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Item Title (Verbatim From Bill & Report Text)Item DescriptionAgency ResponsibleTimeline For CompletionDue DateHouse Report PageBill Text PageDemand Progress Request?ModCom Recommendation?
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If referencing, please cite Demand Progresshttps://appropriations.house.gov/sites/republicans.appropriations.house.gov/files/documents/FY24%20Legislative%20Branch%20Bill%20-%20Report.pdf130
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Good Accounting Obligation in Government ActThe Good Accounting Obligation in Government Act, or GAO–IG Act (Public Law 115–414) requires that each Federal agency, including the agencies of the legislative branch, include an accounting of any public recommendations by the Government Accountability Office or the agency’s Office of Inspector General that have not yet been implemented and the timeframe for implementation. It is expected that each agency in this bill include such a report in its fiscal year 2025 congressional budget justification.All Leg Branch Agencies5
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Implementation of Recommendations Issued by Oversight EntitiesEach legislative branch agency is directed to continue to address recommendations from oversight entities, such as the GAO and OIGs, in a timely manner and to request resources, as appropriate, to fully implement these recommendations. In addition, each legislative branch agency is directed to provide a summary of all open oversight recommendations within the agency’s annual budget justification, to include reasons for the recommendation remaining open and the cost proposals for fully implementing each unresolved oversight recommendation.All Leg Branch Agencies5
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Offices of Inspectors General [OIG] BudgetsThe Committee believes it is important to ensure independence between legislative branch OIGs and their respective reporting agencies and expects a separate section included in each agency’s fiscal year 2025 budget justification reflecting a detailed budget request for the agency’s OIG. Additionally, the Committee directs each OIG to keep the Committee fully apprised of its funding needs. The Committee also directs each agency to avoid interfering with or requiring approval for such communications. All Leg Branch OIGs5
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Congressional Requirements for Legislative Branch Cyber and Physical Data Security
The Committee reiterates that legislative branch agencies should consider proactive steps to protect critical Information Technology [IT] infrastructure, including prevention of cyberattacks, secure data storage, and ensuring continuity of government operations. The Committee recommends that, as part of their production, redundant, and backup network architecture solutions, legislative branch agencies utilize computing and cloud facilities designed for concurrent maintainability (equivalent to ANSI/TIA–942–A, or Uptime Institute Tier III standards and industry best practices), and also consider geographic diversity. The Committee directs each legislative branch agency to continue to build on the action plan it submitted detailing a schedule, cost, and implementation plan ensuring robust, secure, and resilient data center infrastructure for agency IT systems and data, as required of all legislative branch agencies by the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022, and to provide the Committee with quarterly status updates on progress.All Leg Branch Agencies5
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Cybersecurity for the Legislative BranchLegislative branch agencies are charged with combating cyber-attacks that could disrupt Congress’ ability to perform its constitutional duties. Accordingly, the legislative branch agencies, including the U.S. Senate, must have the tools and resources necessary to defend our networks against sophisticated adversaries. The Committee recommendation includes funding requested by legislative branch agencies in fiscal year 2024 to strengthen cyber defenses. Each legislative branch agency shall provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on Appropriation on the status of its cybersecurity program, to include milestones, significant activities, challenges, and the status of the execution of funding provided for this purpose. All Leg Branch Agencies6
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Legislative Branch Support Agency Information Working Group.The Committee understands the importance of data access to certain of the legislative branch agencies’ missions. Accordingly, the Committee directs the Congressional Budget Office, the Library of Congress, and the Government Accountability Office to provide a briefing on the efforts of the working group to identify the challenges they face in obtaining timely, detailed, and sufficient access to Federal agency information. The working group should continue to develop options for ensuring that legislative branch agencies have access to the information they need at the time, in the formats and level of detail necessary for them to complete their work. The task force shall continue to meet from time to time to monitor the situation and make recommendations to the relevant committees, as appropriate.CBO, LOC, and GAO6Y
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Use of Government VehiclesLegislative branch agencies are reminded that Federal Government vehicles are to be utilized for official government business only and are not to be used for general personal use. In fiscal year 2023, all legislative branch agencies were directed to implement policies regarding the acquisition and use of Federal Government vehicles, including price limitations, equipment installation, and lifecycle replacement procedures. Further, all legislative branch agencies were required to implement internal controls over home-to-work vehicle programs where vehicles are issued to employees for the purposes of responding to their assignment to fulfil an official duty in a timely manner. These controls were to include an annual recertification of home-to-work justifications for any vehicle assigned to agency personnel for this purpose. This process was required to include the justification for the issuance of the home-to-work vehicle, the estimated roundtrip mileage for the vehicle to and from the employee’s residence on a daily basis, and the estimated cost to the agency resulting from the assignment of the vehicle. Within 30 days of enactment of this act, legislative branch agencies shall provide a report to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate on agency internal controls, policies and procedures for the use of government vehicles, to include home-to-work justifications, as described above. All Leg Branch AgenciesWithin 30 days of enactment of this act6
