GOP Rules Committee Meeting, March 31, 1992

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Extent (Dublin Core)

11 Pages

File Name (Dublin Core)

lead_403_012_all

Title (Dublin Core)

GOP Rules Committee Meeting, March 31, 1992

Date (Dublin Core)

1992-03-31

Date Created (Dublin Core)

1992-03-31

Congress (Dublin Core)

102nd (1991-1993)

Policy Area (Curation)

Congress

Creator (Dublin Core)

Dole, Robert J., 1923-2021

Konigsberg, Charles S.

Schley, Wayne Arthur, 1940-

Wirth, Timothy E.

Record Type (Dublin Core)

memorandums

Rights (Dublin Core)

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

Language (Dublin Core)

eng

Collection Finding Aid (Dublin Core)

https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=26&q=

Physical Location (Dublin Core)

Collection 007, Box 403, Folder 12

Institution (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS

Archival Collection (Dublin Core)

Robert J. Dole Republican Leadership Collection, 1985-1996

Full Text (Extract Text)

BOB DOLE
KANSAS

United States Senate
OFFICE OF THE REPUBLICAN LEADER
WASHINGTON, DC 205 10-7020
(Handwritten: 3/31)

(Rest of page handwritten)
(Underlined: 6:00 Rules Cmte Meeting)
(Underlined: attendees:)
STEVENS
WARNER
MCCONNELL
GARN
HELMS (LATE)
Wayne Schley
Sheila
JL
(end page 1)

MEMORANDUM
To: Republican Members of the Rules Committee
From: Chuck Konigsberg Minority Chief Counsel
Re : Jurisdiction of Rules Committee
Date: March 30, 1992

(Underlined: 1. RULES COMMITTEE JURISDICTION GENERALLY:) Standing Rules 25 sets forth the jurisdiction of the Rules Committee, including the following items which pertain to operation of the Senate:

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE:
"25(n) (1) Committee on Rules and Administration ....
1. Administration of the Senate Office Buildings and the Senate wing of the Capitol, including the assignment of office space.

2. Congressional organization relative to rules and procedures, and Senate rules and regulations, including floor and gallery rules ....

8. Payment of money out of the contingent fund of the Senate or creating a charge upon the same (except that any resolution relating to substantive matter within the jurisdiction of any other standing committee of the Senate shall be first referred to such committee) ....

12. Services to the Senate, including the Senate restaurant.

13. United States Capitol and congressional office buildings ....
[Other items which Rule 25 places within Rules Committee jurisdiction include ethics rules, federal election law, Senate Library, Smithsonian, GPO, floor rules, Cong.Record, presidential succession, monuments, art in the Capitol.]

Il. (Underlined: JURISDICTION OVER SPECIFIC OPERATIONS)

In view of the above provisions on jurisdiction, (Underlined: Rules Committee has a basis, if it so chooses, to exercise authorizing jurisdiction over most activities conducted by the Senate as an institution.) However, as explained below, many of these activities are placed, by statute, under the immediate control of the Architect, the Sgt. at Arms, or the Secretary of the Senate.

A. (Underlined: Stationary Store): The Stationary Store is operated by the Secretary of the Senate. 2 USC 106. However, 2 USC 119 provides that " ... (Underlined: the Committee on Rules and Administration) of the Senate ... shall make and issue regulations specifying the classes of articles which may be purchased by or through the stationery rooms of the ... Senate."
(end page 2)

Senate Operations/Jurisdiction
3/30/92 page two

B. (Underlined: Senate Restaurants): "Effective August 1, 1961, the management of the Senate Restaurants and all matters connected therewith, heretofore under the direction of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, shall be under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol under such rules and regulations as the Architect may prescribe for the operation and the employment of necessary assistance for the conduct of said restaurants by such business methods as may produce the best results consistent with economical and modern management, (Underlined: subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration as to matters of general policy) : Provided, That the management of the Senate Restaurants by the Architect of the Capitol shall cease and the restaurants revert from the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol to the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration upon adoption by that committee of a resolution ordering such transfer of jurisdiction at any time hereafter." 40 USC 174j-1

C. (Underlined: Garages/Car Washes): In general, the Architect controls the maintenance and operations of the garages, (Underlined: subject to Rules Committee regulations.) However, by special provision, employees in the Russell garage who maintain official Senate vehicles are under the direction of the Sgt. at Arms. Consequently, the Russell car wash for official vehicles is under the jurisdiction of the Sgt. at Arms, but the Hart car wash -- which is available for privately owned vehicles -- is regulated by the Rules Committee. Regulations permitting part-time employees to wash cars on their own time in the Hart garage were promulgated by Senators Ford and Stevens on June 5, 1991.

