 Congressional Staff Role  rely on their staffs to help with many congressional duties  congressional workloads have increased ▪ staff duties have become more important  Congressional Staff Growth  Before 1946 Congress had no staff aides ▪ More complex issues have created demand for more staff  Congressional staffs help Congress serve constituents’ demands

 Work directly for the legislator  3 Types of Personal Staff  Administrative Assistants ▪ Runs schedule, office, and gives advice  Legislative Assistants ▪ Keep legislator informed on bills ▪ Assist legislator with committee meetings ▪ Keep track of all work being done on Senate floor  Caseworkers ▪ Keep in touch with constituents

 Duties of committee staffers  Drafting bills  Studying issues  Planning committee hearings  Writing memos and reports

 The Library of Congress  One of the largest libraries  Handle requests for information from legislators  Researches issues for Congress  Congressional Budget Office  coordinates budget making  Studies presidential budget proposals  projects new program costs  Tracks congressional spending

 General Accounting Office  Watchdog over spending of funds  Answer requests from lawmakers  Government Printing Office  Print the Congressional Record ▪ a complete account of all congressional speeches  Print the Statistical Abstract of the United States ▪ annual publication.