Order Code RL34031
Legislative Branch:
FY2008 Appropriations
June 5, 2007
Ida A. Brudnick
Analyst in American National Government
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 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].


Legislative Branch: FY2008 Appropriations
Summary
Legislative branch entities requested $4.33 billion in new budget authority for
FY2008. This amount reflects a 14.4% increase over the $3.785 billion approved by
Congress for FY2007. By comparison, in FY2007, overall legislative branch budget
authority was held close to the prior-year level, which had followed a 4.2% increase
in new budget authority for FY2006 and a 3.1% increase approved for FY2005.
Among issues that may be considered during discussions on the FY2008 budget
are the following:
! completion of the Capitol Visitor Center and consideration of the
Architect of the Capitol’s request for an additional $20 million for
this project;
! repair of the Capitol Power Plant tunnels and the role of the Office
of Compliance in monitoring progress on this effort;
! the merger of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Library of Congress
Police;
! the Library’s request for a logistics center in Ft. Meade, MD;
! funding for the acquisition of new technology for the “Books for the
Blind” program; and
! the application of Government Performance and Results Act
(GPRA) principles to the legislative branch.
This report will be updated to reflect major congressional action.

Key Policy Staff
Area of
CRS
Expertise
Name
Division
Telephone and E-mail
Appropriations
Bill Heniff
G&F
7-8646
Process
wheniff@crs.loc.gov
Sandy Streeter
G&F
7-8653
sstreeter@crs.loc.gov
Committee
Eric Petersen
G&F
7-0643
Funding and
epetersen@crs.loc.gov
Staffing
Franking
Matthew
G&F
7-3467
Glassman
mglassman@crs.loc.gov
Legislative
Ida Brudnick
G&F
7-6460
Operations
ibrudnick@crs.loc.gov
Division abbreviations: G&F = Government and Finance

Contents
Most Recent Developments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Introduction to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Changes in Structure of Legislative Branch Appropriations Effective
in FY2003 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Activities and Programs Related to the Legislative Branch but
Not Funded in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill . . . . . . . . . . 2
Reestablishment of House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch
for the 110th Congress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Status of FY2008 Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Action on the FY2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill . . . . . . . . . . 4
Submission of FY2008 Budget Request on February 5, 2007 . . . . . . . . 4
Senate and House Hearings on FY2008 Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Action on FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
FY2008 Legislative Branch Funding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Capitol Complex Security — U.S. Capitol Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Funding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Architect of the Capitol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Overall Funding Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Overall Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
House Committee Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Overall Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Senate Committee Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Support Agency Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the CBO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Library of Congress (LOC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Highlights of the House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the LOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Congressional Research Service (CRS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Government Accountability Office (GAO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the GAO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Government Printing Office (GPO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the GPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Other Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Office of Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Open World Leadership Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
John B. Stennis Center for Public Service Training
and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

For Additional Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CRS Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Selected Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
List of Tables
Table 1. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY1995 - FY2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 2. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 3. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Legislative Branch:
FY2008 Appropriations
Most Recent Developments
On February 5, 2007, the President submitted the FY2008 U.S. Budget
containing $4.3 billion in new budget authority for legislative branch activities.1 The
House and Senate Subcommittees on Legislative Branch have each completed a
series of hearings to consider the requests of the various legislative branch agencies
and entities.
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;2 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 legislation. For example,
Title III of the FY2006 legislative branch appropriations act, P.L. 109-55, contained
language providing for the continuity of House representation in “extraordinary
circumstances.”
1 Available at [http://www.gpoaccess.gov/usbudget/fy08/pdf/appendix/leg.pdf].
2 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.

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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.
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.
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
funds and trust funds and for non-legislative entities.
Permanent federal funds and permanent trust funds are available as the result of
previously enacted legislation and do not require annual action.3 Permanent federal
funds and trust funds are included in the U.S. Budget, prepared by the Office of
Management and Budget. The U.S. Budget also contains non-legislative entities
within the legislative branch budget. They are funded in other appropriation bills, but
3 Estimated FY2008 permanent federal funding authority in the legislative branch section
of the U.S. Budget is $461 million, and comprises 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) ($25 million); Judiciary office building development and
operations fund ($-2 million); and Library of Congress payments to copyright owners ($317
million). FY2008 estimated permanent trust fund authority is $18 million, comprising the
Library of Congress gift and trust fund account ($14 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).
Source: Analytical Perspectives, Budget of the United States Government, FY2008, Table
28 — Federal Programs by Agency and Account, (Washington: GPO, 2007), pp. 3-8.
(Figures are rounded to the nearest million).

