINIA....... 719,785 719,785 688,785 -31,000 -31,000 WASHINGTON ARMY: JB LEWIS MCCHORD: AIR SUPPORT OPERATIONS 7,300 7,300 7,300 .............. .............. FACILITIES............. AVIATION COMPLEX, PHASE 48,000 48,000 48,000 .............. .............. 1B..................... AVIATION UNIT COMPLEX, 34,000 34,000 34,000 .............. .............. PHASE 1A............... BATTALION COMPLEX....... 59,000 59,000 59,000 .............. .............. BRIGADE COMPLEX, PHASE 2 56,000 56,000 56,000 .............. .............. INFRASTRUCTURE, PHASE 1. 64,000 64,000 64,000 .............. .............. OPERATIONAL READINESS 28,000 28,000 28,000 .............. .............. TRAINING COMPLEX, PHASE 1...................... NAVY: BREMERTON: INTEGRATED DRY DOCK 13,341 13,341 13,341 .............. .............. WATER TREATMENT FACILITY, PHASE 1...... KITSAP: EHW SECURITY FORCE 25,948 25,948 25,948 .............. .............. FACILITY (BANGOR)...... EXPLOSIVES HANDLING 78,002 78,002 78,002 .............. .............. WHARF #2 (INC 1)....... WATERFRONT RESTRICTED 17,894 17,894 17,894 .............. .............. AREA VEHICLE BARRIERS.. AIR FORCE: FAIRCHILD AFB: SERE FORCE SUPPORT, 14,000 14,000 14,000 .............. .............. PHASE 2................ WING HEADQUARTERS....... 13,600 13,600 13,600 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: JB LEWIS MCCHORD: SOF COMPANY OPERATIONS 21,000 21,000 21,000 .............. .............. FACILITY............... JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD: REPLACE FUEL 14,000 14,000 14,000 .............. .............. DISTRIBUTION FACILITIES WHIDBEY ISLAND: REPLACE FUEL PIPELINE... 25,000 25,000 25,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, WASHINGTON..... 519,085 519,085 519,085 .............. .............. WEST VIRGINIA DEFENSE-WIDE: CAMP DAWSON: REPLACE HYDRANT FUEL 2,200 2,200 2,200 .............. .............. SYSTEM................. ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: BUCKHANNON: READINESS CENTER, PHASE 10,000 10,000 10,000 .............. .............. 1...................... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, WEST VIRGINIA.. 12,200 12,200 12,200 .............. .............. WISCONSIN ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CAMP WILLIAMS: TACTICAL UNMANNED 7,000 7,000 7,000 .............. .............. AIRCRAFT SYSTEM FACILITY............... ARMY RESERVE: FORT MCCOY: AUTOMATED RECORD FIRE 4,600 4,600 4,600 .............. .............. RANGE.................. CONTAINER LOADING 5,300 5,300 5,300 .............. .............. FACILITY............... MODIFIED RECORD FIRE 5,400 5,400 5,400 .............. .............. KNOWN DISTANCE RANGE... NCOA PHASE III-- 12,000 12,000 12,000 .............. .............. BILLETING.............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, WISCONSIN...... 34,300 34,300 34,300 .............. .............. WYOMING ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: CHEYENNE: READINESS CENTER........ 8,900 8,900 8,900 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, WYOMING........ 8,900 8,900 8,900 .............. .............. AFGHANISTAN ARMY: BAGRAM AIR BASE: BARRACKS, PHASE 5....... 29,000 29,000 29,000 .............. .............. CONSTRUCT DRAINAGE 31,000 31,000 31,000 .............. .............. SYSTEM, PHASE 3........ ENTRY CONTROL POINT..... 20,000 20,000 20,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, AFGHANISTAN.... 80,000 80,000 80,000 .............. .............. BAHRAIN ISLAND NAVY: SW ASIA: BACHELOR ENLISTED 55,010 55,010 .............. -55,010 -55,010 QUARTERS............... WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT, 45,194 45,194 .............. -45,194 -45,194 PHASE 4................ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, BAHRAIN ISLAND. 100,204 100,204 .............. -100,204 -100,204 BELGIUM DEFENSE-WIDE: BRUSSELS: NATO HEADQUARTERS 24,118 24,118 24,118 .............. .............. FACILITY............... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, BELGIUM........ 24,118 24,118 24,118 .............. .............. DIEGO GARCIA NAVY: DIEGO GARCIA: POTABLE WATER PLANT 35,444 35,444 35,444 .............. .............. MODERNIZATION.......... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, DIEGO GARCIA... 35,444 35,444 35,444 .............. .............. DJIBOUTI NAVY: CAMP LEMONIER: AIRCRAFT LOGISTICS APRON 35,170 35,170 35,170 .............. .............. BACHELOR QUARTERS....... 43,529 43,529 43,529 .............. .............. TAXIWAY ENHANCEMENT..... 10,800 10,800 10,800 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, DJIBOUTI....... 89,499 89,499 89,499 .............. .............. GERMANY ARMY: GERMERSHEIM: CENTRAL DISTRIBUTION 21,000 .............. .............. -21,000 .............. FACILITY............... INFRASTRUCTURE.......... 