Legislative Branch: FY2009 Appropriations

Legislative Branch:
FY2009 Appropriations
Updated October 31, 2008
Ida A. Brudnick
Analyst on the Congress
Government and Finance Division



The annual consideration of appropriations bills (regular, continuing, and supplemental) by
Congress is part of a complex set of budget processes that also encompasses the
consideration of budget resolutions, revenue and debt-limit legislation, other spending
measures, and reconciliation bills. In addition, the operation of programs and the spending
of appropriated funds are subject to constraints established in authorizing statutes.
Congressional action on the budget for a fiscal year usually begins following the submission
of the President’s budget at the beginning of each annual session of Congress. Congressional
practices governing the consideration of appropriations and other budgetary measures are
rooted in the Constitution, the standing rules of the House and Senate, and statutes, such as
the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974.
This report is a guide to the regular appropriations bills that Congress considers each year.
It is designed to supplement the information provided by the House and Senate
Appropriations Subcommittees on Legislative Branch. It summarizes the current legislative
status of the bill, its scope, major issues, funding levels, and related legislative activity. The
report lists the key CRS staff relevant to the issues covered and related CRS products.
This report is updated as soon as possible after major legislative developments, especially
following legislative action in the committees and on the floor of the House and Senate.
NOTE: A Web version of this document with active links is
available to congressional staff at
[ h t t p : / / b eta.crs.gov/c li/level_2.aspx?P RDS_CLI _ITEM _ID
=73].



Legislative Branch: FY2009 Appropriations
Summary
Legislative branch entities requested nearly $4.7 billion for FY2009. This
amount reflects an increase of approximately 18% over the nearly $4 billion
approved by Congress for FY2008. The House Appropriations Legislative Branch
Subcommittee held a markup of the bill on June 23, 2008, and ordered it reported to
the full committee. The subcommittee bill provides $3.4 billion for the legislative
branch (excluding Senate items).
Among issues that were considered during hearings on the FY2009 budget in
the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, Subcommittees on Legislative
Branch, are the following:
!completion of the Capitol Visitor Center and funding for initial
activities;
!the designation of appropriate locations for tour buses to drop off
and pick up visitors given security concerns around the Capitol
Complex;
!the Architect’s request for $127 million to repair the Capitol Power
Plant utility tunnels in accordance with the settlement agreed to with
the Office of Compliance;
!funds for the Digital Talking Book program within the Library of
Congress;
!the use of funds the U.S. Capitol Police received in the FY2007
emergency appropriations act to purchase new interoperable radios;
!funds requested to support the “Greening of the Capitol” initiative
and the use of alternative fuels; and
!the future of the Open World Leadership Program, including the
location of the program within the government and the selection of
participant countries.
On September 30, 2008, the President signed the Consolidated Security,
Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009 (P.L. 110-329, 122
Stat. 3574). Division A, Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2009, extends
funding for nine FY2009 regular appropriations bills, including the legislative
branch, from October 1, 2008, through March 6, 2009, or until enactment of
additional FY2009 legislation, if earlier.
This report will be updated to reflect major congressional action.



Key Policy Staff
Area ofCRS
ExpertiseName DivisionTelephone and E-mail
AppropriationsBill HeniffG&F7-8646
P rocess wheni ff@crs.l o c.go v
Sandy StreeterG&F7-8653
sstreeter@crs.loc.gov
LegislativeIda BrudnickG&F7-6460
Branch ibrudnick@crs.loc.gov
Operations
CommitteeEric PetersenG&F7-0643
Funding andepetersen@crs.loc.gov
Staffing
Franking Matthew G&F 7 -3467
Glassman mglassman@crs.loc.gov
LegislativeJacob StrausG&F7-6438
Branch jstraus@crs.loc.gov
Conservation
and Recycling
Division abbreviations: G&F = Government and Finance



Contents
Most Recent Developments..........................................1
Introduction to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill..................2
Changes in Structure of Legislative Branch Appropriations
Effective in FY2003........................................2
Reestablishment of House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch th
for the 110 Congress......................................3
Status of FY2009 Appropriations.....................................4
Action on the FY2009 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill ..........4
Submission of FY2009 Budget Request on February 4, 2008........4
Congressional Caps on FY2009 Legislative Branch
Discretionary Funds....................................4
Senate and House Hearings on FY2009 Budget..................5
House Appropriations Subcommittee Markup...................5
FY2009 Legislative Branch Funding Issues.............................5
Senate .......................................................5
Overall Funding...........................................5
Senate Committee Funding..................................5
Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account..........6
House of Representatives........................................6
Overall Funding...........................................6
House Committee Funding..................................6
Members’ Representational Allowance.........................6
Green the Capitol Initiative..................................7
Support Agency Funding........................................8
U.S. Capitol Police.........................................8
Architect of the Capitol.....................................9
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)..........................12
Library of Congress (LOC).................................12
Congressional Research Service (CRS)........................13
Government Accountability Office (GAO).....................13
Government Printing Office (GPO)...........................14
Office of Compliance......................................15
Open World Leadership Center..............................16
John B. Stennis Center for Public Service
Training and Development.............................17
For Additional Reading............................................24
CRS Report.................................................24
Selected Websites............................................24
List of Tables
Table 1. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY1995 - FY2008..............3
Table 2. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2009..............4



Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2009........................20
Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2009 ................20
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2009...............................21
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2009 ...............22



Legislative Branch:
FY2009 Appropriations
Most Recent Developments
On September 24, 2008, the House passed H.R. 2638, the Consolidated
Security, Disaster Assistance, and Continuing Appropriations Act, 2009. The bill
continues appropriations for the legislative branch at the FY2008 level until March
6, 2009. The bill passed the Senate on September 27 and was signed by the President
on September 30 (P.L. 110-329).
Continuing resolutions typically provide spending rates across accounts in the
regular appropriations bills funded, in contrast to regular and supplemental
appropriations acts, which include specific amounts for each account.1 Regarding
discretionary spending, the continuing resolution (CR) generally extends funding for
accounts across-the-board at the amounts provided in the applicable FY2008 regular
appropriations acts. The CR provides funding adjustments for selected accounts and
activities, although none of these are within the legislative branch. The measure also
provided a gratuity payment to the survivors of a deceased Member.
Funds provided by the CR are generally available under terms and conditions
provided in the applicable FY2008 regular appropriations acts. For example, any
provision prohibiting the use of funds in an account for a specified activity or project
remains in effect.
The FY2009 legislative branch budget request, which contains nearly $4.7
billion in discretionary budget authority, was submitted as part of the President’s
budget on February 4, 2008. The FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act, which
was enacted on December 26, 2007, provided $3.97 billion in new budget authority
for the legislative branch.2


1 For additional information, see CRS Report RL30343, Continuing Resolutions: Latest
Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices, by Sandy Streeter.
2 P.L. 110-161, Dec. 26, 2007. This total includes an across-the-board rescission of 0.25%
which was applied to accounts within the legislative branch division of the act. A conference
report on H.R. 2764 was not issued. Representative David Obey, chairman of the House
Appropriations Committee, inserted explanatory materials into the Congressional Record
of December 17 providing detailed tables on the discretionary spending included in the bill.
Information on the legislative branch was included on pages H16371-H16380. The House
Appropriations Committee subsequently issued a committee print containing additional
information on funding provided in the act (U.S. Congress, House Appropriations
Committee, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008, H.R. 2764/Public Law 110-161,thnd
committee print, 110 Cong., 2 sess. (Washington: GPO, 2008), p. 1841-1907).

