Hearings Recap: FY2025 House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch
Funding priorities for the Legislative branch came more sharply into focus over the last two weeks with a number of House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Legislative Branch hearings.
The Legislative Branch Appropriations bill provides funding for Congressional operations and support agencies and office, including the House of Representatives; Senate; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (formerly Office of Compliance); Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Publishing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); Congressional Office for International Leadership (COIL, formerly Open World Leadership Center); and John C. Stennis Center.
Since FY 1976, the Legislative branch has represented, on average, about 0.40% of the total discretionary budget authority.
Following the delayed approval of the FY2024 bills on March 22, 2024, the House expedited its Legislative branch hearings, conducting six sessions since April 10. During this period, a leadership shuffle took place as the GOP Majority selected Rep. Tom Cole [R, OK] to lead the Appropriations Committee, succeeding Rep. Kay Granger [R, TX]. Cole's new role triggered a series of changes within the subcommittee ranks, including leadership of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee. Although Rep. Amodei [R, NV] had led this subcommittee since the GOP assumed control in the 118th Congress, he moved to head the Homeland Security Subcommittee on April 12. Subsequently, Rep. Valadao [R, CA], with prior experience on the Legislative Branch Subcommittee from 2013 to 2015, was appointed as its new chair. The full list of subcommittee changes can be found here.
The hearings were swiftly conducted, presenting a wealth of information to digest. As the subcommittee now turns to drafting its FY2025 bill and report, below are key highlights from the budget requests and inquiries posed by lawmakers for various House entities and support offices. The committee also held its Member Day and Public Witness hearing on April 17, when more than ten individuals submitted written testimony (more on that below).
Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Government Accountability Office, the Government Publishing Office, and the Congressional Budget Office - April 10, 2024
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
FY25 Budget Request: $916.0 million, 12.53% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $915.96 million
FY24 Enacted: $813.97 million
GAO Director Gene L. Dodaro (written testimony) told the subcommittee that GAO is seeking $916 million funding for 3,600 full-time equivalent employees in FY25 to maintain its current level of operations. This staffing would allow the agency to continue delivering on the over 650-700 oversight requests it receives annually from Congress. Dodaro emphasized that for every $1 invested in GAO's budget, the agency delivers $133 in financial returns and operational improvements across the federal government. Dodaro mentioned that in the last fiscal year alone, the GAO provided 430 technical assistance reports and testimonies to 215 different Member and committee offices. Dodaro outlined five major focus areas that will drive GAO's agenda in FY25:
National Security - Due to 115 new statutory mandates included in the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act related to defense programs, operations, and acquisitions.
Combating Fraud - Especially within pandemic unemployment insurance programs where $100-135 billion in improper payments occurred.
Science and Technology - An expanding area where GAO is tripling its staff capacity to conduct technological assessments, with over thirty planned evaluations of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI).
Health Care - As one of the fastest growing components of the federal budget, GAO is prioritizing oversight of health care costs, access, and delivery.
Cybersecurity - Long identified as a high-risk issue since 1997, Dodaro stated the GAO has made over 1,400 cybersecurity recommendations in just the last four years to improve protection of federal systems and data.
Responding to questioning, Dodaro provided an update on GAO's review of the intelligence and operational failures related to the January 6 attack on the US Capitol. He stated that all but one recommendation made to law enforcement agencies, like the US Capitol Police, to improve information sharing and training procedures has now been implemented based on GAO's findings.
Looking ahead, Dodaro outlined the agency's efforts to harness new technologies like cloud computing, AI language models, and robust data analytics capabilities to enhance the efficiency and impact of GAO's oversight work. This includes developing frameworks to audit AI algorithms deployed by federal agencies. However, he cautioned that poor data governance and integrity issues continue to hinder effective use of AI/Large Language Model (LLM) tools without costly human validation. Dodaro advocated for a revived statutory requirement for agency Inspectors General to audit spending data submissions to USASpending.gov as one solution Congress should advance.
