Mr. ROBERTS. With your permission, we will now take up the first estimate covering salaries, mileage, and expenses of Members as appearing in the committee print. SALARIES, MILEAGE FOR THE MEMBERS, AND EXPENSE ALLOWANCE FOR THE SPEAKER For compensation of Members of the House of Representatives and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, fiscal year 1962, $10,672,000, which is based on a salary of $22,500 each; $12,500 additional per annum for the salary of the Speaker, $740,000 estimated for Government contribution to the retirement fund; $29,500 estimated as contribution to Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance Act and $35,530 estimated as contribution to Federal Employees' Health Benefits Act, or a decrease of $530 over that appropriated for fiscal year 1961. MEMBERS' PARTICIPATION IN HEALTH PLAN Mr. STEED. Of this $35,530 earmarked for the contribution for Members for participation in the new health program, which began last July, what has been the extent of the participation and how close to the figure of the annual cost is this item? Mr. HARPER. This item covers only Members of Congress, Mr. Steed, and the Sergeant at Arms maintains those records. The Clerk's office does not have the breakdown as to how the Members participated in these various programs. It could be furnished very easily. We have it on all employees other than the Members. Mr. STEED. We would like to have that supplied for the record. (The information follows:) Based on disbursement records in the office of the Sergeant at Arms: 367 Members participated in Group Health Insurance as of May 3, 1961. MILEAGE, AND EXPENSE ALLOWANCE OF SPEAKER Mr. ROBERTS. For mileage, and expense allowance of the Speaker, for 1962, the estimate specifies $200,000, which is based upon a mileage allowance of $190,000, and an expense allowance of $10,000 for the Speaker. This is the same as appropriated for 1961. Mr. STEED. How much was actually expended under this item in 1960? Mr. HARPER. Again, Mr. Chairman, that is a Sergeant at Arms record. Mr. STEED. We would like to have the actual amount for 1960 and how much has been expended thus far in 1961. Mr. MEGILL. If the Sergeant at Arms is going to appear before the committee, he will be the appropriate officer to supply that; but we will be happy to give it to you if you wish. (The information follows:) Disbursed, fiscal 1960, $185,672.88; disbursed, fiscal 1961, $352,331.48. Mr. STEED. Are you able to advise us as to what the situation is in the other body about their mileage program? I understand they have a more liberal arrangement than does the House. Mr. ROBERTS. As I remember the conference report-I would have to get a copy of it in order to be exact-but I think each Senator gets three round trips back to his State per year and also certain allowances for employees, as follows: ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISION The ninth paragraph under the heading "Administrative Provisions" in the appropriations for the Senate in the Legislative Branch Appropriation Act, 1957 (2 U.S.C. 127), is amended to read as follows: "The contingent fund of the Senate is hereafter made available for the payment of mileage, to be computed at 10 cents per mile by the nearest usual route, between Washington, District of Columbia, and the residence city of the Senator involved, for not to exceed four round trips originating and terminating in Washington, District of Columbia, made by employees in each Senator's office in any fiscal year, such payment to be made only upon vouchers approved by the Senator containing a certification, by such Senator, that such travel was performed in line of official duty." RESOLUTIONS PROPOSED AS PERMANENT LAW Mr. ROBERTS. At this point I would like to have printed in the record the following resolutions: 86TH CONGRESS (1) House Resolution No. 646, adopted August 31, 1960. 87TH CONGRESS (1) House Resolution No. 138, adopted February 2, 1961. IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S., September 1, 1960. Resolved, That effective September 1, 1960, the positions of assistant floor manager of telephones (one minority) shall be at the basic rate of $4,500 per annum. The additonal sums necessary shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House until otherwise provided by law. H. RES. 138 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S., Resolved, That effective February 1, 1961, the basic compensation of the Deputy Sergeant at Arms (charge of pairs) Office of the Sergeant at Arms, shall be at the rate of $7,000 per annum so long as held by the present incumbent. The additional amounts necessary to carry out this resolution shall be paid out of the contingent fund until otherwise provided by law. H. RES. 139 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S., February 2, 1961. Resolved, That pursuant to the Legislative Pay Act of 1929, as amended, one of the minority employees authorized therein shall be the following-named person, effective January January 15, 1961, until otherwise ordered by the House, to wit: Donald H. Ackerman, Junior, to receive compensation at the basic rate of $7,000 per annum. The additional amounts necessary to carry out this resolution shall be paid from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives until otherwise provided by law. H. RES. 219 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S., March 15, 1961. Resolved, That, effective April 1, 1961, there shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House, until otherwise provided by law, such sums as may be necessary to increase the basic clerk-hire allowance of each Member and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico by an additional $3,000 per annum, and each such Member and Resident Commissioner shall be entitled to one clerk in addition to those to which he is otherwise entitled by law. H. RES. 225 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S., March 15, 1961. Resolved, That, until otherwise provided by law, there shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives compensation for the employment of one additional laborer, Office of the Postmaster, at a basic annual salary of $1,650. These resolutions were adopted during the 86th and 87th Congresses. They represent all the resolutions adopted with respect to salaries and positions which were not reflected in the 1961 appropriation bill. In some instances new positions were created and in others schedules of certain salaries have been changed. These resolutions provide for expenditures out