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are counted as legislative branch funds by the Office of Management and Budget for
bookkeeping purposes.4
For another picture of the legislative branch budget, the total legislative branch
request of $4.82 billion in the FY2008 U.S. Budget must be adjusted. When reflecting
only items contained in the annual legislative branch appropriation bill, the funding
request for the legislative branch is $4.33 billion.
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.5
4 The FY2008 U.S. Budget contains $57 million in federal funds for non-legislative entities
under two headings: (1) “U.S. Tax Court” ($45 million); and (2) “Other Legislative Branch
Agencies, Legislative Branch Boards and Commissions” ($12 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 ($5 million). The $57 million figure does not contain $14 million
listed in the U.S. Budget for the Open World Leadership Center, since the center will be
funded in the FY2008 legislative branch appropriation bill. Source: Analytical Perspectives,
Budget of the United States Government, FY2008
, Table 28 — Federal Programs by Agency
and Account, (Washington: GPO, 2007), pp. 3-8. (Figures are rounded to the nearest
million).
5 “Senate, House Appropriations Set Subcommittee Plans for New Congress,” House
Appropriations Committee press release, January 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.

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Table 1. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY1995 - FY2007
(budget authority in billions of current dollars)a
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2.184
2.203
2.288
2.581b
2.486c
2.730d
3.252e
3.461f
3.528g
3.640h
3.793i
3.785j
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 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 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.
Total does not yet include appropriations from P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care,
Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Total will be updated once final
FY2007 figures are available.
Status of FY2008 Appropriations
Table 2. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2008
Conference Report
Committee Markup
Approval
House
House
Senate
Senate
Conference
Public
House
Senate
Report
Passage
Report
Passage
Report
House
Senate
Law
Action on the FY2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill
Submission of FY2008 Budget Request on February 5, 2007. The
FY2008 U.S. Budget contains $4.3 billion in new budget authority for legislative

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branch activities, an increase of 14% from FY2007 levels.6 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.
Senate and House Hearings on FY2008 Budget. The House
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held budget hearings on March 1 for the
Architect of the Capitol, on March 8 for the U.S. Capitol Police, on March 22 for the
Library of Congress and the Open World Leadership Program, on March 27 for the
Government Printing Office, on March 29 for the House of Representatives, on April
19 for the Government Accountability Office, and on April 26 for the Office of
Compliance and Congressional Budget Office. Public witnesses were heard from on
May 1. The subcommittee also held additional hearings during these months to
conduct oversight and discuss long-range planning requirements and challenges.
The Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held hearings on the FY2008
budget requests on March 2 for the Architect of the Capitol; on March 16 for the
Government Accountability Office, the Government Printing Office, the
Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of Compliance; on March 30 for the
Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper and the U.S. Capitol Police;
and on May 3 for the Secretary of the Senate and the Library of Congress.
Action on FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations
H.R. 1591 was reported as an original measure by the House Appropriations
Committee on March 20, 2007.7 S. 965 was introduced as an original measure by the
Senate Appropriations Committee on March 22, 2007. The House passed its bill on
March 23 by a vote of 218-212. The Senate then called up the House-passed bill,
inserted the text of the Senate Appropriations Committee version of the bill, amended
it, and passed it March 29 by a vote of 51-47. As agreed to by the House and Senate,
the legislative branch chapters of the bill included $6.4 million in new budget
authority for the House of Representatives for business continuity and disaster
recovery, an additional $374,000 for the Government Accountability Office, a
gratuity payment to the widow of a deceased Member, and $50 million for Capitol
Power Plant repairs. The President vetoed H.R. 1591 on May 1, 2007, and a veto
override attempt in the House failed on a 222-203 vote.
A new supplemental appropriations measure, H.R. 2206, was introduced in the
House on May 8. The House passed the bill two days later by a roll-call vote of 221
6 FY2007 total includes levels enacted in the Revised Continuing Appropriations
Resolution, 2007 (P.L. 110-5; February 15, 2007; 121 Stat. 8).
7 For additional information on the supplemental appropriations bill, see CRS Report
RL33900: FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations for Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Other
Purposes
, by Stephen Daggett, Amy Belasco, Pat Towell, Susan B. Epstein, Connie
Veillette, Curt Tarnoff, and Rhoda Margesson.

