Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1696589570998.pdf (United States)
Legislative Branch The fiscal year 2023 Legislative Branch funding bill provides $6.9 billion, which is $975 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted levels, an increase of 16.5 percent.

The legislation: • Increases funding for the Members Representational Allowance – the operating budget for Congressional offices – to help recruit and retain a talented and diverse staff.

• Supports working families by expanding existing authorities and allowing the House to establish a childcare subsidy program.
• Keeps Members safe by continuing the House Sergeant at Arms District Office and Residential Security Programs.

• Supports staff recruitment and retention efforts by expanding current authorities • • and providing educational assistance and professional development while working.

Invests in our future by expanding internship opportunities and providing a livable wage for House interns, growing opportunities for working and middle- class families.
Invests in the Legislative Branch of Government by providing the necessary increases to support staff, modernize information technology, and provide other resources Congress needs to do its job well.

• Secures the Capitol with substantial investments in our Capitol Complex for the safety of its Members, staff, and visitors.
• Supports the Police by increasing funding to hire additional officers, increasing Dignitary Protection Services, providing retention bonuses, improving training, and bolstering wellness support for the Capitol Police.
Bill Summary: House of Representatives – The bill provides a total of $1.85 billion in discretionary appropriations for the House of Representatives, an increase of $132.6 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level and includes: • $810 million for the Members Representational Allowance (MRA), the basic office budgets of House Members, an increase of $35.6 million above the fiscal year 2022 level.

Provides for a 4.6% increase to the Clerk-hire portion of the MRA formula.
• $24.3 million in funding for paid interns for Member, Leadership, and Committee offices, an increase of $6.1 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.

Helps expand internship opportunities for all socioeconomic backgrounds.

Funding at this level will provide $46,800 per Member office for interns, an increase of $11,800 per Member to support paying livable wages to interns.

The bill also provides resources to establish a House Intern Resource Office.
• Expands authorities of the House Student Loan Repayment Program to cover educational assistance and professional development courses while working.

• Expands existing authorities to the House of Representatives and allow for the development of a childcare subsidy program for staff.

• Establishes a House Intern Resource Office headed by the House Chief Administrative Officer.
• $324 million 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 (CAO), Parliamentarian, and Legislative Counsel, among others.

This in an increase of $35.6 million above the fiscal year 2022 level.
Within this funding, o $38.8 million is provided for the Sergeant at Arms, $11 million above the fiscal year 2022 level, which includes $2.7 million for the District Office Security Program and $4.7 for the Residential Security Program.

• $36.6 million for the offices of the Majority and Minority Leadership, an increase of $1.6 million above the fiscal year 2022 level.

• $211.8 million for the operations of House committees, an increase of $14.9 million above the fiscal year 2022 level.
• $9.7 million for the Green and Gold Congressional Aide program, formerly known as the Wounded Warrior and Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Programs.

• $10 million for the House Modernization Initiatives Account, an increase of $8 million above the fiscal year 2022 level, to make Congress more effective, efficient, and transparent on behalf of the American people.
Other Agencies • $1.3 billion in discretionary appropriations for the Architect of the Capitol, an increase of $541 million above the fiscal year 2022 level (including funding for the Senate Office Buildings).
This includes: o $402.9 million, an increase of $340.5 million, for the Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security supporting significant enhancements to the physical security of the Capitol Complex as a result of the security recommendations made after January 6th, 2021. o $51 million for the Library’s Module 7 storage project.

o $40.6 million for the Cannon Restoration Project.
• $734.6 million in discretionary appropriations for the United States Capitol Police (USCP), an increase of $132 million above the fiscal year 2023 level which includes $9.5 million to enhance Member protections and security against continued threats.

The bill includes: o The hiring of up to 2,126 sworn officers and 567 civilian members of the Capitol Police.
o Resources to fulfill security recommendations as suggested by the Government Accountability Office and the Office of Inspector General after the January 6th attack on the Capitol.

o Resources for the pilot of a Body Worn Camera Program.

o Continued work on de-escalation and racial bias training.

• $790.3 million in discretionary appropriations for the Government Accountability Office (GAO), an increase of $71 million above the fiscal year 2022 level.
This level of funding would support 3,500 FTEs which continues the focus on building science, technology and cybersecurity expertise while filling critical gaps.

In addition, the bill includes resources to support oversight work associated with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the community projects included in the omnibus.
• $828.5 million in discretionary appropriations for the Library of Congress, an increase of $34.5 million above the fiscal year 2022 level, for the Library of Congress, including the Copyright Office, Congressional Research Service, and National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled.
This funding level will allow continued progress on urgent information technology needs and on modernization of systems for copyright registration and recordation and support ongoing Library initiatives such as the Veterans’ History Project.

In addition, this level of funding establishes new projects such as the Lewis- Houghton Civics and Democracy Initiative and the COVID–19 American History Project.
• $129.9 million in discretionary appropriations for the Government Publishing Office, an increase of $5.6 million above the fiscal year 2022 level.

This funding allows for the publishing of Congressional information in both digital and print formats.

• $63.2 million for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), an increase of $2.3 million above the fiscal year 2022 level.
• $8 million for the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, an increase of $500,000 above the fiscal year 2022 level to fulfill the Office’s responsibilities to implement the Congressional Accountability Reform Act and to assist with recent staff unionization efforts.

• $1.150 billion for the Senate, an increase of $55.5 million above the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.
o The bill includes a provision establishing the McCain-Mansfield and SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowships Program.

This program will mirror the House Green and Gold Congressional Aide Program.

• $6 million for Congressional Office of International Leadership, funded at the request and level with the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.

• $430,000 included for the John C. Stennis Center, funded at the request and level with the fiscal year 2022 enacted level.
• $5 million in additional funding for the Office of the Attending Physician to continue its Capitol Health and Safety program.

Noteworthy Actions: • Member Security – The bill invests in Member security initiatives including residential security for both House and Senate Members, district office security, and increasing Dignitary Protection Division agents enforcement.
• Capitol Complex Security Program – This bill enhances the physical security of the Capitol Complex as a result of recommendations from January 6th.

• Body Cam Pilot Program – The bill includes language to start a body cam pilot program for Capitol Police officers on the Capitol Complex, increasing transparency and officer safety.

• House Interns – This bill provides the necessary resources to allow for House interns to be paid at a “livable wage”.
• House Childcare Subsidy – This bill expands authorities to the House of Representatives and allow for the development of a childcare subsidy program for staff.