"The employees of the Senate garage engaged by the Architect of the Capitol for the primary purpose of servicing official motor vehicles, together with the functions performed by such employees, shall, on October 1, 1980, be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate: Provided further, That, effective July 1, 1965, the underground space in the north extension of the Capitol Grounds, known as the Legislative Garage shall hereafter be known as the Senate Garage and shall be under the jurisdiction and control of the Architect of the Capitol, subject to such regulations respecting the use thereof as may be promulgated by (Underlined: the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration) .... As used [above] ... the term "servicing" includes, with respect to an official motor vehicle, the washing and fueling of such vehicle .... " 40 USC 185a.

D. (Underlined: Attending Physician): In 1928, after several Members collapsed in their offices and one Member died, H.Res. 253 provided for the Secretary of the Navy to assign a medical officer to be in attendance at the House during sessions. After the Senate passed a similar resolution in 1930, the services of the Attending Physician were applied to the Senate. The Attending Physician and several assistants are on the payroll of the Navy. (Nurses are on the Architect's payroll. )

Provisions pertaining to expense allowances, equipment, and reimbursements to the Navy, have been promulgated as part of Legislative Branch Appropriations bills. Nevertheless, Rules Committee could assert authorizing jurisdiction over the operation of the Attending Physician's Office with respect to the Senate.
(end page 3)

Senate Operations/Jurisdiction
3/30/92 page three

E. (Underlined: Senate Office Buildings): "On and after June 8, 1942, the Senate Office Building, and the employment of all services ... necessary for its protection, care, and occupancy, together with all other items that may be appropriated for by the Congress for such purposes, shall be under the control and supervision of the Architect of the Capitol, subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration as to matters of general policy .... " -- 40 USC 174c

"On and after June 8, 1942 the assignment of rooms and other space in the Senate Office Building shall be under the direction and control of the (Underlined: Senate Committee on Rules and Administration) and shall not be a part of the duties of the Architect of the Capitol." -- 40 USC 174d

F. (Underlined: Parking Permits): Permits for the Senate garages are issued by the Rules Committee, pursuant to Rules Committee regulatory jurisdiction over use of the garages. 40 USC 185a. Permits for parking in Senate parking lots are issued by the Sgt. at Arms.

G. (Underlined: Check Cashing): "The Secretary of the Senate is authorized to prescribe such regulations as he deems necessary to govern the cashing of personal checks by the Disbursing Office of the Senate." 2 USC 60c-2a (b).

H. (Underlined: Barber Shop/Beauty Shop): 2 USC 121a provides that the "Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate is to authorized to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section (relating to the Senate Barber Shops Revolving Fund)."
2 USC 121b provides that "the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate is authorized to employ, and fix the compensation of such employees as he determines necessary to operate the Senate Beauty Shop."

I. (Underlined: Photographic Studio): 2 USC 123b-1(b) (1) provides that "the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate shall, subject to the approval of the majority and minority leaders, promulgate rules and regulations, and establish fees, for the provision of photographs and photographic services to be furnished by the Photographic Studio."

III. (Underlined: PAYMENTS FROM CONTINGENT FUND -- APPROVAL BY CHAIRMAN): 2 USC 68 provides that "no payment shall be made from the contingent fund of the Senate unless sanctioned by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate."

Rules Committee rules, section IV(1), provide that "the chairman is authorized to sign himself or by delegation all necessary vouchers and routine papers for which the committee's approval is required and to decide in the committee's behalf all routine business."

