Most Recent Developments

FY2007 funding for the legislative branch was contained in the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, 2007, which was enacted on February 15, 2007.¹ This act continued funding at the FY2006 levels for those items not specifically identified. Chapter 7 of Title II altered spending for some legislative branch accounts and included additional legislative language. Supplemental FY2007 appropriations were contained in the U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Care, Katrina Recovery, and Iraq Accountability Appropriations Act, 2007, which was enacted on May 25, 2007.² From the start of the fiscal year on October 1, 2006, until the passage of P.L. 110-5, the legislative branch operated under three interim continuing resolutions.³

Introduction to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill

The annual legislative branch appropriations bill usually comprises two titles. Appropriations for legislative branch agencies are contained in Title I. These entities, as they appear in the annual appropriations bill, are the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items;⁴ Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol, including the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC); Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service; Government Printing Office; Government Accountability Office; and Open World Leadership Program.

Title II contains general administrative provisions and, from time to time, appropriations for legislative branch entities. For example, Title II of the FY2003 act contained funds for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development and the Congressional Award Act.

On occasion, the bill may include a third title for out-of-the-ordinary provisions. For example, the FY2006 legislative branch appropriations bill contains language providing for the continuity of congressional representation in the event of an emergency.

Changes in Structure of Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill Effective in FY2003

Congress changed the structure of the annual legislative branch appropriations bill effective in FY2003. Prior to that time, beginning with FY1978, the legislative branch appropriations bill was structured differently. Title I, Congressional Operations, contained budget authority for activities directly serving Congress. Included in this title were the budgets of the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office; Architect of the Capitol, except funds for Library of Congress buildings and grounds; Congressional Research Service (but not other funding for the Library of Congress); and congressional printing and binding activities of the Government Printing Office.

Title II, Related Agencies, contained budgets for activities considered by the Committee on Appropriations not to support directly Congress, including those for the Botanic Garden; Library of Congress (except the Congressional Research Service, which was funded in Title I); Library of Congress buildings and grounds maintained by the Architect of the Capitol; Government Printing Office (except congressional printing and binding costs, which was funded in Title I); and Government Accountability Office, formerly named the General Accounting Office. Periodically from FY1978 through FY2002 the annual legislative appropriations bill contained additional titles for such purposes as capital improvements and special one-time functions.

Activities and Programs Related to the Legislative Branch but Not Funded in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill

In addition to activities funded in the annual legislative branch appropriations bill, funds are contained in the legislative branch section of the U.S. Budget for other programs and entities. These include permanent budget authority for both federal and trust funds, and for non-legislative entities.

Permanent federal funds are available as the result of previously enacted legislation and do not require annual action.⁵

Permanent trust funds are monies held in accounts credited with collections from specific sources earmarked by law for a defined purpose. Trust funds do not appear in the annual legislative bill because they are not budget authority. They are included in the U.S. Budget, prepared by the Office of Management and Budget, either as budget receipts or offsetting collections.⁶

The U.S. Budget also contains non-legislative entities within the legislative branch budget. They are funded in other appropriation bills but counted as legislative branch funds by the Office of Management and Budget for bookkeeping purposes.⁷

For a more accurate picture of the legislative branch budget as contained in the annual legislative branch appropriation bill, the total legislative branch request of $4.693 billion in the FY2007 U.S. Budget must be adjusted. This is accomplished by subtracting permanent federal and trust funds, non-legislative entities' funds, intergovernmental funds, and including offsetting receipts and intrafund transactions. After making these adjustments, the request for entities funded in the pending regular annual appropriation bill is $4.230 billion.⁸

Elimination of House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch in February 2005 and Reinstatement in January 2007

Prior to the 109^th 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. The House Subcommittee on Legislative Branch was reestablished for the 110^th Congress.⁹

Status of FY2007 Appropriations

Action on the FY2007 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill (H.R. 5521)

Submission of FY2007 Budget Request on February 6, 2006

On February 5, 2006, the President submitted the FY2007 U.S. Budget containing $4.23 billion in new obligational budget authority for legislative branch activities, a 12.3% increase. A substantial portion of the 12.3% increase requested by legislative branch entities is to meet (1) mandatory expenses, which include funding for annual salary adjustments required by law and related personnel expenses, such as increased government contributions to retirement based on increased pay, and (2) expenses related to increases in the costs of goods and services due to inflation. On April 6, 2006, the President transmitted to Congress budget amendments to the FY2007 requests of the Senate, the Joint Economic Committee, and the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office.¹⁰

Congressional Caps on FY2007 Legislative Branch Discretionary Funds

As required by law, both houses considered separate 302(b) budget allocations for legislative branch discretionary and mandatory funds in FY2007. The House allocation of $4.030 billion in discretionary budget authority for the legislative branch represents a 7.0% increase over the enacted FY2006 discretionary budget authority of $3.765 billion.¹¹ The Senate allocation of $3.980 billion, a 5.7% increase over FY2006.¹²

Senate and House Hearings on FY2007 Budget

Hearings were held by the Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations, on March 1, 2006, on budgets of the Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service, and the Open World Leadership Center. Hearings on budget requests were held on March 15 for the Secretary of the Senate, the Architect of the Capitol, and the Capitol Visitor Center; on April 5 for the Senate Sergeant at Arms, Capitol Police Board, and Capitol Guide Service; on April 26 for the Government Accountability Office; and on May 3 for the Government Printing Office, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of Compliance.

House hearings were held by the full Committee on Appropriations on March 10, 2006, on budget requests of the Government Printing Office, the Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service, the Open World Leadership Center, and the Government Accountability Office; and on March 14 on requests of the House of Representatives, the Architect of the Capitol, and the Office of Compliance.

House Markup and Report of FY2007 Bill (H.R. 5521)

The House Appropriations Committee met to mark up H.R. 5521, the FY2007 bill, on May 25, 2006, and during consideration adopted three amendments to the draft bill by voice vote:

• a manager's amendment that addressed funding for the John C. Stennis Center, disposal of unwanted telecommunications equipment, archiving of Members' official records, use of E-85 ethanol fuel, and support for the Library of Congress's Newsline program;
• an amendment offered by Representative Jim Moran prohibiting the use of funds for establishment or operation of a smoking area in the cafeteria of the Rayburn House Office Building; and
• an amendment offered by then-Ranking Member David Obey expressing his displeasure with Architect of the Capitol Alan M. Hantman, and proposing placement of the Architect's office under receivership of the Comptroller General until a new Architect of the Capitol is appointed next year.

New budget authority contained in the mark up (not including Senate budget authority, which is determined by chamber) was $3.027 billion.

