Order Code RL34031
Legislative Branch:
FY2008 Appropriations
Updated November 26, 2007
Ida A. Brudnick
Analyst in American National Government
Government and Finance Division

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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: FY2008 Appropriations
Summary
Since the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, 2007, funding for the
legislative branch has been provided through two interim continuing appropriations
measures. The first, which was signed by the President on September 29, 2007,
provided funding at FY2007 levels through November 16, 2007. The second
measure, enacted on November 13, continues this funding through December 14,
2007.
Legislative branch entities requested $4.3 billion in new budget authority for
FY2008. The House version of the FY2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill,
H.R. 2771, was introduced on June 19, 2007. The bill proposes $3.1 billion in new
budget authority for the legislative branch for FY2008, not including Senate items.
This amount reflects a 4.1% increase over the $2.98 billion (including the FY2007
supplemental but not including Senate items) approved by Congress for FY2007 and
less than the 13% increase requested.
The Senate version of the FY2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill,
S. 1686, was reported to the Senate on June 25, 2007. The bill provides
approximately $2.78 billion in new budget authority, not including House items.
This amount reflects an increase of 5.2% over the nearly $2.65 billion (including the
FY2007 supplemental but not including House items) approved by Congress for
FY2007 and less than the 16% increase requested.
By comparison, in FY2007, overall legislative branch budget authority was
increased by approximately 1.5% (including supplemental appropriations), which had
followed a 4.2% increase in new budget authority for FY2006 and a 3.1% increase
approved for FY2005.
Among issues that have been 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;
! the renaming of the “Great Hall” of the Capitol Visitor Center;
! repair of the Capitol Power Plant tunnels and the role of the Office
of Compliance in monitoring progress on this effort;
! funds requested to support the “Greening of the Capitol” initiative
and the use of alternative fuels;
! the merger of the U.S. Capitol Police and the Library of Congress
Police;
! funding for the acquisition of new technology for the “Books for the
Blind” program; and
! the future of the Open World Leadership Program.
This report will be updated to reflect major congressional action.

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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

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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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Action on the FY2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill . . . . . . . . . . 5
Submission of FY2008 Budget Request on February 5, 2007 . . . . . . . . 5
Congressional Caps on FY2008 Legislative Branch
Discretionary Funds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Senate and House Hearings on FY2008 Budget . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
House Appropriations Committee Markup and Report (FY2008) . . . . 6
House Passage of the FY2008 Bill (H.R. 2771) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Senate Markup and Report of FY2008 Bill (S. 1686) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Action on FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
FY2008 Legislative Branch Funding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Capitol Complex Security — U.S. Capitol Police . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Funding Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Administrative Issues . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Architect of the Capitol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Overall Funding Levels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Capitol Visitor Center (CVC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Capitol Power Plant Utility Tunnels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Administrative Provisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
House of Representatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Overall Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
House Committee Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Overall Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Senate Committee Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Support Agency Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Congressional Budget Office (CBO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the CBO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Library of Congress (LOC) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Highlights of the House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the LOC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Congressional Research Service (CRS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Government Accountability Office (GAO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the GAO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Government Printing Office (GPO) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

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Highlights of House and Senate Hearings on FY2008 Budget
of the GPO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Other Funding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Office of Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Open World Leadership Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
John B. Stennis Center for Public Service Training
and Development . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
For Additional Reading . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
CRS Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Selected Websites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
List of Tables
Table 1. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY1995 - FY2007 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Table 2. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Table 3. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2008 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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Legislative Branch:
FY2008 Appropriations
Most Recent Developments
On September 29, 2007, the President signed into law P.L. 110-92.1 The law
provides for continued funding for most federal activities, including the legislative
branch, at FY2007 levels through November 16, 2007. P.L. 110-116, which was
enacted on November 13, continues this funding through December 14, 2007. The
first law also provides gratuity payments to the widows of two deceased Members,
while the second provides one such payment.
Both the Senate and House of Representatives had previously considered
separate legislation funding the legislative branch for FY2008. S. 1686, the Senate
version of the FY2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, was reported to the
Senate on June 25, 2007. The bill, which provides nearly $2.78 billion in new budget
authority (not including House items) had been marked up by the Senate Committee
on Appropriations on June 21. At the markup, the committee voted unanimously to
report the bill without amendment.
H.R. 2771, the House version of the FY2008 Legislative Branch Appropriations
Bill, was introduced on June 19, 2007, following the House Committee on
Appropriations markup on June 12 and the subcommittee markup on June 6. The
House bill provides $3.1 billion in new budget authority (not including Senate items).
The bill, with two amendments, passed the House on June 22 with a roll call vote of
216-176.
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
1 P.L. 110-92; Sept. 29, 2007; 121 Stat. 989.
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
(continued...)

