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• Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, FY2001-FY2020 [Updated April 20, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "Levels of pay for congressional staff are a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations, guidance in setting pay levels for staff in Member offices, or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. This report provides pay data for 24 staff position titles that are typically found in Senators' offices. The following table provides the positions, and the change in median pay levels between FY2019 and FY2020 for those positions, in constant 2021 dollars."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2021-04-20
• Congressional Staff: Duties, Qualifications, and Skills Identified by Members of Congress for Selected Positions [Updated April 23, 2021]

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  From the Summary: "The roles, duties, and activities of congressional staff are matters of ongoing interest to Members of Congress, congressional staff, and observers of Congress. Members of the House and Senate establish their own employment policies and practices for their personal offices. It is arguably the case that within Member offices, a common group of activities is executed for which staff are necessary. Accordingly, a group of job advertisements for those positions from a number of different offices can shed light on the expectations Members have for position duties, as well as staff skills, characteristics, experience, and other expectations. This report provides a set of 41 widely expected job duties, applicant skills, characteristics, prior experiences, and other expectations based on a sample of ads placed by Members of Congress between approximately December 2014 and March 2021 seeking staff in their offices for 35 position titles[.]"

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Burgat, Casey

  2021-04-23
• Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: Selected Examples and Congressional Responses [January 25, 2011]

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  "Questions about the personal security and safety of members of Congress and their staffs have arisen in the aftermath of a recent attack in Tucson, Arizona, and following reports of an increase in the number of threats made against members of Congress. Two measures have been introduced in the 112th Congress to address issues related to violence against members and congressional staff. On January 19, 2011, Representative Robert A. Brady of Pennsylvania introduced H.R. 318 to amend title 18, United States Code, to punish threats to commit violent crimes against members of Congress. On January 20, 2011, Representative Laura Richardson introduced H.R. 367, the Freedom to Serve Without Fear Act of 2011, which would prohibit the knowing possession of a firearm near a venue at which a member of Congress is performing official duties or campaigning for public office. Since 1789, available information from official and private sources suggests that there have been at least 21 instances of attacks involving 24 members who were targeted by assailants. There have been 12,013 individuals who have served as Representatives or Senators since 1789. In 11 instances, the attacks were thwarted, or resulted in no serious injuries to members. Another three incidents resulted in wounds to seven members. Finally, seven instances resulted in the deaths of seven members. It appears that five of the incidents of attacks on members also affected some congressional staff. Four of the incidents resulted in the wounding of congressional staff. Two incidents, a 1998 event in which a gunman entered the Capitol, and the Tucson shooting on January 8, 2011, resulted in fatalities to two congressional law enforcement personnel and one civilian employee of the House, respectively."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Manning, Jennifer E.; Hemlin, Erin

  2011-01-25
• Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: Selected Examples and Congressional Responses [August 17, 2017]

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  Questions about the personal security and safety of Members of Congress and their staffs are of enduring concern for the House, Senate, and the United States Capitol Police (USCP). Broader interest in the media and among the public arises in the aftermath of incidents such as the June 14, 2017, attack on at least 17 Members of Congress, several staff, USCP officers, and members of the public in Alexandria, Virginia. In that incident, a Member was critically wounded, and others were injured during a shooting that occurred as Members were practicing for an annual congressional baseball game.

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Manning, Jennifer E.

  2017-08-17
• Violence Against Members of Congress and Their Staff: A Brief Overview [June 15, 2017]

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  "Questions about the personal security and safety of Members of Congress and their staffs are of enduring concern for the House, Senate, and the United States Capitol Police (USCP). Broader interest in the media and among the public arises in the aftermath of an incident such as the June 14, 2017, attack on at least 17 Members of Congress, several staff, USCP officers, and members of the public in Alexandria, Virginia. In that incident, a Member was critically wounded, and others, including another Member, a congressional staffer, USCP officers, and a member of the public were injured during a shooting that occurred as Members were practicing for an annual congressional baseball game. There may also be concern about the level and extent of threats against Members. Since consistent threat information is not publicly available, however, it cannot be determined whether the number of threats against Members and congressional staff has increased, decreased, or remained the same over time."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2017-06-15
• Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, FY2001-FY2015 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations; guidance in setting pay levels for staff in Member offices; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. This report provides pay data for 16 staff position titles that are typically used in Senators' offices. The positions include the following: Administrative Director, Casework Supervisor, Caseworker, Chief of Staff, Communications Director, Counsel, Executive Assistant, Field Representative, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Director, Press Secretary, Scheduler, 'Specials Director' (a combined category that includes the job titles Director of Projects, Director of Special Projects, Director of Federal Projects, Director of Grants, Projects Director, or Grants Director), Staff Assistant, and State Director."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Chausow, Lara E.

