UPDATE: H.R.5895 – Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019

LATEST ACTION: September 21, 2018 - Became Public Law No: 115-244.

BILL TITLE: Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019

BILL SUMMARY:

Highlights:

This bill provides FY2019 appropriations for several federal agencies. The bill includes 3 of the 12 regular FY2019 appropriations bills:

-- the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019;

-- the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019; and

-- the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019.

The bill also provides additional Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.

Full Summary:

Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019

DIVISION A--ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

This division provides FY2019 appropriations for:

-- the civil works projects of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers;

-- the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation and Central Utah Project;

-- the Department of Energy (DOE); and

-- several independent agencies, including the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

TITLE I--CORPS OF ENGINEERS--CIVIL

Provides appropriations to the Corps of Engineers for authorized civil functions pertaining to rivers and harbors, flood and storm damage reduction, shore protection, aquatic ecosystem restoration, and related efforts.

Provides appropriations to the Corps of Engineers for:

-- Investigations;

-- Construction;

-- Mississippi River and Tributaries, including flood damage reduction projects in the Mississippi River alluvial valley below Cape Girardeau, Missouri;

-- Operation and Maintenance;

-- the Regulatory Program pertaining to navigable waters and wetlands;

-- the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program for clean-up of early atomic energy program contamination;

-- Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies, including hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters;

-- Expenses necessary for the supervision and general administration of the civil works program; and

-- the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works.

(Sec. 101) Prohibits the reprogramming of funds provided by this title except in specified circumstances.

(Sec. 102) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used for a contract that commits funds beyond the amounts appropriated for that program, project, or activity that remain unobligated. Includes exception for funds made available through reprogramming.

(Sec. 103) Permits the Corps of Engineers to transfer to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service up to $5.4 million in Operation and Maintenance funds to mitigate for fisheries lost due to Corps of Engineers projects.

(Sec. 104) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for an open lake placement of dredged material originating from Lake Erie or its tributaries unless it is approved under a state water quality certification pursuant to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act). Requires the Corps of Engineers to continue upland placement of the dredged material until an open lake placement for dredged materials is approved under a state water quality certification.

(Sec. 105) Requires acquisitions funded by this title to comply with regulations that prohibit the Department of Defense from purchasing buoy chain unless it is procured from a U.S. manufacturer.

(Sec. 106) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for a water supply reallocation study under the Wolf Creek Dam, Lake Cumberland, Kentucky, project authorized under the Act of July 24, 1946.

(Sec. 107) Prohibits funds made available by this division from being used to require a permit for the discharge of dredged or fill material under the Clean Water Act for specified agricultural activities.

(Sec. 108) Repeals the rule titled "Clean Water Rule: 'Definition of Waters of the United States'" (also known as the Waters of the United States rule), which was issued by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of Engineers to define the scope of waters protected and regulated under the Clean Water Act.

(Sec. 109) Permits individuals to possess firearms at Corps of Engineers water resources development projects if: (1) the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing the firearm, and (2) the possession of the firearm complies with the law of the state in which the project is located. (The Corps of Engineers currently prohibits private individuals from possessing firearms and other weapons at the projects unless the weapons are being used for hunting, at authorized shooting ranges, or with written permission of the Corps District Commander.)

(Sec. 110) Prohibits funds provided by this division or available in the revolving fund established by the Civil Functions Appropriations Act of 1954 from being used for a new hopper dredge.

TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Provides appropriations to the Department of the Interior for the Central Utah Project.

Provides appropriations to the Bureau of Reclamation for:

-- Water and Related Resources,

-- the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund,

-- California Bay-Delta Restoration, and

-- Policy and Administration.

Permits appropriations to the Bureau of Reclamation to be used for purchasing replacements for up to five passenger motor vehicles.

(Sec. 201) Specifies the circumstances in which Reclamation may reprogram or transfer funds provided by this title.

(Sec. 202) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to determine the final point of discharge for the interceptor drain for the San Luis Unit until Interior and the State of California develop a plan to minimize any detrimental effect of the San Luis drainage waters. Requires the plan to conform to California water quality standards as approved by the Environmental Protection Agency.

Directs Interior to classify the costs of the Kesterson Reservoir Cleanup Program and the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program as either reimbursable or nonreimbursable and collected until fully repaid pursuant to specified alternative repayment plans.

Requires future federal obligations of funds regarding drainage service or drainage studies for the San Luis Unit to be fully reimbursable by San Luis Unit beneficiaries of the service or studies.

(Sec. 203) Specifies that, from November 1 through April 30, water users may use their diversion structures for the purpose of recharging the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer when Interior determines there is water available in excess of that needed to satisfy existing Minidoka Project storage and hydropower rights and ensure operational flexibility.

(Sec. 204) Amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to extend the authority of the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct feasibility studies on certain projects that address water shortages within the Snake, Boise, and Payette River systems in Idaho.

(Sec. 205) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to implement the San Joaquin River Restoration Settlement Agreement.

(Sec. 206) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to purchase water in California to supplement instream flow within a river basin that has suffered a drought within the last two years.

(Sec. 207) Amends the Reclamation Project Act of 1939 to authorize pumped storage hydropower development exclusively utilizing Bureau of Reclamation reservoirs.

TITLE III--DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Provides appropriations to the Department of Energy (DOE) for Energy Programs, including:

-- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy;

-- Cyber Security, Energy Security, and Emergency Response;

-- Electricity Delivery;

-- Nuclear Energy;

-- Fossil Energy Research and Development;

-- Naval Petroleum and Oil Shale Reserves;

-- the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR);

-- the SPR Petroleum Account;

-- the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve;

-- the Energy Information Administration;

-- Non-Defense Environmental Cleanup;

-- the Uranium Enrichment Decontamination and Decommissioning Fund;

-- Science;

-- Nuclear Waste Disposal;

-- Advanced Research Projects Agency--Energy;

-- the Title 17 Innovative Technology Loan Guarantee Loan Program;

-- the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Loan Program;

-- the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program;

-- Departmental Administration; and

-- the Office of the Inspector General.

Provides appropriations for the Atomic Energy Defense Activities of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), including:

-- Weapons Activities,

-- Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation,

-- Naval Reactors, and

-- Federal Salaries and Expenses.

Provides appropriations for Environmental and Other Defense Activities, including:

-- Defense Environmental Cleanup,

-- Other Defense Activities, and

-- Defense Nuclear Waste Disposal.

