[House Report 112-148]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
112th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 112-148
======================================================================
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2012
_______
July 15, 2011.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Crenshaw, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 2551]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.
INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
_______________________________________________________________________
Page number
Bill Report
Highlights of bill.........................................
4
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations.................
8
House of Representatives........................... 2
8
Joint Items:
Joint Economic Committee................... 12
14
Joint Committee on Taxation................ 13
14
Office of the Attending Physician.......... 13
14
Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services............................... 14
15
Capitol Police..................................... 14
15
Office of Compliance............................... 17
16
Congressional Budget Office........................ 18
16
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office
Buildings)..................................... 18
17
Library of Congress................................ 22
22
Government Printing Office......................... 28
25
Government Accountability Office................... 31
27
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund............ 33
28
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training
and Development................................
28
Title II--General Provisions............................... 33
29
Bill-wide Reporting Requirements...........................
29
Additional Views...........................................
51
SUMMARY OF BILL
The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides
appropriations for fiscal year 2012 Legislative Branch
operations, which total $3,325,999,364. Conforming to
longstanding practice under which each body of Congress
determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other
concurs without intervention, funds for the Senate are not
included in the bill as reported to the House. Current
appropriations estimates for the Senate for fiscal year 2012,
including those under the Architect of the Capitol, total
$1,058,799,000.
A comparative summary of the bill by title and agency
follows:
SUMMARY OF THE BILL
[Note.--Excludes Senate items including those Senate Items under the Architect of the Capitol]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill compared with--
New budget Budget estimates of New budget -----------------------------------------
(obligational) new (obligational) (obligational) New budget Budget estimates of
Agency authority, fiscal authority, fiscal authority (obligational) new (obligational)
year 2011 year 2012 recommended in bill authority, fiscal authority, fiscal
year 2011 year 2012
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations
House of Representatives....................... $1,311,396,950 $1,333,708,000 $1,226,680,000 -$84,716,950 -$107,028,000
Joint items.................................... 19,794,482 20,907,000 19,390,000 -404,482 -1,517,000
Capitol Police................................. 340,136,364 387,616,000 340,136,364 ................... -47,479,636
Office of Compliance........................... 4,076,980 4,782,000 3,817,000 -259,980 -965,000
Congressional Budget Office.................... 46,771,270 46,865,000 43,787,000 -2,984,270 -3,078,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office 526,139,612 618,802,000 489,571,000 -36,568,612 -129,231,000
Buildings)....................................
Library of Congress............................ 628,676,128 666,731,000 575,322,000 -53,354,128 -91,409,000
Government Printing Office..................... 135,067,324 148,474,000 113,000,000 -22,067,324 -35,474,000
Government Accountability Office............... 546,254,302 556,849,000 511,296,000 -34,958,302 -45,553,000
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund........ 11,377,200 12,600,000 1,000,000 -10,377,200 -11,600,000
John C. Stennis Center......................... 429,140 430,000 ................... -429,140 -430,000
CVC (Rescission)............................... (14,600,000) ................... ................... 14,600,000 ...................
CBO Scorekeeping Adjustment.................... (2,518,000) ................... 2,000,000 4,518,000 +2,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand total, new budget, (obligational) $3,553,001,752 $3,797,764,000 $3,325,999,364 -$227,002,388 -$471,764,636
authority (for items considered by the
House)..................................
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL
The Committee recommends $3,325,999,364 in discretionary
resources for operations of the Legislative Branch of
government, $471,764,636 below the requested amount and
$227,002,388, or 6.4 percent, below the fiscal year 2011
enacted levels (excluding Senate items).
This bill reflects an acknowledgment that the Legislative
Branch must set itself as an example for fiscal restraint while
continuing to serve the Nation.
The following table below demonstrates the Committee's
commitment to getting the nation's fiscal house in order and
sharing in the sacrifices that this will require. This bill
recommends a cut of 6.4% from the fiscal year 2011 level which
follows a cut of 2.8% from the fiscal year 2010 level. The
recommended level is $331.5 million below the fiscal year 2010
enacted level, and it is the largest ever two-year reduction
for the Legislative Branch. This bill will require strict
fiscal discipline on the part of all congressional offices and
all agency heads in the Legislative Branch.
[Dollars in thousands]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Change Percent Change Percent
FY2010 FY2011 FY2012 FY2012 from cut since from cut since
Enacted Enacted Requested Recommended FY2011 FY2011 FY2010 FY2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House................................................. 1,369,025 1,311,396 1,333,708 1,226,680 (84,716) -6.5% (142,345) -10.4%
Joint Items........................................... 21,323 19,794 20,907 19,390 (404) -2.0% (1,933) -9.1%
Capitol Police*....................................... 328,318 340,137 387,616 340,137 .......... 0.0% 11,819 3.6%
Office of Compliance.................................. 4,377 4,077 4,782 3,817 (260) -6.4% (560) -12.8%
Congressional Budget Office........................... 45,165 46,771 46,865 43,787 (2,984) -6.4% (1,378) -3.1%
Architect of the Capitol.............................. 527,194 526,139 618,802 489,571 (36,568) -7.0% (37,623) -7.1%
Library of Congress................................... 643,337 628,677 666,731 575,322 (53,355) -8.5% (68,015) -10.6%
Government Printing Office............................ 147,461 135,067 148,474 113,000 (22,067) -16.3% (34,461) -23.4%
Government Accountability Office...................... 556,849 546,254 556,849 511,296 (34,958) -6.4% (45,553) -8.2%
Open World Leadership Center.......................... 12,000 11,377 12,600 1,000 (10,377) -91.2% (11,000) -91.7%
Stennis Center for Public Service..................... 430 429 430 ............ (429) -100.0% (430) -100.0%
General Provisions.................................... .......... (14,600) .......... ............ 14,600 .......... .......... ..........
CBO Scorekeeping Adjustment........................... .......... (2,518) .......... 2,000 4,518 .......... .......... ..........
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total............................................. 3,655,479 3,553,000 3,797,764 3,326,000 (227,000) -6.4% (331,479) -9.0%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Does not include FY2010 supplemental for USCP.
Legislative Branch-Wide Matters
Awards and Recognition.--In fiscal years 2010 and 2011 the
agencies of the Legislative Branch, excluding the House of
Representatives and Senate, have paid over $20.2 million and
$2.5 million to date respectively, for cash awards, bonuses,
and merit pay to their employees. These payments have been made
within the current salary and benefit funding provided to each
agency and thus may have decreased the ability to support FTE's
that the Committee funded and intended to be filled. In
addition, considering the current budget reductions that will
need to be made and that the legislative agency budgets are in
the neighborhood of 70 percent labor, such independent funding
decisions may divert from the intent of the Congress.
Therefore, the Committee directs that, starting with the fiscal
year 2013 budget submission, the budget justifications of all
agencies, excluding the House and Senate, will reflect a
realignment of funding, and associated decrease in FTE's, from
the salary and benefit base to a separate line item for cash
awards, bonuses, and merit pay. The Committee directs the
agencies, excluding the House and Senate, to justify the amount
of funding requested for cash awards, bonuses, and merit pay by
appropriation each and every year thereafter.
Performance Based Merit Increases.--The Committee is very
concerned about the amount of performance based merit increases
being given by some agencies of the Legislative Branch. It has
come to the Committee's attention that, when incorporated into
the annual base salary, there are some individuals whose total
compensation is greater than that of the annual compensation of
Members of Congress. Therefore, the Committee directs that
agencies report and justify all circumstances where the sum of
annual compensation and any ``performance based merit
increases'' will cause any employee to exceed the annual rate
of compensation of a Member at the rate of compensation of
Members in effect during the year in which the performance
based merit increase is paid.
Reprogramming Guidelines.--The Committee expects all
agencies to notify the Committee of any significant departures
from budget plans presented to the Committee. In particular,
agencies funded in this bill are required to notify the
Committee prior to each reprogramming of funds in excess of the
lesser of 10 percent or $500,000 between programs, projects, or
activities, or in excess of $500,000 between object
classifications (except for shifts within the pay categories,
object class 11, 12, and 13, or as further specified in each
agency's respective section). This includes cumulative
reprogrammings that together total at least $500,000 from or to
a particular program, activity, or object classification, as
well as reprogramming of FTE's or funds to create new
organizational entities within the Agency or to restructure
entities which already exist. These guidelines remain effective
unless modified in a subsequent Committee report.
Committee Requests.--The Committee is concerned with the
substandard quality in responses to requests for information.
Managers at all levels are expected to be available to provide
responses during critical phases of the appropriations process,
and offices are to be covered by the appropriate staff during
normal working hours without exception. Managers are expected
to respond to requests immediately, and if delays are
anticipated or deadlines cannot be met, agencies are
responsible for keeping Committee staff informed of the
progress and expected timeline of the response.
Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation
Incentive Payment--VERA/VSIP.--Currently the Legislative Branch
permanent authority (2 U.S.C. 60q) provides that ``the head of
any office in the Legislative Branch may establish a program
under which voluntary separation incentive payments may be
offered to eligible employees of the office to encourage such
employees to separate from service voluntarily (whether by
retirement or resignation)''. Since the budgets of the
Legislative Branch agencies in total are 65 to 70 percent labor
and taking into consideration the reductions in this bill,
some, if not all, agencies may need to consider the VERA/VSIP
option. The Committee strongly encourages all agencies to
explore this option in order to reduce costs in the current
fiscal year and the out years. The VERA/VSIP program will
provide the opportunity for agencies to down-size, as budgetary
constraints require, with less negative impact on agency
operations than executing a time consuming, disruptive, and
costly reduction-in-force (RIF).