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CRS-2
Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol, including the
Capitol Visitor Center; Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research
Service; Government Printing Office; Government Accountability Office; and Open
World Leadership Program.
Title II contains general administrative provisions and, from time to time,
appropriations for legislative branch entities. For example, Title II of the FY2003
Act, P.L. 108-7, contained funds for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service
Training and Development and for the Congressional Award Act.
On occasion the bill may contain a third title for other provisions. For example,
Title III of the FY2006 legislative branch appropriations act, P.L. 109-55, contained
language providing for the continuity of representation in the House of
Representatives in “extraordinary circumstances.”
Changes in Structure of Legislative Branch
Appropriations Effective in FY2003
Prior to enactment of the FY2003 bill, and effective in FY1978, the legislative
branch appropriations bill was structured differently. Title I, Congressional
Operations, contained budget authority for activities directly serving Congress.
Included in this title were the budgets of the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint
Items; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol,
except funds for Library of Congress buildings and grounds; Congressional Research
Service, within the Library of Congress; and congressional printing and binding
activities of the Government Printing Office.
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
2 (...continued)
calendar year. These statements contain enacted appropriations, indefinite appropriations,
authorized contracts, and a history of annual appropriations required by law.

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CRS-3
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
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 $4.8 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 $4.3 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
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).
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. 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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CRS-4
announced by the House Appropriations Committee on January 4, 2007, the House
Subcommittee on Legislative Branch was reestablished for the 110th Congress.5
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
3.852j
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
and P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007.
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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CRS-5
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
06/19/07
06/25/07
H.R. 2771
06/22/07
S. 1686
06/12/07
06/21/07
(H.Rept.
(216-176)
(S.Rept.
110-198)
110-89)
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
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. Amendments to the request were transmitted to
Congress by the President on June 8, 2007.7
Congressional Caps on FY2008 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 FY2008. The
House has allocated $4.150 billion in total budget authority for the legislative branch,
and the Senate allocation is $4.177 billion.8
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
6 FY2007 total includes levels enacted in the Revised Continuing Appropriations
Resolution, 2007 (P.L. 110-5; February 15, 2007; 121 Stat. 8).
7 The President’s letter transmitting the changes to the budget request is available at
[http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/amendments/amendment_6_8_07.pdf].
8 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Report on the Revised Suballocation
of Budget Allocations for Fiscal Year 2008, 110th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 110-236
(Washington: GPO, 2007); U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Further
Revised Allocation to Subcommittees of Budget Totals from the Concurrent Resolution for
Fiscal Year 2008, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S. Rept. 110-133 (Washington: GPO, 2007).

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CRS-6
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.
House Appropriations Committee Markup and Report (FY2008). The
House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch held a markup on the FY2008 bill on
June 6, and the full committee marked up and reported the FY2008 bill on June 12.
Major issues considered at both markups included efforts to rename the Great Hall
of the Capitol Visitor Center “Emancipation Hall,” the future of the Open World
Leadership Program, and the use of funds to renovate an FDA building proposed for
use as swing space for House offices. The House Committee on Appropriations
issued its report (H.Rept. 110-198) on June 19, 2007.
House Passage of the FY2008 Bill (H.R. 2771). On June 22, the House
passed H.R. 2771 by a vote of 216-176 (Roll call #548).9 Floor consideration
followed adoption of the rule on the bill, H.Res. 502 (H.Rept. 110-201), earlier that
day by a vote of 222-179 (Roll call #544).10 The rule waived all points of order
against the bill and made in order only those amendments specified in the committee
report, which included
! an amendment to be offered by Representative Jane Harman of
California preventing the funds made available in the act from being
used to purchase light bulbs unless the light bulbs have an “energy
star” or “Federal Energy Management Program” designation,
! an amendment to be offered by Representative Jeff Flake of Arizona
reducing the amount available for the Government Printing Office
(GPO) Congressional Printing and Binding account by $3.2 million,
and
! an amendment to be offered by Representative Jim Jordan requiring
an across-the-board reduction of 4% for funds appropriated in this
act.
During floor consideration of the bill on June 22, the first amendment was
agreed to, although some Members expressed concerns about adapting this provision
to account for the historical lighting in the Capitol Complex.11
9 Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, June 22, 2007, pp. H6969-6999.
10 Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, June 22, 2007, pp. H6960-H6969.
11 Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, June 22, 2007, pp. H6992-6993.