The Subcommittees on the Legislative Branch of the House and Senate
Appropriations Committees held hearings during which Members considered the
legislative branch requests. On June 23, 2008, the House subcommittee marked up
its version of the FY2009 legislative branch bill. The subcommittee’s proposal
contains approximately $3.4 billion (excluding Senate items).
Introduction to the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Bill
Since FY2003, the annual legislative branch appropriations bill has usually
contained two titles. Appropriations for legislative branch agencies are contained in
Title I. These entities, as they have appeared in the annual appropriations bill, are the
Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items;3 Capitol Police; Office of
Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol, including the
Capitol Visitor Center; Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research
Service; Government Printing Office; Government Accountability Office; and Open
World Leadership Program.
Title II contains general administrative provisions and, from time to time,
appropriations for legislative branch entities. For example, Title II of the FY2003
Act, P.L. 108-7, contained funds for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service
Training and Development and for the Congressional Award Act.
On occasion the bill may contain a third title for other provisions. For example,
Title III of the FY2006 legislative branch appropriations act, P.L. 109-55, contained
language providing for the continuity of representation in the House of
Representatives in “extraordinary circumstances.”
Changes in Structure of Legislative Branch
Appropriations Effective in FY2003
Prior to enactment of the FY2003 bill, and effective in FY1978, the legislative
branch appropriations bill was structured differently. Title I, Congressional
Operations, contained budget authority for activities directly serving Congress.
Included in this title were the budgets of the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint
Items; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol,
except funds for Library of Congress buildings and grounds; Congressional Research
Service, within the Library of Congress; and congressional printing and binding
activities of the Government Printing Office.


3 Funded within the Joint Items account are the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee
on Taxation, Office of the Attending Physician, Capitol Guide Service and Special Services
Office, and Statements of Appropriations. The Special Services Office, within the Capitol
Guide Service, provides accessible and sign-language guided tours of the Capitol. The
Statement of Appropriations account funds preparation of appropriations statements for each
calendar year. These statements contain enacted appropriations, indefinite appropriations,
authorized contracts, and a history of annual appropriations required by law.

Title II, Related Agencies, contained budget authority for activities considered
by the Committee on Appropriations not directly supporting Congress, including
those for the Botanic Garden; Library of Congress (except the Congressional
Research Service, which was funded in Title I); Library of Congress buildings and
grounds maintained by the Architect of the Capitol; Government Printing Office
(except congressional printing and binding costs, which were funded in Title I); and
Government Accountability Office, formerly named the General Accounting Office.
Occasionally, from FY1978 through FY2002, the annual legislative appropriations
bill contained additional titles for such purposes as capital improvements and special
one-time functions.
Reestablishment of House Subcommittee on
Legislative Branch for the 110th Congress
Prior to the 109th Congress, the legislative branch appropriations bill was
handled by the House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on
Appropriations. Under a House Appropriations Committee reorganization plan
released on February 9, 2005, the subcommittee was abolished and its jurisdiction
assumed by the full Appropriations Committee. Although changes were made in the
structure of the Senate Committee on Appropriations, announced in March 2005, the
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch was retained. Under a reorganization plan
announced by the House Appropriations Committee on January 4, 2007, the House
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch was reestablished for the 110th Congress.4
Table 1. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY1995 - FY2008
(budget authority in billions of current dollars)a
1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008
2.203 2.288 2.581b 2.486 c 2.730 d 3.252 e 3.461 f 3.528 g 3.640 h 3.793 i 3.852 j 3.970
a. These figures represent current dollars, exclude permanent budget authorities, and contain supplementals and
rescissions. Permanent budget authorities are not included in the annual legislative branch appropriations
bill but, rather, are automatically funded each year.
b. Includes budget authority contained in the FY1999 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (P.L. 105-275),
the FY1999 emergency supplemental appropriation (P.L. 105-277), and the FY1999 supplemental
appropriation (P.L. 106-31).
c. Includes budget authority contained in the FY2000 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-57), a
supplemental and a 0.38% rescission in P.L. 106-113, and supplementals in P.L. 106-246 and P.L. 106-
554.
d. This figure contains (1) FY2001 appropriations contained in H.R. 5657, legislative branch appropriations bill;
(2) FY2001 supplemental appropriations of $118 million and a 0.22% across-the-board rescission
contained in H.R. 5666, miscellaneous appropriations bill; and (3) FY2001 supplemental appropriations
of $79.5 million contained in H.R. 2216 (P.L. 107-20). H.R. 5657 and H.R. 5666 were incorporated by
reference in P.L. 106-554, FY2001 Consolidated Appropriations Act. The first FY2001 legislative branch
appropriations bill, H.R. 4516, was vetoed Oct. 30, 2000. The second legislative branch appropriations
bill, H.R. 5657, was introduced Dec. 14, 2000, and incorporated in P.L. 106-554. This figure does not
reflect any terrorism supplementals funds released pursuant to P.L. 107-38.


4 “Senate, House Appropriations Set Subcommittee Plans for New Congress,” House
Appropriations Committee press release, Jan. 4, 2007, available at
[http://appropriations.house.gov/press_releases.aspx]. For additional information on
subcommittee history, see CRS Report RL31572, Appropriations Subcommittee Structure:
History of Changes from 1920-2007, by James V. Saturno.

