§ 57. — Adjustment of House of Representatives allowances by Committee on House Oversight.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 2USC57]
TITLE 2--THE CONGRESS
CHAPTER 3--COMPENSATION AND ALLOWANCES OF MEMBERS
Sec. 57. Adjustment of House of Representatives allowances by
Committee on House Oversight
(a) In general
Subject to the provision of law specified in subsection (b) of this
section, the Committee on House Oversight of the House of
Representatives may, by order of the Committee, fix and adjust the
amounts, terms, and conditions of, and other matters relating to,
allowances of the House of Representatives within the following
categories:
(1) For Members of the House of Representatives, the Members'
Representational Allowance, including all aspects of official mail
within the jurisdiction of the Committee under section 59e of this
title.
(2) For committees, the Speaker, the Majority and Minority
Leaders, the Clerk, the Sergeant at Arms, and the Chief
Administrative Officer, allowances for official mail (including all
aspects of official mail within the jurisdiction of the Committee
under section 59e of this title), stationery, and telephone and
telegraph and other communications.
(b) Provision specified
The provision of law referred to in subsection (a) of this section
is section 57a of this title.
(c) ``Member of the House of Representatives'' defined
As used in this section, the term ``Member of the House of
Representatives'' means a Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the Congress.
(Pub. L. 92-184, ch. IV, Dec. 15, 1971, 85 Stat. 636; Pub. L. 104-186,
title I, Sec. 102, Aug. 20, 1996, 110 Stat. 1719; Pub. L. 106-57, title
I, Sec. 103(a)(4)(A), Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 415.)
Codification
Section is based on House Resolution No. 457, Ninety-second
Congress, July 21, 1971, which was enacted into permanent law by Pub. L.
92-184.
Amendments
1999--Subsec. (a)(1), (2). Pub. L. 106-57 substituted ``all aspects
of official mail'' for ``all aspects of the Official Mail Allowance''.
1996--Pub. L. 104-186 amended section generally. Prior to amendment,
section consisted of subsecs. (a) and (b) authorizing Committee on House
Administration to adjust certain allowances for Members, committees, and
officers of House of Representatives.
Change of Name
Committee on House Oversight of House of Representatives changed to
Committee on House Administration of House of Representatives by House
Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999.
Effective Date of 1999 Amendment
Pub. L. 106-57, title I, Sec. 103(c), Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat. 416,
provided that: ``The amendments made by this section [amending this
section and sections 59e and 92 of this title] shall apply with respect
to the first session of the One Hundred Sixth Congress and each
succeeding session of Congress.''
Clerk Hire Allowance; Increase
Pub. L. 101-520, title I, Sec. 104, Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 2262,
effective for 102d Congress, increased authorization for the Clerk Hire
Allowance by $50,000.
Committee Order No. 1 (Revised) \1\
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\1\ Rescinded. See Committee Order No. 12.
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Resolved, that effective January 25, 1972, each Member of the House
of Representatives shall be entitled to office space suitable for his
use in the district he represents at such places designated by him in
such district. The Sergeant at Arms shall secure office space
satisfactory to the Member in post offices or Federal buildings at not
more than two (2) locations if such space is available. Office space to
which a Member is entitled under this resolution which is not secured by
the Sergeant at Arms may be secured by the Member, and the Clerk shall
approve for payment from the contingent fund of the House of
Representatives vouchers covering bona fide statements of amounts due
for office space not exceeding a total allowance to each Member of $200
per month; but if a Member certifies to the Committee on House
Administration that he is unable to obtain suitable space in his
district for $200 per month due to high rental rates or other factors,
the Committee on House Administration may, as the Committee considers
appropriate, direct the Clerk to approve for payment from the contingent
fund of the House of Representatives vouchers covering bona fide
statements of amounts due for suitable office space not exceeding a
total allowance to each Member of $350 per month. Members shall be
entitled to have no more than three (3) district offices outfitted with
office equipment, carpeting, and draperies at the expense of the General
Services Administration.
As used in this resolution the term ``Member'' means any Member of
the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico,
and the Delegate of the District of Columbia.
Committee Order No. 2 (Revised)
Resolved, that effective January 3, 1973, until otherwise provided
by order of the Committee on House Administration:
(a) The contingent fund of the House of Representatives is made
available for reimbursement of transportation expenses incurred by
Members (including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico) in
traveling on official business, by the nearest usual route, between
Washington, District of Columbia, and any point in the district which he
represents, for not more than 36 round trips during each Congress, such
reimbursement to be made in accordance with rules and regulations
established by the Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives.
