[House Report 106-756]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
106th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 106-756
======================================================================
TREASURY, POSTAL SERVICE, AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS BILL,
2001
_______
July 18, 2000.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Kolbe, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 4871]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the Treasury Department, the Postal Service,
the Executive Office of the President, and certain Independent
Agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2001, and for
other purposes.
INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
_______________________________________________________________________
Page number
Bill Report
Summary of the Bill........................................
2
Title I--Department of the Treasury:
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.................... 8
21
Bureau of Engraving and Printing...........................
33
Bureau of the Public Debt.................................. 15
34
Counterterrorism Fund......................................
15
Departmental Offices....................................... 2
6
Department-Wide Systems and Capital Investments Programs... 3
8
Expanded Access to Financial Services...................... 4
14
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.................... 5
17
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network....................... 4
13
Financial Management Service............................... 8
20
General Provisions--Treasury Department.................... 20
42
Inspector General for Tax Administration................... 4
10
Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement..................... 8
19
Internal Revenue Service................................... 15
35
Money Laundering Strategy..................................
11
Office of Inspector General................................ 3
10
Treasury Building and Annex Repair and Restoration......... 4
11
Treasury Forfeiture Fund...................................
15
United States Customs Service.............................. 11
24
United States Mint.........................................
34
United States Secret Service............................... 18
40
Violent Crime Reduction Programs...........................
16
Title II--Postal Service:
Payment to the Postal Service Fund......................... 25
44
Title III--Executive Office of the President and Funds
Appropriated to the President:
Compensation of the President and the White House Office... 27
47
Council of Economic Advisers............................... 31
51
Executive Residence at the White House..................... 28
48
Federal Drug Control Programs.............................. 35
57
National Security Council.................................. 32
52
Office of Administration................................... 32
52
Office of Management and Budget............................ 32
53
Office of National Drug Control Policy..................... 33
55
Office of Policy Development............................... 32
51
Special Assistance to the President and Official Residence
of the Vice President.................................. 31
50
Unanticipated Needs........................................
61
Title IV--Independent Agencies:
Committee for Purchase from People who are Blind or
Severely Disabled...................................... 36
61
Federal Election Commission................................ 37
62
Federal Labor Relations Authority.......................... 37
63
General Services Administration............................ 38
63
Merit Systems Protection Board............................. 46
74
Morris K. Udall scholarship and foundation................. 47
74
National Archives and Records Administration............... 47
75
Office of Government Ethics................................ 48
77
Office of Personnel Management............................. 49
78
Office of Special Counsel.................................. 52
81
United States Tax Court.................................... 52
82
Title V--General Provisions:
This Act................................................... 53
82
Title VI--Governmentwide General Provisions:
Departments, Agencies, and Corporations.................... 62
84
Compliance with House Rules................................
88
Tables.....................................................
Summary of the Total Bill..................................
The accompanying bill contains recommendations for new
budget (obligational) authority for fiscal year 2001 for the
Department of the Treasury, the Postal Service, various offices
in the Executive Office of the President, and certain
Independent Agencies. The following table summarizes these
recommendations and reflects comparisons with the budget, as
amended, and with amounts appropriated to date for fiscal year
2000:
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Bill compared with
New budget estimates of ----------------------------
(obligational) new
Agency authority (obligational) Recommended New budget Budget
fiscal year authority, in the bill authority estimate,
2000 enacted fiscal year fiscal year fiscal year
to date 2001 2000 2001
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Treasury.............................. 12,352,437 14,520,692 13,225,949 +873,512 -1,294,743
Postal Service........................ 93,056 96,093 96,093 +3,037 ..............
Executive Office of the President..... 654,422 702,245 656,499 +2,077 -45,746
Independent agencies.................. 14,969,147 16,437,796 15,123,722 +154,575 -1,314,074
Grand total..................... 28,069,062 31,756,826 29,102,263 +1,033,201 -2,654,563
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends a total of $14,401,999,000 in
discretionary resources for agencies under its jurisdiction;
this includes $145 million for the Earned Income Tax Credit
Compliance Initiative. After scorekeeping adjustments, the
Committee's recommendation is $677,947,000 above the level
appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and below the President's
request by $2,126,830,000 in budget authority.
GENERAL STATEMENT
For fiscal year 2001, the Committee's recommendation
reflects difficult choices made under tight budgetary
constraints. Including technical and other scorekeeping
adjustments, the allocation received by the Treasury, Postal
Service and General Government Subcommittee provides an
increase of $677,947,000 over fiscal year 2000 enacted levels.
This allocation is nearly 5 percent above the current year.
However, it does not fully accommodate basic requirements,
including maintaining adequate personnel and support for the
upcoming Presidential campaign and providing an estimated 3.7
percent pay raise to the approximately 150,000 federal
employees supported through this appropriations measure.
Moreover, this allocation does not fully support workloads
associated with prior Congressional action, such as: training
law enforcement personnel, reforming the Federal Election
Commission, bringing Customs' drug interdiction air support on
line, fully funding the Drug Free Communities Act, reducing
unacceptably high levels of overtime within the Secret Service,
and providing additional resources for the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) to implement reforms mandated by the
Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998. With these basic
requirements in mind, the allocation is short by approximately
$175,000,000.
In addition to these basic requirements, the Committee has
other critical responsibilities, including: maintaining an
adequate federal infrastructure through the General Services
Administration (GSA); ensuring a smooth Presidential
transition; providing resources to archive the Presidential and
federal records of the Clinton Administration; supporting
ongoing information technology reform within the IRS and the
Executive Office of the President; maintaining a viable
commercial automation system for the Customs Service; and
ensuring the successful completion of major repair and
restoration work underway at the National Archives, including
work to preserve and protect the Charters of Freedom. Finally,
the Committee notes that it was asked to consider a number of
initiatives including: additional resources to more
aggressively enforce our nation's gun laws; funds to begin
replacing the Customs' antiquated import processing system; and
resources to enhance investigations of money laundering, child
labor violations and drug interdiction. With these additional
responsibilities in mind, the allocation is short by
approximately $1.3 billion.
In making its recommendations, the Committee's first
priority was maintaining current services for all federal law
enforcement as well as most other agencies. The Committee
notes, however, that the recommendation is below the request of
$347,596,000 for the IRS to maintain current service levels by
$52,591,000.
With the exception of some enhancements to ongoing agency
work and upgrades to critical information technology
infrastructure, the Committee was unable to support any new
initiatives for fiscal year 2001. Recognizing growing workloads
of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), the
Committee has provided sufficient funds to assist ATF in its
efforts to enforce our current gun laws. Additionally, the
Committee believes it is critical for Customs to have the tools
it needs to enforce our trade laws. The Committee is extremely
concerned with the escalating costs and disruptions in service
to Customs' current commercial automation system (ACS).
Nevertheless, the Committee is compelled to provide resources
to sustain ACS until it can be replaced. In total, the
Committee provides $233,400,000 for Customs Automation and,
given the priority of replacing ACS, includes not less than
$105,000,000 to begin in earnest work on the new system, the
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) program, half of the
amount requested by the President. The Committee expresses its
disappointment in the President's proposed new tax to support
ACE, a tax that may ultimately be found to violate
international trade agreements. The Committee also notes the
apparent inconsistency in the President's policy in regards to
trade: on one hand promoting free trade and on the other
failing to propose a direct appropriation to provide Customs
with the tools it needs to ensure the expeditious and
legitimate processing of cargo.
The Committee regrets that it is unable to fund any new
construction and significantly less building repair work than
was requested. This includes not only courthouse and border
station projects proposed through GSA, but other important
projects such as renovation and restoration of the National
Archives building, a new headquarters for the ATF, Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) master plan projects, the
next phase of the Food and Drug Administration consolidation,
and the critical telecommunications requirements of the White
House. The Committee is extremely concerned by the potential
long-term costs and consequences that these construction delays
may have on critical federal infrastructure. Nonetheless, the
Committee could not support new construction at the expense of
maintaining basic agency operations, particularly those related
to federal law enforcement. The Committee notes that, if it
were required to freeze appropriations at the fiscal year 2000
level, the net loss of personnel would be -2,031 FTE from
Customs, -1,389 FTE from Secret Service, -388 FTE from ATF, and
-8,528 FTE from IRS.
The Committee recognizes that many of the proposed funding
levels will require agencies to modify their anticipated
financial and business practices during fiscal year 2001. This
is especially true for the IRS and agencies with any
construction requirements. The Committee acknowledges that IRS,
GSA, and the National Archives have borne the brunt of the
restraint on spending found in this bill, requiring denial of
requested increases for the upcoming fiscal year.
REPROGRAMMING AND TRANSFER OF FUNDS GUIDELINES
The following reprogramming guidelines shall be complied
with by all agencies funded by the Treasury and General
Government Appropriations Act, 2001:
1. Except under extraordinary and emergency situations, the
Committees on Appropriations will not consider requests for a
reprogramming or a transfer of funds, or use of unobligated
balances, which are submitted after the close of the third
quarter of the fiscal year, June 30;
2. Clearly stated and detailed documentation presenting
justification for the reprogramming, transfer, or use of
unobligated balances shall accompany each request;
3. For agencies, departments, or offices receiving
appropriations in excess of $20,000,000, a reprogramming shall
be submitted if the amount to be shifted to or from any object
class, budget activity, program line item, or program activity
involved is in excess of $500,000 or 10 percent, whichever is
greater, of the object class, budget activity, program line
item, or program activity;
4. For agencies, departments, or offices receiving
appropriations less than $20,000,000, a reprogramming shall be
submitted if the amount to be shifted to or from any object
class, budget activity, program line item, or program activity
involved is in excess of $50,000, or 10 percent, whichever is
greater, of the object class, budget activity, program line
item, or program activity;
5. For any action where the cumulative effect of below
threshold reprogramming actions, or past reprogramming and/or
transfer actions added to the request, would exceed the dollar
threshold mentioned above, a reprogramming shall be submitted;
6. For any action which would result in a major change to
the program or item which is different than that presented to
and approved by either of the Committees, or the Congress, a
reprogramming shall be submitted;
7. For any action where funds earmarked by either of the
Committees for a specific activity are proposed to be used for
a different activity, a reprogramming shall be submitted; and
8. For any action where funds earmarked by either of the
Committees for a specific activity are in excess of the project
or activity requirement, and are proposed to be used for a
different activity, a reprogramming shall be submitted.
Additionally, each request shall include a declaration
that, as of the date of the request, none of the funds included
in the request have been obligated, and none will be obligated,
until the Committees on Appropriations have approved the
request.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Departmental Offices
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $158,934,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 161,006,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 149,437,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -9,497,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -11,569,000
MISSION
The Departmental Offices' function in the Treasury
Department is to provide basic support to the Secretary of the
Treasury, who is the chief operating executive of the
Department. The Secretary of the Treasury also has a primary
role in formulating and managing the domestic and international
tax and financial policies of the Federal Government. The
Secretary's responsibilities funded by the salaries and
expenses appropriation include: recommending and implementing
United States domestic and international economic and tax
policy; fiscal policy; governing the fiscal operations of the
Government; maintaining foreign assets control; managing the
public debt; overseeing the law enforcement functions carried
out by the Treasury Department; managing development of
financial policy; representing the United States on
international monetary, trade and investment issues; overseeing
Treasury Department overseas operations; directing the
administrative operations of the Treasury Department; and
providing executive oversight of the bureaus within the
Treasury Department. This account also includes funding for the
Office of Professional Responsibility.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $149,437,000
for Departmental Offices, Salaries and Expenses, a decrease of
$9,497,000 below the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2000
and a decrease of $11,569,000 below the budget estimate. The
amount provided includes increases above the fiscal year 2000
enacted level of $7,332,000 for fixed costs to maintain current
levels ($3,701,000 for pay, $474,000 for other labor-related
benefits, $3,526,000 for non-labor items, and -$369,000 for one
less compensable work day), $3,813,000 for productivity
enhancements to Departmental Office information systems as a
transfer from the Department-Wide Systems and Capital
Investments Programs account, $854,000 to annualize the filling
of 6 positions within the Office of International Affairs
during fiscal year 2000, $504,000 and no more than 3 positions
for increased management and coordination by the Office of
Enforcement of the Department's involvement in the National
Money Laundering Strategy, and $2,900,000 for grants to state
and local law enforcement agencies to help combat money
laundering--the same level as provided for fiscal year 2000 for
this purpose within the Department-Wide Systems and Capital
Investments Programs account. The Committee also assumes
savings of $24,900,000 associated with one-time costs of the
fiscal year 2000 emergency supplemental appropriation. The
Committee has not provided funds for the Counterterrorism
Initiative. Bill language has been added to allow the funds
transferred into the account for productivity enhancements to
remain available for two years. The Committee notes that the
amount provided includes sufficient funding for the Department
of the Treasury to provide up to $500,000 in contract awards to
the National Law Center for Inter-American Free Trade, the same
level as included for fiscal year 2000. Additional Committee
guidance concerning the Department's actions with respect to
the National Money Laundering Strategy is contained in this
report under the heading, ``Money Laundering Strategy.'' From
within amounts appropriated, the Committee has included
$502,000 to reimburse Morris County, New Jersey, for law
enforcement agencies overtime pay associated with the World
Bank protests on March 31, 2000 to April 2, 2000; $150,000 for
Arlington County, Virginia, law enforcement agencies overtime
pay associated with the World Bank and IMF protests of April
2000; and not to exceed $300,000 to reimburse the State Police,
the police departments of the towns of New Castle, North
Castle, Mount Kisco, Bedford, and the Department of Public
Safety of Westchester County of the State of New York.
Budget Restructuring
The Committee does not approve the budget restructuring as
proposed in the budget justification for Departmental Offices,
Salaries and Expenses. In particular, the Committee does not
approve the dissolution of the budget activity for executive
direction; providing executive direction to the bureaus within
the department is a major responsibility of the Secretary of
the Treasury. The Committee does not object to the recasting of
the budgets for the Office of Domestic Finance, Office of Tax
Policy, Office of Economic Policy, and Office of International
Affairs into two budget activities (a budget activity for
Economic Policies and Programs and one for Financial Policies
and Programs) as proposed by the Department as long as future
budget justifications display the separate office budgets in a
manner similar to that which is currently provided for the
Office of Enforcement and the Office of Foreign Assets Control.
Should the Department desire to recast the budgets for these
Offices, then the Committee directs that the Department provide
a report to the Committee within 60 days of the enactment of
this act describing the new budget structure and providing
crosswalk tables from the old budget structure to the new
structure for the current and budget years.
Office of Enforcement
The Committee continues to believe that Treasury law
enforcement requires leadership, coordination, and advocacy
within the Department. To help assess the operation and
performance of the Office of Enforcement and its components,
such as the Office of Professional Responsibility, the
conferees for the fiscal year 2000 appropriation directed the
General Accounting Office (GAO) to undertake a management
review. That study will soon commence, and the Committee
expects to receive the GAO report in time for consideration
with the fiscal year 2002 appropriation request.
reception and representation allowances
The Committee is concerned to learn that the Under
Secretary of Enforcement has required the various Treasury law
enforcement bureaus to transfer a portion of their reception
and representation funds to the Office of the Under Secretary.
Although there may be certain functions appropriate to the
involvement of all the Treasury law enforcement bureaus, the
Committee reminds the Under Secretary that expenses for these
events are accommodated within the amounts authorized for
Departmental Offices reception and representation allowances.
In the event that the Under Secretary believes that
Departmental Offices representation allowances are insufficient
to meet current needs, the Under Secretary should submit a
justification for increases to this allowance to the Committee
for its consideration. The Committee also directs the Under
Secretary to submit for advance approval any requirement to use
reception and representation allowance funds from any
appropriation account other than Departmental Offices, Salaries
and Expenses.
treasury law enforcement funding and personnel issues
In its report accompanying the fiscal year 2000
appropriation bill, the Committee expressed its concern with a
lack of Administration attention to providing the proper
resources, staffing and management needed for Treasury law
enforcement. The Committee directed the Secretary of the
Treasury to conduct a study on the overall requirements for
Treasury law enforcement and to develop recommendations on how
to ensure full funding and staffing for the bureaus. These
recommendations were to include, but not be limited to, funding
requirements, hiring authority, personnel compensation,
overtime practices, training, and other areas critical to
meeting the investigative and protective missions of Treasury
law enforcement. The report should address the need for, and
reasons for the delay in implementing, Schedule B hiring
authority for certain law enforcement positions, particularly
for the Customs Service and ATF. It should also address the
appropriate allocation of Senior Executive Service positions
for Treasury law enforcement bureaus. The Committee underscores
that it expects that the Secretary will submit a final report
to the Committee by November 1, 2000.
Department-Wide Systems and Capital Investments Programs
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $43,448,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 99,279,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 41,787,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -1,661,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -57,492,000
mission
This appropriation succeeds the Automation Enhancement
appropriation established by the Treasury, Postal Service and
General Government Appropriations Act, 1997, and funds the
modernization of Treasury business processes and increases in
Department-wide systems efficiency through technology
investments for systems that involve more than one Treasury
bureau or Treasury's interface with other governmental
agencies.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $41,787,000
for Department-Wide Systems and Capital Investments Programs, a
decrease of $1,661,000 below the amount appropriated in fiscal
year 2000 and a decrease of $57,492,000 below the budget
estimate. The amount provided includes an increase above the
fiscal year 2000 enacted level of $14,779,000 for
communications infrastructure (including radios and related
equipment) associated with Departmental law enforcement
responsibilities for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics
scheduled for the year 2002. Decreases from the fiscal year
2000 enacted level include reductions of $4,327,000 for non-
recurring costs associated with Y2K; $3,813,000 for
transferring productivity enhancements for Departmental Office
information systems to the Departmental Offices, Salaries and
Expenses account; $2,900,000 for transferring grants to state
and local law enforcement to help combat money laundering to
the Departmental Offices, Salaries and Expenses account; and
$5,400,000 for transferring the International Trade Data System
to the Customs Service.
The Committee reminds the Administration that this account
is intended for department-wide capital investments and systems
modernization efforts. No positions are paid for by this
account; the management of projects funded through this account
is conducted by Treasury employees organizationally located
throughout the Departmental Offices and Treasury bureaus whose
salaries are paid from other appropriations either directly or
indirectly.
Integrated Treasury (Wireless) Network
The Committee notes that the Administration proposes to
transfer receipts from the Federal Communications Commission's
analog spectrum lease fee to cover the entire amount proposed
as an increase for the Integrated Treasury Network for wireless
communications ($55,000,000). This action, similar to that
proposed last year, has yet to be authorized. However, the
Committee is aware of the National Telecommunications and
Information Administration requirement for Treasury bureaus to
switch their communications equipment from wide-band channels
to narrow-band channels by 2005. This requirement has serious
implications for the law enforcement bureaus of the Department
of the Treasury, as only about one-third of the radios owned by
Treasury bureaus currently have narrow-band capabilities. In
funding the Department of the Treasury's law enforcement
communication commitments for the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter
Olympics in this account, the Committee has provided for the
most pressing communication need of the Department. The
Committee denies without prejudice the funds requested for the
Public Safety Wireless Network/Federal Law Enforcement Wireless
Users Group. The Committee notes that this effort is
operational in nature and would be more appropriately funded in
a different account.
Office of Inspector General
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $30,599,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 33,608,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 31,940,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,341,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -1,668,000
mission
This appropriation provides agency-wide audit and
investigative functions to identify and correct operational and
administrative deficiencies, which create conditions for
existing or potential instances of fraud, waste, and
mismanagement. The audit function provides program, contract,
and financial statement audit services. Contract audits provide
professional advice to agency contracting officials on
accounting and financial matters relative to negotiation,
award, administration, repricing, and settlement of contracts.
Program audits review and evaluate all facets of agency
operations. Financial statement audits assess whether financial
statements fairly present the agency's financial condition and
results of operations, the adequacy of accounting controls, and
compliance with laws and regulations. The investigative
function provides for the detection and investigation of
improper and illegal activities involving programs, personnel,
and operations. The Office of Inspector General also provides
for internal investigations made by the Office of Internal
Affairs and Inspection in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms, the Customs Service, and the Secret Service.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $31,940,000
for the Office of Inspector General, an increase of $1,341,000
above the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and a
decrease of $1,668,000 below the budget estimate. The increase
provided above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level is to cover
increases in fixed costs so that the Office of Inspector
General can maintain current levels of service. The Committee
denies without prejudice the additional amounts requested.
Inspector General for Tax Administration
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $111,781,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 118,427,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 116,427,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +4,646,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -2,000,000
mission
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Restructuring and Reform
Act of 1998 established the Office of Treasury Inspector
General for Tax Administration and abolished the IRS Office of
the Chief Inspector. The Office was established in January of
1999 as required by that legislation. The Treasury Inspector
General for Tax Administration conducts audits, investigations,
and evaluations to assess the operations and programs of the
IRS and its related entities, the IRS Oversight Board and the
Office of Chief Counsel. The purpose of those audits and
investigations is to: (1) promote the economic, efficient, and
effective administration of the nation's tax laws and to detect
and deter fraud and abuse in IRS programs and operations; and
(2) recommend actions to resolve fraud and other serious
problems, abuses, and deficiencies in these programs and
operations.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $116,427,000
for the Inspector General for Tax Administration, an increase
of $4,646,000 above the amount appropriated for fiscal year
2000 and a decrease of $2,000,000 from the budget estimate. The
increase above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level is to
partially cover increases in fixed costs so that the Treasury
Inspector General for Tax Administration can maintain current
levels of service.
The Committee has included a new general provision (Section
115) modified from the one proposed by the Administration, that
allows an increase of up to two percent of the budget of
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, derived from
transfers of funds from the appropriations of the Internal
Revenue Service, upon advance approval of the Committees on
Appropriations.
Treasury Building and Annex Repair and Restoration
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $22,700,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 31,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 31,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +8,300,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation funds the repairs, selected
improvements, and construction necessary to renovate and
maintain the Main Treasury, the Treasury Annex, and other
Treasury buildings.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $31,000,000
for Treasury Building and Annex Repair and Restoration, an
increase of $8,300,000 above the amount enacted for fiscal year
2000 and the same as the budget estimate. These funds will
permit the Department to continue the program for renovation
and modernization of the historic Main Treasury Building in
Washington, D.C.
Money Laundering Strategy
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... ................
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... $15,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... ................
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -15,000,000
mission
This proposed new appropriation would provide additional
funds beyond those currently included in the budgets of
Treasury bureaus for money laundering. The appropriation also
would fund increased coordination within the Department of the
Treasury to work with various law enforcement entities involved
in addressing money laundering crimes.
recommendation
The Committee does not recommend creating a new
appropriation for the Money Laundering Strategy. The Committee
has provided $504,000 in the Departmental Offices, Salaries and
Expenses appropriation for enhancing Treasury management of its
efforts to combat money laundering and for improving the
coordination of efforts within the federal government and with
state and local as well as international entities to fight
money laundering. The Committee also provides the same level of
support ($2,900,000) as was provided for fiscal year 2000 for
state and local law enforcement grants to help combat money
laundering; these funds are also located in the Departmental
Offices, Salaries and Expenses appropriation. The Committee
denies without prejudice the balance of the funds requested for
inclusion in this proposed new appropriation.
Although the Committee is concerned about the extent and
scope of money laundering, it has not been given data that
identify and quantify the types and levels of resources that
the Department has already committed to this issue within its
base budget, and how a program centralized in the Department
would relate to and improve upon existing programs and
cooperative efforts within the federal government and with
state, local, and foreign governments. One of the key items of
the National Money Laundering Strategy for 2000 is a thorough
review of the resources devoted to anti-money laundering
efforts. The Committee directs the Department of the Treasury
to submit a report 60 days after the enactment of this act that
identifies and quantifies the resources in the various accounts
of the Department for the budget year (fiscal year 2001), the
current year (fiscal year 2000), and the previous three fiscal
years for combating money laundering and how these resources
are currently being coordinated.
The Committee raises the following concerns about the local
geographic emphasis and approach adopted by the National Money
Laundering Strategy for 2000: (1) money laundering is an
international problem and a focus on local geographic areas
does not intuitively address the heart of the issue, which is
the fluidity by which criminal organizations launder their
proceeds; (2) a crackdown on money laundering within specific
geographic areas may only result in moving the criminal
activity to a different area rather than eliminating the
criminal activity; (3) the electronic aspect of fund transfers
inherently broadens the scope of the issue beyond a local
geographic area; and (4) such local geographic foci have a way
of becoming viewed as permanent features unless strict and firm
management is put in place, including the development of base
line data for judging the extent of the local problem,
quantifiable performance measures for monitoring program
progress at a local level, and a clear concept of achievable
goals for determining how and when a local effort should be
terminated.
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date.............. $27,818,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001.................... 34,694,000
Recommended in the bill.............................. 34,694,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000.................. +6,876,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................ .................
mission
The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is
responsible for implementing Treasury's anti-money laundering
regulations through administration of the Bank Secrecy Act, 31
U.S.C. section 5311, et seq (BSA). It also serves as a United
States Government source for the systematic collection and
analysis of information to assist in the investigation of money
laundering and other financial crimes. FinCEN assists all law
enforcement entities, including Federal, State, local and
international, through information collection, sophisticated
data analysis, and intelligence sharing through dissemination
of its analytical products, technological assistance, and
implementation of Treasury authorities. It prevents money
laundering through its regulatory and outreach programs,
including setting policy for and overseeing BSA compliance by
financial institutions, and by providing BSA training for law
enforcement, bankers, and bank regulators. FinCEN supports U.S.
Government initiatives on money laundering and financial crime
through multilateral organizations, such as the Financial
Action Task Force (FATF) of the Group of Eight, and the UN. It
is a catalyst for the development of Financial Intelligence
Units (FIUs) in other countries, and the transfer of
information on money laundering and financial services
worldwide.
As part of its regulatory mission, FinCEN plans to provide
regulatory and enforcement support to ensure compliance by
money service businesses (MSBs) with the requirements of the
BSA, and it is requesting additional funding to carry out this
expanded responsibility.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $34,694,000
for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, as requested by
the President, and $6,876,000 above the amount appropriated in
fiscal year 2000. Of the amounts provided, $2,851,000 reflects
the cost to maintain current level spending, $1,750,000 covers
activities previously funded in the Violent Crime Reduction
Trust Fund, and $2,275,000 is to fund additional oversight
responsibility for the Money Service Business regulatory
program.
magnitude of money laundering and data mining
As part of its responsibilities to provide useful analysis
of the intelligence it gathers on money laundering and
financial crime, FinCEN requests that funding previously
provided through the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund be
continued in fiscal year 2001. In testimony, the Committee was
informed that $500,000 of this would be used to continue work
to establish a system to estimate the magnitude, flow and
characteristics of money laundering and related financial
crimes. FinCEN will work with the Financial Advisory Task Force
(FATF) on an agreed methodology and scope, and plans to award a
research contract this summer. The Committee strongly supports
this initiative, in conjunction with related efforts by the
Office of National Drug Control Policy to develop models of
drug trafficking flows. The Committee directs FinCEN to provide
a report with the fiscal year 2002 budget request detailing
progress made towards the development of a robust measure of
use to law enforcement, intelligence analysts, and
policymakers.
The Committee also includes funding for development of data
mining software and a BSA data warehouse to improve the ability
of FinCEN and law enforcement to enhance the quality of
investigative information that can be derived from the vast and
varied raw data collected by FinCEN. The Committee encourages
FinCEN to ensure that the fruits of this effort are made
available as soon as possible to Federal and other law
enforcement through the Gateway and Secure Outreach programs.
The Committee also continues to support efforts to improve and
expand access to FinCEN programs through the Gateway Program,
which permits state and local agencies to access FinCEN
information through a secure system, and the Secure Outreach
program, which will permit real-time access to data in FinCEN's
Money Laundering Coordination Center and the Internal Revenue
Service's Detroit Computing Center.
Expanded Access to Financial Services
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... ................
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... $30,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... -2,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +2,000,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -28,000,000
mission
This proposed new appropriation would fund a new effort to
expand the access of low-income families to normal financial
services. The appropriation proposes to accomplish its mission
by performing research, by conducting outreach efforts to low-
income families, and by working with the private sector to
encourage financial institutions to expand access to electronic
accounts and automatic teller machines.
recommendation
The Committee is aware of the potential benefits to be
gained by individuals and families as a result of their making
use of standard financial services.
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,000,000 for
the Secretary of the Treasury to develop and implement a pilot
program to expand access to financial services to low-income
individuals who do not currently utilize bank accounts or other
financial service opportunities.
Counterterrorism Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... ................
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... $55,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... ................
