[House Report 105-196]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



105th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 1st Session                                                    105-196
_______________________________________________________________________


 
              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 1998

                                _______
                                

 July 22, 1997.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

_______________________________________________________________________


    Mr. Walsh, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                     together with DISSENTING VIEWS

                      [To accompany H.R. 105-2209]

    The Committee on Appropriations submits the following 
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making 
appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year 
1998, and for other purposes.


                        INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

_______________________________________________________________________


                                                            Page number

                                                            Bill Report
Summary of bill............................................
                                                                      2
Highlights of bill.........................................
                                                                      4
Structure of bill..........................................
                                                                      7
Legislative branch wide matters............................
                                                                      7
Title I--Congressional operations:
        House of Representatives...........................     2
                                                                      9
        Joint Items:
                Joint Economic Committee...................     8
                                                                     14
                Joint Committee on Printing................     8
                                                                     14
                Joint Committee on Taxation................     8
                                                                     14
                Office of the Attending Physician..........     8
                                                                     15
                Capitol Police Board.......................     9
                                                                     15
                Capitol Guide Service and Special Services 
                    Office.................................    16
                                                                     16
        Office of Compliance...............................    17
                                                                     16
        Congressional Budget Office........................    17
                                                                     17
        Architect of the Capitol (except Senate and Title 
            II items)......................................    18
                                                                     17
        Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress    20
                                                                     19
        Congressional printing and binding, Government 
            Printing Office................................    21
                                                                     19
Title II--Other agencies:
        Botanic Garden.....................................    22
                                                                     20
        Library of Congress (except Congressional Research 
            Service).......................................    22
                                                                     20
        Architect of the Capitol: Library buildings and 
            grounds........................................    27
                                                                     24
        Government Printing Office (except Congressional 
            printing and binding)..........................    27
                                                                     24
        General Accounting Office..........................    29
                                                                     24
Title III--General provisions..............................    32
                                                                     25
Constitutional authority...................................
                                                                     25
Comparison with budget resolution..........................
                                                                     26
Five-year projection of outlays............................
                                                                     26
Assistance to State and local governments..................
                                                                     26
Transfers of funds.........................................
                                                                     26
Rescissions................................................
                                                                     27
Changes in the application of existing law.................
                                                                     27
Compliance with clause 3--rule XIII........................
                                                                     29

                            SUMMARY OF BILL

    The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides 
appropriations for fiscal year 1998 legislative branch 
operations which total $1,711,417,000. Of that amount, 
$1,069,102,000 is for congressional operations and $642,315,000 
is for other agencies.
    A summary of the recommendations follows:

                                                                        
                      Fiscal year 1998                       Amount     
                                                                        
Congressional operations..............................  \1\ $1,069,102,0
                                                                      00
Other agencies........................................       642,315,000
      Total...........................................     1,711,417,000
                                                                        
\1\ Excludes Senate items, including those Senate items under the       
  Architect of the Capitol.                                             

    Conforming with long practice under which each body of 
Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and the 
other concurs without intervention, funds for the Senate are 
not included in the bill as reported to the House. Current 
appropriations estimates for the Senate for fiscal year 1998, 
including those under the Architect of the Capitol, total 
$530,796,000.
    A comparative summary of the bill by title and agency 
follows:

                                                                   SUMMARY OF THE BILL                                                                  
                               [Note.--Excludes Senate items including those Senate items under Architect of the Capitol]                               
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                            Bill compared with--        
                                                                               Budget estimates      New budget    -------------------------------------
                                                               New budget           of new         (obligational)                       Budget estimates
                          Agency                             (obligational)     (obligational)       authority          New budget           of new     
                                                           authority, fiscal  authority, fiscal    recommended in     (obligational)     (obligational) 
                                                               year 1997          year 1998             bill        authority, fiscal  authority, fiscal
                                                                                                                        year 1997          year 1998    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            TITLE I--CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                        
House of Representatives.................................       $684,098,200       $752,383,000       $708,738,000        $24,639,800       -$43,645,000
Joint items..............................................         88,581,000         92,306,000         86,802,000         -1,779,000         -5,504,000
Office of Compliance.....................................          2,609,000          2,600,000          2,479,000           -130,000           -121,000
Congressional Budget Office..............................         24,532,000         24,995,000         24,797,000            265,000           -198,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate and Title II                                                                                                    
 items)..................................................        100,384,000        121,856,000        111,031,000         10,647,000        -10,825,000
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress......         62,641,000         66,830,000         64,603,000          1,962,000         -2,227,000
Congressional printing and binding, Government Printing                                                                                                 
 Office..................................................         81,669,000         84,025,000         70,652,000        -11,017,000        -13,373,000
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total, title I-- Congressional operations................      1,044,514,200      1,114,995,000      1,069,102,000         24,587,800        -75,893,000
                                                          ==============================================================================================
                TITLE II-- OTHER AGENCIES                                                                                                               
                                                                                                                                                        
Botanic Garden...........................................        $36,402,000        $11,662,000         $1,771,000       -$34,631,000        -$9,891,000
Library of Congress (except Congressional Operations)....        269,117,000        290,376,000        277,687,000          8,570,000        -12,689,000
Architect of the Capitol (Library buildings and grounds).          9,753,000         15,755,000         10,073,000            320,000         -5,682,000
Government Printing Office (except Congressional printing                                                                                               
 and binding)............................................         29,077,000         30,477,000         29,264,000            187,000         -1,213,000
General Accounting Office................................        332,520,000        361,424,000        323,520,000         -9,000,000        -37,904,000
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total, title II-- Other agencies...................        676,869,000        709,694,000        642,315,000        -34,554,000        -67,379,000
                                                          ==============================================================================================
      Grand total, new budget, including transfers                                                                                                      
       (obligational) authority (for items considered by                                                                                                
       House)............................................      1,721,383,200      1,854,689,000      1,711,417,000         -9,966,200       -143,272,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           HIGHLIGHTS OF BILL

                Summary of Estimates and Recommendations

    Budget estimates.--The budget estimates considered by the 
Committee total $1,854,689,000. By law, budget requests for the 
legislative branch are transmitted to the Congress by the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the President without 
change in the amounts submitted by the originating agency. The 
1998 proposals appear on pages 359 through 364 of the 
``Analytical Perspectives'' volume, and pages 17 through 43 of 
the ``Appendix'' volume of the 1998 Federal Budget (H. Doc. 
105-3).
    Committee recommendations.--A total of $1,711,417,000 in 
new budget (obligational) authority is recommended for fiscal 
year 1998. The recommendation is $143,272,000 less than was 
transmitted to the Congress, a reduction of 7.7 percent under 
the budget request. The bill, as reported, is $533,583,000 
below the 602(b) allocation established by the Committee on 
Appropriations pursuant to the Concurrent Resolution on the 
Budget. The bill does not include Senate items. If the Senate 
items were included at the level specified in the Committee's 
602(b) limits, the bill would be $2,583,000 below the amount 
allocated to the Subcommittee on Legislative.
    The recommendations in this bill continue an effort begun 
in the 104th Congress to insure the Legislative Branch is a 
full participant in the objective of balancing the Federal 
budget. With the enactment of this bill, the three year savings 
under the spending level adopted in the 103rd Congress will 
total $630 million. If the current trend in legislative branch 
spending is tracked against the spending pattern during the 
previous 8 years, legislative spending will generate estimated 
savings of over $3.5 billion through the year 2002 below those 
amounts that would otherwise have been spent. That $3.5 billion 
is a direct contribution toward deficit reduction and the 
balanced budget target established by the Congress and the 
President for the year 2002.
    Staffing.--For the past several years, the Committee has 
generally denied funding for net staffing increases throughout 
the legislative branch, or provided only those positions with 
very high priority. In this bill, funding for an additional 316 
FTE's are being eliminated from legislative agency rolls. 
Beginning in 1994, the agencies of the legislative branch have 
eliminated 3,814 FTE positions.
    Comparison with fiscal year 1997 appropriations.--Compared 
with the appropriations enacted for fiscal year 1997, 
$1,721,383,200, the recommendation of $1,711,417,000 in new 
budget (obligational) authority for fiscal year 1998 is a 
reduction of $9,966,200.
    Areas of major change.--The recommended amount for fiscal 
year 1998 is a net decrease of $9,966,200 below the level 
appropriated for fiscal year 1997. This decrease has several 
components. The sum of $48,083,000 has been added over fiscal 
year 1997, in order to pay for mandatory pay and related costs. 
To meet the costs of inflation necessary to maintain the 
current level of services requires $6,050,000. These costs 
primarily reflect year-to-year price changes for the same 
amount of services consumed. There will be a decrease of 
$64,100,200 for programs, including a decrease of $11,291,200 
due to legislation, a reduction of $19,108,000 in workload, and 
a decrease of $33,701,000 for equipment, alterations and 
repairs.
    A summary of the areas of major changes recommended by 
general category follows:

                                     AREAS OF MAJOR CHANGE: COMMITTEE BILL VERSUS FISCAL YEAR 1997 BUDGET AUTHORITY                                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                       Program type changes                             
                                                                                         ------------------------------------------------               
                                                           Mandatory pay    Price level                                     Equipment,                  
                          Item                              and related       changes                                      alterations,    Total changes
                                                               costs                        Legislation      Workload      maintenance,                 
                                                                                                                           repairs, etc.                
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            TITLE I--CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS                                                                                                           
                                                                                                                                                        
House of Representatives................................     $21,398,000      $3,039,000        $676,800      $4,815,000     -$5,289,000     $24,639,800
Joint items.............................................       1,919,000          38,000        -950,000         449,000      -3,235,000      -1,779,000
Office of Compliance....................................         -22,000           1,000  ..............        -109,000  ..............        -130,000
Congressional Budget Office.............................         740,000          67,000  ..............        -334,000        -208,000         265,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate and Title II                                                                                                    
 items).................................................       2,258,000         453,000  ..............         701,000       7,235,000      10,647,000
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.....       1,743,000         219,000  ..............  ..............  ..............       1,962,000
Congressional printing and binding, Government Printing                                                                                                 
 Office.................................................  ..............  ..............     -11,017,000  ..............  ..............     -11,017,000
                TITLE II--OTHER AGENCIES                                                                                                                
                                                                                                                                                        
Botanic Garden..........................................         126,000  ..............  ..............      -1,277,000     -33,480,000     -34,631,000
Library of Congress (except Congressional Research                                                                                                      
 Service)...............................................       6,192,000       1,602,000  ..............        -750,000       1,526,000       8,570,000
Architect of the Capitol (Library buildings and grounds)         339,000  ..............  ..............         231,000        -250,000         320,000
Government Printing Office (except Congressional                                                                                                        
 printing and binding)..................................         171,000         631,000  ..............        -615,000  ..............         187,000
General Accounting Office...............................      13,219,000  ..............  ..............     -22,219,000  ..............      -9,000,000
                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total.............................................      48,083,000       6,050,000     -11,290,200     -19,108,000     -33,701,000      -9,966,200
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         STRUCTURE OF THE BILL

    The bill is divided into three titles:

                   Title I--Congressional Operations

    Title I--Congressional Operations contains the 
appropriations for the actual operation of the Congress. 
Traditionally, Congressional operations has included the House 
of Representatives (Senate items will be added by that body), 
joint items, the Office of Compliance, the Congressional Budget 
Office, the Architect of the Capitol (except Senate office 
buildings and Library of Congress buildings and grounds), the 
Congressional Research Service, and the Congressional printing 
and binding portion of the Government Printing Office.

