Jasper Packard: “This is the conference report on the legislative branch appropriations bill. It will cut from the 1996 program level…”

“This is the conference report on the legislative branch appropriations bill. It will cut from the 1996 program level over $22 million and will keep us on the glidepath to a balanced budget. Highlights--H.R. 3754 Conference Report Continuing program of overall savings $22.3 million below 1996 program level (budget authority); $48.6 million below in outlays. Two-year reduction of $226 million in BA and $236 million in outlays. Cut funding for 616 jobs in this bill; two year total of 1643 FTE'S=6.4 percent of legislative workforce. House budget down by $45 million and House staff down by 854 FTE's over 96-97 period. If entire Federal budget were reduced proportionately, Federal budget would show a $100 billion surplus (based on closed model extrapolation). Franked mail reform Make permanent law the 90-day before election ban on unsolicited mass mailings. Moving toward CyberCongress $211 million provided for operations and investments in computers and telecommunications--12.5 percent of entire legislative budget (Senate excluded).”