United States

House of

Representatives

Financial Report

December 28, 2020 | Report No. 20-HSW-08

Financial Statements for the

Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2019

2019

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Office of Inspector General Audit Report Summary ............................................................................ 3

Management’s Discussion and Analysis ............................................................................................. 7

Independent Auditor’s Report.............................................................................................................15

Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Statements ..............................................................................................23

Consolidated Balance Sheets........................................................................................................26

Consolidated Statements of Net Cost ............................................................................................27

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Position....................................................................28

Combined Statements of Budgetary Resources ........................................................................... 29

Notes to the Financial Statements .....................................................................................................31

Required Supplementary Information................................................................................................ 55

Stewardship Property and Equipment............................................................................................57

Combining Statements of Budgetary Resources .......................................................................... 59

Office of Inspector General 

Audit Report Summary
4 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Office of Inspector General Audit Report Summary | 5
6 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Management’s Discussion and Analysis | 7

Management’s Discussion 

and Analysis
8 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Management’s Discussion and Analysis | 9

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

FISCAL YEAR 2019

INTRODUCTION

The U.S. House of Representatives (House) is one of two 

legislative chambers that comprise the Congress of the 

United States. The other is the U.S. Senate. Congress is a 

part of the Federal Government’s legislative branch. Fiscal 

Year (FY) 2019 (October 1, 2018 – September 30, 2019) 

coincided with sessions of the 116th U.S. Congress.

Our History

Article I, Section 1 of the Constitution, adopted by the 

Constitutional Convention on September 17, 1787, created 

and vested all legislative powers to the Congress. As 

outlined in the Constitution, the House represents citizens 

based on district populations, while the Senate represents 

citizens on an equal state basis. The primary purpose of the 

House is to pass legislation, and represent constituents and 

provide oversight over 

federal agencies. The 

House has several powers 

assigned exclusively to 

it, including the power 

to initiate revenue bills, 

impeach federal officials, 

and elect the President in 

the case of an Electoral 

College tie.

OUR ORGANIZATION 

House Membership

The House is comprised of 435 voting Representatives, 

proportionally representing the population of the 50 

states. The current size was set by Public Law 62-5 on 

August 8, 1911, and in effect since 1913. Article I, Section 2

of the U.S. Constitution provides for both the minimum 

and maximum numbers of Members in the House; and 

each state, territory, or district is entitled to at least one 

Representative. A Resident Commissioner from Puerto 

Rico and Delegates from American Samoa, the District of 

Columbia, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the 

Virgin Islands complete the composition of the House. 

Members are elected by the people for 2-year terms, 

with all terms running for the same period. Elections for 

Representatives are held every even-numbered year on 

Election Day. Article I, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution 

states: “No Person shall be a Representative who shall not 

have attained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been 

seven Years a Citizen of the United States, and who shall 

not, when elected, be an Inhabitant of that State in which he 

shall be chosen.” 

House Leadership

Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution states, “The House 

of Representatives shall chuse (sic) their Speaker and other 

officers.” In addition to the Speaker, each political party in 

the House has a leadership hierarchy, typically including 

a Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Majority Whip, and 

Minority Whip. 

The Speaker acts as leader of the House and combines 

several institutional and administrative roles. Majority 

and minority leaders represent their respective parties on 

the House floor. Whips assist leadership in managing their 

party’s legislative program on the House floor.

A party caucus or conference is the name given to a 

meeting or organization of all party Members in the House. 
10 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

During these meetings, party Members discuss matters of 

concern. The majority party Members and the minority 

party Members meet in separate caucuses to select their 

leader. Third parties rarely have had enough Members to 

elect their own leadership, and independents will generally 

join one of the larger party organizations to receive 

committee assignments.

Committees

The Rules of the House, adopted at the beginning of 

each new Congress, allow for the creation of Standing 

and Special and Select Committees. Before Members are 

assigned to Committees, each Committee’s size and the 

proportion of Republicans to Democrats must be decided 

by the party leaders. The total number of Committee slots 

allotted to each party is approximately the same as the ratio 

between majority party and minority party Members in the 

full Chamber.

The House’s 21 Standing, Special and Select Committees 

have different legislative jurisdictions. Each considers bills 

and issues and recommends measures for consideration by 

the House. Committees also have oversight responsibilities 

to monitor agencies, programs, and activities within their 

jurisdictions, and in some cases in areas that cut across 

Committee jurisdictions. Current Joint Committees include 

the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Committee on 

the Library, the Joint Committee on Printing, and the Joint 

Committee on Taxation.

The Committee of the Whole House is a Committee of the 

House on which all Representatives serve and which meets 

in the House Chamber for the consideration of measures 

from the Union calendar.

Commissions

Congress has created a wide variety of temporary and 

permanent commissions to serve as advisory bodies 

for investigative or policy-related issues, or to carry out 

administrative, interparliamentary, or commemorative 

tasks. Such commissions are typically created by either 

law or House Resolution, and may be composed of House 

Members, private citizens, or a mix of both. In some cases, 

the commissions are entities of the House or Congress 

itself; in other cases, they are crafted as independent entities 

within the legislative branch.

House Officers and Officials

Rule II of the Rules of the House for the 116th Congress 

provided for the election of four officers to support 

House operations: a Clerk, a Sergeant-at-Arms, a Chief 

Administrative Officer (CAO), and a Chaplain. The Rules of 

the House also established the Offices of Inspector General, 

Historian, and General Counsel. 

Under House Rule II, the CAO has “operational and 

financial responsibility for functions as assigned by the 

Committee on House Administration and shall be subject 

to the policy direction and oversight of the Committee on 

House Administration.” According to Committee on House 

Administration records, the CAO has been designated as 

the disbursing officer for the House of Representatives since 

July 1, 1995. Additionally, House Rule II requires the CAO 

to “fully cooperate with the appropriate offices and persons 

in the performance of reviews and audits of financial records 

and administrative operations.” Accordingly, an audit of the 

financial statements of the House, as prepared by the CAO, 

is performed annually. 

Location

The House Chamber is located in the U.S. Capitol in 

Washington, D.C. Other House administrative buildings in 

Washington, D.C. include the Cannon, Ford, Longworth, 

O’Neill, and Rayburn House office buildings.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis | 11

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS 

The financial summary and highlights that follow provide 

an overview of the FY 2019 and FY 2018 financial 

statements of the House. The audit of the House’s 

FY 2019 and FY 2018 consolidated financial statements 

was performed by Williams Adley & Company - DC, LLP. 

Accordingly, Williams Adley’s audit report precedes the 

financial statements of this document.

In order to help the reader to understand the House’s 

financial results, position, and condition, the following 

analysis addresses the relevance of particular balances and 

amounts as well as major changes in types and/or amounts 

of assets, liabilities, costs, revenues, obligations, and 

outlays.

Basis of Accounting and Presentation

The FY 2019 and FY 2018 financial statements present 

the financial position, net cost of operations, changes in 

net position and budgetary resources of the House. These 

statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. 

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) issued 

by the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board 

(FASAB) and the applicable form and content requirements 

of the Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) Circular 

No. A-136, Financial Reporting Requirements. 

The House’s accounting structure, in accordance with 

GAAP, utilizes both accrual and budgetary accounting. 

Under accrual accounting, events are recognized as they 

occur, as opposed to when cash is received or disbursed. 

Therefore, revenues are recorded when earned and expenses 

are recorded when a liability is incurred, without regard to 

receipt or payment of cash. The budgetary accounting, on 

the other hand, facilitates compliance with legal constraints 

on, and controls over, the use of Federal funds.

Balance Sheet

The Balance Sheet is a representation of the House’s 

financial condition at the end of the fiscal year. It shows 

the resources that the House holds to meet its statutory 

requirements (Assets); the amounts it owes that will 

require payment from these resources (Liabilities); and, the 

difference between them (Net Position).

Condensed Balance Sheet Data

Dollars in Millions 2019 2018 % Change

Fund Balance with 

Treasury $205 $269 -24%

Property and

Equipment, Net 21 18 17%

Other Assets 18 15 20%

Total Assets $244 $302 -19%

Accounts Payable 28 25 12%

Actuarial FECA

Liabilities 28 30 -7%

Other Liabilities 20 21 -5%

Total Liabilities $76 $76 0%

Unexpended

Appropriations 154 213 -28%

Cumulative Results 

from Operations 14 13 8%

Total Net Position $168 $226 -26%

Total Liabilities and 

Net Position $244 $302 -19%

Assets 

The House reported total assets of $244 million as of 

September 30, 2019, a 19 percent decrease from prior 

year total assets of $302 million. The Fund Balance with 

Treasury of $205 million represents the primary asset on the 

Balance Sheet of the House (84 percent of total assets). 

Property and Equipment is the second largest asset, with a 

net balance of $21 million. The major items in this category 

include computer software, hardware, and equipment. Other 

Assets include Cash, Accounts Receivable, Inventory 

and Operating Materials and Supplies, and Advances and 

Prepayments.

Liabilities 

The House reported total liabilities of $76 million as of 

September 30, 2019, the same from the prior year total 

of $76 million. The primary categories include Accounts 

Payable of $28 million (37 percent of total liabilities) and 

Actuarial Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) 

Liabilities of $28 million (37 percent of total liabilities). 

Other Liabilities include categories such as Accrued Payroll 

and Benefits, Accrued Annual Leave, Advances from 

Others and Other Liabilities.
12 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Total Net Position

The Net Position as of September 30, 2019 was $168 million, 

a decrease of $58 million (26 percent) from the prior fiscal 

year. The balance was primarily comprised of Unexpended 

Appropriations of $154 million.

Statement of Net Cost

The Statement of Net Cost (SNC) in the Federal 

Government is different from a private-sector income 

statement in that the SNC reports expenses first and then 

subtracts the revenues that financed those expenses to arrive 

at a net cost.

Condensed Statement of Net Cost Data

Dollars in Millions 2019 2018 % Change

Legislative Activities

Gross Costs $1,630 $1,597 2%

Less: Earned Revenue (8) (5) 60%

Net Program Costs $1,622 $1,592 2%

Revolving Fund Activities

Gross Costs 8 6 33%

Less: Earned Revenue (6) (5) 20%

Net Program Costs $2 $1 100%

Net Cost of Operations $1,624 $1,593 2%

Earned Revenues

Earned revenues occur when the House provides goods or 

services to another Federal entity or the public. The House 

reports earned revenues regardless of whether it is permitted 

to retain the revenue or remit it to Treasury.

Net Cost of Operations

The Net Cost of Operations for FY 2019 was $1.6 billion, 

and primarily comprised of Legislative Activities. 

Statement of Changes in Net Position

The Statement of Changes in Net Position (SCNP) reports 

the change in net position during the reporting period. 

Net Position is affected by changes to its two components: 

Cumulative Results from Operations and Unexpended 

Appropriations. 

Net Position for FY 2019 totaled $168 million, a decrease of 

$58 million from FY 2018.

Cumulative Results from Operations

The Total Cumulative Results from Operations for FY 2019 

was $14 million, an increase of $1 million from FY 2018.

