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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 Administration 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:Address:
U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Legislative Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

Current Events

20th Anniversary of the Fall of the Berlin Wall
Secretary Clinton’s remarks at the Brandenburg Gate Celebration, Nov. 9, Berlin, Germany:  "[W[e remember the Germans on both sides of the wall, but particularly the Germans in the East who stood up and finally were able to say, ‘No more. Freedom is our birthright and we will take it by our own hands.’ We know that millions of hearts, of minds, and hands were behind those who literally tore down the wall. [H]istory did not end the night the wall came down; it began anew."  Full Text / Voices of U.S. Diplomacy and the Berlin Wall / Germany Info

APEC Singapore Conference
Secretary’s Remarks at the APEC Singapore Conference, Nov. 11:  "[W]e’ve had a productive day of discussion, covering the full range of regional and global issues confronting our nations. I have stressed the Obama Administration’s commitment to substantive cooperation. That is a commitment that I have felt very strongly about and made clear on my first trip as Secretary of State to Asia earlier this year. And when President Obama arrives here later this week, he will underscore our view that APEC is an essential forum for engagement and for common action."  Full Text / Trip Page / Singapore Info

U.S. Donates New Relief Funds to the Philippines
Secretary’s remarks at the Malanday High School, Marikina Flood Relief Site, Nov. 12, Manila:  "Today, I am pleased to announce that there will be more than $5 million in new relief funds for the Philippines. This new support will help rebuild schools like this one, construct new classrooms, and provide 300,000 books and desks for 15,000 students. It will also help to repair damaged water and sanitation systems to prevent the spread of disease, and it will help to refurbish clinics to provide medical supplies and assistance." Full Text / Trip Page / Philippines Info