House Budget Details

The U.S. House is set to vote today on a long-term budget plan that would keep the government running through the end of the current fiscal year, September 30, 2011.
That goal would be accomplished in an unusual manner, by approving just one bill – instead of the normal 12 different budget bills that routinely go through the Congress.

Months ago, Democrats gave up on the idea of moving the usual group of appropriations bills, as the House only voted on two measures before the elections.

The full Senate has yet to consider a spending bill on the floor this year.

What follows is a summary of the bill, as prepared by the House Appropriations Committee.

Some of the best nuggets are saved until the very end, as this bill will include the language of a Senate food safety bill.  That was the measure which had been derailed because of Constitutional issues, because it raised revenue, and was passed first in the Senate.

Also in this bill, a prohibition on the use of any money by the feds to transfer and/or release  in the United States Nine Eleven mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed – or other Guantanamo Bay detainees.
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SUMMARY: FY 2011 YEAR LONG FUNDING ACT

This
funding Act freezes FY 2011 discretionary appropriations at the FY 2010 level;
providing $45.9 billion less than the President requested for the year. 

Within
that ceiling, the Act adjusts funding between programs and accounts to deal
with current demands and workloads and avoid furloughs.

“At a time when we are apparently
extending huge tax cuts for millionaires and we’re giving families worth ten
million dollars or more a bye on paying taxes on their good fortunes, this
Committee has done its dead level best within the constraints under which we
are operating to make some modest adjustments to salvage some investments which
over the long haul just might create more jobs than a tax break for
millionaires and adjustments that just might ease the financial desperation
facing so many families today who cannot afford to send their kids to college,
to find decent child care, or to provide adequate medical attention for their
needs,” said Chairman Dave Obey (D-WI). 

Overall,
the Act includes $513 billion for the Department of Defense, $4.9 billion above
2010; $75.2 billion for military construction and veterans, $1.4 billion below
2010; and $501.4 billion for all other appropriations, $3.5 billion below 2010.

It
also includes $159 billion for the war, as the President requested; prohibits
funding for Congressional earmarks; freezes non-military Federal pay for two
years, as requested by the President; and allows fee-funded programs to
continue to be financed from fees.

BILL TOTAL (in millions)

2010
Funding Total: $1,089,652

2011 President’s Request:   
$1,135,555

2011
Funding Act:  $1,089,652

BIGGEST
ADJUSTMENTS FROM 2010

The Act:

•               
Provides $6
billion less for the Census and rescinds $1.7 billion of Census funding that is
not needed, as requested by the President.

•               
Provides $5.1
billion less for defense base closure funding, as the President requested.

•               
Provides $1.5
billion less for high-speed rail, as the President requested.

•               
Rescinds $630
million from old highway projects.

•               
Rescinds $500
million from the Asset Forfeiture Fund as proposed by the Justice Department.

•               
Provides $624
million more for nuclear weapons programs, dependent upon the new START Treaty,
and $438 million more for nuclear nonproliferation efforts.

•               
Provides $3.1
billion more for Veterans Administration medical operations.  

•               
Provides $4.9
billion more to the Defense Department to meet pay and health
requirements.  

•               
Provides $5.7
billion more for Pell grants to meet the current funding shortfall that has
arisen due to the fact that more people are qualifying for the grant.

•               
Provides $550
million for Race to the Top, which was not funded in 2010.

•               
Provides $723
million to maintain Social Security, Medicare and Unemployment Compensation
operations.

 

 

HIGHLIGHTS BY BILL:

Agriculture,
Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies

The Act
provides $22.6 billion for programs within the jurisdiction of the Agriculture
Subcommittee, $724 million below the 2010 funding level. Within that limit,
adjustments are made for certain programs to respond to changes in law, meet
enrollment needs, or to address urgent funding needs, including:

•               
Providing
the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with additional resources to protect the
public from unsafe food and medical products. 
FDA will increase safety inspections for food, drugs, and medical
devices. Strengthening FDA is critical because approximately 20 cents of every
dollar spent by the American consumer is on an FDA-regulated product.

