This resolution authorizes the Special Committee on Aging to spend funds, hire staff, and utilize resources from other government agencies to address issues related to aging from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, setting specific expense limits for various periods.
Rick Scott
Senator
FL
This resolution authorizes the Special Committee on Aging to spend money from the Senate's contingent fund, hire staff, and utilize personnel from other government departments or agencies from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets specific expense limits for the committee during different periods and outlines which expenses can be paid without vouchers. The resolution also authorizes payments from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation during the specified time frames.
Senate Committee on Aging Gets Funding Boost: Spending Caps and Staffing Detailed for 2025-2027
The Senate just greenlit the budget for the Special Committee on Aging, covering everything from staffing to office supplies for the period between March 1, 2025, and February 28, 2027. This resolution basically gives the committee the financial go-ahead to keep doing its work, looking into issues that affect older Americans.
Funding Deep Dive
The resolution breaks down the committee's spending limits into three chunks:
- March 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025: They've got up to $2,060,695 to work with. This includes a small slice—$1,500 each—for bringing in outside consultants and training staff.
- October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026: The budget jumps to $3,532,620, with the same $1,500 caps for consultants and training.
- October 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027: A final $1,471,925 is allocated, again with those $1,500 limits for specialized help and training.
These numbers dictate how much the committee can spend in each period. It is important to note that exceeding these allocated amounts would likely require further authorization.
Cash Flow and Staffing
Beyond setting spending limits, the resolution also clarifies how the committee pays for things. Most expenses get paid from the Senate's contingent fund, with the committee chairman signing off. But there are exceptions where you don't need a formal receipt (SEC. 3), like for annual salaries, phone bills from the Sergeant at Arms, or postage.
They can also tap into other government agencies for staff, either paying them or not, as long as they get the okay from the Committee on Rules and Administration and the lending agency (SEC. 1). This means the committee can bring in expertise from different parts of the government to help with their investigations. Section 3 also specifically authorizes payments for agency contributions related to employee compensation.
Keeping Tabs
While this resolution is mostly about making sure the Special Committee on Aging has the resources it needs, it’s also about keeping things transparent and accountable. By setting clear budget limits and outlining how expenses are handled, it sets up a framework for how the committee operates. This is important, because it lays the financial groundwork for the committee to tackle the issues facing older Americans, from healthcare costs to retirement security. The specific expense categories and exceptions to voucher requirements (SEC. 3) offer a glimpse into the day-to-day operational needs of a Senate committee.