[House Report 107-169]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
107th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 107-169
======================================================================
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2002
_______
July 26, 2001.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Taylor of North Carolina, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 2647]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year
2002, and for other purposes.
INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
Page number
Bill Report
Summary of bill............................................
2
Highlights of bill.........................................
4
Structure of bill..........................................
4
Legislative branch wide matters............................
5
Title I--Congressional operations:
House of Representatives........................... 2
6
Joint Items:
Joint Economic Committee................... 9
11
Joint Committee on Taxation................ 10
11
Office of the Attending Physician.......... 10
11
Capitol Police Board....................... 11
11
Capitol Guide Service and Special Services
Office................................. 13
14
Office of Compliance............................... 14
14
Congressional Budget Office........................ 14
14
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate and Title
II items)...................................... 16
15
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress 27
22
Congressional printing and binding, Government
Printing Office................................ 28
23
Title II--Other agencies:
Botanic Garden..................................... 29
24
Library of Congress (except Congressional Research
Service)....................................... 30
24
Architect of the Capitol: Library buildings and
grounds........................................ 37
28
Government Printing Office (except Congressional
printing and binding).......................... 37
29
General Accounting Office.......................... 40
29
Title III--General provisions.............................. 42
29
Constitutional authority...................................
30
Comparison with budget resolution..........................
30
Five-year projection of outlays............................
30
Assistance to State and local governments..................
31
Transfers of funds.........................................
31
Rescissions................................................
31
Changes in the application of existing law.................
31
Compliance with clause 3--rule XIII........................
34
SUMMARY OF BILL
The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides
appropriations for fiscal year 2002 legislative branch
operations, which totals $2,239,000,000. Of that amount,
$1,390,725,000 is for congressional operations and $848,275,000
is for other agencies.
A summary of the recommendations follows:
Fiscal year 2002 Amount
Congressional operations..............................\1\ $1,390,725,000
Other agencies.......................................... 848,275,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $2,239,000,000
\1\ Excludes Senate items, including those Senate items under the
Architect of the Capitol.
Conforming with long practice under which each body of
Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and the
other concurs without intervention, funds for the Senate are
not included in the bill as reported to the House. Current
appropriations estimates for the Senate for fiscal year 2002,
including those under the Architect of the Capitol, total
$651,235,000.
A comparative summary of the bill by title and agency
follows:
SUMMARY OF THE BILL
[Note.--Excludes Senate items including those Senate items under Architect of the Capitol]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill compared with--
Budget estimates New budget -------------------------------------
New budget of new (obligational) Budget estimates
Agency (obligational) (obligational) authority New budget of new
authority, fiscal authority, fiscal recommended in (obligational) (obligational)
year 2001 year 2002 bill authority, fiscal authority, fiscal
year 2001 year 2002
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE I--CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS
House of Representatives................................. $830,449,000 $882,100,000 $882,100,000 +$51,651,000 .................
Joint items.............................................. 121,860,000 136,780,000 138,237,000 +16,377,000 +$1,457,000
Office of Compliance..................................... 1,851,000 2,059,000 2,059,000 +208,000 .................
Congressional Budget Office.............................. 28,430,000 30,680,000 30,780,000 +2,350,000 +100,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate and Title II 130,980,000 217,875,000 175,095,000 +44,115,000 -42,780,000
items)..................................................
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress...... 73,430,000 81,139,000 81,454,000 +8,024,000 +315,000
Congressional printing and binding, Government Printing 81,205,000 90,900,000 81,000,000 -205,000 -9,900,000
Office..................................................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title I--Congressional operations........... 1,268,205,000 1,441,533,000 1,390,725,000 +122,520,000 -50,808,000
==============================================================================================
TITLE II--OTHER AGENCIES
Botanic Garden........................................... $3,321,000 $6,129,000 $5,946,000 +$2,625,000 -$183,000
Library of Congress (except Congressional Operations).... 438,297,000 363,147,000 368,594,000 -69,703,000 +5,447,000
Architect of the Capitol (Library buildings and grounds). 15,935,000 21,402,000 22,252,000 +6,317,000 +850,000
Government Printing Office (Superintendent of Documents). 33,893,000 35,639,000 29,639,000 -4,254,000 -6,000,000
General Accounting Office................................ 384,020,000 427,794,000 421,844,000 +37,824,000 -5,950,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title II--Other agencies.................... 875,466,000 854,111,000 848,275,000 -27,191,000 -5,836,000
==============================================================================================
Grand total, new budget, (obligational) authority (for 2,143,671,000 2,295,644,000 2,239,000,000 +95,329,000 -56,644,000
items considered by House)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS OF BILL
Summary of Estimates and Recommendations
Budget estimates.--The budget estimates considered by the
Committee total $2,295,644,000. By law, budget requests for the
legislative branch are transmitted to the Congress by the
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the President without
change in the amounts submitted by the originating agency. The
fiscal year 2002 proposals appear on pages 459 through 464 of
the ``Analytical Perspectives'' volume, and pages 17 through 40
of the ``Appendix'' volume of the Fiscal Year 2002 Federal
Budget (H. Doc. 107-3).
Committee recommendations.--A total of $2,239,000,000 in
new budget (obligational) authority is recommended for fiscal
year 2002. The recommendation is $56,644,000 less than was
transmitted to the Congress, a decrease of 2.5 percent under
the budget request. The bill does not include Senate items.
Comparison with fiscal year 2001 appropriations.--Compared
with the appropriations enacted for fiscal year 2001 the
recommendation of $2,239,000,000 in new budget (obligational)
authority for fiscal year 2002 is an increase of $95,329,000 or
4.4%.
STRUCTURE OF THE BILL
The bill is divided into three titles:
Title I--Congressional Operations
Title I--Congressional Operations contains the
appropriations for the actual operation of the Congress.
Traditionally, Congressional operations has included the House
of Representatives (Senate items will be added by that body),
joint items, the Office of Compliance, the Congressional Budget
Office, the Architect of the Capitol (except Senate office
buildings and Library of Congress buildings and grounds), the
Congressional Research Service, and the Congressional printing
and binding portion of the Government Printing Office.
Title II--Other Agencies
Title II--Other Agencies contains the budget for several
activities that do not provide primary support to the Congress.
For instance, the activities of the Library of Congress, except
the Congressional Research Service, are carried in this title.
This includes such Library activities as the program to provide
books for the blind and physically handicapped the operation of
the Copyright Office (including copyright royalty regulation),
and Library services to the public and to the government of the
United States. The non-Congressional operations of the
Government Printing Office are contained in title II, such as
the depository library program, which acquires or prints
federal publications for distribution to the libraries, and
sales of government publications to the general public. Also,
although much of the workload of the General Accounting Office
is in direct support of the Congress, including work mandated
by statute or requested by committees and Members of Congress,
the balance of that agency's workload involves its more general
legislative requirements. The nature of that work is directed
toward the improvement of the operation of the Federal
government through review and evaluation of programs and the
prevention of fraud and waste, as well as accounting and
financial management improvements. The GAO budget, therefore,
is carried in title II of the bill. The Botanic Garden rounds
out the items included in title II.
Title III--General Provisions
Title III--contains general provisions.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WIDE MATTERS
The Committee notes that the agencies of the Legislative
Branch have taken an undisciplined position regarding the
execution of their respective annual budgets as it relates to
authorized full time equivalents (FTE's). During the annual
markup of the Legislative Branch bill each agency is authorized
an FTE level either at an agency level or appropriation account
level. These authorized FTE levels, as reflected in the annual
markup, carry the same force and effect as do the funds
provided in the appropriation bill. The Committee has noted
that some agencies have attempted to realign, or in some cases
exceeded, their annual FTE allocation. The Committee reminds
all agencies that the FTE allocation is not to be altered or
exceeded without prior approval of the Committees on
Appropriations of the House and Senate. If the Committee finds
any further actions by the agencies that result in continued
abuse of the authorized FTE levels, the Committee will take
appropriate action to allocate FTE's, if necessary, down to a
project or activity level.
The Committee has included funding for the Federal Mass
Transit Benefit Program, for the agencies of the Legislative
Branch. The Committee allowance provides a $65 per month
allowance to the employees who participate in the program. The
Committee encourages the agencies of the Legislative Branch to
support their employee participation in this very important
program.
TITLE I--CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS
The Committee bill recommends a total of $1,390,725,000 for
fiscal year 2002 for those activities in direct support of the
operations of the Congress (exclusive of the Senate), which is
an increase of $122,520,000 above the fiscal year 2001 level.
Budget estimates considered by the Committee total
$1,441,533,000, which have been reduced by $50,808,000.
A summary of the recommendations follows:
Title I--Congressional Operations
Item Amount
House of Representatives................................ $882,100,000
Joint items............................................. 138,237,000
Office of Compliance.................................... 2,059,000
Congressional Budget Office............................. 30,780,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate and Title II
items).............................................. 175,095,000
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress..... 81,454,000
Congressional printing and binding, Government Printing
Office.............................................. 81,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $1,390,725,000
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Committee recommends a total of $882,100,000 for the
operations of the House of Representatives during fiscal year
2002. The allowance is $51,651,000 above the amount
appropriated for the current fiscal year.
Of this increase, $48,595,000 or 94.1%, is attributed to
the January 2001 authorization increase in Members'
Representational Allowances, and a 4.6% COLA for calendar year
2002.
The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:
House of Representatives
Item Amount
Salaries and expenses:
House leadership offices............................ $15,910,000
Members' representational allowances................ 479,472,000
Committee salaries and expenses..................... 127,516,000
Salaries, officers and employees.................... 101,766,000
Allowances and expenses............................. 157,436,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total, Salaries and Expenses...................... $882,100,000
========================================================
____________________________________________________
Total, House of Representatives................... $882,100,000
Salaries and Expenses
2001 appropriation.................................... $829,735,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 882,100,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 882,100,000
The appropriation for the operations of the House of
Representatives is the salaries and expenses appropriation. The
account includes the following House activities: House
leadership offices; Members' representational allowances;
committee salaries and expenses; salaries, officers and
employees; allowances and expenses; and the day care center.
The amount provided is $882,100,000.
House Leadership Offices
2001 appropriation.................................... $14,378,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 15,250,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 15,910,000
The Committee recommends a total of $15,910,000 for the
operations of the leadership offices during fiscal year 2002.
The allocation by office follows:
House Leadership Offices
Item Amount
Office of the Speaker................................... $1,866,000
Office of the Majority Floor Leader..................... 1,830,000
Office of the Minority Floor Leader..................... 2,224,000
Office of the Majority Whip............................. 1,562,000
Office of the Minority Whip............................. 1,168,000
Speaker's Office for Legislative Floor Activities....... 431,000
Republican Steering Committee........................... 806,000
House Republican Conference............................. 1,342,000
House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.......... 1,435,000
House Democratic Caucus................................. 713,000
Nine Minority Employees................................. 1,293,000
Training and Development Program:
Majority............................................ 290,000
Minority............................................ 290,000
Cloakroom Personnel:
Majority............................................ 330,000
Minority............................................ 330,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $15,910,000
Members' Representational Allowances
2001 appropriation.................................... $430,877,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 479,339,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 479,472,000
A total of $479,472,000 is recommended for the
representational allowances of the Members of the House, the
so-called MRA account. The budget request, $479,339,000,
included estimates of $310,339,000 for clerk hire salaries,
$134,000,000 for official expenses, and $35,000,000 for
official mail. The Committee bill assumptions included in the
recommendation are $314,265,000 for clerk hire, $134,133,000
for official expenses, and $31,074,000 for official mail. It
should be noted that these components are fungible under
regulations prescribed by the Committee on House
Administration. Each Member has an overall consolidated
allowance established by the Committee on House Administration
from which staff salaries, office expenses, and mail costs are
drawn.
