67–380 

112TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 112–148 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2012 

JULY 15, 2011.—Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of 

the Union and ordered to be printed 

Mr. CRENSHAW, from the Committee on Appropriations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

together with 

ADDITIONAL VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 2551] 

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in 

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for the 

Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, 

and for other purposes. 

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT 

Page number 

Bill Report 

Highlights of bill ......................................................................................... ........ 4 

Title I—Legislative Branch Appropriations ............................................. ........ 8 

House of Representatives ................................................................... 2 8 

Joint Items: 

Joint Economic Committee ......................................................... 12 14 

Joint Committee on Taxation ..................................................... 13 14 

Office of the Attending Physician ............................................... 13 14 

Office of Congressional Accessibility Services ........................... 14 15 

Capitol Police ....................................................................................... 14 15 

Office of Compliance ........................................................................... 17 16 

Congressional Budget Office .............................................................. 18 16 

Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office Buildings) ............... 18 17 

Library of Congress ............................................................................. 22 22 

Government Printing Office ............................................................... 28 25 

Government Accountability Office ..................................................... 31 27 

Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund ..................................... 33 28 


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Page number 

Bill Report 

John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development .................................................................................................. ........ 28 

Title II—General Provisions ...................................................................... 33 29 

Bill-wide Reporting Requirements ............................................................ ........ 29 

Additional Views ........................................................................................ ........ 51 

SUMMARY OF BILL 

The bill, as recommended by the Committee, provides appropriations for fiscal year 2012 Legislative Branch operations, which total 

$3,325,999,364. Conforming to longstanding practice under which 

each body of Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other concurs without intervention, funds for the 

Senate are not included in the bill as reported to the House. Current appropriations estimates for the Senate for fiscal year 2012, 

including those under the Architect of the Capitol, total 

$1,058,799,000. 

A comparative summary of the bill by title and agency follows: 


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SUMMARY OF THE BILL 

[Note.—Excludes Senate items including those Senate Items under the Architect of the Capitol] 

Agency 

New budget 

(obligational) authority, 

fiscal year 2011 

Budget estimates of 

new (obligational) authority, fiscal year 2012 

New budget 

(obligational) authority 

recommended in bill 

Bill compared with— 

New budget 

(obligational) authority, 

fiscal year 2011 

Budget estimates of 

new (obligational) authority, fiscal year 2012 

Title I—Legislative Branch Appropriations 

House of Representatives .............................................................................................................. $1,311,396,950 $1,333,708,000 $1,226,680,000 ¥$84,716,950 ¥$107,028,000 

Joint items ...................................................................................................................................... 19,794,482 20,907,000 19,390,000 ¥404,482 ¥1,517,000 

Capitol Police ................................................................................................................................. 340,136,364 387,616,000 340,136,364 .................................. ¥47,479,636 

Office of Compliance ..................................................................................................................... 4,076,980 4,782,000 3,817,000 ¥259,980 ¥965,000 

Congressional Budget Office ......................................................................................................... 46,771,270 46,865,000 43,787,000 ¥2,984,270 ¥3,078,000 Architect of the Capitol (except Senate Office Buildings) ............................................................ 526,139,612 618,802,000 489,571,000 ¥36,568,612 ¥129,231,000 Library of Congress ........................................................................................................................ 628,676,128 666,731,000 575,322,000 ¥53,354,128 ¥91,409,000 

Government Printing Office ............................................................................................................ 135,067,324 148,474,000 113,000,000 ¥22,067,324 ¥35,474,000 Government Accountability Office .................................................................................................. 546,254,302 556,849,000 511,296,000 ¥34,958,302 ¥45,553,000 Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund .................................................................................... 11,377,200 12,600,000 1,000,000 ¥10,377,200 ¥11,600,000 

John C. Stennis Center .................................................................................................................. 429,140 430,000 .................................. ¥429,140 ¥430,000 

CVC (Rescission) ............................................................................................................................ (14,600,000) .................................. .................................. 14,600,000 ..................................CBO Scorekeeping Adjustment ....................................................................................................... (2,518,000) .................................. 2,000,000 4,518,000 +2,000,000 

Grand total, new budget, (obligational) authority (for items considered by the House) $3,553,001,752 $3,797,764,000 $3,325,999,364 ¥$227,002,388 ¥$471,764,636 


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HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL 

The Committee recommends $3,325,999,364 in discretionary resources for operations of the Legislative Branch of government, 

$471,764,636 below the requested amount and $227,002,388, or 6.4 

percent, below the fiscal year 2011 enacted levels (excluding Senate 

items). 

This bill reflects an acknowledgment that the Legislative Branch 

must set itself as an example for fiscal restraint while continuing 

to serve the Nation. 

The following table below demonstrates the Committee’s commitment to getting the nation’s fiscal house in order and sharing in 

the sacrifices that this will require. This bill recommends a cut of 

6.4% from the fiscal year 2011 level which follows a cut of 2.8% 

from the fiscal year 2010 level. The recommended level is $331.5 

million below the fiscal year 2010 enacted level, and it is the largest ever two-year reduction for the Legislative Branch. This bill 

will require strict fiscal discipline on the part of all congressional 

offices and all agency heads in the Legislative Branch. 


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[Dollars in thousands] 

FY2010 

Enacted 

FY2011 

Enacted 

FY2012 

Requested 

FY2012 

Recommended 

Change from 

FY2011 

Percent cut 

since 

FY2011 

Change from 

FY2010 

Percent cut 

since 

FY2010 

House ..................................................................................................................................................... 1,369,025 1,311,396 1,333,708 1,226,680 (84,716) ¥6.5% (142,345) ¥10.4% Joint Items ............................................................................................................................................. 21,323 19,794 20,907 19,390 (404) ¥2.0% (1,933) ¥9.1% 

Capitol Police * ...................................................................................................................................... 328,318 340,137 387,616 340,137 .................. 0.0% 11,819 3.6% Office of Compliance ............................................................................................................................. 4,377 4,077 4,782 3,817 (260) ¥6.4% (560) ¥12.8% Congressional Budget Office ................................................................................................................. 45,165 46,771 46,865 43,787 (2,984) ¥6.4% (1,378) ¥3.1% Architect of the Capitol ......................................................................................................................... 527,194 526,139 618,802 489,571 (36,568) ¥7.0% (37,623) ¥7.1% 

Library of Congress ............................................................................................................................... 643,337 628,677 666,731 575,322 (53,355) ¥8.5% (68,015) ¥10.6% 

Government Printing Office ................................................................................................................... 147,461 135,067 148,474 113,000 (22,067) ¥16.3% (34,461) ¥23.4% 

Government Accountability Office ......................................................................................................... 556,849 546,254 556,849 511,296 (34,958) ¥6.4% (45,553) ¥8.2% Open World Leadership Center .............................................................................................................. 12,000 11,377 12,600 1,000 (10,377) ¥91.2% (11,000) ¥91.7% Stennis Center for Public Service ......................................................................................................... 430 429 430 ...................... (429) ¥100.0% (430) ¥100.0% 

General Provisions ................................................................................................................................. .................. (14,600) .................. ...................... 14,600 .................. .................. ..................

CBO Scorekeeping Adjustment .............................................................................................................. .................. (2,518) .................. 2,000 4,518 .................. .................. ..................

Total .............................................................................................................................................. 3,655,479 3,553,000 3,797,764 3,326,000 (227,000) ¥6.4% (331,479) ¥9.0% 

* Does not include FY2010 supplemental for USCP. 


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LEGISLATIVE BRANCH-WIDE MATTERS

Awards and Recognition.—In fiscal years 2010 and 2011 the 

agencies of the Legislative Branch, excluding the House of Representatives and Senate, have paid over $20.2 million and $2.5 million to date respectively, for cash awards, bonuses, and merit pay 

to their employees. These payments have been made within the 

current salary and benefit funding provided to each agency and 

thus may have decreased the ability to support FTE’s that the 

Committee funded and intended to be filled. In addition, considering the current budget reductions that will need to be made and 

that the legislative agency budgets are in the neighborhood of 70 

percent labor, such independent funding decisions may divert from 

the intent of the Congress. Therefore, the Committee directs that, 

starting with the fiscal year 2013 budget submission, the budget 

justifications of all agencies, excluding the House and Senate, will 

reflect a realignment of funding, and associated decrease in FTE’s, 

from the salary and benefit base to a separate line item for cash 

awards, bonuses, and merit pay. The Committee directs the agencies, excluding the House and Senate, to justify the amount of 

funding requested for cash awards, bonuses, and merit pay by appropriation each and every year thereafter. 

Performance Based Merit Increases.—The Committee is very concerned about the amount of performance based merit increases 

being given by some agencies of the Legislative Branch. It has 

come to the Committee’s attention that, when incorporated into the 

annual base salary, there are some individuals whose total compensation is greater than that of the annual compensation of Members of Congress. Therefore, the Committee directs that agencies 

report and justify all circumstances where the sum of annual compensation and any ‘‘performance based merit increases’’ will cause 

any employee to exceed the annual rate of compensation of a Member at the rate of compensation of Members in effect during the 

year in which the performance based merit increase is paid. 

Reprogramming Guidelines.—The Committee expects all agencies 

to notify the Committee of any significant departures from budget 

plans presented to the Committee. In particular, agencies funded 

in this bill are required to notify the Committee prior to each reprogramming of funds in excess of the lesser of 10 percent or 

$500,000 between programs, projects, or activities, or in excess of 

$500,000 between object classifications (except for shifts within the 

pay categories, object class 11, 12, and 13, or as further specified 

in each agency’s respective section). This includes cumulative reprogrammings that together total at least $500,000 from or to a 

particular program, activity, or object classification, as well as reprogramming of FTE’s or funds to create new organizational entities within the Agency or to restructure entities which already 

exist. These guidelines remain effective unless modified in a subsequent Committee report. 

