Spotlight
Office of Congressional Affairs
Director: Rebecca L Schmidt
Associate Director for Congressional Affairs: Amy Powell
Federal and External Affairs: Raeann Shane
The Office of Congressional Affairs (OCA) is a Commission Staff Office, which reports directly to the Office of the Chairman. In that capacity, OCA is responsible for ensuring that the NRC meets its statutory responsibility to keep the appropriate Congressional oversight committees fully and currently informed about the NRC’s activities. For additional detail, see the following topics on this page:
Functional Responsibilities
The primary responsibility of OCA is to provide advice and assistance to the Chairman, the Commission, and NRC staff on Congressional matters; NRC relations with Congress; and views of Congress toward NRC policies, plans, and activities. OCA also maintains ongoing communication with Congressional committees and members of Congress on matters of interest to the NRC. In addition, as the primary point-of-contact for all communications with Congress, OCA reviews and concurs on all outgoing correspondence to members of Congress. The OCA staff also coordinates internal NRC activities with Congress (such as briefings and notifications); plans and develops the NRC’s legislative program to implement Commission policy objectives; and monitors legislative proposals, bills, and hearings.
Within the OCA organizational structure, the NRC Protocol Office extends hospitality to Members of Congress, distinguished visitors, and other dignitaries. In that way, the office serves as liaison between dignitaries and the Commission with respect to official visits and events.
Finally, OCA includes the NRC's Federal and External Affairs program. Through that program, OCA serves as an initial point-of-contact for Commission interactions with other Federal agencies and external organizations, including those that represent public interest groups, non-governmental organizations, and the nuclear industry. For Federal intergovernmental and external matters concerning the Commission, please contact oca_web@nrc.gov.
Organizational Structure and Staffing
The following table summarizes OCA's organizational structure and staffing responsibilities.
| Contact | Title/Responsibilities | Backup |
|---|---|---|
| Rebecca L. Schmidt | Director | |
| Amy Powell | Associate Director for Congressional Affairs Primary contact for Yucca Mountain, NRC office space, Congressional District outreach, knowledge management, & Human Capital Council |
|
| Kimberly A. Sargent | Director of Protocol | |
| Gene Dacus | Senior Congressional Affairs Officer Primary contact for general reactors (including research and test reactors), safety culture, & Region I reactor issues |
Jenny Weil |
| David L. Decker | Senior Congressional Affairs Officer Primary contact for security, emergency preparedness, international issues, budget and appropriations issues, legislative proposals, & Region II reactor issues |
Tim Riley |
| Timothy K. Riley | Congressional Affairs Officer Primary contact for human capital issues, recruitment, environmental issues, Congressional hearing schedule, contract/grant notifications & Region III reactor issues |
David Decker |
| Congressional Affairs Officer Primary contact for materials, waste, decommissioning and decontamination, fuel cycle facilities, & Region IV reactor issues |
Gene Dacus | |
| Raeann M. Shane | Senior Federal/External Affairs Officer Primary contact for new reactors; also represents OCA on NRC Communications Council, and works within OCA's Federal and External Affairs Program |
David Decker |
| Susan V. Wittick | Protocol Specialist | |
| Nancy D. Belmore | Administrative Assistant |
