95–084 

114TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 1st Session 114–194 

FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT 

APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2016 

JULY 9, 2015.—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 

DISSENTING VIEWS 

[To accompany H.R. 2995] 

The Committee on Appropriations submits the following report in 

explanation of the accompanying bill making appropriations for financial services and general government for the fiscal year ending 

September 30, 2016. 

INDEX TO BILL AND REPORT 

Page Number 

Bill Report 

Title I—Department of the Treasury ....................................................... 2 7 

Title II—Executive Office of the President and Funds Appropriated to 

the President ........................................................................................... 28 26 

Title III—The Judiciary ............................................................................. 43 36 

Title IV—District of Columbia .................................................................. 52 41 

Title V—Independent Agencies ................................................................. 62 47 

Administrative Conference of the United States ..................................... 62 47 

Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection ............................................... 62 47 

Consumer Product Safety Commission .................................................... 65 51 

Election Assistance Commission ............................................................... 65 53 

Federal Communications Commission ..................................................... 65 54 

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ................................................... 67 57 

Federal Election Commission .................................................................... 67 57 

Federal Labor Relations Authority ........................................................... 67 58 

Federal Trade Commission ........................................................................ 68 58 

General Services Administration .............................................................. 70 59 


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Page Number 

Bill Report 

Merit Systems Protection Board ............................................................... 82 69 

National Archives and Records Administration ...................................... 83 69 

National Credit Union Administration .................................................... 84 71 

Office of Government Ethics ..................................................................... 84 72 

Office of Personnel Management .............................................................. 85 72 

Office of Special Counsel ........................................................................... 88 74 

Postal Regulatory Commission ................................................................. 88 74 

Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board ........................................... 89 75 

Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board .................................. ........ 75 

Securities and Exchange Commission ...................................................... 89 76 

Selective Service System ........................................................................... 90 80 

Small Business Administration ................................................................ 91 80 

United States Postal Service ..................................................................... 96 85 

United States Tax Court ........................................................................... 97 86 

Title VI—General Provisions—This Act ................................................... 97 87 

Title VII—General Provisions—Government-wide: Departments, 

Agencies, and Corporations ................................................................... 114 90 

Title VIII—General Provisions—District of Columbia ............................ 149 93 

Title IX—Additional General Provisions .................................................. 159 94 

House of Representatives Report Requirements ..................................... ........ 94 

Dissenting Views ........................................................................................ ........ 184 

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE BILL

The Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee 

has jurisdiction over a diverse group of agencies responsible for 

regulating the financial and telecommunications industries; collecting taxes and providing taxpayer assistance; supporting the operations of the White House, the Federal Judiciary, and the District of Columbia; managing Federal buildings; and overseeing the 

Federal workforce. The activities of these agencies impact nearly 

every American and are integral to the operations of our government. 

However, with the gross Federal debt growing in excess of $18 

trillion, the Subcommittee is committed to reducing the cost and 

size of government. The bill provides a total of $20,250,000,000 in 

discretionary budget authority for fiscal year 2016 which is 

$1,320,000,000, or 6.1 percent, below the fiscal year 2015 discretionary allocation. The bill is $4,804,450,000, or 19.2 percent, below 

the Administration’s request. 

TOTAL BUDGET AUTHORITY 

[$ in millions] 

FY 2015 

Enacted 

FY 2016 

Request 

FY 2016 

Recommendation 

Discretionary ....................................................................................................... 21,570 25,054 20,250 

Mandatory ........................................................................................................... 21,532 21,512 21,512 

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

The Committee is troubled by the Internal Revenue Service’s 

(IRS) willingness to neglect taxpayers in need of assistance. The 

IRS blames budget cuts for its dismal level of service without acknowledging the degree of discretion it has to spend funds relatively unencumbered. The Committee provides the IRS with funds 

through four appropriations. Other than a few setasides, such as 


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those for grant programs, the IRS decides for itself how to apportion its funds among competing needs. As the Government Accountability Office observed, ‘‘Although resources are constrained, 

IRS has flexibility in how it allocates resources to ensure that limited resources are utilized as effectively as possible . . . [magnifying] the importance of strategically managing operations to make 

tough choices about which services to continue providing and which 

services to cut.’’ 

Budget execution is clearly and squarely an Executive Branch 

function. The IRS has failed to develop and implement a strategy 

for identifying and delivering timely taxpayer assistance in the 

form and manner most beneficial to taxpayers and cost-effective to 

the IRS. This is the antithesis of responsible stewardship. When 

combined with the inappropriate singling out of certain tax-exempt 

groups based on their political beliefs, wasteful spending on conferences and videos, and providing bonuses to staff and re-hiring 

former staff without evaluating their conduct or tax compliance, 

the IRS is no closer to earning back the trust and confidence of the 

taxpayer than it was in 2013. 

In the fiscal year 2014 and 2015 Omnibus Appropriations Acts, 

the Committee took steps to reform the IRS by requiring extensive 

reports from the IRS about their spending, training and bonuses; 

prohibiting funds for the production of videos that have not been 

reviewed or certified to be appropriate; prohibiting funds for targeting groups for regulatory scrutiny based on their ideological beliefs; and prohibiting funds for targeting citizens for exercising 

their First Amendment rights. The fiscal year 2016 bill goes one 

step further and provides an additional $75,000,000 for the Taxpayer Service account set aside strictly for improving the level of 

customer service. This account, in total, rises to $2,231,609,000, 

which is just $8,000,000 shy of its pre-sequestration funding level, 

and should measurably improve the IRS’ ability to address taxpayer needs. 

The Committee remains concerned, however, that more needs to 

be done to ensure that the IRS is appropriately allocating its resources and is not using its authorities to single out groups or individuals based on their political or ideological beliefs. To that end, 

the Committee cannot support the Administration’s audacious proposal to increase the IRS by $2 billion over the fiscal year 2015 

level. Instead, the Committee recommends providing 

$10,106,609,000 for the IRS which is $838,391,000 below current 

level and $2,824,462,000 below the request. This recommendation 

would fund the IRS below their fiscal year 2004 level. In addition, 

the Committee includes language to: 

• Prohibit funds for IRS employee bonuses and awards that do 

not consider the conduct and tax compliance of such employees; 

• Prohibit funds for hiring former IRS employees without considering the employees past conduct and tax compliance; 

• Prohibit funds for targeting groups for regulatory scrutiny 

based on their ideological beliefs; 

• Prohibit funds for targeting citizens for exercising their First 

Amendment rights; 

• Prohibit funds for conferences that do not comply with the 

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s recommendations regarding conferences; 


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• Prohibit funds for the production of videos that have not been 

reviewed for cost, topic, tone, and purpose and certified to be appropriate; 

• Require a report on the amount of official time used by IRS 

employees; 

• Prohibit the White House from ordering the IRS to determine 

the tax-exempt status of an organization; 

• Require extensive reporting on IRS spending; and 

• Provide TIGTA with a $9,065,000 increase over fiscal year 

2015 to enhance its audit and investigative oversight of the IRS. 

The Committee also includes a funding prohibition to prevent the 

Department of the Treasury from implementing their proposed or 

revised regulation regarding the standards and definitions used to 

determine the tax exempt status under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Committee believes it would be advisable for the Administration to await the outcome of the investigations into the inappropriate singling out of certain tax-exempt 

groups based on their political beliefs are concluded before proposing regulatory changes regarding section 501(c)(4). The resources used to promulgate this proposed rule are better spent responding to taxpayers’ correspondence and phone calls. 

The Committee continues to be concerned with the IRS’ role in 

implementation of the Affordable Care Act and, in particular, the 

individual mandate. At a time when the IRS has demonstrated little ability to either self-police or self-correct, the IRS has even more 

authority over Americans’ health coverage. The Committee finds 

this expansion of IRS authority to be unacceptable and, therefore, 

prohibits funding to implement the individual mandate and prohibits transfers from the Department of Health and Human Services to fund the IRS’ implementation of the Affordable Care Act. 

SMALL BUSINESS AND JOB CREATION ACTIVITIES

The bill makes programs that support small businesses and assist in private sector job creation a priority by providing 

$156,064,000 for the Small Business Administration’s business loan 

program to support $23,500,000,000 in 7(a) lending and 

$7,500,000,000 in 504 lending. The bill also provides $117,000,000 

for Small Business Development Centers, $17,000,000 for Women’s 

Business Centers, $25,000,000 for Microloan Technical Assistance, 

and $233,523,000 for Treasury’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund program. In support of small breweries and 

distilleries, the bill provides $105,000,000 for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau. In addition, the bill requires certain 

regulatory agencies to report to the Committee on their efforts to 

eliminate duplicative, outdated and burdensome regulations. 

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND INTELLIGENCE ACTIVITIES

The bill provides $6,910,219,000 in discretionary funds for the 

operations of the Federal Judiciary to fulfill their statutory requirements to process criminal, civil, bankruptcy and appellate cases; to 

supervise defendants and offenders living in our communities; and 

provide defendant representation to those that cannot afford it. 

The bill continues to make combating illegal drugs a priority by 

providing $250,000,000 for High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas, 


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which is $56,600,000 above the Administration’s request, and 

$95,000,000 for the Drug-Free Communities program, which is 

$9,324,000 above the Administration’s request. 

For the District of Columbia, the bill provides $259,100,000 for 

the operations of the District of Columbia Courts and $242,750,000 

for the supervision of offenders and defendants, which are 

$15,301,000 and $2,013,000, respectively, less that the request. The 

bill does not provide $21,450,000 in funds requested for a variety 

of District projects, such as climate risk management and solar 

power initiatives. 

For Treasury’s financial intelligence activities, the bill provides 

$116,000,000 for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence 

to enhance their capabilities to combat drug lords, terrorists, weapons of mass destruction proliferators, rogue nations and other 

threats. This is $3,500,000 above the enacted level and $6,391,000 

above the Administration’s request. In addition, the bill provides 

$112,979,000 for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network to 

support the financial intelligence requirements of law enforcement 

and intelligence agencies. 

PROGRAM REDUCTIONS AND TERMINATIONS

In order to pay for the small business and law enforcement priorities described above while reducing overall spending, the Committee has reduced the operating expenses for many agencies below 

the fiscal year 2015 level including: Department of the Treasury— 

Departmental Offices; the Internal Revenue Service; White House 

Office of Administration; the Office of Management and Budget; 

the Office of National Drug Control Policy Salary and Expenses; 

the Supreme Court of the United States Care of the Buildings and 

Grounds; Federal payments for the District of Columbia for resident tuition support and public defender service; the Consumer 

Product Safety Commission; the Election Assistance Commission; 

the Federal Communications Commission; the General Services Administration; and the Tax Court. 

In addition, the bill eliminates funding for several programs including: Treasury’s Department-Wide Systems and Capital Investment; Executive Office of the President-Unanticipated Needs; a 

Federal payment for the District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority; the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation; the Morris 

K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation; Recovery and Accountability Transparency Board; and the Public Company and Accounting Oversight Board’s scholarship program. 

ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES

The bill includes the following language to increase transparency 

and accountability: 

• Makes the Office of Financial Research (OFR) and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) subject to the appropriations process starting in fiscal year 2017. 

• Requires the CFPB to notify Congress when it requests a 

transfer of funds from the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System this year. 


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• Requires additional reporting on mandatory expenses from 

OFR, CFPB, the Office of Financial Stability and the Judgment 

Fund. • Makes the General Services Administration provide extensive 

reports on spending and activities. • Freezes pay for the Vice President and senior Executive 

Branch political appointees. • Checks the expansion of Executive Branch authorities by: prohibiting funding for signing statements that abrogate existing law; 

prohibiting funds for Executive Orders that contravene existing 

law; requiring cost estimates to be included for new Executive Orders and Presidential Memorandums; prohibits funding for socalled ‘‘czars’’; and prohibiting changes in agency spending without 

the enactment of appropriations bill. • Prohibits spending from the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) mandatory reserve fund, making the SEC live within 

the appropriation provided. • Prohibits funds to be used is contravention of the Federal 

Records Act. • Requires agencies to conduct investigations in compliance with 

the Fourth Amendment. • Prohibits funds to implement Executive Order No. 13690 (entitled ‘‘Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and 

a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder 

Input’’). • Requires the Office of Management and Budget to report on 

the costs of Dodd-Frank. • Prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from 

implementing, administering, or enforcing any rule unless the FCC 

published the text of the rule at least 21 days before the vote on 

the rule occurred. • Prohibits the FCC from regulating rates for either wireline or 

wireless internet providers. • Prohibits the FCC from implementing the net neutrality order 

until certain court challenges are decided. • Replaces the indemnification agreements with confidentiality 

agreements for swaps data repositories. 

OPERATING PLAN AND REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURES

The Committee will continue to evaluate reprogrammings proposed by agencies. Although reprogrammings may not change either the total amount available in an account or the purposes for 

which the appropriation is legally available, they represent a significant departure from budget plans presented to the Committee 

in an agency’s budget justification and supporting documents, 

which are the basis of this appropriations Act. The Committee expects agencies’ reprogramming requests to explain thoroughly the 

reasons for the reprogramming and to include an assessment of 

whether the reprogramming will affect budget requirements for the 

subsequent fiscal year. 

Section 608 of this Act requires agencies or entities funded by 

the Act to notify the Committee and obtain prior approval from the 

Committee for any reprogramming of funds that: (1) creates a new 

program; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases 

funds or personnel for any program, project, or activity for which 


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funds have been denied or restricted by the Congress; (4) proposes 

to use funds directed for a specific activity by either the House or 

Senate Committees on Appropriations for a different purpose; (5) 

augments existing programs, projects, or activities in excess of 

$5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; (6) reduces existing 

programs, projects, or activities by $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; or (7) creates or reorganizes offices, programs, or activities. 

Additionally, the Committee expects to be promptly notified of all 

reprogramming actions which involve less than the above-mentioned amounts if such actions would have the effect of significantly changing an agency’s funding requirements in future years, 

or if programs or projects specifically cited in the Committee’s reports are affected by the reprogramming. Reprogrammings meeting 

these criteria must be approved by the Committee regardless of the 

amount proposed to be reallocated. 

Section 608 also requires agencies to consult with the Committees on Appropriations prior to any significant reorganization or restructuring of offices, programs, or activities. This provision applies 

regardless of whether the reorganization or restructuring involves 

a reprogramming of funds. Agencies are encouraged to consult with 

the Committees early in the process so that any questions or concerns the Committees may have can be addressed in a timely manner. 

Agencies are directed under section 608 to submit operating 

plans for the Committee’s review within 60 days of the bill’s enactment. Each operating plan should include: (1) a table for each appropriation with a separate column to display the President’s budget request, adjustments made by Congress, adjustments due to enacted rescissions, if appropriate, and the fiscal year enacted level; 

(2) a delineation in the table for each appropriation both by object 

class and program, project, and activity as detailed in the budget 

appendix for the respective appropriation; and (3) an identification 

of items of special congressional interest. 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

DEPARTMENTAL OFFICES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $210,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 * ..................................................... 222,228,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 200,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥10,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥22,228,000 

* Funding for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence was requested within the Departmental 

Office heading and funding for the Department-wide Systems and Capital Investments Program was requested as a separate heading. 

The Departmental Offices’ function in the Department of the 

Treasury is to support the Secretary of the Treasury in his capacity 

as the chief operating executive of the Department and in his role 

in determining the tax, economic, and financial management policies of the Federal government. The Secretary’s responsibilities 

funded by the Salaries and Expenses appropriation include: recomVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00007 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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mending and implementing domestic and international economic 

and tax policy; providing recommendations regarding fiscal policy; 

governing the fiscal operations of the government; managing the 

public debt; managing development of financial policy; representing 

the U.S. on international monetary, trade and investment issues; 

overseeing Treasury Department overseas operations; directing the 

administrative operations of the Treasury Department; and providing executive oversight of the bureaus within the Treasury Department. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $200,000,000 for 

Departmental Offices, Salaries and Expenses. The recommendation 

fully funds the Department’s cyber security initiatives, contributions to international governmental associations, and administrative expenses for implementing Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourism Opportunities, and Revived Economy of the Gulf 

Coast Act (RESTORE Act). 

Wildlife Trafficking and Ivory Poaching.—The Department is directed to pursue and enforce money laundering and other related 

laws as related to wildlife trafficking and the illegal ivory trade, 

particularly in Africa, and to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate semiannually during fiscal year 

2016 on enforcement actions and other steps taken to carry out the 

Implementation Plan of the National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking during such fiscal year. 

Economic Warfare and Financial Terrorism.—The Committee is 

deeply disappointed by the Department’s complete failure to provide a report on economic warfare and financial terrorism to Congress for the fifth consecutive year. Treating Congressional requests with indifference and disregard is contrary to the cooperation and partnership that the Administration is seeking with Congress. The Committee again directs the Secretary to submit this report required by section 128; the report may be submitted in classified and unclassified forms. 

Eligibility.—The Committee recognizes the Federal government’s 

trust responsibility for providing healthcare for American Indians 

and Alaska Natives. The Committee is aware that the definition of 

who is an ‘‘Indian’’ is inconsistent across various Federal health 

programs, which has led to confusion, increased paperwork and 

even differing determinations of health benefits within Indian families themselves. The Committee therefore encourages the Department of Health and Human Services, the Indian Health Service, 

and the Department of the Treasury to work together to establish 

a consistent definition of an ‘‘Indian’’ for purposes of providing 

health benefits. 

Financial Stability Oversight Council and the Office of Financial 

Research.—The Committee believes the Office of Financial Research (OFR), established under P.L. 111–203, is unnecessarily 

opaque in its operations. The OFR and Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) set their own budgets and then assess private 

institutions to pay for their operations, with no Congressional review of their funding. The Committee is, therefore, obligated to 

make sure that there are adequate checks on OFR and FSOC actions, procedures, and funding. The Committee has included lanVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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guage (Sections 124 and 125) which requires quarterly reporting on 

budget obligations and brings OFR under the Appropriations process so that this office can be more transparent to the American 

people and Congress. For fiscal year 2016, the Administration estimates OFR and FSOC spending will total $108,105,000 and 

$19,316,000, respectively. When conducting research to support 

regulation of large swaths of the economy, both OFR and FSOC 

should be more receptive to the concerns, oversight, and counsel 

from the Legislative Branch. 

In addition, the Committee believes that there should be more 

transparency surrounding negotiations, agreements, meetings, and 

consultations conducted by members of FSOC with the Financial 

Stability Board (FSB) and other international financial and economic organizations. Better coordination among global financial 

regulators is important; however, currently there is a significant 

lack of public information about these conversations. The U.S. must 

retain its ability to compete in the global marketplace and, as such, 

a transparent dialog between international and U.S. regulators 

that justifies the rational for risk management systems is critical 

to making certain U.S. companies are not placed at a competitive 

disadvantage. The Committee advises FSOC not to pursue failed or 

untested domestic policies through international agreements. 

Volcker Interagency Working Group.—The Committee believes 

that there remain significant ambiguities around implementation 

of the Volcker Rule. This uncertainty is exacerbated by regulatory 

coordination challenges and questions regarding the consistency of 

examinations, inspections, enforcement, data analysis, and reporting. Members of the Interagency Working Group should promptly 

develop and share a transparent plan with impacted entities. The 

Committee believes that the Interagency Working Group should 

create a centralized and coordinated process for developing and disseminating timely guidance, including answering inquiries regarding interpretation and examination issues. The Interagency Working Group should also ensure that direction is clear, not contradictory, across the five implementing regulators and provided on a 

timely basis before examinations and enforcement actions are 

taken. 

SIFI Designations.—The Committee is concerned that the FSOC 

is overusing its authority by designating certain nonbank financial 

institutions as systemically important financial institutions (SIFI). 

As such, the Committee believes that the FSOC would benefit from 

early and close consultation with the primary regulators of 

nonbank financial companies before determining a SIFI designation. 

The Committee strongly encourages FSOC, in designating SIFIs, 

to take into account the distinctions between different asset management organizations. The Committee expects FSOC to consider 

the true risk to markets and the U.S. financial system when making any SIFI designation. In addition, the Committee expects the 

FSOC to solicit expert advice from and work closely with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in areas regarding securities regulation and management. 

Insurance.—Under P.L. 111–203, the Federal Reserve Board 

(Board) was given authority to oversee certain nonbank holding 

companies, including a few bank and savings and loan holding 


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companies with insurance affiliates as well as certain SIFIs, which 

currently include three insurance companies. P.L. 111–203 also 

gave the Federal Insurance Office (FIO), within the Department of 

the Treasury, the authority to consult with the states on international issues and represent the U.S., as appropriate, in the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS). 

The Committee notes that the state-based system of insurance 

regulation has served our nation well for more than 150 years, and 

that the authority to regulate insurance lies with the individual 

states. Any federal regulation of insurance can take final form only 

with explicit approval by Congress. It is important to note that 

other international financial agreements have had deleterious impacts on some of our nation’s financial institutions. 

The Committee is concerned about the ongoing negotiations held 

by the IAIS to develop an international capital standard, and believes the U.S. agencies party to those negotiations must appropriately fulfill their duties to advocate for the U.S. insurance market and state-based regulatory regime. The Committee also notes 

the importance of developing a domestic capital standard, pursuant 

to P.L. 111–203 and P.L. 113–279, that is based on the existing domestic regulatory structure. Despite formal testimony and informal 

comments from the Board and the U.S. Department of the Treasury that the international process has slowed dramatically, the 

Committee believes it essential that a domestic standard should be 

set before approval of any international standard that will or could 

ultimately be applied to U.S. insurers. Finally, the Committee reminds those Federal agencies party to IAIS or FSB negotiations to 

not support consolidated group-wide insurance capital standards 

for domestically-chartered internationally active insurance groups 

that are inconsistent with current state-based insurance standards, 

which are designed solely for the protection of the policyholder. 

Community Banks.—The Committee is very interested in the 

Treasury’s efforts to collaborate with community banks that have 

less than $10 billion in total assets on relevant legislative and regulatory policy making decisions. The Department is directed to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate within 120 days of enactment of this Act detailing these efforts, as well as efforts to hire employees with a background and 

understanding of community banking. 

Basel Standards.—The Committee is concerned that the U.S. 

prudential regulators have inappropriately applied several standards developed by the Basel Committee on Bank Supervision 

(Basel), which are explicitly designed for only the most internationally active, globally systemic, and highly complex banking organizations to less complex organizations, like regional banking organizations, which have only limited foreign exposure and do not pose 

a threat to the U.S. or global financial system. The Committee encourages Treasury and other prudential regulators to reexamine 

the impact of certain liquidity and capital standards as they apply 

to U.S. regional banks and other less complex organizations. 

Financial Technology.—The Committee recognizes the growing 

importance of innovative technology to enable a safe, secure, and 

efficient financial services system. Protecting our citizens’ information during payment processing and financial transactions is a critical priority. The United States continues to be the world leader in 


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this sector and has the opportunity to expand its global footprint 

considerably if there is a workforce strategy in place to meet the 

needs of the global economy. 

Financial Transactions.—The Committee encourages the Department of the Treasury to work with Federal bank regulators, financial institutions, and money service businesses to ensure that legitimate financial transactions move freely and globally. The Committee directs the Department to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate on the how to ensure the appropriate flow of legitimate financial transactions not 

later than 90 days after enactment of this Act. 

Puerto Rico.—The Committee encourages the Department to provide technical assistance to Puerto Rico on stabilizing and strengthening public financial management and financial management systems. 

OFFICE OF TERRORISM AND FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $112,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 * ..................................................... 109,609,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 116,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +3,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... +6,391,000 

* Funding for the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence was requested within the Departmental 

Office heading. 

Economic and trade sanctions issued and enforced by the Office 

of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence’s (TFI) Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) protect the financial system from being polluted with criminal and illicit activities and counteract national security threats from drug lords, terrorists, weapons of mass destruction proliferators, and rogue nations, among others. In addition to 

the enforcement of sanctions, TFI also produces vital analysis with 

regards to foreign intelligence and counterintelligence across all 

elements of the national security community. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $116,000,000 for 

the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence to carry out its 

central role in detecting and defeating security threats. The recommended level is $6,391,000 above the amount requested for 

these activities within ‘‘Departmental Offices, Salaries and Expenses’’ in fiscal year 2016 and $3,500,000 above the fiscal year 

2015 level. The Committee expects these additional funds to be 

used to strengthen the development and enforcement of sanction 

programs. 

Iran Sanctions Act.—The Committee directs the Department of 

the Treasury to post online and disseminate publicly those companies that are not compliant with the Iran Sanctions Act as well as 

any foreign entities doing business with the Iran Revolutionary 

Guard Corps. 

Enforcement of General Licenses.—General licenses are available 

to the public, provided that they meet the terms and conditions required by each type of transaction that they choose to engage in. 

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eral license must keep records for at least five years that are subject to examination (31 CFR 501.601). The Committee directs 

OFAC to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of 

the House and Senate not less than 100 days after enactment of 

this Act about its policies and procedures to enforce general licenses, including the number of general licenses examined, the 

finding of these examinations, and sanction programs with the 

highest incidence of non-compliance. 

Mistaken Identity.—In the course of sanctions enforcement, 

OFAC and financial institutions may generate false positives. Innocent persons may find their bank accounts blocked or their application for credit denied because they share the same name as someone on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons 

List. OFAC has administrative procedures to remedy these false 

positives (31 CFR 501.806). The Committee directs OFAC to submit 

a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate not less than 100 days after enactment of this Act about its 

efforts to make these administrative procedures widely known, the 

number of requests for releases due to mistaken identity, and the 

number of days to resolve these requests over the fiscal year 2010– 

2015 period. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $35,351,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 35,416,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 35,416,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +65,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides agency-wide audit 

and investigative functions to identify and correct operational and 

administrative deficiencies that create conditions for fraud, waste, 

and mismanagement. The audit function provides contract, program, and financial statement audit services. Contract audits provide professional advice to agency contracting officials on accounting and financial matters relative to negotiation, award, administration, repricing, and settlement of contracts. Program audits review and evaluate all facets of agency operations. Financial statement audits assess whether financial statements fairly present the 

agency’s financial condition and results of operations, the adequacy 

of accounting controls, and compliance with laws and regulations. 

The investigative function provides for the detection and investigation of improper and illegal activities involving programs, personnel, and operations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $35,416,000 for 

the OIG. The recommendation fully funds the cost of overseeing the 

Department’s Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, Tourism 

Opportunities, and Revived Economy of the Gulf Coast Act (RESTORE Act) activities. 


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TREASURY INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR TAX ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $158,210,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 167,275,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 167,275,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +9,065,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – –

The Office of Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration 

(TIGTA) conducts audits, investigations, and evaluations to assess 

the operations and programs of the IRS and its related entities, the 

IRS Oversight Board, and the Office of Chief Counsel. The purpose 

of those audits and investigations is as follows: (1) to promote the 

economic, efficient, and effective administration of the Nation’s tax 

laws and to detect and deter fraud and abuse in IRS programs and 

operations; and (2) to recommend actions to resolve fraud and other 

serious problems, abuses, and deficiencies in these programs and 

operations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $167,275,000 for 

TIGTA. The Committee appreciates the many issues that TIGTA 

has brought to its attention and provides funding above the request 

to enhance TIGTA’s oversight of IRS activities and use of appropriated funds. 

Cybersecurity.—Considering the widespread increase of 

cyberattacks on the federal government, the Committee is concerned with the potential damage such attack would have on the 

Internal Revenue Service. The Committee directs the TIGTA to 

submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House 

and Senate not less than six months after enactment of this Act 

describing the cyber attacks and attempted cyber attacks against 

the agency and their consequences; the steps taken to prevent, 

mitigate or otherwise respond to such attacks; the cybersecurity 

policies and procedures in place, including policies about ensuring 

safe use of computer and mobile devices by individual employees; 

and a description of all outreach efforts undertaken to increase 

awareness among employees and contractors of cybersecurity risks. 

SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR THE TROUBLED ASSET RELIEF

PROGRAM

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $34,234,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 40,671,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 40,671,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +6,437,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Office of the Special Inspector General for the Troubled 

Asset Relief Program (SIGTARP) was established in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–343). Its 

mission is to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations of the purchase, management, and sale of assets by the 


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Secretary of the Treasury under programs established pursuant to 

the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $40,671,000 for 

fiscal year 2016. 

SIGTARP’s operating expenses were initially funded with mandatory appropriations in the TARP. These funds, however, were 

provided in a limited amount. As such, every year the amount of 

remaining mandatory funds has been decreasing over time. In 

order to continue vigorous oversight of the outstanding TARP 

amounts, additional discretionary appropriations are provided. As 

TARP winds down, the Committee expects the request for discretionary appropriations in this account to also wind down in future 

years. 

FINANCIAL CRIMES ENFORCEMENT NETWORK

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $112,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 112,979,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 112,979,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +979,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) is responsible for implementing Treasury’s anti-money laundering regulations through administration of the Bank Secrecy Act (BSA). It also 

collects and analyzes information to assist in the investigation of 

money laundering and other financial crimes. FinCEN supports 

law enforcement investigative efforts by Federal, State, local and 

international agencies, and fosters interagency and global cooperation against domestic and international financial crimes. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $112,979,000 for 

FinCEN. The recommended amount is intended to ensure 

FinCEN’s information is accessible to the law enforcement and intelligence communities and to ensure FinCEN can respond to requests for assistance from law enforcement. The data compiled and 

analyzed by FinCEN is a critical tool for investigating, among other 

crimes, money laundering, mortgage fraud, drug cartels, and terrorist financing. 

Human Trafficking.—The Committee appreciates FinCEN’s history of supporting law enforcement cases that combat human trafficking, including its 2014 Guidance on Recognizing Activity that 

May be Associated with Human Smuggling and Human Trafficking 

to financial institutions, and emphasizes the importance of continuing this effort as part of the bureau’s broader mission to detect 

and disrupt all forms of financial crime. Wherever possible, 

FinCEN shall marshal its unique expertise in analyzing financial 

flows for this important effort in the course of ongoing strategic operations, such as the Southwest Border Initiative, and provide the 

appropriate assistance to law enforcement agencies in their human 

trafficking investigations. 


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TREASURY FORFEITURE FUND

(RESCISSION)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... ¥$769,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... ¥875,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... ¥721,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +48,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... +154,000,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a rescission of $721,000,000 of unobligated balances in the Treasury Forfeiture Fund. The funds collected, disbursed and rescinded out of the Treasury Forfeiture 

Fund (the Fund) are incidental to law enforcement activities and 

priorities that led to the seizures and forfeitures. Disrupting and 

dismantling criminal organizations that pose the greatest threat to 

public safety and security is the highest priority of any law enforcement agency. The Fund can ensure resources are managed efficiently to cover the costs of an effective asset seizure and forfeiture 

program, including the costs of seizing, evaluating, inventorying, 

maintaining, protecting, advertising, forfeiting and disposing of 

property, but it must neither augment agency funding nor circumvent the appropriations process. Reliance on the Fund to offset 

the day-to-day operations, or to pay for new activities, creates an 

incentive to pursue cases suspected of high valued forfeitures rather than to target individuals or organizations that perpetrate the 

worst crimes against society. 

The Committee directs the Department to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate a detailed table 

every month reporting the interest earned, forfeiture revenue collected, unobligated balances, recoveries, expenses to date, and expenses estimated for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

BUREAU OF THE FISCAL SERVICE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $348,184,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 363,850,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 360,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +11,816,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥3,850,000 

The mission of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service is to promote the 

financial integrity and operational efficiency of the U.S. Government through accounting, borrowing, collections, payments, and 

shared services. The Fiscal Service is the Federal government’s 

central financial agent. The Fiscal Service also develops and implements reliable and efficient financial methods and systems to operate the government’s cash management, credit management, and 

debt collection programs in order to maintain government accounts 

and report on the status of the government’s finances. In addition, 

the Fiscal Service is the primary agency for collecting Federal nontax debt owed to the government, and is responsible for the conduct 

of all public debt operations and the promotion of the sale of U.S. 

securities. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $360,000,000 for fiscal year 2016. Of the funds provided, $4,210,000 is available 

until September 30, 2018, for information systems modernization. 

Within this appropriation, funding is included for 

USAspending.gov. The Committee expects the Fiscal Service to 

meet its transparency goals within USAspending.gov and will monitor progress in achieving government spending transparency. 

Judgment Fund.—The Committee appreciates Treasury’s release 

of the fiscal year 2011, 2012, and 2013 annual reports regarding 

payments made by the Judgment Fund under 31 U.S.C. 1304. The 

Committee directs the Department to issue the report required by 

Congress, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, for the 2014 fiscal year, and also a report covering payments made during fiscal 

year 2015 and directs that the reports include all judgment fund 

payments since 2008, unless the disclosure of such information is 

otherwise prohibited by law or court order. The report shall consist 

of: (1) the name of the plaintiff or claimant; (2) the name of the 

counsel for the plaintiff or claimant; (3) the name of the agency 

that submitted the claim; (4) a brief description of the facts that 

gave rise to the claim; and (5) the amount paid representing principal, attorney fees, and interest, if applicable. 

Do Not Pay Business Center.—The Committee supports the Do 

Not Pay Business Center’s goal of preventing ineligible recipients 

from receiving payments or awards from the Federal Government. 

This program supports the implementation of the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 (P.L. 

112–248) which requires executive agencies to review all payments 

and awards before issuance. The Committee expects the Fiscal 

Service to sufficiently support the Do Not Pay Business Center 

within the Fiscal Service appropriation for fiscal year 2016. 

ALCOHOL AND TOBACCO TAX AND TRADE BUREAU

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $100,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 101,439,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 105,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +5,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... +3,561,000 

The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) is responsible for the enforcement of laws designed to eliminate certain illicit activities and to regulate lawful activities relating to distilled 

spirits, beer, wine and nonbeverage alcohol products, and tobacco. 

TTB focuses on collecting revenue; reducing taxpayer burden and 

improving service while preventing diversion; and protecting the 

public and preventing consumer deception in certain regulated 

commodities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $105,000,000 for 

fiscal year 2016. 

Processing Time.—The Committee has included an additional 

$5,000,000 for TTB to accelerate processing times for formula and 


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label applications. The Committee is concerned by the delays involved in securing basic label and formula approvals required 

under the Federal Alcohol Administration Act (FAA Act) and has 

directed additional funding to the agency for enforcement of the 

regulations under the FAA Act. The Committee directs the TTB to 

report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, on how the additional 

funding will be used to create greater efficiencies in responding to 

the growing demand from stakeholders, as well as how improvements can be made in issuing clear and consistent regulations. 

Regulation Review.—The TTB has an important mission, especially with regard to reviewing and approving labels and formulas, 

enforcing unfair trade practices, and protecting consumers from 

counterfeit and unsafe products. The alcohol beverage industry has 

seen explosive growth in the last decade, and the Committee commends the TTB for taking the step of examining its existing code 

and searching for ways to modernize. The Committee is aware that 

TTB is endeavoring to examine Title 27, Chapter 1, Subchapter A, 

Part 4 Labeling and Advertising of Wine; Part 5 Labeling and Advertising of Distilled Spirits; and, Part 7 Labeling and Advertising 

of Malt Beverages. The Committee anticipates that the process will 

be thorough, expeditious, and result in significant advancements in 

order to keep up with modern technologies and markets. The Committee is aware that some of the regulations have not been updated 

since the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, and the Committee anticipates this as the launch of a sustained review and a full modernization of Title 27. 

UNITED STATES MINT

UNITED STATES MINT PUBLIC ENTERPRISE FUND

The United States Mint manufactures coins, receives deposits of 

gold and silver bullion, and safeguards the Federal Government’s 

holdings of monetary metals. In 1997, Congress established the 

United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund (Public Law 104–52), 

which authorized the Mint to use proceeds from the sale of coins 

to finance the costs of its operations and consolidated all existing 

Mint accounts into a single fund. Public Law 104–52 also provided 

that, in certain situations, the levels of capital investments for circulating coins and protective services shall factor into the decisions 

of the Congress. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a spending level for capital investments by the Mint for circulating coinage and protective services 

of $20,000,000 for fiscal year 2016. 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS FUND

PROGRAM ACCOUNT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $230,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 233,523,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 233,523,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +3,023,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 


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The Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) 

Fund provides grants, loans, equity investments, and technical assistance, on a competitive basis, to new and existing CDFIs such 

as community development banks, community development credit 

unions, and housing and microenterprise loan funds. Recipients use 

the funds to support mortgages, small business and economic development lending in underserved and distressed neighborhoods 

and to support the availability of financial services in these neighborhoods. The CDFI Fund is also responsible for implementation of 

the New Markets Tax Credits. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $233,523,000 for 

the CDFI Fund program. Of the amounts provided, $176,423,000 is 

for financial and technical assistance grants, $16,000,000 is for Native Initiatives, $18,000,000 for the Bank Enterprise Award Program, and $23,100,000 is for the administrative expenses for all 

programs. 

CDFIs in U.S. Insular Areas.—The Committee notes the absence 

of CDFIs serving American Samoa, Northern Mariana Islands and 

other U.S. insular areas and recommends that the CDFI Fund use 

its Capacity Building Initiative to expand service, to the extent 

practical, to these areas. 

INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

The Committee recommends providing $10,106,609,000 for the 

IRS which is $838,391,000 below current level and $2,824,462,000 

below the request. This recommendation would fund the IRS, in 

total, below their fiscal year 2004 level. Funding for the Taxpayer 

Service account, however, is an additional $75,000,000 higher than 

fiscal year 2015, raising funding for the Taxpayer Service account 

to $2,231,609,000, which is just $8,000,000 shy of its pre-sequestration funding level. These funds are set aside strictly for improving 

the level of customer service and should measurably improve the 

IRS’ ability to address taxpayer needs. 

In addition, the Committee includes language to: 

• Prohibit funds for IRS employee bonuses and awards that do 

not consider the conduct and tax compliance of such employees; 

• Prohibit funds for hiring former IRS employees without considering the employees past conduct and tax compliance; 

• Prohibit funds for targeting groups for regulatory scrutiny 

based on their ideological beliefs; 

• Prohibit funds for targeting citizens for exercising their First 

Amendment rights; 

• Prohibit funds for conferences that do not comply with the 

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration’s recommendations regarding conferences; 

• Prohibit funds for the production of videos that have not been 

reviewed for cost, topic, tone, and purpose and certified to be appropriate; 

• Require a report on the amount of official time used by IRS 

employees; 

• Prohibit the White House from ordering the IRS to determine 

the tax-exempt status of an organization; 


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• Require extensive reporting on IRS spending; and • Provide TIGTA with a $9,065,000 increase to enhance its audit 

and investigative oversight of the IRS. 

The Committee remains troubled that the IRS would propose 

new regulations for determining the tax-exempt status of 501(c)(4) 

organizations without the benefit of the findings and conclusions of 

multiple, on-going investigations. It is not evident what clarity 

these proposed regulations will provide when the root cause of the 

problem has yet to be determined. If the problem is poor management, as the IRS has asserted, then new divisions of duty, stronger 

lines of communication, and greater accountability of managers 

and executives is what is needed. Given these concerns, the Committee includes a funding prohibition to prevent the Department of 

the Treasury from implementing their proposed or revised regulation regarding the standards and definitions used to determine the 

tax exempt status of organizations under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code. 

A description of the Committee’s recommendation by appropriation is provided below. 

TAXPAYER SERVICES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $2,156,554,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 2,408,803,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 2,231,609,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +75,055,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥177,194,000 

The Taxpayer Services appropriation provides for taxpayer services, including forms and publications; processing tax returns and 

related documents; filing and account services; taxpayer advocacy 

services; and assisting taxpayers to understand their tax obligations, correctly file their returns, and pay taxes due in a timely 

manner. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,231,609,000 

for Taxpayer Services, which is just $8 million below the account’s 

pre-sequestration funding level. Within the amount provided, the 

Committee expects the IRS to fund sufficiently the Taxpayer Advocate Service. The Committee provides $75,055,000 above the fiscal 

year 2015 level for the strict use to improve customer service levels. 

Identity Theft.—Identity theft remains a persistent obstacle to 

accurate, fair, and efficient tax collection. Innocent taxpayers, who 

otherwise comply with their tax obligations, have their refunds delayed and are drawn unwittingly into the IRS examination process 

because their identity was stolen and misused. This problem is especially pernicious in the U.S. territories and possessions, where 

organized schemes fraudulently use the taxpayer identification 

numbers of territorial residents to obtain credits or refunds on tax 

returns filed with the United States, costing American taxpayers 

billions of dollars. 

The Committee requires a report, reviewed by the National Taxpayer Advocate and the Federal Trade Commission, from the IRS 

that covers the 2009–2015 period on: the number of taxpayers who 


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have had their tax return rejected because their Social Security or 

taxpayer identification number was improperly used by another individual to commit tax fraud; the average time to resolve the situation and provide innocent taxpayers with their refund, when a refund is due; and the number of cases involving taxpayer identification numbers of residents of the territories. The report will also include a discussion on the effectiveness of IRS actions taken or 

plans to take to expedite resolution for these taxpayers, to prevent 

non-victims from becoming victims, to educate the public on the 

threat of identity theft, and to detect and prevent identity-based 

tax fraud and actions. The Committee directs the IRS to submit the 

report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate by June 17, 2016. 

