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• Legislative Branch: FY2015 Appropriations

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Printing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); and Open World Leadership Center. The legislative branch FY2015 budget request of $4.471 billion was submitted on March 4, 2014. By law, the President includes the requests submitted from the legislative branch in the annual budget without change. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees' Legislative Branch Subcommittees held hearings to consider the FY2015 legislative branch requests. The House subcommittee held its markup on April 4, 2014, and the full committee held a markup on April 9. One amendment was offered in the full committee, but failed. The bill, which would provide $3.3 billion (not including Senate items), was reported on April 17 (H.R. 4487, H.Rept. 113-417)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-05-20
• Offices and Officials in the Senate: Roles and Duties [May 7, 2014]

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  "Article I, Section 3, clause 5 of the United States Constitution states that the Senate shall 'chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.' Currently, the Senate elects a Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (hereinafter Sergeant at Arms), and Chaplain. These officers provide services to the entire Senate community. Two additional officers--Secretary for the Majority and Secretary for the Minority-- are nominated by their parties and formally elected by the entire Senate. The Senate also elects a President pro tempore, although, this position--held by a member of the Senate (traditionally the majority party Senator with the longest continuous service)--is not addressed in this report.1 In addition, the Senate has established appointive offices, including the Legal Counsel, Legislative Counsel, and Parliamentarian, to handle certain other duties to the Senate. The roles and duties of these officers and officials have developed over time. They derive from Senate instructions codified in the Senate Rules, standing orders, the Senate Handbook, and law; Senate officers' activities may also be influenced by historical custom and precedent.2 Many of their duties are further defined by the committees with oversight and funding responsibilities for the Senate. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, for example, has jurisdiction under Senate Rule XXV(n)(1) over many of the activities carried out by these officers and officials involving, for example, the Senate office buildings, Senate art, congressional printing, services to the Senate, and payments from the Senate contingent fund. The Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Legislative Branch also may provide oversight of activities carried out by officers and officials through the annual appropriations hearings, reports, and bill language. Unlike in the House, which elects its officers to a two-year term, elected officers of the Senate do not have to be reelected at the beginning of a new Senate. Officers are elected when their predecessors leave office.3 When a vacancy occurs, the Senate chooses a new officer through the adoption of a resolution. When multiple officers are elected on the same day, separate resolutions are generally considered. Further, a deputy or assistant may be authorized to act in the absence of an officer. This report outlines the officers of the Senate, including brief information about the history of each office, examples of their roles and duties, and election or appointment information about the current incumbent."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-05-07
• Legislative Branch: FY2015 Appropriations [November 13, 2014]

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Printing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); and Open World Leadership Center. The legislative branch FY2015 budget request of $4.471 billion was submitted on March 4, 2014. By law, the President includes the requests submitted from the legislative branch in the annual budget without change. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees' Legislative Branch Subcommittees held hearings to consider the FY2015 legislative branch requests. The House subcommittee held its markup on April 4, 2014, and the full committee held a markup on April 9. One amendment was offered in the full committee, but failed. The bill, which would provide $3.3 billion (not including Senate items), was reported on April 17 (H.R. 4487, H.Rept. 113-417). The House passed H.R. 4487, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2015, on May 1, 2014, by a vote of 402-14. The Senate Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 4487, as amended, on June 19, 2014, by voice vote (S.Rept. 113-196). This version would provide $4.3 billion. No further action on H.R. 4487 was taken, and legislative branch activities are currently funded through December 11, 2014, by a continuing appropriations resolution (P.L. 113-164). Legislative branch funding, which peaked in FY2010, remains below the FY2009 level of $4.501 billion. In FY2014, the funding level was $4.259 billion. The FY2013 act funded legislative branch accounts at the FY2012 enacted level, with some exceptions (also known as 'anomalies'), less across-the-board rescissions that applied to all appropriations in the act, and not including sequestration reductions implemented on March 1. The FY2012 level represented a decrease of $236.9 million (-5.2%) from the FY2011 level, which itself represented a $125.1 million decrease (-2.7%) from FY2010. The smallest of the appropriations bills, the legislative branch comprises approximately 0.4% of total discretionary budget authority."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-11-13
• Representatives and Senators: Trends in Member Characteristics Since 1945 [January 27, 2014]

