Although this reduction appears to be relatively modest, it is more than a five percent cut to the staff that maintain the Capitol Building and provide other essential complex-wide services. The action that the Congress has taken, however, would considerably weaken the ability to coordinate and manage all the diverse activities for which the office is responsible. A thorough review of the abolished positions was made. It is requested that five of those positions, that is, those that have been deemed the most critical in terms of service delivery, be restored at this time.

As stated, this reduction represents more than a 5% staffing cut to this appropriation. The Capitol Building is the most heavily used building in the Capitol complex. It houses the Senate and House Leadership, the Senate and House Chambers, numerous Senate and House Committee offices, and offices for the Officers of both Houses. addition, it is the building most visited by tourists who come to view the activities of the Congress. It is also the most highly decorated and oldest building on the Hill, and it requires the most dedicated care and maintenance to keep its elaborate architectural finishes in good condition and many systems functioning. In addition to the existing space, over 16,000 square feet of space are being added with the new Courtyard infills next fiscal year, and that will add to the workload.

Restoration of the three air conditioning equipment mechanics is critical. The Capitol Building has undergone several retrofits to install air conditioning in the building, and since then several renovations have been performed to improve system service. However, because of the extremely critical nature of the activities taking place in the Capitol Building, it is essential to ensure that the air conditioning units work properly at all times. Thus, restoration of these three positions is considered to be critical.

The painter position that is being requested for restoration is also considered to be critical. The thousands of visitors to the Capitol Building place a heavy demand on repainting surfaces that become marred and grimy beyond the point that cleaning can improve. In addition, now that the courtyard infill spaces will be available for occupancy and use by the Congress, the basement corridors will be used much more frequently by Members and Senators. In the past, these areas have not been painted as frequently since they have housed maintenance shops. The increased use of these areas by Members and Senators will increase the workload demand for these areas. Thus, restoration of this position is considered to be critical.

Finally, restoration of the elevator mechanic position is essential to maintenance of the systems in the building. The U. S. Capitol Building has fourteen elevators and two escalators on the Senate Side and thirteen elevators and two escalators on the House Side. These systems are used constantly and require comprehensive maintenance to prevent system failures. Although a comprehensive modernization program is now underway, once the elevators are modernized they will still require maintenance to ensure their reliability. Without a fully staffed elevator mechanic crew, it is doubtful that the reliability can be ensured. Thus, restoration of this position is considered to be critical.

OTHER INCREASES Penalty Mail increased from $15,000 to $20,000..

ANNUAL RECURRING ITEMS

$

5,000

This amount is needed to reimburse the U.S. Postal Service for all penalty mail costs incurred by the Office of the Architect of the Capitol. It is required to be paid under the provisions of Chapter 32 of Title 39 of the U.S. Code. The increase is based on current expenditures. An increase was requested and denied in fiscal year

1992.

an

For fiscal year 1994, an amount of $800,000 is required for the rental of warehouse space. The present lease contract at 1430 South Capitol Street, S.E., for 72,287 square feet of space has inflationary increase factor which will result in an estimated cost of $514,000, including utilities. In addition, the present lease contract at 120 Canal Street, S.E., for 44,860 square feet of space has an inflationary increase factor which will result in an estimated cost of $232,000, including utilities. Thus the total estimated requirement for warehouse costs in fiscal year 1994 is $800,000, a $54,000 increase over the amount appropriated in fiscal year 1993.

Funds in the amount of $100,000 are requested to lease an additional amount of warehouse space to accommodate the storage of furniture and furnishings for the Senate Office Buildings.

Over the past several years, pressure to reallocate storage space for office use has led to the reassignment of storage space to Senate Occupants within the office buildings. A total of 10,000 square feet of storage has been reassigned. At the same time, new furniture and furnishings policies adopted by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration during fiscal year 1989 increased the inventory of items available to Senate offices. Funding was made available to acquire the expanded inventory of items, but no additional storage space was assigned to provide for proper inventory management.

Such

As a result, furniture and furnishings are now jammed into mechanical equipment rooms, in attic spaces, and in corridors. storage results in increased damage to the furniture while it is stored improperly. More importantly, storage in equipment rooms creates a safety hazard in that it partially blocks egress routes and impedes ready access to the equipment.

Language in the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1993, Public
Law 102-392, approved October 6, 1992, provided the Architect with
authority to lease space in the Federal Judiciary Building for
Architect staff.

The estimate for lease costs ($885,000) is based on the rentable square footage of space (63,168) that has been allocated for use by the Architect of the Capitol and estimated base rent costs ($28/square foot). The first payment, which will be a half year payment, is due in August 1994. For fiscal year 1995, the full year cost will be approximately $1,770,000, and the base rent cost will not change over the thirty year debt retirement period,

The estimate for operations and maintenance costs ($475,000) is based on the rentable square footage of space (63,168) that has been allocated for use by the Architect of the Capitol and the estimated operating cost ($7.22/square foot) that will be charged on a square foot basis to all Federal Judiciary Building tenants. This amount totals $460,000. In addition, $5,000 is required for the Architect's

contribution toward the operation of the building's health care unit, and $10,000 is required as a one time payment for the day care center costs. The operations and maintenance costs will be revised from time to time as necessary.

This allotment provides for recurring repairs and alterations needed for the general structural care and maintenance of the building and its equipment such as carpentry, concrete, masonry, machinery, equipment, electrical, sheetmetal work, minor roof and skylight work, plumbing, plastering, brickwork and venetian blinds.

The

This increase is requested to meet rising costs for this work. greatest increased cost under this allotment is for "plastering." Over the past two years, the Capitol Building has required significant plaster repairs. In fiscal year 1992, over $65,000 was spent performing plaster repairs, and over $81,000 was spent the previous year. The requested increase will allot an additional $56,000 for plaster repairs. The balance will be distributed among the other suballotments in this account.

This allotment was last increased in fiscal year 1989.
Maintenance of Air Conditioning System increased from $45,000 to
$65,000..

This allotment provides for the maintenance of all of the air
conditioning equipment in the Capitol, and includes such items as
filters, oil, grease, cleaning equipment, tools, paint and refrigerant
for the air conditioning equipment. Maintenance is also performed on

20,000