•               
Adjusting
funding to meet the demand for the Women, Infants and Children program (WIC)
and to meet the 2011 caseload for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program
(CSFP).  This funding will result in approximately
9.3 million women, infants and children receiving nutrition assistance under
WIC and 605,000 elderly, women, infants and children receiving assistance under
CSFP. 

•               
Adjusting
funding to meet demand in the Child Nutrition and Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Programs. This funding will result in nutritious meals for 32.6
million children under the Child Nutrition Program and will provide food
assistance to over 43 million people under the Supplemental Nutrition
Assistance Program.

•               
Adjusting
funding to enhance oversight of the commodity futures markets and meet the
additional responsibilities brought on by financial reform legislation.  This funding will result in better protection
of the average investor and increased safeguards against excessive speculation.

 

Commerce,
Justice, Science and Related Agencies

The Act provides $55.7 billion for programs related to
the jurisdiction of the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies
Subcommittee, $8.6 billion below 2010. Within that limit, funding is adjusted
to respond to changes in law or to meet high priority law enforcement and
oversight needs, including:

•               
Reducing
funding for Department of Justice and Department of Commerce construction
accounts, and Census to reflect lower resource needs in FY 2011.

•               
Adjusting
funding for the Office of the Federal Detention Trustee to ensure sufficient
resources are available for the detention of individuals awaiting Federal
prosecution.

•               
Adjusting
funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives to ensure that critical activities related to
Southwest border law enforcement can continue.

•               
Adjusting
funding for the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Executive Office of
U.S. Attorneys to ensure that mortgage fraud investigation and prosecution
activities can continue.

•               
Adjusting
funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons to maintain correctional worker
staffing and help relieve overcrowding of prisons.

•               
Adjusting
funding for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to
support increased operational responsibilities in FY 2011.

•               
Allowing
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office access to increased revenue from FY 2011
estimated fee collections and an interim patent fee adjustment to help reduce
the backlog of patent applications and implement critical improvements to IT
infrastructure.

•               
Adjusting
funding for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to
continue development of satellite systems that are critical for weather
forecasting and monitoring.

•               
Adjusting
funding for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and ensuring that
funding is allocated more consistently with the agency’s recently enacted
reauthorization.

 

Defense

The Act
provides $513 billion to programs in the jurisdiction of the Defense
Subcommittee, $4.9 billion above 2010. The Act also extends expiring
authorities and includes several new authorities related to ongoing contingency
operations and acquisition matters.

Defense funding increases include:

•               
$2.77
billion for additional military pay including funds for a 1.4% military pay
raise and additional funding for Basic Allowance for Housing and Basic
Allowance for Subsistence.

•               
$1.56
billion for the Defense Health Program to address cost increases. 

 

Within the
2010 baseline, the Act specifies certain funding levels for programs that enhance
the quality of life for military members, and for other matters, including:

•               
$250
million to upgrade schools on DoD bases that are owned and operated by local
education authorities. Improving these schools is a priority of the Secretary
of Defense.

•               
$300
million for transportation infrastructure improvements near DoD medical
facilities that have been impacted by base closure and realignment.

•               
Funding
for the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical
Facility Demonstration Fund.

•               
$205
million for Iron Dome, a new program related to Israeli missile defense
activities.

 

The Act also:

•               
Provides
DoD broad authority to realign funding to accommodate programs and projects
planned for FY 2011, including new program starts, significant changes in
program emphasis or quantities, and programs not funded in FY 2010 that are
planned to resume in FY 2011.  Funding
realignment requires Congressional approval.

