Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012

Bill: 112-hr-2551
Sponsor: Rep. Crenshaw, Ander [R-FL-4]
Introduced: 2011-07-15 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Appropriations
Architect of the Capitol
Books and print media
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Congressional agencies
Congressional committees
Congressional leadership
Congressional officers and employees
Congressional oversight
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government Publishing Office (GPO)
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government trust funds
House of Representatives
Intellectual property
International exchange and broadcasting
Joint Committee on Taxation
Joint Economic Committee
Law enforcement officers
Library of Congress
Members of Congress
Senate
U.S. Capitol
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-15
text: 
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012 - Makes appropriations to the House of Representatives for FY2012 for: (1) salaries and/or expenses of the House leadership offices, committees (including the Committee on Appropriations), and officers and employees; and (2) Members' representational allowances. 
 
Requires deposit in the Treasury of any amounts of a Member's representational allowance remaining after all payments are made, to be used for federal deficit reduction, or, if there is no deficit, federal debt reduction. 
 
Makes appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Economic and Taxation Committees; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services; (4) the Capitol Police; (5) the Office of Compliance; (6) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO); and (7) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of Capitol buildings and grounds, House office buildings, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, the Capitol Police buildings, grounds, and security, the Botanic Garden, and the Capitol Visitor Center.
 
 
Appropriates funds for: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, Congressional Research Service (CRS), and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding (including transfer of funds); (3) GPO for the Office of Superintendent of Documents (including transfer of funds); (4) the Government Printing Office Revolving Fund; (5) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for salaries and expenses; and (6) a payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund.
 
 

action_date: 2011-07-22
text: 
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012 - 
Title I: Legislative Branch - 
Makes appropriations to the House of Representatives for FY2012 for: (1) salaries and/or expenses of the House leadership offices, committees (including the Committee on Appropriations), officers and employees; and (2) Members' representational allowances. 
 
(Sec. 101) Requires deposit in the Treasury of any amounts of a Member's representational allowance remaining after all payments are made, to be used for federal deficit reduction, or, if there is no deficit, federal debt reduction.
 
(Sec. 102) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 to transfer authority to assign responsibilities to the Republican Policy Committee, and direct the obligation and expenditure of its allowance for salaries and expenses, from the chair of the Republican Conference to the Speaker of the House (or, if the Speaker is not a member of the Republican Party, the Minority Leader of the House).
 
(Sec. 103) Grants authority to the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House to allocate funds among specified offices.
 
(Sec. 104) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1999 to repeal the requirement for a 50%-50% allocation of funds between the Republican Conference and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee for training and program development activities.
 
Requires the Speaker and the Minority Leader to determine the terms and conditions under which such funds shall be paid for the activities of such organizations.
 
 (Sec. 105) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Act, 2002 to abolish the House Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations (OEPPO). 
 
Transfers and assigns OEPPO functions and responsibilities to the Sergeant at Arms of the House.
 
Makes FY2012 appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Economic Committee and the Joint Committee on Taxation; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services; (4) the Capitol Police; (5) the Office of Compliance; (6) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO); and (7) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of Capitol buildings and grounds, House office buildings, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, the Capitol Police buildings, grounds, and security, the Botanic Garden, and the Capitol Visitor Center.
 
(Sec. 1002) Authorizes the Chief of the U.S. Capitol Police, subject to the Capitol Police Board's approval, to waive in whole or in part a federal claim against a person arising out of an erroneous payment of any pay or allowances, other than for travel and transportation, to an officer, member, or employee of the U.S. Capitol Police, if the collection of the claim would be against equity and good conscience and not in the best interests of the United States.
 
Requires the Chief, and authorizes the Comptroller General for claims exceeding $1,500, to investigate each application for a waiver. Prohibits the exercise of waiver authority in specified circumstances.
 
Appropriates FY2012 funds to: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding (including transfer of funds); (3) GPO for the Office of Superintendent of Documents (including transfer of funds); (4) the GPO Revolving Fund; (5) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for salaries and expenses; and (6) the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund.
 
(Sec. 1101) Establishes an upper limit of $169.725 million for the FY2012 obligational authority of the Library of Congress with regard to certain reimbursable and revolving fund activities. 
 
Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to transfer temporarily up to $1.9 million of funds appropriated in this Act for Library of Congress salaries and expenses to the revolving fund for the FEDLINK Program and the Federal Research Program.
 
(Sec. 1102) Authorizes the transfer of FY2012 Library of Congress appropriations between any &quot;Library of Congress&quot; headings, up to 10% per account, upon the approval of the congressional appropriations committees.
 