of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives until otherwise provided by law. Some are now being financed out of the contingent fund, and in the applicable individual estimates for 1962 they have been provided for as will be seen as we reach the paragraph involved. We respectfully request that they be made permanent law in this bill, following the customary procedure. They will be referred to by the appropriation paragraphs affected as each such paragraph is reached in the budget estimates. SALARIES, OFFICERS, AND EMPLOYEES We shall now take up the individual items under "Salaries, Officers, and Employees," the first of which is : OFFICE OF THE SPEAKER For the Office of the Speaker, $62,900, the same as that appropriated for the current fiscal year; there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF THE PARLIAMENTARIAN For the Office of the Parliamentarian, $64,630; the same as that appropriated for the current fiscal year, there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF THE CHAPLAIN For the Office of the Chaplain $8,810; the same as that appropriated for the current fiscal year 1961. of telephones (one minority) by $700 each per annum; and House Resolution No. 414, adopted January 24, 1950, provides that whenever a vacancy occurs in the position of laborer (cloakroom), the position shall be abolished. The vacancy has accurred and the position abolished. The $760 is the difference between the two resolutions. Mr. Chairman, that was the old employee, Coates, who was blind and was in the Democratic cloakroom for years. SPECIAL AND MINORITY EMPLOYEES For six minority employees, $88,405, compared with $83,880 appropriated for 1961 or an increase of $4,525 to carry out the provisions of H. Res. 139, approved February 2, 1961, which increased the basic salary of one minority employee $2,500 per annum. OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER For the office of the majority floor leader, including $2,000 for the official expenses of the majority floor leader, $72,805, the same as appropriated for 1961, there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF THE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER For the office of the minority floor leader, including $2,000 for the official expenses of the minority floor leader, $56,295, the same as appropriated for 1961, there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY WHIP For the office of the majority whip, $29,720, the same as appropriated for 1961, there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF THE MINORITY WHIP For the office of the minority whip, $29,720, the same as appropriated for 1961, there being no change in this paragraph. TWO PRINTING CLERKS FOR CAUCUS ROOMS For two printing clerks, one for the majority caucus room and one for the minority caucus room, to be appointed by the majority and minority leaders, respectively, $13,565, the same as appropriated for the fiscal year 1961. TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TO THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN For a technical assistant in the office of the attending physician to be appointed by the attending physician, subject to the approval of the Speaker, $11,535, the same as appropriated for the fiscal year 1961. NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION No appropriation is requested for this fiscal year as the position was abolished at the close of the 86th Congress, since it was authorized by simple resolution by the 86th Congress. OFFICE OF THE POSTMASTER For the office of the Postmaster, $316,210, compared with $312,150 appropriated for 1961, or an increase of $4,060. House Resolution No. 225, approved March 15, 1961, provided for an additional laborer at a basic annual salary of $1,650. OFFICIAL REPORTERS OF DEBATES For Official Reporters of Debates, $202,915, the same as appropriated for 1961. OFFICIAL REPORTERS TO COMMITTEES For official reporters to committees, $204,995, the same as appropriated for 1961. APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE For salaries and expenses, studies, and examinations for executive agencies by the Committee on Appropriations, to be expended in accordance with section 202(b) of the "Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946", $550,000 compared with $600,000 appropriated for 1961 or a decrease of $50,000. OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL For salaries and expenses of the office of the Legislative Counsel $225,750, the same as appropriated for 1961. Mr. Allan Perley, the Legislative Counsel, will be most pleased to appear before the committee to answer any questions that you care to ask. All positions and rates of salaries are set by the Legislative Counsel, with the approval of the Speaker, except the Legislative Counsel, whose salary is set by law. Mr. HORAN. Mr. Chairman, could we have a report from Mr. Perley inserted in the record at this point showing the number of bills prepared and so forth? Mr. STEED. Yes, we have one here, and it will be included. (The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT OF ALLAN H. PERLEY, LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL, WITH RESPECT TO APPROPRIATION REQUESTED FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1962 My statement will be brief, but I shall be glad, of course, to try to furnish any information the subcommittee may desire. The sum of $225,750 requested for the office for the next fiscal year is the same as the amount appropriated for the office for the current fiscal year. Except for the cost of lawbooks and periodicals and necessary office supplies and equipment, the office expenses are wholly for the salaries of personnel. As has been true for several years, the office personnel consists of 11 attorneys and 6 clerical employees. As you know, the function of the office is to assist committees and Members of the House when they ask for assistance in the drafting of bills, resolutions, and amendments, and on the legal problems involved therein. Our "job" records (please see the attached table) indicate that the volume of our work in the 86th Congress was approximately the same as in the 85th Congress, and greater than in any previous Congress. In the 86th the number of jobs for individual Members of the House was slightly below the number for the 85th. However, in the 86th there was a substantial increase in the number of requests from committees of the House. Our experience is that the average committee assignment involves a great many more hours of work than the average request from a Member. |