[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 1]
[Senate]
[Page 291]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        COMMITTEE FUNDING LEVELS

  Mr. FRIST. On January 6, I engaged in a colloquy with the 
distinguished Democratic Leader, Senator Reid, concerning the budget 
assumptions for the next committee funding biennial period, subject to 
appropriations. I stated that the committee funding budget assumes an 
across-the-board freeze budget, with salary baselines adjusted by COLAs 
of 3.71 percent in 2005 as approved by the President pro tempore in 
early January; 3.3 percent assumed for 2006, and 3.5 percent assumed 
for 2007, although both the 2006 and 2007 actual COLA amounts remain 
subject to the approval of the President pro tempore.
  Based on preliminary calculations, both Senator Reid and I assumed 
certain funding levels, subject to appropriations. We have now received 
final financial calculations for an across-the-board freeze including 
the previously identified COLAs. To achieve our fiscal goal, aggregate 
funding levels would be: March 1, 2005-September 30, 2005: $51,783,793; 
October 1, 2005-Semptember 30, 2006: $90,923,102; and October 1, 2006-
February 28, 2007: $38,704,409. These funding levels include, but do 
not separately allocate, the additional 10 percent allocated to the 
committees in the 108th Congress. I believe this reflects the intent of 
the negotiation between the Democratic leader and myself.
  Mr. REID. The majority leader is correct. The preliminary 
calculations that we were provided did not accurately reflect our goal 
of an across-the-board freeze including the COLAs. The aggregate 
funding levels identified today by the majority leader accurately 
reflect the intent of our agreement.
  Mr. FRIST. I thank the Democratic leader for his comments.

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