I am pleased to submit to the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee the budget request of the Joint Economic Committee for Fiscal Year 1999.

Though the Joint Economic Committee will be chaired by a member of the Senate during the 106th Congress, this budget request is my best judgement of the resources the next Chairman will need to perform the work of the Committee for the fiscal year beginning October 1998.

While the Committee seeks no additional increase in staff positions, it does request an increase consonant with the expected cost of living adjustment of $46,000. As a result, the budget request is $2,796,000, relative to the Fiscal Year 1998 appropriation level of $2,750,000.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to working with you in the Second Session of the 105th Congress.