House Report 118-555 - LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2025

[House Report 118-555]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

118th Congress } { Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2d Session } { 118-555

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

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2025

_______

June 17, 2024.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed

_______

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

R E P O R T

together with

MINORITY VIEWS

[To accompany H.R. 8772]

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, 2025, and for other purposes.

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

Page Number

Bill Report
Highlights of the Bill.....................................
2
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations................. 2
4
House of Representatives........................... 2
4
Joint Items:
Joint Economic Committee................... 12
13
Committee on Taxation...................... 12
13
Office of the Attending Physician.......... 13
13
Office of Congressional Accessibility
Services............................... 14
14
United States Capitol Police....................... 14
14
Office of Congressional Workplace Rights........... 16
16
Congressional Budget Office........................ 17
17
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office
Buildings)..................................... 17
17
Library of Congress................................ 22
23
Government Publishing Office....................... 28
26
Government Accountability Office................... 32
28
Congressional Office for International Leadership
Fund........................................... 34
29
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training
and Development................................ 34
30
Title II--General Provisions............................... 34
30
Bill-wide Reporting Requirements...........................

Minority Views.............................................
57

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL

The Committee recommendation for fiscal year 2025 for the
activities under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee on
Legislative Branch totals $5,545,938,000.
These appropriations support the operations of the House of
Representatives, the care, and preservation of the historic
buildings in which Congress works, and agencies that provide
research and analysis to assist the legislative process. They
support institutions such as the Library of Congress, one of
the leading repositories of knowledge and culture in the world,
the Government Accountability Office which provides fact-based
information to Congress and investigates Federal spending and
performance, and the Government Publishing Office, which
publishes official government publications to Congress, Federal
agencies, Federal depository libraries, and the public.
In keeping with longstanding practice under which each
chamber of Congress determines its housekeeping requirements
and the other concurs without intervention, the bill does not
include funds for the Senate or Senate office buildings.
Similarly, the Senate will consider a Legislative Branch
appropriations bill that addresses Senate but not House
funding.
The bill provides the Legislative Branch the ability to
develop legislation to meet national needs, maintain and build
analytical capacity to support oversight of government
operations, address high-priority technology and security
needs, and assist constituents in their dealings with
government while also showing responsible fiscal restraint.

Legislative Branch-Wide Matters

RESULTS, OVERSIGHT, TRANSPARENCY, AND ACCOUNTABILITY

The Committee on Appropriations of the House (hereinafter
``the Committee'') recognizes that effective programs,
projects, and activities must set transparent goals and measure
progress toward those goals in tangible ways. Data-driven
results should be the yardstick for measuring success.
The recommendation continues to prioritize the proper
management of taxpayer dollars, including strong internal
controls, reduced inefficiency, ineffectiveness, and waste,
fraud, or abuse, and a focus on results, and customer service
for all agencies under the jurisdiction of this Act. The
Committee continues its focus on reducing unnecessary
expenditures and expects the agencies funded by this Act to
identify cost savings and efficiencies where possible.

Performance Measures and Customer Service

The Committee believes that development of organizational
priority goals and outcomes, such as performance outcome
measures, output measures, and efficiency measures, is
important for all agencies funded under this bill. The
Committee also notes the importance of implementing proper
customer service standards for agencies that provide direct
services to the public. Development of these service standards
should include identifying and surveying target customers and
measuring internal performance against those standards.
In addition, the Committee understands that, as the largest
advertiser in the United States, the Federal Government should
work to ensure fair access to its advertising contracts for
small, disadvantaged businesses and businesses owned by
minorities and women. The Committee directs each agency under
the jurisdiction of this Act to include the following
information in its fiscal year 2026 budget justification:
expenditures for fiscal year 2024 and expected expenditures for
fiscal year 2025, respectively, for (1) all contracts for
advertising services; and (2) contracts for the advertising
services of (a) socially and economically disadvantaged small
business concerns (as defined in section 8(a)(4) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(a)(4)), and (b) women- and
minority-owned businesses disaggregated by race and gender.

Reprogramming, Notification, Consultation, and Reporting
Requirements

The Committee expects all agencies to notify the Committee
of any significant departures from budget plans presented to
the Committee in any of the agency's budget justifications. The
Committee recommendation grants limited reprogramming
authorities to ensure that funds are devoted to the highest
priorities, particularly due to changes in circumstances.
Agencies funded through this bill are required to notify the
Committee prior to any reprogramming of funds in excess of the
lesser of 10 percent or $750,000 between programs, projects or
activities, or in excess of $750,000 between object
classifications (except for shifts within the pay categories,
object class 11, 12, and 13 or as further specified in each
agency's respective section). This includes cumulative
reprogrammings that together total at least $750,000 from or to
a particular program, activity, or object classification as
well as reprogramming full time equivalents (FTE) or funds to
create new organizational entities within the agency or to
restructure entities that already exist.
In addition, the Committee must be notified of
reprogramming actions that involve less than the above-
mentioned amounts if such actions would have the effect of
changing an agency's funding requirements in future years or if
programs or projects specifically cited in the Committees'
reports are affected.
Prior to initial obligation or reallocation of funds, all
congressional reprogramming notifications shall, to the maximum
extent practicable, contain detailed information about the
sources of the funds and why such funds are no longer intended
to be used as previously justified.
The Committee emphasizes that all reports are required to
be completed in the timeframe noted in each respective
directive. Moreover, the Committee expects that the conditions
associated with funding appropriated by this Act shall be
accomplished in the manner as directed in the report,
consistent with congressional intent.

Staffing Data in Budget Documents

The Committee continues to direct the Legislative Branch
agencies to include in their budget justifications data on FTE
levels that would be supported by the associated request or
enacted funding levels. The Committee also continues to expect
the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council to coordinate
plans for aligning FTE levels with the Legislative Branch
agencies for consistency in reporting.

Zero Base Budgeting

While the Committee continues to direct all agencies of the
Legislative Branch to develop budget requests from a zero-base,
the Committee is concerned that the zero-based budget documents
lack sufficient detail for making funding decisions. The
Committee believes that there is room for improvement and
directs House agencies to work with the Committee to ensure
budget documents contain the necessary information for
meaningful savings.

Congressional Requirements for Legislative Branch Cyber
and Physical Data Security

The Committee reiterates that Legislative Branch agencies
should consider proactive steps to protect critical Information
Technology (IT) infrastructure to secure and protect their data
or collections and to plan for disaster recovery. Consistent
with the directive in the joint explanatory statement
accompanying the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2023,
agencies are encouraged to prioritize compliance to ensure
continuity of operations for the Legislative Branch.

Science and Technology Assistance for Congress

The Committee notes the interest among some Members in
reinstituting the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), which
was de-funded in 1995. The Committee is pleased with both the
Congressional Research Service (CRS) and the Government
Accountability Office's (GAO) efforts to provide research and
policy analysis on current and emerging legislative issues
related to science and technology (S&T) and Federal uses and
oversight of S&T. The Committee encourages the Director of CRS
and the Comptroller General to continue their efforts to meet
congressional needs and directs a report within 180 days of
enactment of this Act regarding efforts made in relation to
bridging the gaps identified in the 2019 NAPA report.

TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $1,850,998,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 1,932,655,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,932,655,000
Change from enacted level........................... +81,657,000
Change from request................................. 0

The committee recommends $1,932,655,000 for the operations
of the House of Representatives. The Committee recommendation
funds the operations of the House of Representatives in a
fiscally responsible manner, providing an increase of
$81,657,000 above fiscal year 2024. This funding allows Members
to effectively serve their constituents and supports the House
in carrying out its legislative responsibilities and fulfilling
its important role in providing oversight of the Executive
Branch.

House Leadership Offices

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $36,560,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 36,560,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 36,560,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $36,560,000 for salaries and
expenses of staff in House Leadership offices, the same as the
fiscal year 2024 enacted total.
The allocation by office follows:

Office of the Speaker................................. $10,499,000
Office of the Majority Floor Leader................... 3,730,000
Office of the Majority Whip........................... 3,099,000
Republican Conference................................. 2,962,000
Office of the Minority Floor Leader................... 10,499,000
Office of the Minority Whip........................... 2,809,000
Democratic Caucus..................................... 2,962,000

Members' Representational Allowances

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $810,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 843,605,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 843,605,000
Change from enacted level........................... +33,605,000
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $843,605,000 for the Members'
Representational Allowance (MRA) to support the conduct of
official and representational duties to the district from which
Members of Congress are elected. The funding provided reflects
an increase of MRA spending closer to the authorized amounts
compared to recent historical trends.

Allowance for Compensation of Interns in Member Offices

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $20,638,800
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 20,638,800
Committee recommendation.............................. 20,638,800
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $20,638,800 for the compensation
of interns who serve in the offices of House Members,
Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner. This recommendation
maintains the intern allowance cap of $46,800 per Member
office.

Allowance for Compensation of Interns in House Leadership

Offices

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $586,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 586,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 586,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $586,000 for the compensation of
interns who serve in the offices of House Leadership. This
recommendation includes $322,300 for the compensation of
interns who serve in House Leadership offices of the majority,
to be allocated among such offices by the Speaker of the House,
and $263,700 for the compensation of interns who serve in House
Leadership offices of the minority, to be allocated among such
offices by the Minority Floor Leader.

Allowance for Compensation of Interns in House Standing, Special and
Select Committee Offices

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $2,600,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 2,600,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 2,600,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $2,600,000 for the compensation of
interns who serve in the offices of House Standing, Special and
Select Committees. This recommendation includes $1,300,000 for
the compensation of interns who serve in Committee offices of
the majority, and $1,300,000 for the compensation of interns
who serve in Committee offices of the minority, to be allocated
among such offices by the Chair, in consultation with the
Ranking Minority Member, of the Committee on House
Administration.

Allowance for Compensation of Interns in House Appropriations Committee
Offices

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $463,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 463,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 463,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $463,000 for the compensation of
interns who serve in the offices of the House Appropriations
Committee. This recommendation includes $231,500 for the
compensation of interns who serve in Committee offices of the
majority, and $231,500 for the compensation of interns who
serve in Committee offices of the minority, to be allocated by
the Chair, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, of
the Committee on Appropriations.