Committee Requests.—The Committee is concerned with the substandard quality in responses to requests for information. Managers at all levels are expected to be available to provide responses 

during critical phases of the appropriations process, and offices are 

to be covered by the appropriate staff during normal working hours 

without exception. Managers are expected to respond to requests 


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immediately, and if delays are anticipated or deadlines cannot be 

met, agencies are responsible for keeping Committee staff informed 

of the progress and expected timeline of the response. 

Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment—VERA/VSIP.—Currently the Legislative Branch 

permanent authority (2 U.S.C. 60q) provides that ‘‘the head of any 

office in the Legislative Branch may establish a program under 

which voluntary separation incentive payments may be offered to 

eligible employees of the office to encourage such employees to separate from service voluntarily (whether by retirement or resignation)’’. Since the budgets of the Legislative Branch agencies in total 

are 65 to 70 percent labor and taking into consideration the reductions in this bill, some, if not all, agencies may need to consider the 

VERA/VSIP option. The Committee strongly encourages all agencies to explore this option in order to reduce costs in the current 

fiscal year and the out years. The VERA/VSIP program will provide 

the opportunity for agencies to down-size, as budgetary constraints 

require, with less negative impact on agency operations than executing a time consuming, disruptive, and costly reduction-in-force 

(RIF). 

Furloughs.—The Committee is aware that the reductions in this 

bill will require Legislative Branch agencies to make adjustments 

in programs and operations. In this vein, the Committee directs 

that furloughs be an option for cost reduction, which should be no 

greater than one day per month to lessen the impact on the employees, the support to the Congress, and the services provided to 

the Nation. Further, the Committee directs that any agency opting 

for furlough days will take the appropriate action to ensure that 

employee service dates and longevity increases are not adjusted by 

furlough days. 

Zero Base Budgeting.—With the ever increasing strain on the 

Federal budget which will likely continue in the foreseeable future, 

the ability to support increases for the Legislative Branch agencies 

is uncertain, if not totally impossible. The Committee believes that 

there are considerable opportunities to realize meaningful savings 

by carefully reviewing each agency’s budget requirements from a 

zero base, rather than by reviewing only incremental changes to 

the base. Such a review would not only assist the Committee in its 

appropriating and oversight responsibilities, but would also require 

agencies to systematically examine all of their budgetary requirements as they relate to the individual mission. Therefore, the Committee directs each and every agency of the Legislative Branch to 

develop and present their budget requirements from a zero base. 

The individual reviews should examine and justify each and every 

program, project, and activity (PPA) as if the PPA were nonexistent. These reviews should justify the FTE’s and all related 

costs. The Committee further believes that such self examination 

by the agencies of the PPAs will permit a better understanding of 

program priorities, scope, effectiveness, and results and assist the 

agencies in determining funding priorities. The zero base budget 

should be the basis for the fiscal year 2013 budget request. The 

Committee further directs the Legislative Branch Budget Officers, 

under the coordination of the Library of Congress Budget Office, to 

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ber 31, 2011, as mutually agreeable, and approved by the Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate. 

Diversity in the Workforce.—The Committee is committed to the 

principles of workforce diversity and the positive impact diversity 

has on organizational success and employee development. The 

Committee strongly encourages Legislative Branch agencies, including the House, to develop diversity policies including broadening recruitment efforts to reach as many qualified candidates as 

possible. The Committee directs the House Officers to report to the 

Committee within six months after enactment of this Act on current operations as they relate to diversity, any plans to broaden recruitment efforts, and barriers to recruiting diverse job candidates. 

MAJOR CHALLENGES FACING THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Preserving and Maintaining the Infrastructure.—The job of caretaker of the Legislative Branch buildings and Capitol complex 

grounds falls to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). The AOC’s jurisdiction is comprised of 32 buildings and 450 acres of grounds 

which are occupied by the House of Representatives, the Senate, 

the Library of Congress, the Supreme Court, the Capitol Police, 

and other independent Legislative Branch agencies. The AOC recently reformed its planning and prioritization process for deferred 

maintenance and capital renewal requirements. The newly developed five-year Capital Improvements Plan (CIP) provides a more 

realistic picture of what projects AOC can execute. The Committee 

is pleased with the AOC’s progress on improving these estimates 

from the previously unconstrained list of requirements, but notes 

that even the CIP process will result in widely fluctuating project 

budget submissions which will be impossible to fund fully in the 

current budgetary environment. These budget limitations will demand continued refinements to the AOC’s process for prioritizing 

the performance of facilities which are most critical to the operational needs of the Congress and Legislative Branch agencies. 

TITLE I—LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

The Committee recommends $1,226,680,000 for the operations 

and maintenance of the House of Representatives during fiscal year 

2012. This amount is $84,716,950, or 6.5 percent, below the fiscal 

year 2011 enacted level and $107,028,000 below the budget request. 

HOUSE LEADERSHIP OFFICES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $24,861,969 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 24,862,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 23,275,773 

The Committee recommends $23,275,773 for salaries and expenses of staff in House leadership offices for fiscal year 2012. This 

amount is $1,586,196 below fiscal year 2011, or 6.4% percent and 

$1,586,227 below the budget request. This level of funding will require a reduction to the Leadership offices beginning January 1, 

2012. 

The allocation by office follows: 


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Office of the Speaker .......................................................................... $6,942,770 

Office of the Majority Floor Leader .................................................. 2,277,595 

Office of the Majority Whip ............................................................... 1,971,050 

Republican Conference ....................................................................... 1,572,788 

Office of the Minority Floor Leader .................................................. 7,432,812 

Office of the Minority Whip ............................................................... 1,524,951 

Democratic Caucus ............................................................................. 1,553,807 

Total ............................................................................................. $23,275,773 

The Committee has included administrative provisions to increase transparency and accountability in House Leadership accounts. The provisions consolidate all of the funds available to the 

Speaker and Minority Leader each under one heading. These leaders previously controlled funding from multiple, separate headings 

for floor activities, steering and policy committees, training and 

program development, cloakroom personnel, and other authorized 

minority employees. This streamlining will allow for greater efficiency and clarify the resources available to each authority. The 

Committee has also included funding for a transition quarter (September 30, 2012 through December 31, 2012) to allow leadership 

offices to operate according to the sessions of Congress, similar to 

Member offices. Beginning in fiscal year 2013, it is the Committee’s 

intent to appropriate funding for Leadership Offices on a legislative 

year. 

HOUSE LEADERSHIP TRANSITION QUARTER

Office of the Speaker .......................................................................... $1,735,694 

Office of the Majority Floor Leader .................................................. 569,399 

Office of the Majority Whip ............................................................... 492,763 

Republican Conference ....................................................................... 393,197 

Office of the Minority Floor Leader .................................................. 1,858,205 

Office of the Minority Whip ............................................................... 381,238 

Democratic Caucus ............................................................................. 388,452 

Total ............................................................................................. $5,818,948 

MEMBERS’ REPRESENTATIONAL ALLOWANCES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $613,052,000 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 633,848,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 573,939,282 

The Committee recommends $573,939,282 for the representational allowances of the Members of the House. This amount is 

$39,112,718 or 6.4 percent below the fiscal year 2011 level and 

$59,908,718 below the budget request. This level of funding will require a reduction in the authorization beginning January 3, 2012. 

HOUSE COMMITTEES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $163,032,103 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 163,032,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 152,630,655 

The Committee recommends $152,630,655 in total for House 

Committees. This amount is $10,401,448, or 6.4% below total available funding in fiscal year 2011 and $10,401,345 below the budget 

request. This account includes funding for staff salaries and official 

expenses of Committees including equipment, telecommunications, 

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mittee on Appropriations. The amount provided is $1,817,215, or 

6.4% below the fiscal year 2011 level and $1,817,215, or 6.4% below 

the amount requested. This level of funding will require another reduction to Committees beginning January 3, 2012. 

The Committee has not provided funding for the continuation of 

hearing room modernizations. Sufficient funding currently exists 

for the execution of this program. 

The Committee reminds all House Committees that, in accordance with the Committee on House Administration Handbook, detailees assigned from the Government Printing Office require full 

reimbursement from committee funds. 

SALARIES, OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $193,326,000 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 203,801,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 177,628,400 

The Committee recommends $177,628,400 for the salaries and 

expenses of House officers and employees of the various activities 

funded through this consolidated item. This amount is $15,697,600 

below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $26,172,600 below the 

budget request. 

The following table summarizes the funding allocation provided 

to each component of the account: 

Office of the Clerk .............................................................................. $26,114,400 

Office of the Sergeant At Arms ......................................................... * 12,585,000 

Office of the Chief Administrative Officer ........................................ 116,782,000 

Office of the Inspector General ......................................................... 5,045,000 

Office of General Counsel .................................................................. 1,415,000 

Office of the Chaplain ........................................................................ 179,000 

Office of the Parliamentarian ............................................................ 2,060,000 

Parliamentarian .......................................................................... (1,466,000) 

Compilation of Precedents .......................................................... (594,000) 

Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the House ............................ 3,258,000 

Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House ................................ 8,814,000 

Office of Interparliamentary Affairs ................................................. 859,000 

Other authorized employees .............................................................. 347,000 

The Historian ...................................................................................... 170,000 

Total ............................................................................................. $177,628,400 

* This funding includes $4,445,000 previously funded under the Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations that was transferred to the Sergeant At Arms, January 2010, and renamed Office of 

Emergency Management. 

OFFICE OF THE CLERK

The Committee recommends $26,114,400 for the Clerk of the 

House. This amount is $2,474,600, or 8.7% below total available 

funding in fiscal year 2011 and $4,401,600 below the budget request. 

The Committee understands that in preparation for fiscal year 

2012 and anticipated budget cuts, the Office of the Clerk has been 

working to identify areas for reduction within its budget. As a result a significant number of vacant positions will not be filled and 

there will be no salary increases with the exception of longevity increases. In addition the Clerk will reduce training, travel, subscriptions, equipment, and contracts and has developed a plan to reduce 

long distance telephone service, postage and photographic expenses. 


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All of these efforts will be taken with an eye on the core responsibilities of the Office of the Clerk in support of the legislative process. The Committee applauds the efforts of the Office of the Clerk 

to reduce spending and decrease the staffing levels of the organization. 

