§414 . Staff of Joint Committee: appointment, duties, pay, discharge; utilization of Government personnel, consultants, and experts

(a) In carrying out its functions under subsections (a) and (c) of section 412 of this title, the Joint Committee is authorized, by record vote of a majority of the members of the Joint Committee-

(1) to appoint, on a permanent basis, without regard to political affiliation and solely on the basis of fitness to perform their duties, not more than six professional staff members and not more than six clerical staff members;

(2) to prescribe their duties and responsibilities;

(3) to fix their pay at respective per annum gross rates not in excess of the highest rate of basic pay, as in effect from time to time, of the General Schedule of section 5332(a) of title 5; and

(4) to terminate their employment as the Joint Committee may deem appropriate.

(b) In carrying out any of its functions under this chapter, the Joint Committee is authorized to utilize the services, information, facilities, and personnel of the departments and establishments of the Government, and to procure the temporary (not to exceed one year) or intermittent services of experts or consultants or organizations thereof by contract at rates of pay not in excess of the per diem equivalent of the highest rate of basic pay set forth in the General Schedule of section 5332 of title 5, including payment of such rates for necessary traveltime.

( Pub. L. 91–510, title IV, §404, Oct. 26, 1970, 84 Stat. 1188 .)

References in Other Laws to GS–16, 17, or 18 Pay Rates

References in laws to the rates of pay for GS–16, 17, or 18, or to maximum rates of pay under the General Schedule, to be considered references to rates payable under specified sections of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees, see section 529 [title I, §101(c)(1)] of Pub. L. 101–509, set out in a note under section 5376 of Title 5.