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114th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session } { 114-110
======================================================================
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016
_______
May 12, 2015.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Graves of Georgia, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 2250]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2016, and for other purposes.
INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
_______________________________________________________________________
Page number
Bill Report
Highlights of Bill.........................................
2
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations................. 2
4
House of Representatives........................... 2
4
Payment to Widows and Heirs of Deceased Members of
Congress....................................... 2
4
Salaries and Expenses.............................. 2
4
Joint Items: 9
6
Joint Economic Committee................... 9
6
Joint Committee on Taxation................ 9
7
Office of the Attending Physician.......... 9
7
Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services............................... 10
7
Capitol Police..................................... 10
8
Office of Compliance............................... 12
9
Congressional Budget Office........................ 13
9
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office
Buildings)..................................... 13
9
Library of Congress................................ 19
15
Government Publishing Office....................... 23
18
Government Accountability Office................... 27
19
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund............ 29
19
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training
and Development................................ 30
19
Title II--General Provisions............................... 30
20
Bill-wide Reporting Requirements...........................
20
Additional Views...........................................
39
SUMMARY OF BILL
The accompanying bill contains recommendations for new
budget (obligational) authority for fiscal year 2016 for the
Legislative Branch. The following table summarizes these
recommendations and reflects comparisons with the budget and
with amounts appropriated to date for fiscal year 2015:
SUMMARY OF THE BILL
[Note.--Excludes Senate items, including those Senate items under the Architect of the Capitol]
(Amounts in Thousands)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FY 2015 FY 2016 Bill vs. Bill vs.
Recapitulation enacted request Bill enacted request
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House of Representatives:
Salaries and Expenses....... 1,180,736 1,180,736 1,180,736 - - - - - -
Joint Items..................... 19,056 19,767 19,469 +413 -298
Capitol Police.................. 347,959 378,900 369,000 +21,041 -9,900
Office of Compliance............ 3,959 4,020 3,959 - - - -61
Congressional Budget Office..... 45,700 47,270 47,270 +1,570 - - -
Architect of the Capitol........ 505,948 577,010 492,171 -13,777 -84,839
Library of Congress............. 590,921 624,502 591,431 +510 -33,071
Government Publishing Office.... 119,993 120,000 110,236 -9,757 -9,764
Government Accountability Office 522,000 553,058 522,000 - - - -31,058
Open World Leadership Center.... 5,700 8,000 5,700 - - - -2,300
Stennis Center for Public 430 430 430 - - - - - -
Service........................
Scorekeeping Adjustment......... -1,000 - - - -1,000 - - - -1,000
Grand total............... 3,341,402 3,513,693 3,341,402 - - - -172,291
Payment to Widows and Heirs - - - - - - 174 +174 +174
of Deceased Members of
Congress...................
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL
The Committee recommends $3,341,401,898 in discretionary
resources for operations of the Legislative Branch of
government (excluding Senate items). The fiscal year 2016
recommendation is the same as the current fiscal year level and
is a decrease of $172,291,202 below the budget request as
amended.
Conforming to longstanding practice under which each body
of Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and
the other concurs without intervention, funds for the Senate
are not included in the bill as reported to the House. The
budget request for the Senate for fiscal year 2016 including
those under the Architect of the Capitol totals $1,015,150,816
as amended.
This bill reflects a continued acknowledgment that the
Legislative Branch must set itself as an example for fiscal
restraint while continuing to serve the Nation. This bill will
require strict fiscal discipline on the part of all
congressional offices and all agency heads in the Legislative
Branch.
Legislative Branch-Wide Matters
Zero Base Budgeting.--The Committee continues to be very
pleased with the results of the zero-base budgeting exercise
directed to be conducted by all the agencies of the Legislative
Branch. The Committee believes that this valuable budgeting
process has given agencies the opportunity to take a fresh look
at all areas of their operations and make funding reductions
and alignments within the current budget base. The Committee
believes that there are continued opportunities to realize
meaningful savings by carefully reviewing each agency's budget
requirements from a zero base and directs all agencies to
continue to develop budget requests from a zero base.
Committee Requests, Furloughs and Performance Based Merit
Increases.--The Committee directs that adherence to the
language carried in House Reports 112-148, 112-511 and 113-417
pertaining to Committee Requests and Furloughs to be continued
unless otherwise so directed. Performance Based Merit Increases
are not to exceed the maximum allowable for agencies with a
certified SES performance appraisal system.
Shared Services Report.--House Report 113-417 directed the
Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council (LBFMC) to
prepare a report on the feasibility of shared services between
the agencies of the Legislative Branch. The report provided
many issues to be considered by the Committee regarding shared
services and the Committee acknowledges the excellent work of
the (LBFMC) members for their work on this report.
Cyber Security/Information Sharing.--The Committee has
concerns regarding the potential of cyber security attacks from
not only enemies abroad but domestically. The Legislative
Branch agencies are not immune to such attacks. Almost daily
there are reports of not only government agency attacks but
attacks on our large financial institutions, health providers,
and large and small retail operations. The Committee directs
the Chief Information Officers (CIO's) to all work together in
a collaborative manner by sharing technology information, in
such areas as best practices/lessons learned, and potential
pitfalls of any new information technology initiatives
especially in the cyber security area. Sharing of such
information should not only strengthen the position of the
Legislative Branch but should avoid the potential of systems
and processes that have not proven themselves but should also
achieve financial savings.
Cloud Technology.--In late 2014 the Government Publishing
Office began moving the agency's internal email system to the
cloud. The GPO reported that this would simplify the agency's
IT infrastructure, gain greater functionality, and enable
faster upgrades for future enhancements. The Committee applauds
the GPO on this effort. With the potential for faster service
and financial savings the Committee directs that all agencies
consider such a change within their individual IT operations,
not only for internal mail, but also other IT applications.
TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Payment to Widows and Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress
The Committee has included the customary gratuity of
$174,000 for Tori B. Nunnelee, widow of Alan Nunnelee, late a
Representative from the State of Mississippi.
Salaries and Expenses
The Committee recommends $1,180,736,000 for the operations
and maintenance of the House of Representatives during fiscal
year 2016. This amount is the same as the current fiscal year
2015 level and is the same as the budget request. This
recommendation marks the third year in a row of no increase in
the budget of the House of Representatives.
House Leadership Offices
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $22,278,891
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 22,278,891
Recommended in the bill............................... 22,278,891
The Committee recommends $22,278,891 for salaries and
expenses of staff in House leadership offices for fiscal year
2016. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted
level and is the same as the budget request.
The allocation by office follows:
Office of the Speaker................................. $6,645,417
Office of the Majority Floor Leader................... 2,180,048
Office of the Majority Whip........................... 1,886,632
Republican Conference................................. 1,505,426
Office of the Minority Floor Leader................... 7,114,471
Office of the Minority Whip........................... 1,459,639
Democratic Caucus..................................... 1,487,258
-----------------
Total............................................. $22,278,891
Members' Representational Allowances
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $554,317,732
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 554,317,732
Recommended in the bill............................... 554,317,732
The Committee recommends $554,317,732 for the
representational allowances of the Members of the House (MRAs).
