[House Report 111-715]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                 Union Calendar No. 438
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111th Congress   }                                            {  Report
  2d Session     }        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES            { 111-715
_______________________________________________________________________
                        REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES 

                                 of the 

                   COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION 

                                 of the 

                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

                               during the 

                     ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS 

                 [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]


January 3, 2011.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                               ----------
                        U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 
                              WASHINGTON : 2011 



















                          LETTER OF SUBMITTAL

                              ----------                              

                          House of Representatives,
                         Committee on House Administration,
                                   Washington, DC, January 3, 2011.
Hon. Lorraine Miller,
Clerk of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Ms. Miller: Pursuant to clause 1(d) of Rule XI of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives, I hereby submit to the 
House a report on the activities of the Committee on House 
Administration for the 111th Congress.
            Sincerely,
                                           Robert A. Brady,
                                                          Chairman.














                                                 Union Calendar No. 438
111th Congress                                                   Report
  2d Session               HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES             111-715

=======================================================================
 
   REPORT ON THE ACTIVITIES OF THE COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION 
                       DURING THE 111TH CONGRESS 

                                _______
                                

January 3, 2011.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

 Mr. Brady, from the Committee on House Administration, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

          Organization of the Committee for the 111th Congress

    The Committee on House Administration, the smallest 
standing committee in the Chamber, has consisted of nine 
Members since 1997. In the 111th Congress, the House retained 
the Committee's size and two-to-one majority-minority party 
ratio. The Committee on House Administration continued working 
to serve the House of Representatives and all its Members in a 
diligent, responsible, cost-effective, bipartisan manner. The 
Committee is proud of its approach to the task and of its 
accomplishments and sincerely hopes that the Members and staff 
of the Committee for the 112th Congress will review the record 
of the 111th Congress and build upon it, finding this 
activities report a useful resource.
    On January 6, 2009, the House re-elected Rep. Robert A. 
Brady of Pennsylvania as chairman of the Committee. 
Subsequently elected were majority members Zoe Lofgren of 
California, Michael E. Capuano of Massachusetts, Charles A. 
Gonzalez of Texas, Susan A. Davis of California and Artur Davis 
of Alabama. The three minority members were Daniel E. Lungren 
of California, the Ranking Minority Member, Kevin McCarthy of 
California, and Gregg Harper of Mississippi.
    During the organizational meeting of the Committee on 
January 27, 2009, the Chairman appointed Rep. Lofgren to serve 
as Vice Chair of the Committee in the 111th Congress.
    The Rules of the House vest in the Committee oversight 
responsibilities, among others, with respect to the Smithsonian 
Institution, the Library of Congress, the Congressional 
Research Service, the Government Printing Office, the Capitol 
Police, the Architect of the Capitol, the Office of Compliance, 
the officers of the House, and the House itself. On January 6, 
2009, the House added a new subparagraph, clause 4(d)(1)(B) of 
Rule X, clarifying the Committee's authority to oversee the 
management of services provided to the House by the Architect 
of the Capitol, except those services that lie within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee on Transportation and 
Infrastructure. The Committee held formal hearings and 
considered numerous pieces of legislation concerning these 
agencies. The Committee staff, on a bipartisan basis, conducted 
meetings to examine the work of the agencies and to receive 
briefings from agency personnel. The Committee takes its 
oversight work extremely seriously. Although oversight work is 
largely invisible to the public because it seldom leads 
directly to legislation, the countless hours of Member and 
staff time yield savings to taxpayers.
    The Committee retained the two subcommittees initially 
established in 2007, the Subcommittee on Elections and the 
Subcommittee on Capitol Security. Members were elected to the 
subcommittees based upon the recommendations of the respective 
party caucuses (Committee Resolution 111-2). Tracking the two-
to-one ratio of the full committee, the Elections subcommittee 
was given a 4-2 party ratio and the Capitol Security 
subcommittee 2-1, assuring each Member of the full Committee a 
seat on a subcommittee. Jurisdictions were not changed.
    The Elections Subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Lofgren, with 
Rep. Gonzalez serving as Vice Chair, held hearings on 
legislation relating to federal election law and 
administration. The Capitol Security Subcommittee, chaired by 
Rep. Capuano, conducted oversight into matters relevant to the 
safety of the Capitol and the House office buildings, operation 
and management of the U.S. Capitol Police and the House 
Sergeant-at-Arms.
    The Committee believes that an organizational structure 
that includes subcommittees enhances its ability to focus more 
intensively on major policy issues, to conduct additional 
hearings and necessary oversight, and to provide greater 
opportunities for all Members to contribute to Committee 
business and share in the workload. This is a critical 
consideration because the Committee has a limited membership of 
nine members. The ability of all Members to participate, and to 
focus on certain policy areas of interest, also enhances the 
Committee's ability to craft necessary legislation on some of 
the more specialized areas in its jurisdiction.
    While the issues confronting congressional committees are 
rarely the same from one Congress to the next, the House 
Administration Committee's workload is remarkably stable. The 
House of Representatives consists of 435 Members, five 
Delegates and the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, all 
treated as Members for administrative purposes. The Committee 
oversees operation of the billion-dollar enterprise required to 
support the institution and its 441 clients in the discharge of 
their constitutional and statutory responsibilities. The 
Committee does not decide what the House does, but it makes 
what the House does possible.

                           COMMITTEE FUNDING

    The Committee on House Administration reports a biennial 
primary expense resolution by which standing and select 
committees of the House (except the Committee on 
Appropriations) are authorized operating funds for each 
Congress. During the first three months of each new Congress, 
clause 7 of Rule X authorizes House committees to continue 
operations based on their funding authorizations from the 
preceding session. This interim funding authorization allows 
committees to operate until the House adopts a primary expense 
resolution.
    The funding process begins when each House committee 
introduces a separate House resolution, referred to the 
Committee on House Administration, requesting operating funds 
for the Congress. In the 111th Congress, the Committee combined 
the resolutions into a single, omnibus primary expense 
resolution covering the two years of the Congress. H. Res. 279, 
introduced on March 24, 2009 by Chairman Brady, constituted the 
omnibus primary expense resolution incorporating the amounts 
requested by the committees. After reviewing committee budget 
submissions, the Committee then recommended to the full House 
an appropriate allocation of the available funds.
    The Committee conducted a hearing on February 11, 2009, 
continuing of February 25, and on March 25, 2009 convened a 
markup and agreed to an amendment in the nature of a substitute 
to H. Res. 279 modifying the committees' initial requests after 
consideration of available funds and budget constraints. H. 
Res. 279, as amended, was ordered favorably reported by the 
Committee to the House with a total authorization of 
$304,538,199.
    The Committee, during the hearings and markup of H.R. 279, 
also continued a fairness principle known as the ``1/3 rule,'' 
consistent with policy and practice for more than two decades, 
anticipating the allocation of 1/3 of each committee's funding 
for use by the minority. While this fairness principle is well 
established, each committee has implemented the principle in a 
manner consistent with its own operating practices and 
procedures. Each ranking minority member was asked during the 
Committee hearing whether he or she was being treated fairly 
and all committee minorities appeared to be satisfied. As 
chairs and ranking members change from Congress to Congress, 
the Committee expects that the fairness principle will continue 
to address the needs of the minority.
    The House agreed to H. Res. 279 on March 31, 2009, by a 
recorded vote of 288-136.

                  MEMBERS' REPRESENTATIONAL ALLOWANCE

    The Committee has jurisdiction over the use of 
appropriations from the accounts of the U.S. House of 
Representatives for the Members' Representational Allowance 
(MRA) as well as official travel by Members and staff, and 
compensation, retirement and other benefits of Member office 
employees. The MRA is the annual authorization made to each 
Member of the House to obligate U.S. Treasury funds not to 
exceed a certain amount. These funds may be used by the Member 
to pay ordinary and necessary business expenses incurred by the 
Member and his or her congressional office employees in support 
of the conduct of the Member's official and representational 
duties on behalf of the district from which the Member is 
elected. The annual MRA is available for one Legislative Year, 
i.e., January 3 of one year through January 2 of the following 
year.
    The MRA is made up of three primary expense components: 
personnel compensation, official expenses, and official 
(franked) mail expenses. The amount of the MRA varies from 
Member to Member based on the distance of a Member's district 
from Washington, D.C., the cost of federal office space serving 
a Member's district, and the number of U.S. Postal Service 
private delivery stops in a Member's district. The use of funds 
in any expense category is not limited by the amount factored 
into a corresponding expense component, e.g., a Member may 
spend more or less than the amount of the personnel component 
to compensate his or her staff. Each Member has complete 
discretion in budgeting the total amount of his or her MRA as 
he or she determines to support the operation of his or her 
Washington, D.C., congressional and district offices, 
consistent with applicable Federal law and House Rules and 
regulations.
    Federal law authorizes the Committee, by order of the 
Committee, to fix and adjust the amounts, terms, and conditions 
of, and other matters relating to the MRA (including all 
aspects of official mail) by reason of:
          1. A change in the price of materials, services, or 
        office space;
          2. A technological change or other improvement in 
        office equipment; or
          3. An increase in rates of pay under the General 
        Schedule, e.g., a comparability and/or locality wage 
        adjustment.
    The average MRA for 2009 was $1,485,278 and the average for 
2010 was $1,523,226.
    During the 111th Congress, the Committee also established 
the reimbursement rates for official business travel. These 
rates were established on January 1st of 2009 and 2010.

                         HOUSE STAFF EMPLOYMENT

    The Committee spent considerable time during the 111th 
Congress reviewing the terms of employment benefits offered to 
House staff and other employees of legislative branch agencies 
supporting the House. With long working hours dictated by the 
needs of the House, and staff salaries limited by the Speaker's 
Pay Order, the Committee believes it is important to ensure 
that the House offers adequate benefits to compensate its 
employees for their efforts, and to recruit and retain the best 
people.
    At the direction of the Committee, and in consultation with 
the House Chiefs of Staff Association, the Chief Administrative 
Officer provided the Committee with reviews of the benefits 
offered to House employees relative to private employers of 
comparable size, the executive branch, and other legislative 
branch employing authorities. In consultation with the 
Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the House Committee on 
Appropriations, the Committee spent extensive time evaluating 
additional recruitment and retention tools for House staff. 
Subject to the Committee's authorization, appropriated funds 
were made available for the implementation of a Child Care and 
Tuition Reimbursement Program. The Committee ultimately decided 
not to authorize these initiatives in order to hold the line on 
spending in the Legislative Branch. In addition, the Congress 
adopted Public Law 111-248, making permanent an initiative 
adopted in the 110th Congress providing access to the House gym 
for Military Liaisons as well as making a number of other 
technical and administrative improvements to House operations.

                OFFICERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    One of the key responsibilities of the Committee is 
oversight of the Officers of the House, whose organizations 
serve primary roles in the operation of the legislative process 
and in providing the day to day administrative and operational 
infrastructure necessary to support the Members and staff of 
the House.

Clerk of the House

    The Committee's continuing oversight of the Clerk reflects 
her office's importance to the House. The Hon. Lorraine Miller 
has served as Clerk since 2007.
    The Clerk's primary duties involve the legislative 
operations of the House, including the House's electronic 
voting system and the presentment to the President of bills 
originating in the House, but she is also responsible for 
principal publications such as the House Journal and for 
operating the House page program under the direction of the 
Page Board. The Clerk also provided support services to the 
Capitol Visitors Center as it began normal operations during 
the 111th Congress. The Clerk, alternating with the Secretary 
of the Senate, also served during this Congress as chair of the 
Advisory Committee on the Records of Congress.
    During the 111th Congress, the Committee continued its 
practice of meeting twice a month with the Clerk and her 
principal deputies to receive oversight reports, and the Clerk 
also testified before the Committee with other House officers 
at a public hearing on April 28, 2010.
    The most significant achievement of the Clerk's office 
during the 111th Congress was to modernize the infrastructure 
of the House chamber by enhancing the operation of the 
Electronic Voting System (EVS) and its display of information 
to Members and the public. The EVS needed to be modified due to 
antiquated hard- and software, a challenge because of the 
limitations of the current EVS and the physical placement of 
its key display board above the Press Gallery.
    All of the electronic displays in the House chamber, 
including the summary displays for descriptions of pending 
legislation and the list of Member names displayed during 
votes, were replaced. The names are now computerized, instead 
of consisting of individual display plaques, which makes it 
easy to add or remove names, or to redistribute the complete 
list among the remaining display boards if one of them should 
fail. In the voting display, letters for ``Y'' or N'' or ``P'' 
are used along with colors to improve the visibility of 
Members' votes. The summary displays also now provide 
additional legislative information. The new technology is 
Americans with Disabilities Act compliant, and is expected to 
be more efficient and cost effective and to reduce the 
opportunity for malfunctions at critical times during House 
sessions.
    The Clerk provides support to the House Fine Arts Board, an 
entity presided over by the chairman of the Committee on House 
Administration and consisting of the House's complement of five 
Members serving on the Joint Committee on the Library. The Fine 
Arts Board administers and maintains works of fine art which 
may be displayed in the House wing of the Capitol and in House 
Office Buildings and other locations under the control of the 
House. It includes works of art which may be commissioned by 
the House. In the summer of 2010, the Committee initiated a 
series of regular oversight meetings with the Clerk's staff who 
assist the Board, including the House curator, Farar Elliott, 
to enhance communication and to ensure that actions being taken 
had the advance approval of the Board.
    During the 111th Congress, a process began which will 
modify the functions of the Office of History and Preservation, 
a subunit of the Clerk's office under the Committee's 
oversight, which provides historical, curatorial and archival 
services, and whose duties were not always clearly defined. The 
Office of the Historian, an independent office run by an 
official known as the Historian of the House, was created in 
1989 pursuant to clause 7 of Rule II of House rules and 
appointed by the Speaker. It had replaced the earlier Office 
for the Bicentennial created in 1982. But when Speakers 
Gingrich and Hastert left the Historian position vacant for 
several terms, the Office of History and Preservation under the 
Clerk took over many of its functions.
    When Dr. Robert Remini was eventually appointed as 
Historian by Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, the two offices often 
appeared to be in competition, sometimes performed duplicative 
functions, and were known not to communicate with each other. 
Neither the Historian nor the Clerk were apparently able to 
remedy these deficiencies despite admonitions from the 
Committee to develop greater cooperation.
    In the fall of 2010, following Dr. Remini's retirement, 
Speaker Pelosi followed the recommendation of a non-partisan 
search committee and selected Dr. Matthew Wasniewski, a deputy 
chief of the Office of History and Preservation, as the new 
Historian. The Committee's expectation is that this appointment 
will help to eliminate the duplication between the two offices 
by consolidating historical research functions and associated 
staffing within the position of Historian, while others will 
remain within the Clerk's domain.
    The Clerk informed the Committee early in the 111th 
Congress that office space providing access to the House 
Library would be opened in the near future, once logistics had 
been worked out. This had not occurred by the end of the 
Congress. The House Library as a physical space freely 
accessible to Members and staff, much like a public library, 
had closed in 1995, though its functions continued within the 
office of the Clerk. The new House Library space, when 
finalized, is expected to emphasize electronic access to 
information.
    As part of the continuing work to revamp the operations of 
the House Page Program, which had included modifications to the 
composition of the House Page Board in the preceding Congress, 
a Deputy Clerk, Maria Lopez, was hired in 2009 to supervise all 
functions associated with the operation of the program.
    The House, through the Clerk's office, hosted the third 
World 
e-Parliament Conference on November 3-5, 2009. The World e-
Parliament Conference is the annual forum of the community of 
parliaments addressing, from both the policy and technical 
perspectives, how the use of information and communication 
technology can help improve representation, transparency, 
accountability, openness, and effectiveness in the complex 
parliamentary environment. At the conference, members of 
parliaments, secretaries-general, parliamentary staff and 
officials, experts from international organizations and 
academics who work and deal with information and communication 
technologies in legislatures analyze best practices, exchange 
views on latest trends and institutional developments, learn 
from each other's experiences, network with peers, and build 
partnerships in an international setting.
    In 2010, at the direction of Speaker Pelosi and Chairman 
Brady, the Clerk implemented HouseLive (www.houselive.gov), a 
web-streaming service that offers streaming real-time video of 
House sessions back to the beginning of the 111th Congress, 
accessible to the public, and which has a search feature to 
easily locate particular speeches and appearances of Members. 
The new feature provides greater functionality than the 
traditional broadcasts of House floor proceedings made by the 
House and viewable on the CSPAN networks.
    The Committee approved steps taken by the Clerk to 
establish safeguards to prevent errors in the enrollment 
process, including a request for staff support from the 
Government Printing Office. The Committee anticipates continued 
efforts in the next Congress to improve coordination of House 
and Senate legislative materials and to reduce the potential 
for errors, but is concerned by the Senate's reluctance to 
establish a unified process.
    The Committee discussed with the Clerk's office key 
improvements in operations related to preparation for the 112th 
Congress, including activities related to orientation for new 
Members and providing stationery, preparation of key 
publications related to the convening of a new session (e.g., 
the Congressional Pictorial Directory) and other matters.
    The Committee also consulted when necessary with the 
Clerk's Office of the House Employment Counsel (OHEC), which 
provides legal advice to Member offices on employment matters. 
In addition to individual day-to-day employment situations, the 
Committee sought advice from OHEC regarding the Office of 
Compliance's proposed veterans' preference regulations.
    With the opening of the CVC and the reorganization of the 
Capitol Guide Service, pursuant to Pub. L. 110-437 the Clerk 
joined the board overseeing the Office of Congressional 
Accessibility Services. Her service on the Congressional 
Accessibility Services Board will ensure appropriate 
coordination between OHEC and the new Accessibility Services 
office. This required increased oversight in the 111th 
Congress.

