A number of support partners work diligently behind the scenes to make sure that Congress has everything it needs to complete its missions (see the US Constitution or Chapter 2 of The Cost of Congress for that list).
Legislative partners fall into two basic categories: those that engage the public and those that engage Congress. The former interacts with the public, on behalf of Congress, in various ways, such as through preservation of and public engagement with the history of our nation’s founding, governance and national treasures. It includes everything from cleaning members’ offices to massive, exterior façade restoration projects; conserving and displaying historic art, artifacts, books, plants, and interior decoration; and ensuring the safety of all who enter the Capitol and surrounding facilities. This is accomplished through the Architect of the Capitol, the U.S. Botanical Garden, the Library of Congress, and the Capitol Police.
The latter category encompasses those who engage Congress. While their work may be publicly assessable, their focus is to assist Congress in its policymaking and oversight functions. Here we are talking about the Congressional Budget Office, the Government Accountability Office, and the Government Publishing Office, as well as two venues for current and retired members to promote public service: the Stennis Center for Public Service and the Open World Leadership Center.
The Public-Engaging Partners
The Architect of the Capitol (AOC) is as old as the nation itself. As is the case for many organizations at the federal level, the AOC’s responsibilities have expanded greatly as time has passed. Originally commissioned to simply create offices for the Congress, it has overseen the cumulative creation of the nation’s capital, the expansion of buildings to house Congressional offices and activities and the addition of the Visitor’s Center. The AOC is also responsible for the upkeep of all of the grounds around the Capitol, including the Congressional Cemetery and the Library, and the U.S. Botanical Garden. The amount allocated for FY2022: $774 million.
Founded in 1800, the Library of Congress (LOC) is nation’s oldest library. It spent its early years within the Capitol, even after being burnt to the ground by Brittish troops in the war of 1812 and subsequently rebuilt. As its collections grew so did its space needs and now encompasses three individual facilities: the Jefferson, Adams and Madison buildings. The Jefferson Building is also the most impressive structure in the capitol complex, with stunning architectural and sculptural adornments both inside and out. The cost of maintaining the collections, buildings and grounds in FY2022: $794 million.
The US Botanic Garden is the flower of the Capitol Complex and the oldest continually operating botanical garden in the country. George Washington’s 1796 letter supporting its establishment can be found on display in the Library of Congress. It wasn’t until 1820, however, that the idea for the garden finally took root, and another 22 years before it was realized. The price tag for this extraordinary garden in FY2022: $24.5 million
The legendary Bartholdi Fountain was created by the same artist that gave us the Statue of Liberty. It was purchased for $6,000 at the urging of Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed the grounds of the US Capitol, and has been a landmark in the Gardens since 1877.
The Capitol Police, another partner, is to the Legislative Branch what the Secret Service is to the Executive Branch. They began as a smattering of security personnel employed throughout the various partner organizations and were later consolidated to manage security and safety for members, staff and employees, and the public throughout the Capitol complex.
Congress-Centric Partners
The group of Legislative Branch partners that collect, print, analyze, audit, and otherwise scrutinize proposed and enacted Congressional laws and policies consist of the Government Accountability Office, the Congressional Budget Office, the Government Publishing Office, and the Congressional Research Service, which is actually located within the Library of Congress. Two others, the Stennis Center for Public Service and the Open World Leadership Center, support Congressional endeavors by encouraging current and retired members to promote public service, and retired members to promote global collaboration.
The Congressional Research Service (CRS) was added to the LOC’s repertoire in 1914, based on similar offices that had been established by several state governments. This enabled the LOC to put its substantial collections to work by providing Congress with a research facility that could speak on almost any topic. The CRS produces objective, nonpartisan research reports for members of Congress upon request. In addition, its staff author a variety of ongoing series, such as the annual Legislative Branch Appropriations Reports. The cost in FY2022: $129 million.
The Government Accountability Office, more often referred to as the GAO was established shortly afterward. Originally named the Government Accounting Office, the agency was created to add analysis and transparency to the government’s incurred debt (and corruption) in the aftermath of World War I. The GAO is the nation’s auditor, assisting Congress with its oversight responsibilities (a task seemingly not high on either chamber’s priorities these days). The cost in FY2022: $719 million.
Authorized by the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Act of 1974, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) “was actually the product of a lawsuit between the Congress and then President Nixon; he refused to spend some money that was appropriated, it went to the Supreme Court, and in the aftermath, Congress decided that for too long there had been a monopoly on budget expertise and thus created both the Congressional budget process and also the Congressional Budget Office itself.” The CBO analyzes the fiscal impacts of enacted and proposed appropriations and other policy legislation. It is the smallest of the group, costing just $61 million in FY2022.
If it wasn’t for the Government Publishing Office (GPO), all of the reports produced by the GAO, the CBO, and the CRS would amount to nothing. The GPO was originally formed in 1860 ensure preservation of written records of Congressional and governmental activities. These records include Congressional records, transcripts of committee discussions and testimony, and introduced, amended, engrossed, and enrolled legislation. The agency also produces all of the nation’s government documents—including all the official publications for the three branches of government and related and independent agencies, and the Supreme Court—and even our passports. In addition to its publishing efforts, the GPO functions as an archive for all the documents produced by the wide range of government entities. It ensures “permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through the Federal Depository Library Program (FDLP) and govinfo.”
The Cost of Congress 