Committee Employees

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $211,881,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 212,156,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 212,156,000
Change from enacted level........................... +275,000
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $212,156,000 in total for
Committee Employees. This account includes funding for salaries
and expenses of Committees including equipment,
telecommunications, printing, contract services, and supplies.
Included in the total is $174,787,000 for standing and select
Committees and $31,294,000 for the Committee on Appropriations.
Funding is available until December 31, 2026.
This account also makes available $6,075,000 for committee
room renovations.

Salaries, Officers and Employees

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $324,879,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 325,961,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 325,961,000
Change from enacted level........................... +1,082,000
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $325,961,000, which is $1,082,000
more than the enacted level for the salaries and expenses of
House officers and employees, including the offices of the
Clerk of the House, Sergeant at Arms, Chief Administrative
Officer, Parliamentarian, and Legislative Counsel, among
others.
The following is a summary of the funding allocation
provided to each component of the account:

Office of the Clerk................................... $44,984,000

The Committee recommends $44,984,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Office of the Clerk, an increase of $3,529,000
from the fiscal year 2024 enacted total.
Congressionally Mandated Reports.--The Committee recognizes
the value of making statute-required reports more readily
available and discoverable. The Committee requests that the
Office of the Clerk, in consultation with the Library of
Congress, the Government Publishing Office, and the
Congressional Data Task Force, author a report describing the
challenges and opportunities associated with making these
reports more readily available and discoverable. The scope of
the report shall include, but not be limited to (1) reports
covered by Public Law 117-263 and listed in H. Doc. 118-4; (2)
potential impacts, if enacted, of S. 2073, the Eliminate
Useless Reports Act of 2023; and (3) if it is feasible that
submitted reports to Congress be delivered to House committees
electronically via the Clerk's Committee portal in concert with
the Government Publishing Office's Congressionally Mandated
Reports submission portal or GovInfo. The report shall be
submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations and the
Committee on House Administration within 180 days of enactment
of this Act.
Legislative Branch Data Map and Management Plan.--The
Legislative branch is the creator and steward of invaluable
information in the form of data that is utilized by Congress,
federal agencies, and the public to ensure access to a
historical record of legislative action. Each House Officer and
the myriad of business units within them play an essential role
in the life cycle of legislative and operational data. However,
one comprehensive data map encompassing legislative documents,
records of proceedings, administrative records, official
communications, metadata, and operational information related
to human resources, disbursements, employment, and other
administrative functions, wholistically examining the lifecycle
of this data across the House, does not exist. As such, the
Congressional Data Task Force is to take inventory of all
current data maps that exist across the House Clerk, Chief
Administrative Office, and Sergeant at Arms, and produce a
report that (1) details the current status of data maps across
the House, (2) identifies where data maps need to be developed
and standardized, and (3) make recommendations for the House on
how the data maps can be completed and compiled into a single,
unified House data map that is maintained into the future. For
purposes of this report, only data owned and managed by the
House Officers is expected to be included in the data inventory
and considered for the recommendations. Any and all data that
remains in the ownership of individual Members and committees
is considered beyond the scope of this report. Additionally,
any data that is owned by the House and then transferred to the
Senate or a Legislative Branch agency should be included in the
data map but illustrate where those ownership transfers occur.
The final report is to be submitted to the House Committee on
Appropriations and the Committee on House Administration no
later than 120 days after enactment of this Act.

Office of the Sergeant at Arms........................ $34,141,000

The Committee recommends $34,141,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Office of the Sergeant at Arms (SAA). This
amount is a decrease of $4,652,000 from the fiscal year 2024
enacted total as a result of the nonrecurrence of certain
lifecycle replacements in fiscal year 2024.
Incident Management Tools.--The Committee is aware that the
House Sergeant at Arms is investigating emergency
communications technology in an effort to enhance the safety
and security of Members, their families and staff both on the
Hill and in their districts. The SAA is directed to brief the
Committee on those efforts within 90 days after issuance of
this report.
Cyber Security for Members of Congress.--The Committee
commends the Sergeant at Arms for working with the Chief
Administrative Officer to expand the Residential Security
Program to include certain cybersecurity and privacy resources
for Members of Congress to deter, prevent, mitigate, and
remediate threats to their home networks and the potential
resulting impact of those threats on official House business
and encourages the continuation of the cybersecurity
opportunity of the program.
Congressional Fellowships.--The Committee believes there
should be more formalized guidance provided to congressional
offices regarding congressional fellowships. The Committee
looks forward to the comprehensive set of best practices
governing the onboarding, training, and oversight of fellows
serving in congressional offices as directed in House Report
118-120.
District Office Security.--The Committee is in receipt of
the District Office Security report as directed in House Report
118-120 and looks forward to working with the Sergeant at Arms
to ensure the protection of congressional district office staff
and the constituents served.
Gunshot Detection Systems.--The Committee commends the SAA
and the United States Capitol Police (USCP) for reviewing the
operational need and feasibility of the use of gunshot
detection technology on the grounds of the Capitol complex. The
Committee supports the partnership with the Metropolitan Police
Department (MPD) and the United States Secret Service (USSS) to
determine the most operationally and financially beneficial
platform. The Committee looks forward to final evaluation and
discussion of integration options to determine the best path
forward. The SAA is directed to brief the Committee on the
progress within 60 days of enactment of this Act.
Firearm Detection Software.--The Committee encourages the
SAA to work with the USCP to investigate whether a patented
firearm detection software would complement the existing
security infrastructure throughout the United States Capitol
complex as well as district offices as a part of a broader
security enhancement option. The software must be developed in
the United States, without the use of any third party or open-
source data. The Committee looks forward to a recommendation
upon completion of the review 90 days after enactment of this
Act.

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer............ $213,072,000

The Committee recommends $213,072,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer
(CAO), the same as the fiscal year 2024 enacted total.
Office of Talent and Development.--In fiscal year 2024, the
Committee supported the CAO in its undertaking to reorganize
and streamline internal functions of the House to include (1)
creating the Office of Talent and Development; (2) expanding
the capacity and ability to promote best practices, tips, and
tools available on the House Human Resources Hub; and (3)
finding additional efficiencies by eliminating overlap and
duplication of programs and service offerings into one central
organization. The Committee directs the CAO to issue a report
within 90 days of the issuance of this report on the progress
and impacts of these efforts.
Access to Childcare.--The House Child Care Center completed
its expansion in 2020, but pandemic restrictions required the
extra space to be utilized for the reduction in capacity per
square feet, allowing the Center to maintain its enrollment
size, but not alleviate the three-year waiting list for entry.
The CAO is encouraged to continue to expedite the hiring of the
faculty necessary to fully utilize the House Child Care Center
expansion to reduce the waitlist and maximize this benefit.
Artificial Intelligence Working Group.--The Committee
acknowledges the efforts of the CAO's artificial intelligence
(AI) working group to investigate how emerging AI tools could
improve the efficiency of House operations. The Committee
reminds the CAO of the directive in House Report 118-120, to
provide monthly progress briefings to the House Committee on
Appropriations and the Committee on House Administration on its
work and looks forward to the report examining the near- and
mid-term opportunities for generative AI tools, as well as
strategies to mitigate new risks.
Allergy Safety in House Dining Facilities.--The Committee
underscores the importance of providing an accessible workplace
for those with food allergies and awaits the report directed in
House Report 118-120 from the CAO on steps taken by food
service providers operating within the House of Representatives
to accommodate those with food allergies.
International Travel with House Devices.--The Committee
recognizes the inherent security risks of taking House devices
abroad and notes the House Security Office recommendation that
Members and staff use dedicated travel devices when traveling
internationally. The Committee looks forward to reviewing the
report ordered in House Report 118-120, to identify what
additional actions offices can take to keep devices and the
House network secure when traveling.
Flag Procurement.--The Committee acknowledges the Chief
Administrative Officer's commitment to support Americans with
disabilities in the spirit and intent of the Javits-Wagner-
O'Day Act by offering a wide complement of AbilityOne products
in the House Supply Store. The Committee encourages the CAO to
continue to explore additional marketing opportunities for
AbilityOne products and directs the CAO to investigate any
potential cost savings opportunities through the procurement of
flags through AbilityOne for the Capitol Flag Program and
report its findings to the Committee within 120 days of the
issuance of this report.
Casework Assistance for Member Offices.--The Committee
commends the ongoing efforts by the Chief Administrative
Officer to assist Member offices with casework through programs
such as the CAO Coach Program for caseworkers, district office
conferences, the Agency Connection Center, and the project to
anonymize and aggregate constituent casework data. The CAO is
directed to further examine what additional assistance could be
provided to Member offices to more effectively assist
constituents with casework and provide a report detailing what
additional efforts could be provided and the resources
necessary to support such efforts within 60 days of enactment
of this Act to the House Committee on Appropriations and the
Committee on House Administration.
Capitol Switchboard Modernization.--The Committee
recognizes the vital role the Capitol Telephone Exchange plays
in ensuring constituents have the ability to contact their
Representative or Senator. The Committee is interested to
understand what opportunities may be available to modernize the
current system and directs the CAO to track how the typical
constituent is routed to a House office, when the peak call
times occur, how often the automated system is utilized, and
any other pertinent information that could be used to determine
how to maximize the efficiency of the system. The CAO shall
report to the Committee on its findings 90 days after enactment
of this Act.

Office of the Whistleblower Ombuds.................... $1,250,000
Office of the Inspector General....................... 5,772,000
Office of General Counsel............................. 2,048,000
Office of the Parliamentarian......................... 2,287,000
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House....... 5,048,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House........ 15,300,000

Legislative Counsel Member Portal.--The House Office of
Legislative Counsel (HOLC) provides legislative drafting
services on a non-partisan, impartial, and confidential basis.
The Committee acknowledges the essential role and services
provided by HOLC in support of the House's legislative and
constitutional responsibilities and recognizes the significant
and growing workload by Members and committees in fully meeting
legislative drafting needs. The Committee directs HOLC to work
with the Chief Administrative Officer and any other relevant
House offices to conduct a feasibility study on the creation of
a secure portal, that maintains attorney-client privileges,
which would allow House offices the ability to monitor the
status of requested bill text and the attorney assigned to each
draft. The Committee directs HOLC to report on the feasibility
and the resources necessary to create and maintain such a
portal within 120 days of the issuance of this report.

