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[House Report 115-696]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

115th Congress }                                          { REPORT
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
  2d Session   }                                          { 115-696

======================================================================
 
              LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2019

                                _______
                                

  May 21, 2018.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

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

                              R E P O R T

                             together with

                            ADDITIONAL VIEWS

                        [To accompany H.R. 5894]

    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, 2019, and for other purposes.

                        INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT

                                                            Page Number

                                                            Bill Report
Highlights of Bill.........................................
                                                                      2
Title I--Legislative Branch Appropriations.................     2
                                                                      3
        House of Representatives...........................     2
                                                                      3
        Joint Items:                                           10
                                                                      7
                Joint Economic Committee...................    10
                                                                      7
                Joint Committee on Taxation................    11
                                                                      7
                Office of the Attending Physician..........    11
                                                                      8
                Office of Congressional Accessibility 
                    Services...............................    12
                                                                      8
        Capitol Police.....................................    12
                                                                      8
        Office of Compliance...............................    13
                                                                      9
        Congressional Budget Office........................    14
                                                                     10
        Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office 
            Buildings).....................................    14
                                                                     11
        Library of Congress................................    24
                                                                     16
        Government Publishing Office.......................    29
                                                                     20
        Government Accountability Office...................    33
                                                                     22
        Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund............    35
                                                                     23
        John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training 
            and Development................................    35
                                                                     23
Title II--General Provisions...............................    36
                                                                     23
Bill-wide Reporting Requirements...........................
                                                                     23
Additional Views...........................................
                                                                     47

                         HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL

    The Committee recommends $3,811,132,960 in discretionary 
resources for operations of the Legislative Branch of 
government (excluding Senate items). The fiscal year 2019 
recommendation is $132,678,541 above the current fiscal year 
level and $94,017,832 below the budget request.
    Conforming to longstanding practice under which each body 
of Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and 
the other concurs without intervention, funds for the Senate 
are not included in the bill as reported to the House. The 
budget request for the Senate for fiscal year 2019 including 
those under the Architect of the Capitol totals $1,068,867,040.
    This bill reflects a continued acknowledgment that the 
Legislative Branch must set itself as an example for fiscal 
restraint while continuing to serve the Nation. This bill will 
require strict fiscal discipline on the part of all 
Congressional offices and all agency heads in the Legislative 
Branch.

                    Legislative Branch-Wide Matters

    Reprogramming Guidelines: It is expected that all agencies 
notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House and the 
Senate of any significant departures from budget plans 
presented to the Committees in any agency's budget 
justifications. In particular, agencies funded through this 
bill are required to notify the Committees prior to each 
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 FTEs or funds to create 
new organizational entities within the Agency or to restructure 
entities which already exist. The Committees desire to be 
notified of reprogramming actions which 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 Committee's 
reports are affected.
    Staffing Data in Budget Documents: Legislative branch FTE 
data is not consistently reported across the Legislative Branch 
agencies when submitting their budget justifications. The 
Committee directs the legislative branch agencies to include 
data on FTE levels that would actually be supported by the 
associated request or enacted funding levels. The Committee 
continues to direct the Legislative Branch Financial Managers 
Council to coordinate on a plan for aligning FTE levels with 
the Legislative branch agencies for consistency in reporting.
    Zero Base Budgeting: The Committee continues to direct all 
agencies of the Legislative Branch to develop budget requests 
from a zero base. The Committee believes that this valuable 
budgeting process has given agencies the opportunity to take a 
fresh look at all areas of their operations and make funding 
reductions and alignments within the current budget base. The 
Committee believes that there are continued opportunities to 
realize meaningful savings by carefully reviewing each agency's 
budget requirements from a zero base.
    Committee Requests, Furloughs and Performance Based Merit 
Increases: The Committee directs that adherence to the language 
carried in House Reports 112-148, 112-511 and 113-417 
pertaining to Committee Requests and Furloughs to be continued 
unless otherwise so directed. Performance Based Merit Increases 
are not to exceed the maximum allowable for agencies with a 
certified SES performance appraisal system.
    Data Centers: The Committee understands that Legislative 
Branch Agencies use information technology (IT) infrastructure 
to support critical functions to carry out their statutory 
missions, including functions essential to carrying out the 
constitutional responsibilities of the Legislative Branch.
    IT infrastructure may be located in data centers covering 
several geographic regions or using several types of cloud 
services. Regardless of how such infrastructure is provisioned, 
an agency's IT infrastructure must satisfy the following 
requirements: must meet `concurrently maintainable' 
requirements of data centers certified from the Uptime 
Institute or equivalent certifying authority; must maintain 
continuous operation against an `all hazards' risk evaluation; 
and, must incorporate technical communications capabilities to 
ensure that all necessary IT resources required to support the 
mission of the Legislative Branch can interoperate effectively 
with the House, Senate, and other agencies under `all hazards' 
conditions.

               TITLE I--LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS

                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                         Salaries and Expenses

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................    $1,200,000,766
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................     1,256,972,035
Committee recommendation..............................     1,232,143,035
    Change from enacted level.........................       +32,142,269
    Change from request...............................       -24,829,000
 

    The Committee recommends $1,232,143,035 for salaries and 
expenses of the House of Representatives.

                        House Leadership Offices

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $22,278,891
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        22,278,891
Committee recommendation..............................        25,378,875
    Change from enacted level.........................        +3,099,984
    Change from request...............................        +3,099,984
 

    The Committee recommends $25,378,875 for salaries and 
expenses of staff in House leadership offices.
    Increase reflects amounts previously provided to House 
Leadership Offices under the heading ``Allowances and Expenses, 
Supplies, Materials, Administrative Costs and Federal Tort 
Claims'' have been combined with the associated accounts under 
the heading ``House Leadership Offices''.
    The allocation by office follows:

 
 
 
Office of the Speaker.................................        $7,123,634
Office of the Majority Floor Leader...................         2,642,739
Office of the Majority Whip...........................         2,197,163
Republican Conference.................................         2,186,819
Office of the Minority Floor Leader...................         7,751,946
Office of the Minority Whip...........................         1,700,079
Democratic Caucus.....................................         1,776,495
 

                  Members' Representational Allowances

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $562,632,498
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       573,630,000
Committee recommendation                                     573,630,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +10,997,502
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $573,630,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the Members Representational Allowances. This level 
of funding will allow the MRAs to operate at authorized levels 
as approved by the Committee on House Administration.

                          Committee Employees

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $150,279,373
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       150,016,144
Committee recommendation..............................       151,016,144
    Change from enacted level.........................          +736,771
    Change from request...............................        +1,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $151,016,144 in total for 
Committee Employees.
    This account includes funding for salaries and expenses of 
Committees including equipment, telecommunications, printing, 
contract services, and supplies. Funding is available until 
December 31, 2019.
    This amount makes available $4,000,000 for committee room 
renovations.
    Included in the total is $23,112,971 for the Committee on 
Appropriations.

                   Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................                $0
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................                 0
Committee recommendation..............................           230,000
    Change from enacted level.........................          +230,000
    Change from request...............................          +230,000
 

    The Committee recommends $230,000 for salaries and expenses 
of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission.

                    Salaries, Officers and Employees

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $204,356,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       222,833,000
Committee recommendation..............................       217,845,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +13,489,000
    Change from request...............................        -4,988,000
 

    The Committee recommends $217,845,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of House officers and employees of the various 
activities funded through this consolidated item.
    The following table summarizes the funding allocation 
provided to each component of the account:

 
 
 
Office of the Clerk...................................       $28,305,000
 

    Witness Disclosure Forms: House rules require non-
governmental witnesses appearing before any committee of the 
House to disclose recent grants or contracts from the Federal 
or foreign governments. In implementing this requirement, 
committees are using PDF forms to gather the information. This 
format often results in witnesses' hand writing their 
information on the disclosure forms, sometimes not legible. The 
Committee intends to work with the Committee on House 
Administration to develop and make available to all committees 
a disclosure document in webform to ensure the required 
information is typed and clearly readable.
    Member Bioguide: Currently the only publically available 
structure to the Member Bioguide data is HTML. This presents 
challenges for individuals and outside groups that wish to 
programmatically make use of the information. The Committee is 
aware of and encouraged by the Office of Clerk's efforts to 
publish the Bioguide data in machine readable format. The 
Committee has been informed that the target completion for this 
initiative is December 2018.

