[House Report 112-511]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
112th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session 112-511
======================================================================
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2013
_______
June 1, 2012.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Crenshaw, from the Committee on Appropriations,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
together with
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
[To accompany H.R. 5882]
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following
report in explanation of the accompanying bill making
appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year
ending September 30, 2013, and for other purposes.
INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT
_______________________________________________________________________
Page number
Bill Report
Highlights of bill.........................................
4
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations................. 3
5
House of Representatives........................... 3
5
Joint Items:
Joint Economic Committee................... 9
7
Joint Committee on Taxation................ 9
8
Office of the Attending Physician.......... 9
8
Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services............................... 10
8
Capitol Police..................................... 10
8
Office of Compliance............................... 13
9
Congressional Budget Office........................ 13
10
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office
Buildings)..................................... 15
10
Library of Congress................................ 19
15
Government Printing Office......................... 24
17
Government Accountability Office................... 27
19
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund............ 29
20
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training
and Development................................
20
Title II--General Provisions............................... 29
20
Bill-wide Reporting Requirements...........................
21
Additional Views...........................................
41
SUMMARY OF BILL
The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides
appropriations for fiscal year 2013 Legislative Branch
operations, which total $3,332,872,000. Conforming to
longstanding practice under which each body of Congress
determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other
concurs without intervention, funds for the Senate are not
included in the bill as reported to the House. Current
appropriations estimates for the Senate for fiscal year 2013
including those under the Architect of the Capitol, total
$956,128,000.
A comparative summary of the bill by title and agency
follows:
SUMMARY OF THE BILL
[Note.--Excludes Senate items including those Senate Items under the Architect of the Capitol]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bill compared with--
Budget estimates New budget -------------------------------------
New budget of new (obligational) Budget estimates
Agency (obligational) (obligational) authority New budget of new
authority, fiscal authority, fiscal recommended in (obligational) (obligational)
year 2012 year 2013 bill authority, fiscal authority, fiscal
year 2012 year 2013
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations
House of Representatives................................. $1,225,680,000 $1,225,680,000 $1,225,680,000 ................. .................
Joint items.............................................. 20,207,000 19,023,000 19,037,000 -$1,170,000 +$14,000
Capitol Police........................................... 340,137,000 373,769,000 360,137,000 +20,000,000 -13,632,000
Office of Compliance..................................... 3,817,000 4,206,000 3,817,000 ................. -389,000
Congressional Budget Office.............................. 43,787,000 44,637,000 44,280,000 +493,000 -357,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office Buildings) 496,381,000 588,796,000 444,021,000 -52,360,000 -144,775,000
Library of Congress...................................... 587,344,000 603,589,000 592,642,000 +5,298,000 -10,947,000
Government Printing Office............................... 126,200,000 126,200,000 122,456,000 -3,744,000 -3,744,000
Government Accountability Office......................... 511,296,000 526,233,000 519,802,000 +8,506,000 -6,431,000
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund.................. 10,000,000 10,000,000 1,000,000 -9,000,000 -9,000,000
John C. Stennis Center................................... 430,000 430,000 ................. -430,000 -430,000
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grand total, new budget, (obligational) authority $3,367,279,000 $3,522,563,000 $3,332,872,000 -$34,407,000 -$189,691,000
(for items considered by the House)...............
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL
The Committee recommends $3,332,872,000 in discretionary
resources for operations of the Legislative Branch of
government, $189,691,000 below the requested amount and
$34,407,000, or 1 percent, below the fiscal year 2012 enacted
level (excluding Senate items). This bill reflects a continued
acknowledgment that the Legislative Branch must set itself as
an example for fiscal restraint while continuing to serve the
Nation. The Committee is committed to getting the nation's
fiscal house in order and sharing in the sacrifices that are
required. The Committee notes that with the inclusion of this
bill, the Legislative Branch, excluding the Senate items, has
been reduced by a total of $322,607,000 or 8.8% since fiscal
year 2010. This bill will require strict fiscal discipline on
the part of all congressional offices and all agency heads in
the Legislative Branch.
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH-WIDE MATTERS
Committee Directives.--The Committee is concerned with the
failure of some agencies to follow Committee directives in
either the House Committee Report or a joint conference
agreement accompanying the annual Legislative Branch
appropriations bill. There should be no misunderstanding that
report language in either the House or joint conference
agreement is to be adhered too, without exception, unless
specifically addressed to the contrary in an explanatory
statement of a joint conference agreement.
Zero Base Budgeting.--The Committee is very pleased with
the results of the zero base budgeting exercise directed to be
conducted by all the agencies of the Legislative Branch. The
Committee believes that this valuable budgeting process has
given agencies the opportunity to take a fresh look at all
areas of their operations and make funding reductions and
alignments within the current budget base. The Committee
believes that there are continued opportunities to realize
meaningful savings by carefully reviewing each agency's budget
requirements from a zero base and directs all agencies to
continue to develop budget request from a zero base.
Reprogramming Guidelines.--It has come to the Committees
attention that there is some misunderstanding about the
Reprogramming Guidelines for Legislative Branch Agencies
contained in House Report 112-331. The term ``to notify the
Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate'' requires
agencies to make a formal request requiring Committee approval
before proceeding with the requested action.
Committee Requests, Furloughs and Performance Based Merit
Increases.--The Committee directs that adherence to the
language carried in House Report 112-148 pertaining to
Committee Requests, Furloughs, and Performance Based Merit
Increases be continued unless otherwise so directed.
Travel Initiative.--The Committee applauds the Legislative
Branch Financial Managers Council (LBFMC) on its efforts to
improve Legislative Branch financial operations and, most
recently, to seek a common solution for automating travel
functionality. The Committee directs all members of the LBFMC
to participate in an effort to create a single solution to each
agency's travel management needs and consider the feasibility
of a centralized travel function, including the necessary
interfaces to the agency's financial management systems. The
Committee directs the Government Accountability Office that has
already automated their travel system, to serve as a resource
to the LBFMC.
TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
The Committee recommends $1,225,680,000 for the operations
and maintenance of the House of Representatives during fiscal
year 2013. This amount is the same as the request and the
fiscal year 2012 enacted level. Funding for the House of
Representatives has been reduced by 10.5% since fiscal year
2010.
House Leadership Offices
2012 appropriation.................................... $29,094,721
2013 budget request................................... 23,275,773
Committee recommendation.............................. 23,275,773
The Committee recommends $23,275,773 for salaries and
expenses of staff in House leadership offices for fiscal year
2013. This amount is $5,818,948 below fiscal year 2012 enacted
level and is the same as the budget request.
