For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL33295 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Order Code RL33295 CRS Report for Congress Received through the CRS Web Comparison of Selected Senate Earmark Reform Proposals March 6, 2006 Sandy Streeter Analyst in American National Government Government and Finance Division Congressional Research Service ~ The Library of Congress Comparison of Selected Senate Earmark Reform Proposals Summary In response to reports of, and concern over, alleged irregularities in certain lobbying and representational activities, the Senate is considering various lobby and ethics reform proposals. Some have argued that the Senate should consider changes to the process by which the Senate earmarks spending priorities as a part of the larger focus on lobby and ethics reform. Proposals to modify the earmark processes have been included in some Senate bills. On February 28, 2006, for example, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration ordered reported S. 2349, Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2006, which includes, in part, such proposed changes. In addition, provisions in both S. 2261 and S. 2265, sponsored by Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, respectively, would also make changes in the earmark process. This report provides a comparison of these three measures: S. 2349, S. 2261, and S. 2265 with the current Senate rules and practices. This report will be updated to reflect any congressional action. Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 List of Tables Table 1. Comparison of Selected Senate Earmark Reform Proposals . . . . . . . . . . 2 Comparison of Selected Senate Earmark Reform Proposals Introduction In response to reports of, and concern over, alleged irregularities in certain lobbying and representational activities, the Senate is considering various lobby and ethics reform proposals. Some have argued that the Senate should consider changes to the process by which the Senate earmarks spending priorities as a part of the larger focus on lobby and ethics reform. Proposals to modify the earmark processes have been included in some Senate bills. On February 28, 2006, for example, the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration ordered reported S. 2349, Legislative Transparency and Accountability Act of 2006, which includes, in part, such proposed changes. In addition, provisions in both S. 2261 and S. 2265, sponsored by Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain, respectively, would also make changes in the earmark process. This report provides a comparison of these three measures: S. 2349, S. 2261, and S. 2265 with the current Senate rules and practices. CRS-2 Table 1. Comparison of Selected Senate Earmark Reform Proposals Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Earmark Definition (1) Currently, there is no formal (1) A provision that specifies the identity (1) A provision that requires or permits (1) Generally, an appropriation that is definition of "earmark," nor is there an of a non-federal entity to receive the obligation or expenditure of any restricted or directed to, or authorized to informal definition accepted by all assistance (budget authority, contract amount appropriated for the benefit of an be obligated or expended for the benefit practitioners and observers of the federal authority, loan authority, other identifiable person, program, project, of, an identifiable person, program, budget process. Broadly, "earmark" may expenditures, tax expenditures, and other entity, or jurisdiction by earmarking or project, entity, or jurisdiction by refer to provisions associated with revenue items) and the amount of that other specification, whether by name or earmarking or other specification, legislation (appropriations or general assistance. description, in a manner that: whether by name or description, in a legislation) that specify certain (2) This definition would apply to any (a) discriminates against other persons, manner that: congressional spending priorities or in bill, including appropriation, programs, projects, entities, or (a) discriminates against other persons, revenue bills that apply to a very limited authorization, and revenue bills. jurisdictions similarly situated that would programs, projects, entities, or number of individuals or entities. (Section 3 of S. 2349.) be eligible, but for the requirement or jurisdictions similarly situated that would Earmarks may appear in either the permission, for the amount appropriated; be eligible, but for the restriction, legislative text or report language or direction, or authorization, for the (committee reports accompanying (b) applies only to a single identifiable amount appropriated; or reported bills and joint explanatory person, program, project, entity, or (b) is so restricted, directed, or authorized statement accompanying a conference jurisdiction, unless the identifiable that it applies only to a single identifiable report). person, program, project, entity, or person, program, project, entity, or jurisdiction is described or otherwise jurisdiction, unless the identifiable clearly identified in: person, program, project, entity, or (i) a law, treaty stipulation, or an Act or jurisdiction to which the restriction, resolution previously passed by the direction, or authorization applies is Senate during the same session; or described or otherwise clearly identified (ii) the President's budget request in: CRS-3 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law submitted in accordance with law. (i) a law, treaty stipulation, or an Act (2) This definition would apply to or resolution previously passed by appropriations bills.a the Senate during the same session; or (Section 2 of S. 2261 would add a new (ii) the President's budget request paragraph to Rule XVI, Appropriations submitted in accordance with law. and Amendments to General These documents must specifically Appropriations Bills.) provide for the restriction, direction, or authorization of appropriation for such person, program, project, entity, or jurisdiction. (2) This definition would apply to general appropriations bills. (Section 2 of S. 2265.) CRS-4 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Prohibition Against Unauthorized Appropriations (1) On a point of order made by any No changes. No changes. (1) On a point of order made by any Senator, no amendment shall be received Senator, no unauthorized appropriation to any general appropriations bill the may be included in any general effect of which will be to increase an appropriations bill (House-passed or appropriation in the bill, or add a new Senate bill), or any accompanying appropriation that is unauthorized. Such amendment, conference report, or funding is unauthorized, unless it is: amendment between the Houses. (This (a) made to carry out the provisions of an would apply to the text of the House- existing law, treaty stipulation, or act or passed bill and House amendments resolution previously passed by the between the Houses.) Senate during the same session of (2) Unauthorized appropriation means an Congress; appropriation not: (b) included in President's budget (a) specifically authorized by law, treaty requests submitted in accordance with stipulation, or act or resolution law; or previously passed by the Senate during (c) moved by the Committee on the same session of Congress; or Appropriations or a committee with (b) included in the President's budget legislative jurisdiction over the activity request submitted in accordance with funded. law. Funding exceeding spending levels The term unauthorized appropriation provided in the above documents are also would also include the amount of the considered unauthorized appropriations. appropriation that exceeds the Under current Senate precedents, the authorization (or budget request) level in term `specifically authorized' has no the above documents. meaning distinct from `authorized.' An (3) The prohibition against unauthorized appropriation in an appropriation bill appropriations would also apply to CRS-5 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law may have more specificity than is certain earmarks. An appropriation is not provided in authorizing language. specifically authorized if it is restricted or Historically, legislation has authorized directed to, or authorized to be obligated government functions and implicitly or expended for the benefit of, an allowed for specific appropriations identifiable person, program, project, within those functions. entity, or jurisdiction by earmarking or (2) A Senate amendment between the other specification, whether by name or Houses on a general appropriations bill is description, in a manner that: subject to the prohibition against (i) discriminates against other persons, unauthorized appropriations on a general programs, projects, entities, or appropriations bill.(Under paragraph 1 of jurisdictions similarly situated that would Senate Rule XVI.) be eligible, but for the restriction, (3) Sustain an appeal of the Presiding direction, or authorization, for the Officer's ruling: majority vote. There is amount appropriated; or currently no waiver mechanism in the (ii) is so restricted, directed, or Senate standing rules. authorized that it applies only to a single identifiable person, program, project, entity, or jurisdiction, unless the identifiable person, program, project, entity, or jurisdiction to which the restriction, direction, or authorization applies is described or otherwise clearly identified: (A) in a law, treaty stipulation, or an CRS-6 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law act or resolution previously passed by the Senate during the same session or (B) included in President's budget request submitted in accordance with law. These sources must specifically provide for the restriction, direction, or authorization of appropriation for such person, program, project, entity, or jurisdiction. (3) If point of order sustained: language would be stricken and a corresponding reduction in both the total amount of bill and Senate Committee on Appropriation's 302(a) allocation of discretionary budgetary resources would be made.b (4) Motion to waive or sustain an appeal of the Presiding Officer's ruling: affirmative vote of 3/5 of all Senators required. (5) The disposition of a point