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  "Questions about the characteristics of Members of Congress, including their age, education, previous occupations, and other descriptors, are of ongoing interest to Members, congressional staff, and constituents. Some of these questions may be asked in the context of representation, in efforts to evaluate the extent to which Members of Congress reflect their constituencies and the nation at large. In other instances, questions arise about how the characteristics of Members have changed over time, which may speak in part to the history of Congress. This report provides profiles of Senators and Representatives in selected Congresses since 1945. It includes data based on Representatives and Senators serving on the first day of the 79th -- 113th Congresses for several demographic characteristics. The characteristics discussed include age, including the oldest and youngest Members of the House and Senate; sex; previous occupation; race and ethnicity; education; religion; and military service. Following summaries of each characteristic, the report provides a number of tables that present the detailed data by the category on which the summaries are based. All data tables appear in the 'Member Characteristics Data Tables' section."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.; Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-; Manning, Jennifer E. . . .

  2014-01-27
• Legislative Branch: FY2016 Appropriations [June 8, 2015]

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  From the summary: "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Publishing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); and Open World Leadership Center. The legislative branch FY2016 budget request of $4.528 billion was submitted on February 2, 2015. By law, the President includes the requests submitted by the legislative branch in the annual budget without change. A budget amendment was transmitted by the President to Congress on April 14, 2015. […] Legislative branch funding peaked in FY2010, and the FY2016 House-passed bill currently remains below the FY2009 level of $4.501 billion. The Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015 (P.L. 113-235, Division H, enacted December 16, 2014) provides $4.300 billion, an increase of $41.7 million (1.0%) from the FY2014 funding level of $4.259 billion. The FY2013 act funded legislative branch accounts at the FY2012 enacted level, with some exceptions (also known as 'anomalies'), less across-the-board rescissions that applied to all appropriations in the act, and not including sequestration reductions implemented on March 1. The FY2012 level represented a decrease of $236.9 million (-5.2%) from the FY2011 level, which itself represented a $125.1 million decrease (-2.7%) from FY2010."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2015-06-08
• Legislative Branch: FY2016 Appropriations [February 1, 2016]

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  From the Summary: "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Publishing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); the Open World Leadership Center; and the John C. Stennis Center. The legislative branch FY2016 budget request of $4.528 billion was submitted on February 2, 2015. By law, the President includes the legislative branch request in the annual budget without change. A budget amendment was transmitted by the President to Congress on April 14, 2015."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2016-02-01
• Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA): History and Usage [February 25, 2016]

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  "The Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account (SOPOEA) is available to assist Senators in their official duties. The allowance is provided on a fiscal year basis (i.e., October 1-September 30). Funding is provided in the annual legislative branch appropriations bills. Senators have a high degree of flexibility to use the SOPOEA to operate their offices in a way that supports their congressional duties and responsibilities, and individual office spending may be as varied as the states from which the Senators are elected. This appropriations account has decreased in recent years, from a high of $422.0 million in FY2010 to $390.0 million in FY2014, a decrease of 7.6%. The appropriation remained at the FY2014 level in the FY2015 and FY2016 appropriations acts. The SOPOEA for each Senator is calculated based on three variables--the administrative and clerical assistance allowance, the legislative assistance allowance, and the official office expense allowance. The formula results in a single, consolidated allowance for each Senator that can be used to pay for any type of approved official expense, subject to any regulations or limitations established by statute, Senate rules, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, and the Senate Ethics Committee."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2016-02-25
• Legislative Branch: FY2017 Appropriations [June 2, 2016]

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  "The first section of this report provides an overview of the consideration of FY2017 legislative branch appropriations, with subsections covering each action, including the initial submission of the request on February 9, 2016; hearings held by the House and Senate Legislative Branch Subcommittees in March; the House subcommittee markup on April 20, 2016; the House full committee markup on May 17, 2016; and the Senate full committee markup on May 19, 2016. It is followed by a section on prior year actions and funding, which contains historical tables. The report then addresses the FY2017 budget requests, requested administrative language, and selected funding issues for individual legislative branch agencies and entities. Finally, Table 5 through Table 9 list enacted funding levels for FY2016 and requested and House and Senate Appropriations Committee-reported levels for FY2017, while the Appendix lists House, Senate, and conference bills and reports; public law numbers; and enactment dates since FY1998."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2016-06-02
• Legislative Branch: FY2013 Appropriations [May 2, 2013]

