The full text on this page is automatically extracted from the file linked above and may contain errors and inconsistencies.
SUPPLEMENTAL PROPOSALS Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act cers plus funds for associated training, supplies, and equipment to provide an adequate level of security to the building, the Justices, Court employees, and visitors. GENERAL PROVISION Personnel Summary Section 626 of the Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 1999 (as included in Public Law 105–277, section 101(b)), provides that appropriations for agencies funded in this Act would cease after June 15, 1999. The Administration intends to work with Congress to resolve outstanding issues regarding the decennial census, in light of the anticipated Supreme Court ruling, and to work to extend the funding of these agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 1999. The Administration believes that the census should be the most accurate decennial census possible, and, therefore, proven scientific statistical techniques should be used. The following information concerns supplemental appropriations requests for 1999 proposed for congressional consideration. 1011 OPERATIONS, RESEARCH, Budgetary resources available for obligation: 22.00 New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... 23.95 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... FACILITIES For the necessary expenses of additional research, management, and enforcement activities in the Northeast Multispecies fishery, $1,880,000, to remain available until expended. 1998 actual Identification code 13–1450–1–1–306 1999 est. 2000 est. Obligations by program activity: National Marine Fisheries Service ................................. ................... 2 ................... 10.00 Total new obligations ................................................ ................... 2 ................... 22.00 23.95 Budgetary resources available for obligation: New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 2 ................... ¥2 ................... 40.00 New budget authority (gross), detail: Appropriation .................................................................. ................... 2 ................... 73.10 Change in unpaid obligations: Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 2 ................... 86.90 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... 2 ................... 89.00 90.00 Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) Obligations by program activity: 10.00 Total new obligations (object class 99.5) ..................... ................... AND (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) 00.02 For an additional amount for ‘‘Salaries and Expenses,’’ $921,000, to remain available until expended: Provided, That the entire amount is designated by the Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(1)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. 1998 actual 9 ................... NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... 2 ................... 2 ................... EXPENSES (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) Identification code 10–0100–1–1–752 2000 est. Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES AND 1999 est. Total compensable workyears: Exempt Full-time equivalent employment ...................................................... ................... Department of Commerce Judicial Branch SALARIES 1998 actual Identification code 10–0100–1–1–752 1999 est. 2000 est. 1 ................... 1 ................... ¥1 ................... New budget authority (gross), detail: 40.00 Appropriation .................................................................. ................... 1 ................... Change in unpaid obligations: 73.10 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 73.20 Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... ................... 1 ................... ¥1 ................... 86.90 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... 1 ................... 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... 1 ................... 1 ................... This supplemental request would fund 36 additional officers, who would enhance the capability of police personnel under the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to provide the required level of protection to occupants of the Supreme Court building. The additional police officers would staff approximately 13 security posts that have been established to provide increased visibility—that is, police presence, greater standoff, and coverage of vulnerable areas when the building is open to the public as well as after hours. The request represents one-quarter year of salary and benefits costs for the 36 offi- This supplemental request would fund the additional costs of research, management, and enforcement necessary to address new regulations in the Northeast Multispecies fishery, including scientific studies done cooperatively with the fishing industry. These additional activities would be directed specifically towards addressing problems in the Gulf of Maine portion of this fishery. Object Classification (in millions of dollars) 1998 actual Identification code 13–1450–1–1–306 1999 est. 2000 est. 11.1 25.2 Personnel compensation: Full-time permanent ............. ................... Other services ................................................................ ................... 1 ................... 1 ................... 99.9 Total new obligations ................................................ ................... 2 ................... Personnel Summary Identification code 13–1450–1–1–306 1001 1998 actual Total compensable workyears: Full-time equivalent employment ............................................................... ................... 1999 est. 2000 est. 20 ................... 