This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted level
and is the same as the budget request. This level of funding
will allow the MRAs to operate at current authorized levels as
approved by the Committee on House Administration.
House Committees
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $147,174,177
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 147,174,177
Recommended in the bill............................... 147,174,177
The Committee recommends $147,174,177 in total for House
Committees. This amount is the same as the current level and
the budget request.
This account includes funding for staff salaries and
official expenses of Committees including equipment,
telecommunications, printing, and contract services. Funding is
available until December 31, 2016.
Included in the total is $23,271,004 for the Committee on
Appropriations. The amount is the same as the current level and
the budget request.
Salaries, Officers and Employees
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $171,344,864
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 177,868,679
Recommended in the bill............................... 175,713,679
The Committee recommends $175,713,679 for the salaries and
expenses of House officers and employees of the various
activities funded through this consolidated item. This amount
is $4,368,815 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level and is
$2,155,000 below the budget request.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation
provided to each component of the account:
Office of the Clerk................................... $24,980,898
Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms........................ 14,827,120
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer............ 115,010,000
Office of the Inspector General....................... 4,741,809
Office of General Counsel............................. 1,413,450
Office of the Parliamentarian......................... 1,974,606
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House....... 3,119,766
Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House........ 8,352,975
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs.................. 814,069
Other authorized employees............................ 478,986
-----------------
Total............................................. $175,713,679
Office of the Clerk.--The Committee recommends $24,980,898
for the Clerk of the House. This amount is $971,425 above the
current level and is the same as the budget request. This level
of funding will enable the Clerk of the House to make necessary
purchases of software and new information technology.
Office of the Sergeant at Arms.--The Committee recommends
$14,827,120 for the Office of the Sergeant At Arms (SAA). This
amount is $2,900,391 above the fiscal year 2015 level and is
the same as the budget request. This increase provides funding
to cover increased costs for Emergency Management and
Information Services.
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.--The Committee
recommends $115,010,000 for the Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer (CAO). This amount is $1,910,000 above
the current level and is $2,155,000 below the budget request.
The CAO is directed to fund all mandatory/pay related current
and projected increases within the current base.
The Committee directs the Chief Administrative Officer to
establish a House Technology Task Force, modeled on the
successful Bulk Data Task Force established at the Committee's
direction by the Clerk of the House in 2012. The Task Force
shall be comprised of senior staff representatives of the House
officers and such other offices and entities as may be
necessary. The Task Force is directed to identify and report to
the Committee opportunities to enhance coordination of
information technology efforts in the House, including, but not
limited to, IT architecture and life cycle investment
strategies, end-user training, network security, and
recommendations for shared services that may improve IT
effectiveness at a lower overall cost to the House.
Allowances and Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $285,620,336
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 279,096,521
Recommended in the bill............................... 281,251,521
The Committee recommends a total of $281,251,521 for
allowances and expenses. This amount is $4,368,815 below the
fiscal year 2015 level and is $2,155,000 above the budget
request.
These funds include supplies, materials, administrative
costs, and Federal tort claims; the costs of official mail for
the Committees, leadership, and administrative offices;
employee benefits; miscellaneous items; and Business Continuity
and Disaster Recovery.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation
provided to each major component of the account:
Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal $3,625,236
tort claims..........................................
Official mail (committees, administrative, and 190,486
leadership offices)..................................
Government contributions.............................. 254,447,514
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery............. 16,217,008
Transition Activities................................. 2,084,000
Wounded Warrior Program............................... 2,500,000
Office of Congressional Ethics........................ 1,467,030
Miscellaneous items................................... 720,247
-----------------
Total, allowances and expenses.................... $281,251,521
Administrative Provisions
Section 101 provides for unspent amounts remaining in
Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for
deficit or debt reduction.
Section 102 prohibits the delivery of bills and
resolutions.
Section 103 prohibits the delivery of printed copies of the
Congressional Record.
Section 104 places a limitation on amount available to
lease vehicles.
Section 105 places a limitation on print copies of the U.S.
Code.
Section 106 prohibits the delivery of report of
disbursement.
Section 107 prohibits the delivery of the daily calendar.
JOINT ITEMS
The Committee recommends $19,469,000 for fiscal year 2016
for the various joint committees and activities carried under
this heading. The recommendation is $413,000 above the fiscal
year 2015 level and is $298,100 below the budget request.
JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $4,203,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 4,254,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 4,203,000
The Committee recommends $4,203,000 for the Joint Economic
Committee. This recommendation is the same as the current level
and is $51,000 below the budget request as amended.
The Joint Economic Committee was created by the Employment
Act of 1946. The primary tasks of the Committee are to review
economic conditions and to recommend improvements in economic
policy. The Committee performs research and economic analysis
and monitors and analyzes current economic, financial, and
employment conditions.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $10,095,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 10,300,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 10,095,000
The Committee recommends $10,095,000 for the Joint
Committee on Taxation (JCT). This recommendation is the same as
the fiscal 2015 level and is $205,000 below the budget request.
The Joint Committee on Taxation operates under the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986 and its predecessors dating to the Revenue
Act of 1926. It has responsibility to (1) investigate the
operation and effects of internal revenue taxes and the
administration of such taxes; (2) investigate measures and
methods for the simplification of such taxes; (3) make reports
to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate
Committee on Finance (or to the House and the Senate) on the
results of such investigations and studies and to make
recommendations; and (4) review any proposed refund or credit
of income or estate and gift taxes or certain other taxes set
forth in Code section 6405 in excess of $2,000,000. In addition
to these functions that are specified in the Internal Revenue
Code, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the Joint
Committee to provide revenue estimates for all tax legislation
considered by either the House or the Senate.
OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $3,371,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 3,797,100
Recommended in the bill............................... 3,784,000
The Committee recommends $3,784,000 for the Office of the
Attending Physician. This amount is $413,000 above the fiscal
year 2015 level and is $13,100 below the request. The increase
above the current level provides for the increase for the
reimbursement to the Navy $206,000 and miscellaneous medical
initiatives $207,000.
OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $1,387,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 1,416,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 1,387,000
The Committee recommends $1,387,000 for the operation of
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. This amount
is the same as the current level and is $29,000 below the
budget request as amended.
The Office of Congressional Accessibility Services is a
successor office to the Special Services Office following
enactment of the Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 (Public Law
110-437).
CAPITOL POLICE
The Committee recommends a total of $369,000,000 for the
Capitol Police (USCP). This amount is $21,041,000 above the
fiscal year 2015 level and is $9,900,000 below the budget
request.