(Sec. 1103) Makes balances of expired Library of Congress appropriations available for making worker compensation payments for Library employees, without regard to the fiscal year for which the obligation is incurred.
 
(Sec. 1201) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 to repeal the exclusion of an executive agency office or its employees from authority to offer voluntary separation incentive payments (VSIP). Excludes the Government Accountability Office (GAO) from the authority of the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to waive the VSIP repayment requirement for certain individuals with unique abilities returning to government employment.
 

Title II: General Provisions
 - Specifies authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated by this Act identical or similar to corresponding provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2011.
 
(Sec. 207) Authorizes the AOC to maintain and improve the landscape features, excluding streets, in specified grassy areas of Washington, DC, SW.
 
(Sec. 209) Prohibits the use of funds made available to the AOC in this Act to eliminate or restrict guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by congressional employees and interns.
 
Allows temporary suspension or restriction of such tours for security or related reasons to the same extent as guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by the AOC.
 
(Sec. 210) Establishes a spending reduction account consisting of the amount by which each applicable allocation of new budget authority made by the Committee on Appropriations of the House, excluding Senate items, exceeds the amount of proposed new budget authority. Makes such amount $0 (increased by $632,780) (increased by $4,946,140.80).
 
 (Sec. 211) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to deliver a printed copy of a bill, joint resolution, or resolution to the office of a Member of the House of Representatives unless the Member requests a copy. 
 (Sec. 212) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act to deliver a printed copy of any version of the Congressional Record to the office of a Member. 
 (Sec. 213) Prohibits the use of funds made available in this Act by the Chief Administrative Officer of the House to make any payments from any Members' Representational Allowance for the leasing of a vehicle in an aggregate amount that exceeds $1,000 for the vehicle in any month.
action_date: 2011-09-15
text: 
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012 - 
Title I: Legislative Branch - 
Makes appropriations to the Senate for FY2012 for: (1) expense allowances; (2) representation allowances for the Majority and Minority Leaders; (3) salaries of specified officers, employees, and committees (including the Committee on Appropriations); (4) agency contributions for employee benefits; (5) inquiries and investigations; (6) the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control; (7) the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate; (8) miscellaneous items; (9) the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account; and (10) official mail costs.
 
(Sec. 1) Authorizes the Secretary of the Senate, if in any fiscal year amounts in any Senate appropriations account for the legislative branch are available for more than one fiscal year, to establish procedures for the payment of expenses with respect to that account from any amounts available for that fiscal year.
 
Makes appropriations to the House of Representatives for FY2012 for: (1) salaries and/or expenses of the House leadership offices, committees (including the Committee on Appropriations), officers and employees; and (2) Members' representational allowances. 
 
(Sec. 101) Requires deposit in the Treasury of any amounts of a Member's representational allowance remaining after all payments are made, to be used for federal deficit reduction, or, if there is no deficit, federal debt reduction.
 
(Sec. 102) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 to transfer authority to assign responsibilities to the Republican Policy Committee, and direct the obligation and expenditure of its allowance for salaries and expenses, from the chair of the Republican Conference to the Speaker of the House (or, if the Speaker is not a member of the Republican Party, the Minority Leader of the House).
 
(Sec. 103) Grants authority to the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House to allocate funds among specified offices.
 
(Sec. 104) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1999 to repeal the requirement for a 50%-50% allocation of funds between the Republican Conference and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee for training and program development activities.
 
Requires the Speaker and the Minority Leader to determine the terms and conditions under which such funds shall be paid for the activities of such organizations.
 
 (Sec. 105) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Act, 2002 to abolish the House Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations (OEPPO). 
 
Transfers and assigns OEPPO functions and responsibilities to the Sergeant at Arms of the House.
 
Makes FY2012 appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies of 2013, and the Joint Committee on Taxation; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services; (4) the Capitol Police; (5) the Office of Compliance; (6) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO); and (7) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of Capitol buildings and grounds, Senate Office Buildings, House office buildings, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, the Capitol Police buildings, grounds, and security, the Botanic Garden, and the Capitol Visitor Center.
 
(Sec. 1001) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 with respect to the Senate employees student loan repayment program to make employees of the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services eligible to participate in the program.
 
Prohibits such employees, however, from participating in both the federal student loan repayment program and the Senate student loan repayment program at the same time (dual participation). 
Appropriates FY2012 funds to: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding; (3) GPO for the Office of Superintendent of Documents; (4) the GPO Revolving Fund; (5) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for salaries and expenses; (6) the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund; and (7) the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Development Trust Fund.
 
