[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 15 (Thursday, January 29, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S659]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 54--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
                        RULES AND ADMINISTRATION

  Mr. BLUNT submitted the following resolution; from the Committee on 
Rules and Administration; which was placed on the calendar:

                               S. Res. 54

       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 Rules and Administration (in this resolution 
     referred to as the ``committee'') is authorized from March 1, 
     2015 through February 28, 2017, in its discretion, to--
       (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund of the 
     Senate;
       (2) employ personnel; and
       (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or 
     agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration, use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable 
     basis the services of personnel of any such department or 
     agency.

     SEC. 2. EXPENSES.

       (a) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2015.--The 
     expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2015 
     through September 30, 2015 under this resolution shall not 
     exceed $1,375,819, of which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $43,750 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 $7,000 may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
       (b) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2016 Period.--The expenses of 
     the committee for the period October 1, 2015 through 
     September 30, 2016 under this section shall not exceed 
     $2,358,546, of which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $75,000 may be expended for the 
     procurement of the services of individual consultants, or 
     organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the 
     Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); 
     and
       (2) not to exceed $12,000 may be expended for the training 
     of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
       (c) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2017.--The 
     expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2016 
     through February 28, 2017 under this section shall not exceed 
     $982,728, of which amount--
       (1) not to exceed $31,250 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 $5,000 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. REPORTING LEGISLATION.

       The committee shall report its findings, together with such 
     recommendations for legislation as it deems advisable, to the 
     Senate at the earliest practicable date, but not later than 
     February 28, 2017.

     SEC. 4. 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, United States Senate.
       (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, 2015 through September 30, 
     2015;
       (2) for the period October 1, 2015 through September 30, 
     2016; and
       (3) for the period October 1, 2016 through February 28, 
     2017.

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