An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Select Committee on Intelligence.
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 73) authorizes the Select Committee on Intelligence to spend money and hire staff for a two-year period (March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027). It allows expenditures from the Senate’s contingent fund, hiring of personnel, and the use of services from other government departments or agencies with prior consent. The resolution also establishes specific spending caps for three time blocks within that period and permits limited reimbursements for consultants. Most expenses are paid directly from the contingent fund with approval by the committee chair, while certain routine costs do not require vouchers. It also authorizes targeted agency contributions to cover compensation for committee employees. In short, this bill provides formal funding authorization and budgeting limits so the Select Committee on Intelligence can operate, conduct hearings, and carry out investigations during the stated period.
Key Points
- 1General authority to spend and operate: The committee may spend from the Senate’s contingent fund, hire staff, and use the services of other departments or agencies (with prior consent), for its work under Senate Resolution 400 and related provisions.
- 2Budget period and caps:
- 3- March 1, 2025 – September 30, 2025: up to $5,261,497 (up to $10,208 of that for individual consultants).
- 4- October 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026: up to $9,019,709 (up to $17,500 for consultants).
- 5- October 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027: up to $3,758,212 (up to $7,292 for consultants).
- 6How expenses are paid:
- 7- Most expenses are paid from the contingent fund upon vouchers approved by the committee chair.
- 8- Several routine payments do not require vouchers (salaries at annual rate, certain telecom services, stationery, post, copying charges, recording services, and mass mail costs).
- 9Agency contributions: The bill authorizes payments from the Senate’s “Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations” appropriation to cover necessary agency contributions related to compensation of the committee’s employees for the specified periods.