Notwithstanding any other provision of law, in order to respond to an emergency situation, the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate may acquire buildings and facilities, subject to the availability of appropriations, for the use of the Senate, as appropriate, by lease, purchase, or such other arrangement as the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate considers appropriate (including a memorandum of understanding with the head of an executive agency, as defined in section 105 of title 5, in the case of a building or facility under the control of such Agency). Actions taken by the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate must be approved by the Committees on Appropriations and Rules and Administration.
Subject to the approval of the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate, the Architect of the Capitol may transfer to the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate amounts made available to the Architect for necessary expenses for the maintenance, care and operation of the Senate office buildings during a fiscal year in order to cover any portion of the costs incurred by the Sergeant at Arms of the Senate during the year in acquiring a building or facility pursuant to subsection (a).
This section and the amendments made by this section shall apply with respect to fiscal year 2002 and each succeeding fiscal year.