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H.R. 2551 112th Congress House

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012

Official title: Making appropriations for the Legislative Branch for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes.

Introduced: July 15, 2011 See on congress.gov
Congress AppropriationsArchitect of the CapitolBooks and print mediaCongressional Budget Office (CBO)
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Congressional Research Service (CRS)Congressional agenciesCongressional committeesCongressional leadershipCongressional officers and employeesCongressional oversightEmergency planning and evacuationGovernment Accountability Office (GAO)Government Publishing Office (GPO)Government buildings, facilities, and propertyGovernment trust fundsHouse of RepresentativesIntellectual propertyInternational exchange and broadcastingJoint Committee on TaxationJoint Economic CommitteeLaw enforcement officersLibrary of CongressMembers of CongressSenateU.S. CapitolWorker safety and health
This bill died when the 112th Congress ended
It never became law before the 112th Congress (2011–2012) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 49 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Sep 15, 2011
Committee on Appropriations. Reported by Senator Nelson NE, with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 112-80.
Sep 15, 2011
Committee on Appropriations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Sep 15, 2011
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.
Jul 22, 2011
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule. (consideration: CR H5387)
Jul 22, 2011
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
Jul 22, 2011
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Jul 22, 2011
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 252 - 159 (Roll no. 629).
Jul 22, 2011
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Jul 22, 2011
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 2551.
Jul 22, 2011
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on adoption of amendments, which were debated earlier and on which further proceedings were postponed.
Jul 22, 2011
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5382-5387)
Jul 22, 2011
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 22, 2011
Mr. Crenshaw moved that the committee rise.
Jul 22, 2011
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Moran amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Moran demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Jul 22, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moran amendment.
Jul 22, 2011
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Holt amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Jul 22, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Holt amendment.
Jul 22, 2011
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Jul 22, 2011
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5378-5381)
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Altmire amendment, as modified.
Jul 21, 2011
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Broun (GA) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceed with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Hayworth amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Ms. Hayworth demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hayworth amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Broun (GA) amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Watt(NC) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Watt(NC) demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Watt (NC) amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Honda amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 2551.
Jul 21, 2011
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 359 and Rule XVIII.
Jul 21, 2011
The Speaker designated the Honorable Rob Woodall to act as Chairman of the Committee.
Jul 21, 2011
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2551 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. Measure will be considered read. Specified amendments are in order.
Jul 21, 2011
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 359. (consideration: CR H5348-5369; text of Title I as reported in House: CR H5356-5359; text of Title II as reported in House: CR H5359-5360)
Jul 21, 2011
ORDER OF BUSINESS - Mr. Crenshaw asked unanimous consent that during consideration of H.R. 2551, pursuant to House Resolution 359, the following amendments be permitted to be offered out of the specified order: Amendment No. 9 by Mr. Moran and Amendment No. 12 by Mr. Holt. Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2011
Rule H. Res. 359 passed House.
Jul 21, 2011
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Jul 21, 2011
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 2551 as unfinished business.
Jul 21, 2011
On motion that the Committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Jul 21, 2011
Mr. Crenshaw moved that the Committee rise.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Flake amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5369-5372)
Jul 21, 2011
ORDER OF PROCEDURE - Mr. Crenshaw asked unanimous consent that during further consideration of H.R. 2551 pursuant to H. Res. 359, the following amendments be permitted to be offered out of the specified order: Amendment No. 10 by Mr. Flake; Amendment No. 11 by Mr. Flake. Agreed to without objection.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Hanna amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Thompson (PA) amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Honda demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Thompson (PA) amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Paulsen amendment.
Jul 21, 2011
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Stutzman amendment, the Chair put the question on adoption of the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Crenshaw demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of adoption of the amendment until a time to be announced.
Jul 21, 2011
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 359, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Stutzman amendment.
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Jul 22, 2011 House · vote #629 On Passage Passed 252–159 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 16