  2016-11-09
• Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in Senate Committees, FY2001-FY2015 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations; guidance in setting pay levels for staff in committee offices; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. This report provides pay data for 13 staff position titles used in Senate committees. The positions include the following: Chief Clerk, Chief Counsel, Communications Director, Counsel, Legislative Assistant, Minority Chief Counsel, Minority Staff Director, Press Secretary, Professional Staff Member, Senior Counsel, Staff Assistant, Staff Director, and Systems Administrator."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Chausow, Lara E.

  2016-11-09
• Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2001-2015 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations; guidance in setting pay levels for staff in Member offices; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. This report provides pay data for 12 staff position titles that are typically used in House Members' offices. The positions include the following: Caseworker, Chief of Staff, District Director, Executive Assistant, Field Representative, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Director, Office Manager, Press Secretary, Scheduler, and Staff Assistant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Chausow, Lara E.

  2016-11-09
• Staff Pay Levels for Selected Positions in House Committees, 2001-2015 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The level of pay for congressional staff is a source of recurring questions among Members of Congress, congressional staff, and the public. There may be interest in congressional pay data from multiple perspectives, including assessment of the costs of congressional operations; guidance in setting pay levels for staff in committee offices; or comparison of congressional staff pay levels with those of other federal government pay systems. This report provides pay data for 11 staff position titles that are used in House committees, and include the following: Chief Counsel; Communications Director; Counsel; Deputy Staff Director; Minority Professional Staff Member; Minority Staff Director; Professional Staff Member; Senior Professional Staff Member; Staff Assistant; Staff Director; and Subcommittee Staff Director."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Chausow, Lara E.

  2016-11-09
• Continuity of Operations (COOP) in the Executive Branch: Background and Issues for Congress [Updated November 8, 2004]

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  "This report discusses the background of COOP planning, discusses elements of an effective COOP plan, and reviews the current policies governing COOP planning in the executive branch. The final two sections address issues and policy questions, including, among other matters, the status of agency preparedness, maintaining COOP preparedness, congressional committee oversight of COOP activity, and funding for contingency planning."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2004-11-08
• Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in Senators' Offices, 2006-2016 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The length of time a congressional staff member spends employed in a particular position in Congress-or congressional staff tenure-is a source of recurring interest to Members, staff, and the public. A congressional office, for example, may seek this information to assess its human resources capabilities, or for guidance in how frequently staffing changes might be expected for various positions. Congressional staff may seek this type of information to evaluate and approach their own individual career trajectories. This report presents a number of statistical measures regarding the length of time Senate office staff stay in particular job positions. It is designed to facilitate the consideration of tenure from a number of perspectives. This report provides tenure data for a selection of 18 staff position titles that are typically used in Senators' offices, and information on how to use those data for different purposes. The positions include Administrative Director, Casework Supervisor, Caseworker, Chief Counsel, Chief of Staff, Communications Director, Counsel, Executive Assistant, Field Representative, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Director, Office Manager, Press Secretary, Regional Representative, Scheduler, Staff Assistant, and State Director. Senators' staff tenure data were calculated as of March 31, for each year between 2006 and 2016, for all staff in each position. An overview table provides staff tenure for selected positions for 2016, including summary statistics and information on whether the time staff stayed in a position increased, was unchanged, or decreased between 2006 and 2016. Other tables provide detailed tenure data and visualizations for each position title."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.

