Office of Legislative & Public Affairs
About the Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
The Office of Legislative and Public Affairs serves as the Commission’s liaison with Congress on sentencing and appropriations matters, monitors Congress’s criminal law agenda, analyzes legislative proposals, drafts congressional testimony, and takes the lead role in responding to congressional inquiries. The office also provides services and information to other external entities, including the judiciary, executive branch, academia, and advocacy groups. The office works closely with the Office of General Counsel on statutory interpretations and analyses.
The office is also responsible for the agency’s public information functions, responding to inquiries and requests for information from the media, the public, attorneys, the criminal justice community, Congress, academia, and government agencies. The office plays a primary role in the coordination, drafting, and editing of many Commission publications (e.g., annual reports, newsletters) and coordinates the production, printing, and dissemination of all hard-copy Commission publications, including the Guidelines Manual and reports to Congress. The office also plays a key role in the coordination of Commission public hearings.