[House Report 110-198]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



110th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    110-198

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



 
              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2008

                                _______
                                

 June 19, 2007.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

Ms. Wasserman Schultz, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted 
                             the following

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 2771]

    The Committee on Appropriations submits the following 
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making 
appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year 
ending September 30, 2008, 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.................
                                                                      6
        House of Representatives...........................     2
                                                                      6
        Joint Items:
                Joint Economic Committee...................     8
                                                                     12
                Joint Committee on Taxation................     8
                                                                     12
                Office of the Attending Physician..........     8
                                                                     12
                Capitol Guide Service and Special Services 
                    Office.................................     9
                                                                     12
                Statements of Appropriations...............     9
                                                                     12
                Capitol Police.............................    10
                                                                     13
        Office of Compliance...............................    12
                                                                     15
        Congressional Budget Office........................    15
                                                                     16
        Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office 
            Buildings).....................................    15
                                                                     16
        Library of Congress................................    33
                                                                     25
        Government Printing Office.........................    40
                                                                     28
        Government Accountability Office...................    43
                                                                     29
        Payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust 
            Fund...........................................    47
                                                                     31
        John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training 
            and Development................................    48
                                                                     32
Title II--General Provisions...............................    48
                                                                     32
Constitutional authority...................................
                                                                     32
Comparison with budget resolution..........................
                                                                     32
Five-year projection of outlays............................
                                                                     33
Assistance to State and local governments..................
                                                                     33
Transfers of funds.........................................
                                                                     33
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives......
                                                                     33
Rescissions................................................
                                                                     33
Changes in the application of existing law.................
                                                                     33
Compliance with clause 3--rule XIII........................
                                                                     37
Appropriations not authorized by law.......................
                                                                     47
Earmarks...................................................
                                                                     47
Full Committee Votes.......................................
                                                                     48
Additional Views...........................................
                                                                     58

                            SUMMARY OF BILL

    The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides 
appropriations for fiscal year 2008 legislative branch 
operations, which total $3,103,709,000.
    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 2008, 
as amended, including those under the Architect of the Capitol, 
total $980,583,000.
    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 2007          year 2008             bill        authority, fiscal  authority, fiscal
                                                                                                                        year 2007          year 2008
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH-APPROPRIATIONS

House of Representatives.................................  \1\ $1,144,486,00     $1,235,042,000     $1,198,560,000       +$54,074,000       -$36,482,000
                                                                           0
Joint items..............................................         24,155,000         27,540,000         21,112,000         -3,043,000         -6,428,000
Capitol Police...........................................    \1\ 265,635,000        299,070,000        286,000,000        +20,365,000        -13,070,000
Office of Compliance.....................................          3,103,000          4,106,000          3,806,000           +703,000           -300,000
Congressional Budget Office..............................         35,204,000         37,972,000         37,805,000         +2,601,000           -167,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate office buildings)    \1\ 382,715,000        394,461,000        348,380,000        -34,335,000        -46,081,000
Library of Congress......................................        508,760,000        661,616,000        572,512,000        +63,752,000        -89,104,000
Government Printing Office...............................        122,050,000        181,979,000        125,776,000         +3,726,000        -56,203,000
Government Accountability Office.........................    \1\ 481,070,000        522,804,000        503,328,000        +22,258,000        -19,476,000
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund..................         13,860,000         14,400,000          6,000,000         -7,860,000         -8,400,000
John C. Stennis Center...................................            430,000            430,000            430,000  .................  .................
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      Grand total, new budget, (obligational) authority    \1\ $2,981,468,00     $3,379,420,000     $3,103,709,000      +$122,241,000     -$275,711,000
       (for items considered by House)...................                  0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes amounts provided in P.L. 110-28.

                           HIGHLIGHTS OF BILL


                Summary of Estimates and Recommendations

    Budget estimates.--The budget estimates considered by the 
Committee total $3,379,420,000, as amended. 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 $3,103,709,000 in 
new budget (obligational) authority is recommended for fiscal 
year 2008. The bill does not include Senate items.
    Comparison with fiscal year 2007 appropriations.--Compared 
with the appropriations enacted for fiscal year 2007, the 
recommendation of $3,103,709,000 in net new budget 
(obligational) authority for fiscal year 2008 is an increase of 
$122,241,000 above fiscal year 2007, including the fiscal year 
2007 supplemental, and $275,711,000 below the amended budget 
request.

                         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 Government 
Accountability Office, the Open World Leadership Center, and 
the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and 
Development.
    Title II--Contains general provisions.

                    LEGISLATIVE BRANCH-WIDE MATTERS

    Long Term Planning.--This year, as part of the regular 
budget hearing cycle, the Committee held extensive additional 
hearings focusing on long term planning. These hearings 
examined such issues as deferred maintenance within the Capitol 
complex; printing technology for the 21st century; and the 
digital revolution and what it means to the Library of Congress 
and libraries throughout the nation and the world. In addition, 
the Committee held monthly oversight hearings on the 
construction of the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) project. In 
particular, the CVC hearings enabled the Committee to focus on 
problems, construction timelines, and the progress for bringing 
the CVC project through to fruition.
    The Committee believes that these hearings jump started a 
process, in which agencies will look beyond one fiscal year to 
the next as they address their respective agency missions. The 
Committee realizes that all the agencies of the Legislative 
Branch have some kind of long term strategic plan. However, in 
light of the recent hearings, issues and ideas may have 
surfaced that require reexamination of those plans. The 
Committee directs all agencies to reexamine their current 
strategic plans and determine if additions, deletions and/or 
adjustments are required.
    During this reexamination, agencies need to take into 
consideration the ever increasing strain on the Federal budget 
and the difficulty of supporting budget increases greater than 
the rate of inflation. In this regard, future budget requests 
need to reflect adjustments resulting from the reexamination of 
strategic plans that will address the highest priority 
initiatives and, as appropriate for increased cost 
effectiveness, utilize new technology and management 
initiatives to enhance accountability, fiscal responsibility 
and physical security.
    The Committee expects all agencies to understand that 
looking to the future is a top priority to the Committee. 
Continued budget requests that jump from one place to another, 
each and every year, and do not reflect a planned, fiscally 
responsible and systematically defendable approach will be 
unacceptable.
    Personal Services Contracts.--The Committee is increasingly 
concerned with the personal services contracts awarded annually 
by the agencies of the Legislative Branch. The Committee 
directs that within 60 days of enactment of this Act all 
agencies (exclusive of the House and Senate) will provide to 
the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate a 
report on all personal services contracts awarded during fiscal 
year 2006. This report should include the contractor name, 
contract purpose, contract period, was the contract openly 
competed, if not why not, and the total cost of the contract. 
The Committee further directs that beginning with the fiscal 
year 2009 budget justifications, all the agencies (exclusive of 
the House and Senate) will include as part of their annual 
budget justifications a report on all personal service 
contracts awarded for the previously completed fiscal year 
reflecting the same information required for contracts awarded 
during fiscal year 2006.
    Women and Minority Owned Businesses.--It has come to the 
Committee's attention that some agencies of the Legislative 
Branch have no formal policy for contracting with women and 
minority owned businesses. The Committee believes that many 
opportunities exist for these businesses to be awarded 
contracts to perform services required from all agencies within 
the Legislative Branch. The Committee directs that all 
agencies, who have not done so, adopt within 60 days a formal 
written policy, in accordance with all applicable Federal laws, 
that provides for the consideration of contracting with this 
very important group of service providers. All agencies shall 
provide a copy of the policies to the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House and Senate within 60 days of 
enactment of this Act. The Committee further directs that all 
agencies provide an annual report on their compliance with this 
policy.
    Budget Justifications.--The Committee reminds all agencies 
of the Legislative Branch that the annual budget justifications 
are prepared for the benefit of the Committee and the Committee 
Members. These justifications are not prepared for the benefit 
of the agency or its staff. It is imperative that 
justifications are accurate, concise, and understandable and 
provide information necessary for the appropriate consideration 
of the budget submission. Agencies are not to make significant 
changes to their justification books without consultation with 
the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate.
    Legislative Language.--The Committee wants to remind all 
Legislative Branch agencies that language items to be included 
in the annual appropriations bill 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.
    Mass Transit Benefits.--The Committee has included funding 
for the Federal Mass Transit Benefit Program for the agencies 
of the Legislative Branch. The Committee allowance provides a 
$110 per month allowance to the employees who participate in 
the program. The Committee encourages the agencies of the 
Legislative Branch to support employee participation in this 
very important program.

               TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS


                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    The Committee bill recommends a total of $1,198,560,000 for 
the operations of the House of Representatives during fiscal 
year 2008. The allowance is $54,074,000 above the current 
level, including the fiscal year 2007 supplemental, and is 
$36,482,000 below the request.
    The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:

        Item                                                      Amount
Salaries and expenses:
    House leadership offices............................     $23,648,000
    Members' representational allowances................     581,000,000
    Committee salaries and expenses.....................     162,800,000
    Salaries, officers and employees....................     169,393,000
    Allowances and expenses.............................     261,719,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total, Salaries and Expenses......................  $1,198,560,000
                    ========================================================
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total, House of Representatives...................  $1,198,560,000

      Payment to Widows and Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress

2007 appropriation......................................    \1\ $330,000
2008 budget request.....................................           - - -
Committee recommendation................................           - - -

\1\ Amount included in P.L. 110-28.

    There are no payments recommended in this bill.

                         Salaries and Expenses

2007 appropriation....................................\1\ $1,144,486,000
2008 budget estimate....................................   1,235,042,000
Committee recommendation................................   1,198,560,000

\1\ Includes $6,767,000 provided in P.L. 110-28.

    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 child care center. 
The amount provided is $1,198,560,000.

                        House Leadership Offices

2007 appropriation......................................     $22,822,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      23,648,000
Committee recommendation................................      23,648,000

    The Committee recommends a total of $23,648,000 for the 
operations of the leadership offices during fiscal year 2008. 
This is an increase of $826,000 above the current level and is 
the same as the budget request.
    The allocation by office follows:

House Leadership Offices

        Item                                                      Amount
Office of the Speaker...................................      $4,761,000
Office of the Majority Floor Leader.....................       2,188,000
Office of the Minority Floor Leader.....................       4,090,000
Office of the Majority Whip.............................       1,894,000
Office of the Minority Whip.............................       1,420,000
Speaker's Office for Legislative Floor Activities.......         499,000
Republican Steering Committee...........................         943,000
Republican Conference...................................       1,631,000
Republican Policy Committee.............................         325,000
Democratic Steering and Policy Committee................       1,295,000
Democratic Caucus.......................................       1,604,000
Nine Minority Employees.................................       1,498,000
Training and Program Development:
    Majority............................................         290,000
    Minority............................................         290,000
Cloakroom Personnel:
    Majority............................................         460,000
    Minority............................................         460,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total.............................................     $23,648,000

                  Members' Representational Allowances

2007 appropriation......................................    $554,716,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     610,616,000
Committee recommendation................................     581,000,000

    A total of $581,000,000 is recommended for the 
representational allowances of the Members of the House, the 
so-called MRA account. The Committee bill provides $391,768,300 
for clerk hire salaries, $153,035,400 for official expenses, 
and $36,196,300 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. The level provided in the 
Committee recommendation reflects a 97 percent funding of the 
current authorization which is $597,000,000.