(Sec. 1301) Establishes an upper limit of $169.725 million for the FY2012 obligational authority of the Library of Congress with regard to certain reimbursable and revolving fund activities. 
 
Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to transfer temporarily up to $1.9 million of funds appropriated in this Act for Library of Congress salaries and expenses to the revolving fund for the FEDLINK Program and the Federal Research Program.
 
(Sec. 1302) Authorizes the transfer of FY2012 Library of Congress appropriations between any &quot;Library of Congress&quot; headings, up to 10% per account, upon the approval of the congressional appropriations committees.
 
(Sec. 1303) Makes balances of expired Library of Congress appropriations available to the Library to make a mandatory deposit to the credit of the Employees' Compensation Fund.
 
(Sec. 1304) Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to dispose of surplus or obsolete Library personal property by inter-agency transfer, donation, sale, trade-in, or discarding. Requires receipts from such transactions to be credited to funds available for the Library's operations and available for the costs of acquiring similar property.
 
(Sec. 1305) Amends the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000 to modify the use of the revolving fund established for duplication and delivery services associated with the national audiovisual conservation center to include storage of audiovisual materials.
 
Adds traveling exhibitions and training to the authorized uses of the revolving fund established for the Library's gift shop, decimal classification, photo duplication, and related services.
 
Revises a disclaimer on the disbursement of gifts, etc., to the Library to state that nothing in such Act shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting the Librarian of Congress from accepting in the name of the United States gifts or bequests of personal property, nonpersonal services, voluntary and uncompensated personal services, or money (as well as, under current law, gifts or bequests of money) for immediate disbursement in the interest of the Library, its collections, or its service.
 
Prescribes reporting, disclosure, and notification requirements for the Librarian regarding such gifts or bequests. 

Title II: General Provisions
 - Specifies authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated by this Act identical or similar to corresponding provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2011.
 
(Sec. 207) Authorizes the AOC to maintain and improve the landscape features, excluding streets, in specified grassy areas of Washington, DC, SW.
 
(Sec. 209) Prohibits the use of funds made available to the AOC in this Act to eliminate or restrict guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by congressional employees and interns.
 
Allows temporary suspension or restriction of such tours for security or related reasons to the same extent as guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by the AOC.
 
(Sec. 210) Rescinds specified unobligated balances available from prior year appropriations for the AOC. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.
action_date: 2011-09-15
text: Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Nelson NE, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-80.
action_date: 2011-09-15
text: Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Nelson NE, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-80.
action_date: 2011-09-15
text: Committee on Appropriations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 252 - 159 (Roll no. 629).
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 252 - 159 (Roll no. 629).
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5387)
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2551.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5382-5387)
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Mr. Crenshaw moved that the committee rise.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moran amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2011-07-22
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5378-5381)
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2551 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Mr. Crenshaw moved that the committee rise.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5369-5372)
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. Crenshaw asked unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2551 pursuant to H. Res. 359, the following amendments be permitted to be offered out of the specified order: Amendment No. 10 by Mr. Flake; Amendment No. 11 by Mr. Flake. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2551 as unfinished business.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Mr. Crenshaw moved that the Committee rise.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hanna amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Thompson (PA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Honda demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (PA) amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Paulsen amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Paulsen amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Stutzman amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Stutzman amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Altmire amendment, as modified.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Hayworth amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Hayworth demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hayworth amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Watt(NC) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Watt(NC) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Watt (NC) amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Honda amendment.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2551.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 359 and Rule XVIII.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Chairman of the Committee.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2551 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 359. (consideration: CR H5348-5369; text of Title I as reported in House: CR H5356-5359; text of Title II as reported in House: CR H5359-5360)
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: ORDER OF BUSINESS - Mr. Crenshaw asked unanimous consent that during consideration of H.R. 2551, pursuant to House Resolution 359, the following amendments be permitted to be offered out of the specified order: Amendment No. 9 by Mr. Moran and Amendment No. 12 by Mr. Holt. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2011-07-21
text: Rule H. Res. 359 passed House.
action_date: 2011-07-20
text: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 359 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2551 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
action_date: 2011-07-15
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 95.
action_date: 2011-07-15
text: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 112-148, by Mr. Crenshaw.
action_date: 2011-07-15
text: The House Committee on Appropriations reported an original measure, H. Rept. 112-148, by Mr. Crenshaw.
action_date: 2011-07-15
text: Introduced in House