The allocation by office follows:
Office of the Speaker................................. $6,942,770
Office of the Majority Floor Leader................... 2,277,595
Office of the Majority Whip........................... 1,971,050
Republican Conference................................. 1,572,788
Office of the Minority Floor Leader................... 7,432,812
Office of the Minority Whip........................... 1,524,951
Democratic Caucus..................................... 1,553,807
-----------------
Total............................................. $23,275,773
Beginning in fiscal year 2013, it is the Committee's intent
to appropriate funding for Leadership Offices on a legislative
year.
Members' Representational Allowances
2012 appropriation.................................... $573,939,282
2013 budget request................................... 573,939,282
Committee recommendation.............................. 573,939,282
The Committee recommends $573,939,282 for the
representational allowances of the Members of the House. This
amount is the same as the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and
the budget request.
House Committees
2012 appropriation.................................... $152,630,655
2013 budget request................................... 153,030,655
Committee recommendation.............................. 152,630,655
The Committee recommends $152,630,655 in total for House
Committees. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2012
enacted level and is $400,000 below the budget request. This
account includes funding for staff salaries and official
expenses of Committees including equipment, telecommunications,
printing, and contract services. Funding is available until
December 31, 2014. Included in the total is $26,665,785 for the
Committee on Appropriations. The amount provided is the same as
the current level and the budget request.
The Committee has not provided funding for the continuation
of hearing room modernizations. Sufficient funding currently
exists for the execution of this program.
Salaries, Officers and Employees
2012 appropriation.................................... $177,628,400
2013 budget request................................... 174,911,816
Committee recommendation.............................. 173,669,084
The Committee recommends $173,669,084 for the salaries and
expenses of House officers and employees of the various
activities funded through this consolidated item. This amount
is $3,959,316 below the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and
$1,242,732 below the budget request. The following table
summarizes the funding allocation provided to each component of
the account:
Office of the Clerk................................... $22,370,252
Office of the Sergeant-At-Arms........................ 12,585,000
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer............ 116,782,000
Office of the Inspector General....................... 4,692,000
Office of General Counsel............................. 1,415,000
Office of the Chaplain................................ 179,000
Office of the Parliamentarian......................... 2,060,000
Parliamentarian................................... (1,466,000)
Compilation of Precedents......................... (594,000)
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House....... 3,258,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House........ 8,814,000
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs.................. 859,000
Other authorized employees............................ 484,832
The Historian......................................... 170,000
-----------------
Total............................................. $173,669,084
Office of the Clerk.--The Committee recommends $22,370,252
for the Clerk of the House. This amount is $3,744,148, or 14.3%
below the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is the same as the
budget request. The Committee notes that implementation of the
STOCK Act will be accomplished within available funds.
Office of the Sergeant At Arms.--The Committee recommends
$12,585,000 for the Office of the Sergeant At Arms (SAA). This
amount is the same as the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is
$1,242,732 below the budget request.
The Committee continues to be concerned about the safety
and the security of House District Offices and House District
Office staff. The Committee directs the House Sergeant at Arms,
in coordination with the United States Capitol Police, by
October 1, 2012, to develop a series of recommendations and
best practices on security features or enhancements for House
District Offices to be made to new and returning Members prior
to the start of the 113th Congress.
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer.--The Committee
recommends $116,782,000 for the Office of the Chief
Administrative Officer (CAO). This amount is the same as the
fiscal 2012 enacted level and the budget request.
Allowances and Expenses
2012 appropriation.................................... $292,386,942
2013 budget request................................... 300,522,474
Committee recommendation.............................. 302,165,206
The Committee recommends a total of $302,165,206 for
allowances and expenses. This amount is $9,778,264, above the
fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is $1,642,732 above the
budget request. These funds include supplies, materials,
administrative costs, and Federal tort claims; the costs of
official mail for the Committees, leadership, and
administrative offices; employee benefits; miscellaneous items;
and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation
provided to each major component of the account:
Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal $3,696,118
tort claims..........................................
Official mail (committees, administrative, and 201,000
leadership offices)..................................
Government contributions.............................. 272,548,016
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery............. 17,112,072
Transition Activities................................. 4,125,000
Wounded Warrior Program............................... 2,175,000
Office of Congressional Ethics........................ 1,548,000
Miscellaneous items................................... 760,000
-----------------
Total, allowances and expenses.................... $302,165,206
Administrative Provisions
Section 101 provides for unspent amounts remaining in
Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for
deficit or debt reduction.
Section 102 reimburses the Secretary of Labor for
unemployment compensation.
Section 103 provides for transfer among the accounts
disbursed by the House Chief Administrative Officer.
Section 104 requires the Office of Inspector General to
provide the House Committee on Appropriations with a copy of
each audit and investigative report they produce.
JOINT ITEMS
The Committee recommends $19,037,000 for fiscal year 2013
for the various joint committees and activities carried under
this heading. The recommendation is $1,170,000 below the fiscal
year 2012 enacted level and is $14,000 above the budget
request.
JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE
2012 appropriation.................................... $4,203,000
2013 budget request................................... 4,219,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 4,203,000
The Committee recommends $4,203,000 for the Joint Economic
Committee. This recommendation is the same as the current level
and is $16,000 below the budget request. The Joint Economic
Committee was created by the Employment Act of 1946. The
primary tasks of the Committee are to review economic
conditions and to recommend improvements in economic policy.
The Committee performs research and economic analysis and
monitors and analyzes current economic, financial, and
employment conditions.
JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION
2012 appropriation.................................... $10,004,000
2013 budget request................................... 10,004,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 10,004,000
The Committee recommends $10,004,000 for the Joint
Committee on Taxation (JCT). This recommendation is the same as
the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and the budget request. The
Joint Committee on Taxation operates under the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 and its predecessors dating to the Revenue Act of
1926. It has responsibility to (1) investigate the operation
and effects of internal revenue taxes and the administration of
such taxes; (2) investigate measures and methods for the
simplification of such taxes; (3) make reports to the House
Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance
(or to the House and the Senate) on the results of such
investigations and studies and to make recommendations; and (4)
review any proposed refund or credit of income or estate and
gift taxes or certain other taxes set forth in Code section
6405 in excess of $2,000,000. In addition to these functions
that are specified in the Internal Revenue Code, the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the Joint Committee
to provide revenue estimates for all tax legislation considered
by either the House or the Senate.
OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN
2012 appropriation.................................... $3,400,000
2013 budget request................................... 3,433,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 3,467,000
The Committee recommends $3,467,000 for the Office of the
Attending Physician. This amount is $34,000 above the request
and $67,000 above the fiscal year 2012 enacted level.
OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES
2012 appropriation.................................... $1,363,000
2013 budget request................................... 1,367,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,363,000
The Committee recommends $1,363,000 for the operation of
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. This amount
is the same as the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is $4,000
less than the budget request. The Office of Congressional
Accessibility Services is a successor office to the Special
Services Office following enactment of the Capitol Visitor
Center Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-437).
UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE
The Committee recommends a total of $360,137,000 for the
United States Capitol Police (USCP). This amount is $20,000,000
above the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is $13,632,000
below the budget request.
Salaries
2012 appropriation.................................... $277,133,000
2013 budget request................................... 303,132,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 297,133,000
The Committee recommends $297,133,000 for the salaries and
benefits authorized for police services throughout the USCP
jurisdiction. This amount is $20,000,000 above the fiscal year
2012 enacted level and is $5,999,000 below the budget request.
Using the latest salary estimates from USCP, the Committee
expects this level of funding to support a staffing level of
1,775 of the 1,800 authorized sworn positions and 370 of the
authorized 443 civilian positions. Included in the 370 civilian
positions are one additional auditor and one additional
investigator at the CP 11-12 level for the Inspector General.
The Committee notes that while providing the necessary
salaries and general expenses funding for fiscal year 2012 to
support USCP personnel and operations, the Department in turn
had to absorb several activities within its base funding, such
as the conventions and pre-Presidential Inauguration planning.
In addition, training activities were greatly reduced in order
to meet other mission requirements.
The recommendation for USCP funding is based on only
critical requirements necessary to mitigate and address threats
and risks. It does not provide for any new initiatives, as
requested.
Training.--The Committee recognizes that training has been
limited to only those areas that are critical and mandatory as
required by law, rule, or regulation; or necessary to meet core
mission activities. The funding provided specifically relates
to the training needs of sworn staff to give them the time
needed to be offline and receive training in a number of key
areas, while still providing an appropriate security
environment. The Department is to report to the Committee on
Appropriations of the House and the Senate by February 15, 2013
on its efforts to enhance training within the USCP.
New Posts.--The Committee continues to direct the USCP to
notify the Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate
when new posts are created, including the annualized cost of
maintaining the new post, and how the cost will be offset.
General Expenses
2012 appropriation.................................... $63,004,000
2013 budget request................................... 70,637,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 63,004,000
The Committee recommends $63,004,000 for all general
expenses of the USCP. This is the same as the fiscal year 2012
enacted level and is $7,633,000 below the budget request.
Administrative Provisions
Section 1001 which authorizes transfers between the
Salaries and General Expenses accounts of the Capitol Police.
Section 1002 is a technical correction for the payment to
the Employees' Compensation Fund.
OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE
Salaries and Expenses
2012 appropriation.................................... $3,817,000
2013 budget request................................... 4,206,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 3,817,000
The Committee recommends $3,817,000 for the Office of
Compliance. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2012
enacted level and $389,000 below the budget request. The Office
of Compliance was established to administer and enforce the
Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1). The Act
applies various employment and workplace safety laws to
Congress and certain Legislative Branch entities.
Administrative Provision
Section 1101 makes permanent the authorization for the
payment of awards and settlements.
CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
2012 appropriation.................................... $43,787,000
2013 budget request................................... 44,637,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 44,280,000
The Committee recommends $44,280,000 for the Congressional
Budget Office (CBO). This is $493,000 above the fiscal year
2012 enacted level and $357,000 below the budget request. This
increase provides funding of $160,000 for one additional
workday over fiscal 2012 and $333,000 to purchase commercial
data on topics in support of analyses.
Administrative Provision
Section 1201 gives authority for the CBO to accept the
services of student volunteers.
ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL
2012 appropriation.................................... \1\$496,381,000
2013 budget request................................... \1\588,796,000
Committee recommendation.............................. \1\444,021,000
\1\Does not include Senate office buildings.
The Committee recommends $444,021,000 for fiscal year 2013
for the activities of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
Excluded are Senate items which are traditionally left for
consideration by that body. This amount is $52,360,000 below
the fiscal year 2012 enacted level, or 10.6 percent, and is
$144,775,000 below the budget request, or almost 25 percent.
Within the recommended level the Committee continues its
prioritization of projects that: (1) promote the safety and
health of workers and occupants, (2) decrease the deferred
maintenance backlog, and (3) invest to achieve future energy
savings. In addition, by including $30,000,000 for the House
Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund, the bill
continues the Committee's commitment to advance planning for
major capital renewal projects which will be essential to
sustaining the performance of historic House buildings.
The Committee has concerns that the cost of Full Time
Equivalents (FTE's) associated with projects is not clearly
defined in the budget justification. For fiscal year 2011 the
Architect of the Capitol actually utilized 283 FTE's for
projects and estimates for 2012 and 2013 are 318 FTE's. The
Committee fully understands that the number of FTE's for
projects will be determined based on the projects approved by
the Committee. The Committee directs that beginning with the
2014 budget request the number of FTE's and associated salary
and benefit costs be detailed for each project.
In the continued effort to reduce cost and achieve
efficiencies, Legislative Branch wide, the Committee directs
the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council (LBFMC) to
continue pursuing financial systems cross servicing. In this
regard, the Committee directs the Chief Financial Officers of
the Library of Congress (LOC) and the Architect of the Capitol
(AOC) to coordinate with each other to conduct the requisite
analysis, and provide cost estimates and budget requests with
the intention of migrating the AOC's financial data into the
Library's financial system environment. There is clear evidence
that pursuing this migration will result in significant cost
savings, as was achieved with the United States Capitol Police
migration, both by centralizing financial system data and
operations within the Library's financial system and by
consolidating the agencies' annual financial statement and
related financial system internal controls audit under the
single audit contract serving those agencies whose financial
systems are cross serviced by the Library.
The Committee directs the AOC to conduct a GAP analysis,
within existing funding, to identify potential functional gaps
and issues related to the migrating of its financial data. The
Committee notes that such migrations are complex because they
require compromises and standardization of multiple agency
financial operations with one financial system environment.
However, standardization of financial operations and financial
systems configurations also represents a well-established best
practice and is one of the reasons why significant cost savings
are possible with such an effort.
Finally, the Committee directs the Library to complete a
cost-benefit analysis supporting the Legislative Branch
financial system hosting environment through external cloud
computing services, as opposed to continuing to provide support
within the Library's Capitol Hill technology infrastructure.
This cost-benefit analysis is to take into consideration the
completed migration of the AOC financial data into the
Library's financial system environment.
The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation,
development, and preservation of the United States Capitol
Complex. This includes mechanical and structural maintenance of
the Capitol, Congressional office buildings, the Library of
Congress buildings, the Supreme Court building, the U.S.