Furloughs.--The Committee is aware that the reductions in
this bill will require Legislative Branch agencies to make
adjustments in programs and operations. In this vein, the
Committee directs that furloughs be an option for cost
reduction, which should be no greater than one day per month to
lessen the impact on the employees, the support to the
Congress, and the services provided to the Nation. Further, the
Committee directs that any agency opting for furlough days will
take the appropriate action to ensure that employee service
dates and longevity increases are not adjusted by furlough
days.
Zero Base Budgeting.--With the ever increasing strain on
the Federal budget which will likely continue in the
foreseeable future, the ability to support increases for the
Legislative Branch agencies is uncertain, if not totally
impossible. The Committee believes that there are considerable
opportunities to realize meaningful savings by carefully
reviewing each agency's budget requirements from a zero base,
rather than by reviewing only incremental changes to the base.
Such a review would not only assist the Committee in its
appropriating and oversight responsibilities, but would also
require agencies to systematically examine all of their
budgetary requirements as they relate to the individual
mission. Therefore, the Committee directs each and every agency
of the Legislative Branch to develop and present their budget
requirements from a zero base. The individual reviews should
examine and justify each and every program, project, and
activity (PPA) as if the PPA were nonexistent. These reviews
should justify the FTE's and all related costs. The Committee
further believes that such self examination by the agencies of
the PPAs will permit a better understanding of program
priorities, scope, effectiveness, and results and assist the
agencies in determining funding priorities. The zero base
budget should be the basis for the fiscal year 2013 budget
request. The Committee further directs the Legislative Branch
Budget Officers, under the coordination of the Library of
Congress Budget Office, to meet and establish a review
methodology and guidelines by October 31, 2011, as mutually
agreeable, and approved by the Committee on Appropriations of
the House and Senate.
Diversity in the Workforce.--The Committee is committed to
the principles of workforce diversity and the positive impact
diversity has on organizational success and employee
development. The Committee strongly encourages Legislative
Branch agencies, including the House, to develop diversity
policies including broadening recruitment efforts to reach as
many qualified candidates as possible. The Committee directs
the House Officers to report to the Committee within six months
after enactment of this Act on current operations as they
relate to diversity, any plans to broaden recruitment efforts,
and barriers to recruiting diverse job candidates.
Major Challenges Facing the Legislative Branch
Preserving and Maintaining the Infrastructure.--The job of
caretaker of the Legislative Branch buildings and Capitol
complex grounds falls to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
The AOC's jurisdiction is comprised of 32 buildings and 450
acres of grounds which are occupied by the House of
Representatives, the Senate, the Library of Congress, the
Supreme Court, the Capitol Police, and other independent
Legislative Branch agencies. The AOC recently reformed its
planning and prioritization process for deferred maintenance
and capital renewal requirements. The newly developed five-year
Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) provides a more realistic
picture of what projects AOC can execute. The Committee is
pleased with the AOC's progress on improving these estimates
from the previously unconstrained list of requirements, but
notes that even the CIP process will result in widely
fluctuating project budget submissions which will be impossible
to fund fully in the current budgetary environment. These
budget limitations will demand continued refinements to the
AOC's process for prioritizing the performance of facilities
which are most critical to the operational needs of the
Congress and Legislative Branch agencies.
TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Committee recommends $1,226,680,000 for the operations
and maintenance of the House of Representatives during fiscal
year 2012. This amount is $84,716,950, or 6.5 percent, below
the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $107,028,000 below the
budget request.
House Leadership Offices
2011 appropriation.................................... $24,861,969
2012 budget request................................... 24,862,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 23,275,773
The Committee recommends $23,275,773 for salaries and
expenses of staff in House leadership offices for fiscal year
2012. This amount is $1,586,196 below fiscal year 2011, or 6.4%
percent and $1,586,227 below the budget request. This level of
funding will require a reduction to the Leadership offices
beginning January 1, 2012.
The allocation by office follows:
Office of the Speaker................................. $6,942,770
Office of the Majority Floor Leader................... 2,277,595
Office of the Majority Whip........................... 1,971,050
Republican Conference................................. 1,572,788
Office of the Minority Floor Leader................... 7,432,812
Office of the Minority Whip........................... 1,524,951
Democratic Caucus..................................... 1,553,807
-----------------
Total............................................. $23,275,773
The Committee has included administrative provisions to
increase transparency and accountability in House Leadership
accounts. The provisions consolidate all of the funds available
to the Speaker and Minority Leader each under one heading.
These leaders previously controlled funding from multiple,
separate headings for floor activities, steering and policy
committees, training and program development, cloakroom
personnel, and other authorized minority employees. This
streamlining will allow for greater efficiency and clarify the
resources available to each authority. The Committee has also
included funding for a transition quarter (September 30, 2012
through December 31, 2012) to allow leadership offices to
operate according to the sessions of Congress, similar to
Member offices. Beginning in fiscal year 2013, it is the
Committee's intent to appropriate funding for Leadership
Offices on a legislative year.
House Leadership Transition Quarter
Office of the Speaker................................. $1,735,694
Office of the Majority Floor Leader................... 569,399
Office of the Majority Whip........................... 492,763
Republican Conference................................. 393,197
Office of the Minority Floor Leader................... 1,858,205
Office of the Minority Whip........................... 381,238
Democratic Caucus..................................... 388,452
-----------------
Total............................................. $5,818,948
Members' Representational Allowances
2011 appropriation.................................... $613,052,000
2012 budget request................................... 633,848,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 573,939,282
The Committee recommends $573,939,282 for the
representational allowances of the Members of the House. This
amount is $39,112,718 or 6.4 percent below the fiscal year 2011
level and $59,908,718 below the budget request. This level of
funding will require a reduction in the authorization beginning
January 3, 2012.
House Committees
2011 appropriation.................................... $163,032,103
2012 budget request................................... 163,032,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 152,630,655
The Committee recommends $152,630,655 in total for House
Committees. This amount is $10,401,448, or 6.4% below total
available funding in fiscal year 2011 and $10,401,345 below the
budget request. This account includes funding for staff
salaries and official expenses of Committees including
equipment, telecommunications, printing, and contract services.
Funding is available until December 31, 2012. Included in the
total is $26,665,785 for the Committee on Appropriations. The
amount provided is $1,817,215, or 6.4% below the fiscal year
2011 level and $1,817,215, or 6.4% below the amount requested.
This level of funding will require another reduction to
Committees beginning January 3, 2012.
The Committee has not provided funding for the continuation
of hearing room modernizations. Sufficient funding currently
exists for the execution of this program.
The Committee reminds all House Committees that, in
accordance with the Committee on House Administration Handbook,
detailees assigned from the Government Printing Office require
full reimbursement from committee funds.
Salaries, Officers and Employees
2011 appropriation.................................... $193,326,000
2012 budget request................................... 203,801,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 177,628,400
The Committee recommends $177,628,400 for the salaries and
expenses of House officers and employees of the various
activities funded through this consolidated item. This amount
is $15,697,600 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and
$26,172,600 below the budget request.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation
provided to each component of the account:
Office of the Clerk................................... $26,114,400
Office of the Sergeant At Arms........................ *12,585,000
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer............ 116,782,000
Office of the Inspector General....................... 5,045,000
Office of General Counsel............................. 1,415,000
Office of the Chaplain................................ 179,000
Office of the Parliamentarian......................... 2,060,000
Parliamentarian................................... (1,466,000)
Compilation of Precedents......................... (594,000)
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House....... 3,258,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House........ 8,814,000
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs.................. 859,000
Other authorized employees............................ 347,000
The Historian......................................... 170,000
-----------------
Total............................................. $177,628,400
*This funding includes $4,445,000 previously funded under the Office of
Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations that was transferred
to the Sergeant At Arms, January 2010, and renamed Office of Emergency
Management.
OFFICE OF THE CLERK
The Committee recommends $26,114,400 for the Clerk of the
House. This amount is $2,474,600, or 8.7% below total available
funding in fiscal year 2011 and $4,401,600 below the budget
request.
The Committee understands that in preparation for fiscal
year 2012 and anticipated budget cuts, the Office of the Clerk
has been working to identify areas for reduction within its
budget. As a result a significant number of vacant positions
will not be filled and there will be no salary increases with
the exception of longevity increases. In addition the Clerk
will reduce training, travel, subscriptions, equipment, and
contracts and has developed a plan to reduce long distance
telephone service, postage and photographic expenses.
All of these efforts will be taken with an eye on the core
responsibilities of the Office of the Clerk in support of the
legislative process. The Committee applauds the efforts of the
Office of the Clerk to reduce spending and decrease the
staffing levels of the organization.
The Committee notes that effective June 1, 2011 the Clerk
of the House consolidated the Office of the Historian and the
Office of Art and Archives into a new division in the Office of
the Clerk to be called the Office of the Historian Staff (OHS).
