COMMITTEE EMPLOYEES Mr. ROBERTS. For committee employees, other than special and select committees, which are under a separate heading, we are requesting $2,750,000 for 1961, the same as appropriated for 1960. For the 19 standing committees, other than the Committee on Appropriations, which is based on the assumption of 208 positions, the maximum now provided by law, 10 for each committee, or 190, with the exception of the Committee on the Judiciary, which has 13 positions; the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, which has 12 positions; the Committee on Foreign Affairs, which has 12 positions; the Committee on Armed Services, which has 12 positions; and the Committee on Ways and Means, which has 19 positions. This also includes the new Committee on Science and Astronautics, as authorized by House Resolution No. 580, approved July 21, 1958, 85th Congress, which provides for 10 additional positions. The law authorized basic salaries ranging from $5,000 to $8,880 for each professional position and not to exceed $8,880 basic for each clerical position but, with the several increases now in effect, it is possible under the law for each position-professional or clericalto pay the full gross amount of $16,418 per annum. Although quite a number of positions pay this maximum rate of salary, it is not expected that all positions will do so because experience shows they do As of February 29, 1960, there were 181 employees carried on the rolls of the 19 standing committees referred to at a gross salary of $2,070,366 per annum, or an average salary of $11,438 each as against the maximum authorized of 208 positions. The Committee on Appropriations' payroll, as of February 29, 1960, totaled 47 employees and $417,242 gross per annum, or an average salary of $8,877 each. As you know, of course, these are the so-called regular committee employees and do not include people employed under special and select investigating and study funds allocated from time to time by special resolutions of the House. The gross salaries for the regular committee employees of the 20 standing committees, as of February 29, 1960, was $2,487,608 for 228 employees at an average annual salary of $10,911. If agreeable, I will insert the usual tabulation summarizing the personnel for 19 of the standing committees as of Feburary 29, 1960. Mr. NORRELL. All right. 2 Mr. ROBERTS. The table referred to is as follows: Standing committee employees as of Feb. 29, 1960 (other than Committee on Since the Reorganization Act of 1946 became effective, the committee has provided funds for the maximum number of positions possible (208), plus the Appropriations Committee, at an approximate average salary sufficient to provide adequate funds for additions to the staffs as the various committees may decide, or for changes in salaries. All salary rates are fixed by each committee. There is, of course, no way of stating definitely at this time just how much money will be required for these positions except that it is believed that the appropriation should be based on the maximum number of positions with an overall gross salary which would give sufficient leeway for reasonable salary changes based on experience. The estimate was prepared with that in mind. ESTIMATED UNOBLIGATED BALANCE JUNE 30, 1960 Mr. NORRELL. As to committee employees, based on present expenditure rates, what do you think the unexpended balance will be on June 30 this year? Mr. ROBERTS. We will have ample funds to take care of that. that. Mr. NORRELL. You may secure that information for the committee. Mr. ROBERTS. All right. (The information was supplied.) For fiscal year 1960, $2,750,000 was appropriated for committee employees. At the current rate of 'expenditures, there will remain a balance of $259,434.27 as of June 30, 1960. CURRENT EMPLOYMENT COMPARED WITH LAST YEAR Mr. NORRELL. How many were on the committee rolls a year ago, if you know, compared to this year, if you know? Mr. ROBERTS. We will furnish that for the record, Mr. Chairman. (The information requested follows:) As of February 28, 1959, there were 179 employees carried on the rolls of the 19 standing committees. As of February 29, 1960 there were 181 employees carried on the rolls of the 19 standing committees. Mr. NORRELL. You may proceed, Mr. Roberts. OFFICE OF THE SERGEANT AT ARMS Mr. ROBERTS. For the Office of the Sergeant at Arms, $571,720, the same as that appropriated for the current fiscal year, there being no change in this paragraph. Mr. NORRELL. Has the Sergeant at Arms spent any of the $7,500 lump-sum allowance, if you know, and if you do not know, you can get the information for us. Mr. ROBERTS. So far he has spent $384.38, Mr. Chairman. He used part of it last year but he says he needs all of it this year to help with the health program in anticipation of extra help to carry out the health program. Mr. NORRELL. That is all you care to say about that; is that right? Mr. ROBERTS. Yes, sir. I am sure the Sergeant at Arms would be glad to elaborate further. OFFICE OF THE DOORKEEPER For the Office of the Doorkeeper, the estimate for 1961 is $985,180 compared with $961,725 appropriated for 1960, an increase of $23,455 