Government Publishing Office (GPO)
FY 25 Budget Request: $136 million, 3.1% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $136.09 million
FY24 Enacted: $131.4 million
GPO Director Hugh Halpern (written testimony) said the agency is requesting a total budget of $136 million - a 3.1% increase over FY24 levels. This includes:
$83 million for publishing operations
$42 million for public information programs and library services
$11.5 million for special projects
Halpern noted that while only about 10% of the GPO's budget derives from direct appropriations (covering Congressional publishing), the agency operates as a reimbursable revolving fund and must recover costs from other federal agency customers. The budget increase aims to account for rising labor and materials expenses across the GPO's operations. As a manufacturing entity, a large portion goes toward the workforce which is covered by over a dozen union bargaining agreements.
Halpern mentioned that a major focus for GPO in FY25 is the development and deployment of the new XPub system to modernize how legislative documents and publications are formatted, displayed, and disseminated digitally. Currently in user testing, XPub will move the GPO to full HTML5 and structured data formats rather than text-only PDFs. Halpern stated this will make legislative information more readable, accessible across devices, and enable advanced features like translation.
The GPO is coordinating with the House and Senate Legislative Counsels to secure final approvals and expects XPub to go live sometime in late summer or early fall of 2024. New document formats for committee reports incorporating AI writing assistance capabilities are also in development. Other modernization priorities for the GPO include:
Adopting digital printing technologies
Updating data standards to provide bills in multiple structured formats
Making decades of historical Congressional documents digitally available
Potentially building automated document submission pathways directly from agencies
Workforce initiatives
On the workforce front, Halpern highlighted the GPO's struggles with an aging employee population requiring succession planning through new apprenticeship programs. The agency has reinstated apprenticeship classes for entry-level roles like proofreaders and platemakers. In FY24, a class of 24 apprentices was onboarded, with more planned for specialized skills training tied to manufacturing operations like passport production. The remote workforce composition at the GPO has settled at around one-third of employees staying fully remote during the pandemic, while two-thirds are now working on-site. Halpern credited this flexibility as helping retain skilled talent in today's competitive job market.
Responding to questions, the GPO Director stated the agency has now posted 299 Congressional reports from 61 different agencies on govinfo.gov under the new Access Consolidation and Maintenance Requirements. However, more work remains to facilitate direct digital submissions from agencies to streamline the process.
Congressional Budget Office (CBO)
FY25 Budget Request: $73.50 million, 5% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $70.73 million
FY24 Enacted: $70.13 million
CBO Director Phillip L. Swagel (written testimony) outlined the agency's FY 2025 budget request, which seeks additional resources to bolster staffing levels, upgrade IT infrastructure, and maintain critical economic analysis capabilities.
For FY 2025, the CBO is requesting $73.50 million — a $3.5 million or 5% increase over the FY 24 enacted level. The additional funds would go toward addressing rising costs, IT modernization initiatives, and staffing needs. Swagel stated the FY24 funding boost allowed the CBO to grow from 267 to 276 full-time employees. However, the FY25 request would support hiring nine more staffers, with a focus on building capacity in the defense and homeland security analysis areas.
Responding to questions, the CBO Director acknowledged that continuing resolutions (CRs) impose operational challenges on the agency's work. He stated the CBO is already looking ahead to mitigate potential disruptions, expanding job postings to be prepared if a CR is in place this October. Swagel explained that much of CBO's work relies on foundational economic forecasting models. The agency had previously lost personnel on its macroeconomic analysis team and is now aiming to rebuild that capacity through new hires.
A significant portion of the proposed budget increase would go toward upgrading the CBO's IT infrastructure and adopting new software tools, especially around data modeling and coding. Swagel highlighted the agency's shift toward cloud-based systems as well as its growing use of the Python programming language and integrating AI assistance to improve workflow efficiency. He cited uploading code blocks to AI language models for validation and checking economic modeling outputs as examples of their emerging AI adoption. The CBO is also looking to deploy other new software platforms focused on areas like homeland security analysis to complement its traditional expertise in areas like health care projections.
