Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations
July 29, 2020
The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of
Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
Ida A. Brudnick
(formerly Office of Compliance); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol
Specialist on the Congress
(AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS);

Government Publishing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Open World
Leadership Center; and the John C. Stennis Center.

The legislative branch budget request was submitted on February 10, 2020 ($5.553 billion, +10.0%). The House held
hearings in February and early March. The Senate held a hearing for two agencies in early March, prior to a pause in hearings
due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. On July 7, 2020, the House Appropriations Committee,
Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a markup of the FY2021 legislative branch appropriations bill and ordered it
reported by voice vote. The full House Appropriations Committee marked up the bill on July 10, 2020, and ordered it
reported, with a manager’s amendment, by roll call vote (30-18, H.R. 7611, H.Rept. 116-447). The House-reported bill would
provide $4.197 billion, a $206.9 million increase (+5.2%) from the comparable 2020 enacted level (not including the $93.1
million included supplemental appropriations provided in P.L. 116-136, and not including Senate items ).
Previously, over the past decade
 The FY2020 level of $5.049 billion represented an increase of $202.8 million (+4.2%) from the FY2019
level, not including the FY2020 supplemental.
 The FY2019 level of $4.836 billion represented an increase of $136.0 million (+2.9%) from FY2018, not
including the FY2019 supplemental.
 The FY2018 level of $4.700 billion represented an increase of $260.0 million (+5.9%) from FY2017.
 The FY2017 level of $4.440 billion represented increase of $77.0 million (+1.7%) from FY2016.
 The FY2016 level of $4.363 billion represented an increase of $63.0 million (+1.5%) from FY2015.
 The FY2015 level of $4.300 billion represented an increase of $41.7 million (+1.0%) from FY2014.
 The FY2014 level of $4.259 billion represented an increase of $198 million (+4.9%) from FY2013.
 The FY2013 level of $4.061 billion represented a decrease of $246 million (-5.6%), including the
sequestration and rescission, from FY2012.
 The FY2012 level of $4.307 billion represented a decrease of $236.9 million (-5.2%) from FY2011.
 The FY2011 level of $4.543 billion represented a decrease of $125.1 million (-2.7%) from the $4.669
billion provided for FY2010.
The smallest of the appropriations bills, the legislative branch bill comprises approximately 0.4% of total discretionary
budget authority.
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FY2021 Consideration: Overview of Actions
The first section of this report provides an overview of the consideration of FY2021 legislative
branch appropriations, with subsections covering each action to date, including
 the initial submission of the request on February 10, 2020 ($5.553 bil ion,
+10.0%);
 hearings held by the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on the
Legislative Branch in February and early March and a hearing for two agencies
held by the Senate Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch in March, prior to the pause in hearings due to the Coronavirus Disease
2019 (COVID-19) pandemic;
 a markup of the FY2021 legislative branch appropriations bil by the House
Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch on July 7,
2020;
 consideration of subcommittee spending al ocations (“302(b)” levels) on July 9,
2020; and
 a markup of the FY2021 legislative branch appropriations bil by the House
Appropriations Committee on July 10, 2020 (H.R. 7611, H.Rept. 116-447).
It is followed by a section on prior-year actions and funding, which contains a historical table and
figure.
The report then provides an overview of the FY2021 budget requests of individual legislative
branch agencies and entities.
Table 5 through Table 9 list enacted funding levels for FY2020 and the requested and House-
reported levels for FY2021, while the Appendix lists House, Senate, and conference bil s and
reports; public law numbers; and enactment dates since FY1998.
Status of FY2021 Appropriations: Dates and Documents
Table 1. Status of Legislative Branch Appropriations, FY2021
Conference Report
Committee Markup

Approval

House
House
Senate
Senate Conference
House
Senate
Report
Passage Report Passage
Report
House
Senate
Public Law
7/10/2020

7/14/2020

H.R. 7611;
H.Rept.
116-447
Source: Congressional Research Service examination of congress.gov data.
Notes: In recent years, the House has held a subcommittee markup prior to the ful committee markup. The
subcommittee markup was held on July 7, 2020.
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Submission of FY2021 Budget Request on February 10, 2020
The White House submitted its budget for FY2021, which includes the legislative branch budget
request, on February 10, 2020. As explained by OMB,1
The budget covers the agencies of all three branches of Government —Executive,
Legislative, and Judicial—and provides information on Government-sponsored
enterprises. In accordance with law or established practice, OMB includes information on
agencies of the Legislative Branch, the Judicial Branch, and certain Executive Branch
agencies as submitted by those agencies without change.
The independence of the submissions by the legislative branch agencies and entities is codified in
Title 31, Section 1105, of the U.S. Code, which states the following:2
Estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for the legislative branch and the
judicial branch to be included in each budget ... shall be submitted to the President ... and
included in the budget by the President without change.
Furthermore, Division C of the FY2012 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 112-74) added
language to Title 31, Section 1107, relating to budget amendments, stating the following:
The President shall transmit promptly to Congress without change, proposed deficiency
and supplemental appropriations submitted to the President by the legislative branch and
the judicial branch.
The FY2021 budget contained a request for $5.553 bil ion in new budget authority for legislative
branch activities (+10.0%).3
Senate and House Hearings on the FY2021 Budget Requests
Table 2 lists the dates of hearings of the legislative branch subcommittees in February and March
2020. Prepared statements of witnesses were posted on the subcommittee websites, and hearing
transcripts were published by the Government Publishing Office.4
Table 2. Dates of House and Senate Hearings on Legislative Branch Requests
House of

Representatives
Senate
Senate
—
—
House of Representatives
March 3, 2020
—
U.S. Capitol Police
February 11, 2020
—
Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
February 12, 2020
—
Congressional Budget Office
February 12, 2020
March 11, 2020
Architect of the Capitol
March 11, 2020
—

1 Office of Management and Budget, OMB Circular No. A-11 (2019), Section 10, Overview of the Budget, p. 2, at
https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/a11.pdf.
2 An act “T o revise, codify, and enact without substantive change certain general and permanent laws, related to money
and finance, as title 31, United States Code, ‘Money and Finance,’” P.L. 97-258, September 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 910.
3 Office of Management and Budget, Appendix, Budget of the United States Government, FY2020 (Washington: GPO,
2019), pp. 11-45, at https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/leg-fy2020.pdf.
4 Available at https://www.govinfo.gov/app/collection/chrg/116.
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House of

Representatives
Senate
Library of Congress, including the
February 27, 2020
—
Congressional Research Service (CRS)
Government Publishing Office
March 11, 2020
—
Government Accountability Office
February 27, 2020
March 11, 2020
Open World Leadership Center
February 11, 2020
—
Members/Public Witnesses
March 4, 2020a
—
Sources: CRS examination of House and Senate Appropriations Committee websites.
a. The House subcommittee announced that it would accept programmatic and language submissions from
Members through March 20, 2020.
House Appropriations Committee Subcommittee on the Legislative
Branch Markup of FY2021 Bill
On July 7, 2020, the House Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch
held a markup of the FY2021 bil . The subcommittee recommended $4.197 bil ion, a $206.9
mil ion increase (+5.2%) from the comparable 2020 enacted level, not including Senate items,
which are historical y considered by the Senate and not included in the House bil .
No amendments were offered, and the bil was ordered reported to the full committee by voice
vote.
Consideration of 302(b) levels
The House Appropriations Committee approved their initial 302(b) subal ocations on July 9,
2020, by recorded vote (29-21).5 The plan would include $5.300 bil ion for the legislative branch
($4.198 bil ion excluding Senate items), or 0.4% of total discretionary budget authority (H.Rept.
116-443).
House Appropriations Committee Markup of FY2021 Bill
On July 10, 2020, the House Appropriations Committee held a markup of the FY2021 legislative
branch appropriations bil .
A manager’s amendment was offered by Subcommittee Chairman Tim Ryan of Ohio to add report
language (1) directing the House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to report on intern
diversity; (2) requesting the CAO and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to prepare a report on
options for paid internships for committee staff; (3) relating to preservation efforts at the Library
of Congress; and (4) encouraging the digitization and public display of materials related to Harry

5 T he budget resolution provides an overall limit on spending allocated to the House and the Senate appropriation s
committees (referred to as a “302(a) allocation”). T he appropriations committees subsequently divide the 302(a)
allocation among each of their 12 subcommittees, effectively establishing limits on each of the annual appropriations
bills (commonly referred to as “302(b) suballocations”). 302(a) and 302(b) refer to the sections of the Congressional
Budget Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-344) addressing the allocation of spending. T hese subcommittee levels may be revised
throughout the appropriations process to reflect changing priorities and other budgetary actions.