                        Title II--Other Agencies

    Title II--Other Agencies contains the budget for several 
activities which do not provide primary support to the 
Congress. For instance, the activities of the Library of 
Congress, except the Congressional Research Service, are 
carried in this title. This includes such Library activities as 
the program to provide books for the blind and physically 
handicapped, the operation of the Copyright Office (including 
copyright royalty regulation) and Library services to the 
public and to the government of the United States. The non-
Congressional operations of the Government Printing Office are 
contained in title II, such as the depository library program, 
which acquires or prints federal publications for distribution 
to the libraries, and sales of government publications to the 
general public. Also, although much of the workload of the 
General Accounting Office is in direct support of the Congress, 
including work mandated by statute or requested by committees 
and Members of Congress, the balance of that agency's workload 
involves its more general legislative requirements. The nature 
of that work is directed toward the improvement of the 
operation of the Federal government through review and 
evaluation of programs and the prevention of fraud and waste, 
as well as accounting and financial management improvements. 
The GAO budget, therefore, is carried in title II of the bill. 
The Botanic Garden rounds out the items included in title II.

                     Title III--General Provisions

    Title III contains general provisions.

                    LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WIDE MATTERS

    An open exchange of technology, projects, plans and 
developments is crucial to the success of a legislative branch 
wide information system. It is expected, therefore, that the 
following organizations will continue to participate and assist 
in all the efforts of the Clerk of the House and the Secretary 
of the Senate: the Library of Congress, the Government Printing 
Office, House Information Resources, the Senate Computer 
Center, the General Accounting Office, the Congressional Budget 
Office, and the Architect of the Capitol.
    The Committee on House Oversight and the Senate Committee 
on Rules and Administration have begun a process to develop a 
common information dissemination system. The Legislative 
Information System (LIS) being developed by the Congressional 
Research Service and the Library of Congress, when completed, 
will replace the retrieval functions for legislative 
information systems currently being operated by House 
Information Resources (HIR). The Library and CRS must devote 
sufficient resources to accomplish the following during FY1998:
    Provide comparable functionality so that legacy retrieval 
            systems can be retired by 12/31/98;
    Improve the productivity of Congressional staff by making 
            significant progress in implementing previously 
            identified high priority functionality; and
    Improve the accuracy, usability, and timeliness of 
            legislative information retrieval.
    In considering the fiscal year 1998 budget requests, 
special attention was given to the so-called ``mandatory'' 
increases that agencies justify as necessary to fund the annual 
cost-of-living (COLA)/comparability raises, merit and longevity 
increases, employee benefits, workmen's compensation, and 
similar compensation-related matters for current legislative 
branch staff. These mandatory increases total $63 million, a 
large sum in a budget that is being tightly controlled. Instead 
of providing the entire mandatory increase, the Committee has 
allowed increases pertaining to FY 1997 pay actions already 
taken, and certain FY 1998 adjustments. Specifically, increases 
associated with annualizing the FY 1997 COLA/comparability, 
benefit increases, and other FY 1997 pay actions are included 
in this bill, as are increases associated with prospective FY 
1998 COLA/comparability and benefit adjustments. The Committee 
expects each agency to manage within approved levels the 
anticipated increases for within-grade increases, merit pay, 
and promotions. The Committee's approach generally agrees with 
the practices for estimating personnel compensation in the 
executive branch.
    The agencies, offices, and joint items included within the 
bill are reminded that budget justifications are due to the 
Committee by mid-December.

                   TITLE I--CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS

    The Committee bill recommends a total of $1,069,102,000 for 
fiscal year 1998 for those activities in direct support of the 
operations of the Congress (exclusive of the Senate), which is 
an increase of $24,587,800 above the fiscal year 1997 level. 
Budget estimates considered by the Committee total 
$1,144,995,000, which have been reduced by $75,893,000.
    A summary of the recommendations follows:

                    Title I--Congressional Operations                   
                                                                        
                           Item                              Amount     
                                                                        
House of Representatives..............................      $708,738,000
Joint items...........................................        86,802,000
Office of Compliance..................................         2,479,000
Congressional Budget Office...........................        24,797,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate and Title II                    
 items)...............................................       111,031,000
Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress...        64,603,000
Congressional printing and binding, Government                          
 Printing Office......................................        70,652,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total...........................................     1,069,102,000
                                                                        

                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    The Committee recommends a total of $708,738,000 for the 
operations of the House of Representatives during fiscal year 
1998. The allowance is $43,645,000 below the appropriations 
requested, and $24,639,800 above the amount appropriated for 
the current fiscal year.
    The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:

                        House of Representatives                        
                                                                        
                           Item                              Amount     
                                                                        
Salaries and expenses:                                                  
    House leadership offices..........................       $12,293,000
    Members' representational allowances..............       379,789,000
    Committee salaries and expenses...................       104,544,000
    Salaries, officers and employees..................        84,356,000
    Allowances and expenses...........................       127,756,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total, Salaries and Expenses....................       708,738,000
      Total, House of Representatives.................       708,738,000
                                                                        

                         Salaries and Expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................      $683,831,000
1998 budget estimate..................................       752,383,000
Committee recommendation..............................       708,738,000
                                                                        

    The appropriation for the operations of the House of 
Representatives is the salaries and expenses appropriation. The 
account includes the following House activities: House 
leadership offices; Members' representational allowances; 
committee salaries and expenses; salaries, officers and 
employees; allowances and expenses; and the day care center. 
The amount provided is $708,738,000, and includes a prospective 
cost-of-living adjustment for staff salaries (estimated at 2.8% 
for all Federal employees in the President's budget), increased 
resources for committee oversight activities, and a 
continuation of the investments being made in computing 
resources and telecommunications, i.e., the CyberCongress 
initiative.

                        House Leadership Offices

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $11,592,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        11,916,000
Committee recommendation..............................        12,293,000
                                                                        

    The Committee recommends a total of $12,293,000 for the 
operations of the leadership offices during fiscal year 1998.
    The allocation by office follows:

                        House leadership offices                        
                                                                        
                           Item                              Amount     
                                                                        
Office of the Speaker.................................        $1,590,000
Office of the Majority Floor Leader...................         1,626,000
Office of the Minority Floor Leader...................         1,652,000
Office of the Majority Whip...........................         1,024,000
Office of the Minority Whip...........................           998,000
Speaker's Office for Legislative Floor Activities.....           397,000
Republican Steering Committee.........................           736,000
House Republican Conference...........................         1,172,000
House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee........         1,277,000
House Democratic Caucus...............................           631,000
Nine Minority Employees...............................         1,190,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total...........................................        12,293,000
                                                                        

                  Members' Representational Allowances

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................      $363,313,000
1998 budget estimate..................................       405,450,000
Committee recommendation..............................       379,789,000
                                                                        

    A total of $379,789,000 is recommended for the 
representational allowances of the Members of the House. In 
recommending this amount, the Committee was provided with 
estimates of $265,484,000 for clerk hire salaries, $87,934,000 
for official expenses, and $26,371,000 for official mail. It 
should be pointed out that each Member has an overall 
consolidated allowance established by the Committee on House 
Oversight from which staff salaries, office expenses, and mail 
costs are drawn.
    Many Members do not expend their full allowance. That is 
why the Committee bill does not fully fund this account. The 
frugality of those Members is already projected in the bill 
presented by the Committee. Since these prospective savings are 
already taken in the bill, they reduce the need for 
appropriated funds and, therefore, contribute directly to the 
reduction in federal spending and consequently lower the 
projected deficit. If the Committee bill were to fully fund the 
Members' Representational Allowance, the amount appropriated 
would have to be increased by $17 million.

                          Committee Employees

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $97,802,000
1998 budget estimate..................................       108,586,000
Committee recommendation..............................       104,544,000
                                                                        

    In the 1996 appropriations bill, the Committee employees 
account was consolidated from several component accounts. The 
staff of the Committees of the House were reduced by 33% at the 
beginning of the 104th Congress. The funding in this bill 
reflects those reductions and provides $104,544,000 for the 
salaries and expenses of the 19 standing committees and one 
permanent select committee of the House, as follows:
    Standing Committees, special and select--For the salaries 
and expenses of committees funded in the biennial funding 
resolution, $86,268,000 is provided.
    Committee on Appropriations--For the salaries and expenses 
of the Committee on Appropriations (including the studies and 
investigation activities authorized by section 202(b) of the 
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946), $18,276,000 is 
provided.
    Details of the funding resolutions approved by the House 
for the 105th Congress, follow:

                                COMMITTEE FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS, 105TH CONGRESS                                
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Committee                             1st session       2nd session          Total     
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture...............................................        $3,791,039        $3,865,123        $7,656,162
Banking and Financial Services............................         4,363,817         4,537,800         8,901,617
Budget....................................................         4,970,000         4,970,000         9,940,000
Commerce..................................................         7,122,959         7,412,447        14,535,406
Education and the Workforce...............................         5,002,127         5,122,986        10,125,113
Government Reform and Oversight...........................        11,702,573         8,317,999        20,020,572
House Oversight...........................................         3,042,603         3,007,746         6,050,349
Intelligence..............................................         2,358,040         2,457,486         4,815,526
International Relations...................................         5,145,358         5,223,000        10,368,358
Judiciary.................................................         5,054,800         5,549,241        10,604,041
National Security.........................................         4,719,454         5,002,291         9,721,745
Resources.................................................         4,800,014         5,076,536         9,876,550
Rules.....................................................         2,306,407         2,342,695         4,649,102
Science...................................................         4,263,672         4,414,158         8,677,830
Small Business............................................         1,936,471         1,970,470         3,906,941
Standards of Official Conduct.............................         1,276,300         1,180,000         2,456,300
Transportation and Infrastructure.........................         5,992,229         6,192,230        12,184,459
Veterans' Affairs.........................................         2,084,368         2,259,792         4,344,160
Ways and Means............................................         5,366,700         5,670,207        11,036,907
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Subtotal............................................        85,298,931        84,572,207       169,871,138
      Reserve Fund........................................                                             7,900,000
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total...............................................                                           177,771,138
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the funding resolution is done on a biennial basis, 
which expires on December 31, 1998, FY 1997 and FY 1998 
committee funding is provided to remain available until 
December 31, 1998.