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -55,000,000
mission
This proposed appropriation would provide funding as a
contingency for unanticipated costs associated with providing
support to counter, investigate, or prosecute domestic or
international terrorism, including payment of rewards, and to
re-establish the operational capability an office, facility, or
other property damaged or destroyed as a consequence of any
domestic or international terrorist act. These funds would only
be available to the extent that the President transmits an
official budget request as an emergency requirement as defined
in section 251(b)(2)(A) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency
Deficit Control Act of 1985. Congress previously appropriated
$15,000,000 for such a fund in the fiscal year 1997 Omnibus
Consolidated Appropriations Act.
recommendation
The Committee is unable to recommend funding for this
request, although the Committee acknowledges the inherently
unpredictable nature of the terrorist threat this country
faces. The Committee will consider any Departmental requests
for reprogramming or transfer of funds for counter-terrorism
purposes.
Treasury Forfeiture Fund
mission
Public Law 102-393 (31 USC 9703) authorized the
establishment of the Treasury Forfeiture Fund (TFF) with
permanent, indefinite authority, to replace the Customs
Forfeiture Fund, and provided that the TFF should receive all
proceeds from assets seized by Treasury enforcement
organizations. The TFF makes these funds available to pay or
reimburse certain costs and expenses related to providing
stable resources to cover the costs of effective asset seizure
and forfeiture programs that occur pursuant to Treasury
Department law enforcement activities. The Coast Guard also
participates in the TFF.
recommendation
The Committee has provided no appropriation for the
Treasury Forfeiture Fund, as the Administration requested none.
The Committee assumes the availability of $42,500,000 in Super
Surplus balances, as proposed by the Administration.
SUPER SURPLUS AND THE SECRETARY'S ENFORCEMENT FUND
Funding available in the Super Surplus to the Treasury
Forfeiture Fund has fluctuated in recent years as a result of
specific forfeiture events. The large balance available in
fiscal year 2000 resulted in significant levels of such funding
being used to support agency base operations. The Committee
notes that the Administration's proposed use of the expected
Super Surplus for fiscal year 2001 is for discrete, time-
limited projects--with the exception of funding for Customs
vehicles. The Committee believes this reflects the appropriate
use of this fund, rather than as a substitute for continuing
activities properly funded through base appropriations.
The Committee generally supports the Department's proposal
for use of the Surplus. However, because it cannot fund the
requests for construction from regular appropriations, the
Committee believes that the same convention should apply to new
construction proposed to be funded through the Super Surplus,
without any prejudice to the merit of those projects. The
Committee therefore directs that the $7,290,000 in over-
prospectus costs for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms (ATF) headquarters project not be funded in FY 2001,
in keeping with the inability of the Committee to fund the main
construction costs for the headquarters. Similarly, the
Committee also directs that no Super Surplus funding go to
either of the proposed Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
(FLETC) projects: $7,590,000 for a dormitory at Glynco and
$4,177,000 for a firing range at Artesia. Instead, the
Committee directs that a total of $22,057,000 be provided for
the National Integrated Ballistic Identification Network
(NIBIN) program. $19,057,000 of this would be in lieu of
funding for NIBIN requested in the ATF Salaries and Expenses
account. This does not reflect any diminution of this
Committee's support for a FLETC construction schedule that will
permit full transition of U.S. Border Patrol basic training to
FLETC in FY 2004. The Committee thus directs FLETC to continue
to work towards completing the transition to conducting all
basic training for the U.S. Border Patrol at FLETC facilities
by the end of fiscal year 2004. The Committee will consider
favorably funding in the FY 2002 appropriation to ensure that
this schedule can be met.
The Committee recommends specific funding levels as
follows:
US Customs Service:
Vehicle Replacement................................. $11,000,000
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms:
IBIS/NIBIN.......................................... 22,057,000
Laboratory/FIRE Facility............................ 3,023,000
US Secret Service:
Vice President's Residence Security................. 3,920,000
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center:
Major Renovations................................... 2,500,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. 42,500,000
Violent Crime Reduction Programs
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $130,081,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... ................
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -130,081,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
Amounts for the Department of the Treasury's portion of
Crime Control Programs were derived from transfers from the
Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund (VCRTF) as authorized by the
Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994.
RECOMMENDATION
No funding is provided for the Violent Crime Reduction
Trust Fund, as its authorization expires this year and there is
no Administration request to re-authorize it. Some activities
previously funded in this account are included in agency base
appropriations.
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $84,027,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 93,483,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 93,483,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +9,456,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
provides the necessary facilities, equipment, and support
services to conduct advanced, specialized, and refresher
training for Federal law enforcement personnel. This
appropriation is for operating expenses of the Center, for
research in law enforcement training methods, and curriculum
content. In addition, the Center has a reimbursable program to
accommodate the training requirements of various Federal
agencies. As funds are available, law enforcement training is
provided to certain State and local law enforcement, and in
some cases, foreign government and private sector security
personnel, on a space-available basis.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $93,483,000
for FLETC Salaries and Expenses, as requested by the President,
and $9,456,000 above the amount appropriated in fiscal year
2000. These funds will permit FLETC to carry out all its
requested activities, including mandatory workload increases
required to meet basic training needs for federal law
enforcement agencies, such as the U.S. Border Patrol, and to
meet increased basic training needs for Treasury law
enforcement bureaus.
WORKLOAD MANAGEMENT
The Committee understands that costs per student-week of
training exceeded expected levels in fiscal year 1999 in large
part because of a shortfall in the numbers of new students for
FLETC core basic training, chiefly for U.S. Border Patrol. At
the same time, FLETC has testified that it can accommodate
Customs in-service training at FLETC, and noted that many
agencies may not ask for such training, given their assumptions
of FLETC limitations. The Committee strongly urges FLETC,
working with Treasury and other federal law enforcement
agencies, to seek ways to use FLETC facilities and services for
more advanced training when possible, whether at Glynco and
Artesia, or through distant learning technology. The Committee
recognizes that FLETC must adjust when agencies fail to deliver
the predicted number of new students for basic training.
However, every effort should be made to have alternative
arrangements for other training to be provided in order to most
effectively and economically utilize FLETC space and resources.
As FLETC works with Treasury and Justice to move all Border
Patrol basic training to FLETC by fiscal year 2004, the
Committee expects FLETC to take into account resource
requirements needed to provide advanced training where it would
be in the best interest of law enforcement and the federal
government.
CAPITAL METROPOLITAN AREA LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING FACILITY
FLETC and the Treasury Department have testified that a
review is underway of options for establishing a Washington
metropolitan area facility for training in perishable skills,
chiefly firearms qualification and vehicle operation. The
Committee understands that this review is being conducted in
concert with Treasury, the U.S. Park Police, the Capitol
Police, the Washington Metropolitan Police and other federal
and local law enforcement agencies. FLETC is directed to report
to the Committee by August 31, 2000, on the status of planning
for such a facility, including any business plans or similar
planning analyses.
ADVANCED AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING
The Committee is aware that the Customs Service, and
possibly other agencies, are planning to establish new
facilities to provide in-service training. One reason advanced
for this is that FLETC lacks the capacity to accommodate the
numbers of students, types of training, or schedule desired by
Customs and other institutions. FLETC has stated that it could
accommodate Customs at existing facilities, and has denied
almost no requests to run advanced or specialized training at
FLETC. However, agencies may not make requests for such
training since they are aware that they may not get all their
training needs met through FLETC. The Committee understands
that FLETC cannot, and probably should not, be expected to
provide all advanced training for agencies. In many cases
agencies must exercise more control over in-service training
and must integrate it into operations than could FLETC, as a
non-operational entity.
Before any new facility is established, the Committee
expects that a detailed plan would be prepared that would first
explore the use of existing FLETC facilities. FLETC must have a
leadership role in such planning, given its expertise in
training and its neutrality in terms of having no operational
jurisdiction. The Committee understands that FLETC is working
on using distance training technology to meet some of the
requirements by remote classroom training. The Committee
therefore directs FLETC to report to the Committee by August
31, 2000, on what initiatives are underway to meet in-service
advanced training requirements.
Acquisition, Construction, Improvements, and Related Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $21,175,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 17,331,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 17,331,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -3,844,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
...........
MISSION
This account provides for the acquisition, construction,
improvements, equipment, furnishings and related costs for
expansion and maintenance of facilities of the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $17,331,000
for the FLETC Acquisition, Construction, Improvements, and
Related Expenses account, as requested by the President, and
$3,844,000 below the fiscal year 2000 appropriation.
MEETING THE MANDATE TO PROVIDE BASIC TRAINING
The Committee remains fully committed to the principle of
consolidated federal law enforcement training, and supports
construction necessary to ensure that FLETC can provide all
basic training required by federal law enforcement. The
Committee is disappointed that it is unable to support new
construction for FLETC in this bill, but is committed to
support future requests to ensure FLETC can keep its schedule
of meeting all basic training demands by fiscal year 2004.
Interagency Law Enforcement
INTERAGENCY CRIME AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $ 60,502,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 103,476,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 103,476,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +42,974,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
...........
MISSION
This program consists of nine regional task forces that
consolidate resources and expertise of 11 member federal
agencies, in cooperation with state and local investigators and
prosecutors, to target and destroy major narcotic trafficking
and money laundering organizations. The funding for Treasury
Department participation was included in the Department of
Justice appropriation prior to fiscal year 1998. Since then,
Treasury has administered its portion of the program through
its Departmental Offices to reimburse the three Treasury
bureaus--the Customs Service, the Bureau of Alcohol and
Tobacco, and the Internal Revenue Service--for the costs of
their employees detailed to the task forces, as well as for
operating expenses during investigative phases of cases.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $103,476,000,
as requested by the President, and $42,974,000 above the amount
appropriated in fiscal year 2000. Of this amount, $14,761,000
was previously funded in the VCRTF. The Committee includes
$25,000,000 to fund participation by the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) in the task forces that IRS had previously funded
through its Tax Law Enforcement appropriation.
Financial Management Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $200,555,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 202,851,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 198,736,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -1,819,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -4,115,000
MISSION
The Financial Management Service (FMS) is responsible for
the management of Federal finances and the collection of
Federal debt. As the Government's central financial agent, FMS
receives and disburses public monies, maintains Government
accounts, and reports on the status of the Government's
finances. FMS is also accountable for developing and
implementing the most reliable and efficient financial methods
and systems to manage and improve the Government's cash
management, credit management, and debt collection programs.
Pursuant to the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996,
FMS became the primary agency for the collecting of Federal
non-tax debt which is due and owed to the government. Through
FMS, there is a coordinated effort to collect debt from those
who have defaulted on agreements with the Federal government.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $198,736,000
for Salaries and Expenses for the Financial Management Service,
a decrease of $1,819,000 below the amount appropriated for
fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of $4,115,000 below the budget
estimate. Within the level provided are the following
increases: $5,190,000 to cover increases in fixed costs so that
the FMS can maintain current levels of service; $2,200,000 for
replacing the electronic verification system with the secure
payment system; $1,650,000 for the government-wide accounting
and reporting modernization project; $1,500,000 to replace the
check payment and reconciliation system; $500,000 to modernize
the payment application system; and $1,665,000 for the computer
security/disaster recovery project. The Committee denies
without prejudice the funding requested for the other system
modernization increases. The approved increases are offset by
decreases as proposed in the budget justification: -$5,635,000
associated with the closing of the Chicago regional finance
center, -$7,989,000 from productivity savings in debt
management, and -$900,000 in other non-recurring costs.
DEBT COLLECTION
During the current legislative session, the House Committee
on Government Reform held a hearing on, and the General
Accounting Office is reviewing aspects of, the debt collection
activities of the FMS, including the use of private collection
agencies to assist in the collection of debt. The Committee on
Appropriations believes that, used appropriately, the
privatization of debt collection through performance-based
contracts can result in increased debt collections. The
Committee on Appropriations encourages FMS to ensure its
appropriate use of private debt collection agencies by placing
suitable delinquent accounts with private debt collection
agencies in an equitable and competitive manner. In developing
and placing new performance-based contracts in the future, FMS
should consider all factors that may affect the efficient
collection of debt and that may impact the goal of maximizing
debt collection, such as the size or average balance of such
debt and the age of individual debts referred for collection.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $564,773,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 760,051,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 731,325,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +166,552,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -28,726,000
MISSION
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is
responsible for the enforcement of laws designed to eliminate
certain illicit activities and to regulate lawful activities
relating to distilled spirits, beer, wine and nonbeverage
alcohol products, tobacco, firearms, explosives, and arson. Its
responsibilities are focused on reducing the future number and
cost of violent crimes; collecting revenue, reducing taxpayer
burden and improving service while preventing diversion; and
protecting the public and preventing consumer deception in
ATF's regulated commodities.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $731,325,000
for Salaries and Expenses for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco
and Firearms, $166,552,000 above the amounts appropriated in
fiscal year 2000, and $28,726,000 below the amount requested by
the President. Of the amounts provided $47,467,000 covers
activities previously funded in either the VCRTF or the
Treasury Forfeiture Fund. The Committee's recommendation will
fully fund all gun law enforcement initiatives requested by the
President. The Committee has directed that $19,057,000
requested for the National Integrated Ballistic Identification
Network be funded through the Super Surplus. The Committee
regrets that it is unable to fund the $5,521,000 requested to
expand the effort related to tobacco tax compliance and
diversion investigations. The Committee has not provided funds
for the Counterterrorism Initiative.
INSPECTOR SHORTFALL
The Committee recognizes that limited budgetary resources
make it difficult to increase the number of inspectors to meet
the optimal annual targets for inspecting licensees that have
been stated by ATF: 33 percent annually for federal firearms
licensees (FFLs), and 100 percent annually for explosives
licensees. In fact, ATF testified before the Committee that the
current rate of FFL inspection is only about 10 percent, and
that it has inspected fewer than 67 percent of explosives
licensees in the past three years. The Committee recognizes
that, even with the significant increase in inspectors being
provided for gun law enforcement in fiscal year 2001, there
will continue to be shortfalls in meeting these targets; the
Committee is also aware that the focused inspection strategy
that ATF is implementing may compensate somewhat for this lower
rate. Furthermore, ATF has indicated that it might find it
difficult to absorb any increases larger than those proposed.
However, the Committee is concerned that it has not yet
received the report mandated by the fiscal year 2000 Conference
Report on what must be done to achieve the rate of inspections
needed, at least for explosives licensees. The Committee
strongly urges the ATF and the Treasury Department to submit
this report to the Committees on Appropriations as soon as
possible.
alcohol labeling
The Committee is concerned that the heavy volume of
applications for label review by the Office of Alcohol and
Tobacco (OAT)--more than 60,000 last year--has led to both
increased turnaround times for label reviews as well as an
increased number of complaints lodged due to the issuance of
improper labels. The Committee directs the agency to take
whatever steps it can, within existing resources, to ensure
that alcohol products are properly labeled. The Committee also
direct Treasury to include an assessment of the needs of the
OAT in its law enforcement personnel review, including whether
additional personnel or technical resources are required to
manage projected workload.
GUN VIOLENCE INITIATIVES
As requested by the President, the Committee recommends
$19,078,000 to expand the Youth Crime Gun Interdiction
Initiative (YCGII) from 38 to 50 cities, bringing total funding
to $76,400,000, and $41,322,000 to expand the Integrated
Violence Reduction Strategy (IVRS), bringing total funding to
$62,200,000, as requested by the President. This will expand
the IVRS for specially-designed programs to assist State and
local governments to combat violent crime by prosecuting
persons (1) illegally transferring firearms or ammunition to
individuals, particularly those who have not attained 18 years
of age, or in violation of the Youth Handgun Safety Act; and
(2) illegally possessing firearms or ammunition, particularly
in violation of section 922(g) (1) and (2) of title 18, United
States Code, in connection with a serious drug offense or
violent felony, as those terms are used in that section. The
Committee also recommends $4,304,000 to expand the National
Integrated Ballistic Identification Network. Together with
$22,057,000 provided through the Super Surplus, these funds
will be used to implement the Memorandum of Understanding
between the Treasury and Justice Departments to carry out a
combined effort to image, document and trace ballistic
information about crime guns. In addition, the Committee
recommends $9,990,000 to expand ATF's gun tracing effort, in
particular through the National Tracing Center bringing total
funding to approximately $25,000,000. ATF has indicated that
such funding should make it possible to reduce the current mean
trace time for crime weapons from 11.2 to 5.6 days by 2002.
The Committee encourages aggressive enforcement of the
nation's firearms laws, and understands that this funding
requires no additional statutory authority. Although ATF did
not detail how much of the IVRS funding would be applied to
different elements of that strategy, it did indicate that
approximately one third would be used to prevent unlicensed
dealing and investigations of those who supply guns to
prohibited individuals. The Committee directs that, beginning
with the fiscal year 2002 budget request, and on a quarterly
basis thereafter, ATF should provide the Committee a detailed
correlation between the substantial increase in funding for
this initiative over the past two years and the impact such
funding has had on the number and effectiveness of
investigations and interdiction efforts, including the
disposition of cases, prosecutions accepted and declined, and
other case resolution at the state and federal level. This
report should also describe specific activities, and the level
of obligations and FTE devoted to each major IVRS component.
youth crime gun interdiction initiative
The Committee is concerned about the performance and
accountability of this program, and has withheld its request
for a Government Accounting Office review pending completion of
a current study by the Treasury Inspector General. The
Committee will review this study and adjust its recommendation
for the program accordingly.
GREAT PROGRAM
The Committee recommends $13,000,000 to continue the Gang
Resistance Education and Training (GREAT) program, equal to the
President's request and to the amount available in fiscal year
2000 through the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund. This
includes $10,000,000 for grants to local law enforcement
organizations and $3,000,000 for ATF administrative support.
The Committee expects to receive the longitudinal impact study
of the GREAT program that is to be completed this summer.
FIREARMS DATABASE ACCURACY
The Treasury Inspector General, referring to its report
OIG-99-018, recommended to Congress in a December 13, 1999,
letter that ATF should (1) complete action to eliminate
discrepancies in the National Firearms Registration and
Transfer Record (NFRTR) database, (2) perform regular reviews
to ensure accuracy and completeness, and (3) determine the
extent to which it can legally obtain data to ensure that the
registry correctly reflects all persons currently in possession
of National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons. The Committee
understands that some progress is being made in imaging and
indexing NFA documents for the over 1.1 million weapons in the
NFRTR. The Committee is aware that the Inspector General noted
that it could not confirm that permits had been inadvertently
destroyed, inappropriately added, or did not reflect that the
person holding a registration was deceased. Such uncertainty
could reduce confidence in ATF's ability to determine the
validity of NFA registration; therefore the Committee strongly
urges ATF to take whatever steps necessary to ensure that its
records are accurate and complete, and requests that ATF report
by September 30, 2000, on actions it has taken on the
recommendations made by the Inspector General.
face-to-face exchange of firearms
The Committee understands that there does not appear to be
a specific statutory prohibition against direct, ``face-to-
face'' exchanges of firearms between licensed importers,
manufacturers, dealers or collectors that reside in different
states. The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), 18 USC Sections
922(a)(2) and (3), allows licensed dealers to ship or transport
firearms in interstate commerce only to such licensees.
However, ATF has a long-standing interpretation that the GCA
prohibits federal firearms licensees from personally
transferring firearms away from their licensed premises, with
the result that licensees have been obliged to use common
carriers for such exchanges. While lawful, such transport does
not seem the best or safest way to lawfully exchange firearms
between dealers. The Committee directs ATF to report by
September 30, 2000, on the legal basis for this interpretation,
and whether it would permit the face-to-face exchange of rifles
and shotguns.
United States Customs Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $1,698,227,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 1,887,866,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 1,821,415,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +123,188,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -66,451,000
MISSION
The United States Customs Service is the nation's principal
border agency with responsibility to enforce the law, safeguard
revenue, and support lawful international trade and travel. Its
mission is to ensure that all goods that enter and exit the
United States do so in accordance with all United States laws
and regulations. This includes enforcing U.S. laws intended to
stop trafficking in drugs and other contraband; protecting the
American public and environment from the introduction of
prohibited hazardous and noxious products; assessing and
collecting revenue in the form of duties, taxes, and fees on
imported merchandise; regulating the movement of persons,
carriers, merchandise, and commodities between the United
States and other nations, while facilitating the movement of
all legitimate cargo, carriers, travelers, and mail;
interdicting narcotics and other contraband; and enforcing
certain provisions of the export control laws of the United
States.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of
$1,821,415,000, $123,188,000 above the amount appropriated in
fiscal year 2000, and $66,451,000 below the level requested by
the President. Of the amount provided, $92,741,000 covers
activities previously funded either in the VCRTF or the
Treasury Forfeiture Fund. The Committee recommendation will
fund the Administration's request, with the following
exceptions. The Committee regrets that it is unable to fund the
initiatives for the narcotics illicit proceeds strategy, or to
support Presidential Decision Directive 62. In addition, the
Committee is disappointed that the Customs facility at the
Louisville International Airport, for which the Committee
provided $212,000 in fiscal year 2000, is not yet operational.
Within existing funds, the Committee directs the Customs
Service to use up to $388,000, if necessary, to complete the
renovations to the airport necessary to permit Customs Service
operations to begin. The recommendation includes $9,500,000 to
attack drug smuggling organizations, instead of the requested
$25,000,000, as well as an additional $2,000,000 for the forced
child labor initiative, instead of the requested $5,000,000.
The Committee regrets also that it is unable to fund $7,500,000
for vehicle replacement, but notes that $11,000,000 of the
Super Surplus in the Treasury Forfeiture Fund may be used for
this purpose. The Committee has not provided funds for the
Counterterrorism Initiative.
TECHNOLOGY INVESTMENTS
The fiscal year 1999 appropriation included $134,000,000
for inspection technology under the Customs Service technology
plan to improve its ability to screen cargo and passengers
along the southern tier of the United States. However, although
the plan calls for an additional $77,000,000 to complete the
program, no additional funding had been requested until the
Administration budget amendment of May 18, 2000, which proposed
$20,000,000 for northern border ports. No funding has been
proposed for other ports, nor is there further funding for
upgrading existing systems as may be required. Given the great
potential of such technology to multiply Customs' inspection
capability, the Committee strongly supports investments in
technology such as mobile x-ray, gamma ray, and container x-ray
systems, as well as pursuit of promising technologies such as
neutron interrogation and pulsed fast neutron analysis.
Although the Committee is unable to provide more resources at
this time, it urges Customs to include additional funding for
investment in inspection technology as it develops its fiscal
year 2002 budget, and would be receptive to requests for
reprogramming or the use of Super Surplus funds for this
purpose in fiscal year 2001.
The Committee is also aware of the potential impact that
new technical developments may have for improving the ability
of the Customs Service to provide physical security at ports of
entry, or to assist in its investigative mission such as new
technology that permits improved surveillance of suspect
vehicles and other targets of investigations. The Committee
encourages the Customs Service to continue to explore and test
such technologies that may enhance their efforts, and to factor
them into budget planning where appropriate.
CUSTOMS INSPECTION SERVICES FOR INTERNATIONAL AIR CARGO
The Committee remains concerned about the availability of
Customs Service personnel to provide inspection services for
airports that are experiencing increases in traffic or project
such increases as a result of regional development patterns. In
many locations, Customs has been asked to initiate or expand
the level and availability of such services. The Committee
recognizes that decisions to allocate inspectors and related
personnel must be based on staff availability, funding
considerations, levels of current or expected traffic, as well
as the need to enforce trade laws and counter smuggling
threats. It also recognizes that some airports such as Dulles,
Louisville, or Miami International Airports are experiencing
growth and may have good grounds to initiate or expand cargo
traffic, which depends on the availability of specific Customs
inspection services. In addition, the Committee is aware that
trade growth is causing commercial traffic to spill over into
airports that lack Customs services necessary to process that
traffic. The Committee has received numerous requests for
increases in staffing and facilities from Members of Congress,
the trade community, and the general public. In some cases,
airports and communities experiencing this growth are exploring
novel ways to secure and finance these services. Given the
enormous increase in commercial trade being experienced in this
country, and in light of strong bipartisan support for measures
to accommodate that increase, the Committee urges the Customs
Service to identify and request the necessary personnel to meet
this growing need. The Customs Service must avoid becoming
itself a barrier to the growth of international trade. The
Committee continues to await completion of a Customs staffing
resource allocation model that can be used to guide staffing
decisions, and direct staffing resources to where the need for
Customs services are greatest. The Committee directs the
Customs Service to work closely with airport authorities and
the trade community to ensure that it will meet the
requirements to provide new and expanded service.
RESOURCE ALLOCATION MODEL
The Committee was told over a year ago that the Customs
staffing resource allocation model was near completion, but it
remains under review and not yet operational, nor has this
Committee received any information about the characteristics of
the model. Given the numerous requests to establish, expand, or
preserve Customs presence at various ports, it is essential
that Customs have such a model in place to permit a more
transparent and consistent basis for making such decisions. The
Committee therefore directs Customs and the Treasury Department
to expedite completion of the model and to report to the
Committee not later than September 1, 2000, on the status of
implementation.
SEAPORT SECURITY
The President's Commission on Seaport Security completed
its work early this year, but the report has not been released.
The urgency of making the Commission's report public should not
be underestimated. America's seaports represent a major artery
for critical trade and passenger traffic, and are vulnerable to
threats both in terms of physical security and criminal
activity such as narcotics trafficking and alien smuggling. The
Committee expects this report to address problems related to
the size and openness of seaport facilities, the potential
pressure for rapid movement of cargo to come at the expense of
enforcing border security, and the apparent lack of meaningful
controls on access to such sites or requiring credentials to be
displayed by employees and others, as is the rule at airports.
In addition, the Committee expects some recommendations from
the study relating to improving Customs Service physical
proximity to the port areas for its cargo inspection
operations, and enhancing the timeliness of manifest
information or export documentation. The Committee strongly
urges that the Commission report and its recommendations be
released as soon as possible for consideration by the public
and Congress.
Northern Border Security
This Committee has frequently decried the inadequacy of the
federal response to smuggling and other threats facing the
southern border and ports of entry to the U.S. The security
threat to the northern border of the U.S. was made plain last
winter following the arrests of suspected terrorists attempting
to enter the United States from Canada into Washington State
and Vermont. The need for increased vigilance along our long,
undefended border with Canada is beyond dispute. At the same
time, commerce with Canada, our major bilateral trading
partner, grows apace. Yet aging infrastructure and staffing
shortages have created significant bottlenecks as well as
increased the vulnerability to potential security threats at a
number of ports of entry. The Committee is concerned about a
lack of planning for and commitment to provide the necessary
personnel, facilities and related infrastructure needed to keep
our border crossings safe and yet facilitate the smooth
movement of commerce and passengers. The Committee directs the
Customs Service, working with the General Services
Administration, the Immigration and Naturalization Service, and
other agencies with concerns for border inspection and
facilities, to evaluate the inadequacies that presently exist
and submit to the Congress a plan to address them with the
submission of the fiscal year 2002 budget.
rural border crossing stations
The Customs Service plays a critical role in protecting the
nation's security interests and ensuring the efficient flow of
international commerce and travel. The Remote Video Inspection
System (RVIS) has operated at several northern crossings, such
as Pittsburg, New Hampshire, in lieu of on-location inspectors
to clear travelers, and has met with success in processing
travelers at many of these small ports of entry. However,
recent incidents at such small ports, including crossings by
individuals with possible links to suspected terrorist
organizations overseas, highlight the risk in using remote
inspections at these rural sites. The Committee encourages the
U.S. Customs Service to examine the hours of operation of all
rural border crossings and the effectiveness of the RVIS in
sparsely populated locations. The RVIS should be used primarily
in locations with adequate populations and commercial activity
proximate to the border sufficient to provide an appropriate
level fo registrations and pre-screenings of frequent border
travelers. Stations that do not fit this profile should be
evaluated for operation on a 24 hours per day basis. A study of
a station's hours of operation should also include an
evaluation of any alternate crossing locations. Proximity to
stations that are open 24 hours per day and the level of
hardship caused by such routing should be considered as
important fctors. The Committee also encourages the Customs
Service to undertake more timely and thorough efforts to warn
potentially affected populations and frequent users before
changing the alert status or hours of operation of any station.
Such efforts should include notification of this Committee and
those Members representing affected districts.
Racial Profiling
The Committee commends the Customs Service for its prompt
response in appointing an advisory panel to investigate
allegations that African-Americans were being targeted for
Customs inspections, detention, and personal searches, at
numerous ports of entry, based simply on their skin color.
The Committee strongly condemns the practice of racial
profiling and demands an unswerving commitment from all levels
of law enforcement, including the Customs Service, to ensure
equal treatment in their inspection and enforcement practices.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Customs Service to
provide the Committee with the findings and recommendations
submitted by the advisory panel no later than July 31, 2000. In
addition, Customs shall report on its proposed response to the
panel's recommendations, a timetable for implementation of the
recommendations that Customs accepts and justification for any
recommendations not accepted.
inspection of inbound and outbound mail and parcels
The Committee is concerned about the number of packages and
parcels that enter and exit the country without the deliberate
and necessary scrutiny by the Customs Service. Therefore, the
Committee directs the Customs Service and the U.S. Postal
Service to draft a joint report outlining the problems and
possible solutions affecting Customs' ability to properly and
effectively screen, inspect, and review all parcels and
packages entering and exiting the United States. These two
agencies should work cooperatively to ensure the safety of our
nation's borders from illegal drugs, money laundering, and
other types of high-technological fraud. Further, the issue of
electronic manifests, timely collection of fees, and other
issues of parity in the treatment of the Postal Service and
private carriers by the Customs Service should be addressed.