2 USC 68-1 provides that "the Committee on Rules and Administration may authorize its chairman to designate any employee or employees of such Committee to approve in his behalf, all vouchers making payments from the contingent fund of the Senate, such approval to be deemed and held to be approval by the Committee on Rules and Administration for all intents and purposes."
(end page 4)

United States Senate
from the desk of ... Wayne A. Schley Republican Staff Director Committee on Rules and Administration
(Seal of the senate)
(202) 224-8923
March 31, 1992

TO: Senator Stevens
FROM: Wayne Schley
RE: Senator Wirth's idea of Headsets in the Senate Galleries
ACTION: FYI
The Rules Committee's Technical staff's weekly report indicated that they are working on Senator Wirth's proposal to provide headsets in the gallery which would explain what is happening on the Senate floor.

Wirth called a meeting on this matter, and invited Majority Rules Committee staff. However, Minority Rules Committee staff were not invited.

I thought you might want to alert Senator Dole that this idea is percolating.
(Handwritten: Bob- FYI- we need a consensus on this(Signature)
(end page 5)

INFORMATION SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
WEEKLY REPORT
March 16 through 27, 1992
HARRIS
* Began work on Senator Wirth's proposal to provide visitors to the Senate Gallery headsets to receive explanations as to what is happening on the Senate floor. Contacted the Massachusetts State Legislative staff to learn of their system which a vendor claims to have installed. They do not have such a system. Contacted the Smithsonian to gather information on their systems. Will meet with the Guide Service next week to get an understanding of the visitor volume, flows, etc.
The objective is to produce a pro and con analysis of the Senator's proposal.
(end page 6)

TIMOTHY E. WIRTH
COLORADO
COMMITTEES: ARMED SERVICES BANKING BUDGET ENERGY AND NATURAL RESOURCES
United States Senate
WASHINGTON, DC 20510-0803 92 MAR 25 PM 3: 34
TO: Senator Wendell H. Ford, Chairman, Rules Committee
FR: Timothy E. Wirth
RE: Expanding Public Understanding of the U.S. Senate
DATE: March 23, 1992
Memorandum

(Handwritten: Wendell - yes our decision (illegible) - I'll get all this info back to you

As we have discussed, for some time I have been concerned about the fashion in which the Senate treats its various publics (at the Capitol, in the Gallery, and on C-SPAN). I raised this issue at the Democratic retreat in Virginia last year and the year before, and more recently in a series of memos. To further pursue my concerns, I met this morning with staff of the Rules Committee, the Architect's office, the Sergeant at Arms, the Secretary of the Senate, and the Stennis Center, to better understand the problems, what may have been discussed or proposed in the past, and solutions that might be possible.

During this meeting, the following next steps were agreed upon. Clearly this all falls within the jurisdiction of the Rules Committee, and I'll pass any results or recommendations on to you. I wanted to try again to resolve in my own mind what might be done, and maybe help to get the ball rolling.

1. (Underlined: Visitors to the Senate.) Might it be advisable to provide acoustical guides for visitors to the Senate, or some other means that might explain to citizens what they are seeing as. they move through the Capitol, and/or wait in line to enter the Senate Chamber? Could we explore the Acoustiguide program that is found today in most museums? The tape recording might prepare individuals for their visit to the Senate Chamber and help them to make sense of Senate procedure. The purpose would be to make visits to the Capitol more meaningful and educational. Next step: Staff of the Architect of the Capitol will study and report on the technical and logistical requirements of making acoustical tapes available.

2. (Underlined: Visitors to the Gallery.) Might it be possible to better inform visitors to the Senate, perhaps using information through earphones at each seat, or some other use of modern technology? This opens up a series of issues relating to traditions and rules of the Senate, but clearly we should do more to welcome and inform our visitors, especially when the Senate is in session and nothing is happening on the Floor. Next Step: Senate Rules Committee staff will draft a list of pros and cons related to acoustical information or other options to visitors to the gallery to see if further proposals to the Rules Committee might be appropriate.

