Number: RL34495
Title: Continuation of Employment Benefits for Senate Restaurant Employees
Authors: Jacob R. Straus, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration is reportedly considering contracting the Senate restaurant system to a private vendor. On July 17, 2008, President George W. Bush signed a bill that continues employment benefits for current Senate restaurant employees should the restaurants be contracted to a private vendor. P.L. 110-279, introduced as S. 2967, "provide[s] for certain Federal employee benefits to be continued for certain employees of the Senate Restaurants after operations of the Senate Restaurants are contracted to be performed by a private business concern, and for other purposes." P.L. 110-279 provides for the continuation of Senate restaurant employees' salary, health benefits, accrued sick and annual leave, transit benefits, and retirement accounts. In addition, P.L. 110-279 provides severance pay to covered employees and an early retirement option for employees who meet criteria set out in the legislation. These issues are similar to those faced by the House of Representatives when its restaurant system was contracted to a private vendor in 1986.
Pages: 8
Date: July 22, 2008