do in terms of coordinating that legislative effort because of the different styles involved.

In the recodification of the Interstate Commerce Act, for example, the Interstate Commerce Act went back to 1887. There were literally hundreds of amendments since that time and there were a series of laws called supplementary laws. When we finished recodification of the Interstate Commerce Act, we did a word count with our computer and came up with a restated law that contained 50 to 60 percent of the number of words that we had in the law that we started off with. We reorganized the Act on a subject matter basis.

It would be very hard to integrate recodification effort with a law that is on the books at the present time. I think that is the answer to your question.

[A list of titles showing which titles have been recodified and enacted as law is inserted here.]

MERITORIOUS PROMOTIONS

Mr. BENJAMIN. On the meritorious promotions, what does that mean?

Mr. WILLETT. We have a promotion policy within the office for our professional staff, the attorneys. These are the promotions or the increases that would be granted each year, assuming satisfactory performance and progression professionally within the office. Mr. BENJAMIN. Does that tell me that you have already given out these raises and what you want us to do is sanction them by paying it now, or do you have someone's approval for this policy that you have developed, that is, some congressional approval for the policy that you have developed?

Mr. WILLETT. We have not. We have attempted to follow the policy that the Legislative Counsel's Office has followed over the years. The charter for our office was written so that it nearly parallels the charter of the Legislative Counsel's Office. Both offices work under the supervision and direction of the Speaker. When I was appointed by the Speaker five years ago, my direction was to basically follow the procedures for professional staff that the Legislative Counsel's Office has followed and that is what we have attempted to do.

Mr. BENJAMIN. I have a comment and we will recess so I can vote. I hope that nothing that has been said here shows any acquiescence in any additional employees.

So if you are thinking about any additional employees, I hope you are looking at productivity first and then we will go back and see if you need something beyond what you have now when you are talking about 1982 and more editorial work.

Mr. WILLETT. I understand that, Mr. Chairman. I wanted to bring that to your attention as early as possible.

Mr. BENJAMIN. Thank you.

We will recess while the chairman votes.

[A brief recess was taken.]

OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL

Mr. BENJAMIN. On the record.

Mr. LADD. For the Office of Legislative Counsel, for salaries and expenses, $2,097,000.

Mr. Ward M. Hussey, the Legislative Counsel of the House, is here today to discuss his office with the Subcommittee.

[The information follows:]

OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL

For salaries and expenses of the Office of the Legislative Counsel of the House, $2,097,000.

Mr. Ward M. Hussey, the Legislative Counsel of the House, is here today to discuss his office with the Subcommittee.

STATEMENT OF LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL

Mr. BENJAMIN. Mr. Hussey, we are going to incorporate your statement dated February 5 into the record and ask if you want to comment on that?

[The prepared statement follows:]

Office of the Legislative Counsel

U.S. House of Representatives

Statement of Ward M. Hussey, Legislative Counsel

February 5, 1980

Mr. Chairman and members of the subcommittee, it is a pleasure to appear before you again.

I am requesting $2,097,000 for the fiscal year 1981, an increase of $110,000 over the amount appropriated to date for fiscal 1980 ($1,987,000). Of this increase, $99,000 is attributable to the October 1, 1979, pay comparability increase.

The amount requested for fiscal 1981 is based on the same number of employees (54) as was provided for by the 1978, 1979, and 1980 appropriations. This figure includes 36 positions for attorneys, and 18 administrative, technical, and clerical positions. At the present time we have 9 vacancies distributed as follows:

5 attorney positions, for which the recruitment process
is well along.

3 positions for legal secretaries.

1 position for a Ramseyer specialist (that is, a person
who can prepare copy showing the changes in existing
law which will be made by reported bills).

In not asking for any new positions for fiscal year 1981,

I am continuing the number of our attorney positions at 36, the number it has been since 1978. As I indicated to the committee last year, this decision to pause in the numerical strengthening