The other day I reported that the incoming House Democratic Committee chairmen were seeking dramatic increases in their committee budgets. Today Roll Call reports that all such increases will be limited to no more than 2 percent:
But House Administration Chairwoman Juanita Millender-McDonald (D-Calif.) announced committees will receive an across-the-board increase limited to about 2 percent, as the continuing resolution funding most government operations has applied serious constraints to legislative branch spending.
Committees requested much more than a 2 percent increase, ranging from 4 percent or 5 percent to as much as 43 percent boosts.
“We are trying our best to do whatever we can possibly do,” Millender-McDonald said. “We just do not have the money.”
But Millender-McDonald also said she plans to meet with Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to address the lack of funds for staff, which she called a serious issue.
“We cannot have committees, which are so crucial and important, have turnover,” she said.
House Administration is in charge of approving the funding resolution that provides money for most House committees. Markup on this year’s bill could happen as early as today, with a vote on the House floor next week, according to a committee spokeswoman.
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