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98-734

109TH CONGRESS

Report

SENATE

1st Session

109-70

--AUTHORIZING EXPENDITURES BY COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE

May 23, 2005- Ordered to be printed

Mr. LOTT, from the Committee on Rules and Administration, submitted the following

R E P O R T

[To accompany S. Res. 50]

The Committee on Rules and Administration, to which was referred the following Senate Resolutions: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, and 49, reports, in lieu thereof, an original resolution (S. Res. 50) authorizing expenditures by committees of the Senate for the periods March 1, 2005, through September 30, 2005, October 1, 2005, through September 30, 2006, and October 1, 2006, through February 28, 2007, incorporating the provisions of the foregoing resolutions and recommends that the resolution be agreed to.

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

Since 1989, this Committee has adopted a biennial funding authorization for committees of the Senate. This policy has received strong support from the committee chairmen and ranking members.

Beginning in the 106th Congress, the biennial funding period was divided into 3 segments: the 7-month period from March 1 through September 30 of the first calendar year of the Congress; the 12-month period from October 1 of the first calendar year through September 30 of the second calendar year; and, the 5-month period from October 1 of the second calendar year through the last day of February of the third calendar year.

As a result of the federal elections in November, 2004, the Senate in the 109th Congress is comprised of 55 Republican Members, 44 Democratic Members and 1 Independent. On January 6, 2005, the Senate Joint Leadership in a colloquy on the Senate floor announced the funding and allocation assumptions for the biennial committee funding of the 109th Congress.

These assumptions, subject to appropriations being available, will be an across-the-board freeze on committee budgets, with salary baselines only adjusted by COLA's of 3.71 percent in 2005, 3.3 percent for 2006 and 3.5 percent for 2007.

These funding levels will include, but not as a separate allocation, the additional 10 percent allocated to Senate committees in the 108th Congress.

The Leadership also agreed to a 60-40 split of all personnel funds with respect to salary allocations between the majority and minority staff, after allocations for non-designated administrative and clerical staff are agreed to by the chairman and ranking member pursuant to Rule XXVII of the Standing Rules of the Senate. However, the chairman and ranking member of any committee may, by mutual agreement, modify the allocation of personnel funds.

Lastly, the Leadership announced that the division of committee office space shall be commensurate with this allocation agreement.

It is the intent of the Committee on Rules and Administration that the amounts included in the various committee budgets for COLAs beginning January 2006 and January 2007 shall be used only for COLAs authorized by the order of the President pro tempore of the Senate pursuant to section 4 of the Federal Pay Comparability Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 60a-1).

Beginning in 1989, the Committee on Rules and Administration authorized the use of unexpended funds. In 1991, this committee informed all Senate committees in Senate Report 102-15, and during the debate of that resolution, that committees could retain 50 percent of their unexpended funds as of February 28, 1993, to cover nonrecurring needs that enhance efficiency in the committee.

When S. Res. 71, the omnibus committee funding resolution for the 103d Congress, was considered by the Senate, it was amended to contain language that no committee of the Senate was permitted to carry forward unexpended balances beyond March 1, 1995. While S. Res. 54 (105th Congress) did not permit committees to carry forward funds it did continue to provide a special reserve into which the unexpended balances of the committees were transferred, after obligations incurred during the funding period ended were paid.

In order to preserve the flexibility of the Committee on Rules and Administration to meet the unforeseen needs of Senate committees, this resolution continues the practice of making special reserve funding available for unique, unanticipated, non-recurring needs of the Committee when necessary. This Committee intends that requests for such funds will continue to be considered when submitted by the chairman and ranking member of a committee. Such requests shall be granted only upon the approval of the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Sec. 2. Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $1,949,860
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 3,431,602
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 1,462,700


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $1,841,555        $3,156,948       $1,315,395 
Jan 2006 COLA                                               78,134           43,408 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           19,022 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                              6,047            10,367            4,320 
Administrative expenses                   66,039           113,210           47,171 
Total                                  1,913,641         3,358,659        1,429,316 
Additional 10% funding                   177,260           311,964          132,973 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        2,090,901         3,670,623        1,562,289 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 3. Committee on Armed Services
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $3,594,172
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 6,328,829
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 2,698,836


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $3,464,178        $5,938,590       $2,474,411 
Jan 2006 COLA                                              146,980           81,656 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           35,785 
Consultants                               14,583            25,000           10,417 
Training                                   4,666             8,000            3,334 
Official Mail                              4,084             7,000            2,917 
Administrative expenses                   45,231            77,539           32,307 
Total                                  3,532,742         6,203,109        2,640,827 
Additional 10% funding                   326,743           575,348          245,349 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        3,859,485         6,778,457        2,886,176 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 4. Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $2,979,871
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 5,244,760
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 2,235,697


