[House Document 110-141]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
110th Congress, 2d Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 110-
141
A REQUEST FOR BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2009
__________
COMMUNICATION
from
THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
transmitting
A REQUEST FOR FY 2009 BUDGET AMENDMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENTS OF
AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, HOMELAND
SECURITY, THE INTERIOR, LABOR, AND STATE, AS WELL AS THE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION AGENCY
September 8, 2008.--Referred to the Committee on Appropriations and
ordered to be printed
The White House
Washington, August 1, 2008.
Hon. Nancy Pelosi,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Speaker: I ask the Congress to consider the
enclosed amendments to my FY 2009 Budget for the Departments of
Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Health and Human Services,
Homeland Security, the Interior, Labor, and State, as well as
the Environmental Protection Agency. The amounts requested are
fully offset by proposed reductions to other accounts.
Overall, the discretionary budget authority proposed in my
FY 2009 Budget would not be increased by these proposed
requests.
The details of these amendments are set forth in the
enclosed letter from the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget.
Sincerely,
George W. Bush.
[Estimate No. 7, 110th Cong., 2nd Session]
Executive Office of the President,
Office of Management and Budget,
Washington, DC, July 31, 2008.
The President,
The White House.
Submitted for your consideration are amendments to your FY
2009 Budget for the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce,
Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, the
Interior, Labor, and State, as well as the Environmental
Protection Agency. These requests include proposed increases to
accounts that would be fully offset by proposed cancellations
or reductions of funding from lower-priority Federal programs
and excess funds. Also included are requests for technical
adjustments to amendments previously transmitted to the
Congress. Further, the requests include adjustments that
reflect necessary appropriations language changes to update
your Budget to be consistent with enactment of Pub. L. No. 110-
246, the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008
Farm Bill).
Overall, the discretionary budget authority proposed in
your FY 2009 Budget would not be increased by these proposed
amendments. As described below and in more detail in the
enclosures, the amendments include the following:
Department of Agriculture
$172.3 million proposed increase for the first year
stabilization and development cost associated with a plan to
modernize the computer systems of the Farm Service Agency, and
for implementation costs resulting from enactment of the 2008
Farm Bill.
$192.3 million in proposed decreases within the Department
to fully offset the Farm Service Agency request, as well as to
partially offset other increases proposed in this transmittal.
$43.0 million proposed additional net decreases in the
Department of Agriculture that reflect adjustments made to
update the Budget request to be consistent with enactment of
the 2008 Farm Bill.
Department of Education
$50.0 million proposed increase for the Office of Federal
Student Aid to ensure sufficient resources to implement student
loan purchase authority provided in the Ensuring Continued
Access to Student Loans Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-227); pay
for increased servicing costs associated with any increase in
Direct Loan volume; to implement the Lender of Last Resort
program authorized in the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C.
Sec. 1078(j); and to conduct an independent audit of the
student loan purchase authority.
Department of Commerce
$13.0 million proposed increase for the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration to improve hurricane intensity
and track forecasting.
Department of Health and Human Services
$905.0 million proposed increase for the Public Health and
Social Services (PHSSEF) to enhance the Nation's preparedness
against a bioterrorist event through the advanced development
of priority medical countermeasures and activities that support
the distribution and dispensing of medical countermeasures.
This funding would also improve the Nation's preparedness in
the event of an influenza pandemic.
$939.8 million reduction within the Department to fully
offset the PHSSEF request, as well as to partially offset other
increases proposed in this transmittal.
Department of the Interior
$11.7 million proposed increase to fund remediation efforts
within the Naval Oil Shale Reserve 3 in Colorado that would be
fully offset by an $11.7 million proposed decrease of
unobligated balances within the Department.
Department of Homeland Security
$27.0 million proposed increase for the Office of Health
Affairs to strengthen the Nation's preparedness against a
bioterrorist event through the enhancement of the BioWatch
environmental monitoring system. This proposal would be fully
offset by a $27 million reduction with the Department.
Environmental Protection Agency
$34.8 million increase in total for the Science and
Technology and the Hazardous Substance Superfund accounts to
address gaps in responding to and recovering from an anthrax
attack. These proposed increases would be fully offset by
proposed reductions to other accounts in this transmittal.
Other technical amendments
Amendments to previously submitted proposals that impact
the Departments of Homeland Security, Labor, and State.
Recommendation
I have reviewed these requests and am satisfied that they
are necessary at this time. Therefore, I join the heads of the
affected agencies in recommending that you transmit the
proposals to the Congress.
Sincerely,
Jim Nussle,
Director.