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Single-Use PlasticSince fiscal year 2019, each Legislative Branch Appropriations Act has included a provision that directs all agencies and offices funded by this act with a food service provider to reduce plastic waste. The Architect of the Capitol [AOC], which holds the contract with the primary food service provider in the Senate, has worked to reduce plastic waste within its operations in the Senate. The AOC is expected to continue this effort. Including options for utilizing high content recycled products. The Committee continues the directive contained in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 117–328 regarding the report on products currently in use. AOC6-7
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Child CareThe Committee believes that access to licensed and certified child care is critical for recruiting and retaining personnel within offices and committees of the Senate and other legislative branch entities. The Committee also recognizes that onsite child care centers are critical to the work-life balance of legislative branch personnel. The Committee recognizes that the child care requirements of the legislative branch entities far exceeds the capacity of established child care centers within the branch. Therefore, the Committee authorizes the use of appropriated funds, subject to the availability of funds, to provide a child care subsidy for fulltime personnel within legislative branch entities, to include the Senate. All Leg Branch Agencies7Y
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Support for Nursing MothersThe Committee encourages legislative branch entities to continue to enhance the locations and access to spaces dedicated for the use of nursing mothers. Further, the Committee directs the Architect of the Capitol to retrofit identified spaces, where practical within the historical buildings on the Capitol complex, to better meet the needs of nursing mothers. Dedicated lactation rooms should be provided, subject to the limitations of the physical locations that include access to running water, appropriate temperature controlled storage, furniture and equipment for this purpose. The Committee recommends $1,000,000 to be utilized to implement recommended enhancements for these lactation spaces.AOC7
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Legislative Branch Agencies--ReportingThe Committee directs legislative branch agencies and departments to submit within 30 days of the enactment of this act an annual operating plan for the execution of funds appropriated for its programs and quarterly execution reports thereafter that provide execution data against the annual operating plan. These controls will allow the Committee to conduct necessary oversight of the utilization of funding against the implementation and continuance of programs and initiatives for which appropriated funding was provided. These quarterly reports should include information regarding deviations, transfers or reprogramming of funds for activities other than those included in the agencies annual operating plan. All Leg Branch AgenciesWithin 30 days of enactment of this act7
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Security and Emergency PreparednessThe Committee provides full funding for the Office of Security, Emergency Preparedness and Continuity request for 20 FTEs to support the physical security of Senators, staff, and visitors to the Capitol and surrounding buildings, including the Senate Residential Security System Program to support the safety of Senators and their families at their residence. The Committee also expects the SAA to continue increasing its outreach efforts to offices to improve security coordination and emergency preparedness, including creating better awareness of Senators’ activities off of the Capitol campus; educating and training staff to identify and alert the SAA and the Capitol Police of events or activities that may warrant a threat assessment; facilitating threat assessments and security coordination with the USCP as well as Federal, State, and local law enforcement, as appropriate; and informing and updating Members and Senate staff on emergency preparedness training and other resources available to them.Senate SAA13-14
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Employee Assistance ProgramThe Committee fully funds the requested increase for SAA to expand resources, including adding counselors, providing additional website services and supplementing existing resources with new options, such as transcendental meditation instruction, to meet increased demand and support the mental and emotional health needs and well-being of the Senate community. Senate SAA14
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Office CybersecurityThe Committee expects SAA to utilize funds provided for fiscal year 2024 to continue to conduct thirdparty cybersecurity auditing services and resiliency assessments for all Senate offices and committees to protect the privacy and integrity of office networks; provide enhanced cybersecurity training for each Senate office; institute protections against insider threats; and institute and operationalize enhanced privacy protections within the Senate network. Senate SAA14
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Committee Intern PaySenate committees have the authority and sufficient resources needed to pay committee interns from within funding made available to committees. The Committee reiterates that the significant increase provided to this account will more than allow for committees to pay their interns if they so choose. The Committee advises any committee that wishes to seek additional funding for intern pay to include such an increase in its budget request to the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, so that this Committee can fully consider the needs of Senate committees under such budgetary advisement.Senate Committees16Y
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ConsultantsFunding is provided for not to exceed two individual consultants as authorized by section 110 of Public Law 95-94, August 5, 1977, which amends section 101 of Public Law 95- 26, May 4, 1977. Consultants employed under this authority shall not be paid in excess of the per diem equivalent of the highest gross rate of annual compensation, which may be paid to employees of a standing committee of the Senate. 17
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Legal Reference VolumesFunding is provided to furnish U.S. Senators with volumes of the U.S. Code Annotated or U.S. Code service, pocket parts and supplements, as authorized by Public Law 92–51, July 9, 1971. The Disbursing Office is responsible for providing the U.S. Code Annotated or the U.S. Code Service to Senators when they assume office and upon receipt of a written request of a Senator. The Disbursing Office17
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Contractual Legal and Administrative Services and Miscellaneous Expenses
