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88-054
1st Session
108-186
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2004
| July 1, 2003- Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed | |
| Mr. KINGSTON of Georgia, from the Committee on Appropriations, submitted the following | |
| R E P O R T | |
| [To accompany H.R. 2657] |
The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the legislative branch for the fiscal year 2004, and for other purposes.
| INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT | ||
| Page number | ||
| Bill | Report | |
| Summary of bill | 2 | |
| Highlights of bill | 4 | |
| Structure of bill | 4 | |
| Legislative branch wide matters | 4 | |
| Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations: | ||
| 2 | 6 | |
| House of Representatives | 2 | 6 |
| Joint Items: | 6 | 9 |
| Joint Economic Committee | 7 | 9 |
| Joint Committee on Taxation | 7 | 9 |
| Office of the Attending Physician | 7 | 10 |
| Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office | 8 | 10 |
| Capitol Police | 9 | 10 |
| Office of Compliance | 10 | 11 |
| Congressional Budget Office | 11 | 12 |
| Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office Buildings) | 11 | 12 |
| Library of Congress | 16 | 22 |
| Government Printing Office | 21 | 24 |
| General Accounting Office | 25 | 25 |
| Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund | 27 | 25 |
| Title II--General provisions | 27 | 26 |
| Constitutional authority | 26 | |
| Comparison with budget resolution | 26 | |
| Five-year projection of outlays | 27 | |
| Assistance to State and local governments | 27 | |
| Transfers of funds | 27 | |
| Rescissions | 27 | |
| Changes in the application of existing law | 27 | |
| Compliance with clause 3--rule XIII | 30 |
The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides appropriations for fiscal year 2004 legislative branch operations, which total $2,699,688,000.
Conforming with long practice under which each body of Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other concurs without intervention, funds for the Senate are not included in the bill as reported to the House. Current appropriations estimates for the Senate for fiscal year 2004, including those under the Architect of the Capitol, total $812,312,000.
A comparative summary of the bill by title and agency follows:
SUMMARY OF THE BILL
[Note- Excludes Senate items including those Senate items under Architect of the Capitol]
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Agency New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year 2003 Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal year 2004 New budget (obligational) authority recommended in bill Bill compared with--
New budget (obligational) authority, fiscal year 2003 Budget estimates of new (obligational) authority, fiscal year 2004
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TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS
House of Representatives $960,871,000 $1,039,638,000 $1,014,464,000 +$53,593,000 -$25,174,000
Joint items 17,297,000 17,877,000 17,694,000 +397,000 -183,000
Capitol Police 240,208,000 290,510,000 211,830,000 -28,378,000 -78,680,000
Office of Compliance 2,157,000 2,518,000 2,255,000 +98,000 -263,000
Congressional Budget Office 31,892,000 33,993,000 33,820,000 +1,928,000 -173,000
Architect of the Capitol (except Senate office Buildings) 392,333,000 447,857,000 294,933,000 -97,400,000 -152,924,000
Library of Congress 503,175,000 540,135,000 522,592,000 +19,417,000 -17,543,000
Government Printing Office 119,025,000 135,567,000 130,567,000 +11,542,000 -5,000,000
General Accounting Office 453,051,000 466,621,000 458,533,000 +5,482,000 -8,088,000
Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund 12,915,000 14,815,000 13,000,000 +85,000 -1,815,000
John Stennis Center 298,000 -298,000
Congressional Award Act 248,000 -248,000
Grand total, new budget, (obligational) authority (for items considered by House) $2,733,470,000 $2,989,531,000 $2,699,688,000 -$33,782,000 -$289,843,000
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Budget estimates- The budget estimates considered by the Committee total $2,989,531,000. By law, budget requests for the legislative branch are transmitted to the Congress by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the President without change in the amounts submitted by the originating agency.
Committee recommendations- A total of $2,699,688,000 in new budget (obligational) authority is recommended for fiscal year 2004. The bill does not include Senate items.
Comparison with fiscal year 2003 appropriations- Compared with the appropriations enacted for fiscal year 2003 the recommendation of $2,699,688,000 in new budget (obligational) authority for fiscal year 2004 is a decrease of $33,782,000 or 1.2 percent.
The bill is divided into two titles:
Title I--Contains the appropriations for the House of Representatives, Joint Items, the Capitol Police, the Office of Compliance, the Congressional Budget Office, the Architect of the Capitol (except Senate office buildings), the Library of Congress, the Government Printing Office, the General Accounting Office and the Open World Leadership Center.
Title II--Contains general provisions.
The Committee is very concerned with recent organizational changes made by agencies of the Legislative Branch. Upon examination of the FY 2004 budget submissions, it became apparent that several Legislative Branch agencies had made significant organizational changes that resulted in the reallocation of substantial amounts of FTE's and money to new organizational entities or between existing entities, programs, functions or tasks in a manner not presented to or discussed with the Committee during the FY 2003 budget cycle. While the Committee recognizes and supports the responsibility of agency managers to make organizational changes and decisions that will enhance their ability to achieve the agency's mission and result in the most effective and efficient use of resources, it is essential that the Committee be notified in advance of the reallocation of significant amounts of resources. Therefore, the Committee directs that Legislative Branch agencies notify and consult with the House and Senate Committee on Appropriations prior to implementing organizational changes or realignments that will result in the redistribution, reprogramming, or
reallocation of FTE's or funds in a manner different from that presented in each budget year's appropriation hearings; position reports to the committee, if applicable; and the final approved budget.
It has become a matter of practice rather than one of exception that agencies of the Legislative Branch have been submitting directly to the Committee for consideration language items to be included in the annual appropriations bill. The appropriate manner in which language is to be considered as part of the annual budget process is that it must be transmitted to the Congress as part of the President's annual budget request or a budget amendment. This process allows the Committee appropriate oversight, review and consideration during the annual budget justification hearings and markup of the bill. Therefore, in order for the Committee to consider all changes in appropriations language, administrative provisions, and general provisions agencies must have their language items submitted as part of the President's annual budget or an appropriate budget amendment.
Over the past several years there have been significant increases made to virtually all existing programs in the Legislative Branch. In addition, several new initiatives and programs have been undertaken which in some cases have supplemented existing efforts and in others augmented them. Even though a large part of these increases have been due to inflation, the committee believes that overall, increases requested and approved do not adequately reflect offsets which can be reasonably expected through productivity gains resulting from substantial investments in enabling technology, the purchase of new systems and equipment, increases in training, and increased flexibility resulting from human resources changes including increased base salaries, early out and buyout authority. As a result, the Committee believes that there are considerable opportunities to realize meaningful savings by carefully reviewing each agency's budget requirements from a zero base rather than an incremental one. Such a review would assist the committee in its appropriating and oversight responsibilities by permitting better understanding of program priorities, scope, effectiveness, and results. The General Accounting Office is therefore directed to develop a budget template for committee approval that can be used by Legislative Branch agencies to present their budget requirements from a zero base as a supplement to their FY 2005 budget submission to Congress. The GAO is also directed to present to the committee a recommended budget review process that will facilitate the examination of each agency's funding and FTE requirements from a zero base. The General Accounting Office shall report to the Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate its findings, conclusions and recommendations by October 15, 2003.