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006  (12 mths) FY-2007(5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $2,822,997         $4,839,423      $2,016,426 
Jan 2006 COLA                                               119,776          66,542 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                     0          29,162 
Consultants                               12,000             20,000           8,000 
Training                                     700              1,200             500 
Official Mail                              1,400              2,400           1,000 
Administrative expenses                   88,084            151,572          63,488 
Total                                  2,925,181          5,134,371       2,185,118 
Additional 10% funding                   270,897            476,796         203,245 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        3,196,078          5,611,167       2,388,363 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 5. Committee on the Budget
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $3,136,108
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 5,522,410
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 2,355,010


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $3,026,105        $5,187,610       $2,161,504 
Jan 2006 COLA                                              128,393           71,330 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           31,260 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                             10,746            18,421            7,675 
Administrative expenses                   45,919            78,718           32,799 
Total                                  3,082,770         5,413,142        2,304,568 
Additional 10% funding                   285,100           502,037          214,092 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        3,367,870         5,915,179        2,518,660 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 6. Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $3,227,950
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 5,681,955
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 2,422,263


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $3,069,616        $5,262,198       $2,192,583 
Jan 2006 COLA                                              130,239           72,355 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           31,709 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                             11,932            20,455            8,523 
Administrative expenses                   88,048           150,939           62,891 
Total                                  3,169,596         5,563,831        2,368,061 
Additional 10% funding                   293,450           516,541          220,206 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        3,463,046         6,080,372        2,588,267 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 7. Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $2,724,301
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 4,795,783
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 2,044,614


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $2,598,345        $4,454,306       $1,855,961 
Jan 2006 COLA                                              110,244           61,247 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           26,841 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                              9,129            15,649            6,520 
Administrative expenses                   68,164           116,853           48,689 
Total                                  2,675,638         4,697,052        1,999,258 
Additional 10% funding                   247,664           435,980          185,874 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        2,923,302         5,133,032        2,185,132 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 8. Committee on Environment and Public Works
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period). $2,516,590
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 4,427,783
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 1,886,876


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY 2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $2,351,539        $4,031,209       $1,679,672 
Jan 2006 COLA                                               99,772           55,429 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           24,291 
Consultants                                4,667             8,000            3,333 
Training                                   1,167             2,000              833 
Official Mail                              8,415            14,427            6,011 
Administrative expenses                  102,120           175,064           72,943 
Total                                  2,467,908         4,330,472        1,842,512 
Additional 10% funding                   228,781           402,526          171,534 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        2,696,689         4,732,998        2,014,046 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 9. Committee on Finance
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period). $3,511,242
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 6,179,693
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 2,634,121


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY 2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $3,319,935        $5,691,316       $2,371,383 
Jan 2006 COLA                                              140,860           78,256 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           34,295 
Consultants                               17,500            30,000           12,500 
Training                                   5,833            10,000            4,167 
Official Mail                             10,480            17,965            7,485 
Administrative expenses                   92,556           158,667           66,111 
Total                                  3,446,304         6,048,808        2,574,197 
Additional 10% funding                   319,204           561,790          239,465 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        3,765,508         6,610,598        2,813,662 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 10. Committee on Foreign Relations
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $2,884,041
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 5,078,940
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 2,166,036


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005(7 mths) FY-2006(12 mths) FY-2007(5 mths) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                      $2,756,727       $4,725,818      $1,969,092 
Jan 2006 COLA                                            116,964          64,980 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                  0          28,477 
Consultants                                                    0               0 
Training                                                       0               0 
Official Mail                             9,380           16,080           6,700 
Administrative expenses                  82,257          141,012          58,754 
Total                                 2,848,364        4,999,874       2,128,003 
*Additional funding                     246,807          434,513         185,263 
Budget Authority 109th Congress       3,095,171        5,434,387       2,313,266 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 11. Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $4,764,738
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 8,387,779
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 3,576,035


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005(7 mths) FY-2006(12 mths) FY-2007(5 mths) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                      $4,545,807       $7,792,812      $3,247,006 
Jan 2006 COLA                                            192,872         107,151 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                  0          46,958 
Consultants                                                    0               0 
Training                                                       0               0 
Official Mail                            15,689           26,895          11,206 
Administrative expenses                 118,237          202,692          84,455 
Total                                 4,679,733        8,215,271       3,496,776 
*Additional 10% funding                 433,158          762,525         325,094 
Budget Authority 109th Congress       5,112,891        8,977,796       3,821,870 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 12. Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $4,236,427
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 7,457,494
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 3,179,327


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $4,036,537        $6,919,778       $2,883,240 
Jan 2006 COLA                                              171,264           95,147 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           41,697 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                             14,236            24,405           10,169 
Administrative expenses                  109,673           188,010           78,338 
Total                                  4,160,446         7,303,457        3,108,591 
Additional 10% funding                   385,130           677,954          289,029 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        4,545,576         7,981,411        3,397,620 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 13. Committee on the Judiciary
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $4,605,727
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 8,110,222
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 3,458,551


