Order Code RL33379
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Legislative Branch:
FY2007 Appropriations
Updated June 7, 2006
Paul E. Dwyer
Specialist in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Ida Alycia Brudnick
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress

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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 Committee on
Appropriations and Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch of the Senate Committee
on Appropriations. 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 [http://beta.crs.gov/
cli/level_2.aspx?PRDS_CLI_ITEM_ID=73].

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Legislative Branch: FY2007 Appropriations
Summary
Legislative branch entities requested $4.23 billion in new budget obligational
authority for FY2007. This reflects a 12.3% increase over the $3.77 billion approved
by Congress for FY2006. By comparison, Congress approved a 4.5% increase in
new budget authority for FY2006, which followed a 1.2% increase approved for
FY2005. Funding requests allow for a 1.1% increase in FTEs (full-time equivalent
employees).
The chairman of the full House Committee on Appropriations (Representative
Jerry Lewis) and the chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch,
Committee on Appropriations (Senator Wayne Allard), have indicated the probability
of another tight budget. Subsequently, the House Committee on Appropriations
reported H.R. 5521 providing for a 3.7% increase in discretionary budget authority
(excluding Senate items), or $3.027 billion (excluding Senate items).
Among issues under consideration during discussions on the FY2007 budget are
the
! priorities of the Architect of the Capitol in his requested 38.7%
budget increase (reduced to 1.5%, excluding Senate items, by the
House);
! temporary transfer of the Architects’s authorities to the U.S.
Comptroller General, or his designee, of the Government
Accountability Office (added in House markup);
! request for an additional $41.2 million for the Capitol Visitor Center
(CVC) and oversight of its use (increased to $46.2 million by the
House);
! application of performance standards to the legislative branch,
similar to those statutorily required of the executive branch;
! necessity of full funding of $54.2 million for construction of storage
facilities for the Library of Congress at Ft. Meade, MD (deleted by
the House);
! increase of 108 FTEs for the Capitol Police force (reduced by the
House to the current FTE level of 1,658 sworn officers, plus 10
FTEs for the Library of Congress, with 414 civilian employees);
! request of $10.35 million to purchase land and provide vehicle
storage for an alternative computer facility to serve the legislative
branch;
! approval of an additional $1.75 million for asbestos abatement and
structural repairs in Capitol Complex tunnels ($1.8 million has
already been transferred for these purposes from FY2006 funds in
other AOC accounts); and
! recently increased funding for chillers at the Capitol Power Plant
versus savings derived from privatization.

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Key Policy Staff
Area of
CRS
Name
Telephone and E-mail
Expertise
Division
Appropriations
7-8646
Bill Heniff
GOV/FIN
Process
wheniff@crs.loc.gov
7-8653
Sandy Streeter
GOV/FIN
sstreeter@crs.loc.gov
Committee
Funding;
7-0643
Eric Petersen
GOV/FIN
Franking;
epetersen@crs.loc.gov
Staffing
7-8668
Paul Dwyer
GOV/FIN
Legislative
pdwyer@crs.loc.gov
Operations
7-6460
Ida Brudnick
GOV/FIN
ibrudnick@crs.loc.gov
Division abbreviations: GOV/FIN = Government and Finance.

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Contents
Key Policy Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Most Recent Developments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Changes in Structure of Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
Effective in FY2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Activities and Programs Related to the Legislative Branch but Not
Funded in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Elimination of House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch in February
2005 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Status of FY2007 Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Action on the FY2007 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill . . . . . . . . . . 5
Submission of FY2007 Budget Request on February 6, 2006 . . . . . . . . 5
Congressional Caps on FY2007 Legislative Branch Discretionary
Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Senate and House Hearings on FY2007 Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Action on Requested FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations: House of
Representatives and Architect of the Capitol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
House Markup and Report of FY2007 Bill (H.R. 5521) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
FY2007 Legislative Branch Funding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Capitol Complex Security — U.S. Capitol Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Funding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Capitol Complex Security — Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
FY2007 Funding Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Senate Appropriations Oversight Hearings (February, April, and
May 2006) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
House Appropriations Hearing (March 2006) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
House Appropriations Committee Markup and Report (FY2007) . . . 10
Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing (March 2006) . . . . . . . . . 11
Application of Performance Standards to Legislative Branch Agencies . . . 12
Architect of the Capitol Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Funding Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Overall Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
House Committee Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Members’ Representational Allowance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Overall Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Senate Committee Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Support Agency Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of the CBO . . . . . . 15
Library of Congress (LOC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Congressional Research Service (CRS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Government Accountability Office (GAO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

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Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of GAO . . . . . . . . . 17
Government Printing Office (GPO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of GPO . . . . . . . . . 19
Other Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Office of Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Open World Leadership Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
John B. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and
Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
For Additional Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
CRS Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Selected Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
List of Tables
Table 1. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 2. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY1995-FY2006 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 3. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2007 (H.R. 5521) . . . . . . . . . . 21
Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2007 (H.R. 5521) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2007 (H.R. 5521) . . . . . . 22
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

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Legislative Branch:
FY2007 Appropriations
Most Recent Developments
On June 1, 2006, the House Committee on Appropriations reported its
version of the FY2007 bill, H.R. 5521, containing $3.027 billion, excluding Senate
items. H.R. 5521 is scheduled for floor consideration on June 7.
Introduction to the Legislative Branch
Appropriations Bill
The annual legislative branch appropriations bill usually comprises two titles.
Appropriations for legislative branch agencies are contained in Title I. These entities,
as they appear in the annual appropriations bill, are the Senate; House of
Representatives; Joint Items;1 Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional
Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol, including the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC);
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
contained funds for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and
Development and the Congressional Award Act.
On occasion, the bill may include a third title for out-of-the-ordinary legislation.
For example, the pending House-passed version of the FY2006 legislative branch
appropriations bill contains language providing for the continuity of congressional
representation in the event of an emergency.
1 Funded within the Joint Items account are the Joint Economic Committee; the Joint
Committee on Taxation; the Office of Attending Physician; the 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 appropriations enacted,
indefinite appropriations, authorized contracts, and a history of regular appropriations
required by law.