Sergeant at Arms

    The Committee takes very seriously its oversight of the 
House Sergeant at Arms (HSAA), the House Officer responsible 
for security. Although many issues related to House security 
are not appropriate subjects for public hearings, the Committee 
and its Subcommittee on Capitol Security received several 
private briefings from the HSAA. In addition, the bipartisan 
Committee staff met with the Sergeant at Arms and his staff 
virtually every week throughout the session to discuss matters 
of concern to HSAA and the Committee.
    As always, the Committee focused heavily upon protection of 
the House's physical plant, comprised primarily of the House 
wing of the Capitol; the House office buildings, including the 
House's sundry parking facilities; the surrounding streets; and 
other support facilities on Capitol Hill and elsewhere. The 
Capitol and office buildings are both a workplace and tourist 
destination for millions of Americans and others from around 
the world, presenting a complicated safety and security 
challenge.
    During the 110th Congress, upon recommendation from the 
Committee, the Speaker of the House designated the HSAA as the 
lead entity for coordinating evacuation procedures in House 
buildings. Consistent with these clarified responsibilities, 
the Committee also approved the HSAA Senior Management 
Expansion/Reorganization Plan in order for HSAA to better 
manage emergency evacuation planning and operations. That work 
continued into the 111th Congress with the merger of the Office 
of Emergency, Planning, Preparedness and Operations (OEPPO) in 
the HSAA office as the Office of Emergency Management.
    Building from the successful merger of the Library of 
Congress Police with the United States Capitol Police (USCP), 
Committee staff continued to investigate the benefits of 
consolidating the Legislative Branch security forces. 
Accordingly, the Committee has been exploring the merger of the 
Police Force of the Government Printing Office with the USCP. 
It is anticipated that this merger may take the work of several 
Congresses to negotiate and commence.
    Modernizing the communications capabilities for the USCP is 
a top priority for the Committee and the police leadership. The 
Committee has conducted monthly, staff-level oversight meetings 
with the USCP Radio Modernization Project Team. These meetings 
have helped resolve jurisdictional issues as well as forced 
cooperation with other agencies. This multi-million dollar 
project has the potential to transform the way the USCP 
operates for two decades; targeted oversight of this initiative 
will continue into the next session.
    Recruiting and retaining dedicated personnel is essential 
to the effective protection of the Congress. At the request of 
the police union, the Subcommittee on Capitol Security has 
requested an examination of the retirement benefits offered to 
the uniformed members of the USCP as they compare to other 
Federal law enforcement organizations. This analysis may inform 
the Committee's work in helping the USCP attract and retain the 
best law enforcement professionals.
    On July 29, 2010, the Subcommittee on Capitol Security held 
a hearing entitled ``United States Capitol Police Budget 
Concerns''. This hearing was held after the Capitol Police 
Board revealed to the Committee that it had substantially 
miscalculated basic elements of its recent budget submission, 
resulting in a several million dollar shortfall. The Committee, 
along with the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, 
directed the USCP Inspector General to review the budget 
development, formulation and execution process for the USCP. 
The USCP Chief and IG testified before the Subcommittee and 
responded to concerns regarding the USCP FY-10 budget 
miscalculations. The Subcommittee directed the Chief to make 
changes to his administrative structure, and to follow the 
guidance of the Inspector General. A few weeks later, the Chief 
Administrative Officer announced her retirement. The Committee 
is determined that the USCP follow procedures that avoid budget 
miscalculations, and continue making improvements to ensure 
professionalization of the administration operation of the 
USCP.
    The Committee also spent considerable time and attention 
overseeing and providing policy direction for the HSAA in his 
role as the House's representative on the Capitol Police Board. 
The Board is a bicameral entity created by law, consisting of 
the HSAA, the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and the Architect of the 
Capitol. The Board oversees and provides policy direction to 
the U.S. Capitol Police, who protect both houses. The Committee 
consulted regularly with the HSAA regarding policies adopted by 
the Board.

Chief Administrative Officer

    The Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House plays 
an integral part supporting the operations of the House 
generally, and has specific responsibilities supporting Member 
and committee operations. From issuing paychecks to tracking 
inventory to processing expenses to providing information 
technology, the CAO's office is intertwined with every aspect 
of day-to-day operations.
    Oversight of the CAO represents a significant portion of 
the Committee's daily operations. The Committee is responsible 
for approving all policy changes, personnel actions and major 
contracts. During the 111th Congress, the Committee continued 
its practice of meeting twice a month with the CAO and his 
deputies to receive oversight reports, and the CAO testified 
before the Committee with other House officers at a public 
hearing on April 28, 2010. Additionally, the Committee managed 
a successful transition of officers with the resignation in 
July of 2010 of Daniel P. Beard, who had been in the position 
since 2007, and the appointment of Daniel J. Strodel by the 
Speaker to fill the vacancy.
    The long anticipated implementation of the ATLAS project 
and the FINMART reporting system was the successful result of a 
multi-year project to bring more transparency, uniformity and 
closer adherence to generally accepted accounting standards 
with regard to expenditures from the Member's Representational 
Allowance. ATLAS replaces several legacy financial systems 
whose antiquated software was increasingly expensive to 
maintain and difficult to operate. The ongoing integration of 
the ATLAS project and the peripheral programs will give Member 
offices the ability to manage their budgets in a detailed, day-
to-day fashion not previously available. ATLAS can also be 
easily modified and adopted to meet the unique needs of the 
House as well as the individual preference of the Member 
offices. This flexibility allows the House to make long term IT 
investments with confidence in the integrity of our financial 
applications. The monumental data shift required for the ATLAS 
implementation occurred seamlessly, resulting in no 
interruption in House operations.
    The Committee worked with the CAO and affected stakeholders 
in revising voucher documentation standards and online 
advertisement regulations. Driven by a need to streamline 
office functions, ensure timely payment for goods and services, 
increase transparency, and provide constituent services, the 
new voucher documentation standards have eased unnecessary 
bureaucratic burdens both for Member offices and the CAO while 
not sacrificing the transparency in House spending which 
taxpayers expect. The new online advertisement regulations 
provide Members with the ability to use electronic means to 
communicate with their constituents. Use of online 
advertisements has helped Members reach constituents in a more 
timely and cost efficient manner than more traditional tools.
    Services supporting the functions of Member offices are 
invaluable, as elected representatives work daily to serve 
their constituents. To that end, ensuring House office space 
can be fully utilized is essential. In cooperation with the 
Architect of the Capitol and security professionals, the CAO 
unified communications team successfully enhanced cellular 
phone access in the Capitol Visitor Center. The expansion of 
wireless access within the House office buildings has also 
allowed Members, staff, and visitors to fully use available 
House resources. Additionally, the Committee dedicated time and 
staff to the continued oversight of major contracts affecting 
all those who work in and visit the House of Representatives. 
Those contracts include services such as: U.S. flag supplier, 
language translation, furniture refurbishment, shoe maintenance 
and repair services, dry cleaning, food service operations, 
salon and barber shops, mail delivery and modular furnishing.
    The Committee was proud to continue its work with the CAO 
on the ``Wounded Warrior'' fellowship program. Commenced in the 
110th Congress, this program provides a two-year employment 
opportunity for wounded or disabled veterans within Member 
offices. House offices identify potential positions in Member, 
committee or leadership offices in Washington, D.C., or in 
district offices nationwide. Positions are filled by veterans 
with a thirty-percent-or-greater service-connected disability 
rating from either a military Physical Evaluation Board or the 
Department of Veterans Affairs. Wherever possible, those 
selected for the program are given the opportunity to 
transition into full-time employment.
    The Committee worked closely with the CAO in key areas 
affecting all Member offices during the transition to the 111th 
Congress. Services such as inventory control, payroll and 
finance, office supplies, technology, and telecommunications 
are CAO functions essential to a smooth transition process. 
These services ensure that the official work of the House 
continues despite transition and that Members can still provide 
needed constituent services. Under the Committee's direction, 
the CAO and Architect of the Capitol took the lead on departing 
Member office briefings. These briefings enabled departing 
Member offices to plan for the overwhelming task of closing a 
congressional office. Additionally, the CAO worked diligently 
to ensure that the critical functions of incoming Members, and 
Members moving to new office locations, are continued with 
little interruption during the transition period.
    Under the Committee's leadership, the CAO and the AOC have 
collaborated under the auspices of the Green the Capitol 
Program to make the House of Representatives a model of 
sustainability for other Federal agencies and similar 
institutions. A progress report on these efforts, ``Going Green 
and Saving Energy,'' was released in April 2010 by the 
Architect of the Capitol and CAO. The CAO and AOC have 
mitigated carbon emissions by 74 percent by partnering to burn 
natural gas as the exclusive fuel of the Capitol Power Plant 
and by securing wind-generated electricity for the needs of the 
House buildings. Together the CAO and AOC successfully pursued 
a five percent per year energy reduction goal, installed 
utility meters in buildings to understand and improve water and 
energy use, jointly worked to include practical sustainable 
design features in planned building renovations, and 
implemented heating and cooling, lighting, and water management 
upgrades to ensure continued energy reduction progress and 
sound resource stewardship.
    Under the Committee's oversight, the CAO also implemented 
numerous sustainable business practices throughout House 
operations, including a procurement program approved by the 
Committee in March of 2010 that requires the CAO's 
consideration of sustainable purchasing standards in its 
procurement decisions and encourages an educated, 
environmentally responsible supply chain and CAO purchasing 
system. Improvements in House operational programs also include 
new sustainable requirements in restaurant and postal 
operations, data and computer management, and transportation 
systems.
    Under Chairman Brady's leadership, the House of 
Representatives has made its buildings, offices and operations 
more sustainable and energy efficient by reducing energy and 
water use, diverting waste from landfills, reusing resources 
and maximizing recycling of paper, glass, plastics and metals. 
Specifically, these efforts include such energy saving 
initiatives as consolidation and virtualization of over 250 
Member Office computer servers, comprehensive upgrading of 
lighting fixtures in all buildings, conversion of all 
incandescent light bulbs to compact fluorescent lights, and 
installation of meters to monitor and address high energy use 
areas.
    The AOC's mandate under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 was 
expanded under the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 
(Pub. L. 110-140), which set an energy use reduction goal for 
the Capitol complex of three percent per year. The Committee 
and the House adopted a more aggressive energy reduction goal 
as part of the Green the Capitol Initiative of five percent per 
year, or fifty percent over a ten-year period. At the end of 
the 111th Congress, the House energy saving performance is on 
track to achieve this goal. To help reach that goal, the AOC 
initiated an Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) under 
which an energy savings contractor has undertaken energy 
conservation measures throughout the House complex, to be paid 
for from the resulting energy savings rather than appropriated 
funds. The Committee has also overseen the AOC's installation 
of improved meters showing all energy use in the House 
buildings, allowing accurate measurement of increased energy 
savings.
    During the 111th Congress, under the Committee's direction 
the CAO and the AOC coordinated to develop a concerted, 
systematic and user-friendly outreach program for Member, 
Committee, Leadership and District offices. Since April 2009, 
specially trained CAO and AOC staff have been engaged in 
consulting with these offices on various sustainable business 
and energy saving practices applicable to all offices, and 
created an interactive website for calculating individual 
office energy and cost savings. This continuing program has 
been well-received by the Members and staff and enjoys the 
participation of over 400 Member offices, 28 Committee offices 
and many of the legislative agency offices in all four House 
office buildings. It encourages a number of best resource-
conserving practices, including double-sided printing, use of 
smart power strips and computer power management settings, and 
committed adherence to metal, glass, plastic, and paper 
recycling as well as waste composting.
    The Committee has also overseen efforts to encourage House 
staff to reduce fuel and emissions in commuting to Capitol 
Hill--and to reduce traffic congestion--through use of car-
sharing and transit benefits programs. House staff has been 
encouraged to relinquish their parking spaces in exchange for 
monthly transit benefits.
    The Green the Capitol program has made continuing, 
significant progress on its framework goals under the 
leadership of the Committee, marking substantial achievements 
in energy and water reduction, waste management, sustainable 
procurement and concession operations, and staff education and 
support in sustainable business practices within Member offices 
and across the House. These achievements position the House of 
Representatives as a sustainability leader in the Federal 
sector.
    The Committee has also closely monitored the CAO's 
contributions to the security of House operations, including 
security of mail deliveries and continuity of administrative 
operations in the event of an emergency. The Subcommittee on 
Capitol Security requested and reviewed a report from the CAO 
on potential improvements to the handling of mail. In 
consultation with the United States Capitol Police, the 
Committee directed the CAO to implement some modest 
improvements that improved the program's productivity without 
compromising security. In addition to receiving regular reports 
on these operations, Committee staff has visited CAO facilities 
and overseen practical exercises intended to ensure that House 
operations can be maintained in any eventuality.
    The Committee prioritizes monitoring the technology that 
supports House operations and Member and Committee offices, and 
believes the advancement of technological improvements to the 
House will benefit House offices by increasing productivity, 
saving costs, enhancing security, and opening new ways to 
communicate with constituents. Technology services to House 
offices are largely provided, by the CAO's office of House 
Information Resources.
    In promoting the use of technology in the House, the 
Committee meets twice a month with CAO technology staff. 
Policies have been adopted by the Committee under which HIR 
provides access and operates the facilities of an advanced 
institutional computer and communications network available to 
more than 12,000 users. House offices use approximately 20,000 
desktop, laptop, and other types of office computers, and over 
8,500 mobile devices, on both the Capitol Hill campus and 
around the country. Thousands of servers, large and small, 
support individual congressional offices, publication 
facilities, voice and communications, data storage, and the 
full range of administrative services within the House. 
Extensive backup facilities ensure business continuity. All 
these resources are linked by a network provided by HIR and 
private communications vendors. The network links nearly a 
thousand district offices, more than twenty standing 
committees, Leadership offices, House Officer support 
functions, and numerous other Hill offices.
    The Committee and CAO have saved approximately $1.6 million 
taxpayer dollars on future maintenance on technology support by 
transferring the House Storage Area Network (SAN), which 
supports all CAO business systems, to a new storage system that 
reduces the overall power and cooling requirements within data 
centers, and improves business stability. At the Committee's 
direction, the CAO has negotiated blanket purchase agreements 
with two major vendors of computer equipment. By entering into 
blanket purchase agreements, the growing needs of the House 
will be met in the most economical manner available in the 
marketplace. The Committee and the CAO have also begun a series 
of Member office support services and training under the title 
of ``Work smarter, not harder.'' The training series has 
provided employee access to information about technology 
efficiencies already in place in congressional offices, many of 
which are unused or overlooked because of a lack of training. 
With the substantial annual turnover in House staff, the 
Committee expects this training series to be repeated yearly, 
and expects that Member offices will benefit from productivity 
gains as a result.
    In an effort to improve constituent and internal 
communication, the Committee with help from the CAO recently 
upgraded the House e-mail system from Microsoft Exchange 2003 
to Microsoft Exchange 2007. The technology, coupled with 
Exchange Extended Mailbox, allows the House to take advantage 
of the software's latest improvements, which provide the user 
with tools to easily manage e-mail with a high capacity inbox.
    Speaker Pelosi and Republican Leader Boehner have placed a 
high priority on the security policies governing computers in 
the House, and had requested recommendations for improving 
House information system security policies. After undertaking a 
complete review of all House IT policies, the Committee 
approved new security policies based off of assessments from 
the CAO. Beginning in June, 2010 all employees on the House 
network are required to complete yearly Information Security 
Awareness Training, either online or during a live training 
course. In keeping with the new, improved IT security policies, 
the Information Systems Security Office now offers portable USB 
flash drives, which store House information securely. The 
sophisticated devices allow staff to use a fingerprint in 
addition to a password, to access encrypted data securely. To 
date, hundreds of the drives have been issued to offices. 
Beginning for the 112th Congress, the Committee approved a new 
CAO designed web architecture to host all House public web 
sites using a Preferred Development option or a Virtualized 
hosting option. The new architecture provides a flexible 
hosting platform for both CAO and vendor-managed web sites, 
incorporates additional security protocols and firewalls, and 
provides significantly improved business continuity and 
disaster recovery services.
    In order to provide public access and transparency to 
committee proceedings through the House, the Committee approved 
numerous technology upgrades and worked with the CAO and 
Architect of the Capitol to prioritize installation of these 
upgrades in committee hearing rooms. This modernization allows 
the full range of broadcast-quality digital signals and 
streaming Internet video to be accessed--in real time--by 
anyone, anywhere, and for all proceedings to be recorded in 
various formats for archival purposes while also adhering to 
the Americans with Disabilities Act. Renovated Committee 
hearing rooms allow committee chairpersons to monitor 
proceedings from their desks, provide broadcast of hearings to 
the public and broadcast media, accommodate a large on-site 
audience, record the proceedings and receive professional 
broadcast support, all while giving the House the capability to 
simultaneously broadcast multiple hearings.
    In addition to the official House web sites established by 
most congressional offices, the Committee expanded the 
opportunity for Members to communicate with constituents 
through social networking and other sites in an official 
capacity. In an effort to facilitate communication between 
Members and constituents, the Committee adopted new regulations 
which expand the types of advertisements Members may purchase 
using official funds.
    The Committee and the CAO are exploring new technology with 
respect to wireless communications devices for everyday use and 
to enhance security communications. While this area of 
technology is rapidly evolving, the Committee determines how to 
deploy the technologyefficiently and provide cost-effective 
support for Members in Washington, D.C., and in each of their 
congressional districts. Wireless access for staff and guests has been 
made available in House cafeterias Longworth and Rayburn since 
February, 2009. As of December 1, 2010, the CAO has installed 183 
wireless access points in Member and Committee offices and anticipates 
increasing that number to 500 by May of 2011. The installations, 
supported by the AOC, will make the current infrastructure more robust 
and accessible. In January 2010 continued efforts to ensure the 
security of mobile devices on the House network led to requirements for 
House staff to use passwords to access their Blackberrys. On April 15, 
2010, the Committee implemented support for Apple's popular iPhone, 
which allows House staff to get official emails on their iPhone.