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $4,443,009        $7,616,586       $3,173,578 
Jan 2006 COLA                                              188,510          104,728 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           45,896 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                             15,097            25,881           10,784 
Administrative expenses                   69,199           118,626           49,428 
Total                                  4,527,305         7,949,603        3,384,414 
Additional 10% funding                   418,702           737,293          314,413 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        4,946,007         8,686,896        3,698,827 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 14. Committee on Rules and Administration
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $1,288,413
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 2,269,014
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 967,696


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005(7 mths) FY-2006(12 mths) FY-2007(5 mths) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                      $1,248,043       $2,139,502        $891,460 
Jan 2006 COLA                                             52,953          29,418 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                  0          12,892 
Consultants                                                    0               0 
Training                                                       0               0 
Official Mail                             4,634            7,944           3,310 
Administrative expenses                  14,192           24,329          10,137 
Total                                 1,266,869        2,224,728         947,217 
Additional 10% funding                  117,128          206,274          87,972 
Budget Authority 109th Congress       1,383,997        2,431,002       1,035,189 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 15. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $1,215,913
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 2,139,332
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 911,668


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY 2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $1,136,330        $1,947,994         $811,665 
Jan 2006 COLA                                               48,213          $26,785 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           11,738 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                              3,753             6,434            2,681 
Administrative expenses                   52,323            89,694           37,372 
Total                                  1,192,406         2,092,335          890,241 
Additional 10% funding                   110,537           194,485           82,879 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        1,302,943         2,286,820          973,120 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 16. Committee on Veterans' Affairs
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $1,112,475
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 1,958,451
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 834,987


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $1,062,697        $1,821,766         $759,068 
Jan 2006 COLA                                               45,089           25,049 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           10,978 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                              3,888             6,665            2,778 
Administrative expenses                   26,146            44,821           18,676 
Total                                  1,092,731         1,918,341          816,549 
Additional 10% funding                   101,134           178,041           75,908 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        1,193,865         2,096,382          892,457 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 17. Special Committee on Aging
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $1,347,927
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 2,372,258
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 1,011,165


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005 (7 mths) FY-2006 (12 mths) FY-2007 (5 mths) 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                       $1,273,309        $2,182,815         $909,507 
Jan 2006 COLA                                               54,025           30,014 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                    0           13,153 
Consultants                                                      0                0 
Training                                                         0                0 
Official Mail                              3,923             6,725            2,802 
Administrative expenses                   45,675            78,300           32,625 
Total                                  1,322,907         2,321,865          988,101 
Additional 10% funding                   122,539           215,660           91,924 
Budget Authority 109th Congress        1,445,446         2,537,525        1,080,025 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 18. Select Committee on Intelligence
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $2,117,309
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 3,726,412
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 1,588,401


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005(7 mths) FY-2006(12 mths) FY-2007(5 mths) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary                               $2,760,377       $4,732,075      $1,971,702 
Jan 2006 COLA                                            117,119          65,066 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                  0         $28,515 
Consultants                              37,917           65,000          27,083 
Training                                                       0               0 
Official Mail                             7,317           12,544           5,227 
Administrative expenses                  52,500           90,000          37,500 
Total                                 2,858,111        5,016,738       2,135,093 
Additional 10% funding                  192,483          338,765         144,400 
Budget Authority 109th Congress       3,050,594        5,355,503       2,279,493 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sec. 19. Committee on Indian Affairs
2003 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (7 month transitional period) $1,051,310
2004 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 1,848,350
2005 funds authorized by S. Res. 66 (5 month transitional period) 787,173


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                FY-2005(7 mths) FY-2006(12 mths) FY-2007(5 mths) 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Salary baseline                        $954,121       $1,635,636        $681,516 
Jan 2006 COLA                                             40,482          22,490 
Jan 2007 COLA                                                  0           9,856 
Consultants                                                    0               0 
Training                                                       0               0 
Official Mail                             3,958            6,786           2,826 
Administrative expenses                  70,731          121,253          50,522 
Total                                 1,028,810        1,804,157         767,210 
Additional 10% funding                   95,574          168,032          71,561 
Budget Authority 109th Congress       1,124,384        1,972,189         838,771 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BACKGROUND

This `omnibus' funding resolution in the amount of $52,563,753 for the 7-month period of FY-2005 (March 1, 2005 through September 30, 2005); $92,292,337 for the 12-month period of FY-2006 (October 1, 2005 through September 30, 2006); and $39,287,233 for the 5-month period of FY-2007 (October 1, 2006 through February 28, 2007) was reported in lieu of Senate Resolutions 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 32, 34, 35, 36, and 49, which were reported by the Senate committees in conformance with paragraph 9 of Rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

The total funding target for each of fiscal years 2005, 2006, and 2007 is 100% of the FY-2004 total budget authority funded in the 108th Congress by S. Res. 66, (excluding the 10% administrative expense allowance authorized by the Joint Leadership letter of January 15, 2003) with the salary baseline adjusted by the actual January 2004 COLA, the actual January 2005 COLA, the projected January 2006 COLA and the projected January 2007 COLA. Committees may budget the January 2006 COLA and locality pay at 3.3% and budget the January 2007 COLA and locality pay at 3.5%.

