[Senate Prints 117-1]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




117th Congress  }                                           {    S. Prt.
                           COMMITTEE PRINT                     
1st Session     }                                           {    117-1
_______________________________________________________________________

                                     


 
                       EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATIONS

                          AND REQUIREMENTS FOR

                           SENATE COMMITTEES
                           
                           

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]



                            JANUARY 4, 2021
                            
                            
            


                       Printed for the use of the

                 Committee on Rules and Administration

                          United States Senate
                          
                          
                          
                          

           Available on http://www.govinfo.gov
                  
                  
                  
                          ______

             U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 
42-572                 WASHINGTON : 2021                



                  
                  
            COMMITTEE ON RULES AND ADMINISTRATION

                ROY BLUNT, Missouri, Chairman
           AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota, Ranking Member
                                       
                                     
                                PREFACE

    This committee print is intended to assist Senate committee 
chairmen, ranking members, and their staff with the drafting of 
committee expenditure authorizations for the period covering 
March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2023. This document also 
provides Senate committees with detailed information about the 
budgeting process, including the relevant laws, rules and 
regulations; sample documents; and historic committee funding 
levels. All standing committees of the Senate, select and 
special committees of the Senate, and joint committees financed 
by the Senate, with the exception of the Select Committee on 
Ethics and the Committee on Appropriations, must follow the 
procedures outlined in this document.
    The Rules Committee staff is available to assist should you 
or your staff have any questions or otherwise need assistance 
with this process.

                                   ROY BLUNT,
                                           Chairman,
                                   AMY KLOBUCHAR,
                                           Ranking Member,
                             Committee on Rules and Administration.
                             
                         C  O  N  T  E  N  T  S

                              ----------                              
                                                                   Page
Committee expenditure authorizations:
    Authority....................................................     1
    Fiscal year for expenditure authorizations...................     2
    Submission date for resolutions..............................     2
    Format of resolutions........................................     2
    Consultants and staff training...............................     2
    Division of funding and office space for the majority and 
      minority...................................................     3
    Colloquy.....................................................     3
    Joint leadership letter......................................     4
    Budgets and supporting materials.............................     4
Supplemental expenditure authorizations:
    Authority....................................................     7
    Accompanying report required.................................     7
Procurement of consultants by Senate committees:
    Statutory authority..........................................     9
    Definition of ``consultant''.................................    10
    Prerequisite for procurement.................................    10
    Selection of consultants.....................................    10
    Rules Committee responsibility...............................    10
    Methods of procurement.......................................    11
    Appointment of individual consultants........................    11
    Procurement of consultants by contract.......................    12
Training of professional staff:
    Statutory authority..........................................    13
    Summary of essential requirements............................    14
    Regulations governing training of professional staff of 
      Senate committees..........................................    15
Use of agency personnel by committees of the Senate--reimbursable 
  and non-reimbursable services:
    Authority....................................................    17
    Procedure....................................................    17
Compensation for committee staff.................................    19
Assistance with committee-related work...........................    21
Regulation to provide more effective control over payments made 
  from contingent fund of the Senate.............................    23
Regulations governing semi-annual contingent fund reconciliation.    25
Regulations governing payments and reimbursements from the Senate 
  contingent fund for expenses of Senate committees and 
  administrative offices.........................................    27
Policy on committee work and housing for committee staff.........    31
Special reserves.................................................    33

                                Appendix

Sample resolution forms:.........................................
    Form 1--Requesting funding for expenditures (with or without 
      funds for consultants or training of professional staff)...    36
    Form 2--Requesting supplemental funds solely for general 
      expenditures...............................................    39
    Form 3--Requesting supplemental funds solely for the 
      procurement of consultants.................................    40
    Form 4--Increasing the limitation on the portion of funds 
      authorized for the procurement of consultants or the 
      training of professional staff.............................    41
Budget request questionnaire forms...............................    42
Sample approval letter for consultants...........................    46
Sample contracts.................................................    47
Agreement on continued employment................................    49
Senate and committee funding for the 115th Congress..............    50
Senate and committee funding for the 116th Congress..............    51
                  COMMITTEE EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATIONS

                              ----------                              

    Committees of the Senate must request their operating funds 
pursuant to the procedure set forth in paragraph 9 of rule XXVI 
of the Standing Rules of the Senate. Each committee must report 
one authorization resolution authorizing it to make 
expenditures out of the contingent fund of the Senate to defray 
its expenses, including the compensation of all members of its 
staff, the procurement of consultants, the training of 
professional staff, and all administrative expenses. Funds in 
addition to and for the same purposes as those obtained 
pursuant to the biennial resolution must be obtained by 
supplemental expenditure authorization resolutions.

                               Authority

    The portion of paragraph 9 that relates to authorizing 
resolutions states:

    Paragraph 9 of Rule xxvi of the Standing Rules of the Senate \1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ As amended, S. Res. 281, 96-2, Mar. 11, 1980, effective Jan. 1, 
1981; S. Res. 479, 100-2, Sept. 30, 1988.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    9. (a) Except as provided in subparagraph (b), each 
committee shall report one authorization resolution each year 
authorizing the committee to make expenditures out of the 
contingent fund of the Senate to defray its expenses, including 
the compensation of members of its staff and agency 
contributions related to such compensation, during the period 
beginning on March 1 of such year and ending on the last day of 
February of the following year. Such annual authorization 
resolution shall be reported not later than January 31 of each 
year, except that, whenever the designation of members of 
standing committees of the Senate occurs during the first 
session of a Congress at a date later than January 20, such 
resolution may be reported at any time within thirty days after 
the date on which the designation of such members is completed.
    (b) In lieu of the procedure provided in subparagraph (a), 
the Committee on Rules and Administration may----
          (1) direct each committee to report an authorization 
        resolution for a two year budget period beginning on 
        March 1 of the first session of a Congress; and
          (2) report one authorization resolution containing 
        more than one committee authorization resolution for a 
        one year or two year budget period.

           *         *         *         *         *


               Fiscal Year for Expenditure Authorizations

    Prior to 1999, the fiscal year for expenditure 
authorizations ran from March 1 through February 28 of the 
succeeding year. This 12-month period, with an overlap of 2 
months into a new calendar year, was established by the Rules 
Committee in order to give the Senate sufficient time at the 
commencement of each new session of Congress to accommodate the 
several steps in the required procedure. Beginning with the 
106th Congress significant changes were made to the Senate's 
financial systems. The Disbursing Office's implementation of 
the Financial Management Information System in fiscal year 1999 
required that Senate committee budgets conform to the federal 
fiscal year. Consequently, the Omnibus Committee Funding 
Resolution now authorizes committee funding for portions of 
three fiscal years.
    For the 117th Congress, the 2-year budget period will begin 
March 1, 2021, and span three fiscal years, ending February 28, 
2023. A Committee's funds not spent in one authorization period 
expire and the committee may not carry them over to a 
subsequent period.

                    Submission Date for Resolutions

    Expenditure authorization resolutions must be offered by 
Senate committees not later than January 31. The only exception 
is when during the first session of a Congress the designation 
of the members of standing committees occurs later than January 
20. In such case the resolution must be offered within 30 days 
of the date on which the members of a committee have been 
designated.

                         Format of Resolutions

    Senate standing committees are required to follow, with any 
necessary modifications, the sample Biennial Resolution Form 1. 
See Appendix for sample resolution forms.
    Select and special committees should submit resolutions 
which conform with the provisions of the resolutions by which 
they were created. Senate Legislative Counsel can provide 
assistance with such resolutions.

                     Consultants and Staff Training

    Authorization for consultants or training for professional 
staff must be included in the funding resolution.
    Committees must follow the regulations on procurement of 
consultants and on training of professional staff as described 
below.