of order made under any Standing Rule of the Senate (including this one) that is not sustained, or is waived, does not CRS-7 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law preclude, or affect, a point of order made under this paragraph regarding the same matter. (6) Notwithstanding any other rule of the Senate, a Senator may raise a single point of order that several provisions of a general appropriation bill or accompanying conference report or amendments between the houses violate this paragraph. The Presiding Officer may sustain the point of order against all or some of the provisions. For special procedures regarding enforcement of this prohibition on conference reports, see Conference Reports, Result of Sustaining Point of Order, below. (Section 2 of S. 2265 replaces paragraph 1 of Rule XVI, Appropriations and Amendments to General Appropriations Bills.) CRS-8 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Prohibition Against Legislation on a General Appropriations Bill (1) The Committee on Appropriations In addition to existing Senate rule, bill shall not report a general appropriations would add the following: bill containing amendments to such bill (1) On a point of order made by any proposing new or general legislation. A Senator, no general appropriation bill point of order may be made against the (including House-passed bill or original bill, and if sustained, the bill shall be Senate bill) or conference report on a recommitted to the appropriations general appropriation bill may include committee. A point of order may also be new or general legislation. made against a committee amendment (2) If point of order sustained: language and, if sustained, only the amendment would be stricken and a corresponding would fall. (Under paragraph 2 of Senate reduction in both the total amount of bill Rule XVI) and Senate Committee on Appropriations (2) On a point of order made by any 302(a) allocation of discretionary Senator, no amendment offered by any budgetary resources would be made.a other Senator which proposes general (3) Motion to waive or sustain an appeal legislation shall be received to any of the Presiding Officer's ruling: general appropriation bill, nor shall any affirmative vote of 3/5 of all Senators amendment not germane or relevant to required. the subject matter contained in the bill be (4) The disposition of a point of order received. (Paragraph 4 of Senate Rule made under any Standing Rule of the XVI.) Senate (including this one) that is not (3) A Senate amendment between the sustained, or is waived, does not Houses on a general appropriations bill is preclude, or affect, a point of order made subject to the prohibition against under this paragraph regarding the same legislation on a general appropriations matter. bill. (Under Senate Rule XVI.) (5) Notwithstanding any other rule of the CRS-9 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law (4) If the legislation included in an Senate, a Senator may raise a single point amendment might be germane to a of order that several provisions of a provision(s) in the House-passed bill, a general appropriation bill or Senator may raise the germaneness accompanying conference report or defense. Then, the question of amendments between the Houses violate germaneness of the amendment shall be this paragraph. The Presiding Officer submitted to the Senate and decided may sustain the point of order against all without debate. If the Senate agrees, by or some of the provisions. majority vote, that the amendment is For special procedures regarding germane, the point of order against enforcement of this prohibition on legislation on the amendment falls and conference reports, see Conference the amendment may be considered. If Reports, Result of Sustaining Point of the Senate disagrees, the amendment falls Order, below. because the Senate does not consider it (Section 2 of S. 2265 replaces paragraph germane. (Under paragraphs 2 and 4 of 1 of Rule XVI, Appropriations and Senate Rule XVI.) There is currently no Amendments to General Appropriations waiver mechanism in the Senate standing Bills.) rules. CRS-10 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Germaneness Requirement (1) Under existing rules and precedents, (1) Prohibits consideration of an germaneness is a parliamentary appropriation bill, unless all earmarks are prohibition against adding a new subject germane to the bill. to a bill, therefore germaneness only (2) Motion to waive: affirmative vote of applies to amendments. 