This report should be transmitted to the appropriate
authorizing and appropriation committees upon its completion,
which should be no later than one hundred eighty (180) days
after enactment of this legislation.
wait times on southwest border
The Committee has received reports that wait times at ports
of entry along the southwest border, particularly in Arizona
and New Mexico, have become longer in recent years, coinciding
with both growing traffic volume and strengthened border
enforcement. The consequence for passenger and commercial
traffic, particularly that entering the U.S., has been
significantly longer delays for routine commuter and commercial
processing. The Committee believes that Customs must maintain
its alert posture to possible smuggling and trafficking along
the border, but should also seek improvements in facilitating
travel and commerce clearance. For example, in passenger
processing Customs should consider expanding pre-enrollment
programs, or providing additional passenger service
representatives to help expedite routine border crossing. Since
modernization of automated import processing and similar
systems may be delayed, the Committee also urges Customs to
evaluate ways to expedite clearance and physical processing of
commercial traffic.
foundry coke import data
Prior to January 2000, there was no distinction in the
Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) between foundry coke and
furnace coke. This has created a significant impediment in the
ability of the Customs Service to properly track the amount of
foundry coke entering the United States.
Starting January 1, 2000, the Customs Service implemented a
new category in the Harmonized Tariff Schedule for foundry
coke, subheading 2704.00.0010. Unfortunately, there have been
difficulties in accurately accounting for the foundry coke
entering the United States even after the creation of the
separate category for foundry coke. These difficulties may
arise from importers not being aware of the new category or
from the Customs Service having difficulty in recognizing the
difference between foundry coke and furnace coke.
It is essential that the U.S. Customs Service accurately
track the actual amount of foundry coke entering U.S. ports.
Therefore, the U.S. Customs Service is directed to make any and
all necessary changes to ensure the accurate collection of
customs data for foundry coke imports posted since January 1,
2000, and for all future foundry coke imports. Customs will
coordinate with the Bureau of the Census to insure transmission
to and public reporting by Census of import data under this
foundry coke enumeration.
Terminal Island Facility
The Committee is concerned about the environmental
conditions at the Customhouse at Terminal Island,
California,where materials that circulate through the
ventilation system may include asbestos, coal and petroleum
coke particles. While many Customs employees have been moved
from the Customhouse to healthier work environments, the
Committee is concerned about the health and safety of the
remaining employees. The Committee understands that employees
in the office of the Special Agent In Charge will be moved by
December, but is concerned that under current plans permanent
relocation for all affected employees may not occur before May
2001. The Committee directs GSA and Customs to expedite the
lease procurement process on permanent space, and to develop a
plan for temporary re-location if permanent re-location is not
likely to be accomplished by November 30, 2000.
customs integrity report
The Committee is concerned about the Department's
responsiveness to issues raised by the Committee in the House
Report 106-231 concerning the Treasury report entitled ``An
Assessment of Vulnerabilities to Corruption and Effectiveness
of the Office of Internal Affairs, U.S. Customs Service.'' The
report related the opinion of ``senior Customs officials'' that
inspectors hired locally along the Southwest border and
assigned to local ports of entry, ``could be at greater risk of
being compromised by family members and friends who may exploit
the relationships to facilitate criminal activities.'' Customs
offered but failed to provide the Committee evidence supporting
these views, and statistics provided by Customs did not support
the allegation described in the report. In addition, written
responses from ATF, DEA, FBI and the Secret Service indicated
that these agencies did not agree with the concern that such
local hiring posed a greater risk of individuals being
compromised. Although Treasury and Customs now agree that the
passage from the report did not reflect accurately their
beliefs or practices, the Committee is concerned that Treasury
has been slow in taking steps to communicate this to senior
managers and others involved with Customs integrity issues. The
Committee continues to take strong exception to any implication
that individuals of Hispanic background are particularly
susceptible to corruption and directs Treasury and Customs to
contest any such unsubstantiated bias by senior Customs
officials as Customs implements its anti-corruption strategy.
Harbor Maintenance Fee Collection
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $3,000,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 3,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 3,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... ................
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
The Harbor Maintenance Fee is established to provide
resources to the Army Corps of Engineers for the improvement of
American channels and harbors. It is assessed on the value of
commercial imports and exports delivered to or from certain
specified ports. The fee is collected by the U.S. Customs
Service and deposited into the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.
recommendation
Although the President has submitted a proposal to
establish a Harbor Services Fund, no legislative action has
occurred as of the time this bill was drafted. Therefore, in
fiscal year 2001, the Committee recommends that $3,000,000 be
transferred from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund to the
Customs Service Salaries and Expenses appropriation to offset
costs incurred by Customs in collecting Harbor Maintenance
Fees.
Operation, Maintenance and Procurement, Air and Marine Interdiction
Programs
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $108,688,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 156,875,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 125,778,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +17,090,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -31,097,000
mission
The Customs Air and Marine Interdiction Programs combat the
illegal entry of narcotics and other items into the United
States. This appropriation provides all operations, maintenance
and procurement for the Customs air and marine program and
support for the interdiction of narcotics by other Federal,
state, and local agencies. Included in this mission is the
requirement to support the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms and the U.S. Secret Service.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $125,778,000
for the Customs Service Air and Marine Interdiction Programs,
$17,090,000 above the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2000
and $31,097,000 below the budget request. The Committee
includes $2,174,000 million to maintain current levels,
$9,916,000 million for base infrastructure for new P-3 aircraft
being delivered, and $5 million for P-3 and Citation tracker
source zone deployment. The Committee is unable to fund
$19,814,000 million for enforcement infrastructure, and
$11,283,000 million for Presidential Decision Directive 62
national security special events.
air and marine interdiction modernization
For the past two years the Committee has directed Customs
to provide its modernization plan for the Air and Marine
Interdiction Programs. The report on that plan has not yet been
released, as it remains under review within the Customs
Service, the Treasury Department and the Office of Management
and Budget. Until the plan has been completed and released, the
Committee cannot consider approval of new initiatives for
expanding or modernizing the programs. The Committee has been
extremely supportive of Customs interdiction programs, and this
lack of new funding should not be interpreted as reflecting any
change in the view of the Committee that the air program
requires continued and significant support, that operations
must be properly budgeted and funded, that training must be
adequate, and that the marine program requires a significant
infusion of resources. However, the Committee cannot consider
increasing funding until it has seen the plan underpinning such
requests. It is unfortunate that, as a result of delays in
releasing this plan, new funding will neither be available to
address what appear to be important infrastructure improvements
for operating Customs' tracking and navigational systems, such
as for the Domestic Air and Marine Interdiction Coordination
Center in Riverside, California, nor can additional resources
be made available to offset Customs' costs related to
supporting the Secret Service in its mission to coordinate
security for national security special events under
Presidential Decision Directive 62.
tethered aerostat radar system
The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) has been in
operation along the southern border and coast of the United
States since 1978. While at one time operated by both Customs
and the Air Force, the Air Force was given responsibility for
the entire system in 1991, which at the time included TARS in
the Bahamas as well. Since that time there has been a reduction
in the number of operational aerostats and in actual operating
time. Recently aerostats along the Gulf of Mexico have been
shut down either because they require repairs or replacement.
The Committee understands that the Customs Service is in
discussions with the Air Force and Department of Defense over
management of TARS, and that consideration is being given to a
transfer of TARS responsibility to the Customs Service. The
Committee, while believing that TARS represents a significant
asset in deterring air trafficking and in assisting
interdiction in the arrival zone, must underscore that any
consideration of new or changing costs or configuration for
Customs interdiction operations must be based on the
modernization plan that has yet to be presented to Congress.
passive detection technology
The Committee is impressed by new developments in passive
detection technology that could significantly improve the
surveillance capabilities of the Customs Service, and improve
the targeting of limited Customs Service Air and Marine
Interdiction Division air and marine assets. The Committee also
understands that such capability is a high priority for
Customs, although it was unable to request funding this year.
The Committee encourages Customs to continue to explore ways to
fund such capability improvements as part of its strategic
planning for its interdiction program.
Automation Modernization
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... ................
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... $338,400,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 233,400,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +233,400,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -105,000,000
mission
The President has proposed a new account to include funding
for major information technology projects for the Customs
Service. The projects included in this request are the proposed
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE), the existing Automated
Commercial System (ACS), and the International Trade Data
System (ITDS). Both ACE and ITDS had previously been funded
through the Department's central account for automated systems,
and ACS was funded in Customs' Salaries and Expenses account.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation for Automation
Modernization of $233,400,000, an increase of $233,400,000 over
the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and $105,000,000 below the
amount requested by the President. This includes funding for
ACS and $5,400,000 for ITDS, as well as not less than
$105,000,000 to apply to the contract to begin work on ACE. In
the absence of the user fee proposed in the budget request, the
Committee is unable to fully fund the requests for this
account. However, the Customs Service may choose to fund ACE at
a higher level than the minimum provided in the bill.
The Committee is persuaded that Customs has overcome
questions about whether it has completed its systems
architecture or whether it has in place the competencies or
systems to manage a major software and hardware acquisition
project. The Committee believes that Customs is greatly in need
of resources to support an immediate investment in ACE, a
system designed to take the place of its sixteen-year-old ACS,
the principal system Customs uses for import processing. The
Administration's request of $210,000,000 for ACE was to begin
this project and permit the award of a contract to vendors who
would actually manage the project for Customs. At the same
time, the budget included $123,000,000 to continue to maintain
ACS, and $5,400,000 for ITDS. As Customs and the Department
field test the ITDS system, the Committee strongly encourages
that such field testing be done at ports along both the
northern and southern borders that represent the types of
commercial and passenger traffic encountered there.
The request also assumed that a user fee would be enacted,
and thus provide a revenue offset for the $210,000,000 proposed
for the ACE program. This does not appear likely to be enacted
this year. However, the Committee does not believe that
additional delays are acceptable in beginning to implement a
replacement system to ensure the smooth handling of the growing
volume of imports into this country. It is essential to begin
replacing the aging, brownout- and blackout-prone ACS. In
keeping with the Committee's long-standing insistence that
major investments in information technology be made in
accordance with statutory requirements and best government and
industry practices, the release of funding for each phase of
ACE development and procurement will occur only after the
Customs Service submits and Congress approves a spending plan
that meets investment control requirements of OMB, complies
with the Customs Service enterprise information systems
architecture, complies with federal acquisition rules, is
approved by Customs' Investment Review Board, the Treasury
Department, OMB, and is reviewed by the General Accounting
Office.
Bureau of Engraving and Printing
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2000 2001
1999 (actual) (estimate) (estimate)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total revenue................................................ $567,395,000 $530,650,000 $580,000,000
Revenue from currency.................................... 501,075,000 472,000,000 518,700,000
Revenue from stamps...................................... 58,649,000 51,250,000 53,000,000
Other revenue............................................ 7,671,000 7,400,000 8,300,000
Cost of operations........................................... 529,414,000 501,650,000 550,000,000
Net revenue (to Treasury).................................... 37,981,000 29,000,000 30,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mission
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing (BEP) designs,
manufactures, and supplies Federal Reserve notes, various
public debt instruments, as well as most evidences of a
financial character issued by the United States, such as
postage and internal revenue stamps. The BEP executes certain
printings for various territories administered by the United
States, particularly postage and revenue stamps.
The operations of the BEP are financed by means of a
revolving fund established in accordance with the provisions of
Public Law 81-656, August 4, 1950 (31 U.S.C. 5142), which
requires the BEP to be reimbursed by customer agencies for all
costs of manufacturing products and services performed. The BEP
is also authorized to assess amounts to acquire capital
equipment and provide for working capital needs. The
anticipated work volume is based on estimates of requirements
submitted by agencies served.
United States Mint
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Circulating coins Numismatic coins Protection
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 (actual):
Number of coins.................. 17.5 billion........... 2.9 billion............ .......................
Cost of operations............... $309 million........... $1,034 million......... $23 million
Revenue.......................... $732 million........... $1,685 million......... .......................
Net revenue (to Treasury)........ $423 million........... $651 million........... ($22 million)
2000 (estimate):
Number of coins.................. 21.2 billion........... 7.3 billion............ .......................
Cost of operations............... $377 million........... $1,083 million......... $25 million
Revenue.......................... $863 million........... $2,580 million......... .......................
Net revenue (to Treasury)........ $486 million........... $1,497 million......... ($25 million)
2001 (estimate):
Number of coins.................. 18.8 billion........... 7.6 billion............ .......................
Cost of operations............... $289 million........... $886 million........... $26 million
Revenue.......................... $810 million........... $2,433 million......... .......................
Net revenue (to Treasury)........ $521 million........... $1,547 million......... ($25 million)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
mission
The United States Mint manufactures coins, receives
deposits of gold and silver bullion, and safeguards the
Government's holdings of monetary metals. In fiscal year 1997,
Congress established the United States Mint Public Enterprise
Fund which authorizes the U.S. Mint to use proceeds from the
sale of coins to finance the cost of its operations. This has
eliminated the need for appropriations to support the mission
of the U.S. Mint.
new golden dollar coin
The Committee is pleased to note the wide release and
successful launch of the new ``Golden Dollar'' coin and
commends the U.S. Mint on its promotional efforts. The true
measure of success of the new coin, however, is the degree to
which the new coin is used in commerce. Therefore, as part of
the Golden Dollar Marketing Report required under Public Law
105-124, which is due to the Congress on March 31, 2001, the
Committee directs the U.S. Mint to provide information
assessing the nature and extent to which the Golden Dollar is
being used in commerce, along with any recommendations and
plans the U.S. Mint may have to encourage and facilitate the
use of the new coin in commerce.
Bureau of the Public Debt
administering the public debt
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $177,143,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 182,901,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 182,901,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +5,758,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation provides funds for the conduct of all
public debt operations and the promotion of the sale of U.S.
savings-type securities.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $182,901,000
for administering the public debt, an increase of $5,758,000
above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level and the same as the
budget estimate. The increase above the enacted level is for
fixed costs to allow the Bureau of the Public Debt to maintain
current service levels. The Committee has not included the new
bill language proposed by the Administration concerning the
management of certain trust funds for Native American Tribes in
South Dakota. The Committee understands that the Department of
the Treasury is discussing with other parts of the
Administration possible legislative proposals for modifying the
statutory authorities for managing these trust funds.
debt buyback
The Bureau of the Public Debt is responsible for the
Department of the Treasury's debt buyback regulations and
operations. The Committee is pleased to note that four buyback
operations have been completed recently, resulting in the
retiring of a total of $7 billion in par amount of outstanding
debt, and that the Department of the Treasury expects to buy
back up to $30 billion in debt this year. This is the first
series of debt buybacks conducted by the Treasury since 1928-
1930.
Internal Revenue Service
In general, the Committee recommends a budget for the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that allows it to maintain most
of its current services, providing a total net increase above
the fiscal year 2000 enacted level for the IRS of $261,509,000
as opposed to the increase of $727,185,000 proposed in the
President's budget. Within the recommended funding level for
the bureau is a total increase of $313,138,000. This consists
of a net increase of $211,439,000 to cover anticipated
adjustments to pay for the three primary operating accounts, an
increase of $83,565,000 to cover other labor benefits and non-
labor items for the three primary operating accounts, an
increase of $1,000,000 for the Earned Income Credit Compliance
Initiative, and an increase of $17,134,000 for the organization
modernization effort. These increases are partially offset by
decreases of $51,629,000 proposed by the Administration that
result from a transfer of $732,000 to the Treasury Inspector
General for Tax Administration and from a reduction of
$50,897,000 in non-recurring one-time costs associated with
Y2K.
The IRS buy-out authority extends through January 2003. The
IRS has received early-out authority from the Office of
Personnel Management for fiscal year 2000, and negotiations are
underway to extend the early-out authority for the IRS through
2001. The Committee urges these discussions to proceed with all
due diligence and believes the continuing major modernization
effort of the IRS warrants its access to early-out authority
for fiscal year 2001.
The Committee has not provided any funding for additional
staff or for the other initiatives proposed by the
Administration. The Committee notes that major pieces of the
restructuring of the IRS will be complete before the beginning
of calendar year 2001, and that funds currently being used for
significant aspects of the organization modernization can be
redirected to higher-priority needs. The Committee directs the
IRS to review and modify, as warranted, its financial and
business practices, such as its management of obligations, with
a view toward identifying and capturing savings that can be
applied toward priority needs.
budget restructuring
The Committee understands that, as part of its current
major modernization effort, the IRS is developing a proposal
for restructuring its budget. The Committee applauds this
effort and encourages the IRS to submit a budget restructuring
proposal that is effective, informative, and improves
accountability. The Committee looks forward to receiving a
budget restructuring proposal for the IRS that captures the
concepts of customer service and compliance, is compatible with
the new organizational units, and is useful to management. The
Committee believes a viable budget structure is critical to
making informed and credible budget decisions and to providing
enhanced financial management. The Committee encourages the IRS
to move forward in finalizing its budget restructuring proposal
for the Committee's review and approval.
Processing, Assistance, and Management
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $3,280,250,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 3,699,499,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 3,512,232,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +231,982,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -187,267,000
mission
This appropriation provides for processing tax returns and
related documents; processing data for compiling statistics of
income; assisting taxpayers in correct filing of their returns
and in paying taxes that are due; overall planning and
direction of the Internal Revenue Service; and management of
financial resources and procurement.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,512,232,000
for Processing, Assistance, and Management, an increase of
$231,982,000 above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level and a
decrease of $187,267,000 below the budget estimate. The
increase above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level includes
inter-appropriation transfers of $98,000,000 ($60,000,000
during fiscal year 2000 and $38,000,000 during fiscal year
2001), an increase of $80,083,000 to cover anticipated
increases in pay, an increase of $36,765,000 for other labor
benefits and non-labor items, and an increase of $17,134,000
for the organizational modernization effort. The Committee has
not provided any increases in funding for the Staffing Tax
Administration for Balance and Equity (STABLE) initiative, an
electronic tax administration marketing effort, or increased
operational support contracts. The Committee notes that
$54,874,000 was appropriated to this account for fiscal year
2000 to implement the new organizational structure and that
these funds remain in the budget for fiscal year 2001.
Electronic Tax Administration
In its June 30, 2000, annual report to Congress, the
private-sector Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee
(ETAAC) emphasizes its position that IRS should stress
partnerships, not competition, with the private sector and
state and local governments in achieving its electronic tax
administration objectives. In this regard, ETAAC believes it is
inappropriate for IRS to offer no-cost electronic filing over
the Internet, either by developing its own software or aligning
itself with a limited number of ``authorized e-file
providers.'' IRS is directed to provide the House Committee on
Appropriations a report commenting on this ETAAC position as
well as making any recommendations to address the concerns
raised by ETAAC within 60 days of the enactment of this Act.
The Committee shares some of these concerns and further
recommends that IRS delay implementing no-cost Internet tax
filing services until such report has been submitted to the
Committee for its review.
Tax Law Enforcement
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $3,336,838,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 3,443,859,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 3,332,676,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -4,162,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -111,183,000
MISSION
This appropriation provides for the examination of tax
returns, both domestic and international; the administrative
and judicial settlement of taxpayer appeals of examination
findings; technical rulings; monitoring employee pension plans;
determining qualifications of organizations seeking tax-exempt
status; examining tax returns of exempt organizations;
enforcing statutes relating to detection and investigation of
criminal violations of the internal revenue laws; collecting
unpaid accounts; compiling statistics of income and compliance
research; and, securing unfiled tax returns and payments.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,332,676,000
for Tax Law Enforcement, a decrease of $4,162,000 below the
fiscal year 2000 enacted level and a decrease of $111,183,000
below the budget estimate. Within the level provided is an
increase above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level of
$110,967,000 to cover anticipated increases in pay and an
increase of $26,537,000 to cover other labor benefits and non-
labor items. Decreases to the enacted level include inter-
appropriation transfers of $141,000,000 ($100,000,000 during
fiscal year 2000 and $41,000,000 during fiscal year 2001) and a
transfer of $666,000 to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration. The Committee has not provided funds for the
Counterterrorism Initiative. The Committee has not provided any
increases for the Staffing Tax Administration for Balance and
Equity (STABLE) initiative or for operational support
contracts. The level of funding provided includes $6,000,000
for low income taxpayer clinics, the same level of funding that
was provided in fiscal year 2000 and that is included in the
budget estimate. The Committee notes that $63,404,000 was
appropriated to this account for fiscal year 2000 to implement
the new organizational structure and that these funds remain in
the budget for fiscal year 2001.
The Committee also notes that the IRS Criminal
Investigations Division will be funded at an increased level
(+$25,000,000) through the Interagency Crime and Drug
Enforcement appropriation. Previously, much of the IRS Criminal
Investigations Division participation in Organized Crime Drug
Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) cases was subsidized by the IRS
Tax Law Enforcement appropriation. The increased funding in the
Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement appropriation for IRS
Criminal Investigations Division participation in OCDETF cases
will, in effect, result in additional IRS resources being
devoted to tax law enforcement.
Earned Income Tax Credit Compliance Initiative
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $144,000,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 145,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 145,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,000,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
The Earned Income Tax Credit Compliance Initiative provides
for expanded customer service and public outreach programs,
strengthened enforcement programs, and enhanced research
efforts to reduce overclaims and erroneous filings associated
with the Earned Income Tax Credit.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $145,000,000
for the Earned Income Tax Credit Compliance Initiative, an
increase of $1,000,000 above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level
and the same as the budget estimate. The increase is requested
and provided as an adjustment to maintain current levels of
service. The Committee directs that all of the funds necessary
to conduct and support this initiative be contained in this
appropriation. The Committee is concerned about the
effectiveness of this program and directs that the Internal
Revenue Service provide to the Committees on Appropriations,
the House Ways and Means Committee, and the Senate Finance
Committee within 60 days of enactment of this act a report on
the results, effectiveness, and success of the program.
Information Systems
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $1,455,401,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 1,583,565,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 1,488,090,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +32,689,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -95,475,000
MISSION
This appropriation provides for Service-wide data
processing support, including the evaluation, development, and
implementation of computer systems (including software and
hardware) requirements.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,488,090,000
for Information Systems, an increase of $32,689,000 above the
fiscal year 2000 enacted level and a decrease of $95,475,000
below the budget estimate. Within the funding provided are
increases above the enacted level of $43,000,000 from inter-
appropriation transfers ($40,000,000 during fiscal year 2000
and $3,000,000 during fiscal year 2001); $20,389,000 to cover
anticipated increases in pay; and $20,263,000 for other labor
benefits and non-labor items. Decreases from the fiscal year
2000 enacted level include a transfer of $66,000 to the
Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration; a reduction
of $15,015,000 from the operations and maintenance budget
activity; and a reduction of $35,882,000 from the Y2K budget
activity, with the balance of this budget activity transferred
to the operations and maintenance budget activity. The
Committee has not provided any increases for the Staffing Tax
Administration for Balance and Equity (STABLE) initiative or
for business line investments.
The Committee notes that the first quarter report for
fiscal year 2000 by the IRS on the mainframe consolidation
project estimates operational and maintenance savings of
$698,300,000 over the next ten years. These savings will be
realized from staff reductions, reduced hardware and software
maintenance costs, reduced utility and space costs, and other
miscellaneous items.
The Committee also notes that $21,722,000 was appropriated
in this account for fiscal year 2000 to implement
organizational modernization by funding employee relocations,
voluntary separation incentives, outplacement services, and
significant retraining costs. These funds are retained in the
budget estimate and in the level of funding approved by the
Committee.
Information Technology Investments
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... ................
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... $71,751,000
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... ................
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -71,751,000
MISSION
This appropriation provides for funding of the PRIME
Systems Integration Services Contractor to moderize the
mainframe information technology systems of the IRS.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends no appropriation for Information
Technology Investments for fiscal year 2001, the same as the
fiscal year 2000 enacted level and a decrease of $71,751,000
below the budget estimate. The Committee has not provided the
$422,249,000 requested by the Administration as an advanced
appropriation. To date, a total of $505,670,000 has been
appropriated into this account, and a total of $216,421,000 has
been released by the Congress. The Committee notes that the
rate of spending for this account is slower than originally
planned and that a total of $289,249,000 remains available. The
Committee encourages the IRS to move forward with the business
systems modernization effort with all due diligence and
prudence to mitigate against risks and avoid unnecessary risks.
BUSINESS SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION MANAGEMENT
The Committee believes that the IRS is starting to take the
right steps to review, redirect, and restructure its systems
modernization decisions and decision processes. However, the
Committee also has concerns about lingering IRS management
weaknesses: its ability to adhere to an approved spending plan,
the delay in providing full staffing for and staff turnover in
the business systems modernization office, the continuing need
for mature software acquisition capabilities, the validating or
renegotiating of contractor-provided cost estimates, the
creation of performance-based contractor task orders, the full
implementation of the enterprise life cycle methodology, and
the completion and use of the Blueprint 2000 enterprise
architecture. The Committee looks forward to continuing to work
closely with the IRS on its business systems modernization
effort.
Administrative Provisions--Internal Revenue Service
Section 101. The Committee continues the provision that
allows the transfer of 5 percent of any appropriation, made
available to the IRS to any other IRS appropriation, subject to
prior Congressional approval.
Section 102. The Committee continues the provision that
requires the IRS to maintain a training program in taxpayer's
rights, dealing courteously with taxpayers, and cross cultural
relations.
Section 103. The Committee continues the provision that
requires the IRS to institute policies and procedures, which
will safeguard the confidentiality of taxpayer information.
United States Secret Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $687,312,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 824,500,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 823,800,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +136,488,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -700,000
MISSION
The Secret Service is responsible for the security of the
President, the Vice President and other dignitaries and
designated individuals; for enforcement of laws relating to
obligations and securities of the United States and financial
crimes such as financial institution fraud and other fraud; and
for protection of the White House and other buildings within
Washington, DC. It also has responsibility to provide security
for national security special events, as designated by the
President.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $823,800,000
for the U.S. Secret Service Salaries and Expenses, $136,488,000
above the amount appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and $700,000
below the budget request. Of this amount $36,266,000 covers
activities previously funded in the VCRTF or the Treasury
Forfeiture Fund. Included in the Committee's recommendation is
$1,767,000 not requested by the Administration for support of
the National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC). These funds will
allow the Secret Service to extend its mission in threat
assessment and protective intelligence by providing training
for federal, state and local law enforcement officials;
consulting with such officials on complex threat assessment
cases; conducting research on threat assessment and violence
prevention; and facilitating information sharing between
agencies with protective responsibilities. The Committee
commends the Secret Service for its work to prevent school
violence through its NTAC initiative. The Committee also
includes $3,633,000 for support of the National Center for
Missing and Exploited Children, an increase of $437,000 above
the President's request. Finally, the recommendation includes
$3,500,000 to permit the Secret Service to increase staffing to
meet its requirements to provide security for national security
special events. The Committee recommendation fully funds the
request with the exception of the Counterterrorism Initiative,
for which no funds are provided.
AGENT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION
The Secret Service has been facing an increasing attrition
rate of young agents in the face of rapidly increasing
protective duty workloads and overtime. To correct this,
Congress last year provided assistance to increase staffing to
meet this expanded workload, and to allow the Secret Service to
continue its essential investigative mission without unduly
sacrificing it to the protective mission. Most importantly, it
permitted the Service to begin a national recruitment campaign
that now appears to be very successful in bringing in strong
candidates for careers with the Service, and essential to
retaining a pool of skilled and experienced agents for the
critical missions performed by the Secret Service.
The Committee has included funding to permit a second
increase in new agents as part of a three-year plan to reduce
overtime for agents from as much as 79 hours per month to a
more manageable 60 hours per month, as was true in 1994.
However, the Committee is aware that meeting this target and
ensuring that the Secret Service can adjust its workforce to
optimize scheduling and balance workload for its agents is not
assured when critical activities are not fully taken into
account in budget planning. For example, costs associated with
increased space requirements, and therefore moves or
renovations, have not been budgeted. Unfunded administrative
costs have been deferred, and the funding provided by Congress
in fiscal year 2000 for that purpose are not included in the
base budget for fiscal year 2001.
In addition, no funding was requested for the costs of
planning for and carrying out the event-specific
responsibilities of the Secret Service under PDD 62. The
Committee is extremely concerned that the Administration failed
to request funding for security for the 2002 Salt Lake City
Winter Olympics, although the Secret Service has primary
responsibility for such planning. However, the Committee is
aware that budget requests were made for the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
which are responsible for crisis and consequence management,
not overall planning and security. Lack of a balanced,
comprehensive approach to costs produces budget shortfalls and
reactive policies. The Committee urges that the Secret Service,
with the Treasury Department and the Office of Management &
Budget, ensure that future budget submissions not only
reconcile staffing with workload and fixed cost administrative
requirements, but also address such major mission requirements.