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CRS-2
Changes in Structure of Legislative Branch
Appropriations Bill Effective in FY2003
Congress changed the structure of the annual legislative branch appropriations
bill effective in FY2003. Prior to that time, beginning with 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 (but not other funding for the Library of Congress); and congressional
printing and binding activities of the Government Printing Office.
Title II, Related Agencies, contained budgets for activities considered by the
Committee on Appropriations not to support directly 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 was funded in Title I); and Government
Accountability Office, formerly named the General Accounting Office. Periodically
from FY1978 through FY2002 the annual legislative appropriations bill contained
additional titles for such purposes as capital improvements and special one-time
functions.
Activities and Programs Related to the Legislative Branch but
Not Funded in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
In addition to activities funded in the annual legislative branch appropriations
bill, funds are contained in the legislative branch section of the U.S. Budget for other
programs and entities. These include permanent budget authority for both federal
and trust funds, and for non-legislative entities.
Permanent federal funds are available as the result of previously enacted
legislation and do not require annual action.2
Permanent trust funds are monies held in accounts credited with collections
from specific sources earmarked by law for a defined purpose. Trust funds do not
appear in the annual legislative bill because they are not budget authority. They are
included in the U.S. Budget, prepared by the Office of Management and Budget,
either as budget receipts or offsetting collections.3
2 FY2007 estimated legislative branch permanent federal fund authority is $427 million,
composed of House member pay ($98 million), Senate member pay ($23 million), House
and Senate use of foreign currencies (for use of Members traveling in foreign countries)
($19 million), and Library of Congress payments to copyright owners ($287 million).
Source is the FY2007 U.S. Budget (with figures rounded to the nearest million).
3 FY2007 estimated permanent trust fund authority is $20 million, composed of Library of
(continued...)

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CRS-3
The U.S. Budget also contains non-legislative entities within the legislative
branch budget. They are funded in other appropriation bills but counted as legislative
branch funds by the Office of Management and Budget for bookkeeping purposes.4
For a more accurate picture of the legislative branch budget as contained in the
annual legislative branch appropriation bill, the total legislative branch request of
$4.693 billion in the FY2007 U.S. Budget must be adjusted. This is accomplished
by subtracting permanent federal and trust funds, non-legislative entities’ funds,
intergovernmental funds, and including offsetting receipts and intrafund transactions.
After making these adjustments, the request for entities funded in the pending regular
annual appropriation bill is $4.230 billion.5
Elimination of House Subcommittee on
Legislative Branch in February 2005
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.
3 (...continued)
Congress gift and trust fund account ($16 million); U.S. Tax Court trust fund ($1 million);
John Stennis Center ($2 million); and “Other Legislative Branch Agencies” ($1 million),
which includes the U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission trust funds ($1 million). The
latter category does not contain $14 million listed in the U.S. Budget for the Open World
Leadership Center, because the center is to be funded in the FY2007 legislative branch
appropriation bill. Sources are the FY2007 U.S. Budget (with figures rounded to the nearest
million) and House Committee on Appropriations for confirmation of funding of Leadership
Center in the FY2007 legislative branch appropriations bill.
4 The FY2007 U.S. Budget contains $60 million in federal funds for non-legislative entities
under two headings: (1) “U.S. Tax Court” ($47 million) and (2) “Other Legislative Branch
Agencies, Legislative Branch Boards and Commissions” ($13 million), which includes the
United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission ($4 million), the
Commission on International Religious Freedom ($3 million), and other legislative branch
boards and commissions ($6 million). The $60 million figure does not contain $14 million
listed in the U.S. Budget for the Open World Leadership Center, because the Center will be
funded in the FY2007 legislative branch appropriation bill. Sources are the FY2007 U.S.
Budget (with figures rounded to the nearest million) and House Committee on
Appropriations for confirmation of funding in the legislative branch appropriations bill.
Figures in the FY2007 U.S. Budget are rounded to the nearest million.
5 The figure was derived by (1) subtracting permanent federal funds ($427 million),
permanent trust funds ($20 million), federal funds for non-legislative entities ($60 million),
and intergovernmental funds ($6 million) and (2) adding intrafund transactions ($14
million) and deductions made for offsetting receipts ($34 million in federal funds and $2
million in trust funds).

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CRS-4
Status of FY2007 Appropriations
Table 1. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2007
Committee
Conference Report
Markup
Approval
House
House
Senate
Senate
Conf.
Public
House
Senate
Report
Passage
Report
Passage
Report
House
Senate
Law
06/01/06
5/25/06
(H.Rept.
109-485)
Table 2. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY1995-FY2006
(budget authority in billions of current dollars)a
Fiscal Years
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2.378
2.184 2.203
2.288 2.581b 2.486c 2.730d 3.252e 3.461f 3.528g 3.640h
3.765i
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 regular annual 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 regular annual 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 regular annual 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
FY2001legislative 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.
e. This figure contains regular annual 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 regular annual appropriations in P.L. 108-7, FY2003 Omnibus Appropriations Act, and
supplemental appropriations in P.L. 108-11.
g. This figure contains regular annual 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 regular annual 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 regular annual appropriations in P.L. 109-55, FY2006 Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act, adjusted by a 1.0 % rescission contained in P.L. 109-148.

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CRS-5
Action on the FY2007 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
Submission of FY2007 Budget Request on February 6, 2006. On
February 5, 2006, the President submitted the FY2007 U.S. Budget containing $4.23
billion in new obligational budget authority for legislative branch activities, a 12.3%
increase. A substantial portion of the 12.3% 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 FY2007 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 FY2007. The
House allocation of $4.030 billion in discretionary budget authority for the legislative
branch represents a 7.0% increase over the enacted FY2006 discretionary budget
authority of $3.765 billion.6 A Senate Appropriations Committee allocation report
is pending.
Senate and House Hearings on FY2007 Budget. Hearings were held
by the Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations,
on March 1, 2006, on budgets of the Library of Congress, the Congressional
Research Service, and the Open World Leadership Center. Hearings on budget
requests were held on March 15 for the Secretary of the Senate, the Architect of the
Capitol, and the Capitol Visitor Center; on April 5 for the Senate Sergeant at Arms,
Capitol Police Board, and Capitol Guide Service; on April 26 for the Government
Accountability Office; and on May 3 for the Government Printing Office, the
Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of Compliance.
House hearings were held by the full Committee on Appropriations on March
10 on the budgets of the Government Printing Office, the Office of Compliance, the
Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service, the Open World
Leadership Center, the Government Accountability Office, and on March 14 on the
requests of the House of Representatives.
Action on Requested FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations:
House of Representatives and Architect of the Capitol
Both the House and the Senate acted in March and May, respectively, to deny
$41.2 million in FY2006 supplemental funds requested by the House of
Representatives ($36.2 million) and the Architect of the Architect of the Capitol
($5.0 million). Funds were not provided in H.R. 4939, FY2006 emergency
supplemental appropriations bill, which passed the House on March 16, 2006, and
passed the Senate on May 4.
6 The figure reflects a revised budget allocation reported by the House Appropriations
Committee on May 25, 2006.