Funding is provided for various contractual, administrative, and miscellaneous expenses incurred by the Office of the Secretary. In addition, the Office of the Secretary has incurred various types of legal and other expenses, which have been authorized by the Senate. Funding is provided for contractual and other expenses necessary to update and publish the Senate’s legislative precedents and procedure documentation. Administrative services and miscellaneous expenses are housekeeping expenses of the Office of the Secretary.Office of the Secretary of the Senate17
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Travel and Registration FeesFunding is provided for travel expenses and registration fees incurred by the Secretary of the Senate and the employees of the Office of the Secretary. This line item excludes funding for travel expenses for the Federal Election Campaign Act under the Office of Public Records, which is provided separately under the authority of Public Law 92–342. The authority for the travel portion of this account was provided for by section 101 of Public Law 94–59, July 25, 1975.Office of the Secretary of the Senate17
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Orientation and TrainingFunding is provided for expenses incurred by the Secretary of the Senate to conduct orientation seminars or similar meetings for Senators, Senate officials, or members of staffs of Senators or Senate officials, not to exceed $30,000 under the authority of 2 U.S.C. 6514. The Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate is also authorized under these provisions to conduct seminars or similar meetings in the same manner and to the same extent as the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. Office of the Secretary of the Senate17
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PostageThis account also provides funding for postage for the Office of the Secretary of the Senate for special delivery, registered mail, and additional postage not covered under the frank. Office of the Secretary of the Senate17
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Education of Senate PagesFunding is provided for the education of Senate pages. Senate Resolution 184, July 29, 1983, authorized the Secretary of the Senate to provide such educational services and items in such manner as the Secretary may deem appropriate. Public Law 98–125, October 13, 1983, amended Public Law 98–51, July 14, 1983, striking out the heading and paragraph ‘‘Education of Pages’’ under the heading ‘‘Joint Items’’, and redesignated the funds provided in Public Law 98–51. Office of the Secretary of the Senate17
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StationaryFunding is provided for stationery supplies for the Office of the Secretary of the Senate. The funds provided have been allocated to the various departments of the Office of the Secretary. Office of the Secretary of the Senate18
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Senate Commission on ArtFunding is provided for the Senate Commission on Art, authorized by Public Law 100–696, November 18, 1988, as amended, and Public Law 108–83, September 30, 2003, as amended to acquire, accept, supervise, hold, place, protect, make known, conserve, restore, replicate, or replace any work of art, historical object, documents, or material relating to historical matters, or exhibits for placement or exhibition within the Senate wing of the Capitol, any Senate office building, or in rooms, spaces, or corridors thereof, and to publish as a Senate document a list of all works of art, historical objects, and exhibits currently within the Senate wing of the Capitol and Senate office buildings. The Senate Commission on Art was formerly the Commission on Arts and Antiquities of the United States Senate, which was authorized by Senate Resolution 382, October 1, 1968, as amended by Senate Resolution 95, April 1, 1977, and Senate Resolution 400, March 23, 1988. Office of the Secretary of the Senate18
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Representation ExpensesFunding is provided, not to exceed $50,000, to the Secretary of the Senate to coordinate and carry out responsibilities in connection with foreign parliamentary groups or other foreign officials visiting the United States. Authorized by section 2, chapter VIII of Public Law 100–71, November 21, 1989, as amended. Office of the Secretary of the Senate18
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Office of Conservation and PreservationFunding is provided for the Office of Conservation and Preservation to develop and coordinate programs directly related to the conservation and protection of Senate records and materials for which the Secretary of the Senate has statutory authority.Office of Conservation and Preservation18
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Book PreservationFunding is provided for the Office of Conservation and Preservation to use outside sources for the preservation and protection of the Senate book collection, including historically valuable documents under the care of the Secretary of the Senate. Office of Conservation and Preservation18
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Office of Public RecordsFunding is provided for expenses of the Office of Public Records. This office has evolved through various pieces of legislation and various responsibilities authorized by the Federal Election Campaign Act, as amended, the Ethics in Government Act, as amended, and the Lobbying Disclosure Act, as amended. The Office of Public Records is mentioned for the first time in Public Law 93–145, November 1, 1973, which authorizes the Secretary of the Senate to appoint and fix the compensation of a superintendent and other positions for the Office of Public Records. In addition, under the authority of Public Law 95–521, October 26, 1978 (Ethics in Government Act) reports filed under section 101 shall be available for public inspection and a copy of the report shall be provided to any person upon request. Any person requesting a copy of a report may be required to pay a reasonable fee to cover the cost of reproduction. Any moneys received by the Secretary shall be deposited into the Office of Public Records Revolving Fund under the authority of Public Law 101–163, November 21, 1989. The office also performs functions such as registration of mass mailings.Office of Public Records18
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Disbursing OfficeFunding is provided for expenses incurred in the operation of the disbursing office. Typical expenses for this office include notary bonds, seals, and necessary supplies in conjunction with the various machinery maintained in the office, which are not available in the stationery room.The Disbursing Office19
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Office of Captioning ServicesFunding is provided for the closed captioning of the televised Senate floor proceedings for the hearing impaired. Closed captioning was first authorized under Public Law 101–163, November 21, 1989.19