16,500 .............. .............. -16,500 .............. GRAFENWOEHR: BARRACKS................ 17,500 17,500 17,500 .............. .............. CHAPEL.................. 15,500 15,500 15,500 .............. .............. CONVOY LIVE FIRE RANGE.. 5,000 5,000 5,000 .............. .............. LANDSTUHL: SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS 24,000 24,000 24,000 .............. .............. CENTER................. SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS 39,000 39,000 39,000 .............. .............. CENTER................. OBERDACHSTETTEN: AUTOMATED RECORD FIRE 12,200 12,200 12,200 .............. .............. RANGE.................. STUTTGART: ACCESS CONTROL POINT.... 12,200 12,200 12,200 .............. .............. VILSECK: BARRACKS................ 20,000 20,000 20,000 .............. .............. AIR FORCE: RAMSTEIN AB: DORMITORY (192 RM)...... 34,697 34,697 34,697 .............. .............. DEFENSE-WIDE: ANSBACH: ANSBACH MIDDLE/HIGH 11,672 11,672 11,672 .............. .............. SCHOOL ADDITION........ BAUMHOLDER: REPLACE WETZEL-SMITH 59,419 59,419 59,419 .............. .............. ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS..... GRAFENWOEHR: NETZABERG MS SCHOOL 6,529 6,529 6,529 .............. .............. ADDITION............... RHINE ORDNANCE BARRACKS: MEDICAL CENTER 70,592 70,592 70,592 .............. .............. REPLACEMENT INCR 1..... SPANGDAHLEM AB: REPLACE BITBURG 41,876 41,876 41,876 .............. .............. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL...... REPLACE BITBURG MIDDLE 87,167 87,167 87,167 .............. .............. AND HIGH SCHOOL........ STUTTGART-PATCH BARRACKS: DISA EUROPE FACILITY 2,434 2,434 2,434 .............. .............. UPGRADES............... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, GERMANY........ 497,286 459,786 459,786 -37,500 .............. GREENLAND AIR FORCE: THULE AB: DORMITORY (72 PN)....... 28,000 28,000 28,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, GREENLAND...... 28,000 28,000 28,000 .............. .............. GUAM NAVY: JOINT REGION MARIANAS: FINEGAYAN WATER 77,267 77,267 .............. -77,267 -77,267 UTILITIES.............. NORTH RAMP UTILITIES-- 78,654 78,654 .............. -78,654 -78,654 ANDERSON AFB (INC)..... AIR FORCE: JOINT REGION MARIANAS: AIR FREIGHT TERMINAL 35,000 35,000 35,000 .............. .............. COMPLEX................ GUAM STRIKE CLEAR WATER 7,500 7,500 7,500 .............. .............. RINSE FACILITY......... GUAM STRIKE CONVENTIONAL 11,700 11,700 11,700 .............. .............. MUNITIONS MAINTENANCE FACILITY............... GUAM STRIKE FUEL SYSTEMS 128,000 64,000 64,000 -64,000 .............. MAINTENANCE HANGAR..... PRTC COMBAT 9,800 9,800 9,800 .............. .............. COMMUNICATIONS COMBAT SUPPORT................ PRTC COMBAT 5,600 5,600 5,600 .............. .............. COMMUNICATIONS TRANSMISSION SYSTEM.... PRTC RED HORSE 14,000 14,000 14,000 .............. .............. CANTONMENT OPERATIONS FACILITY............... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, GUAM........... 367,521 303,521 147,600 -219,921 -155,921 HONDURAS ARMY: HONDURAS: SOFO CANO AB: BARRACKS............ 25,000 25,000 20,000 -5,000 -5,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, HONDURAS... 25,000 25,000 20,000 -5,000 -5,000 ITALY AIR FORCE: SIGONELLA: UAS SATCOM RELAY PADS 15,000 15,000 15,000 .............. .............. AND FACILITY........... DEFENSE-WIDE: VICENZA: REPLACE VICENZA HIGH 41,864 41,864 41,864 .............. .............. SCHOOL................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, ITALY.......... 56,864 56,864 56,864 .............. .............. JAPAN DEFENSE-WIDE: YOKOTA AB: REPLACE TEMPORARY 12,236 12,236 12,236 .............. .............. CLASSROOM/JOAN K. MENDEL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL................. REPLACE YOKOTA HIGH 49,606 49,606 49,606 .............. .............. SCHOOL................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, JAPAN.......... 61,842 61,842 61,842 .............. .............. KOREA ARMY: CAMP CARROLL: BARRACKS................ 41,000 41,000 41,000 .............. .............. CAMP HENRY: BARRACKS COMPLEX........ 48,000 48,000 48,000 .............. .............. AIR FORCE: OSAN AB: DORMITORY (156 RM)...... 23,000 23,000 23,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, KOREA.......... 112,000 112,000 112,000 .............. .............. PUERTO RICO ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: FORT BUCHANAN: READINESS CENTER........ 