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Houdini and other magicians in the Library’s Rare Books and Special Collections. The
amendment was adopted by voice vote.
The bil was ordered reported by recorded vote (30-18) (H.R. 7611, H.Rept. 116-447).
Funding in Prior Years: Brief Overview and Trends
Legislative Branch: Historic Percentage of Total Discretionary Budget Authority
The percentage of total discretionary budget authority provided to the legislative branch has
remained relatively stable at approximately 0.4% since at least FY1976.6 The maximum level
(0.48%) was in FY1995, and the minimum (0.31%) was in FY2009.
FY2020
FY2020 funding was provided in Division E of the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L.
116-94), which was enacted on December 20, 2019. The $5.049 bil ion provided for the
legislative branch represents an increase of $202.8 mil ion (+4.2%) from the FY2019 level.
Additional language related to the legislative branch was included in Division P.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act, P.L. 116-136, enacted
March 27, 2020) provided additional funding to al ow legislative branch entities “to prevent,
prepare for, and respond to coronavirus, domestical y or international y.” Funding included:
 Senate: $1.0 mil ion for the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate and
$9.0 mil ion for “Miscel aneous Items.”
 House: $25.0 mil ion for the “House of Representatives, Salaries and Expenses”
account. This account funds al activities of the House, but it does not fund
salaries of Members of Congress.
 Office of the Attending Physician: $400,000.
 Capitol Police: $12.0 mil ion for salaries. The Capitol Police were also provided
authority to transfer funding to the “general expenses” account without the
approval requirement provided in 2 U.S.C. 1907(a)).
 Architect of the Capitol: $25.0 mil ion, for preparing and responding to the
COVID-19 emergency and to al ow the Architect to “purchase and distribute
cleaning and sanitation products throughout al facilities and grounds under the
care of the Architect of the Capitol, wherever located, and any related services
and operational costs.”

6 Calculations by CRS with data from Office of Management and Budget (OMB), “T able 5.4—Discretionary Budget
Authority By Agency: 1976–2025,” in Historical T ables, Budget of the United States Governm ent, FY2021, at
https://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/historical-tables/. T he calculations have some limitations, since the OMB data do not
completely align with items funded in the annual and supplemental legislative branch appropriations acts. T he
differences may be partially traced to the definition of “legislative branch” in the OMB Public Budget Database user’s
guide. Some entities regularly included with the legislative branch in many OMB budget documents, like the U.S. T ax
Court and some Legislative Branch Boards and Commissions, are not funded through the annual legislative branch
appropriations acts. Consequently, an examination of the discretionary budget authority listed in the Historical Tables
reveals some differences with the reported total budget authority provided in the annual legislative branch
appropriations acts. T he difference in legislative branch budget authority resulting from the different de finitions of the
legislative branch in the OMB budget documents and in the appropriations acts, however, does not represent a
significant difference in the proportion of total discretionary budget authority.
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 Library of Congress: $700,000 for the Little Scholars Child Development Center.
 Government Accountability Office: $20.0 mil ion to prepare and respond to the
emergency, for audits and investigations, and for reimbursement of the Tiny
Findings Child Development Center.
The CARES Act also contained a number of general provisions related to the legislative branch,
including provisions governing the use of funds provided in the act; authorizing payments for
certain goods and services; waiving certain mass mailing restrictions related to life safety; a
technical correction related to the Library of Congress; a conforming amendment related to the
Family and Medical Leave Act; a section related to oversight and audit authority; and a section
related to National Emergency Relief Authority for the Register of Copyrights.
FY2019
FY2019 funding was provided in Division B of the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and
Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (P.L. 115-244), which was
enacted on September 21, 2018. The $4.836 bil ion provided for the legislative branch represents
an increase of $136.0 mil ion (+2.9%) from the FY2018 enacted level.
An additional $10.0 mil ion in FY2019 supplemental appropriations for GAO “for audits and
investigations related to Hurricanes Florence, Lane, and Michael, Typhoons Yutu and Mangkhut,
the calendar year 2018 wildfires, earthquakes, and volcano eruptions, and other disasters declared
pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act” was included in
two bil s considered in the 116th Congress: H.R. 268, which passed the House on January 16,
2019, but cloture was not invoked in the Senate; and H.R. 2157, which passed the House on May
10 (Roll no. 202) and the Senate (with an amendment) on May 23, 2019 (Record Vote Number:
129). H.R. 2157 was enacted June 6, 2019 (P.L. 116-20).
FY2018
FY2018 funding was provided in Division I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (P.L.
115-141), which was enacted on March 23, 2018. The $4.700 bil ion provided by the act
represented an increase of $260.0 mil ion (+5.9%) from the FY2017 enacted level.
In addition, P.L. 115-123, enacted February 9, 2018, provided $14.0 mil ion to GAO “for audits
and investigations relating to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and the 2017 wildfires.” (Title
IX of Division B).
FY2017
FY2017 funding was provided in Division I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2017 (P.L.
115-31), which was enacted on May 5, 2017. The $4.440 bil ion provided by the act represented a
$77.0 mil ion increase (+1.7%) from the FY2016 enacted level.
FY2016
FY2016 funding was provided in Division I of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (P.L.
114-113), which was enacted on December 18, 2015. The $4.363 bil ion provided by the act
represented a $63.0 mil ion increase (+1.5%) from the FY2015 enacted level.
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FY2015
FY2015 funding was provided in Division H of the Consolidated and Further Continuing
Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235), which was enacted on December 16, 2014. The $4.300
bil ion provided by the act represented an increase of $41.7 mil ion (+1.0%) from FY2014.
FY2014
Neither a legislative branch appropriations bil nor a continuing resolution (CR) containing
FY2014 funding was enacted prior to the beginning of the fiscal year on October 1, 2013. A
funding gap, which resulted in a partial government shutdown, ensued for 16 days. The funding
gap was terminated by the enactment of a CR (P.L. 113-46) on October 17, 2013. The CR
provided funding through January 15, 2014.7 Following enactment of a CR on January 15, 2014
(P.L. 113-73), a consolidated appropriations bil was enacted on January 17 (P.L. 113-76),
providing $4.259 bil ion for the legislative branch for FY2014.
FY2013
FY2013 funding of approximately $4.061 bil ion was provided by P.L. 113-6, which was signed
into law on March 26, 2013.8 The act funded legislative branch accounts at the FY2012 enacted
level, with some exceptions (also known as “anomalies”), not including across-the-board
rescissions required by Section 3004 of P.L. 113-6. Section 3004 was intended to eliminate any
amount by which the new budget authority provided in the act exceeded the FY2013
discretionary spending limits in Section 251(c)(2) of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit
Control Act, as amended by the Budget Control Act of 2011 (P.L. 112-25) and the American
Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 (P.L. 112-240). Subsequent to the enactment of P.L. 113-6, OMB
calculated that additional rescissions of 0.032% of security budget authority and 0.2% of
nonsecurity budget authority would be required. The act did not alter the sequestration reductions
implemented on March 1, which reduced most legislative branch accounts by 5.0%.9 The
accompanying OMB report indicated a dollar amount of budget authority to be canceled in each
account containing nonexempt funds.10
FY2012 and Prior
Division G of the FY2012 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 112-74) provided $4.307 bil ion
for the legislative branch. This level was $236.9 mil ion below (-5.2%) the FY2011 enacted level.
P.L. 112-10 provided $4.543 bil ion for legislative branch operations in FY2011. This level