Committee Employees
2001 appropriation.................................... $122,600,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 127,492,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 127,516,000
Funding for the salaries and expenses of the 19 standing
committees and one permanent select committee of the House is
provided, as follows:
Standing Committees, special and select.--For the salaries
and expenses of committees funded in the biennial funding
resolution, $104,514,000 is provided.
Committee on Appropriations.--For the salaries and expenses
of the Committee on Appropriations (including the studies and
investigation activities authorized by section 202(b) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946), $23,002,000 is
provided.
Details of the funding resolution, H. Res. 84 (House Report
107-25) approved by the House for the 107th Congress, follow:
COMMITTEE FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS, 107TH CONGRESS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee 1st session 2nd session Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture.................................................. $4,675,093 $4,931,913 $9,607,006
Armed Services............................................... 5,182,597 5,690,080 10,872,677
Budget....................................................... 7,059,821 6,514,065 13,573,886
Education and the Workforce.................................. 5,705,025 6,141,206 11,846,231
Energy and Commerce.......................................... 8,527,251 8,699,519 17,226,770
Financial Services........................................... 5,403,522 5,703,521 11,107,043
Government Reform and Oversight.............................. 9,810,000 9,610,233 19,420,233
House Administration......................................... 3,560,662 3,857,383 7,418,045
Intelligence................................................. 3,407,986 3,547,088 6,955,074
International Relations...................................... 6,202,095 6,470,531 12,672,626
Judiciary.................................................... 6,339,902 6,826,561 13,166,463
Resources.................................................... 5,595,266 6,005,994 11,601,260
Rules........................................................ 2,644,509 2,726,264 5,370,773
Science...................................................... 5,172,668 5,455,373 10,628,041
Small Business............................................... 2,312,344 2,486,439 4,798,783
Standards of Official Conduct................................ 1,358,708 1,512,383 2,871,091
Transportation and Infrastructure............................ 6,964,664 7,514,887 14,479,551
Veterans' Affairs............................................ 2,516,765 2,625,498 5,142,263
Ways and Means............................................... 7,228,481 7,520,407 14,748,888
--------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................. $99,667,359 $103,839,345 $203,506,704
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since the funding resolution is done on a biennial basis
and the resolution for the 107th Congress will expire on
December 31, 2002, this funding is provided through December
31, 2002.
Salaries, Officers and Employees
2001 appropriation.................................... $107,851,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 102,393,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 101,766,000
The Committee recommendation for the salaries and expenses
of House officers and employees of the various activities
funded through this consolidated item is $101,766,000. This
amount represents an overall decrease of $6,085,000 below the
amount enacted in fiscal year 2001.
Full Time Equivalents: Eight cloakroom employees have been
transferred from the Office of the Clerk to the Speaker and
Minority Leader. The Committee has provided funding for an
additional 16 FTEs, which are directly related to Member
services, under the CAO. These positions include: 2 W-B
Development Specialists, 1 Information Security Analyst, 2
Technical Support Representatives, 2 Office System Management
Counselors, 3 positions for the Photography Office; 5 Laborers
and 1 Night Supervisor. In addition, the Sergeant at Arms is
provided two additional parking attendants due to the reopening
of Lot 5.
Furnishings: The Committee notes that during the process of
furnishing office suites for freshmen Members of the 107th
Congress, the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) was unable to
supply key furniture items to some offices, especially desks
and bookcases. The CAO is directed to provide a detailed report
within 90 days to the Committees on Appropriations and House
Administration on the status of the House furniture inventory,
including a comprehensive analysis of current and anticipated
requirements to assure an adequate inventory of commonly-used
furniture items for Members offices and committees. In
addition, the Committee bill includes the budget request for
furnishings. The CAO is directed to consult with the Committees
on Appropriations and House Administration on the purchase of
modular (case-good) furniture.
Committee Room Renovations: The Committee recognizes the
importance of upgrading committee hearing rooms and provided
$3,000,000 for this purpose in H.R. 2216, the Fiscal Year 2001
Supplemental Appropriation. The Committee will continue to work
with the House Administration Committee to ensure adequate
funding is provided throughout the fiscal year for this
purpose.
Staff Physical Fitness Facility: The Committee directs the
Chief Administrative Officer, in conjunction with the Architect
of the Capitol, to develop a proposal for a self supporting
fitness center for the staff of the House of Representatives.
The proposal should include contracting of support staff and
possible locations for such a facility. The CAO is directed to
report his findings to the Committees on Appropriations and
House Administration within 60 days.
The Committee directs the Congressional Wellness Center
Committee to report within 60 days to the Committees on
Appropriations and House Administration on any differences in
access to the House gym by female Members of the House and by
male Members of the House, and to include a proposal to
eliminate any such differences in order to provide equal access
to the House gym for male and female Members.
Employment Study: The Committee directs that, within
available funds, the Chief Administrative Officer contract with
an independent non-profit organization with a history of
Congressional management activities to provide a biennial House
staff employment study.
Sergeant-at-Arms: The existing bicycle permitting system is
rarely enforced, which has resulted in numerous non-permitted
bicycles parked within House garages, long term storage of
bicycles that see little or no use, and multiple permits being
used by single individuals to facilitate parking of bicycles
used by others. The resulting lack of adequate bicycle parking
space has the effect of discouraging bicycle use by Members and
staff. The Sergeant at Arms is directed to enforce parking
regulations for bicycles with the same diligence as for motor
vehicles, including routine checking of garages and other
parking areas for proper permitted parking.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation
provided to each component of the account.
Salaries, officers and employees
Item Amount
Office of the Clerk..................................... $15,408,000
Office of the Sergeant at Arms.......................... 4,139,000
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.............. 67,495,000
Office of Inspector General............................. 3,756,000
Office of General Counsel............................... 894,000
Office of the Chaplain.................................. 144,000
Office of the Parliamentarian........................... 1,344,000
Parliamentarian......................................... (1,168,000)
Compilation of Precedents............................... (176,000)
Office of the Law Revision Counsel...................... 2,107,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel....................... 5,456,000
Corrections Calendar Office............................. 883,000
Other authorized employees.............................. 140,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $101,766,000
House of Representatives Child Care Center.--The bill
provides authority for the House day care center budget, as
required by Sec. 312(d)(1) of Public Law 102-90, as presented
to the Committee by the Chief Administrative Officer. It should
be noted that tuition and other center-generated revenues fund
day care center operations.
Allowances and Expenses
2001 appropriation.................................... $154,029,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 157,626,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 157,436,000
A total of $157,436,000 is recommended for fiscal year 2002
for allowances and expenses. This amount is $190,000 below the
budget request and $3,407,000 above the current level. These
funds include supplies, materials, administrative costs, and
Federal tort claims; the costs of official mail for the
Committees, leadership, and administrative offices; employee
benefits; and miscellaneous items. Over 97% of these funds
provide the employer share of retirement, health care, and
unemployment compensation payments for House employees.
The following table sets forth the various expense
categories within this appropriation:
Allowances and Expenses
Detail Recommended 2002
Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal
tort claims......................................... $3,379,000
Official mail (committees, administrative, and
legislative offices)................................ 410,000
Government contributions................................ 152,957,000
Miscellaneous items:
House automobiles................................... 110,000
Gratuities to beneficiaries of deceased staff....... 500,000
Interparliamentary receptions....................... 80,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Subtotal miscellaneous items...................... 690,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total, allowances and expenses.................... $157,436,000
Administrative Provisions
Section 101 provides that four majority cloakroom positions
shall be transferred from the Clerk to the Speaker and four
minority cloakroom positions shall be transferred from the
Clerk to the minority leader. Section 102 clarifies that funds
related to the sale of audio or video transcripts prepared by
the House Recording Studio are to be credited to the Chief
Administrative Officer of the House. Section 103 provides for
unspent amounts remaining in the Members' Representational
allowances account to be used for deficit reduction. Section
104 changes the pay day for House employees as requested by the
Committee on House Adminstration.
JOINT ITEMS
The Committee recommends appropriations totaling
$138,237,000 for fiscal year 2002 for the various joint
committees and activities carried under this heading. The
recommendation is $1,457,000 above the amounts requested for
fiscal 2002 and a increase of $16,377,000 above the amounts
appropriated in FY2001.
The following summarizes the recommendations:
Joint Items
Item Amount
Joint Economic Committee................................ $3,424,000
Joint Committee on Taxation............................. 6,733,000
Office of the Attending Physician....................... 1,865,000
Capitol Police.......................................... 123,673,000
Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office....... 2,512,000
Statements of appropriations............................ 30,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $138,237,000
Joint Economic Committee
2001 appropriation.................................... $3,315,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 3,424,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 3,424,000
The Committee has provided $3,424,000 for the Joint
Economic Committee. This amount reflects an increase of
$109,000 above the enacted amount, and is the same as the
budget request.
Joint Committee on Taxation
2001 appropriation.................................... $6,416,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 6,733,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 6,733,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $6,733,000 for
the Joint Committee on Taxation. This amount reflects an
increase of $317,000 above the enacted amount, and is the same
as the budget request.
Office of the Attending Physician
2001 appropriation.................................... $1,831,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 1,765,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,865,000
The Committee has approved $1,865,000 for medical supplies,
equipment, expenses, and allowances of Navy personnel detailed
to the Office of the Attending Physician.
Capitol Police
2001 appropriation.................................... $106,897,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 122,316,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 123,673,000
The recommendations in the bill provide a total of
$123,673,000 for the expenses and personnel authorized for
police services throughout the Capitol buildings and grounds
during fiscal year 2002.
U.S. Capitol Police Board
The U.S. Capitol Police are an integral component of the
Legislative Branch and perform essential security functions for
the protection of Members of Congress, Congressional staff, and
the millions of visitors who come to the seat of the Federal
government on Capitol Hill. Our police force also deals with
many additional difficult, frequently unique, security
challenges including Presidential inaugurations, visits by the
President, other U.S. government officials, and foreign
dignitaries, crowd control, demonstrations, and a variety of
other events and situations that require competence and
professionalism. The Committee strongly supports this fine
organization and its many dedicated officers and staff. The
Committee has recently provided resources for expanded training
in a modernized setting at Cheltenham, Maryland, has included
comparability pay funds in this bill to ensure that police
personnel are adequately and fairly compensated, and has
provided significant resources to upgrade technology, physical
plant, and force structure in several recent supplemental and
annual appropriation bills. The Committee has also supported
improvements to the police administrative infrastructure.