Enclosures.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Pages: 105-106
FY 2009 Pending Request: $1,188,580,000
Proposed Amendment: $172,309,000
Revised Request: $1,360,889,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$1,188,580,000'' and substitute, $1,360,889,000 and add the
following new proviso following the last bracket and before the
period:)
Provided further, That of the amounts made available,
$117,309,000 shall be for the first year stabilization and
development cost associated with a plan to modernize the
computer systems of the Farm Service Agency.
This amendment would provide an additional $172.3 million
for the Farm Service Agency (FSA) Salaries and Expenses
account. Of this amount, $117.3 million would be for the first
year stabilization and development costs associated with a plan
to modernize the FSA computer systems. The remaining $55.0
million would be used primarily to support additional temporary
staff years and information technology requirements associated
with new and revised programs in the 2008 Farm Bill (the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-246).
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by proposed reductions to other accounts, as described
in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget
authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, AND FACILITIES
House Document 110-123 Page: 18
FY 2009 Pending Request: $2,827,253,000
Proposed Amendment: $10,000,000
Revised Request: $2,837,253,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$2,827,253,000'' in both the first clause and the third
proviso and substitute in both places $2,837,253,000; delete
``$2,920,253,000'' from the third proviso and substitute
$2,930,253,000.)
This amendment would provide an additional $10 million for
the Operations, Research, and Facilities account. These funds
would be used to improve hurricane intensity and track
forecasting by expanding modeling efforts for the Hurricane
Forecast System and the Global Forecast System, as well as by
increasing aviation services to collect critical hurricane
data.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by proposed reductions to other accounts, as described
in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget
authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
PROCUREMENT, ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION
House Document 110-123 Page: 19
FY 2009 Pending Request: $1,229,660,000
Proposed Amendment: $3,000,000
Revised Request: $1,232,660,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$1,229,660,000'' and substitute $1,232,660,000.)
This amendment would provide an additional $3 million for
the Procurement, Acquisition, and Construction account. The
additional funds would be used for leasing additional
supercomputing capacity necessary to improve hurricane
intensity and track forecasting capabilities.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by proposed reductions to other accounts, as described
in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget
authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Office of Federal Student Aid
STUDENT AID ADMINISTRATION
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 359
FY 2009 Pending Request: $714,000,000
Proposed Amendment: $50,000,000
Revised Request: $764,000,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$714,000,000'' and substitute $764,000,000, and insert the
following immediately before the concluding period:)
Provided, That these funds are available for an independent
audit of programs and activities authorized under Pub. L. No.
110-227
This amendment would provide an additional $50 million for
the Office of Federal Student Aid, Student Aid Administration
account. This increase would ensure sufficient resources are
available for the following purposes:
To implement the student loan purchase authority
included in the Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act
of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-227);
To pay for increased servicing costs associated
with any increase in Direct Loan volume in both the 2008-2009
and 2009-2010 academic years;
To implement the Lender of Last Resort program
authorized under section 428(j) of the Higher Education Act (20
U.S.C. Sec. 1078(j)); and
To conduct an independent audit of the student
loan purchase authority authorized under Pub. L. No. 110-227.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by proposed reductions to other accounts, as described
in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget
authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
USE OF RECEIPTS FROM MINERAL LEASING ACTIVITIES ON CERTAIN NAVAL OIL
SHALE RESERVES
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 603
FY 2009 Pending Request: -$24,700,000
Proposed Amendment: $11,704,000
Revised Request: -$12,996,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$24,700,000'' and substitute $12,996,000.)
This amendment would increase the amount of unobligated
balances available to this account by $11.7 million. These
balances were previously proposed for cancellation in the FY
2009 Budget.
Pursuant to section 7439 of title 10, United States Code, a
special account was established, in addition to other purposes,
to fund the environmental investigation and restoration of a
site within the Naval Oil Shale Reserve Number 3 in Colorado.
The fund collects certain oil and gas leasing receipts and
makes some of those funds available, without further
appropriation.
The 2009 Budget proposed to cancel $24.7 million in
appropriated balances that were not expected to be needed to
complete the required cleanup authorized by the Act. Cost
estimates for the restoration have since increased, so this
amendment would reduce the amount to be cancelled from the
fund.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by a proposed reduction within the Bureau of Land
Management, as described in an accompanying amendment. Taken
together, the budget authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget
would not be affected.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Land Management
ABANDONED MINE RECLAMATION FUND
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 616
FY 2009 Pending Request: $30,811,000
Proposed Amendment: -$11,704,000
Revised Request: $19,107,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, insert
the following new paragraph immediately after the concluding
period:)
Of the unobligated balances available under this heading,
$11,704,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $11.7 million of
unobligated balances in the Abandoned Mine Reclamation Fund
account for coal reclamation grants.
The Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA)
Amendments of 2006 (Title II, Pub. L. No. 109-432, 120 Stat.
3006) significantly increased the amount of mandatory funds
provided to States for coal reclamation, beginning in 2008 and
increasing in 2009 and future years. As a result, the FY 2009
Budget proposes to terminate the discretionary coal reclamation
grant program, the purposes of which can be accomplished with
the SMCRA mandatory funds. This amendment would reduce by about
half the amount of carryover balances that would be available
to States as they transition from discretionary to mandatory
funding.
The $11.7 million decrease would be used to fully offset
the proposed increase within the Bureau of Land Management, as
described in an accompanying amendment. Taken together, the
budget authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
GENERAL PROVISIONS
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 199
FY 2009 Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
the appropriations language in section 710 in its entirety and
substitute the following:)
None of the funds appropriated or otherwise made available
by this or any other Act shall be used to pay the salaries and
expenses of personnel to carry out the following: (a) an
Environmental Quality Incentives Program authorized by 16
U.S.C. Sec. 3839aa, et seq., as amended by subtitle F of Title
II of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L.
No. 110-46), in excess of $1,050,000,000. Funds exceeding this
amount for fiscal year 2009 are hereby permanently cancelled;
(b) an Agricultural Management Assistance Program authorized by
section 524 of the Federal Crop Insurance Act (7 U.S.C.
Sec. 1524), as amended by the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246). $15,000,000 of the funds
available for this program for fiscal year 2009 are hereby
permanently cancelled.
This amendment would update appropriations language in the
pending request to reflect enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill (the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-
246). This amendment clarifies the effect that this most recent
Farm Bill has on the FY 2009 Budget for three programs: the
Environmental Quality Incentives Program, the Conservation
Security Program, and Agricultural Management Assistance.
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Due to the
$1,337 million provided in FY 2009 for EQIP in the 2008 Farm
Bill, the proposed $1,050 million limitation and complementary
cancellation above in subsection 710(a) would yield a total
savings of $287 million in FY 2009. This is $67 million in
additional savings compared to what was assumed for the same
language in the Budget request. The 2002 Farm Bill (the Farm
Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-171)
that was current law at the time the Budget was released in
February 2008 had appropriated only $1,270 million in FY 2009
for EQIP.
Conservation Security Program (CSP). Section 710(b) of the
pending request has been proposed for deletion.
Because the 2008 Farm Bill does not provide any new funding
for CSP in FY 2009, this cancellation would no longer yield the
savings that was assumed in the pending request.
Agricultural Management Assistance. A $10 million proposed
cancellation of all FY 2009 funding available for this program
was included in the pending request. The 2008 Farm Bill
increased the funding for such assistance in FY 2009 to $15
million. In addition to the $10 million that was already
assumed to be cancelled in the pending request, this amendment
would permanently cancel the $5 million increase in funding.
This amendment would increase net budget authority in the
request by $12 million. This requested increase in budget
authority would be fully offset by proposed reductions to other
accounts, as described in the accompanying amendments. Taken
together, the budget authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget
would not be affected.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
GENERAL PROVISIONS
House Document 110-124 Page: 4
FY 2009 Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
the appropriations language in section 713 in its entirety and
substitute the following:)
Of the funding available under section 32 of the Act of
August 24, 1935, as amended by section 14222 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246),
$100,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled. In addition,
section 14222(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246) is amended by striking
``$1,173,000,000'' and inserting ``$1,073,000,000''.
This amendment would update appropriations language in the
pending request to reflect enactment of the 2008 Farm Bill (the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-
246). This amendment clarifies the effect that this most recent
Farm Bill has on the FY 2009 Budget for the Funds for
Strengthening Markets, Income, and Supply (Section 32) program.
Section 14222(b)(2) of the 2008 Farm Bill sets a maximum
amount for the Section 32 program for the first time. Since the
pending request does not lower the maximum amount available for
the program, it will not result in budget authority savings.
This proposed budget amendment not only would permanently
cancel $100 million in funding, but would also lower the
maximum amount in section 14222(b)(2)(A)(i). In addition, this
amendment would change the cancellation amount from the $293
million proposed in the Budget to $100 million.