The transfer of responsibilities to the newly created OHS will
strengthen and streamline the House history functions, making
OHS truly a ready resource for Members and staff, and also a
first-rate public history office for the general public,
scholars, teachers, students, and the media.
OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS
The Committee recommends $12,585,000 for the Office of the
Sergeant At Arms (SAA). This amount is $3,551,000 above the
year 2011 enacted level and $6,869,000 below the budget
request. The Committee funds the Office of Emergency
Management, formerly the Office of Emergency Planning,
Preparedness and Operations, in this account to reflect the
move of the office on February 1, 2010 to the SAA.
The SAA is taking significant action in two areas to reduce
cost. The first area is in personnel. The SAA is currently not
filling any position vacancies unless the position is
determined mission critical. The second area is a review of
contracts to determine which contracts can be reduced or
eliminated and, reductions to travel, training, supplies and
equipment purchases. The Committee applauds the efforts of the
SAA to review operations and reduce cost.
Due to the unfortunate events in Tucson involving
Representative Giffords, it became clear that enhanced security
of all Members was needed. In order to provide this needed
security and to ease the financial burden on the Capitol
Police, the SAA created a program where local staff, with
assistance from the Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol Police,
would work in conjunction with local law enforcement agencies
to provide the necessary level of protection for Members,
staff, and constituents. As the local jurisdictions are more
familiar with the threat environment in a Member's district,
the Member can help to ensure the necessary level of security
at his or her events. The SAA and Capitol Police developed
training for the Law Enforcement Coordinator Program and
reached out to local jurisdictions that have come to the aid of
Congress. The Committee commends the SAA for the creation of
the Law Enforcement Coordinator Program.
The Committee is aware of efforts underway by the SAA and
the Capitol Police to further improve security in Congressional
district offices. The Committee recognizes that some security
measures are cost prohibitive for some offices, yet these
efforts are necessary to ensure the safety and security of
constituents, Members, and their staff. To ensure that cost-
effective improvements are made by offices the SAA, along with
the Capitol Police, shall assist offices in prioritizing
improvements and highlighting alternative office locations that
yield greater security with less cost.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER
The Committee recommends $116,782,000 for the Office of the
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). This amount is $11,000,000,
or 8.6% below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and
$14,000,000 below the budget request.
In anticipation of future reductions in fiscal year 2012
the CAO is preparing for personnel and non-personnel reductions
so that the organization can re-align CAO personnel to focus on
core business services to the House community and streamline
service delivery processes. The core business services that the
organization intends to focus on are finance, budget and
payroll and benefits services; information technology/systems
services; management and logistics of assets and furnishings;
management of procurement, acquisitions and concessionaire
services. Through re-organization the CAO would reduce its
positions by approximately 5% and the duties of those positions
would be merged within the existing operational areas. This is
in addition to 38 vacant positions in February of this year.
The Library of Congress Federal Library and Information
Network (FEDLINK) offers federal agencies the opportunity, by
using the FEDLINK service contracts, to obtain services
directly from commercial sources. The FEDLINK contracts usually
provide substantial discounts not available to individual
customers for both large and small volume users. In addition,
agencies can utilize the expertise of federal librarians,
contracting officers, financial managers, and customer service
representatives to get the best products and services at the
best available prices. The Committee believes that
opportunities exist within the House for individual offices to
participate in the FEDLINK program rather than contracting
individually for services provided by such vendors as CQ-Roll
Call, Dow Jones and Company, Lexis-Nexis and others. Therefore,
the Committee directs the CAO of the House to consult with all
offices of the House in order to procure their required data
services either by using the FEDLINK contracts or a unified
House contract. The Committee further directs the CAO to report
back to the Committee on a regular basis on the progress and
actions taken regarding this matter.
Improved Contracting Internal Controls.--The Committee
directs the Chief Administrative Officer of the House to review
the contracting protocols and regulations of the House and
recommend ways to improve internal controls on the obligation
of funds. In its review the CAO is encouraged to use best
practices by other Federal agencies as a resource.
Allowances and Expenses
2011 appropriation.................................... $317,124,878
2012 budget request................................... 308,165,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 293,386,942
The Committee recommends a total of $293,386,942 for
allowances and expenses. This amount is $23,737,936, or 7.5%
below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $14,778,058 below
the budget request. These funds include supplies, materials,
administrative costs, and Federal tort claims; the costs of
official mail for the Committees, leadership, and
administrative offices; employee benefits; miscellaneous items;
and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.
The Committee has fully funded the Wounded Warrior Program
at $2,500,000, an increase of $500,000 above the fiscal year
2011 enacted level and the same as the budget request. The
Wounded Warrior Program was established to create fellowships
that provide employment opportunities within the House of
Representatives. These fellowships provide veterans with
experience and exposure to ultimately broaden their scope of
transition opportunities. The Committee directs the CAO to
prepare a report on this program. This report should provide
the number of participants that have been in the program, the
number currently in the program, how many have achieved full-
time employment and other relevant information so the Committee
can evaluate the overall program. This report should be
provided to the Committee on Appropriations of the House no
later than December 31, 2011.
The Committee bill does not include funding for tuition
reimbursement or the child care subsidy benefit because of a
lack of authorization.
The Committee bill also does not include funding for Energy
Demonstration Projects.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation
provided to each major component of the account:
Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal $3,696,118
tort claims..........................................
Official mail (committees, administrative, and 201,000
leadership offices)..................................
Government contributions.............................. 264,848,219
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery............. 17,112,072
Transition Activities................................. 2,721,533
Energy Demonstration Projects......................... ................
Wounded Warrior Program............................... 2,500,000
Office of Congressional Ethics........................ 1,548,000
Miscellaneous items................................... 760,000
-----------------
Total, allowances and expenses.................... $293,386,942
Administrative Provisions
Section 101 provides for unspent amounts remaining in
Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for
deficit or debt reduction.
Section 102 provides for who may assign responsibility
within the Republican Policy Committee.
Section 103 provides authority to the Speaker and the
Minority Leader to allocate funds.
Section 104 provides authority to the Speaker and the
Minority Leader to allocate funds among the training and
program development activities.
Section 105 repeals the Office of Emergency Planning,
Preparedness, and Operations and transfers the functions to the
House Sergeant at Arms.
JOINT ITEMS
The Committee recommends $19,390,000 for fiscal year 2012
for the various joint committees and activities carried under
this heading. The recommendation is $404,482 below the fiscal
year 2011 level and is $1,517,000 below the budget request.
JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE
2011 appropriation.................................... $4,490,002
2012 budget request................................... 4,814,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 4,203,000
The Committee recommends $4,203,000 for the Joint Economic
Committee. This recommendation is $287,002 below the fiscal
year 2011 level and $611,000 below the budget request. This
recommendation is a 6.4% reduction in the base operating
budget. Since the Joint Committee lapsed in excess of $1
million in fiscal 2010, this $287 thousand reduction should not
create any detriment to the operations.
The Joint Economic Committee was created by the Employment
Act of 1946. The primary tasks of the Committee are to review
economic conditions and to recommend improvements in economic
policy. The Committee performs research and economic analysis
and monitors and analyzes current economic, financial, and
employment conditions.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION
2011 appropriation.................................... $10,530,048
2012 budget request................................... 11,327,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 10,424,000
The Committee recommends $10,424,000 for the Joint
Committee on Taxation (JCT). This recommendation is $106,048
below the fiscal year 2011 amount and $903,000 below the budget
request. This recommendation is a 1% reduction in the base
operating budget. The Committee understands the workload
increases facing the JCT in the coming fiscal year and the need
to fill critical vacant positions. In addition, the JCT will
most likely be required to rewrite the entire tax code. Because
of these demands the Committee has provided the funding
required for this workload in fiscal year 2012.
The Joint Committee on Taxation operates under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and its predecessors dating to the Revenue
Act of 1926. It has responsibility to (1) investigate the
operation and effects of internal revenue taxes and the
administration of such taxes; (2) investigate measures and
methods for the simplification of such taxes; (3) make reports
to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate
Committee on Finance (or to the House and the Senate) on the
results of such investigations and studies and to make
recommendations; and (4) review any proposed refund or credit
of income or estate and gift taxes or certain other taxes set
forth in Code section 6405 in excess of $2,000,000. In addition
to these functions that are specified in the Internal Revenue
Code, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the Joint
Committee to provide revenue estimates for all tax legislation
considered by either the House or the Senate.
OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
2011 appropriation.................................... $3,400,186
2012 budget request................................... 3,403,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 3,400,000
The Committee recommends $3,400,000 for the Office of the
Attending Physician. This amount is the same as the 2011 level
(rounded) and is $3,000 below the budget request.
OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
2011 appropriation.................................... $1,374,246
2012 budget request................................... 1,363,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,363,000
The Committee recommends $1,363,000 for the operation of
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. This amount
is $11,246 below the fiscal year 2011 level and is the same as
the budget request. The Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services is a successor office to the Special Services Office
following enactment of the Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008
(Public Law 110-437).
CAPITOL POLICE
The Committee recommends a total of $340,136,364 for the
Capitol Police (USCP). This amount is the same as the fiscal
year 2011 enacted level and is $47,479,636 below the budget
request.