Inspector General

    House Rule II creates the office of Inspector General (IG), 
and gives the Committee general responsibility for oversight 
and policy direction of the work of that office. In order to 
promote bipartisanship and to secure the IG's independence, the 
Committee oversees the IG's implementation of its work plan 
through weekly bipartisan IG-Committee staff meetings.
    With the Committee's support at the beginning of the 111th 
Congress, the IG's responsibilities were expanded under House 
Rules to provide for management advisory services, while 
continuing the usual requirements for financial audits of House 
Officer operations. The management advisory services have 
greatly benefited the House Officers by identifying 
inefficiencies and bottlenecks, and by assessing industry and 
government-wide ``best practices'' for implementation where 
appropriate in the House. In addition, the IG has monitored and 
advised the CAO with respect to the implementation of the 
House-wide financial management system, conducted ``Lean Six 
Sigma'' training seminars, provided the Architect of the 
Capitol ``dashboard'' assistance (prior to the appointment of 
an AOC IG), conducted investigations upon receipt of 
complaints, and performed a myriad of other support services, 
saving both time and tax dollars.
    Following the retirement of Inspector General James J. 
Cornell at the end of the first session of the 111th Congress, 
the Committee established a bipartisan task force to conduct a 
national replacement search using the services of Korn/Ferry 
International. One hundred twenty-eight interested parties 
either applied or were contacted, and the field was eventually 
narrowed down to three highly qualified candidates. The task 
force interviewed the candidates and made its recommendation to 
the House Leadership. The Acting Inspector General, Theresa M. 
Grafenstine, was appointed as permanent IG on July 30, 2010, by 
Speaker Pelosi, Democratic Leader Hoyer and Republican Leader 
Boehner acting jointly.
    During the course of the 111th Congress, there were various 
congressional office concerns, and House Officer staff 
concerns, which came to the Committee's attention. The Office 
of the Inspector General was asked to do an evaluation, and the 
findings prompted operational and management changes which have 
helped to improve both operations and morale. It also became 
clear that, while the House operated a reliable and fully 
functional financial management system, the system lacked a 
documented process for assuring continuous review and 
improvement, rendering that portion of the audit findings 
unsatisfactory. This deficiency is being corrected by the 
current CAO, and the IG's next audit should not produce any 
deficiencies.
    The Committee, in cooperation with the IG and the Finance 
Office, collaborated on the adoption of consistent and 
auditable voucher documentation standards. After initial 
adoption by the Committee, the IG recommended additional 
changes and enhancements. Those changes were approved by the 
Committee, which reissued the documentation standards for 
implementation at the start of the Second Session. The IG uses 
voucher documentation standards for training House financial 
administrators, and the Finance Office uses them to ensure that 
Financial Counselors are providing consistent advice and audit 
services to all offices of the House.
    While many government IGs seek to quantify the value of 
their work in terms of dollars saved by efficiencies 
implemented and problems avoided, it would be impossible to 
accurately quantify the value of the House IG's work. To do so 
would greatly oversimplify the crucial role this office plays 
in optimizing the use of tax dollars to run the House as a 
large institution with a complex organizational structure. For 
example, the IG regularly provides the Committee with 
independent expertise that assists the Committee in reconciling 
conflicting views regarding the most efficient and appropriate 
course of action to take in each of the major management 
decisions in the House. It would be impossible to determine the 
monetary value of the path not chosen versus the value of the 
one that was, and to do so would provide no useful or reliable 
information. The Committee considers it sufficient that House 
operations are continuously improving and becoming more 
transparent and accountable through the actions and advice of 
the Office of the Inspector General.

                        ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

    The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) serves as the facilities 
manager for the Congress, constructing and maintaining the U.S. 
Capitol and all of the other buildings in the Capitol complex. 
Certain decisions regarding management of the House office 
buildings and the House side of the Capitol reside with the 
House Office Building Commission, but the Committee is charged 
by House Rules with oversight of the AOC.
    Throughout the 111th Congress, bipartisan Committee staff 
met on a regular basis with the AOC and the AOC's 
Superintendent of House Office Buildings, but also reviewed all 
other AOC activities affecting other elements of the Capitol 
campus (excluding the Senate Office Buildings).The Committee 
worked with the AOC to expand accessibility of House 
facilities, take advantage of expanded capacity in the House 
television system and improve signage in House buildings.
    On May 6, 2009, the Committee heard testimony from Stephen 
T. Ayers, who had been Acting Architect of the Capitol since 
2007, on needed renovations to House Office Buildings. The 
hearing was timely as the House Office Buildings have been 
without renovation for a significant period despite the 
increased demands on their use. Renovation plans for the Cannon 
House Office Building have commenced with staff-level, 
bipartisan meetings. In conjunction with those plans, the AOC 
proceeded with leasing 200,000 square feet at Federal Office 
Building 8, to accommodate displaced Congressional staff during 
the renovation. Much needed planning for the renovation of the 
east underground parking facility continued with work 
anticipated to commence in the 112th Congress.
    The Committee is proud of the work accomplished by the AOC 
through energy and cost savings renovations within the House 
Office Buildings. Notable was the installation of water-saving 
bathroom fixtures and energy efficient lighting. The Architect 
also developed new internal lighting schedules for even greater 
energy and cost savings. During the 111th Congress, the AOC 
furthered efforts to maintain the visible and symbolic features 
of the Capitol as projects to renovate and illuminate the 
Capitol Dome progressed.
    Committed to expanding public accessibility and providing 
safety in the House Office Buildings, the Committee worked with 
the AOC to continue a maintenance schedule of House committee 
rooms. Some of the heavily used House-specific Capitol rooms 
also underwent a much needed renovation. Combined with new fire 
abatement plans, the AOC helped to preserve the public safety 
while maintaining the historic integrity of the buildings. The 
AOC also completed historic renovation to the House Chamber by 
adding handicap accessibility to the Speaker's dais.
    On Feb. 24, 2010, President Barack Obama nominated Mr. 
Ayres to a 10-year term as Architect of the Capitol. He was 
confirmed by the Senate on May 12, 2010.

                         CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

    The Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) constitutes the newest 
addition to the Capitol complex. Nearly 580,000 square feet in 
size, the facility is located underground on the east side of 
the Capitol in order to preserve the appearance of the Capitol 
grounds designed by Frederick Law Olmsted in 1874. Opened to 
the public in December 2008 during the final weeks of the 110th 
Congress, millions of people have toured the facility, visiting 
exhibits intended to provide a better understanding of the 
first branch of the government in a secure environment.
    The Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 (Pub. L. 110-437) 
(``the Act'') vests overall responsibility for CVC operation 
and maintenance in the Architect of the Capitol, who operates 
and maintains the Capitol and all congressional office 
buildings. A ``Chief Executive Officer for Visitor Services'' 
oversees the CVC's day-to-day operations and reports to the 
Architect.
    Section 102 of the Act vests in the Committee on House 
Administration and the Senate Rules and Administration 
Committee the duty and responsibility to provide policy review 
and oversight of the CVC, and, faithful to that charge, the 
Committee devoted many hours to the task during the 111th 
Congress. Naturally, as with any new organization, the initial 
months following organization presented many challenges and 
identified many issues requiring resolution by the oversight 
committees, the Architect, and others. Committee staff met 
frequently with CVC staff to discuss and resolve operational 
questions and concerns raised by the Members of both houses, 
committee staff, the Capitol Police and the public.
    The Committee (and its Senate counterpart) worked with the 
Architect, CVC management and staff during the Congress on 
several important matters, including an inclement-weather 
policy, improved facility signage, and to assure that the gift 
shops offer American-made goods for sale to the greatest extent 
possible. The Committee worked with the Capitol Police, the 
House Sergeant-at-Arms and others to achieve balance between 
proper security and ensuring that lines at doors move quickly. 
The Committee worked with the CVC staff and Government Printing 
Office personnel to maximize CVC use of GPO printing and 
procurement services to create operational norms that will 
serve CVC in the years ahead. The Committee also worked with 
the Senate Rules Committee to develop guidelines for staff-led 
tours, and to institute formal training concerning safety, 
building layout, history and artifacts for those staff who lead 
CVC tours for Members.
    Finally, during the Congress the CVC tour guides and 
visitor assistants voted to form a labor union and ultimately 
certified the American Federation of State, County and 
Municipal Employees (AFSCME) Local 26 to represent their 
concerns to management about the terms and conditions of their 
employment. The Committee was aware of dissatisfaction among 
the CVC employees about their health, safety and security on 
the job, and shared their concerns. The Committee intends to 
observe very closely the interaction between Local 26 and 
Architect management in coming years and trusts that the 
Architect will fill the now-vacant position of CEO for Visitor 
Services with a well-qualified person who understands the 
purpose of the CVC, the needs of Members of Congress and their 
staffs, and of the employees without whom the facility cannot 
operate.

                          LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

    The Committee has maintained diligent oversight over the 
Library of Congress throughout the 111th Congress. In addition 
to oversight hearings and legislative action, bipartisan 
Committee staff met weekly with the staff of the Library, and 
toured various Library facilities. Chairman Brady also served 
in his role as ex officio member of the Library of Congress 
Trust Fund Board, attending meetings and acting on various 
trust fund management matters.
    The Committee conducted two oversight hearings on the 
Library of Congress in the 111th Congress. On April 29th, 2009, 
the Committee held a hearing on the Library's information 
technology strategic planning. The Committee members were 
briefed on the latest IT initiatives undertaken by the Library, 
including plans for increasing digital security, expanding 
LOC's web presence and the digitization of the Library's 
inventory. The Committee received testimony from Dr. James 
Billington, Librarian of Congress; Laura Campbell, Chief 
Information Officer, LOC; Jo Ann Jenkins, Chief Operating 
Officer, LOC; and Karl Schornagel, Inspector General, LOC.
    On July 29, 2009, the Committee held a hearing on the 
current issues facing the Worklife Services Center at the 
Library. At this hearing, the Committee heard testimony 
regarding the three components of the Center: the Technical 
Services Team, which processes all personnel requests; the 
Employee Services Center, which counsels employees on 
retirement issues; and Leave Administration, which processes 
leave requests and manages the Library's ``leave bank.'' The 
witnesses at this hearing were: Dennis Hanratty, Director of 
Human Resources, LOC, and Karl Schornagel, Inspector General, 
LOC.
    In addition to oversight, the Committee also worked with 
the Library to accomplish several legislative goals. On June 4, 
2009, the Committee held a mark-up of H.R. 2728, The William 
Orton Law Library Improvement and Modernization Act, which 
passed the House on July 30th, 2009 and was subsequently 
referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. 
It did not receive Floor action in the Senate.
    On July 14th, 2010, the Committee held a mark-up of H.R. 
5681, which would improve certain administrative operations of 
the Library of Congress. These operations include permitting 
the Librarian of Congress to dispose of surplus or obsolete 
property and use of the proceeds thereof, restructuring the 
Library's student loan repayment program, and a provision allow 
unobligated balances of expiring appropriations to be used for 
LOC obligations to the Department of Labor's Workers 
Compensation Fund. The Committee reported the bill on July 22, 
and it passed the House on July 27, 2010 and was subsequently 
referred to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, but 
did not receive Floor consideration in the Senate prior to 
adjournment of the Congress.

                     JOINT COMMITTEE ON THE LIBRARY

    The Joint Committee on the Library (JCL) is a joint 
committee of the Congress devoted to the affairs and 
administration of the Library of Congress. There are five 
members of each house on the committee; membership consists of 
the chairman and four Members of the Senate Committee on Rules 
and Administration, the chairman and three Members of the 
Committee on House Administration and the chairman of the 
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch of the House Committee 
on Appropriations. The Committee has oversight of the 
operations of the Library of Congress, as well as management of 
the congressional art collection (including the contributions 
of two statues from each state to the National Statuary Hall 
Collection) and the United States Botanic Garden. The committee 
was chaired in the 111th Congress by Chairman Brady. Other 
members included Rep. Zoe Lofgren; Rep. Daniel E. Lungren; Rep. 
Gregg Harper; Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz; and Sen. Charles 
Schumer (vice chairman); Sen. Christopher Dodd; Sen. Richard 
Durbin; Sen. Robert F. Bennett; and Sen. Thad Cochran.
    Most of the JCL's duties in the 111th Congress involved the 
approval of statue placement, statue replacement, statue 
removals and statue approvals. On April 21st, 2009, the JCL 
formally accepted a statue of Ronald Reagan from the state of 
California for placement in the Capitol. On September 23, 2009, 
the JCL formally accepted a statue of Helen Keller, presented 
by the state of Alabama. In early 2010, the JCL conducted a 
poll of its members to determine the winner of a nationwide 
contest that was used to select a statue honoring Rosa Parks, 
and approved the final clay sculpture model.
    On June 9th, 2010, the House Administration Committee 
ordered reported two bills: H.R. 5493, which would provide the 
District of Columbia with two statues to be placed in the 
National Statuary Hall Collection, and H.R. 5711, which would 
provide five United States territories with one statue each, to 
be placed in the Collection. The bills were reported to the 
House on July 22. On December 15, the House by voice vote under 
suspension of the rules passed a combined modified version of 
the two bills in the form of an amendment to H.R. 5493, as 
recommended by Ranking Minority Member Lungren. The legislation 
was referred to the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.

