§276n United States Senate-china Interparliamentary Group

Summary

Up to 12 Senators will meet once a year with representatives of China’s National People’s Congress to talk about issues that affect U.S.-China relations. The Senate’s President pro tempore will pick those Senators after getting recommendations from the Senate majority and minority leaders, and will pick one Senator to be the Chair. The group is called the United States group. Each year up to $100,000 can be provided to help pay the group’s costs, and payments must be made on vouchers the Chair approves. The Chair’s approval of spending is final for the government accountants. For fiscal year 2004 only, $75,000 is authorized from the Senate’s contingent fund for official costs like room rental, hospitality, and food, and the Secretary of the Senate may advance money as needed. Also for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2004, $100,000 is provided from the Treasury. The membership and funding rules start in fiscal year 2004 and continue each year after; the two 2004 funding items apply only to fiscal year 2004.