(b) The contingent fund of the House of Representatives is made
available for reimbursement of transportation expenses incurred by
employees in the office of a Member (including the Resident Commissioner
from Puerto Rico) for not more than 6 round trips during any Congress
between Washington, District of Columbia and any point in the
Congressional district represented by the Member. Such payment shall be
made only upon vouchers approved by the Member, containing a
certification by him that such travel was performed on official duty.
The Committee on House Administration shall make such rules and
regulations as may be necessary to carry out this section.
(c) A Member of the House of Representatives (including the Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico) may elect to receive in any Congress, in
lieu of reimbursement of transportation expenses for such Congress is
authorized in paragraph (a) above, a lump sum transportation payment of
$2,250 for each Congress. The Committee on House Administration of the
House of Representatives shall make such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to carry out this section.
(d) This order shall not affect any allowance for travel of Members
of the House of Representatives (including the Resident Commissioner
from Puerto Rico) which is authorized to be paid from funds other than
the contingent fund of the House of Representatives.
Committee Order No. 3
Resolved, that effective March 1, 1972, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member of the House
of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the
Delegate from the District of Columbia shall be entitled to an annual
clerk hire allowance of $157,092 for not to exceed 16 clerks. There
shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House of Representatives
such sums as may be necessary to carry out this order until otherwise
provided by law.
Committee Order No. 4
Resolved, that effective January 3, 1973, until otherwise provided
by order of the Committee on House Administration; the allowance for
stationery for each Member of the House of Representatives, Delegates,
and Resident Commissioner shall be $4,250 per regular session.
Committee Order No. 5
Resolved, that effective May 1, 1973, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration upon written request to
the Committee on House Administration, a Member, the Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico, or a Delegate to the House of
Representatives may employ in lieu of 1 of the 16 clerks allowed under
his clerk hire allowance, a research assistant at such salary as the
Member may designate. The Member's annual clerk hire allowance will then
be increased at the rate of $20,000.
There shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House of
Representatives such sums as may be necessary to carry out this order
until otherwise provided by law.
Committee Order No. 6
Resolved, that effective May 1, 1973, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, upon written request to
the Committee on House Administration, a Member, the Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico or a Delegate to the House of
Representatives may allocate up to $250 a month of any unused portion of
his clerk hire allowance for the leasing of equipment necessary for the
conduct of his office.
There shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House of
Representatives such sums as may be necessary to carry out this order
until otherwise provided by law.
Committee Order No. 7
Resolved, that effective October 1, 1973, until otherwise provided
by Order of the Committee on House Administration the quarterly
allowance for official telephone service outside the District of
Columbia for Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner from
Puerto Rico is increased from $450 quarterly to $600 quarterly.
Committee Order No. 8
Resolved, that effective October 1, 1973, until otherwise provided
by Order of the Committee on House Administration the quarterly
allowance for official office expenses incurred outside the District of
Columbia by Members, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner from
Puerto Rico has been increased from $300 quarterly to $500 quarterly.
Committee Order No. 9
Resolved, that effective October 1, 1973, until otherwise provided
by Order of the Committee on House Administration the number of units
provided for official telephone calls, telegrams, cablegrams, and
radiograms made or sent by on or behalf of a Member, Delegate, or the
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico has been increased from 80,000
units to 100,000 units for each regular session of Congress. Such units
shall accumulate and be available for use until the aggregate number of
such units in the close of each session is not more than 200,000. Unused
units in excess of 200,000 at the close of session may not be carried
forward for use in a succeeding session.
Committee Order No. 10
Resolved, that until otherwise provided by the Committee on House
Administration, there shall be paid from the contingent fund of the
House of Representatives to each Member, Resident Commissioner, or
Delegate to the House of Representatives an additional allowance of
$1,000 for stationery. Such payment shall be effective each session
beginning with the 2nd Session of the 93d Congress.
Effective date: 2d Session of the 93d Congress.
Committee Order No. 11
Resolved, that effective January 1, 1974, until otherwise provided
by the Committee on House Administration, one word of a telegram,
cablegram, or radiogram, shall be charged as two (2) units, except that
one word of a night letter shall be charged as one (1) unit. In
addition, twelve (12) units shall be charged for physical delivery of
any telegram, cablegram, or radiogram, by the Telegraph Company.
