Bill Overview
Title: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2023
Description: This bill provides FY2023 appropriations for the legislative branch, including the Senate and joint items such as the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Committee on Taxation, the Office of the Attending Physician, and the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services. In addition, the bill provides FY2023 appropriations for the Capitol Police; the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights; the Congressional Budget Office; the Architect of the Capitol; the Library of Congress, including the Congressional Research Service and the Copyright Office; the Government Publishing Office; the Government Accountability Office; Congressional Office for International Leadership Fund; and the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Training and Development. (Pursuant to the longstanding practice of each chamber of Congress determining its own requirements, funds for the House of Representatives are not included in the Senate bill.) The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this bill.
Sponsors: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Target Audience
Population: American citizens
Estimated Size: 329500000
- The bill allocates funds for various parts of the U.S. legislative branch, impacting employees and operations of its offices and services.
- The budget affects the Joint Economic Committee, Joint Committee on Taxation, and others which provide economic and financial analyses that impact legislation.
- Employees of the Capitol Police and the Architect of the Capitol maintain the security and infrastructure of congressional spaces.
- The Library of Congress and Government Publishing Office are key in documenting and providing access to federal information and laws.
- The Government Accountability Office reviews and audits government expenditures, influencing policy and governance decisions.
- While the Senate bill does not include House funding, Senate operations broadly support legislative work impacting national policies.
Reasoning
- The policy allocates funds to essential functions within the U.S. legislative branch, impacting services and operations that contribute indirectly to the wellbeing of American citizens.
- Some individuals will see tangible increases in security, efficiency, and access to government resources which can influence their workplace environment and sense of security.
- The policy also indirectly affects average citizens by shaping legislative efficiency, potentially leading to broader socioeconomic impacts.
- Certain groups, such as government employees and those relying on specific federal services like the Library of Congress or the Government Publishing Office, may notice a direct impact.
- Many citizens will not experience a direct change in their wellbeing scores as a result of the policy, given its focused scope.
Simulated Interviews
Librarian at the Library of Congress (Washington, D.C.)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the funding is essential for maintaining our resources and programming.
- The Library of Congress is a critical source of information for policy makers and the public.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Capitol Police Officer (Maryland)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The appropriations are critical to ensuring we have the resources needed to perform our job effectively.
- It influences our training, equipment, and even personnel wellbeing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Financial Analyst at Government Accountability Office (New York)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding ensures we can conduct thorough audits and oversight, which ultimately influences national budget efficiency.
- Our work impacts public trust and government efficiency.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (California)
Age: 52 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't see immediate benefits, I understand that well-funded Congress operations can indirectly impact small businesses like mine.
- Improved government efficiency often translates to better economic conditions for us.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Researcher (Illinois)
Age: 39 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The appropriations ensure continued access to high-quality resources, which is vital for my work.
- It solidifies the support system for researchers nationwide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Retired (Florida)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope these appropriations lead to better legislative processes, but as a retiree, it doesn't directly impact my day-to-day life.
- Ensuring well-functioning legislative branches are fundamental, but I remain skeptical.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Teacher (Texas)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Funding the legislative branch strengthens democracy, providing my students with more accurate materials for learning.
- I appreciate the indirect support towards education.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Architect of the Capitol Staff (Ohio)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Appropriations determine how effectively we can maintain and improve the Capitol grounds.
- Funding reflects both our resource availability and job security.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
College Student (Arizona)
Age: 25 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This budget helps sustain institutions that provide critical information for students like me.
- I appreciate having access to legislative documents and information.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Journalist (Georgia)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reliable funding of these offices means more accurate reportage and knowledge for the public.
- Our journalism benefits from comprehensive and prompt government data.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $329500000 (Low: $300000000, High: $350000000)
Year 2: $335000000 (Low: $305000000, High: $355000000)
Year 3: $340000000 (Low: $310000000, High: $360000000)
Year 5: $350000000 (Low: $320000000, High: $370000000)
Year 10: $380000000 (Low: $350000000, High: $400000000)
Year 100: $600000000 (Low: $550000000, High: $650000000)
Key Considerations
- The appropriations support essential functions for secure and effective legislative processes within the U.S. government.
- Potential adjustments in funding requirements over inflation and operational costs need continuous evaluation.
- Operational efficiency and security enhancements in entities like the Capitol Police and Architect of the Capitol may drive future budget changes.