The Committee notes that effective June 1, 2011 the Clerk of the 

House consolidated the Office of the Historian and the Office of Art 

and Archives into a new division in the Office of the Clerk to be 

called the Office of the Historian Staff (OHS). The transfer of responsibilities to the newly created OHS will strengthen and 

streamline the House history functions, making OHS truly a ready 

resource for Members and staff, and also a first-rate public history 

office for the general public, scholars, teachers, students, and the 

media. 

OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS

The Committee recommends $12,585,000 for the Office of the 

Sergeant At Arms (SAA). This amount is $3,551,000 above the year 

2011 enacted level and $6,869,000 below the budget request. The 

Committee funds the Office of Emergency Management, formerly 

the Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness and Operations, in 

this account to reflect the move of the office on February 1, 2010 

to the SAA. 

The SAA is taking significant action in two areas to reduce cost. 

The first area is in personnel. The SAA is currently not filling any 

position vacancies unless the position is determined mission critical. The second area is a review of contracts to determine which 

contracts can be reduced or eliminated and, reductions to travel, 

training, supplies and equipment purchases. The Committee applauds the efforts of the SAA to review operations and reduce cost. 

Due to the unfortunate events in Tucson involving Representative Giffords, it became clear that enhanced security of all Members was needed. In order to provide this needed security and to 

ease the financial burden on the Capitol Police, the SAA created a 

program where local staff, with assistance from the Sergeant at 

Arms and the Capitol Police, would work in conjunction with local 

law enforcement agencies to provide the necessary level of protection for Members, staff, and constituents. As the local jurisdictions 

are more familiar with the threat environment in a Member’s district, the Member can help to ensure the necessary level of security 

at his or her events. The SAA and Capitol Police developed training 

for the Law Enforcement Coordinator Program and reached out to 

local jurisdictions that have come to the aid of Congress. The Committee commends the SAA for the creation of the Law Enforcement 

Coordinator Program. 

The Committee is aware of efforts underway by the SAA and the 

Capitol Police to further improve security in Congressional district 

offices. The Committee recognizes that some security measures are 

cost prohibitive for some offices, yet these efforts are necessary to 

ensure the safety and security of constituents, Members, and their 

staff. To ensure that cost-effective improvements are made by offices the SAA, along with the Capitol Police, shall assist offices in 

prioritizing improvements and highlighting alternative office locations that yield greater security with less cost. 


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OFFICE OF THE CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

The Committee recommends $116,782,000 for the Office of the 

Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). This amount is $11,000,000, or 

8.6% below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $14,000,000 

below the budget request. 

In anticipation of future reductions in fiscal year 2012 the CAO 

is preparing for personnel and non-personnel reductions so that the 

organization can re-align CAO personnel to focus on core business 

services to the House community and streamline service delivery 

processes. The core business services that the organization intends 

to focus on are finance, budget and payroll and benefits services; 

information technology/systems services; management and logistics 

of assets and furnishings; management of procurement, acquisitions and concessionaire services. Through re-organization the CAO 

would reduce its positions by approximately 5% and the duties of 

those positions would be merged within the existing operational 

areas. This is in addition to 38 vacant positions in February of this 

year. 

The Library of Congress Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) offers federal agencies the opportunity, by using 

the FEDLINK service contracts, to obtain services directly from 

commercial sources. The FEDLINK contracts usually provide substantial discounts not available to individual customers for both 

large and small volume users. In addition, agencies can utilize the 

expertise of federal librarians, contracting officers, financial managers, and customer service representatives to get the best products and services at the best available prices. The Committee believes that opportunities exist within the House for individual offices to participate in the FEDLINK program rather than contracting individually for services provided by such vendors as CQRoll Call, Dow Jones and Company, Lexis-Nexis and others. Therefore, the Committee directs the CAO of the House to consult with 

all offices of the House in order to procure their required data services either by using the FEDLINK contracts or a unified House 

contract. The Committee further directs the CAO to report back to 

the Committee on a regular basis on the progress and actions 

taken regarding this matter. 

Improved Contracting Internal Controls.—The Committee directs 

the Chief Administrative Officer of the House to review the contracting protocols and regulations of the House and recommend 

ways to improve internal controls on the obligation of funds. In its 

review the CAO is encouraged to use best practices by other Federal agencies as a resource. 

ALLOWANCES AND EXPENSES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $317,124,878 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 308,165,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 293,386,942 

The Committee recommends a total of $293,386,942 for allowances and expenses. This amount is $23,737,936, or 7.5% below the 

fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $14,778,058 below the budget request. These funds include supplies, materials, administrative 

costs, and Federal tort claims; the costs of official mail for the Committees, leadership, and administrative offices; employee benefits; 


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miscellaneous items; and Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery. 

The Committee has fully funded the Wounded Warrior Program at $2,500,000, an increase of $500,000 above the fiscal year 2011 

enacted level and the same as the budget request. The Wounded 

Warrior Program was established to create fellowships that provide 

employment opportunities within the House of Representatives. 

These fellowships provide veterans with experience and exposure to 

ultimately broaden their scope of transition opportunities. The 

Committee directs the CAO to prepare a report on this program. 

This report should provide the number of participants that have 

been in the program, the number currently in the program, how 

many have achieved full-time employment and other relevant information so the Committee can evaluate the overall program. This 

report should be provided to the Committee on Appropriations of 

the House no later than December 31, 2011. 

The Committee bill does not include funding for tuition reimbursement or the child care subsidy benefit because of a lack of authorization. 

The Committee bill also does not include funding for Energy 

Demonstration Projects. 

The following table summarizes the funding allocation provided 

to each major component of the account: 

Supplies, materials, administrative costs and Federal tort claims $3,696,118 

Official mail (committees, administrative, and leadership offices) 201,000 

Government contributions ................................................................. 264,848,219 

Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery .................................... 17,112,072 

Transition Activities ........................................................................... 2,721,533 

Energy Demonstration Projects ........................................................ ............................

Wounded Warrior Program ............................................................... 2,500,000 

Office of Congressional Ethics ........................................................... 1,548,000 

Miscellaneous items ........................................................................... 760,000 

Total, allowances and expenses ................................................. $293,386,942 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 101 provides for unspent amounts remaining in Members’ Representational Allowances account to be used for deficit or 

debt reduction. 

Section 102 provides for who may assign responsibility within 

the Republican Policy Committee. 

Section 103 provides authority to the Speaker and the Minority 

Leader to allocate funds. 

Section 104 provides authority to the Speaker and the Minority 

Leader to allocate funds among the training and program development activities. 

Section 105 repeals the Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations and transfers the functions to the House Sergeant at Arms. 

JOINT ITEMS 

The Committee recommends $19,390,000 for fiscal year 2012 for 

the various joint committees and activities carried under this heading. The recommendation is $404,482 below the fiscal year 2011 

level and is $1,517,000 below the budget request. 


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JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE 

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $4,490,002 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 4,814,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 4,203,000 

The Committee recommends $4,203,000 for the Joint Economic 

Committee. This recommendation is $287,002 below the fiscal year 

2011 level and $611,000 below the budget request. This recommendation is a 6.4% reduction in the base operating budget. 

Since the Joint Committee lapsed in excess of $1 million in fiscal 

2010, this $287 thousand reduction should not create any detriment to the operations. 

The Joint Economic Committee was created by the Employment 

Act of 1946. The primary tasks of the Committee are to review economic conditions and to recommend improvements in economic policy. The Committee performs research and economic analysis and 

monitors and analyzes current economic, financial, and employment conditions. 

JOINT COMMITTEE ON TAXATION 

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $10,530,048 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 11,327,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 10,424,000 

The Committee recommends $10,424,000 for the Joint Committee 

on Taxation (JCT). This recommendation is $106,048 below the 

fiscal year 2011 amount and $903,000 below the budget request. 

This recommendation is a 1% reduction in the base operating budget. The Committee understands the workload increases facing the 

JCT in the coming fiscal year and the need to fill critical vacant 

positions. In addition, the JCT will most likely be required to rewrite the entire tax code. Because of these demands the Committee 

has provided the funding required for this workload in fiscal year 

2012. 

The Joint Committee on Taxation operates under the Internal 

Revenue Code of 1986 and its predecessors dating to the Revenue 

Act of 1926. It has responsibility to (1) investigate the operation 

and effects of internal revenue taxes and the administration of 

such taxes; (2) investigate measures and methods for the simplification of such taxes; (3) make reports to the House Committee 

on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance (or to 

the House and the Senate) on the results of such investigations and 

studies and to make recommendations; and (4) review any proposed 

refund or credit of income or estate and gift taxes or certain other 

taxes set forth in Code section 6405 in excess of $2,000,000. In addition to these functions that are specified in the Internal Revenue 

Code, the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 requires the Joint 

Committee to provide revenue estimates for all tax legislation considered by either the House or the Senate. 

OFFICE OF THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN 

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $3,400,186 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 3,403,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 3,400,000 


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The Committee recommends $3,400,000 for the Office of the Attending Physician. This amount is the same as the 2011 level 

(rounded) and is $3,000 below the budget request. 

OFFICE OF CONGRESSIONAL ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES 

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $1,374,246 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 1,363,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 1,363,000 

The Committee recommends $1,363,000 for the operation of the 

Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. This amount is 

$11,246 below the fiscal year 2011 level and is the same as the 

budget request. The Office of Congressional Accessibility Services 

is a successor office to the Special Services Office following enactment of the Capitol Visitor Center Act of 2008 (Public Law 110– 

437). 

CAPITOL POLICE 

The Committee recommends a total of $340,136,364 for the Capitol Police (USCP). This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2011 

enacted level and is $47,479,636 below the budget request. 

SALARIES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $277,132,624 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 299,343,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 277,132,624 

The Committee recommends $277,132,624 for the salaries and 

benefits authorized for police services throughout the USCP jurisdiction. This amount is the same as the fiscal year 2011 level and 

is $22,210,376 below the budget request. Using the latest salary estimates from USCP, the Committee expects this level of funding to 

support a staffing level of 1775 sworn positions, a reduction of 25 

officers and 370 civilians, a reduction of 73 positions. 