                          Committee Employees

2007 appropriation......................................    $150,272,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     156,775,000
Committee recommendation................................     162,800,000

    Standing Committees, special and select.--For the salaries 
and expenses of committees funded in the biennial funding 
resolution, $133,000,000 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), $29,800,000 is 
provided.
    The amount above the fiscal year 2008 budget request 
reflects a base adjustment provided in the fiscal year 2007 
Continuing Resolution that was not incorporated into the fiscal 
year 2008 budget request.
    Details of the funding resolution, H. Res. 202 (House 
Report 110-29) approved by the House for the 110th Congress, 
follow:

                                COMMITTEE FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS, 110TH CONGRESS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         Committee                             1st session       2nd session          Total
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agriculture...............................................        $5,910,765        $6,084,541       $11,995,306
Armed Services............................................         7,203,581         7,415,366        14,618,946
Budget....................................................         6,169,343         6,350,721        12,520,064
Education and Labor.......................................         7,989,475         8,224,365        16,213,840
Energy and Commerce.......................................        10,375,603        10,680,646        21,056,249
Financial Services........................................         7,977,303         8,211,835        16,189,138
Foreign Affairs...........................................         8,569,776         8,821,728        17,391,504
Homeland Security.........................................         8,105,057         8,343,346        16,448,403
House Administration......................................         5,033,242         5,181,219        10,214,461
Intelligence..............................................         5,157,724         5,309,361        10,467,084
Judiciary.................................................         8,055,250         8,292,074        16,347,324
Natural Resources.........................................         7,533,355         7,754,836        15,288,192
Oversight and Government Reform...........................        10,644,994        10,957,956        21,602,950
Rules.....................................................         3,376,815         3,476,093         6,852,908
Science and Technology....................................         6,387,984         6,575,791        12,963,775
Small Business............................................         2,939,758         3,026,187         5,965,945
Standards of Official Conduct.............................         2,460,915         2,533,266         4,994,181
Transportation and Infrastructure.........................         9,491,374         9,770,421        19,261,795
Veterans' Affairs.........................................         3,486,916         3,589,431         7,076,347
Ways and Means............................................         9,382,384         9,658,226        19,040,609
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
      Total...............................................      $136,251,614      $140,257,409      $276,509,021
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Since the funding resolution is done on a biennial basis, 
the resolution for the 110th Congress will expire on December 
31, 2008. This funding will support the first session of the 
110th Congress and is provided through December 31, 2008.

                    Salaries, Officers and Employees

2007 appropriation......................................    $156,147,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     174,382,000
Committee recommendation................................     169,393,000

    The Committee recommendation for the salaries and expenses 
of House officers and employees of the various activities 
funded through this consolidated item is $169,393,000. This 
amount is $4,989,000 below the budget request and is 
$13,246,000 above the enacted level.
    Culinary School Students.--The Committee believes that 
opportunities exist for culinary school students nationwide to 
enhance their skills by giving them the opportunity, as part of 
their regular curriculum, to define the menu and assist with 
the preparation of the selections offered in the Member's 
Dining Room. In that regard, the Committee requests that the 
Chief Administrative Officer contact culinary schools and 
explore the possibility for culinary school students to enhance 
their skills and make appropriate arrangements for the students 
to participate, on a rotational basis among the participants, 
in an ``on the job training'' or similar program.
    Disability Access.--The Committee is very concerned with 
disability access throughout the entire Capitol complex. 
Therefore, the Committee directs the Chief Administrative 
Officer of the House, with the assistance of the Architect of 
the Capitol, the Government Accountability Office and the 
Office of Compliance where necessary, to do a comprehensive 
assessment of the Capitol complex regarding disability access, 
including the House Chamber, both cloak rooms, and all 
committee rooms. This assessment should take into consideration 
the Office of Compliance's November 2005 Report on Americans 
with Disabilities Act Inspections Relating to Public Services 
and Accommodations conducted in the Legislative Branch during 
the 108th Congress. The Committee expects that this assessment 
with recommendations, a corrective action plan, and potential 
cost will be completed by June 30, 2008.
    Alternative Pay Dates.--The Committee has received requests 
to include legislative language to authorize the Chief 
Administrative Officer to establish alternative days for paying 
salaries of House employees. This legislation was intended to 
promote efficiency and conformity with generally accepted 
standards of accounting and auditing payroll activities.
    The Committee is sympathetic to the challenges involved 
with modernizing the House payroll system. However, the 
Committee is not prepared to make any changes until the CAO has 
had an opportunity to address the problems associated with the 
present payroll system. In addition, the Committee would like 
to be assured that any future change in the payroll processing 
system will be undertaken in accordance with a detailed 
conversion plan.
    Therefore, the Committee requests the CAO report by 
December 31, 2007 on the progress in eliminating problems 
associated with the present payroll system, and the benefits 
and costs associated with converting to a system utilizing 
alternative pay dates. The Committee encourages the CAO to 
consider the advantages associated with utilizing the expertise 
of government payroll service providers, including the U.S. 
Department of Agriculture's National Finance Center.
    Improved Access to Roll Call Information.--The Committee 
believes the public could benefit from more easily accessible 
roll call information. To that end, the Committee requests that 
the Chief Administrative Officer work with the Clerk of the 
House and the Library of Congress to study how, within the 
public House of Representatives website and the THOMAS website, 
a joint system might be developed to allow roll call searches 
by specific word, and report back to the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House by December 1, 2007.
    Availability of Fair Trade Certified Coffee.--Currently, 
fair trade certified coffee is only available at two House food 
service locations. The Committee requests that the Chief 
Administrative Officer of the House work with the House food 
service contractor to determine what the requirements would be 
for expanding the availability of fair trade certified coffee 
and report back to the Committee by October 31, 2007.
    Expanded Hours for the House Fitness Center.--The Committee 
believes that the physical and mental health of House staff is 
important. Therefore, the Committee urges the Chief 
Administrative Officer of the House to explore the 
possibilities of extending the closing time of the House Staff 
Fitness Center to provide better access to House staff, and 
report back to the Committee by October 31, 2007.
    Remote Access Alternatives.--Since September 11th, 
considerable efforts have been made to allow Members, 
committees, and staff to operate from remote locations in the 
event of an extensive disruption at the Capitol complex. The 
Committee believes these efforts have been beneficial and is 
interested in whether any additional remote access alternatives 
might be useful. Therefore, the Committee requests that the 
Chief Administrative Officer of the House study the feasibility 
and cost effectiveness of additional remote access 
alternatives, and report back to the Committee by January 31, 
2008.
    House Child Care Center Evacuation Plan.--In the event of 
an emergency, the evacuation of the House Child Care Center is 
a priority. Therefore, the Committee urges the Chief 
Administrative Officer of the House to ensure that at all times 
a sufficient number of bus drivers are available to evacuate 
the House Child Care Center.
    Emergency Alert System.--The Committee is concerned about 
the level of information that is currently available to 
Members, staff, and visitors to the Capitol complex in the 
event of an emergency. Therefore, the Committee requests that 
the House Sergeant at Arms study the utility of developing an 
automated emergency alert system that would provide customized, 
real-time information during emergencies and building 
evacuations, and report back to the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives by January 31, 2008.
    Green the Capitol.--The Committee believes it is important 
to offset greenhouse gases generated by the House. In that 
regard, the Committee requests the Chief Administrative Officer 
purchase Carbon Financial Instruments to offset carbon produced 
by all House operations. These offsets should be fully 
transparent, verified, American, project-based offset credits.
    The following table summarizes the funding allocation 
provided to each component of the account.

Salaries, Officers and Employees

        Item                                                      Amount
Office of the Clerk.....................................     $22,881,000
Office of the Sergeant at Arms..........................       7,024,000
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer..............     116,891,000
Office of the Inspector General.........................       4,457,000
Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness and 
    Operations..........................................       3,111,000
Office of General Counsel...............................       1,202,000
Office of the Chaplain..................................         166,000
Office of the Parliamentarian...........................       1,828,000
Parliamentarian.........................................     (1,455,000)
Compilation of Precedents...............................       (373,000)
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House.........       3,046,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House..........       7,406,000
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs....................         752,000
Other authorized employees..............................         170,000
Office of the Historian.................................         459,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total...............................................    $169,393,000

                        Allowances and Expenses

2007 appropriation......................................\1\ $260,199,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     269,621,000
Committee recommendation................................     261,719,000

\1\ Includes $6,437,000, provided in P.L. 110-28.

    A total of $261,719,000 is recommended for fiscal year 2008 
for allowances and expenses. This amount is $7,902,000 below 
the request and is $1,520,000 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; miscellaneous items; Capitol Visitor Center; and 
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. Over 90% 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

Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal tort ommended 2008
    claims
                                                              $3,688,000
Official mail (committees, administrative, and 
    leadership offices).................................         410,000
Government contributions................................     237,410,000
Capitol Visitor Center..................................       2,308,000
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery...............      17,200,000
Miscellaneous items:
    House automobiles...................................         143,000
    Gratuities to beneficiaries of deceased staff.......         520,000
    Interparliamentary receptions.......................          40,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Subtotal, miscellaneous items.......................        $703,000
                    ========================================================
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total, allowances and expenses......................    $261,719,000

                           Child Care Center

    The bill provides authority for the House child 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 child care center operations.

                       Administrative Provisions

    Section 101 provides for unspent amounts remaining in 
Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for 
deficit reduction. Section 102 is a technical correction that 
allows the CAO to contract with a public entity for the 
operation of the House Fitness Facility. Section 103 provides 
for receipts to be credited to the account of the Chief 
Administrative Officer. Section 104 provides for receipts to be 
credited to the House Services Revolving Fund. Section 105 
adjusts the salary of the former Speaker's staff.

                              JOINT ITEMS

    The Committee recommends appropriations totaling 
$21,112,000 for fiscal year 2008 for the various joint 
committees and activities carried under this heading. The 
recommendation is $3,043,000 below the current fiscal year and 
is $6,428,000 below the amended budget request.
    The following summarizes the recommendations:

Joint Items

        Item                                                      Amount
Joint Economic Committee................................      $4,398,000
Joint Committee on Taxation.............................       9,416,000
Office of the Attending Physician.......................       2,820,000
Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office.......       4,448,000
Statements of Appropriations............................          30,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total...............................................     $21,112,000

                        JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE

2007 appropriation......................................      $4,308,000
2008 budget estimate....................................       4,398,000
Committee recommendation................................       4,398,000

    The Committee has provided $4,398,000 for the Joint 
Economic Committee. This amount reflects an increase of $90,000 
above the enacted level and is the same as the budget request.

                      JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION

2007 appropriation......................................      $8,773,000
2008 budget estimate....................................       9,416,000
Committee recommendation................................       9,416,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,416,000 for 
the Joint Committee on Taxation. This amount reflects an 
increase of $643,000 above the enacted level and is the same as 
the budget request.

                   OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN

2007 appropriation......................................      $2,520,000
2008 budget estimate....................................       2,820,000
Committee recommendation................................       2,820,000

    The Committee has approved $2,820,000 for medical supplies, 
equipment, expenses, and allowances of Navy personnel detailed 
to the Office of the Attending Physician. This amount reflects 
an increase of $300,000 above the enacted level and is the same 
as the request.

           CAPITOL GUIDE SERVICE AND SPECIAL SERVICES OFFICE

2007 appropriation......................................      $8,524,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      10,876,000
Committee recommendation................................       4,448,000

    The Committee bill provides $4,448,000 for the operation of 
the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office during 
the next fiscal year. This amount reflects a decrease of 
$4,076,000 below the enacted level and is $6,428,000 below the 
amended budget request.

                      STATEMENTS OF APPROPRIATIONS

2007 appropriation......................................         $30,000
2008 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 110th Congress. The House and Senate 
Committees on Appropriations compile this publication jointly.

                             CAPITOL POLICE

2007 appropriation......................................\1\ $265,635,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     299,070,000
Committee recommendation................................     286,000,000

\1\ Includes $10,000,000 provided in P.L. 110-28.