57,000 57,000 57,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, PUERTO RICO.... 57,000 57,000 57,000 .............. .............. QATAR AIR FORCE: AL UDEID: BLATCHFORD PRESTON 37,000 37,000 .............. -37,000 -37,000 COMPLEX, PHASE IV...... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, QATAR........ 37,000 37,000 .............. -37,000 -37,000 UNITED KINGDOM DEFENSE-WIDE: MENWITH HILL STATION: MHS PSC CONSTRUCTION 68,601 68,601 68,601 .............. .............. GENERATOR PLANT........ ROYAL AIR FORCE ALCONBURY: REPLACE ALCONBURY HIGH 35,030 35,030 35,030 .............. .............. SCHOOL................. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL, UNITED KINGDOM. 103,631 103,631 103,631 .............. .............. NATO SECURITY INVESTMENT PROGRAM 272,611 247,611 272,611 .............. +25,000 WORLDWIDE UNSPECIFIED ARMY: HOST NATION SUPPORT......... 25,500 25,500 25,500 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 20,000 20,000 20,000 .............. .............. PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 229,741 229,741 229,741 .............. .............. RESCISSION.................. .............. -100,000 .............. .............. +100,000 NAVY: PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 84,362 84,362 84,362 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 21,495 21,495 21,495 .............. .............. RESCISSION.................. .............. -25,000 .............. .............. +25,000 AIR FORCE: PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 81,913 81,913 81,913 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 20,000 20,000 20,000 .............. .............. RESCISSION.................. .............. -32,000 .............. .............. +32,000 DEFENSE-WIDE: CONTINGENCY CONSTRUCTION.... 10,000 10,000 10,000 .............. .............. ENERGY CONSERVATION 135,000 135,000 135,000 .............. .............. INVESTMENT PROGRAM......... RESCISSION.................. .............. -131,400 .............. .............. +131,400 PLANNING AND DESIGN: DEFENSE FINANCE AND 1,993 1,993 1,993 .............. .............. ACCOUNTING SERVICE..... DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE 66,974 66,974 66,974 .............. .............. DEPENDENT EDUCATION.... ENERGY CONSERVATION .............. .............. 10,000 +10,000 +10,000 INVESTMENT PROGRAM..... NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY 52,974 52,974 37,974 -15,000 -15,000 SPECIAL OPERATIONS 31,468 31,468 31,468 .............. .............. COMMAND................ TRICARE MANAGEMENT 227,498 227,498 227,498 .............. .............. ACTIVITY............... WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS 5,277 5,277 5,277 .............. .............. SERVICE................ MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY.. 8,368 8,368 8,368 .............. .............. DEFENSE INFORMATION 6,000 6,000 6,000 .............. .............. SYSTEMS AGENCY......... DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE 3,043 3,043 3,043 .............. .............. AGENCY................. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY 3,000 3,000 3,000 .............. .............. DEFENSE LEVEL ACTIVITIES 48,007 48,007 38,007 -10,000 -10,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, PLANNING AND 454,602 454,602 439,602 -15,000 -15,000 DESIGN............... UNSPECIFIED MINOR CONSTRUCTION: DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY 6,571 6,571 6,571 .............. .............. NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY 6,365 6,365 .............. -6,365 -6,365 JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF... 8,417 8,417 8,417 .............. .............. SPECIAL OPERATIONS 8,876 8,876 8,876 .............. .............. COMMAND................ TRICARE MANAGEMENT 6,100 6,100 6,100 .............. .............. ACTIVITY............... DEFENSE LEVEL ACTIVITIES 3,000 3,000 3,000 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, UNSPECIFIED 39,329 39,329 32,964 -6,365 -6,365 MINOR CONSTRUCTION... ARMY NATIONAL GUARD: UNSPECIFIED CONSTRUCTION.... .............. 25,000 .............. .............. -25,000 PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 20,671 20,671 20,671 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 11,700 11,700 11,700 .............. .............. AIR NATIONAL GUARD: PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 9,000 9,000 9,000 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 12,225 12,225 12,225 .............. .............. ARMY RESERVE: PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 28,924 28,924 28,924 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 2,925 2,925 2,925 .............. .............. NAVY RESERVE: PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 2,591 2,591 2,591 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 2,000 2,000 2,000 .............. .............. AIR FORCE RESERVE: PLANNING AND DESIGN......... 