It is clear that the force has modernized, will continue to
do so under the new Chief, and the Committee on Appropriations
will continue to support these efforts. Several steps have been
taken to improve the police management structure. The Committee
is disappointed, however, that correspondence and answers to
routine budget questions to the police raised by the Committee
have to be routed through the Capitol Police Board where they
are held up pending review. The Committee expects the same
prompt and direct response from the U.S. Capitol Police that it
receives from every other executive and legislative agency. The
unnecessary bureaucracy of the review process added by the
Board impedes appropriations review and oversight and is
unacceptable. Along those lines, and to extend the management
improvement program, the Committee believes that the role and
operations of the Capitol Police Board should be examined,
updated and streamlined if necessary. Therefore, the Committee
directs the General Accounting Office to undertake a review of
the Board, its statutory underpinnings, and its mission. It
will be helpful to have an independent evaluation of the Board,
its strengths and weaknesses, together with recommendations,
including possible alternatives to the current structure, in
order to assure that U.S. Capitol Police oversight is
appropriately organized.
In addition, the Committee directs the General Accounting
Office to review the post and other duty assignments of the
Capitol Police to determine if there are an adequate number of
personnel to carry out the police mission. In so doing, the GAO
should determine the extent to which technology is being used,
or could be used, to alleviate personnel needs. An examination
of the number of posts, and alternative post schedules should
also be conducted.
The GAO is directed to make separate reports on these
reviews no later than November 30, 2001, to the House and
Senate Committees on Appropriations, the Committee on House
Administration, and the Senate Committee on Rules and
Administration.
The following tabulates the number of FTE's and the funding
provided:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Items Authorized FTE's Amount
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary expenses, Capitol Police on \1\ 717 $55,013,000
House Payroll....................
Salary expenses, Capitol Police on \2\ 764 57,579,000
Senate Payroll...................
-------------------------------------
Subtotal.......................... 1,481 \3\ 112,592,000
General expenses.................. ................. 11,081,000
-------------------------------------
Grand total, all police ................. $123,673,000
services.....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes 139 civilian positions.
\2\ Includes 83 civilian positions.
\3\ Includes overtime funds of $6,709,000.
Capitol Police
SALARIES
2001 appropriation.................................... $97,552,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 111,922,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 112,592,000
The Committee recommends $112,592,000 for 1,481 full time
equivalent positions for the Capitol Police, of which
$55,013,000 and 717 FTE's are for the House rolls and
$57,579,000 and 764 FTE's are for the Senate rolls. The
Committee has denied funding related to 49 additional FTE's.
However, the Committee fully supports the 2001 COLA of 4.6%,
and recommends a salary increase for comparability pay. The
Committee commends the Chief of Police's training initiative,
and has provided full funding for this effort, including
increasing the training per officer from forty hours a year to
eighty hours a year.
Administrative provisions.--The bill includes the
traditional language authorizing funds transfers.
Capitol Police
GENERAL EXPENSES
2001 appropriation.................................... $7,243,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 10,394,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 11,081,000
The sum of $11,081,000 is recommended for supplies,
materials, equipment, training and other expenses of the
Capitol Police force during the next fiscal year. This supports
the immediate life cycle replacement for computer servers and
desktops and provides funding to complete this initiative
during the next fiscal year. Funding has also been provided to
purchase a visual alarm monitoring system with the capability
to superimpose over realistic 3D and 2D views.
The Committee has included $130,000 for a pilot program for
card access control at selected employee entrances for House
Office Buildings. The Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police is to
notify the House Committee on Appropriations of the
implementation plan and any associated tradeoffs or changes to
security screening requirements procedures identified as a
result of the installation of card access controls at pilot
locations.
Unlike all other canine law enforcement operations in the
Federal government, the United States Capitol Police does not
provide transport or transport reimbursement for canine
handlers. The Committee directs the Chief of the Capitol Police
to develop and implement, within 60 days, a policy to reimburse
canine handlers for transportation of canines utilizing private
vehicles at a rate equal to that used for similar services
through out the government, or to provide vehicles for such
purposes.
Capitol Complex Security Enhancements
2001 appropriation.................................... $2,102,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. ................
Committee recommendation.............................. ................
There was no budget request made for Capitol complex
security enhancements.
Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office
2001 appropriation.................................... $2,371,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 2,512,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 2,512,000
The Committee bill provides $2,512,000 for the operation of
the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office during
the next fiscal year.
Statements of Appropriations
2001 appropriation.................................... $30,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 30,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,000
The sum of $30,000 is included for the preparation of the
usual compilation of the statements of appropriations for the
1st session of the 107th Congress. This publication is compiled
jointly by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE
salaries and expenses
2001 appropriation.................................... $1,851,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 2,059,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 2,059,000
The bill provides $2,059,000 for the Office of Compliance.
This is $208,000 above the current year. The normal provision
for awards and settlements has been included.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
2001 appropriation.................................... $28,430,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 30,680,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,780,000
The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,780,000
for the Congressional Budget Office. This is $2,350,000 above
the current year level and $100,000 above the request. The
amount above the request provides funding for the Federal Mass
Transit Benefit Program.
The Committee has denied the request to reimburse employees
for student loans. The Committee believes the Committee on
House Administration needs to review this policy on a
legislative branch wide basis.
Administrative Provisions
Section 106 authorizes the CBO to establish an employee
training program and section 107 authorizes the sale of
personal property and using the proceeds of sale for the
purchase of similar property.
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
(Congressional Support Items Only)
2001 appropriation.................................... $130,980,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 217,875,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 175,095,000
The Committee recommends a total of $175,095,000 for fiscal
year 2002 for the various operational and maintenance
activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the
Capitol (AOC) that are directly related to the operation of the
Congress. Excluded are Senate housekeeping items which are
traditionally left for consideration by that body, as well as
the appropriations for the Botanic Garden and the structural
and mechanical care of the Library of Congress buildings and
grounds that are contained in title II of the bill. This amount
is $42,780,000 below the amount requested, and $44,115,000
above the fiscal year 2001 appropriation.
The Committee notes that two additional accounts have been
established, ``General and Administration, Salaries and
Expenses'', and ``Minor Construction'' which are explained in
more detail later in the report.
The Committee is concerned about construction contractor
performance and delays in providing the required work to the
Government within the specified contract completion period.
Based on these concerns, the Architect of the Capitol may not
enter into, or administer, any construction contract with a
value greater than $50,000, unless the contract includes a
provision requiring the payment of liquidated damages in the
amount specified under Section 111.
The Architect of the Capitol is reminded of the Committee
policy that no project shall be funded without 100% architect
and engineering design. Projects included in the budget
submission which do not meet this requirement have been denied
without prejudice.
The Committee is concerned about the high rate of workplace
injuries and illnesses among the Architect of the Capitol
workforce. The Architect is directed to report within 60 days
to the Committee on Appropriations, the numbers of AOC worker
injuries and illnesses reported during the past three years, by
organizational unit and type of injury or illness. The report
should include a description of the specific actions being
taken to reduce the number of such incidents.
A summary of the appropriations recommended follows:
Architect of the Capitol (Excluding Senate and Title II Items)
Item Amount
Architect of the Capitol
General and Administration Salaries and expenses.... $46,705,000
Minor Construction.................................. 9,482,000
Capitol buildings Salaries and expenses............. 17,674,000
Capitol grounds..................................... 6,904,000
House office buildings.............................. 49,006,000
Capitol Power Plant................................. 45,324,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $175,095,000
General and Administration
General and Administration, Salaries and expenses.--The
Committee recommends the establishment of a new account with a
total appropriation of $46,705,000 for fiscal year 2002. This
account provides funds for personal services, equipment,
communications, and other central support activities of the
Architect of the Capitol. In prior years, these activities,
which directly support the administration of the office of the
Architect, have been spread throughout various accounts, with
no rational justification, making it impossible to determine
the true expenditure of salaries and expenditures for central
and administrative support functions. In the future, the
Architect of the Capitol is directed to realign the budget
request to reflect actual costs properly captured within the
right categories.
The Committee is extremely concerned that when asked, the
Architect of the Capitol is not able to identify full time
equivalents (FTE's) by grade or title and, in some instances,
has requested specific positions in the budget request which
have already been advertised and filled. In future budgets, the
Architect is directed to identify the exact number of
authorized and funded positions, or FTE's, by grade and title,
including the required funding needed for each of these FTE's.
This should include various positions, which may be temporary
in nature and hidden under individual maintenance projects.
In addition, the Committee expects better tracking of the
assignment for temporary employees. Many of these temporary
employees continue to be shifted from one non-personal service
account to another, depending where funding is available. The
Committee expects this practice to cease and more appropriate
budget presentations to reflect this in fiscal year 2003 and
directs the Architect to explore the possibility of contracting
out some of these positions.
The Committee has included an administrative provision
(Sec. 113) that addresses the Architect's long-term use of
temporary employees who do not enjoy the same eligibility for
federal health insurance, life insurance, retirement and other
benefits enjoyed by permanent, or even certain other temporary
workers of the Architect. According to the Architect, the
employees in its largest category of such temporary workers,
consisting of over 300 persons working on construction
projects, average 4\1/2\ years of service, with many having
served far longer and one having completed 19 years of
cumulative service, nearly enough to provide the worker with a
federal annuity at retirement age. The Committee believes that
the Architect should not employ temporary workers for long
periods without providing eligibility for the same valuable
benefits Congress provides to other federal employees, and has
included a limitation generally prohibiting the Architect from
doing so for more than 120 days. The provision also authorizes
the Architect to make the same allotments and assignments out
of employee pay that other agency heads may make at the request
of their employees.
In the past two fiscal years personnel compensation and
benefit funds have lapsed or been reallocated to other
accounts. The Committee has included bill language (Section
112) that prohibits the transfer of any funds with respect to
any project or object class without the approval of the
appropriate Committees of Congress.
The Committee has transferred the majority of the funding
for unfunded positions from Capitol Buildings and Grounds to
General and Administration, Salaries and Expenses, and notes
this request has been reduced by 50 percent. The Architect is
directed to fill these FTE's with priority life safety related
positions.
The Committee has included language that provides for
salary increases for the senior staff of the Architect of the
Capitol. Implementation of this adjustment is subject to the
completion of a comprehensive management study by the General
Accounting Office of operations of the Architect of the Capitol
and the approval of a plan prepared by the Architect to resolve
issues raised by the study.
Items related to the Senate in this account have not been
funded.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating
budget and the capital budgets follows:
General and Administration
[Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item Amount requested recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2002 Operating Budget
Personal Services................. ................. $28,545,000
Rent Communications, Utilities & ................. 1,054,000
Travel...........................
Other Services.................... ................. 12,652,000
Supplies.......................... ................. 227,000
Equipment......................... ................. 150,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal, Operating Budget.. ................. $42,628,000
=====================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget
Update Electrical System Drawings ................. $75,000
on CAD...........................
CAD Mechanical Database........... ................. 75,000
Replace Building Automation ................. 240,000
System, Capitol Complex..........
Development of Master ................. 100,000
Commissioning Specifications.....
Develop AOC Engineering Guide ................. 100,000
Specifications...................
Micrographics and Recording ................. 73,000
Storage Equipment................