                         HOUSE FINE ARTS BOARD

    The House Fine Arts Board is comprised of the five Members 
of the House who sit on the Joint Committee on the Library. The 
Fine Arts Boards approved portrait requests for six current or 
former chairmen of House committees in the 111th Congress to 
add to the House collection: former Rep. Duncan Hunter, 
Committee on Armed Services, 2009; Rep. Jerry Lewis, Committee 
on Appropriations, 2009; Rep. Vernon Ehlers, Committee, 
Committee on House Administration, 2009; Rep. Buck McKeon, 
Committee on Education and Labor, 2010; Rep. Bart Gordon, 
Committee on Science and Technology, 2010; and Rep. Donald 
Manzullo, Committee on Small Business, 2010.
    Five committee portraits are in process of completion: 
former Rep. Christopher Cox, Committee on Homeland Security, 
2010; the late Rep. Tom Lantos, Committee on Foreign Affairs, 
2009; Rep. Colin Peterson, Committee on Agriculture, 2010; Rep. 
Chris Smith, Veterans' Affairs, 2010; and Rep. Nick J. Rahall 
II, 2010, Natural Resources.
    In November 2010, the JCL approved the installation of two 
Albert Bierstadt paintings in the Capitol.
    The Committee began a series of oversight meetings with the 
House curator, Farar Elliot, in the summer of 2010 to improve 
oversight of the Clerk's office's role in assisting the Board.

                          OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE

    The Committee has oversight responsibility for the 
Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) (Pub. L. 104-1), and its 
administration and regulation by the independent Office of 
Compliance (OOC). Day to day management of the OOC is under an 
Executive Director and a Counsel, each of whom is appointed by 
an independent, five- member Board of Directors (Board). The 
members of the Board are appointed to five year terms to 
supervise the OOC, to issue regulations implementing the 
various laws, and to serve as an appellate/adjudicative body 
with respect to claims/cases processed through the internal 
hearing process.
    The CAA, as amended, covers legislative branch agencies, 
including the Congress, regarding the following twelve civil 
rights, labor, workplace, and safety laws:
     Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
     Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990
     Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964
     Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988
     Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
     Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993
     Chapter 71 of the Federal Services Labor-
Management Relations Act
     Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970
     Rehabilitation Act of 1973
     Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment 
Rights Act (under Chapter 43, Title 38 of the U.S. Code)
     Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act 
of 1989
     Veterans Employment Opportunities Act.
    Since the OOC is an independent entity within the 
legislative branch, and its day-to-day operations are overseen 
by an independent Board, the Committee's oversight 
responsibilities focus on procedural, operational, and 
administrative matters that require congressional action. The 
Committee meets with the OOC Executive Director and Counsel 
monthly to keep informed about the activities of the OOC, and 
to provide administrative and other support if needed. An 
example of administrative support has been the effort to 
provide direct, OOC-initiated, House-wide e-mail distribution 
to keep staff informed about their rights and about the 
availability of OOC services.
    One needed congressional action was the (re)appointment of 
all five members of the Board by the bipartisan, bicameral 
leadership. Another aspect of the OOC's work that requires 
congressional action is the approval of implementing 
regulations. The OOC drafts and publishes its proposed 
regulations, and after public comment and revision, submits 
them to the House and Senate for joint approval before 
issuance. During the 111th Congress, there were two pending 
sets of implementing regulations--the Veterans Employment 
Opportunities Act (VEOA) regulations, and Uniformed Services 
Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) regulations. 
After a thorough examination of the proposed regulations, the 
House and Senate acted late in the second session to approve 
the VEOA regulations, and the Committee anticipates acting on 
the USERRA regulations during the 112th Congress.
    Since the office space occupied by the OOC is in a Library 
of Congress building, it is significantly limited in the extent 
to which it can accommodate the needs of its staff, as well as 
meet the needs of legislative branch employees. The Office's 
operating environment would be vastly improved by increasing 
conference capacity to allow for the conduct of Board and other 
meetings, hearings, advisory services, counseling, etc. The 
Committee is seeking a way to provide the needed facilities for 
the OOC when federally owned and renovated office space, 
contiguous to the congressional campus, becomes available in 
the near future.

                        SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION

    The Smithsonian Institution is a permanent trust entity of 
the United States, and Congress does not enact regular 
authorizing legislation for its activities, except for certain 
construction projects. The Smithsonian obtains its Federal 
funding, roughly 70 percent of its budget, through the 
appropriations process, and the remainder through donations 
which are called ``trust funds'' which the Institution can 
spend for any purpose.
    The Committee on House Administration acts as the House's 
primary legislative and oversight panel for the Smithsonian, 
and shares oversight of planning, design and construction of 
new facilities at the Institution with the House Committee on 
Transportation and Infrastructure, which may receive an 
additional referral of such legislation. The Committee conducts 
significant oversight of the Institution, usually through 
monthly oversight meetings with Smithsonian staff, including 
separate regular meetings with the Smithsonian Inspector 
General to learn of the progress of ongoing investigations. It 
also conducts on-site inspection trips to Smithsonian museums 
in Washington, including the National Zoo, and other facilities 
in the field, including, in this Congress, the Smithsonian 
Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal Virginia.
    Since the Museum of African American History and Culture 
was created by law in 2003, no new major legislative initiative 
for the Smithsonian has been considered by the Committee and 
the most intense focus has been on oversight. The Committee was 
briefed periodically as the Smithsonian continued planning for 
the construction of the African American Museum. An architect 
was selected by the Institution and a design approved. Ground-
breaking for construction is anticipated around the end of 2011 
or the beginning of 2012, with completion expected in 2015.
    Shortly after the 110th Congress convened in 2007, a series 
of interlocking scandals, resignations and administrative 
upheavals shocked the Smithsonian, generating a torrent of 
congressional inquiries and negative press coverage. These 
events precipitated an historic revamping of the Smithsonian's 
governance structure, the beginning of the dismantling of its 
insular culture in a move toward greater transparency, and the 
replacement of senior management personnel, including the then-
Secretary, Lawrence Small.
    The Committee conducted a wide range of oversight of these 
changes, including consultation with the three House Members 
who serve as Smithsonian regents, private briefings, staff 
meetings and public hearings. In each context, the Committee 
cautioned the Board of Regents that its efforts at internal 
transformation in the aftermath of these changes could not 
become an excuse for altering core policies of free access by 
the American public to Smithsonian museums, retreating from 
commitments to continue its unique scientific research 
projects, or neglecting the safety of the visiting public in 
its sometimes decrepit and underfunded facilities.
    The firestorms of the 110th Congress have now quieted, but 
the Institution and the current Congress are still absorbing 
their impact. The Committee has continued to closely monitor 
the Smithsonian's compliance with the reform goals enunciated 
in the aftermath of Small's departure. The Smithsonian chose a 
new Secretary, G. Wayne Clough, in 2008, and is undergoing a 
period of consolidation. The Institution abandoned its part-
time, semi-feudal operational style on the Board of Regents and 
implemented reforms to professionalize management and require 
greater accountability from Board members and management alike. 
The Committee is pleased by these changes in the culture of the 
Institution as it retains its unique status while adapting 
administrative operations to the 21st Century.
    In the 111th Congress, the Committee brought to the floor 
and the House passed two joint resolutions appointing new 
citizen regents for six-year terms to the Board of Regents. 
There are nine such positions established by law. By 
longstanding practice, the Board itself reviews possible 
candidates and recommends them to Congress, though, in theory, 
any qualified person could be considered by Congress. The Board 
in its by-laws limits service by the citizen regents to no more 
than two consecutive six-year terms. Joint resolutions to 
effectuate their elections are customarily introduced by the 
congressional regents from the House and Senate who serve on 
the Board.
    On February 12, 2009, Rep. Doris Matsui introduced House 
Joint Resolution 24, to appoint David M. Rubenstein as a 
citizen regent, and on February 26, 2009 introduced House Joint 
Resolution 25, to appoint France A. Cordova as a citizen 
regent. Both measures were referred to the Committee. Sen. 
Patrick Leahy of Vermont introduced identical measures, S.J. 
Res. 8 and S.J. Res. 9, both of which passed the Senate on 
March 17, 2009 by unanimous consent without action by the 
Committee on Rules and Administration.
    The practice of the Committee on House Administration, 
beginning in the 110th Congress and continuing through the 
111th, has been to invite candidates for citizen regent 
positions to meet informally in a briefing with all of its 
Members, prior to action on the measures required to formally 
elect them. The new policy, ordered by Chairman Robert A. 
Brady, was crafted following the upheaval in Smithsonian 
governance in 2007 which forced the resignation of Secretary 
Small. It was intended to make a clean break with the previous 
House practice of approving candidates automatically without 
any significant review, a practice which is apparently still 
followed in the Senate. No legislative action on a nomination 
occurs until after the Members have met with a candidate, even 
if short-term vacancies result on the Board. This requirement 
has been applied to both newly-nominated candidates and citizen 
regents desiring reappointment to a second term. Both Mr. 
Rubenstein and Dr. Cordova met separately with Members, and a 
decision was subsequently made to proceed with approval of the 
candidates by the House.
    Since substantial time may elapse between the introduction 
of the joint resolutions and the vetting of the candidates by 
the Committee, the Senate is likely to approve its joint 
resolutions first, and the Committee will then bring them 
directly to the floor without a written report. S.J. Res. 8 
passed the House on April 22, 2009, and was signed into law on 
May 7, 2009 (P.L. 111-17). S.J. Res 9 passed the House on 
September 9, 2009 and was signed into law on September 18, 2009 
(P.L. 111-64). There were no additional vacancies on the Board 
during the remainder of the 111th Congress. The Committee 
decided not to act in the post-election session on any 
vacancies anticipated early in 2011, leaving those to the 
incoming Congress.
    Other Smithsonian-related legislation, which might have 
readily passed in previous years, received a mixed reception in 
Congress due to concerns either about potential costs or the 
lack of funds to properly maintain existing infrastructure. On 
March 25, 2010, the Committee ordered reported H.R. 586, 
introduced by Rep. McCarthy of New York, to create a joint 
project under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution and 
the Library of Congress to collect video and audio recordings 
of personal histories and testimonials of individuals who 
participated in the Civil Rights movement. The bill was passed 
by the House on April 24, 2010, by a vote of 422-0, passed the 
Senate on April 24, and was signed into law (P.L. 111-19) on 
May 12, 2009. Successful implementation of the new law 
demonstrated how the staff of the Museum of African American 
History and Culture could interact with other agencies and 
advance the Smithsonian's mission even without the physical 
infrastructure of a building in place.
    The Committee also reported and the House passed two bills 
relating to construction projects at the Smithsonian, but 
neither became law. The first, H.R. 3224, reported on December 
3, 2009, would have allowed the Institution to plan, design and 
construct a vehicle maintenance building in Suitland, Maryland, 
moving this activity away from its prior location at a less 
functional location at the National Zoological Park in downtown 
Washington, D.C. The legislation passed the House under 
suspension of the rules by voice vote on December 8, 2009, but 
was not considered in the Senate. Also, H.R. 5717, the 
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute Enhancement Act was 
reported on September 20, 2010, and passed by the House under 
suspension of the rules by voice vote on September 28, 2010. It 
would have allowed construction of new facilities for education 
at the Smithsonian's research facility in Front Royal, 
Virginia, noted for its efforts to preserve endangered species, 
in conjunction with George Mason University in Virginia. The 
Smithsonian would take ownership in 30 years of a building to 
be constructed at the site and funded by GMU. However, this 
legislation also failed to win floor consideration in the 
Senate.
    Since the practice of the Appropriations committees in the 
House and Senate has often been to fund Smithsonian projects 
even in the absence of a specific separate piece of authorizing 
legislation, the Committee is concerned that the refusal of the 
Senate to act on such House-passed bills could ultimately 
undermine the legislative authority of its committees over 
projects involving construction.
    The Committee held an oversight hearing on April 1, 2009, 
titled ``Management of Asbestos and Materials at the 
Smithsonian Institution'', on issues relating to public safety 
and the possible release of asbestos during construction 
activities at the world's most visited museum, the National Air 
and Space Museum. Chairman Brady expressed concern regarding 
``allegations that the health and safety of Smithsonian 
visitors and workers have been compromised by a lack of 
communication and inadequate protection.'' A Smithsonian 
exhibit specialist at the museum, Richard Pullman, had publicly 
complained that he had contracted asbestosis because of 
deficiencies in Smithsonian practices.
    The Committee heard testimony from the Secretary, Dr. G. 
Wayne Clough, and several experts on treatment of hazardous 
materials. Contractors at the Museum of American History also 
complained of mishandling of hazardous substances during 
construction work there. Secretary Clough made a commitment to 
conduct a complete review of asbestos safety policies and 
procedures using an independent outside workplace safety 
expert. This review, completed in November, 2009 by an outside 
consultant, urged improvements in the Smithsonian Institution's 
handling of asbestos in its buildings, changes in procedures 
and training, and inspections throughout the various buildings 
in the complex. Pullman later received a settlement from the 
Smithsonian but the Institution did not admit liability.
    In 2010, the Smithsonian announced ``Four Grand 
Challenges'' in its Strategic Plan, laying out the 
Institution's priorities through 2015: Understanding the 
American Experience, Understanding and Sustaining a Bio-diverse 
Planet, Valuing World Cultures, and Unlocking the Mysteries of 
the Universe. 
    As the 111th Congress adjourned, the Committee was awaiting 
a final report from the Commission to Study the Potential 
Creation of a National Museum of the American Latino, created 
under Public Law 110-229. It set up a 23-member commission made 
up of appointees of the President and House and Senate 
leadership. Commission members were tasked with studying, over 
a two-year period, the feasibility of and plan for a new 
national museum. Among the subjects of its examination: whether 
a Latino museum should be created, where it might be situated 
in Washington, how it should be funded, and whether it should 
become part of the Smithsonian Institution. If the Commission 
recommends placement within the Smithsonian Institution, as is 
anticipated, the Committee would become the principal 
legislative entity charged with examining its feasibility.
    Throughout the Congress the Committee monitored the status 
of the Smithsonian's historic Arts and Industries Building on 
the Mall, which has been closed for several years pending a 
decision about its ultimate use. At one time, the building had 
been considered as a possible site for the African American 
Museum until a different location was ultimately chosen. In 
2010, the Institution gained access to appropriated ``Legacy'' 
funds set aside by Congress until a certain amount of private 
financing had also been obtained, which would be used to 
undertake preliminary renovation of the structure. The 
Commission studying the potential Latino Museum had also been 
known to be considering recommending Arts and Industries as one 
of several possible sites for that new project.
    As the Congress came to a close, Committee staff were 
briefed about, and later toured, the new ``Hide/Seek'' exhibit 
at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, scheduled from 
October 30, 2010 to February 13, 2011. It deals with the role 
of sexual differences in the depiction of art and featured 
works by gay and lesbian artists. A major controversy arose 
when Secretary Clough ordered the removal of one of the 
exhibits, a video, after a complaint from an outside 
organization claiming that it was sacrilegious. Opponents of 
the Secretary's action claimed that the Smithsonian bowed too 
easily to political pressure, and donors expressed concerns 
over potential censorship.

