SA 790. Mr. GRASSLEY submitted an amendment intended to be proposed by him to the bill H.R. 2112, making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2012, and for other purposes; which was ordered to lie on the table; as follows:

After section 217 of title II of division B, insert the following:
Sec. 218. (a) Cap on Department of Justice Conference Spending.--Of the amounts made available to the Department of Justice under this Act, not more than $45,000,000 may be used by the Department of Justice for the purpose of hosting, funding, or otherwise facilitating any conference held by the Department of Justice or any other entity.
(b) Limitation.--None of the funds made available to the Department of Justice under this Act may be used by the Attorney General, or by any individual or organization awarded funds made available under this Act, to host or support any expenditure for a conference, unless the Deputy Attorney General or the appropriate Assistant Attorney General provides prior written authorization that such funds may be expended to host the conference.
(c) Written Authorization.--
(1) AUTHORITY.--The authority to provide a written authorization described in subsection may not be delegated.
(2) CONTENTS.--A written authorization described in subsection (b) shall include a written estimate of all costs associated with the conference being approved, including the cost of all food and beverages, audio/visual equipment, honoraria for speakers, and any entertainment.
(d) Annual Report.--The Deputy Attorney General shall submit an annual report to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives on all conference expenditures that are approved and denied during the fiscal year covered by the report.


(As printed in the Congressional Record for the Senate on Oct 18, 2011.)