The pending request for the Section 32 program also
appropriated $49 million in discretionary budget authority for
administrative expenses from funds available under section 32,
including $20 million for replacement of a system to support
commodity purchases and $17 million for formulation and
administration of marketing agreements and orders. OMB had
assumed that a portion of this funding would be scored as a
mandatory change in a discretionary appropriations bill.
Because that appropriation will now be considered as part of
the funding available under the maximum amount in section
14222(b)(2)(A)(i), this will result in $12 million less in
discretionary appropriations in FY 2009.
This amendment would decrease net budget authority in the
request by $55 million. Taken together with other proposals in
this transmittal, as described in the accompanying amendments,
the budget authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not
be affected.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
GENERAL PROVISIONS
House Document 110-123 Page: 9
Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``(Pub. L. No. 110-234)'' in the first sentence in section 718
and substitute (Pub. L. No. 110-246) and add new sections 719-
730 after section 718.)
This request would amend the Public Law citation in section
718 to correctly reflect the most recently enacted version of
the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Pursuant to
section 4 of Pub. L. No. 110-246, Pub. L. No. 110-234 was
repealed effective on the date of enactment of that Act.
It would also add the following new sections:
Sec. 719. No funds shall be used to pay salaries and
expenses of the Department of Agriculture to carry out or
administer the program authorized by section 1240Q of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 3839bb et seq.), as
amended by section 2605 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246). Of the funds made available
for this program for fiscal year 2009, $23,000,000 are hereby
permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $23 million in FY
2009 funding for the newly created Chesapeake Bay Watershed
Program. The program provides funding for producers to
implement erosion control, nutrient control, and habitat
conservation measures in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Existing
Federal conservation programs, such as the Environmental
Quality Incentives Program, which received slightly over $1.3
billion for FY 2009 in the recently enacted 2008 Farm Bill,
already address these needs. This proposed reduction would
eliminate the FY 2009 funding for the program.
Sec. 720. No funds shall be used to pay salaries and
expenses of the Department of Agriculture to carry out or
administer the program authorized by section 1240R of the Food
Security Act of 1985 (16 U.S.C. Sec. 3839bb et seq.), as
amended by section 2606 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246). Of the funds made available
for this program for fiscal year 2009, $50,000,000 are hereby
permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $50 million in FY
2009 funding for the newly created Voluntary Public Access and
Habitat Incentives Program, which encourages private landowners
to open their lands to hunting. This program duplicates
existing State programs which provide the very same service.
Over 20 States already have such a program in place, and such a
program is more appropriately administered and funded at the
State and local level. This proposed reduction would eliminate
funding for the program.
Sec. 721. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009
by section 1241(a)(4) of the Food Security Act of 1985 (16
U.S.C. Sec. 3841(a)(4)), as amended by section 2701(d) of
subtitle H of title II of the Food, Conservation, and Energy
Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246), $24,000,000 are hereby
permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $24 million in FY
2009 funding for the Farmland Protection Program. This program
provides matching funds to help purchase development rights to
keep productive farm and ranchland in agricultural uses. This
proposed reduction would bring the program in FY 2009 to $97
million, which is its historical level of appropriated funds.
Sec. 722. No funds shall be used to pay salaries and
expenses of the Department of Agriculture to carry out or
administer the program authorized by section 379E of subtitle D
of the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act (7 U.S.C.
Sec. 1981 et seq.), as amended by 6022 of the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246). Of
the funds made available for this program for fiscal year 2009,
$4,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $4 million of FY
2009 funding made available for the Rural Microentrepreneur
Assistance Program in the recently enacted 2008 Farm Bill. The
Rural Business Service administers other programs that provide
grant and loan assistance to small businesses, making this
program redundant. This proposed reduction would eliminate the
FY 2009 funding for the program.
Sec. 723. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009
by section 231(b)(7) of the Agricultural Risk Protection Act of
2000 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 1621 note: Pub. L. No. 106-244), as amended
by section 6202(b)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246), $12,318,000 are hereby
permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel more than $12
million in FY 2009 funding for the Value-Added Agricultural
Market Development Program which provides grants to producers
to create value added products. The program would have almost
$3 million in funding available in FY 2009. Typically,
businesses helped by these sorts of development programs record
a three year survival rate at a national average of 60 percent.
This poorly performing program, however, does not come close to
that national average, with a three year survival rate of only
35 percent.
Sec. 724. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009
by section 1672B(f) of the Food, Agricultural, Conservation,
and Trade Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 5925b), as amended by
section 7206(a)(2) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of
2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246), $8,000,000 are hereby permanently
cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $8 million in FY
2009 funding for the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension
Initiative. The amendment would leave $10 million for this
program, more than three times the $3 million available for
Organic Research and Extension in FY 2008 under the FY 2002
Farm Bill (the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002,
Pub. L. No. 107-171).
