[House Report 108-186]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



108th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    108-186

======================================================================



 
              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2004

                                _______
                                

  July 1, 2003.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Mr. Kingston of Georgia, from the Committee on Appropriations, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 2657]

    The Committee on Appropriations submits the following 
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making 
appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year 
2004, and for other purposes.

                        INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
                                  _____

                                                            Page number
                                                            Bill Report
Summary of bill............................................
                                                                      2
Highlights of bill.........................................
                                                                      4
Structure of bill..........................................
                                                                      4
Legislative branch wide matters............................
                                                                      4
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations:                     2
                                                                      6
        House of Representatives...........................     2
                                                                      6
        Joint Items:                                            6
                                                                      9
                Joint Economic Committee...................     7
                                                                      9
                Joint Committee on Taxation................     7
                                                                      9
                Office of the Attending Physician..........     7
                                                                     10
                Capitol Guide Service and Special Services 
                    Office.................................     8
                                                                     10
                Capitol Police.............................     9
                                                                     10
        Office of Compliance...............................    10
                                                                     11
        Congressional Budget Office........................    11
                                                                     12
        Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office 
            Buildings).....................................    11
                                                                     12
        Library of Congress................................    16
                                                                     22
        Government Printing Office.........................    21
                                                                     24
        General Accounting Office..........................    25
                                                                     25
        Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund............    27
                                                                     25
Title II--General provisions...............................    27
                                                                     26
Constitutional authority...................................
                                                                     26
Comparison with budget resolution..........................
                                                                     26
Five-year projection of outlays............................
                                                                     27
Assistance to State and local governments..................
                                                                     27
Transfers of funds.........................................
                                                                     27
Rescissions................................................
                                                                     27
Changes in the application of existing law.................
                                                                     27
Compliance with clause 3--rule XIII........................
                                                                     30

                            SUMMARY OF BILL

    The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides 
appropriations for fiscal year 2004 legislative branch 
operations, which total $2,699,688,000.
    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 2004, 
including those under the Architect of the Capitol, total 
$812,312,000.
    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 2003           year 2004             bill          authority, fiscal   authority, fiscal
                                                                                                                       year 2003           year 2004
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
     TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS

House of Representatives............................        $960,871,000      $1,039,638,000      $1,014,464,000        +$53,593,000        -$25,174,000
Joint items.........................................          17,297,000          17,877,000          17,694,000            +397,000            -183,000
Capitol Police......................................         240,208,000         290,510,000         211,830,000         -28,378,000         -78,680,000
Office of Compliance................................           2,157,000           2,518,000           2,255,000             +98,000            -263,000
Congressional Budget Office.........................          31,892,000          33,993,000          33,820,000          +1,928,000            -173,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate office               392,333,000         447,857,000         294,933,000         -97,400,000        -152,924,000
 Buildings).........................................
Library of Congress.................................         503,175,000         540,135,000         522,592,000         +19,417,000         -17,543,000
Government Printing Office..........................         119,025,000         135,567,000         130,567,000         +11,542,000          -5,000,000
General Accounting Office...........................         453,051,000         466,621,000         458,533,000          +5,482,000          -8,088,000
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund.............          12,915,000          14,815,000          13,000,000             +85,000          -1,815,000
John Stennis Center.................................             298,000  ..................  ..................            -298,000  ..................
Congressional Award Act.............................             248,000  ..................  ..................            -248,000  ..................
                                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Grand total, new budget, (obligational)               $2,733,470,000      $2,989,531,000      $2,699,688,000        -$33,782,000       -$289,843,000
     authority (for items considered by House)......
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                           HIGHLIGHTS OF BILL


                Summary of Estimates and Recommendations

    Budget estimates.--The budget estimates considered by the 
Committee total $2,989,531,000. 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.
    Committee recommendations.--A total of $2,699,688,000 in 
new budget (obligational) authority is recommended for fiscal 
year 2004. The bill does not include Senate items.
    Comparison with fiscal year 2003 appropriations.--Compared 
with the appropriations enacted for fiscal year 2003 the 
recommendation of $2,699,688,000 in new budget (obligational) 
authority for fiscal year 2004 is a decrease of $33,782,000 or 
1.2 percent.

                         STRUCTURE OF THE BILL

    The bill is divided into two titles:
    Title I--Contains the appropriations for the House of 
Representatives, Joint Items, the Capitol Police, the Office of 
Compliance, the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of 
the Capitol (except Senate office buildings), the Library of 
Congress, the Government Printing Office, the General 
Accounting Office and the Open World Leadership Center.
    Title II--Contains general provisions.

                    LEGISLATIVE BRANCH WIDE MATTERS

    The Committee is very concerned with recent organizational 
changes made by agencies of the Legislative Branch. Upon 
examination of the FY 2004 budget submissions, it became 
apparent that several Legislative Branch agencies had made 
significant organizational changes that resulted in the 
reallocation of substantial amounts of FTE's and money to new 
organizational entities or between existing entities, programs, 
functions or tasks in a manner not presented to or discussed 
with the Committee during the FY 2003 budget cycle. While the 
Committee recognizes and supports the responsibility of agency 
managers to make organizational changes and decisions that will 
enhance their ability to achieve the agency's mission and 
result in the most effective and efficient use of resources, it 
is essential that the Committee be notified in advance of the 
reallocation of significant amounts of resources. Therefore, 
the Committee directs that Legislative Branch agencies notify 
and consult with the House and Senate Committee on 
Appropriations prior to implementing organizational changes or 
realignments that will result in the redistribution, 
reprogramming, orreallocation of FTE's or funds in a manner 
different from that presented in each budget year's appropriation 
hearings; position reports to the committee, if applicable; and the 
final approved budget.
    It has become a matter of practice rather than one of 
exception that agencies of the Legislative Branch have been 
submitting directly to the Committee for consideration language 
items to be included in the annual appropriations bill. The 
appropriate manner in which language is to be considered as 
part of the annual budget process is that it must be 
transmitted to the Congress as part of the President's annual 
budget request or a budget amendment. This process allows the 
Committee appropriate oversight, review and consideration 
during the annual budget justification hearings and markup of 
the bill. Therefore, in order for the Committee to consider all 
changes in appropriations language, administrative provisions, 
and general provisions agencies must have their language items 
submitted as part of the President's annual budget or an 
appropriate budget amendment.
    Over the past several years there have been significant 
increases made to virtually all existing programs in the 
Legislative Branch. In addition, several new initiatives and 
programs have been undertaken which in some cases have 
supplemented existing efforts and in others augmented them. 
Even though a large part of these increases have been due to 
inflation, the committee believes that overall, increases 
requested and approved do not adequately reflect offsets which 
can be reasonably expected through productivity gains resulting 
from substantial investments in enabling technology, the 
purchase of new systems and equipment, increases in training, 
and increased flexibility resulting from human resources 
changes including increased base salaries, early out and buyout 
authority. As a result, the Committee believes that there are 
considerable opportunities to realize meaningful savings by 
carefully reviewing each agency's budget requirements from a 
zero base rather than an incremental one. Such a review would 
assist the committee in its appropriating and oversight 
responsibilities by permitting better understanding of program 
priorities, scope, effectiveness, and results. The General 
Accounting Office is therefore directed to develop a budget 
template for committee approval that can be used by Legislative 
Branch agencies to present their budget requirements from a 
zero base as a supplement to their FY 2005 budget submission to 
Congress. The GAO is also directed to present to the committee 
a recommended budget review process that will facilitate the 
examination of each agency's funding and FTE requirements from 
a zero base. The General Accounting Office shall report to the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate its 
findings, conclusions and recommendations by October 15, 2003.
    The Committee has included funding for the Federal Mass 
Transit Benefit Program, for the agencies of the Legislative 
Branch. The Committee allowance provides a $100 per month 
allowance to the employees who participate in the program. The 
Committee encourages the agencies of the Legislative Branch to 
support their employee participation in this very important 
program.
    The Committee directs that to the maximum extent feasible, 
that all Legislative Branch agencies when making procurement 
decisions should give preference to biodegradable bio-based 
products including packaging and food service ware.
    The Librarian of Congress and the Architect of the Capitol 
are directed to carry out a historical accounting of the use of 
slave labor in the construction of the United States Capitol 
and to conduct research to help to find the descendents of the 
slaves who were involved in the construction of the Capitol.

               TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS


                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    The Committee bill recommends a total of $1,014,464,000 for 
fiscal year 2004 for the operations of the House of 
Representatives during fiscal year 2004. The allowance is 
$53,593,000 above the current level and is $25,174,000 below 
the request.
    The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:

        Item                                                      Amount
Salaries and expenses:
    House leadership offices............................     $17,094,000
    Members' representational allowances................     514,454,000
    Committee salaries and expenses.....................     130,984,000
    Salaries, officers and employees....................     158,324,000
    Allowances and expenses.............................     193,608,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total, Salaries and Expenses........................  $1,014,464,000
                    ========================================================
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total, House of Representatives.....................  $1,014,464,000

                         Salaries and Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................      $960,871,000
2004 budget estimate..................................     1,039,638,000
Committee recommendation..............................     1,014,464,000


    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 $1,014,464,000.

                        House Leadership Offices






2003 appropriation....................................       $16,530,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        17,094,000
Committee recommendation..............................        17,094,000


    The Committee recommends a total of $17,094,000 for the 
operations of the leadership offices during fiscal year 2004.
    The allocation by office follows:

House Leadership Offices

        Item                                                      Amount
Office of the Speaker...................................      $2,048,000
Office of the Majority Floor Leader.....................       1,965,000
Office of the Minority Floor Leader.....................       2,390,000
Office of the Majority Whip.............................       1,684,000
Office of the Minority Whip.............................       1,259,000
Speaker's Office for Legislative Floor Activities.......         460,000
Republican Steering Committee...........................         862,000
House Republican Conference.............................       1,448,000
House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee..........       1,542,000
House Democratic Caucus.................................         768,000
Nine Minority Employees.................................       1,380,000
Training and Development Program:
    Majority............................................         290,000
    Minority............................................         290,000
Cloakroom Personnel:
    Majority............................................         354,000
    Minority............................................         354,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total...............................................     $17,094,000

                  Members' Representational Allowances





2003 appropriation....................................      $476,536,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       523,454,000
Committee recommendation..............................       514,454,000


    A total of $514,454,000 is recommended for the 
representational allowances of the Members of the House, the 
so-called MRA account. The Committee bill provides $357,697,000 
for clerk hire salaries, $129,757,000 for official expenses, 
and $27,000,000 for official mail. It should be noted that 
these components are fungible under regulations prescribed by 
the Committee on House Administration. Each Member has an 
overall consolidated allowance established by the Committee on 
House Administration from which staff salaries, office 
expenses, and mail costs are drawn.

                          Committee Employees





2003 appropriation....................................      $138,621,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       132,484,000
Committee recommendation..............................       130,984,000


    Funding for the salaries and expenses of the 19 standing 
committees, one permanent select committee and one select 
committee of the House is provided, as follows:
    Standing Committees, special and select.--For the salaries 
and expenses of committees funded in the biennial funding 
resolution, $106,058,000 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), $24,926,000 is 
provided.
    Details of the funding resolution, H. Res. 148 (House 
Report 108-91) approved by the House for the 108th Congress, 
follow:

                                COMMITTEE FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS, 108TH CONGRESS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                             1st session        2nd session
                        Committee                                                                     Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture............................................         $5,084,900         $5,242,632        $10,327,531
Armed Services.........................................          5,871,876          6,059,481         11,931,357
Budget.................................................          5,856,333          6,013,239         11,869,572
Education and the Workforce............................          7,047,896          7,625,475         14,673,371
Energy and Commerce....................................          9,101,042          9,521,097         18,622,138
Financial Services.....................................          6,601,085          7,095,402         13,696,487
Government Reform......................................          9,740,963          9,873,472         19,614,435
House Administration...................................          4,122,092          4,404,965          8,527,057
Intelligence...........................................          3,780,487          4,029,243          7,809,730
International Relations................................          6,993,645          7,559,050         14,552,695
Judiciary..............................................          6,957,554          7,091,062         14,048,616
Resources..............................................          6,492,029          7,017,395         13,509,424
Rules..................................................          2,797,898          2,871,413          5,669,311
Science................................................          5,711,401          5,979,444         11,690,845
Small Business.........................................          2,535,261          2,585,041          5,120,301
Standards of Official Conduct..........................          1,527,825          1,543,425          3,071,250
Transportation and Infrastructure......................          7,982,558          8,479,334         16,461,893
Veterans' Affairs......................................          2,703,328          2,783,466          5,486,795
Ways and Means.........................................          7,908,037          8,228,251         16,136,288
Homeland Security (H. Res. 110)........................          5,366,866          5,585,921         10,952,787
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total............................................       $114,183,076       $119,588,808       $233,771,884
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the funding resolution is done on a biennial basis 
and the resolution for the 108th Congress will expire on 
December 31, 2004, this funding is provided through December 
31, 2004.

                    Salaries, Officers and Employees





2003 appropriation....................................      $152,027,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       171,291,000
Committee recommendation..............................       158,324,000


    The Committee recommendation for the salaries and expenses 
of House officers and employees of the various activities 
funded through this consolidated item is $158,324,000. This 
amount represents an overall increase of $6,297,000 above the 
amount enacted in fiscal year 2003 and is $12,967,000 below the 
request.
    The following table summarizes the funding allocation 
provided to each component of the account.

Salaries, Officers and Employees

        Item                                                      Amount
Office of the Clerk.....................................     $18,632,000
Office of the Sergeant at Arms..........................       5,471,000
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer..............     113,141,000
Office of the Inspector General.........................       3,847,000
Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness and 
    Operations..........................................       5,000,000
Office of General Counsel...............................         926,000
Office of the Chaplain..................................         153,000
Office of the Parliamentarian...........................       1,560,000
Parliamentarian.........................................     (1,363,000)
Compilation of Precedents...............................       (197,000)
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House.........       2,263,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House..........       6,233,000
Corrections Calendar Office.............................         948,000
Other authorized employees..............................         150,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total...............................................    $158,324,000

    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 tuition and other center-generated revenues fund 
day care center operations.