Committee Order No. 12
Resolved, that effective March 1, 1974, each Member of the House of
Representatives shall be entitled to office space suitable for his use
in the district he represents at such places designated by him in such
district. The Sergeant at Arms shall secure office space satisfactory to
the Member in post offices or Federal buildings at not more than three
(3) locations if such space is available. Office space to which a Member
is entitled under this resolution which is not secured by the Sergeant
At Arms may be secured by the Member, and the Clerk shall approve for
payment from the contingent fund of the House of Representatives
vouchers covering bona fide statements of amounts due for office space
not exceeding a total allowance to each Member of $200 per month; but if
a Member certifies to the Committee on House Administration that he is
unable to obtain suitable space in his district for $200 per month due
to high rental rates or other factors, the Committee on House
Administration may, as the Committee considers appropriate, direct the
Clerk to approve for payment from the contingent fund of the House of
Representatives vouchers covering bona fide statements of amounts due
for suitable office space not exceeding a total allowance to each Member
of $500 per month. In the event suitable office space is not available
in post offices or other Federal buildings and the Member certifies to
the Committee on House Administration that he is unable to obtain
suitable private space in his district for $500.00 per month due to high
rental rates or other factors, the Committee on House Administration may
direct the Clerk to approve for payment from the contingent fund of the
House of Representatives vouchers covering bona fide statements of
amounts due for suitable office space not exceeding approximately 1,500
square feet at rates not to exceed the highest applicable rate charged
to Federal agencies in the district established by regulations issued by
the Administrator of General Services pursuant to Section 210(j) of the
Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended (40
U.S.C. 490(j)) [now 40 U.S.C. 586(a), (b)]. Members shall be entitled to
have no more than three (3) district offices outfitted with office
equipment, carpeting, and draperies at the expense of the General
Services Administration.
As used in this resolution the term ``Member'' means any Member of
the House of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto
Rico, and the Delegates from the District of Columbia, Guam, and the
Virgin Islands.
Committee Order No. 12 rescinds the provisions of Committee Order
No. 1 revised.
Committee Order No. 13
Resolved, that in addition to postage stamps authorized to be
furnished under any other provision of law, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, the Clerk of the House
of Representatives shall for each regular session of Congress procure
and furnish United States postage stamps to each Representative, the
Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, and the Delegates from the
District of Columbia, Guam, and the Virgin Islands in an amount not
exceeding $230, and to each standing committee of the House of
Representatives upon request of the chairman thereof, in an amount not
exceeding $140. In addition to postage stamps authorized under any other
provision of law, until otherwise provided by order of the Committee on
House Administration, the Speaker, the majority and minority leaders,
and the majority and minority whips of the House of Representatives
shall each be allowed United States postage stamps in an amount not
exceeding $205.
Effective date: August 20, 1974.
Committee Order No. 14
Resolved, that until otherwise provided by order of the Committee on
House Administration; the allowance for Stationery for each Member of
the House of Representatives, Delegate, and Resident Commissioner, shall
be $6,500 per regular session. Such payment shall be made to each
Member, Delegate, and the Resident Commissioner serving as such on or
after the date of adoption of this resolution.
Effective date: August 20, 1974.
Committee Order No. 15
Resolved, the Clerk of the House is authorized and directed to pay
each Member, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the
Delegates to the House of Representatives from the contingent fund of
the House the amount of $500 quarterly upon the certification of each
such Member, Resident Commissioner and Delegate for official expenses
incurred outside the District of Columbia; effective with the beginning
of the 94th Congress.
Effective date: December 18, 1974.
Committee Order No. 16
Resolved, that effective this date, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member, the
Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the Delegate from the
District of Columbia to the House of Representatives shall be entitled
to an annual clerk hire allowance for the employment of not to exceed 18
clerks, and the Delegates from Guam and the Virgin Islands to the House
of Representatives shall be entitled to an annual clerk hire allowance
for the employment of not to exceed 11 clerks.
Effective date: March 6, 1975.
Committee Order No. 17
Resolved, that effective March 1, 1975, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, upon written request to
the Committee on House Administration, a Member, the Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico or a Delegate to the House of
Representatives may allocate an amount not to exceed $250 a month of any
unused portion of his or her clerk hire allowance for the leasing of
equipment necessary for the conduct of his or her office or for the
leasing of computer and related services in connection with his or her
official duties.