                    Salaries, Officers and Employees

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $86,259,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        91,770,000
Committee recommendation..............................        84,356,000
                                                                        

    The Committee recommendation for the salaries and expenses 
of House officers and employees of the various activities 
funded through this consolidated item totals $84,356,000. This 
amount represents an overall decrease of $7,414,000 below the 
budget request and $1,903,000 below the amount enacted in 
fiscal year 1997. Cost of living funds are provided, as are 
projected overtime costs.
    Since the Office of the Clerk of the House will manage 
additional programs in fiscal year 1998, the Committee has 
provided resources, within the $16,804,000 provided to the 
Clerk, for printing services functions transferred to that 
Office from the Chief Administrative Officer and for the 
document management system that was requested as a separate 
item under the allowances and expenses account. The Sergeant at 
Arms has been funded at $3,564,000, the level requested, 
adjusted for currently projected payroll costs. The Chief 
Administrative Officer's budget has been set at $50,727,000, 
including $14,957,000 for the net operating costs of House 
Information Resources (HIR). $8,253,000 for the net expenses of 
telecommunications costs for the House has been designated as 
part of the direct appropriation to HIR. For personnel, funds 
for 250 FTE's are provided, a reduction of 20 FTE's from the 
number authorized but an increase of 20 FTE's above the current 
level. Funds for new telephone handsets have not been provided. 
Over 1,800 telephone instruments are in the available 
inventory. Campus Data Network costs have been reduced by 
$1,600,000 since user requirements have not been provided. 
Asavings of $900,000 in the cost of frame relay telecommunications has 
been taken due to an analysis by the House Inspector General. For other 
HIR operations costs, $761,500 is provided for other services, $544,000 
for supplies and materials, and $2,793,369 for equipment. In addition, 
HIR is authorized to expend $4,037,000 in reimbursements. The Committee 
understands that the Committee on House Oversight will have final 
approval authority on these purchases and that Committee may wish to 
rearrange the purchase priorities for these items. It is possible that 
some of the items not funded may be acquired through reprogramming 
savings, if they can be found. The Committee will be willing to 
consider such reprogrammings. HIR is directed to upgrade their services 
to the Office of Law Revision Counsel, who have been effected by a 
decision on the part of HIR to withdraw support for maintaining the 
U.S. Code on a CD-ROM electronic data base. The CD-ROM is very cost-
effective, and of increasing utility to users of the U.S. Code 
throughout the legal community. This and other deterioration in HIR 
services to the Law Revision Counsel should be given strong and 
immediate attention by HIR management.
    In November of 1995, the Committee on House Oversight 
adopted a resolution which, among other things, called for HIR 
to plan for the orderly elimination of its mainframe. Since 
that time, plans have been approved to migrate specific 
systems, and substantial progress has been achieved towards 
off-loading the mainframe in such areas as messaging and 
legislative information. The capacity of the mainframe and its 
associated storage will continue to diminish during 1998. 
Prospective plans for major systems affected by the Year 2000, 
such as the House payroll system and the Office Systems 
Management system, would also further reduce the need for, and 
the benefits of, a dedicated House mainframe by 1999. It is 
appropriate to determine if the House could be better served in 
the future by either out-sourcing the operation of the 
mainframe computer to a vendor or relocating the final 
mainframe systems to another legislative branch agency. We 
would like the House Inspector General to study this issue and 
report his findings back to the Committees on House Oversight 
and Appropriations within six months.
    The House Information Resources is directed to prepare a 
report for submission to the Committee on House Oversight 
outlining the steps necessary to use User Datagram Protocol 
(UDP) throughout the House user community.
    The office of the Inspector General has been provided two 
more FTE's. Funds for the annual House financial audit have not 
been provided since it is the intent to use FY 1997 funds for 
those purposes.
    The Inspector General is directed to prepare a report for 
submission to the Committee on House Oversight and the 
Committee on Appropriations comparing the wage structure and 
benefits currently provided to employees of the House Beauty 
Shop and the House Barber Shop with the wage structure and 
benefits provided to such employees prior to privatization. 
Also, funds have been provided for the release of an Inspector 
General report on the Office of the Chief Administrative 
Officer.
    The administrative staff officers of the House (the Clerk 
of the House, Sergeant at Arms, Chief Administrative Officer, 
and the Inspector General) are reminded that funding levels are 
provided on the basis of a certain number of full time 
equivalent positions. If additional FTE's are authorized during 
the fiscal year, the officers should determine the source of 
the additional personnel funding, including the need for a 
reprogramming of funds, and advise the Committee accordingly. 
This is the current procedure and is designed to inform the 
Committee on Appropriations of the potential impact on future 
year funding needs.

                    Salaries, officers and employees                    
                                                                        
                           Item                              Amount     
                                                                        
Office of the Clerk...................................       $16,804,000
Office of the Sergeant at Arms........................         3,564,000
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer............        50,727,000
Office of Inspector General...........................         3,808,000
Office of the Chaplain................................           133,000
Office of the Parliamentarian.........................         1,101,000
    Parliamentarian...................................         (852,000)
    Compilation of Precedents.........................         (249,000)
Office of the Law Revision Counsel....................         1,821,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel.....................         4,827,000
Corrections Calendar Office...........................           791,000
Other authorized employees............................           780,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total...........................................        84,356,000
                                                                        

    House of Representatives Child Care Center.--The bill 
provides authority for the House day care center budget, as 
required by Sec. 312(d)(1) of Public Law 102-90, as presented 
to the Committee by the Chief Administrative Officer. It should 
be noted that day care center operations are funded by tuition 
and other center-generated revenues.

                        Allowances and Expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................      $124,865,000
1998 budget estimate..................................       134,661,000
Committee recommendation..............................       127,756,000
                                                                        

    A total of $127,756,000 is recommended for fiscal year 1998 
for allowances and expenses. This amount is $6,905,000 below 
the budget request and $2,891,000 above the current level. 
These funds include supplies, materials, administrative costs, 
and Federal tort claims; the costs of official mail for the 
Committees, leadership, and administrative offices; employee 
benefits; and miscellaneous items. Over 97.3% of these funds is 
for the employer share of retirement, health care, and 
unemployment compensation payments for House employees.
    The following table sets forth the various expense 
categories within this appropriation:

                         Allowances and Expenses                        
                                                                        
                          Detail                        Recommended 1998
                                                                        
Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal                   
 tort claims..........................................        $2,225,000
Official mail.........................................           500,000
Government contributions..............................       124,390,000
Miscellaneous items:                                                    
    House automobiles.................................            86,000
    Gratuities to beneficiaries of deceased staff.....           500,000
    Interparliamentary receptions.....................            55,000
                                                       -----------------
      Subtotal miscellaneous items....................           641,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total, allowances and expenses..................       127,756,000
                                                                        

                       Administrative Provisions

    Section 101 makes permanent the provisions of House 
Resolution 7, One Hundred Fifth Congress, establishing the 
Corrections Calendar Office and the provisions of House 
Resolution 130, One Hundred Fifth Congress, providing lump sum 
authorization for the Corrections Calendar Office. Section 102 
clarifies the identification of the appropriation accounts 
referred to in Sec. 107(b) of the Legislative Branch 
Appropriations Act of 1996. Section 103 authorizes lump-sum 
payments for House employees when authorized by the employing 
authority. Section 104 authorizes Members to employ non-
permanent interns in their district offices. Section 105 makes 
a technical correction in the House of Representatives 
Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act (110 Stat. 
1731).

                              JOINT ITEMS

    The Committee recommends appropriations totaling 
$86,802,000 for fiscal year 1998 for the various joint 
committees and activities carried under this heading. The 
recommendation is $5,504,000 under the amounts requested for 
fiscal 1998 and a reduction of $1,779,000 under the amounts 
appropriated in FY1997.
    The following summarizes the recommendations:

                               Joint Items                              
                                                                        
                           Item                              Amount     
                                                                        
Joint Economic Committee..............................        $2,750,000
Joint Committee on Printing...........................           804,000
Joint Committee on Taxation...........................         5,907,000
Office of the Attending Physician.....................         1,266,000
Capitol Police Board..................................        74,054,000
Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office.....         1,991,000
Statements of appropriations..........................            30,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total...........................................        86,802,000
                                                                        

                        Joint Economic Committee

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $2,750,000
1998 budget estimate..................................         2,750,000
Committee recommendation..............................         2,750,000
                                                                        

    The Committee has provided $2,750,000 for the Joint 
Economic Committee.

                      Joint Committee on Printing

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................          $777,000
1998 budget estimate..................................           807,000
Committee recommendation..............................           804,000
                                                                        

    The bill provides $804,000 for the operations of the Joint 
Committee on Printing.

                      Joint Committee on Taxation

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $5,470,000
1998 budget estimate..................................         6,126,000
Committee recommendation..............................         5,907,000
                                                                        

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,907,000 for 
the Joint Committee on Taxation, an increase of $437,000 over 
the current level. This amount will fund 5 FTE's above the 
level funded in FY 1997.

                   Office of the Attending Physician

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $1,225,000
1998 budget estimate..................................         1,266,000
Committee recommendation..............................         1,266,000
                                                                        

    The Committee has approved $1,266,000 for medical supplies, 
equipment, expenses, and allowances of Navy personnel detailed 
to the Office of the Attending Physician.