Earned Income Tax Credits.—The Committee appreciates the 

meeting the Commissioner convened with tax-preparation firms, 

payroll and tax refund processors, and state tax administrators to 

fight tax-refund fraud. The Committee believes a similar coordinated and comprehensive approach is needed to reduce erroneous 

Earned Income Tax Credits (EITC) and encourages the IRS to convene a similar summit in 2016 to develop strategies for establishing eligibility and credible claims without discouraging the participation of legitimate beneficiaries. 

Pre-Filled or ‘‘Simple’’ Tax Returns.—The Committee believes 

that converting a voluntary compliance system to a bill presentment model would represent a significant change in the relationship between taxpayers and their government. The simple return 

model would also strain IRS resources and the data retrieval systems required would create new burdens on employers, particularly 

small businesses. In addition, a fundamental conflict of interest 

seems to be inherent in the nation’s tax collector and compliance 

enforcer taking on the simultaneous role of tax preparer and financial advisor. The Committee expects that the IRS will not begin 

work on a simple tax return pilot program or associated systems 

without first seeking specific authorization and appropriations from 

Congress, and should instead focus on helping Congress and the 

Administration achieve real tax simplification and reform. 

ENFORCEMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $4,860,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 5,399,832,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 4,325,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥535,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥1,074,832,000 

The Enforcement appropriation provides for the examination of 

tax returns, both domestic and international; the administrative 

and judicial settlement of taxpayer appeals of examination findings; technical rulings; monitoring employee pension plans; determining qualifications of organizations seeking tax-exempt status; 

examining tax returns of exempt organizations; enforcing statutes 

relating to detection and investigation of criminal violations of the 

internal revenue laws; identifying underreporting of tax obligations; securing unfiled tax returns; and collecting unpaid accounts. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,325,000,000 

for Enforcement. Of the funds provided, the Committee recommends not less than $57,493,000 to support IRS activities under 

the Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement program. None of 

the funds requested for implementation of the Patient Protection 

and Affordable Care Act are provided. 

Regulation of Paid Preparers.—In February 2014, the Court of 

Appeals affirmed the District Court decision in Loving v. IRS that 

the IRS has no authority to regulate paid tax-return preparers. In 

June 2014, the IRS initiated a voluntary program with many of the 

same requirements of its defunct regulatory program. The Committee directs the IRS to submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate not later than 120 days after enactment of this Act an evaluation, reviewed by the Government Accountability Office, of the accuracy of returns prepared by participants in the voluntary program for the 2015 tax season compared 

to accuracy of returns prepared by the same population of preparers prior to the 2015 tax season, including improper payments; 

the cost of implementing and operating the voluntary program; the 

cost of implementing and operating a regulatory program; and the 

expected effect on accuracy as a result of a regulatory program, including improper payments. 

Informational Returns.—Taxpayers who claim a refund tend to 

file early in the tax season, whereas taxpayers who owe a tax liability tend to file towards the end of the tax season or for an extension. Consequently, the IRS has the least amount of information 

about taxpayers when the most claims for refunds are made, contributing to an unacceptably high improper payment rate. To that 

end, the Administration proposes accelerating the filing date of informational returns. The Committee directs the IRS to submit a report, reviewed by the Government Accountability Office, to the 

Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate not later 

than 120 days after enactment of this Act, about the cost of adapting its systems to an earlier informational return filing date; the 

time it would take to make these adaptions, including testing; an 

estimate of the cost and time that the private sector needs to make 

corresponding adaptations to their systems and processes; and the 

estimated effect on accuracy. 

Identity Theft.—The Committee encourages the Department of 

Justice, Federal Trade Commission, and IRS to collaborate on joint 

efforts to prevent and reduce the incidence of tax-related identity 

among vulnerable populations, especially senior citizens. The Committee encourages the IRS to notify taxpayers in timely fashion of 

when they are potential victims of identity theft. 

Guidelines for Pari-mutuel Winnings.—The Committee appreciates the Department of the Treasury’s Proposed Rule 80 FR 

11600 regarding the filing of information returns to report 

winnings from bingo, keno, and slot machine play. 

Strengthening EITC Compliance.—The Committee supports the 

Department and IRS’ to increase compliance with and the accuracy 

of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) program. The complexity 

of the EITC law makes it inherently difficult for families and individuals to avoid errors and inherently easy for criminals to make 


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false claims. The Committee directs the Office of Tax Policy (OTP) 

and the IRS Office Research, Analysis and Statistics to conduct 

data-driven analysis to improve EITC compliance in collaboration 

with the tax preparation community. Successful analysis will identify solutions effective for both paid preparers and self-preparers, 

ensure ease of taxpayer understanding. The Committee directs 

OTP and IRS to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations in the House and Senate not later than six months after enactment of this Act on meeting this goal. 

Favorable Determination Letters.—The Committee believes the 

Favorable Determination Letter program is a valuable and useful 

service, assuring administrators that they are operating employee 

plans in compliance with tax law. 

OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $3,638,446,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 4,743,258,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 3,300,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥338,446,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥1,443,258,000 

The Operations Support appropriation provides for overall planning and direction of the IRS, including shared service support related to facilities services, rent payments, printing, postage, and security. Specific activities include headquarters management activities such as strategic planning, communications and liaison, finance, human resources, Equal Employment Opportunity and diversity, research, information technology, and telecommunications. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $3,300,000,000 

for Operations Support. None of the funds requested for implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act are provided. 

Printed Forms and Instructions.—The Committee encourages the 

IRS to continue to provide printed forms and instructions to vulnerable populations, especially rural communities where internet 

usage rates are below the national average. 

Official Time.—The Committee directs the IRS to submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate 

not later than 90 days after enactment of this Act on (1) the number of official hours spent by IRS employees on union activities as 

contractually agreed to between the IRS and the National Treasury 

Employees Union (NTEU) in the National Agreement II, as authorized under 5 U.S.C. § 7131(d) and on union activities other than as 

contractually agreed to between the IRS and the NTEU in the National Agreement II, as authorized under 5 U.S.C. § 7131(a) and (c); 

and (2) the amount of travel expenses the IRS paid associated with 

employees’ activities on official time under 5 U.S.C. § 7131, including a summary of such activities, for fiscal year 2015. 

Obligations and Employment.—Not later than 45 days after the 

end of each quarter, the Internal Revenue Service shall submit reports on its activities to the House and the Senate Committees on 

Appropriations. The reports shall include information about the obligations made during the previous quarter by appropriation, object 


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class, office, and activity; the estimated obligations for the remainder of the fiscal year by appropriation, object class, office, and activity; the number of full-time equivalents within each office during 

the previous quarter; and the estimated number of full-time 

equivalents within each office for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

Information Technology Reports.—The Committee directs the 

Government Accountability Office to review and provide an annual 

report to the Committees evaluating the cost and schedule of activities of all major IRS information technology projects for the year, 

with particular focus on the projects about which the IRS is submitting quarterly reports to the Committee. 

Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers.—The Committee appreciates the IRS’ Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers (IP PIN) pilot program that is being conducted in 

Florida, Georgia, and the District of Columbia to prevent tax refund fraud by identity theft. The Committee directs the IRS to submit a detailed report to the Committees of Appropriations in the 

House and Senate not later than 120 days after enactment of this 

Act on the effectiveness of the pilot program, the cost of expanding 

the program nationally and the estimated reduction in fraudulent 

tax refunds from a national program, and the current cost of assisting victims of tax refund fraud by identity theft. 

Addressing Fraud and Filing Errors in Refundable Credit Programs.—In an effort to reduce intentional fraud and unintentional 

filing errors in refundable credit programs intended to help taxpayers, minimize taxpayer burden and ensure the availability of 

high quality tax preparation, the Department of the Treasury is directed to develop revisions to tax forms and instructions to ensure 

that taxpayers who prepare their own returns provide key information regarding tax credit eligibility. The Department is also directed to review paid preparer due diligence requirements and administration of the requirements to ensure that filing burden 

among taxpayers using paid preparers is minimized while maintaining the accuracy of tax preparation. 

BUSINESS SYSTEMS MODERNIZATION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $290,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 379,178,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 250,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥40,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥129,178,000 

The Business Systems Modernization (BSM) appropriation provides funding to modernize key business systems of the Internal 

Revenue Service. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $250,000,000 for 

BSM. 

The funds provided under this heading were at watershed 

amounts in recent years. While the Committee understands that 

IRS is building capabilities into the CADE2 system, such as linking 

historical returns with current returns and building a single interest and penalty calculator, the major costs of development and implementation are complete. The Committee expects funding reVerDate Sep 11 2014 06:34 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 095084 PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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quests to decline as the IRS realizes savings from retiring legacy 

systems and resumes funding levels closer to their historical average. 

Information Technology Reports.—The Committee directs the 

Government Accountability Office to review and provide an annual 

report to the Committees evaluating the cost and schedule of activities of all major IRS information technology projects for the year, 

with particular focus on the projects about which the IRS is submitting quarterly reports to the Committee. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Section 101. The Committee continues a provision that allows for 

the transfer of five percent of any appropriation made available to 

the IRS to any other IRS appropriation, upon the advance approval 

of the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate. 

Section 102. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

the IRS to maintain a training program to include taxpayer rights, 

dealing courteously with taxpayers, cross-cultural relations, and 

the impartial application of tax law. 

Section 103. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

the IRS to institute and enforce policies and procedures that will 

safeguard the confidentiality of taxpayer information and protect 

taxpayers against identity theft. 

Section 104. The Committee continues a provision that makes 

funds available for improved facilities and increased staffing to provide efficient and effective 1 800 number help line service for taxpayers. 

Section 105. The Committee continues a provision requiring videos produced by the IRS to be approved in advance by the ServiceWide Video Editorial Board. 

Section 106. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

the IRS to notify employers of any address change related to employment tax payments. 

Section 107. The Committee continues a provision that prohibits 

the IRS from targeting U.S. citizens for exercising their First 

Amendment rights. 

Section 108. The Committee continues a provision that prohibits 

the IRS from targeting groups based on their ideological beliefs. 

Section 109. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

the IRS to comply with procedures and policies on conference 

spending as recommended by the Treasury Inspector General for 

Tax Administration. 

Section 110. The Committee includes a new provision that prohibits funds made available in the healthcare reform act to the Department of Health and Human Services from being transferred to 

the IRS for implementing the healthcare reform act. 

Section 111. The Committee includes a new provision that prohibits funds from being used to implement the individual mandate 

of the Affordable Care Act. 

Section 112. The Committee includes a new provision that prohibits funds for giving bonuses to employees or hiring former employees without considering conduct and compliance with Federal 

tax law. 


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Section 113. The Committee includes a new provision that prohibits funds to violate the confidentiality of tax returns. 

Section 114. The Committee includes a new provision that prohibits funds for pre-populated returns. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Section 115. The Committee continues a provision that authorizes the Department to purchase uniforms, insurance for motor vehicles that are overseas, and motor vehicles that are overseas without regard to the general purchase price limitations; to enter into 

contracts with the State Department for health and medical services for Treasury employees who are overseas; and to hire experts 

or consultants. 

Section 116. The Committee continues a provision, with modification, that authorizes transfers, up to two percent, between ‘‘Departmental Offices—Salaries and Expenses’’, ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, ‘‘Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program’’, ‘‘Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’’, ‘‘Bureau of the 

Fiscal Service’’, ‘‘Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’’, and 

‘‘Community Development Financial Institutions Program Fund’’ 

appropriations under certain circumstances. 

Section 117. The Committee continues a provision that authorizes transfers, up to two percent, between the Internal Revenue 

Service and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration 

under certain circumstances. 

Section 118. The Committee continues a provision that prohibits 

the Department of the Treasury from undertaking a redesign of the 

one dollar Federal Reserve note. 

Section 119. The Committee includes a provision that provides 

for transfers from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service to the Debt Collection Fund as necessary for the purposes of debt collection. 

Section 120. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

congressional approval for the construction and operation of a museum by the United States Mint. 

Section 121. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds in this or any other Act from being used to merge the United 

States Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing without the 

approval of the House and Senate committees of jurisdiction. 

Section 122. The Committee continues a provision deeming that 

funds for the Department of the Treasury’s intelligence-related activities are specifically authorized in fiscal year 2016 until enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2016. 

Section 123. The Committee continues a provision permitting the 

Bureau of Engraving and Printing to use $5,000 from the Industrial Revolving Fund for reception and representation expenses. 

Section 124. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

the Department to submit a capital investment plan. 

Section 125. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

quarterly reports of the Office of Financial Research (OFR) and Office of Financial Stability. 

Section 126. The Committee includes a new provision that limits 

the fees available for obligation by the OFR to the amount provided 

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mittee believes that the activities of OFR should be subject to the 

annual review of Congress. 

Section 127. The Committee continues a provision that requires 

a report on the Department’s Franchise Fund. 

Section 128. The Committee includes a new provision that requires the Department to submit a report on economic warfare and 

financial terrorism. 

Section 129. The Committee includes a new provision that prohibits the Department from finalizing any regulation related to the 

standards used to determine the tax-exempt status of a 501(c)(4) 

organization. 

Section 130. The Committee includes a new provision with respect to the so-called people-to-people category of travel. As set 

forth in title 31, section 515.565(b)(2) of the Code of Federal Regulations, this category of travel contravenes the explicit prohibition 

against tourist activities as provided in section 910(b) of the Trade 

Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 (TSRA). 

Furthermore, the stated purpose of people-to-people travel, which 

is to promote the Cuban people’s independence from Cuban authorities, cannot be accomplished through itineraries that mainly 

feature interactions with representatives of a dictatorship that actively oppresses the Cuban people, nor can it be accomplished 

through itineraries that do not require meetings with pro-democracy activists or independent members of Cuban civil society. 

Section 131. The Committee includes a new provision to prohibit 

funds to approve, license, facilitate, authorize, or otherwise allow 

the importation of property confiscated by the Cuban Government. 

Section 132. The Committee includes a new provision to prohibit 

funds to approve, license, facilitate, authorize, or otherwise allow 

any financial transactions with the Cuban military or intelligence 

service. This section does not apply to exports permitted under the 

Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act of 2000 or 

to financial transactions necessary for the maintenance and improvement of the military base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. 

Section 133. The Committee includes a new provision that prohibits the Department from enforcing guidance for U.S. positions 

on multilateral development banks which engage with developing 

countries on coal-fired power generation. 

Section 134. The Committee includes a new provision requiring 

the Office of Financial Research to provide public notice of not less 

than 90 days before issuing a rule, report, or regulation. 

Section 135. The Committee includes a new provision to prohibit 

funds for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine that a 

church is not exempt from taxation for participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) 

any candidates for public office unless the IRS Commissioner consents to such determination, the Commissioner notifies the tax 

committees of Congress, and the determination is effective 90 days 

after such notification. 

TITLE II—EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND 

FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE PRESIDENT 

Funds appropriated in this title provide for the staff and operations of the White House, along with other organizations within 

the Executive Office of the President (EOP), which formulate and 


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coordinate policy on behalf of the President, such as the National 

Security Council and the Office of Management and Budget. The 

title also includes funding for the Office of National Drug Control 

Policy and certain expenses of the Vice President. 

Interagency Hostage Recovery Coordinator.—The Committee believes that securing the release of United States persons who are 

hostages of hostile groups abroad is of paramount importance. The 

complex nature of hostage situations requires more effective interagency coordination and clear lines of authority. The Committee 

notes that the President has ordered a review of how the United 

States government responds to Americans held hostage abroad— 

without altering U.S. policy of ‘‘no concessions’’ to hostile groups. 

The Committee strongly believes this review should include an 

evaluation of whether the creation of a single interagency hostage 

recovery coordinator would improve the chain of command, limit jurisdiction disputes, and ensure effective use of government resources in hostage recovery efforts. The Committee directs the 

President to transmit the findings of this review, including the 

evaluation of an interagency coordinator, to the Committees on Appropriations and the Committees on Foreign Affairs in the House 

and Senate within six months of enactment of this Act. 

THE WHITE HOUSE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $55,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 55,214,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 55,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥214,000 

The White House Salaries and Expenses account supports staff 

and administrative services necessary for the direct support of the 

President. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $55,000,000 for 

the White House. 

EXECUTIVE RESIDENCE AT THE WHITE HOUSE

OPERATING EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $12,700,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 12,723,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 12,700,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥23,000 

These funds provide for the care, maintenance, staffing and operations of the Executive Residence, including official and ceremonial 

functions of the President. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $12,700,000 for 

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tinues the same restrictions on reimbursable expenses for use of 

the Executive Residence as were included in past years. 

WHITE HOUSE REPAIR AND RESTORATION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $625,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 750,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 625,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥125,000 

Funding in this account provides for the repair, alteration, and 

improvement of the Executive Residence at the White House. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $625,000 for 

White House Repair and Restoration. 

COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISERS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $4,184,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 4,201,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 4,184,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥17,000 

The Council of Economic Advisers analyzes the national economy 

and its various segments, advises the President on economic developments, recommends policies for economic growth and stability, 

appraises economic programs and policies of the Federal Government, and assists in preparation of the annual Economic Report of 

the President. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,184,000 for 

the Council of Economic Advisers. 

NATIONAL SECURITY COUNCIL AND HOMELAND SECURITY COUNCIL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $12,600,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 13,069,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 12,600,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥469,000 

The National Security Council and the Homeland Security Council have been combined to form the National Security Staff which 

advises and assists the President in the integration of domestic, 

foreign, military, intelligence, and economic aspects of national security policy, and serves as the principal means of coordinating executive departments and agencies in the development and implementation of national security and homeland security policies. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $12,600,000 for 

the National Security Council and Homeland Security Council. 

OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $111,300,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 96,116,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 96,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥15,300,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥116,000 

The Office of Administration is responsible for providing administrative services to the Executive Office of the President. These 

services include financial, personnel, procurement, information 

technology, records management, and general office services. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $96,000,000 for 

the Office of Administration. Of the recommended amount, not to 

exceed $7,994,000 is available until expended for modernization of 

the information technology infrastructure within the Executive Office of the President (EOP). The recommended reduction is the result of a proposed reorganization of Presidential information technology resources, which relocates the responsibility for maintenance of the EOP data center and data telecommunication networks. 

OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $91,750,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 97,441,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 91,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥750,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥6,441,000 

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) assists the President in the discharge of budgetary, economic, management, and 

other executive responsibilities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $91,000,000 for 

OMB. The recommendation also continues several long-standing 

provisos, not requested by the President, limiting certain OMB activities. 

The recommendation provides sufficient funds for OMB to consult with and provide Congressional Committees with an appropriate number of printed and electronic copies of the President’s 

fiscal year 2017 budget request, including documents such as the 

Appendix, Historical Tables, and Analytical Perspectives. The Committee believes that if the Administration wants the Congress to 

consider its proposed budget that it should provide the Congress 

with copies of the budget request. 


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The Committee directs OMB to provide the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate with quarterly reports on 

personnel and obligations consisting of on-board staffing levels, estimated staffing levels by office for the remainder of the fiscal year, 

obligations by object class incurred to date, and estimated total obligations by object for the remainder of the fiscal year. 

The Committee believes that in some instances using transaction-based or no-cost contracting models for delivering or procuring information technology goods and services can save resources and increase efficiencies. The Committee believes that 

OMB should provide guidance to agencies on transaction-based and 

no-cost funding models, including when it is appropriate to consider 

using these contract tools, how to calculate potential savings from 

their use, and standards and best practices for conducting their 

procurement. In fiscal years 2014 and 2015, the Committee directed OMB to report on the Federal government’s use of transaction-based or no-cost funding models for procuring information 

technology goods and services. The Committee is appreciative of 

the reports exploration of benefits and efficiencies associated with 

the no-cost contract model and directs OMB to provide an updated 

report on activities related to transaction-based or no-cost funding 

models in fiscal year 2016, within 120 days after enactment of this 

Act. 

Consistent with the fiscal year 2016 Interior, Environment, and 

Related Agencies Appropriations Act, the Committee believes that 

the OIRA should not allow any regulations to be finalized using the 

Technical Support Document: Technical Update of the Social Cost 

of Carbon for Regulatory Impact Analysis Under Executive Order 

12866, Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon, 

United States Government, May 2013 until a new working group 

is convened. The working group should include the relevant agencies and affected stakeholders, re-examine the social cost of carbon 

using the best available science, and revise the estimates using an 

accurate discount rate and domestic estimate in accordance with 

Executive Order 12866 and OMB Circular A–94. To increase transparency, the working group should solicit public comment prior to 

finalizing any updates. 

The Committee continues to strongly support the Office of the Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator (IPEC) and its important mission and directs that funds be made available for additional permanent staffing within the office to ensure it can carry 

out its statutory mission. The Committee recommends that IPEC 

continue promoting voluntary efforts among stakeholders to reduce 

online copyright infringement. IPEC is directed to report within 

120 days of enactment of this Act on what meaningful, concrete 

preventive measures have been taken to implement the commitments made by numerous advertising stakeholders to reduce the 

flow of advertising revenue to operators of sites engaged in significant infringing activity. 

In the fiscal year 2015 Committee report, the Committee directed 

OMB to report on the implementation of Memorandum M 12 12 

that called for agencies to reduce travel expenses by 30 percent 

compared to the fiscal year 2010 level and limit conference spending. The Committee looks forward to getting this report and evaluating the impact of this OMB policy. The Committee would like 


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OMB to continue reporting on this travel policy. OMB is directed 

to submit a report to the Committee on Appropriations of the 

House and Senate no later than 120 days after enactment of this 

Act on whether agencies have complied with this memorandum 

during the previous fiscal year. The report shall identify the savings achieved by each agency, whether the 30 percent savings goal 

was achieved, and how or if the changes in travel and conference 

policies have impacted agencies’ ability to perform mission critical 

activities. The report shall also include recommendations to improve upon OMB’s travel policies. OMB shall ensure that agencies 

are implementing policies regarding travel, event, meeting or conference locations based on the most efficient use of taxpayer funds. 

The Committee believes OMB should work with agencies across 

the Federal government to ensure processes are in place to eliminate payments to deceased persons. OMB is directed to report to 

the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate within 

120 days of enactment of this Act on how it is ensuring that agencies are not making improper payments to deceased individuals. 

In April 2011, the Administration issued Executive Order 

13571—Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer 

Service. The Committee appreciates that the Administration has 

tried to improve customer service. However, more needs to be done 

to improve the services that the government provides whether it is 

citizens trying to use Healthcare.gov, taxpayers calling the Internal 

Revenue Service with questions, or Office of Personnel Management processing Federal employment retirement claims. The Committee directs that OMB provide, within 90 days of enactment of 

this Act, a report to the Committees on Appropriations of the 

House and Senate on the implementation of Executive Order 

13571, the development of standards to improve customer service, 

and how these standards are incorporated into the performance 

plans required under 31 U.S.C. 1115. 

In fiscal year 2014, the Committee directed that the head of each 

agency link its performance plans with their funding requests included in the President’s budget request. While some progress was 

made on this effort in the fiscal year 2015 and 2016 requests more 

needs to be done. Performance measures in future budget justifications should clearly demonstrate the extent to which performance 

reporting under 31 U.S.C. 1116 demonstrates that prior year investments in programs, projects, and activities are tied to progress 

toward achieving performance and priority goals and include estimates for how proposed investments will contribute to additional 

progress. In particular, performance measures should examine outcome measures, output measures, efficiency measures and customer service measures as defined in 31 U.S.C. 1115(h). The Committee urges OMB to work with agencies to ensure that agency 

funding requests in fiscal year 2017 are directly linked to agency 

performance plans. The Committee directs OMB to report to the 

Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate within 180 

days of enactment of this Act on its progress improving the use of 

performance measures in the Executive Branch’s budgeting processes. The Committee remains supportive of the use of performance 

measures to gauge progress in the Executive Branch’s Cross Agency Priority (CAP) Goals in the areas of cybersecurity, climate 

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ment, STEM Education, Service Members and Veterans Mental 

Health. 

The Committee encourages OMB to develop a central online repository where all Federal agency budgets and their respective justifications are publicly available in a consistent searchable, sortable, and machine readable format. 

OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG CONTROL POLICY

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $22,647,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 20,047,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 20,047,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥2,600,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) was established by the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988 and most recently reauthorized in 2006. The Office is the President’s primary source of 

support for counter-drug policy development and program oversight. Its responsibilities include developing and updating a National Drug Control Strategy, developing a National Drug Control 

Budget, and coordinating and evaluating the implementation of 

Federal drug control activities. In addition, ONDCP manages several counter-drug programs which are discussed under the ‘‘Federal 

Drug Control Programs’’’ heading below. These include the High 

Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) program and Drug-Free 

Communities grants. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $20,047,000 for 

ONDCP Salaries and Expenses. The Committee expects ONDCP to 

focus resources on the counter-drug policy development, coordination and evaluation functions which are the primary mission of the 

Office and the origins of its existence. 

The Appalachian region continues to be one of the hardest hit regions with some of the highest heroin and opioid overdose rates per 

capita. To the extent practicable, ONDCP should prioritize discretionary funds to aid States that have identified heroin addiction as 

an emergent threat and are developing community responses to 

combat heroin and opioids. ONDCP is directed to report to the 

Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate within 90 

days of enactment on how its programs are addressing these challenges. 

The Committee is aware of and recognizes the difficulty that 

small and rural law enforcement agencies face with regards to 

overtime compensation for participation in multi-agency drug task 

forces. The Committee expects the ONDCP to coordinate with 

small and rural law enforcement agencies and develop strategies to 

improve the effectiveness of drug eradication efforts through shared 

intelligence, technology, and manpower despite limited resources. 


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FEDERAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMS

HIGH INTENSITY DRUG TRAFFICKING AREAS PROGRAM

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $245,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 193,400,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 250,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +5,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... +56,600,000 

The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program 

provides resources to Federal and State, local, and tribal agencies 

in designated HIDTAs to combat the production, transportation 

and distribution of illegal drugs; to seize assets derived from drug 

trafficking; to address violence in drug-plagued communities; and 

to disrupt the drug marketplace. 

Currently, 28 HIDTAs operate in 45 States plus the District of 

Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Each HIDTA is 

managed by an Executive Board comprised of equal numbers of 

Federal, State, local or tribal officials. Each HIDTA Executive 

Board is responsible for designing and implementing initiatives for 

the specific drug trafficking threats in its region. Intelligence and 

information sharing are key elements of all HIDTA programs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $250,000,000 for 

the HIDTA Program. The Committee believes that the HIDTA program has demonstrated its effectiveness and can serve as an important tool in combating problems of drug trafficking and drug-related violence. 

The Committee includes language requiring that existing 

HIDTAs receive funding at least equal to the fiscal year 2015 level 

unless the Director submits a justification for doing otherwise to 

the Committees on Appropriations, based on clearly articulated priorities and published performance measures. 

The recommendation includes language directing ONDCP to notify the Committees on Appropriations of the initial allocation of 

HIDTA funds no later than 45 days after enactment, and to notify 

the Committees of the proposed use of discretionary funds no later 

than 90 days after enactment. The language directs the ONDCP 

Director to work in consultation with the HIDTA Directors in determining the uses of that discretionary funding. 

Finally, the Committee recommendation specifies that up to $2,700,000 may be used for auditing services and related activities. 

OTHER FEDERAL DRUG CONTROL PROGRAMS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $107,150,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 95,436,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 109,310,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +2,160,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... +13,874,000 

This account supports a variety of other drug control activities 

managed or undertaken by ONDCP. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $109,310,000 for 

Other Federal Drug Control Programs. The recommended level for 

fiscal year 2016 is distributed among specific programs and activities as follows: 

Drug-Free Communities .................................................................... $95,000,000 

(Training .......................................................................................... 2,000,000) 

Anti-Doping activities ........................................................................ 9,000,000 

World Anti-Doping Agency dues ....................................................... 2,060,000 

Discretionary grants ........................................................................... 3,250,000 

Within the total for the account, the Committee recommends 

$95,000,000 for the Drug-Free Communities program. This program makes grants of up to $125,000 per year to support local coalitions to develop and implement community-based plans to reduce 

drug abuse among youth. These coalitions are required to include 

participants from a wide range of interests, including local government agencies, schools, the media, service organizations, law enforcement, parents, youth, and the business community. Local 

matching contributions are required. Grants are awarded on a competitive basis, and may be renewed for up to five years, after which 

time the coalition must compete again for any further funding. Within this account, the Committee recommends $9,000,000 for 

anti-doping activities. Anti-doping activities support athlete drug 

testing programs, research initiatives, educational programs, and 

enforce compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code. In addition, 

the Committee recommends $2,060,000 for the United States membership dues to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). WADA is 

the international agency created to promote, coordinate, and monitor efforts against doping and illicit drug use in sport on a global 

basis. 

Additionally, the Committee includes $2,000,000 for drug court 

training and technical assistance and $1,250,000 for assistance to 

States in implementing effective drug laws. All funds under this 

heading are to be awarded under a competitive process. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY OVERSIGHT AND REFORM

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $20,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 35,200,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 20,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥15,200,000 

These funds support efforts to make the Federal Government’s 

investments in information technology (IT) more efficient, secure 

and effective. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $20,000,000. 

The Committee appreciates OMB’s efforts to improve program and 

contract management of information technology investments as 

well as the Administration’s efforts to utilize cloud computing and 

consolidate data centers. The Committee understands that these efforts have saved over $3.06 billion since this appropriation was 


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first enacted. However, failures, such as the launch of 

Healthcare.gov, in the development of information technology systems historically have been pervasive throughout the Federal government. The Committee expects OMB to improve the processes 

used to develop information technology systems. Using information 

technology to engage citizens can be a powerful and efficient tool 

but only if the systems work and citizens have confidence in them. 

Language is continued in the bill requiring the submission of quarterly reports on savings this program identifies by fiscal year, agency and appropriation. 

SPECIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE PRESIDENT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $4,211,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 4,228,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 4,211,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥17,000 

These funds support the executive functions of the Office of the 

Vice President. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,211,000 for 

the Office of the Vice President. 

OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT

OPERATING EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $299,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 299,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 299,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

These funds support the care and operation of the Vice President’s residence and specifically support equipment, furnishings, 

dining facilities, and services required to perform and discharge the 

Vice President’s official duties, functions and obligations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $299,000 for the 

Operating Expenses of the Vice President’s residence. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE

PRESIDENT AND FUNDS APPROPRIATED TO THE PRESIDENT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Section 201. The Committee includes language permitting the 

transfer of not to exceed ten percent of funds between various accounts within the Executive Office of the President, with advance 

approval of the Committees on Appropriations. The amount of an 

appropriation shall not be increased by more than 50 percent. 


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Section 202. The Committee continues language requiring the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to report on the 

costs of implementing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and 

Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 111–203). 

Section 203. The Committee includes language requiring the Director of the Office of Management and Budget to include a statement of budgetary impact with any Executive Order or Presidential 

Memorandum issued during fiscal year 2016. The Committee believes the American people should understand the impact on costs 

and revenues when the President issues Executive Orders or Presidential Memorandums. 

Section 204. The Committee includes language prohibiting funds 

to prepare, sign or approve statements abrogating legislation 

passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate and signed 

by the President. 

Section 205. The Committee includes language prohibiting funds 

to prepare or implement Executive Orders or Presidential Memorandums in contravention of existing law. 

TITLE III—THE JUDICIARY 

The funds recommended by the Committee in title III of the accompanying bill are for the operation and maintenance of United 

States Courts and include the salaries of judges, probation and pretrial services officers, public defenders, court clerks, law clerks, and 

other supporting personnel, as well as security costs, information 

technology, and other expenses of the Federal Judiciary. The Committee recommends a total of $6,910,219,000 in discretionary funding for the Judiciary in fiscal year 2016. 

In addition to direct appropriations, the Judiciary collects various 

fees and has certain multiyear funding authorities. The Judiciary 

uses these non-appropriated funds to offset its direct appropriation 

requirements. Consistent with prior year practices and section 608 

of this Act, the Committee expects the Judiciary to submit a financial plan, within 60 days of enactment of this Act, allocating all 

sources of available funds including appropriations, fee collections, 

and carryover balances. This financial plan will be the baseline for 

purposes of reprogramming notification. 

The Judiciary is the General Services Administration’s (GSA) 

second largest client in terms of space, with rent accounting for approximately 20 percent of the Judiciary’s appropriation. The Committee appreciates efforts taken by the Judiciary to reduce rental 

costs and limit growth through several cost containment initiatives. 

The fiscal year 2015 enacted bill provided $10,000,000 for an Integrated Workplace Initiative to reconfigure and reduce space. The 

Committee directs the Director of the Administrative Office of the 

United States Courts to report on the status of this initiative within 90 days of enactment of this Act. The Committee expects the Judiciary to continue to take actions to reduce its space footprint and 

costs associated with rent. The Committee directs the Judicial Conference of the United States to provide the Committee with updates 

to its space management plan, detailing its efforts to reduce Judiciary space by fiscal year 2018. 

Improving the physical security at buildings occupied by the Judiciary and U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) and ensuring the integrity of the judicial process by providing secure facilities to conduct 


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judicial business is a priority for the Committee. Under GSA’s Federal Buildings Fund appropriation, the Committee recommends 

$20,000,000 for the Judiciary Capital Security program for alterations to improve physical security in buildings occupied by the Judiciary and USMS. 

SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $74,967,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 75,717,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 75,500,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +533,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥217,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $75,500,000 for 

fiscal year 2016 for the salaries and expenses of personnel and the 

cost of operating the Supreme Court, excluding the care of the 

building and grounds. The Committee includes bill language making $2,000,000 available until expended for the purpose of making 

information technology investments. The Committee requests that 

the Court include an annual report with its budget justification 

materials, showing information technology carryover balances and 

describing expenditures made in the previous fiscal year and 

planned expenditures in the budget year. 

CARE OF THE BUILDING AND GROUNDS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $11,640,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 9,953,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 9,953,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥1,687,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $9,953,000 for 

fiscal year 2016, to remain available until expended, for personnel 

and other services relating to the structural and mechanical care 

of the Supreme Court building and grounds. The Architect of the 

Capitol has responsibility for these functions and supervises the 

use of this appropriation. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE FEDERAL CIRCUIT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $30,212,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 30,841,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 30,300,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +88,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥541,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has exclusive national jurisdiction over a large number of diverse subject areas, inVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00037 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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cluding government contracts, patents, trademarks, Federal personnel, and veterans’ benefits. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $30,300,000 for fiscal year 2016. 

UNITED STATES COURT OF INTERNATIONAL TRADE

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $17,807,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 18,145,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 18,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +193,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥145,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Court of International Trade has exclusive nationwide jurisdiction of civil actions against the United States and certain civil 

actions brought by the United States, arising out of import transactions and administration and enforcement of the Federal customs 

and international trade laws. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $18,000,000 for fiscal year 2016. 

COURTS OF APPEALS, DISTRICT COURTS, AND OTHER JUDICIAL

SERVICES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ............................................. $4,846,818,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ........................................... 5,036,338,000 

Recommended in the bill ....................................................... 4,998,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 .......................................... +151,182,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................... ¥38,338,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,998,000,000 

for the operations of the regional courts of appeals, district courts, 

bankruptcy courts, the Court of Federal Claims, and probation and 

pretrial services offices. 

VACCINE INJURY COMPENSATION TRUST FUND

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $5,423,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 6,045,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 6,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +577,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥45,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a reimbursement of $6,000,000 for 

fiscal year 2016 from the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund 

to cover expenses of the United States Court of Federal Claims associated with processing cases under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act of 1986. 


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DEFENDER SERVICES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $1,016,499,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 1,057,616,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,057,616,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +41,117,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

This account provides funding for the operation of the Federal 

Public Defender and Community Defender organizations and for 

compensation and reimbursement of expenses of panel attorneys 

appointed pursuant to the Criminal Justice Act for representation 

in criminal cases. The Committee recommends an appropriation of 

$1,057,616,000 for fiscal year 2016. The recommendation supports 

current services for the Defender Services account. 

The Committee is encouraged by recent progress made by the Judicial Conference in developing a long overdue review of the effectiveness of the federal defender program. The effectiveness of the 

federal defender program has not been formally reviewed since 

1993 after Congress directed the Judicial Conference to conduct a 

study and report to Congress in the Judicial Improvements Act of 

1990. The Committee is very interested in the results of the new 

federal defender study and requests that the Judicial Conference 

update the Committee on its progress within 60 days of enactment 

of this Act and submit the full report to the Committee upon completion. 

FEES OF JURORS AND COMMISSIONERS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $52,191,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 52,411,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 48,400,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥3,791,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥4,011,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $48,400,000 for 

payments to jurors and land commissioners for fiscal year 2016. 

COURT SECURITY

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $513,975,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 542,390,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 537,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +23,025,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥5,390,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $537,000,000 for 

Court Security in fiscal year 2016 to provide for necessary expenses 

of security and protective services in courtrooms and adjacent 

areas. The recommendation will provide for the highest priority security needs identified by the courts and the U.S. Marshals Service. 


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ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES COURTS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $84,399,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 87,590,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 85,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +601,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥2,590,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Administrative Office of the United States Courts (AO) provides administrative and management support to the United States 

Courts, including the probation and bankruptcy systems. It also 

supports the Judicial Conference of the United States in determining Federal Judiciary policies, in developing methods to assist 

the courts to conduct business efficiently and economically, and in 

enhancing the use of information technology in the courts. The 

Committee recommends an appropriation of $85,000,000 for the AO 

for fiscal year 2016. 

FEDERAL JUDICIAL CENTER

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $26,959,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 27,679,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 27,250,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +291,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥429,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Federal Judicial Center (FJC) improves the management of 

Federal Judicial dockets and court administration through education for judges and staff, and research, evaluation, and planning 

assistance for the courts and the Judicial Conference. The Committee recommends an appropriation of $27,250,000 for the FJC for 

fiscal year 2016. 

UNITED STATES SENTENCING COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $16,894,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 17,540,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 17,200,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +306,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥340,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The purpose of the Commission is to establish, review, and revise 

sentencing guidelines, policies, and practices for the Federal criminal justice system. The Commission is also required to monitor the 

operation of the guidelines and to identify and report necessary 

changes to the Congress. The Committee recommends $17,200,000 

for the Commission for fiscal year 2016. 


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ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—THE JUDICIARY

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Section 301. The Committee continues language to permit funds 

for salaries and expenses to be available for employment of experts 

and consultant services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109. 

Section 302. The Committee continues language that permits up 

to five percent of any appropriation made available for fiscal year 

2016 to be transferred between Judiciary appropriations provided 

that no appropriation shall be decreased by more than five percent 

or increased by more than ten percent by any such transfer except 

in certain circumstances. In addition, the language provides that 

any such transfer shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds 

under sections 604 and 608 of the accompanying bill and shall not 

be available for obligation or expenditure except in compliance with 

the procedures set forth in those sections. 

Section 303. The Committee continues language authorizing not to exceed $11,000 to be used for official reception and representation expenses incurred by the Judicial Conference of the United 

States. 

Section 304. The Committee continues language through fiscal 

year 2016 regarding the delegation of authority to the Judiciary for 

contracts for repairs of less than $100,000. 

Section 305. The Committee continues language to authorize a 

court security pilot program. 

Section 306. The Committee includes language requested by the 

Judicial Conference of the United States to extend temporary 

judgeships in the eastern district of Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, the 

northern district of Alabama, the central district of California, the 

western district of North Carolina, the southern district of Florida, 

New Mexico, and the eastern district of Texas. 

TITLE IV—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 

FEDERAL FUNDS

The Appropriations Committees have a special relationship with 

the District of Columbia that is unlike any other city in the country. For example, the Appropriations Committees are authorized by 

law to fund the court operations of the District of Columbia. Title 

IV of this Act provides a Federal payment totaling $595,094,000 for 

the cost of judges, court personnel, offender and defendant supervision, and defendant representation. Title IV also provides Federal 

Payments to District of Columbia programs in areas such as education and security. In addition, the United States Department of 

Justice provides hundreds of United States Attorneys and Deputy 

United States Marshals to prosecute local crimes and provide security for the D.C. Court system. The Federal Bureau of Prisons 

houses thousands of District of Columbia prisoners. Federal taxpayers do not fund similar activities for any other city. 

The Committee continues to consider a referendum providing 

local funds budget autonomy as an expression of the opinion of the 

District of Columbia residents without any authority to change or 

alter the existing relationship between Federal appropriations and 

the District. The Committee’s position was affirmed by the Government Accountability Office in a January 2014 opinion. Therefore, 


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the bill appropriates local funds to the District of Columbia consistent with the Home Rule Act. 

The Committee includes language that provides the District with 

the authority to spend their local funds in the following fiscal year 

in the event of an absence in appropriations. This authority is continued in section 816 of this Act. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR RESIDENT TUITION SUPPORT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $30,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 40,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 20,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥10,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥20,000,000 

The Resident Tuition Support program provides up to $10,000 

annually for undergraduate District students to attend eligible 

four-year public universities and colleges nationwide at in-state tuition rates. Grants up to $2,500 per year are available for students 

to attend private institutions in the D.C. metropolitan area, private 

historically black colleges and universities nationwide, and public 

two-year community colleges nationwide. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $20,000,000 

for the resident tuition support program. The Administration proposed authorizing language reducing the annual household income 

threshold for program eligibility to $450,000. The Committee does 

not include this language but notes that District of Columbia is already authorized to prioritize applications based on income. In addition, the District of Columbia can contribute local funds to this 

program if there is demand for the program beyond the available 

level of Federal funds. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR EMERGENCY PLANNING AND SECURITY COSTS

IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $12,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 14,900,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 12,500,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥2,400,000 

As the seat of the national government, the District of Columbia 

has a unique and significant responsibility for protecting the property and personnel of the Federal government. The Federal Payment for Emergency Planning and Security Costs is provided to 

help address the impact of the Federal presence on public safety 

in the District of Columbia. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $12,500,000 

for emergency planning and security costs. The Committee notes 

that in recent fiscal years this appropriation has had large balances of unobligated funds carryover from one year to the next. The 

recommendation reduces the fiscal year 2016 appropriation to account for the availability of prior-year balances. 