   Division of Funding and Office Space for the Majority and Minority

    The allocation of funds to the majority and minority has 
been addressed in recent Congresses in a Colloquy and Joint 
Leadership Letter. The Colloquy and Joint Leadership Letter 
from the 116th Congress are provided below. A similar Colloquy 
and Joint Leadership Letter are expected for the 117th 
Congress. Minority participation in the appointment of 
committee personnel is provided for in paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 
of rule XXVII of the Standing Rules, also provided below.

     Paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of 
                             the Senate \2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \2\ As amended, S. Res. 281, 96-2, Mar. 11, 1980, effective Feb. 
28, 1981.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          1. Staff members appointed to assist minority members 
        of committees pursuant to authority of a resolution 
        described in paragraph 9 of rule XXVI or other Senate 
        resolution shall be accorded equitable treatment with 
        respect to the fixing of salary rates, the assignment 
        of facilities, and the accessibility of committee 
        records.
          2. The minority shall receive fair consideration in 
        the appointment of staff personnel pursuant to 
        authority of a resolution described in paragraph 9 of 
        rule XXVI.
          3. The staffs of committees (including personnel 
        appointed pursuant to authority of a resolution 
        described in paragraph 9 of rule XXVI or other Senate 
        resolution) should reflect the relative number of 
        majority and minority members of committees. A majority 
        of the minority members of any committee may, by 
        resolution, request that at least one-third of all 
        funds of the committee for personnel (other than those 
        funds determined by the chairman and ranking minority 
        member to be allocated for the administrative and 
        clerical functions of the committee as a whole) be 
        allocated to the minority members of such committee for 
        compensation of minority staff as the minority members 
        may decide. The committee shall thereafter adjust its 
        budget to comply with such resolution. Such adjustment 
        shall be equitably made over a four-year period, 
        commencing July 1, 1977, with not less than one-half 
        being made in two years. Upon request by a majority of 
        the minority members of any committee by resolution, 
        proportionate space, equipment, and facilities shall be 
        provided for such minority staff.

                                Colloquy

    Mr. McConnell. Mr. President, in the 112th Congress the 
Senate adopted a new funding allocation for Senate committees. 
This approach has served the Senate well for the past three 
Congresses. I believe this approach will continue to serve the 
interests of the Senate and the public, regardless of which 
party is in the majority, by helping to retain core committee 
staff with institutional knowledge. This funding allocation is 
based on the party division of the Senate, with 10 percent of 
the total majority and minority salary baseline going to the 
majority for administrative expenses. However, regardless of 
the party division of the Senate, the minority share of the 
majority and minority salary baseline will never be less than 
40 percent, and the majority share will not exceed 60 percent. 
It is my intent that this approach will continue to serve the 
Senate for this Congress and future Congresses.
    Mr. Schumer. Mr. President, this approach met our needs for 
the last three Congresses, and I too would like to see it 
continue. In addition, special reserves have been restored to 
its historic purpose. We should continue to fund special 
reserves to the extent possible in order to be able to assist 
committees that face urgent, unanticipated, nonrecurring needs. 
Recognizing the tight budgets we will face for the foreseeable 
future, it is necessary to continue to bring funding 
authorizations more in line with our actual resources while 
ensuring that committees are able to fulfill their 
responsibilities. I look forward to continuing to work with the 
majority leader to accomplish this.
    Mr. McConnell. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that 
a joint leadership letter be printed in the Record.

                        Joint Leadership Letter

    WE MUTUALLY COMMIT TO THE FOLLOWING FOR THE 116th CONGRESS:
    The Committee on Rules and Administration is to determine 
the budgets of the committees of the Senate. The budgets of the 
committees, including joint and special committees, and all 
other subgroups, shall be apportioned to reflect the ratio of 
the Senate as of this date, including an additional ten percent 
(10%) from the majority and minority salary baseline to be 
allocated to the chairman for administrative expenses.
    Special Reserves has been restored to its historic purpose. 
Requests for funding will only be considered when submitted by 
a committee chairman and ranking member for unanticipated, non-
recurring needs. Such requests shall be granted only upon the 
approval of the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on 
Rules and Administration.
    Funds for committee expenses shall be available to each 
chairman consistent with the Senate rules and practices of the 
115th Congress.
    The division of committee office space shall be 
commensurate with this funding agreement.
    The chairman and ranking member of any committee may, by 
mutual agreement, modify the apportionment of committee funding 
and office space.

                    Budgets and Supporting Materials

    Senate committees offering expenditure resolutions are 
required to submit to the Rules Committee accompanying budgets, 
together with supporting materials, in the form of letters or 
memoranda. Sample resolution forms are provided in the 
Appendix. All submissions should be made electronically and in 
the form of a signed original and two printed copies.
    Budgets.--The budgets should be prepared on budget forms 
obtainable from the Rules Committee. See Appendix for budget 
form.
    Supporting materials.--Supporting letters or memoranda 
should be signed jointly by the chairman and ranking minority 
member of requesting committees.
    Questionnaires.--The completed questionnaires should be 
signed jointly by the chairman and ranking minority member or 
by the staff director and minority staff director of the 
committee, unless the minority does not concur with the 
information supplied therein.

                SUPPLEMENTAL EXPENDITURE AUTHORIZATIONS

                              ----------                              

    Any committees of the Senate requiring funds in addition to 
those authorized in their expenditure authorization resolutions 
may request such additional funds pursuant to the procedure set 
forth in paragraph 9 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules. A 
supplemental expenditure authorization must be in the form of a 
resolution amending an existing expenditure authorization 
resolution, and must be accompanied by a report stating why the 
funds now sought were not included in the committee's original 
request. Note: This procedure has rarely been used in recent 
years. See Appendix for sample resolution forms.

                               Authority

    The portion of paragraph 9 that relates to supplemental 
expenditure authorizations is as follows:

     Paragraph 9 of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate 
                                  \3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ As amended, S. Res. 281, 96-2, Mar. 11, 1980, effective Jan. 1, 
1981; S. Res. 479, 100-2, Sept. 30, 1988.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          9. * * * After the annual authorization resolution of 
        a committee for a year has been agreed to, such 
        committee may procure authorization to make additional 
        expenditures out of the contingent fund of the Senate 
        during that year only by reporting a supplemental 
        authorization resolution. Each supplemental 
        authorization resolution reported by a committee shall 
        amend the annual authorization resolution of such 
        committee for that year and shall be accompanied by a 
        report specifying with particularity the purpose for 
        which such authorization is sought and the reason why 
        such authorization could not have been sought at the 
        time of the submission by such committee of its annual 
        authorization resolution for that year.

                      Accompanying Report Required

    Senate committees intending to offer supplemental 
expenditure authorization resolutions must comply with the 
following requirements stipulated in paragraph 9 of rule XXVI:
    (1) Each supplemental resolution reported by a committee 
must be accompanied by a report to the Senate; and
    (2) Each such report must specify with particularity the 
purpose for which the authorization is sought, and the reason 
it was not sought in the committee's authorization resolution.

            PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANTS BY SENATE COMMITTEES

                              ----------                              


                          Statutory Authority

    The procedures and conditions under which standing 
committees of the Senate may procure the services of individual 
consultants or organizations are set forth in section 202(i) of 
the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946.