e. This figure contains appropriations in P.L. 107-68, transfers from the legislative branch emergency response
fund pursuant to P.L. 107-117, and FY2002 supplemental appropriations in P.L. 107-206.
f. This figure contains appropriations in P.L. 108-7, FY2003 Omnibus Appropriations Act, and supplemental
appropriations in P.L. 108-11.
g. This figure contains appropriations in P.L. 108-83, FY2004 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. Additional
FY2004 provisions which did not contain appropriations were contained in P.L. 108-199, the FY2004
Consolidated Appropriations Act.
h. This figure contains appropriations in P.L. 108-447, Consolidated Appropriations Act, FY2005 (adjusted by
a 0.80% rescission also contained in P.L. 108-447), and P.L. 109-13, FY2005 Emergency Supplemental.
i. This figure contains appropriations in P.L. 109-55, FY2006 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (adjusted
by a 1.0% rescission contained in P.L. 109-148) and the FY2006 Emergency Supplemental Appropriations
Act (P.L. 109-234).
j. This figure contains appropriations in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007,
and P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, VeteransCare, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007.
Status of FY2009 Appropriations
Table 2. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2009
Conference Report
Committee MarkupHouseHouseSenateSenateConferenceApprovalPublic
Repo rt Passage Repo rt Passage Repo rt La wH o use Sena t e H o use Sena t e
Note: P.L. 110-329 continues funding for the legislative branch at FY2008 levels until March 6, 2009.
Action on the FY2009 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
Submission of FY2009 Budget Request on February 4, 2008. The
FY2009 U.S. Budget contained a request for $4.7 billion in new budget authority for
legislative branch activities, an increase of approximately 18% from FY2008 levels.5
A substantial portion of the increase requested by legislative branch entities is to
meet (1) mandatory expenses, which include funding for annual salary adjustments
required by law and related personnel expenses, such as increased government
contributions to retirement based on increased pay, and (2) expenses related to
increases in the costs of goods and services due to inflation.
Congressional Caps on FY2009 Legislative Branch Discretionary
Funds. As required by law, both houses are considering separate 302(b) budget
allocations for legislative branch discretionary and mandatory funds in FY2009. The
Senate allocation is $4.527 billion, including $127 million in mandatory budget


5 Office of Management and Budget, Analytical Perspectives, Budget of the United States
Government, FY2009, Table 28 — Federal Programs by Agency and Account (Washington:
GPO, 2008), pp. 1-6; and Office of Management and Budget, Summary Tables, Budget of
the United States Government, FY2009, Table S — 3. Discretionary Funding by Major
Agency (Washington: GPO, 2008), p. 141. These requests are “included in the budget by
the President without change” (31 U.S.C. §1105).

authority.6 The Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee has released a
proposal for the allocations, which includes $4.404 billion in discretionary budget
authority for the legislative branch.7
Senate and House Hearings on FY2009 Budget. The House
Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held budget hearings on
February 13 for the Architect of Capitol; on March 5 for the Library of Congress; on
March 6 for the Government Printing Office; on March 12 for the Office of
Compliance, Congressional Budget Office, and Open World Leadership Center; on
March 13 for the House of Representatives; on April 9 for the U.S. Capitol Police;
and on April 10 for the Government Accountability Office. The subcommittee heard
from public witnesses, including representatives of legislative branch employee
unions and representatives of non-governmental groups with an interest in legislative
operations, on May 7.
The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a hearing
on April 30 on the budget requests of the Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Capitol
Police, and the Library of Congress.
House Appropriations Subcommittee Markup. The House
subcommittee held a markup on June 23, 2008. The subcommittee bill contains $3.4
billion, not including Senate items. The subcommittee agreed by voice vote to one
amendment offered by the Chair, which slightly increased the budget authority for
the Library of Congress salaries and expenses account.
FY2009 Legislative Branch Funding Issues
Senate
Overall Funding. The Senate has requested $940.9 million in budget authority
for its internal operations. This figure represents a 13.1% increase over the $831.8
million provided in the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Senate Committee Funding. Appropriations for Senate committees are
contained in two accounts:8


6 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Allocation to Subcommittees of
Budget Totals from the Concurrent Resolution, Fiscal Year 2009, 110th Cong., 2nd sess.,
S. Rept. 110-393 (Washington: GPO, 2008).
7 The proposed FY2009 allocations are available on the webpage of the House Committee
on Appropriations [http://appropriations.house.gov/pdf/FY09302bProposal6-13-08.pdf].
8 For additional information on committee funding, see CRS Report RL33905, Senate
Committee Expenditures Resolutions, 110th Congress, and Funding Authorizations, 104th -th

110 Congresses, by R. Eric Petersen.



!the inquiries and investigations account, contains funds for all
Senate committees except Appropriations. The Senate request
includes $142.6 million (an increase of $13.6 million, or 10.6%).
!the Committee on Appropriations account, for which $15.2 million
was requested (an increase of $1.04 million, or 7.3%).
Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account. The
Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account provides each Senator with
funds to administer an office. It consists of an administrative and clerical assistance
allowance, a legislative assistance allowance, and an official office expense
allowance. The funds may be interchanged by the Senator, subject to limitations on
official mail. A total of $425.59 million was requested for this account, an increase
of 13.9% over the $373.6 million provided in FY2008.
House of Representatives
Overall Funding. The House has requested $1.33 billion in budget authority
for its internal operations. The request represents a 12.8% increase ($151 million)
over the budget authority provided in the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
House Committee Funding. Funding for House committees is contained in
the appropriation heading “committee employees,” which comprises two
subheadings . 9
The first subheading contains funds for personnel and nonpersonnel expenses
of House committees, except the Appropriations Committee, as authorized by the
House in a committee expense resolution. The FY2009 request of $164 million, an
increase of 23.6%, includes funds for investigations.
The second subheading contains funds for the personnel and nonpersonnel
expenses of the Committee on Appropriations, for which $33.5 million is requested,
a 12.8% increase over the $29.7 million in new budget authority provided for
FY2008.
Members’ Representational Allowance. The Members’ Representational
Allowance (MRA) is available to support Members in their official and
representational duties. The FY2009 budget contained a request for $590.6 million
in budget authority, a 1.9% increase in the $579.5 million provided in the FY2008
Consolidated Appropriations Act.


9 For additional information on committee funding, see CRS Report RS22616, House
Committee Funding, 110th Congress, by R. Eric Petersen.

Green the Capitol Initiative.10 The Green the Capitol Initiative was created
in March 2007, when Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and the
chair of the Committee on House Administration, the late Representative Juanita
Millender-McDonald, asked the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the House,
Daniel Beard, to provide an “environmentally responsible and healthy working
environment for employees.”11 The initiative created three goals for reducing the12
House of Representatives’ environmental impact:
!Operate the House in a carbon-neutral manner by the end of the 110th
Congress.
!Reduce the House’s carbon footprint by cutting energy consumption
by 50% in 10 years.13
!Make House operations a model of sustainability.
For FY2008, the CAO requested $3.27 million to implement the Green the
Capitol Initiative, which included $100,000 in the Architect of the Capitol’s House
office buildings account for new light bulbs and $500,000 in the Capitol Grounds
section of the report for an E-85 gasoline pump.14 The FY2008 Omnibus
Appropriations Act provided $3.9 million for new “green” initiatives, including
$100,000 for the House Office Buildings account, $500,000 for the Capitol Grounds15
account, and $3.27 million for the Capitol Power Plant. In addition, the Omnibus
Appropriations Act included an amendment to 2 U.S.C. § 117m(b), which governs
the operation of the House Services Revolving Fund, allowing the CAO to use the
revolving fund for environmental activities, including energy and water conservation,16


in buildings, facilities, and grounds under his jurisdiction.
10 This section on the “Green the Capitol” initiative was contributed by Jacob R. Straus,
Analyst on the Congress, Government and Finance Division. For additional information,
see CRS Report RL34694, Administering Green Programs in Congress: Issues and Options,
by Jacob R. Straus.
11 U.S. Congress, Chief Administrative Officer, Green the Capitol Initiative Final Report,