                        Allowances and Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................      $177,157,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       195,315,000
Committee recommendation..............................       193,608,000


    A total of $193,608,000 is recommended for fiscal year 2004 
for allowances and expenses. This amount is $16,451,000 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% of these funds provide 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 2004
Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal 
    tort claims.........................................      $3,975,000
Official mail (committees, administrative, and 
    legislative offices)................................         410,000
Government contributions................................     188,533,000
Miscellaneous items:
    House automobiles...................................         140,000
    Gratuities to beneficiaries of deceased staff.......         470,000
    Interparliamentary receptions.......................          80,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Subtotal miscellaneous items........................        $690,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total, allowances and expenses......................    $193,608,000

                        Administrative Provision

    Section 101 provides for unspent amounts remaining in 
Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for 
deficit reduction.

                              JOINT ITEMS

    The Committee recommends appropriations totaling 
$17,694,000 for fiscal year 2004 for the various joint 
committees and activities carried under this heading. The 
recommendation is $397,000 above the amounts provided for 
fiscal year 2003 and is $183,000 below the budget request.
    The following summarizes the recommendations:

Joint Items

        Item                                                      Amount
Joint Economic Committee................................      $3,805,000
Joint Committee on Taxation.............................       8,112,000
Office of the Attending Physician.......................       2,236,000
Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office.......       3,511,000
Statements of Appropriations............................          30,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total...............................................     $17,694,000

                        Joint Economic Committee





2003 appropriation....................................        $3,658,000
2004 budget estimate..................................         3,988,000
Committee recommendation..............................         3,805,000


    The Committee has provided $3,805,000 for the Joint 
Economic Committee. This amount reflects an increase of 
$147,000 above the enacted amount and is $183,000 below the 
budget request. The Committee allowance does not provide 
funding for two additional FTE's.

                      Joint Committee on Taxation





2003 appropriation....................................        $7,593,000
2004 budget estimate..................................         8,112,000
Committee recommendation..............................         8,112,000


    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,112,000 for 
the Joint Committee on Taxation. This amount reflects an 
increase of $519,000 above the enacted amount, and is the same 
as the budget request.

                   Office of the Attending Physician





2003 appropriation....................................        $2,981,000
2004 budget estimate..................................         2,236,000
Committee recommendation..............................         2,236,000


    The Committee has approved $2,236,000 for medical supplies, 
equipment, expenses, and allowances of Navy personnel detailed 
to the Office of the Attending Physician.

           Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office





2003 appropriation....................................        $3,035,000
2004 budget estimate..................................         3,511,000
Committee recommendation..............................         3,511,000


    The Committee bill provides $3,511,000 for the operation of 
the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office during 
the next fiscal year. This amount reflects an increase of 
$476,000 above the enacted level and is the same as the budget 
request.

                      Statement of Appropriations





2003 appropriation....................................           $30,000
2004 budget estimate..................................            30,000
Committee recommendation..............................            30,000


    The sum of $30,000 is included for the preparation of the 
usual compilation of the statements of appropriations for the 
1st session of the 108th Congress. This publication is compiled 
jointly by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

                             Capitol Police





2003 appropriation....................................      $240,208,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       290,510,000
Committee recommendation..............................       211,830,000


    The recommendations in the bill provide a total of 
$211,830,000 for the expenses and personnel authorized for 
police services throughout the Capitol buildings and grounds 
during fiscal year 2004.
    The Committee has funded an additional 509 positions for 
the Capitol Police, an increase of 37 percent, since 9/11. The 
budget request is for a total 2,406 positions, an increase of 
511 positions over the current authorized level. In addition, 
the Department has completed a staffing study recommending a 
total of 2,929 positions by fiscal year 2005, a 58 percent 
increase from current levels. There is concern over the 
continuation of such large growth for the Capitol Police 
without a proper strategic plan and associated staffing plan in 
place. The Committee understands the department has initiated 
work on a strategic plan and strongly supports this effort. A 
revised strategic plan will serve as the foundation for 
aligning activities, core processes, and resources to support 
mission-related outcomes. The General Accounting Office has 
cited on several occasions, strategic planning is continuous 
and provides the basis for everything the organization does 
each day. Therefore, it is important for an organization to go 
through the strategic planning process first, and then align 
and staff the organization to accomplish the objectives of the 
plan. The Committee directs the Chief of Police to work with 
the General Accounting Office to complete the strategic plan as 
outlined in Section 1019 of the Fiscal Year 2003 Appropriations 
Bill. In addition, the General Accounting Office is directed to 
provide an appropriate contract review of the proposed staffing 
plan. While additional positions and associated funding are not 
provided, the Committee notes that $14,765,000 remains 
available from the Emergency Response Fund. Should the 
strategic plan be completed and associated staffing plan 
reviewed by an outside source, and approved by the Committee 
during fiscal year 2004, there is more than ample funding 
available for new positions for the Capitol Police.

                                Salaries





2003 appropriation....................................      $174,533,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       218,268,000
Committee recommendation..............................       189,913,000


    The Committee recommends $189,913,000 to support a total 
force of 1,895 including 1,569 sworn and 326 civilian positions 
for fiscal year 2004.

                            General Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................       $27,917,000
2003 wartime supplemental.............................        37,758,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        72,242,000
Committee recommendation..............................        21,917,000


    The sum of $21,917,000 is recommended for supplies, 
materials, equipment, training and other expenses of the 
Capitol Police force during the next fiscal year.
    Excluding the fiscal year 2003 supplemental appropriation 
of $37,758,000 for general expenses of the Capitol Police, the 
budget request of $72,242,000 represents an increase of 
$44,325,000, or 158 percent over the current fiscal year. Given 
the fiscal restraints the Committee is under in producing this 
bill, it is not realistic for the Capitol Police to sustain 
such high increases. In addition to the $21,917,000 
appropriation, the Committee notes that over $10,000,000 
remains available in fiscal year 2003 salary funds that can be 
transferred to general expenses and used to expedite a portion 
of the fiscal year 2004 request. The Chief of Police is 
directed to re-prioritize the request to equip all sworn 
members with personnel protective equipment, the items funded 
in the fiscal year 2003 supplemental, and the revised general 
expenses for fiscal year 2004 prior to requesting the transfer 
of the salary funds.

                        Administrative Provision

    Section 1001 authorizes transfers between the various 
accounts of the Capitol Police.

                          OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE


                         Salaries and Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................        $2,157,000
2004 budget estimate..................................         2,518,000
Committee recommendation..............................         2,255,000


    The bill provides $2,255,000 for the Office of Compliance. 
The Committee has not provided funding for additional FTE's or 
other program increases until the General Accounting Office 
review of the Office of Compliance has been completed.

                      CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE


                         Salaries and Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................       $31,892,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        33,993,000
Committee recommendation..............................        33,820,000


    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $33,820,000 
for the Congressional Budget Office. This is $1,928,000 above 
the current year and is $173,000 below the budget request.