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CRS-7
The second amendment, which reduced the House committee’s recommended
appropriation for the Government Printing Office by $3.2 million, was agreed to with
a roll call vote of 218-191.12 Supporters argued that this amendment would reduce
the number of copies of the Congressional Record printed for Congress each day,
while opponents argued this would add to the GPO budgetary shortfall and that any
reduction in copies should be achieved through the authorizing committee.
The House voted against the third amendment in a roll call vote of 177-231.13
Senate Markup and Report of FY2008 Bill (S. 1686). The Senate
Appropriations Committee marked up and reported its version of the legislative
branch appropriations bill on June 21. Senator Mary Landrieu, chairman of the
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch during the 110th Congress, noted that the
committee’s bill provides nearly $2.8 billion in new budget authority (not including
House items), a 5% increase ($138.65 million) over the current budget and $289
million below agency requests.
Both Senator Landrieu and Senator Wayne Allard, the ranking minority member
of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, voiced their concern over using this
bill to change the name of the main hall of the Capitol Visitor Center, as proposed
by the House, and noted that the Senate version of the bill contains language to
effectuate the merger between the U.S. Capitol Police and the Library of Congress
Police.
No amendments were considered, and the committee voted 29-0 to report the
bill. Senator Landrieu reported an original measure (S. 1686) to the Senate on June
25, with a report (S.Rept. 110-89).
Action on FY2007 Supplemental Appropriations
H.R. 1591 was reported as an original measure by the House Appropriations
Committee on March 20, 2007.14 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
12 Roll call no. 545, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, June 22, 2007, p. H6996.
13 Roll call no. 546, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, June 22, 2007, p. H6996.
14 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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CRS-8
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
— 205.15 The Senate amended and passed the measure with an amendment by voice
vote on May 17, 2007.16 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, 2007.17 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 House bill, as passed on June 22, provides $286 million
for the U.S. Capitol Police (USCP). This amount is $20.4 million (7.7%) more than
the FY2007 level of $265.6 million (including supplemental appropriations) and
$13.07 million less than the USCP request of $299.07 million. The Senate bill, as
reported by the Committee on Appropriations, provides $284 million in new budget
authority, an increase of nearly 7% over FY2007.
Appropriations for the police are contained in two accounts — a salaries
account and a general expenses account. The House-passed bill provides $224.5
million for Capitol Police salaries and $61.5 million for general expenses. The
Senate Committee on Appropriations has recommended $225.9 million for salaries
and $58 million for general expenses.
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; communications equipment; security equipment and its installation;
dignitary protection; intelligence analysis; hazardous material response; uniforms;
weapons; training programs; medical, forensic, and communications services; travel;
15 Roll Call No. 333, Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, May 10, 2007,
pp. H4866-H4867.
16 Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, May 17, 2007, p. S6219.
17 P.L. 110-28; May 25, 2007; 121 Stat. 112.

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CRS-9
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
House-passed bill provides $16.1 million, or $2.7 million less than the $18.8 million
requested and $9.1 million more than the $7 million provided in FY2007. The
Senate-reported bill proposes $15.1 million in new budget authority. 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.

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 2,125.18 The House Appropriations Committee, in its
report, stated that its recommendation supports a total of 1681 sworn and 439 civilian
FTEs. The Senate report states that the level recommended by the Senate
Appropriations Committee will support the “current sworn staffing of 1,681 officers,
and 10 new officers associated with Library of Congress police attrition” and “new
positions in financial management, security service, information system and facilities
management.”19
Administrative Issues. Both the House and Senate reports address the
merger of the U.S. Capitol Police and Library of Congress Police, an issue which has
been addressed in hearings in both chambers this session. Language requiring the
merger was contained in the FY2003 Consolidated Appropriations Resolution.20 A
separate bill implementing the merger, H.R. 3690, was introduced in the House on
September 27, 2007. The House Administration Committee held a markup and
ordered the bill reported on November 7, 2007.
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
18 Justification of Budget Estimates, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008,
hearings, part 1, 110th Cong., 1st sess., (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 229.
19 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2008, report to accompany S. 1686, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 110-89 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 25.
20 P.L. 108-7; February 20, 2003; 117 Stat. 362-364.