Financial Management System (FMS). ................. 2,076,000
Implementation of AOCNET.......... ................. 500,000
Security Project Support for AOC.. ................. 125,000
Computer-Aided Facility Management ................. 263,000
(CAFM)...........................
Implementation of Safety Programs. ................. 450,000
-------------------------------------
Total, Capital Budget....... ................. $4,077,000
=====================================
Total General and ................. $46,705,000
Administrative.............
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minor Construction
Minor Construction.--A total of $9,482,000 is recommended
for a new account under the Architect of the Capitol. This
account is intended to provide flexibility for unforeseen needs
including minor construction, repair, and alteration projects,
land acquisition, and related activities, in connection with
construction and maintenance activities of the Architect of the
Capitol. The AOC must notify the Committees on Appropriations
21 days prior to bid solicitation, or in-house obligation of
funds.
A tabulation of the increases in the capital budgets
follows:
Total Minor Construction................................ $9,482,000
Capitol Buildings and Grounds
Capitol Buildings, Salaries and expenses.--A total of
$17,674,000 is recommended for the operation and maintenance of
the Capitol building during fiscal year 2002. The Committee has
transferred 252 FTE's and $41,912,000 from this account to the
new account ``General and Administration--Salaries and
expenses''.
Art in the United States Capitol and the new Capitol
Visitors Center is an important way to honor individuals who
have made significant contributions to the history of the
United States. At this time, the artwork (including paintings,
sculptures, and artifacts) in the Capitol severely
underrepresents the accomplishments of women in our society.
The Committee continues to support the ongoing work of the
House Fine Arts Board, the Joint Committee on the Library, and
the Architect of the Capitol and commends the current
cooperation among these entities for their efforts to prepare a
plan for the Capitol and the House office buildings that is
more fully representative of women's contributions to American
society.
The Committee has denied funding, without prejudice, for
two USCP projects, an off-site delivery/screening center and
chemical and explosive storage facility, due to lack of 100%
design.
Items related to the Senate in this account have not been
funded.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating
budget and the capital budgets follows:
CAPITOL BUILDINGS
[Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Committee
Item requested recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2002 Operating Budget
Personal Services..................... $32,136,000 \1\ $7,539,000
Rent Communications, Utilities & 1,054,000 ...............
Travel...............................
Other Services........................ 14,948,000 \1\ 1,796,000
Supplies.............................. 685,000 \1\ 458,000
Equipment............................. 316,000 \1\ 106,000
=================================
Subtotal, Operating Budget...... $49,139,000 $9,899,000
=================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget
Wayfinding and ADA-Compliant Signage, $130,000 $130,000
CB...................................
Provide Infrastructure for Security 200,000 200,000
Installations........................
Conservation of Wall Paintings........ 300,000 300,000
Replacement of Minton Tile............ 200,000 200,000
Roofing Repair, Around House & Senate 160,000 160,000
Chambers.............................
Implementation of AOCNET.............. 500,000 (\1\)
Financial Management System (FMS)..... 2,076,000 (\1\)
Update Electrical System Drawings on 75,000 (\1\)
CAD..................................
CAD Mechanical Database............... 75,000 (\1\)
Computer-Aided Facility Management 700,000 (\1\)
(CAFM)...............................
Computer, Telecom, & Electrical 300,000 300,000
Support..............................
Replace Exit Doors for Emergency 782,000 782,000
Egress & Security, CB................
Design Install Emergency Signs and 200,000 200,000
Lighting, CB.........................
Egress Door Improvements, CB.......... 100,000 100,000
Replace Halon Fire Suppression Systems 50,000 50,000
Implementation of Safety Programs..... 450,000 (\1\)
Design Upgrade Kitchen Exhausts....... 150,000 150,000
ADA Requirements, CB.................. 75,000 75,000
Off-Site Delivery/Screening Center, 6,750,000 ...............
USCP.................................
Security Project Support.............. 125,000 (\1\)
USCP Chemical & Explosive Storage 171,000 ...............
Facility.............................
Elevator/Escalator Modernization 750,000 750,000
Program, CB..........................
Design Replace Building Auto, System, 240,000 (\1\)
Capitol Complex......................
Replace Dimming Systems Serving East 40,000 40,000
Front Offices........................
Rehabilitate Dome..................... 42,500,000 1,605,000
Design Exterior Stone Preservation, CB 725,000 725,000
Chandelier Restoration and Crystal/ 270,000 230,000
Globe Replacement....................
Door Refinishing/Restoration.......... 250,000 211,000
Micrographics & Recording Storage 73,000 (\1\)
Equipment............................
Development of Master Commissioning 100,000 (\1\)
Specifications.......................
Develop AOC Engineering Guide 100,000 (\1\)
Specifications.......................
Design Repair Roof Leaks above Old 27,000 ...............
Senate Chamber.......................
Cold Storage for Historic Negatives... 67,000 67,000
Design Training Facility, USCP, Design/ 725,000 ...............
Panel................................
Window Replacement (House Side) Design/ ............... 1,500,000
Land.................................
Design Land for Vehicle Maintenance 3,260,000 ...............
Facility, USCP.......................
---------------------------------
Total, Capital Budget........... $62,696,000 $7,775,000
=================================
Total Capitol Buildings......... $111,835,000 $17,674,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Reflects appropriation transfers to General and Administration
account.
Capitol grounds.--The appropriation of $6,904,000 is
recommended for the care and improvement of the grounds
surrounding the Capitol, the Senate and House office buildings,
and the Capitol power plant.
Items related to the Senate in this account have not been
funded.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating
budget and the capital budget follows:
CAPITOL GROUNDS
[Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Committee
Item requested recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2002 Operating Budget
Personal Services..................... $4,392,000 $4,392,000
Other Services........................ 1,110,000 1,160,000
Supplies.............................. 316,000 516,000
Equipment............................. 60,000 60,000
---------------------------------
Subtotal, Operating Budget...... $5,878,000 $6,128,000
=================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget
Wayfinding and ADA-Compliant Signage, 100,000 100,000
CG...................................
CAD Database Development--Site 320,000 320,000
Utilities & Grounds..................
Security Improvements, HSOB Horseshoe 1,100,000 ...............
Entrance, NE.........................
Replace Trucks........................ 80,000 80,000
Provide Lights at Lot 9............... 276,000 276,000
---------------------------------
Subtotal, Capital Budget........ $1,876,000 $776,000
=================================
Total, Capitol Grounds.......... $7,754,000 $6,904,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
House office buildings.--For House office buildings,
$49,006,000 is provided. The Committee has transferred 71 FTE's
and $5,030,000 from this account to the new account ``General
and Administration--Salaries and expenses''.
The Committee is aware of many deficiencies in the service
provided by the office of the Superintendent of House office
buildings. These include, among other things, unresponsiveness,
inability to complete projects in a timely fashion, lack of
cleanliness of the buildings, and outdated management
practices. The Committee recommends that the Architect of the
Capitol provide the Superintendent's office with the necessary
resources and leadership team to improve these problems.
The Committee further recommends that the House
Superintendent develop and implement a performance-based
business plan to begin the transition to a more modern employee
management structure. This plan should also focus on ways to
improve services and deal with declining employee retention
rates. The Superintendent, upon consultation with the
Architect, must submit this plan to the Committee no later than
the first of November, 2001. This plan must be approved by the
Chairman, Ranking Member and Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee.
After approval of the plan, the Architect of the Capitol
will be responsible for oversight of this program. The
Architect shall report back to the Committee quarterly with an
update on the status of implementing the plan. This reporting
requirement shall expire one calendar year after the full
implementation of the plan.
The Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol to
retain an outside consultant to conduct an independent review
of the existing recycling program for the House of
Representatives. Concerns have been raised about efforts to
separate trash for recycling which, when collected, is
ultimately dumped into the same receptacles destined for
disposal. The Committee directs that the review should include
recommendations to improve the program, establish a criteria
for measuring compliance, and establish reasonable milestones
for increasing the amount of material recycled. As part of its
evaluation, the consultant is encouraged to determine if actual
custodial staffing levels are adequate to implement such a
program.
Bicycle racks provided within the House garages and other
areas are old and an inefficient use of space, not usable by
all types of bicycles, and have the potential to damage parked
bicycles. The Architect of the Capitol is directed to replace
these racks with a modern design that alleviates these
problems. The Committee encourages consultation with the
District of Columbia's Department of Transportation Bicycle
Program Manager to determine suitable racks to meet these
requirements.
The Architect of the Capitol is directed to review the
current availability of showers and locker rooms in the House
office buildings and to report back to the Committee on
Appropriations within sixty days. This review should include
additional showers and locker room spaces, and any necessary
upgrades to current facilities.
The Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol to post
signs indicating the location of stairways in each House Office
Building. While there are stairs located near the majority of
the elevator banks, there are no signs indicating their
presence. The Committee hopes this effort will help to ease the
high volume of traffic on the elevators.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating
budget and the capital budget follows:
HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS
[Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Committee
Item requested recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2002 Operating Budget
Personal Services..................... $29,514,000 \1\ $24,484,000
Other Services........................ 3,240,000 3,240,000
Supplies.............................. 1,248,000 1,248,000
Equipment............................. 257,000 257,000
---------------------------------
Subtotal, Operating Budget...... $34,259,000 \1\ $29,229,000
=================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget
Roof Fall Protection.................. $2,444,000 $2,444,000
Sound Improvements, Committee Hearing 450,000 450,000
Rooms................................
Replace Exit Doors for Emergency 1,357,000 706,000
Egress...............................
Fire Alarm System Upgrades for ADA, 1,514,000 1,514,000
HOB..................................
Design Egress Improvements............ 500,000 500,000
Design Upgrade Kitchen Exhausts....... 188,000 188,000
Egress Door Improvements.............. 200,000 200,000
Rayburn Cafeteria Exhaust System...... 1,600,000 ...............
Wayfinding and ADA-Complliant Signage, 370,000 370,000
HOB..................................
Elevator Modernization Program, HOB... 3,000,000 3,000,000
Study Upgrade HVAC System, RHOB....... 200,000 200,000
Design Rayburn Loading Dock........... 50,000 50,000
Renovations to Armed Services Rostrum. 120,000 120,000
Design Alternate Chilled Water, FHOB 500,000 500,000
(FDA Replacement)....................
Design Fiber Optic Lines between 25,000 25,000
Rayburn and the Capitol..............
Study of Square 692 and other House 150,000 150,000
sites................................
Design Food Service, Main Serving 200,000 200,000
Area, FHOB...........................
Design Expand/Renovate Computer 300,000 300,000
Center, FHOB.........................
Design Catering Kitchen Remodeling, 300,000 300,000
LHOB.................................
Demolition of O.Neill House Office ............... 3,500,000
Building.............................
Renovate Rayburn Cafeteria (Rayburn 3,460,000 5,060,000
Cafeteria exhaust system included in
project).............................
---------------------------------
Total, Capital Budget........... $16,928,000 $19,777,000
=================================
Total, House Office Buildings... $51,187,000 \1\ $49,006,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Reflects appropriation transfers to General and Administration
account.
Capitol Power Plant.--The Committee recommends the
appropriation of $45,324,000 for the Capitol power plant for
fiscal year 2002, plus offsetting collections of $4,400,000.
