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S.Res. 51Senate118th Congress (2023-2025)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 9, 2023

AI-Generated Summary

Updated January 20, 2026 at 3:22 AM UTC

The resolution authorizes the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation to spend money, hire staff, and use agency personnel from March 1 2023 through February 28 2025. It sets annual spending caps for the committee and allows limited funds for outside consultants and staff training. The rules apply to the committee’s operations and any government agencies that provide services to it.

Key Provisions

  • Grants the committee authority to make expenditures from the Senate’s contingent fund, employ personnel, and use agency staff with consent of the relevant agency and the Rules Committee.
  • Establishes spending limits: up to $5,837,726 for March‑Sept 2023, $10,134,183 for FY 2024, and $4,236,948 for Oct 2024‑Feb 2025, each period allowing up to $50,000 for consultants and $50,000 for staff training.
  • Specifies that most expenses are paid from the contingent fund upon the chairman’s vouchers, but certain routine items (salaries, telecom, stationery, mail, copying, recording services) do not require vouchers.
  • Authorizes agency contributions from Senate appropriations to cover compensation of committee employees during the authorized periods.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
SenateIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S330)

Rules and Administration Committee

February 9, 2023

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

February 9, 2023

SenateCommittee

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

Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee

February 9, 2023

SenateIntro Referral

Referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration. (text: CR S330)

Rules and Administration Committee

February 9, 2023

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued February 9, 2023

III

118th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. RES. 51

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

February 9, 2023

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, 2023, through February 28, 2025, 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, 2023

The expenses of the committee for the period March 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023, under this resolution shall not exceed $5,837,726, 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 2024 period

The expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, under this resolution shall not exceed $10,134,183, 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, 2025

The expenses of the committee for the period October 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025, under this resolution shall not exceed $4,236,948, 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, 2023, through September 30, 2023;

(2)

for the period October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024; and

(3)

for the period October 1, 2024, through February 28, 2025.