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H.R. 4486 113th Congress House

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015

Official title: Making appropriations for military construction, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2015, and for other purposes.

Introduced: April 17, 2014 See on congress.gov
Armed Forces and National Security AlaskaAlaska Natives and HawaiiansAlliancesAmerican Battle Monuments Commission
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This bill died when the 113th Congress ended
It never became law before the 113th Congress (2013–2014) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 46 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 22, 2014
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 400.
May 22, 2014
Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Johnson SD, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 113-174.
May 20, 2014
Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. Approved for full committee consideration with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
May 1, 2014
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Apr 30, 2014
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 4486.
Apr 30, 2014
The Speaker designated the Honorable Daniel Webster to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Apr 30, 2014
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 557 and Rule XVIII.
Apr 30, 2014
The resolution provides for 1 hour of general debate for both bills. For H.R. 4486, the resolution provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. For H.R. 4487, the resolution makes in order only those specified amendments printed in the report. The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions during consideration of each bill.
Apr 30, 2014
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 557. (consideration: CR H3308-3358; text of Title I as reported in House: CR H3319-3320, H3320, H3321, H3322-3324; text of Title II as reported in House: CR H3324, H3325, H3325-3326, H3329, H3330-3332; text of Title III as reported in House: CR H3336-3337; text of Title IV as reported in House: CR H3337, H3339)
Apr 30, 2014
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 416 - 1 (Roll no. 187).
Apr 30, 2014
The House adopted the amendments en gross as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Apr 30, 2014
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Apr 30, 2014
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H3357)
Apr 30, 2014
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 4486.
Apr 30, 2014
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that proceedings would resume on the adoption of amendments.
Apr 30, 2014
MOMENT OF SILENCE - The House observed a moment of silence with respect to the victims of the recent tornados.
Apr 30, 2014
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the adoption of amendments which had been debated earlier and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Noem amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Walorski amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Nunes amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Peters (MI) amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Farenthold amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Jackson Lee amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Gosar amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Grayson amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Takano amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Runyan amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Blumenauer amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Blumenauer demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Blumenauer amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Takano amendment No. 3 under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Ross amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Murphy (FL) amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Rothfus amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Blumenauer demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until later in the legislative day.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Moran amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the LaMalfa amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Terry amendment under the five-minute rule, pending reservation of a point of order.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Ruiz amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Costa amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Sinema amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Turner amendment No. 4 under the five-minute rule.
Apr 30, 2014
DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with debate on the Castor amendment under the five-minute rule.
Apr 29, 2014
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 557 Reported to House. The resolution provides for 1 hour of general debate for both bills. For H.R. 4486, the resolution provides that the bill shall be considered for amendment under the five-minute rule. For H.R. 4487, the resolution makes in order only those specified amendments printed in the report. The resolution provides one motion to recommit with or without instructions during consideration of each bill.
Apr 17, 2014
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 306.
Apr 17, 2014
The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 113-416, by Mr. Culberson.
Apr 17, 2014
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Apr 30, 2014 House · vote #187 On Passage Passed 416–1 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 24