      Section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946

                           2 U.S.C. 4301 \4\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ As amended, Pub. Law 105-55, Oct. 7, 1997.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (i)(1) Each standing committee of the Senate or House 
        of Representatives is authorized, with the approval of 
        the Committee on Rules and Administration in the case 
        of standing committees of the Senate, or the Committee 
        on House Oversight in the case of standing committees 
        of the House of Representatives, within the limits of 
        funds made available from the contingent fund of the 
        Senate or the applicable accounts of the House of 
        Representatives pursuant to resolutions which, in the 
        case of the Senate, shall specify the maximum amounts 
        which may be used for such purpose, approved by the 
        appropriate House, to procure the temporary services 
        (not in excess of one year) or intermittent services of 
        individual consultants, or organizations thereof, to 
        make studies or advise the committee with respect to 
        any matter within its jurisdiction, or with respect to 
        the administration of the affairs of the committee.\5\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \5\ As amended, Pub. Law 104-186, Aug. 20, 1996.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (2) Such services in the case of individuals or 
        organizations may be procured by contract as 
        independent contractors, or in the case of individuals 
        by employment at daily rates of compensation not in 
        excess of the per diem equivalent to the highest gross 
        rate of compensation which may be paid to a regular 
        employee of the committee. Such contracts shall not be 
        subject to the provisions of section 6101 of title 41 
        or any other provision of law requiring advertising.\6\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \6\ As amended, Pub. Law 111-350, Jan. 4, 2011.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (3) With respect to the standing committees of the 
        Senate, any such consultant or organization shall be 
        selected by the chairman and ranking minority member of 
        the committee, acting jointly. With respect to the 
        standing committees of the House of Representatives, 
        the standing committee concerned shall select any such 
        consultant or organization. The committee shall submit 
        to the Committee on Rules and Administration in the 
        case of standing committees of the Senate, and the 
        Committee on House Oversight in the case of standing 
        committees of the House of Representatives, information 
        bearing on the qualifications of each consultant whose 
        services are procured pursuant to this subsection, 
        including organizations, and such information shall be 
        retained by that committee and shall be made available 
        for public inspection upon request.\7\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \7\ As amended, Pub. Law 104-186, Aug. 20, 1996.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Definitions and Policy Determinations

                      DEFINITION OF ``CONSULTANT''

    For the purposes of section 202(i), the term ``consultant'' 
shall be deemed to be a person (or an organization of persons) 
possessing the necessary professional qualifications and 
experience to assist a Senate committee in specialized areas of 
its legislative responsibility, or in the administration of the 
affairs of the committee.

                      PREREQUISITE FOR PROCUREMENT

    Any Senate committee desiring to procure the services of 
individual consultants or organizations must first seek and 
obtain the required authority by including within its biennial 
or supplemental expenditure authorization resolution an express 
limitation on the amount of the committee's total funding in 
such resolution which may be used for that purpose. A committee 
may not exceed that limitation for the procurement of 
consultants, but it may utilize unexpended funds within that 
limitation for other authorized purposes.

                        SELECTION OF CONSULTANTS

    Paragraph (3) of section 202(i) contains the stipulation 
that ``any such consultant or organization shall be selected by 
the chairman and ranking minority member of the committee, 
acting jointly.'' Senate committees are requested to indicate 
their compliance with the above provision of law by providing 
that any required correspondence with the Rules Committee be in 
the form of letters signed jointly by the chairman and ranking 
minority member of the full committee. See Appendix for sample 
approval letter for consultants.

                     RULES COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITY

    Section 202(i) also requires (1) that Senate committees 
desiring to appoint individual consultants to committee 
payrolls or to procure the services of individuals or 
organizations by contract as independent contractors must 
provide the Rules Committee information bearing on the 
qualifications of each consultant or contractor; and (2) that 
such information be retained by the Rules Committee and made 
available for public inspection upon request.
    To assist the Rules Committee in considering requests for 
consultants, letters from committees should contain:
          (1) the proposed consultant's particular 
        qualifications with the specialized area the committees 
        plan to explore;
          (2) the probable time period the consultant's 
        services will be required;
          (3) the correlation between the proposed consultant's 
        qualifications and the specific committee activity;
          (4) the per day consultant fee proposed to be paid; 
        and
          (5) the method selected to secure the consultant's 
        services, and its appropriateness.

                         METHODS OF PROCUREMENT

    Any Senate committee possessing the required authority 
thereof may procure the services of consultants----
          (1) by appointing individual consultants as temporary 
        committee employees (at daily rates of compensation not 
        exceeding the highest such rate which may be paid to a 
        regular committee employee); or
          (2) by entering into contracts----
                  (a) between the full committee and individual 
                consultants as individual contractors, or
                  (b) between the full committee and 
                organizations of consultants.
    Selection of the appropriate method depends on the nature 
of the services to be performed----
                  (a) If the consultant's responsibilities 
                include services that would normally be the 
                regular or normal duties of staff members or if 
                the performance of the consultant's 
                responsibilities otherwise result in an 
                employer-employee relationship, the consultant 
                should be appointed as a temporary staff 
                employee. Generally, an employer-employee 
                relationship may be presumed where the 
                following factors are present to a significant 
                degree:
                  (i) performance of a full-time, continuous 
                job;
                  (ii) supervision of or by Senate committee 
                staff;
                  (iii) services are performed using facilities 
                provided by the Senate; and
                  (iv) work is performed on dates or at hours 
                established for Senate staff.
                  (b) If the consultant acts as an independent 
                contractor ``to make studies or advise the 
                committee with respect to any matter within its 
                jurisdiction, or with respect to the 
                administration of the affairs of the 
                committee,'' services may be procured through 
                contract.
    The committee's notification of intent to appoint as a 
consultant or request for approval of a contract shall state 
that the committee has reviewed the services to be provided by 
the consultant and shall certify to the Rules Committee that 
the committee had determined the selected method (contract or 
appointment) to be appropriate.

                 APPOINTMENT OF INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS

    The notification of the committee's intention to appoint an 
individual consultant to its staff and the information 
concerning the qualifications of the proposed consultant must 
be received by the Rules Committee at least five business days 
in advance of the appointment date. If during that period the 
requesting committee receives no notice of disapproval from the 
Rules Committee, the appointment shall be deemed approved.
    A copy of the letter should be sent to the Financial Clerk 
of the Senate at the same time the letter is submitted to the 
Rules Committee. See sample letter in the Appendix.

                 PROCUREMENT OF CONSULTANTS BY CONTRACT

    Contracts for individual consultants or organizations must 
be submitted to the Rules Committee for approval. Information 
concerning qualifications should be submitted at the same time 
the contract is sent for approval. Only full committees, not 
subcommittees, may contract for consultants.
    Letters from committees should----
          (1) be signed jointly by the chairman and ranking 
        minority member;
          (2) outline the purpose of the contract, the dollar 
        amount, the term of the contract, and the name of the 
        contracting party;
          (3) indicate that the committee has reviewed the 
        services to be provided by the consultant, and certify 
        that the committee has determined that securing such 
        services by contract is the appropriate method;
          (4) be accompanied by the original, one electronic 
        copy and two printed copies. The original must be 
        signed jointly by the chairman and ranking minority 
        member;
          (5) include the background data supporting the 
        contractor's qualifications; and
          (6) in the case of a fixed-fee product contract, be 
        accompanied by certification from the Congressional 
        Research Service for non-duplication of proposed study. 
        See Appendix for sample contract.
    The contract itself should set forth in full the 
obligations of the contractor and, where appropriate, 
incorporate by reference the contractor's detailed proposal. 
All contracts must, at a minimum, describe in reasonable detail 
the services to be provided or the product to be acquired, 
state a delivery date or period of performance, and establish a 
clear limit on the Senate's financial obligations under the 
contract by inclusion of either a fixed price or a ``not to 
exceed $----------`` provision in contracts for which payments 
are incremental.
    Contracts and consultants' qualifications should be 
received sufficiently in advance of the Period of Performance 
to permit appropriate consideration at a regular meeting of the 
full Rules Committee. When contracts are approved, notice will 
be given in writing. Approval of a contract will be deemed to 
include approval of a consultant's qualifications.
    Examples of a fixed-fee product contract \8\ and a service 
contract \9\ are included in the Appendix.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \8\ All moneys shall be chargeable to the authorizing resolution in 
effect on the date the contract was approved.
    \9\ All moneys shall be charged to funds available on the date 
services are rendered.