                               ELECTIONS

    During the 111th Congress the Committee on House 
Administration considered a broad range of legislative issues 
in accordance with its oversight responsibilities regarding 
Federal election policy and matters affecting the 
administration of national elections. These included examining 
concerns relating to the uniformity standards in federal 
elections, obstacles relating to overseas and military voting 
and strategies for expanding access to democracy.
    The Committee, active at the full committee level and 
through the Subcommittee on Elections, also analyzed the 
results of the previous elections in the hearing on ``The 2008 
Election: A Look Back On What Went Right And Wrong.'' The 
hearing witnesses included members of the Election Assistance 
Commission, The Pew Center on the States and representatives 
from numerous organizations, who testified regarding the 
results and procedures of the election and what lessons could 
be learned in preparation for voting in the future.
    In January 2010, the Supreme Court addressed the issue of 
corporate spending in elections through its 5-4 decision in 
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The Committee 
determined that legislation to correct the potential effects of 
the decision was needed. The Committee recognized the 
significant influence that these corporate infusions could have 
on the electoral process, and worked diligently to produce 
legislation that would both protect the interest of American 
voters, as well as ensure that the public was fully informed of 
the sources of funding behind political messages and 
advertising. After holding discussions, meetings and hearings 
on this issue, the result of the Committee's work was the 
introduction of comprehensive legislation, H.R. 5175, otherwise 
known as the DISCLOSE, ``Democracy Is Strengthened By Casting 
Light on Spending in Elections'' Act. This legislation included 
safeguards to ensure the maintenance of political transparency, 
and received broad support from voting rights groups. The 
hearings on the DISCLOSE Act included legislative analysis from 
the President of the Citizens United Foundation, a government 
affairs representative of Public Citizen, and the President and 
CEO of Public Campaign.
    H.R. 5175 was ordered reported favorably by the Committee 
on May 20, 2010, and was subsequently passed by the House on 
June 24 by a vote of 219-206. The Senate failed to act on the 
legislation.
    To address the problem of potential conflicts of interest 
involving chief State election officials and their supervision 
of elections, the Committee considered H.R. 512, the Federal 
Election Integrity Act, introduced by Committee member Susan A. 
Davis of California. The legislation was marked up by the 
Committee on June 10, 2009, and was passed by the House on 
September 29, 2010, by a vote of 296-129. The primary purpose 
of this bill was to limit the direct involvement of election 
officials from actively participating in the management of 
campaigns of federal candidates. While its provisions did not 
prevent any chief election official from running for Federal 
office or from endorsing a candidate for office, it did 
eliminate the perception they lack the impartiality to properly 
perform their obligations.
    Another item on the Committee's agenda was reforming the 
system of financing for congressional campaigns. Due to the 
extensive burden placed on elected officials or those aspiring 
to serve in political office, a system of public financing 
would tackle many of the issues currently encumbering the 
American political system by offering candidates an opportunity 
to focus on legislation and public policy, as opposed to the 
overwhelming funding needed to run a successful campaign. The 
Committee ordered H.R. 6116, the ``Fair Elections Now Act'' 
introduced by Rep. Larson of Connecticut, reported favorably on 
September 23, 2010. It attempted to limit the influence of 
large donors and special interests by ensuring a more balanced 
public debate, and encouraging additional voices to participate 
in the political process. The legislation was not considered by 
the House.
    H.R. 2393, the Military Voting Protection Act of 2009, 
introduced by Committee member Rep. McCarthy of California, 
addressed the challenge of timely ballot transmission to 
military personnel serving overseas due to delays caused by the 
time required to request, receive and return absentee ballots. 
It was ordered reported by the Committee on June 10, 2009, but 
did not receive floor action.
    In 2010, the Subcommittee on Elections examined the issue 
of securing and stabilizing the system of voter registration. 
Chairwoman Lofgren introduced legislation, H.R. 1719, on this 
subject. The Subcommittee considered the development of a 
national online voter registration apparatus that would 
enfranchise millions of additional voters across the country as 
a number of states, including Arizona, Kansas and Washington, 
considered implementing internet based voter registration 
systems. Committee staff met with numerous interest groups and 
discussed the progression of online voter registration with 
federal and state officials, including secretaries of state, to 
construct a bill that provided for a high level of security 
regarding user data, reduced overall costs, and increased the 
accuracy of voter databases.
    The Committee also examined legislation addressing the 
financing of Presidential campaigns, H.R. 6061, the 
Presidential Funding Act, introduced by Rep Price of North 
Carolina. This bill placed a heightened emphasis on small 
donors in order to allow Presidential candidates independence 
from an overreliance on bundlers and those making large 
contributions.
    A recurring biennial initiative of the Committee in 2010 
was its preparations for the mid-term elections. They included 
the development of a training manual and classes detailing the 
process of information gathering during the post-election 
canvassing and recount process. This election cycle produced 
nine House races in New York, Illinois, Virginia, California, 
Arizona, Texas and Washington which resulted in bipartisan 
teams of election observers being sent to these congressional 
districts for the sole purpose of gathering information for the 
use of the House of Representatives should the elections fall 
under the Federal Contested Election Act. Ultimately, no 
election contests were filed against new Members-elect of the 
112th Congress.
    The Committee continued to execute its role in the 
oversight of the Election Assistance Commission during the 
111th Congress. The EAC recently published its 28th report on 
the status of recommendations issued in the office of Inspector 
General, titled ``Assessment of EAC's Program and Financial 
Operations''. This series of reports detail ongoing activities 
within the EAC including the plans for continuity of operations 
and a disaster recovery plan. The Committee staff also met with 
the EAC regarding HAVA funding as well as with the Inspector 
General of the EAC regarding the investigation of ACORN's use 
of Federal grants for voter registration and voter outreach 
activity. Both the Committee's staff and EAC counsels met to 
discuss a newly concluded audit of Project Vote and updated the 
Committee on the status of grants made to the program and the 
detailed accounting of Project Vote's use of those grants.
    The Committee also worked with the Government 
Accountability Office (GAO) to ensure that appropriate funding 
levels were maintained and executed on several issues including 
requesting that the GAO conduct a study of the Department of 
Defense's Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) and the 
impact on voters of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens 
Absentee Voters Act (UOCAVA). The Committee has continued to 
ensure that FVAP targets its funds to the areas of highest 
priority and has gauged the impact on voter participation 
rates. In addition, the Committee has worked with the GAO on 
ascertaining the precise costs associated with administering 
elections and on keeping the Congress fully informed of all 
related costs. This information is indispensible for the review 
of current election policies and the exploration of election 
reform proposals.
    The Committee addressed amendments to the Help America Vote 
Act with H.R. 2510, the Absentee Ballot Track, Receive and 
Confirm Act, a bipartisan bill introduced by Representative 
Susan A. Davis of California intended to reimburse states for 
the cost of establishing a program to track and confirm 
absentee ballots. It was ordered reported on June 10, 2009, and 
passed the House by voice vote on July 30, 2009. The Committee 
also on June 10 ordered favorably reported another bill by Rep. 
Davis, H.R. 1604, the Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 
2009, to allow all eligible voters to vote by mail in Federal 
elections.
    The Committee has exercised its oversight authority of the 
FEC through regularly scheduled meetings and the monitoring of 
the FEC's activities through conferences, congressional 
mandated reports and meetings throughout the 111th Congress. In 
addition, the Committee gave consideration to the wide range of 
recommendations sent to Congress by the agency including 
requiring electronic filing for all Senate candidates and their 
authorized committees, and revisions of the prohibitions on 
fraudulent misrepresentations of campaign authorities.

             COMMISSION ON CONGRESSIONAL MAILING STANDARDS

    The Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards of the 
U.S. House of Representatives (Franking Commission), 
established by Public Law 93-191, is composed of six members 
appointed by the Speaker of the House, three from the majority, 
and three from the minority. The Speaker shall designate as 
Chairman of the Franking Commission, from among the members of 
the Committee on House Administration, one of the members 
appointed to the Commission.
    In the 111th Congress, the following Members were appointed 
to serve on the Franking Commission: Susan A. Davis of 
California, Chair; Brad Sherman of California, Donna Edwards of 
Maryland, Daniel E. Lungren of California, Tom Price of Georgia 
and Kevin McCarthy of California.
    By law, House Rule and regulation the jurisdiction and 
related functions of the Franking Commission are:
          1. To prescribe regulations governing the proper use 
        of the franking privilege by those entitled to use the 
        privilege in connection with the mailing or 
        contemplated mailing of franked mail under Title 39 
        U.S.C. sections 3210, 3211, 3212, 3213(2), 3218, 3219 
        or in connection with the operation of section 3215; in 
        connection with any other Federal law (other than any 
        law which imposes any criminal penalty), or in 
        connection with any rule of the U.S. House of 
        Representatives relating to franked mail [2 U.S.C. 
        501(d)].
          2. Upon the request of any person entitled to use the 
        franking privilege, to provide guidance, assistance, 
        advice, and counsel, through Advisory Opinions or 
        consultations, in connection with the mailing or 
        contemplated mailing of franked mail regarding the 
        application and/or compliance with applicable Federal 
        statutes and House rules and/or regulations. The staff 
        assigned to the Commission is delegated authority by 
        the Commission to perform advisory and counseling 
        functions, subject to review by the Commission. [2 
        U.S.C. 501(d)].
          3. To investigate, decide, and dispose of complaints 
        regarding the misuse of the franking privilege. [2 
        U.S.C. 501(e)].
          4. Upon request of a Member of the U.S. House of 
        Representatives, to provide guidance, assistance, 
        advice, and counsel, through Advisory Opinions or 
        consultations, in connection with the distribution or 
        contemplated distribution of a communication, 
        regardless of media, regarding the application and/or 
        compliance with applicable Federal statutes and House 
        rules and/or regulations.
          5. To provide written reminders to offices of the 
        House regarding restrictions on the distribution of 
        mass mailings and communications prior to primary, 
        general, special or runoff elections.
    Effective January 3, 1996, all communications required to 
receive an Advisory Opinion from the Franking Commission are 
subject to full public disclosure. These Advisory Opinions are 
made available for review (and duplication) to the public 
through the Legislative Resource Center, B-106 Cannon House 
Office Building. Communications that require an Advisory 
Opinion include mass mailings, mass communications (regardless 
of media), and communications for which a third party 
production and/or printing expense exceeding $350,000 will be 
incurred. A mass mailing or communication is considered to be 
any unsolicited communication of substantially identical 
content initiated by a Member that will potentially be 
distributed to, i.e., read by, heard by, or seen by, 500 or 
more individuals. In the 111th Congress, the Franking 
Commission had reviewed, considered, and approved 13,845 
requests for Advisory Opinions.
    The Franking Commission is also responsible for monitoring 
requests to review Advisory Opinions filed at the Legislative 
Resource Center to ensure that the applicable public disclosure 
requirements are fully complied with. In addition, it is the 
practice of the Franking Commission to provide notice to a 
Member whenever his or her public disclosure file has been 
reviewed in whole or in part. In the 111th Congress, the 
Commission had issued 325 Notifications of Review.
    Effective October 1, 2010, the Committee on House 
Administration eliminated the requirement that in anticipation 
of the distribution of a mass mailing under the congressional 
frank, the Member initiating the mailing provide notice to the 
Finance Office on a Single Drop Mass Mailing Obligation Form of 
the amount of funds in his or her Member's Representational 
Allowance to be obligated for the purpose of paying the 
(estimated) costs of the printing, production and distribution 
of said mailing. In support of this requirement, the Franking 
Commission had been tasked with serving as the entry point for 
the deposit of the Form; upon receipt, assigning a number to 
each Single Drop Mass Mail Obligation Form to identify the 
corresponding mailing; and transmitting the Form to the Finance 
Office for processing. With the elimination of the obligation 
requirement, the Staff Advisory Opinion Request Form was 
revised to include information (i.e., the estimated number of 
pieces to be included and the anticipated date of distribution 
of the mass mailing), which had been identified by the Finance 
Office as essential to the reconciliation of the consolidated 
master monthly billing submitted to the House by the U.S. 
Postal Service for the total postage costs of franked mail 
distributed by all House offices or billed in that month, as 
well as requests submitted by Members for the payment of the 
related printing and production expenses. To facilitate these 
processes, when the Franking Commission has completed its 
review and consideration of a request from a Member for a Staff 
Advisory Opinion, determined that the content of the mass 
mailing in question is compliant with applicable law, House 
Rules and regulations, and provided preliminary notice of such 
determination to the Member, the Franking Commission notifies 
the Finance Office that these actions have been completed and 
forwards the essential information described above to the 
Finance Office for inclusions in its records.
    Pursuant to the provisions of House Rule X Clause 1(j)(f), 
the Committee on House Administration has jurisdiction over 
legislation related to the Franking Commission and related 
functions.
    In the 111th Congress the following related bills were 
referred to but not acted on by the Committee:
     H.R. 2056, Clean Money, Clean Elections Act of 
2009 (amends federal postal law to prohibit franked mass 
mailings by Members of Congress (except public meeting notices) 
during the 90 days before primary and general election periods, 
unless they are not candidates for re-election to any other 
federal office).
     H.R. 5151, Oversight and Spending Transparency 
(COST) Act of 2010, to limit the amount which may be made 
available for the Members' Representational Allowance for 
fiscal year 2011, to prohibit the use of such Allowance for 
expenses of official mail of any material other than a document 
transmitted under the official letterhead of the Member 
involved, and to require the quarterly statement of costs 
incurred for official mail by offices of the House of 
Representatives to provide a separate breakdown of the costs 
incurred for each method of mass communication covered by the 
statement.

    JOINT COMMITTEE ON PRINTING AND U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

    By law, the Government Printing Office (GPO) is the federal 
government's principal printer, and by House rule, the 
Committee has oversight jurisdiction of the agency. In 
addition, by law, the Chairman of the House Administration 
Committee and the Chairman of the Senate Rules and 
Administration Committee serve with four other Members of each 
committee on a Joint Committee on Printing (JCP). The bicameral 
JCP exercises certain authority over federal printing policy 
generally, over the GPO and over congressional printing, 
notably of the Congressional Record. The JCP has no legislative 
jurisdiction; for the House, the Committee on House 
Administration enjoys legislative jurisdiction over GPO.
    At its organizational meeting for the 111th Congress on 
April 23, 2009, the Joint Committee elected Senator Charles 
Schumer as Chairman and Rep. Robert A. Brady as Vice-Chairman. 
The JCP did not formally meet again during the 111th Congress, 
with Chairman Schumer exercising JCP authority in consultation 
with the other JCP Members as necessary and appropriate, within 
the authority conferred by law and JCP rules.
    Among its other responsibilities, the JCP performs an 
important role with respect to labor relations at GPO. Under 
the 1926 Keiss Act, GPO employees have the right to bargain 
collectively over terms and conditions of employment, including 
wage levels, subject to JCP approval of the resulting 
contracts. During the 110th Congress, then-JCP Chairman Brady 
devoted much time to monitoring negotiations underway during 
the session between the Public Printer and sundry bargaining 
units. During the 111th Congress, the JCP approved one contract 
on October 23, 2009, with the Fraternal Order of Police 
covering four years.
    Although the Senate held the chairmanship of the JCP during 
this Congress, the CHA remained active with respect to its 
oversight of the GPO and its services to the House. Noting that 
the support of the GPO is essential to the proper functioning 
of the Congress, with the Committee's support the GPO 
participated in exercises and other planning necessary to 
assure the House can continue its constitutional functions from 
locations other than the Capitol. The events of September 11, 
2001, demonstrated such a need and the Committee oversaw 
efforts by GPO, the House officers, the Senate and others to 
prepare for such an eventuality. GPO personnel proved essential 
to success of such efforts and the Committee greatly 
appreciates the agency's work.
    The Committee also oversaw, on an ongoing basis, the 
printing of congressional documents published by the JCP and 
provided to all Members for their own official use, such as the 
``Pocket'' Constitution, ``Our Flag,'' ``How Our Laws are 
Made.'' The Committee wishes especially to thank GPO for 
storing quantities of these publications on GPO premises for 
the House and delivering them, on order, to Members and 
committees. Unlike the Senate, which maintains warehouses, the 
House must prevail upon GPO to hold tens of thousands of 
publications destined for its Members.
    The Government Printing Office works every day, printing 
the official documents that make the legislative process flow. 
The Committee wishes to laud GPO's exemplary service during the 
111th Congress in a number of key instances, such as its 
recent, timely delivery of the pictorial directory of the 
Representatives-elect for use during the New Member Orientation 
program for the upcoming 112th Congress. GPO also overcame 
severe time constraints numerous times with respect to the 2009 
Inaugural ceremony, health-care legislation, and the financial-
reform legislation. When the rest of Washington, D.C., came to 
a standstill during record snowfalls in December 2009 and 
February 2010, GPO personnel braved weather conditions and 
delivered essential products to customers.
    Finally, the Committee notes that in April 2010 the 
President nominated Mr. William J. Boarman, of Maryland, to 
become the 26th Public Printer. A former GPO employee who has 
dedicated virtually his entire career to matters related to the 
agency, Mr. Boarman testified at a confirmation hearing before 
the Senate Rules Committee on May 25, 2010, and that panel 
subsequently reported the nomination to the Senate with a 
favorable recommendation. However, the Senate did not act on 
the nomination prior to sine die adjournment, whereupon 
President Barack Obama announced on December 29, 2010, that he 
would appoint Mr. Boarman as Public Printer using a recess 
appointment. The Committee believes the President has made an 
excellent choice in Mr. Boarman and looks forward to his 
confirmation by the Senate in 2011. The Committee looks forward 
to working with the new Public Printer in this time of rapid 
changes in how the federal government disseminates public 
information.