    The recommendations in the bill provide a total of 
$286,000,000 for the Salaries and Expenses of the Capitol 
Police during fiscal year 2008. This amount reflects 
$224,500,000 for salaries and $61,500,000 for general expenses.
    Financial Management.--The Committee has patiently waited 
for the Capitol Police to successfully accomplish the financial 
management improvements it has promised this Committee. 
Beginning in fiscal year 2001 and annually thereafter, this 
Committee has expressed its concern about the Capitol Police's 
continual, pervasive financial management problems and 
disappointment with the Capitol Police over its lack of 
progress. In fiscal year 2001, the Capitol Police was 
statutorily required to establish a Chief Administrative 
Officer who would have the overall responsibility to improve 
administrative operations at the Capitol Police, including 
improving long-standing problems in financial management. The 
Capitol Police have been unsuccessful in stabilizing financial 
management, let alone achieving one of the most basic 
indicators of a successful financial management operation--
auditable financial statements. The Capitol Police must take 
immediate action to address these issues.
    The Committee acknowledges the commitment from the new 
Chief and Assistant Chief of the Capitol Police to make 
financial management a priority of the new administration. 
However, the Committee is still deeply concerned over the 
Capitol Police's lack of progress in developing fully 
functional financial management operations capable of obtaining 
audit opinions on a full set of financial statements. The 
Committee directs the Capitol Police Chief Administrative 
Officer (CPCAO) to implement immediately the corrective actions 
needed to resolve the financial management weaknesses 
identified by the GAO. The Committee further directs that the 
CPCAO prepare a report, within 60 days of enactment of the FY 
2008 appropriations bill, to the Chief of the Capitol Police 
and the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate on 
the status of corrective actions planned including due dates, 
leading up to obtaining a clean opinion on a full set of 
financial statements not later than two years from the close of 
fiscal year 2007.
    The Committee expects the Capitol Police Board, the Chief 
of the Capitol Police and the CPCAO to devote all the necessary 
resources required to achieve this objective and the Committee 
will not accept nor entertain any further delay or excuses for 
the poor management of financial operations.
    Capitol Police/Library of Congress Police Merger.--It has 
come to the attention of the Committee that there is a 
disparity in the number of Capitol Police Officers assigned to 
the Library of Congress. The Committee directs the Chief of 
Police and the Librarian of Congress to work together to 
rectify the disparity in the number of Capitol Police officers 
assigned to the Library of Congress to the mutual satisfaction 
of both agencies. The Committee further directs that the two 
agencies will report to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
House and Senate no later than October 31, 2007, on the action 
taken to bring this issue to closure. Further, the Committee 
directs that any further action taken on the merger of the 
Capitol and Library Police forces should in no way negatively 
impact the retirement benefits of any officer.
    Radiological, Nuclear and Biological Detection.--The 
Committee directs the Capitol Police to enter into discussions 
with the Metropolitan District of Columbia Police and the 
Virginia and Maryland State Police to develop a Capitol Region 
radiological, nuclear and biological network. This capability 
will enhance regional homeland security and the Capitol Police 
should be prepared to discuss this issue at next's year budget 
hearings.
    Electronic Mapping of the Capitol Complex.--The Committee 
directs the Capitol Police to explore the utility of electronic 
mapping of the Capitol Complex. In an emergency, quick access 
to the information provided by electronic mapping may help 
first responders save lives and mitigate damage. The Capitol 
Police should be prepared to discuss this issue at next year's 
budget hearings.

                                Salaries

2007 appropriation......................................    $217,135,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     237,074,000
Committee recommendation................................     224,500,000

    The Committee bill provides $224,500,000 for the salaries 
and benefits authorized for police services throughout the 
Capitol Police jurisdiction during fiscal year 2008. This is an 
increase of $7,365,000 over the enacted level and is 
$12,574,000 less than the request.
    This level of funding will support the current staffing 
level of 1671 sworn, plus an additional 10 FTEs for the Library 
of Congress, for a total of 1681 sworn FTEs. Funding is also 
included to support 439 civilian FTEs. The Committee 
recommendation supports 25 of the 30 additional civilian FTEs 
requested. The following FTEs were not provided for: Records 
Manager for the Chief Administrative Office; one Auditor for 
the Office of the Inspector General; Administrative Officer for 
the Security Services Bureau; Administrative Officer for the 
Office of Information Systems; and the Administrative Assistant 
for the Operational Services Bureau.

                            General Expenses

2007 appropriation...................................... \1\ $48,500,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      61,996,000
Committee recommendation................................      61,500,000

\1\ Includes $10,000,000 provided in P.L. 110-28.

    The amount of $61,500,000 is recommended for all general 
expenses of the Capitol Police for fiscal year 2008. This is an 
increase of $13,000,000 above the enacted level, including the 
amount provided in the fiscal year 2007 supplemental, and is 
$496,000 less than the request. The Committee recommendation 
includes $5,000,000 for the radio modernization program. The 
Committee directs that all funds for this program are withheld 
from obligation until approval of an obligation plan is 
approved by the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 
the Senate.
    The Committee is concerned with the excessive growth above 
inflation in the administration accounts and directs a general 
reduction of $925,000. The Chief of Police is to report to the 
Committee by July 15, 2007 on the recommended allocation of 
this reduction. In addition, the Committee has made a reduction 
of $4,571,000 to General Expenses with the intent that 
$3,388,000 of this reduction can be funded with anticipated 
fiscal year 2007 salary savings and current available 
unobligated balances.
    The Committee has provided the Department with operational 
flexibility to manage the ``General Expenses'' account at a 
program and project level. However, it has come to the 
Committees attention that the internal financial tracking of 
the obligations and expenditures for this account may 
circumvent Congressional intent and Committee reprogramming 
guidelines. Therefore, the Committee directs the Chief of the 
Capitol Police to report to the Committee on Appropriations of 
the House and Senate no later than August 1, 2007 on corrective 
action to assure that the financial management system will 
track obligations and expenditures in accordance with 
Congressional intent and Committee reprogramming guidelines.

                       Administrative Provisions

    Section 1001 authorizes transfers between the various 
accounts of the Capitol Police. Section 1002 increases the 
authorization for tuition reimbursement. Section 1003 provides 
advance payment authority for subscription services. In regard 
to any advance payment for subscription services, a discount 
offered to the Capitol Police must exceed the cost of the funds 
per the rate published by the United States Treasury (I TFM 6-
8040.40).

                          OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE


                         Salaries and Expenses

2007 appropriation......................................      $3,103,000
2008 budget estimate....................................       4,106,000
Committee recommendation................................       3,806,000

    The bill provides $3,806,000 for the Office of Compliance. 
This amount is $703,000 above the current level and is $300,000 
below the budget request. This amount provides for 21 FTEs.
    Electronic Mail Accessibility.--As part of their outreach 
program, the Office of Compliance periodically produces 
information for employees of the Legislative Branch covered by 
the Congressional Accountability Act. This information is 
mailed to employees and it has been noted that not all 
employees are receiving the material. The Committee believes 
that electronic mail would be a more cost effective and 
environmentally friendly method of transmitting this vital 
information, in keeping with the Speaker's ``Greening the 
Capitol'' initiative. Therefore, the Committee directs the 
Office of Compliance to work with the appropriate oversight 
committees of the House and Senate to achieve workplace 
electronic mail accessibility.

                       Administrative Provisions

    Section 1101 authorizes lump-sum payments to reward 
exceptional performance. Section 1102 authorizes an employee 
training and development program. Section 1103 requires 
legislative agencies to provide reimbursement to the Treasury, 
from existing funding, for payment of an award or settlement 
under the Congressional Accountability Act. The Committee 
believes that this provision will enhance accountability, 
encourage issues to be solved at a lower level, encourage work 
place fairness, and require periodic training of managers 
regarding their responsibility under the Congressional 
Accountability Act.

                      CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE


                         Salaries and Expenses

2007 appropriation......................................     $35,204,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      37,972,000
Committee recommendation................................      37,805,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $37,805,000 
for the Congressional Budget Office. This is $2,601,000 above 
the current year and is $167,000 below the budget request. This 
amount provides for 1 additional FTE and associated costs to 
assist Congress in identifying and analyzing potential ways of 
controlling future health care spending.

                        ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

2007 appropriation......................................\1\ $382,715,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     394,461,000
Committee recommendation................................     348,380,000

\1\ Includes $50,000,000 provided in P.L. 110-28.

    The Committee recommends a total of $348,380,000 for fiscal 
year 2008 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 
$34,335,000 below the enacted level, including the $50,000,000 
provided in the fiscal year 2007 supplemental, and is 
$46,081,000 below the request.
    A summary of the appropriations recommended follows:

Architect of the Capitol (Excluding Senate)

        Item                                                      Amount
Architect of the Capitol:
    General Administration..............................     $81,733,000
    Capitol building....................................      24,567,000
    Capitol grounds.....................................       9,310,000
    House office buildings..............................      66,151,000
Capitol Power Plant.....................................      83,017,000
Library buildings and grounds...........................      31,638,000
Capitol Police buildings and grounds;...................      16,109,000
Botanic Garden..........................................       8,310,000
Capitol Visitor Center..................................      27,545,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
        Total...........................................    $348,380,000

    Capitol Building and Grounds Construction.--The Committee 
recognizes the significant role of slave labor in the 
construction of the Capitol Building and Capitol Grounds. 
During the 109th Congress a task force was formed to plan a 
commemoration of the contribution of slave laborers to 
construction of the Capitol. The Committee supports the 
activities of the task force and directs the Architect of the 
Capitol to provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the 
House and Senate a complete implementation plan, including 
information on the estimated cost, within 90 days of receipt of 
the task force's final report.
    Statutory Inspector General.--Because of longstanding and 
continuing lapses in management practices in the Office of the 
Architect of the Capitol, the Committee must take action to 
address this situation.
    The Committee has reached the limit with the ongoing 
difficulties in the Architect's office such as the delays and 
escalating costs of the Capitol Visitor Center; costs overruns 
and time delays on almost every other project, as well as the 
complete management breakdown, failure of appropriate oversight 
responsibilities, and total disregard for the human element 
surrounding the Capitol Power Plant utility tunnels. Therefore, 
the Committee has included in the bill the establishment of a 
statutory Inspector General (IG) to audit and report semi-
annually on management, operational issues and other issues as 
outlined in an annual audit plan. The Committee directs the IG 
to ensure that the AOC is utilizing appropriate management 
practices and budgetary and accounting standards within the 
limitations of all laws applicable to the operations of the 
Office of the Architect. The Committee recommendation provides 
authority for the IG to establish a staff, but for purposes of 
establishing an immediate functionally operative office the 
Committee recommendation includes 7 FTEs and funding for the 
IG; a Deputy IG, utilizing existing authority for a senior 
level position; 2 GS-15 Auditors, 2 GS-15 Investigators, a GS-
13 Management Analyst, a GS-7 Administrative Secretary, and the 
current GS-15 position. This action is not intended to displace 
the sole GS-15 non-statutory position that is currently 
assigned similar duties, but rather to increase the ability of 
the IG function to provide badly needed oversight and review of 
current operations.
    The Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol to enter 
into a contract with an executive employment search 
organization to perform a nationwide recruitment of the 
Inspector General. The Committee further directs the formation 
of a panel comprised of the Inspectors General of the House of 
Representatives, the Library of Congress, and a representative 
selected by the Senate, to review the applications, interview 
the top applicants, and forward a recommendation, including not 
less than three applicants to the Architect of the Capitol for 
final selection after consultation with the House Committee on 
Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and 
Administration. The final selection will take place not less 
than 180 days after the enactment of this Act. The Committee 
further directs that the cost of this office will be absorbed 
within current funding levels.