Botanic Garden, the Capitol Power Plant, and other facilities,
as well as the upkeep and improvement of the grounds
surrounding the Capitol complex. The following table summarizes
the allocation of funds by appropriation account:
Architect of the Capitol:
General Administration............................ $90,755,000
Capitol building.................................. 28,591,000
Capitol grounds................................... 17,152,000
House of Representatives buildings subtotal....... 113,964,000
House office buildings........................ (83,964,000)
Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund.. (30,000,000)
Capitol Power Plant............................... 108,616,000
Library buildings and grounds..................... 30,660,000
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security.... 20,867,000
Botanic Garden.................................... 12,000,000
Capitol Visitor Center............................ 21,276,000
-----------------
Total......................................... $443,881,000
General Administration
2012 appropriation.................................... $101,340,000
2013 budget request................................... 102,601,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 90,755,000
The Committee recommends $90,755,000 for personnel
services, equipment, communications, and other central support
activities of the AOC. This amount is $10,585,000 below the
fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is $11,846,000 below the
budget request. The Committee has made a reduction of 32 FTE's
and $4,235,000 in associated salary and benefit costs due to an
agency overfunded salary base. Although this over-funding is
agency wide, the Committee has chosen to reduce the General
Administration account rather than each separate account. The
Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol, in all future
budget requests, to establish an appropriate lapse rate and
apply such rate to the salary and benefit request for each
account. The recommendation supports an operating budget of
$89,756,000. The recommended project budget of $999,000 is
composed of the following projects:
Item Committee recommendation
Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC): Management
Program............................................. $500,000
Conservation of Fine Architectural Art.................. 499,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... $999,000
Capitol Building
2012 appropriation.................................... $36,154,000
2013 budget request................................... 97,072,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 28,591,000
The Committee recommends $28,591,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the Capitol building. This amount is
$7,563,000 below the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is
$68,481,000 below the budget request. The recommendation
supports an operating budget of $25,091,000. The recommended
project budget of $3,500,000 is composed of the following
capital projects:
Item Committee recommendation
Minor Construction...................................... $3,500,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... $3,500,000
Capitol Grounds
2012 appropriation.................................... $9,852,000
2013 budget request................................... 18,502,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 17,152,000
The Committee recommends $17,152,000 for the care of the
grounds surrounding the Capitol. This amount is $7,300,000
above the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is $1,350,000
below the budget request. The recommendation supports an
operating budget of $9,852,000, which includes four additional
unfunded FTE's. The recommended project budget of $7,300,000 is
composed of the following capital projects:
Item Committee recommendation
Union Square Stabilization.............................. $7,300,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... $7,300,000
The Committee is recommending $7,300,000 for the Union
Square Stabilization project, as requested. The Architect of
the Capitol is directed to withhold obligation of these funds
until a detailed obligation plan is approved by the Committees
on Appropriations of the House and the Senate.
House Office Buildings
2012 appropriation.................................... $124,154,000
2013 budget request................................... 133,964,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 113,964,000
The Committee recommends $113,964,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the House office buildings. This
amount is a decrease of $10,190,000 below fiscal year 2012
enacted level and is $20,000,000 below the budget request. This
amount includes $13,825,000 for the first year lease cost of
Federal Office Building 8 (FOB8). The bill also includes
$30,000,000 for the House Historic Buildings Revitalization
Trust Fund. Public Law 111-68 established the Fund to finance
major repairs and renovations to facilities of the House.
Subject to approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the
House, the AOC may use these funds for major renovation
projects to preserve and maintain the performance of the iconic
buildings of the House of Representatives. The recommendation
supports an operating budget of $64,602,000. The recommended
project budget of $49,362,000 is composed of the following
capital projects:
Item Committee recommendation
Federal Office Building Eight Refurbishment............. $8,200,000
CAO Project Support..................................... 4,162,000
Minor Construction...................................... 7,000,000
House Historic Building Revitalization.................. 30,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... $49,362,000
Capitol Power Plant
2012 appropriation.................................... $123,229,000
2012 budget request................................... 118,533,000
Committee recommendation net.......................... 108,616,000
Offsetting collections................................ 9,400,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $118,016,000
The Committee recommends $108,616,000 for the Capitol Power
Plant. This amount is $14,613,000 below the fiscal year 2012
enacted level and is $9,917,000 below the budget request. The
Committee continues to support the AOC's plan to utilize
cogeneration technology at the Capitol Power Plant to help meet
the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 requirement of
a 30 percent energy reduction by 2015. According to the AOC,
cogeneration will yield a 7.1 percent reduction in total energy
consumption at the Capitol Power Plant by increasing its
overall efficiency. The recommendation supports an operating
budget of $94,612,000, which provides for current services. The
recommended project budget of $23,404,000 is composed of the
following capital projects:
Item Committee recommendation
West Refrigeration Plant Revitalization................. $16,904,000
Cogeneration Management Program......................... 2,500,000
Minor Construction...................................... 4,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... $23,404,000
Library Buildings and Grounds
2012 appropriation.................................... $46,876,000
2013 budget request................................... 53,594,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 30,660,000
The Committee recommends $30,660,000 for the care and
maintenance of the Library buildings and grounds. This amount
is $16,216,000 below the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is
$22,934,000 below the budget request. The recommendation
supports an operating budget of $25,760,000 and a project
budget of $4,900,000, including the following capital projects:
Item Committee recommendation
Secured Storage Facilities, Phase IV of IV, JMMB........ $2,400,000
ABA Space Reorganization, Phase IV of V, JMMB........... 500,000
Minor Construction...................................... 2,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... $4,900,000
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security
2012 appropriation.................................... $21,500,000
2013 budget request................................... 30,802,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 20,867,000
The Committee recommends $20,867,000 for Capitol Police
buildings, grounds, and security. This amount is $633,000 below
the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is $9,935,000 below the
budget request. The recommendation supports an operating budget
of $18,027,000 and a project budget of $2,840,000, including
the following capital projects:
Item Committee recommendation
Electrical Distribution Upgrade, ACF.................... $1,840,000
Minor Construction...................................... 1,000,000
--------------------------------------------------------
____________________________________________________
Total............................................... $2,840,000
Botanic Garden
2012 appropriation.................................... $12,000,000
2013 budget request................................... 12,140,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 12,140,000
The Committee recommends $12,140,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Botanic Garden. This amount is $140,000 above
the current level and is the same as the budget request. There
are no capital projects in fiscal year 2013.
Again the Committee congratulates the Botanic Garden on the
accomplishments of its education and outreach programs, which
have leveraged the Garden's unparalleled expertise to provide
unique educational opportunities. The Committee urges the
Garden to continue forming partnerships with national and local
organizations to advance these educational goals.
Capitol Visitor Center
2012 appropriation.................................... $21,276,000
2013 budget request................................... 21,588,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 21,276,000
The Committee recommends $21,276,000 for the operation of
the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). This amount is the same as
the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and $312,000 below the
budget request. There are no capital projects in fiscal year
2013. The CVC was established to improve security for all
persons working in or visiting the U.S. Capitol and to enhance
the educational experience of visitors.
