Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998
For actions pursuant to the Line Item Veto Act (P.L. 104-130), see House Document 105-167.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 48 · Conference report filed in House · Oct 6, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS: Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development Title III: Independent Agencies Title IV: General Provisions Title V: HUD Multifamily Housing Reform Subtitle A: FHA-Insured Multifamily Housing Mortgage and Housing Assistance Restructuring Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions Subtitle C: Enforcement Provisions Subtitle D: Office of Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1998 - Makes appropriations for FY 1998 for the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development and for sundry independent agencies. Title I: Department of Veterans Affairs - Makes appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs for: (1) veterans' compensation, pensions, and readjustment benefits; (2) veterans' insurance and indemnities; (3) veterans' housing, education, and vocational rehabilitation loan accounts; (4) veterans' medical care; (5) medical and prosthetic research; (6) medical administration; (7) the General Post Fund, national homes; (8) departmental administration; (9) the National Cemetery System; (10) the Office of Inspector General; (11) construction; (12) the parking revolving fund; and (13) grants to States for construction of extended care facilities and cemeteries. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title II: Department of Housing and Urban Development - Makes appropriations for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for: (1) public and Indian housing; (2) the Public Housing Capital and Operating Funds; (3) drug elimination grants for low-income housing; (4) revitalization of severely distressed public housing; (5) Native American housing block grants; (6) Indian housing loan guarantees; (7) the capital grants-capital loans preservation account; (8) housing opportunities for persons with AIDS; (9) community development block grants; (10) brownfields redevelopment projects; (11) empowerment zones and enterprise communities; (12) the HOME investment partnerships program; (13) homeless assistance grants; (14) housing for special populations; (15) the Federal Housing Administration; (16) the Government National Mortgage Association; (17) housing policy development and research; (18) fair housing activities; (19) management and administration; (20) the Office of Inspector General; and (21) carrying out the Federal Housing Enterprise Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992. Rescinds specified amounts for: (1) annual contributions for assisted housing; (2) the Supportive Housing Demonstration Program; (3) the Shelter Plus Care program; and (4) rental housing assistance. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. (Sec. 201) Extends certain provisions regarding contributions for low-income housing projects and the demolition, disposition, or conversion to home ownership of public housing. Amends the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Housing and Urban Development, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act, 1996 to extend provisions regarding the streamlining of section 8 tenant-based assistance. Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to extend specified provisions regarding section 8 rent adjustments through FY 1998. Amends the Balanced Budget Downpayment Act, I to extend provisions regarding: (1) public and assisted housing minimum rents, income adjustments, and preferences; and (2) delays in the reissuance of section 8 vouchers and certificates. (Sec. 210) Amends the National Housing Act to authorize HUD to make partial guaranteed mortgage loan payments for health care facilities. (Sec. 214) Amends the Cranston-Gonzalez National Affordable Housing Act to provide for allocations for affordable housing to local jurisdictions that receive initial formula allocations of less than $500,000. (Currently, only jurisdictions that receive more than such amount are granted an allocation.) (Sec. 217) Requires the Secretary of HUD to make a grant for any State that: (1) received an allocation for FY 1997 under the AIDS Housing Opportunity Act; (2) is not otherwise eligible for such allocation for FY 1998 because the State does not have the required number of AIDS cases; and (3) would meet such requirement if the cases in the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) for any city within the State (which was not eligible in FY 1997 but is eligible for FY 1998) were considered to be cases outside of such MSAs. Title III: Independent Agencies - Makes appropriations for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission; (2) the Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board; (3) the Department of the Treasury's community development financial institutions program; (4) the Consumer Product Safety Commission; (5) the Corporation for National and Community Service; (6) the Office of Inspector General; (7) the Court of Veterans Appeals; and (8) the Department of Defense for Army cemeterial expenses. Appropriates funds for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for: (1) science and technology activities; (2) environmental programs and management; (3) the Office of Inspector General; (4) buildings and facilities; (5) Superfund; (6) the leaking underground storage tank program; (7) oil spill response