Unexpended Appropriations

Unexpended Appropriations for FY 2019 was $154 million, 

a decrease of $59 million from FY 2018. 

018

019

3%

$1.380B

$1.339B

$0.0B $0.5B $1.0B $1.5B

Net

Outlays

FY2019 FY2018

018

019

$0M $100M $200M $300M $400M

$168M

$76M

$244M

$226M

$76M

$302M -19%

0%

-26%

Total Net

Position

Total

Liabilities

Total

Assets

FY2019 FY2018
Management’s Discussion and Analysis | 13

018

019

3%

1%

3%

$1.380B

$1.396B

$1.511B

$1.339B

$1.387B

$1.553B

$0.0B $0.5B $1.0B $1.5B

Net

Outlays

Obligations

Incurred

Total Budgetary

Resources

FY2019 FY2018

018

019

$0M $100M $200M $300M $400M

$168M

$76M

$244M

$226M

$76M

$302M -19%

0%

-26%

Total Net

Position

Total

Liabilities

Total

Assets

FY2019 FY2018

Statement of Budgetary Resources

In accordance with Federal statutes and regulations, the 

House may incur obligations and make payments to the 

extent it has budgetary resources to cover such items. The 

Statement of Budgetary Resources (SBR) presents the 

sources of the House’s budgetary resources, their status at 

the end of the year, obligated balances, and the relationship 

between its budgetary resources and the outlays it made 

against them.

The House finances most of its operations through 

congressional appropriations of budget authority. To the 

extent that revenue generated by some House entities does 

not cover expenses, appropriations are required. The House 

receives annual, multi-year and no-year appropriations 

that may be used, within statutory limits, for operating 

and capital expenditures. A financing source is recognized 

for these appropriated funds received, less appropriations 

transferred or not available through rescission or 

cancellation. The House usually receives the full amount 

of its appropriation at the beginning of each fiscal year as 

stated in the public law. The House reported total budgetary 

resources for FY 2019 of $1.511 billion, down 3 percent 

from FY 2018. 

Limitations of the Financial Statements

The principal financial statements have been prepared to 

report the financial position and results of operations of

the House. 

While the statements have been prepared from the books and 

records of the House of Representatives in accordance with 

GAAP for federal entities and in the formats prescribed by 

OMB, the statements are in addition to the financial reports 

used to monitor and control budgetary resources that are 

prepared from the same books and records. 

The statements should be read with the realization that

they are for a component of the U.S. Government, a 

sovereign entity.
14 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

STATEMENT OF ASSURANCE

FISCAL YEAR 2019

The Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) management is responsible for 

managing risks and maintaining effective internal control. The CAO considers internal control 

best practices to be a key component of ensuring the organization’s objectives are achieved 

and has adopted processes to monitor, assess, and improve internal control effectiveness.

The internal control assessment is a review of the design and operating effectiveness of key 

internal control activities for the CAO’s business processes and follows a risk-based 

approach in determining the key controls to be assessed during the fiscal year. The goal of 

the internal control assessment process is to monitor, assess and improve the design and 

operational effectiveness of internal controls.

Based on the results of the assessment, the CAO can provide reasonable assurance that internal 

control was operating effectively as of September 30, 2019. This year, neither the CAO 

management nor the financial statement auditors found any material weaknesses in the design 

or operation of internal controls over reporting. 

Philip G. Kiko

Chief Administrative Officer
Independent Auditor’s Report | 15

Independent Auditor’s Report

Independent Auditor’s Report | 17

WILLIAMS, ADLEY & COMPANY-DC, LLP

Certified Public Accountants / Management Consultants

1030 15th Street, NW, Suite 350 West • Washington, DC 20005 • (202) 371-1397 • Fax: (202) 371-9161

www.williamsadley.com

Independent Auditor’s Report

Office of the Inspector General

United States House of Representatives

In our audits of the fiscal years 2019 and 2018 financial statements of the U.S. House of 

Representatives (House), we found:

• the House’s financial statements as of and for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2019, and 

2018, are presented fairly, in all material respects, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted 

accounting principles;

• no material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting based on the limited 

procedures we performed; 1 and 

• no reportable noncompliance for fiscal year 2019 with provisions of applicable laws, 

regulations, contracts, and grant agreements we tested.

The following sections discuss in more detail (1) our report on the financial statements, certain

required supplementary information (RSI)2, (2) our report on internal control over financial 

reporting; and (3) our report on compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant 

agreements; and (4) House comments.

Report on the Financial Statements

In accordance with the standards applicable to financial audits contained in Government Auditing 

Standards issued by the Comptroller General of the United States; and the Office of Management 

and Budget (OMB) Bulletin No. 19-03, Audit Requirements for Federal Financial Statements, we 

have audited the House’s financial statements. The House’s financial statements are comprised of

the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2019, and 2018; the related consolidated 

statements of net cost, consolidated changes in net position, and combined budgetary resources for 

the fiscal years then ended; and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively the

financial statements). 

We conducted our audits in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing 

standards. We believe that the audit evidence we obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide 

a basis for our audit opinions.

1

A material weakness is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable 

possibility that a material misstatement of the entity’s financial statements will not be prevented, or detected and corrected, on a timely basis. A 

deficiency in internal control exists when the design or operation of a control does not allow management or employees, in the normal course of 

performing their assigned functions, to prevent, or detect and correct, misstatements on a timely basis. 

2

The RSI consists of Management’s Discussion and Analysis, Stewardship Property and Equipment, and Combining Statements of Budgetary 

Resources sections.
18 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Management’s Responsibility 

House management is responsible for (1) the preparation and fair presentation of the financial 

statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles; (2) preparing, 

measuring, and presenting the RSI in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting 

principles; (3) maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, including the design, 

implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to the preparation and fair 

presentation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud 

or error. 

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the financial statements based on our audits. U.S. 

generally accepted government auditing standards and OMB Bulletin No. 19-03 require that we 

plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 

are free from material misstatement. We are also responsible for applying certain limited 

procedures to RSI included with the financial statements.

An audit of financial statements involves performing procedures to obtain audit evidence about 

the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. The procedures selected depend on the 

auditor’s judgment, including the auditor’s assessment of the risks of material misstatement of the 

financial statements, whether due to fraud or error. In making those risk assessments, the auditor 

considers internal control relevant to the entity’s preparation and fair presentation of the financial 

statements in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not 

for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the entity’s internal control. 

Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit of financial statements also involves evaluating 

the appropriateness of the accounting policies used and the reasonableness of significant 

accounting estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the 

financial statements. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered 

necessary in the circumstances. 

Opinion on Financial Statements

In our opinion, the House’s financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the House’s

financial position as of September 30, 2019, and 2018, and its net cost of operations, changes in 

net position, and budgetary resources for the fiscal years then ended in accordance with U.S. 

generally accepted accounting principles. 

Other Matters

Required Supplementary Information

U.S. generally accepted accounting principles issued by the Federal Accounting Standards 

Advisory Board (FASAB) and OMB Circular A-136 require that the RSI be presented to 

supplement the financial statements for Executive Branch agencies. Although the RSI is not 

a part of the financial statements, FASAB considers this information to be an essential part 

of financial reporting for placing the financial statements in appropriate operational, 

economic, or historical context. The House is a Legislative branch agency, which has elected 

to prepare its financial statements and related notes in accordance with the aforementioned 

Circular. However, as a Legislative branch agency, certain RSI disclosures required by the 
Independent Auditor’s Report | 19

Circular are not applicable to the House or are not required by certain laws or regulations. 

We have applied certain limited procedures to the RSI in accordance with U.S. generally 

accepted government auditing standards, which consisted of inquiries of management about 

the methods of preparing the RSI and comparing the information for consistency with 

management’s responses to the auditor’s inquiries, the financial statements, and other 

knowledge we obtained during the audit of the financial statements, in order to report 

omissions or material departures from FASAB guidelines, if any, identified by these limited 

procedures. We did not audit and we do not express an opinion or provide any assurance on 

the RSI because the limited procedures we applied do not provide sufficient evidence to

express an opinion or provide any assurance.

Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

In connection with our audits of the House’s financial statements, we considered the House’s

internal control over financial reporting, consistent with our auditor’s responsibility discussed 

below. We performed our procedures related to the House’s internal control over financial 

reporting in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards. 

Management’s Responsibility

The House management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial 

reporting, including the design, implementation, and maintenance of internal control relevant to 

the preparation and fair presentation of financial statements that are free from material 

misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

Auditor’s Responsibility 

In planning and performing our audit of the House’s financial statements as of and for the year 

ended September 30, 2019, in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government auditing 

standards, we considered the House’s internal control over financial reporting as a basis for 

designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances for the purpose of expressing 

our opinion on the financial statements, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the 

effectiveness of the House’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we do not 

express an opinion on the House’s internal control over financial reporting. We are required to 

report all deficiencies that are considered to be significant deficiencies3 or material weaknesses. 

We did not consider all internal controls relevant to operating objectives, such as those controls 

relevant to preparing performance information and ensuring efficient operations. 

Definition and Inherent Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

An entity’s internal control over financial reporting is a process effected by those charged with 

governance, management, and other personnel, the objectives of which are to provide reasonable 

assurance that (1) transactions are properly recorded, processed, and summarized to permit the 

preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting 

principles, and assets are safeguarded against loss from unauthorized acquisition, use, or 

disposition, and (2) transactions are executed in accordance with provisions of applicable laws, 

3

A significant deficiency is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting that is less severe 

than a material weakness, yet important enough to merit attention by those charged with governance.
20 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

including those governing the use of budget authority, regulations, contracts, and grant 

agreements, noncompliance with which could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent, or 

detect and correct, misstatements due to fraud or error. 

Results of Our Consideration of Internal Control over Financial Reporting

Our consideration of internal control was for the limited purpose described above, and was not 

designed to identify all deficiencies in internal control that might be material weaknesses and 

significant deficiencies or to express an opinion on the effectiveness of the House’s internal control 

over financial reporting. Given these limitations, during our audit, we did not identify any 

deficiencies in internal control over financial reporting that we consider to be significant 

deficiencies or material weaknesses. However, significant deficiencies or material weaknesses 

may exist that have not been identified. 

During our fiscal year 2019 audit, we identified deficiencies in the House’s internal control 

over financial reporting that we do not consider to be material weaknesses or significant 

deficiencies. Nonetheless, these deficiencies warrant House management’s attention and,

accordingly, we have communicated these matters to House management in a separate letter.

Intended Purpose of Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our consideration of the House’s

internal control over financial reporting and the results of our procedures, and not to provide an 

opinion on the effectiveness of the House’s internal control over financial reporting. This report is 

an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted government 

auditing standards in considering internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, this report 

on internal control over financial reporting is not suitable for any other purpose.

Report on Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Contracts, and Grant Agreements

In connection with our audits of the House’s financial statements, we tested compliance with 

selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements consistent with 

our auditor’s responsibility discussed below. We caution that noncompliance may occur and not 

be detected by these tests. We performed our tests of compliance in accordance with U.S. generally 

accepted government auditing standards.

