3.8: Congressional Requests for Information
Other Information:
HHS and Congressional Requests for Information - The Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation (ASL) serves the Secretary
as the primary link between the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and Congress. In addition, ASL liaisons with
agency legislative staff to advocate for the department’s priorities and goals. ASL Divisions The office consists of six divisions:
Immediate Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation: Serves as principal advisor to the Secretary with respect to
all aspects of the Department’s legislative agenda and Congressional liaison activities. Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Discretionary Health Programs: Works on the legislative agenda and serves as the lead liaison for discretionary health
programs. This portfolio includes health-science-oriented operating divisions of the department including the National Institutes
of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Resources and Services
Administration, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, and the Surgeon General, among others.
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Mandatory Health Programs: Works on the legislative agenda and serves as the
lead liaison for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as well as the Indian Health Service. Office of the Deputy
Assistant Secretary for Human Services: Works on the legislative agenda and serves as the lead liaison for the departments’
human services and aging program divisions. Congressional Liaison Office: Serves as the lead liaison to Members of Congress
by notifying them of departmental activities and initiatives, maintaining the Department’s grant notification system and coordinating
agency response to congressional inquiries. Office of Oversight and Investigations: Responsible for all matters related to
Congressional oversight and investigations, including those performed by the Government Accountability Office. The organizational
structure chart and staff list for the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Legislation can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/asl/divisions/divisions.html#clo
Grants The ASL Congressional Liaison Office (CLO) responds to congressional inquiries about grant awards; notifies congressional
offices of grant awards made by the Department; and facilitates technical assistance regarding grants to Members of Congress
and their staff. ASL grant information can be found at: http://www.hhs.gov/asl/Grants/grants.html Testimony A complete listing
of testimony by the Secretary and other Department officials before the United States Congress. HHS testimony can be found
at: http://www.hhs.gov/asl/testify/2010/testimony.html
Indicator(s):
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