1. General authority In carrying out its powers, duties, and functions under the Standing Rules of the Senate, in accordance with its jurisdiction under rule XXV of the Standing Rules of the Senate, including holding hearings, reporting such hearings, and making investigations as authorized by paragraphs 1 and 8 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (in this resolution referred to as the committee ) is authorized from March 1, 2017, through February 28, 2019, in its discretion, to— (1) make expenditures from the contingent fund of the Senate; (2) employ personnel