Acquisition, Construction, Improvements, and Related Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $4,185,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 5,021,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 5,021,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +836,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
This account supports the acquisition, construction,
improvement, equipment, furnishing and related costs for
maintenance and support of Secret Service facilities, including
the Secret Service Headquarters Building and the Rowley
Training Center.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,021,000 for
U.S. Secret Service Acquisition, Construction, Improvements,
and Related Expenses, $836,000 above the amount appropriated in
fiscal year 2000 and equal to the budget request. In addition,
the Committee approves the request to use $3,920,000 in Super
Surplus funding for security improvements to the Vice
President's residence.
General Provisions--Department of the Treasury
Section 110. The Committee continues the provision that
requires the Secretary of the Treasury to comply with certain
reprogramming guidelines when obligating or expending funds for
law enforcement activities.
Section 111. The Committee continues the provision that
allows the Department of the Treasury to purchase uniforms,
insurance, and motor vehicles without regard to the general
purchase price limitation, and enter into contracts with the
State Department for health and medical services for Treasury
employees in overseas locations.
Section 112. The Committee continues the provision that
requires expenditures of funds so as not to diminish efforts
under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.
Section 113. The Committee continues the provision that
authorizes transfers, up to 2 percent, between law enforcement
appropriations under certain circumstances.
Section 114. The Committee continues the provision that
authorizes transfers, up to 2 percent, between Departmental
Offices, Office of the Inspector General, Financial Management
Service, and the Bureau of the Public Debt appropriations under
certain circumstances.
Section 115. The Committee includes a new provision that
authorizes transfer, up to 2 percent, between the Internal
Revenue Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration under certain circumstances.
Section 116. The Committee continues the provision that
provides that no funds may be obligated for the purchase of law
enforcement vehicles until the Secretary of the Treasury
certifies that the purchase is consistent with Departmental
vehicle management principles.
Section 117. The Committee continues the provision that
prohibits the Department of the Treasury from undertaking a
redesign of the $1 Federal Reserve note.
Section 118. The Committee continues and makes permanent
the provision which amends Title 5 USC 5547 and authorizes
Federal Law Enforcement agencies to pay their employees premium
pay in excess of the pay period limitation for protective
services authorized by Section 3056 (a) of title 18, United
States Code.
Section 119. The Committee includes a new provision that
provides for transfers from and reimbursements to the Salaries
and Expenses appropriation of the Financial Management Service
for the purposes of debt collection.
Section 120. The Committee includes a new provision that
requires that no reorganization of the US Customs Service shall
result in a reduction in service to the area served by the Port
of Racine, Wisconsin, below the level of service provided in
fiscal year 2000.
Section 121. The Committee includes a new provision
authorizing and directing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms to reimburse the subcontractor that provided services
in 1993 and 1994 pursuant to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms contract number TATF 93-3 out of fiscal year 2001
appropriations or prior year unobligated balances.
Section 122. The Committee includes a new provision
prohibiting the use of funds by the Department of the Treasury
for the purpose of establishing and operating a new Federal law
enforcement training facility, until an assessment of the need
for, and cost effectiveness of such a facility, is completed by
the General Accounting Office, and the establishment of said
facility has been approved by the House and Senate Committees
on Appropriations.
TITLE II--POSTAL SERVICE
Payment to the Postal Service Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $93,056,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 96,093,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 96,093,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +3,037,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
Funds provided to the Postal Service in the Payment to the
Postal Service Fund include the costs of revenue forgone on
free and reduce-rate mail for the blind and overseas voters;
reconciliation adjustments for amounts appropriated for free
and reduced rate mail and the actual amounts required; and
partial reimbursement for losses which the Postal Service
incurred as a result of insufficient appropriations in fiscal
years 1991 through 1993 and the additional revenues it would
have received between 1993 and 1998 in the absence of certain
rate phasing provisions of the Revenue Forgone Act of 1993.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $96,093,000
for Payment to the Postal Service Fund, the same as the amount
requested by the President and $3,037,000 above the amounts
appropriated in fiscal year 2000. Of this amount, $66,473,000
is provided for free mail for the blind and overseas voters and
$620,000 is assumed as a reconciliation adjustment for
differences between estimated free mail volumes and final
audited volumes for fiscal year 1998. The total appropriation
of $67,093,000 for free mail for the blind and overseas voters
is made available on October 1, 2001. The Committee also
includes $29,000,000 as reimbursements to the Postal Service
for prior year reimbursement shortfalls due to insufficient
appropriations and rate phasing provisions of the Revenue
Forgone Act of 1993.
RELOCATION BENEFITS FOR POSTAL SERVICE OFFICERS
The Committee is extremely disappointed by the recent
misuse of relocation benefits by the United States Postal
Service (USPS), paying two executives $248,000 for local moves
that did not involve a transfer in duty station. Based on the
USPS Office of Inspector General Report issued on May 2, 2000,
it is clear that, not only were internal controls inadequate at
the time that these benefits were approved but also that
established controls were not carefully followed. The Committee
is pleased with the action taken by the Postal Board of
Governors to strengthen USPS policy on the approval and
administration of relocation benefits. Furthermore, the
Committee strongly endorses ongoing work by the Office of the
Inspector General to review the relocation program as well as
officer benefits in general.
us postal service weather emergency policies and practices
The Committee is concerned that during Hurricanes Irene and
Floyd, the US Postal Service may have put the health and safety
of South Florida postal employees at risk by continuing
business as usual for an unreasonable period and failing to
curtail postal operations in a timely manner. The Committee
believes that the health and safety of postal employees must
never be at risk in order to deliver the mail.
The US Postal Service is urged to report to the Committee,
by October 1, 2000, on its weather emergency policies and
practices. The Committee urges the US Postal Service to adopt a
policy and practice of following the recommendations and
directives of federal, state and local emergency management and
weather authorities in all locations served by the US Postal
Service when weather emergencies arise.
In its October 1, 2000 report, the US Postal Service shall
describe any variation between US Postal Service weather
emergency policies and practices and those used by federal,
state, and local authorities, including the justification for
each variation and shall indicate whether it will agree to
follow the recommendations and directives of federal, state and
local emergency management and weather authorities in all
locations served by the US Postal Service when weather
emergencies arise.
USPS/CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION HAZARDOUS CHILDREN'S PRODUCTS
RECALL INFORMATION CAMPAIGN
In FY 2000 the U.S. Postal Service partnered with the U.S.
Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to post recall
information on hazardous children's products in post offices
nationwide. As part of CPSC's annual recall round-up, the
Postal Service agreed to put up CPSC posters with information
on ``most wanted'' recalled products in 33,000 post offices.
The Committee applauds this public-spirited campaign to prevent
injuries and save lives and encourages all post offices to
continue providing this important information to the American
public.
ROXBORO, NORTH CAROLINA
The Committee is concerned about the postal needs of the
citizens of Roxboro, North Carolina. In addition to having
inadequate parking, the current facility is crowded and
understaffed. The Committee recommends that the US Postal
Service evaluate the existing facility, determine the need for
additional parking, additional staff, and a new Post Office in
Roxboro and reports its findings to the Committee.
CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA
The Committee is concerned about the postal needs of the
citizens of Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The Committee supports
the US Postal Service's effort to construct a new carrier/
retail facility that would relieve overcrowding at existing
post offices and recommends that the US Postal Service report
to the Committee on the status of this effort. The Committee
also recommends that the US Postal Service evaluate the need
for a contract facility in the Southern Village development and
report its findings to the Committee.
SKIDAWAY ISLAND, GEORGIA
The Committee is concerned about the postal needs of
Skidaway Island, Georgia, located in Chatham County. The
Committee, recognizing the community's rapid growth and the
existing one-window contract site in a food market, recommends
that the US Postal Service reevaluate the need for a Post
Office facility on Skidaway Island, Georgia, working with local
community leaders and officials. The Committee further
recommends that the US Postal Service report its findings to
the Committee.
stilson, georgia
The Committee is concerned about the postal needs of
Stilson, Georgia, located in Bulloch County. The Committee
recommends that the US Postal Service evaluate the need for
improved Post Office facilities in Stilson, Georgia, working
with local community leaders and officials. The Committee
further recommends that the US Postal Service report its
findings to the Committee.
SOUTHSIDE, ALABAMA
The Committee is concerned about the postal needs of
Southside, Alabama, located in Etowah County. The Committee
recommends that the US Postal Service evaluate the need for a
classified post office in Southside, Alabama, working with
local officials and community leaders. The Committee further
recommends that the US Postal Service report its findings to
the Committee.
SPRING GARDEN, ALABAMA
The Committee is concerned about the postal needs of Spring
Garden, Alabama, located in Cherokee County. Residents of
Spring Garden on rural route one (36275) receive their mail via
rural route one out of the Piedmont Post Office (36272) located
in Calhoun County, Alabama. The Committee recommends that the
US Postal Service, working with local officials and community
leaders, evaluate the need for relocating Piedmont rural route
one (36272) to Spring Garden rural route one (36275), as well
as the need for constructing a new Post Office in Spring
Garden. The Committee further recommends that the US Postal
Service report is findings to the Committee.
SIGNAL HILL, CALIFORNIA
The Committee is concerned about the postal needs of Signal
Hill, California, particularly that the zip codes do not
correspond to the City's jurisdictional boundaries. This
situation has led to incorrectly delivered mail, insurance rate
problems, and other zip code related problems. The Committee is
also aware that the USPS could consolidate local mail routes in
order to create a unique zip code for Signal Hill. The
Committee urges the US Postal Service to evaluate the proposal
for a single Signal Hill zip code and to report its findings to
the Committee no later than August 1, 2000.
TITLE III--EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO
THE PRESIDENT
Compensation of The President and the White House Office
COMPENSATION OF THE PRESIDENT
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $250,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 390,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 390,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +140,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
These funds provide for the compensation of the President
as well as official expenses, as authorized by Title 3.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $390,000 for
Compensation of the President, $140,000 above the amounts
appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and the same as the amount
requested by the President. In accordance with Section 644 of
Public Law 106-58, the Treasury and General Government
Appropriations Act, 2000, this increase will cover the
additional costs of increasing compensation for the President
to $400,000 per year, effective at noon on January 20, 2001.
Salaries and Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $52,243,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 53,288,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 52,135,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -108,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -1,153,000
MISSION
The Salaries and Expenses account of the White House Office
supports staff and administrative services necessary for the
direct support of the President. This account also includes
reimbursements to the White House Communications Agency.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $52,135,000
for White House Office Salaries and Expenses, $108,000 below
the amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction of
$1,153,000 from the President's request. The Committee denies
the requests of $201,000 to restore the fiscal year 2000
rescission, $450,000 for anticipated severance payments,
$500,000 for costs associated with replacing equipment during
the transition and $2,000 in unspecified increases to the
object class ``Other Services''. The Committee recommends that
all White House Office transition related costs not included in
the fiscal year 2001 appropriation be submitted as a
supplemental request by the incoming Administration. Finally,
the Committee assumes a transfer of $500,000 to the Office of
Administration for costs associated with upgrading the
Executive Office of the President's (EOP) web page, as
requested by the President.
FIRST LADY TRAVEL
The Committee continues to have significant concerns
regarding the use of the government aircraft for political
travel associated with the Senatorial campaign of the First
Lady. Since June 9, 1999, the White House has reported that the
First Lady has taken 77 political trips associated with her
campaign on government aircraft. There were approximately 250
flight hours at a cost of $3,705 per hour, the cost of
operating a C-20, for a total cost of $925,076. To date, the
First Lady's campaign has reimbursed the taxpayer $145,611,
consistent with all current laws and regulations governing
First Family travel. The Committee believes that full
disclosure of these costs is justified. The Committee has been
extremely displeased with the lack of cooperation by the White
House in this regard and, in particular, that it took the White
House six months to respond to requests for information on this
matter. The Committee is also extremely displeased that the
information has been provided on a piecemeal basis and
continues to believe that it has not received all of the
information requested. At best, the White House has been both
uncooperative and intentionally ambiguous in its responses to
questions related to First Lady travel.
On May 3, 2000, the Committee directed the White House to
provide monthly reports on First Lady political travel. These
reports, due the 15th of each month, are to include the
following for each political trip: date, destination, type of
aircraft used, total flight hours, passenger manifest
(excluding Secret Service personnel), invoice generated by
Airlift Operations, amount and date of reimbursement received
by Airlift Operations, and operating cost per hour for each
type of aircraft utilized, as determined by the Department of
Defense. The Committee has received three reports but remains
concerned that the White House continues to resist submitting
these reports in a timely and complete manner. The Committee
reminds the White House that it will be difficult to provide
federal appropriations in support of political travel of the
First Lady in the event that future reports do not include
complete, timely, and accurate documentation.
Executive Residence at the White House
OPERATING EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $9,225,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 10,900,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 10,286,470
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,061,470
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -613,530
MISSION
These funds provide for the care, maintenance, and
operation of the Executive Residence.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $10,286,470
for the operating expenses of the Executive Residence, an
increase of $1,061,470 from the amounts appropriated in fiscal
year 2000 and a reduction of $613,530 from the amounts
requested by the President. The Committee denies the
President's request of $278,500 for supplies and materials
recognizing that there is approximately $450,000 in the base
appropriation for these requirements; the Committee also denies
the request of $300,050 for an additional 4 FTE and $35,000 to
restore the FY 2000 rescission.
White House Repair and Restoration
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $808,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 5,510,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 658,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -150,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -4,852,000
MISSION
To provide for the repair, alteration, and improvement of
the Executive Residence at the White House, a separate account
was established in fiscal year 1996 to program and track
expenditures for capital improvement projects at the Executive
Residence at the White House.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $658,000 for
necessary repair and restoration work within the Executive
Residence, a reduction of $150,000 from the amounts
appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction of $4,852,000
from the amounts requested by the President. The Committee
denies the following requests: $4,542,000 for renovation and
replacement of the concrete raceway containing communication
lines, $100,000 for costs associated with the upcoming
transition, $150,000 for linen replacement, $60,000 for
computer modernization, and $2,000 to restore the fiscal year
2000 rescission. The Committee recommends that Executive
Residence transition related costs not funded in the fiscal
year 2001 appropriation be submitted as a supplemental request
by the incoming Administration.
COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS REPAIRS
The Committee provides $458,000 for the design of the
renovation and replacement of the existing concrete raceway
containing voice and communication lines serving the East Wing
and the Executive Residence, as requested by the President.
Nonetheless, the Committee is extremely concerned by the total
estimated costs of this project. The Committee understands that
project design will be complete within nine months and that the
fiscal year 2001 request assumes construction would begin in
August of 2001. Although the lack of construction funding may
cause a project delay of approximately two months, the
Committee believes that, absent a final design, the
construction costs are difficult to estimate. The Committee
directs the Executive Residence to submit the completed design
to the Committee for review, including an estimate of total
construction costs.
Special Assistance to the President and the Official Residence of the
Vice President
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $3,609,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 3,673,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 3,664,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +55,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -9,000
MISSION
These funds support the official duties and functions of
the Office of the Vice President.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,664,000 for
the Office of the Vice President, an increase of $55,000 from
amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction of
$9,000 from amounts requested by the President. The Committee
denies the request of $9,000 for the costs associated with
replacing equipment during the upcoming transition. The
Committee recommends that transition related costs within the
Office of the Vice President not funded in the fiscal year 2001
appropriation be submitted as a supplemental request by the
incoming Administration.
Operating Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $330,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 354,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 354,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +24,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
These funds support the care and operation of the Vice
President's residence and specifically support equipment,
furnishings, dining facilities, and services required to
perform and discharge the Vice President's official duties,
functions and obligations.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $354,000 for
the Operating Expenses of the Vice President's residence, an
increase of $24,000 above fiscal year 2000 enacted levels and
the same as the amount requested by the President.
Council of Economic Advisers
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $3,825,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 4,110,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 3,997,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +172,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -113,000
MISSION
The Council of Economic Advisers analyzes the national
economy and its various segments, advises the President on
economic developments, recommends policies for economic growth
and stability, appraises economic programs and policies of the
Federal Government, and assists in preparation of the annual
Economic Report of the President to Congress.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,997,000, an
increase of $172,000 above the amounts appropriated in fiscal
year 2000, and a decrease of $113,000 from amounts requested by
the President. The Committee denies the request of $106,000 for
two additional FTE and $7,000 for increased travel expenses.
Office of Policy Development
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $4,017,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 4,032,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 4,030,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +13,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -2,000
MISSION
The Office of Policy Development supports the National
Economic Council and the Domestic Policy Council in carrying
out their responsibilities to advise and assist the President
in the formulation, coordination, and implementation of
economic and domestic policy. The Office of Policy Development
also provides support for other domestic policy development and
implementation activities, as directed by the President.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,030,000 for
the Office of Policy Development, an increase of $13,000 from
amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction of
$2,000 from amounts requested by the President. The Committee
denies the request of $2,000 for increased travel expenses.
National Security Council
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $6,970,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 7,165,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 7,148,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +178,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -17,000
MISSION
The National Security Council advises the President on the
integration of domestic, foreign, and military policies
relating to national security.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $7,148,000 for
the National Security Council, an increase of $178,000 from
amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction of
$17,000 from amounts requested by the President. The Committee
denies the request of $17,000 to partially restore the fiscal
year 2000 rescission.
Office of Administration
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $39,050,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 43,737,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 41,185,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +2,135,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -2,552,000
MISSION
The Office of Administration is responsible for providing
cost-effective, administrative services to the Executive Office
of the President (EOP). These services, defined by Executive
Order 12028 of 1977, include financial, personnel, library and
records services, information management systems support, and
general office services.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $41,185,000
for the Office of Administration, an increase of $2,135,000
from amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction
of $2,552,000 from amounts requested by the President. Of this
amount, the Committee provides $8,893,000 for the Capital
Investment Plan, an increase of $121,000 from amounts
appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction of $1,012,000
from amounts requested by the President.
For Salaries and Expenses, the Committee denies the
requests of $406,000 and 5 FTE for additional information
technology staff, $360,000 in new money for the next generation
of the EOP web page, $660,000 and 5 FTE for implementation of
the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act and $114,000 to restore
the fiscal year 2000 rescission. The Committee includes a new
general provision (Section 637) delaying the effective date of
the CFO Act until May 1, 2001, giving the President until
October 1, 2001 to appoint a Chief Financial Officer for the
EOP. For the Capital Investment Plan, the Committee denies the
following requests: +$100,000 for video-teleconferencing;
+$288,000 for telecommuting access; $85,000 for internet
service improvements; $250,000 for travel laptops replacement;
$175,000 for web page growth; $80,000 for contractor overhead;
and $34,000 for restoration of the fiscal year 2000 rescission.
CAPITAL INVESTMENT PLAN
The Committee remains concerned that the current
Information Technology Architecture lacks a defined target
architectural environment and that investments are being made
that will ultimately not support the institutional business
requirements of the EOP. In February 2000, the General
Accounting Office (GAO) reviewed the EOP's 1999 Annual Update
to the Information Technology Architecture (ITA) and concluded
that, although the EOP's target architecture defines principles
and goals governing how the EOP wants to operate in both
business and technical terms, it does not define specific
future business requirements and relationships. The Committee
believes it is critical for the EOP to have both its current
and future core business requirements defined. The Committee
directs the EOP to include, as part of the 2000 Annual Update
to the ITA: a definition of future core business processes for
each of the component organizations within the EOP; an
identification of systems applications to support business
requirements; and a defined implementation plan for
transitioning to the target environment.
Information Technology
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $8,400,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... ................
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -8,400,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
This account was established as part of the fiscal year
2000 emergency supplemental appropriations bill (P.L. 106-246)
for costs associated with the restoration and reconstruction of
certain electronic mail messages and for the inclusion of such
messages in the Automated Records Management System.
RECOMMENDATION
No funds were requested for this account in fiscal year
2001 and none have been provided.
Office of Management and Budget
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $63,256,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 68,786,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 67,143,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +3,887,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -1,643,000
MISSION
The Office of Management and Budget assists the President
in the discharge of budgetary, economic, management, and other
executive responsibilities.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $67,143,000
for the Office of Management and Budget, an increase of
$3,887,000 above fiscal year 2000 appropriated levels and a
reduction of $1,643,000 from amounts requested by the
President. The Committee denies without prejudice the request
of $613,000 for an additional 9 FTE as well as the request of
$1,030,000 for information technology enhancements.
LAW ENFORCEMENT JOURNEYMAN LEVELS
The Committee is concerned that the President's fiscal year
2001 budget request proposed upgrading the journeyman level pay
grade of Officers of the Immigration and Naturalization Service
(INS) but omitted the men and women who work side by side with
INS at our nation's ports of entry--US Customs Inspectors. The
Committee is concerned that this inequity will seriously
detract from Custom's effort to attract and retain quality
personnel. Therefore, the Committee directs the Office of
Management and Budget to submit, as part of its fiscal year
2002 budget request for the U.S. Customs Service, a proposal to
upgrade the journeyman levels of Customs employees to bring
them into parity with their INS counterparts.
COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION
The Committee urges the OMB to follow historical precedence
and law in releasing Commodity Credit Corporation funds upon
the request and emergency designation of the Secretary of
Agriculture in a timely fashion, as discussed in House Report
106-619 of HR 4461.
southwest border coordination study
Section 629 of P.L. 105-277 required the Director of ONDCP,
the Secretary of the Treasury and the Attorney General to
conduct a study on Southwest Border counterdrug coordination,
in consultation with other federal agencies, to include an
assessment and action plan, including mechanisms and
recommendations for planning, organization, staffing, funding,
infrastructure and technology. That study was to be submitted
in July 1999. The Committee understands that the Customs
Service forwarded its contribution to the study to the Treasury
Department in April 1999, and ONDCP forwarded the completed
study to OMB on April 14, 2000, for interagency coordination.
The Committee directs OMB to expedite this review and submit
the study, which is now a year late, as soon as possible.
data quality
The Committee has included statutory language (Section 515)
which requires the Office of Management and Budget to develop,
with public and federal agency involvement, guidelines
providing policy and procedural guidance to Federal agencies
for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility,
and integrity of information disseminated by Federal agencies,
and information disseminated by non-Federal entities with
financial support from the Federal government, in fulfillment
of the purposes and provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act
of 1995 (P.L. 104-13). Committee reconfirms its instructions
with language directing OMB to issue such guidelines no later
than the end of the fiscal year 2001, with a copy forwarded to
the Committee on Appropriations.
Apportionment for International Food Assistance Programs
The Committee is concerned that the Office of Management
and Budget is inappropriately involved in the detailed review
of applications filed with the Department of Agriculture for
international food assistance, particularly as a member of the
Food Assistance Policy Council. While OMB does have a
responsibility to be certain that funds are expended for the
purposes for which they are appropriated, OMB's role is not to
interfere with the policy determinations made by USDA,
including the policy decision to allow for the monetization of
commodities. The allocation and review process that has been in
place has resulted in delays in the provision of food
assistance that has hampered efforts to provide food assistance
around the world in a timely fashion. It has also hindered
USDA's ability to acquire commodities in a fashion designed to
have a positive effect on the prices received by producers. The
Committee directs OMB to apportion not less than 75% of funds
for all of the food assistance programs operated by USDA no
later than December 31, 2000, and to restrict its involvement
with the Food Assistance Policy Council to administrative
monitoring.
Office of National Drug Control Policy
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $22,823,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 25,400,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 24,759,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,936,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -641,000
MISSION
The Office of National Drug Control Policy, established by
the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, is charged with developing
policies, objectives and priorities for the National Drug
Control Program as defined by the Act and Executive Order
12880, and by the Office of National Drug Control Policy
Reauthorization Act of 1998.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,759,000
for the Office of National Drug Control Policy, Salaries and
Expenses, $1,936,000 above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation
and $641,000 below the President's request. This includes
funding for 125 full time equivalent (FTE) positions, including
a new FTE to staff the Counterdrug Intelligence Secretariat
(CDX). Funding is also included to restore base levels of
personnel, operating costs, and equipment replacement, and
$1,000,000 is provided to continue funding for model state drug
law conferences. The Committee is unable to fund $641,000 of
the amounts requested for communications ($172,000), other
services ($313,000) and equipment ($156,000).
COUNTERDRUG ENFORCEMENT IN U.S. NATIONAL FORESTS
The Customs Service testified that they seized 1.5 million
pounds of narcotics at U.S. ports of entry in fiscal year 1999.
During that same period, the U.S. Forest Service destroyed the
equivalent of 1 million pounds of marijuana growing in our
national forests. The Committee directs the Office of National
Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), in consultation with the U.S.
Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and other
relevant agencies, to review the issue of marijuana and the
cultivation and production of controlled substances in our
national forests. The Committee further directs ONDCP to submit
a plan to address this problem, including legislative and
funding recommendations, to the Committee by February 1, 2001.
Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $32,052,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 20,400,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 29,750,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -2,302,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. +9,350,000
MISSION
Pursuant to the Office of National Drug Control Policy
Reauthorization Act of 1998 (title VII of Division C of Public
Law 105-277), the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center
serves as the central counterdrug research and development
organization for the United States Government.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $29,750,000
for the Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center (CTAC),
$2,302,000 below the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and
$9,350,000 above the President's request. This includes
$13,050,000 to maintain the current level of funding for the
counterdrug technology transfer program, $16,000,000 to support
CTAC's core research programs, and $700,000 to continue support
for the U.S. Olympic Committee's anti-doping program.
CTAC RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The Committee recommends $16,000,000 for the basic research
and development program. These funds will support four main
programs: (1) the non-intrusive inspection technology program,
which will examine jointly with the U.S. Customs Service long
range technology alternatives for border and seaport inspection
systems; (2) tactical technology for law enforcement
organizations; (3) demand reduction, in particular providing
support for brain imaging technology to bring about major
advances in understanding how drug dependency affects the
brain; and (4) testing of prototype counterdrug systems.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER PROGRAM
The Committee remains strongly supportive of the technology
transfer program, which allows CTAC to provide technologies
developed with federal funding directly to state and local law
enforcement agencies that might otherwise be unable to benefit
from the developments due to limited budgets or technological
expertise. Priority is given to candidates in High Intensity
Drug Trafficking Areas, and on the ability and willingness of
candidates to share in costs, either through in-kind or direct
contributions. The basic technology for transfer includes
information technology, analytical tools, communications,
tracking and surveillance, and drug detection devices. The
program has gained significant support from state and local law
enforcement agencies, and the Committee understands that the
funding provided in this bill addresses less than a quarter of
the unmet demand. As of March 2000, the program has delivered
over 1,570 pieces of equipment to 1,159 state and local law
enforcement agencies. The program has demonstrated a very low
administrative cost, with equipment purchases making up 84
percent of costs. The program, which has received very high
evaluation ratings from its users, is also heavily represented
in local police and sheriff's organizations and in communities
with populations under 500,000 (80 percent). Given the
substantial unmet need for this relatively low-cost and high-
payoff program, the Committee strongly encourages ONDCP and the
Administration to increase the funding level for this program
as it develops its fiscal year 2002 budget.
Federal Drug Control Programs
HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREAS PROGRAM
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $191,271,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 192,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 192,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +729,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program
was established by the Director, ONDCP pursuant to section 1005
of the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, and now as reauthorized by
section 707 of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Act
of 1998 to provide assistance to Federal and state and local
law enforcement entities operating in those areas most
adversely affected by drug trafficking.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $192,000,000
for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program, $729,000
above the fiscal year 2000 appropriation and the same as the
President's request.
MEASURES OF HIDTA PERFORMANCE
The Committee recognizes the high demand to add new HIDTAs
and to expand existing ones, particularly recently established
HIDTAs that have not received the base annual funding level
funding of $2.5 million. There is also strong pressure to
prevent any reduction in funding for existing HIDTAs. In almost
any budget scenario, the HIDTA Program must function within
realistic constraints--and so some tradeoff between growth and
stasis must be found.
The Committee supports a vigorous HIDTA Program, and last
year provided two more FTE for the program office. The
Committee underscores the need for performance-based management
of the HIDTA Program, ensuring that HIDTAs that demonstrate
performance and need are provided adequate resources. At the
same time, the Committee believes that it is essential to
identify HIDTAs where a change in the threat may have altered
the requirements or where performance or management require
additional attention.
The Committee regrets that it is unable to provide funding
above the President's request, and does not earmark the HIDTA
program in order to give HIDTA management the flexibility and
responsibility to allocate resources to where the greatest need
lies. However, the Committee directs the Administration, as it
develops its FY 2001 allocation plan and its FY 2002 budget, to
budget adequately for support of existing HIDTAs, including
funding additional program or expansion costs, and to allow for
adding new HIDTAs as needed. The Committee is aware of areas
facing increased drug trafficking that may be appropriate
candidates for designation as a HIDTA, inclusion in an existing
HIDTA, or increased funding, such as expanding the Northwest
HIDTA to counties in Southwest Washington; increasing the Gulf,
West Texas, and Central Florida HIDTAs; and fully funding new
HIDTA base costs. While the Committee does not establish
ceilings or floors on funding for specific programs or HIDTAs,
it directs ONDCP to make its designation and funding decisions
based on its performance measures of effectiveness, and to
report to the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations
prior to any decision to reduce such funding.
