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Graves, Tom
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Rep. Tom Graves’ Fiscal Year 2016 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill Passed by Subcommittee
Legislation provides for essential operations of the Capitol, holds the line on spending, includes conservative reforms
Washington, Apr 23 -
The Legislative Branch Subcommittee on Appropriations, chaired by Rep. Tom Graves (R-GA-14), today passed the fiscal year 2016 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, which was released yesterday and is now expected to be considered by the full Committee on Appropriations next week. The bill provides annual funding for the offices of Members of the House of Representatives, the support agencies of Congress, security, services for visitors, and Capitol operations and maintenance. House Operations – The bill contains $1.2 billion to fund the operations of the House – the same as fiscal year 2015. This account provides funding for Members’ Representational Allowances (MRAs), leadership, committees and Officers of the House. Member Pay Freeze – The legislation freezes pay for Members of Congress, preventing any pay increases in fiscal year 2016. Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund – Given our current fiscal environment, this bill includes $1 million for the costs associated with the orderly shutdown of the Open World Leadership Center. This is $4.7 million below the FY 2015 enacted level and $7 million below the request. Capitol Police – The bill funds the Capitol Police at $369 million, an increase of $21 million above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. This will fund critical safety and security functions for all Members, staff, and visitors of the Capitol Complex, and maintain public access to the Capitol and its office buildings. Architect of the Capitol (AoC) – The legislation provides $496.9 million – excluding Senate items – for the AoC, which is $9 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The legislation will allow the AoC to prioritize essential projects that promote the safety and health of those who visit and work in the Capitol Complex, and address deferred maintenance projects. Library of Congress (LoC) – The legislation provides $591.4 million for the Library of Congress, an increase of $510,000 above the fiscal year 2015 enacted level, to allow the Library to continue support functions for Congress and maintain services for the public. Funding in the bill will also help to reduce the Library’s processing time for copyright registrations and claims backlog. Government Accountability Office (GAO) – The bill contains $522 million in funding for the GAO, the same as the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. This funding will continue GAO’s critical oversight work – providing Congress with accurate, nonpartisan reporting of federal programs and tracking of how taxpayer dollars are spent. Government Publishing Office (GPO) – The legislation includes $110 million for GPO, a decrease of $9.8 million below the fiscal year 2015 enacted level. The legislation maintains the previous year’s level for printing and binding services. For the complete text of the subcommittee draft of the FY 2016 Legislative Branch Appropriations bill, please visit: http://appropriations.house.gov/UploadedFiles/LEG_xml-subcommittee.pdf ###
The total included for the House and joint operations, excluding Senate-only items, is $3.3 billion. This is the same as the 2015 level and $172.3 million below the President’s request. In all, funding for the House of Representatives has been reduced by 14 percent since Republicans gained control in January 2011.
The legislation also includes a provision to freeze the pay of Members of Congress, preventing any pay increases in fiscal year 2016. A freeze on the salaries of Representatives has been in place since 2010.
Additionally, the bill effectively eliminates the Open World Leadership Center – an outdated multi-million dollar per year program – by allocating just $1 million for its orderly shutdown.
Congressman Tom Graves, Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman, stated, “The United States Capitol is a source of pride for every American and a symbol of freedom that is recognized around the world. This bill preserves the beauty and structures of the Capitol grounds, provides essential security for visitors and employees, and ensures that the people’s business is carried out in a fiscally responsible way. I’m grateful to all the subcommittee members for working in a thoughtful and bipartisan way to craft a bill that honors and respects taxpayers today and preserves this institution for future generations.”
“This is the smallest Appropriations bill, but it is hugely important for the continued functioning of the Nation’s Capitol and our democratic process. It provides security for Members, staff, and visitors alike, continues day-to-day operations that give visitors access to this great institution, and allows each and every Member’s office to best serve their constituents,” Chairman Hal Rogers said. “Our Capitol is an important symbol of the world’s greatest democracy at work, and this bill will help preserve and honor that legacy.”
Bill Summary:
The bill includes authority for the restoration and renovation of the Cannon House Office Building, and mandates enhanced oversight of this project and any other project over $5 million. The new oversight features require any projects over $5 million be submitted to the GAO and the Committee for approval, along with a plan projecting the schedule and costs, and a description of the safeguards taken to ensure the project is on time and on budget.