 
 
 
Office of the Sergeant At Arms........................       $18,773,000
Office of the Chief Administrative Officer............       147,558,000
 

    House Child Care Center Expansion: The Committee is 
encouraged by the construction progress to date at the new 
House Child Care Center location. While physically expanding 
the Center will reduce the lengthy waitlist and create more 
opportunities for families to utilize the facility, it also 
provides an opportunity to examine and evaluate the operations 
of the Center. The Chief Administrative Officer is encouraged 
to work with the House Child Care Center Advisory Board in 
evaluating current operations and with the expectation any 
recommendations be implemented in conjunction with the full 
physical expansion of the Center.
    CAO Tracking of Metrics: The Committee directs the CAO 
Logistics and Support division (L&S) to identify and create, 
accurately maintain, and report on the operating measures that 
reflect the demand for L&S services, the costs to meet the 
demand (e.g., labor, materials, equipment), the length of time 
to fulfill service request, and the satisfaction of those 
receiving L&S services.
    Food Waste Reduction: The United States Department of 
Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Agency set a joint 
goal of reducing food waste by 50 percent by the year 2030. The 
Committee believes that the House should help to meet this goal 
and, whenever possible, ensure that food waste generated at 
House food services does not end up in a landfill. The 
Committee urges the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to 
explore composting and donation options for House food 
services.
    Healthy Food Options: The Committee requests the CAO ensure 
the House's food offerings include food and nutrition options 
that support healthier choices such as: a variety of fruit and 
vegetable options; whole grain-rich options; plant-based 
proteins; lean protein entrees; more visible access to freely 
available drinking water; and meals, entrees, and sides with 
less sodium.
    Study on House Salaries: Not later than 12 months after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Chief Administrative Officer 
shall contract with an independent external entity to produce 
and submit to the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
Representatives a report that: reviews the salaries and 
benefits of personal office and committee staff in the House of 
Representatives against their Executive branch and private 
sector counterparts to evaluate 1) whether staff receive 
similar pay for similar work, and 2) if there is a disjunction, 
the extent and nature of that disjunction, broken out by job 
responsibilities; and reviews the salaries of personal office 
and committee staff in the House of Representatives to evaluate 
in the aggregate whether 1) men and women with similar job 
responsibilities, experience, and qualifications receive 
similar pay for similar work, and 2) whether people form 
different ethnic or racial groups receive similar pay for 
similar work. This review should focus on personal and 
committee offices.

 
 
 
Office of the Inspector General.......................        $5,019,000
Office of General Counsel.............................         1,502,000
Office of the Parliamentarian.........................         2,026,000
Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House.......         3,327,000
Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House........         9,937,000
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs..................           814,000
Other authorized employees............................           584,000
 

                        Allowances and Expenses

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $260,454,004
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       288,214,000
Committee recommendation..............................       264,043,016
    Change from enacted level.........................        +3,589,012
    Change from request...............................       -24,170,984
 

    The Committee recommends a total of $264,043,016 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           $525,016
 tort claims..........................................
Official mail (committees, administrative, and                   190,000
 leadership offices)..................................
Government Contributions..............................       239,000,000
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery.............        16,186,000
Transition Activities.................................         3,000,000
Wounded Warrior Program...............................         2,750,000
 

    Wounded Warrior Program: The Chief Administrative Officer 
(CAO) managed Wounded Warrior program is one of the House's 
most supported initiatives. The program currently provides 85 
two-year fellowship positions for wounded veterans in 
Congressional offices. The Committee believes that with 
effective management of the program and continued support in 
appropriations, sufficient funding exists to expand the program 
by an additional 25 fellowship positions. The Committee is also 
aware that the CAO is evaluating the program and may be making 
some recommendations as a result. The Committee is interested 
in the CAO's observations of the program and any 
recommendations to improve it. The CAO is directed to present 
any recommendations to the Committee within 90 days of 
enactment.

 
 
 
Office of Congressional Ethics........................        $1,670,000
Miscellaneous items...................................           722,000
 

                       Administrative Provisions

    Section 110 provides for unspent amounts remaining in 
Members' Representational Allowances account to be used for 
deficit or debt reduction.
    Section 111 prohibits the delivery of bills and 
resolutions.
    Section 112 prohibits the delivery of printed copies of the 
Congressional Record.
    Section 113 places a limitation on amount available to 
lease vehicles.
    Section 114 places a limitation on printed copies of the 
U.S. Code.
    Section 115 prohibits the delivery of reports of 
disbursements.
    Section 116 prohibits the delivery of the daily calendar.
    Section 117 prohibits delivery of congressional pictorial 
directory.
    Section 118 eliminates allowances for former Speakers.
    Section 119 prohibits cost of living adjustment for Members 
of Congress.
    Section 120 authorizes transfers among House Leadership 
Offices.

                              JOINT ITEMS

                        JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................        $4,203,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................         4,203,000
Committee recommendation..............................         4,203,000
    Change from enacted level.........................                 0
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $4,203,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the Joint Economic Committee.
    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 2018.......................       $11,169,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        11,169,000
Committee recommendation..............................        11,169,000
    Change from enacted level.........................                 0
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $11,169,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT).
    The Joint Committee on Taxation operates under the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1986 and its predecessors dating to the Revenue 
Act of 1926. It has responsibility to (1) investigate the 
operation and effects of internal revenue taxes and the 
administration of such taxes; (2) investigate measures and 
methods for the simplification of such taxes; (3) make reports 
to the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate 
Committee on Finance (or to the House and the Senate) on the 
results of such investigations and studies and to make 
recommendations; and (4) review any proposed refund or credit 
of income or estate and gift taxes or certain other taxes set 
forth in Code section 6405 in excess of $2,000,000 ($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 Joint Committee 
to provide revenue estimates for all tax legislation considered 
by either the House or the Senate.

                   OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................        $3,838,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................         3,798,000
Committee recommendation..............................         3,798,000
    Change from enacted level.........................           -40,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $3,798,000 for the Office of the 
Attending Physician.

             OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................        $1,444,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................         1,486,000
Committee recommendation..............................         1,486,000
    Change from enacted level.........................           +42,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $1,486,000 for the operation of 
the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services.
    The Office of Congressional Accessibility Services 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.

                             CAPITOL POLICE

                                Salaries

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $351,700,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       374,804,000
Committee recommendation..............................       374,804,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +23,104,000
    Change from request...............................                +0
 

    The Committee recommends $374,804,000 for the personnel 
salaries, benefits, and overtime requirements, to include the 
cost of overtime necessary for providing training.
    The increase includes necessary half year funds to provide 
full year funding for those sworn hired from fiscal year 18 
funding to staff the House Garage Security initiative and 
limited prescreening; half year funding to fully fund 48 
civilian positions hired from fiscal year 18 funding that will 
replace positions currently staffed by sworn officers, who will 
be redeployed to meet critical mission requirements and provide 
immediate personnel utility; and additional half year funds in 
fiscal year 19 for the hiring of 72 sworn and 21 civilian 
positions for additional sworn prescreeners at office buildings 
and the implementation of ESP screening at the CVC, as well as 
one position for the USCP Office of Inspector General.
    New Posts: The Committee continues to direct the USCP to 
notify the Committee on Appropriations of the House when new 
posts are created, including the annualized cost of maintaining 
the new post, and how the cost will be offset.
    Use of Grounds: The Committee understands the need to 
maintain safety and order on the Capitol grounds and commends 
the Capitol Police for their efforts. Given the family-style 
neighborhood that the Capitol shares with the surrounding 
community the Committee continues to instruct the Capitol 
Police to forebear enforcement of 2 U.S.C. 1963 (``An act to 
protect the public property, turf, and grass of the Capitol 
Grounds from injury'') and the Traffic Regulations for the 
United States Capitol Grounds when encountering snow sledders 
on the grounds.
    Mandatory Retirement Age: The Committee directs the USCP to 
provide a written report to the Committee within 180 days of 
enactment on the feasibility and impact of permanently raising 
the USCP sworn employee mandatory retirement age from 57 years 
of age to 60 years of age. The report should address the young 
and vigorous law enforcement standard; the potential impact to 
benefits afforded to USCP sworn employees under the Capitol 
Police Retirement Act, the Social Security benefit, the Federal 
Employees Retirement System benefit, and the Thrift Savings 
Plan annuity; the long-term financial impact on the USCP if 
enacted; and provide benchmark data against other Federal law 
enforcement agencies to ensure Federal law enforcement parity 
for the USCP will not be impacted should the mandatory 
retirement age be raised to 60 years of age.

                            General Expenses

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $74,800,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        81,554,000
Committee recommendation..............................        81,554,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        +6,754,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $81,554,000 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, information technology, and other specialized 
responses, as well as logistical and administrative support.