2,200 2,200 2,200 .............. .............. MINOR CONSTRUCTION.......... 5,434 5,434 5,434 .............. .............. FAMILY HOUSING, ARMY BELGIUM: BRUSSELS: LAND PURCHASE FOR GFOQ 10,000 10,000 10,000 .............. .............. (10 ACRES)............. GERMANY: GRAFENWOEHR: FAMILY HOUSING NEW 13,000 13,000 13,000 .............. .............. CONSTRUCTION (26 UNITS) ILLESHEIM: FAMILY HOUSING 41,000 41,000 41,000 .............. .............. REPLACEMENT CONSTRUCTION (80 UNITS) VILSECK: FAMILY HOUSING NEW 12,000 12,000 12,000 .............. .............. CONSTRUCTION (22 UNITS) CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS (276 103,000 103,000 103,000 .............. .............. UNITS)......................... PLANNING AND DESIGN............. 7,897 7,897 7,897 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.... 186,897 186,897 186,897 .............. .............. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: UTILITIES ACCOUNT........... 73,637 73,637 73,637 .............. .............. SERVICES ACCOUNT............ 15,797 15,797 15,797 .............. .............. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......... 54,728 54,728 54,728 .............. .............. MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....... 605 605 605 .............. .............. FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......... 14,256 14,256 14,256 .............. .............. LEASING..................... 204,426 204,426 204,426 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY 105,668 105,668 105,668 .............. .............. PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS. 25,741 25,741 25,741 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND 494,858 494,858 494,858 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE.............. FAMILY HOUSING, NAVY AND MARINE CORPS CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS....... 97,773 97,773 97,773 .............. .............. PLANNING AND DESIGN............. 3,199 3,199 3,199 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.... 100,972 100,972 100,972 .............. .............. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: UTILITIES ACCOUNT........... 70,197 70,197 70,197 .............. .............. SERVICES ACCOUNT............ 14,510 14,510 14,510 .............. .............. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......... 61,090 61,090 61,090 .............. .............. MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....... 476 476 476 .............. .............. FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......... 15,979 15,979 15,979 .............. .............. LEASING..................... 79,798 79,798 79,798 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE OF REAL PROPERTY 97,231 97,231 97,231 .............. .............. PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS. 28,582 28,582 28,582 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND 367,863 367,863 367,863 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE.............. FAMILY HOUSING, AIR FORCE CONSTRUCTION IMPROVEMENTS....... 80,596 80,596 80,596 .............. .............. PLANNING AND DESIGN............. 4,208 4,208 4,208 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, CONSTRUCTION.... 84,804 84,804 84,804 .............. .............. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: UTILITIES ACCOUNT........... 67,639 67,639 67,639 .............. .............. MANAGEMENT ACCOUNT.......... 57,391 57,391 57,391 .............. .............. SERVICES ACCOUNT............ 13,675 13,675 13,675 .............. .............. FURNISHINGS ACCOUNT......... 35,290 35,290 35,290 .............. .............. MISCELLANEOUS ACCOUNT....... 2,165 2,165 2,165 .............. .............. LEASING..................... 80,897 80,897 80,897 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE................. 100,133 100,133 100,133 .............. .............. PRIVATIZATION SUPPORT COSTS. 47,571 47,571 47,571 .............. .............. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, OPERATION AND 404,761 404,761 404,761 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE.............. FAMILY HOUSING, DEFENSE-WIDE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE: NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY: UTILITIES............... 10 10 10 .............. .............. FURNISHING.............. 70 70 70 .............. .............. LEASING................. 10,100 10,100 10,100 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE OF REAL 70 70 70 .............. .............. PROPERTY............... DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY: FURNISHINGS............. 