The Committee has transferred one FTE and $63,000 from this
account to the new account ``General and Administration--
Salaries and expenses''.
The Committee has not included funding for the West
Refigeration Plant expansion due to the lack of 100% design.
The Committee is aware of the District of Columbia's
Anacostia Waterfront Initiative, a long-range plan in which
Washington-area Members of Congress have great interest, to
promote redevelopment of long-neglected sections of the
Anacostia waterfront in southeast and southwest Washington. The
Initiative will necessarily affect, and be affected by, long-
range plans for various parcels of federal land along the M
Street and South Capitol Street corridors, including the
Capitol Power Plant. The Architect of the Capitol is directed
to report to the Committee within 90 days on the following: (1)
its assessment of the long-range (25-year) need for the Capitol
Power Plant, including information about the useful life of the
plant; and (2) any plans for future modifications to the Plant,
its site, equipment, physical profile, or operations, and the
timeframe in which decisions must be made about such
modifications.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating
budget and the capital budgets follows:
CAPITOL POWER PLANT
[Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Committee
Item requested recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2002 Operating Budget
Personal Services..................... $6,259,000 $6,137,000
Rent Communications, Utilities & 37,780,000 36,127,000
Travel...............................
Other Services........................ 1,539,000 1,539,000
Supplies.............................. 4,646,000 4,646,000
Reimbursement......................... (4,400,000) (4,400,000)
---------------------------------
Subtotal, Operating Budget...... $45,824,000 $44,049,000
=================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget
Implement Emergency Shoring and $100,000 $100,000
Repairs to Tunnels...................
Update CAD Drawings for CPP........... 75,000 75,000
Install Ventilation in Coal Bunkers... 65,000 65,000
Replace Deaerator Heaters............. 335,000 335,000
Study Heat Balance/Efficiency 100,000 100,000
Improvements.........................
Repoint and Clean East and West Plant 90,000 90,000
Chimneys.............................
Replace Controls West Cooling Tower... 180,000 180,000
Install Dual, Low Nox Burners, Boilers 200,000 200,000
5-7..................................
Install Synchronous Excitation Package 130,000 130,000
for Chillers.........................
---------------------------------
Total, Capital Budget........... $1,275,000 $1,275,000
=================================
Total, Capitol Power Plant...... $47,099,000 $45,324,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative Provisions
Section 108 establishes a Minor Construction account in the
Treasury of the United States. Section 109 is related to the
acquisition of property by the Architect. Section 110 adjust
the compensation of the top levels of management within the
Office of the Architect of the Capitol and requires a GAO
study. Section 111 provides for payment of liquidated damages
for contracts greater than $50,000. Section 112 limits the
expenditure of funds prior to reprogramming approval by the
Commmittee. Section 113 provides benefits for temporary
employees.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
Congressional Research Service
2001 appropriation.................................... $73,430,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 81,139,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 81,454,000
Salaries and expenses.--The Committee recommends
$81,454,000. This amount is $8,024,000 above the current year
and $315,000 above the request. The amount above the budget
request provides funding for the Federal Mass Transit Benefit
Program.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
Congressional Printing and Binding
2001 appropriation.................................... $81,205,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 90,900,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 81,000,000
The Committee has included an appropriation of $81,000,000
for printing and binding of congressional documents at the
Government Printing Office for use by Congress.
The Committee acknowledges the contribution the Internet
has made toward lessening the need for printed materials in
legislative office. To this end, the Committee requests the
Joint Committee on Printing to conduct a review of all offices
that receive the printed copy of the Congressional Record with
the objective of eliminating the distribution of unneeded
copies. The Committee expects this study to be provided to the
Committee on appropriations no later than January 7, 2002.
A comparative summary of the recommendation by category of
work follows:
CONGRESSIONAL PRINTING AND BINDING
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation Recommended
2001 Requested 2002 2002
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressional Record program................................. $18,852,000 $19,271,000 ...............
Miscellaneous publications................................... 8,050,000 3,795,000 ...............
Miscellaneous printing and binding........................... 13,182,000 13,040,000 ...............
Details to Congress.......................................... 1,974,000 2,021,000 ...............
Document envelopes and document franks....................... 972,000 990,000 ...............
Business and committee calendars............................. 1,710,000 3,000,000 ...............
Bills, resolutions, and amendments........................... 7,238,000 8,019,000 ...............
Committee reports............................................ 3,344,000 3,948,000 ...............
Documents.................................................... 3,108,000 4,232,000 ...............
Hearings..................................................... 19,950,000 21,004,000 ...............
Committee prints............................................. 2,420,000 1,680,000
Prior-year orders............................................ 9,900,000 9,900,000 ...............
Shortfall.................................................... (9,495,000) ............... ...............
--------------------------------------------------
Total.................................................. $81,205,000 $90,900,000 $81,000,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TITLE II--OTHER AGENCIES
A total of $848,275,000 is recommended for the five
programs carried in this title of the bill. This allowance is
$5,836,000 less than requested and $27,191,000 below the amount
appropriated in fiscal year 2001.
A summary of the amounts recommended by agency follows:
Title II--Other Agencies
Agency Amount
Botanic Garden.......................................... $5,946,000
Library of Congress (except Congressional Research
Service)............................................ 368,594,000
Architect of the Capitol: Library buildings and grounds. 22,252,000
Government Printing Office (except Congressional
Printing and Binding)............................... 29,639,000
General Accounting Office (net appropriation)........... 421,844,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $848,275,000
BOTANIC GARDEN
Salaries and Expenses
2001 appropriation.................................... $3,321,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 6,129,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 5,946,000
The amount recommended for the Botanic Garden is
$5,946,000. The Committee has included language related to the
opening of the renovated Botanic Garden Conservatory. The
Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol in conjunction
with the joint leadership to determine the appropriate use of
the Botanic Garden facilities.
The Committee has not included the general provision,
requested by the Architect of the Capitol, to increase the gift
authority for the National Garden. The requested increase would
raise the authority from $14.5 million to $16 million. The
Legislative Branch Fiscal Year 2001 Appropriation Bill (P.L.
106-544) provided an increase of $4.5 million in gift authority
from $10 million to $14.5 million. The Committee understands
that the additional increase of $1.5 million will not be needed
until the completion of the Garden currently projected for
July, 2003. The Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol
to review the estimates of the total anticipated contributions
for the National Garden and request total authority required in
next years budget submission.
The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:
BOTANIC GARDEN
[Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Amount Committee
Item requested recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2002 Operating Budget
Personal Services..................... $3,551,000 $3,551,000
Rent Communications, Utilities & 21,000 21,000
Travel...............................
Other Services........................ 497,000 497,000
Supplies.............................. 323,000 323,00
Equipment............................. 40,000 40,000
---------------------------------
Subtotal, Operating Budget...... $4,432,000 $4,432,000
=================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget
Way Finding/ADA Signage, BG........... $135,000 $25,000
Design Administrative Building 200,000 200,000
Renovation and Addition..............
Roof Fall Protection, DC Village...... 131,000 131,000
Vehicle Replacement, BG............... 68,000 68,000
Shade Curtain Warranty................ 50,000 50,000
Conservatory Galleries Design 615,000 615,000
Exhibits, Banners and Audio Tours....
Conservatory/National Garden 98,000 25,000
Interactive Displays.................
Implementation/Contractor Support 400,000 400,000
Conservatory Courtyards..............
---------------------------------
Total, Capital Budget........... $1,697,000 $1,514,000
=================================
Total, Botanic Garden........... $6,129,000 $5,946,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
(Except Congressional Research Service)
The Committee recommends appropriations totaling
$368,594,000 for the operations of the Library of Congress
(except the Congressional Research Service, which is carried in
title I of the bill) for fiscal year 2002. The following table
summarizes the allocation of funds by appropriation account:
Library of Congress
Item Amount
Fiscal year 2002:
Salaries and expenses............................... $297,842,000
Copyright Office.................................... 13,032,000
Books for the blind and physically handicapped...... 49,788,000
Furniture and furnishings........................... 7,932,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $368,594,000
Total Resources
The Library also receives funds from other appropriations
and sources estimated to total $280,646,000 for fiscal year
2002 including $81,454,000 for the Congressional Research
Service in title I of the bill, and $22,252,000 appropriated to
the Architect of the Capitol for the structural and mechanical
care of the Library buildings. The remainder consists of
receipts from copyright fees and the sale of catalog records
and publications, income from gift and trust funds, and
reimbursements for services performed for other Government
agencies. Thus, a total of $649,240,000 from all sources will
be available to the Library during the next fiscal year. Of
that amount, $173,480,000 (26.7%) is for support of Congress.
The balance is general government or public service in nature,
such as the Copyright Office, the National Library Service, the
Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK), and the many
services conducted for the Nation's libraries.
The appropriations in the bill for all Library programs
will finance the level of full time equivalent positions
currently projected for fiscal year 2002, now estimated by the
Library of Congress at 4,169. In addition, there are several
hundred other positions financed through reimbursable and gift
and trust fund programs.
A breakdown by source and amount of funding follows:
Total resources, Library of Congress, 2002
Item Amount
Annual appropriations:
Title I--Congressional Research Service............. $81,454,000
Title II--Library (direct).......................... 368,594,000
Architect of the Capitol, Library buildings and
grounds........................................... 22,252,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total annual appropriations (in bill)............. $472,300,000
Receipts from copyright fees, sale of catalog records
and publications, and sponsors of international
legal database...................................... $34,714,000
Gift, trust and revolving funds......................... 135,876,000
Reimbursement for services performed.................... 6,350,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................. $649,240,000
Salaries and Expenses
2001 appropriation \1\................................ $375,746,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 290,425,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 297,842,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts)................... (6,850,000)
-----------------
Total available................................. $304,692,000
\1\ Includes Russian Leadership Program P.L. 106-544 ($9,978,000) and
the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation
Program P.L. 106-544 ($99,780,000).
The sum of $297,842,000, plus $6,850,000 in offsetting
receipts, is recommended for salaries and expenses, which is
the basic appropriation for the operation of Library programs,
an increase of $7,417,000 above the budget request and a
decrease of $77,904,000 below 2001. This level of funding
provides for 2,778 FTE's, including all associated mandatory
costs.
The Committee has provided $9,582,963 for the National
Digital Library Program. This amount is $5,000,000 below the
request and reflects a phased-in approach to funding of the
National Digital Library. This approach better matches the
Library's ability to implement successfully the extraordinary
amount of change required in a program of the size and scope of
the National Digital Library effort.
The Committee has provided an increase of $1,649,670 in
support of the operations of the Law Library. The amount
provided is $850,000 above the request and is earmarked for the
arrearage reduction and collections support program to
eliminate the current Law Library cataloging backlog. The
American Bar Association and the legal community have been very
vocal in their support for greater funding for the Law Library.
In light of their concern the Law Library is directed to
explore the possibility of working with the legal community to
assist with this project. Further, the Library is directed to
make the Law Library arrearage reduction program a top priority
and to keep the Committee informed of the progress to eliminate
the arrearage.
Funding is provided for the continuation of the ``Joining
Hands Across America: Local Community Initiative'' project, as
approved by the Library, for the purpose of teaching educators
how to incorporate the Library's digital collections into
school curricula.