The Committee has included funding for the Federal Mass Transit Benefit Program, for the agencies of the Legislative Branch. The Committee allowance provides a $100 per month allowance to the employees who participate in the program. The Committee encourages the agencies of the Legislative Branch to support their employee participation in this very important program.
The Committee directs that to the maximum extent feasible, that all Legislative Branch agencies when making procurement decisions should give preference to biodegradable bio-based products including packaging and food service ware.
The Librarian of Congress and the Architect of the Capitol are directed to carry out a historical accounting of the use of slave labor in the construction of the United States Capitol and to conduct research to help to find the descendents of the slaves who were involved in the construction of the Capitol.
The Committee bill recommends a total of $1,014,464,000 for fiscal year 2004 for the operations of the House of Representatives during fiscal year 2004. The allowance is $53,593,000 above the current level and is $25,174,000 below the request.
The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:
| Item | Amount |
| Salaries and expenses: | |
| House leadership offices | $17,094,000 |
| Members' representational allowances | 514,454,000 |
| Committee salaries and expenses | 130,984,000 |
| Salaries, officers and employees | 158,324,000 |
| Allowances and expenses | 193,608,000 |
| Total, Salaries and Expenses | $1,014,464,000 |
| Total, House of Representatives | $1,014,464,000 |
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2003 appropriation $960,871,000
2004 budget estimate 1,039,638,000
Committee recommendation 1,014,464,000
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The appropriation for the operations of the House of Representatives is the salaries and expenses appropriation. The account includes the following House activities: House leadership offices; Members' representational allowances; committee salaries and expenses; salaries, officers and employees; allowances and expenses; and the day care center. The amount provided is $1,014,464,000.
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2003 appropriation $16,530,000
2004 budget estimate 17,094,000
Committee recommendation 17,094,000
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The Committee recommends a total of $17,094,000 for the operations of the leadership offices during fiscal year 2004.
The allocation by office follows:
| House Leadership Offices | |
| Item | Amount |
| Office of the Speaker | $2,048,000 |
| Office of the Majority Floor Leader | 1,965,000 |
| Office of the Minority Floor Leader | 2,390,000 |
| Office of the Majority Whip | 1,684,000 |
| Office of the Minority Whip | 1,259,000 |
| Speaker's Office for Legislative Floor Activities | 460,000 |
| Republican Steering Committee | 862,000 |
| House Republican Conference | 1,448,000 |
| House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee | 1,542,000 |
| House Democratic Caucus | 768,000 |
| Nine Minority Employees | 1,380,000 |
| Training and Development Program: | |
| Majority | 290,000 |
| Minority | 290,000 |
| Cloakroom Personnel: | |
| Majority | 354,000 |
| Minority | 354,000 |
| Total | $17,094,000 |
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2003 appropriation $476,536,000
2004 budget estimate 523,454,000
Committee recommendation 514,454,000
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A total of $514,454,000 is recommended for the representational allowances of the Members of the House, the so-called MRA account. The Committee bill provides $357,697,000 for clerk hire salaries, $129,757,000 for official expenses, and $27,000,000 for official mail. It should be noted that these components are fungible under regulations prescribed by the Committee on House Administration. Each Member has an overall consolidated allowance established by the Committee on House Administration from which staff salaries, office expenses, and mail costs are drawn.
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2003 appropriation $138,621,000
2004 budget estimate 132,484,000
Committee recommendation 130,984,000
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Funding for the salaries and expenses of the 19 standing committees, one permanent select committee and one select committee of the House is provided, as follows:
Standing Committees, special and select.--For the salaries and expenses of committees funded in the biennial funding resolution, $106,058,000 is provided.
Committee on Appropriations.--For the salaries and expenses of the Committee on Appropriations (including the studies and investigation activities authorized by section 202(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946), $24,926,000 is provided.
Details of the funding resolution, H. Res. 148 (House Report 108-91) approved by the House for the 108th Congress, follow:
COMMITTEE FUNDING AUTHORIZATIONS, 108TH CONGRESS
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Committee 1st session 2nd session Total
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Agriculture $5,084,900 $5,242,632 $10,327,531
Armed Services 5,871,876 6,059,481 11,931,357
Budget 5,856,333 6,013,239 11,869,572
Education and the Workforce 7,047,896 7,625,475 14,673,371
Energy and Commerce 9,101,042 9,521,097 18,622,138
Financial Services 6,601,085 7,095,402 13,696,487
Government Reform 9,740,963 9,873,472 19,614,435
House Administration 4,122,092 4,404,965 8,527,057
Intelligence 3,780,487 4,029,243 7,809,730
International Relations 6,993,645 7,559,050 14,552,695
Judiciary 6,957,554 7,091,062 14,048,616
Resources 6,492,029 7,017,395 13,509,424
Rules 2,797,898 2,871,413 5,669,311
Science 5,711,401 5,979,444 11,690,845
Small Business 2,535,261 2,585,041 5,120,301
Standards of Official Conduct 1,527,825 1,543,425 3,071,250
Transportation and Infrastructure 7,982,558 8,479,334 16,461,893
Veterans' Affairs 2,703,328 2,783,466 5,486,795
Ways and Means 7,908,037 8,228,251 16,136,288
Homeland Security (H. Res. 110) 5,366,866 5,585,921 10,952,787
Total $114,183,076 $119,588,808 $233,771,884
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Since the funding resolution is done on a biennial basis and the resolution for the 108th Congress will expire on December 31, 2004, this funding is provided through December 31, 2004.
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2003 appropriation $152,027,000
2004 budget estimate 171,291,000
Committee recommendation 158,324,000
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The Committee recommendation for the salaries and expenses of House officers and employees of the various activities funded through this consolidated item is $158,324,000. This amount represents an overall increase of $6,297,000 above the amount enacted in fiscal year 2003 and is $12,967,000 below the request.
The following table summarizes the funding allocation provided to each component of the account.
| Salaries, Officers and Employees | |
| Item | Amount |
| Office of the Clerk | $18,632,000 |
| Office of the Sergeant at Arms | 5,471,000 |
| Office of the Chief Administrative Officer | 113,141,000 |
| Office of the Inspector General | 3,847,000 |
| Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Operations | 5,000,000 |
| Office of General Counsel | 926,000 |
| Office of the Chaplain | 153,000 |
| Office of the Parliamentarian | 1,560,000 |
| Parliamentarian | (1,363,000) |
| Compilation of Precedents | (197,000) |
| Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House | 2,263,000 |
| Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House | 6,233,000 |
| Corrections Calendar Office | 948,000 |
| Other authorized employees | 150,000 |
| Total | $158,324,000 |
House of Representatives Child Care Center- The bill provides authority for the House day care center budget, as required by Sec. 312(d)(1) of Public Law 102-90, as presented to the Committee by the Chief Administrative Officer. It should be noted that tuition and other center-generated revenues fund day care center operations.
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2003 appropriation $177,157,000
2004 budget estimate 195,315,000
Committee recommendation 193,608,000
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A total of $193,608,000 is recommended for fiscal year 2004 for allowances and expenses. This amount is $16,451,000 above the current level. These funds include supplies, materials, administrative costs, and Federal tort claims; the costs of official mail for the Committees, leadership, and administrative offices; employee benefits; and miscellaneous items. Over 97% of these funds provide the employer share of retirement, health care, and unemployment compensation payments for House employees.
