Comments on H.R. 5995

Proposed legislation would constitute a permanent indefinite appropriation of whatever amount of funds is necessary to meet obligations to pay Federal employees when other appropriations for this pay have expired and new appropriations have not been enacted. The legislation would make these funds available automatically without any further action by the Congress. It was suggested that the term "lapsed appropriations" be replaced with the term "expired appropriations" which current usage favors. The language of the legislation precludes the eligibility of transferred or promoted employees for continuation of pay, and should be changed to make employees who remain employed by the same agency eligible for continued pay. The legislation should also be amended to specifically state the period of availability of the appropriated funds. In addition, it should be specifically stated that expenditures made with funds appropriated under these provisions are to be charged to the applicable appropriation when it is enacted.