Accounts were increased or reduced from FY2006 levels as follows: House of Representatives, +4.4%; Joint Items, +25.5%; Capitol Police, +4.9%; Office of Compliance, +2.2%; Congressional Budget Office, +3.5%; Architect of the Capitol (excluding Senate items), +1.5%; Library of Congress, +2.8%; Congressional Research Service, +2.6%; Government Printing Office, +6.4%; Government Accountability Office, +2.2%; and Open World Leadership Center, -3.3%.

House Passage of the FY2007 Bill (H.R. 5521)

On June 7, the House passed H.R. 5521 by a vote of 361-53. Floor consideration followed adoption of the rule on the bill, H.Res. 849 (H.Rept. 109-487), on June 6 by voice vote. The rule waived all points of order against the bill and made in order only those amendments printed in the committee report, which included

• an amendment to be offered by Representative Ginny Brown-Waite to decrease the pending funding increase for the Capitol Tour Guide Service by half, to $6,294,000;
• an amendment to be offered by Representative Susan Davis to add $1 million to the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS), to be offset through a $1 million reduction in funding for the Capital Guide Service and Special Services Office;
• an amendment to be offered by Representative Michael McCaul to decrease Government Printing Office Congressional Printing and Binding funds by $3 million, and increase the Capitol Police salaries fund by $3 million;
• an amendment to be offered by Representative Brian Baird to provide $2.4 million for the electronic mapping of the Capitol complex, including the Capitol, the House and Senate office buildings, tunnels, parking facilities, and other areas identified by the Capitol Police. According to the amendment, funds would be offset by funds appropriated for the printing and binding of government publications by the Government Printing Office;
• an amendment to be offered by Representative Joel Hefley to cut discretionary spending in the bill by 1% across-the-board;
• an amendment to be offered by Representative Emanuel Cleaver to prohibit funds made available for Members' Representational Allowances in the bill from providing directly for any personal vehicle that is not an alternatively fueled vehicle; and
• an amendment to be offered by Representative Martin Meehan to prohibit funds in the bill from being used to establish or operate a smoking area in House Office Buildings.

During floor consideration of the bill on June 7, only one of the permitted amendments was offered, and it was subsequently withdrawn. Representative Brian Baird spoke in support of his proposal to provide $2.4 million to fund the electronic mapping of the Capitol complex before noting his intention to withdraw the amendment in deference to concerns raised by the committee. He said that electronic mapping could assist first responders in the event of an emergency and indicated his intention to work with the committee on this issue in the future.

The other permitted amendments were not offered, possibly, as some press accounts indicated, because the time for general debate had been moved forward.¹³

Senate Markup and Report of FY2007 Bill (H.R. 5521)

The Senate Appropriations Committee marked up and reported its version of H.R. 5521 on June 22. In its report, Senator Wayne Allard, chairman of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch during the 109^th Congress, noted that the committee's bill provides $3.98 billion in new budget authority, a 5.0% increase ($187 million) over the FY2006 budget and a $258.5 million reduction of agency requests. The committee reported H.R. 5521 as an amendment in the nature of a substitute. No amendments were considered.

Action on FY2006 Supplemental Appropriations (H.R. 4939): House of Representatives and Architect of the Capitol

During consideration of the FY2006 emergency supplemental appropriations bill, H.R. 4939, appropriators denied requests of the House of Representatives and Architect of the Capitol for additional FY2006 funds totaling $41.2 million ($36.2 million for the House and $5.0 million for the Architect). H.R. 4939, without the additional funds, passed the House on March 16, 2006, and the Senate on May 4.

Supplemental FY2006 funds for other purposes of the Architect, however, were approved by the Senate during floor consideration of H.R. 4939. After concerns relating to the safety of utility tunnels under the Capitol Complex were raised by the Office of Compliance, Senator Wayne Allard offered an amendment (S.Amdt. 3701) on behalf of himself, Senator Richard Durbin, and Senator Barbara Mikulski. Their amendment, which provides $27.6 million to the Architect of the Capitol "Capitol Power Plant" account for emergency repairs to the tunnels, was agreed to on April 27, 2006 (voice vote). The amendment was retained by conferees, whose report was agreed to by the House on June 13, and the Senate on June 15. H.R. 4939 was signed by the President into law later on June 15.¹⁴

FY2007 Legislative Branch Funding Issues

Capitol Complex Security—U.S. Capitol Police

FY2007 Funding Provisions

Under P.L. 110-5, Congress provided $255.6 million for the U.S. Capitol Police. An additional $10 million was provided for the general expenses account in the FY2007 supplemental appropriations act for a radio modernization program.¹⁵

In H.R. 5521, the House approved $259.1 million for the Capitol Police. This figure represented a $12.1 million (4.9%) increase over the FY2006 funding level of $246.96 million, and $36 million less than the $295.08 million requested. The Senate Committee on Appropriations recommended $272.4 million, which represented a 10.3% increase over FY2006 levels.

Appropriations for the police are contained in two accounts:

• salaries account, for which $217.1 million was appropriated; $220.6 million was made available in the House-passed bill (an increase of 2.5%, or $5.3 million, over FY2006), and $231.2 million was recommended in the bill reported by the Senate committee, (an increase of 7.4%, or $15.9 million, over FY2006); the request was $246.7 million; and
• general expenses account, for which $38.5 million was provided in P.L. 110-5; that was the level made available in the House-passed bill (an increase of $6.8 million, or 21.5%, over FY2006 funds), while $41.2 million was recommended in the bill reported by the Senate committee (an increase of 30.1%, or $9.52 million, over FY2006); the request was $48.4 million. An additional $10 million was provided in the FY2007 supplemental appropriations act for this account.

The salaries account contains funds for the salaries of employees, including overtime, hazardous duty pay differential, and government contributions for employee health, retirement, social security, professional liability insurance, and other benefit programs.

The general expenses account contains funds for expenses of vehicles, communication equipment, security equipment and its installation, dignitary protection, intelligence analysis, hazardous material response, uniforms, weapons, training programs, medical, forensic, and communications services, travel, relocation of instructors for the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, and other administrative and technical support, among other expenses.

FY2007 Staffing Support

House-approved funding supports the staffing level of 1668 sworn FTEs, which includes 10 FTEs for the Library of Congress, and supports 414 civilian FTEs. The Senate bill also provides for 1668 sworn officers, plus 21 officers for the Capitol Visitor Center, and supports 417 civilian FTEs. Senate language transfers 82 officers from the Library of Congress police force and establishes a timeline for completion of the pending police force merger, which was first mandated by the FY2003 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act (P.L. 108-7).