                         General Administration

2007 appropriation......................................     $77,128,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      87,714,000
Committee recommendation................................      81,733,000

    The Committee recommends an appropriation of $81,733,000, 
for fiscal year 2008. This amount is $4,605,000 above the 
amount provided in fiscal year 2007 and is $5,981,000 below the 
budget request. This account provides funds for personal 
services, equipment, communications, and other central support 
activities of the Architect of the Capitol.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                         GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
                     (Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Amount         Committee
                  Item                       requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.......................     $49,041,000     $47,108,000
Operations..............................      36,711,000      32,861,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget..........     $85,752,000     $79,969,000
                                         ===============================

     Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

USPSs, Spare Hardware, and Software for          $84,000         $84,000
 AOC BASNet.............................
Recertification of Lightning Protection          130,000         130,000
 Systems................................
Conversion to Electronic OPFs (Backfile          198,000  ..............
 Conversion)............................
Switchgear, Generator, and ATS                   550,000         550,000
 Maintenance............................
Energy Survey of Congressional Buildings         400,000         400,000
 (Study)................................
Arc Flash Labeling of Electrical                 600,000         600,000
 Distribution Equipment.................
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget............      $1,962,000      $1,764,000
                                         ===============================
        Total, General Administration...     $87,714,000     $81,733,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Capitol Building

2007 appropriation......................................     $23,886,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      29,480,000
Committee recommendation................................      24,567,000

    A total of $24,567,000 is recommended for the operation and 
maintenance of the Capitol building during fiscal year 2008. 
This amount is $681,000 above the amount provided in fiscal 
year 2007 and is $4,913,000 below the budget request.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                            CAPITOL BUILDING
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Amount         Committee
                  Item                       requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.......................     $12,632,000     $12,632,000
Operations..............................       2,480,000       2,472,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget..........     $15,112,000     $15,104,000
                                         ===============================

     Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

Minton Tile Replacement.................        $650,000        $225,000
Computer, Telecom, & Electrical Support.         298,000         298,000
Legislative Call System Upgrade, Phase           150,000         150,000
 II.....................................
Elevator Modernization H-9..............         240,000  ..............
Elevator Modernization S-4..............         240,000  ..............
Conservation of Wall Paintings..........         500,000  ..............
Inaugural Support, 2009.................       3,600,000       3,600,000
Emergency Exit Signs & Lighting, Phase         1,000,000       1,000,000
 III....................................
West Grand Stair Enclosure..............       1,190,000       1,190,000
Chilled Water & Steam Mains Replacement          200,000  ..............
 (Design)...............................
Electrical Power Distribution System           2,400,000  ..............
 Replacement (Study)....................
Storm, Sanitary Riser & Vent Piping              300,000  ..............
 Replacement (Study)....................
Minor Construction......................       3,600,000       3,000,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget............     $14,368,000      $9,463,000
                                         ===============================
        Total, Capitol Building.........     $29,480,000     $24,567,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Capitol Grounds

2007 appropriation......................................      $7,577,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      10,225,000
Committee recommendation................................       9,310,000

    The appropriation of $9,310,000 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 an increase of $1,733,000 above the fiscal year 
2007 level and is $915,000 below the request.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                             CAPITOL GROUNDS
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Amount         Committee
                  Item                       requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.......................      $5,814,000      $5,803,000
Operations..............................       3,196,000       2,427,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget..........      $9,010,000      $8,230,000
                                         ===============================

     Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

60 Ton Snow Melting Unit Purchase.......        $310,000  ..............
Perimeter Fence Replacement, Parking              40,000         $40,000
 Lots...................................
Stabilization and Life Safety Projects,          540,000         540,000
 Summer House...........................
Summer House Comprehensive Restoration           325,000  ..............
 (Design)...............................
Greening of the Capitol Initiative......  ..............         500,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget............      $1,215,000      $1,080,000
                                         ===============================
        Total, Capitol Grounds..........     $10,225,000      $9,310,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         House Office Buildings

2007 appropriation......................................     $59,896,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      50,621,000
Committee recommendation................................      66,151,000

    For House office buildings $66,151,000 has been provided. 
This amount is an increase of $6,255,000 above fiscal year 2007 
and is $15,530,000 above the budget request.
    House Member Office Plaque.--Each of the Member offices in 
the House Office Buildings has a place in history that deserves 
recognition. To that end, the Architect of the Capitol is 
directed to review options for preparing, at the request of a 
Member, a suitable plaque for installation in the Member's 
office. the plaque is to delineate the history of previous 
Members who have occupied the office. The AOC is to report back 
to the Committee on these options not later than 30 days after 
enactment of the accompanying bill.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                         HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Amount         Committee
                  Item                       requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.......................     $35,214,000     $34,711,000
Operations..............................       5,707,000       5,640,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget..........     $40,921,000     $40,351,000
                                         ===============================

     Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

Legislative Call System Replacement.....        $400,000        $400,000
Emergency Lighting Upgrade, RHOB (Phase        4,390,000       4,390,000
 2).....................................
FDA Building............................  ..............      16,000,000
Minor Construction......................       4,910,000       4,910,000
Greening of the Capitol Initiative......  ..............         100,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget............      $9,700,000     $25,800,000
                                         ===============================
        Total, House Office Buildings...     $50,621,000     $66,151,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Capitol Power Plant

2007 appropriation......................................\1\ $123,313,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     111,226,000
Committee recommendation net............................      83,017,000
Offsetting collections..................................       8,000,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total available.....................................     $91,017,000

\1\ Includes $50,000,000 provided in P.L. 110-28.

    The Committee recommends the appropriation of $83,017,000 
for the Capitol power plant for fiscal year 2008, plus 
offsetting collections of $8,000,000. This is a decrease of 
$40,296,000 below the enacted level, including the $50,000,000 
provided in the fiscal year 2007 supplemental, and is 
$28,209,000 below the budget request.
    The Committee has not included the requested $24,770,000 
for Steam Tunnel repairs. The Committee provided $50,000,000 in 
the supplemental to address this very important life safety 
issue. The total amount provided to date is $77,600,000 for 
this initiative.
    The Committee directs the Government Accountability Office, 
in consultation with the Department of Energy and within 90 
days after enactment of the accompanying bill, to submit to the 
Committees on Appropriations a report detailing the expected 
percentage increase in natural gas usage and costs of such 
usage at the Capitol Power Plant resulting from the Greening of 
the Capitol Initiative, as well as the forecasted impact on 
natural gas prices paid by American consumers should the 
percentage of natural gas used within the United States for 
heating and cooling be increased by the same rate as that of 
the Capitol Power Plant.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

                           CAPITOL POWER PLANT
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Amount         Committee
                 Item                      requested      recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.....................       $8,997,000       $8,997,000
Utilities.............................       72,471,000       72,639,000
Operations............................        5,152,000        4,361,000
Reimbursement.........................      (8,000,000)      (8,000,000)
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget........      $78,620,000      $77,997,000
                                       =================================

    Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

Spare Gearbox and Hub & Blade Assembly          $75,000          $75,000
 for the West Plant...................
Electrical Breaker Materials..........          190,000  ...............
Main Bulldozer........................          316,000  ...............
Tunnel Repairs........................       24,770,000  ...............
Hazardous Materials Survey (Study)....           75,000           75,000
Dearator Replacement (Design).........           80,000  ...............
Waste Characterization (Study)........          100,000  ...............
Back-Up Blow-Down System Installation           110,000  ...............
 & Blowdown Heat Recovery (Design)....
East Refrigeration Plant Chillers               150,000          150,000
 Relocation (Design)..................
Steam and Chilled Water Piping                  200,000  ...............
 Condition Assessment (Study).........
Wickes Boilers Useful Life (Study)....          200,000  ...............
OSHA Analysis of Plant Buildings                220,000          220,000
 (Study)..............................
Structural Fireproofing and Integrity           220,000          220 000
 (Study)..............................
Condensate and Water Piping & Valve             400,000  ...............
 Replacement (Design).................
City Water and Fire Loop Connection             500,000  ...............
 (Design).............................
Boiler Plant Low Voltage Electrical           1,000,000  ...............
 Distribution System Replacement
 (Design).............................
Minor Construction....................        4,000,000        1,010,000
Greening of the Capitol Initiative....  ...............        3,270,000
                                       ---------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget..........      $32,606,000       $5,020,000
                                       =================================
      Total, Capitol Power Plant......     $111,226,000      $83,017,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Library Buildings and Grounds

2007 appropriation......................................     $27,692,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      42,788,000
Committee recommendation................................      31,638,000

    For Library buildings and grounds $31,638,000 has been 
provided. This amount is an increase of $3,946,000 above the 
current fiscal year and is $11,150,000 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]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Amount         Committee
                  Item                       requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.......................     $12,289,000     $11,978,000
Operations..............................       8,092,000       8,075,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget..........     $20,381,000     $20,053,000
                                         ===============================

     Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

Sidewalk Replacement, LOC Campus........        $100,000  ..............
Electrical Vault Repairs................         225,000        $225,000
Painting Arches, TJB....................         237,000  ..............
95% Filtration LOC--Phase 1 of 3........         250,000  ..............
Backflow Preventer Installation.........         250,000  ..............
Upgrade Power Data Center, JMMB.........         250,000         250,000
Life Safety Deficiencies Abatement......         390,000         390,000
Transite Panel Abatement, TJB...........         580,000         580,000
Backflow Prevention (Design)............          75,000  ..............
Stained Glass Window Repairs, TJB                200,000  ..............
 (Study)................................
Facility Conditions Assessment, TJB              700,000  ..............
 (Study)................................
Ramp/Handrails Redesign and Garage               800,000  ..............
 Waterproofing, JAB (Design)............
Return Air System Modifications, Ground          830,000  ..............
 Floor Corridors, JAB...................
Egress Improvements, LOC (Design).......       1,000,000       1,000,000
Copyright Deposit Facility (Design).....       2,130,000  ..............
High Voltage Switchgear Replacement,           2,130,000       2,130,000
 JMMB...................................
Secured Storage Facilities, JMMB........       3,750,000  ..............
Smoke Detector Upgrades. JAB............       6,510,000       6,510,000
Minor Construction......................       2,000,000         500,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget............     $22,407,000     $11,585,000
                                         ===============================
        Total, Library Buildings and         $42,788,000     $31,638,000
         Grounds........................
------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security

2007 appropriation......................................     $11,768,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      18,816,000
Committee recommendation................................      16,109,000

    For Capitol Police buildings, grounds, and security 
$16,109,000 has been provided. This amount is a decrease of 
$2,707,000 below the budget request and is $4,341,000 above the 
amount provided in the current fiscal year.
    A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating 
budget and the project budget follows:

             CAPITOL POLICE BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND SECURITY
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Amount         Committee
                  Item                       requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.......................      $1,418,000      $1,192,000
Operations..............................      12,698,000      12,417,000
                                         -------------------------------
      Subtotal, Operating Budget........     $14,116,000     $13,609,000
                                         ===============================

     Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

Chiller Replacement, ACF (Design).......        $300,000  ..............
HVAC Controls Replacement, ACF (Design).         400,000  ..............
Vehicle Barriers, Independence Avenue,         2,000,000      $2,000,000
 USCP...................................
Minor Construction......................       2,000,000         500,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget............      $4,700,000      $2,500,000
                                         ===============================
        Total, Capitol Police Buildings,     $18,816,000     $16,109,000
         Grounds, and Security..........
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             Botanic Garden

2007 appropriation......................................      $7,697,000
2008 budget estimate....................................       9,707,000
Committee recommendation................................       8,310,000

    The amount recommended for the Botanic Garden is 
$8,310,000. This amount is $1,397,000 below the budget request 
and is $613,000 above the current level.
    The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:

                             BOTANIC GARDEN
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Amount        Committee
                   Item                       requested   recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
     Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.........................    $5,513,000     $5,513,000
Operations................................     2,795,000      2,497,000
                                           -----------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget............    $8,308,000     $8,010,000
                                           =============================

      Fiscal Year 2008 Project Budget

Partnership Support.......................      $344,000       $100,000
Administration Building Repairs...........       200,000        200,000
Bartholdi Fountain Basin Repair and Basin        580,000  ..............
 Lightning................................
Outdoor Plantings Design for Bartholdi           275,000  ..............
 Park (Design)............................
                                           =============================
    Subtotal, Project Budget..............    $1,399,000       $300,000
                                           =============================
        Total, Botanic Garden.............    $9,707,000     $8,310,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Capitol Visitor Center

2007 appropriation......................................     $43,758,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      33,884,000
Committee recommendation................................      27,545,000

    The Committee recommends funding in the amount of 
$27,545,000 for the cost to complete, project fit-out, and 
operations. This amount is $6,339,000 below the amount 
requested and is $16,213,000 below the current fiscal year.
    CVC Exhibits.--The Committee applauds the efforts made by 
those charged with the planned exhibits in the Capitol Visitor 
Center to include the historic roles of African American and 
women in Congress, However, the Committee remains concerned 
about the lack of representation of other racial groups in the 
exhibits, including Hispanic Americans and Asian Americans and 
Pacific Islanders, who have made historic contributions to our 
nation's Capitol. The Committee urges that these omissions be 
corrected to truly represent the people of the United States.
    CVC Working Space.--The Committee is dismayed by the 
failure of this project to provide adequate working space for 
Congress. Over $70 million will be spent for expansion space 
for the Congress, yet there is not one room in the CVC or the 
rest of the Capitol Building that is adequate for a meeting of 
Conferees of the Full Committees. The Architect of the Capitol 
is directed to report on the options and costs of reconfiguring 
space in the Capitol Building, including the CVC, to meet those 
needs. This report is to be included in the next CVC obligation 
plan required in this bill under the heading ``Capitol Visitor 
Center''.