Salaries
2011 appropriation.................................... $277,132,624
2012 budget request................................... 299,343,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 277,132,624
The Committee recommends $277,132,624 for the salaries and
benefits authorized for police services throughout the USCP
jurisdiction. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2011
level and is $22,210,376 below the budget request. Using the
latest salary estimates from USCP, the Committee expects this
level of funding to support a staffing level of 1775 sworn
positions, a reduction of 25 officers and 370 civilians, a
reduction of 73 positions.
Budget Formulation.--The Committee is encouraged by the
efforts of the USCP to improve its financial operations and, in
particular, by the fact that the USCP recently closed all eight
audit findings related to the USCP Office of Inspector General
audit of the budget formulation process. The Committee expects
this improvement to continue in fiscal year 2012.
Workforce Management/Overtime Costs/Mission Requirements.--
The Committee recognizes the efforts of the USCP to manage and
reduce the necessity for overtime while maintaining core
mission requirements. The Committee recommends that the
Department continue to work with the Capitol Police Board, the
House and Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch
Appropriations, the Committee on House Administration, and the
Senate Committee on Rules and Administration to review the
USCP's mission requirements that generate such large amounts of
overtime in order to realize savings that could be used to
offset other critical costs. The Committee recognizes the
significant security requirements associated with the USCP's
mission and believes that offsets can be achieved through
continuous review of the overall mission requirements. The
following are examples of requirements where offset savings may
be applied in order to fund the requirement: security
operations Federal Office building #8; Dome Skirt and Utility
Tunnel Rehabilitation projects; security operations for
upcoming conventions and pre-inauguration activities;
protective services operations; and critical enhancement and
life cycle replacements of technology and equipment that is
necessary for security operations. The Committee directs the
Department to provide a written update to the Committee on
Appropriations of the House and Senate within 60 days of
issuance of this report, which provides the results of its
efforts to achieve mission requirement offsets as described.
New Posts.--To assist the USCP in the management of the
mission requirements it is required to achieve, the Committee
directs the USCP to notify the Committee on Appropriations of
the House and Senate when new posts are created, including the
annualized cost of maintaining the new post, and how the cost
will be offset.
General Expenses
2011 appropriation.................................... $63,003,740
2012 budget request................................... 88,273,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 63,003,740
The Committee recommends $63,003,740 for all general
expenses of USCP. This is the same as the fiscal year 2011
level and $25,269,260 below the budget request.
Administrative Provisions
Section 1001 authorizes transfers between the Salaries and
General Expenses accounts of the Capitol Police.
Section 1002 authorizes the Chief of the Capitol Police
authority to waive erroneous payments to officers and
employees.
OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE
Salaries and Expenses
2011 appropriation.................................... $4,076,980
2012 budget request................................... 4,782,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 3,817,000
The Committee recommends $3,817,000 for the Office of
Compliance. This amount is $259,980, or 6.4% below the fiscal
year 2011 level and $965,000 below the budget request. This
reduction can be achieved with four days of furlough ($42,500)
and ($217,480) from contract services.
The Office of Compliance was established to administer and
enforce the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-
1). The Act applies various employment and workplace safety
laws to Congress and certain Legislative Branch entities.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
2011 appropriation.................................... $46,771,270
2012 budget request................................... 46,865,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 43,787,000
The Committee recommends $43,787,000 for the Congressional
Budget Office (CBO). This is $2,984,270, or 6.4%, below the
fiscal year 2011 level and $3,078,000, or 6.6% below the budget
request.
In fiscal year 2009 the CBO received a supplemental $2
million appropriation to provide timely and accurate estimates
on major health care legislation. This increase was utilized
for such expenditures as $600,000 for equipment, $600,000 for
actuarial and other expert consulting services, and $400,000
for staff performance awards. Thus, $1.6 million or, 80% of the
supplemental, was utilized for one time outlays that should not
add to the current operating base. The remaining $400,000, or
20%, was used for salary and benefits costs of 3 full-time-
equivalent positions. Therefore, the reduction in this bill is
$1,384,270, or 3% below the fiscal year 2011 level, when $1.6
million of non-recurring costs is eliminated. The balance of
the reduction can be achieved with four furlough days
($618,000) and a reduction of 5 full-time-equivalent positions
($803,600). The Committee believes that a reduction of $1.384
million from a revised base, which is less than half of what
the other agencies in the Legislative Branch are taking, is
more than adequate for agency operations during fiscal year
2012.
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
2011 appropriation.................................... \1\$526,139,612
2012 budget request................................... \1\618,802,000
Committee recommendation.............................. \1\489,571,000
\1\Does not include Senate office buildings.
The Committee recommends $489,571,000 for fiscal year 2012
for the activities of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
Excluded are Senate items which are traditionally left for
consideration by that body. This amount is $36,568,612 below
the fiscal year 2011 enacted level, or 6.9%, and is
$129,231,000 below the budget request.
Within the recommended level the Committee continues its
prioritization of projects that: (1) promote the safety and
health of workers and occupants, (2) decrease the deferred
maintenance backlog, and (3) invest to achieve future energy
savings. In addition, by including $30,000,000 for the House
Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund, the bill
continues the Committee's commitment to advance planning for
major capital renewal projects which will be essential to
sustaining the performance of historic House buildings.
The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation,
development, and preservation of the United States Capitol
Complex. This includes mechanical and structural maintenance of
the Capitol, Congressional office buildings, the Library of
Congress buildings, the Supreme Court building, the U.S.
Botanic Garden, the Capitol Power Plant and other facilities,
as well as the upkeep and improvement of the grounds
surrounding the Capitol complex.
The following table summarizes the allocation of funds by
appropriation account:
Architect of the Capitol:
General Administration............................ $104,790,000
Capitol building.................................. 35,354,000
Capitol grounds................................... 9,852,000
House of Representatives buildings subtotal....... 119,154,000
House office buildings........................ (89,154,000)
Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund.. (30,000,000)
Capitol Power Plant............................... 127,159,000
Library buildings and grounds..................... 38,486,000
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security.... 21,500,000
Botanic Garden.................................... 12,000,000
Capitol Visitor Center............................ 21,276,000
-----------------
Total......................................... $489,571,000
General Administration
2011 appropriation.................................... $106,569,434
2012 budget request................................... 119,150,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 104,790,000
The Committee recommends $104,790,000 for personnel
services, equipment, communications, and other central support
activities of the AOC. This amount is $1,779,434 below the
fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is $14,360,000 below the
budget request.
The Committee directs the AOC to provide additional FTEs
and funding, within existing resources, as requested by the
Office of the Inspector General in the fiscal year 2012 budget
request.
The Committee directs that all overtime costs incurred by
the Capitol Police for AOC construction projects are to be
reimbursed, from project funds, upon receipt of billings from
the Capitol Police.
The recommended project budget of $3,199,000 is composed of
the following projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC):
Management Program................................... $2,700,000
Conservation of Fine Architectural Art............... 499,000
------------------
Total............................................ $3,199,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Building
2011 appropriation.................................... $33,115,636
2012 budget request................................... 41,545,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 35,354,000
The Committee recommends $35,354,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the Capitol building. This amount is
$2,238,364 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is
$6,191,000 below the budget request. The recommendation
supports an operating budget of $25,091,000. The recommended
project budget of $10,263,000 is composed of the following
capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Presidential Inaugural Stand and Support Facilities.. $4,263,000
Minor Construction................................... 6,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $10,263,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Grounds
2011 appropriation.................................... $10,952,052
2012 budget request................................... 10,799,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 9,852,000
The Committee recommends $9,852,000 for the care of the
grounds surrounding the Capitol. This amount is $1,100,052
below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is $947,000 below
the budget request.
House Office Buildings
2011 appropriation.................................... $150,165,068
2012 budget request................................... 169,647,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 119,154,000
The Committee recommends $119,154,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the House office buildings. This
amount is a decrease of $31,011,068 below fiscal year 2011 and
is $50,493,000 below the budget request.
The bill includes $30,000,000 for the House Historic
Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund. Public Law 111-68
established the Fund to finance major repairs and renovations
to facilities of the House. Subject to approval of the
Committee on Appropriations of the House, the AOC may use these
funds for major renovation projects to preserve and maintain
the performance of the iconic buildings of the House of
Representatives.
The recommended project budget of $40,631,000 is composed
of the following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alternate Life Safety Approach, CHOB................. $4,229,000
Power Distribution System Replacement, Vault C, FHOB. 3,957,000
Interior Rehabilitation, WHUG........................ 18,000,000
480V Switchgear and Transformer Replacement, Phase 3,055,000
III, RHOB...........................................
CAO Project Support.................................. 4,390,000
Minor Construction................................... 7,000,000
House Historic Building Revitalization............... 30,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $70,631,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Power Plant
2011 appropriation.................................... $118,894,734
2012 budget request................................... 142,101,000
Committee recommendation net.......................... 127,159,000
Offsetting collections................................ 9,000,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $136,159,000
The Committee recommends $127,159,000 for the Capitol Power
Plant supplemented by offsetting collections of $9,000,000.
This amount is $8,264,266 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted
level and is $14,942,000 below the budget request.
The Committee has provided $17,406,000 requested for the
ongoing repairs and improvements to address occupational safety
and health issues in the power plant utility tunnels. These
funds will enable the AOC to continue its progress toward
completing all corrective measures on issues identified by the
Office of Compliance by the June 11, 2012, settlement date.