Administrative Provisions in House Bill

The House bill contains administrative provisions allowing the transfer of funds between the two accounts, subject to approval of the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations (usual language each year); increasing the authorization for tuition reimbursement per individual from $40,000 to $60,000; and authorizing the Capitol Police Chief to make advance payments for subscription services.

Capitol Police Appropriation for Buildings and Grounds

A second appropriation relating to the Capitol Police appears within the Architect of the Capitol account for Capitol Police buildings and grounds. This account contains funds for operations of the Capitol Police headquarters, leased space in government buildings, chemical and explosive storage facility, off-site delivery facility, canine facility, and a vehicle-maintenance and hazardous device facility.

Congress appropriated $11.768 million for this account in P.L. 110-5. The House-approved budget of $11.6 million contained in H.R. 5521 provided $8.6 million less than the $20.2 million requested and $3.1 million below the level provided for FY2006; the Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $12.5 million, a 15.5% reduction ($2.3 million) below the FY2006 level.

Capitol Complex Security—Capitol Visitor Center (CVC)¹⁶

House Appropriations Committee Markup and Report (FY2007)

On May 25, 2006, the House Appropriations Committee marked up and ordered reported its version of the FY2007 legislative branch funding bill. During the markup of the bill, the committee by a voice vote approved an amendment by Representative Obey to transfer "all authorities previously exercised by the Architect of the Capitol, including but not limited to the execution and supervision of contracts; and the hiring, supervising, training, and compensation of employees," to the Comptroller General of the United States or his designee, effective October 1, 2006, until the "confirmation of a new Architect of the Capitol." Obey's amendment, to be included in the final FY2007 funding bill sent to the President, would have to be agreed to by Senate appropriators, and by a majority of both the House and Senate. The action was prompted by serious concerns about Hantman's management of the Capitol Visitors Center project and worker safety issues.¹⁷

The bill reported by the House Appropriations Committee and approved by the House would have provided $46.2 million in additional funding for the Capitol Visitors Center project. This amount included $16.0 million for CVC personal services and operations, $4.5 million for CVC fit-outs, and $25.6 million for construction. The total figure, which was $5.0 million more than the request, "reflects the Government Accountability Office's estimate of the cost to complete which is higher than the Architect's most current estimate."¹⁸

In its report, the Committee explained that it was "becoming increasingly concerned about the project's continuing schedule slippages and increasing costs being reported by the Government Accountability Office, the Architect of the Capitol's inability to fix water leaks, and the late discovery of major security and life safety issues affecting the project, including the recent disclosure that the new utility tunnel being constructed may not meet applicable life safety requirements."¹⁹

Because of these concerns, the Architect was directed to provide by July 31, 2006, "a report to the Committee on the major schedule, cost, quality, and coordination issues affecting the CVC project and the steps being taken and planned to address these issues." The Architect was told to include in the report: "(1) an assessment of the effects of recent schedule slippages on the Architect's proposed opening dates for the Capitol Visitor Center and the House and Senate expansion spaces and the steps being taken to prevent further schedule slippages, including the effectiveness of efforts being taken to address trade stacking, late completion of shop drawings, design and scope changes late in the project, and missed milestones; (2) an updated estimate by the Architect's construction management contractor of the cost to complete the project, reasons for cost increases to date, and steps being taken to prevent further cost increases and assure that adequate information is available on the causes of delays; and (3) steps being taken to coordinate with appropriate authorities to ensure that security and life safety issues that can affect the project's schedule, cost, functionality, security, and safety are identified and addressed expeditiously." Also, the report was to "address the steps being taken regarding water leaks in the facility and life safety issues associated with the new utility tunnel being constructed to serve the Capitol Visitor Center." In addition, the Committee requested the "GAO to continue to monitor these issues."²⁰

Senate Appropriations Markup and Report (FY2007)

As reported in the Senate on June 22, 2006 (S.Rept. 109-267), H.R. 5521 provides $25.6 million for completion of the Capitol Visitor Center and $14 million for fit out and operation costs. Language provides that the Architect of the Capitol may not obligate any of these funds without approval by the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations.

The Senate bill does not contain the House language, proposed by Representative Obey, transferring the Architect's duties to the Comptroller General. Both the House and Senate bills, however, authorize a new statutory position of Inspector General within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol.

FY2007 Funding Request

The legislative branch budget request submitted for inclusion in the President's FY2007 budget contained an additional $20.6 million for the Capitol Visitor Center project and $20.575 million for CVC operational costs. The request included the following caveat: "That the Architect of the Capitol may not obligate any of the funds which are made available for the Capitol Visitor Center project without an obligation plan approved by the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and House of Representatives."²¹ Also, the FY2007 legislative branch budget request contained $3.41 million for "supplies, materials, and other costs relating to the House portion of expenses for the Capitol Visitor Center."²²

Senate Appropriations Oversight Hearings (February, April, May, June, August, September, and November 2006)

On February 15, April 27, May 24, June 28, August 2, September 21, and November 15, 2006, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch held a series of hearings on the progress of the Capitol Visitor Center. These sessions focused primarily on factors affecting the project's construction schedule and cost. At the first three hearings, Architect of the Capitol Alan Hantman and CVC project director Bob Hixon told the Senate appropriators they anticipated that it would be completed by March 2007, with a formal opening a month later.²³ The completion date was revised to July 2007 at the June 28 hearing.

At the February 2006 hearing, the Government Accountability Office indicated that it felt the CVC could "be opened to the public with [a] temporary cap on visitor occupancy in May 2007." GAO felt the House and Senate expansion spaces could "be opened beginning in mid-August to early September 2007," and Congress might even "be able to begin occupying the expansion spaces earlier if AOC implements a phased opening plan it is considering." The center, however, could also be finished even later if "AOC experiences major problems completing construction, such as with installing interior stone or testing major building systems." During the subsequent oversight hearings in April and May 2006, GAO expressed similar sentiments regarding a possible completion date for the CVC.²⁴

GAO told the subcommittee in April and May 2006 about $530 million had already been provided for the construction of the CVC. GAO estimated "that the total cost to complete the entire CVC project is about $556 million without an allowance for risks and uncertainties and $584 million with such an allowance."²⁵ Although GAO indicated at the subcommittee's August 2006 hearing that it had not increased its cost estimate, risks materializing since the previous hearing would likely raise the $556 million figure.²⁶ That figure was adjusted upward in September, and again in November 2006, when GAO increased its minimum estimate to "about $592 million."²⁷

Other aspects of the project arousing concern during all three of the subcommittee's 2006 oversight hearings were:

• delays in the delivery and installation of the stone being used to complete the interior walls and floors of the CVC;
• "acceptance testing" of the CVC's complex fire and life-safety systems (which includes more than 5,000 smoke detection and alarm devices, security systems, a smoke evacuation system, a state-of-the-art public address and warning system, and the full integration of these systems with emergency generators); and
• completion of the CVC's new utility tunnel between East Capitol Street, which has been impacted by the contractor's concerns with possible asbestos from the existing Second Street tunnel.²⁸

House Appropriations Hearing (March 2006)

During a March 14, 2006, House hearing on the FY2007 legislative branch appropriations bill, Representative David Obey, then the ranking minority member of the House Appropriations Committee, questioned Architect of the Capitol Alan Hantman at some length regarding the escalating cost of the center and frequent changes in its projected completion date. Despite having to overcome "significant hurdles," Hantman told the committee "we've been making tremendous progress," and predicted that the center should be ready for a formal opening in April 2007. Hantman went on to say that the House and Senate office spaces flanking the center would be unveiled during the summer of 2007. Obey countered by reiterating earlier concerns that even with its additional House and Senate office space, the center does not provide enough additional working space for Members and staff. Because of his overall concerns about the project, Obey said he would refuse to vote for another spending bill that included additional funds for the center, and was unwilling "to identify [himself] in any way with the mistakes associated with this boondoggle."²⁹

Senate Appropriations Committee Hearing (March 2006)

A day after Architect of the Capitol Hantman appeared before House appropriators, he met with the Senate Appropriations Committee, which used the hearing to conduct its monthly review of the Capitol Visitor Center project. Once again, GAO officials, as they had at a committee oversight hearing a month earlier, expressed concerns over continuing delays in the project. They did concede, however, that some of those delays were prompted by "redesign resulting from the CVC team's misunderstanding of congressional requirements for certain spaces" as well as "security-related" design changes. GAO Assistant Director of Physical Infrastructure Terrell Dorn reiterated earlier concerns that the AOC's projected completion dates for the project were too "optimistic" and did not allow "enough time for several critical activities to take place, or for risk and uncertainties that continue to affect the project." Hantman, however, remained convinced that the center, except for the House and Senate expansion spaces, would be completed in March 2007, with a formal opening a month later. At the hearing, GAO estimated that the final cost of the project would range from $556 million to as much as $584 million. Previously, the estimated range had been between $555 million and $584 million.³⁰

Application of Performance Standards to Legislative Branch Agencies

During hearings on the FY2007, chairmen of the Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations, and the House Appropriations Committee advocated application of accountability and performance measurements to spending by legislative agencies.

Earlier, during hearings on the FY2006 legislative budget, Senator Wayne Allard, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch during the 109^th Congress, advocated applying performance standards to legislative branch entities similar to those required of executive branch agencies.³¹ He expressed his desire that some action be taken by agencies before his consideration of the FY2007 budget in early 2006.

Consequently, Senate report language on the FY2006 legislative funding bill reaffirms the Senate Appropriations Committee's support of the application to some degree of executive branch performance standards to legislative branch agencies. Language in the general statement section of the report reads:

The Committee supports the applicability of many Government Performance and Results Act [GPRA] principles to the Legislative Branch. GPRA encourages greater efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability in Federal spending, and requires agencies to set goals and use performance measures for management and budgeting. While most Legislative Branch agencies have developed strategic plans, several agencies have not effectively dealt with major management problems and lack reliable data to verify and validate performance. While Legislative Branch agencies are not required to comply with GPRA, the Committee believes the spirit and intent of the Results Act should be applied to theses agencies. The Committee intends to monitor agencies' progress in developing and implementing meaningful performance measures, describing how such measures will be verified and validated, linking performance measures to day-to-day activities, and coordinating across "sister" agencies. The Committee directs all legislative branch agencies to submit their plans for achieving this goal within 90 days of enactment of this Act.³²

Architect of the Capitol Operations

The AOC is responsible for the maintenance, operation, development, and preservation of the United States Capitol Complex, which includes the Capitol and its grounds; House and Senate office buildings; Library of Congress buildings and grounds; Capitol Power Plant; Botanic Garden; Capitol Visitor Center (CVC); and Capitol Police buildings and grounds. The Architect is also responsible for the Supreme Court buildings and grounds, but appropriations for their expenses are not contained in the legislative branch appropriations bill.

Funding Levels

Congress provided $449.9 million for the Architect of the Capitol for FY2007. This figure includes $50 million in supplemental appropriations provided in P.L. 110-28 for utility tunnel repairs and asbestos abatement. The House had approved $363.1 million (not including funds for Senate buildings) for activities of the Architect, an increase of 1.5% over the FY2006 budget. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $435.0 million (including funds for Senate buildings), a decrease of 3.7% ($16.8 million) from the FY2006 funding level. The Architect's request of $588.3 million represented an increase of $164.2 million (38.7%).

Operations of the Architect are funded in the following 10 accounts: general administration, Capitol building; Capitol grounds, Senate office buildings, House office buildings, Capitol power plant, Library buildings and grounds, Capitol Police buildings and grounds, Capitol Visitor Center, and Botanic Garden.

The House-passed bill provided for general administration expenses of the Architect ($89.4 million), the Capitol building ($22.4 million), Capitol grounds ($7.8 million), House office buildings ($61.4 million), the Capitol Power Plant ($87.3 million, offset with $8 million in collections), Library buildings and grounds ($36.4 million), Capitol police buildings and grounds ($11.6 million), Botanic Garden ($8.6 million), and additional funds for the Capitol Visitor Center ($46.2 million, compared to $41.2 million requested).

The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended slightly higher funds than the House for many of these accounts, although it would have provided lower funding for the Capitol building account and for the operations of the Capitol Visitor Center. Senate funding is provided for the general administration expenses of the Architect ($90.7 million), the Capitol building ($21.6 million), Capitol grounds ($8.0 million), Senate office buildings ($74.3 million), the Capitol Power Plant ($79.9 million, offset with $8 million in collections), Library buildings and grounds ($37.96 million), Capitol police buildings and grounds ($12.5 million), Botanic garden ($9.2 million), and additional funds for the Capitol Visitor Center ($39.6 million).