Each committee will also receive 10% in additional administrative funds to be distributed in accordance with the colloquy between the Republican and Democratic Leaders on January 6, 2005. These funds are not permanent funds built into the salary baseline but represent the continuance of previously authorized funds by the Joint Leadership of the Senate to committees for the 109th Congress. This additional 10% administrative fund shall be divided at the rate of 60% to the majority and 40% to the minority and may be used for any official committee expense.

Committees have also been put on notice that any overtime costs mandated by the Congressional Accountability Act must be absorbed within salary baselines.

To facilitate the consideration of committee funding requests, the Committee on Rules and Administration, as in the 108th Congress, did not require those committees whose budget requests were within guidelines, and whose questionnaires were jointly signed by the chairman and ranking member, to testify before the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Except for the Finance Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee, and the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, all other committees funded by this resolution submitted budgets and questionnaires conforming to the requisite guidelines. At the Rules Committee mark-up conducted on February 9, 2005, the Rules Committee reported out an Omnibus Committee Funding Resolution that reported out all committees funding at guidelines except the Intelligence Committee.

In a separate agreement, and in accordance with S. Res. 445, agreed to October 9, 2004, the Rules Committee agreed to increase the Select Committee on Intelligence F.T.E.'s by thirteen additional positions at an additional cost for salaries and administrative expenses of $2,732,011 over twenty-four months. That action has also been incorporated into this omnibus committee funding resolution.

The Rules Committee advised the Finance Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee to formally request Special Reserves authorized by S. Res. 50 to address their special needs.

COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENTS

It is the intent of the Committee on Rules and Administration that amounts included in the various committee budgets for COLAs for FY-2006 and FY-2007 shall be used only for COLAs authorized by the order of the President pro tempore of the Senate.

If the President pro tempore does not authorize COLAs for FY-2006 and FY-2007, funds authorized for that purpose by this resolution may not be expended. If, however, COLA authorizations exceed the 3.7% budgeted in this resolution, it may be necessary for committees to absorb the difference.

CERTIFICATION OF COMMITTEE EXPENSES

Previously, committee biennial funding resolutions stipulated that vouchers were not required for the disbursement of salaries of committee employees who were paid at an annual rate of pay. In addition, vouchers were not required for certain types of official expenses which could be certified as owed to Senate support offices providing such goods and services to Senate committees. The practice was to identify, in the funding resolution, which Senate support office was authorized to certify such expenses as due for payment. Examples of certifiable expenses include, but are not limited to, telecommunications, stationery supplies, official mail, metered charges on copying equipment, and expenses for Senate Recording and Photographic Services.

However, section 1 of the FY 1994 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill provided permanent language in statute addressing this issue (2 U.S.C. 68-8). Therefore, the specific authorization for certifications is no longer required in committee biennial funding resolutions and the language in section 1 of S. Res. 54 (107th Congress) has been modified by deleting section 1(b)(2) with the heading, VOUCHERS NOT REQUIRED.

STATIONERY ROOM EXPENSES

Pursuant to the FY 1994 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, stationery room expenses are certified for payment by the appropriate Senate support office.

OFFICIAL MAIL COSTS

Pursuant to the FY 1994 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, official mail expenses, other than franked mail, are certified for payment by the appropriate Senate support office.

Section 10 of Pub.L. 101-520, 101st Congress, 2nd Session, authorizes committees funded by this omnibus resolution to send official mail, other than franked mail, through the Senate post office and to have the cost of such mail certified to their official office expense accounts in a manner similar to the purchase of supplies from the Senate stationery store. Public Law 105-55, the 1998 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, changed the manner in which official mail costs are paid. Beginning in October, 1998 and continuing for those segments of FY-2003, FY-2004, and FY-2005 that comprise the 108th Congress, committees are provided additional funds for official mail and the costs incurred are charged directly to each committee.

The 60-day pre-election moratorium on mass mailings does not apply to a committee when such mass mailings are mailed under the frank of the chairman and relate to the normal and regular business of the committee.

METERED CHARGES FOR COPYING EQUIPMENT

Pursuant to the FY 1994 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, metered charges for copying equipment are certified for payment by the appropriate Senate support office.

