The Architect of the Capitol is authorized, subject to the availability of appropriations, to acquire (through purchase, lease, or otherwise) buildings and facilities for use as computer backup facilities (and related uses) for offices in the legislative branch.

The acquisition of a building or facility under subsection (a) shall be subject to the approval of—

(1) the House Office Building Commission, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of an office of the House of Representatives;

(2) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of an office of the Senate; or

(3) the House Office Building Commission in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of any other office in the legislative branch as part of a joint facility with (1) above, or the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, in the case of a building or facility acquired for the use of any other office in the legislative branch as part of a joint facility with (2) above.

Any building or facility acquired by the Architect of the Capitol pursuant to subsection (a) shall be a part of the United States Capitol Grounds and shall be subject to the provisions of sections 1922, 1961, 1966, 1967, and 1969 of this title and sections 5101 to 5107 and 5109 of title 40.

In the case of a building or facility acquired through purchase pursuant to subsection (a), the Architect of the Capitol may enter into or assume a lease with another person for the use of any portion of the building or facility that the Architect of the Capitol determines is not required to be used to carry out the purposes of this section, subject to the approval of the entity which approved the acquisition of such building or facility under subsection (b).

This section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year.

(Pub. L. 107–206, title I, § 905, Aug. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 877; Pub. L. 109–55, title I, § 1202(a), Aug. 2, 2005, 119 Stat. 579.)