The requested $41.2 million increase in CVC funding was an issue raised in both House and Senate hearings this year. Most concerns focused on the final cost of the project, realistic completion date, and design and use of space. Other issues of concern to appropriators are (1) costs of upgrading utility tunnels including $1.8 million in reallocation of FY2006 funds and $1.75 million in new budget authority for structural repairs and asbestos abatement; (2) the request of $102 million for Library of Congress activities, primarily construction of a storage facility at Ft. Meade, MD; and (3) costs of the west refrigeration facility of the Capitol Power Plant, leading to questions on the recent expenses of upgrading chillers versus possible privatization that would have spared Congress expenses of the upgrade. Both Senator Wayne Allard and Senator Dick Durbin, the Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch during the 109^th Congress, directed the Architect to "get a plan in place quickly" to protect AOC employees from asbestos exposure.³³

During hearings held by the House Appropriations Committee, Representative Jim Moran questioned the cost of the current expansion of the west refrigeration plant ($100 million) in the Capitol Power Plant, and possible savings that might have been derived by privatization in lieu. A major reason Congress approved the expansion was to provide services to the Capitol Visitor Center.

Both the House and Senate bills contain an administrative provision creating a statutory position for an inspector general within the Office of the Architect of the Capitol.

House of Representatives

Overall Funding

Congress approved $1.14 billion for its internal operations in FY2007. This figure includes additional funding for business continuity and disaster recovery and payments to the surviving spouses of two Representatives provided for in P.L. 110-28. In H.R. 5521, the FY2007 bill passed by the House during the 109^th Congress, the House approved $1.138 billion. That figure represented an increase of 4.4% over FY2006 funding and $18.5 million less than its request of $1.156 billion.

House Committee Funding

Funding for House committees—for which $150.27 million was provided, $151.3 million was approved in the House-passed bill, and $152.7 million requested—is contained in the appropriation heading "committee employees" that comprises two subheadings.

The first subheading contains funds for personnel and nonpersonnel expenses of House committees, except the Appropriations Committee, as authorized by the House in a committee expense resolution. In FY2007, $124.4 million was provided for this purpose.

The second subheading contains funds for the personnel and nonpersonnel expenses of the Committee on Appropriations, for which $25.87 million was provided.

Members' Representational Allowance

Congress provided $554.7 million for Members' representational allowances in FY2007. The House-passed bill had contained $557.8 million, an increase of $23.7 million over the FY2006 level, and $1.8 million less than requested. This account contains funds for Members' clerk hire, official expenses, and official mail.

Staffing Issues

During hearings on the FY2007 request of the Chief Administrative Office (CAO), Jerry Lewis and David Obey, then Chairman and Ranking Minority Member of the House Appropriations Committee, addressed their concern with the ability of the House to retain employees who might leave for better pay in the Senate or private sector. The CAO responded that he would make a study and report his findings to the committee.

Senate

Overall Funding

In FY2007, $803.5 million was provided for internal Senate operations. The Senate Appropriations Committee, in its reported bill, recommended $840.68 million in new budget authority for internal operations. This figure was $36.0 million less than the $876.7 million requested, and $63.1 million (8.1%) over the FY2006 funding level of $777.6 million.

Senate Committee Funding

Appropriations for Senate committees are contained in two accounts:

• inquiries and investigations account, containing funds for Senate committees except Appropriations, for which $120.69 was provided. The Senate bill had recommended $129.0 million, which is $8.7 million less than the $137.69 million requested and 7.8% greater than the FY2006 level of $119.6 million; and
• Committee on Appropriations account, for which $13.88 million was provided. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $14.4 million, an increase of 4.6% over FY2006 funds and the same as that requested.

During hearings on the Secretary of the Senate's budget request, the chairman asked Secretary of the Senate Emily Reynolds for a status report on a survey of staff salaries. Reynolds indicated that the report was in draft form and expressed her hope that it could be released within the month.³⁴

Support Agency Funding

Congressional Budget Office (CBO)

CBO is a nonpartisan congressional agency created to provide objective economic and budgetary analyses requested by law and by members of the House and Senate Committees on Budget and Committees on Appropriations, House Committee on Ways and Means, and other committees, and by Members of Congress.

Congress provided CBO with $35.2 million for FY2007. The House had approved $36.3 million, an increase of 3.5%, or $1.2 million, over the FY2006 budget authority, and $697,000 below the FY2007 budget request of $37.0 million. Most of the funding was requested to meet mandatory pay and related costs, which account for approximately 89% of CBO's budget. The request allowed CBO to maintain its current level of 235 FTEs.

As reported to the Senate, the FY2007 bill contained $36.99 million in new budget authority, an increase of 5.4%, or $1.9 million, and $39,000 below the agency's request.

Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of the CBO

Acting Director Donald Marron testified that CBO has increased the number of its publications by approximately 50% over the past three years. He also responded to questions concerning how CBO's employee compensation compares with the private sector and how the agency attempts to hire and retain employees given the discrepancy.³⁵

Library of Congress (LOC)

LOC provides research support for Congress through a wide range of services, from research on public policy issues to general information. It also serves as the de facto national library of the United States. Among the major programs supporting both of the Library's major roles are acquisitions, preservation, legal research for Congress and other federal entities, administration of U.S. copyright laws by the Copyright Office, research and analyses of policy issues by the Congressional Research Service, and administration of a national program to provide reading material to the blind and physically handicapped. The Library also maintains a number of collections and provides a range of services to libraries in the United States and abroad.

P.L. 110-5 provided the Library with $508.7 million. This figure includes nearly $50 million in rescissions of unobligated balances available for the National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program and for furniture and furnishings.³⁶ In its bill (H.R. 5521, 109^th Congress), the House had approved $570.2 million for the Library's operations, an increase of $15.3 million (2.8%) over the FY2006 budget authority of $554.9 million, and a decrease of $18.0 million from the agency's request. The Senate bill recommended $575.7 million, an increase of $20.8 million (3.7%).

Library funding is contained in four accounts. Budgets approved by the House and Senate, compared with requests, for these accounts are

• salaries and expenses—$381.2 million was provided (not including authority to spend receipts); $389.7 was included in the House-passed bill; $391.4 million was recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee; and $402.9 million was requested;
• Copyright Office—$22.66 million was provided (not including authority to spend receipts); $24.1 million was included in the House-passed bill; $25.06 million was recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee; and $25.2 million was requested;
• Congressional Research Service—$100.79 million was provided; $102.5 million was included in the House-passed bill; $103.6 million was recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee; and $104.3 million was requested; and
• Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped—$53.6 million was provided; $54 million was included in the House-passed bill; $55.5 million was recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee; and $55.7 million was requested.

The Library had sought language to enhance employment options for Library employees, including those of CRS, who receive RIF notices. This provision would have conferred competitive status on them, allowing their federal service as legislative branch employees to be counted when applying for positions in the executive branch. In effect, they would be given preference over applicants with no federal service. Currently, legislative branch employees are treated as if they have had no federal service when applying for executive branch positions. The House Committee on Appropriations did not include language to this affect in its report, but suggested that the Library continue to work with its authorizing committees to address these and other issues. The Senate Committee on Appropriations, however, approved the requested language in administrative provisions related to the Library.