7 T he legislative branch previously experienced a funding gap in FY1996 (November 14-18, 1995).
8 FY2013 level from the CBO cost estimate for “Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014 ( H.J.Res. 59), Including
the Amendment Reported by the House Committee on Rules on September 18, 2013 (H.Res. 352)” at
http://www.cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/attachments/hjres59amendment.pdf, which lists a total for legislative
branch budget authority of $4.061 billion, noting that it “includes effects of the 2013 sequestration.” T his bill contained
a small anomaly for the legislative branch.
9 White House, President Obama, Sequestration Order for Fiscal Year 2013 Pursuant to Section 251A of the Balanced
Budget and Em ergency Deficit Control Act, As Am ended , March 1, 2013, at https://www.federalregister.gov/
documents/2013/03/06/2013-05397/sequestration-order-for-fiscal-year-2013-pursuant -to-section-251a-of-the-balanced-
budget-and.
10 Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget, OMB Report to the Congress on the Joint
Com m ittee Sequestration for Fiscal Year 2013 , March 1, 2013, at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/03/
06/2013-05397/sequestration-order-for-fiscal-year-2013-pursuant -to-section-251a-of-the-balanced-budget-and.
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represented a $125.1 mil ion decrease (-2.7%) from the $4.668 bil ion provided in the FY2010
Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-68) and the FY2010 Supplemental
Appropriations Act (P.L. 111-212). The FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act provided $4.402
bil ion. In FY2009, an additional $25.0 mil ion was provided for GAO in the American Recovery
and Reinvestment Act of 2009.11 P.L. 111-32, the FY2009 Supplemental Appropriations Act, also
contained funding for a new Capitol Police radio system ($71.6 mil ion) and additional funding
for the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) ($2.0 mil ion).12
As seen in Table 3, legislative branch funding decreased each year from FY2010 through
FY2013. Funding did not exceed the FY2010 level until FY2018 in current dollars, and it remains
below this level when adjusted for inflation.
Figure 1 shows the same information graphical y, while also demonstrating the division of
budget authority across the legislative branch in FY2019.
Table 3. Legislative Branch Funding, FY2008-FY2020: Current and Constant Dollars
(in bil ions of dol ars)
Fiscal
Year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
Current
3.970
4.501a
4.669b 4.543c
4.307
4.061d 4.259
4.300
4.363
4.440 4.700e
4.846f
5.049g
Dol ars
Constant
4.762
5.396
5.499
5.236
4.860
4.511
4.659
4.680
4.716
4.718
4.887
4.954
5.049
Dol ars
Source: CRS analysis of legislative branch appropriations acts and related budget documents.
Notes: These figures exclude permanent budget authorities, including funding for Member pay, that are not
included in the annual legislative branch appropriations bil . Constant 2020 dol ars calculated using the “Total
Non-Defense” deflator in Table 10.1—Gross Domestic Product and Deflators Used in the Historical Tables: 1940–
2025 in the President’s FY2021 budget request.
a. This number contains appropriations provided by P.L. 110-161 (the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act),
$25.0 mil ion for the Government Accountability Office provided by P.L. 111-5 (the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009), and $73.6 mil ion provided by P.L. 111-32 (the Supplemental Appropriations
Act, 2009) for the U.S. Capitol Police and the Congressional Budget Office.
b. This number contains appropriations provided by P.L. 111-68 (the FY2010 Legislative Branch
Appropriations Act), and $12.96 mil ion in supplemental appropriations provided for the U.S. Capitol Police
in P.L. 111-212 (the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2010).
c. This number does not include scorekeeping adjustment.
d. FY2013 level obtained from the CBO cost estimate for “Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2014
(H.J.Res 59), Including the Amendment Reported by the House Committee on Rules on September 18,
2013 (H.Res. 352) Discretionary spending (in mil ions of dol ars),” which lists a total for legislative branch
budget authority of $4.061 bil ion, noting that it “includes effects of the 2013 sequestration.” This bil
contained a smal anomaly for the legislative branch.
e. Does not include $14.0 mil ion provided to the Government Accountability Office “for audits and
investigations relating to Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria and the 2017 wildfires” ( P.L. 115-123, Title IX
of Division B, enacted February 9, 2018).
f.
The total includes $10.0 mil ion in FY2019 supplemental appropriations for GAO for audits and
investigations related to storms and disasters (P.L. 116-20, enacted June 6, 2019).

11 P.L. 111-5, February 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 191.
12 U.S. Congress, conference committee, Making Supplemental Appropriations for the Fiscal Year Ending September
30, 2009, and for Other Purposes, report to accompany H.R. 2346, 111th Cong., 1st sess., H.Rept. 111-151
(Washington: GPO, 2009), p. 117.
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g. The total does not include $93.1 mil ion in FY2020 supplemental appropriations, including $10.0 mil ion for
the Senate, $25.0 mil ion for the House of Representatives, $400,000 for the Office of the Attending
Physician, $12.0 mil ion for the Capitol Police, $25.0 mil ion for the Architect of the Capitol, $700,000 for
the Library of Congress, and $20.0 mil ion for the Government Accountability Office (CARES Act, P.L. 116-
136, enacted March 27, 2020).
Figure 1. Legislative Branch Funding FY2008-FY2020: Current and Constant Dollars
(and distribution in FY2020)

Source: CRS analysis of legislative branch appropriations acts and related budget documents.
Notes: These figures exclude permanent budget authorities and contain supplementals and rescissions. Total
does not include permanent budget authorities, including funding for Member pay, that are not included in the
annual legislative branch appropriations bil . Total also excludes offsetting col ections and authority to spend
receipts. Constant 2020 dol ars calculated using the “Total Non-Defense” deflator in Table 10.1—Gross Domestic
Product and Deflators Used in the Historical Tables: 1940–2025 in the President’s FY2021 budget request.
Figure 2 shows the timing of legislative branch appropriations actions, including the issuance of
House and Senate reports, bil passage, and enactment, from FY1996 through FY2020. It shows
that fiscal year funding for the legislative branch has been determined
 on or before October 1 six times during this period (FY1997, FY2000, FY2004,
FY2006, FY2010, and FY2019);
 twice during the first month of the fiscal year (FY1998 and FY1999);
 twice in November (FY1996 and FY2002);
 seven times in December (FY2001, FY2005, FY2008, FY2012, FY2015,
FY2016, and FY2020); and
 eight times in the next calendar year (FY2003, FY2007, FY2009, FY2011,
FY2013, FY2014, FY2017, and FY2018). FY2017 funding, enacted on May 5,
2017, represented the latest date of enactment during this period.
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Figure 2. Timing of Legislative Branch Appropriations Consideration: FY1996-
FY2020
(fiscal year consideration during the calendar year)

Source: CRS analysis of data found on http://www.congress.gov.
Notes: Each row represents consideration during the calendar year of the subsequent fiscal year spending bill
(i.e., the calendar year 1995 row shows the timeline of consideration and passage of the FY1996 act). Arrows in
the December column indicate consideration continued until the next calendar year. The figure shows when the
committee report was filed, which may be later than the date the bil was ordered reported. When House and
Senate action occurs on the same date, the House is shown first. The FY2010 Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act (P.L. 111-68) is listed in this figure as stand-alone legislation (Division A), although it was also the vehicle for
a continuing appropriations resolution (Division B).

