Jim Nussle: “at a time when nearly all Federal agencies are facing the need for spending discipline, it is imperative that we apply…”

“at a time when nearly all Federal agencies are facing the need for spending discipline, it is imperative that we apply restraint to ourselves as well--to the operations of Congress itself. This bill--the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2006 (H.R. 2985)--does that it holds congressional spending to a modest 1.7 percent increase, compared with 2005. I rise in support of this bill, which complies with the budget resolution for fiscal year 2006. Most of the funding in this bill goes to non-political agencies, and non-elected people, who make it possible to do our work: the people who provide vital data and analysis to inform our policy decisions; who keep our buildings and grounds functioning; and--of special importance--providing security for all of the legislative branch. Spending Totals H.R. 2985 provides $2.87 billion in new budget authority and $2.5 billion in new outlays for programs within the Legislative Branch. This funding covers various legislative support agencies such as the Architect of the Capitol, Library of Congress, Congressional Research Service, Congressional Budget Office and the Government Accountability Office, and the Capitol Police. The funding level represents an increase of $42 million in BA and $241 million in outlays over last year, a 1.7 percent increase from FY 2005 levels.…”