The Committee supports the AOC's plan to utilize
cogeneration technology at the Capitol Power Plant to help meet
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requirement of
a 30 percent energy reduction by 2015. According to the AOC,
cogeneration will yield a 7.1 percent reduction in total energy
consumption at the Capitol Power Plant by increasing its
overall efficiency.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$93,782,000, which provides for current services. The
recommended project budget of $33,377,000 is composed of the
following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Utility Tunnel Program............................... $17,406,000
WRP Chiller System Replacement, RPR, CPP............. 6,000,000
East Plant Chiller Relocation, RPR, CPP.............. 3,971,000
Cogeneration Management Program...................... 2,000,000
Minor Construction................................... 4,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $33,377,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Buildings and Grounds
2011 appropriation.................................... $45,703,410
2012 budget request................................... 67,888,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 38,486,000
The Committee recommends $38,486,000 for the care and
maintenance of the Library buildings and grounds. This amount
is $7,217,410 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is
$29,402,000 below the budget request. The recommendation
supports an operating budget of $25,760,000 and a project
budget of $12,726,000, including the following capital
projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sprinkler System, West Mail Pavilion 1st Floor, Phase $4,100,000
III of III, TJB.....................................
Egress Improvements.................................. 1,126,000
Garage Structural Repairs, Entry Improvements and 5,000,000
Generator Replacement, Phase I of II, JAB...........
ABA Space Reorganization, Phase III of IV, JMMB...... 500,000
Minor Construction................................... 2,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $12,726,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security
2011 appropriation.................................... $26,957,976
2012 budget request................................... 32,312,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 21,500,000
The Committee recommends $21,500,000 for Capitol Police
buildings, grounds, and security. This amount is $5,457,976
below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is $10,812,000
below the budget request. The recommendation supports an
operating budget of $18,027,000 and a project budget of
$3,473,000, including the following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fire Alarm System Replacement, Headquarters.......... $2,473,000
Minor Construction................................... 1,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $3,473,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Botanic Garden
2011 appropriation.................................... $11,367,220
2012 budget request................................... 12,344,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 12,000,000
The Committee recommends $12,000,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Botanic Garden. This amount is $632,780 above
the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $344,000 below the
budget request. There are no capital projects in fiscal year
2012.
The Committee congratulates the Botanic Garden on the
accomplishments of its education and outreach programs, which
have leveraged the Garden's unparalleled expertise to provide
unique educational opportunities. The Committee urges the
Garden to continue forming partnerships with national and local
organizations to advance these educational goals.
Capitol Visitor Center
2011 appropriation.................................... $22,414,082
2012 budget request................................... 23,016,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 21,276,000
The Committee recommends $21,276,000 for the operation of
the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). This amount is $1,138,082
below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $1,740,000 below
the budget request. There are no capital projects in fiscal
year 2012. The CVC was established to improve security for all
persons working in or visiting the U.S. Capitol and to enhance
the educational experience of visitors.
The Committee brings to the attention of the AOC the issue
of the CVC gift shop employees. The gift shop currently employs
20 employees whose salary and benefit costs exceed more than $1
million annually. As with any revolving fund activity, the
costs associated with the operation of that activity should be
borne by that activity. For example, the Library of Congress
gift shop is totally funded and operated from the revenues
generated within their gift shop revolving fund. Therefore, the
Committee directs the AOC to prepare a report on the operations
and the steps that can be taken to achieve total operational
costs funded within the gift shop revolving fund. This report
should be provided to the Committee on Appropriations of the
House and Senate no later than December 31, 2011.
The Committee has observed that there seems to be a rather
large contingent of tour guides assigned to the CVC. The
Committee realizes that there are seasonal fluctuations in the
spring and summer that necessitate an increase in the number of
guides to handle the increased number of visitors. However, the
Committee believes a review of the staffing requirements, as
related to tour guides, needs to be undertaken. The Committee
directs the Architect of the Capitol to review the staffing
levels, taking into account the seasonal requirements, and
report to the Committee on Appropriations of the House and
Senate on these findings no later than January 31, 2012.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
The Committee recommends $575,322,000 for the operations of
the Library of Congress. This is $53,354,128, or 8.5% below the
fiscal year 2011 level and $91,409,000, or 13.7% below the
budget request. However, taking into consideration that $14
million requested for the Books for the Blind and Physically
Handicapped Digital Talking Book Program, which was completed
in fiscal year 2011, would reflect an adjusted base and thus
the amount below fiscal year 2011 is $39,354,128, or 6.4% and
$77,409,000, or 11.9% below an adjusted request. In addition to
the appropriation, the Committee recommends offsetting
collections of $42,863,000. The reduced funding provided in
this bill will require the Library of Congress to reduce
staffing by at least 312 positions utilizing a VERA/VSIP
option.
Established by Congress in 1800, the Library of Congress is
one of the largest libraries in the world, with a collection of
more than 130,000,000 print, audio, and video items in 460
languages. Among its major programs are acquisitions,
preservation, administration of U.S. copyright laws by the
Copyright Office, research and analysis of policy issues for
the Congress by the Congressional Research Service, and
administration of a national program to provide reading
material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library
also maintains a number of collections and provides a range of
services to libraries in the United States and abroad.
Salaries and Expenses
2011 appropriation.................................... $431,784,700
2012 budget request................................... 455,979,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 406,096,000
Offsetting collections................................ 6,350,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $412,446,000
The Committee recommends $406,096,000, plus authority to
spend $6,350,000 in receipts, for the salaries and expenses
appropriation. This amount is $25,688,700 below the fiscal year
2011 level and is $49,883,000 below the budget request. This
reduction can be achieved with 20 percent participation, of 215
of the eligible 1,075 ``Salaries and Expenses'' employees, in a
VERA/VSIP program ($15,681,000), a four day furlough
($3,936,000), purchase of books and library materials
($1,000,000), Thirty-Year Mass Deacidification Program
($1,000,000), National Audio-Visual Conservation Center
equipment ($1,000,000), Overseas Field Office Operations
($571,700) and Teaching with Primary Sources grants
($2,500,000).
The Committee fully understands the impact these budget
reductions will have on the Library of Congress. These
reductions will require adjustments in every program, project,
and activity within the salaries and expenses appropriation. As
in prior years, it is expected that the Library will mitigate
any negative impact of the reduction in acquisition funding by
realignments within the salaries and expenses appropriation.
Also, the Committee has demonstrated its support of the
Information Technology Services segment of the budget and
believes that Library management should continue to support
this activity, including the necessary incident handling and
response function described in the Library's fiscal 2012 budget
request, as much as possible within the funding levels
provided. The Committee believes enhanced information
technology is critical to ensuring that Library programs and
services continue to meet the challenges and opportunities
before them. The Committee recognizes that the major
information technology requirements of Library organizations
will only be met through Library-wide collaboration. The
Committee directs the Librarian of Congress to consider
managing within the Office of the Librarian all Library
information technology planning and resource allocations to
ensure that information technology requirements are properly
prioritized and that resources are effectively used. In
addition, the Committee expects the Veterans History Project
and the Civil Rights History Project will be maintained at the
fiscal year 2011 levels.
Copyright Office
2011 appropriation.................................... $17,828,272
2012 budget request................................... 21,723,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 14,461,000
Offsetting collections................................ 36,513,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $50,974,000
The Committee recommends $14,461,000, plus authority to
spend $36,513,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office. This
is $3,367,272 below the fiscal year 2011 level and $7,262,000
below the budget request, not including offsetting collections.
This reduction can be achieved with 20 percent participation,
of 38 of the eligible 188 Copyright employees, in a VERA/VSIP
program ($2,090,000), a two day furlough ($339,000), and a base
reduction in equipment of ($938,272).
The Committee has provided the authority to spend receipts
at $36,513,000. This amount is $1,800,000 above the request and
can be achieved largely through the utilization of prior year
available unobligated balances.
The Committee believes that reductions in appropriations
are likely to continue, and those reductions could be offset by
increased receipts. The Committee is aware that the full cost
of the Copyright Office is not attributable to the Copyright
registration process. However, other than costs associated with
testimony and studies related to copyright for Congress,
responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests,
public information about copyright, and assistance to other
federal entities dealing with copyright issues, the full cost
of the Copyright Office should be supported by fees charged for
registrations. The Committee directs the management of the
Library and the Copyright Office, working with the appropriate
authorizing committees of the House and Senate, to review the
current fee structure to determine if the registration fee
covers the entire cost, including overhead, associated with the
registration process.
Congressional Research Service
2011 appropriation.................................... $111,017,520
2012 budget request................................... 117,102,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 104,091,000
The Committee recommends $104,091,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). This
amount is $6,926,520 below the fiscal year 2011 level and
$13,011,000 below the budget request.
This reduction can be achieved with 20 percent
participation, of 54 of the 272 eligible CRS employees, in a
VERA/VSIP program ($5,431,000), a two day furlough ($757,600)
and a base reduction between advisory and assistance services,
other services, purchase of goods and services, and operation
and maintenance of equipment ($737,920).
CRS works for Members and committees of Congress to support
their legislative, oversight, and representational functions by
providing nonpartisan and confidential research and policy
analysis.