The following table sets forth the various expense categories within this appropriation:
| Allowances and Expenses | |
| Detail | Recommended 2004 |
| Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal tort claims | $3,975,000 |
| Official mail (committees, administrative, and legislative offices) | 410,000 |
| Government contributions | 188,533,000 |
| Miscellaneous items: | |
| House automobiles | 140,000 |
| Gratuities to beneficiaries of deceased staff | 470,000 |
| Interparliamentary receptions | 80,000 |
| Subtotal miscellaneous items | $690,000 |
| Total, allowances and expenses | $193,608,000 |
Section 101 provides for unspent amounts remaining in Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for deficit reduction.
The Committee recommends appropriations totaling $17,694,000 for fiscal year 2004 for the various joint committees and activities carried under this heading. The recommendation is $397,000 above the amounts provided for fiscal year 2003 and is $183,000 below the budget request.
The following summarizes the recommendations:
| Joint Items | |
| Item | Amount |
| Joint Economic Committee | $3,805,000 |
| Joint Committee on Taxation | 8,112,000 |
| Office of the Attending Physician | 2,236,000 |
| Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office | 3,511,000 |
| Statements of Appropriations | 30,000 |
| Total | $17,694,000 |
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2003 appropriation $3,658,000
2004 budget estimate 3,988,000
Committee recommendation 3,805,000
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The Committee has provided $3,805,000 for the Joint Economic Committee. This amount reflects an increase of $147,000 above the enacted amount and is $183,000 below the budget request. The Committee allowance does not provide funding for two additional FTE's.
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2003 appropriation $7,593,000
2004 budget estimate 8,112,000
Committee recommendation 8,112,000
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The Committee recommends an appropriation of $8,112,000 for the Joint Committee on Taxation. This amount reflects an increase of $519,000 above the enacted amount, and is the same as the budget request.
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2003 appropriation $2,981,000
2004 budget estimate 2,236,000
Committee recommendation 2,236,000
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The Committee has approved $2,236,000 for medical supplies, equipment, expenses, and allowances of Navy personnel detailed to the Office of the Attending Physician.
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2003 appropriation $3,035,000
2004 budget estimate 3,511,000
Committee recommendation 3,511,000
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The Committee bill provides $3,511,000 for the operation of the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office during the next fiscal year. This amount reflects an increase of $476,000 above the enacted level and is the same as the budget request.
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---------------------------------
2003 appropriation $30,000
2004 budget estimate 30,000
Committee recommendation 30,000
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The sum of $30,000 is included for the preparation of the usual compilation of the statements of appropriations for the 1st session of the 108th Congress. This publication is compiled jointly by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.
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2003 appropriation $240,208,000
2004 budget estimate 290,510,000
Committee recommendation 211,830,000
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The recommendations in the bill provide a total of $211,830,000 for the expenses and personnel authorized for police services throughout the Capitol buildings and grounds during fiscal year 2004.
The Committee has funded an additional 509 positions for the Capitol Police, an increase of 37 percent, since 9/11. The budget request is for a total 2,406 positions, an increase of 511 positions over the current authorized level. In addition, the Department has completed a staffing study recommending a total of 2,929 positions by fiscal year 2005, a 58 percent increase from current levels. There is concern over the continuation of such large growth for the Capitol Police without a proper strategic plan and associated staffing plan in place. The Committee understands the department has initiated work on a strategic plan and strongly supports this effort. A revised strategic plan will serve as the foundation for aligning activities, core processes, and resources to support mission-related outcomes. The General Accounting Office has cited on several occasions, strategic planning is continuous and provides the basis for everything the organization does each day. Therefore, it is important for an organization to go through the strategic planning process first, and then align and staff the organization to accomplish the objectives of the plan. The Committee directs the Chief of Police to work with the General Accounting Office to complete the strategic plan as outlined in Section 1019 of the Fiscal Year 2003 Appropriations Bill. In addition, the General Accounting Office is directed to provide an appropriate contract review of the proposed staffing plan. While additional positions and associated funding are not provided, the Committee notes that $14,765,000 remains available from the Emergency Response Fund. Should the strategic plan be completed and associated staffing plan reviewed by an outside source, and approved by the Committee during fiscal year 2004, there is more than ample funding available for new positions for the Capitol Police.
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2003 appropriation $174,533,000
2004 budget estimate 218,268,000
Committee recommendation 189,913,000
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The Committee recommends $189,913,000 to support a total force of 1,895 including 1,569 sworn and 326 civilian positions for fiscal year 2004.
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2003 appropriation $27,917,000
2003 wartime supplemental 37,758,000
2004 budget estimate 72,242,000
Committee recommendation 21,917,000
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The sum of $21,917,000 is recommended for supplies, materials, equipment, training and other expenses of the Capitol Police force during the next fiscal year.
Excluding the fiscal year 2003 supplemental appropriation of $37,758,000 for general expenses of the Capitol Police, the budget request of $72,242,000 represents an increase of $44,325,000, or 158 percent over the current fiscal year. Given the fiscal restraints the Committee is under in producing this bill, it is not realistic for the Capitol Police to sustain such high increases. In addition to the $21,917,000 appropriation, the Committee notes that over $10,000,000 remains available in fiscal year 2003 salary funds that can be transferred to general expenses and used to expedite a portion of the fiscal year 2004 request. The Chief of Police is directed to re-prioritize the request to equip all sworn members with personnel protective equipment, the items funded in the fiscal year 2003 supplemental, and the revised general expenses for fiscal year 2004 prior to requesting the transfer of the salary funds.
Section 1001 authorizes transfers between the various accounts of the Capitol Police.
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2003 appropriation $2,157,000
2004 budget estimate 2,518,000
Committee recommendation 2,255,000
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The bill provides $2,255,000 for the Office of Compliance. The Committee has not provided funding for additional FTE's or other program increases until the General Accounting Office review of the Office of Compliance has been completed.
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2003 appropriation $31,892,000
2004 budget estimate 33,993,000
Committee recommendation 33,820,000
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The Committee recommends an appropriation of $33,820,000 for the Congressional Budget Office. This is $1,928,000 above the current year and is $173,000 below the budget request.
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2003 appropriation $392,333,000
2004 budget estimate 447,857,000
Committee recommendation 294,933,000
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The Committee recommends a total of $294,933,000 for fiscal year 2004 for the various operational and maintenance activities under the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). Excluded is the Senate office building account which will be considered by the Senate. This amount is $152,924,000 below the amount requested, and $97,400,000 below the fiscal year 2003 appropriation.
Fitness Center.--The Committee recently approved the expenditure of $100,000 for the Architect of the Capitol to conduct a study for an interim staff fitness center to be located in the existing House Office Buildings. The Committee recommends roughly 4,000 square feet be made available for male and female shower rooms, lockers and a weight room. The Committee expects the temporary staff fitness center to be completed by February, 2004. In addition, the Architect is directed to develop a permanent staff fitness center as part of the House Office Buildings Master Plan. The Architect is to report to the Committee on Appropriations and the House Office Building Commission by July, 2004 with various options to build a permanent large scale staff fitness center, and on the associated costs.