Special Forfeiture Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $215,297,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 259,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 219,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +3,703,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -40,000,000
MISSION
The Special Forfeiture Fund was established by the Anti-
Drug Abuse Act of 1988, as amended, to be administered by the
Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy. While
the fund was originally authorized to receive deposits from the
Department of Justice Assets Forfeiture Fund and the Treasury
Forfeiture Fund, its current source of funding is direct
appropriations.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $219,000,000
for the Special Forfeiture Fund, $3,703,000 above the fiscal
year 2000 appropriation and $40,000,000 below the President's
request. This includes $185,000,000 for the National Youth
Anti-Drug Media Campaign; $1,000,000 for the National Drug
Court Institute; $30,000,000 to carry out the Drug Free
Communities Act (DFCA); and $3,000,000 for the costs of space
and operations of the counter drug intelligence executive
secretariat (CDX) established as part of the General
Counterdrug Intelligence Plan (GCIP). The Committee denies
without prejudice $10,000,000 for increased funding for the
Youth Media Campaign, $5,000,000 for the DFCA, and $25,000,000
for additional funding for a national criminal justice
treatment demonstration project.
NATIONAL YOUTH ANTI-DRUG MEDIA CAMPAIGN
The Committee recommendation would bring total funding for
the youth media campaign to $750,000,000 over fiscal years
1998-2001. The Committee has held annual budget hearings on the
progress of the campaign as it has developed and grown, as well
as several hearings on particular issues of interest to the
Committee such as the evaluation methodology and the
involvement of the campaign with the entertainment industry in
placing campaign messages in entertainment programming. The
first of regular semi-annual evaluation reports on the
performance of the campaign will be submitted in July 2000, by
the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). In addition, the
Committee is awaiting a report by GAO on the performance by
ONDCP and its contractors in initiating the campaign and
meeting statutory and other guidance provided by Congress, as
well as in setting up a meaningful assessment mechanism. Given
ONDCP testimony that the campaign can be expected to last
longer than the original five-year period for which it was
planned, the Committee intends to use such findings to assess
the impact this significant campaign has had and can be
expected to have on reducing the use of drugs and dangerous
substances by youth and teens. There is no doubt that the
campaign has become very visible, gaining both admirers and
detractors. The proof of the utility of this particular project
will lie in its impact on behavior, however, and not just in
whether it has been noticed or gained a special niche in
advertising or popular culture. The Committee notes that future
funding for this program will depend on concrete, verifiable
and scientifically valid evidence of such impact.
media campaign target audiences and minorities
The Committee is aware of concerns regarding whether the
content and media outlets utilized by the National Anti-Drug
Youth Media Campaign will adequately convey the anti-drug
message to African-American and other minority youth. The
Committee therefore directs ONDCP, in its oversight of the
media campaign, to ensure that the diversity of the target
audiences is fully addressed, and to report to the Committee
specifically on this issue by September 1, 2000.
drug free communities act
The Drug Free Communities Act of 1998 (DFCA) established
the basis for a partnership between community coalitions and
the federal government, sharing costs and experience towards
creating strong local organizations to advance local solutions
to reducing drug use. A key element of DFCA was the requirement
that participating coalitions demonstrate some degree of
financial viability apart from the grants provided them. As the
program has developed, the expectation is that participants
will gradually increase their share of costs and ``graduate''
from the program after approximately five years. In the
meantime, there has been no end to the number of interested
organizations that can meet these criteria. The Committee
regrets that it cannot fully fund the authorized $40,000,000
program level, and recognizes that the need for administration
and evaluation costs will further reduce available grant
funding. The Committee encourages ONDCP to explore ways to
fully fund the DFCA at its authorized level as it prepares its
fiscal year 2002 budget.
counterdrug intelligence executive secretariat
The General Counterdrug Intelligence Plan (GCIP) was
initiated in February 2000 after several years of effort by
departments, the intelligence community, and ONDCP to create a
counterdrug intelligence architecture that would permit and
coordinate the sharing of intelligence gathered and analyzed by
the various agencies engaged in counterdrug intelligence
gathering. In part, this was a response to the mandate included
in the 1998 Treasury, Postal Service and General Government
Appropriation Act. In the past, it has been extremely difficult
to cross the barrier between national, foreign intelligence
gathering agencies and law enforcement intelligence agencies.
As a result, much useful information relating to drug
organizations and trafficking has not been accessible by the
very law enforcement and policy officials who most need it. The
GCIP establishes a formal mechanism for sharing such
information. This organization, based on a cabinet-level
council, senior working group, and a counterdrug intelligence
executive secretariat (CDX), will promote the active sharing
and coordination of such information. As a result, more useful,
timely, and actionable information should reach law enforcement
agencies and the quality of information policy makers need for
strategic analysis and decisions should improve. The Committee
includes $3,000,000 for the first full year of operation for
the CDX, and encourages the cabinet, the intelligence
community, and other executive agencies involved to inform the
Committee of progress in achieving better coordination within
the federal government, as well as with state, local and
foreign law enforcement organizations.
Funds Appropriated to the President
unanticipated needs
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $996,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 3,500,000
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -996,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -3,500,000
mission
These funds enable the President to meet unanticipated
exigencies in support of the national interest, security or
defense.
recommendation
The Committee recommends no appropriation for Unanticipated
Needs of the President, a reduction of $966,000 from amounts
appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a reduction of $3,500,000
from amounts requested by the President.
elections commission of the commonwealth of puerto rico
The Committee is aware of the long-standing question of
Puerto Rico's political status. Congress and Puerto Rico have a
shared interest and responsibility in addressing this matter
and have been considering the island's future political status
since 1917 when Congress granted Puerto Ricans United States
citizenship. The Committee understands the need for the people
of Puerto Rico to fully participate in any decision on their
future. This matter can only be resolved through a cooperative
effort by the Congress, the President, and the people of Puerto
Rico. However, the Committee also is aware of the December 13,
1998, political status plebiscite in Puerto Rico, which yielded
inconclusive results, and urges the people of Puerto Rico to
continue working to develop a consensus on what the island's
future political status should be.
TITLE IV--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $2,664,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 4,158,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 4,158,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,494,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
The Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or
Severely Disabled administers the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act of
1971, as amended. Its primary objective is to increase the
employment opportunities for people who are blind or have other
severe disabilities and, whenever possible, to prepare them to
engage in competitive employment.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,158,000 for
the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or
Severely Disabled, an increase of $1,494,000 from amounts
appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and the same as the amount
requested by the President.
Federal Election Commission
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $38,008,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 40,500,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 40,240,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +2,232,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -260,000
mission
The Commission administers the disclosure of campaign
finance information, enforces limitations on contributions and
expenditures, supervises the public funding of Presidential
elections, and performs other tasks related to Federal
elections.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $40,240,000
for the Federal Election Commission (FEC), an increase of
$2,232,000 from amounts appropriated in fiscal year 2000 and a
reduction of $260,000 from amounts requested by the President.
The recommended appropriation is also a reduction of $720,000
from amounts requested by the FEC through its bypass authority.
The Committee denies the requests of $100,000 for legal
document imaging, $100,000 for the completion of Voting Systems
Standards, and $60,000 for a national conference on Voting
Systems Standards. Finally, the Committee denies the FEC's
request of $460,000 for an additional 4 FTE within the
Commissioner's offices.
The Committee has included additional language (Section
637) regarding certain reforms within the FEC, including: a
clarification of election cycle reporting of certain
expenditures, a clarification of permissible use of facsimile
machines and electronic mail to file reports, a clarification
of the treatment of lines of credit obtained by candidates as
commercially reasonable loans, and a change in the deadline for
reporting of major campaign contributions received within the
last 20 days of an election from 48 hours to 24 hours. These
reforms are applicable with respect to elections occurring
after January 2001.
enforcement initiatives
The Committee is pleased with FEC's progress in
implementing two reforms targeted to enhancing enforcement
procedures: establishing an administrative fine system for
straightforward reporting violations and exploring options to
establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution pilot program. The
Committee directs FEC to provide periodic status reports to the
House Committee on Appropriations on both initiatives including
their impact on workloads within the Office of General Counsel
and the numbers of cases dismissed.
Federal Labor Relations Authority
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $23,737,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 25,058,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 25,058,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,321,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), established
by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, serves as a neutral
party in the settlement of disputes that arise between unions,
employees, and agencies on matters outlined in the Federal
Service Labor Management Relations statute, decides major
policy issues, prescribes regulations, and disseminates
information appropriate to the needs of agencies, labor
organizations, and the public. Establishment of the FLRA gives
full recognition to the role of the Federal Government as an
employer. Pursuant to the Foreign Service Act of 1980, FLRA
also supports the Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel and
the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $25,058,000
for the Federal Labor Relations Authority, the same as the
amount requested by the President and $1,321,000 above the
fiscal year 2000 appropriated level.
General Services Administration
federal buildings fund
Appropriation:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date........... -$20,022,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001................. 681,871,000
Recommended in the bill........................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +20,022,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -681,871,000
Limitations on Availability of Revenue (not an
appropriation):
Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2000 to $5,321,634,000
date.............................................
Limitation on availability, budget estimate, 6,326,621,000
fiscal year 2001.................................
Recommended in the bill........................... 5,272,370,000
Bill compared with:
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2000 to date. -49,264,000
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2001 estimate -1,054,251,000
mission
The Federal Buildings Fund (FBF) finances the activities of
the Public Buildings Service, which provides space and services
for Federal agencies in a relationship similar to that of
landlord and tenant. The FBF, established in 1975, replaces
direct appropriations by using income derived from rent
assessments, which approximate commercial rates for comparable
space and services. The Committee on Appropriations makes funds
available through a process of placing limitations on
obligations from the FBF as a way of allocating funds for
various FBF activities. The Committee may also appropriate
funds into the FBF as a way of covering the difference between
the total revenues coming into the FBF and the total limitation
on the expenditure from the FBF.
recommendation
The Committee recommends that no funds be appropriated to
the Federal Buildings Fund for fiscal year 2001. The Committee
also has not provided the $477,484,000 requested by the
Administration as advanced appropriations. The Committee
acknowledges major unmet infrastructure construction needs,
particularly for law enforcement and related facilities, but is
fiscally constrained from providing for any of these needs by
direct appropriations.
The Committee, in not recommending any direct
appropriations for the Federal Buildings Fund, has specifically
not provided any appropriations for reimbursing the fund for
the costs incurred by the General Services Administration (GSA)
of moving the Federal Communications Commission to the Portals
II building in Washington. These moving and relocation costs
are the responsibility of the agency being moved.
african burial ground
The Committee recognizes the efforts of GSA to memorialize
the 17th and 18th century African Americans whose remains were
discovered during the excavation for a new federal building at
Foley Square in lower Manhattan. Since 1992, significant work
has been conducted on the memorialization but additional work
is required prior to and including the reinterment of the
remains. The Committee expects GSA to complete the project
using funds made available from the Federal Buildings Fund or
from the borrowing authority remaining for the building project
at Foley Square.
Construction and Acquisition
Limitations on Availability of Revenue (not an
appropriation):
Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2000 to $54,197,000
date.................................................
Limitation on availability, budget estimate, 779,788,000
fiscal year 2001.....................................
Recommended in the bill: ................
Bill compared with:
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2000 to date. -54,197,000
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2001 estimate -779,788,000
recommendation
The Committee recommends no new obligational authority for
construction and acquisition, a decrease of $54,197,000 below
the amount provided in fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of
$779,788,000 below the amount requested in the budget estimate.
In setting overall spending priorities for the Federal
Buildings Fund, the Committee believes that, given the limited
funds available, it is essential to maintain to the greatest
extent possible the inventory of existing Federal facilities.
COURTHOUSE CONSTRUCTION
The Committee is strongly aware of the need for new
courthouse construction and is disappointed that it is not able
to provide any funds for this effort. The Committee notes that
the fiscal year 2001 budget request was the first in three
years (since fiscal year 1998) to include funds for the
construction of new courthouses. However, the Committee is
concerned about several aspects of the budget submission for
courthouse construction. The request submitted by the
Administration differs from the request of the Judicial
Conference of the United States in both project priorities and
in funding amounts for specific projects. This Committee is not
accustomed or anxious to arbitrate between the executive branch
and the judicial branch in this matter. This bill carries a
provision, similar to a provision carried in past bills and
enacted into law, aimed at ensuring that the judicial branch
and the executive branch reach an agreement regarding
courthouse construction prior to the GSA budget request being
submitted to Congress.
It is the intent of this Committee in funding new
courthouse construction to strictly follow the project
priorities of the Judicial Conference of the United States.
This Committee has worked with the courts and encouraged them
to develop a system for ranking new courthouse construction
projects in priority order. The budget estimate submitted by
the Administration for new courthouse construction did not
follow the exact priorities of the courts. The Committee is not
persuaded as to the reasons or rationales behind all of the
deviations from the priorities of the courts by the
Administration.
With respect to courtroom sharing, the Committee notes that
the Judicial Conference has contracted with Ernst and Young to
conduct a study of courtroom utilization issues. The Committee
directs GAO to provide a review of the Ernst and Young study as
it relates to utilization and courtroom sharing to the House
Committee on Appropriations and the House Committee on
Transportation and Infrastructure 180 days after the Ernst and
Young study is made publicly available. This review is to focus
on the methodologies and procedures used by the Ernst and Young
study and is to comment on the objectivity and general utility
of the results of the study.
In explaining the Administration's decision to impose a
``two courtrooms for every three judges'' policy at a hearing
before the Committee, the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget cited a 1997 GAO report on courthouse construction.
The Committee, while conscious of the continuing need for sound
fiscal management, questions the unilateral application made by
the Administration of the GAO findings in formulating its
courtroom sharing policy and notes that the GAO itself
concludes in the same report that the results of its 1997
analysis on courtroom usage cannot be projected across all
federal district courts and that more study is needed. The
blanket application of a ``two courtrooms for every three
judges'' courtroom sharing policy precludes consideration of
significant differences among the various courthouse projects
in court caseloads and court operations. Also of significant
concern to the Committee is the added construction costs that
would be incurred, according to GSA and the courts, were the
OMB policy applied to projects that are designed and ready for
construction, such as the new courthouse projects in the
District of Columbia and in Miami, Florida. The Committee is
also very concerned about other changes proposed by OMB to
projects previously agreed upon by GSA and the Judicial
Conference, such as changing the Los Angeles, California,
courthouse project from a free-standing courthouse to an annex
facility.
MIAMI, FLORIDA, COURTHOUSE
The Committee directs the General Services Administration
to make every effort to include minority contractors, vendors,
and employees in every phase of the design, construction, and
operation of the new courthouse to be constructed in Miami,
Florida. The Committee further directs the General Services
Administration to provide a report by February 1, 2001, on its
plans for achieving this essential objective and its progress
to date.
past courthouse projects
The Committee is aware that project cost estimates by GSA
for a number of courthouses over the past several years had
been below the amounts necessary to award construction of the
project as designed. Several of these projects have been able
to move forward using additional funds provided through
reprogramming or internal transfers. The Committee acknowledges
that delays in funding for courthouses may have an impact on
accuracy of cost estimating but recommends that GSA review its
methodology and process for making project cost estimates and
quickly move forward to address any remaining issues that might
stem from the low estimates for courthouse projects.
Repairs and Alterations
Limitations on Availability of Revenue (not an
appropriation):
Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2000 to $598,674,000
date.................................................
Limitation on availability, budget estimate, 721,193,000
fiscal year 2001.....................................
Recommended in the bill........................... 490,592,000
Bill compared with:
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2000 to date. -108,082,000
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2001 estimate -230,601,000
recommendation
The Committee recommends a limitation of $490,592,000 for
repairs and alterations, a decrease of $108,082,000 below the
enacted limitation level for fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of
$230,601,000 below the budget estimate. Within the amount
provided are $290,000,000 for non-prospectus repair projects,
$174,639,000 for prospectus repair projects, $10,953,000 for
project design, and $5,000,000 each for the energy program,
glass fragment retention program, and the chloroflurocarbon
program. The Committee urges GSA to move forward as
expeditiously as possible with the glass fragment retention
program for addressing the physical threats and public safety
issues associated with shattering glass windows and further
directs GSA to conduct a study of the benefits that would
result from and the costs that would be incurred by extending
the glass fragment retention program to all federal buildings
within GSA's inventory of owned space, including any
recommendations for future action that might be appropriate,
and provide this study to the Committee on Appropriations and
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure within 120 days
of the enactment of this Act. The Committee has not identified
in the bill which specific prospectus repair projects or design
projects are to be conducted with the funds provided; it is the
expectation of the Committee that the General Services
Administration will make the most efficient use of the funds
and move forward on those prospectus projects that are the
highest priority.
FEDERAL BUILDING AT 300 NORTH LOS ANGELES ST., LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Repairs and improvements to the federal building located at
300 North Los Angeles Street in Los Angeles, California, is a
priority of the Committee. While the Committee understands the
funding constraints within GSA's repair and alterations
program, this federal building has been slated for renovation
for several years and design funding for this project was
provided in fiscal year 1994. Therefore, the Committee expects
funding for this important project to be included in GSA's
fiscal year 2002 budget estimate.
terre haute, indiana
The Committee is aware of a memorandum of understanding
between the Postal Service and the General Services
Administration concerning a building in Terre Haute, Indiana,
that is owned by the Postal Service but is no longer needed by
the Postal Service. The Committee also is cognizant of pending
legislation that would transfer the control and responsibility
for the building from the Postal Service to the General
Services Administration. The Committee encourages the Postal
Service and the General Services Administration to continue
working towards developing an appropriate and economically
justifiable use as well as a management plan for the building.
Installment Acquisition Payments
Limitations on Availability of Revenue (not an
appropriation)
Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2000 to $205,668,000
date.................................................
Limitation on availability, budget estimate, 185,369,000
fiscal year 2001.....................................
Recommended in the bill........................... 185,369,000
Bill compared with:
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2000 to date. -20,299,000
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2001 estimate ................
recommendation
The Committee recommends a limitation of $185,369,000 for
installation acquisition payments, a decrease of $20,299,000
below the enacted limitation level for fiscal year 2000 and the
same as the budget estimate.
Rental of Space
Limitations on Availability of Revenue (not an
appropriation)
Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2000 to $2,782,186,000
date.................................................
Limitation on availability, budget estimate, 2,944,905,000
fiscal year 2001.....................................
Recommended in the bill........................... 2,944,905,000
Bill compared with:
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2000 to date. +162,719,000
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2001 estimate ................
recommendation
The Committee recommends a limitation of $2,944,905,000 for
rental of space, an increase of $162,719,000 above the enacted
limitation level for fiscal year 2000 and the same as the
budget estimate.
lease scoring
GSA's rental of space program has steadily grown over the
years, not only in dollar value but also as a percentage of
obligations for the Federal Buildings Fund. The fiscal year
2001 estimate of $2.945 billion for Rental of Space represents
54 percent of the Federal Buildings Fund receipts. Eight years
ago, the leasing costs were $1.889 billion and represented
about 44 percent of the Federal Buildings Fund receipts.
One of the principal reasons for this growth is GSA's
reliance on shorter-term leases in order to meet scoring rules
as set forth in the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990 and the
Deficit Reduction Act of 1997. These rules make it financially
impossible for GSA to sign longer-term leases. A lease that
violates any of these scoring rules is treated as a capital
lease for budget scoring purposes, resulting in the entire cost
of the lease being scored as budget authority in the first year
of the lease. Leases not violating these rules are treated as
operating leases and are scored annually as payments become
due. Because of the budget scoring restrictions, GSA relies on
10-year leases that cost 33 percent more on a comparable per-
square-foot basis than do 20-year leases.
This budget scoring restriction effects GSA's ability to
fund other important programs, such as repairs for maintaining
the integrity of the federal building inventory and critically
needed new construction. Continued reliance by GSA on short-
term leases will only lead to greater demands on the Federal
Buildings Fund to cover rental costs. This vicious cycle can
and must be broken by establishing a policy that does not
restrict the use of long-term leases and that allows, where
cost effective, for the prudent development and maintenance of
federally owned buildings. Such a policy is not possible
without relief from the current budget rules that govern lease
transaction scoring.
To that end, the General Accounting Office is directed to
submit a comprehensive report on the effects that current
scoring rules have had on GSA's leasing program. The report
also is to contain recommendations on ways to address this
problem. This report shall be submitted within 180 days of
enactment of this Act to the House Committee on Appropriations
and to the House Committee on Transportation and
Infrastructure.
Building Operations
Limitations on Availability of Revenue (not an
appropriation).......................................
Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2000 to $1,580,909,000
date.................................................
Limitation on availability, budget estimate, 1,624,771,000
fiscal year 2001.....................................
Recommended in the bill........................... 1,580,909,000
Bill compared with:
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2000 to date. ................
Availability limitation, fiscal year 2001 estimate -43,862,000
recommendation
The Committee recommends a limitation of $1,580,909,000 for
building operations for fiscal year 2001, the same limitation
level as provided for fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of
$43,862,000 below the budget estimate. Within this limitation
level, the Committee has included $500,000 to conduct a site
selection analysis for a replacement facility for the National
Center for Environmental Prediction of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration, currently located in Camp Springs,
Maryland. The delineated area shall be in the Washington, D.C.
Metropolitan area and include the consideration of appropriate
educational institutions qualified to be project partners. A
report on the findings of the study shall be provided to the
Committee within 120 days of the enactment of this Act.
Within the limitation level provided are funds to maintain
GSA's support for telecommuting work centers in the Washington,
DC, metropolitan area. The Committee looks forward to receiving
the evaluation study required by last year's report (House
Report 106-231), which GSA projects will be completed before
the end of fiscal year 2000. The Committee encourages GSA to
consider using, if warranted, a portion of the funds available
for supporting telecommuting centers or other funds to identify
and develop a plan to resolve technology barrier issues that
impede the creation of home workstations for federal employees.
The Committee recommends that GSA study the need for
additional secure parking for the U.S. Courts and related
federal agencies in the Solomon Building in Chattanooga,
Tennessee, determine whether land is currently available, and
estimate the cost of leasing or acquiring land for such
purposes. The Committee further directs the GSA to analyze
plans for the continued occupancy of the old U.S. Post Office
building now occupied by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court and to
report its findings to the Committee within 90 days of the
enactment of this Act.
The Committee encourages GSA to work with the city of
Ardmore, Oklahoma, and appropriately support its Streetscape
Project for renovating sidewalks and parks.
The Committee understands that GSA plans to conduct a
Physical Security Review of the Terry Sanford Federal Building,
located at 310 New Bern Avenue in Raleigh, North Carolina, in
fiscal year 2001. The Committee is aware that the Building
Security Committee has recommended some security enhancements
to bring this building in line with the minimum standards for
Level 4 facilities, and that GSA anticipates the Physical
Security Review will confirm these recommendations. The
Committee expects GSA to complete the Physical Security Review
by January 1, 2001, and to implement any needed security
enhancements expeditiously.
access to telecommunications services
The Committee is aware that significant cost savings to the
government are being achieved by the FTS 2001 and the
Metropolitan Area Acquisition programs administered by GSA as a
result of increased competition among communications services.
The Committee notes that legislation has been introduced in
Congress intended to help stimulate competition and promote
fair and reasonable access to telecommunications services for
federal agencies. The Committee encourages the Executive branch
to continue working towards the goals of stimulating
marketplace completition and ensuring fair and reasonable
access to telecommunications services for federal agencies.
Policy and Operations
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $119,523,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 136,980,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 115,434,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................. -4,089,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001............... -21,546,000
mission
This appropriations account provides for Government-wide
policy, planning, and oversight associated with real and
personal property asset management, supplies, information
technology, electronic commerce, transportation and travel
management, acquisition, and Federal advisory committees
management. In addition, this activity provides for the
internal policy, management, oversight, and coordination of all
GSA programs.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $115,434,000
for Policy and Operations, a decrease of $4,089,000 below the
level provided for fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of
$21,546,000 below the budget estimate. Increases to the fiscal
year 2000 enacted level include $3,285,000 to cover increases
in fixed costs so that the current levels of service can be
maintained and $3,300,000 for protection and maintenance of the
Lorton complex, bringing the total fiscal year 2001 GSA funding
for the Lorton complex to $6,058,000. Decreases from the fiscal
year 2000 enacted level include $2,000,000 for the digital
learning centers, $275,000 for the virtual archive storage
facility feasibility study, $1,399,000 as a result of reduced
requirements at Governors Island, $3,300,000 associated with
one-time costs of the fiscal year 2000 emergency supplemental
appropriation, and $3,700,000 for the Federal Information
Center, the funding responsibility for which has been
transferred to the VA-HUD-Independent Agencies appropriations
bill.
GSA has in the past provided administrative and logistical
support to the Olympics, Pan-American Games, and other
international events. GSA performs these functions under
authorities of the Department of the Army on a reimbursable
basis. No direct appropriations have been requested or provided
to GSA for these functions. The Committee encourages GSA assist
the Salt Lake City Organizing Committee for the winter and
Paralympic Games in 2002 as well as the 2001 World Police and
Fire Games in Indiana.
public service recognition week
The Committee recognizes that Public Service Recognition
Week, a program of the Public Employees Roundtable, has
educated America about the value of the career workforce, which
carries out the daily operations of government. This program,
which has existed for over 10 years, plays an important role in
educating our nation's youth by providing them with timely
information about their government. The Committee urges the
General Services Administration to support the mission of the
Public Employees Roundtable and provide $100,000 in
administrative and logistical assistance to Public Service
Recognition Week activities, the same level as was provided for
fiscal year 2000.
electronic commerce
The Committee encourages the use of Internet technology for
electronic commerce as a cost effective and efficient method
for federal agencies to purchase needed products and services
from many qualified vendors. The Committee requests GSA to
provide a report to the Committee by December 31, 2000,
assessing GSA's progress in using Internet technology for
electronic commerce as a purchasing tool for the federal
government. The report should compare the general costs,
accessibility, and timeliness among the major options available
to federal agencies for making purchases (including Internet
access to electronic commerce and more traditional purchase
venues), and the report should discuss cost and other factors
related to the use of government versus commercial Internet
websites for electronic commerce.
badger army ammunition plant
The Committee is aware that GSA is overseeing the disposal
of the Badger Army Ammunition Plant near Baraboo, Wisconsin.
The Committee recognizes that the GSA has delayed the
development of a reuse plan since May 1999 to allow the
community to develop a consensus for the reuse of the property
at the Badger Army Ammunition Plant. The Committee also
acknowledges the recent appointment of the Sauk County Badger
Army Ammunition Plant Reuse Committee made up of various
government and non-government stakeholders whose purpose is to
develop such a consensus plan for the reuse of the property.
The Committee urges GSA to work with the Sauk County Badger
Army Ammunition Plant Reuse Committee in the development of a
mutually acceptable reuse plan for this property.
Office of Inspector General
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $33,317,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 34,520,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 34,520,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,203,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation provides agencywide audit and
investigative functions to identify and correct management and
administrative deficiencies within GSA which create conditions
for existing or potential instances of fraud, waste, and
mismanagement. The audit function provides internal audit and
contract audit services. Contract audits provide professional
advice to GSA contracting officials on accounting and financial
matters relative to the negotiation, award, administration,
repricing, and settlement of contracts. Internal audits review
and evaluate all facets of GSA operations and programs, test
internal control systems, and develop information to improve
operating efficiencies and enhance customer services. The
investigative function provides for the detection and
investigation of improper and illegal activities involving GSA
programs, personnel, and operations.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $34,520,000
for the Office of Inspector General, an increase of $1,203,000
above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level and the same as the
budget estimate. The increase provided is to cover increases in
fixed costs so that the Office of Inspector General can
maintain current levels of service.
Allowances and Office Staff for Former Presidents
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $2,241,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 2,517,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 2,517,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +276,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation provides support consisting of pensions,
office staffs, and related expenses for former Presidents
Gerald R. Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George Bush and
Bill Clinton (after he leaves office) and for pension and
postal franking privileges for the widow of former President
Lyndon B. Johnson. Also, this appropriation is authorized to
provide funding for security and travel related expenses for
each former President and the spouse of a former President
pursuant to Section 531 of Public Law 103-329.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,517,000 for
Allowances and Office Staff for Former Presidents, an increase
of $276,000 above the fiscal year 2000 enacted level and the
same as the budget estimate. The increase is to cover
authorized expenses to be incurred by President Clinton after
he leaves office ($256,000) and for a pension increase for
former Presidents ($20,000). The following table displays a
breakdown for this account for fiscal year 2001.