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FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COURTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $245,110,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 274,401,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 259,100,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +13,990,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥15,301,000 

Under the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government 

Improvement Act of 1997, the Federal Government is required to 

finance the District of Columbia Courts. This Federal payment to 

the District of Columbia Courts funds the operations of the District 

of Columbia Court of Appeals, Superior Court, the Court System, 

and the Capital Improvement Program. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $259,100,000 

for operation of the District of Columbia Courts. This amount includes $14,000,000 for the Court of Appeals; $123,000,000 for the 

Superior Court; $73,000,000 for the Court System; and $49,100,000 

for capital improvements to courthouse facilities. 

The District of Columbia Courts are directed to provide quarterly 

expenditures, unobligated balances and staffing reports to the 

Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate for all programs, to be submitted within 30 days after the end of each quarter. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR DEFENDER SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT OF

COLUMBIA COURTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $49,890,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 49,890,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 49,890,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The District of Columbia Courts appoint and compensate attorneys to represent persons who are financially unable to obtain such 

representation. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $49,890,000 for Defender Services 

in the District of Columbia Courts. The District of Columbia Courts 

are directed to provide quarterly expenditure and unobligated balance reports to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate, within 30 days after the end of each quarter. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE COURT SERVICES AND OFFENDER

SUPERVISION AGENCY FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $234,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 244,763,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 242,750,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2014 ...................................................... +8,750,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2015 ................................................... ¥2,013,000 

The Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency (CSOSA) 

for the District of Columbia is an independent Federal agency created by the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government 


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Improvement Act of 1997. CSOSA acquired the operational responsibilities for the former District agencies in charge of probation and 

parole, and houses the Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) for the District of Columbia within its framework. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $242,750,000 for the CSOSA. Of the amounts provided, $181,500,000 is for Community Supervision and Sex Offender Registration and $61,250,000 

is for the PSA. The recommendation includes a multi-year funds 

provision for costs associated with the upcoming expiration of facility leases. 

The Director may accept and use gifts in the form of in-kind contributions of the following: (1) space and hospitality to support offender and defendant programs; and (2) equipment, supplies, clothing, and professional development and vocational training that is 

necessary to sustain, education train offenders and defendants, including their dependent children. 

CSOSA is directed to provide a quarterly report on its expenditures, unobligated balances and staffing to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, to be submitted within 30 

days after the end of each quarter. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA PUBLIC DEFENDER

SERVICE

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $41,231,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 40,889,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 40,889,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥342,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Public Defender Service (PDS) for the District of Columbia 

is an independent organization authorized by the National Capital 

Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997, 

whose purpose is to provide legal representation services within the 

District of Columbia justice system. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $40,889,000 

for the PDS for the District of Columbia. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT TO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING

COUNCIL

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $1,900,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 1,900,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,900,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council (CJCC) provides a 

forum for District of Columbia and Federal law enforcement to 

identify criminal justice issues and solutions, and improve the coordination of their efforts. In addition, the CJCC developed and 

maintains the Justice Integrated Information System which provides for the seamless sharing of information with Federal and 

local law enforcement. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $1,900,000 to 

the CJCC. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR JUDICIAL COMMISSIONS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $565,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 565,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 565,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

This appropriation provides funding for the two judicial commissions. The first is the Judicial Nomination Commission (JNC), 

which recommends a panel of three candidates to the President for 

each judicial vacancy in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals 

and Superior Court. From the panel selected by the JNC, the President nominates a person for each vacancy and submits his or her 

name for confirmation to the Senate. The second commission is the 

Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure (CJDT), which has 

jurisdiction over all judges of the Court of Appeals and Superior 

Court to determine whether a judge’s conduct warrants disciplinary 

action and whether involuntary retirement of a judge for health 

reasons is warranted. In addition, the CJDT conducts evaluations 

of judges seeking reappointment and judges who retire and wish to 

continue service as a senior judge. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $295,000 for the Commission on Judicial Disabilities and Tenure, and $270,000 

for the Judicial Nomination Commission. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $45,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 43,200,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 45,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... +1,800,000 

The Scholarships for Opportunity and Results Act (SOAR) authorizes funds to be evenly divided between District of Columbia 

Public Schools, Public Charter Schools and Opportunity Scholarships. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $45,000,000 

for school improvement. Based on the statutory funding formula, 

this will provide $15,000,000 for District of Columbia Public 

Schools, $15,000,000 for Public Charter Schools and $15,000,000 

for Opportunity Scholarships. 

The Committee includes bill language directing the Secretary of 

Education to provide opportunity scholarships to students using 

the criteria from section 3013(3) of the Scholarship for Opportunity 

and Results Act (SOAR), giving priority to those students described 

in section 3006(1). The Secretary shall use current and prior year 

balances to fund scholarships to students currently enrolled in the 


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program and new students to the extent that funds are available. 

The Committee wants to ensure that all eligible students have the 

access to the program and that the Secretary of Education administers the program as authorized by the SOAR using funds provided by this and previous appropriations acts. 

The Administration proposed and the recommendation provides $3,200,000 for the administrative, parental assistance, student academic assistance, and evaluation costs of the opportunity scholarship program. The level of funding for these activities is above the 

levels authorized for these activities by SOAR. However, the Committee supports the Administration’s request and believes that it is 

critical that additional funding be provided to effectively administer the program, to increase parental assistance and outreach, 

and to provide academic assistance to students. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA NATIONAL GUARD

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $435,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 435,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 435,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia 

National Guard Retention and College Access Program to pay the 

costs of a tuition assistance program for guard members. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a Federal payment of $435,000 for 

the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program. The Committee acknowledges the unique role of the D.C. National Guard in 

addressing emergencies that may occur as a result of the presence 

of the Federal Government. 

FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR TESTING AND TREATMENT OF HIV/AIDS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $5,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 5,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 5,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

Currently, 2.4 percent of the population of the District of Columbia has been diagnosed with HIV. The World Health Organization 

defines an HIV epidemic as ‘‘severe’’ when the percent of infection 

among residents exceeds one percent. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendation includes $5,000,000 for a Federal payment for testing and treatment of HIV/AIDS. 

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FUNDS

This bill provides local funds for the operation of the District of 

Columbia as approved by the District of Columbia Council and the 

Mayor. The local budget proposed by the Mayor provides an appropriation of $12,947,957,000 for operations of the District of ColumVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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bia. This amount includes estimated funding of $7,741,111,000 of 

local funds, $2,137,419,039 in Medicaid payments, and the remainder from other Federal and local funds. 

TITLE V—INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

ADMINISTRATIVE CONFERENCE OF THE UNITED STATES

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $3,100,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 3,207,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 3,100,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥107,000 

The Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) is 

an independent agency that studies Federal administrative procedures and processes to recommend improvements to the President, 

Congress and other agencies. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $3,100,000 for ACUS for fiscal year 

2016. The Committee directs ACUS to work with the Office of Management and Budget to review agency performance measures and 

ensure future budget justifications clearly demonstrate the extent 

to which performance reporting under 31 U.S.C. 1116 demonstrates 

that prior year investments in programs, projects, and activities 

are tied to progress toward achieving performance and priority 

goals and include estimates for how proposed investments will contribute to additional progress. 

BUREAU OF CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS

5-Member Commission.—The CFPB has oversight over a wide 

range of consumer financial products. As such, the CFPB’s activities have the potential to significantly affect consumers’ access to 

credit and the operations of both banks and non-banks. The Committee believes the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 

Protection Act provides inadequate checks on the CFPB’s powers. 

The Committee’s experience overseeing the Federal Communications Commission, the Federal Trade Commission, the Securities 

and Exchange Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and other Federal agencies with powers to protect consumers 

and investors leads the Committee to conclude that a five-member 

commission is more suitable for guiding the CFPB than a single director. A commission ensures that multiple disciplines, experiences, 

and perspectives are brought to bear on CFPB rules, policies, and 

enforcement actions. The appointment and removal process and 

staggered terms of commissioners can provide checks and balances 

to an agency’s operations and priorities, as well as a measure of 

continuity that a single director cannot. 

Bureau Advisory Boards and Councils.—The Committee believes 

there is very little input from small businesses, credit unions and 

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form and Consumer Protection Act established a Consumer Advisory Board to advise and consult with the Bureau on emerging 

practices in the consumer financial products and services industry. 

However, there is no similar opportunity for small business owners 

and little input from credit unions and community banks. The 

Committee directs the Bureau to make permanent the Credit 

Union Advisory Council, the Community Bank Advisory Council, 

and to create a permanent Small Business Advisory Board. A permanent channel of clear, formal, and open, communication between 

Bureau staff and industry will produce better outcomes for consumers and small businesses through improved rulemaking. 

Regulatory Relief.—The Committee believes the Bureau has encumbered community banks and credit unions with regulatory burdens that are potentially duplicative. The Committee directs the 

Bureau to ensure its rulemakings and compliance requirements are 

not duplicative of those of other regulators and to work together 

with other regulators to ease burdens placed on community banks 

and credit unions. 

Payday Lending.—The Committee supports meaningful safeguards to prevent predatory lending practices in the payday lending market. However, the Committee believes the Bureau has not 

carefully balanced the regulatory framework with the need to provide consumers with access to a range of short term financial services products. In order to ensure viable credit options for all consumers, the Committee believes the Bureau needs to better engage 

all stakeholders, including current state payday lending agencies, 

in an open and transparent manner as the Bureau considers any 

proposed rules. The Committee expects the Bureau to base any regulatory framework on complete data and sound analysis, taking 

into consideration successful state models which have encouraged 

lending practices that are fair and transparent without restricting 

access to credit. 

Arbitration.—The Committee will continue to monitor the 

CFPB’s activity with regard to pre-dispute arbitration. In the development of any rules or guidelines, the Committee expects the 

CFPB to consider arbitration as a valuable alternative to litigation 

for both consumers and companies. The Committee has included 

bill language that prohibits any funding to be used by the CFPB 

to restrict pre-dispute arbitration, including any rules or guidelines 

pursuant to section 1028(b) of Public Law 111–203 (12 U.S.C. 

5518(b)), until the CFPB fully complies with requirements regarding pre-dispute arbitration as outlined as follows. Prior to completion of the study and before preparation of the report to Congress, 

the Bureau shall issue a public notice identifying with specificity 

the topics that may be addressed in the report and soliciting public 

comment with respect to the appropriateness of addressing those 

topics, and any additional topics that should be addressed in the 

report. After considering the comments, the CFPB shall publish a 

notice identifying with specificity the topics that may be addressed 

in the report and soliciting public comment, including empirical 

data, regarding those topics. The deadline for filing comments shall 

be no earlier than ninety days after publication of the notice in the 

Federal Register. The topics addressed in the report shall also include the following: (A) how, for the kinds of disputes that most 

consumers are likely to have, the accessibility, cost, fairness, and 


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efficiency of the process afforded by litigation compares to the accessibility, cost, fairness, and efficiency of the process afforded by 

pre-dispute arbitration; (B) the extent to which arbitration and litigation encourage companies to resolve disputes before their customers file formal claims; (C) whether consumers’ use of arbitration 

is adversely affected by a lack of information and the steps that 

could be taken to better inform consumers about arbitration and to 

make arbitration more accessible to consumers; (D) the extent to 

which private class action proceedings on behalf of consumers regarding consumer financial products and services will provide net 

benefits to consumers in light of the CFPB’s enforcement and examination authority; (E) the extent to which particular limitations 

or conditions on the use of pre-dispute arbitration will have the 

practical effect of eliminating pre-dispute arbitration; and (F) the 

impact on cost and availability of credit to consumers and small 

businesses of prohibiting or limiting pre-dispute arbitration. 

After it has adopted tentative conclusions, but before those conclusions have been finalized, the CFPB shall publish those conclusions together with sufficient supporting and explanatory information, and solicit public comment regarding the tentative conclusions. The deadline for filing comments shall be no earlier than 

forty-five days after publication of the tentative conclusions. The 

CFPB shall consider the public comments in formulating its final 

conclusions and shall explain in the report to Congress its reason 

for disagreeing with significant comments. 

In carrying out the study, the CFPB shall use a research process 

that includes peer review of the CFPB’s methodology and findings 

by a diverse group of individuals with relevant expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methods from the private and 

public sectors. The Director of the CFPB shall select individuals 

whose expertise in research methods is unrelated to dispute resolution. The composition of the peer review panel shall be subject to 

the procedures for a rulemaking under section 553 of title 5, United 

States Code, including its procedures for notice and comment. No 

political appointee may participate on a peer review panel. The Director of the CFPB shall promulgate a conflict of interest policy 

that ensures public transparency and accountability, and requires 

full disclosure of any real or potential conflicts of interest on the 

parts of individuals that participate in the peer review process. The 

term ‘‘political appointee’’ means any individual who is employed in 

a position described in sections 5312 through 5316 of title 5, United 

States Code (relating to the executive schedule); is a limited term 

appointee, limited emergency appointee, or non-career appointee in 

the Senior Executive Service, as defined under paragraphs (5), (6), 

and (7), respectively, of section 3132(a) of title 5, United States 

Code; is employed in a position in the executive branch of the Government of a confidential or policy-determining character under 

schedule C of subpart C of part 213 of title 5, Code of Federal Regulations; or is employed in a position described in section 1011(b) 

of Public Law 111–203 (12 U.S.C. 5491(b)). 

When the CFPB submits the report to Congress, the CFPB shall 

at the same time make publicly available a description of the peer 

review process, including an explanation of the peer review panel’s 

conclusions about the CFPB’s methodology and findings, sufficient 

to provide a basis for judicial review under section 706 of title 5, 


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United States Code, of the report’s conclusions to the extent the 

CFPB seeks to use them as the basis for a subsequent rulemaking 

under section 1028(b) of Public Law 111–203 (12 U.S.C. 5518(b)). 

Any notice of proposed rulemaking by the CFPB shall identify with 

specificity the empirical data supporting the proposal and invite 

submission of empirical data relevant to the proposal, in addition 

to other comments. The deadline for filing comments shall be no 

earlier than ninety days after publication of the notice in the Federal Register. In addition, in determining whether a prohibition or 

imposition of conditions or limitations on the use of an agreement 

between a covered person and a consumer for a consumer financial 

product or service providing for arbitration of any future dispute 

between the parties is in the public interest and for the protection 

of consumers, the CFPB shall consider the costs and benefits to 

consumers including: (1) the practical effect on consumers’ access 

to low cost, fair, and efficient means of resolving claims for the 

types of injuries that consumers most often incur and that are less 

likely to be the subject of government enforcement actions; (2) the 

extent to which private class action proceedings on behalf of consumers regarding consumer financial products and services provide 

net benefits to consumers in light of the CFPB’s enforcement and 

examination authority; (3) the practical effect of the proposed regulation on the availability of pre-dispute arbitration; and (4) the impact of the proposed regulation on the cost and availability of credit 

to consumers and small business. The CFPB shall not promulgate 

any rule unless it determines that the demonstrable benefits of the 

rule to consumers outweigh the costs to consumers, taking into account the factors enumerated just above and other relevant factors; 

and, the rule subjects pre-dispute arbitration to no more regulation 

than is necessary to serve the public interest and protect consumers. 

Overdraft.—The Committee has concerns about the CFPB’s approach to regulating overdraft protection. The CFPB has issued 

proposed rules that could potentially eliminate overdraft services 

as an option for banking services and products, including prepaid 

cards. The CFPB’s proposed rule has the potential to adversely affect the access of millions of consumers to a basic financial protection service. 

Financial Literacy.—The Committee directs the CFPB, in consultation with the Financial Literacy and Education Commission, 

to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate, not less than one year after enactment of this Act, on the 

feasibility of designating qualified institutions, like universities, 

State and local educational agencies, and qualified nonprofit agencies or financial institutions as centers of excellence to develop and 

implement effective financial literacy programs. 

The Committee includes the following provisions in the bill: 

Section 501. The Committee repeals the prohibition against the 

Committees on Appropriations reviewing transfers from the Federal Reserve System to the CFPB. Congress has a duty to examine 

and critique the activities of the CFPB, especially since its expenditures, like any other Federal agency, contribute to a growing Federal debt. 


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Section 502. The Committee changes the CFPB’s source of funding from transfers from the Federal Reserve System to annual appropriations beginning in fiscal year 2017. Under the Dodd-Frank 

Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the CFPB can 

spend more than half a billion dollars without an annual review by 

Congress. The Committee believes the CFPB needs oversight as 

much as banks and nonbanks do and further reminds the CFPB to 

remain steadfast to its mission to promote fairness and transparency for mortgages, credit cards, and other consumer financial 

products and services and not to stray into consumer advocacy. 

Section 503. The Committee repeats a provision enacted in fiscal 

year 2015 that requires CFPB to notify the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, the Committee on Financial 

Services of the House and the Committee on Banking, Housing, 

and Urban Affairs of the Senate of requests for a transfer of funds 

from the Federal Reserve System. 

Section 504. The Committee directs the CFPB to submit quarterly reports on its activities and to testify on its activities when 

requested. The report shall include, among other things, how the 

CFPB allocates its funds and staff. 

CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $123,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 129,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 122,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥1,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥7,000,000 

The Consumer Product Safety Act established the Consumer 

Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an independent Federal regulatory agency, to reduce the risk of injury associated with consumer 

products. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $122,000,000 for 

the CPSC for fiscal year 2016. Within the amount provided under 

this heading, $700,000 is for CPSC to contract with the National 

Academy of Sciences and in consultation with the Secretary of Defense and the Administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to study the vehicle handling requirements proposed by the Commission for recreational off-highway vehicles. The 

Committee directs CPSC to submit the report to the Committees 

on Appropriations of the House and Senate within 120 days of enactment of this Act. 

Test Burden Reduction.—The fiscal year 2015 enacted bill pro- vided $1,000,000 for test burden reduction and directed CPSC to 

report to the Committee on its efforts to work with the regulated 

community and identify steps CPSC can take to reduce third-party 

testing costs while still assuring compliance. The Committee is disappointed by the limited scope of the Commission’s report and its 

failure to make real strides towards tangible test burden reduction. 

The CPSC has identified a significant number of opportunities for 

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lief. The Committee provides another $1,000,000 in fiscal year 2016 

for third-party test burden reduction and urges the Commission to 

take actionable steps to provide demonstrable relief from the burdens of third-party testing. The Committee directs the Commission 

to provide quarterly reports updating the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate on its efforts to reduce the costs 

of third-party testing, including any that the Commission has chosen not to pursue. 

Voluntary Recall.—As the agency with jurisdiction over tens of 

thousands of consumer products, the CPSC has the opportunity to 

leverage its resources and contacts within the manufacturing industry to help drive education campaigns related to proper use of 

consumer products. Through working with industry, voluntary recalls have been largely successful. This cooperative relationship 

with industry can help save lives and CPSC resources, which can 

then be devoted to product recalls and promulgating risk-based 

rules. The Committee is concerned about proposed changes to the 

voluntary recall system that would serve to negatively impact 

small businesses. The Committee opposes making unnecessary 

changes to a recall system that has worked well over the past 40 

years, owing to a successful partnership between businesses and 

the Commission. To that end, the Committee prohibits funds to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed rule on voluntary recalls. 

Public Disclosures of Information.—Section 6(b) of the Consumer 

Product Safety Act (CPSA) requires CPSC to take reasonable steps 

to ensure that any disclosure of information relating to a consumer 

product safety incident is accurate and fair. This congressional 

mandate protects the consumer by facilitating voluntary reporting 

by companies on potential product hazards and defects, while also 

ensuring a timely and thorough investigation is done to determine 

an appropriate corrective action plan. Proposed changes relating to 

voluntary reporting under section 6(b) of CPSA threaten to undermine a successful partnership based on openness and trust between industry and the Commission. The Committee cautions the 

Commission about making changes to a process that has succeeded 

in both protecting the consumer against harm and protecting industry against inaccurate disclosures of information before an investigation has been completed. The Committee expects the Commission to work with industry and stakeholders on ensuring the 

process for disclosing information on potential product hazards and 

defects is both timely and accurate. The Committee prohibits funds 

to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed rule on information 

disclosures under Section 6(b). 

Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Mandatory Standard Rule.— 

The Committee is concerned about the Commission’s move to pursue a rulemaking regarding Recreational Off-highway Vehicles 

(ROVs). The role of empirical data and science in rulemakings 

should not be diminished. Numerous groups, stakeholders, and 

Members of Congress have stated their concerns regarding the 

Commission’s methods of evaluating data and ensuring an open 

and transparent process. CPSC has been repeatedly directed by 

Congress to engage with stakeholders and use the voluntary standard process to develop safety standards for ROVs. Yet it seems the 

Commission continues to disregard numerous calls to open the 


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rulemaking process to greater technical engagement, in favor of 

pushing a mandatory rule. The Committee believes the Commission should incorporate further meaningful technical engagement 

with manufactures in its rulemaking. 

Import Safety.—The Committee remains supportive of the Import 

Safety initiative which places CPSC investigators at key ports of 

entry in order to stop defective products from entering the United 

States. The CPSC’s coordination with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol is a cost effective and efficient use of CPSC resources and enforcement capabilities. The Committee believes resources in this 

area are being spent in a targeted and effective way and expects 

the CPSC to continue to devote resources to this program. 

Window Coverings.—The Committee continues to support the cooperative efforts of CPSC and the window coverings industry to 

educate consumers on window covering safety. The Committee encourages continued cooperation between CPSC and industry on developing voluntary standards for its products through the current 

voluntary standards setting process. 

Pool and Spa Safety.—The Committee commends the CPSC for 

continuing to provide resources for the national and grassroots 

‘‘Pool Safety’’ campaign, a safety information and education program designed to reduce child drownings and neardrowning injuries and maintain a zero fatality rate for drain entrapments. This 

multifaceted initiative includes consumer and industry education 

efforts, press events, partnerships, outreach, and advertising. In 

fiscal year 2014, the Committee provided $1,000,000 for the pool 

and spa safety grants program established by the Virginia Graeme 

Baker Pool and Spa Safety Act. The Committee expects CPSC to 

expeditiously administer grant funding to eligible entities. 

ELECTION ASSISTANCE COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $10,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 9,600,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 4,800,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥5,200,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥4,800,000 

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was established by 

the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) and is charged with implementing provisions of that Act relating to the reform of Federal 

election administration. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,800,000 for 

the Salaries and Expenses of the EAC. 

The Committee strongly supports the successful administration 

of Federal elections and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 

2002. However, the Committee believes the EAC is no longer effectively carrying out its mandate. At present, one seat remains vacant and the agency has been operating without legislative authorization since 2005. Out of the over three billion in funds appropriated for HAVA grants since 2003, all but $5,463,932 has been 

distributed to the States, and for six years the Administration has 


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not requested additional grant funding. With so few HAVA grants 

left to distribute, the work of the EAC consists of auditing HAVA 

grant money previously distributed, a task carried out by the EAC 

Inspector General, and examining new voting technologies, a task 

largely performed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and private testing laboratories. 

In February 2013, rather than turn to the EAC, the President 

chose to form a new ad hoc commission to review and propose best 

practices related to concerns from the 2012 elections regarding polling place wait times, and military and oversees voting. 

This Committee is not advocating doing away with the changes 

made to voting law in HAVA. Rather, the Committee believes these 

laws do not require an independent Federal agency. The Committee supports legislation that has been introduced in the 114th 

Congress and reported by the Committee on House Administration 

to terminate the EAC. 

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $339,844,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 388,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 314,844,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥25,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥73,156,000 

The mission of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 

is to implement the Communications Act of 1934 and assure the 

availability of high quality communications services for all Americans. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $314,844,000 for 

the Salaries and Expenses of the FCC for fiscal year 2016, all of 

which is to be derived from offsetting collections. 

The Committee recommendation includes bill language, similar 

to language included in previous Appropriations Acts, which allows: (1) up to $4,000 for official reception and representation expenses; (2) purchase and hire of motor vehicles; (3) special counsel 

fees; (4) collection of $314,844,000 in section 9 fees; (5) a prohibition on amounts collected in excess of $314,844,000 from being 

available for obligation; (6) a prohibition on remaining offsetting 

collections from prior years from being available for obligation; (7) 

a cap of $117,000,000 for the administration and implementation 

of incentive auctions, as required by P.L. 112–96; and (8) provides 

not less than $12,253,600 for the Office of the Inspector General. 

Net Neutrality/Open Internet.—The Committee has purposefully 

kept funding for the FCC flat since fiscal year 2012 in hopes that 

limited resources would encourage the agency to prioritize missioncritical work. Instead, the FCC has prioritized politically polarizing 

rulemakings at the expense of the important work the Commission 

has to do. This is a misguided use of congressionally appropriated 

funding. The U.S. has four times more capital investment in 

broadband, twice as much investment in mobile services, and more 

competition and access to high-speed networks than Europe. At a 


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time when U.S. innovation, investment, and demand in this area 

is expanding, it is truly concerning that the FCC would act to limit 

both future investment and, potentially, consumer choice. With an 

increased level of competition in the marketplace, there should be 

less need for regulation. The internet has been an unparalleled catalyst for innovation, yet the FCC has voted to constrain and control 

something that has brought about innumerable technological advancements and American jobs. The Committee believes on an 

issue as important as this, it should be Congress who writes the 

rules for how to protect consumers and encourage innovation, not 

a five-member commission. 

The Committee has included Sections 628, 629, and 630 to address some of these concerns. 

Positive Train Control (PTC).—The Committee is aware of the 

FCC’s efforts to expedite and approve PTC spectrum swaps or purchases, as well as historic preservation and environmental reviews, 

in order to accelerate the deployment of PTC on all U.S. rail lines. 

The deadline for PTC implementation is December 2015 and the 

Committee will continue to monitor this issue closely. 

Field Office Closures.—The Committee has received the Commission’s response to the Committee’s letter dated April 28, 2015 regarding the closure of FCC field offices. The Committee will carefully review the revised proposal and will take the Commission’s 

responses into account when considering any reprogramming. The 

Committee expects the Commission to maintain a reasonable presence across the U.S. to address harmful interference issues. 

Incentive Auction.—The Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (P.L. 112–96) authorized the FCC to conduct a 

voluntary broadcast incentive auction and Congress allocated $1.75 

billion to reimburse the service and equipment costs of channel relocation incurred by the television broadcast industry, such as 

changes to antennas, transmitters, transmission lines, and towers. 

However, the FCC has adopted repacking rules that will almost 

certainly lead to far more broadcasters being repacked than Congress envisioned. Estimates have shown that the costs to broadcasters will be significantly more than originally estimated. In addition, the process by which channels will be relocated could take 

years. The Committee is concerned that broadcasters will be burdened with additional and excessive relocation costs due to the realignment of channels and spectrum during the incentive auction. 

This Committee has consistently supported the incentive auction 

and expects the FCC to continue to work toward its success. The 

Committee strongly encourages the FCC to continue to work with 

broadcasters to develop a reasonable framework for repacking to 

ensure a successful voluntary auction. 

Video Relay Service.—Video Relay Service (VRS) provides functionally equivalent telecommunication services to people who are 

deaf and hard-of-hearing. The Committee recognizes that the FCC 

has been working diligently with the disabled community and the 

Committee urges the FCC to continue its important work in continuing to help provide access to the hearing impaired community. 

The Committee is aware of the FCC’s development of an outreach 

team to further address concerns from the signing community. 

However, the Committee believes the Commission needs to engage 

all VRS providers to ensure service standards and interoperability 


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does not deteriorate due to the Commission’s VRS rate reductions 

set by the 2013 VRS Reform Order. The Committee instructs the 

Commission to work with all VRS providers to increase the speed 

with which calls are answered, improve interoperability among providers, engage new service offerings, and improve the quality of 

services among all VRS providers. The Committee directs the FCC 

to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the 

Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, 

within 60 days of enactment of this Act, outlining the steps the 

Commission will take to develop a market-based approach to a new 

compensation rate methodology over the fiscal year. 

Do Not Call Program.—The Committee is aware and closely 

monitoring the establishment of the FCC’s ‘‘Do Not Call’’ program 

intended specifically to protect official law enforcement phone numbers. In setting up the database, the Committee strongly encourages the FCC to take into account not only cost, but also vendor 

experience in delivering similar programs for the defense, intelligence, and public safety communities. 

Auction Administration.—The Committee has been supportive of 

the FCC’s administration of incentive auctions, as required by Public Law 112–96, and recognizes the substantial work associated 

with the implementation of these auctions. The Committee believes 

greater budget transparency is still needed in order to better understand how the use of these revenues fits into the Commission’s 

overall budget request. In fiscal year 2015, the Committee directed 

the Commission to provide annually in the budget submission a detailed justification on how the Commission intends to spend these 

funds, including FTE levels and programmatic initiatives, to the 

Committees on Appropriations in the House and Senate. The Committee believes the disclosures of how auction administration funds 

are spent is an important part of its oversight of the Commission 

and expects the FCC to continue to include a detailed justification 

in its annual budget submission and to make the detailed report 

on the use of auction funds publically available on the Commission’s website. 

Quadrennial Review of Media Ownership Rules.—The Committee 

is concerned that since the FCC started the 2014 Quadrennial Review last year there have been few signs of progress towards its 

completion. In previous reviews, the FCC has commissioned independent scholarly research, held public workshops, and hired outside experts to lead a review of the media industry. The Committee 

is disappointed to see that the Commission appears to have few 

plans to develop additional data or research. The Committee believes that this information is vital to the Review, and expects the 

Commission develop, announce, and fund a research agenda within 

90 days of enactment of this Act. This will ensure that the 2014 

Quadrennial Review can be completed on time and consistent with 

legal obligations. 

Ownership Diversity Data Collection.—The Committee is concerned that technological improvements already adopted by the 

Commission have not been directed toward improving the form 323 

ownership data collection. The failure to improve the form 323 

process is a burden on both broadcasters and the public. The Committee directs the Commission to improve the form 323 data collecVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00056 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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tion by the next collection date, including fulfilling the Commission’s commitment to create a searchable, public database, and 

take actions to increase response rates. 

Broadband Access.—The Committee encourages the FCC to continue to allocate Universal Service Funds for broadband expansion 

through the Connect America Fund (CAF), especially in areas that 

could most benefit from increased job opportunities that can come 

from access to broadband. 

Territories.—The Committee is concerned about the disparity in 

access to broadband between the territories and the 50 states. The 

Committee encourages the Commission to implement policies that 

increase broadband access and adoption in the territories. 

FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION

OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $34,568,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 34,568,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 34,568,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

Funding for the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) is provided pursuant to 

31 U.S.C. 1105(a)(25), which requires a separate appropriation for 

each Office of Inspector General established under section 11(2) of 

the Inspector General Act of 1978. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $34,568,000 from the Deposit Insurance Fund and the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) Resolution Fund to finance the OIG for fiscal year 

2016. 

FEDERAL ELECTION COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $67,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 76,119,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 76,119,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +8,619,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) administers the disclosure of campaign finance information, enforces limitations on contributions and expenditures, and performs other tasks related to 

Federal elections. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $76,119,000 for 

the Salaries and Expenses of the FEC. 


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FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $25,548,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 26,550,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 26,550,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +1,002,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

Established by title VII of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, 

the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) serves as a neutral 

arbiter in the labor activities of non-postal Federal employees, Departments and agencies, and Federal unions on matters outlined in 

the Act, including collective bargaining and the settlement of disputes. Establishment of the FLRA gives full recognition to the role 

of the Federal Government as an employer. Under the Foreign 

Service Act of 1980, the FLRA also addresses similar issues affecting Foreign Service personnel by providing staff support for the 

Foreign Service Impasse Disputes Panel and the Foreign Service 

Labor Relations Board. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $26,550,000 for 

the FLRA for fiscal year 2016. 

FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $293,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 309,206,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 302,500,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +9,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥6,706,000 

The mission of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is to enforce 

a variety of Federal antitrust and consumer protection laws. Appropriations for both the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Commission are partially financed by Hart-Scott-Rodino Act pre-merger filing fees. The Commission’s appropriation is 

also partially offset by Do-Not-Call registry fees. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $302,500,000 for 

the Salaries and Expenses of the FTC for fiscal year 2016. The 

Congressional Budget Office estimates $124,000,000 of collections 

from Hart-Scott-Rodino premerger filing fees and $14,000,000 of 

collections from Do-Not-Call list fees will partially offset the appropriation requirement for this account. 

Competition and Consumer Harms.—The Committee is concerned 

certain market conditions create incentives for consumer deception 

within affiliate distribution networks that dominate the mobile consumer booking market and incentivize affiliates to engage in deceptive marketing practices that harm consumers. The Committee understands the FTC and Department of Justice antitrust divisions 

are considering the cumulative present and future anti-competitive 

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tive and deceptive consumer marketing. The Committee encourages 

the Commission to apply appropriate remedies in this area to protect consumers. 

Minority Consumer Protection.—The FTC has determined that 

African-Americans and Hispanics are the two most likely groups to 

become fraud victims in the U.S. and more than twice as likely 

than non-Hispanic whites to be fraud victims. While the Committee 

appreciates what the agency has done to date, the Committee believes that a comprehensive strategy is required to better address 

these issues. For that reason, the Committee directs the FTC, within 180 days of enactment of this Act, to submit to the Committees 

on Appropriations of the House and Senate a comprehensive strategy to reduce fraud in these communities—including recommendations on preventive strategies, effective law enforcement actions, 

and language-accessible educational campaigns. The report should 

also include information regarding current educational and law enforcement efforts on this matter and their results should also be 

provided, and analyzed for what further steps need to be taken. 

Agency Overlap.—The creation of the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB) transferred some areas of consumer protection jurisdiction that were once the sole purview of the FTC to the 

CFPB. The Committee is aware of the Memorandum of Understanding signed by both the CFPB and the FTC and understands 

that the agencies consult on areas of common jurisdiction, such as 

debt collection. However, the Committee intends to continue to 

monitor this issue as duplicative efforts in regulatory rulemaking 

and enforcement activities waste agency resources, and could place 

unnecessary burdens on businesses, the economy, and the American taxpayer. The Committee expects the FTC to continue to ensure duplicative efforts on rulemakings are avoided before agency 

resources are wasted. 

GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

The Committee continues several reporting requirements for the 

General Services Administration (GSA) for fiscal year 2016. 

Takings and Exchanges.—Using existing statutory authorities, 

GSA has been working to dispose of properties that no longer meet 

the needs of Federal agencies in exchange for assets of like value. 

Some of these exchanges are very complex in nature and involve 

multi-year, multi-party, and multi-billion dollar contracts. In addition, GSA also has the statutory authority to take properties. The 

Committee believes in some instances employing such authorities 

can result in savings to the taxpayer when appropriately executed 

and wants to be kept informed of these activities. In order to provide increased transparency for the use of these authorities, the 

Administrator is directed to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate not later than 30 days after the 

end of each quarter on the use of these authorities. The report 

shall include a description of all takings and exchange actions that 

occurred during the most recently completed quarter of the fiscal 

year, including the costs, benefits, and risks for each action. The 

report shall also include the planned use of takings and exchange 

authorities during the remainder of the fiscal year, including the 

costs, benefits, and risks of each action. 


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Spending Report.—Within 50 days after the end of each quarter, 

GSA shall submit spending reports to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate. The reports shall include actual 

obligations incurred and estimated obligations for the remainder of 

the fiscal year for each appropriation in the Federal Buildings 

Fund and regular discretionary appropriations. The reports shall 

include obligations by object class, program, project and activity. 

State of the Portfolio.—Not later than 45 days after the date of 

enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall submit to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate a report on the 

state of the Public Buildings Service’s real estate portfolio for fiscal 

year 2015. The content included in the report shall be comparable 

to the tabular information provided in past State of the Portfolio 

reports, including, but not limited to, the number of leases; the 

number of buildings; amount of square feet, revenue, expenses by 

type, and vacant space; top customers by square feet and annual 

rent; completed new construction, completed major repairs and alternations, and disposals, in total and by region where appropriate. 

Activities Report.—The Committee directs GSA to submit a report no later than 120 days after the enactment of this Act regarding how it ensures an appropriate level of minority, women, and 

veteran owned firms’ participation in its facilities and procurement 

activities. 

Alternative Financing Report.—The Committee encourages GSA 

to work collaboratively with the Office of Management and Budget, 

the Government Accountability Office, and other relevant Federal 

agencies, together with the appropriate Congressional committees, 

to explore the feasibility of employing new funding mechanisms to 

meet the need for new facilities. GSA shall report to the Appropriations Committee within 90 days after the enactment of this Act on 

their findings. 

Federal Supply Schedule Report.—The Committee recognizes 

there is great complexity in GSA’s work in administering the Federal Supply Schedules. In order to provide greater clarity for vendors and Federal departments and agencies which rely on the 

Schedules, the Committee directs GSA to report to Congress outlining the methodology it uses to determine the values of the 

Schedule contracts within 120 days after the enactment of this Act. 

REAL PROPERTY ACTIVITIES

FEDERAL BUILDINGS FUND

LIMITATIONS ON AVAILABILITY OF REVENUE

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Limitations on Availability of Revenue:.

Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2015 ..................................... $9,238,310,000 

Limitation on availability, budget request, fiscal year 2016 .......... 10,372,195,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 8,435,055,000 

Bill compared with: 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2015 ........................................ ¥803,255,000 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2016 request .......................... ¥1,937,140,000 

The Federal Buildings Fund (FBF) finances the activities of the 

Public Buildings Service (PBS), which provides space and services 

for Federal agencies in a relationship similar to that of landlord 

and tenant. The FBF, established in 1975, replaces direct approVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00060 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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priations by using income derived from rent assessments, which 

approximate commercial rates for comparable space and services. 

The Committee makes funds available through a process of placing 

limitations on obligations from the FBF as a way of allocating 

funds for various FBF activities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation on the availability of 

funds of $8,435,055,000 for the FBF. 

To carry out the purposes of the FBF, the revenues and collections deposited into the FBF shall be available for necessary expenses in the aggregate amount of $8,435,055,000 of which: $0 is 

for construction and acquisition, $675,000,000 is for repairs and alterations, $5,500,055,000 is for rental of space, and $2,260,000,000 

is for building operations. 

Historically, prior to obligating funding for prospectus-level construction, alterations or leases, the Administration has waited for 

the project to be authorized through a resolution approved by the 

Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the House and 

the Committee on Environment and Public Works in the Senate as 

required by title 40 of the United States Code and in accordance 

with the proviso included in the FBF appropriations limiting the 

obligation of funds to prospectus-level projects approved by the authorizing committees. The Committee supports this process and believes that prospectus-level projects warrant a thorough review 

from both the Appropriations Committee and the authorizing committees. The Committee expects the Administration to continue to 

follow this process. 

CONSTRUCTION AND ACQUISITION

Limitations on Availability of Revenue:.

Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2015 ..................................... $509,670,000 

Limitation on availability, budget request, fiscal year 2016 .......... 1,257,997,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... – – – 

Bill compared with: 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2015 ........................................ ¥509,670,000 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2016 request .......................... ¥1,257,997,000 

The construction and acquisition fund finances the project cost of 

design, construction, and management and inspection costs of new 

Federal facilities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation of $0 for construction 

and acquisition. The Committee recognizes the importance of mitigating bird deaths due to collisions, and encourages the incorporation of bird safe materials and design features for each public 

building constructed, acquired, or altered by GSA. 

REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS

Limitations on Availability of Revenue: 

Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2015 ..................................... $818,160,000 

Limitation on availability, budget request, fiscal year 2016 .......... 1,247,067,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 675,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2015 ........................................ ¥143,160,000 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2016 request .......................... ¥572,067,000 


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The repairs and alterations activity funds the project cost of design, construction, management and inspection for the repair, alteration, and modernization of existing real estate assets in addition 

to various special programs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation of $675,000,000 to remain available until expended for repairs and alterations. 

Major Repairs and Alterations.—The Committee recommends 

$265,000,000 for repairs and alterations projects that exceed the 

prospectus threshold. The funds are provided to address GSA’s 

highest priority facility needs. The Committee directs GSA to submit a detailed plan, by project, regarding the use of Major Repairs 

and Alterations funds, not later than 45 days after enactment. GSA 

is directed to provide notification to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate within 15 days prior to any changes 

in the use of these funds. 

Basic Repairs and Alterations.—The Committee recommends 

$300,000,000 for non-recurring repairs and alterations projects between $10,000 and the current prospectus threshold of $2,850,000. 

Fire and Life Safety.—The Committee recommends $20,000,000 

to improve building safety, abate hazardous material, and repair 

structural deficiencies. These projects include, but are not limited 

to, fire alarm, sprinkler, electrical, ventilation, heating, and elevator systems. 