In addition, the Committee has approved $164,000 for the construction of a male and female shower in an existing bathroom in the Cannon House Office Building basement and a male and female shower, with two showers in each, in the Longworth House Office Building sub-basement level. This work is expected to be complete by September, 2003.
Capitol Dome.--The Architect of the Capitol is directed to assess the policy related to special tours of the Capitol Dome for Members of Congress. While the efforts made by the AOC and Capitol Police to ensure a safe and secure environment within the Capitol building are necessary and greatly appreciated, the Committee is concerned that the closure of the dome is contrary to its symbol as our nation's freedom. Within 60 days of the enactment of the bill, the Architect is directed to submit a proposed policy, incorporating the former rules and regulations pertaining to dome tours, for the reopening of the dome for special tours. As a part of this proposal, the Architect is to conduct an assessment of the associated physical and security risks and to advise the Committee of the actions necessary to fulfill this directive.
Project Management.--The Committee is concerned about the level of project management in the Architect of the Capitol organization. The General Accounting Office Report on Management and Accountability noted that the implementation of project management best practices has been uneven throughout the agency, and the Committee has questioned the Architect about the affects of construction workforce fatigue on the agency. In response, the AOC informed the Committee that `the AOC is recruiting additional project managers to improve the project delivery process'. These new project managers are in addition to `83 individuals listed as project managers in some capacity in July, 2002', as noted in the GAO Report.
Further, the Committee has reservations regarding the level and quality of project management expertise and acquisition planning that is typically maintained through the identification of core competencies and associated standardized training programs that maintain and enhance such expertise. Accordingly, the Committee directs the AOC to identify core competencies for project managers and contracting officers, and to use these core competencies as part of its process of the evaluation of current project managers and contracting officers and its hiring practices for new employees in these areas. Further, the Committee directs the AOC to review project management workforce improvement initiatives such as the Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act and establish a comparable formal AOC program that incorporates professional standards and requirements, and implement a training development program in fiscal year 2004 to assure the continued development of core competencies. The Committee has provided on a one-time basis, $150,000 in support of the acquisition training requirement.
A report must be submitted to the Committee no later than 120 days after the enactment of this bill that (1) describes and identifies the core competency program that will be used; (2) outlines how they are being used in the hiring process; (3) outlines the proposed core competency training program for fiscal year 2004; and (4) presents an overall plan that details the grade, title, organizational location, funding resources, and project assignment of all on-board and planned project managers, including total FTE's required in fiscal year 2004.
Capital Improvements Plan.--The Committee is pleased to learn that the Architect has developed a formalized planning process that will result in a five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP). The Committee understands that a request for documentation needed to accomplish the CIP process has been included as part if its internal call for development of the fiscal year 2005 budget request, and that this will facilitate preparation of the first annual CIP in September, 2003. Therefore, the Committee anticipates that the AOC will include a CIP as an appendix to fiscal year 2005 budget justification. Additionally, the Committee expects that the CIP will include realistic cost projections for future consideration.
Personnel Management.--The Committee notes the Architect's efforts made to consolidate the AOC overhead positions into the new appropriation established by the Congress entitled `General Administration'. This measure has provided a better opportunity to review the various components of the administrative staff and to make recommendations for improvements. Further, it has resulted in a cleaner separation of the accounts to allow for better management of the jurisdictional appropriations.
A review of this account indicates that certain groups who are assigned to this General Administration appropriation are more appropriately assigned to the field. The Committee is also concerned with the rate of growth in AOC administrative areas. The Architect is directed to conduct an in-depth analysis of all administrative positions to ensure that the positions are required to conduct business, that they are aligned to the AOC strategic plan, and that they are accurately assigned. This analysis should be made in conjunction with the superintendent's administrative staffs to eliminate duplication.
In conjunction with this review, the Architect is directed to provide a separate study on the feasibility of the implementation of a cost accounting system that will allow charging jurisdictions for overhead services as well as track costs. Additionally, the system should allow accounting for multiple charges of funding and FTE's to various accounts that are common characteristics of temporary projects and service employees. The Architect will provide to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the Senate the analysis of General Administration positions and the study of the cost accounting system within 180 days of enactment of the bill.
The Committee commends the Architect's efforts to improve the AOC administrative systems. There has been great strides achieved with improvements to the financial management systems and it anticipated that the same improvements will be realized with the personnel and payroll systems. The Committee is pleased with the Architect's success in establishing the AOC staffing document and trusts that the document will be maintained and observed as a critical tool in position management. Likewise, the Committee appreciates the submission of the resulting report on AOC positions in a detailed and timely fashion. The AOC Budget Office is to be commended on coordinating this monumental task. The Committee believes that the reports should be readily available through the personnel and payroll systems and that this function could be fully automated and directs the Architect to provide the appropriate personnel and financial support within existing resources to accomplish this task.
The Committee recognizes the efforts of the AOC to improve on the tracking and management of FTE's. It is understood that complexities of executing projects arise from the wide range of available sources to accomplish the work including contractual services; permanent in-house labor; and temporary labor (both federal wage system and Davis Bacon Act), plus the added dimensions of multiple funding sources and jurisdictions. However, the Committee believes there is room for improvement and the Architect's administrative office should investigate options to better forecast and budget for FTE's and is directed to conduct a study addressing this issue to be provided to the Committee within 120 days of enactment of the bill.
The Committee provides relief from the fiscal year 2004 FTE ceiling for delivery of projects under the condition that the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate be notified prior to any increase in the FTE ceiling.
Capitol Visitor Center.--The Committee has expressed concern and is still concerned over the management of the Capitol Visitor Center Project. We are troubled by the lack of timely communication, receipt of conflicting information, and inadequate and inaccurate reporting on project and financial status. Commonly held project management practices, such as tracking cost-to-complete, have not been used. Requests for obligation authority and reprogramming actions have been received too late to allow the Committee sufficient time to exercise its oversight role without jeopardizing schedules and cost. Given these conditions, the Committee has serious reservations about providing additional funding under the control of the Architect given the track record of the Architect's organization and inability to manage. The Architect, personally, must take immediate action to remedy this situation and put in place the requisite management oversight and get control over this project. The Committee wants it clearly understood that the Architect of the Capitol has no higher priority than to ensure, without a doubt, to the Committee and the Congress the completion of the CVC without delay and in a fiscally responsible manner.
Temporary Workers.--Section 133 of the Legislative Appropriations Act, 2002, generally prohibits the Architect of the Capitol from employing temporary workers for long periods without providing his workers with eligibility for employee benefits. Section 133 became law on November 12, 2001, and the Committee has been consistently disappointed in the non-constructive manner in which the Architect has approached the implementation of the provision.
