Nelson Steers Belt-Tightening Bill to Full Senate

Press Release

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved a Fiscal Year 2011 Legislative Branch spending bill that holds the line on spending with no increase for the coming year.

"With all the talk in Washington about the need to rein in government spending, I'm pleased our committee has done so by approving a zero percent increase in spending next year," said Nebraska's Senator Ben Nelson, who helped draft the bill. "We're holding spending flat with this year's Legislative Branch appropriations bill. By holding the line on spending in the Legislative branch, we are setting an example to all federal agencies."

"Our nation's economy isn't out of the woods yet and our deficit remains far too high. Congress should do all it can to reduce government spending. Keeping money in private hands will be good for our economy and begin to curb the long-term debt," Nelson said.

As chairman of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee, Nelson steered drafting of the Fiscal Year 2011 Legislative Branch spending bill to hold spending slightly below Fiscal Year 2010 spending. On Thursday, September 16, the full Appropriations Committee approved the legislative branch spending bill, which totals $3.136 billion.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, ranking Republican on the subcommittee, said the bill met the subcommittee members' goals by aiming to tighten the belt wherever possible.

"So, I think we have done our best to lead by example," Murkowski said at the hearing. "I am very appreciative of the work that Chairman Nelson and his staff have put into developing this flat budget for the Legislative Branch. I am supportive certainly of keeping down spending on Capitol Hill as an example for the rest of government."

During the markup of the bill before the Appropriations Committee's approval, Senator Nelson offered an overview and an explanation of the bill.

"This bill is $436 million below the request, so…crafting this bill was not an easy task," he said. "There were some difficult choices to make. We will no doubt be feeling some pain next year, in our personal offices, in committees, and throughout our support services in the Senate and elsewhere in the Legislative Branch. The Legislative Branch is quite small compared to the Executive Branch. But if we don't take care of our buildings, stay current with our equipment, and remain vigilant in safety and security, no one else will do it for us," Nelson said.

"Nearly every agency funded in this bill is flat or below the Fiscal Year 2010 level. The only exceptions were slight increases for the Capitol Police, due to a Fiscal Year 2010 salary miscalculation, and the Congressional Budget Office to fully fund onboard staffing levels.

"These increases were offset by deferring several projects in the Architect of the Capitol's budget, including the replacement of the roof and skylights in the Hart Senate Office Building, which will have to be deferred for at least another year.

"The bill provides funding for the U.S. Senate, Library of Congress, U.S. Capitol Police, the Architect of the Capitol, the Government Accountability Office, Government Printing Office, Congressional Budget Office, and the Office of Compliance.

"I think this is a fiscally responsible bill," Nelson said.

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