Use of Grounds.--The Committee understands the need to
maintain safety and order on the Capitol grounds and commends
the Capitol Police for their efforts. However, given the
family-style neighborhood that the Capitol shares with the
surrounding community the Committee would instruct the Capitol
Police to forebear enforcement of 2 U.S.C. 1963 (``An act to
protect the public property, turf, and grass of the Capitol
Grounds from injury'') and the Traffic Regulations for the
United States Capitol Grounds when encountering snow sledders
on the grounds.
Coordination.--The Committee recognizes that the Capitol
Police closely coordinate with other Federal, State, and local
first responders in the Washington metropolitan region.
In light of recent responses by first responders within the
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority system, the
Committee wants to ensure that the Capitol Police have
standards of operations in place for incident responses, and
that incident response plans are coordinated and exercised with
other first responders, especially at Metrorail stations close
to the Capitol Complex.
The Committee directs the Capitol Police to provide a
report not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act detailing the standards of operations that are in
place to coordinate incident responses at area Metrorail
stations with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit
Authority, the Metropolitan Police Department, Federal law
enforcement agencies, and any other relevant first responders
from the District of Columbia and other jurisdictions, and to
include in the report a coordination and exercise plan for
applying these standards.
Salaries
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $286,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 307,428,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 300,000,000
The Committee recommends $300,000,000 for the salaries and
benefits authorized for police services throughout the USCP
jurisdiction. This amount is $13,500,000 above the fiscal year
2015 level and is $7,428,000 below the budget request.
Using the latest salary estimates from USCP, the Committee
expects this level of funding to support a staffing level of
1,775 of the 1,800 authorized sworn positions and 370 of the
authorized 443 civilian positions.
The recommendation for USCP funding is based on only
critical requirements necessary to mitigate and address threats
and risks. It does not provide for any new initiatives.
New Posts.--The Committee continues to direct the USCP to
notify the Committee on Appropriations of the House when new
posts are created, including the annualized cost of maintaining
the new post, and how the cost will be offset.
General Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $61,459,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 71,472,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 69,000,000
The Committee recommends $69,000,000 for all general
expenses of the USCP. This amount is $7,541,000 above the
fiscal year 2015 level and is $2,472,000 below the budget
request.
Administrative Provision
Section 1001 provides for deposit of reimbursements for law
enforcement assistance in connection with an activity that was
not sponsored by Congress.
OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE
Salaries and Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $3,959,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 4,020,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 3,959,000
The Committee recommends $3,959,000 for the Office of
Compliance. This amount is the same as the current level and is
$61,000 below the budget request.
The Office of Compliance was established to administer and
enforce the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-
091). The Act applies various employment and workplace safety
laws to Congress and certain Legislative Branch entities.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $45,700,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 47,270,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 47,270,000
The Committee recommends $47,270,000 for the Congressional
Budget Office (CBO). This is $1,570,000 above the fiscal year
2015 level and is the same as the budget request.
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $505,947,898
Budget request, fiscal year 2016\1\................... 577,010,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 492,171,898
\1\Does not include Senate office buildings.
The Committee recommends $492,171,898 for fiscal year 2016
for the activities of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
Excluded are Senate items which are traditionally left for
consideration by that body. This amount is $13,777,000 below
the fiscal year 2015 level and is $84,839,102 below the budget
request.
Within the recommended level the Committee continues its
prioritization of projects that: (1) promote the safety and
health of workers and occupants, (2) decrease the deferred
maintenance backlog, and (3) invest to achieve future energy
savings. In addition, by including $10,000,000 for the House
Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund, the bill
continues the Committee's commitment to advance planning for
major capital renewal projects which will be essential to
sustaining the performance of historic House buildings.
The Committee has included bill language (Section 1104)
which places a 25 percent cap on the amount available for any
project in excess of $5 million dollars. The language requires
the Architect to submit to the Comptroller General and the
Committee on Appropriations, for approval, a plan which
includes a description of any changes to the project schedule,
cost and description of the accounting and safeguards
implemented to ensure the project will be carried out in a
timely and cost-effective manner. The projects included based
on the information available to the committee are:
Capitol Building--Exterior Stone and Metal Preservation,
South Extension
House Office Building--Garage Rehabilitation--Rayburn
Building
House Office Building--Restoration and Renovation of the
Cannon House Office Building
Capitol Power Plant--West Refrigeration Plant Chiller
Replacement
The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation,
development, and preservation of the United States Capitol
Complex. This includes mechanical and structural maintenance of
the Capitol, Congressional office buildings, the Library of
Congress buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Capitol Power
Plant, and other facilities, as well as the upkeep and
improvement of the grounds surrounding the Capitol complex. The
following table summarizes the allocation of funds by
appropriation account:
Architect of the Capitol:
Capitol Construction and Operations............... $90,946,000
Capitol building.................................. 46,737,000
Capitol grounds................................... 11,880,000
House of Representatives buildings subtotal....... 159,962,000
House office buildings........................ (149,962,000)
Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund.. (10,000,000)
Capitol Power Plant............................... 91,549,898
Library buildings and grounds..................... 36,589,000
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security.... 22,058,000
Botanic Garden.................................... 11,892,000
Capitol Visitor Center............................ 20,557,000
-----------------
Total......................................... $492,171,898
Capitol Construction and Operations
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $91,455,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 95,396,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 90,946,000
The Committee recommends $90,946,000 for personnel
services, equipment, communications, and other central support
activities of the AOC. This amount is $509,000 below the fiscal
year 2015 level and is $4,450,000 below the budget request.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$90,946,000.
Capitol Building
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $54,665,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 58,052,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 46,737,000
The Committee recommends $46,737,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the Capitol building. This amount is
$7,928,000 below the fiscal year 2015 level and is $11,315,000
below the budget request.
The Committee directs the $50,000 requested for testing and
inspection of the Smoke Control System be provided for within
the current base.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$24,000,000. The recommended project budget of $22,737,000 is
composed of the following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Exterior Stone and Metal Preservation, South $14,287,000
Extension, Phase IIB................................
2017 Presidential Inaugural Stands and Support 4,950,000
Facilities..........................................
Minor Construction................................... 3,500,000
------------------
Total............................................ $22,737,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Grounds
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $11,973,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 15,273,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 11,880,000
The Committee recommends $11,880,000 for the care of the
grounds surrounding the Capitol. This amount is $93,000 below
the fiscal year 2015 level and is $3,393,000 below the budget
request.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$9,880,000. The recommended project budget of $2,000,000 is
composed of the following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minor Construction................................... $2,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $2,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
House Office Buildings
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $159,446,898
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 160,282,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 159,962,000
The Committee recommends $159,962,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the House office buildings. This
amount is $515,102 above the current level and $320,000 below
the budget request.
This amount includes $15,965,000 for the full year lease
cost of the Thomas P. O'Neill, Jr. Federal Office Building. To
provide total transparency for the Cannon House Office Building
Renewal Project the bill includes a line item of $62,000,000
for the restoration and renovation of the Cannon Building which
has been previously funded from the House Historic Building
Revitalization Trust Fund. The bill also includes $10,000,000
for the House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund.