                          OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE

                         Salaries and Expenses

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................        $4,959,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................         4,552,757
Committee recommendation..............................         5,410,000
    Change from enacted level.........................          +451,000
    Change from request...............................          +857,243
 

    The Committee recommends $5,410,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Office of Compliance.
    The Office of Compliance was established to administer and 
enforce the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-
91). The Act applies various employment and workplace safety 
laws to Congress and certain Legislative Branch entities.
    Additional Resources: This act makes available additional 
resources to the Office of Compliance (OOC) to help address the 
increase in requests for in-person training, enhancements to 
the OOC's on-line training modules, and to help address the 
overall increase in caseload. It is a top priority of the 
Committee's that employing authorities are held accountable for 
employee rights that are violated, as well as, making sure 
employees know and understand their rights and have access to a 
dispute resolution process that is fair and easy to navigate. 
The Committee also stands by to ensure the OOC has adequate 
resources to implement Congressional Accountability Act reform 
were it to be passed by Congress.

                      CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE

                         Salaries and Expenses

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $49,945,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        50,737,000
Committee recommendation..............................        50,737,000
    Change from enacted level.........................          +792,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $50,737,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Congressional Budget Office.
    This office 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.
    Responsiveness: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) 
provides nonpartisan, budgetary and economic analysis to 
support the work of the Congress and its reports and analysis 
can have far reaching policy implications. The Committee 
expects CBO, to the greatest extent practicable, to ensure a 
high level of responsiveness to committees, leadership, and 
individual Members. There is support for the work that CBO has 
done in the area of responsiveness thus far, as well as support 
for the agency's goals to continue its improved responsiveness 
efforts. Those efforts include developing analysts who can move 
from one topic to another when demand surges for analysis of a 
particular topic, developing deeper expertise in certain topics 
so that the agency is better positioned to analyze new 
proposals in those areas in a more timely manner, expanding its 
use of team approaches in which work on large and complicated 
proposals is shared, and assisting rank and file Members of 
Congress in the development of legislation. The Committee 
recommends CBO consider factors such as the number of co-
sponsors for legislation when prioritizing which legislation 
receives a cost estimate beyond what is mandated in statute and 
requested by Committees. The Committee directs CBO to provide 
periodic updates to the Committee on progress specifically in 
the area of increased responsiveness to Member requests.

                        Administrative Provision

    Section 130 provides relocation reimbursement authority to 
new employees.

                        ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL

                  (EXCLUDING SENATE OFFICE BUILDINGS)

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $610,491,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       687,889,000
Committee recommendation..............................       642,004,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +31,513,000
    Change from request...............................       -45,885,000
 

    The Committee recommends $642,004,000 for the activities of 
the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). Excluded are Senate items 
which are traditionally left for consideration by that body. 
Within the recommended level the Committee continues its 
prioritization of projects that: (1) promote the safety and 
health of workers and occupants, (2) decrease the deferred 
maintenance backlog, and (3) invest to achieve future energy 
savings.
    The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation, 
development, and preservation of the United States Capitol 
Complex. This includes mechanical and structural maintenance of 
the Capitol, Congressional office buildings, the Library of 
Congress buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Capitol Power 
Plant, and other facilities, as well as the upkeep and 
improvement of the grounds surrounding the Capitol complex.
    Energy and Sustainability Program: The Committee continues 
to be supportive of, and encouraged by, the Architect of the 
Capitol's (AOC) robust energy savings and sustainability 
initiatives across their jurisdictions.
    Since fiscal year 2003 the AOC has facilitated energy 
reduction across the Capitol campus by more than 30% with the 
goal of 50% reduction by fiscal year 2025. A large driver of 
those energy savings has been the AOC's entrance into several 
Energy Saving Performance Contracts which has made possible 
more investments in infrastructure efficiencies and saved the 
AOC more than $100 million in cost avoidance. The AOC has also 
instituted waste reduction, recycling, and composting programs 
that has reduced building occupant waste by 44% and diverted 
construction waste by 90%.
    The Committee directs the AOC to study what further 
measures can be taken to conserve resources and promote a more 
sustainable campus. This study should focus on further 
decreasing water and electricity use; reducing waste; and 
improving or expanding recycling and composting practices in 
the Capitol complex. Any feasible, cost-neutral practices 
should be implemented. The study should also analyze whether 
the Congress could save taxpayer money through more widespread 
installation of solar panels to generate electricity.
    The following table summarizes the allocation of funds by 
appropriation account:

 
 
 
Capital Construction and Operations...................      $103,962,000
Capitol Building......................................        44,379,000
Capitol Grounds.......................................        16,761,000
House Office Buildings................................       187,098,000
House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund....        10,000,000
Capitol Power Plant...................................       118,980,000
Library Buildings and Grounds.........................        70,201,000
Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security........        52,542,000
Botanic Garden........................................        14,759,000
Capitol Visitor Center................................        23,322,000
 

                  Capitol Construction and Operations

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $93,478,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       103,962,000
Committee recommendation..............................       103,962,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +10,484,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $103,962,000 for personnel 
services, equipment, communications, and other central support 
activities of the AOC.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                          Item                           recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses....................................      $103,962,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Capitol Building

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $45,300,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        46,154,000
Committee recommendation..............................        44,379,000
    Change from enacted level.........................          -921,000
    Change from request...............................        -1,775,000
 

    The Committee recommends $44,379,000 for the operation, 
maintenance, and care of the U.S. Capitol and Capitol Visitor 
Center (CVC).

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                         Item                            recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses...................................        $26,648,000
Projects:
    Security Improvements, House Chamber, USC........          4,857,000
    Senate Reception Room Restoration and                      4,750,000
     Conservation, USC...............................
    Fire Alarm System Upgrade, USC...................          2,525,000
    Conservation of Fine and Architectural Art.......            599,000
    Minor Construction...............................          5,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                            Capitol Grounds

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $13,333,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        17,978,000
Committee recommendation..............................        16,761,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        +3,428,000
    Change from request...............................        -1,217,000
 

    The Committee recommends $16,761,000 for the care of the 
grounds surrounding the Capitol.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Committee
                         Item                            recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses....................................       $11,242,000
Projects:
    Light Pole Structural Repairs and Improvements,            2,519,000
     Phase III-VI.....................................
    Minor Construction................................         3,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Gardens: The Committee is interested in identifying 
additional locations on Capitol grounds that may be suitable 
for more gardens. The AOC is directed to share its current and 
future initiatives with the Committee.

                         House Office Buildings

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $207,294,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       190,098,000
Committee recommendation..............................       197,098,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       -10,196,000
    Change from request...............................        +7,000,000
 

    The Committee recommends $197,098,000 for the operation, 
maintenance, and care of the Rayburn, Cannon, Longworth, Ford, 
O'Neill House Office Buildings, and the House underground 
garages. $7,000,000 will be derived from the House Office 
Building Fund for operations and maintenance of the O'Neill 
House Office Building.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                          Item                           recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Operating Expenses..................................        $59,546,000
Projects:
    Garage Interior Rehabilitation, Phase IV, RHOB...         32,721,000
    Security Enhancements, Phase 4, HOB..............         15,171,000
    Security Enhancements, Phase 5, HOB..............          7,000,000
    CAO Project Support..............................          3,660,000
    Restoration and Renovation, CHOB.................         62,000,000
    House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust             10,000,000
     Fund............................................
    Minor Construction...............................          7,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund: The 
bill includes $10,000,000 for the House Historic Buildings 
Revitalization Trust Fund. Public Law 111-68 established the 
Fund to finance major repairs and renovations to facilities of 
the House. Subject to approval by the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House, the AOC may use these funds for 
major renovation projects to preserve and maintain the 
performance of the iconic buildings of the House of 
Representatives.
    Cannon House Office Building: The Cannon Renewal Project's 
Phase I of the renovation covering the building bordering New 
Jersey Avenue, SE is currently in progress and scheduled to be 
completed in November 2018. Phases 2 through 4 to renovate the 
remaining 3 sections of the building will be completed in 
subsequent 2-year intervals with final project completion 
planned in November 2024. The Committee provides $62,000,000 to 
continue the established funding strategy.
    Rayburn House Office Building Garage Rehabilitation: The 
Committee provides $32,721,000 for the fourth and final phase 
of the rehabilitation program for the Rayburn House Office 
Building garage. There is severe corrosion of the reinforcing 
steel and spalling and delaminating of the concrete slabs and 
columns. This project provides structural and architectural 
modifications for life safety, accessibility, lighting, 
electrical, mechanical, plumbing, fire protection, and security 
system upgrades.