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CRS-10
buildings and grounds, but appropriations for their expenses are not contained in the
legislative branch appropriations bill.
Overall Funding Levels. Operations of the Architect are funded in the
following ten accounts: general administration, Capitol building, Capitol grounds,
Senate office buildings, House office buildings, Capitol power plant, Library
buildings and grounds, Capitol Police buildings and grounds, Capitol Visitor Center,
and Botanic Garden. The Architect’s requested new budget authority of $481.7
million represents an increase of $81.8 million (20%).
The House-passed bill (H.R. 2771) provides $348.38 million (not including
Senate items) in new budget authority. The Senate bill (S. 1686), as reported from
the Committee on Appropriations, provides $352.5 million (not including House
items).
Capitol Visitor Center (CVC).21 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. The House-passed bill contains
$27.5 million in new budget authority for the CVC, while the Senate-reported bill
contains $28.75 million in new budget authority.
Capitol Power Plant Utility Tunnels. The condition of the Capitol Power
Plant utility tunnels, and the funds necessary to repair them, have been of interest to
appropriators during the FY2006, FY2007, and FY2008 appropriations cycles. The
funding for repairs follows a complaint issued February 28, 2006, by the Office of
Compliance regarding health and safety violations in the tunnels. The Office of
Compliance had previously issued a citation due to the condition of the tunnels on
December 7, 2000. On November 16, 2006, the Government Accountability Office
(GAO) wrote a letter to the Chair and Ranking Minority Members of the Senate
Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, and the
House Committee on Appropriations, examining the conditions of the tunnels, plans
for improving conditions, and efforts to address workers’ concerns.22 Potential
hazards identified by the Office of Compliance and GAO include excessive heat,
asbestos, falling concrete, lack of adequate egress, and insufficient communication
systems. In May, the Architect of the Capitol and the Office of Compliance
announced a settlement agreement for the complaint and citations.
Actions necessary to remedy the situation, as well as the actions and roles of the
Architect of the Capitol and the Office of Compliance, have been discussed at
multiple hearings of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in 2006 and
2007. Most recently, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on August
21 For additional information on the Capitol Visitor Center, see CRS Report RL31121, The
Capitol Visitor Center: An Overview, by Stephen W. Stathis.
22 U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Power Plant Utility Tunnels,
GAO-07-227R, Nov. 16, 2006, available at [http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d07227r.pdf].

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CRS-11
1, 2007. Other committees have also expressed concern about the utility tunnels and
allegations of unsafe working conditions. For example, the Senate Committee on
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, Subcommittee on Employment and
Workplace Safety, heard testimony on tunnel safety during a March 1, 2007, hearing
on the effects of asbestos.
Following the complaint by the Office of Compliance, Congress provided $27.6
million in FY2006 emergency supplemental appropriations to the Architect of the
Capitol for Capitol Power Plant repairs,23 and an additional $50 million was provided
in emergency supplemental appropriations for FY2007.24 The Architect of the
Capitol had requested $24.77 million for FY2008.25 This request, which was
submitted prior to the provision of funds in the May 2007 emergency supplemental
appropriations act, was not supported by either the House or Senate Appropriations
Committee.26
Administrative Provisions. Both the House-passed and the Senate-reported
bills contain language establishing a statutory Office of the Inspector General within
the Architect’s office. The House-passed bill also includes language designating the
main hall of the CVC “Emancipation Hall.”
Separate legislation changing the name has also been introduced in the Senate
(S. 1679) on June 21, 2007, and in the House (H.R. 3315) on August 2, 2007. The
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency
Management of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a
hearing on the House bill on September 25, 2007. The bill was reported by the
committee, before being considered in the House under suspension of the rules,
where is was agreed to by a vote of 398-6 on November 13, 2007.27 The Senate
passed its bill renaming the space by unanimous consent on November 15, 2007.28

23 P.L. 109-234; June 15, 2006; 120 Stat. 48. The funding was included as an amendment
(S.Amdt. 3701) offered during Senate floor consideration of H.R. 4939, the emergency
supplemental appropriations bill. The amendment was agreed to in the Senate by voice vote
on April 27, 2006. The language was retained by conferees, whose report was agreed to by
the House on June 13, and the Senate on June 15, 2006.
24 P.L. 110-28; May 25, 2007; 121 Stat. 112.
25 Justification of Budget Estimates, U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008,
hearings, part 1, 110th Cong., 1st sess., (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 521.
26 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2008, report to accompany S. 1686, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 110-89 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 30; U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch
Appropriations, 2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 110-
198 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 20.
27 Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, Nov. 13, 2007, pp. H13529-H13535, and
Roll call no. 1082, pp. H13822-H13823.
28 Congressional Record, daily edition, vol. 153, Nov. 15, 2007, p. S14568.