                     TRAINING OF PROFESSIONAL STAFF

                              ----------                              


                          Statutory Authority

     Authority for the Training of Professional Staff of Standing 
    Committees of the Senate is Contained in Section  202(j) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946. the Text of Section  
                         202(j) is as Follows:

      Section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946

                             2 U.S.C. 4301

    (j)(1) Each standing committee of the Senate or House of 
Representatives is authorized, with the approval of the 
Committee on Rules and Administration in the case of standing 
committees of the Senate, and the committee involved in the 
case of standing committees of the House of Representatives, 
and within the limits of funds made available from the 
contingent fund of the Senate or the applicable accounts of the 
House of Representatives pursuant to resolutions, which, in the 
case of the Senate, shall specify the maximum amounts which may 
be used for such purpose, approved by the appropriate House, to 
provide assistance for members of its professional staff in 
obtaining specialized training, whenever that committee 
determines that such training will aid the committee in the 
discharge of its responsibilities. Any joint committee of the 
Congress whose expenses are paid out of funds disbursed by the 
Secretary of the Senate or by the Chief Administrative Officer 
of the House of Representatives, the Committee on 
Appropriations of the Senate, and the Majority Policy Committee 
and Minority Policy Committee of the Senate are each authorized 
to expend, for the purpose of providing assistance in 
accordance with paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection 
for members of its staff in obtaining such training, any part 
of amounts appropriated to that committee.\10\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \10\ As amended, Pub. Law 92-136, Oct. 11, 1971; Pub. Law 104-186, 
Aug. 20, 1996; Pub. Law 105-55, Oct. 7, 1997.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (2) Such assistance may be in the form of continuance of 
pay during periods of training or grants of funds to pay 
tuition, fees, or such other expenses of training, or both, as 
may be approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration or 
the Committee on House Administration, as the case may be.
    (3) A committee providing assistance under this subsection 
shall obtain from any employee receiving such assistance such 
agreement with respect to continued employment with the 
committee as the committee may deem necessary to assure that it 
will receive the benefits of such employee's services upon 
completion of his training.
    (4) During any period for which an employee is separated 
from employment with a committee for the purpose of undergoing 
training under this subsection, such employee shall be 
considered to have performed service (in nonpay status) as an 
employee of the committee at the rate of compensation received 
immediately prior to commencing such training (including any 
increases in compensation provided by law during the period of 
training) for the purposes of----
          (A) subchapter III (relating to civil service 
        retirement) of chapter 83 of title 5,
          (B) chapter 87 (relating to Federal employees group 
        life insurance) of title 5, and
          (C) chapter 89 (relating to Federal employees group 
        health insurance) of title 5.

                   Summary of Essential Requirements

    While the provisions of section 202(j) and the regulations 
issued by the Rules Committee are specific, Senate committees 
desiring specialized training for any of their professional 
staff members should note:
    (1) As for consultants, committees desiring authority and 
funds for the training of their professional staffs must 
include a specific allotment for the same in their annual or 
supplemental expenditure authorization resolutions.
    (2) That portion of the committee's total funds which is 
allotted for training may not be exceeded for that purpose. A 
committee is not precluded, however, from expending funds from 
that allotment for other authorized purposes.
    (3) Approval by the Senate of a resolution containing such 
a training allotment, however, does not complete the 
requirements. Specific requests, on an individual basis and in 
conformity with the regulations which follow below, must be 
submitted to the Rules Committee for final approval.
    (4) The Rules Committee will only consider requests for 
training of professional staff that do not exceed a period of 
30 days.
    (5) While the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 
limited the training privilege to standing committees (except 
Appropriations), Public Law 92-136 (85 Stat. 378, Oct. 11, 
1971) has extended the same privilege to joint committees, to 
the Senate Appropriations Committee, and to the Senate Majority 
and Minority Policy Committees. S. Res. 425, agreed to Aug. 12, 
1982, extended this privilege to the Select Committee on 
Ethics.
    The regulations issued by the Rules Committee with respect 
to training of professional staff members of Senate committees 
are as follows:

    Regulations Governing Training of Professional Staff of Senate 
                               Committees

    (Adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration on 
October 20, 1971; amended July 26, 1979, and September 22, 
1982)
    Section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 
1946, as amended by section 304 of Public Law 91-510, approved 
October 26, 1970, provides for the expenditure of funds 
available to standing committees of the Senate for the 
specialized training of professional staff under certain 
conditions enumerated therein, including the approval of the 
Committee on Rules and Administration.
    The Committee on Rules and Administration has determined 
that attendance at conferences, seminars, or briefings by 
authorized professional staff will not be considered as 
training under the statutory provisions of section 202(j) when 
the following conditions apply:
          1. The sponsoring organization has been requested to 
        waive or reduce the attendance or registration fee for 
        Government participation;
          2. The fee involved (actual or reduced) is not in 
        excess of $500; and
          3. The duration of the meeting does not exceed 5 
        days.
    When all three of the above limitations are met, fees and 
traveling expenses involved may be incurred by authorized 
standing committees without specific advance approval of the 
Committee on Rules and Administration. A fee or time duration 
for meetings in excess of the aforementioned must be approved 
in advance by the Committee on Rules and Administration at 
which time that Committee will determine the classification of 
the proposed charges as either ``training'' which requires 
compliance with all of the provisions of section 202(j), or 
``non-training''.

                              Definitions

    Under the authority granted to it to supervise staff 
training, the Committee on Rules and Administration has adopted 
the following definitions:
    1. Training
    Training means the process of providing for and making 
available to an employee, and placing or enrolling the employee 
in, a planned, prepared, and coordinated program, course, 
curriculum, subject, system, or routine of instruction or 
education, in scientific, professional or technical fields 
which are or will be directly related to the performance by the 
employee of official duties for the Senate, in order to 
increase the knowledge, proficiency, ability, skill and 
qualifications of the employee in the performance of official 
duties.
    2. Training Expenses
    The following will be considered as ``Training Expenses'':
          (a) Compensation paid an employee during training 
        periods in excess of 15 days. (Excludes the 
        compensation cost involved in seminar attendance within 
        the 2-week range. In these cases, the training expense 
        would be the fees involved and travel expenses 
        incurred, which would be processed on one voucher.)
          (b) Travel expenses incurred in direct connection 
        with training.
          (c) Tuition, matriculation and other required fees 
        incident thereto.
          (d) Such other direct expenses as may be necessary 
        and as approved by the Rules Committee.
          (e) Fund grants, in lieu of actual expenses, as 
        approved by the Rules Committee.
    The following requirements shall be contained in the 
agreements on continued employment (section 202(j)(3)):
    1. Each request for approval of a training authorization of 
more than 15 days duration shall be accompanied by a copy of 
the agreement specifying a continued employment after training 
period, as required by section 202(j)(3), signed by the 
employee; and
    2. Each such agreement shall contain a warranty by said 
employee that a repayment of the training expenditure 
(excluding compensation) on a pro rata basis commensurate with 
the unexpired portion of the specified continuous employment 
period will be made by said employee should he or she leave the 
Government service prior to the full discharge of the 
employee's obligation under said agreement. The Rules Committee 
shall be notified immediately of any instance of default.
    A sample form which may be used for such agreement on 
continued employment is included in the Appendix.
    The separation of an employee from a committee for a 
limited and specified period for the purpose of training, but 
continuing that employee's benefits as specified by section 
202(j)(4), shall also require advanced approval of the Rules 
Committee.
    A committee desiring to provide assistance for the 
specialized training of one or more of its professional staff 
shall submit its request, in writing, to the Rules Committee 
sufficiently in advance of the proposed training date to allow 
ample time for decision and reply. The requests shall contain 
complete explanatory details and comply strictly with the 
requirements of section 202(j) and these regulations.
    The Rules Committee will consider only those requests for 
the training of professional staff which do not exceed a period 
of 30 days. See Appendix for sample Agreement on Continued 
Employment.

