§276o United States Senate-Russia Interparliamentary Group

Summary

Up to 12 Senators are appointed each year to meet with representatives of Russia’s Federation Council to talk about shared issues. Those Senators are called the “United States group.” The Senate’s majority and minority leaders pick the members, and the majority leader names one Senator as Chair. The law allows $100,000 each fiscal year to help pay the group’s expenses. The Chair must approve vouchers before money is paid, and the Chair’s certificate is final for audits. For fiscal year 2004 only, $75,000 from the Senate’s contingent fund and $100,000 from the Treasury were provided for the group’s official expenses. Subsections about membership and funds apply to 2004 and later as stated.