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OLCA: Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs
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About the Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs

The Department's Office of Legislation and Congressional Affairs (OLCA) primarily acts as the liaison between the Department and Congress, coordinating all Department matters relevant to Congress. OLCA has a leadership role in planning, developing, and implementing the Department's legislative goals and strategies; notifying Congressional offices of grant awards and Department initiatives; addressing appropriations and budget matters; and monitoring the status of legislative proposals.

OLCA's organizational structure consists of political leadership who work to effectively communicate the Administration's position on education issues, career staff for policy that advise on legislation, and Congressional affairs staff that aid in resolving constituent concerns.

OLCA also works with employees throughout the Department to respond to written and oral inquiries from individual members of Congress, prepare for legislative hearings, and facilitate meetings between members of Congress and Department senior officials.

OLCA receives and tracks inquiries through the Department's correspondence control system. Each Congressional inquiry is assigned to the appropriate principal office within the Department for response. The Department typically provides responses between two and six weeks, depending on the complexity of the inquiry.

OLCA is in daily contact with members of Congress and their staff. This interaction ensures that the initiatives of Congress and the Department are achieved. To ensure appropriate coordination on Congressional matters, please remember to refer all Congressional inquiries to OLCA for appropriate coordination and response.

Congressional members can contact OLCA through its main telephone line at 202-401-0020. Correspondence can be mailed to 400 Maryland Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20202-3100.


 
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Last Modified: 06/09/2014