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

16 agreed to 2 failed 3 with no recorded outcome 3 withdrawn or other

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 641 – Amendment prohibits use of funds to close rural hospitals in high-need areas that are designated as national … Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 640 – Amendment prohibits the use of funds to be used by the Secretary of Veterans affairs to implement sole source… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 639 – At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: SEC.___. None of the funds made … Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 638 Peters, Gary C. Amendment prohibits the use of funds for a contract that includes first-class travel by the contractor. Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 637 – – No recorded outcome Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 636 – Amendment prohibits the use of funds for benefits for homeless veterans and training and outreach programs fo… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 635 Gosar, Paul A. Amendment increases funds for the Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Systems by $3,215,910… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 634 – Amendment prohibits the use of funds to enter into a contract with any offeror or any of its principals if th… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 633 Gosar, Paul A. Amendment prohibits the use of funds to create or maintain any patient record-keeping system other than those… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 632 Takano, Mark An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for the All-Volunteer Force Educational Assistance Program to be us… No recorded outcome Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 631 – Amendment adds a new section at the end of the bill to prohibit funds to be used to propose, plan for, or exe… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 630 – Amendment sought to prohibit the use of funds to implement Veterans Health Administration directive 2011-004 … Failed Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 629 Takano, Mark An amendment numbered 3 printed in the Congressional Record to prohibit the use of funds made available in th… No recorded outcome Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 628 – Amendment prohibits the use of funds by the Secretary of Defense to close a commissary store. Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 627 – Amendment prohibits the use of funds to maintain or improve Department of Defense real property with zero per… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 626 – Amendment prohibits the use of funds to be used by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay a performance awa… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 625 – Amendment sought to strike section 411 from the bill which prohibits the use of funds to construct, renovate,… Failed Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 624 LaMalfa, Doug An amendment to add a section stating "If Department of Veterans Affairs casework is brokered out to another … Withdrawn Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 623 – An amendment to prohibit the use of funds for administrative expenses of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs un… Withdrawn Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 622 Ruiz, Raul Amendment reduces and then increases funds for the General Operating Expenses, Veterans Benefits Administrati… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 621 Costa, Jim Amendment reduces funds for the General Administration Account for the Department of Veterans Affairs by $10.… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 620 – Amendment reduces the funds available to the General Administration Account for the Department of Veterans Af… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 619 Turner, Michael R. Amendment provides funding for the planning, design, and construction of an additional missile defense site c… Agreed to Apr 30, 2014
HAMDT 618 Castor, Kathy An amendment to reduce the funds available to the Department of Defense Base Closure Account by $9.8 million … Withdrawn Apr 30, 2014
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 Latest action May 22, 2014

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 400.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015 - Title I: Department of Defense - Appropriates funds for FY2015 for the Department of Defense (DOD) for: (1) military construction for the Army, Navy and Marine Corps, and Air Force (military departments), DOD, the Army and Air National Guard, and the Army, Navy, and Air Force reserves; (2) the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Security Investment Program; (3) family housing construction and related operation and maintenance for the military departments and DOD; (4) the Department of Defense Family Housing Improvement Fund; (5) chemical demilitarization construction; and (6) the Department of Defense Base Closure Account.

Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this title and in other military construction appropriations Acts.

(Sec. 110) Prohibits appropriated funds from being used to initiate a new installation overseas without prior notification to the congressional appropriations committees.

(Sec. 113) Directs the Secretary of Defense (Secretary) to notify the appropriate congressional committees 30 days in advance of the plans and scope of any proposed military exercise involving U.S. personnel if construction costs are anticipated to exceed $100,000.

(Sec. 114) Prohibits more than 20% of the funds made available in this title which are limited for obligation during the current fiscal year from being obligated during the last two months of the fiscal year.

(Sec. 120) Authorizes the transfer of amounts from certain Department of Defense Base Closure Accounts for expenses associated with the Homeowners Assistance Program under the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966.

(Sec. 123) Places specified restrictions and limitations on the obligation or expenditure of funds made available in this title or in any other military construction appropriations Act to carry out a military construction, land acquisition, or family housing project at or for a military installation approved for closure, or to support a function that has been approved for realignment to another installation, in 2005 under the Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990.

(Sec. 124) Provides for the transfer of lapsed unobligated military construction and family housing funds into the Foreign Currency Fluctuations, Construction, Defense account.

(Sec. 126) Prohibits DOD military construction funds from being used for the planning, design, and construction of projects at Arlington National Cemetery.

(Sec. 129) Rescinds specified funds under prior appropriations Acts for: (1) military construction, (2) family housing construction for the Army, (3) the NATO Security Investment Program, and (4) the DOD Homeowners Assistance Program. Excludes from such rescissions any appropriations designated for overseas contingency operations/global war on terrorism or as an emergency requirement.

Title II: Department of Veterans Affairs - Provides appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) the Veterans Benefits Administration; (2) the Veterans Health Administration (VHA); (3) the National Cemetery Administration; and (4) Departmental Administration, including for the Board of Veterans Appeals, the Office of Inspector General, major and minor construction projects and grants for the construction of state extended care facilities and veterans cemeteries.

Specifies restrictions and authorizations regarding the use of funds appropriated in this title.

(Sec. 210) Makes funds from this title available to reimburse expenses of the Office of Resolution Management and the Office of Employment Discrimination Complaint Adjudication, within specified limits.

(Sec. 216) Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary, for purposes of this title) to enter into agreements with certain Indian tribes and tribal organizations in rural Alaska to provide health care, including behavioral health and dental care.

(Sec. 219) Directs the Secretary to report quarterly to the appropriations committees on the financial status of the VHA.

(Sec. 223) Allows certain VA funds to be transferred to the Joint Department of Defense-Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Facility Demonstration Fund and used for the operation of combined federal medical facilities.