110th Cong., 1st sess. [http://cao.house.gov/greenthecapitol/green-the-capitol-final-


report.pdf].
12 U.S. Congress, Chief Administrative Officer, “Immediate Office,” CAO Semi-Annual
Report, 110th Cong., 1st sess. [http://cao.house.gov/report/cao-io.shtml].
13 U.S. Congress, Chief Administrative Officer, Green the Capitol Initiative Final Report,

110th Cong., 1st sess. [http://cao.house.gov/greenthecapitol/green-the-capitol-final-


report.pdf].
14 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,

2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 110-198 (Washington:


GPO, 2007), p. 59. For additional information on this fuel, see CRS Report RL33290, Fuel
Ethanol: Background and Public Policy Issues, by Brent D. Yacobucci.
15 The funds were provided in P.L. 110-161, 121 Stat. 1844, Dec. 26, 2007. See also, U.S.
Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008,thst
committee print, 110 Cong., 1 sess (Washington: GPO, 2008), pp. 1887-1888.
16 The amendment to 2 U.S.C. § 121m was provided in P.L. 110-161, 121 Stat. 2225, Dec.

26, 2007.



For FY2009, the CAO has requested $2 million for the Green the Capitol
Initiative.17
Support Agency Funding
U.S. Capitol Police. The Capitol Police have requested $333.7 million for
FY2009, and an increase of 18.4% over the $281.9 million provided in the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008. The FY2008 budget authority represented
an increase of 5.8% over the $265.6 million (including supplemental appropriations)
provided in FY2007.
Appropriations for the police are contained in two accounts — a salaries
account and a general expenses account. The salaries account contains funds for the
salaries of employees; overtime pay; hazardous duty pay differential; and government
contributions for employee health, retirement, Social Security, professional liability
insurance, and other benefit programs. The general expenses account contains funds
for expenses of vehicles; communications equipment; security equipment and its
installation; dignitary protection; intelligence analysis; hazardous material response;
uniforms; weapons; training programs; medical, forensic, and communications
services; travel; relocation of instructors for the Federal Law Enforcement Training
Center; and other administrative and technical support, among other expenses.
The Capitol Police have requested $269.2 million for salaries (an increase of
$36.1 million, or 15.5%, over the amount provided in the FY2008 Consolidated
Appropriations Act) and $64.4 million for general expenses (an increase of $15.7
million, or 32.1%).
A second appropriation relating to the Capitol Police appears within the
Architect of the Capitol account for Capitol Police buildings and grounds. The $24.9
million FY2009 request represents a nearly $10 million increase (66.96%) over the
$14.9 million provided in FY2008.
Administrative Provisions. The U.S. Capitol Police have requested an
administrative provision that would grant law enforcement retirement status to
criminal investigators of the Capitol Police Office of Inspector General.
Highlights of the House and Senate Hearings on the U.S. Capitol
Police. During the House hearing on April 9, Chief Phillip Morse was questioned
by some Members on the necessity and propriety of conducting Interstate18
Identification Index (or Triple I) background investigations on employees. The
investigations were conducted by the Capitol Police Inspector General. The


17 Justification of Budget Estimates, in U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2009,thnd
hearings, part 1, 110 Cong., 2 sess. (Washington: GPO, 2008), p. 100.
18 Testimony of Phillip Morse, chief of the Capitol Police, U.S. Congress, House Committee
on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., April 9, 2008 (Washington: GPO,

2008), p. 611.



subcommittee also discussed recent restructuring and reforms in the USCP Office of
Financial Management and the size of the force and its ability to handle increased
staffing and security responsibilities with the opening of the Capitol Visitor Center.
The Senate subcommittee hearing included a discussion of factors driving the USCP
overtime budget as well as the relative costs involved in providing overtime as
opposed to hiring, training, and providing the administrative support structure for
additional officers.19 The subcommittee also asked for an update on the use of the
funds the USCP received in FY2007 emergency appropriations to purchase new
radios that will be interoperable.20
Architect of the Capitol. The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is responsible
for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States
Capitol Complex, which includes the Capitol and its grounds, House and Senate
office buildings, Library of Congress buildings and grounds, Capitol Power Plant,
Botanic Garden, Capitol Visitor Center, and Capitol Police buildings and grounds.
The Architect is responsible for the Supreme Court buildings and grounds, but
appropriations for their expenses are not contained in the legislative branch
appropriations bill.
Overall Funding Levels. Operations of the Architect are funded in the
following ten accounts: general administration, Capitol building, Capitol grounds,
Senate office buildings, House office buildings, Capitol power plant, Library
buildings and grounds, Capitol Police buildings and grounds, Capitol Visitor Center,
and Botanic Garden.
The Architect of the Capitol has requested $642.7 million in new budget
authority, an increase of $229.2 million (55.4%) over the $413.5 million provided in
FY2008. The FY2008 budget authority represented a decrease of 8.1% from the
$449.9 million (including supplemental appropriations) provided in FY2007.
Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).21 The AOC has requested $44.5 million for
the CVC. This includes $31.1 million (an increase of $10.9 million, or 54%) for the
CVC project and $13.4 million (an increase of $4.9 million, or 58%) for operational
costs.
Both subcommittees expressed interest in the upcoming opening of the Capitol
Visitor Center. In multiple hearings, they questioned the Architect, the Capitol
Police, and representatives from tour operators about the transportation plans for


19 Testimony of Phillip Morse, chief of the Capitol Police, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee
on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., April 30, 2008 (not yet published).
20 The budget authority was provided in P.L. 110-28, May 25, 2007, 121 Stat. 112. The
House Subcommittee on Capitol Security of the Committee on House Administration held
a hearing on June 18 to examine the USCP proposal for radio upgrades. Additional
information on the subcommittee hearing is available at
[http://cha.house.gov/ vi ew_hearing.aspx?r=33].
21 For additional information on the Capitol Visitor Center, see CRS Report RL31121, The
Capitol Visitor Center: An Overview, by Stephen W. Stathis.