Management’s Responsibility

The House management is responsible for complying with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant 

agreements applicable to the House.

Auditor’s Responsibility

Our responsibility is to test compliance with selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, 

contracts, and grant agreements applicable to the House that have a direct effect on the 

determination of material amounts and disclosures in the House’s financial statements, and 

perform certain other limited procedures. Accordingly, we did not test compliance with all laws, 

regulations, contracts, and grant agreements applicable to the House. 
Independent Auditor’s Report | 21

Results of Our Tests for Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Contracts, and Grant Agreements

Our tests for compliance with selected provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and 

grant agreements disclosed no instances of noncompliance for fiscal year 2019 that would be 

reportable under U.S. generally accepted government auditing standards. However, the objective 

of our tests was not to provide an opinion on compliance with laws, regulations, contracts, and 

grant agreements applicable to the House. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion. 

Intended Purpose of Report on Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Contracts, and Grant 

Agreements 

The purpose of this report is solely to describe the scope of our testing of compliance with selected 

provisions of applicable laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements, and the results of that 

testing, and not to provide an opinion on compliance. 

This report is an integral part of an audit performed in accordance with U.S. generally accepted 

government auditing standards in considering compliance. Accordingly, this report on compliance 

with laws, regulations, contracts, and grant agreements is not suitable for any other purpose.

House Response to Audit Report

In commenting on a draft of this audit report, House management provided a written response

which is presented in Appendix I. We did not audit the House response and, accordingly, we

express no opinion on the response.

Washington, District of Columbia

September 28, 2020
22 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Appendix I

House Response to Audit Report
Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Statements | 23

Fiscal Year 2019 

Financial Statements
24 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Statements | 25

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

FISCAL YEAR 2019 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The U.S. House of Representatives (House) has prepared 

financial statements for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 and FY 2018 

in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting 

Principles (GAAP) issued by the Federal Accounting 

Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) and the applicable 

form and content requirements of the Office of Management 

and Budget’s (OMB) Circular No. A-136, Financial 

Reporting Requirements. The responsibility for the integrity 

of the financial information included in these statements 

rests with management of the House. The audit of the 

House’s financial statements was performed by Williams 

Adley LLP. The Independent Auditor’s Report accompanies 

the financial statements.

The House’s financial statements for FY 2019 and FY 2018 

consisted of the following:

The Consolidated Balance Sheets present as of 

September 30, 2019 and 2018 those resources owned or 

managed by the House that are available to provide future 

economic benefits (assets); amounts owed by the House 

that will require payments from those resources or future 

resources (liabilities); and residual amounts retained by the 

House comprising the difference (net position).

The Consolidated Statements of Net Cost present the 

net cost of the House’s operations for the years ended 

September 30, 2019 and 2018. The House’s net cost of 

operations includes the gross costs incurred by the House 

less any exchange revenue earned from House activities. 

The Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Position 

present the change in the House’s net position resulting from 

the net cost of the House’s operations, budgetary financing 

sources other than exchange revenues, and other financing 

sources for the years ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

The Combined Statements of Budgetary Resources 

present the budgetary resources available to the House 

during FY 2019 and FY 2018, the status of these resources 

at September 30, 2019 and 2018, and net outlays of 

budgetary resources for the years ended September 30, 2019 

and 2018.
26 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

As of September 30, 2019 and 2018

2019 2018

ASSETS

Intragovernmental:

Fund Balance with U.S. Treasury (Note 2) $ 204,748,478 $ 268,933,029 

Accounts Receivable, Net (Note 3) 164,815 163,776 

Advances and Prepayments (Note 7) 1,174,294 1,441,279 

Total Intragovernmental 206,087,587 270,538,084 

Cash and Other Monetary Assets (Note 2) 2,456 2,629 

Accounts Receivable, Net (Note 3) 443,735 354,286 

Inventory and Operating Materials and Supplies (Note 4) 1,524,596 1,539,201 

Property and Equipment, Net (Note 5) 21,087,003 18,435,428 

Advances and Prepayments (Note 7) 15,074,250 11,225,994 

Total Assets $ 244,219,627 $ 302,095,622 

 

Stewardship Property and Equipment (Note 6)

 

LIABILITIES

Intragovernmental:

Accounts Payable $ 2,308,672 $ 3,089,257 

Advances from Others 3,211,105 5,393,168 

Other Liabilities 1,662,671 1,570,905 

Total Intragovernmental 7,182,448 10,053,330 

Accounts Payable 25,229,554 21,973,648 

Actuarial Federal Employees' Compensation Act Liabilities 28,465,473 30,096,226 

Accrued Payroll and Benefits 6,773,431 6,795,896 

Accrued Annual Leave 8,739,625 7,448,868 

Other Liabilities 3,447 6,850 

Total Liabilities (Note 8) $ 76,393,978 $ 76,374,818 

NET POSITION

Unexpended Appropriations $ 154,220,723 $ 213,270,162 

Cumulative Results from Operations 13,604,926 12,450,642 

 Total Net Position $ 167,825,649 $ 225,720,804 

Total Liabilities and Net Position $ 244,219,627 $ 302,095,622 
Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Statements | 27

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF NET COST

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

2019 2018

NET COST OF OPERATIONS (Notes 11 & 19)

Net Costs by Program Area

Legislative Activities

Gross Costs $ 1,631,345,597 $ 1,596,915,119 

Less: Earned Revenue (7,765,684) (5,299,390)

Net Program Costs 1,623,579,913 1,591,615,729 

Revolving Fund Activities

Gross Costs 7,614,439 6,241,317 

Less: Earned Revenue (5,871,700) (4,866,779)

Net Program Costs 1,742,739 1,374,538 

Net Cost of Operations $ 1,625,322,652 $ 1,592,990,267 
28 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET POSITION

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

2019 2018

Unexpended Appropriations

Beginning Balance $ 213,270,162 $ 258,857,703 

Budgetary Financing Sources

Appropriations Received (Note 17) 1,350,343,035 1,335,624,766 

Appropriations Transferred-In/Out - (15,000,000)

Other Adjustments (Note 2) (34,675,103) (21,565,434)

Appropriations Used (1,374,717,371) (1,344,646,873)

Total Budgetary Financing Sources (59,049,439) (45,587,541)

Total Unexpended Appropriations $ 154,220,723 $ 213,270,162 

Cumulative Results from Operations

Beginning Balance $ 12,450,642 $ 17,114,153 

Budgetary Financing Sources

Appropriations Used 1,374,717,371 1,344,646,873 

Non-exchange Revenue 15,800 14,100 

Other Financing Sources

Imputed Financing from Costs Absorbed

 by Others (Note 15) 252,026,509 243,876,571 

Other Adjustments (282,744) (210,788)

Total Financing Sources 1,626,476,936 1,588,326,756 

Net Cost of Operations (1,625,322,652) (1,592,990,267)

Net Change 1,154,284 (4,663,511)

Total Cumulative Results from Operations $ 13,604,926 $ 12,450,642 

Net Position $ 167,825,649 $ 225,720,804 
Fiscal Year 2019 Financial Statements | 29

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

COMBINED STATEMENTS OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

2019 2018

Budgetary Resources

Unobligated balance from prior year budget authority, net 

(discretionary and mandatory) $ 134,483,889 $ 204,697,967 

Appropriations (discretionary and mandatory) (Note 18) 1,350,343,035 1,320,624,766 

Spending authority from offsetting collections 

(discretionary and mandatory) 26,187,626 27,954,954 

Total budgetary resources $ 1,511,014,550 $ 1,553,277,687 

Status of Budgetary Resources

New obligations and upward adjustments (total) $ 1,395,713,006 $ 1,386,999,827 

Unobligated balance, end of year:

Exempt from apportionment, unexpired accounts 104,543,444 127,341,451 

Unexpired unobligated balance, end of year 104,543,444 127,341,451 

Expired unobligated balance, end of year 10,758,100 38,936,409 

Unobligated balance, end of year (total) $ 115,301,544 $ 166,277,860 

Total budgetary resources $ 1,511,014,550 $ 1,553,277,687 

Outlays, Net

Outlays, net (total) (discretionary and mandatory) 1,379,850,564 1,339,539,724 

Distributed offsetting receipts (238,821) (192,925)

Agency outlays, net (discretionary and mandatory) (Note 19) $ 1,379,611,743 $ 1,339,346,799 
30 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Notes to the Financial Statements | 31

Notes to the 

Financial Statements
32 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Notes to the Financial Statements | 33

NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NOTE 1 – SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

A. Description of the Reporting Entity

The U.S. House of Representatives (House) is one of two 

separate legislative chambers that comprise the Congress 

of the United States. The other is the U.S. Senate (Senate). 

All lawmaking powers of the Federal government are 

given to the Congress under Article I of the Constitution 

of the United States. The House and Senate jointly agree 

on a budget for the Legislative Branch and submit it to the 

President of the United States. The Members of the House 

serve two-year terms of office, which coincide with the 

sequential numbering of the entire Congress. 

To help carry out its constitutional duties, the House creates 

Committees of Members and assigns them responsibility 

for gathering information, identifying policy problems, 

proposing solutions, and reporting bills to the full chamber 

for consideration. The House elects and appoints Officers 

and officials to administer both legislative and non-legislative 

functions, which support the institution and its Members in 

carrying out its legislative duties. The financial statements 

of the House provide financial information on the activities 

of all entities, which are subject to the authority vested in the 

House by the U.S. Constitution, public laws, and rules and 

regulations adopted by the membership of the House.

These financial statements reflect the organizational 

structure of the House under the 115th and 116th 

Congresses. The Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 and FY 2018 

financial statements are comprised of two programs: 

Legislative Activities and Revolving Fund Activities. 

Legislative Activities

Legislative Activities consist of all financial activity 

related to the operations of all Member Offices, both 

in Washington, D.C. and Congressional districts; all 

Committees both Standing and Special and Select; 

Leadership Offices; House Officers and Offices; and Joint 

Functions that the House shares with the Senate including 

the Attending Physician and Joint Committee on Taxation.

House Members are elected from congressional districts of 

approximately equal population. The financial information 

aggregates transactions of the Member districts and 

Washington, D.C. offices, and includes 435 Representatives; 

five Delegates, one each from the District of Columbia, 

Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Northern 

Mariana Islands; and one Resident Commissioner from 

Puerto Rico. 