Committee Order No. 18
Resolved, that effective this date, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member, the
Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico or a Delegate to the House of
Representatives is authorized a $650 per month allowance to lease office
equipment, and upon written request to the Committee on House
Administration, a Member, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico or
a Delegate to the House of Representatives may allocate an amount not to
exceed $250 a month of any unused portion of his or her clerk hire
allowance for the leasing of equipment necessary for the conduct of his
or her office or for the leasing of computer and related services in
connection with his or her official duties. The said monthly allowances
are not cumulative.
Effective date: April 23, 1975.
Committee Order No. 19
Resolved, that effective this date [June 2, 1975], until otherwise
provided by order of the Committee on House Administration:
(a) The contingent fund of the House of Representatives is made
available for reimbursement of transportation expenses incurred by
Members (including the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, the
Delegates from the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam)
in traveling, on official business, by the nearest usual route, between
Washington, District of Columbia, and any point in the district which he
represents, for not more than 26-round trips during each session of
Congress (at the discretion of the Member, Resident Commissioner and
Delegates no more than 6 of the 26-round trips may be allocated to the
employees of their offices, such reimbursement to be made in accordance
with rules and regulations established by the Committee on House
Administration of the House of Representatives.
(b) The contingent fund of the House of Representatives is made
available for reimbursement of transportation expenses incurred by
employees in the office of a Member (including the Resident Commissioner
from Puerto Rico, the Delegates from the District of Columbia, the
Virgin Islands, and Guam) in traveling, on official business, by the
nearest usual route, between Washington, District of Columbia, and any
point in the Congressional district represented by the Member, for not
more than 6-round trips during each session of Congress. Such payment
shall be made only upon the receipt of a voucher approved by the Member,
containing a certification by him stating that such travel was performed
on official business. The Committee on House Administration shall make
such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out this
section.
(c) A Member of the House of Representatives (including the Resident
Commissioner from Puerto Rico, the Delegates from the District of
Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam) may elect to receive in each
session of Congress, in lieu of reimbursement of transportation expenses
for each session of Congress as authorized in paragraph (a) above, a
lump sum transportation payment of $2,250 for each session of Congress.
The Committee on House Administration of the House of Representatives
shall make such rules and regulations as may be necessary to carry out
this section.
(d) This order shall not affect any allowance for travel of Members
of the House of Representatives (including the Resident Commissioner
from Puerto Rico, the Delegates from the District of Columbia, the
Virgin Islands, and Guam) which is authorized to be paid from funds
other than the contingent fund of the House of Representatives.
Committee Order No. 20
Resolved, that effective June 1, 1975, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member of the House
of Representatives, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico, and the
Delegates from the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, and Guam
shall be entitled to an additional annual clerk hire allowance of
$22,500. There shall be paid out of the contingent fund of the House of
Representatives such sums as may be necessary to carry out this order
until otherwise provided by law.
Committee Order No. 21
Resolved, that effective June 1, 1975, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member of the House
of Representatives, Delegate and Resident Commissioner shall be entitled
to a constituent communication's allowance equivalent to the fair market
value of the printing and production costs of two standard 11 x 17 inch
Congressional district-wide constituent reports per annum for use in
production and printing of newsletters, questionnaires or similar
correspondence eligible to be mailed under the frank. The Committee on
House Administration shall make such rules and regulations as may be
necessary to establish the fair market value of the cost of printing and
production of two standard 11 x 17 inch Congressional district-wide
constituent report. There shall be paid out of the contingent fund of
the House of Representatives such sums as may be necessary until
otherwise provided by law.
Committee Order No. 22
Resolved, that effective for the 94th Congress, until otherwise
provided by Order of the Committee on House Administration, that in
addition to the basic installation and service charges not to exceed the
cost of three telephone lines at each of three district offices, the
number of units provided for official telephone calls, telegrams,
cablegrams, and radiograms made or sent by on or behalf of a Member,
Delegate, or the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico is hereby changed
to an overall allowance of 125,000 units for each regular session of
Congress. These units shall be transferable among the Washington, D.C.
and district offices. In addition, payment for the use of a WATS line is
authorized, but the charges for such WATS line shall be calculated and
deducted at a rate of 11 cents per unit. Such units shall accumulate and
be available for use until the aggregate number of such units at the
close of each session or Congress is not more than 250,000. Unused units
in excess of 250,000 at the close of a session may not be carried
forward for use in a succeeding session or Congress.
