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111th Congress (2009-2010)

House Report 111-152

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{link: 'http://thomas.loc.gov:80/cgi-bin/cpquery?',title: 'THOMAS - Committee Report - House Report 111-152' }

House Report 111-152 - DIRECTING THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL TO ENGRAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND THE NATIONAL MOTTO OF `IN GOD WE TRUST' IN THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER
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79-009

111TH CONGRESS

Report

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

1st Session

111-152
DIRECTING THE ARCHITECT OF THE CAPITOL TO ENGRAVE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG AND THE NATIONAL MOTTO OF `IN GOD WE TRUST' IN THE CAPITOL VISITOR CENTER

JUNE 12, 2009- Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered to be printed

Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania, from the Committee on House Administration, submitted the following

R E P O R T

[To accompany H. Con. Res. 131]

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

SUMMARY OF THE LEGISLATION

Introduced by Representative Daniel Lungren of California, the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee on House Administration, the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 131) requires the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and the national motto (`In God We Trust') in the Capitol Visitor Center (CVC). Under the resolution, the details of the engravings, including the locations, would be approved by the House Administration Committee and the Senate Rules and Administration Committee.

The consideration and favorable reporting of the resolution fulfills a commitment made by the Committee during the 110th Congress to recommend adding an engraved inscription of the motto, which is set forth in 36 U.S.C. 302, and the Pledge, which is set forth in 4 U.S.C. Sec. 4, in the CVC. The addition of these engravings to the CVC requires this legislation.

COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION

On June 10, 2009, the Committee considered H. Con. Res. 131, ordering it reported favorably to the House by voice vote without amendment. No recorded votes were taken during the Committee's consideration of the resolution.

DESCRIPTION OF H. CON. RES. 131

The resolution consists of one section. Subsection (a) of Section 1 directs the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag and the national motto in the Capitol Visitor Center pursuant to an engraving plan.

Subsection (b) of Section 1 requires the Architect to complete the engraving of the Pledge and the motto pursuant to an engraving plan approved by the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.

MATTERS REQUIRED UNDER THE RULES OF THE HOUSE

Committee votes

Clause 3(b) of House Rule XIII requires the results of each recorded vote on an amendment or motion to report, together with the names of those voting for and against, to be printed in the committee report. No recorded votes were taken during the Committee's consideration of H. Con. Res. 131.

Oversight findings

Clause 3(c)(1) of rule XIII requires each committee report to contain oversight findings and recommendations required pursuant to clause 2(b)(1) of House Rule X. The Committee has general oversight responsibility for the House wing of the Capitol and the Capitol Visitor Center.

In the exercise of oversight of these historic structures, the Committee finds that the absence of the Pledge of Allegiance and the national motto omits these important features cherished by many Americans. The Committee therefore recommends the adoption of H. Con. Res. 131.

Statement of new budget authority & related items

Clause 3(c)(2) of House Rule XIII and Section 308(a)(1) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) require most bills and resolutions providing new budget authority, new spending authority, new credit authority or an increase or decrease in revenues or tax expenditures to include such information. H. Con. Res. 131 provides no budget, spending or credit authority or any change in revenues or tax expenditures.

Congressional Budget Office estimate

Clause 3(c)(3) of House Rule XIII requires the report of a committee on a measure which has been approved by the Committee to include a cost estimate prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office pursuant to section 402 of the CBA, if timely submitted. The Director submitted the following estimate:

June 11, 2009.

Hon. Robert A. Brady,
Chairman, Committee on House Administration, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.

DEAR MR. CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H. Con. Res. 131, directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the National Motto of `In God We Trust' in the Capitol Visitor Center.

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Matthew Pickford.

Sincerely,

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF.

Enclosure.

H. Con. Res. 131--Directing the Architect of the Capitol to engrave the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and the National Motto of `In God We Trust' in the Capitol Visitor Center

H. Con. Res. 131 would direct the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to engrave `In God We Trust' and the Pledge of Allegiance in prominent locations in the Capitol Visitor Center. Based on information from the AOC and the Committee on House Administration regarding engraving costs, CBO estimates that implementing the legislation would cost less than $100,000, subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The legislation would have no effect on direct spending or revenues.

The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Matthew Pickford. The estimate was approved by Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

Statement of general performance goals and objectives

Clause 3(c)(4) of House Rule XIII requires committee reports to include a statement of general performance goals and objectives for which the measure authorizes funding. House Concurrent Resolution 131 authorizes no appropriations. The Committee believes that adoption of the concurrent resolution and placement of the contemplated engravings in the CVC would advance the Congress' goal of promoting knowledge and appreciation for these important features of American history and political culture.

Federal mandates

Section 423 of the CBA requires committee reports on bills or resolutions to include specific information about federal mandates. The concurrent resolution imposes no federal mandates.

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