Bill Summary
This resolution authorizes the Committee on Foreign Relations of the U.S. Senate to make expenditures from the Senate's contingent fund for the period of March 1, 2025, to February 28, 2027. The committee is granted the authority to employ personnel, conduct hearings, and utilize services from other government agencies, with prior consent, on either a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis.
The resolution specifies budget limits for three time periods:
1. **March 1, 2025 - September 30, 2025:** A maximum of $6,068,289, including allowances for consultants and staff training.
2. **October 1, 2025 - September 30, 2026:** A maximum of $10,402,781, with similar allowances for consultants and training.
3. **October 1, 2026 - February 28, 2027:** A maximum of $4,334,492, again with allowances for consultants and training.
The resolution outlines that most expenses will be paid from the Senate's contingent fund, requiring vouchers approved by the committee's chairman. However, certain payments, such as salaries for employees on an annual rate and various operational costs, do not require vouchers. Additionally, the resolution allows for agency contributions related to employee compensation to be paid from the Senate's appropriations account as necessary over the specified periods.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation outlined in the resolution could affect people:
1. **Employment Opportunities**: The resolution authorizes the Committee on Foreign Relations to employ personnel. This could lead to job opportunities for individuals seeking employment in government roles, particularly in areas related to foreign policy and international relations. The hiring of staff could also benefit those with expertise in various fields, including consultants, researchers, and analysts, thereby supporting career advancement in public service.
2. **Consultant Services**: The resolution allows for expenditures on individual consultants or organizations, capped at $250,000 for each designated period. This could impact people working as independent consultants or within consulting firms who provide expertise on foreign relations. Their insights may inform committee decisions, potentially affecting U.S. foreign policy and international relations, which can have wide-ranging implications for global events and local communities.
3. **Training and Development**: The provision for training of professional staff (up to $30,000 per period) indicates an investment in the skills and knowledge of committee members and staff. This training can enhance the effectiveness of the committee's work, leading to better-informed policy decisions. Improved staff competency may translate to more effective oversight of foreign relations, which can ultimately affect citizens' lives through enhanced national security, diplomatic relations, and international cooperation.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 90 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 90
Authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Foreign Relations.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
February 24, 2025
Mr. Risch, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, reported the
following original resolution; which was referred to the Committee on
Rules and Administration
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Resolved,
SECTION 1. GENERAL AUTHORITY.
In carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the
Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under
rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, including holding
hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as
authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of
the Senate, the Committee on Foreign Relations (in this resolution
referred to as the ``committee'') is authorized from March 1, 2025,
through February 28, 2027, in its discretion, to--
(1) make expenditures from the contingent fund of the
Senate;
(2) employ personnel; and
(3) with the prior consent of the Government department or
agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration,
use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis the services of
personnel of any such department or agency.
SEC. 2. EXPENSES.
(a) Expenses for Period Ending September 30, 2025.--The expenses of
the committee for the period March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025,
under this resolution shall not exceed $6,068,289, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $250,000 may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $30,000 may be expended for the training
of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(b) Expenses for Fiscal Year 2026 Period.--The expenses of the
committee for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026,
under this resolution shall not exceed $10,402,781, of which amount--
(1) not to exceed $250,000 may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $30,000 may be expended for the training
of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
(c) Expenses for Period Ending February 28, 2027.--The expenses of
the committee for the period October 1, 2026, through February 28,
2027, under this resolution shall not exceed $4,334,492, of which
amount--
(1) not to exceed $250,000 may be expended for the
procurement of the services of individual consultants, or
organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the
Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and
(2) not to exceed $30,000 may be expended for the training
of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures
specified by section 202(j) of that Act).
SEC. 3. EXPENSES AND AGENCY CONTRIBUTIONS.
(a) Expenses of the Committee.--
(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2),
expenses of the committee under this resolution shall be paid
from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved
by the chairman of the committee.
(2) Vouchers not required.--Vouchers shall not be required
for--
(A) the disbursement of salaries of employees paid
at an annual rate;
(B) the payment of telecommunications provided by
the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;
(C) the payment of stationery supplies purchased
through the Keeper of the Stationery;
(D) payments to the Postmaster of the Senate;
(E) the payment of metered charges on copying
equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at
Arms and Doorkeeper;
(F) the payment of Senate Recording and
Photographic Services; or
(G) the payment of franked and mass mail costs by
the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper.
(b) Agency Contributions.--There are authorized to be paid from the
appropriations account for ``Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations''
of the Senate such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions
related to the compensation of employees of the committee--
(1) for the period March 1, 2025, through September 30,
2025;
(2) for the period October 1, 2025, through September 30,
2026; and
(3) for the period October 1, 2026, through February 28,
2027.
<all>