programs; and (8) assistance to States and Indian tribes for environmental programs and infrastructure. Makes the Working Capital Fund available to EPA for maintenance and operation of administrative services without fiscal year limitation. Appropriates funds for: (1) the Executive Office of the President for the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the Office of Environmental Quality and to meet unanticipated needs in the national interest, security, or defense; and (2) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Office of Inspector General. Makes appropriations for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for: (1) disaster relief; (2) disaster assistance direct loans; (3) salaries and expenses; (4) the Office of Inspector General; (5) emergency management planning and assistance; (6) a specified emergency food and shelter program; and (7) the National Flood Insurance Fund. Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to extend through FY 1998: (1) a certain ceiling on obligations issued under the national flood insurance program; (2) the authority for new flood insurance contracts; and (3) the authorization of appropriations for certain studies. Requires the Director of FEMA to promulgate a methodology for collection of fees applicable to persons subject to FEMA's radiological emergency preparedness regulations. Permits collection of such fees only during FY 1998. Makes appropriations for: (1) the General Services Administration for the Consumer Information Center; (2) the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for human space flight, science, aeronautics, and technology research and development, mission support, and the Office of Inspector General; (3) the National Credit Union Administration's Central Liquidity Facility; (4) the National Science Foundation for research, major construction projects, science and engineering education and human resources programs, salaries and expenses, and the Office of Inspector General; (5) the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation; and (6) the Selective Service System. Sets forth authorized uses of, and limitations on, such funds. Title IV: General Provisions - Sets forth provisions regarding availability, and prohibitions on the use, of funds appropriated by this Act. (Sec. 415) Expresses the sense of the Congress that all equipment and products purchased with funds made available in this Act should be American-made. (Sec. 417) Requires amounts necessary for FY 1998 pay raises for programs funded by this Act to be within levels appropriated. (Sec. 419) Authorizes certain corporations and agencies of HUD to make commitments without regard to fiscal year limitations as necessary to carry out provisions under the Government Corporation Control Act. Allows any collections by such corporations and agencies to be used for new loan or mortgage purchase commitments to the extent provided under this Act, with specified exceptions. (Sec. 421) Makes funds to carry out the termination of the Office of Consumer Affairs available from those appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services for FY 1998. Title V: HUD Multifamily Housing Reform -Multifamily Assisted Housing Reform and Affordability Act of 1997 - Subtitle A: FHA-Insured Multifamily Housing Mortgage and Housing Assistance Restructuring - Directs the Secretary of HUD to enter into agreements with participating administrative entities (with preference given to State or local housing finance agencies) to develop and implement mortgage restructuring and rental assistance plans for FHA-insured multifamily housing mortgages in order to: (1) reduce expiring section 8 contracts costs; (2) address troubled projects; and (3) correct management and ownership deficiencies. (Sec. 524) Sets forth authorities regarding renewal of certain Section 8 contracts. Subtitle B: Miscellaneous Provisions - Amends the National Housing Act to authorize the Secretary to make grants for the capital costs of rehabilitation to owners of specified insured or Section 8 projects, subject to certain conditions. (Sec. 532) Requires the Comptroller General to report to the Congress on section 8 assistance for multifamily housing projects, including an analysis of how State and local housing finance agencies have benefited from rental assistance and the effectiveness of project oversight. Subtitle C: Enforcement Provisions - Directs the Secretary to issue implementing regulations. (Sec. 542) Amends the Social Security Act to make permanent provisions authorizing disclosure by States of certain income and unemployment records of housing assistance participants or applicants to HUD. Makes a conforming amendment to Internal Revenue Code provisions relating to tax return information of such individuals. Part 1: FHA Single Family and Multifamily Housing - Amends the National Housing Act to expand HUD authorities with respect to: (1) lender sanctions; (2) equity skimming; and (3) civil money penalties. Part 2: FHA Multifamily Provisions - Amends the National Housing Act and the Housing Act of 1937 to expand multifamily housing-related civil money penalties. (Sec. 563) Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1987 to extend the double damages remedy. Subtitle D: Office of Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring - Establishes the Office of Multifamily Housing Assistance Restructuring within HUD. (Sec. 579) Terminates Subtitle A (except for section 8 contract renewal provisions) and this subtitle on October 1, 2001.
