]

Congressional Staff

Each Member of Congress has staff to assist her or him during a term in office. To be most effective in communicating with Congress, you will want to know the commonly used titles and principal functions of key staff.

Read more about congressional staff below

Key Congressional Committees

Learn more about the key Congressional Committees that impact aging and health issues.

Read more about congressional committees below

Congressional Staff

Each Member of Congress has staff to assist her or him during a term in office. To be most effective in communicating with Congress, you will want to know the commonly used titles and principal functions of key staff.

Chief of Staff or Administrative Assistant

This staff member reports directly to the Member of Congress and usually has overall responsibility for evaluating the political outcomes of various legislative proposals and constituent requests. The chief of staff or administrative assistant (known as the “AA”) is usually the person in charge of overall office operations, including the assignment of work and the supervision of key staff.

Legislative Director, Legislative Counsel, Legislative Assistant, Legislative Correspondent

The legislative director (the “LD”) is usually the staff person who monitors the legislative schedule and makes recommendations regarding the pros and cons of particular issues. Responsibility for legislative analysis is assigned to the counsel or legislative assistants (LAs) who have particular expertise in specific areas. Depending on the responsibilities and interests of the member, an office may have separate LAs assigned to health, the environment, taxes, etc., as well as legislative correspondents (LCs) who draft letters on pending legislation.

Committee Staff and Fellows

Committee staffers often develop in-depth knowledge about highly complex legislation and policies. The staff of committees often includes individuals with specialized education and experience called "fellows."  They are paid through fellowships sponsored by academic institutions, foundations, or interest groups.  Fellows may spend six months to a year working on general committee issues or specific pieces of legislation.  

Communications Director or Press Secretary

The communications director’s responsibility is to build and maintain open and effective lines of communication between the member and constituents and the general public.

Scheduler, Appointment Secretary, or Personal Secretary

The scheduler is usually responsible for apportioning a member’s time among the many demands of congressional responsibilities and constituent requests.  The scheduler may also be responsible for making necessary travel arrangements, arranging speaking engagements and visits to the district, etc.  Don't underestimate the importance of this person!

Caseworker

The caseworker usually works in the member’s district office. The caseworker’s responsibilities include helping resolve problems presented by constituents that involve federal agencies. There are often several caseworkers in a district office.

Other

Other staff in a congressional office may include an office manager, staff assistant, receptionist, and interns.

Key Congressional Committees

Learn more about the key Congressional Committees that impact aging and health issues.

Senate Committees

Finance

  • Health Care Financing, Medicare, Medicaid, Long-Term Care, Elder Justice Act

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

  • Medical and Aging Research, Alzheimer’s Disease State Matching Grants Program, Health Professions Training
  • Older Americans Act, Senior Corps Programs, Experience Corps, Geriatrics Health Profession Programs

Commerce, Science, and Transportation

Appropriations

  • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education: Annual Appropriations for NIH, Alzheimer’s Research, State Demonstration Grants, and Health Professions Training, Geriatrics Health Professions Programs, Older Americans Act
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies: Annual Appropriations for Legal Services Corporation

Budget

  • Overall Spending Limits on Federal Programs

Special Committee on Aging

  • Investigates and analyzes matters relating to older adults
  • Recommends legislative action to the Senate
  • Publishes reports and educational materials for the public
  • Operates a hotline on frauds and scams

House of Representatives Committees

Ways and Means

  • Subcommittee on Health: Health Care Policy and Long-Term Care, Medicare, Elder Justice Act
  • Social Security, taxes, revenue

Energy and Commerce

  • Subcommittee on Health: Health Care Financing, Medicaid, Long-Term Care, Medical Research, Alzheimer’s Disease State Matching Grants, Health Professions Training, SCORE, Elder Justice Act
  • Consumer protection, food and drug safety, environment and energy policy

Education and the Workforce

  • Health Care Policy and Long-Term Care, Elder Justice Act, Older Americans Act, Senior Corps Programs, Experience Corps

Appropriations

  • Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education: Annual Appropriations for NIH, Alzheimer’s Research, State Demonstration Grants, Health Professions Training, Geriatrics Health Professions Programs, Older Americans Act
  • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies: Annual Appropriations for Legal Services Corporation

Budget

  • Overall Spending Limits on Federal Programs