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Printing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); and Open World Leadership Center. The legislative branch FY2013 budget request of $4.512 billion was submitted on February 13, 2012. The FY2013 request represented an increase of $205.5 million over the $4.307 billion in discretionary funding provided in the FY2012 Consolidated Appropriations Act (P.L. 112-74). The House and Senate Appropriations Committees Legislative Branch Subcommittees held hearings to consider the FY2013 legislative branch requests. Among issues that were considered during hearings were: the tight budget environment, prioritization of budget resources, and further options for potential savings or efficiencies; state and district office security; preparations and funding for the January 2013 Presidential Inauguration; deferred maintenance around the Capitol Complex, including the Capitol Dome; and the future of government printing in the digital age."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-05-02
• Legislative Branch Agency Appointments: History, Processes, and Recent Proposals

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  "The leaders of the legislative branch agencies and entities--the Government Accountability Office, the Library of Congress, the Congressional Research Service, the Government Printing Office, the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of Compliance--are appointed in a variety of manners. Four agencies are led by a person appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate; two are appointed by Congress; one is appointed by the Librarian of Congress; one is appointed by a board of directors. Congress has periodically examined the procedures used to appoint these officers with the aim of protecting the prerogatives of, and ensuring accountability to, Congress within the framework of the advice and consent appointment process established in Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution. This report contains information on the legislative branch agency heads' appointment processes, length of tenures (if terms are set), reappointment or removal provisions (if any), salaries and benefits, and most recent appointments."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-06-12
• Congressional Salaries and Allowances: In Brief [December 30, 2014]

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  This Congressional Research Service (CRS) Report to Congress covers the compensation, benefits, and allowances of members of congress. Tables are included to illustrate the accounts.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-12-30
• Offices and Officials in the Senate: Roles and Duties [March 16, 2015]

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  "Article I, Section 3, clause 5 of the United States Constitution states that the Senate shall 'chuse their other Officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the Office of President of the United States.' Currently, the Senate elects a Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper (hereinafter Sergeant at Arms), and Chaplain. These officers provide services to the entire Senate community. Two additional officers--Secretary for the Majority and Secretary for the Minority-- are nominated by their parties and formally elected by the entire Senate. The Senate also elects a President pro tempore, although, this position--held by a member of the Senate (traditionally the majority party Senator with the longest continuous service)--is not addressed in this report. In addition, the Senate has established appointive offices, including the Legal Counsel, Legislative Counsel, and Parliamentarian, to handle certain other duties to the Senate. This report outlines the officers of the Senate, including brief information about the history of each office, examples of their roles and duties, and election or appointment information about the current incumbent."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2015-03-16
• Congressional Salaries and Allowances [January 7, 2014]

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  "This report provides basic information on congressional salaries and allowances. First, the report briefly summarizes the current salary of Members of Congress, limits on their outside earned income and honoraria, available life and health insurance, and retirement benefits. Second, the report provides information on allowances available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties. These allowances cover official office expenses, including staff, mail, travel between a Member's district or state and Washington, DC, equipment, and other goods and services. Third, the report lists the salaries of Members, House and Senate officers and officials, and salary limits for committee staff. Congressional salaries have been frozen since 2009, and many allowances have been frozen or reduced in recent years. Additionally, the implementation of P.L. 111-148, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, changed the available health care options for Members of Congress and certain staff from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHB) to health care exchanges. Further information on salaries of Members of Congress may be found in CRS Report 97-615, 'Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2013', by Ida A. Brudnick and CRS Report 97-1011, 'Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables', by Ida A. Brudnick. Additional information on other topics may be found in reports referenced throughout."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-01-07
• Legislative Branch: FY2017 Appropriations [February 21, 2017]