Budget Formulation.—The Committee is encouraged by the efforts of the USCP to improve its financial operations and, in particular, by the fact that the USCP recently closed all eight audit 

findings related to the USCP Office of Inspector General audit of 

the budget formulation process. The Committee expects this improvement to continue in fiscal year 2012. 

Workforce Management/Overtime Costs/Mission Requirements.— 

The Committee recognizes the efforts of the USCP to manage and 

reduce the necessity for overtime while maintaining core mission 

requirements. The Committee recommends that the Department 

continue to work with the Capitol Police Board, the House and 

Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch Appropriations, the 

Committee on House Administration, and the Senate Committee on 

Rules and Administration to review the USCP’s mission requirements that generate such large amounts of overtime in order to realize savings that could be used to offset other critical costs. The 

Committee recognizes the significant security requirements associated with the USCP’s mission and believes that offsets can be 

achieved through continuous review of the overall mission requirements. The following are examples of requirements where offset 

savings may be applied in order to fund the requirement: security 

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nel Rehabilitation projects; security operations for upcoming conventions and pre-inauguration activities; protective services operations; and critical enhancement and life cycle replacements of 

technology and equipment that is necessary for security operations. 

The Committee directs the Department to provide a written update 

to the Committee on Appropriations of the House and Senate within 60 days of issuance of this report, which provides the results of 

its efforts to achieve mission requirement offsets as described. 

New Posts.—To assist the USCP in the management of the mission requirements it is required to achieve, the Committee directs 

the USCP to notify the Committee on Appropriations of the House 

and Senate when new posts are created, including the annualized 

cost of maintaining the new post, and how the cost will be offset. 

GENERAL EXPENSES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $63,003,740 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 88,273,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 63,003,740 

The Committee recommends $63,003,740 for all general expenses 

of USCP. This is the same as the fiscal year 2011 level and 

$25,269,260 below the budget request. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

Section 1001 authorizes transfers between the Salaries and General Expenses accounts of the Capitol Police. 

Section 1002 authorizes the Chief of the Capitol Police authority 

to waive erroneous payments to officers and employees. 

OFFICE OF COMPLIANCE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $4,076,980 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 4,782,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 3,817,000 

The Committee recommends $3,817,000 for the Office of Compliance. This amount is $259,980, or 6.4% below the fiscal year 2011 

level and $965,000 below the budget request. This reduction can be 

achieved with four days of furlough ($42,500) and ($217,480) from 

contract services. 

The Office of Compliance was established to administer and enforce the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104–1). The 

Act applies various employment and workplace safety laws to Congress and certain Legislative Branch entities. 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $46,771,270 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 46,865,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 43,787,000 

The Committee recommends $43,787,000 for the Congressional 

Budget Office (CBO). This is $2,984,270, or 6.4%, below the fiscal 

year 2011 level and $3,078,000, or 6.6% below the budget request. 


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In fiscal year 2009 the CBO received a supplemental $2 million 

appropriation to provide timely and accurate estimates on major 

health care legislation. This increase was utilized for such expenditures as $600,000 for equipment, $600,000 for actuarial and other 

expert consulting services, and $400,000 for staff performance 

awards. Thus, $1.6 million or, 80% of the supplemental, was utilized for one time outlays that should not add to the current operating base. The remaining $400,000, or 20%, was used for salary 

and benefits costs of 3 full-time-equivalent positions. Therefore, the 

reduction in this bill is $1,384,270, or 3% below the fiscal year 2011 

level, when $1.6 million of non-recurring costs is eliminated. The 

balance of the reduction can be achieved with four furlough days 

($618,000) and a reduction of 5 full-time-equivalent positions 

($803,600). The Committee believes that a reduction of $1.384 million from a revised base, which is less than half of what the other 

agencies in the Legislative Branch are taking, is more than adequate for agency operations during fiscal year 2012. 

ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL 

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. 1 $526,139,612 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 1 618,802,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 1 489,571,000 1Does not include Senate office buildings. 

The Committee recommends $489,571,000 for fiscal year 2012 for 

the activities of the Architect of the Capitol (AOC). Excluded are 

Senate items which are traditionally left for consideration by that 

body. This amount is $36,568,612 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level, or 6.9%, and is $129,231,000 below the budget request. 

Within the recommended level the Committee continues its 

prioritization of projects that: (1) promote the safety and health of 

workers and occupants, (2) decrease the deferred maintenance 

backlog, and (3) invest to achieve future energy savings. In addition, by including $30,000,000 for the House Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund, the bill continues the Committee’s commitment to advance planning for major capital renewal projects which 

will be essential to sustaining the performance of historic House 

buildings. 

The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex. This 

includes mechanical and structural maintenance of the Capitol, 

Congressional office buildings, the Library of Congress buildings, 

the Supreme Court building, the U.S. Botanic Garden, the Capitol 

Power Plant and other facilities, as well as the upkeep and improvement of the grounds surrounding the Capitol complex. 

The following table summarizes the allocation of funds by appropriation account: 


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Architect of the Capitol: 

General Administration .............................................................. $104,790,000 

Capitol building ........................................................................... 35,354,000 

Capitol grounds ........................................................................... 9,852,000 

House of Representatives buildings subtotal ............................ 119,154,000 

House office buildings .......................................................... (89,154,000) 

Historic Buildings Revitalization Trust Fund ................... (30,000,000) 

Capitol Power Plant .................................................................... 127,159,000 

Library buildings and grounds ................................................... 38,486,000 

Capitol Police Buildings, Grounds and Security ....................... 21,500,000 

Botanic Garden ............................................................................ 12,000,000 

Capitol Visitor Center ................................................................. 21,276,000 

Total ...................................................................................... $489,571,000 

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $106,569,434 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 119,150,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 104,790,000 

The Committee recommends $104,790,000 for personnel services, 

equipment, communications, and other central support activities of 

the AOC. This amount is $1,779,434 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is $14,360,000 below the budget request. 

The Committee directs the AOC to provide additional FTEs and 

funding, within existing resources, as requested by the Office of the 

Inspector General in the fiscal year 2012 budget request. 

The Committee directs that all overtime costs incurred by the 

Capitol Police for AOC construction projects are to be reimbursed, 

from project funds, upon receipt of billings from the Capitol Police. 

The recommended project budget of $3,199,000 is composed of 

the following projects: 

Item Committee 

recommendation 

Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC): 

Management Program .................................................................................................................................... $2,700,000 

Conservation of Fine Architectural Art ........................................................................................................... 499,000 

Total ....................................................................................................................................................... $3,199,000 

CAPITOL BUILDING

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $33,115,636 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 41,545,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 35,354,000 

The Committee recommends $35,354,000 for the operation, maintenance, and care of the Capitol building. This amount is 

$2,238,364 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is 

$6,191,000 below the budget request. The recommendation supports an operating budget of $25,091,000. The recommended project 

budget of $10,263,000 is composed of the following capital projects: 

Item Committee 

recommendation 

Presidential Inaugural Stand and Support Facilities .................................................................................... $4,263,000 

Minor Construction ......................................................................................................................................... 6,000,000 

Total ....................................................................................................................................................... $10,263,000 


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CAPITOL GROUNDS

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $10,952,052 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 10,799,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 9,852,000 

The Committee recommends $9,852,000 for the care of the 

grounds surrounding the Capitol. This amount is $1,100,052 below 

the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is $947,000 below the budget 

request. 

HOUSE OFFICE BUILDINGS

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $150,165,068 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 169,647,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 119,154,000 

The Committee recommends $119,154,000 for the operation, 

maintenance, and care of the House office buildings. This amount 

is a decrease of $31,011,068 below fiscal year 2011 and is 

$50,493,000 below the budget request. 

The bill includes $30,000,000 for the House Historic Buildings 

Revitalization Trust Fund. Public Law 111–68 established the 

Fund to finance major repairs and renovations to facilities of the 

House. Subject to approval of the Committee on Appropriations of 

the House, the AOC may use these funds for major renovation 

projects to preserve and maintain the performance of the iconic 

buildings of the House of Representatives. 

The recommended project budget of $40,631,000 is composed of 

the following capital projects: 

Item Committee 

recommendation 

Alternate Life Safety Approach, CHOB ........................................................................................................... $4,229,000 

Power Distribution System Replacement, Vault C, FHOB .............................................................................. 3,957,000 

Interior Rehabilitation, WHUG ........................................................................................................................ 18,000,000 

480V Switchgear and Transformer Replacement, Phase III, RHOB .............................................................. 3,055,000 

CAO Project Support ....................................................................................................................................... 4,390,000 

Minor Construction ......................................................................................................................................... 7,000,000 

House Historic Building Revitalization ........................................................................................................... 30,000,000 

Total ....................................................................................................................................................... $70,631,000 

CAPITOL POWER PLANT

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $118,894,734 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 142,101,000 

Committee recommendation net ....................................................... 127,159,000 

Offsetting collections .......................................................................... 9,000,000 

Total available ............................................................................. $136,159,000 

The Committee recommends $127,159,000 for the Capitol Power Plant supplemented by offsetting collections of $9,000,000. This 

amount is $8,264,266 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and 

is $14,942,000 below the budget request. The Committee has provided $17,406,000 requested for the ongoing repairs and improvements to address occupational safety and 

health issues in the power plant utility tunnels. These funds will 

enable the AOC to continue its progress toward completing all corrective measures on issues identified by the Office of Compliance 

by the June 11, 2012, settlement date. 


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The Committee supports the AOC’s plan to utilize cogeneration 

technology at the Capitol Power Plant to help meet the Energy 

Independence and Security Act of 2007 requirement of a 30 percent 

energy reduction by 2015. According to the AOC, cogeneration will 

yield a 7.1 percent reduction in total energy consumption at the 

Capitol Power Plant by increasing its overall efficiency. 

