; and (2) not to exceed $10,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act). 16. Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (a) General Authority In carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs is authorized from March 1, 2017 through February 28, 2019, in its discretion— (1) to make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate; (2) to employ personnel; and (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration, to use on a reimbursable, or nonreimbursable, basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency. (b) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2017 The expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2017 through September 30, 2017 under this section shall not exceed $1,283,522, of which— (1) not to exceed $2,900 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 ( 2 U.S.C. 4301(i) )); and (2) not to exceed $1,750 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act). (c) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2018 Period The expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2017 through September 30, 2018 under this section shall not exceed $2,200,323, of which— (1) not to exceed $5,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 ( 2 U.S.C. 4301(i) ))