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Senate Chief Counsel for EmploymentFunding is provided for tthe Office of the Senate Chief Counsel for Employment. This office is a nonpartisan office formed in May 1993 at the direction of the joint leadership and is charged with providing legal advice and representation of Senate offices in all areas of employment law. Office of Chief Counsel for Employment19
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Hearing Room Audiovisual EquipmentThe Committee recommends $5,000,000 in no-year funding to partially or fully renovate two to four hearing rooms per year, as per the request. The audiovisual equipment and systems in these hearing rooms has or will soon exceed their useful life and must be replaced. The failure of hearing room audiovisual systems disrupted several high-profile hearings in recent years, and represents a problem that will only grow worse as the equipment and systems reach their useful life. The Committee expects the SAA to continue working with the Architect of the Capitol and the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration to develop a replacement plan to avoid equipment failure. Senate SAA and AOC20Y
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Unified Communications and Collaboration [UCC] SystemThe Committee directs the SAA to provide quarterly updates to the Committee on the implementation of the UCC system through complete implementation of the program. Senate SAA Quarterly updates to the Committee20
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Training to ‘‘Stop the Bleed’’For the past several years, the SAA has offered Senate staff the opportunity to train in Tactical Combat Casualty Care, also known as ‘‘Stop the Bleed’’ training, which increases survivability from mass shootings and other casualty events causing life-threatening external bleeding. The Committee supports the SAA Office of Security, Emergency Preparedness and Continuity’s continued utilization of ‘‘Stop the Bleed’’ training on the Capitol campus so that more Senate staff know how to respond to and administer basic bleeding control techniques to individuals with trauma if such a situation arises and for emergency preparedness purposes. Senate SAA 20
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Congressional Staff DirectoryThe Committee notes the unavailability or insufficiency of currently-provided congressional staff contact information. The absence of a congressional staff directory that covers the Senate, House, support offices, and support agencies makes it difficult for congressional staff to identify and connect with relevant staff. The Committee directs SAA, in consultation with relevant support offices and agencies, including the Office of the Clerk and Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, to explore the creation of a centrally-managed staff directory for Congress and congressional support agencies to enhance the exchange of information and improve collaboration across the legislative branch. The SAA shall brief the Committee on the efforts to create a centralized congressional staff directory, including associated costs and directory information features and access. Senate SAA, Clerk, CAOBrief to the Committee20Y
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Website AttachmentsThe Committee recognizes the importance of receiving letters and other appropriate documents from members’ constituents, and notes that SAA worked with Senate offices to develop a safe, web-based solution that accepts attachments from constituents and routes those attachments directly to an office’s Constituent Support Systems. However, additional enhancements are necessary in order to ensure that attachments can be made to submissions on Senate websites in a manner that meets the needs of the Senate offices. The Committee strongly encourages SAA to continue reviewing its policy concerning the receipt of attachments from a Senate network cybersecurity perspective and to conduct focused discussions with Senate offices to determine the specific needs of the Senate community regarding website attachments. Senate SAA20-21
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Cyber ToolsThe Committee directs the SAA to evaluate and provide a briefing within 180 days of enactment of this act to the Committee on the feasibility of Member office and committee use of cloud-based word processing and document real-time collaboration tools in a SAA-hosted and CIO-operated data centerSenate SAABriefing within 180 days of enactment of this at21
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IT Requirements for State OfficesThe Committee appreciates the work of the SAA across the information technology platform. To continue to stay abreast of these requirements, the SAA shall conduct an updated survey with personal State offices to validate the IT requirements for each office. Based on the results of the survey, the SAA shall provide a report to the Committee within 180 days of enactment of the act summarizing the identified requirements, potential service gaps and providing recommendations for addressing those IT service gaps. Senate SAAReport within 180 days of enactment of this act21
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Training for System AdministratorsThe Committee notes that the SAA Chief Information Officer [CIO] has worked to provide Linked in Learning training for Senate offices’ and committees’ system administrators and expects the CIO to continue exploring and recommending training options for system administrators. Senate SAA CIO21
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Cyber Care Education for Senators and StaffThe Committee recognizes the threat of hacking and cyberattacks on Senators and staff on their official and personal devices and accounts. SAA is working to improve personal cybersecurity, cyber advisories, and cybersecurity best practice documents tailored to such devices and accounts, and should continue to educate members and staff on such practices. In addition, the SAA shall, in coordination with this Committee, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and Senate majority and minority leadership, continue to explore ways-including the options presented in the bipartisan Senators’ Personal Cybersecurity Working Group’s report-in-which it may better provide voluntary cybersecurity support to any Senator seeking assistance with their personal devices or accounts under existing ethics, rules, appropriations, statutory, and civil law, including whether investments in additional IT hardware and software, additional personnel, and additional guidelines are needed. The Committee also directs SAA to provide increased training opportunities so that members and staff traveling abroad are aware of cyber threats and appropriate best practices to mitigate such threats to their devices, and to brief this Committee on whether members and staff are utilizing these awareness tools.