The recommendation supports an operating budget of $93,782,000, which provides for current services. The recommended 

project budget of $33,377,000 is composed of the following capital 

projects: 

Item Committee 

recommendation 

Utility Tunnel Program ................................................................................................................................... $17,406,000 

WRP Chiller System Replacement, RPR, CPP ................................................................................................ 6,000,000 

East Plant Chiller Relocation, RPR, CPP ....................................................................................................... 3,971,000 

Cogeneration Management Program .............................................................................................................. 2,000,000 

Minor Construction ......................................................................................................................................... 4,000,000 

Total ....................................................................................................................................................... $33,377,000 

LIBRARY BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $45,703,410 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 67,888,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 38,486,000 

The Committee recommends $38,486,000 for the care and maintenance of the Library buildings and grounds. This amount is 

$7,217,410 below the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is 

$29,402,000 below the budget request. The recommendation supports an operating budget of $25,760,000 and a project budget of 

$12,726,000, including the following capital projects: 

Item Committee 

recommendation 

Sprinkler System, West Mail Pavilion 1st Floor, Phase III of III, TJB ............................................................ $4,100,000 

Egress Improvements ..................................................................................................................................... 1,126,000 

Garage Structural Repairs, Entry Improvements and Generator Replacement, Phase I of II, JAB .............. 5,000,000 

ABA Space Reorganization, Phase III of IV, JMMB ........................................................................................ 500,000 

Minor Construction ......................................................................................................................................... 2,000,000 

Total ....................................................................................................................................................... $12,726,000 

CAPITOL POLICE BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, AND SECURITY

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $26,957,976 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 32,312,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 21,500,000 

The Committee recommends $21,500,000 for Capitol Police buildings, grounds, and security. This amount is $5,457,976 below the 

fiscal year 2011 enacted level and is $10,812,000 below the budget 

request. The recommendation supports an operating budget of 

$18,027,000 and a project budget of $3,473,000, including the following capital projects: 

Item Committee 

recommendation 

Fire Alarm System Replacement, Headquarters ............................................................................................ $2,473,000 


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Item Committee 

recommendation 

Minor Construction ......................................................................................................................................... 1,000,000 

Total ....................................................................................................................................................... $3,473,000 

BOTANIC GARDEN

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $11,367,220 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 12,344,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 12,000,000 

The Committee recommends $12,000,000 for salaries and expenses of the Botanic Garden. This amount is $632,780 above the 

fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $344,000 below the budget request. There are no capital projects in fiscal year 2012. 

The Committee congratulates the Botanic Garden on the accomplishments of its education and outreach programs, which have leveraged the Garden’s unparalleled expertise to provide unique educational opportunities. The Committee urges the Garden to continue forming partnerships with national and local organizations to 

advance these educational goals. 

CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $22,414,082 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 23,016,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 21,276,000 

The Committee recommends $21,276,000 for the operation of the 

Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). This amount is $1,138,082 below the 

fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $1,740,000 below the budget request. There are no capital projects in fiscal year 2012. The CVC 

was established to improve security for all persons working in or 

visiting the U.S. Capitol and to enhance the educational experience 

of visitors. 

The Committee brings to the attention of the AOC the issue of 

the CVC gift shop employees. The gift shop currently employs 20 

employees whose salary and benefit costs exceed more than $1 million annually. As with any revolving fund activity, the costs associated with the operation of that activity should be borne by that activity. For example, the Library of Congress gift shop is totally 

funded and operated from the revenues generated within their gift 

shop revolving fund. Therefore, the Committee directs the AOC to 

prepare a report on the operations and the steps that can be taken 

to achieve total operational costs funded within the gift shop revolving fund. This report should be provided to the Committee on 

Appropriations of the House and Senate no later than December 

31, 2011. 

The Committee has observed that there seems to be a rather 

large contingent of tour guides assigned to the CVC. The Committee realizes that there are seasonal fluctuations in the spring 

and summer that necessitate an increase in the number of guides 

to handle the increased number of visitors. However, the Committee believes a review of the staffing requirements, as related to 

tour guides, needs to be undertaken. The Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol to review the staffing levels, taking into account the seasonal requirements, and report to the Committee on 


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Appropriations of the House and Senate on these findings no later 

than January 31, 2012. 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

The Committee recommends $575,322,000 for the operations of the Library of Congress. This is $53,354,128, or 8.5% below the fiscal year 2011 level and $91,409,000, or 13.7% below the budget request. However, taking into consideration that $14 million requested for the Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped 

Digital Talking Book Program, which was completed in fiscal year 

2011, would reflect an adjusted base and thus the amount below 

fiscal year 2011 is $39,354,128, or 6.4% and $77,409,000, or 11.9% 

below an adjusted request. In addition to the appropriation, the 

Committee recommends offsetting collections of $42,863,000. The 

reduced funding provided in this bill will require the Library of 

Congress to reduce staffing by at least 312 positions utilizing a 

VERA/VSIP option. 

Established by Congress in 1800, the Library of Congress is one 

of the largest libraries in the world, with a collection of more than 

130,000,000 print, audio, and video items in 460 languages. Among 

its major programs are acquisitions, preservation, administration of 

U.S. copyright laws by the Copyright Office, research and analysis 

of policy issues for the Congress by the Congressional Research 

Service, and administration of a national program to provide reading material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library 

also maintains a number of collections and provides a range of 

services to libraries in the United States and abroad. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $431,784,700 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 455,979,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 406,096,000 

Offsetting collections .......................................................................... 6,350,000 

Total available ............................................................................. $412,446,000 

The Committee recommends $406,096,000, plus authority to 

spend $6,350,000 in receipts, for the salaries and expenses appropriation. This amount is $25,688,700 below the fiscal year 2011 

level and is $49,883,000 below the budget request. This reduction 

can be achieved with 20 percent participation, of 215 of the eligible 

1,075 ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ employees, in a VERA/VSIP program ($15,681,000), a four day furlough ($3,936,000), purchase of 

books and library materials ($1,000,000), Thirty-Year Mass Deacidification Program ($1,000,000), National Audio-Visual Conservation 

Center equipment ($1,000,000), Overseas Field Office Operations 

($571,700) and Teaching with Primary Sources grants ($2,500,000). 

The Committee fully understands the impact these budget reductions will have on the Library of Congress. These reductions will 

require adjustments in every program, project, and activity within 

the salaries and expenses appropriation. As in prior years, it is expected that the Library will mitigate any negative impact of the reduction in acquisition funding by realignments within the salaries 

and expenses appropriation. Also, the Committee has demonstrated 

its support of the Information Technology Services segment of the 

budget and believes that Library management should continue to 


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support this activity, including the necessary incident handling and 

response function described in the Library’s fiscal 2012 budget request, as much as possible within the funding levels provided. The 

Committee believes enhanced information technology is critical to 

ensuring that Library programs and services continue to meet the 

challenges and opportunities before them. The Committee recognizes that the major information technology requirements of Library organizations will only be met through Library-wide collaboration. The Committee directs the Librarian of Congress to consider managing within the Office of the Librarian all Library information technology planning and resource allocations to ensure that 

information technology requirements are properly prioritized and 

that resources are effectively used. In addition, the Committee expects the Veterans History Project and the Civil Rights History 

Project will be maintained at the fiscal year 2011 levels. 

COPYRIGHT OFFICE

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $17,828,272 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 21,723,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 14,461,000 

Offsetting collections .......................................................................... 36,513,000 

Total available ............................................................................. $50,974,000 

The Committee recommends $14,461,000, plus authority to spend 

$36,513,000 in receipts, for the Copyright Office. This is $3,367,272 

below the fiscal year 2011 level and $7,262,000 below the budget 

request, not including offsetting collections. This reduction can be 

achieved with 20 percent participation, of 38 of the eligible 188 

Copyright employees, in a VERA/VSIP program ($2,090,000), a two 

day furlough ($339,000), and a base reduction in equipment of 

($938,272). 

The Committee has provided the authority to spend receipts at 

$36,513,000. This amount is $1,800,000 above the request and can 

be achieved largely through the utilization of prior year available 

unobligated balances. 

The Committee believes that reductions in appropriations are 

likely to continue, and those reductions could be offset by increased 

receipts. The Committee is aware that the full cost of the Copyright 

Office is not attributable to the Copyright registration process. 

However, other than costs associated with testimony and studies 

related to copyright for Congress, responding to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, public information about copyright, 

and assistance to other federal entities dealing with copyright 

issues, the full cost of the Copyright Office should be supported by 

fees charged for registrations. The Committee directs the management of the Library and the Copyright Office, working with the appropriate authorizing committees of the House and Senate, to review the current fee structure to determine if the registration fee 

covers the entire cost, including overhead, associated with the registration process. 

CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $111,017,520 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 117,102,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 104,091,000 


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The Committee recommends $104,091,000 for salaries and expenses of the Congressional Research Service (CRS). This amount 

is $6,926,520 below the fiscal year 2011 level and $13,011,000 

below the budget request. 

This reduction can be achieved with 20 percent participation, of 

54 of the 272 eligible CRS employees, in a VERA/VSIP program 

($5,431,000), a two day furlough ($757,600) and a base reduction 

between advisory and assistance services, other services, purchase 

of goods and services, and operation and maintenance of equipment 

($737,920). 

CRS works for Members and committees of Congress to support 

their legislative, oversight, and representational functions by providing nonpartisan and confidential research and policy analysis. 

BOOKS FOR THE BLIND AND PHYSICALLY HANDICAPPED

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $68,045,636 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 71,927,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 50,674,000 

The Committee recommends $50,674,000 for salaries and expenses of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically 

Handicapped (NLS). This amount is $17,371,636 below the fiscal 

year 2011 level and $21,253,000 below the budget request. 