Attrition and recruitment challenges were another focus area raised during the hearing. Swagel acknowledged that the CBO has open job postings as it works to catch up from personnel losses. Additionally, he stated that offering competitive benefits like child care subsidies is "a key issue" for attracting and retaining talent at the CBO. The agency's budget request included funds to provide $5,000 annual child care subsidies for 50 employees. Swagel noted that the CBO's workforce skews younger, with many recent graduates hired out of graduate school who are also starting families. However, the agency remains lower on the priority list for access to the existing Congressional childcare center, necessitating the proposed subsidies.
Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2025 Request For The United States Capitol Police - April 10, 2024
United States Capitol Police
FY 25 Budget Request: $906.00 million, 14% increase
President’s FY 25 Proposed: $900.39 million
FY 24 Enacted: $792.47 million
United States Capitol Police (USCP) Chief J. Thomas Manger (written testimony) testified on behalf of the department, stating that the Capitol is now safer compared to the period before the January 6 attack. The USCP is requesting a total of $906 million for FY25, including $642 million for salaries and benefits for 2,247 sworn employees and 583 civilian employees. The FY25 budget focuses on several key areas, including protecting the Capitol complex, countering threats, bolstering recruitment and retention, investing in physical and technological security, ensuring Congressional continuity of operations, and enhancing in-house response deployment capabilities. The USCP has implemented a reorganization structure based on Inspector General recommendations.
To centralize Member protection functions, the USCP created the Protective Intelligence Operations Center (PIOC), which handles investigations, intelligence analysis, and the new residential security program. The department is working to expand its jurisdiction in Washington DC, particularly in areas where Members of Congress reside, and increase its presence at airports for deterrence. Communication and coordination with other agencies, such as the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), have improved since January 6.
Retention is a key focus for the USCP, with the department offering bonuses and raising the age limit to 60. The department is currently ahead of attrition, with 288 new recruit officers. However, overtime costs are a concern, with $87.30 million (10% of the total budget) allocated for FY25. (Understaffing in dignitary protection and training requirements contribute to the need for overtime.) The USCP is also working to provide more mental health resources for its officers and remove the stigma around these services. According to Manger, the department is analyzing and sharing information more effectively, both internally and with agency partners, to make informed operational decisions.
Protection details for certain individuals are being expanded, as they are always at risk. The USCP will provide the committee with special costs related to the upcoming election and conventions. Additionally, the department is monitoring violent crime in areas where Members of Congress live and work, and is seeking to expand its jurisdiction to assist in those areas.
Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, and the Congressional Office for International Leadership - April 16, 2024
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service
FY25 Budget Request: $430,000
President’s FY25 Proposed: $430,000
FY24 Enacted: $430,000
Dr. Brian Pugh, the Executive Director of the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service, (written testimony) presented the organization's FY25 budget request of $430,000 and highlighted its mission, programs, and achievements. The Stennis Center was created in 1988 with the goal of promoting public service across the United States. Dr. Pugh emphasized that the $430,000 requested in the budget is specifically allocated for the Center's Congressional programs, which include staff fellows, internships, and emerging leaders programs. The Stennis Center is governed by a seven-member board, with appointments made by key Congressional leaders. The House Speaker and Senate Majority Leader each have two appointments for six-year terms, while the House and Senate Minority Leaders each have one appointment. Dr. Pugh himself serves as a voting board member.
In the 118th Congress, the Stennis Fellows program has seen a significant increase in applicants, with a total of 30-34 fellows participating. To qualify for the program, candidates must have at least ten years of experience, and they undergo training and development for over a year. Dr. Pugh also mentioned the Center's internship program, which currently has three cohorts with 30 interns each, facing growing demands.
Despite the increasing interest in the Stennis Center's programs, Dr. Pugh noted that they have a limited capacity and must maintain a strict cutoff for the number of Congressional staff they can accept. This highlights the need for continued funding to support the Center's efforts in developing public service leaders.