•               
•
Extends several authorities required for military pay and bonuses and
compensation for civilian employees serving in theater, and authorities needed
for overseas contingency operations in Afghanistan and elsewhere, including:

•      
Military
Personnel Special Pay and Bonuses: Authority is extended for bonus and special
pay authorities for Reserve forces; certain bonus and special pay authorities
for health care professionals; special pay and bonus authorities for nuclear
officers; and authorities relating to payment of referral bonuses.

•      
Commanders
Emergency Response Program (CERP): Authority is extended for the Commanders
Emergency Response Program and associated authority to help military commanders
on the ground to build goodwill with the Afghan population.

•      
Counterdrug
Authorities: Authority is extended for DoD task forces supporting law
enforcement agencies conducting counter-drug and counter-terrorism
activities.  Authority is also extended
for DoD to provide counter-narcotics equipment to several countries which are
significant drug production and trafficking areas including Colombia, Peru,
Mexico, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

•               
•
Provides new contingency operations authorities for:

•      
The
Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund – allowing DoD to use $400 million in available
funds for large-scale infrastructure projects that support the civil-military
campaign in Afghanistan. This authority and funding was jointly requested by
the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State.

•      
The
Task Force for Business and Stability Operations – making up to $150 million
available for DoD’s Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) to
continue business development efforts in Afghanistan.  TFBSO has operated successfully since 2006 in
Iraq with documented successes in economic opportunities for the citizens of
Iraq.

•      
Global
Train and Equip Authority for Yemen – making up to $75 million available for
DoD to work with and help build the Yemeni Ministry of the Interior to conduct
counterterrorism activities.

•               
Provides
authority for the Navy to acquire 20 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) to allow
implementation of the Navy’s preferred acquisition strategy for the class.

 

Energy and Water Development

The Act
provides $34.3 billion for programs in the jurisdiction of the Energy and Water
Development Subcommittee, $843 million above 2010.  In a limited number of cases, funding is
adjusted to respond to critical needs, including:

•               
Providing
the National Nuclear Security Administration with additional resources to
facilitate securing all vulnerable nuclear material world-wide within four
years while continuing plutonium disposition and nuclear detection efforts.

•               
Providing
the National Nuclear Security Administration with additional resources to
address the requirements necessary to modernize the nuclear weapons complex.
The additional funding is provided contingent upon the Senate providing advice
and consent to the ratification of the new START treaty with Russia.

•               
Allowing
the Department of Energy to transfer funds from existing efforts to the
Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E) in order to advance
transformative energy research essential to future energy needs.

•               
Adjusting
funding to allow the Department of Energy to issue new loan guarantees on
renewable, nuclear and fossil energy technologies and projects to reduce the
country’s dependence on foreign oil.

•               
Adjusting
funding to allow the Department of Energy to address critical activities
necessary to meet state regulatory compliance requirements at environmental
cleanup sites.

 

The Act also:

•               
Includes
a provision limiting the transfer, sale or barter of the Department of Energy’s
inventory of excess uranium to ensure that the private uranium market is not
adversely impacted.

•               
Requires
the Department of Energy, Bureau of Reclamation and the Corps of Engineers to
submit a spending plan for the fiscal year within 30 days.

 

Financial
Services and General Government

The Act
provides $23.26 billion for programs in the jurisdiction of the Financial
Services Subcommittee, $928 million below 2010. While holding total 2011
funding below the 2010 level, the Act adjusts funding in key areas, including
combating financial fraud and tax evasion. The Act:

•               
Cuts
funding for construction of new federal buildings and rescinds 11 programs
funded in 2010.

•               
Provides
the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Department of the Treasury,
and other agencies the resources necessary to combat the financial fraud and
excessive risk-taking that provoked the 2008 financial crisis.  

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to go after offshore tax
evasion and to modernize its IT systems to deliver tax refunds a week earlier
in the 2012 tax season.

•               
Adjusts
funding for the federal court system to limit delays in prosecutions and
delivery of justice in civil cases in the face of a rising workload, as well as
to strengthen court security.