  2016-11-09
• Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in House Member Offices, 2006-2016 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The length of time a congressional staff member spends employed in a particular position in Congress-or congressional staff tenure-is a source of recurring interest to Members, staff, and the public. A congressional office, for example, may seek this information to assess its human resources capabilities, or for guidance in how frequently staffing changes might be expected for various positions. Congressional staff may seek this type of information to evaluate and approach their own individual career trajectories. This report presents a number of statistical measures regarding the length of time House office staff stay in particular job positions. It is designed to facilitate the consideration of tenure from a number of perspectives. This report provides tenure data for a selection of 16 staff position titles that are typically used in House Member offices, and information on how to use those data for different purposes. The positions include Administrative Director, Casework Supervisor, Caseworker, Chief of Staff, Communications Director, Counsel, District Director, Executive Assistant, Field Representative, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent, Legislative Director, Office Manager, Press Secretary, Scheduler, and Staff Assistant."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.

  2016-11-09
• Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in Senate Committees, 2006-2016 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The length of time a congressional staff member spends employed in a particular position in Congress-or congressional staff tenure-is a source of recurring interest to Members, staff, and the public. A congressional office, for example, may seek this information to assess its human resources capabilities, or for guidance in how frequently staffing changes might be expected for various positions. Congressional staff may seek this type of information to evaluate and approach their own individual career trajectories. This report presents a number of statistical measures regarding the length of time Senate committee staff stay in particular job positions. It is designed to facilitate the consideration of tenure from a number of perspectives. This report provides tenure data for a selection of 15 staff position titles that are typically used in Senate committee offices, and information on how to use those data for different purposes. The positions include Chief Clerk, Chief Counsel, Communications Director, Counsel, Deputy Staff Director, Legislative Assistant, Minority Staff Director, Press Secretary, Professional Staff Member, Senior Counsel, Senior Professional Staff Member, Staff Assistant, Staff Director, Subcommittee Staff Director, and Systems Administrator. Senate committee staff tenure data were calculated as of March 31, for each year between 2006 and 2016, for all staff in each position. An overview table provides staff tenure for selected positions for 2016, including summary statistics and information on whether the time staff stayed in a position increased, was unchanged, or decreased between 2006 and 2016. Other tables provide detailed tenure data and visualizations for each position title."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.

  2016-11-09
• Staff Tenure in Selected Positions in House Committees, 2006-2016 [November 9, 2016]

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  "The length of time a congressional staff member spends employed in a particular position in Congress-or congressional staff tenure-is a source of recurring interest to Members, staff, and the public. A congressional office, for example, may seek this information to assess its human resources capabilities, or for guidance in how frequently staffing changes might be expected for various positions. Congressional staff may seek this type of information to evaluate and approach their own individual career trajectories. This report presents a number of statistical measures regarding the length of time House committee staff stay in particular job positions. It is designed to facilitate the consideration of tenure from a number of perspectives. This report provides tenure data for a selection of 13 staff position titles that are typically used in House committee offices, and information on how to use those data for different purposes. The positions include Chief Clerk, Chief Counsel, Communications Director, Counsel, Deputy Staff Director, Minority Professional Staff Member, Minority Staff Director, Press Secretary, Professional Staff Member, Senior Professional Staff Member, Staff Assistant, Staff Director, and Subcommittee Staff Director. House committee staff tenure data were calculated as of March 31, for each year between 2006 and 2016, for all staff in each position. An overview table provides staff tenure for selected positions for 2016, including summary statistics and information on whether the time staff stayed in a position increased, was unchanged, or decreased between 2006 and 2016. Other tables provide detailed tenure data and visualizations for each position title."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.

  2016-11-09
• National Continuity Policy: A Brief Overview [Updated October 12, 2007]

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  From the Summary: "On May 9, 2007, President George W. Bush issued National Security Presidential Directive (NSPD) 51, which is also identified as Homeland Security Presidential Directive (HSPD) 20, on National Continuity Policy. The directive updates longstanding continuity directives designed to assure that governing entities are able to recover from a wide range of potential operational interruptions. Executive branch efforts to assure essential operations are similar to those that are broadly integrated into many private sector industries. Government continuity planning also incorporates efforts to maintain and preserve constitutional government, based on the assumption that certain essential activities typically provided by government must be carried out with little or no interruption under all circumstances."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2007-10-12
• Senate Staff Levels in Member, Committee, Leadership, and Other Offices, 1977-2020 [Updated October 19, 2020]