Public Law 111-68 established the Fund to finance major repairs
and renovations to facilities of the House. Subject to approval
of the Committee on Appropriations of the House, the AOC may
use these funds for major renovation projects to preserve and
maintain the performance of the iconic buildings of the House
of Representatives.
The Committee authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to
incur obligations from the House Historic Building
Revitalization Trust Fund of not-to-exceed $162,399,811 for the
restoration and renovation of the Cannon House Office Building.
This authorization will provide the funding necessary for the
continuation of the Cannon Renewal Project to complete Phase-
Zero at, $19,963,848 and Phase-One, Year-One at, $142,435,963.
This will leave a balance of $19,547,000 in the House Historic
Building Revitalization Trust Fund. However, the Architect of
the Capitol may not obligate more than 25 percent of the
$162,399,811 from the House Historic Building Revitalization
Trust Fund including the $62 million provided in this Act until
the Architect submits to the Comptroller General and the
Committees on Appropriations of the House of Representatives a
plan for the use of the funds including a description of any
changes to the project's schedule, cost, as well as a
description of the accounting and other safeguards the
Architect will implement to ensure that the project will be
carried out in a timely and cost-effective manner and the
Committee on Appropriations approves such plan.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$64,076,000. The recommended project budget of $95,886,000 is
composed of the following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garage Rehabilitation, Phase I, RHOB................. $13,226,000
Restoration and Renovation of the Cannon House Office 62,000,000
Building............................................
CAO Project Support.................................. 3,660,000
Minor Construction................................... 7,000,000
House Historic Building Revitalization............... 10,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $95,886,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Power Plant
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $90,652,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 120,803,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 91,549,898
Offsetting collections................................ 9,000,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $100,549,898
The Committee recommends $100,549,898 for the Capitol Power
Plant. This amount is $897,898 above the fiscal year 2015 level
and is $29,253,102 below the budget request.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$86,141,000. The recommended project budget of $14,408,898 is
composed of the following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
West Refrigeration Plant Chiller System Replacement, $10,408,898
RPR, Phase IIIA.....................................
Minor Construction................................... 4,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $14,408,898
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library Buildings and Grounds
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $42,180,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 65,801,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 36,589,000
The Committee recommends $36,589,000 for the care and
maintenance of the Library buildings and grounds. This amount
is $5,591,000 below the fiscal year 2015 level and is
$29,212,000 below the budget request.
The Committee is very concerned with the amount of time it
has taken to begin construction of the Library of Congress Book
Module 5 at the Fort Meade facility. In September 2013 the
Committee provided $1.2 million dollars towards the cost of
Module 5. It was not until July 2014 that the Architect of the
Capitol began what is called ``Design Re-Fresh Phase'' of the
project some ten months after the funding became available.
In January 2014 the Committee provided an additional $18.2
million dollars to complete construction of Module 5 and
according to the latest project time line construction is
projected to begin in October 2015 with a projected completion
date of October 2017. Thus, in summary from the beginning
availability of funding for this project, September 2013, until
the beginning of actual construction, October 2015, over two
years will have elapsed. And from the first availability of
funding until end of construction it will take over 4 years.
The Committee understands a ``re-fresh'' of the design of
the project was required however, for 10 months to elapse
without any action on the part of the AoC is unacceptable. The
Committee expects the AoC to review the internal business
operations of the AoC organization so as to never allow another
lapse of time for any project to begin almost one year after
the beginning of funding availability.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$24,943,000 and a project budget of $11,646,000, including the
following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Direct Digital Controls Upgrade, Phase III, JMMB..... $4,321,000
Emergency Lighting System Upgrade, JAB............... 3,331,000
Collection Storage Modules 6 & 7 Design, Ft. Meade... 1,994,000
Minor Construction................................... 2,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $11,646,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $19,159,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 28,247,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 22,058,000
The Committee recommends $22,058,000 for Capitol Police
buildings, grounds, and security. This amount is $2,899,000
above the fiscal year 2015 level and is $6,189,000 below the
budget request.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$17,533,000 which reflects a reduction of $600,000 for lease
costs associated with the Alternate Computer Facility. In
addition included is a project budget of $4,525,000, including
the following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Power Switchgear Replacement, USCP HQ................ $3,525,000
Minor Construction................................... 1,000,000
------------------
Total............................................ $4,525,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Botanic Garden
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $15,573,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 12,113,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 11,892,000
The Committee recommends $11,892,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Botanic Garden. This amount is $3,681,000 below
the fiscal year 2015 level and is $221,000 below the budget
request.
The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$9,792,000 and a project budget of $2,100,000, including the
following capital projects:
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minor Construction................................... $2,100,000
------------------
Total............................................ $2,100,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Again the Committee congratulates the Botanic Garden on the
accomplishments of its education and outreach programs, which
have leveraged the Garden's unparalleled expertise to provide
unique educational opportunities. The Committee urges the
Garden to continue forming partnerships with national and local
organizations, and to utilize House Office Buildings for
visitors and constituents, in order to advance educational
goals.
Capitol Visitor Center
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $20,844,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 21,043,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 20,557,000
The Committee recommends $20,557,000 for the operation of
the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). This amount is $287,000 below
the fiscal year 2015 level and $486,000 below the budget
request.
There are no capital projects in fiscal year 2016.
The CVC was established to improve security for all persons
working in or visiting the U.S. Capitol and to enhance the
educational experience of visitors.
The Committee has some concerns with the cost of meals in
the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). Therefore, the Committee
directs the Architect of the Capitol to review, in consultation
with the Chief Administrative Officer of the House, the costs
of meals in the CVC versus the House cafeterias and to make a
proposed contract adjustment resulting in the ability of
families to have a two meal option per day to eat in the CVC
for approximately the same price as in the House cafeterias.
The Architect of the Capitol is directed to report to the
Committee on Appropriations of the House within 90 days of
enactment of this Act the findings and the recommended changes.
Administrative Provisions
Section 1101 prohibits payment of bonuses to contractors
behind schedule or over budget.
Section 1102 prohibits expenditure of funds for scrims for
projects performed by the Architect of the Capitol.
Section 1103 authorizes acquisition of certain acreage at
Fort George Meade from the Maryland State Highway
Administration.
Section 1104 limits the obligation of funds provided for
large scale projects pending an approved plan by the
Comptroller General and the Committee on Appropriations of the
House.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
The Committee recommends $591,431,000 for the operations of
the Library of Congress. This is $33,071,000 below the budget
request and is $510,000 above the current level. In addition to
the appropriation, the Committee recommends offsetting
collections of $42,127,000.
Established by Congress in 1800, the Library of Congress is
one of the largest libraries in the world, with a collection of
more than 130,000,000 print, audio, and video items in 460
languages. Among its major programs are acquisitions,
preservation, administration of U.S. copyright laws by the
Copyright Office, research and analysis of policy issues for
the Congress by the Congressional Research Service, and
administration of a national program to provide reading
material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library
maintains a significant number of collections and provides a
range of services to libraries in the United States and abroad.