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CRS-6
After serious concerns over the safety of the utility tunnels surrounding the
Capitol Complex were raised by the Office of Compliance, Senator Wayne Allard
offered S.Amdt. 3701 on behalf of himself, Senator Durbin, and Senator Mikulski
to the bill. This amendment provides $27.6 million to the Architect of the Capitol
“Capitol Power Plant” account for emergency repairs. The amendment was agreed
to in the Senate on April 27, 2006, and awaits action by the conference committee,
which is scheduled to meet on June 6.
House Markup and Report of FY2007 Bill (H.R. 5521)
The House Appropriations Committee met to mark up H.R. 5521, the FY2007
bill, on May 25, 2006, and during consideration adopted three amendments to the
draft bill by voice vote:
! The first, a manager’s amendment, addressed funding for the John
C. Stennis Center, the disposal of unwanted telecommunications
equipment, the archiving of Members’ official records, the use of E-
85 ethanol fuel, and support for the Library of Congress’s Newsline
program;
! Jim Moran of Virginia proposed a prohibition on the use of funds for
the establishment or operation of a smoking area in the cafeteria of
the Rayburn House Office Building; and
! Ranking Member David Obey of Wisconsin expressed his
displeasure with the current Architect of the Capitol and proposed
placing his office under receivership of the Comptroller General.
The cost of the bill (minus Senate expenses, which by tradition are determined
by the other chamber) is $3.03 billion, a 3.6% increase over last year.
Accounts are increased or reduced from current levels as follows: House of
Representatives, +4.4%; Joint items, +25.5%; Capitol Police, +4.9%; Office of
Compliance, +2.2%; Congressional Budget Office, +3.5%; Architect of the Capitol
(excluding Senate items), +1.5%; Library of Congress, +2.8%; Congressional
Research Service, +2.6%; Government Printing Office, +6.4%; Government
Accountability Office, +2.2%; and Open World Leadership Center, -3.3%.
FY2007 Legislative Branch Funding Issues
Capitol Complex Security — U.S. Capitol Police
Funding Issues. The Committee on Appropriations has recommended
$259.1 million for the Capitol Police, $36 million less than the $295.08 million
requested. The Capitol Police had requested an increase of 19.5%, or $48.1 million,
from $246.96 million. Appropriations for the police are contained in two accounts:

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CRS-7
! the salaries account, for which $220.6 million was recommended
and $246.7 million requested. The recommended amount represents
an increase of 2.5%, or $5.3 million, over FY2006 funds, and
! the general expenses account, for which $38.5 million was
recommended and $48.4 million requested. The recommended
amount represents an increase of $6.8 million, or 21.5%, over
FY2006 funds.
This level of funding will support the current staffing level of a total of 1668
sworn FTEs, including 10 FTEs for the Library of Congress. Funding is also included
to support 414 civilian FTEs. The Capitol Police had requested an additional 108
full-time equivalent employees (FTEs) from the FY2006 level, increasing the FTE
level to 2,180.
The salaries account contains funds for the salaries of employees, including
overtime, 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,
communication 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.
A second appropriation relating to the Capitol Police appears within the
Architect of the Capitol account for Capitol Police buildings and grounds. This
appropriation funds the operations of the Capitol Police headquarters, leased space
in government buildings, chemical and explosive storage facility, off-site delivery
facility, canine facility, vehicle-maintenance and hazardous device facility, and leased
space in government buildings. The pending request of $20.2 million represents an
increase of 37.0%, or $5.5 million. Personnel costs (compensation and personnel
benefits) account for 54.6% of the request.
Capitol Complex Security — Capitol Visitor Center (CVC)7
FY2007 Funding Request. The legislative branch budget request submitted
for inclusion in the President’s FY2007 budget contained an additional $20.6 million
for the Capitol Visitor Center project and $20.575 million for CVC operational costs.
The request included the following caveat: “That the Architect of the Capitol may not
obligate any of the funds which are made available for the Capitol Visitor Center
project without an obligation plan approved by the Committees on Appropriations
7 This section on the Capitol Visitor Center was contributed by Stephen W. Stathis,
Specialist in American National Government, Government and Finance Division.

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CRS-8
of the Senate and House of Representatives.”8 Also, the FY2007 legislative branch
budget request contained $3.41 million for “supplies, materials, and other costs
relating to the House portion of expenses for the Capitol Visitor Center.”9
Senate Appropriations Oversight Hearings (February, April, and
May 2006). On February 15, April 27, and May 24, 2006, the Senate
Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a series of hearings on
the progress of the Capitol Visitor Center. These sessions focused primarily on
factors affecting the project’s construction schedule and cost. At all three hearings,
Architect of the Capitol Alan Hantman and CVC project director Bob Hixon told the
Senate appropriators they anticipated that it would be completed by March 2007,
with a formal opening a month later.10

At the February 2006 hearing, the Government Accountability Office indicated
that it felt the CVC could “be opened to the public with [a] temporary cap on visitor
occupancy in May 2007.” GAO felt the House and Senate expansion spaces could
“be opened beginning in mid-August to early September 2007,” and Congress might
even “be able to begin occupying the expansion spaces earlier if AOC implements
a phased opening plan it is considering.” The center, however, could also be finished
even later if “AOC experiences major problems completing construction, such as
with installing interior stone or testing major building systems.” During the
subsequent oversight hearings in April and May 2006, GAO expressed similar
sentiments regarding a possible completion date for the CVC.11
To date, GAO told the subcommittee in April and May 2006 about $530 million
had already been provided for the construction of the CVC. GAO estimated “that the
8 U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal
Year 2007: Appendix (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 24.
9 Ibid., p. 16.
10 Testimony of Alan M. Hantman, Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Congress, Senate
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor
Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Feb. 15, Apr. 27, and May 24, 2006 (not yet
published).
11 Testimonies of Bernard Ungar, director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government
Accountability Office, and Terrell Dorn, assistant director of Physical Infrastructure Issues,
Government Accountability Office, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitors Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd
sess., Feb. 15, Apr. 27, and May 24, 2006, (not yet published). See also U.S. Government
Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Results of Risk-based Analysis of Schedule
and Cost, GAO-06-440T (Washington: Feb. 15, 2006), p. 3; U.S. Government
Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project’s Schedule and
Cost as of April 27, 2006, GAO-06-665T (Washington: Apr. 27, 2006), p. 2; U.S.
Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update of Status of Project’s
Schedule and Cost as of May 24, 2006, GAO-06-803T (Washington: May 24, 2006), p. 2;
John McArdle, “CVC Opening Pushed to 2007,” Roll Call, Feb. 16, 2006, pp. 1, 22.