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
2011 appropriation.................................... $68,045,636
2012 budget request................................... 71,927,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 50,674,000
The Committee recommends $50,674,000 for salaries and
expenses of the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped (NLS). This amount is $17,371,636 below
the fiscal year 2011 level and $21,253,000 below the budget
request.
The NLS has successfully administered a free national
reading program for blind and physically handicapped residents
of the United States and U.S. citizens living abroad since
1931. NLS provides direction for the production of books and
magazines in Braille and recorded formats and audio playback
machines for distribution through a nationwide network of 56
regional and 65 subregional libraries. After a decade of
extensive planning and research and development, NLS began
contracting for the first shipment of digital talking book
players in fiscal year 2008, a significant milestone in this
program's history. With the termination of the analog cassette
program and digital book and player production and distribution
having reached a steady state, the Committee perceives fiscal
year 2012 to represent a crossroads moment and appropriate time
to take a comprehensive look at NLS funding requirements and
services for the future. Base programs now are meeting their
goals and wide-ranging service options are presenting
themselves to a changing customer base, in large measure
influenced by the availability of technologies that were as a
practical matter unimaginable ten years back. Currently NLS is
less a manufacturing operation and more a distributor. The
provision of no-year funding, essential in the past to
accommodate multi-year manufacturing cycles, no longer is
essential, nor is the program's traditional line item for
machine replacements. At the same time NLS would benefit by
greater flexibility to be able to manage its funding mix as
circumstances change. The Committee directs the NLS to take a
close look at the future of its legacy programs and conduct a
detailed study of its entire mix of products and services,
examining how changing demographics are influencing the
customer base and new technologies offering new and different
service alternatives. This study is to be provided to the
Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate by
September 30, 2012.
The NLS launched a six-year transition to a fully
operational Digital Talking Book Program in fiscal year 2008.
The program, fully supported by the Congress, would provide
545,000 digital talking book players and 6.8 million books by
the end of fiscal year 2013. Lower than expected costs have
allowed for a greater level of annual production of players and
media than was anticipated at the beginning of the replacement
program. At the same time the NLS has broadened its business
model to respond to evolving technologies and a more diverse
client base, offering the popular NLS Braille and Audio Reading
Download (BARD) option to download books directly from the
Internet. In response to customer demand the program adjusted
production goals, reducing player production in favor of an
increased range of digital media offerings, including
additional retrospective titles and magazines. Therefore, in
fiscal 2011 the program will meet its fiscal 2013 goal, and the
$14 million requested in 2012 is no longer necessary.
The Committee has taken a reduction of $3,371,636 below the
enacted level. This reduction can be achieved with 10 percent
participation, 5 of the 49 NLS eligible employees, in a VERA/
VSIP program ($295,000), a one day furlough ($42,636),
reduction in spare parts ($1,200,000), GSA rent reduction
($300,000) and a base reduction in the old machine procurement
program ($1,534,000).
Administrative Provisions
The Committee has recommended several administrative
provisions related to obligational authority (sec. 1101) for
reimbursable and revolving funds, (sec. 1102) transfer
authority, and (sec. 1103) prior year funds to pay Workers
Compensation.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
The recommendation provides $113,000,000 in budget
authority for the Government Printing Office (GPO), in addition
to any offsetting collections which the GPO may earn under
separate authority. This amount is $22,067,324, or 16.3% below
the fiscal year 2011 level and $35,474,000 below the budget
request. GPO provides publishing and dissemination services for
Federal government publications to Congress, Federal agencies,
Federal depository libraries, and the American public.
The Committee has some concern about the future of the GPO
as a viable printing operation for the Federal Government. The
GPO currently contracts out, to small and medium size print
operations, more than 90 percent of its annual printing
requisitions, most of which are from the Executive Branch. The
balance comes from printing for the Congress and a few small
jobs for the Executive Branch, such as the President's Annual
Budget. The Committee believes that a study is needed to review
the feasibility of Executive Branch printing being performed by
the General Services Administration, the transfer of the
Superintendent of Documents program to the Library of Congress,
and the privatization of the GPO. Therefore, the Committee
directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study
on these three options and report its findings to the Committee
on Appropriations of the House and Senate no later than January
31, 2012.
Congressional Printing and Binding
2011 appropriation.................................... $93,580,464
2012 budget request................................... 100,001,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 78,000,000
The Committee recommends $78,000,000 for Congressional
Printing and Binding. This amount is $15,580,464, or 16.7%
below the fiscal year 2011 level and is $22,001,000 below the
budget request. The amount is provided as a lump sum to cover
various categories of printing.
The Committee has recommended changes for the publication
of the Congressional Record Index and printing for the
Architect of the Capitol, and commends the GPO for undertaking
a survey of House offices and committees to provide Members and
staff with the ability to opt out of receiving copies of the
daily Congressional Record. These actions will reduce the
charges against this account. However, additional efforts by
the House to reduce its printing requirements, either through
further changes in the way the House conducts its business or
by revising the relevant provisions of the public printing and
documents statutes of Title 44, United States Code, will be
required to reduce the volume of congressional printing within
the limits of the recommended funding. Otherwise, a shortfall
in the Congressional Printing and Binding account is likely to
be incurred in the current fiscal year, for which Congress will
be obligated to reimburse the GPO in a subsequent
appropriation.
Office of Superintendent of Documents
2011 appropriation.................................... $39,831,178
2012 budget request................................... 42,173,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 35,000,000
The Committee recommends $35,000,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Superintendent of Documents. This amount is
$4,831,178 below the fiscal year 2011 level and $7,173,000
below the request.
The Committee recommendation reflects a general reduction
of 12.1% in the base operating budget. However, utilization of
$2.7 million transferred to the GPO Revolving Fund, reduces the
net reduction to $2,131,178, or 5.3%. This reduction can be
absorbed with 3 vacant positions not being filled, and
reductions in travel, training and incentive awards. The
Committee directs the Public Printer to realign the operations
of the Superintendent of Documents program to address the most
critical elements of the program.
The Office of Superintendent of Documents account funds the
mailing of government documents for Members of Congress and
Federal agencies, as statutorily authorized; the compilation of
catalogs and indexes of government publications; and the
cataloging, indexing, and distribution of government
publications to the Federal Depository and International
Exchange libraries and to other individuals and entities, as
authorized by law.
Government Printing Office Revolving Fund
2011 appropriation.................................... $1,655,682
2012 budget request................................... 6,300,000
Committee recommendation.............................. ................
The Committee understands the importance of the Federal
Digital System (FDsys) and the GPO Business Information System.
However, within the current budgetary constraints, the
Committee is unable to provide funding for these operational
systems. The Committee directs the Public Printer to examine
every avenue of revenue generation within the Revolving Fund to
determine what adjustments could be made to allocate the
funding required for these projects.
The Committee is aware that GPO currently has more than
100,000 square feet of vacant available space within the GPO
complex. The Committee encourages the GPO to explore the
possibility of a lease agreement for this space with other
Federal Government agencies. The Committee believes that a
revenue stream of this nature could be utilized for the FDsys
and the GPO Business Information System.
The bill continues language authorizing the operation of
the revolving fund and authority to hire or purchase
automobiles, advisory councils, and consultants.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
2011 appropriation.................................... $546,254,302
2012 budget request................................... 556,849,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 511,296,000
Offsetting Collections................................ 18,304,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $529,600,000
The Committee recommends $511,296,000 in direct
appropriations for the Government Accountability Office (GAO),
plus $18,304,000 in offsetting collections derived from
reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government
corporations and rental of space in the GAO building. This
amount is a decrease of $34,958,302, or 6.4% below the fiscal
year 2011 level, and is $45,553,000 below the budget request.
In order to achieve the savings necessary to absorb the
funding reductions in this bill, GAO will need to take the
following actions: reduction in salaries and benefits including
a slower hiring rate and reduction in planned hires, reduction
in promotions, reduction in awards, and reduction in staff
development ($18,143,000); reduction in engagement-related
expenses including travel and support contracts ($816,000);
infrastructure operations ($6,965,000); and other
administrative adjustments ($8,907,000). As part of a cost
cutting measure, the Committee encourages the GAO to consider a
VERA/VSIP option, not only for this fiscal year but for future
years. The Committee fully understands that these reductions
will require adjustments in staffing and surely will increase
response time for all studies, audits, and reports.
The Committee notes that testimony by the GAO before the
Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on
for-profit college sales and marketing practices received
significant criticism from education experts, media and
objective commentators for including significant mistakes and
misstatements in the analysis of the for-profit college sector.
In its investigation of its own report, GAO determined that
pressure to find errors in ``15 out of 15'' schools and to
finish the report within a short timeframe, as well as last-
minute demands to include revisions to the report resulted in a
flawed final product that, even with revisions, remains
available for public reference. The Committee has concern about
the impact flawed analyses can have on the industries GAO
report on; in this case, the for-profit educational sector; and
directs the GAO to report to the Committee on Appropriations of
the House and Senate by November 1, 2011, on what processes and
procedures have been established to ensure errors of this
nature do not repeat themselves in the future.
GAO was established by the Budget and Accounting Act of
1921. Formerly known as the General Accounting Office, it was
renamed by Public Law 108-271. GAO works for Congress by
responding to requests for studies of Federal Government
programs and expenditures. GAO may also initiate its own work.