1215 1216 NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION—Continued THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000 FISHERIES FINANCE PROGRAM ACCOUNT Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) 1998 actual Identification code 13–1456–1–1–376 1999 est. 1998 actual Identification code 97–0100–1–1–051 For carrying out a vessel buy out program in the Northeast Multispecies fishery, $3,120,000, as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended, of which $3,000,000 is available for direct payments in such vessel buy out program; and of which $120,000 is available for the cost of direct loans to finance that portion of such vessel buy out program not funded through direct payments, including the cost of modifying such loans: Provided, That such direct loan obligations shall be repaid by fees established by the Secretary of Commerce as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. 2000 est. 00.01 Obligations by program activity: Vessel buy out ............................................................... ................... Total new obligations (object class 25.2) ................ ................... 2000 est. 2001 est. .................. .................. 40.15 40.60 New budget authority (gross), detail: Appropriation (emergency) ...................... Contingent emergency appropriation not available for obligations ..................... .................. 652 .................. .................. 43.00 Appropriation (total) ........................... .................. .................. .................. .................. 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ...................................... Outlays ..................................................... .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. –652 This supplemental would reduce funds that are not needed for current year activities. The Administration plans to include a request for these activities in future year budgets. 3 ................... 10.00 1999 est. 3 ................... RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST AND EVALUATION RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT, TEST 3 ................... ¥3 ................... 40.00 New budget authority (gross), detail: Appropriation .................................................................. ................... 3 ................... 73.10 73.20 Change in unpaid obligations: Total new obligations .................................................... ................... Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... ................... 3 ................... ¥3 ................... 86.90 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... 3 ................... Net budget authority and outlays: 89.00 Budget authority ............................................................ ................... 90.00 Outlays ........................................................................... ................... 3 ................... 3 ................... 1998 actual EVALUATION, DEFENSE-WIDE Section 102 of division B, title I, chapter 1 of Public Law 105– 277 is amended by striking ‘‘$1,000,000,000’’ and inserting, ‘‘$770,000,000’’. Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) 1998 actual Identification code 97–0400–1–1–051 Summary of Loan Levels, Subsidy Budget Authority and Outlays by Program (in millions of dollars) Identification code 13–1456–1–1–376 AND (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) Budgetary resources available for obligation: 22.00 New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... 23.95 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 1999 est. 2000 est. 40.15 40.60 New budget authority (gross), detail: Appropriation (emergency) ...................... Contingent emergency appropriation not available for obligations ..................... 1999 est. 2000 est. 2001 est. .................. –230 .................. .................. .................. 230 .................. .................. 43.00 Appropriation (total) ........................... .................. .................. .................. .................. 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ...................................... Outlays ..................................................... .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. .................. This supplemental would reduce funds that are not needed for current year activities. The Administration is requesting an advance appropriation in 2001 to restore funding for these activities. Direct loan levels supportable by subsidy budget authority: 1150 Direct loan levels ........................................................... ................... 12 ................... Department of Health and Human Services 1159 12 ................... DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT Total direct loan levels ............................................. ................... Direct loan subsidy (in percent): 1320 Subsidy rate ................................................................... ................... 1.00 ................... This supplemental request would fund a vessel buy-out program in the Northeast Multispecies fishery that is necessary to decrease the impact on fishermen of new regulations in that fishery. The buy-out program will be specifically directed toward addressing problems in the Gulf of Maine portion of this fishery. The buy-out program would be funded through a combination of direct payments and direct loans repaid by fees authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to implement fishing capacity reduction. PUBLIC HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES EMERGENCY FUND (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) The provisions under this heading in the Department of Health and Human Services Appropriations Act, 1999, as included in Public Law 105–277, section 101(f), making funds available for the Noble Army Hospital at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and the health department of Calhoun County, Michigan, are repealed. This supplemental request would repeal language that earmarked $3 million of Public Health and Social Services Emergency Funds for activities at Fort McClellan, Alabama, and Calhoun County, Michigan. Funds not used for the earmarked purposes would be used to support the Food and Drug Administration’s applications reviews for drugs and biological agents related to bioterrorism that Federal agencies may sponsor. Department of Defense—Military OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE, DEFENSE-WIDE (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) Division B, title I, chapter 1 of Public Law 105–277 is amended under this heading by striking ‘‘$1,496,600,000’’ and inserting, ‘‘$844,600,000.’’ Department Housing and Urban Development MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) Under this heading in Public Law 105–276, add the words, ‘‘to remain available until September 30, 2000,’’ after ‘‘$81,910,000,’’. EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION SUPPLEMENTAL PROPOSALS Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) 40.00 1998 actual Identification code 86–0189–1–1–451 1999 est. 7 ¥7 87.00 89.00 90.00 Change in unpaid obligations: Unpaid obligations, start of year: Obligated balance, start of year .............................................................. 73.10 Total new obligations .................................................... 73.20 Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... 74.40 Unpaid obligations, end of year: Obligated balance, end of year ................................................................ 86.90 86.93 72.40 86.90 86.93 ................... ................... ................... ¥7 ................... 5 ................... ¥2 7 ¥3 2 ¥2 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... ¥5 ................... Outlays from current balances ...................................... ................... ................... 3 Total outlays (gross) ................................................. ................... 3 ¥5 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... ................... ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... ¥5 3 This supplemental request would extend the time period for expenditure of funds from one year to two years. This will facilitate a rapid and judicious implementation of the new Anti-fraud initiative, including the hiring of new staff, the acquisition of equipment, and coordination, where applicable, with local enforcement officials. The Administration urges quick action by the Congress on this supplemental request in order to achieve the full benefit of this proposal. 1998 actual ................... ................... 2 ................... 7 ................... ................... ¥5 ................... ................... 2 ................... Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... 5 ................... Outlays from current balances ...................................... ................... ................... 2 87.00 Total outlays (gross) ................................................. ................... 5 ................... 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... 7 ................... 5 ................... This supplemental request would support implementation of the Department’s Trust Management Improvement Project. Funds would be used for the acquisition and implementation of an off-the-shelf, contractor-operated system to replace lease, natural resource, and land records systems of the Bureau of Indian Affairs; an extensive data clean-up and backlog elimination effort; and improvements to the BIA appraisal program. Department of Labor EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION STATE UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE AND EMPLOYMENT SERVICE OPERATIONS (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) Object Classification (in millions of dollars) Identification code 86–0189–1–1–451 7 ................... 2000 est. Budgetary resources available for obligation: Unobligated balance available, start of year ............... ................... ................... 7 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 7 ¥7 Unobligated balance available, end of year ................. ................... 7 ................... Change in unpaid obligations: Unpaid obligations, start of year: Obligated balance, start of year .............................................................. 73.10 Total new obligations .................................................... 73.20 Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... 74.40 Unpaid obligations, end of year: Obligated balance, end of year ................................................................ New budget authority (gross), detail: Appropriation .................................................................. ................... 72.40 Obligations by program activity: 10.00 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 21.40 23.95 24.40 1217 1999 est. 2000 est. 11.1 12.1 Personnel compensation: Full-time permanent ............. ................... Civilian personnel benefits ............................................ ................... ¥6 ¥1 6 1 99.9 Total new obligations ................................................ ................... ¥7 Under this heading in section 101(f) of Public Law 105–277, delete ‘‘$3,132,076,000’’ and insert ‘‘$3,126,376,000’’; and delete ‘‘$180,933,000’’ and insert ‘‘$175,233,000’’. 7 Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) Identification code 16–0179–1–1–999 Personnel Summary 1998 actual 1999 est. 2000 est. 10.00 Identification code 86–0189–1–1–451 1001 1998 actual 1999 est. Total compensable workyears: Full-time equivalent employment ............................................................... ................... Obligations by program activity: Total new obligations (object class 41.0) ..................... ................... ¥6 ................... 