A good business practice for any customer service
organization is to periodically survey that customer base to
determine if the products and services being provided are
meeting the expectations of the customer. A proper survey can
help the service provider to determine the strengths and
weaknesses of the organization and what if any corrective
action needs to be addressed. The Committee believes that such
a survey of the Library's customer base would be beneficial.
Therefore, the Committee directs the Library of Congress to
commission an independent survey of all Members and committees
of the House of Representatives to ascertain their fundamental
and optimal requirements for services and support from the
Library of Congress and especially the Congressional Research
Service. A report and analysis of the survey results is to be
provided to the Committees on Appropriations of the House no
later than 180 days after enactment of this Act.
The Committee has serious concerns regarding the recent
Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on the
Information Technology (IT) of the Library of Congress. The
examination of the Library IT operations by the GAO was
undertaken at the request of the Committee. The Committee
believed, as it does with any program, a periodic examination
of any agency's operations and processes is the responsibility
of good Government oversight. The current GAO report of the
Library IT operations and the Copyright Office IT has provided
a number of observations and recommendations for needed change
in the overall Library IT operations. Although the
recommendations are numerous, the Committee believes that the
Librarian of Congress, the Register of Copyrights, and the
Library management team can and will address each
recommendation in a timely, collaborative, and methodical
process that achieves positive results for the Library. The
Committee will be working with the Library in the upcoming
months to track the progress the Library makes on addressing
the recommendations of the GAO reports. The Librarian, the
Register of Copyrights, and the entire Library management team
will be required to provide quarterly reports to the Committee
on Appropriations of the House and Senate on objectives met,
milestones reached and overall progress on addressing the GAO
recommendations and be prepared to discuss the GAO report at
the next budget cycle hearing.
Salaries and Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $413,007,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 438,020,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 413,007,000
Offsetting collections................................ 6,350,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $419,357,000
The Committee recommends $413,007,000, plus authority to
spend $6,350,000 in receipts, for the salaries and expenses
appropriation. This amount is $25,013,000 below the budget
request and is the same as the current level.
The Committee expects the Veterans History Project will be
maintained at least at the fiscal year 2015 levels. Further,
the Committee directs that the $5,500,000 base provided for the
mass deacidification program be maintained to the fullest
extent possible.
Copyright Office
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $20,721,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 23,098,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 21,231,000
Offsetting collections................................ 35,777,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $57,008,000
The Committee recommends $21,231,000, plus authority to
spend $35,777,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office. This
is $2,705,000 above the fiscal year 2015 level and is
$1,867,000 below the budget request. The increase above the
current level is comprised of $2,195,000 offset with increased
authority to spend receipts and will fund the Copyright Office
Registration staffing increase of 20 FTE's. The balance of
$510,000 and 5 additional FTE's will address copyright
recordation business process reengineering.
The Committee continues to support the Copyright Office as
reflected with the additional fiscal year 2015 funding that was
provided to reduce the claims and process processing time for
copyright registrations ($750,000) and to conduct business
analysis for the business process engineering of the document
recordation function ($1,500,000). The Committee fully
understands the importance of the Copyright Office as it
relates to creativity and commercial artistic activity not only
within the United States but also on a world-wide basis. In
order to serve the copyright owners and the copyright community
in the 21st century, a robust modern information technology
(IT) operation will be necessary. The $1.5 million provided in
fiscal year 2015 began the effort to determine the requirements
for a modern IT environment. With the planning underway, the
Committee directs the Register of Copyrights to report, to the
Committee on Appropriation and relevant Authorizing Committees
of the House on a detailed plan on necessary IT upgrades, with
a cost estimate, that are required for a 21st century copyright
organization. In addition to the cost estimate, the Register
shall include recommendations on a funding strategy and a time
frame for completion of a new IT system that is necessary to
better serve the public in the digital age. The Register should
seek public comments to help inform the Copyright Office with
the funding strategy and implementation timeline. The cost
estimate is to be provided to the Committee with 180 days of
enactment of this Act with the funding strategy to be provided
45 days after public comments are received.
The Committee understands the Copyright Office has offered
its expertise on copyright matters to the Executive Branch,
including participation in international discussions, and
expects the Office to continue that important role.
Congressional Research Service
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $106,945,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 111,956,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 106,945,000
The Committee recommends $106,945,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). This
amount is $5,011,000 below the budget request and is the same
as the current level.
CRS works for Members and committees of Congress to support
their legislative, oversight, and representational functions by
providing nonpartisan and confidential research and policy
analysis.
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $50,248,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 51,428,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 50,248,000
The Committee recommends $50,248,000 for salaries and
expenses of the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped (NLS). This amount is $1,180,000 below
the budget request and is the same as the current level.
The NLS has successfully administered a free national
reading program for blind and physically handicapped residents
of the United States and U.S. citizens living abroad since
1931. NLS provides direction for the production of books and
magazines in braille and recorded formats and audio playback
machines for distribution through a nationwide network of 56
regional and 65 sub-regional libraries.
The Committee recognizes the importance of technology in
ensuring that blind and physically handicapped United States
residents and citizens are afforded access to reading material
in a timely manner. In order to preserve the National Library
Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped today and
ensure it is prepared to meet the needs of future generations,
the Committee directs the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) to review the services provided by the National Library.
This review should include, but is not limited to, a review of
the NLS's user base, a comparison of services and playback
equipment offered by the NLS to private sector services and
technologies currently used by the blind and physically
handicapped community, to include an evaluation of possible
cost efficiencies in utilizing private sector technologies,
availability of alternate distribution methods and other
aspects of the NLS's services that the GAO deems relevant. The
GAO is to prepare a report of its findings and report back to
the Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate no
later than December 31, 2015.
Administrative Provision
Section 1201 authorizes obligational authority for
reimbursable and revolving funds.
GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
The recommendation provides $110,236,000 in budget
authority for the Government Publishing Office (GPO), in
addition to any offsetting collections which the GPO may earn
under separate authority. This amount is $9,757,000 below the
current level $9,764,000 below the budget request.
GPO provides publishing and dissemination services for
Federal government publications to Congress, Federal agencies,
Federal depository libraries, and the American public.
Congressional Publishing
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $79,736,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 79,736,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 79,736,000
The Committee recommends $79,736,000 for Congressional
Publishing. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2015
level and is the same as the budget request. The amount is
provided as a lump sum to cover various categories of printing.
Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $31,500,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 30,500,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 30,500,000
The Committee recommends $30,500,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Public Information Programs of the
Superintendent of Documents. This amount is $1,000,000 below
the fiscal year 2015 level and is the same as the budget
request.
The Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of
Documents account funds the mailing of government documents for
Members of Congress and Federal agencies, as statutorily
authorized; the compilation of catalogs and indexes of
government publications; and the cataloging, indexing, and
providing of government publications in digital and tangible
formats to the Federal Depository and International Exchange
libraries and to other individuals and entities, as authorized
by law.
Business Operations Revolving Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $8,757,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 9,764,000
Recommended in the bill............................... - - -
The Committee has not provided funding for the Business
Operations Revolving Fund. This is a decrease of $8,757,000
below the fiscal 2015 level and $9,764,000 below the budget
request.
The bill continues language authorizing the operation of
the revolving fund and authority to hire or purchase
automobiles, advisory councils, and consultants.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $522,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 553,058,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 522,000,000
Offsetting Collections................................ 25,450,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $547,450,000
The Committee recommends $522,000,000 in direct
appropriations for the Government Accountability Office (GAO),
plus $25,450,000 in offsetting collections derived from
reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government
corporations and rental of space in the GAO building. This
amount is an increase of $1,700,000 above the fiscal year 2015
level, and is $31,058,000 below the budget request. The
increase of $1,700,000 above the current level is offset with
offsetting collections.
GAO was established by the Budget and Accounting Act of
1921. GAO works for Congress by responding to requests for
studies of Federal Government programs and expenditures. GAO
may also initiate its own work.
The Committee recognizes the important work that the
Government Accountability Office does on a daily basis to
provide oversight, transparency, and accountability for
Congress and the American people.
Administrative Provision
Section 1301 authorizes details of personnel to the
Government Accountability Office.
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $5,700,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 8,000,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 5,700,000
The Committee recommends $5,700,000, the same as the
current level and $2,300,000 below the budget request.
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development
Appropriation, fiscal year 2015....................... $430,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2016...................... 430,000
Recommended in the bill............................... 430,000
The Committee recommends $430,000 for fiscal year 2016.
This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2015 level and is
the same as the budget request.
The Committee believes that the services provided by the
John C. Stennis Center are laudable. Further the Committee
believes that the Center should continually work to raise
private sector funds in order to be self-sustaining should the
need arise.
TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS
The customary language regarding emergency assistance for
vehicles, fiscal year limitation, positions and allowances,
consulting services, the Legislative Branch Financial Managers
Council, the maintenance and landscaping on Square 580, a
limitation on transfers of funds and language regarding
maintaining staff-led tours. (Sections 201-208). In addition
section 209 authorizes battery recharging stations at the
Library of Congress, Section 210 is related to cost of living
adjustment for Members of Congress, and section 211, provides
for a spending reduction account.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS
The following items are included in accordance with various
requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Comparison With the Budget Resolution
Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act
requires the report accompanying a bill providing new budget
authority to contain a statement comparing the levels in the
bill to the suballocations submitted under section 302(b) of
the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution
on the budget for the applicable fiscal year. That information
is provided in the table headed ``Comparison of Reported Bill
to Section 302(b) Suballocation.''
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) Allocation This bill--
-------------------------------------------------------
Budget Budget
authority Outlays authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee
allocations to its subcommittees: Subcommittee on
Legislative Branch
Discretionary........................................... $4,300 $4,243 $3,341 \1\$3,515
Mandatory............................................... 135 134 135 \1\134
Total................................................... $4,435 $4,377 $3,476 $3,649
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from both House and Senate prior-year budget authority.
Note.--Bill amounts exclude discretionary Senate-related items.
Five-Year Outlay Projections
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as
amended, the following table contains five-year projections
prepared by the Congressional Budget Office of outlays
associated with the budget authority provided in the
accompanying bill:
[In millions of dollars]
Budget Authority...................................... $3,476
Outlays:
2016.............................................. \1\2,926
2017.............................................. 354
2018.............................................. 81
2019.............................................. 35
2020.............................................. 10
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
Assistance to State and Local Governments
Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, (Public Law 93-344), as amended, the amount
of financial assistance to State and local governments is as
follows:
The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and
local assistance programs.
Program Duplication
No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a
program of the Federal Government known to be duplicative of
another Federal program, a program that was included in any
report from the Government Accountability Office to Congress
pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program
related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of
Federal Domestic Assistance.
Directed Rule Making
The bill does not direct any rule-making to the Executive
Branch.
Transfer of Funds
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following lists the transfers of
funds included in the accompanying bill:
Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in Joint items
disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House,
Library of Congress, Congressional Printing and Binding, the
Superintendent of Documents, and the Capitol Police programs.
Rescissions
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following details the rescissions
in the accompanying bill:
The accompanying bill contains no rescissions.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure
authorizes funding:
The Committee on Appropriations considers program
performance, including a program's success in developing and
attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing
funding recommendations.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following lists the
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not
authorized by law for the period concerned:
The accompanying bill contains no appropriations not
authorized by law.
Earmarks
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no
Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI.
Changes in the Application of Existing Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following statements are
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the
accompanying bill that directly or indirectly change the
application of existing law:
1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items
remain available for more than one year, where programs or
projects are continuing in nature under the provisions of
authorizing legislation but for which that legislation does not
specifically authorize such extended availability.
2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place
limitations on or change or extend existing limitations,
appropriations, or authorizations, and which under some
circumstances might be construed as changing the application of
existing law.
3. The bill continues the practice of providing official
reception and representation allowances for officers and
offices of the Legislative Branch.
4. The bill authorizes disbursal of funds for various
agencies.
5. The bill authorizes transfer authority between accounts
for certain agencies in the bill.
6. The bill includes language allowing the use of funds for
studies and examinations of executive agencies and temporary
personnel services. Funds can also be available for
reimbursement to agencies for services performed.
7. The bill includes language providing funds for the
Family Room, the Superintendent of Garages, Office of Emergency
Management, and preparing the Digest of Rules.
8. The bill includes language providing funds for House
motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities.
9. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members'
Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt
reduction.
10. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being
used for the delivery of bills and resolutions.
11. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being
used for the delivery of the Congressional Record.
12. The bill includes language that places a limitation on
the amount that a Member can spend on a leased vehicle per
month.
13. The bill includes language that places a limitation on
printed copies of the U.S. Code for the House of
Representatives.
14. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being
used for the delivery of the Reports of Disbursements.
15. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being
used for the delivery of the daily calendar.
16. The bill authorizes allowances for employees of the
Office of the Attending Physician and provides reimbursement to
the Department of the Navy.
17. The bill authorizes expenses of the Capitol Police for
motor vehicles, communications and other equipment, uniforms,
weapons, supplies, materials, training, medical services,
forensic services, stenographic services, personal and
professional services, the employee assistance program, the
awards program, postage, communication services, travel
advances, and relocation expenses.
18. The bill provides that the cost of Capitol Police basic
training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center be paid
by the Department of Homeland Security.
19. The bill includes language that authorizes
reimbursement for law enforcements assistance provided in
connection with any activity that was not sponsored by
Congress.
20. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to
purchase or exchange, maintain, and operate two passenger motor
vehicles.
21. The bill includes authorization allowing reimbursements
for chilled water and steam provided to the Government
Publishing Office, the Washington City Post Office, the Supreme
Court, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, Union
Station Complex, and the Folger Shakespeare Library to be
credited to the AOC Capitol Power Plant appropriation and made
available for obligation.
22. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to expend
funds to maintain, care for, and operate the National Garden.
23. The bill contains language that prohibits the Architect
of the Capitol from expended funds for incentive or award
payments to contractors for work for which the contractor is
behind schedule or over budget.
24. The bill contains language that prohibits the Architect
of the Capitol from expended funds for scrims containing
photographs of building facades during restoration or
construction projects.
25. The bill contains language that authorizes the
Architect of the Capitol to acquire from the Maryland State
Highway Administration a parcel of real property located with
the portion of Fort George Meade that transferred to the
Architect by the Secretary of the Army.
26. The bill contains language that restricts the
obligation of funds large scale projects subject to a plan
submitted to the Comptroller General and approved by the
Committee and the Comptroller General.
27. The bill provides the authority to expend funds
collected under the authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and for
international legal information, the balance to remain
available until expended.
28. The bill establishes that the amount available for
obligation by the Library of Congress is reduced by offsetting
collections.
29. The bill provides funds for the digital collections and
educational curricula program, and the American Folklife
Center.
30. The bill allows the Library of Congress to hire or
purchase one passenger motor vehicle.
31. The bill allows funds from offsetting collections to be
used for the Library's Copyright Office.
32. The bill includes language authorizing the expenditure
of receipts, with the exception of salaries and benefits, for
the administration of the Copyright Royalty Judges program.
33. The bill contains language which provides that no funds
in the Congressional Research Service can be used to publish or
prepare material to be issued by the Library of Congress unless
approved by the appropriate committees.
34. The bill provides funds to provide newspapers to the
blind and physically handicapped.
35. The bill contains language under the Library of
Congress placing a limitation on obligations for Reimbursable
and Revolving Fund activities.
36. The bill contains language restricting the use of funds
appropriated to the Government Publishing Office for the
permanent edition of the Congressional Record for individual
Representatives and Senators, Resident Commissioners, or
Delegates, and language providing that appropriations
recommended shall be available for the payment of obligations
incurred under appropriations for similar purposes for
preceding fiscal years, limiting the printing of certain
documents to a time certain, and authorizing the transfer of
unobligated balances.
37. The bill includes authorization of appropriations for
Congressional Publishing.
38. The bill includes language authorizing the Public
Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents to pay
for printing certain publications in prior years for the
depository library program. There is language authorizing the
transfer of unexpended balances.
39. There is language authorizing the operation of the
Government Publishing Office revolving fund, and which
authorizes travel expenses for advisory councils, the purchase
of not more than 12 passenger motor vehicles and that the
revolving fund may be used to provide information in any
format.
40. The bill includes language relating to the Government
Accountability Office, authorizing the direct procurement of
expert and consultant services under 5 U.S.C. 3109 at certain
rates; authorizing the hire of one passenger motor vehicle, as
required by 31 U.S.C. 1343; authorizing the Government
Accountability Office to make advance payments in foreign
countries in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3324; and providing
certain benefits, including rental of living quarters in
foreign countries. Appropriations are authorized for
administrative expenses of any other member department or
agency to finance an appropriate share of the costs of the
National Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional
Intergovernmental Audit Forum.
41. The bill includes language that permits the detail of
employees from other government agencies to the Government
Accountability Office.
42. In Section 201, there is language prohibiting the use
of funds in the Act for the maintenance or care of private
vehicles except for emergency assistance and cleaning as may be
provided under regulations relating to parking facilities for
the House issued by the Committee on House Administration and
for the Senate by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
43. Section 203 provides that whenever any office or
position not specifically established by the Legislative Pay
Act of 1929 is appropriated for herein, or whenever the rate of
compensation or designation of any position appropriated for
herein is different from that specifically established for such
position by such Act, the rate of compensation and the
designation of the position, either appropriated for or
provided herein, shall be the permanent law with respect
thereto: Provided that the provisions herein for the various
items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees
of the Senate and House, and clerk hire for Senators and
Members shall be the permanent law with respect thereto.
44. Section 204 requires that certain information regarding
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
45. Section 205 authorizes Legislative Branch entities to
share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers
Council.
46. Section 206 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to
maintain certain property.
47. Section 207 limits the transfer of funds in this Act.
48. Section 208 prohibits funds in this Act being used to
eliminate or restrict staff led guided tours.
49. Section 209 authorizes battery recharging stations for
privately owned vehicles in parking areas under the
jurisdiction of the Librarian of Congress at no net cost to the
Federal Government.
50. Section 210 is related to cost of living adjustment for
Members of Congress.
51. Section 211 provides for a spending reduction account,
excluding Senate items.
Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 2802 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2001
* * * * * * *
Sec. 2802. (a)(1) Any funds received by the Capitol Police as
reimbursement for law enforcement assistance from any Federal,
State, or local government agency (including any agency of the
[District of Columbia)] District of Columbia), and from any
other source in the case of assistance provided in connection
with an activity that was not sponsored by Congress shall be
deposited in the United States Treasury for credit to the
appropriation for ``general expenses'' under the heading
``United States Capitol Police'', or ``security enhancements''
under the heading ``United States Capitol Police''.
(2) Funds deposited under this subsection may be expended by
the Chief of the United States Capitol Police for any
authorized purpose, including overtime pay expenditures
relating to [law enforcement assistance to any Federal, State,
or local government agency (including any agency of the
District of Columbia)] any law enforcement assistance for which
reimbursement described in paragraph (1) is made, and shall
remain available until expended.
(b) This section shall take effect on the date of enactment
of this Act and shall apply to fiscal year 2001 and each fiscal
year thereafter.
* * * * * * *
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TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
Subtitle I--GENERAL
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 7--GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
* * * * * * *
Subchapter III--PERSONNEL
Sec. 731. General
(a) The Comptroller General may appoint, pay, assign, and
remove officers (except the Deputy Comptroller General) and
employees the Comptroller General decides are necessary to
carry out the duties and powers of the Government
Accountability Office.
(b) The Comptroller General may establish for appropriate
officers and employees a merit pay system consistent with
section 5401 of title 5, as in effect on October 31, 1993.
(c) The annual rate of basic pay of the General Counsel of
the Government Accountability Office is equal to the rate for
level IV of the Executive Schedule.
(e) The Comptroller General may procure the services of
experts and consultants under section 3109 of title 5 at rates
not in excess of the daily rate for level IV of the Executive
Schedule, except that the services of not more than 20 experts
and consultants may be procured for terms of not more than 3
years, but which shall be renewable.