                    COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND HEARINGS

    The Committee met for organizational purposes and adopted 
committee resolutions 111-1, 111-2, 111-3, and 111-4 by voice 
vote. On February 11, 2009, the Committee received testimony 
from various committee Chairmen and Ranking Members regarding 
their individual committee funding requests and allocations for 
the One Hundred Eleventh Congress. That testimony continued on 
February 25, 2009.
    On March 25, 2009, the Committee met and marked up the 
following: H. Res. 279, providing for the expenses of certain 
committees of the House of Representatives in the One Hundred 
Eleventh Congress; H. Res. 303, dismissing the election contest 
relating to the office of Representative from the First 
Congressional District of Hawaii; H.R. 1299, to make technical 
corrections to the laws affecting certain administrative 
authorities of the United States Capitol Police; H.R. 1679, the 
House Reservists Pay Adjustment Act of 2009; H.R. 151, the 
Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2009; H.R. 586, 
the Civil Rights History Project Act of 2009; H.R. 749, to 
amend the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit 
candidates for election for Federal office to designate an 
individual who will be authorized to disburse funds of the 
authorized campaign committees of the candidate in the event of 
the death of the candidate; and H.R. 415, Fallen Heroes Flag 
Act of 2009. All bills and resolutions were ordered favorably 
reported. The committee also agreed to Committee Resolution 5, 
providing an Official Mail Allowance to Committees of the House 
for the 111th Congress.
    The Subcommittee on Elections met on March 26, 2009 to 
examine issues relating to the 2008 Election. The Subcommittee 
received testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable 
Gineen Beach, Chairwoman, U.S. Election Assistance Commission; 
The Honorable Gracia Hillman, Vice-Chairwoman, U.S. Election 
Assistance Commission; Mr. George Gilbert, Director, Guilford 
County Board of Elections; Mr. Keith Cunningham, Director, 
Allen County Board of Elections; Ms. Melanie Campbell, 
Executive Director, National Coalition of Black Civic 
Participation; Ms. Patty Ferguson Bohnee, Native Vote Election 
Protection Coordinator, National Congress of American Indians; 
Mr. Arturo Vargas, Executive Director, National Association of 
Latino Elected and Appointed Officials; Mr. Eric Eversole, 
Former Attorney, Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department 
of Justice; and Mr. Doug Chapin, Director, Election 
Initiatives, Pew Center on the States.
    On April 1, 2009, the Committee received testimony from the 
following witnesses regarding asbestos abatement and management 
at the Smithsonian Institution: Dr. G. Wayne Clough, Secretary, 
Smithsonian Institution; Mr. James August, Former Director, 
Occupational Health & Safety Program (AFSCME), Senior Policy 
Advisor, the Lippy Group; Mr. Daniel O. Chute, President, 
Atrium Environmental Health and Safety Services; Mr. Gary 
Urban, Vice President of Consulting Services, Aerosol 
Monitoring and Analysis, Inc.; and Mr. William Brennan, 
Executive Vice President, Turner Construction Company.
    Also on April 1, 2009, the Subcommittee on Elections 
examined the inability of the U.S. Election Assistance 
Commission (EAC) to provide sufficient accounting records to 
conduct an audit in accordance with standards set forth by the 
Comptroller General of the United States. Additionally, 
allegations of potential misallocation of resources and lack of 
internal controls on matters related to grant accounting and 
agency expenditures were discussed. The Subcommittee received 
testimony from the following: Mr. Curtis Crider, Inspector 
General, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, The Honorable 
Gineen Beach, Chairwoman, U.S. Election Assistance Commission; 
The Honorable Gracia Hillman, Vice-Chairwoman, U.S. Election 
Assistance Commission; The Honorable Donetta Davidson, 
Commissioner, U.S. Election Assistance Commission; and Mr. 
Thomas Wilkey, Executive Director, U.S. Election Assistance 
Commission.
    The Committee reviewed the Library of Congress's IT 
strategic planning on April 29, 2009. The Committee received 
testimony from the following: Dr. James Billington, Librarian 
of Congress; Laura Campbell, Chief Information Officer, LOC; Jo 
Ann Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer, LOC; and Mr. Karl 
Schornagel, Inspector General, LOC.
    On May 6, 2009, the Committee discussed recommendations and 
timeline for the necessary renovations of the House Office 
Buildings and Underground Garages. The Committee received 
testimony from the following: Mr. Stephen T. Ayers, AIA, Acting 
Architect of the Capitol; and Mr. Terrell G. Dorn, Director, 
Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability 
Office.
    Members of the Subcommittee on Elections had an opportunity 
to gather information on recent outreach efforts of the Federal 
Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) during a May 29, 2009 hearing 
that focused on hurdles military and overseas voters encounter 
when trying to vote from abroad. The Committee received 
testimony from the following: The Honorable Gail McGinn, Acting 
Undersecretary for Personnel and Readiness, Department of 
Defense; Captain Patricia Garcia, Voting Assistance Officer, 
USAF; Mr. Rokey Suleman, General Registrar, Fairfax County, 
Virginia; and Ms. Jessie Jane Duff, Gunnery Sergeant, USMC 
(ret.)
    On June 10, 2009, the Committee ordered reported favorably 
the following: H.R. 1196, to authorize the Chief Administrative 
Officer of the House of Representatives to carry out a series 
of demonstration projects to promote the use of innovative 
technologies in reducing energy consumption and promoting 
energy efficiency and cost savings in the House of 
Representatives, by voice vote; H.R. 2510, Absentee Ballot 
Track, Receive and Confirm Act, by voice vote; H.R. 1604, as 
amended, Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2009, by 
recorded vote of 4 Yeas to 2 Nays; H.R. 512, as amended, 
Federal Election Integrity Act of 2009, by voice vote; H.R. 
2728, as amended, William Orton Law Library Improvement and 
Modernization Act, by voice vote; H.R. 1752, as amended, to 
provide that the usual day for paying salaries in or under the 
House of Representatives may be established by regulations of 
the Committee on House Administration, by voice vote; H.R. 
2393, Military Voting Protection Act of 2009, by voice vote; H. 
Con. Res. 135, Directing the Architect of the Capitol to place 
a marker in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center 
which acknowledges the role that slave labor played in the 
construction of the United States Capitol, and for other 
purposes, by voice vote; and H. Con. Res. 131, Directing the 
Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to 
the flag and the National Motto, ``In God we trust,'' in the 
Capitol Visitor Center, by voice vote.
    A July 15, 2009, the Committee held a hearing on uniform 
standards in the administration of elections primarily in the 
areas of poll-worker training, provisional balloting, and 
emergency paper ballots. The Committee received testimony from 
the following: The Honorable Mary Herrera, Secretary of State 
of New Mexico; The Honorable Ron Thornburgh, Secretary of State 
of Kansas; Ms. Freddie Oakley, Yolo County Clerk-Recorder in 
California; and Mr. Edward A. Hailes Jr., Managing Director and 
General Counsel, Advancement Project.
    On July 23, 2009, the Committee held a hearing on 
``Strategies for Expanding Access to Democracy''. The Committee 
received testimony from the following: Ms. Cameron P. Quinn, 
U.S.Election Law and Election Administration; Ms. Rebecca 
Wales, Director of Communications for the organization Smart Girl 
Politics; Tom Joyner, Chairman & Founder, REACH Media Inc. Host, ``The 
Tom Joyner Morning Show'', Founder, Tom Joyner Foundation; and 
Elizabeth Westfall, Director of the Voter Protection Program at 
Advancement Project.
    The Committee held a hearing on the management of the 
Worklife Services Center at the Library of Congress on July 29, 
2009. The Committee received testimony from the following: Mr. 
Dennis Hanratty, Director for Human Resources, LOC; and Mr. 
Karl Schornagel, Inspector General, LOC.
    On July 30, 2009, the Committee held a hearing on ``H.R. 
1826 and the Public Financing of Congressional Campaigns''. The 
Committee received testimony from the following: Rep. John 
Larson (Dem-CT-1), Rep. Chellie Pingree (Dem-ME-1), Rep.Walter 
Jones (Rep.-NC-3), The Honorable Hannah Pingree, Speaker, Maine 
House of Representatives; Mr. Jeffrey Garfield, Executive 
Director & General Counsel, Connecticut State Elections 
Enforcement Commission; Mr. Bradley Smith, Professor of Law, 
Capital University School of Law; Mr. John Samples, Director, 
Center for Representative Government, CATO Institute; and Mr. 
Arn Pearson, Vice President for Programs, Common Cause.
    The Subcommittee on Capitol Security held a hearing titled 
``Securing Personally Identifiable Information within the 
United States Capitol Police'' on October 10, 2009. Testimony 
was received from Chief Phillip D. Morse, Sr., of the U.S. 
Capitol Police and Mr. Carl W. Hoecker, Inspector General of 
the U.S. Capitol Police.
    On October 21, 2009, the Subcommittee on Elections held a 
hearing on ``The Modernization of the Election Registration 
Process''. The Committee received testimony from The Honorable 
Elaine Manlove, The Honorable Todd Rokita, Ms. Katie Blinn, and 
Mr. Doug Chapin.
    The Committee ordered reported favorably the following on 
November 4, 2009: H.R. 3224, to authorize the Board of regents 
of the Smithsonian Institution to construct a vehicle 
maintenance building; H.R. 2843, Architect of the Capitol 
Appointment Act of 2009; H.R. 3489, Prohibiting Challenges of 
Voters Facing Foreclosure; H.R. 3542, State Admission Day 
Recognition Act. The Committee also agreed to Committee 
Resolution 111-6, to adopt voucher documentation standards, and 
Committee Resolution 111-7, to prohibit text messaging while 
driving on official business.
    On January 27 and February 3, 2010, the Committee heard 
testimony from the Chairs and Ranking Minority Members of House 
Committees at an oversight hearing, required by House 
Resolution 279, regarding usage of Committee funding for the 
first session of the 111th Congress.
    Following the Supreme Court's Decision in the Citizens 
United vs. FEC case, the Committee held a hearing on February 
3, 2010, about ``The Future of Campaign Finance in an Age of 
Supreme Court Activism''. The Committee received testimony from 
Mr. Robert Lenhard, of Counsel, Covington & Burling LLP; Ms. 
Judith Browne-Dianis, Co-Director, Advancement Project; Ms. 
Mary G. Wilson, President, League of Women Voters; Ms. Ciara 
Torres-Spelliscy, Counsel, Brennan Center for Justice; Ms. 
Allison Hayward, Assistant Professor of Law, George Mason 
University School of Law; and Mr. Steve Simpson, Senior 
Attorney, Institute for Justice.
    On April 28, 2010, the Committee held a meeting and agreed 
to Committee Resolution 111-8 authorizing energy demonstration 
projects in the House of Representatives. A hearing immediately 
followed on ``Oversight of the Clerk, Sergeant at Arms, Chief 
Administrative Officer and Inspector General of the House of 
Representatives''. The Committee received testimony from 
Lorraine C. Miller, Clerk of the House; Wilson Livingood, 
Sergeant at Arms; Daniel P. Beard, Chief Administrative 
Officer; and Theresa Grafenstine, Acting Inspector General.
    Beginning on May 6th and again on May 11th, the Committee 
held hearings on H.R. 5175, the DISCLOSE ACT. Witnesses at the 
two hearings included Mr. Donald J. Simon, Partner, Sonosky, 
Chambers, Sachse, Enderson, & Perry, LLP; Mr. Nick Nyhart, 
President & CEO, Public Campaign; Mr. Theodore B. Olson, 
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP; Mr. David Bossie, 
President, Citizens United; Ms. Lisa Gilbert, Democracy 
Advocate, U.S. PIRG; Mr. Craig Holman, Legislative 
Representative, Public Citizen; Hon. Trevor Potter, President 
and General Counsel, Campaign Legal Center; Mr. John C. Coates, 
Professor of Law and Economics, Harvard Law School; Ms. 
Elizabeth Lynch, Attorney, China Law & Policy; Hon. Michael 
Toner, Partner, Bryan Cave, LLP; and Mr. William McGinley, 
Attorney, Patton Boggs, LLP.
    On May 20, 2010, the Committee met to markup H.R. 5175, The 
DISCLOSE ACT and ordered it reported it favorably to the House, 
by voice vote, on May 20th, 2010.
    On July 14, 2010, the Committee met to approve Committee 
Resolution 111-9, to Allow Funds from an MRA to be Used in 
Online Advertisements, and Committee Resolution 111-10, 
Amending Voucher Document Standards, and to order reported 
favorably H.R. 5493, H.R. 5711, H.R. 5681, H.R. 5682, and H.R. 
5717.
    The Subcommittee on Capitol Security met on July 29, 2010. 
in a hearing on ``U.S. Capitol Police Budget Concerns''. The 
Committee received testimony Chief Phillip D. Morse, Sr., of 
the United States Capitol Police and Mr. Carl W. Hoecker, 
Inspector General of the United States Capitol Police.
    On September 23, 1010, the Committee met to markup H.R. 
6116, The Fair Elections Now Act, and ordered it favorably to 
the House by voice vote.

                                Appendix

             Rules of the Committee on House Administration

                     One Hundred Eleventh Congress

                               RULE NO. 1

General provisions
    (a) The Rules of the House are the rules of the Committee 
so far as applicable, except that a motion to recess from day 
to day is a privileged motion in the Committee. Each 
subcommittee of the committee is a part of the committee and is 
subject to the authority and direction of the chair and to its 
rules as far as applicable.
    (b) The Committee is authorized at any time to conduct such 
investigations and studies as it may consider necessary or 
appropriate in the exercise of its responsibilities under House 
Rule X and, subject to the adoption of expense resolutions as 
required by House Rule X, clause 6, to incur expenses 
(including travel expenses) in connection therewith.
    (c) The Committee is authorized to have printed and bound 
testimony and other data presented at hearings held by the 
Committee, and to make such information available to the 
public. All costs of stenographic services and transcripts in 
connection with any meeting or hearing of the Committee shall 
be paid from the appropriate House account.
    (d) The Committee shall submit to the House, not later than 
January 2 of each odd-numbered year, a report on the activities 
of the committee under House Rules X and XI during the Congress 
ending at noon on January 3 of such year.
    (e) The Committee's rules shall be published in the 
Congressional Record not later than 30 days after the Committee 
is elected in each odd-numbered year.