FY 2001 BUDGET ALLOWANCES AND OFFICE STAFF FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS
[In thousands of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ford Carter Reagan Bush Clinton Widow Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Personal Compensation............................ 96 96 96 96 30 0 414
Personal Benefits................................ 24 5 24 35 11 0 99
Benefits for Former Personnel:
Pensions..................................... 157 157 157 157 111 20 759
Travel....................................... 50 2 16 57 11 0 136
Rental Payments to GSA........................... 99 93 285 147 57 0 681
Communications, Utilities and Miscellaneous
charges:
Telephone.................................... 17 28 15 17 6 0 83
Postage...................................... 2 22 10 11 4 2 51
Printing......................................... 3 8 14 11 3 0 39
Other Services................................... 14 79 44 12 16 0 165
Supplies & Materials............................. 9 10 20 11 4 0 54
Equipment........................................ 5 9 3 16 3 0 36
--------------------------------------------------------------
Total Obligations.......................... 476 509 684 570 256 22 2,517
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Expenses, Presidential Transition
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... ................
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... $7,100,000
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... ................
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -7,100,000
mission
The Presidential Transition Act of 1963, Public Law 88-277
(3 U.S.C. 102 note), as amended, was enacted to provide for the
orderly transfer of executive power in connection with the
expiration of the term of office of a President and the
inauguration of a new President. Funds provided by this
appropriation are for Presidential transition activities
associated with the incoming Administration and the outgoing
Administration, pursuant to statute.
recommendation
The Committee recommends no funding for this appropriation,
the same level as was provided in fiscal year 2000 and a
decrease of $7,100,000 below the budget estimate. The Committee
recommends the incoming Administration submit, if determined to
be needed, a supplemental appropriation following the
inauguration. The Committee encourages the General Services
Administration and the other executive agencies to support the
outgoing and incoming Administrations during the transition
using available funds.
General Provisions--General Services Administration
Section 401. The Committee continues the provision that
provides that costs included in rent received from government
corporations for operation, protection, maintenance, upkeep,
repair and improvement shall be credited to the Federal
Buildings Fund.
Section 402. The Committee continues the provision
providing authority for the use of funds for the hire of motor
vehicles.
Section 403. The Committee continues the provision
providing that funds made available for activities of the
Federal Buildings Fund may be transferred between
appropriations with advance approval of the Congress.
Section 404. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds for developing courthouse
construction requests that do not meet GSA standards and
priorities of the Judicial Conference.
Section 405. The Committee continues the provision
providing that no funds may be used to increase the amount of
occupiable square feet, provide cleaning services, security
enhancements, or any other service usually provided, to any
agency which does not pay the requested rent.
Section 406. The Committee continues the provision
providing for Information Technology Fund repayment from
sponsored projects that realize program savings.
Section 407. The Committee continues the provision that
permits GSA to pay small claims (up to $250,000) made against
the government.
Section 408. The Committee modifies a provision of the
fiscal year 2000 appropriations act to provide a one-year
extension to the period for which voluntary separation
incentive payments may be offered by the Administrator of the
General Services Administration to qualified employees.
Merit Systems Protection Board
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $27,481,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 29,437,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 28,857,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,376,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -580,000
mission
The Merit Systems Protection Board performs the
adjudicatory functions necessary to maintain the civil service
merit system. These include hearing appeals on adverse actions,
reduction-in-force actions, and retirement. The Board reports
to the President on whether merit systems are sufficiently free
from prohibited personnel practices to protect the public
interest.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $28,857,000
for the Merit Systems Protection Board, $1,376,000 above the
fiscal year 2000 appropriated level and $580,000 below the
amount requested by the President. The Committee is unable to
fully fund the request, as modified by the President's June 5,
2000, budget amendment.
Federal Payment to the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and Excellence in
National Environmental Policy Foundation
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $1,992,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 3,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 2,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +8,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -1,000,000
mission
Public Law 102-259 established the Morris K. Udall
Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy
Trust Fund. General Fund payments to that fund are invested in
Treasury securities. Interest earnings from the investments are
used to carry out the activities of the Morris K. Udall
Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental Policy
Foundation. The Foundation awards scholarships, fellowships,
and grants and funds activities of the Udall Center for Studies
in Public Policy.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,000,000 for
Federal Payment to the Morris K. Udall Scholarship and
Excellence in National Environmental Policy Foundation, an
increase of $8,000 above the amount appropriated for fiscal
year 2000 and a decrease of $1,000,000 below the budget
estimate. The Committee is aware and supportive of pending
legislation to establish the Native Nations Institute and
encourages the Administration, should this legislation become
enacted, to submit a reprogramming proposal for funding the
Native Nations Institute for fiscal year 2001.
Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $1,245,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 1,250,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 1,250,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +5,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
Public Law 105-156 established the United States Institute
for Environmental Conflict Resolution as part of the Morris K.
Udall Scholarship and Excellence in National Environmental
Policy Foundation. It also established in the Treasury an
Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund to be available to
establish and operate the Institute. The purpose of the
Institute is to conduct environmental conflict resolution and
training.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,250,000 for
the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund, an increase of
$5,000 above the level appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and
the same as the budget estimate.
National Archives and Records Administration
operating expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $179,674,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 209,393,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 195,119,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +15,445,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -14,274,000
MISSION
The National Archives and Records Administration provides
for basic operations dealing with management of the
Government's archives and records, operation of Presidential
libraries, and for the review for declassification of
classified security information.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $195,119,000
for the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Operating Expenses, an increase of $15,445,000 above the level
appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of $14,274,000
below the budget estimate. The increase above the enacted level
includes $6,782,000 to cover increases in fixed costs,
$5,923,000 to cover NARA expenses associated with the
Presidential transition ($950,000 to begin processing records
of the Clinton Administration and $4,973,000 for the costs of
moving and storing records of the Clinton Administration), and
$2,740,000 for improving veteran records management ($1,685,000
to expand access to veteran records and $1,055,000 for
enhancing storage and preservation of veteran records). The
Committee denies without prejudice the other requested program
increases.
Repairs and Restoration
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $22,296,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 99,560,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 5,650,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -16,646,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -93,910,000
MISSION
This appropriation provides for the repair, alteration, and
improvement of Archives facilities and Presidential libraries
nationwide. It enables the National Archives to maintain its
facilities in proper condition for visitors, researchers, and
employees, and also maintain the structural integrity of the
buildings.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,650,000 for
NARA Repairs and Restoration, a decrease of $16,646,000 below
the level appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of
$93,910,000 below the budget estimate. The funds include
$700,000 for the design of a 10,000-square-foot extension to
the Gerald R. Ford Museum, part of the Gerald R. Ford Library
and Museum, and $4,950,000 to maintain the base-level budget
for NARA repairs and restorations.
The Committee has been strongly supportive of the major
renovation effort that is underway to repair and restore the
main National Archives building and to better preserve and
safeguard the Charters of Freedom. The Committee is very
disappointed that it was not able to provide the funds
necessary to continue progress on this important effort during
fiscal year 2001. The Committee approves of the planning and
management of this effort by the National Archives and Records
Administration and denies without prejudice the requested
funding solely on the basis of fiscal constraints.
Records Center Revolving Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $22,000,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... ................
Recommended in the bill............................... ................
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -22,000,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
The National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Records Center Revolving Fund provides the mechanism for the
operation of NARA's records centers on a reimbursable basis
without direct appropriations. The Fund is available for
expenses and equipment necessary to provide for storage and
related services for all temporary and pre-archival Federal
records which are stored at Federal National and Regional
Records Centers. Resources in the Fund are derived from user
charges received from Federal agencies as payment for storage
of records.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends no appropriation for the Records
Center Revolving Fund, a decrease of $22,000,000 below the
level enacted for fiscal year 2000 and the same as the budget
estimate.
National Historical Publications and Records Commission
Grants Program
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $4,250,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 6,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 6,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +1,750,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
This program provides for grants funding that the
Commission makes, nationwide, to preserve and publish records
that document American history. Administered within the
National Archives and Records Administration, which preserves
Federal records, the NHPRC helps state, local, and private
institutions preserve non-Federal records, helps publish the
papers of major figures in American history, and helps
archivists and records managers improve their techniques,
training, and ability to serve a range of information users.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,000,000 for
the National Historical Publications and Records Commission--
Grants Program, an increase of $1,750,000 above the net level
appropriated for fiscal year 2000 and the same as the budget
estimate.
Office of Government Ethics
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $9,080,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 9,684,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 9,684,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +604,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
MISSION
The Office of Government Ethics (OGE), established by the
Ethics in Government Act of 1978, provides overall direction of
executive branch policies designed to prevent conflicts of
interest and insure high ethical standards. The OGE discharges
its responsibilities to preserve and promote public confidence
in the integrity of executive branch officials by developing
rules and regulations pertaining to conflicts of interest, post
employment restrictions, standards of conduct, and public and
confidential financial disclosure in the executive branch. It
monitors compliance with public and confidential financial
disclosure requirements of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978
and the Ethics Reform Act of 1989, to determine possible
violations of applicable laws or regulations and recommending
appropriate corrective action. OGE also consults with and
assists various officials in evaluating the effectiveness of
applicable laws and the resolution of individual problems, and
prepares formal advisory opinions, informal letter opinions,
policy memoranda, and Federal Register entries on how to
interpret and comply with the requirements on conflicts of
interest, post employment, standards of conduct, and financial
disclosure. Finally, OGE issues and amends regulations
implementing the procurement integrity provisions relating to
negotiating for employment, post employment, and gratuities in
the Office of Federal Procurement Policy Act Amendments of
1988, P.L. 100-679.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,684,000 for
the Office of Government Ethics, the same amount requested by
the President and $604,000 above the fiscal year 2000
appropriated level.
Office of Personnel Management
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $90,240,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 100,558,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 93,471,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +3,231,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -7,087,000
MISSION
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the Government
agency responsible for management of Federal human resource
policy and oversight of the merit civil service system.
Although individual agencies are increasingly responsible for
personnel operations, OPM provides a Governmentwide policy
framework for personnel matters, advises and assists agencies
(often on a reimbursable basis), and ensures that agency
operations are consistent with requirements of law, with
emphasis on such issues as veterans preference. OPM oversees
examining of applicants for employment, issues regulations and
policies on hiring, classification and pay, training,
investigations, and many other aspects of personnel management,
and operates a reimbursable training program for the
Government's managers and executives. OPM is also responsible
for administering the retirement, health benefits and life
insurance programs affecting most Federal employees, retired
Federal employees, and their survivors.
RECOMMENDATION
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $93,471,000
for the Office of Personnel Management, Salaries and Expenses,
$7,087,000 below the amount requested by the President and an
increase of $3,231,000 above fiscal year 2000 appropriated
levels. The recommended increase includes $237,000 for expanded
oversight of ``non-Title 5'' agency merit systems, half of the
requested level. The increase also includes $400,000 for new
qualification standards to simplify hiring and assessment;
$313,000 to maintain current levels; $800,000 for on-going
information technology support; $700,000 for agency wide
information technology architecture; $181,000 for NARA costs;
and $1,900,000 for administrative financial systems support to
ensure an unqualified audit opinion. The Committee denies
without prejudice the President's request of $6,150,000 for the
Federal Cyber-Service program; $300,000 to develop a workforce
planning model; $300,000 for improvements in setting
compensation rates; and $100,000 to research best practices in
compensation systems.
locality pay
The Committee is concerned that, due to a dispute among the
President's Pay Agent, the Federal Salary Council, and the
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) over the methodology used to
compile the National Compensation Survey (NCS), the President's
Pay Agent has not surveyed any potential new locality pay areas
since 1996. Although the Pay Agent has reached an agreement
with the BLS to study areas of concern and make possible
modifications to the National Compensation Survey (NCS)
program, this review, revision, and implementation period will
last an estimated 8-10 years.
The Committee is aware that the Federal Employees Pay
Comparability Act (FEPCA) requires the Council and the Pay
Agent to utilize BLS data in making locality pay designations
and respects the concerns that this data be accurate. However,
the Committee finds it unacceptable that locality pay
designations, which have already been suspended for several
years, may be postponed for another decade. This is certainly
not in keeping with the intent of FEPCA.
The Committee therefore has included bill language (Section
639) that will permit the President's Pay Agent to utilize
appropriate data from sources other than BLS in making new
locality pay designations. The bill language also directs the
President's Pay Agent to report on the status of efforts to
resolve the methodological concerns with the NCS program and on
the efficacy of utilizing non-BLS data in making comparability
payment recommendations.
elder care
The Committee is aware that the Office of Personnel
Management (OPM) is reviewing a variety of issues relating to
elder care. The changing demographics of the federal workforce
make it clear that employers need to recognize the demands on
federal employees, which often make it difficult to balance
conflicting work and family demands. However, when employers
provide family friendly programs, they increase employee
morale, productivity, and retention. Therefore, the Committee
directs OPM to provide a report on options for addressing
federal employees' elder care needs, including any legislative
recommendations that may be appropriate, to the Committee no
later than March 1, 2001.
Office of Inspector General
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $956,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 1,360,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 1,360,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +404,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation provides agencywide audit,
investigative, evaluation, and inspection functions to identify
management and administrative deficiencies, which may create
conditions for fraud, waste and mismanagement. The audits
function provides internal agency audit, insurance audit, and
contract audit services. Contract audits provide professional
advice to agency contracting officials on accounting and
financial matters regarding the negotiation, award,
administration, repricing, and settlement of contracts.
Internal audits review and evaluate all facets of agency
operations, including financial statements. Evaluation and
inspection services provide detailed technical evaluations of
agency operations. Insurance audits review the operations of
health and life insurance carriers, health care providers, and
insurance subscribers. The investigative function provides for
the detection and investigation of improper and illegal
activities involving programs, personnel, and operations.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,360,000 for
the Office of Inspector General, the same amount requested by
the President and $404,000 above the fiscal year 2000
appropriated level.
Government Payment for Annuitants, Employees Health Benefits
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $5,105,395,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 5,427,166,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 5,427,166,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +321,771,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation covers: (1) the Government's share of
the cost of health insurance for 1,851,000 annuitants as
defined in sections 8901 and 8906 of title 5, United States
Code; (2) the Government's share of the cost of health
insurance for about 12,000 annuitants (who were retired when
the Federal employees health benefits law became effective), as
defined in the Retired Federal Employees Health Benefits Act of
1960; and (3) the government's contribution for payment of
administrative expenses incurred by the Office of Personnel
Management in administration of the act.
Government Payment for Annuitants, Employees Life Insurance
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $36,200,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 35,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 35,000,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -1,200,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation finances the Government's share of
premiums, which is one-third the cost, for basic life insurance
for annuitants retiring after December 31, 1989, and who are
less than 65 years old.
Payment to Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $9,120,558,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 8,940,051,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 8,940,051,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... -180,507,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. ................
mission
This appropriation provides for payment of annuities,
including the payment of annuities under special acts for
persons employed on the construction of the Panama Canal or
their widows and widows of employees of the Lighthouse Service;
payment of the government share of retirement costs of the
unfunded liability resulting from any statute authorizing new
or liberalized benefits, extension of retirement coverage, or
pay increases; transfers for interest on unfunded liability and
payment of military service annuities covering interest on the
unfunded liability and annuity disbursements for military
service; payments for spouse equity providing survivor
annuities to eligible former spouses of annuitants who died
between September 1978 and May 1986 and did not elect survivor
coverage; and transfers for payment of FERS supplemental
liability covering annual amortization payments financing
supplemental liabilities for FERS.
Office of Special Counsel
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $9,703,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 11,147,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 10,319,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +616,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -828,000
mission
The Office of Special Counsel: (1) investigates Federal
employee allegations of prohibited personnel practices
(including reprisal for whistleblowing) and, when appropriate,
prosecutes before the Merit Systems Protection Board; (2)
provides a channel for whistleblowing by Federal employees; and
(3) enforces the Hatch Act. The Office may transmit
whistleblower allegations to the agency head concerned and
require an agency investigation and a report to the Congress
and the President when appropriate.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $10,319,000
for the Office of Special Counsel, $828,000 below the amount
requested by the President and an increase of $616,000 above
the fiscal year 2000 appropriated level. The Committee denies
without prejudice the President's request of $772,000 for
additional personnel to reduce case backlog, and $56,000 for
related equipment, travel and training.
United States Tax Court
salaries and expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000 to date............... $35,045,000
Budget estimate, fiscal year 2001..................... 37,439,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 37,305,000
Bill compared with:
Appropriation, fiscal year 2000................... +2,260,000
Budget Estimate, fiscal year 2001................. -134,000
mission
The bulk of the Court's work is the trial and adjudication
of controversies involving deficiencies in income, estate, and
gift taxes. The Court also has jurisdiction to redetermine
deficiencies in certain excise taxes; to issue declaratory
judgments in the areas of qualification of retirement plans,
exemption of charitable organizations and the status of certain
governmental obligations; and to decide certain cases involving
disclosure of tax information by the Commissioner of Internal
Revenue.
recommendation
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $37,305,000
for the U.S. Tax Court, an increase of $2,260,000 above the
level enacted for fiscal year 2000 and a decrease of $134,000
below the budget estimate. The increase is provided to cover
increases in fixed costs so that the U.S. Tax Court can
maintain the current level of service.
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
This Act
Section 501. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the expenditure of funds to the current year unless expressly
provided in this Act.
Section 502. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the expenditure of funds for consulting services under certain
conditions.
Section 503. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds to engage in activities which
would prohibit the enforcement of section 307 of the 1930
Tariff Act.
Section 504. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the transfer of control over the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center out of the Department of the
Treasury.
Section 505. The Committee continues the provision
concerning employment rights of Federal employees who return to
their civilian jobs after assignment with the Armed Forces.
Section 506. The Committee continues the provision
concerning compliance with the Buy American Act.
Section 507. The Committee continues the provision
concerning prohibition of contracts which use certain goods not
made in America.
Section 508. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting contract eligibility where fraudulent intent has
been proven in affixing ``Made in America'' labels.
Section 509. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the expenditure of funds for abortions under the
FEHBP.
Section 510. The Committee continues the provision which
would authorize the expenditure of funds for abortions under
the FEHBP if the life of the mother is in danger or the
pregnancy is a result of an act of rape or incest.
Section 511. The Committee continues the provision
providing that fifty percent of unobligated balances may remain
available for certain purposes.
Section 512. The Committee continues the provision
restricting the use of funds for the White House to request
official background reports without the written consent of the
individual who is the subject of the report.
Section 513. The Committee continues the provision that
cost accounting standards under the Federal Procurement Policy
Act shall not apply to the FEHBP.
Section 514. The Committee includes a new provision that
transfers a parcel of land from the Gerald R. Ford Library and
Museum to the Gerald R. Ford Foundation as trustee, with
reversionary interest.
Section 515. The Committee includes a new provision
requiring OMB to develop guidelines for ensuring and maximizing
the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information
disseminated by federal agencies.
Section 516. The Committee includes a new provision
prohibiting the use of funds to give preference for the
acquisition of a firearm or ammunition based on whether the
manufacturer or vendor of the firearm or ammunition is party to
an agreement with a department, agency, or instrumentality of
the United States regarding codes of conduct, operating
practices, or product design.
Section 517. The Committee includes a new provision
prohibiting the use of funds to allow placement in interstate
or foreign commerce of diamonds that have been mined in Burkina
Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the Republics of
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, or Angola, except for
diamonds certified as originating in the Republic of Sierra
Leone.
Section 518. The Committee includes a new provision
prohibiting the use of funds for the purpose of implementation,
or in preparation for implementation, or the Kyoto Protocol.
This provision shall not be read to restrict the President's
constitutional authority to negotiate international agreements
and shall not apply to any activities authorized under existing
United States law. The Committee notes that the ratified United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is not
self-executing. The Committee also notes that mechanisms found
solely in the Kyoto Protocol have never been authorized. The
Byrd-Hagel Resolution (S. Res. 105-98), which passed with a
vote of 95-0 in July 1997, remains the clearest statement of
the will of the Senate with regard to the Kyoto Protocol.
Through the prohibition contained herein, the Committee is
committed to ensuring that the Administration not implement the
Kyoto Protocol without prior Congressional consent, including
approval of any implementing legislation, regulation, programs,
or initiatives. To the extent that technical assistance and
training, research and policy analysis, dissemination of
findings of research and policy analysis, and the sponsoring of
conferences are approved by Congress and funded by the American
taxpayer, these activities must be balanced. Balance does not
mean merely that there is an acknowledgment of viewpoints
different from those of the Administration, but that qualified
viewpoints are included in numbers equal to those representing
the Administration's positions. The Committee encourages the
commercial export of United States technology that have
positive effects on energy use and the environment. The
Committee notes with disapproval that nearly three years after
the Kyoto Protocol was adopted on December 11, 1997, it still
has not been submitted to the Senator for advise and consent as
to ratification The Committee also notes that the Kyoto
Protocol has not yet entered into force pursuant to Article 25
of the Protocol.
Section 519. The Committee includes a new provision
regarding the use of alternative fuels by the Department of the
Treasury and the General Services Administration.
Section 520. The Committee includes a new provision
regarding apportionment for International Food Assistance
Programs.
TITLE VI--GOVERNMENTWIDE GENERAL PROVISIONS
Departments, Agencies, and Corporations
Section 601. The Committee continues the provision
authorizing agencies to pay costs of travel to the United
States for the immediate families of Federal employees assigned
to foreign duty in the event of a death or a life threatening
illness of the employee.
Section 602. The Committee continues the provision
requiring agencies to administer a policy designed to ensure
that all of its workplaces are free from the illegal use of
controlled substances.
Section 603. The Committee continues the provision
regarding price limitations on vehicles to be purchased by the
Federal Government.
Section 604. The Committee continues the provision allowing
funds made available to agencies for travel, to also be used
for quarters allowances and cost-of-living allowances.
Section 605. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the government, with certain specified exceptions,
from employing non-U.S. citizens whose posts of duty would be
in the continental U.S.
Section 606. The Committee continues the provision ensuring
that agencies will have authority to pay GSA bills for space
renovation and other services.
Section 607. The Committee continues the provision allowing
agencies to finance the costs of recycling and waste prevention
programs with proceeds from the sale of materials recovered
through such programs.
Section 608. The Committee continues the provision
providing that funds may be used by certain groups to pay rent
and other service costs in the District of Columbia.
Section 609. The Committee continues the provision
providing that no funds may be used to pay any person filling a
nominated position who has been rejected by the Senate.
Section 610. The Committee continues the provision
precluding the financing of groups by more than one Federal
agency absent prior and specific statutory approval.
Section 611. The Committee continues the provision
authorizing the Postal Service to employ guards and give them
the same special police powers as GSA guards.
Section 612. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds for enforcing regulations
disapproved in accordance with the applicable law of the U.S.
Section 613. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the pay increases of certain prevailing rate employees.
Section 614. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the amount of funds that can be used for redecoration of
offices under certain circumstances.
Section 615. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the expenditure of funds for the acquisition of
additional law enforcement training facilities.
Section 616. The Committee continues the provision to allow
for interagency funding of national security and emergency
telecommunications initiatives.
Section 617. The Committee continues the provision
requiring agencies to certify that a Schedule C appointment was
not created solely or primarily to detail the employee to the
White House.
Section 618. The Committee continues the provision
requiring agencies to administer a policy designed to ensure
that all workplaces are free from discrimination and sexual
harassment.
Section 619. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the importation of any goods manufactured by forced
or indentured child labor.
Section 620. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the payment of any employee who prohibits,
threatens or prevents another employee from communicating with
Congress.
Section 621. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting Federal training not directly related to the
performance of official duties.
Section 622. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the expenditure of funds for implementation of
agreements in nondisclosure policies unless certain provisions
are included.
Section 623. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting propaganda, publicity and lobbying by executive
agency personnel in support or defeat of legislative
initiatives.
Section 624. The Committee continues the provision
directing OMB to provide an accounting statement and report on
the cumulative costs and benefits of Federal regulatory
programs.
Section 625. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting any Federal agency from disclosing an employee's
home address to any labor organization, absent employee
authorization or court order.
Section 626. The Committee continues and makes permanent
the provision authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to
establish scientific canine explosive detection standards.
Section 627. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting funds to be used to provide non-public information
such as mailing or telephone lists to any person or
organization outside the government without the approval of the
Committees on Appropriations.
Section 628. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds for propaganda and publicity
purposes not authorized by Congress.
Section 629. The Committee continues the provision
directing agency employees to use official time in an honest
effort to perform official duties.
Section 630. The Committee includes a new provision which
delays enactment of Section 638 of Public Law 106-58,
establishing a Chief Financial Officer within the Executive
Office of the President, until May 1, 2001.
Section 631. The Committee continues and includes technical
modifications to the provision addressing contraceptive
coverage in health plans participating in the FEHBP, making it
identical to current law as enacted by Section 625 of the
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2000 and deleting the
names of two plans that no longer participate in the program.
Section 632. The Committee continues the provision
authorizing the use of funds to finance an appropriate share of
the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program.
Section 633. The Committee continues and modifies the
provision authorizing agencies to transfer funds to the Policy
and Operations account of GSA to finance a variety of efforts,
with specific limitations.
Section 634. The Committee continues a provision, with
technical modifications, authorizing an Executive agency to use
certain funds to improve the affordability of child care for
lower income Federal employees. The Provision was initially
included in the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 2000, to provide a one-year demonstration program that
could be evaluated for its effectiveness. However, the Office
of Personnel Management did not finalize regulations until
March 14, 2000, almost half way through the fiscal year. In
addition, many Federal employees plan their child care needs
annually in relation to the school year, preventing full
participation in this program for fiscal year 2000. Based on
these and other factors, the Committee believes that a proper
evaluation of this program requires that this demonstration
project be available to Federal agencies for one complete
fiscal year.
Section 635. The Committee continues the provision that
permits breast feeding in a Federal building or on Federal
property if the woman and child are authorized to be there.
Section 636. The Committee includes a new provision which
permits interagency funding of the National Science and
Technology Council and provides for a report on the budget and
resources of the National Science and Technology Council.
Section 637. The Committee includes a new provision
regarding certain reforms within the FEC, including: a
clarification of election cycle reporting of certain
expenditures, a clarification of permissible use of facsimile
machines and electronic mail to file reports, a clarification
of the treatment of lines of credit obtained by candidates as
commercially reasonably loans, and a change in the deadline for
reporting of major campaign contributions received within the
last 20 days of an election from 48 hours to 24 hours. These
reforms are applicable with respect to elections occurring
after January 2001.
Section 638. The Committee includes a new provision
concerning retirement provisions relating to certain members of
the police force of the Metropolitan Washington Airports
Authority.
Section 639. The Committee has included a new provision
authorizing the President's Pay Agent to use appropriate data
from sources other than the Bureau of Labor Statistics in
making new locality pay designations.
Section 640. The Committee includes a new provision to
restore the federal employee retirement contribution share to
pre-1999 levels.
Section 641. The Committee includes a new provision that
amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to strengthen
the reporting requirements related to the use of federal
aircraft for campaign purposes. Specifically, the language
would require a candidate who uses federal aircraft to travel
to a campaign event to report the type of aircraft used, the
number of people related to the campaign event, and the amount
of reimbursement along with the method used in determining that
amount. This provision does not in any way alter the current
reimbursement provisions as outlined in section 106.3 of
Chapter 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations, ``Allocation of
expenses between campaign and non-campaign related travel,''
but does strengthen the reporting requirements of that use.
Section 642. The Committee includes a new provision making
a modification to the calculation of disability pay for federal
firefighters.
Section 643. The Committee includes a technical provision
modifying the basis for using inactive duty military leave.
Appropriations Can Be Used Only for the Purposes for Which Made
Title 31 of the United States Code makes clear that
appropriations can be used only for the purposes for which they
were appropriated as follows:
Section 1301. Application.
(a) Appropriations shall be applied only to the objects for
which the appropriations were made except as otherwise provided
by law.
Compliance With House Rules
TRANSFER OF FUNDS
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2), rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is submitted describing
the transfer of funds provided in the accompanying bill.
The table shows, by title, department and agency, the
appropriations affected by such transfers:
APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS RECOMMENDED IN THE BILL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Account from which transfer is to
Account to which transfer is to be made Amount be made Amount
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Customs, Salaries and Expenses................. $3,000,000 Harbor Maintenance Fee Collection.. $3,000,000
Federal Departments............................ 1,100,000 Office of National Drug Control 1,100,000
Policy.
State and local entities....................... 97,920,000 Federal Drug Programs--HIDTA....... 97,920,000
Federal Departments............................ 94,080,000 Federal Drug Programs--HIDTA....... 94,080,000
State and local entities....................... 13,050,000 Counterdrug Technology Assessment 13,050,000
Center.
Federal Departments............................ 16,000,000 Counterdrug Technology Assessment 16,000,000
Center.
Federal Departments............................ 219,000,000 Special Forfeiture Fund............ 219,000,000
Personnel Management........................... 101,986,000 Trust Funds of the Office of 101,986,000
Personnel Management.