Consolidation Activities.—The Committee recommends 

$70,000,000 for the cost of consolidating space. Given the reduction 

in the Federal workforce and Federal agency budgets, the Committee believes that it is prudent to reduce the GSA building inventory, particularly with regard to the thousands of surplus and underutilized buildings. The Committee appreciates the Administration’s commitment to ‘‘freeze the footprint’’ of the Federal government (OMB management procedures memorandum 2013–02) by 

prohibiting increases in the total square footage of domestic offices 

and warehouses. Projects selected for consolidation should result in 

reduced annual rent paid by the agency, not exceed $20,000,000 in 

costs, and have an approved prospectus. GSA is required to submit 

a spend plan and explanation for each project including estimated 

savings to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate before obligating funds. 

Judiciary Court Security Program.—The Committee recommends 

$20,000,000 for the construction, acquisition, repair, alteration, and 

security projects for the Judiciary as prioritized by the Judicial 

Conference of the United States. 

New Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Headquarters.—The 

Committee is concerned that the financing strategy and project 

timeline being pursued by GSA may not adequately satisfy FBI security and operational requirements for the new FBI Headquarters 

building. Because it will house one of the principal members of the 

U.S. Intelligence Community, the new FBI Headquarters must 

comply with specific security and infrastructure requirements that 

are not typical for most other government office buildings. Additionally, the new FBI Headquarters facility must provide an operational work environment that allows the FBI to be successful in 

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tigative missions. Further, given the nature of the FBI’s mission 

and the cost of this project, the integrity of the facility cannot be 

short-changed by a project management approach aimed more at 

maintaining a timeline and schedule than ensuring the right design for protecting national security information and operations. As 

such, the Committee directs GSA to incorporate all FBI security, 

transportation, and consolidation requirements into all programming for the new building. In addition, the Committee strongly encourages the FBI, GSA and the Administration to explore the feasibility of employing all available funding mechanisms to ensure the 

goals of full consolidation and a work environment consistent with 

FBI operational requirements are achieved. 

RENTAL OF SPACE

Limitations on Availability of Revenue: 

Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2015 ..................................... $5,666,348,000 

Limitation on availability, budget request, fiscal year 2016 .......... 5,579,055,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 5,500,055,000 

Bill compared with: 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2015 ........................................ ¥166,293,000 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2016 request .......................... ¥79,000,000 

The rental of space program funds lease payments made to privately-owned buildings, temporary space for Federal employees 

during major repair and alteration projects, and relocations from 

Federal buildings due to forced moves and relocations as a result 

of health and safety conditions. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation of $5,500,055,000 for 

rental of space. The Committee appreciates that GSA estimates it 

will slightly reduce the amount of leased space in its inventory in 

fiscal year 2016. However, given the reduction in staffing in parts 

of the Federal government and the space consolidation program, 

the Committee encourages GSA to reduce the amount of leased 

space in its inventory at a faster pace. 

BUILDING OPERATIONS

Limitations on Availability of Revenue: 

Limitation on availability, fiscal year 2015 ..................................... $2,244,132,000 

Limitation on availability, budget request, fiscal year 2016 .......... 2,288,076,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 2,260,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2015 ........................................ +15,868,000 

Availability limitation, fiscal year 2016 request .......................... ¥28,076,000 

The building operations account funds services that Federal 

agencies in GSA-owned buildings and occasionally in GSA-leased 

buildings, when not provided by the lessor, directly benefit from 

such as building security, cleaning, utilities, window washing, snow 

removal, pest control, and maintenance of heating, air conditioning, 

ventilating, plumbing, sewage, electrical, elevator, escalator, and 

fire protection systems. In addition, this account funds all the personnel and administrative expenses for carrying out construction 

and acquisition, repair and alteration, and leasing activities. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a limitation of $2,260,000,000 for 

Building Operations and Maintenance. Within this amount, 

$1,130,661,000 is for building services and $1,129,339,000 is for 

salaries and expenses. Up to five percent of the funds may be 

transferred between these activities upon the advance notification 

to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate. Not 

later than 60 days after the date of enactment, the Administrator 

shall submit a spend plan, by region, regarding the use of these 

funds to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate. 

GENERAL ACTIVITIES

GOVERNMENT WIDE POLICY

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $58,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 62,022,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 58,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥4,022,000 

The Office of Government-Wide Policy provides Federal agencies 

with guidelines, best practices, and performance measures for complying with all the laws, regulations, and executive orders related 

to: acquisition and procurement, personal and real property management, travel and transportation management, electronic customer service delivery, and use of Federal advisory committees. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $58,000,000 for 

Government-wide Policy. 

Green Buildings.—The Committee shares the GSA’s goal of reducing building expenses through the efficient use of energy and 

water. The Committee encourages energy efficiency to be considered when purchasing construction and building materials. The 

Committee is concerned, however, that GSA’s current green building policies and practices are tailored to reflect the standards of a 

specific third-party certification system rather than the public interest in greater energy and water efficiency. All agencies should 

be wary of becoming captured; no third-party certification program 

has a monopoly on how to attain efficiency, much less sustainability. For example, efficiency and sustainability can be achieved 

not just through the design of buildings or major renovations and 

the selection of materials, but also through proper building maintenance and usage, building codes, energy codes, energy efficiency 

rating systems, or a combination thereof. 

Where multiple green building rating systems have been recommended by GSA as suitable for government use, GSA should encourage competition among systems and savings for Federal agencies and U.S. taxpayers by directly and clearly encouraging Federal 

agencies to use any recommended system that meets their needs on 

a project-by-project basis. When recommended systems are equivalent with respect to ease of use and other features, the Federal government should select the system with the lowest operation and 

certification cost for each project so that agencies and taxpayers 


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can fully realize cost savings. The Federal government should 

evaluate certification systems consistent with the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1996 (P.L. 104–113) and 

OMB Circular A–119, and a strong preference should always be expressed for systems that are developed as voluntary consensus 

standards. 

Greening projects for Federal buildings should not be undertaken 

unless GSA can clearly justify that the additional expenses will be 

more than offset by a reduction in subsequent operating expenses 

as a result of the project. The Committee recognizes sustainable 

roofing systems as a viable option for government buildings. 

Federal Fleet Maintenance.—The Committee understands that 

GSA uses re-manufactured vehicle components to maintain Federal 

vehicles when it is timely, maintains quality, and is cost effective. 

The Committee encourages the continued use of this practice. 

AbilityOne.—The Committee appreciates the benefits that the 

AbilityOne program provides to persons with disabilities and the 

impact it has on the U.S. economy. However, the Committee is concerned about GSA markups to the price of AbilityOne products and 

the considerable frequency at which GSA vendors sell ‘‘Essentially 

the Same’’ (ETS) products. The Committee understands that GSA, 

in collaboration with AbilityOne, National Industries for the Blind, 

and SourceAmerica, has reduced the number of ETS products 

available for purchase. However, the Committee believes that more 

can be done to reduce markups to AbilityOne products and ensure 

ETS products are not replacing AbilityOne products. The Committee directs GSA to report to the Committees on Appropriations 

of the House and Senate within 90 days of enactment of this Act 

on its efforts to price AbilityOne products and services according to 

approved Fair Market Prices established by the U.S. Ability One 

Commission and certify that GSA contractors are barred from selling products on their contracts that are equivalent as AbilityOne 

products and services. 

Government Travel.—The Office of Management and Budget 

(OMB) Memorandum M–12–12 placed caps on conference spending 

and reduced non-mission-critical travel budgets. GSA and OMB are 

charged with monitoring and continuing implementation of this 

policy. The Committee directs GSA to report to the Committees on 

Appropriations of the House and Senate on the impact of implementation of this policy on agency mission and recommendations 

for improving Memorandum M–12–12 to improve agency missions, 

functions, and productivity. The selection criteria must place primary emphasis on maximizing the value of the federal taxpayer resources used to fund the event, meeting, or conference. Areas of 

cost evaluation should include cost of travel, lodging, facility, and 

food and beverage service proposed charges. 

Government Charge Cards.—The Committee supports current 

safeguards and internal controls of government charge cards and 

believes the prevention of waste, fraud, and abuse should continue 

to be a primary focus. The Committee believes that regular risk assessments and audits are important to identify and prevent improper use of government charge cards. However, the Committee 

believes more can be done to limit charge card abuse and hold 

agencies accountable for implementing and enforcing the required 

internal controls. In addition, the Committee believes greater 


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transparency of agency-wide charge card use and policies is necessary to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse; and provide the Federal 

government and taxpayers the greatest return and cost savings. 

Relocation Policy.—The Committee expects that policies related 

to the relocation of Federal employees are both efficient and costeffective for taxpayers. The Committee directs GSA to review its 

policies with respect to relocating Federal employees and report its 

findings to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and 

Senate within 90 days of enactment of this Act. 

OPERATING EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $61,049,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 58,560,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 58,550,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥2,499,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥10,000 

This account provides appropriations for activities that are not 

feasible for a user fee arrangement. Included under this heading 

are personal property utilization and donation activities of the Federal Acquisition Service; real property utilization and disposal activities of the Public Buildings Service; the activities of the Civilian 

Board of Contract Appeals; select management and administration 

activities including support of government-wide emergency management activities; and top-level, agency-wide management communication activities. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $58,550,000 for 

operating expenses. Within the amount provided under this heading, $25,979,000 is for Real and Personal Property Management 

and Disposal, $23,387,000 is for the Office of the Administrator, 

and $9,184,000 is for the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals. 

Federal Real Property Profile.—GSA is charged with compiling 

the Federal Real Property Profile (FRPP). Numerous studies have 

found that this profile contains a significant amount of inaccurate 

information. The Committee is outraged that the Federal government cannot provide an accurate accounting to the American public 

of all the property that it owns. The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has named managing Federal real property to 

its 2015 High Risk List again. The Committee is extremely frustrated with the slow pace at which GSA and other Federal agencies 

are improving the accuracy of the FRPP. The Committee is also 

concerned that despite language in the fiscal year 2015 report, GSA 

has not made progress on the value and accuracy of its inventory, 

taken steps to include public lands as required by Executive Order 

13327, made the FRPP available to the public, or geo-enabling the 

FRPP. The Committee expects GSA to work with agencies across 

government and utilize geographic information technology to improve the data contained in this report and enhance transparency 

to the American taxpayer. The Committee directs GSA to report to 

the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate on 

steps taken to improve the quality and transparency of the profile 

within 60 days after the enactment of this Act. 


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OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $65,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 67,803,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 65,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥2,803,000 

This appropriation provides agency-wide audit and investigative 

functions to identify and correct GSA management and administrative deficiencies that create conditions for existing or potential instances of fraud, waste, and mismanagement. The audit function 

provides internal and contract audits. Internal audits review and 

evaluate all facets of GSA operations and programs, test internal 

control systems, and develop information to improve operating efficiencies and enhance customer services. Contract audits provide 

professional advice to GSA contracting officials on accounting and 

financial matters relative to the negotiation, award, administration, repricing, and settlement of contracts. The investigative function provides for the detection and investigation of improper and illegal activities involving GSA programs, personnel, and operations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $65,000,000 for 

the Office of Inspector General. 

ALLOWANCES AND OFFICE STAFF FOR FORMER PRESIDENTS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $3,250,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 3,277,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,625,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥1,625,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥1,652,000 

This appropriation provides pensions, office staff, and related expenses for former Presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, 

William Clinton, and George W. Bush, and for postal franking 

privileges for the widow of former President Ronald Reagan. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,625,000 for 

allowances and office staff for former Presidents. 

PRE-ELECTION PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $ – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 13,278,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 13,278,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

In accordance with the Pre-Election Transition Act of 2010, this 

appropriation provides for transition services to eligible major 

party candidates before the general election. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $13,278,000 for 

pre-election presidential transition. 

FEDERAL CITIZEN SERVICES FUND

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $53,294,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 58,428,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 54,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +706,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥4,428,000 

The Federal Citizen Services Fund (the Fund) appropriation provides for the salaries and expenses of GSA’s Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies (OCSIT). The Fund enables citizen access and engagement with government through an array of 

operational programs and direct citizen facing services. The Fund 

provides electronic or other methods of access to and understanding 

of Federal information, benefits, and services to citizens, businesses, local governments, and the media. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $54,000,000 for 

the Federal Citizen Services Fund. The Committee expects the 

funds provided for these activities, combined with efficiency gains 

and resource prioritization will result in increased delivery of information to the public and in the ease of transaction with the government. 

All the income collected by the Office of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies (OCSIT) in the form of reimbursements from 

Federal agencies, user fees for publications ordered by the public, 

payments from private entities for services rendered, and gifts from 

the public is available to the OCSIT without regard to fiscal year 

limitations, but is subject to an annual limitation of $90,000,000. 

Any revenues accruing in excess of this amount shall remain in the 

Fund and are not available for expenditure except as authorized in 

Appropriation Acts. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—GENERAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Section 505. The Committee continues the provision providing 

authority for the use of funds for the hire of motor vehicles. 

Section 506. The Committee continues the provision providing 

that funds made available for activities of the Federal Buildings 

Fund may be transferred between appropriations with advance approval of the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate. 

Section 507. The Committee continues the provision requiring 

funds proposed for developing courthouse construction requests to 

meet appropriate standards and the priorities of the Judicial Conference. 

Section 508. The Committee continues the provision providing 

that no funds may be used to increase the amount of occupiable 


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square feet, provide cleaning services, security enhancements, or 

any other service usually provided, to any agency which does not 

pay the assessed rent. 

Section 509. The Committee continues the provision that permits 

GSA to pay small claims (up to $250,000) made against the Federal 

government. 

Section 510. The Committee continues the provision requiring 

the Administrator to ensure that the delineated area of procurement for all lease agreements is identical to the delineated area included in the prospectus unless prior notice is given to the committees of jurisdiction. 

Section 511. The Committee continues the provision requiring a 

spend plan for certain accounts and programs. 

MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $45,085,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 47,415,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 47,415,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +2,330,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) is an independent, 

quasi-judicial agency established to protect the civil service merit 

system. The MSPB adjudicates appeals primarily involving personnel actions, certain Federal employee complaints, and retirement benefits issues. The MSPB reports to the President whether 

merit systems are sufficiently free of prohibited employment practices. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $47,415,000 for 

the MSPB. The recommendation includes a transfer of $2,345,000 

from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. 

NATIONAL ARCHIVES AND RECORDS ADMINISTRATION

OPERATING EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $365,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 372,393,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 369,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +4,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥3,393,000 

This appropriation provides NARA with funds for its basic operations for management of the Federal government’s archives and 

records, services to the public, operation of Presidential libraries, 

review for declassification of classified security information, and includes funding for the Electronic Records Archives which preserves, 

stores, and manages digital Federal records for archival purposes, 

ensuring long-term access. 


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COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $369,000,000 for 

the Operating Expenses of NARA for fiscal year 2016. 

Records Management.—The Committee encourages NARA to leverage private sector records management capabilities, where private vendors have invested their own capital to develop facilities 

that are compliant with NARA’s stringent building standards. The 

Committee encourages NARA to identify NARA records management storage facilities that can be cost effectively managed by private records management companies, especially those housing temporary Federal records. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $4,130,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 4,180,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 4,180,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +50,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) provides audits and investigations and serves as an independent, internal advocate to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness within NARA. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $4,180,000 for 

the OIG for fiscal year 2016. 

REPAIRS AND RESTORATION

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $7,600,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 7,500,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 7,500,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥100,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

This appropriation provides for the repair, alteration, and improvement of Archives facilities and Presidential libraries nationwide. It enables the National Archives to maintain its facilities in 

proper condition for visitors, researchers, and employees, and also 

maintain the structural integrity of the buildings. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $7,500,000 for 

repairs and restoration for fiscal year 2016. 

NATIONAL HISTORICAL PUBLICATIONS AND RECORDS COMMISSION

GRANTS PROGRAM

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $5,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 5,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 5,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The National Historical Publications and Records Commission 

(NHPRC) program provides for grants to preserve and publish 

records that document American history. Administered within the 


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National Archives and Records Administration, the NHPRC helps 

State, local, and private institutions preserve non-Federal records, 

helps publish the papers of major figures in American history, and 

helps archivists and records managers improve their techniques, 

training, and ability to serve a range of information users. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $5,000,000 

NHPRC for fiscal year 2016. 

NATIONAL CREDIT UNION ADMINISTRATION

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT REVOLVING LOAN FUND

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $2,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 2,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 2,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Community Development Revolving Loan Fund Program 

(CDRLF) was established in 1979 to assist officially designated 

‘‘low-income’’ credit unions in providing basic financial services to 

low-income communities. Low-interest loans and deposits are made 

available to assist these credit unions. Loans or deposits are normally repaid in five years, although shorter repayment periods may 

be considered. Technical assistance grants are also available to 

low-income credit unions. Earnings generated from the CDRLF are 

available to fund technical assistance grants in addition to funds 

provided for specifically in appropriations acts. Grants are available for improving operations as well as addressing safety and 

soundness issues. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $2,000,000 for 

the National Credit Union Administration’s CDRLF for technical 

assistance grants for fiscal year 2016. The Committee expects the 

CDRLF to continue making loans from their available funds derived from repaid loans and interest earned on previous loans to 

designated credit unions. 

Risk-Based Capital Rule.—The Committee is aware that the 

agency has released a revised risk-based capital proposal and that 

there were a large number of comments received. Consistent with 

safety and soundness and before finalizing the rule, the Committee 

encourages NCUA to give careful consideration to the comments, 

including those related to risk weights, to ensure credit is readily 

available to consumers, family farms, and small businesses to support job creation. 


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OFFICE OF GOVERNMENT ETHICS

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $15,420,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 15,742,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 15,742,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +322,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Office of Government Ethics (OGE) established by the Ethics 

in Government Act of 1978, partners with other executive branch 

Departments and agencies to foster high ethical standards. The 

OGE issues and monitors rules, regulations, and memoranda pertaining to the prevention and resolution of conflicts of interest, 

post-employment restrictions, standards of conduct, and financial 

disclosure for executive branch employees. The OGE is also responsible for creating and running an electronic financial disclosure system under the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge (STOCK) 

Act. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $15,742,000 for 

the OGE. 

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF TRUST FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $214,464,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 245,238,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 245,156,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +30,692,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥82,000 

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is the Federal agency responsible for management of Federal human resources policy 

and oversight of the merit civil service system. OPM provides a 

government-wide policy framework for personnel matters, advises 

and assists agencies (often on a reimbursable basis), and ensures 

that agency operations are consistent with requirements of law, 

with emphasis on such issues as veterans preference. OPM oversees examining of applicants for employment; issues regulations 

and policies on hiring, classification and pay, training, investigations; and many other aspects of personnel management, and operates a reimbursable training program for the Federal Government’s 

managers and executives. OPM is also responsible for administering the retirement, health benefits and life insurance programs 

affecting most Federal employees, retired Federal employees, and 

their survivors. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $120,606,000 for 

the General Fund. The Committee also recommends $124,550,000 

for administrative expenses, to be transferred from the appropriate 

trust funds. 


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As part of OPM’s mission to recruit and hire the most talented 

and diverse Federal workforce, the Committee encourages Federal 

agencies to increase recruitment efforts within the United States 

and the territories utilizing Hispanic Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges and Universities. 

OPM has struggled for decades to process Federal retirees’ pension claims quickly and accurately. As a result, tens of thousands 

of new retirees wait months to receive their complete annuities— 

some wait more than a year—and in the meantime they struggle 

to get by on reduced interim pensions. The Committee expects 

OPM to make retirement processing a priority and is pleased with 

OPM’s recent efforts to correct this problem through the implementation of its strategic plan. Still, the Committee believes that the 

backlog and delays in retirement processing are unacceptable and 

directs OPM to provide the Committees on Appropriations of the 

House and Senate with monthly reports on its progress in addressing the backlog in claims. The Committee is astounded by the continued use of outdated paper processing and directs OPM to 

prioritize moving to a fully-automated electronic filing system. 

In the wake of two massive data breaches affecting millions of 

individuals, OPM must take all steps to secure the personally identifiable information and material relating to security clearances of 

all current, former, and prospective federal government employees. 

The Committee has provided full funding for the Administration’s 

requests for cyber and information technology upgrades of OPM’s 

networks in prior fiscal years. The Committee expects OPM to provide transparency regarding the recent data breaches and keep the 

Committee updated on its efforts and resource needs to secure 

OPM networks against future attacks. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF TRUST FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $25,724,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 26,844,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 26,844,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +1,120,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

This appropriation provides for the Office of Inspector General’s 

(OIG) agency-wide audit, investigative, evaluation, and inspection 

functions, which identify management and administrative deficiencies, fraud, waste and mismanagement. The OIG performs internal agency audits and insurance audits, and offers contract 

audit services. Internal audits review and evaluate all facets of 

agency operations, including financial statements. Evaluation and 

inspection services provide detailed technical evaluations of agency 

operations. Insurance audits review the operations of health and 

life insurance carriers, health care providers, and insurance subscribers. Contract auditors provide professional advice to agency 

contracting officials on accounting and financial matters regarding 

the negotiation, award, administration, repricing, and settlement of 

contracts. The investigative function provides for the detection and 


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investigation of improper and illegal activities involving programs, 

personnel, and operations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a general fund appropriation of 

$4,365,000 for the OIG. In addition, the recommendation provides 

$22,479,000 from appropriate trust funds. 

OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $22,939,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 24,119,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 24,119,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +1,180,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Office of Special Counsel (OSC): (1) investigates Federal employee allegations of prohibited personnel practices (including reprisal for whistleblowing) and, when appropriate, prosecutes before 

the Merit Systems Protection Board; (2) provides a channel for 

whistleblowing by Federal employees; and (3) enforces the Hatch 

Act. The Office may transmit whistleblower allegations to the agency head concerned and require an agency investigation and a report 

to the Congress and the President when appropriate. Additionally, 

the Office enforces the civilian employment and reemployment 

rights of military service members under the Uniformed Services 

Employment and Re-employment Rights Act. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $24,119,000 for 

the OSC. 

POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $14,700,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 15,500,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 15,200,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥300,000 

The Commission establishes and maintains the U.S. Postal Service’s ratemaking systems, measures service and performance, ensures accountability, and has enforcement mechanisms, including 

the authority to issue subpoenas. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation, out of the Postal 

Fund, of $15,200,000 for the Postal Regulatory Commission. 


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PRIVACY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES OVERSIGHT BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $7,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 23,297,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 19,500,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +12,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥3,797,000 

The Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board (the Board) is 

an independent agency within the Executive Branch whose purpose 

is to (1) analyze and review actions the Executive Branch takes to 

protect the nation from terrorism, ensuring that the need for such 

actions is balanced with the need to protect privacy and civil liberties; and (2) ensure that liberty concerns are appropriately considered in the development and implementation of laws, regulations, and policies related to efforts to protect the nation against 

terrorism. The Board consists of four part-time members and fulltime chairman. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $19,500,000 for the Board. 

The Committee is frustrated that such a young agency is already 

burdened with very old Federal management problems. After salaries and benefits, the largest expense for agencies is space and facilities. As such, staffing and space needs must be carefully evaluated and managed with the objective of achieving the agency’s mission in a cost-effective manner. The Committee understands that 

the Board has specialized space needs, but is disappointed that the 

agency is relocating after less than three years in its current location, incurring additional moving expenses, and is requesting a significant amount of funds for build-out of new space, when existing 

government-owned Secure Compartmentalized Information Facility 

(SCIF) space is currently available and would accommodate the 

Board’s needs. The Committee directs the Board to work with the 

General Services Administration to find the most cost-effective solution for re-locating and minimizing future moves and to provide 

quarterly joint briefings to the Committees on Appropriations of 

the House and Senate on progress towards meeting this goal. 

The Committee notes that the Board is a Federal agency of five 

Presidentially appointed and Senate confirmed Members. The Committee believes it is important the Board’s budget allocations take 

into account and respect the rights and responsibilities of each 

Board Member as an independent, Senate confirmed officer. 

RECOVERY ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY BOARD

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $18,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... – – – 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... – – – 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥18,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board (Recovery 

Board) was authorized in the American Recovery and Reinvestment 


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Act of 2009 (Public Law 111 5) (Recovery Act). The Disaster Relief 

Appropriations Act of 2013 extended the Board’s authorization for 

two years and expanded its responsibilities to process, track, and 

oversee the $60.2 billion in Hurricane Sandy spending. In addition, 

the Board assists other government entities investigate fraud, 

waste, and abuse by providing data analytic support through the 

Board’s Recovery Operations Center. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The board is scheduled to sunset on September 30, 2015. 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $1,500,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 1,722,000,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 1,500,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥222,000,000 

The primary mission of the Securities and Exchange Commission 

(SEC) is to protect investors, maintain the integrity of the securities markets, and assure adequate information on the capital markets is made available to market participants and policy makers. 

This includes monitoring the rapid evolution of the capital markets, 

ensuring full disclosure of all appropriate financial information, 

regulating the Nation’s securities markets, and preventing fraud 

and malpractice in the securities and financial markets. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $1,500,000,000 

for the SEC for fiscal year 2016. The Committee designates not less 

than $11,315,971 for Office of Inspector General and $68,223,000 

for the Division of Economic and Risk Analysis. 

Reserve Fund/Information Technology.—The Committee is supportive of the SEC’s prioritization of robust and effective information technology (IT) systems within the Commission. The SEC has 

indicated that the planned use of the Dodd-Frank mandatory Reserve Fund is to support the Commission’s IT initiatives. However, 

this fund is not overseen by Congress and it is left to the discretion 

of the Commission as to its use. The Committee believes emergency 

reserve funds should be used for natural disaster emergencies and 

other crises, not discretionary priorities within a Federal agency. 

While the Committee does not support the use of the Reserve 

Fund, an increase to IT funding is provided through the Commission’s overall appropriation. The Committee’s recommended funding level for IT initiatives increases the overall funding level by 

$50,000,000 specifically to support IT funding priorities. The Committee includes a limitation (Section 624) prohibiting funds from 

the Reserve Fund from being used by the Commission. 

Fiduciary Standard.—The Committee has serious concerns with 

the Department of Labor (DOL) proposed rule regarding fiduciary 

standards for broker-dealers. This rule overlaps perilously with 

SEC jurisdiction and the implications for regulatory conflict and investor harm are far reaching. The DOL is neither an expert in the 


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area of overseeing investment advisors, nor the primary regulator 

for broker-dealers. The Committee knows of no peer-reviewed studies that have established causation between a fiduciary standard 

and returns on investment. Further, the impact on low to moderate 

income retail investors is of significant concern. The Committee 

will continue to closely monitor any SEC rulemaking in this area 

and expects the SEC to take into consideration the impact on retail 

investors and the availability of affordable investment advice. 

Liquidity.—The Committee believes the SEC is the expert regulator with regard to the U.S. capital markets. Since the passage of 

the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act 

(Dodd-Frank Act), prudential regulators, through the Financial 

Stability Oversight Council (FSOC), have been able to influence 

and, in many cases, impair the U.S. markets’ functionality. Although both the banking sector and capital markets affect the U.S. 

and global economy, prudential regulation and market regulation 

are inherently different and should be treated as such. 

The Committee has strong concerns about the effect that the 

Dodd-Frank Act and other wholesale regulations have had, and will 

continue to have, on overall market liquidity. The Committee believes that layers of regulation have resulted in an alarming lack 

of liquidity in U.S. markets, particularly fixed income markets. The 

Committee directs the SEC’s Division of Economic and Risk Analysis (DERA) to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the 

House and Senate, the Committee on Financial Services in the 

House and the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs 

in the Senate, within one year of enactment of this Act, on the combined impacts that the Dodd-Frank Act—especially Section 619— 

and other financial regulations, such as Basel III, have had on: (1) 

access to capital for consumers, investors, and businesses, and (2) 

market liquidity, to include U.S. Treasury markets and corporate 

debt. 

The Committee has been especially supportive of DERA in order 

for the SEC to have increased resources to provide expert economic 

analysis for its proposed regulations. The Committee expects 

DERA, when it performs economic analysis for proposed SEC regulations, to consider the overall economic effects of all financial regulations—not just those proposed by the SEC—and their effect on 

the U.S. markets. 

Internal Risk Management Transactions.—The Committee is concerned that there is a lack of global coordination between domestic 

and foreign regulators on the treatment of internal trades between 

affiliated entities to manage risk acquired from customer facing 

transactions. The Committee notes that the BCBS IOSCO Working 

Group on Margining Requirements left this to the discretion of national governments. As such, the European Market Infrastructure 

Regulation (EMIR) and Japanese financial rules provide an exemption from margin requirements, with certain conditions, for internal trades between affiliates. In contrast, the U.S. market and prudential regulators have proposed rules that would impose margin 

requirements on trades between affiliates. The Committee notes 

that this will discourage prudent risk management by increasing 

the costs of these internal trades. These increased costs will be 

borne by the customers in the form of increased transaction costs 

and reduced liquidity. The Committee urges the SEC to recognize 


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that such internal risk management transactions benefit customers. Without these efficiencies, costs to customers will increase, 

derivatives activity and corresponding risks will become more isolated in local jurisdictions, and there will be less liquidity for endusers seeking to prudently manage commercial risks. The Committee directs the Commission to report to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, the House Financial Services 

Committee, and the Senate Banking Committee, within 60 days of 

enactment of this Act, on the impact of the proposed rules on consumers and industries. 

Crowdfunding.—The Committee is concerned that the SEC’s proposed crowdfunding rule by the SEC will be inoperable. The Committee believes that the Commission has an obligation to consider 

the effects of the proposed rule upon the efficiency, transparency, 

and affordability for small companies and investors seeking 

crowdfunding offerings. Impairing or restricting the use of 

crowdfunding offerings could potentially result in limiting small 

businesses from securing much needed, early-stage capital formation and liquidity. The Committee believes that before the final 

crowdfunding rule is promulgated, the Commission should ensure 

that the regulations neither disproportionately stifle small company growth, nor create barriers to entry for investors, thereby hindering diversified investment options. Specifically, the final rules 

should carefully consider how the proposed changes would affect 

the following: (1) the burden and costs associated with providing 

audited or reviewed financial statements; (2) the harm caused by 

increasing liability for the platforms, portals, and intermediaries’ 

and thereby their ability to curate and effectuate crowdfunding offerings; (3) restricting the economic interests of the intermediaries 

from revenue derived from crowdfunding offerings; (4) burdensome 

disclosure report requirements; and (5) the investors and companies’ capacity to aggregate and diversify through investment vehicles to heighten investor and issuer protections. 

Business Development Companies.—Congress created Business 

Development Companies (BDCs) in 1980 to facilitate capital formation in small and medium-sized businesses. In late 2005, the SEC 

adopted rules relating to Securities Offering Reform, which modernized the registration offering process for public companies. 

BDCs were left out of these reforms leaving them on an uneven 

playing field with other public companies seeking to access the capital markets. Relieving the current restrictions on BDCs will make 

the capital raising process for BDCs more flexible, more efficient, 

and less expensive—while also saving time and resources. The 

Committee recommends that the SEC issue proposed rules making 

several offering reforms for BDCs. 

Economic Analysis.—Since 2001, the SEC’s budget has increased 

almost over 250 percent. Based on the increases Congress has provided, the Commission should be able to provide for comprehensive 

economic analysis before promulgating rules that affect the capital 

markets. The Committee’s recommendation fully funds the Division 

of Economic and Risk Analysis to support increased hiring of economists to perform economic analysis before and after Commission 

rulemakings to better enhance the understanding of the economic 

impacts of Commission rulemakings. The Committee expects the 

SEC to expand this division and prioritize nonpartisan economic 


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analysis as a fundamental part of the Commission’s rulemaking 

process, especially with regard to how SEC rulemakings affect the 

overall U.S. economy. 

Data Transparency.—The Committee encourages the SEC to continue its efforts to implement consistent and searchable open data 

standards for information filed and submitted by publicly-traded 

companies and financial firms. The Committee further recommends 

that financial regulatory agencies across the U.S. government take 

similar steps to update reporting standards commensurate with 

currently available technology. 

Disclosures.—Effective disclosures are at the core of investor protection and must be timely, accurate, and understandable to both 

retail and institutional investors. Corporate disclosures should also 

be provided in an easily accessible format. The current disclosure 

regime system must be overhauled in order to eliminate obsolete 

and onerous disclosures, which the SEC has previously acknowledged. The Committee directs the SEC submit a report, within 90 

days of enactment of this Act, to the Committees on Appropriations 

of the House and Senate outlining the Commission’s efforts to modernize the disclosure requirements. 

Organizational Structure.—The Committee remains concerned 

that a lack of managerial accountability, focus, prioritization, and 

internal communication hampers the effectiveness of the SEC. The 

Committee has concurred with the recommendation put forth in 

the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report that the SEC must reorganize in order to become more efficient. While progress has been 

made in reorganizing certain offices, the Committee believes there 

is more to be done to make the Commission better able to respond 

to dynamic markets. The Committee again directs the SEC to provide an updated report on a reorganization plan outlining areas of 

improvement. Within the report the Committee directs the SEC to 

undertake a review of the overall organizational structure. This report is to be delivered to the Committees on Appropriations of the 

House and Senate within 90 days of enactment of this Act. 

Financial Accounting Standards.—The Committee continues to 

be concerned about maintaining U.S. sovereignty over financial accounting standards for U.S. publicly traded companies, and finds 

that the use of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 

could contribute to foreign governments and non-governmental organizations exerting influence over U.S. financial reporting, impacting the cost of capital and investment in the United States. Additionally, the Committee is concerned that without adequate input 

from stakeholders and Congress, any SEC rule mandating the use 

of IFRS would have attendant impacts on U.S. tax and accounting 

policies. The Committee recognizes that there are significant 

unreconciled, and possibly irreconcilable, differences between U.S. 

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and IFRS. The 

Committee expects any decision on IFRS to include significant 

input from Congress, U.S. institutions, investors and other stakeholders. 

Proxy advisory guidance.—The Committee directs the SEC, within 90 days of enactment of this Act, to report back to the Committees on Appropriations of the House and Senate, the House Committee on Financial Services and the Senate Committee on Banking, an analysis and evaluation regarding the Commission’s staff 


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issue guidance of June 30, 2014 (Proxy Voting Responsibilities of 

Investment Advisers and Availability of Exemptions from the 

Proxy Rules for Proxy Advisory Firms, Staff Legal Bulletin No. 20) 

on what additional Commission actions and activities may be needed to increase proxy advisory firm transparency and implement 

procedures and guidance requiring proxy advisory firms to disclose 

if a client is also a proponent of a shareholder proposal or competing director slate. The SEC report shall also include information 

on the impact of not disclosing specific conflicts of interest including a detailed analysis and evaluation of the costs, benefits and 

risks associated with such non-disclosure of specific conflicts of interest. 

Industry 7 Guide.—The Committee strongly encourages the SEC 

to update the Industry Guide 7 containing the SEC’s basic disclosure policy for mining in accordance with international modern 

practices. 

Rulemaking.—The Committee is concerned that rules promulgated by the SEC have been previously thrown out in court in part 

due to the Commission’s failure to meet statutory requirements to 

thoroughly review the potential economic repercussions of its rules. 

The Committee believes that the Commission has an obligation to 

consider the effects of new rules upon efficiency, competition, and 

capital formation. The Committee strongly encourages the Commission to undertake a review of the analysis used during the Commission’s rulemaking process to be sure the tangible economic impacts of its rules are considered before issuing final rules. 

The Committee directs the SEC to work cooperatively with the 

CFTC on all joint rulemakings as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall 

Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. 

SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $22,500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 22,900,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 22,500,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥400,000 

The Selective Service System was established by the Selective 

Service Act of 1948. The mission of the System is to be prepared 

to supply manpower to the Armed Forces adequate to ensure the 

security of the United States during a time of national emergency. 

Since 1973, the Armed Forces have relied on volunteers to fill military manpower requirements, but selective service registration was 

reinstituted in July 1980. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $22,500,000 for 

the Selective Service System. 

SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

The Small Business Administration (SBA) assists small businesses through programs including loans, grants, and contracting 

preferences. These programs maintain and strengthen an economy 


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that depends on small businesses for 60 to 80 percent of job creation. SBA programs also serve disadvantaged populations so that 

these small business enterprises may overcome economic and social 

obstacles to success. 

The recommendation provides a total of $852,542,000 for the 

SBA for fiscal year 2016. Detailed guidance for the SBA appropriations accounts is presented below. 

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $257,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 281,938,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 257,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥24,938,000 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $257,000,000 for the salaries and 

expenses of the SBA for fiscal year 2016. 

The Committee will continue to monitor the SBA’s use of the 

COMPETES Act to award prizes for certain programs. The Committee expects the SBA to carefully consider the appropriateness of 

the use of any diversion from Federal contracting. 

LINC program.—The Committee directs the SBA to make available on its website for each quarter of fiscal year 2016: (1) data collected from Leveraging Information and Networks to access Capital 

(LINC) program business applicants (excluding personally identifying applicant data); (2) data collected regarding the number, type 

and location of SBA intermediaries participating in the LINC program; and (3) data regarding matches and outcomes including 

loans closed between business applicants and participating intermediaries in the LINC program. 

SBIC Program Licensing.—The Committee believes the SBA Investment Division should consider reorganizing the Small Business 

Investment Company (SBIC) licensing process and personnel to 

more efficiently use the resources allocated. In particular, SBA 

should: combine the licensing and Management Assessment Questionnaire (MAQ) staff; reduce the number of licensing committees 

and steps for all applicants;and create a meaningful fast track 

process for repeat licensees that takes no longer than six weeks, 

which will allow SBA to focus their resources on first funds and ensure that there is a written record of the decisions made by the Investment Division for applicants and any court that might review 

such licensing decisions. 

Hiring.—The Committee expects the SBA to quickly fill open positions within SBA processing centers in order to keep up with loan 

processing demand. Consistent levels of staffing at these centers 

will keep the SBA loan program operating at the most efficient and 

effective level of service. 

The Committee recognizes the value of the 8(a) program in helping small and disadvantaged businesses compete in the marketplace. The bill provides sufficient funding to execute the 8(a) program. 


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ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $220,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 206,250,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 223,600,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +3,600,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... +17,350,000 

The SBA’s Entrepreneurial Development Programs support noncredit business assistance to entrepreneurs. The appropriation includes funding for a network of resource partners located throughout the United States that provide training, counseling, and technical assistance to small business entrepreneurs. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommendations for Entrepreneurial Development Programs, by program, are displayed in the following table: 

ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

[In thousands of dollars] 

7(j) Technical Assistance ................................................................................. $2,800 

Entrepreneurship Education .......................................................................... 11,000 

HUBZone Program .......................................................................................... 3,000 

Microloan Technical Assistance ...................................................................... 25,000 

National Women’s Business Council .............................................................. 1,500 

Native American Outreach ............................................................................. 2,000 

PRIME Technical Assistance .......................................................................... 5,000 

SCORE .............................................................................................................. 9,000 

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) ............................................ 117,000 

State & Trade Export Promotion (STEP) ...................................................... 18,000 

Veterans Outreach* ......................................................................................... 12,300 

Women’s Business Centers (WBC) ................................................................. 17,000 

Total, Entrepreneurial Development Programs $223,600 

*Veterans’ Programs includes funding for: Boots to Business, Veterans Business Outreach 

Centers (VBOC), Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship (V Wise), Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV), and Boots to Business reboot. 

The SBA shall not reduce these non-credit programs from the 

amounts specified above and the SBA shall not merge any of the 

non-credit programs without advance written approval from the 

Committee. The Committee strongly supports the development programs listed in the table above and will carefully monitor SBA support of these programs. 

Women’s Business Centers (WBC).—The Committee directs the 

Administrator to seek advice, input, and recommendations for policy changes from the association of women’s business centers to develop: (1) a training program for the staff of such centers, and (2) 

recommendations to improve the policies and procedures for governing the general operations and administration of the women’s 

business center program. 

The Committee notes the absence of WBCs serving many of the 

U.S. territories and other U.S. insular areas, and recommends that 

the SBA consider including these areas in WBC services. 

Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).—The Committee 

recognizes the important collaboration that is currently taking 

place between a number of small business development centers and 

local higher education institutions to provide technical assistance 

to small businesses. This collaboration provides students with practical experience in analyzing all aspects of business development 


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and management, while enhancing the capacity of small business 

development centers to meet demand for their services. The Committee encourages SBDCs to further identify opportunities to provide work-study and internship experiences to higher education 

students. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $19,400,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 19,900,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 19,900,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... +500,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $19,900,000 for the Office of Inspector General of the SBA for fiscal year 2016. 

OFFICE OF ADVOCACY

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $9,120,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 9,120,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 9,120,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends $9,120,000 for the Office of Advocacy of the SBA for fiscal year 2016. The Committee supports the 

Office’s mission to reduce regulatory burdens that Federal policies 

impose on small businesses and to maximize the benefits small 

businesses receive from the government. 

BUSINESS LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $195,226,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 156,064,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 156,064,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥39,162,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

The SBA Business Loans Program serves as an important source 

of capital for America’s small businesses. The recommendation supports the 7(a) business loan program, the 504 certified development 

company program, Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) debentures, and the Secondary Market Guarantee Program. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends a total of $156,064,000 for the Business Loans Program Account for fiscal year 2016. Of the amount 

appropriated, $152,725,828 is for administrative expenses related 

to business loan programs. The amount provided for administrative 

expenses may be transferred to and merged with the appropriation 

for SBA salaries and expenses to cover the common overhead expenses associated with business loans. 