SENATE RECORDING AND PHOTOGRAPHIC SERVICES

Pursuant to the FY 1994 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, official expenses incurred by a committee at the Senate Recording and Photographic Studios are certified for payment by the appropriate Senate support office. `Official expenses' has the meaning given to it by Interpretative Ruling No. 442, issued April 15, 1992, by the Select Committee on Ethics.

PRINTING AND BINDING

Committee expenditures for printing and binding continue to be a substantial cost to the Senate. Such costs include both the costs of printing documents, and the costs of preparing manuscripts by GPO's detailed personnel. Although printing and binding funds are not included in individual committee budgets, judicious use of these funds is a serious concern to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Printing and binding costs for committees increased by more than $3,200,000 from 107th Congress through the end of November 2004 in the 108th Congress. This increase is primarily due to increased hearing activities during the 108th Congress.

Charges incurred by committees with GPO detailed printers have increased by $442,283 from the 107th Congress to the 108th Congress. Part of that increase is a result of COLA adjustments, but the cost of overtime charges is of continuing concern to this committee. We especially urge those committees who incur overtime charges on a continuing basis to evaluate their printing operations, with an eye toward minimizing a printer's overtime except on a temporary basis when the extraordinary cost can be justified by the need for timely delivery of the committee's legislative papers.

It is the intent of this Committee that all Senate committees adhere strictly to the provisions of Title 44 governing the printing and binding of documents.

A committee may not procure more than 300 copies of a hearing or other document germane thereto except as authorized by 44 U.S.C. 703. Section 703 provides that extra copies not exceeding $700 in cost may be obtained upon an order of the Joint Committee on Printing; extra copies at a cost of $700 to $1,200 must be authorized by simple resolution of the Senate; and cost exceeding $1,200 requires approval of both houses of Congress upon concurrent or joint resolution. Such resolutions requesting printing are referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.

`Extra copies' means additional numbers ordered at the time of original printing. Reprinting a document at a later time must be treated as a new publication.

COSTS FOR DETAILED PRINTERS--1999-2004--Committees
[In whole dollars]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1999      2000      2001      2002      2003   2004 1  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aging                  $71,509   $63,427   $74,497   $64,452   $70,675   $78,432 
Agriculture             74,247    71,627    96,166    71,077    74,592    77,572 
Armed Services          69,266    65,900    75,499    62,381    21,548         0 
Banking                180,113   168,624   147,038   166,728   225,243   197,616 
Budget                  70,352    66,159    70,787    66,446    70,030    78,248 
Commerce                83,091   107,625    95,940    92,701   178,303   237,898 
Energy                  72,192    47,232    79,130    62,238    70,804    80,367 
Environment                  0         0         0     4,674    82,257    89,806 
Finance                 92,103    52,284    63,386    66,362    68,760    77,314 
Foreign Relations      125,766   132,052   141,491   119,618   141,615   157,699 
Governmental Affairs    69,381    61,500    79,318    68,445    73,585    74,390 
HELP                    72,668    66,348    79,142   110,163   116,246    49,513 
Indian Affairs          88,162    82,810    92,745    63,514    99,374   103,496 
Intelligence                 0         0         0         0         0         0 
Judiciary              205,876   189,912   210,146   233,918   247,065   202,993 
Rules                        0         0         0         0         0         0 
Small Business               0         0         0         0         0         0 
Veteran's Affairs            0         0     5,576    63,591    24,011         0 
Total                1,274,726 1,175,500 1,310,861 1,316,308 1,564,108 1,505,344 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PRINTING AND BINDING--1999-2004--Committees
[In whole dollars]
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                          1999      2000      2001      2002      2003   2004 1  
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aging                 $127,775  $177,041  $180,166  $174,810  $174,789  $141,851 
Agriculture            222,689   158,125   217,545   208,063   319,826    94,398 
Armed Services         272,967   294,918   294,036   255,601   389,226   247,675 
Banking                203,009   178,971   161,362   232,973   348,952   221,019 
Budget                  64,016    47,400    33,786    57,876    52,921   120,220 
Commerce               327,145   385,556   161,409   173,814   186,621   552,127 
Energy                 267,343   288,965   353,172   156,077   234,979   159,044 
Environment            268,006   214,896   271,525   311,351   513,722   545,704 
Finance                316,410   296,003   247,824   209,246   266,761   353,738 
Foreign Relations      148,420   504,481   265,223   292,411   281,047   320,435 
Governmental Affairs   335,482   808,990   551,147   739,218 1,355,345   912,717 
HELP                   198,011   248,144   122,686   226,561   225,043   155,870 
Indian Affairs         362,562   381,915   289,963   319,552   370,417   331,896 
Intelligence            41,484    45,822    27,350    56,310    55,855    15,990 
Judiciary              814,388   318,582   683,631   458,958   956,923 1,011,520 
Rules                   26,053    43,653   203,188     8,676   131,945   181,939 
Small Business         129,408   197,905   126,352   186,962   120,394   189,287 
Veteran's Affairs       97,093    37,256    37,960    63,349    25,322    16,412 
Total                4,222,261 4,628,623 4,228,325 4,131,808 6,010,088 5,571,842 
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

