[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 79 (Tuesday, June 21, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: June 21, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
   SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 71--RELATING TO CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT 
                                CONTROL

  Mr. LIEBERMAN submitted the following concurrent resolution; which 
was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration:

                            S. Con. Res. 71

         Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives 
     concurring),

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND PURPOSE.

       (a) Short Title.--This resolution may be cited as the 
     ``Capital Improvement Control Resolution''.
       (b) Purpose.--The purpose of this resolution is to require 
     that each large capital improvement project in the United 
     States Capitol area with estimated total costs greater than 
     $3,000,000 be approved by a resolution of the appropriate 
     House of Congress.

     SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

       For purposes of this resolution--
       (1) the term ``United States Capitol area'' means the 
     buildings and grounds of the United States Capitol, the 
     Library of Congress, and the congressional offices; and
       (2) the term ``large capital improvement project'' means a 
     project with an estimated total cost greater than $3,000,000 
     involving new construction, reconstruction of existing 
     buildings, or acquisition of equipment with a useful life of 
     greater than 5 years.

     SEC. 3. CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT RESOLUTION.

       (a) Capital Improvement Resolution.--No funds shall be 
     obligated for any large capital improvement project in the 
     United States Capitol area unless the House of Congress with 
     jurisdiction over the project has approved the project 
     through the enactment of a resolution described in subsection 
     (b) (referred to as a ``Capital Improvement Resolution)''.
       (b) Form of Resolution and Report.--
       (1) Resolution.--A Capital Improvement Resolution shall--
       (A) include a statement specifically approving the large 
     capital improvement project and identifying the costs of such 
     project; and
       (B)(i) if such project only affects 1 House of Congress, be 
     in the form of a simple resolution of such House; or
       (ii) if such project affects both Houses, be in the form of 
     a concurrent resolution.
       (2) Report.--The resolution shall be accompanied by a 
     report from a committee with jurisdiction over the capital 
     improvement project which shall include--
       (A) a description of the capital improvement project;
       (B) the justification for making the capital improvement;
       (C) the alternatives considered, including the costs of the 
     alternatives, and the reasons for rejecting the alternatives;
       (D) the total estimated costs for the capital improvement 
     project; and
       (E) the maximum amount which may be appropriated for the 
     project.

     SEC. 4. WAIVER OF RESOLUTION.

       An affirmative vote of three-fifths of Members of the 
     appropriate House of Congress, duly chosen and sworn, shall 
     be required to waive any requirement of this Act.

  Mr. LIEBERMAN. Mr. President, today I am submitting a concurrent 
resolution to improve the process for authorizing large projects for 
the buildings and grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The current controversy 
over the staggering cost of renovating the Senate subway illustrates 
the need for a more thorough airing of major construction projects in 
the Capitol area. The $18-million pricetag for the subway renovation is 
difficult to justify, especially amid reports that less expensive 
alternatives existed. It is true that those alternatives did not 
involve state-of-the-art equipment that the Senate subway will soon 
boast. But it is arguable they would have done the job for much less 
money. For example, one alternative of replacing the existing subway 
cars with new cars of a similar design would have cost $3 million. 
Would the Senate have approved an $18 million plan had it known that a 
$3 million alternative existed? I am certain we all would have wanted a 
fuller explanation of the benefits that would justify the greater 
expenditure.
  Almost no information was provided to the full Senate about the 
subway project before it began. The full Senate was never given a 
report regarding projected expenditures, estimated total cost, or 
reasons for rejecting alternative proposals. The appropriations for the 
subway were not given a separate line-item.
  At a time when the Federal debt is measured in trillions and public 
faith in Congress is very low, we must make sure that all major 
projects to improve the Capitol area receive careful scrutiny. Since 
excessive expenditures on renovation projects to the Capitol reflect 
badly on every Member of Congress and on the institution, every Member 
should have the information necessary to make a decision and an 
opportunity to vote on the proposal. The concurrent resolution which I 
am introducing today would provide both. The Capital Improvement 
Control Resolution of 1994 requires that all major renovations and 
construction projects affecting the buildings and grounds of the U.S. 
Capitol area must be approved by a vote on a resolution by the 
appropriate House of Congress. The resolution must be accompanied by a 
report on the project which provides (1) a description of the project, 
(2) the justification for the project, (3) the alternatives considered, 
along with their costs and reasons for their rejection, (4) the total 
estimated costs for the project, and (5) the maximum amount which may 
be spent on the project without requiring passage of another 
resolution. Only large projects, defined as these with estimated total 
costs of over $3 million, would be affected by this new procedure. The 
requirements of the bill could not be waived without an affirmative 
vote by three-fifths of Members duly chosen and sworn.
  I believe that full disclosure and open debate on major construction 
projects involving the Capitol grounds will ensure that the costs are 
reasonable and necessary. The Capital Improvement Control Resolution 
offers a small but significant step toward restoring public respect for 
this institution.

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