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CRS-9
total cost to complete the entire CVC project is about $556 million without an
allowance for risks and uncertainties and $584 million with such an allowance.”12
Other aspects of the project arousing concern during all three of the
subcommittee’s 2006 oversight hearings were:
! delays in the delivery and installation of the stone being used to
complete the interior walls and floors of the CVC;
! “acceptance testing” of the CVC’s complex fire and life-safety
systems (which includes more than 5,000 smoke detection and alarm
devices, security systems, a smoke evacuation system, a state-of-the-
art public address and warning system, and the full integration of
these systems with emergency generators); and
! completion of the CVC’s new utility tunnel between East Capitol
Street, which has been impacted by the contractor’s concerns with
possible asbestos from the existing Second Street tunnel.13
House Appropriations Hearing (March 2006). During a March 14, 2006,
House hearing on the FY2007 legislative branch appropriations bill, Representative
David Obey, ranking minority member of the House Appropriations Committee,
questioned Architect of the Capitol Alan Hantman at some length regarding the
escalating cost of the center and frequent changes in its projected completion date.
Despite having to overcome “significant hurdles,” Hantman told the committee
“we’ve been making tremendous progress,” and predicted that the center should be
ready for a formal opening in April 2007. Hantman went on to say that the House
and Senate office spaces flanking the center would be unveiled during the summer
of 2007. Obey countered by reiterating earlier concerns that even with its additional
12 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of
Project’s Schedule and Cost as of April 27, 2006, GAO-06-665T (Washington: April 27,
2006), p. 2; U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update of
Status of Project’s Schedule and Cost as of May 24, 2006, GAO-06-803T (Washington:
May 24, 2006), p. 2. See also Testimony of Terrell Dorn, assistant director of Physical
Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee
on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor Center,
hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Apr. 27, 2006 (not yet published).
13 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch, Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Feb. 15, Apr. 27, and May
24, 2006 (not yet published). See also: U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol
Visitor Center: Results of Risk-based Analysis of Schedule and Cost, GAO-06-440T
(Washington: Feb. 15, 2006); U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor
Center: Update on Status of Project’s Schedule and Cost as of April 27, 2006, GAO-06-
665T (Washington: Apr. 27, 2006); and U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol
Visitor Center: Update of Status of Project’s Schedule and Cost as of May 24, 2006, GAO-
06-803T (Washington: May 24, 2006). See also: Jackie Kucinich, “It’s Deja Vu as CVC
Costs Jump Again,” The Hill, Feb. 16, 2006, pp. 1, 5; John McArdle, “CVC Opening
Pushed to 2007,” Roll Call, Feb. 16, 2006, pp. 1, 22; Daphne Retter, “Senators Grill
Architect on Asbestos Exposure, Tunnel Repairs at Capitol,” Roll Call, Apr. 28, 2006, pp.
26-27; John McArdle, “CVC Watch,” Roll Call, May 2, 2006, p. 3; and John McArdle,
“AOC Rapped for Poor Communications on Tunnels,” Roll Call, May 25, 2005, pp. 3, 24.

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CRS-10
House and Senate office space, the center does not provide enough additional
working space for Members and staff. Because of his overall concerns about the
project, Obey said he would refuse to vote for another spending bill that included
additional funds for the center, and was unwilling “to identify [himself] in any way
with the mistakes associated with this boondoggle.”14
House Appropriations Committee Markup and Report (FY2007). On
May 25, 2006, the House Appropriations Committee marked up and ordered reported
its version of the FY2007 legislative branch funding bill. During the markup of the
bill, the committee by a voice vote approved an amendment by Representative Obey
to transfer “all authorities previously exercised by the Architect of the Capitol,
including but not limited to the execution and supervision of contracts; and the
hiring, supervising, training, and compensation of employees,” to the Comptroller
General of the United States or his designee, effective October 1, 2006, until the
“confirmation of a new Architect of the Capitol.” Obey’s amendment, to be included
in the final FY2007 funding bill sent to the President, would have to be agreed to by
Senate appropriators, and by a majority of both the House and Senate. The action
was prompted by serious concerns about Hantman’s management of the Capitol
Visitors Center project and worker safety issues.15
The bill reported by the House Appropriations Committee provides $46,175,000
in additional funding for the Capitol Visitors Center project. This amount includes
$16,041,000 for CVC personal services and operations, $4,534,000 for CVC fit-outs,
and $25,600,000 for construction. The total figure, which is $5,000,000 more than
the request, “reflects the Government Accountability Office's estimate of the cost to
complete which is higher than the Architect’s most current estimate.”16
In its report, the Committee explained that it was “becoming increasingly
concerned about the project's continuing schedule slippages and increasing costs
being reported by the Government Accountability Office, the Architect of the
Capitol's inability to fix water leaks, and the late discovery of major security and life
14 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations
for 2007, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., March 14, 2006 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 502.
See also Jackie Kucinich, “AoC Criticized for 2007 Spending Request,” The Hill, March 15,
2006, p. 6; and Jennifer Yachnin, “Architect Pressed On CVC Leak,” Roll Call, March 15,
2006, pp. 1, 25.
15 A more complete explanation of Representative Obey’s amendment is found in: U.S.
Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill,
2007, report to accompany H.R. 5521, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Rept. 109-485 (Washington:
GPO, 2006), pp. 50-51. See also: H.R. 5521, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., sec. 210; John McArdle,
“Hantman Fight Overshadows Leg. Branch Bill,” Roll Call, May 30, 2006, pp. 3, 13; and
Daphne Retter, “Vote to Strip Architect’s Office of Power Underscores Ire Over Visitor
Center,” CQToday, May 26, 2006, p. 6.
16 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations
Bill, 2007, report to accompany H.R. 5521, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Rept. 109-485
(Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 25.

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CRS-11
safety issues affecting the project, including the recent disclosure that the new utility
tunnel being constructed may not meet applicable life safety requirements.”17
Because of these concerns, the Architect was directed to provide by July 31,
2006, “a report to the Committee on the major schedule, cost, quality, and
coordination issues affecting the CVC project and the steps being taken and planned
to address these issues.” The Architect was told to include in the report: “(1) an
assessment of the effects of recent schedule slippages on the Architect's proposed
opening dates for the Capitol Visitor Center and the House and Senate expansion
spaces and the steps being taken to prevent further schedule slippages, including the
effectiveness of efforts being taken to address trade stacking, late completion of shop
drawings, design and scope changes late in the project, and missed milestones; (2)
an updated estimate by the Architect's construction management contractor of the
cost to complete the project, reasons for cost increases to date, and steps being taken
to prevent further cost increases and assure that adequate information is available on
the causes of delays; and (3) steps being taken to coordinate with appropriate
authorities to ensure that security and life safety issues that can affect the project's
schedule, cost, functionality, security, and safety are identified and addressed
expeditiously.” Also, the report was to “address the steps being taken regarding
water leaks in the facility and life safety issues associated with the new utility tunnel
being constructed to serve the Capitol Visitor Center.” In addition, the Committee
requested the “GAO to continue to monitor these issues.”18
Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing (March 2006). A day after
Architect of the Capitol Hantman appeared before House appropriators, he met with
the Senate Appropriations Committee, which used the hearing to conduct its monthly
review of the Capitol Visitor Center project. Once again, GAO officials, as they had
at a committee oversight hearing a month earlier, expressed concerns over continuing
delays in the project. They did concede, however, that some of those delays were
prompted by “redesign resulting from the CVC team’s misunderstanding of
congressional requirements for certain spaces” as well as “security-related” design
changes. GAO Assistant Director of Physical Infrastructure Terrell Dorn reiterated
earlier concerns that the AOC’s projected completion dates for the project were too
“optimistic” and did not allow “enough time for several critical activities to take
place, or for risk and uncertainties that continue to affect the project.” Hantman,
however, remained convinced that the center, except for the House and Senate
expansion spaces, would be completed in March 2007, with a formal opening a
month later. At the hearing, GAO estimated that the final cost of the project would
range from $556 million to as much as $584 million. Previously, the estimated range
had been between $555 million and $584 million.19
17 Ibid, p. 25.
18 Ibid., pp. 25-26.
19 Testimonies of Alan M. Hantman, Architect of the Capitol, Bernard Ungar, director of
Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, and Terrell Dorn,
assistant director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, U.S.
Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch,
Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., March 15, 2006 (not yet published).
(continued...)