The Committees financial information aggregates 

transactions of the Standing and Special and Select 

Committees of the 115th and 116th Congresses. Committees 

are organized at the beginning of each Congress according 

to their jurisdictional boundaries incorporated in the Rules 

of the House. The Committees of the House under the 115th 

and 116th Congresses are:

Committee on Agriculture

Committee on Appropriations

Committee on Armed Services

Committee on the Budget

Committee on Education and Labor 

Committee on Energy and Commerce

Committee on Ethics 

Committee on Financial Services

Committee on Foreign Affairs

Committee on Homeland Security

Committee on House Administration

Committee on the Judiciary

Committee on Natural Resources

Committee on Oversight and Reform

Committee on Rules

Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 

Committee on Small Business

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

Committee on Ways and Means

Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence

Select Committee on the Climate Crisis

Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress
34 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

The House Leadership Offices financial information 

aggregates transactions of:

Speaker of the House

Majority and Minority Leaders

Majority and Minority Whips

Party Steering Committees, Caucus or Conference, which 

consist of Representatives of the same political party

The Officers and Legislative Offices financial information 

aggregates transactions of all legislative support and 

administrative functions provided to Members, Committees, 

and Leadership offices, including:

Office of the Chaplain

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)

Clerk of the House

Office of Congressional Ethics

Office of Interparliamentary Affairs

Office of the General Counsel

Office of the Historian

Office of Inspector General

Office of the Law Revision Counsel

Office of the Legislative Counsel

Office of the Parliamentarian

Office of the Sergeant at Arms

The Joint Functions financial information aggregates 

transactions of the joint activities of the House and the 

Senate to the extent that the House funds these functions. 

House administrative management does not exert direct 

control over the expenditures of these functions. The joint 

functions in these statements include:

Office of the Attending Physician

Joint Committee on Taxation

The following Joint Committees are comprised of 

Members of both the House and the Senate, but are not 

funded by House appropriations:

Joint Committee on the Library

Joint Committee on Printing

Joint Economic Committee

Revolving Fund Activities 

Revolving Fund Activities consist of all financial activity 

related to the operations of all House revolving fund accounts.

The Revolving Funds financial information aggregates 

transactions of:

House Child Care Center

House Recording Studio 

House Services

Net Expenses of Equipment 

Net Expenses of Telecommunications

Stationery

The accompanying financial statements include activities 

and operations of the House. In accordance with SFFAS 47, 

Reporting Entity, the House has included all consolidation 

entities for which it is accountable in the accompanying 

financial statements and the House does not have 

relationships requiring disclosure as a disclosure entity or 

related party.

B. Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts 

and significant activities of the House. All significant 

interoffice balances and transactions have been eliminated 

to arrive at consolidated financial information, except for 

the Statement of Budgetary Resources which is presented on 

a combined basis in accordance with Office of Management 

and Budget’s (OMB) Circular No. A-136. 

The financial statements do not include legislative 

agencies that support the House and that receive separate 

appropriations. These agencies are:

Architect of the Capitol

Congressional Budget Office

Government Accountability Office

Government Printing Office

Library of Congress

U.S. Botanic Garden

U.S. Capitol Police

Functions jointly shared between the House and the Senate 

are included in the financial statements to the extent their 

operations are funded by House appropriations. 

C. Basis of Accounting and Presentation

The financial statements present the financial position, net 

cost of operations, changes in net position, and budgetary 

resources of the House. These statements have been 

prepared in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted 

Accounting Principles (GAAP) issued by the Federal 

Accounting Standards Advisory Board (FASAB) and the 

applicable form and content requirements of the OMB 

Circular No. A-136. 

While the House is a Legislative Branch entity, it has 

elected to incorporate many of the Federal government 

Executive Branch agency financial management and 
Notes to the Financial Statements | 35

reporting standards that management deems necessary for 

the fair presentation of financial statement information.

The House’s accounting structure, in accordance with 

GAAP, utilizes both accrual and budgetary accounting. 

Under accrual accounting, events are recognized as they 

occur, as opposed to when cash is received or disbursed. 

Therefore, revenues are recorded when earned and expenses 

are recorded when a liability is incurred, without regard to 

receipt or payment of cash. The budgetary accounting, on 

the other hand, facilitates compliance with legal constraints 

on and controls over the use of Federal funds. 

Throughout these financial statements, assets, liabilities, 

revenues, and costs have been classified according to the 

type of entity with whom the transactions were made. 

Intragovernmental assets and liabilities are those from or to 

other Federal entities. Intragovernmental earned revenues 

are collections or accruals of revenue from other Federal 

entities, and intragovernmental costs are payments or 

accruals of liabilities to other Federal entities. 

While these statements have been prepared from the 

records of the House in accordance with GAAP and formats 

prescribed in OMB Circular No. A-136, these statements 

are in addition to the financial reports used to monitor and 

control the budgetary resources that are prepared from the 

same records. These statements should be read with the 

realization that they are for a component of the 

U.S. government, a sovereign entity. 

D. Fund Balance with the U.S. Treasury, 

Cash and Other Monetary Assets

The U.S. Treasury processes cash receipts and 

disbursements for the House through its cash management 

services. Fund Balance with Treasury (FBWT) represents 

the aggregate amount of House fund accounts with the 

U.S. Treasury available to pay current liabilities and 

finance authorized purchases. FBWT consists of balances 

for general fund expenditure accounts, revolving funds, 

and other fund types as of the end of the FY. FBWT also 

includes the Congressional Use of Foreign Currency 

account, which is held at the U.S. Treasury and is 

maintained and administered by the Department of State on 

behalf of the House. The House also maintains an account 

related to Other Fund Types. Cash and other monetary 

assets include cash on hand that represents deposits in 

transit and amounts held in a commercial bank account. 

(See Note 2) 

The following describes the type of funds maintained by 

the House:

General Fund Expenditure Accounts are fund accounts 

used to record amounts appropriated by Congress for the 

general support of the Federal government. 

Revolving Funds are fund accounts used to record funds 

authorized by specific provisions of law to finance a 

continuing cycle of business–type operations. Receipts 

are credited directly to the revolving fund as offsetting 

collections and are available for expenditure without further 

action by Congress. 

Other Fund Types include General Fund Receipt and 

Deposit Fund accounts. General Fund Receipt accounts 

are used to record all receipts not earmarked by law for a 

specific purpose. These receipts may include miscellaneous 

recoveries and refunds as well as fines and penalties. The 

U.S. Treasury automatically transfers all cash balances in 

these receipt accounts to the general fund of the Treasury 

at the end of each FY. Deposit Fund accounts are used to 

record monies withheld from payroll, payments for goods 

and services that are pending disbursement to other entities, 

and receipts and disbursements awaiting determination of 

the proper accounting classification. 

E. Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts Receivable represents amounts due to the 

House from Federal entities, Members, employees, and/or 

vendors for money, goods, and services less an Allowance 

for Doubtful Accounts. Accounts Receivable primarily 

arises from provision of goods and services, commissions, 

and overpayments. Allowance for Doubtful Accounts 

is based on an analysis of outstanding accounts, aging 

methodologies, and historical collection experience. 

Intragovernmental accounts receivable are generally 

considered to be fully collectible. (See Note 3)

F. Inventory and Related Property, Net 

Inventory is tangible personal property that is held for sale. 

The CAO Office Supply Service and Gift Shop maintain 

an inventory of supplies and merchandise purchased for 

resale to the public. Inventories for sale are valued by the 

historical cost method using the weighted average cost 

flow assumption.
36 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Operating Material and Supplies are tangible personal 

property to be consumed during normal operations. The 

CAO Logistics and Support Office maintains inventories of 

items such as hardwood, carpet, leather, fabric, furniture 

components, and repair materials purchased by the House 

for use in its operations. The CAO House Information 

Resources Office maintains inventories of items such as 

fiber jumpers to support network connectivity and patch 

cords to support desktop computers. These items are not 

for sale and are reflected in the financial statements at an 

estimated value based on the historical cost method using 

the first in/first out cost flow assumption. (See Note 4)

G. General Property and Equipment, Net

General Property and Equipment (P&E) consists of office 

and computer equipment, furniture, vehicles, software, 

leasehold improvements, and software in development. The 

House capitalizes P&E when the unit acquisition cost equals 

or exceeds $25,000 and the item has a useful life of greater 

than two years with the exception of software. Software is 

capitalized if the unit acquisition cost is equal to or greater 

than $10,000 and the item has a useful life of two years or 

more. Software in development consists of capitalized costs 

associated with software received, but not placed in service 

as of the end of the FY. The costs of all such items are 

recognized as assets when acquired or put in service.

An appropriate portion of an asset’s value is reduced and 

an expense for depreciation or amortization is recognized 

over the accounting periods benefited by the asset’s use. 

The House calculates depreciation and amortization 

expense based on the straight-line method over an asset’s 

estimated useful life. Depreciation expense is applicable to 

tangible assets such as equipment, furniture, and vehicles. 

Amortization expense is applicable to intangible assets such 

as software and leasehold improvements. 

A loss is recognized when the net book value of the asset at 

the time of disposal exceeds any proceeds received. A gain is 

recognized when the net book value of the asset at the time 

of disposal is less than any proceeds received. (See Note 5)

House office buildings and land occupied by Members and 

employees in Washington, D.C. are under the custody of the 

Architect of the Capitol (AOC) and are excluded from the 

House’s P&E accounts. The House recognizes an imputed 

cost and related imputed financing source in its financial 

statements for the costs associated with the occupancy of the 

U.S. Capitol, and House office buildings. (See Notes 1K and 14)

H. Stewardship Property and Equipment 

Stewardship P&E includes heritage assets and stewardship 

land. Heritage assets are unique due to their historical 

or natural significance; cultural, educational, or artistic 

importance; or significant architectural characteristics. 

Heritage assets consist of collection-type assets, such as 

objects gathered and maintained for exhibition, for example, 

museum collections, art collections, and library collections; 

and non-collection-type assets, such as parks, memorials, 

monuments, and buildings. These assets are expected to 

be preserved indefinitely. The House’s heritage assets are 

considered collection-type assets and consist primarily of 

historical artwork and artifacts. 

Heritage assets can serve two purposes: a heritage function 

and a general government operational function. If a heritage 

asset serves both purposes, but is predominantly used for 

general government operations, the asset is considered 

a multi-use heritage asset, which is included in general 

P&E on the Balance Sheet. The House office buildings 

and land occupied and used by Members and employees in 

Washington, D.C. meet the criteria of multi-use heritage 

assets. Stewardship responsibility for these multi-use 

heritage assets is maintained by the AOC and disclosed on 

its financial statements. The House does not possess multiuse heritage assets or stewardship land.

Heritage assets that are not multi-use are disclosed on the 

Balance Sheet as a note reference with no asset amount 

shown, and are not included in the general P&E. The cost of 

improving, reconstructing, or renovating heritage assets is 

recognized as an expense in the period incurred. Similarly, 

the cost to acquire or construct a heritage asset is recognized 

as an expense in the period incurred. Due to their nature, 

matching costs with specific periods would not be meaningful. 

