[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2911]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 55--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY THE COMMITTEE ON 
                           VETERANS' AFFAIRS

  Mr. AKAKA submitted the following resolution; from the Committee on 
Veterans' Affairs; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and 
Administration:

                               S. Res. 55

       Resolved, That, in carrying out its powers, duties, and 
     functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in 
     accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of such 
     rules, 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 Veterans' Affairs is authorized from March 1, 
     2007, through September 30, 2007; October 1, 2007, through 
     September 30, 2008; and October 1, 2008, through February 28, 
     2009, in its discretion (1) to make expenditures from the 
     contingent fund of the Senate, (2) to employ personnel, and 
     (3) with the prior consent of the Government department or 
     agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and 
     Administration, to use on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable 
     basis the services of personnel of any such department or 
     agency.
       Sec. 2. (a) The expenses of the committee for the period 
     March 1, 2007, through September 30, 2007, under this 
     resolution shall not exceed $1,259,442 of which amount (1) 
     not to exceed $59,000 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, as amended), and (2) not to 
     exceed $12,000 may be expended for the training of the 
     professional staff of such committee (under procedures 
     specified by section 202(j) of the Legislative Reorganization 
     Act of 1946).
       (b) For the period October 1, 2007, through September 30, 
     2008, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $2,207,230 of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $100,000 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, as amended), and (2) not to exceed $20,000 may 
     be expended for the training of the professional staff of 
     such committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) 
     of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946).
       (c) For the period October 1, 2007, through February 28, 
     2008, expenses of the committee under this resolution shall 
     not exceed $937,409, of which amount (1) not to exceed 
     $42,000 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, as amended), and (2) not to exceed $8,334 may be 
     expended for the training of the professional staff of such 
     committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of 
     the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946).
       Sec. 3. The committee shall report its findings, together 
     with such recommendation for legislation as it deems 
     advisable, to the Senate at the earliest practicable date, 
     but not later than February 28, 2007, and February 28, 2008, 
     respectively.
       Sec. 4. 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, except 
     that vouchers shall not be required for (1) the disbursement 
     of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate, or (2) for 
     the payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of 
     the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United States Senate, or 
     (3) for the payment stationery supplies purchased through the 
     Keeper of Stationery, United States Senate, or (4) for 
     payments to the Postmaster, United States Senate, or (5) for 
     the payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided 
     by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United 
     States Senate, or (6) for the payment of Senate Recording and 
     Photographic Services, or (7) for payment of franked and mass 
     mail costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, United 
     States Senate.
       Sec. 5. There are authorized such sums as may be necessary 
     for agency contributions related to the compensation of 
     employees of the committee from March 1, 2007, through 
     September 30, 2007; October 1, 2007, through September 30, 
     2008; and October 1, 2008, through February 28, 2009, to be 
     paid from the appropriations account for ``Expenses of 
     Inquiries and Investigations.''

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