                        ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL





2003 appropriation....................................      $392,333,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       447,857,000
Committee recommendation..............................       294,933,000


    The Committee recommends a total of $294,933,000 for fiscal 
year 2004 for the various operational and maintenance 
activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the 
Capitol (AOC). Excluded is the Senate office building account 
which will be considered by the Senate. This amount is 
$152,924,000 below the amount requested, and $97,400,000 below 
the fiscal year 2003 appropriation.
    Fitness Center.--The Committee recently approved the 
expenditure of $100,000 for the Architect of the Capitol to 
conduct a study for an interim staff fitness center to be 
located in the existing House Office Buildings. The Committee 
recommends roughly 4,000 square feet be made available for male 
and female shower rooms, lockers and a weight room. The 
Committee expects the temporary staff fitness center to be 
completed by February, 2004. In addition, the Architect is 
directed to develop a permanent staff fitness center as part of 
the House Office Buildings Master Plan. The Architect is to 
report to the Committee on Appropriations and the House Office 
Building Commission by July, 2004 with various options to build 
a permanent large scale staff fitness center, and on the 
associated costs.
    In addition, the Committee has approved $164,000 for the 
construction of a male and female shower in an existing 
bathroom in the Cannon House Office Building basement and a 
male and female shower, with two showers in each, in the 
Longworth House Office Building sub-basement level. This work 
is expected to be complete by September, 2003.
    Capitol Dome.--The Architect of the Capitol is directed to 
assess the policy related to special tours of the Capitol Dome 
for Members of Congress. While the efforts made by the AOC and 
Capitol Police to ensure a safe and secure environment within 
the Capitol building are necessary and greatly appreciated, the 
Committee is concerned that the closure of the dome is contrary 
to its symbol as our nation's freedom. Within 60 days of the 
enactment of the bill, the Architect is directed to submit a 
proposed policy, incorporating the former rules and regulations 
pertaining to dome tours, for the reopening of the dome for 
special tours. As a part of this proposal, the Architect is to 
conduct an assessment of the associated physical and security 
risks and to advise the Committee of the actions necessary to 
fulfill this directive.
    Project Management.--The Committee is concerned about the 
level of project management in the Architect of the Capitol 
organization. The General Accounting Office Report on 
Management and Accountability noted that the implementation of 
project management best practices has been uneven throughout 
the agency, and the Committee has questioned the Architect 
about the affects of construction workforce fatigue on the 
agency. In response, the AOC informed the Committee that ``the 
AOC is recruiting additional project managers to improve the 
project delivery process''. These new project managers are in 
addition to ``83 individuals listed as project managers in some 
capacity in July, 2002'', as noted in the GAO Report.
    Further, the Committee has reservations regarding the level 
and quality of project management expertise and acquisition 
planning that is typically maintained through the 
identification of core competencies and associated standardized 
training programs that maintain and enhance such expertise. 
Accordingly, the Committee directs the AOC to identify core 
competencies for project managers and contracting officers, and 
to use these core competencies as part of its process of the 
evaluation of current project managers and contracting officers 
and its hiring practices for new employees in these areas. 
Further, the Committee directs the AOC to review project 
management workforce improvement initiatives such as the 
Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act and establish a 
comparable formal AOC program that incorporates professional 
standards and requirements, and implement a training 
development program in fiscal year 2004 to assure the continued 
development of core competencies. The Committee has provided on 
a one-time basis, $150,000 in support of the acquisition 
training requirement.
    A report must be submitted to the Committee no later than 
120 days after the enactment of this bill that (1) describes 
and identifies the core competency program that will be used; 
(2) outlines how they are being used in the hiring process; (3) 
outlines the proposed core competency training program for 
fiscal year 2004; and (4) presents an overall plan that details 
the grade, title, organizational location, funding resources, 
and project assignment of all on-board and planned project 
managers, including total FTE's required in fiscal year 2004.
    Capital Improvements Plan.--The Committee is pleased to 
learn that the Architect has developed a formalized planning 
process that will result in a five-year Capital Improvements 
Plan (CIP). The Committee understands that a request for 
documentation needed to accomplish the CIP process has been 
included as part if its internal call for development of the 
fiscal year 2005 budget request, and that this will facilitate 
preparation of the first annual CIP in September, 2003. 
Therefore, the Committee anticipates that the AOC will include 
a CIP as an appendix to fiscal year 2005 budget justification. 
Additionally, the Committee expects that the CIP will include 
realistic cost projections for future consideration.
    Personnel Management.--The Committee notes the Architect's 
efforts made to consolidate the AOC overhead positions into the 
new appropriation established by the Congress entitled 
``General Administration''. This measure has provided a better 
opportunity to review the various components of the 
administrative staff and to make recommendations for 
improvements. Further, it has resulted in a cleaner separation 
of the accounts to allow for better management of the 
jurisdictional appropriations.
    A review of this account indicates that certain groups who 
are assigned to this General Administration appropriation are 
more appropriately assigned to the field. The Committee is also 
concerned with the rate of growth in AOC administrative areas. 
The Architect is directed to conduct an in-depth analysis of 
all administrative positions to ensure that the positions are 
required to conduct business, that they are aligned to the AOC 
strategic plan, and that they are accurately assigned. This 
analysis should be made in conjunction with the 
superintendent's administrative staffs to eliminate 
duplication.
    In conjunction with this review, the Architect is directed 
to provide a separate study on the feasibility of the 
implementation of a cost accounting system that will allow 
charging jurisdictions for overhead services as well as track 
costs. Additionally, the system should allow accounting for 
multiple charges of funding and FTE's to various accounts that 
are common characteristics of temporary projects and service 
employees. The Architect will provide to the Committees on 
Appropriations of the House and the Senate the analysis of 
General Administration positions and the study of the cost 
accounting system within 180 days of enactment of the bill.
    The Committee commends the Architect's efforts to improve 
the AOC administrative systems. There has been great strides 
achieved with improvements to the financial management systems 
and it anticipated that the same improvements will be realized 
with the personnel and payroll systems. The Committee is 
pleased with the Architect's success in establishing the AOC 
staffing document and trusts that the document will be 
maintained and observed as a critical tool in position 
management. Likewise, the Committee appreciates the submission 
of the resulting report on AOC positions in a detailed and 
timely fashion. The AOC Budget Office is to be commended on 
coordinating this monumental task. The Committee believes that 
the reports should be readily available through the personnel 
and payroll systems and that this function could be fully 
automated and directs the Architect to provide the appropriate 
personnel and financial support within existing resources to 
accomplish this task.
    The Committee recognizes the efforts of the AOC to improve 
on the tracking and management of FTE's. It is understood that 
complexities of executing projects arise from the wide range of 
available sources to accomplish the work including contractual 
services; permanent in-house labor; and temporary labor (both 
federal wage system and Davis Bacon Act), plus the added 
dimensions of multiple funding sources and jurisdictions. 
However, the Committee believes there is room for improvement 
and the Architect's administrative office should investigate 
options to better forecast and budget for FTE's and is directed 
to conduct a study addressing this issue to be provided to the 
Committee within 120 days of enactment of the bill.
    The Committee provides relief from the fiscal year 2004 FTE 
ceiling for delivery of projects under the condition that the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate be 
notified prior to any increase in the FTE ceiling.
    Capitol Visitor Center.--The Committee has expressed 
concern and is still concerned over the management of the 
Capitol Visitor Center Project. We are troubled by the lack of 
timely communication, receipt of conflicting information, and 
inadequate and inaccurate reporting on project and financial 
status. Commonly held project management practices, such as 
tracking cost-to-complete, have not been used. Requests for 
obligation authority and reprogramming actions have been 
received too late to allow the Committee sufficient time to 
exercise its oversight role without jeopardizing schedules and 
cost. Given these conditions, the Committee has serious 
reservations about providing additional funding under the 
control of the Architect given the track record of the 
Architect's organization and inability to manage. The 
Architect, personally, must take immediate action to remedy 
this situation and put in place the requisite management 
oversight and get control over this project. The Committee 
wants it clearly understood that the Architect of the Capitol 
has no higher priority than to ensure, without a doubt, to the 
Committee and the Congress the completion of the CVC without 
delay and in a fiscally responsible manner.
    Temporary Workers.--Section 133 of the Legislative 
Appropriations Act, 2002, generally prohibits the Architect of 
the Capitol from employing temporary workers for long periods 
without providing his workers with eligibility for employee 
benefits. Section 133 became law on November 12, 2001, and the 
Committee has been consistently disappointed in the non-
constructive manner in which the Architect has approached the 
implementation of the provision.
    Specifically, the Architect has to date refused to 
recognize that Section 133 facilitates the provision of 
employee benefits through employer contributions made directly 
to private-sector benefit plans on behalf of temporary workers 
under collective bargaining agreements. The Committee considers 
the Architect's position on this point to be unjustified and 
unacceptable. The Committee wishes to emphasize that Section 
133 gives the Architect flexibility to provide eligibility for 
benefits from a variety of appropriate sources, such as the 
federal sector, or other sources by making employer 
contributions directly to fringe benefit funds in the same 
manner as private-sector employers. This common sense approach 
to accommodate the goal articulated by Section 133 allows the 
Architect to tailor compliance with the law in numerous 
different ways that reflect the diverse needs of the Architect 
and its temporary workforce.
    At the Committee's request, the General Accounting Office 
has reviewed Section 133 and determined that the law provides 
the Architect with all the authority needed to implement 
Section 133 as the committee intends. The Committee expects the 
Architect to implement Section 133 properly without further 
delay.
    Alternate Computer Facility.--The Committee has denied the 
request of $61,000,000 to purchase the alternate computer 
facility in fiscal year 2004. To date, the legislative branch 
is only occupying 167,000 gross square feet of a total 335,000 
square feet in two buildings. The Architect of the Capitol is 
directed to report to the Committee by August 15, 2003 on the 
intended use of this space.
    A summary of the appropriations recommended follows:

Architect of the Capitol (Excluding Senate)

        Item                                                      Amount
Architect of the Capitol:
    General Administration..............................     $84,513,000
    Capitol building....................................      23,307,000
    Capitol grounds.....................................       6,886,000
    House office buildings..............................      54,564,000
    Capitol Power Plant.................................      81,543,000
    Library buildings and grounds.......................      34,750,000
    Capitol Police buildings and grounds................       3,308,000
    Botanic Garden......................................       6,062,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total.............................................    $294,933,000

                         General Administration





2003 appropriation....................................       $58,957,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       158,570,000
Committee recommendation..............................        84,513,000


    The Committee recommends a total appropriation of 
$84,513,000 for fiscal year 2004. This amount is $25,556,000 
above the amount provided in fiscal year 2003 and is 
$74,057,000 below the budget request. This account provides 
funds for personal services, equipment, communications, and 
other central support activities of the Architect of the 
Capitol.
    Items related to the Senate in this account have not been 
funded.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                         GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                 Amount  requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................        $39,690,000        $39,690,000
Rent, Communications, Utilities &           8,555,000          8,555,000
 Travel...........................
Other Services....................         23,757,000         23,757,000
Supplies..........................            328,000            328,000
Equipment.........................            254,000            254,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..        $72,584,000        $72,584,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

Energy Conservation and Management           $245,000  .................
 Studies..........................
AOC Procurement Training                      150,000            150,000
 Initiative.......................
Bucket Truck......................             75,000             75,000
Flat Bed Truck....................             44,000             44,000
Conduct Energy Survey of Capitol            1,600,000  .................
 Complex..........................
Replace High Voltage Switchgear in         18,672,000          7,460,000
 9 Buildings......................
Capitol Complex Master Plan.......          4,200,000          4,200,000
Alternate Computer Facility.......         61,000,000  .................
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....        $85,986,000        $11,929,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, General                     $158,570,000        $84,513,000
       Administration.............
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Capitol Building





2003 appropriation....................................       $32,985,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        52,368,000
Committee recommendation..............................        23,307,000


    A total of $23,307,000 is recommended for the operation and 
maintenance of the Capitol building during fiscal year 2004. 
This amount is $9,678,000 below the amount provided in fiscal 
year 2003 and is $29,061,000 below the budget request.
    Items related to the Senate in this account have not been 
funded.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                            CAPITOL BUILDING
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                  Amount requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................         $9,582,000         $9,582,000
Other Services....................          3,185,000          3,185,000
Supplies..........................            504,000            504,000
Equipment.........................            197,000            166,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..        $13,468,000        $13,437,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

ADA Requirements..................           $132,000           $132,000
Elevator/Escalator Modernization              750,000            750,000
 Program..........................
Replacement of Minton Tile........            525,000            525,000
Computer, Telcom & Electrical                 300,000            300,000
 Support..........................
Wayfinding and ADA Signage........            130,000            130,000
Bird Control System...............            170,000            170,000
CVC Operations....................            891,000  .................
Study, Design and Condition                   630,000            315,000
 Assessment.......................
Minor Construction................          5,000,000          2,500,000
U.S. Capitol Master Plan Phase 2..         26,500,000          1,176,000
Improvements in the Rotunda.......            672,000            672,000
Restore Shutters & Upgrade Window             400,000            400,000
 Lighting.........................
Presidential Inaugural Stands.....          2,800,000          2,800,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....        $38,900,000         $9,870,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, Capitol Building.....        $52,368,000        $23,307,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Capitol Grounds





2003 appropriation....................................        $8,302,000
2004 budget estimate..................................         6,986,000
Committee recommendation..............................         6,886,000


    The appropriation of $6,886,000 is recommended for the care 
and improvement of the grounds surrounding the Capitol, the 
Senate and House office buildings, and the Capitol power plant. 
This amount is a decrease of $1,416,000 below the request.
    Items related to the Senate in this account have not been 
funded.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                             CAPITOL GROUNDS
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                  Amount requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................         $4,539,000         $4,539,000
Other Services....................          1,430,000          1,430,000
Supplies..........................            192,000            192,000
Equipment.........................            140,000            140,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..         $6,301,000         $6,301,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

Renovation Former D.C. Street                $435,000           $435,000
 Lights...........................
Wayfinding and ADA-Compliant                  100,000            100,000
 Signage..........................
Study, Design and Condition                   150,000             50,000
 Assessment.......................
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....           $685,000           $585,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, Capitol Grounds......         $6,986,000         $6,886,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         House Office Buildings





2003 appropriation....................................       $60,564,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        66,779,000
Committee recommendation..............................        54,564,000


    For House office buildings $54,564,000 has been provided. 
This amount is a decrease of $6,000,000 below the current 
fiscal year and is $12,215,000 below the request.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                         HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                 Amount  requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................        $29,371,000        $29,371,000
Other Services....................          3,989,000          3,989,000
Supplies..........................          1,329,000          1,329,000
Equipment.........................            257,000            257,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..        $34,946,000        $34,946,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