Administrative Provision
Section 1301 authorizes payments to the Employees'
Compensation Fund from available balances.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
The Committee recommends $592,642,000 for the operations of
the Library of Congress. This is $5,298,000 above the fiscal
year 2012 enacted level and $10,947,000 below the budget
request. This represents a reduction of 189 FTE's. In addition
to the appropriation, the Committee recommends offsetting
collections of $39,961,000. Established by Congress in 1800,
the Library of Congress is one of the largest libraries in the
world, with a collection of more than 130,000,000 print, audio,
and video items in 460 languages. Among its major programs are
acquisitions, preservation, administration of U.S. copyright
laws by the Copyright Office, research and analysis of policy
issues for the Congress by the Congressional Research Service,
and administration of a national program to provide reading
material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library
maintains a significant number of collections and provides a
range of services to libraries in the United States and abroad.
Salaries and Expenses
2012 appropriation.................................... $413,743,000
2013 budget request................................... 423,701,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 415,674,000
Offsetting collections................................ 6,350,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $422,024,000
The Committee recommends $415,674,000, plus authority to
spend $6,350,000 in receipts, for the salaries and expenses
appropriation. This amount is $1,931,000 above the fiscal year
2012 enacted level and is $8,027,000 below the budget request.
The Committee expects the Veterans History Project and the
Civil Rights History Project will be maintained at least at the
fiscal year 2012 levels.
The Committee is very concerned with the findings in a
recently issued Office of the Inspector General report
concerning the Library Wide Acquisition Function. This report
contains many findings, some that were reported either in
previous IG audits or memoranda, as far back as ten years ago,
that need immediate Library management attention. The Committee
believes that any issues associated with any findings that are
not addressed, corrected, and eliminated within a ten year
period require immediate attention. Therefore, the Committee
directs the Librarian of Congress to either hire, contract for,
or assign an in-house top level manager, reporting directly to
the Chief of Staff, charged with addressing, providing
solutions, and bringing to closure all concerns of this report.
Further the Committee directs that a report be prepared which
outlines all the issues in the report and the corrective action
taken regarding each finding. The Committee directs that this
report be provided to the Committee on Appropriations of the
House and Senate no later than December 31, 2012.
Copyright Office
2012 appropriation.................................... $16,137,000
2013 budget request................................... 19,161,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 18,525,000
Offsetting collections................................ 33,611,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $52,136,000
The Committee recommends $18,525,000, plus authority to
spend $33,611,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office. This
is $2,388,000 above the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and
$636,000 below the budget request, not including offsetting
collections.
Congressional Research Service
2012 appropriation.................................... $106,790,000
2013 budget request................................... 109,205,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 107,668,000
The Committee recommends $107,668,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). This
amount is $878,000 above the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and
$1,537,000 below the budget request. However, the fiscal year
2012 enacted level included $1,000,000, for contract services,
for a review of the Government Printing Office. This amount has
been retained in the CRS base thus providing an increase to the
Congressional Research Service of $1,878,000, over the fiscal
year 2012 enacted level and $537,000 below the budget request.
CRS works for Members and committees of Congress to support
their legislative, oversight, and representational functions by
providing nonpartisan and confidential research and policy
analysis.
Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
2012 appropriation.................................... $50,674,000
2013 budget request................................... 51,522,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 50,775,000
The Committee recommends $50,775,000 for salaries and
expenses of the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped (NLS). This amount is $101,000 above the
fiscal year 2012 enacted level and $747,000 below the budget
request. The NLS has successfully administered a free national
reading program for blind and physically handicapped residents
of the United States and U.S. citizens living abroad since
1931. NLS provides direction for the production of books and
magazines in Braille and recorded formats and audio playback
machines for distribution through a nationwide network of 56
regional and 65 sub-regional libraries.
The Committee notes the continued commitment of the
Congress, through the Library of Congress, to serve blind and
physically handicapped Americans. The Committee again
recognizes the recent completion of the Digital Talking Book
Program. New digital talking book players and digital titles,
on flash cartridges and via download, are now available
nationwide. The Committee recognizes the Library is making an
effort to convert analog titles to digital format. The
Committee fully understands that a number of analog titles
still need to be converted. The Committee encourages the
Library to continue this effort converting those titles that
are determined to be in the greatest demand. The Committee
fully understands that the blind and physically handicapped
community might want to see the conversion of all analog
titles. However, with continued decreases in funding to almost
every element of the Federal Budget, it will be difficult to
complete a total conversion. The Committee encourages the
Librarian of Congress to work with the appropriate
organizations to achieve an appropriate solution to demands,
taking into consideration the funding constraints.
Administrative Provisions
Section 1401 is related to reimbursable and revolving fund
obligational authority.
Section 1402 provides permanent transfer authority between
categories of appropriations.
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
The recommendation provides $122,456,000 in budget
authority for the Government Printing Office (GPO), in addition
to any offsetting collections which the GPO may earn under
separate authority. This amount is $3,744,000 below the fiscal
year 2012 enacted level and the budget request. GPO provides
publishing and dissemination services for Federal government
publications to Congress, Federal agencies, Federal depository
libraries, and the American public.
During the hearings this year, the Committee heard
testimony on the dissemination of congressional information
products in Extensible Markup Language (XML) format. XML
permits data to be reused and repurposed not only for print
output but for conversion into ebooks, mobile web applications,
and other forms of content delivery including data mashups and
other analytical tools. The Committee has heard requests for
the increased dissemination of congressional information via
bulk data download from non-governmental groups supporting
openness and transparency in the legislative process. While
sharing these goals, the Committee is also concerned that
Congress maintains the ability to ensure that its legislative
data files remain intact and a trusted source once they are
removed from the Government's domain to private sites.
The GPO currently ensures the authenticity of the
congressional information it disseminates to the public through
its Federal Digital System and the Library Congress's THOMAS
system by the use of digital signature technology applied to
the Portable Document Format (PDF) version of the document,
which matches the printed document. The use of this technology
attests that the digital version of the document has not been
altered since it was authenticated and disseminated by GPO. At
this time, only PDF files can be digitally signed in native
format for authentication purposes. There currently is no
comparable technology for the application and verification of
digital signatures on XML documents. While the GPO currently
provides bulk data access to information products of the Office
of the Federal Register, the limitations on the authenticity
and integrity of those data files are clearly spelled out in
the user guide that accompanies those files on GPO's Federal
Digital System.
The GPO and Congress are moving toward the use of XML as
the data standard for legislative information. The House and
Senate are creating bills in XML format and are moving toward
creating other congressional documents in XML for input to the
GPO. At this point, however, the challenge of authenticating
downloads of bulk data legislative data files in XML remains
unresolved, and there continues to be a range of associated
questions and issues: Which Legislative Branch agency would be
the provider of bulk data downloads of legislative information
in XML, and how would this service be authorized. How would
``House'' information be differentiated from ``Senate''
information for the purposes of bulk data downloads in XML?