Administrative Provision
The Committee has included an administrative provision
(1201) that allows GAO to be treated the same as other
Legislative Branch agencies regarding employee buyout
authority.
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund
2011 appropriation.................................... $11,377,200
2012 budget request................................... 12,600,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,000,000
In recent years, the Committee has expressed concern
regarding the placement of the Open World Leadership Program in
the Legislative Branch and questioned its benefits. The program
has some strong champions on the Committee, but with reductions
being made to most every program within the Federal budget the
Committee has elected to shut down the program and recommends
$1,000,000 for shutdown expenses of the Open World Leadership
Program.
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development
2010 appropriation.................................... $429,140
2011 budget request................................... 430,000
Committee recommendation.............................. ................
The Center was created by Congress in 1988 with an
appropriation of $7.5 million which subsequently was
transferred to the John C. Stennis Trust Fund and invested in
non-expendable corpus Special Issue Certificates of
Indebtedness with the U.S. Treasury. As reflected in the
current Budget of the United States, the Center has $15 million
invested with the Treasury, and at a 2 percent return should
generate $300,000 that can be utilized for the annual operation
of the program. Since the principal of the fund has doubled
from the original appropriation and with reduced funding within
the Legislative Branch, the Committee has provided zero funding
for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and
Development.
The Committee directs that any further budget request from
the John C. Stennis Center be accompanied by an appropriately
detailed budget justification.
TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS
The customary language regarding emergency assistance for
vehicles, fiscal year limitation, positions and allowances,
consulting services, awards and settlements, the Legislative
Branch Financial Managers Council, the maintenance and
landscaping on Washington Avenue SW, a limitation on transfers
of funds, language regarding maintaining staff-led tours
(sections 201-209). Section 210 provides for a spending
reduction account, excluding Senate items. This account
excludes the portion of the allocation that is expected to be
realized by amounts for Senate items.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS
The following items are included in accordance with various
requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Constitutional Authority
Clause 6(e) of the Rules of the Appropriations Committee
requires each committee report on a public bill or joint
resolution to contain a statement citing the specific powers
granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the law
proposed by the bill or joint resolution.
The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to
report this legislation on clause 7 of section 9 of article I
of the Constitution of the United States which states: ``No
money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of
Appropriations made by Law . . .''
Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to
this specific power granted by the Constitution.
Comparison With the Budget Resolution
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1)(A) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares
the levels of new budget authority provided in the bill with
appropriate allocation under section 302(b) of the Budget Act.
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) Allocation This bill
-------------------------------------------------------
Budget Budget
authority Outlays authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee
allocations to its subcommittees of amounts in the
Budget Resolution for 2012:
Discretionary....................................... $4,314 $4,397 $3,326 \1\$3,570
Mandatory........................................... 136 136 136 \1\136
-------------------------------------------------------
Total........................................... $4,450 $4,533 $3,462 $3,706
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from both House and Senate prior-year budget authority.
Note.--Bill amounts exclude discretionary Senate-related items.
Five-Year Projection of Outlays
Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains five-year
projections prepared by the Congressional Budget Office of
outlays associated with the budget authority provided in the
accompanying bill:
[In millions of dollars]
Budget Authority...................................... $3,462
Outlays:
2012.................................................. 2,968
2013.................................................. 325
2014.................................................. 93
2015.................................................. 34
2016.................................................. 23
Assistance to State and Local Governments
Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, the amount of financial assistance to State
and local governments is as follows:
The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and
local assistance programs.
Transfer of Funds
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following lists the transfers of
funds included in the accompanying bill:
Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in Library of
Congress, Congressional printing and binding, the
Superintendent of Documents, and the Capitol Police programs.
Rescissions
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following details the rescissions
in the accompanying bill:
The accompanying bill contains no rescissions.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure
authorizes funding:
The Committee on Appropriations considers program
performance, including a program's success in developing and
attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing
funding recommendations.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following lists the
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not
authorized by law for the period concerned:
The accompanying bill contains no appropriations not
authorized by law.
Terminations, Reductions and Other Savings
In order to invest in the critical priorities identified in
this bill, the Committee has proposed herein a number of
program reductions and other savings from the fiscal year 2011
level. These adjustments, no matter their size, are important
to setting the right priorities within the spending allocation
and for creating a government that is as efficient as it is
effective.
Earmarks
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no
Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI.
Changes in the Application of Existing Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following statements are
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the
accompanying bill that directly or indirectly change the
application of existing law:
1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items
remain available for more than one year, where programs or
projects are continuing in nature under the provisions of
authorizing legislation but for which that legislation does not
specifically authorize such extended availability.
2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place
limitations on or change or extend existing limitations,
appropriations, or authorizations, and which under some
circumstances might be construed as changing the application of
existing law.
3. The bill continues the practice of providing official
reception and representation allowances for officers and
offices of the Legislative Branch.
4. The bill authorizes disbursal of funds for various
agencies.
5. The bill authorizes transfer authority between accounts
for certain agencies in the bill.
6. The bill includes language allowing the use of funds for
studies and examinations of executive agencies and temporary
personnel services. Funds can also be available for
reimbursement to agencies for services performed.
7. The bill includes language providing funds for the
Family Room, the Superintendent of Garages, Office of Emergency
Management, and preparing the Digest of Rules.
8. The bill includes language providing funds for House
motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities.
9. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members'
Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt
reduction.
10. The bill includes language pertaining to the assignment
of responsibilities within the Republican Policy Committee.
11. The bill provides authority to the Speaker and Minority
Leader to allocate funds among certain Leadership Offices.
12. The bill provides authority to the Speaker and Minority
Leader to allocate funds among the training and program
development activities.
13. The bill includes language repealing the Office of
Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations and transfers
the functions and responsibility to the Sergeant at Arms of the
House.
14. The bill authorizes allowances for employees of the
Office of the Attending Physician and provides reimbursement to
the Department of the Navy.
15. The bill authorizes expenses of the Capitol Police for
equipment, uniforms, weapons, supplies, materials, training,
medical services, forensic services, stenographic services,
personal and professional services, the employee assistance
program, the awards program, postage, communication services,
travel advances, and relocation expenses.
16. The bill provides that the cost of Capitol Police basic
training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center be paid
by the Department of Homeland Security.
17. The bill provides authority for the Chief of the
Capitol Police to waive claims for erroneous payments subject
to the approval of the Capitol Police Board.
18. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to
purchase or exchange, maintain, and operate a passenger motor
vehicle.
19. The bill includes authorization allowing reimbursements
for chilled water and steam provided to the Government Printing
Office, the Washington City Post Office, the Supreme Court, the
Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, Union Station
Complex, and the Folger Shakespeare Library to be credited to
the AOC Capitol Power Plant appropriation and made available
for obligation.
20. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to expend
funds to maintain, care for, and operate the National Garden.
21. The bill provides the authority to expend funds
collected under the authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and for
international legal information, the balance to remain
available until expended.
22. The bill establishes that the amount available for
obligation by the Library of Congress is reduced by offsetting
collections.
23. The bill provides funds for the digital collections and
educational curricula program, the American Folklife Center,
and the Civil Rights History Project.
24. The bill allows the Library of Congress to hire or
purchase one passenger motor vehicle.
25. The bill allows funds from offsetting collections to be
used for the Library's Copyright Office.
26. The bill includes language authorizing the expenditure
of receipts, with the exception of salaries and benefits, for
the administration of the Copyright Royalty Judges program.
27. The bill contains language which provides that no funds
in the Congressional Research Service can be used to publish or
prepare material to be issued by the Library of Congress unless
approved by the appropriate committees.
28. The bill provides funds to provide newspapers to the
blind and physically handicapped.
29. The bill authorizes the temporary transfer of funds
under the heading ``Library of Congress, Salaries and
Expenses'' to the revolving fund for the FEDLINK Program and
the Federal Research Program.
30. The bill makes balances of expired Library of Congress
funds available for workers compensation payments.
31. The bill contains language restricting the use of funds
appropriated to the Government Printing Office for the
permanent edition of the Congressional Record for individual
Representatives and Senators, Resident Commissioners, or
Delegates, and language providing that appropriations
recommended shall be available for the payment of obligations
incurred under appropriations for similar purposes for
preceding fiscal years, limiting the printing of certain
documents to a time certain, and authorizing the transfer of
unobligated balances.
32. The bill includes authorization of appropriations for
Congressional printing and binding.
33. The bill includes language authorizing the Office of
Superintendent of Documents to pay for printing certain
publications in prior years for the depository library program.
There is language authorizing the transfer of unexpended
balances.
34. There is language authorizing the operation of the
Government Printing Office revolving fund, and which authorizes
travel expenses for advisory councils, the purchase of not more
than 12 passenger motor vehicles and that the revolving fund
may be used to provide information in any format.
35. The bill includes language relating to the Government
Accountability Office, authorizing the direct procurement of
expert and consultant services under 5 U.S.C. 3109 at certain
rates; authorizing the hire of one passenger motor vehicle, as
required by 31 U.S.C. 1343; authorizing the Government
Accountability Office to make advance payments in foreign
countries in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3324; and providing
certain benefits, including rental of living quarters in
foreign countries. Appropriations are authorized for
administrative expenses of any other member department or
agency to finance an appropriate share of the costs of the
National Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional
Intergovernmental Audit Forum.
