“An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.”
No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section authorizes the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to (1) make expenditures from the Senate's contingent fund, (2) employ personnel, and (3) use, with prior consent, personnel services from federal departments or agencies on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027.
This section authorizes expenses for the committee under this resolution not to exceed (1) $8,380,388 for the period March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025, of which not more than $400,000 for consultant services and $20,000 for professional staff training; (2) $14,366,379 for the fiscal year 2026 period (October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026), with the same sublimits; and (3) $5,985,991 for the period October 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027, with the same sublimits.
This section authorizes payment of committee expenses from the Senate contingent fund upon vouchers approved by the committee chairman, except for specified disbursements (e.g., employee salaries, telecommunications services, stationery supplies) that do not require vouchers. It further authorizes agency contributions related to committee employee compensation (i.e., employer shares for retirement, health benefits, and other programs) from the Senate Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations account for the periods (1) March 1, 2025, through September 30, 2025; (2) October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026; and (3) October 1, 2026, through February 28, 2027.
This section authorizes the committee, or any duly authorized subcommittee, to investigate (1) efficiency, economy, and improper practices in government operations, including fraud, waste, conflicts of interest, and compliance by government contractors; (2) criminal or improper practices in labor-management relations; (3) organized criminal activity utilizing interstate or international commerce, including infiltration of lawful businesses; (4) other crime and lawlessness affecting national health, welfare, and safety (e.g., investment fraud, computer fraud, offshore banking for criminal purposes); (5) national security methods, staffing, processes, and intergovernmental relations; (6) operations of government agencies involved in energy shortages, including statistics, conservation, pricing, exports, taxation, allocation, and research into alternatives; and (7) federal regulatory policies and programs. It specifies that such inquiries are not limited to government records or operations and may extend to private persons, corporations, or entities. The section further grants the committee, subcommittees, chairman, or designated members subpoena power; authority to hold hearings, sit during sessions, recesses, or adjournments; administer oaths; and take testimony or staff depositions. It clarifies that this authority does not impair powers of other Senate standing committees.