                               RULE NO. 2

Regular and special meetings
    (a) The regular meeting date of the Committee on House 
Administration shall be the second Wednesday of every month 
when the House is in session in accordance with Clause 2(b) of 
House Rule XI. Additional meetings may be called by the Chair 
of the Committee as she or he may deem necessary or at the 
request of a majority of the members of the Committee in 
accordance with Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. The determination 
of the business to be considered at each meeting shall be made 
by the Chair subject to Clause 2(c) of House Rule XI. A 
regularly scheduled meeting may be dispensed with if, in the 
judgment of the Chair, there is no need for the meeting.
    (b) If the Chair is not present at any meeting of the 
Committee, or at the discretion of the Chair, the Vice Chair of 
the Committee shall preside at the meeting. If the Chair and 
Vice Chair of the Committee are not present at any meeting of 
the Committee, the ranking member of the majority party who is 
present shall preside at the meeting.

                               RULE NO. 3

Open meetings
    As required by Clause 2(g), of House Rule XI, each meeting 
for the transaction of business, including the markup of 
legislation of the Committee shall be open to the public except 
when the Committee in open session and with a quorum present 
determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of 
the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public because 
disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national 
security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement 
information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate 
any person, or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the 
House: Provided, however, that no person other than members of 
the Committee, and such congressional staff and such other 
persons as the Committee may authorize, shall be present in any 
business or markup session which has been closed to the public.

                               RULE NO. 4

Records and rollcalls
    (a)(1) A record vote shall be held if requested by any 
member of the Committee.
    (a)(2) The result of each record vote in any meeting of the 
Committee shall be made available for inspection by the public 
at reasonable times at the Committee offices, including a 
description of the amendment, motion, order or other 
proposition; the name of each member voting for and against; 
and the members present but not voting.
    (a)(3) The Chairman shall make the record of the votes on 
any question on which a record vote is demanded available on 
the Committee's website not later than two calendar days after 
such vote is taken (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal 
holidays). Such record shall include a description of the 
amendment, motion, order, or other proposition, the name of 
each member voting for and each member voting against such 
amendment, motion, order, or proposition, and the names of 
those members of the committee present but not voting.
    (b)(1) Subject to subparagraph (2), the Chair may postpone 
further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the 
question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an 
amendment. The Chair may resume proceedings on a postponed 
request at any time.
    (2) In exercising postponement authority under subparagraph 
(1), the Chair shall take all reasonable steps necessary to 
notify members on the resumption of proceedings on any 
postponed record vote.
    (3) When proceedings resume on a postponed question, 
notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous 
question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to 
further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the 
question was postponed.
    (c) All Committee and subcommittee hearings, records, data, 
charts, and files shall be kept separate and distinct from the 
congressional office records of the member serving as Chair; 
and such records shall be the property of the House and all 
members of the House shall have access thereto.
    (d) House records of the Committee which are at the 
National Archives shall be made available pursuant to House 
Rule VII. The Chair shall notify the ranking minority member of 
any decision to withhold a record pursuant to the rule, and 
shall present the matter to the Committee upon written request 
of any Committee member.
    (e) To the maximum extent feasible, the Committee shall 
make its publications available in electronic form.

                               RULE NO. 5

Proxies
    No vote by any member in the Committee may be cast by 
proxy.

                               RULE NO. 6

Power to sit and act; subpoena power
    (a) For the purpose of carrying out any of its functions 
and duties under House Rules X and XI, the Committee or any 
subcommittee thereof is authorized (subject to subparagraph 
(b)(1) of this paragraph)--
          (1) to sit and act at such times and places within 
        the United States, whether the House is in session, has 
        recessed, or has adjourned, and to hold such hearings; 
        and
          (2) to require, by subpoena or otherwise, the 
        attendance and testimony of such witnesses and the 
        production of such books, records, correspondence, 
        memorandums, papers, documents and other materials as 
        it deems necessary, including materials in electronic 
        form. The Chair, or any member designated by the Chair, 
        may administer oaths to any witness.
    (b)(1) A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the 
Committee or subcommittee in the conduct of any investigation 
or series of investigations or activities, only when authorized 
by a majority of the members voting, a majority being present. 
The power to authorize and issue subpoenas under subparagraph 
(a)(2) may be delegated to the Chair pursuant to such rules and 
under such limitations as the Committee may prescribe. 
Authorized subpoenas shall be signed by the Chair or by any 
member designated by the Committee, and may be served by any 
person designated by the Chair or such member.
    (2) Compliance with any subpoena issued by the Committee or 
a subcommittee may be enforced only as authorized or directed 
by the House.

                               RULE NO. 7

Quorums
    No measure or recommendation shall be reported to the House 
unless a majority of the Committee is actually present. For the 
purposes of taking any action other than reporting any measure, 
issuance of a subpoena, closing meetings, promulgating 
Committee orders, or changing the rules of the Committee, one-
third of the members of the Committee shall constitute a 
quorum. For purposes of taking testimony and receiving 
evidence, two members shall constitute a quorum.

                               RULE NO. 8

Amendments
    Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the 
Committee or a subcommittee must be made available in written 
form when requested by any member of the Committee. If such 
amendment is not available in written form when requested, the 
Chair will allow an appropriate period of time for the 
provision thereof.

                               RULE NO. 9

Hearing procedures
    (a) The Chair, in the case of hearings to be conducted by 
the Committee, and the appropriate subcommittee chair, in the 
case of hearings to be conducted by a subcommittee, shall make 
public announcement of the date, place, and subject matter of 
any hearing to be conducted on any measure or matter at least 
one (1) week before the commencement of that hearing. If the 
Chair, with the concurrence of the ranking minority member, 
determines that there is good cause to begin the hearing 
sooner, or if the Committee so determines by majority vote, a 
quorum being present, the Chair shall make the announcement at 
the earliest possible date. The clerk of the Committee shall 
promptly notify the Daily Digest Clerk of the Congressional 
Record as soon as possible after such public announcement is 
made.
    (b) Unless excused by the Chair, each witness who is to 
appear before the Committee or a subcommittee shall file with 
the clerk of the Committee, at least 48 hours in advance of his 
orher appearance, a written statement of his or her proposed 
testimony and shall limit his or her oral presentation to a summary of 
his or her statement.
    (c) When any hearing is conducted by the Committee upon any 
measure or matter, the minority party members on the Committee 
shall be entitled, upon request to the Chair by a majority of 
those minority members before the completion of such hearing, 
to call witnesses selected by the minority to testify with 
respect to that measure or matter during at least one day of 
hearings thereon.
    (d) Any member of the Committee may, if a subcommittee 
grants unanimous consent for a specific hearing, be permitted 
to sit during that hearing with a subcommittee on which he or 
she does not serve, but no member who has not been elected to a 
subcommittee shall count for a quorum, offer any measure, 
motion, or amendment, or vote on any matter before that 
subcommittee.
    (e) Committee or subcommittee members may question 
witnesses only when they have been recognized by the Chair for 
that purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all members 
present have had an opportunity to question a witness. The 5-
minute period for questioning a witness by any one member can 
be extended as provided by House Rules. The questioning of a 
witness in Committee or subcommittee hearings shall be 
initiated by the Chair, followed by the ranking minority member 
and all other members alternating between the majority and 
minority. In recognizing members to question witnesses in this 
fashion, the Chair shall take into consideration the ratio of 
the majority to minority members present and shall establish 
the order of recognition for questioning in such a manner as 
not to disadvantage the members of the majority. The Chair may 
accomplish this by recognizing two majority members for each 
minority member recognized.
    (f) The following additional rules shall apply to hearings 
of the Committee or a subcommittee, as applicable:
          (1) The Chair at a hearing shall announce in an 
        opening statement the subject of the investigation.
          (2) A copy of the Committee rules and this clause 
        shall be made available to each witness as provided by 
        clause 2(k)(2) of Rule XI.
          (3) Witnesses at hearings may be accompanied by their 
        own counsel for the purpose of advising them concerning 
        their constitutional rights.
          (4) The Chair may punish breaches of order and 
        decorum, and of professional ethics on the part of 
        counsel, by censure and exclusion from the hearings; 
        and the Committee may cite the offender to the House 
        for contempt.
          (5) If the Committee determines that evidence or 
        testimony at a hearing may tend to defame, degrade, or 
        incriminate any person, it shall--
                  (A) afford such person an opportunity 
                voluntarily to appear as a witness;
                  (B) receive such evidence or testimony in 
                executive session; and
                  (C) receive and dispose of requests from such 
                person to subpoena additional witnesses.
          (6) Except as provided in subparagraph (f)(5), the 
        Chair shall receive and the Committee shall dispose of 
        requests to subpoena additional witnesses.
          (7) No evidence or testimony taken in executive 
        session may be released or used in public sessions 
        without the consent of the Committee.
          (8) In the discretion of the Committee, witnesses may 
        submit brief and pertinent sworn statements in writing 
        for inclusion in the record. The Committee is the sole 
        judge of the pertinence of testimony and evidence 
        adduced at its hearing.
          (9) A witness may obtain a transcript copy of his 
        testimony given at a public session or, if given at an 
        executive session, when authorized by the Committee.

                              RULE NO. 10

Procedures for reporting measures or matters

    (a)(1) It shall be the duty of the Chair to report or cause 
to be reported promptly to the House any measure approved by 
the Committee and to take or cause to be taken necessary steps 
to bring the matter to a vote.
    (2) In any event, the report of the Committee on a measure 
which has been approved by the Committee shall be filed within 
7 calendar days (exclusive of days on which the House is not in 
session) after the day on which there has been filed with the 
clerk of the Committee a written request, signed by a majority 
of the members of the Committee, for the reporting of that 
measure. Upon the filing of any such request, the clerk of the 
Committee shall transmit immediately to the Chair notice of the 
filing of that request.
    (b)(1) No measure or recommendation shall be reported to 
the House unless a majority of the Committee is actually 
present.
    (2) With respect to each record vote on a motion to report 
any measure or matter of a public character, and on any 
amendment offered to the measure or matter, the total number of 
votes cast for and against, and the names of those members 
voting for and against, shall be included in the Committee 
report on the measure or matter.
    (c) The report of the Committee on a measure or matter 
which has been approved by the Committee shall include the 
matters required by Clause 3(c) of Rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House.
    (d) Each report of the Committee on each bill or joint 
resolution of a public character reported by the Committee 
shall include a statement citing the specific powers granted to 
the Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by 
the bill or joint resolution.
    (e) If, at the time any measure or matter is ordered 
reported by the Committee, any member of the Committee gives 
notice of intention to file supplemental, minority, or 
additional views, that member shall be entitled to not less 
than two additional calendar days after the day of such notice, 
commencing on the day on which the measure or matter(s) was 
approved, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays, in 
which to file such views, in writing and signed by that member, 
with the clerk of the Committee. All such views so filed by one 
or more members of the Committee shall be included within, and 
shall be a part of, the report filed by the Committee with 
respect to that measure or matter. The report of the Committee 
upon that measure or matter shall be printed in a single volume 
which--
          (1) shall include all supplemental, minority, or 
        additional views, in the form submitted, by the time of 
        the filing of the report, and
          (2) shall bear upon its cover a recital that any such 
        supplemental, minority, or additional views (and any 
        material submitted under subparagraph (c)) are included 
        as part of the report. This subparagraph does not 
        preclude--
                  (A) the immediate filing or printing of a 
                Committee report unless timely request for the 
                opportunity to file supplemental, minority, or 
                additional views has been made as provided by 
                paragraph (c); or
                  (B) the filing of any supplemental report 
                upon any measure or matter which may be 
                required for the correction of any technical 
                error in a previous report made by the 
                Committee upon that measure or matter.
          (3) shall, when appropriate, contain the documents 
        required by Clause 3(e) of Rule XIII of the Rules of 
        the House.
    (f) The Chair, following consultation with the ranking 
minority member, is directed to offer a motion under clause 1 
of Rule XXII of the Rules of the House, relating to going to 
conference with the Senate, whenever the Chair considers it 
appropriate.
    (g) If hearings have been held on any such measure or 
matter so reported, the Committee shall make every reasonable 
effort to have such hearings published and available to the 
members of the House prior to the consideration of such measure 
or matter in the House.
    (h) The Chair may designate any majority member of the 
Committee to act as ``floor manager'' of a bill or resolution 
during its consideration in the House.

                              RULE NO. 11

Committee oversight

    The Committee shall conduct oversight of matters within the 
jurisdiction of the Committee in accordance with House Rule X, 
clause 2 and clause 4. Not later than February 15 of the first 
session of a Congress, the Committee shall, in a meeting that 
is open to the public and with a quorum present, adopt its 
oversight plan for that Congress in accordance with House Rule 
X, clause 2(d).

                              RULE NO. 12

Review of continuing programs; budget act provisions

    (a) The Committee shall, in its consideration of all bills 
and joint resolutions of a public character within its 
jurisdiction, ensure that appropriation for continuing programs 
and activities of the Federal Government will be made annually 
to the maximum extent feasible and consistent with the nature, 
requirement, and objectives of the programs and activities 
involved. For the purposes of this paragraph a Government 
agency includes the organizational units of government listed 
in Clause 4(e) of Rule X of House Rules.
    (b) The Committee shall review, from time to time, each 
continuing program within its jurisdiction for which 
appropriations are not made annually in order to ascertain 
whether such program could be modified so that appropriations 
therefore would be made annually.
    (c) The Committee shall, on or before February 25 of each 
year, submit to the Committee on the Budget (1) its views and 
estimates with respect to all matters to be set forth in the 
concurrent resolution on the budget for the ensuing fiscal year 
which are within its jurisdiction or functions, and (2) an 
estimate of the total amounts of new budget authority, and 
budget outlays resulting there from, to be provided or 
authorized in all bills and resolutions within its jurisdiction 
which it intends to be effective during that fiscal year.
    (d) As soon as practicable after a concurrent resolution on 
the budget for any fiscal year is agreed to, the Committee 
(after consulting with the appropriate committee or committees 
of the Senate) shall subdivide any allocation made to it in the 
joint explanatory statement accompanying the conference report 
on such resolution, and promptly report such subdivisions to 
the House, in the manner provided by section 302 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
    (e) Whenever the Committee is directed in a concurrent 
resolution on the budget to determine and recommend changes in 
laws, bills, or resolutions under the reconciliation process it 
shall promptly make such determination and recommendations, and 
report a reconciliation bill or resolution (or both) to the 
House or submit such recommendations to the Committee on the 
Budget, in accordance with the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.

                              RULE NO. 13

Broadcasting of committee hearings and meetings

    Whenever any hearing or meeting conducted by the Committee 
is open to the public, those proceedings shall be open to 
coverage by television, radio, and still photography, as 
provided inClause 4 of House Rule XI, subject to the 
limitations therein. Operation and use of any Committee Internet 
broadcast system shall be fair and nonpartisan and in accordance with 
Clause 4(b) of rule XI and all other applicable rules of the Committee 
and the House.

                              RULE NO. 14

Committee and subcommittee staff

    The staff of the Committee on House Administration shall be 
appointed as follows:
    (a) The staff shall be appointed by the Chair except as 
provided in paragraph (b), and may be removed by the Chair, and 
shall work under the general supervision and direction of the 
Chair;
    (b) All staff provided to the minority party members of the 
Committee shall be appointed by the ranking member, and may be 
removed by the ranking minority member of the Committee, and 
shall work under the general supervision and direction of such 
member;
    (c) The appointment of all professional staff shall be 
subject to the approval of the Committee as provided by, and 
subject to the provisions of, clause 9 of Rule X of the Rules 
of the House;
    (d) The Chair shall fix the compensation of all staff of 
the Committee, after consultation with the ranking minority 
member regarding any minority party staff, within the budget 
approved for such purposes for the Committee.