1128 PENNSYLVANIA STREET DENVER, CO 80203 303/886-1800
1003 MAIN STREET GRAND JUNCTION, CO 81501 203/245-8044
CONTAINS RECYCLED FIBERS
830 N. TEJON ST. SUITE 226 COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80803 719/834-6523
UNITED BANK BUILDING 201 WEST 8TH STREET SUITE 850 PUEBLO, CO S1003 718/642-6987
(end page 7)

MEMORANDUM
Page 2
(Underlined: March 23, 1992)

3. (Underlined: C-SPAN) Hundreds of thousands of viewers watch the Senate, and as we know, much of the time is spent with blank screens and the "Quorum Call" notice. What options might be possible to augment these blank times, to better help this public understand Senate procedures, issues and history? Next Step: The Stennis Center for Public Service will draft a proposal for how this problem might be examined fully and explored by the Rules Committee.

I will let you know as soon as these memos and recommendations are completed. Please let me know if you have any questions -- these should be done within the next four to six weeks ..

Cc:
Joe Stewart, Secretary of the Senate
Martha S. Pope, Sergeant at Arms
George M. White, Architect of the Capitol
(end page 8)

MEMORANDUM
To: Republican Members of the Rules Committee
From: Chuck Konigsberg
Minority Chief Counsel
Re : Jurisdiction of Rules Committee
Date: March 30, 1992

I. (Underlined: RULES COMMITTEE JURISDICTION GENERALLY): Standing Rules 25 sets forth the jurisdiction of the Rules Committee, including the following items which pertain to operation of the Senate:

STANDING RULES OF THE SENATE:
"25(n) (1) Committee on Rules and Administration ....

1. Administration of the Senate Office Buildings and the Senate wing of the Capitol, including the assignment of office space.

2. Congressional organization relative to rules and procedures, and Senate rules and regulations, including floor and gallery rules .... 8. Payment of money out of the contingent fund of the Senate or creating a charge upon the same (except that any resolution relating to substantive matter within the jurisdiction of any other standing committee of the Senate shall be first referred to such committee) ....

12. Services to the Senate, including the Senate restaurant.

13. United States Capitol and congressional office buildings ....
[Other items which Rule 25 places within Rules Committee jurisdiction include ethics rules, federal election law, Senate Library, Smithsonian, GPO, floor rules, Cong.Record, presidential succession, monuments, art in the Capitol.]

II. (Underlined: JURISDICTION OVER SPECIFIC OPERATIONS)
In view of the above provisions on jurisdiction, (Underlined: Rules Committee has a basis, if it so chooses, to exercise authorizing jurisdiction over most activities conducted by the Senate as an institution.) However, as explained below, many of these activities are placed, by statute, under the immediate control of the Architect, the Sgt. at Arms, or the Secretary of the Senate.
A. Stationary Store: The Stationary Store is operated by the Secretary of the Senate. 2 USC 106. However, 2 USC 119 provides that " ... the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate ... shall make and issue regulations specifying the classes of articles which may be purchased by or through the stationery rooms of the ... Senate."
(end page 9)

Senate Operations/Jurisdiction
3/30/92 page two

B. (Underlined: Senate Restaurants): "Effective August 1, 1961, the management of the Senate Restaurants and all matters connected therewith, heretofore under the direction of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, shall be under the direction of the Architect of the Capitol under such rules and regulations as the Architect may prescribe for the operation and the employment of necessary assistance for the conduct of said restaurants by such business methods as may produce the best results consistent with economical and modern management, (Underlined: subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration as to matters of general policy): Provided, That the management of the Senate Restaurants by the Architect of the Capitol shall cease and the restaurants revert from the jurisdiction of the Architect of the Capitol to the jurisdiction of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration upon adoption by that committee of a resolution ordering such transfer of jurisdiction at any time hereafter." 40 USC 174j-1

C. (Underlined: Garages/Car Washes): In general, the Architect controls the maintenance and operations of the garages, (Underlined: subject to Rules Committee regulations.) However, by special provision, employees in the Russell garage who maintain official Senate vehicles are under the direction of the Sgt. at Arms. Consequently, the Russell car wash for official vehicles is under the jurisdiction of the Sgt. at Arms, but the Hart car wash -- which is available for privately owned vehicles -- is regulated by the Rules Committee. Regulations permitting part-time employees to wash cars on their own time in the Hart garage were promulgated by Senators Ford and Stevens on June 5, 1991.