                          Capitol Police Board

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $75,388,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        79,336,000
Committee recommendation..............................        74,054,000
                                                                        

    The recommendations in the bill provide a total of 
$74,054,000 for the expenses and personnel authorized for 
police services throughout the Capitol buildings and grounds 
during fiscal year 1998.
    The Committee notes again the need for improved bookkeeping 
on the part of the Capitol Police. One possible contributor to 
inadequate recordkeeping may be the existence of three 
different data bases supporting the police operation. Both 
House and Senate finance offices provide records and support. 
The police administration also maintains extensive budget, 
accounting, and operating records. Undoubtedly, these separate 
and disparate information infrastructures present an 
administrative burden to the objectives of an efficient and 
reliable information system which fully supports the police 
unit. The police are again encouraged to improve their record 
keeping, perhaps through the use of cross servicing 
arrangements.
    The following tabulates the number of FTE's and the funding 
provided:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Items                 Authorized FTE's       Amount     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary expenses, Capitol Police on                                      
 House Payroll......................           \1\ 596       $34,118,000
Salary expenses, Capitol Police on                                      
 Senate Payroll.....................           \2\ 659        36,837,000
                                     -----------------------------------
      Subtotal......................             1,255    \3\ 70,955,000
General expenses....................  ................         3,099,000
                                     -----------------------------------
      Grand total, all police                                           
       services.....................  ................        74,054,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes 119 civilian positions.                                    
\2\ Includes 85 civilian positions.                                     
\3\ Includes overtime funds of $4,000,000.                              

                             Capitol Police

                                Salaries

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $69,356,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        73,935,000
Committee recommendation..............................        70,955,000
                                                                        

    The Committee recommends $70,955,000 for 1,255 full time 
equivalent positions for the Capitol Police, of which 
$34,118,000 and 596 FTE's are for the House rolls and 
$36,837,000 and 659 FTE's are for the Senate rolls. These 
amounts include $4,000,000 for overtime, equally divided 
between House and Senate details. In addition, $403,000 is 
provided for annualization of the FY97 pay raise, $1.2 million, 
which is fenced pending approval by the appropriate 
authorities, is provided for a prospective COLA in FY 1998, and 
$114,000 is provided for a net increase in personnel benefits. 
Parity increases are not funded.

                             Capitol Police

                            General expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $6,032,000
1998 budget estimate..................................         5,401,000
Committee recommendation..............................         3,099,000
                                                                        

    The sum of $3,099,000 is recommended for supplies, 
materials, equipment, training and other expenses of the 
Capitol Police force during the next fiscal year. Of this 
amount, the budgeted amounts for travel, transportation, and 
rent, communications and utilities are provided. For other 
services, $1,499,000 is provided for the items requested; the 
$2,167,000 for reimbursement for computer and telecommunication 
services is not allowed. For supplies and materials, $976,000 
is provided, and $268,000 is included for equipment.
    Language has been included which authorizes a unified 
payroll and leave system for the Capitol Police.

           Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $1,991,000
1998 budget estimate..................................         1,991,000
Committee recommendation..............................         1,991,000
                                                                        

    The Committee bill provides $1,991,000 for the operation of 
the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office during 
the next fiscal year.

                      Statements of Appropriations

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................           $30,000
1998 budget estimate..................................            30,000
Committee recommendation..............................            30,000
                                                                        

    The sum of $30,000 is included in the bill for the 
preparation of the usual compilation of the statements of 
appropriations for the 2nd session of the 105th Congress. This 
publication is compiled jointly by the House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations.

                          OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE

                         Salaries and Expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $2,609,000
1998 budget estimate..................................         2,600,000
Committee recommendation..............................         2,479,000
                                                                        

    The bill provides $2,479,000 for the Office of Compliance. 
Except for personnel costs, all object class items are held to 
the FY 1997 levels or the budget request, whichever is lower. 
The normal provision for awards and settlements has also been 
included.

                      CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

                         Salaries and Expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $24,532,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        24,995,000
Committee recommendation..............................        24,797,000
                                                                        

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,797,000 
for the Congressional Budget Office.

                        ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

                   (Congressional Support Items Only)

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................      $100,384,000
1998 budget estimate..................................       121,856,000
Committee recommendation..............................       111,031,000
                                                                        

    The Committee recommends a total of $111,031,000 for fiscal 
year 1998 for the various operational and maintenance 
activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the 
Capitol (AOC) that are directly related to the operation of the 
Congress. Excluded are Senate housekeeping items which are 
traditionally left for consideration by that body, as well as 
the appropriations for the Botanic Garden and the structural 
and mechanical care of the Library of Congress buildings and 
grounds that are contained in title II of the bill. This amount 
is $10,825,000 below the amount requested, and $10,647,000 
above the fiscal year 1997 appropriation.
    A summary of the appropriations recommended follows:

     Architect of the Capitol (Excluding Senate and Title II Items)     
                                                                        
                           Item                              Amount     
                                                                        
Office of the Architect of the Capitol:                                 
    Salaries..........................................  ................
    Contingent expenses...............................  ................
Capitol buildings and grounds:                                          
    Capitol buildings.................................       $36,827,000
    Capitol grounds...................................         4,991,000
    House office buildings............................        37,181,000
    Capitol Power Plant...............................        32,032,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total...........................................       111,031,000
                                                                        

                 Office of the Architect of the Capitol

    Salaries.--The Committee has accepted the Architect's 
recommendation to include the salary expenses for the central 
administrative offices of the Office of the Architect within 
the Capitol buildings appropriation.
    The Committee believes the operation and management of the 
waste recycling program needs improvement. There are recurring 
reports that compliance is sporadic and implementation is a low 
priority under the approach first developed in a pilot test 
conducted in 1990. Recycling is an important activity and funds 
appropriated to the Architect to carry it out must be spent in 
a cost-effective manner. Therefore, the Committee directs the 
Architect to review current procedures and design an updated 
program. Among other things, to elicit cooperation and 
compliance, every Member, Committee, and staff office must be 
contacted directly and given specific guidance on what 
materials are to be recycled and how the office should handle 
them. Equally important, the Architect must establish 
appropriate means to ensure that all participating AOC 
personnel are adequately trained and supervised in the 
implementation of the program.
    Contingent expenses.--Funds to cover the costs of surveys 
and studies and to meet unforeseen expenses are provided within 
the level provided for Capitol buildings.

                     Capitol Buildings and Grounds

    Capitol buildings.--A total of $36,827,000 is recommended 
for the operation and maintenance of the Capitol building and 
the electrical substations of the Senate and House office 
buildings during fiscal year 1998. In addition to thetransfer 
of salaries and contingent expense funds to this appropriation, the 
bill provides $243,000 for various recurring maintenance projects, and 
$1,725,000 for cyclical maintenance. In the latter category, $75,000 is 
provided for replacing a fire pump, $150,000 to design a legislative 
call system, and $1.5 million to begin the rehabilitation of the Dome. 
Under continuing and new programs, $245,000 is provided for timers and 
sound reinforcement in committee rooms, $200,000 for renovations to the 
K-9 facility, $930,000 for improving the sound system in the House 
chamber, $100,000 for renovations at the South Capitol Street 
warehouse, $50,000 for the design of an emergency management system, 
$150,000 for a fire alarm system upgrade, $650,000 for an integrated 
management system, and $250,000 for security installations.
    Capitol grounds.--The appropriation of $4,991,000 is 
recommended for the care and improvement of the grounds 
surrounding the Capitol, the Senate and House office buildings, 
and the Capitol power plant during the ensuing fiscal year. 
This is $1,627,000 below the amount requested and $29,000 below 
the amount enacted in fiscal year 1997. For recurring 
maintenance, $15,000 is provided.
    House office buildings.--The sum of $37,181,000 is 
recommended for the operation of the House office buildings 
during the next fiscal year. For recurring maintenance, 
$683,000 is provided. For cyclical maintenance, $1,571,000 is 
provided, including $75,000 for a fire pump, $496,000 to 
replace the roofs over the cafeteria and the Ways and Means 
Committee rooms at the Longworth building, and $1,000,000 to 
begin an extensive repair of the garage floors in the Cannon 
building. For continuing and new projects, $1,879,000 is 
provided, including an increase of $1,464,000 for the wiring 
and sprinkler project at Rayburn, $225,000 for committee room 
sound systems, and $190,000 for various fire protection 
systems. Existing resources should be used for modifications to 
stairwell guardrails at the Rayburn House Office Building.
    The Committee urges the Architect of the Capitol to 
undertake a study of the feasibility of installing adequate 
shower and locker facilities to meet the needs of House 
employees.
    Capitol Power Plant.--The Committee recommends the 
appropriation of $32,032,000 for the power plant for fiscal 
year 1998, in addition to offsetting collections of $4,000,000. 
Under recurring items, an increase of $800,000 is provided for 
the purchase of electrical energy, and increases of $50,000 and 
$20,000, respectively, for miscellaneous improvements and 
supplies. $550,000 is provided to extend chilled water lines to 
the Botanic Garden Conservatory.

                          LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

                     Congressional Research Service

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $62,641,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        66,830,000
Committee recommendation..............................        64,603,000
                                                                        

    Salaries and expenses.--The Committee recommends 
$64,603,000, including an increase of $1,743,000 for mandatory 
items and $218,600 for price level increases, for fiscal year 
1998 for the salaries and expenses of the Congressional 
Research Service.

