This resolution authorizes specific expenditures for Senate committees from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, covering personnel, consultants, training, and other necessary expenses to carry out their duties. It sets limits for each committee and establishes a special reserve fund for committees with exceptional needs.
Mitch McConnell
Senator
KY
This resolution authorizes specific amounts of funding for various Senate committees to cover expenses related to their operations, personnel, and investigations from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It sets limits on expenditures for each committee, including allocations for consultants and staff training. The resolution also allows committees to utilize services from other government agencies and establishes a special reserve fund to address unforeseen financial needs.
Senate Committees Get Funding Green Light: Spending Limits and Staffing Details for 2025-2027
This bill lays out the budget for Senate committees from March 2025 through February 2027. It's basically the roadmap for how much money each committee gets to spend on everything from staff salaries to expert consultants. The total authorization spans three periods: $90,988,230 (March 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025), $155,979,823 (October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026), and $64,991,593 (October 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027). This funding covers all the Senate's standing committees, plus special ones like Aging, Intelligence, and Indian Affairs. (Sec. 1)
Dollars and Decisions
The bill breaks down exactly how much each committee can spend and what they can spend it on. For example, the Agriculture Committee gets up to $4,464,935 for the first period, with specific caps like $200,000 for consultants and $40,000 for staff training. (Sec. 2). The Armed Services Committee gets $6,092,832 for the first period, with up to $37,000 for consultants and $12,000 for training. (Sec. 3) These limits are detailed for every committee, across all three time periods, ensuring a clear budget for each. It also allows committees to bring in staff from other government agencies, sometimes paying them back, sometimes not. (Sec. 3, Sec. 7, Sec. 10, etc.)
For example, imagine a cybersecurity expert working for the Department of Homeland Security. The Armed Services Committee could temporarily bring them on board to help with a relevant investigation, and this bill makes that financially possible.
Power and Oversight
Beyond the routine budgeting, there's a significant section about the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (Sec. 12). This committee gets broad investigative powers, including the ability to subpoena witnesses and documents. They can look into pretty much anything related to government efficiency, fraud, organized crime, and national security. It's a powerful tool, and this bill ensures they have the resources to use it. It also clarifies that this power doesn't step on the toes of other committees. The Judiciary Committee also gains the power to compel witnesses to give depositions, and designated committee staff can conduct these depositions (Sec. 13).
Keeping Things in Check
While the bill gives committees the money and power they need, there are some built-in checks. First, all spending has to be approved by the committee chairman, with vouchers and receipts required. (Sec. 1) Second, there are those specific spending caps for things like consultants and training. And finally, there's a 'special reserve' fund (Sec. 20). Committees can tap into this extra cash if they have unexpected bills, but only with approval from the leaders of the Committee on Rules and Administration. It is available to committees with special needs to cover unpaid obligations, upon request from the Chairman and Ranking Member of the committee and approval from the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee on Rules and Administration. Think of it like an emergency fund, but with a double-lock system to prevent misuse.