Office of Interparliamentary Affairs.................. $994,000
Other authorized employees............................ $1,065,000

Allowances and Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $433,390,200
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 480,085,200
Committee recommendation.............................. 480,085,200
Change from enacted level........................... +46,695,000
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends a total of $480,085,200 for
allowances and expenses.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation
provided to each major component of the account:

Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal $1,555,000
tort claims..........................................
Official mail (Committees, administrative, and 190,000
leadership offices)..................................
Government Contributions.............................. 428,960,200
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery............. 27,428,000
Transition Activities................................. 15,786,000
Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program............. 3,356,000

Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program.--The Green and
Gold program was established to create long-term employment
opportunities for veterans and families of our fallen within
the House of Representatives. The Committee recommendation
provides the fiscal year 2025 requested amount of $3,356,000.
Despite the record high average salary ensuring these
employment opportunities are competitive, the program has
experienced a steep decline in applications. The Committee
encourages the Chief Administrative Officer to work with the
Committee on House Administration to broaden the pool of
potential applicants through programmatic changes, such as
allowing active-duty spouses to be incorporated into the
program and allowing Members to request extensions for
participants.

Office of Congressional Ethics........................ $1,810,000
Miscellaneous items................................... 1,000,000

House of Representatives Modernization Initiatives Account

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $10,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 10,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 10,000,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Modernization Initiatives Account continues to be
funded at the level of $10,000,000 to help implement the
recommendations of the Modernization Subcommittee, which was
created within the Committee on House Administration to
continue the work of the Select Committee on the Modernization
of Congress. The Committee believes that investing in these
recommendations will improve the efficiency and effectiveness
of the House of Representatives so that it can better serve the
American people.
Some of the recommendations implemented utilizing this
funding include e-Discovery software for House Committee
digital investigations, an anonymized constituent data pilot,
real time payroll information, a committee portal to streamline
committee work, and a study on collaborative legislative
drafting tools. The Committee looks forward to receiving and
evaluating recommendations currently under review by the
Modernization Subcommittee such as: better Congress.gov
accounting for Member contributions, co-sponsorship gathering
tools, visual display enhancements for hearings and events, the
constituent tour management tool, and additional collaborative
staff space in the House Office Buildings.
The Committee supports efforts by the Committee on House
Administration to expand Member professional development
opportunities and provide additional resources for new members
as they navigate the first year of legislative
responsibilities.
Congressional Staff Directory.--Modern data software
provides opportunities for the legislative branch to
significantly improve access to identity data while preserving
important security rules concerning this sensitive information.
Following the report requested in House Report 117-389 and in
support of the recommendation by the Subcommittee on
Modernization to establish a shared staff directory to enhance
the exchange of information and improve collaboration, the
Committee authorized funds to develop a prototype as a proof of
concept for a Congressional Staff Directory. The Committee
continues to encourage other Legislative Branch entity
participation and directs the CAO to keep the Committee
apprised of this effort.
Capitol Flag Program.--The Capitol Flag Program allows
Members of Congress to request a flag to be flown over the U.S.
Capitol on behalf of their constituents. Each flag is issued a
keepsake Certificate of Authenticity with the option to
personalize it. The number of requests and the popularity of
the Capitol Flag Program grows steadily each year,
necessitating the continuous modernization of how orders are
fulfilled. In fiscal year 2024, the Committee provided funding
to the CAO to develop a flag tracking system to provide
constituents the ability to track flags from order to receipt.
The Committee commends the CAO for the launch of a flag
tracking pilot program and encourages the expansion of the
pilot to more House offices.

Administrative Provisions

Section 110 continues to provide for unspent amounts
remaining in the Members' Representational Allowances account
to be used for deficit or debt reduction.
Section 111 continues a limitation on the amount available
to lease vehicles.
Section 112 continues to allow cybersecurity assistance for
the House of Representatives.
Section 113 modifies long term lease requirements for the
House of Representatives.
Section 114 provides for telecommunications expenses of the
House Child Care Center to ensure the Center can receive and
transmit critical and emergency communications.

JOINT ITEMS

Joint Economic Committee

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $4,283,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 4,283,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 4,283,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $4,283,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Joint Economic Committee (JEC), the same as the
fiscal year 2024 enacted total.
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

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $13,554,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 14,850,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 14,450,000
Change from enacted level........................... +896,000
Change from request................................. -400,000

The Committee recommends $14,450,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), providing an
increase of $896,000 above fiscal year 2024.
The JCT 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 of
Representatives 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 U.S. Code
section 6405 in excess of $2,000,000 ($5,000,000 in the case of
a C corporation). In addition to these functions that are
specified in the Internal Revenue Code, the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 requires the JCT to provide revenue
estimates for all tax legislation considered by either the
House or the Senate.

Office of the Attending Physician

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $4,764,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 4,416,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 4,416,000
Change from enacted level........................... -348,000
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $4,416,000 for the Office of the
Attending Physician (OAP). This amount is a decrease of
$348,000 from the fiscal year 2024 enacted total.

Office of Congressional Accessibility Services Salaries and
Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $1,766,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 6,121,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 1,814,000
Change from enacted level........................... +48,000
Change from request................................. -4,307,000

The Committee recommends $1,814,000 for the operation of
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services (OCAS),
providing an increase of $48,000 above fiscal year 2024.
The OCAS provides and coordinates a variety of
accessibility services for individuals with disabilities
including Members of Congress, staff, and visitors in the
United States Capitol complex.

UNITED STATES CAPITOL POLICE

Salaries

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $588,627,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 636,546,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 619,257,000
Change from enacted level........................... +30,630,000
Change from request................................. -17,289,000

The Committee recommends $619,257,000 for the personnel
salaries, benefits, student loan repayment, and overtime
requirements, to include the cost of overtime necessary for
providing training of the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP). The
recommendation provides full funding for 2,126 sworn officers,
as requested, in fiscal year 2025.
Concept of Operations Plan.--In the joint explanatory
statement accompanying the Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act, 2023, the Committee directed the Department to provide a
guide for future operations based on an in-depth, Department-
wide assessment. As part of the Department's evaluation of the
report, three foundational program areas were identified as the
first step toward implementation of the recommendations
provided in the report: Establish a Workforce Management/
Staffing Office to optimize utilization of human resources;
Conduct an organization-wide training gap assessment; and
Conduct a comprehensive Technology Analysis and Future Needs
Assessment. The Committee provides $1,657,000 for the personnel
required to build an implementation infrastructure to support
future recommendation realization.
Civilian Staffing.--While the Committee supports the
Department's authorized number of civilians, the Committee's
recommendation includes a reduction to the request as the
Department's projections for fiscal year 2024 civilian hiring
are below the authorized and appropriated levels. The Committee
believes it will be difficult to hire the requested civilians
for fiscal year 2025.
Motorized Devices.--As noted in House Report 117-389, the
Committee expects the Capitol Police to continue its outreach
efforts to dockless scooter and bicycle companies and the
District of Columbia, and to work to better educate users,
including congressional staff, District residents and visitors,
on the appropriate operation of dockless scooters and bicycles
on Capitol Grounds.
Risk-Based Protections for Members of Congress.--The
Committee continues to expect the U.S. Capitol Police Chief to
continue working closely with the House and Senate Sergeants at
Arms and local law enforcement partners on the USCP strategy
for Members' protection within the NCR while outside the
Capitol Grounds, and to educate Member offices on this topic.
The Committee instructs the U.S. Capitol Police Chief to
coordinate with the House and Senate Sergeants at Arms to
direct patrols to buildings or locations where the Members tend
to congregate in order to fulfill its mission under 2 U.S.C.
1966.
Use of Grounds.--As instructed in House Report 117-389, the
USCP should continue to forebear enforcement of 2 U.S.C. 1963
and the Traffic Regulations for the United States Capitol
Grounds when encountering snow sledders on the grounds.
USCP Office of Inspector General.--The Committee includes
no less than $850,000 and supports no fewer than 15 FTE within
the USCP Office of Inspector General (OIG). The Committee
appreciates the diligent work that the OIG has done with the
increased workload due to Committee and Board project requests.
As the Department's budget increases, the complexities of the
financial statement audit have necessitated its outsourcing so
that the OIG may continue to fulfill its statutory
responsibilities for auditing Department programs and
operations to ensure efficacy and investigation of complaints
for potential fraud, waste, or abuse.

General Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $202,846,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 263,844,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 213,158,000
Change from enacted level........................... +10,312,000
Change from request................................. -50,686,000

The Committee recommends $213,158,000 for general expenses
to support the responsibilities for law enforcement, Capitol
complex physical and technological security, dignitary
protection, intelligence analysis, event management, hazardous
material/devices, IT, and other specialized responses, as well
as logistical and administrative support. Of the total,
$5,848,000 shall remain available until September 30, 2029, to
support Congressional Continuity of Operations (C-COOP)
initiatives.
General Expenses for Fiscal Year 2025.--The Committee
supports resourcing the Department to meet its essential needs
and that the Department can fulfill its mission with a minimal
increase of funding for general expenses. The Capitol Police's
budget has seen a significant increase in recent years, which
has been widely supported, but the Committee acknowledges that
full execution of funding has been a challenge. The
recommendation should not be taken as a lack of support for the
Capitol Police or its mission, but rather in line with a
requirement for prudent fiscal decisions.
Concept of Operations Plan.--In the joint explanatory
statement accompanying the Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act, 2023, the Committee directed the Department to provide a
guide for future operations based on an in-depth, Department-
wide assessment. As part of the Department's evaluation of the
report, three foundational program areas were identified as the
first step toward implementation of the recommendations
provided in the report: Establish a Workforce Management/
Staffing Office to optimize utilization of human resources;
Conduct an organization-wide training gap assessment; and
Conduct a comprehensive Technology Analysis and Future Needs
Assessment. The Committee provides $745,000 to build an
implementation infrastructure to support future recommendation
realization.
Congressional Continuity of Operations Plan.--The
Department's fiscal year 2025 budget included a $49,400,000
funding request to support the C-COOP. The Committee believes
this is a priority as part of the Department's core mission and
therefore supports the Department having an independent, in-
house response and deployment capability to allow it to respond
to changing environments, and, ultimately, to protect Members
of Congress and recommends $5,848,000 to build IT capabilities
to establish connectivity and radio communication capabilities,
research development and training, as well as physical security
requirements including deployable screening equipment, mobile
vehicle barriers, mobile kiosks, and deployable barriers.
USCP Office of the Inspector General Report Disclosure.--In
response to previous House Reports 117-80 and 117-389, the
Committee is encouraged that the Office of the Inspector
General has begun making its reports publicly available
whenever practicable and has started publishing reports on its
website. The Committee is supportive of the process initiated
by the Office of the Inspector General to gain approval for the
public posting of its reports and directs the Capitol Police
Board to further these efforts to expedite the process.
Wellness Programs for Law Enforcement.--The Committee
appreciates the efforts undertaken by the USCP to develop and
implement a holistic wellness and resiliency program for its
workforce, including the Howard C. `Howie' Liebengood Center
for Wellness. The Committee looks forward to receiving the
report directed in House Report 118-120 to gain insights into
the wellness program and its accessibility to the USCP
workforce.