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  From the Summary: "The manner in which staff are deployed within an organization may reflect the missions and priorities of that organization. This report provides staffing levels in Senators' Senate committee, leadership, and other offices since 1977. From 1977 to 1986, Senate staff, excluding state-based staff, increased from 3,397 to 4,180, or 23.05%. From 1987 to 2020, all Senate staff grew from 4,916 to 5,723, or 16.42%. The changes in both time periods were characterized in part by increases in the number of staff working in chamber leadership offices, and, except for apparent declines in 2016-2018, increases in the staffing of chamber officers and officials. Additionally, staff working for Senators have shifted from committees to personal offices. Some of these changes may be indicative of the growth of the Senate as an institution, or the value the chamber places on its various activities."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2020-10-19
• Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management [April 13, 2017]

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  "Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates for appointment to four U.S. service academies. These schools are the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. These institutions prepare college-age Americans to be officers of the U.S. uniformed services. Upon graduation, service academy graduates are commissioned as officers in the active or reserve components of the military or merchant marine for a minimum of five years. […] This report describes statutory requirements for allocating congressional nominations to service academies. It also identifies the qualifications that must be met by potential nominees, as established by statute and each academy. Finally, sample documents that could be used by congressional offices at various stages of the nomination selection process are included. These documents provide basic information and can be customized to fit the specific needs of individual office policies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.

  2017-04-13
• Roles and Duties of a Member of Congress [November 4, 2010]

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  "The duties carried out by a Member of Congress are understood to include representation, legislation, and constituent service and education, as well as political and electoral activities. The expectations and duties of a Member of Congress are extensive, encompassing several roles that could be full-time jobs by themselves. Despite the acceptance of these roles and other activities as facets of the Member's job, there is no formal set of requirements or official explanation of what roles might be played as Members carry out the duties of their offices. In the absence of formal authorities, many of the responsibilities that Members of Congress have assumed over the years have evolved from the expectations of Members and their constituents. Upon election to Congress, Members typically develop approaches to their jobs that serve a wide range of roles and responsibilities. Given the dynamic nature of the congressional experience, priorities placed on various Member roles tend to shift in response to changes in seniority, committee assignment, policy focus, district or state priorities, institutional leadership, and electoral pressures. In response, the roles and specific duties a Member carries out are often highlighted or de-emphasized accordingly. Although elements of all the roles described can be found among the duties performed by any Senator or Representative, the degree to which each is carried out differs among Members. Each Member may also emphasize different duties during different stages of his or her career. With no written requirements, each Member is free to define his or her own job and set his or her own priorities This report will be updated as warranted."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2010-11-04
• Legislative Branch: FY2015 Appropriations

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Printing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); and Open World Leadership Center. The legislative branch FY2015 budget request of $4.471 billion was submitted on March 4, 2014. By law, the President includes the requests submitted from the legislative branch in the annual budget without change. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees' Legislative Branch Subcommittees held hearings to consider the FY2015 legislative branch requests. The House subcommittee held its markup on April 4, 2014, and the full committee held a markup on April 9. One amendment was offered in the full committee, but failed. The bill, which would provide $3.3 billion (not including Senate items), was reported on April 17 (H.R. 4487, H.Rept. 113-417)."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-05-20
• Casework in a Congressional Office: Background, Rules, Laws, and Resources [September 10, 2014]

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  "In a congressional office, the term casework refers to the response or services that Members of Congress provide to constituents who request assistance. Each year, thousands of constituents turn to Members of Congress with a wide range of requests, from the simple to the complex. Members and their staffs help constituents deal with administrative agencies by acting as facilitators, ombudsmen, and, in some cases, advocates. In addition to serving individual constituents, some congressional offices also consider as casework liaison activities between the federal government and local governments, businesses, communities, and nonprofit organizations. […] One challenge to congressional casework is the widely held public perception that Members of Congress can initiate a broad array of actions resulting in a speedy, favorable outcome. The rules of the House and Senate, and laws and regulations governing federal executive agency activities, however, closely limit interventions made on the behalf of constituents. When performing casework, congressional staff cannot force an agency to expedite a case or act in favor of a constituent. However, congressional staff can intervene to facilitate the appropriate administrative processes, encourage an agency to give a case consideration, and sometimes advocate for a favorable outcome. This report discusses House and Senate rules and guidelines, laws, and regulations affecting congressional casework, as well as the role of caseworkers. It also provides sample outlines and document templates for implementing and managing congressional casework."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2014-09-10
• Casework in a Congressional Office: Background, Rules, Laws, and Resources [November 24, 2014]