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— 205.8 The Senate amended and passed the measure with an amendment by voice
vote on May 17, 2007.9 After the House and Senate resolved their differences through
amendments between the houses, the bill was signed into law by the President on
May 25, 2007.10 In addition to the appropriations proposed in H.R. 1591, as passed
by both chambers, P.L. 110-28 contained $10 million for a radio modernization
program for the U.S. Capitol Police. The measure also contained two gratuity
payments for the surviving spouses of two Representatives. The measure also
established within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol the position of Chief
Executive Officer for Visitor Services. The official, who will be appointed by the
Architect and compensated at the rate of the Chief Operating Officer of the Office of
the Architect, will be responsible for the operation and management of the Capitol
Visitor Center.
FY2008 Legislative Branch Funding Issues
Capitol Complex Security — U.S. Capitol Police
Funding Issues. The U.S. Capitol Police request was $299.1 million, an
increase of 17%, or $43.4 million, from the FY2007 level of $255.6 million. In
contrast to last year, when appropriations for the police were contained in two
accounts — a salaries account and a general expenses account — FY2008 contained
one combined total for Capitol Police salaries and expenses.
In the past, the salaries account contained funds for the salaries of employee;
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 contained 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.
A second appropriation relating to the Capitol Police appears within the
Architect of the Capitol account for Capitol Police buildings and grounds. The
pending request of $18.8 million is an increase of 60%, or $7 million from the
FY2007 level. In comparison, conferees on the FY2007 revised continuing resolution
agreed to $11.8 million, which was below the $14.8 million provided in FY2006. The
conference agreement was in lieu of the $11.6 million included in the House-passed
version of the FY2007 legislative branch appropriations bill (H.R. 5521), the $12.5
million included in the Senate-reported bill, and the $20.2 million requested.

8 Roll Call No. 333, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, May 10, 2007, pp.
H4866-H4867.
9 Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, May 17, 2007, p. S6219.
10 P.L. 110-28; May 25, 2007; 121 Stat. 112.

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The Capitol Police request allows for an additional 30 civilian FTEs (full-time
equivalent employees), increasing the civilian level to 444 FTEs and the total
department FTE level to 2,125.
Architect of the Capitol
The 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 Visitors 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. The Architect’s requested new budget authority of
$481.7 million represents an increase of $81.8 million (20%). Increases included
requests for general administration expenses of the Architect ($87.7 million, from
$77.1 million), Senate office buildings ($87.2 million, from $67.2 million), and
Library buildings and grounds ($42.8 million, from $27.7 million).
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.
Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).11 The Architect’s FY2008 budget request
includes $20.0 million for the CVC project. An additional $13.9 million was
requested for Capitol Visitor Center operational costs. The requested funding was an
issue in both House and Senate hearings this year. Concerns have included the final
cost of the project, its estimated completion and occupancy date, and the center’s
daily administration after it is opened to the public.
House of Representatives
Overall Funding. For its internal operations, the House requested $1.2 billion,
an increase of 8.5% from FY2007 levels.
House Committee Funding. Funding for House committees, for which
$156.8 million is requested, is contained in the appropriation heading “committee
employees,” which comprises two subheadings.12
The first subheading contains funds for personnel and nonpersonnel expenses
of House committees, except the Appropriations Committee, as authorized by the
11 For additional information on the Capitol Visitor Center, see CRS Report RL31121, The
Capitol Visitor Center: An Overview
, by Stephen W. Stathis.
12 For additional information on committee funding, see CRS Report RS22616, House
Committee Funding, 110th Congress
, by R. Eric Petersen.