Administrative Provisions

Section 115 requires authorization for international travel
for training purposes.

OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL WORKPLACE RIGHTS

Salaries and Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $8,150,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 8,591,887
Committee recommendation.............................. 8,150,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. -441,887

The Committee recommends $8,150,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
(OCWR). The Committee supports the authorized 36 FTE positions
and the resources needed to continue OCWR's mandate to
administer the Congressional Accountability Reform Act. Of the
total, $500,000 shall remain available until September 30,
2026.
Consistent with Section 3(b) of H. Res. 5, One Hundred
Eighteenth Congress, no funds are provided to facilitate House
Resolution 1096, One Hundred Seventeenth Congress.

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $70,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 70,729,101
Committee recommendation.............................. 73,259,000
Change from enacted level........................... +3,259,000
Change from request................................. +2,529,899

The Committee recommends $73,259,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). The CBO is
responsible for producing independent analyses of budgetary and
economic issues to support the congressional budget process.
Each year, the agency produces dozens of reports, including its
outlook on the budget and economy, and hundreds of cost
estimates for proposed legislation.
Analysis of Legislation.--The Committee looks forward to
the report directed in House Report 118-120 from the
Congressional Budget Office, in coordination with the Joint
Committee on Taxation, on the impacts of adding debt-service
costs to CBO's estimates.

ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

(EXCLUDING SENATE OFFICE BUILDINGS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $808,562,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 805,975,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 754,238,000
Change from enacted level........................... +54,324,000
Change from request................................. -51,737,000

The Committee recommends $754,238,000 for the activities of
the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). The recommendation is
$51,737,000 less than the request. (These totals do not include
appropriations for Senate Office Buildings requested at
$209,996,000 which are traditionally left for consideration of
the Senate.) The Architect 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 United States Botanic
Garden, the Capitol Power Plant, and other facilities, as well
as the upkeep and improvement of the grounds surrounding the
Capitol complex.
AOC Office of Inspector General.--The agreement includes no
less than $6,110,000 to support no fewer than 25 FTE within the
AOC OIG.
The following table summarizes the allocation of funds by
appropriation account:

Capital Construction and Operations................... $165,000,000
Capitol Building...................................... 41,002,000
Capitol Grounds....................................... 33,922,000
House Office Buildings................................ 153,500,000
Capitol Power Plant................................... 127,414,000
Library Buildings and Grounds......................... 86,043,000
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security........ 97,016,000
Botanic Garden........................................ 21,214,000
Capitol Visitor Center................................ 29,127,000

The Committee recommendation funds the operating expenses,
less the Senate office building request, throughout these
accounts.

Capital Construction and Operations

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $152,507,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 190,316,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 165,000,000
Change from enacted level........................... +12,493,000
Change from request................................. -25,316,000

The Committee recommends $165,000,000 for campus-wide
architectural and engineering design; project, property, and
construction management; financial management; procurement;
personnel services; equipment; communications; and other
central support activities of the AOC. Of the total, $1,000,000
shall remain available until September 30, 2029.

Budget Justifications.--The Committee thanks the AOC for
including in the congressional budget justifications the
description of the activities of the AOC Construction Division,
as requested. The Committee requests that this information
identifying the number and scope of projects, and the number of
staff funded through Construction Division activities, and the
funding provided to the Division from AOC jurisdiction accounts
continue to be included in the budget justification material.
The Committee directs that the justifications include, in each
jurisdiction's section, the appropriations bill language
requested, along with any changes to be identified with
brackets and italicization.
Nursing Mothers Locations.--The Committee commends the AOC
for its role in maintaining private areas for nursing mothers
throughout the Capitol complex. The Committee encourages the
Office of Attending Physician to make these services known to
the congressional community.

Capitol Building

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $95,688,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 53,193,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 41,002,000
Change from enacted level........................... -54,686,000
Change from request................................. -12,191,000

The Committee recommends $41,002,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Visitor
Center (CVC). Of the total, $6,599,000 shall remain available
until September 30, 2029.

Wireless Connectivity.--The Committee recognizes the
necessity for wireless connectivity throughout the Capitol
complex. The Committee continues to urge the Architect to
assess the feasibility of upgrading the wireless local area
network to ensure the highest level of connectivity in all
areas of the Capitol complex.
Recognition of Women in Congress.--The Committee continues
to support the work of the Architect of the Capitol, the House
Curator, and the Capital Historical Society to increase images
of women in public spaces in Congress.

Capitol Grounds

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $16,600,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 34,867,000
Committee Recommendation.............................. 33,922,000
Change from enacted level........................... +17,322,000
Change from request................................. -945,000

The Committee recommends $33,922,000 for the care of the
grounds surrounding the Capitol. Of the total, $18,300,000
shall remain available until September 30, 2029.

Road Conditions Surrounding the House Office Buildings.--To
mitigate traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, the Committee
continues to encourage the AOC to work with the District
Department of Transportation (DDOT) to evaluate and improve
road conditions to the roads immediately surrounding the House
Office Buildings.
Bike Lanes.--As stated in House Report 117-389, the
Committee continues to support the AOC's efforts to develop a
safe and accessible street system to better connect all road
users to the U.S. Capitol, Union Station, and the National
Mall.

House Office Buildings

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $166,426,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 157,067,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 153,500,000
Change from enacted level........................... -12,926,000
Change from request................................. -3,567,000

The Committee recommends $148,000,000 for the operation,
maintenance, and care of the Rayburn, Cannon, Longworth, Ford,
and O'Neill House Office Buildings, and the House underground
garages. Of the total provided, $64,050,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2029, and $5,000,000 for the
continuation of the Cannon House Office Building renovation
project, shall remain available until expended.
In addition, $5,500,000 shall remain available for the
House Historic Building Revitalization Trust Fund for House
Office Building major renovation projects until expended.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses................................... $78,950,000
Projects:
Minor Construction............................... 10,250,000
CAO Project Support.............................. 13,200,000
Air Handling Unit Replacement, Rayburn........... 3,900,000
Mechanical System Replacement, Rayburn........... 20,300,000
Electrical Distribution Switchgear Upgrade, 10,900,000
Longworth.......................................
HOB Security Improvements........................ 5,500,000
Cannon Building Restoration...................... 5,000,000
House Historic Building Revitalization Trust Fund 5,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cannon House Office Building Renewal.--The Committee has
fully supported the funding necessary to address the urgent
need to complete the Cannon Building renewal, which continues
to replace outdated building systems, conserve historic aspects
of the building, and optimize the functionality of Member
suites, among other improvements. Now in its final year of
funding, the Committee expects the AOC to use lessons learned
from this renewal project as it moves forward in planning for
other building restoration and renewal projects.
The AOC is reminded of the administrative provision in the
bill prohibiting funding for incentive or award payments to
contractors for projects that are behind schedule or over
budget.
Integrated Pest Management.--The Committee recognizes the
importance of proactive pest management and mitigation to
ensure a safe, healthy, and productive workplace. The Committee
is in receipt of the Architect of the Capitol's Integrated Pest
Management Program report and has included the funding
necessary to enhance pest control measures for the House Office
Buildings to support the AOC's efforts in proactive pest
management and mitigation.
Working and Service Dog Necessities.--In House Report 117-
389, the Committee directed the AOC to provide a report on what
facilities currently exist around the Capitol Complex for K-9s
and service dogs and to provide recommendations to address any
shortcomings. Based on the recommendations provided in the
report, the AOC is encouraged to complete planned studies and
previously funded projects to increase the space available for
K-9s and coordinate with the House Office Building Commission
to identify proposed locations for service relief areas that
are accessible, meet ADA standards, and Architectural Review
Board standards to preserve the historic fabric of the Capitol
complex. In addition, to encourage responsible pet ownership
and to maintain a clean and hygienic environment, the AOC is
directed to report to the Committee within 60 days of enactment
of this Act, the requirements, suggested locations, and funding
necessary to provide and maintain pet waste disposal stations
on the House Office Building grounds.
House Office Building Pedestrian and Traffic Safety.--The
Committee recognizes the importance transportation studies have
on the safety of our roadways and pedestrian traffic. To
advance a more efficient and safer traffic pattern on the
roadways surrounding the House Office Buildings, the Committee
directs the AOC to use findings from the 2022 AOC
Transportation and Mobility Study and coordinate with the
District Department of Transportation (DDOT) to make near-term
traffic light signalization improvements within the House
perimeter. In addition, the AOC shall share the findings of the
report with the United States Capitol Police to assist the
Department in determining which barricades would be most
advantageous to open at what times. The AOC is further directed
to provide a briefing on progress made by these efforts within
120 days of enactment of this Act.
House Office Building Audit.--The Committee is concerned
about the increased regularity of elevator outages and general
restroom infrastructure malfunctions in the House Office
Buildings. The Committee requests the AOC provide the AOC-wide
Elevator Modernization Study that was recently completed for
Committee review as well as a summary of the recent facility
condition assessments for all restrooms in the House Office
Buildings, no later than 30 days after the enactment of this
Act.