What would be the impact of bulk downloads of legislative data
in XML on the timeliness and authoritativeness of congressional
information? What would be the estimated timeline for the
development of a system of authentication for bulk data
downloads of legislative information in XML? What are the
projected budgetary impacts of system development and
implementation, including potential costs for support that may
be required by third party users of legislative bulk data sets
in XML, as well as any indirect costs, such as potential
requirements for Congress to confirm or invalidate third party
analyses of legislative data based on bulk downloads in XML?
Are there other data models or alternative that can enhance
congressional openness and transparency without relying on bulk
data downloads in XML?
The Committee directs the establishment of a task force
composed of staff representatives of the Library of Congress,
the Congressional Research Service, the Clerk of the House, the
Government Printing Office, and such other congressional
offices as may be necessary, to examine these and any
additional issues it considers relevant and to report back to
the Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate.
Congressional Printing and Binding
2012 appropriation.................................... $90,700,000
2013 budget request................................... 83,632,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 83,632,000
The Committee recommends $83,632,000 for Congressional
Printing and Binding. This amount is $7,068,000 below the
fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is the same as the budget
request. The amount is provided as a lump sum to cover various
categories of printing. The Committee has deleted the language
that allows the Architect of the Capitol to use the
Congressional Printing and Binding appropriation.
Office of Superintendent of Documents
2012 appropriation.................................... $35,000,000
2013 budget request................................... 34,728,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 34,728,000
The Committee recommends $34,728,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Superintendent of Documents. This amount is
$272,000 below the fiscal year 2012 enacted level and is the
same as the budget request. The Office of Superintendent of
Documents account funds the mailing of government documents for
Members of Congress and Federal agencies, as statutorily
authorized; the compilation of catalogs and indexes of
government publications; and the cataloging, indexing, and
distribution of government publications to the Federal
Depository and International Exchange libraries and to other
individuals and entities, as authorized by law.
Government Printing Office Revolving Fund
2012 appropriation.................................... $500,000
2013 budget request................................... 7,840,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 4,096,000
The Committee has provided $4,096,000 for the Revolving
Fund an increase of $3,596,000 above the fiscal year 2012
enacted level and $3,744,000 below the budget request. This
funding will address Information Technology Projects
($3,000,000), Facilities ($460,000) and Federal Digital System
Projects ($536,000).
The bill continues language authorizing the operation of
the revolving fund and authority to hire or purchase
automobiles, advisory councils, and consultants.
GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE
Salaries and Expenses
2012 appropriation.................................... $511,296,000
2013 budget request................................... 526,233,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 519,802,000
Offsetting Collections................................ 24,318,000
-----------------
Total available................................... $544,120,000
The Committee recommends $519,802,000 in direct
appropriations for the Government Accountability Office (GAO),
plus $24,318,000 in offsetting collections derived from
reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government
corporations and rental of space in the GAO building. This
amount is an increase of $8,506,000, or 1.66%, above the fiscal
year 2012 enacted level, and is $6,431,000 below the budget
request. This increase will allow the GAO to hire up to 3,000
FTE's, an increase of 21 FTE's, which will enable GAO to begin
to achieve a staffing level required to address the ever
increasing demands from the Congress.
GAO was established by the Budget and Accounting Act of
1921. Formerly known as the General Accounting Office, it was
renamed by Public Law 108-271. GAO works for Congress by
responding to requests for studies of Federal Government
programs and expenditures. GAO may also initiate its own work.
Administrative Provision
Section 1501 authorizes payments to the Employees'
Compensation Fund.
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund
2012 appropriation.................................... $10,000,000
2013 budget request................................... 10,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,000,000
The Committee again states its concern with the placement
of the Open World Leadership Center (OWC) in the Legislative
Branch. The Committee also understands the program has some
strong champions on the Committee. However, with continued
further reductions being made to almost every program within
the Legislative Branch, the Committee has provided $1,000,000
to cover the cost associated with the shutdown of the OWC. The
Committee directs the Executive Director of the OWC to retain
any necessary prior funds in the Trust to cover any cost in
excess of the $1,000,000 provided in this bill. The Executive
Director is further directed that the program termination is to
be finalized within one year of enactment of the Legislative
Branch fiscal year 2013 appropriations bill.
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development
2012 appropriation.................................... $430,000
2013 budget request................................... 430,000
Committee recommendation.............................. ................
The fiscal year 2012 Conference Agreement (House Report
112-331) directed that future budget requests from the John C.
Stennis Center be accompanied by an appropriately detailed
budget justification as requested in House Report 112-148. The
Committee did not receive such justification and therefore has
not provided the requested funding.
TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS
The customary language regarding emergency assistance for
vehicles, fiscal year limitation, positions and allowances,
consulting services, the Legislative Branch Financial Managers
Council, the maintenance and landscaping on Washington Avenue
SW, a limitation on transfers of funds, language regarding
maintaining staff-led tours, delivery of bills, resolutions and
the Congressional Record, and a limitation on the costs of
lease vehicles (sections 201-211). Section 212 authorizes
commercial use of Union Square, if the activity is similar to
the types of commercial activity permitted prior to the
transfer from the Park Service. Section 213 provides for a
spending reduction account, excluding Senate items. This
account excludes the portion of the allocation that is expected
to be realized by amounts for Senate items.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS
The following items are included in accordance with various
requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives.
Constitutional Authority
Clause 6(e) of the Rules of the Appropriations Committee
requires each committee report on a public bill or joint
resolution to contain a statement citing the specific powers
granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact the law
proposed by the bill or joint resolution. The Committee on
Appropriations bases its authority to report this legislation
on clause 7 of section 9 of article I of the Constitution of
the United States which states: ``No money shall be drawn from
the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law
. . .'' Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant
to this specific power granted by the Constitution.
Comparison With the Budget Resolution
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives and section 308(a)(1)(A) of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares
the levels of new budget authority provided in the bill with
appropriate allocation under section 302(b) of the Budget Act.
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) Allocation This bill--
-----------------------------------------
Budget
Budget Outlays authority Outlays
authority outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the
bill with Committee
allocations to its
subcommittees of amounts in
the Budget Resolution for
2013:
Discretionary............. $4,289 $4,381 $3,333 \1\$3,61
2
Mandatory................. 140 140 140 \1\140
-----------------------------------------
Total................... $4,429 $4,521 $3,473 $3,752
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from both House and Senate prior-year budget
authority.
Note.--Bill amounts exclude discretionary Senate-related items.
Five-Year Projection of Outlays
Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains five-year
projections prepared by the Congressional Budget Office of
outlays associated with the budget authority provided in the
accompanying bill:
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority........................................... $3,473
Outlays:
2013................................................... \2\2,972
2014................................................... 352
2015................................................... 74
2016................................................... 24
2017................................................... 15
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.
Assistance to State and Local Governments
Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974, the amount of financial assistance to State
and local governments is as follows:
The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and
local assistance programs.