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

7 agreed to 9 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 712 – An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 112-173 to prohibit the use of funds for polystyrene containe… Failed Jul 22, 2011
HAMDT 711 – An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 112-173 to provide $2.5 million for the congressional Office… Failed Jul 22, 2011
HAMDT 707 Thompson, Glenn An amendment numbered 15 printed in House Report 112-173 to prohibit use of funds to purchase, acquire, insta… Failed Jul 22, 2011
HAMDT 704 Stutzman, Marlin A. An amendment numbered 8 printed in House Report 112-173 to reduce the GPO funding by $4,946,140.80 by transfe… Agreed to Jul 22, 2011
HAMDT 702 – An amendment numbered 6 printed in House Report 112-173 to reduce funding for the Botanic Garden to the FY 20… Failed Jul 22, 2011
HAMDT 701 – An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 112-173 to reduce funding for the Botanic Garden by $632,780 … Agreed to Jul 22, 2011
HAMDT 698 – An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 112-173 to reduce funding for the Office of Congressional Eth… Failed Jul 22, 2011
HAMDT 710 – An amendment numbered 11 printed in House Report 112-173 to prohibit use of funds by Members, committees, and… Failed Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 709 – An amendment numbered 10 printed in House Report 112-173 to require all mail funded by the Members' represent… Failed Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 708 – An amendment numbered 16 printed in House Report 112-173 to prohibit use of funds by the Chief Administrative… Agreed to Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 706 – An amendment numbered 14 printed in House Report 112-173 to prevent use of funds to distribute printed copies… Agreed to Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 705 – An amendment numbered 13 printed in House Report 112-173 to prevent the distribution of printed legislation t… Agreed to Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 703 – An amendment numbered 7, as modified, printed in House Report 112-173 to restore $1 million in funding to the… Agreed to Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 700 – An amendment numbered 4 printed in House Report 112-173 to reduce funding for the Office of Compliance to the… Failed Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 699 – An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 112-173 to reduce funding for the Joint Economic Committee by… Failed Jul 21, 2011
HAMDT 697 – An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 112-173 to transfer Member Transition Activities funds to inc… Agreed to Jul 21, 2011
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 Latest action September 15, 2011

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 172.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012 - Title I: Legislative Branch - Makes appropriations to the Senate for FY2012 for: (1) expense allowances; (2) representation allowances for the Majority and Minority Leaders; (3) salaries of specified officers, employees, and committees (including the Committee on Appropriations); (4) agency contributions for employee benefits; (5) inquiries and investigations; (6) the U.S. Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control; (7) the Offices of the Secretary and of the Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate; (8) miscellaneous items; (9) the Senators' Official Personnel and Office Expense Account; and (10) official mail costs.

(Sec. 1) Authorizes the Secretary of the Senate, if in any fiscal year amounts in any Senate appropriations account for the legislative branch are available for more than one fiscal year, to establish procedures for the payment of expenses with respect to that account from any amounts available for that fiscal year.

Makes appropriations to the House of Representatives for FY2012 for: (1) salaries and/or expenses of the House leadership offices, committees (including the Committee on Appropriations), officers and employees; and (2) Members' representational allowances.

(Sec. 101) Requires deposit in the Treasury of any amounts of a Member's representational allowance remaining after all payments are made, to be used for federal deficit reduction, or, if there is no deficit, federal debt reduction.

(Sec. 102) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2005 to transfer authority to assign responsibilities to the Republican Policy Committee, and direct the obligation and expenditure of its allowance for salaries and expenses, from the chair of the Republican Conference to the Speaker of the House (or, if the Speaker is not a member of the Republican Party, the Minority Leader of the House).

(Sec. 103) Grants authority to the Speaker and the Minority Leader of the House to allocate funds among specified offices.

(Sec. 104) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 1999 to repeal the requirement for a 50%-50% allocation of funds between the Republican Conference and the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee for training and program development activities.

Requires the Speaker and the Minority Leader to determine the terms and conditions under which such funds shall be paid for the activities of such organizations.

(Sec. 105) Amends the Emergency Supplemental Act, 2002 to abolish the House Office of Emergency Planning, Preparedness, and Operations (OEPPO).