•               
Allows
the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) a modest increase in funding (fully
paid for by additional fees charged to telecommunications companies) to keep up
with rapidly changing technologies.

 

The Act also:

• Amends the rules governing federal government
vehicle purchases to allow for the purchase of electric and hybrid
vehicles.  

Homeland
Security

The Act
provides $42.5 billion for programs in the jurisdiction of the Homeland
Security Subcommittee, matching 2010. In a limited number of cases, funding is
adjusted to respond to changes in law or evolving threats to the homeland,
including:

•               
Adjusting
funding to allow the Coast Guard to maintain personnel hired in 2010 as well as
address operational cash flow challenges, such as military pay, military
allowances, and operation of new assets procured in prior years. 

•               
Providing
funding for the Coast Guard acquisition budget at a level lower than FY 2010
enacted, but higher than the FY 2011 request to continue critical
recapitalization projects for a deteriorating fleet. 

•               
Adjusting
funding to cover the remainder of FY 2011 costs associated with the mandated
pay grade increase for U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and Border
Patrol agents that took effect in September of 2010.

•               
Providing
the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) with some of the President’s
FY 2011 requested increases to enhance defenses against terrorist attacks, and
combat the recent attempts against all-cargo aircraft. Funds will enable TSA to
continue increased Federal Air Marshals coverage on key international flights,
continue staffing for 500 Advance Imaging Technology (AIT) machines currently
being deployed, and procure new AITs and the necessary staff for them.

•               
Providing
partial funding to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to sustain
the ICE agent presence on the Southwest border for drug, bulk cash, and weapons
smuggling investigations, as well as partial funding to detain illegal aliens
and enforce immigration laws.

•               
Adjusting
funding to cover costs associated with asylum and refugee applications that
were previously funded through a fee that was terminated on November 23, 2010.

•               
Providing
funding to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Disaster Relief fund
to ensure that FEMA has the resources necessary to respond to disasters as the
Nation enters hurricane season.

•               
Adjusting
the United States Secret Service budget so it can begin to prepare for the
protection requirements of the 2012 campaign for President, and continue to
implement the Uniformed Division Modernization Act, signed in October of 2010.

 

The Act also extends homeland security related
expiring authorities for one year, including:

•               
The
Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standards law;

•               
The
Stafford Act authority for making predisaster mitigation grants;

•               
Authority
for US Secret Service investigations;

•               
Extension
of Other Transaction Authority authorized in the Homeland Security Act of 2002.

 

Additionally, the Act:

•               
Includes
a provision to waive the cost share and certain limitations on funds related to
firefighter hiring grants to ensure fire departments can retain recently hired
staff.

•               
Increases
the civil and criminal penalties for airport exit lane breaches in response to
an exit lane security breach at a major airport.

•               
Includes
language restricting funding for the National Bio- and Agro-defense Facility in
Manhattan, Kansas until the design of the facility has matured and a revised
risk assessment of the site is completed and reviewed by the National Academy
of Sciences.

•               
Includes
a provision to ensure the appropriate level of National Flood Insurance Program
funding can be retained by FEMA to support the new workload burden for writing
flood insurance policies.  This change is
necessitated by the recent decision by State Farm to opt out of the program.

 

Interior,
Environment and Related Agencies

The Act
provides $32.27 billion for programs in the jurisdiction of the Interior and
Environment Subcommittee, $32 million above 2010. Funding is adjusted for
critical programs such as those to expedite reforms at the former Minerals
Management Service (MMS) and address critical health care and education needs
of Native Americans. The Act:

•               
Rescinds
$70 million in prior year funding.

•               
Provides
the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation, and Enforcement (formerly
MMS) with additional funds to expedite reforms of the offshore oil leasing and
drilling programs and expand oil spill research. These funds will enable the
Department of the Interior to double the number of oil and gas inspectors and
greatly increase technical capacity, thereby ensuring the safety of offshore
drilling operations. 