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FY2021 Legislative Branch Funding Issues
The following sections discuss the various legislative branch accounts.
During consideration of the legislative branch bil s, the House and Senate conform to a
“longstanding practice under which each body of Congress determines its own housekeeping
requirements and the other concurs without intervention.”13
Senate
Overall Funding
The Senate requested $1.018 bil ion for FY2021, a 5.0% increase over the $969.4 mil ion
provided in FY2020 (not including $10.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-136).
Additional information on the Senate account is presented in Table 6.
Senate Committee Funding
Appropriations for Senate committees are contained in two accounts.
1. The inquiries and investigations account contains funds for al Senate
committees except Appropriations. The FY2021 request would continue the
FY2019 and FY2020 enacted level of $133.3 mil ion.
2. The Committee on Appropriations account contains funds for the Senate
Appropriations Committee. The Senate requested $16.1 mil ion, an increase of
$350,000 (+2.2%).
Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account14
The Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account provides each Senator with funds
to administer an office. It consists of an administrative and clerical assistance al owance, a
legislative assistance al owance, and an official office expense al owance. The funds may be used
for any category of expenses, subject to limitations on official mail.
The Senate requested $481.3 mil ion, an increase of $32.3 mil ion (+7.2%) from the $449.0
mil ion provided in FY2020. Of this amount, $6.0 mil ion would be provided for compensating
Senate interns, an increase of $1.0 mil ion.

13 For example, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Legislative
Branch, 2019, report to accompany S. 3071, 115th Cong., 2nd sess., June 14, 2018, S.Rept. 115-274 (Washington: GPO,
2018), p. 4.
14 For additional information, see CRS Report R44399, Senators’ Official Personnel and Office Expense Account
(SOPOEA): History and Usage, by Ida A. Brudnick.
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House of Representatives
Overall Funding
The House requested $1.531 bil ion for FY2021, an increase of 12.1% over the $1.366 bil ion
provided for FY2020 (not including $25.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-136). The FY2021 House
Appropriations Committee bil would provide $1.477 bil ion, an increase of 8.1%.15
Additional information on headings in the House of Representatives account is presented in Table
7.
House Committee Funding
Funding for House committees is contained in the appropriation heading “committee employees,”
which typical y comprises two subheadings.
The first subheading contains funds for personnel and nonpersonnel expenses of House
committees, except the Appropriations Committee, as authorized by the House in a committee
expense resolution. The House requested, and the House-reported bil would provide, $138.1
mil ion, an increase of $2.7 mil ion (+2.0%) from the FY2020 enacted level of $135.4 mil ion.
The second subheading contains funds for the personnel and nonpersonnel expenses of the
Committee on Appropriations. The House requested, and the House-reported bil would provide,
$24.7 mil ion, an increase of $456,000 (+1.9%) from the FY2020 enacted level of $24.3 mil ion.
Members’ Representational Allowance16
The Members’ Representational Al owance (MRA) is available to support Members in their
official and representational duties.
The House-requested level of $672.0 mil ion represents an increase of $57.0 mil ion (+9.3%)
from the $615.0 mil ion provided in FY2020. The House-reported bil recommended $640.0
mil ion (+4.1%).
A separate account would provide $11.0 mil ion for interns in House Member offices and
$365,000 for interns in House leadership offices.
Administrative Provisions
The House requested several administrative provisions related to
 unexpended balances from the MRA;
 limiting amounts available from the MRA for leased vehicles; and
 providing for cybersecurity assistance from other federal entities.
The House-reported bil contained these administrative provisions, as wel as provisions related to
 the rescission of funds related to unexpended balances in three revolving funds,
including the House Page Revolving Fund, the Stationery Revolving Fund, and
the Net Expenses of Telecommunications Revolving Fund;

15 T his total includes a rescission of $5.0 million in FY2020 and $3.2 million in the House-reported bill.
16 For additional information, see CRS Report R40962, Members’ Representational Allowance: History and Usage.
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 increasing the lifetime limit on student loan repayments for House employees to
$80,000;17 and
 establishing a “House of Representatives Modernization Initiatives Account” in
the Treasury, with funds available without fiscal year limitation, to “modernize
the operations of the House, including initiatives to promote administrative
efficiencies and expand the use of innovative technologies in offices of the
House.”
Support Agency Funding
U.S. Capitol Police (USCP)
The USCP is responsible for the security of the Capitol Complex, including, for example, the
U.S. Capitol, the House and Senate office buildings, the U.S. Botanic Garden, and the Library of
Congress buildings and adjacent grounds.
The FY2020 enacted level was $464.3 mil ion (not including $12.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-
136). In comparison, levels considered for FY2021 include the following:
 Requested: $520.3 mil ion (+12.1%)
 House-reported: $464.3 mil ion (0.0%)
Additional information on the USCP is presented in Table 8.
Appropriations for the police are contained in two accounts—a salaries account and a general
expenses account.
1. Salaries—the FY2020 act provided $379.1 mil ion for salaries. The USCP
requested $417.2 mil ion (+10.1%) and the House-reported bil would provide
$395.7 mil ion (+4.4%).
2. General expenses—the FY2020 act provided $85.3 mil ion for general expenses.
The USCP requested $103.1 mil ion (+20.9%) and the House-reported bil would
provide $68.6 mil ion (-19.5%).
Another appropriation relating to the USCP appears within the Architect of the Capitol account
for Capitol Police buildings and grounds. The FY2020 level was $55.2 mil ion. The USCP
requested $70.8 mil ion (+28.8%) and the House-reported bil would provide $45.99 mil ion (-
16.7%).
Administrative Provision
The House-reported bil included an administrative provision that would increase the lifetime
limit on student loan repayments for Capitol Police employees from $60,000 to $80,000.

17 Neither Members of Congress nor their families are exempt from the repayment of student loans. Although both the
House and Senate have established student loan repayment programs for employee recruitment and retention purposes,
these programs are subject to a number of regulations—including service agreements and annual and lifetime benefit
maximums—and Members of Congress are not eligible to participate. The House employee program was authorized by
P.L. 108-7 (Feb. 20, 2003; 117 Stat. 354; 2 U.S.C. §4536). T he Senate employee program was authorized by P.L. 107-
68 (Nov. 12, 2001; 115 Stat. 563; 2 U.S.C. §4579).
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Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
Formerly known as the Office of Compliance, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights
(OCWR) was renamed by the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 Reform Act (P.L. 115-
397). It is an independent and nonpartisan agency within the legislative branch, and it was
original y established to administer and enforce the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995.18
The act applies various employment and workplace safety laws to Congress and certain
legislative branch entities.19
The FY2020 enacted level was $6.3 mil ion. The office requested, and the House-reported bil
would provide, $7.5 mil ion (+18.4%).
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
CBO is a nonpartisan congressional agency created to provide objective economic and budgetary
analysis to Congress. CBO cost estimates are required for any measure reported by a regular or
conference committee that may affect revenues or expenditures.20
The FY2020 level was $54.9 mil ion. In comparison, levels considered for FY2021 include the
following:
 Requested: $57.3 mil ion (+4.3%)
 House-reported: $57.3 mil ion (+4.3%)
Architect of the Capitol (AOC)
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development,
and preservation of the U.S. Capitol Complex, which includes the Capitol and its grounds, House
and Senate office buildings, Library of Congress buildings and grounds, Capitol Power Plant,
Botanic Garden, Capitol Visitor Center, and USCP buildings and grounds. The AOC is
responsible for the Supreme Court buildings and grounds, but appropriations for their expenses
are not contained in the legislative branch appropriations bil .
The FY2020 level was $687.9 mil ion (not including $25.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-136, and
not including offsetting collections21). In comparison, levels considered for FY2021 include the
following:
 Requested: $789.1 mil ion (+14.7%)