Senate SAA, Senate Rules, Senate Majority and Minority Leadership
Brief to the Committee21
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Enterprise SoftwareEmployees of the Senate use and rely upon software approved and managed by the SAA to carry out their responsibilities on behalf of the American people. While SAA appropriately focuses on the safety, security and integrity of these software applications and license agreements, the SAA is encouraged to make available software that is best suited to the requirements of its end users. The SAA is encouraged to conduct a needs assessment with all Senate committees and personal offices to determine the specific enterprise software requirements, which may be used to inform the SAA’s budget justifications. The Committee directs SAA to brief the Committee within 60 days of the enactment of this act on its enterprise software management process, to include its current efforts to determine and evaluate software requirements based on an alignment to the needs and positional responsibilities of Senate employees. Further, within 180 days of the enactment of this act, the SAA shall conduct a needs assessment within the Senate community to determine the overall enterprise software requirements for each entity’s mission. The outcome of this needs assessment shall be utilized by the SAA to inform the SAA’s Chief Information Officer’s Strategic and Operational Objectives.Senate SAABriefing within 60 days of enactment of this at21-22
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Residential Security System ProgramThe SAA shall brief the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate within 60 days of enactment of this act on the progress of the implementation of the Residential Security System Program. Senate SAABriefing within 60 days of enactment of this act to Senate Rules and Senate Appropriations22
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Sergeant-at-Arms Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery FundThe SAA shall provide a report to the Committee within 30 days of enactment of this act on the utilization of the Sergeant at Arms Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery [BCDR] fund, which was established under section 103 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022 (Public Law 117–103). Senate SAAReport within 30 days of enactment of this act22
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McCain-Mansfield Fellowship ProgramThe Committee continues to support the SAA’s efforts to implement the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program. The SAA shall brief the Committee within 90 days of the enactment of the act on the SAA’s progress in implementing the fellowship program. Senate SAABrief the Committee within 90 days of the enactment of the act22
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Senate Employees’ Child Care CenterUnder current law, Congress may only provide funding for employee benefits and travel expenses for employee training activities for the Senate Employees’ Child Care Center [SECCC], and the reimbursement of salaries for the executive director and assistant director of the center, which are provided for and fully funded in this act. However, funds for all other employees’ salaries and operational expenses are paid by the Center’s operating budget and cannot be supplemented with appropriated funds. In agreeing to provide salary reimbursements for the SECCC executive director and the assistant director, the Committee recognizes the importance of access to high quality, affordable child care for recruitment and retention of U.S. Senate employees and supports the ability of the Center to employ high caliber faculty, maintain its commitment to early childhood education, and continue to serve the growing number of Senate employees who require child care for their infant to pre-school children. Furthermore, the Committee understands these payments will free up the Center’s operating budget to provide salary increases for all day care faculty, allowing the Center to pay its staff competitive salaries comparable with the House of Representatives Child Care Center. SECCC23Y
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Resolution and Reorganization ReserveThis line item is used to cover the costs of Senate resolutions and public laws that authorize expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate that do not have specific appropriations for such purpose. N/A23
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Reserve for ContingenciesThis line item includes payment for gratuities for family members of deceased Senate employees; damage to automobiles in the Senate parking lots; contractual, legal, and administrative services; and miscellaneous expenses, and is controlled by the Committee on Rules and Administration.N/A23
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Employees’ Compensation Fund Reimbursements (Worker’s Compensation)
This amount is for reimbursements made to the U.S. Department of Labor for total benefits and other payments made on behalf of Senate employees from the employees’ compensation fund. Payments are authorized to be made from expired balances, a practice that is consistent with the other agencies of the legislative branch.N/A23
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Reception of Foreign DignitariesThe Committee on Foreign Relations is authorized to expend not to exceed $30,000 each fiscal year to receive foreign dignitaries under the authority of Senate Resolution 247, agreed to February 7, 1962, as amended. N/A23-24
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Foreign Travel: Members and EmployeesSenate Resolution 179, agreed to May 25, 1977, authorized payment from the contingent fund of the Senate of the domestic portion of transportation costs and travel expenses incurred by Members and employees of the Senate when engaged in authorized foreign travel.N/A24
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Federal Employees’ Compensation Account (Unemployment Compensation)
This line item provides for expenses incurred for the Senate to reimburse the Federal employees’ compensation account, pursuant to Public Law 96–499, approved December 5, 1980, for unemployment compensation payments made to Senate employees. N/A24
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Conferences for the Majority and MinorityThe amount recommended provides for the expenses of the majority and minority conference committees.N/A24
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Policy Committees for the Majority and MinorityThe amount recommended provides for the expenses of the majority and minority policy committees.N/A24
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PostageThe amount recommended provides for postage allowances for the President of the Senate, Secretary of the Majority, Secretary of the Minority, and Senate Chaplain. N/A24
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StationeryThe amount recommended provides funds for stationery and office supplies for the President of the Senate, conference committees of the Senate, Office of the Chaplain, and the Senate Chamber. N/A24
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CommunicationsThe amount recommended provides funds for cellular telephone and mobile data devices and services for the Office of the Vice President, Secretary for the Majority, Secretary for the Minority, Office of the Chaplain, Majority Leader, Minority Leader, Majority Whip, and Minority Whip.N/A24