DETAILED EMPLOYEES

Sections 2 through 19 of the omnibus resolution includes specific authorizing language on the use of detailed employees on either a reimbursable, or non-reimbursable, basis. This language, which has been included in previous biennial funding resolutions, continues the practice of permitting the detail or assignment of personnel from departments or agencies of the government to the staff of a committee without reimbursement of that person's salary. The Committee on Rules and Administration intends that government employees, whose pay is disbursed by an agency of the Federal government and who is detailed or assigned to a committee must comply with Rule 27, paragraph 4, of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

In addition, S. Res. 77 (79th Congress, 1st Session) continues to apply to the use by a committee of assigned or detailed personnel on a reimbursement basis. Prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned as well as the Committee on Rules and Administration must be obtained in order to utilize such personnel whether on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis pursuant to Standing Rule XXVII, paragraph 4.

The Committee on Rules and Administration intends to monitor committee expenditures in conjunction with requests for approval for the use of detailed government employees (detailees). The purpose of monitoring detailee activity is to determine overall committee spending in the appropriation account `Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations' within the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill.

DETAILEES 108TH CONGRESS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Agency                                                              Period begins Period ends 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Committee: Agriculture                                                                        
Dept. of Health & Human Services, U.S. Food and Drug Administration        1/5/04      1/5/05 
Committee: Appropriations                                                                     
Dept. of Homeland Security, Coast Guard                                   9/16/03     9/30/04 
Dept. of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement            2/1/03    12/31/04 
Dept. of the Navy, Marine Corps                                           1/25/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of the Navy, Marine Corps                                            3/1/04     9/30/04 
Dept. of State                                                             6/7/04     7/16/04 
Dept. of Treasury, Financial Crimes Enforcement Network                    3/1/04    12/31/04 
Dept. of Treasury                                                          2/7/05     2/28/05 
Committee: Banking                                                                            
Dept. of State                                                           11/18/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Transportation                                                   3/28/03     2/28/05 
Dept. of Transportation                                                   7/15/03     2/29/04 
Committee: Budget                                                                             
Dept. of Commerce, NOAA                                                   1/31/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Justice                                                           2/7/05     2/28/05 
Office of Management and Budget                                           1/31/05     2/28/05 
Committee: Commerce                                                                           
Dept. of Commerce, NOAA                                                   3/28/03    12/31/03 
Dept. of Commerce, NOAA                                                   2/12/04      8/6/04 
Dept. of Homeland Security, Coast Guard                                   6/21/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Homeland Security, Coast Guard                                   8/31/03     8/31/04 
Dept. of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration                  2/28/03     3/31/03 
Dept. of Transportation, Federal Railroad Administration                   3/3/03     1/20/04 
General Services Administration                                           2/28/03     3/28/03 
National Transportation Safety Board                                      2/28/03     9/30/03 
Committee: Energy                                                                             
Dept. of the Air Force                                                    2/28/03     5/30/03 
Dept. of Commerce, NOAA                                                   4/28/03      8/1/03 
Dept. of Energy                                                           4/17/03     8/15/03 
Dept. of Interior, Bureau of Land Management                               3/5/03     4/28/03 
Dept. of Interior, National Park Service                                  1/15/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Interior, National Park Service                                  1/28/04    12/31/04 
Dept. of Interior, National Park Service                                  2/28/04    12/31/04 
Committee: Environment                                                                        
Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration                   2/28/03     9/30/03 
Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration                    4/2/03     2/29/04 
Dept. of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration                   2/09/05    02/28/05 
Committee: Ethics                                                                             
General Accounting Office                                                 5/10/04     7/31/04 
Committee: Finance                                                                            
Dept. of Agriculture                                                      2/27/04    12/31/04 
Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration                     3/11/03      1/6/04 
Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration                     9/27/04     1/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                         7/7/03    12/31/04 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                         2/7/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                         2/2/04      8/1/04 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        1/10/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        1/21/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service                            1/5/04      1/4/05 
Dept. of Labor                                                            11/3/03      1/5/05 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                 1/3/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                1/13/03      8/4/03 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                1/13/03     8/29/03 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                2/28/03    10/31/03 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                1/27/04    12/31/04 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                 1/3/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                               12/15/03     7/15/04 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                1/11/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of the Treasury, U.S. Secret Service                                2/28/03     12/5/03 
General Accounting Office, Government Accountability Office              11/12/04     2/28/05 
General Accounting Office, Government Accountability Office                5/3/04     2/28/05 
National Aeronautics and Space Administration                             8/30/04     2/28/05 
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation                                      1/10/05     2/28/05 
Social Security Administration                                             1/6/04      8/6/04 
Social Security Administration                                             1/7/04     2/28/05 
Social Security Administration                                           12/28/04     2/28/05 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                       9/7/04    12/31/04 
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency                                       2/4/03    12/31/03 