Transfers and assigns OEPPO functions and responsibilities to the Sergeant at Arms of the House.

Makes FY2012 appropriations for salaries and/or expenses of: (1) the Joint Economic Committee, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies of 2013, and the Joint Committee on Taxation; (2) the Office of the Attending Physician; (3) the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services; (4) the Capitol Police; (5) the Office of Compliance; (6) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO); and (7) the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), including for the care and operation of Capitol buildings and grounds, Senate Office Buildings, House office buildings, the Capitol power plant, the Library of Congress buildings and grounds, the Capitol Police buildings, grounds, and security, the Botanic Garden, and the Capitol Visitor Center.

(Sec. 1001) Amends the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2002 with respect to the Senate employees student loan repayment program to make employees of the Office of Congressional Accessibility Services eligible to participate in the program.

Prohibits such employees, however, from participating in both the federal student loan repayment program and the Senate student loan repayment program at the same time (dual participation).

Appropriates FY2012 funds to: (1) the Library of Congress for salaries and expenses, the Copyright Office, the Congressional Research Service (CRS), and Books for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) for congressional printing and binding; (3) GPO for the Office of Superintendent of Documents; (4) the GPO Revolving Fund; (5) the Government Accountability Office (GAO) for salaries and expenses; (6) the Open World Leadership Center Trust Fund; and (7) the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Development Trust Fund.

(Sec. 1301) Establishes an upper limit of $169.725 million for the FY2012 obligational authority of the Library of Congress with regard to certain reimbursable and revolving fund activities.

Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to transfer temporarily up to $1.9 million of funds appropriated in this Act for Library of Congress salaries and expenses to the revolving fund for the FEDLINK Program and the Federal Research Program.

(Sec. 1302) Authorizes the transfer of FY2012 Library of Congress appropriations between any "Library of Congress" headings, up to 10% per account, upon the approval of the congressional appropriations committees.

(Sec. 1303) Makes balances of expired Library of Congress appropriations available to the Library to make a mandatory deposit to the credit of the Employees' Compensation Fund.

(Sec. 1304) Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to dispose of surplus or obsolete Library personal property by inter-agency transfer, donation, sale, trade-in, or discarding. Requires receipts from such transactions to be credited to funds available for the Library's operations and available for the costs of acquiring similar property.

(Sec. 1305) Amends the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000 to modify the use of the revolving fund established for duplication and delivery services associated with the national audiovisual conservation center to include storage of audiovisual materials.

Adds traveling exhibitions and training to the authorized uses of the revolving fund established for the Library's gift shop, decimal classification, photo duplication, and related services.

Revises a disclaimer on the disbursement of gifts, etc., to the Library to state that nothing in such Act shall be construed as prohibiting or restricting the Librarian of Congress from accepting in the name of the United States gifts or bequests of personal property, nonpersonal services, voluntary and uncompensated personal services, or money (as well as, under current law, gifts or bequests of money) for immediate disbursement in the interest of the Library, its collections, or its service.

Prescribes reporting, disclosure, and notification requirements for the Librarian regarding such gifts or bequests.

Title II: General Provisions - Specifies authorized and prohibited uses of funds appropriated by this Act identical or similar to corresponding provisions of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2011.

(Sec. 207) Authorizes the AOC to maintain and improve the landscape features, excluding streets, in specified grassy areas of Washington, DC, SW.

(Sec. 209) Prohibits the use of funds made available to the AOC in this Act to eliminate or restrict guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by congressional employees and interns.

Allows temporary suspension or restriction of such tours for security or related reasons to the same extent as guided tours of the U.S. Capitol led by the AOC.

(Sec. 210) Rescinds specified unobligated balances available from prior year appropriations for the AOC.

 Related & companion bills 2
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 2551: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012. 112th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2551/
MLA
"H.R. 2551: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012." 112th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2551/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 2551, 112th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2551/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 2551: Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2012](https://openamerica.io/bill/112-HR-2551/)
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