Bureau of Legislative Affairs
The Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H) coordinates legislative activity for the Department of State and advises the Secretary, the Deputy, as well as the Under Secretaries and Assistant Secretaries on legislative strategy. H facilitates effective communication between State Department officials and the Members of Congress and their staffs. H works closely with authorizing, appropriations, and oversight committees of the House and Senate, as well as with individual Members that have an interest in State Department or foreign policy issues. H manages Department testimony before House and Senate hearings, organizes Member and staff briefings, and facilitates Congressional travel to overseas posts for Members and staff throughout the year. H reviews proposed legislation and coordinates Statements of Admini stration Policy on legislation affecting the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. The H staff advises individual Bureaus of the Department on legislative and outreach strategies and coordinates those strategies with the Secretary's priorities.
The Secretary of State is the principal Congressional Relations Officer of the Department. H supports the Secretary by ensuring that the administration's foreign policy priorities are reflected throughout the legislative process. H coordinates the annual testimony provided by the Secretary to Congressional committees with jurisdiction over State programs to explain Department priorities and budget requirements. The bureau succeeds in its overall mission by seeking passage of relevant foreign policy legislation and appropriations, obtaining advice and consent to treaties, as well as confirmation of the President's Departmental and Ambassadorial nominees by the Senate.
The Assistant Secretary, advises the Secretary of State on legislative matters, directs the Bureau of Legislative Affairs, and acts as the Department's principal liaison with the Congress.
Contact Information:
Phone: (202) 647-4204
FAX: (202) 647-2762
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Legislative Affairs
Washington, DC 20520
Current Events
Senate Testimony: Defense, Diplomacy and Development
Opening Remarks by Secretary Clinton before the Senate Appropriations Committee on the President's FY 2009 War Supplemental Request, April 30, Washington, D.C.: "The foreign policy of the United States is built on the three Ds: defense, diplomacy, and development. The men and women in our armed forces perform their duties with courage and skill, putting their lives on the line time and time again on behalf of our nation. And in many regions, they serve alongside civilians from the State Department and USAID, as well as other government agencies, like USDA." Full Text / View Video
Tribute to Sojourner Truth
Secretary Clinton's remarks at the Congressional Unveiling of a Bust in Tribute to Sojourner Truth at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol, April 28: "She is a sojourner of truth, by truth, and for truth. And her words, her example, and her legacy will never perish from this earth, so long as men and women stand up and say loudly and clearly: We hear you echoing down through the years of history, we believe that your journey is not yet over, and we will make the rest of that journey with you. God bless the memory of Sojourner Truth." Full Text / View Video
H1N1 Flu: U.S. Embassy, U.S. Consulates in Mexico Suspend Non-essential Services Until May 6
[T]he U.S. Embassy and all U.S. Consulates in Mexico have suspended all non-essential services to the public until May 6. Consular services for U.S. citizens is limited to emergency assistance and citizenship applications (passports and consular reports of birth abroad).
FY 2009 Budget in Brief
The annual Function 150 (International Affairs Budget Request) Summary and Highlights provides an overview of the total funding requested in four appropriations bills for the programs and activities of the International Affairs budget. PDF Version Fact Sheet
The Budget in Brief describes funding requested in one appropriations bill (that covering the Department of State, Foreign Operations and Related Agencies) for the worldwide operations of the State Department and selected other international programs and activities.
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