 USE OF AGENCY PERSONNEL BY COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE--REIMBURSABLE AND 
                       NON-REIMBURSABLE SERVICES

                              ----------                              


                               Authority

    The specific authority and conditions for the use of the 
services of employees of other Government agencies by 
committees of the Senate are contained in----
    (1) Paragraph 4 of Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the 
Senate;
    (2) Section 2 of the Wherry Resolution, agreed to by the 
Senate on June 28, 1945\11\; and
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \11\ S. Jour. 288, 79-1, June 28, 1945.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (3) Individual Senate resolutions authorizing funds for 
committees.\12\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \12\ Each portion of the omnibus resolution specifying a 
committee's authority permits the detail or assignment of personnel 
from other departments or agencies of the government to the staff of a 
committee, on either a ``reimbursable'' or ``non-reimbursable'' basis.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

     Paragraph 4 of Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate

          4. No committee shall appoint to its staff any 
        experts or other personnel detailed or assigned from 
        any department or agency of the Government, except with 
        the written permission of the Committee on Rules and 
        Administration.\13\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \13\ Section 235(a) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 
prohibits the assignment or detail of any employee of the Government 
Accountability Office to full-time duty on a continuing basis with any 
Senate or House committee or joint committee for a period in excess of 
one year. Pub. Law 91-510, 84 Stat. 1171, Oct. 26, 1970.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

                               Procedure

    Under the usual procedure, the chairman of a committee 
desiring to secure the services of the employee of another 
agency of the Federal Government shall request advance 
approval, in writing, from the Rules Committee for the 
expenditure of committee funds for such purpose. The chairman's 
letter should contain the following information:
          (1) The individual's name, title, annual salary, and 
        GS grade and step;
          (2) The general nature of the work to be performed;
          (3) The period of time involved (not to extend beyond 
        the end of the succeeding February);
          (4) A statement designating whether this is a 
        reimbursable or non-reimbursable detail.
          (5) Identification and availability of the funds to 
        be allocated;
          (6) Enclosure of the notification of the particular 
        Government agency's agreement to the temporary detail 
        of its employee; and
          (7) Enclosure for each employee of a completed form, 
        ``Agreement To Comply With the Senate Code of Official 
        Conduct'', which is available from the Select Committee 
        on Ethics.
    The Rules Committee will reply promptly to all requests of 
this type and send a copy of its decision to the Senate 
Financial Clerk.

                    COMPENSATION FOR COMMITTEE STAFF

                              ----------                              


     Subsections (e)(3) and (f) of Section 105 of the Legislative 
            Branch Appropriations Act, 1968, as Amended \14\

                             2 U.S.C. 4575

    (e) Gross rate of compensation of employee of committee of 
Senate employed by joint committee, select committee, or 
standing committee
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \14\ Pub. Law 111-68, Oct. 1, 2009, as amended H.R. 5296, 115-2, 
Mar. 15, 2018.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          (1), (2) Repealed. Pub. L. 96-304, title I, 
        Sec. 112(b)(1), July 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 892.
          (3)(A) In this paragraph--
                (i) the term ``committee of the Senate'' 
                means--
                  (I) any standing committee (including the 
                majority and minority policy committees) of the 
                Senate;
                  (II) any select committee (including the 
                conference majority and conference minority of 
                the Senate); or
                  (III) any joint committee the expenses of 
                which are paid from the contingent fund of the 
                Senate; and
                (ii) an employee of a subcommittee shall be 
                considered to be an employee of the full 
                committee.
          (B) Subject to adjustment as provided by law, no 
        employee of a committee of the Senate shall be paid at 
        a per annum gross rate in excess of $173,900.
    (f) General limitation
          No officer or employee whose compensation is 
        disbursed by the Secretary of the Senate shall be paid 
        gross compensation at a rate less than $3,164 or in 
        excess of $173,900, unless expressly authorized by law. 
        The limitation on the minimum rate of gross 
        compensation under this subsection shall not apply to 
        any member or civilian employee of the Capitol Police 
        whose compensation is disbursed by the Secretary of the 
        Senate.

                 ASSISTANCE WITH COMMITTEE-RELATED WORK

                              ----------                              

    Each Member of the Senate is authorized by section 111(c) 
of the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1978 (Pub. Law 95-
94, 91 Stat. 662-663, Aug. 5, 1977), to designate employees in 
his or her office to assist in connection with membership on 
committees of the Senate. With certain exceptions, an employee 
so designated is to be accorded all privileges of a 
professional staff member of the committee to which designated. 
The text of section 111 of the Legislative Branch Appropriation 
Act, 1978, as amended, is as follows:

    Sec. 111. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the 
aggregate of the gross compensation which may be paid to 
employees in the office of a Senator during each fiscal year 
under section 105(d) of the Legislative Branch Appropriation 
Act, 1968, as amended and modified (2 U.S.C. 4575(d)), is 
increased by an amount equal to three times the maximum annual 
gross rate that may be paid to an employee of the office a 
Senator.\15\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \15\ Pursuant to Pub. L. 102-392, Oct. 6, 1992.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    (b) Repealed, effective the first day of the 100th 
Congress. (Pub. Law 100-137, Oct. 21, 1987)
    (c)(1) A Senator may designate employees in his office to 
assist him in connection with his membership on committees of 
the Senate. An employee may be designated with respect to only 
one committee.
    (2) An employee designated by a Senator under this 
subsection shall be certified by him to the chairman and 
ranking minority member of the committee with respect to which 
such designation is made. Such employee shall be accorded all 
privileges of a professional staff member (whether permanent or 
investigatory) of such committee including access to all 
committee sessions and files, except that any such committee 
may restrict access to its sessions to one staff member per 
Senator at a time and require, if classified material is being 
handled or discussed, that any staff member possess the 
appropriate security clearance before being allowed access to 
such material or to discussion of it. Nothing contained in this 
paragraph shall be construed to prohibit a committee from 
adopting policies and practices with respect to the application 
of this subsection which are similar to the policies and 
practices adopted with respect to the application of section 
705(c)(1) of Senate Resolution 4, 95th Congress, and section 
106(c)(1) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1977.
    (3) A Senator shall notify the chairman and ranking 
minority member of a committee whenever a designation of an 
employee under this subsection with respect to such committee 
is terminated.

 REGULATION TO PROVIDE MORE EFFECTIVE CONTROL OVER PAYMENTS MADE FROM 
                     CONTINGENT FUND OF THE SENATE

 (Adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration on October 22, 
                1975, and amended on December 20, 2007)

                              ----------                              

    Each activity authorized to make expenditures from the 
Contingent Fund of the Senate shall maintain an account of 
funds so authorized and expended, which account shall be 
reconciled at least semiannually with the account maintained 
for such activity by the Senate Disbursing Office. Each 
reconciliation shall also include an audit of any and all cash 
advances made to the respective activity under authority of 
Public Law 118, 81st Congress (2 U.S.C. 4333).
    The Financial Clerk is directed to report to the Committee 
on Rules and Administration each time the accounts are 
reconciled and identify any exceptions arising from the account 
reconciliation or audit of cash advances. All activities 
subject to this regulation are hereby directed to complete the 
first account reconciliation and audit of cash advances no 
later than February 29, 1976.
    The Auditor of the Committee on Rules and Administration 
shall (1) maintain a record of the reports filed by the 
Financial Clerk, (2) examine and investigate all reports 
containing exceptions and report his findings to the Committee, 
and (3) notify any activity that has not complied with this 
regulation.
    Activity as used in this regulation includes all standing 
committees, subcommittees, joint committees, select and special 
committees, offices and commissions, whether funded by an 
appropriation or a Senate resolution.