2/3 of all Senators required. (2) There is no existing rule requiring (Section 2 of S. 2261 adds a new earmarks offered as amendments to be paragraph to Rule XVI.)a germane to a bill. (3) More broadly, however, Rule XVI does require all committee amendments, as well as floor amendments, to a general appropriations bill to be germane. On a point of order made under Rule XVI, the question of germaneness of an amendment shall be submitted to the Senate and decided without debate, by majority vote. (4) Under cloture, depending on the procedural situation, certain committee amendments to appropriations bills may be required to be germane. In such cases, the Presiding Officer rules on germaneness. On appeal of the Presiding Officer's ruling, a majority vote, a quorum being present, is required to sustain the ruling. (Paragraph 2 of Rule XXII.) CRS-11 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law (5) There is currently no waiver mechanism in the Senate standing rules. CRS-12 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Conference Reports Layover Requirement There is no general layover requirement (1) Prohibits consideration of a (1) The motion to proceed to consider a on conference reports. conference report unless the report is conference report shall not be in order (1) The motion to proceed to consider a made available on the Internet for at least until after such report is filed and made conference report is in order when copies 24 hours before its consideration. available 48 hours prior to consideration of the conference report are available to (Section 4 of S. 2349 adds a new of the motion. (Section 3 of S. 2265 adds each Senator. (Under paragraph 1 of paragraph to Rule XXVIII.) a new paragraph to Rule XXVIII) Rule XXVIII, Conference Committees; (2) Prohibits consideration of any Senate Reports; Open Meetings.) bill, Senate amendment, or conference report on such bill (including appropriations, revenue, and authorization bills), unless a list of all earmarks in such measure, identification of the Senator(s) proposing each earmark, and an explanation of the essential government purpose for the earmark are available on the Internet for at least 24 hours before consideration. (Section 3 of S. 2349 would add a new rule, Rule XLIV.) CRS-13 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law New Matter and Non-Germane Matter (1) Conferees shall not insert in their (1) A point of order may be made by any (1) It shall not be in order to consider a report matter not committed to them by Senator against consideration of a conference report which includes matter either House. (Paragraph 2 of Rule conference report that includes any not committed to the conferees by either XXVIII) matter not committed to the conferees by house. (Section 3 of S. 2265 adds a new (2) In any case in which a disagreement either house. (Section 2 of S. 2349. This paragraph to Rule XXVIII) to an amendment in the nature of a is a freestanding provision and does not (2) Adds provision regarding conference substitute has been referred to conferees, explicitly or directly amend any Senate reports on a general appropriation bill. it shall be in order for the conferees to rule.) On a point of order by any Senator, no report a substitute on the same subject new matter or non-germane matter may matter; but they may not include in the be included in a conference report on a report matter not committed to them by general appropriation bill. The result of either House. They may, however, sustaining this point of order is different include in their report matter which is a from the result provided under Rule germane modification of subjects in XXVIII, see comparison in next row. disagreement. (Paragraph 3 of Rule (Section 2 of S. 2265 replaces paragraph XXVIII.) 1 of Rule XVI) CRS-14 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Result of Sustaining a Point of Order Against New Matter (1) If new matter is inserted in a Similar in effect to the application of the Similar in effect to the application of the conference report, a point of order may Byrd Rule to conference reports on Byrd Rule to conference reports on be made against the report, and if the reconciliation bills. reconciliation bills. point of order is sustained, the report is (1) If a point of order against the (1) If a point of order is sustained against rejected or shall be recommitted to the conference report is sustained, then: unauthorized appropriation, legislation, committee of conference if the House of (a) the new matter shall be deemed to new matter, or non-germane provision in Representatives has not already acted have been stricken; a conference report, then: thereon. (Paragraph 2 of Rule XXVIII.) (b) when all other points of order under (a) the language shall be deemed to have this provision have been disposed of: been stricken; and (i) the Senate shall proceed to the (b) a corresponding reduction in total question as to whether the Senate shall amount of the bill and Senate recede from its position and concur with appropriations committee's 302(a) a further amendment consisting only of allocation of discretionary budgetary the portion of the conference report not resources shall be deemed made; stricken; (c) when all other points of order under (ii) the question shall be debatable; this paragraph have been disposed of: (iii) no further amendment shall be in (i) the Senate shall proceed to the order; and question as to whether the Senate shall (iv) if the Senate agrees to the recede from its position and concur with amendment, the bill and amendment shall a further amendment consisting only of be returned to the House. the portion of the conference report not (2) Motion to waive or suspend the rule, stricken; or sustain an appeal of the Presiding (ii) the question shall be debatable; Officer's ruling: affirmative vote of 3/5 (iii) no further