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Publishing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Open World Leadership Center; and the John C. Stennis Center. The FY2017 legislative branch budget request of $4.659 billion was submitted on February 9, 2016. By law, the President includes the legislative branch request in the annual budget submission without change. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees' Legislative Branch Subcommittees held hearings in March to consider the FY2017 legislative branch requests. […] The smallest of the appropriations bills, the legislative branch comprises approximately 0.4% of total discretionary budget authority."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2017-02-21
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables, 97-1011 [September 20, 2012]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting specific legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. By 1968, pay had risen to $30,000. Specific legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. Members of Congress last received a pay adjustment in January 2009. At that time, their salary was increased 2.8%, to $174,000 from $169,300. A provision in the FY2009 Omnibus Appropriations Act prohibited any pay adjustment for 2010. Under the pay adjustment formula, Members were originally scheduled to receive an adjustment in January 2010 of 2.1%, although this would have been revised downward automatically to 1.5% to match the GS base pay adjustment. Members next were scheduled to receive a 0.9% pay adjustment in 2011. The pay adjustment was prohibited by P.L. 111-165 (H.R. 5146), which was enacted on May 14, 2010. Additionally, P.L. 111-322, which was enacted on December 22, 2010, prevented any adjustment in GS base pay before December 31, 2012. Since the percentage adjustment in Member pay may not exceed the percentage adjustment in the base pay of GS employees, Member pay is also frozen during this period. If not limited by GS pay, Members could have received a salary adjustment of 1.3% in January 2012 under the ECI formula."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2012-09-20
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2011 [January 4, 2012]

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  "The automatic annual adjustment for Members of Congress is determined by a formula using a component of the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures rate of change in private sector pay. The adjustment automatically takes effect unless (1) Congress statutorily prohibits the adjustment; (2) Congress statutorily revises the adjustment; or (3) the annual base pay adjustment of General Schedule (GS) federal employees is established at a rate less than the scheduled increase for Members, in which case the percentage adjustment for Member pay is automatically lowered to match the percentage adjustment in GS base pay. Members may not receive an annual pay adjustment greater than 5%. This adjustment formula was established by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. Votes on the annual adjustments since the implementation of this act are contained in this report."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2012-01-04
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2013 [June 20, 2013]

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  "The automatic annual adjustment for Members of Congress is determined by a formula using a component of the Employment Cost Index (ECI), which measures rate of change in private sector pay. The adjustment automatically takes effect unless (1) Congress statutorily prohibits the adjustment; (2) Congress statutorily revises the adjustment; or (3) the annual base pay adjustment of General Schedule (GS) federal employees is established at a rate less than the scheduled increase for Members, in which case the percentage adjustment for Member pay is automatically lowered to match the percentage adjustment in GS base pay. Members may not receive an annual pay adjustment greater than 5%. This adjustment formula was established by the Ethics Reform Act of 1989. Votes on the annual adjustments since the implementation of this act are contained in this report."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-06-20
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [June 20, 2013]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting specific legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. Specific legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. […] This report contains information on the pay procedure and recent adjustments. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-06-20
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2013 [November 4, 2013]

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  "The U.S. Constitution, in Article I, Section 6, authorizes compensation for Members of Congress 'ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.' Throughout American history, Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Specific legislation was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years. […] Since January, 2009, the salary for Members of Congress has been $174,000. Subsequent adjustments were denied by P.L. 111-8 (enacted March 11, 2009), P.L. 111-165 (May 14, 2010), P.L. 111-322 (December 22, 2010), P.L. 112-175 (September 28, 2012), P.L. 112-240 (January 2, 2013), and P.L. 113-46 (October 17, 2013). […] Members of Congress only receive salaries during the terms for which they are elected. Former Members of Congress may be eligible for retirement benefits."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-11-04
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [November 4, 2013]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting specific legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. Specific legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. […] This report contains information on the pay procedure and recent adjustments. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2013-11-04
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [June 17, 2014]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. Prior to 1969, Congress did so by enacting specific legislation. From 1789 through 1968, Congress raised its pay 22 times using this procedure. Members were initially paid per diem. The first annual salaries, in 1815, were $1,500. Per diem pay was reinstituted in 1817. Congress returned to annual salaries, at a rate of $3,000, in 1855. Specific legislation may still be used to raise Member pay, as it was most recently in 1982, 1983, 1989, and 1991; but two other methods--including an automatic annual adjustment procedure and a commission process--are now also available. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. […] This report contains information on the pay procedure and recent adjustments. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-06-17
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Congressional Votes, 1990-2016 [June 21, 2016]

