Haley Stevens: “Mr. President, on January 25, the Senate Rules Committee reported a biennial omnibus committee funding resolution. It is…”

“Mr. President, on January 25, the Senate Rules Committee reported a biennial omnibus committee funding resolution. It is Senate Resolution 73 and it is reports No. 104-6. The Senate has authorized the committee funding on a biennial basis since 1989, primarily due to the good work of my great friend from Kentucky, who is the former chairman of the committee. We have worked together many years now. Senator Ford has insisted on a biennial funding resolution. The resolution before us today is a biennial funding resolution, and it is consistent with the direction of the conference of the majority to cut committee budgets by 15 percent. Senate Resolution 73 cuts 15 percent from the 1994 total recurring budget authority. It will add 2 percent for a cost-of-living adjustment for the 1995 recurring salaries and authorize a 2.4 percent COLA for 1996 for recurring salaries. There is also a 2.4-percent COLA for January and February 1997. The 1996 and 1997 COLA will be subject to the approval of the President pro tempore of the Senate. This resolution authorizes $49,394,804 for the period from March 1, 1995, and September 30, 1996, and $50,521,131 between March 1, 1996, and February 28, 1997. Mr. President, this is a reduction of $7,641,011 from the 1994 funding level.”