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The amount provided for loan subsidies is reduced from the fiscal 

year 2016 level because subsidy rates have declined. The amount 

provided will support the same level or higher of lending but requires fewer government subsidy dollars. Funding is included to 

fully support the Microloan program. 

The Committee notes the mission of the Surety Bond Guarantee 

(SBG) program is to provide and manage surety bond guarantees 

for qualified small and emerging businesses, in direct partnership 

with surety companies and their agents, utilizing the most efficient 

and effective operational policies and procedures. The Committee is 

supportive of SBG’s efforts to encourage surety companies to bond 

small businesses who otherwise would have difficulty obtaining 

bonding on their own. 

DISASTER LOANS PROGRAM ACCOUNT

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $186,858,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016* ..................................................... 186,858,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 186,858,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... – – – 

*The Committee funds this program within its discretionary allocation. The Administration proposed funding most of these costs with a disaster cap adjustment. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

As required by the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990, the Congress is required to appropriate an amount sufficient to cover the 

subsidy costs associated with all direct loan obligations and loan 

guarantee commitments made in fiscal year 2016, as well as the 

administrative expenses of the loan programs. The Committee recommends a total of $186,858,000 for administrative expenses for 

fiscal year 2016. The Committee provides $1,000,000 for the Office 

of Inspector General for audits and reviews of the disaster loans 

program and $9,000,000 may be transferred to Salaries and Expenses for administrative expenses. 

The Committee wants to ensure that disaster victims have full 

access to SBA’s programs. The Committee has been very supportive 

of the SBA Disaster Loan Program in past fiscal years, including 

appropriating $804,000,000 for the Hurricane Sandy disaster in fiscal year 2013. However, SBA has not obligated all the funds appropriated for the Sandy Disaster and has continued to carry over 

large amounts of no-year funding for disaster subsidy. The Committee expects the SBA to take into consideration these balances 

in future requests. 

The Committee directs the SBA to continue providing updates on 

available resources for the disaster loans program on a monthly 

basis. 

Pre-mitigation activities within the Disaster Loan Program.—The 

Committee urges the SBA to coordinate with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to evaluate the feasibility of 

expanding the SBA Disaster Loan Program to allow applicants in 

areas of high flood or natural disaster risk to utilize loans for predisaster mitigation projects that adhere to FEMA’s standards of 

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term flood risk. The SBA shall coordinate with FEMA to weigh the 

financial exposure of the SBA against the potential reduction of 

claims payments from the NFIP. 

ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS—SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Section 512. The Committee continues a provision for the SBA 

authorizing transfers of up to five percent of any SBA appropriation to other appropriations, provided that transfers do not increase 

an appropriation by more than 10 percent. The provision also requires that transfers be treated as a reprogramming of funds. 

Section 513. The Committee continues a provision waiving 7(a) 

loan guarantee fees for veterans and their spouses. 

UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE

PAYMENT TO THE POSTAL SERVICE FUND

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $70,000,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 67,234,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 55,075,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥14,925,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥12,159,000 

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is funded almost entirely by Postal ratepayers rather than taxpayers. Funds provided 

to the Postal Service in the Payment to the Postal Service Fund include appropriations for revenue forgone including providing free 

mail for the blind, and for overseas absentee voting. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends appropriations totaling $55,075,000 

for Payment to the Postal Service Fund. In prior years, these funds 

were provided as an advance. The Committee believes that the 

funding provided in this appropriation should be provided in the 

year in which the estimated costs occur. 

The recommendation provides for the USPS’ estimate of free mail for the blind and overseas voting ($49,923,000), reconciliation of 

prior year cost adjustment (¥$23,848,000) and $29,000,000 for revenue forgone as authorized by 39 U.S.C. 2401(d). The recommendation includes language requiring the Postal Service to maintain and 

comply with service standards for First Class Mail and periodicals 

effective on July 1, 2012. 

The Committee appreciates the work of the Postal Service Office 

of Inspector General (OIG) and the Advisory Council on Historic 

Preservation (ACHP) in reviewing the Postal Service’s relocation 

and disposal process for historic properties. The Committee believes the Postal Service should refrain from the relocation of services from historic post offices, and should suspend the sale of any 

historic post office until it is has implemented the recommendations of the OIG and ACHP. 

Title 39 of the U.S. Code requires the Postal Service to provide 

the public with notice prior to closing or consolidating a post office. 

The Committee understands that it is the Postal Service’s policy to 

inform Member of Congress’ district and Washington, D.C. offices 

when the public receives notice. The Committee directs the Postal 


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Service to keep Members of Congress informed of Postal Service activities impacting their constituents and expects the Postal Service 

to ensure that Members of Congress are appropriately informed simultaneously or prior to all public notices. 

The Committee is pleased with the passage of the Multinational 

Species Conservation Fund Semi-postal Stamp Reauthorization 

Act, but is concerned that sales of the stamp will not improve without support from the USPS. The Committee directs the Postmaster 

General to submit a report, within 90 days of enactment of this 

Act, on the actions planned and taken by the USPS to increase 

sales of the stamp. Last September, P.L. 113–165 reauthorized the 

printing of the Multinational Species Conservation Fund semi-postal stamp for an additional 4 years. Although the US Postal Service 

reissued the stamp as directed by Congress, little effort was made 

to make the public aware of the stamp’s return and sales during 

the holiday season were disappointing. 

The Committee is concerned by reports that the Postal Service 

is not fully engaging with states and other units of government 

that are seeking to acquire non-historic and underutilized Postal 

Service owned or leased properties and spaces. The Committee believes that all parties should make every effort to negotiate in good 

faith, and to facilitate the use of these properties and spaces by 

state and local governments, especially when the transaction is intended for a public purpose or for public infrastructure expansion. 

OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $243,883,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 250,729,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 243,883,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... – – – 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥6,846,000 

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) conducts audits, reviews 

and investigations, and keeps Congress informed on the efficiency 

and economy of United States Postal Service (USPS) programs and 

operations. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $243,883,000 for 

the OIG. 

UNITED STATES TAX COURT

SALARIES AND EXPENSES

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ......................................................... $51,300,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ....................................................... 53,800,000 

Recommended in the bill ................................................................... 51,000,000 

Bill compared with: 

Appropriation, fiscal year 2015 ...................................................... ¥300,000 

Budget request, fiscal year 2016 ................................................... ¥2,800,000 

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claratory judgments in the areas of qualifications of retirement 

plans and exemptions of charitable organizations, and to decide 

certain cases involving disclosure of tax information by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Committee recommends an appropriation of $51,000,000 for 

the U.S. Tax Court. 

TITLE VI—GENERAL PROVISIONS—THIS ACT 

Section 601. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

pay and other expenses for non-Federal parties in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings funded in this Act. 

Section 602. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

obligations beyond the current fiscal year and prohibits transfers of 

funds unless expressly so provided herein. 

Section 603. The Committee continues the provision limiting procurement contracts for consulting service expenditures to contracts 

that are matters of public record and available for public inspection. 

Section 604. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

transfer of funds in this Act without express authority. 

Section 605. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the use of funds to engage in activities that would prohibit the enforcement of section 307 of the 1930 Tariff Act. 

Section 606. The Committee continues the provision concerning 

compliance with the Buy American Act. 

Section 607. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the use of funds by any person or entity convicted of violating the 

Buy American Act. 

Section 608. The Committee continues the provision specifying 

reprogramming procedures. The provision requires that agencies or 

entities funded by the Act notify the Committee and obtain prior 

approval from the Committee for any reprogramming of funds that: 

(1) creates a new program; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases funds or personnel for any program, project, or 

activity for which funds have been denied or restricted by the Congress; (4) proposes to use funds directed for a specific activity by 

either the House or Senate Committees on Appropriations for a different purpose; (5) augments existing programs, projects, or activities in excess of $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; (6) reduces existing programs, projects, or activities by $5,000,000 or 10 

percent, whichever is less; or (7) reorganizes offices, programs, or 

activities. The provision directs agencies funded by this Act to consult with the Committee prior to any significant reorganization. 

The provision also directs the agencies funded by this Act to submit 

operating plans for the Committee’s review within 60 days of the 

bill’s enactment. 

Section 609. The Committee continues the provision providing 

that fifty percent of unobligated balances may remain available 

through September 30, 2017, for certain purposes. 

Section 610. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funding for the Executive Office of the President to request either 

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ternal Revenue Service determination with respect to section 

501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, except with the express consent of the individual involved in an investigation or in 

extraordinary circumstances involving national security. 

Section 611. The Committee continues the provision regarding 

cost accounting standards for contracts under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. 

Section 612. The Committee continues the provision regarding 

non-foreign area cost of living allowances. 

Section 613. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the expenditure of funds for abortion under the Federal Employees 

Health Benefits Program. 

Section 614. The Committee continues the provision making exceptions to the preceding provision where the life of the mother is 

in danger or the pregnancy is a result of an act of rape or incest. 

Section 615. The Committee continues the provision carried annually since 2004 waiving restrictions on the purchase of non-domestic articles, materials, and supplies in the case of acquisition of 

information technology by the Federal Government. 

Section 616. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

officers or employees of any regulatory agency or commission funded by this Act from accepting travel payments or reimbursements 

from a person or entity regulated by such agency or commission. 

Section 617. The Committee continues the provision permitting 

the Securities and Exchange Commission and Commodities Futures Trading Commission to fund a joint advisory committee to 

advise on emerging regulatory issues, notwithstanding Section 708 

of this Act. 

Section 618. The Committee continues the provision requiring 

certain agencies in this Act to consult with the General Services 

Administration before seeking new office space or making alterations to existing office space. 

Section 619. The Committee continues language providing for 

several appropriated mandatory accounts. These are accounts 

where authorizing language requires the payment of funds. The 

Congressional Budget Office estimates the cost for the following 

programs addressed in this provision: $450,000 for Compensation 

of the President including $50,000 for expenses, $132,000,000 for 

the Judicial Retirement Funds (Judicial Officers’ Retirement Fund, 

Judicial Survivors’ Annuities Fund, and the United States Court of 

Federal Claims Judges’ Retirement Fund), $11,908,000,000 for the 

Government Payment for Annuitants, Employee Health Benefits, 

$49,000,000 for the Government Payment for Annuitants, Employee Life Insurance, and $8,872,000,000 for the Payment to the 

Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. 

Section 620. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funds for the Federal Trade Commission to complete the draft report entitled ‘‘Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to 

Children: Preliminary Proposed Nutrition Principles to Guide Industry Self-Regulatory Efforts’’ unless the Interagency Working 

Group on Food Marketed to Children complies with Executive 

Order 13563, including the requirement in it to provide quantified 

present and future benefits and costs. 

Section 621. The Committee modifies the provision prohibiting 

funding for certain czars including the Director of the White House 


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Office of Health Reform, the Assistant to the President for Energy 

and Climate Change, the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the 

Treasury assigned to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry and Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy, and the 

White House Director of Urban Affairs, or any substantially similar 

positions. 

Section 622. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funds in contravention of the Federal Records Act. 

Section 623. The Committee includes language requiring certain 

regulatory agencies to provide a report on increasing public participation in rulemaking, improving coordination among Federal agencies, and identifying ineffective or excessively burdensome regulations. 

Section 624. The Committee includes language prohibiting the 

obligation of funds in fiscal year 2016 from the Securities and Exchange Commission Reserve Fund established by the Dodd-Frank 

Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The Committee 

believes the Commission should request the level of funding it believes is necessary in any given fiscal year and not have access to 

reserve funding that is outside of the Congressional review process. 

Section 625. The Committee includes language prohibiting funds 

for the Securities and Exchange Commission to require the disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations, or dues paid to trade associations. 

Section 626. The Committee includes a provision repealing the 

indemnification agreement for swap data repositories and replaces 

it with a confidentiality agreement. 

Section 627. The Committee includes language prohibiting agencies from requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disclose 

electronic communications information in a manner that violates 

the Fourth Amendment. 

Section 628. The Committee includes language prohibiting the 

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from implementing, 

administering, or enforcing any rule unless the FCC publishes the 

text of the rule 21 days before a vote on the rule. 

Section 629. The Committee includes language prohibiting the 

Federal Communications Commission from regulating rates for either broadband or wireless internet providers. 

Section 630. The Committee includes language prohibiting the 

Federal Communications Commission from implementing FCC 

Order 15–24 regarding open internet until specific court challenges 

have been resolved. 

Section 631. The Committee includes a new provision prohibiting 

the Financial Stability Oversight Council from designating 

nonbanks as systemically important financial institutions until it 

identifies the risks to financial stability presented by the nonbank 

and allows the nonbank to present a plan to modify its business, 

structure, or operation to mitigate the identified risk prior to final 

designation. 

Section 632. The Committee includes a new provision prohibiting 

the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection from implementing a 

rule regarding the use of arbitration until the Bureau addresses 

certain requirements. 

Section 633. The Committee includes a new provision prohibiting, in fiscal year 2016, implementation of a rule adopted by the 


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Federal Communications Commission on March 31, 2014 (FCC 14- 

28) related to joint sales agreements. 

TITLE VII—GENERAL PROVISIONS—GOVERNMENT-WIDE 

DEPARTMENTS, AGENCIES, AND CORPORATIONS

(INCLUDING TRANSFER OF FUNDS)

Section 701. The Committee continues the provision requiring 

agencies to administer a policy designed to ensure that all of its 

workplaces are free from the illegal use of controlled substances. 

Section 702. The Committee continues the provision establishing 

price limitations on vehicles to be purchased by the Federal Government with an exemption for the purchase of electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. 

Section 703. The Committee continues the provision allowing 

funds made available to agencies for travel to also be used for 

quarters allowances and cost-of-living allowances. 

Section 704. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the employment of noncitizens with certain exceptions. 

Section 705. The Committee continues, with modification, the 

provision giving agencies the authority to pay General Services Administration bills for space renovation and other services. 

Section 706. The Committee continues the provision allowing 

agencies to finance the costs of recycling and waste prevention programs with proceeds from the sale of materials recovered through 

such programs. 

Section 707. The Committee continues the provision providing 

that funds made available to corporations and agencies subject to 

31 U.S.C. 91 may pay rent and other service costs in the District 

of Columbia. 

Section 708. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

interagency financing of groups absent prior statutory approval. 

Section 709. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the use of funds for enforcing regulations disapproved in accordance with the applicable law of the U.S. 

Section 710. The Committee continues the provision limiting the 

amount of funds that can be used for redecoration of offices under 

certain circumstances. 

Section 711. The Committee continues the provision to allow for 

interagency funding of national security and emergency telecommunications initiatives. 

Section 712. The Committee continues the provision requiring 

agencies to certify that a Schedule C appointment was not created 

solely or primarily to detail the employee to the White House. 

Section 713. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the payment of any employee who prohibits, threatens or prevents 

another employee from communicating with Congress. 

Section 714. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

Federal training not directly related to the performance of official 

duties. 

Section 715. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting, 

other than for normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, propaganda, publicity and lobbying by executive agency personnel in support or defeat of legislative initiatives. 


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Section 716. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

any Federal agency from disclosing an employee’s home address, 

telephone number, or email to any labor organization, absent employee authorization or court order. 

Section 717. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funds to be used to provide non-public information such as mailing, 

telephone, or electronic mailing lists to any person or organization 

outside the government without the approval of the Committees on 

Appropriations. 

Section 718. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the use of funds for propaganda and publicity purposes not authorized by Congress. 

Section 719. The Committee continues the provision directing 

agency employees to use official time in an honest effort to perform 

official duties. 

Section 720. The Committee continues the provision authorizing 

the use of funds to finance an appropriate share of the Federal Accounting Standards Advisory Board. 

Section 721. The Committee continues the provision authorizing agencies to transfer $17,000,000 to the Government-wide Policy account of the General Services Administration to finance an appropriate share of various government-wide boards and councils. 

Section 722. The Committee continues the provision that permits 

breastfeeding in a Federal building or on Federal property if the 

woman and child are authorized to be there. 

Section 723. The Committee continues the provision that permits 

interagency funding of the National Science and Technology Council and provides for a report on the budget and resources of the National Science and Technology Council. 

Section 724. The Committee continues the provision, with modification, requiring documents involving the distribution of Federal 

funds to indicate the agency providing the funds and the amount 

provided. 

Section 725. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the use of funds to monitor personal access or use of Internet sites 

or to collect, review, or obtain any personally identifiable information relating to access to or use of an Internet site. 

Section 726. The Committee continues a provision requiring 

health plans participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to provide contraceptive coverage and provides exemptions to certain religious plans. 

Section 727. The Committee continues language supporting strict 

adherence to anti-doping activities. 

Section 728. The Committee continues a provision allowing funds 

for official travel to be used by departments and agencies, if consistent with OMB Circular A–126, to participate in the fractional 

aircraft ownership pilot program. 

Section 729. The Committee continues a provision prohibiting 

funds for implementation of Office of Personnel Management regulations limiting detailees to the Legislative Branch, and implementing limitations on the Coast Guard Congressional Fellowship 

Program. 

Section 730. The Committee continues the provision that restricts the use of funds for Federal law enforcement training facilities. 


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Section 731. The Committee continues the provision that prohibits Executive Branch agencies from creating prepackaged news 

stories that are broadcast or distributed in the United States unless the story includes a clear notification within the text or audio 

of such news story that the prepackaged news story was prepared 

or funded by that executive branch agency. This provision confirms 

the opinion of the Government Accountability Office dated February 17, 2005 (B–304272). 

Section 732. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

use of funds in contravention of section 552a of title 5, United 

States Code (the Privacy Act) and regulations implementing that 

section. 

Section 733. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funds from being used for any Federal Government contract with 

any foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation. 

Section 734. The Committee continues the provision requiring 

agencies to pay a fee to the Office of Personnel Management for 

processing retirement of employees who separate under Voluntary 

Early Retirement Authority or who receive Voluntary Separation 

Incentive payments. 

Section 735. The Committee includes language prohibiting funds 

to require any entity submitting an offer for a Federal contract or 

participating in an acquisition to disclose political contributions. 

Section 736. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funds for the painting of a portrait of an employee of the Federal 

Government including the President, the Vice President, a Member 

of Congress, the head of an executive branch agency, or the head 

of an office of the legislative branch. 

Section 737. The Committee continues the provision limiting the 

pay increases of certain prevailing rate employees. 

Section 738. The Committee continues a provision eliminating 

automatic statutory pay increases for the Vice President, political 

appointees paid under the executive schedule, ambassadors who 

are not career members of the Foreign Service, politically appointed (noncareer) Senior Executive Service employees, and any 

other senior political appointee paid at or above level IV of the executive schedule. 

Section 739. The Committee continues a provision requiring 

agencies to submit reports to Inspectors General concerning expenditures for agency conferences. 

Section 740. The Committee continues a provision, with modification, prohibiting funds to be used to increase, eliminate, or reduce 

funding for a program or project unless such change is made pursuant to reprogramming or transfer provisions. 

Section 741. The Committee continues the provision ensuring 

contractors are not prevented from reporting waste, fraud, or abuse 

by signing confidentiality agreements that would prohibit such disclosure. 

Section 742. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

the expenditure of funds for the implementation of certain nondisclosure agreements unless certain provisions are included in the 

agreements. 

Section 743. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funds to any corporation with certain unpaid Federal tax liabilities 


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unless an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the 

corporation and made a determination that further action is not 

necessary to protect the interests of the Government. 

Section 744. The Committee continues the provision prohibiting 

funds to any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal 

violation within the preceding 24 months unless an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination that further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government. 

Section 745. The Committee includes a provision prohibiting 

funds from implementing, administering, carrying out, modifying, 

revising, or enforcing Executive Order 13690. 

Section 746. The Committee continues the provision concerning 

the non-application of these general provisions to title IV and to 

title VIII. 

TITLE VIII—GENERAL PROVISIONS—DISTRICT OF 

COLUMBIA 

(INCLUDING TRANSFERS OF FUNDS)

Section 801. The Committee continues language that appropriates funds for refunding overpayments of taxes collected and for 

paying settlements and judgments against the District of Columbia 

government. 

Section 802. The Committee continues language prohibiting the 

use of Federal funds for publicity or propaganda purposes. 

Section 803. The Committee continues language establishing reprogramming procedures for Federal and local funds. 

Section 804. The Committee continues language prohibiting the 

use of Federal funds to provide salaries or other costs associated 

with the offices of United States Senator or Representative. 

Section 805. The Committee continues modified language restricting the use of official vehicles to official duties. 

Section 806. The Committee continues language prohibiting the 

use of Federal funds for any petition drive or civil action which 

seeks to require Congress to provide for voting representation in 

Congress for the District of Columbia. 

Section 807. The Committee includes language prohibiting the 

use of Federal funds for needle exchange programs. 

Section 808. The Committee continues language providing for a 

‘‘conscience clause’’ on legislation that pertains to contraceptive 

coverage by health insurance plans. 

Section 809. The Committee continues language prohibiting the 

use of Federal funds to legalize or reduce penalties associated with 

the possession, use, or distribution on any schedule I substance 

under the Controlled Substances Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols 

derivative. 

Language is also included prohibiting local and Federal funds to 

legalize or reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or 

distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative for recreational 

use. 

Section 810. The Committee continues the provision that prohibits the use of funds for abortion except in the cases of rape or 

incest or if necessary to save the life of the mother. 


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Section 811. The Committee continues language requiring the 

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to submit a revised operating budget 

for all agencies in the D.C. government, no later than 30 calendar 

days after the enactment of this Act that realigns budgeted data 

with anticipated actual expenditures. 

Section 812. The Committee continues language requiring the 

CFO to submit a revised operating budget for D.C. Public Schools, 

no later than 30 calendar days after the enactment of this Act, that 

realigns school budgets to actual school enrollment. 

Section 813. The Committee continues language allowing the 

transfer of local funds and capital and enterprise funds. 

Section 814. The Committee continues language prohibiting the 

obligation of Federal funds beyond the current fiscal year and 

transfers of funds unless expressly provided herein. 

Section 815. The Committee continues language providing that 

not to exceed 50 percent of unobligated balances from Federal appropriations for salaries and expenses may remain available for 

certain purposes. This provision will apply to the District of Columbia Courts, the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency 

and the District of Columbia Public Defender Service. 

Section 816. The Committee continues language appropriating 

local funds during fiscal year 2017 if there is an absence of a continuing resolution or regular appropriation for the District of Columbia. Funds are provided under the same authorities and conditions and in the same manner and extent as provided for in fiscal 

year 2016. 

Section 817. The Committee continues language limiting references to ‘‘this Act’’ as referring to only this title and title IV. 

Section 818. The Committee includes a new provision prohibiting 

funds from being used to carry out the Reproductive Health NonDiscrimination Amendment Act of 2014 (D.C. Law 20-261) or to implement any rule or regulation promulgated to carry out such Act. 

TITLE IX—ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISIONS 

Section 901. The Committee includes a new provision prohibiting 

funds to pay for an abortion or the administrative expenses in connection with a multi-State qualified health plan offered under a 

contract under section 1334 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which provides any benefits or coverage for abortions 

with exceptions where the life of the mother would be endangered 

if the fetus were carried to term, or the pregnancy is the result of 

an act of rape or incest. 

SPENDING REDUCTION ACCOUNT

Section 902. The Committee includes a provision establishing a 

‘‘Spending Reduction Account’’ in the bill. 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REPORT REQUIREMENTS 

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


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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. 

RESCISSION OF FUNDS

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

of Representatives, the following table is submitted describing the 

rescissions recommended in the accompanying bill: 

Treasury Forfeiture Fund .................................................................. $720,000,000 

TRANSFER OF FUNDS

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

of Representatives, the following is submitted describing the transfer of funds provided in the accompanying bill: 

UNDER TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY 

Under the Department of the Treasury, ‘‘Departmental Offices, 

Salaries and Expenses’’, transfers are allowed from unobligated 

funding provided to the ‘‘Department-wide Systems and Capital Investments Programs’’ to ‘‘Departmental Offices, Salaries and Expenses’’. 

Section 101 allows the transfer of five percent of any appropriation made available to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to any 

other IRS appropriation, subject to prior congressional approval. 

Section 116 authorizes transfers, up to two percent, between Departmental Offices, Office of Inspector General, Special Inspector 

General for Troubled Asset Relief Program, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Program Fund Account appropriations under 

certain circumstances. 

Section 117 authorizes transfers, up to two percent, between the 

IRS and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration 

under certain circumstances. 

Section 119 authorizes the transfer of funds from the ‘‘Bureau of 

the Fiscal Service’’ to the ‘‘Debt Collection Fund’’ as necessary to 

cover the cost of debt collection. 

UNDER TITLE II—EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT 

Language is included under Federal Drug Control Programs, 

‘‘High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program’’, which allows for 

the transfer of funds to Federal departments or agencies and State 

and local entities. 

Language is included under ‘‘Other Federal Drug Control Programs’’, allowing the transfer of funds to other Federal departments and agencies to carry out activities. 


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Language is included under ‘‘Information Technology Oversight 

and Reform’’, allowing the transfer of funds to other agencies to 

carry out projects. 

Language is included under the Official Residence of the Vice 

President, ‘‘Operating Expenses’’, allowing the transfer of funds to 

other Federal departments or agencies. 

Section 201 permits the Executive Office of the President to 

transfer up to 10 percent of any appropriation, subject to approval 

of the Committee. 

UNDER TITLE III—THE JUDICIARY 

Language is included under ‘‘Courts of Appeals, District Courts, 

and Other Judicial Services, Court Security’’, allowing funds to be 

transferred to the United States Marshals Service for courthouse 

security. 

Section 302 permits the Judiciary to transfer up to five percent 

of any appropriation with certain limitations. 

UNDER TITLE V—INDEPENDENT AGENCIES 

Under Title V, Independent Agencies, a number of transfers are 

allowed. 

(1) Under the General Services Administration, amounts may be 

transferred within the Federal Buildings Fund, under certain circumstances, after approval of the Committee on Appropriations. 

(2) Under the General Services Administration, ‘‘Operating Expenses’’, amounts not to exceed five percent may be transferred to 

the appropriation for ‘‘Real and Personal Property Management 

and Disposal’’. 

(3) Under the General Services Administration, ‘‘Federal Citizens 

Services Fund’’, transfers are allowed from the Federal Citizens 

Services Fund to Federal agencies. 

(4) Under the General Services Administration, ‘‘Federal Citizens 

Services Fund’’, transfers are allowed from unobligated funding 

provided to the ‘‘Electronic Government Fund’’ to the Federal Citizens Services Fund. 

(5) Under the General Services Administration, ‘‘Pre-Election 

Presidential Transition’’, transfers are allowed from the ‘‘Acquisition Services Fund’’ or ‘‘Federal Buildings Fund’’ to Pre-Election 

Presidential Transition. 

(6) Section 506 permits the General Services Administration to 

transfer funds in the Federal Buildings Fund after approval of the 

Committee on Appropriations. 

(7) Under Merit Systems Protection Board, an amount is transferred from the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. 

(8) Under Office of Personnel Management, amounts from certain 

trust funds are transferred to the Salaries and Expenses and Office 

of Inspector General accounts for administrative expenses; 

(9) Under the Postal Regulatory Commission, amounts are transferred from the Postal Service Fund; 

(10) Under Small Business Administration, Business Loans Program Account, amounts may be transferred to and merged with 

Salaries and Expenses. 


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(11) Under Small Business Administration, Disaster Loans Program Account, amounts may be transferred to and merged with the 

Office of Inspector General, and Salaries and Expenses. 

(12) Section 509 permits the Small Business Administration, to 

transfer funds between appropriations of the Small Business Administration. 

(13) Under United States Postal Service, Office of Inspector General, amounts are transferred from the Postal Service Fund. 

UNDER TITLE VII—GOVERNMENT-WIDE 

Section 721 authorizes departments and agencies to transfer 

funds to the General Services Administration to support certain financial, information technology, procurement and other management initiatives. 

UNDER TITLE VIII—GENERAL PROVISIONS, DISTRICT OF 

COLUMBIA 

Section 803 authorizes the District of Columbia to transfer local 

funds and section 813 allows transfer funds between operations 

and capital accounts. 

DISCLOSURE OF EARMARKS AND CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED

SPENDING ITEMS

Neither the bill nor the report contains any Congressional earmarks, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits as defined in 

clause 9 of rule XXI of the Rules of the House of Representatives. 

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): 

DODD-FRANK WALL STREET REFORM AND CONSUMER 

PROTECTION ACT 

(Public Law 111-203) 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE I—FINANCIAL STABILITY 

* * * * * * * 

Subtitle B—Office of Financial Research 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 155. FUNDING. 

(a) FINANCIAL RESEARCH FUND.— 

(1) FUND ESTABLISHED.—There is established in the Treasury 

of the United States a separate fund to be known as the ‘‘Financial Research Fund’’. 


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(2) FUND RECEIPTS.—All amounts provided to the Office 

under subsection (c), and all assessments that the Office receives under subsection (d) shall be deposited into the Financial Research Fund. 

(3) INVESTMENTS AUTHORIZED.— 

(A) AMOUNTS IN FUND MAY BE INVESTED.—The Director 

may request the Secretary to invest the portion of the Financial Research Fund that is not, in the judgment of the 

Director, required to meet the needs of the Office. 

(B) ELIGIBLE INVESTMENTS.—Investments shall be made 

by the Secretary in obligations of the United States or obligations that are guaranteed as to principal and interest by 

the United States, with maturities suitable to the needs of 

the Financial Research Fund, as determined by the Director. 

(4) INTEREST AND PROCEEDS CREDITED.—The interest on, and 

the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations 

held in the Financial Research Fund shall be credited to and 

form a part of the Financial Research Fund. 

(b) USE OF FUNDS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds obtained by, transferred to, or credited to the Financial Research Fund shall be øimmediately¿ 

available to the Office as provided for in appropriations Acts, 

and shall remain available until expended, to pay the expenses 

of the Office in carrying out the duties and responsibilities of 

the Office. 

ø(2) FEES, ASSESSMENTS, AND OTHER FUNDS NOT GOVERNMENT FUNDS.—Funds obtained by, transferred to, or credited to 

the Financial Research Fund shall not be construed to be Government funds or appropriated moneys.¿ 

ø(3)¿ (2) AMOUNTS NOT SUBJECT TO APPORTIONMENT.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts in the Financial Research Fund shall not be subject to apportionment 

for purposes of chapter 15 of title 31, United States Code, or 

under any other authority, or for any other purpose. 

(c) INTERIM FUNDING.—During the 2-year period following the 

date of enactment of this Act, the Board of Governors shall provide 

to the Office an amount sufficient to cover the expenses of the Office. 

(d) øPERMANENT SELF-FUNDING.—¿ ASSESSMENT SCHEDULEBeginning 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the 

Secretary shall establish, by regulation, and with the approval of 

the Council, an assessment schedule, including the assessment 

base and rates, applicable to bank holding companies with total 

consolidated assets of 50,000,000,000 or greater and nonbank financial companies supervised by the Board of Governors, that 

takes into account differences among such companies, based on the 

considerations for establishing the prudential standards under section 115, to collect assessments equal to the total expenses of the 

Office. 

* * * * * * * 


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TITLE X—BUREAU OF CONSUMER 

FINANCIAL PROTECTION 

* * * * * * * 

Subtitle A—Bureau of Consumer Financial 

Protection 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 1017. FUNDING; PENALTIES AND FINES. 

(a) TRANSFER OF FUNDS FROM BOARD OF GOVERNORS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—Each year (or quarter of such year), beginning on the designated transfer date, and each quarter thereafter, the Board of Governors shall transfer to the Bureau from 

the combined earnings of the Federal Reserve System, the 

amount determined by the Director to be reasonably necessary 

to carry out the authorities of the Bureau under Federal consumer financial law, taking into account such other sums made 

available to the Bureau from the preceding year (or quarter of 

such year). 

(2) FUNDING CAP.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding paragraph (1), and in 

accordance with this paragraph, the amount that shall be 

transferred to the Bureau in each fiscal year shall not exceed a fixed percentage of the total operating expenses of 

the Federal Reserve System, as reported in the Annual Report, 2009, of the Board of Governors, equal to— 

(i) 10 percent of such expenses in fiscal year 2011; 

(ii) 11 percent of such expenses in fiscal year 2012; 

and 

(iii) 12 percent of such expenses in fiscal year 2013, 

and in each year thereafter. 

(B) ADJUSTMENT OF AMOUNT.—The dollar amount referred to in subparagraph (A)(iii) shall be adjusted annually, using the percent increase, if any, in the employment 

cost index for total compensation for State and local government workers published by the Federal Government, or 

the successor index thereto, for the 12-month period ending on September 30 of the year preceding the transfer. 

ø(C) REVIEWABILITY.—Notwithstanding any other provision in this title, the funds derived from the Federal Reserve System pursuant to this subsection shall not be subject to review by the Committees on Appropriations of the 

House of Representatives and the Senate.¿ 

(3) TRANSITION PERIOD.—Beginning on the date of enactment 

of this Act and until the designated transfer date, the Board 

of Governors shall transfer to the Bureau the amount estimated by the Secretary needed to carry out the authorities 

granted to the Bureau under Federal consumer financial law, 

from the date of enactment of this Act until the designated 

transfer date. 

(4) BUDGET AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT.— 


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(A) FINANCIAL OPERATING PLANS AND FORECASTS.—The 

Director shall provide to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget copies of the financial operating 

plans and forecasts of the Director, as prepared by the Director in the ordinary course of the operations of the Bureau, and copies of the quarterly reports of the financial 

condition and results of operations of the Bureau, as prepared by the Director in the ordinary course of the operations of the Bureau. 

(B) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.—The Bureau shall prepare 

annually a statement of— 

(i) assets and liabilities and surplus or deficit; 

(ii) income and expenses; and 

(iii) sources and application of funds. 

(C) FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS.—The Bureau 

shall implement and maintain financial management systems that comply substantially with Federal financial 

management systems requirements and applicable Federal 

accounting standards. 

(D) ASSERTION OF INTERNAL CONTROLS.—The Director 

shall provide to the Comptroller General of the United 

States an assertion as to the effectiveness of the internal 

controls that apply to financial reporting by the Bureau, 

using the standards established in section 3512(c) of title 

31, United States Code. 

(E) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—This subsection may not 

be construed as implying any obligation on the part of the 

Director to consult with or obtain the consent or approval 

of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 

with respect to any report, plan, forecast, or other information referred to in subparagraph (A) or any jurisdiction or 

oversight over the affairs or operations of the Bureau. 

(F) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.—The financial statements of 

the Bureau shall not be consolidated with the financial 

statements of either the Board of Governors or the Federal 

Reserve System. 

(5) AUDIT OF THE BUREAU.— (A) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General shall annually audit the financial transactions of the Bureau in accordance with the United States generally accepted government auditing standards, as may be prescribed by the 

Comptroller General of the United States. The audit shall 

be conducted at the place or places where accounts of the 

Bureau are normally kept. The representatives of the Government Accountability Office shall have access to the personnel and to all books, accounts, documents, papers, 

records (including electronic records), reports, files, and all 

other papers, automated data, things, or property belonging to or under the control of or used or employed by the 

Bureau pertaining to its financial transactions and necessary to facilitate the audit, and such representatives 

shall be afforded full facilities for verifying transactions 

with the balances or securities held by depositories, fiscal 

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Bureau shall remain in possession and custody of the Bureau. The Comptroller General may obtain and duplicate 

any such books, accounts, documents, records, working papers, automated data and files, or other information relevant to such audit without cost to the Comptroller General, and the right of access of the Comptroller General to 

such information shall be enforceable pursuant to section 

716(c) of title 31, United States Code. 

(B) REPORT.—The Comptroller General shall submit to 

the Congress a report of each annual audit conducted 

under this subsection. The report to the Congress shall set 

forth the scope of the audit and shall include the statement of assets and liabilities and surplus or deficit, the 

statement of income and expenses, the statement of 

sources and application of funds, and such comments and 

information as may be deemed necessary to inform Congress of the financial operations and condition of the Bureau, together with such recommendations with respect 

thereto as the Comptroller General may deem advisable. A 

copy of each report shall be furnished to the President and 

to the Bureau at the time submitted to the Congress. 

(C) ASSISTANCE AND COSTS.—For the purpose of conducting an audit under this subsection, the Comptroller 

General may, in the discretion of the Comptroller General, 

employ by contract, without regard to section 3709 of the 

Revised Statutes of the United States (41 U.S.C. 5), professional services of firms and organizations of certified public accountants for temporary periods or for special purposes. Upon the request of the Comptroller General, the 

Director of the Bureau shall transfer to the Government 

Accountability Office from funds available, the amount requested by the Comptroller General to cover the full costs 

of any audit and report conducted by the Comptroller General. The Comptroller General shall credit funds transferred to the account established for salaries and expenses 

of the Government Accountability Office, and such amount 

shall be available upon receipt and without fiscal year limitation to cover the full costs of the audit and report. 

(b) CONSUMER FINANCIAL PROTECTION FUND.— 

(1) SEPARATE FUND IN FEDERAL RESERVE ESTABLISHED.— 

There is established in the Federal Reserve a separate fund, to 

be known as the ‘‘Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection 

Fund’’ (referred to in this section as the ‘‘Bureau Fund’’). The 

Bureau Fund shall be maintained and established at a Federal 

reserve bank, in accordance with such requirements as the 

Board of Governors may impose. 

(2) FUND RECEIPTS.—All amounts transferred to the Bureau 

under subsection (a) shall be deposited into the Bureau Fund. 

(3) INVESTMENT AUTHORITY.— 

(A) AMOUNTS IN BUREAU FUND MAY BE INVESTED.—The 

Bureau may request the Board of Governors to direct the 

investment of the portion of the Bureau Fund that is not, 

in the judgment of the Bureau, required to meet the current needs of the Bureau. 


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(B) ELIGIBLE INVESTMENTS.—Investments authorized by 

this paragraph shall be made in obligations of the United 

States or obligations that are guaranteed as to principal 

and interest by the United States, with maturities suitable 

to the needs of the Bureau Fund, as determined by the Bureau. 

(C) INTEREST AND PROCEEDS CREDITED.—The interest on, 

and the proceeds from the sale or redemption of, any obligations held in the Bureau Fund shall be credited to the 

Bureau Fund. 

(c) USE OF FUNDS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Funds obtained by, transferred to, or credited to the Bureau Fund shall be immediately available to the 

Bureau and under the control of the Director, and shall remain 

available until expended, to pay the expenses of the Bureau in 

carrying out its duties and responsibilities. The compensation 

of the Director and other employees of the Bureau and all 

other expenses thereof may be paid from, obtained by, transferred to, or credited to the Bureau Fund under this section. 

(2) FUNDS THAT ARE NOT GOVERNMENT FUNDS.—Funds obtained by or transferred to the Bureau Fund shall not be construed to be Government funds or appropriated monies. 

(3) AMOUNTS NOT SUBJECT TO APPORTIONMENT.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, amounts in the Bureau 

Fund and in the Civil Penalty Fund established under subsection (d) shall not be subject to apportionment for purposes 

of chapter 15 of title 31, United States Code, or under any 

other authority. 

(d) PENALTIES AND FINES.— 

(1) ESTABLISHMENT OF VICTIMS RELIEF FUND.—There is established in the Federal Reserve a separate fund, to be known 

as the ‘‘Consumer Financial Civil Penalty Fund’’ (referred to in 

this section as the ‘‘Civil Penalty Fund’’). The Civil Penalty 

Fund shall be maintained and established at a Federal reserve 

bank, in accordance with such requirements as the Board of 

Governors may impose. If the Bureau obtains a civil penalty 

against any person in any judicial or administrative action 

under Federal consumer financial laws, the Bureau shall deposit into the Civil Penalty Fund, the amount of the penalty 

collected. 

(2) PAYMENT TO VICTIMS.—Amounts in the Civil Penalty 

Fund shall be available to the Bureau, without fiscal year limitation, for payments to the victims of activities for which civil 

penalties have been imposed under the Federal consumer financial laws. To the extent that such victims cannot be located 

or such payments are otherwise not practicable, the Bureau 

may use such funds for the purpose of consumer education and 

financial literacy programs. 

(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; ANNUAL REPORT.— 

(1) DETERMINATION REGARDING NEED FOR APPROPRIATED

FUNDS.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—The Director is authorized to determine that sums available to the Bureau under this section 

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reau under Federal consumer financial law for the upcoming year. 

(B) REPORT REQUIRED.—When making a determination 

under subparagraph (A), the Director shall prepare a report regarding the funding of the Bureau, including the assets and liabilities of the Bureau, and the extent to which 

the funding needs of the Bureau are anticipated to exceed 

the level of the amount set forth in subsection (a)(2). The 

Director shall submit the report to the President and to 

the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the 

Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives. 

(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—If the Director 

makes the determination and submits the report pursuant to 

paragraph (1), there are hereby authorized to be appropriated 

to the Bureau, for the purposes of carrying out the authorities 

granted in Federal consumer financial law, $200,000,000 for 

each of fiscal years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014. 

(3) APPORTIONMENT.—Notwithstanding any other provision 

of law, the amounts in paragraph (2) shall be subject to apportionment under section 1517 of title 31, United States Code, 

and restrictions that generally apply to the use of appropriated 

funds in title 31, United States Code, and other laws. 

