House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on Military Construction, VA, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018 (Part 1 of 5)
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of the bill is to support our military and their families and provide the benefits and medical care that our veterans have earned for their service to our Nation. This is accomplished through the programs funded in the bill, which provide the facilities and infrastructure needed to house, treat, train, and equip our military personnel to defend this Nation, both in
Summary of Committee Recommendation
The Committee recommends
The Committee recommendation highlights the continued commitment to our servicemembers and their families and to our veterans. In discretionary budget authority, the bill is 7.3 percent over the fiscal year 2017 enacted level. The bill includes an increase in military construction, which is 25.5 percent above the fiscal year 2017 level, and an increase in the
The programs funded in the bill for the
The total recommended funding level for military construction and family housing, including base and Overseas Contingency Operations funding, including the European Reassurance Initiative, is
The total funding level for fiscal year 2018 for the
The following table compares amounts recommended in the bill to the President's request and amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2017:
Management and Oversight Initiatives
The Committee believes the effective stewardship of taxpayer dollars is of the highest priority. In the interest of eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse in Federal programs, the Committee has and will continue to use public hearings, briefings, and information requests, and reviews by the Government Accountability Office and the Inspectors General to promote strong financial and program management, oversight and leadership at the
The fiscal year 2018 appropriations Act and the accompanying report address management challenges of the Federal agencies funded herein, including directives to strengthen financial and program management, eliminate redundancy, and improve implementation and oversight of initiatives that support the mission of this bill. The Committee will use every means at its disposal to reduce mismanagement that results in waste, fraud, and abuse.
VA Electronic health record.--After at least a decade of Congressional encouragement to
Disability claims and appeals.--Thanks to the significant investments
Information technology (IT).--The Committee continues to include bill language prohibiting obligation or expenditure of funds for information technology systems development, modernization and enhancement until
Stricter control of construction funding.--In response to the egregious management of the
ITEM OF INTEREST
Construction Contracting Outreach.--In House Report 114-497 the Committee directed the Secretaries of the Army,
TITLE I
Military Construction Overview
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level (including rescissions)
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 9,782,451,000
Committee recommendation in the bill (including rescissions)......................................... 9,585,000,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 1,859,000,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... (197,451,000)
Military construction accounts provide funds for new construction, construction improvements, planning and design, and host nation support. Projects funded by these accounts include facilities for operations, training, maintenance, research and development, supply, medical care, and force protection, as well as unaccompanied housing, utilities infrastructure, and land acquisition.
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
The reprogramming criteria that apply to military construction projects (25 percent of the funded amount or
In addition to these guidelines, the services are directed to adhere to the guidance for military construction reprogramming actions and notifications, including the pertinent statutory authorities contained in
Facilities Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization (FSRM).--The
(1) components of the facility may be repaired by replacement. Such replacement can be up to current standards or codes;
(2) interior arrangements and restorations may be included as repair;
(3) additions, new facilities, and functional conversions must be performed as military construction projects. Such projects may be done concurrently with repair projects as long as the final conjunctively funded project is a complete and usable facility; and
(4) the appropriate service secretary shall notify the appropriate committees 21 days prior to carrying out any repair project with an estimated cost in excess of
Quarterly summary of notifications.--The Committee directs the services and the
Work in Progress or Planned (WIP) curve.--The Committee directs the services and the
Transfer of funds to and from the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense Account.--The Committee directs the
Bid savings.--The Committee has ascertained from cost variation notices required by 10 U.S.C. 2853 that the
Incremental funding of projects.--In general, the Committee supports full funding for military construction projects if they are executable. However, it continues to be the practice of the Committee to provide incremental funding for certain large projects to enable the services to more efficiently allocate military construction dollars among projects that can be executed in the year of appropriation. Therefore, the Committee recommendation includes three projects that have been incrementally funded.