Provides appropriations for the Power Marketing Administrations, including:

-- the Bonneville Power Administration Fund;

-- Southeastern Power Administration Operation and Maintenance;

-- Southwestern Power Administration Operation and Maintenance;

-- Western Area Power Administration Operation and Maintenance, Construction, and Rehabilitation; and

-- the Falcon and Amistad Operating and Maintenance Fund.

Provides appropriations for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

(Sec. 301) Prohibits funds provided by this title from be used for programs, projects, or activities that have not been funded by Congress.

Prohibits specified grants, contracts, allocations, and agreements unless Congress is notified in advance.

Prohibits funds from being used for certain multiyear Department of Energy--Energy Programs activities unless specified conditions are met and Congress is notified.

Establishes requirements and restrictions for the reprogramming of funds provided in this title.

Permits unexpended balances of prior appropriations provided for activities in this division to be transferred and merged with appropriations accounts established in this division.

(Sec. 302) Deems funds appropriated by this division for intelligence activities to be specifically authorized by Congress during FY2019 until the enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY2019.

(Sec. 303) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used to construct specified high-hazard nuclear facilities unless independent oversight is conducted by the Office of Enterprise Assessments to ensure compliance with nuclear safety requirements.

(Sec. 304) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used to approve certain critical decisions for construction projects exceeding $100 million until a separate independent cost estimate has been developed for the project for that critical decision.

(Sec. 305) Specifies congressional notification requirements and limitations regarding transfers of funds from DOE's Working Capital Fund.

(Sec. 306) Prohibits Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation funds from being used to enter into new contracts with, or new agreements for federal assistance to, the Russian Federation. Permits DOE to waive the prohibition if the activity is in the national security interests of the United States and a report justifying the waiver is submitted to Congress.

(Sec. 307) Prohibits DOE from establishing any new regional petroleum product reserve unless funding is explicitly requested in advance and approved by Congress in an appropriations Act.

(Sec. 308) Specifies requirements for using funds provided for the Mixed Oxide Fuel Fabrication Facility.

(Sec. 309) Authorizes DOE to draw down and sell refined petroleum product from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) upon a determination by the President in this fiscal year that:

-- a regional supply shortage of refined petroleum product of significant scope and duration exists,

-- a severe increase in the price of refined petroleum product will likely result from the shortage, and

-- a draw down and sale of refined petroleum product would assist directly and significantly in reducing the adverse impact of the shortage.

Specifies that the proceeds from the sale must be deposited into the SPR Petroleum Account and remain available for obligation without fiscal year limitation, consistent with the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.

(Sec. 310) Requires DOE to submit to Congress and the State of Nevada a report on the potential of locating a reprocessing or recycling facility for spent nuclear fuel near the Yucca Mountain site.

TITLE IV--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

Provides appropriations for independent agencies, including:

-- the Appalachian Regional Commission,

-- the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board,

-- the Delta Regional Authority,

-- the Denali Commission,

-- the Northern Border Regional Commission,

-- the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission,

-- the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and

-- the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board.

(Sec. 401) Requires the NRC to comply with specified internal procedures when responding to congressional requests for information, consistent with Department of Justice guidance for all federal agencies.

(Sec. 402) Specifies the circumstances in which funds provided by this title may be reprogrammed.

TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS

(Sec. 501) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to influence congressional action on any legislation or appropriation matters pending before Congress, other than to communicate with Members of Congress as permitted under current law.

(Sec. 502) Specifies restrictions and requirements for transfers of funds into and out of accounts funded by this division.

(Sec. 503) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to contravene Executive Order No. 12898 of February 11, 1994 (Federal Actions to Address Environmental Justice in Minority Populations and Low-Income Populations).

(Sec. 504) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for a computer network that does not block pornography, except for law enforcement purposes.

(Sec. 505) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for further implementation of the coastal and marine spatial planning and ecosystem-based management components of the National Ocean Policy developed under Executive Order 13547 (Stewardship of the Ocean, Our Coasts, and the Great Lakes).

(Sec. 506) Prohibits federal funds from being used to operate the Federal Columbia River Power System hydroelectric dams in a manner that is inconsistent with the Corps of Engineers' 2017 Fish Operations Plan.

(Sec. 507) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for the removal of any federally owned or operated dam unless the removal was previously authorized by Congress.

(Sec. 508) Prohibits the use of funds provided by this division: (1) to conduct closure of adjudicatory functions, technical review, or support activities associated with the Yucca Mountain geologic repository license application; or (2) for actions that irrevocably remove the possibility that Yucca Mountain may be a repository option in the future.

(Sec. 509) Specifies that, unless this bill expressly provides otherwise, references to "this Act" included in this division shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.

(Sec. 510) Specifies the committee report that applies for the purpose of implementing this division.

(Sec. 511) Establishes a spending reduction account for the amount by which spending proposed in this division exceeds the applicable allocation made by the House Appropriations Committee under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Specifies that the amount is $0. (Under the Rules of the House of Representatives, any savings included in the spending reduction account are not available for further appropriation during consideration of the bill.)

(Sec. 512) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to sell the transmission assets of the Bonneville Power Administration, the Southwestern Power Administration, the Western Area Power Administration, or the Tennessee Valley Authority.

(Sec. 513) Revises the amounts provided by this division for the Corps of Engineers Investigations account.

(Sec. 514) Prohibits funds provided by this division for Department of Energy--Energy Programs--Science from being used in contravention of the Department of Energy Organization Act.

(Sec. 515) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to purchase heavy water from Iran.

(Sec. 516) Revises the amounts provided by this division for the Corps of Engineers Construction account.

(Sec. 517) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to enforce specified criteria for determining if prior converted cropland is abandoned and, therefore, subject to certain regulations under the Clean Water Act.

(Sec. 518) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to prepare, propose, or promulgate any regulation or guidance that references or relies on the analysis contained in specified technical support documents and guidance related to the social cost of carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

DIVISION B--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2019

This division provides FY2019 appropriations for the legislative branch, including the House of Representatives and Joint Items such as the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), and the Office of the Attending Physician.

It also provides appropriations for:

-- the Capitol Police,

-- the Congressional Budget Office (CBO),

-- the Architect of the Capitol (AOC),

-- the Library of Congress (LOC),

-- the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and

-- the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

Pursuant to a longstanding practice under which each chamber of Congress determines its own requirements, the House bill does not include funds for the Senate.

TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Provides appropriations to the House of Representatives for:

-- Salaries and Expenses;

-- House Leadership Offices;

-- Members' Representational Allowances, including Members' Clerk Hire, Official Expenses of Members, and Official Mail;

-- Committee Employees;

-- Salaries, Officers, and Employees; and

-- Allowances and Expenses.