Transfer of Funds
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following lists the transfers of
funds included in the accompanying bill:
Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in Joint items
disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House,
Library of Congress, Congressional printing and binding, the
Superintendent of Documents, and the Capitol Police programs.
Rescissions
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following details the rescissions
in the accompanying bill:
The accompanying bill contains no rescissions.
Statement of General Performance Goals and Objectives
Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following is a statement of
general performance goals and objectives for which this measure
authorizes funding:
The Committee on Appropriations considers program
performance, including a program's success in developing and
attaining outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing
funding recommendations.
Appropriations Not Authorized by Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following lists the
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not
authorized by law for the period concerned:
The accompanying bill contains no appropriations not
authorized by law.
Terminations, Reductions and Other Savings
In order to invest in the critical priorities identified in
this bill, the Committee has proposed herein a number of
program reductions and other savings from the fiscal year 2012
level. These adjustments, no matter their size, are important
to setting the right priorities within the spending allocation
and for creating a government that is as efficient as it is
effective.
Earmarks
Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no
Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff
benefits as defined in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI.
Changes in the Application of Existing Law
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, the following statements are
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the
accompanying bill that directly or indirectly change the
application of existing law:
1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items
remain available for more than one year, where programs or
projects are continuing in nature under the provisions of
authorizing legislation but for which that legislation does not
specifically authorize such extended availability.
2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place
limitations on or change or extend existing limitations,
appropriations, or authorizations, and which under some
circumstances might be construed as changing the application of
existing law.
3. The bill continues the practice of providing official
reception and representation allowances for officers and
offices of the Legislative Branch.
4. The bill authorizes disbursal of funds for various
agencies.
5. The bill authorizes transfer authority between accounts
for certain agencies in the bill.
6. The bill includes language allowing the use of funds for
studies and examinations of executive agencies and temporary
personnel services. Funds can also be available for
reimbursement to agencies for services performed.
7. The bill includes language providing funds for the
Family Room, the Superintendent of Garages, Office of Emergency
Management, and preparing the Digest of Rules.
8. The bill includes language providing funds for House
motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities.
9. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members'
Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt
reduction.
10. The bill includes language allowing for payment to the
Secretary of Labor for unemployment compensation.
11. The bill authorizes allowances for employees of the
Office of the Attending Physician and provides reimbursement to
the Department of the Navy.
12. The bill authorizes expenses of the Capitol Police for
motor vehicles, communications and other equipment, uniforms,
weapons, supplies, materials, training, medical services,
forensic services, stenographic services, personal and
professional services, the employee assistance program, the
awards program, postage, communication services, travel
advances, and relocation expenses.
13. The bill provides that the cost of Capitol Police basic
training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center be paid
by the Department of Homeland Security.
14. The bill includes language under the Capitol Police for
payment to the Employees' Compensation Fund.
15. The bill includes language under the Office of
Compliance for payment of awards and settlements.
16. The bill includes language authorizing voluntary
student services for the Congressional Budget Office.
17. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to
purchase or exchange, maintain, and operate a passenger motor
vehicle.
18. The bill includes authorization allowing reimbursements
for chilled water and steam provided to the Government Printing
Office, the Washington City Post Office, the Supreme Court, the
Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, Union Station
Complex, and the Folger Shakespeare Library to be credited to
the AOC Capitol Power Plant appropriation and made available
for obligation.
19. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to expend
funds to maintain, care for, and operate the National Garden.
20. The bill includes language under the Architect of the
Capitol for payment to the Employees' Compensation Fund.
21. The bill provides the authority to expend funds
collected under the authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and for
international legal information, the balance to remain
available until expended.
22. The bill establishes that the amount available for
obligation by the Library of Congress is reduced by offsetting
collections.
23. The bill provides funds for the digital collections and
educational curricula program, the American Folklife Center,
and the Civil Rights History Project.
24. The bill allows the Library of Congress to hire or
purchase one passenger motor vehicle.
25. The bill allows funds from offsetting collections to be
used for the Library's Copyright Office.
26. The bill includes language authorizing the expenditure
of receipts, with the exception of salaries and benefits, for
the administration of the Copyright Royalty Judges program.
27. The bill contains language which provides that no funds
in the Congressional Research Service can be used to publish or
prepare material to be issued by the Library of Congress unless
approved by the appropriate committees.
28. The bill provides funds to provide newspapers to the
blind and physically handicapped.
29. The bill contains language restricting the use of funds
appropriated to the Government Printing Office for the
permanent edition of the Congressional Record for individual
Representatives and Senators, Resident Commissioners, or
Delegates, and language providing that appropriations
recommended shall be available for the payment of obligations
incurred under appropriations for similar purposes for
preceding fiscal years, limiting the printing of certain
documents to a time certain, and authorizing the transfer of
unobligated balances.
30. The bill includes authorization of appropriations for
Congressional printing and binding.
31. The bill includes language authorizing the Office of
Superintendent of Documents to pay for printing certain
publications in prior years for the depository library program.
There is language authorizing the transfer of unexpended
balances.
32. There is language authorizing the operation of the
Government Printing Office revolving fund, and which authorizes
travel expenses for advisory councils, the purchase of not more
than 12 passenger motor vehicles and that the revolving fund
may be used to provide information in any format.
33. The bill includes language relating to the Government
Accountability Office, authorizing the direct procurement of
expert and consultant services under 5 U.S.C. 3109 at certain
rates; authorizing the hire of one passenger motor vehicle, as
required by 31 U.S.C. 1343; authorizing the Government
Accountability Office to make advance payments in foreign
countries in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3324; and providing
certain benefits, including rental of living quarters in
foreign countries. Appropriations are authorized for
administrative expenses of any other member department or
agency to finance an appropriate share of the costs of the
National Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional
Intergovernmental Audit Forum.
34. There is bill language under the Government
Accountability Office that allows for payments to the
Employees' Compensation Fund.
35. In Section 201, there is language prohibiting the use
of funds in the Act for the maintenance or care of private
vehicles except for emergency assistance and cleaning as may be
provided under regulations relating to parking facilities for
the House issued by the Committee on House Administration and
for the Senate by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
36. Section 203 provides that whenever any office or
position not specifically established by the Legislative Pay
Act of 1929 is appropriated for herein, or whenever the rate of
compensation or designation of any position appropriated for
herein is different from that specifically established for such
position by such Act, the rate of compensation and the
designation of the position, either appropriated for or
provided herein, shall be the permanent law with respect
thereto: Provided that the provisions herein for the various
items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees
of the Senate and House, and clerk hire for Senators and
Members shall be the permanent law with respect thereto.
37. Section 204 requires that certain information regarding
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
38. Section 205 authorizes Legislative Branch entities to
share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers
Council.
39. Section 206 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to
maintain certain property.