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CRS-12
House of Representatives
Overall Funding. For its internal operations, the House requested $1.2 billion,
an increase of 8.5% from FY2007 levels. The House-passed bill provides $1.199
billion in new budget authority.
House Committee Funding. Funding for House committees, for which
$156.8 million is requested and $162.8 million was agreed to by the House, is
contained in the appropriation heading “committee employees,” which comprises two
subheadings.29
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 FY2008 request of $129.7 million, an
increase of 4.2%, includes funds for investigations. The House-passed bill provides
$133 million in new budget authority for this subheading.
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. The House-passed bill contains $29.8 million in new budget
authority.
Senate
Overall Funding. The Senate’s request of $893.3 million for its internal
operations reflects an increase of 11% over the prior year funding level.30
Senate Committee Funding. Appropriations for Senate committees are
contained in two accounts:31
! 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 $129 million recommended (a
6.9% increase); and
! the Committee on Appropriations account, for which $14.9 million
is requested (an increase of 7.5%) and $14.6 recommended (an
increase of 5.2%).
29 For additional information on committee funding, see CRS Report RS22616, House
Committee Funding, 110th Congress, by R. Eric Petersen.
30 Figure includes the revised budget requests transmitted by the President on June 8, 2007.
31 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.

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CRS-13
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%) over its
FY2007 funding, 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. The House-passed bill contains $37.8 million,
and the Senate-reported bill recommends $38.5 million.
The Senate report states that the committee “has included $538,000 for CBO to
expand its ability to assist the Congress in identifying and analyzing potential ways
to address projected growth in health care spending”; and the House Appropriations
Committee, in its report, stated that its recommendation provides for one additional
full-time equivalent employee (FTE) in this area.32
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
budget.33 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 House-passed bill contains $572.5 million for the Library of Congress. The
Senate-reported bill proposes $576.9 million in new budget authority.
32 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2008, report to accompany S. 1686, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 110-89 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 26; U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch
Appropriations, 2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 110-
198 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 16.
33 Testimony of Peter R. Orszag, Director of the Congressional Budget Office, U.S.
Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch,
Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008, hearings, part 3, 110th Cong., 1st sess., Apr. 26,
2007 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p 359.

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CRS-14
The Library had 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.34 Most of the increase, $45.9 million, was requested to meet
mandatory pay and price level increases to maintain current services. Also included
in the request is $28.1 million in program increases. The request would support a
staff level of 4,244 FTEs, a net decrease of 58 FTEs from the FY2007 level of
4,302.35
FY2008 new budget authorities for the Library’s accounts are

! salaries and expenses — $394.65 million in the House-passed bill;
$401.5 million in the Senate-reported bill; and $461.1 million
requested (not including authority to spend $6.35 million in
receipts);
! Copyright Office — $5.6 million (not including authority to spend
$44.2 million in receipts) in the House-passed bill; $4.9 million in
the Senate-reported bill (not including authority to spend $45.2
million in receipts); and $16.2 million requested (not including
authority to spend $35.4 million in receipts);
! Congressional Research Service — $104.5 million in the
House-passed bill; $102.9 million in the Senate-reported bill; and
$108.7 million requested; and
! Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped — $67.7 million
in the House-passed bill; $67.7 million in the Senate-reported bill;
and $75.6 million requested.
The total request included $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. The
House-passed bill contains $31.6 million in new budget authority and does not
provide for the construction of the Ft. Meade Logistics Center. The Senate-reported
bill recommends $28.06 million in new budget authority 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
34 An example of receipts are fees paid to the LOC for copyright registration.
35 Submitted 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, part 2, 110th Cong., 1st sess., March 22, 2007
(Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 442.

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CRS-15
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. The House-passed
bill contains $104.5 million in new budget authority and the Senate-reported bill
recommends $102.89 million.
Government Accountability Office (GAO). GAO works for Congress by
responding to requests for studies of federal government programs and expenditures.
GAO may also initiate its own work.36 Formerly the General Accounting Office, the
agency was renamed the Government Accountability Office effective July 7, 2004.
GAO requested $522.8 million in new budget authority for FY2008. 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.37
The House-passed bill contains $503.3 million in new budget authority for GAO
(not including authority to use $7.5 million in offsetting collections),38 an increase
of 4.6% over FY2007 funding. GAO had requested $522.8 million. The House
Appropriations Committee, in its report, states that this amount provides for 3,217
FTEs, an increase of 57 FTEs above the current levels.39 The Senate-reported bill
recommends $510.3 million in new budget authority. The Senate Appropriations
Committee, in its report, states that this amount will allow for 3,221 FTEs and
“recommends $750,000 and four full-time equivalent employees to establish a
permanent technology assessment function in the Government Accountability
Office.”40
36 GAO’s guidelines for initiating studies are contained in: U.S. Government Accountability
Office, GAO’s Congressional Protocols, GAO-04-310G (Washington: GAO, 2004). Posted
o n t h e w e b s i t e o f t h e G o v e r n m e n t A c c o u n t a b i l i t y O f f i c e a t
[http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/d04310g.pdf].
37 Submitted testimony of David M. Walker, Comptroller General of the United States, U.S.
Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch,
Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008, hearings, part 3, 110th Cong., 1st sess., Apr. 19,
2007 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 198.
38 Offsetting collections are derived from rent income and reimbursable audit work.
39 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 110-198 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 29.
40 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
(continued...)