(See Note 6 and Required Supplementary Information)

I. Advances and Prepayments

Advances and prepayments are transfers of cash to cover 

future expenses or the future acquisition of assets. These 

goods and services are delivered in increments that span 

several months. Advance payments are recorded as assets 

and consist of payments to Federal government entities for 

contractual services and for mailings that require address 

corrections or additional postage. As the goods and services 

are rendered, the Advance account is drawn down and the 

appropriate asset or expense is recognized. The House also 

pays for health plans under Public Law 111-148, Patient 

Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) and records this 
Notes to the Financial Statements | 37

payment as an advance. The advance account is then drawn 

down and an expense is recognized when invoices are 

received for health care insurance premiums. Prepayments 

are also recorded as assets and represent payments made by 

a Federal entity to cover certain periodic expenses before 

those expenses are incurred. Prepayments include payments 

for subscriptions and are initially recorded as expenses. At 

year-end, all such payments made for the current year are 

analyzed to determine the proper expense and prepayment 

amounts applicable to the current accounting period for 

financial statement purposes. (See Note 7)

J. Liabilities 

Liabilities represent the probable future outflow or other 

sacrifice of resources as a result of past transactions or 

events. Liabilities are amounts due to others as a result 

of items received, services rendered, expenses incurred, 

assets acquired and software in development regardless 

of whether invoices have been received. Liabilities also 

represent amounts received that have not yet been earned. 

Liabilities covered by budgetary resources are liabilities 

incurred that will be covered by available budgetary 

resources encompassing not only new budget authority 

but also other resources available to cover liabilities for 

specified purposes in a given year. Liabilities not covered by 

budgetary resources include unfunded liabilities incurred 

for which revenues or other sources of funds necessary to 

pay the liabilities have not been made available through 

congressional appropriations or current earnings of the 

reporting entity. (See Note 8)

The House’s liabilities include:

Accounts Payable that represent amounts owed for the 

cost of goods and services received but not yet paid. The 

House estimates certain accounts payable balances based on 

methodology that encompasses historical data and the first 

month financial activity of the subsequent FY. 

Advances from Others that represent advance payments 

received from other Federal government entities for shared 

services, in advance of the delivery of these services. As the 

services are rendered the Advances from Others account is 

drawn down and the appropriate revenue is recognized. The 

House received payments in advance of receipt of shared 

services from the Library of Congress and the AOC. 

Actuarial Federal Employees’ Compensation Act 

Liabilities that represent an estimate based on actuarial 

calculations using historical payment patterns to predict 

what costs will be incurred in the future. The liability is 

adjusted annually by applying actuarial procedures. Any 

upward or downward adjustment to the liability is recorded 

as an annual increase or decrease to benefits expense. The 

House calculated the actuarial liability based on a model 

developed by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). The 

Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) provides 

income and medical cost protection to covered Federal 

civilian employees injured on the job, employees who 

have incurred a work-related occupational disease, and 

beneficiaries of employees whose death is attributable 

to a job-related injury or occupational disease. Claims 

paid for the benefit of House employees under FECA are 

administered by DOL, which pays the initial claim and 

obtains reimbursement from the House. 

Accrued Payroll and Benefits and Annual Leave that 

represent both a funded and unfunded liability. A funded 

liability has a corresponding appropriation to liquidate it. 

An unfunded liability is a liability that is incurred during 

the current or prior year but is not payable until a future FY 

for which an appropriation has not yet been received.

Accrued payroll and benefits include salaries and 

associated benefits earned in the current FY and paid in 

the subsequent FY.

Annual leave for the House Officers, the Inspector General, 

and their employees is accrued as earned, and the liability 

is reduced as leave is taken. The accrued annual leave 

balances are calculated according to Public Law 104-53, 

November 19, 1995, Sec. 109 Stat. 522 (i.e., the lesser of the 

employee’s monthly pay or the monthly pay divided by 30 

days and multiplied by the number of days of accrued leave). 

The House utilizes actual hours to calculate the liability. 

Sick and other types of paid leave are expensed as they 

are taken. The Members’ and Committees’ Congressional 

Handbooks allow offices to adopt personnel policies that 

provide for the accrual of annual leave and use of such 

leave. Leadership and other select House offices have also 

adopted similar policies. While leave is tracked from one 

pay period to the next, a consistent policy has not been 

formally adopted by these entities regarding the accrual and 

payment of leave time. Therefore, an accrued leave liability 

for Members, Committees, Leadership, and select House 

offices is estimated on the financial statements. In FY 2019, 

the estimate was based on a three-year average of historical 

data of actual annual leave paid. 
38 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Other Intragovernmental Liabilities that represent 

the accrued workers’ compensation amount billed by 

DOL that will be paid in subsequent FYs, unemployment 

compensation amounts owed to DOL, and accrued benefits. 

Other Public Liabilities that represent amounts held 

pending proper accounting disposition or amounts withheld 

from payroll and payments for goods and services that are 

pending disbursement to other entities. 

K. Revenue and Other Financing Sources

Appropriations 

The House finances most of its operations through 

congressional appropriations of budget authority. To the 

extent that revenue generated by some House activities does 

not cover expenses, appropriations are required. The House 

receives annual, multi-year, and no-year appropriations 

that may be used, within statutory limits, for operating 

and capital expenditures. A financing source is recognized 

for these appropriated funds received, less appropriations 

transferred or not available through rescission or 

cancellation. The House usually receives the full amount of 

its appropriation at the beginning of each FY as stated in the 

public law. 

Exchange and Non-Exchange Revenue

The House classifies revenues as either exchange revenue or 

non-exchange revenue. Exchange revenue is derived from 

transactions in which both the government and the other 

party receive value; and is recognized when goods have 

been delivered or services rendered. The House’s exchange 

revenue consists of (1) sales of goods to the public for Office 

Supply Service and Gift Shop sales; (2) sales of services to 

the public for child care, photography sales, postal services 

and Attending Physician services; and (3) other revenue 

for vendor commissions. Non-exchange revenue is derived 

from the government’s sovereign right to demand payment 

from the public (e.g., taxes, duties, fines, and penalties) but 

also includes donations. The House reports non-exchange 

revenue collected from donations for the Reduction of 

Public Debt and fines for Ethic Violations.

Intragovernmental Costs and

Earned Revenues

The House earns intragovernmental revenue by providing 

mail and telecommunication services primarily to other 

legislative entities. Intragovernmental costs and exchange 

revenue represent transactions made between two reporting 

entities within the Federal government and are disclosed 

separately from costs and exchange revenue with the public 

(exchange transactions made between the reporting entity 

and a non-Federal entity). Intragovernmental expenses 

relate to the source of goods and services purchased by 

the reporting entity and not to the classification of related 

revenue. The purpose of this classification is to enable 

the Federal government to provide consolidated financial 

statements, and not to match public and intragovernmental 

revenue with costs that are incurred to produce public and 

intragovernmental revenue. The net cost of the House’s 

operations includes gross costs incurred by the House less 

any exchange revenue earned from House activities. 

Imputed Financing from Cost Absorbed by 

Others (and Related Imputed Costs)

The House recognizes the amount of cost incurred by a 

Federal entity for goods and services provided and paid 

for in total, or in part, by other Federal entities. Since the 

cost is not actually reimbursed to these Federal entities, 

an imputed financing source is also recognized to offset 

the costs financed by the entities. The imputed cost and 

imputed financing source for costs are associated with the 

occupancy of the U.S. Capitol and House office buildings 

under the custody of the AOC; the Federal Employee and 

Veterans’ Benefits; and settlement of claims and litigation 

paid from the Treasury’s Judgment Fund. The imputed cost 

is recognized in the Statement of Net Cost and the imputed 

financing source is recognized in the Statement of Changes 

in Net Position. 

Occupancy Cost

The House recognizes an occupancy cost for the U.S. Capitol 

and House office buildings under the custody of the AOC 

that are occupied by Members and staff in Washington, D.C. 

The House office buildings are comprised of the Cannon, 

Ford, Longworth, O’Neill, Rayburn, and other buildings 

and facilities. The AOC receives an appropriation for the 

maintenance, care, and operations of the House office 

buildings, facilities and grounds; and costs associated with 

the acquisition and maintenance of the land and buildings is 

accounted for by the AOC. 

The imputed occupancy cost for the U.S. Capitol and House 

office buildings is calculated by multiplying the gross 

square footage of the buildings, which includes a ‘common 

area factor’ of 11.5 percent, by the estimated acquisition and 

maintenance cost per square foot. 
Notes to the Financial Statements | 39

Federal Employee and Veterans’ Benefits Cost

Federal-employing entities recognize their share of the cost 

of providing future pension benefits to eligible employees at 

the time the employees’ services are rendered. The pension 

expense recognized in the Statement of Net Cost is the 

current service cost for House employees less the amount 

contributed by the employee. 

The measurement of the service cost requires the use of 

actuarial cost methods and assumptions, with the factors 

applied by the House provided by the Office of Personnel 

Management (OPM), the Federal agency that administers 

the plan. The excess of the recognized pension expense 

over the amount contributed by the House represents the 

amount being financed directly through the Civil Service 

Retirement and Disability Fund administered by OPM. The 

House does not receive an appropriation to fund this cost. 

Therefore, this portion of the pension cost is considered an 

imputed financing source to the House and is included in the 

Imputed Financing from Costs Absorbed by Others on the 

Statement of Changes in Net Position. 

Federal-employing entities also recognize a current period 

expense for the future cost of post-retirement health benefits 

and life insurance for its employees while they are still 

employed. This cost is included in the Statement of Net 

Cost. Employees and the House do not currently make 

contributions to fund these future benefits, and the House 

does not receive an appropriation to fund this expense. 

Therefore, this portion of the post-retirement health benefits 

and life insurance is considered an imputed financing source 

to the House, and is included in Imputed Financing from 

Costs Absorbed by Others on the Statement of Changes in 

Net Position. (See Note 15)

L. Personnel and Benefits Compensation

House Members and employees are covered by either Civil 

Service Retirement System (CSRS), the Federal Employees 

Retirement System (FERS), the Federal Employees 

Retirement System – Revised Annuity Employee (FERSRAE) or the Federal Employees Retirement System – 

Further Revised Annuity Employee (FERS-FRAE). Both 

Members and employees are eligible for retirement benefits 

under these plans. 

A CSRS basic annuity, unreduced for age, debts to the fund, 

or survivor’s benefits, is calculated by multiplying the highest 

3 consecutive years’ average salary by a percentage factor 

which is based on the length of Federal service. However, 

Members’ benefits are different from those of employees. 

For example, a Member covered by CSRS is eligible to 

receive unreduced retirement benefits at age 60 if he or she 

has 10 years of Member service. An employee is eligible 

to receive unreduced benefits at age 50 with 20 years of 

service or at any age with 25 years of service. The FERS, 

FERS-RAE, and FERS-FRAE (collectively referred to as 

FERS) basic benefit plans provide the same benefits for 

either Members or employees. 

CSRS employees contribute a portion of their earnings 

to the Civil Service Retirement Fund. The House also 

contributes an amount to this fund. FERS employees, in 

addition to paying Social Security, contribute a portion 

of their base earnings to the FERS retirement funds. 

The House also contributes an amount toward the FERS 

retirement and Social Security funds. 