Committee Order No. 23
Resolved, that effective this date [July 29, 1975], until otherwise
provided by order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member,
the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico or a Delegate to the House of
Representatives is authorized upon written request to the Committee on
House Administration, to allocate an amount not to exceed $1000 a month
of any unused portion of his or her clerk hire allowance for the leasing
of computer and related services in connection with his or her official
duties. The said monthly allowance is not cumulative.
Committee Order No. 24
Resolved, that effective October 1, 1975, until otherwise provided
by order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member, the
Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico or a Delegate to the House of
Representatives is authorized a $750.00 per month allowance to lease
office equipment, and upon written request to the Committee on House
Administration, a Member, the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico or
a Delegate to the House of Representatives may allocate an amount not to
exceed $250.00 a month of any unused portion of his or her clerk hire
allowance for the leasing of equipment necessary for the conduct of his
or her office in connection with his or her official duties. The said
monthly allowances are not cumulative.
Committee Order No. 25
Resolved, that effective immediately prior to noon on January 3,
1977, until otherwise provided by order of the Committee on House
Administration, the allowance for airmail and special delivery stamps
authorized by 2 U.S.C. 42c and 42d shall be reduced from its existing
level to one dollar per session.
Committee Order No. 26
Resolved, that effective immediately prior to noon, January 3, 1977,
until otherwise provided by Order of the Committee on House
Administration, each Member of the House of Representatives shall be
entitled to annual clerk-hire allowance of $238,584.00 for not to exceed
18 clerks. The amount of this allowance may be adjusted by the Committee
on House Administration subsequent to the adoption of this order to
reflect any adjustment to federal salary levels that occur under the
Federal Pay Comparability Act of 1971.
The Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this resolution.
``Member'' means each Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the House of Representatives.
Committee Order No. 27
Resolved, that effective September 1, 1976, until otherwise provided
by order of the Committee on House Administration, reimbursements to
Members for authorized expenditures shall be made only as prescribed by
regulations of, and on forms issued by the Committee on House
Administration.
``Member'' means each Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the House of Representatives.
Committee Order No. 28
Resolved, that effective immediately prior to noon on January 3,
1977, until otherwise provided by Order of the Committee on House
Administration, if a Member elects to utilize WATS or similar service in
his or her office in the District of Columbia, the Telecommunications
Allowance shall be reduced by one-half. The Committee on House
Administration shall promulgate regulations to implement this order and
ensure adequate telecommunications service for Members representing
districts where WATS or similar service is not available.
``Member'' means each Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the House of Representatives.
Committee Order No. 29
Resolved, that effective immediately prior to noon on January 3,
1977, until otherwise provided by Order of the Committee on House
Administration, a Member may at any time during a session of Congress:
1--Receive in lieu of transportation authorized under 2 U.S.C. 43b a
lump sum payment not to exceed $1.00 per session.
2--Withdraw a sum not to exceed $1.00 per session from his or her
stationery account.
3--Receive under the provisions of 2 U.S.C. 122a an amount not to
exceed $1.00 per session for official expenses outside the District of
Columbia unless such Member submits an itemization of the expenses for
which such Member seeks reimbursement.
The Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this resolution.
``Member'' means each Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the House of Representatives.
Committee Order No. 30
Resolved, that effective immediately prior to noon on January 3,
1977, until otherwise provided by Order of the Committee on House
Administration, Members may elect to transfer the authorization to
expend funds among the following allowances.
1. Constituent Communication Allowance.
2. Official Expenses Outside the District of Columbia Allowance.
3. Stationery Allowance.
4. Equipment Lease Allowance.
5. Travel Allowance for Members and Designated Employees. The
maximum amount transferable will be limited to an amount computed as
follows:
64 times the rate per mile between the District of Columbia and the
furthest point in the Member's District, according to the Rand
McNally Standard Highway Mileage Guide. In no case shall this
amount be less than $2,250. The following rates per mile apply:
Under 500 miles..................... $.15/mile
At least 500 but under 750 miles.. .14/mile
At least 750 but under 1000 miles. .13/mile
At least 1000 but under 1750 miles .12/mile
At least 1750 but under 2250 miles .11/mile
At least 2250 but under 2500 miles .10/mile
At least 2500 but under 3000 miles .09/mile
3000 miles or over................ .08/mile
6. Telephone and Telegraph Allowance. The maximum amount
transferable will be limited to an amount computed as follows:
15,000 minutes times the highest long-distance telephone rate from
the District of Columbia to the Member's District.