Inspector General, OPM......................... 9,745,000 Trust Funds of the Office of 9,745,000
Personnel Management.
Merit System Protection Board.................. 2,430,000 Civil Service Retirement and 2,430,000
Disability Trust Fund.
Treasury Department offices, bureaus and other 41,787,000 Department-Wide Systems and Capital 41,787,000
organizations. Investments programs.
Treasury Department offices, bureaus and other 759,000 General Services Administration, 759,000
organizations. Allowances and Office Staff for
Former Presidents.
Treasury Department offices, bureaus, and other 2,000,000 Expanded Access to Financial 2,000,000
organizations. Services.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESCISSION OF FUNDS
In compliance with clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules
of the House of Representatives, the Committee reports that it
recommends no rescissions in the bill.
CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY
Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives states that:
``Each report of a committee on a bill or joint resolution
of a public character, shall include a statement citing the
specific powers granted to the 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 from Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I
of the Constitution of the United States of America that
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.
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3 (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):
TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART III--EMPLOYEES
* * * * * * *
Subpart D--Pay and Allowances
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 55--PAY ADMINISTRATION
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER V--PREMIUM PAY
* * * * * * *
Sec. 5545b. Pay for firefighters
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(d)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4) Notwithstanding section 8114(e)(1), overtime pay for a
firefighter subject to this section for hours in a regular tour
of duty shall be included in any computation pay under section
8114.
* * * * * * *
Sec. 5547. Limitation on premium pay
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(3) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (2), premium
pay for protective services authorized by section 3056(a) of
title 18, United States Code, may be paid without regard to the
biweekly limitation on premium pay except that such premium pay
shall not be payable to an employee to the extent that the
aggregate of the employee's basic and premium pay for the year
would otherwise exceed the annual equivalent of that
limitation. The term premium pay refers to pay authorized by
sections 5542, 5545 (a), (b), and (c), and 5546 (a) and (b) of
this title. Pay authorized by section 5545a of this title will
be treated as basic pay for the purpose of this paragraph to
the extent that it does not cause an employee's biweekly pay to
exceed the limitation in paragraph (2). Payment of additional
premium pay payable under this section may be made in a lump
sum on the last payday of the calendar year.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 63--LEAVE
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--OTHER PAID LEAVE
* * * * * * *
Sec. 6323. Military leave; Reserves and National Guardsmen
(a)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(3) The minimum charge for leave under this subsection is one
hour, and additional charges are in multiples thereof.
Subpart G--Insurance and Annuities
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 83--RETIREMENT
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER III--CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT
* * * * * * *
Sec. 8334. Deductions, contributions, and deposits
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c) Each employee or Member credited with civilian service
after July 31, 1920, for which retirement deductions or
deposits have not been made, may deposit with interest an
amount equal to the following percentages of his basic pay
received for that service:
Percentage of basic pay
Service period
Employee............................... 2\1/2\................... August 1, 1920, to June 30, 1926.
* * * * * * *
[7.5..................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[7....................... After December 31, 2002.]
7........................ After December 31, 2000.
Member or employee for Congressional 2\1/2\................... August 1, 1920, to June 30, 1926.
employee service.
* * * * * * *
[8....................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[7.5..................... After December 31, 2002.]
7.5...................... After December 31, 2000.
* * * * * * *
Law enforcement officer for law 2\1/2\................... August 1, 1920, to June 30, 1926.
enforcement service and firefighter 3\1/2\................... July 1, 1926, to June 30, 1942.
for firefighter service.
* * * * * * *
[8....................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[7.5..................... After December 31, 2002.]
7.5...................... After December 31, 2000.
Bankruptcy judge....................... 2\1/2\................... August 1, 1920, to June 30, 1926.
* * * * * * *
[8.5..................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[8....................... After December 31, 2002.]
8........................ After December 31, 2000.
Judge of the United States Court of 6........................ May 5, 1950, to October 31, 1956.
Appeals for the Armed Forces for 6\1/2\................... November 1, 1956, to December 31, 1969.
service as a judge of that court.
* * * * * * *
[8.5..................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[8....................... After December 31, 2002.]
8........................ After December 31, 2000.
United States magistrate............... 2\1/2\................... August 1, 1920, to June 30, 1926.
* * * * * * *
[8.5..................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[8....................... After December 31, 2002.]
8........................ After December 31, 2000.
Court of Federal Claims Judge.......... 2\1/2\................... August 1, 1920, to June 30, 1926.
* * * * * * *
[8.5..................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[8....................... After December 31, 2002.]
8........................ After December 31, 2000.
Member of the Capitol Police........... 2.5...................... August 1, 1920, to June 30, 1926.
* * * * * * *
[8....................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[7.5..................... After December 31, 2002.]
7.5...................... After December 31, 2000.
Nuclear materials courier.............. 7........................ October 1, 1977 to October 16, 1998.
* * * * * * *
[8....................... January 1, 2001 to December 31, 2002.
[7.5..................... After December 31, 2002.]
7.5...................... After December 31, 2000.
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 84--FEDERAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM
* * * * * * *
SUBCHAPTER II--BASIC ANNUITY
* * * * * * *
Sec. 8422. Deductions from pay; contributions for military service
(a)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
[(3) The applicable percentage under this paragraph for
civilian service shall be as follows:
[Employee............................... 7...................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
7.25................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.4.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
7.5.................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
7...................... After December 31, 2002.
Congressional employee.................. 7.5.................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
7.75................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
8...................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
7.5.................... After December 31, 2002.
Member.................................. 7.5.................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
7.75................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
8...................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
7.5.................... After December 31, 2002.
Law enforcement officer, firefighter, 7.5.................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
member of the Capitol Police, or air
traffic controller.
7.75................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
8...................... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
7.5.................... After December 31, 2002.]
(3) The applicable percentage under this paragraph for
civilian service shall be as follows:
Employee................................ 7...................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
7.25................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.4.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
7...................... After December 31, 2000.
Congressional employee.................. 7.5.................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
7.75................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
7.5.................... After December 31, 2000.
Member.................................. 7.5.................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
7.75................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
8...................... January 1 2001, to December 31, 2002.
7.5.................... After December 31, 2002.
Law enforcement officer, firefighter, 7.5.................... January 1, 1987, to December 31, 1998.
member of the Capitol Police, or air
traffic controller.
7.75................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
7.5.................... After December 31, 2000.
Nuclear materials courier............... 7...................... January 1, 1987, to October 16, 1998.
7.5.................... October 17, 1998, to December 31, 1998.
7.75................... January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9.................... January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
7.5.................... After December 31, 2000.
(e)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(6) The percentage of basic pay under section 204 of title 37
payable under paragraph (1), with respect to any period of
military service performed during--
(A) January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, shall
be 3.25 percent; and
(B) January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000, shall
be 3.4 percent[; and].
[(C) January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2002,
shall be 3.5 percent.]
(f)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4) The percentage of the readjustment allowance or stipend
(as the case may be) payable under paragraph (1), with respect
to any period of volunteer service performed during--
(A) January 1, 1999, through December 31, 1999, shall
be 3.25 percent; and
(B) January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2000, shall
be 3.4 percent[; and].
[(C) January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2002,
shall be 3.5 percent.]
* * * * * * *
----------
TREASURY AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2000
PUBLIC LAW 106-58
* * * * * * *
TITLE IV--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
* * * * * * *
Sec. 411. Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment for
Employees of the General Services Administration. (a)
Authority.--During the period October 1, 1999, through [April
30, 2001] April 30, 2002, the Administrator of General Services
is authorized to offer a voluntary separation incentive in
order to provide the necessary flexibility to carry out the
closing of the Federal Supply Service distribution centers,
forward supply points, and associated programs in a manner
which the Administrator shall deem most efficient, equitable to
all employees, and cost effective for the Government.
* * * * * * *
(e) Eligibility for Payments.--Payments under this section
may be made to any qualifying employee who voluntarily
separates, whether by retirement or resignation, between
October 1, 1999 through [April 30, 2001] April 30, 2002.
* * * * * * *
TITLE VI--GENERAL PROVISIONS
* * * * * * *
Sec. 638. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(h) Effective Date.--This section shall take effect [at noon
on January 20, 2001] on May 1, 2001.
* * * * * * *
----------
FEDERAL ELECTION CAMPAIGN ACT OF 1971
* * * * * * *
TITLE III--DISCLOSURE OF FEDERAL CAMPAIGN FUNDS
definitions
Sec. 301. When used in this Act:
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(8)(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
(B) The term ``contribution'' does not include--
(i) * * *
* * * * * * *
(xiii) payments made by a candidate or the authorized
committee of a candidate as a condition of ballot
access and payments received by any political party
committee as a condition of ballot access; [and]
(xiv) any honorarium (within the meaning of section
323 of this Act)[.]; and
(xv) any loan of money derived from an advance on a
candidate's brokerage account, credit card, home equity
line of credit, or other line of credit available to
the candidate, if such loan is made in accordance with
applicable law and under commercially reasonable terms
and if the person making such loan makes loans in the
normal course of the person's business.
* * * * * * *
reports
Sec. 304. (a)(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(5) If a designation, report, or statement filed pursuant to
this Act (other than under paragraph (2)(A)(i) [or (4)(A)(ii)]
or (4)(A)(ii), or the second sentence of subsection (c)(2) is
sent by registered or certified mail, the United States
postmark shall be considered the date of filing of the
designation, report, or statement.
(6)(A) The principal campaign committee of a candidate shall
notify the Secretary or the Commission, and the Secretary of
State, as appropriate, in writing, of any contribution of
$1,000 or more received by any authorized committee of such
candidate [after the 20th day, but more than 48 hours before
any election] during the period which begins after the 20th day
before an election and ends at the time the polls close for
such election. This notification shall be made [within 48 hours
after the receipt of such contribution] not later than 24 hours
after the receipt of such contribution or midnight of the day
on which the contribution is deposited (whichever is earlier),
and shall include the name of the candidate and the office
sought by the candidate, the indentification of the
contributor, and the date of receipt and amount of the
contribution.
* * * * * * *
(b) Each report under this section shall disclose--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(5) the name and address of each--
(A) person to whom an expenditure in an
aggregate amount or value in excess of $200
within the calendar year (or election cycle, in
the case of an authorized committee of a
candidate for Federal office) is made by the
reporting committee to meet a candidate or
committee operating expense, together with the
date, amount, and purpose of such operating
expenditure;
* * * * * * *
(6)(A) for an authorized committee, the name and
address of each person who has received any
disbursement not disclosed under paragraph (5) in an
aggregate amount or value in excess of $200 within the
[calendar year (or election cycle, in the case of an
authorized committee of a candidate for Federal
office)] election cycle, together with the date and
amount of any such disbursement;
(B) for any other political committee, the name and
address of each--
(i) * * *
* * * * * * *
(iii) person who receives any disbursement
during the reporting period in an aggregate
amount or value in excess of $200 within the
calendar year [(or election cycle, in the case
of an authorized committee of a candidate for
Federal office)] in connection with an
independent expenditure by the reporting
committee, together with the date, amount, and
purpose of any such independent expenditure and
a statement which indicates whether such
independent expenditure is in support of, or in
opposition to, a candidate, as well as the name
and office sought by such candidate, and a
certification, under penalty of perjury,
whether such independent expenditure is made in
cooperation, consultation, or concert, with, or
at the request or suggestion of, any candidate
or any authorized committee or agent of such
committee;
* * * * * * *
(v) person who has received any disbursement
not otherwise disclosed in this paragraph or
paragraph (5) in an aggregate amount or value
in excess of $200 within the calendar year [(or
election cycle, in the case of an authorized
committee of a candidate for Federal office)]
from the reporting committee within the
reporting period, together with the date,
amount, and purpose of any such disbursement;
* * * * * * *
(c)(1) * * *
(2) Statements required to be filed by this subsection shall
be filed in accordance with subsection (a)(2), and shall
include--
* * * * * * *
Any independent expenditure (including those described in
subsection (b)(6)(B)(iii) aggregating $1,000 or more made after
the 20th day, but more than 24 hours, before any election
[shall be reported] shall be filed within 24 hours after such
independent expenditure is made. Such statement shall be filed
with the Secretary or the Commission and the Secretary of State
and shall contain the information required by subsection
(b)(6)(B)(iii) indicating whether the independent expenditure
is in support of, or in opposition to, the candidate involved.
Notwithstanding subsection (a)(5), the time at which the
statement under this subsection is received by the Secretary,
the Commission, or any other recipient to whom the notification
is required to be sent shall be considered the time of filing
of the statement with the recipient.
* * * * * * *
(d)(1) Any person who is required to file a report,
designation, or statement under this Act, except those required
to file electronically pursuant to subsection (a)(11)(A)(i),
with respect to a contribution or expenditure not later than 24
hours after the contribution or expenditure is made or received
may file the report, designation, or statement by facsimile
device or electronic mail, in accordance with such regulations
as the Commission may promulgate.
(2) The Commission shall make a document which is filed
electronically with the Commission pursuant to this paragraph
accessible to the public on the Internet not later than 24
hours after the document is received by the Commission.
(3) In promulgating a regulation under this paragraph, the
Commission shall provide methods (other than requiring a
signature on the document being filed) for verifying the
documents covered by the regulation. Any document verified
under any of the methods shall be treated for all purposes
(including penalties for perjury) in the same manner as a
document verified by signature.
(e)(1) In addition to any other information required to be
reported under this section, the principal campaign committee
of a candidate for the House of Representatives or for the
Senate who uses any aircraft of the Federal government for any
purpose which includes (in whole or in part) carrying out the
candidate's campaign for election for Federal office (including
using an aircraft of the Federal government for transportation
to or from a campaign event), shall file with the Commission a
statement containing the following information:
(A) A description of the aircraft used, including the
type or model.
(B) The number of individuals who used the aircraft,
including the candidate and those whose use of the
aircraft was paid for (in whole or in part) by the
committee.
(C) The amount the candidate paid to reimburse the
Federal government for the use of the aircraft,
together with the methodology used to determine such
amount, in accordance with section 106.3 of title 11,
Code of Federal Regulations.
(2) The statements required under this subsection shall be
included with the reports filed by the principal campaign
committee under subsection (a)(2), except that any statement
with respect to the use of any aircraft after the 20th day, but
more than 48 hours before the election shall be filed in
accordance with subsection (a)(6).
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 7001 OF THE BALANCED BUDGET ACT OF 1997
SEC. 7001. INCREASED CONTRIBUTIONS TO FEDERAL CIVILIAN RETIREMENT
SYSTEMS.
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c) Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability
System.--
(1) * * *
(2) Individual deductions, withholdings, and
deposits.--Notwithstanding section 211(a)(1) of the
Central Intelligence Agency Retirement Act (50 U.S.C.
2021(a)(1)) beginning on January 1, 1999, through
[December 31, 2002] December 31, 2000, the percentage
deducted and withheld from the basic pay of an employee
participating in the Central Intelligence Agency
Retirement and Disability System shall be as follows:
7.25............ January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.4............. January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
[7.5............ January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.]
* * * * * * *
(d) Foreign Service Retirement and Disability System.--
(1) * * *
(2) Individual deductions, withholdings, and
deposits.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section
805(a)(1) of the Foreign Service Act of 1980
(22 U.S.C. 4045(a)(1)), beginning on January 1,
1999, through [December 31, 2002] December 31,
2000, the amount withheld and deducted from the
basic pay of a participant in the Foreign
Service Retirement and Disability System shall
be as follows:
7.25............ January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.4............. January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
[7.5............ January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.]
(B) Foreign service criminal investigators/
inspectors of the office of the inspector
general, agency for international
development.--Notwithstanding section 805(a)(2)
of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C.
4045(a)(2)), beginning on January 1, 1999,
through [December 31, 2002] December 31, 2000,
the amount withheld and deducted from the basic
pay of an eligible Foreign Service criminal
investigator/inspector of the Office of the
Inspector General, Agency for International
Development participating in the Foreign
Service Retirement and Disability System shall
be as follows:
7.75............ January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
7.9............. January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
[8.............. January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.]
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 252 OF THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY RETIREMENT ACT
SEC. 252. PRIOR SERVICE CREDIT.
(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(h)(1)(A) Each participant who has performed military service
before the date of separation on which entitlement to an
annuity under this title is based may pay to the Agency an
amount equal to 7 percent of the amount of basic pay paid under
section 204 of title 37, United States Code, to the participant
for each period of military service after December 1956;
except, the amount to be paid for military service performed
beginning on January 1, 1999, through [December 31, 2002]
December 31, 2000, shall be as follows:
7.25 percent of basic January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
pay.
7.4 percent of basic January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
pay.
[7.5 percent of basic January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.]
pay.
* * * * * * *
----------
FOREIGN SERVICE ACT OF 1980
Chapter 8--Foreign Service Retirement and Disability
subchapter i--foreign service retirement and disability system
* * * * * * *
Sec. 805. Contributions to the Fund.--(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(d)(1) Any participant credited with civilian service after
July 1, 1924--
(A) for which no retirement contributions,
deductions, or deposits have been made, or
(B) for which a refund of such contributions,
deductions, or deposits has been made which has not
been redeposited,
may make a special contribution to the Fund. Special
contributions for purposes of subparagraph (A) shall equal the
following percentages of basic salary received for such
service:
Percent of
basic salary
Time of service:
July 1, 1924, through October 15, 1960, inclusive............. 5
* * * * * * *
[January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2002, inclusive........ 7.5
[After December 31, 2002...................................... 7]
After December 31, 2000....................................... 7
Special contributions for refunds under subparagraph (B) shall
equal the amount of the refund received by the participant.
* * * * * * *
subchapter ii--foreign service pension system
* * * * * * *
Sec. 854. Creditable Service.--(a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c)(1) Credit shall be given under this System to a
participant for a period of prior satisfactory service as--
(A) * * *
* * * * * * *
if the participant makes a payment to the Fund equal to 3
percent of pay received for the volunteer service; except, the
amount to be paid for volunteer service beginning on January 1,
1999, through [December 31, 2002] December 31, 2000, shall be
as follows:
3.25............. January 1, 1999, to December 31, 1999.
3.4.............. January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2000.
[3.5............. January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.]
* * * * * * *
Sec. 856. Deductions and Withholdings From Pay.--(a)(1) * * *
(2) The applicable percentage under this subsection shall be
as follows:
7.5.............. Before January 1, 1999.
* * * * * * *
[8............... January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2002.
[7.5............. After December 31, 2002.]
7.5.............. After December 31, 2000.
* * * * * * *
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as
amended, the financial assistance to State and local
governments is as follows:
Millions
FY 2001 new budget authority.................................. 192
2001 outlays resulting therefrom............................. 158
COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives
requires an explanation of compliance with section 308(a)(1)(A)
of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974
(Public Law 93-344), as amended, detailing how the authority
compares with the reports submitted under section 302(b) of the
Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on
the budget for the fiscal year. This information follows:
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) allocation This bill--
---------------------------------------------------
Budget Budget
authority Outlays authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary............................................... 14,257 14,713 14,402 14,726
Mandatory................................................... 14,708 14,628 14,679 14,713
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note.--Pursuant to section 314 of the Congresssional Budget Act of 1974, as amended, increases to the
Committee's section 302(a) allocation are authorized for funding in the reported bill for the Earned Income
Tax Credit Compliance Initiative. After the bill is reported to the House, the Chairman of the Committee on
the Budget will provide an increased section 302(a) allocation consistent with the funding provided in the
bill.
FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as
amended, the following table contains five-year projections
associated with the budget authority provided in the
accompanying bill:
Millions
Budget Authority.............................................. $29,082
Outlays:
Fiscal year 2001.......................................... 25,955
Fiscal year 2002.......................................... 2,027
Fiscal year 2003.......................................... 358
Fiscal year 2004.......................................... 131
Fiscal year 2005 and future years......................... 61
Note.--The above table includes mandatory appropriations and
discretionary approporiations.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CLAUSE 3(f)(1)
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the Committee has inserted at the
appropriate place in the report a description of the effects of
provisions proposed in the accompanying bill which may be
considered, under certain circumstances, to change the
application of existing law, either directly or indirectly.
The bill provides, in some instances, for funding of
agencies and activities where legislation has not yet been
finalized. In addition, the bill carries language, in some
instances, permitting activities not authorized by law, or
exempting agencies from certain provisions of law, but which
has been carried in appropriations acts for many years.
Additionally, the Committee includes a number of new general
provisions.
In title IV of the bill, in connection with the General
Services Administration, certain limitations on availability of
revenue in the Federal Buildings Fund and certain legislative
provisions have been carried forward from last year.
The bill continues a number of general provisions applying
to agencies covered by the bill as well as certain provisions
applying Government-wide. These provisions have been carried in
the prior year appropriations bill, and a number of them have
been carried for many years. Additionally, the Committee
includes a number of new general provisions.
TITLE I--DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Departmental Offices
The Committee has continued language which provides funds
for operation and maintenance of the Treasury Building and
Annex, hire of passenger motor vehicles; maintenance, repairs,
and improvements of, and purchase of commercial insurance
policies for real properties leased or owned overseas; official
travel expenses, official reception and representation
expenses; and unforeseen emergencies of a confidential nature.
The Committee includes new language providing funds for grants
to state and local law enforcement groups to help fight money
laundering.
DEPARTMENT-WIDE SYSTEMS AND CAPITAL INVESTMENTS PROGRAM
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the development and acquisition of automated data
processing equipment, software, and services, providing
transfer authority, and prohibiting expenditures for IRS's
Information Technology Systems.
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL
The Committee has continued language that provides funds to
carry out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978,
the hire of vehicles, official travel expenses, and unforeseen
emergencies.
INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION
The Committee has continued language that provides for the
purchase and hire of motor vehicles, services by 5 U.S.C. 3109,
travel expenses, and unforeseen emergencies.
TREASURY BUILDINGS AND ANNEX REPAIR AND RESTORATION
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the repair, alteration, and improvement of the Treasury
Building and Annex.
FINANCIAL CRIMES ENFORCEMENT NETWORK
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for hire of vehicles and official reception and representation
expenses; the travel of non-federal personnel attending
conferences or meetings involving financial law enforcement,
intelligence, and regulation; the purchase of personal services
contracts; and allowing FinCEN to provide assistance to federal
law enforcement agencies with or without reimbursement.
EXPANDED ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,000,000 for
the Secretary of the Treasury to develop and implement a pilot
program to expand access to financial services to low-income
individuals who do not currently utilize bank accounts or other
financial service opportunities.
FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TRAINING CENTER
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for: material and support costs of basic training; the purchase
and hire of vehicles; student athletic and related activities;
uniform purchases; for the conduct of and participation in
firearms matches, and presentation of awards; room and board
for interns; training U.S. Postal Service, State and local law
enforcement personnel; training of foreign law enforcement
personnel on a space available, reimbursable basis with
discretion by the Secretary to waive reimbursement; training of
private sector security officials on a reimbursable space
available basis; travel expenses of non-federal personnel to
attend course development meetings and training sponsored by
the Center; training for the GREAT program; and the provision
of short term medical services for students undergoing training
at the center. It has also continued language authorizing
acceptance of gifts, including funding of a gift for certain
honor graduate students, and to authorize obligation of funds
in anticipation of reimbursements from agencies receiving
training at the Center, provided that total obligations do not
exceed total budgetary resources at the end of the fiscal year.
ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENTS, AND RELATED EXPENSES
The Committee has continued language for acquisition of
necessary additional real property and facilities, and for
ongoing maintenance, facility improvements, and related
expenses, to remain available until expended.
INTERAGENCY CRIME AND DRUG ENFORCEMENT
The Committee has continued language funding Treasury
participation in and contribution to regional crime and drug
enforcement task forces.
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SERVICE
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the necessary expenses of the Financial Management Service
and provides that funds for systems modernization will remain
available for three years.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
The Committee has continued language which provides funds
for the purchase of vehicles, the hire of aircraft, the
services of expert witnesses, official reception and
representation expenses, training of State and local law
enforcement agencies, the provision of laboratory assistance to
State and local agencies, the payment of attorney's fees, the
equipping of certain vessels, vehicles, equipment or aircraft.
The Committee has continued language that provides that no
funds shall be used to consolidate or centralize the records
pertaining to firearms licenses; and prohibits the payment of
administrative expenses in changing the definition of curios or
relics; prohibiting the transfer of ATF's functions to another
federal agency; prohibiting electronic retrieval of information
gathered pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 923(g)(4) by name or personal
identification; and prohibiting ATF from acting upon
applications for relief from Federal firearms disabilities. The
Committee modifies language relating to payment of per diem
and/or subsistence allowances to cover situations where a major
investigative assignment requires an employee to work 16 hours
or more per day or to remain overnight at his or her post of
duty; and includes new language providing not to exceed $50,000
for cooperative research and development programs for
Laboratory Services and Fire Research Center activities.
United States Customs Service
SALARIES AND EXPENSES
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the purchase and hire of vehicles, official reception and
representation expenses, personal services contracts abroad,
compensation to informers, rental space for pre-clearance
operations, special operations, procurement of automation
infrastructure items, research, uniforms, repairs to Customs
facilities, the child pornography tipline and Project Alert.
The Committee continues the provision establishing the
aggregate overtime limitation.
HARBOR MAINTENANCE FEE COLLECTION
The Committee has continued language relating to the
appropriations of funds to be transferred to and merged with
the Customs Salaries and Expenses account to be used for the
collection of the Harbor Maintenance Fee pursuant to Public Law
103-182.
OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND PROCUREMENT, AIR AND MARINE INTERDICTION
PROGRAMS
The Committee has continued language providing funds for
the operation and maintenance of marine vessels, aircraft and
other equipment; operational training and mission-related
travel; rental payments; operations for interdiction of
narcotics and other goods; provision of support to Customs and
other federal, state, or local agencies in enforcement or
administration of laws enforced by Customs; and for other law
enforcement and emergency humanitarian efforts; and prohibiting
transfer of certain aircraft without prior Committee approval.
AUTOMATION MODERNIZATION
The Committee has included new language funding major
information technology projects for the U.S. Customs Service,
providing that funds are available until expended and
prohibiting the obligation of funds for the Automated
Commercial Environment program until certain conditions are
met.
Bureau of the Public Debt
The Committee has continued language which provides funds
may be used for reception and representation expenses and
language which provides that a portion of the funds will remain
available until expended. The Committee has also continued
language which provides that appropriations from the General
Fund will be reduced as fees are collected and language which
provides that funds are to be derived from the Oil Spill
Liability Trust Fund for administration of the Fund.
Internal Revenue Service
PROCESSING, ASSISTANCE, AND MANAGEMENT
The Committee has continued language providing funds for
the management services, rent and utilities, services
authorized by 5 USC 3109, and official reception and
representation expenses. The Committee has also continued
language providing funds for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly
program, and has included new language providing an independent
taxpayer advocate within the Service.
TAX LAW ENFORCEMENT
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the purchase and hire of vehicles, and services authorized
by 5 USC 3109. The Committee continues language providing that
funds provided for research shall be available for two fiscal
years. The Committee includes new language referencing tax
exempt customers.
EARNED INCOME TAX CREDIT COMPLIANCE INITIATIVE
The Committee has continued language providing that funds
may be used to reimburse the Social Security Administration.
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for information systems and telecommunications support and
funds for the hire of motor vehicles.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS--INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE
Section 101. The Committee continues the provision that
allows the transfer of 5 percent of any appropriation, made
available to the IRS to any other IRS appropriation, subject to
prior Congressional approval.
Section 102. The Committee continues the provision that
requires the IRS to maintain a training program in taxpayer's
rights, dealing courteously with taxpayers, and cross cultural
relations.
Section 103. The Committee continues the provision that
requires the IRS to institute policies and procedures, which
will safeguard the confidentiality of taxpayer information.
United States Secret Service
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the purchase and hire of motor vehicles, the hire of
aircraft, training and assistance requested by State and local
governments, services of expert witnesses, rental of certain
buildings, improvements to buildings as may be necessary for
protective functions, per diem and subsistence allowance, the
conduct of firearms matches, presentation of awards, travel of
employees on protective missions, for repairs, alterations, and
minor construction, making grants to conduct behavioral
research, uniforms, research reimbursement for protection as
authorized by law, reception and representation expenses,
assistance to foreign law enforcement for counterfeit
investigations. The Committee continues language permitting
some funding for protective travel to remain available for two
years. The Committee includes new language making funds
available as a grant for activities related to the
investigations of exploited children.
ACQUISITION, CONSTRUCTION, IMPROVEMENT, AND RELATED EXPENSES
The Committee has continued language providing funds for
the acquisition, construction, improvement, and related
expenses of Secret Service facilities.
GENERAL PROVISIONS--DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Section 110. The Committee continues the provision that
requires the Secretary of the Treasury to comply with certain
reprogramming guidelines when obligating or expending funds for
law enforcement activities.