(In this division, the term "Member of the House of Representatives" also includes a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to the Congress.)

(Sec. 110) Requires amounts remaining in Members' Representational Allowances after all payments are made for FY2019 to be used for deficit or debt reduction.

(Sec. 111) Prohibits funds provided in any fiscal year from being used to deliver a printed copy of a bill, joint resolution, or resolution to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives unless the Member requests a copy.

(Sec. 112) Prohibits funds provided in any fiscal year from being used to deliver a printed copy of the Congressional Record to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives.

(Sec. 113) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to make payments from any Members' Representational Allowance to lease a vehicle, excluding mobile district offices, at a rate that exceeds $1,000 for the vehicle in any month.

(Sec. 114) Prohibits funds provided in any fiscal year from being used to provide an aggregate number of more than 50 printed copies of any edition of the U.S. Code to all offices of the House of Representatives.

(Sec. 115) Prohibits funds provided in any fiscal year from being used to deliver a printed copy of the report of disbursements for the operations of the House of Representatives to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives.

(Sec. 116) Prohibits funds provided in any fiscal year from being used to deliver to the office of a Member of the House Representatives a printed copy of the Daily Calendar of the House of Representatives prepared by the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

(Sec. 117) Prohibits funds provided in any fiscal year from being used to deliver a printed copy of the Congressional Pictorial Directory to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives.

(Sec. 118) Repeals the authorizations of office space, office expenses, franked mail and printing privileges, and staff for former Speakers of the House of Representatives.

(Sec. 119) Prohibits cost of living adjustments for Members of Congress during FY2019.

(Sec. 120) Provides transfer authority for funds provided for House Leadership Offices.

Provides appropriations for Joint Items, including:

-- the Joint Economic Committee,

-- the Joint Committee on Taxation,

-- the Office of the Attending Physician, and

-- the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.

Provides appropriations for:

-- the Capitol Police,

-- the Office of Compliance, and

-- the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

(Sec. 130) Permits funds provided for CBO salaries and expense to be used to reimburse new employees for relocation expenses if CBO determines that the reimbursement is of sufficient benefit or value.

Provides appropriations to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) for:

-- Capital Construction and Operations;

-- the Capitol Building;

-- the Capitol Grounds;

-- the House Office Buildings;

-- the Capitol Power Plant;

-- the Library Buildings and Grounds;

-- the Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security;

-- the Botanic Garden; and

-- the Capitol Visitor Center.

(Sec. 140) Prohibits funds provided by this division for the AOC from being used to make incentive or award payments to contractors for work that is behind schedule or over budget, unless the deviations are due to unforeseeable events, government-driven scope changes, or are insignificant within the overall scope of the project or program.

(Sec. 141) Prohibits funds provided in any fiscal year from being used for scrims (coverings for buildings that are being renovated) containing photographs of building facades during restoration or construction projects performed by the AOC.

(Sec. 142) Amends the 2002 Supplemental Appropriations Act for Further Recovery From and Response To Terrorist Attacks on the United States, with respect to the Capitol Police and Buildings and Ground Account, to: (1) specify that the uses for the account include AOC resilience and security programs; and (2) permit the AOC, with congressional approval, to receive interagency transfers of funds to carry out the purposes of the account

(Sec. 143) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2003 to increase from $100,000 to $250,000 the threshold for the small purchase contract authority for purchases and contracts of the AOC.

(Sec. 144) Permits the AOC to enter into a joint agency agreement to provide for interagency employee detailees.

(Sec. 145) Permits the AOC to accept, or authorize an AOC employee to accept, payments from nonfederal sources for travel, subsistence, and related expenses for the attendance of an employee (or the spouse of an employee) at a meeting or similar function relating to the employee's official duties.

Provides appropriations to the Library of Congress (LOC) for:

-- Salaries and Expenses,

-- the Copyright Office,

-- the Congressional Research Service, and

-- Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.

(Sec. 150) Limits the FY2019 obligational authority of the LOC for reimbursable and revolving fund activities funded from sources other than appropriations.

Provides appropriations to the Government Publishing Office for:

-- Congressional Publishing,

-- Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents, and

-- the Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund.

Provides appropriations to:

-- the Government Accountability Office,

-- the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund, and

-- the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development.

TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

(Sec. 201) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for the maintenance or care of private vehicles, except for emergency assistance and cleaning, as provided under regulations for the House and Senate parking facilities.

(Sec. 202) Prohibits funds provided by this division from remaining available for obligation beyond FY2019 unless expressly provided in this division.

(Sec. 203) Provides that: (1) rates of compensation or designations of offices or positions included in this division that are either not established by the Legislative Pay Act of 1929 or are contrary to that Act are considered permanent law, and (2) provisions in this division for official congressional expenses and clerk hire for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are permanent law.

(Sec. 204) Limits contracts for certain consulting services to those where expenditures are a matter of public record and available for public inspection, except where otherwise provided under existing law or under an executive order issued under existing law.

(Sec. 205) Permits legislative branch entities participating in the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council to use funds provided for administrative expenses to pay a share of the cost of the council if the total cost shared among all participating entities does not exceed $2,000.

(Sec. 206) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being transferred to any department, agency, or instrumentality of the U.S. government unless the transfer is pursuant to authority provided by an appropriations Act.

(Sec. 207) Prohibits the AOC from using funds provided by this division to eliminate or restrict guided Capitol tours led by congressional employees and interns other than through regulations authorized by the Capitol Visitor Center of 2008, subject to an exception permitting tours to be suspended for security or related reasons.

(Sec. 208) Specifies that, unless this bill expressly provides otherwise, references to "this Act" included in this division shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.

(Sec. 209) Specifies the committee report that applies for the purpose of implementing this division.

(Sec. 210) Establishes a spending reduction account for the amount by which spending proposed in this division exceeds the applicable allocation made by the House Appropriations Committee under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Specifies that the amount is $0. (Under the Rules of the House of Representatives, any savings included in the spending reduction account are not available for further appropriation during consideration of the bill.)

(Sec. 211) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to purchase plastic drinking straws.

(Sec. 212) Reinstates a requirement for the GAO to perform semiannual financial reviews of Independent Counsel expenditures.

DIVISION C--MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2019

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

This division provides FY2019 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military construction, military family housing, the U.S. share of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program, and base closures and realignments.

The division also provides appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans benefit and health care programs, Departmental Administration, and the National Cemetery Administration.