The NLS has successfully administered a free national reading 

program for blind and physically handicapped residents of the 

United States and U.S. citizens living abroad since 1931. NLS provides direction for the production of books and magazines in Braille 

and recorded formats and audio playback machines for distribution 

through a nationwide network of 56 regional and 65 subregional libraries. After a decade of extensive planning and research and development, NLS began contracting for the first shipment of digital 

talking book players in fiscal year 2008, a significant milestone in 

this program’s history. With the termination of the analog cassette 

program and digital book and player production and distribution 

having reached a steady state, the Committee perceives fiscal year 

2012 to represent a crossroads moment and appropriate time to 

take a comprehensive look at NLS funding requirements and services for the future. Base programs now are meeting their goals and 

wide-ranging service options are presenting themselves to a changing customer base, in large measure influenced by the availability 

of technologies that were as a practical matter unimaginable ten 

years back. Currently NLS is less a manufacturing operation and 

more a distributor. The provision of no-year funding, essential in 

the past to accommodate multi-year manufacturing cycles, no 

longer is essential, nor is the program’s traditional line item for 

machine replacements. At the same time NLS would benefit by 

greater flexibility to be able to manage its funding mix as circumstances change. The Committee directs the NLS to take a close 

look at the future of its legacy programs and conduct a detailed 

study of its entire mix of products and services, examining how 

changing demographics are influencing the customer base and new 

technologies offering new and different service alternatives. This 

study is to be provided to the Committee on Appropriations of the 

House and Senate by September 30, 2012. 

The NLS launched a six-year transition to a fully operational 

Digital Talking Book Program in fiscal year 2008. The program, 


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fully supported by the Congress, would provide 545,000 digital 

talking book players and 6.8 million books by the end of fiscal year 

2013. Lower than expected costs have allowed for a greater level 

of annual production of players and media than was anticipated at 

the beginning of the replacement program. At the same time the 

NLS has broadened its business model to respond to evolving technologies and a more diverse client base, offering the popular NLS 

Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD) option to download 

books directly from the Internet. In response to customer demand 

the program adjusted production goals, reducing player production 

in favor of an increased range of digital media offerings, including 

additional retrospective titles and magazines. Therefore, in fiscal 

2011 the program will meet its fiscal 2013 goal, and the $14 million 

requested in 2012 is no longer necessary. 

The Committee has taken a reduction of $3,371,636 below the 

enacted level. This reduction can be achieved with 10 percent participation, 5 of the 49 NLS eligible employees, in a VERA/VSIP program ($295,000), a one day furlough ($42,636), reduction in spare 

parts ($1,200,000), GSA rent reduction ($300,000) and a base reduction in the old machine procurement program ($1,534,000). 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

The Committee has recommended several administrative provisions related to obligational authority (sec. 1101) for reimbursable 

and revolving funds, (sec. 1102) transfer authority, and (sec. 1103) 

prior year funds to pay Workers Compensation. 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

The recommendation provides $113,000,000 in budget authority 

for the Government Printing Office (GPO), in addition to any offsetting collections which the GPO may earn under separate authority. 

This amount is $22,067,324, or 16.3% below the fiscal year 2011 

level and $35,474,000 below the budget request. GPO provides publishing and dissemination services for Federal government publications to Congress, Federal agencies, Federal depository libraries, 

and the American public. 

The Committee has some concern about the future of the GPO 

as a viable printing operation for the Federal Government. The 

GPO currently contracts out, to small and medium size print operations, more than 90 percent of its annual printing requisitions, 

most of which are from the Executive Branch. The balance comes 

from printing for the Congress and a few small jobs for the Executive Branch, such as the President’s Annual Budget. The Committee believes that a study is needed to review the feasibility of 

Executive Branch printing being performed by the General Services 

Administration, the transfer of the Superintendent of Documents 

program to the Library of Congress, and the privatization of the 

GPO. Therefore, the Committee directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct a study on these three options and report 

its findings to the Committee on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate no later than January 31, 2012. 


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CONGRESSIONAL PRINTING AND BINDING

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $93,580,464 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 100,001,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 78,000,000 

The Committee recommends $78,000,000 for Congressional Printing and Binding. This amount is $15,580,464, or 16.7% below the 

fiscal year 2011 level and is $22,001,000 below the budget request. 

The amount is provided as a lump sum to cover various categories 

of printing. 

The Committee has recommended changes for the publication of 

the Congressional Record Index and printing for the Architect of 

the Capitol, and commends the GPO for undertaking a survey of 

House offices and committees to provide Members and staff with 

the ability to opt out of receiving copies of the daily Congressional 

Record. These actions will reduce the charges against this account. 

However, additional efforts by the House to reduce its printing requirements, either through further changes in the way the House 

conducts its business or by revising the relevant provisions of the 

public printing and documents statutes of Title 44, United States 

Code, will be required to reduce the volume of congressional printing within the limits of the recommended funding. Otherwise, a 

shortfall in the Congressional Printing and Binding account is likely to be incurred in the current fiscal year, for which Congress will 

be obligated to reimburse the GPO in a subsequent appropriation. 

OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $39,831,178 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 42,173,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 35,000,000 

The Committee recommends $35,000,000 for the salaries and expenses of the Superintendent of Documents. This amount is 

$4,831,178 below the fiscal year 2011 level and $7,173,000 below 

the request. 

The Committee recommendation reflects a general reduction of 

12.1% in the base operating budget. However, utilization of $2.7 

million transferred to the GPO Revolving Fund, reduces the net reduction to $2,131,178, or 5.3%. This reduction can be absorbed with 

3 vacant positions not being filled, and reductions in travel, training and incentive awards. The Committee directs the Public Printer to realign the operations of the Superintendent of Documents 

program to address the most critical elements of the program. 

The Office of Superintendent of Documents account funds the 

mailing of government documents for Members of Congress and 

Federal agencies, as statutorily authorized; the compilation of catalogs and indexes of government publications; and the cataloging, 

indexing, and distribution of government publications to the Federal Depository and International Exchange libraries and to other 

individuals and entities, as authorized by law. 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE REVOLVING FUND

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $1,655,682 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 6,300,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. ............................


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The Committee understands the importance of the Federal Digital System (FDsys) and the GPO Business Information System. 

However, within the current budgetary constraints, the Committee 

is unable to provide funding for these operational systems. The 

Committee directs the Public Printer to examine every avenue of 

revenue generation within the Revolving Fund to determine what 

adjustments could be made to allocate the funding required for 

these projects. 

The Committee is aware that GPO currently has more than 

100,000 square feet of vacant available space within the GPO complex. The Committee encourages the GPO to explore the possibility 

of a lease agreement for this space with other Federal Government 

agencies. The Committee believes that a revenue stream of this nature could be utilized for the FDsys and the GPO Business Information System. 

The bill continues language authorizing the operation of the revolving fund and authority to hire or purchase automobiles, advisory councils, and consultants. 

GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY OFFICE 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $546,254,302 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 556,849,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 511,296,000 

Offsetting Collections ......................................................................... 18,304,000 

Total available ............................................................................. $529,600,000 

The Committee recommends $511,296,000 in direct appropriations for the Government Accountability Office (GAO), plus 

$18,304,000 in offsetting collections derived from reimbursements 

for conducting financial audits of government corporations and 

rental of space in the GAO building. This amount is a decrease of 

$34,958,302, or 6.4% below the fiscal year 2011 level, and is 

$45,553,000 below the budget request. 

In order to achieve the savings necessary to absorb the funding 

reductions in this bill, GAO will need to take the following actions: 

reduction in salaries and benefits including a slower hiring rate 

and reduction in planned hires, reduction in promotions, reduction 

in awards, and reduction in staff development ($18,143,000); reduction in engagement-related expenses including travel and support 

contracts ($816,000); infrastructure operations ($6,965,000); and 

other administrative adjustments ($8,907,000). As part of a cost 

cutting measure, the Committee encourages the GAO to consider a 

VERA/VSIP option, not only for this fiscal year but for future 

years. The Committee fully understands that these reductions will 

require adjustments in staffing and surely will increase response 

time for all studies, audits, and reports. 

The Committee notes that testimony by the GAO before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on forprofit college sales and marketing practices received significant 

criticism from education experts, media and objective commentators for including significant mistakes and misstatements in the 

analysis of the for-profit college sector. In its investigation of its 

own report, GAO determined that pressure to find errors in ‘‘15 out 

of 15’’ schools and to finish the report within a short timeframe, as 


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well as last-minute demands to include revisions to the report resulted in a flawed final product that, even with revisions, remains 

available for public reference. The Committee has concern about 

the impact flawed analyses can have on the industries GAO report 

on; in this case, the for-profit educational sector; and directs the 

GAO to report to the Committee on Appropriations of the House 

and Senate by November 1, 2011, on what processes and procedures have been established to ensure errors of this nature do not 

repeat themselves in the future. 

GAO was established by the Budget and Accounting Act of 1921. 

Formerly known as the General Accounting Office, it was renamed 

by Public Law 108–271. GAO works for Congress by responding to 

requests for studies of Federal Government programs and expenditures. GAO may also initiate its own work. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION

The Committee has included an administrative provision (1201) 

that allows GAO to be treated the same as other Legislative 

Branch agencies regarding employee buyout authority. 

OPEN WORLD LEADERSHIP CENTER TRUST FUND

2011 appropriation ............................................................................. $11,377,200 

2012 budget request ........................................................................... 12,600,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. 1,000,000 

In recent years, the Committee has expressed concern regarding 

the placement of the Open World Leadership Program in the Legislative Branch and questioned its benefits. The program has some 

strong champions on the Committee, but with reductions being 

made to most every program within the Federal budget the Committee has elected to shut down the program and recommends 

$1,000,000 for shutdown expenses of the Open World Leadership 

Program. 

JOHN C. STENNIS CENTER FOR PUBLIC SERVICE TRAINING AND

DEVELOPMENT

2010 appropriation ............................................................................. $429,140 

2011 budget request ........................................................................... 430,000 

Committee recommendation .............................................................. ............................

The Center was created by Congress in 1988 with an appropriation of $7.5 million which subsequently was transferred to the John 

C. Stennis Trust Fund and invested in non-expendable corpus Special Issue Certificates of Indebtedness with the U.S. Treasury. As 

reflected in the current Budget of the United States, the Center 

has $15 million invested with the Treasury, and at a 2 percent return should generate $300,000 that can be utilized for the annual 

operation of the program. Since the principal of the fund has doubled from the original appropriation and with reduced funding 

within the Legislative Branch, the Committee has provided zero 

funding for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training 

and Development. 

