in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provi-
sion under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United 
States Code. 
SEC. 6. POWERS OF COMMISSION. 
(a) IN GENERAL.— 
(1) HEARINGS AND EVIDENCE.—The Commis-
sion or, as delegated by the Chairperson and the 
Vice-Chairperson, any subcommittee or member 
thereof, may, for the purpose of carrying out this 
Act— 
(A) hold such hearings and sit and act at 
such times and places, take such testimony, re-
ceive such evidence, and administer such oaths 
as the Commission or such designated sub-
committee or designated member may deter-
mine advisable; and 
(B) subject to paragraph (2)(A), require, 
by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance and 
testimony of such witnesses and the production 
of such books, records, correspondence, memo-
randa, papers, or documents, or any other 
paper or electronic material, as the Commission 
or such designated subcommittee or designated 
member may determine advisable. 
(2) SUBPOENAS.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may 
issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and 
testimony of witnesses and the production of 
any evidence relating to any matter which the 
Commission is empowered to investigate under 
this Act. Such subpoenas shall be issued by 
agreement between the Chairperson and Vice 
Chairperson of the Commission, or by the vote 
of a majority of the members of the Commis-
sion. The attendance of witnesses and the pro-
duction of evidence may be required from any 
place within the United States at any des-
ignated place of hearing within the United 
States. 
(B) FAILURE TO OBEY A SUBPOENA.—If a 
person does not obey a subpoena issued under 
subparagraph (A), the Commission is author-
ized to apply to a United States district court 
for an order requiring that person to appear be-
fore the Commission to give testimony, produce 
evidence, or both, relating to the matter under 
investigation. The application may be made 
within the judicial district where the hearing is 
conducted or where that person is found, re-
sides, or transacts business. Any failure to obey
the order of the court may be punished by the 
court as a civil contempt. 
(C) SUBJECT
MATTER
JURISDICTION.— 
The United States district court in which an ac-
tion is brought under subparagraph (B) shall 
have original jurisdiction over any civil action 
brought by the Commission to enforce, secure a 
declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, 
or prevent a threatened refusal or failure to 
comply with, any subpoena issued by the Com-
mission. 
(D) SERVICE OF SUBPOENAS.—The sub-
poenas of the Commission shall be served in the 
manner provided for subpoenas issued by a 
United States district court under the Federal 
Rules of Civil Procedure for the United States 
district courts. 
(E) SERVICE OF PROCESS.—All process of 
any court to which application is made under 
subparagraph (A) may be served in the judicial 
district in which the person required to be 
served resides or may be found. 
(b) CONTRACTING.—The Commission may, to such 
extent and in such amounts as are provided in appropria-
tion Acts, enter into contracts to enable the Commission 
to discharge its duties under this Act. 
(c) OBTAINING OFFICIAL DATA.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Commission may secure 
directly from any Federal department or agency in-
formation, including any underlying information that 
may be in the possession of the intelligence commu-
nity, that is necessary to enable it to carry out its 
purposes and functions under this Act. Upon request 
of the Chairperson, the chairperson of any sub-
committee created by a majority of the Commission, 
or any member designated by a majority of the 
Commission, the head of such department or agency 
shall furnish such information to the Commission. 
(2) RECEIPT, HANDLING, STORAGE, AND DIS-
SEMINATION.—Information shall only be received, 
handled, stored, and disseminated by members of 
the Commission and its staff consistent with all ap-
plicable statutes, regulations, and Executive orders. 
(d) ASSISTANCE FROM FEDERAL AGENCIES.— 
(1) GENERAL
SERVICES
ADMINISTRATION.— 
Upon the request of the Commission, the Adminis-
trator of General Services shall provide to the Com-
mission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative 
support services and office space necessary for the
Commission to carry out its purposes and functions 
under this Act. 
(2) OTHER
FEDERAL
DEPARTMENTS
AND 
AGENCIES.—In addition to the assistance prescribed 
in paragraph (1), Federal departments and agencies 
may provide to the Commission such services, funds, 
facilities, staff, and other support services as deter-
mined advisable and authorized by law. 
(e) CONVEYANCES AND OTHER DEVISES.—The Com-
mission may accept, use, and dispose of devises of services 
or property, both real and personal, for the purpose of 
aiding or facilitating the work of the Commission. 
(f) POSTAL SERVICES.—The Commission may use 
the United States mail in the same manner and under the 
same conditions as Federal departments and agencies. 
SEC. 7. STAFF OF COMMISSION. 
(a) APPOINTMENT.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in para-
graph (2), the Chairperson, in consultation with the 
Vice-Chairperson, in accordance with rules agreed 
upon by the Commission, may appoint and fix the 
compensation of a Staff Director and such other 
personnel as may be necessary to enable the Com-
mission to carry out its purposes and functions, 
without regard to the provisions of title 5, United
States Code, governing appointments in the competi-
tive service, and without regard to the provisions of 
chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of such 
title relating to classification and General Schedule 
pay rates, except that no rate of pay fixed under this 
subsection may exceed the equivalent of that payable 
for a position at level IV of the Executive Schedule 
under section 5315 of title 5, United States Code. 
(2) PERSONNEL AS FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.— 
(A) IN
GENERAL.—For purposes of the 
Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 (18 
U.S.C. 1301 et seq.)— 
(i) the Commission shall be considered 
an employing office; and 
(ii) the personnel of the Commission 
shall be considered covered employees. 
(B) MEMBERS OF COMMISSION.—Subpara-
graph (A) shall not apply to apply to members 
of the Commission. 
(b) EXPERTS AND CONSULTANTS.—The Commission 
is authorized to procure temporary and intermittent serv-
ices under section 3109 of title 5, United States Code, 
but at rates for individuals not to exceed the daily equiva-
lent of the maximum annual rate of basic pay under level