•               
Provides
additional funding for the Indian Health Service and the Bureau of Indian
Affairs to ensure continued education, law enforcement and health services for
two million Native Americans. Without this funding 700,000 patient services
would be eliminated, including diabetic treatments. Diabetes mortality rates
among Native Americans are three times that of the general U.S. population.

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the US Forest Service to continue the Collaborative Forest
Restoration Program in ten states, which helps protect our nation’s forest
watersheds and enhances rural forestry employment.

•               
Provides
additional funding to the US Geological Survey for the Landsat data continuity
mission, which provides vital satellite mapping widely used by government and
industry.

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the Bureau of Land Management to maintain the thousands of
wild horses and burros in its care.

 

The Act also:

•               
Provides
the Secretary of the Interior authority to reorganize the former MMS in
response to the BP Gulf of Mexico oil disaster and allows an additional 60 days
to review the environmental and safety impacts of offshore drilling proposals.  

•               
Restores
county revenue sharing for certain geothermal energy development receipts.

•               
Provides
the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) the authority to establish up to 10-year
contracts with ranchers that care for excess wild horses and burros, thereby
reducing the costs to the government, increasing the certainty for ranchers,
and enhancing conditions for the horses.

•               
Continues
the Forest Service authority for the Legacy Road and Trail Remediation program
that protects key watersheds and community water supplies.

•               
Modifies
a definition in the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 and reaffirms Congress’
intent for the Secretary of the Interior to take land into trust under the
Indian Reorganization Act for federally recognized Indian Tribes.

•               
Extends
certain expiring Interior and Environment related authorities, including
continuation of the current Forest Service policy and procedures regulating
increases to recreational cabin user fees. 

 

Labor, Health and Human Services, Education

The Act provides $170.27 billion for programs in the
jurisdiction of the Labor, Health, Education Subcommittee, $6.7 billion above
2010. Funding is adjusted to fund the current Pell Grant shortfall, maintain
operations for critical programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and
Unemployment Compensation, respond to changes in law, and meet other
high-priority needs.  The Act:

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the Social Security Administration to maintain staffing levels
in order to meet workload needs such as timely processing of applications for
benefits and reducing the backlog of pending appeals of disability cases.

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to operate
Medicare, make timely payments to health care providers, implement pending
program improvements, and strengthen protections against fraud and abuse.

•               
Provides
State Unemployment Insurance offices additional resources to manage their
unemployment compensation workloads.

•               
Adjusts
funding for the Department of Labor and the Federal Mine Safety and Health
Review Commission to reduce the large backlog of mine safety enforcement cases
currently pending at the Review Commission, upgrade emergency response
equipment, and continue to investigate the Upper Big Branch mine disaster.

•               
Adjusts
funding for the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to decrease
shortages of primary care practitioners and other providers through the health
professions training programs and to reduce waiting lists for AIDS drug
assistance programs.

•               
Maintains
screening and treatment services for emergency services personnel, residents,
and others whose health has been affected by the September 11 terrorist attacks
through the World Trade Center Medical Monitoring and Treatment program.

•               
Provides
additional funding for HHS’s Health Care Fraud and Abuse Control program and
Office of Inspector General to carry out oversight and investigative activities
to prevent and respond to waste, fraud, and abuse.

•               
Provides
the necessary authority and funding for the Head Start program to maintain
services for all currently enrolled children and provides additional funding
for child care assistance to low-income working families.

•               
Adjusts
funding to meet a portion of the increase requested by HHS for higher rent and
overhead costs and management and oversight of new responsibilities.

•               
Maintains
the discretionary portion of the maximum Pell Grant award at $4,860 which,
combined with a mandatory supplement of $690, will support a $5,550 maximum
Pell Grant in fiscal year 2011, the same as the 2010 level.

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the office of Federal Student Aid to maintain services to
students and families in implementing the transition to 100% direct student
lending mandated by law.

•               
Provides
$550 million to the Department of Education for the Race to the Top
competition.