"The employees of the Senate garage engaged by the Architect of the Capitol for the primary purpose of servicing official motor vehicles, together with the functions performed by such employees, shall, on October 1, 1980, be transferred to the jurisdiction of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate: Provided further, That, effective July 1, 1965, the underground space in the north extension of the Capitol Grounds, known as the Legislative Garage shall hereafter be known as the Senate Garage and shall be under the jurisdiction and control of the Architect of the Capitol, subject to such regulations respecting the use thereof as may be promulgated by (Underlined: the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration) .... As used [above] ... the term "servicing" includes, with respect to an official motor vehicle, the (Underlined: washing) and fueling of such vehicle .... " 40 USC 185a.

D. (Underlined: Attending Physician): In 1928, after several Members collapsed in their offices and one Member died, H.Res. 253 provided for the Secretary of the Navy to assign a medical officer to be in attendance at the House during sessions. After the Senate passed a similar resolution in 1930, the services of the Attending Physician were applied to the Senate. The Attending Physician and several assistants are on the payroll of the Navy. (Nurses are on the Architect's payroll. )

Provisions pertaining to expense allowances, equipment, and reimbursements to the Navy, have been promulgated as part of Legislative Branch Appropriations bills. Nevertheless, Rules Committee could assert (Italicized: authorizing)jurisdiction over the operation of the Attending Physician's Office with respect to the Senate.
(end page 10)

Senate Operations/Jurisdiction
3/30/92 page three

E. (Underlined: Senate Office Buildings): "On and after June 8, 1942, the Senate Office Building, and the employment of all services ... necessary for its protection, care, and occupancy, together with all other items that may be appropriated for by the Congress for such purposes, shall be under the control and supervision of the Architect of the Capitol, (Underlined: subject to the approval of the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration as to matters of general policy) .... " -- 40 USC 174c

"On and after June 8, 1942 the assignment of rooms and other space in the Senate Office Building shall be under the direction and control of the (Underlined: Senate Committee on Rules and Administration) and shall not be a part of the duties of the Architect of the Capitol." -- 40 USC 174d

F. (Underlined: Parking Permits): Permits for the Senate garages are issued by the Rules Committee, pursuant to Rules Committee regulatory jurisdiction over use of the garages. 40 USC 185a. Permits for parking in Senate parking lots are issued by the Sgt. at Arms.

G. (Underlined: Check Cashing): "The Secretary of the Senate is authorized to prescribe such regulations as he deems necessary to govern the cashing of personal checks by the Disbursing Office of the Senate." 2 USC 60c-2a(b).

H. (Underlined: Barber Shop/Beauty Shop): 2 USC 121a provides that the "Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate is to authorized to prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section (relating to the Senate Barber Shops Revolving Fund)."
2 USC 121b provides that "the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate is authorized to employ, and fix the compensation of such employees as he determines necessary to operate the Senate Beauty Shop."

I. (Underlined: Photographic Studio): 2 USC 123b-1(b) (1) provides that "the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate shall, subject to the approval of the majority and minority leaders, promulgate rules and regulations, and establish fees, for the provision of photographs and photographic services to be furnished by the Photographic Studio."

III. (Underlined: PAYMENTS FROM CONTINGENT FUND -- APPROVAL BY CHAIRMAN): 2 USC 68 provides that "no payment shall be made from the contingent fund of the Senate unless sanctioned by the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate."

Rules Committee rules, section IV(1), provide that "the chairman is authorized to sign himself or by delegation all necessary vouchers and routine papers for which the committee's approval is required and to decide in the committee's behalf all routine business."

2 USC 68-1 provides that "the Committee on Rules and Administration may authorize its chairman to designate any employee or employees of such Committee to approve in his behalf, all vouchers making payments from the contingent fund of the Senate, such approval to be deemed and held to be approval by the Committee on Rules and Administration for all intents and purposes."
(end page 11)

GOP Rules Committee Meeting, March 31, 1992

Item