U.S. International Trade Commission                                       3/29/04     2/28/05 
Committee: Foreign Relations                                                                  
Dept. of Energy, Nat. Nuclear Security Administration                     9/20/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of State                                                            1/18/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of State                                                           12/28/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of State                                                            3/28/03    12/31/04 
Dept. of State                                                            11/1/03     9/30/04 
Dept. of State                                                            2/28/03     8/30/03 
Dept. of State                                                             3/3/03      9/3/03 
Dept. of State                                                             3/1/03     9/30/03 
Dept. of Defense                                                           3/3/03     7/31/03 
Committee: Governmental Affairs                                                               
Central Intelligence Agency                                               2/17/05     2/28/05 
Central Intelligence Agency                                                9/8/04    12/31/04 
Defense Intelligence Agency                                               8/13/04    10/25/04 
Dept. of Agriculture, Forest Service                                     10/14/03    12/30/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Justice, FBI                                                      7/7/03     7/30/04 
Dept. of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement           1/31/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard                              6/21/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service                           1/25/04     1/24/05 
Dept. of State                                                            2/28/03     7/11/03 
Dept. of State                                                            2/13/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of State                                                            8/24/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Transportation, U.S. Coast Guard                                  3/3/03     8/31/04 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                7/12/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                10/4/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of the Treasury, IRS                                                2/28/03    11/14/04 
General Accounting Office                                                10/27/03     2/28/05 
General Accounting Office                                                  6/2/03      6/2/04 
General Accounting Office                                                10/14/03    12/31/03 
General Accounting Office                                                 9/29/03    12/31/03 
General Accounting Office                                                 5/12/03      8/1/04 
General Accounting Office                                                  7/6/04     2/28/05 
Social Security Administration                                             3/5/04     7/14/04 
U.S. Postal Service                                                       4/19/04     7/23/04 
U.S. Postal Inspection Service                                             9/1/04     2/28/05 
Committee: Health, Education, Labor, and Pension                                              
Dept. of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service                          9/15/04    12/31/04 
Dept. of Education                                                        2/28/03    12/31/03 
Dept. of Education                                                        1/28/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Education                                                        1/14/04     5/14/04 
Dept. of Education                                                        2/28/03     3/28/03 
Dept. of Education                                                        4/21/03      8/1/03 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        12/8/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        2/27/04    12/31/03 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        9/15/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        7/14/03      1/7/04 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        10/6/03     10/8/04 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                       12/15/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                        6/13/03     12/9/03 
Dept. of Health and Human Services                                         2/3/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services, Nat. Institutes of Health             1/25/05     2/28/05 
Dept. of Health and Human Services, Nat. Institutes of Health             9/30/03    12/31/03 
Dept. of Housing and Urban Development                                     2/3/03      5/2/03 
Dept. of Veterans Affairs                                                 5/12/03     8/15/03 
National Labor Relations Board                                            4/21/03    10/21/03 
National Labor Relations Board                                             1/5/04      7/2/04 
Social Security Administration                                            12/8/04     2/28/05 
Committee: Indian Affairs                                                                     
Dept. of Justice                                                          1/18/05     2/28/05 
Committee: Intelligence                                                                       
Central Intelligence Agency                                               2/28/03      4/1/03 
Dept. of the Navy                                                         2/28/03      4/1/03 
Committee: Joint Economic                                                                     
Dept. of Commerce, International Trade Administration                     6/16/03     3/31/04 
Committee: Judiciary                                                                          
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/27/04     8/23/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          11/8/04     2/28/05 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03      1/1/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          8/29/03     2/29/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03      5/1/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                           9/3/03    10/29/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03    11/28/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03      3/4/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03      7/9/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03    10/31/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03    11/13/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                          5/12/03    11/12/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03     7/31/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                          1/23/04    12/28/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          5/12/03     5/12/04 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03    12/23/03 
Dept. of Justice                                                          2/28/03      6/3/03 
Dept. of Justice, FBI                                                      1/7/05     2/28/05 
U.S. Sentencing Commission                                                6/16/03      2/4/05 
Committee: Small Business & Entrepreneurship                                                  
U.S. Small Business Administration                                        2/28/03    10/29/04 
Internal Revenue Service                                                  2/28/03    12/31/03 
Committee: Veterans Affairs                                                                   
Dept. of Homeland Security, U.S. Secret Service                            8/1/03     7/31/04 
Dept. of Veterans Affairs                                                 2/28/03      4/5/03 
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SPECIAL RESERVE

