Committee Approves Modest Increases in Committee Funding Levels for 111th Congress
Washington, DC (March 25, 2009): House Administration Committee Chairman Robert A. Brady, today presided over a Committee meeting that approved modest increases in funding for House Committees for the 111th Congress. The increases, totaling less than 5% for 2009, within the DC cost-of-living adjustment, reflect a need to balance expanded oversight responsibilities and requirements with the realities of the current economic downturn.
“While we are confident that measures currently being undertaken by President Obama and the US House and Senate will lead to a strong economic recovery, we must remain focused on heightened stewardship of taxpayer dollars,” said Brady. “The increases that we have approved will allow House Committees the resources necessary to execute their roles and responsibilities, while encouraging all of us to consider better, more efficient ways to function,” Brady added.
Several House Committees requested smaller increases, which were approved by the Committee. Additionally, four Committees (Financial Services, Energy and Commerce, Small Business and Standards of Official Conduct) received slightly higher increases, reflecting expanding oversight roles or greater workloads because of their role in major policy initiatives being undertaken by the Obama Administration.
The Committee also approved a 3.9% increase for 2010, with an amendment that requires Committee Chairs and Ranking Members to return to House Administration by February of 2010, to report on Committee spending.
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Kyle Anderson
Press Director
Committee on House Administration
1309 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-6157
(202) 225-2061
Kyle.Anderson@mail.house.gov