If the Member has elected to utilize WATS or similar service in his
or her office in the District of Columbia, the amount will be
reduced by one-half.
7. District Office Rental Allowance. The maximum amount transferable
will be computed as follows:
1500 times the highest allowable GSA rental cost per square foot for
office space in the Member's District.
Additionally, a Member may transfer a maximum of $12,000 per regular
session of Congress for computer and related services and a maximum of
$3,000 per regular session of Congress for Office Equipment leasing for
his or her clerk-hire allowance.
All transfers made under this order shall be among the several
above-stated categories and for the necessary and official expenses
incurred by the Member in the conduct of his or her duties as a Member
of the House of Representatives.
In the event the House precludes the use of the contingent fund of
the House for implementation of this committee order, the status quo
anti shall be restored as respects the individual accounts and
allowances heretofore established by committee order or regulation prior
to the adoption of this committee order.
The Committee on House Administration of the House of
Representatives shall promulgate such regulations as may be necessary to
carry out the provisions of this resolution.
``Member'' means each Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
Commissioner to, the House of Representatives.
Committee Order No. 31
Resolved, that effective April 1, 1977, until otherwise provided by
order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member, Delegate or
Resident Commissioner of the House of Representatives may compensate
employees from the clerk-hire allowance at a per annum rate equivalent
to, and not to exceed, the highest per annum rate of basic pay, as in
effect from time to time, authorized for Level V of the Executive
Schedule (5 U.S.C. 5316).
To Accompany Committee Order No. 31
This order will tie the maximum annual rate of compensation which
may be paid from the clerk-hire allowance to the Executive Schedule, and
will reestablish the previously existing parity between the maximum
which may be paid a committee employee, and the maximum which may be
paid a clerk-hire employee.
The Order raises the ceiling from its present level of $39,600 to
$47,500, which corresponds to a Level V position, but provides no
additional funds to the clerk-hire allowance. If a Member desires to
raise an employee's salary, it must be done from the existing allowance.
This action is clearly within the Committee's authority under 2
U.S.C. 57 as modified by H.Res. 1372 (P.L. 94-440) [2 U.S.C. 57a],
because it sets a ``term or condition'' of an allowance, and does not
fix or adjust the amount of an allowance, which action would require a
vote on the House floor.
Committee Order No. 32
Resolved, That effective October 1, 1977, until otherwise provided
by order of the Committee on House Administration, reimbursement for
travel by members and employees by privately owned conveyance shall be
at the rate of 17 cents per mile for automobile, 15 cents per mile for
motorcycle, 36 cents per mile for aircraft, and that such reimbursement
shall be made in accordance with rules and regulations established by
the Committee on House Administration.
Committee Order No. 33
Resolved, That effective May 1, 1981, until otherwise provided by
the Committee on House Administration, the Allowance for Official
Expenses and the Inventory Allowance for District Office Equipment and
Furnishings are adjusted as follows:
1. The base allowance for Official expenses is increased to $47,300.
2. The Travel Allowance is increased to a base of $4,950, and the
multiplier in the formula used to compute the variable for travel is
increased to a range of 18 to 30 cents.
3. The Inventory Allowance for District Office Equipment and
Furnishing is increased to $35,000.
Expenditures of these funds shall be made in accordance with rules
and regulations established by the Committee on House Administration.
Committee Order No. 34
Resolved, that effective January 3, 1983, until otherwise provided
by the Committee on House Administration, the Allowance for Official
Expenses is as follows:
1. The base allowance for Official Expenses is increased to $52,000.
2. The Travel Allowance is increased to a minimum of $5,700, and the
multiplier in the formula used to compute the variable for travel is
increased to a range of 21 to 35 cents.
Expenditures of these funds shall be made in accordance with rules
and regulations established by the Committee on House Administration.
Committee Order No. 35
Resolved, That effective May 1, 1983, until otherwise provided by
the Committee on House Administration, the Clerk-Hire Allowance and the
Official Expenses Allowance are adjusted as follows:
1. The base allowance for Official Expenses is increased by $15,000.
2. Each session a Member may allocate not to exceed $30,000 from the
basic Clerk-Hire Allowance which may be used to supplement the Official
Expenses Allowance, and may allocate not to exceed $30,000 from the
Official Expenses Allowance to supplement the basic Clerk-Hire
Allowance, provided however that monthly Clerk-Hire disbursements may
not exceed 10 percent of the basic Clerk-Hire Allowance.