                       GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

                   Congressional Printing and Binding

                     (Including Transfer of Funds)

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $81,669,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        84,025,000
Committee recommendation..............................        70,652,000
                                                                        

    The Committee has included a direct appropriation of 
$70,652,000 for printing and binding of congressional documents 
at the Government Printing Office for use by Congress and by-
law programs. In addition, a transfer of $11,017,000 from the 
GPO revolving fund for this account is authorized. The 
revolving fund is GPO's direct source of paying the expenses of 
its operation, and the revolving fund has sustained losses over 
recent years because GPO's costs of operation are higher than 
the revenues received based upon rates they charge executive, 
judicial and legislative branch printing and binding customers. 
In order to recover operating losses, GPO has transferred over 
$19 million to the revolving fund from unused prior-year 
appropriations to the Congressional Printing and Binding 
account. Yet, over half (58%) of the printing done by GPO in 
its plant is for the other two branches of government. The 
transfer in the bill returns to the Congressional Printing and 
Binding account 58% of the transfers by GPO, the percentage of 
printing done for non-Congressional customers.
    A comparative summary of the recommendation by category of 
work follows:

                                       CONGRESSIONAL PRINTING AND BINDING                                       
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Appropriation                                        
                                                                1997          Requested 1998    Recommended 1998
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressional Record program...........................        $18,918,000        $21,167,000  .................
Miscellaneous publications.............................          5,564,000          4,644,000  .................
Miscellaneous printing and binding.....................         15,876,000         15,795,000  .................
Details to Congress....................................          2,356,000          2,340,000  .................
Document envelopes and document franks.................            972,000          1,110,000  .................
Business and committee calendars.......................          1,760,000          2,673,000  .................
Bills, resolutions, and amendments.....................         10,494,000         11,000,000  .................
Committee reports......................................          3,913,000          4,876,000  .................
Documents..............................................          1,728,000          1,815,000  .................
Hearings...............................................         17,316,000         17,100,000  .................
Committee prints.......................................          2,772,000          1,505,000                   
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total............................................         81,669,000         84,025,000         70,652,000
      (By transfer)....................................  .................  .................       (11,017,000)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        TITLE II--OTHER AGENCIES

    A total of $642,315,000 is recommended for the five 
programs carried in this title of the bill. This allowance is 
$67,379,000 less than requested and $34,554,000 below the 
amount appropriated in fiscal year 1997.
    A summary of the amounts recommended by agency follows:

                        Title II--Other Agencies                        
                                                                        
                                                        Fiscal year 1998
                          Agency                         recommendations
                                                                        
Botanic Garden (including Conservatory renovation)....        $1,771,000
Library of Congress (except Congressional Research                      
 Service).............................................       277,687,000
Architect of the Capitol: Library buildings and                         
 grounds..............................................        10,073,000
Government Printing Office (except Congressional                        
 Printing and Binding)................................        29,264,000
General Accounting Office (net appropriation).........       323,520,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total...........................................       642,315,000
                                                                        

                             BOTANIC GARDEN

                         Salaries and Expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $36,402,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        11,662,000
Committee recommendation..............................         1,771,000
                                                                        

    The amount recommended for the Botanic Garden is 
$1,771,000. The amount provided in the bill will continue 
operations of the plant nursery at D.C. Village. Since the 
Conservatory of the Botanic Garden will close for emergency 
renovation and repairs by the end of fiscal year 1997, no funds 
are provided for the operation of the Conservatory. The 
Committee directs that the staff that otherwise would be 
employed at the Conservatory be assigned to project or other 
appropriate payrolls. No layoffs are authorized by this funding 
action since this very valuable and experienced staff resource 
will be needed to operate the renovated facility when it 
reopens.

                          LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

                (Except Congressional Research Service)

    The Committee recommends appropriations totaling 
$277,687,000 for the operations of the Library of Congress 
(except the Congressional Research Service, which is carried in 
title I of the bill) for fiscal year 1998. The following table 
summarizes the allocation of funds by appropriation account:

                           Library of Congress                          
                                                                        
                           Item                              Amounts    
                                                                        
Fiscal year 1998:                                                       
    Salaries and expenses.............................      $215,638,000
    Copyright Office..................................        11,935,000
    Books for the blind and physically handicapped....        45,936,000
    Furniture and furnishings.........................         4,178,000
                                                       -----------------
      Total...........................................       277,687,000
                                                                        

                            Total Resources

    The Library also receives funds from other appropriations 
and sources estimated to total $225,461,000 for fiscal year 
1998 including $64,603,000 for the Congressional Research 
Service in title I of the bill, and $10,073,000 appropriated to 
the Architect of the Capitol for the structural and mechanical 
care of the Library buildings. The remainder consists of 
receipts from copyright fees and the sale of catalog records 
and publications, income from gift and trust funds, and 
reimbursements for services performed for other Government 
agencies. Thus, a total of $503,148,000 from all sources will 
be available to the Library during the next fiscal year. Of 
that amount, $132,093,000 (26.3%) is for support of Congress. 
The balance is general government or public service in nature, 
such as the Copyright Office, the National Library Service, the 
Federal Research Division, and the many services conducted for 
the Nation's libraries.
    The appropriations in the bill for all Library programs 
will finance the level of full time equivalent positions 
currently projected for fiscal year 1997, now estimated by the 
Library of Congress at 4,107. In addition, there are several 
hundred other positions financed through reimbursable and gift 
and trust fund programs. The Committee has not provided funds 
for the ``succession plan'' initiative requested by the 
Library. The bill does provide an increase of $7,936,000 in 
mandatory costs for the current FTE base. Thus, the Library of 
Congress has received full funding for their current staffing 
level (adjusted for the bill-wide absorption as outlined in the 
section of the report on ``Legislative Branch Wide Matters'').
    A breakdown by source and amount of funding follows:

               Total resources, Library of Congress, 1998               
                                                                        
                           Item                               Amount    
                                                                        
Annual appropriations:                                                  
    Title I--Congressional Research Service..........        $64,603,000
    Title II--Library (direct).......................        277,687,000
    Architect of the Capitol, Library buildings and                     
 grounds.............................................         10,073,000
                                                      ------------------
      Total annual appropriations (in bill)..........        352,363,000
    Receipts from copyright fees and sale of catalog                    
 records and                                                            
      publications...................................         30,295,000
    Gift, trust and revolving funds..................         31,706,000
    Reimbursement for services performed.............         88,784,000
                                                      ------------------
      Total..........................................        503,148,000
                                                                        

                         Salaries and Expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................      $208,138,000
1998 budget estimate..................................       224,189,000
Committee recommendation..............................       215,638,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts)...................       (7,869,000)
                                                       -----------------
      Total available.................................       223,507,000
                                                                        

    The sum of $223,507,000, including $7,869,000 in offsetting 
receipts, is recommended for salaries and expenses, which is 
the basic appropriation for the operation of Library programs, 
a reduction of $8,551,000 under the budget request and an 
increase of $7,500,000 above 1997. This level of funding 
provides for 2,729 FTE's, including all necessary mandatory 
costs, which is the number of FTE's projected for the current 
year in the salaries and expenses program.
    No new positions are provided. To the extent additional 
positions are required, the Library is encouraged to fund them 
through attrition or reprogramming requests. Price level 
requests have been limited to 4%, subject to reallocation by 
the Library for higher priorities. For the purchase of books, 
$8,845,000 is provided, in addition to the collections acquired 
through the copyright program, gifts, and exchange programs. 
For collections security, an additional $400,000 is provided 
that may be used for contracting out for building security, 
subject to the approval of a comprehensive security program by 
the oversight committees.
    For the integrated library system (ILS), $1.775 million is 
provided. This program is needed and the Library has estimated 
it will cost about $40 million over the next several years. 
However, according to the General Accounting Office, much must 
be done before the Library awards the contract to acquire an 
ILS, including:
    Designating a senior executive to manage the project full 
            time;
    Developing a robust ILS project management structure;
    Transitioning the necessary internal staff to the project;
    Implementing policies and procedures for project 
            management, scheduling, and tracking; configuration 
            management; project cost accounting and control; 
            requirements management; quality assurance; and 
            data management and administration;
    Specifying a phased development approach and placing a 
            limit on custom development in the request for 
            proposals;
    Developing detailed transition, data conversion, arrearage 
            reduction, training, and post deployment human 
            resource utilization plans; and
    Implementing a system capable of continuously tracking all 
            ILS-related benefits and costs.
    It is the belief of the Committee that the vast majority of 
these activities can be funded with existing resources. 
Accordingly, the $1.775 million for fiscal year 1998 should be 
sufficient to carry them out, issue a request for proposals, 
evaluate responses, and proceed with the acquisition in a 
phased manner.
    The Committee is aware that the Puerto Rico State 
Historical Records Advisory Board has requested that a 
collaboration be established with the Library's Directorate of 
Preservation to improve the conservation and preservation of 
Puerto Rico's state historical records. The Library has 
responded with an offer of assistance in education and training 
in preservation and conservation, sources of preservation 
information, and assistance with the development of strategies 
for increasing preservation awareness and knowledge in Puerto 
Rico. The Committee recognizes the importance of preserving 
documentary heritage and commends the Library for its offer of 
assistance.

                            Copyright Office

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $11,133,000
1998 budget request...................................        13,280,000
Committee recommendation..............................        11,935,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts)...................      (22,426,000)
                                                       -----------------
    Total available...................................        34,361,000
                                                                        

    Salaries and expenses.--A direct appropriation of 
$11,935,000 is provided for the Copyright Office during fiscal 
year 1998, and authority has been provided to spend up to 
$22,426,000 in receipts from copyright fees and assessments to 
the copyright owners fund for the costs of administering the 
copyright royalty program. This funding provides all mandatory 
increases for the number of FTE's projected for the current 
fiscal year.

             Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $44,964,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        48,025,000
Committee recommendation..............................        45,936,000
                                                                        

    Salaries and expenses.--A total of $45,936,000 is 
recommended for the National Library Service for the Blind and 
Physically Handicapped, an increase of $972,000 over the amount 
provided in fiscal year 1997. This funding provides for the 
mandatory increases necessary to staff at the FTE level 
projected for the current fiscal year. Additional funds of 
$625,000 are provided to begin a four-year program to increase 
by 10,000 the annual replacement of aging cassette players that 
can no longer be repaired.

                       Furniture and Furnishings

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $4,882,000
1998 budget estimate..................................         4,882,000
Committee recommendation..............................         4,178,000
                                                                        

    The bill provides a total of $4,178,000 for Library 
furniture and furnishings for fiscal year 1998, $704,000 below 
the amount requested.

                       Administrative Provisions

    The routine administrative provisions have been approved by 
the Committee.

                        ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

                     Library Buildings and Grounds

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................        $9,753,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        15,755,000
Committee recommendation..............................        10,073,000
                                                                        

    The Committee bill provides $10,073,000 for the care and 
maintenance of the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, 
which is administered by the Architect of the Capitol. For 
recurring maintenance, $381,000 is provided, and $100,000 is 
provided to replace sprinkler heads at the Thomas Jefferson and 
James Madison buidings. For continuing and new projects, an 
additional $250,000 is provided for exit doors and fire alarm 
system upgrades.

                       GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

              (Except Congressional Printing and Binding)

                 Office of Superintendent of Documents

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................       $29,077,000
1998 budget estimate..................................        30,477,000
Committee recommendation..............................        29,264,000
                                                                        

    The Committee recommends the appropriation of $29,264,000, 
an increase of $187,000, for the salaries and expenses of the 
Superintendent of Documents, a part of the Government Printing 
Office. The principal component is the Federal Depository 
Library Program (FDLP), which is responsible for supplying 
1,400 designated libraries throughout the country with federal 
documents.