Specifically, the Architect has to date refused to recognize that Section 133 facilitates the provision of employee benefits through employer contributions made directly to private-sector benefit plans on behalf of temporary workers under collective bargaining agreements. The Committee considers the Architect's position on this point to be unjustified and unacceptable. The Committee wishes to emphasize that Section 133 gives the Architect flexibility to provide eligibility for benefits from a variety of appropriate sources, such as the federal sector, or other sources by making employer contributions directly to fringe benefit funds in the same manner as private-sector employers. This common sense approach to accommodate the goal articulated by Section 133 allows the Architect to tailor compliance with the law in numerous different ways that reflect the diverse needs of the Architect and its temporary workforce.
At the Committee's request, the General Accounting Office has reviewed Section 133 and determined that the law provides the Architect with all the authority needed to implement Section 133 as the committee intends. The Committee expects the Architect to implement Section 133 properly without further delay.
Alternate Computer Facility.--The Committee has denied the request of $61,000,000 to purchase the alternate computer facility in fiscal year 2004. To date, the legislative branch is only occupying 167,000 gross square feet of a total 335,000 square feet in two buildings. The Architect of the Capitol is directed to report to the Committee by August 15, 2003 on the intended use of this space.
A summary of the appropriations recommended follows:
| Architect of the Capitol (Excluding Senate) | |
| Item | Amount |
| Architect of the Capitol: | |
| General Administration | $84,513,000 |
| Capitol building | 23,307,000 |
| Capitol grounds | 6,886,000 |
| House office buildings | 54,564,000 |
| Capitol Power Plant | 81,543,000 |
| Library buildings and grounds | 34,750,000 |
| Capitol Police buildings and grounds | 3,308,000 |
| Botanic Garden | 6,062,000 |
| Total | $294,933,000 |
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $58,957,000
2004 budget estimate 158,570,000
Committee recommendation 84,513,000
-------------------------------------
The Committee recommends a total appropriation of $84,513,000 for fiscal year 2004. This amount is $25,556,000 above the amount provided in fiscal year 2003 and is $74,057,000 below the budget request. This account provides funds for personal services, equipment, communications, and other central support activities of the Architect of the Capitol.
Items related to the Senate in this account have not been funded.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating budget and the project budget follows:
GENERAL ADMINISTRATION
[Request versus recommendation]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amount requested Committee recommendation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $39,690,000 $39,690,000
Rent, Communications, Utilities & Travel 8,555,000 8,555,000
Other Services 23,757,000 23,757,000
Supplies 328,000 328,000
Equipment 254,000 254,000
Subtotal, Operating Budget $72,584,000 $72,584,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
Energy Conservation and Management Studies $245,000
AOC Procurement Training Initiative 150,000 150,000
Bucket Truck 75,000 75,000
Flat Bed Truck 44,000 44,000
Conduct Energy Survey of Capitol Complex 1,600,000
Replace High Voltage Switchgear in 9 Buildings 18,672,000 7,460,000
Capitol Complex Master Plan 4,200,000 4,200,000
Alternate Computer Facility 61,000,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $85,986,000 $11,929,000
Total, General Administration $158,570,000 $84,513,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $32,985,000
2004 budget estimate 52,368,000
Committee recommendation 23,307,000
-------------------------------------
A total of $23,307,000 is recommended for the operation and maintenance of the Capitol building during fiscal year 2004. This amount is $9,678,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2003 and is $29,061,000 below the budget request.
Items related to the Senate in this account have not been funded.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating budget and the project budget follows:
CAPITOL BUILDING
[Request versus recommendation]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amountrequested Committeerecommendation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $9,582,000 $9,582,000
Other Services 3,185,000 3,185,000
Supplies 504,000 504,000
Equipment 197,000 166,000
Subtotal, Operating Budget $13,468,000 $13,437,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
ADA Requirements $132,000 $132,000
Elevator/Escalator Modernization Program 750,000 750,000
Replacement of Minton Tile 525,000 525,000
Computer, Telcom & Electrical Support 300,000 300,000
Wayfinding and ADA Signage 130,000 130,000
Bird Control System 170,000 170,000
CVC Operations 891,000
Study, Design and Condition Assessment 630,000 315,000
Minor Construction 5,000,000 2,500,000
U.S. Capitol Master Plan Phase 2 26,500,000 1,176,000
Improvements in the Rotunda 672,000 672,000
Restore Shutters & Upgrade Window Lighting 400,000 400,000
Presidential Inaugural Stands 2,800,000 2,800,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $38,900,000 $9,870,000
Total, Capitol Building $52,368,000 $23,307,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $8,302,000
2004 budget estimate 6,986,000
Committee recommendation 6,886,000
------------------------------------
The appropriation of $6,886,000 is recommended for the care and improvement of the grounds surrounding the Capitol, the Senate and House office buildings, and the Capitol power plant. This amount is a decrease of $1,416,000 below the request.
Items related to the Senate in this account have not been funded.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating budget and the project budget follows:
CAPITOL GROUNDS
[Request versus recommendation]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amountrequested Committeerecommendation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $4,539,000 $4,539,000
Other Services 1,430,000 1,430,000
Supplies 192,000 192,000
Equipment 140,000 140,000
Subtotal, Operating Budget $6,301,000 $6,301,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
Renovation Former D.C. Street Lights $435,000 $435,000
Wayfinding and ADA-Compliant Signage 100,000 100,000
Study, Design and Condition Assessment 150,000 50,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $685,000 $585,000
Total, Capitol Grounds $6,986,000 $6,886,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $60,564,000
2004 budget estimate 66,779,000
Committee recommendation 54,564,000
-------------------------------------
For House office buildings $54,564,000 has been provided. This amount is a decrease of $6,000,000 below the current fiscal year and is $12,215,000 below the request.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating budget and the project budget follows:
HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS
[Request versus recommendation]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amount requested Committee recommendation
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $29,371,000 $29,371,000
Other Services 3,989,000 3,989,000
Supplies 1,329,000 1,329,000
Equipment 257,000 257,000
Subtotal, Operating Budget $34,946,000 $34,946,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
Major Elevator Equipment Improvements $120,000 $120,000
Elevator Modernization Program, FHOB 9,460,000 6,800,000
Minor Construction 5,000,000 3,000,000
Study, Design and Condition Assessment 5,000,000 1,000,000
Sound Improvements, Committee Rooms 240,000 240,000
Wayfinding and ADA Compliant Signage 407,000 407,000
Upgrade Public Restrooms 3,000,000 1,500,000
Upgrade Data Center 4,323,000 4,323,000
Extend Sprinkler Systems 2,055,000
Escalator Modernization 1,617,000 1,617,000
Replace Halon System 611,000 611,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $31,833,000 $19,618,000
Total, House Office Buildings $66,779,000 $54,564,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $124,300,000
2004 budget estimate 102,157,000
Committee recommendation 81,543,000
--------------------------------------
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $81,543,000 for the Capitol power plant for fiscal year 2004, plus offsetting collections of $4,400,000. This is a decrease of $42,757,000 below the amount provided in fiscal year 2003 and $20,614,000 below the budget request.