18 P.L. 104-1, 109 Stat. 3, January 23, 1995. T he act, as amended, applies 12 civil rights, labor, and workplace safety
laws to Congress and certain legislative branch agencies. T hese laws are the Age Discrimination in Employment Act,
Americans with Disabilities Act, T itle 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 T itle 38 of the U.S. Code, Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act, and Veterans Employment
Opportunities Act.
19 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.
20 CBO is required to use estimates provided by the Joint Committee on T axation for all revenue legislation (Balanced
Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, P.L. 99-177, §273, 99 Stat.1098, December 12, 1985; 2 U.S.C.
§§621 et seq.).
21 According to H.Rept. 116-447, “House Office Buildings” offsetting collections include $8.0 million in the FY2020
act and $9.0 million in the FY2021 request and the FY2021 House-reported bill. “ Capitol Power Plant” offsetting
collections include $10.0 million in the FY2020 act, the FY2021 request and the FY2021 House-reported bill.
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 House-reported: $631.3 mil ion (+5.3%, not including Senate office buildings)
Operations of the AOC are funded in the following 10 accounts: capital construction and
operations, 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. Additional funding information on the individual
AOC accounts is presented in Table 9.
Administrative Provision
The AOC requested three administrative provisions:
 an administrative provision that prohibits the use of funds for bonuses for
contractors behind schedule or over budget. This provision has been included in
the annual appropriations acts since FY2015;
 an administrative provision establishing a new construction reimbursement fund.
The fund would “be available without fiscal year limitation, for expenses of
common construction and maintenance activities;” and
 an administrative provision relating to compensation of the Architect of the
Capitol, which would link the Architect’s salary to Level II of the Executive
Schedule ($197,300 in 2020). The Architect’s salary was previously changed by
P.L. 116-94, which linked the salary to the highest rate in effect for an employee
paid by the Secretary of the Senate ($173,900 in 2020).
The first provision was included in the House-reported bil as an administrative provision. The
House-reported bil included the compensation language in a general provision that also addresses
compensation of certain other legislative branch agencies’ heads.
Library of Congress (LOC)
The LOC serves simultaneously as Congress’s parliamentary library and the de facto national
library of the United States. Its broader services to the nation include the acquisition,
maintenance, and preservation of a collection of more than 170 mil ion items in various formats;22
hosting nearly 1.9 mil ion visitors annual y;23 service to the general public and scholarly and
library communities; administration of U.S. copyright laws by its Copyright Office; and
administration of a national program to provide reading material to the blind and physical y
handicapped. Its direct services to Congress include the provision of legal research and law -
related services by the Law Library of Congress, and a broad range of activities by CRS,
including in-depth and nonpartisan public policy research, analysis, and legislative assistance for
Members and committees and their staff; congressional staff training; information and statistics
retrieval; and continuing legal education for Members of both chambers and congressional staff.
The FY2020 level was $725.4 mil ion (not including $700,000 provided in P.L. 116-136). In
comparison, levels considered for FY2021 include the following:
 Requested: $778.8 mil ion (+7.4%)
 House-reported: $752.8 mil ion (+3.8%)

22 Figure obtained from the Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress for Fiscal Year 201 9, Library of Congress,
Washington, DC, 2020, p. 19, at https://www.loc.gov/about/reports-and-budgets/annual-reports/.
23 Annual Report of the Librarian of Congress for Fiscal Year 201 9, p. 23.
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These figures do not include additional authority to spend receipts.24
The LOC headings include the following:25
1. Salaries and expenses—The FY2020 level was $504.2 mil ion. The LOC
requested $538.6 mil ion (+6.8%). The House-reported bil would provide $523.7
mil ion, an increase of $19.5 mil ion (+3.9%). These figures do not include
authority to spend receipts ($6.0 mil ion in the FY2020 act, the FY2021 request,
and the House-reported bil ).
2. Copyright Office—The FY2020 level was $42.1 mil ion. The LOC requested
$50.1 mil ion (+18.9%). The House-reported bil would provide $46.6 mil ion
(+10.7%). These figures do not include authority to spend receipts and prior-year
unobligated balances ($49.7 mil ion in FY2020; $44.8 mil ion in the FY2021
request and the House-reported bil ).
3. Congressional Research Service—The FY2020 act provided $120.5 mil ion. The
FY2021 request contains $129.5 mil ion (+7.5%). The House-reported bil would
provide $123.0 mil ion, an increase of $2.5 mil ion (+2.1%).
4. Books for the blind and physically handicapped—The FY2020 level was $58.6
mil ion. The LOC requested $60.6 mil ion (+3.5%). The House-reported bil
would provide $59.4 mil ion, an increase of $876,000 (+1.5%).
The AOC’s budget also contains funds for LOC buildings and grounds. In FY2020, $55.7 mil ion
was provided. The FY2021 request contains $111.2 mil ion (+99.5%), and the House-reported bil
would provide $83.4 mil ion (+49.7%).
Administrative Provision
The legislative branch appropriations bil s regularly provide authority to obligate funds for
reimbursable and revolving fund activities ($231.98 mil ion in the FY2020 act; $252.6 mil ion in
the FY2021 request and the House-reported bil ).
Government Publishing Office (GPO)26
The FY2020 enacted level of $117.0 mil ion was continued in the FY2021 request. This level is
approximately equivalent to the level provided since FY2017.
GPO’s budget authority is contained in three accounts, with the al ocation in the FY2021 request
and bil s varying slightly from the FY2020 enacted level:27
1. Congressional publishing—The FY2021 requested level of $78.0 mil ion,
included in the House-reported bil , is slightly less (-1.3%) than the FY2020
enacted level of $79.0 mil ion.

24 An example of receipts is fees paid t o the LOC for copyright registration.
25 For information on a change in the technology funding practice that affected the four LOC appropriations headings in
FY2020, see the explanation in H.Rept. 116-64 and S.Rept. 116-124.
26 Formerly known as the Government Printing Office. For additional information on GPO, see CRS Report R45014,
Governm ent Printing, Publications, and Digital Inform ation Management: Issues and Challenges.
27 T he FY2015 act renamed these accounts: (1) the former congressional printing and binding account was renamed
congressional publishing, (2) the former Office of Superintendent of Documents (salaries and expenses) account was
renamed Public Information Programs of the Superintendent of Documents (salaries and expenses), and (3) the
revolving fund was renamed the Government Publishing Office Business Operations Revolving Fund.
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2. Public information programs of the Superintendent of Documents (salaries and
expenses)—The FY2021 requested level of $32.3 mil ion, included in the House-
reported bil , is slightly more (+3.2%) than the FY2020 enacted level of $31.3
mil ion.
3. GPO Business Operations Revolving Fund28—The FY2021 request of $6.7
mil ion, included in the House-reported bil , is approximately equivalent to the
FY2020 enacted level (-0.1%).
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
GAO responds to requests for studies of federal government programs and expenditures. GAO
may also initiate its own work.29
The FY2020 enacted level was $630.0 mil ion (not including $20.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-
136). In comparison, levels considered for FY2021 include the following:
 Requested: $706.1 mil ion (+12.1%)
 House-reported: $664.3 (+5.5%)
These levels do not include offsetting collections ($24.8 mil ion in the FY2020 act; $31.3 mil ion
in the FY2021 request and in the House-reported bil ).30
Open World Leadership Center
Open World requested $5.9 mil ion for FY2021, equivalent to the FY2020 level. The House-
reported bil would provide $6.0 mil ion, an increase of $100,000 (+1.7%).
The Open World Leadership Center administers a program that supports democratic changes in
other countries by inviting their leaders to observe democracy and free enterprise in the United
States. Congress first authorized the program in 1999 to support the relationship between Russia
and the United States. The program encouraged young federal and local Russian leaders to visit
the United States and observe its government and society.
Established at the LOC as the Center for Russian Leadership Development in 2000, the center
was renamed the Open World Leadership Center in 2003, when the program was expanded to
include specified additional countries.31 In 2004, Congress further extended the program’s
eligibility to other countries designated by the center’s board of trustees, subject to congressional
consideration.32 The center is housed in the LOC and receives services from the LOC through an
interagency agreement.
The legislative branch bil s have included a provision since FY2016, also contained in the
FY2021 request and in the House-reported bil , stating:

28 T he revolving fund supports GPO’s operation and maintenance.
29 GAO’s guidelines for initiating studies are contained in U.S. Government Accountability Office, GAO’s
Congressional Protocols, GAO-04-310G (Washington: GAO, 2004), at http://www.gao.gov/special.pubs/d04310g.pdf.
30 Offsetting collections include funds derived from reimbursable audits and rental of space in the GAO building.
31 P.L. 106-554, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-120, December 21, 2000; P.L. 108-7, 117 Stat. 382, February 20, 2003.
According to the 2003 act, the additional countries include “any country specified in §3 of the FREEDOM Support Act
(22 U.S.C. 5801),” and “Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.” T he countries specified in 22 U.S.C. 5801 are Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, T ajikistan, T urkmenistan, Ukraine, and
Uzbekistan.
32 P.L. 108-447, 118 Stat. 3192, December 8, 2004.
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That funds made available to support Russian participants shall only be used for those
engaging in free market development, humanitarian activities, and civic engagement, and
shall not be used for officials of the central government of Russia.
The location and future of Open World, attempts to assess its effectiveness, and its inclusion in
the legislative branch budget have been discussed at appropriations hearings and in report
language for more than a decade. The funding level for Open World has also varied greatly during
this period. For additional discussion, see the “Prior Year Discussion of Location and Funding of
Open World” section in CRS Report R44899, Legislative Branch: FY2018 Appropriations, by Ida
A. Brudnick.
John C. 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.33 The $430,000 included in the FY2021 request and
in the House-reported bil is approximately the same level provided annual y since FY2006.
General Provisions
As in past years, Congress considered a number of general provisions related to the legislative
branch. These provisions and their status are listed in Table 4.
Table 4. General Provisions
(and stage of inclusion or status)
Included
Included in
Included in
in
House-
Senate-
Enacted in
FY2021
Reported
Reported
Enacted in
Provision to
FY2020
Request
Bill
Bill
FY2021
prohibit appropriated funds for the
Yes
Yes
Yes

maintenance and care of private vehicles
limit funds to the fiscal year unless
Yes
Yes
Yes

otherwise expressly provided
make any changes in rates of
Yes
Yes
Yes

compensation and designation permanent
make consulting services contracts a
Yes
Yes
Yes

matter of public record
authorize the costs of Legislative Branch
Yes
Yes
Yes

Financial Managers Council
limit transfers to those authorized by law
Yes
Yes
Yes

prohibit restrictions on guided staff tours
Yes
Yes
Yes

of the Capitol with limited exceptions
prohibit a cost of living adjustment for
Yesa
Noa
Yesa

Members of Congressa
(Section 7 of
P.L. 116-94)
reduce plastic waste
Yes
Yes
Yes

33 2 U.S.C. 1105. See also http://www.stennis.gov/.
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Included
Included in
Included in
in
House-
Senate-
Enacted in
FY2021
Reported
Reported
Enacted in
Provision to
FY2020
Request
Bill
Bill
FY2021
restrict procurement of
Yes
Yes
Yes

telecommunications equipment that may
present a cybersecurity risk
require computer networks to block the
Yes
Yes
Yes

viewing, downloading, and exchanging of
pornography
authorize hiring of individuals covered by
No
No
Yes

the Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals program
adjust annual rate of pay for heads of
No
Nob
Yes

certain legislative branch offices (including
CBO, OCWR, AOC, and USCP)
remove specified U.S. Capitol Statuaryc
No
No
Yes

Sources: P.L. 116-94, the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, H.Rept. 116-447, and CRS analysis.
a. The legislative branch bil does not contain language funding or increasing Member pay, and a provision
prohibiting the automatic Member pay adjustments could be included in any bil , or be introduced as a
separate bil . For additional information, see CRS Report 97-1011, Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent
Actions and Historical Tables, by Ida A. Brudnick. Pay for Members of Congress was last adjusted in January
2009.
b. An administrative provision related to the pay for the Architect of the Capitol was included in the FY2021
request.
c. This provision would remove al Confederate statues and Confederate busts; the bust of Roger Brooke
Taney; the statue of Charles Brantley Aycock; the statue of John Caldwel Calhoun; and the statue of James
Paul Clarke from any area of the United States Capitol which is accessible to the public. See also H.R. 7573,
H.R. 7217, and S. 3957.
Introduction to Summary Tables and Appendix
Table 5 through Table 9 provide information on funding levels for the legislative branch overal ,
the Senate, the House of Representatives, the USCP, and the AOC.
The tables are followed by an Appendix, which lists House, Senate, and conference bil s and
reports; public law numbers; and enactment dates since FY1998.
Table 5. Legislative Branch Appropriations: Funding Levels by Agency or Entity
(in thousands of dol ars)
FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2021
House-
Senate-
FY2021
Entity
Enacted
Requested
Reported
Reported
Enacted
Senate
$969,396
$1,018,221
—a

House of Representatives
1,365,725
1,530,805
1,476,607
—a

Joint Items
22,643
21,513
21,513

Capitol Police
464,341
520,341
464,341

Office of Congressional
6,333
7,500
7,500

Workplace Rights
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FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2021
House-
Senate-
FY2021
Entity
Enacted
Requested
Reported
Reported
Enacted
Congressional Budget Office
54,941
57,292
57,292

Architect of the Capitolb
695,933b
789,109b
631,268ab

Library of Congress, Including
725,359
778,846
752,750

CRS
CRS (non-add)
120,495c
129,516
123,030c

Government Publishing Office
117,000
117,000
117,000

Government Accountability
630,000
706,142
664,346

Office
Open World Leadership
5,900
5,900
6,000

Center
Stennis Center for Public
430
430
430

Service
Administrative Provisions
-2,000
—
-2,000

Other/Scorekeeping
-7,000d
—
—

Legislative Branch, Total
$5,049,000
$5,553,099
$4,197,047a

Emergency (P.L. 116-136)
$93,100e
—
—

Sources: P.L. 116-94, the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, H.Rept. 116-447, and CRS analysis.
Notes: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
a. By tradition, the House general y does not consider appropriations for Senate operations or Sen ate office
buildings, and the Senate general y does not consider appropriations for House operations or House office
buildings.
b. Summary tables in FY2020 and FY2021 documents addressed “House Office Buildings” offsetting col ections
differently. For comparison, see the tables in H.Rept. 116-447 (p. 66) and the explanatory statement
inserted into the Congressional Record, December 17, 2019 (p. H11374). In the above table, the FY2020 total
includes “House Office Buildings” offsetting col ections of $8.0 mil ion. For information on the offsetting
col ection, see table note d in this table and the accompanying row. In the above table, and in separate
discussions of AOC totals included in this report, the FY2021 request, and the FY2021 House-reported bil ,
the total does not include $9.0 mil ion for “House Office Buildings” offsetting col ections. Table 9, as wel
as separate discussions of AOC totals included in this report, utilizes the presentation from the tables in
H.Rept. 116-447 for FY2020 and FY2021.
c. The FY2020 House Appropriations Committee report (H.Rept. 116-64) describes “Appropriations Shifts to
Reflect Centralized Funding for Information Technology” that affect the four LOC appropriations headings.
For additional information, see the explanation in H.Rept. 116-64 and S.Rept. 116-124.
d. For FY2020, this includes the CBO estimate of -$8.0 mil ion for AOC House Office Buildings Fund and
CBO estimate of $1.0 mil ion for Office of Compliance Settlements and Awards (see H.Rept. 116-64).
e. Funding provided in P.L. 116-136 includes $10.0 mil ion for the Senate, $25.0 mil ion for the House of
Representatives, $400,000 for the Office of the Attending Physician, $12.0 mil ion for the Capitol Police,
$25.0 mil ion for the Architect of the Capitol, $700,000 for the Library of Congress, and $20.0 mil ion for
the Government Accountability Office.
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Table 6. Senate Appropriations
(in thousands of dol ars)
FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2021
House-
Senate-
FY2021
Accounts
Enacted
Requested
Reporteda
Reported
Enacted
Payments—Heirs of
$0
$0
—