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CRS-16
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
agency.41 The implementation of GAO’s pay plan system also has been an area of
interest to Congress in FY2007.
Government Printing Office (GPO). GPO had requested $181.98 million,
or an increase of 49% over the $122.1 million made available for FY2007. The
House Committee on Appropriations, in its report, expressed its concern about
possible security lapses at the GPO facilities and required a report on security staffing
plans.
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 — $87.89 recommended by the
House Appropriations Committee and reduced by $3.2 million
through an amendment adopted on the Houses floor; $95.37
recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee; and $109.5
million requested;
! Office of Superintendent of Documents (salaries and expenses) —
$35.4 million in the House-passed bill; $38.2 million in the Senate-
reported bill; and $45.6 million requested; and
! revolving fund — $2.45 million in the House-passed bill; $5 million
recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee; and $26.8
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, 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.
40 (...continued)
2008, report to accompany S. 1686, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 110-89 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 42.
41 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).

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CRS-17
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.42 The House committee report stated
that the recommended level of $2.45 million will provide funds for elevator repairs,
the GPO fire alarm systems, and workforce retraining.43 The Senate committee report
stated that the recommended level of $5 million would support “Release 2 of the
‘Future Digital System’ [FDSys].”44
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.45 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.
42 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).
43 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 110-198 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 29.
44 U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2008, report to accompany S. 1686, 110th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 110-89 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 42.
45 Bruce James retired as Public Printer in January 2007. On May 24, 2007, the President
nominated Robert C. Tapella to be Public Printer. The nomination, which requires Senate
confirmation, was referred to the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, which
reported it favorably on September 26, 2007.

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CRS-18
3).46 The act applies business and federal government employment and workplace
safety laws to Congress and certain legislative branch entities.47
The House-passed bill (H.R. 2771) provides for $3.8 million, an increase of
nearly 23% over the $3.1 million made available in FY2007. The Senate-reported bill
(S. 1686) also provides $3.8 million in new budget authority for this office.
The Office of Compliance had requested $4.1 million. In her prepared
testimony, Tamara E. Chrisler, the acting executive director, stated that $280,000 of
the requested increase is proposed for the office’s required monitoring of asbestos
abatement in the Capitol Power Plant utility tunnels.48
The House-passed bill contains language concerning lump-sum payments to
reward exceptional performance and authorizes an employee training and
development program. The House bill also contains a provision requiring legislative
agencies to reimburse the Treasury, from existing funds, for the payment of an award
or settlement under the Congressional Accountability Act. Since the passage of the
act in 1995, “only funds which are appropriated to an account of the Office in the
Treasury of the United States for the payment of awards and settlements may be used
for the payment of awards and settlements.”49 In response to a question for the record
posed during the House Appropriations Committee hearing on the budget request of
the Office of Compliance, the Office provided a list of amounts paid on behalf of
each legislative branch agency from this account since FY1997, and indicated that
the total equals slightly less than $7.5 million.50 In its report, the House
Appropriations Committee stated its belief that the administrative provision “will
enhance accountability, encourage issues to be solved at a lower level, encourage
work place fairness, and require periodic training of managers regarding their
46 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.
47 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.
48 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, part 3, 110th Cong., 1st sess.,
Apr. 26, 2007 (Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 379.
49 Congressional Accountability Act,P.L. 104-1, Jan. 23, 1995, 109 Stat. 38; 2 U.S.C. 1415.
50 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2008, hearings, part 3, 110th Cong., 1st sess.
(Washington: GPO, 2007), p. 400.

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CRS-19
responsibility under the Congressional Accountability Act.”51 The Senate-reported
bill does not contain this provision.
The Senate-reported bill includes language that would allow an employee of the
Office of Compliance to be appointed to the positions of Executive Director or
General Counsel and it would authorize an increase in the statutory pay cap for these
positions. Under current law, these positions may not be held by most individuals
who have held positions within the legislative branch during the previous four
years.52 This provision precludes certain promotions from within the office, for
example, from deputy executive director to executive director. In a statement, the
office’s Board of Directors indicated that “since the Board could be actively
contemplating such a promotion, we have an immediate interest in changing the
prohibitive section of the CAA.”53 The support of the Board for language permitting
internal promotions was voiced at the Senate budget request hearing on March 16,
2007, by Barbara Camens, who represented the Board.54 Separate legislation
permitting individuals who have served as employees of the Office of Compliance
to serve in appointed positions in the office was introduced in the House on
September 18, 2007. The House agreed to the bill, H.R. 3571, by voice vote on
October 2, 2007.
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
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.
Following discussion at both the subcommittee and full committee levels
regarding the funding and location of this program, the House Appropriations
Committee recommended $6 million for Open World. The committee report states
51 U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations,
2008, report to accompany H.R. 2771, 110th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 110-198 (Washington:
GPO, 2007), p. 16.
52 P.L. 104-1, 109 Stat. 26, Jan. 23, 1995; 2 U.S.C. 1381(d)(2) and 1382.
53 Statement of Board of Directors, Office of Compliance [March 16, 2007].
54 Testimony of Barbara L. Camens, Member, Board of Directors of the Office of
Compliance, 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).

