H.R. 7369: United States Capitol Police Reserve Fund Act of 2026

This bill establishes a fund called the United States Capitol Police Reserve Fund specifically for the United States Capitol Police. The purpose of this fund is to ensure that the Capitol Police can continue to pay their employees and cover necessary expenses during times when federal funding (known as appropriations) might be temporarily unavailable.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Fund: The bill creates a reserve fund aimed at providing salaries and essential expenses for the Capitol Police in the event of a funding lapse.
• Authorized Use: The Chief of the Capitol Police, with the approval of the Capitol Police Board, can use money from this reserve fund only to cover employee salaries and necessary expenses during a lapse in funding.
• Financial Appropriation: The bill appropriates $50 million from the U.S. Treasury to fund the Capitol Police Reserve Fund, which will be available for these specified purposes.
• Deposit of Funds: The Secretary of the Treasury is responsible for depositing the appropriated funds into the Capitol Police Reserve Fund.
• Unused Funds: Any money in the reserve fund that remains unspent by December 31, 2026, must be returned to the Treasury by January 31, 2027.
• Reporting Requirements: The Chief of the Capitol Police must report to the appropriate congressional committees on the fund's use and transactions within 30 days of returning unspent amounts.
• Definition of Appropriate Committees: The bill specifies which congressional committees are considered "appropriate" for reporting purposes, including various committees from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Purpose of the Fund

The fund aims to provide financial security for the Capitol Police, ensuring that they can maintain their operations and pay their staff even during periods when federal appropriations have not yet been allocated or are delayed. This is an effort to prevent any disruption in the service and security provided by the Capitol Police, which is crucial for the safety of the U.S. Capitol and its occupants.

Financial Management

The bill outlines how the funds should be managed and requires the Chief of Capitol Police to keep track of expenditures made from the reserve fund. This structure is designed to maintain transparency and accountability regarding the use of federal dollars for security operations.

Relevant Companies

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