                          Capitol Power Plant

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $115,694,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       127,980,000
Committee recommendation..............................       127,980,000
Offsetting collections................................        -9,000,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +12,286,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $127,980,000 for the operations of 
the Capitol Power Plant which is the centralized provider of 
utility services for the Capitol campus.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                         Item                            recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses...................................        $91,688,000
Projects:
    Cooling Tower Renovation and Electrical Upgrades,         21,215,000
     RPR, Phase IV...................................
    Pipe Expansion Joint Improvements, G Tunnel......          4,930,000
    Tunnel Waterproofing, Y Tunnel...................          4,709,000
    Switchgear B & Pump Replacement, RPR, Phase VI...            724,000
    Condenser Water Pump and HVAC Replacement, RPR,              714,000
     Phase VII.......................................
    Minor Construction...............................          4,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Library Buildings and Grounds

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $74,873,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       113,427,000
Committee recommendation..............................        70,201,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        -4,672,000
    Change from request...............................       -43,226,000
 

    The Committee recommends $70,201,000 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.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                         Item                            recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses...................................        $28,122,000
Projects:
    North Exit Stair B, Phase II, TJB................         18,090,000
    Emergency Lighting System Upgrade, TJB...........          7,490,000
    Book Conveyor System Removal and In-Fill, JMMB...          4,762,000
    Exterior Masonry and Envelope Repairs, TJB.......          2,149,000
    Exterior Masonry and Envelope Repairs, JAB.......          1,676,000
    Fire Alarm and Audibility Upgrade, JMMB..........          1,622,000
    ESPC Management Program, LBG.....................          1,790,000
    National Library Service Relocation Design and             2,000,000
     Initial Construction............................
    Minor Construction...............................          2,500,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

            Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds, and Security

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $34,249,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        59,309,000
Committee recommendation..............................        52,542,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +18,293,000
    Change from request...............................        -6,767,000
 

    The Committee recommends $52,542,000 for the maintenance, 
care and operation of buildings, grounds and security 
enhancements of the USCP and AOC security operations.
    Alternate Computing Facility: The Committee directs the 
Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to develop and present a multi-
year strategic plan for the use of the Alternate Computing 
Facility (ACF) and associated cost estimates to meet the plan. 
The Committee directs the AOC to work with their stakeholders 
and committees of jurisdiction when developing the plan. 
Additionally, as part of the analysis for developing the 
strategic plan the AOC is directed to work with the Uptime 
Institute or equivalent certifying authority to have a third-
party assessment of the data center at the ACF.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                         Item                            recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses...................................        $25,937,000
Projects:
    Chiller Replacement and Chilled Water System               5,710,000
     Expansion, Phase I, ACF.........................
    Barrier Lifecycle and Perimeter Security Kiosk             8,300,000
     Replacement, Phase III..........................
    Perimeter Security Fence Modification, OSP.......          4,595,000
    South Door Screening Center Design and Initial             3,000,000
     Construction, USC...............................
    Minor Construction...............................          5,000,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                             Botanic Garden

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $13,800,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        14,659,000
Committee recommendation..............................        14,759,000
    Change from enacted level.........................          +959,000
    Change from request...............................          +100,000
 

    The Committee recommends $14,759,000 for the improvement, 
operation, care, and maintenance of the USBG Conservatory; 
National Garden; Administration Building; Bartholdi Park and 
Fountain; heritage and other plant collections, and the USBG 
Production Facility at D.C. Village.
    Urban Agriculture: The Committee continues to support the 
Botanic Garden's expansion of urban agriculture education and 
outreach programs. Included is continued funding for these 
efforts, such as the feasibility study and pilot project for 
which the Botanic Garden received funding in Public Law 115-
141.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           Committee
                         Item                            recommendation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Expenses...................................        $11,200,000
Projects:
    Security upgrade, BCC............................           $959,000
    Minor Construction...............................          2,600,000
------------------------------------------------------------------------

                         Capitol Visitor Center

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $21,470,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        23,322,000
Committee recommendation..............................        23,322,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        +1,852,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $23,322,000 for the operations of 
the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). The CVC was established to 
provide a secure public environment to welcome and manage a 
large number of visitors and to protect the Capitol, its 
occupants, and guests in an atmosphere of open access.
    There are no capital projects in fiscal year 2019.

                       Administrative Provisions

    Section 140 prohibits payment of bonuses to contractors 
behind schedule or over budget.
    Section 141 prohibits expenditure of funds for scrims for 
projects performed by the Architect of the Capitol.
    Section 142 allows interagency transfers of funds to 
support the security needs of Congress.
    Section 143 amends the small purchase threshold.
    Section 144 authorizes details of employees.
    Section 145 authorizes employees to accept reimbursement of 
expenses for attending meetings and other functions in an 
official capacity. The Architect of the Capitol is directed to 
update its Ethics Order to incorporate this new authority as 
well as including the requirement applicable to executive 
branch agencies that the Architect of the Capitol submit semi-
annual reports on all expenses paid in amounts greater than 
$250.

                          LIBRARY OF CONGRESS

    Established by Congress in 1800, the Library of Congress is 
one of the largest libraries in the world, with a collection of 
more than 162,000,000 print, audio, and video items in 470 
languages. Among its major programs are acquisitions, 
preservation, administration of U.S. copyright laws by the 
Copyright Office, research and analysis of policy issues for 
the Congress by the Congressional Research Service, and 
administration of a national program to provide reading 
material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library 
maintains a significant number of collections and provides a 
range of services to libraries in the United States and abroad. 
Increased funding is for information technology modernization 
within the Library, the Copyright Office, and the Congressional 
Research service.
    Visitor Experience: The Visitor Experience Plan for the 
Library of Congress' Thomas Jefferson Building is an initiative 
that continues to have support in Congress. The proposed 
project will enhance the Library's ability to bring the 
nation's collections and history out of the vaults and into 
public spaces. With enhancements to exhibition spaces and 
development of learning centers, the Library can maximize the 
experience for its nearly two million annual visitors. The 
proposed funding for this initiative involves a public/private 
partnership, which has been a successful strategy for many 
similar institutions' efforts to showcase our nation's 
treasures. Included is $20,000,000 for enhancements to the 
public exhibits and visitor services at the Library.
    Congress.gov Calendar: Not later than 90 days after the 
date of enactment of this Act, the Library of Congress and the 
Government Publishing Office shall update the Congress.gov 
website to include a calendar for Senate and House of 
Representatives committee hearings and markups. That calendar, 
updated continuously as new information is available, shall 
include at least the following information about every hearing 
and markup taking place in the Senate and House of 
Representatives: the committee name; the subcommittee name (if 
appropriate); the meeting topic; witnesses (if any); 
legislation under consideration (if any); a link to legislation 
under consideration (if any); a link to the committee or 
subcommittee's website; and a link to where video or audio (if 
any) from the proceedings are or will become available. The 
calendar shall be organized chronologically, and viewable as an 
individual day as well as a weekly view.
    Law Library Digitization: The Committee commends the Law 
Library for continuing to provide support to the time-sensitive 
and complex needs of the Congress, the Supreme Court, Executive 
Branch agencies, courts, practicing attorneys, state bars, 
state and local governments, American businesses, scholars, 
journalists, and those with legal research needs. The Committee 
urges the Law Library to engage in a digitization strategy as 
part of the Library's overall digitization strategy to increase 
online access to major parts of its collections, such as the 
U.S. Serial Sets and Supreme Court Records and briefs.
    Preservation: Recognizing that the Library's extremely 
diverse collections require a well balanced approach of 
preservation assessment, treatment, reformatting, environmental 
storage and protective housing, the Committee directs that the 
mass deacidification program be maintained at a reasonable 
level of activity for a balanced preservation program.
    Outreach: The Committee encourages the Library of Congress 
to increase cooperative partnerships, fellowship opportunities, 
and curriculum program associations with community colleges, 
Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-serving 
institutions, Asian American and native American Pacific 
Islander-serving institutions, American Indian Tribally 
controlled colleges and universities, Alaska native and Native 
Hawaiian-serving institutions, predominantly Black 
institutions, Native American-serving institutions, Nontribal 
institutions, and other minority-serving institutions.
    National Film and Sound Recording Preservation Programs: 
The Committee recognizes the important work of the National 
Film and Sound Recording Preservation Programs, including the 
federally chartered National Film and National Recording 
Preservation Foundations. Consistent with the authorizing 
statute, the Foundations utilize both public and private 
matching funds to provide grants to a wide array of educational 
and non-profit organizations that help preserve historical and 
cultural artifacts that would otherwise disappear or be 
destroyed over time. Given that these programs were 
reauthorized, the Committee expects that the library will 
provide full support to these programs.
    Veterans History Project: The Committee expects the 
Veterans History Project to be funded at least at the fiscal 
year 2018 level. The Committee recognizes the critical 
importance of the Veterans History Project as a way to collect, 
preserve and make accessible the personal accounts of American 
war veterans for the benefit of future generations. As the 
Veterans History Project relies on volunteers to collect and 
submit veteran's stories, the Committee encourages the Library 
of Congress to do further outreach with schools, Girl and Boy 
Scout programs, and Veterans Service Organizations and 
nonprofit and community stakeholders serving veterans from 
historically underrepresented groups to enhance the project.
    Civic Education: The Committee recognizes the importance of 
civic education and the role the Library of Congress has played 
to increase access to civic education resources on U.S. civics 
and history. The Committee is encouraged by work the Library of 
Congress has already done to increase civic participation. The 
Committee believes that the Library of Congress should expand 
their civic education resources through the Teaching with 
Primary Sources program to also include materials targeted to 
post-secondary classrooms. The Committee directs the Library of 
Congress to provide a plan on how the Library of Congress's 
resources and web presence can be used to expand civic 
education and civic participation.