Sec. 725. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009
by section 508 of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003
(16 U.S.C. Sec. 6578), as amended by section 8205(c) of the
Food, Conservation. and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-
246), $4,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $4 million of the
nearly $10 million of FY 2009 funding made available for the
Healthy Forests Reserve program in the recently enacted 2008
Farm Bill. This program has never received more than $3 million
in annual appropriations, and has significant outstanding
balances.
Sec. 726. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009
by section 9004 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 8101 et seq.), as amended by section
9001 of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L.
No. 110-246), $10,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $10 million of FY
2009 funding for the newly created Repowering Assistance
Program. The program, which provides payments to biorefineries
to replace fossil fuel used to produce heat or power to operate
existing biorefineries with renewable biomass energy sources.
This program is similar in purpose to other Rural Development
programs, making it redundant. This proposed reduction would
leave $25 million for the program in FY 2009.
Sec. 727. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009
by section 9007 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act
of 2002 (7 U.S.C. Sec. 8101 et seq.), as amended by section
9001 of the Food, Conservation. and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L.
No. 110-246), $6.000.000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $6 million in FY
2009 funding for the Rural Energy for America Program, which
was once part of the renewable energy/energy efficiency grant
program. The program focuses on helping rural businesses obtain
energy efficiencies. Funding for this program in the recently
enacted 2008 Farm Bill, is $5 million more than the FY 2009
Budget request. This proposed reduction would leave $49 million
for FY 2009, approximately double the typical loan and grant
volume for this program. The agency is not expected to obligate
the full level of funds in FY 2009.
Sec. 728. Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009
by section 101(j) of the Specialty Crops Competitiveness Act of
2004 (Pub. L. No. 108-465). as amended by section 10109(c)(4)
of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No.
110-246), $34,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $34 million of FY
2009 funding made available for the Specialty Crop Block Grant
Program in the recently enacted 2008 Farm Bill (the Food,
Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-246). The
block grant program does not effectively target assistance for
specialty crops and potentially overlaps with existing Sec. 32
and Food and Nutrition Service programs. This proposed
reduction would leave $15 million for the program in FY 2009.
Sec. 729. No funds shall be used to pay salaries and
expenses of the Department of Agriculture to carry out or
administer the program authorized by section 420(e)(1) of the
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C. Sec. 7711 et seq.), as amended
by section 10201(a) of the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act
of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-246). Of the funds made available for
fiscal year 2009, $12,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $12 million in FY
2009 funding for Plant Pest and Disease Management and Disaster
Prevention. Funding for pest detection and surveillance is and
should continue to be made available through the discretionary
appropriation to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
under current budget ceilings. This proposed reduction would
eliminate the FY 2009 funding for the program.
Sec. 730. No funds shall be used to pay salaries and
expenses of the Department of Agriculture to carry out or
administer the program authorized by section 10202(e) of the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Pub. L. No. 110-
246). Of the funds made available for fiscal year 2009,
$5,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would permanently cancel $5 million of FY
2009 funding for the National Clean Plant Network. Funding for
this program is more appropriately made available through the
discretionary appropriations to the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service under current budget ceilings. This proposed
reduction would eliminate the FY 2009 funding for the program.
The total decreases of more than $192 million provided by
this amendment would partially offset the proposed increases
described in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the
budget authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
House Document 110-123 Page: 22
FY 2009 Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``(Pub. L. No. 110-234)'' in section 107 and substitute (Pub.
L. No. 110-246).)
This request would amend the Public Law citation to
correctly reflect the most recently enacted version of the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Pursuant to section
4 of Pub. L. No. 110-246, Pub. L. No. 110-234 was repealed
effective on the date of enactment of that Act.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Reclamation
WATER AND RELATED RESOURCES
House Document 110-123 Page: 25
FY 2009 Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``(Pub. L. No. 110-234)'' in the last proviso and substitute
(Pub. L. No. 110-246).)
This request would amend the Public Law citation to
correctly reflect the most recently enacted version of the
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008. Pursuant to section
4 of Pub. L. No. 110-246, Pub. L. No. 110-234 was repealed
effective on the date of enactment of that Act.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Citizenship and Immigration Services
UNITED STATES CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Pages: 480-481
FY 2009 Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, insert
the following new paragraph before the opening parenthesis of
the bill citation:)
Of the unobligated funds collected pursuant to section
286(v) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
Sec. 1356(v)), $34,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would reduce the pending request for the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) account by
permanently cancelling $34 million in funding. This funding
will become available in this account at the beginning of FY
2009 as a result of a $102 million temporary rescission in the
FY 2008 appropriation in the Department of Labor's Employment
Standards Administration (ESA) Salaries and Expenses account.