•               
•
Provides the Job Corps with additional resources and transfer authority to
support student placements in newly opened (or soon-to-open) Job Corps centers.
The Act also:

•               
Allows
the National Institutes of Health to use a limited amount of funds within the
Office of the Director to initiate the Cures Acceleration Network program
recently established by law and designed to improve the translation of medical
research advances into new drugs and therapies.

•               
Directs
funding within the Prevention and Public Health Fund for immunization programs
and public health workforce development, as well as programs to reduce the
incidence of chronic diseases and other purposes.

•               
Allows
the Department of Education to conduct a national competition for civic
education programs.

 

Legislative Branch

The Act provides $4.654 billion for programs within
the jurisdiction of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee, matching 2010. Within
that ceiling, funding is adjusted for several agencies to address health,
safety and other concerns, including:

•               
Adjusting
funding for the Capitol Police to prevent the furlough of officers.  Due to a salary miscalculation by the Capitol
Police in fiscal year 2010, the enacted level for the police was insufficient
to support the authorized level of sworn officers.

•               
Cutting
Capitol Police lower priority security infrastructure projects in order to
sustain higher levels of sworn officers. 

•               
Ratifying
previously appropriated funds for the Capitol Police truck interdiction program
to allow the police to provide an enhanced security buffer zone around the
Capitol complex. 

•               
Adjusting
funding to allow the House of Representatives to replace critical life and
safety equipment for the House Buildings and the House side of the Capitol.  

•               
Adjusting
funding for the Congressional Budget Office to absorb analysts hired with funds
provided in the fiscal year 2009 supplemental. 

•               
Cutting
funding for the Architect of the Capitol by only funding high priority deferred
maintenance and life safety projects.

•               
Adjusting
funding to allow the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to continue its
oversight work for Congress, including its expanded role to audit the Federal
Reserve.  Language is also included to
allow GAO to collect higher amounts for reimbursable activities, including rent
income.

 

Military
Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies

The Act
provides $75.2 billion for programs within the jurisdiction of the Military
Construction, VA Subcommittee, $1.4 billion below 2010 overall but $3.7 billion
above 2010 for veterans programs.  Within
that ceiling, funding is adjusted to address critical priorities, including:

•               
Adjusting
funding to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to maintain and expand the
number of benefits claims processing personnel to continue efforts to reduce
the backlog of veterans’ claims.

•               
Adjusting
funding to address critical funding and management deficiencies at Arlington
National Cemetery, including providing for a plan to improve the Visitors
Center.

•               
Adjusting
funding for Military Construction accounts to recognize varying levels of
project construction from year-to-year. 
The Department of Defense is given discretion to fund projects in the
future years defense plan.

•               
Reducing
funding for overseas contingency operations to align with program needs.

 

The Act also includes three provisions providing
military construction and VA legislative authority:

•               
Authorization
for military construction projects, including planning and design;

•               
Authorization
for the U.S. contribution to the NATO Security Investment Program; and 

•               
Authorization
for the transfer of Department of Veterans Affairs funding to a joint
Department of Defense/Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility
Demonstration Fund for the operations of the James A. Lovell Federal Health
Care Center.

 

State,
Foreign Operations and Related Programs

The Act
provides $51 billion for programs within the jurisdiction of the State and
Foreign Operations Subcommittee, $2.2 billion above 2010 to meet U.S.
international obligations and continue to support our efforts in Iraq,
Pakistan, and Afghanistan. The Act:

•               
Adjusts
funding for the Foreign Military Financing (FMF) program to meet the full U.S.
commitment to Israel for FY 2011 and provide assistance to Egypt and Jordan at
the same level they received for their FY2010 program.

•               
Provides
funding for the Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF), which was
funded for FY2009 and FY2010 in the FY2009 supplemental, but did not receive an
appropriation in the regular FY2010 appropriations act. 

