Congressional & Intergovernmental Affairs Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Overview

The Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs serves as advisor to the Administrator and supervises and maintains agency liaison with all members of Congress and congressional committees.  The Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental  Affairs:  prepares and coordinates GSA’s annual legislative program; communicates GSA’s legislative program to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Congress, and other interested parties; works closely with OMB in the coordination and clearance of all proposed legislation impacting GSA and its programs; prepares comments and makes recommendations on all bills submitted by GSA to the President for final action; and initiates, coordinates, and presents briefings to members of Congress and their staff on GSA programs and initiatives.

The Office also prepares, circulates, and finalizes agency reports/recommendations on GSA’s position concerning bills (including drafts) which affect GSA’s mission and responsibilities; coordinates and clears with OMB and other agencies, GSA reports, positions on legislative initiatives, testimony, follow-up questions; and answers submitted to congressional committees; coordinates all activities associated with GSA’s appearance before congressional committees, including the development of strategy, designation of witnesses, and preparation of testimony; represents GSA in meetings and discussions with other agencies on all legislative matters; and coordinates and approves all written responses to congressional correspondence.

The Office also:  develops periodic mailings to the Congress on significant agency initiatives; coordinates preparation of reports mandated by statute to be forwarded to the Congress as required; serves as liaison with state and local Government officials and their official national organizations on items concerning GSA; prepares weekly GSA intergovernmental affairs report for the White House Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, and provides policy oversight responsibility to Members of Congress' State and District offices nationwide.

Congressional Testimony