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S.Res. 56Senate117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

An original resolution authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Sponsored by Maria CantwellSen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
Introduced February 12, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 7, 2026 at 10:40 PM UTC

The resolution lets the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation spend money from the Senate’s contingent fund for its work between March 1 2021 and February 28 2023. It sets annual spending limits and permits the committee to hire staff, use agency personnel, and cover certain costs without detailed vouchers. The limits apply to three fiscal periods and include small amounts for consultants and staff training. The resolution mainly affects the committee’s budget and its staff.

Key Provisions

  • Authorizes the committee to make expenditures, employ personnel, and use agency staff (with consent) from March 1 2021 through February 28 2023.
  • Sets maximum spending: $4,561,289 for March‑September 2021, $7,869,484 for October 2021‑September 2022, and $3,278,947 for October 2022‑February 2023, each period allowing up to $50,000 for consultants and $50,000 for staff training.
  • Allows expenses to be paid from the Senate’s contingent fund, with vouchers not required for routine items such as salaries, telecommunications, stationery, mail, and recording services.
  • Permits agency contributions from the Senate’s “Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations” account to cover compensation of agency employees assisting the committee during the same periods.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S715)

Rules and Administration Committee

February 12, 2021

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 12, 2021

SenateCommittee

Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Original measure reported to Senate by Senator Cantwell. Without written report.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

February 12, 2021

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S715)

Rules and Administration Committee

February 12, 2021

Floor Debate

1 member

What members said about S.Res. 56 on the floor

1 Democrat
Amy Klobuchar
Sen. Amy KlobucharD-MN · Apr 14, 2021

Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent for the legislative activities report of the Committee on Rules and Administration during the 116th Congress be printed in the Congressional Record.

Record

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 12, 2021

III

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 56

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 12, 2021

Ms. Cantwell, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, reported the following original resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration

RESOLUTION

Authorizing expenditures by the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

1.

General authority

In carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (in this resolution referred to as the committee) is authorized from March 1, 2021 through February 28, 2023, in its discretion, to—

(1)

make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate;

(2)

employ personnel; and

(3)

with the prior consent of the Government department or agency concerned and the Committee on Rules and Administration, use on a reimbursable or nonreimbursable basis the services of personnel of any such department or agency.

2.

Expenses

(a)

Expenses for period ending September 30, 2021

The expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021 under this resolution shall not exceed $4,561,289, of which amount—

(1)

not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and

(2)

not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).

(b)

Expenses for fiscal year 2022 period

The expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 under this resolution shall not exceed $7,869,484, of which amount—

(1)

not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and

(2)

not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).

(c)

Expenses for period ending February 28, 2023

The expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023 under this resolution shall not exceed $3,278,947, of which amount—

(1)

not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the procurement of the services of individual consultants, or organizations thereof (as authorized by section 202(i) of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 4301(i))); and

(2)

not to exceed $50,000 may be expended for the training of the professional staff of the committee (under procedures specified by section 202(j) of that Act).

3.

Expenses and agency contributions

(a)

Expenses of the committee

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), expenses of the committee under this resolution shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate upon vouchers approved by the chairman of the committee.

(2)

Vouchers not required

Vouchers shall not be required for—

(A)

the disbursement of salaries of employees paid at an annual rate;

(B)

the payment of telecommunications provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;

(C)

the payment of stationery supplies purchased through the Keeper of the Stationery;

(D)

payments to the Postmaster of the Senate;

(E)

the payment of metered charges on copying equipment provided by the Office of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper;

(F)

the payment of Senate Recording and Photographic Services; or

(G)

the payment of franked and mass mail costs by the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper.

(b)

Agency contributions

There are authorized to be paid from the appropriations account for Expenses of Inquiries and Investigations of the Senate such sums as may be necessary for agency contributions related to the compensation of employees of the committee—

(1)

for the period March 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021;

(2)

for the period October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022; and

(3)

for the period October 1, 2022 through February 28, 2023.