                         CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
                     [Request versus recommendation]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Amount         Committee
                  Item                       requested    recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Fiscal Year 2008 Operating Budget

Personal Services.......................      $8,711,000      $5,494,000
Operations..............................       5,013,000       2,051,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Operating Budget..........     $13,724,000      $7,545,000
                                         ===============================

 Fiscal Year 2008 Project Fit-Out Budget

Computer, Telecom & Electrical Upgrades.        $100,000  ..............
Ropes and Stanchions....................          60,000  ..............
Construction............................      20,000,000     $20,000,000
                                         -------------------------------
    Subtotal, Project Budget............     $20,160,000     $20,000,000
                                         ===============================
        Total, Capitol Visitor Center...     $33,884,000     $27,545,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                       Administrative Provisions

    Section 1201 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to 
enter into agreements for the Rosa Parks statue. The committee 
directs the Architect to provide periodic status reports on 
this project. Section 1202 establishes an Office of the 
Inspector General. Section 1203 authorizes a one-year pilot 
program for flexible work schedules. Section 1204 authorizes 
the payment of travel and transportation expenses of new 
appointees. Section 1205 allows the Architect to grant 
easements for rights of way on all property designated Capitol 
Grounds. Section 1206 provides authority for the Architect to 
award design-build construction contracts. Section 1207 
provides for advance payments authority for subscription 
services. In regard to any advance payment for subscription 
services, a discount offered to the Architect of the Capitol 
must exceed the cost of the funds per the rate published by the 
United States Treasury (I TFM 6-8040.40). Section 1208 allows 
for insurance coverage for works of art borrowed for exhibits. 
Section 1209 provides for the maintenance of the Capitol 
Visitor Center. Section 1210 adjusts the approval process for 
leasing authority.

                          LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

    The Committee recommends appropriations totaling 
$572,512,000 for the operations of the Library of Congress for 
fiscal year 2008.
    The Committee has included a new administrative provision 
(Section 1304) that allows for the transfer of funds between 
appropriations with the approval of the Committees on 
Appropriations of the House and Senate. This new provision will 
provide Library management flexibility to address funding 
requirements for such programs as, but not limited to, Library-
wide training, space management, information technology, and 
infrastructure requirements that all appropriations under the 
heading ``LIBRARY OF CONGRESS'' can address as agency 
priorities.
    Student Loan Repayment Program.--The Committee believes 
that in order to meet the work-life expectations of a highly 
talented, motivated, and mobile new generation of workers a 
Student Loan Repayment Program is a benefit aimed at retaining 
skilled employees and a recruitment incentive for difficult-to-
fill positions. Such a program will help the Library compete 
with the private and public sector for top talent. Therefore, 
the Committee directs the Library of Congress to develop an 
agency-wide Student Loan Repayment Program and include a 
proposal in the FY 2009 budget submission.
    Rewards and Recognition.--In fiscal years 2005 and 2006 the 
Library of Congress has paid over $2.7 million and $2.3 million 
respectively, for incentive payments/staff awards/senior level 
bonuses to their employees. These payments have been made 
within the current salary and benefit funding provided to each 
separate appropriation and thus may decrease the ability to 
fund FTEs that the Committee intended to fund and be filled. 
Therefore, the Committee directs that, starting with the next 
budget submission, the budget justification will reflect a 
realignment of funding, and or associated decrease in FTEs, 
from the salary base to a separate line item for incentive 
payments/staff awards/senior level bonuses. Each and every year 
the Committee directs the Library to justify, in detail, the 
amount of funding required for this program and the 
expenditures by organization for the prior fiscal year.
    The following table summarizes the allocation of funds by 
appropriation account:

Library of Congress

        Item                                                      Amount
Fiscal year 2008:
    Salaries and expenses...............................    $394,650,000
    Copyright Office....................................       5,603,000
    Congressional Research Service......................     104,518,000
    Books for the blind and physically handicapped......      67,741,000
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
      Total.............................................    $572,512,000

                         Salaries and Expenses

2007 appropriation......................................    $381,247,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     461,102,000
Committee recommendation................................     394,650,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts).....................     (6,350,000)
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total available.....................................    $401,000,000

    The sum of $394,650,000, plus $6,350,000 in offsetting 
receipts, is recommended for salaries and expenses, which is 
the basic appropriation for the operation of Library programs, 
an increase of $13,403,000 above the current level and a 
decrease of $66,452,000 below the request. The funding provided 
will support 2,835 FTE's, a reduction of 14 FTE's from the 
current level.
    The Committee recommendation fully funds the request for 
the National Audio Visual Conservation Center. In 2007, 
construction will be completed; the entire property transferred 
to the government; staff relocations will continue; and the 
facility will become fully operational. The Committee thanks 
the Packard Humanities Institute for its contribution of this 
state-of-the-art conservation facility.
    The recommendation fully funds the request for the 
``Purchase of Library Materials'' program as reflected in the 
current Library Services Operating Plan. The Committee 
allowance fully funds the Global Legal Information Network 
(GLIN); escape hoods for Library patrons; and the workforce 
transformation project and the Digital Collections and 
Educational Curricula Program.
    In addition, the Committee has provided $6,500,000 for the 
National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation 
Program (NDIIPP). The Committee supports the NDIIPP program 
however, the entire request cannot be provided for this fiscal 
year. The Committee has provided new language that, with 
Committee approval, authorizes the transfer of funding between 
Library accounts that might become available during the fiscal 
year to increase funding for this program.
    The Committee has not included, because of budgetary 
constraints, the $43.9 million requested by the Library to be 
transferred to the Architect of the Capitol, for the 
construction of the Library of Congress Fort Meade Logistics 
Center. This is the first time that the Library has requested 
funding of this nature in the Library's budget rather than the 
Architect of the Capitol's submitting the Library's 
requirements in their budget. The Committee directs that in the 
future, requests under the jurisdiction of the Architect, on 
behalf of the Library, will be included in the Architect's 
budget submission. This is not to be interpreted that the 
Library's request for projects under the Architect's 
jurisdiction are to be submitted without exception. Rather, the 
Library of Congress and the Architect of the Capitol are to 
work, within the AOC guidelines, to ensure that all Library 
requests receive timely information and appropriate 
instructions to meet AOC consideration deadlines. The Committee 
will not consider any further request of this nature as a 
result of the breakdown in the line of communication, the AOC 
process for project consideration, and/or misunderstanding of 
that process between the two organizations.
    Franklin Collection.--The Committee supports the goal of 
bringing the Library's extensive 3,000 text collection of 
American books that were translated into Arabic, Persian, 
Pashtu, and Indonesian online in a digital format. As the first 
step in this endeavor, the Committee strongly encourages the 
Library to select an initial 150 to 300 titles on the basis of 
such criteria as age of reader, cultural importance, and 
importance of writer and translator, and to secure copyright 
permission for the digitization of these books.

                            Copyright Office

2007 appropriation......................................     $58,420,000
2008 budget request.....................................      51,562,000
Committee recommendation................................       5,603,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts).....................    (44,224,000)
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total available.....................................     $49,827,000

    Salaries and expenses.--The Committee recommends an 
appropriation of $5,603,000, plus authority to spend 
$44,224,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office which is 
$1,735,000 below the request and $8,593,000 below the enacted 
level. The Committee recommendation includes $1,000,000 for the 
Records Preservation Project that is funded with offsetting 
collections. The Committee recommendation reflects an increase 
in authority to use $10,000,000 in prior year offsetting 
collections and projected fiscal year 2007 carryover balances. 
In addition, the Committee has provided $972,000 in direct 
appropriations for the salary and benefit costs of employees of 
the Copyright Royalty Judges Program.
    The Committee congratulates the management and staff of the 
Copyright Office on the completion of the ``Business Process 
Reengineering Project''. This multi-year project, which is 
estimated to produce multi-million dollar annual savings, is an 
example of how agencies need to adjust business processes 
utilizing technology, new systems, equipment and employee 
training.

                     Congressional Research Service

2007 appropriation......................................    $100,786,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     108,702,000
Committee recommendation................................     104,518,000

    Salaries and expenses.--The Committee recommends 
$104,518,000 for fiscal year 2008. This amount is $3,732,000 
above the current year and is $4,184,000 below the request. The 
funding provided will support 705 FTE's.
    The Committee appreciates the excellent work of the entire 
staff of the Congressional Research Service. With that, the 
Subcommittee wants to especially acknowledge, as he enters into 
retirement, the many years of dedicated, professional support 
provided by Paul Dwyer. On behalf of the entire Appropriations 
Committee, we thank you for your almost 40 years of outstanding 
service to the American people.

             Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

2007 appropriation......................................     $53,614,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      75,623,000
Committee recommendation................................      67,741,000

    Salaries and expenses.--A total of $67,741,000 is 
recommended for the National Library Service for the Blind and 
Physically Handicapped, an increase of $14,127,000 over the 
amount provided in fiscal year 2007 and $7,882,000 below the 
request. This funding will continue to support 128 FTE's.
    The Committee recommendation provides $12,500,000 for the 
new Digital Talking Book Program. The Committee supports this 
program; however, the entire request cannot be provided for 
this fiscal year. The Committee has provided new language that, 
with Committee approval, authorizes the transfer of funding 
between Library accounts that might become available during the 
fiscal year to increase funding for this program.

                       Administrative Provisions

    The Committee has included four administrative provisions. 
Section 1301 provides for expenses related to official 
representation for the incentive awards program. Section 1302 
provides obligation authority for various Library programs. 
Section 1303 changes the audit requirements for the Cooperative 
Acquisitions Program Revolving Fund. Section 1304 provides 
authority to transfer funds between Library accounts.

                       GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE


                   Congressional Printing and Binding

2007 appropriation......................................     $87,954,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     109,541,000
Committee recommendation................................      87,892,000

    The Committee has included an appropriation of $87,892,000 
for printing and binding of congressional documents at the 
Government Printing Office for use by Congress. This amount is 
a decrease of $62,000 below the current level and is 
$21,649,000 below the request.
    The Committee understands that this allowance may produce a 
deficit in this account for the coming fiscal year. With the 
recent approval to transfer $5.7 million of prior year funds, 
and the unknown work load of the new Congress, the Committee 
will address any potential shortfall in future budgets.
    A comparative summary of the recommendation by category of 
work follows:

                                       CONGRESSIONAL PRINTING AND BINDING
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   Appropriation                    Recommended
                                                                       2007       Requested 2008       2008
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressional Record program....................................     $29,621,000     $27,981,000  ..............
Miscellaneous publications......................................       3,835,000       4,097,000  ..............
U.S. Code and Supplements.......................................       4,828,000  ..............  ..............
Miscellaneous printing and binding..............................      18,651,000      20,009,000  ..............
Details to Congress.............................................       3,082,000       2,944,000  ..............
Document envelopes and document franks..........................         883,000       1,027,000  ..............
Business and committee calendars................................       2,885,000       3,189,000  ..............
Bills, resolutions, and amendments..............................       8,367,000       8,062,000  ..............
Committee reports...............................................       4,016,000       4,051,000  ..............
Documents.......................................................       1,715,000       1,347,000  ..............
Hearings........................................................      19,961,000      21,983,000  ..............
Committee prints................................................       2,446,000       1,770,000
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
      Total.....................................................     $87,954,000    $109,541,000     $87,892,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                 Office of Superintendent of Documents

2007 appropriation......................................     $33,096,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      45,613,000
Committee recommendation................................      35,434,000

    The Committee recommends the appropriation of $35,434,000 
for the salaries and expenses of the Superintendent of 
Documents, a part of the Government Printing Office. This 
amount is an increase of $2,338,000 over the enacted level and 
is $10,179,000 below the request.
    The Committee recommendation provides $467,000 for 
mandatory pay and related costs; $521,000 for price level 
changes; $700,000 for data storage; $300,000 for the Federal 
Depository Library Program Tangible Distribution Systems 
modernization; $200,000 for the International Exchange Service 
Program modernization and $150,000 for CD-ROM data migration.