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House in a committee expense resolution. The FY2008 request of $129.7 million, an
increase of 4.2%, includes funds for investigations.
The second subheading contains funds for the personnel and nonpersonnel
expenses of the Committee on Appropriations, for which $27.1 million is requested,
a 4.8% increase.
Senate
Overall Funding. The Senate’s request of $869.3 million for its internal
operations reflects an increase of 8.1% over the prior year’s funding level.
Among offices and activities receiving increases are those for
! official personnel and office expenses of individual Senators,
including funds for mandatory increases ($31 million, or 8.5%); and
! salaries of officers and their employees ($6.5 million, or 4.3%).
Senate Committee Funding. Appropriations for Senate committees are
contained in two accounts:13
! the inquiries and investigations account, containing funds for all
Senate committees except Appropriations, for which $138.6 million
is requested, a 14.9% increase; and
! the Committee on Appropriations account, for which $14.1 million
is requested, an increase of 2%.
Support Agency Funding
Congressional Budget Office (CBO). CBO is a nonpartisan congressional
agency created to provide objective economic and budgetary analyses required 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.
CBO requested $37.97 million, an increase of $2.8 million (7.9%), most of
which would meet mandatory pay and related costs. The request would allow CBO
to maintain its current level of 235 FTEs and increase its investment in information
technology.
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget of the
CBO. CBO Director Peter R. Orszag testified before the House legislative branch
subcommittee that personnel expenses account for approximately 91% of CBO’s
13 For additional information on committee funding, see CRS Report RL33905, Senate
Committee Expenditures Resolutions, 110th Congress, and Funding Authorizations, 104th -
110th Congresses,
by R. Eric Petersen.

CRS-9
budget.14 He indicated his desire to expand CBO’s capacity in the area of health
economics.

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. 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 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 Library requested (1) a net appropriation of $661.6 million, an increase of
$102.5 million (18%), and (2) authority to use $41.7 million in funds generated from
Library receipts.15 Most of the increase, $45.9 million, meets mandatory pay and
price level increases to maintain current services. Also included in the request is
$28.1 million in program increases. The request supports a staff level of 4,244 FTEs,
a net decrease of 58 FTEs from the FY2007 level of 4,302.16
FY2008 new budget authorities for the Library’s accounts are

! salaries and expenses — $461.1 million (not including authority to
spend $6.35 million in receipts);
! Copyright Office — $16.2 million (not including authority to spend
$35.4 million in receipts);
! Congressional Research Service — $108.7 million; and
! Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped — $75.6 million.
The FY2008 request also includes two proposed changes to legislative language:
! The first confers competitive status to Library employees who have
successfully completed their probationary period at the Library. This
language, which was also requested in FY2007, would allow Library
employees to compete with executive branch employees for
competitive service positions.
! The second addresses the timing of the Cooperative Acquisitions
Program Revolving Fund (CAP) audit.
14 Testimony of James H. Billington, Librarian of Congress, U.S. Congress, House
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch
Appropriations for 2008
, hearings, 110th Cong., 1st sess., April 26, 2007 (not yet published).
15 An example of receipts are fees paid to the LOC for copyright registration.
16 Submitted testimony of Director of the Congressional Budget Office, U.S. Congress,
House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative
Branch Appropriations for 2008
, hearings, 110th Cong., 1st sess., March 22, 2007 (not yet
published), p. 1.

CRS-10
The total includes $43.9 million, to be transferred to the Architect of the
Capitol, for the construction of the Library of Congress Ft. Meade Logistics Center.
In FY2007, $54.2 million was requested, but not provided, for this project in the
Architect’s Library Buildings and Grounds account. An additional $42.8 million is
contained in the Architect’s FY2008 request for Library Buildings and Grounds.
Highlights of the House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget of
the LOC. The Library’s concern over the rescission of just under $50 million in
funding in the FY2007 appropriations act was discussed at both the House and
Senate hearings. Both hearings also discussed funding for the Books for the Blind
program and efforts to update the technology that the “talking book” program
currently uses. The House subcommittee also discussed reasons for the inclusion of
the funds for the Ft. Meade Logistics Center in the Library request and not that of the
Architect of the Capitol. Librarian of Congress James H. Billington expressed his
desire to prioritize this 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 agency’s request of $108.7 million represents a 7.85%, or $7.9 million,
increase, which covers only mandatory pay and related costs and price level changes.
The request does not contain funds to support program growth.
Government Accountability Office (GAO). 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 the General Accounting Office, the agency
was renamed the Government Accountability Office effective July 7, 2004.
GAO’s total budget request of $523.8 million, not including authority to use
$7.5 million in offsetting collections,17 represents a 9% increase from the $480.7
million made available for FY2007. This increase covers mandatory pay ($19.8
million) and price level ($5.1 million) increases, and supports 3,217 FTEs (full-time
equivalent employees), an increase of 58 FTEs over the FY2007 level.18
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget of the
GAO. The issue of GAO’s possible role in providing technology assessments was
addressed during Senate hearings this year. In response to a question, Comptroller
General David M. Walker testified before the Senate that GAO could assume this
role, formerly handled by the Office of Technology Assessment, and indicated that,
in his opinion, such action would be more cost-effective than establishing a new
17 Offsetting collections are derived from rent income and reimbursable audit work.
18 Submitted testimony of David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, U.S.
Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch,
Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008, hearings, 110th Cong., 1st sess., March 16, 2007
(not yet published). Available at [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07547t.pdf], p. 18.