                         Salaries and Expenses

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $470,667,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       469,169,000
Committee recommendation..............................       487,818,272
Offsetting collections................................         6,000,000
Total available.......................................       493,818,272
    Change from enacted level.........................       +17,151,272
    Change from request...............................       +18,649,272
 

    The Committee recommends $487,818,272, plus authority to 
spend $6,000,000 in receipts, for salaries and expenses.

                            Copyright Office

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $28,446,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        38,646,000
Committee recommendation..............................        43,589,000
Offsetting collections................................        45,490,000
Prior Year Unobligated Balances.......................         4,328,000
Total available.......................................        93,407,000
    Change from enacted level.........................       +15,143,000
    Change from request...............................        +4,943,000
 

    The Committee recommends $43,589,000 plus authority to 
spend $45,490,000 in receipts, and $4,328,000 in prior year 
unobligated balances for salaries and expenses of the Copyright 
Office.
    Copyright Modernization: The Committee continues to support 
the collaborative work between the United States Copyright 
Office (USCO) and the Library of Congress's Office of the Chief 
Information Officer's Office (OCIO). Copyright modernization is 
something the Committee fully supports and will continue to 
provide requested resources towards. The Committee does have 
concerns that thus far the investments have not yielded many 
public-facing Copyright modernization enhancements. However, 
the Committee's understanding is that the Copyright 
modernization work to date has been behind the scenes building 
a strong foundation for the long-term modernization strategy. 
When appropriate USCO is encouraged to engage with stakeholders 
both in the Congressional-community and beyond to highlight the 
progress that has already been made and to outline clear 
benchmarks for progress moving forward.
    Copyright Expertise: The Committee understands the 
Copyright Office has offered its expertise on copyright matters 
to the Executive Branch, including participation in 
international discussions, and expects the Office to continue 
that important role. Consistent with historical practice, the 
Committee expects the Library to continue to defer to the 
copyright expertise of the Register of Copyrights.

                     Congressional Research Service

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $119,279,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       113,621,000
Committee recommendation..............................       125,688,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        +6,409,000
    Change from request...............................       +12,067,000
 

    The Committee recommends $125,688,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS works 
for Members and Committees of Congress to support their 
legislative, oversight, and representational functions by 
providing nonpartisan and confidential research and policy 
analysis.
    Technology Assessment Study: The Committee has heard 
testimony on, and received dozens of requests advocating for 
restoring funding to the Office of Technology Assessment (OTA), 
and more generally on how Congress equips itself with the deep 
technical advice necessary to understand and tackle the growing 
number of science and technology policy challenges that face 
our country. The Committee directs the Congressional Research 
Service (CRS) to engage with the National Academy of Public 
Administration or a similar external entity to produce a report 
detailing the current resources available to Members of 
Congress within the Legislative Branch regarding science and 
technology policy. This study should also assess the potential 
need within the Legislative Branch to create a separate entity 
charged with the mission of providing nonpartisan advice on 
issues of science and technology. Furthermore, the study should 
also address if the creation of such entity duplicate services 
already available to Members of Congress. CRS should work with 
the Committee in developing the parameters of the study and 
once complete, the study should be made available to CRS's 
committees of jurisdiction.
    Congressional Staff Education: The Committee appreciates 
the work the Congressional Research Service (CRS) does in 
providing classes and seminars to both Members and staff. The 
Committee also appreciates the New Member Seminar CRS holds 
each Congress to orientate new Members to issues they are most 
concerned about. In an effort to train new congressional staff, 
the Committee recommends CRS expand its training offerings to 
include a new staffers seminar on issues relating to the same 
topics new Members are briefed on. CRS is directed to have a 
plan on the implementation of the pilot program 180 days after 
enactment. In discharging its responsibilities to Congress, CRS 
should ensure positions taken by the House or the Senate in 
litigation or otherwise are included in its products, classes 
and seminars to Members and staff.

             Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $51,498,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        51,192,000
Committee recommendation..............................        52,783,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        +1,285,000
    Change from request...............................        +1,591,000
 

    The Committee recommends $52,783,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the National Library Service for the Blind and 
Physically Handicapped (NLS).
    The NLS has administered a free national reading program 
for blind and physically handicapped residents of the United 
States and U.S. citizens living abroad since 1931. NLS provides 
direction for the production of books and magazines in braille 
and recorded formats and audio playback machines for 
distribution through a nationwide network of 55 regional and 33 
sub-regional libraries.
    eReader Program: In 2016 Congress authorized the National 
Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS) 
to provide readers for electronic braille (Public Law 114-219). 
The Committee included report language in the fiscal year 2017 
omnibus and the fiscal year 2018 omnibus supporting the NLS 
approach of a pilot program to study braille eReaders, and with 
information learned from the pilot, work with the network of 
participating NLS libraries to scale the braille eReader 
program up so that it can deliver the increased accessibility 
that Congress intended. The Committee again directs the NLS to 
share the results of that pilot with the Committee in order to 
identify what, if any, additional resources will be required to 
implement the braille eReaders program nationwide.

                        Administrative Provision

    Section 150 authorizes obligational authority for 
reimbursable and revolving funds.

                      GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

    GPO provides publishing and dissemination services for 
Federal government publications to Congress, Federal agencies, 
Federal depository libraries, and the American public.
    The Committee commends GPO for its continuing use of 
digital technology to support the information requirements of 
Congress, including the ongoing development of a new XML-based 
composition system, which to date has resulted in the release 
in beta of a capability for the composition of congressional 
bills as well as the capability for the composition of the 2018 
edition of the U.S. Code; a project to convert a subset of 
enrolled bills; public laws, and the Statutes at Large into 
USLM format, which is expected to be completed in 2018; the 
planned retirement of GPO's Federal Digital System (FDsys) by 
the end of 2018 and its replacement by GPO's new website, 
govinfo, which provides permanent public access to more than 
2.2 million Government titles including congressional 
information; and the agency's completion of work to digitize 
all issues of the Congressional Record dating back to its 
introduction in 1873. Additionally, the Committee supports 
GPO's investments in newer, more cost-effective equipment for 
publishing congressional documents. Together, these efforts 
have helped GPO constrain the costs of its operations while 
expanding Government information access options to the American 
people, bringing greater openness and transparency to Congress 
and the Government.
    Statutes at Large: The Committee continues to support the 
work of the Legislative Branch Bulk Data Task Force, 
particularly in its efforts to convert Statutes at Large into 
United States Legislative Markup XML (USLM) format. Currently 
the Government Publishing Office (GPO) is in the process of 
converting all Statutes at Large from the 108th Congress 
forward into USLM XML format. Also available online in 
searchable PDF format are all Statutes at Large from 1951-2002. 
The Committee directs the GPO to assess the costs associated 
with converting Statutes at Large from 1789-2002 into the USLM 
XML format.

                        Congressional Publishing

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $79,528,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        79,000,000
Committee recommendation..............................        79,000,000
    Change from enacted level.........................          -528,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $79,000,000 for Congressional 
Publishing. This account funds the costs of publishing 
congressional information products in both digital and print 
formats. The amount is provided as a lump sum to cover various 
categories of printing.

     Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................       $29,000,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................        32,000,000
Committee recommendation..............................        32,000,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        +3,000,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $32,000,000 for the salaries and 
expenses of the Public Information Programs of the 
Superintendent of Documents.
    The Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of 
Documents account funds the mailing of government documents for 
Members of Congress and Federal agencies, as statutorily 
authorized; the compilation of catalogs and indexes of 
government publications; and the cataloging, indexing, and 
providing of government publications in digital and tangible 
formats to the Federal Depository and International Exchange 
libraries and to other individuals and entities, as authorized 
by law.

