Bill Bennett: “the Legislative Branch bill provides $1,537,827,000 in new obligational authority, exclusive of House items, for fiscal…”

“the Legislative Branch bill provides $1,537,827,000 in new obligational authority, exclusive of House items, for fiscal year 1998. This is $64,947,000 below the President's request and $51,600,000 above the fiscal year 1997 level. The majority of the increases in the bill account for cost of living adjustments. Mr. President, I wish to correct an impression that is being circulated throughout the press. There is no provision in this bill for a pay increase for Members of Congress. That is the issue that is taken care of in other bills. The Senate items include provisions to reduce the appropriation for official mail from $10 million to $8 million in fiscal year 1998 and combine the franking allowance with the official personnel and office expense allowance--this will reduce paperwork and provide flexibility for offices to meet their needs. The bill eliminates the disparity in staff salaries of Senate employees versus all other Federal employees (including those of the House.) This disparity was caused by the Senate employees not receiving the 2-percent COLA in 1996, which as provided to all other Federal employees. Approximately 80 percent of the Architect's request for capital projects to ensure that certain repairs and maintenance are not delayed. If this maintenance is taken care of now, it should pay off in substantial cost savings in the future.”