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CRS-20
that an additional $6 million would be provided for transfer to the program in the
FY2008 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriation. The House-
passed bill, which retained the committee-recommended funding level, also contains
an administrative provision transferring the Open World Leadership Center to the
Department of State effective October 1, 2008.
The Senate-reported bill provides $13.5 million in new budget authority for
Open World.
Open World had requested $14.4 million for FY2007. The request 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
House-passed bill and the Senate-reported bill both provide $430,000 for the center,
which is equal to the FY2008 request and the same as provided in FY2007.

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CRS-21
Table 3. Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2008
FY2008
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
Entity
House-Passed Bill
Senate-Reported Bill
Enacteda
Request j
Conference
(H.R. 2771)
(S. 1686)
Title 1: Legislative Branch Appropriations
Senate
803,514
893,335j
— d
842,031
House of Representatives
1,144,486a
1,235,042
1,198,560
— g
Joint Items
24,155
27,540jk
21,112k
25,778k
Capitol Policeb
265,635a
299,070
286,000
284,000
Office of Compliance
3,103
4,106
3,806
3,806
Congressional Budget Office
35,204
37,972
37,805
38,510
Architect of the Capitol
449,917a
481,709
348,380e
352,534h
Library of Congress, Including CRS
508,760a
661,616
572,512
576,949
Congressional Research Service, Lib. of Cong.
(100,786)
(108,702)
(104,518)
(102,892)
Government Printing Office
122,050
181,979
122,576l
138,596
Government Accountability Office
481,070a
522,804j
503,328
510,320
Open World Leadership Centerc
13,860
14,400
6,000
13,500
Stennis Center for Public Service
430
430
430
430
Title II: General Provisions
0
0
0
0
Total Legislative Branch (Titles I and II)
3,852,184
4,360,003
3,100,509f
2,786,454i

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CRS-22
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, H.Rept. 110-198, and S.Rept. 110-89.
a. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 and P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery,
and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007. Library of Congress total includes the $49.55 million rescission included in P.L.110-5.
.
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. The Senate does not consider appropriations for internal House operations.
h. This figure will not contain 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. The House determines funding levels of these two accounts.
i. This figure will not contain 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. The House determines funding levels of these two accounts.
j. Budget requests include revised figures contained in the President’s letter of June 8, 2007.
k. The Senate has considered a request for and proposed $1.25 million in budget authority for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, while the House-passed

bill has not specifically designated funding for this purpose in its bill.
l. The House Appropriations Committee had recommended $125.776 million for the Government Printing Office (GPO). A vote on the House floor reduced the budget authority for
the Congressional Printing and Binding component of GPO’s overall budget authority, and H.R. 2771, as referred to the Senate, states that the appropriation for Congressional
Printing and Binding is “$87,892,000 (reduced by $3,200,000).”

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CRS-23
Table 4. Capitol Police Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2008
FY2008
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
Accounts
House Passed Bill
Senate Reported Bill
Enacteda
Requestedb
Conference
(H.R. 2771)
(S. 1686)
Salaries, Capitol Police
217,135
—
224,500
225,930
General Expenses
38,500
—
61,500
58,070
Emergency Appropriations
10,000
—
—
—
Total, Capitol Police
265,635
299,070
286,000
284,000
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, H.Rept. 110-198, and S.Rept. 110-89.
a. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007 and P.L.
110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability
Appropriations Act, 2007.
b. The FY2008 request did not contain separate funding for salaries and general expenses.