               Government Printing Office Revolving Fund

2007 appropriation......................................      $1,000,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      26,825,000
Committee recommendation................................       2,450,000

    The Committee recommends $2,450,000 for the Government 
Printing Office Revolving Fund. This is an increase of 
$1,450,000 over the enacted level and is $24,375,000 below the 
request. This recommendation provides $2,000,000 for elevator 
repairs; $250,000 for fire alarm systems; and $200,000 for 
workforce retraining.
    Physical Security.--The Committee is concerned about 
possible security lapses at the GPO facilities. Within 60 days 
of enactment of this Act, the GPO is to report to the 
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate on the 
current staffing plans for providing physical security to all 
GPO facilities.
    The bill includes the usual language authorizing the 
operation of the revolving fund, authority to hire or purchase 
automobiles, and advisory councils, and consultants.

                    GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE


                         Salaries and Expenses

2007 appropriation......................................\1\ $481,070,000
2008 budget estimate....................................     522,804,000
Committee recommendation................................     503,328,000
Offsetting collections..................................     (7,510,000)
                    --------------------------------------------------------
                    ____________________________________________________
    Total available.....................................    $510,838,000

\1\ Includes $374,000 provided in P.L. 110-28.

    The Committee has provided $503,328,000 in direct 
appropriations for the Government Accountability Office, plus 
$7,510,000 in offsetting collections derived from 
reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government 
corporations and rental of space in the GAO building. This 
amount is an increase of $22,258,000 above the current fiscal 
year, including the fiscal year 2007 supplemental, and is 
$19,476,000 less than the amended budget request. This amount 
provides for 3,217 FTEs, an increase of 57 FTEs above the 
current levels.
    The Committee fully funds all mandatory pay and benefit 
changes and price level increases. This increase in funding 
will enable the GAO to address important issues facing the 
Congress such as healthcare; changing security threats; 
education; the environment; and continued audit work on the war 
in Iraq.
    The Committee is dismayed to hear reports that GAO is 
moving slowly on resolving the issue of collective bargaining 
for GAO employees. A substantial number of employees have 
petitioned for union representation, and the Committee expects 
GAO to move the process forward expeditiously. The Committee is 
especially concerned about reports of unusual efforts to 
challenge the rights of employees to participate in collective 
bargaining representation, and directs GAO to make certain that 
no extraordinary measures are taken which might have the effect 
of blocking or delaying the process. A substantial number of 
employees have petitioned for union representation, and the 
Committee expects the Comptroller General to move the process 
forward expeditiously.
    Technology Assessment.--The Committee believes as 
technology continues to change and expand rapidly it is 
essential that the consequences of technological applications 
be anticipated, understood, and considered in determination of 
public policy on existing and emerging national problems. The 
Committee believes it is necessary for the Congress to equip 
itself with effective means for securing competent, timely and 
unbiased information concerning the effects of scientific and 
technical developments and use the information in the 
legislative assessment of matters pending before the Congress. 
The Committee has provided $2,500,000 for the Government 
Accountability Office to perform technology assessment studies 
in the coming fiscal year.
    Capitol Power Plant.--Public Law 108-447, Section 1101 
directed the Comptroller General to conduct a study and submit 
to the appropriate congressional committees and the Architect 
of the Capitol a report on the cost, cost effectiveness, 
benefits, and feasibility of the Architect of the Capitol 
entering into a contract with a private entity for the 
management and operation of the Capitol Power Plant (CPP). In a 
report to the Committee dated April 8, 2005, the Government 
Accountability Office reported ``Because CPP is currently 
undertaking a major capital improvement project to expand the 
West Refrigeration Plant that will affect ongoing costs and may 
ultimately affect staffing, it is premature for us to comment 
on the feasibility of contracting for operation of CPP.''
    The Architect of the Capitol has reported to the Committee 
that the West Refrigeration Plant is projected to be completed 
by June 30, 2007. Therefore, in accordance with Public Law 108-
447, Section 1101, the Comptroller General is directed to 
reexamine the cost, cost effectiveness, benefits, and 
feasibility of the Architect of the Capitol entering into a 
contract with a private entity for the management and operation 
of the CPP. The Committee directs that this reexamination 
include a recommendation, for or against, the feasibility of a 
private entity managing and operating the Capitol Power Plant. 
The Committee further directs that this reexamination will be 
completed no later than December 31, 2007.
    Affirmative Action Plan.--An affirmative action plan is a 
blueprint for improving the employment and advancement 
opportunities for women, minorities, and individuals with 
disabilities. A formal affirmative action plan will assist the 
Government Accountability Office (GAO) in achieving an 
inclusive workforce, ensuring an environment of respect for all 
individuals, and offer opportunities for each person to develop 
to his or her full potential in support of the mission of the 
GAO. An affirmative action plan is a very important element of 
any human resources operation, and with the support and 
participation of the entire agency GAO will achieve measurable 
diversity within the workforce. Therefore, the Committee 
directs GAO to develop and institute an affirmative action plan 
with specific goals and objectives within 180 days of enactment 
of this Act to further the ability for women, minorities, and 
individuals with disabilities to achieve balanced 
representation within the GAO workforce.
    Facilities Management.--Both the House of Representatives 
Chief Administrative Officer staff and the Architect of the 
Capitol have responsibility for elements of the House buildings 
infrastructure. Considerable effort must be undertaken on a 
regular basis to ensure the work undertaken by both 
organizations is coordinated and does not result in redundant 
or unfunded projects or activities. Significant cost savings 
might be realized by eliminating the split responsibilities and 
having facilities management services provided by one 
organization. Therefore, the Committee directs the Government 
Accountability Office to review the cost effectiveness of House 
Office Building facilities services and recommend whether a 
different approach to facilities management should be 
undertaken. This review should be completed by March 31, 2008 
and should include comparing the House facilities with other 
organizations or institutions of similar size and character.
    Tuition Reimbursement Parity.--The Committee directs the 
Government Accountability Office to conduct a review of the 
tuition reimbursement programs administered by the executive 
branch and submit to the Committees on Appropriations and House 
Administration, by not later than 6 months after the enactment 
of the accompanying bill, a report on the feasibility and cost 
of providing comparable benefits to legislative branch 
employees.

                        Administrative Provision

    The Committee has included an administrative provision 
(Sec. 1401.) that repeals the unique Comptroller General 
Retirement system for any individual appointed Comptroller 
General after the date of the enactment of this Act. Future 
appointments to this position will be covered under the 
standard Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).

         Payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund

2007 appropriation......................................     $13,860,000
2008 budget estimate....................................      14,400,000
Committee recommendation................................       6,000,000

    The Committee recommends $6,000,000 for payment to the Open 
World Leadership Center Trust Fund. This amount is $7,860,000 
below the fiscal year 2007 level and is $8,400,000 below the 
budget request.
    In addition, the State, Foreign Operations, and Related 
Programs fiscal year 2008 appropriation bill provides 
$6,000,000 to be transferred to the Open World Leadership 
Center Trust Fund. Thus the total funding for the Open World 
Center will be $12,000,000, which is $1,860,000 below the 
current level and is $2,400,000 below the request.

                        Administrative Provision

    The Committee has included an administrative provision 
(Sec. 1501) which transfers the Open World Leadership Center to 
the Department of State on October 1, 2008.

   John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development

2007 appropriation......................................        $430,000
2008 budget estimate....................................         430,000
Committee recommendation................................         430,000

    The Committee has provided $430,000 for the John C. Stennis 
Center for Public Service Training and Development. This amount 
is the same as the fiscal year 2007 level and the fiscal year 
2008 budget request.

                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    The customary language regarding emergency assistance for 
vehicles, fiscal year limitation, positions and allowances, 
consulting services, awards and settlements, the Legislative 
Branch Financial Managers Council, the Architect to maintain 
and landscape areas on Washington Avenue SW., and a limitation 
on transfers of funds is included in this bill (Sec. 201-208).

                        CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

    Pursuant to clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee on Appropriations bases 
its authority to report this legislation from clause 7 of 
section 9 of article I of the U.S. Constitution which states:

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

                 COMPARISON WITH THE BUDGET RESOLUTION

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1)(A) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares 
the levels of new budget authority provided in the bill with 
the appropriate allocation under section 302(b) of the Budget 
Act.

                    COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION
                        [In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Sec. 302(b)           This bill--
                             -------------------------------------------
                                Budget                Budget
                              authority   Outlays   authority   Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary...............     $4,024     $4,036     $3,104  \1\ $3,29
                                                                       9
Mandatory...................        126        126        126        126
                             -------------------------------------------
      Total.................     $4,150     $4,162     $3,230     $3,425

------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Includes outlays from House and Senate prior-year budget authority.
Note.--Bill amounts excludes discretionary Senate-related items.

                    FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION OF OUTLAYS

    Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains five-year 
projections prepared by the Congressional Budget Office of 
outlays associated with the budget authority provided in the 
accompanying bill:

[In millions of dollars]

Budget Authority........................................          $3,104
Outlays:
    2008................................................       \1\ 2,693
    2009................................................             307
    2010................................................              66
    2011................................................              15
    2012................................................              11

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

               ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

    Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, the amount of financial assistance to State 
and local governments is as follows:

    The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and 
local assistance programs.

                           TRANSFER OF FUNDS

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following table lists the 
transfers of funds included in the accompanying bill.
    Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in Library of 
Congress, 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 Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following table list the 
rescissions in the accompanying bill:

    The accompanying bill contains no rescissions.