bringing large groups to the Capitol, including providing motorcoaches from Union
Station, given security restrictions limiting bus travel around the Capitol Complex.22
Capitol Power Plant Utility Tunnels. The condition of the Capitol Power
Plant utility tunnels, and the funds necessary to repair them, have been discussed
during appropriations hearings in recent fiscal years. The funding for repairs follows
a complaint issued February 28, 2006, by the Office of Compliance regarding health
and safety violations in the tunnels. The Office of Compliance had previously issued
a citation due to the condition of the tunnels on December 7, 2000. On November
16, 2006, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) wrote a letter to the chair
and ranking minority members of the Senate Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, and the House Committee on
Appropriations, examining the conditions of the tunnels, plans for improving
conditions, and efforts to address workers’ concerns.23 Potential hazards identified
by the Office of Compliance and GAO include excessive heat, asbestos, falling
concrete, lack of adequate egress, and insufficient communication systems. In May
2007, the Architect of the Capitol and the Office of Compliance announced a
settlement agreement for the complaint and citations.
Steps necessary to remedy the situation, as well as the actions and roles of the
Architect of the Capitol and the Office of Compliance, have been discussed at
multiple hearings of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in 2006,
2007, and 2008. Other committees have also expressed concern about the utility
tunnels and allegations of unsafe working conditions. For example, the Senate
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Subcommittee on
Employment and Workplace Safety, heard testimony on tunnel safety during a March

1, 2007, hearing on the effects of asbestos.


Following the complaint by the Office of Compliance, Congress provided $27.6
million in FY2006 emergency supplemental appropriations to the Architect of the24
Capitol for Capitol Power Plant repairs, and an additional $50 million was provided
in emergency supplemental appropriations for FY2007.25 The Architect of the


22 The Capitol Visitor Center, and associated planning for the transportation of visitors, was
discussed during budget request hearings of the Senate subcommittee on April 30 and of the
House subcommittee on February 13. The House subcommittee has held additional hearings
on the Capitol Visitor Center on Feb. 7, Mar. 12, Apr. 15, May 22, July 8, and Sept. 24,

2008.


23 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Power Plant Utility Tunnels,
GAO-07-227R, Nov. 16, 2006, available at [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07227r.pdf].
24 P.L. 109-234, 120 Stat. 48, June 15, 2006. The funding was included as an amendment
(S.Amdt. 3701) offered during Senate floor consideration of H.R. 4939, the emergency
supplemental appropriations bill. The amendment was agreed to in the Senate by voice vote
on April 27, 2006. The language was retained by conferees, whose report was agreed to by
the House on June 13, and the Senate on June 15, 2006.
25 P.L. 110-28, 121 Stat. 112, May 25, 2007.

Capitol had requested $24.77 million for FY2008.26 This request, which was
submitted prior to the provision of funds in the May 2007 emergency supplemental
appropriations act, was not supported by either the House or Senate Appropriations
Committee.27
The Architect has requested $126.65 million in FY2009 budget authority to
continue work on the tunnels and to meet the terms of the settlement agreement.
AOC has indicated that “the bulk of this work will begin in early calendar year 2009,
and will extend through the spring of 2011.”28
Administrative Provisions. AOC has requested administrative provisions
which would (1) amend the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act; (2) authorize the
AOC to incur obligations and make expenditures to respond to an emergency;
(3) allow the Architect to acquire insurance for items on loan to the AOC for exhibit;
(4) permit membership in the House staff gym by certain employees as approved by
the Committee on House Administration; (5) authorize the use of proceeds from
AOC recycling programs and coin collection; (6) allow the AOC to establish a
student loan repayment program; (7) amend the statute governing the authority for
death gratuities for survivors of AOC employees; (8) permit the AOC to lease
property for the Library of Congress; (9) allow the AOC to retain funds from energy
and water savings for other conservation projects; (10) allow the AOC to grant
compensatory time off to employees; (11) extend the Capitol grounds due to security
concerns and work related to the utility tunnel repairs; (12) establish an AOC Senior
Executive Service; and (13) extend AOC authority to maintain sidewalks to one
additional area.
Highlights of the House and Senate Hearings on the Architect of
the Capitol. Stephen Ayers, the acting Architect of the Capitol, testified before the
House subcommittee on February 13, 2008, on behalf of the AOC budget request.
The hearing included a discussion of the backlog of deferred maintenance projects;
a project that would measure the use of utilities in the House office buildings; and
efforts to reduce the use of energy on the House side of the Capitol Complex.29 On
April 30, 2008, the Senate subcommittee discussed the nearly $127 million request


26 Justification of Budget Estimates, in U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008,thst
hearings, part 1, 110 Cong., 1 sess. (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 521.
27 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,

2008, report to accompany S. 1686, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 110-89 (Washington:


GPO, 2007), p. 30; U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branchthst
Appropriations, 2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110 Cong., 1 sess., H.Rept. 110-

198 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 20.


28 Justification of Budget Estimates, in U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2009,thnd
hearings, part 1, 110 Cong., 2 sess. (Washington: GPO, 2008), p. 418.
29 Testimony of Stephen Ayers, acting Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Congress, House
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., Feb. 13, 2008 (Washington: GPO,

2008), p 68.



for utility tunnel repairs, asking why the project requires this sum and the
implications if the budget authority is not provided in FY2009.30 Questions for the
Architect also focused on the manner in which the Architect prioritizes fire- and life-
safety projects, including the role of the Office of Compliance in this decision-
making process.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO). CBO is a nonpartisan congressional
agency created to provide objective economic and budgetary analysis to Congress.
CBO cost estimates are required for any measure reported by a regular or conference
committee that may vary revenues or expenditures.31
CBO requested $42.7 million for FY2009, an increase of approximately 14.6%
over the $37.3 million provided in the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
The FY2009 request would support 250 FTEs, an increase of 15 FTEs from FY2008.
Highlights of the House Hearing on FY2009 Budget of the CBO.
CBO Director Peter R. Orszag testified before the House Legislative Branch
Subcommittee on March 12, 2008. As in FY2008, the director emphasized his desire
to expand CBO’s capacity in the area of health economics.
Library of Congress (LOC). The Library of Congress provides research
support for Congress through a wide range of services, from research on public
policy issues to general information. Among its major programs are acquisitions,
preservation, legal research for Congress and other federal entities, administration of
U.S. copyright laws by the Copyright Office, research and analysis of policy issues
by the Congressional Research Service, and administration of a national program to
provide reading material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library also
maintains a number of collections and provides a range of services to libraries in the
United States and abroad.
The Library has requested $606.2 million for FY2009, an increase of
approximately 5% over the $562.5 million provided in the FY2008 Consolidated
Appropriations Act. These figures do not include additional authority to spend
recei pt s.32
The FY2009 requests for the Library’s accounts include
!salaries and expenses — $411.7 million plus authority to spend
$6.35 million in receipts;


30 Testimony of Stephen Ayers, acting Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Congress, Senate
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., April 30, 2008 (not yet published).
31 The Congressional Budget Office is required to use estimates provided by the Joint
Committee on Taxation for all revenue legislation (Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act of 1985, P.L. 99-177, sec. 273, 99 Stat.1098, Dec. 12, 1985; 2 U.S.C. §621
(et seq)).
32 An example of receipts are fees paid to the LOC for copyright registration.