2,699 2,699 2,699 .............. .............. LEASING................. 36,552 36,552 36,552 .............. .............. DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY: UTILITIES............... 280 280 280 .............. .............. FURNISHINGS............. 19 19 19 .............. .............. SERVICES................ 30 30 30 .............. .............. MANAGEMENT.............. 347 347 347 .............. .............. MAINTENANCE OF REAL 546 546 546 .............. .............. PROPERTY............... ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, OPERATION 50,723 50,723 50,723 .............. .............. AND MAINTENANCE...... DOD FAMILY HOUSING IMPROVEMENT 2,184 2,184 2,184 .............. .............. FUND........................... HOMEOWNERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM... 1,284 1,284 1,284 .............. .............. BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE 323,543 373,543 323,543 .............. -50,000 ACCOUNT, 1990.................. BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE 258,776 258,776 258,776 .............. .............. ACCOUNT, 2005.................. RESCISSION.................. .............. -50,000 .............. .............. +50,000 RESCISSION (SECTION 126).... .............. -100,000 .............. .............. +100,000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUBTOTAL, BRAC............ 582,319 482,319 582,319 .............. +100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR FISCAL YEAR 2011 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES AND AMOUNTS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL FOR FISCAL YEAR 2012 [In thousands of dollars] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate Committee recommendation compared with (+ or -) Item 2011 Budget estimate House allowance Committee -------------------------------------------------- appropriation recommendation 2011 appropriation Budget estimate House allowance -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Military construction, Army...... 3,780,023 3,235,991 3,141,491 3,066,891 -713,132 -169,100 -74,600 Rescission................... -263,000 ............... -100,000 ............... +263,000 ............... +100,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................... 3,517,023 3,235,991 3,041,491 3,066,891 -450,132 -169,100 +25,400 Military construction, Navy and 3,297,004 2,461,547 2,461,547 2,187,622 -1,109,382 -273,925 -273,925 Marine Corps.................... Rescission................... -61,050 ............... -25,000 ............... +61,050 ............... +25,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................... 3,235,954 2,461,547 2,436,547 2,187,622 -1,048,332 -273,925 -248,925 Military construction, Air Force. 1,104,781 1,364,858 1,279,358 1,227,058 +122,277 -137,800 -52,300 Rescission................... -121,700 ............... -32,000 ............... +121,700 ............... +32,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................... 983,081 1,364,858 1,247,358 1,227,058 +243,977 -137,800 -20,300 Military construction, Defense- 2,867,316 3,848,757 3,665,157 3,380,917 +513,601 -467,840 -284,240 Wide............................ Rescission................... -148,500 ............... -131,400 ............... +148,500 ............... +131,400 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total...................... 2,718,816 3,848,757 3,533,757 3,380,917 +662,101 -467,840 -152,840 ====================================================================================================================== Total, Active components... 10,454,874 10,911,153 10,259,153 9,862,488 -592,386 -1,048,665 -396,665 Military construction, Army 871,917 773,592 798,592 773,592 -98,325 ............... -25,000 National Guard.................. Military construction, Air 194,596 116,246 116,246 116,246 -78,350 ............... ............... National Guard.................. Military construction, Army 317,539 280,549 280,549 280,549 -36,990 ............... ............... Reserve......................... Military construction, Navy 61,434 26,299 26,299 26,299 -35,135 ............... ............... Reserve......................... Military construction, Air Force 7,816 33,620 33,620 33,620 +25,804 ............... ............... Reserve......................... ====================================================================================================================== Total, Reserve components.. 