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1 [1] (May 2, 2024)

handle is hein.crs/goveprx0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Congre~ Informing ii Updated May 2, 2024 Career Programs for Veterans, Gold Star Families, and Active- Duty Spouses in the House and Senate Hous reen od Congress ona A de In 2008, the leadership of the House of Representatives and the Committee on House Administration established a House aide program designed to provide career opportunities for veterans. The program was originally known as the House Wounded Warrior Program. Another aide program, originally named the SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program, was established pursuant to H.Res. 107 (116th Congress), which was agreed to on October 29, 2019. The resolution was amended by H.Res. 812 (116th Congress), agreed to on February 5, 2020, which modified eligibility to include parents. The Committee on House Administration promulgated regulations for the aide program (Committee Resolutions 116-15 and 116-17). The FY2022 legislative branch appropriations act included a provision combining the veterans and families programs and changing the name from the Wounded Warrior and the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program to the Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program (G&G CAP, P.L. 117-103; 2 U.S.C. §5514). This G&G CAP is facilitated by the House Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Aides may serve for two years from the date of hire. Operation Green & Gold (G&G) congressional aides are employed by the House CAO, although they are assigned to work for Members, committees, or House officers. They may work either in Washington, DC, or in district offices, with the majority located in Member district offices. The specific job duties may vary by office and are determined by the Member, although many aides serve as caseworkers in district offices and focus on military and veterans' issues. Funding for salaries for G&G aides is separate from office budgets provided to Members through the Members' Representational Allowance (MRA). The MRA can be used to cover otherwise allowable expenses or bonuses for the G&G aides that are not covered by the CAO. G&G aides do not count against the employment ceiling for Member offices. Employment beyond the two-year period is not guaranteed, although some aides have transitioned to full- time employment with the House. According to the House CAO's semiannual report for July- December 2023, By the end of December, more than 70 Aides were employed by Members and House Officers in both the D.C. and Member offices across the country. Of the Aides departing the program [in 2023], more than a third continued employment with the House of Representatives. Since the program's inception in 2008, more than 500 Aides have participated in the program. The CAO report also stated that the program implemented several programmatic changes, including adding active- duty spouse participation in the program, allowing Members to request up to a six-month extension for their Aides after completing two years of service, and expanding the eligibility for potential Gold Star family participants. The G&G CAP currently has 160 authorized positions. Funding History The House G&G CAP is funded in the Allowances and Expenses portion of the appropriation for the House of Representatives in the annual legislative branch appropriations acts. Funding for the House G&G aides (including under former program names) since FY2009 is listed in Figure 1. Figure I. Appropriations for the House Green & Gold Congressional Aide Program by Fiscal Year in millions of dollars - - . ve . R,~ Y-r Source: CRS analysis of legislative branch appropriations acts. Notes: Incudes funding provided under former names (the Wounded Warrior and the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Programs). Includes any rescissions and sequestration. For an explanation of the planned use in FY20 10 of prior year unobligated funds, see the report accompanying the FY2010 legislative branch appropriations bill (H.Rept. II 1-160). The House request, the FY2024 House-passed legislative branch appropriations bill (H.R. 4364), and the FY2024 act (P.L. 118-47) all included $3.356 million for FY2024 for the G&G CAP. Additional support for the program may be provided through other House accounts. For example, as with other House employees, any government contributions for employee benefits are paid through the Government ;on JR sear hSerV e eii tive d ba ~ ~e 1914