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  "Article I, Section 6, of the U.S. Constitution requires that compensation for Members of Congress be 'ascertained by law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States.' Congress has relied on three different methods in adjusting salaries for Members. Specific legislation was last used to provide increases in 1990 and 1991. It was the only method used by Congress for many years. The second method, under which annual adjustments took effect automatically unless disapproved by Congress, was established in 1975. From 1975 to 1989, these annual adjustments were based on the rate of annual comparability increases given to the General Schedule (GS) federal employees. This method was changed by the 1989 Ethics Act to require that the annual adjustment be determined by a formula based on certain elements of the Employment Cost Index (ECI). Under this revised process, annual adjustments were accepted 13 times (scheduled for January 1991, 1992, 1993, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2009) and denied 13 times (scheduled for January 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016). […] This report contains information on actions taken affecting each pay year since the establishment of the Ethics Reform Act adjustment procedure. It also provides information on other floor action related to pay for Members of Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2016-06-21
• Salaries of Members of Congress: Recent Actions and Historical Tables [June 21, 2016]

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  "Congress is required by Article I, Section 6, of the Constitution to determine its own pay. In the past, Congress periodically enacted specific legislation to alter its pay; the last time this occurred affected pay in 1991. More recently, pay has been determined pursuant to laws establishing formulas for automatic adjustments. The Ethics Reform Act of 1989 established the current automatic annual adjustment formula, which is based on changes in private sector wages as measured by the Employment Cost Index (ECI). The adjustment is automatic unless denied statutorily, although the percentage may not exceed the percentage base pay increase for General Schedule (GS) employees. Member pay has since been frozen in two ways: (1) directly, through legislation that freezes salaries for Members but not for other federal employees, and (2) indirectly, through broader pay freeze legislation that covers Members and other specified categories of federal employees. […] This report contains information on the pay procedure and actions and freezes since the last pay adjustment in 2009. It also contains historical information on the rate of pay for Members of Congress since 1789; the adjustments projected by the Ethics Reform Act as compared to actual adjustments in Member pay; details on past legislation enacted with language prohibiting the annual pay adjustment; and Member pay in constant and current dollars since 1992."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2016-06-21
• Members' Representational Allowance: History and Usage [Updated March 24, 2022]

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  From the Introduction: "Congressional office spending has been a regular topic of interest to academics, interest groups, newspapers, and constituents for many years. It is a topic frequently mentioned in newspaper articles that address individual Member spending or generally discuss financial accountability among elected officials, and it has been examined by watchdog organizations and interest groups covering congressional spending on internal operations generally. A few scholars have also examined how Members typically spend their office allowances, analyzing spending within broader theories of representation. Individual office spending may be as varied as the districts Members represent. Factors affecting spending include the tenure or interests of the Member, levels of casework, geography, unexpected events, and even the congressional calendar. While Representatives have a high degree of flexibility to operate their offices in a way that supports their congressional duties and responsibilities, they must operate within a number of restrictions and regulations. The Members' Representational Allowance (MRA), the allowance provided to Members of the House of Representatives to operate their DC and district offices, may only support Members in their official and representational duties. It may not be used for personal or campaign purposes. [...] This report provides a history of the MRA and overview of recent developments. It also demonstrates actual MRA spending patterns in recent years for all voting Members who served for a defined period. Spending and practices across offices and across time vary, and an examination of additional Congresses would be required for a more complete picture of congressional office spending patterns."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2022-03-24
• Women in Congress, 1917-2022: Service Dates and Committee Assignments by Member, and Lists by State and Congress [Updated March 3, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "This report includes brief biographical information, committee assignments, dates of service, district information, and listings by Congress and state, and (for Representatives) congressional districts of the 397 women who have been elected or appointed to Congress. It will be updated when there are relevant changes in the makeup of Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manning, Jennifer E.; Brudnick, Ida A.

  2022-03-03
• Congressional Salaries and Allowances: In Brief [Updated November 3, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "This report provides basic information on congressional salaries and allowances. First, the report briefly summarizes the current salary of Members of Congress; limits or prohibitions on their outside earned income, honoraria, and tax deductions; options for life and health insurance; and retirement benefits. Second, the report provides information on allowances available to Representatives and Senators to support them in their official and representational duties. These allowances cover official office expenses, including staff, mail, travel between a Member's district or state and Washington, DC, equipment, and other goods and services. Although the House and Senate allowances are structured differently, both are determined by formulas based on variables from the district or state (e.g., distance from Washington, DC). Third, the report lists the salaries of Members, House and Senate officers and officials, and salary limits for staff of committees and Member offices."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.