When asked why the Stennis Center should receive Congressional funding instead of relying on private sector support, Dr. Pugh emphasized that the $430,000 requested is specifically designed for the Center's Congressional programs. He cautioned that accepting private sector donations for these programs could be inappropriate and lead to concerns about access and influence. In response to a question about the program's original intent, Dr. Pugh acknowledged that the program has evolved over time. For example, during the 103rd Congress, senior officials did not apply to the program, but now the Center receives a significant number of applications from senior staff members, reflecting the program's growing reputation and value.
Dr. Pugh mentioned that the Stennis Center receives $2 million from the civil-military fund and has an endowment just under $18 million, which supports student programs. However, he clarified that the Center does not touch the $7.5 million principal of the trust fund, ensuring its long-term sustainability.
Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR)
FY25 Budget Request: $8.59 million, 5% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $8.59 million
FY24 Enacted: $8.3 million
Martin J. Crane, the Executive Director of the OCWR, (written testimony) presented the organization's budget request and highlighted its critical role in ensuring a fair and respectful workplace for Congressional employees.
OCWR is requesting $8.59 million for FY25, representing a 5% increase compared to the previous year. A significant portion of the budget, approximately 74% or $6.5 million, is allocated to personnel costs, supporting 36 full-time employees (FTEs). Mr. Crane noted that the 25% increase above the FY24 budget is necessary to maintain parity with the Employee Benefits (EB) program. Crane, who has been working at the OCWR since 2017, emphasized that the office has one of the broadest jurisdictions in the federal government. With 34 FTEs, the OCWR is responsible for overseeing workplace rights and protections for a wide range of Congressional staff and employees.
Crane highlighted the OCWR's efforts to maximize efficiency and reduce costs. By hiring more FTEs to provide in-house services, the office has successfully decreased expenses for contractual services. The $2.1 million requested for non-personnel costs represents a 36% decrease, demonstrating the OCWR's commitment to cost-effective operations, according to Crane.
When asked about the OCWR's outreach efforts to ensure Congressional staff are aware of the office's services, Crane emphasized that outreach is a daily function. The office continuously engages with staff through climate surveys, allowing approximately 30,000 employees to provide feedback and determine the effectiveness of reforms. Additionally, the OCWR offers trainings and brown bag sessions for staffers to raise awareness and educate them about their rights and resources.
In response to a question about the types of training and services provided by the OCWR, Crane mentioned that the office offers a range of trainings thatcan be conducted in person or virtually and are available upon request. The most popular training topics include rights under the Congressional Accountability Act , labor relations, and discrimination law.
When asked about the number of unionized staff and election petitions, Crane provided details from the previous fiscal year. In FY23, the OCWR received eight election petitions, conducted eleven representation elections, and issued certifications in those cases. However, in FY24, there has been less activity on this front, with no new petitions filed, although the office did receive a disclaimer petition. The OCWR has retained an FTE to process these petitions, but this employee also handles a number of other tasks.
Regarding the $500,000 budget request, Crane clarified that this money is intended for non-personnel costs. While the OCWR anticipates lower non-personnel costs in the future, Crane said this funding will be used to cover "known unknowns," such as the need for contract mediators, which can vary depending on the number of cases received each year.
Congressional Office of International Leadership (COIL)
FY25 Budget Request: $7.2 million, 20% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $7.2 million
FY24 Enacted: $6 million
Jane Sargus, the Executive Director of COIL (written testimony), presented the organization's budget request and highlighted its achievements and future plans. COIL is requesting a $1.2 million budget increase for FY 2025, totaling $7.2 million. The organization has been operating at or below a budget of $6 million for the past eleven years, while the per-person cost for its programs has risen by 60% between 2020 and 2023. The requested increase of $1.2 million will be used to hire an additional FTE who will specialize in the Indo-Pacific region, where transportation costs are significantly higher compared to other trips.
Sargus emphasized COIL's role in bringing together communities to discuss perspectives and challenges, leading to improvements in relationships. Founded in 1999, COIL has been instrumental in fostering international understanding and cooperation. In 2023, COIL held nearly 200 meetings around the country and on Capitol Hill, and expanded its reach to 23 countries worldwide.