The cancellation that was contained in the budget amendment
that was transmitted to the Congress on June 9, 2008 (H. Doc.
110-123) assumed that all of the $102 million rescission of
funds would become available for obligation by ESA in FY 2009.
In fact, only one third ($34 million) of these funds will
become available to that account. In accordance with the
availability of funds provided by section 286(v) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Sec. 1356(v)), $68
million ($34 million each) will also become available to
Diplomatic and Consular Programs in the Department of State and
to USCIS.
This request would cancel all of the funding that is newly
available to the Department of Homeland Security in FY 2009 as
a result of the original temporary rescission. The request
would have no net effect on the balances available to USCIS
from Fraud Prevention and Detection fees prior to the addition
of the $34 million in temporarily rescinded balances. The $34
million decrease would partially offset the proposed increases
described in the budget amendment transmitted to the Congress
on June 9, 2008. Taken together with other proposals in that
transmittal, as well as proposals in this transmittal that
cancel the $34 million from Diplomatic and Consular Programs in
the Department of State and the revised cancellation of $12
million from the ESA Salaries and Expenses account in the
Department of Labor, the budget authority requested in the FY
2009 Budget would not be affected.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment Standards Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
House Document 110-123 Page: 26
FY 2009 Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$110,000,000'' from the second paragraph and substitute
$42,000,000.)
This amendment would reduce the pending $110 million
cancellation from the Employment Standards Administration
(ESA), Salaries and Expenses account by $68 million.
The FY 2008 appropriation temporarily rescinded $102
million from this account. The cancellation that was contained
in the budget amendment that was transmitted to the Congress on
June 9, 2008 (H. Doc. 110-123) assumed that all of these funds
would become available for obligation by ESA in FY 2009. In
fact, only one third ($34 million) of these funds will become
available to this account. In accordance with the availability
of funds provided by section 286(v) of the Immigration and
Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Sec. 1356(v)), $68 million ($34
million each) will also become available to Citizenship and
Immigration Services in the Department of Homeland Security and
Diplomatic and Consular Programs in the Department of State.
This request would cancel $12 million of the $34 million in
funding that will become available in the Department of Labor
in FY 2009. The $12 million decrease would partially offset the
proposed increases described in the budget amendment
transmitted to the Congress on June 9, 2008. Taken together
with other amendments in that transmittal, as well as
amendments in this transmittal that cancel the $34 million each
from Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of
Homeland Security and Diplomatic and Consular Programs in the
Department of State, the budget authority requested in the FY
2009 Budget would not be affected.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Administration of Foreign Affairs
DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR PROGRAMS
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 769
FY 2009 Pending Request: ---
Proposed Amendment: Language
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, insert
the following new paragraph before the opening parenthesis of
the bill citation:)
Of the unobligated funds collected pursuant to section
286(v) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
Sec. 1356(v)), $34,000,000 are hereby permanently cancelled.
This amendment would reduce the pending request for the
Diplomatic and Consular Programs (D&CP) account by cancelling
$34 million in funding. This funding will become available in
this account at the beginning of FY 2009 as a result of a $102
million temporary rescission in the FY 2008 appropriation in
the Department of Labor's Employment Standards Administration
(ESA) Salaries and Expenses account.
The cancellation that was contained in the budget amendment
that was transmitted to the Congress on June 9, 2008 (H. Doc.
110-123) assumed that all of the $102 million rescission of
funds would become available for obligation by ESA in FY 2009.
In fact, only one third ($34 million) of these funds will
become available to that account. In accordance with the
availability of funds provided by section 286(v) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. Sec. 1356(v)), $68
million ($34 million each) will also become available to
Citizenship and Immigration Services in the Department of
Homeland Security and to D&CP.