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CRS-12
Application of Performance Standards to
Legislative Branch Agencies
During hearings on the FY2007, chairmen of the Senate Subcommittee on
Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations, and the House Appropriations
Committee advocated application of accountability and performance measurements
to spending by legislative agencies.
Earlier, during hearings on the FY2006 legislative budget, Senate Subcommittee
on Legislative Branch Chairman Wayne Allard advocated applying performance
standards to legislative branch entities similar to those required of executive branch
agencies.20 He expressed his desire that some action be taken by agencies before his
consideration of the FY2007 budget in early 2006.
Consequently, Senate report language on the FY2006 legislative funding bill
reaffirms the Senate Appropriations Committee’s support of the application to some
degree of executive branch performance standards to legislative branch agencies.
Language in the general statement section of the report reads:
The Committee supports the applicability of many Government Performance and
Results Act [GPRA] principles to the Legislative Branch. GPRA encourages
greater efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in Federal spending, and
requires agencies to set goals and use performance measures for management and
budgeting. While most Legislative Branch agencies have developed strategic
plans, several agencies have not effectively dealt with major management
problems and lack reliable data to verify and validate performance. While
Legislative Branch agencies are not required to comply with GPRA, the
Committee believes the spirit and intent of the Results Act should be applied to
theses agencies. The Committee intends to monitor agencies’ progress in
developing and implementing meaningful performance measures, describing how
such measures will be verified and validated, linking performance measures to
day-to-day activities, and coordinating across “sister” agencies. The Committee
directs all legislative branch agencies to submit their plans for achieving this goal
within 90 days of enactment of this Act.21
Architect of the Capitol Operations
The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and
preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, which includes the Capitol and
19 (...continued)
See also U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Status of Project’s
Schedule and Cost as of March 15, 2006, GAO-06-528T (Washington: March 15, 2006), pp.
1-3, 9-10.
20 Remarks by Sen. Allard, Chairman Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch,
Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006,
hearings, 109th Cong., 1st sess, Apr. 19, 2005 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 162.
21 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2006, report to accompany H.R. 2985, 109th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 109-89 (Washington:
GPO, 2005), p. 3.

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CRS-13
its grounds; House and Senate office buildings; Library of Congress buildings and
grounds; Capitol Power Plant; Botanic Garden; Capitol Visitor Center (CVC); and
Capitol Police buildings and grounds. The Architect is also responsible for the
Supreme Court buildings and grounds, but appropriations for their expenses are not
contained in the legislative branch appropriations bill.
Funding Levels. The Committee on Appropriations recommends $363.1
million (not including funds for Senate buildings). The Architect requested new
budget authority of $588.3 million represented, an increase of $164.2 million (38.7%)
over FY2006 funds.
The House bill provides for general administration expenses of the Architect
($89.4 million), the Capitol building ($22.4 million), Capitol grounds ($7.8 million),
House office buildings (61.4 million), the Capitol Power Plant ($87.3 million, offset
with $8 million in collections), Library buildings and grounds ($36.4 million),
Capitol police buildings and grounds ($11.6 million), Botanic garden ($8.6 million),
and additional funds for the CVC ($46.2 million, compared to $41.2 million
requested).
The requested $41.2 million increase in CVC funding was an issue raised in
both House and Senate hearings this year. Most concerns focused on the final cost
of the project, realistic completion date, and design and use of space. Other issues
of concern to appropriators are (1) costs of upgrading utility tunnels including $1.8
million in reallocation of FY2006 funds and $1.75 million in new budget authority
for structural repairs and asbestos abatement; (2) the request of $102 million for
Library of Congress activities, primarily construction of a storage facility at Ft.
Meade, MD; and (3) costs of the west refrigeration facility of the Capitol Power
Plant, leading to questions on the recent expenses of upgrading chillers versus
possible privatization that would have spared Congress expenses of the upgrade.
Both Chairman Wayne Allard and ranking minority member Dick Durbin of the
Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch directed the Architect to “get a plan in
place quickly” to protect AOC employees from asbestos exposure.22
Operations of the Architect are funded in the following 10 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.
During hearings held by the House Appropriations Committee, Representative
Jim Moran questioned the cost of the current expansion of the west refrigeration
plant ($100 million) in the Capitol Power Plant, and possible savings that might have
been derived by privatization in lieu. A major reason Congress approved the
expansion was to provide services to the Capitol Visitor Center.
22 Statements of Chairman Allard and ranking minority member Durbin, Subcommittee on
Legislative Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations:
Secretary of the Senate, Architect of the Capitol, and Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th
Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 15, 2006 (not yet published).