Sargus said that COIL has been actively engaging with various regions to facilitate dialogue and collaboration. In 2023, COIL brought together a forum for those in the Balkans, which will serve as a model for a similar initiative in Central Asia this year. These forums enable regional decision-makers to discuss crucial issues such as trade and national security.
The Open World Program, operated by COIL, has a significant domestic impact, with a presence in every state and over 3,000 communities. The program has reached every Congressional district, showcasing its broad reach and influence. However, Sargus noted that COIL can only accommodate about a quarter of the program requests due to budget constraints.
During the question and answer session, Sargus provided further insights on expanding to other regions and additional pilot programs. When asked about the potential for expanding COIL's programs to Africa and other regions to counter foreign influence, Sargus acknowledged that programs in Africa, much like those in the Indo-Pacific, will face cost challenges. The higher per-person cost necessitates a budgetary increase to support such expansions. COIL has conducted a pilot program in Peru, demonstrating its ability to engage with new countries. However, Sargus clarified that COIL's board must approve any new country additions, and a bipartisan Member letter of support to the board would be necessary.
When questioned about the lack of Inspector General (IG) oversight Rep. Bice, Sargus explained that COIL occupies space in the Library of Congress (LOC) by agreement and relies on the LOC's audit contract. Currently, IG support is limited to annual audits. Sargus expressed openness to a full audit if deemed necessary by Congress, acknowledging the importance of visibility, insight, and transparency.
Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the Library of Congress and the Architect of the Capitol - April 16, 2024
Library of Congress (LOC)
FY25 Budget Request: $943.7 million, 5.1% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $920.45
FY24 Enacted: $895.57 million
Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden (written testimony) presented the LOC's budget request and emphasized the library's ongoing digital transformation and commitment to accessibility.
The LOC is requesting $943.7 million for FY 5, a 5.1% increase over the previous year's appropriation. This includes $38.9 million for mandatory pay and price level increases.
Dr. Hayden mentioned that the LOC is focusing on becoming digitally enabled, user-centered, and data-informed as digital technology is essential to meeting the library's strategic goals in today's rapidly changing world. The LOC is addressing growing demands for disability access and expanding contracts in grant staffing, particularly for IT submissions.
During the question and answer session, Dr. Hayden provided further insights into the LOC's priorities and challenges. She emphasized that the library is working diligently to preserve its staff and cover inflationary costs, with 85% of the budget allocated for inflation and pay. Additionally, the LOC is prioritizing staff expertise and greater access through digital processing and the integration of standalone IT systems. When asked about the library's progress in processing digital collections compared to other libraries, Dr. Hayden expressed confidence that the LOC is well-positioned to continue developing its infrastructure and plans to sunset legacy systems that are no longer needed, thanks to recent investments.
Architect of the Capitol (AOC)
FY25 Budget Request: $1.03 billion, 8.8% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $1.02 billion
FY24 Enacted: $939.36 million
Acting Architect of the Capitol Joseph DiPietro (written testimony) began his testimony highlighting the value of the AOC offices workforce, which consists of 2,400 staff members who work to maintain and improve the Capitol campus. DiPietro emphasized the AOC's priorities, which include addressing physical security, life safety, and critical infrastructure needs for the Capitol campus. He also noted that the AOC has made significant strides in enhancing the security posture around the Capitol campus.
During the question and answer session, DiPietro provided additional details on ongoing projects and challenges. When asked about the Cannon House Office Building Renewal, he confirmed that Phase 4 of the project, which includes floors 1-4, is on track to be completed by the end of October 2024. The AOC is working closely with the CAO to install IT infrastructure and furniture in the renovated spaces, ensuring that the renewed Cannon building will be ready for the next Congress.
DiPietro also discussed the AOC's project management approach, which follows a standard engineering process that includes study, design, bid, and contract phases. He acknowledged that cost estimates are sometimes provided during the study phase, but suggested that waiting until the design process is further along would provide better advice on cost, scheduling, and expectations.