This resolution establishes a special reserve fund within the funds of the `Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations' account appropriated by the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act for fiscal years 2003, 2004, and 2005. This special reserve fund is available to any committee funded by this resolution on the basis of special, unforeseen, non-recurring needs of that committee during the funding periods. Any committee desiring to draw on special reserve funds must make such a request in writing with the signature of the chairman and ranking member. All special reserve fund requests are ultimately subject to the approval of the chairman and ranking member of the Committee on Rules and Administration. The amount available in this special reserve is based on the percentage of funds approved for special reserves in previous Congresses from total funds authorized for committees.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM

The Committee on Rules and Administration authorized a new comprehensive and integrated accounting system to be implemented Senate-wide. This system was designed to assist committees in budget forecasting, allocating dollars by expense category and office sub-categories, posting expenses incurred, requesting reports by expense category or office, and reconciling accounts with the Disbursing Office. It is the Committee's intent that each committee funded by this resolution shall use the Financial Management Information System to account for funds authorized by this resolution.

LEGISLATIVE REVIEW BY SENATE COMMITTEES

Rule XXVI, section 8b of the Standing Rules of the Senate requires that, in each odd-numbered year, each committee shall submit to the Senate, not later than March 31, a report on the activities of that committee during the Congress ending at noon on January 3 of such year.

HOUSING FOR COMMITTEE STAFF

It remains the general policy and is expected by the Committee on Rules and Administration, that staff paid from committee funds be housed in committee space. Space allocations will be strictly tied to authorized committee staff and detailees approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration.

COMMITTEE COMPUTER RESOURCES

The Committee Office Automation (OA) plans accompanying each committee's budget submission were adjusted to meet SAA funding levels, to provide required resources for new staff and to assist the Committee on Rules and Administration in managing the operating costs of Senate committees.

Allocations were made considering the business requirements of each Committee as outlined in their Office Automation plans, as well as the capacity and age of the current computer inventory of each committee (including recent purchases by committees in FY 2005), following best business practices in the replacement of office automation equipment. The goal of the Committee on Rules and Administration is to assist each committee in maintaining current office automation infrastructure with special attention to future changes in the Senate information technology environment. These changes include migration to a new Active Directory network environment, transition to a new computer operating system for servers, enhanced COOP plan execution to include data replication of key committee information, implementing improvements to systems that manage the electronic data (document management) of the committee.

Computer resources are allocated to authorized full time staff and detailees identified in each Committee's budget submission and as approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration.

Computer resources, in particular computer workstations, which are required for staff or detailees who were not identified in the committee budget submissions, must be specifically approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration. Non-standard computer resource requests in excess of $500.00, not identified in the Committee Office Automation plans, also require specific approval by the Rules Committee and must be at committee expense including costs for maintenance, service and support.

Committees listed below may begin working directly with the Sergeant at Arms to implement their approved OA plans. Significant deviations from the OA plans must be approved by the Committee on Rules and Administration.

SUMMARY OF OFFICE AUTOMATION PLANS

109TH CONGRESS COMMITTEE IT OFFICE AUTOMATION BUDGETS, MARCH 1, 2005-FEBRUARY 28, 2007
------------------------------------------------
                  FTEs Total approved for 109th 
------------------------------------------------
Aging               29                   93,524 
Agriculture         48                  187,328 
Appropriations     n/a                  461,460 
Armed Services      60                  214,795 
Banking             57                  116,300 
Budget              62                  295,059 
Commerce            84                  233,461 
Energy              58                  180,522 
Environment         60                  302,462 
Ethics              12                   92,068 
Finance             80                  302,752 
Foreign Relations   75                  431,456 
HELP               111                  489,429 
HSGA               121                  381,250 
Indian Affairs      23                   46,238 
Intelligence        49                  354,901 
JEC                 48                  260,124 
Judiciary          133                  409,288 
Rules               27                   79,374 
Small Business      33                   94,828 
Veteran's Affairs   32                  227,957 
Totals                                5,254,576 
------------------------------------------------

CONSULTANTS

This resolution specifies the available funding to hire consultants, as otherwise authorized by statute.

COMMITTEE LEGISLATIVE ASSISTANCE

The Rules Committee has received inquiries regarding staff representatives on committees as authorized by P.L. 95-94. With respect to providing funds for Legislative Assistance, the position of the Committee on Rules and Administration is that such funds are already incorporated into Members' personal office accounts for the purpose of providing assistance with such committee duties.

ARCHIVING

Under Senate Rules XXVI(10)(a) and 2 U.S.C. Sec. 72(a)(d), committee records are the property of the Senate. At the end of each Congress, non-current committee records are transferred to the Archives (Senate Rule XI(1) and 44 U.S.C. 2118.). To ensure the preservation of the Senate's permanently valuable records, the Rules Committee requests that each committee submit to the Rules Committee their National Archives Records Transfer Report.