To improve certain administrative operations of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6399) to improve certain administrative operations of the Office of the Architect of the Capitol, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and to include extraneous material on the measure now under consideration.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, this bill does two things: First, over time Congress has passed five laws creating three categories of senior management positions in the Architect's Office. The five laws specify the number of positions in each category, their functions and compensation. The creation of multiple categories with different pay caps can yield undesirable effects, including the possibility of employees earning more than supervisors. This patchwork hinders the Architect's flexibility to align senior positions equitably across the agency and to make broad organizational changes.

This bill combines the affected positions into one category for administrative purposes capped at a single rate of pay. The Architect requested this sensible provision, which solves the problem that Congress never intended to create.

Second, Mr. Speaker, the bill provides the Architect with the authority to purchase a vehicle maintenance facility for the U.S. Capitol Police. Congress has previously appropriated the money, and there is no additional cost.

Mr. Speaker, this is a good bill. I urge support.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker I urge an aye vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Brady for bringing this bill to the floor. This bill provides the Architect of the Capitol with two administrative remedies in order to provide better management of the Capitol complex.

First, the bill gives the Architect of the Capitol more flexibility in his allocation of senior staff positions. Currently there is an arbitrary limitation in place.

Second, the bill authorizes the Architect of the Capitol to purchase a building that they have been leasing for some time. The building is currently used for United States Capitol Police vehicle maintenance and is also used as USCP headquarters for the hazardous device unit.

This money has already been appropriated, and this resolution provides the appropriate authorization needed from our committee of jurisdiction.

I thank Chairman Brady for bringing this bill to the floor, and I am pleased to support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the Rules Committee be discharged from further consideration of H.R. 6399 and that the Senate then proceed to its consideration.

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the bill be read three times, passed, and the motions to reconsider be laid upon the table; further, that any statements relating thereto be printed in the Record.