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  "In a congressional office, the term casework refers to the response or services that Members of Congress provide to constituents who request assistance. Each year, thousands of constituents turn to Members of Congress with a wide range of requests, from the simple to the complex. Members and their staffs help constituents deal with administrative agencies by acting as facilitators, ombudsmen, and, in some cases, advocates. In addition to serving individual constituents, some congressional offices also consider as casework liaison activities between the federal government and local governments, businesses, communities, and nonprofit organizations. […] Members of Congress determine the scope of their constituent service activities. Casework is conducted for various reasons, including a broadly held understanding among Members and staff that casework is integral to the representational duties of a Member of Congress. Casework activities may also be viewed as part of an outreach strategy to build political support, or as an evaluative stage of the legislative process. Constituent inquiries about specific policies, programs, or benefits may suggest areas where government programs or policies require oversight or legislative consideration. […] This report discusses House and Senate rules and guidelines, laws, and regulations affecting congressional casework, as well as the role of caseworkers. It also provides sample outlines and document templates for implementing and managing congressional casework."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2014-11-24
• Legislative Branch: FY2015 Appropriations [November 13, 2014]

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  "The legislative branch appropriations bill provides funding for the Senate; House of Representatives; Joint Items; Capitol Police; Office of Compliance; Congressional Budget Office (CBO); Architect of the Capitol (AOC); Library of Congress (LOC), including the Congressional Research Service (CRS); Government Printing Office (GPO); Government Accountability Office (GAO); and Open World Leadership Center. The legislative branch FY2015 budget request of $4.471 billion was submitted on March 4, 2014. By law, the President includes the requests submitted from the legislative branch in the annual budget without change. The House and Senate Appropriations Committees' Legislative Branch Subcommittees held hearings to consider the FY2015 legislative branch requests. The House subcommittee held its markup on April 4, 2014, and the full committee held a markup on April 9. One amendment was offered in the full committee, but failed. The bill, which would provide $3.3 billion (not including Senate items), was reported on April 17 (H.R. 4487, H.Rept. 113-417). The House passed H.R. 4487, the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2015, on May 1, 2014, by a vote of 402-14. The Senate Appropriations Committee reported H.R. 4487, as amended, on June 19, 2014, by voice vote (S.Rept. 113-196). This version would provide $4.3 billion. No further action on H.R. 4487 was taken, and legislative branch activities are currently funded through December 11, 2014, by a continuing appropriations resolution (P.L. 113-164). Legislative branch funding, which peaked in FY2010, remains below the FY2009 level of $4.501 billion. In FY2014, the funding level was $4.259 billion. The FY2013 act funded legislative branch accounts at the FY2012 enacted level, with some exceptions (also known as 'anomalies'), less across-the-board rescissions that applied to all appropriations in the act, and not including sequestration reductions implemented on March 1. The FY2012 level represented a decrease of $236.9 million (-5.2%) from the FY2011 level, which itself represented a $125.1 million decrease (-2.7%) from FY2010. The smallest of the appropriations bills, the legislative branch comprises approximately 0.4% of total discretionary budget authority."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Brudnick, Ida A.

