5.2 Congressional staff and support agencies
4 min read•july 30, 2024
Congressional staff and support agencies are the backbone of legislative work. They handle everything from to drafting bills. Personal staff assist individual members, while committee staff organize hearings and craft legislation in specific policy areas.
Support agencies like CRS, GAO, and CBO provide crucial research and analysis. They help Congress understand complex issues, investigate government spending, and project the costs of proposed laws. Together, staff and agencies enable Congress to fulfill its constitutional duties.
Congressional Staff Roles
Personal Staff Responsibilities
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- Personal staff, also known as district staff, work directly for individual members of Congress in their Washington D.C. and district offices
- Handle constituent services such as casework, responding to inquiries, and assisting with federal agency issues (Social Security benefits, veterans' affairs)
- Manage communications including press releases, speeches, and social media to inform constituents and advocate for the member's positions
- Assist with legislative research by gathering information, analyzing data, and preparing memos to help the member make informed decisions
Committee Staff Functions
- Committee staff work for congressional committees to organize hearings, draft legislation, and conduct
- Have specialized knowledge in the committee's jurisdiction such as agriculture, energy, or foreign affairs
- Plan and execute by selecting witnesses, preparing questions, and managing logistics
- Draft legislation based on the committee's priorities and the chair's direction, working with affected stakeholders and executive branch agencies
- Conduct oversight investigations into federal programs, agencies, and private sector entities within the committee's purview (Enron scandal, Hurricane Katrina response)
Leadership Staff Roles
- Leadership staff work directly for the Speaker of the House, House Majority/Minority Leaders, or Senate Majority/Minority Leaders to help set the legislative agenda and coordinate party strategy
- Assist in counting votes by tracking member positions, persuading undecided members, and negotiating compromises to reach majority support
- Help build coalitions within the party caucus and across the aisle to pass priority legislation
- Negotiate agreements between parties or chambers to reconcile differences on legislation and break stalemates (budget deals, debt ceiling increases)
- Advise leadership on political strategy, message development, and policy priorities to advance the party's agenda and maintain electoral success
Support Agencies in Congress
Congressional Research Service
- The (CRS) works exclusively for Congress to provide objective, nonpartisan research and analysis on a wide range of policy issues
- Helps members and staff understand complex topics such as healthcare financing, immigration law, or international trade agreements
- Provides confidential memoranda and briefings to individual members and committees upon request
- Publishes general distribution reports on topics of perennial congressional interest (legislative process, budget concepts)
- Assists lawmakers in crafting legislation by providing background information, explaining current law, and identifying policy options
Government Accountability Office
- The (GAO) is an independent, nonpartisan agency that investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer funds
- Conducts performance audits of federal programs and agencies to evaluate efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance with laws and regulations (weapons systems acquisition, Medicare payment accuracy)
- Performs financial audits of government accounts and provides opinions on agencies' financial statements
- Makes recommendations to Congress and agencies to improve operations, reduce costs, or enhance revenue collection
- Serves as Congress' "watchdog" to identify waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement in government
Congressional Budget Office
- The (CBO) provides nonpartisan budget and economic analysis to support the congressional budget process
- Scores proposed legislation to project effects on spending, revenue, and deficits over a 10-year period
- Provides formal cost estimates that are required before legislation can move forward in the House or Senate
- Produces baseline projections of spending, revenue, and economic output assuming current law continues, which help guide fiscal decision making in Congress
- Analyzes the President's budget proposals and major Congressional budget plans (budget resolutions)
- Conducts long-term budget projections to identify fiscal sustainability challenges (Social Security, Medicare solvency)
Staff Contributions to Legislation
Developing Legislative Ideas
- Personal and committee staff help develop legislative ideas based on district needs, constituent input, and members' policy goals
- Research existing laws and programs to identify gaps or areas for improvement
- Consult with outside experts, interest groups, and executive agencies to gather information and build support
- Draft bill text in technical legislative language, ensuring key provisions are included and potential unintended consequences are addressed
Building Coalitions and Counting Votes
- Staff play a key role in building coalitions within Congress to move legislation forward
- Identify members who may support or oppose a bill and strategize ways to win their votes
- Negotiate with staff from other offices to resolve concerns, incorporate feedback, and reach compromises
- Help leadership whip votes by tracking member positions, providing information to undecided members, and relaying vote counts
Incorporating CRS, GAO, and CBO Analysis
- CRS assists Congress at every stage of the legislative process by providing background research, analyzing bills, and helping staff understand complex policy details and trade-offs
- GAO reports can identify problems or inefficiencies in government that spur Congress to act through oversight or legislation (patient safety at VA hospitals, security vulnerabilities at airports)
- GAO also evaluates how well agencies are implementing laws passed by Congress, informing potential legislative fixes
- CBO scores legislation to inform members about costs and benefits, which can determine whether a bill advances or stalls
- CBO's budget projections set the overall parameters for tax and spending bills by establishing the baseline and identifying fiscal challenges
Key Terms to Review (17)
Analyst: An analyst is a professional who examines and interprets data to provide insights, recommendations, and assessments that inform decision-making within various contexts. In the realm of congressional operations, analysts play a vital role by researching policy issues, analyzing legislative proposals, and helping lawmakers understand the implications of their decisions.