The Committee recognizes the requirement to install a state of the art control system at the Capitol Power Plant (CPP) to provide for more accurate and remote monitoring of the plant. This will increase the safety of the plants operations. It is incumbent on the Architect of the Capitol to ensure that an expenditure of $6.5 million dollars on the control system yields significant value to the Congress and the taxpayers. Accordingly, the Committee expects to see future budget submissions for the CPP reflecting a reduction of 2 to 4 permanent FTE's from the current authorized staffing level.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating budget and the project budget follows:
CAPITOL POWER PLANT
[Request versus recommendation]
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amount requested Committee recommendation
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $6,810,000 $6,810,000
Rent, Communications, Utilities & Travel 33,698,000 33,698,000
Other Services 2,412,000 2,412,000
Supplies 6,271,000 6,271,000
Reimbursement (4,400,000) (4,400,000)
Subtotal, Operating Budget $44,791,000 $44,791,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
Upgrade CAD Drawings for CPP 85,000
Emergency Shoring and Repairs to Tunnels 100,000 100,000
Repair South Capitol Street Steam Line 711,000 711,000
West Refrigeration Plant Expansion 40,800,000 22,021,000
Study, Design, and Condition Assessment 2,380,000 630,000
Replace Utility Tunnel Expansion Joints 440,000 440,000
Replace Stokers, Boilers 1&2 1,200,000 1,200,000
Install Emergency Egress, Tunnel Access 350,000 350,000
Install Oil Storage Tanks 4,200,000 4,200,000
Installation of Distributed Control System 6,500,000 6,500,000
Intrinsic Health Monitoring System 600,000 600,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $57,366,000 $36,752,000
Total, Capitol Power Plant $102,157,000 $81,543,000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $37,277,000
2004 budget estimate 47,108,000
Committee recommendation 34,750,000
-------------------------------------
For Library building and grounds $34,750,000 has been provided. This amount is a decrease of $2,527,000 below the current fiscal year and is $12,358,000 below the request.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating budget and the project budget follows:
LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
[Request versus recommendation]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amount requested Committee recommendation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $9,883,000 $9,883,000
Other Services 2,509,000 2,509,000
Supplies 585,000 585,000
Equipment 193,000 193,000
Land and Structures 65,000 65,000
Subtotal, Operating Budget $13,235,000 $13,235,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
ADA Requirements 100,000 100,000
Preservation Environmental Monitoring 100,000 100,000
Restore Decorative Painting 110,000 110,000
Replace Sidewalks, JAB & TJB 100,000 100,000
Book Storage Facility, Ft. Meade Support 580,000 580,000
Replace Partition Supports, JMMB 300,000 300,000
Replace Compact Stack Safety, JMMB 600,000 600,000
Repair Deteriorated Wood Panels 190,000 190,000
Painting of Interior Arches, TJB 170,000 170,000
Culpeper Support 1,263,000 1,263,000
Fire Extinguishers 75,000 75,000
Fire Safety Project Management 250,000 250,000
Repair Life Safety Deficiencies 800,000 800,000
Minor Construction 2,500,000 1,500,000
Replace Halon Fire Suppression System 1,997,000 1,997,000
Extend/Upgrade Fire Alarm 504,000 504,000
ADA Modification, Pickford Theater 424,000 424,000
ADA Modifications, SW Entrance, JMMB 1,280,000 1,280,000
Collection Security 1,713,000 857,000
Landscaping, Ft. Meade 1,400,000 250,000
Elevator Modernization 1,342,000 1,342,000
Remove 4 Escalators, JMMB 1,370,000
Water Tank, Ft. Meade 4,103,000 4,103,000
Study, Design, and Condition Assessment 12,602,000 4,620,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $33,873,000 $21,515,000
Total, Library Buildings and Grounds $47,108,000 $34,750,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $63,885,000
2004 budget estimate 2,970,000
Committee recommendation 3,308,000
-------------------------------------
For Capitol police buildings and grounds $3,308,000 has been provided. This amount is a decrease of $60,577,000 below the current fiscal year.
A tabulation of the increases in the annual operating budget and the project budget follows:
CAPITOL POLICE BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS
[Request versus recommendation]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amount requested Committee recommendation
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $338,000
Rent, Communications, & Utilities $400,000 400,000
Other Services 175,000 175,000
Subtotal, Operating Budget $575,000 $913,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
Replace Ceiling Tiles $320,000 $320,000
Study, Design, and Condition Assessment 500,000 500,000
Minor Construction 1,000,000 1,000,000
CPHQ Elevator Modernization 575,000 575,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $2,395,000 $2,395,000
Total, Capitol Police Buildings and Grounds $2,970,000 $3,308,000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------
------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $6,063,000
2004 budget estimate 10,919,000
Committee recommendation 6,062,000
------------------------------------
The amount recommended for the Botanic Garden is $6,062,000. This amount is $4,857,000 below the budget request.
The following tabulation summarizes the recommendations:
BOTANIC GARDEN
[Request versus recommendation]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item Amount requested Committee recommendation
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fiscal Year 2004 Operating Budget
Personal Services $3,889,000 $3,889,000
Rent, Communications, Utilities & Travel 7,000 7,000
Other Services 1,138,000 1,138,000
Supplies 401,000 401,000
Equipment 60,000 60,000
Subtotal, Operating Budget $5,495,000 $5,495,000
Fiscal Year 2004 Project Budget
CAFM Data Capture (Bartholdi Project) $50,000 $50,000
Minor Construction 400,000
Damper Control, D.C. Village 100,000 100,000
Environmental Control System Replacement 100,000 100,000
Conservatory Electronics Systems 90,000 90,000
West Gallery Exhibit 202,000 202,000
Bartholdi Park and Fountain 4,280,000
Study, Design and Condition Assessment 202,000 25,000
Subtotal, Project Budget $5,424,000 $567,000
Total, Botanic Garden $10,919,000 $6,062,000
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Section 1101 provides authority for the Architect to provide benefits for temporary employees.
The Committee recommends appropriations totaling $522,592,000 for the operations of the Library of Congress for fiscal year 2004. The following table summarizes the allocation of funds by appropriation account:
| Library of Congress | |
| Item | Amount |
| Fiscal year 2004: | |
| Salaries and expenses | $359,670,000 |
| Copyright Office | 17,626,000 |
| Congressional Research Service | 93,590,000 |
| Books for the blind and physically handicapped | 51,706,000 |
| Total | $522,592,000 |
The Library also receives funds from other appropriations and sources estimated to total $193,223,000 for fiscal year 2004 including $34,750,000 appropriated to the Architect of the Capitol for the structural and mechanical care of the Library buildings. The remainder consists of receipts from copyright fees and the sale of catalog records and publications, income from gift and trust funds, and reimbursements for services performed for other Government agencies. Thus, a total of $715,815,000 from all sources will be available to the Library during the next fiscal year. The balance is general government or public service in nature, such as the Copyright Office, the National Library Service, the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK), and the many services conducted for the Nation's libraries.
The appropriations in the bill for all Library programs will finance the level of full time equivalent positions currently projected for fiscal year 2004, now estimated by the Library of Congress at 4,300. In addition, there are several hundred other positions financed through reimbursable and gift and trust fund programs.