Related agencies and programs funded in the division include the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims; the Armed Forces Retirement Home; and the Cemeterial Expenses of the Army, including Arlington National Cemetery.

The division also includes military construction funds which are designated as Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) funds and are not subject to discretionary spending limits.

TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Provides appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for Military Construction for:

-- the Army;

-- the Navy and Marine Corps;

-- the Air Force;

-- Defense-Wide agencies and activities (other than military departments);

-- the Army and Air National Guard; and

-- the Army, Navy, and Air Force Reserves.

Provides appropriations to DOD for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program.

Provides appropriations for the DOD Base Closure Account.

Provides appropriations to DOD for Construction and Operation and Maintenance of Family Housing for:

-- the Army,

-- the Navy and Marine Corps,

-- the Air Force, and

-- Defense-Wide agencies and activities (other than military departments).

Provides appropriations for the DOD Family Housing Improvement Fund and the DOD Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund.

(Sec. 101) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used for payments exceeding $25,000 under a cost-plus-a-fixed-fee contract for construction in the United States without a specific DOD approval in writing. Includes an exception for work that is to be performed in Alaska.

(Sec. 102) Permits construction funds provided by this title to be used for hiring passenger motor vehicles.

(Sec. 103) Permits construction funds provided by this title to be used for advances to the Federal Highway Administration for the construction of access roads DOD has certified as important to national defense.

(Sec. 104) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used to begin construction of new bases in the United States without a specific appropriation.

(Sec. 105) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used to purchase land or land easements in excess of 100% of the value as determined by the Army Corps of Engineers or the Naval Facilities Engineering Command. Includes exceptions for: (1) determinations of value by a federal court, (2) purchases negotiated by the Attorney General or a designee, (3) values less than $25,000, and (4) DOD determinations that the purchase is in the public interest.

(Sec. 106) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used to acquire land, provide for site preparation, or install utilities for family housing, except housing for which appropriations have been provided.

(Sec. 107) Prohibits funds provided by this title for minor construction from being used to transfer or relocate any activity from one base or installation to another without notifying Congress in advance.

(Sec. 108) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used to procure steel for construction unless American producers, fabricators, and manufacturers have been allowed to compete for the procurement.

(Sec. 109) Prohibits funds provided to DOD for military construction or family housing during the current fiscal year from being used to pay real property taxes in any foreign nation.

(Sec. 110) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used to initiate a new installation overseas without notifying Congress in advance.

(Sec. 111) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used for architect and engineer contracts estimated to exceed $500,000 for projects in Japan, NATO member countries, or countries bordering the Arabian Gulf unless the contracts are awarded to U.S. firms or U.S. firms in joint ventures with host nation firms.

(Sec. 112) Prohibits funds provided by this title for military construction in U.S. territories and possessions in the Pacific and on Kwajalein Atoll, or in countries bordering the Arabian Gulf from being used to award a contract over $1 million to a foreign contractor. Includes exceptions.

(Sec. 113) Requires DOD to notify Congress in advance of the plans and scope of any proposed military exercise involving U.S. personnel if the construction costs that are anticipated to exceed $100,000.

(Sec. 114) Permits funds appropriated to DOD for construction in prior years to be used for construction projects authorized during the current session of Congress.

(Sec. 115) Permits expired or lapsed funds to be used to pay for supervision, inspection, overhead, engineering, and design costs for military construction or family housing projects being completed with lapsed or expired funds.

(Sec. 116) Permits funds provided for the construction of military projects to be available for five years if: (1) the funds are obligated from funds available for military construction, and (2) do not exceed the amount appropriated or permitted by law.

(Sec. 117) Permits the following transfers if Congress is notified and specified conditions are met:

-- to the DOD Family Housing Improvement Fund from appropriations for construction in Family Housing accounts, and

-- to the DOD Military Unaccompanied Housing Improvement Fund from appropriations for construction of military unaccompanied housing in Military Construction accounts.

Specifies that the transferred funds shall be available for DOD loans or loan guarantees pertaining to alternative means of acquiring and improving military family housing, military unaccompanied housing, and supporting facilities.

(Sec. 118) Permits the transfer of funds from the DOD Base Closure Account to the fund established to pay expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966.

(Sec. 119) Specifies that funds for operation and maintenance of family housing in this title shall be the only source of funds for repair and maintenance of all family housing units, including general or flag officer quarters. Sets forth limitations and requirements for expenditures for maintenance and repair of general or flag officer quarters.

(Sec. 120) Appropriates funds contained in the Ford Island Improvement Account to remain available until expended or transferred.

(Sec. 121) Permits the transfer of unobligated balances of expired military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations--Construction--Defense account.

(Sec. 122) Prohibits the Army from using funds provided by this division to relocate a unit that: (1) performs a testing mission or function that is not performed by any other unit in the Army and is specifically stipulated under current law, and (2) is located at a military installation where the total number of Army civilian employees and contractor personnel exceeds 10% of the regular and reserve Army personnel assigned to the installation. Includes an exception if the Army notifies Congress of the relocation's compliance with Army Regulation 5-10 concerning stationing actions.

(Sec. 123) Permits funds provided to an account in this title to be transferred among projects and activities within the account subject to specified DOD reprogramming guidelines for military and family housing construction.

(Sec. 124) Prohibits funds provided by this title from being used for the planning, design, and construction of projects at Arlington National Cemetery.

(Sec. 125) Provides specified additional funds to remain available through FY2023 for unfunded military construction priorities.

(Sec. 126) Rescinds specified unobligated balances from the following VA accounts and programs:

-- the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Security Investment Program;

-- Military Construction--Air Force; and

-- the fund established to pay expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966.

(Sec. 127) Defines "congressional defense committees" to include the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and Appropriations Subcommittees on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs.

(Sec. 128) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for the closure or realignment of the U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

(Sec. 129) Prohibits funds from being used to consolidate or relocate any element of a U.S. Air Force Rapid Engineer Deployable Heavy Operational Repair Squadron Engineer (RED HORSE) squadron outside of the United States until the Air Force: (1) submits to Congress an analysis and comparison of the cost and investment required to consolidate or relocate a RED HORSE squadron outside of the United States versus within the United States, and (2) certifies to Congress that the preferred site yields the greatest savings.

(Sec. 130) Requires specified FY2019 Military Construction--Defense-Wide funds authorized to be appropriated by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 to be immediately available and allotted to contract for the full scope of authorized projects.

