Authorizes the Senate Budget Committee to spend funds from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, for staff, consultants, training, and investigations, setting specific expense limits and outlining which agency contributions are authorized.
Lindsey Graham
Senator
SC
This resolution authorizes the Senate Budget Committee to spend money from the Senate's contingent fund, hire staff, and utilize personnel from other government departments to carry out its duties, including holding hearings and conducting investigations, from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets specific expense limits for the committee during different periods, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also outlines the procedure for covering committee expenses, specifying exceptions for when vouchers are not required, and authorizes payments from the Senate's Inquiries and Investigations expense account for agency contributions related to committee employee compensation during the covered periods.
Senate Budget Committee Gets Funding Green Light: Spending Limits and Staffing Details for 2025-2027
This new resolution basically gives the Senate Budget Committee the thumbs-up to spend money and hire people for the next couple of years. It's all about making sure they have the resources to do their job, which includes reviewing the federal budget, holding hearings, and conducting investigations.
Cash Flow and Caps
The resolution sets out some pretty specific spending limits for different time periods. For example, from March 1 to September 30, 2025, they're capped at $4,630,478. That includes up to $23,333 for outside consultants and $17,500 for training staff. Think of it like setting a household budget, but on a much larger scale. There are also limits for the following periods, with $7,937,962 allocated from October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026, and $3,307,484 from October 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027. These limits are important because they ensure the committee doesn't go overboard with spending.
Staffing and Support
Besides setting spending caps, the resolution also allows the committee to bring in staff and even borrow personnel from other government agencies. This part is crucial because it means they can get the expertise they need, whether it's for a short-term project or a longer-term investigation. It's like a company being able to bring in specialists for a specific task, ensuring they have the right people for the job. The borrowed personnel part is subject to approval from the Committee on Rules and Administration, and it can be either reimbursable or not, meaning the Budget Committee may or may not have to pay back the lending agency (SEC 1).
Keeping Track of the Money
Section 3 of the resolution deals with how the committee's expenses are paid and what kind of paperwork is needed. Basically, the chairman approves payments from the Senate's contingent fund. But here's a practical detail: not everything needs a traditional receipt. Things like annual employee salaries, phone services, stationery, and postage are exempt from needing vouchers. This likely streamlines the process and cuts down on some administrative hassle. It also authorizes payments from a specific Senate account (Inquiries and Investigations) to cover agency contributions related to committee employee compensation during the specified periods.