The Committee directs that any further budget request from the 

John C. Stennis Center be accompanied by an appropriately detailed budget justification. 


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TITLE II—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

The customary language regarding emergency assistance for vehicles, fiscal year limitation, positions and allowances, consulting 

services, awards and settlements, the Legislative Branch Financial 

Managers Council, the maintenance and landscaping on Washington Avenue SW, a limitation on transfers of funds, language regarding maintaining staff-led tours (sections 201–209). Section 210 

provides for a spending reduction account, excluding Senate items. 

This account excludes the portion of the allocation that is expected 

to be realized by amounts for Senate items. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS 

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

CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY

Clause 6(e) of the Rules of the Appropriations Committee requires each committee report on a public bill or joint resolution to 

contain a statement citing the specific powers granted to Congress 

in the Constitution to enact the law proposed by the bill or joint 

resolution. 

The Committee on Appropriations bases its authority to report 

this legislation on clause 7 of section 9 of article I of the Constitution of the United States which states: ‘‘No money shall be drawn 

from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by 

Law . . .’’ 

Appropriations contained in this Act are made pursuant to this 

specific power granted by the Constitution. 

COMPARISON WITH THE BUDGET RESOLUTION

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives and section 308(a)(1)(A) of the Congressional 

Budget Act of 1974, the following table compares the levels of new 

budget authority provided in the bill with appropriate allocation 

under section 302(b) of the Budget Act. 

[In millions of dollars] 

302(b) Allocation This bill 

Budget authority Outlays Budget authority Outlays 

Comparison of amounts in the bill with Committee allocations to its subcommittees of amounts in the Budget Resolution for 2012: 

Discretionary ...................................................................... $4,314 $4,397 $3,326 1 $3,570 

Mandatory .......................................................................... 136 136 136 1 136 

Total ......................................................................... $4,450 $4,533 $3,462 $3,706 

1 Includes outlays from both House and Senate prior-year budget authority. 

NOTE.—Bill amounts exclude discretionary Senate-related items. 

FIVE-YEAR PROJECTION OF OUTLAYS

Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(B) of the Congressional Budget Act 

of 1974, the following table contains five-year projections prepared 


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by the Congressional Budget Office of outlays associated with the 

budget authority provided in the accompanying bill: 

[In millions of dollars] 

Budget Authority ................................................................................ $3,462 

Outlays: 

2012 ..................................................................................................... 2,968 

2013 ..................................................................................................... 325 

2014 ..................................................................................................... 93 

2015 ..................................................................................................... 34 

2016 ..................................................................................................... 23 

ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Pursuant to section 308(a)(1)(C) of the Congressional Budget Act 

of 1974, the amount of financial assistance to State and local governments is as follows: 

The accompanying bill contains no funding for State and local assistance programs. 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following lists the transfers of funds included in the accompanying bill: 

Indefinite transfer authority is authorized in Library of Congress, Congressional printing and binding, the Superintendent of 

Documents, and the Capitol Police programs. 

RESCISSIONS

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following details the rescissions in the accompanying bill: 

The accompanying bill contains no rescissions. 

STATEMENT OF GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House 

of Representatives, the following is a statement of general performance goals and objectives for which this measure authorizes funding: 

The Committee on Appropriations considers program performance, including a program’s success in developing and attaining 

outcome-related goals and objectives, in developing funding recommendations. 

APPROPRIATIONS NOT AUTHORIZED BY LAW

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(B) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the following lists the appropriations in 

the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law for the period concerned: 

The accompanying bill contains no appropriations not authorized 

by law. 


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TERMINATIONS, REDUCTIONS AND OTHER SAVINGS

In order to invest in the critical priorities identified in this bill, 

the Committee has proposed herein a number of program reductions and other savings from the fiscal year 2011 level. These adjustments, no matter their size, are important to setting the right 

priorities within the spending allocation and for creating a government that is as efficient as it is effective. 

EARMARKS

Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of 

Representatives, this bill, as reported, contains no Congressional 

earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined 

in clause 9(e), 9(f), or 9(g) of rule XXI. 

CHANGES IN THE APPLICATION OF EXISTING LAW

Pursuant to clause 3(f)(1)(A) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, the following statements are submitted 

describing the effect of provisions in the accompanying bill that directly or indirectly change the application of existing law: 

1. The bill provides that certain appropriation items remain 

available for more than one year, where programs or projects are 

continuing in nature under the provisions of authorizing legislation 

but for which that legislation does not specifically authorize such 

extended availability. 

2. The bill includes a number of provisions which place limitations on or change or extend existing limitations, appropriations, or 

authorizations, and which under some circumstances might be construed as changing the application of existing law. 

3. The bill continues the practice of providing official reception 

and representation allowances for officers and offices of the Legislative Branch. 

4. The bill authorizes disbursal of funds for various agencies. 

5. The bill authorizes transfer authority between accounts for 

certain agencies in the bill. 

6. The bill includes language allowing the use of funds for studies and examinations of executive agencies and temporary personnel services. Funds can also be available for reimbursement to 

agencies for services performed. 

7. The bill includes language providing funds for the Family 

Room, the Superintendent of Garages, Office of Emergency Management, and preparing the Digest of Rules. 

8. The bill includes language providing funds for House motor vehicles, interparliamentary receptions, and gratuities. 

9. The bill requires unspent funds remaining in Members’ Representational Allowances to be used for deficit or debt reduction. 

10. The bill includes language pertaining to the assignment of responsibilities within the Republican Policy Committee. 

11. The bill provides authority to the Speaker and Minority 

Leader to allocate funds among certain Leadership Offices. 

12. The bill provides authority to the Speaker and Minority 

Leader to allocate funds among the training and program development activities. 


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13. The bill includes language repealing the Office of Emergency 

Planning, Preparedness, and Operations and transfers the functions and responsibility to the Sergeant at Arms of the House. 

14. The bill authorizes allowances for employees of the Office of 

the Attending Physician and provides reimbursement to the Department of the Navy. 

15. The bill authorizes expenses of the Capitol Police for equipment, uniforms, weapons, supplies, materials, training, medical 

services, forensic services, stenographic services, personal and professional services, the employee assistance program, the awards 

program, postage, communication services, travel advances, and relocation expenses. 

16. The bill provides that the cost of Capitol Police basic training 

at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center be paid by the 

Department of Homeland Security. 

17. The bill provides authority for the Chief of the Capitol Police 

to waive claims for erroneous payments subject to the approval of 

the Capitol Police Board. 

18. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to purchase or exchange, maintain, and operate a passenger motor vehicle. 

19. The bill includes authorization allowing reimbursements for 

chilled water and steam provided to the Government Printing Office, the Washington City Post Office, the Supreme Court, the 

Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building, Union Station 

Complex, and the Folger Shakespeare Library to be credited to the 

AOC Capitol Power Plant appropriation and made available for obligation. 

20. The bill allows the Architect of the Capitol to expend funds 

to maintain, care for, and operate the National Garden. 

21. The bill provides the authority to expend funds collected 

under the authority of 2 U.S.C. 150 and for international legal information, the balance to remain available until expended. 

22. The bill establishes that the amount available for obligation 

by the Library of Congress is reduced by offsetting collections. 

23. The bill provides funds for the digital collections and educational curricula program, the American Folklife Center, and the 

Civil Rights History Project. 

24. The bill allows the Library of Congress to hire or purchase 

one passenger motor vehicle. 

25. The bill allows funds from offsetting collections to be used for 

the Library’s Copyright Office. 

26. The bill includes language authorizing the expenditure of receipts, with the exception of salaries and benefits, for the administration of the Copyright Royalty Judges program. 

27. The bill contains language which provides that no funds in 

the Congressional Research Service can be used to publish or prepare material to be issued by the Library of Congress unless approved by the appropriate committees. 

28. The bill provides funds to provide newspapers to the blind 

and physically handicapped. 

29. The bill authorizes the temporary transfer of funds under the 

heading ‘‘Library of Congress, Salaries and Expenses’’ to the revolving fund for the FEDLINK Program and the Federal Research Program. 


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30. The bill makes balances of expired Library of Congress funds 

available for workers compensation payments. 

31. The bill contains language restricting the use of funds appropriated to the Government Printing Office for the permanent edition of the Congressional Record for individual Representatives and 

Senators, Resident Commissioners, or Delegates, and language providing that appropriations recommended shall be available for the 

payment of obligations incurred under appropriations for similar 

purposes for preceding fiscal years, limiting the printing of certain 

documents to a time certain, and authorizing the transfer of unobligated balances. 

32. The bill includes authorization of appropriations for Congressional printing and binding. 

33. The bill includes language authorizing the Office of Superintendent of Documents to pay for printing certain publications in 

prior years for the depository library program. There is language 

authorizing the transfer of unexpended balances. 

34. There is language authorizing the operation of the Government Printing Office revolving fund, and which authorizes travel 

expenses for advisory councils, the purchase of not more than 12 

passenger motor vehicles and that the revolving fund may be used 

to provide information in any format. 

35. The bill includes language relating to the Government Accountability Office, authorizing the direct procurement of expert 

and consultant services under 5 U.S.C. 3109 at certain rates; authorizing the hire of one passenger motor vehicle, as required by 

31 U.S.C. 1343; authorizing the Government Accountability Office 

to make advance payments in foreign countries in accordance with 

31 U.S.C. 3324; and providing certain benefits, including rental of 

living quarters in foreign countries. Appropriations are authorized 

for administrative expenses of any other member department or 

agency to finance an appropriate share of the costs of the National 

Intergovernmental Audit Forum or a Regional Intergovernmental 

Audit Forum. 

36. The bill clarifies agencies with authority to provide voluntary 

separation incentive payments. 

37. In Section 201, there is language prohibiting the use of funds 

in the Act for the maintenance or care of private vehicles except 

for emergency assistance and cleaning as may be provided under 

regulations relating to parking facilities for the House issued by 

the Committee on House Administration and for the Senate by the 

Committee on Rules and Administration. 