High performance and sustainable building requirements.-- The Committee recognizes that innovative technologies have expanded the availability of materials with lower embodied energy for facilities that require tall walls and large open spaces with minimal intermediate supports. In addition, design techniques such as advanced framing contribute to lower material costs, increased energy efficiency, and reduced waste in facilities. Therefore, the Committee directs the Secretary of Defense to incorporate the use of innovative renewable building materials, systems, and design techniques that support the requirements of UFC 1 200 02 and the goals of achieving greater efficiency and lower environmental impacts at a lower material cost. Furthermore, the Committee encourages the
Federally Recognized Tribes.--The Committee notes our Nation's commitment to honoring treaty and trust obligations to Federally Recognized Tribes. While military operations and facility protection are important, upholding our commitments to Indian Country must be an equal priority. It has been observed that the
Facilities in excess of mission.--The Committee is concerned that
Water Conservation on Military Installations.--The Committee recognizes that the
Coastal Erosion.--Senate Report 114-57 accompanying the fiscal year 2016
Recycled plastic lumber.--The Committee understands that the
Rural Airfields.--The Committee recognizes that the active components, as well as the
Climate and security for Military Installations.--The
Air traffic control facilities.--The Committee is concerned that many
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 920,394,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 923,994,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 410,535,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... 3,600,000
The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of
The Committee recommendation includes additional funding for the Army in section 125 under Administrative Provisions for projects on the Services Unfunded Priority lists as provided by the
Access Control Points.--Since
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 1,616,665,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 1,558,085,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 536,505,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... (58,580,000)
The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of
The Committee recommendation includes additional funding for the
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 1,738,796,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 1,540,474,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 49,416,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... (198,322,000)
The Committee recommendation includes additional funding for the
Basing of KC-46 aircraft.--The Committee is concerned that the
Construction of airfield and base camp.--The Committee is concerned that the
Air traffic control towers.--The Committee is concerned that the
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 3,114,913,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 2,791,272,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 765,828,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... (323,641,000)
The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of
Transfer of funds.--The accompanying bill provides transfer authority to the Secretary of Defense to allow the transfer of funds to such appropriations of the
Ft. Bliss hospital replacement.--The Committee remains concerned about Ft. Bliss hospital replacement construction project delays and the costs to complete. This project has suffered from mismanagement and management deficiencies which have caused major delays and cost overruns. The fiscal year 2018 request included
Ft.
Parking issues at
Energy Policy.--The
Energy Resilience Conservation and Investment Program.--On
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency West Campus.--The Committee continues to have concerns about the new
Guard and Reserve Items of Interests
Enforcement of border security.--Recognizing the need to bolster resources for the enforcement of border security, the Committee urges the
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 210,652,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 210,652,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... (22,278,000)
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
The Committee recommendation includes additional funding for the
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 161,491,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 161,491,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 17,534,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
The Committee recommendation includes additional funding for the
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 73,712,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 73,712,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 5,482,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
The Committee recommendation includes additional funding for the
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 65,271,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 65,271,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 26,674,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 63,535,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 63,535,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... (125,415,000)
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
The Committee recommendation includes additional funding for the Air Force Reserve in section 125 under Administrative Provisions for projects on the Services Unfunded Priority lists as provided by the
Air Force Reserve Hangars.--The Committee is concerned that many of the Air Force Reserve Hangars are unsafe, antiquated, and do not provide adequate protection of Air Force Reserve air assets. For example, hangers located at Homestead Air Reserve Base have become wholly inadequate due to constrained military construction budgets and are putting equipment and air assets at risk. The Committee is concerned that this could be a problem throughout the Air Force Reserve enterprise with the recent reductions to the
North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 154,000,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 177,932,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... - - -
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... 23,932,000
The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program (NSIP) consists of annual contributions by
The
Family Housing Overview
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 1,407,155,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 1,407,155,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 130,866,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Family housing construction accounts provide funds for new construction, construction improvements, the Federal government costs for family housing privatization projects, and planning and design. The operation and maintenance accounts provide funds to pay for maintenance and repair, furnishings, management, services, utilities, leasing, interest, mortgage insurance, and miscellaneous expenses.