(Sec. 131) Provides additional military construction funds to the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and the Air Force to remain available through FY2023 for enhancing force protection and safety at military installations.

TITLE II--DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS

Provides appropriations to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) for:

-- Compensation and Pensions,

-- Readjustment Benefits,

-- Veterans Insurance and Indemnities,

-- the Veterans Housing Benefit Program Fund,

-- the Vocational Rehabilitation Loans Program Account,

-- the Native American Veteran Housing Loan Program Account, and

-- General Operating Expenses.

Provides appropriations to the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) for:

-- Medical Services,

-- Medical Community Care,

-- Medical Support and Compliance,

-- Medical Facilities, and

-- Medical and Prosthetic Research.

Provides appropriations to the National Cemetery Administration.

Provides appropriations to the VA for Departmental Administration, including:

-- General Administration,

-- the Board of Veterans Appeals,

-- Information Technology Systems,

-- the Veterans Electronic Health Record,

-- the Office of Inspector General,

-- Construction--Major Projects,

-- Construction--Minor Projects,

-- Grants for Construction of State Extended Care Facilities, and

-- Grants for Construction of Veterans Cemeteries.

(Sec. 201) Specifies transfer authorities and requirements for the VBA.

(Sec. 202) Specifies transfer authorities and requirements for the VHA.

(Sec. 203) Permits appropriations provided by this title for salaries and expenses to be used for employment of temporary or intermittent experts and consultants, hire of passenger vehicles, lease of a facility or land or both, and uniforms.

(Sec. 204) Prohibits appropriations in this title other than Construction--Major Projects and Construction--Minor Projects from being used for land acquisition or construction of any new hospital or home.

(Sec. 205) Requires the VA to be reimbursed for medical services it provides to any person not defined as a beneficiary under specified laws.

(Sec. 206) Permits appropriations provided by this title for Compensation and Pensions, Readjustment Benefits, and Veterans Insurance and Indemnities to be used for payment of prior year accrued obligations for the accounts recorded in the last quarter of FY2018.

(Sec. 207) Permits appropriations provided by this title to be used to pay specified prior year obligations. Requires obligations from trust fund accounts to be paid only from the Compensation and Pensions account.

(Sec. 208) Requires the VA to use surplus earnings from the National Service Life Insurance Fund, the Veterans' Special Life Insurance Fund, and the United States Government Life Insurance Fund to reimburse the General Operating Expenses--Veterans Benefits Administration and Information Technology Systems accounts for the costs to administer the insurance programs during FY2019.

(Sec. 209) Permits amounts deducted from enhanced-use lease proceeds for reimbursement of expenses from a prior year to be obligated in the year in which the proceeds are received.

(Sec. 210) Permits funds provided by this title for salaries and other administrative expenses to be used to reimburse the following offices, subject to specified limits:

-- the Office of Resolution Management,

-- the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication,

-- the Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection, and

-- the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

(Sec. 211) Requires the VA to collect third-party reimbursement information prior to providing hospital care, nursing home care, or medical services for a non-service connected disability. Permits the VA to recover reasonable charges for care from anyone who has not provided the required disclosures.

(Sec. 212) Permits enhanced-use leasing revenues to be deposited into the Construction--Major Projects and Construction--Minor Projects accounts to be used for construction, alterations, and improvements of VA medical facilities.

(Sec. 213) Permits funds provided for Medical Services to be used for: (1) furnishing recreational facilities, supplies, and equipment; and (2) funeral and burial expenses.

(Sec. 214) Permits funds deposited in the Medical Care Collections Fund to be transferred to the Medical Services and Medical Community Care accounts and remain available until expended for the purposes of those accounts.

(Sec. 215) Permits the VA to enter into agreements with Federally Qualified Health Centers in Alaska and Indian tribes and tribal organizations which are party to the Alaska Native Health Compact with the Indian Health Service to provide healthcare, including behavioral health and dental care, to veterans in rural Alaska. Defines "rural Alaska" as those lands which are not within the boundaries of the municipality of Anchorage or the Fairbanks North Star Borough.

(Sec. 216) Permits funds deposited into the Department of Veterans Affairs Capital Asset Fund to be transferred to the Construction--Major Projects and Construction--Minor Projects accounts to remain available until expended.

(Sec. 217) Requires the VA to report quarterly to Congress on the financial status of the VA.

(Sec. 218) Permits specified FY2019 VA funds to be transferred to or from the Information Technology Systems account if approved by Congress.

(Sec. 219) Permits specified FY2020 VA advance funding provided for medical accounts to be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund and used for the operation of combined federal medical facilities.

(Sec. 220) Permits transfers from the Medical Care Collections Fund to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund for the operation of combined federal medical facilities.

(Sec. 221) Requires specified funds from the Medical Services, Medical Support and Compliance, and Medical Facilities accounts to be transferred to the DOD-VA Health Care Sharing Incentive Fund to remain available until expended.

(Sec. 222) Prohibits the VA from using funds to replace the current system that the Veterans Integrated Service Networks use to select and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment.

(Sec. 223) Directs the VA to notify Congress of all bid savings in major construction projects that total at least $5 million or 5% of the programmed amount of the project, whichever is less.

(Sec. 224) Prohibits funds provided for the Construction--Major projects account from being used to increase the scope of a project above the original budget request without congressional approval.

(Sec. 225) Requires the VA to submit to Congress a quarterly report containing performance measures and data from each VBA regional office.

(Sec. 226) Directs the VA to notify Congress before organizational changes that result in the transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalent staff from one organizational unit to another.

(Sec. 227) Requires the VA to report to Congress quarterly regarding any single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign exceeding $2 million.

(Sec. 228) Permits the VA to transfer funds to the Medical Services account if the transfer is necessary to address the needs of the VHA, meets specified requirements, and is approved by the Office of Management and Budget and Congress.

(Sec. 229) Permits FY2019 funds provided for the Board of Veterans Appeals and General Operating Expenses--Veterans Benefits Administration to be transferred between those accounts if Congress approves the transfer.

(Sec. 230) Prohibits the VA from reprogramming more than $7 million in funds among major construction projects or programs without congressional approval.

(Sec. 231) Requires the VA to ensure that the toll-free suicide hotline authorized under current law: (1) provides individuals who contact the hotline with immediate assistance from a trained professional, and (2) adheres to all requirements of the American Association of Suicidology.

Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to enforce or otherwise carry out any executive action that prohibits the VA from appointing an individual to occupy a vacant civil service position, or establishing a new civil service position, with respect to the hotline.