38. Section 203 provides that whenever any office or position not 

specifically established by the Legislative Pay Act of 1929 is appropriated for herein, or whenever the rate of compensation or designation of any position appropriated for herein is different from 

that specifically established for such position by such Act, the rate 

of compensation and the designation of the position, either appropriated for or provided herein, shall be the permanent law with respect thereto: Provided that the provisions herein for the various 

items of official expenses of Members, officers, and committees of 

the Senate and House, and clerk hire for Senators and Members 

shall be the permanent law with respect thereto. 

39. Section 204 requires that certain information regarding consulting services shall be a matter of public record. 


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40. Section 205 authorizes the payment of awards and settlements. 

41. Section 206 authorizes Legislative Branch entities to share 

the costs of the Legislative Branch Financial Managers Council. 

42. Section 207 authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to maintain certain property. 

43. Section 208 limits the transfer of funds in this Act. 

44. Section 209 prohibits funds in this Act being used to eliminate or restrict staff led guided tours. 

45. Section 210 provides for a spending reduction account. 

COMPLIANCE WITH RULE XIII, CL. 3(e) (RAMSEYER RULE) 

In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 

House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by the bill, 

as reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in italic, 

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

SECTION 103 OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH 

APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 1999 

SEC. 103. (a) * * * 

(b) øSubject to the allocation described in subsection (c), funds¿ 

Funds in the account established under subsection (a) shall be 

paid— 

(1) for activities of the Republican Conference in such 

amounts, at such times, and under such terms and conditions 

as the Speaker of the House of Representatives may ødirect;¿ 

direct (or, if the Speaker is not a member of the Republican 

Party, under such terms and conditions as the Minority Leader 

of the House of Representatives may direct); and 

(2) for activities of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee in such amounts, at such times, and under such terms 

and conditions as the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives may ødirect.¿ direct (or, if the Speaker is a member of the Democratic Party, under such terms and conditions 

as the Speaker may direct). 

ø(c) Of the total amount in the account established under subsection (a)— 

ø(1) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Speaker for payments for activities of the Republican Conference; and 

ø(2) 50 percent shall be allocated to the Minority Leader for 

payments for activities of the Democratic Steering and Policy 

Committee.¿ 

ø(d)¿ (c) There are authorized to be appropriated to the account 

under this section for fiscal year 1999 and each succeeding fiscal 

year such sums as may be necessary for training and program development activities of the Republican Conference and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee during the fiscal year. 


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LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005 

DIVISION G 

LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2005 

TITLE I—LEGISLATIVE BRANCH APPROPRIATIONS 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 109. (a) There is established in the House of Representatives an office to be known as the Republican Policy Committee, 

which shall have such responsibilities as may be assigned by øthe 

chair of the Republican Conference¿ the Speaker of the House of 

Representatives (or, if the Speaker is not a member of the Republican Party, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives). 

(b) There shall be a lump sum allowance for the salaries and expenses of the Republican Policy Committee, which shall be treated 

as a category of House leadership offices for purposes of section 

101(c) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993 (2 U.S.C. 

95b(c))ø.¿, and which shall be obligated and expended as directed 

by the Speaker (or, if the Speaker is not a member of the Republican 

Party, the Minority Leader). 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE II—GENERAL PROVISIONS 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 210. VOLUNTARY SEPARATION INCENTIVE PAYMENTS. 

(a) * * * 

* * * * * * * 

ø(d) EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN OFFICES.—This section shall not 

apply to any office which is an Executive agency under section 105 

of title 5, United States Code, or any employee of such an office.¿ 

* * * * * * * 

(f) REPAYMENT FOR INDIVIDUALS RETURNING TO GOVERNMENT

EMPLOYMENT.— (1) * * * 

(2) WAIVER FOR INDIVIDUALS POSSESSING UNIQUE ABILITIES.— (A) If the employment is with an Executive agency (as 

defined by section 105 of title 5, øUnited States Code¿ 

United States Code, but excluding the Government Accountability Office), the Director of the Office of Personnel Management may, at the request of the head of the agency, 

waive the repayment required under this subsection if the 

individual involved possesses unique abilities and is the 

only qualified applicant available for the position. 

* * * * * * * 

SECTION 3521 OF TITLE 5, UNITED STATES CODE 

§ 3521. Definitions 

In this subchapter, the term— 


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(1) ‘‘agency’’ means an Executive agency as defined under 

øsection 105¿ section 105 (other than the Government Accountability Office); and 

* * * * * * * 

SECTION 905 OF THE EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ACT, 

2002 

øSEC. 905. (a) There is established in the House of Representatives an office to be known as the House of Representatives Office 

of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations. The Office 

shall be responsible for mitigation and preparedness operations, 

crisis management and response, resource services, and recovery 

operations. 

ø(b) The Speaker, in consultation with the minority leader— 

ø(1) shall provide policy direction for, and oversight of, the 

Office; 

ø(2) shall appoint and set the annual rate of pay for employees of the Office, including a Director, who shall be the head 

of the Office; 

ø(3) shall exercise, with respect to any employee of the Office, the authority referred to in section 8344(k)(2)(B) of title 5, 

United States Code, and the authority referred to in section 

8468(h)(2)(B) of title 5, United States Code; 

ø(4) shall approve procurement of services of experts and 

consultants by the Office or by committees or other entities of 

the House of Representatives for assignment to the Office; and 

ø(5) may request the head of any Federal department or 

agency to detail to the Office, on a reimbursable basis, any of 

the personnel of the department or agency. 

ø(c) The day-to-day operations of the Office shall be carried out 

by the Director, under the supervision of a Board, to be known as 

the House of Representatives Continuity of Operations Board, comprised of the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives. The Clerk shall be 

the Chairman of the Board. 

ø(d) Until otherwise provided by law, funds shall be available for 

the Office from amounts appropriated for the operations of the 

House of Representatives. 

ø(e) This section shall take effect on the date of the enactment 

of this Act and shall apply to fiscal years beginning with fiscal year 

2002.¿ 


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ADDITIONAL VIEWS OF THE HONORABLE NORM DICKS 

AND HONORABLE MICHAEL HONDA 

The Chairman followed the long tradition of this subcommittee 

and included the minority in the process of developing the fiscal 

year 2012 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill. The Chairman 

and Ranking Member of this subcommittee are the stewards of the 

legislative branch of government and must operate in a bi-partisan 

manner to effectively serve in that role. Chairman Crenshaw 

should be applauded for the process followed. The bill funds the Legislative Branch, minus the Senate, at $3.3 

billion which represents a 6.4 percent reduction from fiscal year 

2011 and a 9 percent reduction from fiscal year 2010. The allocation is only understandable given that the majority is also cutting 

Women and Children’s nutrition programs, consumer protection, 

and other important programs in other appropriations bills. This 

bill has succeeded in joining the other appropriations bills by cutting programs at the expense of jobs, strong oversight, and common-sense efficiencies. 

DISTRICT OFFICE SECURITY

After the tragic shootings in Tucson, the Congress was left to reevaluate security in Members’ districts. While it is of the utmost 

importance to ensure that citizens have unfettered access to their 

Members of Congress, the Tucson event was a reminder that we 

must be vigilant in providing security to Members, to their staff 

and to their constituents that attend their events. The effort by the 

House to improve district security after the shootings put much of 

the onus on Members’ offices, including the payment for that security. As Members’ office budgets are being cut for the second time 

in a year, there has to be a reconsideration of that policy in order 

to consider a more centralized approach to security. That is not an 

inexpensive endeavor if you use the Secret Service’s budget as a 

guide. The Capitol Police appropriation is $340 million, equal to 

the fiscal year 2011 level. The Capitol Police protect the Capitol 

Complex with primary security responsibility for 541 Members of 

Congress, Resident Commissioners, and Delegates. By comparison, 

the House-passed Secret Service Appropriation included over $1 

billion for the protection of 50 to 70 individuals, including the 

President. If the Capitol Police is going to assess more threats 

against Members and take a more active role in district security 

then their budget should reflect these increased demands. 

OVERSIGHT ROLE OF CONGRESS

The Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget 

Office, and the Congressional Research Service are extensions of 

Congress and assist Members in exercising their oversight role of 

government programs. All were cut over 6 percent and require reductions in force and furloughs. Many of the fiscal year 2012 appropriations bills considered by the Committee thus far have requirements of the Government Accountability Office to review a range 

of government programs and CBO has had to provide budget estimates for all the bills and amendments to those bills. In addition, 

the Committee’s recently approved Semiannual Report of Committee Activities highlights the support provided by the GAO to the 


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Committee. The report lists over 60 GAO reports and staff studies 

that are underway during the 112th Congress. What will happen 

to that oversight and analysis after Members’ staff are cut as well 

as these oversight agencies? 

While the term ‘‘spending’’ has become a bad word for the majority, it is worth noting that some spending really is an investment. 

The return is high when investing in GAO by identifying inefficiencies, duplicative programs and best practices across the federal government. Every dollar spent at GAO results in $4 of taxpayer savings. Those who claim to want increased oversight of government 

programs should reject cuts to GAO. 

With regard to GAO, the Committee report directs the non-partisan oversight agency to reassess a study of for-profit colleges’ recruitment practices. GAO must be allowed to employ its independent judgment, regardless of whether Members disagree with 

their conclusions. 

OPEN WORLD LEADERSHIP CENTER

During subcommittee and full committee consideration of the 

bill, Democratic Members spoke of their strong support for the 

Open World Leadership Center which received $1 million in the 

bill for shutdown costs. In the additional views submitted to the 

fiscal year 2008 bill, the then-minority stated ‘‘If we would have 

had a more inclusive process, we are certain that the Chair would 

have realized that the Open World Leadership Program enjoys bipartisan support on this Committee. Instead, the Chair proposed to 

end this program and close it out.’’ Given the support of Members 

for this program in 2008, it is surprising that the current majority 

has followed the course they rejected 4 years ago. 

NORMAN D. DICKS. 

MICHAEL M. HONDA. 

Æ 


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