Clinton Signs Commerce-Justice-State Appropriations Bill; LSC Funded at $329,274,000

RESCISSION LANGUAGE

SEC.1403.(a)GOVERNMENT-WIDE RESCISSIONS-There is hereby rescinded an amount equal to 0.22 percent of the discretionary budget authority provided (or obligation limit imposed) for fiscal year 2001 in this or any other Act for each department, agency, instrumentality, or entity of the Federal Government, except for those programs, projects, and activities which are specifically exempted elsewhere in this provision: Provided, That this exact reduction percentage shall be applied on a pro rata basis only to each program, project, and activity subject to the rescission.

Some of you have asked about the reference to House report language on class action suits and Senate report language on travel included in the conference report language to HR 4942 (see December 18,2000 Update,Vol.2,No.20).Excerpts from the two reports follow:

House Report

The Committee also reminds the Corporation that its grantees are prohibited by section 504(a)(7)of P.L.105-119 from participating in class action suits and directs the Corporation to ensure its grantees comply.

Senate Report

The Committee is concerned by the amount spent on travel costs and on past Board of Directors meetings held at four-star hotels and resort spas that are not on the Federal Government s approved list. Federal funding is being provided for the program s core mission: to provide basic legal aid to poor individuals. With this in mind, the Committee recommends a less indulgent approach in these areas.