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Consultants: Including Agency ContributionsThis item provides authority for the appointment and payment of consultants to the majority and minority leaders, President Pro Tempore, President Pro Tempore Emeritus, and the legislative counsel.N/A24
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Majority LeaderTwelve consultants at not to exceed the daily rate for maximum standing committee rate. All of the consultants may be appointed at an annual rate of compensation not to exceed the maximum annual rate for a standing committee.N/A24
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Minority LeaderTwelve consultants at not to exceed the daily rate for maximum standing committee rate. All of the consultants may be appointed at an annual rate of compensation not to exceed the maximum annual rate for a standing committee.N/A24
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Legislative Counsel (Subject to President Pro Tempore Approval)Two consultants at not to exceed the daily rate for maximum standing committee rate. All of the consultants may be appointed at an annual rate of compensation not to exceed the maximum annual rate for a standing committee.N/A24
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President Pro TemporeThree consultants at not to exceed the daily rate for maximum standing committee rate. The consultants may be appointed at an annual rate of compensation not to exceed the maximum annual rate for a standing committee. N/A24
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President Pro Tempore EmeritusOne consultant at not to exceed the daily rate for maximum standing committee rate. The consultant may be appointed at an annual rate of compensation not to exceed the maximum annual rate for a standing committee.N/A24-25
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Senate National Security Working GroupProvides funding for the Senate National Security Working Group, under the authority of Senate Resolution 75, agreed to March 25, 1999. The Senate National Security Working Group was formerly the Senate Arms Control Observer Group. The Senate National Security Working Group shall operate without future expiration of authority.Senate National Security Working Group25
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Committee on AppropriationsPursuant to Public Law 105–275, provides funding for administrative expenses for the Committee on Appropriations. N/A25
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Senate Employees’ Child Care Center: Agency Contributions.Provides for the payment of agency contribution costs as authorized by Public Law 102–90, approved August 14, 1991, and Public Law 103–50, approved July 2, 1993, for employees of the Senate Employees’ Child Care Center. The Senate Employees’ Child Care Center is intended for the children of Members and employees of the Senate. N/A25
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Senate Employees’ Child Care Center: Reimbursement of SalariesProvides for the reimbursement costs to the Senate Employees’ Child Care Center for the basic pay paid to the Executive Director and for the basic pay paid to the Assistant Director of the Center, as authorized by Senate Resolution 329, approved July 29, 2021.N/A25
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Senate Employees’ Child Care Center: Training Classes and Conference Costs
Provides for the reimbursement of any individual employed by the Senate Employees’ Child Care Center for the cost of training classes and conferences in connection with the provision of child care services and for travel, transportation, and subsistence expenses incurred in connection with the training classes and conferences, as authorized by Public Law 104–197, approved September 16, 1996.N/A25
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Student Loan Repayment Program$9,800,000 is provided for this program for fiscal year 2024 for the repayment of student loans, for eligible employees at the discretion of the employing office, to enhance recruitment and retention of Senate staff. N/A25
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Senate Intern CompensationThe Committee continues to believe that Senate internships should be available to the broadest possible pool of candidates who have the ability and interest to serve. Unfortunately, unpaid internships exclude those who cannot independently afford to work without pay, hindering students’ future career opportunities and making it more difficult for Senators to attract and hire the most qualified interns, regardless of socioeconomic status. Providing interns financial compensation provides an avenue for more students to have the opportunity to serve their country and gain experience toward a career in public service. To date, 94 percent of Senators’ offices expended funds provided in fiscal year 2023 to compensate interns. In addition to funding allocated in the table above for Senators’ office allowances and for agency contribution costs, the bill includes $7,000,000 for the sole purpose of providing financial compensation to interns. This will allow offices to continue to diversify their intern hires and, if an office chooses to do so, provide stipends to better help interns with travel and housing costs. Any intern compensation funding that remains unspent by any office will be returned to the Treasury in accordance with section 101 of the bill. Such funding is directed to be allocated among Senators’ offices in relative proportion to funds allocated for each office’s administrative and clerical assistance allowance for fiscal year 2024 shown in the table above, which reflect natural variables including State populations, with a small additional amount for non-contiguous States. On average, each office will be allocated an estimated $70,000 for intern compensation. N/A27Y
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Risk-Based Protections for Members of CongressThreats against Members of Congress have increased significantly since calendar year 2021. In light of this, the Committee continues to find that ensuring the continuity of government must include protecting the overall security of Members of Congress. The recommendation provides $2,000,000 for the Department to continue to provide Member security outside of the Capitol campus in the National Capital Region [NCR], as warranted by risk-based analyses. The Committee expects the USCP to continue working closely with the Sergeants at Arms and law enforcement partners in the NCR, as well as educating Member offices, on the USCP strategy for Members’ protection within the NCR while off the Capitol Grounds, per the December 2018 report detailing the Department’s plans to enhance off-campus Member security in the NCR.Capitol Police31
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Enhanced Member ProtectionThe Committee continues to recognize the expanding mission requirements for the United States Capitol Police in the area of Member protection. The Department has been provided significant funding to support complex enhanced Member protection initiatives over the last two fiscal years. The Department shall provide quarterly briefings to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate on the Department’s progress in implementing these initiatives. Capitol PoliceQuarterly breifings with Appropriations and Senate Rules Committee31