Funds for Library Maintenance in Budget of the Architect of the Capitol

Congress provided $27.69 million for the Architect of the Capitol Library Buildings and Grounds account in FY2007. The House bill contained $36.4 million in new budget authority, whereas the Senate version provided $37.96 million. The budget request of $102.2 million included $54.2 million for construction of a 166,000 square-foot logistics warehouse at Ft. Meade, MD, to replace facilities currently leased. This provision was not included in the House-approved and Senate-reported versions of H.R. 5521.

Library's FY2007 Request

The Library requested (1) a net appropriation of $588.1 million, an increase of $33.2 million (6.0%) over FY2006 funds, and (2) authority to use $40.3 million in funds generated from receipts received by the Library.³⁷ Most of the increase was to meet mandatory pay and price level increases necessary to maintain current services. The request also included $4.9 million in program increases, offset by $4.0 million in nonrecurring costs. The total of the FY2007 request for net appropriation and authority to use receipts was $628.5 million, an increase of 4.1% over the FY2006 total.

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.

CRS was appropriated $100.79 million for FY2007. The House-passed bill contained $102.46 million in new budget authority, an increase of 2.6%, or $2.6 million, over FY2006 funding of $99.9 million. The House level supports 700 FTE's, a reduction of 29 from the FY2006 level. The Senate-reported version of the bill recommended $103.6 million, an increase of 3.7%, or $3.7 million, over FY2006. Its accompanying report (S.Rept. 109-267) does not contain reference to FTE support.

The agency's request of $104.3 million was a 4.4%, or $4.37 million, increase, and covered mandatory pay and related costs ($3.765 million) and price level changes ($607,000).

Highlights of Senate Hearing on FY2007 CRS Budget

Responding to questions from members of the Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch of the Senate Appropriations Committee on a recent staff downsizing, Daniel P. Mulhollan, CRS director, testified that CRS had completed a long-term study of the impact of technology advancements on the agency's work, and a 2005 study on the impact on production and technical staff and audio-visual functions. Faced with constraints in the FY2006 budget requiring CRS to reduce it workforce by 30 FTEs (full time equivalent employees), CRS made the decision to eliminate 59 staff, or 8.4% of its workforce, "whose functions are not critical to the accomplishment of the Service's mission." Mulhollan noted that in the past, CRS, without the current constraints, was able to achieve downsizing through attrition.³⁸

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

The GAO works for Congress by responding to requests for studies of federal government programs and expenditures. The agency also conducts audits and evaluations of executive branch programs at the request of the executive branch. Formerly styled the General Accounting Office, the agency was renamed the Government Accountability Office, effective July 7, 2004.

P.L. 110-5, the Revised Continuing Appropriations Resolution, provided $480.7 million for GAO. An additional $374,000 was provided in the FY2007 supplemental appropriations act.³⁹ H.R. 5521, as passed by the House, contained $488.2 million, an increase of 2.2%, or $10.7 million, over FY2006 budget authority. The new budget authority would support 3,267 FTEs (full-time equivalent employees), the number requested by the agency and an increase of 50 FTEs. House funding was $14.1 million less than the agency's request of $502.4 million, which reflects a reduction of $6.99 million from offsetting collections.

The Senate version of H.R. 5521 recommended $498.6 million in new budget authority, an increase of 4.4% increase, or $21.1 million, and $3.8 million less than requested.

Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 GAO Budget

Comptroller General David Walker discussed the agency's pay system (GAO does not participate in the General Schedule), requested funds for a presence in Baghdad, and answered questions about the agency's work this past year, including its efforts after Hurricane Katrina.⁴⁰

Government Printing Office (GPO)

P.L. 110-5 provided $122.05 million for the Government Printing Office. H.R. 5521, as passed by the House, would have provided $130.5 million for GPO, an increase of 6.8%, or $8.3 million, over FY2006 budget authority, and $21 million less than the agency's request of $151.5 million. The Senate-reported bill recommended $140.3 million, an increase of 14.8%, or 18.1 million.

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.

New budget authority contained in the House bill compared with the Senate version and the budget request are

• congressional printing and binding—$87.95 million was provided for FY2007; $95.2 million was provided in the House-approved bill, compared with $97.3 million recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee and $100.3 million requested;
• Office of Superintendent of Documents (salaries and expenses)—$33.1 million was provided; $35.3 million was provided in the House-approved bill, compared with $40.0 million recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee and $43 million requested; and
• Government Printing Office Revolving Fund—$1 million was provided; no funds were provided in the House-approved bill, compared with $2.98 million recommended by the Senate Appropriations Committee and $8.2 million requested.

The congressional printing and binding account pays for expenses of printing and binding required for congressional use, and for statutorily authorized printing, binding, and distribution of government publications for specified recipients at no charge. Included within these publications are the Congressional Record; Congressional Directory; Senate and House Journals; memorial addresses of Members; nominations; U.S. Code and supplements; serial sets; publications printed without a document or report number (e.g., laws and treaties); envelopes provided to Members of Congress for the mailing of documents; House and Senate business and committee calendars; bills, resolutions, and amendments; committee reports and prints; hearings; and other documents.

The Office of Superintendent of Documents account funds the mailing of government documents for Members of Congress and federal agencies, as statutorily authorized; the compilation of catalogs and indexes of government publications; and the cataloging, indexing, and distribution of government publications to the Federal Depository and International Exchange libraries, and other individuals and entities, as authorized by law.

The House bill does not provide funding for the Government Printing Office Revolving Fund; the Senate version contains $2.98 million. The agency requested $8.2 million for acquisition of information technology infrastructure and security enhancements, implementation of a Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) compliance system, and a continuation of efforts initiated in FY2006 to define workforce needs, assess current workforce capabilities, identify the agency's needs, and establish training programs to meet those needs.

Highlights of House Hearing on FY2007 Budget of GPO

Public Printer of the United States Bruce James emphasized his agency's desire for a new production facility. He expressed his belief that a modern plant would facilitate more efficient service to Congress and other clients. He also addressed the need for enhanced computer technology and for adapting the Federal Depository Library system to the information age.⁴¹

Other Funding

Office of Compliance

The Office of Compliance is an independent and nonpartisan agency within the legislative branch, established to administer and enforce the Congressional Accountability Act enacted in 1995 (P.L. 104-1, 109 Stat. 3).⁴² The act applies business and federal government employment and workplace safety laws to Congress and certain legislative branch entities.⁴³

Congress provided $3.1 million for the Office of Compliance for FY2007. H.R. 5521, as passed by the House, contained $3.15 million, an increase of 2.2% from FY2006, and allowed for 20 FTEs. The House did not approve the agency's request that its employees be defined as congressional employees for the purpose of retirement benefits, recommending that the office address the issue with its authorizing committee. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $3.4 million, the same as requested.