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CRS-14
House of Representatives
Overall Funding. The committee has recommended $1.138 billion. For its
internal operations, the House requested $1.156 billion, an increase of 6.1%. Most
of the increase is needed to meet mandatory expenses for personnel costs. For
example, the required House payment for employee benefits alone is a 4.6% increase.
Included is $24 million for emergency preparedness programs in the House.
During hearings on the FY2007 request of the Chief Administrative Office
(CAO), both Chairman Jerry Lewis and ranking minority member David Obey of the
House Appropriations Committee addressed their concern with the ability of the
House to retain employees who might leave for better pay in the Senate or private
sector. The CAO responded that he would make a study and report his findings to
the committee.
House Committee Funding. Funding for House committees, for which
$151.3 million was recommended and $152.7 million requested, is contained in the
appropriation heading "committee employees" that comprises two subheadings.
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 FY2007 bill provides $124.9 million
($1.3 million less than the request of $126.2 million), and includes funds for
investigations.
The second subheading contains funds for the personnel and nonpersonnel
expenses of the Committee on Appropriations, for which $26.50 million is
recommended, while $26.56 million was requested.
Members’ Representational Allowance. The House bill provides $557.8
million for Members' representational allowances. This represents $23.7 million
over the FY2006 level, and $1.8 million less than requested. The allowance includes
funds for Members' clerk hire, official expenses, and official mail.
Senate
Overall Funding. The Senate’s request of $872.6 million for its internal
operations reflects an increase of 12.2% over the prior year’s funding level.
Among offices and activities, other than committees, receiving increases are
those for
! official personnel and office expenses of individual Senators,
including funds for mandatory increases (12.5%);
! salaries of officers and their employees (9.1%);
! Sergeant at Arms operations, including security and an upgrade of
the Senate telecommunications system (13.7%); and
! Secretary of the Senate (5.5%), although the secretary noted that
additional funds may be requested if changes in current law

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CRS-15
regarding lobbying and campaign finance disclosure impose new
requirements on her office.
Senate Committee Funding. Appropriations for Senate committees are
contained in two accounts:
! the inquiries and investigations account, containing funds for all
Senate committees except Appropriations, for which $136.99
million is requested (a 14.5% increase), and
! the Committee on Appropriations account, for which $14.4 million
is requested, an increase of 4.6%.
During hearings on the Secretary of the Senate’s budget request, the chairman
asked Secretary of the Senate Emily Reynolds for a status report on a survey of staff
salaries. Reynolds indicated that the report was in draft form and expressed her hope
that it could be released within the month.23
Support Agency Funding
Congressional Budget Office (CBO). CBO is a nonpartisan congressional
agency created to provide objective economic and budgetary analyses requested by
law and by members of the House and Senate Committees on Budget and
Committees on Appropriations, House Committee on Ways and Means, and other
committees, and by Members of Congress.
The committee recommends $36.3 million, $1.2 million over the FY2006
enacted bill and $697,000 below the FY2007 budget request of $37.0 million. Most
of the funding was requested to meet mandatory pay and related costs. These
expenses account for approximately 89% of CBO's budget. The request allowed CBO
to maintain its current level of 235 FTEs.
Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of the CBO. Acting
Director Donald Marron testified that CBO has increased the number of its
publications by approximately 50% over the last three years. He also responded to
questions concerning how CBO’s employee compensation compares to the private
sector and how the agency attempts to hire and retain employees given the
discrepancy.24
23 Testimony of Emily Reynolds, Secretary of the Senate, Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Secretary of the
Senate, Architect of the Capitol, and Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess.,
Mar. 15, 2006 (not yet published).
24 Testimony of Donald Marron, Acting Director, Congressional Budget Office, House
Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open World
Leadership Center, Government Printing Office, Government Accountability Office, and
Congressional Budget Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 10, 2006.

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CRS-16
Library of Congress (LOC). LOC provides research support for Congress
through a wide range of services, from research on public policy issues to general
information. It also serves as the de facto national library of the United States.
Among the major programs supporting both of the Library’s major roles are
acquisitions, preservation, legal research for Congress and other federal entities,
administration of U.S. copyright laws by the Copyright Office, research and analyses
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 House bill contains $570.2 million, an increase of $15.3 million over the
FY2006 funding level of $554.9 million and a reduction of $18.0 million from the
request, and supports 4,200 FTEs, a net decrease of 102 from the FY2006 level. The
Library had requested (1) a net appropriation of $588.1 million, an increase of $33.2
million (6.0%), and (2) authority to use $40.3 million in funds generated from
receipts received by the Library.25 Most of the increase meets mandatory pay and
price level increases necessary to maintain current services. The request also
included $4.9 million in program increases, offset by $4.0 million in nonrecurring
costs.
The total of the FY2007 request for net appropriation and authority to use
receipts is $628.5 million, an increase of 4.1% over the FY2006 total.
FY2007 new budget authorities for the Library’s accounts include

! salaries and expenses — $389.7 (not including authority to spend
$6.4 million in receipts), compared to $402.9 million (not including
authority to spend $6.4 million in receipts) requested;
! Copyright Office — $24.1 million (not including authority to spend
$35 million in receipts), compared to $25.2 million (not including
authority to spend an $34.0 million in receipts) requested;
! Congressional Research Service — $102.5 million, compared to
$104.3 million requested; and
! Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped — $54 million,
compared to $55.7 million requested.
The Library sought language that would enhance employment options for
Library employees, including those of CRS, who receive RIF notices. This provision
would confer competitive status on them, allowing their federal service as legislative
branch employees to be counted when applying for positions in the executive branch.
In effect, they would be given preference over applicants with no federal service.
Currently, legislative branch employees are treated as if they have had no federal
service when applying for executive branch positions. The Committee on
Appropriations has not included language to this affect, but suggested that the Library
continue to work with its authorizing committees to address these and other issues.
25 An example of receipts are fees paid to the LOC for copyright registration.

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CRS-17
An additional $102.2 million was contained in the budget request for the
Architect of the Capitol Library Buildings and Grounds account. Of this amount,
$62.3 million supports projects requested by the Library, including $54.2 million for
construction of a 166,000 square-foot logistics warehouse at Ft. Meade, MD, to
replace facilities currently leased. The House bill contains $36.4 million for this
account, but does not provide the $54.2 million for the Ft. Meade project.
Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS works exclusively for
Members and committees of Congress to support their legislative and oversight
functions by providing nonpartisan and confidential research and policy analysis.
The House Committee on Appropriations has recommended $102.46 million to
support 700 FTE’s, a reduction of 29 FTE’s from the FY2006 level. The agency’s
request of $104.3 million represented a 4.4%, or $4.37 million, increase, and was
designed to cover mandatory pay and related costs ($3.765 million) and price level
changes ($607,000).
Responding to questions from members of the Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch of the Senate Appropriations Committee on a recent staff downsizing, Daniel
P. Mulhollan, CRS director, testified that CRS had completed a long-term study of
the impact of technology advancements on the agency’s work, and a 2005 study on
the impact on production and technical staff and audio-visual functions. Faced with
constraints in the FY2006 budget requiring CRS to reduce it workforce by 30 FTEs
(full time equivalent employees), CRS made the decision to eliminate 59 staff, or
8.4% of its workforce, “whose functions are not critical to the accomplishment of the
Service’s mission.” Mulhollan noted that in the past, CRS, without the current
constraints, was able to achieve downsizing through attrition.26
Government Accountability Office (GAO). The GAO works for Congress
by responding to requests for studies of federal government programs and
expenditures. The agency also conducts audits and evaluations of executive branch
programs at the request of the executive branch. Formerly styled the General
Accounting Office, the agency was renamed the Government Accountability Office,
effective July 7, 2004.
The committee recommends $488.2 million, $14.1 million less than GAO’s
total budget request of $502.4 million and $10.7 million more than in FY2006.
These figures reflect a reduction of $6.99 million from offsetting collections. The
agency’s request and the committee bill support 3,267 FTEs (full-time equivalent
employees), an increase of 50 FTEs over the FY2006 level.
Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of GAO. Comptroller
General David Walker discussed the agency’s pay system (GAO does not participate
in the General Schedule), requested funds for a presence in Baghdad, and answered
26 Testimony of Daniel P. Mulhollan, director, Congressional Research Service,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations, FY2007
Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, and Government
Accountability Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 1, 2006 (not yet published).