(Sec. 232) Prohibits funds from being used to close or diminish services at certain VA medical facilities until the VA submits to Congress a national realignment strategy.

(Sec. 233) Requires the VA to use the breast cancer screening guidelines issued on May 10, 2017, by the Veterans Health Administration National Center for Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Specifies that the requirement is for the period beginning on October 1, 2018 and ending on January 1, 2024.

(Sec. 234) Permits VA Medical Services funds to be used to provide: (1) fertility counseling and treatment using assisted reproductive technology to a covered veteran or the spouse of a covered veteran, or (2) adoption reimbursement to a covered veteran. Defines a "covered veteran" as a veteran who has a service-connected disability that results in the inability of the veteran to procreate without the use of fertility treatment.

(Sec. 235) Prohibits funds from being used to: (1) convert to contractor performance an activity or function performed by more than 10 federal employees unless the conversion is based on the result of a public-private competition and meets specified criteria, or (2) conduct studies comparing the costs of private and government provision of certain VHA products and services without a specific appropriation for that purpose.

(Sec. 236) Prohibits the VA from transferring funds from the Filipino Veterans Equity Compensation Fund to any other VA account.

(Sec. 237) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to conduct research using canines unless: (1) the scientific objectives of the study can only be met by research with canines, (2) the study has been directly approved by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and (3) the study is consistent with the revised VA canine research policy document. Specifies reporting requirements for canine research.

(Sec. 238) Provides additional appropriations to the VA for infrastructure improvements, including new construction, for:

-- seismic improvement projects and seismic program management activities,

-- National Cemetery Administration projects with Departmental Administration--Construction, Major Projects,

-- VHA Medical Facilities, and

-- Departmental Administration--Construction, Minor Projects.

(Sec. 239) Provides additional appropriations for programs and activities authorized in the VA MISSION Act of 2018 to remain available through FY2020. Requires specified funds to be used for: (1) the Veterans Community Care Program, and (2) the Family Caregivers Program.

TITLE III--RELATED AGENCIES

Provides appropriations for related agencies, including:

-- the American Battle Monuments Commission;

-- the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims;

-- Cemeterial Expenses of the Army, including Arlington National Cemetery and Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery; and

-- the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

(Sec. 301) Permits funds from concessions at Army National Military Cemeteries to be used to support activities at the cemeteries.

TITLE IV--OVERSEAS CONTINGENCY OPERATIONS

Provides appropriations to DOD for Overseas Contingency Operations Military Construction projects for the:

-- Army,

-- Navy and Marine Corps,

-- Air Force, and

-- Defense-Wide agencies and activities.

Designates the amounts provided in this title as for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985.

(Sec. 401) Specifies that funds designated in this division by Congress for Overseas Contingency Operations/Global War on Terrorism are only available if the President subsequently designates the amounts and transmits the designations to Congress.

(Sec. 402) Prohibits funds provided for by this title for military construction projects outside of the United States from being used for planning and design of any project associated with the European Deterrence Initiative until DOD submits to Congress a list of the military construction projects associated with initiative that DOD anticipates will be carried out in each year during FY2019-FY2023.

TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS

(Sec. 501) Prohibits the obligation of funds in this division beyond the current fiscal year unless expressly permitted in this division.

(Sec. 502) Prohibits the use of funds provided by this division for programs, projects, or activities not in compliance with federal laws related to risk assessment, the protection of private property rights, or unfunded mandates.

(Sec. 503) Encourages all departments and agencies funded in this division to expand their use of "E-Commerce" technologies and procedures.

(Sec. 504) Specifies the congressional committees that are to receive all reports and notifications required by this division.

(Sec. 505) Prohibits the transfer of funds to any part of the U.S. government without authority provided by an appropriations law.

(Sec. 506) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for a project or program named for an individual serving as a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner of the U.S. House of Representatives.

(Sec. 507) Requires agencies to post reports submitted to Congress on the public website of the agency. Includes exceptions for national security and confidential or proprietary information.

(Sec. 508) Prohibits the use of funds provided by this division for a computer network unless pornography is blocked, with the exception of law enforcement, prosecution, or adjudication activities.

(Sec. 509) Prohibits the use of funds provided by this division for first-class travel by an employee of the executive branch.

(Sec. 510) Prohibits the use of funds provided by this division for any contract where the contractor has not complied with E-Verify requirements for verification of eligibility for employment.

(Sec. 511) Prohibits DOD or the VA from using funds provided by this division to purchase or lease a new vehicle except in accordance with Presidential Memorandum--Federal Fleet Performance, dated May 24, 2011.

(Sec. 512) Prohibits the use of funds provided by this division for the renovation, expansion, or construction of any facility in the United States to house any individual detained at the U.S. Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the purposes of detention or imprisonment in the custody or under the control of DOD. Includes an exception for modification to the facility at Guantanamo Bay.

(Sec. 513) Specifies that, unless this bill expressly provides otherwise, references to "this Act" included in this division shall be treated as referring only to the provisions of this division.

(Sec. 514) Specifies the committee report that applies for the purpose of implementing this division.

(Sec. 515) Establishes a spending reduction account for the amount by which spending proposed in this division exceeds the applicable allocation made by the House Appropriations Committee under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974. Specifies that the amount is $0. (Under the Rules of the House of Representatives, any savings included in the spending reduction account are not available for further appropriation during consideration of the bill.)

(Sec. 516) Prohibits the VA from using funds provided by this division in contravention of requirements for training and outreach programs for homeless veterans.

(Sec. 517) Reduces the funding provided by this division for Department of Veterans Affairs--Departmental Administration--Information Technology Services (and the amount specified for operations and maintenance) and increases the funds provided by this division for Veterans Health Administration--Medical Services.

(Sec. 518) Prohibits the VA from using funds provided by this division to implement, administer, or enforce certain proposed revisions to regulations related to providing prosthetic and rehabilitative items as medical services to veterans.

(Sec. 519) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used to convey the 17.1 acres of land and the 126 existing housing units known as Shenandoah Square and located in Mountain View, California.

(Sec. 520) Prohibits the VA from transferring funds provided for the following programs:

-- the Homeless Providers Grant and Per Diem program.

-- the Domiciliary Care for Homeless Veterans program,

-- the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program, and

-- the Department of Housing and Urban Development--Department of Veterans Affairs Supported Housing (HUD-VASH) programs.

(Sec. 521) Prohibits funds provided by this division from being used for a new or additional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round.

[NOTE: The contents of this legislative update are current as of 06:00 AM on September 26, 2018.]