(Sec. 228) Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriations committees on all bid savings in major construction projects that total at least $5 million or 5% of the programmed amount, whichever is less.

(Sec. 230) Directs the Secretary to submit a quarterly report to the appropriations committees that contains specified information concerning veterans' disability compensation claims, including the number pending, the timeliness of their completion, and error rates.

(Sec. 231) Allows a specified maximum amount of funds to be obligated from the VA's Medical Services and Medical Support and Compliance accounts for the VistA Evolution and electronic health record interoperability projects. Requires the Secretary to notify the appropriations committees before obligating any additional funds for such projects.

(Sec. 232) Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriations committees 15 days before organizational changes that result in the transfer of 25 or more full-time equivalent staff from one organizational unit to another.

(Sec. 233) Directs the Secretary to notify the appropriations committees quarterly concerning any single national outreach and awareness marketing campaign in which obligations exceed $2 million.

(Sec. 234) Prohibits federal funds from being used to close VA hospitals, domiciliaries, or clinics, conduct an environmental assessment, or diminish health care services at existing VHA medical facilities located in Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 23 as part of a planned realignment of VA services until the Secretary submits a specified report to the appropriations committees.

(Sec. 235) Prohibits the VA from using funds available in this or any other Act to replace the current system by which the VISNs select and contract for diabetes monitoring supplies and equipment.

(Sec. 236) Prohibits the VA from using funds available in this or any other Act to provide bonuses to Medical Directors, Assistance Medical Directors, or Senior Executive Service employees of the VHA until: (1) the VA Inspector General conducts an audit of scheduling practices and procedures at VA medical centers across all VISNs, (2) a report on the audit is submitted to Congress, and (3) the Secretary provides Congress with a plan to address the audit's findings and recommendations.

(Sec. 237) Requires at least $35 million of the funds available to the VA for medical services to be available to provide contract care for veterans in rural and highly rural areas.

(Sec. 238) Directs the VA Medical Inspector to report to Congress, 30 days after this Act's enactment and at least every 180 days thereafter, on the VHA's programs and activities. Requires that report to be made available to the public.

(Sec. 239) Requires a portion of the VA's appropriations for medical facilities for FY2015 to be transferred to provide veterans in the catchment area of specified health facilities or proposed health facilities with health care that is at least equivalent to the care provided by VA community-based outpatient clinics.

Transfers unobligated balances of such appropriations back to the VA's medical facilities account when the Secretary enters into a major medical facility lease for such a facility. Sets the amount of such transfer at the amount specifically authorized by law for the major medical facility lease.

(Sec. 240) Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) remove any individual from the VA's Senior Executive Service if the Secretary determines that the individual's performance warrants such removal, and (2) remove such individual from the civil service or appoint the individual to a General Schedule position at any grade the Secretary determines to be appropriate.

Title III: Related Agencies - Appropriates funds for: (1) the American Battle Monuments Commission, (2) the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, (3) cemeterial expenses, and (4) the Armed Forces Retirement Home.

Title IV: General Provisions - Specifies restrictions and authorities regarding the use of funds appropriated in this Act.

(Sec. 409) Prohibits this Act's funds from being used for:

  • maintaining or establishing a computer network unless such network blocks the viewing, downloading, and exchanging of pornography;
  • constructing, renovating, or expanding any facility in the United States or its territories or possessions in order to house any non-U.S. citizen detained on or after June 24, 2009, at U.S. Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba;
  • paying for the attendance of more than 50 federal employees stationed within the United States at any single conference outside the United States, unless the relevant Secretary reports in advance to the appropriations committees that such attendance is important to the national interest; and
  • travel and conference activities not in compliance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memorandum M-12-12.

(Sec. 412) Requires executive branch officials to: (1) submit annual reports to their Inspectors General or senior ethics officials on conferences held in FY2015 that cost the government more than $100,000; and (2) notify their Inspectors General or senior ethics officials of the date, location, and number or employees attending a conference costing the government more than $20,000 within 15 days of the date of such conference.

 Related & companion bills 3
  • HR 83 Identical bill Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015
  • HR 2216 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2014
  • HRES 557 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 4486) making appropriations for military construction, the Department of …
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 4486: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015. 113th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4486/
MLA
"H.R. 4486: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015." 113th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4486/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 4486, 113th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4486/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 4486: Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2015](https://openamerica.io/bill/113-HR-4486/)
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