All covered employees can contribute to the Thrift Savings 

Plan (TSP) up to the IRS limit. FERS employees also 

receive an automatic one percent House-paid contribution, 

as well as an additional House matching TSP contribution 

up to five percent of their basic pay. CSRS employee 

contributions to TSP do not receive matching House 

contributions. FERS employees could receive benefits from 

the basic FERS annuity, the Social Security System, and 

TSP. CSRS employees could receive benefits from CSRS 

and TSP. Post-employment retirement, health, and life 

insurance benefits are not reported by the House, rather they 

are reported by OPM. (See Note 12)

M. Net Position

Unexpended Appropriations

Unexpended Appropriations includes the portion of the 

House’s appropriations represented by undelivered orders 

and unobligated balances. The amount of unexpended 

appropriations reported on the Balance Sheet should equal 

the amount of unexpended appropriations reported on the 

Statement of Changes in Net Position.

Appropriations are not considered expended until goods 

have been received or services have been rendered. The 

House has single, multi, and no-year appropriations. Multiyear appropriations consist of 15-month, 18-month, and 

27-month multi-year funding. Funds cancel two years after 

expiration and are no longer available for obligation or 

expenditure for any purpose and are returned to the U.S. 

Treasury. 
40 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Cumulative Results from Operations

Cumulative Results from Operations includes the net results 

of operations since inception plus the cumulative amount of 

prior period adjustments. The amount of cumulative results 

from operations reported on the Balance Sheet should equal 

the amount of cumulative results from operations reported 

on the Statement of Changes in Net Position.

N. Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements requires 

management to make estimates and assumptions that affect 

the reported amount of assets and liabilities, as well as the 

disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of 

the financial statements, and the amount of revenue and 

expense reported during the period. Actual results could 

differ from those estimates. 

O. Effects of Recent Accounting

Pronouncements

Accounting standards require all reporting entities 

to disclose that accounting standards allow certain 

presentations and disclosures to be modified, if needed, to 

prevent the disclosure of classified information.
Notes to the Financial Statements | 41

NOTE 2 – FUND BALANCE WITH THE U.S. TREASURY, CASH AND OTHER 

MONETARY ASSETS

Status of Fund Balance with Treasury as of September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Status of Fund Balance with Treasury 2019 2018

Unobligated Balance

Available $ 104,543,444 $ 127,341,451 

Unavailable 10,758,100 38,936,409 

Obligated Balance not yet Disbursed 89,444,940 102,651,256 

Non-Budgetary FBWT* 1,994 3,913 

Total $ 204,748,478 $ 268,933,029 

*Represents deposit funds held at the U.S. Treasury.

Funds that were canceled and returned to the U.S. Treasury as of September 30, 2019 and 2018: 

Appropriations 2019 2018

2018 (single year) $ 1,602,219 $ - 

2017 (single year) 17,078,165 981,946 

2016 (single year) - 19,568,781

2016/2017 (multi-year) 15,908,275 - 

2015/2017 (multi-year) 86,444 -

2015/2016 (multi-year) - 1,014,707

Total $ 34,675,103 $ 21,565,434 

There were no significant differences between the Fund Balance reflected in the House’s financial statements and the 

balance in the Treasury accounts.

Cash and Other Monetary Assets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018: 

Cash and Other Monetary Assets 2019 2018

Cash on Hand $ 2,456 $ 2,629 

Total $ 2,456 $ 2,629 
42 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

NOTE 3 – ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE, NET

Accounts Receivable, Net as of September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Accounts Receivable, Net 2019 2018

Intragovernmental

Accounts Receivable $ 164,815 $ 163,776 

Total Intragovernmental 164,815 163,776 

Public

Accounts Receivable 452,664 383,403 

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (8,929) (29,117)

Total Public 443,735 354,286 

Total $ 608,550 $ 518,062 

Public Accounts Receivable includes a single criminal 

restitution settlement, and the House continues to monitor 

ongoing collections that it receives from the court. The 

gross amount of the original judgment was $152,763, and 

the net realizable value as of September 30, 2019 for the 

uncollected balance was $130,984. The entire amount of 

this balance is considered collectible and no portion of the 

outstanding balance has been included in Allowance for 

Doubtful Accounts.

NOTE 4 – INVENTORY AND RELATED PROPERTY, NET

Inventory and Related Property, Net as of September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Inventory and Related Property, Net 2019 2018

Operating Materials and Supplies Held for Use $ 480,232 $ 639,564 

Inventory Purchased for Resale 1,044,364 899,637 

Total $ 1,524,596 $ $1,539,201 
Notes to the Financial Statements | 43

NOTE 5 – GENERAL PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET

General Property and Equipment, Net as of September 30, 2019 and the related depreciation 

and amortization expense: 

2019 Classes of Property 

and Equipment

Useful

Life 

(Years)

Acquisition 

Cost

Accumulated 

Depreciation/

Amortization

Net Book 

Value

Depreciation/

Amortization 

Expense

Computer Software in Development N/A $ 357,824 $ - $ 357,824 $ - 

Computer Software and Hardware 3/5 85,615,489 75,140,609 10,474,880 5,966,602 

Equipment 5 48,714,168 38,824,948 9,889,220 3,490,034 

Motor Vehicles 5 11,027,882 10,753,291 274,591 52,339 

Furnishings and Other Equipment 10 869,168 778,680 90,488 63,875 

Leasehold Improvements 10 9,085,375 9,085,375 - - 

Total $ 155,669,906 $ 134,582,903 $ 21,087,003 $ 9,572,850 

General Property and Equipment, Net as of September 30, 2018 and the related depreciation 

and amortization expense: 

2018 Classes of Property 

and Equipment

Useful 

Life 

(Years)

Acquisition 

Cost

Accumulated 

Depreciation/

Amortization

Net Book 

Value

Depreciation/

Amortization 

Expense

Computer Software in Development N/A $ 75,984 $ - $ 75,984 $ - 

Computer Software and Hardware 3/5 84,120,029 74,365,084 9,754,945 6,178,536 

Equipment 5 46,620,372 38,301,969 8,318,403 3,608,929 

Motor Vehicles 5 10,977,871 10,846,138 131,733 36,601 

Furnishings and Other Equipment 10 869,168 714,805 154,363 63,874 

Leasehold Improvements 10 9,085,375 9,085,375 - - 

Total $ 151,748,799 $ 133,313,371 $ 18,435,428 $ 9,887,940 
44 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

NOTE 6 – STEWARDSHIP PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Physical counts for collection-type heritage assets as of September 30, 2019 and 2018: 

Heritage Assets 2018 Additions Withdrawals 2019

Artwork 365 7 - 372 

Artifacts 11,594 794 - 12,388 

Total 11,959 801 - 12,760 

The House’s heritage assets are directly related to its 

mission to document and preserve the legislative integrity 

and traditions of the institution. Permanent authority for 

the Clerk of the House originated in the opening days of the 

First Congress, when John Beckley was elected Clerk on 

April 1, 1789, pursuant to Article I of the Constitution: “The 

House of Representatives shall chuse (sic) their Speaker and 

other Officers....” The Clerk’s responsibilities to document 

and preserve the activities of Congress have grown over the 

centuries, and are found in Rules VII and XI of the House, 

and by the Rules of the House of Representatives Fine Arts 

Board, established via 40 USC Sec. 188c (Public Law 100-

696 [Title X]). 

The House’s stewardship responsibilities to its heritage 

assets include those associated with the House, legislative 

history, Members, and institutional history. Under the 

provisions of the House of Representatives Fine Arts Board, 

the Clerk is responsible for the administration, maintenance, 

and display of the works of fine art and other similar 

property of the Congress for display or for other use in 

the House wing of the Capitol, the House office buildings, 

or any other location under the control of the House in 

accordance with Public Law 100-696. The House’s heritage 

assets are curated by the House Curator in the Clerk’s Office 

of Art and Archives. The House Curator maintains records, 

both paper and electronic, for works of art and artifacts. 

Staff and resources are devoted to the conservation and 

preservation of heritage assets, using professional standards 

established by the American Institute for Conservation 

and the National Archives and Records Administration. 

These standards provide for cleaning, storing, displaying, 

handling, and protecting the House’s heritage assets. 

The House acquires heritage assets by purchase, transfer 

from Federal entities, gift, or by provision of federal law. 

Prior to acquiring these assets, the House Curator, on behalf 

of the Clerk and the House of Representatives Fine Arts 

Board, ensures they meet minimum standards as required 

by the American Association of Museums’ ethics guidelines 

and standards and best practices for accessioning of objects 

into museum collections. The House’s collections continue 

to increase as it acquires additional assets and few items 

have been retired or disposed of to date. 

Deaccessioning of objects and related withdrawals 

or disposals will only occur if the House Curator, in 

accordance with the American Association of Museums’ 

guidelines and best practices, determines the asset is in 

irretrievable condition; does not meet the needs of the 

collection; or should be withdrawn due to exchange or gift 

of unwanted or duplicate copies. Staff ensure that heritage 

assets remain in good condition, carefully preserving and 

saving these treasures for present and future generations. 

The Required Supplementary Information section of this 

report provides additional information on the condition of 

stewardship P&E.

Descriptions of the types of heritage assets are:

Artwork

The House’s artwork encompasses oil and acrylic 

paintings, works on paper, and sculpture in bronze, marble, 

and other media.

Artifacts

The House’s historical artifacts include objects in all media, 

including but not limited to paper, metal, plaster, wood, 

textile, and stone.
Notes to the Financial Statements | 45

NOTE 7 – ADVANCES AND PREPAYMENTS

Advances and Prepayments as of September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Advances and Prepayments 2019 2018

Intragovernmental $ 1,174,294 $ 1,441,279 

Public 15,074,250 11,225,994 

Total $ 16,248,544 $ 12,667,273 

NOTE 8 – LIABILITIES 

Liabilities are classified as either current or non-current. 

Current liabilities refer to liabilities that are expected to 

settle within 12 months of the Balance Sheet date. 

Non-current refers to liabilities that are expected to settle 

more than 12 months after the Balance Sheet date.