1,453,302 1,230,306 1,255,306 1,230,306 -222,996 ............... -25,000 ====================================================================================================================== Total, Military 11,908,176 12,141,459 11,514,459 11,092,794 -815,382 -1,048,665 -421,665 construction.............. Appropriations......... (12,502,426) (12,141,459) (11,802,859) (11,092,794) (-1,409,632) (-1,048,665) (-710,065) Rescissions............ (-594,250) ............... (-288,400) ............... (+594,250) ............... (+288,400) North Atlantic Treaty 258,366 272,611 247,611 272,611 +14,245 ............... +25,000 Organization Security Investment Program......................... Family housing construction, Army 92,184 186,897 186,897 186,897 +94,713 ............... ............... Family housing operation and 517,104 494,858 494,858 494,858 -22,246 ............... ............... maintenance, Army............... Family housing construction, Navy 186,071 100,972 100,972 100,972 -85,099 ............... ............... and Marine Corps................ Family housing operation and 365,613 367,863 367,863 367,863 +2,250 ............... ............... maintenance, Navy and Marine Corps........................... Family housing construction, Air 77,869 84,804 84,804 84,804 +6,935 ............... ............... Force........................... Family housing operation and 512,764 404,761 404,761 404,761 -108,003 ............... ............... maintenance, Air Force.......... Family housing operation and 50,363 50,723 50,723 50,723 +360 ............... ............... maintenance, Defense-Wide....... Department of Defense Family 1,094 2,184 2,184 2,184 +1,090 ............... ............... Housing Improvement Fund........ Homeowners assistance fund....... 16,482 1,284 1,284 1,284 -15,198 ............... ............... ====================================================================================================================== Total, Family housing...... 1,819,544 1,694,346 1,694,346 1,694,346 -125,198 ............... ............... Chemical demilitarization 124,721 75,312 75,312 75,312 -49,409 ............... ............... construction, Defense-Wide...... Base realignment and closure: Base realignment and closure 359,753 323,543 373,543 323,543 -36,210 ............... -50,000 account, 1990............... Base realignment and closure 2,349,576 258,776 258,776 258,776 -2,090,800 ............... ............... account, 2005............... Rescission............... -232,363 ............... -50,000 ............... +232,363 ............... +50,000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total.................. 2,117,213 258,776 208,776 258,776 -1,858,437 ............... +50,000 ====================================================================================================================== Total, Base realignment 2,476,966 582,319 582,319 582,319 -1,894,647 ............... ............... and closure........... Rescission (Sec. 126): Base Realignment and Closure, ............... ............... -100,000 ............... ............... ............... +100,000 1990........................ ====================================================================================================================== Total, title I............. 16,587,773 14,766,047 14,014,047 13,717,382 -2,870,391 -1,048,665 -296,665 Appropriations......... (17,414,386) (14,766,047) (14,352,447) (13,717,382) (-3,697,004) (-1,048,665) (-635,065) Rescissions............ (-826,613) ............... (-338,400) ............... (+826,613) ............... (+338,400) ====================================================================================================================== TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Veterans Benefits Administration Compensation and pensions........ 53,978,000 58,067,319 58,067,319 58,067,319 +4,089,319 ............... ............... Readjustment benefits............ 10,396,245 11,011,086 11,011,086 11,011,086 +614,841 ............... ............... Veterans insurance and 77,589 100,252 100,252 100,252 +22,663 ............... ............... indemnities..................... Veterans housing benefit program fund: (indefinite)................. 19,078 318,612 318,612 318,612 +299,534 ............... ............... (Limitation on direct (500) (500) (500) (500) ............... ............... ............... loans).................. Credit subsidy........... -165,000 ............... ............... ............... +165,000 ............... ............... Administrative expenses.. 164,752 154,698 154,698 154,698 -10,054 ............... ............... Guaranteed Transitional Housing (750) ............... ............... ............... (-750) ............... ............... Loans for Homeless Veterans..... Vocational rehabilitation loans 29 19 19 19 -10 ............... ............... program account................. (Limitation on direct loans). (2,298) (3,019) (3,019) (3,019) (+721) ............... ............... Administrative expenses...... 