               Government Printing Office Revolving Fund

    Revolving fund.--The bill includes the usual language 
authorizing the operation of the revolving fund, authority to 
hire or purchase automobiles, advisory councils, consultants, 
and flextime. The limit on FTE's has been set at 3,550. The 
limitation on workyears has been adjusted to a fiscal year 
basis, which is consistent with the ``full-time-equivalent'' 
concept.

                       GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE

                         Salaries and Expenses

                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
1997 appropriation....................................      $332,520,000
1998 budget estimate..................................       361,424,000
Committee recommendation..............................       323,520,000
Offsetting collections................................       (7,404,000)
                                                       -----------------
      Total available.................................       330,924,000
                                                                        

    The Committee has provided $323,520,000 in direct 
appropriations for the General Accounting Office. Additionally, 
$7,404,000 is authorized in offsetting collections derived from 
rent receipts and reimbursements for conducting financial 
audits of government corporations. These receipts will be used 
for the operations and maintenance of the headquarters 
building, including the asbestos removal and renovation 
project. GAO currently projects 3,260 filled positions, which 
is 240 less than current year funding. The recommended funding 
level will allow GAO to add 85 FTE's above the projected on 
board level reported to the Committee. Also, the multi-year 
contract authority enacted in the FY1997 emergency supplemental 
will allow GAO to use $7 million of 1997 funds that had been 
included in the FY1998 budget request. The reduction of 
$7,501,000 under the funds available in 1997, therefore, will 
be derived from surplus funds due to unfilled positions and a 
reduced need for contract funding.

                     TITLE III--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    The customary language regarding emergency assistance for 
vehicles, positions and allowances, consulting services and buy 
American is included. There is a provision authorizing 
legislative branch entities participating in the Legislative 
Branch Financial Managers Council (LBFMC) to finance their 
appropriate share of the costs of the LBFMC in fiscal year 1998 
and limiting the total costs to be shared to $1,500.
    The LBFMC was established in March 1996 to promote more 
effective financial management practices within the legislative 
branch; improve the financial management and internal control 
systems supporting legislative branch operations, thereby 
assuring the issuance of reliable financial information and 
deterring fraud, waste and abuse of Government resources; 
recognize opportunities to eliminate duplicative automated 
systems wherever possible; and encourage legislative agencies 
to provide for the production of auditable, consolidated 
financial statements for the legislative branch. Realization of 
these objectives will result in significant savings throughout 
the legislative branch. The Committee strongly encourages all 
legislative branch entities to adopt the LBFMC's formal 
statement of its vision and goals and work toward realizing 
LBFMC objectives.
    There is a provison which extends to the seal of the House 
and the seal of Congress protections against unlawful use 
currently in place for other government seals.

                        CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

    Clause 2(l)(4) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives states that:

          Each report of a committee on a bill or joint 
        resolution of a public character shall include a 
        statement citing the specific powers granted to the 
        Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed 
        by the bill or joint resolution.

    The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to 
report this legislation on Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I 
of the Constitution of the United States of America which 
states:

          No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in 
        consequence of Appropriations made by law. * * *

    Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to 
this specific power granted by the Constitution.

                   COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

    Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget and 
Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344), as amended, 
requires that the report accompanying a bill providing new 
budget authority contain a statement detailing how that 
authority compares with the reports submitted under section 
602(b) of the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent 
resolution on the budget for the fiscal year.
    This information follows:

                                            [In millions of dollars]                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Sec. 602(b)                        This Bill           
                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Budget                            Budget                     
                                                 authority         Outlays         authority         Outlays    
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary...............................           $2,247           $2,247           $1,713           $1,725
Mandatory...................................               92               92               92               92
                                             -------------------------------------------------------------------
      Total.................................           $2,339           $2,339           $1,805           $1,817
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The bill provides no new spending authority as described in 
section 401(c)(2) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment 
Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344), as amended.

                    FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION OF OUTLAYS

    In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344), as amended, the 
following table contains five-year projections of the outlays 
associated with the budget authority provided in the 
accompanying bill:

                     Five-Year Projection of Outlays                    
                                                                        
                                                            Millions    
                                                                        
Budget authority......................................            $1,713
Outlays:                                                                
    1998..............................................             1,532
    1999..............................................               148
    2000..............................................                21
    2001..............................................                 7
    2002..............................................                 3
                                                                        

               ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

    In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(D) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344), as amended, the 
Committee is required to report new budget authority and 
outlays providing financial assistance to State and local 
governments. The accompanying bill contains no funding for 
State and local assistance programs.

                           TRANSFERS OF FUNDS

    Pursuant to clause 1(b) of rule X of the House of 
Representatives, there is a provision transferring $11,017,000 
from the Government Printing Office revolving fund for 
congressional printing costs incurred during fiscal year 1998 
but not covered by the amount appropriated for that account for 
fiscal year 1998.

                              RESCISSIONS

    Pursuant to clause 1(b) of rule X of the House of 
Representatives, the following table is submitted describing 
the rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill:
    There are no rescissions recommended in the bill.

               CHANGES IN THE APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

    Pursuant to clause 3, rule XXI of the House of 
Representatives, the following statements are submitted 
describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill 
which directly or indirectly change the application of existing 
law:
    1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items 
remain available for more than one year where programs or 
projects are continuing in nature under the provisions of 
authorizing legislation but for which that legislation does not 
specifically authorize such extended availability. Most of 
these items have been carried in previous appropriation bills. 
This authority tends to result in savings by removing the 
incentive to commit funds at the end of the fiscal year.
    2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place 
limitations on, or which authorize or reauthorize, the use of 
funds in the bill, or change or extend existing limitations, 
appropriations, or authorizations, and which under some 
circumstances might be construed as changing the application of 
existing law.
    3. There is language which allows reimbursement for service 
to be used by the servicing entity.
    4. The bill continues the practice of providing official 
reception and representation allowances for officers and 
offices of the legislative branch.
    5. The bill authorizes expenses for employee awards, such 
as certificates or plaques and related ceremonial 
presentations, by certain agencies.
    6. There is a provison which makes permanent the provisions 
of certain House resolutions establishing the Corrections 
Calendar Office and authorization of a lump sum allowance for 
that office.
    7. There is a provision which authorizes non-permanent 
interns in House Member offices.
    8. There is a provision which authorizes lump-sum payments 
to House employees, subject to approval.
    9. There is a provision which makes a technical correction 
in the House Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act of 
1996.
    10. There is language under ``Capitol Police Board, General 
Expenses'' authorizing advance payments for travel by Capitol 
Police personnel for training or other purposes, expenses 
associated with the relocation of liaison or instructor 
personnel from the Capitol Police force to and from the Federal 
Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and for the 
costs of basic training of police personnel.
    11. The bill authorizes the transfer of funds within 
``Capitol Police, Salaries'', and between ``Capitol Police, 
Salaries,'' and ``General Expenses,'' subject to approval.
    12. The bill authorizes a unified payroll and leave system 
for the U.S. Capitol Police, subject to approval.
    13. There is language under ``Capitol Power Plant'', 
Architect of the Capitol, allowing reimbursements for chilled 
water and steam provided to the Government Printing Office, the 
Washington City Post Office, the Supreme Court, the Thurgood 
Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, Union Station Complex and 
the Folger Shakespeare Library to be credited to this 
appropriation and made available for obligation.
    14. There is language under ``Congressional Research 
Service'' which prohibits the publication of material unless 
approved by the appropriate committees, and language is 
extended regarding the compensation of the Director.
    15. There is language under ``Congressional printing and 
binding'' restricting the use of funds appropriated to the 
Government Printing Office for the permanent edition of the 
Congressional Record for individual Representatives, Resident 
Commissioners, or Delegates, and language providing that 
appropriations recommended shall be available for the payment 
of obligations incurred under appropriations for similar 
purposes for preceding fiscal years, primarily due to the 
unpredictability of the volume of work generated by the 
Congress. Also, there is authority to transfer funds from the 
GPO revolving fund.
    16. There is authority to expend funds collected under the 
authority of 2 U.S.C. 150, the balance to remain available 
until expended.
    17. There is a limitation on funding for attendance at 
meetings for the Library of Congress and a limitation on top-
level management participation in compressed work schedules.
    18. There is a limitation on the number of indirect 
employees that are paid from appropriated funds received by the 
Library of Congress from other agencies. These funds are 
generated by performing reimbursable work for these other 
agencies and are used to cover general and administrative 
overhead work generated by these reimbursable programs.
    19. There is language under ``Salaries and Expenses'', 
Office of Superintendent of Documents, which limits travel 
expenses and which authorizes the use of current appropriations 
for printing certain publications for the depository library 
program.
    20. There is language authorizing the operation of the GPO 
revolving fund, and which authorizes travel expenses for 
advisory councils.
    21. Under the GPO revolving fund, there is language which 
provides expenses not to exceed $75,000 for attendance at 
meetings.
    22. The bill includes a limitation on GPO employment of not 
more than 3,550 full-time equivalent work years.
    23. There is a limitation on the participation of top-level 
GPO management in flexible or compressed work schedules.
    24. There is language relating to the General Accounting 
Office authorizing the direct procurement of expert and 
consultant services under 5 U.S.C. 3109, at certain rates; 
authorizing the hire of one passenger motor vehicle, as 
required by 31 U.S.C. 1343; authorizing the General Accounting 
Office to make advance payments in foreign countries in 
accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3324; and to provide certain 
benefits, including rental of living quarters in foreign 
countries; appropriations are authorized for administrative 
expenses of any other member department or agency to finance an 
appropriate share of the costs of the Joint Financial 
Management Improvement Program (JFMIP); the American Consortium 
on International Public Administration (ACIPA), and the 
National Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional 
Intergovernmental Audit Forum. The ACIPA language satisfies the 
requirements of P.L. 100-202.
    25. In Section 301, there is language prohibiting the use 
of funds in the Act for the maintenance or care of private 
vehicles except for emergency assistance and cleaning as may be 
provided under regulations relating to parking facilities for 
the House issued by the Committee on House Oversight and for 
the Senate by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
    26. Section 303 provides that whenever any office or 
position not specifically established by the Legislative Pay 
Act of 1929 is appropriated for herein or whenever the rate of 
compensation or designation of any position appropriated for 
herein is different from that specifically established for such 
position by such Act, the rate of compensation and the 
designation of the position, or either, appropriated for or 
provided herein, shall be the permanent law with respect 
thereto: Provided that the provisions herein for the various 
items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees 
of the Senate and House, and clerk hire for Senators and 
Members shall be the permanent law with respect thereto.
    27. Section 304 requires that certain information regarding 
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
    28. Section 305 is a sense of Congress provision regarding 
American-made products.
    29. There is a provision which authorizes legislative 
branch entities to share the costs of the Legislative Branch 
Financial Managers Council.
    30. There is a provision which extends to the seal of the 
House and the seal of Congress the protections for government 
seals against unlawful use.

            Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3 (Ramseyer Rule)

  In compliance with clause 3 of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the 
bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed 
to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is 
printed in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed 
is shown in roman):

     SECTION 109 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

  Sec. 109. (a) Upon the approval of the appropriate employing 
authority, an employee of the House of Representatives [who is 
separated from employment,] may be paid a lump sum for the 
accrued annual leave of the [employee] employee or for any 
other purpose. The lump sum--
          (1) shall be paid in an amount not more than the 
        lesser of--
                  (A) the amount of the monthly pay of the 
                employee, as determined by the Chief 
                Administrative Officer of the House of 
                Representatives; or
                  (B) [the amount] in the case of a lump sum 
                payment for the accrued annual leave of the 
                employee, the amount equal to the monthly pay 
                of the employee, as determined by the Chief 
                Administrative Officer of the House of 
                Representatives, divided by 30, and multiplied 
                by the number of days of the accrued annual 
                leave of the employee;
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES ADMINISTRATIVE REFORM TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS 
                                  ACT

          * * * * * * *

TITLE I--PROVISIONS RELATING TO ALLOWANCES AND ACCOUNTS IN THE HOUSE OF 
            REPRESENTATIVES AND OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE MATTERS

          * * * * * * *

SEC. 104. CLERK HIRE EMPLOYEES OF MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

  (a) * * *
          * * * * * * *
  (c) Definitions.--As used in this section--
          (1) the term ``Member of the House of 
        Representatives'' means a Representative in, or a 
        Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress;
          (2) the term ``intern'' means, with respect to a 
        Member of the House of Representatives, an individual 
        who serves in the office of the Member [in the District 
        of Columbia] for not more than 120 days in a 12-month 
        period and whose service is primarily for the 
        educational experience of the individual;
          * * * * * * *

 TITLE II--TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS RELATING TO 
         ADMINISTRATIVE REFORMS IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

          * * * * * * *

SEC. 204. PROVISIONS RELATING TO OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES OF HOUSE OF 
                    REPRESENTATIVES.

  The provisions of law relating to officers and employees of 
the House of Representatives, as codified in chapter 4 of title 
2, United States Code, are amended as follows:
          (1) * * *
          * * * * * * *
          (11) Subsection (j)(1) of section 202 of the 
        Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 
        72a(j)(1)) is amended--
                  (A) in the first sentence, by striking out 
                ``Committee on House Administration'' and all 
                that follows [through ``respective Houses'' 
                and] through ``respective Houses'' the second 
                place it appears and inserting in lieu thereof 
                ``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''; 
                and
          * * * * * * *
                              ----------                              


               CHAPTER 33 OF TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE

                CHAPTER 33--EMBLEMS, INSIGNIA, AND NAMES

Sec.
700.  Desecration of the flag of the United States; penalties.
     * * * * * * *
[713.  Use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, the 
          seals of the President and Vice President, and the seal of the 
          United States Senate.]
713.  Use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, the 
          seals of the President and Vice President, the seal of the 
          United States Senate, the seal of the United States House of 
          Representatives, and the seal of the United States Congress.
          * * * * * * *

Sec. 713. Use of likenesses of the great seal of the United States, the 
                    seals of the President and Vice President, [and the 
                    seal of the United States Senate] the seal of the 
                    United States Senate, the seal of the United States 
                    House of Representatives, and the seal of the 
                    United States Congress

  (a) Whoever knowingly displays any printed or other likeness 
of the great seal of the United States, or of the seals of the 
President or the Vice President of the United States, or the 
seal of the United States Senate, or the seal of the United 
States House of Representatives, or the seal of the United 
States Congress, or any facsimile thereof, in, or in connection 
with, any advertisement, poster, circular, book, pamphlet, or 
other publication, public meeting, play, motion picture, 
telecast, or other production, or on any building, monument, or 
stationery, for the purpose of conveying, or in a manner 
reasonably calculated to convey, a false impression of 
sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States 
or by any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof, shall 
be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six 
months, or both.
  (b) Whoever, except as authorized under regulations 
promulgated by the President and published in the Federal 
Register, knowingly manufactures, reproduces, sells, or 
purchases for resale, either separately or appended to any 
article manufactured or sold, any likeness of the seals of the 
President or Vice President, or any substantial part thereof, 
except for manufacture or sale of the article for the official 
use of the Government of the United States, shall be fined 
under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, or 
both.
  (c) Whoever, except as directed by the United States Senate, 
or the Secretary of the Senate on its behalf, knowingly uses, 
manufactures, reproduces, sells or purchases for resale, either 
separately or appended to any article manufactured or sold, any 
likeness of the seal of the United States Senate, or any 
substantial part thereof, except for manufacture or sale of the 
article for the official use of the Government of the United 
States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more 
than six months, or both.
  (d) Whoever, except as directed by the United States House of 
Representatives, or the Clerk of the House of Representatives 
on its behalf, knowingly uses, manufactures, reproduces, sells 
or purchases for resale, either separately or appended to any 
article manufactured or sold, any likeness of the seal of the 
United States House of Representatives, or any substantial part 
thereof, except for manufacture or sale of the article for the 
official use of the Government of the United States, shall be 
fined under this title or imprisoned not more than six months, 
or both.
  (e) Whoever, except as directed by the United States 
Congress, or the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the 
House of Representatives, acting jointly, on its behalf, 
knowingly uses, manufactures, reproduces, sells or purchases 
for resale, either separately or appended to any article 
manufactured or sold, any likeness of the seal of the United 
States Congress, or any substantial part thereof, except for 
manufacture or sale of the article for the official use of the 
Government of the United States, shall be fined under this 
title or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.
  [(d)] (f) A violation of the provisions of this section may 
be enjoined at the suit of the Attorney General,
          (1) in the case of the great seal of the United 
        States and the seals of the President and Vice 
        President, upon complaint by any authorized 
        representative of any department or agency of the 
        United States; [and]
          (2) in the case of the seal of the United States 
        Senate, upon complaint by the Secretary of the 
        Senate[.];
          (3) in the case of the seal of the United States 
        House of Representatives, upon complaint by the Clerk 
        of the House of Representatives; and
          (4) in the case of the seal of the United States 
        Congress, upon complaint by the Secretary of the Senate 
        and the Clerk of the House of Representatives, acting 
        jointly.
          * * * * * * *
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 1

    Date: July 17, 1997.
    Measure: FY 1998 Legislative Appropriations Bill.
    Motion by: Mr. Fazio.
    Description of Motion: To prohibit any funding for staffing 
increases for the Joint Committee on Taxation.
    Results: Rejected 24 Yeas to 28 Nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Ms. DeLauro                         Mr. Aderholt
Mr. Dicks                           Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Dixon                           Mr. Callahan
Mr. Edwards                         Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Fazio                           Mr. Dickey
Mr. Hefner                          Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. Hoyer                           Mr. Mr. Hobson
Mr. Kaptur                          Mr. Istook
Mrs. Lowey                          Mr. Kingston
Mrs. Meek                           Mr. Knollenberg
Mr. Mollohan                        Mr. Kolbe
Mr. Moran                           Mr. Latham
Mr. Murtha                          Mr. Lewis
Mr. Obey                            Mr. Livingston
Mr. Olver                           Mr. Miller
Mr. Pastor                          Mr. Nethercutt
Ms. Pelosi                          Mrs. Northrup
Mr. Price                           Mr. Packard
Mr. Sabo                            Mr. Parker
Mr. Serrano                         Mr. Regula
Mr. Skaggs                          Mr. Rogers
Mr. Torres                          Mr. Skeen
Mr. Visclosky                       Mr. Tiahrt
Mr. Yates                           Mr. Walsh
                                    Mr. Wamp
                                    Mr. Wicker
                                    Mr. Wolf
                                    Mr. Young
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 2

    Date: July 17, 1997.
    Measure: FY 1998 Legislative Appropriations Bill.
    Motion by: Mr. Hoyer.
    Description of Motion: To prohibit expenditure of funds by 
any entity of the House allocated from the reserve fund for 
unanticipated expenses of committees.
    Results: Rejected 24 Yeas to 27 Nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Ms. DeLauro                         Mr. Aderholt
Mr. Dicks                           Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Dixon                           Mr. Callahan
Mr. Edwards                         Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Fazio                           Mr. Dickey
Mr. Hefner                          Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. Hoyer                           Mr. Hobson
Miss Kaptur                         Mr. Istook
Mrs. Lowey                          Mr. Kingston
Mrs. Meek                           Mr. Knollenberg
Mr. Mollohan                        Mr. Kolbe
Mr. Moran                           Mr. Latham
Mr. Murtha                          Mr. Lewis
Mr. Obey                            Mr. Livingston
Mr. Olver                           Mr. Miller
Mr. Pastor                          Mr. Nethercutt
Ms. Pelosi                          Mrs. Northup
Mr. Price                           Mr. Packard
Mr. Sabo                            Mr. Parker
Mr. Serrano                         Mr. Regula
Mr. Skaggs                          Mr. Rogers
Mr. Torres                          Mr. Skeen
Mr. Visclosky                       Mr. Walsh
Mr. Yates                           Mr. Wamp
                                    Mr. Wicker
                                    Mr. Wolf
                                    Mr. Young
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 3