22.00 23.95 Budgetary resources available for obligation: New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... Total new obligations .................................................... ................... ¥6 ................... 6 ................... New budget authority (gross), detail: Spending authority from offsetting collections (gross): Offsetting collections (cash) ..................................... ................... ¥6 ................... 73.10 73.20 Change in unpaid obligations: Total new obligations .................................................... ................... Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... ................... ¥6 ................... 6 ................... 86.97 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new permanent authority ......................... ................... ¥6 ................... Offsets: Against gross budget authority and outlays: 88.00 Offsetting collections (cash) from: Trust Fund sources .................................................................. ................... 6 ................... 2000 est. 67 ¥67 68.00 Department of the Interior OFFICE OF THE SPECIAL TRUSTEE FOR AMERICAN INDIANS FEDERAL TRUST PROGRAMS (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) For an additional amount for ‘‘Federal Trust Programs,’’ $6,800,000, to remain available until expended for activities pursuant to the Trust Management Improvement Project High Level Implementation Plan. Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) Identification code 14–0120–1–1–306 1998 actual 1999 est. 2000 est. 89.00 90.00 00.02 Obligations by program activity: Program operations, support, and improvements ......... ................... 7 ................... 10.00 Total new obligations (object class 25.3) ................ ................... 7 ................... 22.00 23.95 Budgetary resources available for obligation: New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 7 ................... ¥7 ................... Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... ................... ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... ................... ................... This supplemental request would reduce the appropriation for the contingency fund for unemployment insurance administration, which is used to supplement the base administrative allocations to States. Based on continued low unemployment rates, the full amount of the contingency appropriation is not needed to fund State administrative workload. 1218 EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING ADMINISTRATION—Continued THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000 73.10 73.20 74.40 UNEMPLOYMENT TRUST FUND (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) Identification code 20–8042–1–7–999 1998 actual 1999 est. 2000 est. 10.00 Obligations by program activity: Total new obligations (object class 92.0) ..................... ................... ¥6 ................... 22.00 23.95 Budgetary resources available for obligation: New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... Total new obligations .................................................... ................... ¥6 ................... 6 ................... New budget authority (gross), detail: 40.26 Appropriation (trust fund, definite) ............................... ................... ¥6 ................... Change in unpaid obligations: 73.10 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 73.20 Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... ................... ¥6 ................... 6 ................... 86.90 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... ¥6 ................... 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... ¥6 ................... ¥6 ................... International Assistance Programs INTERNATIONAL SECURITY ASSISTANCE ECONOMIC SUPPORT FUND (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) For necessary expenses to enable the President to carry out chapter 4 of part II of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes: to provide assistance to Jordan, $50,000,000 to become available on October 1, 1999 and to remain available until September 30, 2002, and $50,000,000 to become available on October 1, 2000 and to remain available until September 30, 2003; and to provide assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, $200,000,000, to become available upon enactment of this Act and to remain available until September 30, 2001; $100,000,000, to become available on October 1, 1999 and to remain available until September 30, 2002; and $100,000,000, to become available on October 1, 2000 and to remain available until September 30, 2003: Provided, That these funds are to be made available at such time as, and to the extent that, the President deems appropriate: Provided further, That the entire amount made available for fiscal year 1999 herein is designated by Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) 1998 actual 1999 est. 2000 est. Obligations by program activity: 10.00 Total new obligations (object class 41.0) ..................... ................... 200 150 Budgetary resources available for obligation: 22.00 New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... 23.95 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 200 ¥200 150 ¥150 New budget authority (gross), detail: Current: 40.15 Appropriation (emergency) ........................................ ................... 200 ................... Permanent: 65.00 Advance appropriation (definite) .............................. ................... ................... 150 70.00 Total new budget authority (gross) .......................... ................... 