A breakdown by source and amount of funding follows:
| Total resources, Library of Congress, 2004 | |
| Item | Amount |
| Appropriations: | |
| Library (direct) | $522,592,000 |
| Architect of the Capitol, Library buildings and grounds | 34,750,000 |
| Total appropriations (in bill) | $557,342,000 |
| Receipts from copyright fees, sale of catalog records and publications, and sponsors of international legal database | $36,514,000 |
| Gift, trust and revolving funds | $120,895,000 |
| Reimbursement for services performed | $1,064,000 |
| Total | $715,815,000 |
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $354,794,000
2004 budget estimate 373,536,000
Committee recommendation 359,670,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts) (6,850,000)
Total available $366,520,000
-------------------------------------------------
The sum of $359,670,000, plus $6,850,000 in offsetting receipts, is recommended for salaries and expenses, which is the basic appropriation for the operation of Library programs, an increase of $4,876,000 above the current level and a decrease of $13,866,000 below the request. This level of funding provides for 2,913 FTE's, including all associated mandatory costs.
The Committee has provided $11,060,000 and 8 additional FTE's for the National Audio-Visual Conservation Center (NAVCC) in Culpeper, Virginia. The NAVCC will be a state-of-the-art conservation center that will consolidate and integrate the Motion Picture, Broadcasting and Recorded Sound administrative, acquisitions, processing, storage, preservation, laboratory transfer and reformatting activities in one central facility. This facility once completed, with funding provided primarily by the Packard Humanities Institute, for the first time will allow the Library of Congress to consolidate all its audio-visual collections in a single centralized storage facility sufficient to house collection growth for the next 25 years.
The Librarian of Congress is directed to work with the Superintendent of the District of Columbia Public Schools in developing an interagency agreement or memorandum of understanding that will make available, on a priority basis, books and periodicals within the Library's Surplus Book Program to the District of Columbia Public School System.
-------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $9,499,000
2004 budget request 18,626,000
Committee recommendation 17,626,000
(Plus: Authority to spend receipts) (29,664,000)
Total available $47,290,000
-------------------------------------------------
Salaries and expenses- The Committee recommends an appropriation of $17,626,000, plus authority to spend $29,664,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office. The total available in this recommendation is $8,127,000 above the amount provided in the current fiscal year and is $1,000,000 below the request. This level of funding provides 530 FTE's.
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $88,250,000
2004 budget estimate 96,267,000
Committee recommendation 93,590,000
-------------------------------------
Salaries and expenses- The Committee recommends $93,590,000. This amount is $5,340,000 above the current year and is $2,677,000 below the request and will fully fund 729 FTE's.
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $50,632,000
2004 budget estimate 51,706,000
Committee recommendation 51,706,000
-------------------------------------
Salaries and expenses- A total of $51,706,000 is recommended for the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, an increase of $1,074,000 over the amount provided in fiscal year 2003.
The Committee has included two administrative provisions. Section 1201 provides for expenses related to official representation and the incentive awards program. Section 1202 provides obligational authority for various Library programs.
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $89,557,000
2004 budget estimate 91,111,000
Committee recommendation 91,111,000
-------------------------------------
The Committee has included an appropriation of $91,111,000 for printing and binding of congressional documents at the Government Printing Office for use by Congress.
A comparative summary of the recommendation by category of work follows:
CONGRESSIONAL PRINTING AND BINDING
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Appropriation 2003 Requested 2004 Recommended 2004
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Congressional Record program $19,417,000 $20,823,000
Miscellaneous publications 5,643,000 5,696,000
Miscellaneous printing and binding 16,815,000 18,344,000
Details to Congress 2,322,000 2,430,000
Document envelopes and document franks 952,000 1,121,000
Business and committee calendars 2,300,000 2,880,000
Bills, resolutions, and amendments 8,051,000 9,546,000
Committee reports 2,769,000 3,108,000
Documents 3,055,000 3,264,000
Hearings 19,894,000 22,011,000
Committee prints 2,464,000 1,888,000
Funding for 2001 orders 5,875,000
Total $89,557,000 $91,111,000 $91,111,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $29,468,000
2004 budget estimate 34,456,000
Committee recommendation 34,456,000
-------------------------------------
The Committee recommends the appropriation of $34,456,000 for the salaries and expenses of the Superintendent of Documents, a part of the Government Printing Office. This amount is $4,988,000 above the fiscal year 2003 level and is the same as the budget request.
The Committee has provided $4.1 million dollars to the Superintendent of Documents to replace obsolete technology and upgrade search and retrieval systems that are nearly a decade old.
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation
2004 budget estimate $10,000,000
Committee recommendation 5,000,000
-------------------------------------
Revolving fund- The Committee recommendation provides $5,000,000 to the revolving fund to be used as working capital to begin the restructure of the workforce and GPO operations. The bill includes the usual language authorizing the operation of the revolving fund, authority to hire or purchase automobiles, advisory councils, and consultants. The limit on full-time equivalent employment has been set at 3,189.
--------------------------------------
--------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $453,031,000
2004 budget estimate 466,621,000
Committee recommendation 458,533,000
Offsetting collections (6,006,000)
Total available 464,539,000
--------------------------------------
The Committee has provided $458,539,000 in direct appropriations for the General Accounting Office, plus $6,006,000 in offsetting collections derived from reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government corporations and rental of space in the GAO building. This funding provides for 3,269 FTE's.
The Committee directs that the GAO allocate within existing resources funding that will permit three technology assessment studies that will be of relevance to the Congress's work in the upcoming fiscal year.
The Committee has included an administrative provision Section 1301 that provides for reimbursement to the GAO from the Securities and Exchange Commission for audit work and financial statements of the Commission.
-------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
2003 appropriation $12,915,000
2004 budget estimate 14,815,000
Committee recommendation 13,000,000
-------------------------------------
The Committee has provided $13,000,000 for payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund. This amount is $1,815,000 below the request and is the same amount that was provided to the Russian Leadership Development Center Trust Fund, the former name of the Open World Center.
The Committee acknowledges the accomplishments the Russian Leadership Development Center has made towards advancing the understanding of social, economical and political processes of the United States to emerging political leaders of the former Soviet Union. The Committee encourages the Open World Center to continue the fine work of the Russian Leadership Center.
The customary language regarding emergency assistance for vehicles, positions and allowances, consulting services, the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council and for the Architect to maintain and landscape areas on Washington Avenue SW (Sections 201-207). The Committee has also included section 208, which prohibits funds in this Act from being transferred except as provided in this Act or any other appropriation Act. Section 209 provides for legislative branch entities that are members of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board to pay an appropriate share of the Board's cost.
Clause 3(d)(1) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives states that:
Each report of a committee on a bill or joint resolution of a public character shall include a statement citing the specific powers granted to the Congress in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint resolution.
The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to report this legislation on Clause 7 of Section 9 of Article I of the Constitution of the United States of America, which states:
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury but in consequence of Appropriations made by law. * * *
Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to this specific power granted by the Constitution.
Clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives requires an explanation of compliance with section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344), as amended, which requires that the report accompanying a bill providing new budget authority contain a statement detailing how that authority compares with the reports submitted under section 302 of the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution on the budget for the fiscal year from the Committee's section 302(b) allocation.