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CRS-18
questions about the agency’s work this past year, including its efforts after Hurricane
Katrina.27
Government Printing Office (GPO). The House bill provides $130.5
million for the Government Printing Office, $21 million less than the agency’s
FY2007 request of $151.5 million and $8.3 million more than enacted for FY2006.
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.
Amounts recommended by the House Committee on Appropriations as
compared to the FY2007 requests for these accounts are:
! Congressional printing and binding — $95.2 million, compared to
$100.3 million requested,
! Office of Superintendent of Documents (salaries and expenses) —
$35.3 million, compared to $43 million requested, and
! Revolving Fund — no funds, compared to $8.2 million requested.
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
without a document or report number (e.g., 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; 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 other individuals and entities,
as authorized by law.
The committee recommendation does not provide any funding for the
Government Printing Office Revolving Fund. GPO’s had requested $8.2 million in
funds for the agency’s acquisition of information technology infrastructure and
security enhancements, implementation of a Government Performance and Results
Act (GPRA) compliance system, and a continuation of efforts initiated in FY2006
27 Testimony of David Walker, comptroller general, Government Accountability Office,
House Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open
World Leadership Center, Government Printing Office, Government Accountability Office,
and Congressional Budget Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 10, 2006 (not yet
published).

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CRS-19
to define workforce needs, assess current workforce capabilities, identify the
agency’s needs, and establish training programs to meet those needs.
Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of GPO. Public
Printer of the United States Bruce James emphasized his agency’s desire for a new
production facility. He expressed his belief that a modern plant would facilitate more
efficient service to Congress and other clients. He also addressed the need for
enhanced computer technology and for adapting the Federal Depository Library
system to the information age.28
Other Funding
Office of Compliance. The Office of Compliance is an independent and
nonpartisan agency within the legislative branch, established to administer and
enforce the Congressional Accountability Act enacted in 1995 (P.L. 104-1, 109 Stat.
3).29 The act applies business and federal government employment and workplace
safety laws to Congress and certain legislative branch entities.30
The bill as reported by the House Appropriations Committee provides $3.15
million. The FY2007 budget request for operations of the Office of Compliance was
$3.4 million, a $337,100 (10.9%) increase from last year’s appropriation of $3.08
million. The proposed new budget authority covers mandatory pay and price level
changes, allows for an increase in FTEs from the FY2006 level of 17 to 20, and
provides for additional travel, printing, and technology procurement costs. Included
is $35,000 for safety and health inspections of the Capitol Visitor Center.
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
United States. The program encouraged young federal and local Russian leaders to
visit the United States and observe its government and society.
28 Testimony of Bruce James, Public Printer, Government Printing Office, House Committee
on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open World Leadership
Center, Government Printing Office, Government Accountability Office, and Congressional
Budget Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 10, 2006 (not yet published).
29 The act applies 12 civil rights, labor, and workplace safety laws to Congress and certain
legislative branch agencies. These laws include 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.
30 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.

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CRS-20
A permanent center, named the Center for Russian Leadership Development,
was established at the Library of Congress in 2000, and renamed the Open World
Leadership Center in 2003, when the program was expanded to include eleven other
countries and three Baltic republics. In 2004, Congress further extended the
program’s eligibility to other countries designated by the center’s Board of Trustees,
subject to congressional consideration. The center is housed in the Library of
Congress and receives services from the library through an inter-agency agreement.
The bill as reported by the House Appropriations Committee includes the
provision of a $13.4 million payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust
Fund. This is $1 million less than requested. Last year, both the House and Senate
Committees on Appropriations approved the center’s request of $14.0 million for its
FY2006 operations budget, which was reduced to $13.86 million with the across-the-
board rescission.
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. Senate
language providing $430,000 was agreed to by conferees on the FY2006 bill. There
is no pending request for the FY2007 budget. The bill as reported by the House
Appropriations Committee, however, includes the provision of a $430,000 payment
to the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Development Trust Fund.

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CRS-21
Table 3. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2007 (H.R. 5521)
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2006
FY2007
Enacted
FY2007
House Bill
FY2007
FY2007
Entity
(with 1.0%
Request
As
Senate Bill Conference
rescission)a
Reported
Title 1: Legislative Branch Appropriations
Senate
777,605
872,552
— d
House of Representatives
1,089,898 1,156,322
1,137,806
— g
Joint Items
19,617
24,683
24,624
Capitol Policeb
246,961
295,083
259,100
Office of Compliance
3,081
3,418
3,149
Congressional Budget Office
35,096
37,026
36,329
Architect of the Capitol
424,193
588,349
363,134 e
— h
Library of Congress,
Including CRS
554,893
588,131
570,177
Congressional Research Service,
Lib. of Cong.
(99,907)
(104,279)
(102,462)
Congressional Printing Office
122,193
151,516
130,520
Government Accountability Office
477,571
502,370
488,234
Open World Leadership Centerc
13,860
14,400
13,400
Stennis Center for Public Service
430
0
430
Title II: General Provisions
0
0
0
Total Legislative Branch
(Titles I and II)
3,765,398 4,233,850 3,026,903f
— i
Source: House Committee on Appropriations
a. FY2006 funds are contained in P.L. 109-55, FY2006 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, and reflect a 1.0%
rescission in P.L. 109-148.
b. This account was effective with the FY2003 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act. Previously, Capitol Police
funds were contained under the joint items account.
c. The center was named the Russian Leadership Program prior to FY2004. Appropriations represent payments to
the center’s trust fund.
d. The House does not consider appropriations for internal Senate operations.
e. The House does not consider appropriations for Senate office buildings contained in the budget of the Architect
of the Capitol.
f. This figure will contain funds for internal Senate operations, which are funded in a separate account, or for Senate
office buildings, which are contained in the budget of the Architect of the Capitol. The Senate determines
funding levels of these two accounts.
g. Although the Senate does not consider appropriations for internal House operations, the House budget, as passed
by the House, will be counted in the Senate bill.
h. Although the Senate does not consider appropriations for House office buildings, which are contained in the
budget of the Architect of the Capitol, the House figure, as passed by the House, is counted in the Senate bill.
The Senate does not consider appropriations for House Office buildings.
i. Although the Senate does not consider funds for internal House operations, which are funded in a separate account,
or for House office buildings, which are contained in the budget of the Architect of the Capitol, these funds
are counted in the Senate bill. The House determines the funding levels of these two accounts.