This request would cancel all of the funding that is newly
available to the Department of State in FY 2009 as a result of
the original temporary rescission. The request would have no
net effect on the balances available to D&CP from Fraud
Prevention and Detection fees prior to the addition of the $34
million in temporarily rescinded balances. The $34 million
decrease would partially offset the proposed increases
described in the budget amendment transmitted to the Congress
on June 9, 2008. Taken together with other amendments in that
transmittal, as well as amendments in this transmittal that
cancel the $34 million from Citizenship and Immigration
Services in the Department of Homeland Security and the revised
cancellation of $12 million from the ESA Salaries and Expenses
account in the Department of Labor, the budget authority
requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be affected.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Departmental Management
PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 466
FY 2009 Pending Request: $1,395,831,000
Proposed Amendment: $905,000,000
Revised Request: $2,300,831,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, (1)
delete ``$810,740,000'' in the first paragraph and substitute
$1,352,740,000; (2) delete ``and of which $275,000,000'' in the
first paragraph and substitute of which $748,000,000; (3)
delete ``$585,091,000, of which $507,000,000'' from the second
paragraph and substitute $948,091,000, of which $870,000,000;
and (4) insert the following new language immediately before
the period at the end of the first paragraph:)
, and of which $50,000,000 to remain available until September
30, 2010, to support the delivery of medical countermeasures:
Provided, That of the amount made available herein for the
delivery of medical countermeasures, up to $20,000,000 may be
transferred to the U.S. Postal Service to support the delivery
of medical countermeasures
This amendment would provide an additional $905 million for
the Public Health and Social Services Emergency Fund. This
proposed funding would be used to enhance the Nation's
preparedness against a bioterrorist event through the advanced
development of priority medical countermeasures and activities
that support the distribution and dispensing of medical
countermeasures. This funding would also improve the Nation's
preparedness in the event of an influenza pandemic.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by proposed reductions to other accounts, as described
in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget
authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
National Protection and Programs Directorate
OFFICE OF HEALTH AFFAIRS
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 513
FY 2009 Pending Request: $161,339,000
Proposed Amendment: $27,000,000
Revised Request: $188,339,000
(In the appropriations language under the heading, delete
``$161,339,000'' and substitute $188,339,000; delete
``$132,129,000'' and substitute $159,129,000.)
This amendment would provide an additional $27 million for
the Office of Health Affairs. This proposed funding would
strengthen the Nation's preparedness against a bioterrorist
event through the enhancement of the BioWatch environmental
monitoring system. The funds would be used to purchase and
deploy 150 automated BioWatch sensors to increase coverage in
BioWatch cities, lower detection times down to 4 to 6 hours,
and speed the delivery of medical countermeasures.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by a proposed reduction within the Department of
Homeland Security, as described in an accompanying amendment.
Taken together, the budget authority requested in the FY 2009
Budget would not be affected.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 1039
FY 2009 Pending Request: $763,527,000
Proposed Amendment: $10,600,000
Revised Request: $774,127,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$763,527,000'' and substitute $774,127,000.)
This amendment would provide an additional $10.6 million
for the Science and Technology account. This funding would be
used to address gaps in responding to and recovering from an
anthrax attack. Critical gaps addressed by this funding
include:
Validated Sampling Assays and Methodologies ($7.2 million).
To date, EPA has identified existing methods to collect,
prepare, and analyze samples containing anthrax. However, the
existing methods are not specifically intended for
environmental samples and need to be tested to determine their
overall effectiveness and efficiency. Research is required to
develop, verify, and validate sample collection, preparation,
and analytical methods to aid in the detection of anthrax in
environmental samples.
Washing/Cleaning Methods for Outdoor Areas/Matrices ($2.5
million). Further research needs to be conducted to field-test
Standard Operating Procedures for the use of simple and
flexible decontamination methods of anthrax-contaminated
outdoor areas, using available equipment and supplies and with
minimal environmental or materials damage, i.e., bench-scale
studies need to be done to assess the efficacy of promising
decontamination methods for outdoor surface types.
Risk Assessment Methodologies for Risk Characterization and
Exposure Assessment ($0.9 million). The capability of tools to
estimate exposure levels following a wide area release remains
a continuing challenge. Additional requested funding will
assist EPA in not only developing methods to combine various
data types into a scientifically-defensible risk
characterization for human exposure to anthrax, but also in
modifying existing exposure models, for chemically-contaminated
environments, to estimate inhalation, dermal, and oral
exposures to anthrax spores.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by proposed reductions to other accounts, as described
in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget
authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE SUPERFUND
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Page: 1049
FY 2009 Pending Request: $1,264,233,000
Proposed Amendment: $24,165,000
Revised Request: $1,288,398,000
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
``$1,264,233,000'' in both places where it occurs and
substitute in both places $1,288,398,000.)