328 343 343 343 +15 ............... ............... Native American veteran housing 662 1,116 1,116 1,116 +454 ............... ............... loan program account............ ====================================================================================================================== Total, Veterans Benefits 64,471,683 69,653,445 69,653,445 69,653,445 +5,181,762 ............... ............... Administration............ Veterans Health Administration Medical services: Advance from prior year...... (37,061,728) (39,649,985) (39,649,985) (39,649,985) (+2,588,257) ............... ............... Advance appropriation, fiscal 39,649,985 41,354,000 41,354,000 41,354,000 +1,704,015 ............... ............... year 2013................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal................... 39,649,985 41,354,000 41,354,000 41,354,000 +1,704,015 ............... ............... Medical support and compliance: Advance from prior year...... (5,296,454) (5,535,000) (5,535,000) (5,535,000) (+238,546) ............... ............... Fiscal year 2011 pay raise (-34,000) ............... ............... ............... (+34,000) ............... ............... rescission.................. Advance appropriation, fiscal 5,535,000 5,746,000 5,746,000 5,746,000 +211,000 ............... ............... year 2013................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal................... 5,535,000 5,746,000 5,746,000 5,746,000 +211,000 ............... ............... Medical facilities: Advance from prior year...... (5,728,550) (5,426,000) (5,426,000) (5,426,000) (-302,550) ............... ............... Fiscal year 2011 pay raise (-15,000) ............... ............... ............... (+15,000) ............... ............... rescission.................. Advance appropriation, fiscal 5,426,000 5,441,000 5,441,000 5,441,000 +15,000 ............... ............... year 2013................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Subtotal................... 5,426,000 5,441,000 5,441,000 5,441,000 +15,000 ............... ............... Medical and prosthetic research.. 579,838 508,774 530,774 581,000 +1,162 +72,226 +50,226 Medical care cost recovery collections: Offsetting collections....... -3,393,000 -3,326,000 -3,326,000 -3,326,000 +67,000 ............... ............... Appropriations (indefinite).. 3,393,000 3,326,000 3,326,000 3,326,000 -67,000 ............... ............... ====================================================================================================================== Total, Veterans Health 51,141,823 53,049,774 53,071,774 53,122,000 +1,980,177 +72,226 +50,226 Administration............ Appropriations......... (579,838) (508,774) (530,774) (581,000) (+1,162) (+72,226) (+50,226) Rescissions............ -49,000 ............... ............... ............... +49,000 ............... ............... Advance from prior year (48,086,732) (50,610,985) (50,610,985) (50,610,985) (+2,524,253) ............... ............... Advance appropriations, (50,610,985) (52,541,000) (52,541,000) (52,541,000) (+1,930,015) ............... ............... fiscal year 2013...... National Cemetery Administration National Cemetery Administration. 249,500 250,934 250,934 250,934 +1,434 ............... ............... Departmental Administration General operating expenses....... 2,529,207 2,466,989 ............... ............... -2,529,207 -2,466,989 ............... General administration........... ............... ............... 400,500 431,257 +431,257 +431,257 +30,757 General operating expenses, VBA.. ............... ............... 2,020,128 2,018,764 +2,018,764 +2,018,764 -1,364 Information technology systems... 3,140,604 3,161,376 3,025,000 3,161,376 +20,772 ............... +136,376 Rescission................... -147,000 ............... ............... ............... +147,000 ............... ............... Office of Inspector General...... 108,782 109,391 109,391 112,391 +3,609 +3,000 +3,000 Construction, major projects..... 1,148,734 589,604 589,604 589,604 -559,130 ............... ............... Rescission................... -75,000 ............... ............... ............... +75,000 ............... ............... Construction, minor projects..... 466,765 550,091 475,091 550,091 +83,326 ............... +75,000 Grants for construction of State 84,830 85,000 85,000 85,000 +170 ............... ............... extended care facilities........ Grants for the construction of 45,908 46,000 46,000 46,000 +92 ............... ............... veterans cemeteries............. ====================================================================================================================== Total, Departmental 7,302,830 7,008,451 6,750,714 6,994,483 -308,347 -13,968 +243,769 Administration............ Appropriations......... (7,524,830) (7,008,451) (6,750,714) (6,994,483) (-530,347) (-13,968) (+243,769) Rescissions............ (-222,000) ............... ............... ............... (+222,000) ............... ............... Medical Care--Section 225 ............... -713,000 ............... ............... ............... +713,000 ............... (Rescission).................... Medical Care--Section 226........ ............... 953,000 ............... ............... ............... -953,000 ............... ====================================================================================================================== Total, title II............ 123,165,836 130,202,604 129,726,867 130,020,862 +6,855,026 -181,742 +293,995 Appropriations......... (72,825,851) (78,374,604) (77,185,867) (77,479,862) (+4,654,011) (-894,742) (+293,995) Rescissions............ (-271,000) (-713,000) ............... ............... (+271,000) (+713,000) ............... Advance from prior year (48,086,732) (50,610,985) (50,610,985) (50,610,985) (+2,524,253) ............... ............... Advance appropriations, (50,610,985) (52,541,000) (52,541,000) (52,541,000) (+1,930,015) ............... ............... fiscal year 2013...... (Limitation on direct (2,798) (3,519) (3,519) (3,519) (+721) ............... ............... loans)................ TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES American Battle Monuments Commission Salaries and expenses............ 64,072 61,100 61,100 61,100 -2,972 ............... ............... Foreign currency fluctuations 20,168 16,000 16,000 16,000 -4,168 ............... ............... account......................... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, American Battle 84,240 77,100 77,100 77,100 -7,140 ............... ............... Monuments Commission...... U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims Salaries and expenses............ 27,560 55,770 30,770 30,770 +3,210 -25,000 ............... Department of Defense--Civil Cemeterial Expenses, Army Salaries and expenses............ 45,010 45,800 45,800 45,800 +790 ............... ............... Armed Forces Retirement Home Operation and maintenance........ 69,058 65,700 65,700 65,700 -3,358 ............... ............... Capital program.................. 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 ............... ............... ............... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total, Armed Forces 71,058 67,700 67,700 67,700 -3,358 ............... ............... Retirement Home........... ====================================================================================================================== Total, title III........... 227,868 246,370 221,370 221,370 -6,498 -25,000 ............... TITLE IVb--OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS Military Construction, Army...... 981,346 ............... ............... ............... -981,346 ............... ............... Military Construction, Air Force. 195,006 ............... ............... ............... -195,006 ............... ............... Military Construction, Defense- 46,500 ............... ............... ............... -46,500 ............... ............... Wide............................ ====================================================================================================================== Total, title IV............ 1,222,852 ............... ............... ............... -1,222,852 ............... ............... ====================================================================================================================== Grand total................ 141,204,329 145,215,021 143,962,284 143,959,614 +2,755,285 -1,255,407 -2,670 Appropriations......... (90,468,105) (93,387,021) (91,759,684) (91,418,614) (+950,509) (-1,968,407) (-341,070) Rescissions............ (-1,097,613) (-713,000) (-338,400) ............... (+1,097,613) (+713,000) (+338,400) Advance from prior year (48,086,732) (50,610,985) (50,610,985) (50,610,985) (+2,524,253) ............... ............... Advance appropriations, (50,610,985) (52,541,000) (52,541,000) (52,541,000) (+1,930,015) ............... ............... fiscal year 2013...... Overseas contingency (1,222,852) ............... ............... ............... (-1,222,852) ............... ............... operations............ (By transfer).......... ............... ............... ............... ............... ............... ............... ............... (Limitation on direct (2,798) (3,519) (3,519) (3,519) (+721) ............... ............... loans)................ --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------