BILL NUMBER: 115th Congress: House Bill 5895 (H.R.5895)

CHAMBER OF ORIGIN: U.S. House of Representatives

CURRENT CHAMBER: U.S. House of Representatives

For DETAILED LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION on H.R.5895, visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5895

BILL TEXT: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5895/text

ACTIONS-TO-DATE (ordered by most recent first):

09/18/2018 -- House -- Presented to President.

09/13/2018 -- House -- Correct Enrollment

09/13/2018 -- House -- Motions to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

09/13/2018 -- House -- On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 377 - 20 (Roll No. 399).

09/13/2018 -- House -- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

09/13/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1059, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report to accompany H.R. 5895.

09/13/2018 -- House -- Mr. Frelinghuysen brought up conference report H. Rept. 115-929 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 1059. (consideration: CR H8239-8245)

09/12/2018 -- Senate -- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

09/12/2018 -- Senate -- Senate agreed to conference report by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 5. Record Vote Number: 207.

09/12/2018 -- Senate -- Cloture motion on the conference report to accompany H.R. 5895 withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

09/12/2018 -- Senate -- Cloture motion on the conference report to accompany H.R. 5895 presented in Senate. (CR S6116-6117)

09/12/2018 -- Senate -- Conference report considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S6133-6135)

09/12/2018 -- Senate -- Conference papers: Senate report and manager's statement and official papers held at the desk in Senate.

09/10/2018 -- House -- Conference report H. Rept. 115-929 filed. (text of conference report: CR H7946--8106)

09/10/2018 -- Senate -- Conferees agreed to file conference report.

09/05/2018 -- Senate -- Conference held.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Senate appointed conferees. Shelby; Alexander; Boozman; Daines; Lankford; Leahy; Feinstein; Schatz; Murphy.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Motion by Senator Corker to instruct Senate conferees (Trade Expansion Act of 1962) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 88 - 11. Record Vote Number: 151.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Motion by Senator Cassidy to instruct Senate conferees (National Flood Insurance Program) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 94 - 5. Record Vote Number: 150.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Motion by Senator Corker to instruct Senate conferees made in Senate.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Motion by Senator Cassidy to instruct Senate conferees made in Senate.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Senate insists on its amendment, agrees to request for conference, and authorizes the Presiding Officer to appoint conferees.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Motion to insist on Senate amendment to House bill, agree to request for conference, and authorize the Presiding Officer to appoint conferees agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Motion to insist on Senate amendment to House bill, agree to request for conference, and authorize the Presiding Officer to appoint conferees made in Senate.

07/11/2018 -- Senate -- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.

06/28/2018 -- Senate -- Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House requests a conference.

06/28/2018 -- House -- The Speaker appointed conferees - from the Committee on Appropriations: Frelinghuysen, Simpson, Carter of Texas, Calvert, Fortenberry, Fleischmann, Herrera Beutler, Taylor, Lowey, Kaptur, Visclosky, Ryan of Ohio, and Wasserman Schultz.

06/28/2018 -- House -- On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference Agreed to without objection.

06/28/2018 -- House -- Mr. Frelinghuysen asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and request a conference. (consideration: CR H5826)

06/27/2018 -- Senate -- Message on Senate action sent to the House.

06/26/2018 -- Senate -- Notwithstanding the passage of H.R. 5895 and the adoption of amendment SA 2910 to H.R. 5895, previously agreed to amendment SA 2920 and amendment SA 2999 are considered as having been agreed to following the adoption of amendment SA 3066 by Unanimous Consent.

06/25/2018 -- Senate -- Passed Senate with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 86 - 5. Record Vote Number: 139.

06/25/2018 -- Senate -- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4353-4364)

06/21/2018 -- Senate -- Cloture motion on the measure withdrawn by unanimous consent in Senate.

06/21/2018 -- Senate -- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4313-4336)

06/20/2018 -- Senate -- Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate.

06/20/2018 -- Senate -- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4253-4257, S4261-4275)

06/19/2018 -- Senate -- Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S4012-4020, S4021-4032, S4249-4251)

06/18/2018 -- Senate -- Measure laid before Senate by motion.

06/18/2018 -- Senate -- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.

06/18/2018 -- Senate -- Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate. (consideration: CR S3973-3976)

06/18/2018 -- Senate -- Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 92 - 3. Record Vote Number: 129.

06/14/2018 -- Senate -- Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (CR S3930)

06/14/2018 -- Senate -- Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S3930-3932)

06/13/2018 -- Senate -- Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 449.

06/12/2018 -- Senate -- Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.

06/08/2018 -- House -- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

06/08/2018 -- House -- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 235 - 179 (Roll no. 257).

06/08/2018 -- House -- On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 187 - 225 (Roll no. 256).

06/08/2018 -- House -- The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to increase the Veterans Health Administration's Medical Services Account by $10,000,000.

06/08/2018 -- House -- Ms. Kuster (NH) moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Appropriations. (text: CR H4998)

06/08/2018 -- House -- The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.

06/08/2018 -- House -- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

06/08/2018 -- House -- The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 5895.

06/08/2018 -- House -- The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

06/08/2018 -- House -- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4995-4996, H4996-5800)

06/08/2018 -- House -- Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5895 as unfinished business.

06/08/2018 -- House -- On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

06/08/2018 -- House -- Mr. Frelinghuysen moved that the Committee rise.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ratcliffe Amendment No. 38.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Peters Amendment No. 37.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Eshoo Amendment No. 36.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Walberg Amendment No. 35.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 34.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 33.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly Amendment No. 32.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Eddie Bernice Johnson Amendment No. 31.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating Amendment No. 30.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating Amendment No. 29.

06/08/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Carbajal Amendment No. 28.

06/08/2018 -- House -- Considered as unfinished business.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 5895 as unfinished business.

06/07/2018 -- House -- On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Mr. Carter (TX) moved that the committee rise.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barr (KY) amendment No. 27.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Welch amendment No. 26.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the McSally amendment No. 25.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ruiz amendment No. 24.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Johnson (OH) amendment No. 23.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ruiz amendment No. 22.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee amendment No. 21.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Torres amendment No. 20.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee amendment No. 19.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cohen amendment No. 17.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Takano amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Takano demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Takano amendment No. 16.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Meadows amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Ryan (OH) demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Meadows amendment No. 15.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty amendment No. 13.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee amendment No. 12.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gohmert amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Kaptur demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gohmert amendment No. 10.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the LaMalfa amendment No. 9.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee amendment No. 8.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rogers (AL) Amendment No. 7.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hastings Amendment No. 5.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Perlmutter Amendment No. 4.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Eshoo Amendment No. 3.