Capitol Power Plant

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $148,650,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 130,505,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 127,414,000
Change from enacted level........................... -21,236,000
Change from request................................. -3,091,000

The Committee recommends $127,414,000 in direct
appropriations for the operations of the Capitol Power Plant,
which is the centralized provider of utility services for the
Capitol campus. Of the total, $21,000,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2029. In addition, $10,000,000 in
offsetting collections is available from reimbursements for
steam and chilled water.
Energy Resiliency and Efficiency.--The Committee recognizes
the AOC's Capitol Power Plant cogeneration project and the
energy savings performance contracts at the Capitol, House,
Senate, and Library of Congress have resulted in roughly
$200,000,000 in cost avoidance and serve as an important effort
in grid resiliency and domestic renewable energy production.
The AOC is encouraged to continue to address facility needs in
an energy efficient and fiscally responsible manner and seek
ways to increase Capitol campus resiliency and efficiency.

Library Buildings and Grounds

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $94,978,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 73,202,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 86,043,000
Change from enacted level........................... -8,935,000
Change from request................................. +12,841,000

The Committee recommends $86,043,000 for the care and
maintenance of the Thomas Jefferson Building, James Madison
Memorial Building, John Adams Building, Packard Campus, Ft.
Meade Collection Storage Facility, National Library Services
Facility, and the St. Cecilia Special Services Facilities
Center. Of the total, $45,500,000 shall remain available until
September 30, 2029.

Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $85,207,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 113,352,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 97,016,000
Change from enacted level........................... +11,809,000
Change from request................................. -16,336,000

The Committee recommends $97,016,000 for the maintenance,
care and operation of buildings, grounds and security
enhancements of the United States Capitol Police and AOC
security operations. Of the total, $28,200,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2029.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee
Item recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses................................... $68,816,000
Projects:
Minor Construction............................... 10,000,000
Fire Alarm and Sprinkler System Replacement, 11,900,000
Offsite Facility................................
Air Conditioning Unit Replacement, Offsite 5,300,000
Facility........................................
Lease Space Buildout for USCP.................... 1,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Botanic Garden

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $20,506,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 22,859,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 21,214,000
Change from enacted level........................... +708,000
Change from request................................. -1,645,000

The Committee recommends $21,214,000 for the improvement,
operation, care, and maintenance of the United States Botanic
Garden (USBG) Conservatory; the National Garden; the
Administration Building; the Bartholdi Park and Fountain;
heritage and other plant collections; and the USBG Production
Facility at DC Village. Of the total, $5,000,000 shall remain
available until September 30, 2029.

Collaboration with the United States Department of
Agriculture (USDA).--The Committee continues to recognize the
value of the USBG supporting the evolution of urban
agriculture. The Committee encourages USBG to continue to
collaborate with USDA to support the USBG's efforts to host and
serve as an educational and training location for local and
national audiences.

Capitol Visitor Center

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $28,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 30,614,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 29,127,000
Change from enacted level........................... +1,127,000
Change from request................................. -1,487,000

The Committee recommends $29,127,000 for the operations of
the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). The CVC was established to
provide a secure public environment to welcome and manage the
large number of visitors and to protect the Capitol, its
occupants, and guests in an atmosphere of open access.
Dome Tour Transparency.--The Committee understands the
special privilege afforded only to Members of Congress to
schedule tours of the U.S. Capitol Dome. Due to the uniqueness
of this opportunity and the volume of requests, it has become
increasingly challenging for Member offices to reserve a Dome
tour. Accordingly, the Committee directs the U.S. Capitol
Visitor Center in coordination with other relevant entities to
provide a report on policies and procedures associated with
Dome tours and to develop recommendations for how the
reservation process can become more efficient, to include
recommendations for an online booking platform. The report
should include short and long-term recommendations for actions
that can be implemented to improve equitable access to Member
offices to reserve Dome tours and be provided no later than 60
days after enactment of this Act.

Administrative Provision

Section 116 prohibits payment of bonuses to contractors
behind schedule or over budget during fiscal year 2025.
Section 117 authorizes cooperative agreements for the
purposes of the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum.

Library of Congress

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $852,158,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 873,239,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 883,439,000
Change from enacted level........................... +31,281,000
Change from request................................. +10,200,000

The Committee recommends $883,439,000 for the activities of
the Library of Congress (LOC). Established by Congress in 1800,
the Library of Congress is the largest library in the world,
with a collection of more than 170,000,000 print, audio, and
video items in 470 languages. Among its major programs are
acquisitions, preservation, administration of United States
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 print disabled. The LOC
maintains a significant number of collections and provides a
range of services to libraries in the United States and abroad.
LOC Office of Inspector General.--The agreement includes no
less than $4,500,000 to support no fewer than 14 FTE within the
LOC OIG.
The following table summarizes the allocation of funds by
appropriation account:

Salaries and Expenses................................. $617,000,000
Copyright Office...................................... 59,747,000
Congressional Research Service........................ 141,487,000
National Library Service for the Blind and Print 65,205,000
Disabled.............................................

Salaries And Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $592,411,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 614,578,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 617,000,000
Change from enacted level........................... +24,589,000
Change from request................................. +2,422,000

The Committee recommends $617,000,000 for Salaries and
Expenses. The recommendation makes the following amounts
available until expended: $10,698,000 for the Teaching with
Primary Sources Program, $1,547,000 for the Legislative Branch
Financial Management System, $150,000 for the Surplus Books
Program, and $4,409,000 for the Veterans History Project.
Preservation of the Collection.--As a means to preserve the
LOC's literary and historical treasures, the Committee provides
$1,000,000 to continue the deacidification preservation
program.
Archival Preservation of Central and Eastern European
Collections.--The Committee recognizes the cultural
contributions of the American diasporic groups from nations and
communities of the former Soviet Union and its Republics and
appreciates the value in preserving their histories and
traditions. The Committee commends the important work the
Library of Congress is doing to identify, collect, and archive
stories, documents, and other historical materials from
cultural and ethnic diasporas across Europe and requests the
Library further strengthen its partnerships with museums, non-
profits, and ethnic heritage centers across the country to
collect additional stories, documents and visual materials and
recordings from families and institutions dedicated to Eastern
and Central European historical collections, and encourages the
Library to disseminate them for public use.
Preservation of America's Civil Rights Legacy Abroad.--The
Committee continues to support the Library of Congress's
efforts to make available, as appropriate, their expertise for
projects aimed at preserving America's civil rights history
abroad.

Salaries and Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $57,537,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 57,543,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 59,747,000
Change from enacted level........................... +2,210,000
Change from request................................. +2,204,000

The Committee recommends $59,747,000 in direct
appropriations to the Copyright Office. An additional
$45,895,000 is made available from receipts for salaries and
expenses for a total of $105,642,000.
Copyright Modernization.--Few government bodies are more
important to the growth of creativity and commercial artistic
activity in our nation than the Copyright Office. The Committee
continues to support the Copyright Office's efforts to
modernize its IT infrastructure to effectively serve its
customers. The Librarian of Congress shall coordinate with the
Director of the Copyright Office in implementing its
information technology continuous development plan, and the
Library shall expend funds on IT infrastructure for the
Copyright Office in furtherance of that plan. The Committee
encourages the Librarian of Congress to remain sensitive to the
specialized requirements of the Copyright Office as the Office
implements its IT continuous development in conjunction with
the overall Library IT modernization effort.
Copyright Expertise.--The Committee continues to support
the Office's use of funds to offer expertise on copyright
matters to the Executive Branch, including participation in
international discussions. Consistent with historical practice,
the Committee expects the Library to continue to defer to the
copyright expertise of the Register of Copyrights and to ensure
direct consultation between the Copyright Office and Congress.

Congressional Research Service

Salaries and Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $136,080,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 142,860,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 141,487,000
Change from enacted level........................... +5,407,000
Change from request................................. -1,373,000

The Committee recommends $141,487,000 for salaries and
expenses of Congressional Research Service (CRS), which
supports Members and Committees in legislative, oversight, and
representational functions by providing nonpartisan and
confidential research and policy analysis. The organization
provides an important service for Members and staff, publishing
hundreds of reports annually and providing briefings on
pertinent policy issues considered by Congress. The expert
nonpartisan analysts at CRS keep Congress informed,
contributing to intelligent and responsible policymaking.
Expanding the Congressional Liaison Directory.--
Congressional constituent service staff rely on the
Congressional Research Service's online directory of about 200
congressional liaison offices to determine appropriate contacts
for casework. To further assist staff in expediting
communications and correspondence with government agencies on
behalf of constituents, CRS is directed to report to the
Committee within 60 days of enactment of this Act, on the
feasibility of expanding the legislative liaison list to
include localized and regional agency contact information as
well as including agency policies regarding Privacy Act release
forms in its directory.
Congressional Research Service Detailees.--CRS analysts
detailed to Congressional committees can offer a tremendous
asset to both organizations, though it is noted that details
are less common now than in the past, partially due to staffing
challenges and the structure of CRS portfolios making an
analyst's absence pronounced and management of congressional
inquiries more difficult. Given the interest in CRS details to
Congressional committees, the Committee requested a report from
the Director of CRS in House Report 118-120 and looks forward
to its findings.
Continuing Education for Congressional Staff.--In House
Report 117-80, the Committee recommended the creation of a
Legal Institute with introductory and advanced programs, geared
towards senior Congressional staff who have not attended law
school, which would educate participants on legal fundamentals
that inform Congress's lawmaking and oversight functions. The
Committee commends CRS on the success of the Congressional
Legal Education Forum and provides $1,000,000 to continue to
develop and expand the program.

National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled

Salaries and Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $66,130,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 58,258,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 65,205,000
Change from enacted level........................... -925,000
Change from request................................. +6,947,000

The Committee recommends $65,205,000 for salaries and
expenses of the National Library Service for the Blind and
Print Disabled (NLS).
The NLS is a free braille and talking book library service
for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness,
or a disability that prevents them from reading or holding the
printed page. Through a national network of regional and sub-
regional libraries, NLS circulates books and magazines in
braille and audio formats, which are delivered by postage-free
mail or are instantly downloadable.
BARD Modernization.--The Committee continues to support the
modernization of Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD)
Infrastructure, which distributes audio and electronic braille
materials.
Braille eReader and Talking Book Machine Initiative.--The
Committee continues to support the modernization of the Braille
eReader and Talking Book Machine initiatives throughout NLS's
nation-wide network of libraries.

Administrative Provision

Section 118 limits to $318,789,000 the amount that may be
obligated during fiscal year 2025 from various reimbursements
and revolving funds available to the Library of Congress.

GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

The Government Publishing Office (GPO) publishes and
disseminates Federal Government publications to Congress,
Federal agencies, Federal depository libraries, and the
American public.

Congressional Publishing

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $83,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 83,000,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 83,000,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $83,000,000 for Congressional
Publishing. This account funds the costs of publishing
congressional information products in both digital and print
formats.

Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents

Salaries and Expenses

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $37,388,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 41,664,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 41,664,000
Change from enacted level........................... +4,276,000
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $41,664,000 for the salaries and
expenses of the Public Information Programs of the
Superintendent of Documents.
This appropriation primarily supports the cataloguing
cataloging and indexing of Federal Government publications (the
results of which are now available online) and for operating
the Federal Depository Library system and providing Federal
documents to the network of 1,133 depository libraries
nationwide.

Government Publishing Office Business Operations

Revolving Fund

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $11,611,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 11,425,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 11,425,000
Change from enacted level........................... -186,000
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $11,425,000 for the Government
Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund, which
finances GPO's publishing operations.
This business-like fund is used to pay GPO's costs in
performing or procuring from private-sector sources,
congressional and agency publishing, information product
procurement, and publication dissemination activities. The fund
is reimbursed from payments from customer agencies, sales to
the public, appropriations to the fund, and transfers from
GPO's two annual appropriations.
GPO Office of Inspector General.--The agreement includes no
less than $6,899,000 to support no fewer than 25 FTE within the
GPO OIG.

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

Salaries and Expenses

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $811,894,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 915,957,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 896,700,000
Change from enacted level........................... +84,806,000
Change from request................................. -19,257,000

Established by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921, the
Government Accountability Office (GAO) works for Congress by
responding to requests for studies of Federal Government
programs and expenditures and may also initiate its own work.
The Committee recommends $896,700,000 in direct appropriations
for GAO. In addition, $33,424,000 is available in offsetting
collections derived from reimbursements for conducting
financial audits of government corporations and the rental of
space in the GAO building. The Committee recommendation
includes an increase to the direct appropriation in large part
due to the significant decrease in offsetting collections for
fiscal year 2025.
Agency Responsiveness to Congressional Inquires on Behalf
of Constituents.--The Committee requests the Government
Accountability Office, within 270 days of enactment of this
Act, to study the current status of responsiveness to House of
Representative office inquiries on behalf of constituents
seeking assistance at select Federal agencies. The study should
make recommendations for minimum standards and agency personnel
and technology needs to provide accurate and timely responses
to Congressional inquiries, as appropriate.
Driving Implementation of Open GAO Recommendations.--GAO
report recommendations have the potential to save billions of
dollars and greatly improve government operations. The
Committee believes that a way to increase recommendation
implementation and hold agencies accountable for implementing
them in a timely way is for GAO to establish a timeframe in
which a recommendation should be able to be fully implemented.
As such the Committee directs GAO to develop and implement a
pilot to evaluate the efficacy of including implementation
timeframes when it makes recommendations. Among other things,
the pilot will examine whether including this information
increases agencies' implementation rates and timeliness. GAO
should brief the Committee on the results of this pilot and
make recommendations of whether the pilot should be made
permanent within two years of the start of the pilot. The
Committee expects agencies to provide GAO the necessary
information to develop implementation timeframes.
Community Funding Projects.--The Committee directs the GAO
to again undertake an audit of Community Project Funding
contained in fiscal year 2025 appropriations legislation. The
audit shall include the same characteristics GAO adhered to in
its fiscal year 2022 CPF directive after consulting with the
Committees on Appropriations. In conducting its audit, GAO
shall provide periodic briefings and reports based on available
data to the Committees.
Outreach to Congressional Staff.--The Committee requests
that legislative support agencies take steps to ensure that
their products, services, and outreach are designed to adapt
and meet the customer needs of an evolving Congress. As such,
the Committee requests that GAO expand its outreach to better
inform Congress of the products and services the agency
provides.
Duplicative Government Programs.--Each year, GAO identifies
and reports on Federal agency programs with fragmented,
overlapping, or duplicative goals or activities and ways to
reduce costs or enhance revenue. The Committee continues to
direct GAO to issue these reports and urges the Executive
Branch to address duplicative programs.
GAO Office of Inspector General.--The agreement includes no
less than $2,451,000 to support no fewer than 14 FTE within the
GAO OIG. The Committee believes that independence between
legislative branch OIGs and their respective reporting agencies
is important and reminds the GAO that the budget and FTE
amounts in the report are expected to be provided as a floor
for the OIG to conduct its oversight mission. Additionally, the
Committee is aware of the OIG's request to separate its budget
from the agency and requests that the IG provide the Committee
with a quarterly spend plan as the Committee considers this
request.

CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE FOR INTERNATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $6,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 7,200,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 6,600,000
Change from enacted level........................... +600,000
Change from request................................. -600,000

The Committee recommends $6,600,000 for salaries and
expenses of the Congressional Office for International
Leadership.
Financial Audit.--The Committee acknowledges that while the
Library of Congress's Office of Inspector General traditionally
conducts the annual financial statement audit for the
Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL), the
agency is considering using an alternative contractor as a
potential cost savings measure. COIL is directed to keep the
House Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on House
Administration apprised of any plans to replace, cease, or
modify its existing relationship with its current auditor.
Ukraine.--The Committee continues to be deeply troubled by
the Russian invasion of Ukraine and supports COIL's engagement
with Ukrainians outside of Ukraine to maintain democratic
advancement throughout wartime.
Poland.--The Committee continues to support COIL's efforts
to explore increased exchange with Poland as a former Communist
country.
Hungary.--The Committee continues to support COIL's efforts
to explore increased exchange with Hungary as a former
Communist country.

JOHN C. STENNIS CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2024....................... $430,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2025...................... 430,000
Committee recommendation.............................. 430,000
Change from enacted level........................... 0
Change from request................................. 0

The Committee recommends $430,000 for salaries and expenses
for the Stennis Center. The Center provides congressional staff
training and development opportunities to promote and
strengthen public service leadership in America.

TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Committee continues several provisions from prior
years, including language regarding maintenance and care of
private vehicles, fiscal year limitation, rates of compensation
and designation, consulting services, the Legislative Branch
Financial Managers Council, a limitation on transfers, guided
tours of the Capitol, and prohibition on certain operational
expenses.
Includes a new provision prohibiting certain
telecommunications equipment procurement, a new provision
standardizing the salary rates for certain Legislative Branch
officials to the salary rates equitable to other Legislative
Branch officials, a new provision to exempt the practice of
medicine from the fiduciary relationship restrictions for a
Member of Congress, a new provision to prohibit funding for
diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, a new provision
to prohibit funding for discriminatory actions against certain
religious beliefs, a provision blocking the cost-of-living
adjustment for Members of Congress, and a spending reduction
account.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

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.

Program Duplication

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following states that: No
provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program of
the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another
Federal program, a program that was included in any report from
the Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to
section 21 of Public Law 111-139, or a program related to a
program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal
Domestic Assistance.

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:
Within the Government Publishing Office, provisos in the
appropriations for ``Congressional Publishing'' and ``Public
Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents,
Salaries and Expenses'' authorize transfer of unobligated or
unexpended balances of expired discretionary funds appropriated
under those headings for fiscal year 2025 to the ``Government
Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund'' account.

Rescissions

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the bill contains no recissions.

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):

ENERGY POLICY ACT OF 1992

* * * * * * *

TITLE III--ALTERNATIVE FUELS--GENERAL

* * * * * * *

SEC. 303. MINIMUM FEDERAL FLEET REQUIREMENT.

(a) General Requirements.--(1) The Federal Government shall
acquire at least--
(A) 5,000 light duty alternative fueled vehicles in
fiscal year 1993;
(B) 7,500 light duty alternative fueled vehicles in
fiscal year 1994; and
(C) 10,000 light duty alternative fueled vehicles in
fiscal year 1995.
(2) The Secretary shall allocate the acquisitions necessary
to meet the requirements under paragraph (1).
(b) Percentage Requirements.--(1) Of the total number of
vehicles acquired by a Federal fleet, at least--
(A) 25 percent in fiscal year 1996;
(B) 33 percent in fiscal year 1997;
(C) 50 percent in fiscal year 1998; and
(D) 75 percent in fiscal year 1999 and thereafter,
shall be alternative fueled vehicles.
(2) The Secretary, in consultation with the Administrator of
General Services where appropriate, may permit a Federal fleet
to acquire a smaller percentage than is required in paragraph
(1), so long as the aggregate percentage acquired by all
Federal fleets is at least equal to the required percentage.
(3) For purposes of this subsection, the term ``Federal
fleet'' means 20 or more light duty motor vehicles, located in
a metropolitan statistical area or consolidated metropolitan
statistical area, as established by the Bureau of the Census,
with a 1980 population of more than 250,000, that are centrally
fueled or capable of being centrally fueled and are owned,
operated, leased, or otherwise controlled by or assigned to any
Federal executive department, military department, Government
corporation, independent establishment, or executive agency,
the United States Postal Service, the Congress, the courts of
the United States, or the Executive Office of the President.
Such term does not include--
(A) motor vehicles held for lease or rental to the
general public;
(B) motor vehicles used for motor vehicle
manufacturer product evaluations or tests;
(C) law enforcement vehicles;
(D) emergency vehicles;
(E) motor vehicles acquired and used for military
purposes that the Secretary of Defense has certified to
the Secretary must be exempt for national security
reasons; or
(F) nonroad vehicles, including farm and construction
vehicles.
(c) Allocation of Incremental Costs.--The General Services
Administration and any other Federal agency that procures motor
vehicles for distribution to other Federal agencies shall
allocate the incremental cost of alternative fueled vehicles
over the cost of comparable gasoline vehicles across the entire
fleet of motor vehicles distributed by such agency.
(d) Application of Requirements.--The provisions of section
400AA of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act relating to the
Federal acquisition of alternative fueled vehicles shall apply
to the acquisition of vehicles pursuant to this section.
(e) Resale.--The Administrator of General Services shall take
all feasible steps to ensure that all alternative fueled
vehicles sold by the Federal Government shall remain
alternative fueled vehicles at time of sale.
(f) Vehicle Emission Requirements.--
(1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
(A) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal
agency'' does not include any office of the
legislative [branch, except that it does
include the House of Representatives with
respect to an acquisition described in
paragraph (2)(C).] branch.
(B) Medium duty passenger vehicle.--The term
``medium duty passenger vehicle'' has the
meaning given that term section 523.2 of title
49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in
effect on the date of enactment of this
paragraph.
[(C) Member's representational allowance.--
The term ``Member's Representational
Allowance'' means the allowance described in
section 101(a) of the House of Representatives
Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act
(2 U.S.C. 57b(a)).]
(2) Prohibition.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), no Federal agency shall
acquire a light duty motor vehicle or medium
duty passenger vehicle that is not a low
greenhouse gas emitting vehicle.
(B) Exception.--The prohibition in
subparagraph (A) shall not apply to acquisition
of a vehicle if the head of the agency
certifies in writing, in a separate
certification for each individual vehicle
purchased, either--
(i) that no low greenhouse gas
emitting vehicle is available to meet
the functional needs of the agency and
details in writing the functional needs
that could not be met with a low
greenhouse gas emitting vehicle; or
(ii) that the agency has taken
specific alternative more cost-
effective measures to reduce petroleum
consumption that--
(I) have reduced a measured
and verified quantity of
greenhouse gas emissions equal
to or greater than the quantity
of greenhouse gas reductions
that would have been achieved
through acquisition of a low
greenhouse gas emitting vehicle
over the lifetime of the
vehicle; or
(II) will reduce each year a
measured and verified quantity
of greenhouse gas emissions
equal to or greater than the
quantity of greenhouse gas
reductions that would have been
achieved each year through
acquisition of a low greenhouse
gas emitting vehicle.
[(C) Special rule for vehicles provided by
funds contained in members' representational
allowance.--This paragraph shall apply to the
acquisition of a light duty motor vehicle or
medium duty passenger vehicle using any portion
of a Member's Representational Allowance,
including an acquisition under a long-term
lease.]
(3) Guidance.--
(A) In general.--Each year, the Administrator
of the Environmental Protection Agency shall
issue guidance identifying the makes and model
numbers of vehicles that are low greenhouse gas
emitting vehicles.
(B) Consideration.--In identifying vehicles
under subparagraph (A), the Administrator shall
take into account the most stringent standards
for vehicle greenhouse gas emissions applicable
to and enforceable against motor vehicle
manufacturers for vehicles sold anywhere in the
United States.
(C) Requirement.--The Administrator shall not
identify any vehicle as a low greenhouse gas
emitting vehicle if the vehicle emits
greenhouse gases at a higher rate than such
standards allow for the manufacturer's fleet
average grams per mile of carbon dioxide-
equivalent emissions for that class of vehicle,
taking into account any emissions allowances
and adjustment factors such standards provide.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to
be appropriated for carrying out this section, such sums as may
be necessary for fiscal years 1993 through 1998, to remain
available until expended.