The AOC faces two main challenges related to deferred maintenance: maintenance that is coming due and capital renewal projects that are anticipated in the next five years. To identify maintenance needs and inform budget requests, the AOC conducts facility condition assessments every four to five years. Mr. DiPietro shared that the AOC currently recycles about 36% of waste generated in Capitol buildings and 95% of construction materials.
When asked about the status of a plaque honoring the USCP, DiPietro stated that the AOC's jurisdiction is ready, but they need direction from lawmakers to proceed with the installation of the plaque. Regarding the Rayburn House Office Building, the AOC is currently in the study phase of a potential renewal project. A swing space study is being conducted to determine how to phase the work, which will impact the project timeline.
The Interim Director of the Congressional Research Service, Robert Newlen (written testimony) and Register of Copyrights and Director of the US Copyright Office, Shira Perlmutter (written testimony) also submitted written testimony, but did not directly present to lawmakers at this hearing.
Budget Hearing – Fiscal Year 2025 Request for the United States House of Representatives - April 17, 2024
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO)
FY25 Budget Request: $213.1 million, 0.71% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $213.07 million
FY24 Enacted: $213.07 million
The Chief Administrative Officer Catherine Szpindor (written testimony) requested $213.1 million for FY25, a 0.71% increase from FY23, to accommodate absorbing the former Office of Diversity and Inclusion under the CAO's umbrella.
A major focus area continues to be the House Information Resources (HIR) division, which would receive $119 million or 56% of the CAO's total budget. HIR is responsible for building, maintaining, and protecting the House's central IT infrastructure and safeguarding Member data. Szpindor emphasized the CAO's efforts around responsibly integrating AI, establishing an AI governance framework, and developing use cases aligned with the House's mission.
The CAO has launched several major technology initiatives in recent years supported by the Members' Information Access (MIA) fund. In August 2023, they deployed an electronic forms (eForms) system allowing offices to digitally prepare, approve and submit payroll, health designations, and financial point-of-contact forms. Within a month, 98% of Member offices adopted eForms for their 2024 health designations. Other advancements include:
A new Committee Calendar deconfliction tool to streamline the scheduling process across multiple panels.
Eleven committees have been onboarded to a new eDiscovery system for digitally searching and reviewing records.
Over 95% of district offices have received wifi network upgrades through a partnership with a technology vendor.
Szpindor also highlighted how the CAO is developing an approach to seamlessly integrate AI assistance into existing digital resources like the Legislative Resource Center, helping connect Members and staff with information. The office also established an AI Advisory Group engaging 150 offices across committees, leadership, and Members.
Other FY25 priorities include enhancing the House's human resources capabilities with expanded staff recruitment, a new Talent and Development Office, and leveraging the addition of the former Office of Diversity and Inclusion. However, Szpindor cautioned that while the current budget maintains existing services, increased funds will likely be needed in FY26 and beyond to cover recurring software licensing costs and scale up technology modernization efforts.
In the Q&A, Szpindor provided updates that the multi-year project to bring all public-facing House websites into 508 accessibility compliance was nearing completion in April 2024, but would require $500,000 to $1 million annually to maintain third-party vendor support. She also noted the CAO was closely studying potential long-term pathways to modernize the aging XMetaL system used for drafting legislative documents, which may require additional investments down the road.
House Office of the Clerk
FY25 Budget Request: $44.98 million, 2.8% increase
President’s FY25 Proposed: $44.98 million
FY24 Enacted: $41.46 million
Acting Clerk of the House Kevin F. McCumber (written testimony) provided an update on the Clerk's office plans and initiatives around modernizing legislative operations and data systems. The Clerk is seeking $44.98 million for FY25, of which a significant portion is allocated for the office's multi-year modernization project line item. McCumber noted that excluding these modernization requests, the overall FY25 request represents a 2.8% decrease from the FY24 enacted level as efficiencies are found in baseline operations.
A major priority is the ongoing lobbying disclosure modernization project being jointly developed with the Secretary of the Senate. McCumber revealed that after study, they determined the House system will be integrated on top of the Senate's platform, requiring only a fraction of the $1.4 million originally appropriated.