!Copyright Office — $18.3 million (not including authority to spend
$33.3 million in receipts);
!Congressional Research Service — $107.3 million; and
!Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped — $68.8 million.
An additional $53.3 million was included in the Architect’s FY2009 request for
Library buildings and grounds. The requested funding is 93.8% higher than the
FY2008 enacted level. Much of this increase is requested for multi-year capital
projects.33
Highlights of the House and Senate Hearings on FY2009 Budget of
the LOC. As during the FY2008 hearings, the House and Senate subcommittees
discussed funding for the Books for the Blind program and efforts to update the
technology that the “talking book” program currently uses from an analog to digital
format.34 The Library also continued to express concern over the loss of $47 million
in appropriated funds, and a total loss of $84 million due to lost matching funds, for
the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP)
from a rescission contained in the FY2007 appropriations act.35 The Library has
requested $6 million for this program for FY2009.
Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS works exclusively for
Members and committees of Congress to support their legislative, oversight, and
representational functions by providing nonpartisan and confidential research and
policy analysis.
CRS requested $107.3 million for FY2009, an increase of 4.6% over the $102.3
million provided in the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO works for Congress by
responding to requests for studies of federal government programs and expenditures.


33 Justification of Budget Estimates, in U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2009,thnd
hearings, part 1, 110 Cong., 2 sess. (Washington: GPO, 2008), pp. 525-533.
34 On June 12, 2007, GAO released a study of the National Library Service for the Blind and
Physically Handicapped (NLS) planning and management of the digital talking book
program. U.S. Government Accountability Office, Talking Books for the Blind,
GAO-07-871R (Washington: GAO, 2007).
35 Testimony of James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress, U.S. Congress, House
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., March 5, 2008 (Washington: GPO,
2008), p. 111. The Library was provided with $100 million in budget authority for the
National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program in the FY2001
Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763A — 194, Dec. 21, 2000).

GAO may also initiate its own work.36 Formerly the General Accounting Office, the
agency was renamed the Government Accountability Office effective July 7, 2004.
GAO requested $538.15 million for FY2009. The request represents an increase
of $37.1 million (7.4%) over the $499.7 million in new budget authority provided in
the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act.
Highlights of House Hearing on FY2009 Budget of the GAO. Gene
L. Dodaro, who became the acting Comptroller General on March 13, 2008, testified
in support of the GAO budget request at a House hearing on April 10, 2008. The
House subcommittee discussed issues that included (1) the GAO request for 151 new
FTEs; (2) the agency’s relationship with the newly established union; and (3) staffing37
issues including diversity, recruitment, retention, and succession planning.
Government Printing Office (GPO). GPO requested $174.35 million for
FY2009, an increase of 39.8% over the $124.7 million provided in the FY2008
Consolidated Appropriations Act.
GPO’s budget authority is contained in three accounts: (1) congressional
printing and binding, (2) Office of Superintendent of Documents (salaries and
expenses), and (3) the revolving fund. FY2009 requests for these accounts are
!congressional printing and binding — GPO has requested $97.9
million, an increase of 9.1% from the $89.8 million provided in the
FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act;
!Office of Superintendent of Documents (salaries and expenses) —
GPO requested $43.4 million, an increase of 24.4% from the $34.9
million provided in the Consolidated Appropriations Act; and
!revolving fund — GPO requested $33 million. The FY2008
Consolidated Appropriations Act did not include an appropriation
for the revolving fund.
The congressional printing and binding account pays for expenses of printing
and binding required for congressional use, and for statutorily authorized printing,
binding, and distribution of government publications for specified recipients at no
charge. Included within these publications are the Congressional Record;
Congressional Directory; Senate and House Journals; memorial addresses of
Members; nominations; U.S. Code and supplements; serial sets; publications printed


36 GAO’s guidelines for initiating studies are contained in U.S. Government Accountability
Office, GAO’s Congressional Protocols, GAO-04-310G (Washington: GAO, 2004). Posted
on the website of the Government Accountability Office at
[ h t t p : / / www.ga o.gov/ s peci al .pubs/ d04310g.pdf ] .
37 Testimony of Gene L. Dodaro, acting Comptroller General, U.S. Congress, House
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., April 10, 2008 (Washington: GPO,

2008), p. 655.



without a document or report number, for example, laws and treaties; envelopes
provided to Members of Congress for the mailing of documents; House and Senate
business and committee calendars; bills, resolutions, and amendments; committee
reports and prints; committee hearings; and other documents.
The Office of Superintendent of Documents account funds the mailing of
government documents for Members of Congress and federal agencies, as statutorily
authorized; the compilation of catalogs and indexes of government publications; and
the cataloging, indexing, and distribution of government publications to the Federal
Depository and International Exchange libraries, and to other individuals and entities,
as authorized by law.
The $33 million requested for the revolving fund would support information
technology and GPO facilities, and it would include $10 million for the Federal
Digital System (FDsys).38 This project would allow GPO to manage information
digitally and allow agencies to electronically submit publications and orders. In
FY2008, GPO requested $26.8 million for the revolving fund, although the
Consolidated Appropriations Act did not contain funds for this account. Previously,
$1 million was provided for the revolving fund in FY2007.
Highlights of House Hearing on FY2009 Budget of the GPO. Robert
C. Tapella testified before the House Legislative Branch Subcommittee on March 6,39
2008, in support of the GPO FY2009 budget request. Among the issues discussed
were (1)staffing and succession planning at GPO, (2) recent discrimination lawsuits
and GPO efforts in providing equal employment opportunity, (3) efforts to recycle
and make GPO production more environmentally friendly, (4) GPO’s request for a
new facility, (5) GPO’s efforts to transform to adjust to the digital age, (6) the
funding of the congressional printing and binding account, and (7) passport40
production and security.
Office of Compliance. The Office of Compliance is an independent and
nonpartisan agency within the legislative branch. It was established to administer
and enforce the Congressional Accountability Act, which was enacted in 1995.41 The


38 Justification of Budget Estimates, in U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2009,thnd
hearings, part 1, 110 Cong., 2 sess. (Washington: GPO, 2008), p. 797.
39 Bruce James retired as Public Printer in January 2007. On May 24, 2007, the President
nominated Robert C. Tapella to be Public Printer. The nomination, which requires Senate
confirmation, was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, which
reported it favorably on September 26, 2007. The confirmation was approved by the Senate
on October 4, 2007.
40 Testimony of Robert C. Tapella, Public Printer, U.S. Congress, House Committee on
Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., March 6, 2008 (Washington: GPO,

2008), p. 257.


