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Executive Office

The Executive Office of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H/EX) is responsible for Legislative Operations with oversight of Department of State support activities provided to Members of Congress and their staff. It facilitates official foreign travel of Member and staff delegations; responds to written, telephonic and electronic communications by Members of Congress; oversees the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) clearance process for official testimony before Congress; maintains records of all relevant hearings; and provides basic administrative support for the bureau.

The Office annually handles approximately:

• 1,500 pieces of legislation;
• 300 congressional hearings;
• 8,000 pieces of congressional correspondence;
• 500 congressional reports and notifications;
• 18,000 congressional inquires; and
• 2,000 congressional overseas travelers.

Legislative Reference Unit

The Legislative Reference Unit (LRU) oversees the coordination and clearance functions of the Bureau of Legislative Affairs with respect to all Department programs and activities. This office monitors all significant legislation involving the Department and serves as the liaison in the legislative clearance process, coordinating views between OMB, National Security Council, and other executive agencies. Items maintained in this legislative clearance process include: Presidential executive orders, proclamations, Statements of Administration Policy (SAP), enrolled bills, and reports (including testimony) on pending legislation. The LRU coordinates the review, preparation, and submission of transcripts of Congressional hearings, insuring that appropriate editorial changes are made in accordance with Committee guidelines. The LRU maintains a library of hearings, transcripts and Questions For the Record (QFRs) involving the Secretary, Department principals, and other Department witnesses. In addition, the LRU is responsible for coordinating and maintaining the system that identifies, tasks, and tracks reports to Congress, required by law and by legislative history, which are prepared for signature and submission by the Secretary of State or the President.

Congressional Correspondence Unit

The Congressional Correspondence Unit (CCU) receives and tracks all written correspondence from Members of Congress, including requests for testimony, briefings, documents, and speaking engagements. The CCU also responds to telephone inquiries from congressional offices seeking information related to Department programs, policies and publications.

Congressional Support Unit

The Congressional Support Unit (CSU) helps facilitate official foreign travel for Members of Congress and their Staff. The CSU is responsible for all substantive aspects of Congressional travel including notification to Posts abroad, compilation of itineraries and scheduling. On a policy level, the CSU is responsible for successful coordination of Congressional (CODEL) and Staff (STAFFDEL) delegation travel to foreign posts in support of the President of the United States' foreign policy objectives.

Congressional Travel Office

The Congressional Travel Unit (CTU) facilitates official foreign travel arrangements for Members of Congress and their Staff. The trips are usually identified by one of three categories:

• Congressional Delegation (CODEL): led by a Member of Congress (Senator/Representative)
• Staff Delegation (STAFFDEL): led by a Professional Staff Member
• Non-Delegation (NODEL): led by a Member of Congress (Senator/Representative) in a non-official capacity. (No Congressional funds are expended.)