Congressional Offices 101

Who are you meeting with? This document gives an overview of Congressional Offices – which include both personal and committee staff – to help you better understand who you are meeting with, the roles they play, and who you might want to reach out to in different situations. 

Congressional Offices 

Staff for the U.S. Congress - both the House of Representatives and the Senate - are generally divided into personal staff (those that work directly for the individual member of Congress) and committee staff (those that serve legislative committees). There are also leadership staff who assist party leaders in managing legislative priorities. Staff in these offices all carry out responsibilities ranging from representational duties on behalf of congressional districts, legislative activity, oversight of federal agencies, and the administration and operation of the processes and functions of the Congress. Each Member of Congress and Committee creates their own organizational structure within the various offices but there are some generalities across offices. Below is a quick breakdown of the different types of staff members within Congressional offices. Note that Congressional staff, especially on the House side, tend to be younger. It’s not uncommon for you to meet someone in their 20s/early 30s - this is not necessarily indicative of importance, simply a demographic reality. 

Basic Staff Member Categories

• Personal staff: Those who work for individual members of Congress. They handle a wide range of tasks directly related to their boss's (the member’s) personal responsibilities and constituent services. This includes: assisting with legislation; Managing day-to-day operations in the member’s office; and; Engaging with constituents, including answering inquiries, handling requests, and helping navigate federal agencies.

• Committee staff: Those who serve either the majority or minority on congressional committeesThese committees focus on specific policy areas (like finance, defense, agriculture, etc.). They assist in the work of the committee, helping draft legislation, conducting hearings, and doing in-depth policy analysis. 

• Leadership staff: Those who work for the speaker, majority and minority leaders, and majority and minority whips in the House of Representatives, and the majority and minority leaders and assistant majority and minority leaders (whips) in the Senate. Leadership staff assist in implementing the legislative agenda and ensuring that party members are aligned with key priorities.

In your Congressional engagement, you are most likely to interact with personal staff whose job it is to meet with constituents and field concerns. 

Personal Office Staff

• Chief of Staff: Top staff person responsible for overall office functions; oversees staff and budget; advises Members on political matters; responsible for hiring, promoting, and terminating staff; establishes office policies and procedures. This staff member reports directly to the member of Congress

• Executive Assistant/Scheduler: The scheduler is usually responsible for apportioning a member’s time among the many demands of congressional responsibilities and constituent requests. Reviews and researches invitations; handles Member’s personal files, correspondence, and travel arrangements.

  • When you are requesting meetings with Members and staff, it is likely you are interfacing directly with the scheduler. 

• Legislative Director: The legislative director is usually the staff person who monitors the legislative schedule and makes recommendations regarding the pros and cons of particular issues.

• Legislative Assistant (LA):  Legislative Assistants assume expertise and develop legislation for a few select issue areas, keeping the Member up to date on constituent issues or policies that pertain to those subject areas); develops legislation and strategies for legislative priorities; staff Member at mark-ups and hearings.

  • If you’re taking a meeting in a DC office, your meeting is likely with an LA or LC.

• Legislative Correspondent (LC):  Researches and writes legislative correspondence; conducts legislative research; assists Legislative Assistants as needed.

  • If you’re taking a meeting in a DC office, your meeting is likely with an LA or LC.

• Press secretary or communications director: Responsible for Member's relationship with media; is the liaison for the local and national press; issues press releases. In offices with no press assistants, this position also runs social media.

• Staff Assistant (SA): The most common entry-level position on Capitol Hill, the Staff Assistant handles all front office responsibilities, answers phones, schedules tours, and often supervises the mail program. Staff Assistants also often serve as intern coordinators.

  • When you arrive for meetings with Members or Staff, you’ll likely be received by a staff assistant at the front desk. 

• Caseworkers or constituent services representatives: Based in the district office and responsible for helping constituents deal with problems relating to federal agencies. For example, caseworkers help individuals secure veterans' benefits, aid with Social Security and Medicare, and resolve immigration issues. 

  • If you are taking a meeting in a State or District office, you are likely to meet with a caseworker or constituent rep. 

Committee Staff

A congressional committee is a sub-group within the U.S. Congress that focuses on specific areas of policy or legislative tasks. These committees are responsible for reviewing, drafting, and making decisions on proposed laws (bills) and overseeing the work of government agencies. Committees play a crucial role in the legislative process by breaking down complex issues into more manageable topics, allowing Congress to work more efficiently. 

Relevant Committees 

• House Appropriations Committee: Decides how federal funds are allocated to various government programs and agencies.

• House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC): Oversees U.S. foreign policy, international relations, and foreign aid programs.

•  House Appropriations Committee – Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related: This subcommittee allocates funding for U.S. foreign aid, diplomacy, and international programs.

• Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC)

• Senate Judiciary Committee: Handles issues related to law, civil rights, and the confirmation of federal judges, including Supreme Court nominees.

• Senate Appropriations Committee – Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related: This subcommittee decides on the budget for the State Department and international programs like foreign aid and peacekeeping.

Key Committee Positions 

• Staff Director: The Staff Director/Chief of Staff manages the committee and serves as the top policy and political advisor to the Committee Chair and majority party members. The Minority Staff Director performs the same duties for the Ranking Minority Member of a Committee.

• Counsel: There may be one or more Counsels in a committee office. These are attorneys responsible for specific policy or oversight issues. Their activities include arranging and staffing hearings, drafting legislation, conducting negotiations, and providing legal interpretations for the Committee members.

• Professional Staff Member: These are experts in specific policy areas. They perform many of the same functions as Counsel and may work with outside groups, Members of Congress, and executive branch officials.