  2014-11-13
• Representatives and Senators: Trends in Member Characteristics Since 1945 [January 27, 2014]

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  "Questions about the characteristics of Members of Congress, including their age, education, previous occupations, and other descriptors, are of ongoing interest to Members, congressional staff, and constituents. Some of these questions may be asked in the context of representation, in efforts to evaluate the extent to which Members of Congress reflect their constituencies and the nation at large. In other instances, questions arise about how the characteristics of Members have changed over time, which may speak in part to the history of Congress. This report provides profiles of Senators and Representatives in selected Congresses since 1945. It includes data based on Representatives and Senators serving on the first day of the 79th -- 113th Congresses for several demographic characteristics. The characteristics discussed include age, including the oldest and youngest Members of the House and Senate; sex; previous occupation; race and ethnicity; education; religion; and military service. Following summaries of each characteristic, the report provides a number of tables that present the detailed data by the category on which the summaries are based. All data tables appear in the 'Member Characteristics Data Tables' section."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Brudnick, Ida A.; Garrett, R. Sam, 1977-; Manning, Jennifer E. . . .

  2014-01-27
• Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management [November 10, 2015]

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  "Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates for appointment to four U.S. service academies. These schools are the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. These institutions prepare college-age Americans to be officers of the U.S. uniformed services. Upon graduation, service academy graduates are commissioned as officers in the active or reserve components of the military or merchant marine for a minimum of five years. The nomination of constituents to one of the service academies can provide Members of Congress with the opportunity to perform community outreach and other representational duties. In some states and congressional districts, nominations are highly competitive. Others are less competitive, and some offices do not receive expressions of interest from enough applicants to fill the number of nominations allocated. Consequently, some congressional offices might need to dedicate considerable staff resources to the selection process to identify qualified candidates, while others can incorporate service academy nominations alongside other constituent service work such as casework. […] This report describes statutory requirements for allocating congressional nominations to service academies. It also identifies the qualifications that must be met by potential nominees, as established by statute and each academy. Finally, sample documents that could be used by congressional offices at various stages of the nomination selection process are included. These documents provide basic information and can be customized to fit the specific needs of individual office policies."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.

  2015-11-10
• Congressional Nominations to U.S. Service Academies: An Overview and Resources for Outreach and Management [April 21, 2016]

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  "Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates for appointment to four U.S. service academies. These schools are the U.S. Military Academy, the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment. These institutions prepare college-age Americans to be officers of the U.S. uniformed services. Upon graduation, service academy graduates are commissioned as officers in the active or reserve components of the military or merchant marine for a minimum of five years. The nomination of constituents to one of the service academies can provide Members of Congress with the opportunity to perform community outreach and other representational duties. In some states and congressional districts, nominations are highly competitive. Others are less competitive, and some offices do not receive expressions of interest from enough applicants to fill the number of nominations allocated. Consequently, some congressional offices might need to dedicate considerable staff resources to the selection process to identify qualified candidates, while others can incorporate service academy nominations alongside other constituent service work such as casework."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric; Eckman, Sarah J.

  2016-04-21
• Leaving Congress: House of Representatives and Senate Departures Data Since 1989 [June 26, 2013]

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  From the Document: "Members of Congress leave the House or Senate for a variety of reasons; these may include resignation, death, or chamber action during a Congress, and retirement, electoral defeat, or pursuit of another office at the end of a Congress. In the 101st Congress (1989-1990) through 112th Congress (2011-2012), on average, two Senators and nine Members of the House of Representatives have left before the conclusion of a Congress. Over the same period, on average, 11 Senators and 61 Members of the House left Congress upon expiration of their terms of office. This report also provides data on those Members who have announced an intention to retire at the completion of the 113th Congress (2013-2014). The data provided here may offer insight concerning the turnover of membership in each chamber, but any such conclusions should be drawn with care, as there appears to be no pattern to Member departures. This may be due in part to the individualized nature of congressional careers, which might include numerous events or actions that could affect Members' decisions to end their congressional service."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Manning, Jennifer E.; Petersen, R. Eric

  2013-06-26
• Lobbying, Ethics and Related Procedural Reforms: Comparison of Current Provisions of S. 2349 and H.R. 4975 [March 23, 2006]