for the following reasons: House Resolution 418, adopted January 13, 1960, provides for the services of a special superintendent of the House Press Gallery at the basic rate of $5,300, position to cease whenever a vacancy occurs in this position. House Resolution 340, adopted January 20, 1960, provides for two additional assistants in the House Document Room at $2,000 basic per annum each, these positions to be filled only while Congress is in session, and the appropriation requested is based on a possible session of 10 months. House Resolution 429, adopted January 26, 1960, provides for an Assistant Superintendent in the House Periodical Press Gallery at the basic salary of $2,580 per annum. SPECIAL AND MINORITY EMPLOYEES For six minority employees, $78,030, the same as appropriated for 1960, there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY FLOOR LEADER For the Office of the Majority Floor Leader, including $2,000 for the official expenses of the Majority Floor Leader, $67,865, compared with $64,340 appropriated for 1960, or an increase of $3,525 to give effect to House Resolution 500, approved April 11, 1960, which increased the basic allowance of the Office of the Majority Floor Leader $1,500 per annum. OFFICE OF THE MINORITY FLOOR LEADER For the Office of the Minority Floor Leader, $50,510, the same as appropriated for 1960, there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF THE MAJORITY WHIP For the Office of the Majority Whip, $27,645, the same as appropriated for 1960, there being no change in this paragraph. OFFICE OF MINORITY WHIP For the Office of the Minority Whip, $27,645, the same as appropriated for 1960, there being no change in this paragraph. TWO PRINTING CLERKS FOR CAUCUS ROOMS For two printing clerks, one for the majority caucus room and one for the minority caucus room, to be appointed by the majority and minority leaders, respectively, $12,620; the same as appropriated for the fiscal year 1960. TECHNICAL ASSISTANT TO THE ATTENDING PHYSICIAN For a technical assistant in the Office of the Attending Physician, to be appointed by the attending physician, subject to the approval of the Speaker, $10,730 compared with $8,570 appropriated for 1960, or an increase of $2,160, on account of House Resolution 493, approved March 31, 1960, which increased the basic salary of the technical assistant $1,200 basic per annum. NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION PARLIAMENTARY CONFERENCE For a clerk for the House delegation to the North Atlantic Treaty Parliamentary Conference, as authorized, $11,710, the same as appropriated for 1960, there being no change in this paragraph. Mr. NORRELL. As to this item, is it authorized by law? Mr. ROBERTS. It is authorized. Mr. Bow. It is authorized by House Resolution 36, approved February 2, 1959. 54877-60– 18 Mr. HARPER. Which was made permanent law last year? Mr. Bow. No, it was not either. Mr. HARPER. It was not? Mr. Bow. No, sir. I objected to it and it was not. But we can appropriate for the balance of this calendar year. This would permit the completion of work anticipated in House Resolution 36. Mr. ROBERTS. There is an error about that. Mr. Bow. It is not permanent law, but it was authorized in 1959. Mr. ROBERTS. Yes, sir. Mr. NORRELL. You may proceed, Mr. Roberts. OFFICE OF POSTMASTER Mr. ROBERTS. For the Office of the Postmaster, $290,370, the same as appropriated for 1960. There is no change in this paragraph. OFFICIAL REPORTERS OF DEBATES For Official Reporters of Debates, $188,760, as compared with $186,610 appropriated for 1960, or an increase of $2,150. House Resolution 335, approved August 18, 1959, increased the basic salaries of the following employees to the Official Reporters of Debates: Clerk, to $4,800 basic per annum; assistant clerk No. 1, to $3,750 basic per annum; assistant clerk No. 2, to $3,500 basic per annum. OFFICIAL REPORTERS TO COMMITTEES For official reporters to committees, $190,690, as compared with $190,145 appropriated for 1960, or an increase of $545. House Resolution 335, approved August 18, 1959, increased the basic compensation of the clerk to the official reporters to committees to $4,800 per annum. APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE, INVESTIGATING STAFF For salaries and expenses, studies and examinations of executive agencies by the Committee on Appropriations, to be expended in accordance with section 202(b) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946, $500,000, the same as appropriated for 1960. OFFICE OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL For salaries and expenses for the maintenance of the Office of the Legislative Counsel, $210,000, compared with $204,600 appropriated for 1960, or an increase of $5,400. This increase was requested by the legislative counsel for the employment of an additional assistant counsel if the necessary room is provided. Mr. Perley, our legislative counsel, will be most pleased to appear before the committee to answer any questions that you care to ask. All positions and rates of salaries are set by the legislative counsel with the approval of the Speaker, except the legislative counsel, whose salary is set by law. |