    REGULATIONS GOVERNING SEMI-ANNUAL CONTINGENT FUND RECONCILIATION

 (Adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration on December 20, 
                                 2007)

                              ----------                              

    The following are requirements for the semi-annual 
contingent fund reconciliation:
    1. All ledgers are to be maintained under the procedures 
prescribed by the Disbursing Office, except as noted, for 
electronic spreadsheet ledgers or ledgers maintained manually 
as follows:
    2. Require ledgers maintained manually be kept in ink.
    3. Require all ledgers to be closed out on a monthly basis 
consistent with the samples which are provided by the 
Disbursing Office.
    4. All outstanding vouchers on the office ledgers must be 
supported by either the original voucher or copies of the 
original vouchers which have been signed by the chairman or 
Senate official. Every effort should be made to determine the 
status of any unpaid voucher which is more than 90 days old 
prior to the semi-annual reconciliation.
    5. Any ledgers which are submitted for reconciliation which 
have not been maintained in accordance with the procedures 
which have been established will not be considered for 
reconciliation and will be reported to the Committee on Rules 
and Administration as not having been reconciled.
    6. The Disbursing Office will provide ledger copies to all 
committees or offices monthly. Every effort should be made by 
the committee or office to reconcile their ledgers with the 
information provided by the Disbursing Office. If there are any 
discrepancies they should be resolved immediately.
    7. Internal procedures should be established by each 
committee or office to insure the accuracy, integrity and 
neatness of their ledgers.
    8. Posting errors for ledgers maintained by hand must be 
corrected through the use of adjusting entries only. At no time 
will white-out, tape or erasures be used to make corrections.
    9. Statutory advances and repayments (travel or petty cash 
advances) must be posted to the ledger.
    10. Two copies of reconciled ledgers maintained by 
electronic spread sheets are archived; one copy by the 
committee or Senate office and one copy by the Disbursing 
Office.
    11. Committees or offices which maintain checking accounts 
are required to present to the Disbursing Office at the time of 
their account reconciliation the most recent reconciled bank 
statement. The Disbursing Office may request canceled checks 
and reconciled bank statements from prior months if necessary.
    12. Running balances are to be maintained on available 
balance column of both the manual or electronic spread sheet 
ledgers.
    13. Ledger headings, authorizations and page numbers are to 
be completed for all manually maintained ledgers. The same 
information should be incorporated into an electronic spread 
sheet ledger.
    14. Manual Ledgers are to be maintained on a 24-column 
spread ledger available in the Disbursing Office. Electronic 
spread sheet ledgers are to be maintained only on an approved 
spread sheet authorized by the Committee on Rules and 
Administration.

   REGULATIONS GOVERNING PAYMENTS AND REIMBURSEMENTS FROM THE SENATE 
 CONTINGENT FUND FOR EXPENSES OF SENATE COMMITTEES AND ADMINISTRATIVE 
                                OFFICES

(Adopted by the Committee on Rules and Administration on July 23, 1987 
as authorized by S. Res. 258, 100th Cong., 1st sess., these regulations 
supercede regulations adopted by the Committee on October 22, 1975 and 
                            April 30, 1981)

                              ----------                              

    Section 1. Unless otherwise authorized by law or waived 
pursuant to Section 6, herein, no payment or reimbursement will 
be made from the contingent fund of the Senate for any official 
expenses incurred by any Senate committee (standing, select, 
joint, or special), commission, administrative office, or other 
authorized Senate activity whose funds are disbursed by the 
Secretary of the Senate, in excess of $50, unless the voucher 
submitted for such expenses is accompanied by documentation, 
and the voucher is certified by the properly designated staff 
member and approved by the Chairman or elected Senate officer. 
The designation of such staff members for certification shall 
be done by means of a letter to the Chairman of the Committee 
on Rules and Administration. ``Official expenses'', for the 
purposes of these regulations, means ordinary and necessary 
business expenses in support of a committee's or administrative 
office's official duties.
    Section 2. Such documentation should consist of invoices, 
bills, statements, receipts, or other evidence of expenses 
incurred, and should include ALL of the following information:
          (a) date expense was incurred;
          (b) the amount of the expense;
          (c) the product or service that was provided;
          (d) the vendor providing the product or service;
          (e) the address of the vendor; and
          (f) the person or office to whom the product or 
        service was provided.
    Expenses being claimed should reflect only current charges. 
Original copies of documentation should be submitted. However, 
legible facsimiles will be accepted.
    Section 3. Official expenses of $50 or less must either be 
documented or must be itemized in sufficient detail so as to 
leave no doubt of the identity of, and the amount spent for, 
each item. However, hotel bills or other evidence of lodging 
costs will be considered necessary in support of per diem 
expenses and cannot be itemized.
    Section 4. Documentation for services rendered on a 
contract fee basis shall consist of a contract status report 
form available from the Disbursing Office. However, other 
expenses authorized expressly in the contract will be subject 
to the documentation requirements set forth in these 
regulations.
    Section 5. No documentation will be required for the 
following expenses:
          (a) Salary reimbursement for compensation on a ``When 
        Actually Employed'' basis;
          (b) reimbursement of official travel in a privately 
        owned vehicle;
          (c) foreign travel expenses incurred by official 
        congressional delegations, pursuant to S. Res. 179, 
        95th Cong, 1st sess.;
          (d) expenses for receptions of foreign dignitaries, 
        pursuant to S. Res. 247, 87th Cong., 2nd sess., as 
        amended; and
          (e) expenses for receptions of foreign dignitaries 
        pursuant to Sec. 2 of Pub. L. 100-71 effective July 11, 
        1987.
    Section 6. In special circumstances, the Committee on Rules 
and Administration may require documentation for expenses 
incurred of $50 or less, or authorize payment of expenses 
incurred in excess of $50 without documentation.
    Section 7. Cash advances from the Disbursing Office are to 
be used for travel and petty cash expenses only. No more than 
$5,000 may be outstanding at one time for Senate committees or 
administrative offices, unless otherwise authorized by law or 
resolution, and no more than $300 of that amount may be used 
for a petty cash fund. The individual receiving the cash 
advance will be personally liable. The Committee on Rules and 
Administration may, in special instances, increase these 
nonstatutory limits upon written request by the Chairman of 
that committee and proper justification.
    Section 8. Documentation of petty cash expenses shall be 
listed on an official petty cash itemization sheet available 
from the Disbursing Office and should include ALL of the 
following information:
          (a) date expense was incurred;
          (b) amount of expense;
          (c) product or service provided; and
          (d) the person incurring the expense (payee).
    Each sheet must be signed by the Senate employee receiving 
cash and an authorizing official (i.e., someone other than the 
employee(s) authorized to certify vouchers). Original receipts 
or facsimiles must accompany the itemization sheet for petty 
cash expenses over $50.
    Section 9. Petty cash funds should be used for the 
following incidental expenses:
          (a) postage;
          (b) delivery expenses;
          (c) interdepartmental transportation (reimbursements 
        for parking, taxi, subway, bus, poa, etc.)
          (d) single copies of publications (not 
        subscriptions);
          (e) office supplies not available in the Senate 
        Stationery Room; and
          (f) official telephone calls made from a staff 
        member's residence or toll charges incurred within a 
        staff member's duty station.
    Petty cash funds should not be used for the procurement of 
equipment.
    Section 10. Committees are encouraged to maintain a 
separate checking account only for the purpose of a petty cash 
fund and with a balance not in excess of $300.
    Section 11. Vouchers for the reimbursement of official 
travel expenses to a committee chairman or member, officer, 
employee, contractor, detailee, or witness shall be accompanied 
by an ``Expense Summary Report'' signed by such person. 
Vouchers for the reimbursement to any such individual for 
official expenses other than travel expenses shall be 
accompanied by an ``Expense Summary Report--Non Travel'' signed 
by such person.

