General authority

In carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (in this resolution referred to as the committee) is authorized from March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2023, in its discretion, to—(1)make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate;(2)employ personnel; and(3)with the prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration, use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency.

Expenses

(a)

Expenses for period ending September 30, 2021

The expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 under this resolution shall not exceed $4,561,289, of which amount—(1)not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and(2)not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).(b)

Expenses for fiscal year 2022 period

The expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 under this resolution shall not exceed $7,869,484, of which amount—(1)not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and(2)not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).(c)

Expenses for period ending February 28, 2023

The expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023 under this resolution shall not exceed $3,278,947, of which amount—(1)not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and(2)not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).

Expenses and agency contributions

(a)

Expenses of the committee

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), expenses of the committee under this resolution shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee.(2)

Vouchers not required

Vouchers shall not be required for—(A)the disbursement of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate;(B)the payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;(C)the payment of stationery supplies purchased through the Keeper of the Stationery;(D)payments to the Postmaster of the Senate;(E)the payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;(F)the payment of Senate Recording and Photographic Services; or(G)the payment of franked and mass mail costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper.(b)

Agency contributions

There are authorized to be paid from the appropriations account for Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations of the Senate such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions related to the compensation of employees of the committee—(1)for the period March 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021;(2)for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; and(3)for the period October 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023.