40. Section 207 limits the transfer of funds in this Act.
41. Section 208 prohibits funds in this Act being used to
eliminate or restrict staff led guided tours.
42. Section 209 prohibits funds in this Act being used to
deliver a printed copy of a bill or resolution to a Members
office.
43. Section 210 prohibits funds in this Act being used to
deliver a printed copy of the Congressional Record to a Members
office.
44. Section 211 places a limitation on the amount that can
be spent on a leased vehicle.
45. Section 212 authorizes commercial use of Union Square.
46. Section 213 provides for a spending reduction account.
Compliance With Rule XIII, Cl. 3(e) (Ramseyer Rule)
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italics, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
SECTION 109 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1998
Sec. 109. (a) There is hereby established an account in the
House of Representatives for purposes of making payments of the
House of Representatives to the Employees' Compensation Fund
under section 8147 of title 5, United States Code[.], and for
reimbursing the Secretary of Labor for any amounts paid with
respect to unemployment compensation payments for former
employees of the House.
* * * * * * *
----------
SECTION 101 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1993
Administrative Provisions
Sec. 101. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
(c)(1) * * *
(2) The headings referred to in paragraph (1) are ``House
Leadership Offices'', ``Members'' Representational
Allowances'', ``Committee Employees'', ``Salaries, Officers and
Employees'', [and ``Allowances and Expenses''] ``Allowances and
Expenses'', the heading for any joint committee under the
heading ``Joint Items'' (to the extent that amounts
appropriated for the joint committee are disbursed by the Chief
Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives), and
``Office of the Attending Physician''.
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SECTION 1018 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003
Sec. 1018. Transfer of Disbursing Function. (a) * * *
* * * * * * *
[(f) Worker's Compensation.--
[(1) Account.--There shall be established a separate
account in the Capitol Police for purposes of making
payments for employees of the Capitol Police under
section 8147 of title 5, United States Code.
[(2) Payments without fiscal year limitation.--
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, payments
may be made from the account established under
paragraph (1) of this subsection without regard to the
fiscal year for which the obligation to make such
payments is incurred.]
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CONGRESSIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY ACT OF 1995
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TITLE IV--ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL DISPUTE-RESOLUTION PROCEDURES
* * * * * * *
SEC. 415. PAYMENTS.
(a) Awards and Settlements.--Except as provided in subsection
(c), only funds which are appropriated to an account of the
Office in the Treasury of the United States for the payment of
awards and settlements may be used for the payment of awards
and settlements under this Act. [There are authorized to be
appropriated for such account such sums as may be necessary to
pay such awards and settlements.] There are appropriated for
such account such sums as may be necessary to pay such awards
and settlements. Funds in the account are not available for
awards and settlements involving the General Accounting Office,
the Government Printing Office, or the Library of Congress.
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TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE
* * * * * * *
PART III--EMPLOYEES
* * * * * * *
SUBPART B--EMPLOYMENT AND RETENTION
* * * * * * *
CHAPTER 31--AUTHORITY FOR EMPLOYMENT
SUBCHAPTER I--EMPLOYMENT AUTHORITIES
* * * * * * *
Sec. 3111. Acceptance of volunteer service
(a) * * *
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(e)(1) For purposes of this section the term ``agency'' shall
include the Architect of the Capitol. With respect to the
Architect of the Capitol, the authority granted to the Office
of Personnel Management under this section shall be exercised
by the Architect of the Capitol.
(2) In this section, the term ``agency'' includes the
Congressional Budget Office, except that in the case of the
Congressional Budget Office--
(A) any student who provides voluntary service in
accordance with this section shall be considered an
employee of the Congressional Budget Office for
purposes of section 203 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974 (relating to the level of confidentiality of
budget data); and
(B) the authority granted to the Office of Personnel
Management under this section shall be exercised by the
Director of the Congressional Budget Office.
* * * * * * *
FULL COMMITTEE VOTES
Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(b) of rule XIII of
the House of Representatives, the results of each rollcall vote
on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with the
names of those voting for and those voting against, are printed
below. No rollcall votes were ordered on an amendment to, or
the motion to report this bill.
ADDITIONAL VIEWS
The bill funds the Legislative Branch, not including Senate
related items, at $3.3 billion which represents a 1 percent
reduction from fiscal year 2012. With the allocation, the
subcommittee was able to provide adequate funding to
congressional support agencies, including the Congressional
Research Service, the Congressional Budget Office, and the
Government Accountability Office.
While the levels are adequate for some agencies, the
allocation required the subcommittee to propose no funding to
continue the rehabilitation of the Capitol dome. The Architect
requested $61.2 million for the first part of phase two of the
multi-year project. According to the Architect of the Capitol,
if the project is not funded this fiscal year, the total cost
of the rehabilitation of the dome will increase due to the
rapidly deteriorating conditions. Democrats on the committee
prefer the dome remain a monument to our nation's greatness and
not become a symbol for short-sighted austerity.
We are extremely disappointed that House Republicans walked
away from the bipartisan agreement to establish $1.047 trillion
as the Committee's allocation. A majority of their conference
voted for the Budget Control Act agreement less than 9 months
ago. By reneging on the agreement, House Republicans put
themselves at odds with House Democrats, the White House,
Senate Democrats, and Senate Republicans. Senate Minority
Leader McConnell recently voted for allocations at $1.047 and
Ranking Member Cochran stated that it's appropriate ``for the
Committee to proceed on the basis of the discretionary caps
enacted into law.'' House Republicans introduced uncertainty
about the discretionary allocation, and about whether the House
majority will threaten to shut down the government. This
uncertainty will slow down the appropriations process and the
austere House allocation, if it stands, will stall economic
growth and impede job creation.
Security
A major initiative of the bill was to fund the increased
costs of training and overtime of the Capitol Police. Given the
known past threats against the Capitol and office buildings it
is appropriate to make security a priority. However, the
increased cost of security does not end in Washington DC and
Members are being asked to do more to secure their district
offices with fewer resources. We appreciate the inclusion of
report language directing the House Sergeant at Arms to develop
a series of recommendations on security enhancements for House
District Offices. However, there are costs associated with
enhanced security in district offices and those increased costs
will need to be addressed by this subcommittee, sooner rather
than later. We will continue to work with our Republican
colleagues to find ways to assist Members in protecting their
constituents and staffs in the districts.
Defense of Marriage Act
Even though the House of Representatives budget has been
cut by more than 10 percent in 2 years, House Republicans have
reprogrammed $742,000 from several House offices to the Office
of General Counsel for the purpose of defending the
constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act. The House
General Counsel has a contract with outside counsel that
commits the House to a maximum payment of $1.5 million. We are
concerned that the scarce resources available to the House of
Representatives will continue to be syphoned off in order to
defend a law that continues to be found unconstitutional in the
courts.
Norman D. Dicks.
Michael M. Honda.