200 ¥14 150 ¥73 186 263 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... 14 ................... Outlays from current balances ...................................... ................... ................... 62 Outlays from new permanent authority ......................... ................... ................... 11 87.00 The proposed supplemental described above in State unemployment insurance and employment service operations affects the budget authority and outlays in the Unemployment trust fund. Identification code 72–1037–1–1–152 86.90 86.93 86.97 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... ................... Unpaid obligations, end of year: Obligated balance, end of year ................................................................ ................... 200 150 Total outlays (gross) ................................................. ................... 14 73 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... 200 14 150 73 These funds are being requested in conjunction with the implementation of the Wye Memorandum. The Administration plans to communicate further details regarding this proposal to the Congress. The entire amount requested for 1999 has been designated by the President as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. Offsets for this funding are proposed in the Budget. FOREIGN MILITARY FINANCING PROGRAM (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) For necessary expenses for grants to enable the President to carry out section 23 of the Arms Export Control Act, in addition to amounts otherwise available for such purposes, $700,000,000, to become available upon enactment of this Act and to remain available until September 30, 2001, of which $600,000,000 shall be for grants only for Israel and $100,000,000 shall be for grants only for Jordan; $350,000,000, to become available on October 1, 1999 and to remain available until September 30, 2002, of which $300,000,000 shall be for grants only for Israel and $50,000,000 shall be for grants only for Jordan; and $350,000,000, to become available on October 1, 2000 and to remain available until September 30, 2003, of which $300,000,000 shall be for grants only for Israel and $50,000,000 shall be for grants only for Jordan: Provided That funds appropriated under this heading shall be nonrepayable, notwithstanding section 23(b) and section 23(c) of the Arms Export Control Act: Provided further, That these funds are to be made available at such time as, and to the extent that, the President deems appropriate: Provided further, That the entire amount made available for fiscal year 1999 herein is designated by Congress as an emergency requirement pursuant to section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) Identification code 11–1082–1–1–152 1998 actual 1999 est. 2000 est. Obligations by program activity: Country program: 00.01 Israel .......................................................................... ................... 00.02 Jordan ........................................................................ ................... 600 100 300 50 10.00 Total new obligations (object class 41.0) ................ ................... 700 350 22.00 23.95 Budgetary resources available for obligation: New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 700 ¥700 350 ¥350 New budget authority (gross), detail: Current: 40.15 Appropriation (emergency) ........................................ ................... 700 ................... Permanent: 65.00 Advance appropriation (definite) .............................. ................... ................... 350 70.00 Total new budget authority (gross) .......................... ................... 700 350 Change in unpaid obligations: Unpaid obligations, start of year: Obligated balance, start of year .............................................................. ................... ................... 73.10 Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 700 73.20 Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... ................... ¥607 93 350 ¥334 72.40 72.40 Change in unpaid obligations: Unpaid obligations, start of year: Obligated balance, start of year .............................................................. ................... ................... 186 COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS SUPPLEMENTAL PROPOSALS 74.40 86.90 86.93 86.97 Unpaid obligations, end of year: Obligated balance, end of year ................................................................ ................... 93 109 Outlays (gross), detail: Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... 607 ................... Outlays from current balances ...................................... ................... ................... 30 Outlays from new permanent authority ......................... ................... ................... 304 87.00 Total outlays (gross) ................................................. ................... 607 334 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... 700 607 350 334 These funds are being requested in conjunction with the implementation of the Wye Memorandum. The Administration plans to communicate further details regarding this proposal to the Congress. The entire amount requested for 1999 has been designated by the President as an emergency requirement pursuant to the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as amended. Offsets for this funding are proposed in the Budget. Other Independent Agencies CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) For an additional amount for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, to remain available until expended: $11,000,000 to be available for fiscal year 1999, and $37,000,000 to be available for fiscal year 2000: Provided, That such funds be made available to National Public Radio, as the designated manager of the Public Radio Satellite System, for acquisition of satellite capacity. (47 U.S.C. 396). Program and Financing (in millions of dollars) Identification code 20–0151–1–1–503 1998 actual 1999 est. 2000 est. 00.03 Obligations by program activity: Satellite replacement ..................................................... ................... 