                              RULE NO. 15

Travel of members and staff

    (a) Consistent with the primary expense resolution and such 
additional expense resolutions as may have been approved, the 
provisions of this rule shall govern travel of Committee 
members and staff. Travel for any member or any staff member 
shall be paid only upon the prior authorization of the Chair or 
her or his designee. Travel may be authorized by the Chair for 
any member and any staff member in connection with the 
attendance at hearings conducted by the Committee and meetings, 
conferences, and investigations which involve activities or 
subject matter under the general jurisdiction of the Committee. 
Before such authorization is given there shall be submitted to 
the Chair in writing the following:
          (1) The purpose of the travel;
          (2) The dates during which the travel will occur;
          (3) The locations to be visited and the length of 
        time to be spent in each; and
          (4) The names of members and staff seeking 
        authorization.
    (b)(1) In the case of travel outside the United States of 
members and staff of the Committee for the purpose of 
conducting hearings, investigations, studies, or attending 
meetings and conferences involving activities or subject matter 
under the legislative assignment of the committee, prior 
authorization must be obtained from the Chair. Before such 
authorization is given, there shall be submitted to the Chair, 
in writing, a request for such authorization. Each request, 
which shall be filed in a manner that allows for a reasonable 
period of time for review before such travel is scheduled to 
begin, shall include the following:
          (A) the purpose of the travel;
          (B) the dates during which the travel will occur;
          (C) the names of the countries to be visited and the 
        length of time to be spent in each;
          (D) an agenda of anticipated activities for each 
        country for which travel is authorized together with a 
        description of the purpose to be served and the areas 
        of committee jurisdiction involved; and
          (E) the names of members and staff for whom 
        authorization is sought.
    (2) At the conclusion of any hearing, investigation, study, 
meeting or conference for which travel outside the United 
States has been authorized pursuant to this rule, members and 
staff attending meetings or conferences shall submit a written 
report to the Chair covering the activities and other pertinent 
observations or information gained as a result of such travel.
    (c) Members and staff of the Committee performing 
authorized travel on official business shall be governed by 
applicable laws, resolutions, or regulations of the House and 
of the Committee on House Administration pertaining to such 
travel.

                              RULE NO. 16

Number and jurisdiction of subcommittees

    (a) There shall be two standing subcommittees, with party 
ratios of members as indicated. Subcommittees shall have 
jurisdictions as stated by these rules, may conduct oversight 
over such subject matter, and may consider such legislation as 
may be referred to them by the Chair. The names and 
jurisdiction of the subcommittees shall be:
          (1) Subcommittee on Capitol Security--(2/1). Matters 
        pertaining to operations and security of the Congress, 
        and of the Capitol complex including the House wing of 
        the Capitol, the House Office Buildings, the Library of 
        Congress, and other policies and facilities supporting 
        congressional operations; the U.S. Capitol Police.
          (2) Subcommittee on Elections--(4/2). Matters 
        pertaining to the Federal Election Campaign Act, the 
        Federal Contested Elections Act, the Help America Vote 
        Act, the National Voter Registration Act, the Uniformed 
        and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, the Federal 
        Voting Assistance Program, the Bipartisan Campaign 
        Reform Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act 
        (accessibility for voters with disabilities), the 
        Federal Elections Commission (FEC), the Elections 
        Assistance Commission (EAC), and other election related 
        issues.
    (b) No subcommittee shall meet during any full Committee 
meeting or hearing.
    (c) The Chair may establish and appoint members to serve on 
task forces of the Committee, to perform specific functions for 
limited periods of time, as she or he deems appropriate.

                              RULE NO. 17

Referral of legislation to subcommittees

    The Chair may refer legislation or other matters to a 
subcommittee, or subcommittees, as she or he considers 
appropriate. The Chair may discharge any subcommittee of any 
matter referred to it.

                              RULE NO. 18

Other procedures and regulations

    The Chair may establish such other procedures and take such 
actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules or 
to facilitate the effective operation of the committee.

                              RULE NO. 19

Designation of clerk of the committee

    For the purposes of these rules and the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, the staff director of the Committee shall 
act as the clerk of the Committee.

                   Committee on House Administration


                     111th Congress Oversight Plan


                       (Adopted January 27, 2009)


                            MEMBER SERVICES

     Oversee Members' allowance amounts, including 
structure and regulations.
     Provide guidance and outreach to congressional 
offices to ensure compliance with Committee regulations.
     Review and revise the Members' Congressional 
Handbook, a set of regulations governing the expenditure of 
Members' Representational Allowances.
     Review and revise the Guide to Outfitting and 
Maintaining an Office of the U.S. House of Representatives, a 
set of regulations governing the acquisition, transfer, and 
disposal of furnishings, equipment, software, and related 
services.
     Evaluate the formulas used to calculate the 
Members' Representational Allowances and consider proposals for 
change to ensure that all Members have adequate resources for 
representing their constituents.
     Oversee the processing of vouchers and direct 
payments, including those for payroll.

New member orientation

     Plan, implement, and oversee the New Member 
Orientation Program for newly-elected Members of Congress.
     Oversee the planning and implementation of the 
Congressional Research Service New Member Issues Seminar in 
Williamsburg.

Intern program

     In coordination with the Senate Committee on Rules 
and Administration, organize, administer, and oversee the 
Intern Lecture Series.
     Review and revise the Intern Handbook and other 
publications and communication materials used in support of the 
Intern Program.

                    COMMITTEE FUNDING AND OVERSIGHT

     Review Monthly Reports on committee activities and 
expenditures.
     Review Committees' Congressional Handbook, 
regulations governing expenditure of committee funds and update 
regulations as needed.
     Review Primary and any Secondary Expense 
Resolutions and approve authorization of committee-funding 
levels in committee and by House Resolution.
     Review Committees' Franking expenditures.

                CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995

     Monitor application of the Congressional 
Accountability Act of 1995 (CAA) (P.L. 104-1).
     Review regulations adopted by the Office of 
Compliance.
     Evaluate resources available to the Office of 
Compliance and House employing offices to facilitate 
implementation of the Act.
     Conduct general oversight of the Office of 
Compliance.
     Monitor ongoing judicial proceedings to determine 
the impact on the CAA.

                          FRANKING COMMISSION

     Oversee the Members' use of the congressional 
frank by providing guidance, advice, and counsel through 
consultation or advisory opinion on the frankability of 
congressional mail.
     Review proposals to reform mass mailing practices 
of Members, and regulations governing such mailings, and 
monitor current prohibition on mass mailings 90 days before a 
primary or general election.
     Review previously implemented rules to increase 
disclosure and improve the accounting of franked mail costs.
     Revise and reprint Regulations on the Use of the 
Congressional Frank and Rules on Practice in Proceedings Before 
the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards.
     Review the formula used to calculate the official 
mail component of the Members' Representational Allowance.

                  HOUSE OFFICERS AND HOUSE OPERATIONS

     Analyze management improvement proposals and other 
initiatives submitted by the House Officers, the Inspector 
General, the Capitol Police Board, and the Architect of the 
Capitol.
     Coordinate with the Subcommittee on Legislative 
Appropriations on matters impacting operations of the House and 
joint entities.
     Provide policy guidance to the House Officers, 
Inspector General and the joint entities as appropriate.
     Oversee compliance with the House Employee 
Classification Act (2 U.S.C. 291 et seq.).
     Assure coordination among officers and joint 
entities on administrative and technology matters.
     Continue review of congressional continuity 
issues, including organizing sessions of Congress at alternate 
locations, technological support for Member communications and 
chamber operations and filling vacancies in the House.
     Provide policy guidance and conduct oversight of 
security and safety issues and congressional entities charged 
with such roles.

Chief Administrative Officer

     Review procedures for processing contracts with 
the House that exceed the threshold of $250,000.
     Continue to review the current financial 
management system and implementation of the Financial System 
Replacement project.
     Review the structure of House Information 
Resources and determine organizational direction of technology 
services in the House.
     Review and oversee information technology services 
provided, maintained or hosted by House Information Resources. 
Continue oversight of failsafe procedures to guarantee 
continuity of operations.
     Review new technology initiatives to better serve 
Members, committees, and the House.
     Continue review of functions and administrative 
operations assigned to the Chief Administrative Officer.
     Review semi-annual financial and operational 
status reports; recommend changes in operations to improve 
services and increase efficiencies.
     Review the operations of the House gift shop and 
methods of proposed management.
     Continue review of House restaurant operations; 
furniture policy, inventory and selection; and alternatives to 
the current mail delivery process in order to strengthen the 
services and tools available to Members and staff.
     Continue review of Greening the Capitol operations 
by both the Chief Administrative Officer and the Architect of 
the Capitol and consider whether further legislative support is 
required for these efforts.
     Review the printing needs of the Chief 
Administrative Officer's operation to identify the potential 
for eliminating duplication through greater use of GPO 
services.
     Examine Chief Administrative Officer's role in 
assuring accessibility to the House wing of the Capitol, the 
House Office Buildings and other House facilities consistent 
with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
     Review staff benefits offered by the House and 
proposals to expand such benefits.

Clerk of the House

     Review the administration of audio transmission on 
the House floor. Continue oversight of proposals for 
modification of the Electronic Voting System.
     Review and approve contracts and requests for 
proposals by the Clerk that exceed the $250,000 spending 
threshold.
     Oversee the Document Management System.
     Review progress towards defining a standard for 
the electronic exchange of legislative information among the 
Houses of Congress and legislative-branch agencies.
     Coordinate on matters under the jurisdiction of 
the House Fine Arts Board.
     Continue review of functions and administrative 
operations assigned to the Clerk.
     Review of semi-annual financial and operational 
status reports; recommend changes in operations to improve 
services and increase efficiencies.
     Review the printing needs of the Clerk to evaluate 
the potential for eliminating duplication through greater use 
of GPO services.
     Oversee preparation of Hispanic Americans in 
Congress, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in Congress, and 
other congressionally-authorized publications.

Sergeant at Arms

     Review security operations in the House, including 
the House chamber, the galleries, the Capitol, House Office 
Buildings, and Capitol Grounds.
     Review semi-annual financial and operational 
status reports; recommend changes in operations to improve 
services and increase efficiencies.
     Review impact of electronic access to controlled 
spaces.
     Continue review of functions and administrative 
operations assigned to the Sergeant at Arms.
     Review the security operation of House parking 
facilities, regulations, and allocation of parking spaces.
     Consult with the Sergeant at Arms on policies 
adopted by the Capitol Police Board.
     Review the policies and procedures for visitor 
access to the Capitol.
     Review the printing needs of the Sergeant at Arms 
and the Capitol Police Board to identify the potential for 
eliminating duplication through greater use of GPO services.
     Examine Sergeant at Arms' role in assuring 
accessibility to the House wing of the Capitol, the House 
Office Buildings, and other House facilities consistent with 
the Americans with Disabilities Act.
     Review the use of technology generally in the 
protection of the House of Representatives.
     Oversee implementation of coordinated plans for 
emergency evacuation and response.

House Inspector General

     Review proposed audit plan and audit reports.
     Review comprehensive financial and operational 
audits of the House, investigate any irregularities uncovered, 
and monitor necessary improvements.
     Monitor progress of House audits.
     Continue review of functions and administrative 
operations assigned to the Inspector General.
     Direct Inspector General to conduct management 
advisories to improve implementation and operation of key House 
functions.

           OVERSIGHT OF LEGISLATIVE BRANCH AND OTHER ENTITIES

Information and technology coordination

     Oversee, in conjunction with the Senate, forums 
for the sharing of technology plans and capabilities among the 
legislative branch agencies.
     Oversee, in conjunction with the Senate, the 
Legislative Branch Telecommunications group.
     Oversee continuing improvements to the Legislative 
Information System.
     Oversee work of the Legislative Branch Financial 
Managers' Council.

Library of Congress

     Oversee the remedial measures taken by the Library 
in response to audit issues.
     Conduct a review of the progress that the Library 
has made in providing public access to government information, 
especially in electronic form.
     Continue oversight of Library of Congress 
operations, including inventory and cataloguing systems.
     Continue oversight of Law Library operations.
     Continue oversight of Congressional Research 
Service operations, and consider any need to modify management 
of the Service.
     Review implementation of the Library of Congress 
Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-481), 
the Veterans' Oral History Project Act (Public Law 106-380), 
the National Recording Preservation Act of 2000 (Public Law 
106-474), and the History of the House Awareness and 
Preservation Act (Public Law 106-99).
     Consider human-resources legislation proposed by 
the Library.
     Review the use of technology generally in Library 
of Congress operations.
     Review printing policies of the Library of 
Congress to assure compliance with Title 44 of the U.S. Code.
     Review reports by Library of Congress Inspector 
General and implementation of audit recommendations. Examine 
options to improve operation and structure of the Library of 
Congress Inspector General's office.

U.S. Capitol Police

     Generally oversee operations of the agency.
     Review need for additional USCP facilities and 
equipment.
     Review analysis of uniformed officer post/duty 
assignments to determine and authorize force levels to meet the 
agency's security requirements, especially with the advent of 
the Capitol Visitor Center and responsibility for Library of 
Congress and U.S. Botanic Garden.
     Monitor human-resources needs of the agency, 
including civilian component, attrition rates, recruitment 
efforts and incentive programs for officers and civilian 
employees.
     Review USCP training program for new recruits, and 
in-service training.
     Review and approve all department reorganizations, 
creation of new positions, appointments, terminations, and 
certain promotions.
     Authorize and oversee the installation and 
maintenance of new security systems and devices proposed by the 
Police Board.
     Review and authorize regulations prescribed by the 
Police Board for use of law enforcement authority by the 
Capitol Police.
     Oversee implementation of merger of Library of 
Congress police force with USCP under Public Law 110-178.
     Examine Capitol Police role in assuring 
accessibility to the House wing of the Capitol, House Office 
Buildings and other facilities consistent with the Americans 
with Disabilities Act.
     Review the use of technology generally in the 
protection of the House of Representatives.
     Review reports by USCP Inspector General and 
implementation of audit recommendations. Examine options to 
improve operation and structure of the USCP Inspector General's 
office.

Government Printing Office

     Oversee operations of the Government Printing 
Office, including the Superintendent of Documents.
     Review the need for legislation to reform 
government printing by eliminating redundancies, increasing 
efficiency, and enhancing public access to government 
publications.
     Examine options to improve operation and structure 
of the GPO Inspector General's office. Monitor implementation 
of remedial actions taken to address audit issues identified by 
the GPO Inspector General.
     Review the printing needs of the House of 
Representatives to identify the potential for eliminating 
duplication through greater use of GPO services.
     Examine current GPO printing and binding 
regulations to determine advisability of change.
     Oversee Superintendent of Documents' Sales and 
Depository Library Programs.
     Review use of GPO facilities and other assets to 
identify possible alternatives enhancing value to the Congress 
and the public.
     Review GPO labor practices and labor agreements.
     Oversee preparation of the revised edition of 
Hispanic Americans in Congress, the first edition of Asian and 
Pacific Islander Americans in Congress, and other 
congressionally-authorized publications, including publications 
supporting operations of the Capitol Visitor Center.

              Committee Resolutions for the 111th Congress


           ADOPTION OF COMMITTEE RULES FOR THE 111TH CONGRESS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-1)


                        Adopted January 27, 2009


              ELECTION OF SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIRS AND MEMBERS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-2)


                        Adopted January 27, 2009


           ADOPTION OF OVERSIGHT PLAN FOR THE 111TH CONGRESS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-3)


                        Adopted January 27, 2009


             ADOPTION OF AMENDMENTS TO HOUSE PARKING POLICY

                     (Committee Resolution #111-4)


                        Adopted January 27, 2009


 PROVIDING OFFICIAL MAIL ALLOWANCE TO COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE FOR THE 
                             111TH CONGRESS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-5)


                         Adopted March 25, 2009


                TO ADOPT VOUCHER DOCUMENTATION STANDARDS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-6)


                        Adopted November 4, 2009


     TO PROHIBIT TEXT MESSAGING WHILE DRIVING ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-7)


                        Adopted November 4, 2009


     COMMITTEE RESOLUTION RELATING TO ENERGY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-8)


                         Adopted April 28, 2010


 COMMITTEE RESOLUTION TO ALLOW FUNDS FROM AN MRA TO BE USED IN ONLINE 
                             ADVERTISEMENTS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-9)


                         Adopted July 14, 2010


        COMMITTEE RESOLUTION AMENDING VOUCHER DOCUMENT STANDARDS

                     (Committee Resolution #111-10)


                         Adopted July 14, 2010


                                  
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