An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 58
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-05: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S672)
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-01T11:06:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This resolution authorizes funding and operational support for the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs to carry out its responsibilities, such as holding hearings and conducting investigations, from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027. It ensures the committee can use Senate resources within established budgetary limits.
Key Provisions
- General Authority: The committee is permitted to:
- Spend money from the Senate's contingent fund (a general pool for unexpected or authorized expenses).
- Hire staff.
- Use personnel from other government departments or agencies, with approval and on a reimbursable or non-reimbursable basis.
- Expense Limits by Period:
- March 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025: Up to $5,141,314 total, including no more than $11,666 for consultants (experts hired for advice, as allowed under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946) and $875 for staff training.
- October 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026: Up to $8,813,681 total, including no more than $20,000 for consultants and $1,500 for staff training.
- October 1, 2026, to February 28, 2027: Up to $3,672,367 total, including no more than $8,334 for consultants and $625 for staff training.
- Payment Procedures: Most expenses are paid from the Senate's contingent fund with approval from the committee chair. Certain routine costs (e.g., employee salaries, telecommunications, stationery, postage, copying, photography, and mailing) do not require individual vouchers (formal expense receipts).
- Agency Contributions: Additional funds from the Senate's "Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations" account can cover employer contributions (e.g., for benefits like pensions) related to committee employees during the specified periods.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This resolution does not introduce major alterations to existing Senate rules or laws. It updates and renews budgetary authorizations for the committee in line with the start of the 119th Congress, replacing prior resolutions with new expense caps and dates. References to the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 remain unchanged, maintaining limits on consultant and training expenditures.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enables the committee to collaborate with other federal departments by borrowing staff, potentially streamlining investigations into banking, housing, and urban issues without new hires.
- On Citizens: Indirect effects through the committee's oversight of policies affecting financial systems, housing affordability, and urban development; funded activities could influence future legislation benefiting or regulating these areas.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though the committee's work on banking and housing may touch on global financial stability, with no specific international provisions here.
Overall, it supports routine Senate operations without broad disruptions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Primary: The Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, including its chair (Mr. Scott of South Carolina), members, staff, and hired consultants.
- Secondary: The Senate as a whole (via shared funds and approvals from the Committee on Rules and Administration), other government agencies providing personnel, and Senate support offices (e.g., Sergeant at Arms, Postmaster).
- Indirect: Taxpayers funding Senate operations and entities in banking, housing, and urban affairs sectors subject to committee oversight.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces adherence to Senate Standing Rules (e.g., rules XXV and XXVI on jurisdiction and investigations) and the Legislative Reorganization Act, ensuring expenditures are controlled and accountable to prevent misuse of public funds.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's Article I powers to organize its proceedings and conduct oversight, with no conflicts noted.
- Political: Provides fiscal stability for the committee's bipartisan work on key economic issues, potentially influencing legislative priorities in the 119th Congress without partisan bias in the text. It promotes transparency through expense caps and approvals, though actual spending oversight remains with Senate leadership.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-05: Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S672)
- 2025-02-05: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Scott SC. Without written report.
- 2025-02-05: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Scott SC. Without written report.
- 2025-02-05: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. — issued 2025-02-05 — PDF (5 pages)