41 P.L. 104-1, 109 Stat. 3, Jan. 23, 1995. The act, as amended, applies 12 civil rights, labor,
and workplace safety laws to Congress and certain legislative branch agencies. These laws
(continued...)

act applies various employment and workplace safety laws to Congress and certain
legislative branch entities.42
The Office of Compliance has requested $4.3 million, an increase of 28.9% over
the FY2008 level of $3.3 million. The FY2008 level represented an increase of 6.5%
over the $3.1 million made available in FY2007.
During the House hearing on the FY2009 bill, Tamara Chrisler, the Executive
Director of the Office of Compliance, was asked for an update on asbestos abatement
in the Capitol Power Plant tunnels and the settlement agreement between the
Architect of the Capitol and the Office of Compliance. She indicated that progress
was continuing and that the Office of Compliance supports the Architect’s request
for nearly $127 million for implementation of the settlement agreement.43 The
executive director was also questioned regarding the funding request for education
and outreach and whether or not these activities were part of the office’s mandate, as
well as the OOC position on the reimbursement requirement for the payment by
agencies of an award or settlement under the Congressional Accountability Act.
Open World Leadership Center. The center administers a program that
supports democratic changes in other countries by giving their leaders opportunity
to observe democracy and free enterprise in the United States. The first program was
authorized by Congress in 1999 to support the relationship between Russia and the
United States. The program encouraged young federal and local Russian leaders to
visit the United States and observe its government and society.
Established at the Library of Congress as the Center for Russian Leadership
Development in 2000, the center was renamed the Open World Leadership Center
in 2003, when the program was expanded to include specified additional countries.44


41 (...continued)
are the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Employee Polygraph Protection Act, Fair Labor Standards
Act, Family and Medical Leave Act, Federal Services Labor-Management Relations Act,
Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, Rehabilitation Act of 1970, Veterans’
employment and reemployment rights at Chapter 43 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code, Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Act, and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act.
42 Among the office’s activities are administration of a dispute resolution process,
investigation and enforcement of occupational safety and health and disability provisions
of the act, investigation of labor relations and enforcement of applicable provisions, and
development of educational programs regarding the act’s provisions.
43 Testimony of Tamara Chrisler, executive director, U.S. Congress, House Committee on
Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., March 12, 2008 (Washington:
GPO, 2008), p. 370.
44 P.L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-120, Dec. 21, 2000; P.L. 108-7, 117 Stat. 382, Feb.
20, 2003. According to the 2003 act, the additional countries include “any country specified
in section 3 of the FREEDOM Support Act (22 U.S.C. 5801),” and “Estonia, Latvia, and
Lithuania.” The countries specified in 22 U.S.C. 5801 are Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus,
(continued...)

In 2004, Congress further extended the program’s eligibility to other countries
designated by the center’s board of trustees, subject to congressional consideration.45
The center is housed in the Library and receives services from the Library through
an inter-agency agreement.
Open World requested $13.9 million for FY2009. In FY2008, Open World
received $8.98 million in budget authority, a decrease of 35% from the $13.86
million provided in FY2007 and FY2006. During its budget hearing on March 12,
2008, the House Legislative Branch Subcommittee examined whether the program
is more properly located within the legislative branch at the Library of Congress or
within the executive branch at the State Department. Ambassador John O’Keefe, the
executive director of Open World, testified that the program may attract people that
it might not otherwise be able to if it were seen as an arm of the executive branch or
associated with a particular administration.46 The subcommittee had previously
discussed this issue during the FY2008 appropriations cycle,47 and language was
included in the FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act requiring Open World to
prepare a report by March 31, 2008, on “potential options for transfer of the Open
World Leadership Center to a department or agency in the executive branch,
establishment of the Center as an independent agency in the executive branch, or
other appropriate options.”48 In addition, the subcommittee during the FY2009
hearing discussed the countries Open World currently hosts participants from and
whether or not it should expand this list to include Iraq and Afghanistan.
John B. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and
Development. The center was created by Congress in 1988 to encourage public
service by congressional staff through training and development programs. The
FY2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act provided $429,000, including the
rescission. The FY2009 request contains $430,000 for the Stennis Center, which is
equal to the amount contained in the FY2008 House-passed bill and the Senate-
reported bill. It also equals the budget authority provided in FY2007.


44 (...continued)
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and
Uzbekistan.
45 P.L. 108-447, 118 Stat. 3192, Dec. 8, 2004.
46 Testimony of Ambassador John O’Keefe, executive director, U.S. Congress, House
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branchthnd
Appropriations for 2009, hearings, 110 Cong., 2 sess., March 12, 2008 (Washington:
GPO, 2008), pp. 359-420.
47 In H.R. 2771 (110th Cong.), the House-passed version of the FY2008 appropriations bill,
the House Appropriations Committee recommended $6 million for Open World. The
committee report stated that an additional $6 million would be provided for transfer to the
program in the FY2008 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriation. The
House-passed bill, which retained the committee-recommended funding level, also
contained an administrative provision transferring the Open World Leadership Center to theth
Department of State effective October 1, 2008. The Senate-reported bill (S. 1686, 110
Cong.) would have provided $13.5 million in new budget authority for Open World.
48 P.L. 110-161, 121 Stat. 2251, Dec. 26, 2007.

CRS-18
Table 3. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2009
(in thousands of dollars)
EntityFY2008 EnactedaFY2009 Request FY2009 House Bill FY2009Senate BillFY2009Enacted
itle 1: Legislative Branch Appropriations
enate831,757940,897 d
ouse of Representatives1,182,8351,333,861 e
nt Items23,00129,341
b 281,872 333,654
iki/CRS-RL34490itol Police
g/wffice of Compliance3,3424,308
s.orongressional Budget Office37,30642,740
leak
rchitect of the Capitol 413,471642,664
://wikiibrary of Congress, Including CRS 563,049606,164
http
Congressional Research Service, Lib. of Cong.(102,344)(107,323)
overnment Printing Office 124,688174,354
ernment Accountability Office499,748538,152
World Leadership Centerc8,97813,900
tennis Center for Public Service429430
le II: General Provisions 00
otal Legislative Branch (Titles I and II)3,970,4764,660,465



CRS-19
House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, H.Rept. 110-198, S.Rept. 110-89, P.L. 110-161, and the statement of Chairman David Obey in the Congressional Record
edition, vol. 153, Dec. 17, 2007, pp. H16371-H16380).
Y2008 funds are contained in P.L. 110-161 (Dec. 26, 2007).
his account was effective with the FY2003 Legislative Branch Appropriation Act. Previously, Capitol Police funds were contained under the joint items account.
he center was named the Russian Leadership Program prior to FY2004. Appropriations represent payments to the center’s trust fund.
he House does not consider appropriations for internal Senate operations.
he Senate does not consider appropriations for internal House operations.