(4) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Director shall prepare and submit 

a report, on an annual basis, to the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Appropriations of 

the House of Representatives regarding the financial operating 

plans and forecasts of the Director, the financial condition and 

results of operations of the Bureau, and the sources and application of funds of the Bureau, including any funds appropriated in accordance with this subsection. 

* * * * * * * 

JUDICIAL IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 1990 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE II—FEDERAL JUDGESHIPS 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 203. DISTRICT JUDGES FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—The President shall appoint, by and with the 

advice and consent of the Senate— 

(1) 1 additional district judge for the western district of Arkansas; 

(2) 2 additional district judges for the northern district of 

California; 

(3) 5 additional district judges for the central district of California; 

(4) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of 

California; 

(5) 2 additional district judges for the district of Connecticut; 


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(6) 2 additional district judges for the middle district of Florida; 

(7) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of 

Florida; 

(8) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of 

Florida; 

(9) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of Georgia; 

(10) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of Illinois; 

(11) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of 

Iowa; 

(12) 1 additional district judge for the western district of 

Louisiana; 

(13) 1 additional district judge for the district of Maine; 

(14) 1 additional district judge for the district of Massachusetts; 

(15) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of 

Mississippi; 

(16) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of Missouri; 

(17) 1 additional district judge for the district of New Hampshire; 

(18) 3 additional district judges for the district of New Jersey; 

(19) 1 additional district judge for the district of New Mexico; 

(20) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of 

New York; 

(21) 3 additional district judges for the eastern district of 

New York; 

(22) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of 

North Carolina; 

(23) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of 

Ohio; 

(24) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of 

Oklahoma; 

(25) 1 additional district judge for the western district of 

Oklahoma; 

(26) 1 additional district judge for the district of Oregon; 

(27) 3 additional district judges for the eastern district of 

Pennsylvania; 

(28) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of 

Pennsylvania; 

(29) 1 additional district judge for the district of South Carolina; 

(30) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of Tennessee; 

(31) 1 additional district judge for the western district of 

Tennessee; 

(32) 1 additional district judge for the middle district of Tennessee; 

(33) 2 additional district judges for the northern district of 

Texas; 

(34) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of 

Texas; 


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(35) 5 additional district judges for the southern district of 

Texas; 

(36) 3 additional district judges for the western district of 

Texas; 

(37) 1 additional district judge for the district of Utah; 

(38) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of 

Washington; 

(39) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of 

West Virginia; 

(40) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of 

West Virginia; and 

(41) 1 additional district judge for the district of Wyoming. 

(b) EXISTING JUDGESHIPS.—(1) The existing district judgeships 

for the western district of Arkansas, the northern district of Illinois, the northern district of Indiana, the district of Massachusetts, 

the western district of New York, the eastern district of North 

Carolina, the northern district of Ohio, and the western district of 

Washington authorized by section 202(b) of the Bankruptcy 

Amendments and Federal Judgeship Act of 1984 (Public Law 98– 

353, 98 Stat. 347–348) shall, as of the effective date of this title, 

be authorized under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, 

and the incumbents in those offices shall hold the office under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as amended by this title. 

(2)(A) The existing 2 district judgeships for the eastern and western districts of Arkansas (provided by section 133 of title 28, 

United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date 

of this title) shall be district judgeships for the eastern district of 

Arkansas only, and the incumbents of such judgeships shall hold 

the offices under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as 

amended by this title. 

(B) The existing district judgeship for the northern and southern 

districts of Iowa (provided by section 133 of title 28, United States 

Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date of this title) 

shall be a district judgeship for the northern district of Iowa only, 

and the incumbent of such judgeship shall hold the office under 

section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as amended by this 

title. 

(C) The existing district judgeship for the northern, eastern, and 

western districts of Oklahoma (provided by section 133 of title 28, 

United States Code, as in effect on the day before the effective date 

of this title) and the occupant of which has his or her official duty 

station at Oklahoma City on the date of the enactment of this title, 

shall be a district judgeship for the western district of Oklahoma 

only, and the incumbent of such judgeship shall hold the office 

under section 133 of title 28, United States Code, as amended by 

this title. 

(c) TEMPORARY JUDGESHIPS.—The President shall appoint, by 

and with the advice and consent of the Senate— 

(1) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of California; 

(2) 1 additional district judge for the district of Hawaii; 

(3) 1 additional district judge for the central district of Illinois; 

(4) 1 additional district judge for the southern district of Illinois; 


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(5) 1 additional district judge for the district of Kansas; 

(6) 1 additional district judge for the western district of 

Michigan; 

(7) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of Missouri; 

(8) 1 additional district judge for the district of Nebraska; 

(9) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of New 

York; 

(10) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of 

Ohio; 

(11) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of 

Pennsylvania; and 

(12) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of Virginia. 

Except with respect to the district of Kansas, the western district 

of Michigan, the eastern district of Pennsylvania, the district of 

Hawaii, and the northern district of Ohio, the first vacancy in the 

office of district judge in each of the judicial districts named in this 

subsection, occurring 10 years or more after the confirmation date 

of the judge named to fill the temporary judgeship created by this 

subsection, shall not be filled. The first vacancy in the office of district judge in the district of Kansas occurring ø24 years and 6 

months¿ 25 years and 6 months or more after the confirmation 

date of the judge named to fill the temporary judgeship created for 

such district under this subsection, shall not be filled. The first vacancy in the office of district judge in the western district of Michigan, occurring after December 1, 1995, shall not be filled. The first 

vacancy in the office of district judge in the eastern district of 

Pennsylvania, occurring 5 years or more after the confirmation 

date of the judge named to fill the temporary judgeship created for 

such district under this subsection, shall not be filled. The first vacancy in the office of district judge in the northern district of Ohio 

occurring 19 years or more after the confirmation date of the judge 

named to fill the temporary judgeship created under this subsection shall not be filled. The first vacancy in the office of the district judge in the district of Hawaii occurring 21 years and 6 

months or more after the confirmation date of the judge named to 

fill the temporary judgeship created under this subsection shall not 

be filled. For districts named in this subsection for which multiple 

judgeships are created by this Act, the last of those judgeships 

filled shall be the judgeships created under this section. 

* * * * * * * 

TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND URBAN 

DEVELOPMENT, THE JUDICIARY, THE DISTRICT OF 

COLUMBIA, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 

DIVISION A—TRANSPORTATION, TREASURY, HOUSING AND 

URBAN DEVELOPMENT, THE JUDICIARY, AND INDEPENDENT AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006 

* * * * * * * 


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TITLE IV—THE JUDICIARY 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 406. The existing judgeship for the eastern district of Missouri authorized by section 203(c) of the Judicial Improvements Act 

of 1990 (Public Law 101–650, 104 Stat. 5089) as amended by Public 

Law 105–53, as of the effective date of this Act, shall be extended. 

The first vacancy in the office of district judge in this district occurring ø22 years and 6 months¿ 23 years and 6 months or more after 

the confirmation date of the judge named to fill the temporary 

judgeship created by section 203(c) shall not be filled. 

* * * * * * * 

21ST CENTURY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT 

* * * * * * * 

DIVISION A—21ST CENTURY DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 

APPROPRIATIONS AUTHORIZATION ACT 

* * * * * * * 

TITLE III—MISCELLANEOUS 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 312. ADDITIONAL FEDERAL JUDGESHIPS. 

(a) PERMANENT DISTRICT JUDGES FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS.— (1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall appoint, by and with 

the advice and consent of the Senate— 

(A) 5 additional district judges for the southern district 

of California; 

(B) 1 additional district judge for the western district of 

North Carolina; and 

(C) 2 additional district judges for the western district of 

Texas. 

(2) [Omitted—Amendatory] 

(b) DISTRICT JUDGESHIPS FOR THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN DISTRICTS OF ILLINOIS, THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, AND

THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF VIRGINIA.— 

(1) CONVERSION OF TEMPORARY JUDGESHIPS TO PERMANENT

JUDGESHIPS.—The existing district judgeships for the central 

district and the southern district of Illinois, the northern district of New York, and the eastern district of Virginia authorized by section 203(c) (3), (4), (9), and (12) of the Judicial Improvements Act of 1990 (Public Law 101–650, 28 U.S.C. 133 

note) shall be authorized under section 133 of title 28, United 

States Code, and the incumbents in such offices shall hold the 

offices under section 133 of title 28, United States Code (as 

amended by this section). 

(2) [Omitted—Amendatory] 

(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—With respect to the central or southern 

district of Illinois, the northern district of New York, or the 

eastern district of Virginia, this subsection shall take effect on 

the earlier of— 


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(A) the date on which the first vacancy in the office of 

district judge occurs in such district; or 

(B) July 15, 2003. 

(c) TEMPORARY JUDGESHIPS.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The President shall appoint, by and with 

the advice and consent of the Senate— 

(A) 1 additional district judge for the northern district of 

Alabama; 

(B) 1 additional judge for the district of Arizona; 

(C) 1 additional judge for the central district of California; 

(D) 1 additional judge for the southern district of Florida; 

(E) 1 additional district judge for the district of New 

Mexico; 

(F) 1 additional district judge for the western district of 

North Carolina; and 

(G) 1 additional district judge for the eastern district of 

Texas. 

(2) VACANCIES NOT FILLED.—The first vacancy in the office of 

district judge in each of the offices of district judge authorized 

by this subsection, except in the case of the central district of 

California and the western district of North Carolina, occurring 

ø13 years¿ 14 years or more after the confirmation date of the 

judge named to fill the temporary district judgeship created in 

the applicable district by this subsection, shall not be filled. 

The first vacancy in the office of district judge in the central 

district of California occurring ø12 years and 6 months¿ 13 

years and 6 months or more after the confirmation date of the 

judge named to fill the temporary district judgeship created in 

that district by this subsection, shall not be filled. The first vacancy in the office of district judge in the western district of 

North Carolina occurring ø11 years¿ 12 years or more after the 

confirmation date of the judge named to fill the temporary district judgeship created in that district by this subsection, shall 

not be filled. 

(3) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This subsection shall take effect on 

July 15, 2003. 

(d) EXTENSION OF TEMPORARY FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT JUDGESHIP FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—[Omitted—Amendatory] 

(2) EFFECTIVE DATE.—The amendments made by this subsection shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act. 

(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to 

be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this 

section, including such sums as may be necessary to provide appropriate space and facilities for the judicial positions created by this 

section. 

* * * * * * * 


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SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 

TITLE I—REGULATION OF SECURITIES EXCHANGES 

* * * * * * * 

PERIODICAL AND OTHER REPORTS

SEC. 13. (a) Every issuer of a security registered pursuant to section 12 of this title shall file with the Commission, in accordance 

with such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe 

as necessary or appropriate for the proper protection of investors 

and to insure fair dealing in the security— 

(1) such information and documents (and such copies thereof) 

as the Commission shall require to keep reasonably current 

the information and documents required to be included in or 

filed with an application or registration statement filed pursuant to section 12, except that the Commission may not require 

the filing of any material contract wholly executed before July 

1, 1962. 

(2) such annual reports (and such copies thereof), certified if 

required by the rules and regulations of the Commission by 

independent public accountants, and such quarterly reports 

(and such copies thereof), as the Commission may prescribe. 

Every issuer of a security registered on a national securities exchange shall also file a duplicate original of such information, documents, and reports with the exchange. In any registration statement, periodic report, or other reports to be filed with the Commission, an emerging growth company need not present selected financial data in accordance with section 229.301 of title 17, Code of 

Federal Regulations, for any period prior to the earliest audited period presented in connection with its first registration statement 

that became effective under this Act or the Securities Act of 1933 

and, with respect to any such statement or reports, an emerging 

growth company may not be required to comply with any new or 

revised financial accounting standard until such date that a company that is not an issuer (as defined under section 2(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (15 U.S.C. 7201(a))) is required to comply 

with such new or revised accounting standard, if such standard applies to companies that are not issuers. 

(b)(1) The Commission may prescribe, in regard to reports made 

pursuant to this title, the form or forms in which the required information shall be set forth, the items or details to be shown in the 

balance sheet and the earnings statement, and the methods to be 

followed in the preparation of reports, in the appraisal or valuation 

of assets and liabilities, in the determination of depreciation and 

depletion, in the differentiation of recurring and nonrecurring income, in the differentiation of investment and operating income, 

and in the preparation, where the Commission deems it necessary 

or desirable, of separate and/or consolidated balance sheets or income accounts of any person directly or indirectly controlling or 

controlled by the issuer, or any person under direct or indirect common control with the issuer; but in the case of the reports of any 

person whose methods of accounting are prescribed under the provisions of any law of the United States, or any rule or regulation 

thereunder, the rules and regulations of the Commission with reVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00120 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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spect to reports shall not be inconsistent with the requirements imposed by such law or rule or regulation in respect of the same subject matter (except that such rules and regulations of the Commission may be inconsistent with such requirements to the extent that 

the Commission determines that the public interest or the protection of investors so requires). 

(2) Every issuer which has a class of securities registered pursuant to section 12 of this title and every issuer which is required to 

file reports pursuant to section 15(d) of this title shall— 

(A) make and keep books, records, and accounts, which, in 

reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions 

and dispositions of the assets of the issuer; 

(B) devise and maintain a system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that— 

(i) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization; 

(ii) transactions are recorded as necessary (I) to permit 

preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles or any other criteria 

applicable to such statements, and (II) to maintain accountability for assets; 

(iii) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with 

management’s general or specific authorization; and 

(iv) the recorded accountability for assets is compared 

with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and 

(C) notwithstanding any other provision of law, pay the allocable share of such issuer of a reasonable annual accounting 

support fee or fees, determined in accordance with section 109 

of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 

(3)(A) With respect to matters concerning the national security of 

the United States, no duty or liability under paragraph (2) of this 

subsection shall be imposed upon any person acting in cooperation 

with the head of any Federal department or agency responsible for 

such matters if such act in cooperation with such head of a department or agency was done upon the specific, written directive of the 

head of such department or agency pursuant to Presidential authority to issue such directives. Each directive issued under this 

paragraph shall set forth the specific facts and circumstances with 

respect to which the provisions of this paragraph are to be invoked. 

Each such directive shall, unless renewed in writing, expire one 

year after the date of issuance. 

(B) Each head of a Federal department or agency of the United 

States who issues a directive pursuant to this paragraph shall 

maintain a complete file of all such directives and shall, on October 

1 of each year, transmit a summary of matters covered by such directives in force at any time during the previous year to the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate. 

(4) No criminal liability shall be imposed for failing to comply 

with the requirements of paragraph (2) of this subsection except as 

provided in paragraph (5) of this subsection. 

(5) No person shall knowingly circumvent or knowingly fail to 

implement a system of internal accounting controls or knowingly 

falsify any book, record, or account described in paragraph (2). 


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(6) Where an issuer which has a class of securities registered 

pursuant to section 12 of this title or an issuer which is required 

to file reports pursuant to section 15(d) of this title holds 50 per 

centum or less of the voting power with respect to a domestic or 

foreign firm, the provisions of paragraph (2) require only that the 

issuer proceed in good faith to use its influence, to the extent reasonable under the issuer’s circumstances, to cause such domestic or 

foreign firm to devise and maintain a system of internal accounting 

controls consistent with paragraph (2). Such circumstances include 

the relative degree of the issuer’s ownership of the domestic or foreign firm and the laws and practices governing the business operations of the country in which such firm is located. An issuer which 

demonstrates good faith efforts to use such influence shall be conclusively presumed to have complied with the requirements of 

paragraph (2). 

(7) For the purpose of paragraph (2) of this subsection, the terms 

‘‘reasonable assurances’’ and ‘‘reasonable detail’’ mean such level of 

detail and degree of assurance as would satisfy prudent officials in 

the conduct of their own affairs. 

(c) If in the judgment of the Commission any report required 

under subsection (a) is inapplicable to any specified class or classes 

of issuers, the Commission shall require in lieu thereof the submission of such reports of comparable character as it may deem applicable to such class or classes of issuers. 

(d)(1) Any person who, after acquiring directly or indirectly the 

beneficial ownership of any equity security of a class which is registered pursuant to section 12 of this title, or any equity security 

of an insurance company which would have been required to be so 

registered except for the exemption contained in section 12(g)(2)(G) 

of this title, or any equity security issued by a closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 

1940 or any equity security issued by a Native Corporation pursuant to section 37(d)(6) of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, 

or otherwise becomes or is deemed to become a beneficial owner of 

any of the foregoing upon the purchase or sale of a security-based 

swap that the Commission may define by rule, and is directly or 

indirectly the beneficial owner of more than 5 per centum of such 

class shall, within ten days after such acquisition or within such 

shorter time as the Commission may establish by rule, file with the 

Commission, a statement containing such of the following information, and such additional information, as the Commission may by 

rules and regulations, prescribe as necessary or appropriate in the 

public interest or for the protection of investors— 

(A) the background, and identity, residence, and citizenship 

of, and the nature of such beneficial ownership by, such person 

and all other persons by whom or on whose behalf the purchases have been or are to be effected; 

(B) the source and amount of the funds or other consideration used or to be used in making the purchases, and if any 

part of the purchase price is represented or is to be represented by funds or other consideration borrowed or otherwise 

obtained for the purpose of acquiring, holding, or trading such 

security, a description of the transaction and the names of the 

parties thereto, except that where a source of funds is a loan 

made in the ordinary course of business by a bank, as defined 


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in section 3(a)(6) of this title, if the person filing such statement so requests, the name of the bank shall not be made 

available to the public; 

(C) if the purpose of the purchases or prospective purchases 

is to acquire control of the business of the issuer of the securities any plans or proposals which such persons may have to 

liquidate such issuer, to sell its assets to or merge it with any 

other persons, or to make any other major change in its business or corporate structure; 

(D) the number of shares of such security which are beneficially owned, and the number of shares concerning which 

there is a right to acquire, directly or indirectly, by (i) such 

person, and (ii) by each associate of such person, giving the 

background, identity, residence, and citizenship of each such 

associate; and 

(E) information as to any contracts, arrangements, or understandings with any person with respect to any securities of the 

issuer, including but not limited to transfer of any of the securities, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or 

calls, guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss or guaranties 

of profits, division of losses or profits, or the giving or withholding of proxies, naming the persons with whom such contracts, arrangements, or understandings have been entered 

into, and giving the details thereof. 

(2) If any material change occurs in the facts set forth in the 

statement filed with the Commission, an amendment shall be filed 

with the Commission, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate 

in the public interest or for the protection of investors. 

(3) When two or more persons act as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of acquiring, 

holding, or disposing of securities of an issuer, such syndicate or 

group shall be deemed a ‘‘person’’ for the purposes of this subsection. 

(4) In determining, for purposes of this subsection, any percentage of a class of any security, such class shall be deemed to consist 

of the amount of the outstanding securities of such class, exclusive 

of any securities of such class held by or for the account of the 

issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer. 

(5) The Commission, by rule or regulation or by order, may permit any person to file in lieu of the statement required by paragraph (1) of this subsection or the rules and regulations thereunder, a notice stating the name of such person, the number of 

shares of any equity securities subject to paragraph (1) which are 

owned by him, the date of their acquisition and such other information as the Commission may specify, if it appears to the Commission that such securities were acquired by such person in the ordinary course of his business and were not acquired for the purpose 

of and do not have the effect of changing or influencing the control 

of the issuer nor in connection with or as a participant in any 

transaction having such purpose or effect. 

(6) The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to— 

(A) any acquisition or offer to acquire securities made or proposed to be made by means of a registration statement under 

the Securities Act of 1933; 


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(B) any acquisition of the beneficial ownership of a security 

which, together with all other acquisitions by the same person 

of securities of the same class during the preceding twelve 

months, does not exceed 2 per centum of that class; 

(C) any acquisition of an equity security by the issuer of such 

security; 

(D) any acquisition or proposed acquisition of a security 

which the Commission, by rules or regulations or by order, 

shall exempt from the provisions of this subsection as not entered into for the purpose of, and not having the effect of, 

changing or influencing the control of the issuer or otherwise 

as not comprehended within the purposes of this subsection. 

(e)(1) It shall be unlawful for an issuer which has a class of equity securities registered pursuant to section 12 of this title, or 

which is a closed-end investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to purchase any equity security 

issued by it if such purchase is in contravention of such rules and 

regulations as the Commission, in the public interest or for the protection of investors, may adopt (A) to define acts and practices 

which are fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative, and (B) to prescribe means reasonably designed to prevent such acts and practices. Such rules and regulations may require such issuer to provide holders of equity securities of such class with such information 

relating to the reasons for such purchase, the source of funds, the 

number of shares to be purchased, the price to be paid for such securities, the method of purchase, and such additional information, 

as the Commission deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, or which the Commission 

deems to be material to a determination whether such security 

should be sold. 

(2) For the purpose of this subsection, a purchase by or for the 

issuer or any person controlling, controlled by, or under common 

control with the issuer, or a purchase subject to control of the 

issuer or any such person, shall be deemed to be a purchase by the 

issuer. The Commission shall have power to make rules and regulations implementing this paragraph in the public interest and for 

the protection of investors, including exemptive rules and regulations covering situations in which the Commission deems it unnecessary or inappropriate that a purchase of the type described in 

this paragraph shall be deemed to be a purchase by the issuer for 

purposes of some or all of the provisions of paragraph (1) of this 

subsection. 

(3) At the time of filing such statement as the Commission may 

require by rule pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection, the 

person making the filing shall pay to the Commission a fee at a 

rate that, subject to paragraph (4), is equal to $92 per $1,000,000 

of the value of securities proposed to be purchased. The fee shall 

be reduced with respect to securities in an amount equal to any fee 

paid with respect to any securities issued in connection with the 

proposed transaction under section 6(b) of the Securities Act of 

1933, or the fee paid under that section shall be reduced in an 

amount equal to the fee paid to the Commission in connection with 

such transaction under this paragraph. 

(4) ANNUAL ADJUSTMENT.—For each fiscal year, the Commission shall by order adjust the rate required by paragraph (3) 


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for such fiscal year to a rate that is equal to the rate (expressed in dollars per million) that is applicable under section 

6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 for such fiscal year. 

(5) FEE COLLECTIONS.—Fees collected pursuant to this subsection for fiscal year 2012 and each fiscal year thereafter shall 

be deposited and credited as general revenue of the Treasury 

and shall not be available for obligation. 

(6) EFFECTIVE DATE; PUBLICATION.—In exercising its authority under this subsection, the Commission shall not be required 

to comply with the provisions of section 553 of title 5, United 

States Code. An adjusted rate prescribed under paragraph (4) 

shall be published and take effect in accordance with section 

6(b) of the Securities Act of 1933 (15 U.S.C. 77f(b)). 

(7) PRO RATA APPLICATION.—The rates per $1,000,000 required by this subsection shall be applied pro rata to amounts 

and balances of less than $1,000,000. 

(f)(1) Every institutional investment manager which uses the 

mails, or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce in 

the course of its business as an institutional investment manager 

and which exercises investment discretion with respect to accounts 

holding equity securities of a class described in section 13(d)(1) of 

this title having an aggregate fair market value on the last trading 

day in any of the preceding twelve months of at least $100,000,000 

or such lesser amount (but in no case less than $10,000,000) as the 

Commission, by rule, may determine, shall file reports with the 

Commission in such form, for such periods, and at such times after 

the end of such periods as the Commission, by rule, may prescribe, 

but in no event shall such reports be filed for periods longer than 

one year or shorter than one quarter. Such reports shall include for 

each such equity security held on the last day of the reporting period by accounts (in aggregate or by type as the Commission, by 

rule, may prescribe) with respect to which the institutional investment manager exercises investment discretion (other than securities held in amounts which the Commission, by rule, determines to 

be insignificant for purposes of this subsection), the name of the 

issuer and the title, class, CUSIP number, number of shares or 

principal amount, and aggregate fair market value of each such security. Such reports may also include for accounts (in aggregate or 

by type) with respect to which the institutional investment manager exercises investment discretion such of the following information as the Commission, by rule, prescribes— 

(A) the name of the issuer and the title, class, CUSIP number, number of shares or principal amount, and aggregate fair 

market value or cost or amortized cost of each other security 

(other than an exempted security) held on the last day of the 

reporting period by such accounts; 

(B) the aggregate fair market value or cost or amortized cost 

of exempted securities (in aggregate or by class) held on the 

last day of the reporting period by such accounts; 

(C) the number of shares of each equity security of a class 

described in section 13(d)(1) of this title held on the last day 

of the reporting period by such accounts with respect to which 

the institutional investment manager possesses sole or shared 

authority to exercise the voting rights evidenced by such securities; 


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(D) the aggregate purchases and aggregate sales during the 

reporting period of each security (other than an exempted security) effected by or for such accounts; and 

(E) with respect to any transaction or series of transactions having a market value of at least $500,000 or such other 

amount as the Commission, by rule, may determine, effected 

during the reporting period by or for such accounts in any equity security of a class described in section 13(d)(1) of this 

title— 

(i) the name of the issuer and the title, class, and CUSIP 

number of the security; 

(ii) the number of shares or principal amount of the security involved in the transaction; 

(iii) whether the transaction was a purchase or sale; 

(iv) the per share price or prices at which the transaction was effected; 

(v) the date or dates of the transaction; 

(vi) the date or dates of the settlement of the transaction; 

(vii) the broker or dealer through whom the transaction 

was effected; 

(viii) the market or markets in which the transaction 

was effected; and 

(ix) such other related information as the Commission, 

by rule, may prescribe. 

(2) The Commission shall prescribe rules providing for the 

public disclosure of the name of the issuer and the title, class, 

CUSIP number, aggregate amount of the number of short sales 

of each security, and any additional information determined by 

the Commission following the end of the reporting period. At 

a minimum, such public disclosure shall occur every month. 

(3) The Commission, by rule or order, may exempt, conditionally 

or unconditionally, any institutional investment manager or security or any class of institutional investment managers or securities 

from any or all of the provisions of this subsection or the rules 

thereunder. 

(4) The Commission shall make available to the public for a reasonable fee a list of all equity securities of a class described in section 13(d)(1) of this title, updated no less frequently than reports 

are required to be filed pursuant to paragraph (1) of this subsection. The Commission shall tabulate the information contained 

in any report filed pursuant to this subsection in a manner which 

will, in the view of the Commission, maximize the usefulness of the 

information to other Federal and State authorities and the public. 

Promptly after the filing of any such report, the Commission shall 

make the information contained therein conveniently available to 

the public for a reasonable fee in such form as the Commission, by 

rule, may prescribe, except that the Commission, as it determines 

to be necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors, may delay or prevent public disclosure of any 

such information in accordance with section 552 of title 5, United 

States Code. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any such information identifying the securities held by the account of a natural person or an estate or trust (other than a business trust or 

investment company) shall not be disclosed to the public. 


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(5) In exercising its authority under this subsection, the Commission shall determine (and so state) that its action is necessary or 

appropriate in the public interest and for the protection of investors or to maintain fair and orderly markets or, in granting an exemption, that its action is consistent with the protection of investors and the purposes of this subsection. In exercising such authority the Commission shall take such steps as are within its power, 

including consulting with the Comptroller General of the United 

States, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the 

appropriate regulatory agencies, Federal and State authorities 

which, directly or indirectly, require reports from institutional investment managers of information substantially similar to that 

called for by this subsection, national securities exchanges, and 

registered securities associations, (A) to achieve uniform, centralized reporting of information concerning the securities holdings of 

and transactions by or for accounts with respect to which institutional investment managers exercise investment discretion, and (B) 

consistently with the objective set forth in the preceding subparagraph, to avoid unnecessarily duplicative reporting by, and minimize the compliance burden on, institutional investment managers. 

Federal authorities which, directly or indirectly, require reports 

from institutional investment managers of information substantially similar to that called for by this subsection shall cooperate 

with the Commission in the performance of its responsibilities 

under the preceding sentence. An institutional investment manager 

which is a bank, the deposits of which are insured in accordance 

with the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, shall file with the appropriate regulatory agency a copy of every report filed with the Commission pursuant to this subsection. 

(6)(A) For purposes of this subsection the term ‘‘institutional investment manager’’ includes any person, other than a natural person, investing in or buying and selling securities for its own account, and any person exercising investment discretion with respect to the account of any other person. 

(B) The Commission shall adopt such rules as it deems necessary 

or appropriate to prevent duplicative reporting pursuant to this 

subsection by two or more institutional investment managers exercising investment discretion with respect to the same amount. 

(g)(1) Any person who is directly or indirectly the beneficial 

owner of more than 5 per centum of any security of a class described in subsection (d)(1) of this section or otherwise becomes or 

is deemed to become a beneficial owner of any security of a class 

described in subsection (d)(1) upon the purchase or sale of a security-based swap that the Commission may define by ruleshall file 

with the Commission a statement setting forth, in such form and 

at such time as the Commission may, by rule, prescribe— 

(A) such person’s identity, residence, and citizenship; and 

(B) the number and description of the shares in which such 

person has an interest and the nature of such interest. 

(2) If any material change occurs in the facts set forth in the 

statement filed with the Commission, an amendment shall be filed 

with the Commission, in accordance with such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate 

in the public interest or for the protection of investors. 


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(3) When two or more persons act as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or other group for the purpose of acquiring, 

holding, or disposing of securities of an issuer, such syndicate or 

group shall be deemed a ‘‘person’’ for the purposes of this subsection. 

(4) In determining, for purposes of this subsection, any percentage of a class of any security, such class shall be deemed to consist 

of the amount of the outstanding securities of such class, exclusive 

of any securities of such class held by or for the account of the 

issuer or a subsidiary of the issuer. 

(5) In exercising its authority under this subsection, the Commission shall take such steps as it deems necessary or appropriate in 

the public interest or for the protection of investors (A) to achieve 

centralized reporting of information regarding ownership, (B) to 

avoid unnecessarily duplicative reporting by and minimize the compliance burden on persons required to report, and (C) to tabulate 

and promptly make available the information contained in any report filed pursuant to this subsection in a manner which will, in 

the view of the Commission, maximize the usefulness of the information to other Federal and State agencies and the public. 

(6) The Commission may, by rule or order, exempt, in whole or 

in part, any person or class of persons from any or all of the reporting requirements of this subsection as it deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest or for the protection of investors. 

(h) LARGE TRADER REPORTING.— (1) IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR LARGE TRADERS.—For 

the purpose of monitoring the impact on the securities markets 

of securities transactions involving a substantial volume or a 

large fair market value or exercise value and for the purpose 

of otherwise assisting the Commission in the enforcement of 

this title, each large trader shall— 

(A) provide such information to the Commission as the 

Commission may by rule or regulation prescribe as necessary or appropriate, identifying such large trader and all 

accounts in or through which such large trader effects such 

transactions; and 

(B) identify, in accordance with such rules or regulations 

as the Commission may prescribe as necessary or appropriate, to any registered broker or dealer by or through 

whom such large trader directly or indirectly effects securities transactions, such large trader and all accounts directly or indirectly maintained with such broker or dealer 

by such large trader in or through which such transactions 

are effected. 

(2) RECORDKEEPING AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR BROKERS AND DEALERS.—Every registered broker or dealer shall 

make and keep for prescribed periods such records as the Commission by rule or regulation prescribes as necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or 

otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this title, with respect to securities transactions that equal or exceed the reporting activity level effected directly or indirectly by or through 

such registered broker or dealer of or for any person that such 

broker or dealer knows is a large trader, or any person that 

such broker or dealer has reason to know is a large trader on 


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the basis of transactions in securities effected by or through 

such broker or dealer. Such records shall be available for reporting to the Commission, or any self-regulatory organization 

that the Commission shall designate to receive such reports, on 

the morning of the day following the day the transactions were 

effected, and shall be reported to the Commission or a self-regulatory organization designated by the Commission immediately upon request by the Commission or such a self-regulatory organization. Such records and reports shall be in a format and transmitted in a manner prescribed by the Commission (including, but not limited to, machine readable form). 

(3) AGGREGATION RULES.—The Commission may prescribe 

rules or regulations governing the manner in which transactions and accounts shall be aggregated for the purpose of 

this subsection, including aggregation on the basis of common 

ownership or control. 

(4) EXAMINATION OF BROKER AND DEALER RECORDS.—All 

records required to be made and kept by registered brokers 

and dealers pursuant to this subsection with respect to transactions effected by large traders are subject at any time, or 

from time to time, to such reasonable periodic, special, or other 

examinations by representatives of the Commission as the 

Commission deems necessary or appropriate in the public interest, for the protection of investors, or otherwise in furtherance of the purposes of this title. 

(5) FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED IN COMMISSION ACTIONS.—In 

exercising its authority under this subsection, the Commission 

shall take into account— 

(A) existing reporting systems; 

(B) the costs associated with maintaining information 

with respect to transactions effected by large traders and 

reporting such information to the Commission or self-regulatory organizations; and 

(C) the relationship between the United States and 

international securities markets. 

(6) EXEMPTIONS.—The Commission, by rule, regulation, or 

order, consistent with the purposes of this title, may exempt 

any person or class of persons or any transaction or class of 

transactions, either conditionally or upon specified terms and 

conditions or for stated periods, from the operation of this subsection, and the rules and regulations thereunder. 

(7) AUTHORITY OF COMMISSION TO LIMIT DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 

Commission shall not be compelled to disclose any information 

required to be kept or reported under this subsection. Nothing 

in this subsection shall authorize the Commission to withhold 

information from Congress, or prevent the Commission from 

complying with a request for information from any other Federal department or agency requesting information for purposes 

within the scope of its jurisdiction, or complying with an order 

of a court of the United States in an action brought by the 

United States or the Commission. For purposes of section 552 

of title 5, United States Code, this subsection shall be considered a statute described in subsection (b)(3)(B) of such section 

552. 


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(8) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this subsection— 

(A) the term ‘‘large trader’’ means every person who, for 

his own account or an account for which he exercises investment discretion, effects transactions for the purchase 

or sale of any publicly traded security or securities by use 

of any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce or 

of the mails, or of any facility of a national securities exchange, directly or indirectly by or through a registered 

broker or dealer in an aggregate amount equal to or in excess of the identifying activity level; 

(B) the term ‘‘publicly traded security’’ means any equity 

security (including an option on individual equity securities, and an option on a group or index of such securities) 

listed, or admitted to unlisted trading privileges, on a national securities exchange, or quoted in an automated 

interdealer quotation system; 

(C) the term ‘‘identifying activity level’’ means transactions in publicly traded securities at or above a level of 

volume, fair market value, or exercise value as shall be 

fixed from time to time by the Commission by rule or regulation, specifying the time interval during which such 

transactions shall be aggregated; 

(D) the term ‘‘reporting activity level’’ means transactions in publicly traded securities at or above a level of 

volume, fair market value, or exercise value as shall be 

fixed from time to time by the Commission by rule, regulation, or order, specifying the time interval during which 

such transactions shall be aggregated; and 

(E) the term ‘‘person’’ has the meaning given in section 

3(a)(9) of this title and also includes two or more persons 

acting as a partnership, limited partnership, syndicate, or 

other group, but does not include a foreign central bank. 

(i) ACCURACY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS.—Each financial report that 

contains financial statements, and that is required to be prepared 

in accordance with (or reconciled to) generally accepted accounting 

principles under this title and filed with the Commission shall reflect all material correcting adjustments that have been identified 

by a registered public accounting firm in accordance with generally 

accepted accounting principles and the rules and regulations of the 

Commission. 

(j) OFF-BALANCE SHEET TRANSACTIONS.—Not later than 180 days 

after the date of enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the 

Commission shall issue final rules providing that each annual and 

quarterly financial report required to be filed with the Commission 

shall disclose all material off-balance sheet transactions, arrangements, obligations (including contingent obligations), and other relationships of the issuer with unconsolidated entities or other persons, that may have a material current or future effect on financial 

condition, changes in financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, capital resources, or significant components of revenues or expenses. 

(k) PROHIBITION ON PERSONAL LOANS TO EXECUTIVES.— (1) IN GENERAL.—It shall be unlawful for any issuer (as defined in section 2 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002), directly 

or indirectly, including through any subsidiary, to extend or 


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maintain credit, to arrange for the extension of credit, or to 

renew an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to 

or for any director or executive officer (or equivalent thereof) 

of that issuer. An extension of credit maintained by the issuer 

on the date of enactment of this subsection shall not be subject 

to the provisions of this subsection, provided that there is no 

material modification to any term of any such extension of 

credit or any renewal of any such extension of credit on or 

after that date of enactment. 

(2) LIMITATION.—Paragraph (1) does not preclude any home 

improvement and manufactured home loans (as that term is 

defined in section 5 of the Home Owners’ Loan Act (12 U.S.C. 

1464)), consumer credit (as defined in section 103 of the Truth 

in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602)), or any extension of credit 

under an open end credit plan (as defined in section 103 of the 

Truth in Lending Act (15 U.S.C. 1602)), or a charge card (as 

defined in section 127(c)(4)(e) of the Truth in Lending Act (15 

U.S.C. 1637(c)(4)(e)), or any extension of credit by a broker or 

dealer registered under section 15 of this title to an employee 

of that broker or dealer to buy, trade, or carry securities, that 

is permitted under rules or regulations of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System pursuant to section 7 of 

this title (other than an extension of credit that would be used 

to purchase the stock of that issuer), that is— 

(A) made or provided in the ordinary course of the consumer credit business of such issuer; 

(B) of a type that is generally made available by such 

issuer to the public; and 

(C) made by such issuer on market terms, or terms that 

are no more favorable than those offered by the issuer to 

the general public for such extensions of credit. 

(3) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION FOR CERTAIN LOANS.—Paragraph 

(1) does not apply to any loan made or maintained by an insured depository institution (as defined in section 3 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 U.S.C. 1813)), if the loan is subject to the insider lending restrictions of section 22(h) of the 

Federal Reserve Act (12 U.S.C. 375b). 

(l) REAL TIME ISSUER DISCLOSURES.—Each issuer reporting 

under section 13(a) or 15(d) shall disclose to the public on a rapid 

and current basis such additional information concerning material 

changes in the financial condition or operations of the issuer, in 

plain English, which may include trend and qualitative information 

and graphic presentations, as the Commission determines, by rule, 

is necessary or useful for the protection of investors and in the public interest. 

(m) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF SECURITY-BASED SWAP TRANSACTION

DATA.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.— 

(A) DEFINITION OF REAL-TIME PUBLIC REPORTING.—In 

this paragraph, the term ‘‘real-time public reporting’’ 

means to report data relating to a security-based swap 

transaction, including price and volume, as soon as technologically practicable after the time at which the securitybased swap transaction has been executed. 


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(B) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this subsection is to authorize the Commission to make security-based swap 

transaction and pricing data available to the public in such 

form and at such times as the Commission determines appropriate to enhance price discovery. 

(C) GENERAL RULE.—The Commission is authorized to 

provide by rule for the public availability of security-based 

swap transaction, volume, and pricing data as follows: 

(i) With respect to those security-based swaps that 

are subject to the mandatory clearing requirement described in section 3C(a)(1) (including those securitybased swaps that are excepted from the requirement 

pursuant to section 3C(g)), the Commission shall require real-time public reporting for such transactions. 

(ii) With respect to those security-based swaps that 

are not subject to the mandatory clearing requirement 

described in section 3C(a)(1), but are cleared at a registered clearing agency, the Commission shall require 

real-time public reporting for such transactions. 

(iii) With respect to security-based swaps that are 

not cleared at a registered clearing agency and which 

are reported to a security-based swap data repository 

or the Commission under section 3C(a)(6), the Commission shall require real-time public reporting for 

such transactions, in a manner that does not disclose 

the business transactions and market positions of any 

person. 

(iv) With respect to security-based swaps that are 

determined to be required to be cleared under section 

3C(b) but are not cleared, the Commission shall require real-time public reporting for such transactions. 

(D) REGISTERED ENTITIES AND PUBLIC REPORTING.—The 

Commission may require registered entities to publicly disseminate the security-based swap transaction and pricing 

data required to be reported under this paragraph. 

(E) RULEMAKING REQUIRED.—With respect to the rule 

providing for the public availability of transaction and 

pricing data for security-based swaps described in clauses 

(i) and (ii) of subparagraph (C), the rule promulgated by 

the Commission shall contain provisions— 

(i) to ensure such information does not identify the 

participants; 

(ii) to specify the criteria for determining what constitutes a large notional security-based swap transaction (block trade) for particular markets and contracts; 

(iii) to specify the appropriate time delay for reporting large notional security-based swap transactions 

(block trades) to the public; and 

(iv) that take into account whether the public disclosure will materially reduce market liquidity. 

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istered entity in a timely manner as may be prescribed by 

the Commission. 

(G) REPORTING OF SWAPS TO REGISTERED SECURITYBASED SWAP DATA REPOSITORIES.—Each security-based 

swap (whether cleared or uncleared) shall be reported to a 

registered security-based swap data repository. 

(H) REGISTRATION OF CLEARING AGENCIES.—A clearing 

agency may register as a security-based swap data repository. 

(2) SEMIANNUAL AND ANNUAL PUBLIC REPORTING OF AGGREGATE SECURITY-BASED SWAP DATA.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with subparagraph (B), 

the Commission shall issue a written report on a semiannual and annual basis to make available to the public 

information relating to— 

(i) the trading and clearing in the major securitybased swap categories; and 

(ii) the market participants and developments in 

new products. 