Deceased Members of
Congress
Expense Al owances and
220
225
—

Representation
Salaries, Officers, and
216,321
223,658
—

Employees
Office of Legislative Counsel
6,397
6,823
—

Office of Legal Counsel
1,197
1,223
—

Expense Al owances for
28
30
—

Secretary of Senate et al.
Contingent Expenses
745,233
786,262
—

(subtotal)
Inquiries and
133,265
133,265
—

Investigations
Senate Intl. Narcotics
508
516
—

Caucus
Secretary of the Senateb
14,536
9,536
—

Sergeant at
128,753
140,482
—

Arms/Doorkeeperc
Miscel aneous Items
18,871
20,877
—

Senators’ Official
449,000
481,286
—

Personnel and Office
Expense Account
Official Mail Costs
300
300
—

Totald
$969,396 $1,018,221
—

Sources: P.L. 116-94, the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, and CRS analysis. The FY2020 total does not include the
$10.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-136.
Notes: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
a. By tradition, the House does not consider appropriations for Senate operations.
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. Total does not include the “Payments—Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress.”
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Table 7. House of Representatives Appropriations
(in thousands of dol ars)
FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2021
House-
Senate-
FY2021
Accounts
Enacted
Requested
Reported
Reporteda
Enacted
Payments—Heirs of Deceased
$0
$0
$0
—

Members of Congress
House Leadership Offices
28,884
28,884
28,884
—

Members’ Representational
615,000
672,000
640,000
—

Al owance
Intern Al owance-House
11,025
11,025
11,025
—

Member Offices
Intern Al owance-House
365
365
365
—

Leadership Offices
Committee Employees (subtotal)
159,628
162,825
162,825
—

Standing Committees,
135,359
138,100
138,100
—

Special and Select, except
Appropriations
Appropriations Committee
24,269
24,725
24,725
—

Salaries, Officers, and Employees
231,903
266,742
254,781
—

(subtotal)
Office of the Clerk
30,766
32,824
31,975
—

Office of the Sergeant at
20,225
26,086
23,260
—

Arms
Office of Chief
153,550
180,236
171,200
—

Administrative Officer
Office of Diversity and
1,000
1,000
1,500
—

Inclusion
Office of the Whistleblower
750
750
1,000
—

Ombudsmen
Office of Inspector General
5,019
5,019
5,019
—

Office of General Counsel
1,751
1,815
1,815
—

Office of the
2,088
2,088
2,088
—

Parliamentarian
Office of the Law Revision
3,419
3,469
3,469
—

Counsel
Office of the Legislative
11,937
11,937
11,937
—

Counsel
Office of Interparliamentary
814
934
934
—

Affairs
Other Authorized
584
584
584
—

Employees
Al owances and Expenses
323,920
378,964
379,939
—

(subtotal)
Congressional Research Service
21

link to page 26 link to page 26 link to page 26 Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations

FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2021
House-
Senate-
FY2021
Accounts
Enacted
Requested
Reported
Reporteda
Enacted
Supplies, Materials,
1,526
1,555
1,555
—

Administrative Costs and
Federal Tort Claims
Official Mail for committees,
190
190
190
—

leadership, administrative
and legislative offices
Government Contributions
294,377
340,000
340,000
—

Business Continuity and
17,668
18,508
18,508
—

Disaster Recovery
Emergency Appropriations
Transition Activities
4,489
13,000
13,000
Wounded Warrior
3,000
3,000
3,975
—

Program
Office of Congressional
1,670
1,711
1,711
—

Ethics
Miscel aneous Items
1,000
1,000
1,000
—

House Modernization Initiatives
—
10,000
2,000

Account
Administrative
-5,000b
—
-3,212
—

Provisions/Rescissions/Other
Totalc
$1,365,725 $1,530,805
$1,476,607
—

Sources: P.L. 116-94, the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, H.Rept. 116-447, and CRS analysis. The FY2020 total does
not include the $25.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-136.
Notes: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
a. By tradition, the Senate general y does not consider appropriations for House operations.
b. For FY2020, this includes a provision related to using expired funds for employee compensation and
unemployment compensation and rescissions.
c. Total does not include the “Payments—Heirs of Deceased Members of Congress.”
Table 8. Capitol Police Appropriations
(in thousands of dol ars)
FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2021
House-
Senate-
FY2021
Accounts
Enacted
Requested
Reported
Reported
Enacted
Salaries, Capitol Police
$379,062
$417,197
$395,720

General Expenses
85,279
103,144
68,621

Total
$464,341
$520,341
$464,341

Sources: P.L. 116-94, the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, H.Rept. 116-447, and CRS analysis. The FY2020 total does
not include the $12.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-136.
Note: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
Congressional Research Service
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link to page 27 link to page 27 link to page 27 link to page 27 link to page 27 link to page 27 link to page 22 Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations

Table 9. Architect of the Capitol Appropriations
(in thousands of dol ars)
FY2021
FY2021
FY2020
FY2021
House-
Senate-
FY2021
Accounts
Enacted
Requested
Reported
Reported
Enacted
Capital Construction and
$120,000
$139,239
$139,239

Operations
Capitol Building
68,878
41,201
36,129

Capitol Grounds
15,024
20,981
20,560

Senate Office Buildings
88,424
90,953
—a

House of Representatives

House Office Buildingsb
145,273
136,047
144,273

House Historic
0
10,000
0

Buildings Revitalization
Fund
Capitol Power Plantc
98,957
122,166
116,461

Library Buildings and
55,746
111,193
83,446

Grounds
Capitol Police Buildings and
55,216
70,790
45,993

Grounds
Botanic Garden
16,094
21,266
20,895

Capitol Visitor Center
24,321
25,273
24,272

Architect of the Capitol,
$687,933
$789,109
$631,268a

Totalbc
Sources: P.L. 116-94, the Budget for Fiscal Year 2021, H.Rept. 116-447, and CRS analysis. The FY2020 total does
not include the $25.0 mil ion provided in P.L. 116-136.
Notes: Numbers may not sum due to rounding.
a. The House general y does not consider appropriations for Senate office buildings, and the total does not
include funding for that account.
b. Not including “House Office Buildings” offsetting col ections of $8.0 mil ion in the FY2020 act and $9.0
mil ion in the FY2021 request and the FY2021 House-reported bil . Summary tables in FY2020 and FY2021
documents addressed “House Office Buildings” offsetting col ections differently. For comparison, see the
tables in H.Rept. 116-447 (p. 66) and the explanatory statement inserted into the Congressional Record,
December 17, 2019 (p. H11374). For additional information, see notes to accompany Table 5.
c. Not including “Capitol Power Plant” offsetting col ections of $10.0 mil ion in the FY2020 act, the FY2021
request and the FY2021 House-reported bil .
Congressional Research Service
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Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations

Appendix. Fiscal Year Information and Resources
Table A-1. Overview of Legislative Branch Appropriations: FY1998-FY2020
House, Senate, Conference, and CRS Reports and Related Legislative Vehicles
Enactment
Date
Fiscal
and Public
Enactment
CRS
Year
House
Senate
Conference
Law
Vehicle Title
Report
2020
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
Explanatory
12/20/2019
Further
CRS Report
116-64
116-124
materials
(P.L. 116-94) Consolidated
R45755, Legislative
(H.R.
(S. 2581)
inserted into
Appropriations
Branch: FY2020
2779)
the
Act, 2020
Appropriations
Congressional
Record
(H.R. 1865)
2019
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 115-
9/21/18
Energy and Water,
CRS Report
115-696
115-274
929
(P.L. 115-
Legislative Branch,
R45214, Legislative
(H.R.
(S. 3071)
244)
and Military
Branch: FY2019
5894)
Construction and
Appropriations
Veterans Affairs
Appropriations
Act, 2019
2018
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
Explanatory
3/23/2018
Consolidated
CRS Report
115-199
115-137
materials
(P.L. 115-
Appropriations
R44899, Legislative
(H.R.
(S. 1648)
inserted into
141)
Act, 2018
Branch: FY2018
3162)
the
Appropriations
Congressional
Record
(H.R. 1625)
2017
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
Explanatory
5/5/2017
Consolidated
CRS Report
114-594
114-258
materials
(P.L. 115-31) Appropriations
R44515, Legislative
(H.R.
(S. 2955)
inserted into
Act, 2017
Branch: FY2017
5325)
the
Appropriations, by Ida
(H.Res.
Congressional
A. Brudnick
771)
Record
(H.R. 244)
2016
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
Explanatory
12/18/2015
Consolidated
CRS Report
114-110
114-64
materials
(P.L. 114-
Appropriations
R44029, Legislative
(H.R.
(H.R.
inserted into
113)
Act, 2016
Branch: FY2016
2250)
2250)
the
Appropriations
(H.Res.
Congressional
271)
Record
2015
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
Explanatory
12/16/2014
Consolidated and
CRS Report
113-417
113-196
materials
(P.L. 113-
Further Continuing R43557, Legislative
(H.R.
(H.R.
inserted into
235)
Appropriations
Branch: FY2015
4487)
4487)
the
Act, 2015
Appropriations
(H.Res.
Congressional
557)
Record
(H.R. 83)
Congressional Research Service
24

Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations

Enactment
Date
Fiscal
and Public
Enactment
CRS
Year
House
Senate
Conference
Law
Vehicle Title
Report
2014
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
Explanatory
1/17/2014
Consolidated
CRS Report
113-173
113-70
materials
(P.L. 113-76) Appropriations
R43151, Legislative
(H.R.
(S. 1283)
inserted into
Act, 2014
Branch: FY2014
2792)
the
Appropriations
Congressional
Record
(H.R. 3547)
2013
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
___
3/26/2013
Consolidated and
CRS Report
112-511
112-197
(P.L. 113-6)
Further Continuing R42500, Legislative
(H.R.
(H.R.
Appropriations
Branch: FY2013
5882)
5882)
Act, 2013
Appropriations
(H.Res.
679)
2012
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 112-
12/23/2011
Consolidated
CRS Report
112-148
112-80
331
(P.L. 112-74) Appropriations
R41870, Legislative
(H.R.
(H.R.
(H.R. 2055)
Act, 2012
Branch: FY2012
2551)
2551)
Appropriations
2011
___
S.Rept.
___
4/15/2011
Department of
CRS Report
111-294
(P.L. 112-10) Defense and Ful -
R41214, Legislative
(S. 3799)
Year Continuing
Branch: FY2011
Appropriations
Appropriations
Act, 2011
2010
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 111-
10/1/2009
Legislative Branch
CRS Report
111-160
111-29
265
(P.L. 111-68) Appropriations
R40617, Legislative
(H.R.
(S. 1294)
(H.R. 2918)
Act, 2010
Branch: FY2010
2918)
Appropriations
2009
___
___
Explanatory
3/11/2009
Omnibus
CRS Report
materials
(P.L. 111-8)
Appropriations
RL34490, Legislative
inserted into
Act, 2009
Branch: FY2009
the
Appropriations
Congressional
Record and
issued in a
committee
print
(H.R. 1105)
2008
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
Explanatory
12/26/2007
Consolidated
CRS Report
110-198
110-89
materials
(P.L. 110-
Appropriations
RL34031, Legislative
(H.R.
(S. 1686)
inserted into
161)
Act, 2008
Branch: FY2008
2771)
the
Appropriations
Congressional
Record
(H.R. 2764)
2007
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
___
2/15/2007
Revised Continuing CRS Report
109-485
109-267
(P.L. 110-5)
Appropriations
RL33379, Legislative
(H.R.
(H.R.
Resolution, 2007
Branch: FY2007
5521)
5521)
Appropriations
Congressional Research Service
25

Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations

Enactment
Date
Fiscal
and Public
Enactment
CRS
Year
House
Senate
Conference
Law
Vehicle Title
Report
2006
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 109-
8/02/2005
FY2006 Legislative
CRS Report
109-139
109-89
189
(P.L. 109-55) Branch
RL32819, Legislative
(H.R.
(H.R.
(H.R. 2985)
Appropriations Act Branch: FY2006
2985)
2985)
Appropriations
2005
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 108-
12/8/2004
Consolidated
CRS Report
108-577
108-307
792
(P.L. 108-
Appropriations
RL32312,
(H.R.
(S. 2666)
(H.R. 4818)
447)
Act, 2005
Appropriations for
4755)
FY2005: Legislative
Branch
2004
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 108-
9/30/2003
Legislative Branch
CRS Report
108-186
108-88
279
(P.L. 108-83) Appropriations
RL31812,
(H.R.
(S. 1383)
(H.R. 2657)
Act, 2004
Appropriations for
2657)
FY2004: Legislative
Branch
2003
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
___
2/20/2003
Consolidated
CRS Report
107-576
107-209
(P.L. 108-7)
Appropriations
RL31312,
(H.R.
(S. 2720)
Resolution, 2003
Appropriations for
5121)
FY2003: Legislative
Branch
2002
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 107-
11/12/2001
Legislative Branch
CRS Report
107-169
107-37
259
(P.L. 107-68) Appropriations
RL31012,
(H.R.
(S. 1172)
(H.R. 2647)
Act, 2002
Appropriations for
2647)
FY2002: Legislative
Branch
2001
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 106-
12/21/2000
Consolidated
CRS Report
106-635
106-304
796
(P.L. 106-
Appropriations
RL30512,
(H.R.
(S. 2603)
(H.R. 4516,
554)
Act, 2001
Appropriations for
4516)
incorporated
FY2001: Legislative
into H.R. 4577)
Branch
2000
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 106-
9/29/1999
Legislative Branch
CRS Report
106-156
106-75
290
(P.L. 106-57) Appropriations
RL30212,
(H.R.
(S. 1206)
(H.R. 1905)
Act, 2000
Appropriations for
1905)
FY2000: Legislative
Branch
1999
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 105-
10/21/1998
Legislative Branch
CRS Report 98-212,
105-595
105-204
734
(P.L. 105-
Appropriations
Appropriations for
(H.R.
(S. 2137)
(H.R. 4112)
275)
Act, 1999
FY1999: Legislative
4112)
Branch
1998
H.Rept.
S.Rept.
H.Rept. 105-
10/7/1997
Legislative Branch
CRS Report 97-212,
105-196
105-47
254
(P.L. 105-55) Appropriations
Appropriations for
(H.R.
(S. 1019)
(H.R. 2209)
Act, 1998
FY1998: Legislative
2209)
Branch
Source: Congressional Research Service examination of LIS.

Congressional Research Service
26

Legislative Branch: FY2021 Appropriations

Author Information

Ida A. Brudnick

Specialist on the Congress

Disclaimer
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under the direction of Congress. Information in a CRS Report should n ot be relied upon for purposes other
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connection with CRS’s institutional role. CRS Reports, as a work of the United States Government, are not
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