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Contract Security OfficersThe Committee directs the USCP to submit to the Committee within 30 days of enactment of this act a report on the cost benefit analysis for using the Contract Security Officers [CSO] and on the performance of CSO ability to assist the USCP with meeting mission requirements. Realizing this report will contain law enforcement sensitive information, the report should be secured when provided to the Committee. The updated secured report should include decisional metrics for CSO location utilization and the benefits of supporting sworn officers. The report must detail the Department’s contractor suitability policies for the CSO and any additional security training that may be needed in future contracts. Additionally, the report is required to detail the estimated cost savings for using CSO, to include the offsets of departmental overtime utilization resulting from the CSO.Capitol PoliceReport within 30 days of enactment of this act31-32
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Mutual Aid ReimbursementsThe USCP is directed to continue to expand the use of other Federal, State and local law enforcement entities through reimbursable mutual aid agreements and to ensure a collaborative two-way sharing of critical information to meet USCP mission requirements. Capitol Police32
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Chaplain ProgramThe Committee commends the USCP for its efforts to expand its wellness program for its employees. Maintaining the overall wellness of the USCP workforce is of great importance. The Department is directed to brief the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this act on the status of the implementation of the volunteer chaplain service enacted in Fiscal Year 2023. The briefing should include the number of volunteer chaplains projected for the program, and how USCP is ensuring that personnel are aware of the availability of the service, including how to access such services. Capitol PoliceBrief the Committee within 60 days of enactment of this act32
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Arrest Summary Data Sharing UpdateThe Committee appreciates the USCP’s efforts to provide its arrest data in a more searchable manner and encourages it to continue this effort. Capitol Police32Y
78
Use of Drones and Other Sensitive TechnologiesThe Committee remains concerned that the Department previously purchased drones that were manufactured by a company based in the People’s Republic of China for off-site training outside of Washington, D.C. The Committee appreciates that the Department has stopped the use of the drones, disposed of them, and is taking internal steps to make sure such purchases do not occur again. The Department is directed to further strengthen procedures for the purchasing of sensitive technologies in order to ensure that none are acquired for routine law enforcement purposes from entities identified by the United States Government as posing a cyber or other threat. In addition, the Department is directed to brief the Committee on these efforts within 45 days of enactment of this act. Capitol PoliceBrief the Committe within 45 days of enactment of this act32
79
Bicycle AccessThe Committees directs the USCP, AOC, and the Senate SAA to continue to work with the District of Columbia Department of Transportation to determine if a protected bike lane on Louisiana Avenue can be safely developed to connect residents, commuters, and tourists to the U.S. Capitol, Union Station, and the National Mall. Capitol Police, AOC, Senate SAA32
80
USCP OIGThe Committee includes funds to support not less than 12 FTEs within the USCP OIG. The Committee notes that additional oversight of the USCP is conducted by the Government Accountability Office to supplement the work of the USCP OIG, as needed, as well as the oversight of the USCP provided by the Capitol Police Board, the Committees on Appropriations, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, the Committee on House Administration, and Senate and House Leadership offices. USCP OIG32-33
81
OvertimeThe Committee recommends no more than $74,976,000 for overtime in fiscal year 2024. This provides for approximately 988,241 hours of additional duty. The Committee notes that overtime pay is a standard practice law enforcement entities utilize to respond to unscheduled and unanticipated events. However, understanding the impact of overtime on the onboard personnel, the Committee finds that keeping overtime pay at a minimum should continue to be a goal of the USCP. The Committee directs the USCP to continue its efforts to better track and manage overtime pay in order to keep overtime costs to a minimum. Further, the Committee directs the USCP to provide a detailed report to the Committee on the Department’s efforts to manage the use of overtime on a quarterly basis. The Committee directs the USCP to provide for overtime in accordance with the budget request, as provided for in the following tableCapitol PoliceQuarterly reports to the Committee33
82
USCP Overtime and Staffing ReportThe Committee directs the USCP to submit to the Committee on Appropriations a report within 30 days of issuance of this report that outlines the on-board strength of the USCP broken down by officials, officers, sworn recruits and civilians; a summary of the overall mission set required by the USCP; the number of additional duty (overtime and compensatory) hours worked by each USCP officer; a 3-year sworn attrition summary by rank; a summary of the timeline for training new sworn recruits; the challenges to sworn recruiting and hiring; and the USCP’s multi-year strategy to remediate staffing shortages and incentivize sworn hiring and retention in future fiscal years. The Committee expects this report to be thorough and timely from the Department. The USCP shall provide quarterly updates to the Committee thereafter on its staffing efforts. Capitol PoliceReport within 30 days of issuance of this report within quarterly updates thereafter8/14/2333
83
Stop the Bleed TrainingThe Committee appreciates the USCP’s commitment to conducting ‘‘Stop the Bleed’’ training for its sworn workforce. The USCP is encouraged to continue to provide this training to all new sworn personnel upon appointment to the Department. Capitol Police34
84
Field Office Update ReportThe USCP shall provide the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate with a report within 30 days of enactment of this act on the status of the USCP’s field office implementation and operations, to include the Department’s efforts to facilitate an understanding of the field office operational mission for State and local government entities. Capitol Police34
85
Concept of Operations UpdateThe Committee supports the efforts of the Department to address emerging requirements to better understand its staffing and resources needs in out years. The USCP shall provide a report within 90 days of enactment of this act to the Committee on the progress of the development of the USCP’s Concept of Operations. Capitol Police34
86