Liabilities Covered and not Covered by Budgetary Resources as of September 30, 2019: 

Liabilities

Liabilities Covered by 

Budgetary Resources

Liabilities not Covered by 

Budgetary Resources

Current Non-Current Current Non-Current 2019

Intragovernmental Liabilities

Accounts Payable $ 2,308,672 $ - $ - $ - $ 2,308,672 

Advances from Others 3,211,105 - - - 3,211,105 

 5,519,777 - - - 5,519,777 

Other Liabilities

Accrued Benefits 762,275 - - - 762,275 

Accrued Workers’ Compensation 435,844 - - - 435,844 

Unemployment Compensation 271,824 - - - 271,824 

Deposit Fund Liability - Federal 816 - - - 816 

Liabilities for Non-Entity Assets 191,912 - - - 191,912 

Total Other Liabilities 1,662,671 - - - 1,662,671 

Total Intragovernmental Liabilities 7,182,448 - - - 7,182,448 

Public Liabilities

Accounts Payable 25,229,554 - - - 25,229,554 

Actuarial FECA Liability - - - 28,465,473 28,465,473 

Accrued Payroll and Benefits 6,773,431 - - - 6,773,431 

Unfunded Accrued Annual Leave - - - 8,739,625 8,739,625 

Other Liabilities 3,447 - - - 3,447 

Total Public Liabilities 32,006,432 - - 37,205,098 69,211,530 

Total $ 39,188,880 $ - $ - $ 37,205,098 $ 76,393,978 
46 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Liabilities Covered and not Covered by Budgetary Resources as of September 30, 2018: 

Liabilities

Liabilities Covered by 

Budgetary Resources

Liabilities not Covered by 

Budgetary Resources

Current Non-Current Current Non-Current 2018

Intragovernmental Liabilities

Accounts Payable $ 3,089,257 $ - $ - $ - $ 3,089,257 

Advances from Others 5,393,168 - - - 5,393,168 

 8,482,425 - - - 8,482,425 

Other Liabilities

Accrued Benefits 657,508 - - - 657,508 

Accrued Workers’ Compensation 494,405 - - - 494,405 

Unemployment Compensation 255,552 - - - 255,552 

Deposit Fund Liability - Federal (667) - - - (667)

Liabilities for Non-Entity Assets 164,107 - - - 164,107 

Total Other Liabilities 1,570,905 - - - 1,570,905 

Total Intragovernmental Liabilities 10,053,330 - - - 10,053,330 

Public Liabilities

Accounts Payable 21,973,648 - - - 21,973,648 

Actuarial FECA Liability - - - 30,096,226 30,096,226 

Accrued Payroll and Benefits 6,795,896 - - - 6,795,896 

Unfunded Accrued Annual Leave - - - 7,448,868 7,448,868 

Other Liabilities 6,850 - - - 6,850 

Total Public Liabilities 28,776,394 - - 37,545,094 66,321,488 

Total $ 38,829,724 $ - $ - $ 37,545,094 $ 76,374,818 
Notes to the Financial Statements | 47

NOTE 9 – LEASE COMMITMENTS 

OPERATING LEASES: Future Operating Lease Payments Due as of September 30, 2019: 

Lease Commitments 2020 2021 2022 2023 Total

Office Space and Parking $ 10,512,066 $ 2,627,420 $ - $ - $ 13,139,486 

Vehicles 430,358 81,880 - - 512,238 

Total $ 10,942,424 $ 2,709,300 $ - $ - $ 13,651,724 

The House maintains operating leases for district office 

space, parking, and vehicles. The lease agreements are in 

accordance with House rules and regulations and agreed 

upon vendor terms and conditions. In accordance with the 

Members’ Congressional Handbook, the House requires 

that leases entered into by Members for space be no longer 

than the elected term of the Member. Members and Officers 

also enter into leases to rent vehicles for official business 

purposes. A Member may lease a vehicle for a period that 

exceeds the current congressional term, but the Member 

remains personally responsible for the lease liability if 

service to the House concludes prior to lease termination. 

Operating lease payments are recorded as expenses. Future 

operating lease payments are not accrued as liabilities, and 

fluctuate significantly each year alternating between three or 

fifteen month commitments due to two year election cycles. 

Members may lease office space in their districts through 

the U.S. General Services Administration or may directly 

lease space from the private sector. All lease commitments 

disclosed in this note are with non-federal vendors.

NOTE 10 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Contingencies should be recognized as a liability when a 

past transaction or event has occurred, a future outflow 

or other sacrifice of resources is probable, and the related 

future outflow or sacrifice of resources is measurable. 

General contingent liabilities consist of claims filed 

against the House which are awaiting adjudication. For the 

purpose of estimating contingent liabilities for the financial 

statements, the House conducted a review of existing claims 

for which the likelihood of loss to the House is probable. 

Additionally, management and the House’s General Counsel 

evaluated the materiality of cases determined to have a 

reasonably possible chance of an adverse outcome.

The House is not currently involved in any legal matter 

where the sacrifice of resources are reasonably possible, but 

the likelihood of an unfavorable outcome or the range of the 

loss cannot be estimated. 

Under law, any settlement of claims litigated in court would 

be settled by Treasury’s Judgment Fund.
48 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

NOTE 11 – INTRAGOVERNMENTAL COSTS AND EXCHANGE REVENUE 

Intragovernmental Costs and Exchange Revenue for the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018: 

Intragovernmental Costs and Exchange Revenue 2019 2018

Legislative Activities

Intragovernmental Costs $ 508,493,708 $ 509,668,189 

Public Costs 1,122,851,889 1,087,246,930 

Total Costs 1,631,345,597 1,596,915,119 

Intragovernmental Earned Revenue (7,497,455) (5,095,000)

Public Earned Revenue (268,229) (204,390)

Total Earned Revenue (7,765,684) (5,299,390)

Net Program Costs 1,623,579,913 1,591,615,729 

Revolving Fund Activities

Intragovernmental Costs 243,853 267,488 

Public Costs 7,370,586 5,973,829 

Total Costs 7,614,439 6,241,317 

Intragovernmental Earned Revenue (2,088,778) (2,149,454)

Public Earned Revenue (3,782,922) (2,717,325)

Total Earned Revenue (5,871,700) (4,866,779)

Net Program Costs 1,742,739 1,374,538 

Total

Intragovernmental Costs 508,737,561 509,935,677 

Public Costs 1,130,222,475 1,093,220,759 

Total Costs 1,638,960,036 1,603,156,436 

Intragovernmental Earned Revenue (9,586,233) (7,244,454)

Public Earned Revenue (4,051,151) (2,921,715)

Total Earned Revenue (13,637,384) (10,166,169)

Net Cost of Operations $ 1,625,322,652 $ 1,592,990,267 
Notes to the Financial Statements | 49

NOTE 12 – PERSONNEL AND BENEFITS COMPENSATION

Personnel and Benefits Compensation for the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Member and Employee Personnel and Benefits Compensation 2019 2018

Personnel Compensation $ 807,574,109 $ 784,524,411 

Retirement Plan Contributions 155,099,025 155,477,689 

Social Security 57,805,227 55,939,279 

Health Insurance 48,569,588 47,932,065 

Student Loan/Fitness Center Programs 14,657,483 14,409,690 

Unemployment and Workers’ Compensation 4,066,073 2,908,848 

Transit Benefits 2,718,338 2,572,956 

Life Insurance 1,178,387 1,128,436 

Death Benefits 1,626,837 1,530,546 

Annual Leave 1,290,757 55,261 

Workers' Compensation Actuarial Adjustment (1,630,753) 1,690,300 

Total $ 1,092,955,071 $ 1,068,169,481 

NOTE 13 – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

The House continues to develop contingency plans and 

capabilities to ensure the continuation of essential House 

Operations in the occurrence of a disruptive event. 

Approximately $22 million and $23 million were expended 

in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

NOTE 14 – EXCHANGE REVENUES

In certain cases, the prices charged by the House for the 

sale of goods and services are set by House rules and 

regulations, which for program and other reasons may not 

represent full cost. In other cases, prices set for goods and 

services are intended to recover the full costs incurred by 

these activities (e.g., child care fees, postal fees, and Gift 

Shop sales to the public).
50 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

NOTE 15 – IMPUTED FINANCING FROM COST ABSORBED BY OTHERS

The House incurs a variety of costs in its operations that 

are paid by other federal agencies. However, in accordance 

with Federal accounting standards, such costs are reflected 

in the House’s Statement of Net Costs, with a corresponding 

amount reflected in the Statement of Changes in Net 

Position as an imputed financing source. As detailed in the 

table below, these costs/imputed financing sources relate 

to the occupancy of the U.S. Capitol and House office 

buildings; a portion of Federal Employee and Veteran’s 

Benefits (FEVB); settlement of claims and litigation paid by 

Treasury’s Judgment Fund; and a portion of the retirement, 

health, and life insurance benefits provided to House 

employees funded by OPM. 

Imputed Financing from Cost Absorbed by Others for the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Imputed Cost and Financing Source 2019 2018

Occupancy Costs $ 182,525,973 $ 178,324,504 

Federal Employee and Veteran’s Benefits

Current Service Cost - Federal Employee Health Benefits 47,712,603 48,539,200 

Current Service Cost - Federal Pensions 21,672,884 16,901,631 

Current Service Cost - Federal Employee Group Life Insurance 115,049 111,236 

Total Federal Employee and Veteran’s Benefits 69,500,536 65,552,067 

Claims to be Paid by the U.S. Treasury’s Judgment Fund on Behalf of the House - - 

Total $ 252,026,509 $ 243,876,571 

NOTE 16 – UNDELIVERED ORDERS AT THE END OF THE PERIOD

Undelivered Orders represent the amount of paid and unpaid

orders for goods and services ordered which have not been 

received.

Undelivered Orders as of September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Undelivered Orders at the 

End of the Period 2019 2018

Intragovernmental Public Intragovernmental Public

Undelivered Orders, Unpaid $ 332,911 $ 53,330,429 $ 167,907 $ 69,217,084

Undelivered Orders, Paid 1,174,294 15,074,250 1,441,279 11,225,994

Total $ 1,507,205 $ 68,404,679 $ 1,609,186 $ 80,443,078
Notes to the Financial Statements | 51

NOTE 17 – PERMANENT INDEFINITE APPROPRIATIONS

A permanent and indefinite appropriation is a standing 

appropriation which, once made, is always available for 

specified purposes and does not require repeated action 

by Congress to authorize its use. Legislation authorizing 

an agency to retain and use offsetting receipts tends to be 

permanent; if so, it is a form of permanent appropriation. 

This appropriation is for an unspecified amount of money; 

and may appropriate all or part of the receipts from certain 

sources, the specific amount of which is determinable only 

at some future date, or it may appropriate “such sums as 

may be necessary” for a given purpose. 

The House has two permanent and indefinite appropriations. 

These appropriations include the Compensation of Members 

and Related Administrative Expenses, and Congressional 

Use of Foreign Currency.

Compensation of Members and Related Administrative 

Expenses is maintained and administered by the House. 

Public Law 97-51, Sec. 130(c), Oct. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 966, 

Appropriation of funds for Compensation of Members 

of Congress and for Administrative Expenses at Levels 

Authorized by Law and Recommended by the President 

for Federal Employees, establishes the appropriation to 

fund the payroll and benefits compensation for Members of 

Congress and related administrative expenses in support of 

administering the fund.

Congressional Use of Foreign Currency is maintained 

and administered by the Department of State on behalf of 

the House. This account, which was established in 1948 

and made permanent in 1981, is authorized by legislation 

codified in Title 22, Sec. 1754 of the United States Code. 

The funds are available to Congressional Committees and 

delegations to cover local currency expenses incurred while 

traveling abroad. Use of the foreign currency account for 

Congressional delegations and other official foreign travel of 

the House is authorized by either the Speaker of the House 

or the chairman of a Standing, Special and Select, or Joint 

Committee. 