36. The bill clarifies agencies with authority to provide
voluntary separation incentive payments.
37. In Section 201, there is language prohibiting the use
of funds in the Act for the maintenance or care of private
vehicles except for emergency assistance and cleaning as may be
provided under regulations relating to parking facilities for
the House issued by the Committee on House Administration and
for the Senate by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
38. Section 203 provides that whenever any office or
position not specifically established by the Legislative Pay
Act of 1929 is appropriated for herein, or whenever the rate of
compensation or designation of any position appropriated for
herein is different from that specifically established for such
position by such Act, the rate of compensation and the
designation of the position, either appropriated for or
provided herein, shall be the permanent law with respect
thereto: Provided that the provisions herein for the various
items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees
of the Senate and House, and clerk hire for Senators and
Members shall be the permanent law with respect thereto.
39. Section 204 requires that certain information regarding
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
40. Section 205 authorizes the payment of awards and
settlements.
41. Section 206 authorizes Legislative Branch entities to
share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers
Council.
42. Section 207 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to
maintain certain property.
43. Section 208 limits the transfer of funds in this Act.
44. Section 209 prohibits funds in this Act being used to
eliminate or restrict staff led guided tours.
45. Section 210 provides for a spending reduction account.
Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 103 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999
Sec. 103. (a) * * *
(b) [Subject to the allocation described in subsection (c),
funds] Funds in the account established under subsection (a)
shall be paid--
(1) for activities of the Republican Conference in
such amounts, at such times, and under such terms and
conditions as the Speaker of the House of
Representatives may [direct;] direct (or, if the
Speaker is not a member of the Republican Party, under
such terms and conditions as the Minority Leader of the
House of Representatives may direct); and
(2) for activities of the Democratic Steering and
Policy Committee in such amounts, at such times, and
under such terms and conditions as the Minority Leader
of the House of Representatives may [direct.] direct
(or, if the Speaker is a member of the Democratic
Party, under such terms and conditions as the Speaker
may direct).
[(c) Of the total amount in the account established under
subsection (a)--
[(1) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Speaker for
payments for activities of the Republican Conference;
and
[(2) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Minority
Leader for payments for activities of the Democratic
Steering and Policy Committee.]
[(d)] (c) There are authorized to be appropriated to the
account under this section for fiscal year 1999 and each
succeeding fiscal year such sums as may be necessary for
training and program development activities of the Republican
Conference and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee
during the fiscal year.
----------
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005
DIVISION G
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005
TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 109. (a) There is established in the House of
Representatives an office to be known as the Republican Policy
Committee, which shall have such responsibilities as may be
assigned by [the chair of the Republican Conference] the
Speaker of the House of Representatives (or, if the Speaker is
not a member of the Republican Party, the Minority Leader of
the House of Representatives).
(b) There shall be a lump sum allowance for the salaries and
expenses of the Republican Policy Committee, which shall be
treated as a category of House leadership offices for purposes
of section 101(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act,
1993 (2 U.S.C. 95b(c))[.], and which shall be obligated and
expended as directed by the Speaker (or, if the Speaker is not
a member of the Republican Party, the Minority Leader).
* * * * * * *
TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 210. Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
[(d) Exclusion of Certain Offices.--This section shall not
apply to any office which is an Executive agency under section
105 of title 5, United States Code, or any employee of such an
office.]
* * * * * * *
(f) Repayment For Individuals Returning to Government
Employment.--
(1) * * *
(2) Waiver for individuals possessing unique
abilities.--
(A) If the employment is with an Executive
agency (as defined by section 105 of title 5,
[United States Code] United States Code, but
excluding the Government Accountability
Office), the Director of the Office of
Personnel Management may, at the request of the
head of the agency, waive the repayment
required under this subsection if the
individual involved possesses unique abilities
and is the only qualified applicant available
for the position.
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 3521 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE
Sec. 3521. Definitions
In this subchapter, the term--
(1) ``agency'' means an Executive agency as defined
under [section 105] section 105 (other than the
Government Accountability Office); and
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 905 OF THE EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ACT, 2002
[Sec. 905. (a) There is established in the House of
Representatives an office to be known as the House of
Representatives Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and
Operations. The Office shall be responsible for mitigation and
preparedness operations, crisis management and response,
resource services, and recovery operations.
[(b) The Speaker, in consultation with the minority leader--
[(1) shall provide policy direction for, and
oversight of, the Office;
[(2) shall appoint and set the annual rate of pay for
employees of the Office, including a Director, who
shall be the head of the Office;
[(3) shall exercise, with respect to any employee of
the Office, the authority referred to in section
8344(k)(2)(B) of title 5, United States Code, and the
authority referred to in section 8468(h)(2)(B) of title
5, United States Code;
[(4) shall approve procurement of services of experts
and consultants by the Office or by committees or other
entities of the House of Representatives for assignment
to the Office; and
[(5) may request the head of any Federal department
or agency to detail to the Office, on a reimbursable
basis, any of the personnel of the department or
agency.
[(c) The day-to-day operations of the Office shall be carried
out by the Director, under the supervision of a Board, to be
known as the House of Representatives Continuity of Operations
Board, comprised of the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, and the
Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives.
The Clerk shall be the Chairman of the Board.
[(d) Until otherwise provided by law, funds shall be
available for the Office from amounts appropriated for the
operations of the House of Representatives.
[(e) This section shall take effect on the date of the
enactment of this Act and shall apply to fiscal years beginning
with fiscal year 2002.]
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF THE HONORABLE NORM DICKS AND HONORABLE MICHAEL
HONDA
The Chairman followed the long tradition of this
subcommittee and included the minority in the process of
developing the fiscal year 2012 Legislative Branch
Appropriations bill. The Chairman and Ranking Member of this
subcommittee are the stewards of the legislative branch of
government and must operate in a bi-partisan manner to
effectively serve in that role. Chairman Crenshaw should be
applauded for the process followed.
The bill funds the Legislative Branch, minus the Senate, at
$3.3 billion which represents a 6.4 percent reduction from
fiscal year 2011 and a 9 percent reduction from fiscal year
2010. The allocation is only understandable given that the
majority is also cutting Women and Children's nutrition
programs, consumer protection, and other important programs in
other appropriations bills. This bill has succeeded in joining
the other appropriations bills by cutting programs at the
expense of jobs, strong oversight, and common-sense
efficiencies.
District Office Security
After the tragic shootings in Tucson, the Congress was left
to reevaluate security in Members' districts. While it is of
the utmost importance to ensure that citizens have unfettered
access to their Members of Congress, the Tucson event was a
reminder that we must be vigilant in providing security to
Members, to their staff and to their constituents that attend
their events. The effort by the House to improve district
security after the shootings put much of the onus on Members'
offices, including the payment for that security. As Members'
office budgets are being cut for the second time in a year,
there has to be a reconsideration of that policy in order to
consider a more centralized approach to security. That is not
an inexpensive endeavor if you use the Secret Service's budget
as a guide. The Capitol Police appropriation is $340 million,
equal to the fiscal year 2011 level. The Capitol Police protect
the Capitol Complex with primary security responsibility for
541 Members of Congress, Resident Commissioners, and Delegates.
By comparison, the House-passed Secret Service Appropriation
included over $1 billion for the protection of 50 to 70
individuals, including the President. If the Capitol Police is
going to assess more threats against Members and take a more
active role in district security then their budget should
reflect these increased demands.
Oversight Role of Congress
The Government Accountability Office, the Congressional
Budget Office, and the Congressional Research Service are
extensions of Congress and assist Members in exercising their
oversight role of government programs. All were cut over 6
percent and require reductions in force and furloughs. Many of
the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills considered by the
Committee thus far have requirements of the Government
Accountability Office to review a range of government programs
and CBO has had to provide budget estimates for all the bills
and amendments to those bills. In addition, the Committee's
recently approved Semiannual Report of Committee Activities
highlights the support provided by the GAO to the Committee.
The report lists over 60 GAO reports and staff studies that are
underway during the 112th Congress. What will happen to that
oversight and analysis after Members' staff are cut as well as
these oversight agencies?
While the term ``spending'' has become a bad word for the
majority, it is worth noting that some spending really is an
investment. The return is high when investing in GAO by
identifying inefficiencies, duplicative programs and best
practices across the federal government. Every dollar spent at
GAO results in $4 of taxpayer savings. Those who claim to want
increased oversight of government programs should reject cuts
to GAO.
With regard to GAO, the Committee report directs the non-
partisan oversight agency to reassess a study of for-profit
colleges' recruitment practices. GAO must be allowed to employ
its independent judgment, regardless of whether Members
disagree with their conclusions.
Open World Leadership Center
During subcommittee and full committee consideration of the
bill, Democratic Members spoke of their strong support for the
Open World Leadership Center which received $1 million in the
bill for shutdown costs. In the additional views submitted to
the fiscal year 2008 bill, the then-minority stated ``If we
would have had a more inclusive process, we are certain that
the Chair would have realized that the Open World Leadership
Program enjoys bipartisan support on this Committee. Instead,
the Chair proposed to end this program and close it out.''
Given the support of Members for this program in 2008, it is
surprising that the current majority has followed the course
they rejected 4 years ago.
Norman D. Dicks.
Michael M. Honda.