amendment shall be in CRS-15 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law of all Senators required. (Section 2 of S. order; and 2349. This is a freestanding provision (iv) if the Senate agrees to the and does not explicitly or directly amend amendment, the bill and amendment shall any Senate rule.) be returned to the House. (2) Motion to waive or sustain an appeal of the Presiding Officer's ruling: affirmative vote of 3/5 of all Senators required. (3) The disposition of a point of order made under any Standing Rule of the Senate (including this one) that is not sustained, or is waived, does not preclude, or affect, a point of order made under this paragraph regarding the same matter. (4) Notwithstanding any other rule of the Senate, a Senator may raise a single point of order that several provisions of a general appropriation bill or accompanying conference report or amendments between the Houses violate this paragraph. The Presiding Officer may sustain the point of order against all or some of the provisions. CRS-16 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Earmarks must be in bill (or Act) Earmarks may appear in either the No changes. Establishes new rule language and a Prohibits federal agencies from legislative text or report language supermajority-vote requirement to waive. obligating funds for appropriation (committee reports accompanying (1) Prohibits consideration of an earmarks included only in congressional reported bills and joint explanatory appropriation bill, unless all earmarks are reports. statement accompanying a conference contained in the text of the bill and not (1) Prohibits any federal agency from report). incorporated by reference or directed in obligating any funds made available in an the committee report. appropriation act to implement an (2) Motion to waive: affirmative vote of earmark included in reports filed by the 2/3 of all Senators required. House and Senate Committees on (Section 2 of S. 2261 adds a new Appropriations or joint explanatory paragraph to Rule XVI.)a statement, unless the earmark is also included in the appropriation act. (2) For purposes of this provision, earmark is defined as a provision that specifies the identity of an entity (which includes a state or locality, but not any federal agency) to receive a grant, loan, loan guarantee, or contract and the amount involved. (3) This provision applies to appropriation acts enacted after December 31, 2006. (Section 4 of S. 2265, note different earmark definition under this section than under section 2, see top cell.) CRS-17 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Disclosure Layover Requirement. Layover Requirement. Layover Requirement. No requirement. (1) Bill (1) Prohibits consideration of any Senate (1) Prohibits consideration of an (a) Any non-privileged committee- bill, Senate amendment, or conference appropriation bill, unless a list of all reported bill or House-passed bill shall lie report on such bill (including earmarks in such bill, the name of the over for one legislative day, unless the appropriations, revenue, and requestor, and a short justification for Senate agrees to consider the measure authorization bills), unless a list of all each earmark are available on the earlier by unanimous consent or a motion earmarks in such measure, identification Internet for at least 72 hours before to suspend the rules, requiring 2/3 vote a of the Senator(s) proposing each consideration. quorum being present (Paragraph 4 of earmark, and an explanation of the (2) Motion to waive: affirmative vote of Rule XVII). essential government purpose for the 2/3 of all Senators required. (b) In addition, most committee-reported earmark are available on the Internet for (Section 2 of S. 2261 adds a new bills that are accompanied by a written at least 24 hours before consideration. paragraph to Rule XVI.)a report, can not be considered until the (Section 3 of S. 2349 would add a new report has been available for at least 2 rule, Rule XLIV.) calendar days, unless the Majority and Minority Leaders jointly agree to waive this rule. (Paragraph 5 of Rule XVII.) There is no rule in the Senate that requires each reported bill to be accompanied by a written report. (2) Amendment between the Houses: No layover requirement. (3) Conference Report: (see Conference Report, Layover Requirement, above) CRS-18 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law (1) There is no rule in the Senate that (1) Prohibits consideration of a general requires each committee-reported bill to appropriations bill or accompanying be accompanied by a written report. The amendments between the houses that Senate Committee on Appropriations, includes unauthorized appropriations, however, typically files such a report on unless such bill is accompanied by a general appropriation bills, except report that provides a detailed listing of: continuing resolutions. If the (a) all unauthorized appropriations in appropriations committee files such a such bill; report, the committee is required to (b) an identification of the Member(s) identify each recommended committee who proposed the unauthorized amendment that proposes an item of appropriation; and