Foreign currency savings and sub-account transfers.--The Committee directs that savings in family housing operation and maintenance accounts from foreign currency re-estimates be used to maintain and repair existing family housing units. The Comptroller is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Leasing reporting requirements.--The Secretary of Defense is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of both Houses of
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 182,662,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 182,662,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 25,490,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Army
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 346,625,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 346,625,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 20,630,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 83,682,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 83,682,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... (10,329,000)
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance,
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 328,282,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 328,282,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 27,367,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 85,062,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 85,062,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 23,710,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
The Committee recommendation includes a rescission of
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance,
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 318,324,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 318,324,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 43,895,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Family Housing Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 59,169,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 59,169,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 12,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 2,726,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 2,726,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... (532,000)
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................ $- - -
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 623,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 623,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 623,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... - - -
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level........................
Fiscal year 2018 budget request....................... 255,867,000
Committee recommendation in the bill.................. 290,867,000
Comparison with:
Fiscal year 2017 enacted level.................... 50,630,000
Fiscal year 2018 budget request................... 35,000,000
The additional funding is for the
The need to address inventory and excess of facilities.-- The Committee is concerned about the cost of maintaining excess inventory of facilities or space at military installations and the effect on surrounding communities of underutilized bases, and encourages the Secretary to work with
Administrative Provisions
The bill retains 28 provisions that were in effect in fiscal year 2017. The administrative provisions included in the bill are as follows:
The bill includes section 101 prohibiting the use of funds for payments under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for construction where cost estimates exceed
The bill includes section 102 permitting the use of construction funds for the hire of passenger motor vehicles.
The bill includes section 103 permitting funds to be expended on the construction of defense access roads under certain circumstances.
The bill includes section 104 prohibiting construction of new bases in
The bill includes section 105 limiting the use of funds for the purchase of land or land easements that exceed 100 percent of value except under certain conditions.
The bill includes section 106 prohibiting the use of funds to acquire land, prepare sites, or install utilities for family housing except housing for which funds have been appropriated.
The bill includes section 107 limiting the use of minor construction funds to relocate any activity from one installation to another without prior notification.
The bill includes section 108 prohibiting the procurement of steel unless American producers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been allowed to compete.
The bill includes section 109 prohibiting the use of funds to pay real property taxes in foreign nations.
The bill includes section 110 prohibiting the use of funds to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification.
The bill includes section 111 establishing a preference for
The bill includes section 112 establishing a preference for
The bill includes section 113 requiring the Secretary of Defense to give prior notice to
The bill includes section 114 allowing funds appropriated in prior years to be used for new projects authorized during the current session of
The bill includes section 115 allowing the use of expired or lapsed funds to pay the cost of supervision for any project being completed with lapsed funds.
The bill includes section 116 providing that funds for military construction projects are available until the end of the fourth fiscal year following the fiscal year in which funds are appropriated, subject to certain conditions.
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The bill includes section 117 allowing for the transfer of funds from
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The bill includes section 118 providing transfer authority to the
The bill includes section 119 requiring that funds in this title be the sole source of all operation and maintenance for flag and general officer quarter houses, and limits the repair on these quarters to
The bill includes section 120 making funds in the
(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)
The bill includes section 121 allowing the transfer of expired funds to the "Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense" account.
The bill includes section 122 prohibiting the use of funds to relocate a unit of the Army that would impact more than 200 personnel.
The bill includes section 123 allowing the transfer of funds among projects and activities in accordance with the reprogramming guidelines.
The bill includes section 124 prohibiting the use of funds for projects at
The bill includes section 125 providing additional funds for various military construction accounts and requires a spend plan for each.
(INCLUDING RESCISSION OF FUNDS)
The bill includes section 126 rescinding funds from prior appropriations Acts.
The bill includes section 127 defining the congressional defense committees.
The bill includes section 128 prohibiting the use of funds to close or realign
The bill does not include section 121 as requested to provide authority under a continuing resolution when an authorization bill has been enacted to obligate funds that have not been appropriated.
Continues with Part 2 of 5
House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on Military Construction, VA, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018 (Part 3 of 5)
House Appropriations Committee Issues Report on Military Construction, VA, Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2018 (Part 2 of 5)
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