(B) USE; CONSULTATION.—In preparing a report under 

subparagraph (A), the Commission shall— 

(i) use information from security-based swap data 

repositories and clearing agencies; and 

(ii) consult with the Office of the Comptroller of the 

Currency, the Bank for International Settlements, and 

such other regulatory bodies as may be necessary. 

(C) AUTHORITY OF COMMISSION.—The Commission may, 

by rule, regulation, or order, delegate the public reporting 

responsibilities of the Commission under this paragraph in 

accordance with such terms and conditions as the Commission determines to be appropriate and in the public interest. 

(n) SECURITY-BASED SWAP DATA REPOSITORIES.— 

(1) REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT.—It shall be unlawful for 

any person, unless registered with the Commission, directly or 

indirectly, to make use of the mails or any means or instrumentality of interstate commerce to perform the functions of a 

security-based swap data repository. 

(2) INSPECTION AND EXAMINATION.—Each registered securitybased swap data repository shall be subject to inspection and 

examination by any representative of the Commission. 

(3) COMPLIANCE WITH CORE PRINCIPLES.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—To be registered, and maintain registration, as a security-based swap data repository, the security-based swap data repository shall comply with— 

(i) the requirements and core principles described in 

this subsection; and 

(ii) any requirement that the Commission may impose by rule or regulation. 

(B) REASONABLE DISCRETION OF SECURITY-BASED SWAP

DATA REPOSITORY.—Unless otherwise determined by the 

Commission, by rule or regulation, a security-based swap 

data repository described in subparagraph (A) shall have 

reasonable discretion in establishing the manner in which 


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the security-based swap data repository complies with the 

core principles described in this subsection. 

(4) STANDARD SETTING.— 

(A) DATA IDENTIFICATION.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with clause (ii), the 

Commission shall prescribe standards that specify the 

data elements for each security-based swap that shall 

be collected and maintained by each registered security-based swap data repository. 

(ii) REQUIREMENT.—In carrying out clause (i), the 

Commission shall prescribe consistent data element 

standards applicable to registered entities and reporting counterparties. 

(B) DATA COLLECTION AND MAINTENANCE.—The Commission shall prescribe data collection and data maintenance 

standards for security-based swap data repositories. 

(C) COMPARABILITY.—The standards prescribed by the 

Commission under this subsection shall be comparable to 

the data standards imposed by the Commission on clearing 

agencies in connection with their clearing of security-based 

swaps. 

(5) DUTIES.—A security-based swap data repository shall— 

(A) accept data prescribed by the Commission for each 

security-based swap under subsection (b); 

(B) confirm with both counterparties to the securitybased swap the accuracy of the data that was submitted; 

(C) maintain the data described in subparagraph (A) in 

such form, in such manner, and for such period as may be 

required by the Commission; 

(D)(i) provide direct electronic access to the Commission 

(or any designee of the Commission, including another registered entity); and 

(ii) provide the information described in subparagraph 

(A) in such form and at such frequency as the Commission 

may require to comply with the public reporting requirements set forth in subsection (m); 

(E) at the direction of the Commission, establish automated systems for monitoring, screening, and analyzing 

security-based swap data; 

(F) maintain the privacy of any and all security-based 

swap transaction information that the security-based swap 

data repository receives from a security-based swap dealer, 

counterparty, or any other registered entity; and 

(G) on a confidential basis pursuant to section 24, upon 

request, and after notifying the Commission of the request, 

make available øall¿ security-based swap data obtained by 

the security-based swap data repository, including individual counterparty trade and position data, to— 

(i) each appropriate prudential regulator; 

(ii) the Financial Stability Oversight Council; 

(iii) the Commodity Futures Trading Commission; 

(iv) the Department of Justice; and 

(v) any other person that the Commission determines to be appropriate, including— 


emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with HEARING
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(I) foreign financial supervisors (including foreign futures authorities); 

(II) foreign central banks; øand¿ 

(III) foreign ministriesø.¿; and 

(IV) other foreign authorities. 

ø(H) CONFIDENTIALITY AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREE- MENT.—Before the security-based swap data repository 

may share information with any entity described in subparagraph (G)— 

ø(i) the security-based swap data repository shall receive a written agreement from each entity stating 

that the entity shall abide by the confidentiality requirements described in section 24 relating to the information on security-based swap transactions that is 

provided; and 

ø(ii) each entity shall agree to indemnify the security-based swap data repository and the Commission 

for any expenses arising from litigation relating to the 

information provided under section 24.¿ 

(H) CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT.—Before the securitybased swap data repository may share information with 

any entity described in subparagraph (G), the securitybased swap data repository shall receive a written agreement from each entity stating that the entity shall abide by 

the confidentiality requirements described in section 24 relating to the information on security-based swap transactions that is provided. 

(6) DESIGNATION OF CHIEF COMPLIANCE OFFICER.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Each security-based swap data repository shall designate an individual to serve as a chief compliance officer. 

(B) DUTIES.—The chief compliance officer shall— 

(i) report directly to the board or to the senior officer 

of the security-based swap data repository; 

(ii) review the compliance of the security-based swap 

data repository with respect to the requirements and 

core principles described in this subsection; 

(iii) in consultation with the board of the securitybased swap data repository, a body performing a function similar to the board of the security-based swap 

data repository, or the senior officer of the securitybased swap data repository, resolve any conflicts of interest that may arise; 

(iv) be responsible for administering each policy and 

procedure that is required to be established pursuant 

to this section; 

(v) ensure compliance with this title (including regulations) relating to agreements, contracts, or transactions, including each rule prescribed by the Commission under this section; 

(vi) establish procedures for the remediation of noncompliance issues identified by the chief compliance 

officer through any— 

(I) compliance office review; 

(II) look-back; 


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(III) internal or external audit finding; 

(IV) self-reported error; or 

(V) validated complaint; and 

(vii) establish and follow appropriate procedures for 

the handling, management response, remediation, retesting, and closing of noncompliance issues. 

(C) ANNUAL REPORTS.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—In accordance with rules prescribed 

by the Commission, the chief compliance officer shall 

annually prepare and sign a report that contains a description of— 

(I) the compliance of the security-based swap 

data repository of the chief compliance officer with 

respect to this title (including regulations); and 

(II) each policy and procedure of the securitybased swap data repository of the chief compliance 

officer (including the code of ethics and conflict of 

interest policies of the security-based swap data 

repository). 

(ii) REQUIREMENTS.—A compliance report under 

clause (i) shall— 

(I) accompany each appropriate financial report 

of the security-based swap data repository that is 

required to be furnished to the Commission pursuant to this section; and 

(II) include a certification that, under penalty of 

law, the compliance report is accurate and complete. 

(7) CORE PRINCIPLES APPLICABLE TO SECURITY-BASED SWAP

DATA REPOSITORIES.— 

(A) ANTITRUST CONSIDERATIONS.—Unless necessary or 

appropriate to achieve the purposes of this title, the swap 

data repository shall not— 

(i) adopt any rule or take any action that results in 

any unreasonable restraint of trade; or 

(ii) impose any material anticompetitive burden on 

the trading, clearing, or reporting of transactions. 

(B) GOVERNANCE ARRANGEMENTS.—Each security-based 

swap data repository shall establish governance arrangements that are transparent— 

(i) to fulfill public interest requirements; and 

(ii) to support the objectives of the Federal Government, owners, and participants. 

(C) CONFLICTS OF INTEREST.—Each security-based swap 

data repository shall— 

(i) establish and enforce rules to minimize conflicts 

of interest in the decision-making process of the security-based swap data repository; and 

(ii) establish a process for resolving any conflicts of 

interest described in clause (i). 

(D) ADDITIONAL DUTIES DEVELOPED BY COMMISSION.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may develop 1 or 

more additional duties applicable to security-based 

swap data repositories. 


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(ii) CONSIDERATION OF EVOLVING STANDARDS.—In developing additional duties under subparagraph (A), 

the Commission may take into consideration any 

evolving standard of the United States or the international community. 

(iii) ADDITIONAL DUTIES FOR COMMISSION DES- IGNEES.—The Commission shall establish additional 

duties for any registrant described in section 

13(m)(2)(C) in order to minimize conflicts of interest, 

protect data, ensure compliance, and guarantee the 

safety and security of the security-based swap data repository. 

(8) REQUIRED REGISTRATION FOR SECURITY-BASED SWAP DATA

REPOSITORIES.—Any person that is required to be registered as 

a security-based swap data repository under this subsection 

shall register with the Commission, regardless of whether that 

person is also licensed under the Commodity Exchange Act as 

a swap data repository. 

(9) RULES.—The Commission shall adopt rules governing 

persons that are registered under this subsection. 

(o) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP.—For purposes of this section and section 16, a person shall be deemed to acquire beneficial ownership 

of an equity security based on the purchase or sale of a securitybased swap, only to the extent that the Commission, by rule, determines after consultation with the prudential regulators and the 

Secretary of the Treasury, that the purchase or sale of the securitybased swap, or class of security-based swap, provides incidents of 

ownership comparable to direct ownership of the equity security, 

and that it is necessary to achieve the purposes of this section that 

the purchase or sale of the security-based swaps, or class of security-based swap, be deemed the acquisition of beneficial ownership 

of the equity security. 

(p) DISCLOSURES RELATING TO CONFLICT MINERALS ORIGINATING

IN THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO.— 

(1) REGULATIONS.— (A) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 270 days after the date 

of the enactment of this subsection, the Commission shall 

promulgate regulations requiring any person described in 

paragraph (2) to disclose annually, beginning with the person’s first full fiscal year that begins after the date of promulgation of such regulations, whether conflict minerals 

that are necessary as described in paragraph (2)(B), in the 

year for which such reporting is required, did originate in 

the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining 

country and, in cases in which such conflict minerals did 

originate in any such country, submit to the Commission 

a report that includes, with respect to the period covered 

by the report— 

(i) a description of the measures taken by the person 

to exercise due diligence on the source and chain of 

custody of such minerals, which measures shall include an independent private sector audit of such report submitted through the Commission that is conducted in accordance with standards established by 

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cordance with rules promulgated by the Commission, 

in consultation with the Secretary of State; and 

(ii) a description of the products manufactured or 

contracted to be manufactured that are not DRC conflict free (‘‘DRC conflict free’’ is defined to mean the 

products that do not contain minerals that directly or 

indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the 

Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining 

country), the entity that conducted the independent 

private sector audit in accordance with clause (i), the 

facilities used to process the conflict minerals, the 

country of origin of the conflict minerals, and the efforts to determine the mine or location of origin with 

the greatest possible specificity. 

(B) CERTIFICATION.—The person submitting a report 

under subparagraph (A) shall certify the audit described in 

clause (i) of such subparagraph that is included in such report. Such a certified audit shall constitute a critical component of due diligence in establishing the source and 

chain of custody of such minerals. 

(C) UNRELIABLE DETERMINATION.—If a report required to 

be submitted by a person under subparagraph (A) relies on 

a determination of an independent private sector audit, as 

described under subparagraph (A)(i), or other due diligence 

processes previously determined by the Commission to be 

unreliable, the report shall not satisfy the requirements of 

the regulations promulgated under subparagraph (A)(i). 

(D) DRC CONFLICT FREE.—For purposes of this paragraph, a product may be labeled as ‘‘DRC conflict free’’ if 

the product does not contain conflict minerals that directly 

or indirectly finance or benefit armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo or an adjoining country. 

(E) INFORMATION AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC.—Each person described under paragraph (2) shall make available to 

the public on the Internet website of such person the information disclosed by such person under subparagraph (A). 

(2) PERSON DESCRIBED.—A person is described in this paragraph if— 

(A) the person is required to file reports with the Commission pursuant to paragraph (1)(A); and 

(B) conflict minerals are necessary to the functionality or 

production of a product manufactured by such person. 

(3) REVISIONS AND WAIVERS.—The Commission shall revise 

or temporarily waive the requirements described in paragraph 

(1) if the President transmits to the Commission a determination that— 

(A) such revision or waiver is in the national security interest of the United States and the President includes the 

reasons therefor; and 

(B) establishes a date, not later than 2 years after the 

initial publication of such exemption, on which such exemption shall expire. 

(4) TERMINATION OF DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS.—The requirements of paragraph (1) shall terminate on the date on 

which the President determines and certifies to the appropriate 


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congressional committees, but in no case earlier than the date 

that is one day after the end of the 5-year period beginning on 

the date of the enactment of this subsection, that no armed 

groups continue to be directly involved and benefitting from 

commercial activity involving conflict minerals. 

(5) DEFINITIONS.—For purposes of this subsection, the terms 

‘‘adjoining country’’, ‘‘appropriate congressional committees’’, 

‘‘armed group’’, and ‘‘conflict mineral’’ have the meaning given 

those terms under section 1502 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 

Reform and Consumer Protection Act. 

(q) DISCLOSURE OF PAYMENTS BY RESOURCE EXTRACTION

ISSUERS.— 

(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection— 

(A) the term ‘‘commercial development of oil, natural 

gas, or minerals’’ includes exploration, extraction, processing, export, and other significant actions relating to oil, 

natural gas, or minerals, or the acquisition of a license for 

any such activity, as determined by the Commission; 

(B) the term ‘‘foreign government’’ means a foreign government, a department, agency, or instrumentality of a 

foreign government, or a company owned by a foreign government, as determined by the Commission; 

(C) the term ‘‘payment’’— 

(i) means a payment that is— 

(I) made to further the commercial development 

of oil, natural gas, or minerals; and 

(II) not de minimis; and 

(ii) includes taxes, royalties, fees (including license 

fees), production entitlements, bonuses, and other material benefits, that the Commission, consistent with 

the guidelines of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (to the extent practicable), determines are part of the commonly recognized revenue 

stream for the commercial development of oil, natural 

gas, or minerals; 

(D) the term ‘‘resource extraction issuer’’ means an 

issuer that— 

(i) is required to file an annual report with the Commission; and 

(ii) engages in the commercial development of oil, 

natural gas, or minerals; 

(E) the term ‘‘interactive data format’’ means an electronic data format in which pieces of information are identified using an interactive data standard; and 

(F) the term ‘‘interactive data standard’’ means standardized list of electronic tags that mark information included in the annual report of a resource extraction issuer. 

(2) DISCLOSURE.— 

(A) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—Not later than 270 days 

after the date of enactment of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 

Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Commission 

shall issue final rules that require each resource extraction 

issuer to include in an annual report of the resource extraction issuer information relating to any payment made 

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source extraction issuer, or an entity under the control of 

the resource extraction issuer to a foreign government or 

the Federal Government for the purpose of the commercial 

development of oil, natural gas, or minerals, including— 

(i) the type and total amount of such payments 

made for each project of the resource extraction issuer 

relating to the commercial development of oil, natural 

gas, or minerals; and 

(ii) the type and total amount of such payments 

made to each government. 

(B) CONSULTATION IN RULEMAKING.—In issuing rules 

under subparagraph (A), the Commission may consult with 

any agency or entity that the Commission determines is 

relevant. 

(C) INTERACTIVE DATA FORMAT.—The rules issued under 

subparagraph (A) shall require that the information included in the annual report of a resource extraction issuer 

be submitted in an interactive data format. 

(D) INTERACTIVE DATA STANDARD.— 

(i) IN GENERAL.—The rules issued under subparagraph (A) shall establish an interactive data standard 

for the information included in the annual report of a 

resource extraction issuer. 

(ii) ELECTRONIC TAGS.—The interactive data standard shall include electronic tags that identify, for any 

payments made by a resource extraction issuer to a 

foreign government or the Federal Government— 

(I) the total amounts of the payments, by category; 

(II) the currency used to make the payments; 

(III) the financial period in which the payments 

were made; 

(IV) the business segment of the resource extraction issuer that made the payments; 

(V) the government that received the payments, 

and the country in which the government is located; 

(VI) the project of the resource extraction issuer 

to which the payments relate; and 

(VII) such other information as the Commission 

may determine is necessary or appropriate in the 

public interest or for the protection of investors. 

(E) INTERNATIONAL TRANSPARENCY EFFORTS.—To the extent practicable, the rules issued under subparagraph (A) 

shall support the commitment of the Federal Government 

to international transparency promotion efforts relating to 

the commercial development of oil, natural gas, or minerals. 

(F) EFFECTIVE DATE.—With respect to each resource extraction issuer, the final rules issued under subparagraph 

(A) shall take effect on the date on which the resource extraction issuer is required to submit an annual report relating to the fiscal year of the resource extraction issuer 

that ends not earlier than 1 year after the date on which 

the Commission issues final rules under subparagraph (A). 


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(3) PUBLIC AVAILABILITY OF INFORMATION.— 

(A) IN GENERAL.—To the extent practicable, the Commission shall make available online, to the public, a compilation of the information required to be submitted under the 

rules issued under paragraph (2)(A). 

(B) OTHER INFORMATION.—Nothing in this paragraph 

shall require the Commission to make available online information other than the information required to be submitted under the rules issued under paragraph (2)(A). 

(4) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be appropriated to the Commission such sums as may 

be necessary to carry out this subsection. 

(r) DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN ACTIVITIES RELATING TO IRAN.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—Each issuer required to file an annual or 

quarterly report under subsection (a) shall disclose in that report the information required by paragraph (2) if, during the 

period covered by the report, the issuer or any affiliate of the 

issuer— 

(A) knowingly engaged in an activity described in subsection (a) or (b) of section 5 of the Iran Sanctions Act of 

1996 (Public Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note); 

(B) knowingly engaged in an activity described in subsection (c)(2) of section 104 of the Comprehensive Iran 

Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 

U.S.C. 8513) or a transaction described in subsection (d)(1) 

of that section; 

(C) knowingly engaged in an activity described in section 

105A(b)(2) of that Act; or 

(D) knowingly conducted any transaction or dealing 

with— 

(i) any person the property and interests in property 

of which are blocked pursuant to Executive Order No. 

13224 (66 Fed. Reg. 49079; relating to blocking property and prohibiting transactions with persons who 

commit, threaten to commit, or support terrorism); 

(ii) any person the property and interests in property of which are blocked pursuant to Executive Order 

No. 13382 (70 Fed. Reg. 38567; relating to blocking of 

property of weapons of mass destruction proliferators 

and their supporters); or 

(iii) any person or entity identified under section 

560.304 of title 31, Code of Federal Regulations (relating to the definition of the Government of Iran) without the specific authorization of a Federal department 

or agency. 

(2) INFORMATION REQUIRED.—If an issuer or an affiliate of 

the issuer has engaged in any activity described in paragraph 

(1), the issuer shall disclose a detailed description of each such 

activity, including— 

(A) the nature and extent of the activity; 

(B) the gross revenues and net profits, if any, attributable to the activity; and 

(C) whether the issuer or the affiliate of the issuer (as 

the case may be) intends to continue the activity. 


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(3) NOTICE OF DISCLOSURES.—If an issuer reports under 

paragraph (1) that the issuer or an affiliate of the issuer has 

knowingly engaged in any activity described in that paragraph, 

the issuer shall separately file with the Commission, concurrently with the annual or quarterly report under subsection 

(a), a notice that the disclosure of that activity has been included in that annual or quarterly report that identifies the 

issuer and contains the information required by paragraph (2). 

(4) PUBLIC DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION.—Upon receiving a 

notice under paragraph (3) that an annual or quarterly report 

includes a disclosure of an activity described in paragraph (1), 

the Commission shall promptly— 

(A) transmit the report to— 

(i) the President; 

(ii) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives; and 

(iii) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the 

Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 

the Senate; and 

(B) make the information provided in the disclosure and 

the notice available to the public by posting the information on the Internet website of the Commission. 

(5) INVESTIGATIONS.—Upon receiving a report under paragraph (4) that includes a disclosure of an activity described in 

paragraph (1) (other than an activity described in subparagraph (D)(iii) of that paragraph), the President shall— 

(A) initiate an investigation into the possible imposition 

of sanctions under the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 (Public 

Law 104–172; 50 U.S.C. 1701 note), section 104 or 105A of 

the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, an Executive order specified in 

clause (i) or (ii) of paragraph (1)(D), or any other provision 

of law relating to the imposition of sanctions with respect 

to Iran, as applicable; and 

(B) not later than 180 days after initiating such an investigation, make a determination with respect to whether 

sanctions should be imposed with respect to the issuer or 

the affiliate of the issuer (as the case may be). 

(6) SUNSET.—The provisions of this subsection shall terminate on the date that is 30 days after the date on which the 

President makes the certification described in section 401(a) of 

the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010 (22 U.S.C. 8551(a)). 

* * * * * * * 

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 proposed in the accompanying 

bill which may be considered, under certain circumstances, to 

change the application of existing law, either directly or indirectly. 

The bill provides that appropriations shall remain available for 

more than one year for a number of programs for which the basic 


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authorizing legislation does not explicitly authorize such extended 

availability. In addition, the bill carries language, in some instances, permitting activities not authorized by law, or exempting 

agencies from certain provisions of law, but which has been carried 

in appropriations acts for many years. 

The bill includes several limitations on official entertainment, reception and representation expenses. Similar provisions have appeared in many previous appropriations Acts. The bill includes a 

number of limitations on the purchase of automobiles or office furnishings that also have appeared in many previous appropriations 

Acts. Language is included in several instances permitting certain 

funds to be credited to the appropriations recommended. Language 

is also included in several instances permitting funding for services 

authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and for the hire of passenger motor 

vehicles. 

TITLE I—DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

Language is included for Departmental Offices, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for operation and maintenance of the 

Treasury Building Annex; hire of passenger motor vehicles; maintenance, repairs, and improvements of, and purchase of commercial 

insurance policies for real properties leased or owned overseas. 

Language is also included providing for a transfer of funds. 

Language is also included designating funds for official reception 

and representation expenses; unforeseen emergencies of a confidential nature; and extending the period of availability for certain 

funds. 

Language is included for the Office of Terrorism and Financial 

Intelligence, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ that provides funds combating threats to national security. 

Language is included for the Office of Inspector General, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds to carry out the provisions 

of the Inspector General Act of 1978, including official reception 

and representation expenses, the hire of vehicles, and provides 

funds for unforeseen emergencies of a confidential nature. 

Language is included for the Treasury Inspector General for Tax 

Administration, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds to 

carry out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978, including consulting services, official reception and representation expenses, the purchase and hire of motor vehicles, unforeseen emergencies of a confidential nature, and specifies the period of availability for certain funds. 

Language is included for the Special Inspector General for the 

Troubled Asset Relief Program, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for the necessary expenses of the SIGTARP in carrying 

out the provisions of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 

2008 (P.L. 110–343). 

Language is included for the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for the hire of 

motor vehicles; travel and training of non-federal and foreign government personnel attending meetings involving domestic or foreign financial law enforcement, intelligence, and regulation; official 

reception and representation expenses; and assistance to Federal 

law enforcement agencies with or without reimbursement. LanVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00143 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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guage is also included that extends the availability of certain 

amounts. 

Language is included under the heading ‘‘Treasury Forfeiture 

Fund’’ rescinding certain funds. 

Language is included for the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides a certain amount for official reception and representation expenses, and extends the availability 

for systems modernization funds. Language is also included specifying an amount to be derived from the Oil Spill Liability Trust 

Fund. 

Language is included for the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade 

Bureau, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for the hire 

of passenger motor vehicles and laboratory assistance to State and 

local agencies with or without reimbursement. Language is also included that specifies the amounts for official reception and representation expenses and cooperative research and development. 

Language is included for the U.S. Mint, ‘‘United States Mint 

Public Enterprise Fund’’, which identifies the source of funding for 

the operations and activities of the U.S. Mint and specifies the 

level of funding for circulating coinage and protective service capital investments. 

Language is included for the Community Development Financial 

Institutions Fund Program Account that provides specific amounts 

for: financial and technical assistance, Native American initiatives, 

the Bank Enterprise Award program, administrative expenses, and 

the cost of direct loans. Language is included clarifying the cost of 

direct loans and the cost of modifying direct loans, and specifying 

the limitation on gross obligations for the principal amount of direct loans. 

Language is included under Internal Revenue Service, ‘‘Taxpayer 

Services’’, that provides funds for pre-filing assistance and education, filing and account services, and taxpayer advocacy services, 

and dedicating funding for the Tax Counseling for the Elderly Program, low-income taxpayer clinic grants, and Community Volunteer Income Tax Assistance grants. 

Language is included for Internal Revenue Service, ‘‘Enforcement’’, that provides funds to determine and collect owed taxes, 

provide legal and litigation support, conduct criminal investigations, enforce criminal statutes, purchase and hire of vehicles; and 

designates funding for the Interagency Crime and Drug Enforcement program. Language is included specifying the period of availability for certain funds. 

Language is included for the Internal Revenue Service, ‘‘Operations Support’’, that provides funds for operating and supporting 

taxpayer services and tax law enforcement programs; rent; facilities services; printing; postage; physical security; headquarters and 

other IRS-wide administration activities; research and statistics of 

income; telecommunications; information technology development, 

enhancement, operations, maintenance, and security; hire of passenger motor vehicles; and official reception and representation expenses. Language is included specifying the period of availability 

for certain funds and requiring reports on information technology. 

Language is included for Internal Revenue Service, ‘‘Business 

Systems Modernization’’, that provides for the business systems 

modernization program, including capital asset acquisition of inforVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00144 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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mation technology, including management and related contractual 

costs and IRS labor costs of said acquisitions, contractual costs associated with operations, provides for an extended availability of 

the funds and requires quarterly reports. 

In addition, the bill provides the following administrative provisions: 

Section 101. Language is included that allows for the transfer of 

five percent of any appropriation made available to the IRS to any 

other IRS appropriation, upon the advance approval of the Committees on Appropriations. 

Section 102. Language is included that requires the IRS to maintain a training program in taxpayers’ rights, dealing courteously 

with taxpayers, cross-cultural relations, and the impartial application of tax law. 

Section 103. Language is included that requires the IRS to institute and enforce policies and procedures that will safeguard the 

confidentiality of taxpayer information and protect taxpayers 

against identity theft. 

Section 104. Language is included that makes funds available for 

improved facilities and increased staffing to provide efficient and 

effective 1–800 number help line service for taxpayers. 

Section 105. Language is included requiring videos produced by 

the IRS to be approved in advance by the Service-Wide Video Editorial Board. 

Section 106. Language is included to require the IRS to issue notices to employers of any address change request and to give special consideration to offers in compromise for taxpayers who have 

been victims of payroll tax preparer fraud. 

Section 107. Language is included to prohibit the use of funds by 

the IRS to target citizens of the United States for exercising any 

right guaranteed under the First Amendment to the Constitution 

of the United States. 

Section 108. Language is included to prohibit the use of funds by 

the IRS to target groups for regulatory scrutiny based on their ideological beliefs. 

Section 109. Language is included to prohibit the use of funds by 

the IRS on conferences that do not adhere to recommendations 

made by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. 

Section 110. Language is included prohibiting funds made available in the healthcare reform act from being transferred to the IRS 

for implementing the healthcare reform act. 

Section 111. Language is included prohibiting funds from being 

used to implement the individual mandate of the Affordable Care 

Act. 

Section 112. Language is included prohibiting funds for IRS employee awards or hiring programs that do not consider employee 

conduct and Federal tax compliance. 

Section 113. Language included to prohibit the use of funds in 

contravention of section 6103 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 

(relating to confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information). 

Section 114. Language is included to prohibit pre-populated returns. 

Section 115. Language is included that authorizes the Department to purchase uniforms, insurance for motor vehicles that are 


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overseas, and motor vehicles that are overseas without regard to 

the general purchase price limitations; to enter into contracts with 

the State Department for health and medical services for Treasury 

employees that are overseas; and to hire experts or consultants. 

Section 116. Language is included that authorizes transfers, up 

to two percent, between ‘‘Departmental Offices—Salaries and Expenses’’, ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, ‘‘Special Inspector General 

for the Troubled Asset Relief Program’’, ‘‘Financial Crimes Enforcement Network’’, ‘‘Bureau of the Fiscal Service’’, ‘‘Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau’’, and ‘‘Community Development Financial Institutions Fund Program Account’’ appropriations under 

certain circumstances. 

Section 117. Language is included that authorizes transfers, up 

to two percent, between the Internal Revenue Service and the 

Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration under certain 

circumstances. 

Section 118. Language is included prohibiting the Department of 

the Treasury from undertaking a redesign of the one dollar Federal 

Reserve note. 

Section 119. Language is included providing for transfers from 

and reimbursements to ‘‘Bureau of the Fiscal Service, Salaries and 

Expenses’’ for the purposes of debt collection. 

Section 120. Language is included requiring congressional approval for the construction and operation of a museum by the 

United States Mint. 

Section 121. Language is included prohibiting funds in this or 

any other Act from being used to merge the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing without the approval of the House 

and Senate committees of jurisdiction. 

Section 122. Language is included deeming that funds for the Department of the Treasury’s intelligence-related activities are specifically authorized in fiscal year 2016 until enactment of the Intelligence Authorization Act for fiscal year 2016. 

Section 123. Language is included permitting the Bureau of Engraving and Printing to use $5,000 from the Industrial Revolving 

Fund for reception and representation expenses. 

Section 124. Language is included requiring the Department of 

the Treasury to submit a capital investment plan. 

Section 125. Language is included requiring a quarterly report 

from both the Office of Financial Research and Office of Financial 

Stability Oversight. 

Section 126. Language is included limiting the fees available for 

obligation by the Office of Financial Research. 

Section 127. Language is included requiring the Department of 

the Treasury to submit a report on its Franchise Fund. 

Section 128. Language is included to require the Department to 

submit a report on economic warfare and financial terrorism. 

Section 129. Language is included to prohibit the Department 

from finalizing any regulation related to the standards used to determine the tax-exempt status of a 501(c)(4) organization. 

Section 130. Language is included with respect to the people-topeople category of travel to Cuba. 

Section 131. Language is included with respect to the importation of property confiscated by the Cuban Government. 


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Section 132. Language is included with respect to financial transactions with the Cuban military or intelligence service. 

Section 133. Language is included prohibit the Department from 

enforcing guidance for U.S. positions on multilateral development 

banks engaging with developing countries on coal-fired power generation. 

Section 134. Language is included requiring the Office of Financial Research to provide public notice of not less than 90 days before issuing a rule, report, or regulation. 

Section 135. Language is included to prohibit funds for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to determine that a church is not exempt from taxation for participating in, or intervening in, any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidates for 

public office unless the IRS Commissioner consents to such determination, the Commissioner notifies the tax committees of Congress, and the determination is effective 90 days after such notification. 

TITLE II—EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

Language under The White House, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, provides funds for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and 3 U.S.C. 

103, 105 and 107, hire of vehicles, and official reception and representation expenses; and the Office of Policy Development. 

Language under the Executive Residence at the White House, 

‘‘Operating Expenses’’, provides funds for necessary expenses as authorized by 3 U.S.C. 105, 109, 110, and 112–114. 

Language under the Executive Residence at the White House, 

‘‘Reimbursable Expenses’’, specifies the authorized use of funds; 

specifies that reimbursable expenses are the exclusive authority of 

the Executive Residence to incur obligations and receive offsetting 

collections; requires the sponsors of political events to make advance payments; requires the national committee of the political 

party of the President to maintain $25,000 on deposit; requires the 

Executive Residence to ensure that amounts owed are billed within 

60 days of a reimbursable event and collected within 30 days of the 

bill notice; authorizes the Executive Residence to charge and assess 

interest and penalties on late payments; authorizes all reimbursements to be deposited into the Treasury as a miscellaneous receipt; 

requires a report to the Committee on the reimbursable expenses 

within 90 days of the end of the fiscal year; requires the Executive 

Residence to maintain a system for tracking and classifying reimbursable events; and specifies that the Executive Residence is not 

exempt from the requirements of subchapter I or II of chapter 37 

of title 31, United States Code. 

Language under ‘‘White House Repair and Restoration’’ provides 

funds for the repair, alteration and improvement of the Executive 

Residence at the White House; and allows funds to remain available until expended. 

Language under Council of Economic Advisors ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ is provided for necessary expenses in carrying out the Employment Act of 1946. 

Language under National Security Council and Homeland Security Council ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ provides for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109. 


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Language under Office of Administration, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, provides funds for continued modernization of the information resources within the Executive Office of the President, to remain available until expended, and provides for services authorized 

by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and 3 U.S.C. 107, and for the hire of vehicles. 

Language under Office of Management and Budget, ‘‘Salaries 

and Expenses’’, provides funds for expenses, services authorized by 

5 U.S.C. 3109, the hire of vehicles; carrying out provisions of chapter 35 of 44 U.S.C., and to prepare the budget request; specifies 

funds for official representation expense; prohibits the review of agricultural marketing orders; prohibits the use of funds for the purpose of altering the transcript of testimony except for OMB officials; prohibits the use of funds for evaluating or determining if 

water resource project or study reports submitted by the Chief of 

Engineers are in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, 

and requirements; and specifies the amount of time to perform 

budgetary policy reviews of water resource matters on which the 

Chief of Engineers has reported before the report is considered approved, and specifies notification requirements; requires consultation with House and Senate standing committees with respect to 

the number of printed and electronic versions of the fiscal year 

2017 budget that should be provided by OMB. 

Language under the Office of National Drug Control Policy, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, provides funds for expenses, research, official 

reception and representation expenses, participation in joint 

projects, and allows for the acceptance of gifts. 

Language under Federal Drug Control Programs, ‘‘High Intensity 

Drug Trafficking Areas Program’’, provides for the transfer of funds 

to State, local and Federal entities. Language is also included regarding the availability of funds, specifying the amount of funds for 

auditing and associated activities, providing for the reprogramming 

of certain balances requiring, each designated High Intensity Drug 

Trafficking Area to receive not less than the fiscal year 2015 base 

allocation unless the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy determines otherwise and submits a report to the Committees on Appropriations, and requiring reports regarding initial 

allocations and discretionary funding. 

Language under Federal Drug Control Programs, ‘‘Other Federal 

Drug Control Programs’’ provides funds for drug-free communities 

(with an amount specified to be made available as directed by section 4 of Public Law 107–82, as amended by Public Law 109–469), 

anti-doping activities, the U.S. membership dues to the World AntiDoping Agency, drug courts and a competitive grant program. Language also allows for the transfer of funds and makes funds available until expended. 

Language under ‘‘Information Technology Oversight and Reform’’ 

provides funds for the furtherance of integrated, efficient, secure, 

and effective uses of information technology, to remain available 

until expended; allows funding to be transferred to agencies to 

carry out projects; and requires quarterly reports on identified savings by fiscal year, agency and appropriation. 

Language under Special Assistance to the President, ‘‘Salaries 

and Expenses’’, enables the Vice President to provide assistance to 

the President, services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and 3 U.S.C. 

106, and the hire of vehicles. 


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Language under Official Residence of the Vice President, ‘‘Operating Expenses’’, provides funds for operation and maintenance of 

the official residence of the Vice President, the hire of vehicles, expenses authorized by 3 U.S.C. 106(b)(2) and provides for the transfer of funds as necessary. 

In addition, the bill provides the following administrative provisions: 

Section 201. Language is included permitting the transfer of not 

to exceed ten percent of funds between various accounts within the 

Executive Office of the President, with advance approval of the 

Committees on Appropriations. The amount of an appropriation 

shall not be increased by more than 50 percent. 

Section 202. Language is included requiring the Director of the 

Office of Management and Budget to report on the costs of implementing the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (Public Law 111–203). 

Section 203. Language is included requiring the Director of the 

Office of Management and Budget to include a statement of budgetary impact with any Executive Order or Presidential Memorandum issued during fiscal year 2016. 

Section 204. Language is included prohibiting funds to prepare, 

sign or approve statements abrogating legislation passed by the 

House of Representatives and the Senate and signed by the President. 

Section 205. Language is included prohibiting funding to prepare 

or implement Executive Orders or Presidential Memorandums in 

contravention of existing law. 

TITLE III—THE JUDICIARY

Language is included under Supreme Court, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, providing for certain funds to remain available until expended; the hire of passenger motor vehicles, official reception and 

representation, and miscellaneous expenses. Language is included 

providing funds for salaries of judges as authorized by law. 

Language is included under Supreme Court, ‘‘Care of the Building and Grounds’’, permitting funds to remain available until expended. 

Language is included under United States Court of Appeals for 

the Federal Circuit, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, for necessary expenses of the court. Language is included providing funds for salaries of judges as authorized by law. 

Language is included under United States Court of International 

Trade, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, for necessary expenses of the 

court. Language is included providing funds for salaries of judges 

as authorized by law. 

Language is included under Courts of Appeals, District Courts, 

and Other Judicial Services, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, providing 

funds for the salaries of certain judges, and all other employees not 

otherwise provided for; necessary expenses; the purchase, rental, 

repair and cleaning of uniforms for Probation and Pretrial Services 

Office staff; firearms and ammunition; and specifies certain funds 

remain available for certain periods for specific purposes. Language 

is included providing funds for salaries of judges as authorized by 

law. Language is also included providing funding from the Vaccine 

Injury Compensation Trust Fund for certain purposes. 


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Language is included under Defender Services, providing for the 

compensation and reimbursement of expenses for attorneys, investigative, expert and other services, the operation of Federal Defender organizations, travel, training, general administrative expenses and permitting funds to remain available until expended. 

Language is included under Fees of Jurors and Commissioners, 

permitting funds to remain available until expended and specifying 

limitations for the compensation of land commissioners. 

Language is included under Court Security, providing for protective guard services and procurement, installation and maintenance 

of security systems and equipment, building ingress-egress control, 

inspection of mail and packages, directed security patrols, perimeter security and services provided by the Federal Protective Services. Language is included permitting certain funds to remain 

available until expended, which may be transferred to the United 

States Marshals Service. 

Language is included under Administrative Office of the United 

States Courts, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, providing for travel, the 

hire of passenger motor vehicles, advertising and rent in the District of Columbia. Language is included specifying certain amounts 

for official reception and representation expenses. 

Language is included under Federal Judicial Center, ‘‘Salaries 

and Expenses’’, extending the availability of certain funds for education and training, and specifying certain amounts for official reception and representation expenses. 

Language is included under United States Sentencing Commission, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, specifying certain amounts for official reception and representation expenses. 

In addition, the bill provides the following administrative provisions: 

Section 301. Language is included permitting funds for salaries 

and expenses to be available for the employment of experts and 

consultant services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109. 

Section 302. Language is included permitting up to five percent 

of any appropriation made available for fiscal year 2016 to be 

transferred between Judiciary appropriations provided that no appropriation shall be decreased by more than five percent or increased by more than ten percent by any such transfer except in 

certain circumstances. In addition, the language provides that any 

such transfer shall be treated as a reprogramming of funds under 

sections 604 and 608 of the accompanying bill and shall not be 

available for obligation or expenditure except in compliance with 

the procedures set forth in those sections. 

Section 303. Language is included allowing not to exceed $11,000 

to be used for official reception and representation expenses incurred by the Judicial Conference of the United States. 

Section 304. Language is included allowing the delegation of authority to the Judiciary for contracts for repairs of less than 

$100,000 through fiscal year 2016. 

Section 305. Language is included allowing a court security pilot 

program. 

Section 306. Language is included requested by the Judicial Conference of the United States extending temporary judgeships in the 

eastern district of Missouri, Kansas, Arizona, the northern district 

of Alabama, the central district of California, the western district 


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of North Carolina, the southern district of Florida, New Mexico and 

the eastern district of Texas. 

TITLE IV—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment for Resident Tuition Support’’, permitting the amount appropriated to remain available until expended; specifying conditions for the use, award, and 

financial accounting of funds; and requiring quarterly reports. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment for Emergency 

Planning and Security Costs in the District of Columbia’’, providing 

that the amount appropriated shall remain available until expended for providing public safety at events, including support of 

the United States Secret Service, and to respond to terrorist 

threats or attacks. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment to the District of 

Columbia Courts’’, authorizing official reception and representation 

expenses; specifying certain amounts for specific purposes; providing all amounts under this heading shall be apportioned quarterly by the Office of Management and Budget and obligated and 

expended in the same manner as funds appropriated for salaries 

and expenses of other Federal agencies; allowing funds made available for capital improvements to remain available until September 

30, 2017; providing for the reallocation of funds and providing for 

certain payments. 

Language is included under ‘‘Defender Services in the District of 

Columbia Courts’’, providing that the amount appropriated shall 

remain available until expended; specifying who shall administer 

these funds; and providing that all amounts under this heading 

shall be apportioned quarterly by the Office of Management and 

Budget and obligated and expended in the same manner as funds 

appropriated for salaries and expenses of other Federal agencies. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment to the Court Services and Offender Supervision Agency for the District of Columbia’’, 

allowing the transfer and hire of motor vehicles; authorizing official 

reception and representation expenses; specifying certain amounts 

for specific purposes and programs; allowing $3,159,000 to remain 

available until September 30, 2018; providing that all amounts 

under this heading shall be apportioned quarterly by the Office of 

Management and Budget and obligated and expended in the same 

manner as funds appropriated for salaries and expenses of other 

Federal agencies; allowing the use of programmatic incentives for 

offenders and defendants who successfully meet the terms of their 

supervision; authorizing the Director to accept, solicit and use on 

the behalf of the Agency any monetary or nonmentary gift to support offenders and defendants successfully meeting terms of supervision; specifying for recording the acceptance of such gifts; and authorizing the acceptance and use of space and services on a cost reimbursable basis from the District of Columbia Government. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment to District of Columbia Public Defender Service’’, allowing the transfer and hire of 

motor vehicles; providing that all amounts under this heading shall 

be apportioned quarterly by the Office of Management and Budget 

and obligated and expended in the same manner as funds appropriated for salaries and expenses of other Federal agencies; and authorizing the acceptance and use of voluntary and uncompensated 


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services to facilitate the work of the District of Columbia Public Defender Service. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment to the Criminal 

Justice Coordinating Council’’, specifying that the amount appropriated shall remain available until expended to support initiatives 

related to the coordination of Federal and local criminal justice resources. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment for Judicial Commissions’’, specifying certain amounts for certain commissions and 

allowing for appropriations to remain available until September 30, 

2017. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment for School Improvement’’, allowing for appropriations to remain available until 

expended for payments authorized under the Scholarship for Opportunity and Results Act. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment for the District of 

Columbia National Guard’’, providing funds for the National Guard 

Retention and College Access Program to remain available until expended. 