06/07/2018 -- House -- The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4985-4986)

06/07/2018 -- House -- Considered as unfinished business.

06/07/2018 -- House -- On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Mr. Simpson moved that the Committee rise.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 923, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Nolan Amendment No. 1.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4964-4977)

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Norman amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Norman demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Norman Amendment No. 39.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeSantis Amendment No. 38.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 36.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 35.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Blackburn amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mrs. Blackburn demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Blackburn Amendment No. 34.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Newhouse Amendment No. 33.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kihuen Amendment No. 32.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lowenthal amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Lowenthal demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lowenthal Amendment No. 31.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating Amendment No. 30.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Gosar amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Gosar demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar Amendment No. 29.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the O'Halleran Amendment No. 28.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Connolly amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Connolly demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Connolly Amendment No. 27.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Lee amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Lee demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lee Amendment No. 26.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Jackson Lee Amendment No. 25.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Gosar Amendment No. 24.

06/07/2018 -- House -- The Committee resumed its sitting.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kihuen Amendment No. 23.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Langevin Amendment No. 22.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating Amendment No. 20.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smith (TX) Amendment No. 19.

/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Beyer amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Beyer demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Beyer Amendment No. 18.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty (CT) Amendment No. 17.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Weber (TX) Amendment No. 16.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Soto Amendment No. 15.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Soto Amendment No. 14.

06/07/2018 -- House -- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Tsongas amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Tsongas demanded a recorded vote, and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Tsongas Amendment No. 13.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Esty (CT) Amendment No. 12.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bonamici Amendment No. 11.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating Amendment No. 10.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cohen Amendment No. 9.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the DeSaulnier Amendment No. 7.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lujan Grisham Amendment No. 6.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Ruiz Amendment No. 5.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Beyer Amendment No. 4.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Keating Amendment No. 3.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Abraham Amendment No. 2.

06/07/2018 -- House -- DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 918, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Collins (NY) Amendment No. 1.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Mr. Harper raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Harper stated the provision contained in H.R. 5895 violates clause 2 of House rule XXI. The provision on page 66, line 14 through page 66, line 20, states an appropriation may not be reported in a general appropriation bill for an expenditure not previously authorized by law. The Chair sustained the point of order.

06/07/2018 -- House -- GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 5895.

06/07/2018 -- House -- The Speaker designated the Honorable Paul Mitchell to act as Chairman of the Committee.

06/07/2018 -- House -- House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 918 and Rule XVIII.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. The resolution provides for consideration of the Senate amendment to H.R. 3249 in addition to providing for consideration of H.R. 8 and H.R. 5895. Each measure will be debatable for 1 hour. For H.R. 8, the resolution makes in order only those amendments printed in part A of the report. For H.R. 5895, the resolution makes in order only those amendments printed in part B of the report.

06/07/2018 -- House -- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 918. (consideration: CR H4884-4957, H4957-4964)

06/06/2018 -- House -- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 923 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 5895 and H.R. 3. The resolution provides for further consideration of H.R. 5895 under a structured rule. Also, the rule provides for consideration of H.R. 3 under a closed rule with one hour of debate. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit with or without instructions for both bills.

05/21/2018 -- House -- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 540.

05/21/2018 -- House -- The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 115-697, by Mr. Simpson.

05/21/2018 -- House -- Introduced in House.

SPONSOR(S)*:

-- Rep. Simpson, Michael K. [R-ID-2]

[*Note: Sponsors are current as of September 21, 2018. For the most up-to-date version of the sponsor and/or co-sponsor lists, visit: https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/5895/cosponsors ]

COMMITTEES: House Appropriations Committee.

SUBJECTS: Administrative law and regulatory procedures, Administrative remedies, Alaska, Alliances, Alternative and renewable resources, American Battle Monuments Commission, Appalachian Regional Commission, Appropriations, Architect of the Capitol, Armed Forces Retirement Home, Army Corps of Engineers, Budget deficits and national debt, Building construction, Buy American requirements, California, Cancer, Caribbean area, Cemeteries and funerals, Climate change and greenhouse gases, Computer security and identity theft, Computers and information technology, Congressional Budget Office (CBO), Congressional Research Service (CRS), Congressional agencies, Congressional committees, Congressional leadership, Congressional officers and employees, Congressional operations and organization, Congressional oversight, Congressional tributes, Cuba, Dams and canals, Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board, Defense spending, Delta Regional Authority, Denali Commission, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Veterans Affairs, Department of the Interior, Detention of persons, Disability and paralysis, Electric power generation and transmission, Employment discrimination and employee rights, Energy efficiency and conservation, Energy research, Energy storage, supplies, demand, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Environmental regulatory procedures, Europe, Executive agency funding and structure, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Federal appellate courts, Floods and storm protection, Foreign aid and international relief, Foreign labor, Government Accountability Office (GAO), Government Publishing Office (GPO), Government buildings, facilities, and property, Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management, Government information and archives, Government lending and loan guarantees, Government trust funds, Great Lakes, Hazardous wastes and toxic substances, Health care costs and insurance, Health facilities and institutions, Health information and medical records, Horticulture and plants, Hospital care, House of Representatives, Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles, Idaho, Indian lands and resources rights, Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information, International exchange and broadcasting, Joint Committee on Taxation, Joint Economic Committee, Kentucky, Lakes and rivers, Land transfers, Latin America, Law enforcement officers, Library of Congress, Life, casualty, property insurance, Lighting and heating, Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care, Manufacturing, Marine and coastal resources, fisheries, Medical research, Medical tests and diagnostic methods, Members of Congress, Mental health, Metals, Military facilities and property, Military operations and strategy, Military procurement, research, weapons development, Minority health, Mississippi, Mississippi River, Montana, Motor vehicles, National Guard and reserves, Nevada, Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, Nuclear power, Nuclear weapons, Oil and gas, Oregon, Policy sciences, Pornography, Public contracts and procurement, Racial and ethnic relations, Radioactive wastes and releases, Regional and metropolitan planning, Research administration and funding, Research and development, Russia, Senate, Solid waste and recycling, Strategic materials and reserves, Terrorism, U.S. Capitol, Utah, Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation, Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs, Veterans' medical care, Veterans' organizations and recognition, Veterans' pensions and compensation, Virgin Islands, Washington State, Water quality, Water resources funding, Water use and supply, Women's health.