Given the critical nature of the information that the
Library of Congress stores, it is imperative that the data
storage infrastructure employed provides the same level of
protection and capabilities of that employed by private sector
industry leaders, leveraging remote mirroring technology and
providing heterogeneous connectivity to the existing systems
already owned by the Library. The Librarian is directed to
review this matter to ensure the maximum protection and to
report his findings and any additional issues that may be
needed prior to conference action on this bill.
Copyright Office
2001 appropriation.................................... $9,168,000
2002 budget request................................... 14,358,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 13,032,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts)................... (27,864,000)
-----------------
Total available................................. $40,896,000
Salaries and expenses.--The Committee recommends an
appropriation of $13,032,000, plus authority to spend
$27,864,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office. The total
available in this recommendation is $1,326,000, in direct
appropriations, and $1,100,000 in receipts below, the amount
requested and $3,864,000 for both above the amount provided for
the current fiscal year.
The reduction, net of the transit subsidy of $195,000, is
$2,426,000 below the request and reflects the Library's revised
request for the electronic registration, recordation, and
deposit system (CORDS). The Library has withdrawn the request
pending completion of its business process reengineering
implementation plan.
The Committee notes that the increased receipt level
recommended by the Congress in fiscal year 2001 has not created
any financial or service related detriment to any of the
operations of the Copyright Office. In fact, the Copyright
Office projects a balance of $2.3 million in receipts at the
start of fiscal 2002 over and above the increased receipt level
approved last year.
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
2001 appropriation.................................... $48,502,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 49,765,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 49,788,000
Salaries and expenses.--A total of $49,788,000 is
recommended for the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped, an increase of $1,286,000 over the
amount provided in fiscal year 2001. Included in this funding
level is approval of 7 additional full-time equivalent
positions (FTE's). The Committee reminds the Library that it
must limit the number of FTE's employed, under each
appropriation, to the level reflected in the approved budget.
Any changes in that level must be approved by the Committee's
on Appropriations of the House and Senate.
Furniture and Furnishings
2001 appropriation.................................... $4,881,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 8,599,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 7,932,000
The bill provides a total of $7,932,000 for Library
furniture and furnishings for fiscal year 2002.
Administrative Provisions
The routine administrative provisions have been approved
(Sec. 201-205). The Committee has amended section 206 to allow
for the temporary transfer of funds to the FEDLINK and Federal
Research Program. The Committee has also included section 207
which makes a technical correction to the description of the
services authorized for the revolving fund associated with the
audiovisual conservation center at Culpeper.
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
Library Buildings and Grounds
2001 appropriation.................................... $15,935,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 21,402,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 22,252,000
The Committee bill provides $22,252,000 for the care and
maintenance of the Library of Congress buildings and grounds,
which is administered by the Architect of the Capitol. The
Committee notes it has provided the request of $3,003,000 for
various life safety needs and believes it is imperative to
correct these deficiencies as soon as possible; therefore, an
additional $1,000,000 has been provided, for a total
appropriation of $4,003,000. The Committee has transferred two
FTE's and $150,000 from this account to the new account
``General and Administration-Salaries and expenses.''
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating
budget and the capital budgets follows:
LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
[Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item Amount requested recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2002 Operating Budget
Personal Services................. $8,744,000 \1\ $8,594,000
Other Services.................... 1,713,000 1,713,000
Supplies.......................... 584,000 584,000
Equipment and Land and Structures. 256,000 256,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal, Operating Budget.. $11,297,000 \1\ $11,147,000
=====================================
Fiscal Year 2002 Capital Budget
Replace Partition Supports, JMMB.. $300,000 $300,000
Replace VSD Motor Controls, TJB 132,000 132,000
and JAB..........................
Replace Sidewalks, TJB and JAB.... 100,000 100,000
Restore Decorative Painting, TJB 100,000 100,000
and JAB..........................
Books Stack Lighting Controls, TJB 100,000 100,000
and JAB..........................
Audio Visual Conservation Center, 5,000,000 5,000,000
Culpeper, VA.....................
LOC Room and Partition 500,000 500,000
Modifications....................
Replace Compact Stack Safety, JMMB 300,000 300,000
Study Relocation of Sprinklers, 105,000 105,000
JMMB.............................
Design Smoke Detector Compliance, 100,000 100,000
LB&G.............................
Roof Fall Protection, LB&G........ 1,778,000 1,778,0000
Design Egress Improvements........ 550,000 550,000
Design Upgrade Kitchen Exhausts 70,000 70,000
Systems..........................
ADA Requirements, LB&G............ 100,000 100,000
Design Collection Security........ 200,000 200,000
Design Replacement of Rain 50,000 50,000
Leaders, JAB.....................
Design Remove Four Escalators for 100,000 100,000
Office Space, JMMB...............
Preservation Environmental 100,000 100,000
Monitoring.......................
Life Safety Improvements.......... ................. 1,000,000
Design Book Storage #2, Ft. Meade. 420,000 420,000
-------------------------------------
Subtotal, Capital Budget.... $10,105,000 $11,105,000
=====================================
Total, Library Buildings and $21,402,000 \1\ $22,252,000
Grounds....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Reflects appropriation transfers to General and Administration
account.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
(except congressional printing and binding)
Office of Superintendent of Documents
2001 appropriation.................................... $27,893,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 29,639,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 29,639,000
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $29,639,000
for the salaries and expenses of the Superintendent of
Documents, a part of the Government Printing Office. This
amount is an increase of $1,746,000 above the amount enacted
for FY 2001.
Government Printing Office Revolving Fund
2001 appropriation.................................... $6,000,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 6,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. ................
Revolving fund.--The bill includes the usual language
authorizing the operation of the revolving fund, authority to
hire or purchase automobiles, advisory councils, consultants,
and flextime. The Committee has not included funding for the
air-conditioning and lighting systems request since funds were
provided in the fiscal year 2001 supplemental to cover these
repairs. The limit on full-time equivalent employment has been
set at 3,260.
Administrative Provisions
The Committee has included an administrative provision,
section 208, to extend the early retirement and voluntary
separation incentive payment authority for the GPO.
GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
2001 appropriation.................................... $384,020,000
2002 budget estimate.................................. 427,794,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 421,844,000
Offsetting collections................................ (2,501,000)
-----------------
Total available................................. $424,345,000
The Committee has provided $421,844,000 in direct
appropriations for the General Accounting Office, plus
$2,501,000 in offsetting collections derived from
reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government
corporations and rental of space in the GAO building. This
funding provides for 3,269 FTE's.
TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS
The customary language regarding emergency assistance for
vehicles, positions and allowances, consulting services, buy
American and the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council
is included (Sections 301-307). The Committee has included
section 308 which provides for back pay due to errors in
personnel actions within the Office of the Architect of the
Capitol. The Committee has included section 309 which provides
for salary adjustments for the United States Capitol telephone
exchange personnel. The Committee has also included a
provision, section 310, which authorizes the Architect of the
Capitol to maintain and landscape areas on Washington Avenue
SW.
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 on Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I
of the Constitution of the United States of America, which
states:
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in
consequence of Appropriations made by law. * * *
Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to
this specific power granted by the Constitution.
COMPARISON WITH 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
(P.L. 93-344), as amended, which requires that the report
accompanying a bill providing new budget authority contain a
statement detailing how that authority compares with the
reports submitted under section 302 of the Act for the most
recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the
fiscal year from the Committee's section 302(b) allocation.
This information follows:
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 302(b) This bill--
---------------------------------------------------
Budget Budget
authority Outlays authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary............................................... $2,240 $2,301 $2,240 $2,301
Mandatory................................................... 81 81 81 81
---------------------------------------------------
Total................................................. 2,321 2,382 2,321 2,382
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION OF OUTLAYS
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L.
93-344), as amended, the following table contains five-year
projections associated with the budget authority provided in
the accompanying bill:
Five-Year Projection of Outlays
Millions
Budget authority........................................ $2,240
Outlays:
2002................................................ 1,937
2003................................................ 207
2004................................................ 51
2005................................................ 12
2006................................................ 4
ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS
In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L.
93-344), as amended, the financial assistance to State and
local governments is as follows:
The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and
local assistance programs.
TRANSFERS OF FUNDS
Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in
Congressional printing and binding, the Superintendent of
Documents, and the Capitol Police programs.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure
authorizes funding:
The Committee on Appropriations considers program
performance, including a program's success in developing and
attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing
funding recommendations.
RESCISSIONS
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the House of
Representatives, the following table is submitted describing
the rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill:
There are no rescissions recommended in the bill.
CHANGES IN THE APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1), of rule XIII of the House of
Representatives, the following statements are submitted
describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill
which directly or indirectly change the application of existing
law:
1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items
remain available for more than one year where programs or
projects are continuing in nature under the provisions of
authorizing legislation but for which that legislation does not
specifically authorize such extended availability. Most of
these items have been carried in previous appropriation bills.
This authority tends to result in savings by removing the
incentive to commit funds at the end of the fiscal year.
2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place
limitations on, or which authorize or reauthorize, the use of
funds in the bill, or change or extend existing limitations,
appropriations, or authorizations, and which under some
circumstances might be construed as changing the application of
existing law.
3. There is language that allows reimbursement for service
to be used by the servicing entity.
4. The bill continues the practice of providing official
reception and representation allowances for officers and
offices of the legislative branch.
5. There is language changing the pay day of House
employees.
6. The bill authorizes expenses for employee awards, such
as certificates or plaques and related ceremonial
presentations, by certain agencies.
7. There is language under ``Capitol Police Board, General
Expenses'' authorizing advance payments for travel by Capitol
Police personnel for training or other purposes, expenses
associated with the relocation of liaison or instructor
personnel from the Capitol Police force to and from the Federal
Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and for the
costs of basic training of police personnel.
8. The bill authorizes the transfer of funds within
``Capitol Police, Salaries'', and between ``Capitol Police,
Salaries,'' and ``General Expenses,'' subject to approval.
9. There is language authorizing training and related
regulatory actions by CBO.
10. There is language amending CBO's authority for property
disposal.
11. Two new accounts have been authorized for Architect of
the Capitol ``General and Administrative Salaries and
Expenses'' and ``Minor Construction.''
12. Authority to acquire property by the Architect of the
Capitol is included.
13. Authority for salary increases for the Office of the
Architect of the Capitol is included and a study and management
improvement plan are authorized.
14. Authority to pay benefits and to assign wages has been
included for certain Architect of the Capitol employees.
15. The bill authorizes liquidated damages for delayed
construction contracts.
16. Language governing reprogramming of funds is included.
17. There is language under ``Capitol Power Plant'',
Architect of the Capitol, allowing reimbursements for chilled
water and steam provided to the Government Printing Office, the
Washington City Post Office, the Supreme Court, the Thurgood
Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, Union Station Complex and
the Folger Shakespeare Library to be credited to this
appropriation and made available for obligation.
18. There is language under ``Congressional Research
Service'' which prohibits the publication of material unless
approved by the appropriate committees.