All disbursements and allocations shall be made in accordance with
rules and regulations established by the Committee on House
Administration.
Committee Order No. 36
Resolved, That effective January 3, 1984, until otherwise provided
by the Committee on House Administration, the Allowance for Official
Expenses is adjusted as follows:
(1) The Travel Allowance is increased to reflect a cost per mile
variable ranging from $.23 to $.39, with a minimum of $6,200.
Expenditures of these funds shall be made in accordance with rules
and regulations established by the Committee on House Administration.
Committee Order No. 37
Resolved, That effective October 1, 1985, until otherwise provided
by order of the Committee on House Administration, each Member is
entitled to three FTS lines for use in district office(s) without charge
to the official expenses allowance.
Committee Order No. 38
Resolved, That effective August 1, 1985, until otherwise provided by
the Committee on House Administration, the Clerk-Hire Allowance and the
Official Expenses Allowance are adjusted as follows:
Each session a member may allocate not to exceed $40,000 from the
basic Clerk-Hire Allowance which may be used to supplement the Official
Expenses Allowance, and may allocate not to exceed $40,000 from the
Official Expenses Allowance to supplement the basic Clerk-Hire
Allowance, provided however that monthly Clerk-Hire disbursements may
not exceed 10% of the basic Clerk-Hire Allowance.
All disbursements and allocations shall be made in accordance with
rules and regulations established by the Committee on House
Administration.
Committee Order No. 39
Resolved, that effective March 15, 1990, until otherwise provided by
the Committee on House Administration, the Clerk-Hire Allowance and the
Official Expenses Allowance are adjusted as follows:
Each session a Member may allocate not to exceed $50,000 from the
basic Clerk-Hire Allowance which may be used to supplement the
Official Expenses Allowance, and may allocate not to exceed
$50,000 from the Official Expenses Allowance to supplement the
basic Clerk-Hire Allowance, provided however that monthly Clerk-
Hire disbursements may not exceed 10% of the basic Clerk-Hire
Allowance.
All disbursements and allocations shall be made in accordance with
rules and regulations established by the Committee on House
Administration.
Committee Order No. 40
Resolved, That effective May 8, 1991, until otherwise provided by
the Committee on House Administration, the Clerk-Hire Allowance and the
Official Expenses Allowance are adjusted as follows: Each session a
Member may allocate not to exceed $75,000 from the basic Clerk-Hire
Allowance which may be used to supplement the Official Expenses
Allowance, and may allocate not to exceed $75,000 from the Official
Expenses Allowance to supplement the basic Clerk-Hire Allowance,
provided however that monthly Clerk Hire disbursements may not exceed 10
percent of the basic Clerk-Hire Allowance.
All disbursements and allocations shall be made in accordance with
rules and regulations established by the Committee on House
Administration.
Committee Order No. 41
Resolved, That (a) effective September 1, 1995, and subject to
subsection (b), the Clerk Hire Allowance, the Official Expenses
Allowance, and the Official Mail Allowance shall cease to exist and the
functions formerly carried out under such allowances shall be carried
out under a single allowance, to be known as the ``Members'
Representational Allowance''.
(b) Under the Members' Representational Allowance, the amount that
shall be available to a Member for franked mail with respect to a
session of Congress shall be the amount allocated for that purpose by
the Committee on House Oversight under paragraphs (1)(A) and (2)(B) of
subsection (e) of section 311 of the Legislative Branch Appropriations
Act, 1991 [2 U.S.C. 59e(e)(1)(A), (2)(B)], plus an amount equal to the
amount permitted to be transferred to the former Official Mail Allowance
under paragraph (3) of that subsection.
Sec. 2. The Committee on House Oversight shall have authority to
prescribe regulations to carry out this resolution.
Committee Order No. 42
Resolved, that pursuant to 2 U.S.C. Sec. 57 and 2 U.S.C. Sec. 59e,
the Committee hereby orders that:
Sec. 1 Effective January 3, 1999 the amount available within the
Members' Representational Allowance for franked mail with respect to a
session of Congress shall not be limited by subsection (b) of Committee
Order No. 41.
Sec. 2 The Committee on House Oversight shall have the authority to
prescribe regulations to carry out this resolution.
Section Referred to in Other Sections
This section is referred to in section 57a of this title.
