Office of Legislative Counsel: House (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised May 21, 2014 |
| Report Number |
RS20735 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Matthew E. Glassman, Government and Finance Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
The original Legislative Drafting Service, established by Section 1303 of the Revenue Act of 1918, was a single agency composed of two independent branches, one under the direction of the Senate and the other under the direction of the House. The House Office of Legislative Counsel was given its own separate legislative charter by Title V of the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1970 (2 U.S.C. 281-282e), effectively separating the Office of Legislative Counsel into autonomous House and Senate components. [â¦] The management, supervision, and administration of the Office is vested in the House Legislative Counsel, appointed by the Speaker of the House. The Legislative Counsel is empowered to 'appoint such attorneys and other employees as may be necessary for the prompt and efficient performance of the functions of the Office.' These attorneys are both subject-matter specialists and experts in legislative drafting. The Legislative Counsel also designates a deputy legislative counsel to serve during his absence or disability or when the position of Legislative Counsel is vacant. The professional staff of the office includes approximately 50 attorneys and an administrative support staff.
