GALLOWANCES AND EXPENSES

For allowances and expenses as authorized by House resolution or law, $207,068,000, for the following sub accounts which will be individually presented and discussed.

Note: The FY 2003 enacted amount was adjusted by a mandatory .65% rescission of $6,214,559. In addition, the FY 2004 enacted amount for the House was adjusted by a mandatory .59% rescission of

$5,985,338. Of this amount, $1,000,000 was taken from Allowances and Expenses, Government Contributions.

SUPPLIES, MATERIALS, ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS AND FEDERAL TORT CLAIMS

For Supplies, Materials, Administrative Costs and Federal Tort Claims, $4,618,000. This account is used for general administrative items for the operations of the House in addition to equipment, supplies and telephone service.

OFFICIAL MAIL COSTS (NON MEMBERS)

For official mail for committees, leadership offices, and administrative offices of the House, $410,000.

GOVERNMENT CONTRIBUTIONS

For Government Contributions, $201,350,000. These funds are requested to pay the agency (House) share of contributions to the following funds:

• Life insurance fund

• Retirement funds
• Social Security fund

• Medicare fund

Health benefits fund

• Workers' and unemployment compensation

• Student Loan Repayment Program

• Fitness Center Program

Supplemental Benefits and Flexible Spending Accounts (proposed)

The request for this account assumes that for every dollar paid to an employee under the current retirement systems, the House will pay 30.95 cents for benefits. As of September 2000, 1,028 House employees were participating in CSRS as compared to 904 for the same month one year later. As of September 1, 2003, more than 90% of all House employees were enrolled in the FERS program.

The maximum taxable wage base for Social Security effective January 1, 2004, is $87,900.

There is $1,379,000 requested to reimburse the Department of Labor for total benefits and payments from the employees' compensation fund for Workers' Compensation for the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2003.

The proposed changes for supplemental benefits and flexible spending accounts are budgeted at $750,000. This amount provides for a study to review the implementation requirements and a quarteryear funding for expanded benefits (e.g., dental and vision) in the event that the program is authorized in fiscal year 2005. It also provides partial-year funding for a third party administration fee for managing the Flexible Spending Account program.

Note: The FY 2003 enacted amount was adjusted by a mandatory .65% rescission of $6,214,559. In addition, the FY 2004 enacted amount for the House was adjusted by a mandatory .59% rescission of $5,985,338. Of this amount, $1,000,000 was taken from Allowances and Expenses, Government

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS

For Miscellaneous Items, $690,000. This amount includes funds for gratuities paid to the widow, widower or heirs-at-law of deceased employees of the House, for which $510,000 is requested. Also requested are funds of $140,000 for expenditures not limited to the purchase, exchange, maintenance, repair and operation of House motor vehicles. Additionally, $40,000 is included for Interparliamentary Receptions as authorized by law.