Another key focus is modernizing and improving the eHopper system used for drafting bills as well as upgrading the Comparative Print Suite that prepares bill texts for printing. Requested funds will support infrastructure upgrades and enhancements to these critical legislative drafting tools. The Clerk is also developing infrastructure for a new committee portal aimed at streamlining operations across House committees. This includes modules for digitizing committee vote records and broader workflows in the longer-term. McCumber emphasized that budgeting for these modernization projects holistically allows for proper project planning, management, and adhering to development timelines without constant disruption.
When asked about long-term funding impacts, the Acting Clerk noted the office has "a rigorous project management system" and sequences rollouts based on available funds each year. However, he candidly stated "we will absolutely need more money in the future" as these modernization initiatives move into new phases. Specifically, he pointed to the need to consistently upgrade software licenses and anticipates requesting a funding increase in FY 26 to support recurring costs of the modernized systems coming online. The Comparative Print Suite modernization was highlighted as a near-term priority as the underlying XMetaL software is now 25 years old. McCumber also stated the office is utilizing MIA modernization fund allocations to study potential future collaborative drafting tools that could further streamline the legislative process across committees and personal offices.
On the workforce front, the Acting Clerk emphasized recruitment and retention of staff as "vital," highlighting the office's mission-driven culture as an asset for attracting talent interested in public service. Nationwide recruiting efforts at conferences and skills competitions were cited as methods for bringing in new official reporters and skilled staffers.
House Sergeant at Arms (H SAA)
FY 25 Budget Request: $34.14 million, 11.99% decrease
President’s FY 25 Proposed: $34.14 million
FY 24 Enacted: $38.73 million
Acting H SAA William P. McFarland (written testimony) outlined his office's priorities around enhancing security resources for Members of Congress and their staff while also investing in key workforce initiatives. The H SAA is requesting $34,141,000 for FY 2025, a decrease of $4.6 million or 11.99% from the prior year's enacted level that coincides with an increase of eleven FTEs. A substantial portion of the proposed budget goes toward building out security programs and resources for Members. This includes:
$300,000 to maintain the new Secure Member Portal launched in 2023 allowing offices to request and track travel security, residential security, event support, and other protective operations.
$100,000 for the Police Services Division to provide in-person Security Awareness Briefings in Congressional districts in conjunction with the USCP. In 2023, 110 such briefings were conducted.
$60,000 for the District Security Service Center to deploy staff for site visits to district offices and assess physical security needs like entry systems and mail screening capabilities.
H SAA McFarland noted that security incidents and threats targeting Members' homes have been on the rise. In response, the SAA distributed a "Spouse and Family Safety and Security Guide" with best practices. The office is also partnering with the CAO on a $441,000 cybersecurity program to safeguard Member data and assist in removing sensitive personal information from public domains that could compromise residential addresses.
On the workforce management front, McFarland touted the new “EQUAL” initiative establishing an internal staff counsel to elevate employee voices to leadership. The budget supports employment workshops, customer service training, performance reviews, and defined career paths developed alongside human capital consultants. The goal, McFarland stated, is "promoting transparency" and investing in the H SAA's "valuable workforce" long-term through clear professional development and leadership opportunities.
As the chairman of the USCPBoard, H SAA McFarland also fielded questions about rising violence in the District and potential impacts on Member security. He revealed planning for a safety forum with the Metropolitan Police Department in May to discuss protection concerns for members residing in DC proper. The issue of providing firearms training to Members or staff as part of security briefings was raised, though McFarland responded that regulating such measures would be "up to the lawmakers."
While the overall FY25 budget request decreased, McFarland highlighted that the H SAA has put a $2 million offsite operations center upgrade on hold, as it was "not a critical need" allowing for some cost savings. He also touted the District Security Service Center as among the SAA's "best ideas'' for improving coordination and outreach around its protective operations.