11 37 10.00 Total obligations (object class 41.0) ........................ ................... 11 37 22.00 23.95 Budgetary resources available for obligation: New budget authority (gross) ........................................ ................... Total new obligations .................................................... ................... 11 ¥11 37 ¥37 New budget authority (gross), detail: Current: 40.00 Appropriation ............................................................. ................... 11 ................... Permanent: 65.00 Advance appropriation (definite) .............................. ................... ................... 37 70.00 Total new budget authority (gross) .......................... ................... 11 37 73.10 73.20 Change in unpaid obligations: Total new obligations .................................................... ................... Total outlays (gross) ...................................................... ................... 11 ¥11 37 ¥37 1219 In 1998, the satellite servicing the Public Radio Satellite System (PRSS) failed unexpectedly. PRSS is used by National Public Radio (NPR), Public Radio International, and individual public radio producers to distribute programs nationally to public radio stations. PRSS is currently operating on a temporary back-up satellite that will become unavailable as early as Fall 1999. Thus, NPR, on behalf of the PRSS, must secure a new contract for satellite service three years earlier than planned. The Corporation will disburse the funding to NPR through the Satellite Interconnection Fund. NPR must sign a contract for satellite capacity by mid-1999 with the balance to be paid early in 2000. FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION GENERAL PROVISION (Supplemental now requested, existing legislation) The Communications Act is amended in section 337(b) (47 U.S.C. 337(b)), by deleting paragraph (2). Upon enactment of this provision, the FCC shall initiate the competitive bidding process in fiscal year 1999 and shall conduct the competitive bidding in a manner that ensures that all proceeds of such bidding are deposited in accordance with section 309(j)(8) of the Act not later than September 30, 2000. To expedite the assignment by competitive bidding of the frequencies identified in section 337(a)(2) of the Act, the rules governing such frequencies shall be effective immediately upon publication in the Federal Register, notwithstanding 5 U.S.C. 553(d), 801(a)(3), 804(2), and 806(a). Chapter 6 of such title, 15 U.S.C. 632, and 44 U.S.C. 3507 and 3512, shall not apply to the rules and competitive bidding procedures governing such frequencies. Notwithstanding section 309(b) of the Act, no application for an instrument of authorization for such frequencies shall be granted by the Commission earlier than 7 days following issuance of public notice by the Commission of the acceptance for filing of such application or of any substantial amendment thereto. Notwithstanding section 309(d)(1) of such Act, the Commission may specify a period (no less than 5 days following issuance of such public notice) for the filing of petitions to deny any application for an instrument of authorization for such frequencies. This supplemental request would repeal the provision of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 that required the auction of spectrum between 746–806 megahertz to be conducted in 2001. Under this proposal, the FCC would initiate the auction of the available spectrum within the 746–806 MHZ band in 1999 and collect all receipts by the end of 2000. This proposal would accelerate the auction, thereby facilitating the efficient deployment of the spectrum by the Federal Communications Commission and shifting estimated receipts of $2.6 billion into 2000. 2000 Effect on spectrum auction receipts (in millions of dollars) ............................... 2,600 2001 2002 –1,300 –1,300 Outlays (gross), detail: 86.90 Outlays from new current authority .............................. ................... 11 ................... 86.97 Outlays from new permanent authority ......................... ................... ................... 37 87.00 Total outlays (gross) ................................................. ................... 11 37 89.00 90.00 Net budget authority and outlays: Budget authority ............................................................ ................... Outlays ........................................................................... ................... 11 11 37 37 This supplemental request would provide $48 million over two years ($11 million in 1999 and $37 million in 2000), which would guarantee funding for acquisition of satellite capacity and ensure seamless public radio service to the American public. Assisting in the financing of national satellite interconnection services is part of the Corporation’s mission. Other Independent Agencies COURT OF VETERANS APPEALS SALARIES AND EXPENSES The Court of Veterans Appeals, an independent agency with budget by pass authority, requests supplemental appropriations of $372 thousand. This supplemental would fund seven additional law clerks (one per judge) to work directly on cases. The number of new cases filed during the past 14 months has increased by about 100 percent from the previous year. This request is not included in the President’s budget. 1220 POSTAL SERVICE THE BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2000 POSTAL SERVICE PAYMENT TO THE POSTAL SERVICE FUND The Postal Service, an independent agency with budget by pass authority, requests supplemental appropriations of $29 million. This request is not included in the President’s budget.