               CHANGES IN THE APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following statements are 
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the 
accompanying bill that 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 authorizes salaries and expenses of the House 
Child Care Center.
    7. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members' 
Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt 
reduction.
    8. There is language authorizing the Chief Administrative 
Officer of the House to contract with a public or private 
entity for the operation of the House Fitness Facility.
    9. There is language authorizing funds to be deposited in 
the Treasury to credit to the account of the Office of the 
Chief Administrative Officer.
    10. There is language that adjusts the salary of a position 
for former Speaker's staff.
    11. There is language that authorizes allowances for 
employees of the Office of the Attending Physician.
    12. 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, and for the costs of basic 
training of police personnel.
    13.. The bill authorizes the transfer of funds within 
``Capitol Police, Salaries'' and ``Capitol Police, General 
Expenses'', subject to approval.
    14. The bill authorizes an increase in student loan 
reimbursements for the Capitol Police.
    15. The bill authorizes the Capitol Police to make advance 
payments for subscription services.
    16. There is language under the Office of Compliance 
providing for the disposal of personal property.
    17. There is language under the Office of Compliance 
authorizing lump-sum payments to reward exceptional 
performance.
    18. There is language under the Office of Compliance 
authorizing an employee development and training program.
    19. There is language under the Office of Compliance 
authorizing reimbursement to the Treasury for payments of award 
and settlements.
    20. 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.
    21. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol, 
Botanic Garden that authorizes expenditures for the National 
Garden.
    22. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol, 
Capitol Visitor Center, restricting the obligation of funds 
without prior approval.
    23. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol 
authorizing the Architect to enter into an agreement for the 
Rosa Parks statute.
    24. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol 
establishing an office of Inspector General.
    25. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol 
authorizing a one-year flexible work schedule.
    26. There is language that authorizes travel and 
transportation expenses for applicants for positions with the 
Architect of the Capitol.
    27. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol 
granting authority for the Architect to grant easements.
    28. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol 
providing for the Architect to award design build contracts.
    29. There is language authorizing advance payments for 
subscriptions for the Architect of the Capitol.
    30. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol 
authorizing payment for insurance for exhibits and works of 
art.
    31. There is language authorizing for the purpose of 
maintenance the Capitol Visitor Center to be treated as an 
expense of the ``Capitol Building''.
    32. There is language under the Architect of the Capitol 
regarding leasing authority approval.
    33. 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.
    34. There is language authorizing the expenditure of funds 
for the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.
    35. There is language authorizing expenditure of receipts 
for the Copyright Royalty Judges.
    36. There is language under ``Congressional Research 
Service'' which prohibits the publication of material unless 
approved by the appropriate committees.
    37. There is language authorizing the temporary transfer of 
funds under the heading ``Library of Congress, Salaries and 
Expenses''.
    38. There is language regarding the audit requirements of 
certain Library of Congress funds.
    39. There is language authorizing the transfer of funds 
between the account under the heading ``Library of Congress'', 
subject to approval.
    40. 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, authorizing the transfer of unobligated balances and 
prohibiting the expenditure of funds for contract guard 
services as certain facilities.
    41. Authorization of appropriations for Congressional 
printing and binding is included.
    42. 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.
    43. There is language authorizing the operation of the 
Government Printing Office revolving fund, and which authorizes 
travel expenses for advisory councils.
    44. There is language relating to the Government 
Accountability 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 National 
Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional Intergovernmental 
Audit Forum.
    45. There is language under the Government Accountability 
Office eliminating the Comptroller General Retirement System 
for anyone appointed to the position of Comptroller General 
after enactment of this Act.
    46. There is language that transfers the Open World 
Leadership Center to the Department of State beginning in 
fiscal year 2009.
    47. 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.
    48. 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.
    49. Section 204 requires that certain information regarding 
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
    50. Section 206 authorizes legislative branch entities to 
share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers 
Council.
    51. Section 207 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to 
maintain certain property.
    52. Section 208 limits the transfer of funds in this Act.
    53. There is language naming the main hall of the CVC 
Emancipation Hall.

         COMPLIANCE WITH CLAUSE 3 OF RULE XIII (RAMSEYER RULE)

    In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law 
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new 
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):
              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

                               DIVISION G

              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005

TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Administrative Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


    Sec. 103. Contract For Exercise Facility. (a) In General.--
The Chief Administrative Officer of the House of 
Representatives shall enter into a contract on a competitive 
basis with a [private entity] public or private entity for the 
management, operation, and maintenance of the exercise facility 
established for the use of employees of the House of 
Representatives which is constructed with funds made available 
under this Act.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    Sec. 105. (a) * * *
    (b) Use of Amounts in Fund.--Amounts in the Revolving Funds 
shall be used for any purpose designated by [the Chief 
Administrative Officer] the Chief Administrative Officer, 
including purposes relating to energy and water conservation 
and environmental activities carried out in buildings, 
facilities, and grounds under the Chief Administrative 
Officer's jurisdiction, which is approved by the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1996

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the Legislative Branch 
for the fiscal year ending September 30, 1996, and for other 
purposes, namely:

TITLE I--CONGRESSIONAL OPERATIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                       ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

    Sec. 101. Effective with respect to fiscal years beginning 
with fiscal year 1995, in the case of mail from outside sources 
presented to the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of 
Representatives (other than mail through the Postal Service and 
mail with postage otherwise paid) for internal delivery in the 
House of Representatives, the Chief Administrative Officer is 
authorized to collect fees equal to the applicable postage. 
Amounts received by the Chief Administrative Officer as fees 
under the preceding sentence shall be [deposited in the 
Treasury as miscellaneous receipts] deposited in the Treasury 
for credit to the account of the Office of the Chief 
Administrative Officer.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


       SECTION 5 OF HOUSE RESOLUTION 1238, NINETY-FIRST CONGRESS

  (As enacted into permenant law by chapter VIII of the Supplemental 
                       Appropriations Act, 1971)

    Sec. 5. In order to provide staff assistance to the Speaker 
in connection with the administration, settlement, and 
conclusion of matters pertaining to or arising out of his 
incumbency in office as a Representative in Congress and as 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the contingent fund of 
the House is hereby made available, for the period of two years 
immediately following the expiration of the term of office of 
the Speaker as a Representative in Congress in the Ninety-first 
Congress, for payment of the salaries of an Administrative 
Assistant, who shall be paid at a basic per annum rate of not 
to exceed the then current rate for step 11 of level 13 of the 
House Employees Schedule, as determined by the Speaker, a 
Secretary, who shall be paid at a basic per annum rate of not 
to exceed the then current rate for step 8 of level 12 of such 
Schedule, as determined by the Speaker, and an additional 
Secretary, who shall be paid at a gross per annum rate of not 
to exceed the then current rate for [step 1 of level 6] step 7 
of level 11 of such Schedule as determined by the Speaker, 
designated and appointed by the Speaker to serve as members of 
his office staff in such two-year period. Each person so 
designated and appointed shall be held and considered, for the 
duration of such appointment, as--
            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


          SECTION 908 OF THE EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ACT, 2002

              EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR EMPLOYEES

    Sec. 908. (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (c) Limit on Amount of Payments.--The total amount paid by 
the Capitol Police with respect to any individual under the 
program under this section may not exceed [$40,000] $60,000.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


                      TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
PART III--EMPLOYEES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBPART C--EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                          CHAPTER 41--TRAINING

Sec.
4101.    Definitions.
     * * * * * * *
4122.    Training for employees of the Office of Compliance.
     * * * * * * *

Sec. 4122. Training for employees of the Office of Compliance

    (a) The Executive Director of the Office of Compliance may, 
by regulation, make applicable such provisions of this chapter 
as the Executive Director determines necessary to provide for 
training of employees of the Office of Compliance. The 
regulations shall provide for training which, in the 
determination of the Executive Director, is consistent with the 
training provided by agencies under the preceding sections of 
this chapter.
    (b) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management 
shall provide the Executive Director of the Office of 
Compliance with such advice and assistance as the Executive 
Director may request in order to enable the Executive Director 
to carry out the purposes of this section.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBPART D--PAY AND ALLOWANCES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


CHAPTER 57--TRAVEL, TRANSPORTATION, AND SUBSISTENCE

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


  SUBCHAPTER II--TRAVEL AND TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES; NEW APPOINTEES, 
              STUDENT TRAINEES, AND TRANSFERRED EMPLOYEES

Sec. 5721. Definitions

    For the purpose of this subchapter--
            (1) ``agency'' means--
                    (A) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                    (G) the Architect of the Capitol;
                    [(G)] (H) the Government Printing Office; 
                and
                    [(H)] (I) the government of the District of 
                Columbia;

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


      SECTION 415 OF THE CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995

SEC. 415. PAYMENTS.

    (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (d) Reimbursement.--
            (1) Notification of payments made from account.--As 
        soon as practicable after the Executive Director is 
        made aware that a payment of an award or settlement 
        under this chapter has been made from the account 
        described in subsection (a), the Executive Director 
        shall notify the head of the office to which the 
        payment is attributable that the payment has been made, 
        and shall include in the notification a statement of 
        the amount of the payment.
            (2) Reimbursement by office.--Not later than 180 
        days after receiving a notification from the Executive 
        Director under paragraph (1), the head of the office 
        involved shall transfer to the account described in 
        subsection (a), out of any funds available for 
        operating expenses of the office, a payment equal to 
        the amount specified in the notification.
                              ----------                              


                        ACT OF DECEMBER 1, 2005

                          (Public Law 109-116)

AN ACT To direct the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain a statue 
 of Rosa Parks and to place the statue in the United States Capitol in 
            National Statuary Hall, and for other purposes.

SECTION 1. PLACEMENT OF STATUE OF ROSA PARKS IN NATIONAL STATUARY HALL.

    (a) Obtaining Statue.--Not later than 2 years after the 
date of the enactment of this Act, the Joint Committee on the 
Library shall enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of 
Rosa Parks, under such terms and conditions as the Joint 
Committee considers appropriate consistent with applicable law. 
The Joint Committee may authorize the Architect of the Capitol 
to enter into the agreement required under this subsection on 
its behalf, under such terms and conditions as the Joint 
Committee may require.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


       SECTION 521 OF THE NATIONAL ENERGY CONSERVATION POLICY ACT

SEC. 521. DEFINITIONS.

    As used in the part--
            (1) The term ``Federal agency'' means--
                    (A) * * *
                    (B) each entity specified in paragraphs 
                [(B) through (H)] (B) through (I) of subsection 
                (1) of section 5721 of title 5, United States 
                Code.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2004

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the 
following sums are appropriated, out of any money in the 
Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending 
September 30, 2004, and for other purposes, namely:

TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Administrative Provisions

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


    Sec. 1102. Leasing of Space. (a) * * *
    (b) Conditions to Lease Space.--The Architect of the 
Capitol may lease space under subsection (a) upon submission of 
written notice of intent to lease such space to, and approved 
by--
            (1) the [Committee on Rules and Administration] 
        Committees on Appropriations and Rules and 
        Administration of the Senate for space to be leased for 
        the Senate;
            (2) [the House Office Building Commission] the 
        Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives and the House Office Building 
        Commission for space to be leased for the House of 
        Representatives; and
            (3) the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate 
        and House of Representatives[.], for space to be leased 
        for any other entity under subsection (a).

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              


     SECTION 207 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998

    Sec. 207. (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(e) Annual Report.--Not later than March 31 of each year, 
the Librarian of Congress shall prepare and submit to Congress 
an audited financial statement for the revolving fund for the 
preceding fiscal year. The audit shall be conducted in 
accordance with Government Auditing Standards for financial 
audits issued by the Comptroller General of the United States.]
    (e) Audit.--The revolving fund shall be subject to audit by 
the Comptroller General at the Comptroller General's 
discretion.
                              ----------                              


                      TITLE 31, UNITED STATES CODE



           *       *       *       *       *       *       *
SUBTITLE I--GENERAL

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


              CHAPTER 7--GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

           SUBCHAPTER I--DEFINITIONS AND GENERAL ORGANIZATION

Sec.
701.    Definitions.
     * * * * * * *

                         SUBCHAPTER V--ANNUITIES

771.    Definitions.
[772.    Annuity of the Comptroller General.]
     * * * * * * *

SUBCHAPTER III--PERSONNEL

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 735. Relationship to other laws

    (a) Except as provided in section 733(c) of this title, 
this subchapter and subchapter IV of this chapter do not affect 
sections 702(b), 703, 731(c)-(e), [772, 775(a) and (d)] or 
775(b) of this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SUBCHAPTER V--ANNUITIES

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


[Sec. 772. Annuity of the Comptroller General

    [(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, 
a Comptroller General serving a complete term as Comptroller 
General or who retires under section 703(e)(1) of this title is 
entitled to receive an annuity for life equal to the pay the 
Comptroller General is receiving on completion of the term or 
at the time of retirement. An annuity of a Comptroller General 
who completes a term before becoming 65 years of age is reduced 
by .25 percent for each complete month the Comptroller General 
is under 65 years of age.
    [(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, 
a Comptroller General becoming permanently disabled shall be 
retired and is entitled to receive an annuity for life equal 
to--
            [(1) the pay of the Comptroller General at the time 
        of retirement if the Comptroller General served at 
        least 10 years; or
            [(2) 50 percent of the pay if the Comptroller 
        General served less than 10 years.
    [(c) A Comptroller General who, when appointed, is or has 
been subject to subchapter III of chapter 83 or chapter 84 of 
title 5 remains subject to such subchapter III or such chapter 
84 (as the case may be) unless the Comptroller General elects 
in writing to receive an annuity under this section. An 
election is irrevocable and must be made within 10 years and 60 
days after the start of service as Comptroller General. A 
Comptroller General electing to receive an annuity under this 
section is entitled to a refund of the lump-sum credit to the 
account of the Comptroller General in the Civil Service 
Retirement and Disability Fund.
    [(d) A Comptroller General (except a Comptroller General 
remaining subject to subchapter III of chapter 83 of title 5) 
shall--
            [(1) deposit with the Government Accountability 
        Office for redeposit in the Treasury as miscellaneous 
        receipts as a contribution to the annuity--
                    [(A) 3.5 percent of the pay received as 
                Comptroller General before deductions are made 
                under clause (2)(A) of this subsection plus 3 
                percent interest compounded every December 31 
                on the amount to be deposited, if electing 
                survivor benefits under this subchapter; or
                    [(B) 8 percent of the pay received as 
                Comptroller General before deductions are made 
                under clause (2)(B) of this subsection plus 3 
                percent interest compounded every December 31 
                on the amount to be deposited, if not electing 
                survivor benefits under this subchapter; and
            [(2) have--
                    [(A) 3.5 percent of the pay received as 
                Comptroller General deducted as a contribution 
                to the annuity if electing survivor benefits 
                under this subchapter; or
                    [(B) 8 percent of the pay received as 
                Comptroller General deducted as a contribution 
                to the annuity if not electing survivor 
                benefits under this subchapter.
    [(e) A Comptroller General receiving benefits under this 
section may not receive retirement or disability benefits under 
another law of the United States.]