Several other House officers submitted written testimony for the hearing, but did not directly testify before the subcommittee at this hearing. Those House officers include:
E. Wade Ballou Jr. - Legislative Counsel, US House of Representatives (written testimony)
Matthew Berry - General Counsel, US House of Representatives (written testimony)
Joseph C. Picolla - Inspector General, US House of Representatives (written testimony)
Ralph V. Seep - Law Revision Counsel, US House of Representatives (written testimony)
Member / Public Witness Day - Legislative Branch - April 17, 2024
Two Members of Congress - Reps. Derek Kilmer (D, WA) and Jasmine Crocket (D, TX) - provided their perspectives.
Rep. Kilmer (written testimony), a fellow appropriator and former chair of the House Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress (ModCom), highlighted ModCom’s recommendations that have been advanced through funding in FY23 and FY24. These include the new Intern Resource Office, supervisor training programs, collaboration spaces for the House community, and critically, the Members' Information Access (MIA) fund
Kilmer outlined how the MIA fund has already facilitated the rollout of ModCom-recommended projects like a flag tracker tool, eDiscovery database for committees, electronic voting in markups, an updated staff directory, and a committee calendar deconfliction system. However, he argued more funding is still needed for additional priorities:
A formal staff mentorship program
An integrated tour requests management tool
Further technology upgrades to legislative services
Voluntary training resources for new members
A public platform for constituents to provide feedback on bills
Rep. Kilmer stressed the importance of properly resourcing these institutional investments, which he believes will ultimately save time and money while improving the legislative process.
Rep. Crockett (written testimony) shared a proposal focused on AbilityOne — the federal program that aims to source products and services from workers with disabilities. She requested that at least 25% of the flags purchased annually by the CAO for distribution to Congressional offices and constituents come through AbilityOne vendors.
Crockett noted that while most of the government procurement process must involve AbilityOne due to the Javits-Wagner-O'Day Act, the Legislative branch entities like the House are currently exempt from those sourcing requirements. Her testimony argued this presented an opportunity to create jobs for disabled Americans.
In the Q&A, Kilmer reiterated his priorities around implementing staff/Member training academies that ModCom proposed, fully utilizing tools like the committee calendar app, and potentially revamping the overall Congressional schedule and calendar to allow for more productive legislating.
Rep. Mark Takano (D, CA) was not able to testify in person, but submitted written testimony on restoring the Office of Technology Assessment in Congress.
Additionally, a number of individuals submitted written testimony for the record for the FY25 Legislative Appropriations Public Witness portion of the hearing:
Joshua Manuel Bonet - Legislative Associate, Issue One (written testimony) on the retention and value of the Modernization Initiatives Account.
Gabriella Cantor - Senior Policy Associate, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (written testimony) concerning the disclosure of USCP Inspector General reports.
Zachary Graves - Executive Director, Foundation for American Innovation (written testimony) concerning Congress’ capacity and oversight capabilities and establishing a Congressional Regulation Task Force.
Dan Lips - Head of Policy, Foundation for American Innovation (written testimony) supporting GAO’s budget request and several recommendations around GAO’s scope and operations.
Kel McClanahan - Executive Director, National Security Counselors (written testimony) on urging Congress to validate GAO’s jurisdiction to investigate intelligence-related matters.
Anne Meeker - Deputy Director, POPVOX Foundation (written testimony) requesting a GAO Study on Agency Responsiveness to Congressional Casework Requests, CRS.gov Expanded Directory of Casework Liaisons, and CAO Study on the Establishment of a House Casework Office.
Debra Perlin - Policy Director, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (written testimony) concerning the disclosure of USCP Inspector General reports.
Dr. John D. Rackey - Senior Policy Analyst, Bipartisan Policy Center (written testimony) on the retention of the Modernization Initiatives Account as well as the inclusion of report language that would create reporting requirements for entities receiving funds from the account.
Daniel Schuman (written testimony) concerning agency reports to Congress.
Taylor J. Swift, Director of Government Capacity, POPVOX Foundation and Ms. Aubrey Wilson, Director of Government Innovation, POPVOX Foundation (joint written testimony) on the Responsibilities and Funding of the House Office of Talent Management, Congressional Data Management, and Co-Development of Legislative Branch Technology.
