PUBLIC LAW 104-69—DEC. 22, 1995 109 STAT. 771 of this title of this joint resolution the minimal level means a rate for operations that is reduced from the current rate by 25 percent. SEC. 212. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title of this joint resolution, except section 206, whenever the rate for operations for any continuing project or activity provided by section 201 or section 211 for which there is a budget request would result in a furlough of Government employees, that rate for operations may be increased to the minimum level that would enable the furlough to be avoided. No new contracts or grants shall be awarded in excess of an amount that bears the same ratio to the rate for operations provided by this section as the number of days covered by this resolution bears to 366. SEC. 213. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title of this joint resolution, except sections 206, 211, and 212, for those programs that had high initial rates of operation or complete distribution of funding at the beginning of the fiscal year in fiscal year 1995 because of distributions of funding to States, foreign countries, grantees, or others, similar distributions of funds for fiscal year 1996 shall not be made and no grants shall be awarded for such programs funded by this title of this resolution that would impinge on final funding prerogatives. SEC. 214. This title of this joint resolution shall be implemented so that only the most limited funding action of that permitted in this title of this resolution shall be taken in order to provide for continuation of projects and activities. SEC. 215. The provisions of section 132 of the District of Columbia Appropriations Act, 1988, Public Law 100-202, shall not apply for this title of this joint resolution. SEC. 216. Notwithstanding any other provision of this title Domestic of this joint resolution, except section 206, none of the funds appro- partners. priated under this title of this joint resolution shall be used to implement or enforce any system of registration of unmarried, cohabiting couples whether they are homosexual, lesbian, heterosexual, including but not limited to registration for the purpose of extending employment, health, or governmental benefits to such couples on the same basis that such benefits are extended to legally married couples; nor shall any funds made available pursuant to any provision of this title of this joint resolution otherwise be used to implement or enforce D.C. Act 9-188, signed by the Mayor of the District of Columbia on April 15, 1992. TITLE III VETERANS AFFAIRS The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, and out of applicable corporate or other revenues, receipts, and funds, for the several departments, agencies, corporations and other organizational units of Government for the fiscal year 1996, and for other purposes, namely: SEC. 301. ENSURED PAYMENT DURING FISCAL YEAR 1996 OF VETER- ANS' BENEFITS IN EVENT OF LACK OF APPROPRIATIONS. (a) PAYMENTS REQUIRED.— In any case during fiscal year 1996 in which appropriations are not otherwise available for programs.
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