The bill, H. RES. 90, is a resolution from the U.S. House of Representatives that aims to allocate funds for the expenses of the Committee on Natural Resources during the One Hundred Nineteenth Congress. Submitted by Mr. Westerman and Mr. Huffman on January 31, 2025, the resolution specifies that the committee is allotted a budget of up to $19,311,600, which is split equally over two years. This budget is intended to cover all expenses, including staff salaries, from the accounts of the House of Representatives.

General Summary of the Bill

H. RES. 90 is designed to fund the Committee on Natural Resources for two consecutive sessions of Congress. The resolution delineates that up to $9,655,800 should be made available for each session, specifically the years 2025 and 2026. The resolution outlines that these funds must be used in accordance with regulations established by the Committee on House Administration.

Summary of Significant Issues

The bill presents several significant issues:

1. Lack of Specific Allocation Details: The resolution provides a broad financial figure but does not specify how these funds should be divided between different types of expenses, such as staff salaries versus other committee needs. This omission could result in unclear or inefficient budget use.

2. Absence of Accountability Mechanisms: There is no detailed process within the resolution regarding how the spending will be reported or audited. Without clear accountability, there could be potential oversight issues.

3. Identical Budget Allocations: The resolution allocates identical budgets for the two consecutive years without explaining how these figures were determined or whether they accurately reflect the committee's needs.

4. Vague Definitions of 'Expenses': The resolution fails to define what constitutes legitimate expenses, leading to the possibility of misuse of allocated funds.

Impact on the Public

From a broader perspective, this bill provides a framework within which the Committee on Natural Resources can operate financially. The committee's work is essential for developing policies and laws that govern natural resources and environmental management in the United States. Adequate funding can support effective policy development, staff retention, and overall committee performance.

An unclear or inefficient application of this budget could potentially result in administrative shortcomings or resource limitations which may impact the committee’s ability to address urgent environmental and conservation issues. The public relies on such committees to provide actionable insights and legislative oversight on critical topics ranging from wildlife conservation to natural resource utilization.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• Committee Members and Staff: The passing of this resolution would directly impact committee members and the personnel associated with the Committee on Natural Resources. The availability of funds directly affects their operational capabilities, salaries, and resource procurement.

• Environmental Organizations: These groups might be concerned about how effectively the committee can operate under a budget that lacks detailed allocation guidelines. Ambiguity in financial distribution could hinder the committee's contributions to environmental policy decisions, which are of significant interest to these organizations.

• Government Oversight Bodies: Agencies responsible for auditing government spending might face challenges due to the lack of detailed spending breakdowns and clarity on allowable expenses, potentially complicating their oversight roles.

In conclusion, while H. RES. 90 sets a necessary financial plan for the Committee on Natural Resources, constructive amendments that improve transparency, accountability, and specificity could enhance the resolution, leading to better financial management and more effective legislative outcomes.

The Congressional resolution, H. RES. 90, addresses the allocation of funds for the Committee on Natural Resources during the 119th Congress. The financial provisions within the resolution outline a total budget of $19,311,600 to cover the Committee's expenses over the two-year Congressional session. This amount includes various expenses, such as staff salaries and operational costs.

Section 1 of the resolution specifies that a total of $19,311,600 will be allocated to the Committee on Natural Resources for the duration of the 119th Congress. However, the resolution does not provide further detail on how this sum is to be distributed between different expense categories, such as staff salaries and other operational costs. This lack of clarity raises concerns about potential wasteful spending, as highlighted in the identified issues. Without a detailed breakdown, it is difficult to assess whether the funds are being effectively utilized for their intended purposes.

In Section 2, the resolution divides the total allocation into two equal parts of $9,655,800, to be used in two consecutive fiscal periods: January 3, 2025, to January 3, 2026, and January 3, 2026, to January 3, 2027. The identical allocation for each fiscal year raises questions about whether these figures accurately reflect the Committee's projected financial needs. This uniform division fails to account for any potential changes in expenses that could arise from year to year, leading to concerns about the basis on which these figures were determined.

The identified issues also highlight a lack of accountability and oversight mechanisms within the resolution, particularly in Sections 3 and 4. While Section 3 requires payment vouchers to be authorized and signed by the Committee Chairman, it does not specify any criteria or standards for approval. This absence of transparency could present opportunities for misuse of funds. Moreover, Section 4 mentions that expenditures must follow regulations from the Committee on House Administration, but it does not detail what constitutes legitimate expenses. Thus, the resolution's ambiguity in defining "expenses" could lead to the potential misuse or abuse of allocated funds.

Overall, while the resolution provides a broad financial framework for the Committee's operations, its lack of specificity and transparency concerning how funds should be allocated and monitored poses several concerns. These oversights might lead to inefficient use of public funds, lack of proper oversight, and potential financial discrepancies during the legislative session.