CRS-11
agency. The implementation of GAO’s pay plan system also has been an area of
interest to Congress in FY2007.19
Government Printing Office (GPO). The agency’s FY2008 request of
$181.98 million represents a 49% increase over the $122.1 million made available
for FY2007. 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. FY2008 requests for these accounts are
! congressional printing and binding — $109.5 million;
! Office of Superintendent of Documents (salaries and expenses) —
$45.6 million; and
! revolving fund — $26.8 million.
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, 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; 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.
GPO requested $26.8 million for its revolving fund to support the agency’s
acquisition of information technology infrastructure and security enhancements,
workforce retraining and restructuring efforts, and facilities maintenance and repairs.
This is an increase of $25.8 million over the $1 million provided in FY2007. Of the
requested amount, $10.5 million was proposed for the completion of the development
of GPO’s Future Digital System, while $9.4 million would cover the replacement of
a 30-year-old automated composition system.20
19 Testimony of David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, U.S. Congress,
Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative
Branch Appropriations for 2008
, hearings, 110th Cong., 1st sess., March 16, 2007 (not yet
published).
20 Testimony of William H. Turri, Acting Public Printer of the United States, U.S. Congress,
Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative
Branch Appropriations for 2008
, hearings, 110th Cong., 1st sess., March 16, 2007 (not yet
published).

CRS-12
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget of the
GPO. Acting Public Printer William H. Turri, in his written testimony, discussed
recent efforts to transform GPO’s operations for the digital age.21 GPO’s production
of U.S. passports to meet new standards and increased demand has also been of
interest to appropriators.
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).22 The act applies business and federal government employment and workplace
safety laws to Congress and certain legislative branch entities.23
The FY2008 budget request for operations of the Office of Compliance is $4.1
million, a $1 million (32%) increase from the FY2007 appropriation of $3.1 million.
In her prepared testimony, Tamara E. Chrisler, the acting executive director, stated
that $280,000 of this increase is proposed for the office’s required monitoring of
asbestos abatement in the Capitol Power Plant utility tunnels.24
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.
A permanent center, named the Center for Russian Leadership Development,
was established at the Library of Congress in 2000, and renamed the Open World
21 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.
22 The act, as amended, applies twelve 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.
23 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.
24 Testimony of Tamara E. Chrisler, Acting Executive Director of the Office of Compliance,
U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008, hearings, 110th Cong., 1st sess., April
26, 2007 (not yet published).

CRS-13
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 and
receives services from the Library through an inter-agency agreement.
The FY2008 request for Open World is $14.4 million, which is equal to the
amount requested in FY2007 and represents an increase of 3.9% from the $13.86
million approved.
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 request for the center was $430,000, the same as provided in FY2007.

CRS-14
Table 3. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
Entity
Enacteda
Request
House Bill
Senate Bill
Conference
Title 1: Legislative Branch Appropriations
Senate
803,514
869,262
— d
House of Representatives
1,137,719
1,235,042
— g
Joint Items
24,155
21,112
Capitol Policeb
255,635
299,070
Office of Compliance
3,103
4,106
Congressional Budget Office
35,204
37,972
Architect of the Capitol
399,917
481,709
— e
— h
Library of Congress, Including CRS
558,694
661,616
Congressional Research Service, Lib. of Cong.
(100,786)
(108,702)
Government Printing Office
122,050
181,979
Government Accountability Office
480,696
523,753
Open World Leadership Centerc
13,860
14,400
Stennis Center for Public Service
430
430
Title II: General Provisions
0
0
Total Legislative Branch (Titles I and II)
3,785,043
4,330,451
— f
— i

CRS-15
Source: House Committee on Appropriations
a. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007. Total does not yet include appropriations from P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop
Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Total will be updated once final FY2007 figures are available.
b. This account was effective with the FY2003 Legislative Branch Appropriation 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 not 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.