Major Elevator Equipment                     $120,000           $120,000
 Improvements.....................
Elevator Modernization Program,             9,460,000          6,800,000
 FHOB.............................
Minor Construction................          5,000,000          3,000,000
Study, Design and Condition                 5,000,000          1,000,000
 Assessment.......................
Sound Improvements, Committee                 240,000            240,000
 Rooms............................
Wayfinding and ADA Compliant                  407,000            407,000
 Signage..........................
Upgrade Public Restrooms..........          3,000,000          1,500,000
Upgrade Data Center...............          4,323,000          4,323,000
Extend Sprinkler Systems..........          2,055,000  .................
Escalator Modernization...........          1,617,000          1,617,000
Replace Halon System..............            611,000            611,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....        $31,833,000        $19,618,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, House Office                 $66,779,000        $54,564,000
       Buildings..................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Capitol Power Plant





2003 appropriation...................................       $124,300,000
2004 budget estimate.................................        102,157,000
Committee recommendation.............................         81,543,000


    The Committee recommends the appropriation of $81,543,000 
for the Capitol power plant for fiscal year 2004, plus 
offsetting collections of $4,400,000. This is a decrease of 
$42,757,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2003 and 
$20,614,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee recognizes the requirement to install a state 
of the art control system at the Capitol Power Plant (CPP) to 
provide for more accurate and remote monitoring of the plant. 
This will increase the safety of the plants operations. It is 
incumbent on the Architect of the Capitol to ensure that an 
expenditure of $6.5 million dollars on the control system 
yields significant value to the Congress and the taxpayers. 
Accordingly, the Committee expects to see future budget 
submissions for the CPP reflecting a reduction of 2 to 4 
permanent FTE's from the current authorized staffing level.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                           CAPITOL POWER PLANT
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                 Amount  requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................         $6,810,000         $6,810,000
Rent, Communications, Utilities &          33,698,000         33,698,000
 Travel...........................
Other Services....................          2,412,000          2,412,000
Supplies..........................          6,271,000          6,271,000
Reimbursement.....................        (4,400,000)        (4,400,000)
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..        $44,791,000        $44,791,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

Upgrade CAD Drawings for CPP......             85,000  .................
Emergency Shoring and Repairs to              100,000            100,000
 Tunnels..........................
Repair South Capitol Street Steam             711,000            711,000
 Line.............................
West Refrigeration Plant Expansion         40,800,000         22,021,000
Study, Design, and Condition                2,380,000            630,000
 Assessment.......................
Replace Utility Tunnel Expansion              440,000            440,000
 Joints...........................
Replace Stokers, Boilers 1&2......          1,200,000          1,200,000
Install Emergency Egress, Tunnel              350,000            350,000
 Access...........................
Install Oil Storage Tanks.........          4,200,000          4,200,000
Installation of Distributed                 6,500,000          6,500,000
 Control System...................
Intrinsic Health Monitoring System            600,000            600,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....        $57,366,000        $36,752,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, Capitol Power Plant..       $102,157,000        $81,543,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Library Buildings and Grounds





2003 appropriation....................................       $37,277,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        47,108,000
Committee recommendation..............................        34,750,000


    For Library building and grounds $34,750,000 has been 
provided. This amount is a decrease of $2,527,000 below the 
current fiscal year and is $12,358,000 below the request.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                      LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                 Amount  requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................         $9,883,000         $9,883,000
Other Services....................          2,509,000          2,509,000
Supplies..........................            585,000            585,000
Equipment.........................            193,000            193,000
Land and Structures...............             65,000             65,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..        $13,235,000        $13,235,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

ADA Requirements..................            100,000            100,000
Preservation Environmental                    100,000            100,000
 Monitoring.......................
Restore Decorative Painting.......            110,000            110,000
Replace Sidewalks, JAB & TJB......            100,000            100,000
Book Storage Facility, Ft. Meade              580,000            580,000
 Support..........................
Replace Partition Supports, JMMB..            300,000            300,000
Replace Compact Stack Safety, JMMB            600,000            600,000
Repair Deteriorated Wood Panels...            190,000            190,000
Painting of Interior Arches, TJB..            170,000            170,000
Culpeper Support..................          1,263,000          1,263,000
Fire Extinguishers................             75,000             75,000
Fire Safety Project Management....            250,000            250,000
Repair Life Safety Deficiencies...            800,000            800,000
Minor Construction................          2,500,000          1,500,000
Replace Halon Fire Suppression              1,997,000          1,997,000
 System...........................
Extend/Upgrade Fire Alarm.........            504,000            504,000
ADA Modification, Pickford Theater            424,000            424,000
ADA Modifications, SW Entrance,             1,280,000          1,280,000
 JMMB.............................
Collection Security...............          1,713,000            857,000
Landscaping, Ft. Meade............          1,400,000            250,000
Elevator Modernization............          1,342,000          1,342,000
Remove 4 Escalators, JMMB.........          1,370,000  .................
Water Tank, Ft. Meade.............          4,103,000          4,103,000
Study, Design, and Condition               12,602,000          4,620,000
 Assessment.......................
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....        $33,873,000        $21,515,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, Library Buildings and        $47,108,000        $34,750,000
       Grounds....................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                  Capitol Police Buildings and Grounds





2003 appropriation....................................       $63,885,000
2004 budget estimate..................................         2,970,000
Committee recommendation..............................         3,308,000


    For Capitol police buildings and grounds $3,308,000 has 
been provided. This amount is a decrease of $60,577,000 below 
the current fiscal year.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                  CAPITOL POLICE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                 Amount  requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................  .................           $338,000
Rent, Communications, & Utilities.           $400,000            400,000
Other Services....................            175,000            175,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..           $575,000           $913,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

Replace Ceiling Tiles.............           $320,000           $320,000
Study, Design, and Condition                  500,000            500,000
 Assessment.......................
Minor Construction................          1,000,000          1,000,000
CPHQ Elevator Modernization.......            575,000            575,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....         $2,395,000         $2,395,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, Capitol Police                $2,970,000         $3,308,000
       Buildings and Grounds......
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             Botanic Garden


                         Salaries and Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................        $6,063,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        10,919,000
Committee recommendation..............................         6,062,000


    The amount recommended for the Botanic Garden is 
$6,062,000. This amount is $4,857,000 below the budget request.
    The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:

                             BOTANIC GARDEN
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
               Item                 Amount  requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget

Personal Services.................         $3,889,000         $3,889,000
Rent, Communications, Utilities &               7,000              7,000
 Travel...........................
Other Services....................          1,138,000          1,138,000
Supplies..........................            401,000            401,000
Equipment.........................             60,000             60,000
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget..         $5,495,000         $5,495,000
                                   =====================================
  Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget

CAFM Data Capture (Bartholdi                  $50,000            $50,000
 Project).........................
Minor Construction................            400,000  .................
Damper Control, D.C. Village......            100,000            100,000
Environmental Control System                  100,000            100,000
 Replacement......................
Conservatory Electronics Systems..             90,000             90,000
West Gallery Exhibit..............            202,000            202,000
Bartholdi Park and Fountain.......          4,280,000  .................
Study, Design and Condition                   202,000             25,000
 Assessment.......................
                                   -------------------------------------
      Subtotal, Project Budget....         $5,424,000           $567,000
                                   =====================================
      Total, Botanic Garden.......        $10,919,000         $6,062,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Administrative Provision

    Section 1101 provides authority for the Architect to 
provide benefits for temporary employees.

