Washminster

Washminster
Washminster

Monday 18 June 2007

How much does it cost to run Congress?

This week the House of Representatives will begin floor proceedings on the Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill. For Financial Year 2008 $4,330,451,000 has been requested - an increase of 14% from 2007. What would this be spent on?

The running of the Senate $869.3 million - mainly for the personnel and office expenses of individual Senators; and the salaries of officers and their employees.

House of Representatives - as for the Senate, but these costs amount to $1.2 billion

Architect of the Capitol - the costs of the maintenance, operation, development and preservation of the Capitol complex (which includes not only the main Capitol building but House & Senate Offices; the grounds; the buildings and grounds of the Library of Congress; Capitol power plant; Botanic Garden and the new Capitol Visitors Center are estimated at $481.7 million

Capitol Police - This department will the full time equivalent of 2,125 people. Staff and other costs will require $299.1 million.

Support agencies, which provide information and carry out key work for the Congress are asking for the following: -

Congressional Budget Office: $37.97 million

Library of Congress $661.6 million

(including $108.7 million for the Congressional Research Service)

Government Accountability Office $523.8 million

Government Printing Office $181.98 million

Office of Compliance $ 4.1 million

Open World Leadership Center $14.4 million

John B Stennis Center for Public Service Training & Development $430,000