                   Business Operations Revolving Fund

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................        $8,540,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................         6,000,000
Committee recommendation..............................         6,000,000
    Change from enacted level.........................        -2,540,000
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $6,000,000 for the Business 
Operations Revolving Fund.
    The operations of the Government Publishing Office are 
financed through the Business Operations Revolving Fund. This 
business-like fund is used to pay GPO's costs in performing 
congressional and agency publishing, information product 
procurement, and publications 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.
    The bill continues language authorizing the operation of 
the revolving fund and authority to hire or purchase 
automobiles, advisory councils, and consultants.

                    GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE

                         Salaries and Expenses

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................      $578,916,653
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................       616,101,000
Committee recommendation..............................       578,916,653
Offsetting Collections................................        23,800,000
Total available.......................................      $602,716,653
    Change from enacted level.........................                 0
    Change from request...............................       -37,184,347
 

    The Committee recommends $578,916,653 in direct 
appropriations for the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 
plus $23,800,000 in offsetting collections derived from 
reimbursements for conducting financial audits of government 
corporations and rental of space in the GAO building.
    This level of funding will enable an increase of 80 FTE 
over the fiscal year 2018 level and will allow an enhanced 
focus on cybersecurity issues and the threats to the nation's 
critical infrastructure, continued focus on a range of rapidly 
evolving science and technology issues; bolster reviews of the 
increased investment in Department of Defense programs; and 
assess the challenges associated with growing health care 
costs.
    GAO was established by the Budget and Accounting Act of 
1921. GAO works for Congress by responding to requests for 
studies of Federal Government programs and expenditures. GAO 
may also initiate its own work.
    Duplicative Government Programs: Each year the Committee 
receives requests to direct the Government Accountability 
Office (GAO) to produce a report to Congress identifying 
duplicative programs throughout the Federal government. Since 
passage of Public Law 111-139 in 2010 the GAO has been mandated 
to produce such a report. In a yearly report the GAO identifies 
Federal programs, agencies, offices and initiatives that have 
duplicative goals or activities. Since 2011 the GAO has 
presented 645 actions in 249 areas for Congress or executive 
branch agencies to reduce, eliminate, or better manage 
fragmentation, overlap or duplication. To date, Congress and 
the executive branch have addressed 329 of those actions 
resulting in roughly $135 billion in financial benefits.
    Whistleblower Resource Study: The Committee believes 
whistleblowers serve Congress as important sources of 
information about Federal waste, fraud, abuse and malfeasance. 
There are many avenues that are in place today for 
whistleblowers to make their concerns known. For example the 
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has a Blow the 
Whistle webpage, the Government Accountability Office maintains 
a Fraud Hotline and many personal offices of Members of 
Congress routinely receive information from whistleblowers. The 
Committee also believes it is important to protect 
whistleblowers and ensure that those handling the information 
provided have the resources they need and are aware of best 
practices when working with whistleblowers.
    The Committee directs the Government Accountability Office 
(GAO) to produce a report that identifies what avenues 
currently exist within the Legislative Branch for 
whistleblowers to communicate with Congress; identify best 
practices for Congressional staff when interacting with 
whistleblowers; and how best to get the information to the 
proper entity of jurisdiction so it can be investigated. The 
report should be provided to the Committee within 270 days of 
enactment.

                Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................        $5,600,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................         5,800,000
Committee recommendation..............................         5,600,000
    Change from enacted level.........................                 0
    Change from request...............................          -200,000
 

    The Committee recommends $5,600,000 for salaries and 
expenses of the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund.

   John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development

 
 
 
Appropriation, fiscal year 2018.......................          $430,000
Budget request, fiscal year 2019......................           430,000
Committee recommendation..............................           430,000
    Change from enacted level.........................                 0
    Change from request...............................                 0
 

    The Committee recommends $430,000 for salaries and 
expenses. The Center provides Congressional staff training and 
development opportunities while it continues to achieve its 
broader mission to promote and strengthen public service 
leadership in America.

                      TITLE II--GENERAL PROVISIONS

    Includes 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 the spending reduction account.

              HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS

    The following items are included in accordance with various 
requirements of the Rules of the House of Representatives:

                          Full Committee Votes

    Pursuant to the provisions of clause 3(b) of rule XIII of 
the House of Representatives, the results of each roll call 
vote on an amendment or on the motion to report, together with 
the names of those voting for and those against are printed 
below:

         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.

                              Rescissions

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following details the rescissions 
in the accompanying bill:
    The accompanying bill contains no rescissions.

                           Transfer of Funds

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the following lists the transfers of 
funds included in the accompanying bill:
    Indefinite transfer authority is authorized for: Joint 
items disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the 
House; Library of Congress; Congressional Publishing; the 
Superintendent of Documents; Capital Police programs; the 
Architect of Capitol security programs; and House Leadership 
Offices.

   Disclosure of Earmarks and Congressionally Directed Spending Items

    Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House 
of Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no 
Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 
benefits as defined in clause 9 of rule XXI.

          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 italic, existing law in which no change is 
proposed is shown in roman):

  SECTION 906 OF THE 2002 SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATIONS ACT FOR FURTHER 
  RECOVERY FROM AND RESPONSE TO TERRORIST ATTACKS ON THE UNITED STATES

  Sec. 906. (a) There is hereby established in the Treasury of 
the United States an account for the Architect of the Capitol 
to be known as ``Capitol Police Buildings and Grounds'' 
(hereinafter in this section referred to as the ``account'').
  [(b) Funds in the account shall be used by the Architect of 
the Capitol for all necessary expenses for the maintenance, 
care, and operation of buildings and grounds of the United 
States Capitol Police.]
  (b) Funds in the account shall be used by the Architect of 
the Capitol for all necessary expenses for--
          (1) resilience and security programs of the Architect 
        of the Capitol; and
          (2) the maintenance, care, and operation of 
        buildings, grounds, and security enhancements for 
        facilities of the United States Capitol Police and for 
        other facilities associated with such resilience and 
        security programs at any location.
  (c)(1) For carrying out the purposes of the account, the 
Architect of the Capitol may receive transfers of 
appropriations from any agency or instrumentality of the United 
States Government upon the approval of--
          (A) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives, in the case of a transfer from an 
        office of the House of Representatives;
          (B) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, in 
        the case of a transfer from an office of the Senate; or
          (C) the Committees on Appropriations of the House of 
        Representatives and the Senate, in the case of a 
        transfer from any other office of the Government.
  (2) Amounts transferred under this subsection shall be merged 
with the account and made available under this section.
  (3) This subsection shall apply with respect to fiscal year 
2019 and each succeeding fiscal year.
  [(c)] (d) This section shall apply with respect to fiscal 
year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year. Any amounts provided 
to the Architect of the Capitol prior to the date of the 
enactment of this Act for the maintenance, care, and operation 
of buildings of the United States Capitol Police during fiscal 
year 2002 shall be transferred to the account.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

                              ----------                              

    SECTION 1201 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2003

  Sec. 1201. Small Purchase Contracting Authority.--(a) In 
General.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law--
          (1) section 3709 of the Revised Statutes of the 
        United States (41 U.S.C. 5) shall apply with respect to 
        purchases and contracts for the Architect of the 
        Capitol as if the reference to ``$25,000'' in paragraph 
        (1) of such section were a reference to ``[$100,000] 
        $250,000''; and
          (2) the Architect may procure services, equipment, 
        and construction for security related projects in the 
        most efficient manner he determines appropriate.
  (b) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to fiscal year 
2003 and each fiscal year thereafter.