        POLICY ON COMMITTEE WORK AND HOUSING FOR COMMITTEE STAFF

    Pursuant to each committee's authorizing resolution, funds 
are made available from the Contingent Fund of the Senate to 
assist a committee in carrying out its powers, duties, and 
functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate. These 
responsibilities include 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. 
Therefore, committee staff may not engage in work other than 
committee business.
    In addition, it remains the policy of the Rules Committee 
that all committee staff paid by committee funds will be housed 
in committee space.

                            SPECIAL RESERVES

                             116th Congress

    Previous funding resolutions have established a Special 
Reserve within the funds in the account ``Expenses of Inquiries 
and Investigations.'' Special reserve funds, if available, are 
generally available to any committee funded by the funding 
resolution ``on the basis of special need to meet unpaid 
obligations incurred by that committee.'' Special reserves, if 
available, are subject to a not to exceed amount and must be 
jointly requested by the chairman and ranking member of a 
committees subject to the approval of the chairman and ranking 
member of the Rules Committee. For reference, the special 
reserve fund language from the 116th Congress appears 
below.\16\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \16\ S. Res. 70, 116-1, Feb. 27, 2019.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------
SEC. 20. SPECIAL RESERVE.


    (a) Establishment.--Within the funds in the account 
``Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations'', there is 
authorized to be established a special reserve to be available 
to any committee funded by this resolution as provided in 
subsection (b) of which amount--

        (1) for the period March 1, 2019 through September 30, 
        2019, an amount shall be available, not to exceed 7 
        percent of the amount equal to 7/12th of the 
        appropriations for the account that are available for 
        the period October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019;

        (2) for the period October 1, 2019 through September 
        30, 2020, an amount shall be available, not to exceed 7 
        percent of the appropriations for the account that are 
        available for that period; and

        (3) for the period October 1, 2020 through February 28, 
        2021, an amount shall be available, not to exceed 7 
        percent of the amount equal to 5/12th of the 
        appropriations for the account that are available for 
        the period October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021.

    (b) Availability.--The special reserve authorized in 
subsection (a) shall be available to any committee--

        (1) on the basis of special need to meet unpaid 
        obligations incurred by that committee during the 
        periods referred to in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of 
        subsection (a); and

        (2) at the request of a Chairman and Ranking Member of 
        that committee subject to the approval of the Chairman 
        and Ranking Member of the Committee on Rules and 
        Administration.

                                APPENDIX

                              ----------                              


                       Biennial Resolution Form 1


    [Requesting funding for expenditures with or without funds for 
             consultants or training of professional staff]

117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES.__

          Authorizing expenditures by the Committee on ______.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              ____, from the Committee on ______, reported
          the following original resolution; which was ______

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

           Authorizing expenditures by the Committee ______.

    Resolved,

SECTION 1. 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 [--------------] in this resolution referred to as the 
``committee'') is authorized from March 1, 2021 through 
February 28, 2023, in 2 its discretion, to--

        (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund 4 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.

SEC. 2. 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 [$--
------------], of which amount--

        (1) not to exceed [$--------------] 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 [$--------------] 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 [$--------------], of which amount--

        (1) not to exceed [$--------------] 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 [$--------------] 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 [$--------------], of which amount--

        (1) not to exceed [$--------------] 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 [$--------------] may be expended for 
        the training of the professional staff of the committee 
        (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that 
        Act).

SEC. 3. 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.
                   Format of Supplemental Resolutions

    In the composition of supplemental resolutions, Senate 
committees are requested to follow, with any necessary 
modifications, one of the three sample resolution forms 
(Resolution Forms 2, 3, and 4) which follow:

                           Resolution Form 2


    [Requesting supplemental funds solely for general expenditures]

117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES.__

Authorizing supplemental expenditures by the Committee on _________ for 
                    the procurement of consultants.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

               ________, from the Committee on _________,
    reported the following original resolution; which was _________

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

  Authorizing supplemental expenditures by the Committee on _________

                  for the procurement of consultants.

    Resolved, 

SECTION 1. SUPPLEMENTAL EXPENDITURES FOR CONSULTANTS.

    Section ---- (----) of S. Res. ----, agreed to ------------
, 2021 (117th Congress) is amended--

        (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``$--------'' and inserting ``$--------''; and

        (2) in paragraph (1), by striking ``$--------'' and 
        inserting ``$--------''.
                           Resolution Form 3


     [Requesting supplemental funds solely for the procurement of 
                              consultants]

117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES.__

  Authorizing supplemental expenditures by the Committee on _________.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              __________, from the Committee on _________,
     reported the following original resolution; which was _________

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

  Authorizing supplemental expenditures by the Committee on _________.

    Resolved,

SECTION 1. SUPPLEMENTAL COMMITTEE EXPENDITURES.

    Section ---- (----)of S. Res. --------, agreed to --------
---- ----, 2021 (117th Congress) is amended in the matter 
preceding paragraph (1) by striking ``$------------'' and 
inserting ``$--------'' and ``$----------''.

                           Resolution Form 4


 [Increasing the limitation on the portion of funds authorized for the 
 procurement of consultants and/or the training of professional staff]

117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES.__

Increasing the limitation on expenditures by the Committee on _________ 
  for the [procurement of consultants/training of professional staff].


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

              __________, from the Committee on _________,
     reported the following original resolution; which was _________

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

Increasing the limitation on expenditures by the Committee on 
        ______ for the [procurement of consultants/training of 
        professional staff].

    Resolved, 

SECTION 1. INCREASED ALLOCATION FOR [CONSULTANTS/TRAINING OF 
PROFESSIONAL STAFF].

    Section ------ (----) (----) of S. Res. --------, agreed to 
------------ ----, 2021, (117th Congress) is amended by 
striking ``$------------'' and inserting ``$--------''.

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            SAMPLE LETTER REQUESTING APPROVAL FOR CONSULTANT

        Honorable ------------------
        Chairman, Committee on Rules and Administration,
        Room SR 305, Russell Senate Office Building
        Washington, D.C. 20510
        Dear Chairman ___________:

          In conformity with section 202(i) of the Legislative 
        Reorganization Act of 1946, as amended, and your 
        policies, we are notifying you of the intention of the 
        Committee on ------------------------------------------ 
        to appoint -------------------------------- as a 
        consultant, effective ----------------------, and 
        enclose the required information in respect to his/her 
        qualifications.
          [Include data requested in section entitled ``Rules 
        Committee Responsibility'' of this document.]
          This appointment is made under the authority of S. 
        Res. ------ (section No. ----), agreed to ------.
          The committee has determined that the appointment of 
        a consultant is the appropriate method to secure the 
        services to be provided by this individual.

