2011 Enacted:                       $4.544 billion
2012 Requested:                   $4.862 billion
Committee Mark:                 $4.307 billion

The Committee proposal for the FY 2012 Legislative Branch appropriation is $4.307 billion, a reduction of $237 million, or 5.2%, below the Fiscal Year 2011 enacted level of $4.544 billion and $555 million, or 11.4%, below the FY 2012 budget request level.  Specific impacts on the agencies of the Legislative Branch range from a 2.6% reduction in funding for the US Capitol Police to a 14% reduction in funding to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) and 13.5% reduction in funding for the Government Printing Office (GPO).  The bill rescinds $17.5 million from prior year balances within the AOC.

"Working with ranking member Senator Hoeven, we've crafted a bipartisan 2012 Legislative Branch appropriations bill that reduces spending 5.2 percent below fiscal year 2011 levels. These cuts are strategic and sensible, but make no mistake they are real and will force Congress and the agencies on Capitol Hill to live with less. As Congress works to bring down spending, bring down the debt and balance the entire federal budget, Congress must tighten its own belt. As I've said several times this year, our motto...to paraphrase Harry Truman...is`The Buck Shrinks Here.'" - Chairman Ben Nelson (D - Nebraska)

Bill Summary

Senate - $863,559,000 - a 5.5% cut from the FY11 enacted level. The proposed funding level for all Leadership, Committee, and Senate support is reduced by 6.3%, and funding for personal offices is reduced by 3.2%.  Because the Senators' personal office accounts have already sustained a reduction in funding in FY 2011 when other offices were held at a freeze, the proposed funding levels for FY 2012 used the FY 2010 enacted level as a base, and puts all offices - personal, committee, and leadership - back in parity with a 6.3% cut from that level.  The bill would provide $1.5 million for the Student Loan Repayment program.

Architect of the Capitol - $387,459,000 - a 14% cut from the FY11 enacted level (excluding the House items). The bill would reduce the funding level for Salaries by 7 percent, and defers all construction that is not directly related to safety, fire and environmental remediation.

Capitol Police - $331.4 million, - a 2.6% cut from the FY11 enacted level. This is the smallest reduction of any of the large accounts in the bill.  At this funding level, the U.S. Capitol Police would be funded at the current staffing level of 1,775 sworn officers and 370 civilians rather than the requested 1,800 sworn officers and 380 civilians.  The bill would fund overtime at $33.7 million, a level that is adjusted for overtime savings realized in FY 2011. 

Government Accountability Office - $504,518,000 - a 7.6% reduction from the FY11 enacted level. 
 
Library of Congress - $579,171,000 - an 8% reduction from the FY11 enacted level.  The LOC has begun implementation of a Voluntary Separation Program.  Given the funding level proposed, the Library will not be able to absorb all budget cuts through this voluntary program, and will need to pursue additional cost reduction measures, including furloughs and the possibility of RIFs.

Government Printing Office - $116,814,000 - a 13.5% reduction from the FY11 enacted level. 

Congressional Budget Office - $44,409,000 - a 5.1% reduction from the FY11 enacted level. 

Open World Leadership Center - $10 million - a 12% reduction from the FY11 enacted level.

John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development  - $430,000 -  a freeze at the FY 2011 enacted level.