Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (Department of Education)

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Stored: Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (Department of Education)

Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (Department of Education)
Type: Administrative and Support Agencies
Parent organization: Department of Education
Top organization: Department of Education
Employees: 30
Executive: Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs
Budget: $5 million (FY 2024)
Address: 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202
Website: https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca
Creation Legislation: None
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Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (Department of Education)
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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.
Services

Legislative strategy; Congressional liaison; grant notifications; constituent support

Regulations

None

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.

Official Site

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.[1]

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.[2]

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.[3]

Partners

The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs collaborates with:

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.[5]

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.[6]

Leader

The Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs is headed by an Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs.[6]

Divisions

The divisions include:

  • Legislative Affairs for crafting and promoting education policy proposals.[6]
  • Congressional Relations for managing communications and meetings with Congress.[6]
  • Constituent Services for addressing Congressional inquiries and casework.[7]

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.[8]
  • Legislative Technical Assistance Program for providing policy expertise to Congress.[9]

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.[10]

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.[6]

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.[11]

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.[12]

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.[13]

Headquarters address

The headquarters address, as listed on Google Maps, is 400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20202.[14]

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.[15][16]

Related

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca. 
  2. ↑ "Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca. 
  3. ↑ "Department of Education Organization Act". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/senate-bill/210. 
  4. ↑ "Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca. 
  5. ↑ "OLCA Functional Statements". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca/functional-statements.html. 
  6. ↑ Jump up to: 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 "OLCA Functional Statements". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca/functional-statements.html. 
  7. ↑ "Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca. 
  8. ↑ "Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca. 
  9. ↑ "OLCA Functional Statements". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca/functional-statements.html. 
  10. ↑ "FY 2024 Budget Summary". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget24/24action.pdf. 
  11. ↑ "FY 2024 Budget Summary". U.S. Department of Education. https://www2.ed.gov/about/overview/budget/budget24/24action.pdf. 
  12. ↑ "Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca. 
  13. ↑ "Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/olca. 
  14. ↑ "400 Maryland Ave SW". Google Maps. https://www.google.com/maps/place/400+Maryland+Ave+SW,+Washington,+DC+20202. 
  15. ↑ "Overview and Mission". U.S. Department of Education. https://www.ed.gov/about/overview/mission. 
  16. ↑ "Department of Education Organization Act". U.S. Congress. https://www.congress.gov/bill/96th-congress/senate-bill/210. 
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