                  Sincerely yours,
                                   ------------------------,
                                           Chairman

                                   ------------------------,
                                           Ranking Minority Member

                       FIXED-FEE PRODUCT CONTRACT

                           CONTRACT AGREEMENT

    THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered in this ------------ day of ----
----, 20--, by and between the (name of committee) of the United States 
Senate, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, and (name of 
contractor), hereinafter referred to as the Contractor, subject to the 
approval of this agreement by the Committee on Rules and Administration 
of the United States Senate.
    It is hereby agreed that the Committee under authority of Section 
---------- of Senate Resolution ------, agreed to ----------, 20--, --
-- Congress, retains the Contractor to furnish the Committee a study in 
accordance with the attached Statement of Work.
    The Committee agrees to pay the said Contractor the sum of $------
------ to be paid upon delivery to the Committee not later than ------
------, 20----, of the completed study in form and content satisfactory 
to the Committee, provided, however, that such date may be extended by 
mutual agreement of the parties to this agreement, and with the 
approval of the Committee on Rules and Administration of the United 
States Senate. It is understood, however, that the Committee reserves 
the right to terminate this agreement at any time.
    The Contractor further agrees and warrants that (it/he/she): \17\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \17\ In appropriate circumstances, the Committee on Rules and 
Administration may waive, or accept modifications to the following 
provisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          1. Has not employed any person to solicit or obtain this 
        agreement for any commission, percentage, brokerage or 
        contingent fee;
          2. Will save the Government harmless from liability in 
        performance;
          3. Will release no information obtained in carrying out the 
        provisions of the contract without prior consent of the 
        Committee;
          4. Will not subcontract or assign elsewhere any of the work 
        or services involved without prior consent of the Committee;
          5. Will not discriminate in its performance of this agreement 
        because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or 
        state of physical handicap, and shall comply with all laws 
        appertaining to the compensation of labor;
          6. Has no conflict of interest, direct or indirect, financial 
        or otherwise, which would be applicable to the performance 
        obligations covered by this agreement.
          7. If an allegation of a conflict of interest under paragraph 
        6 is brought to the attention of the Committee, the Contractor 
        agrees to fully cooperate with any investigation of the 
        allegation(s), and will disclose to the Committee any other 
        contract(s) to which it/he/she is a party, public or private, 
        or which it/he/she undertakes during the period of this 
        contract (including contracts entered into during the period of 
        this contract which include duties to be fulfilled after the 
        termination of this contract.)
    No Member or Delegate to Congress, or Resident Commissioner, shall 
be admitted to any share or part of this contract or to any benefit 
that may arise therefrom.

Approved  by  the  Committee  on
  Rules and Administration of the
  United States Senate
  
------------------------------------
Chairman
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Committee on ----------------------
  
------------------------------------
Chairman
  
------------------------------------
Ranking Minority Member
  
------------------------------------
Contractor
  
------------------------------------
Date
                             SAMPLE SERVICE
                           CONTRACT AGREEMENT
    THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into this -------------- day of 
----------, 20--, by and between the (name of committee) of the United 
States Senate, hereinafter referred to as the Committee, and (name of 
contractor), hereinafter referred to as the Contractor, subject to the 
approval of this agreement by the Committee on Rules and Administration 
of the United States Senate.
    It is hereby agreed that the Committee, under authority of Section 
---------- of Senate Resolution ----, agreed to ------------, 20--, --
---------- Congress, retains the Contractor to render services in 
accordance with the attached specifications.
    The Committee agrees to pay the said Contractor for all such 
contractual services rendered and expenses incurred in connection 
therewith a sum not to exceed $------------. Such reimbursement to the 
Contractor shall be paid from time to time on Committee vouchers upon 
receipt of statements with supporting data for all expenses incurred, 
and the Committee's judgment shall be final and conclusive with respect 
to the validity of claims for reimbursement of such expenses, subject, 
however, to the general authority of the said Committee on Rules and 
Administration.
    The Contractor agrees and warrants that it will fully complete 
(its/his/her) services to the Committee hereunder no later than ------
----, 20--, unless said date shall be extended by mutual agreement of 
the parties to this agreement, and with the approval of said Committee 
on Rules and Administration.
    The Contractor further agrees and warrants that (it/he/she): \18\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
    \18\ In appropriate circumstances the Committee on Rules and 
Administration may waive, or accept modifications to the following 
provisions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
          1. Has not employed any person to solicit or obtain this 
        agreement for any commission, percentage, brokerage or 
        contingent fee;
          2. Will save the Government harmless from liability in 
        performance;
          3. Will release no information obtained in carrying out the 
        provisions of the contract without prior consent of the 
        Committee;
          4. Will not subcontract or assign elsewhere any of the work 
        or services involved without prior consent of the Committee.
          5. Will not discriminate in its performance of this agreement 
        because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or 
        state of physical handicap, and shall comply with all laws 
        appertaining to the compensation of labor;
          6. Has no conflict of interest, direct or indirect, financial 
        or otherwise, which would be applicable to the performance 
        obligations covered by this agreement.
          7. If an allegation of a conflict of interest under paragraph 
        6 is brought to the attention of the Committee, the Contractor 
        agrees to fully cooperate with any investigation of the 
        allegation(s), and will disclose to the Committee any other 
        contract(s) to which it/he/she is a party, public or private, 
        or which it/he/she undertakes during the period of this 
        contract (including contracts entered into during the period of 
        this contract which include duties to be fulfilled after the 
        termination of this contract).
    No Member or Delegate to Congress, or Resident Commissioner, shall 
be admitted to any share or part of this contract or to any benefit 
that may arise therefrom.

Approved  by  the  Committee  on
  Rules  and Administration of the
  United States Senate
  
------------------------------------
Chairman
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Committee on ----------------------
  
------------------------------------
Chairman
  
------------------------------------
Ranking Minority Member
  
------------------------------------
Contractor
  
------------------------------------
Date
                   AGREEMENT ON CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT
    This agreement is made and executed this ------ day of --------, 
20--,
in Washington, D.C., between the ------------ Committee on ------------
---- of the United States Senate (hereafter referred to as the 
``Committee'') and ---------------------- (hereafter referred to as the 
``Employee''). The Committee and the Employee mutually agree as 
follows:
          1. The Committee agrees to pay the following expenses of the 
        Employee related to training received by him/her while enrolled 
        in ---------------------- -------------------------- at ------
        ---------------- during the period from ------------------ 
        through ------------------:
          (1)
          (2)
          (3)
          (4)
          (5)
    2. The Employee agrees to continue in the employment of the 
Committee for a period of ------------------ commencing after the 
Employee completes the training referred to in paragraph 1 of this 
agreement, unless such employment is terminated prior to the end of 
such period as a result of (1) the death of the Employee, (2) 
disability of the Employee, (3) the desire of the Committee to 
terminate the employment of the Employee, or (4) the consent of the 
Committee to the appointment of the Employee to another position in the 
United States Government.
    3. The Employee agrees that, if he or she is separated from 
employment with the Committee for any reason other than one of the 
reasons specified in paragraph 2 of this agreement, and such separation 
occurs prior to the expiration of a period of continuous employment 
equal in duration to the period specified in paragraph 2, he or she 
will make repayment to the United States Government of those training 
expenses referred to in paragraph 1 (other than compensation) on a pro 
rata basis commensurate with the portion of such period remaining to be 
served by the Employee at the time of such separation. For the purposes 
of this paragraph, employment with the Committee includes employment 
with any other department, agency, or establishment of the United 
States Government with the consent of the Committee.
    4. The Committee and the Employee agree that this agreement shall 
have no effect unless the training expenses referred to in paragraph 1 
are approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the 
Senate.
    Witness our hands the day and year first written above.

                                   Committee on ----------------------

                                   By: --------------------------------
                                                 Chairman

                                   ------------------------------------
                                                 Employee
                                                 
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