19. There is language under ``Congressional printing and
binding'' restricting the use of funds appropriated to the
Government Printing Office for the permanent edition of the
Congressional Record for individual Representatives and
Senators, Resident Commissioners, or Delegates, and language
providing that appropriations recommended shall be available
for the payment of obligations incurred under appropriations
for similar purposes for preceding fiscal years, primarily due
to the unpredictability of the volume of work generated by the
Congress, limiting the printing of certain documents to a time
certain, and authorizing the transfer of unobligated balances.
20. Authorization of appropriations for Congressional
printing and binding is included.
21. There is authority to expend funds collected under the
authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and for international legal
information, the balance to remain available until expended.
22. There is a limitation on funding for attendance at
meetings for the Library of Congress and a limitation on top-
level management participation in compressed work schedules.
23. There is authority to transfer funds to an educational
consortium.
24. There is a limitation on the number of indirect
employees that are paid from appropriated funds received by the
Library of Congress from other agencies. These funds are
generated by performing reimbursable work for these other
agencies and are used to cover general and administrative
overhead work generated by these reimbursable programs.
25. There is language amending the Library of Congress
Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000.
26. This is language authorizing the temporary transfer of
appropriated funds, for the Library of Congress, to the
revolving fund.
27. There is language under ``Salaries and Expenses'',
Office of Superintendent of Documents, which limits travel
expenses and which authorizes the use of current appropriations
to pay for printing certain publications in prior years for the
depository library program. There is language authorizing the
transfer of unexpended balances.
28. There is language authorizing the operation of the GPO
revolving fund, and which authorizes travel expenses for
advisory councils.
29. Under the GPO revolving fund, there is language that
provides expenses not to exceed $75,000 for attendance at
meetings.
30. The bill includes a limitation on GPO employment of not
more than 3,260 full-time equivalent work years.
31. There is a limitation on the participation of top-level
GPO management in flexible or compressed work schedules and an
extension of early retirement provisions at GPO.
32. There is language relating to the General Accounting
Office authorizing the direct procurement of expert and
consultant services under 5 U.S.C. 3109, at certain rates;
authorizing the hire of one passenger motor vehicle, as
required by 31 U.S.C. 1343; authorizing the General Accounting
Office to make advance payments in foreign countries in
accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3324; and to provide certain
benefits, including rental of living quarters in foreign
countries; appropriations are authorized for administrative
expenses of any other member department or agency to finance an
appropriate share of the costs of the American Consortium on
International Public Administration (ACIPA), and the National
Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional Intergovernmental
Audit Forum. The ACIPA language satisfies the requirements of
P.L. 100-202.
33. In Section 301, there is language prohibiting the use
of funds in the Act for the maintenance or care of private
vehicles except for emergency assistance and cleaning as may be
provided under regulations relating to parking facilities for
the House issued by the Committee on House Administration and
for the Senate by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
34. Section 303 provides that whenever any office or
position not specifically established by the Legislative Pay
Act of 1929 is appropriated for herein or whenever the rate of
compensation or designation of any position appropriated for
herein is different from that specifically established for such
position by such Act, the rate of compensation and the
designation of the position, or either, appropriated for or
provided herein, shall be the permanent law with respect
thereto: Provided that the provisions herein for the various
items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees
of the Senate and House, and clerk hire for Senators and
Members shall be the permanent law with respect thereto.
35. Section 304 requires that certain information regarding
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
36. Section 305 is a sense of Congress provision regarding
American-made products.
37. There is a provision which authorizes legislative
branch entities to share the costs of the Legislative Branch
Financial Managers Council.
38. There is language (section 308) amending title 5 that
allows certain technical corrections to be made by the
Architect of the Capitol.
39. There is an amendment (section 309) to the House
Position Classification Act.
40. There is language (section 310) authorizing the
Architect of the Capitol to maintain certain property.
Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
ACT OF MAY 21, 1937
(Chapter 236)
[Sec. 1. The Chief Administrative Officer of the House of
Representatives is authorized and directed to pay to the
officers and employees of the House of Representatives,
including the Capitol Police and Office of Legislative Counsel,
and employees paid on vouchers under authority of resolutions,
their respective salaries for the month of December on the 20th
day of that month, each year, except when the 20th of the month
falls on Sunday, in which case the said salaries shall be paid
on the 19th of December.
[Sec. 2. The Chief Administrative Officer of the House of
Representatives is authorized and directed to pay to the
officers and employees of the House of Representatives,
including the Capitol Police and Office of Legislative Counsel,
and employees paid on voucher under authority of resolutions,
their respective salaries on the first workday preceding the
last day of any month (except the month of December) when the
last day of such month falls on a Sunday or a legal holiday.]
----------
FIRST DEFICIENCY APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1946
[Chapter 589]
AN ACT Making appropriations to supply deficiencies in certain
appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1946, and for prior
fiscal years, to provide supplemental appropriations for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1946, and for other purposes
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, to supply deficiencies in
certain appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1946, and for prior fiscal years, to provide supplemental
appropriations for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1946, and
for other purposes, namely:
TITLE I--GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS
Legislative
* * * * * * *
CONTINGENT EXPENSE OF THE HOUSE
Telegraph and telephone: For an additional amount for
telegraph and telephone service, exclusive of personal
services, fiscal year 1945, $5,000.
Stationery: For an additional allowance for stationery of
$500 for each Representative, Delegate, and the Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico, for the second session of the
Seventy-ninth Congress, $219,000, to be immediately available
and to remain available until June 30, 1946.
Attending physician's office: For compensation at the rate
of $3,600 per annum of a technical assistant in the office of
the attending physician, to be appointed by the attending
physician, subject to the approval of the Speaker, fiscal year
1946, $1,800.
[Whenever the usual day for paying salaries in or under the
House of Representatives falls on Saturday, such salaries may
be paid on the preceding workday.]
----------
SECTION 104 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1987
* * * * * * *
Sec. 102. (a)(1) The Chief Administrative Officer of the
House of Representatives may dispose of used equipment of the
House of Representatives, by trade-in or sale, directly or
through the General Services Administration. Any direct
disposal under the preceding sentence shall be in accordance
with normal business practice and shall be at fair market
value. Receipts from disposals under the first sentence of this
subsection (together with receipts from sale of transcripts,
waste paper and other items provided by law, and receipts for
missing or damaged equipment) shall be deposited in the
Treasury [for credit to the appropriate account under the
appropriation for ``allowances and expenses'' under the heading
``Contingent Expenses of the House'', and shall be available
for expenditure in accordance with applicable law.] for credit
to the appropriate account of the House of Representatives, and
shall be available for expenditure in accordance with
applicable law. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the
case of receipts from the sale or disposal of any audio or
video transcripts prepared by the House Recording Studio, the
``appropriate account of the House of Representatives'' shall
be the account of the Chief Administrative Officer of the House
of Representatives.
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 105 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1997
Sec. 105. (a) The Director of the Congressional Budget
Office shall have the authority, within the limits of available
appropriations, to dispose of surplus or obsolete personal
property by interagency transfer, donation, [or discarding.]
sale, trade-in, or discarding. Amounts received for the sale or
trade-in of personal property shall be credited to funds
available for the operations of the Congressional Budget Office
and be available for the costs of acquiring the same or similar
property. Such funds shall be available for such purposes
during the fiscal year in which received and the following
fiscal year.
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 108 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1991
administrative provisions
Sec. 108. [(a) Effective as of the first day of the first
applicable pay period beginning on or after the date of
enactment of this Act, the compensation of the Director of
Engineering (under the Architect of the Capitol) shall be equal
to such rate as the Architect considers appropriate, not to
exceed 90 percent of the highest total rate of pay for the
Senior Executive Service under chapter 53 of title 5, United
States Code, for the locality involved.
[(b)(1) Effective beginning with any pay period beginning on
or after the date of enactment of this Act, the Architect of
the Capitol may fix the rate of basic pay--
[(A) for not more than one of the positions under
paragraph (2) at a rate not to exceed 90 percent of the
highest total rate of pay for the Senior Executive
Service under chapter 53 of title 5, United States
Code, for the locality involved; and
[(B) for any other position under paragraph (2), at
such rate as the Architect considers appropriate for
such position, not to exceed 85 percent of the highest
total rate of pay for the Senior Executive Service
under chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, for
the locality involved.
[(2) Authority under paragraph (1) may be exercised with
respect to any of the following positions under the
jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol:
[(A) The Senior Landscape Architect.
[(B) The Administrative Assistant.
[(C) The Executive Officer.
[(D) The Budget Officer.
[(E) The General Counsel.
[(F) The Superintendent of the Senate Office
Buildings.
[(G) The Superintendent of the House Office
Buildings.
[(H) The Supervising Engineer of the United States
Capitol.]
(a) The Architect of the Capitol may fix the rate of basic
pay for not more than 11 positions (of whom 1 shall be the
project manager for the Capitol Visitor Center and 1 shall be
the project manager for the modification of the Capitol Power
Plant) at a rate not to exceed the highest total rate of pay
for the Senior Executive Service under subchapter VIII of
chapter 53 of title 5, United States Code, for the locality
involved.
[(c)] (b) Effective beginning with any pay period beginning
on or after the date of enactment of the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, 1992, the rate of basic pay for up to 8
positions under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the
Capitol may be fixed at such rate as the Architect considers
appropriate for each, not to exceed 135 percent of the minimum
rate payable for grade GS-15 of the General Schedule.
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 101 OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS FISCAL OPERATIONS IMPROVEMENT
ACT OF 2000
* * * * * * *
TITLE I--LIBRARY OF CONGRESS REVOLVING FUNDS
SEC. 101. REVOLVING FUND FOR [AUDIO AND VIDEO] DUPLICATION SERVICES
ASSOCIATED WITH AUDIOVISUAL CONSERVATION CENTER.
(a) Establishment.--There is hereby established in the
Treasury a revolving fund for [audio and video] duplication and
delivery services provided by the Librarian of Congress
(hereafter in this Act referred to as the ``Librarian'') which
are associated with the national audiovisual conservation
center established under the Act entitled ``An Act to authorize
acquisition of certain real property for the Library of
Congress, and for other purposes'', approved December 15, 1997
(Public Law 105-144; 2 U.S.C. 141 note).
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 309 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999
Sec. 309. (a) * * *
(b) Early Retirement.--(1) This subsection applies to an
employee of the Government Printing Office who--
(A) voluntarily separates from service on or after
the date of enactment of this Act and before October 1,
[2001] 2004; and
* * * * * * *
(c) Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments.--(1) * * *
(2) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in order to
avoid or minimize the need for involuntary separations due to a
reduction in force, reorganization, transfer of function, or
other similar action affecting the agency, the Public Printer
shall establish a program under which voluntary separation
incentive payments may be offered to encourage eligible
employees to separate from service voluntarily (whether by
retirement or resignation) during the period beginning on the
date of the enactment of this Act through September 30, [2001]
2004.
* * * * * * *
----------
CHAPTER 55 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE
CHAPTER 55--PAY ADMINISTRATION
* * * * * * *
Subchapter III--Advancement, Allotment, and Assignment of Pay
* * * * * * *
Sec. 5525. Allotment and assignment of pay
The head of each agency may establish procedures under
which each employee of the agency is permitted to make
allotments and assignments of amounts out of his pay for such
purpose as the head of the agency considers appropriate. For
purposes of this section, the term ``agency'' includes the
Office of the Architect of the Capitol.