* * * * * * *

----------

SECTION 312 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1992

Sec. 312. (a)(1) The Chief Administrative Officer of the
House of Representatives shall maintain and operate a child
care center (to be known as the ``House of Representatives
Child Care Center'') to furnish pre-school child care and
(subject to the approval of regulations by the Committee on
House Administration) child care for school age children other
than during the course of the ordinary school day--
(A) for children of individuals whose pay is
disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the
House of Representatives and children of support
personnel of the House of Representatives;
(B) if places are available after admission of all
children who are eligible under subparagraph (A), for
children of individuals whose pay is disbursed by the
Secretary of the Senate and children of employees of
agencies of the legislative branch; and
(C) if places are available after admission of all
children who are eligible under subparagraph (A) or
(B), for children of employees of other offices,
departments, and agencies of the Federal Government.
(2) Children shall be admitted to the center on a
nondiscriminatory basis and without regard to any office or
position held by their parents.
(b)(1)(A) The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall
appoint 15 individuals (of whom 7 shall be upon recommendation
of the minority leader of the House of Representatives), to
serve without pay, as members of an advisory board for the
center. The board shall--
(i) provide advice to the Chief Administrative
Officer on matters of policy relating to the
administration and operation of the center (including
the selection of the director of the center);
(ii) be chosen from among Members of the House of
Representatives, spouses of Members, parents of
children enrolled in the center, and other individuals
with expertise in child care or interest in the center;
and
(iii) serve during the Congress in which they are
appointed, except that a member of the board may
continue to serve after the expiration of a term until
a successor is appointed.
(B) The director of the center shall serve as an additional
member of the board, ex officio and without the right to vote.
(2) A vacancy on the board shall be filled in the manner in
which the original appointment is made.
(3) The chairman of the board shall be elected by the members
of the board.
(c) In carrying out subsection (a), the Chief Administrative
Officer is authorized--
(1) to collect fees for child care services;
(2) to accept such gifts of money and property as may
be approved by the Chairman and the ranking minority
party member of the Committee on House Oversight of the
House of Representatives, acting jointly; and
(3) to employ a director and other employees for the
center.
(d)(1) There is established in the Treasury of the United
States a revolving fund for the House of Representatives to be
known as the ``House Child Care Center Revolving Fund''
(hereafter in this section referred to as the ``Fund''),
consisting of the amounts received under subsection (c) and any
other funds deposited by the Chief Administrative Officer of
the House of Representatives from amounts received by the House
of Representatives with respect to the operation of the center.
Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the Fund shall be
the exclusive source for all salaries and expenses for
activities carried out under this section.
(2) With respect to employees of the center, the House of
Representatives shall make Government contributions and
payments for health insurance, retirement, employment taxes,
and similar benefits and programs (including the subsidies
provided on behalf of employees of the center as a result of
reductions in the amount of tuition otherwise charged with
respect to children of such employees under paragraph (4)) in
the same manner as such contributions and payments are made for
other employees of the House of Representatives.
(3) The House of Representatives shall make payments from
amounts provided in appropriations acts for salaries and
expenses of the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer for
the following activities carried out under this section:
(A) The payment of the salary of the director of the
center, and, at the option of the Chief Administrative
Officer during an emergency situation, the payment of
the salary of other employees of the Center.
(B) The cost of training classes and conferences for
individuals employed by the center in connection with
the provision of child care services, together with the
cost of travel (including transportation and
subsistence) incurred in connection with such classes
and conferences.
(C) In order to ensure that the Center can receive
and transmit critical and emergency communications in
connection with the provision of child care services,
the payment of telecom expenses for the Center, to
include voicemail boxes, land lines, and official
cellular devices of the Center issued to Center
employees.
[(C)] (D) During an emergency situation, the payment
of such other expenses for activities carried out under
this section as the Chief Administrative Officer
determines appropriate.
(4) In the case of a child of an employee of the
center who is furnished care at the center, the Chief
Administrative Officer shall reduce the amount of
tuition otherwise charged with respect to such child
during a month by the greater of--
(A) 50 percent; or
(B) such percentage as may be necessary to
ensure that the total amount of tuition paid by
the employee with respect to all children of
the employee who are furnished care at the
center during the month does not exceed $1,000.
(e) The Fund shall be treated as a category of allowances and
expenses for purposes of section 101(a) of the Legislative
Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 (2 U.S.C. 95b(a)).
(f) As used in this section--
(1) the term ``Member of the House of
Representatives'' means a Representative in, or a
Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress;
(2) the term ``agency of the legislative branch''
means the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the
Botanic Garden, the General Accounting Office, the
Government Printing Office, the Library of Congress,
the Office of Technology Assessment, the Congressional
Budget Office, and the Copyright Royalty Tribunal; and
(3) the term ``support personnel'' means, with
respect to the House of Representatives, any employee
of a credit union or of the Architect of the Capitol,
whose principal duties are to support the functions of
the House of Representatives.
(f) House Resolution 21, Ninety-ninth Congress, agreed to
December 11, 1985, enacted into permanent law by section 103 of
the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1987 (as
incorporated by reference in section 101(j) of Public Law 99-
500 and Public Law 99-591) (40 U.S.C. 184b-184f) is repealed.
----------

TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE

* * * * * * *

PART III--EMPLOYEES

* * * * * * *

SUBPART C--EMPLOYEE PERFORMANCE

* * * * * * *

CHAPTER 41--TRAINING

* * * * * * *

Sec. 4120. Training for employees of the Capitol Police

(a) The Chief of the Capitol Police may, by regulation, make
applicable such provisions of this chapter as the Chief
determines necessary to provide for training of employees of
the Capitol Police. The regulations shall provide for training
which, in the determination of the Chief, is consistent with
the training provided by agencies under the preceding sections
of this chapter.
(b) The Office of Personnel Management shall provide the
Chief of the Capitol Police with such advice and assistance as
the Chief may request in order to enable the Chief to carry out
the purposes of this section.
(c) An employee of the Capitol Police may receive training
under this section outside of the United States only with the
prior approval of the Capitol Police Board. In this subsection,
the term ``United States'' means each of the several States of
the United States, the District of Columbia, and the
territories and possessions of the United States.

* * * * * * *

PART IV--ETHICS REQUIREMENTS

* * * * * * *

CHAPTER 131--ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT

* * * * * * *

SUBCHAPTER III--LIMITATIONS ON OUTSIDE EARNED INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT

* * * * * * *

Sec. 13144. Limitations on outside employment

(a) Limitations.--A Member or an officer or employee who is a
noncareer officer or employee and who occupies a position
classified above GS-15 of the General Schedule or, in the case
of positions not under the General Schedule, for which the rate
of basic pay is equal to or greater than 120 percent of the
minimum rate of basic pay payable for GS-15 of the General
Schedule shall not--
(1) receive compensation for affiliating with or
being employed by a firm, partnership, association,
corporation, or other entity which provides
professional services involving a fiduciary
relationship;
(2) permit that Member's, officer's, or employee's
name to be used by any such firm, partnership,
association, corporation, or other entity;
(3) receive compensation for practicing a profession
which involves a fiduciary relationship;
(4) serve for compensation as an officer or member of
the board of any association, corporation, or other
entity; or
(5) receive compensation for teaching, without the
prior notification and approval of the appropriate
entity referred to in section 13142 of this title.
(b) Teaching Compensation of Justices and Judges Retired From
Regular Active Service.--For purposes of the limitation under
section 13143(a) of this title, any compensation for teaching
approved under subsection (a)(5) of this section shall not be
treated as outside earned income--
(1) when received by a justice of the United States
retired from regular active service under section
371(b) of title 28;
(2) when received by a judge of the United States
retired from regular active service under section
371(b) of title 28, for teaching performed during any
calendar year for which such judge has met the
requirements of subsection (e) of section 371 of title
28, as certified in accordance with such subsection; or
(3) when received by a justice or judge of the United
States retired from regular active service under
section 372(a) of title 28.
(c) Limitation On Treatment As Fiduciary Relationship.--For
purposes of this section, the relationship between a Member who
is providing care directly to a patient in the form of medical
services or dental services and the patient to whom such care
is provided shall not be considered a fiduciary relationship.