This information follows:
[In millions of dollars]
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec. 302(b) This bill--
Budget authority Outlays Budget authority Outlays
------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary $2,700 $2,880 $2,700 1 $2,859
Mandatory 89 89 89 89
Total $2,789 $2,969 $2,789 $2,948
------------------------------------------------------------------
In compliance with section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344), as amended, the following table contains five-year projections associated with the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill:
| Five-Year Projection of Outlays | |
| Millions | |
| Outlays: | |
| 2004 | 1 2,263 |
| 2005 | 284 |
| 2006 | 95 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 1 Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. |
In accordance with section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344), as amended, the financial assistance to State and local governments is as follows:
The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and local assistance programs.
Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in Congressional printing and binding, the Superintendent of Documents, and the Capitol Police programs.
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.
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill:
There are no rescissions recommended in the bill.
Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1), of rule XIII of the House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill which directly or indirectly change the application of existing law:
1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items remain available for more than one year where programs or projects are continuing in nature under the provisions of authorizing legislation but for which that legislation does not specifically authorize such extended availability. Most of these items have been carried in previous appropriation bills. This authority tends to result in savings by removing the incentive to commit funds at the end of the fiscal year.
2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place limitations on, or which authorize or reauthorize, the use of funds in the bill, or change or extend existing limitations, appropriations, or authorizations, and which under some circumstances might be construed as changing the application of existing law.
3. There is language that allows reimbursement for service to be used by the servicing entity.
4. The bill continues the practice of providing official reception and representation allowances for officers and offices of the legislative branch.
5. The bill authorizes expenses for employee awards, such as certificates or plaques and related ceremonial presentations, by certain agencies.
6. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt reduction.
7. There is language under `Capitol Police, General Expenses' authorizing advance payments for travel by Capitol Police personnel for training or other purposes, expenses associated with the relocation of liaison or instructor personnel from the Capitol Police force to and from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, and for the costs of basic training of police personnel.
8. The bill authorizes the transfer of funds within `Capitol Police, Salaries' and `Capitol Police, General Expenses', subject to approval.
9. There is language under `Capitol Power Plant', Architect of the Capitol, allowing reimbursements for chilled water and steam provided to the Government Printing Office, the Washington City Post Office, the Supreme Court, the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, Union Station Complex and the Folger Shakespeare Library to be credited to this appropriation and made available for obligation.
10. There is language under `Congressional Research Service' which prohibits the publication of material unless approved by the appropriate committees.
11. There is language under `Congressional printing and binding' restricting the use of funds appropriated to the Government Printing Office for the permanent edition of the Congressional Record for individual Representatives and Senators, Resident Commissioners, or Delegates, and language providing that appropriations recommended shall be available for the payment of obligations incurred under appropriations for similar purposes for preceding fiscal years, primarily due to the unpredictability of the volume of work generated by the Congress, limiting the printing of certain documents to a time certain, and authorizing the transfer of unobligated balances.
12. Authorization of appropriations for Congressional printing and binding is included.
13. There is authority to expend funds collected under the authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and for international legal information, the balance to remain available until expended.
14. There is language authorizing the temporary transfer of funds under the heading `Library of Congress, Salaries and Expenses'.
15. There is language under `Salaries and Expenses', Office of Superintendent of Documents, which authorizes the use of current appropriations to pay for printing certain publications in prior years for the depository library program. There is language authorizing the transfer of unexpended balances.
16. There is language authorizing the operation of the GPO revolving fund, and which authorizes travel expenses for advisory councils.
17. The bill includes a limitation on GPO employment of not more than 3,189 full-time equivalent work years.
18. There is language relating to the General Accounting Office authorizing the direct procurement of expert and consultant services under 5 U.S.C. 3109, at certain rates; authorizing the hire of one passenger motor vehicle, as required by 31 U.S.C. 1343; authorizing the General Accounting Office to make advance payments in foreign countries in accordance with 31 U.S.C. 3324; and to provide certain benefits, including rental of living quarters in foreign countries; appropriations are authorized for administrative expenses of any other member department or agency to finance an appropriate share of the costs of the American Consortium on International Public Administration (ACIPA), and the National Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional Intergovernmental Audit Forum. The ACIPA language satisfies the requirements of P.L. 100-202.
19. The bill provides benefits to temporary employees of the Architect of the Capital.
20. In Section 201, there is language prohibiting the use of funds in the Act for the maintenance or care of private vehicles except for emergency assistance and cleaning as may be provided under regulations relating to parking facilities for the House issued by the Committee on House Administration and for the Senate by the Committee on Rules and Administration.
21. Section 203 provides that whenever any office or position not specifically established by the Legislative Pay Act of 1929 is appropriated for herein or whenever the rate of compensation or designation of any position appropriated for herein is different from that specifically established for such position by such Act, the rate of compensation and the designation of the position, or either, appropriated for or provided herein, shall be the permanent law with respect thereto: Provided that the provisions herein for the various items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees of the Senate and House, and clerk hire for Senators and Members shall be the permanent law with respect thereto.
22. Section 204 requires that certain information regarding consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
23. Section 206 authorizes legislative branch entities to share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council.
24. Section 207 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to maintain certain property.
25. Section 208 prohibits funds in this Act from being transferred except as provided in this Act or any other Appropriation Act.
26. Section 209 provides for legislative branch entities that are members of the Federal Accounting Standards Board to pay an appropriate share of the Board's cost.
There are no changes in existing law carried in this bill.
Clause 3(f)(1), Rule XIII requires a table of all appropriations in the bill that are not authorized by law. Appropriations included in this bill have been previously authorized by law.
COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY FOR 2003 AND BUDGET ESTIMATES FOR 2004 PERMANENT NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY--TRUST FUNDS
[Becomes available automatically under earlier, or `permanent' law without further, or annual, action by the Congress. Thus, these amounts are not included in the accompanying bill. All amounts are in the form of `appropriations' unless otherwise indicated]
[In millions of dollars]
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Agency and item New budget (obligational) authority, 2003 1 Budget estimate of new (obligational) authority, 2004 1 Increase (+) or decrease (-)
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Library of Congress:
Gift and trust fund accounts $17 $16 -1
Cooperative Acquisitions Revolving Fund 3 3
Gift Shop, Decimal Classification, Photoduplication, and Related Services 7 7
Duplication Services 1 2 +1
Fedlink Program and Federal Research Program 93 93
U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission: Trust funds 5 1 -4
Architect of the Capitol, Botanic Garden: Gifts and donations 2 2
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development: Trust funds 3 3
Total, Trust funds $131 $127 -$4
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PERMANENT NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) AUTHORITY--FEDERAL FUNDS
[Becomes available automatically under earlier, or `permanent' law without further, or annual, action by the Congress. Thus, these amounts are not included in the accompanying bill. All amounts are in the form of `appropriations' unless otherwise indicated]
[In millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency and item New budget (obligational) authority, 2003 1 Budget estimate of new (obligational) authority, 2004 1 Increase (+) or decrease (-)
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House of Representatives:
Congressional use of foreign currency $6 $6
International conferences and contingencies: House and Senate expenses 1 1
Compensation of Members and related administrative expenses 86 86
Library of Congress: Payments to copyright owners (indefinite, special fund) 219 234 +15
Total, Federal funds $312 $327 +$15
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