Promoting Timeliness and TransparencyThe Congressional Budget Office provides Congress with budgetary and economic analysis that is important to the legislative process and can have significant policy implications. The Committee acknowledges that CBO has undertaken efforts to improve and promote transparency of the agency’s modeling and cost estimates process. The Committee encourages CBO to strengthen its efforts on transparency to respect the interest of Congress and to maintain the agency’s professional independence. As with prior year budget submissions, the Committee expects CBO to include in its fiscal year 2025 budget request details about the agency’s ongoing and future efforts to implement the multi-year plan to increase its capacity to make CBO’s work as transparent and responsive as possible.CBO35
87
AOC Vehicle UsageThe AOC is required to comply with 31 U.S.C. 1343 and, as such, limited by the statutory controls over motor vehicle acquisition and use, including price limitation, equipment, and replacement of motor vehicles, and per regulations set forth by the Government Services Administration [GSA]. The Committee directs the AOC to adhere to GSA regulations on official use of agency vehicles to perform AOC’s mission, including proper identification of the vehicle as Federal Government-issued and -owned, as well as home-to-work policies.AOC36
88
Child Care Facilities The Committee recognizes the long-standing capacity and space issues related to the Senate Employee’s Child Care Center and Little Scholars Child Care Center. The Architect of the Capitol is directed to provide a briefing to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate on updates to the Senate Child Care Facilities study contained in S. Rept. 115–274 within 90 days of the issuance of this report. The briefing should include updated assessments for operationalizing the remaining space in the Little Scholars Child Care Center building to be utilized for child care purposes. AOCBrief the Committee within 90 days of issuance of this report10/13/2336
89
Hygiene ProductsThe Committee appreciates the AOC’s efforts to ensure menstrual hygiene products are available at no cost to all those who use restroom facilities throughout the Capitol Complex buildings and grounds. The AOC is expected to continue making bulk purchases of, storing, and distributing daily menstrual hygiene products throughout the Capitol complex buildings, in coordination with partnering agencies. AOC36
90
Resiliency EffortsThe Committee provides $500,000 for resiliency efforts as outlined in the explanatory statement accompanying Public Law 117–328. N/A36
91
Miscellaneous Improvements NotificationsThe Committee appreciates the AOC’s efforts to document and notify the Committee of ‘‘Miscellaneous Improvements’’ projects, which are completed projects that costs less than $5,000 for labor and materials. AOC36
92
Minor ConstructionThe Committee understands the evolving requirements the AOC faces throughout the fiscal year that impact minor construction accounts. However, the AOC must improve its processes for monitoring and communicating changes, as well as impacts, resulting from deviations. The Committee directs the AOC to provide detailed quarterly reports on Minor Construction projects, including a description and cost of each project, the status of total funding set aside for each purpose, the total amount of remaining funds for the fiscal year in this area and a description of all deviations from fiscal year projected Minor Construction projects. AOCQuarterly reports to the Committee37
93
Physical Accessibility Barriers ReportThe Committee acknowledges the work of the Architect of the Capitol to address potential accessibility barriers identified by the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights. The AOC shall provide a briefing to the Committee on Appropriations and the Committee on Rules and Administration within 60 days of enactment of this act on the status of addressing the remaining potential physical accessibility barriers on the Capitol Complex. The report should include an explanation of each potential barrier, recommended mitigation for each, the estimated costs to mitigate as necessary, and challenges to addressing each item.AOCBrief the Approprations and Senate Rules Committee within 60 days of enactment of this act37
94
Senate Restaurants—Addressing Deferred Maintenance and Realigning Physical Operations to Better Address Requirements
As a part of the AOC’s multi-year Senate restaurant renovations project, the Committee supports the AOC’s efforts to realign the physical operations of the Senate restaurant locations to better utilize space and address the requirements for the function in a manner that also utilizes funding to address long-deferred maintenance and achieve lifecycle replacement requirements. AOC37
95
Beef ProductsThe Committee encourages the management of food service facilities in the Capitol and Senate to source beef and beef products that are marked ‘‘Product of USA,’’ which indicates the products are born, raised, and processed in the United States. Capitol Food Services37
96
Library of Congress Visitor Experience ProjectThe Committee is concerned with the progress made to date on the LOC’s Visitor Experience project. Additionally, the Committee remains concerned about the manner in which the AOC conducts its cost estimation and project scoping for its projects and initiatives. The AOC is directed to adopt better industry standards to improve performance in this area. Further, the AOC is directed to assign a dedicated project manager to the Visitor Experience within 30 days of the issuance of this report, so that the proper focus and internal controls can be achieved to complete this initiative in a timely mannerAOCAssign a dedicated project manager within 30 days of issuance of this report8/14/2337-38
97
AOC Office of the Inspector GeneralWithin the total, the Committee provides no less than $6,110,000 for the AOC OIG. The recommendation includes the request of $487,000 for 2 additional FTEs. The Committee also directs the AOC to ensure that sufficient funding is available for contracts and other expenses identified by the AOC OIG to fulfill its mission. Finally, the Committee reiterates that the independence of the AOC OIG is of the utmost importance. AOC OIG38
98
Studying SustainabilityThe AOC’s annual Performance and Accountability Report [PAR] provides the results of the AOC’s financial performance each fiscal year, as well as demonstrates the AOC’s commitment to the accomplishment of its mission and accountability for its financial resources. As part of the PAR completed for fiscal year 2024, the AOC will report on greenhouse gas emissions analysis as data is available for the Capitol complex. The Committee further directs the AOC to include information in each PAR that reflects all significant measures taken to address efficient use of steam and electricity. The AOC will continue to include this information as part of this report on an annual basis to leverage energy conservation and maximize the use of energy efficient sources throughout the legislative branch facilities.38
99
Composting ProgramWhile the Committee recommendation does not provide additional funding for composting activities, the Committee encourages the AOC to continue exploring options for composting and food waste reduction with offices who are interested from within existing resourcesAOC39
100
Bio-based MaterialsThe Committee recognizes the benefits of utilizing bio-based products on the Capitol grounds. The Committee encourages the AOC to explore opportunities to incorporate biobased products into ongoing projects where appropriate.AOC39