Appropriations Committee: The Appropriations Committee is a powerful committee in Congress responsible for determining the allocation of federal funds to various government agencies and programs. This committee plays a crucial role in shaping fiscal policy, as it decides how taxpayer money is spent and prioritizes funding requests based on the government's budgetary needs.
Auditor: An auditor is a professional responsible for reviewing and examining financial records and operations to ensure compliance with established laws and regulations. In the context of governmental operations, auditors play a crucial role in promoting accountability, transparency, and the effective use of public resources.
Bipartisan support: Bipartisan support refers to the agreement or cooperation between two major political parties, particularly in a legislative context, to promote shared goals or initiatives. This term often highlights efforts where members of both parties work together to create or pass laws, which is crucial for effective governance and stability in a political system. Bipartisan support is vital in various contexts, as it can lead to more comprehensive policies and broader acceptance among constituents.
Chief of staff: The chief of staff is a senior aide in a congressional office who manages the staff, sets the legislative agenda, and serves as a key advisor to the member of Congress. This role is crucial for coordinating communication and ensuring that the office runs efficiently, acting as the primary link between the congressperson and their staff, constituents, and other stakeholders.
Committee hearings: Committee hearings are formal meetings held by congressional committees to gather information, review legislation, and oversee government activities. They serve as a vital mechanism for accountability, allowing Congress to investigate issues, scrutinize executive actions, and ensure that elected officials are held responsible for their actions and decisions.
Congressional Budget Office: The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) is a nonpartisan federal agency within the legislative branch that provides economic data and analysis to Congress, helping lawmakers make informed decisions about the federal budget and fiscal policy. By analyzing the potential costs and impacts of proposed legislation, the CBO plays a critical role in the budget process and helps ensure that Congress can responsibly manage public funds while adhering to established fiscal guidelines.
Congressional Research Service: The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is a non-partisan agency within the Library of Congress that provides policy and legal analysis to members of Congress and their staff. It plays a critical role in informing legislative decision-making by delivering impartial research, reports, and expert analysis on a wide range of topics relevant to congressional issues. By offering reliable information, CRS helps legislators understand complex matters, especially in a rapidly changing technological environment.
Constituent services: Constituent services refer to the assistance and support provided by elected officials and their staff to help individuals navigate government processes and access resources. This includes a wide range of activities such as responding to inquiries, helping with paperwork, and advocating for constituents' needs within government agencies. These services are crucial for maintaining a connection between representatives and the people they serve, fostering trust and accountability in government.
Data Analysis: Data analysis is the systematic examination and interpretation of data to extract meaningful insights, patterns, and trends. In the context of legislative bodies, it helps inform policy decisions, assess the impact of proposed laws, and improve the efficiency of congressional operations through evidence-based findings.
Government Accountability Office: The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is an independent, non-partisan agency that works for Congress, providing auditing, evaluation, and investigative services. Its primary role is to ensure accountability in government spending and operations, helping to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and policies. GAO's work is essential in supporting Congress in its oversight responsibilities and informing lawmakers about how to allocate resources wisely.
Judiciary Committee: The Judiciary Committee is a key committee within the United States Congress, primarily responsible for overseeing the judicial system and considering legislation related to the judiciary. This committee plays a vital role in reviewing judicial nominations, proposing amendments to legislation, and addressing legal issues that affect the functioning of the federal courts. Its responsibilities are crucial in shaping the country's laws and ensuring that judicial appointments align with the values of Congress.
Legislative Assistant: A legislative assistant is a professional who aids a member of Congress by conducting research, drafting legislation, and managing communication with constituents. They play a vital role in helping lawmakers understand issues and make informed decisions on policy matters, ensuring that the legislative process runs smoothly and efficiently.
Mark-up process: The mark-up process is the procedure by which congressional committees review, amend, and rewrite proposed legislation before it is sent to the full chamber for a vote. This process is crucial for shaping bills, as committee members can add, remove, or modify provisions based on discussions, expert testimonies, and their own perspectives. The mark-up process ultimately influences the final form of legislation that reaches the floor for consideration and reflects the interests and priorities of various stakeholders.
Oversight: Oversight refers to the process by which Congress monitors and evaluates the actions and operations of the executive branch, ensuring that laws are implemented effectively and that federal agencies are held accountable. This function is critical for maintaining a system of checks and balances, as it empowers Congress to investigate, review, and influence executive actions.
Policy analysis: Policy analysis is a systematic evaluation process that examines the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of policies or proposed legislation. It helps lawmakers and stakeholders understand potential outcomes and trade-offs associated with different policy options, guiding decision-making in the legislative process.
Research support: Research support refers to the assistance and resources provided to members of Congress to help them effectively fulfill their legislative responsibilities. This includes data analysis, policy research, and administrative help, allowing legislators to make informed decisions on various issues. Such support is critical for understanding complex legislation and for developing policies that address constituents' needs.