appropriation, which does not carry out (c) an explanation of the essential the provisions of existing law, a treaty governmental purpose for the stipulation, or an act or resolution unauthorized appropriation. previously passed by the Senate in the This would include earmarks as defined same session of Congress. (This does not under Prohibition Against Unauthorized apply to a bill.) (Paragraph 7 of Rule Appropriations, above. XVI.) (Section 5(a) of S. 2265 adds a new paragraph to Rule XVI.) CRS-19 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law (2) Prohibits consideration of a conference report that includes unauthorized appropriations, unless the report is accompanied by a joint explanatory statement that provides a detailed listing of: (a) all unauthorized appropriations in such bill; (b) an identification of the member(s) who proposed the unauthorized appropriation; and (c) an explanation of the essential governmental purpose for the unauthorized appropriation. This would include earmarks as defined under the Prohibition Against Unauthorized Appropriations, above. (Section 5(b) adds is a new subparagraph to paragraph 4 of Rule XXVIII.) CRS-20 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Conflict of Interest (1) No Senator, officer, or employee shall No changes. (1) No Senator may advocate to include No changes. knowingly use his official position to an earmark in any bill or joint resolution, introduce or aid the progress or passage accompanying committee report, of legislation, a principal purpose of conference report, or joint explanatory which is to further only his pecuniary statement if the Member has a financial interest, only the pecuniary interest of his interest in such earmark. (Section 3 of S. immediate family, or only the pecuniary 2261 would add a new paragraph to interest of a limited class of persons or Senate Rule XXXVII.) enterprises, when he, or his immediate (2) No Senator shall condition inclusion family, or enterprises controlled by them, of an earmark in any bill or joint are members of the affected class. resolution, accompanying committee (Paragraph 4 of Senate Rule XXXVII, report, conference report, or joint Conflict of Interest.) explanatory statement on any vote cast by a Senator in whose state the project will be carried out. (Section 4 of S. 2261 would add a new paragraph to Senate Rule XXXVII.) CRS-21 Existing Senate Rule (and precedents) S. 2349 S. 2261 S. 2265 or Public Law Recipient of Federal Funds Reporting Requirement In general, each person who requests No changes. Requires a recipient of federal funds Requires a recipient of federal funds and/or receives a federal contract, grant, constituting an award, grant, or loan to constituting an award, grant, or loan to loan, loan guarantee, or cooperative file semiannual reports with the Secretary file semiannual reports with the Secretary agreement from an agency shall file with of the Senate and Clerk of the House of of the Senate and Clerk of the House of that agency the name of any registered Representatives containing the name of Representatives containing the name of lobbyist who has lobbied on behalf of the any lobbyist registered under the any lobbyist registered under the person for those items. If material Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to changes have occurred, the person is also whom the recipient paid money to lobby whom the recipient paid money to lobby required to update the filing at the end of on behalf of federal funding received and on behalf of federal funding received and each calendar quarter. (31 USC the amount of the money paid. the amount of the money paid. 1352(b).) (Section 5 of S. 2261 adds the above to (Section 5(c) of S. 2265 adds the above section 5 of Lobbying Disclosure Act of to section 5 of Lobbying Disclosure Act 1995, 2 USC 1604.) of 1995, 2 USC 1604.) SOURCES: U.S. Congress, Senate, Senate Manual, S.Doc. 107-1, 107th Cong., 1st sess. (Washington: GPO, 2001), available at [http://www.gpoaccess.gov/smanual/index.html], visited Feb. 24, 2006; S. 2349, as reported by the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration (109th Cong.); S. 2261, as introduced (109th Cong.); and S. 2265, as introduced (109th Cong.). a. This provision would amend Senate Rule XVI. The existing requirements under Rule XVI apply only to general appropriations bills, not all appropriations bills. In the Senate, general appropriations bills are appropriations bills providing funds for more than a single purpose or agency, such as the annual regular appropriations bills, most supplemental measures, and continuing resolutions. There are also special appropriations bills that provide funds for a single purpose or agency. b. In addition, S. 2265 would prohibit any points of order under the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 621 et seq.) against the striking of matter, the modification of total amounts of the bill, or reduction of the Senate Appropriations Committee's 302(a) allocation in discretionary budgetary resources provided under section 2 of S. 2265 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ For other versions of this document, see http://wikileaks.org/wiki/CRS-RL33295