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CRS-24
Table 5. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2008
FY2008
FY2007
FY2008
House-Passed
Senate-
FY2008
Accounts
Enacteda
Requestedf
Bill
Reported Bill
Conference
(H.R. 2771)
(S. 1686)
Architect of the Capitol
General administration
77,128
87,714
81,733
81,584
Capitol building
23,886
29,480
24,567
25,247
Capitol Grounds
7,577
10,225
9,310
9,915
Senate office buildings
67,202
87,248
— b
71,048
House office buildings
59,896
50,621
66,151
— d
Capitol power plant
123,313
P.L. 110-5
(73,313)
Emergency Appropriations
(50,000)
111,226
83,017
83,447
Library buildings and
grounds
27,692
42,788
31,638
28,061
Capitol Police buildings and
grounds 11,768
18,816
16,109
15,116
Botanic garden
7,697
9,707
8,310
9,363
Capitol Visitor Center
43,758
33,884
27,545
28,753
Project - Cost to complete
(20,000)
(20,000)
Operations
(13,884)
(7,545)
Total, Architect of the
Capitol 449,917
481,709

348,380c
352,534e
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, H.Rept. 110-198, and Senate
Report 110-89.
a. FY2007 funds are contained in P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution,
2007 and P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq
Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007.
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.
f. Budget requests include revised figures contained in the President’s letter of June 8, 2007.

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CRS-25
Table 6. Senate Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2008 Senate-
FY2008 House
FY2008
Accountsa
FY2007 Enactedd
FY2008 Requeste
Reported Bill
(H.R. 2771)
Conference
(S. 1686)
Payments — Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress
0
0
—
165
Expense Allowances and Representation
225
225
—
225
Salaries, Officers, and Employees
148,512
166,651
—
160,296
Office of Legislative Counsel
5,491
6,280
—
6,280
Office of Legal Counsel
1,317
1,439
—
1,439
Expense Allowances for Secretary of Senate, et al.
24
24
—
24
Contingent Expenses (subtotal)
647,945
718,716
—
673,602
Inquiries and Investigations
120,692
138,644
—
129,000
Senate Intl. Narcotics Caucus
520
520
—
520
Secretary of the Senateb
1,980
2,000
—
2,000
Sergeant at Arms/Doorkeeperc
142,000
162,450
—
145,189
Miscellaneous Items
17,000
18,737
—
17,528
Senators’ Official Personnel and Office
Expense Account
365,453
396,065
—
379,065
Official Mail Costs
300
300
—
300
Total, Senate
803,514
893,335
—
842,031
Source: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, revised FY2008 requests, and S.Rept. 110-89.
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.
e. Budget requests include revised figures contained in the President’s letter of June 8, 2007.

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CRS-26
Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations, FY2008
(in thousands of dollars)
FY2008
FY2008
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
Accountsa
House-Passed Bill
Senate
Enactedb
Request
Conference
(H.R. 2771)
(S. 1686)
Payments — Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress
330
0
0
—
Salaries and Expenses, Total
1,144,486
1,235,042
1,198,560
—
House Leadership Offices
22,822
23,648
23,648
—
Members’ Representational Allowancesc
554,716
610,616
581,000
—
Committee Employees (subtotal)d
150,272
156,775
162,800
—
Standing Committees, Special and Select, except
124,406
129,662
133,000
—
Appropriations
Appropriations Committee
25,866
27,113
29,800
—
Salaries, Officers, and Employees (subtotal)
156,147
174,382
169,393
—
Office of the Clerk
21,676
22,881
22,881
—
Office of the Sergeant at Arms
6,295
7,024
7,024
—
Office of Chief Administrative Officer
106,064
120,612
116,891
—
Office of Inspector General
4,016
4,457
4,457
—
Office for Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and
4,010
4,242
3,111
—
Operations
Office of General Counsel
968
1,202
1,202
—
Office of the Chaplain
163
166
166
—
Office of the Parliamentarian
1,778
1,828
1,828
—
Office of the Law Revision Counsel
2,472
3,046
3,046
—

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CRS-27
FY2008
FY2008
FY2007
FY2008
FY2008
Accountsa
House-Passed Bill
Senate
Enactedb
Request
Conference
(H.R. 2771)
(S. 1686)
Office of the Legislative Counsel
7,025
7,406
7,406
—
Office of Interparliamentary Affairs
724
752
752
—
Other Authorized Employees: Technical Assistants, Office
548
170
170
—
of Attending Physician
Office of Historian
408
596
459
—
Allowances and Expenses (subtotal)
260,199
269,621
261,719
—
Supplies, Materials, Administrative Costs and Federal Tort
4,704
3,688
3,688
—
Claims
Official Mail for committees, leadership, administrative
410
410
410
—
and legislative offices
Government Contributions
226,904
239,447
237,410
—
Capitol Visitor Center
3,410
2,308
2,308
—
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery
17,631
23,065
17,200
—
Emergency Appropriations
6,437
Miscellaneous Items
703
703
703
—
House of Representatives, Total
1,144,486
1,235,042
1,198,560
—
Sources: House Committee on Appropriations, the U.S. Budget, and H.Rept. 110-198
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 and P.L. 110-28, the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans’ Care, Katrina Recovery, and
Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007.
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-28
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/]
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