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  From the Document: "This report provides a table to summarize and provide a side-by-side comparison of the provisions concerning lobbying, ethics, and related congressional procedural reforms that are currently being considered in S. 2349 and H.R. 4975, 109th Congress. The table will be updated and amended regularly to reflect amendments and changes in the legislation discussed. Primarily responsible for the coverage of the provisions concerning congressional ethics is Jack Maskell, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division; lobbying reform is Eric Petersen, Analyst in American National Government, Government and Finance Division; and congressional procedural reform is Sandy Streeter, Analyst in American National Government, Government and Finance Division. Assistance with the provision concerning congressional pay raises was provided by Ida Brudnick, Analyst in American National Government, Government and Finance Division, and with the campaign finance provisions relating to '527s' by Paige Whitaker, Legislative Attorney, American Law Division, and Joe Cantor, Specialist in American National Government, Government and Finance Division. At the conclusion of the side-by-side comparison is a list of CRS [Congressional Research Service] Reports that provide further discussion and more detailed analysis of many of the issues that are addressed in the legislation and summarized in the preceding charts."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Maskell, Jack; Petersen, R. Eric; Streeter, Sandy

  2006-03-23
• Lobbying Disclosure and Ethics Proposals Related to Lobbying Introduced in the 109th Congress: A Comparative Analysis [Updated March 23, 2006]

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  From the Document: "The regulation of lobbying activities by lobbyists, and the actions that certain members of the executive branch and legislative branch may take in their interactions with lobbyists, are governed by laws and congressional rules. Several proposals to revise these laws and congressional rules with regard to lobbying activities and the disclosure of such activities by lobbyists and Members of Congress have been introduced in the 109th Congress. […]This report, which will be updated as events warrant, provides context, comparison, discussion, and analysis of the issues addressed in the legislative proposals that have been introduced in the 109th Congress to address lobbying disclosure and related laws and congressional rules."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2006-03-23
• Lobbying Disclosure: Themes and Issues, 110th Congress [January 12, 2007]

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  From the Document: "Recent incidents concerning a convicted lobbyist and the provision of privately funded travel, free meals and entertainment by lobbyists to Members of Congress, congressional staff, and some executive branch officials have focused broad public and congressional attention on the interactions between government officials and lobbyists. The First Amendment to the Constitution provides opportunity for interest groups to participate in public policy making by prohibiting laws abridging freedom of speech, while guaranteeing the right of the people to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances, but lobbying is controversial. Any consideration of current law related to lobbying will likely involve discussing the balance between open, transparent, and accountable governance through thorough public disclosure of activities carried out by lobbyists, and the rights of lobbyists, on their own, or on behalf of a client, to exercise constitutionally guaranteed rights. The attention of policy makers has in the past focused in two general areas: (1) the efficacy of current lobbying disclosure requirements; and (2) congressional rules governing interactions between lobbyists, Members of Congress, and their staffs, and statutes governing similar relationships between lobbyists and executive branch officials. This report focuses primarily on issues related to lobbying disclosure procedures and their potential amendment."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Petersen, R. Eric

  2007-01-12
• Ethics, Lobbying, and Related Procedural Reforms Proposed in S. 1, 110th Congress [January 30, 2007]

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  "This report discusses and analyzes the proposals in S. 1, 110th Congress, as passed by the Senate on January 18, 2007, concerning congressional ethics, lobbying reform, and proposals to amend Senate procedures to increase legislative transparency. Proposed changes in ethics and lobbying provisions are examined in five general areas: (1) proposed amendments and additions to internal Senate Rules governing such things as the acceptance of gifts by Senators and staff, including gifts of free travel; official contacts with Senators' family members who are lobbyists; influencing private hiring decisions; and mandatory ethics training; (2) amendments to Senate Rule provisions and changes in the federal criminal law concerning 'revolving door' restrictions and regulations on former Members and employees of Congress concerning various post-employment 'lobbying' activities and privileges, including the requirement to disclose negotiations for future private employment; (3) amendments to the statutory provisions requiring the disclosure of lobbying activities and other activities of registered lobbyists under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995, as amended; (4) the establishment in the legislative branch of a study commission on ethics and lobbying; and (5) the statutory provisions concerning the forfeiture of federal pension annuities for former Members of Congress for the conviction of certain crimes. Finally, the procedural changes that have been proposed in S. 1, including procedural matters concerning so-called 'earmark reforms,' matters in conference reports, and cost scoring provisions are also analyzed."

  Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

  Tatelman, Todd; Streeter, Sandy; Heniff, Bill . . .

  2007-01-30