Sec. 201 Establishment
There is established in the legislature a permanent commission, to be known as the “Spending and Accountability Commission”, in order to carry out section 105 and title III of this Act.
Title II — Spending and Accountability Commission
II Spending and Accountability Commission
Sec. 202 Duties of Commission
Sec. 203 Membership
Number and appointment— The Commission shall be composed of 14 members, as follows:
Seven members shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, of whom three shall be appointed in consultation with the minority leader of the House of Representatives.
Seven members shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, of whom three shall be appointed in consultation with the minority leader of the Senate.
Member powers and criteria— Any individual appointed pursuant to subsection (a) shall be a voting member of the Commission and must be a Member of Congress (as defined in section 2106 of title 5, United States Code, but not including the Vice President).
Congressional committee membership requirements— Each committee listed under paragraphs (1) through (7) shall have at least one Member on such committee appointed under subsection (a)(1) or (a)(2):
The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
The Committee on the Budget of the House of Representatives.
The Committee on the Budget of the Senate.
The Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives.
The Committee on Finance of the Senate.
The Joint Economic Committee.
Chair; vice-Chair— The chair and vice-chair of the Commission shall be selected by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the majority leader of the Senate.
Vacancies— Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled in the same manner in which the original appointment was made.
Sec. 204 Powers of Commission
Hearings and sessions— The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this title, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may administer oaths to witnesses appearing before it.
Obtaining information— The Commission may secure directly from any agency information necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this title. Upon request of the chair, the head of that agency shall furnish that information to the Commission in a full and timely manner. In carrying out the duties assigned under this title, the Commission may use any report or other information prepared by the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, or the Congressional Research Service.
Subpoena power—
Authority to issue subpoena— The Commission may issue a subpoena to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relating to any matter under investigation by the Commission.
Compliance with subpoena— If a person refuses to obey an order or subpoena of the Commission that is issued in connection with a Commission proceeding, the Commission may apply to the United States district court in the judicial district in which the proceeding is held for an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena or order.
Immunity— The Commission is an agency of the United States for purposes of part V of title 18, United States Code (relating to immunity of witnesses).
Contract authority— The Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services without regard to section 6101 of title 41, United States Code (relating to advertising requirement for Federal Government purchases and sales).
Sec. 205 Personnel and other administrative matters
Personnel matters—
Compensation— Members shall not be paid by reason of their service as members of the Commission.
Travel expenses— Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
Director— The Commission shall have a Director who shall be appointed by the chair. The Director shall be paid at a rate not to exceed the maximum rate of basic pay for GS–15 of the General Schedule.
Staff— The Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional personnel as the Director considers appropriate.
Applicability of certain civil service laws— The Director and staff of the Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and subchapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
Other administrative matters—
Postal and printing services— The Commission may use the United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in the same manner and under the same conditions as other agencies.
Administrative support services— Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this title.
Experts and consultants— The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
Sec. 206 Funding
Use of existing funds— The Commission shall be carried out using amounts otherwise appropriated or made available to the House of Representatives and the Senate. No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.
Allocation between House and Senate— Of the amounts used to carry out this title—
50 percent shall be derived from the applicable accounts of the House of Representatives; and
50 percent shall be derived from the contingent fund of the Senate.