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Order Code 98-340 GOV
Updated April 21, 2003
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Congressional Staff: Duties and Functions
John S. Pontius
Specialist in American National Government
Government and Finance Division
Faye M. Bullock
Technical Information Specialist
Government and Finance Division
The tasks of a Member's personal staff include developing legislation, managing the
office, press relations, answering mail, casework, scheduling appearances and
appointments, and other duties. Congressional committee staff assist Members with
committee hearings, markups, reports, and assist Members when necessary on the floor
and in conference committees. This fact sheet is one of a series of fact sheets on
legislative process; see [http://www.crs.gov/products/guides/guidehome.shtml].
Member Personal Staff
Members of Congress control the hiring of personal staff as well as the assignment
of tasks in their offices. While the staff of a Member's office in the House of
Representatives may not exceed 18 full-time employees and four part-time employees, the
average number of staff in an office is 15 (2002 House Staff Employment survey by the
Congressional Management Foundation (CMF). A Senator has no limit on the number
of employees that can be hired, as long as the Senator stays within the combined
allowances available for staff and office expenses. A CMF 2001 Senate Staff Employment
survey found that the average number of employees in a Senate office is 35. Senate staff
size varies according to the population of a state. Senators from states with fewer than
two million people average 33 employees, while Senators from states with over 10 million
people average 44 employees. Approximately one-third of personal staff work in district
or state offices, according to CMF. Although congressional offices vary in how staff
positions are structured, a staffer performs one or more of six common activities:
Legislative staff conduct research and analysis on policy issues and
assist in devising and carrying out strategies for accomplishing the
legislative goals of the Member. Positions include legislative director,
legislative assistant, legislative correspondent, and legislative secretary.
Administrative (and some legislative) staff are responsible for
processing and responding to mail. Position titles are office systems
manager, legislative correspondent, computer operator, and mail clerk.
Office management staff deal with staff recruitment, pay, coordination
between district and state offices and a Member's Washington, DC,
Congressional Research Service *** The Library of Congress](ViewImageLocal?handle=hein.crs/crsuntaajlc0001&div=1&collection=&method=preview&ext=.png&size=3)