              HOUSE RESOLUTION 1238, NINETY-FIRST CONGRESS

    Resolved, [That the Speaker of the House of Representatives 
in the Ninety-first Congress (hereafter referred to in this 
resolution as the ``Speaker'') is entitled to retain for the 
period of two years immediately following the expiration of his 
term of office as a Representative in Congress in the Ninety-
first Congress, the complete and exclusive use of one office 
selected by him in order to facilitate the administration, 
settlement, and conclusion of matters pertaining to or arising 
out of his incumbency in office as a Representative in Congress 
and as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Such office 
shall be located in the United States and shall be furnished 
and maintained by the Government in a condition appropriate for 
his use.
    [SEC. 2. The Speaker is entitled to have the applicable 
accounts of the House of Representatives be available for 
payment of, for the period of two years immediately following 
the expiration of his term of office as a Representative in 
Congress in the Ninety-first Congress, an allowance equal to 
the Members' Representational Allowance (to be paid in the same 
manner as such Allowance) for office and other expenses 
incurred in connection with the administration, settlement, and 
conclusion of matters pertaining to or arising out of his 
incumbency in office as a Representative in Congress and as 
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
    [SEC. 4. (a) The Speaker may send mail as franked mail 
under sections 4161 and 4164 of title 39, United States Code, 
and send and receive mail as franked mail under section 4162 of 
that title, for an additional period of eighteen months 
immediately following the close of the period specified in 
those sections following the expiration of his term of office 
as a Representative in Congress in the Ninety-first Congress. 
The postage on such mail, including registry fees if 
registration is required, shall be paid and credited as 
provided by section 4167(a) of title 39, United States Code. 
When the provisions of sections 3210, 3211, 3213, and 3216(a) 
of title 39, United States Code, as enacted by the Postal 
Reorganization Act, become effective, the references in this 
subsection to sections 4161, 4162, 4164, and 4167(a) of title 
39, United States Code, shall be deemed references to sections 
3210, 3211, 3213, and 3216(a) of that title, respectively.
    [(b) For the period of two years immediately following the 
expiration of his term of office as a Representative in 
Congress in the Ninety-first Congress, the Speaker shall be 
entitled to the benefits afforded by section 733 of title 44, 
United States Code.
    [SEC. 5. In order to provide staff assistance to the 
Speaker in connection with the administration, settlement, and 
conclusion of matters pertaining to or arising out of his 
incumbency in office as a Representative in Congress and as 
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the contingent fund of 
the House is hereby made available, for the period of two years 
immediately following the expiration of the term of office of 
the Speaker as a Representative in Congress in the Ninety-first 
Congress, for payment of the salaries of an Administrative 
Assistant, who shall be paid at a basic per annum rate of not 
to exceed the then current rate for step 11 of level 13 of the 
House Employees Schedule, as determined by the Speaker, a 
Secretary, who shall be paid at a basic per annum rate of not 
to exceed the then current rate for step 8 of level 12 of such 
Schedule, as determined by the Speaker, and an additional 
Secretary, who shall be paid at a gross per annum rate of not 
to exceed the then current rate for step 7 of level 11 of such 
Schedule, as determined by the Speaker, designated and 
appointed by the Speaker to serve as members of his office 
staff in such two-year period. Each person so designated and 
appointed shall be held and considered, for the duration of 
such appointment, as--
          [(1) an ``employee'' for the purposes of subchapter I 
        of chapter 81 (relating to compensation for work 
        injuries) of title 5, United States Code; and
          [(2) a ``congressional employee'' within the meaning 
        of section 2107 of title 5, United States Code, for the 
        purposes of--
                  [(A) subchapter III (relating to civil 
                service retirement) of chapter 83 of such 
                title,
                  [(B) chapter 87 (relating to Federal 
                employees group life insurance) of such title, 
                and
                  [(C) chapter 89 (relating to Federal 
                employees group health insurance) of such 
                title.]
    [SEC. 8. The entitlements of a former Speaker of the House 
of Representatives under this resolution shall be available--
          [(1) in the case of an individual who is a former 
        Speaker on the effective date of this section, for 5 
        years, commencing on such effective date; and
          [(2) in the case of an individual who becomes a 
        former Speaker after such effective date, for 5 years, 
        commencing at the expiration of the term of office of 
        the individual as a Representative in Congress.]
                              ----------                              

                           PUBLIC LAW 93-532

   AN ACT RELATING TO FORMER SPEAKERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, That (a) 
the provisions of H. Res. 1238, Ninety-first Congress, as 
enacted into permanent law by the Supplemental Appropriations 
Act, 1971 (84 Stat. 1989), are hereby extended to, and made 
applicable with respect to, each former Speaker of the House of 
Representatives, as long as he determines there is need 
therefor, commencing at the expiration of his term of office as 
Representative in Congress.
    [(b) Subsection (a) shall not apply with respect to any 
former Speaker of the House of Representatives for any period 
during which such former Speaker holds an appointive or 
elective office or position in or under the Federal Government 
or the government of the District of Columbia to which is 
attached a rate of pay other than a nominal rate or to any 
former Speaker separated from the service by reason of 
expulsion from the House.]
                              ----------                              

     SECTION 101 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1993

                       Administrative Provisions

    SEC. 101. (a) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for 
the House of Representatives under the heading ``ALLOWANCES AND 
EXPENSES'' may be transferred among and merged with the various 
categories of allowances and expenses under such heading, 
effective upon the expiration of the 21-day period (or such 
alternative period that may be imposed by the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives) which begins on 
the date such Committee has been notified of the transfer.
    (b) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for the House 
of Representatives under the heading ``SALARIES, OFFICERS AND 
EMPLOYEES'' may be transferred among and merged with the 
various offices and activities under such heading, effective 
upon the expiration of the 21-day period (or such alternative 
period that may be imposed by the Committee on Appropriations 
of the House of Representatives) which begins on the date such 
Committee has been notified of the transfer.
    (c)(1) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for the 
House of Representatives under the headings specified in 
paragraph (2) may be transferred among and merged with such 
headings, effective upon the expiration of the 21-day period 
(or such alternative period that may be imposed by the 
Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives) 
which begins on the date such Committee has been notified of 
the transfer.
    (2) The headings referred to in paragraph (1) are ``House 
Leadership Offices'', ``Members'' Representational 
Allowances'', ``Committee Employees'', ``Salaries, Officers and 
Employees'', ``Allowances and Expenses'', the heading for any 
joint committee under the heading ``Joint Items'' (to the 
extent that amounts appropriated for the joint committee are 
disbursed by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of 
Representatives), and ``Office of the Attending Physician''.
    (d) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for the House 
of Representatives under the heading ``Allowances and 
Expenses'' may be transferred to the Architect of the Capitol 
and merged with and made available under the heading ``House 
Office Buildings'', subject to the approval of the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
    (e) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for the House 
of Representatives under any heading other than the heading 
``Members'' Representational Allowances'' may be transferred to 
the Architect of the Capitol and merged with and made available 
under the heading ``House Historic Buildings Revitalization 
Trust Fund'', subject to the approval of the Committee on 
Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
    (f) Amounts appropriated for any fiscal year for the House 
of Representatives under the heading ``House Leadership 
Offices'' may be transferred among and merged with the various 
offices and activities under such heading, effective upon the 
expiration of the 21-day period (or such alternative period 
that may be imposed by the Committee on Appropriations of the 
House of Representatives) which begins on the date such 
Committee has been notified of the transfer.
                              ----------                              