  2021-11-03
• Women in Congress, 1917-2021: Service Dates and Committee Assignments by Member, and Lists by State and Congress [Updated January 4, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "In total 396 women have been elected or appointed to Congress, 258 Democrats and 138 Republicans. These figures include six nonvoting Delegates, one each from Guam, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, and American Samoa, and two from the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as one Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico. Of these 396 women, there have been [1] 338 (222 Democrats, 116 Republicans) women elected only to the House of Representatives; [2] 41 (25 Democrats, 16 Republicans) women elected or appointed only to the Senate; and [3] 17 (11 Democrats, 6 Republicans) women who have served in both chambers. A record 148 women were initially sworn in for the 117th Congress. Since then, two House Members have resigned, four new House Members have been sworn in, one Senator resigned, and one Senator's appointed term expired. Of 148 women currently in Congress, there are [1] 24 in the Senate (16 Democrats and 8 Republicans); [2] 120 Representatives in the House (89 Democrats and 31 Republicans); and [3] 4 in the House (2 Democrats and 2 Republicans) who serve as Delegates or Resident Commissioner, representing the District of Columbia, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. This report includes brief biographical information, committee assignments, dates of service, district information, and listings by Congress and state, and (for Representatives) congressional districts of the 396 women who have been elected or appointed to Congress. It will be updated when there are relevant changes in the makeup of Congress."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manning, Jennifer E.; Brudnick, Ida A.

  2022-01-04
• Women in Congress: Statistics and Brief Overview [Updated January 3, 2022]

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  From the Summary: "As of December 16, 2021, 148 women are serving in the 117th Congress. There are 124 women serving in the House (including 3 Delegates and the Resident Commissioner), 91 Democrats and 33 Republicans. There are 24 women in the Senate, 16 Democrats and 8 Republicans. Initially, at the beginning of the 117th Congress, there were 148 women, and since then this number has fluctuated as two House Members resigned; four House Members took their respective oaths of office in February, April, June, and November 2021; one Senator resigned; and one Senator's appointed term expired. [...] This report includes historical information, including the number of women in Congress over time; means of entry to Congress; comparisons to international and state legislatures; records for tenure; firsts for women in Congress; women in leadership; tallies of African American, Asian Pacific American, Hispanic, and American Indian women in Congress; and a brief overview of research questions related to the role and impact of women in Congress. The Appendix provides details on the total number of women who have served in each Congress, including information on changes within a Congress. Due to this turnover during a Congress, the text, tables, and notes throughout the report provide details on time periods used for the tallies and the currency of the information."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manning, Jennifer E.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Shogan, Colleen J., 1975- . . .

  2022-01-03
• Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects [December 10, 2018]

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  "When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to continue government operations, then, under the Antideficiency Act, an agency must cease operations, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued activity. Funding gaps are distinct from shutdowns, and the criteria that flow from the Antideficiency Act for determining which activities are affected by a shutdown are complex. Failure of the President and Congress to reach agreement on full-year or interim funding measures occasionally has caused shutdowns of affected federal government activities. The longest such shutdown lasted 21 full days during FY1996, from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996. More recently, a relatively long funding gap commenced on October 1, 2013, the first day of FY2014, after funding for the previous fiscal year expired. Because funding did not resume on October 1, affected agencies began to cease operations and furlough personnel that day. A 16-full-day shutdown ensued, the first to occur in over 17 years. Subsequently, two comparatively brief shutdowns occurred during FY2018, in January and February 2018, respectively."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brass, Clinton T.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Keegan, Natalie . . .

  2018-12-10
• Shutdown of the Federal Government: Causes, Processes, and Effects [November 30, 2017]

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  "When federal agencies and programs lack funding after the expiration of full-year or interim appropriations, the agencies and programs experience a funding gap. If funding does not resume in time to continue government operations, then, under the Antideficiency Act, an agency must cease operations, except in certain situations when law authorizes continued activity. The criteria that flow from the Antideficiency Act for determining which activities are affected are complex. Failure of the President and Congress to reach agreement on full-year or interim funding measures occasionally has caused shutdowns of affected federal government activities. The longest such shutdown lasted 21 full days during FY1996, from December 16, 1995, to January 6, 1996. More recently, a funding gap commenced on October 1, 2013, the first day of FY2014, after funding for the previous fiscal year expired. Because funding did not resume on October 1, affected agencies began to cease operations and furlough personnel that day. A 16-full-day shutdown ensued, the first to occur in over 17 years."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brass, Clinton T.; Brudnick, Ida A.; Keegan, Natalie . . .

  2017-11-30