Language is included under ‘‘Federal Payment for Testing and 

Treatment of HIV/AIDS’’ for testing and treatment. 

Language is included under ‘‘District of Columbia Funds’’: (1) 

providing funds as proposed in the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Request Act of 2015 submitted to Congress by the District of Columbia; (2) limits the amount provided in this Act for the District of 

Columbia to the amount of the proposed budget or the sum of total 

revenues; (3) providing conditions for increasing the amount provided; and (4) directing the Chief Financial Officer to ensure the 

District of Columbia meets all requirements, but prohibits the reprogramming of capital projects. 

TITLE V—INDEPENDENT AGENCIES

Language is included for the Administrative Conference of the 

United States, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, providing for expenses, including official reception and representation and allowing funds to 

be available until September 30, 2017. 

The bill includes the following administrative provisions under 

the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (CFPB): 

Section 501. Language is included repealing the prohibition 

against the Committees on Appropriations reviewing transfers from 

the Federal Reserve System to the CFPB. 

Section 502. Language is included changing CFPB’s source of 

funding from transfers from the Federal Reserve System to annual 

appropriations beginning in fiscal year 2017. 

Section 503. Language is included requiring CFPB to make 

transfer requests to the Federal Reserve System and the response 

from Federal Reserve System available on the Bureau’s public 

website, in addition to requiring CFPB to notify Congress of when 

it makes such a request and to describe how the funds will be used 

in the course of protecting consumers. 

Section 504. Language is included requiring CFPB to submit 

quarterly reports on its activities and to testify on its activities 

when requested. 

Language is included for the Consumer Product Safety Commission, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for expenses, the 


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hire of motor vehicles, services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 

(with a limitation on rates for individuals), and official reception 

and representation expenses. 

Language is included for the Election Assistance Commission, 

‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides necessary funds to carry out 

the Help America Vote Act of 2002. 

Language is included under the Federal Communications Commission, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, permitting funds for uniforms 

and allowances therefor, official reception and representation expenses, purchase and hire of motor vehicles, special counsel fees, 

and services as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109. Language provides for 

the assessment and collection of offsetting collections, authorizes 

retention of such collections, and provides that they remain available until expended. Language prohibits the availability for obligation of excess collections. Language limits the use of proceeds from 

the use of a competitive bidding system. Language provides funding for the Office of Inspector General. 

Language is included for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, that provides for the funds to 

be derived from the Deposit Insurance Fund, and the FSLIC Resolution Fund. 

Language is included for the Federal Election Commission, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, providing for expenses, including official reception and representation. 

Language is included for the Federal Labor Relations Authority, 

‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, the hire of experts and consultants, hire of 

motor vehicles, reception and representation expenses and the rental of conference rooms; authorizes travel payments to public members of the Federal Service Impasses Panel; and allows for fees collected to be transferred to and merged with the appropriation. 

Language is included for the Federal Trade Commission, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, permitting funds for uniforms and allowances 

therefor, services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, official reception 

and representation expenses, hire of motor vehicles, and contract 

for collection services. Language provides for the crediting and retention of certain fees. Language also prohibits funds from being 

used to implement subsection (e)(2)(B) of section 43 of the Federal 

Deposit Insurance Act. 

Language is included for the General Services Administration, 

‘‘Federal Buildings Fund’’ that allows for revenues and collections 

to be spent from the Fund; specifies the conditions under which 

funds made available can be used; limits the availability of funds 

for certain purposes; specifies funding for construction and acquisition projects; specifies funding for special emphasis programs; provides for certain transfers of funds; requires spending plans; and 

prohibits excess funds from being available. 

Language is included for the General Services Administration, 

‘‘Government-wide Policy’’, that provides funds for policy and evaluation activities associated with the management of real and personal property assets and certain administrative services; support 

responsibilities relating to acquisition, telecommunications, motor 

vehicles, information technology management, and related technology activities; and services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109. 


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Language is included for the General Services Administration, 

‘‘Operating Expenses’’ that provides funds for Government-wide activities associated with personal and real property disposal, and 

services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109; for expenses for activities associated with agency-wide policy direction and management; for 

necessary expenses of the Civilian Board of Contract Appeals; for 

official reception and representation; designates funds for certain 

purposes; and provides for certain transfers. 

Language is included for the General Services Administration, 

‘‘Office of Inspector General’’ that makes certain funds available 

until expended and provides for awards in recognition of efforts 

that enhance the office. Language is included for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109 and designates funds for information and detection of fraud. 

Language is included for the General Services Administration, 

‘‘Allowances and Office Staff for Former Presidents’’, for carrying 

out the provisions of 3 U.S.C. 102 note and Public Law 95–138. 

Language is included for the General Services Administration, 

‘‘Pre-Election Presidential Transition’’ for activities authorized by 

Public Law 111–238. 

Language is also included for the General Services Administration, ‘‘Pre-Election Presidential Transition’’ allowing for certain 

transfers to the Pre-Election Presidential Transition. 

Language is included for the General Services Administration, 

‘‘Federal Citizen Services Fund’’, that provides funds for the Office 

of Citizen Services and other information technology costs. Language is included allowing for certain transfers to the Federal Citizen Services Fund. Language is also included for the ‘‘Federal Citizen Services Fund’’ that authorizes funds to be deposited in the 

Fund and limits the availability of funds in the Fund. 

In addition, the bill includes the following administrative provisions under the General Services Administration (GSA): 

Section 505. Language is included providing authority for the use 

of funds for the hire of motor vehicles. 

Section 506. Language is included providing that funds made 

available for activities of the Federal Buildings Fund may be transferred between appropriations with advance approval of the Congress to apply to funds provided in prior appropriations Acts. 

Section 507. Language is included requiring funds proposed for 

developing courthouse construction requests to meet appropriate 

standards and the priorities of the Judicial Conference. 

Section 508. Language is included providing that no funds may 

be used to increase the amount of occupiable square feet, provide 

cleaning services, security enhancements, or any other service usually provided, to any agency which does not pay the assessed rent. 

Section 509. Language is included permitting GSA to pay small 

claims (up to $250,000) made against the Federal Government. 

Section 510. Language is included requiring the Administrator to 

ensure that the delineated area of procurement for all lease agreements is identical to the delineated area included in the prospectus 

unless prior notice is given to the Committees. 

Section 511. Language is included requiring a spend plan for certain accounts and programs. 

Language is included for the Merit Systems Protection Board, 

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ized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, rental of conference rooms, hire of passenger 

motor vehicles, direct procurement of survey printing, official reception and representation expenses, specifies the period of availability for certain funds, provides for administration expenses to 

adjudicate retirement appeals, and provides for the transfer of 

some funds. 

Language is included for the National Archives and Records Administration, ‘‘Operating Expenses’’, that provides funds for uniforms or allowances therefor, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5901 et 

seq., including maintenance, repairs, and cleaning, the hire of passenger motor vehicles, activities of the Public Interest Declassification Board, the review and declassification of documents, and the 

operations and maintenance of the electronic records archive. 

Language is included for the National Archives and Records Administration, ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, that provides funds for 

the hire of motor vehicles. 

Language is included for the National Archives and Records Administration, ‘‘Repairs and Restoration’’, that provides funds for the 

repair, alteration, improvement, and provision of adequate storage; 

and provides that funds remain available until expended. 

Language is included under the National Archives and Records 

Administration, ‘‘National Historical Publications and Records 

Commission Grants Program’’, that provides funds for allocations 

and grants for historical publications and records; and provides 

that funds remain available until expended. 

Language is included under the National Credit Union Administration, ‘‘Community Development Credit Union Revolving Loan 

Fund’’, that provides funds for technical assistance and extends the 

availability of funds. 

Language is included under the Office of Government Ethics, 

‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, rental of conference rooms, hire of passenger 

motor vehicles, and official reception and representation expenses. 

Language is included under the Office of Personnel Management, 

‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides funds for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, medical examinations for veterans, rental of 

conference rooms, hire of passenger motor vehicles, official reception and representation expenses, advances for reimbursements, 

payment of per diem and/or subsistence allowances, and the transfer of administrative expenses; directs that provisions shall not affect other authorities; prohibits funds for the Legal Examining 

Unit; and authorizes the acceptance of donations under certain conditions. 

Language is included for the Office of Personnel Management, 

Office of Inspector General, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides 

funds for services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, hire of passenger 

motor vehicles, rental of conference rooms, and a transfer for administrative expenses. 

Language is included for the Office of Special Counsel, ‘‘Salaries 

and Expenses’’, that provides funds for services authorized by 5 

U.S.C. 3109, payment of fees and expenses for witnesses, rental of 

conference rooms, and the hire of passenger motor vehicles. 

Language is included for the Postal Regulatory Commission, 

‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides for transfer of funds from 

the Postal Service Fund. 


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Language is included for the Securities and Exchange Commission, ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides for rental of space, 

services, reception and representation expenses, a permanent secretariat for the International Organization of Securities Commissions, and consultations and meetings hosted by the Commission. 

Language is included designating funds for information technology 

initiatives and the economics division. Language is included that 

provides for the crediting of offsetting collections. Language provides for the assessment and collection of offsetting collections, authorizes retention of such collections, and provides that they remain available until expended. 

Language is included for the Selective Service System, ‘‘Salaries 

and Expenses’’, that provides funds for attendance of meetings, 

training, hire of passenger motor vehicles, services authorized by 5 

U.S.C. 3109, and official reception and representation expenses; authorizes certain exemptions under certain conditions; and prohibits 

funds used in connection with the induction of any person into the 

Armed Forces of the United States. 

Language is included for the Small Business Administration, 

‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’, that provides for hire of motor vehicles 

and official reception and representation expenses. Language is 

also included to provide authority to charge fees and credit such 

fees to the account without further appropriation. Language is also 

included designating funds for lender oversight. Language is also 

included for the Loan Modernization and Accounting System and 

co-sponsor activities. 

Language is included for the Small Business Administration, 

‘‘Entrepreneurial Development Programs’’, that provides for supporting entrepreneurial and small business development grant programs. Language is included extending the availability of funds. 

Language is included for the Small Business Administration, ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, that provides funds to carry out the provisions of the Inspector General Act of 1978. 

Language is included for the Small Business Administration, ‘‘Office of Advocacy’’, that provides funds to carry out the provisions 

of the Independent Office of Advocacy Act of 2003 and the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 and allows funds to remain available 

until expended. 

Language is included for the Small Business Administration, 

‘‘Business Loans Program Account’’, limiting commitments for certain guaranteed loan programs and for providing for the cost of direct loans and guaranteed loans. Language is also included authorizing the transfer of funds to ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ for administrative expenses. 

Language is included for the Small Business Administration 

‘‘Disaster Loan Program Account’’, that provides for administrative 

expenses, the transfer of funds to the ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’ 

and to ‘‘Salaries and Expenses’’ and allows funds to remain available until expended. 

Section 512 allows for the transfer of funds between Small Business Administration appropriations. 

Section 513 prohibits the Small Business Administration from 

charging fees on loans to veterans or their spouses. 

Language is included for the United States Postal Service, ‘‘Payment to the Postal Service Fund’’, that provides funds for revenue 


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foregone; stipulates that mail for overseas voting and mail for the 

blind is free; provides that 6-day delivery shall continue at not less 

than the 1983 level; prohibits funds in this Act from being used to 

charge a fee to a child support enforcement agency seeking the address of a postal customer; prohibits funds from being used to consolidate or close small rural and other small post offices; and requires the Postal Service to maintain and comply with service 

standards for First Class Mail and periodicals effective on July 1, 

2012. 

Language is included for the United States Postal Service, ‘‘Office of Inspector General’’, that provides for transfer from the Postal Service Fund. 

Language is included for the United States Tax Court, ‘‘Salaries 

and Expenses’’, that provides funds for contract reporting and services authorized by 5 U.S.C. 3109, and that travel expenses of the 

judges shall be paid upon the written certificate of the judge. 

TITLE VI—GENERAL PROVISIONS—THIS ACT

In addition, the bill provides the following provisions under this 

title: 

Section 601. Language is included prohibiting pay and other expenses for non-Federal parties in regulatory or adjudicatory proceedings funded in this Act. 

Section 602. Language is included prohibiting obligations beyond 

the current fiscal year and prohibits transfers of funds unless expressly so provided herein. 

Section 603. Language is included limiting procurement contracts 

for consulting service expenditures to contracts that are matters of 

public record and available for public inspection. 

Section 604. Language is included prohibiting transfer of funds 

in this Act without express authority. 

Section 605. Language is included prohibiting the use of funds to 

engage in activities that would prohibit the enforcement of section 

307 of the 1930 Tariff Act. 

Section 606. Language is included concerning compliance with 

the Buy American Act. 

Section 607. Language is included prohibiting the use of funds by 

any person or entity convicted of violating the Buy American Act. 

Section 608. Language is included specifying reprogramming procedures. The provision requires that agencies or entities funded by 

the Act notify the Committee and obtain prior approval from the 

Committee for any reprogramming of funds that: (1) creates a new 

program; (2) eliminates a program, project, or activity; (3) increases 

funds or personnel for any program, project, or activity for which 

funds have been denied or restricted by the Congress; (4) proposes 

to use funds directed for a specific activity by either the House or 

Senate Committees on Appropriations for a different purpose; (5) 

augments existing programs, projects, or activities in excess of 

$5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; (6) reduces existing 

programs, projects, or activities by $5,000,000 or 10 percent, whichever is less; or (7) reorganizes offices, programs, or activities. The 

provision also directs the agencies funded by this Act to submit operating plans for the Committee’s review within 60 days of the 

bill’s enactment. 


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Section 609. Language is included providing that fifty percent of 

unobligated balances may remain available for certain purposes. 

Section 610. Language is included prohibiting funding for the Executive Office of the President to request either a Federal Bureau 

of Investigation background investigation or Internal Revenue 

Service determination with respect to section 501(a) of the Internal 

Revenue Code of 1986, except with the express consent of the individual involved in an investigation or in extraordinary circumstances involving national security. 

Section 611. Language is included regarding cost accounting 

standards for contracts under the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program. 

Section 612. Language is included regarding non-foreign area 

cost of living allowances. 

Section 613. Language is included prohibiting the expenditure of 

funds for abortion under the Federal Employees Health Benefits 

program. 

Section 614. Language is included making exceptions to the preceding provision where the life of the mother is in danger or the 

pregnancy is a result of an act of rape or incest. 

Section 615. Language is included waiving restrictions on the 

purchase of non-domestic articles, materials, and supplies in the 

case of acquisition of information technology by the Federal government. 

Section 616. Language is included prohibiting officers or employees of any regulatory agency or commission funded by this Act from 

accepting travel payments or reimbursements from a person or entity regulated by such agency or commission. 

Section 617. Language is included permitting the Securities and 

Exchange Commission and Commodities Futures Trading Commission to fund a joint advisory committee to advise on emerging regulatory issues, notwithstanding Section 708 of this Act. 

Section 618. Language is included requiring certain agencies in 

this Act to consult with the General Services Administration before 

seeking new office space or making alterations to existing office 

space. 

Section 619. Language is included providing for several appropriated mandatory accounts. These are accounts where authorizing 

language requires the payment of funds. The Congressional Budget 

Office estimates the cost for the following programs addressed in 

this provision: $450,000 for Compensation of the President including $50,000 for expenses, $132,000,000 for the Judicial Retirement 

Funds (Judicial Officers’ Retirement Fund, Judicial Survivors’ Annuities Fund, and the United States Court of Federal Claims 

Judges’ Retirement Fund), $11,908,000,000 for the Government 

Payment for Annuitants, Employee Health Benefits, $49,000,000 

for the Government Payment for Annuitants, Employee Life Insurance, and $8,872,000,000 for the Payment to the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund. 

Section 620. Language is included prohibiting funds for the Federal Trade Commission to complete the draft report entitled ‘‘Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed to Children: Preliminary 

Proposed Nutrition Principles to Guide Industry Self-Regulatory 

Efforts’’ unless the Interagency Working Group on Food Marketed 

to Children complies with Executive Order 13563, including the reVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:24 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 009584 PO 00000 Frm 00158 Fmt 6659 Sfmt 6602 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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quirement to provide quantified present and future benefits and 

costs. 

Section 621. Language is included prohibiting funding for certain 

czars including the Director of the White House Office of Health 

Reform, the Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate 

Change, the Senior Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury assigned to the Presidential Task Force on the Auto Industry and 

Senior Counselor for Manufacturing Policy, and the White House 

Director of Urban Affairs, or any substantially similar positions. 

Section 622. Language is included prohibiting funds in contravention of the Federal Records Act. 

Section 623. Language is included requiring certain regulatory 

agencies to provide a report on increasing public participation in 

rulemaking, improving coordination among Federal agencies, and 

identifying ineffective or excessively burdensome regulations. 

Section 624. Language is included prohibiting the obligation of 

funds in fiscal year 2016 from the Securities and Exchange Commission Reserve Fund established by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street 

Reform and Consumer Protection Act. 

Section 625. Language is included prohibiting funds for the Securities and Exchange Commission to require the disclosure of political contributions, contributions to tax exempt organizations, or 

dues paid to trade associations. 

Section 626. Language is included repealing the indemnification 

requirement for swap data repositories and replaces it with a confidentiality agreement. 

Section 627. Language is included prohibiting agencies from requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to disclose electronic communications information in a manner that violates the Fourth 

Amendment. 

Section 628. Language is included prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from implementing, administering, 

or enforcing any rule unless the FCC publishes the text of the rule 

21 days before a vote on the rule. 

Section 629. Language is included prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission from regulating rates for either 

broadband or wireless internet providers. 

Section 630. Language is included prohibiting the Federal Communications Commission from implementing FCC Order 15–24 regarding open internet until specific court challenges have been resolved. 

Section 631. Language is included prohibiting the Financial Stability Oversight Council from designating nonbanks as systemically 

important financial institutions until it identifies the risks to financial stability presented by the nonbank and allows the nonbank to 

present a plan to modify its business, structure, or operation to 

mitigate the identified risk prior to final designation. 

Section 632. Language is included prohibiting the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection from implementing a rule regarding the 

use of arbitration until the Bureau addresses certain requirements. 

Section 633. Language is included prohibiting, in fiscal year 

2016, implementation of a rule adopted by the Federal Communications Commission on March 31, 2014 (FCC 14–28) related to joint 

sales agreements. 


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TITLE VII—GENERAL PROVISIONS—GOVERNMENT-WIDE

In addition, the bill provides the following provisions under this 

title: 

Section 701. Language is included requiring agencies to administer a policy designed to ensure that all of its workplaces are free 

from the illegal use of controlled substances. 

Section 702. Language is included establishing price limitations 

on vehicles to be purchased by the Federal Government with certain exceptions. 

Section 703. Language is included allowing funds made available 

to agencies for travel to also be used for quarters allowances and 

cost-of-living allowances. 

Section 704. Language is included prohibiting the employment of 

noncitizens with certain exceptions. 

Section 705. Language is included giving agencies the authority 

to pay General Services Administration bills for space renovation 

and other services. 

Section 706. Language is included allowing agencies to finance 

the costs of recycling and waste prevention programs with proceeds 

from the sale of materials recovered through such programs. 

Section 707. Language is included providing that funds made 

available to corporations and agencies subject to 31 U.S.C. 91 may 

pay rent and other service costs in the District of Columbia. 

Section 708. Language is included prohibiting interagency financing of groups absent prior statutory approval. 

Section 709. Language is included prohibiting the use of funds 

for enforcing regulations disapproved in accordance with the applicable law of the U.S. 

Section 710. Language is included limiting the amount of funds 

that can be used for redecoration of offices under certain circumstances. 

Section 711. Language is included allowing for interagency funding of national security and emergency telecommunications initiatives. 

Section 712. Language is included requiring agencies to certify 

that a Schedule C appointment was not created solely or primarily 

to detail the employee to the White House. 

Section 713. Language is included prohibiting the payment of 

any employee who prohibits, threatens or prevents another employee from communicating with Congress. 

Section 714. Language is included prohibiting Federal training 

not directly related to the performance of official duties. 

Section 715. Language is included prohibiting, other than for 

normal and recognized executive-legislative relationships, propaganda, publicity and lobbying by executive agency personnel in 

support or defeat of legislative initiatives. 

Section 716. Language is included prohibiting any Federal agency from disclosing an employee’s home address to any labor organization, absent employee authorization or court order. 

Section 717. Language is included prohibiting funds to be used 

to provide non-public information such as mailing, telephone, or 

electronic mailing lists to any person or organization outside the 

government without the approval of the Committees on Appropriations. 


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Section 718. Language is included prohibiting the use of funds 

for propaganda and publicity purposes not authorized by Congress. 

Section 719. Language is included directing agency employees to 

use official time in an honest effort to perform official duties. 

Section 720. Language is included allowing the use of funds to 

finance an appropriate share of the Federal Accounting Standards 

Advisory Board. 

Section 721. Language is included allowing agencies to transfer 

$17,000,000 to the Government-wide Policy account of the General 

Services Administration to finance an appropriate share of various 

government-wide boards and councils. 

Section 722. Language is included permitting breast feeding in a 

Federal building or on Federal property if the woman and child are 

authorized to be there. 

Section 723. Language is included permitting interagency funding of the National Science and Technology Council and provides 

for a report on the budget and resources of the National Science 

and Technology Council. 

Section 724. Language is included requiring documents involving 

the distribution of Federal funds to indicate the agency providing 

the funds and the amount provided. 

Section 725. Language is included prohibiting the use of funds to 

monitor personal access or use of Internet sites or to collect, review, or obtain any personally identifiable information relating to 

access to or use of an Internet site. 

Section 726. Language is included requiring health plans participating in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to provide contraceptive coverage and provides exemptions to certain religious plans. 

Section 727. Language is included supporting strict adherence to 

anti-doping activities. 

Section 728. Language is included allowing funds for official travel to be used by departments and agencies, if consistent with OMB 

Circular A–126, to participate in the fractional aircraft ownership 

pilot program. 

Section 729. Language is included prohibiting funds for implementation of Office of Personnel Management regulations limiting 

detailees to the Legislative Branch, and implementing limitations 

on the Coast Guard Congressional Fellowship Program. 

Section 730. Language is included restricting the use of funds for 

Federal law enforcement training facilities. 

Section 731. Language is included prohibiting Executive Branch 

agencies from creating prepackaged news stories that are broadcast 

or distributed in the United States unless the story includes a clear 

notification within the text or audio of that news story that the 

prepackaged news story was prepared or funded by that executive 

branch agency. 

Section 732. Language is included prohibiting use of funds in 

contravention of section 552a of title 5, United States Code (the 

Privacy Act) and regulations implementing that section. 

Section 733. Language is included prohibiting funds from being 

used for any Federal Government contract with any foreign incorporated entity which is treated as an inverted domestic corporation. 


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Section 734. Language is included requiring agencies to pay a fee 

to the Office of Personnel Management for processing retirement of 

employees who separate under Voluntary Early Retirement Authority or who receive Voluntary Separation Incentive payments. 

Section 735. Language is included prohibiting funds to require 

any entity submitting an offer for a Federal contract or participating in an acquisition to disclose political contributions. 

Section 736. Language is included prohibiting funds for the 

painting of a portrait of an employee of the Federal government including the President, the Vice President, a Member of Congress, 

the head of an executive branch agency, or the head of an office of 

the legislative branch. 

Section 737. Language is included limiting the pay increases of 

certain prevailing rate employees. 

Section 738. Language is included eliminating automatic statutory pay increases for the Vice President, political appointees paid 

under the executive schedule, ambassadors who are not career 

members of the Foreign Service, politically appointed (noncareer) 

Senior Executive Service employees, and any other senior political 

appointee paid at or above level IV of the executive schedule. 

Section 739. Language is included requiring agencies to submit 

reports to Inspectors General concerning expenditures for agency 

conferences. 

Section 740. Language is included prohibiting funds to be used 

to increase, eliminate, or reduce funding for a program or project 

unless such change is made pursuant to reprogramming or transfer 

provisions. 

Section 741. Language is included ensuring contractors are not 

prevented from reporting waste, fraud, or abuse by signing confidentiality agreements that would prohibit such disclosure. 

Section 742. Language is included prohibiting the expenditure of 

funds for the implementation of certain nondisclosure agreements 

unless certain provisions are included in the agreements. 

Section 743. Language is included prohibiting funds to any corporation with certain unpaid Federal tax liabilities unless an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and 

made a determination that further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the Government. 

Section 744. Language is included prohibiting funds to any corporation that was convicted of a felony criminal violation within 

the preceding 24 months unless an agency has considered suspension or debarment of the corporation and made a determination 

that further action is not necessary to protect the interests of the 

Government. 

Section 745. Language is included prohibiting funds from implementing, administering, carrying out, modifying, revising, or enforcing Executive Order 13690. 

Section 746. Language is included concerning the non-application 

of these general provisions to title IV and to title VIII. 

TITLE VIII—GENERAL PROVISIONS—DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

In addition, the bill provides the following provisions under this 

title: 


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Section 801. Language is included that appropriates funds for refunding overpayments of taxes collected and for paying settlements 

and judgments against the District of Columbia government. 

Section 802. Language is included prohibiting the use of Federal 

funds for publicity or propaganda purposes. 

Section 803. Language is included establishing reprogramming 

procedures for Federal and local funds. 

Section 804. Language is included prohibiting the use of Federal 

funds to provide salaries or other costs associated with the offices 

of United States Senator or Representative. 

Section 805. Language is included restricting the use of official 

vehicles to official duties. 

Section 806. Language is included prohibiting the use of Federal 

funds for any petition drive or civil action which seeks to require 

Congress to provide for voting representation in Congress for the 

District of Columbia. 

Section 807. Language is included prohibiting the use of Federal 

funds for needle exchange programs. 

Section 808. Language is included providing for a ‘‘conscience 

clause’’ on legislation that pertains to contraceptive coverage by 

health insurance plans. 

Section 809. Language is included prohibiting the use of Federal 

funds to legalize or reduce penalties associated with the possession, 

use, or distribution on any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substances Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative. 

Language is also included prohibiting local and Federal funds to 

legalize or reduce penalties associated with the possession, use, or 

distribution of any schedule I substance under the Controlled Substance Act or any tetrahydrocannabinols derivative for recreational 

use. 

Section 810. Language is included prohibiting the use of funds 

for abortion except in the cases of rape or incest or if necessary to 

save the life of the mother. 

Section 811. Language is included requiring the Chief Financial 

Officer (CFO) to submit a revised operating budget for all agencies 

in the D.C. government, no later than 30 calendar days after the 

enactment of this Act that realigns budgeted data with anticipated 

actual expenditures. 

Section 812. Language is included requiring the CFO to submit 

a revised operating budget for D.C. Public Schools, no later than 

30 calendar days after the enactment of this Act, that realigns 

school budgets to actual school enrollment. 

Section 813. Language is included allowing the transfer of local 

funds and capital and enterprise funds. 

Section 814. Language is included prohibiting the obligation of 

Federal funds beyond the current fiscal year and transfers of funds 

unless expressly provided herein. 

Section 815. Language is included providing that not to exceed 

50 percent of unobligated balances from Federal appropriations for 

salaries and expenses may remain available for certain purposes. 

Section 816. Language is included appropriating local funds during fiscal year 2017 if there is an absence of a continuing resolution 

or regular appropriation for the District of Columbia. Funds are 

provided under the same authorities and conditions and in the 

same manner and extent as provided for in fiscal year 2016. 


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Section 817. Language is included limiting references to ‘‘this 

Act’’ as referring to only this title and title IV. 

Section 818. Language is included prohibiting funds from being 

used to carry out the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination 

Amendment Act of 2014 (D.C. Law 20–261) or to implement any 

rule or regulation promulgated to carry out such Act. 

TITLE IX—ADDITIONAL GENERAL PROVISION

Section 901. Language is included prohibiting funds to pay for an 

abortion or the administrative expenses in connection with a multiState qualified health plan offered under a contract under section 

1334 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which provides any benefits or coverage for abortions with exceptions where 

the life of the mother would be endangered if the fetus were carried 

to term, or the pregnancy is the result of an act of rape or incest. 

Section 902. Language is included establishing a Spending Reduction Account. 

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 table lists the appropriations in the accompanying bill which are not authorized by law for 

the period concerned: 

[Dollars in thousands] 

Last Year of Authorization Authorization Level Appropriation in Last 

Year of Authorization 

Appropriations in this 

bill 

Title I—Department of the Treasury 

Departmental Offices ............ n/a n/a n/a 200,000 

Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence .......... n/a n/a n/a 116,000 

Office of Inspector General ... n/a n/a n/a 35,461 

Inspector General for Tax Administration ...................... n/a n/a n/a 167,275 

Special Inspector General for 

the Troubled Asset Relief 

Program ............................ n/a n/a n/a 40,671 

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network ................... 2013 100,419 110,788 112,979 

Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and 

Trade Bureau .................... n/a n/a n/a 105,000 

Bureau of the Fiscal Service n/a n/a n/a 360,000 

Community Development and 

Financial Institutions Fund 1998 111,000 45,000 233,523 

Internal Revenue Service: 

Taxpayer Services .................. n/a n/a n/a 2,231,609 

Enforcement .......................... n/a n/a n/a 4,325,000 

Operations Support ............... n/a n/a n/a 3,300,000 

Business Systems Modernization ................................... n/a n/a n/a 250,000 

Title II—Executive Office of the 

President 

Office of Management and 

Budget .............................. 2003 various 61,988 91,000 

Office of National Drug Control Policy 

Salaries and Expenses .......... 2010 n/a 29,575 22,047 

Other Federal Drug Control 

Programs .......................... various various 105,550 109,310 


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[Dollars in thousands] 

Last Year of Authorization Authorization Level Appropriation in Last 

Year of Authorization 

Appropriations in this 

bill 

High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas .................... 2011 280,000 238,522 250,000 

Information Technology Oversight and Reform ............. n/a n/a n/a 20,000 

Title IV—District of Columbia 

Federal Payment for the DC 

National Guard ................. n/a n/a n/a 435 

Federal Payment for Judicial 

Commissions .................... n/a n/a n/a 565 

Federal Payment for Testing 

and Treatment of HIV/AIDs n/a n/a n/a 5,000 

Federal Payment for Resident 

Tuition Support ................. 2012 such sums 30,000 20,000 

Title V—Independent Agencies 

Election Assistance Commission ................................... 2005 n/a 13,888 4,800 

Federal Communications 

Commission ...................... 1991 such sums 115,794 314,884 

Federal Election Commission 1981 9,400 9,662 76,119 

Federal Trade Commission ... 1998 111,000 106,500 302,500 

General Services Administration 1 ................................. n/a n/a n/a ¥1,122,214 

National Historical Publications and Records Commission ............................. 2009 10,000 11,250 5,000 

Office of Government Ethics 2007 such sums 11,148 15,742 

Office of Special Counsel ..... 2007 such sums 15,524 24,119 

Merit Systems Protection 

Board ................................ 2007 such sums 29,110 47,415 

1 Deposits into the Federal Buildings Fund are available for real property management and related activities in the amounts specified in annual appropriations laws, as provided by 40 USC 592. Various provisions of law authorized other GSA activities including Operating Expenses, Government-Wide Policy, Federal Citizens Service Fund, and allowances for former Presidents, many of which have expired. 

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 the appropriate allocation under section 302(b) of the Budget Act. 

SUBCOMMITTEE ON FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT

[In Millions of Dollars] 

302b allocation This bill 

Budget 

Authority Outlays Budget Authority Outlays * 

General purpose discretionary ....... 20,250 22,092 20,250 21,957 

Mandatory ....................................... 21,512 21,505 21,512 21,505 

* Includes outlays from prior year budget authority. 

FIVE-YEAR OUTLAY PROJECTIONS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 308(a)(1)(B) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the following table contains 

five-year projections of outlays associated with the budget authority provided in the accompanying bill, as provided to the Committee by the Congressional Budget Office. 


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[In Millions of Dollars] 

Outlays 

2016 ............................................................................................................................................................. *38,008 

2017 ............................................................................................................................................................. 3,149 

2018 ............................................................................................................................................................. ¥180 

2019 ............................................................................................................................................................. ¥647 

2020 and future years ................................................................................................................................. ¥4,781 

* Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII and section 308(a)(1)(C) of 

the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Congressional Budget 

Office has provided the following estimates of new budget authority 

and outlays provided by the accompanying bill for financial assistance to State and local governments. 

[In Millions of Dollars] 

Budget 

Authority Outlays 

Financial assistance to State and local governments for 2016 ................................ 434 *432 

* Excludes outlays from prior-year budget authority. 

PROGRAM DUPLICATION

No provision of this bill establishes or reauthorizes a program of 

the Federal Government known to be duplicative of another Federal program, a program that was included in any report from the 

Government Accountability Office to Congress pursuant to section 

21 of Public Law 111–139, or a program related to a program identified in the most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance. 

DIRECTED RULE MAKING

The bill does not direct any rule making. 

COMPARATIVE STATEMENT OF NEW BUDGET (OBLIGATIONAL) 

AUTHORITY

The following table provides a detailed summary, for each Department and agency, comparing the amounts recommended in the 

bill with amounts enacted for fiscal year 2015 and budget estimates presented for fiscal year 2016. 


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DISSENTING VIEWS OF THE HON. NITA LOWEY AND HON. 

JOSE E. SERRANO 

We thank Chairman Crenshaw and his staff for their work in 

sharing information and keeping a professional process in place. It 

is a testament to our relationships that we are able to work 

through controversial issues in a respectful manner, despite clear 

differences on this bill. 

As a result of the Majority’s refusal to come together to work on 

a reasonable, realistic appropriations allocation, this subcommittee 

took the largest percentage cut from last year’s level. The fiscal 

year (FY) 2016 bill approved by the Committee provides net budget 

authority of $20.250 billion, a cut of $1.3 billion (6%) below the FY 

2015 level and $4.8 billion (19%) below the Administration’s request. This grossly inadequate allocation creates unworkable shortcomings that will hurt programs that protect families, investors, 

and consumers, while rewarding tax cheats—not honest, hardworking Americans—by failing to provide sufficient funding to enforce tax law and assist taxpayers. 

At the same time, the bill is used as a vehicle for the most extreme policy priorities of the Republican majority. It would undermine key elements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and DoddFrank financial reform, diminish women’s access to legal health 

services, meddle in the District of Columbia’s internal affairs, undermine the President’s Cuba policy, and prevent fair treatment of 

internet content to benefit the interests of a few large corporations. 

WALL STREET REFORM

Without crucial resources for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to police financial markets, this bill invites mischief 

by bad actors that could again hurt American investors. A cut of 

$222 million below the President’s request leads to less enforcement and hinders the ongoing implementation of the Dodd-Frank 

Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Dodd-Frank is 

the law of the land and was enacted to deter truly outrageous behavior in our financial sector. Without proper SEC enforcement, we 

cannot expect to prevent the exact malfeasance Dodd-Frank set out 

to stop. 

Because the SEC is deficit-neutral, as a fee-funded agency, full 

funding at the President’s request would not cost a dime in taxpayer dollars, but would make significant strides in greater enforcement and promulgation of Dodd-Frank required rules as well 

as vast improvements to the agency’s information technology infrastructure. We offered an amendment during Committee consideration to fully fund the SEC, but it was rejected by the majority. 


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TAXPAYER SERVICES

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is slashed by almost $900 

million below the 2015 level and an astounding $2.8 billion below 

the level requested by the President. The IRS’s funding has been 

artificially low due to the sequester, the budget deal made to end 

the government shutdown, and last year’s draconian cuts of $345.6 

million below the FY 2014 level. This bill’s further cuts will bring 

the IRS to below FY 2004 levels and, in real terms, less than the 

1991 budget—25 years ago when there were 38 million fewer individual taxpayers and a far less complicated tax code. 

As a result, the IRS will operate with 7,000 fewer staff, thereby 

ensuring that tax cheats will not be pursued as vigorously and resulting in approximately $12 billion less in enforcement revenue 

than the IRS could have collected if FY 2010 staffing levels had 

been maintained. Also, although the bill allocates a $75 million increase for phone level of service, correspondence, and identity theft 

work, these funds would at best prevent further degradation to the 

taxpayer experience by allowing the IRS to maintain the current 

year’s unacceptable phone level of service of 38% with waiting 

times still averaging half an hour for those who do get answers. As 

many as 28 million taxpayers would be unable to reach the IRS for 

assistance. That is unacceptable. 

Taxpayer questions will go unanswered, tax cheats will go unchecked, revenue will go uncollected, and the deficit will increase 

due to these cuts. It simply does not make economic or budgetary 

sense. 

INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

This bill dramatically cuts investment in our Nation’s infrastructure at a moment when our buildings and facilities are aging rapidly and are in serious need of improvement. The General Services 

Administration (GSA) receives no new construction funding in this 

bill. This will prevent the agency from moving forward on important projects across the country, including the Department of 

Homeland Security consolidation at St. Elizabeth’s; Columbus, New 

Mexico Land Port of Entry; Alexandria Bay, New York Land Port 

of Entry; and a Federal Courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee. GSA’s 

projects are critical for Federal agencies to accomplish their missions and provide needed construction jobs across the country. 

WOMEN’S RIGHTS

This bill has become the central target for the majority’s efforts 

to remove women’s reproductive health choices in the District of 

Columbia (DC) and across the country. Restrictions in the bill attack the ACA, which is providing millions more Americans with access to affordable health care, as well as the provision of the full 

range of reproductive services coverage for all health benefits programs provided under the Act. ACA is the law of the land, upheld 

by the Supreme Court, and should not be under attack year after 

year in this bill. In addition, restrictions on DC using its own tax 

revenue to provide access to legal abortion services for low-income 

women are outrageous. To make matters worse, the Committee 

adopted a majority-sponsored amendment that allows DC employVerDate Sep 11 2014 06:34 Jul 10, 2015 Jkt 095084 PO 00000 Frm 00185 Fmt 6604 Sfmt 6604 E:\HR\OC\HR194.XXX HR194

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ers to discriminate against employees if they disagree with the employee’s reproductive health decisions, including use of contraception, in-vitro fertilization, medically necessary abortion, and even 

the decision to have children outside of marriage. 

CONCLUSION

Democrats attempted to address many of these inadequacies 

through the amendment process in Committee. We even offered an 

amendment in Committee to remove twenty-one partisan riders, including those affecting the SEC, CFPB and other agencies, the District of Columbia, efforts to improve diplomatic relations with 

Cuba, the FCC’s order on open internet, and federal employee 

health benefits. The majority strongly rejected these efforts. Instead, more controversial riders were added during Committee 

mark-up including those prohibiting funds for the Financial Stability Oversight Council to designate non-banks as systemically important financial institutions (SIFIs) without allowing non-banks to 

change their business practices prior to designation, prohibiting 

funds for the IRS to audit churches that are 501(c)(3)s unless that 

audit is approved by the Commissioner and certain notifications 

are made to Congress; prohibiting the CFPB from issuing a final 

rule on arbitration until the Bureau conducts further studies; stopping implementation of the FCC’s joint sales agreement rule; prohibiting DC from using federal or local funds to implement or enforce the Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act; 

and banning funds for abortion in multi-state health plans under 

the ACA. 

A rare bright spot in the mark-up was an amendment offered by 

Representative Chaka Fattah (D–PA) requiring the United States 

Postal Service to maintain and comply with July 2012 service 

standards for First Class Mail and periodicals. It passed with bipartisan support. The amendment requires the Postal Service to restore the service standards that were in place before it degraded 

mail delivery standards by virtually eliminating overnight delivery 

of First-Class mail on January 5th of this year. Our constituents 

deserve a Postal Service that works, and delayed mail harms businesses, rural America, and our economy. 

We appreciate the Chairman’s efforts to adequately fund the 

Small Business Administration, the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, the Federal Judiciary, and anti-terrorism programs at the Department of Treasury. However, this dismal bill remains marred by unacceptably low funding levels and 

controversial riders. The functions carried out by agencies in this 

bill are vital to taxpayers, consumers, businesses, and the economy 

as a whole. Shortchanging these functions does nothing to help our 

economic growth, create jobs, or reduce the deficit; in fact, this bill 

makes our markets less secure, reduces spending on infrastructure, 

and increases the deficit. In its current form, we cannot support 

the bill. 

NITA M. LOWEY. 

JOSE ́ E. SERRANO. 

Æ 


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