               Changes in the Application of Existing Law

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following statements are 
submitted describing the effect of provisions in the 
accompanying bill that directly or indirectly change the 
application of existing law:
    1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items 
remain available for more than one year, where programs or 
projects are continuing in nature under the provisions of 
authorizing legislation but for which that legislation does not 
specifically authorize such extended availability.
    2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place 
limitations on or change or extend existing limitations, 
appropriations, or authorizations, and which under some 
circumstances might be construed as changing the application of 
existing law.
    3. The bill continues the practice of providing official 
reception and representation allowances for officers and 
offices of the Legislative Branch.
    4. The bill authorizes disbursal of funds for various 
agencies.
    5. The bill authorizes transfer authority between accounts 
for certain agencies in the bill.
    6. The bill includes language allowing the use of funds for 
studies and examinations of executive agencies and temporary 
personnel services. Funds can also be available for 
reimbursement to agencies for services performed.
    7. The bill includes language providing funds for the 
Family Room, the Superintendent of Garages, Office of Emergency 
Management, and preparing the Digest of Rules.
    8. The bill includes language providing funds for House 
motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities.
    9. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members' 
Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt 
reduction.
    10. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being 
used for the delivery of bills and resolutions to Members 
offices.
    11. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being 
used for the delivery of the Congressional Record to Member 
offices.
    12. The bill includes language that places a limitation on 
the amount that a Member can spend on a leased vehicle per 
month.
    13. The bill includes language that places a limitation on 
printed copies of the U.S. Code for the House of 
Representatives.
    14. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being 
used for the delivery of the Reports of Disbursements to Member 
offices.
    15. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being 
used for the delivery of the daily calendar to Member offices.
    16. The bill includes language that prohibits funds being 
used for the delivery of the congressional pictorial directory 
to Member offices.
    17. The bill includes language that repeals the 
authorizations for former speakers.
    18. This bill provides language relating to cost of living 
adjustment for Members of Congress.
    19. The bill provides transfer authority among House 
Leadership Offices.
    20. The bill authorizes allowances for employees of the 
Office of the Attending Physician and provides reimbursement to 
the Department of the Navy.
    21. 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.
    22. The bill provides that the cost of Capitol Police basic 
training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center be paid 
by the Department of Homeland Security.
    23.The bill includes language that authorizes relocation 
expenses for employees of the Congressional Budget Office.
    24. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to 
purchase or exchange, maintain, and operate two passenger motor 
vehicles.
    25. 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.
    26. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to expend 
funds to maintain, care for, and operate the National Garden.
    27. The bill contains language that prohibits the Architect 
of the Capitol from expending funds for scrims containing 
photographs of building facades during restoration or 
construction projects.
    28. The bill prohibits paying bonuses for contractors who 
are behind schedule or over budget.
    29. The bill provides transfer authority for Architect of 
the Capitol security programs.
    30. The bill provides increase in threshold for small 
purchase contracting authority for the Architect of the 
Capitol.
    31. The bill provides details of employees under joint 
agency agreements authorization with the Architect of the 
Capitol.
    32. The bill provides acceptance of travel expenses from 
non-federal sources for employees of the Architect of the 
Capitol.
    33. The bill provides the authority to expend funds 
collected under the authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and to the 
balance to remain available until expended.
    34. The bill establishes that the amount available for 
obligation by the Library of Congress is reduced by offsetting 
collections.
    35. The bill provides funds for the digital collections and 
educational curricula program, and the American Folklife 
Center.
    36. The bill allows the Library of Congress to hire or 
purchase one passenger motor vehicle.
    37. The bill allows funds from offsetting collections to be 
used for the Library's Copyright Office.
    38. 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.
    39. 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.
    40. The bill provides funds to provide newspapers to the 
blind and physically handicapped.
    41. The bill contains language under the Library of 
Congress placing a limitation on obligations for Reimbursable 
and Revolving Fund activities.
    42. 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.
    43. The bill includes authorization of appropriations for 
Congressional Publishing.
    44. 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.
    45. 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.
    46. 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.
    47. 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.
    48. The bill provides no part of the funds appropriated in 
this Act shall remain available for obligation beyond fiscal 
year 2019 unless expressly so provided in this Act.
    49. 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: 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.
    50. The bill requires that certain information regarding 
consulting services shall be a matter of public record.
    51. The bill authorizes Legislative Branch entities to 
share the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers 
Council.
    52. The, bill limits the transfer of funds in this Act.
    53. The bill prohibits funds in this Act being used to 
eliminate or restrict staff led guided tours.

                  Appropriations Not Authorized by Law

    Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the following lists the 
appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not 
authorized by law for the period concerned:
    The accompanying bill contains appropriations not 
authorized by law:

Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission,...........................  $230,000

                 Comparison with the Budget Resolution

    Section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional Budget Act 
requires the report accompanying a bill providing new budget 
authority to contain a statement comparing the levels in the 
bill to the suballocations submitted under section 302(b) of 
the Act for the most recently agreed to concurrent resolution 
on the budget for the applicable fiscal year. The following 
table provides this information:

 
                                            [in millions of dollars]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                302(b) Allocation                         This Bill
                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Budget Authority       Outlays        Budget Authority       Outlays
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discretionary.......................              4,880              4,770           3,811\1\              3,926
Mangatory...........................                145                145             145\1\                145
Total...............................              5,025              4,915              3,956              4,071
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Includes outlays from both House and Senate prior-year budget authority. Note--Bill amounts exclude
  discretionary Senate-related items.

                      Five-Year Outlay Projections

    In compliance with section 208(a)(1)(B) of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-344), as 
amended, the following table contains five-year projections 
prepared by the Congressional Budget Office of outlays 
associated with the budget authority provided in the 
accompanying bill:

 
 
 
Budget Authority......................................            $3,811
Outlays:
    2019..............................................          \1\3,125
    2020..............................................               432
    2021..............................................                56
    2022 and future years.............................                20
 
\1\Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority.

               Assistance to State and Local Governments

    Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional 
Budget Act of 1974, (Public Law 93-344), as amended, the amount 
of financial assistance to State and local governments is as 
follows:
    The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and 
local assistance programs.

                          Program Duplication

    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.

                          Directed Rule Making

    The bill does not direct any rule-making to the Executive 
Branch.

              ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF NITA LOWEY AND TIM RYAN

    The fiscal year 2019 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill 
provides $3.81 billion, excluding Senate items. Under the 
leadership of Subcommittee Chairman Yoder and Appropriations 
Committee Chairman Frelinghuysen, the vast majority of 
Legislative Branch agencies receive their full budget requests 
in this bill. We are able to achieve this because of the 
bipartisan budget cap agreement reached earlier this year. 
After nearly a decade of austerity, we are finally beginning to 
reverse the harm caused by sequestration.
    Among the critical needs addressed in this bill are the 
security of Members of Congress, their staff, visitors and 
constituents both in Washington and in district offices; the 
House of Representatives' response to the pervasive sexual 
harassment that has finally been acknowledged in workplaces and 
industries nationwide; the backlog of deferred maintenance on 
the Capitol campus, which only becomes more expensive to 
address the longer we wait; and, the oversight capacity of the 
Federal government's watchdog agency, the Government 
Accountability Office.
    Although this bill generally meets the needs of Legislative 
Branch agencies and was written in a largely cooperative and 
bipartisan manner, there are several areas that evince a 
prioritization of buildings over people. For example, while the 
Library of Congress receives an appropriation above its budget 
request, the unrestricted amount appropriated for the salaries 
and expenses of the Library's employees and operations is $6.2 
million below the request. This will necessitate the Library 
slowing or pausing hiring throughout the year in order to stay 
within their budget as stated by the Librarian of Congress 
during her testimony in April 2018.
    We also wish the bill invested more in Congress as an 
institution. When we fail to keep pace with the private sector, 
the Executive Branch, and the Senate, we lose or fail to 
attract talented professionals who are essential to the 
legislative process, and we strain the House's ability to serve 
the American people. We hope the majority will work with us on 
these concerns.
    Beyond the Legislative Branch bill, we remain gravely 
disappointed in the dysfunctional state of the overall budget 
process under Republican control of Congress.
    The Bipartisan Budget Agreement enacted early this year 
provided relief from unworkable discretionary spending caps. 
The agreement was supposed to provide the country with 
stability following a year of shutdowns, last-minute veto 
threats, and general uncertainty in government. That stability 
lasted long enough for Congress to pass a bipartisan Omnibus 
appropriations bill for fiscal year 2018 and then Republican 
chaos reigned again. The President threatened to veto the bill, 
unhappy with Congress' large investments in programs to help 
low and middle income Americans and rejection of his campaign-
promised border wall.
    Even after the President backed off his threat and signed 
the bill, the administration and even Republican leadership in 
Congress who voted for the Bipartisan Budget Act and the 
Omnibus bill have continued to attempt to undo those bipartisan 
agreements. Now, the majority is seeking to pass a rescissions 
bill to undo funding and mollify an angry President. We have 
been told by OMB Director Mick Mulvaney that this is the first 
of many rescission packages meant to bring spending in line 
with the President's priorities, ignoring Congressional action 
that dismissed the President's fiscal year 2017 and fiscal year 
2018 draconian budget requests.
    In addition to the unacceptable rescissions proposals, the 
majority's lack of transparency with regards to how it will 
allocate the fiscal year 2019 discretionary budget also 
endangers future bipartisan compromise. The majority has 
abandoned longstanding committee practice to provide the 
Members and the public with a budget blueprint for domestic 
spending, known as 302(b) allocations. Members are being asked 
to vote on bills without having the full picture on what impact 
each bill will have on other bills. We are very concerned about 
what that means for programs in other bills that have yet to be 
considered and Democrats can only be left to assume that the 
majority is siphoning money from bills at the end of the 
process like the State and Foreign Operations bill and the 
Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education appropriations 
bill.
    In summary, while this bill is a good product and deserves 
our support, the overall budget process under which we are 
proceeding is dysfunctional. The American people deserve 
better, and we hope the majority will return to regular order 
so the remaining appropriations bills can be written to attract 
the level of bipartisan support the fiscal year 2019 
Legislative Branch bill had in committee.
                                   Tim Ryan.
                                   Nita M. Lowey.

                     ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF NITA LOWEY

    I am pleased that the majority agreed to eliminate the 
Office of the Former Speaker, as requested by Leader Pelosi, 
herself a former speaker, in her April 26 letter to myself and 
Ranking Member Tim Ryan. As I noted both at the Subcommittee 
and full Appropriations Committee markups of the Legislative 
Branch bill, taxpayers should not be on the hook to fund an 
office for former speakers; the money is better invested 
elsewhere.
    Leader Pelosi's letter on this subject is included below.
                                   Nita M. Lowey.
                                   
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