NOTE 18 – EXPLANATION OF DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE COMBINED 

STATEMENT OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES AND THE BUDGET OF THE

U.S. GOVERNMENT

Differences between the Statement of Budgetary Resources and the Budget of the

U.S. Government as of September 30, 2019: 

Differences between the Statement 

of Budgetary Resources and the 

Budget of the U.S. Government

2019 2018

Budgetary 

Resources Net Outlays Budgetary Resources Net Outlays

Statement of Budgetary Resources $ 1,350,343,035 $ 1,379,611,743 $ 1,320,624,766 $ 1,339,346,799 

Differences due to Rounding 656,965 388,257 (624,766) (346,799)

Budget of the U.S. Government $ 1,351,000,000 $ 1,380,000,000 $ 1,320,000,000 $ 1,339,000,000 

The House deems the differences due to rounding between 

the amounts reported in the Statement of Budgetary 

Resources and the actual amounts reported in the Budget 

of the U.S. Government for budgetary resources and net 

outlays to be immaterial and/or insignificant. As such, 

reconciliation of this item is not necessary and therefore 

not included.

The Budgets of the U.S. Government for FY 2020 and FY 

2021, which show actual amounts for FY 2018 and FY 

2019 respectively, were published as of March 2020 and are 

available at www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget.
52 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

NOTE 19 – RECONCILIATION OF NET COST TO NET OUTLAYS

Reconciliation of Net Cost to Net Outlays for the Year Ended September 30, 2019:

Intragovernmental Public 2019

Net Cost $ 499,151,328 $ 1,126,171,324 $ 1,625,322,652 

Components of Net Cost That Are Not Part 

of Net Outlays:

Property, plant, and equipment depreciation - (9,572,850) (9,572,850)

Property, plant, and equipment disposal

& reevaluation - (108,771) (108,771)

Other - (1,447,298) (1,447,298)

Increase/(decrease) in assets:

Accounts receivable 1,038 89,449 90,487 

Other assets (284,118) 3,865,217 3,581,099 

(Increase)/decrease in liabilities:

Accounts payable 1,972,173 (2,265,432) (293,259)

Salaries and benefits (62,478) 22,465 (40,013)

Other liabilities (Unfunded leave, unfunded 

FECA, actuarial FECA) - 339,996 339,996 

Other financing sources:

Federal employee retirement benefit costs paid 

by OPM and imputed to agency (252,026,509) - (252,026,509)

Total Components of Net Cost That Are Not Part 

of Net Outlays (250,399,894) (9,077,224) (259,477,118)

Components of Net Outlays That Are Not Part

of Net Cost:

Acquisition of capital assets - 12,333,197 12,333,197 

Acquisition of inventory - 1,432,693 1,432,693 

Other - 319 319 

Total Components of Net Outlays That Are Not 

Part of Net Cost - 13,766,209 13,766,209 

Net Outlays $ 248,751,434 $ 1,130,860,309 $ 1,379,611,743 
Notes to the Financial Statements | 53

Reconciliation of Net Cost to Net Outlays for the Year Ended September 30, 2018:

Intragovernmental Public 2018

Net Cost $ 502,691,223 $ 1,090,299,044 $ 1,592,990,267

Components of Net Cost That Are Not Part 

of Net Outlays:

Property, plant, and equipment depreciation - (9,887,940) (9,887,940)

Property, plant, and equipment disposal

& reevaluation - (478,578) (478,578)

Other - (1,435,960) (1,435,960)

Increase/(decrease) in assets:

Accounts receivable (8,002) 24,241 16,239 

Other assets (1,025,095) 468,508 (556,587)

(Increase)/decrease in liabilities:

Accounts payable (4,412,877) (1,660,042) (6,072,919)

Salaries and benefits 192,676 (201,255) (8,579)

Other liabilities (Unfunded leave, unfunded 

FECA, actuarial FECA) - (1,745,561) (1,745,561)

Other financing sources:

Federal employee retirement benefit costs paid 

by OPM and imputed to agency (243,876,571) - (243,876,571)

Total Components of Net Cost That Are Not Part 

of Net Outlays (249,129,869) (14,916,587) (264,046,456)

Components of Net Outlays That Are Not Part

of Net Cost:

Acquisition of capital assets - 8,799,942 8,799,942 

Acquisition of inventory - 1,602,709 1,602,709 

Other - 337 337 

Total Components of Net Outlays That Are Not 

Part of Net Cost - 10,402,988 10,402,988

Net Outlays $ 253,561,354 $ 1,085,785,445 $ 1,339,346,799
54 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Required Supplementary Information | 55

Required Supplementary 

Information
56 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019
Required Supplementary Information | 57

REQUIRED SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

STEWARDSHIP PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

The U.S. House of Representatives (House) collection of 

heritage assets includes artwork, historic artifacts, and 

photographs that reflect the rich heritage and evolving 

nature of the House. The ideals and trials of the institution 

and our history are expressed in the heritage assets whose 

subject matter includes prominent Americans, distinguished 

individuals, significant moments in history, and symbolic 

representations of the nation’s rich and diverse history.

The House Curator manages and cares for the House’s 

collection which is located on display, in storage, and on 

loan throughout the U.S. Capitol complex including House 

office buildings and other locations under the jurisdiction 

of the House. Because display locations on campus are not 

in a traditional museum setting, works of art and artifacts 

may be more vulnerable to damage from human contact and 

surface deposits. However, it is the House’s goal to preserve 

its heritage assets and manage the condition in accordance 

with the intended usage of the collection. The House 

conducts periodic assessments to monitor, inspect, and 

evaluate the condition of the heritage assets to determine 

the current condition for preservation or restoration efforts. 

These assessments are performed in accordance with House 

established practice and professional standards. General 

conditions are categorized as excellent, good, fair, or poor. 

The House has determined its heritage assets to be in fair to 

excellent condition. 

The following tables present the general condition of the 

House’s heritage assets and indicate an aggregate condition 

of the collection as of September 30, 2019:

Heritage Asset Collection - Artwork

General Condition 2018 Increase Decrease 2019

Good to Excellent 365 7 - 372

The works of art include oil and acrylic paintings, works on 

paper, and sculpture in bronze, marble and other media. 

These items range from portraits and historical documents 

to statues and other works of art.

Examples of the House’s collection of works of art include:

Oil Paintings

The House’s collection of oil paintings consists primarily 

of the portraits of Members of the House, but also includes 

19th century landscapes, such as a pair of large paintings by 

Albert Bierstadt, originally displayed in the House Chamber 

and now installed in stairwell 37 of the CVC (East Front 

stairwell). 

Acrylic Paintings

The House’s collection of acrylic paintings includes 20th 

century portraits of such major figures in House history as 

Representative Henry González of Texas. 

Works on Paper

The House’s collection of works on paper are both drawings 

and prints. One of the oldest pieces is a pen-and-ink 

drawing of the third Speaker of the House, Jonathan Dayton 

of New Jersey. 

Sculpture

The House’s collection of sculpture includes full figure and 

bust portraits. The bust of Speaker Carl Albert of Oklahoma 

is the only Speaker portrait that is executed in bronze.
58 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

Heritage Asset Collection - Artifacts

General Condition 2018 Increase Decrease 2019

Fair to Excellent 11,594 794 - 12,388 

The artifacts include items in various types of media, 

including but not limited to paper, metal, plaster, plastic, 

wood, textile, and ceramic. For example, these items 

include photographs, magazines, handbills, spittoons, 

furniture, and drinking glasses.

Examples of the House’s collection of artifacts include:

Paper

The House’s collection of paper artifacts includes early 

press gallery passes, Congressional Baseball Game trading 

cards, campaign bumper stickers, and early issues of Jet 

Magazine that feature Members of Congress on the covers. 

Metals

The largest portion of the House’s collection of metal 

artifacts consists of campaign buttons. Other metal objects 

include a small group of historic spittoons.

Plaster

The House’s collection of plaster artifacts includes a bust of 

Whip Leslie Arends of Illinois.

Wood

The House’s collection of wood artifacts includes examples 

of furniture designed for the Cannon, Longworth, and 

Rayburn House Office Buildings. 

Textiles

The House’s collection of textile artifacts includes 

homemade banners, material from the House Chamber, and 

a 1910 Page uniform.

Ceramics

The House’s collection of ceramics includes a small 

parianware box with the face of Representative Benjamin 

Butler of Massachusetts sculpted on four sides. 
Required Supplementary Information | 59

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

COMBINING STATEMENTS OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

2019 2019 2019

Appropriated 

Funds

Revolving 

Funds Total

Budgetary Resources

Unobligated balance from prior year budget authority, 

net (discretionary and mandatory) $ 105,756,296 $ 28,727,593 $ 134,483,889 

Appropriations (discretionary and mandatory) 1,350,343,035 - 1,350,343,035 

Spending authority from offsetting collections 

(discretionary and mandatory) 5,315,072 20,872,554 26,187,626 

Total budgetary resources $ 1,461,414,403 $ 49,600,147 $ 1,511,014,550 

Status of Budgetary Resources

New obligations and upward adjustments (total) $ 1,372,896,216 $ 22,816,790 $ 1,395,713,006 

Unobligated balance, end of year:

Exempt from apportionment, unexpired accounts 77,760,087 26,783,357 104,543,444 

Unexpired unobligated balance, end of year 77,760,087 26,783,357 104,543,444 

Expired unobligated balance, end of year 10,758,100 - 10,758,100 

Unobligated balance, end of year (total) 88,518,187 26,783,357 115,301,544 

Total budgetary resources $ 1,461,414,403 $ 49,600,147 $ 1,511,014,550 

Outlays, Net

Outlays, net (total) (discretionary and mandatory) $ 1,377,894,814 $ 1,955,750 $ 1,379,850,564 

Distributed offsetting receipts (238,821) - (238,821)

Agency outlays, net (discretionary and mandatory) $ 1,377,655,993 $ 1,955,750 $ 1,379,611,743 

(table continued on page 60)
60 | UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FINANCIAL REPORT 2019

U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

COMBINING STATEMENTS OF BUDGETARY RESOURCES

For the Years Ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

2018 2018 2018

Appropriated 

Funds

Revolving 

Funds Total

Budgetary Resources

Unobligated balance from prior year budget authority, 

net (discretionary and mandatory) $ 177,533,569 $ 27,164,398 $ 204,697,967 

Appropriations (discretionary and mandatory) 1,320,624,766 - 1,320,624,766 

Spending authority from offsetting collections 

(discretionary and mandatory) 9,272,158 18,682,796 27,954,954 

Total budgetary resources $ 1,507,430,493 $ 45,847,194 $ 1,553,277,687 

Status of Budgetary Resources

New obligations and upward adjustments (total) $ 1,369,880,226 $ 17,119,601 $ 1,386,999,827 

Unobligated balance, end of year:

Exempt from apportionment, unexpired accounts 98,613,858 28,727,593 127,341,451 

Unexpired unobligated balance, end of year 98,613,858 28,727,593 127,341,451 

Expired unobligated balance, end of year 38,936,409 - 38,936,409 

Unobligated balance, end of year (total) 137,550,267 28,727,593 166,277,860 

Total budgetary resources $ 1,507,430,493 $ 45,847,194 $ 1,553,277,687 

Outlays, Net

Outlays, net (total) (discretionary and mandatory) $ 1,336,963,941 $ 2,575,783 $ 1,339,539,724 

Distributed offsetting receipts (192,925) - (192,925)

Agency outlays, net (discretionary and mandatory) $ 1,336,771,016 $ 2,575,783 $ 1,339,346,799