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Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (Department of Education) (view source)

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{{Organization
{{Organization  
|OrganizationName=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (OLCA)
|OrganizationName=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs  
|OrganizationType=Government
|OrganizationType=Administrative and Support Agencies
|Mission=To serve as the liaison between the U.S. Department of Education and Congress, providing legislative advocacy and managing all interactions relevant to congressional oversight, legislation, and policy; ensuring the Department's legislative initiatives align with educational goals.
|Mission=The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs advances the Department of Education’s legislative priorities through strategic engagement with Congress. It serves as the primary liaison to ensure effective communication and coordination on education policy.
|OrganizationExecutive=Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs
|OrganizationExecutive=Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs
|Employees=
|Employees=30
|Budget=
|Budget=$5 million (FY 2024)
|Website=https://www.ed.gov
|Website=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca
|Services=Legislative strategy; Congressional liaison; Policy formulation; Congressional inquiries
|Services=Legislative strategy; Congressional liaison; grant notifications; constituent support
|ParentOrganization=[[U.S. Department of Education]]
|ParentOrganization=Department of Education
|CreationLegislation=[[Department of Education Organization Act|Department of Education Organization Act of 1979]]
|TopOrganization=Department of Education
|Regulations=
|CreationLegislation=None
|HeadquartersLocation=38.8903° N, 77.0116° W
|Regulations=None
|HeadquartersAddress=400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202
|HeadquartersLocation=38.8868658,-77.0189258
|HeadquartersAddress=400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202
}}
}}


'''Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (OLCA)'''
'''Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (OLCA)''' is a key component of the U.S. Department of Education, serving as the primary liaison between the Department and Congress, coordinating all legislative matters, including policy development, grant notifications, and constituent inquiries. It plays a critical role in advancing the Department’s education agenda by cultivating relationships with Congressional members, providing technical assistance on legislation, and ensuring timely responses to Congressional concerns, thereby supporting the mission of fostering educational excellence and equal access.


The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (OLCA) within the U.S. Department of Education is primarily responsible for facilitating communication and coordination between the​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
{{Official URL (simple)|url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca}}
 
==Mission==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs is dedicated to promoting the Department of Education’s goals by leading the development and implementation of legislative strategies that align with the Administration’s education priorities. It ensures open communication with Congress through daily interactions, technical assistance, and coordination, fostering partnerships to enhance student achievement and global competitiveness.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca |title=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Parent organization==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs operates under the [[Department of Education]], which serves as both its parent and top organization. It works closely with other Department offices to align legislative efforts with broader education policies and programs, such as those related to student aid and school improvement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca |title=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Legislation==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs was not created by specific legislation but functions under the general authority of the [[Department of Education Organization Act of 1979]], which established the Department and its administrative offices.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/senate-bill/210 |title=Department of Education Organization Act |publisher=U.S. Congress |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Partners==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs collaborates with:
 
* [[House Committee on Education and the Workforce]] for legislative development
* [[Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions]] for policy coordination
* Other federal agencies for interagency legislative matters<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca |title=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Number of employees==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs employs approximately 30 staff members, including political appointees, career policy advisors, and Congressional affairs specialists.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca/functional-statements.html |title=OLCA Functional Statements |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Organization structure==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs is structured to manage legislative and Congressional interactions efficiently, with units focused on policy, outreach, and coordination. Key components include:
 
* Legislative Strategy Unit is responsible for developing and advancing the Department’s legislative agenda.
* Congressional Liaison Unit handles daily interactions with Congress and constituent casework.
* Policy Analysis Unit advises on legislative impacts and monitors Congressional activities.<ref name="OLCA-Functional">{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca/functional-statements.html |title=OLCA Functional Statements |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
===Leader===
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs is headed by an [[Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs]].<ref name="OLCA-Functional" />
 
===Divisions===
 
The divisions include:
 
* Legislative Affairs for crafting and promoting education policy proposals.<ref name="OLCA-Functional" />
* Congressional Relations for managing communications and meetings with Congress.<ref name="OLCA-Functional" />
* Constituent Services for addressing Congressional inquiries and casework.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca |title=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==List of programs==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs does not administer public-facing programs but supports Department-wide initiatives through:
 
* Congressional Grant Notification Program for informing Congress of grant awards.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca |title=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
* Legislative Technical Assistance Program for providing policy expertise to Congress.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca/functional-statements.html |title=OLCA Functional Statements |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Last total enacted budget==
 
The last total enacted budget for the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs was approximately $5 million for FY 2024, covering staff, operations, and legislative coordination efforts.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget24/24action.pdf |title=FY 2024 Budget Summary |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Staff==
 
The Office employs about 30 personnel, including political leadership, career staff specializing in education policy, and Congressional affairs experts who manage relationships with Congress and handle constituent casework. Staff are based in Washington, D.C., and maintain daily contact with Congressional offices.<ref name="OLCA-Functional" />
 
==Funding==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs is funded through the Department of Education’s budget, with roughly $5 million allocated in FY 2024. Its funding supports legislative strategy, Congressional outreach, and staff operations, remaining relatively stable over recent years to meet core liaison responsibilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget24/24action.pdf |title=FY 2024 Budget Summary |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Services provided==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs provides legislative strategy development, Congressional liaison services, grant award notifications, and constituent casework support. It coordinates Department responses to Congressional inquiries, facilitates hearings, and provides technical assistance to shape education legislation, ensuring alignment with the Department’s mission.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca |title=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Regulations overseen==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs does not oversee federal regulations, as its role centers on legislative coordination and Congressional relations rather than regulatory enforcement.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca |title=Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Headquarters address==
 
The headquarters address, as listed on Google Maps, is 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/400+Maryland+Ave+SW,+Washington,+DC+20202 |title=400 Maryland Ave SW |publisher=Google Maps |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==History==
 
The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs was formalized as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s structure following the [[Department of Education Organization Act of 1979]], which created the Department to consolidate federal education efforts. Since its inception, OLCA has served as the Department’s primary Congressional liaison, evolving to manage complex legislative strategies and constituent relations in support of education policy advancements.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ed.gov/about/overview/mission |title=Overview and Mission |publisher=U.S. Department of Education |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/senate-bill/210 |title=Department of Education Organization Act |publisher=U.S. Congress |access-date=April 11, 2025}}</ref>
 
==Related==
 
* [[Department of Education]]
* [[House Committee on Education and the Workforce]]
* [[Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions]]
 
==External links==
 
* [https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca Official Website]
* [[wikipedia:United States Department of Education]]
* [https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca/functional-statements.html OLCA Functional Statements]
* [https://www.ed.gov/about/overview/mission Department Mission Overview]
 
==References==
 
<references />
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