The agency's request represented a $337,100 (10.9%) increase from the FY2006 budget authority of $3.08 million, covering mandatory pay and price level changes; allowed for an FTE increase from 17 to 20; and provided for additional travel, printing, and technology procurement costs.

Open World Leadership Center

The center administers a program that supports democratic changes in other countries by giving their leaders opportunity to observe democracy and free enterprise in the United States. The first program was authorized by Congress in 1999 to support the relationship between Russia and United States. The program encouraged young federal and local Russian leaders to visit the United States and observe its government and society.

A permanent center, named the Center for Russian Leadership Development, was established at the Library of Congress in 2000, and renamed the Open World Leadership Center in 2003, when the program was expanded to include eleven other countries and three Baltic republics. In 2004, Congress further extended the program's eligibility to other countries designated by the center's Board of Trustees, subject to congressional consideration. The center is housed in the Library of Congress and receives services from the library through an inter-agency agreement.

In H.R. 5521, the House approved a $13.4 million payment to the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund, a reduction of 3.3%, and $1 million less than requested. The Senate Appropriations Committee recommended $14.0 million. For FY2006, the House and Senate Committees on Appropriations approved the center's request of $14.0 million for its FY2006 operations budget, which was reduced to $13.86 million with the across-the-board rescission. P.L. 110-5 continued that level of funding for FY2007.

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. Both the House and Senate versions of H.R. 5521, and P.L. 110-5, provide for a $430,000 payment to the center's trust fund, the same as requested.

For Additional Reading

CRS Report

CRS Report RL32819, Legislative Branch: FY2006 Appropriations, by [author name scrubbed], Legislative Branch: FY2006 Appropriations, by Paul Dwyer.

Selected Websites

These sites contain information on the FY2005 and FY2006 legislative branch appropriations requests and legislation, and the appropriations process.

House Committee on Appropriations

http://appropriations.house.gov/

Senate Committee on Appropriations

http://appropriations.senate.gov/

CRS Appropriations Products Guide

http://www.crs.gov/products/appropriations/apppage.shtml

Congressional Budget Office

http://www.cbo.gov

Government Accountability Office

http://www.gao.gov

Office of Management and Budget

http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/

Author Contact Information

Acknowledgments

[author name scrubbed], former Specialist in American National Government, was the original author of this report.

Key Policy Staff

Division abbreviations: GOV/FIN = Government and Finance.