iki/CRS-RL34490
g/w
s.or
leak
://wiki
http

Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2009
(in thousands of dollars)
AccountsFY2008 EnactedFY2009RequestedFY2009House Bill FY2009Senate BillFY2009Enacted
Salaries, Capitol Police232,218269,223
General Expenses48,77864,431
Emergency Appropriations 876
Total, Capitol Police281,872333,654
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, H.Rept. 110-198, S.Rept. 110-89, P.L. 110-161,
and the statement of Chairman David Obey in the Congressional Record (daily edition, vol. 153, Dec. 17, 2007,
pp. H16371-H16380).
Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2009
(in thousands of dollars)
AccountsFY2008 EnactedFY2009RequestedFY2009House Bill FY2009Senate BillFY2009 Enacted
Architect of the Capitol
General administration 79,69799,111
Capitol building 24,03037,640
Capitol grounds10,0659,309
Senate office buildings70,10764,780
House office buildings65,47179,687
Capitol power plant85,097219,292
Library buildings and
ground s 27,484 53,271
Capitol Police buildings
and grounds 14,92924,926
Botanic garden8,78610,101
Capitol Visitor Center
Project - Cost to complete20,20231,124
Op eratio ns 8,479 13,423
Re sc issio n -8 7 6
Total, Architect of the
Capitol 413,471642,664
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, H.Rept. 110-198, S.Rept. 110-89, P.L. 110-161,
and the statement of Chairman David Obey in the Congressional Record (daily edition, vol. 153, Dec. 17, 2007,
pp. H16371-H16380).



CRS-21
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2009
(in thousands of dollars)
AccountsaFY2008 EnactedFY2009 RequestFY2009 House BillFY2009 Senate BillFY2009Enacted
ents — Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress0d0 —
xpense Allowances and Representation225225
alaries, Officers, and Employees158,457174,808
ce of Legislative Counsel6,2806,743
ce of Legal Counsel1,4391,484
xpense Allowances for Secretary of Senate, et al.2424
iki/CRS-RL34490ontingent Expenses (subtotal)665,332757,613
g/wInquiries and Investigations129,000142,639
s.orSenate Intl. Narcotics Caucus520520
leakSecretary of the Senateb2,0002,000
://wikiSergeant at Arms/Doorkeeperc142,389156,601
httpMiscellaneous Items17,52829,962
Senators Official Personnel and Office
Expense Account373,595425,591
Official Mail Costs300300
otal, Senate831,757940,897
rce: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, revised FY2008 requests, S.Rept. 110-89, P.L. 110-161, and the statement of Chairman David Obey in the Congressional Record
edition, vol. 153, Dec. 17, 2007, pp. H16371-H16380).
e Senate account contains seven appropriations headings, which are highlighted in bold.
ffice operations of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate are also funded underSalaries, Officers, and Employees.”
ffice operations of the Office of Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper are also funded underSalaries, Officers, and Employees.
gratuity payment was included in the first FY2008 Continuing Appropriations Act, P.L. 110-92, which was enacted on Sept. 29, 2007.



CRS-22
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2009
(in thousands of dollars)
AccountsaFY2008EnactedFY2009RequestFY2009House Bill FY2009Senate BillFY2009Enacted
ents — Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress0b0 —
aries and Expenses, Total1,182,8351,333,861
House Leadership Offices23,98724,713
Members’ Representational Allowancesc579,548590,614
Committee Employees (subtotal)d162,387197,536
iki/CRS-RL34490Standing Committees, Special and Select, exceptAppropriations132,668164,001
g/w
s.orAppropriations Committee29,71933,535
leakSalaries, Officers, and Employees (subtotal)166,367188,917
://wikiOffice of the Clerk22,36724,897
httpOffice of the Sergeant at Arms6,8668,480
Office of Chief Administrative Officer114,267128,538
Office of Inspector General4,3574,945
Office for Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and3,0414,695
Operations
Office of General Counsel1,1751,357
Office of the Chaplain166173
Office of the Parliamentarian1,7941,827
Office of the Law Revision Counsel 2,9323,057
Office of the Legislative Counsel7,2408,446
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs700777
Other Authorized Employees: Technical Assistants, Office1,0131,191


of Attending Physician

CRS-23
AccountsaFY2008EnactedFY2009RequestFY2009House Bill FY2009Senate BillFY2009Enacted
Office of Historian449534
Allowances and Expenses (subtotal)250,546332,081
Supplies, Materials, Administrative Costs and Federal Tort3,57927,953
Cla i ms
Official Mail for committees, leadership, administrative309410
and legislative offices
Government Contributions226,887275,143
Capitol Visitor Center2,2561,900
iki/CRS-RL34490Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
g/w Emergency Appropriations16,81425,933
s.orMiscellaneous Items701742
leak
se of Representatives, Total1,182,8351,333,861
://wiki
httprces: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, H.Rept. 110-198, P.L. 110-161, and the statement of Chairman David Obey in the Congressional Record (daily edition, vol. 153, Dec.
16371-H16380)
e appropriations bill contains two House accounts: (1) payments to widows and heirs of deceased Members of Congress and (2) salaries and expenses.
gratuity payment was included in the first FY2008 Continuing Appropriations Act, P.L. 110-92, which was enacted on Sept. 29, 2007. An additional gratuity payment was included in the Second
Continuing Appropriations Act, P.L. 110-116 and in the Fourth Continuing Appropriations Act, P.L. 110-149.
is appropriation heading was new in the FY1996 bill. The heading represents a consolidation of: (1) the former heading Members’ clerk hire; (2) the former heading official mail costs; and (3) the
former subheading official expenses of Members, under the heading allowances and expenses.
his appropriation heading was new in the FY1996 bill. The heading represents a consolidation of: (1) the former heading committee employees; (2) the former heading standing committees, special
and select; (3) the former heading Committee on Budget (studies); and (4) the former heading Committee on Appropriations (studies and investigations).



For Additional Reading
CRS Report
CRS Report RL34031, Legislative Branch: FY2008 Appropriations, by Ida A.
Brudnick.
CRS Report RL33379, Legislative Branch: FY2007 Appropriations, by Paul E.
Dwyer and Ida A. Brudnick.
Selected Websites
These sites contain information on the FY2008 and FY2009 legislative branch
appropriations requests and legislation, and the appropriations process.
House Committee on Appropriations
[ http://appropriations.house.gov/]
Senate Committee on Appropriations
[http://appropriations.senat e.gov/]
CRS Appropriations Products Guide
[ http://www.crs.gov/products/appropriations/apppage.shtml]
Congressional Budget Office
[ http://www.cbo.gov]
Government Accountability Office
[ http://www.gao.gov]
Office of Management & Budget
[ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/]