(f) The Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations under
which officers and employees of the Office may, in appropriate
circumstances, be reimbursed for any relocation expenses under
subchapter II of chapter 57 of title 5 for which they would not
otherwise be eligible, but only if the Comptroller General
determines that the transfer giving rise to such relocation is
of sufficient benefit or value to the Office to justify such
reimbursement.
(g) The Comptroller General shall prescribe regulations under
which key officers and employees of the Office who have less
than 3 years of service may accrue leave in accordance with
section 6303(a)(2) of title 5, in those circumstances in which
the Comptroller General has determined such increased annual
leave is appropriate for the recruitment or retention of such
officers and employees. Such regulations shall define key
officers and employees and set forth the factors in determining
which officers and employees should be allowed to accrue leave
in accordance with this subsection.
(h) The Comptroller General may by regulation establish an
executive exchange program under which officers and employees
of the Office may be assigned to private sector organizations,
and employees of private sector organizations may be assigned
to the Office, to further the institutional interests of the
Office or Congress, including for the purpose of providing
training to officers and employees of the Office. Regulations
to carry out any such program--
(1) shall include provisions (consistent with
sections 3702 through 3704 of title 5) as to matters
concerning--
(A) the duration and termination of
assignments;
(B) reimbursements; and
(C) status, entitlements, benefits, and
obligations of program participants;
(2) shall limit--
(A) the number of officers and employees who
are assigned to private sector organizations at
any one time to not more than 15; and
(B) the number of employees from private
sector organizations who are assigned to the
Office at any one time to not more than 30;
(3) shall require that an employee of a private
sector organization assigned to the Office may not have
access to any trade secrets or to any other nonpublic
information which is of commercial value to the private
sector organization from which such employee is
assigned;
(4) shall require that, before approving the
assignment of an officer or employee to a private
sector organization, the Comptroller General shall
determine that the assignment is an effective use of
the Office's funds, taking into account the best
interests of the Office and the costs and benefits of
alternative methods of achieving the same results and
objectives; and
(5) shall not allow any assignment under this
subsection to commence after the end of the 5-year
period beginning on the date of the enactment of this
subsection.
(i) An employee of a private sector organization assigned to
the Office under the executive exchange program shall be
considered to be an employee of the Office for purposes of--
(1) chapter 73 of title 5;
(2) sections 201, 203, 205, 207, 208, 209, 603, 606,
607, 643, 654, 1905, and 1913 of title 18;
(3) sections 1343, 1344, and 1349(b) of this title;
(4) chapter 171 of title 28 (commonly referred to as
the ``Federal Tort Claims Act'') and any other Federal
tort liability statute;
(5) the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (5 U.S.C.
App.);
(6) section 1043 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986; and
(7) chapter 21 of title 41.
(j) Funds appropriated to the Government Accountability
Office for salaries and expenses are available for meals and
other related reasonable expenses incurred in connection with
recruitment.
(k) Federal Government Details.--The activities of the
Government Accountability Office may, in the reasonable
discretion of the Comptroller General, be carried out by
receiving details of personnel from other offices of the
Federal Government on a reimbursable, partially-reimbursable,
or nonreimbursable basis.
* * * * * * *
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF NITA LOWEY AND DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ
The Legislative Branch appropriations bill is essential to
Congress' ability to serve the Nation and fulfill its
constitutional duties as an equal branch of government.
Regrettably, this bill falls short in providing Congress
with the resources needed to fulfill its constitutional duties.
The Legislative Branch bill provides another year of flat
funding, the third in a row. The bill reflects the Republican
budget that set discretionary spending at levels not sufficient
to grow the economy or invest in infrastructure. The President
put forward a specific plan to avoid sequestration's harmful
budget cuts and reduce the deficit in a balanced way.
Unfortunately, the Republican Budget does not even meet the
President's plan half way.
In the Legislative Branch Appropriations bill we see the
effect of the Republican Budget most starkly on the Architect
of the Capitol, where several projects with life and safety
elements were left unfunded. The Office of Compliance issued a
citation to the Library of Congress stating ``lack of exit
stairwells and exit pathways in the Thomas Jefferson Building
that are effectively protected against fire, smoke, or toxic
fumes poses an undue danger to the lives and safety of the
building occupants.'' Not surprisingly, the Architect ranked
the Library of Congress North Exit Stair B as its second most
critical project in need of funding. Nonetheless, this bill
provides no funds for that and other necessary life and safety
projects, including Library of Congress Elevator Modernization,
South Stair E Phase I, and Fire Alarm and Audibility Upgrades.
The bill not only insufficiently funds the Architect but
also includes language to withhold seventy-five percent of
funding for any project or phase of a project funded in the
bill over $5 million until the House Committee on
Appropriations and the Government Accountability Office approve
a plan for use of funds. The provision adds an overly
burdensome requirement that will unnecessarily hold up the
progress of essential projects. The low threshold of $5 million
threatens to insert the Committee into the management of
projects rather than promote the Committee's appropriate
oversight role.
The largest reduction in the bill is to the Government
Publishing Office (GPO), which was cut by over 8 percent from
the fiscal year 2015 level. The office was formerly known as
the Government Printing Office until the Committee changed the
name of the agency in the fiscal year 2015 Omnibus
Appropriations bill to reflect the digital transformation of
the agency. GPO publishes information online and plays a vital
role in Congress' transparency. Unfortunately, the bill denies
GPO's request to continue to improve its Federal Digital
System. The National Academy of Public Administration in 2013
recommended that GPO explore charging fees for access to online
legislative data to ensure the long-term preservation of
digital government publications. Congress should reject NAPA's
recommendation to charge fees and adequately fund GPO through
appropriations to ensure free access to government data.
The bill rightfully continues the subcommittee's effort to
improve the Copyright Office's business practices. As some of
the requested increase for Copyright was provided in the bill,
the subcommittee also directed the office to provide to the
Committee a detailed plan on necessary Information Technology
upgrades, including cost estimates. The Copyright Office must
improve the backlog of registrations as well as their business
processes. Currently customers can only submit documents on
paper, which the Copyright Office turns into a digital format--
a glaring inefficiency. This bill recognizes that the effort to
transform the Copyright Office will require a long commitment
and strong oversight by the legislative branch appropriations
subcommittee.
Finally, the Ranking Member of the subcommittee put forward
a commonsense amendment during Full Committee consideration
that would have taken steps to ensure House of Representatives
cafeteria workers are paid a livable wage. The amendment
directed the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of
Representatives to solicit and select a food service contractor
who provides a livable wage to its employees to meet basic
needs for food and shelter. The amendment set no amount for
wages but required the contractor to use local economic indices
to establish these wages. Regrettably, this amendment was
defeated 29-21 with Republican Members voting against and
Democratic Members voting in the affirmative. The Democratic
Members of the Committee will continue to strive to require
that contractors doing business with the House of
Representatives pay wages and provide benefits that allow their
employees to live above poverty levels and move into the middle
class.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz.
Nita M. Lowey.
[all]