Conference report agreed to in House: On agreeing to the conference report Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: 405 - 21 (Roll no. 505).(consideration: CR H8669-8686)
The previous question was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 261, the House proceeded with one hour of debate on the conference report.
Mr. Lewis (CA) brought up conference report H. Rept. 105-297 for consideration under the provisions of H. Res. 261.
Rule H. Res. 261 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 261 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of the conference report to H.R. 2158. Waiving all points of order against the conference report and against its consideration.
Conference report H. Rept. 105-297 filed. (text of conference report: CR H8323-8361)
Conference report filed: Conference report H. Rept. 105-297 filed.(text of conference report: CR H8323-8361)
Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference committee actions: Conferees agreed to file conference report.
Conference held.
Conference committee actions: Conference held.
The Speaker appointed conferees: Lewis (CA), DeLay, Walsh, Hobson, Knollenberg, Frelinghuysen, Neumann, Wicker, Livingston, Stokes, Mollohan, Kaptur, Meek, Price (NC), and Obey.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House instruct conferees Agreed to by voice vote. (consideration: CR H6725)
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on the motion to instruct conferees on the part of the House to insist on the House postion bill regarding the total funding levels for the Hazardous Substance Superfund account.
Mr. Stokes moved that the House instruct conferees.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On motion that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference Agreed to without objection. (consideration: CR H6724)
Mr. Lewis (CA) asked unanimous consent that the House disagree to the Senate amendment, and agree to a conference.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Senate insists on its amendment asks for a conference, appoints conferees Bond; Burns; Stevens; Shelby; Campbell; Craig; Cochran; Mikulski; Leahy; Lautenberg; Harkin; Boxer; Byrd. (consideration: CR S7857)
Passed Senate in lieu of S. 1034 with an amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 99-1. Record Vote No: 194.
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kennedy motion.
Mr. Kennedy (MA) moved to recommit with instructions to Appropriations.
The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2158.
Mr. Shuster raised a point of order against the content of the measure. Mr. Shuster stated that the provisions contained in section 420 of the bill made changes to existing law and, therefore, constituted legislation on an Appropriations bill, a violation of clause 2, rule XXI of the rules of the House. The Chair sustained the point of order.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Sensenbrenner amendment and announced that, by voice vote the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Sensenbrenner objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 184, further proceedings were postponed and the point of no quorum was withdrawn.
At the conclusion of debate the Chair put the question on agreeing to the Stokes amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was agreed to. Mr. Lewis (CA) demanded a recorded vote and further proceedings were postponed.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5309-5371)
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2158 as unfinished business.
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Mr. Lewis (CA) moved that the Committee rise.
At the conclusion of debate, the Chair put the question on the Obey amendment and announced that, by voice vote, the amendment was not agreed to. Mr. Obey objected to the vote on grounds that a quorum was not present and made a point of order that a quorum was not present. Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 184, further proceedings were postponed and the point of no quorum was withdrawned.
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Considered as unfinished business.
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2158 as unfinished business.
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate.
The Speaker designated the Honorable Larry Combest to act as Chairman of the Committee.
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 184 and Rule XXIII.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2158 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by paragraph. Bill is open to amendments.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 184. (consideration: CR H5251-5266, H5272-5288)
Rule H. Res. 184 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 184 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2158 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be read by paragraph. Bill is open to amendments.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 107.
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 105-175, by Mr. Lewis (CA).
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 105-175, by Mr. Lewis (CA).
Introduced in House
Ordered to be Reported.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee.
Final Day of Subcommittee Mark-Up.
First Day of Subcommittee Mark-Up.
Committee on Appropriations. Hearings held on the subject prior to committee ordering to be reported an original measure. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-427.
Final Day of Subcommittee Hearings.
Committee on Appropriations. Hearings held on the subject prior to committee ordering to be reported an original measure. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 105-427.
First Day of Subcommittee Hearings.
Referred to the House Committee on Appropriations.
Referred to the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies.
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