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CRS-22
Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2007 (H.R. 5521)
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2007
FY2006 Enacted
FY2007
House Bill
FY2007
FY2007
(with 1.0%
Accounts
Request
As
Senate Bill Conference
rescission)a
Reported
Salaries, Capitol Police
215,281
246,700
220,600
General Expenses
31,680
48,383
38,500
Total, Capitol Police
246,961
295,083
259,100
Source: House Committee on Appropriations.
a. FY2006 funds are contained in P.L. 109-55, FY2006 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, and reflect a 1.0%
rescission in P.L. 109-148.
Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2007 (H.R. 5521)
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2006
FY2007
Enacted
FY2007
House Bill
FY2007
FY2007
Accounts
(with 1.0%
Request
As
Senate Bill
Conference
rescission)a
Reported
General administration
76,044
103,474
89,413
Capitol building
23,118
31,207
22,396
Capitol grounds
7,436
9,400
7,806
Senate office buildings
66,334
110,723
— b
House office buildings
59,020
78,941
61,383
— d
Capitol power plant
58,098
81,710
79,327
Library buildings and grounds
68,075
102,237
36,401
14,753
Capitol Police buildings and grounds
20,218
11,621
Botanic Garden
7,557
9,264
8,612
Capitol Visitor Center
43,758
41,175
46,175
Project — Cost to complete
(41,481)
(20,600)
(25,600)
Project — Fit Out
(0)
(4,534)
(4,534)
Operations
(2,277)
(16,041)
(16,041)
Total, Architect of the Capitol
424,193
588,349
363,134 c
— e
Source: House Committee on Appropriations.
a. FY2006 funds are contained in P.L. 109-55, FY2006 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, and reflect a 1.0%
rescission in P.L. 109-148.
b. The House does not consider appropriations for Senate office buildings.
c. Although the House does not consider the appropriation for Senate office buildings, the appropriation will be
counted in the Senate bill. The Senate determines the level of funding.
d. The Senate does not consider appropriations for House office buildings.
e. Although the Senate does not consider the appropriation for House office buildings, the appropriation will be
counted in the House bill. The House determines the level of funding.

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CRS-23
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2007
(in thousands of dollars)

FY2006
FY2007
FY2007
Enacted
FY2007
FY2007
Accountsa
House
Senate
(with 1.0%
Request
Conference
Bill
Bill
rescission)a
Expense Allowances and
Representation
225
225
—
Salaries, Officers, and Employees
147,120
160,434
—
Office of Legislative Counsel
5,437
5,939
—
Office of Legal Counsel
1,306
1,391
—
Expense Allowances for
Secretary of Senate, et al.
24
24
—
Contingent Expenses (subtotal)
623,493
704,539
—
Inquiries and Investigations
119,637
136,989
—
Senate Intl. Narcotics Caucus
520
520
—
Secretary of the Senatec
1,980
1,900
—
Sergeant at Arms / Doorkeeperd
142,000
161,439
—
Miscellaneous Items
17,000
18,737
—
Senators’ Official Personnel and
Office Expense Account
342,056
384,654
—
Official Mail Costs
300
300
—
Total, Senate
777,605
872,552
—
Source: House Committee on Appropriations
a. The Senate account contains seven appropriations headings, which are highlighted in bold.
b. FY2006 funds are contained in P.L. 109-55, FY2006 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, and reflect a 1.0% rescission
in P.L. 109-148.
c. Office operations of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate are also funded under “Salaries, Officers, and Employees.”
d. Office operations of the Office of Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper are also funded under “Salaries, Officers, and
Employees.”

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CRS-24
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2007
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2006
FY2007
Enacted
FY2007
FY2007
FY2007
Accountsa
House Bill
(with 1.0%
Request
Senate Bill
Conference
As Reported
rescission)b
Payments —
0
0
0
Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress
Salaries and Expenses, Total
1,089,898
1,156,322
1,137,806
House Leadership Offices
19,844
20,766
21,092
Members’ Representational Allowancesc
534,109
559,628
557,796
Committee Employees (subtotal)d
142,572
152,733
151,348
Standing Committees, Special and
116,904
126,178
124,851
Select, except Appropriations
Appropriations Committee
25,668
26,555
26,497
Salaries, Officers, and Employees
171,249
166,848
159,581
(subtotal)
Office of the Clerk
21,911
22,820
21,505
Office of the Sergeant at Arms
6,284
6,256
6,240
Office of Chief Administrative Officer
121,471
114,192
109,301
Office of Inspector General
3,991
4,212
4,204
Office for Emergency Planning,
4,000
5,000
3,997
Preparedness, and Operations
Office of General Counsel
962
962
959
Office of the Chaplain
161
164
164
Office of the Parliamentarian
1,767
1,767
1,762
Office of the Law Revision Counsel
2,453
2,527
2,521

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CRS-25
FY2006
FY2007
Enacted
FY2007
FY2007
FY2007
Accountsa
House Bill
(with 1.0%
Request
Senate Bill
Conference
As Reported
rescission)b
Office of the Legislative Counsel
6,963
7,425
7,406
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs
720
738
737
Other Authorized Employees:
Technical Assistants, Office of
161
285
285
Attending Physician
Office of Historian
405
500
500
Allowances and Expenses (subtotal)
222,124
256,347
247,989
Supplies, Materials, Administrative
4,179
4,554
4,554
Costs and Federal Tort Claims
Official Mail for committees,
leadership, administrative and
410
410
410
legislative offices
Government Contributions
213,422
223,252
217,253
Capitol Visitor Center
3,410
3,410
3,410
Miscellaneous Items
703
703
703
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
0
24,018
21,659
House of Representatives, Total
1,089,898
1,156,322
1,137,806
Sources: House Committee on Appropriations.
a. The appropriations bill contains two House accounts: (1) payments to widows and heirs of deceased Members of Congress and (2)
salaries and expenses.
b. FY2006 funds are contained in P.L. 109-55, FY2006 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, and reflect a 1.0% rescission in P.L. 109-
148.
c. This 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.
d. This 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).

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CRS-26
For Additional Reading
CRS Report
CRS Report RL32819, Legislative Branch: FY2006 Appropriations, by Paul Dwyer.
Selected Websites
These sites contain information on the FY2005 and FY2006 legislative branch
appropriations requests and legislation, and the appropriations process.
House Committee on Appropriations
[http://appropriations.house.gov/]
Senate Committee on Appropriations
[http://appropriations.senate.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 and Budget
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/]
crsphpgw

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