                          LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

    The Committee recommends appropriations totaling 
$522,592,000 for the operations of the Library of Congress for 
fiscal year 2004. The following table summarizes the allocation 
of funds by appropriation account:

Library of Congress

        Item                                                      Amount
Fiscal year 2004:
    Salaries and expenses...............................    $359,670,000
    Copyright Office....................................      17,626,000
    Congressional Research Service......................      93,590,000
    Books for the blind and physically handicapped......      51,706,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total.............................................    $522,592,000

                            Total Resources

    The Library also receives funds from other appropriations 
and sources estimated to total $193,223,000 for fiscal year 
2004 including $34,750,000 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 
$715,815,000 from all sources will be available to the Library 
during the next fiscal year. The balance is general government 
or public service in nature, such as the Copyright Office, the 
National Library Service, the Federal Library and Information 
Network (FEDLINK), 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 2004, now estimated by the 
Library of Congress at 4,300. In addition, there are several 
hundred other positions financed through reimbursable and gift 
and trust fund programs.
    A breakdown by source and amount of funding follows:

Total resources, Library of Congress, 2004

        Item                                                      Amount
Appropriations:
    Library (direct)....................................    $522,592,000
    Architect of the Capitol, Library buildings and 
      grounds...........................................      34,750,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total appropriations (in bill)....................    $557,342,000
Receipts from copyright fees, sale of catalog records 
    and publications, and sponsors of international 
    legal database......................................     $36,514,000
Gift, trust and revolving funds.........................    $120,895,000
Reimbursement for services performed....................      $1,064,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total.............................................    $715,815,000

                         Salaries and Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................      $354,794,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       373,536,000
Committee recommendation..............................       359,670,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts)...................       (6,850,000)
                                                       -----------------
      Total available.................................      $366,520,000


    The sum of $359,670,000, plus $6,850,000 in offsetting 
receipts, is recommended for salaries and expenses, which is 
the basic appropriation for the operation of Library programs, 
an increase of $4,876,000 above the current level and a 
decrease of $13,866,000 below the request. This level of 
funding provides for 2,913 FTE's, including all associated 
mandatory costs.
    The Committee has provided $11,060,000 and 8 additional 
FTE's for the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) 
in Culpeper, Virginia. The NAVCC will be a state-of-the-art 
conservation center that will consolidate and integrate the 
Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound administrative, 
acquisitions, processing, storage, preservation, laboratory 
transfer and reformatting activities in one central facility. 
This facility once completed, with funding provided primarily 
by the Packard Humanities Institute, for the first time will 
allow the Library of Congress to consolidate all its audio-
visual collections in a single centralized storage facility 
sufficient to house collection growth for the next 25 years.
    The Librarian of Congress is directed to work with the 
Superintendent of the District of Columbia Public Schools in 
developing an interagency agreement or memorandum of 
understanding that will make available, on a priority basis, 
books and periodicals within the Library's Surplus Book Program 
to the District of Columbia Public School System.

                            Copyright Office





2003 appropriation....................................        $9,499,000
2004 budget request...................................        18,626,000
Committee recommendation..............................        17,626,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts)...................      (29,664,000)
      Total available.................................       $47,290,000


    Salaries and expenses.--The Committee recommends an 
appropriation of $17,626,000, plus authority to spend 
$29,664,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office. The total 
available in this recommendation is $8,127,000 above the amount 
provided in the current fiscal year and is $1,000,000 below the 
request. This level of funding provides 530 FTE's.

                     Congressional Research Service





2003 appropriation....................................       $88,250,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        96,267,000
Committee recommendation..............................        93,590,000


    Salaries and expenses.--The Committee recommends 
$93,590,000. This amount is $5,340,000 above the current year 
and is $2,677,000 below the request and will fully fund 729 
FTE's.

             Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped





2003 appropriation....................................       $50,632,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        51,706,000
Committee recommendation..............................        51,706,000


    Salaries and expenses.--A total of $51,706,000 is 
recommended for the National Library Service for the Blind and 
Physically Handicapped, an increase of $1,074,000 over the 
amount provided in fiscal year 2003.

                       Administrative Provisions

    The Committee has included two administrative provisions. 
Section 1201 provides for expenses related to official 
representation and the incentive awards program. Section 1202 
provides obligational authority for various Library programs.

                       GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE


                   Congressional Printing and Binding





2003 appropriation....................................       $89,557,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        91,111,000
Committee recommendation..............................        91,111,000


    The Committee has included an appropriation of $91,111,000 
for printing and binding of congressional documents at the 
Government Printing Office for use by Congress.
    A comparative summary of the recommendation by category of 
work follows:

                                       CONGRESSIONAL PRINTING AND BINDING
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Appropriation
                                                                2003          Requested 2004    Recommended 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressional Record program...........................        $19,417,000        $20,823,000  .................
Miscellaneous publications.............................          5,643,000          5,696,000  .................
Miscellaneous printing and binding.....................         16,815,000         18,344,000  .................
Details to Congress....................................          2,322,000          2,430,000  .................
Document envelopes and document franks.................            952,000          1,121,000  .................
Business and committee calendars.......................          2,300,000          2,880,000  .................
Bills, resolutions, and amendments.....................          8,051,000          9,546,000  .................
Committee reports......................................          2,769,000          3,108,000  .................
Documents..............................................          3,055,000          3,264,000  .................
Hearings...............................................         19,894,000         22,011,000  .................
Committee prints.......................................          2,464,000          1,888,000  .................
Funding for 2001 orders................................          5,875,000  .................  .................
                                                        --------------------------------------------------------
      Total............................................        $89,557,000        $91,111,000        $91,111,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Office of Superintendent of Documents





2003 appropriation....................................       $29,468,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        34,456,000
Committee recommendation..............................        34,456,000


    The Committee recommends the appropriation of $34,456,000 
for the salaries and expenses of the Superintendent of 
Documents, a part of the Government Printing Office. This 
amount is $4,988,000 above the fiscal year 2003 level and is 
the same as the budget request.
    The Committee has provided $4.1 million dollars to the 
Superintendent of Documents to replace obsolete technology and 
upgrade search and retrieval systems that are nearly a decade 
old.

               Government Printing Office Revolving Fund





2003 appropriation....................................  ................
2004 budget estimate..................................       $10,000,000
Committee recommendation..............................         5,000,000


    Revolving fund.--The Committee recommendation provides 
$5,000,000 to the revolving fund to be used as working capital 
to begin the restructure of the workforce and GPO operations. 
The bill includes the usual language authorizing the operation 
of the revolving fund, authority to hire or purchase 
automobiles, advisory councils, and consultants. The limit on 
full-time equivalent employment has been set at 3,189.