    Date: July 17, 1997.
    Measure: FY 1998 Legislative Appropriations Bill.
    Motion by: Mr. Hoyer.
    Description of Motion: To reimburse the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service $150,000 for costs incurred with respect 
to the contested election in the 46th Congressional District of 
California from the reserve fund for unanticipated expenses of 
committees.
    Results: Rejected 24 Yeas to 29 Nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Ms. DeLauro                         Mr. Aderholt
Mr. Dicks                           Mr. Bonilla
Mr. Dixon                           Mr. Callahan
Mr. Edwards                         Mr. Cunningham
Mr. Fazio                           Mr. Dickey
Mr. Hefner                          Mr. Frelinghuysen
Mr. Hoyer                           Mr. Hobson
Miss Kaptur                         Mr. Istook
Mrs. Lowey                          Mr. Knollenberg
Mrs. Meek                           Mr. Kolbe
Mr. Molloban                        Mr. Latham
Mr. Moran                           Mr. Lewis
Mr. Murtha                          Mr. Livingston
Mr. Obey                            Mr. McDade
Mr. Olver                           Mr. Miller
Mr. Pastor                          Mr. Nethercutt
Ms. Pelosi                          Mr. Neumann
Mr. Price                           Mrs. Northup
Mr. Sabo                            Mr. Packard
Mr. Serrano                         Mr. Parker
Mr. Skaggs                          Mr. Regula
Mr. Torres                          Mr. Rogers
Mr. Visclosky                       Mr. Skeen
Mr. Yates                           Mr. Tiahrt
                                    Mr. Walsh
                                    Mr. Wamp
                                    Mr. Wicker
                                    Mr. Wolf
                                    Mr. Young
                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 2(l)(2)(b) of rule XI 
of the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those voting against, are 
printed below:

                             rollcall no. 4

    Date: July 17, 1997.
    Measure: FY 1998 Legislative Appropriations Bill.
    Motion by: Mr. Young of Florida.
    Description of Motion: To report the bill, to authorize the 
Chairman to seek a rule, and to authorize the Chairman to move 
that the House disagree to the amendments of the Senate and 
agree to a conference requested by the Senate.
    Results: Adopted 29 Yeas to 24 Nays.
        Members Voting Yea            Members Voting Nay
Mr. Aberholt                        Ms. DeLauro
Mr. Bonilla                         Mr. Dicks
Mr. Callahan                        Mr. Dixon
Mr. Cunningham                      Mr. Edwards
Mr. Dickey                          Mr. Fazio
Mr. Frelinghuysen                   Mr. Hefner
Mr. Hobson                          Mr. Hoyer
Mr. Istook                          Miss Kaptur
Mr. Knollenberg                     Mrs. Lowey
Mr. Kolbe                           Mrs. Meek
Mr. Latham                          Mr. Mollohan
Mr. Lewis                           Mr. Moran
Mr. Livingston                      Mr. Murtha
Mr. Miller                          Mr. Obey
Mr. Nethercutt                      Mr. Olver
Mr. Neumann                         Mr. Pastor
Mr. Northup                         Ms. Pelosi
Mr. Packard                         Mr. Price
Mr. Parker                          Mr. Sabo
Mr. Porter                          Mr. Serrano
Mr. Regula                          Mr. Skaggs
Mr. Rogers                          Mr. Torres
Mr. Skeen                           Mr. Visclosky
Mr. Tiahrt                          Mr. Yates
Mr. Walsh
Mr. Wamp
Mr. Wicker
Mr. Wolf
Mr. Young

  COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR 1997 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 1998 PERMANENT 
                                NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY--TRUST FUNDS                                
 [Becomes available automatically under earlier, or ``permanent'' law without further, or annual, action by the 
     Congress. Thus, these amounts are not included in the accompanying bill. All amounts are in the form of    
                                 ``appropriations'' unless otherwise indicated]                                 
                                            [In millions of dollars]                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Budget estimate                    
                                                             New budget           of new                        
                    Agency and item                        (obligational)     (obligational)    Increase (+) or 
                                                          authority, 1997    authority, 1998      decrease (-)  
                                                                \1\                \1\                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Library of Congress                                                                           
                                                                                                                
Gift and trust fund accounts, non-revolving............                $24                $25                 +1
                                                                                                                
          U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission                                                                  
                                                                                                                
Trust funds............................................                  1                  1  .................
                                                                                                                
        Architect of the Capitol, Botanic Garden                                                                
                                                                                                                
Gifts and donations....................................                  1                  8                 +7
                                                                                                                
 John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and                                                         
                      Development                                                                               
                                                                                                                
Trust funds............................................                  1                  1  .................
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Trust funds...............................                 27                 35                 +8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Amounts as estimated and shown in the February 1997 budget document. Some items are indefinite in amount,   
  and thus are subject to later reestimation.                                                                   


                          PERMANENT NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY--FEDERAL FUNDS                          
 [Becomes available automatically under earlier, or ``permanent'' law without further, or annual, action by the 
     Congress. Thus, these amounts are not included in the accompanying bill. All amounts are in the form of    
                                 ``appropriations'' unless otherwise indicated]                                 
                                            [In millions of dollars]                                            
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                             Budget estimate                    
                                                             New budget           of new                        
                    Agency and item                        (obligational)     (obligational)    Increase (+) or 
                                                          authority, 1997    authority, 1998      decrease (-)  
                                                                \1\                \1\                          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                House of Representatives                                                                        
                                                                                                                
Congressional use of foreign currency..................                 $2                 $2  .................
International conferences and contingencies: House and                                                          
 Senate expenses.......................................                  1                  1  .................
Compensation of Members and related administrative                                                              
 expenses..............................................                 74                 74  .................
                                                                                                                
                  Library of Congress                                                                           
                                                                                                                
Payments to copyright owners (indefinite, special fund)                243                245                 +2
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal funds.............................                320                322                 +2
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Amounts as estimated and shown in the February 1997 budget document. Some items are indefinite in amount,   
  and thus are subject to later reestimation.                                                                   

  
  

 DISSENTING VIEWS OF HON. JOSE E. SERRANO, HON. VIC FAZIO, HON. MARCY 
            KAPTUR, HON. DAVE OBEY, AND HON. STENY H. HOYER

    The large majority of Democrats serving on this Committee 
have historically supported the Legislative Branch 
Appropriations bill. While we should never stop looking for 
inefficiency and waste in the Legislative budget, we feel it is 
important to provide adequate resources to operate this 
Legislative branch of government so that it can perform its 
constitutional duty to ``check and balance'' the Executive and 
Judicial branches of government.
    We also believe it is important that the allocation of 
resources within the Legislative branch be done so in an open, 
above-board manner that is fair to both the majority and 
minority parties of Congress. It is easy and very tempting for 
the majority party in any legislative body to trample on the 
rights and constrict the resources of the minority party. But 
to give in to these temptations does a grave disservice to our 
democratic process, hurting the ability of the minority party 
to ``check and balance'' the majority.
    Sadly, recent events show that the current majority has 
lost its institutional balance when making important resource 
allocation decisions. We have seen a new back-door process set 
up under the direction of the Republican Leadership to quietly 
add double-digit percentage increases to a Committee's staff 
level to perform partisan investigations. We have seen an 
attempt to increase the staff of the supposedly ``non-
partisan'' Joint Committee on Taxation by 20 percent which we 
believe is little more than a ruse for increasing majority, 
partisan staff support for the Ways and Means Committee without 
having to officially put these people on the regular committee 
payroll. We have seen the House Oversight Committee use 
extraordinary procedures to require the Immigration and 
Naturalization Service to conduct an unprecedented nation-wide 
file search of individuals to support the unsubstantiated 
claims of the loser of a contested election in California. We 
believe these actions are part of a pattern to quietly and 
unfairly redirect the resources of this institution towards 
blatantly partisan activities.
    Particularly troubling is the establishment and use of a 
$7,900,000 ``Reserve Fund'' to augment Committee spending. This 
fund was expressly constructed to bypass the normal legislative 
process of openly justifying and voting on expanded Committee 
staffs and budgets. Instead, a special fund was established for 
``unanticipated expenses of committees'' which can be disbursed 
by simple action of the Speaker and the House Oversight 
Committee. No further votes on the House floor to approve 
specific expenditures from this fund are required.
    The reason behind creation of this back-door approach is 
somewhat understandable given the fevered rhetoric of recent 
years surrounding the majority party's decision to cut back 
committee staff levels by one-third. We would agree that the 
first use of these ``reserve funds'' on July 8 of this year, to 
provide $1,400,000 for a 21 percent increase to the staffing 
level of the Education and Workplace Committee, gives every 
appearance of backsliding on political promises. We are 
confident such an increase would not be approved if voted on by 
the whole House.
    The Hoyer Amendment in full committee would have put an end 
to this secretive fund and required committees to justify and 
fund any staffing increases according to the traditional 
legislative process. It would remove a significant source of 
partisan imbalance that has been injected into the system this 
past year. Although this amendment was defeated by a close roll 
call vote (see Roll Call #2), we believe the House should have 
a similar opportunity to reconsider the wisdom of creating this 
fund and will pursue the ability to offer a floor amendment.
    We also question the wholly inconsistent and unjustified 
attempt to push through a 20 percent increase to the staff of 
the Joint Committee on Taxation. After we raised strong 
objection, the majority agreed in full committee to scale back 
the original recommendation for a 20 percent increase to an 
eight percent increase. We fail to understand the logic behind 
any increase.
    The Joint Committee on Taxation is now, this year, 
assisting in the preparation of major tax legislation. 
Historically, we can expect a relatively quiet period of 
legislative action following such a major initiative which may 
last for five or more years. We don't see the logic in 
increasing this staff the year after a major tax bill is 
completed. If anything the staffing levels for this 
organization should be cut back until such time as there is a 
good possibility of further major action. Because of this 
disconnect and because of reports of inappropriate behavior of 
key JCT personnel, we are concerned that this increase is 
really a ruse to add partisan staff members who will function 
as de facto Ways and Means majority staff members. We believe 
that, if that is the real intent, additional staff slots should 
be requested and justified within the budget request for the 
Ways and Means Committee. We believe that, if such a request 
were to be made, the full House would reject it.
    The Fazio Amendment in full committee would have frozen the 
staffing and dollar levels of the Joint Committee on Taxation 
at the FY 1997 level (Roll Call #1). While this was defeated on 
a close vote, we believe the whole House should have the 
opportunity to be on record and respect to the need for these 
increases. We plan to pursue the opportunity to offer a similar 
floor amendment.
    We believe it is time to bring back fairness, openness, and 
balance in the way this House spends its money. The best way to 
do that is to amend this bill on the floor to terminate the 
back-door Reserve Fund and make other necessary corrections. If 
that can be done, this bill should be defeated so that some 
equitable revisions can be made to processes and policies that 
do a disservice to this Body.
                                   Jose E. Serrano.
                                   Vic Fazio.
                                   Marcy Kaptur.
                                   Dave Obey.
                                   Steny H. Hoyer.

                                
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