Section 111. The Committee continues the provision that
allows the Department of the Treasury to purchase uniforms,
insurance, and motor vehicles without regard to the general
purchase price limitation, and enter in to contracts with the
State Department for health and medical services for Treasury
employees in overseas locations.
Section 112. The Committee continues the provision that
requires expenditures of funds so as not to diminish efforts
under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act.
Section 113. The Committee continues the provision that
authorizes transfers, up to 2 percent, between law enforcement
appropriations under certain circumstances.
Section 114. The Committee continues the provision that
authorizes transfers, up to 2 percent, between Departmental
Offices, Office of the Inspector General, Financial Management
Service, and the Bureau of the Public Debt appropriations under
certain circumstances.
Section 115. The Committee includes a new provision that
authorizes transfer, up to 2 percent, between the Internal
Revenue Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax
Administration under certain circumstances.
Section 116. The Committee continues the provision that
provides that no funds may be obligated for the purchase of law
enforcement vehicles until the Secretary of the Treasury
certifies that the purchase is consistent with Departmental
vehicle management principles.
Section 117. The Committee continues the provision that
prohibits the Department of the Treasury from undertaking a
redesign of the $1 Federal Reserve note.
Section 118. The Committee continues and makes permanent
the provision which amends Title 5 USC 5547 and authorizes
Federal Law Enforcement agencies to pay their employees premium
pay in excess of the pay period limitation for protective
services authorized by Section 3056 (a) of title 18, United
States Code.
Section 119. The Committee includes a new provision that
provides for transfers from and reimbursements to the Salaries
and Expenses appropriation of the Financial Management Service
for the purposes of debt collection.
Section 120. The Committee includes a new provision that
requires that no reorganization of the US Customs Service shall
result in a reduction in service to the area served by the Port
of Racine, Wisconsin, below the level of service provided in
fiscal year 2000.
Section 121. The Committee includes a new provision
authorizing and directing the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms to reimburse the subcontractor that provided services
in 1993 and 1994 pursuant to Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and
Firearms contract number TAFF 93-3 out of fiscal year 2001
appropriations or prior year unobligated balances.
Section 122. The Committee has included a new provision
making obligation or expenditure of funds by the Treasury
Department for new law enforcement training facilities
contingent on approval by House and Senate Appropriations
Committees, after submission to the Committee of a General
Accounting Office assessment of the need for, and cost
effectiveness of, such a facility.
TITLE II--POSTAL SERVICE
Payment to the Postal Service Fund
The Committee has continued language that prohibits funds
made available to the Postal Service from being used to close
or consolidate certain post offices, from charging employees of
local and child support agencies a fee for information,
provides funds for free mail for the blind, and for six day
mail delivery and rural delivery of mail at existing levels.
The Committee has continued language making certain funds
available on October 1, 2001.
TITLE III--EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO
THE PRESIDENT
Compensation of the President and the White House Office
The Committee has continued language that mandates that
unused amounts of the President's expense allowance will revert
to the Treasury and not be taxable to the President and which
provides funds for service authorized by 5 USC 3109,
subsistence expenses, hire of vehicles, newspapers,
periodicals, teletype news service, travel, and official
entertainment expenses. The Committee has continued language
making funds available for reimbursement to the White House
Communications Agency.
Executive Residence at the White House
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for operation and maintenance of the White House for official
entertainment expenses; language specifying the authorized use
of funds; language specifying that reimbursable expenses are
the exclusive authority of the Executive Residence to incur
obligations and receive offsetting collections; language
requiring the sponsors of political events to make advance
payments; language requiring the national committee of the
political party of the President to maintain $25,000 on
deposit; language requiring the Executive Residence to ensure
that amounts owed are billed within 60 days of a reimbursable
event and collected within 30 days of the bill notice; language
authorizing the Executive Residence to charge and assess
interest and penalties on late payments; language authorizing
all reimbursements to be deposited into the Treasury as a
miscellaneous receipt; language requiring a report to the
Committee on the reimbursable expenses within 90 days of the
end of the fiscal year; language requiring the Executive
Residence to maintain a system for tracking and classifying
reimbursable events; and language specifying that the Executive
Residence is not exempt from the requirements of subchapter I
or II of chapter 37 of title 31, United States Code.
White House Repairs and Restoration
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the repair, alteration, and improvement of the Executive
Residence at the White House and includes new language which
allows the funds to be used for Presidential transition and
telecommunications infrastructure repair.
Special Assistance to the President and Official Residence of the Vice
President
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for operation and maintenance of the official residence of the
Vice President, the hire of vehicles, official entertainment
expenses and provides for the transfer of funds as necessary.
The Committee has continued language that enables the Vice
President to provide assistance to the President, services
authorized by 5 USC 3109, subsistence, and the hire for
vehicles.
Council of Economic Advisers
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the expenses of the Council of Economic Advisers.
Office of Policy Development
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses of the Office of Policy Development.
National Security Council
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses of the National Security Council.
Office of Administration
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses of the Office and the hire of vehicles and funds
for a capital investment plan which provides for the continued
modernization of the information technology infrastructure.
Office of Management and Budget
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses, the hire of vehicles, carrying out provisions of
chapter 35 of 44 USC, directs that funds shall be applied only
to items for which appropriations were made, prohibits the
review of agricultural marketing orders and the alteration of
certain testimony.
Office of National Drug Control Policy
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses, research, official reception and representation
expenses, participation in joint projects, and allows for the
acceptance of gifts. The Committee has continued language
providing funds for model state drug law conferences and policy
research and evaluation and include new language making these
funds available until expended.
Counterdrug Technology Assessment Center
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for counternarcotics research and development and the
technology transfer program. The Committee includes new
language that provides funds for a grant to the U.S. Olympic
Committee for its anti-doping program.
Federal Drug Control Programs--High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
Program
The Committee has continued language that provides a
certain level of funding for drug control activities for state,
local and federal drug control efforts, and requires obligation
of funds within a specified period of time. The Committee
includes new language allowing federal funds to remain
available until September 30, 2002.
Federal Drug Control Programs--Special Forfeiture Fund
The Committee has continued language that provides a
certain level of funding for national youth anti-drug media
campaign, for the Drug-Free Communities Act, and to provide a
grant to the National Drug Court Institute. The Committee
includes new funding available for transfer or reimbursement
for the costs of operating the Counterdrug Intelligence
Executive Secretariat.
TITLE IV--INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
Commission for Purchase From People Who are Blind or Severely Disabled
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses of the Committee.
Federal Election Commission
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses of the Commission and specifying a level of
funding for internal automated data processing systems and
reception and representation expenses.
Federal Labor Relations Authority
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the expenses of the authority, including authorized
services, hire of experts and consultants, hire of passenger
motor vehicles, and rental of conference rooms in the District
of Columbia. The Committee has also continued a provision that
public members of the Federal Service Impasse Panel may be paid
travel expenses and that fees charged to non-Federal
participants at labor-management relations conferences shall be
credited and merged with this account.
General Services Administration
federal buildings fund
The Committee has continued language dealing with the
conditions under which funds made available to the Federal
Buildings Fund can be used. Many technical provisions have been
included regarding use of funds in the Federal Buildings Fund
which are not specifically authorized by law.
The Committee has included language to limit funds
available for building projects not authorized by law. A more
detailed analysis of the Federal Buildings Funds can be found
in the General Services Administration chapter of this report.
policy and operations
The Committee continues language which provides funds for
government-wide policy and oversight activities, the Board of
Contract Appeals, accounting records management and other
services incident to adjudication of Indian Tribal Claims,
services authorized by 5 USC 3109, and official reception and
representation expenses. The Committee continues language which
provides that a portion of the funds appropriated will remain
available until expended.
office of inspector general
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for services authorized by 5 USC 3109 expenses for the Office,
payment for information and detection of fraud, and awards.
allowances and office staff for former presidents
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for compliance with Public Law 95-138.
general provisions--general services administration
Section 401. The Committee continues the provision that
provides that costs included in rent received from government
corporations for operation, protection, maintenance, upkeep,
repair and improvement shall be credited to the Federal
Buildings Fund.
Section 402. The Committee continues the provision
providing authority for the use of funds for the hire of motor
vehicles.
Section 403. The Committee continues the provision
providing that funds made available for activities of the
Federal Buildings Fund may be transferred between
appropriations with advance approval of the Congress.
Section 404. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds for developing courthouse
construction requests that do not meet GSA standards and
priorities of the Judicial Conference.
Section 405. The Committee continues the provision
providing that no funds may be used to increase the amount of
occupiable square feet, provide cleaning services, security
enhancements, or any other service usually provided, to any
agency which does not pay the requested rent.
Section 406. The Committee continues the provision
providing for Information Technology Fund repayment from
sponsored projects that realize program savings.
Section 407. The Committee continues the provision that
permits GSA to pay small claims (up to $250,000) made against
the government.
Section 408. The Committee modifies a provision of the
fiscal year 2000 appropriations act to provide a one-year
extension to the period for which voluntary separation
incentive payments may be offered by the Administrator of the
General Services Administration to qualified employees.
Merit Systems Protection Board
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the Board.
National Archives and Records Administration
operating expenses
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the review and declassification of documents, the hire of
passenger vehicles, and language that authorizes the Archivist
to use excess funds available from the amount borrowed for
construction of the National Archives facility for expenses
necessary to provide storage for holdings.
repairs and restoration
The Committee has included language that provides funds for
the repair, alteration, and improvement of archives facilities
and presidential libraries.
Office of Government Ethics
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the Office.
Office of Personnel Management
The Committee has continued language that provides for
expenses of the Office, services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109,
medical examinations under certain conditions, rental of
conference rooms, hire of vehicles, official reception, and
representation expenses, advances for reimbursement per diem
and/or subsistence allowances for employees affected by Voting
Rights Act activities, transfers to appropriate trust funds,
prohibition of funds for the Legal Examining Unit, authority to
accept donations for the White House Fellows program, and
making funds available until expended for automating retirement
record keeping.
Office of Inspector General
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for expenses of the Office, audit of the retirement and
insurance programs, and the rental of conference rooms.
government payment for annuitants, employee health benefits
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the payment of government contributions.
government payment for annuitants, employee life insurance
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the payment of government contributions.
PAYMENT TO CIVIL SERVICE RETIREMENT AND DISABILITY FUND
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the payment of government contributions.
Office of Special Counsel
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for the Office.
United States Tax Court
The Committee has continued language that provides funds
for services authorized by 5 USC 3109 and language which
provides that travel expenses of the judges shall be paid upon
written certification of the judge.
TITLE V--GENERAL PROVISIONS
This Act
Section 501. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the expenditure of funds to the current year unless expressly
provided in this Act.
Section 502. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the expenditure of funds for consulting services under certain
conditions.
Section 503. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds to engage in activities which
would prohibit the enforcement of section 307 of the 1930
Tariff Act.
Section 504. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the transfer of control over the Federal Law
Enforcement Training Center out of the Department of the
Treasury.
Section 505. The Committee continues the provision
concerning employment rights of Federal employees who return to
their civilian jobs after assignment with the Armed Forces.
Section 506. The Committee continues the provision
concerning compliance with the Buy American Act.
Section 507. The Committee continues the provision
concerning prohibition of contracts which use certain goods not
made in America.
Section 508. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting contract eligibility where fraudulent intent has
been proven in affixing ``Made in America'' labels.
Section 509. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the expenditure of funds for abortions under the
FEHBP.
Section 510. The Committee continues the provision which
would authorize the expenditure of funds for abortions under
the FEHBP if the life of the mother is in danger or the
pregnancy is a result of an act of rape or incest.
Section 511. The Committee continues the provision
providing that fifty percent of unobligated balances may remain
available for certain purposes.
Section 512. The Committee continues the provision
restricting the use of funds for the White House to request
official background reports without the written consent of the
individual who is the subject of the report.
Section 513. The Committee continues the provision that
cost accounting standards under the Federal Procurement Policy
Act shall not apply to the FEHBP.
Section 514. The Committee includes a new provision that
transfers a parcel of land from the Gerald R. Ford Library and
Museum to the Gerald R. Ford Foundation as trustee, with
reversionary interest.
Section 515. The Committee includes a new provision
requiring OMB to develop guidelines for ensuring and maximizing
the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information
disseminated by federal agencies.
Section 516. The Committee includes a new provision
prohibiting the use of funds to give preference for the
acquisition of a firearm or ammunition based on whether the
manufacturer or vendor of the firearm or ammunition is party to
an agreement with a department, agency, or instrumentality of
the United States regarding codes of conduct, operating
practices, or product design.
Section 517. The Committee includes a new provision
prohibiting the use of funds to allow placement in interstate
or foreign commerce of diamonds that have been mined in Burkina
Faso, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or the Republics of
Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, or Angola, except for
diamonds certified as originating in the Republic of Sierra
Leone.
Section 518. The Committee includes a new provision
prohibiting the use of funds for the purpose of implementation,
or in preparation for implementation, of the Kyoto Protocol.
Section 519. The Committee includes a new provision
regarding the use of alternative fuels by the Department of the
Treasury and the General Services Administration.
Section 520. The Committee includes a new provision
regarding apportionment for International Food Assistance
Programs.
TITLE VI--GOVERNMENT WIDE GENERAL PROVISIONS
Departments, Agencies, and Corporations
Section 601. The Committee continues the provision
authorizing agencies to pay costs of travel to the United
States for the immediate families of Federal employees assigned
to foreign duty in the event of a death or a life threatening
illness of the employee.
Section 602. The Committee continues the provision
requiring agencies to administer a policy designed to ensure
that all of its workplaces are free from the illegal use of
controlled substances.
Section 603. The Committee continues the provision
regarding price limitations on vehicles to be purchased by the
Federal Government.
Section 604. The Committee continues the provision allowing
funds made available to agencies for travel, to also be used
for quarters allowances and cost-of-living allowances.
Section 605. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the government, with certain specified exceptions,
from employing non-U.S. citizens whose posts of duty would be
in the continental U.S.
Section 606. The Committee continues the provision ensuring
that agencies will have authority to pay GSA bills for space
renovation and other services.
Section 607. The Committee continues the provision allowing
agencies to finance the costs of recycling and waste prevention
programs with proceeds from the sale of materials recovered
through such programs.
Section 608. The Committee continues the provision
providing that funds may be used by certain groups to pay rent
and other service costs in the District of Columbia.
Section 609. The Committee continues the provision
providing that no funds may be used to pay any person filling a
nominated position who has been rejected by the Senate.
Section 610. The Committee continues the provision
precluding the financing of groups by more than one Federal
agency absent prior and specific statutory approval.
Section 611. The Committee continues the provision
authorizing the Postal Service to employ guards and give them
the same special police powers as GSA guards.
Section 612. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds for enforcing regulations
disapproved in accordance with the applicable law of the U.S.
Section 613. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the pay increases of certain prevailing rate employees.
Section 614. The Committee continues the provision limiting
the amount of funds that can be used for redecoration of
offices under certain circumstances.
Section 615. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the expenditure of funds for the acquisition of
additional law enforcement training facilities.
Section 616. The Committee continues the provision to allow
for interagency funding of national security and emergency
telecommunications initiatives.
Section 617. The Committee continues the provision
requiring agencies to certify that a Schedule C appointment was
not created solely or primarily to detail the employee to the
White House.
Section 618. The Committee continues the provision
requiring agencies to administer a policy designed to ensure
that all workplaces are free from discrimination and sexual
harassment.
Section 619. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the importation of any goods manufactured by forced
or indentured child labor.
Section 620. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the payment of any employee who prohibits,
threatens or prevents another employee from communicating with
Congress.
Section 621. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting Federal training not directly related to the
performance of official duties.
Section 622. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the expenditure of funds for implementation of
agreements in nondisclosure policies unless certain provisions
are included.
Section 623. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting propaganda, publicity and lobbying by executive
agency personnel in support or defeat of legislative
initiatives.
Section 624. The Committee continues the provision
directing OMB to provide an accounting statement and report on
the cumulative costs and benefits of Federal regulatory
programs.
Section 625. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting any Federal agency from disclosing an employee's
home address to any labor organization, absent employee
authorization or court order.
Section 626. The Committee continues and makes permanent
the provision authorizing the Secretary of the Treasury to
establish scientific canine explosive detection standards.
Section 627. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting funds to be used to provide non-public information
such as mailing or telephone lists to any person or
organization outside the government without the approval of the
Committees on Appropriations.
Section 628. The Committee continues the provision
prohibiting the use of funds for propaganda and publicity
purposes not authorized by Congress.
Section 629. The Committee continues the provision
directing agency employees to use official time in an honest
effort to perform official duties.
Section 630. The Committee includes a new provision which
delays enactment of Section 638 of Public Law 106-58,
establishing a Chief Financial Officer within the Executive
Office of the President, until May 1, 2001.
Section 631. The Committee continues and includes technical
modifications to the provision addressing contraceptive
coverage in health plans participating in the FEHBP, making it
identical to current law as enacted by Section 625 of the
Departments of Commerce, Justice, and State, the Judiciary, and
Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2000 and deleting the
names of two plans that no longer participate in the program.
Section 632. The Committee continues the provision
authorizing the use of funds to finance an appropriate share of
the Joint Financial Management Improvement Program.
Section 633. The Committee continues and modifies the
provision authorizing agencies to transfer funds to the Policy
and Operations account of GSA to finance a variety of efforts
with specific limitations.
Section 634. The Committee continues a provision, with
technical modifications, authorizing an Executive agency to use
certain funds to improve the affordability of child care for
lower income Federal employees. The Provision was initially
included in the Treasury and General Government Appropriations
Act, 2000, to provide a one-year demonstration program that
could be evaluated for its effectiveness. However, the Office
of Personnel Management did not finalize regulations until
March 14, 2000, almost half way through the fiscal year. In
addition, many Federal employees plan their child care needs
annually in relation to the school year, preventing full
participation in this program for fiscal year 2000. Based on
these and other factors, the Committee believes that a proper
evaluation of this program requires that this demonstration
project be available to Federal agencies for one complete
fiscal year.
Section 635. The Committee continues the provision that
permits breast feeding in a Federal building or on Federal
property if the woman and child are authorized to be there.
Section 636. The Committee includes a new provision which
permits interagency funding of the National Science and
Technology Council and provides for a report on the budget and
resources of the National Science and Technology Council.
Section 637. The Committee includes a new provision
regarding certain reforms within the FEC, including: a
clarification of election cycle reporting of certain
expenditures, a clarification of permissible use of facsimile
machines and electronic mail to file reports, a clarification
of the treatment of lines of credit obtained by candidates as
commercially reasonable loans, and a change in the deadline for
reporting of major campaign contributions received within the
last 20 days of an election from 48 hours to 24 hours. These
reforms are applicable with respect to elections occurring
after January 2001.
Section 638. The Committee includes a new provision
concerning retirement provisions relating to certain members of
the police force of the Metropolitan Washington Airports
Authority.
Section 639. The Committee has included a new provision
authorizing the President's Pay Agent to use appropriate data
from sources other than the Bureau of Labor Statistics in
making new locality pay designations.
Section 640. The Committee includes a new provision to
restore the federal employee retirement contribution share to
pre-1999 levels.
Section 641. The Committee includes a new provision that
amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to strengthen
the reporting requirements related to the use of federal
aircraft for campaign purposes. Specifically, the language
would require a candidate who uses federal aircraft to travel
to a campaign event to report the type of aircraft used, the
number of people related to the campaign event, and the amount
of reimbursement along with the method used in determining that
amount. This provision does not in any way alter the current
reimbursement provisions as outlined in section 106.3 of
Chapter 11 of the Code of Federal Regulations, ``Allocation of
expenses between campaign and non-campaign related travel,''
but does strengthen the reporting requirements of that use.
Section 642. The Committee includes a new provision making
a modification to the calculation of disability pay for federal
firefighters.
Section 643. The Committee includes a technical provision
modifying the basis for using inactive duty military leave.
detailed explanations in report
It should be emphasized again that a more detailed
statement detailed statement describing the effect of the above
provisions inserted or continued this year by the Committee
which directly or indirectly change the application of existing
law may be found at the appropriate place in this report.
appropriations not authorized by law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1) of rule XIII of the House of
Representatives, the following table lists the appropriations
in the accompanying bill that are not authorized by law:
Treasury Department
Financial Crimes Enforcement Network
Expanded Access to Financial Services
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Salaries And Expenses
Acquisition, Construction, Improvements &
Related Expenses
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, except those
activities related to the enforcement of tobacco
smuggling and regulation of explosives
U.S. Customs Service
Salaries & Expenses
Operation, Maintenance, and Procurement, Air
& Marine Interdiction Programs
Automation Modernization
U.S. Secret Service--except the Uniformed Division
Office of Management and Budget, Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs
Federal Election Commission
General Services Administration, Policy and Operations
Full Committee Votes
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(b) of rule XIII of
the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with
the names of those voting for and those voting against. There
were no recorded votes.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF HON. STENY H. HOYER, HON. CARRIE P. MEEK, HON.
LUCILLE ROYBAL-ALLARD, AND HON. DAVID R. OBEY
We cannot support this bill not because of what is included
in the bill, but because of what is left out: $2.1 billion in
critically needed activities and projects throughout the Untied
States that are the Federal Government's responsibility. The
302(b) spending allocation for fiscal year 2001 for this bill
is $2.1 billion below the requested level. Chairman Kolbe was
faced with very difficult choices in order to mark up a bill
within this level of funding, and we wish to express our
appreciation to Chairman Kolbe and the subcommittee staff for
the constructive way in which the subcommittee has operated
this year.
Chairman Kolbe has decided to fund law enforcement
functions at the expense of the other general government
responsibilities this subcommittee has. For example, Treasury's
law enforcement bureaus are funded at or near the
Administration's request, including funding for additional ATF
agents to enforce our gun laws, funding to begin development of
the U.S. Customs Service automated commercial system while
maintaining their current system, and funding to continue the
Secret Service workload balancing initiative. We applaud the
robust funding for Treasury's important law enforcement
bureaus.
The problem is money: the allocation for this bill is not
adequate to fund Federal Government responsibilities that are
critical to the American people. The Chairman acknowledges this
funding problem with these statements in this Report on pages 4
and 5, ``With these * * * responsibilities in mind, the
allocation is short by approximately $1.3 billion.'' and ``The
Committee acknowledges that IRS, GSA, and the National Archives
have borne the brunt of the restraint on spending found in the
bill, requiring denial of requested increases for the upcoming
year.'' The Administration acknowledges the funding crisis in
this bill with a veto threat.
This is not the only bill which is ``short;'' several other
appropriation bills are already facing veto threats from the
President because of spending amounts that are inadequate to
serve the American people. The Republicans are using this
strategy in order to push their tax cut agenda--one that will
cost $175 billion over five years, and a $1 trillion over ten
years. Are our national priorities so out of whack that we're
willing to sacrifice our responsibility to fund core government
functions on the altar of irresponsible tax cuts? The majority
party apparently thinks so.
Last year, they pushed their huge tax cut through Congress,
even though it could have put at risk the healthiest economy in
our lifetimes. This year, they're back with equally
irresponsible tax cuts. That's what this funding cut of $2.1
billion in core government functions is all about--funding tax
cuts that would benefit the wealthiest among us. All of these
vital programs face the budget ax because the Republican Party
would rather pass tax-cuts than invest in our nation's future.
We must bring our national priorities back into focus.
In this bill we must have adequate funding not only for
important law enforcement functions but also for the Federal
Government's responsibilities to construct Federal Courthouses
and other Government buildings, to collect taxes from the
American people efficiently and effectively, and to provide for
the functioning of the Government, ensuring that records are
not lost in a National Archives building that has become a
firetrap.
This bill underfunds the Internal Revenue Service by $466
million, the General Services Administration including
courthouse and other government construction and repair
projects by over $1 billion, and the National Archives by $108
million. These cuts are devastating and fiscally irresponsible.
Two years ago the House voted overwhelmingly for the IRS
Reform and Restructuring Act. That act followed recommendations
of the Commission that studied the IRS, which stated concerning
budgets that ``theIRS should receive stable funding for the
next three years so that the leaders can undertake the proper planning
to rebuild its foundation'' and ``furthermore, a stable budget will
allow the IRS leadership to plan and implement operations which will
improve taxpayer service and compliance.'' And now the Republican
Majority is cutting funding for the IRS even below current services
level. We can't have it both ways. This cut of $466 million will
jeopardize IRS's ability to reorganize, protect taxpayer rights and
improve taxpayer service. This level would not even cover mandatory
inflation resulting in a loss of almost 5000 FTE's; successful
completion of the 2001 filing season would be at risk; customer service
would be reduced; audit coverage would decline to all time record low
levels (reducing revenue to the government by up to $2 billion); and
the modernization of the IRS, its computer systems and business
practices would be threatened.
In a recent letter, IRS Commissioner Charles Rossotti
stated the following concerning the impact of this funding
reduction: ``It would stop the IRS modernization effort, as
mandated by the Restructuring and Reform Act of 1998 (RRA 98),
would also lead to a further decline in the already low levels
of compliance activity, and would lock the IRS into its 30 year
old technology.''
The General Services Administration funding for its
government-wide construction and building repair activities has
been reduced by over $1 billion in order to fit this bill
within the low allocation. And delaying for one year the
requested construction projects will cost the taxpayer almost
$100 million in additional inflationary construction costs and
extended lease costs. This hardly seems like the fiscally
responsible course of funding.
No funding is provided for courthouse or other construction
projects requested by the Administration. We have a serious
crisis going on across the country in terms of our federal
courthouses. We have spent billions of dollars over the last
10-15 years on the war against drugs and crime resulting in a
hefty increase in the Judiciary's caseload. The number of
judges and court employees has grown substantially; however,
our court facilities have not even come close to keeping pace
with this growth. This lack of space has created delays,
inefficiencies, and large backlogs of cases. Moreover, security
is insufficient to protect those who work in and utilize the
court facilities. Current facilities have critical security
concerns, including life-threatening security deficiencies
documented by the U.S. Marshals Service in some cases. These
conditions are simply unacceptable to U.S. taxpayers;
nevertheless, this bill funds no courthouse construction
projects, effectively ignoring the critical workload and
security concerns of the U.S. Courts.
In addition, we object to the assumption on courtroom
sharing in the President's request for funding for courthouse
construction, based on OMB's unilateral, ``one size fits all''
plan that only two courtrooms should be built for every three
judges. We could not determine the basis for OMB's proposed
courtroom sharing plan and are concerned about the impact that
the reductions in courtrooms would have on the administration
of justice, particularly in Miami and Los Angeles. No one with
significant federal court case management experience was
involved in OMB's decision to limit courtrooms in new
courthouse projects to two courtrooms for every three judges.
The sheer number of cases, the number of large multi-party
defendant cases, and the complexity of various cases must be
considered when determining whether courtroom sharing is
feasible in a particular location.
All other construction projects are zeroed out in this
bill, including among others the continuation of the Food and
Drug Administration Consolidation project, the new Alcohol,
Tobacco, and Firearms Headquarters in a secure location, and
the renovation of our National Archives.
We have been made aware that the threat of fire in the
National Archives building is high. Delaying this project will
put the lives of visitors and staff at risk and endanger
irreplaceable archival records, including the Charters of
Freedom as long as they remain on display in the unrenovated
building. Delaying this project will cost the taxpayers
millions of dollars in added costs. Some members might agree
that this rises to the level of a funding emergency.
We have many other concerns about unfunded programs in this
bill, including the irresponsible lack of funding for
Presidential transition expenses, a 32% cut in critically
needed funding for Repairs of Federal buildings, no funding for
the ongoing information technology enhancement programs
(including computer security staffing) in the Executive Office
of the President and the IRS, lack of funding for the
Unanticipated Needs of the President and for $2.5 million for
clarification of the options for a Puerto Rican referendum. In
addition, the bill eliminates $77 million in requested funding
for counterterrorism and funding for the President's critical
infrastructure protection initiative that would ensure the
Federal Government is protected from acts of cyber-terrorism.
These and other unfunded programs are Federal responsibilities
on which the American taxpayer depends.
We with to correct misleading statements from the Committee
markup concerning reports on the First Lady's travel. The White
House is required by this Committee to submit monthly reports
on the 15th of each month following the preceding month on the
First Lady's travel. Normally reports involving general ledger
accounting in the Executive Branch require 32 to 41 days to
produce after the reporting period is complete. In its June 26,
2000 report to Congress, the White House report reflects that
the First Lady travel bills, on average, were paid within 32
days of the date of the trip. The July 15, 2000 report
indicates that bills, on average, were paid within 31 days of
the trip. Finally, it was incorrectly stated that the First
Lady uses the 747 aircraft for travel. The First Lady only
boards the 747 as a passenger accompanying the President of the
United States.
For these and other reasons, we cannot support this FY 2001
Treasury-Postal Service-General Government Appropriation bill.
We continue to hope that additional funding will be restored to
this bill to enable responsible funding of core government
functions.
Lucille Roybal-Allard.
Steny H. Hoyer.
Dave Obey.
Carrie P. Meek.