Sec. 773. Election of survivor benefits

    (a) To provide survivor benefits, a Comptroller General may 
elect in writing to reduce the pay and annuity of the 
Comptroller General. An election shall be made within 6 months 
of taking office [or, if an election is made under section 
772(c) of this title, by the 60th day after making an election 
under section 772(c).].

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 774. Survivor annuities

    (a) * * *
    (b) A survivor annuity shall be paid under this subchapter 
when a Comptroller General--
            (1) * * *
            (2) dies in office [or while receiving an annuity 
        under section 772 of this title];

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 775. Refunds

    [(a) A Comptroller General separated from office before 
becoming entitled to receive an annuity under section 772 of 
this title is entitled to a lump-sum refund of the amount 
deducted from pay or deposited as a contribution under section 
772, plus 3 percent interest on the amount compounded every 
December 31.
    [(b) A Comptroller General making an election under section 
773 of this title who is separated from office before becoming 
entitled to an annuity under section 772 of this title is 
entitled to a lump-sum refund of the amount deducted under 
section 773 of this title, plus 4 percent interest before 
January 1, 1948, and 3 percent interest after December 31, 
1947, compounded every December 31 until the separation date.]
    [(c)] (a) A lump-sum refund of the amounts deducted under 
[sections 772 and 773] section 773 of this title, plus interest 
of 4 percent before January 1, 1948, and 3 percent after 
December 31, 1947, compounded every December 31 until the date 
of death, shall be paid under subsection [(d)] (b) of this 
section if--
            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(d)] (b) If a Comptroller General or retired Comptroller 
General dies before a refund is made under this section, the 
refund shall be paid in the following order of precedence:
            (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    [(e)] (c) The General Counsel is not subject to section 
771(1) and (2) of this title when making a decision about a 
surviving spouse or child under subsection [(c) or (d)] (a) or 
(b) of this section.
    [(f)] (d) If the annuities of all individuals entitled to 
survivor annuities under this subchapter end before the amount 
of annuities paid equals the amount deducted under [sections 
772 and 773] section 773 of this title, plus interest of 4 
percent before January 1, 1948, and 3 percent after December 
31, 1947, compounded every December 31 until the date of death, 
the remainder shall be paid under subsection [(d)] (b) of this 
section.

Sec. 776. Payment of survivor benefits

    (a) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

    (d)(1) A payment under subsection (c)(2)(B) of this section 
or section [775(d)] 775(b) of this title is a bar to recovery 
by another individual.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


Sec. 777. Annuity increases

    (a) * * *
    (b) [An annuity under section 772 of this title may not be 
more than the basic pay of the Comptroller General.] A 
surviving spouse's annuity may be increased under this section 
without regard to any limitation set forth in section 774(e) of 
this title.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                  APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following table lists the 
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not 
authorized by law for the period concerned:
    The accompanying bill contains no appropriations not 
authorized by law.

                                EARMARKS

    Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no 
congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9(d), 9(e), or 9(f) of rule XXI.



        ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF HON. JERRY LEWIS AND HON. ZACH WAMP

    The Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill provides $3.1 
billion in discretionary budget authority, which is $276 
million (or 8.2 percent) below the budget request and $189 
million (or 6.5 percent) above the FY 2007, enacted level. 
Compared to the actual spending in FY 2007 (including 
rescissions, but not emergency spending) the bill is a $122 
million increase (or 4.1 percent).
    On balance, the funding provided in this bill to operate 
the legislative branch agencies under the jurisdiction of the 
House is fiscally responsible. The exception to this fiscal 
responsibility is the $16 million included in this measure for 
Federal Office Building 8, commonly referred to as the former 
FDA building. This Subcommittee is one of only four 
Subcommittees whose allocation is actually below the request.
    While we are strongly opposed to the excessive 302(a) 
funding level which increases FY 2008 discretionary spending in 
excess of $20 billion over the President's request, the 302(b) 
sub-allocation for the Legislative Branch bill is appropriate.
    The Chair and the Ranking Member are both new in their 
roles on the Subcommittee. While they have worked together on 
issues related to the CVC, the same cannot necessarily be said 
about the development of this bill.
    The development of this bill did not demonstrate the same 
level of bipartisanship shown by other Subcommittees considered 
prior to the Legislative Branch bill. The development of the 
bill was not as collaborative and inclusive as it could have, 
or for that matter, should have been and definitely not as it 
has been done in the past.
    More than any other bill, this is the bill that the 
Subcommittee Chair and the Ranking Member should operate in a 
non-partisan manner, as they are simply stewards of this great 
institution. If we would have had a more inclusive process, we 
are certain that the Chair would have realized that the Open 
World Leadership Program enjoys bipartisan support on this 
Committee. Instead, the Chair proposed to end this program and 
close it out.
    Furthermore, the Chair has included many new policy 
directives--some controversial--in the report, which was not 
available for Members to review at the Subcommittee markup.

                                 AOC IG

    We want to applaud the Chair for including an Inspector 
General for the Architect of the Capitol. This provision was 
included in the FY 2007 Legislative Branch Bill but as a result 
of the Omnibus Continuing Resolution process, the provision did 
not become law. Although there is no directive language related 
to the Capitol Visitors Center in this bill, the Chair, the 
Ranking Member and other members of the Subcommittee remain 
focused on pushing the schedule and keeping the Architect's and 
contractor's feet to the fire as it relates to schedule and 
cost.

                                 FOB 8

    The bill provides $16 million for the former FDA building 
known as Federal Office Building 8 (FOB 8) located adjacent to 
the Ford House Office Building. As was said during the full 
committee markup, we need to think long and hard before we 
decide to again expand the Capitol Complex. At a time that we 
are struggling to get our arms around the massive project known 
as the Capitol Visitor's Center, the last thing we need to do 
is embark on another costly campus expansion project. Let us 
assure our colleagues, $16 million for security upgrades is 
just the tip of the iceberg. The General Services 
Administration has estimated that by proceeding with the 
revised plan, the total cost to the House and the Architect of 
the Capitol is $55,884,000, at a minimum. This is before 
incurring annual lease payments at roughly $10 to $15 million 
per year. Additionally, occupying another 200,000+ square feet 
of House office space hardly seems to comply with the new 
``carbon neutral'' goal of Speaker Pelosi.

                        Greening of the Capitol

    The bill earmarks $3.27 million to implement a ``Greening 
of the Capitol'' report which has not yet been finalized. The 
way we understand this funding provision is that we will pay 
more for natural gas than we are currently paying under 
contract for coal. This additional expenditure will cover the 
percentage of heating and cooling for House office buildings 
and the House portion of the Capitol. We are left to assume 
that sounding ``environmental'' is more important than being 
fiscally responsible.
    Additionally, the bill contains $100,000 in the AOC House 
buildings account for the Greening of the Capitol Initiative 
for new environmentally friendly light bulbs--all of which 
contain mercury and will require HAZMAT procedures to dispose 
of such bulbs.
    Finally, there is an additional $500,000 identified in the 
Capitol Grounds section of the report for an E-85 gas pump. It 
is our understanding that the House does not currently own or 
lease any E-85 vehicles. We are not sure if the plan moving 
forward is to retrofit current vehicles or buy or lease new 
vehicles to use the new E-85 gas pump provided in this measure. 
We are spending taxpayer dollars to implement the Chief 
Administrative Officer's ``Greening of the Capitol'' report--a 
report that has yet to be finalized and released.
    While widespread bi-partisan support exists for energy 
efficiency upgrades and the use of renewable sources, the 
minority sees the current proposal as more ``window dressing'' 
than substance.

                    Government Accountability Office

    With regard to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 
the Committee report attempts to have Congress interject itself 
into GAO's collective bargaining process to expedite the 
unionization effort at the agency. Language directing GAO to 
move expeditiously in establishing a union organizing process 
is included in the report even though the Comptroller General, 
David Walker, has stated that he ``supports the rights of GAO 
employees to organize if they so choose.''
    The report also asks GAO for an Affirmative Action Plan 
even though the Managing Director of Opportunity and 
Inclusiveness made the following point regarding this issue: 
``Based on our hiring and promotion statistics, GAO would 
currently exceed any reasonable affirmative action goals for 
women, African Americans and Asians. As such, requiring such a 
plan could limit, rather than enhance our diversity efforts.''

             Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

    The bill cuts $7 million from the budget request for this 
important program (Digital Talking Books) but still manages to 
fund ``nice to have'' new programs such as Greening of the 
Capitol and new House office space at FOB 8.

                           Emancipation Hall

    During full Committee Mr. Wamp and Mr. Jackson offered an 
amendment which was adopted to name the space located in the 
CVC, ``Emancipation Hall.'' This matter came to the Committee's 
attention early in the Fiscal Year 2008 process when it became 
known that the AOC and others were calling this space, ``The 
Great Hall.'' It is common sense that you cannot have two 
competing Great Halls, one in the CVC and one in the century 
old Library of Congress Jefferson Building, which are connected 
by a tunnel.
    This grand hall is going to be the most prominent gathering 
space, outside of the rotunda, on the Capitol Grounds. The 
space needs a name that recognizes the importance and history 
of the Capitol.
    In looking at the history of the Capitol, there is a 
glaring omission: to date there is no mention of the 
contributions slave labor made to the Capitol in the telling of 
its history or in the art work displayed. In fact, many people 
still do not know that it was slave labor that actually built 
this symbol of freedom. The time has come for us, the Congress 
of the United States of America, to realize the great 
opportunity we have before us. By naming this space 
Emancipation Hall we will finally honor those who have gone un-
honored far too long.
    Emancipation means free or equal. And there is no greater 
duty bestowed upon the Congress than to advance the principle 
of Freedom. Emancipation Hall will tell freedom's story to the 
millions of visitors every year. Like the Statue of Liberty, 
which stands tall in New York's harbor and represents the 
promise of Liberty, this hall will forever represent the 
promise of Freedom.

                             Capitol Police

    The bill does an excellent job of funding essential Capitol 
Police priorities. We are particularly pleased that the 
Committee was able to provide an additional $5,000,000 for the 
Chief of Police's number one priority, the radio modernization 
program. We strongly endorse included report language on the 
poor management of financial operations, issues this Committee 
has dealt with for many years. We would like to reiterate that 
the Chief Administrative Officer needs to make this the number 
one priority and implement corrective actions immediately.

                               Conclusion

    We are disappointed this bill was not put together in a 
more collaborative manner with members of the subcommittee from 
both parties sitting down with staff two or three weeks prior 
to the bill's consideration. We are confident that over time we 
will be able to move forward working in a manner that better 
honors the traditions of this subcommittee.

                                   Jerry Lewis.
                                   Zach Wamp.

                                  
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