* * * * * * *
Subchapter IX--Severance Pay and Back Pay
* * * * * * *
Sec. 5596. Back pay due to unjustified personnel action
(a) For the purpose of this section, ``agency'' means--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(4) the Government Printing Office; [and]
(5) the government of the District of Columbia[.];
(6) the Architect of the Capitol; and
(7) the United States Botanic Garden.
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 4 OF THE HOUSE EMPLOYEES POSITION CLASSIFICATION ACT
COMPENSATION SCHEDULES
Sec. 4. (a) * * *
(b) The committee shall establish and maintain, and, from
time to time, may revise, for positions under the Clerk, the
Sergeant at Arms, the Chief Administrative Officer, and the
Inspector General of the House of Representatives, the
compensation for which, in the judgment of the committee,
should be fixed and adjusted from time to time in accordance
with prevailing rates, a compensation schedule providing for
per annum or per hour rates, or both, established in accordance
with prevailing rates and consisting of such number of
compensation levels and steps as the committee deems
appropriate, which shall be known as the ``House Wage
Schedule'' and for which the symbol shall be ``HWS''. The rates
of compensation for such positions shall be in accordance with
such schedule. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Act,
for purposes of applying the adjustment made by the committee
under this subsection for 2002 and each succeeding year,
positions under the Chief Administrative Officer shall include
positions of the United States Capitol telephone exchange under
the Chief Administrative Officer.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Clause 3(f)(1), Rule XIII requires a table of all
appropriations in the bill that are not authorized by law.
Appropriations included in this bill have been previously
authorized by law.
Full Committee Votes
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(a)(1)(b) of rule
XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, no roll call
votes occurred in Full Committee.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR 2001 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2002 PERMANENT
NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY--TRUST FUNDS
[Becomes available automatically under earlier, or ``permanent'' law without further, or annual, action by the
Congress. Thus, these amounts are not included in the accompanying bill. All amounts are in the form of
``appropriations'' unless otherwise indicated]
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget estimate
New budget of new
Agency and item (obligational) (obligational) Increase (+) or
authority, 2001 authority, 2002 decrease (-)
\1\ \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library of Congress:
Gift and trust fund accounts............................. $91 $28 -$63
Cooperative Acquisitions Revolving Fund.................. 3 3 ...............
Gift Shop, Decimal Classification, Photoduplication, and ............... 10 +10
Related Services........................................
Duplication Services..................................... ............... 1 +1
Fedlink Program and Federal Research Program............. ............... 93 +93
U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission:
Trust funds.............................................. 2 2 ...............
Architect of the Capitol, Botanic Garden:
Gifts and donations...................................... 12 2 -10
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and
Development:
Trust funds.............................................. 2 2
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Trust funds..................................... $110 $141 +$31
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Amounts as estimated and shown in the February 2002 budget document. Some items are indefinite in amount,
and thus are subject to later reestimation.
PERMANENT NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY--FEDERAL FUNDS
[Becomes available automatically under earlier, or ``permanent'' law without further, or annual, action by the
Congress. Thus, these amounts are not included in the accompanying bill. All amounts are in the form of
``appropriations'' unless otherwise indicated]
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget estimate
New budget of new
Agency and item (obligational) (obligational) Increase (+) or
authority, 2001 authority, 2002 decrease (-)
\1\ \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House of Representatives:
Congressional use of foreign currency.................... $5 $5 ...............
International conferences and contingencies: House and 1 1 ...............
Senate expenses.........................................
Compensation of Members and related administrative 80 80 ...............
expenses................................................
Library of Congress:
Payments to copyright owners (indefinite, special fund).. 230 239 +9
--------------------------------------------------
Total, Federal funds................................... $316 $325 +$9
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Amounts as estimated and shown in the February 2002 budget document. Some items are indefinite in amount,
and thus are subject to later reestimation.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF THE HONORABLE JAMES P. MORAN, THE HONORABLE STENY
H. HOYER, AND THE HONORABLE MARCY KAPTUR
The Legislative Subcommittee has crafted a good bill that
provides Congress and the legislative branch agencies with the
resources they need to carry out their mission next year.
Fortunately, the 302(b) allocation this subcommittee
received was very favorable. This subcommittee was also
fortunate to be able to address key priorities, including an
increase in Members' Representational Allowance and a shortfall
in the congressional printing account at the Government
Printing Office, in the fiscal 2001 supplemental. Combined,
these two developments gave the subcommittee the flexibility it
needed to craft a good budget and honor most legislative branch
agency requests.
The Library of Congress, the General Accounting Office, the
Government Printing Office and the Congressional Budget Office
will receive largely what they requested. The bill also
provides sufficient funds to fill an additional 79 positions
for the Capitol Police, bringing the total force to 1,481 FTEs
and fully funding the proposed adjustments in training,
overtime, wage comparability and COLA. While adequate staffing
levels have been a contentious issue in recent years, we
recognize that an increase in personnel beyond the 79 new
positions cannot be realistically achieved during the coming
fiscal year. We expect the Capitol Police to work diligently to
fill the 79 new positions that we have funded.
We support the majority's decision to defer the Visitor
Center and the Capitol Dome project until certain management
and staffing issues within the office of the Architect of the
Capitol have been resolved. We fully support making life and
safety improvements a priority. We also applaud the Chairman
for accepting our language to put a stop to the Architect's
long-term use of temporary workers--in many cases for years--
without providing them access to the same health, retirement,
and other employee benefits that permanent and even other
temporary federal workers receive from their first day on the
job.
We are pleased to note that sufficient funds will be
available to provide a $65 per month transit benefit to all
eligible legislative branch employees. This benefit will help
achieve several worthwhile objectives, including restoring
transit benefit parity with executive branch employees,
reducing the demand for additional parking, and helping to
reduce traffic congestion and air pollution. In addition, we
are pleased to see report language directing the Chief
Administrative Officer to develop a proposal for a self-
sustaining staff fitness center for the House, and during the
interim, to replace the shower and changing room facilities
that will be lost following demolition of the O'Neill Building.
The efforts of our good friend Representative Blumenauer to
bring these issues to the subcommittee's attention deserve
special recognition. We must not forget the sacrifices our
personal staff, committee staff, and other employees, including
those at the Government Printing Office, the Capitol Police,
the Congressional Research Service and other legislative branch
agencies, make everyday to meet deadlines, advance the
interests of Members, and serve the public good.
Chairman Taylor and his staff have worked cooperatively
with us to craft a bill that deserves strong bipartisan
support.
James P. Moran.
Steny H. Hoyer.
Marcy Kaptur.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF THE HONORABLE MARCY KAPTUR
We do regret deeply the reluctance of the Committee's
majority to consider our pleas to preserve the privileges and
prerogatives of the House by maintaining the official House
Capitol Committee Chambers solely for House legislative
operations. Our Constitution strictly enshrines the separation
of powers between the legislative and executive branches.
Through unprecedented actions taken earlier this year by the
majority party, the historic House Capitol Committee Room (H-
208) used by the House Committee on Military Affairs from 1869
to 1908, and then by the Committee on Ways and Means for nearly
a century from 1908 until early this year, has been designated
for use by the Executive Branch, with specific assignment to
the Vice President, who is not an officer of the House.
Alarmingly, this incursion of the Executive Branch is a matter
of historic significance and concern. Though the rules of the
House grant some measured control of Capitol facilities to the
Speaker, those rules do not permit operational legislative
chambers of the House to be ceded to the Executive Branch. It
is reasonable to question whether this particular decision is
an abuse of the Constitutional trust placed in the Speaker to
preserve and protect the integrity and legislative privileges
of the House of Representatives itself.
This action by the Speaker is truly unprecedented. This
decision grants the Executive Branch operational space and
quarters in the House itself. Further, this particular space
cannot be considered incidental office space used for support
functions of the House. Jurisdiction over these rooms falls
outside the normal procedures controlled by the House Office
Building Commission. This Commission in Rule 5 states ``The use
of meeting rooms under the jurisdiction of the Commission is
restricted to Congressionally related uses or purposes which
serve Members, Committees, Officers, or organizations of the
Congress''. If this is the standard we apply to the use of
rooms with the greatest distance from the House Chamber, how
can we allow a lesser standard to this historic room that is
just off the main entrance to the House chamber itself? Indeed,
it is part of the heritage of the House, located on the second
floor of the Capitol just a few yards from the House Chamber.
The current Vice President served as a member of the House
of Representatives from 1979 to 1989. Some have suggested his
service as a reason for allowing this room assignment. But no
Vice President can be afforded official status as an officer of
the House. Surely our system of government is not a
parliamentary system. No prior member of the House subsequently
elected as Vice President has ever been granted such a
privilege. Thirty-one Members of the House have gone on to
become Vice President. Thirty previous Vice Presidents,
including our past four--Walter Mondale, George Bush, Dan
Quayle and Albert Gore--have neither sought nor been granted a
Capitol House office in the Legislative Branch. The Vice
President, the constitutionally designated President of the
Senate, has already been granted gracious and ample quarters on
the Senate side of the Capitol. Throughout America's history,
the needs of the Vice President in dealing with members of the
House of Representatives have been accommodated in far less
obtrusive and consequential fashion.
The room in question, H-208, has been the site of many
historic House actions. In this Committee room, the Social
Security Act and the Medicare Program were first devised,
debated, passed for full House action and subsequently
improved. Major trade legislation, including the Payne Aldrich
Tariff, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, the North American Free Trade
Agreement, and the Permanent Normalization of Trade Relations
with China were developed. Revenue acts, dating back to the
Revenue Act of 1917, were considered in this Committee room. Of
special significance to the House of Representatives, the U.S.
Capitol Memorial Fund in memory of Detective John Michael
Gibson and Private First Class Jacob Joseph Chestnut, killed in
the line of duty protecting Members and staff in the Capitol
itself, was established. This Capitol Committee chamber with
its proud history as a vital component of the House of
Representatives should not be delegated to Executive Branch
pursuits without profound question.
The members of the House deserve a thorough explanation of
the circumstances surrounding the decision to make this
unprecedented allocation of House legislative space, while
other officers of the House, including the Minority Leader, the
Majority Whip, and the Minority Whip, are required to remain
further away from the House Chamber where they have daily
responsibilities. Many Committees, including the Appropriations
Committee itself, lack sufficient Capitol space to conduct
their duties properly. It is unclear who is permitted to use
this room, whether Executive Branch staff utilize the space,
and how the Legislative Branch is being reimbursed for space
occupation and services provided. The Kaptur amendment intended
to provide for a full reporting to the House of this action,
but was withdrawn as a courtesy to the Committee leadership,
and to avoid having its intent misinterpreted as partisan,
rather than Constitutional, in nature.
Surely, Congress should heed the words of President George
Washington in his farewell address of September 19, 1796, and
let a word to the wise be sufficient:
It is important, likewise, that the habits of
thinking in a free Country should inspire caution in
those entrusted with its administration, to confine
themselves within their respective Constitutional
Spheres; avoiding in the exercise of Powers of one
department to encroach upon another.
Marcy Kaptur.