Footnotes

1.	P.L. 110-5; February 15, 2007; 121 Stat. 8.
2.	P.L. 110-28; May 25, 2007; 121 Stat. 112.
3.	For more information on the use and operation of continuing appropriations acts, see CRS Report RL30343, Continuing Resolutions: Latest Action and Brief Overview of Recent Practices, by [author name scrubbed] and CRS Report RL33681, FY2007 Regular Appropriations Acts: Procedures for End-of-Session Wrap-Up, by [author name scrubbed].
4.	Funded within the Joint Items account are the Joint Economic Committee; the Joint Committee on Taxation; the Office of Attending Physician; the Capitol Guide Service and Special Services Office; and Statements of Appropriations. The Special Services Office, within the Capitol Guide Service, provides accessible and sign language guided tours of the Capitol. The Statement of Appropriations account funds preparation of appropriations statements for each calendar year. These statements contain appropriations enacted, indefinite appropriations, authorized contracts, and a history of regular appropriations required by law.
5.	FY2007 estimated legislative branch permanent federal fund authority is $427 million, composed of House member pay ($98 million), Senate member pay ($23 million), House and Senate use of foreign currencies (for use of Members traveling in foreign countries) ($19 million), and Library of Congress payments to copyright owners ($287 million). Source is the FY2007 U.S. Budget (with figures rounded to the nearest million).
6.	FY2007 estimated permanent trust fund authority is $20 million, composed of Library of Congress gift and trust fund account ($16 million); U.S. Tax Court trust fund ($1 million); John Stennis Center ($2 million); and "Other Legislative Branch Agencies" ($1 million), which includes the U.S. Capitol Preservation Commission trust funds ($1 million). The latter category does not contain $14 million listed in the U.S. Budget for the Open World Leadership Center, because the center is to be funded in the FY2007 legislative branch appropriation bill. Sources are the FY2007 U.S. Budget (with figures rounded to the nearest million) and House Committee on Appropriations for confirmation of funding of Leadership Center in the FY2007 legislative branch appropriations bill.
7.	The FY2007 U.S. Budget contains $60 million in federal funds for non-legislative entities under two headings: (1) "U.S. Tax Court" ($47 million) and (2) "Other Legislative Branch Agencies, Legislative Branch Boards and Commissions" ($13 million), which includes the United States-China Economic and Security Review Commission ($4 million), the Commission on International Religious Freedom ($3 million), and other legislative branch boards and commissions ($6 million). The $60 million figure does not contain $14 million listed in the U.S. Budget for the Open World Leadership Center, because the Center will be funded in the FY2007 legislative branch appropriation bill. Sources are the FY2007 U.S. Budget (with figures rounded to the nearest million) and House Committee on Appropriations for confirmation of funding in the legislative branch appropriations bill. Figures in the FY2007 U.S. Budget are rounded to the nearest million.
8.	The figure was derived by (1) subtracting permanent federal funds ($427 million), permanent trust funds ($20 million), federal funds for non-legislative entities ($60 million), and intergovernmental funds ($6 million) and (2) adding intrafund transactions ($14 million) and deductions made for offsetting receipts ($34 million in federal funds and $2 million in trust funds).
9.	"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 [author name scrubbed].
10.	Posted on the website of the Office of Management and Budget at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/budget/amendments/amendment_4_6_06.pdf, last visited on September 24, 2007.
11.	Figure reflects a revised budget allocation reported by the House Appropriations Committee on June 6, 2006.
12.	Figure reflects allocation adopted by the Senate Appropriations Committee on June 22, 2006.
13.	"House OKs Leg. Branch Bill With Swipe at AOC," Roll Call, By John McArdle, June 8, 2006.
14.	P.L. 109-234; June 15, 2006; 120 Stat. 483.
15.	P.L. 110-28; May 25, 2007; 121 Stat. 167.
16.	This section on the Capitol Visitor Center was contributed by Stephen W. Stathis, Specialist in American National Government, Government and Finance Division.
17.	A more complete explanation of Representative Obey's amendment is found in: U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, 2007, report to accompany H.R. 5521, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Rept. 109-485 (Washington: GPO, 2006), pp. 50-51. See also: H.R. 5521, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., sec. 210; John McArdle, "Hantman Fight Overshadows Leg. Branch Bill," Roll Call, May 30, 2006, pp. 3, 13; and Daphne Retter, "Vote to Strip Architect's Office of Power Underscores Ire Over Visitor Center," CQToday, May 26, 2006, p. 6.
18.	U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, 2007, report to accompany H.R. 5521, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., H.Rept. 109-485 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 25.
19.	Ibid, p. 25.
20.	Ibid., pp. 25-26.
21.	U.S. Office of Management and Budget, Budget of the United States Government, Fiscal Year 2007: Appendix (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 24.
22.	Ibid., p. 16.
23.	Testimony of Alan M. Hantman, Architect of the Capitol, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Feb. 15, Apr. 27, and May 24, 2006 (Not yet published).
24.	Testimonies of Bernard Ungar, director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, and Terrell Dorn, assistant director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitors Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Feb. 15, Apr. 27, and May 24, 2006, (Not yet published). See also U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Results of Risk-based Analysis of Schedule and Cost, GAO-06-440T (Washington: Feb. 15, 2006), p. 3; U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of April 27, 2006, GAO-06-665T (Washington: Apr. 27, 2006), p. 2; U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update of Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of May 24, 2006, GAO-06-803T (Washington: May 24, 2006), p. 2; John McArdle, "CVC Opening Pushed to 2007," Roll Call, Feb. 16, 2006, pp. 1, 22.
25.	U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of April 27, 2006, GAO-06-665T (Washington: April 27, 2006), p. 2; U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update of Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of May 24, 2006, GAO-06-803T (Washington: May 24, 2006), p. 2. See also Testimony of Terrell Dorn, assistant director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Apr. 27, 2006 (Not yet published).
26.	Testimonies of Bernard Ungar, director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, and Terrell Dorn, assistant director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Aug. 2, 2006 (not yet published); and U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of August 2, 2006, GAO-06-828T (Washington: Aug. 2, 2006), pp. 3, 22.
27.	Testimony of Bradley M. James, assistant director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Nov. 15, 2006 (not yet published); and U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update of Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of November 15, 2006, GAO-07-129T (Washington: Nov. 15, 2006), pp. 4, 23. See also: John McArdle, "CVC Debut Delayed to '08, Cost Nears $600 million," Roll Call, Nov. 16, 2006, pp. 1, 20.
28.	U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Feb. 15, Apr. 27, and May 24, 2006 (not yet published). See also: U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Results of Risk-based Analysis of Schedule and Cost, GAO-06-440T (Washington: Feb. 15, 2006); U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update on Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of April 27, 2006, GAO-06-665T (Washington: Apr. 27, 2006); and U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Update of Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of May 24, 2006, GAO-06-803T (Washington: May 24, 2006). See also: Jackie Kucinich, "It's Deja Vu as CVC Costs Jump Again," The Hill, Feb. 16, 2006, pp. 1, 5; John McArdle, "CVC Opening Pushed to 2007," Roll Call, Feb. 16, 2006, pp. 1, 22; Daphne Retter, "Senators Grill Architect on Asbestos Exposure, Tunnel Repairs at Capitol," Roll Call, Apr. 28, 2006, pp. 26-27; John McArdle, "CVC Watch," Roll Call, May 2, 2006, p. 3; and John McArdle, "AOC Rapped for Poor Communications on Tunnels," Roll Call, May 25, 2005, pp. 3, 24.
29.	U.S. Congress, House Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations for 2007, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., March 14, 2006 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 502. See also Jackie Kucinich, "AoC Criticized for 2007 Spending Request," The Hill, March 15, 2006, p. 6; and Jennifer Yachnin, "Architect Pressed On CVC Leak," Roll Call, March 15, 2006, pp. 1, 25.
30.	Testimonies of Alan M. Hantman, Architect of the Capitol, Bernard Ungar, director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, and Terrell Dorn, assistant director of Physical Infrastructure Issues, Government Accountability Office, U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., March 15, 2006 (not yet published). See also U.S. Government Accountability Office, Capitol Visitor Center: Status of Project's Schedule and Cost as of March 15, 2006, GAO-06-528T (Washington: March 15, 2006), pp. 1-3, 9-10.
31.	Remarks by Sen. Allard, Chairman Senate Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations for Fiscal Year 2006, hearings, 109th Cong., 1st sess, Apr. 19, 2005 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 162.
32.	U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Appropriations, Legislative Branch Appropriations, 2006, report to accompany H.R. 2985, 109th Cong., 1st sess., S.Rept. 109-89 (Washington: GPO, 2005), p. 3.
33.	Statements of Chairman Allard and ranking minority member Durbin, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Secretary of the Senate, Architect of the Capitol, and Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 15, 2006 (not yet published).
34.	Testimony of Emily Reynolds, Secretary of the Senate, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Secretary of the Senate, Architect of the Capitol, and Capitol Visitor Center, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 15, 2006 (not yet published).
35.	Testimony of Donald Marron, Acting Director, Congressional Budget Office, House Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, Government Printing Office, Government Accountability Office, and Congressional Budget Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 10, 2006 (Washington: GPO, 2006), pp. 339-361.
36.	P.L. 110—5; Feb. 15, 2007; 121 Stat. 39.
37.	An example of receipts are fees paid to the LOC for copyright registration.
38.	Testimony of Daniel P. Mulhollan, director, Congressional Research Service, Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch, Senate Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, and Government Accountability Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 1, 2006 (not yet published).
39.	P.L. 110-28; 121 Stat. 144; May 25, 2007.
40.	Testimony of David Walker, comptroller general, Government Accountability Office, House Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, Government Printing Office, Government Accountability Office, and Congressional Budget Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 10, 2006 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 253.
41.	Testimony of Bruce James, Public Printer, Government Printing Office, House Committee on Appropriations, FY2007 Appropriations: Library of Congress, Open World Leadership Center, Government Printing Office, Government Accountability Office, and Congressional Budget Office, hearings, 109th Cong., 2nd sess., Mar. 10, 2006 (Washington: GPO, 2006), p. 1.
42.	The act applies 12 civil rights, labor, and workplace safety laws to Congress and certain legislative branch agencies. These laws include Age Discrimination in Employment Act; Americans with Disabilities Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Employee Polygraph Protection Act; Fair Labor Standards Act; Family and Medical Leave Act; Federal Services Labor-Management Relations Act; Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970; Rehabilitation Act of 1970; Veterans' employment and reemployment rights at Chapter 43 of Title 38 of the U.S. Code; Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act; and Veterans Employment Opportunities Act.
43.	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.