* * * * * * *

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 several 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 a death gratuity for the beneficiary
of Representative Donald M. Payne, Jr.
8. The bill includes language providing funds for the
Family Room, the Superintendent of Garages, Office of Emergency
Management, and preparing the Digest of Rules.
9. The bill includes language providing funds for House
motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities.
10. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members'
Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt
reduction.
11. The bill includes language that places a limitation on
the amount that a Member can spend on a leased vehicle per
month.
12. The bill includes language requiring that any Federal
agencies that are assisting the House with cybersecurity risks
ensure the constitutional integrity of the separate branches of
government.
13. The bill includes language eliminating the requirement
to lease long term low emission vehicles through the Members
Representational Allowance.
14. The bill authorizes the Chief Executive Officer to
provide payment of telecom expenses for the House Child Care
Center to ensure the Center can receive and transmit critical
and emergency communications in connection with the provision
of child care services.
15. The bill authorizes allowances for employees of the
Office of the Attending Physician and provides reimbursement to
the Department of the Navy.
16. 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.
17. The bill provides that the cost of Capitol Police basic
training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers be
paid by the Department of Homeland Security.
18. The bill requires an employee of the Capitol Police to
receive training outside of the United States only with prior
approval of the Capitol Police Board.
19. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to
purchase or exchange, maintain, and operate one passenger motor
vehicle.
20. The bill includes authorization allowing reimbursements
for chilled water and steam provided to the Government
Publishing 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.
21. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to expend
funds to maintain, care for, and operate the National Garden.
22. The bill prohibits paying bonuses for contractors who
are behind schedule or over budget.
23. The bill authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to
enter into cooperative agreements to support the Capitol
Grounds and Arboretum including plant material exchanges.
24. The bill establishes that the amount available for
obligation by the Library of Congress is reduced by offsetting
collections.
25. The bill provides specific funding for the American
Folklife Center, the Teaching with Primary Sources program, the
Legislative Branch Financial Management System, the Surplus
Books Program, and the Veterans History Project.
26. The bill allows the Library of Congress to hire or
purchase one passenger motor vehicle.
27. The bill allows funds from offsetting collections to be
used for the Library's Copyright Office.
28. 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.
29. 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 Committee, with an exception.
30. The bill provides funds to provide newspapers to the
blind and print disabled.
31. The bill contains language under the Library of
Congress placing a limitation on obligations for Reimbursable
and Revolving Fund activities.
32. The bill contains language restricting the use of funds
appropriated to the Government Publishing 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.
33. The bill includes language authorizing the Public
Information Programs of the 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.
34. There is language authorizing the operation of the
Government Publishing 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.
35. 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.
36. The bill includes 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.
37. The bill provides no part of the funds appropriated in
this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond fiscal
year 2025 unless expressly so provided in this Act.
38. The bill 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. The bill also provides that the provisions herein for
the various items of official expenses of Members, officers,
and the Committees, and clerk hire for Senators and Members
shall be the permanent law with respect thereto.
39. The bill requires that certain information regarding
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
40. The bill authorizes Legislative Branch entities to
share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers
Council.
41. The bill limits the transfer of funds in this Act.
42. The bill prohibits funds in this Act being used to
eliminate or restrict staff-led guided tours.
43. The bill prohibits funds from being used to maintain or
establish a computer network unless the network blocks
pornography.
44. The bill prohibits funds from being used to acquire
telecommunications equipment from a particular class of
vendors.
45. The bill allows for an increase in the rate of pay for
certain personnel of certain Legislative Branch offices
otherwise restricted.
46. The bill includes a change to the limitations on
outside earned income and employment as it relates to fiduciary
relationships.
47. The bill prohibits funding for Diversity, Equity and
Inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
48. The bill prohibits funding for discriminatory actions
against certain religious beliefs.
49. The bill allows for a spending reduction.
50. The bill includes language blocking the cost-of-living
adjustment for Members of Congress.

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:
The accompanying bill contains no appropriations not
authorized by law.

BUDGETARY IMPACT OF THE FY 2025 LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
BILL PREPARED IN CONSULTATION WITH THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE
PURSUANT TO SECTION 308(A) OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET ACT OF 1974

COMPARISON WITH BUDGET RESOLUTION

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

[IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS]

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
302(b) Allocation This Bill
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority Outlays Budget Authority Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comparison of amounts in the .................. .................. .................. ..................
bill with Committee allocations
to its subcommittees:
Subcommittee on Legislative
Branch
Discretionary:
All Except Senate....... 5,546 .................. 5,546 5,875
Senate items............ 1,579 .................. 0 0
Total............... 7,125 .................. 5,546 5,875
Mandatory................... .................. .................. 141 \1\141
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section
308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
following table contains five-year projections associated with
the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill as
provided to the Committee by the Congressional Budget Office.

[IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projection of outlays associated with the
recommendation:
2025............................................ \1\4,654
2026............................................ 627
2027............................................ 113
2028............................................ 36
2029 and future years........................... 14
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section
308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the
Congressional Budget Office has provided the following
estimates of new budget authority and outlays provided by the
accompanying bill for financial assistance to State and local
governments.

[IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS]

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Budget Authority Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Financial assistance to State 0 \1\0
and local governments for 2025.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

Committee Hearings

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII of the Rules of the
House of Representatives, the following hearings were used to
develop or consider the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act,
2025:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Title of Hearing Witnesses
------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 10, 2024.................. Budget Hearing-- The Honorable Gene
Fiscal Year 2025 L. Dodaro,
Request for the Comptroller
Government General,
Accountability Government
Office, the Accountability
Government Office; The
Publishing Honorable Hugh
Office, and the Nathanial
Congressional Halpern,
Budget Office. Director,
Government
Publishing
Office; Dr.
Phillip L.
Swagel, Director,
Congressional
Budget Office.
April 10, 2024.................. Budget Hearing-- Mr. J. Thomas
Fiscal Year 2025 Manger, Chief,
Request for the United States
United States Capitol Police.
Capitol Police.
April 16, 2024.................. Fiscal Year 2025 Dr. Brian Pugh,
Request for the Executive
John C. Stennis Director, John C.
Center for Public Stennis Center
Service, the for Public
Office of Service; Mr.
Congressional Martin J. Crane,
Workplace Rights, Executive
and the Director, Office
Congressional of Congressional
Office for Workplace Rights;
International Ms. Jane Sargus,
Leadership. Executive
Director,
Congressional
Office for
International
Leadership.
April 16, 2024.................. Fiscal Year 2025 Dr. Carla Hayden,
Request for the Librarian of
Library of Congress, Library
Congress and the of Congress; Mr.
Architect of the Joseph DiPietro,
Capitol. Acting Architect
of the Capitol,
Architect of the
Capitol; Mr.
Robert R. Newlen,
Interim Director,
Congressional
Research Service,
Library of
Congress; Ms.
Shira Perlmutter,
Register of
Copyrights and
Director, U.S.
Copyright Office,
Library of
Congress.
April 17, 2024.................. Budget Hearing-- The Honorable
Fiscal Year 2025 Kevin F.
Request for the McCumber, Acting
United States Clerk, U.S. House
House of of
Representatives. Representatives;
The Honorable
William P.
McFarland,
Sergeant at Arms,
U.S. House of
Representatives;
The Honorable
Catherine L.
Szpindor, Chief
Administrative
Officer, U.S.
House of
Representatives;
Mr. Matthew
Berry, General
Counsel, U.S.
House of
Representatives;
Mr. Joseph C.
Picolla,
Inspector
General, U.S.
House of
Representatives;
Mr. Ralph V.
Seep, Law
Revision Counsel,
U.S. House of
Representatives;
Mr. E. Wade
Ballou Jr.,
Legislative
Counsel, U.S.
House of
Representatives.
April 17, 2024.................. Fiscal Year 2025 The Honorable
Members' Day Derek Kilmer, The
Hearing and Honorable Jasmine
Public Witness Crockett.
Testimony for the
Record.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Disclosure of Earmarks and Congressionally Directed Spending Items

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House
of Representatives, neither the bill nor this report contains
any congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited
tariff benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules
of the House of Representatives.

Spending Reduction Account

SEC. 215. $0.

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

MINORITY VIEWS

We appreciate the efforts of Chairman Valadao and his staff
to produce the Legislative Branch bill for Fiscal Year 2025.
The bill includes requests submitted by the Democratic
Committee however, this bill, like several others that the
House Appropriations Committee recently reported, continues the
Majority's obsession with including harmful and divisive policy
riders that aim to divide our country and have no place in a
Legislative Branch bill.
The bill includes $5.5 billion in discretionary
appropriations to fund the offices of the House of
Representatives and joint legislative branch items, an increase
of $189 million (or 3.5%) over the FY24 enacted level.
The problem with this bill is not its funding levels. As a
matter of fact, the funding levels included in this bill will
build upon our investments in the Legislative Branch that have
enabled us to better serve the American people. The problem
with this bill is its harmful policy riders that undo the
sensible, historical restrictions in statute on compensation
for outside work for certain Members of Congress, hurt our
ability to attract and retain diverse and talented staff, and
unwind important measures that ensure we are doing our part to
protect the environment.
The bill's reasonable funding levels are proof that House
Republicans are capable of writing bills that can get
bipartisan support and have a path to becoming law--if they
could simply abandon their obsession with partisan riders which
they know will be removed from the final agreement.
This House should make every effort to be reflective of the
entire nation we serve, and the districts Members represent.
The Legislative Branch bill should never be a place for
divisive politics. The Legislative Branch bill should be used
to ensure Congress has the tools it needs to legislate and
support the constituents we serve.

Rosa DeLauro.
Adriano Espaillat.

[all]