                       GENERAL ACCOUNTING OFFICE


                         Salaries and Expenses





2003 appropriation....................................      $453,031,000
2004 budget estimate..................................       466,621,000
Committee recommendation..............................       458,533,000
Offsetting collections................................       (6,006,000)
      Total available.................................       464,539,000


    The Committee has provided $458,539,000 in direct 
appropriations for the General Accounting Office, plus 
$6,006,000 in offsetting collections derived from 
reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government 
corporations and rental of space in the GAO building. This 
funding provides for 3,269 FTE's.
    The Committee directs that the GAO allocate within existing 
resources funding that will permit three technology assessment 
studies that will be of relevance to the Congress's work in the 
upcoming fiscal year.

                        Administrative Provision

    The Committee has included an administrative provision 
Section 1301 that provides for reimbursement to the GAO from 
the Securities and Exchange Commission for audit work and 
financial statements of the Commission.

         Payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund





2003 appropriation....................................       $12,915,000
2004 budget estimate..................................        14,815,000
Committee recommendation..............................        13,000,000


    The Committee has provided $13,000,000 for payment to the 
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund. This amount is 
$1,815,000 below the request and is the same amount that was 
provided to the Russian Leadership Development Center Trust 
Fund, the former name of the Open World Center.
    The Committee acknowledges the accomplishments the Russian 
Leadership Development Center has made towards advancing the 
understanding of social, economical and political processes of 
the United States to emerging political leaders of the former 
Soviet Union. The Committee encourages the Open World Center to 
continue the fine work of the Russian Leadership Center.

                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    The customary language regarding emergency assistance for 
vehicles, positions and allowances, consulting services, the 
Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council and for the 
Architect to maintain and landscape areas on Washington Avenue 
SW (Sections 201-207). The Committee has also included section 
208, which prohibits funds in this Act from being transferred 
except as provided in this Act or any other appropriation Act. 
Section 209 provides for legislative branch entities that are 
members of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board to 
pay an appropriate share of the Board's cost.

                        CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

    Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII 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

    Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives 
requires an explanation of compliance with section 308(a)(1)(A) 
of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 
(P.L. 93-344), as amended, which 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 302 of the Act for the most 
recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the 
fiscal year from the Committee's section 302(b) allocation.
    This information follows:

                                            [In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     Sec. 302(b)               This bill--
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Budget                    Budget
                                                               authority     Outlays     authority     Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary...............................................       $2,700       $2,880       $2,700   \1\ $2,859
Mandatory...................................................           89           89           89           89
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
      Total.................................................       $2,789       $2,969       $2,789      $2,948
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note.--Amounts exclude Senate-related items.
\1\ Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

                    FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION OF OUTLAYS

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

Five-Year Projection of Outlays

                                                                Millions
Outlays:
    2004................................................       \1\ 2,263
    2005................................................             284
    2006................................................              95
    2007................................................              21
    2008................................................               7

\1\ Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

               ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

    In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the 
Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 
93-344), as amended, the financial assistance to State and 
local governments is as follows:
    The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and 
local assistance programs.

                           TRANSFERS OF FUNDS

    Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in 
Congressional printing and binding, the Superintendent of 
Documents, and the Capitol Police programs.

         STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of 
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure 
authorizes funding:
    The Committee on Appropriations considers program 
performance, including a program's success in developing and 
attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing 
funding recommendations.

                              RESCISSIONS

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII 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(f)(1), of rule XIII 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 that 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. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members 
Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt 
reduction.
    7. There is language under ``Capitol Police, 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.
    8. The bill authorizes the transfer of funds within 
``Capitol Police, Salaries'' and ``Capitol Police, General 
Expenses'', subject to approval.
    9. 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.
    10. There is language under ``Congressional Research 
Service'' which prohibits the publication of material unless 
approved by the appropriate committees.
    11. 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 and 
Senators, 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, limiting the printing of certain documents to a time 
certain, and authorizing the transfer of unobligated balances.
    12. Authorization of appropriations for Congressional 
printing and binding is included.
    13. There is authority to expend funds collected under the 
authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and for international legal 
information, the balance to remain available until expended.
    14. There is language authorizing the temporary transfer of 
funds under the heading ``Library of Congress, Salaries and 
Expenses''.
    15. There is language under ``Salaries and Expenses'', 
Office of Superintendent of Documents, which authorizes the use 
of current appropriations to pay for printing certain 
publications in prior years for the depository library program. 
There is language authorizing the transfer of unexpended 
balances.
    16. There is language authorizing the operation of the GPO 
revolving fund, and which authorizes travel expenses for 
advisory councils.
    17. The bill includes a limitation on GPO employment of not 
more than 3,189 full-time equivalent work years.
    18. 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 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.
    19. The bill provides benefits to temporary employees of 
the Architect of the Capital.
    20. In Section 201, 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 Administration and 
for the Senate by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
    21. Section 203 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.
    22. Section 204 requires that certain information regarding 
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
    23. Section 206 authorizes legislative branch entities to 
share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers 
Council.
    24. Section 207 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to 
maintain certain property.
    25. Section 208 prohibits funds in this Act from being 
transferred except as provided in this Act or any other 
Appropriation Act.
    26. Section 209 provides for legislative branch entities 
that are members of the Federal Accounting Standards Board to 
pay an appropriate share of the Board's cost.

          COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3(e) (RAMSEYER RULE)

    There are no changes in existing law carried in this bill.

                  APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

    Clause 3(f)(1), Rule XIII requires a table of all 
appropriations in the bill that are not authorized by law. 
Appropriations included in this bill have been previously 
authorized by law.

  COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR 2003 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2004 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
                                                                       New budget      estimate of     Increase
                                                                     (obligational)        new          (+) or
                          Agency and item                              authority,    (obligational)  decrease  (-
                                                                        2003 \1\       authority,         )
                                                                                        2004 \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Library of Congress:
    Gift and trust fund accounts...................................            $17             $16            -1
    Cooperative Acquisitions Revolving Fund........................              3               3   ...........
    Gift Shop, Decimal Classification, Photoduplication, and                     7               7   ...........
     Related Services..............................................
    Duplication Services...........................................              1               2            +1
    Fedlink Program and Federal Research Program...................             93              93   ...........
U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission: Trust funds..................              5               1            -4
Architect of the Capitol, Botanic Garden: Gifts and donations......              2               2   ...........
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development:              3               3   ...........
 Trust funds.......................................................
                                                                    --------------------------------------------
      Total, Trust funds...........................................           $131            $127          -$4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Amounts as estimated and shown in the February 2004 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
                                                                       New budget      estimate of     Increase
                                                                     (obligational)        new          (+) or
                          Agency and item                              authority,    (obligational)  decrease  (-
                                                                        2003 \1\       authority,         )
                                                                                        2004 \1\
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
House of Representatives:
    Congressional use of foreign currency..........................             $6              $6   ...........
    International conferences and contingencies: House and Senate                1               1   ...........
     expenses......................................................
    Compensation of Members and related administrative expenses....             86              86   ...........
Library of Congress: Payments to copyright owners (indefinite,                 219             234           +15
 special fund).....................................................
                                                                    --------------------------------------------
      Total, Federal funds.........................................           $312            $327         +$15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Amounts as estimated and shown in the February 2003 budget document. Some items are indefinite in amount,
  and thus are subject to later reestimation.

  
  