•               
Adjusts
funding to support the transition in Iraq from a predominately military
operation to a civilian led one and to address expanded civilian operations
requirements in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

•               
Adjusts
funding to meet a portion of the U.S. commitment to the Global Food Security
Fund and to meet its commitment to the Asian Development Bank’s capital
increase.

 

The Act
also includes eight provisions that extend expiring State and Foreign Operations
related authorities for one year including:

•               
Four
provisions related to authorities to hire and support personnel serving in
Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan.

•               
The
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative passport fee, to ensure the timely and
accurate processing of passports and passport cards.

•               
The
“Lautenberg Amendment” related to Soviet and Indochinese refugees.

•               
The
U.S. Advisory Commission on Public Diplomacy.

 

 In addition, the Act:

•               
Modifies
and expands the conditions in the FY 2010 Act regarding assistance for
Afghanistan to ensure that funds are provided in an accountable and transparent
manner and are used for the purposes for which they are made available.

•               
Conforms
Export-Import Bank conditions from the FY 2010 Act to the Iran Sanctions Act of
1996 as amended by the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and
Divestment Act of 2010.

 

Transportation,
Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

The Act
provides $64.9 billion for programs in the jurisdiction of the Transportation,
HUD Subcommittee, $3 billion below 2010. 
In a limited number of cases, funding is adjusted to respond to urgent
needs, such as ensuring that critical transportation safety and operational
activities continue and preventing the termination of rental assistance for
low-income families.  The Act:

•               
Reduces
funding for high speed rail and rescinds funding from old highway projects.

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address
operational costs associated with the air traffic control system; to annualize
controller and safety inspector personnel hired in 2010; and to meet
obligations for the airport improvement program.   

•               
Allows
funds for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to be used for
additional audits of new interstate carriers and grants to improve the
commercial driver’s license program.

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration and
the Federal Railroad Administration to maintain personnel hired in FY 2010 and
to increase safety and grant management oversight.

•               
Adjusts
funding to the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Government National
Mortgage Association (GNMA) to ensure that both agencies have the necessary
staff to manage increased workload.

•               
Adjusts
funding to allow the Department of Housing and Urban Development to meet
contractual obligations for essential information technology equipment and
staff.  

•               
Adjusts
the funding level for the Tenant-Based Rental Assistance and Project-Based
Rental Assistance (Section programs to ensure that no low-income family will
lose their assistance in FY 2011 and to allow remaining homeless individuals
impacted by Hurricane Katrina to receive assistance within existing resources.

•               
Adjusts
the rate provided for Tenant Protection vouchers to ensure that low-income
tenants will not lose rental assistance at the maturity date of a HUD-held
mortgage or use agreement and allows for one-year extensions of Rent Supp/RAP
contracts to further protect vulnerable low-income Americans.

•               
Adjusts
the funding level for Homeless Assistance Grants to combat the growing numbers
of families and individuals experiencing homelessness, and increases funding
and extends the authorization for the Interagency Council on Homelessness to
better coordinate federal resources.

•               
Adjusts
funding for the Amtrak Office of Inspector General to ensure its oversight
activities continue without interruption in FY 2011.

 

Additionally, the Act extends expiring authorizations
for surface transportation and aviation programs through September 30,
2011. 

Government
Wide:

The Act includes several provisions that apply to all
funding government wide, including:

•               
Allowing
agencies to transfer funds, upon approval of the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees, to avoid furloughs or reductions in force or to
provide funding necessary for programs and activities required by law.

•               
Prohibiting
funding for the transfer or release to or within the U.S. (including
territories and possessions) of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other Guantanamo
detainee held on or after June 24, 2009; who is not a U.S. citizen or member of
the U.S. Armed Forces.

•               
Prohibiting
funds from being obligated in contravention of the Iran Sanctions Act.

 

Other
Items:

The Act
carries S.510, the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act, which was passed by the
Senate on November 30, 2010 by a vote of 75 to 25.

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