Thursday, May 17th, 2012
Press Contact: Ryan Nickel (202) 225-3481
WASHINGTON- House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rep. Norm Dicks made the following comments after release of the Legislative Branch bill text:
"Today the Republican Majority released their Legislative Branch bill text for fiscal year 2013 with an allocation that is just slightly below last year and once again, well within the range of what would have been expected if Republicans had stuck to the discretionary number agreed to in the Budget Control Act. In this year's first full committee markup, Republicans approved subcommittee allocations based on the Ryan budget which confirm that Republican leadership intends to reserve austerity for domestic discretionary bills that they have postponed until later in the appropriations process.
"I remain adamant that we get back to the balanced approach we agreed to in the bipartisan Budget Control Act so that our country doesn't follow in the footsteps of European economies now in double-dip recessions.
"I am encouraged that the President, Democrats and Republicans in the Senate, and House Democrats have agreed that the more balanced BCA allocation of $1.047 trillion is the real level of spending for FY13 and where we will eventually end up.
"For the most part, however, this bill has been protected from Ryan budget austerity.
"Many programs and agencies important to the operations of Congress have been spared from harmful cuts. Support agencies such as the Congressional Budget Office, the Congressional Research Service and the Government Accountability Office are all adequately funded, allowing them to continue operating without further reductions in staff or services.
"The very successful Wounded Warrior program that provides job opportunities in the House for our veterans is funded at a level that allows us to accommodate the same number of participants next year.
"However, not every account has been spared. As anyone who has recently looked up at the Capitol Dome knows, the Architect of the Capitol is in the middle of an extensive restoration effort. This bill's allocation doesn't provide the funds needed to begin the 2nd and most expensive phase of that effort, but rather cuts significantly below last year's funding level for the AOC. I'd prefer the dome remain a monument to our nation's greatness and not become a symbol for short-sighted austerity."
Below is a brief summary of funding levels in the FY2013 Legislative Branch bill
Total Allocation: $3.333 billion | -$34 million below the FY2012 enacted level | -$190 million below the FY2013 budget request.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO): The bill provides $44.3 million total, $493 thousand above the FY2012 enacted level and -$357 thousand below the FY2013 budget request.
Government Accountability Office (GAO): The bill provides $519.8 million total, $8.5 million above the FY2012 enacted level and -$6.4 million below the FY2013 budget request.
Architect of the Capitol: The bill provides $443.8 million total, -$52.5 million below the FY2012 enacted level and -$145 million below the FY2013 budget request.
Library of Congress: The bill provides $592.6 million total, $5.3 million above the FY2012 enacted level and -$10.9 million below the FY2013 budget request.
Congressional Research Service (CRS): The bill provides $108 million total, $878 thousand above the FY2012 enacted level and -$1.5 million below the FY2013 budget request.
Wounded Warrior: The bill provides $2.17 million total, -$325 thousand below the FY2012 enacted level and equal to the FY2013 budget request. The cut below last year is due to administrative cost savings, not a reduction in the number of participants.
Members Representational Allowance (MRA): The bill provides $573.9 million total, equal to the FY2012 enacted level and equal to the FY2013 budget request.
Defense of Marriage Act: No funds have been specifically designated in this bill for the purpose of defending the Defense of Marriage Act.
Source: U.S. Department of HCA