CRS-16
Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2008
FY2007
FY2007
FY2008
FY2007
Accounts
House
Senate
Enacted a
Requestedb
Conference
Bill
Bill
Salaries, Capitol Police
217,135

General Expenses
38,500

Total, Capitol Police
255,635
299,070
Source: House Committee on Appropriations
a. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007. Total
does not yet include appropriations from P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina
Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Total will be updated once final FY2007
figures are available.
b. The FY2008 request did not contain separate funding for salaries and general expenses.

Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
Accounts
Enacteda
Requested
House Bill
Senate Bill
Conference
Architect of the Capitol
General administration
77,128
87,714
Capitol building
23,886
29,480
Capitol Grounds
7,577
10,225
Senate office buildings
67,202
87,248
— b
House office buildings
59,896
50,621
— d
Capitol power plant
73,313
111,226
Library buildings and grounds
27,692
42,788
Capitol Police buildings and
grounds 11,768
18,816
Botanic garden
7,697
9,707
Capitol Visitor Center
43,758
33,884
Project - Cost to complete
(20,000)
Project - Fit Out
Operations
(13,884)
Total, Architect of the Capitol
399,917
481,709
— c
— e
Source: House Committee on Appropriations
a. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007. Total
does not yet include appropriations from P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina
Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Total will be updated once final FY2007
figures are available.
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.

CRS-17
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2008
Accountsa
FY2007 Enactedd
FY2008 Request
FY2008 House
FY2008 Senate
Conference
Expense Allowances and Representation
225
225

Salaries, Officers, and Employees
148,512
154,973

Office of Legislative Counsel
5,491
5,390

Office of Legal Counsel
1,317
1,309

Expense Allowances for Secretary of Senate, et al.
24
24

Contingent Expenses (subtotal)
647,945
707,341

Inquiries and Investigations
120,692
138,644

Senate Intl. Narcotics Caucus
520
520

Secretary of the Senateb
1,980
1,900

Sergeant at Arms/Doorkeeperc
142,000
150,576

Miscellaneous Items
17,000
18,737

Senators’ Official Personnel and Office
Expense Account
365,453
396,664

Official Mail Costs
300
300

Total, Senate
803,514
869,262

Source: House Committee on Appropriations
a. The Senate account contains seven appropriations headings, which are highlighted in bold.
b. Office operations of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate are also funded under “Salaries, Officers, and Employees.”
c. Office operations of the Office of Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper are also funded under “Salaries, Officers, and Employees.”
d. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007.

CRS-18
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
Accountsa
Enactedb
Request
House
Senate
Conference
Payments — Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress
Salaries and Expenses, Total
1,137,719
1,235,042
House Leadership Offices
22,822
23,648
Members’ Representational Allowancesc
554,716
610,616
Committee Employees (subtotal)d
150,272
156,775
Standing Committees, Special and Select, except
124,406
129,662
Appropriations
Appropriations Committee
25,866
27,113
Salaries, Officers, and Employees (subtotal)
156,147
174,382
Office of the Clerk
21,676
22,881
Office of the Sergeant at Arms
6,295
7,024
Office of Chief Administrative Officer
106,064
120,612
Office of Inspector General
4,016
4,457
Office for Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and
4,010
4,242
Operations
Office of General Counsel
968
1,202
Office of the Chaplain
163
166
Office of the Parliamentarian
1,778
1,828
Office of the Law Revision Counsel
2,472
3,046
Office of the Legislative Counsel
7,025
7,406

CRS-19
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
FY2008
Accountsa
Enactedb
Request
House
Senate
Conference
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs
724
752
Other Authorized Employees: Technical Assistants, Office
548
170
of Attending Physician
Office of Historian
408
596
Allowances and Expenses (subtotal)
253,762
269,621
Supplies, Materials, Administrative Costs and Federal Tort
4,704
3,688
Claims
Official Mail for committees, leadership, administrative
410
410
and legislative offices
Government Contributions
226,904
239,447
Capitol Visitor Center
3,410
2,308
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
17,631
23,065
Miscellaneous Items
703
703
House of Representatives, Total
1,137,719
1,235,042
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. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007. Total does not yet include appropriations from P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness,
Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Total will be updated once final FY2007 figures are available.
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).

CRS-20
For Additional Reading
CRS Report
CRS Report RL33379, Legislative Branch: FY2007 Appropriations, by Paul E.
Dwyer and Ida A. Brudnick.
CRS Report RL32819, Legislative Branch: FY2006 Appropriations, by Paul Dwyer.
Selected Websites
These sites contain information on the FY2007 and FY2008 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 & Budget
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/]