This amendment would provide an additional $24.2 million
for the Hazardous Substance Superfund account in the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This funding would be
used to address gaps in decontamination equipment and
laboratory capacity/capability for possible anthrax incidents
in urban indoor and outdoor environments. Critical gaps
addressed via this funding include:
InSitu Decon Methodologies ($20.8 million). EPA and private
vendors currently have technologies applicable for small-scale
decontamination of biological agents, i.e., the Senate Office
Building. However, a critical gap exists in the ability to
scale-up technologies and methodologies to address larger areas
of contamination and there is little incentive for private
vendors to develop such capacity. The requested increase would
provide additional technology capacity to decontaminate larger
areas should such an event occur.
Laboratory Capacity/Capability ($3.4 million). In the event
of a wide-area anthrax attack, relying on a finite set of labs
with competing priorities, i.e., a need to analyze
environmental, clinical, and forensic samples simultaneously,
presents a significant gap. Of the requested $3.4 million, $2.6
million would begin to address the current laboratory capacity
gap, associated with screening sample analysis, through the
development of a Memorandum of Understanding and Inter-agency
Agreement with the Department of Agriculture to provide
infrastructure support and access screening samples from more
than a dozen State veterinary diagnostic laboratories. The
remaining $0.8 million would be used to support validated
sampling assays and methodologies, such as evaluation and
development of guidance for swab sampling methods on non-porous
surfaces and for vacuum sampling methods from porous surfaces.
Furthermore, the Payment to the Hazardous Substance
Superfund account would be adjusted, consistent with the
proposed budget amendment, to increase homeland security
funding for bioterrorism activities in the Hazardous Substance
Superfund account.
The requested increase in budget authority would be fully
offset by proposed reductions to other accounts, as described
in the accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget
authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Administration for Children and Families
SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT
House Document 110-123 Page: 23
FY 2009 Pending Request: $939,765,000
Proposed Amendment: -$939,765,000
Revised Request: ---
(In the appropriations language under the above heading, delete
the appropriations language in its entirety and substitute the
following:)
Notwithstanding sections 2002 and 2003 of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. Sec. Sec. 1397a and 1397b), no State
shall be entitled to payment, no funds shall be appropriated,
and no allotment shall be made under such sections for fiscal
year 2009: Provided, That notwithstanding subparagraph (B) of
section 404(d)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C.
Sec. 604(d)(2)), the applicable percent specified under such
subparagraph for a State to carry out State programs pursuant
to title XX of such Act shall be 10 percent.
The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) is an appropriated
entitlement, which was funded at $1,700 million in FY 2008. The
FY 2009 Budget requested $1,200 million for SSBG through a one-
year reduction of $500 million in appropriations language.
Additionally, the Budget included a permanent elimination of
authorized funding levels in the out years beyond FY 2009. A
budget amendment that was transmitted to the Congress on June
9, 2008 (H. Doc. 110-123) reduced the FY 2009 request to
approximately $940 million in order to offset other requested
increases.
This amendment further adjusts the request by neither
appropriating nor allocating to States any FY 2009 funds for
SSBG, reducing the authorized funding level for the Social
Services Block Grant by an additional $940 million. At the same
time, the amendment preserves the ability of the States to
transfer up to 10 percent of funds from the Temporary
Assistance for Needy Families program to SSBG. The program's
minimal requirements maximize State flexibility but, at the
same time, do not ensure that funded activities are effective.
This is because SSBG is a funding stream rather than a program
with measurable performance objectives.
The requested $940 million reduction in budget authority
would partially offset the proposed increases described in the
accompanying amendments. Taken together, the budget authority
requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be affected.
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Federal Emergency Management Agency
STATE AND LOCAL PROGRAMS
FY 2009 Budget Appendix Pages: 514-515
FY 2009 Pending Request: $1,900,000,000
Proposed Amendment: -$27,000,000
Revised Request: $1,873,000,000
(In the appropriations language under the heading, delete
``$1,900,000,000'' and substitute $1,873,000,000; delete
``$200,000,000'' in paragraph (1) and substitute $173,000,000.)
This amendment would reduce the Homeland Security Grant
Program within the State and Local Programs account by $27
million. The 2009 Budget proposes to consolidate State and
local grants and to distribute grants to programs on the basis
of risk. Since 2001, the Department has administered over $23
billion, primarily as grants, to support State and local
preparedness. Of this amount, approximately $7.4 billion in
grant awards remain unspent. Moreover, states and localities
are spending these funds slower than they had been in prior
years. This proposal would support State and local preparedness
by redirecting a small percentage of total grant resources to
BioWatch.
The requested $27 million reduction in budget authority
would fully offset a proposed increase within the Department,
as described in an accompanying amendment. Taken together, the
budget authority requested in the FY 2009 Budget would not be
affected.